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Tracks (G1)

2011-02-23T16:29:21Z

120.28.64.78: /* Transformers Reveal the Shield (2010) */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambigr|Tracks|the ''Animated''-series Autobot|Tracks (Animated)}}

:''Tracks is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tracksg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|If God had wanted Tracks to multiply, he would have given him the Creation Matrix and luscious lips. But he only gave him the luscious lips.]]

'''Tracks''' is a little bit of a narcissist, according to his Autobot buddies, and it's hard for him to stay lighthearted and gay under such criticism. He attributes it to jealousy, since few Autobots are so well-endowed with a sleek, muscular, and tastefully decorated sports car mode as his.

The truth is, Tracks's armament is considerable. In the wink of an eye, he can erect his hardened launcher shafts and deploy two flaming incendiary missiles. These projectiles are heat-seeking, seeking out warm Decepticon bodies and striking hard in sensitive places. With his long and powerful "blinding" [[black beam gun]], which negates light, he strikes his enemies in the darkness. Whether defending [[San Francisco]] or displaying his trademark moves in [[Dancitron]], Tracks is one fantastically flamboyant fighter!

Tracks can even fly like a butterfly by deploying his secret, hidden wings from their protective closet.

He should be a dangerous opponent, but his concern with preserving his stylish appearance and poor ability to work with fellow Autobots hampers him. Often he simply cruises the metro area alone all night, looking for Decepticons worthy of his attentions. Tracks may not always get along with his friends, but he knows his enemies. He knows them very well, indeed.

His [[Action Master partner]] is [[Basher]].

{{quote|Keep San Francisco clean—LEAVE!|Tracks to the Asteroid bird alien|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Le Sillage''' ("The Trail")
:''Hungarian name'': '''Vagány''' ("Tough guy")
:''Italian name'': '''Puma'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Rasto''' ("Track")
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Trilho''' ("Track")
:''Russian name:'' '''Krakh''' (''Крах'', "Failure")
==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American)

[[Image:DinobotIsland2 Tracks robotmode.jpg|thumb|left|250px|How this show lasted this far without me, I'll never know.]]
Tracks was one of several Autobots who appeared out of nowhere one day. He listened in as [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] reported the discovery of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|an island full of dinosaurs]]. Following another [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] mishap at base, Tracks helped with repairs. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} He, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] were sent out to intercept and drive back a pirate ship that had appeared through a temporal anomaly due to Megatron's interference on the temporally displaced [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} Tracks took part in a game of basketball with the Dinobots, and failed to stop [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] from making a slam dunk. As Prime observed that Tracks was in need of maintenance, and he admitted that he'd had a deuce of a time trying to get an appointment with [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. As it turned out, Hoist and [[Grapple]] had somehow fallen in with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to build Grapple's [[Solar Power Tower]]. Tracks was part of the mission to see what was going on, and ended up fighting [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Following the Autobot victory, he helped dig through the ruins of the tower to find Grapple and Hoist. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

[[Image:MMP1 Tracks fires black beam gun.jpg|thumb|right|240px|And I said "let there be dark!"]]
When the Decepticons attacked a new solar power plant in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], Tracks took to the air and blasted [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] with his black beam gun. In retaliation, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] rammed Tracks, knocking the Autobot out of the sky. The Decepticons retreated, much to the delight of the [[human]]s present. Tracks complained about the annoying cheering noise they were making. He was happy enough to take part in [[Autobot Day]], until an incriminating video (faked by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] of course) was shown and the crowds turned against the Autobots. They retreated to Headquarters, but a short time later, the authorities turned up to arrest them and put them on trial. The verdict was swiftly delivered, and the Autobots forced to leave the planet on a spaceship provided by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Locked on course to the [[Sun]], the Autobots abandoned ship and used [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] to return to [[Earth]], where the Decepticon plot had already been revealed. The Autobots freed the enslaved humans and chased off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} After the theft of the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and Tracks reported from the field that they hadn't detected any Decepticon activity. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:G1MakeTracks TracksRaoul.jpg|left|240px|thumb|It's not what it looks like, honestly!]]
Tracks and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] assisted the [[New York City|New York]] Police Department's Crime Buster program by parking themselves in a seedy, run-down neighborhood to entice car thieves to steal them, then capturing the thieves and their buyer. Back at [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage, Tracks opined that New York City was exhilarating and that they could remain there forever as far as he was concerned, to the amusement of the other Autobots. Annoyed at their attitude, Tracks took off for a joyride, but almost immediately fell prey to a gang of would-be car thieves who shot out Tracks' tires as he tried to run them off the road. Crashing into a streetlight, Tracks was badly damaged and unable to transform. Fortunately, the car thief with a heart of gold, [[Raoul]], happened by and decided to take possession of Tracks, who quickly revealed he was no ordinary badly damaged dark blue Corvette Stingray with a giant flaming logo on his hood.

Together, the pair tailed the [[Geddis brothers]] to a Decepticon installation in the [[Pine Barrens]], where the Constructicons were converting stolen cars. When an electrical fault disabled Tracks during the course of the investigation, Raoul came to his rescue, and they both fled through the woods, eventually running into some more Autobots. Tracks joined Bumblebee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] in defending downtown from the stolen vehicles, converted into drones by the Decepticons, and was appalled when they damaged the Chrysler Building. Tracks and Raoul took part in the assault on the Decepticon base, however Megatron grabbed the young human. Tracks announced that if Raoul was harmed, there'd be trouble, but the threat proved unnecessary, as Raoul made use of a can of spray paint to escape. At Prime's invitation, Tracks demolished the base with a few well-placed shots. Later, he volunteered Raoul to help [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] fix all the cars that the Decepticons had messed with. {{storylink|Make Tracks}}

[[Image:QuestForSurvival Inferno puts out Tracks.jpg|thumb|right|260px|But this is!]]
Tracks was part of a disastrous attempt to stop the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] from eating Earth crops. [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] set him on fire, forcing Inferno to put him out. Tracks bravely fought on until [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] called a retreat and they returned to Headquarters for repairs. Some time later, after Cosmos had become trapped by an infestation of [[Morphobot]]s, Tracks took part in rescue efforts. As [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] used his music to repel the creatures, Tracks and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] helped hook Cosmos up to Hoist. Unfortunately during the subsequent fight with the Decepticons, the [[robotic insecticide]] was destroyed, leaving them with no weapon against the Insecticon army. It all turned out okay, as said army was eaten by the Morphobots anyway. Tracks watched as the Morphobots were launched into space to wreck some other planet's ecology. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[Image:SecretOmegaSupreme Tracks is alarmed.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Tracks Threatens his Hand: Part 1]]
When [[San Francisco]] was threatened by an [[Asteroid bird alien|alien bird creature]], Tracks risked his life in battle to defend the city until [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] arrived to drive it off. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} Following Megatron's disappearance, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] took over a sports stadium and had the Constructicons build a maze leading to it. Tracks, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] attempted to traverse the maze, only to get totaled by Blitzwing and built into a throne. Fortunately Hoist came to the rescue and fixed them all up in time to witness Megatron's return and the downfall of Blitzwing and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. The four repaired Autobots jokingly arranged themselves into a throne for Optimus afterwards. Optimus declined their kind offer. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

Whilst out on a supply run with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Tracks opined that Optimus Prime had sent him out on this task to show the humans that Autobots didn't just have strength, but refinement as well. When Bumblebee sharply pointed out his comrade's lack of humility, Tracks replied that he feared ''some'' Autobots had much to be humble about. Together, they watched a storefront television report by [[Hector Ramirez (G1)|Hector Ramirez]] on the disappearance of a [[Daina|top secret Soviet jet]], for which blame was placed on the [[United States of America]]. Bumblebee suspected Decepticon involvement, which was convenient, as Tracks saw Astrotrain and Blitzwing lurking about nearby. The Autobots gave chase, only to discover the 'Cons were holographs projected by the big game hunter [[Lord Chumley]], and the pair were quickly subdued. After several more Autobots were captured, the imprisoned hostages were forced to run through several cruel and unusual torture devices. Tracks in particular was forced to race around a small, spiked track while laser cannons fired at him. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

[[Image:G1Auto-Bop Tracks girl.jpg|right|230px|thumb|"Eeek, Mr. Tracks, can I have your autograph?" "Sure thing, baby."]]
Tracks and Blaster were reunited with Raoul when the human and [[Bop Crew]] were being chased by [[Furg]]'s gang outside of the [[Dancitron]] night club. Tracks stylishly defeated the thugs by arcing his laser fire horizontally, simultaneously destroying several of the weapons wielded by Furg's men. As he did so, he noticed that one of the gang members was a man dressed in a business suit. The Autobots decided to investigate further.

Inside the club, Tracks declined to dance with some girls, and [[Stylish man|another patron]] asked him where he could "get those threads" (meaning Tracks's robot body). As Tracks left, remarking that Dancitron wasn't ''his'' kind of club, he noted that there were more out-of-place humans, including a housewife in a bathrobe and a garbage man. Tracks and Blaster came to Raoul's aid again when the driver of a train in which the humans were traveling was "activated' by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and accelerated the train to unsafe speeds. Later, Tracks and Raoul were attacked by brainwashed "workers" at a construction site for something large and mysterious. Bravely risking his paint job, Tracks protected Raoul from red-hot rivets fired by a brainwashed construction worker.

[[Image:Trackscruc2.jpg|left|260px|thumb|Tracks forgot his safeword.]]
Returning to the club, Tracks was lured into a trap by the mind-controlled [[Poplock]] and [[Rocksteady]]. Barely evading Starscream's attack, Tracks was assaulted by the rest of the club's patrons and chained up to the sound system, where the Decepticons hoped the music would eventually shake him apart. After Raoul de-hypnotised the club patrons by getting them slightly wet, the humans freed Tracks, who proceeded to take off after the fleeing Starscream. Crazy like a fox, Tracks seeded the clouds above the mysterious construction site, causing rain to fall down on the hypnotised workers, totally ruining Starscream's plan forever. Knowing that despite his good looks, he was outgunned and outpowered, Tracks used his superior agility to trick Starscream into flying into the half-constructed building and damaging himself when the Decepticon failed to avoid obstructions. With the Decepticons defeated, Tracks and Blaster destroyed the mysterious building. Grateful to the Bop Crew for saving his life, Tracks had Blaster help them out by acting as the boom box for their curbside breakdance sessions, to the latter's horror. {{storylink|Auto-Bop}}

[[Image:HoistGoesHollywood Sunstreaker Tracks masks.jpg|right|240px|thumb|]]
After Hoist was hired to be in a film, a number of other Autobots got wind of it and decided to volunteer their services as well. Tracks and the others impressed the [[director]] enough that he cast them, and Tracks ended up as a stunt vehicle, flying into a fake brick wall. The Autobots were dissatisfied with their assigned roles and told Hoist to try and pull some strings. The director decided to rethink the movie, and had Tracks and the others dressed as "evil alien robots". Tracks confessed he felt like a fool, but refused to quit. While shooting another scene, the pyrotechnics turned out to be bigger than expected, and the Autobots were nearly blown up. The shoot had been sabotaged by the Decepticons, who were after film of Dirge, who had crashed while carrying a device stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[Wheeljack's workshop|workshop]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After the affair was resolved, Tracks and the other Autobots decided not to be a part of the movie business after all. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Later, Tracks was one of several Autobots facing off against the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] near the [[Seattle-Tacoma area]] when Megatron was using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the land into metal. He was rammed by [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] into a boulder and flipped over. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Tracks was one of several Autobots who participated in the [[Europa 2000]], a charity race from Paris to Istanbul which, if the Autobots won, would have netted them a million dollars, which they would give to charity. Tracks was disdainful of the arrogant American driver [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]] and his suped-up [[Symultech Industries]] car. During the race, Tracks tried to contact the other Autobots, only to find out they had been disabled by the Stunticons in Megatron's quest to stop the Autobots from interfering with his plans for the [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. Teamed up with Cahnay and [[Professor Teranova|a scientist who mysteriously disappeared]] during the course of the battle, the Autobots defeated [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and destroyed the Pearl. {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express}}

[[Image:Masquerade Tracks firing.jpg|thumb|left|230px|... And Part 2]]
After [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] was abducted by the Decepticons, Tracks was one of the Autobots who volunteered to go on the rescue mission, and was subsequently struck down with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Fortunately a cure was soon forthcoming. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} He also took part in the defense of Headquarters during a Decepticon attack. Megatron soon retreated, not because of anything the Autobots did, but because he had realised that Starscream was behind everything. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Tracks helped defend a human city from the Insecticons, however a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] plan saw the Autobots searching for a component to get the [[space bridge]] working so they could reach Cybertron. They eventually tracked the component down, only to find the Insecticons had chewed it up. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Tracks was part of a responsive strike against a series of Stunticon raids on human compounds. He took to the air at one point, prompting [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] to remark that his flying car mode was "droll". In retaliation for this unwarranted remark, Tracks blinded Dead End with his black light gun, which caused the Decepticon to drive into the car-crushing fists of [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]. {{storylink|Masquerade}}
{{-}}

====''Binaltech''====
When the Decepticons unleashed Cosmic Rust on Earth, Tracks was one of the many Autobots infested with the virus. As [[Earth Defense Command]] created the Binaltech Project in order to help the Autobots, Tracks was one of the first patients to undergo transference into an [[electro-cell]] powered new body. With the help of his fellow Binaltech Autobots (Smokescreen, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]), Tracks and his new powers were used to drive the Decepticons off the planet. He remained part of the soldiers based at Autobot City on Earth.

Tracks apparently now had the power to change and update his paint job at will. Thrilling. Simply thrilling.

====''Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:JHeadmasters09Tracks.jpg|thumb|"Look, I'll stop asking you to fix my every little nick and scratch, '''I swear!'''" "KIYAAAAAAAA!"]]
Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Tracks briefly engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Years onward, Tracks was seen on Earth working with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], he was dispatched to intercept invading Decepticons and prevent them from interfering with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s search for the Matrix. The group was not actually seen to confront anyone. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Later, while defending Cybertron, Tracks got kicked in the face ''really hard''... by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. Uh, heat of the moment? {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I was rebuilt out of better spare parts than the rest of you!]]
Tracks was (re?)constructed on Earth by the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when the Autobots' forces were depleted using the [[mind bank]], his mind downloaded into a new body from a memory crystal. He attended [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s field training exercise on human culture—rock and roll wasn't quite Tracks's taste, but when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] tried to steal and convert sonic energy from the concert, surface-to-air combat with the enemy seemed quite a bit more enjoyable for him. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} On a later mission, he attempted to help [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] prevent [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] from being reawakened by the Decepticons, but the mistrustful human armed forces kept them at bay long enough for [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to revive his leader. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} [[Image:RockNRollOut-Tracksdriver.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Oh, well that just makes too much sense.]] ''Shortly thereafter, Tracks joined [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] in protecting [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from Soundwave and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He and Smokescreen actually managed to hold their own against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] for a short period of time. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}'' Tracks also was part of the Autobot strike on Decepticon headquarters which allowed Bumblebee to record Devastator's transformation and combination sequence, giving the Autobots a chance to replicate the unique gestalt technology. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''The Autobots experienced a major setback when Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] dematerialized before their eyes at a meeting, seemingly atomized in seconds. Matters only became more pressing when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Decepticon commander of 2006, arrived in the present, kidnapped [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and co-opted the Constructicons for his own purposes. Goaded into rash action by their friend's distress, the Autobots rushed into battle with the new warriors. Tracks stood shoulder to shoulder with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Ironhide, and Smokescreen against Galvatron, but the future Decepticon just laughed and voluntarily allowed them to unload their firepower on him. Staser bolts, high-density lasers, thermal charges, fracture rockets... all hit Galvatron dead center, and all did absolutely nothing. To add injury to insult, he then beat the helpless Tracks and his comrades into a pulp for good measure.''

''Beyond desperate, the Autobots actually stooped to reviving Megatron from where Galvatron had left him to rust earlier, and working with him to concoct a strategy against their common foe. Their gambit was somewhat successful, as Tracks and the Autobots managed to capture Galvatron's lieutenant, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], with Megatron's aid. When Tracks and the others went for a prisoner exchange to get Jazz back, however, they found that Galvatron had lobotomized their friend and turned him into a rampaging zombie. Jazz disabled Tracks and the others for a time, and they only woke up into time to wander into the climax, when [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and the future ''Autobots'' destroyed Galvatron's new space cannon in a massive explosion, convincing him to return the future empty-handed. Needless to say, the Autobots were glad when Optimus Prime and the others miraculously returned after Galvatron and his men returned the future, reversing the mass-substitution effect. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:DarkStar-BlotTracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Throw out your hands, stick out your tush, hands on your hips, give 'em a push!]]

Tracks and the Autobots became much less involved in Earth affairs when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] assumed control of the army after Prime's death and took the Ark back out into space. Tracks was trapped on the moon for some time with the combined crews of the Ark and Steelhaven after a Decepticon attack damaged their transport. {{storylink|Totaled!}} He was later deactivated while battling the combined Decepticon armies in the Arctic, when he received an unexpected acid bath from [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:MakinTracks-Tracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|We have the same reaction to ''Glee.'']]
''In his [[Body Shop]] at Autobot Earthbase, Wheeljack was attempting to revive Tracks, but Grimlock kept sabotaging his efforts, hoping to move efforts towards Autobots he thought were more deserving. Not only did he fail to stop the reconstruction, Optimus Prime ended up assigning Tracks to Earthforce, to Grimlock's eternal regret. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} Later on, he joined the other Autobots in hunting [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who had kidnapped their human ally, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]]. The other [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] tried to stop them, and did manage to derail several others, but Tracks and Bumblebee got Motormaster to separate from his trailer (apparently he can do that..?) and then led [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] into knocking their own leader off the road. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

{{-}}
====Generation 2====
Tracks was operating out of Autobase on Earth after the Autobots began confronting the threat of the Cybertronian Empire. When Megatron agreed to join forces with Prime, Tracks began working closely with the Decepticon Rotor Force members [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] and [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]]. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Tracks was an active member of the Autobot forces as far back as the days of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. He attended the ceremony that turned Optronix into Optimus Prime, and witnessed their new leader deal with three Decepticon assassins. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} He served with the Autobots for several million years until the time of the [[Great Shutdown]], working with Prowl's faction during the Dark Ages. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

Afterwards, Tracks seemed to lapse into semi-retirement while other Autobots worked towards establishing a new unified Cybertronian government with the Decepticons. He was seen among the general populace observing the Anti-Prime propaganda [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] was pumping out through the cortex. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He eventually recognized the rotten core of their alliance with Shockwave, though, and formed a resistance cell with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] and the [[Triple Changer]]s. They and their [[Minibot]] allies joined the major offensive alongside Optimus Prime, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the other cells, which ultimately overthrew Shockwave's control. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics===
Tracks was among the ranks of a team of Autobots led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], waiting for [[Serpent O.R.]]'s hostages to escape so that they could assault the Decepticon base. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4}} When the opportunity arose, they headed into the fray alongside human reinforcements from [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], eventually defeating the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===Timelines===
Tracks (in his [[Alternators|Alternator's body]]) is one of countless "offworlders" residing in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===IDW ''Hearts of Steel'' continuity===
Tracks was among the Autobots who battled the Decepticons on Earth millions of years ago, until an ice age forced them to hide underground, powered down. He was reactivated in the mid-19th century when the Autobots learned that the Decepticons had woken up. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightJazz-promise.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He's too pretty (and too 1985) to die!]]

In the early days of the war, Tracks was among the new Autobot soldiers lined up to be inspected by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

On his very first combat mission, Tracks' unit was attacked and he was the only survivor. He was rescued by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who was being tracked by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. The Predacons pinned the two down, but thanks to bravery and trickery by Jazz, three of the 'cons were disabled. When Jazz faced off alone against the remaining two, Tracks overcame his doubts and cowardice and attacked [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]], knocking them both unconscious. Jazz battled [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] alone and was saved by a shuttle crew of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], who repaired the two Autobots and took them back to base. Tracks didn't know Jazz's identity until later, but he knew what it meant to be an Autobot. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

Four million years ago, Tracks was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

In the modern day, both Tracks and Jazz ended up as part of Optimus Prime's forces on [[Earth]], only to be defeated in battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and unceremoniously dropped on the ruins of Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}} There, they had to fend against the [[Insecticon swarm]] while [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] tried to repair Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}} At one point during their stay on the planet, Tracks boosted his comrades' spirits by telling them the story about how Jazz had heroically saved him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}} Unfortunately, the positive emotions didn't seem to last, and everyone was back to brooding before long. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4}} When the crew of the ''[[Trion]]'' crashlanded on Cybertron, Tracks listened to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s tale about how it happened. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}} He wanted to know when [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] got scary. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}}

Tracks later defended the Autobot base against a massive swarm attack. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9}} The battle didn't go in their favor, but thankfully they were saved by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10}} Omega ferried Tracks and the rest back to Earth, where they battled the Decepticons in [[New York City]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11}}

Two years later, Tracks defected alongside [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], as they were afraid that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] might arrest the Autobots on Earth due to various recent events. The four left to join [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s team instead, only to come under attack from [[Skywatch]]. Upon seeing [[Campologno]] take out Beachcomber, Tracks raised his gun at the human in panic and anger, but Hoist stopped him from firing. He tried to run for it, but didn't make it far before being stuck in vehicle mode and captured. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Tracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 1991, 2002/2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''44''', '''TFC-4'''
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

: The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Stingray]] with a large flame decal on his hood. Tracks's vehicle mode can achieve a [[Transportation mode|flight mode]] via two flip-out wings and attachable rocket launchers. In robot mode, Tracks is armed with a long rifle that covers most of his lower arm, and the two white rocket launchers are now mounted above his head. The rifle can also attach to his back for storage or for additional weaponry in flight mode.

[[Image:RoadRage-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Flaming hot.]]

: The European version of Tracks by [[Milton Bradley]] was initially available in red, based on the original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme. This toy is featured on the box art on the back of 1985 toys. Due to poor sales, Hasbro decided to re-release Tracks in Europe{{fact}}, this time in his blue color scheme. Because of this, the red Milton Bradley version ended up being rather rare.<ref>[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=mb "Milton Bradley and the Transformers Red Tracks" at TF-1.com]</ref>

: He was rereleased in Europe in 1990 as part of the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] line.

: Tracks was reissued by [[Takara]] in 2002 as part of their "book-box" [[Transformers Collection]] series. The following year, [[Hasbro]] re-released him as part of the Toys "R" Us [[exclusive]] [[Commemorative Series]] V.

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage]], an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] based on the red European version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[Image:AMTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|As if ''I'' would be seen wearing ''that''.]]
*'''Tracks with Basher''' (Action Master, 1991)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", "Basher" partner/backpack

: This version of Tracks was a European exclusive, sculpted to resemble his cartoon appearances more closely. As with all [[Action Master]]s, he cannot transform, but is highly articulated by the standards of the time. He came with small tank [[Action Master partner|partner]] named [[Basher]], who forms a battle helmet/backpack for Tracks (or any other Action Master), colored in bright green and baby blue. Tracks is compatible with all Action Master vehicles and accessories.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Action Master Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

[[Image:BlackTracksToy.jpg|thumb|300px|From the people who brought you "Caddyblack", "Blackdraft", and "Black Kramer vs. Kramer"]]
*'''Black Tracks''' (2002)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

:A [[redeco]] of the original Tracks, Black Tracks was offered as part of a contest connected to the release of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'' manga compilation. 300 Black Tracks figures were awarded through this contest.

:The figure was apparently inspired by a rare black redeco of the ''Diaclone'' Corvette Stingray mold that was only available in Finland (!).

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf/blacktracks_template.html More info on TF Black Tracks and the Finnish Diaclone Black Corvette Stingray at TF-1.com]''

{{-}}

===Alternators===
[[Image:BTTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You can colour me blue, you can colour me yellow, but I will still be that most excellent fellow.]]
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2004, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''5'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[Takara]]'s ''[[Binaltech]]'' line, with a yellow paint job, but was later released in blue to match [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Alternators]]'' release. Tracks transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Z06]] featuring open doors and hood and a realistic interior. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his Generation 1 self, though with one major difference: The roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a pseudo-car-roof chest piece that folds down. His large shoulder pads, formed from the rear halves of the car, give the impression of the wings his original toy had. He is armed with his double-barreled engine gun, two pairs of double-barreled, slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, making him the most heavily armed ''Alternators'' toy.

: The main difference between the Japanese and US releases is that the Japanese ''Binaltech'' versions are constructed of die-cast metal for the majority of the car body panels, which are also fully painted. The blue version of ''Binaltech'' Tracks also came with a large reproduction of his original hood flame sticker. This sticker was eventually released with Hasbro's own ''Alternators'' [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]], a [[retool]] of Tracks.

: This mold was more significantly retooled to make ''Alternators'' [[Ravage (G1)|Battle Ravage]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltTracks/tracks.htm More information on Alternators Tracks at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on yellow Binaltech Tracks at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Reveal the Shield (2010)===
[[Image:TF2010_deluxe_TurboTracks.jpg|thumb|300px|Gee, that handheld clip-on launcher [[Wheeljack (G1)|looks familiar.]]]]
*'''Turbo Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2010/2011)
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

: Part of the fifth wave of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Deluxe class toys, Turbo Tracks transforms from a blue sports car into a winged robot. Tracks comes with three clip-on weapons, one of which can be handheld. He can also assume the flying car mode as on the original toy by folding out the wings in car mode and moving the other two of his clip-on weapons from under the doors to a flipout panel on the rear. As part of the first wave of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he sports a [[Rub Sign]].

:Turbo Tracks was retooled into ''[[Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Turbo Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===United===
{{picsneeded|United toy}}
*'''Autobot Tracks'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

:''[[United (toyline)|United]]'' Autobot Tracks is a redeco of ''Transformers'' (2010 toyline) Turbo Tracks. ''United'' Tracks features a more detailed paint deco, including metallic blue paint on his blue plastic panels, a Generation 1-style flame hood symbol and painted rear trunk grille and tailpipes. As with all ''United'' versions of the ''Transformers'' (2010) toys, Tracks lacks a heat-sensitive rub sign, replacing it with a [[tampograph]]ed Autobot sigil.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
{{picsneeded}}
* '''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

: In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Tracks was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[tech spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

*'''Tracks''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''15'''

: The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Tracks game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].
{{-}}

==Notes==
* It is frequently joked amongst Transformers fans that Tracks is homosexual, although the character has not actually demonstrated any romantic interest in other male characters. All his romantic interest was focused squarely on himself. An ''Auto-sexual'', if you will.

* Voice actor [[Michael McConnohie]] claims Tracks is not gay. He chose the voice of Thurston J. Howell III from ''Gilligan's Island'', played by [[wikipedia:Jim Backus|Jim Backus]], as the basis for Tracks' snooty voice and mannerisms. McConnohie refers to Tracks's [[Accents|manner of dialect as a "Harvard Lockjaw"]].

* Tracks appeared in one of five original Generation 1 [[public service announcement]]s, warning kids not to steal cars, even if it's just for joy-riding. He seems to have a ''thing'' for carjackers, that Tracks.

* In parts of Europe, Tracks was released in the Diaclone toy's red deco through Milton Bradley in 1985. Due to being a royal shelfwarmer, the toy was re-released in its proper Transformers colors through Hasbro a year later. It is possible Hasbro had originally planned for Tracks to be released in Diaclone colors, as Tracks is red complete with the Diaclone hood stickers ("CS" instead of the Autobot sigil) on the 1985 back-of-the-box mural.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=7&image=34 Back of the Box Art: 1985 - USA]</ref> Interestingly, the 1985 box-mural from Japan shows not only the red Tracks in the center, but another Tracks, this one in his Hasbro blue deco, in the upper right area.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=7&image=35 Back of the Box Art: 1985 - Japan]</ref> Perhaps this indicates that there were plans to create more than one ''Transformers'' character from the Stingray mold, as had been done with many of the other Diaclone molds, that were unrealized.

* In later years, toys sporting the name "Tracks" require an additional prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Tracks'''" or "'''Turbo Tracks'''".

* Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Z06 Corvette that was going to be released as part of the [[Alternators]] line. Thus, Hasbro and Takara came up with an auxiliary plan for Tracks, this time as another "well-known American sports car", a Dodge Viper. Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt, and ultimately ended up as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] instead (called "Side Swipe" for trademark reasons). Control drawings for the Viper as Tracks, sporting a Tracks head sculpt and a different transformation for the doors, allowing them to more closely resemble Tracks's G1 wings, are depicted in the Japanese ''Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide'' book.

* Hasbro initially intended to release their ''Alternators'' toy in yellow, with a blue running change [[variant]] coming later down the line. However, problems with the darker interior parts being visible though the yellow plastic encountered at the [[Prototype|test shot]] stage prompted Hasbro to cancel the yellow version and instead release the toy in blue right away. Thus, the only yellow version of the mold is Takara's ''Binaltech'' release. Supposedly, yellow Hasbro Tracks never made it beyond the paint sample stage (a few pieces were leaked to the public), although there have been rumors that the yellow version was actually shipped out to stores and later recalled. Conveniently, anyone who claimed to have seen the packaged toy in person was unable to take a photo as evidence. Thus, this rumor is considered to have similar credibility to the infamous "blue G1 [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] in Hasbro packaging" myth or, to be more precise, "lies."

* He's not gay. '''Seriously.''' We can't stress this enough.

* Not that there's anything wrong with that.

* But really. He's not gay.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Tracks Tracks' Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]

Tracks (G1)

2011-02-23T16:17:23Z

120.28.64.78: /* Transformers Reveal the Shield (2010) */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambigr|Tracks|the ''Animated''-series Autobot|Tracks (Animated)}}

:''Tracks is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tracksg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|If God had wanted Tracks to multiply, he would have given him the Creation Matrix and luscious lips. But he only gave him the luscious lips.]]

'''Tracks''' is a little bit of a narcissist, according to his Autobot buddies, and it's hard for him to stay lighthearted and gay under such criticism. He attributes it to jealousy, since few Autobots are so well-endowed with a sleek, muscular, and tastefully decorated sports car mode as his.

The truth is, Tracks's armament is considerable. In the wink of an eye, he can erect his hardened launcher shafts and deploy two flaming incendiary missiles. These projectiles are heat-seeking, seeking out warm Decepticon bodies and striking hard in sensitive places. With his long and powerful "blinding" [[black beam gun]], which negates light, he strikes his enemies in the darkness. Whether defending [[San Francisco]] or displaying his trademark moves in [[Dancitron]], Tracks is one fantastically flamboyant fighter!

Tracks can even fly like a butterfly by deploying his secret, hidden wings from their protective closet.

He should be a dangerous opponent, but his concern with preserving his stylish appearance and poor ability to work with fellow Autobots hampers him. Often he simply cruises the metro area alone all night, looking for Decepticons worthy of his attentions. Tracks may not always get along with his friends, but he knows his enemies. He knows them very well, indeed.

