MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Soundwave (ROTF)

2009-08-15T14:54:57Z

124.188.181.95: /* Revenge of the Fallen film */

{{faction|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Soundwave}}
:''Soundwave is a [[Decepticon]] 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 Soundwave sat.jpg|thumb|right|375px|Just wait till he [[Kiss Players|tentacle rapes]] that other satellite!]]

'''Soundwave''', the Decepticon communications officer and one of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] staunchest supporters, doesn't just master the frequencies that carry information across our planet, he revels in them. Stationed high in the upper atmosphere, he is fully capable of taking over communications on a planetary scale. Whether he uses this to direct civilization or destroy it remains to be seen.

{{quote|Decepticons: mobilize. It is time.|Soundwave gives the rally cry|[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]}}

== Fiction ==
=== Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics ===
[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was in talks with Soundwave to get him to join in the attack on Earth and be in [[Michael Bay]]'s next documentary. Soundwave is known for talking in several frequencies at once, apparently just to be annoying. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|#15's Star Screams}} Starscream doesn't trust Soundwave but notes his intelligence, and so views him as a worthy successor in the event of his death. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|#21's Star Screams}}
AS [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] flies into Las Vegas He asks Soundwave what exactly he is looking for and Soundwave repliess by saying one of the lost. To Grindor it means nothing, but Soundwave tells him he is not to ask questions. Soundwave can see what he see`s, and Grindor asks him to go easy on the autopilot. Grindor arrives at an older part of Las Vegas and Soundwave tells him thatbeneath the shell of the area is ancient knowledge and that Grindor is to extract it.
After destroying several cars Grindor is ambushed by the NEST team and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Soundwave states that the hunters have become the hunted, and sates that the humans will soon realise that Earth first belonged to the Decepticons. He asks Grindor if he has secured the memory treee and commandss that it be brought to him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|Learning Curve}}

=== IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics ===
[[Image:Defiance4Soundwave.jpg|thumb|left|100px|No full body shot in the movie or comics.]]
Soundwave was assigned by [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] to take command of the newly built ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' with the sarcophagus containing [[The Fallen]]. Soundwave's task was to find a planet with a star [[Solar harvester|harvester]] that could be used to free their mysterious benefactor. Soundwave left [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] just before the outbreak of war. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4}}

[[Image:SoundwaveAllianceIssue2.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Alas, poor Dreadwing. I knew him, Ravage.]]

Presumed dead for years, Soundwave arrived on [[Mars]] one month after Megatron's death. He quickly took stock of the situation, scanning both [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing's]] remains, and an imprint of [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy's]] body. He contacted [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] after his battle with [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]], informing him that he had sent troops from his ship to Earth, with more waiting in stasis. As Starscream headed for the ship, Soundwave informed him he still had orders to follow. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} As more and more Decepticons made planetfall on Earth's surface, Soundwave assumed the form of a satellite and silently observed their operations from orbit. {{Storylink|Alliance issue 4}}

{{-}}

===Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===
Soundwave directed [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] to [[Las Vegas]] to find some old car and cut it open to get its "memory tree". While he refused to explain things to Grindor, he referred to the car as "one of the lost", a redundant shell with ancient knowledge, and the "tree" appeared Cybertronian. [[Seeker (ROTF)|Hmmmm.]] When [[NEST]] showed up, Soundwave appeared contemptuous of them and their [[Human|whole species]], noting Transformers owned this world ''long'' before mankind. To Grindor, he simply said to get the "memory tree" to him and not get captured. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|Learning Curve}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English, Italian), [[Horst Lampe]] (German), [[Daisuke Gōri]] (Japanese)

[[Image:ROTF-Soundwaveface.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Next time, Gadget. Next time.]]
Soundwave received a transmission from [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]], who was tailing [[Mikaela Banes]], and instructed him to obtain a surviving shard of the [[All Spark]] in her possession. He found a satellite transmitting a conversation between [[NEST]] and the [[United States military]]. Tapping into it with his tentacles to listen, Soundwave overheard [[Theodore Galloway]] mention another shard of the All Spark in storage at [[Diego Garcia]], and of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]'s burial in the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. Formulating a plan, Soundwave ejected [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] (who was equipped with [[Scalpel]] and the [[microcon]]s comprising [[Reedman]]) to Diego Garcia to steal the shard, which his minions used to resurrect his leader.

Soundwave remained in space, tapping into the satellite he had found, even as [[The Fallen]] led the Decepticons to Earth following [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s death. He tracked down [[Ron Witwicky|Ron]] and [[Judy Witwicky]] in [[France|Paris]] (making a threatening phone call to Judy) and later blocked the NEST team's phone signals to General [[Morshower]] in an effort to block their back-up during the battle at the [[Egypt]]ian [[pyramid]]s. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}

He didn't have that monotone, awwwww......

{{note|In the comic, Megatron rendezvous with Soundwave after killing Optimus, making the demand for Sam Witwicky himself, which Soundwave broadcasts through the satellite he clutches. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation issue 2}}}}

===Battle bios===
Soundwave can fire bursts of destructive sonic energy with his Sonic Cannons. However, these cannons are not usable in the vacuum of space.<ref>Soundwave's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref> Hmmm...

==Toys==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:Soundwaverotfpreviewtoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|War fork!]]
*'''Soundwave''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-04'''
**''Accessories:'' 1 Ravage missile

:Part of the initial Movie Preview wave, Soundwave is a [[Triple Changer]], transforming into a satellite and a Cybertron jet, which are not exactly what could be described as "distinct" from one another. In all three modes, Soundwave features a spring-loaded missile launcher which fires a missile intended to resemble [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]], in reference to the scene in the film in which he launches the feline fiend down at Earth. In his (rather stocky) robot mode, Soundwave has blue light piping in his visor, but it is disabled, having been painted over in red; his other modes feature a second, armored version of his face. He features numerous red and gold [[Paint operation|paint application]]s which are ''very'' cleverly and subtly positioned around his body to replicate similarly-colored and -positioned details on the [[Soundwave (G1)|original Soundwave toy]].

:The configuration for the satellite mode depicted in the toy's instructions is not the way Soundwave appears in the film, featuring a different angling for the panels on his shoulders. It's not a big change, but transforming the toy in accordance with his movie appearance ''does'' help to distinguish the jet from the satellite a little, since otherwise, virtually the only difference is in the positioning of the large panel "wings".

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

*'''Gathering at Nemesis''' (Toys "R" Us-exclusive box set, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' 1 Ravage missile
: A three pack (technically four pack if you want to count Ravage), also featuring The Fallen, and a silver Voyager Class Megatron from the first movie toyline. Soundwave will be [[redeco]]ed in predominantly blue as an homage to the original Soundwave. It is unknown at this time if this The Fallen will have color differences.
{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}

*'''Soundwave Black Ver.'''{{fact}} (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' 1 Ravage missile

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Burger King===
[[Image:ROTFMerchandise-BurgerKingSoundwave.jpg|thumb|right|200px|It's Soundwave without Soundwave!]]
*'''Seeking Soundwave''' (2009)
**'''Accessories:''' 2 blue solar panels
:The [[Burger King]] version of Soundwave is a representation of the communications satellite which Soundwave hacked into in the movie. The dishes have tendril details added to them. Peering into an opening in the top gives a sort of periscope effect, although as there is only one mirror, everything looks backwards.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:EarlyMovieBlackout.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A Soundwave-headed Blackout from an animatic.]]
[[Image:Rotf-soundwave-face.jpg|thumb|right|200px|This [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|guy]] would love to tear this head off, wait.. you're sure this is Soundwave's real head?]]
* Soundwave was originally supposed to feature in [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'']]; he fulfilled both [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s roles, hacking into the CIA headquarters as a portable stereo, then [[size changing|morphed]] into a Humvee to track down [[Sam Witwicky]].<ref>Details from an early script draft [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2213120&postcount=297 summed up here], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2214148&postcount=303 confirmed as authentic by Roberto Orci here].</ref> [[Michael Bay]]'s decision to minimalize the amount of morphing in the film resulted in a change to a helicopter who openly attacks the army. Soundwave and [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] were changed to [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]] as the film's location was changed from a jungle to a desert.<ref>[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=234188&postcount=2008 Roberto Orci confirms that Ravage was replaced by Scorponok at the official movie boards]</ref><ref>[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=234188&postcount=2008 Roberto Orci confirms that Ravage would have appeared in a different terrain at the official movie boards]
</ref> Soundwave's name remained attached to the separated portable stereo character for a while, but Hasbro felt the resulting character did not properly represent the original Soundwave—he was first renamed Soundbite, but eventually ended up with the name Frenzy.

*According to the trade paperback, Soundwave was a major character in the third draft of ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]''.

* In early drafts of ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Soundwave came to Earth and scanned a black Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck form. Hasbro based the Cybertronian satellite form's robot mode on this abandoned concept, particularly a Cybertronian version of the Chevy grill and small headlights on the lower torso. [[Josh Nizzi]]'s heavily G1-esque head design was also used (although the final head design was also incorporated in a manner akin to anti-[[kibble]]). Hasbro's description and arrangement of Soundwave's toy as a triple changer runs counter to the filmmakers' intent to introduce the technology in the next film.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen-will-not-feature-triple-changers-165854/ News from TFW2005.com on September 23, 2008,] detailing [[Roberto Orci]]'s confirmation that there would be no triple-changers in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.</ref>

*Even though [[Frank Welker]] returned to voice Soundwave for the movie, his voice was not vocoded, but rather synthesized in the same way all the other Transformer voices in the movie were. Because of this, the voice he uses is much closer to that of "The Cave of Wonders" from [[Wikipedia:Aladdin (film)|Walt Disney's ''Aladdin'']], also voiced by Welker. However, in the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' video game, Soundwave's voice ([[Peter Jessop]]) is vocoded in a manner similar to that of ''Animated'' Soundwave's first voice, only with a more musical tone.

*Even though ''Revenge'' features mostly domestic voice actors for the foreign market dubs, [[Frank Welker]] voiced Soundwave not only in English, but also in the Italian dub. As a result, in the Italian dub of the movie, Soundwave speaks with a strange, foreign accent. Welker is also ''incorrectly'' credited for voicing Soundwave in the German dub<ref name="germandub">[http://215072.homepagemodules.de/topic-threaded.php?board=215072&forum=11775323&threaded=1&id=511643&message=7158760 List of German dubbing voices]</ref>, even though Soundwave's actual German voice actor was Horst Lampe, who previously also voiced [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] in the German dub of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]''.

* Soundwave is unique among the Decepticons introduced in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' because he survives ([[Scalpel]]'s fate is ambigious). All the others are presumably killed, meaning if all our information only came from the films, then the only Decepticons alive are the original triad of Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave, along with the oft-overlooked [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]].

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Mixmaster (ROTF)

2009-08-07T12:26:17Z

124.188.181.95: /* Voyager Class toys */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Mixmaster}}

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

{{mainpic}}

A genius chemist, '''Mixmaster''' serves as a weapons designer to the Decepticon elite. He has spent his entire lifespan mastering the intricacies of chemical reactions, becoming an expert in poisons, corrosive substances, and most especially explosives. He has a knack for improvisation, being able to make deadly concoctions from just the native materials a world has to offer. A member of the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]], when [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] is formed he constitutes the lumbering beast's head.

Sometimes, there are more than one of him.

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defiance4_Constructicons.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Not shown: Mixmaster learning to use a bone as a club.]]

In the distant past, the [[All Spark (Movie)|All Spark]] Cube created [[Thirteen original Transformers|a race]] of powerful, trans-dimensional beings as the first inhabitants of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The Cube gave these beings mighty powers, as well as terraforming their world, but it was not limitless, and gradually became depleted. The first beings learned that the All Spark's power could be replenished by harvesting the energy of stars, but they were unable to locate new stars to suit their purposes, despite their amazing ability to travel between dimensions. Once again, the Cube came to the rescue, creating a race of workers, who had the ability to change their shape.

Mixmaster was among the very first of these new beings, one of several "builders" who would construct a [[Solar harvester|harvester]] when a suitable sun had been found. Once built, the device would drain the energy of these stars, thus replenishing the All Spark. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4}} It is presumed that at some point during the civil war on Cybertron, he sided with [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], the new protege of Mixmaster's only surviving ancient master, [[The Fallen]].
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
[[Image:ROTFMegatronrebirth.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
After the [[All Spark]] shard was retrieved from [[NEST]]'s secure bunker at [[Diego Garcia]], [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]], Mixmaster, [[Scalpel]], [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] and [[Ze little one|another Constructicon]] secreted themselves aboard the ''[[Bayos]]'' freighter heading towards the North Atlantic. Once the ship passed over the [[Laurentian Abyss]], the Decepticons jumped overboard and dove down to where [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] broken body lay. Scalpel ordered the death of the smallest Constructicon to rebuild Megatron, a request that Mixmaster and the others obliged with. Soon, Megatron was reborn!

After Megatron killed [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], Mixmaster climbed the Brooklyn Bridge and knocked down the American flag in a display of dominance as [[The Fallen]] broadcast a worldwide message demanding the humans bring them the head of [[Sam Witwicky]].

Some time later, Mixmaster and another Constructicon with the same [[body-type]] were present during the climactic battle in [[Egypt]] between the [[Autobot]]/NEST forces and the Decepticons. Mixmaster and several other Constructicons waited in a quarry in their construction vehicle disguises until the [[human]]s [[Seymour Simmons]], [[Leo Spitz]] and their Autobot guardians [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] approached. The Constructicons [[combiner|combined]] into the mighty Devastator and attacked. Elsewhere, the other Mixmaster fought against the NEST forces in the Egyptian town near the great ruins of the pyramids, using his cannon emplacement mode to cause serious problems, until the ex-Decepticon [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] arrived to slice him in half and crush his torso. Meanwhile, Devastator had shrugged off the Autobot twins and was busy demolishing the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] when Simmons called upon the [[United States Navy]] to attack Devastator. The [[United States Navy#U.S.S. Kidd (DDG-100)|U.S.S. ''Kidd'']] fired her experimental [[Railgun|railgun]], smashing one of his arms to pieces and destroying Devastator. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

==Toys==
===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF_Legends_Mixmaster.jpg|thumb|200px|]]
*'''Decepticon Mixmaster''' (Legends, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number'' '''D2'''
:Mixmaster and the six other Legends class Constructicons combine to form Devastator. In Japan, the Legends class Constructicons are sold individually. Mixmaster has the dubious honor of pulling Devastator's face around like a rectal growth in robot mode.
{{Comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (Legends figure multi-pack, 2010)

:In [[Hasbro]]'s markets, the Legends Constructicons are sold together as a store [[exclusive]].
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:Mixmaster ROTF Voyager toy.jpg|right|thumb|400px|]]
*'''Mixmaster''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-12'''
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:Voyager Class ROTF Mixmaster transforms into a gray and silver cement mixer with purple windows and headlights, based loosely on the [[Wikipedia:Mack Trucks|Mack]] truck seen in the film. The vehicle mode's mixing drum is incapable of rotating due to the transformation, but does boast a pair of gigantic Decepticon logos on either side. The cement chute at the rear of the vehicle mode can accurately raise and lower on a hinge.

: His robot mode is very thin and lanky, with numerous joints on the extremely long arms alone. The packaging calls out [[Mech Alive]] gimmickry in the form of "spinning gears" on his chest, but the feature is only present at the thighs and forearms, which reveal shifting internal bits when the joints are rotated. The robot mode's missile-firing cannon is locked in place on its back pointing straight upward; in order to aim it the toy must be transformed to its artillery cannon-like Battle Mode that has him essentially performing a belly flop, letting the launcher fire forward.

: The image of the cement mixer mode on the packaging has been flipped horizontally, leaving the location of the ladder switched. Additionally, the robot mode image on the packaging has a different mold for the mixing drum shells, with rectangular-shaped pegs rather than circular.

{{picsneeded|Artillery mode, "fixed" configuration.}}
{{-}}

*'''Mixmaster''' (Voyager, 2009?)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:A repaint of the above toy in G1 accurate colour.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Supreme Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF_Devastator_combiner_toy.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)

:The Mixmaster component of the Devastator set becomes Devastator's head. He contains the lights and sounds for Devastator, as well as individual sounds for his vehicle mode. They are motion activated, which means he never, ever shuts up. As with the other Constructicon members in this set, Mixmaster does not have his own robot mode.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroesironhidemixmaster.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Hi, I'm Mixmaster, and I'm extremely pleased to be your villain this evening.]]
*'''Ironhide and Mixmaster''' (2009)
:Part of the second wave of the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' portion of the ''Robot Heroes'' line, Mixmaster is a new sculpt that comes with a [[redeco]] of the first ''Robot Heroes'' [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]].
{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}
*'''Desert Devastation''' (Multi-pack, 2009)

[[Image:rotf_desertdevastation_rh.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Munchy!]]

:Mixmaster is the sculpted head of "Desert Devastation" Devastator, a super-sized ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' figure. He is only available in a multi-pack with [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] in their vehicle modes and [[William Lennox]].

{{Comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}

[[Category:Constructicons]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Rumble (G1)

2009-07-28T06:47:44Z

124.188.181.95:

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2}}
{{disambig2|the evil Generation 1 Decepticon|his good mirror-universe counterpart|Rumble (Shattered Glass)}}
{{picsneeded|Comic appearances, toy}}

:''Rumble is a [[Decepticon]] [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassette]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:RumbleMissingInAction.jpg|right|275px|thumb|Ready to shake, break, rattle and QUAKE!]]
'''Rumble''' is your basic street punk. Small, but always acting tough as a cover. Not exactly the most subtle of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s [[Mini-Cassette|spies]], but what he lacks in discretion, he makes up for by being the brawler of the group. He talks tough because he ''is'' tough. Quick-tempered and of a generally mean disposition, he follows [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] eagerly, as the Decepticon leader lets him indulge in destruction. Rumble has a tendency to toss out a taunting rhyme at his enemies and is, according to [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], a "jerk" (or at other times, a "sawed-off nerd").

As the Decepticon demolitions expert, Rumble loves nothing more than to break things apart. His arms can transform into powerful piledrivers that, when pounded against the ground, can cause earthquakes, usually with fissures. He can be easily overpowered in a one-on-one match, though the real challenge is actually getting to him first. Even if you do, you usually need to get through his [[Relatives|brother]] [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] either before or after you get Rumble.

{{bigquote|If on Decepticon turf you happen to tumble, look out, robot, 'cause here comes Rumble!|Rumble, thinking he's funny|"[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]"}}

:''Portuguese name (Brazil comics):'' '''Estrondo'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Görgető''' (Trundler)
:''Italian name:'' '''Tremor'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comics)'': '''Trovão'''
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Hong Long Long''' (轰隆隆，"Rumbling Noice")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:PowerPlay Rummmble.JPG|left|250px|thumb|That's my name, don't wear it out.]]
Millions of years ago on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Rumble was among [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s elite warriors in the Decepticon ranks. He was present when the Decepticons attempted to overpower the crew of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and ended up plunging down to the planet Earth below with all the other Transformers on-board. They remained dormant and inactive until 1984, when the volcano their ship was nestled under erupted, bringing the Ark's sensors back online, and the Cybertronians with it. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} Megatron and the Decepticons immediately began plans to loot the planet's rich sources of energy. Rumble's ability to generate low-frequency groundwaves was instrumental in shaking loose equipment from the [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]], giving the Decepticons the raw materials necessary for the construction of their [[Fortress Sinister]]. {{storylink|Power Play!}} After securing a human fuel specialist, it was Rumble who provided [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] with a sample of Cybertronian fuel for analysis, simply by popping off his hand and pumping fuel from his wrist socket. Eww. As the Autobots confronted the Decepticons at their newly fortified base, Rumble came out to greet them. He used his earthquakes to knock [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] off-balance, but [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] just barreled his way through the tremors and decked the junk-punk with one punch. After dealing with the Autobot pugilist, [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] scooped up his brother and brought him back into the base for repairs, but they were assaulted by [[Gears]] and his [[Spider-Man|arachnid partner]]. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}}

''Rumble was actually in favor of Decepticon democracy at one point, grumbling that [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] "deserved a vote" during one of the Air Commander's infamous arguments with Megatron. He was, however, smart enough not to grumble too loudly. {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} Starscream later got his way, and the Decepticons staged an attack on the Ark. Rumble tried to pit himself against the Autobot warrior named [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], but found himself severely outmatched by the Autobot's piledriver punch. {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}''

[[Image:PrimeTime Rumble sweat.JPG|right|200px|thumb|If only I hadn't forgotten to take my Insulin this morning...]]
Heavily damaged due to earlier battles, Rumble sat out the next Decepticon offensive against the Ark, and was not reactivated until after Decepticon leadership had shifted from Megatron to the returning [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. Thanks to their new commander, the Decepticons had secured the Ark and all of the Autobots were believed incapacitated. Despite all these victories, Rumble failed miserably at guarding the Ark, letting one [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] sneak by him and abscond with the [[Creation Matrix]]. It turned out Rumble's optical circuitry was too low-rez to pick up on humans in his peripheral. {{storylink|The New Order}} Shockwave actually had to run Rumble's memories through a computer-enhanced refinement process before he could even see the culprit. Needless to say, Shockwave was NOT happy when he found out. {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} Waiting for his punishment, Rumble actually began developing moisture and condensation on his face-plate in anticipation. Fortunately for Rumble, his only punishment was to guard their human slaves at the [[Blackrock Aerospace Plant]]. Unfortunately for Rumble, he was no better at watching multiple humans than he was at watching one—the humans revolted when [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] turned on Shockwave, and Rumble was unable to stop them from escaping the plant. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[Image:CommandPerformances RumbleFrenzy explode.JPG|left|120px|thumb|Ow.]]
Shockwave's defeat left the Decepticons leaderless for a time, and Rumble served various masters until Megatron and Shockwave reached an accord, agreeing to work together as co-leaders of the Decepticons. Rumble didn't last long into this new regime, however. Almost as soon as the Decepticons officially relocated to a coal mine in Wyoming, Megatron led Rumble and several of his fellow soldiers in an attack on the Ark. Having been alerted by Shockwave to an all-out Autobot assault on the mine, Megatron concluded that the Ark and its secrets would be relatively unguarded, and ripe for the picking. Well, Megatron was wrong... on an epic scale. Rumble and the Decepticons were treated to the first battle field test of the Autobots' new defense base: [[Omega Supreme (G1)|OMEGA SUPREME]]. Rumble was blown to pieces by Omega Supreme's plasma cannon, along with Starscream, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], and Frenzy. Only Megatron and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] managed to limp away from the battle at all. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''When Starscream awoke from his life support machine on the Ark, he saw that Frenzy and Thundercracker were close to regaining consciousness, but that Rumble, Skywarp, and Buzzsaw were far from rehabilitated. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

Rumble remained a prisoner of the Autobots for years, his disassembled component parts resting in the Ark's detention facility until the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] raided the spaceship during a battle on the moon. {{storylink|Totaled!}} Although he was presumably reconstructed along with his fellow Decepticons, Rumble was still virtually never seen again.

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
''Rumble, along with his fellow cassette [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], apparently chose to serve under Shockwave and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when the Decepticon factions split on Earth, fighting on the opposite side of Soundwave. He was present at the [[Enclave]], joining in the massive melee initiated by the Autobots {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}}, and was later seen on Starscream's observation duty monitors. {{storylink|Bugged!}} After the two factions reunited, Rumble nestled back into his old space inside Soundwave's chest. No hard feelings, right big guy? {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}''

{{note|Because Earthforce was printed in black-and-white, it's possible some of his above appearances were actually Frenzy. However, only one FIBRIR bodytype was ever seen at a time, Rumble was identified by name in one issue, and Frenzy was never named, so for simplicity's sake we are assuming only Rumble was present in Earthforce.}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:FrenzyRumbleRepair-G2.jpg|right|120px|thumb|Rumble also goes by that handle on Team Fortress 2.]]
Rumble was present for Megatron's throttling of Optimus Prime and the capture of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] from his chest. When the other Autobots arrived, Rumble used his piledrivers to toss [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] for a loop. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} Later, after the Decepticons joined forces with the Autobots, Rumble accompanied his leader to the planet [[Ethos]], and was seen mopping up the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] resistance after the Cons saved the Autobots' tailpipes. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

When [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] unleashed his full battalion against his ancestors, Rumble was manning the [[Warworld]]'s bridge alongside Soundwave and Frenzy. Both of his fellow bridge officers apparently jettisoned to safety before Starscream took full command of the Warworld, and so Rumble may have done so as well. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

{{-}}

====''Universe'' bio====
Rumble became even more anti-social after the death of his brother, Frenzy, in the Swarm war, and was eventually abducted by [[Unicron]] to join his [[Minions of Unicron]] in the battle against the [[Children of Primus]].