His [[Action Master partner]] is [[Basher]].

{{quote|Keep San Francisco clean—LEAVE!|Tracks to the Asteroid bird alien|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Le Sillage''' ("The Trail")
:''Hungarian name'': '''Vagány''' ("Tough guy")
:''Italian name'': '''Puma'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Rasto''' ("Track")
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Trilho''' ("Track")
:''Russian name:'' '''Krakh''' (''Крах'', "Failure")
==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American)

[[Image:DinobotIsland2 Tracks robotmode.jpg|thumb|left|250px|How this show lasted this far without me, I'll never know.]]
Tracks was one of several Autobots who appeared out of nowhere one day. He listened in as [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] reported the discovery of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|an island full of dinosaurs]]. Following another [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] mishap at base, Tracks helped with repairs. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} He, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] were sent out to intercept and drive back a pirate ship that had appeared through a temporal anomaly due to Megatron's interference on the temporally displaced [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} Tracks took part in a game of basketball with the Dinobots, and failed to stop [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] from making a slam dunk. As Prime observed that Tracks was in need of maintenance, and he admitted that he'd had a deuce of a time trying to get an appointment with [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. As it turned out, Hoist and [[Grapple]] had somehow fallen in with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to build Grapple's [[Solar Power Tower]]. Tracks was part of the mission to see what was going on, and ended up fighting [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Following the Autobot victory, he helped dig through the ruins of the tower to find Grapple and Hoist. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

[[Image:MMP1 Tracks fires black beam gun.jpg|thumb|right|240px|And I said "let there be dark!"]]
When the Decepticons attacked a new solar power plant in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], Tracks took to the air and blasted [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] with his black beam gun. In retaliation, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] rammed Tracks, knocking the Autobot out of the sky. The Decepticons retreated, much to the delight of the [[human]]s present. Tracks complained about the annoying cheering noise they were making. He was happy enough to take part in [[Autobot Day]], until an incriminating video (faked by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] of course) was shown and the crowds turned against the Autobots. They retreated to Headquarters, but a short time later, the authorities turned up to arrest them and put them on trial. The verdict was swiftly delivered, and the Autobots forced to leave the planet on a spaceship provided by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Locked on course to the [[Sun]], the Autobots abandoned ship and used [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] to return to [[Earth]], where the Decepticon plot had already been revealed. The Autobots freed the enslaved humans and chased off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} After the theft of the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and Tracks reported from the field that they hadn't detected any Decepticon activity. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:G1MakeTracks TracksRaoul.jpg|left|240px|thumb|It's not what it looks like, honestly!]]
Tracks and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] assisted the [[New York City|New York]] Police Department's Crime Buster program by parking themselves in a seedy, run-down neighborhood to entice car thieves to steal them, then capturing the thieves and their buyer. Back at [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage, Tracks opined that New York City was exhilarating and that they could remain there forever as far as he was concerned, to the amusement of the other Autobots. Annoyed at their attitude, Tracks took off for a joyride, but almost immediately fell prey to a gang of would-be car thieves who shot out Tracks' tires as he tried to run them off the road. Crashing into a streetlight, Tracks was badly damaged and unable to transform. Fortunately, the car thief with a heart of gold, [[Raoul]], happened by and decided to take possession of Tracks, who quickly revealed he was no ordinary badly damaged dark blue Corvette Stingray with a giant flaming logo on his hood.

Together, the pair tailed the [[Geddis brothers]] to a Decepticon installation in the [[Pine Barrens]], where the Constructicons were converting stolen cars. When an electrical fault disabled Tracks during the course of the investigation, Raoul came to his rescue, and they both fled through the woods, eventually running into some more Autobots. Tracks joined Bumblebee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] in defending downtown from the stolen vehicles, converted into drones by the Decepticons, and was appalled when they damaged the Chrysler Building. Tracks and Raoul took part in the assault on the Decepticon base, however Megatron grabbed the young human. Tracks announced that if Raoul was harmed, there'd be trouble, but the threat proved unnecessary, as Raoul made use of a can of spray paint to escape. At Prime's invitation, Tracks demolished the base with a few well-placed shots. Later, he volunteered Raoul to help [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] fix all the cars that the Decepticons had messed with. {{storylink|Make Tracks}}

[[Image:QuestForSurvival Inferno puts out Tracks.jpg|thumb|right|260px|But this is!]]
Tracks was part of a disastrous attempt to stop the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] from eating Earth crops. [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] set him on fire, forcing Inferno to put him out. Tracks bravely fought on until [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] called a retreat and they returned to Headquarters for repairs. Some time later, after Cosmos had become trapped by an infestation of [[Morphobot]]s, Tracks took part in rescue efforts. As [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] used his music to repel the creatures, Tracks and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] helped hook Cosmos up to Hoist. Unfortunately during the subsequent fight with the Decepticons, the [[robotic insecticide]] was destroyed, leaving them with no weapon against the Insecticon army. It all turned out okay, as said army was eaten by the Morphobots anyway. Tracks watched as the Morphobots were launched into space to wreck some other planet's ecology. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[Image:SecretOmegaSupreme Tracks is alarmed.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Tracks Threatens his Hand: Part 1]]
When [[San Francisco]] was threatened by an [[Asteroid bird alien|alien bird creature]], Tracks risked his life in battle to defend the city until [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] arrived to drive it off. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} Following Megatron's disappearance, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] took over a sports stadium and had the Constructicons build a maze leading to it. Tracks, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] attempted to traverse the maze, only to get totaled by Blitzwing and built into a throne. Fortunately Hoist came to the rescue and fixed them all up in time to witness Megatron's return and the downfall of Blitzwing and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. The four repaired Autobots jokingly arranged themselves into a throne for Optimus afterwards. Optimus declined their kind offer. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

Whilst out on a supply run with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Tracks opined that Optimus Prime had sent him out on this task to show the humans that Autobots didn't just have strength, but refinement as well. When Bumblebee sharply pointed out his comrade's lack of humility, Tracks replied that he feared ''some'' Autobots had much to be humble about. Together, they watched a storefront television report by [[Hector Ramirez (G1)|Hector Ramirez]] on the disappearance of a [[Daina|top secret Soviet jet]], for which blame was placed on the [[United States of America]]. Bumblebee suspected Decepticon involvement, which was convenient, as Tracks saw Astrotrain and Blitzwing lurking about nearby. The Autobots gave chase, only to discover the 'Cons were holographs projected by the big game hunter [[Lord Chumley]], and the pair were quickly subdued. After several more Autobots were captured, the imprisoned hostages were forced to run through several cruel and unusual torture devices. Tracks in particular was forced to race around a small, spiked track while laser cannons fired at him. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

[[Image:G1Auto-Bop Tracks girl.jpg|right|230px|thumb|"Eeek, Mr. Tracks, can I have your autograph?" "Sure thing, baby."]]
Tracks and Blaster were reunited with Raoul when the human and [[Bop Crew]] were being chased by [[Furg]]'s gang outside of the [[Dancitron]] night club. Tracks stylishly defeated the thugs by arcing his laser fire horizontally, simultaneously destroying several of the weapons wielded by Furg's men. As he did so, he noticed that one of the gang members was a man dressed in a business suit. The Autobots decided to investigate further.

Inside the club, Tracks declined to dance with some girls, and [[Stylish man|another patron]] asked him where he could "get those threads" (meaning Tracks's robot body). As Tracks left, remarking that Dancitron wasn't ''his'' kind of club, he noted that there were more out-of-place humans, including a housewife in a bathrobe and a garbage man. Tracks and Blaster came to Raoul's aid again when the driver of a train in which the humans were traveling was "activated' by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and accelerated the train to unsafe speeds. Later, Tracks and Raoul were attacked by brainwashed "workers" at a construction site for something large and mysterious. Bravely risking his paint job, Tracks protected Raoul from red-hot rivets fired by a brainwashed construction worker.

[[Image:Trackscruc2.jpg|left|260px|thumb|Tracks forgot his safeword.]]
Returning to the club, Tracks was lured into a trap by the mind-controlled [[Poplock]] and [[Rocksteady]]. Barely evading Starscream's attack, Tracks was assaulted by the rest of the club's patrons and chained up to the sound system, where the Decepticons hoped the music would eventually shake him apart. After Raoul de-hypnotised the club patrons by getting them slightly wet, the humans freed Tracks, who proceeded to take off after the fleeing Starscream. Crazy like a fox, Tracks seeded the clouds above the mysterious construction site, causing rain to fall down on the hypnotised workers, totally ruining Starscream's plan forever. Knowing that despite his good looks, he was outgunned and outpowered, Tracks used his superior agility to trick Starscream into flying into the half-constructed building and damaging himself when the Decepticon failed to avoid obstructions. With the Decepticons defeated, Tracks and Blaster destroyed the mysterious building. Grateful to the Bop Crew for saving his life, Tracks had Blaster help them out by acting as the boom box for their curbside breakdance sessions, to the latter's horror. {{storylink|Auto-Bop}}

[[Image:HoistGoesHollywood Sunstreaker Tracks masks.jpg|right|240px|thumb|]]
After Hoist was hired to be in a film, a number of other Autobots got wind of it and decided to volunteer their services as well. Tracks and the others impressed the [[director]] enough that he cast them, and Tracks ended up as a stunt vehicle, flying into a fake brick wall. The Autobots were dissatisfied with their assigned roles and told Hoist to try and pull some strings. The director decided to rethink the movie, and had Tracks and the others dressed as "evil alien robots". Tracks confessed he felt like a fool, but refused to quit. While shooting another scene, the pyrotechnics turned out to be bigger than expected, and the Autobots were nearly blown up. The shoot had been sabotaged by the Decepticons, who were after film of Dirge, who had crashed while carrying a device stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[Wheeljack's workshop|workshop]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After the affair was resolved, Tracks and the other Autobots decided not to be a part of the movie business after all. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Later, Tracks was one of several Autobots facing off against the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] near the [[Seattle-Tacoma area]] when Megatron was using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the land into metal. He was rammed by [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] into a boulder and flipped over. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Tracks was one of several Autobots who participated in the [[Europa 2000]], a charity race from Paris to Istanbul which, if the Autobots won, would have netted them a million dollars, which they would give to charity. Tracks was disdainful of the arrogant American driver [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]] and his suped-up [[Symultech Industries]] car. During the race, Tracks tried to contact the other Autobots, only to find out they had been disabled by the Stunticons in Megatron's quest to stop the Autobots from interfering with his plans for the [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. Teamed up with Cahnay and [[Professor Teranova|a scientist who mysteriously disappeared]] during the course of the battle, the Autobots defeated [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and destroyed the Pearl. {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express}}

[[Image:Masquerade Tracks firing.jpg|thumb|left|230px|... And Part 2]]
After [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] was abducted by the Decepticons, Tracks was one of the Autobots who volunteered to go on the rescue mission, and was subsequently struck down with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Fortunately a cure was soon forthcoming. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} He also took part in the defense of Headquarters during a Decepticon attack. Megatron soon retreated, not because of anything the Autobots did, but because he had realised that Starscream was behind everything. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Tracks helped defend a human city from the Insecticons, however a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] plan saw the Autobots searching for a component to get the [[space bridge]] working so they could reach Cybertron. They eventually tracked the component down, only to find the Insecticons had chewed it up. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Tracks was part of a responsive strike against a series of Stunticon raids on human compounds. He took to the air at one point, prompting [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] to remark that his flying car mode was "droll". In retaliation for this unwarranted remark, Tracks blinded Dead End with his black light gun, which caused the Decepticon to drive into the car-crushing fists of [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]. {{storylink|Masquerade}}
{{-}}

====''Binaltech''====
When the Decepticons unleashed Cosmic Rust on Earth, Tracks was one of the many Autobots infested with the virus. As [[Earth Defense Command]] created the Binaltech Project in order to help the Autobots, Tracks was one of the first patients to undergo transference into an [[electro-cell]] powered new body. With the help of his fellow Binaltech Autobots (Smokescreen, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]), Tracks and his new powers were used to drive the Decepticons off the planet. He remained part of the soldiers based at Autobot City on Earth.

Tracks apparently now had the power to change and update his paint job at will. Thrilling. Simply thrilling.

====''Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:JHeadmasters09Tracks.jpg|thumb|"Look, I'll stop asking you to fix my every little nick and scratch, '''I swear!'''" "KIYAAAAAAAA!"]]
Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Tracks briefly engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Years onward, Tracks was seen on Earth working with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], he was dispatched to intercept invading Decepticons and prevent them from interfering with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s search for the Matrix. The group was not actually seen to confront anyone. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Later, while defending Cybertron, Tracks got kicked in the face ''really hard''... by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. Uh, heat of the moment? {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I was rebuilt out of better spare parts than the rest of you!]]
Tracks was (re?)constructed on Earth by the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when the Autobots' forces were depleted using the [[mind bank]], his mind downloaded into a new body from a memory crystal. He attended [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s field training exercise on human culture—rock and roll wasn't quite Tracks's taste, but when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] tried to steal and convert sonic energy from the concert, surface-to-air combat with the enemy seemed quite a bit more enjoyable for him. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} On a later mission, he attempted to help [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] prevent [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] from being reawakened by the Decepticons, but the mistrustful human armed forces kept them at bay long enough for [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to revive his leader. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} [[Image:RockNRollOut-Tracksdriver.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Oh, well that just makes too much sense.]] ''Shortly thereafter, Tracks joined [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] in protecting [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from Soundwave and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He and Smokescreen actually managed to hold their own against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] for a short period of time. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}'' Tracks also was part of the Autobot strike on Decepticon headquarters which allowed Bumblebee to record Devastator's transformation and combination sequence, giving the Autobots a chance to replicate the unique gestalt technology. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''The Autobots experienced a major setback when Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] dematerialized before their eyes at a meeting, seemingly atomized in seconds. Matters only became more pressing when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Decepticon commander of 2006, arrived in the present, kidnapped [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and co-opted the Constructicons for his own purposes. Goaded into rash action by their friend's distress, the Autobots rushed into battle with the new warriors. Tracks stood shoulder to shoulder with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Ironhide, and Smokescreen against Galvatron, but the future Decepticon just laughed and voluntarily allowed them to unload their firepower on him. Staser bolts, high-density lasers, thermal charges, fracture rockets... all hit Galvatron dead center, and all did absolutely nothing. To add injury to insult, he then beat the helpless Tracks and his comrades into a pulp for good measure.''

''Beyond desperate, the Autobots actually stooped to reviving Megatron from where Galvatron had left him to rust earlier, and working with him to concoct a strategy against their common foe. Their gambit was somewhat successful, as Tracks and the Autobots managed to capture Galvatron's lieutenant, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], with Megatron's aid. When Tracks and the others went for a prisoner exchange to get Jazz back, however, they found that Galvatron had lobotomized their friend and turned him into a rampaging zombie. Jazz disabled Tracks and the others for a time, and they only woke up into time to wander into the climax, when [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and the future ''Autobots'' destroyed Galvatron's new space cannon in a massive explosion, convincing him to return the future empty-handed. Needless to say, the Autobots were glad when Optimus Prime and the others miraculously returned after Galvatron and his men returned the future, reversing the mass-substitution effect. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:DarkStar-BlotTracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Throw out your hands, stick out your tush, hands on your hips, give 'em a push!]]

Tracks and the Autobots became much less involved in Earth affairs when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] assumed control of the army after Prime's death and took the Ark back out into space. Tracks was trapped on the moon for some time with the combined crews of the Ark and Steelhaven after a Decepticon attack damaged their transport. {{storylink|Totaled!}} He was later deactivated while battling the combined Decepticon armies in the Arctic, when he received an unexpected acid bath from [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:MakinTracks-Tracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|We have the same reaction to ''Glee.'']]
''In his [[Body Shop]] at Autobot Earthbase, Wheeljack was attempting to revive Tracks, but Grimlock kept sabotaging his efforts, hoping to move efforts towards Autobots he thought were more deserving. Not only did he fail to stop the reconstruction, Optimus Prime ended up assigning Tracks to Earthforce, to Grimlock's eternal regret. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} Later on, he joined the other Autobots in hunting [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who had kidnapped their human ally, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]]. The other [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] tried to stop them, and did manage to derail several others, but Tracks and Bumblebee got Motormaster to separate from his trailer (apparently he can do that..?) and then led [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] into knocking their own leader off the road. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

{{-}}
====Generation 2====
Tracks was operating out of Autobase on Earth after the Autobots began confronting the threat of the Cybertronian Empire. When Megatron agreed to join forces with Prime, Tracks began working closely with the Decepticon Rotor Force members [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] and [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]]. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Tracks was an active member of the Autobot forces as far back as the days of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. He attended the ceremony that turned Optronix into Optimus Prime, and witnessed their new leader deal with three Decepticon assassins. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} He served with the Autobots for several million years until the time of the [[Great Shutdown]], working with Prowl's faction during the Dark Ages. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

Afterwards, Tracks seemed to lapse into semi-retirement while other Autobots worked towards establishing a new unified Cybertronian government with the Decepticons. He was seen among the general populace observing the Anti-Prime propaganda [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] was pumping out through the cortex. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He eventually recognized the rotten core of their alliance with Shockwave, though, and formed a resistance cell with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] and the [[Triple Changer]]s. They and their [[Minibot]] allies joined the major offensive alongside Optimus Prime, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the other cells, which ultimately overthrew Shockwave's control. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics===
Tracks was among the ranks of a team of Autobots led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], waiting for [[Serpent O.R.]]'s hostages to escape so that they could assault the Decepticon base. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4}} When the opportunity arose, they headed into the fray alongside human reinforcements from [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], eventually defeating the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===Timelines===
Tracks (in his [[Alternators|Alternator's body]]) is one of countless "offworlders" residing in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===IDW ''Hearts of Steel'' continuity===
Tracks was among the Autobots who battled the Decepticons on Earth millions of years ago, until an ice age forced them to hide underground, powered down. He was reactivated in the mid-19th century when the Autobots learned that the Decepticons had woken up. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightJazz-promise.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He's too pretty (and too 1985) to die!]]

In the early days of the war, Tracks was among the new Autobot soldiers lined up to be inspected by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

On his very first combat mission, Tracks' unit was attacked and he was the only survivor. He was rescued by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who was being tracked by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. The Predacons pinned the two down, but thanks to bravery and trickery by Jazz, three of the 'cons were disabled. When Jazz faced off alone against the remaining two, Tracks overcame his doubts and cowardice and attacked [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]], knocking them both unconscious. Jazz battled [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] alone and was saved by a shuttle crew of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], who repaired the two Autobots and took them back to base. Tracks didn't know Jazz's identity until later, but he knew what it meant to be an Autobot. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

Four million years ago, Tracks was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

In the modern day, both Tracks and Jazz ended up as part of Optimus Prime's forces on [[Earth]], only to be defeated in battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and unceremoniously dropped on the ruins of Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}} There, they had to fend against the [[Insecticon swarm]] while [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] tried to repair Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}} At one point during their stay on the planet, Tracks boosted his comrades' spirits by telling them the story about how Jazz had heroically saved him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}} Unfortunately, the positive emotions didn't seem to last, and everyone was back to brooding before long. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4}} When the crew of the ''[[Trion]]'' crashlanded on Cybertron, Tracks listened to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s tale about how it happened. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}} He wanted to know when [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] got scary. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}}

Tracks later defended the Autobot base against a massive swarm attack. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9}} The battle didn't go in their favor, but thankfully they were saved by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10}} Omega ferried Tracks and the rest back to Earth, where they battled the Decepticons in [[New York City]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11}}

Two years later, Tracks defected alongside [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], as they were afraid that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] might arrest the Autobots on Earth due to various recent events. The four left to join [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s team instead, only to come under attack from [[Skywatch]]. Upon seeing [[Campologno]] take out Beachcomber, Tracks raised his gun at the human in panic and anger, but Hoist stopped him from firing. He tried to run for it, but didn't make it far before being stuck in vehicle mode and captured. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Tracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 1991, 2002/2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''44''', '''TFC-4'''
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

: The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Stingray]] with a large flame decal on his hood. Tracks's vehicle mode can achieve a [[Transportation mode|flight mode]] via two flip-out wings and attachable rocket launchers. In robot mode, Tracks is armed with a long rifle that covers most of his lower arm, and the two white rocket launchers are now mounted above his head. The rifle can also attach to his back for storage or for additional weaponry in flight mode.

[[Image:RoadRage-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Flaming hot.]]

: The European version of Tracks by [[Milton Bradley]] was initially available in red, based on the original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme. This toy is featured on the box art on the back of 1985 toys. Due to poor sales, Hasbro decided to re-release Tracks in Europe{{fact}}, this time in his blue color scheme. Because of this, the red Milton Bradley version ended up being rather rare.<ref>[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=mb "Milton Bradley and the Transformers Red Tracks" at TF-1.com]</ref>

: He was rereleased in Europe in 1990 as part of the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] line.

: Tracks was reissued by [[Takara]] in 2002 as part of their "book-box" [[Transformers Collection]] series. The following year, [[Hasbro]] re-released him as part of the Toys "R" Us [[exclusive]] [[Commemorative Series]] V.

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage]], an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] based on the red European version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[Image:AMTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|As if ''I'' would be seen wearing ''that''.]]
*'''Tracks with Basher''' (Action Master, 1991)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", "Basher" partner/backpack

: This version of Tracks was a European exclusive, sculpted to resemble his cartoon appearances more closely. As with all [[Action Master]]s, he cannot transform, but is highly articulated by the standards of the time. He came with small tank [[Action Master partner|partner]] named [[Basher]], who forms a battle helmet/backpack for Tracks (or any other Action Master), colored in bright green and baby blue. Tracks is compatible with all Action Master vehicles and accessories.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Action Master Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

[[Image:BlackTracksToy.jpg|thumb|300px|From the people who brought you "Caddyblack", "Blackdraft", and "Black Kramer vs. Kramer"]]
*'''Black Tracks''' (2002)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

:A [[redeco]] of the original Tracks, Black Tracks was offered as part of a contest connected to the release of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'' manga compilation. 300 Black Tracks figures were awarded through this contest.

:The figure was apparently inspired by a rare black redeco of the ''Diaclone'' Corvette Stingray mold that was only available in Finland (!).

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf/blacktracks_template.html More info on TF Black Tracks and the Finnish Diaclone Black Corvette Stingray at TF-1.com]''

{{-}}

===Alternators===
[[Image:BTTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You can colour me blue, you can colour me yellow, but I will still be that most excellent fellow.]]
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2004, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''5'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[Takara]]'s ''[[Binaltech]]'' line, with a yellow paint job, but was later released in blue to match [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Alternators]]'' release. Tracks transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Z06]] featuring open doors and hood and a realistic interior. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his Generation 1 self, though with one major difference: The roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a pseudo-car-roof chest piece that folds down. His large shoulder pads, formed from the rear halves of the car, give the impression of the wings his original toy had. He is armed with his double-barreled engine gun, two pairs of double-barreled, slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, making him the most heavily armed ''Alternators'' toy.

: The main difference between the Japanese and US releases is that the Japanese ''Binaltech'' versions are constructed of die-cast metal for the majority of the car body panels, which are also fully painted. The blue version of ''Binaltech'' Tracks also came with a large reproduction of his original hood flame sticker. This sticker was eventually released with Hasbro's own ''Alternators'' [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]], a [[retool]] of Tracks.

: This mold was more significantly retooled to make ''Alternators'' [[Ravage (G1)|Battle Ravage]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltTracks/tracks.htm More information on Alternators Tracks at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on yellow Binaltech Tracks at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transformers Reveal the Shield (2010)===
[[Image:TF2010_deluxe_TurboTracks.jpg|thumb|300px|Gee, that handheld clip-on launcher [[Wheeljack (G1)|looks familiar.]]]]
*'''Turbo Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2010/2011)
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

: Part of the fifth wave of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Deluxe class toys, Turbo Tracks transforms from a blue sports car into a winged robot. Tracks comes with three clip-on weapons, one of which can be handheld. He can also assume the flying car mode as on the original toy by folding out the wings in car mode and moving the other two of his clip-on weapons from under the doors to a flipout panel on the rear. As part of the first wave of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he sports a [[Rub Sign]].

:Turbo Tracks was retooled into ''[[Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Turbo Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===United===
{{picsneeded|United toy}}
*'''Autobot Tracks'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

:''[[United (toyline)|United]]'' Autobot Tracks is a redeco of ''Transformers'' (2010 toyline) Turbo Tracks. ''United'' Tracks features a more detailed paint deco, including metallic blue paint on his blue plastic panels, a Generation 1-style flame hood symbol and painted rear trunk grille and tailpipes. As with all ''United'' versions of the ''Transformers'' (2010) toys, Tracks lacks a heat-sensitive rub sign, replacing it with a [[tampograph]]ed Autobot sigil.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
{{picsneeded}}
* '''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

: In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Tracks was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[tech spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

*'''Tracks''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''15'''

: The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Tracks game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].
{{-}}

==Notes==
* It is frequently joked amongst Transformers fans that Tracks is homosexual, although the character has not actually demonstrated any romantic interest in other male characters. All his romantic interest was focused squarely on himself. An ''Auto-sexual'', if you will.

* Voice actor [[Michael McConnohie]] claims Tracks is not gay. He chose the voice of Thurston J. Howell III from ''Gilligan's Island'', played by [[wikipedia:Jim Backus|Jim Backus]], as the basis for Tracks' snooty voice and mannerisms. McConnohie refers to Tracks's [[Accents|manner of dialect as a "Harvard Lockjaw"]].

* Tracks appeared in one of five original Generation 1 [[public service announcement]]s, warning kids not to steal cars, even if it's just for joy-riding. He seems to have a ''thing'' for carjackers, that Tracks.

* In parts of Europe, Tracks was released in the Diaclone toy's red deco through Milton Bradley in 1985. Due to being a royal shelfwarmer, the toy was re-released in its proper Transformers colors through Hasbro a year later. It is possible Hasbro had originally planned for Tracks to be released in Diaclone colors, as Tracks is red complete with the Diaclone hood stickers ("CS" instead of the Autobot sigil) on the 1985 back-of-the-box mural.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=7&image=34 Back of the Box Art: 1985 - USA]</ref> Interestingly, the 1985 box-mural from Japan shows not only the red Tracks in the center, but another Tracks, this one in his Hasbro blue deco, in the upper right area.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=7&image=35 Back of the Box Art: 1985 - Japan]</ref> Perhaps this indicates that there were plans to create more than one ''Transformers'' character from the Stingray mold, as had been done with many of the other Diaclone molds, that were unrealized.

* In later years, toys sporting the name "Tracks" require an additional prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Tracks'''" or "'''Turbo Tracks'''".

* Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Z06 Corvette that was going to be released as part of the [[Alternators]] line. Thus, Hasbro and Takara came up with an auxiliary plan for Tracks, this time as another "well-known American sports car", a Dodge Viper. Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt, and ultimately ended up as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] instead (called "Side Swipe" for trademark reasons). Control drawings for the Viper as Tracks, sporting a Tracks head sculpt and a different transformation for the doors, allowing them to more closely resemble Tracks's G1 wings, are depicted in the Japanese ''Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide'' book.

* Hasbro initially intended to release their ''Alternators'' toy in yellow, with a blue running change [[variant]] coming later down the line. However, problems with the darker interior parts being visible though the yellow plastic encountered at the [[Prototype|test shot]] stage prompted Hasbro to cancel the yellow version and instead release the toy in blue right away. Thus, the only yellow version of the mold is Takara's ''Binaltech'' release. Supposedly, yellow Hasbro Tracks never made it beyond the paint sample stage (a few pieces were leaked to the public), although there have been rumors that the yellow version was actually shipped out to stores and later recalled. Conveniently, anyone who claimed to have seen the packaged toy in person was unable to take a photo as evidence. Thus, this rumor is considered to have similar credibility to the infamous "blue G1 [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] in Hasbro packaging" myth or, to be more precise, "lies."

* He's not gay. '''Seriously.''' We can't stress this enough.

* Not that there's anything wrong with that.

* But really. He's not gay.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Tracks Tracks' Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]

Tracks (G1)

2011-02-23T16:14:16Z

120.28.64.78: /* Transformers Reaveal the Shield (2010) */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambigr|Tracks|the ''Animated''-series Autobot|Tracks (Animated)}}

:''Tracks is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tracksg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|If God had wanted Tracks to multiply, he would have given him the Creation Matrix and luscious lips. But he only gave him the luscious lips.]]

'''Tracks''' is a little bit of a narcissist, according to his Autobot buddies, and it's hard for him to stay lighthearted and gay under such criticism. He attributes it to jealousy, since few Autobots are so well-endowed with a sleek, muscular, and tastefully decorated sports car mode as his.

The truth is, Tracks's armament is considerable. In the wink of an eye, he can erect his hardened launcher shafts and deploy two flaming incendiary missiles. These projectiles are heat-seeking, seeking out warm Decepticon bodies and striking hard in sensitive places. With his long and powerful "blinding" [[black beam gun]], which negates light, he strikes his enemies in the darkness. Whether defending [[San Francisco]] or displaying his trademark moves in [[Dancitron]], Tracks is one fantastically flamboyant fighter!

Tracks can even fly like a butterfly by deploying his secret, hidden wings from their protective closet.

He should be a dangerous opponent, but his concern with preserving his stylish appearance and poor ability to work with fellow Autobots hampers him. Often he simply cruises the metro area alone all night, looking for Decepticons worthy of his attentions. Tracks may not always get along with his friends, but he knows his enemies. He knows them very well, indeed.

His [[Action Master partner]] is [[Basher]].

{{quote|Keep San Francisco clean—LEAVE!|Tracks to the Asteroid bird alien|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Le Sillage''' ("The Trail")
:''Hungarian name'': '''Vagány''' ("Tough guy")
:''Italian name'': '''Puma'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Rasto''' ("Track")
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Trilho''' ("Track")
:''Russian name:'' '''Krakh''' (''Крах'', "Failure")
==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American)

[[Image:DinobotIsland2 Tracks robotmode.jpg|thumb|left|250px|How this show lasted this far without me, I'll never know.]]
Tracks was one of several Autobots who appeared out of nowhere one day. He listened in as [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] reported the discovery of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|an island full of dinosaurs]]. Following another [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] mishap at base, Tracks helped with repairs. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} He, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] were sent out to intercept and drive back a pirate ship that had appeared through a temporal anomaly due to Megatron's interference on the temporally displaced [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} Tracks took part in a game of basketball with the Dinobots, and failed to stop [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] from making a slam dunk. As Prime observed that Tracks was in need of maintenance, and he admitted that he'd had a deuce of a time trying to get an appointment with [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. As it turned out, Hoist and [[Grapple]] had somehow fallen in with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to build Grapple's [[Solar Power Tower]]. Tracks was part of the mission to see what was going on, and ended up fighting [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Following the Autobot victory, he helped dig through the ruins of the tower to find Grapple and Hoist. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

[[Image:MMP1 Tracks fires black beam gun.jpg|thumb|right|240px|And I said "let there be dark!"]]
When the Decepticons attacked a new solar power plant in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], Tracks took to the air and blasted [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] with his black beam gun. In retaliation, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] rammed Tracks, knocking the Autobot out of the sky. The Decepticons retreated, much to the delight of the [[human]]s present. Tracks complained about the annoying cheering noise they were making. He was happy enough to take part in [[Autobot Day]], until an incriminating video (faked by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] of course) was shown and the crowds turned against the Autobots. They retreated to Headquarters, but a short time later, the authorities turned up to arrest them and put them on trial. The verdict was swiftly delivered, and the Autobots forced to leave the planet on a spaceship provided by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Locked on course to the [[Sun]], the Autobots abandoned ship and used [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] to return to [[Earth]], where the Decepticon plot had already been revealed. The Autobots freed the enslaved humans and chased off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} After the theft of the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and Tracks reported from the field that they hadn't detected any Decepticon activity. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:G1MakeTracks TracksRaoul.jpg|left|240px|thumb|It's not what it looks like, honestly!]]
Tracks and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] assisted the [[New York City|New York]] Police Department's Crime Buster program by parking themselves in a seedy, run-down neighborhood to entice car thieves to steal them, then capturing the thieves and their buyer. Back at [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage, Tracks opined that New York City was exhilarating and that they could remain there forever as far as he was concerned, to the amusement of the other Autobots. Annoyed at their attitude, Tracks took off for a joyride, but almost immediately fell prey to a gang of would-be car thieves who shot out Tracks' tires as he tried to run them off the road. Crashing into a streetlight, Tracks was badly damaged and unable to transform. Fortunately, the car thief with a heart of gold, [[Raoul]], happened by and decided to take possession of Tracks, who quickly revealed he was no ordinary badly damaged dark blue Corvette Stingray with a giant flaming logo on his hood.

Together, the pair tailed the [[Geddis brothers]] to a Decepticon installation in the [[Pine Barrens]], where the Constructicons were converting stolen cars. When an electrical fault disabled Tracks during the course of the investigation, Raoul came to his rescue, and they both fled through the woods, eventually running into some more Autobots. Tracks joined Bumblebee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] in defending downtown from the stolen vehicles, converted into drones by the Decepticons, and was appalled when they damaged the Chrysler Building. Tracks and Raoul took part in the assault on the Decepticon base, however Megatron grabbed the young human. Tracks announced that if Raoul was harmed, there'd be trouble, but the threat proved unnecessary, as Raoul made use of a can of spray paint to escape. At Prime's invitation, Tracks demolished the base with a few well-placed shots. Later, he volunteered Raoul to help [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] fix all the cars that the Decepticons had messed with. {{storylink|Make Tracks}}

[[Image:QuestForSurvival Inferno puts out Tracks.jpg|thumb|right|260px|But this is!]]
Tracks was part of a disastrous attempt to stop the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] from eating Earth crops. [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] set him on fire, forcing Inferno to put him out. Tracks bravely fought on until [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] called a retreat and they returned to Headquarters for repairs. Some time later, after Cosmos had become trapped by an infestation of [[Morphobot]]s, Tracks took part in rescue efforts. As [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] used his music to repel the creatures, Tracks and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] helped hook Cosmos up to Hoist. Unfortunately during the subsequent fight with the Decepticons, the [[robotic insecticide]] was destroyed, leaving them with no weapon against the Insecticon army. It all turned out okay, as said army was eaten by the Morphobots anyway. Tracks watched as the Morphobots were launched into space to wreck some other planet's ecology. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[Image:SecretOmegaSupreme Tracks is alarmed.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Tracks Threatens his Hand: Part 1]]
When [[San Francisco]] was threatened by an [[Asteroid bird alien|alien bird creature]], Tracks risked his life in battle to defend the city until [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] arrived to drive it off. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} Following Megatron's disappearance, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] took over a sports stadium and had the Constructicons build a maze leading to it. Tracks, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] attempted to traverse the maze, only to get totaled by Blitzwing and built into a throne. Fortunately Hoist came to the rescue and fixed them all up in time to witness Megatron's return and the downfall of Blitzwing and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. The four repaired Autobots jokingly arranged themselves into a throne for Optimus afterwards. Optimus declined their kind offer. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

Whilst out on a supply run with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Tracks opined that Optimus Prime had sent him out on this task to show the humans that Autobots didn't just have strength, but refinement as well. When Bumblebee sharply pointed out his comrade's lack of humility, Tracks replied that he feared ''some'' Autobots had much to be humble about. Together, they watched a storefront television report by [[Hector Ramirez (G1)|Hector Ramirez]] on the disappearance of a [[Daina|top secret Soviet jet]], for which blame was placed on the [[United States of America]]. Bumblebee suspected Decepticon involvement, which was convenient, as Tracks saw Astrotrain and Blitzwing lurking about nearby. The Autobots gave chase, only to discover the 'Cons were holographs projected by the big game hunter [[Lord Chumley]], and the pair were quickly subdued. After several more Autobots were captured, the imprisoned hostages were forced to run through several cruel and unusual torture devices. Tracks in particular was forced to race around a small, spiked track while laser cannons fired at him. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

[[Image:G1Auto-Bop Tracks girl.jpg|right|230px|thumb|"Eeek, Mr. Tracks, can I have your autograph?" "Sure thing, baby."]]
Tracks and Blaster were reunited with Raoul when the human and [[Bop Crew]] were being chased by [[Furg]]'s gang outside of the [[Dancitron]] night club. Tracks stylishly defeated the thugs by arcing his laser fire horizontally, simultaneously destroying several of the weapons wielded by Furg's men. As he did so, he noticed that one of the gang members was a man dressed in a business suit. The Autobots decided to investigate further.

Inside the club, Tracks declined to dance with some girls, and [[Stylish man|another patron]] asked him where he could "get those threads" (meaning Tracks's robot body). As Tracks left, remarking that Dancitron wasn't ''his'' kind of club, he noted that there were more out-of-place humans, including a housewife in a bathrobe and a garbage man. Tracks and Blaster came to Raoul's aid again when the driver of a train in which the humans were traveling was "activated' by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and accelerated the train to unsafe speeds. Later, Tracks and Raoul were attacked by brainwashed "workers" at a construction site for something large and mysterious. Bravely risking his paint job, Tracks protected Raoul from red-hot rivets fired by a brainwashed construction worker.

[[Image:Trackscruc2.jpg|left|260px|thumb|Tracks forgot his safeword.]]
Returning to the club, Tracks was lured into a trap by the mind-controlled [[Poplock]] and [[Rocksteady]]. Barely evading Starscream's attack, Tracks was assaulted by the rest of the club's patrons and chained up to the sound system, where the Decepticons hoped the music would eventually shake him apart. After Raoul de-hypnotised the club patrons by getting them slightly wet, the humans freed Tracks, who proceeded to take off after the fleeing Starscream. Crazy like a fox, Tracks seeded the clouds above the mysterious construction site, causing rain to fall down on the hypnotised workers, totally ruining Starscream's plan forever. Knowing that despite his good looks, he was outgunned and outpowered, Tracks used his superior agility to trick Starscream into flying into the half-constructed building and damaging himself when the Decepticon failed to avoid obstructions. With the Decepticons defeated, Tracks and Blaster destroyed the mysterious building. Grateful to the Bop Crew for saving his life, Tracks had Blaster help them out by acting as the boom box for their curbside breakdance sessions, to the latter's horror. {{storylink|Auto-Bop}}

[[Image:HoistGoesHollywood Sunstreaker Tracks masks.jpg|right|240px|thumb|]]
After Hoist was hired to be in a film, a number of other Autobots got wind of it and decided to volunteer their services as well. Tracks and the others impressed the [[director]] enough that he cast them, and Tracks ended up as a stunt vehicle, flying into a fake brick wall. The Autobots were dissatisfied with their assigned roles and told Hoist to try and pull some strings. The director decided to rethink the movie, and had Tracks and the others dressed as "evil alien robots". Tracks confessed he felt like a fool, but refused to quit. While shooting another scene, the pyrotechnics turned out to be bigger than expected, and the Autobots were nearly blown up. The shoot had been sabotaged by the Decepticons, who were after film of Dirge, who had crashed while carrying a device stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[Wheeljack's workshop|workshop]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After the affair was resolved, Tracks and the other Autobots decided not to be a part of the movie business after all. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Later, Tracks was one of several Autobots facing off against the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] near the [[Seattle-Tacoma area]] when Megatron was using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the land into metal. He was rammed by [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] into a boulder and flipped over. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Tracks was one of several Autobots who participated in the [[Europa 2000]], a charity race from Paris to Istanbul which, if the Autobots won, would have netted them a million dollars, which they would give to charity. Tracks was disdainful of the arrogant American driver [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]] and his suped-up [[Symultech Industries]] car. During the race, Tracks tried to contact the other Autobots, only to find out they had been disabled by the Stunticons in Megatron's quest to stop the Autobots from interfering with his plans for the [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. Teamed up with Cahnay and [[Professor Teranova|a scientist who mysteriously disappeared]] during the course of the battle, the Autobots defeated [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and destroyed the Pearl. {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express}}

[[Image:Masquerade Tracks firing.jpg|thumb|left|230px|... And Part 2]]
After [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] was abducted by the Decepticons, Tracks was one of the Autobots who volunteered to go on the rescue mission, and was subsequently struck down with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Fortunately a cure was soon forthcoming. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} He also took part in the defense of Headquarters during a Decepticon attack. Megatron soon retreated, not because of anything the Autobots did, but because he had realised that Starscream was behind everything. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Tracks helped defend a human city from the Insecticons, however a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] plan saw the Autobots searching for a component to get the [[space bridge]] working so they could reach Cybertron. They eventually tracked the component down, only to find the Insecticons had chewed it up. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Tracks was part of a responsive strike against a series of Stunticon raids on human compounds. He took to the air at one point, prompting [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] to remark that his flying car mode was "droll". In retaliation for this unwarranted remark, Tracks blinded Dead End with his black light gun, which caused the Decepticon to drive into the car-crushing fists of [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]. {{storylink|Masquerade}}
{{-}}

====''Binaltech''====
When the Decepticons unleashed Cosmic Rust on Earth, Tracks was one of the many Autobots infested with the virus. As [[Earth Defense Command]] created the Binaltech Project in order to help the Autobots, Tracks was one of the first patients to undergo transference into an [[electro-cell]] powered new body. With the help of his fellow Binaltech Autobots (Smokescreen, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]), Tracks and his new powers were used to drive the Decepticons off the planet. He remained part of the soldiers based at Autobot City on Earth.

Tracks apparently now had the power to change and update his paint job at will. Thrilling. Simply thrilling.

====''Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:JHeadmasters09Tracks.jpg|thumb|"Look, I'll stop asking you to fix my every little nick and scratch, '''I swear!'''" "KIYAAAAAAAA!"]]
Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Tracks briefly engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Years onward, Tracks was seen on Earth working with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], he was dispatched to intercept invading Decepticons and prevent them from interfering with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s search for the Matrix. The group was not actually seen to confront anyone. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Later, while defending Cybertron, Tracks got kicked in the face ''really hard''... by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. Uh, heat of the moment? {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I was rebuilt out of better spare parts than the rest of you!]]
Tracks was (re?)constructed on Earth by the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when the Autobots' forces were depleted using the [[mind bank]], his mind downloaded into a new body from a memory crystal. He attended [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s field training exercise on human culture—rock and roll wasn't quite Tracks's taste, but when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] tried to steal and convert sonic energy from the concert, surface-to-air combat with the enemy seemed quite a bit more enjoyable for him. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} On a later mission, he attempted to help [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] prevent [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] from being reawakened by the Decepticons, but the mistrustful human armed forces kept them at bay long enough for [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to revive his leader. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} [[Image:RockNRollOut-Tracksdriver.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Oh, well that just makes too much sense.]] ''Shortly thereafter, Tracks joined [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] in protecting [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from Soundwave and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He and Smokescreen actually managed to hold their own against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] for a short period of time. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}'' Tracks also was part of the Autobot strike on Decepticon headquarters which allowed Bumblebee to record Devastator's transformation and combination sequence, giving the Autobots a chance to replicate the unique gestalt technology. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''The Autobots experienced a major setback when Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] dematerialized before their eyes at a meeting, seemingly atomized in seconds. Matters only became more pressing when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Decepticon commander of 2006, arrived in the present, kidnapped [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and co-opted the Constructicons for his own purposes. Goaded into rash action by their friend's distress, the Autobots rushed into battle with the new warriors. Tracks stood shoulder to shoulder with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Ironhide, and Smokescreen against Galvatron, but the future Decepticon just laughed and voluntarily allowed them to unload their firepower on him. Staser bolts, high-density lasers, thermal charges, fracture rockets... all hit Galvatron dead center, and all did absolutely nothing. To add injury to insult, he then beat the helpless Tracks and his comrades into a pulp for good measure.''

''Beyond desperate, the Autobots actually stooped to reviving Megatron from where Galvatron had left him to rust earlier, and working with him to concoct a strategy against their common foe. Their gambit was somewhat successful, as Tracks and the Autobots managed to capture Galvatron's lieutenant, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], with Megatron's aid. When Tracks and the others went for a prisoner exchange to get Jazz back, however, they found that Galvatron had lobotomized their friend and turned him into a rampaging zombie. Jazz disabled Tracks and the others for a time, and they only woke up into time to wander into the climax, when [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and the future ''Autobots'' destroyed Galvatron's new space cannon in a massive explosion, convincing him to return the future empty-handed. Needless to say, the Autobots were glad when Optimus Prime and the others miraculously returned after Galvatron and his men returned the future, reversing the mass-substitution effect. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:DarkStar-BlotTracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Throw out your hands, stick out your tush, hands on your hips, give 'em a push!]]

Tracks and the Autobots became much less involved in Earth affairs when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] assumed control of the army after Prime's death and took the Ark back out into space. Tracks was trapped on the moon for some time with the combined crews of the Ark and Steelhaven after a Decepticon attack damaged their transport. {{storylink|Totaled!}} He was later deactivated while battling the combined Decepticon armies in the Arctic, when he received an unexpected acid bath from [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:MakinTracks-Tracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|We have the same reaction to ''Glee.'']]
''In his [[Body Shop]] at Autobot Earthbase, Wheeljack was attempting to revive Tracks, but Grimlock kept sabotaging his efforts, hoping to move efforts towards Autobots he thought were more deserving. Not only did he fail to stop the reconstruction, Optimus Prime ended up assigning Tracks to Earthforce, to Grimlock's eternal regret. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} Later on, he joined the other Autobots in hunting [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who had kidnapped their human ally, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]]. The other [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] tried to stop them, and did manage to derail several others, but Tracks and Bumblebee got Motormaster to separate from his trailer (apparently he can do that..?) and then led [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] into knocking their own leader off the road. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

{{-}}
====Generation 2====
Tracks was operating out of Autobase on Earth after the Autobots began confronting the threat of the Cybertronian Empire. When Megatron agreed to join forces with Prime, Tracks began working closely with the Decepticon Rotor Force members [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] and [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]]. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Tracks was an active member of the Autobot forces as far back as the days of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. He attended the ceremony that turned Optronix into Optimus Prime, and witnessed their new leader deal with three Decepticon assassins. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} He served with the Autobots for several million years until the time of the [[Great Shutdown]], working with Prowl's faction during the Dark Ages. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

Afterwards, Tracks seemed to lapse into semi-retirement while other Autobots worked towards establishing a new unified Cybertronian government with the Decepticons. He was seen among the general populace observing the Anti-Prime propaganda [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] was pumping out through the cortex. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He eventually recognized the rotten core of their alliance with Shockwave, though, and formed a resistance cell with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] and the [[Triple Changer]]s. They and their [[Minibot]] allies joined the major offensive alongside Optimus Prime, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the other cells, which ultimately overthrew Shockwave's control. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics===
Tracks was among the ranks of a team of Autobots led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], waiting for [[Serpent O.R.]]'s hostages to escape so that they could assault the Decepticon base. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4}} When the opportunity arose, they headed into the fray alongside human reinforcements from [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], eventually defeating the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===Timelines===
Tracks (in his [[Alternators|Alternator's body]]) is one of countless "offworlders" residing in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===IDW ''Hearts of Steel'' continuity===
Tracks was among the Autobots who battled the Decepticons on Earth millions of years ago, until an ice age forced them to hide underground, powered down. He was reactivated in the mid-19th century when the Autobots learned that the Decepticons had woken up. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightJazz-promise.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He's too pretty (and too 1985) to die!]]

In the early days of the war, Tracks was among the new Autobot soldiers lined up to be inspected by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

On his very first combat mission, Tracks' unit was attacked and he was the only survivor. He was rescued by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who was being tracked by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. The Predacons pinned the two down, but thanks to bravery and trickery by Jazz, three of the 'cons were disabled. When Jazz faced off alone against the remaining two, Tracks overcame his doubts and cowardice and attacked [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]], knocking them both unconscious. Jazz battled [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] alone and was saved by a shuttle crew of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], who repaired the two Autobots and took them back to base. Tracks didn't know Jazz's identity until later, but he knew what it meant to be an Autobot. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

Four million years ago, Tracks was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

In the modern day, both Tracks and Jazz ended up as part of Optimus Prime's forces on [[Earth]], only to be defeated in battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and unceremoniously dropped on the ruins of Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}} There, they had to fend against the [[Insecticon swarm]] while [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] tried to repair Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}} At one point during their stay on the planet, Tracks boosted his comrades' spirits by telling them the story about how Jazz had heroically saved him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}} Unfortunately, the positive emotions didn't seem to last, and everyone was back to brooding before long. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4}} When the crew of the ''[[Trion]]'' crashlanded on Cybertron, Tracks listened to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s tale about how it happened. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}} He wanted to know when [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] got scary. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}}

Tracks later defended the Autobot base against a massive swarm attack. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9}} The battle didn't go in their favor, but thankfully they were saved by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10}} Omega ferried Tracks and the rest back to Earth, where they battled the Decepticons in [[New York City]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11}}

Two years later, Tracks defected alongside [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], as they were afraid that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] might arrest the Autobots on Earth due to various recent events. The four left to join [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s team instead, only to come under attack from [[Skywatch]]. Upon seeing [[Campologno]] take out Beachcomber, Tracks raised his gun at the human in panic and anger, but Hoist stopped him from firing. He tried to run for it, but didn't make it far before being stuck in vehicle mode and captured. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Tracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 1991, 2002/2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''44''', '''TFC-4'''
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

: The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Stingray]] with a large flame decal on his hood. Tracks's vehicle mode can achieve a [[Transportation mode|flight mode]] via two flip-out wings and attachable rocket launchers. In robot mode, Tracks is armed with a long rifle that covers most of his lower arm, and the two white rocket launchers are now mounted above his head. The rifle can also attach to his back for storage or for additional weaponry in flight mode.

[[Image:RoadRage-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Flaming hot.]]

: The European version of Tracks by [[Milton Bradley]] was initially available in red, based on the original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme. This toy is featured on the box art on the back of 1985 toys. Due to poor sales, Hasbro decided to re-release Tracks in Europe{{fact}}, this time in his blue color scheme. Because of this, the red Milton Bradley version ended up being rather rare.<ref>[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=mb "Milton Bradley and the Transformers Red Tracks" at TF-1.com]</ref>

: He was rereleased in Europe in 1990 as part of the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] line.

: Tracks was reissued by [[Takara]] in 2002 as part of their "book-box" [[Transformers Collection]] series. The following year, [[Hasbro]] re-released him as part of the Toys "R" Us [[exclusive]] [[Commemorative Series]] V.

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage]], an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] based on the red European version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[Image:AMTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|As if ''I'' would be seen wearing ''that''.]]
*'''Tracks with Basher''' (Action Master, 1991)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", "Basher" partner/backpack

: This version of Tracks was a European exclusive, sculpted to resemble his cartoon appearances more closely. As with all [[Action Master]]s, he cannot transform, but is highly articulated by the standards of the time. He came with small tank [[Action Master partner|partner]] named [[Basher]], who forms a battle helmet/backpack for Tracks (or any other Action Master), colored in bright green and baby blue. Tracks is compatible with all Action Master vehicles and accessories.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Action Master Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

[[Image:BlackTracksToy.jpg|thumb|300px|From the people who brought you "Caddyblack", "Blackdraft", and "Black Kramer vs. Kramer"]]
*'''Black Tracks''' (2002)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

:A [[redeco]] of the original Tracks, Black Tracks was offered as part of a contest connected to the release of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'' manga compilation. 300 Black Tracks figures were awarded through this contest.

:The figure was apparently inspired by a rare black redeco of the ''Diaclone'' Corvette Stingray mold that was only available in Finland (!).

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf/blacktracks_template.html More info on TF Black Tracks and the Finnish Diaclone Black Corvette Stingray at TF-1.com]''

{{-}}

===Alternators===
[[Image:BTTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You can colour me blue, you can colour me yellow, but I will still be that most excellent fellow.]]
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2004, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''5'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[Takara]]'s ''[[Binaltech]]'' line, with a yellow paint job, but was later released in blue to match [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Alternators]]'' release. Tracks transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Z06]] featuring open doors and hood and a realistic interior. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his Generation 1 self, though with one major difference: The roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a pseudo-car-roof chest piece that folds down. His large shoulder pads, formed from the rear halves of the car, give the impression of the wings his original toy had. He is armed with his double-barreled engine gun, two pairs of double-barreled, slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, making him the most heavily armed ''Alternators'' toy.

: The main difference between the Japanese and US releases is that the Japanese ''Binaltech'' versions are constructed of die-cast metal for the majority of the car body panels, which are also fully painted. The blue version of ''Binaltech'' Tracks also came with a large reproduction of his original hood flame sticker. This sticker was eventually released with Hasbro's own ''Alternators'' [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]], a [[retool]] of Tracks.

: This mold was more significantly retooled to make ''Alternators'' [[Ravage (G1)|Battle Ravage]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltTracks/tracks.htm More information on Alternators Tracks at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on yellow Binaltech Tracks at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transformers Reveal the Shield (2010)===
[[Image:TF2010_deluxe_TurboTracks.jpg|thumb|300px|Gee, that handheld clip-on launcher [[Wheeljack (G1)|looks familiar.]]]]
*'''Turbo Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2010/2011)
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

: Part of the fifth wave of [[Transformers Reveal the Shield (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Deluxe class toys, Turbo Tracks transforms from a blue sports car into a winged robot. Tracks comes with three clip-on weapons, one of which can be handheld. He can also assume the flying car mode as on the original toy by folding out the wings in car mode and moving the other two of his clip-on weapons from under the doors to a flipout panel on the rear. As part of the first wave of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he sports a [[Rub Sign]].

:Turbo Tracks was retooled into ''[[Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Turbo Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===United===
{{picsneeded|United toy}}
*'''Autobot Tracks'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

:''[[United (toyline)|United]]'' Autobot Tracks is a redeco of ''Transformers'' (2010 toyline) Turbo Tracks. ''United'' Tracks features a more detailed paint deco, including metallic blue paint on his blue plastic panels, a Generation 1-style flame hood symbol and painted rear trunk grille and tailpipes. As with all ''United'' versions of the ''Transformers'' (2010) toys, Tracks lacks a heat-sensitive rub sign, replacing it with a [[tampograph]]ed Autobot sigil.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
{{picsneeded}}
* '''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

: In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Tracks was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[tech spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

*'''Tracks''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''15'''

: The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Tracks game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].
{{-}}

==Notes==
* It is frequently joked amongst Transformers fans that Tracks is homosexual, although the character has not actually demonstrated any romantic interest in other male characters. All his romantic interest was focused squarely on himself. An ''Auto-sexual'', if you will.

* Voice actor [[Michael McConnohie]] claims Tracks is not gay. He chose the voice of Thurston J. Howell III from ''Gilligan's Island'', played by [[wikipedia:Jim Backus|Jim Backus]], as the basis for Tracks' snooty voice and mannerisms. McConnohie refers to Tracks's [[Accents|manner of dialect as a "Harvard Lockjaw"]].

* Tracks appeared in one of five original Generation 1 [[public service announcement]]s, warning kids not to steal cars, even if it's just for joy-riding. He seems to have a ''thing'' for carjackers, that Tracks.

* In parts of Europe, Tracks was released in the Diaclone toy's red deco through Milton Bradley in 1985. Due to being a royal shelfwarmer, the toy was re-released in its proper Transformers colors through Hasbro a year later. It is possible Hasbro had originally planned for Tracks to be released in Diaclone colors, as Tracks is red complete with the Diaclone hood stickers ("CS" instead of the Autobot sigil) on the 1985 back-of-the-box mural.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=7&image=34 Back of the Box Art: 1985 - USA]</ref> Interestingly, the 1985 box-mural from Japan shows not only the red Tracks in the center, but another Tracks, this one in his Hasbro blue deco, in the upper right area.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=7&image=35 Back of the Box Art: 1985 - Japan]</ref> Perhaps this indicates that there were plans to create more than one ''Transformers'' character from the Stingray mold, as had been done with many of the other Diaclone molds, that were unrealized.

* In later years, toys sporting the name "Tracks" require an additional prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Tracks'''" or "'''Turbo Tracks'''".

* Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Z06 Corvette that was going to be released as part of the [[Alternators]] line. Thus, Hasbro and Takara came up with an auxiliary plan for Tracks, this time as another "well-known American sports car", a Dodge Viper. Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt, and ultimately ended up as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] instead (called "Side Swipe" for trademark reasons). Control drawings for the Viper as Tracks, sporting a Tracks head sculpt and a different transformation for the doors, allowing them to more closely resemble Tracks's G1 wings, are depicted in the Japanese ''Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide'' book.

* Hasbro initially intended to release their ''Alternators'' toy in yellow, with a blue running change [[variant]] coming later down the line. However, problems with the darker interior parts being visible though the yellow plastic encountered at the [[Prototype|test shot]] stage prompted Hasbro to cancel the yellow version and instead release the toy in blue right away. Thus, the only yellow version of the mold is Takara's ''Binaltech'' release. Supposedly, yellow Hasbro Tracks never made it beyond the paint sample stage (a few pieces were leaked to the public), although there have been rumors that the yellow version was actually shipped out to stores and later recalled. Conveniently, anyone who claimed to have seen the packaged toy in person was unable to take a photo as evidence. Thus, this rumor is considered to have similar credibility to the infamous "blue G1 [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] in Hasbro packaging" myth or, to be more precise, "lies."

* He's not gay. '''Seriously.''' We can't stress this enough.

* Not that there's anything wrong with that.

* But really. He's not gay.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Tracks Tracks' Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]

Tracks (G1)

2011-02-23T16:12:43Z

120.28.64.78: /* Transformers (2010) */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambigr|Tracks|the ''Animated''-series Autobot|Tracks (Animated)}}

:''Tracks is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tracksg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|If God had wanted Tracks to multiply, he would have given him the Creation Matrix and luscious lips. But he only gave him the luscious lips.]]

'''Tracks''' is a little bit of a narcissist, according to his Autobot buddies, and it's hard for him to stay lighthearted and gay under such criticism. He attributes it to jealousy, since few Autobots are so well-endowed with a sleek, muscular, and tastefully decorated sports car mode as his.

The truth is, Tracks's armament is considerable. In the wink of an eye, he can erect his hardened launcher shafts and deploy two flaming incendiary missiles. These projectiles are heat-seeking, seeking out warm Decepticon bodies and striking hard in sensitive places. With his long and powerful "blinding" [[black beam gun]], which negates light, he strikes his enemies in the darkness. Whether defending [[San Francisco]] or displaying his trademark moves in [[Dancitron]], Tracks is one fantastically flamboyant fighter!

Tracks can even fly like a butterfly by deploying his secret, hidden wings from their protective closet.

He should be a dangerous opponent, but his concern with preserving his stylish appearance and poor ability to work with fellow Autobots hampers him. Often he simply cruises the metro area alone all night, looking for Decepticons worthy of his attentions. Tracks may not always get along with his friends, but he knows his enemies. He knows them very well, indeed.

His [[Action Master partner]] is [[Basher]].

{{quote|Keep San Francisco clean—LEAVE!|Tracks to the Asteroid bird alien|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Le Sillage''' ("The Trail")
:''Hungarian name'': '''Vagány''' ("Tough guy")
:''Italian name'': '''Puma'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Rasto''' ("Track")
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Trilho''' ("Track")
:''Russian name:'' '''Krakh''' (''Крах'', "Failure")
==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American)

[[Image:DinobotIsland2 Tracks robotmode.jpg|thumb|left|250px|How this show lasted this far without me, I'll never know.]]
Tracks was one of several Autobots who appeared out of nowhere one day. He listened in as [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] reported the discovery of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|an island full of dinosaurs]]. Following another [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] mishap at base, Tracks helped with repairs. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} He, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] were sent out to intercept and drive back a pirate ship that had appeared through a temporal anomaly due to Megatron's interference on the temporally displaced [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} Tracks took part in a game of basketball with the Dinobots, and failed to stop [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] from making a slam dunk. As Prime observed that Tracks was in need of maintenance, and he admitted that he'd had a deuce of a time trying to get an appointment with [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. As it turned out, Hoist and [[Grapple]] had somehow fallen in with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to build Grapple's [[Solar Power Tower]]. Tracks was part of the mission to see what was going on, and ended up fighting [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Following the Autobot victory, he helped dig through the ruins of the tower to find Grapple and Hoist. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

[[Image:MMP1 Tracks fires black beam gun.jpg|thumb|right|240px|And I said "let there be dark!"]]
When the Decepticons attacked a new solar power plant in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], Tracks took to the air and blasted [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] with his black beam gun. In retaliation, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] rammed Tracks, knocking the Autobot out of the sky. The Decepticons retreated, much to the delight of the [[human]]s present. Tracks complained about the annoying cheering noise they were making. He was happy enough to take part in [[Autobot Day]], until an incriminating video (faked by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] of course) was shown and the crowds turned against the Autobots. They retreated to Headquarters, but a short time later, the authorities turned up to arrest them and put them on trial. The verdict was swiftly delivered, and the Autobots forced to leave the planet on a spaceship provided by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Locked on course to the [[Sun]], the Autobots abandoned ship and used [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] to return to [[Earth]], where the Decepticon plot had already been revealed. The Autobots freed the enslaved humans and chased off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} After the theft of the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and Tracks reported from the field that they hadn't detected any Decepticon activity. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:G1MakeTracks TracksRaoul.jpg|left|240px|thumb|It's not what it looks like, honestly!]]
Tracks and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] assisted the [[New York City|New York]] Police Department's Crime Buster program by parking themselves in a seedy, run-down neighborhood to entice car thieves to steal them, then capturing the thieves and their buyer. Back at [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage, Tracks opined that New York City was exhilarating and that they could remain there forever as far as he was concerned, to the amusement of the other Autobots. Annoyed at their attitude, Tracks took off for a joyride, but almost immediately fell prey to a gang of would-be car thieves who shot out Tracks' tires as he tried to run them off the road. Crashing into a streetlight, Tracks was badly damaged and unable to transform. Fortunately, the car thief with a heart of gold, [[Raoul]], happened by and decided to take possession of Tracks, who quickly revealed he was no ordinary badly damaged dark blue Corvette Stingray with a giant flaming logo on his hood.