{{note|This bio is not ''entirely'' official. It comes from the [[BotCon 2006]] customization class, but it was apparently never vetted by Hasbro (much like [[Nightracer]]'s).}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese—See note below.)

[[Image:Rumble.jpg|left|150px|thumb|I thought it was supposed to be red or blue, Why AM I PURPLE?!?!]]
Rumble was one of the original Decepticon raiding party that crashed into Earth four million years ago aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Reawakened in 1984, he was reformatted into an audio cassette that fit snugly into Soundwave's chest compartment. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Despite his small size, Rumble would often go head-to-head with full-sized Autobots, even having a (short-lived, at least) rivalry with the Autobot [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], though this ended sort of badly for him. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

{{storylink|Roll for It}} {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}} {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

A common Decepticon tactic was to get Rumble to use his earth-shaking abilities to agitate hydroelectric power sources, as the Decepticons did at the [[Great Falls]]. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

{{storylink|Fire on the Mountain}} {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}} {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}}
{{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}} {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}}

[[Image:G1 cartoon Rumble piledrivers.JPG|right|180px|thumb|The Decepticons only love me for my piledrivers...and I love using 'em, so it's win-win!]]
Though lacking raw might, Rumble seemed to be on equal footing with most other Decepticons. No doubt this was due to his seismic power, which was used quite often (including once by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] when he had borrowed Rumble's [[power chip rectifier]]). {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} {{storylink|Autobot Spike}} {{storylink|City of Steel}} {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots}} {{storylink|Traitor}} {{storylink|The Immobilizer}} {{storylink|The Autobot Run}} {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}} {{storylink|Day of the Machines}} {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}} {{storylink|A Prime Problem}} {{storylink|Auto Berserk}} {{storylink|Microbots}} {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}}

Once he went back in time to the middle ages and jousted atop [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]. Then he got covered in bird poo as part of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's]] plan to make a primitive battery. {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}}

{{storylink|The Golden Lagoon}} {{storylink|Make Tracks}} {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

Then there was that time he got turned into a tree. {{storylink|Sea Change}}

{{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}} {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

[[Image:Rumble Plague of insecticons.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"It's not sawed-off, it's [[kitbashing|kitbashed]]."]]

Assisted by his diminutive stature, Rumble was also responsible for stealing some of the cars that would later become the [[Stunticon]]s and for inspiring Megatron to name the group. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

{{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}} {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express}} {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

[[Image:Rumblevsperceptor.jpg|left|170px|thumb|Alright, open wide...]]
During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Rumble, Frenzy, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] attacked a communications tower that [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] was using to broadcast a message to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] at [[Moonbase One]]. He and his fellow cassettes piled on [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] before Blaster unleashed his own cassettes on them. When Megatron fell battling Prime, Rumble helped during the Decepticon retreat by carrying Megatron's [[fusion cannon]] while Soundwave carried Megatron. On the return ride, it became necessary to jettison excess weight to make it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and Megatron was one of the ejected. After that, the Decepticons discussed who would be the new [[leader of the Decepticons]]. The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] argued that they should rule, as they formed [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], the most powerful robot. Things got ugly when Soundwave called the Constructicons inferior, and [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] called Soundwave "an uncharismatic bore". Rumble did not take kindly to that idea, and the Constructicons formed Devastator. Rumble and Frenzy caused him to separate by shaking Astrotrain with their piledrivers. In the end, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] won out, and Rumble was present for his coronation...and subsequent disintegrating by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Uncertain what the powerful newcomer was called, Rumble asked what his name was, and Galvatron responded. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

{{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}}

{{note|In the Japanese dub, the lesser-seen red Decepticon cassette, [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], was indicated to be Rumble to reflect his toy colors more accurately.}}
{{charstubfiction}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of American cartoon continuity, as detailed above, occur in the Japanese timeline, except the events of 2006 are pushed back to 2010. The Japanese continuity proceeds to insert many new storylines and events in, around, before and after the events of the Generation 1 cartoon, as covered below.}}

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga=====
Working with Soundwave and his fellow Cassettes, Rumble attacked Bumblebee and the Autobot's human friend [[Kenji]] during their patrol of Tokyo. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] swooped in to take Kenji to safety, and Bumblebee easily eluded the inept Rumble long enough to execute a [[Bumble Kick]]! against Soundwave. With his chest-port damaged, Soundwave was unable to hide Rumble and the other Cassettes when [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] arrived to back up Bumblebee. They ended up just bouncing off Soundwave's chest in cassette mode. Cliffjumper grabbed them and began tearing out their magnetic tape which, if you think about it, seems kinda horrific. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2}}

Rumble eventually recovered. In another scheme, the Decepticons tried to frame the Autobots for attacking Earth by giving the [[Stunticon]]s fake sigils and sending them on a mayhem spree. Dressed in snazzy robes to hide their identities, Rumble and Frenzy then began fanning the flames by preaching openly against the Autobots in human cities. Their cover was blown, however, when [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] washed the fake insignia off the Decepticons. Rumble and Frenzy were zapped by [[Eject]] and [[Rewind]], revealing their identities as well. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 7}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
=====''The Headmasters'' manga=====
After [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundblaster]] crash-landed following his encounter with [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]'s "Master Chrome Hurricane-Throw to the End of Hell" attack, Rumble and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] attempted to wake their buddy up as [[Sixshot]] approached. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 8}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
{{note|Events from the [[Keepers Trilogy]] novels are in italics.}}
Rumble, under his commanding officer Soundwave, was one of the earliest recruits Megatron made for his Decepticon faction millions of years ago. Rumble and his brother Frenzy remained loyal to the primary Decepticon faction under Shockwave's command during the [[War Within: The Dark Ages|Dark Ages]], and remained part of the Decepticon hierarchy after Megatron returned from [[Quintessa]] with his new [[Aerospace Extermination Squadron]]. The punk brothers were seen naming off Autobot casualties for the fun of it after the Age of Internment began. {{storylink|War Within: The Age of Wrath|The War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

Four million years ago, Rumble was part of the crew of the Nemesis which crashed to Earth alongside the Autobots and the Ark. He was revived in 1984 along with the other Transformers for roughly a decade of renewed warfare, before the Autobots ultimately defeated the Decepticons and rendered them inoperative. Their triumphant return to Cybertron aboard the [[Ark II]] was sabotaged, however, and the Transformers were all believed destroyed in the resulting explosion. Instead, many of them were recovered by the mercenary named [[Lazarus]], who made efforts to reprogram the Cybertronians into weapons for his disposal. Rumble was one of several Transformers unleashed by Lazarus as a test run in 2002. Megatron managed to override Lazarus's control, though, and freed his fellow Decepticons. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

''Rumble stayed out of Decepticon politics during the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]]' interaction with the Transformers on Earth. He chose to work with Starscream in [[Las Vegas]] after Megatron's disappearance, and even remained in Vegas after Megatron returned and splintered the Decepticon army, but otherwise did little of note. {{storylink|Annihilation}}''

When [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] arrived from Cybertron, he managed to defeat Megatron and assume control of the Decepticons in the name of the greater Unified Cybertronian government. Rumble and Frenzy were placed in charge of guarding the deactivated Megatron on the flight back to Cybertron, but were tossed aside by Starscream so that he could jettison Megatron into space. {{storylink|New World Order}} Later, Shockwave commissioned them to create a distraction that would keep [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] from fully realizing his plans, by unleashing the crazed [[Stunticon]]s from a detention facility. Once again, Starscream intervened on their mission, retrieving five additional prisoners, the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], for his own purposes. {{storylink|Cold War}}

As Shockwave's government began to collapse around him, Starscream convinced his fellow comrades from Earth to follow him back to that planet and raid it for energon. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}} However, his initial "battle plan" against the Autobots led to more than half his forces being captured, including Rumble and Frenzy. After the Autobots were forced into a deal with Starscream due to the threat of [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], Rumble and the other Decepticon captives were released, but charged to only 50% power. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} At this point, Soundwave took steps to reunite the Decepticons with their true leader, Megatron, and shortly thereafter Megatron and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] arrived on Earth and overthrew Starscream's command. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:Gijoevstfrumblechases.jpg|left|120px|thumb|]]Rumble was one of the many Transformers recovered from the crashed [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] by [[Cobra]]. He was repaired and retrofitted by [[Doctor Mindbender]], who proudly displayed him, Soundwave, and his fellow Mini-Cassettes to [[Destro]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} Rumble was released by Soundwave, along with [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], during an attack on the [[SPS Center]]. Rumble evaded the first wave of [[G.I. Joe]] defenders and used his piledrivers to damage the target building. Scaling the building, he menaced [[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] and [[Sci-Fi]] until [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] punched his lights out. His body was taken into custody by [[G.I. Joe]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}
{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
Rumble and Frenzy started out as "industrial equipment" at [[Mining Outpost C-12]], until the [[Senate]] shut down the site in favor of automating the work involved. Once a furious Megatron kicked off a riot, Rumble and Frenzy joined in the fighting and were soon taken prisoner, destined for "[[The Rig]]" penal facility. They managed to break free aboard their prison transport, however, and took control of it with Megatron's help. The renegade miners then fled to [[Kaon]], where they got lost in the underground fighting tournaments that ran rampant throughout that city-state.

As time passed, Megatron rose high in the ranks of the gladiators, and he brought up Rumble and Frenzy with him. And when Megatron's passions turned from arena combat to outright insurrection, so did theirs. When Megatron crafted his plan for infiltrating and destroying the Senate, Rumble and his brother underwent alterations so that they could hide inside Soundwave's chest compartment. Thanks to this subterfuge, the Senate was annihilated and the Security Services of Kaon split open from the inside. Rumble bore witness as Megatron personally beat down and humiliated the Autobot leader, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin}}

Rumble was involved in the Decepticon full-frontal offensive on the planet Earth, and the conquest of [[New York City]]. After the siege was over, however, the lack of organized resistance left Rumble with little to do. He and [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] took to the streets, blowing up stray abandoned vehicles that happened to remind him of [[Bumblebee (G1)|certain people]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3}}

While on a patrol in New York City, he ran afoul of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Cmdr. Spike Witwicky]] and three other survivors. Rumble went after Spike and nearly succeeded in knocking him off his motorcycle, but one of the survivors, [[Charles]], seeking revenge for his son's death at the hands of Rumble, fired off a shot from a rocket launcher that hit Rumble point blank in the face, downing him instantly. Sensing something wrong, Soundwave found Rumble, picked up his damaged body, and went into a rage in which he lost control of his communications blocking effect. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9}} He was apparently repaired and sided with Starscream during his coup. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Rumble''' (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''17''', '''D-102'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 "Thruster Guns" (left & right)

: Rumble was part of the first wave of Transformers toys released in 1984. Using the same mold as a Microchange Microcassette Robo Micross, he was packaged by Hasbro with [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] in 1984-1986, by Takara with [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] from 1985-1986, and by himself in 1987. This mold was also used for [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Enemy]].

* '''Cassette Big Mission 3''' (2009)
**''Encore number'': '''19'''

: Rumble will be reissued for the first time in over 20 years, along with [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], as part of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s [[Encore]] line.
{{comingsoontoy}}

===Generation 2===
* "Rumble"

: Part of the canceled 4th wave of [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]], Rumble would have been a race car with a pizza-oriented sponsor ("Vinny's Pizza") and an engine-oriented sponsor ("Jerry's Motors"). Although he was never officially named in any known documents, his name is on the front bumper.
:This mold was redecoed into ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Side Swipe (RID)|Side Swipe]] and ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]].

{{canceledtoy}}

===Alternators===
* '''Rumble''' (Alternator, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''24''' (misprint, should be 25)

[[Image:AltRumble.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Nothing says "rebellious" like a Honda Civic!]]
: For ''[[Alternators]]'', Rumble transforms into a 1:24-scale licensed 2006 Honda Civic Si, with opening doors, hood, etc. Additionally, instead of traditional hands, Rumble features spring-loaded piledrivers that release from his arms. Accessories include two back-mounted weapons, one of which doubles as his engine in car mode and the other which fits into his trunk.

:Originally intended for normal retail release in the US, he and wave-mate [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] got relegated to being Wal-Mart [[Exclusive|exclusives]], released in late March of 2007. He and Ravage are notable for being the first Decepticon Alternators to be entirely new molds, rather than an Autobot mold reworked to be someone else. They are also notable for being the final ''Alternators'' toys to be sold at retail.

: Rumble's seats are mis-assembled, keeping them from reclining completely in car mode. To fix this, unscrew each seat from the bottom of the car, swap them, and then rescrew.

===Universe===
[[Image:Universe2003toy-RumbleBotCon.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Wins award for "Most Expensive to Duplicate at Home."]]
* '''Rumble''' (Basic, 2006)

:This [[redeco]] of [[Scrapmetal (type)|Scrapmetal]] was only available in the customization class at [[BotCon 2006]], along with [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]. Parts were provided, but the individuals taking the class had to assemble and paint the toy. The [[Gang-molding|gang-molded]] alternate [[Cobybot]] head is used for this toy.

:The following Testors paint colors were used: Burnished Gold, British Gulf Armor, British Crimson, Magical Blue, Armored Steel, Flat Black, Camouflag Gray, and Medium Gray.

{{-}}

===Attacktix===
*'''Rumble'''

:The ''[[Attacktix]]'' Rumble playing piece was never released due to the cancellation of the ''Attacktix'' line. A prototype was seen (along with other unreleased ''Transformers'' and ''Star Wars'' ''Attacktix'' playing pieces at the [http://jediinsider.net/g/albums/CIV/Thursday/Hasbro/ATTACKTIX/404.jpg Celebration IV ''Star Wars'' convention.]

:Unhelpfully for the [[FIRRIB]] argument, ''Attacktix'' Rumble was '''blue'''.

{{canceledtoy}}

===Music Label===
[[Image:MusicLabel Rumble headphone.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Ready to shake, break, rattle and cause hearing problems by the time you're 40!]]
*'''Frenzy & Rumble Playing Earphones''' (2007)

:Released as part of [[TakaraTomy]]'s [[Music Label]] toyline, Rumble and Frenzy share a fairly simplistic transformation from robots to white, circular, working earphones. Although sold separately, they were designed to go well with the Music Label [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave MP3 player]].

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Robot Heroes===
* '''Arcee vs. Rumble'''

[[Image:Robotheroesrumblearcee.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Red again? I think there's a pattern evolving here...]]
:''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' Rumble is a soft-plastic figurine sculpted in a [[super deformed]] style and with his piledrivers deployed. He has swivel joints in his shoulders and neck, and came in a two-pack with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]].

{{-}}

===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:Rumble statue.jpg|right|150px|thumb|So happy to be Blue.]]
* '''Rumble''' (Diamond Select, 2009)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2009, Rumble was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 1000 pieces. He is painted in a <del>accurate</del> blue scheme matching his colors in the Generation 1 cartoon. [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] is seen blazing over his shoulder and decoed in a deeper purple then he is usually depicted in. Rumble is sculpted using his piledrivers and his base has the aftereffects of an earthquake on the left side. A representation of his tape mode is also present on the front of his base.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
*On the Generation 1 TV series, Rumble was represented with the colors of [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy's]] toy—that is, dark and medium blue, rather than black and red (and vice-versa). This led to some confusion (and later, controversy) amongst fans. (See [[FIRRIB]].)
* In later years, toys sporting the name "Rumble" required an additional "Decepticon" prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Decepticon Rumble'''".
[[Image:Alt-rumble-toyfairuk2.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]
* Rumble's Alternators figure was revealed at the UK's Toy Fair. Rather than the figure itself, it was surprisingly an image of concept art for a design that was ultimately never used.
==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Rumble/rumble.htm Rumble at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Rumble Rumble's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Customization class toys]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Mini-Cassettes]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Hound (G1)

2009-07-28T06:45:14Z

124.188.181.95:

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

[[Image:G1 Hound reissueart1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Rejected as kid appeal character. Why? Not [[Bumblebee (disambiguation)|yellow]] enough.]]
'''Hound''' wishes he were [[human]]. The dark, barren metalscapes of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] no longer interest him. Now that Hound has been shipwrecked on [[Earth]], he considers this planet his home. He sees humankind as beautiful and wishes he could interact with their ecosphere the same way they do, to feel what they feel and to see what they see.

He treasures his job as an Autobot scout, making good use of his ability to project [[hologram]]s for added disguise. He uses this opportunity to explore the breathtaking caverns and mountainous expanses that Earth provides. He's a meek, benevolent soul, even compared to his fellow Autobots. He gets along with the [[Cliffjumper (G1)|more blood-thirsty of their ranks]] but not the [[Blades (G1)|''most'' blood-thirsty of their ranks]].

:''Nicknames'': '''Sarge''', '''Nose''', '''Sniffer'''<ref>Nicknames found in early ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Universe]]''-style profiles published in [[The Transformers Comics Magazine]].</ref>
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comics):'' '''Caçador'''
:''Italian name'': '''Canguro''' ("Kangaroo")
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Dépisteur'''
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comics):'' '''Rastreador'''
:''Hungarian name:'' '''Vadászeb''' ("Hound/Hunter")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Tan Zhang''' (探长，"Chief Detective")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Houndfirstappearance.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Hi, I'm friendly!]]
Hound was a part of the crew on board the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it crashed into [[Earth]] four million years ago while clearing an asteroid field in the path of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron.]] Upon reviving in 1984, Hound marveled at this world's strange and diverse lifeforms, and couldn't wait to explore its surface -- not for business, but for pleasure. However, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] cautioned him, reminding Hound that their primary purpose was to spare Earth's inhabitants from the onslaught of the Decepticons. Hound was chosen as part of the first field expedition into the world under [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s command, and his new surroundings overwhelmed him. His sensors alerted them to a drive-in movie theatre, a serene scene that quickly turned into a battle when the Decepticons arrived. Hound was able to divert [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], though Hound worried more about [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s whereabouts, as the small scout had gone missing. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[Image:Tellhimwhodefeatedyouthisday.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Ravage, who defeated you this day?!" "Uh, the guy that Jazz keeps getting colored as, I think?"]]
Fortunately, Bumblebee was later able to radio his location to Hound, who informed the other Autobots. Better still, he had located a [[human]] who could convert Earth fuel into a substance they could use! Hound and the others traveled to the home (and auto repair shop) of [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], where they were, of course, attacked again by the Decepticons! [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] apologized for leaping in front of Hound to get closer to their enemies, but Hound was fine with it so long as Decepticons were destroyed one way or the other. Unfortunately, the Decepticons left the battle with their prize, Sparkplug Witwicky, in the hopes that the human could convert fuel for them instead! {{storylink|Power Play!}}

The battle left Hound and Sideswipe low on fuel, so Optimus Prime offered to carry the two home inside his trailer. After Hound had been attended to, he and the other Autobots met with the amazing [[Spider-Man]], who offered to help them rescue Sparkplug from the Decepticons' [[Fortress Sinister|cliffside headquarters]]. Hound drove Spider-Man past the Earth military blockade himself with Spider-Man posing as his driver, but Hound stayed behind to help draw the Decepticons' fire while Spider-Man and [[Gears]] slipped into the headquarters. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}}

''Following this, he was present when the Autobots countered the Decepticons when the latter attacked the [[Sherman Dam]], hoping to steal its energy. At Prime's order, Hound submerged into the water to locate the source of the dam's problems and found [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]. After a fight between the two, Hound was blasted out of the water by Rumble's piledrivers. The sight of this distracted Optimus Prime during his fight with Megatron atop the dam, and Megatron was able to use this distraction to knock Prime from the dam. {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}}''

When Hound was next seen, he was hanging from the ceiling of the Ark with the other Autobots, the work of the evil Decepticon [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], who had returned and taken leadership of the Decepticons for himself. [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] was shocked to discover this terrible development, and the human returned to tell [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], the sole Autobot survivor. {{storylink|The New Order}} Ratchet was eventually able to restore the Ark to the Autobots after outwitting Megatron, and Hound and the others were repaired. However, Optimus Prime's head was still in the hands of the Decepticons. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

Hound's next mission involved stopping [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] from sending a message to the Decepticons back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], but matters were complicated when they faced the newly-created [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. Their merging into the mighty [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] did not help things, either, but thanks to help from [[Bomber Bill]], a human trucker, the communications array was destroyed before the entire message could be sent. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}

[[Image:Houndholomap.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Google Maps later rendered Hound obsolete.]]
The conversations of Shockwave's Decepticons, stationed at [[Blackrock Aerospace Plant Number One]], were being listened in on by Hound and the other Autobots, and so they overheard Shockwave's plans to dump Prime's head into a nearby swamp now that he was no longer useful to them. {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} Hound led a long Autobot convoy to the swamp, and they were able to form a human-chain to rescue the head from sinking to the bottom of it, but when the head was placed on Optimus Prime's body, it attacked them. This was not the real head of Optimus Prime, but an imposter head controlled by Shockwave! A group of Decepticons led by Soundwave joined the imposter Optimus Prime in destroying them, but during the course of battle the real head was restored and the Decepticons defeated. Hound was one of the few Autobots left standing. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[Image:Houndravagecrisisofcommand.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Noticing a pattern?]]
''Now that Prime and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] had been returned to them, Hound was one of the Autobots who opposed using the Matrix to create super-warriors. Soon after, he assisted [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] in capturing [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], though Ravage's capture was part of the Decepticon's plan. Once Ravage learned what he wanted to know, he escaped. {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}''

Hound was next seen being reconstructed, along with a handful of other Autobots. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

''When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Cyclonus and Scourge made their time-jump to 1986, Optimus Prime, Ratchet and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] were lost in [[Limbo]]. Suspecting Decepticon involvement, Hound and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] were sent to spy on their foes. [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] discovered the spying Autobots and attacked, taking out Jazz and beating Hound within an inch of his life while expositing about his [[Life Spark|past self]]. Only the arrival of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] saved Hound.''

[[Image:Target2006-houndandmagnus.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Well, someone had the scale guide, at least.]]
''After getting a lift back to the Ark from Magnus, Hound tried several times to get Ultra Magnus to assist the Autobots against Galvatron; he also defended their strategy of allying with Megatron. Hound was part of the raiding party which captured Scourgetook a critical view of [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s tactics, especially as the Autobots were beaten again and again. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He should really stick to fighting Ravage.]]
''In the wake of Galvatron's trip from the future, Optimus Prime faked his death to teach the Autobots how to survive without him. Hound was one of the Autobots who attended his funeral, moments before Optimus Prime reappeared. {{storylink|Resurrection!}}''

When [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] fought on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]] for leadership of the Autobots, Hound was among the dozens who disembarked from the Ark to be spectators. {{storylink|Totaled!|Totaled!}}

Some time after, he and the other Autobots answered a distress call from Buster Witwicky, but when they arrived to rescue him, they were attacked by both Earth-based Decepticon armies. Hound was pounced upon by [[Weirdwolf]].

The battle was discovered to be a ruse by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to cover his efforts to claim the powers of the [[Underbase]]. Hound was subsequently part of a team sent to confront Starscream in [[New York City]]. Unfortunately, Hound and several of his peers ended up slaughtered by Starscream on the Brooklyn Bridge. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}
{{-}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:G2houndprimalfear.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"This is my O Face!!"]]
Hound joined Grimlock's unit in leaving Cybertron to find new conflicts and fought against the technoforming fleets of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]. He was disgusted by the bloodlust shown by [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], who berated Hound for being a liability. {{storylink|War Without End!}} Following this, he was the only Autobot not infected by the psychic parasites of the [[K'Tord Nebula]], due to a blow to the head that knocked him off-line. After Prime and [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] managed to temporarily cease fighting long enough to deal with the parasites, Hound scanned the Transformers for any remnants in their systems. {{storylink|Primal Fear!}}

As one of the more level-headed Autobots, Hound did not participate in Grimlock's ill-advised strike on the Liege Centuro and his fleet. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}} Still, he knew good sense when he heard it, even from Grimlock, and when Prime thought it was a good idea for him to go meet the Decepticons alone, Hound arrived with Grimlock and a rescue battalion just in time to keep Megatron from destroying his old nemesis. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} Later, Hound also got involved in protecting the planet [[Ethos]] from genocide. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Ken Sansom]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese)

[[Image:InsecticonSyndrome Houndlifting.jpg|left|200px|thumb|To beat this guy, you need speed. You don't have it. You've got arthritis in your neck, and calcium deposits on most o' yer joints, so sparring is out. So what we're gonna be calling on is good old blunt force trauma - heavy duty power punches that're gonna rattle his ancestors. Yeah!!! Let's start buildin' some Hurtin' Bombs.]]
Hound was one of the original Autobots aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it crash-landed on Earth four million years ago. When awakened in 1984, he was reformatted to have a terrestrial alt-mode, that of a Mitsubishi military jeep.