Together, the pair tailed the [[Geddis brothers]] to a Decepticon installation in the [[Pine Barrens]], where the Constructicons were converting stolen cars. When an electrical fault disabled Tracks during the course of the investigation, Raoul came to his rescue, and they both fled through the woods, eventually running into some more Autobots. Tracks joined Bumblebee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] in defending downtown from the stolen vehicles, converted into drones by the Decepticons, and was appalled when they damaged the Chrysler Building. Tracks and Raoul took part in the assault on the Decepticon base, however Megatron grabbed the young human. Tracks announced that if Raoul was harmed, there'd be trouble, but the threat proved unnecessary, as Raoul made use of a can of spray paint to escape. At Prime's invitation, Tracks demolished the base with a few well-placed shots. Later, he volunteered Raoul to help [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] fix all the cars that the Decepticons had messed with. {{storylink|Make Tracks}}

[[Image:QuestForSurvival Inferno puts out Tracks.jpg|thumb|right|260px|But this is!]]
Tracks was part of a disastrous attempt to stop the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] from eating Earth crops. [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] set him on fire, forcing Inferno to put him out. Tracks bravely fought on until [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] called a retreat and they returned to Headquarters for repairs. Some time later, after Cosmos had become trapped by an infestation of [[Morphobot]]s, Tracks took part in rescue efforts. As [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] used his music to repel the creatures, Tracks and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] helped hook Cosmos up to Hoist. Unfortunately during the subsequent fight with the Decepticons, the [[robotic insecticide]] was destroyed, leaving them with no weapon against the Insecticon army. It all turned out okay, as said army was eaten by the Morphobots anyway. Tracks watched as the Morphobots were launched into space to wreck some other planet's ecology. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[Image:SecretOmegaSupreme Tracks is alarmed.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Tracks Threatens his Hand: Part 1]]
When [[San Francisco]] was threatened by an [[Asteroid bird alien|alien bird creature]], Tracks risked his life in battle to defend the city until [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] arrived to drive it off. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} Following Megatron's disappearance, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] took over a sports stadium and had the Constructicons build a maze leading to it. Tracks, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] attempted to traverse the maze, only to get totaled by Blitzwing and built into a throne. Fortunately Hoist came to the rescue and fixed them all up in time to witness Megatron's return and the downfall of Blitzwing and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. The four repaired Autobots jokingly arranged themselves into a throne for Optimus afterwards. Optimus declined their kind offer. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

Whilst out on a supply run with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Tracks opined that Optimus Prime had sent him out on this task to show the humans that Autobots didn't just have strength, but refinement as well. When Bumblebee sharply pointed out his comrade's lack of humility, Tracks replied that he feared ''some'' Autobots had much to be humble about. Together, they watched a storefront television report by [[Hector Ramirez (G1)|Hector Ramirez]] on the disappearance of a [[Daina|top secret Soviet jet]], for which blame was placed on the [[United States of America]]. Bumblebee suspected Decepticon involvement, which was convenient, as Tracks saw Astrotrain and Blitzwing lurking about nearby. The Autobots gave chase, only to discover the 'Cons were holographs projected by the big game hunter [[Lord Chumley]], and the pair were quickly subdued. After several more Autobots were captured, the imprisoned hostages were forced to run through several cruel and unusual torture devices. Tracks in particular was forced to race around a small, spiked track while laser cannons fired at him. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

[[Image:G1Auto-Bop Tracks girl.jpg|right|230px|thumb|"Eeek, Mr. Tracks, can I have your autograph?" "Sure thing, baby."]]
Tracks and Blaster were reunited with Raoul when the human and [[Bop Crew]] were being chased by [[Furg]]'s gang outside of the [[Dancitron]] night club. Tracks stylishly defeated the thugs by arcing his laser fire horizontally, simultaneously destroying several of the weapons wielded by Furg's men. As he did so, he noticed that one of the gang members was a man dressed in a business suit. The Autobots decided to investigate further.

Inside the club, Tracks declined to dance with some girls, and [[Stylish man|another patron]] asked him where he could "get those threads" (meaning Tracks's robot body). As Tracks left, remarking that Dancitron wasn't ''his'' kind of club, he noted that there were more out-of-place humans, including a housewife in a bathrobe and a garbage man. Tracks and Blaster came to Raoul's aid again when the driver of a train in which the humans were traveling was "activated' by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and accelerated the train to unsafe speeds. Later, Tracks and Raoul were attacked by brainwashed "workers" at a construction site for something large and mysterious. Bravely risking his paint job, Tracks protected Raoul from red-hot rivets fired by a brainwashed construction worker.

[[Image:Trackscruc2.jpg|left|260px|thumb|Tracks forgot his safeword.]]
Returning to the club, Tracks was lured into a trap by the mind-controlled [[Poplock]] and [[Rocksteady]]. Barely evading Starscream's attack, Tracks was assaulted by the rest of the club's patrons and chained up to the sound system, where the Decepticons hoped the music would eventually shake him apart. After Raoul de-hypnotised the club patrons by getting them slightly wet, the humans freed Tracks, who proceeded to take off after the fleeing Starscream. Crazy like a fox, Tracks seeded the clouds above the mysterious construction site, causing rain to fall down on the hypnotised workers, totally ruining Starscream's plan forever. Knowing that despite his good looks, he was outgunned and outpowered, Tracks used his superior agility to trick Starscream into flying into the half-constructed building and damaging himself when the Decepticon failed to avoid obstructions. With the Decepticons defeated, Tracks and Blaster destroyed the mysterious building. Grateful to the Bop Crew for saving his life, Tracks had Blaster help them out by acting as the boom box for their curbside breakdance sessions, to the latter's horror. {{storylink|Auto-Bop}}

[[Image:HoistGoesHollywood Sunstreaker Tracks masks.jpg|right|240px|thumb|]]
After Hoist was hired to be in a film, a number of other Autobots got wind of it and decided to volunteer their services as well. Tracks and the others impressed the [[director]] enough that he cast them, and Tracks ended up as a stunt vehicle, flying into a fake brick wall. The Autobots were dissatisfied with their assigned roles and told Hoist to try and pull some strings. The director decided to rethink the movie, and had Tracks and the others dressed as "evil alien robots". Tracks confessed he felt like a fool, but refused to quit. While shooting another scene, the pyrotechnics turned out to be bigger than expected, and the Autobots were nearly blown up. The shoot had been sabotaged by the Decepticons, who were after film of Dirge, who had crashed while carrying a device stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[Wheeljack's workshop|workshop]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After the affair was resolved, Tracks and the other Autobots decided not to be a part of the movie business after all. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Later, Tracks was one of several Autobots facing off against the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] near the [[Seattle-Tacoma area]] when Megatron was using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the land into metal. He was rammed by [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] into a boulder and flipped over. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Tracks was one of several Autobots who participated in the [[Europa 2000]], a charity race from Paris to Istanbul which, if the Autobots won, would have netted them a million dollars, which they would give to charity. Tracks was disdainful of the arrogant American driver [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]] and his suped-up [[Symultech Industries]] car. During the race, Tracks tried to contact the other Autobots, only to find out they had been disabled by the Stunticons in Megatron's quest to stop the Autobots from interfering with his plans for the [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. Teamed up with Cahnay and [[Professor Teranova|a scientist who mysteriously disappeared]] during the course of the battle, the Autobots defeated [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and destroyed the Pearl. {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express}}

[[Image:Masquerade Tracks firing.jpg|thumb|left|230px|... And Part 2]]
After [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] was abducted by the Decepticons, Tracks was one of the Autobots who volunteered to go on the rescue mission, and was subsequently struck down with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Fortunately a cure was soon forthcoming. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} He also took part in the defense of Headquarters during a Decepticon attack. Megatron soon retreated, not because of anything the Autobots did, but because he had realised that Starscream was behind everything. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Tracks helped defend a human city from the Insecticons, however a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] plan saw the Autobots searching for a component to get the [[space bridge]] working so they could reach Cybertron. They eventually tracked the component down, only to find the Insecticons had chewed it up. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Tracks was part of a responsive strike against a series of Stunticon raids on human compounds. He took to the air at one point, prompting [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] to remark that his flying car mode was "droll". In retaliation for this unwarranted remark, Tracks blinded Dead End with his black light gun, which caused the Decepticon to drive into the car-crushing fists of [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]. {{storylink|Masquerade}}
{{-}}

====''Binaltech''====
When the Decepticons unleashed Cosmic Rust on Earth, Tracks was one of the many Autobots infested with the virus. As [[Earth Defense Command]] created the Binaltech Project in order to help the Autobots, Tracks was one of the first patients to undergo transference into an [[electro-cell]] powered new body. With the help of his fellow Binaltech Autobots (Smokescreen, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]), Tracks and his new powers were used to drive the Decepticons off the planet. He remained part of the soldiers based at Autobot City on Earth.

Tracks apparently now had the power to change and update his paint job at will. Thrilling. Simply thrilling.

====''Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:JHeadmasters09Tracks.jpg|thumb|"Look, I'll stop asking you to fix my every little nick and scratch, '''I swear!'''" "KIYAAAAAAAA!"]]
Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Tracks briefly engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Years onward, Tracks was seen on Earth working with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], he was dispatched to intercept invading Decepticons and prevent them from interfering with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s search for the Matrix. The group was not actually seen to confront anyone. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Later, while defending Cybertron, Tracks got kicked in the face ''really hard''... by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. Uh, heat of the moment? {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I was rebuilt out of better spare parts than the rest of you!]]
Tracks was (re?)constructed on Earth by the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when the Autobots' forces were depleted using the [[mind bank]], his mind downloaded into a new body from a memory crystal. He attended [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s field training exercise on human culture—rock and roll wasn't quite Tracks's taste, but when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] tried to steal and convert sonic energy from the concert, surface-to-air combat with the enemy seemed quite a bit more enjoyable for him. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} On a later mission, he attempted to help [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] prevent [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] from being reawakened by the Decepticons, but the mistrustful human armed forces kept them at bay long enough for [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to revive his leader. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} [[Image:RockNRollOut-Tracksdriver.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Oh, well that just makes too much sense.]] ''Shortly thereafter, Tracks joined [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] in protecting [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from Soundwave and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He and Smokescreen actually managed to hold their own against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] for a short period of time. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}'' Tracks also was part of the Autobot strike on Decepticon headquarters which allowed Bumblebee to record Devastator's transformation and combination sequence, giving the Autobots a chance to replicate the unique gestalt technology. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''The Autobots experienced a major setback when Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] dematerialized before their eyes at a meeting, seemingly atomized in seconds. Matters only became more pressing when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Decepticon commander of 2006, arrived in the present, kidnapped [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and co-opted the Constructicons for his own purposes. Goaded into rash action by their friend's distress, the Autobots rushed into battle with the new warriors. Tracks stood shoulder to shoulder with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Ironhide, and Smokescreen against Galvatron, but the future Decepticon just laughed and voluntarily allowed them to unload their firepower on him. Staser bolts, high-density lasers, thermal charges, fracture rockets... all hit Galvatron dead center, and all did absolutely nothing. To add injury to insult, he then beat the helpless Tracks and his comrades into a pulp for good measure.''

''Beyond desperate, the Autobots actually stooped to reviving Megatron from where Galvatron had left him to rust earlier, and working with him to concoct a strategy against their common foe. Their gambit was somewhat successful, as Tracks and the Autobots managed to capture Galvatron's lieutenant, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], with Megatron's aid. When Tracks and the others went for a prisoner exchange to get Jazz back, however, they found that Galvatron had lobotomized their friend and turned him into a rampaging zombie. Jazz disabled Tracks and the others for a time, and they only woke up into time to wander into the climax, when [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and the future ''Autobots'' destroyed Galvatron's new space cannon in a massive explosion, convincing him to return the future empty-handed. Needless to say, the Autobots were glad when Optimus Prime and the others miraculously returned after Galvatron and his men returned the future, reversing the mass-substitution effect. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:DarkStar-BlotTracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Throw out your hands, stick out your tush, hands on your hips, give 'em a push!]]

Tracks and the Autobots became much less involved in Earth affairs when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] assumed control of the army after Prime's death and took the Ark back out into space. Tracks was trapped on the moon for some time with the combined crews of the Ark and Steelhaven after a Decepticon attack damaged their transport. {{storylink|Totaled!}} He was later deactivated while battling the combined Decepticon armies in the Arctic, when he received an unexpected acid bath from [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:MakinTracks-Tracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|We have the same reaction to ''Glee.'']]
''In his [[Body Shop]] at Autobot Earthbase, Wheeljack was attempting to revive Tracks, but Grimlock kept sabotaging his efforts, hoping to move efforts towards Autobots he thought were more deserving. Not only did he fail to stop the reconstruction, Optimus Prime ended up assigning Tracks to Earthforce, to Grimlock's eternal regret. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} Later on, he joined the other Autobots in hunting [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who had kidnapped their human ally, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]]. The other [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] tried to stop them, and did manage to derail several others, but Tracks and Bumblebee got Motormaster to separate from his trailer (apparently he can do that..?) and then led [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] into knocking their own leader off the road. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

{{-}}
====Generation 2====
Tracks was operating out of Autobase on Earth after the Autobots began confronting the threat of the Cybertronian Empire. When Megatron agreed to join forces with Prime, Tracks began working closely with the Decepticon Rotor Force members [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] and [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]]. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Tracks was an active member of the Autobot forces as far back as the days of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. He attended the ceremony that turned Optronix into Optimus Prime, and witnessed their new leader deal with three Decepticon assassins. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} He served with the Autobots for several million years until the time of the [[Great Shutdown]], working with Prowl's faction during the Dark Ages. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

Afterwards, Tracks seemed to lapse into semi-retirement while other Autobots worked towards establishing a new unified Cybertronian government with the Decepticons. He was seen among the general populace observing the Anti-Prime propaganda [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] was pumping out through the cortex. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He eventually recognized the rotten core of their alliance with Shockwave, though, and formed a resistance cell with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] and the [[Triple Changer]]s. They and their [[Minibot]] allies joined the major offensive alongside Optimus Prime, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the other cells, which ultimately overthrew Shockwave's control. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics===
Tracks was among the ranks of a team of Autobots led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], waiting for [[Serpent O.R.]]'s hostages to escape so that they could assault the Decepticon base. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4}} When the opportunity arose, they headed into the fray alongside human reinforcements from [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], eventually defeating the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===Timelines===
Tracks (in his [[Alternators|Alternator's body]]) is one of countless "offworlders" residing in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===IDW ''Hearts of Steel'' continuity===
Tracks was among the Autobots who battled the Decepticons on Earth millions of years ago, until an ice age forced them to hide underground, powered down. He was reactivated in the mid-19th century when the Autobots learned that the Decepticons had woken up. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightJazz-promise.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He's too pretty (and too 1985) to die!]]

In the early days of the war, Tracks was among the new Autobot soldiers lined up to be inspected by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

On his very first combat mission, Tracks' unit was attacked and he was the only survivor. He was rescued by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who was being tracked by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. The Predacons pinned the two down, but thanks to bravery and trickery by Jazz, three of the 'cons were disabled. When Jazz faced off alone against the remaining two, Tracks overcame his doubts and cowardice and attacked [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]], knocking them both unconscious. Jazz battled [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] alone and was saved by a shuttle crew of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], who repaired the two Autobots and took them back to base. Tracks didn't know Jazz's identity until later, but he knew what it meant to be an Autobot. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

Four million years ago, Tracks was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

In the modern day, both Tracks and Jazz ended up as part of Optimus Prime's forces on [[Earth]], only to be defeated in battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and unceremoniously dropped on the ruins of Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}} There, they had to fend against the [[Insecticon swarm]] while [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] tried to repair Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}} At one point during their stay on the planet, Tracks boosted his comrades' spirits by telling them the story about how Jazz had heroically saved him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}} Unfortunately, the positive emotions didn't seem to last, and everyone was back to brooding before long. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4}} When the crew of the ''[[Trion]]'' crashlanded on Cybertron, Tracks listened to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s tale about how it happened. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}} He wanted to know when [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] got scary. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}}

Tracks later defended the Autobot base against a massive swarm attack. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9}} The battle didn't go in their favor, but thankfully they were saved by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10}} Omega ferried Tracks and the rest back to Earth, where they battled the Decepticons in [[New York City]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11}}

Two years later, Tracks defected alongside [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], as they were afraid that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] might arrest the Autobots on Earth due to various recent events. The four left to join [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s team instead, only to come under attack from [[Skywatch]]. Upon seeing [[Campologno]] take out Beachcomber, Tracks raised his gun at the human in panic and anger, but Hoist stopped him from firing. He tried to run for it, but didn't make it far before being stuck in vehicle mode and captured. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Tracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 1991, 2002/2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''44''', '''TFC-4'''
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

: The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Stingray]] with a large flame decal on his hood. Tracks's vehicle mode can achieve a [[Transportation mode|flight mode]] via two flip-out wings and attachable rocket launchers. In robot mode, Tracks is armed with a long rifle that covers most of his lower arm, and the two white rocket launchers are now mounted above his head. The rifle can also attach to his back for storage or for additional weaponry in flight mode.

[[Image:RoadRage-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Flaming hot.]]

: The European version of Tracks by [[Milton Bradley]] was initially available in red, based on the original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme. This toy is featured on the box art on the back of 1985 toys. Due to poor sales, Hasbro decided to re-release Tracks in Europe{{fact}}, this time in his blue color scheme. Because of this, the red Milton Bradley version ended up being rather rare.<ref>[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=mb "Milton Bradley and the Transformers Red Tracks" at TF-1.com]</ref>

: He was rereleased in Europe in 1990 as part of the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] line.

: Tracks was reissued by [[Takara]] in 2002 as part of their "book-box" [[Transformers Collection]] series. The following year, [[Hasbro]] re-released him as part of the Toys "R" Us [[exclusive]] [[Commemorative Series]] V.

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage]], an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] based on the red European version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[Image:AMTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|As if ''I'' would be seen wearing ''that''.]]
*'''Tracks with Basher''' (Action Master, 1991)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", "Basher" partner/backpack

: This version of Tracks was a European exclusive, sculpted to resemble his cartoon appearances more closely. As with all [[Action Master]]s, he cannot transform, but is highly articulated by the standards of the time. He came with small tank [[Action Master partner|partner]] named [[Basher]], who forms a battle helmet/backpack for Tracks (or any other Action Master), colored in bright green and baby blue. Tracks is compatible with all Action Master vehicles and accessories.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Action Master Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

[[Image:BlackTracksToy.jpg|thumb|300px|From the people who brought you "Caddyblack", "Blackdraft", and "Black Kramer vs. Kramer"]]
*'''Black Tracks''' (2002)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

:A [[redeco]] of the original Tracks, Black Tracks was offered as part of a contest connected to the release of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'' manga compilation. 300 Black Tracks figures were awarded through this contest.

:The figure was apparently inspired by a rare black redeco of the ''Diaclone'' Corvette Stingray mold that was only available in Finland (!).

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf/blacktracks_template.html More info on TF Black Tracks and the Finnish Diaclone Black Corvette Stingray at TF-1.com]''

{{-}}

===Alternators===
[[Image:BTTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You can colour me blue, you can colour me yellow, but I will still be that most excellent fellow.]]
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2004, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''5'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[Takara]]'s ''[[Binaltech]]'' line, with a yellow paint job, but was later released in blue to match [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Alternators]]'' release. Tracks transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Z06]] featuring open doors and hood and a realistic interior. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his Generation 1 self, though with one major difference: The roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a pseudo-car-roof chest piece that folds down. His large shoulder pads, formed from the rear halves of the car, give the impression of the wings his original toy had. He is armed with his double-barreled engine gun, two pairs of double-barreled, slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, making him the most heavily armed ''Alternators'' toy.

: The main difference between the Japanese and US releases is that the Japanese ''Binaltech'' versions are constructed of die-cast metal for the majority of the car body panels, which are also fully painted. The blue version of ''Binaltech'' Tracks also came with a large reproduction of his original hood flame sticker. This sticker was eventually released with Hasbro's own ''Alternators'' [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]], a [[retool]] of Tracks.

: This mold was more significantly retooled to make ''Alternators'' [[Ravage (G1)|Battle Ravage]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltTracks/tracks.htm More information on Alternators Tracks at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on yellow Binaltech Tracks at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transformers Reaveal the Shield (2010)===
[[Image:TF2010_deluxe_TurboTracks.jpg|thumb|300px|Gee, that handheld clip-on launcher [[Wheeljack (G1)|looks familiar.]]]]
*'''Turbo Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2010/2011)
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

: Part of the fifth wave of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Deluxe class toys, Turbo Tracks transforms from a blue sports car into a winged robot. Tracks comes with three clip-on weapons, one of which can be handheld. He can also assume the flying car mode as on the original toy by folding out the wings in car mode and moving the other two of his clip-on weapons from under the doors to a flipout panel on the rear. As part of the first wave of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he sports a [[Rub Sign]].

:Turbo Tracks was retooled into ''[[Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Turbo Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===United===
{{picsneeded|United toy}}
*'''Autobot Tracks'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

:''[[United (toyline)|United]]'' Autobot Tracks is a redeco of ''Transformers'' (2010 toyline) Turbo Tracks. ''United'' Tracks features a more detailed paint deco, including metallic blue paint on his blue plastic panels, a Generation 1-style flame hood symbol and painted rear trunk grille and tailpipes. As with all ''United'' versions of the ''Transformers'' (2010) toys, Tracks lacks a heat-sensitive rub sign, replacing it with a [[tampograph]]ed Autobot sigil.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
{{picsneeded}}
* '''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

: In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Tracks was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[tech spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

*'''Tracks''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''15'''

: The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Tracks game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].
{{-}}

==Notes==
* It is frequently joked amongst Transformers fans that Tracks is homosexual, although the character has not actually demonstrated any romantic interest in other male characters. All his romantic interest was focused squarely on himself. An ''Auto-sexual'', if you will.

* Voice actor [[Michael McConnohie]] claims Tracks is not gay. He chose the voice of Thurston J. Howell III from ''Gilligan's Island'', played by [[wikipedia:Jim Backus|Jim Backus]], as the basis for Tracks' snooty voice and mannerisms. McConnohie refers to Tracks's [[Accents|manner of dialect as a "Harvard Lockjaw"]].

* Tracks appeared in one of five original Generation 1 [[public service announcement]]s, warning kids not to steal cars, even if it's just for joy-riding. He seems to have a ''thing'' for carjackers, that Tracks.

* In parts of Europe, Tracks was released in the Diaclone toy's red deco through Milton Bradley in 1985. Due to being a royal shelfwarmer, the toy was re-released in its proper Transformers colors through Hasbro a year later. It is possible Hasbro had originally planned for Tracks to be released in Diaclone colors, as Tracks is red complete with the Diaclone hood stickers ("CS" instead of the Autobot sigil) on the 1985 back-of-the-box mural.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=7&image=34 Back of the Box Art: 1985 - USA]</ref> Interestingly, the 1985 box-mural from Japan shows not only the red Tracks in the center, but another Tracks, this one in his Hasbro blue deco, in the upper right area.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/galleryImage.asp?gallery=7&image=35 Back of the Box Art: 1985 - Japan]</ref> Perhaps this indicates that there were plans to create more than one ''Transformers'' character from the Stingray mold, as had been done with many of the other Diaclone molds, that were unrealized.

* In later years, toys sporting the name "Tracks" require an additional prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Tracks'''" or "'''Turbo Tracks'''".

* Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Z06 Corvette that was going to be released as part of the [[Alternators]] line. Thus, Hasbro and Takara came up with an auxiliary plan for Tracks, this time as another "well-known American sports car", a Dodge Viper. Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt, and ultimately ended up as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] instead (called "Side Swipe" for trademark reasons). Control drawings for the Viper as Tracks, sporting a Tracks head sculpt and a different transformation for the doors, allowing them to more closely resemble Tracks's G1 wings, are depicted in the Japanese ''Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide'' book.

* Hasbro initially intended to release their ''Alternators'' toy in yellow, with a blue running change [[variant]] coming later down the line. However, problems with the darker interior parts being visible though the yellow plastic encountered at the [[Prototype|test shot]] stage prompted Hasbro to cancel the yellow version and instead release the toy in blue right away. Thus, the only yellow version of the mold is Takara's ''Binaltech'' release. Supposedly, yellow Hasbro Tracks never made it beyond the paint sample stage (a few pieces were leaked to the public), although there have been rumors that the yellow version was actually shipped out to stores and later recalled. Conveniently, anyone who claimed to have seen the packaged toy in person was unable to take a photo as evidence. Thus, this rumor is considered to have similar credibility to the infamous "blue G1 [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] in Hasbro packaging" myth or, to be more precise, "lies."

* He's not gay. '''Seriously.''' We can't stress this enough.

* Not that there's anything wrong with that.

* But really. He's not gay.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Tracks Tracks' Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]

Nova Prime

2011-02-09T13:42:57Z

120.28.64.78: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Matrix bearer from the IDW comics|the Matrix bearer from the Marvel Comics|Prime Nova}}
{{disambig2|the undead Prime from the IDW comics who is also known as Nemesis Prime|other evil primes|Nemesis Prime (disambiguation)}}

:''Nova Prime may be an [[Autobot]] in the [[IDW Publishing]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. He is also known as '''Nemesis Prime'''.''

[[Image:Novaprime.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Furmanism|Ahead, hovering, like some vast, predatory bird...]]]]
'''Nova Prime''' was the predecessor to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. An expansionist and a supremacist, Nova Prime believed that [[Transformers]] were the greatest among all life forms and that they should bring their glory to the myriad of lesser races throughout the universe.

After being sucked into the [[Dead Universe]], Nova was chosen to be the host for [[Darkness (G1)|the Darkness]], an otherworldly counterpart of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] which worked by transforming the inhabitants of the Dead Universe into [[Zombie|undead wielders of anti-life]]. Upon merging, Nova was reborn as the sinister and extremely powerful '''Nemesis Prime'''. He now sees it as his mission to fulfil the Darkness' imperative by expanding the Dead Universe's hold into the living realm.

Nemesis may seem to hold sway over both his troops and the Darkness, but nothing could be further from the truth. The powerful [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] sees the Darkness as his rightful inheritance. And then, there is the fear. The fear that the Darkness has more in common with the Matrix than Nemesis is comfortable with. He feels he has earned this power, and isn't willing to see it follow its natural path. It is for this reason he must eliminate Optimus Prime. And it is for this reason he fears to face his successor.

{{bigquote|''Nova was forever seeking, forever testing the limits of science and faith. He had a certain moral...ambiguity about the Cybertronian ideal''.|[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]''}}
{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===IDW comics continuity===
Long ago in [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron's]] past, before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Nova Prime made efforts to evolve the Cybertronians in preparation for their "destiny". At his behest, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], his chief technical adviser, altered [[Pretender Monster|six Transformers]] to be able to [[Combiner|combine]] into a being of higher intellect and strength. However they were driven mad by the merging, and they devolved into [[Monstructor (G1)|a monster]]. After this, he ordered the construction of the first ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Despite [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme's]] objections, Nova deceived the Cybertronian populace into believing that the ''Ark'' was intended for exploration, rather than its true mission of conquest. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} Nova Prime disappeared along with the rest of the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew into an anomaly in the [[Benzuli Expanse]] and was presumed dead. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}} Despite his aggressive intentions, these never came to light, and the Transformers honored Nova Prime's memory with a statue. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

[[Image:Jhiaxusnemesisprimedevastation.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Not even a toy yet and he's already got a [[black repaint]].]]
However, countless years later, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] downloaded himself into [[infraspace]] to survive an attack from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], he sensed the presence of Nova Prime... and was filled with an incredible sense of dread. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}} These feelings led Optimus Prime to seek information from Omega Supreme, and shared with him his belief that Nova might still be alive, and his feelings of dread. In turn, Omega told Optimus of Nova's story, and later learned of Monstructor. Optimus was left with the knowledge that the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] lineage was corrupt, and it gave the Autobot leader something to ponder about. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

It was later learned that Optimus Prime's assessment was right: Nova Prime was still functioning, though in a strange half-dead state in the [[Dead Universe]], and was now the fearsome figure known as Nemesis Prime, powered by the almighty mind-altering anti-Matrix, the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]], which ruled the Dead Universe. His grand plan, the [[Expansion]], was intended to merge the Dead Universe with the real one, allowing him to both return home at long last ''and'' direct the merged universe into a new, more ''ordered'' era.

He already had an outpost and minions on [[Gorlam Prime]], ready to direct his coming Expansion. He'd had already had [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] captured by [[Sports Car Patrol|some of his minions]] and programmed {{storylink|Spotlight: Nightbeat}} to assassinate Optimus Prime at a set time, {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}, as he subconciously knew the Darkness would behave like the Matrix and jump from him to Optimus if given the chance. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

With that secured, Nemesis Prime decided that the Expansion was ready to begin. He dispatched [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in a mission to secure [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], kill the Autobots guarding him, and bring the [[Pretender]] to the Dead Universe. Galvatron secured Thunderwing, but spared the Autobots, viewing it as a small rebellion against Nova. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}} After observing the [[Reaper|Reapers]] about to destroy [[Earth]], he ordered Galvatron there to stop them, since the Earth was part of their expansion plan. {{storylink|Devastation issue 3|Devastation #3}} Galvatron performed his task well, but Prime remarked to Jhiaxus that he was aware that Galvatron had his own agendas and secrets. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

After [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] secured the [[Nega-Core]] and activated its guardian, Nemesis Prime initiated the [[Expansion]] with the rest of the [[Dead Universe]] crew. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

Nemesis Prime was found by Jhiaxus on the remains of the ''Ark'', thinking back on old times and planning for the future. Upon receiving the latest intelligence on both Cyclonus and Nightbeat, he dismissed the former and requested Jhiaxus take care of the Nightbeat situation personally. When Jhiaxus reported Nightbeat's death, Nemesis was unmoved, deciding he would take over Nightbeat's mission and deal with Optimus Prime himself. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:DarknessNemesis.jpg|250px|thumb|Has some similarities with ROTF Soundwave and [[Galvatron]].]]
Nemesis Prime attacked the prison facility on [[Garrus-9]] while Optimus Prime was inspecting it. The Autobot defense forces were helpless against him: Nemesis was immune to all their firepower and used his deadly decaying touch to instantly snuff out their lives. Seeing that conflict was futile, Optimus Prime ordered all the defenders to retreat, then faced Nemesis Prime directly. Nemesis gloated about the upcoming Expansion, then revealed to Optimus Prime the nature of the Darkness and channeled it as a weapon against Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}

Unfortunately for Nemesis, the Darkness ''did'' want to leap to Optimus as he'd feared, and it would do so if he either used it or touched Optimus. Enraged, Nemesis backed off and resorted to firing a torrent of normal energy. Optimus was able to withstand the blast however, but their fight ended abruptly when Nemesis, distracted by the battle, was shot in the back and killed by Galvatron, as part of his plan to claim the Darkness for himself.