As the Autobots got their bearings on this strange, new planet, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] dispatched Hound on a recon mission to find the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. The impetuous [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] tagged along uninvited, itching to start a fight, and took a pot-shot at [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] once Hound sniffed out the Decepticon base. Cliffjumper missed, and the Decepticons gave chase. [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] pursued the two Autobot eavesdroppers, and Hound took the brunt of the assault, getting blasted by Laserbeak's cannons. Hound spun out of control on the winding mountain roads and crashed into a ravine.

Cliffjumper returned with help: the Autobot medic, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. Hound was too injured even to transform, so the crane truck [[Hauler]] had to lift him out of the gulch so he could be dragged back to the Ark for repairs. Despite the mishap, Hound bore no ill will against Cliffjumper. The scout had heard enough about the Megatron's plans to plunder the Earth's resources that Optimus immediately launched a mission to stop the Decepticons. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[Image:Houndfootball.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Another potentially humorous image ruined by some pedant calculating that the football has to be about ten feet long.]]
Later, when the [[Autobot|Autobots]] counter-attacked the Decepticon siege of [[Sherman Dam]], Hound got into an underwater fight with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]. The pint-sized Decepticon managed to trap Hound under a pile of boulders so that he couldn't move. Then [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] jumped in and removed the boulders, thus saving Hound from non-danger since the Autobot can't drown anyway. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

After the came back from the [[Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma]], Hound and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] came up with a plan to fool the Decepticons. They would create a hologram of a rocket fuel base. The Decepticons would go there to use the resources to create energon cubes, at which point the trap could be sprung. Optimus Prime agreed, and the then-imprisoned [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] was allowed to escape with the false information. However, Megatron outsmarted the Autobots, went to the real rocket fuel base and used its resources. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

{{storylink|Roll for It}} {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}} {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

After the Autobots discovered fossilized dinosaur bones inside a cavern in the [[Mount St. Hilary|Autobot volcano]], Hound was accompanied Spike on a trip to the the museum, a new Earth experience that excited him. He scanned three dinosaur skeletons with his hologram gun, and the resulting holographic simulation inspired [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and Ratchet to build the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. However, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] severely damaged [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] when the exceptionally dim-witted Dinobots went on a rampage, forcing Hound and Spike to scout for Decepticon activity while the Autobot base computer was being repaired. Hound didn't mind the extra work, as it allowed him to do sightseeing of the surrounding Earth landscape. He managed to detect Decepticon activity at the [[Great Falls]] hydroelectric power facility and relayed the information to Optimus Prime. Arriving at the Falls, he was extremely impressed with the view. When no Decepticons were in immediate view, [[Bluestreak]] jokingly wondered about the occupancy of [[glitch mice]] in Hound's database, to the amusement of no one. Hound was among the Autobots subsequently captured by the Decepticons, but was freed when Wheeljack and the Dinobots arrived to save the day. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

{{storylink|War of the Dinobots}} {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}} {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

{{storylink|Autobot Spike}} {{storylink|Changing Gears}} {{storylink|City of Steel}} {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots}} {{storylink|The Immobilizer}} {{storylink|The Autobot Run}} {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}} {{storylink|Day of the Machines}} {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}} {{storylink|A Prime Problem}} {{storylink|The Core}} {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}} {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} {{storylink|Blaster Blues}} {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon}} {{storylink|Make Tracks}} {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust}} {{storylink|Masquerade}}

{{charstubfiction}}

In the year 2005, Hound was stationed at [[Autobot City]] on Earth. Shortly before [[Battle of Autobot City|the Decepticon attack]], Hound was part of [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]'s detail, placing a roadblock on the trail to Lookout Mountain. During the battle, he managed to get to the shuttle landing pad as Optimus Prime began his counter attack on the Decepticon forces. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

{{note|While Sunstreaker is clearly shown to be arriving on Optimus Prime's shuttle despite having earlier appeared at Kup's roadblock (creating a continuity error), it is less clear with Hound as he is merely shown outside of Prime's landed shuttle. However, the way he is drawn heavily implies that he disembarked from the shuttle.}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformer'' comic====
Hound appears as the leader of the [[4-Wheel-Drive Brigade]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3}}

[[Image:FourWarriors HotRod Hound.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hey, it's that green guy!]]
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michitaka Kobayashi]] (Japanese)

When Optimus Prime wondered how the Decepticons managed to invade Cybertron so easily, Hound theorized that releasing the energy of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] may have destabilized [[Vector Sigma]]. He was right. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
During the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Hound was an Autobot warrior under the command of Optimus Prime. When Prime disappeared, and the Autobots fractioned into several smaller armies, Hound remained with the primary Autobot faction under [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s leadership. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Some time later (and four million years ago), Hound was part of the crew of the ''Ark'' spaceship, and crashlanded on the planet Earth after a conflict with the Decepticons. The Autobots and Decepticons on board remained in [[stasis lock]], buried at the base of [[Mount St. Hilary]] in Oregon, until the volcano exploded in 1984, freeing them. Hound and the other Autobots under Prime's command waged war against the Decepticons on Earth, until finally capturing them all. Roughly a decade after they arrived, the Autobots planned to return to Cybertron with their prisoners aboard the ''[[Ark II]]''. Tragically, however, sabotage led to the spaceship exploding on its maiden voyage, and all aboard were believed dead.

Not so. In fact, a human mercenary named [[Lazarus]] had recovered a great number of the Transformers that had been on-board, including Hound. He went to work on these deactivated robots, installing programming directives that would turn the Cybertronians into mindless drones for his own purposes. In 2002, Hound was repurposed as Lazarus' transport jeep when he entertained the "freedom fighter" Bishop, and stood guard against anybody following them. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1}} Lazarus was prepared to unleash his robot soldiers on the world, only to fail at the starting gate when Megatron reasserted control over his own programming and resumed the war. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2}} Hound, along with the other Autobots Lazarus had salvaged, were used to power Megatron's metallic virus. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] reported barely functional state. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4}}

Not long thereafter, Hound and the Autobots were confronted with an envoy from Cybertron, which had apparently ended the war sometime ago, creating a Unified Cybertronian government. Allegedly in order to prevent the warlike Transformers of Earth from igniting old passions, Hound and many of his fellow Autobots were captured by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], and their operatives. Brought back to Cybertron aboard [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], Hound and the Autobots were removed from their prison cells by the [[Triple Changer]] named [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], and brought into contact with a resistance cell led by [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]. It seemed Shockwave actually had a hidden agenda (of course), and many Autobots had begun taking up arms again to fight back against his regime. Hound joined in the insurrection at [[Iacon]], and the resistance ultimately pushed Shockwave out of command, retaking Cybertron for the Autobots. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

As Ultra Magnus began re-establishing Autobot control over the planet, Prowl decided the ''Ark'''s crew would be best served by returning to Earth and establishing a permanent base of operations there. Being the Earth-lover that he is, Hound was all for the idea. He was last seen at the site of the future [[Autobot City]], using his holograms to help [[Grapple]] visualize his plans for the city. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:MegsOrigin4 Hound.jpg|left|250px|thumb|It's rainin' Hounds!]]
Before the war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hound was a veteran member of the Autobots, having served under [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] with the Security Services force in [[Kaon]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2}} During the mass prison break of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s gladiators and Kaon's most dangerous criminals, Hound and the Autobot security forces struggled to hold the line against the rioting malcontents. After Sentinel Prime returned to the battlefield in his Apex armor, Hound served as optic lead for Sentinel's heads-up scanners in targeting Megatron. However, Megatron destroyed Sentinel Prime's display helmet by throwing Hound's apparently dead body at the Autobot commander. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4}}

[[Image:SpotlightGalvatron Hound.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Guido Guidi draws Cybertronian Hound and makes me cry.]]
Except he survived. Much later, he was the current leader of a combat unit consisting of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Leadfoot]], [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]] and [[Skram]], manning a permanent guard post around [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s hidden base in [[Thunderhead Pass]]. Hound was a by-the-book guy who followed his mission parameters. Sideswipe was an authority-challenging, loud-talking belligerent who constantly insulted this dull posting and demanded they head for Earth to search for his missing brother [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]. Working with him makes Hound cry.

To add insult to injury [[Galvatron (G1)|a mysterious and powerful being]] barged into the base, killed Leadfoot, seriously damaged everyone else, and then stole the inactive form of [[Thunderwing (G1)|the planet-murdering Thunderwing]] himself. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}} In the middle of briefing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] on this event, Hound was interrupted by Sideswipe going on about Sunstreaker again. To Hound's surprise, Optimus agreed and called the team to Earth, {{storylink|Devastation issue 1}} only for him to then order them to [[Garrus-9]] instead when the "[[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]]" were broken out of the prison there. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6}}

As they headed off in ''[[Ark-12]]'', Hound had to listen to, yep, Sideswipe moaning they weren't looking for Sunstreaker. His angry retort to Sideswipe to take it up with Prime was interrupted by an attack from [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]; Hound followed protocol in fighting him off and prepared to carry on instead of investigating the incident (necessity before need), only for the dead Cyclonus to ''get up again'' and keep shooting. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] received Hound's distress call from and drove off the threat, but poor Hound got berated by Sideswipe into diverting from their mission to investigate. That divergence led them to [[Corata-Vaz]] where Sideswipe goaded Cyclonus into attacking instead of surrendering and then insulted Hound when criticised over this, Cyclonus deadened Hound's arm, and then Thunderwing was awakened to swat the Autobots all aside. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

Prowl regarded the battle with Hound's unit and the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] versus Thunderwing as suicidal. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} Observing that the battle was not going well, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] decided to try and take control of Thunderwing using [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s Axis Cradle, telling [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to take their forces into the [[Nega-Core]] chamber as quickly as possible should he be successful. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}

Hound's unit were pulled out of Corata-Vaz and, along with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], dispatched to Earth to mess up the enemy's Space Bridge set-up there. Hound sent his men through the Bridge portals to nab all the [[Nega-Core|Nega-Cores]], except for Skram who was sent to get [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and Sideswipe who volunteered to keep the enemy forces off their backs. Hound didn't understand Sideswipe's reasons but admitted he'd been wrong about the mech, and announced it was an honour to have served with him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

Some time later, both Hound, Mirage and Sideswipe were among the battle damaged Autobots hiding out on Cybertron while the Decepticons rampaged across Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}}

{{note|The events of ''Spotlight: Mirage'' possibly take place in an alternate/unknown continuity.}}
[[Image:SpotlightMirage Hound dies.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Second death, but it still doesn't count.]]
On Earth, Hound's friend Mirage was seriously injured, and as he recuperated, he was haunted repeatedly by dreams of being a Decepticon. In this dream, Hound was among the last of the Autobots holding out in a losing battle with the Decepticons. He was working on a way to convert the cross-dimensional [[Zodiac]] energy for consumption in lieu of energon when Mirage tricked the Autobots into letting him enter their hideout. During the subsequent scuffle, Hound killed Soundwave, but the Autobots were forced to surrender when Mirage held Jetfire hostage, yet promised to spare their lives. Unfortunately for Hound, Mirage was ordered by Megatron to execute the Autobots. Hound was killed by Mirage as defiance to Optimus Prime's pleas for him to see reason. But it was just a dream (or some alternate dimension mumbo-jumbo), so it didn't matter. Right? {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===

{{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 8|Henkei! Henkei! #8}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Hound toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Short but sweet.]]
* '''Hound''' (Autobot, 1984/1985/2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''02''', '''TFC-14'''
**''Accessories:'' "Hologram Gun", machine gun, missile launcher, 3 missiles, spare tire, gas can

: Hound was released as part of the initial Autobot assortment in 1984, transforming into a Mitsubishi J59 Jeep. Mounted on the back of the vehicle mode is a large, [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] silver machine gun turret which doesn't really go anywhere in robot mode. Other vehicle accessories include a spare tire and a fuel canister which also don't really go anywhere in robot mode.

: In robot mode, Hound is armed with a large, silver "holographic rifle" and a shoulder-mounted, spring-loaded, firing rocket launcher with three silver projectiles. The US version of this launcher had severely weakened springs [[for safety reasons]].

: He was reissued in 2004 by [[Takara]] in their [[Transformers Collection]] "bookbox" reissue series.

: This mold was used to make the [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] [[Detritus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Hound/hound.htm More information on Generation 1 Hound at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Generation 2===
[[Image:Un autorollers.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Sgt. Hound. Starring Steve Martin. (Hound is the white payloader.)]]
*'''Sgt. Hound''' (Auto Roller, 1995)
**''Accessories'': 4 missiles

: A [[redeco]] of the [[Auto Roller]] [[Roadblock (G2)|Roadblock]] was planned for release in 1995 as "Sgt. Hound", but was one of several redecos and molds that were canceled with the end of the [[Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' line]]. He would have transformed into a payloader. As an [[Auto Roller]], a switch on his vehicle-mode back end connects a gearing mechanism attached to his rear axle, which makes him [[autotransform]] from vehicle to robot mode when pushed forward, and back when pulled in reverse. His right arm ends in a spring-loaded missile launcher, while his left features a spring-gear-activated spinning circular saw. All four of his missiles can be stowed on his rear wheel wells. No known samples of the toy have surfaced.

: This mold was also used to make [[Autocrasher]] from ''[[Beast Wars II (toyline)|Beast Wars II]]''.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Alternators===
[[Image:Alternators Hound toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"At long last, I HAVE ELBOWS!!!"]]
* '''Autobot Hound''' (2004)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''3'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-04'''
**''Accessories'': Pistol

: For the ''[[Alternators]]'' line, Hound's vehicle mode was updated to a Jeep Wrangler, with opening doors, hood (with mock engine bay) and tailgate, and a detailed interior. Hound also features a working suspension system, similar to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]], but lacks steering. In robot mode, he greatly resembles both the original toy in detail and the Generation 1 cartoon model in proportions and personality. In this form, Hound is armed with a holographic projector gun stored inside his spare tire.

: The Japanese ''Binaltech'' release of the toy is largely identical to the [[Hasbro]] version, except for the use of painted [[die-cast]] metal for numerous vehicle-mode panels.

:The mold was [[Retool|retooled]] into ''Alternators'' [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] and [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltHound/hound.htm More info on Alternators Hound at TFU.info]''

===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
[[Image:Hounduniverselegends.jpg|right|250px|thumb|But not any more...]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Legends, 2008)

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Legends Class|Legends-class]] figures (but the first wave to feature new-mold items, not simply ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''-series [[Redeco|redecoes]]), the first ''Universe'' Hound toy is sculpted to closely resemble his Generation 1 design, particularly in the way his vehicle mode resembles a somewhat outdated, old-fashioned army jeep. Due to his small size and [[pricepoint]], he has no weapon in either mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/LegendsHound/hound.htm More information on Universe Legends Hound at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

====Generation 1 Series====
{{anchor|Univ2008Dx}}

[[Image:Universe2008 G1Hound.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Wait, never mind! I found them!]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Accessories'': Missile launcher

:Part of the fourth wave of ''Universe'' Deluxe-class toys, this version of Hound is more of an evolution of the character rather than the reproduction the Legends class toy represents. His vehicle mode resembles a Jeep Hurricane concept car. Unlike his Legends class toy, Deluxe class Hound features his familiar (non-firing) rocket launcher in both vehicle and robot modes.

:Hound comes with a figure of [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage in an all-new sculpt]], who can fit (in tape form) on the back of Hound's vehicle mode. Other [[Mini-Cassette]] Transformers can fit there too, though not as well as the new Ravage.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUHound/hound.htm More information on Universe Deluxe Hound at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!===
*'''Hound''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-13'''
**''Accessories'': Missile launcher

:The Japanese version of ''Universe'' (2008) Hound, ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Hound is primary cast in a darker shade of green plastic for a better match to his original toy and appearances in fiction. Where ''Universe'' Hound had white plastic, ''Henkei'' Hound replaces it with grey, and overall has more elaborate paint applications, such as the toy-homaging yellow stripe around the edges of his his hood and silver paint on his hubcaps. As with all ''Henkei! Henkei!'' toys, Hound has [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] plastic, specifically his grill guard, albeit in an unusually dark color that almost defeats the purpose.

==Merchandise==
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroeshoundblitzwing.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Not included: Awkwardly-positioned Spike.]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' vs '''Blitzwing''' (2008)

: Released in the first wave of ''Universe''-branded ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', Hound is posed, like many Robot Heroes, in a squat crouching pose. However, he has a few noteworthy aspects: he's one of the few Generation 1 characters to be sculpted with a handheld weapon. More surprising than that, Hound is currently the ''most'' articulated Generation 1 Robot Hero, having swivel joints at his head, shoulders and ''waist''.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
[[Image:Hound braver roadking armada generics.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
* The Hound toy was originally a ''[[Diaclone]]'' "J59 Jeep", coming with a blue-and-white pilot figure and several IP-infringing decals.
* Ken Sansom's voice for Hound sounds not unlike famous actor [[Wikipedia:James Stewart (actor)|Jimmy Stewart]].

* Due to the animation models of the characters being based on box art as much as the actual toy, Hound's holographic rifle was misinterpreted as a small pistol thanks to the foreshortening used. The Alternators toy uses the "pistol", which led people more familiar with the original figure's gigantic rifle to quip that his new weapon was "far too small".

* Like those of many Generation 1 characters, Hound's animation model has appeared as an unnamed cameo in the [[Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'' cartoon]]. He is visible both reacting to the [[Mini-Con]] beacon alongside [[Braver]] and [[Road King]] in "[[First Encounter]]" (seen at right), and in a flashback in "[[Prehistory]]".

[[Image:HoundCyb.gif|thumb|]]

* The Alternators version of Hound was originally planned as a Jeep Rubicon, sporting a slightly different transformation that would have somewhat reduced the back kibble. The change from the Rubicon to the Wrangler model Hound ultimately came out as it did presumably due to Jeep wanting their more common model featured.

* For [[trademark]] reasons, the Alternators and Universe toys required an additional "Autobot" prefix in front of the name, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Hound'''".

* Going by [[Guido Guidi]]'s color guide for Hound's IDW Cybertronic form, he is consistently miscolored in "[[Spotlight: Galvatron]]" (compare above).

*The Japanese book [[Transformers Generations 2009|Transformers Generations 2009 Vol. 1]] contains concept art for an earlier version of ''Universe'' Hound, resembling a Humvee instead of the Jeep form of the final figure. [[Image:Universe Hound concept.jpg|200px|thumb|Not [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]].]]

{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Hound Hound's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Hound/hound.htm Hound at TFU.info]

[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: Henkei! Henkei! characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Mirage (G1)

2009-07-28T06:42:46Z

124.188.181.95:

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

[[Image:Mirageg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"The ship was... full."]]
'''Mirage''' is what humans call "old money." Before the war, he was a member of affluent Cybertronian society, with his own large estate and high-priced [[Mirage's friends|friends]]. He enjoyed the finer things in life: vintage [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], swank evening events, and [[turbofox]] hunts on the grounds. But when the war started, he was forced to choose sides and found himself banded with a group of commoners he didn't really understand.

Some of the other Autobots don't trust Mirage. He feels the war, even after all these millions of years, is beneath him. War is not, after all, how civilized, erudite beings conduct themselves. He often questions the Autobots' violent means, and not-so-secretly hopes they and the Decepticons can get along. Because of this, he has been labelled by a few others as a Decepticon sympathizer. Still, he sided with the Autobots for a reason, and he is there for the Autobots when they need him.

Although the details vary by continuity, Mirage has the ability to create illusions which typically either render him invisible or make him appear to be somewhere he isn't.

He sounds like [[wikipedia:Dean Martin|Dean Martin]].

:''Japanese name:'' '''Ligier''' (リジェ ''Rije''), '''Rijie''' (''Robot Masters'')
:''Hungarian name:'' '''Délibáb''' ("Mirage")
:''Italian name:'' '''Mistero'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Miragem'''
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Miragem'''
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Huan Ying''' （幻影，”Mirage")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Miragebluestreakfirst.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Mirage tells the story of how he got his name every five minutes.]]
Mirage was one of the Autobots on board the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it crashed, and was subsequently reactivated in 1984. At first, Mirage was reluctant to full-on attack his Decepticon opponents, instead trying to reason with them. However, after a battle with the relentless [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], Mirage learned that sometimes diplomacy is not an option. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[Image:Mirageg1enemywithin.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Punk'd!]]
''During an accident on the Ark, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] suffered an extreme neuro-shock, causing him to rebel and turn against his teammates. Mirage helped the Autobots hunt him down and tranquilize him. This same accident also amplified Mirage's ability to create illusions, which he later used to trick the Decepticons into believing that a duel between Brawn and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] ended with Brawn's death. The Decepticons felt totally stupid.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

In the wake of a disastrous mission to rescue [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s captive head from the Decepticons, most of the Autobots were rendered inoperative. Mirage was one of a handful of Autobots who remained active, accompanying Optimus and various newer Autobots on several subsequent missions. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''Mirage lucked out during the Dinobot Hunt—he was assigned to B-Team, whose quarry, Snarl, was knocked out by the destruction of a human military base, leaving him inert and easy to capture.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

Long after, he was blown to pieces by [[Octane]] during an Arctic battle arranged by [[Starscream (G1)| Starscream]]. He recovered in time to be destroyed again in [[New York City]] by Starscream himself (empowered by the [[Underbase]]). {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Mirageg2die.jpg|left|120px|thumb|"Got to—" '''SPOOM!''']]
Disobeying [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s orders, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] led a covert team (which included Mirage) onto the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] ship ''[[Twilight]]'' to defeat [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his army of "evolved Decepticons". Grimlock's plan was an utter failure, ending in [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]'s death and the Autobots' capture. Mirage was destroyed by enemy fire during the following prison break. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

====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.}}
Having been revived (presumably by [[Nucleon]]), Mirage was the happiest of them all, until he saw just how badly his way of life was affected by warfare. Mirage found that ages of warfare had made him bitter. Eventually, he decided to join Optimus Prime in returning to Earth, and war with Megatron.<ref>Mirage Classics Profile, [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 13]]</ref>

His actions include evacuating [[RUNT|RUNTs]] and their pilots, holding [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] at gunpoint, and revealing that his illusion powers (in this continuity) now ''include'' invisibility. {{storylink|Crossing Over}}

He later secretly followed [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] to a meeting from his crew of the [[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]]. Unfortunately, he tried to crash Starscream's meeting with [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]]. [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]'s infra-red sensors, and [[Weirdwolf]]'s keen nose allowed the Decepticons to find him, and he was gift-wrapped for Megatron. When the Gravitron crew led by Grimlock and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] attacked the Decepticon base, Mirage was rescued by [[Strongarm (Classics)|Strongarm]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and [[Elita One]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese)

Mirage was part of the bridge crew of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it crash-landed on Earth four million years ago. A volcanic eruption in 1984 awakened the Ark's inhabitants, including Mirage, who was reformatted by [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to have a terrestrial alternate mode of a Formula-1 racer. With the battle against the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] now transplanted to Earth, Mirage still hated warfare. He longed to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and simply turn his back to the evil Decepticons, but his loyalty to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] kept him in the fight.

Mirage was instrumental in stopping the Decepticons from returning to Cybertron after amassing enough energon from Earth. The Decepticons had constructed a [[Victory (ship)|new star cruiser]] and were in the process of flying home to tip the scales of the war in their favor. Mirage used his cloaking ability to sneak aboard the Decepticon ship. He uncloaked and opened fire, blasting away at the ship's controls. He then bailed from the doomed cruiser, floating back to Earth's surface on a parasail as the Decepticons crashed into the ocean. Optimus Prime asked Mirage why he—homesick and war-weary Autobot that he was—did not hitch the ride back home. Mirage responded, affirming his loyalty to the Autobots, "The ship was... full." {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

{{charstubfiction}}

Mirage’s role in the Autobots’ battles on Earth was a distinctly minimal one, leaving him confined to the background on the battlefield or not present at all. In early 1985, however, the spotlight shone on Mirage again when [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] suspected him of disloyalty. The discovery of a Decepticon installation in a sector Mirage had recently scouted caused Cliffjumper to leap the incorrect conclusion that Mirage had concealed the information and was a traitor to the Autobots. During a battle with the Decepticons at the site, Mirage was injured, but managed to rip a Decepticon [[Insignia|seal]] off [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. Mirage risked the trust of his comrades by sneaking away to perform a plan of his own, framing the Decepticons for stealing [[Energon cube|Energon cubes]] from the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. Spotted carrying the cubes by Cliffjumper, Mirage’s guilt seemed all but confirmed, and before he could reveal his innocence, he was captured and brainwashed by one of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]’s mind-controlling [[Cerebro-shell|cerebro-shells]]. Under Bombshell’s control, Mirage led the Autobots into an ambush, but at the battle’s end, the assorted manipulations were revealed and Cliffjumper apologized to Mirage. {{storylink|Traitor}}

Toward the end of the year, Mirage was among the team of five Autobots who disguised themselves as the [[Stunticon|Stunticons]], with Mirage’s alternate mode making him the perfect choice to masquerade as [[Drag Strip]]. Penetrating the Decepticon camp, the Autobots ran into trouble when the real Stunticons arrived, trying to prove their identities by forming [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. With a combination of [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]’s magnetic powers and Mirage’s illusion-creating ability, the Autobots were able to appear as Menasor too. Though the deception was soon revealed, they were still able to thwart the Decepticons’ plans. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

{{note|An unused scene from the storyboard for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] showed Mirage wounded (possibly killed) by Megatron after getting back at Bombshell for [[Traitor|jeopardizing his career]]. Given the high body count, his death is still likely.}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Robot Masters'' pack-in comics=====
=====''Robot Masters'' online comics=====
=====''Binaltech''=====
Mirage volunteered for an experimental new Binaltech upgrade that boosted the [[power chip rectifier]] in his revamped body to the Nth degree, making him permanently invisible thanks to his electro-disruptor. This proved to be key in a special mission conceived of by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. Having uncovered several secrets from the files of the time-traveling [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], the Autobots learned of a mysterious [[Large switch|switch]] hidden away on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] which, when pulled, would instantaneously immobilize all Transformers throughout the universe. Having lost Cybertron to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s tyrannical rule and facing considerable odds in the Sol System as well, Prime decided it was necessary to activate the switch in order to end the war.

With [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and several [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] [[GT System|GTs]] awaiting his signal as back-up, Mirage invisibly infiltrated Decepticon-controlled Cybertron and made his way to the switch. After throwing the switch, though, Mirage was surprised to find that he was still mobile. It seemed the Binaltech warriors (both Autobot and Decepticon) were significantly different enough from regular Transformers to be unaffected by the immobilization wave. With the Autobots now vastly outnumbering the Decepticons still in operation, the tide of the war had irreparably shifted.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
{{note|Events from the [[Keepers Trilogy]] novels are in italics.}}
Despite his misgiving about the war effort, Mirage's tenure with the Autobot cause dates back to the time of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. When Shockwave staged a disastrous offensive against [[Iacon]], Mirage was there defending the [[Decagon]] alongside Prowl and the other Autobot soldiers. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5}} During the Dark Ages, he continued serving under Prowl as part of the main Autobot faction at [[Virtue's Forum]], in the remains of Iacon. Alongside Jazz and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], he tried defending their prisoner, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Experiment D-43]], against the intruder known as [[The Fallen]], but failed miserably in the process. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Four million years ago, Mirage crash-landed on the planet Earth aboard the shuttle known as the Ark, with more than two dozen of his fellow Autobots and Decepticons. They remained inactive in stasis lock at the base of a volcano until 1984, when volcanic activity shook them back on-line. The war began again, but without reinforcements or connection to Cybertron, Megatron and his Decepticons were eventually defeated and taken prisoner by the Autobots. Mirage and the rest of the Transformers were prepared to fly back to Cybertron in a new spacecraft, the ''[[Ark II]]'', when it exploded on its maiden voyage, leaving them all believed dead.

Not so. Most of the Transformers had been salvaged by a mercenary named [[Lazarus]], who spent the next few years repairing and reprogramming the Cybertronians to use as weapons of mass destruction at his command. Optimus Prime was reactivated by the United States military to oppose Lazarus, and he in turn used the power of the Matrix to revive several other Autobots who had escaped Lazarus' salvage crews, including Mirage. After rescuing some of their number from the human mercenaries, Mirage and the Autobots had to race against time putting their friends back together after the Decepticons escaped to wreak havoc. What's worse, a mechanizing virus had been released by Megatron, turning organic life into inanimate mechanical matter. Mirage exhausted a good percentage of his energon reserves fighting back the tide of the virus, but the Autobots were eventually successful. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

''Mirage was remarkably unhelpful during the war with the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]]. After Optimus Prime was forced to give the Matrix over to Megatron as a debt of honor, Mirage sniped about the decision worse than any of the Autobots. His criticisms only got louder after a news report from [[Washington, D.C.]] made it clear that Megatron had found one of his warriors, the already mighty [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]], who could actually wield the power of the Matrix directly. Now that Prime had actually strengthened their enemies as well as weakening the Autobots, Mirage just wouldn't shut up about it. The final straw was when [[Franklin Townsend]], a crazed augment working for the Keepers, idly strolled into the Ark, took over control of [[Bluestreak]]'s mind, and made his getaway. Mirage was ready to brazenly disobey Prime's orders and charge right after Bluestreak, until Optimus physically slammed him into a wall and forced him to obey his commanding officer. ''

''When you're being so much of a dick that the legendary patience of Optimus Prime runs out, it's time to rein it in, Mirage. {{storylink|Fusion (novel)|Fusion}}''

When [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] came to Earth and announced that the Autobot/Decepticon wars were over and that the two factions had been united, Mirage was one of the first to fall in with the new regime. The rest of the Autobots were wary of this development, and so a few (especially [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]) considered Mirage a traitor. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} Mirage quickly realigned himself with the Autobot cause when Shockwave's true plan was revealed, and Cliffjumper seemed to forgive him, as Mirage had saved Cliffjumper from [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] by sneaking up on him invisibly. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Unfortunately for Mirage, the Autobots' acting commander Prowl soon came to the conclusion that they needed to return to Earth and establish a more significant beach-head there for the future. Mirage tried to argue against the idea, as he was more than thrilled to finally be back home on Cybertron, but then [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] cut in and reminded Mirage that Shockwave's united government had sold off his riches and property while he was gone. Ooooh—burn. {{storylink|Atonement}} The Autobots readied themselves for the return mission on a new shuttle, and began construction of Autobot City upon their arrival on Earth. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===IDW comics continuity===
Mirage was a suspect in the assassination attempts on [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], as he was one of only four Autobots present on the [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub|Hub]] during both attacks. He and two of the other Autobots were cleared when it was discovered that a mind-controlled [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] was the true culprit. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

A year later, he delivered information to the Autobots that there was a power-struggle among the Decepticons, information that turned out to be false and drew Optimus and an Autobot team (including the former ''[[Ark-19]]'' crew) into a hideous ambush that left them trapped on Cybertron. Before dumping them on Cybertron, Megatron revealed that there had been a willing traitor collaborator involved in his trap, and Mirage was the prime suspect {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}} with everyone but [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] believing he'd betrayed them to the Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4}}

It's not all bad, though; he got to use his invisibility trick to sneak up on [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]'s crew when Jazz was trying to prove his command skills. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}} Not long after, a raging Ironhide dragged him into a corner and beat him half to death. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}}

{{note|The events of ''Spotlight: Mirage'' possibly take place in an alternate/unknown continuity.}}
[[Image:SpotlightMirage trappedHound.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This didn't actually happen. Or did it? No, it didn't.]]
Mirage was haunted repeatedly by dreams of being a Decepticon. Or actually ''is'' a Decepticon from another universe who, after helping kill the last Autobots, got blown back through time and space to the main universe. Or via [[Zodiac]] energy has gained flashbacks of an alternate Decepticon Mirage. God knows what's going on there. {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}
{{-}}
===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===

{{storylink|Mirage's Rebirth}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Mirage toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I don't need to be street-legal; I'm rich.]]
*'''Mirage''' (Autobot Car, 1984/1986/1991)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''07'''
**''Accessories:'' "Rocket-Dart Hunting Rifle", missile launcher, 3 missiles

: Mirage was part of the original 1984 Autobot car assortment. His mold was originally used for a ''[[Diaclone]]'' F-1 Ligier JS-11 racer. The toy was specifically designed to work with the launcher mechanism contained in the Optimus Prime / Battle Convoy trailer. This toy is easily broken at the waist pivot. The labels on the toy are references to several real-world companies. The largest name, Citanes, is a deliberate corruption of Gitanes, a French cigarette company. (Quite unusual for a child's toy, but not the only [[Marlboor Wheeljack|cigarette reference in ''Diaclone'']].) The toy included Gitanes' logo of a dancing gypsy woman on what ends up as Mirage's belt in robot form. "Ligier" is the name of the company that manufactured the JS-11 chassis and fielded the team, traditionally wearing 25 and 26 on the F1 grid, while "elf" is a reference to a French oil company that has since merged with TotalFina to become TotalFinaElf.

: In 1986, he was made available as a mail-away item (as he was no longer shipping to retail shelves) in multiple offers, including a [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]] flier packed with most boxed ''Transformers'' toys. He cost $8 and two [[robot points]]. In Japan Mirage was also included in the 1986 ''Goodbye Convoy'' [[Giftset|gift set]]. This was the final release of the mold, making Mirage the only one of the original Autobots not to have been reissued in some form.

: Hasbro and/or Takara have announced that the mold for Mirage is [[Gone Forever|either lost or damaged]], so a reissue is unlikely. This presumably excludes the molds obtained by [[Knockoff|certain Chinese companies]] to produce several Mirage "perfect" [[Bootleg|bootlegs]] in a variety of flavors including original, clear, smoke, and red, based on the ultra-rare version from the [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Diaclone Powered Convoy]] giftset.

===Generation 2===
* '''Mirage''' (Go-Bot, 1995)
**''Accessories:'' Gun

: Mirage was released in 1995 as a black and yellow recolor of the [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] [[Double Clutch]]. He was also planned to be released as a flipchanger, but the ''Generation 2'' line was canceled to make way for ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]''. The unreleased mold was first used in ''[[Machine Wars]]''.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]].

===Machine Wars===
[[Image:Mwmirage.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Gah! I'm teal! Somebody recolor me, please!]]
* '''Mirage''' (Basic, 1997)
**''Accessories:'' 2-part rifle

: Mirage's form in ''[[Machine Wars]]'' transforms into a blue and white Indycar. Like the other Machine Wars basics, the toy is a flipchanger (having a one-step, spring-loaded transformation), and his weapons are hidden in his alt mode. Unlike most of the ''Machine Wars'' toys, the head looks very similar to his Generation 1 form. This is because the mold was originally designed as Mirage for ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''.

: This mold was also used to make ''Machine Wars'' [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]].

{{-}}
===Robot Masters===
[[Image:RMRijie toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Phew. Thanks.]]
* '''Rijie''' (Basic, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-03'''
**''Accessories:'' 2-part "Molecular Bonding Gun", "JS Laser Gun"

: ''[[Robot Masters]]'' "Rijie" used the ''Machine Wars'' Mirage mold, but in a much more [[Generation 1 (toyline)|Generation 1]]-based coloration and deco. He also came with an extra chrome-silver "JS Laser Gun" (like the other bonus weapons of ''Robot Masters'', it is suspected to be a mold originally developed yet ultimately unused by the cut-short ''[[Microman]] LED Powers'' line).

: Because of legal reasons, "Ligier" could not be used for the name of the ''Robot Masters'' toy, so "Rijie", which has the same pronunciation in Japan, was used instead. Curiously, the toy's instructions still identify it as "Ligier".

{{-}}
===Alternators===
[[Image:AlternatorsMirage toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|This toy is clearly black, red, and silver. You're just deluding yourself.]]
* '''Mirage''' (Alternator, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''22'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/tonfa weapons

: ''[[Alternators (toyline)|Alternators]]'' Mirage transforms into a finely detailed 1:24 scale replica of a Ford GT, featuring opening doors, engine bay and trunk, with a realistic interior. As with most Alternators, his car body is mostly unpainted, but the metallic-flake deep blue plastic makes this hard to see.

: Featuring an innovative, different robot mode, Mirage is not a straight re-interpretation of the original Mirage's robot mode, due to the completely different types of vehicles. But coincidentally the Ford GT's hood features a shape that echoes a F1-type racing car's nose and front spoiler. His engine's supercharger forms two separate tonfa weapons that can also be interpreted as guns.

: Mirage was retooled into [[Hot Rod (G1) toys|Hot Rodimus]] for the ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' line, which was further redecoed into ''Alternators'' Rodimus. Later in 2007, he was redecoed in clear plastic colours to represent his 'invisibility mode' as an [[e-Hobby]] exclusive in the ''[[Binaltech]]'' line.

===Universe===
*'''Mirage''' (Spy Changer, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Gun

: For ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'', Mirage is identical to the last Kay-Bee [[exclusive]] redeco of ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots In Disguise]]'' [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]], transforming into a translucent green Lola Indy car. He was available only on an individual card from discount chains like The Dollar Store.

===Classics===
[[Image:Classics Mirage toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Applied to Revoltech club; rejected.]]
*'''Mirage''' (Classics Deluxe, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Gun/front spoiler

:''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Mirage was released in November 2006 in wave 2, along with the [[shortpacked]] [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. He transforms into a closed-canopy Formula racer concept car. Mirage's paint details contain a few ''Transformers'' in-jokes in the form of sponsor logos such as "[[Sparkplug Witwicky|Witwicky Sparkplugs]]" and "[[Lithone (planet)|Lithonian]] Drivetrain." Additionally, his racing number is still 26, as it was on the original toy. Other logos, which include "Plasma Injection Energy" and "F.P. Racing," refer to "pie" and the initials of [[Joe Kyde|the deco artist]]'s super-secret non-gay friendship cult, respectively.

:The front detaches to become a handheld electro-disruptor weapon which is said to be able to create illusions and allow him to appear invisible. (This is a reconciliation of Mirage's illusion-creation ability from his original tech spec profile and his invisibility power from the animated series.)

: This mold was also used to make [[Fracture]] and ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Drag Strip]].

{{-}}

*'''Hologram Mirage''' (BotCon, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Gun/front spoiler

:A redeco of Classics Mirage in translucent and opaque blue, Mirage was available only as a "freebie" gift to attendees at BotCon 2007.

{{-}}
===Binaltech===
* '''Rijie''' (e-Hobby exclusive, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-18'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/tonfa weapons

:Rijie is a redeco of ''Alternators'' Mirage using mostly transparent plastic. The toy was exclusively available from [[e-Hobby]] in September 2007.

:Even though Takara had briefly contemplated releasing a [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rodimus]] (Hot Rod) retool of Alternators Mirage as the next ''Binaltech'' toy after [[Ginrai]] (both toys would ultimately come out as part of the ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' line instead), they apparently never created any [[die-cast]] molds for the Ford GT sculpt. To justify the absence of diecast parts from a ''Binaltech'' toy, Takara decided to use clear plastic parts to represent an "invisible" mode, officially called an "Electro-Disrupter" {{sic}} mode on the packaging.

{{-}}
===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkei Mirage toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sculpted in 2006. Decoed in the late 70s.]]
*'''Ligier''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun/front spoiler

: ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]] Transformers'' Ligier is a redeco of ''Classics'' Mirage. In an effort to make him appear more accurate to Mirage's cartoon appearances, Ligier lacks most of the sponsorship tampographs that appeared on ''Classics'' Mirage. As with all ''Henkei'' toys, he lacks the heat-sensitive rubsign seen on the ''Classics'' version, but features [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] parts: his rear spoiler and his front spoiler.

{{-}}

*'''Electro Disruptor Ligier''' (Deluxe, 2009)

: Electro Disruptor Ligier is a translucent plastic version of ''Henkei'' Ligier offered as a mail-away exclusive to those who have bought the book [[Transformers Generations 2009|Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 1]].

==Merchandise==
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:RH Mirage vs Starscream.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm too rich to be cute.]]
** '''Mirage Vs Starscream''' (2007)

:Packaged with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], Mirage is a two-inch-high robot sculpted in super deformed style with articulation at the head and shoulders. The toy has a sculpted missile launcher, like the original character, but oddly it is resting on the figure's back instead of the shoulder. This mold was later redecod into ''Hologram'' Mirage.

{{-}}
[[Image:Hologram Robot Hero Mirage.jpg|right|150px|thumb|What he said.]]
** '''Decepticon Sneak Attack''' (2007)

:Hologram Mirage is a recolor of the two-pack Mirage cast in transparent blue with slightly different paint details. Most notably, the Autobot symbols on his arms have been replaced with part of the word "Citanes", to evoke the original toy. Mirage was packed with ''Metallic Finish'' Optimus Prime, ''Metallic Finish'' Megatron, Cliffjumper, and Skywarp. This pack was sold exclusively in Walmart, and Walmart.com.

{{-}}
==Trivia==
*Mirage is absent from the fictional events of 2005 and 2006 without explanation; a storyboarded scene from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' featuring Mirage was cut from the finished film. Amidst the transformation of [[Autobot City]], Mirage was to ambush the Insecticon [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] and then be fired upon by Megatron. Whether or not this would have killed Mirage is not made clear, but given the film's casual body count, it seems highly probable.
*Mirage has been a traitor/suspected traitor in nearly every continuity he's popped up in. You just can't trust those coastal elite.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.toybin.org/search.php?q=1984+Autobot+Mirage ToyBin Mirage Toy Gallery]
* [http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Mirage/mirage.htm Mirage at TFU.info]
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Mirage Mirage's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics characters]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Go-Bots]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: Henkei! Henkei! characters]]
[[Category:Machine Wars characters]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Robot Masters characters]]
[[Category:Spies]]

Trailbreaker (G1)

2009-07-28T06:41:33Z

124.188.181.95:

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambigr|Trailbreaker|the live-action movie-verse Autobot|Trailbreaker (Movie)}}

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

[[Image:Trailbreakerg1.jpg|right|240px|thumb|I may not be fast... but I'm effective and provide soothing relief.]]
It's hard not to like '''Trailbreaker'''. He's a good-humored cheerleader, always ready with a joke or comment to lighten the mood when things get dark. Sadly, Trailbreaker's joking is often a cover for his low self-esteem. His form is the most fuel-consumptive of the ''Ark'' crew, and his vehicle mode is very slow. As such, he feels like a useless drain on their limited resources. The Autobots know better, of course. Trailbreaker's good humor, bravery, and impenetrable [[force field]] are all of great use, but convincing him of that is hard, especially when he begins to mope about his handicaps.

:''Preliminary name:'' '''Guzzle'''
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Abre-alas'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Glouton''' (Glutton)
:''Hungarian name'': '''Ösvényvágó'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Pica-Trilhos'''
:''Italian name'': '''Tuono'''
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Kai Lu Xian Feng''' (开路先锋，"Vanguard")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
Trailbreaker was part of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s original crew, crashing to Earth four million years ago aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''.

''Trailbreaker joined a detachment of Autobots investigating robot sightings in Merry Ol' England. After making contact with a young boy named Sammy, the Autobots were caught by surprise when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] fire-bombed them from the sky. Trailbreaker was blasted before he could activate his force field. Like a freakin' drama queen, he went offline whimpering, "It's no good. Everything's gone... just plain ruined..." {{storylink|Man of Iron!}}''

Like many Autobots, Trailbreaker was too low on fuel to join Optimus and the others in what would've been their climactic battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] forces, and was taken prisoner without a fight when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] assumed command of the Decepticons and the ''Ark''. He was revived after [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] reclaimed the ''Ark'', however. When the Autobots went to recover Optimus Prime's head and restore their leader to functionality, Trailbreaker was one of many Autobots caught off-guard by the false Prime created by Shockwave and was shot down before he could raise his force field. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

''On another occasion, the Dinobot [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] was under the control of a human scientist and attacking the Autobots. Trailbreaker jumped in his path and tried to wrestle the pteranodon to the ground. Instead, he was lifted up and slammed into the cliffside...'cause he never turned on that force field. {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} During the Dinobot Hunt, Trailbreaker joined [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] in hunting [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] among the sands of the Black Rock Desert. They managed to collect him virtually without a fight once Snarl wandered into a secret military base and unleashed a molecular disintegrator bomb that ended his rampage. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}''

''When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his future Decepticons arrived in the present, the Autobot chain of command was crippled as Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and Ratchet vanished and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] was taken prisoner. [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] attempted to rise to command, accepting support from [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], but the Autobots were simply outclassed. Trailbreaker was part of a group of more than a half-dozen Autobots who collectively failed to bring down even one of Galvatron's lieutenants. In desperation, the Autobots turned to Megatron himself (who had quickly been disposed of by Galvatron when he first arrived) as a temporary ally and battlefield advisor. Under the Decepticon's direction, the Autobots staged a trap for the lone future Decepticon [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] in order to weaken Galvatron's power base. Unfortunately, Scourge's enhanced sensors detected the trap almost immediately, and his acid ray nailed Trailbreaker THROUGH a wall before the battle even began. (Too early to have activated that force field, huh?) Scourge was ultimately brought down, but Trailbreaker was left inactive for days until Ratchet was restored to the present and able to repair him. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

''Well, he was up and about soon enough, and accompanied Prowl and Jetfire on a mission to stop the Decepticons from accessing a NASA space transmission facility, only to get knocked around helplessly by [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and beaten to the ground long enough for the Decepticons to escape...all because he didn't turn on that slaggin' force field to protect himself. Remember, Trailbreaker? The force field? You're not built for speed or energy efficiency; you were built for power, specifically that one power that makes you ''special'' and ''unique''. Or is it "just plain ruined" these days? {{storylink|The Gift}}''

Trailbreaker's role in the war soon became greatly reduced, and he was more than likely destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] during the [[Underbase Saga]]. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

====Marvel UK future timelines====
''In 2008, Trailbreaker was one of the Autobots taken down and strung up by the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] when they invaded [[Autobot City]]. Some of the Autobots seen deactivated like this showed up alive later, and [[Time Wars]] probably wiped out the reason for the Quintesson attack in the first place, so Trailbreaker probably survived one way or another. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

===American cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Ken Shiroyama]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Trailbreakerdance.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Do a little dance...make a little love... get down tonight... I said get down tonight!]]
Trailbreaker was part of the bridge crew of the ''Ark'' spaceship when it blasted off from Cybertron to search for new sources of energy four million years in the past. When he was awakened in 1984, [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] reformatted him so that his alt-mode was a terrestrial Toyota 4WD camper truck. Trailbreaker accompanied his fellow Autobots on their first mission to stop the Decepticons on Earth, a mission that took him to an off-shore oil rig. The Decepticons plundered the rig for energon and destroyed it, leaving it a flaming wreck that endangered its human crew. Trailbreaker used his force field to contain the fire, while [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] used his built-in fire-suppression systems to douse the flames. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

Later, Trailbreaker served as a spy despite his stated function as defensive strategist. ([[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] was apparently busy that day.) He, along with the humans [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], camped out near the Decepticons' headquarters and eavesdropped on their plans to raid the ruby mines of Burma. Their surveillance did not go totally unnoticed, however, as a set of [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] spotted the Autobot making his getaway. Trailbreaker summoned the brothers [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] to fend off his pursuer and got the information safely back to Prime. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

When the Autobots began studying a meteorite that had fallen to Earth, Wheeljack discovered the sample fragment was highly unstable and summoned Optimus and Trailbreaker to his laboratory. On command, Trailbreaker unleashed his force field around the meteorite to contain the explosive blast. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

One time, when Megatron temporarily reprogrammed [[Gears]] to be a happy-go-lucky kind of Autobot, Trailbreaker was the one who voiced what everyone was thinking and said maybe they should just leave him that way. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

When the Dinobots attempted to demonstrate their newfound "finesse" to the other Autobots, [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] accidentally set fire to the ''Ark'', threatening Teletraan I. Thinking quickly, Trailbreaker projected his force field over the Autobot supercomputer, allowing [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] time to extinguish the blaze. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}}

On another occasion, the Autobots were forced to abandon Earth by Megatron aboard a spacecraft set on a course into the sun. After the Autobots discovered they couldn't alter their course, their ship exploded. Trailbreaker cast a massive force field large enough to contain the entire Autobot force safely; from within the field, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] towed the group back to Earth. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

After that, a Decepticon coup by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] resulted in a city being flooded. Trailbreaker used his force field to protect himself and a small group of Autobots from a large tidal wave. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

{{note|In storyboards for the movie, Trailbreaker's dead body is seen at the end of the Autobot City battle. However, this didn't make it into the final film, leaving his status after the battle up in the air.}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====Binaltech====
Trailbreaker was one of many Autobots who suffered from an outbreak of the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] virus after the Decepticons unleashed it on Earth. He was supposed to receive a new body thanks to the [[Central City (G1)|Central City]] Institute of Technology, but the Decepticons managed to infiltrate the Binaltech Project. Through the use of [[hypno-chip]]-controlled spies and pawns, Trailbreaker's new body was hijacked and used to upgrade the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] known as [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] instead.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
{{note|Events from the [[Keepers Trilogy|Keepers Trilogy]] novels are in italics.}}
Trailbreaker was present under the command of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] at the battle of [[Altihex]] when the Decepticons destroyed a building full of neutral Cybertonians. Unable to save the city, the Autobots helped evacuate civilians before retreating. When Decepticon Military Operations Commander [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] led a force of Decepticons against the Autobot capitol of [[Iacon]], Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who defended the capital. {{storylink|The War Within}}

When Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] disappeared in an accident with a [[space bridge]], the Autobot and Decepticon forces splintered into smaller factions. Trailbreaker stayed with the Autobots under the leadership of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. He was part of the group of reinforcements that helped battle the giant [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission on board the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. They were attacked by Megatron's ship, the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. After being boarded, the ''Ark'' crash-landed on [[Earth]], where all on board were preserved in emergency stasis. In 1984, a volcanic eruption awakened the ''Ark'''s computer, Teletraan I, and it repaired all on board.