Though Optimus Prime soon destroyed the Darkness-infused Galvatron (or so he thought), Optimus remarked that he couldn't mourn his predecessor, noting that Nova Prime was long dead. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:NovaPrime variousmodes.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Nova Prime's smaller inner robot. Toy, Hasbro, please? Pretty please?]]
* Nova Prime was actually an Optimus Prime design that artist [[Don Figueroa]] had made for [[Hasbro]], but it was never made as a toy. In fact, part of the combined super robot mode concept art was first seen on the [[BotCon 2005]]-exclusive cover for [[Infiltration issue 0|''Infiltration'' issue 0]].
* It's unclear when the Autobots evolved as a faction in the IDW-verse. Clearly, by ''[[Megatron Origin]]'', they were a police force working for the [[Senate]]. However, it's not known for sure if they existed during Nova Prime's era; therefore, Nova may '''not''' be an Autobot.
* According to Nova Prime's design sketches by Don, seen in the back of ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'', the form seen in the story is Nova Prime's winged cab/trailer super robot. He also has a smaller robot mode consisting of only the cab. The transformation of the cab is pretty similar to that of [[Rodimus (Energon)|''Energon'' Rodimus]].
* Apparently, being an undead Prime means you have to reverse your colour scheme.

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Comic-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]

Starscream (G1)

2010-12-23T11:50:36Z

120.28.64.78: /* Revenge of the Fallen - The Game (Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC) */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|unicron|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Starscream}}{{suite}}
:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] and briefly a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Starscreamg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Let me guess. You're gonna attempt to overthrow Megatron, fail, cry, then repeat the cycle.]]
'''Starscream''' is the treacherous Decepticon [[Air Commander]] and the deadliest of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. The self-proclaimed pride of the [[Cybertron War Academy]], he's famous not only for his incredible skill, but also for his limitless (and troublesome) ambition. Starscream believes that he is more suited for command than [[Decepticon leader]] [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Thankfully for Megatron, Starscream's mutinous, power-grabbing plots are almost always transparent, and he can never muster up enough patience to complete a grandiose power play. Even on the few times he has taken control of the Decepticons, he quickly loses control of a situation, but is too arrogant to realize when he's in over his head. He never learns from his mistakes, but then again, Megatron doesn't either, seeing as how he's never turned Starscream into [[Slag (slang)|slag]]. Despite his constant failures, Starscream believes it is only a matter of time before he prevails—his destiny is inevitable.

Starscream's never give up attitude extends even to the afterlife: unlike most Transformers, he has a mutant, indestructible [[Spark]]. His life-force cannot be destroyed and can persist even without a body to contain it. However, there is no indication that Starscream (or anybody else) was aware of this fact prior to his destruction.

{{bigquote|''Why?'' That's what they ''all'' asked me. Why him... why ''Starscream''? Why, of all the Decepticons, did I decide to revitalize the one whose record of deceit and betrayal is ''legend''? Because I'm an ''idiot'', that's why!|Megatron on Starscream|"[[Total War!]]"}}

:''Alternate names:'' '''Pretty Poison, The Silver Snake''' <ref>Bob Budiansky's notes; "The origins of the Transformers" featurette, [[Shout! Factory]]'s Transformers: Season 1 DVD set</ref>
:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Égo'''
:''Czech name:'' '''Hvězdolam''' ("Starbreak")
:''Euskera (Basque) name:'' '''Izaroihu'''
:''Hungarian name:'' '''Üstökös''' ("Comet")
:''Italian name:'' '''Astrum'''
:''Italian name (Beast Wars):'' '''Scintillor'''
:''Polish name ("Cosmic Rust"):'' '''Gwiazdowrzask'''
:''Polish name (Beast Wars):'' '''Gwiezdny Krzyk''' ("Stellar Cry")
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comics):'' '''Cometa''' ("Comet")
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comics):'' '''Estrela-Estridente''' ("Shrill Star")
:''Russian TV dub name:'' '''Scandalist''' (Скандалист, "Troublemaker")
:''Spanish name:'' '''Grito de Estrella''' ("Star Cry")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Hǒu Hsīng''' (吼星, "Roaring Star")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Hong Zhizhu''' (紅蜘蛛, "Red Spider")
:''Cantonese name:'' '''Seng Seng Giu''' (星星叫, "Star Shouting")
:''Latin American Spanish name (Beast Wars):'' '''Destello''' ("Sparkle")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He's the nigh-identical jerk on the right.]]
''Millions of years ago, on the troubled planet Cybertron, Starscream acted as the figurehead leader for the controlling dictators of the city-state of [[Vos]]. Following a botched attempt at igniting war between [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]] and [[Tarn]], Vos itself went to war with Tarn, and both cities were destroyed by an exchange of [[Photon missile|photon missiles]]. The survivors of both cities—presumably including Starscream—were gathered together by the ex-gladiator [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], who used their bitterness towards Iacon to unite them under his control as the Decepticons. {{storylink|State Games}}''

Four million years ago, Starscream was part of Megatron's attack raid on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. After its crashlanding on [[Earth]], Starscream was revived and rebuilt into an Earthern form in 1984, along with the other survivors. After a Decepticon roll-call, they fled the Ark. When the Autobots were spotted near a native settlement, aka a drive-thru movie theater, Starscream and the other Decepticons were commanded to attack. While Starscream extolled the use of guile and stealth, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] saturated him with his [[glass gas]] gun, which coated Starscream, making his metal brittle and breakable as glass. As his chassis shattered, Starscream ordered his fellow jets to flee. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

Megatron led his Decepticons to a perch above the half-constructed [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]], with intent to take it with brute force. Starscream suggested that [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] scout the area first. Megatron reluctantly agreed with Starscream, choosing [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to scout in Buzzsaw's stead. It wasn't until Ravage's report that Megatron realized it was the [[human]]s who created the machines in their midst, and thus they must have the technology to convert their fuel to a form they could use. Starscream quietly acknowledged Megatron's shrewdness, and felt that he must never let his eagerness to take over the Decepticons blind him to Megatron's cunning. The Decepticons attacked, and when they had achieved victory, Starscream and the others each hauled off chunks of the plant's machinery to construct their own [[Fortress Sinister|base of operations]] atop a harsh cliffside. Starscream and the other Decepticons next attacked the auto repair shop of [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], a friend of the Autobots whom the Decepticons suspected could convert fuel for them. Once Starscream abducted Sparkplug, the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Power Play!}}

[[Image:Addstarscreamtothedamagereport.jpg|right|250px|thumb|He'd better get used to this.]]
Starscream and the others returned to their cliffside headquarters with Sparkplug Witwicky, as Starscream found humor in the role reversal of this planet's human domination over machines. He continued to boast of his successful kidnapping in front of Megatron and the others, a ploy that did not go unnoticed by Megatron. Their captive, Sparkplug, needed materials to aid him in converting Earth fuel to Transformer fuel, so Starscream and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] were dispatched to bring back a tanker truck full of fuel for Sparkplug to work on. The Decepticons' actions did not go unnoticed, and the human media and military crowded around their headquarters. But it wasn't until the Autobots arrived that Starscream and the other two jets were unleashed upon the crowd. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} Though the human escaped, it was not before he had successfully done their work for them. Regardless, Starscream berated Megatron for allowing the human to be rescued, to which Megatron responded with a blast from his [[fusion cannon]]. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

Starscream was one of a group of Decepticons who were sent to the [[United Kingdom]] to investigate tales of the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]], who was in reality an Autobot sent from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to Earth to look for the missing Ark. Starscream destroyed him. {{storylink|Man of Iron (story)|Man of Iron}} ''Meanwhile, Megatron had begun to grow weary of Starscream's constant attempts to undermine his authority, and he sent Ravage to follow Starscream, hoping he would uncover enough damning evidence to permit Megatron to destroy Starscream once and for all. But when Starscream failed to rally the Decepticons behind him by staging a conflict with the Autobots, he tried to kill [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to keep this secret. When caught, he demanded a trial-by-combat and was pitted against [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], a fight which he won, until Starscream was shot down and deactivated by Ravage. {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}''

When it was discovered that Sparkplug had failed to convert fuel for the Autobots, Megatron ordered an attack on the Ark to destroy them once and for all, showing them what lay in wait for those who dared to defy him. Starscream meekly agreed. Despite the Autobots' dangerously low fuel levels, Starscream was amazed at [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s commanding power. But just as victory was about to be handed to the Decepticons, Starscream and the others doubled over in pain. Sparkplug Witwicky had poisoned their converted fuel. If not for the sudden appearance and intervention by the long-lost [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], the Decepticons surely would have been defeated. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} Shockwave, having defeated the entire Autobot army, save the Autobots' medic [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], set up a base of operations inside the Ark and began rehabilitating Starscream and the others. {{storylink|The New Order}} When Megatron awoke and rebelled against Shockwave, the former Decepticon leader was humiliated in his still-weakened state, and paraded in front of Starscream and the others as a warning to those who would cross Shockwave. The Decepticons hailed Shockwave as their new leader. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}}

[[Image:Starscreamdisintegratedcircuits.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Starscream's treachery is a little more subtle when he's allowed to have thought balloons.]]
When Megatron went missing, leaving control of the Ark back in the hands of the Autobots, Starscream disparaged Megatron's failure in front of Shockwave. The Decepticons had in the meantime taken control of one of [[Blackrock Industries]]' aerospace plants, and [[G.B. Blackrock]] had constructed a superweapon to retaliate. Starscream convinced Shockwave to let him and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] destroy the weapon to boost morale (or maybe allow him to steal the superweapon and use it to destroy Shockwave and take command). There, Starscream and Frenzy not only encountered the Autobots [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] but also a super-powered human who was determined to destroy all robots, [[Circuit Breaker]]. Starscream suffered few injuries, but had to drag Frenzy's body from the conflict. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

''Shockwave went missing as well, and with both him and Megatron gone, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] assumed command. Soundwave wasted no time in telling Starscream why he would never lead the Decepticons—he's just "a missile with a mouth". Soundwave orchestrated [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s capture, and challenged Optimus Prime to fight his way through the Decepticons to rescue him. Although Starscream loudly boasted of being a "leader killer", once he faced Optimus Prime alone, he stammered and hesitated, and was quickly defeated. {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}''

Shockwave returned, and none too soon! Starscream and the other jets had been standing watch over their captured Blackrock Industries oil rig for weeks. Shockwave unveiled the [[power siphon]] he had built during his absence, which Starscream and the others would soon use to convert sound energy from a [[Brick Springstern]] concert into [[Energon cube|Energon cubes]]. Their plot was stopped abruptly when they were defeated by Bumblebee and a group of new Autobot recruits. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} Starscream soon agreed with Shockwave that Bumblebee would be a perfect candidate for them to add to their own ranks. They waited until Bumblebee was alone, and then hunted him relentlessly. It wasn't until human authorities and the Autobots arrived to rescue Bumblebee did the Decepticons abandon their hunt. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

Starscream, among others, escorted Megatron to the Space Bridge, where they were expecting reinforcements from Cybertron. Though only a team of Autobots had made it through the Space Bridge to Earth, their disappointment was brief. The Autobots had in the meantime launched a full-scale attack on the Decepticons' base, which Megatron reckoned meant that the Ark was unguarded. Indeed, the sole obstacle in their way to the entrance was a tank and a rocket. However, these elements soon combined into the impressive super robot [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. One by one, Megatron's troops fell before the titan, including Starscream. Only Megatron and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] survived. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[Image:Target 2006 fake Starscream dies.jpg|right|250px|thumb|*Contains 100% genuine Starscream substitute.]]
''The Autobots gathered up Starscream and the other deactivated Decepticons and placed them in life support capsules within the Ark, holding them imprisoned in stasis. Not long afterward, the Autobots were plunged into a state of disarray by the violent arrival of the enigmatic time-travelling Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and [[Grapple]] was in such a rush to depart the medical bay and attend a mission briefing that he failed to notice an alert signifying the malfunction of Starscream's capsule. Starscream awoke and punched his way out of the capsule, and proceeded to steal out of the medical area and listen in on the Autobots' briefing. He was shocked to overhear that the Autobots had teamed up with Megatron to defeat Galvatron, and Starscream immediately decided to sneak off to join forces with this powerhouse from the future. Galvatron went along with Starscream's toadying, as the irony amused him; Galvatron was, in fact, a recreated future incarnation of Megatron, and would go on to kill Starscream twenty years in the future! When Galvatron and his men faced Megatron once again, Starscream shot Megatron in the back, but had to be stopped short of killing him by Galvatron himself, who knocked Starscream unconscious in order to secure his own future existence. Starscream's body was placed back into its stasis capsule by the future Autobots [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], who then proceeded to trick Galvatron into returning to the future through a complicated plan that involved painting Skywarp to look like Starscream, and then duping Galvatron into destroying him. After killing "Starscream", Galvatron rationalized that he must have travelled back to a parallel timeline, since Starscream was not supposed to die until 2006, and returned to the future with his men. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:Starscreammerrychristmas.jpg|left|150px|thumb|His heart grew three sizes that day.]]
''Rather than do the smart thing and return Starscream the Ark, the future Autobots rather unwisely left his capsule lying in the middle of a field. As happenstance would have it, Starscream lay there, undisturbed, until he awoke at [[Christmas]] the following year. Desolate, he wished he could go home again, and was in mid-mope when he was chanced upon by a [[Christmas kid|a human]] who sought to inform him of the meaning of Christmas. Urged to help a busload of elderly humans who had become stuck in a snowdrift, Starscream wanted to know what would be in it for him. As Starscream debated this good deed, he was suddenly attacked by [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]], who suspected him to be up to his usual do-baddery. After a brief battle, the human intervened to chastise Streetwise, and Starscream proceeded to show up the Protectobot by saving the bus, purely out of spite. {{storylink|Stargazing}}''

{{note|Starscream never awoke in the American stories—his deactivated body remained captive within the Ark for years, and was not rescued until the events of "[[Totaled!]]", when [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s forces saved all the Decepticons aboard the craft. When this story was reprinted in the UK, Starscream's name was erased from the artwork. As far as the UK stories were concerned, Starscream sought out Ratbat's Decepticons to join up with them.}}

Starscream quickly ingratiated himself with Ratbat and helped run [[Club Con]], a human island resort that covered their attempt to uncover subterranean information on the legendary [[Underbase]]. {{storylink|Club Con!}} When a pair of Autobot audio and video tapes recording the loss of the Underbase were found, Starscream convinced Ratbat to let him watch the tapes with him. In the "[[Realvision]]" playback, he witnessed a young Optimus Prime thwart Megatron's early attempts to possess the Underbase by shooting the legendary database into space. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} Starscream then set about a chain of systematic betrayals in order to gain access to that power. He set loose [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], whom the Decepticons had been holding prisoner, with equipment that would lure the Autobots to the Decepticon's Antarctic base. The ensuing battle served to distract his fellow Decepticons as he then stole a ship from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to look for the Underbase. {{storylink|Cold War!}}

[[Image:Underbaseallmine.jpg|right|250px|thumb|This is way more graphic than was needed.]]
Upon finding the ancient database, Starscream began absorbing its power but was unable to finish the task as he was blasted by Ratbat's ship, piloted by a temporary Autobot/Decepticon alliance. However, while the light of the Underbase had only shone on Starscream for a moment, that moment had been enough to fill him with its awesome power, and the now-cosmically-powered Air Commander survived the attack. Growing to monumental proportions, Starscream hurled his ship at Ratbat's craft, and promptly headed for Earth with the intention of proving his power by destroying [[New York City|New York]], [[Tokyo]] and [[Buenos Aires]]. The Autobots and Decepticons traveled to those locations to try and stop Starscream, but they ultimately failed, as a massive amount of the Transformers active on Earth were badly damaged and incapacitated by Starscream's Underbase-powered rampage. Starscream only stopped after intercepting a radio transmission between [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and Optimus Prime, and realized that the great Autobot leader was elsewhere, plotting against him. Starscream fled back out into space to find Prime, and rediscovered the Underbase. Starscream attempted to finish absorbing its power, only to have the absolute knowledge overwhelm him, which resulted in his destruction. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

[[Image:ZombieScream1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Braaaiiiinnnssss!]]
''Starscream's corpse crashed in South America, but the Decepticon still clung to some semblance of life, as his shattered husk was reanimated by the residual energy of the Underbase that still saturated it, and driven by Starscream's own muderderous impulses into an insane rampage. After nearly killing [[Susan Hoffman]] and [[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|her Assistants]], the [[zombie]]-like Starscream was confronted by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing]], who had been sent by Megatron to recover Starscream's body, and the Autobot [[Triggerbot|Triggerbots]]. Triggerbot [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] was able to appeal to the fraction of the Underbase that was still within Starscream and convinced it to try and regain control of itself, but as soon as it did, Dreadwind and Darkwing had their [[Powermaster]] partners [[Hi-Test]] and [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] siphoned all the Underbase's remaining power from the walking cadaver. Starscream's corpse returned to being an inanimate pile of scrap, which the pair quickly collected.'' {{storylink|Race with the Devil}}

Starscream's remains were delivered to Megatron [[Megatron's base|in his Cybertronian base]], who kidnapped [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and forced him to rebuild Starscream with a powerful [[Pretender]] shell. Ratchet was shown three different shell prototypes, and a final design meant for Starscream. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} As Ratchet worked on repairing Starscream, he feigned a friendly attitude towards Megatron, but this was a facade to cover Ratchet's true motives. Though Megatron had some tweaks in mind for Starscream's personality, Ratchet had something else in mind. After the Pretender shell had finished healing the body inside, Megatron sent Starscream to Earth, where Scorponok and Optimus Prime had clashed over a misunderstanding. As they were about to peacefully discuss the machinations that had gathered them there, Starscream's shell appeared! The Transformers and Nebulans below gaped in horror as the shell opened up to reveal the treacherous Starscream! {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}

[[Image:Starscreamskindeep.jpg|right|300px|thumb|These are the Delboest panels ever.]]
Starscream's new form was powerful, but what gave him his true edge was how much he spooked his victims. He was believed to be a ghost, an invincible force of revenge, and most of Scorponok's troops quickly fled the battlefield. It wasn't until Hot Rod manned up and shot their attacker did they realize that this was no ghost at all, but rather a physical being that could [[Furmanism|feel pain and be destroyed.]] This was further sold by Starscream's sudden display of cowardice. Ratchet had arranged for Starscream's true personality to eventually surface, and Hot Rod's blast had knocked it free. Completely outmatched, he surrendered and begged Scorponok for forgiveness. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

''Briefly after becoming a Pretender, Starscream began to wallow in self-pity, believing that all the other Decepticons considered him a joke for his many failed takeover attempts and defeats. His self-esteem crumbled every time the other Decepticons refused to speak to him or spoke about him behind his back. In reality, the other Decepticons were terribly frightened of Starscream (thanks to that whole Underbase thing) and were avoiding him so they wouldn't be killed. Starscream sulked about it for a while until he defeated and captured a few Autobots and his confidence began to return.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}}

[[Image:Ratchetjollies.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Ooooh, better leave this one off the resume.]]
Starscream was a source of dissention among the Decepticons, who were angry with Scorponok for letting him back in {{storylink|Primal Scream (issue)|Primal Scream}}—and it ''was'' pretty dumb, as Starscream tried to capture the mutant [[Dynamo]] and use him as a [[Powermaster]] so he could challenge Scorponok. He failed, but was then met by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], then believed to be dead. {{storylink|The Human Factor!}} Starscream joined his gang in a [[Decepticon Civil War]] against Scorponok, and pressganged [[Triggerhappy]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] into the group. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} Thanks to the Autobots and [[Neo-Knights]], it was a bust. {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

Starscream was transported to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to take part in the fight against [[Unicron]]. "Take part" as in "ran away". Along with Shockwave, he hijacked and repaired the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] so they could escape the dying planet. Shockwave and Starscream found Megatron and Ratchet awakening from the [[Nucleon]] on board the ship, both very confused and addled due to their mind-link. Starscream tried to kill Ratchet and got [[:Image:Ratchetjollies.jpg|totally beaten up]], before the medic directed one of Starscream's null-rays into the Nucleon storage tanks, causing enough of a chain reaction to send the Ark into a crash-landing on Earth, once again resulting in Starscream's deactivation. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
''In an alternate series of events, Starscream and Shockwave's army grew much larger, and their main competition was not Scorponok, but a revived Megatron and his group of Decepticons. As Shockwave's second-in-command, Starscream had few responsibilities, and even less power. The final indignity came when he was assigned to mere monitor duty at their undersea base. Still, even that ignoble assignment presented an opportunity, as Starscream caught Megatron's spies, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], trying to tune in to Shockwave's war room. After incapacitating the bugs, Starscream surprised them by offering to let them go free, if they would report back to Megatron that Shockwave would be alone at a certain spot the next day, ensuring that Megatron would go out to battle him alone. {{storylink|Bugged!}} With the trap baited, Starscream contacted his opposite number, Megatron's second-in-command Soundwave, and proposed an alliance. Soundwave had already been playing both sides by feeding information to him, and so the two of them conspired to join the Decepticon factions under their joint rule. Sure enough, after Megatron and Shockwave's private battle came under Autobot fire (Autobots who had been anonymously tipped off by Starscream), they radioed their respective bases only to hear that the Decepticons no longer considered the two of them leaders. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}}''

''Starscream's first major action as Decepticon leader was the ol' "bait and switch"—sending Soundwave and a Decepticon strike force to keep the Autobots busy at their Earthbase, while he personally attended to stealing a supply of oil from a tanker in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. It seemed, however, that Starscream's plan hadn't accounted for Earthforce's newest recruits: the [[Survivors]]. A quick 1-2-3 by [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] took the fight out of Starscream, and so he retreated, radioing his troops to do the same. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}''

''Sometime later, returning to the Decepticon base in the Louisiana bayous, Starscream suddenly found himself fighting for his life against several mismatched bounty hunters and mercenaries. Believing his co-commander Soundwave must have been responsible for the contract, Starscream stormed back to their headquarters to confront him. {{storylink|Assassins}} He wasted no words in confronting his "treacherous" partner, but fortunately Soundwave had had the foresight to prerecord an explanation. While trading blows and dodging laser fire in person, Soundwave's recording outlined how the situation was clearly a set-up to make them fight each other. Fortunately, Starscream believed him. Unfortunately, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] stormed in at that moment, having been paid by the true contractors, Megatron and Shockwave, to eliminate anyone left standing. {{storylink|External Forces!}} The two Decepticons would have been overwhelmed if they hadn't received aid from an unlikely source: Earthforce. It seemed the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] was dying of [[Corrodia Gravis]], a wasting disease which required an energy transfer from a compatible Transformer, and Starscream fit the bill. After driving off Megatron, Shockwave and the Mayhems, Starscream made a deal with Earthforce to help Snarl in exchange for their aid against any future uprising by the former Decepticon leaders. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil}}''

''Soon afterwards, Starscream and Soundwave engaged in Project: Smear, a campaign to ruin the Autobots' good name among the humans, and ensure they received no additional aid in the war. A straight-forward attempt to brainwash [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] into wrecking a human settlement didn't pan out, {{storylink|Inside Story!}} so a more subtle plan was engineered. Starscream had [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] use his [[Cerebro-shell|cerebro-shells]] to subvert the will of a human reporter, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]], and compel him to write a story bashing the Autobots and portraying them as kidnappers, or worse. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

====''Generation 2''====
[[Image:Starscreamtongue.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Who have you been talking to, Starscream?]]
Starscream had been damaged to the point of stasis lock when the Ark crashed on Earth for a second time. Megatron, apparently the only one to recover from the crash more or less unscathed, decided to revive Starscream. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} He would later question his own judgement in doing so, but in his defense, the only other Decepticons involved in the crash had been Shockwave and Galvatron (and Galvatron had walked away from the crash anyway), so his options for loyalty were slim.

[[Image:Starscream uscomics.png|right|150px|thumb|"I am only saving you so that I may punish you later."]]
Predictably, though, Starscream would indeed betray Megatron and the Decepticons once again, this time by giving [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his troops information that allowed them to take control of the Decepticon flagship ''[[Warworld]]''. {{storylink|Total War!}} Starscream then doublecrossed Jhiaxus, stole the [[Creation Matrix]] (which Megatron had stolen from Prime earlier) and used its powers to merge himself with the ''Warworld'', becoming an unstoppable force of destruction. As Optimus Prime and Megatron entered the possessed ship to try and stop him, Starscream exhibited a startling control over the physical nature of the vessel, turning the ''Warworld'' into an ever-shifting maze of horrors to torment the two leaders. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}} But when they confronted him face-to-face, he found that the Matrix was having a disagreeable effect on his own mind. He found himself wanting to be, in his own words, "good". He desperately gave the Matrix back to Prime in the hopes that the effect would be temporary. This reverted Starscream to his ordinary form, presumably severing his connection with the ship. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

====''Classics''====
{{note|The ''Classics'' comic takes place after the end of the original Marvel Comic, but in a new timeline that does not include the events of the Marvel UK-exclusive stories or ''Generation 2''.}}
Starscream reappears alongside several other Decepticons restored by Megatron fifteen years after the Ark crash-landed. He still appears to enjoy making snide remarks at Megatron's expense.

{{storylink|Crossing Over}} {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

When Megatron prepared his final strike against the pretender to his throne, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], he sent out three warships to menace the skeletal warrior, commanded by Starscream, Thundercracker and [[Octane]]. Somewhat reluctantly, Starscream did nothing but languish in his command chair in space above Bludgeon's headquarters, as the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s acted on Megatron's order to betray and eliminate Bludgeon from within. Starscream just waited for Astrotrain and Soundwave to inform him the deed was done, and the Decepticons below were surrendering and powering down their weapons. A bit cleaner than he would've liked it, but Starscream still had to admire Megatron's skill at deception. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{main|Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
[[Image:Tud3_starscream_smirkiest.jpg|left|thumb|220px| "So if I beat [[Megatron (G1)| you]], will I become the chief Decepticon?"
"More people have said that and were sent offline than there are Energon decay products."]]
A former scientist who joined the Decepticons with gusto after the loss of his friend [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], Starscream quickly decided that Megatron's leadership was old and outdated, and that he was the one who should be in charge. Cue nine million years of backstabbing, treachery, cowardice, coups and general disobedience, which continued when the war moved from Cybertron to Earth. In fact, it was Starscream's refusal to listen to Megatron that kept the war going, when a petty parting blast that he delivered to the Autobot's crashed starship jostled the body of Optimus Prime into the path of [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]'s restoration beam. Starscream's scheming was a constant throughout the Earth conflict, and it culminated in his expulsion from the Decepticon ranks, following which he created the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] to serve as his personal army, only to have them turn on him, forcing him to rejoin Megatron's ranks.

Even in death, Starscream was unstoppable. Following Megatron's climactic battle with Optimus Prime in 2005, Starscream set his commander's battered body adrift in space and promptly appointed himself the new Decepticon leader. In the midst of a grandiose coronation ceremony, however, Megatron returned, recreated as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] by the power of [[Unicron]], and promptly blasted Starscream to ashes. Surprisingly, Starscream's lifeforce persisted as a ghost, which continued to bedevil the Transformers, even across the gulf of time.
{{--}}

===Big Looker storybooks continuity===
[[Image:DecepticonsCarShow.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I have no idea what colors I am!]]
Starscream and his fellow Seekers performed a threatening flyby over the Autobots' headquarters in order to distract the heroic robots while the other Decepticons stole a tanker of oil that would give them the power to rule the world. Thanks to [[Shooting Star]], the Autobots got wise to the Decepticons' tactics and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] blew up the villains by dropping missiles on them. Starscream arrived on the scene to spitefully blow up the oil tanker so that no one could have it, then he and his fellow airborne Decepticons carried off the remains of their fallen comrades. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}

Starscream was part of the battle that resulted when the Autobots came to rescue the mind-controlled [[Grapple]] from the Decepticons' clutches. When Grapple was freed from the effects of the [[cerebro-shell]] controlling him, he kicked Megatron over on top of Starscream and Skywarp, winning the day. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}

At some point in the future, when Galvatron had taken leadership of the Decepticons, Starscream suggested to his leader that he create a city of his own to gather energy, as the Autobots did with their Autobot City. Galvatron decided to go about it in the most circular way possible, by stealing a robot car on display at a car show that night and duplicating its circuitry to create an army of drones to build said city. While investigating the Decepticons' presence at the show, Kup was captured by Starscream. When the Autobots arrived in response, Starscream threatened Kup's life to stay their hands, but luckily, Hot Rod soon saved Kup, and the Decepticons were defeated. {{storylink|Car Show Blow Up}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[Image:Starscream ladybird books.jpg|right|215px|thumb|Toy-accurate art makes Starscream ANGRY!]]
A brash and aggressive character, Starscream is constantly running up against the older, smarter Megatron. He once convinced Rumble to help him attack and destroy an Autobot tower (believed to be for communications) against Megatron's orders. In the process, he caused Megatron and the other Decepticons to come get him back. (They arrived ''just'' as he was slagging off Megatron.) Since that tower was actually used for channeling lightning storms into power, the entire Decepticon team was viciously injured by an electric surge due to his disobedience. {{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}}

Starscream later tried to overthrow Megatron when the commander was off on a mission and requested the other Decepticons rendezvous with him. Starscream's act of rebellion was to blow up the building he thought Megatron was in and declare himself leader. Megatron turned out to be standing behind him, and he gave Starscream a valuable lesson on leadership (i.e., told him how dumb that was whilst punching him). {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}

When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] time-travelled to the 20th Century and took command, Starscream served under him. He'd learnt his lesson since the early days, not trying to overthrow his commander ''once''. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers PD Type''===
[[Image:Starscream pd type.jpg|left|190px|thumb|HaHA! I have caught the Golden Snitch!]]
As various [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] from across the timestream joined forces to track down the all-powerful [[Blackball|Blackballs]], Starscream proved most effective at the hunt. Discovering a Blackball, he immediately carried it over to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] for some praise. Unfortunately, the "Blackball" turned out to be a cartoon bomb, which promptly exploded in their faces. From a distance, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] were astounded that their plan actually worked. Inside the smoking crater, a badly singed Megatron strangled Starscream, frustrated at his consistent failures. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##3 "Don't Cry! Megatron!!"|Don't Cry! Megatron!!}}

Later, Starscream uncovered another Blackball. For a moment he considered giving it to Megatron, but then decided that if he kept it for himself, he could use the power to seize command of the Decepticons. He then immediately became suspicious that the Blackball might be another bomb, but dismissed the suspicion just as quickly. Then it exploded. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##10 "Good Luck! Starscream!!"|Good Luck! Starscream!!}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Doug Parker]] (English), [[Kazuki Yao]] (Japanese), [[Alfonso Obregon]] (Latin American Spanish), [[José Padilla]] (Castilian Spanish)

[[Image:Starscream ghost BW.jpg|right|250px|thumb|EBENEZER SCROOGE...!]]
After the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] Crashed on [[Earth]] Starscream's body lay in [[stasis lock]] next to his [[Megatron (G1)|leader]] along with [[Soundwave (G1)|the other]] [[Skywarp (G1)|Decepticons]].{{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

Little was known about Starscream among the [[Maximal|Maximals]], as the [[Maximal Elder|Maximal Elders]] had classified most of his information. At some point in time the Elders had attempted to duplicate Starscream's mutant indestructible spark effect, which led to the origin of the monstrous [[Rampage (BW)|Protoform X]].{{storylink|Bad Spark}} [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], a student of military history, was familiar with Starscream's record of deceit and betrayal. It is possible that [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] was also aware of his history, as he ordered [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] to keep an eye on Starscream when he arrived on Earth.