Eventually, the combined forces of the Autobots on Earth and their human allies were able to capture the Decepticons. In 1999, a ship called the ''[[Ark II]]'' was built to take the Cybertonians back to Cybertron, along with some human companions, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertonians were lost in the ocean, again in stasis lock. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1}} Three years later, Spike Witwicky assisted the US "Defense Ministry" in reactivating Optimus Prime by placing a piece of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] into his chest. Optimus traveled to the remote Arctic shoreline where he'd been found after the crash and used the Matrix to revive Jazz, Mirage, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], Trailbreaker and Wheeljack from where they lay under the waves. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2}}

Shortly afterwards, the Autobots assisted the US military in rescuing the survivors of the Smitco Oil Refinery attack. When Optimus Prime learned the attackers were Autobots and Decepticons under the control of terrorist arms dealer [[Adam Rook]], he asked his Autobots to accompany him to fight for '''Great JUSTICE.''' Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who agreed to come along, stating that Prime only needed to point him in the right direction. Trailbreaker participated in the battle at Rook's destroyed base when [[General Hallo]] double-crossed them and attempted to destroy all the Transformers with a low-yield nuclear weapon. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3}}

[[Image:DW Trailbreaker Devastatorstomp.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Devastator crush puny Autobot... and make scale joke while crushing. Har har har!]]
After the Autobots extricated themselves from the nuke-absorbing hardened virus shell, Trailbreaker helped rescue the captive Autobots Megatron was using to fuel his technovirus. After Ironhide informed the other Autobots of Megatron's imminent attack on [[San Francisco]], they flew there and engaged the Decepticons. Trailbreaker smashed Grimlock in the face with a steel girder and informed the former Dinobot commander that he'd made the wrong choice in leaving the Autobots and was now going to pay. Unfortunately, Superion was taken down by the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], prompting Trailbreaker to join Optimus Prime, Sideswipe and Megatron in a moment of [[dull surprise]], gaping at Devastator as if they had never seen him before. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4}}

As Jazz and the Autobots in [[Canada]] were preparing to deal with the technovirus, Trailbreaker frantically radioed them for backup, reporting that Superion was down. As he was distracted, Devastator attempted to stomp on the Autobot. Trailbreaker caught the foot in time, but was crushed into the pavement. He was later retrieved and placed into restraint by the Decepticons as Megatron attempted to convince Optimus Prime to join his cause to wipe out the humans and rule the universe. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5}} Once Prime managed to free the Autobots with assistance from human firefighters, Trailbreaker resumed his assault on Grimlock by sending him flying with a punch. After Superion sacrificed himself to save San Francisco from General Hallo's unauthorized nuclear strike, Trailbreaker called Optimus over when he and Sideswipe discovered the abandoned Grimlock under rubble. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6}}

''While the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] were invading Earth, the Transformers also had to deal with an over-reaching American President who wanted to destroy all the Cybertronians. He offered the Autobots his help in setting up an ambush for the Decepticons, but Prime and his advisors quickly realized the President planned to eliminate all of them. Taking what seemed to be the lesser of two evils at the moment, the Autobots forged an alliance with the Decepticons before travelling to the ambush site. Trailbreaker was among the Autobot soldiers Optimus chose for the battle. He fought against the military forces and apparently survived the attack of the [[deconstructionite]]s relatively unharmed. {{storylink|Fusion (novel)|Fusion}}''

Months later, the united Cybertronian army arrived on Earth, demanding the surrender of all combatant Autobots and Decepticons. Trailbreaker suffered serious injuries battling [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and the Seekers and had to be placed in a [[CR chamber|CR chamber]] for repairs on the flight back to Cybertron. He fought alongside the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew and the various insurgency groups on Cybertron to reclaim [[Iacon]] for the Autobots and force Shockwave out of power. {{storylink|War and Peace}} Afterwards, he joined Prowl and the rest of the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s old crew in returning to Earth to work on the construction of a new Autobot City.

===''Universe''===
[[Image:Rattrap legs.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Gah! Someone call an exterminator!]]
Hundreds of years later, Trailbreaker and fellow Autobots [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Roulette]] and [[Shadow Striker]] arrived on the newly technorganic Cybertron roughly one year after the defeat of [[Megatron (BW)|this era's Megatron]]. They were welcomed by the surviving members of [[Optimus Primal]]'s band of [[Maximals]], including [[Rattrap]], who offered to share a vintage keg of [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's Old Oil]] with the Autobot veteran. Unfortunately, Trailbreaker did not have an opportunity to take Rattrap up on his offer, because immediately afterwards, he and his associates were abducted by [[Unicron]] and teleported to the [[Cauldron]]. There, they were rebuilt against their will into new bodies... except Trailbreaker, because why mess with success? {{storylink|Abduction}}

[[Image:Optimusprimaluniverseend.jpg|left|150px|thumb|You've got me? Who's got you?!]]
{{storylink|Escape (issue)|Escape}}
[[Optimus Primal|Optimus Primal]] led the [[Children of Primus|Children of Primus]], which included Trailbreaker, into a final fight with the [[Minions of Unicron]] on the surface of Unicron himself. However, as their victory was imminent, Unicron began to dissolve beneath their very feet, and [[King Atlas]] had to carry Trailbreaker and [[Roulette]] to safety, through a transwarp portal back to their native Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

===Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers continuity===
Trailbreaker was among the Transformers discovered on Earth by [[Cobra]], and reworked into a piloted death mechanism. The Transformers were eventually freed, and the Autobots fought both their Decepticon enemies and their Cobra oppressors. During the battle, Storm Shadow ripped Trailbreaker's head off, and, uhhh, well, anyway, that was it for Trailbreaker. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:MegsOrigin4 Trailbreaker.jpg|left|150px|thumb|I STILL SUPPORT THE RAILING SYSTEMMMMmmmmm!]]
Trailbreaker (along with nearly every other Autobot, apparently) served in the Autobot Security Forces under the command of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. He participated in the battle of [[Kaon]] where the criminal known as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] began a rampage with his army of convicts. Trailbreaker grabbed [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] as the criminal was flying away, only to be kicked off for his trouble, falling to his apparent demise... {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4}}

[[Image:SpotlightKup Trailbreaker.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Mommy told me never to open the door to strangers.]]
Except he survived. Many years later, Trailbreaker was a specialist called in by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to extract a deranged [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] safely from the planet where he had crash-landed. The planet possessed a radiation which was dangerous to Transformers without special protective covering, causing Kup, in his delusions, to believe his rescuers were monsters trying to attack him. Trailbreaker's force fields allowed him to walk on the planet without any protective gear, and his appearance shocked Kup for long enough that he could save the old bot's spark core from meltdown. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

Later, he was one of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s old friends who took time off duty to greet the return of "The Voice". {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

More than a year later, Trailbreaker had joined the crew of the ''[[Ark-19]]'' and several other Autobots in the ruins of Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}} His primary role appears to be playing bodyguard to [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], making sure nobody lynches the guy for being a suspected traitor. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Trailbreaker toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|If your vehicle mode looks like this, you might be a redneck!]]
* '''Trailbreaker''' (1984, 2001, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''25'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 "Twin Blasters", 2 missiles, radar scanner, 2 fists (left & right)

: Trailbreaker transforms in a Toyota 4WD Hi-Lux camper truck. In robot mode, both of his lower arms are projectile launchers, able to load and fire either his fists or his projectiles, which consist of two [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] silver missiles and two silver "twin blasters". The [[Hasbro]] version of the toy severely weakened the springs [[for safety reasons]].

: This mold was later [[retool]]ed to make [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]].

: In 2001, Trailbreaker was given a short-run reissue (limited to only 1,000 pieces) by Takara as a convention-exclusive item, bundled together with Hoist. Since this toy was never reissued by Hasbro, it remained one of the more elusive reissues by Takara, until his 2008 ''[[Encore]]'' reissue. Of note, this reissue gives him a blue visor.

===Other attempts===
There are quite a few Transformers toys that were at one point in their development supposed to be a new form for (or tribute to) Trailbreaker, but so far all of these have become other characters with other names, most likely due to [[Hasbro]]'s inability to secure the [[trademark]].

Trailbreaker's appearance in the [[3H Productions|3H]] [[Universe (2003 comic)|Universe comics]] stems from early plans to release a Trailbreaker redeco of the [[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]] [[X-Brawn]] mold as a convention exclusive in 2003. Reportedly, Hasbro themselves also had the same idea for the mass retail Universe Deluxe assortment, but due to the aforementioned reasons, the toy was ultimately given a different deco and released as [[Ratchet (Universe)|Autobot Ratchet]] instead.

Later, a [[redeco]] of the [[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]] [[Spychanger]] [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]] was released as a Wal*Mart exclusive under the [[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]] banner, a black pickup truck with the distinctive red and yellow stripes from Trailbreaker's original toy. Ultimately, this toy would be released as [[Ironhide (Universe)|Ironhide]] instead.

The next attempt was in the [[Alternators]] line, the toy that would eventually become [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and later [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]]. A [[retool]] of the [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] Jeep Wrangler toy, its head is a cross between the original Trailbreaker toy's helmet and the cartoon model's face, surprisingly similar to [[Dan Khanna]]'s rendition of the character in 3H's Universe comics. A black and white version of a proposed color guide for the unreleased Trailbreaker version of the mold was depicted in the Japanese ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'' book.

Finally, the [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]] Autobot [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] was originally going to be called "Trailbreaker", and the head mold was to have more elements from the Generation 1 character's design. These plans were again scrapped, but the character's upgraded form, '''Leobreaker''', retains the "breaker" portion of the name, since "Leohaul" sounds really silly.

==Merchandise==
[[Image:MovieTrailbreaker3DCard.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Admit it. That head peeking up from the truck mode is hilarious.]]
===3D Battle-Card Game===
*'''Trailbreaker''' (2007)

: A 26-point "common" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game|3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Trailbreaker "transforms" into a black pickup truck with a camper shell. He uses the same parts layout as [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]].

:The Battle-Card may or may not actually represent [[Trailbreaker (Movie)|the live-action movie version of Trailbreaker]], as the design is clearly in the live-action movie aesthetic (and a version of the Trailbreaker character exists in the "movie" universe anyway). The card's listed abilities {{m-}} an Invisible Force Field and a Radio Jammer {{m-}} line up with Trailbreaker's G1 abilities, however, so who knows.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
[[Image:DiacloneTrailbreaker.jpg|thumb|250px]]
* Trailbreaker's mold was originally a ''[[Diaclone]]'' "4WD Hi-Lux", available in three different colors; black, blue or yellow. The blue version was sold by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] in North America as the ''[[Diakron]]'' "DK-3" Car/Robot in 1983, seemingly just a few months before the toy would be rebranded as a Transformer.

* Trailbreaker laid some serious smackdown on Grimlock in the ''Prime Directive'' miniseries. He was shown laying the Dinobot commander out with a steel girder, went on to survive being stood on by Devastator, and then resumed kicking Grimlock's skid plate, knocking him off his feet with a single punch, and then leaving him buried in rubble only to be left behind by Megatron. So much for being a liability. Shockwave was incredibly lucky that he didn't face him in the next volume.

* In "[[A Prime Problem]]", Optimus Prime (the ''real'' one, that is) mistakenly refers to Trailbreaker as "'''Trailblazer'''".

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Trailbreaker/trailbreaker.htm Trailbreaker at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Trailbreaker Trailbreaker's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]
[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]

Ironhide (G1)

2009-07-28T06:39:33Z

124.188.181.95:

{{disambig3|Ironhide}}
{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|maximal}}
:''Ironhide is an [[Autobot]] and a [[Maximal]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Ironhideg1guido.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Properly pronounced "Arn-hahhhd".]]
'''Ironhide''' is one of the oldest and toughest Autobots, and has been on [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s team for a long time. "They don't make them like they used to" is an apt description of Ironhide—he's yesterday's model, but he's built to last.

Gruff and ornery, he prefers actions to words, and dislikes talk for talk's sake. (He wouldn't enjoy being paired up with [[Bluestreak]].) But though he may be rough around the edges, he's still optimistic and upbeat. The upside to being through more than your share of trouble means trouble ain't so big a scare anymore.

Ironhide's most distinctive ability is the [[water gun]], a weapon which can generate and shoot a liquid of virtually any type. Liquid nitrogen is historically a favorite, but there have been acids, mortar, and more.

{{quote|When are we gonna start bustin' Deceptichops?|Ironhide's version of diplomacy|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

:''Hungarian name'': '''Acélfej''' ("Steel-head")
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comics):'' '''Arma-de-Ferro'''
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comics):'' '''Couraça'''
:''Italian name'': '''Falco''' (''Rock me, Primadeus!'')
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Rhino'''
:''Hungarian Movie name'': '''Vaskezű''' ("Ironhand")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Tie Pi''' (铁皮, “Iron Skin/Hide")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Ironhideg1firstappearance.jpg|left|150px|thumb|HAY GUYS CAN I HAVE A CHARACTER MODEL PLEASE KTHANX]]
Four million years ago, when the war was still young, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] fought an uphill battle against the Decepticons. Ironhide was beside him when Optimus Prime, despite being wounded, refused to raise the white flag, and due to their courage, the tide of the war was turned. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

Ironhide was chosen to join the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark ]]'' mission to save Cybertron from an asteroid belt—a mission that saw him stranded on [[Earth]] for four million years. Upon reactivation in 1984, Ironhide immediately began bickering with [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} [[Image:Ironhidehufferlaststand.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Phew. There we go.]] This rivalry continued when it was discovered that the [[human]] [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] had created useable fuel for the Decepticons during his kidnapping. Huffer demanded Sparkplug pay for his treason, while Ironhide suggested sympathy. However, this argument only provided a distraction for Sparkplug and his son, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] to escape; this attempt was aborted when Sparkplug suffered a heart attack. Soon, the Decepticons, fully refueled, came for the ''Ark'', and Ironhide was one of just five Autobots selected to fight the invasion, using pooled fuel from his comrades. Their near-victory was robbed from them when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] arrived, surprising everyone, and blasted the surviving Autobots into spare parts. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

Ironhide was next seen being hung from the ceiling of the Ark, prepared by Shockwave to be used as spare parts for the next generation of Decepticons. {{storylink|The New Order}} [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], the only surviving Autobot, returned to the Ark in secret to see this for himself; indeed, Ironhide and the others still hung deactivated. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} Ratchet managed to re-secure the Ark, and Ironhide was subsequently rebuilt. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} Ironhide would be one of the first Autobots to battle the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] when his team attempted to destroy a transmission from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to his Decepticon comrades back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Ironhide also suffered damage at the hands of a Decepticon-controlled [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] body shortly before their fallen leader was restored to them. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[Image:Ironhidetarget2006.jpg|left|150px|thumb|When Ironhide's in charge, he nominates Megatron to take over. Scary, huh?]]
''Once repaired, he worked alongside [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] in the Dinobot Hunt, initially distrusting and clashing with him because of his Decepticon origins. He learnt to trust him during the mission. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} He at one point broke protocol to single-handedly break a terrorist siege, only to become frustrated when the police almost ruined it. {{storylink|Perchance to Dream}} Later on, he would be dispatched as a bodyguard for [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] to prevent any reprisal attacks from the Decepticons—he had a more successful rematch against the Constructicons, and was also happily introduced to the wonders of demolition derbies. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}''

''When the time-travelling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] arrived in 1986 and Optimus Prime, Ratchet, and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] were both lost in [[Limbo]], Ironhide was one of the Autobots who battled the Decepticon. It went so poorly that the beaten and humiliated Ironhide was desperate enough to salvage the similarly-defeated [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to temporarily take command of the Autobots.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

Ironhide would go on to fight against [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s forces on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] shortly before the crews of the ''Ark'' and the ''Steelhaven'' joined under one banner. {{storylink|Totaled!}} ''He was briefly seen fighting alongside the Transformers of two eras against Galvatron during the Time Wars. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
''While in stasis aboard the ''Ark'', Ironhide was hacked into by an alternate Galvatron, who was looking for potential soldiers with dark sides he could corrupt. As a result, Ironhide was reactivated and helped stop Galvatron. {{storylink|Perchance to Dream}} He went on to be a founding member of [[Earthforce]], fighting against Megatron & Shockwave's rival Decepticon armies. {{storylink|Break-Away!}}''

''In his first mission, alongside [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], he used his knowledge of Decepticon [[automated defense ring]]s & riddles to get into a Decepticon facility and end their attempts at creating a new [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}} Later, he was present at the Decepticon [[Enclave]], and came up with a devious plan to stop Megatron & Shockwave from uniting their two factions. Knocking out [[Headstrong]] and using him as a patsy, Ironhide and the other Autobots faked a sniper attack on Megatron, prompting the Decepticons to shoot back at the rock cropping where they were hiding. The Autobots then dropped Headstrong off the ledge as if he'd been hit, framing him and Shockwave's army for trying to assassinate Megatron. The Enclave quickly turned into a [[Ruckus (G1)|ruckus]]. A [[Brawl (G1)|brawl]]. A [[Mixmaster (G1)|mixmas]]-no, wait. That one doesn't work. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}}''

''Ironhide also joined Earthforce and the [[Survivors]] in taking down the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}} While fighting to protect Starscream from Decepticon assassins, in order to get a systems boost for [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'s fading health, Ironhide had to fight against Megatron. He took several hits from the [[fusion cannon]], going down and leaving the fight to the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil}} Perhaps looking to sharpen his skills, Ironhide was next seen working out with Jazz in the Combat Room against a robot drone. {{storylink|Front Line!}}''

=====''Another Time and Place''=====
Ironhide was part of a commando unit sent to [[Hydrus Four]] after the Dinobots. He and a small group of Autobots surprised [[Fangry]] and tore him limb from limb. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
When Optimus Prime and Grimlock discovered the threat of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], they called in Autobots scattered across the galaxy, including Ironhide. And, when Grimlock chose to disobey Prime's directives and make a tactical first strike against [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s ships, Ironhide went with him. They were quickly found out and captured, though, leaving it to Optimus to bail them out of trouble. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Later, when Prime had the brilliant idea that Megatron would be willing to "just talk" after laying waste to much of the planet Earth, Ironhide joined the rescue party Grimlock threw together to bail him out. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} He was also involved in the defense of [[Ethos]]. Ironhide took several shots to the chest while protecting that world, and was apparently killed. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

===Cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Cullen]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Ironhideg1.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Holy crap. He'll chew you up and spit out rivets.]]
Ironhide was part of the bridge crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it embarked on its fateful voyage to seek out new sources of energy beyond [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] four million years ago. It crashed on Earth, and all aboard were in stasis until 1984, when a volcanic eruption awakened the dormant Transformers. Ironhide was reformatted by [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] so that his alt-mode was a terrestrial Nissan van. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} In addition to his role in maintaining the security of the Autobot headquarters on Earth, Ironhide would embark on numerous missions to stop the Decepticons on their energy-raiding strikes around the planet. When the Decepticons churned the currents of the river blocked by Sherman Dam to raise its energy output, it resulted in high tides that threatened the surrounding neighborhoods. Ironhide, with the help of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], used his built-in laser cannon in van mode to cut a new series of tributaries for the raging river to flow into. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

Later, when the Decepticons escaped being buried in the [[Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma|Burma ruby mines]], a flustered Ironhide took to the air in pursuit. He even managed to score a rocket strike against [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], which only earned him a similar strike in return. Ironhide crash-landed into a lake, where he suffered back-end damage to his linkages. The immobilized Ironhide was fished out of the lake by [[Bluestreak]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and he recovered under the ministrations of Doc [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

{{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} {{storylink|Roll for It}}

After [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] suffered a debilitating attack and needed a replacement part from Cybertron to survive, Ironhide led the team that recovered the part and escaped Decepticon attack. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

{{storylink|Fire in the Sky}} {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

During an assault on the Incan temple, Ironhide was shot by the [[Crystal of Power]] energy weapon during his first charge up the temple steps. After the second charge, he made it to the top, tackled Megatron, and pounded him in the face. Megatron overpowered Ironhide and threw him off the temple, right into the waiting arms of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain}}

As a dangerous meteorite hit Earth, Ironhide saved Chip and Spike from a rain of meteorite debris. Later, Ironhide helped in the construction of two new Dinobots, Snarl and Swoop, and then tried to fight them during the first test of their abilities. His attempt to overpower Snarl by hanging on to his tail was not successful. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

{{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}}

When [[Mount St. Hilary]] erupted due to Cybertron’s proximity to earth, Ironhide plugged the eruption by causing an avalanche. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}}

{{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}} {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}} {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

When Autobot X went berserk, Ironhide vowed to teach the pile of parts some manners. With the help of Prowl and Trailbreaker, Ironhide put the mismatched robot down by force. Later, during battle at the Air Force rocket base, Spike was targeted by Megatron and injured from a fusion canon blast. Ironhide pulled Spike from Bumblebee’s damaged form and put him inside Ratchet for transport to the hospital. {{storylink|Autobot Spike}}

In Africa and out of options, Optimus volunteered himself to penetrate the forcefield around Megatron's solar needle. Ironhide volunteered to go in Prime’s place, declaring himself to be more expendable than the Autobot leader. He later called Megatron a "monster" for changing Gears’ personality from a cranky hypochondriac into a happy-go-lucky pushover. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

Ironhide was part of the team that found Optimus Prime’s missing arm and weapon on top of the rebuilt [[Empire State Building]]. Ironhide used a grappling hook inside his arm so he, Prime, and Ratchet could scale the outside of the building. Devastator swatted Ironhide and Ratchet into the building interior, and the duo used the opportunity to shoot out the floor under Megatron and Soundwave. When Optimus and Devastator fell and were plummeting to the ground, Ironhide saved Prime from hitting the pavement. {{storylink|City of Steel}}

[[Image:TheImmobilizer Ironhide firingwildly.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Ah'm here fer laser fire an' bubble gum, and ah'm plum outta bubble gum!"]]
On a later mission, Ironhide was assigned guard duty while the rest of the Autobots tested [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s new device, the [[immobilizer]]. Distracted by a visit from [[Carly]], Ironhide soon learned that the Decepticons ambushed Optimus Prime and the Autobots and stole the new device. Blaming himself, Ironhide resigned from active duty, a resignation Prime accepted with some trepidation. While still "retired" Ironhide swam down to Decepticon headquarters to rescue the captured Carly, was immobilized, then re-mobilized, recovered the immobilizer from Megatron, helped save the Autobots, then destroyed the device. His request to be put on active duty again was wholeheartedly received by his friends. Ironhide, together with [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]], proudly watched as Spike went on a date with Carly. {{storylink|The Immobilizer}}

Spike and Chip suggested the Autobots participate in a race for charity, and Ironhide voiced his approval of the idea. During the race, he and the other Autobots were subjected to Megatron’s [[Transfixatron]] and were trapped in vehicle mode. Taken prisoner by Megatron, Ironhide was the first to be subjected to a crushing machine built by the Constructicons, but he was saved when Optimus Prime rammed it. After the Transfixatron effect was reversed, Ironhide and Trailbreaker pounded the device into pieces. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

{{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}} {{storylink|Day of the Machines}} {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

Ironhide's experience and wisdom often came in handy. He stopped the Autobots from firing on and destroying the real Optimus Prime after they were fooled by Megatron's [[Optimus Prime clone]]. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}}

{{storylink|The Core}} {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}} {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

Ironhide could be a hothead at times. Duped by Megatron’s hoax, Shawn Berger brought his private army to arrest the Autobots. Ironhide was ready to trash tanks, but Optimus Prime stopped him and surrendered to the humans – a move with which Ironhide did not agree. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Later, when humans banned the Autobots from earth for crimes they didn't commit, the Autobots ended up on a spaceship heading to parts unknown. Ironhide blamed Optimus Prime for their predicament and almost led a mutiny. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

Evidently, Ironhide doesn’t pay close attention to his passengers since both Soundwave and Ravage once hid inside him. He only realized the subterfuge when Blaster and Ravage were fighting in his back end. Later, Ironhide gave Jazz a literal kick start when cybertonium depletion kept him from transforming. The effects of the depletion affected Ironhide himself during the next fight as he tried to shoot liquid nitrogen at the Decepticons. When his hand wouldn’t retract, Ironhide himself froze solid. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}}

{{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} {{storylink|Blaster Blues}} {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon}} {{storylink|Make Tracks}} {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}} {{storylink|Quest for Survival}} {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} {{storylink|Prime Target}}

[[Image:TheSearchforAlphaTrion Ironhide acidblasts.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"An internal liquid chemical factory, and I'm shootin' TANG?!"]]
Ironhide led another Autobot team to Cybertron to follow and find Optimus Prime after he left, without telling anyone, to rescue [[Elita One]]. When his team arrived via the [[space bridge]], Starscream announced that he had killed Prime by melting him down in a vat of acid. Ironhide angrily ordered the Autobots to attack and avenge their fallen leader. During the battle, they met up with Elita One's [[Female Autobots|squad]], which gave Ironhide a chance to reunite with his old gal [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

{{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

[[Image:TFTM Ironhide dies.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Megatron prepares to kitbash a toy-accurate Ironhide.]]
Ironhide also had little patience for [[Aerialbot (G1)|younger Autobots]] who thought they knew better than him or Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

{{storylink|War Dawn}} {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} {{storylink|Masquerade}} {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}

In the year 2005, Ironhide was on a shuttle along with a group of other Autobots headed for Earth when the shuttle was attacked by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and a team of [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Ironhide bravely fought off the Decepticons, but was not powerful enough to stop the enemy, and he was mercilessly killed by Megatron, for indulging in heroic nonsense. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Ironhide's grave was later mentioned aboard the interstellar [[Autobot Mausoleum]] amongst those of the other Autobots who died during the [[Battle of Autobot City|attack]] on [[Autobot City]]. Along with the mausoleum itself, Ironhide's remains were later plunged into a red sun as a side-effect of a [[Quintesson]] plot. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
{{note|Events from the [[Keepers Trilogy]] novels are in italics.}}
Ironhide and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] go way back, having served together with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] as a commando unit as far back as Sentinel Prime's service. {{storylink|The War Within}} They even broke off from the main Autobot faction during Prime's absence in the Dark Ages, choosing to serve Grimlock and his [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] rather than work under [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]].

Nobody likes Prowl. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

He was part of the ''Ark'''s original crew four million years ago, and awoke with the rest of them in 1984. After the crash of the ''[[Ark II]]'', however, Ironhide was among the Transformers secretly acquired by [[Lazarus]] as a potential weapon of mass destruction for sale. He was tortured and heavily damaged by the Decepticons when they broke Lazarus' control over them, and was unable to immediately aid Prime and the others against Megatron. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4}}

''When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] returned from an alien world with the malevolent [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] in tow, Ironhide was one of the first Autobots who joined them in the fight against the invaders. The Keepers had taken residence in [[Las Vegas]], Nevada, and a united force of Autobots and Decepticons descended on the city in the hopes of stopping the aliens before the United States government unleashed a nuclear strike. When Optimus Prime used an energon pool to supercharge himself and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], Ironhide and the other Autobots joined their own energon with Prime to enhance his efforts. Through their combined energies, the nuclear missile was averted and the Keepers were displaced into the Void. {{storylink|Annihilation}}''

''After the battle, Optimus Prime was forced by a debt of honor to hand over the Matrix to Megatron, a decision which didn't sit well with many of the Autobots. Ironhide did his best to defend his leader's actions against the likes of [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], but even he had trouble justifying the decision. Ironhide also joined the Autobots in confronting the American military in the Nevada desert, where the President attempted to have them assassinated. The military used [[Deconstructionite|deconstructionites]], reverse-engineered Cybertronian technology in the form of tiny microchips that literally sapped away the Transformers' strength. Ironhide was the first of the Autobots to fall before this assault, and had to be hauled to safety inside Prime's trailer segment. {{storylink|Fusion (novel)|Fusion}}''

[[Image:PassiveAggression-KupIronhidereunite.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Old people ''never'' stop doing it. Now try to get that out of your brain!]]

Sometime after Ironhide was repaired, the Autobots again confronted the Decepticons, this time over a mysterious shuttle pod that landed in Northern Canada. [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] got the drop on Ironhide during the fight, riddling his backside with explosive shells. The feisty security agent had to be dragged off the battlefield so that Ratchet could perform the necessary repairs back at base. {{storylink|New World Order}} In the meantime, a force of United Cybertronians arrived on Earth and demanded that Prime and his crew surrender themselves into protective custody, in order to prevent them from rekindling the war which had been over on Cybertron now for centuries. Leaving behind a skeleton crew to watch over Earth, Optimus Prime, Ironhide and the other Autobots allowed [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and his operatives to bring them back to their home planet. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} On Cybertron, Optimus Prime was separated from the other Autobots, and Ironhide's team was covertly brought by [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] to the Autobot resistance. Many Autobots on Cybertron questioned the beneficence of their "commander", [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], and had organized into several insurgency cells. Ironhide and Prowl met with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]'s unit, who in turn brought them in touch with Optimus and second unit led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and Kup. Ironhide quickly exchanged greetings (and a few good-natured insults) with his war-buddy Kup. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} With the ''Ark'''s crew at hand, the insurgency took to the streets, fighting back against Shockwave and his "[[Guardian robot|Dark Guardians]]". Ironhide joined [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and Hot Rod on the front lines during the advance. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

In the days that followed, Ironhide, Prowl and Kup attempted to coordinate things on Cybertron, but gratefully stepped aside once Ultra Magnus had finished his repair cycle. {{storylink|Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire}} The ''Ark'''s old crew then made plans to return to Earth and construct a new Autobot City as their base of operations on that planet. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:MegatronOrigin4 Ironhide fightin Thrust.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Get over here you—you—what the frag are you?"]]
Back before the war, Ironhide was part of the Security Services. He attended the funeral of [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback]] with [[Chromia (G1)|a familiar fembot]], and listened to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s eulogy/rally call. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3}} He was on the streets with Sentinel Prime and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] during the Battle of [[Kaon]], when the Autobots tried to halt the rebel Decepticons. Ironhide was dishing out justice the old fashioned way—with his fists. He was with the Autobots that contacted [[Iacon]] when Sentinel's body was deposited in front of them, and Prowl ordered an evacuation. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4}}

[[Image:Infiltration2 Ironhide.jpg|left|150px|thumb|He's looking for the man who shot his pa.]]
During the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Ironhide never advanced beyond to a high rank, mostly due to the Autobots apparently ignoring him, something which had been eating away at him throughout the war. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8}}

In the modern era, Ironhide was second-in-command (under Prowl) of a detachment of Autobots that had operated covertly on [[Earth]] for at least four years, attempting to foil a [[Infiltration protocol|Decepticon insurgency]]. Although more bound to the regulations than [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], he was still willing to bend the chain of command for the right reasons, and sent a pulsewave to Optimus Prime behind Prowl's back. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 3}} When Ratchet and Bumblebee's unauthorized recce uncovered evidence of the Decepticons' previous operations and reported Megatron's appearance, Prowl turned to the experienced Ironhide for tactical advice. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 5}}

[[Image:Escalation2 Ironhide ANGRY.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ironhide's holomatter avatar is a pissed-off old man. Fitting.]]
After Optimus Prime arrived on Earth, Ironhide was assigned the task of escorting a trio of humans back from the Autobots to their homes alongside [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] who was carrying [[Hunter O'Nion|Hunter]], while he transported [[Jimmy Pink|Jimmy]] and [[Verity Carlo|Verity]]. He became separated from Sunstreaker, who was immobilized and seemingly destroyed in an ambush by the [[Machination|a mysterious human organization]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 1}} Once it was revealed that the debris recovered from the Machination was not that of Sunstreaker, Ironhide suggested himself for the search mission to find Sunstreaker's whereabouts, as he felt he owed it to him, but his wishes were dismissed by Optimus Prime. Prowl was mondo-pissed that Ironhide went around the chain of command and banished him to base duty while the other Autobots who had not (yet) pissed Prowl off left for [[Brasnya]] to confront the Decepticons. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3}} Proving his willingness to break the rules if needed, Ironhide disobeyed his orders to remain and monitor Decepticon activity, joining Ratchet, Verity and Jimmy in their attempts to uncover the fate of Sunstreaker and Hunter. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4}} However, while removing Verity and Jimmy from a building that was due to explode, Ironhide was caught in the explosion and went M.I.A. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6}}

After Optimus Prime returned from his meeting with [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] learned that Ironhide was due to be crushed and compacted at a human dump and went to rescue him. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1}} They ran into some [[Headmaster (technology)|problems]] on the way there, however. They prevailed, and after Optimus Prime received word of the incident on [[Garrus-9]], he ordered [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] to retrieve Hot Rod and the others. Hot Rod refused to go though, wanting to see the Headmaster mystery to the end. Hardhead reluctantly let him go and took Wheeljack and Ironhide back with him. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6}}

[[Image:Ironhidepuncheseveryone.jpg|left|200px|thumb|And he's not done yet!.]]
One year later, Ironhide was among the battered Autobots hiding out on Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}}

Holding a deep suspicion that Mirage had sold them out to the Decepticons, Ironhide came to blows (or really, blow) with Prowl over the issue before Jazz told him to walk it off. Later, Jazz talked to Ironhide about it, and the latter revealed his deep regret at Optimus Prime's current condition. [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] soon asked Ironhide to accompany him to check out an emergency message from Wheeljack and Bumblebee, who were out on a scouting patrol. The two ran across Hot Rod, (well really, Ironhide's fist ran across Hot Rod's face), who seemed delighted to find other Autobots on Cybertron, having thought the planet was deserted. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4}}

Not long after Kup and his Autobot squad joined up with Prime's battered unit, Ironhide met with [[Roadbuster]] and tried to attempt to tell him the truth about why they got here, but the appearance of the [[Insecticon Swarm|Insecticon swarm]] rendered it moot. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}} After getting Energon from the ''[[Trion]]'' and taking a rest, Ironhide noticed Sunstreaker storming out of a building. When Sunstreaker told him about his brother complaining about being a jerk toward Mirage along with, Ironhide couldn't take it anymore. Cornering Mirage, Ironhide proceeded to beat him senseless, leaving him in serious condition. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}}

After being chewed out by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and being reminded of his past troubles, the conversation ended when the Swarm caught up to them. When the Autobots drove to a bridge to lure the Swarm there, so that they could blow it up and prevent them from advancing, Ironhide noticed Sunstreaker standing on the bridge. When Ironhide asked him what he was doing, Sunstreaker revealed to him that he was the real traitor, having made a deal with Starscream (which Starscream reneged on his behalf). Before more could be said, both were taken down by the Swarm. Thankfully, [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] came and rescued Ironhide, just as Sunstreaker blew up the bridge, killing him and nearly all the Swarm along with him. Upset, Ironhide went to rest and recover. While recovering, Drift came and told him that there was more to this than Sunstreaker alone. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8}}

===IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics===
Ironhide served on the Maximal Imperium, alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]. Leadership seemd to have robbed him of a bit of his gusto, although according to [[Big Convoy]] he was 'right honorable'. Ironhide, Prowl and Silverbolt sent [[Ikard]] to request a report from Big Convoy, but he refused, citing his need to investigate the [[Angolmois]]-fueled murders. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 2}}

===IDW ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' continuity===
Ironhide participated in the pursuit of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (his name is written on the side of his altmode, a military boxcar), and partially transformed from artillery boxcar mode to robot mode in order to shoot down [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. He is the only Autobot other than [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] to speak in the whole story, and he only gets one line: "The name is Ironhide.". {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4}}

{{note|For unclear reasons, in the trade paperback collection, the Autobot who shoots down Scourge identifies himself as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], not Ironhide. Ironhide is present, but does not speak or act.}}

===''Timelines: Descent into Evil'' comic===
[[Image:Ratchetironhidedescent.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Amazingly not dead.]]
Years after the Autobot-Decepticon Wars ended, Ironhide and five other Autobots were sent to [[Ceti Alpha Seven]] to destroy General [[Deathsaurus]]'s [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] clone lab and stop his planned Decepticon uprising. After a team of four (consisting of [[Outback|Fallback]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], [[Flareup (Timelines)|Flareup]], and [[Ricochet (Descent into Evil)|Ricochet]]) failed, Ironhide and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] followed to help. After battling swarms of [[Virulent Clones]] and [[Buzzclaw (Timelines)|Buzzclaw]], they finally met up with Deathsaurus himself. Ironhide stayed to fight the general, and Ratchet separated to find their fallen friends. However, Ironhide was shot in the back by [[Flamewar]] and he went into stasis lock. Ironhide woke up restrained inside Deathsaurus' lab with Ratchet, while Deathsaurus appeared to them on a monitor and told them he planned to destroy the lab by remote. Before the lab could detonate, Ricochet snuck in and freed them, allowing them to gather their fallen and escape. {{storylink|Descent into Evil}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===

{{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 7|Henkei! Henkei! #7}}

{{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9|Henkei! Henkei! #9}}

{{storylink|Mirage's Rebirth}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
{{main|Ironhide (G1)/toys}}
==Merchandise==
{{main|Ironhide (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Trivia==
*It has been speculated by some fans that, in cartoon continuity, Ironhide may have been created from Orion Pax's friend [[Dion]], the same way and at the same time [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Prime]] and [[Elita One]] were rebuilt by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]].

:''For further elaboration, see [[Dion|Who is Dion?]].''

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Ironhide/ironhide.htm Ironhide at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Ironhide Ironhide's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
*[http://www.e-hobby.co.jp/cgi-bin/omc?port=33301&tno=11964126283JGBV&req=PRODUCT&code=tfe27 e-Hobby's page for Black Protect Ironhide]

[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category:Classics characters]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category:Elderly Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Go-Bots]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: Henkei! Henkei! characters]]
[[Category:Maximals]]
[[Category:Maximal leaders]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Optimus Prime (G1)

2009-07-28T06:37:47Z

124.188.181.95:

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Optimus Prime}}
:''Optimus Prime is the leader of the [[Autobot]]s from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Optimusg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|I'm that guy everyone remembers. No, not the tape guy, the other guy.]]
'''Optimus Prime''' is the awe-inspiring [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot]] forces. Originally a mere civilian, he was chosen by the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] to command, the first in a number of heavy burdens he has been forced to bear. Another is his bringing of the Transformers' conflict to Earth. The complete opposite of his mortal enemy [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], every casualty, [[human]] or [[Transformer|Cybertronian]], weighs heavily on his [[spark]]. He does not show this side to his soldiers, and he never succumbs to despair. The Autobots need a decisive, charismatic leader, and that is what he gives them. It was that leadership which turned the tide of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]].

On the battlefield, there are few who rival Optimus Prime's prowess. He is easily the strongest of any Autobot his [[Scale|size]], and his [[ion blaster]] and his [[energon-axe]] are deadly weapons. He would sacrifice his life to protect his fellow Autobots or those under their care, and [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|does so on a regular basis]]. His compassion for other sentient beings is his only real weakness, and one the Decepticons have taken advantage of time and again... though it's also the source of his strength!

Prime carries within him the [[Matrix of Leadership]].

Before being rebuilt into a [[Powermaster]] his robot mode split into three components:

*A sentient robot module, the [[Brain Center]].
*A wheeled drone module known as [[Roller]].
*A [[Combat Deck]].

Although Optimus Prime can function as three independent modules, injury to any one module is felt by the other two.

{{bigquote|Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.|Optimus Prime's most common [[bio]] quote}}

:''Japanese name:'' '''Convoy''', '''Battle Convoy''' (Laser)
:''French-Canadian & Chzech name:'' '''Optimus Primus'''
:''Hungarian name (The Movie):'' '''Optimusz Fővezér''' / '''Optimusz Prájm'''
:''Italian name:'' '''Commander'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comics):'' '''Optimus Supremo''' ("Optimus Supreme")
:''Portuguese name (Brazil cartoon):'' '''Líder Optimus''' ("Leader Optimus")
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comics):'' '''Supremus Absolutus'''
:''Taiwanese name:'' '''Tīh-ghŭ''' (鐵牛, literally "Iron Ox" or "Iron Bull", a kind of vehicle in early days and rural area)
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Jr-tsūn''' (至尊, "Prime")
:''Cantonese name:'' '''O Baak Man''' (柯柏文)
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Qing Tian Zhu''' (擎天柱, "Pillar that Supports Heaven")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{main|Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity}}
[[Image:CommandPerformances-Autobotsattack.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Don't worry, the multiple crises of conscience come soon enough.]]

Optimus Prime was a gladiator champion for [[Iacon]] before quickly working his way up the Autobot ranks once [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] started the war. Four million years ago, when Decepticons attacked the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], he personally chose to crash it onto [[Earth]], a decision that caused him much remorse when the war restarted on Earth in the modern day.

Though Optimus allowed himself to be destroyed when he betrayed his own moral code while playing a video game, a copy of his mind survived on a [[floppy disk]]. Years later, he was restored as a [[Powermaster]], binary bonded to the [[Nebulan]], [[Hi-Q]]. Optimus Prime slowly earned the respect of Decepticon leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], mourned the loss of his friend [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and ultimately sacrificed everything to defeat [[Unicron]]. Though Optimus died again, his mind persisted in Hi-Q, and the [[Last Autobot]] was able to restore him as an [[Action Master]] in time to bring a temporary end to the war.

In [[Generation 2|one universe]], Optimus Prime went on to battle [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], his [[Cybertronian Empire]], and the [[Swarm]]. In [[Classics (2006)|another]], fifteen years of peace passed before Megatron rose again.

{{-}}

===S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers===
The Autobots were outnumbered and outgunned on Earth from the start, though Optimus was confident (and correct) that reinforcements from Cybertron would arrive. {{storylink|Reinforcements from Cybertron!}}

However, the situation was still so desperate that Optimus not only decided to recruit human allies {{storylink|The battle is far from over!}}, but aggressively tried to recruit and ''deputise'' human children, including giving them the power to co-ordinate Autobot teams in battles. He wouldn't even make a final move on the Decepticons until he had enough child soldiers on his side. {{storylink|Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!}} {{storylink|Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?}} In at least one case, this likely led to the ''death'' of a small boy at Decepticon hands. {{storylink|Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?}}

Optimus later led a convoy in search for a building site for [[Autobot City]], which ran into a Decepticon ambush. {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}} He sent off several Autobots to get help, knowing this was the only chance of victory. {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}} Those several Autobots were seen again, but Prime... wasn't.

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{main|Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}

[[Image:Mtmte2_shermandam.jpg|left|250px|thumb|He had this ax once. It was very memorable.]]

Before the war, Optimus Prime was originally '''Orion Pax''', a young dock worker with a girlfriend named [[Elita One|Ariel]]. But as the war began, Megatron destroyed them both, and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] rebuilt them into more powerful warriors.

Four million years ago, Optimus Prime ended a Decepticon attack on the Ark by directing it towards prehistoric Earth. When both factions reawakened in 1984, Optimus Prime and the Autobots fought the Decepticons on numerous occasions until 2005. During an attack on [[Autobot City]] on Earth, Prime fell in battle against Megatron and passed the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

Optimus Prime eventually returned, once as a [[zombie]], and again when he was rebuilt by the [[Quintesson]]s to stop the spread of the [[Hate Plague]].

The details between these events differ between universes. Sometimes Optimus Prime merged with [[Vector Sigma]] soon after defeating the Hate Plague, and returned much, much later as Star Convoy. Sometimes Optimus Prime partnered up with [[Marissa Faireborn]] to receive upgrades through mutual [[kiss]]ing. Sometimes... look, he did a lot of weird stuff, okay?

===Kid Stuff Talking Story Books===
:''Voice actor:'' Unknown

Optimus Prime is a "metallic nemesis". Megatron said so.

{{charstubfiction}}

===Big Looker Story Books===
[[Image:KidsPrime1.jpg|right|150px|thumb|And the fluffy kitten played with that yarn all gosh-darn night.]]

When a 2-part race was being held with a massive supply of oil and gasoline as the prize, both the Decepticons and the Autobots badly wanted to win it. Megatron entered the race by hiding himself inside a hollowed-out car and harassed [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] all throughout the contest. When Prime discovered the car was being driven by his arch foe, he swiftly pulled a telephone pole out from the ground and used it to bash the mortal hell out of the cheating Decepticon. Thanks to Prime's violent intervention, Cliffjumper was able to win the race. Afterward, Optimus Prime celebrated the Minibot's victory with a gargantuan smile as all the Decepticons starved to death. {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{-}}
===Ladybird Books continuity===
{{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}} {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}} {{storylink|Autobots Fight Back}} {{storylink|Laserbeak's Fury}} {{storylink|Autobot Hostage}} {{storylink|Decepticons Underground}}
{{charstubfiction}}

===''Transformer PD Type'' comic===

[[Image:PDtype-Matrixattack.jpg|left|thumb|250px|This is the highlight of this entire page.]]

When a horde of time-displaced Decepticons joined forces to hunt down the five [[Blackball]]s, a super energy source, Optimus Prime gathered a team of time-displaced Autobots to help stop them.

In one encounter with his arch-foe [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], they reenacted their epic struggle from the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. However, this time around, Prime avoided dying by launching his "Matrix Attack"...''literally'' launching the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] from his chest, bonking Megatron on the head. {{storylink|Transformer PD Type|You're Great! Optimus Prime!}}

Later, Optimus Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] concocted a cunning strategy. They disguised a round, black cartoon explosive as a Blackball and gave it to [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Starscream promptly brought it to Megatron, where it blew both of them up. Optimus and Magnus were astounded their plan actually worked. {{storylink|Transformer PD Type|Don't Cry! Megatron!!}}

In one of his less impressive moments, after running out of ammo during a battle with [[Deathsaurus]], Optimus Prime ordered his fellow Autobots to improvise and hurl everything that wasn't nailed down at their enemy. This included the Blackball, unfortunately. Catching it, Deathsaurus began to fantasize about his inevitable galactic conquest, all the while being pelted with rocks and litter. Frustrated, Deathsaurus accidentilly hurled the Blackball back to the Autobots in a fit of rage. {{storylink|Transformer PD Type|Good Job! Deathsaurus!!}}
{{-}}

===''Comic Bom Bom G-2'' comic===
[[Image:G2Hero.jpg|right|200px|thumb|GAH, HE'S LOOKING AT ME!]]
In the year 199X, the Decepticons had learned of a powerful new energy source known as [[forestonite]] which just happened to be located (surprise surprise) on [[Earth]]. Megatron sent his trio of [[Cyberjet]]s to Earth first to draw out the enemy Autobots. The Cyberjets made quick work of [[Electro]] but were soon halted by the appearance of Optimus Prime.

Megatron then entered the fray and fired his Black Hole Burn attack from his fusion cannon, narrowly missing Optimus Prime but vaporizing [[Hooligan (G2)|Hooligan]] in the process. Prime fought fiercely but Megatron began to take the upper-hand in battle.

However, Prime was encouraged to keep fighting by the cheers of a human boy named [[Junpei]]. Megatron, surprised at Prime's resilience, attempted to finish his foe off with his Tornado Axe attack. Prime countered with his Double Wheel-Torque Mega-Ton, which trumped Megatron's attack and injured the Decepticon badly. Megatron teleported back to his ship and left Earth's atmosphere, vowing to return.

Optimus Prime addressed Junpei, asking if the boy was injured. Junpei revealed he was alright but presented concern about the Decepticons returning to Earth. Optimus Prime swore that the Autobots would remain on Earth until the threat of the Decepticons was finished and asked for Junpei's help in making that future a reality. {{storylink|The New Battle!!}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[Image:G1Prime BWMegs.jpg|left|180px|thumb|You have to get up preeeeetty early in the timestream to beat Optimus Prime!]]