Starscream's ghost traveled through time and space to the prehistoric earth of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]], where he possessed [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]'s body during an electrical storm. He ingratiated himself with Megatron, claiming that he had been destroyed by [[Unicron]] while protecting [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. After leading a successful raid on the [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']], he was left in command of the captured Maximal ship, along with Scorponok and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]—the latter having sufficiently impressed Starscream by seeing through his historical deception that he took her on as a "protégé". When the defeated Maximals surrendered to him, he took Dinobot and [[Optimus Primal]] hostage and ordered the remaining Maximals to attack the ''[[Darksyde]]''. Scorponok objected, but he was very forcefully overruled. Shortly after the attack began, the two captive Maximals broke out and drove the Predacons out of the ''Axalon''. Starscream fled, pursued by Primal, and abandoned Blackarachnia to her fate. After a spirited chase, Primal cornered Starscream at an [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] deposit, paralyzing him. As he tried to bargain his way out of his predicament, his vengeful ex-partner Blackarachnia detonated the energon, blowing Waspinator to scrap and forcing Starscream's spark out of his body. Waspinator is restored back to normal by Megatron, and Blackarachnia explains her betrayal as an attempt to find Starscream's true motives, and at that point, Megatron pardons her.

Adrift in space once more, Starscream's ghost screamed vengeance into the void. {{storylink|Possession}}

====IDW Beast Wars Comics====
After his defeat at the hands of the Maximals, Starscream's immortal spark wandered through space and time, until it found an alternate timeline with another Waspinator to possess. When the quantum surge hit prehistoric earth in this timeline, Waspinator was transmetalized, and Starscream, still inhabiting the Predacon's body, was somehow able to influence Waspinator's metamorphosis, giving him a third fighter jet mode resembling Starscream's own old alternate form. Although the two of them bicker over control of the body constantly, their two separate voices audible to whoever hears them argue, Waspinator secretly enjoys the enhanced skills Starscream grants him. {{storylink|Beast Wars Sourcebook}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
While Starscream lay [[stasis lock]]ed in the Ark, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] broke in and implanted a fraction of the original Megatron's spark into the Air Commander, allowing the two Megatron's to control him. The Decepticon leader, whose spark had been implanted into Megatron, attempted to use Starscream to return to his own body, but was subdued in a battle of wills with beast Megatron. Starscream's services ultimately went unused until the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] ended, at which point the [[Maximal]]s were able to extract the spark fragment. {{storylink|A Meeting of Minds}}

After a particularly harrowing fight with Megatron, Starscream went mountain climbing, and accidentally fell on his head. In this injured state, he was found by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], who took him back to the Ark. [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] made repairs, having persuaded Prime to let them fiddle with Starscream's logic circuits if they found anything wrong. Starscream woke with amnesia.

As he slowly learned about the war and experienced the welcoming and forgiving nature of the Autobots, he found himself siding with his former foes. When Megatron turned up to reclaim his former lieutenant, Starscream refused to go, and was surprised when Optimus and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] moved to protect him. Despite all this, the sight of [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] finally restored his memory, and he returned to the Decepticons, claiming that he had been faking amnesia as a ruse to gain access to the Autobot base. He later reflected that he had learned something from the Autobots — that a leader like Prime who could pull together the Decepticons as a team could lead more effectively than Megatron had, and Starscream could be that leader. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Starscreamwarwithin.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Smirkier-than-thou.]]
Starscream was a competitor in [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s underground gladiatorial matches, the breeding ground for what would eventually become the Decepticons. He enjoyed baiting his fellow combatant, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]; in fact, he was a master at it. Once war broke out, he kept taunting his old friend, which eventually backfired when he told Grimlock exactly where the Seekers were going to attack, giving Grimlock time to set a massive bomb. Starscream's life was saved only by the fast action of Skywarp. {{storylink|The War Within Preview}}

In typical fashion, Starscream tried to seize power. While Megatron was deep within the bowels of Cybertron, Starscream instructed [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] to initiate the planet's long-hidden transformation sequence, hoping Megatron would be crushed in the process. Some people never learn. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5}}

[[Image:Predaconstww.jpg|left|200px|thumb|My... people.]]
A few millennia later, after the apparent death of Megatron, Starscream created a splinter group of Decepticons called [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]]. However, when your smartest subordinates are [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Octane]], you can't expect much of your forces. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

Starscream was among the Decepticon boarding party that attacked the Autobot flagship Ark, causing its crash-landing on Earth and putting all Autobots and Decepticons alike in emergency stasis. In 1984 a volcanic eruption awakened the Ark's computer, Teletraan-I, and it repaired all on board. Starscream's actions over the next fifteen years are largely unrecorded, but he probably did what he did best: strafe the Autobots and fleshlings and attempt to betray Megatron, smirking all the while. In 1998, the combined forces of the Autobots and Earth defeated and captured the Decepticons. Starscream was secured on board the ''[[Ark II]]'' along with the other Decepticons when the ship exploded, killing the human crew and scattering the Transformers across the ocean. Arms dealer Adam Rook (aka. [[Lazarus]]) recovered several of the Autobots and Decepticons and used them as a reprogrammed weapons for hire for terrorists and despots. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} As part of a demonstration to prospective buyers, Rook had Starscream join an assault against the Smitco Oil Refinery alongside half a dozen Transformers. When Megatron eventually broke free of Rook's control, he freed the other Decepticons. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}

The reactivated Starscream, along with his Seeker brothers Thundercracker and Skywarp, took a particular pleasure in dismantling the Autobot Minicars. When Megatron complained that he didn't rewire them so they could sit around and do nothing, Starscream playfully said they were only having some fun with their new "toys". Megatron ordered the three Decepticons to follow him, and when Skywarp asked Starscream what their leader's plan was this time, the air commander casually tossed [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s head over his shoulder and said that he didn't care, as it was going to be evil, and evil is ''always'' fun. Soon afterwards, the Autobots arrived and attacked. As Starscream attempted to choke [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] paid him back with a nice throat punch. All the combatants were then bombed by rogue members of the U.S. military. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}}

The Decepticons escaped and attacked [[San Francisco]]. When [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] appeared to stop [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], Starscream led the other Seekers in bombing the Autobot giant, forcing the Aerialbots into their component team member forms and putting them at the mercy of Devastator. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} Starscream and the other Decepticons secured the Autobots after Optimus Prime defeated Devastator. The Autobot leader managed to free his comrades after humans distracted the Decepticons, and the battle was rejoined. Fellow F-15 [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] punched Starscream in the face, repaying him for the earlier defeat. After the Aerialbots, as Superion, sacrificed their lives to save San Francisco from [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo's]] unauthorized nuclear strike, Starscream and the other Decepticons escaped. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

[[Image:Starscreamshhhhhh.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Holy crap! Expressions!]]
Starscream led the Decepticons in joining Shockwave's Cybertronians after Megatron was defeated and was the first to recognize the mind-altering techniques being employed. Starscream escaped the CR chambers long enough almost to succeed in assassinating Megatron. Punishment didn't deter him, and Starscream was almost immediately creating a small sect of separatist Decepticons on Cybertron. He used the cover of Menasor's release to steal the incapacitated Combaticons to form his own army. If only he hadn't tried to hijack [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Yet another rebellion defeated by bad planning. Some people never learn. {{storylink|War and Peace|War and Peace}}

[[Image:Starscreamdaydream.jpg|right|200px|thumb|There but for the grace of a fusion cannon go I.]]
After returning to Earth, Starscream unleashed the Decepticons on the Autobots under the leadership of [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. Unfortunately, most of the Decepticons were incapacitated. Worse, Starscream's clone [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] arrived on some bizarre mission. Starscream was forced to ally with the Autobots in exchange for getting his forces freed. After the misadventure, Starscream took the Combaticons for some practice against Sky Lynx. This also ended in disaster, for [[Predaking]] soon arrived, and Starscream discovered that Soundwave, his cassettes, and the other Seekers had allied with Predaking's master... Megatron! Starscream was again forced into a subservient position, with Megatron preparing to lead the Decepticons in the conquest of Earth... {{storylink|Generation One (Dreamwave comic)|Generation One (ongoing)}}

{{note|...at which point [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] self-destructed.}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:JoeVsTF1 Starscream transforms.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Even when Starscream's nothing more than a mindless drone, he still manages to smirk.]]
When the nascent terrorist organization known as [[Cobra]] uncovered the buried hulk of the Ark, they removed the bodies of numerous Transformers with the intention of using them as weapons of war to threaten America. Cobra scientist [[Doctor Mindbender]] hacked the brain functions of the captive Transformers, reducing them to the level of remote-controlled drones, and dubbed them "[[Battle Android Trooper|Battle Android Troopers]]". Starscream was reconfigured to transform into a jet plane known as a "Night Raven", and was selected for use by the [[Cobra Commander]] as his personal aircraft.

Starscream was among the Transformers deployed during Cobra's opening attack on world freedom, when they targeted the [[United Nations]] Headquarters. Starscream transformed to robot mode and was punching his way through the building when a U.S. Military soldier code-named [[Snake-Eyes]] opened fire on him with a machine gun. Although unharmed by the attack, Starscream returned fire with his lasers, blowing up the missile tank upon which the soldier was perched and horribly scarring his face. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1}} Returning to Cobra's island base, Cobra Commander began his meeting with [[Destro]] by having Starscream dramatically fly by overhead and transform, for no reason other than to impress the arms dealer. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2}}

Meanwhile, Autobot scientist Wheeljack had been able to avoid capture by Cobra, and had allied himself with America's newly-formed special mission force [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Hacking into Cobra's system, he was able to shut off the terrotists' control of the Transformers, liberating their minds and bodies. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3}} Naturally, the first thing Starscream did once he was free was to interrupt a battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron by shooting Megatron in the chest in a bid for leadership. Megatron returned the sentiment, blasting him with his fusion cannon, and Starscream slunk away as Megatron returned to more important matters. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4}}

[[Image:Starscream snakeeyes eye gouge.jpg|right|350px|thumb|"You've got something in your eye. Let me get it out."]]
Lurking in the island's jungle, Starscream crossed paths with Snake-Eyes, who took revenge for his disfigurement by shattering the unsuspecting Starscream's eye with his sword and shoving a grenade into the socket. Clawing at his face, Starscream tumbled over a cliff and was badly damaged in the fall. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5}} His still-operational body was soon happened across by Cobra Commander, who was attempting to flee the escalating battle between the Autobots, Decepticons, Joes and Cobras that was engulfing the island, and Starscream made the human proposition: help him remove the grenade, and he would get him off the island. Naturally, the commander agreed. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6}}

[[Image:Starscream gijoe energyropes.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Starscream is allergic to glow stick ropes.]]
Starscream and Cobra Commander resurfaced two years later, when Cobra Commander learned that human scientists had created an interstellar wormhole to Cybertron. With Starscream forced to do his bidding (via unspecified means), he used the portal to travel to Cybertron with the intention of gaining control of the wormhole technology by stealing the super-computer [[Teletran 3]]. However, a G.I. Joe ambush that struck just as they were carrying out their plan caused a catastrophic malfunction in Teletran 3, scattering numerous Transformers through the wormhole network across space and time. Starscream was not among those scattered, but he was promptly bound with energy ropes by Perceptor and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] while they assessed the severity of the situation. It transpired that the chronal disruption caused by the time-lost Transformers would dsestroy the Earth, and teams of Joes and Cobras were soon dispatched through the timestream to retrieve the robots and save the planet. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1}}

While the Joes and Cobras were off on their time-tossed mission, the forcefield protecting Magnus, Perceptor and Teletran 3 collapsed, at which point Decepticon commander Shockwave struck. Shockwave freed Starscream and reprogrammed Teletran 3 to prevent Transformers from being able to return to their proper times, so that Earth would be destroyed and he could invade it, as he had always planned to—it was Shockwave who had leaked the wormhole technology to humans in the first place. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3}} When a small team of Joes and Cobras that remained on Cybertron tried to undo his programming, Starscream spotted [[Lady Jaye]] modifying Teletran 3 and shouted a warning, but it came too late. The Transformers were returned, and Starscream escaped in the midst of the chaotic battle that resulted.

In the aftermath of the battle, Shockwave accused Starscream of deliberately trying to foil his scheme by trying to steal Teletran 3. Starscream denied any treacherousness on his part, and Shockwave was just starting to come around when a recording Cobra Commander had programmed into Starscream began to play, informing the Decepticon leader of Starscream's general uselessness. At that point, Starscream promptly exploded, taking out the Decepticon headquarters in the process, courtesy of forty-five pounds of plastic explosives that Cobra Commander had lined his housing with, in case the Decepticon had ever escaped his clutches. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[Image:Starscream gijoe ww2.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Pathetic fools! There's no escape!"]]
When the foundling terrorist organization known as Cobra discovered the Ark buried in the [[Fera Islands]] in [[1938]], they inadvertently awoke the Decepticons from their stasis. The evil robots entered into an alliance with the organization's leader, Cobra Commander, to conquer the world and strip it of its energy, but Megatron's true goal was to take the Matrix of Leadership—stolen from the body of Optimus Prime—from around Cobra Commander's neck. Starscream adopted the alternate form of a P-51 Mustang aeroplane.

One year later, in [[1939]], the American military formed a special mission force to counter the Cobra-Decepticon alliance named "G.I. Joe". Laserbeak spied upon the first meeting of this team and reported the information to Cobra; Starscream stood nearby as Cobra Commander vowed to kill the Joes, and opined that heroes were ''born'' to die. G.I. Joe's first attack came soon after, and Starscream distracted their aircraft in his jet mode while Megatron attacked them from above and downed them. {{storylink|The Line|The Line}} As it happened, the Joes bailed out and landed near to the buried Ark, where they wound up awakening the Autobots within the craft. Starscream watched as the ship sent out a repair drone to scan for alternate modes, aware of what it meant and seeing it as a threat to Megatron's leadership that he could exploit. Megatron happened upon Starscream as he was monologuing about taking the power of the Matrix for himself, and witnessed the drone going about its business. Knowing he would need the scheming Starscream for the coming battle, he ordered the Air Commander to help him move their stockpiled energon cubes to safer location. {{storylink|Transformed|Transformed}}

Megatron proceeded to mass the Decepticons for a major battle with the Autobots, save for Starscream, who was left to languish within their base. Unfortunately for Megatron, this merely left Starscream with an opportunity to conspire with Cobra Commander's own traitorous second, [[Destro]], and together the pair prepared to unleash the newly-constructed giant robot, Bruticus, upon everyone. {{storylink|Wolves|Wolves}}

[[Image:Starscream gijoe ww2 weakspot.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"I...will...keep reaching...uuuhh."]]
Even this conspiracy proved to be a deception on Destro's part, however, when he had his lover, the [[Baroness]], shoot Starscream in his weak spot: an inch below his right ear, just behind his jaw hinge. Starscream's head flared with electricity and he collapsed, while Destro loosed Bruticus upon all his assembled enemies. G.I. Joe member Snake-Eyes ended the threat when he plucked the Matrix from Cobra Commander's clutches, and at Optimus Prime's direction, hurled it at Bruticus. The resultant explosion of creation energy destroyed Bruticus, but apparently killed all the Transformers in the process. {{storylink|The Iron Fist|The Iron Fist}}

Forty-six years later, in [[1985]], Starscream was revealed to have survived his injuries and the destruction of the Matrix through unexplained means. Discarding his archaic alternate mode for the form of an F-15, Starscream was performing a flyby over Cobra Island, seeking a means to return to Cybertron, when he intercepted a communication about an alien starship (actually a Cybertronian craft containing Blaster and Perceptor) crashing in [[Oregon]]. Starscream saw the craft as his ticket home, and while he was too low on energon to claim the ship for himself, he was content to let Cobra take it and then steal it from them later. {{storylink|Targets of Opportunity|Targets of Opportunity}}

{{note|Due to Dreamwave's bankruptcy, how Starscream survived, and his subsequent actions, remain a mystery.}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
Starscream and his comrades, Skywarp and Thundercracker, were recruited by Soundwave when Megatron requested fliers. They believed they had been called to join Megatron's gladiatorial team, but accepted the offer to join the Decepticons. Starscream immediately proclaimed his allegiance and declared how much of an honor fighting alongside Megatron would be. After going through some upgrades to boost their firepower, the Seekers' first duty was to capture a senator, who would be executed at Megatron's recruitment rally. He was also informed by Megatron of confidential plans in which he would play a key role. When the security forces intervened, Starscream was captured, and—surprise, surprise—offered to reveal Megatron's plans to save his own neck. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} However, this turned out to have ''been'' Megatron's plan—Starscream, together with Soundwave, executed the council questioning him, then freed every prisoner in the building, solidifying his loyalty to Megatron... until such time as Starscream felt like betraying his leader. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

Starscream ended up as Megatron's bodyguard, a position largely for show, and developed a mutual hatred with Sixshot. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} He would also appear to settle with Megatron instead of carrying on being an attempted traitor. Megatron viewed this as them moving on from such things but it was actually because Starscream feared him—a fear he initially thought was respect. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}}

Another one of his duties appears to have been recruitment, as he made a very pointed effort to convince [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to join the team {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}}

[[Image:Infiltration6 takeyourpunishment.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Starscream, seen here actually getting off easy!]]

{{bigquote|Thanks to Ore-13, Megatron, I have evolved... beyond you! I am the ''future!''|Starscream|[[Infiltration issue 6]]}}

Millions of years later, Starscream was the leader of a Decepticon [[Infiltration protocol|insurgent cell]] that had operated covertly on [[Earth]] for at least four years, working to destabilize Earth's governing organizations and create global anarchy. However, since the discovery of the mysterious, Energon-like substance known as [[Ultra-Energon|Ore-13]], Starscream had stepped outside standard procedure, establishing a second command bunker in [[Oregon]] above a richer seam of the ore than the one in [[Nebraska]]. Unfortunately, the abandoned Nebraska bunker had been infiltrated by a human named [[Stoker]], who had managed to obtain data on Starscream's operations, forcing Starscream to have the human eliminated, though he didn't count on [[Verity Carlo|another human]] obtaining Stoker's [[SM-40]] computer and an [[Ratchet (G1)|Autobot counter-insurgency agent]] bringing the evidence to the Autobots. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 1|Infiltration #1}} Meanwhile, Starscream had ordered [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] to cover his tracks by destroying all evidence of Stoker's travels and what remained of the Nebraska bunker. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 5|Infiltration #5}} Starscream intended to use Ore-13 to challenge [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] for leadership of the Decepticons, but when the moment of truth finally arrived, the energy source proved insufficient to destroy the Decepticon leader, and Megatron blasted Starscream with his fusion cannon at point-blank range, virtually obliterating him. Megatron told the other Decepticons, "See to the remains. If he lives, then I'll decide what to do with him." {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}}

[[Image:Starcasm idw dev6.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Sarcasm from Starscream?? NO!]]
As it turns out, Starscream survived and was placed in a [[CR chamber]] for extensive repairs. The other Decepticons were worried that Megatron was jumping the gun by calling in [[Sixshot]] early, and Astrotrain realized Starscream might be the only one of them willing to tell Megatron this. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} During an attack on Decepticon headquarters by the [[Reaper|Reapers]], Starscream completed his recovery and was confident that he would prevail in the upcoming battle. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}}

[[Image:AHM3Starscream.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Hey, I just spotted the janitor from Futurama!]]
When [[Sixshot]] arrived, he initially attacked the Reapers, but they insisted he join them or die. Starscream then emerged from base calling out Sixshot—his hatred of Starscream caused the living weapon to decide to switch sides after all, at which point Starscream promptly activated Sixshot's shutdown command, sending him crashing to the ground. Screamer then proceeded to bomb the Reapers, causing Megatron to agree to take the fight to the Reapers. (Based on the timing of his emergence and his co-plotter Astrotrain immediately going "look at brave Starscream, Megatron!", it seems having an excuse to take out Sixshot and thus force Megatron to go against the Reapers was all planned by Starscream) {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} Starscream once again accepted Megatron as his liege, and together they teamed up to destroy the alien invaders. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

At some point during the following year, Starscream (now an F-15 for [[To sell toys|some]] [[GEEWUN|reasons]]) met with [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and persuaded him to lead the rest of the Autobots into an ambush (under the pretence that Megatron would be defeated, the Autobots could leave Earth, and the 'Cons would get Earth to themselves) {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}, where they were promptly defeated. Optimus was rendered almost offline, and Starscream watched in glee as Megatron delivered the news of a [[Sunstreaker (G1)|traitor]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

Some time later, Starscream, was back in a subordinate position under Megatron and getting increasingly annoyed with it. He joined in Megatron's attack on [[New York City]], quite enjoying that whole "killing humans who can't fight back" thing. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}}

Starscream personally shot down the fleeing [[Air Force One]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], after which he returned to join Megatron in New York City. Upon his arrival, Megatron mused that it was fitting to have Starscream beside him, as a Decepticon who had been with the cause since the start. Starscream, believing Megatron to be sarcastic, retorted that he'd been there before even Megatron. A somewhat weary Megatron clarified, congratulating him and complimenting his skills. He further explained that Starscream was very nearly the living embodiment of the Decepticon ideal, but a step short of realizing it. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3|All Hail Megatron #3}}

With the conquest completed, Starscream stood at Megatron's side as he addressed the gathered Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} However, he soon reverted to type when he noticed Megatron didn't have a proper plan now that he'd won and the fun on Earth was a distraction for the troops. He taunted Megatron with the knowledge that he knew this and told him other Decepticons would start getting restless, so Megatron's position would soon be challenged by hordes of bored sociopaths whom Megatron had indoctrinated to be violent and take things. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

Later, Starscream met with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] (passing a depressed [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] on the way) and discussed the possibility of overthrowing Megatron. They agreed. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}} He made his move a short while later, sending the Insecticons to attack Megatron. His allies were summarily defeated, however, and Megatron revealed that he had known about Starscream's plans all along. Starscream explained his reasoning behind the revolt: while he once idolized Megatron for teaching the Decepticons to fight the "old order" and take what they want, all he had done since was lead them into a war without end. He then revealed that the Insecticons weren't his only loyalists, as he had also managed to sway the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to his cause. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

Starscream's uprising was suddenly cut short when the Decepticons came under attack, first from human jets arrived from [[Europe]], and then the returning Autobots. Starscream was forced to team up with Megatron, who assured him that someday he would get be in charge, someday after the Decepticons won... but not now. After giving this some thought, Starscream organized his troops to fight back, ending his orders with "All hail Megatron!" {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} When Megatron was eventually defeated, Starscream picked up his injured leader, refusing to let the Autobots finish him off. When Optimus Prime asked why, he replied that leadership of the Decepticons is to be ''taken'', not offered up by chance. Before retreating, he reminded Prime that the Decepticons still had the advantage in most parts of the galaxy. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

Along with a few other Decepticons, Starscream took off into space aboard Astrotrain. Despite what he had told Prime, he was not pleased that Soundwave was keeping Megatron on life support, but his attempts to dissuade the loyalist were met with failure. He considered just throwing his former leader out Astrotrain's airlock, but had a [[The Transformers: The Movie|nagging feeling]] that he'd "somehow return, [[Galvatron (G1)|even more powerful than before]]." Starscream was ready to give up, knowing that the Decepticons had no real reason to follow him, and that the faction would fall to infighting as soon as others challenged his rule. All he had was the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership]], which Megatron had seized from Optimus Prime earlier, but he had failed to find any supposed "ultimate power" within it, and prepared to throw it away. When [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] stopped him, saying that the Matrix was used by the Autobots to choose their leaders, Starscream suddenly realized that it was just what he needed to rally people to his cause. Gathering his followers, he told them that he had unlocked the unlimited powers of the Matrix, and that he had been chosen to light their [[darkest hour]]. While the roused Decepticons started hailing his name, Starscream knew fully well that his newfound leadership was wholly reliant on a seemingly useless Matrix, and wondered if this was really the right thing to have done. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Uneasy Lies the Head}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Transformers issue 7}}

{{note|The events of ''Spotlight: Mirage'' possibly take place in an alternate/unknown continuity.}}

At the war's end, Starscream and a small team of Decepticons accompanied the mercenary [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] to the [[Pegasus Star Cluster]]. He led the Decepticons into the Autobot bunker after Mirage destroyed the Autobot security system, but stood back during the ensuing fight. After Megatron ordered the Autobot prisoners executed, Starscream held [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] back as Mirage prepared to kill [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[Image:Starscream HOS.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Ye olde Tyme treacherie.]]
Starscream is the nominal leader of the Decepticons on 19th-century Earth, while Megatron sleeps in [[stasis lock]]. He decides to conquer the Earth in this time, and use that power to overthrow Megatron when he should wake up. Posing as a benefactor to humanity, he enlists the help of inventor [[Tobias Muldoon]] to design new [[Alternate mode|altmodes]] for the Decepticons. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}} In particular, Starscream builds (or reformats) [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] for an assault on [[New York City]], and the new electrical generators there. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 3|Hearts of Steel #3}} It all ends badly. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}}

Starscream has three bodies through the course of these events. His initial "Ice Age Wars" body appears to be a prehistoric flying reptile. He then takes on two different biplane bodies, one with one engine per wing and bat-wing-shaped propellers (as seen at left), and one with two engines per wing and straight-bladed propellers<ref>[http://www.idwpublishing.com/titles/transformers/images/hos/decepticon_planes.jpg ''Hearts of Steel'' sketch at IDW Publishing]</ref>. No reason is given for him changing from one biplane body to the next. (The fact that planes are an anachronism in the 19th Century is lightly glossed over.)
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in mini-comics===

[[Image:Henkei_starscream_pack_in_comic.jpg|right|thumb]]

Starscream was among the Decepticons who joined [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Megatron]] in attacking the Earth in the 21st century. During an attack on Tokyo, Starscream got the drop on some human military operatives who were observing a fight between Megatron and [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Optimus Prime]], but before he could take them out, [[Bumblebee (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Bumblebee]] got the drop on ''him'', spraying him with a fire engine's hose. This gave [[Grimlock (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Grimlock]] the opening he needed to lash Starscream with his tail and send him crashing into Megatron, prompting the villains to retreat. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 1}}

Starscream later concocted a plan to have [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Astrotrain]] keep the Autobots busy while the Decepticons raided a power plant, but he had not factored in the Autobots' newest warrior, [[Hot Rod (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Hot Rod]], who took them by surprise and blasted Starscream in the back. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} Seeking revenge, Starscream tried to return the favor, only for Hot Rod to dodge the blast, and cause Starscream to shoot Megatron instead! {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 3}}

Knowing that his friend [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Skyfire]] had been stranded on Earth tens of thousands of years ago, Starscream had [[Ramjet (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Ramjet]] search for his body, which was eventually located frozen in a glacier. Starscream thawed out Skyfire and placed a mind-controlling helmet on him, to ensure that his kind-hearted old friend would serve the destructive Decepticon cause. Together, they attacked a power plant, but while they fought off the plant's Autobot defenders, Skyfire began to struggle against the helmet's influence, eventually overpowering it and turning on Starscream. Realizing he was outnumbered, Starscream fled, as Skyfire called after him to remind him that even thousands of years ago, they'd never gotten along that well anyway... {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 4}}

Following Megatron's use of energon cubes to power himself up into [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Galvatron]], Starscream attempted to repeat the process on himself, and had [[Ravage (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Ravage]] steal a sack of cubes for him. Before he could put them to use, however, he was ambushed by [[Cheetor (BW)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Cheetor]], who defeated him and reclaimed the cubes. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 8}} Later, Starscream was led by [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Cyclonus]] to a volcanic field, where Megatron was in the process of using the magma to again power up into Galvatron. Seething over his own inability to obtain the power Galvatron wielded, Starscream thought his chance to lead had finally come when a team of Autobots arrive and collapsed the volcano on top of Galvatron. His gloating was short lived, however, as Galvatron burst out from under the rubble, and, entirely unaware that a fight had even gone on, began berating Starscream and Cyclonus for being lazy idiots. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9}}

When [[Ratchet (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Ratchet]] was trying to take a human girl to the hospital, Starscream arrived to take potshots at him. Ratchet's comrade [[Inferno (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Inferno]] blocked Starscream's shots, and the enabled Ratchet to escape by blinding Starscream with a blast from his water cannon. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 10}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' Bun Bun manga===

[[Image:Henkei1_enter_starscream.jpg|left|220px|thumb]]

Years ago on Cybertron, Starscream was a scientist and explorer. Together with his friend [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Skyfire]], he embarked on a search for energy on other planets, but when the duo visited Earth, Skyfire was caught in a blizzard and frozen in ice. Starscream subsequently returned to Cybertron and became a warrior, joining up with [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Megatron]]'s Decepticons.{{storylink|The Enemy from the Arctic}} Untold years later, when the legendary power source known as the [[Energon Cube]] was lost to the reaches of space, Starscream was among a small team of Decepticons who departed Cybertron in pursuit of it. The Cube crash-landed on Earth in the Japanese town of [[Hoshinochō]] and shattered into fragments, so Starscream and the other Decepticons took on the forms of local vehicles and machinery to remain hidden while searching for the shards. [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots had also followed the Cube to Earth, and so the Transformers' war continued in secret on this new world. {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}

Eleven years after arriving on Earth, Starscream and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] tracked Prime's Autobots to the human building known built over the Cube's impact crater called the [[Star Dome]], and launched an attack. Starscream was surprised to find a human boy, [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]], caught in the middle of the conflict, but gave the fleshling little thought and aimed his gun to destroy it. The human, however, had a protector: the littlest Autobot, [[Bumblebee (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Bumblebee]] came bursting out of nowhere to nail Starscream with a flying kick and save the boy. {{storylink|Enter! The Transformers}} Starscream didn't take kindly to this insult upon his person, and pinned Bumblebee beneath his foot, but before he could finish him off, Wataru blinded the Air Commander with a fire extinguisher! Unfortunately for Starscream, it was at that point that Megatron himself chose to arrive, and he violently berated Starscream for going behind his back, throttling him and using him as a shield to block Optimus Prime's fire. After some further shots were exchanged, Megatron's attention was piqued by Wataru, and he decided to call retreat. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Appears!}} Back at the Decepticons' underwater base, Starscream opined that Megatron was growing old, but Megatron simply replied with equal sarcasm that the weakest dog barks the loudest. Starscream stalked off, vowing to himself that he would be leader of the Decepticons, then summoned Ramjet to join him on a personal mission to the Arctic. {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}

[[Image:Henkei4_starscream_and_skyfire.jpg|right|thumb|300px|*cue "ScreamerxSkyfire OTP" squeals*]]

Starscream and Ramjet located the glacier that Skyfire's body was trapped in, and released him from his frozen sleep. Skyfire was happy to see Starscream again, but Starscream soon proved how much he had changed when he sent a watching group of humans to their deaths by shooting the ice out from under them. Just as Skyfire demanded an explanation for his actions, Starscream slapped a helmet onto his head that took over his mind and co-opted him into the Decepticon ranks. Starscream proceeded to lead the brainwashed Skyfire in an attack on a power plant back in Hoshinochō, but through it all, Skyfire refrained from outright killing any human workers. Displeased with Skyfire's resistance to the helmet's control, Starscream set an example by opening fire indiscriminately. Just before he shot Wataru, who happened to be visiting the plant, Skyfire seized his arm at the last second, insisting they were researchers, not murderers. Luckily, this was enough of a delay to save Wataru's life, as Optimus Prime's Autobots then came blasting into the plant. {{storylink|The Enemy from the Arctic}} In the battle that followed, Skyfire continued to struggle against the helmet, shielding Wataru and Bumblebee from Starscream's attacks. Starscream was shocked to learn that Wataru was a "[[Booster]]", a being born with the ability to control energon, when Wataru used his powers to liberate Skyfire from the control helmet. Skyfire turned his guns on Starscream, blowing off his left null ray cannon, then informed him of one important fact he had remembered: they never actually got along that well in the first place. With no options left, Starscream was forced to retreat. {{storylink|Wataru's Power}}

When both Optimus Prime and Megatron were left badly damaged after a fierce battle, Starscream, Ramjet and [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Astrotrain]] exploited the Autobots' reduced manpower by raiding a hydroelectric power plant. Together, they made short work of the Autobots who did turn up to fight them, but just as they were preparing to leave with a haul of [[energon cube]]s, the revitalized Optimus Prime came speeding onto the scene. The three Decepticons beat a hasty retreat, but only Starscream got away, the other two taken down by a powered-up blast from Prime's [[ion blaster]]. {{storylink|Time of Resurrection}} With nothing to show for his efforts, Starscream returned to the volcanic caves were Megatron was recuperating from his injuries, bathing in a "bath" of molten energon cubes. Deeming it a waste of their energon resources, Starscream saw his chance when Optimus Prime and Bumblebee arrived in the caves, the Autobots having received a message that gave Megatron's location. Starscream greeted the two Autobots and gleefully led them to the chamber Megatron was in, serving them up the Decepticon leader in the hopes that they would destroy him and leave his throne free to be usurped. Starscream kept Megatron's newest soldier, [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Cyclonus]], busy so Prime could deliver the killing strike, but against everyone's expectations, Megatron did not die from Prime's sword slash, and was instead transformed by the power of energon into the deranged [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]]! {{storylink|Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!!}}

[[Image:Henkei10_starscream_survives.jpg|left|220px|thumb]]

Galvatron immediately attacked Optimus Prime, and Starscream exploited the opened, attacking his former leader from above. Galvatron proved able to shrug his shots off, and destroyed the rocky outcrop on which Starscream was standing, bringing him tumbling into Galvatron's clutches. After being slammed around a bit, Starscream fired his jets and blasted from Galvatron's grip, looping back around to deliver a jet-powered kick, but the attack accomplished little other than to thoroughly tax Galvatron's patience. Powering up his cannon, Galvatron unleashed a single earth-shattering blast that appeared to reduce Starscream to atoms. {{storylink|The Threat of Galvatron}}

[[Image:Henkei10_starscreams_end.jpg|right|thumb]]

Starscream proved hardier than Galvatron expected, though: after Galvatron had torn his way through the assembled Autobots, Starscream re-appeared, broken and crippled, but nonetheless determined to bring Galvatron down. His weapons still proved ineffective, however, and so Starscream demanded that Wataru use his powers to give him a boost. Naturally, Wataru was hesitant, but saw the logic in Starscream's plan and acquiesced, providing the Decepticon with a forcefield and a powered-up gun. Starscream was only able to get off one shot before Galvatron destroyed the field and his cannon, but the blast successfully reopened the original wound Optimus Prime had torn in Galvatron's armor. Taking the opening, Prime repeated the tactic and plunged his energon sword into the gash, ripping Galvatron open. A catastrophic release of energy from Galvatron's body ensued, which began to the collapse the cavern. The Autobots raced for the exit, but Starscream did not move, and Wataru could only look back to see a smile form upon the Air Commander's lips as he watched Galvatron's defeat, seconds before he too disappeared beneath the tumbling rocks. {{storylink|Revenge (issue)|Revenge}}

Later, as Prime's Autobots prepared to return to Cybertron, Skyfire announced that he would be staying on Earth in order to search for Starscream, indicating that he believed his old friend was still alive. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{-}}

===Alternity===
[[Image:Alternity starscream boxart.jpg|left|thumb|200px| "Carscream"? Really, that's the best [[Fandom| you]] could come up with?]]

A Starscream from an unidentified [[universal stream]] was selected by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Alternity|Megatron]] to become the leader of his team of cross-dimensional [[Questor]]s. Imbued with a small portion of the incredible powers over space and time that his leader had acquired from the god-beast [[Hytherion]], Starscream became incredibly powerful, equipped with an uncharacteristic sports car alternate mode, a [[Timaeus drive]] that allowed him to travel through dimensions, a "Retroactive Nullifer" capable of erasing victims from history, and four "Evil Optics" that can send an enemy into [[stasis lock]] with only a look. Despite all the new powers that this infusion of Hytherion power conveyed about him, Starscream was wary, wondering why Megatron would so empower him given his record of deceit. Despite fears that he might be the subject of some strange cosmic experiment that Megatron was conducting, Starscream still took to his new role with glee, seeking ways to put his new power to use overthrowing Megatron.

On a mission to Earth, Starscream confronted one of [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Alternity|Optimus Prime]]'s [[auto-avatar]]s. Surprising Prime with his sports car form, Starscream scored a hit with his Nullifer, which slowly began killing the Autobot. Starscream had heard other species call the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]] "gods", but taunted Prime by telling him that any story of gods must end with a Ragnarök. However, Starscream did not expect Prime to tell him that the Alternity were already well aware of the time and circumstances of their prophesied end, and were already prepared. {{storylink|Foreshadows}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
Starscream's [[commercial]] appearances include:

* An appearance in the first Transformers animation, a commercial for [[The Transformers (issue)|Issue #1]] of Marvel's ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]]'' comic book. Alongside Thundercracker and Skywarp, Starscream attacks an Earth power plant, then defends himself against an Autobot counterattack.

* Starscream and Thundercracker are seen strafing three Autobots, then getting shot down, in the Jetfire/Shockwave commercial.

* A 1985 commercial for [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Starscream leads Thrust over the desert to attack the Autobots' new defense base, brushing off Thrust's concerns about the whereabouts of the Autobots themselves. He is caught off-guard when the base transforms into [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Good goin' there, Screamer. This is the only ad in which Starscream has a speaking part; he's given his usual cartoon voice.

* He makes a short appearance in the 1986 commercial for Hot Rod/Kup/Blurr.

* He is seen in jet mode leading an attack on the Autobots' power station in a commercial for Ultra Magnus.

* He can be glimpsed flying into battle alongside Galvatron - yes, Galvatron! - in the Galvatron/Magnus commercial.

* He and the other two standard Seekers are seen battling the Dinobots on the ground in a commercial for the Predacons.

* Starscream briefly features in the [[Pretender Classic]]s commercial. He's shown lurking in the dark of an Earth city as Optimus Prime is reunited with Jazz and Bumblebee. Narration from [[Victor Caroli]] leads the viewer to believe that his lurking is quite evil and also provides Starscream's voice.

* Still in his Pretender Classics body, Starscream is seen dunking [[Wildfly]] and company into colorful vats to create the [[Pretender Monster]]s in their commercial.

* He features alongside Prowl and [[Over-Run (G1)|Over-Run]] in a commercial for [[Action Master]] vehicles; he's shown battling Prowl aboard his [[Turbo Jet]] on Cybertron.

* His jet form is shown in an early ''Generation 2'' commercial, rendered in CGI and flying over a rocky landscape alongside Ramjet.

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[image:TF PS2 Starscream.jpg|thumb|250px]]
:''Voice actor'': [[Jack Merluzzi]]

While the Autobots were on their way to ELTA, Starscream appeared and told them to stop right where they were. Transforming to robot form, he announced that he would be their opponent. Optimus Prime asked him where he had been during the whole adventure, but Starscream just told him to shut up and warned him that his null ray was not like the others. Despite saying that he was going to shut Optimus' mouth forever, Starscream was defeated by the Autobots. Deciding to make a strategic withdraw and that discretion was the better part of valor, despite knowing that Megatron was going to chew him out, Starscream transformed to jet form and flew off. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals'' video game===
{{note|This game takes place in an alternate version of the second season of the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]] cartoon.}}
[[Image:N64Starscream.jpg|200px|thumb|Yes, that's Transmetal Waspinator in original Waspinator colors as Generation 1 Starscream. No, that's not normal.]]
{{Note|Starscream is only available for game play in the Nintendo 64 version of this game.}}
Starscream returned to the Beast Wars following the [[quantum surge]], with a strange but powerful new [[Transmetal]] body. Fearing that the Beast Wars would alter history against his liking, Starscream set out to destroy any Maximal or Predacon that opposed him. After vanquishing his foes, Starscream entered the Ark and infused himself with the power of his old body, just as Megatron and Optimus Primal had increased their power. This fusion of old and new allowed Starscream to finally achieve his eons long goal of restoring his original body. Finally whole, Starscream undertook the long journey through transwarp back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals}}
{{note|Each character possessed an alternate ending, displayed if the N64 version of the game was beaten with said character. Each character has only their own ending listed on their pages, see the other characters' pages for Starscream’s fate in those outcomes.}}
{{-}}

===3D Battle-Card Game===
Starscream serves under [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] as one of his Decepticon soldiers, battling [[Optimus Primal]]'s many Autobot allies in what might possibly have been an inter-universe battle. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game#Energon Wars expansion|Energon Wars Expansion Set}}
{{-}}

===Sector Seven Alternate Reality Game===
[[Image:Starscream 1982.jpg|200px|thumb|Masterpiece attack!]]
Disguised as an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, Starscream was active on Earth in [[1982]], with documented sightings of jets sporting his unique colors on several continents before he was caught on camera transforming to robot mode in California. This sighting (and its subsequent leak) was the direct impetus for [[Hungry Dragon|Hungry Dragon 1]].

Later, during late April/early May of [[2007]], [[Sector Seven]] intercepted two sound clips through Agent Cod3x and another source (currently unknown). Apparently, Starscream wanted to make his presence known and left a message announcing that he would have the All Spark, and that Agent Powers would be the one to hand it over. These messages were somewhat garbled, as they were apparently received over a SETI@home system. So far, only these two "blips" have been analyzed (the second still needing work), but more may come in the near future. {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)|Sector Seven}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game (Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC)===
[[Image:ROTF_360PS3PC__DLC_G1Starscream.jpg|thumb|200px|"My body looks like Squidward."]]
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]]

{{Note|Starting on [[August 27]], [[2009]], Starscream was made available as one of a handful of downloadable characters in a DLC pack for Xbox 360 and Sony Playstation 3. }}
{{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
{{main|Starscream (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Ulchtar.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Phew.]]

*In [[Jim Shooter]] and [[Denny O'Neil|Denny O'Neil's]] original Transformers treatment, Starscream was named "'''Ulchtar'''." Yes. When [[Bob Budiansky]] took over Transformers preproduction from them, he changed it to "Starscream." <ref>[http://transformers-advent.blogspot.com/2009/07/exclusive-interview-with-bob-budiansky.html Exclusive Interview with Bob Budiansky!]</ref> And "Starscream" was the name given to [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s bio, so who knows what else was going on. This may be related to a mix-up that involved all three jets' [[Tech Spec]] numbers being switched around (Starscream was given Skywarp's stats by mistake).

* An early ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Universe]]''-style character profile published in ''[[The Transformers Comic Magazine]]'' gave Starscream the smirk-worthy nickname of "The Silver Snake". A second "alternate name" for Starscream shows up in Bob Budiansky's hand-written write-up of his bio, which is briefly visible in one of [[Shout! Factory]]'s DVD featurettes. In addition to "The Silver Snake", the hand-written bio gives Starscream the alternate name of "Pretty Poison". Oookay then...

[[Image:Starscreamg1early.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Confusing Nelson Yomtov since 1984.]]

* For the first half of the [[Marvel Comics]], Starscream's chest was colored dark blue, versus the red seen on the toy and in the cartoon. The apparent reason for this discrepancy is hinted at in animated segments in early [[commercial]] footage (see right), where Starscream's chest and forearms are black. Lack of color depth in comic books at the time required black to be represented by dark blue. Starscream's "true" colors began appearing in the Marvel Comics starting with issue 47, "[[Club Con!]]"

* An actor in a Starscream costume was among "live" Transformers one could meet at the 1985 [[Universal Studios Tour]].

* In the French dub of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Starscream (along with [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]) inexplicably became a female. This change, however, was only for the movie, as it used a different dubbing team from the television show. Most likely, the movie's French dubbing team mistook Starscream's rather high-pitched voice for a woman's voice.

[[Image:G2BlackDeathStarscream.jpg|thumb|250px|Chucky Sol, I am your angel of death.]]

* The Generation 1 executive script consultant, [[Flint Dille]], has claimed in personal interviews that [[Chris Latta]] frequently had to be bailed out of jail by members of the production staff. This apparently caused so much annoyance that it was a major factor in phasing Starscream out of the series.

* According to the line art of Starscream by Studio OX, each side of his chest has a turbine mounted on it. This concept has influenced his [[Action Master]], [[Masterpiece]], and [[Classics (2006)|Classics]] toys and the [http://tfu.info/2004/Destron/RMStarscream/starscream.htm art of the Robot Master version].<ref>[[Transformers Visualworks]]</ref>

*A hand-painted mock-up and accompanying artwork for what seems to have been a proposed ''Generation 2''-era redeco of Starscream appeared in auctions on [[eBay]], amongst similar items put up for sale from the collection of a former [[Hasbro]] employee. The mock-up features the words "Black Death" on its nosecone, which would probably lead fans to refer to the figure as "Black Death Starscream" if anyone were aware of it existing. The actuality of the figure being intended as Starscream is uncertain, but given that the artwork is Starscream's ''Generation 2'' card art, Occam's Razor suggests it was meant to be him.

[[Image:StarscreamMW Genesis.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Bringing a [[Particle cannon|cannon]] to a [[canon]]-fight.]]

*In ''[[Genesis: The Art of Transformers]]'' is a picture by [[Matt Kuphaldt]] of [[Machine Wars]] Starscream wearing a purple cape and brandishing [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s torn-off arm cannon. To date, this remains the only canonical appearance of Starscream in this body—so far as the canonicity of art books can be placed.

* Starscream appears in the DLC for Revenge of the Fallen on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 in his G1 appearance with quite a few new features, not the least of which is the fact that he can summon and fire [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] gun mode (despite the fact that Megatron is already playable as a separate downloadable character).

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Starscream Starscream's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
*[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1784/Generation+2/Starscream.html Gallery of G2 Starscream with comparison to BW Starscream at Transformers At the Moon]

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Decepticons]]
[[Category:Alternity Decepticons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Gender-switch characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Decepticons]]
[[Category:Machine Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Predacon leaders]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robot Masters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Ion blaster

2010-12-23T11:44:55Z

120.28.64.78: /* Leader class toys */

[[Image:Optimusg1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm a pacifist, but only to a point.]]

The '''ion blaster''' is a kind of [[laser rifle]] and the primary weapon of several [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Primes]]. Only used by the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot|Autobots]] when all attempts at peace have failed, the ion blaster ensures that freedom is the right of all sentient beings, and strikes fear in the [[Spark|sparks]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] who are foolish enough to challenge him.

Except [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Only [[Primus]] knows how many times Optimus has shot Megatron and failed to kill him. [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] knows that frustration all too well.

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] used the ion blaster against Starscream after Optimus Prime was defeated and brought before Megatron by the Dinobots. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

Optimus Prime's ion blaster was stolen from him a few times. The first was when the Decepticons tried to take over [[New York City]], when he was disassembled by [[Hook (G1)|Hook]]. The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s then placed the arm and ion blaster atop the command post of the newly dubbed [[New Cybertron]]. As part of the building's weapons systems, Megatron used the blaster to begin firing on the Autobots. However, when Megatron and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] were removed from the command post, Optimus Prime was able to regain control of the weapon and hit [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] with it, sending him to the hard pavement below. {{storylink|City of Steel}}

Later, the human-built ninjabot [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] stole the ion blaster when she tried to steal the [[World Energy Chip]], but Optimus Prime recovered it rather quickly. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:OpTransformsSu.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Replacement ion rifle hinges: hard to find.]]

[[Ironfist]]'s fashioned [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s ion blaster during his first campaign in the [[Manganese Mountains]], though unfortunately Prime mistook Ironfist for his chief rival, [[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]]. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}}

While in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], Optimus Prime will keep his ion blaster in his cab. When he [[transformation|transforms]], the Ion blaster is then ejected, which he then grabs. So ''that's'' where it goes. Now if we could only figure out where the [[trailer]] goes... During the course of the battle, a shot from Prime's ion blaster managed to ''blow up'' [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s much-more powerful [[fusion cannon]] by entering through the cannon's barrel. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}}
{{-}}

===Live action ''Transformers'' movies continuity===
[[Image:ROTF Optimus ion blaster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Any last words?" "The Fallen shall rise again!" "That sounds like an oxymoron." "Your mother is an oxymor-" *Bang*]]
[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s primary range weapon is an ion blaster, though he prefers to use his [[Dual Energon Swords]] in combat, leaving the blaster stored in his back in the form of fuel tanks. Once fired, it releases a wave of radiation condensed into an energy ball that will destroy anything in its path.<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bios at Hasbro.com]</ref> During the battle of [[Mission City]], Optimus managed to get off a single shot of his ion blaster at [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] before he was sent flying by the latter's [[fusion cannon]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}

Two years later, Optimus was fighting [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] in [[Shanghai]] and critically injured the Decepticon by putting several point blank shots into his head. He later executed the dying [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]] by a shot through the optic. Several days later, Optimus shot up Megatron and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] with his ion blaster and [[barrage cannon]] while rescuing [[Sam Witwicky]]. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron''===
[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime's]] signature weapon is a little less powerful than the [[Neutron assault rifle]], but with twice the rate of fire, it makes a suitable weapon for the [[Leader (WFC)|Leader]] class. 
'''Carried by:''' Leaders, Optimus 
*''Damage:'' 4
*''Range:'' 5
*''Accuracy:'' 4
*''Rate of Fire:'' 10

==Toys==
===Generation 1 Optimus Prime===
{{main|Optimus Prime (G1)/toys}}
===20th Anniversary/Masterpiece===
[[Image:20thAnniversary_OptimusPrimesm.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2003/2004)
* '''Convoy''' (Lucky Draw figure, 2004)
* '''Convoy Perfect Edition''' (2006, 2009)
* '''Convoy Sleep Mode''' (2010)

:20th Anniversary/[[Masterpiece]] Optimus Prime was one of the first Optimus Prime toys to refer to his iconic laser rifle as an "ion blaster". The [[Takara]] Japanese releases of this figure have consistently coloured the rifle dark grey, and while early releases of [[Hasbro]]'s followed suit, they were very quickly changed to black as a [[running change]].
{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:TitaniumHeroes_WWPrime.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
* '''Optimus Prime''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
* '''War Within Optimus Prime vs. War Within Megatron Battlepack''' (Multipack, 2007)

:The silver ion blaster that comes with [[Titanium Series]] [[The War Within]] Optimus Prime featured the first name of its designer, [[Don Figueroa]], sculpted into its sides.
{{-}}

===Classics (2006)===
[[Image:DVD_20thPrime.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Discounted at a Walmart near you.]]
* '''Optimus Prime''' (20th Anniversary DVD Edition, 2006)

:When 20th Anniversary/Masterpiece Optimus Prime was released in the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' toyline to commemorate the 20th Anniversary DVD release of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', for some reason his ion blaster was coloured ''blue''.
{{-}}
[[Image:PepsiOptimusPrime.JPG|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Pepsi Optimus Prime''' (Autobot, 2007)

:A retool of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime toy, his laser rifle was redubbed the ion blaster to fit in line with Hasbro's modern naming scheme.
{{-}}

===Movie Optimus Prime===
{{main|Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys}}
===Transformers (2007)===
====Leader class toys====
[[Image:MovieLeader OptimusPrime toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I see a bug!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, 2007)
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, UK 2007)
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, USA 2008)

:The initial mold for the ''[[Movie (toyline)|Transformers]]'' (2007) Leader class Optimus Prime featured a spring-loaded ion blaster mounted on the side of his arm. It was deployed via [[Automorph]]ing by sliding a lever, which caused the gun to flip over and cover his hand. This gun was replaced by an [[Dual Energon Swords|energon sword]] on the "Premium" [[retool]]/[[redeco]] of this toy in 2008.
{{-}}

====Robot Replicas====
[[Image:Optimusprimemovierobotreplicas.jpg|right|150px|thumb|]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Robot Replica, 2007)
*'''Megatron vs. Optimus Prime''' (Multi-pack, 2007)

:[[Robot Replicas]] Optimus Prime featured an ion blaster that could replace his right forearm.
{{-}}

===Revenge of the Fallen===
[[Image:ROTF_Leader_BusterOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Buster Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2009)
*'''Jetfire''' / '''Buster Optimus Prime''' (Leader 2-pack, 2009)

:The [[TakaraTomy]] Japanese/Asia-exclusive ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Buster Optimus Prime (itself a retool of the regular Leader class ''Revenge'' Optimus Prime) featured an ion blaster that was assembled from his vehicle mode's fuel tanks and smokestacks. The transforming blaster was designed by [[Hironori Kobayashi]], the TakaraTomy designer best known for his work on the ''[[Binaltech]]''/''[[Alternators]]'' and ''Masterpiece'' toylines.
{{-}}

==Notes==
*In the original toy and the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]], Prime's weapon was referred to as a '''laser rifle''', but many newer toys have called it an ion blaster.

*One notable aspect of Optimus Prime's [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Generation 1 and Generation 2 toys]] is that the figure can only hold it by the ammo casing, as the weapon handle is unable to fit in Prime's hand,. Also, the gun's rifle butt is too large for Prime to hold it straight, so the gun must be turned at a slight angle. Strangely, this has never been altered in reissuings.

*The Japanese-exclusive ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' toy packaging calls this weapon the '''Convoy Gun'''. ''Wow'', really original.

* In the [[Transformers (2007)|2007 movie]], the Ion Blaster is seen only once being used against [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. ONCE.

* It's used more often in the film ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', on one occasion by Prime [[:Image:TFTM_Ironhide_dies.jpg|SHOOTING A HELPLESS ENEMY IN THE HEAD]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Generation 1]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category: Weapons]]

Null-ray

2010-11-01T09:45:54Z

120.28.64.78: /* War for Cybertron */

[[Image:Nullray-normal.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Pew pew pew.]]

One of the signature weapons of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], the '''null-ray''' is capable of stopping any electrical device with one shot, be it human or [[Transformer]].

Except [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. All a blast from the null-ray does is make him angry. It doesn't work on the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] either, but they were already pissed at Screamer and the jets.

:''Polish name:'' '''Miotacz promieni Zero''' (War for Cybertron)

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
Shortly after arriving at the oil platform with his fellow Decepticons, Starscream is ordered to fire his null-ray at some equipment, causing the machinery to freeze and cease from working. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} After causing a tidal wave at [[Sherman Dam]], Megatron ordered Starscream to shoot three of the generators with blasts from the null-ray as part of their efforts to make [[Energon cube|Energon cubes]]. Why they would need the generators to stop working is beyond our understanding, but Megatron's schemes always have layers within them, and are far too complex for [[Human|simple flesh creatures]] to understand. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

After being discovered by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Starscream shot him with the null-ray, allowing the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] to modify his [[Circuits|memory circuits]] to lead the [[Autobot|Autobots]] into a trap. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}}

Later, when Megatron had the [[Power chip rectifier|power chip rectifiers]] of the Decepticons installed in him before his battle with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Starscream lamented that he could no longer use the null-ray or his cluster bombs. A threat of termination from Megatron shut him up. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

[[Image:Nullray-jet.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Starscream suffering from a runny nose.]]
Determined not to be replaced by the human-built [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]], Starscream used his null-ray to fritz her circuits. Naturally, Megatron wasn't too happy about the loss of his new female "companion" and immediately labeled Starscream a traitor. Again. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

When Starscream partnered up with the (more than usually) paranoid [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], Starscream fired his null-ray at Red Alert, causing his unstable [[Circuits|logic circuits]] to stabilize. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

[[Image:Nullray-finger.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"I am GOD!"]]
Later, Starscream was shown firing the null-ray from his nose while in [[Alternate mode|vehicle mode]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}}. Later still, he was shown firing it through his finger. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

Starscream last used his null-ray at his own coronation as leader of the Decepticons. During the coronation, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] played trumpets, but Starscream, eager to get on with the ceremony, used the null-ray to slice the instruments in half. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

In 2005, [[Marissa Faireborn]] had a hand-held blaster which fired null-rays. Whether this was reverse engineered from a captured Seeker, developed with the help of the Autobots, or was acquired by some sort of convoluted plan of Starscream's to replace Megatron, is unknown. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|FFOD4}}

===Transformers Armada===
When [[Starscream (Armada)|''Armada'' Starscream]] finally got his [[Mini-Con]] partner, [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]], he gained a new attack called the "Null Laser Cannon". It didn't disable electrical stuff, but created a big explosion instead.{{storylink|Jungle}}

===Transformers Cybertron===
Starscream has two swiveling, very powerful laser cannons at his waist. He has two more that are stationary, one on each of his forward wingtips. He calls these Null Cannons. Again, they act like very powerful blasters. When he supersized, he replaced his broken [[Cyber Key]]-activated sword with a massive wide-bore null cannon. {{Storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}}

=== Transformers Animated===
This [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] also packs null-rays as his main weapon, but these also just work like a very powerful blaster. Their destructive effect on Earth-made buildings is impressive, if not as intense as ''Armada'' Starscream's, and a sustained blast of around 12 seconds was enough to render all five Earth-bound Autobots unconscious—for a few seconds. Hmm. Then later a direct blast fully disabled ''[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]]'' for several minutes (well, to be fair, Magnus took a point-blank shot right in the kisser). {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}}

===Revenge of the Fallen===
[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] designed his null-ray himself. It is a weapon feared for its ability to deactivate electrical systems.<ref>Starscream's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref>

==Games==
===Transformers Armada PS2 game===
In this incarnation it slices mountains in half instead of its usual effect.
It most likely does the same to Autobots, but Starscream was bashed offline by [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] before he could test that theory.

===War for Cybertron===
[[Image:WFC null-ray.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Your Hand for this Weapon.]]
During the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], Null Rays were a common weapon used by [[Scout (WFC)|Scout]] and [[Sniper (WFC)|Sniper]] class Transformers, and [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]]'s preferred weapon. They were sniper rifles fitted with 10x zoom scopes, and the cloaked Scout's best friend. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

{{note|In the game, this weapon has the following attributes:
*Damage: 10
*Range: 9
*Accuracy: 10
*Rate of Fire: 1}}

==Notes==
*At least [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|once]] Starscream's null-ray appeared to cause freezing. This could be a mere error. {{fact}}

*Clearly, Starscream never bothered to patent the null-ray. Bad enough a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|agent's]] daughter used them, but so did [[Whirl (G1)|''Generation 1'' Whirl]].

*Due to the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon's frequent translation and dubbing errors, [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]'s "Null Laser Cannon" was randomly referred to as the "''Narrow'' Laser Cannon" (despite the visually obvious fact that the laser blast was anything ''but'' narrow).

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Weapons]]

Devastator (ROTF)

2010-09-22T10:49:51Z

120.28.64.78: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticonfilm}}
{{disambig3|Devastator}}

:''Devastator is a [[Decepticon]] [[combiner]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:ROTF_Devastator_promo.jpg|thumb|400px|[[City of Steel|King Kong]] ain't got nothin' on me!]]

{{bigquote|Mean robots suck...|[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]| ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}

Whether he's formed from six, seven, or even nine [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]s, '''Devastator''' is a giant among giants. He is in fact so huge that his body simply cannot support itself when carrying his weight upright, forcing him to lumber on all fours.

Devastator is a tormented being, his very formation wracking his component Constructicons with pain and stressing them to the breaking point both physically and mentally. The imperfect fusion process produces a mind that's very much less than the sum of its parts; rage and pain are all he knows, pushing aside whatever intelligence he might possess. Devastator relies on almost pure instinct in battle.

Devastator is named after [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron's]] unwithstandable and terrifyingly destructive [[Devastator Winds]], due to his intimidating strength. Devastator can also create powerful gravity wells by generating an artificial [[black hole]] with his [[Vortex Grinder]], located in his mouth.<ref>Devastator's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref> Nearby objects are drawn into his gaping mouth to be crushed.