The [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] raged on prehistoric Earth, eventually leading to the discovery of the buried Ark sometime after its crash on prehistoric Earth. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], following [[Megatron (G1)|his namesake's]] instructions in a desperate gambit, decided to attempt to change history by killing Prime, who was still lying in the Ark in [[stasis lock]]. Megatron hoped that this would result in the Decepticons winning the Great War and eventually [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] control of Cybertron. Megatron unleashed a full-power weapon blast at Optimus Prime's face, near-fatally injuring him. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}} However, [[Optimus Primal]] proceeded to take Prime's spark into his body to protect it from surgical trauma while his injuries were repaired. The subsequent power increase caused by Prime's spark's connection to the Matrix mutated Primal into a large, [[Transmetal]] "Optimal Optimus" form. Then, with the repairs complete, Prime's spark was restored, and he briefly activated before sinking back into normal stasis. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}

Sometime after the Autobots and Decepticons awoke in the 1980s, the original Megatron gained access to one of Earth's ''Voyager'' spacecraft and inscribed a message on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|disk]] on board. In the event that he lost the War, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel to Prehistoric Earth, locate the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and change history by killing Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
[[Image:Sparkwar2_Optimus_hologram_primal.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
:''Voice actor'': [[Garry Chalk]] (English), [[Tilo Schmitz]] (German)

An enormous statue of Optimus Prime, bearing two [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|Golden Disks]], could be seen on Cybertron in front of the Hall of Archives. The statue was subsequently blown to pieces by the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon forces]]. {{storylink|Fires of the Past}} Later, Megatron beamed a hologram of Optimus Prime down to the ruins of [[Iacon]] to confront [[Optimus Primal]]. Primal mistook the hologram for the real thing and shared with it the code for the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]. Megatron quickly revealed his ruse. Primal explained to his Maximals that he knew the image was fake, but he needed the location of the missing [[spark]]s from Megatron's mind. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search}}

{{note|Writer [[Bob Skir]] claims that neither the statue nor the golden disks in its hands were mentioned in the script. However, he suggested that they were either the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|disks]] from the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes, or that Optimus won them in the 2,395,989th Annual Cybertronian spelling bee.<ref>[http://bigbot.com/beast-machines-transformers-bob-skir/Beast-Machines-FAQ/Tue_12_Oct_1999.html Q&A from Bigbot's "bobskir.com"]</ref> We're betting on the latter.}}

====''Universe: Primeval Dawn''====
[[Image:Sparkholderprimevaldawn.jpg|left|190px|thumb|"Oh, I also have this in me now, too."]]
The Vok took the Matrix of Leadership from an unconscious Optimus Prime, used it to create [[Primal Prime]], then gave the Matrix to their new creation. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1}}

{{note|In the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, Prime's spark was shown to be contained in a Matrix-like vessel. In [[Universe (2003 comic)|Primeval Dawn]], that vessel was shown to be merely a container for his spark, and the actual Matrix was hidden underneath.}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' comic===
[[Image:CheetasManga1.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Cheetor, that's Prime's Spark, not a toy.]]
Optimus Prime was blasted into pieces by Dragon Megatron. Fortunately, his spark remained perfectly intact—in the remains of his [[Optimal Situation|Matrix-shaped spark chamber]]. Megatron was going to destroy Prime's spark, but [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (now in his Transmetal body) saved it. Prime's spark was eventually swallowed by Optimus Primal, who was upgraded into Optimal Optimus by doing so.

After Megatron was killed by Optimal Optimus, Primal and his crew said it would be troublesome to fix Optimus Prime's body.
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
{{cleanup|April 2009|Needs general expansion and STORYLINKS TO INDIVIDUAL ISSUES. Links to the series are not acceptable.}}

[[Image:Optronix optimus.jpg|left|180px|thumb|What? OPTRONIX is evolving!]]
Optimus Prime started life as '''Optronix''' (Orion to his friends<ref>The [[Keepers Trilogy]] novels set in Dreamwave continuity</ref>), a data archivist. After taking note of a battle in which the Autobot leader [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] had been defeated by Megatron, he was summoned to the council of elders and informed that the Matrix had chosen him to be the next leader of the Autobots. He received the Matrix of Leadership shortly thereafter, gaining a powerful new body in the process, and almost arranged for the Autobot evacuation of Cybertron, intending to leave the Decepticons to their own devices, until a battle with Megatron beneath the planet's surface, accompanied by visions from the Matrix, stirred him on to fight for the safety of his homeworld. Some time into his role as leader, Prime disappeared in a [[space bridge]] explosion along with Megatron, but returned some time later, having spent a period of time on [[Quintessa]]. {{storylink|The War Within}}

Following the awakening of the Transformers on Earth, the Autobots protected the planet from the Decepticons. Over the next fifteen years, the Autobots befriended the humans, particularly the [[Witwicky|Witwicky family]]. The Autobots finally allied with humankind and eventually defeated the Decepticons at the turn of the century. They planned to return to Cybertron aboard the newly constructed ''[[Ark II]]'', along with seven humans, including Witwicky patriarch [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]. Before the ship departed, Prime gave a piece of the Matrix to [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], Sparkplug's son and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s closest human friend. But the ship was destroyed as part of a military conspiracy to take control of the Transformers. However, a terrorist organization run by the enigmatic [[Lazarus]] was able to seize control of several of the Transformers that fell back to Earth, while the U.S. military located Prime's body. Spike was forced by the product chief, General [[Robert Hallo]], to use the piece of the Matrix to reactivate Prime. Functional again, Prime used the Matrix to reactivate more of his fallen comrades, and then faced off against Megatron in [[San Francisco]]. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

Following this, Prime began to experience subconscious urgings, leading both the Autobots and the Decepticons to the Arctic Circle, where Shockwave arrived to greet them—and arrest them as war criminals. Shockwave had succeeded in ending the war on Cybertron, but Prime soon fell in with a rebel Autobot group that had discovered Shockwave had a greater agenda. Rallying Autobots across Cybertron to the cause, Prime faced Shockwave in battle but was defeated and had the Matrix ripped from him and used to activate Vector Sigma. Before Shockwave could make full use of the mega-computer's data, however, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] arrived and bested him. The injuries Prime took in this conflict necessitated a prolonged restoration period in stasis. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

{{note|...which turned out to be the remainder of Dreamwave's existence. Bummer.}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:GIJoevsTFcobraprime.jpg|right|275px|thumb|G.1. Joe-the real universal hero!]]

Several Autobots and Decepticons, including Optimus Prime, were reformatted into will-less war machines under the control of [[Cobra]]. During an initial attack on a human peace conference, Cobra's remote control of Optimus mysteriously failed. Later at Cobra's island headquarters in the Caribbean, Cobra scientists pulled Optimus apart to find out what was impeding their commands. As this analysis took place, Optimus reverse hacked into Cobra computers until they shut him down in a panic. Despite this, Prime sent a viral message out to hundreds of email addresses that included the coordinates of Cobra's base. The message was intercepted by [[G.I. Joe]] who teamed up with Wheeljack and Bumblebee. After Wheeljack broke the remote control over the Transformers, Prime went after [[Cobra Commander]]. More than a bit frightened of a giant robot gunning for him, the human released Megatron, who was trapped in gun model. Megatron transformed and fought Prime to a standstill until other Autobots came to back him up.

Although he was weak and low on [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], Prime made a last-ditch effort to save the day when he rammed through the wall of Megatron's energon-producing lab. After a quick recharge, Optimus single-handedly smashed the Decepticons, pounded Megatron to the ground, and ripped his [[fusion cannon]] off his arm. Prime then teamed up with the Joes and used Megatron's cannon to shoot down the [[SPS satellite]] that had gone rogue and was destroying the island.

With the battle over, Prime and the Autobots boarded a new ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' ship built by G.I. Joe and returned to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers}}

[[Image:GIJoevstfIIprime1930s.jpg|left|275px|thumb|War Convoy: TRANSFORM!!!]]
On a Cybertron dominated by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and the Decepticons, Optimus Prime and the Autobots took on the roles of resistance fighters. Cobra experimentation transported a contingent of Cobras and G.I. Joes to Cybertron and destabilized [[Teletran 3]]. The computer then sent several Transformers to [[Earth]] across different time periods. A team made up of Joes and Cobra agents were sent back and found Optimus Prime and the [[Stunticon]]s in 1930s-era Chicago, disguised as period cars and trucks. The Stunticons chased Prime and the Joes around the city until everything was wrapped up with bullets, a collapsed bridge and some dynamite.

After the Transformers and humans were returned to present-day Cybertron and the Decepticons were vanquished by the recently-arrived [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], Prime made an agreement with the Joes to destroy the technology that started the whole mess in order to protect Earth. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II}}

On Cybertron, Optimus Prime kicked back to do a little bit of paperwork and reminisce. With Shockwave defeated, Cybertron was enjoying a new era of peace. He was interrupted by Hot Rod, who reported that a group of "pesky humans with their peashooters" were giving an Autobot team on Earth a hard time. Prime suspected Cobra's involvement and counseled Hot Rod not to be so dismissive of the humans.

Later, at a peace celebration, Prime was watching a procession of Autobots when Decepticons attacked. Optimus ordered Omega Supreme into action but the huge Autobot was quickly overcome by Menasor, Piranacon and Predaking. Prime hopped into the fray, saved a female Autobot from getting smushed by the falling Omega, rode a flying Decepticon into Piranacon's face, smashed another Decepticon into the ground, and carried a wounded Autobot out of danger.

[[Image:Primevsserpentor.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Serpent O.R. soon realized that "This I command!" doesn't work on Optimus Prime.]]
Menasor cut off Prime's escape and confronted him with a hologram of [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] The new Decepticon leader carried Megatron's memories and information downloaded from Soundwave, from which he learned of the Matrix of Leadership. Serpent O.R. offered Optimus a trade: hostages and peace if he handed over the Matrix. Optimus agreed.

In his stronghold, Serpent O.R. questioned Prime about his own worthiness to carry the Matrix, but Optimus broke free of his chains and aggressively ordered him to surrender. A group of Decepticons broke in and nearly took Prime apart, but not before Serpent O.R. took the Matrix for himself and changed into the massive Serpentor Prime. The Matrix showed Serpentor Prime the error of his ways but as he was about to commit suicide Cobra Commander tripped a device and took over Serpentor Prime's body. Moments before he crushed Arcee, a severely damaged Optimus Prime threw Hawk toward the Matrix but warned the human not to touch the artifact. Hawk did so anyway and through a quasi-mystical transfer of power Serpentor Prime was vanquished.

Later repaired by a female nursebot, Optimus went back to finishing his paperwork. A leader's job is never done. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War}}

Sensing a new, yet old, danger to planet Earth, Prime elected to send himself to earth on an investigation, and gave Hot Rod a glare when the young Autobot accused his leader of taking an unnecessary risk to atone for the death of a close friend.

Optimus Prime landed in the Himalayan Mountains with G.I. Joes [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] and [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]]. As they searched the area, the trio was attacked by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] in his [[Pretender]] shell. Prime whacked him with his [[energon-axe]] and in return Bludgeon bearhugged him and coated him in metal-eating slime. Hawk, still carrying power from the Matrix, helped Prime break free. Optimus then shot his way into the hidden kingdom of [[Cobra-La]].

While they wandered through the tunnels, the Joes and Prime found cave paintings that described the last visit to Earth by the planet-eating god [[Unicron]]. They were attacked again by Bludgeon and Cobra-La minions, but were led away by a ragged [[Joe Colton]], prisoner of Cobra-La for the last 25 years. Bludgeon managed to find them again and during a second battle Prime tore open the Pretender's shell, revealing Bludgeon's robot form inside. Bludgeon tripped and dangled dangerously over a chasm, but rather than let Optimus Prime save him, Bludgeon forced Prime to drop him to his death laughing all the way down.

The Joes discovered a cavern where the people of Cobra-La were growing metal-eating spores as a last defense against Unicron. Flint and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] took a load of the spores into space just as Unicron appeared in Earth orbit. Prime, Hawk and Colton headed deeper into Cobra-La to rescue [[Firewall]] and kick butt. Prime was tackled and pinned by a giant bug creature, but made a dramatic recovery and tossed the bug aside. He then took the machine-hating Cobra-La leader [[Golobulus]] to task with a single punch. Flint and Cosmos released the spores, which devoured Unicron from the inside and defeated the giant Transformer before he could harm [[Earth]].

With the threat of Unicron gone, Prime relaxed with [[Eject]] and Firewall by watching some reality TV, and sighed at the banality. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: Black Horizon}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
{{charstubfiction}}
=== IDW comics continuity ===
{{ongoing}}

{{note|[[Megatron Origin]] depicted that before the war, a robot that's a hybrid of the "Orion Pax" and "Optronix" designs appears listening to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s speech at the funeral of [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback]]. He is standing with [[Elita One]], [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], and a white version of himself (presumably [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], possibly even [[Dion]]). Whether this is truly the [[IDW continuity]]'s version of pre-Prime Optimus or not remains unrevealed.}}

[[Image:SpotlightBlurr-Optimus.jpg|left|thumb|200px|There's something missing...]]

Galvanized by the death of Sentinel Prime, Optimus joined the Autobot forces under his successor [[Zeta Prime]], and was assigned to a unit commanded by the veteran [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. During his tour of duty his unit intercepted a message reporting of a planned attempt on the Prime's life. He approached former racer [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] as a reliable means of getting the news to Zeta Prime in a hurry. The former celebrity balked, but ultimately the young soldier helped Blurr find what really drove him to race, and thus recruited him to the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}}

[[Image:IDWOptimus.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Freedom is the right of all sentient and heavily-armed beings.]]

An undisclosed amount of time later, Optimus would be chosen as the next Prime, and commanded the Autobot armed forces spread across the galaxy from the [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub]]. He was directly involved in the cataclysm ([[IDW timeline|just under 450 years ago]]) that reduced [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to a dead husk, fighting alongside [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in an attempt to stop [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s rampage. Their efforts were futile, and they only survived due to Cybertron itself swallowing Thunderwing at [[Thunderhead Pass]]. Megatron was unconvinced that Thunderwing was dead, and advocated that Cybertron be destroyed to better insure that the mad Decepticon was forever destroyed. Optimus Prime refused, and threatened to stop any effort that Megatron attempted. Megatron agreed to spare the planet, but warned Prime that anything which happened afterward was on his head.

In the present, Prime received a pulsewave from [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], who was stationed under [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s team on Earth, saying that the Decepticon infiltration cell under [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] had broken their infiltration methods and enacted [[Infiltration protocol|siege mode]] prematurely. Soon afterward, the Autobot science vessel ''[[Calabi-Yau]]'' sent a distress signal from above Thunderhead Pass, and he ordered the [[Wrecker]]s to withdraw from [[Varas Centralus]] and meet him on Cybertron. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} Thunderwing had been restored by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his followers, and though the Wreckers made short work of them, the real fight would be met with Thunderwing. After the Wreckers, [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] and [[Centurion droid]]s were unable to destroy the monster, Prime took to the field, firing massive amounts of energy at Thunderwing, forcing it to exhaust its last reserves of [[Ultra-Energon]] and, ultimately, its life. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 4|Stormbringer #4}}

[[Image:IDWPrime Earth.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Don't crush the cameraman!]]
[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] discovered information in Bludgeon's files about the mysterious new form of Energon found on [[Earth]]. Linking it to the pulsewave transmission from Ironhide, Prime diverted his spacecraft to Earth and called [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] in to assist him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Nightbeat}}. Shortly after arrival, and having undergone alteration so that he could disguise himself as an Earth truck, he slowly began to realize how unusual the situation Prowl's unit had found itself in was. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}} Not only had the Decepticons broken their own infiltration protocols over what Starscream had dubbed [[Ultra-Energon|Ore-13]], but after attempting to recover what appeared to be [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]'s remains, it was also evident that some of the planet's native sentient lifeforms—[[human]]s—posed a threat possibly equal to that of their old enemies. {{storylink|Escalation issue 2|Escalation #2}}

Optimus Prime, now fully filled-in on Earth's happenings, decided that they needed reinforcements. He called Nightbeat, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] to come when they could. When Prowl pointed out that Megatron, in his new gun-based Earth mode, was in the breakaway Soviet state of [[Brasnya]] stirring up trouble, Prime ordered them into action.

[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] almost got the drop on Prime, but [[Roller]] was right behind him and took out Blitzwing with a single shot. Megatron returned to his full-size robot mode and disagreed with the quality of Prime's tea and crumpets. At last, the two rivals were going to go at it.

[[Image:Escalation5 Primedies enlightning.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Rule of thumb, Megs—if he don't turn gray, he's A-OK.]]
The fight went well at first, with Prime blowing Megatron's [[fusion cannon]] clean off. Megatron, however, tireless thanks to Ore-13, prevailed, almost beating Prime into [[stasis lock]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}}

However, Prime transferred his consciousness into his trailer, leading Megatron to believe him dead. Realizing that Ore-13 was the same as Ultra-Energon, Prime returned to his body in time to save his forces from the relentless Megatron, blasting him point blank in the face and dealing enough damage to the Decepticon leader to drain his power reserves, just as he did against Thunderwing. The victory was narrow, however, leaving Optimus with the daunting task of fending off an increasing enemy force without his last ace in the hole. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

This near-death experience had left Prime somewhat unsettled. While his consciousness was in [[infraspace]] downloading to his trailer, he sensed a presence of dread—the visage of his long-missing predecessor, [[Nova Prime]]. Looking for answers, Optimus Prime left Earth temporarily to seek an audience with [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] for answers. Once there, he found out about Nova's beliefs of how Transformers were a superior race and should remake the universe in their image, and faced down the rampaging [[Monstructor]], a legacy of Nova's tenure locked away by Omega Supreme. Then he gave his "you shouldn't have done that" speech to Omega, handed Monstructor's limbs over to Jetfire's team, and went on to have angst-ridden introspection about himself and the tarnished legacy of the [[Prime (rank)|Prime lineage]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

After returning to Earth, Nightbeat discovered that a human group was aware of the base's location and recommended to Prime that they move the ''[[Ark-19]]''. As preparations were underway, Prime received a message from [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] saying that Thunderwing had been stolen. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], eager to search for Sunstreaker, suggested that they be reassigned to Earth, and Prime agreed. However, the thrashing that Prime gave Megatron had so embarrassed the Decepticon leader that he ordered in the Decepticons' living weapon, [[Sixshot]]. While moving the ''Ark-19'', Prime and the others came under fire by Sixshot, who severely damaged their ship. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}}

[[Image:Devastation4 PrimeSixshot hyperbole.jpg|left|180px|thumb|"And THAT'S for killing my brother in another timeline!"]]
Ordering [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] to get [[Jimmy Pink]] and [[Verity Carlo]] to safety, Optimus then instructed Nightbeat to upload all of ''Ark-19''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s data to ''[[Ark-32]]'' and for Prowl to activate the self-destruct sequence. {{storylink|Devastation issue 2|Devastation #2}} When ''Ark-19'' exploded, it was assumed that Optimus was on board, but all was good at the end when he appeared with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and the others—ready to take on Sixshot. {{storylink|Devastation issue 3|Devastation #3}} Optimus and the Autobots held Sixshot at bay, but the U.S. military ordered an air strike to destroy the alien robots. The battle was a stalemate, as Sixshot had to return to the Decepticons while the Autobots [[orbital jump]]ed just in time to avoid destruction. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}} On ''Ark-32'', after a conversation with Jetfire, Prime informed Prowl that they needed to retrieve [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], Hot Rod and Ironhide, and leave Earth to see to another crisis. The secure facility on [[Garrus-9]] had been breached, and Prime and company needed to make sure that some of the "recent inmates" there didn't end up "in enemy hands". {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} Before leaving Earth, Optimus Prime redirected Hound's unit to rendezvous with ''Ark-32'' at Garrus-9, and told Hound to impress upon Sideswipe the importance of their mission and how he didn't leave Earth or Sunstreaker behind lightly. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

[[Image:DarknessPrimes.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Think he can go one series without having a near-death experience?]]
Optimus Prime and Prowl met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and Jetfire on Garrus-9 and discussed the prisoners' breakout, and that a surviving Decepticon had been tortured. Maximus and Jetfire gave each other a guilty glance. Prime left Maximus in charge and returned with Prowl to the ''Ark-32''. Meanwhile, [[Dead Universe]] resident [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] attacked Hound's crew, but they received help from Ultra Magnus and drove Cyclonus to escape to [[Corata-Vaz]]. There, he activated the [[Nega-Core]] and fought with Magnus and Hound's crew, whom had followed him. In desperation, Cyclonus activated the Nega-Core's guardian—Thunderwing. Using the distraction, Cyclonus escaped but Magnus sent another tracker after him. All this was reported to Optimus Prime on the ''Ark-32'', who recognized that this had something to do with his infraspace encounter in Brasnya. Prime ordered Jetfire to summon the Wreckers to find out what Thunderwing is guarding. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

The prison soon came under attack from Nova Prime. Rather then watch his soldiers be slaughtered by the undead monster, Optimus Prime ordered a retreat and faced Nova alone. Announcing his new title of Nemesis Prime, Optimus's predecessor explained the nature of the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]] before unleashing a portion on the Autobot leader. Shattered, Prime collapsed onto his hands and knees as Nemesis loomed. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}

[[Image:OptimusdeadNemesis.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Optimus! I've come to help y- oh. Sorted, then?"]]