Devastator is made up of:
*[[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]] (torso)
*[[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]] (left arm)
*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] (right leg)
*[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] (head)
*[[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] (left leg)
*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] (right arm)
;Sometimes omitted
*[[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]] (lower waist)
*[[Unknown Constructicon dump truck|Yellow dump truck]] (left leg)
*[[Unknown Constructicon shovel|Second bulldozer]] (left hand)
;Other configurations
*[[Hook (ROTF)|Hook]] and [[Bonecrusher (ROTF Constructicon)|Bonecrusher]] sometimes replace [[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]] and [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]]

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===

Devastator (the Devastator? ''A'' Devastator?) was involved in a battle with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], thousands of years ago. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 2}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:Voice actor: [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Yasuyoshi Hara]] (Japanese)
[[Image:Devastator-ROTFvsLeoSpitz.jpg|thumb|left|300px|He's like a giant puppy! Who wants to eat you.]]

Upon arrival in [[Egypt]], the Constructicons that made up Devastator combined and attacked [[Leo Spitz]], [[Seymour Simmons]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]], and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. It rampaged through the construction facility, sucking up anything not anchored down, such as sand, cars, and Mudflap. Despite the powerful vacuum, Mudflap held out for a while before being sucked further in. Seeking vengeance, Skids clambered up Devastator for revenge. However, Mudflap had survived, and he blasted a hole through the giant Decepticon's eye to climb out before further attacking the combiner and slowing it down.

[[Image:ROTF Devastator death.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Hi ho, hi ho-HOLY SLAG!]]

[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] yelled Devastator's name from atop the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to end the twins' distraction. Devastator clambered out of the construction pit and grappled his way to the peak of the pyramid, where he used his vortex grinder to suck up the stones that hid the [[solar harvester]] inside. By this point, Simmons had made his way to the pyramid, and he radioed a nearby navy ship to fire its experimental [[rail gun]], which had been developed based on studies of Megatron during his captivity at [[Hoover Dam]]. The gun's projectile hit Devastator, blasting off an arm and the lower half of his leg, making him lose his balance, causing him to shatter into many pieces as his body tumbled down the pyramid. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{--}}

===Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===
[[Image:Rotf devastator vs stratosphere.jpg|left|thumb|275px|''The CLAAAAAWWWW!'']]

The Decepticons recovered Devastator's remains, and brought them to the peaks of British Columbia, [[Canada]], so that the behemoth could be repaired by a squad under the watchful optics of [[Skywarp (ROTF)|Skywarp]]. Hiding the construction site with a dense, artificially-generated cloudbank, the Decepticons proceeded with repairs until the unfortunate Autobot [[Stratosphere]] stumbled across their location while on a routine patrol in the area. The partially functional Devastator lashed out at the airborne Autobot, smashing off one of his wings and causing him to crash. Stratosphere survived the hit and fought his way past Skywarp to co-opt the Decepticons' communications array, using it to call in an air-strike on Devastator's position. Stratosphere and his fellow Autobots wondered if Devastator could have survived the massive blast that followed, but they decided not to wait around to find out. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.14|Head in the Clouds}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)
====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
=====Autobot campaign=====
[[Image:ROTFgame_360PS3PC_Devastatorbattle.jpg|thumb|300px|Don't think about how out of scale the limbs are...and lets sink in the awesomeness of this picture.]]

After the Autobots defeated Megatron and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], the Decepticons' ultimate weapon, Devastator, was unleashed upon [[Cairo]]. [[William Lennox|Major Lennox]]'s [[NEST]] forces as well as the local military were unable to hold back the titanic Decepticon, and were relegated to a supporting role once the Autobots arrived in the city. However, NEST helicopters provided invaluable assistance by laser-painting critical weapons subsystems for the Autobots to attack, such as his back-mounted missile launchers, his hip-mounted cannons and his arm-mounted guns, before they could attack his head-mounted armored node. Once the node was breached, Devastator collapsed in the streets of Cairo. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Devastator ezcollectiondx.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The one you will actually buy.]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (Legends, 2009)

:Like the on-screen combiner, but unlike the Supreme class Devastator toy, the Legends class Devastator comprises seven Constructicons, including the elusive [[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]], each with individual robot modes. Because of this, he is a lot more complex than the Supreme class toy, with a more "layered" look than his movie counterpart had. Devastator is (roughly) Deluxe sized while standing up. The only real drawback he has is that he almost has no articulation. But hey, you can't have everything, right?

:In [[Hasbro]]'s markets, this Devastator set was available as a [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] in North America and a Argos exclusive in the UK, packaged in a currently-unique clear box in gestalt mode. A huge two-sided instruction sheet explains transformation in both directions from gestalt to vehicles and vehicles to robots, with the curious note that "Some poses may require hand support".

:In [[Japan]] the Constructicon team members were available individually. Unlike the usual EZ collection toys, the Constructicons are not blind packed but packed in much the same way as Hasbro Legends class releases.

{{-}}
[[Image:Image-ROTF Devastator ezcollectiondxG1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bet yer ''green'' with envy.]]

*'''EZ Collection Devastator - G1 Colors Version''' (Legends, 2010)
:Takara reissued the seven Legend class Constructicons in G1 inspired green and purple color schemes. He even comes packaged in the same clear box set the Hasbro version used.

:This configuration of Devastator includes:
:*[[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]] (torso)
:*[[Hook (ROTF)|Hook]] (left arm)
:*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] (right leg)
:*[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] (head)
:*[[Bonecrusher (ROTF Constructicon)|Bonecrusher]] (left leg)
:*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] (right arm)
:*[[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]] (lower waist)
{{-}}

====Combiner Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Devastator combiner toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Actually movie accurate... [[Overload (ROTF)|NOT.]]]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-16'''

:Devastator is formed from the combination of six transforming construction vehicle toys that do not have individual robot modes. Unlike [[Duocon|prior]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Energon|cases]] of this format, Devastator's vehicles represent separate Transformers, [[Scavenger (ROTF)|and]] [[Rampage (ROTF)|most]] [[Long Haul (ROTF)|of]] [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|them]] have other non-combiner toys that ''do'' have robot modes.

:Despite the figure's complex appearance(from the front anyway), the limbs' transformations into combined mode are rather simple. Fortunately, this makes him a lot easier to muck with than some of the other larger-scale ''Revenge of the Fallen'' toys. This is good, because Devastator is ENORMOUS. His smallest limbs (his legs) are the size of Deluxe-class toys, and his largest components are bigger than Leader-class toys. While the legs can not be swapped (unless for some reason you want a backwards walking Devastator), the arms can be swapped around.

[[Image:ROTF_Supreme_Devastator_japanese.jpg|thumb|left|150px|You've got red on you.]]

:The toy's electronics are all in the Mixmaster component. Pressing the button makes Devastator's mouth open and activates voice clips and engine sounds, as well as green lights in his mouth and eyes. Pressing the button for a few seconds activates his "Vortex grinder". However, the button trigger is so sensitive that he ''never shuts up''. In Devastator mode, his mouth can be locked into the open position by clicking his lower jaw sections into the large tank treads that form his shoulders. His mouth is enormous, and it lights up all pretty and green. He can easily swallow any Legends-class toy and spit it out the other side by opening up the back of his head. Covering Devastator's head when separating him from the torso and turning him back into Mixmaster's vehicle mode activates the transformation noise, and after that somehow makes engine stalling noises without pulling the trigger.

:Sadly, Devastator has a hard time standing on all four of his limbs, and is most stable standing on his hind legs. This is mainly because the most weight is located in the head, and his fingers are not made to hold that weight. He will also look straight to the ground unless you lock his head in place with the lower jaw.

:The Japanese [[TakaraTomy]] release of this figure has extra paint applications on Devastator's face, for a better resemblance to the final CG model.
{{-}}

====Mega Power Bots====
[[Image:ROTF MegaPowerBots Devastator.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Not a Power Rangers Megazord.]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)

: [[Mega Power Bots]] Devastator is a simple toy for younger children, featuring plenty of playing sounds and flashing lights. His limbs have limited swivel articulation and do not detach into separate vehicles. He has a distinctly more humanoid stature than normal.

: Unlike regular [[Power Bots]], and unlike other portrayals of the character in general, Devastator features a transformation! It consists of putting his arms up and laying him flat on his stomach, which lets him roll around using the wheels on his limbs.

: Pressing down the Decepticon shield on his crotch (!) spins the vortex in his chest, lights up his eyes and makes him utter one of many Welker-recorded phrases, including [[Transformers: The Movie|"Prepare for extermination!"]], "Crush Autobots!" and "I am Devastator!" Pressing on the crane of his excavator arm makes a cannon blast sound effect, while pressing the cab of his loader arm turns the scoop into claws.

{{-}}
===Transformers (2010)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:TF2010-toy_GreenDevastator.jpg|thumb|right|250px|I DARE you to spot any purple in this picture.]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (Legends, 2010)

:A [[Toys"R"Us]]-exclusive Generation 1-themed redeco of Legends Devastator and his components. Unlike the Takara's go at the same idea, this Devastator only uses purple for the Constructicons' windshields, and as a result is mostly lime green and gray. The individual Constructicons also have brown [[paint operation]]s on and around their wheels to simulate dirt.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Burger King====
[[Image:ROTFMerchandise-BurgerKingDevastator.jpg|right|200px|thumb|What? No wrecking ball testicles? LAME. ]]
*'''Constructin' Devastator''' (2009)
:Burger King Devastator consists of five parts — a head and body, and simplified versions of the vehicle modes for Long Haul, Scrapper, Rampage and Hightower, which connect to the torso on [[ball joint]]s. The generic connectors mean that they can be attached in any configuration, however the intended layout is marked with letters from A to D. The ball joints are loose enough to allow limited articulation.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/BKDevastator/devastator.htm More information on Devastator at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

{{-}}
====RPMs - Robot Powered Machines====
=====Track Set=====
[[Image:ROTF RPM Devastator Showdown Playset.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Rejected name: Escape The Teabag.]]
*'''Devastator Showdown''' (2009)
**'''Includes:''' [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] [[Mini-Vehicle]].

:The Devastator Showdown track set is a [[retool]] of the ''Indiana Jones'' race track. This playset is compatible with the other Hot Wheels-like miniature cars. It fires the car on a track to an area that (when a car goes over it) releases a "wrecking ball" and the Devastator head lights up and makes sounds. The wrecking ball will follow the car down the track until the tracks stop.

:Yes, that means he fires his testicles at you.

{{-}}

====Robot Heroes====
*'''Desert Devastation''' (Multi-pack, 2009)

[[Image:rotf_desertdevastation_rh.jpg|right|thumb|300px|D'awwwvstator.]]

:"Desert Devastation" Devastator is a super-sized ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' figure, at least twice as big as other toys in the line. He is only available in a multi-pack with [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] in their vehicle modes and [[William Lennox]].

==Notes==

{{quote|[[Steven Spielberg|Spielberg]] saw [Devastator] and said, 'This is (expletive) awesome!' It's always nice when you can make him swear.|[[Michael Bay]]|"[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-04-01-transformers-first-look_N.htm First look: Robo-brawlers big, small in new 'Transformers']" in ''USA Today'' ([[April 3]], [[2009]])}}

[[Image:ROTF Devastator and components concept art.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Six?! What happened to seven?!" "Just kidding."]]
* In the film, none of Devastator's components are shown as individual Transformers. This might vaguely justify why the components of his Supreme class toy lack individual robot modes.

* Devastator's final CGI head differed from that used for his promotional images, including more red panels and several pulleys and wires, four highly pronounced horns, and a trio of throat gears lit like a furnace, instead of a single, complex vortex machine that is lit green like his eyes.

* In the film, there are ''nine'' vehicles that form Devastator! A [[Unknown Constructicon shovel|yellow bulldozer]] is seen unfolding and is then scooped up by Devastator's left arm, which has been formed by Hightower. Another [[Unknown Constructicon dump truck|yellow dump truck]] lines up next to Rampage and helps him form the leg. This means two things: It explains why Devastator's left arm has scoops on it while Hightower's vehicle mode has no such equipment, and also why none of the Devastator toys are movie-accurate.
** Hasbro's [[Hasbro_Q%26A/December_2009:_Answers|''official'' line]] is that there are seven Constructicons that form Devastator. [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade's]] [[Transformers Comic issue 2.13#Law and Disorder|official line]] is that Devastator can be formed from ''any'' number from six to nine.

* Devastator is made up of 52,632 geometric pieces and 11,716,127 polygons. The total length of all the pieces is 13.84 miles. <ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>

* Devastator is made up of 6467 total textures, taking up 32 gigabytes of computer space. <ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>

* When Devastator punches the pyramid, its hand is traveling at 390 miles per hour. <ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>

[[Image:Devastator-ROTFenemyscrotum.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Wrecking Balls were crushed and ended up in the middle of the combination.]]
* Devastator's got [[Humanization#Nuts, Bolts and Screws|brass balls]]. Exactly ''how'' is pretty questionable; even the crane Hightower would only have one wrecking ball as a counterweight. When Hasbro was asked if there ever will be a Devastator toy with wrecking balls, they replied straight out "no".

:* The Devastator Showdown track set does, however, feature one wrecking ball that chases cars down the track. Hmmm.

* According to [[Shawn Kelly]], the [[ILM]] lead animator for ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Devastator caused a computer to catch fire spontaneously and its insides to melt. <ref>''Nickelodeon Magazine'', issue 153, published June 2009</ref> One assumes he was exaggerating for the purposes of publicity, as it is improbable for modern computers to actually catch fire under operations for which they are designed, such as rendering an extremely complex model. The special features on the DVD do (indirectly) show one of the computers blowing, with lots of black smoke and the poor animator (and his keyboard) covered in soot. (This was all done as a prank, leading to said animator asking "What the hell, man?") Not quite melting, but still.

*Interestingly, despite the supreme class toy being formed from vehicles similar to his [[Devastator (G1)|''Generation 1'' counterpart]] (dump truck, bulldozer, front end loader, crane, excavator, mixing truck), none of them form the same component in both versions.

*In [[Transformers Generations 2009]], volume 3, a very early Devastator mock-up is pictured that places more emphasis on height than width (being rather creepily lanky) and includes among other things, a [[Blackout (Movie)|Sikorsky]] helicopter as a component. It was [[kitbash]]ed together from various figures from other lines, including some from Spawn and Kamen Rider.

* Massive Black's concept art is totally different from the film version: a red mining truck forms the torso, an excavator and timber harvester form the arms, and the legs are formed by a military plow and bulldozer. The resulting robot is human in posture.<ref>[http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2483869&postcount=2179 Massive Black post of their ROTF concept art]</ref>

*Devastator has a [[tongue]], which is cool and disturbing-looking at the same time.

*According to a [[catalog]] included with ROTF toys, the ONLY way for the Autobots to defeat Devastator is by combining Optimus Prime and Jetfire.

*Given that the film establishes multiple sets of Constructicons, it seems entirely possible that more than one "Devastator" could be formed.

*Devastator was in an early draft of [[The Reign of Starscream]], but was dropped at Hasbro's request.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/members/mowry-73165.html#vmessage167559]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Constructicons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers 2010 toyline characters]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Devastator (ROTF)

2010-09-22T10:46:41Z

120.28.64.78: /* Legends Class toys */

{{factions|decepticonfilm}}
{{disambig3|Devastator}}

:''Devastator is a [[Decepticon]] [[combiner]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:ROTF_Devastator_promo.jpg|thumb|400px|[[City of Steel|King Kong]] ain't got nothin' on me!]]

{{bigquote|Mean robots suck...|[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]| ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}

Whether he's formed from six, seven, or even nine [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]s, '''Devastator''' is a giant among giants. He is in fact so huge that his body simply cannot support itself when carrying his weight upright, forcing him to lumber on all fours.

Devastator is a tormented being, his very formation wracking his component Constructicons with pain and stressing them to the breaking point both physically and mentally. The imperfect fusion process produces a mind that's very much less than the sum of its parts; rage and pain are all he knows, pushing aside whatever intelligence he might possess. Devastator relies on almost pure instinct in battle.

Devastator is named after [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron's]] unwithstandable and terrifyingly destructive [[Devastator Winds]], due to his intimidating strength. Devastator can also create powerful gravity wells by generating an artificial [[black hole]] with his [[Vortex Grinder]], located in his mouth.<ref>Devastator's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref> Nearby objects are drawn into his gaping mouth to be crushed.

Devastator is made up of:
*[[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]] (torso)
*[[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]] (left arm)
*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] (right leg)
*[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] (head)
*[[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] (left leg)
*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] (right arm)
;Sometimes omitted
*[[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]] (lower waist)
*[[Unknown Constructicon dump truck|Yellow dump truck]] (left leg)
*[[Unknown Constructicon shovel|Second bulldozer]] (left hand)
;Other configurations
*[[Hook (ROTF)|Hook]] and [[Bonecrusher (ROTF Constructicon)|Bonecrusher]] sometimes replace [[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]] and [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]]

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===

Devastator (the Devastator? ''A'' Devastator?) was involved in a battle with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], thousands of years ago. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 2}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:Voice actor: [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Yasuyoshi Hara]] (Japanese)
[[Image:Devastator-ROTFvsLeoSpitz.jpg|thumb|left|300px|He's like a giant puppy! Who wants to eat you.]]

Upon arrival in [[Egypt]], the Constructicons that made up Devastator combined and attacked [[Leo Spitz]], [[Seymour Simmons]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]], and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. It rampaged through the construction facility, sucking up anything not anchored down, such as sand, cars, and Mudflap. Despite the powerful vacuum, Mudflap held out for a while before being sucked further in. Seeking vengeance, Skids clambered up Devastator for revenge. However, Mudflap had survived, and he blasted a hole through the giant Decepticon's eye to climb out before further attacking the combiner and slowing it down.

[[Image:ROTF Devastator death.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Hi ho, hi ho-HOLY SLAG!]]

[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] yelled Devastator's name from atop the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to end the twins' distraction. Devastator clambered out of the construction pit and grappled his way to the peak of the pyramid, where he used his vortex grinder to suck up the stones that hid the [[solar harvester]] inside. By this point, Simmons had made his way to the pyramid, and he radioed a nearby navy ship to fire its experimental [[rail gun]], which had been developed based on studies of Megatron during his captivity at [[Hoover Dam]]. The gun's projectile hit Devastator, blasting off an arm and the lower half of his leg, making him lose his balance, causing him to shatter into many pieces as his body tumbled down the pyramid. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{--}}

===Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===
[[Image:Rotf devastator vs stratosphere.jpg|left|thumb|275px|''The CLAAAAAWWWW!'']]

The Decepticons recovered Devastator's remains, and brought them to the peaks of British Columbia, [[Canada]], so that the behemoth could be repaired by a squad under the watchful optics of [[Skywarp (ROTF)|Skywarp]]. Hiding the construction site with a dense, artificially-generated cloudbank, the Decepticons proceeded with repairs until the unfortunate Autobot [[Stratosphere]] stumbled across their location while on a routine patrol in the area. The partially functional Devastator lashed out at the airborne Autobot, smashing off one of his wings and causing him to crash. Stratosphere survived the hit and fought his way past Skywarp to co-opt the Decepticons' communications array, using it to call in an air-strike on Devastator's position. Stratosphere and his fellow Autobots wondered if Devastator could have survived the massive blast that followed, but they decided not to wait around to find out. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.14|Head in the Clouds}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)
====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
=====Autobot campaign=====
[[Image:ROTFgame_360PS3PC_Devastatorbattle.jpg|thumb|300px|Don't think about how out of scale the limbs are...and lets sink in the awesomeness of this picture.]]

After the Autobots defeated Megatron and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], the Decepticons' ultimate weapon, Devastator, was unleashed upon [[Cairo]]. [[William Lennox|Major Lennox]]'s [[NEST]] forces as well as the local military were unable to hold back the titanic Decepticon, and were relegated to a supporting role once the Autobots arrived in the city. However, NEST helicopters provided invaluable assistance by laser-painting critical weapons subsystems for the Autobots to attack, such as his back-mounted missile launchers, his hip-mounted cannons and his arm-mounted guns, before they could attack his head-mounted armored node. Once the node was breached, Devastator collapsed in the streets of Cairo. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Devastator ezcollectiondx.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The one you will actually buy.]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (Legends, 2009)

:Like the on-screen combiner, but unlike the Supreme class Devastator toy, the Legends class Devastator comprises seven Constructicons, including the elusive [[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]], each with individual robot modes. Because of this, he is a lot more complex than the Supreme class toy, with a more "layered" look than his movie counterpart had. Devastator is (roughly) Deluxe sized while standing up. The only real drawback he has is that he almost has no articulation. But hey, you can't have everything, right?

:In [[Hasbro]]'s markets, this Devastator set was available as a [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] in North America and a Argos exclusive in the UK, packaged in a currently-unique clear box in gestalt mode. A huge two-sided instruction sheet explains transformation in both directions from gestalt to vehicles and vehicles to robots, with the curious note that "Some poses may require hand support".

:In [[Japan]] the Constructicon team members were available individually. Unlike the usual EZ collection toys, the Constructicons are not blind packed but packed in much the same way as Hasbro Legends class releases.

{{-}}
[[Image:Image-ROTF Devastator ezcollectiondxG1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bet yer ''green'' with envy.]]

*'''EZ Collection Devastator - G1 Colors Version''' (Legends, 2010)
:Takara reissued the seven Legend class Constructicons in G1 inspired green and purple color schemes. He even comes packaged in the same clear box set the Hasbro version used.

:This configuration of Devastator includes:
:*[[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]] (torso)
:*[[Hook (ROTF)|Hook]] (left arm)
:*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] (right leg)
:*[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] (head)
:*[[Bonecrusher (ROTF Constructicon)|Bonecrusher]] (left leg)
:*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] (right arm)
:*[[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]] (lower waist)
{{-}}

====Combiner Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Devastator combiner toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Actually movie accurate... [[Overload (ROTF)|NOT.]]]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-16'''

:Devastator is formed from the combination of six transforming construction vehicle toys that do not have individual robot modes. Unlike [[Duocon|prior]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Energon|cases]] of this format, Devastator's vehicles represent separate Transformers, [[Scavenger (ROTF)|and]] [[Rampage (ROTF)|most]] [[Long Haul (ROTF)|of]] [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|them]] have other non-combiner toys that ''do'' have robot modes.

:Despite the figure's complex appearance(from the front anyway), the limbs' transformations into combined mode are rather simple. Fortunately, this makes him a lot easier to muck with than some of the other larger-scale ''Revenge of the Fallen'' toys. This is good, because Devastator is ENORMOUS. His smallest limbs (his legs) are the size of Deluxe-class toys, and his largest components are bigger than Leader-class toys. While the legs can not be swapped (unless for some reason you want a backwards walking Devastator), the arms can be swapped around.

[[Image:ROTF_Supreme_Devastator_japanese.jpg|thumb|left|150px|You've got red on you.]]

:The toy's electronics are all in the Mixmaster component. Pressing the button makes Devastator's mouth open and activates voice clips and engine sounds, as well as green lights in his mouth and eyes. Pressing the button for a few seconds activates his "Vortex grinder". However, the button trigger is so sensitive that he ''never shuts up''. In Devastator mode, his mouth can be locked into the open position by clicking his lower jaw sections into the large tank treads that form his shoulders. His mouth is enormous, and it lights up all pretty and green. He can easily swallow any Legends-class toy and spit it out the other side by opening up the back of his head. Covering Devastator's head when separating him from the torso and turning him back into Mixmaster's vehicle mode activates the transformation noise, and after that somehow makes engine stalling noises without pulling the trigger.

:Sadly, Devastator has a hard time standing on all four of his limbs, and is most stable standing on his hind legs. This is mainly because the most weight is located in the head, and his fingers are not made to hold that weight. He will also look straight to the ground unless you lock his head in place with the lower jaw.

:The Japanese [[TakaraTomy]] release of this figure has extra paint applications on Devastator's face, for a better resemblance to the final CG model.
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====Mega Power Bots====
[[Image:ROTF MegaPowerBots Devastator.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Not a Power Rangers Megazord.]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)

: [[Mega Power Bots]] Devastator is a simple toy for younger children, featuring plenty of playing sounds and flashing lights. His limbs have limited swivel articulation and do not detach into separate vehicles. He has a distinctly more humanoid stature than normal.

: Unlike regular [[Power Bots]], and unlike other portrayals of the character in general, Devastator features a transformation! It consists of putting his arms up and laying him flat on his stomach, which lets him roll around using the wheels on his limbs.

: Pressing down the Decepticon shield on his crotch (!) spins the vortex in his chest, lights up his eyes and makes him utter one of many Welker-recorded phrases, including [[Transformers: The Movie|"Prepare for extermination!"]], "Crush Autobots!" and "I am Devastator!" Pressing on the crane of his excavator arm makes a cannon blast sound effect, while pressing the cab of his loader arm turns the scoop into claws.

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===Transformers (2010)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:TF2010-toy_GreenDevastator.jpg|thumb|right|250px|I DARE you to spot any purple in this picture.]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (Legends, 2010)

:A [[Toys"R"Us]]-exclusive Generation 1-themed redeco of Legends Devastator and his components. Unlike the Takara's go at the same idea, this Devastator only uses purple for the Constructicons' windshields, and as a result is mostly lime green and gray. The individual Constructicons also have brown [[paint operation]]s on and around their wheels to simulate dirt.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Burger King====
[[Image:ROTFMerchandise-BurgerKingDevastator.jpg|right|200px|thumb|What? No wrecking ball testicles? LAME. ]]
*'''Constructin' Devastator''' (2009)
:Burger King Devastator consists of five parts — a head and body, and simplified versions of the vehicle modes for Long Haul, Scrapper, Rampage and Hightower, which connect to the torso on [[ball joint]]s. The generic connectors mean that they can be attached in any configuration, however the intended layout is marked with letters from A to D. The ball joints are loose enough to allow limited articulation.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/BKDevastator/devastator.htm More information on Devastator at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

{{-}}
====RPMs - Robot Powered Machines====
=====Track Set=====
[[Image:ROTF RPM Devastator Showdown Playset.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Rejected name: Escape The Teabag.]]
*'''Devastator Showdown''' (2009)
**'''Includes:''' [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] [[Mini-Vehicle]].

:The Devastator Showdown track set is a [[retool]] of the ''Indiana Jones'' race track. This playset is compatible with the other Hot Wheels-like miniature cars. It fires the car on a track to an area that (when a car goes over it) releases a "wrecking ball" and the Devastator head lights up and makes sounds. The wrecking ball will follow the car down the track until the tracks stop.

:Yes, that means he fires his testicles at you.

{{-}}

====Robot Heroes====
*'''Desert Devastation''' (Multi-pack, 2009)

[[Image:rotf_desertdevastation_rh.jpg|right|thumb|300px|D'awwwvstator.]]

:"Desert Devastation" Devastator is a super-sized ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' figure, at least twice as big as other toys in the line. He is only available in a multi-pack with [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] in their vehicle modes and [[William Lennox]].

==Notes==

{{quote|[[Steven Spielberg|Spielberg]] saw [Devastator] and said, 'This is (expletive) awesome!' It's always nice when you can make him swear.|[[Michael Bay]]|"[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-04-01-transformers-first-look_N.htm First look: Robo-brawlers big, small in new 'Transformers']" in ''USA Today'' ([[April 3]], [[2009]])}}

[[Image:ROTF Devastator and components concept art.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Six?! What happened to seven?!" "Just kidding."]]
* In the film, none of Devastator's components are shown as individual Transformers. This might vaguely justify why the components of his Supreme class toy lack individual robot modes.

* Devastator's final CGI head differed from that used for his promotional images, including more red panels and several pulleys and wires, four highly pronounced horns, and a trio of throat gears lit like a furnace, instead of a single, complex vortex machine that is lit green like his eyes.

* In the film, there are ''nine'' vehicles that form Devastator! A [[Unknown Constructicon shovel|yellow bulldozer]] is seen unfolding and is then scooped up by Devastator's left arm, which has been formed by Hightower. Another [[Unknown Constructicon dump truck|yellow dump truck]] lines up next to Rampage and helps him form the leg. This means two things: It explains why Devastator's left arm has scoops on it while Hightower's vehicle mode has no such equipment, and also why none of the Devastator toys are movie-accurate.
** Hasbro's [[Hasbro_Q%26A/December_2009:_Answers|''official'' line]] is that there are seven Constructicons that form Devastator. [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade's]] [[Transformers Comic issue 2.13#Law and Disorder|official line]] is that Devastator can be formed from ''any'' number from six to nine.

* Devastator is made up of 52,632 geometric pieces and 11,716,127 polygons. The total length of all the pieces is 13.84 miles. <ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>

* Devastator is made up of 6467 total textures, taking up 32 gigabytes of computer space. <ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>

* When Devastator punches the pyramid, its hand is traveling at 390 miles per hour. <ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>

[[Image:Devastator-ROTFenemyscrotum.jpg|right|thumb|250px|NSFW]]
* Devastator's got [[Humanization#Nuts, Bolts and Screws|brass balls]]. Exactly ''how'' is pretty questionable; even the crane Hightower would only have one wrecking ball as a counterweight. When Hasbro was asked if there ever will be a Devastator toy with wrecking balls, they replied straight out "no".

:* The Devastator Showdown track set does, however, feature one wrecking ball that chases cars down the track. Hmmm.

* According to [[Shawn Kelly]], the [[ILM]] lead animator for ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Devastator caused a computer to catch fire spontaneously and its insides to melt. <ref>''Nickelodeon Magazine'', issue 153, published June 2009</ref> One assumes he was exaggerating for the purposes of publicity, as it is improbable for modern computers to actually catch fire under operations for which they are designed, such as rendering an extremely complex model. The special features on the DVD do (indirectly) show one of the computers blowing, with lots of black smoke and the poor animator (and his keyboard) covered in soot. (This was all done as a prank, leading to said animator asking "What the hell, man?") Not quite melting, but still.

*Interestingly, despite the supreme class toy being formed from vehicles similar to his [[Devastator (G1)|''Generation 1'' counterpart]] (dump truck, bulldozer, front end loader, crane, excavator, mixing truck), none of them form the same component in both versions.

*In [[Transformers Generations 2009]], volume 3, a very early Devastator mock-up is pictured that places more emphasis on height than width (being rather creepily lanky) and includes among other things, a [[Blackout (Movie)|Sikorsky]] helicopter as a component. It was [[kitbash]]ed together from various figures from other lines, including some from Spawn and Kamen Rider.

* Massive Black's concept art is totally different from the film version: a red mining truck forms the torso, an excavator and timber harvester form the arms, and the legs are formed by a military plow and bulldozer. The resulting robot is human in posture.<ref>[http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2483869&postcount=2179 Massive Black post of their ROTF concept art]</ref>

*Devastator has a [[tongue]], which is cool and disturbing-looking at the same time.

*According to a [[catalog]] included with ROTF toys, the ONLY way for the Autobots to defeat Devastator is by combining Optimus Prime and Jetfire.

*Given that the film establishes multiple sets of Constructicons, it seems entirely possible that more than one "Devastator" could be formed.

*Devastator was in an early draft of [[The Reign of Starscream]], but was dropped at Hasbro's request.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/members/mowry-73165.html#vmessage167559]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Constructicons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers 2010 toyline characters]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]