Unexpectedly for Nemesis Prime, the Darkness seemed to be more interested in the younger Prime and sought to be passed onto Optimus. Nemesis wasn't about to let go of the power he commanded, and savagely attacked Optimus Prime, whose attempts to reason fell on deaf ears. Just as Nemesis Prime seemed victorious, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] attacked the fallen Prime from behind, killing him. Nemesis's death allowed the Darkness to finally enter Optimus, who tried to fight against its evil to no avail. Galvatron offered the Autobot a choice: kill himself by plunging into the [[Solar pool]], or pass on the Darkness to Galvatron, who had coveted the Darkness for so long. Optimus seemed to willingly do so, but just as he passed on the Darkness, he threw the surprised Galvatron into the solar pool. As Optimus gazed upon the dead body of Nemesis, he told himself he could not mourn the elder Prime's death, as Nova truly died long ago. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[Image:AHMPrimecritical.jpg|right|250px|thumb|So he's dying. [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|This shouldn't be a problem by now]].]]
A year later, Optimus Prime combined his Autobot squad with another squad. Having received word of a supposed Decepticon power struggle, Prime led the Autobots to a location where Starscream's "group" was, only to be ambushed by a unified Decepticon force. Though they managed to briefly turn the tide, Devastator's appearance made the difference, which enabled Megatron to rip the Matrix of Leadership from Prime's chest. Prime was dealt another blow (mentally) when the Autobots were told that they were sold out to a traitor in their ranks (who was later revealed to be [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]). {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}} The Autobots were led to a space bridge, where Prime, who was the last to go, used his remaining energy to destroy the machine. Unfortunately, this heroic act left Prime in critical condition. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} With this defeat, the Autobots were forced to leave Earth to the Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}}

After Prime's unit met up with Kup's unit, and after dealing with the Swarm and Sideswipe's sacrifice to save them, Ratchet and Wheeljack managed to bring Prime back online (with the Energon from the ''[[Trion|Trion]]'') in time to smooth over an Autobot argument. As the others excitedly welcomed him back, Prime makes a speech about how he was proud of them, and that he wanted to win the war. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}}. After the Autobots recovered and prepared for a final stand against the Swarm, Prime had a brief chat with Ironhide (to which Ironhide admitted to secretly hating him at first sight at the start of the Great War), then prepared for the Swarm's onslaught. When they came, the Autobots fought back, but they were quickly outnumbered by the thousands. Thankfully, Omega Supreme arrived and saved them from certain doom. After Omega briefly told them about his arrival, Prime orders him to transform and transport the Autobots back to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

Arriving at New York City while the Decepticons were fending off attacks by an European air squad, Optimus and the Autobots began to engage the Decepticons again. After a bit of fighting, and with the threat of Devasator, Optimus ordered Omega Supreme to take Devastator away from the city and fight him elsewhere. Optimus Prime encountered Megatron, and the two engaged in a bit of viewpoint bantering, mostly about the way their war is now changing and the fact that the humans that Prime had "sworn to protect" were about to drop a nuclear bomb on the city. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}}

After that, they engaged in a fierce battle, while trading more banter. At first, Megatron gets the advantage, but just as he is about to leave with the Decepticons and take the Matrix with him, a shot from [[Shockwave (G1)|an experimental weapon made from a Transformer]] fired by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|a brave human]] hit him it the face. With this, Optimus grabs Megatron's fusion cannon and slams it against Megatron's head, brining him down in defeat. Before Optimus can truly finish him off, though, Starscream intervened and, after exchanging words, takes off with Megatron and the Matrix. Faced with the decision to go after them or save New York from nuclear devastation, it was rendered moot when Thundercracker, who had grown disenchanted with the way the Decepticons went after the humans, blew up the bomb at the cost of his own life (thanks to an angry Skywarp). The war over for the moment, Prime meets with Spike Witwicky, thanks him for helping the Autobots out, and would like some way to help the humans in return. However, Spike tells him that they had brought their war to Earth, and that any chance of human and Transformer relations was now long gone. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

{{charstubfiction}}

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

Optimus Prime commanded one of the last remaining pockets of Autobot resistance, hiding out in the [[Pegasus Star Cluster]]. While awaiting the arrival of Bumblebee's team, he and Hound tried to work out how to convert the [[Zodiac Energy]] for their consumption. "Bumblebee's" arrival proved to be their downfall, as it was really the self-serving mercenary [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], who destroyed the bunker security systems, allowing the Decepticons inside. Optimus Prime refused to surrender during the ensuing struggle, until Mirage used the critically-injured Jetfire as a hostage, forcing the Prime to back down. When Megatron betrays Mirage's word and orders the execution of the Autobots, Optimus Prime tried to reason with the mercenary, appealing to his former friendship with Hound... until Mirage killed Hound in defiance. Furious, Optimus Prime broke free of his captors and tackled Mirage into the Zodiac Energy chamber. {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[Image:HeartsofSteel_1_Prime_Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|200px|]]

The Autobots and the Decepticons came to [[Earth|a distant world]] in the grip of an ice age. Assuming alternate modes based upon the [[Dinosaur|dominant (though doomed) indigenous creatures]] of this planet, they continued their ancient, unending war. However, the Autobots, with their energy levels dangerously low, withdrew from combat as the world grew colder. They sought refuge in a deep cavern and entered [[stasis lock]], awaiting the day when surface conditions changed to better suit their operation. Millions of years later, Bumblebee was awoken by the hammering of humans working on a rail line. He briefly considered awakening Optimus Prime, but thought better of it. After discovering the world had changed significantly, Ratchet thought there was no reason to awaken Prime. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1}} When Bumblebee discovered the Decepticons were once again active on this world, Ratchet and Prowl agreed that the Autobots must intervene, but again decided out of rousing Optimus from his slumber. {{Storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

{{Note|Optimus Prime appears very briefly in the first few pages, in his "Ice Age Wars" body (we only see him in robot mode, but his altmode is a brachiosaurus<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=d5d311674e796c81d010d26ac751389b&showtopic=10074&st=20&p=266183&#entry266183 Allspark forums post] by [[Guido Guidi]], August 15th, 2006</ref>. He spends most of the story in stasis lock. [[:Image:Opthos.jpg|Unused concept art]] depicts him as transforming into a locomotive engine.}}
{{-}}

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

{{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 1}} {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 7}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===''Comic Bun Bun Henkei! Henkei!'' comic===

{{storylink|Enter! The Transformers}} {{storylink|Enter the Emperor of Destruction!}} {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}} {{storylink|The Enemy from the Arctic}} {{storylink|Wataru's Power}} {{storylink|Optimus Prime's Secret}} {{storylink|Time of Resurrection}} {{storylink|Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!!}} {{storylink|The Threat of Galvatron}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Alternity===

In 2007, the Optimus Prime of [[universal stream]] Primax 109.0 Beta encountered a mysterious messenger from another world: another incarnation of himself from the multiverse, who left him with a warning. Two years hence, Megatron would bring the terrifying super-dimensional lifeform known as the "Beast of Time", [[Hytherion]], into their dimension to destroy Earth. The only thing that could battle Hytherion was the power of the super-evolved multi-dimensional race of Cybertronians known as the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]]. Prime agreed that when the danger appeared, he would join the Alternity in the fight.

Sure enough, in 2009, when Hytherion's colossal claw-marks appeared on planets throughout the solar system, Prime's other-dimensional incarnation returned, bringing with him an [[Auto-avatar]] with which Prime fused. In that instant, he was reborn as part of the Alternity, a manifold being who encompassed all the different incarnations of Optimus Prime through the multiverse at once. Prime reached his hands heaveanward and peeled back the layers of reality, exposing the gargantuan fanged maw of Hytherion looming above the Autobots. {{storylink|From Here to Alternity}}

===''Robot Heroes'' comic===
{{comingsoon}}
{{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}

===Commercial appearances===
Optimus Prime has appeared in more [[Commercial|television commercials]] than any other Transformer... just like with everything else. He has been voiced by Peter Cullen in every animation segment in which he's had a speaking role.

[[Image:Toycommercial-firstPrime.jpg|right|thumb|My wheels don't disappear!]]

* He was one of the featured characters in the first ever appearance of the Transformers anywhere, an advertisement for the first issue of [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the Generation 1 comic]]. He arrives in the midst of a desert battle as the Decepticons attacked a power plant on Earth, driving to back up his troops in defending it. He strikes a rather iconic pose as he transforms and fires, which would be replicated and copied numerous times in the early years of the franchise. This first commercial used nonfinal versions of the characters' [[character model]]s; Optimus Prime, for example, still had wheels on his legs. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9-7RjhFzpM]

* In a commercial for the [[Triple Changer]]s, Optimus confronts Astrotrain on a desert battlefield, but the Triple-Changer escapes under fire from other Autobots. Shortly afterward, Prime uses Perceptor's microscope mode to examine a fragment of Decepticon battle armor. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WssZjIsUIU]

* Prime and Jazz are shown fighting Megatron in the desert in an ad for the 1985 cars, whom he summons to help out with the battle. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WssZjIsUIU]

* Prime narrates two commercials around the time of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', describing the action as [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] battles [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] take on the [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]]. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-10pud7DY]

[[Image:Toycommercial-PowermasterOptimusPrime.jpg|right|thumb|An integral part of Powermaster Prime's transformation is Joyride shooting lightning bolts through his pointed finger.]]

* Prime was prominently featured in the ad for the first comic issue featuring the [[Powermaster]]s. On the rocky plains where practically every Transformer battle ever seems to happen, Prime arrives in his Powermaster body to back up three of his troops against Dreadwind and Darkwing. He's shown combining with [[Hi-Q]] and transforming, attacking with his trailer's battle station mode, then combining with the trailer to continue the attack. Who wins? Find out in [[People Power!|Marvel Comics]]! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voX_KNNxNCI]

[[Image:OptimusQuickswitchCommercial.jpg|right|thumb|Optimus Prime is so giving, he even gives other Transformers time in his commercials.]]

* Prime also features briefly in [[Quickswitch]]'s ad; in a battle on the moon, Quickswitch transforms to gun mode and is wielded by Powermaster Optimus Prime.

* An abbreviated ad for Powermaster Prime uses footage from both the Marvel Comic and Quickswitch commercials.

* Prime's Powermaster body shows up yet again in the [[Classic Pretender|Pretender Classic]]s ad. He comes under attack in the darkened streets of the city, prompting the narrator to explain that he needs the greatest Transformers ever! Prime then welcomes back Bumblebee and Jazz in their Pretender forms. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mahbq-FnSPY]

* Powermaster Prime and [[Piranacon]] are the representatives from each faction that [[Doubledealer]] doublecrosses! Everyone wonders who that guy is that Prime's talking to... He looks kinda suspicious!

* Optimus features prominently in the first [[Action Master]] commercial; he's shown surrounded by a circle of his troops, and challenges them to give up their transforming powers to become faster, stronger, more alive! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeNf3jQ1zdw]

* A stock intro was used for several Micromaster commercials, with Optimus opening his fist to reveal a Micromaster city within.

[[Image:Hotrodpatrolcommercial.jpg|right|thumb|Prime wants to know if they can transform, because he sure can't!]]

* A similar sequence in another Micromaster has Prime opening his fist to find the [[Hot Rod Patrol]] inside. He and Jazz check them out, and Optimus wonders if they can transform.

* In an ad for the Micromaster micro bases, a battle rages outside an Autobot base, and Prime watches impassively as Bumblebee and Jazz pull two [[Interstellar shuttle|captured]] [[Attack Copter|vehicles]] into the base. Prime is the first to notice that the vehicles are transforming and shooting things.

* Prime and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] are the stars of the first ''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' commercial, animated with [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]. Prime is shown driving down a road in his ''Generation 2'' colored truck mode. He rocket-launches up into the air to transform, then has a brutal fight with Ramjet. Despite getting a hole blasted in his chest, he wins the fight and fires his gun into the air in triumph. Non-speaking.

* Prime also is shown briefly in a commercial for the new Megatron tank toy. He transforms and finds his head in a target crosshairs. In the subsequent toy segment, Prime's toy is shown getting completely trashed by that of Megatron. Non-speaking.

* And finally, Prime got his own rap segment. He's shown in his Combat toy body, waiting for Megatron as he attacks a human subdivision. Prime converts to robot form, blows up Megatron's weapon at point blank range, and slugs it out with him. Apparently emerging victorious, is next shown sitting next to an identical truck, which the live-action kid mistakes for the real thing. The real Prime then transforms and picks up the kid, inspecting the human with his cold, lifeless, flashing red optics. Prime is once again voiced by Peter Cullen in this commercial.

Prime also appeared in commercials for ''Transformers'' products other than the toys themselves...

* In the ad for [[Coleco]]'s [[Power Cycle]], Optimus Prime shoots ''at'' a child riding the titular cycle, but misses. This footage is recycled from the advertisement for the comic.

* Prime delivers a load of shoes to schoolchildren in a South American ad for [[Bata]]'s licensed ''Transformers'' footwear.

==Toys==
{{main|Optimus Prime (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
:''Main article: [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Merchandise|Merchandise]]''

==Notes==
* According to [[Bob Budiansky]], longtime comics writer [[Denny O'Neil]] named Optimus Prime prior to Budiansky being brought on to the ''Transformers'' project.

* Optimus Prime's Japanese name is "Convoy", which is named after his original name "Battle Convoy" in the [[Diaclone]] toyline, because the name "Optimus Prime" is difficult for Japanese kids to remember and pronounce. <ref>'''Figure-Oh''' No. 114</ref>

*According to an early ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Universe]]''-style profile published in ''[[The Transformers Comics Magazine]]'', Optimus Prime's "official" nicknames were at one point considered to be "Autobot Commander", "Chief", "Big Boss" and "Roller". As far as it is known, no piece of fiction has ever purposely addressed him using these nicknames, though it's a fair bet he's been called "chief" at least once or twice anyway.

* He [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|allegedly]] hates the music of [[wikipedia:Mötley_Crüe|Mötley Crüe]].

* According to the staff of ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', Optimus Prime became a space explorer in the [[Beast Era]].<ref>[[Beast Wars Universe]] ISBN 978-4766938005</ref>

[[Image:Optimusprime-mom.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Prime's mom knows how to write in cursive.]]
* By the time Optimus Prime appeared in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', his 3D model from ''Beast Wars'' had apparently been lost, leading the animators to use a faceplated Optimus Primal head as a quick replacement to save time and budget.

* Aside from occasionally having Alpha Trion as a father figure, Optimus Prime may have a mother! In an advertisement for [[Pepsi Convoy]] that shows him in a refrigerator (along with [[Destron Pizza]]), a note attached to a nearby piece of Tupperware reads:

:''Dear Convoy''
:''Warm it before you eat''
:''Mom''

:Although the ad itself is for Pepsi Convoy, he is a separate character, and it can be assumed that the note was left for Convoy/Optimus Prime himself.

* The first wave of Dreamwave posters in 2001 identified Optimus Prime as [http://www.comicden.com/merch/posters.htm "Captimus Primus"], which is tantalizingly close to making some sort of sense.

* According to EJ Su, Optimus Prime's [[Holomatter|Holomatter avatar]] is modeled after [[wikipedia:Ulysses_S._Grant|Ulysses S. Grant]].<ref>[http://www.protodepot.com/archive/2007_11_01_archive.html Idea: Holomatter Projection]</ref>

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

* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Optimus_Prime_PM Powermaster Optimus Prime's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

== Footnotes ==
<references />

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Alternity characters]]
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category:Classics characters]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Go-Bots]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! characters]]
[[Category:Kiss Players characters]]
[[Category:Machine Wars characters]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Non-Triple Changer third mode]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Robot Masters characters]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Optimus Prime (Movie)

2009-07-28T06:36:36Z

124.188.181.95:

{{factions|autobot|{{factions/icons|custom=Cyberglyphics Prime Symbol.png|cLink=Dynasty of Primes|cPretty=Prime}}|NEST}}
{{disambig3|Optimus Prime}}

:''Optimus Prime is the [[Autobot]] leader from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]]. He has [[Transformers: Rise of the Chevy Autobots|sometimes]] used the codename '''10-22'''.''
[[Image:Movieprime meettheautobots.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hello, pretty bird. GIVE ME YOUR FACE!]]
'''Optimus Prime''' is the leader of the [[Autobot]]s. He was the humble leader of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s sciences division, which protected the [[All Spark]] with [[Lord High Protector]] [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]'s military. Optimus discovered that he was the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], hidden away when [[The Fallen]] destroyed their lineage. When The Fallen corrupted Megatron, Optimus assumed his proper [[Prime (rank)|title]] and formed the Autobots to stand against Megatron's [[Decepticon]]s.

As obsessively as Megatron strives to achieve his objective, Optimus is equally as dedicated to stopping him, even at the cost of his life, his world, and—if necessary—his own people. It was on his order that the [[All Spark]] was jettisoned into space, dooming Cybertron to a slow death and his people to nomadism. The sacrifices he has made weigh heavily on his [[Spark|spark]], but they must be done, for there is no other choice. He knows the ambitions that lurk in Megatron's spark, and they must never see the light of day. Lives must be kept free from the threat of Megatron's tyranny, no matter the cost.

{{bigquote|Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing. I know this personally.|Optimus Prime reflecting on his past|[[Revenge of the Fallen (novel)]]}}

:''Hungarian name'': '''Optimusz Fővezér''' ("Prime Leader Optimus")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Kē Bó Wén''' (柯博文)
:''Cantonese name (Hong Kong):'' '''O Baak Man''' (柯柏文)
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Qing Tian Zhu''' (擎天柱，“Pillar that Supports Heaven”)

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defiance1 Megs Prime argument.jpg|left|350px|thumb|"Hey, I wanted a mouthplate!"]]

For two generations, Optimus ruled [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] side-by-side with [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], and was in charge of the [[Science Division]] and the protectors of the [[All Spark]]. The two personalities created a balance; Prime was fair while Megatron was firm. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1}} When Protector Megatron toured the excavation site near the temple at [[Simfur]], he and Optimus clashed over several issues. While Optimus wanted to take the investigation slowly, all Megatron cared about was whether the site contained power similar to the All Spark. Optimus nettled Megatron when he reminded the Protector that the science sector was in charge of scientific and archaeological discoveries, and that the defense forces had a tendency to treat such discoveries as hostile, to which Megatron responded that if and when he was leader, he could make such decisions. When a [[The Fallen|mysterious relic]] was uncovered, Optimus disagreed with Megatron's order for it to be removed from the ground. Just as the two were about to launch into yet another argument, aliens previously encountered by Commander [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] attacked Cybertron. Megatron blackmailed Optimus into moving the relic into his personal quarters by reminding the science leader that the science division would like to protect the only intact relic from harm. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1}}

Optimus ordered his science teams to help the survivors on both sides, in the hopes of finding out who was responsible and why they attacked. While he went off to find Megatron, he ordered the others to continue searching for survivors while [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] examined the alien remains. Optimus was shocked and appalled when Megatron ordered him to marshal his forces for war. Optimus objected, as his science division was not trained for combat, but Megatron retorted that the scientists should have known that aliens were after the All Spark. He endured Megatron's insane fury when he accused the Protector of betraying that upon which their society was built. Later, Optimus called upon a meeting with his science division to ask them to stay by his side and continue on with their mission of peaceful research, as they were protectors, not soldiers. While the aerial-based Cybertronians followed Megatron into space, Optimus confided in [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] and [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] that Megatron sought to divide their planet, and he asked the former for help breaking into the the High Protector's personal quarters. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_OptimusPrime_battle.jpg|thumb|300px|Man...Prime ain't foolin' around.]]

After noting that Megatron had restored the artifact to pristine condition, Optimus had to leave the military leader's quarters just before he returned. Back at Burthov, he came upon [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], Arcee, and [[Elita-One]] scanning the pieces of the other artifacts. Arcee then discovered that the pieces all contained the same symbol on them, and that the same symbol was on Optimus' head. Ratchet declared that the symbol was proof of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], and it indicated Optimus himself was a [[Dynasty of Primes|Prime]]. Ratchet and the other Autobots began to dub him "Optimus Prime", although a humble Optimus noted they did not know what it meant and for all they knew, he could just be from a line of record clerks. As they discussed the revelations, Prowl was forced by Megatron to arrest Optimus, but this turned out to be a trap to kill him. Optimus bested Starscream, while Megatron formed his new faction, the [[Decepticon]]s. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3}}

Retreating to Burthov with his fellow scientists and Prowl's security officers, Optimus was acknowledged as the leader of the group, with Prowl serving as his lieutenant. He and Prowl were discussing sites for a new base when Jazz informed them that Captain Ironhide of the [[Defense Force]] wanted to see Optimus. Learning of Megatron's new starship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Optimus Prime was convinced by his advisers that their side needed a [[Ark (Movie)|ship of their own]] to prepare for any eventualities. The Autobots found themselves at an advantage when the ''Nemesis'' left Cybertron with the balance of the Decepticon forces, and Optimus himself took the fight to their enemies. However, years of bloody war devastated the planet, and Optimus saw no end in sight, unless the main reason for fighting was removed from the conflict. He revealed his plan to capture the All Spark, and most assumed the Autobots would somehow take it aboard their ship. But Optimus's real plan was to blast the Cube into deep space, away from Cybertron and away from Megatron. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4}}

{{note|In line with ''Revenge of the Fallen'', [[Defiance]] changes the past relationship between Megatron and Optimus Prime as previously seen in IDW's [[Movie Prequel issue 1|first movie prequel]], where they ruled side by side as equals. This was because, like several other pieces of tie-in fiction, the first movie prequel comic was based upon an earlier draft of the 2007 movie, where Prime and Megatron were referred to as "brothers", a reference that only survived in one line of dialogue in the final movie, which, according to writer [[Roberto Orci]], was intended to be open to interpretation.}}

[[Image:Optimusprimemovieprequel.jpg|left|200px|thumb|All Primes are required to have window boobs.]]

The All Spark was successfully ejected into space at [[Tyger Pax]], where [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] distracted Megatron. Prime and the Autobots were held up in [[Simfur]] during the launch. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1}} As they prepared to leave Cybertron on board the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]'' to go after the All Spark, Optimus Prime had some doubts about his decision, feeling that in buying them some time in the war, he had sentenced their world to death. [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] disagreed, pointing out that had Megatron been able to claim the Cube, all those that opposed him would have been destroyed, and that Prime had turned death into a fighting chance for the Autobots. Bolstered by Prowl's words, Prime resolved to rebuild their shattered home once they retrieved the All Spark. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Cullen]]

Bumblebee remembered Optimus Prime's orders that they must launch the All Spark into space, for it was better to lose it to the depths of space than allow Lord Megatron to corrupt it with his evil. For where ever there is hope, there is life. {{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Prime Directive (IDW)|Prime Directive]] Movie Prequel that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:OptimusMovie_GeoffSenior.JPG|250px|thumb|Starting as he means to go on.]]

When war broke out, Optimus studied the entire history of intergalactic warfare from any datatrack he could find—he studied whole campaigns to desperate last stands, gaining a focused "playbook" of warfare strategy. He understands warfare on a practical and psychological level, and in desperate battles knows to show no mercy to opponents beyond a swift death. <ref>''Autobot VS Decepticon Smackdown! - Megatron V. Optimus Prime'', #4</ref>

Optimus was the focus of constant attacks by assassin drones and killed them all. In the aftermath of one, he witnessed a prophetic vision of the [[Mission City]] battle and realised the All Spark's ejection could spread war to other planets—but too late to stop the launch... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 1|Prelude: Optimus Prime}}

{{note|The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines comics continuity, and thus does not occur anywhere else.}}

Almost immediately after the final battle against Megatron, Optimus Prime had to lead the Autobots against a horde of [[Zombie|zombie]] Decepticons. Despite having no idea how they could be stopped and having had his power drained by fighting Megatron, Optimus continued to fight the monsters rather than let them run amok. Ratchet worked out a solution just in time before Optimus fell. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

{{notetitantlg}}

In the alternate reality, Megatron defeated Optimus and took the All Spark at [[Mission City]]. Prime's body was now partially frozen and in Decepticon hands. He was the last and only hope of the Earth resistance, and so Bumblebee and [[Mikaela Banes]] were not happy to find him offline. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

She thawed him out while Bumblebee distracted Megatron, and the revived Prime challenged Megatron to a solo duel... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}} Unfortunately, Megatron's link to the All Spark meant Optimus could not do any lasting damage and was never going to win. Luckily, Bumblebee and Mikaela saved the day, hitting the distracted Megatron with an old [[Sector Seven]] nanovirus. (Which means ''they'' were the last and only hope, but oh well.) Despite Megatron dying as a result and the All Spark being destroyed elsewhere, Prime could take no satisfaction in victory: this battle was won, but the war remained... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

[[Image:Optimus_Titan12.JPG|left|250px|thumb|"Megatron's face must be cut off...no MATTER THE COST!"]]

He became resigned to the fact that Humanity, battered by Decepticon occupation, would view both Autobot and Decepticon as hostile invaders. When [[NATO]] was manipulated into attacking the Autobots, Optimus refused to allow his men to return fire, and after the crisis passed, he was sure that [[Starscream (Movie)|the Decepticons' unknown new commander]] was up to something bigger. Optimus also placed the last All Spark fragment in the care of Ratchet, though he was worried exposure to Megatron might have corrupted it. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath Part 1}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|Aftermath Part 2}} He was ''not'' happy when Ratchet "took care" of the fragment by bringing [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] back with it, who was left corrupted and amoral by it. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}}

Optimus Prime soon worked out that while the All Spark's transformation of Earth had been halted, the damage had been done: the organic Earth and the technological transformation were now fighting for supremacy, killing the planet in the process. He called in a specialist team to investigate and limit the damage, while working with [[President of the United States|President Allen]]. In secret, he organised for [[Nucleon]] to be retrieved from the dead Cybertron and brought to Earth, as there was a long shot it could save the planet. He didn't tell the humans out of concern that if they knew about the plan and it failed, their hopes would be raised and dashed. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 17|Return to Cybertron: Part 1}} It was bad enough that Nucleon was so unstable it could turn destructive... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron: Part 2}}

When the team on Cybertron sent an distress signal and reported [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade's]] Decepticons had captured the Nucleon, Optimus led the entirety of the Earth-bound Autobots (save Camshaft's team) to Cybertron as back-up. He was then surprised to see Cybertron coming to ''them'', looking [[Unicron|a lot meaner these days]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 19|Return to Cybertron: Part 3}} The planet's possessor, Unicron, shot down the Straxus and the Autobots survived only by evacuating it in time in [[Protoform|protoform]] modes.

Optimus landed next to Stockade's old equipment and, after being filled in by [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], he effortlessly formed an alliance with Stockade against Unicron. His plan was to drain the Nucleon away so Unicron couldn't use it as a power source, while the bulk of the Transformers provided a distraction, which turned out to be going underground and shooting up Unicron's body. The plan worked, Nucleon was secured for Earth, and Optimus extended an offer for Stockade to join them on Earth whenever he wished. Optimus was left optimistic that Autobots and Decepticons had come together in a common cause. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron: Part 4}}

On returning to Earth, he found the Decepticons had seized the Autobot base and six hundred square miles around it; he made the decision to withdraw to [[Washington, D.C.]], knowing that this meant leaving Mikaela in Decepticon hands. Upon landing at an air base, the Decepticon-controlled President Allen lured him into a trap, and he found himself fighting Jazz, now a Decepticon hired gun. Optimus lured him away from humans and prepared to engage him, but when a second assassin named [[Kullt]] turned up, Jazz gunned it down out of annoyance. Optimus had viewed Jazz as a lost cause but now stated there was still some Autobot in him: he ''could'' have let Kullt do the work for him and then killed him, but he saved Prime instead.

The battle made it clear to Optimus that Allen was under Decepticon mental control. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|Hard Target}}

[[Image:Optimus Titan22.JPG|200px|thumb|Freedom is not dispensed here, sentient fools, only DEATH!]]

As he'd promised Bumblebee, Optimus took the Autobots to get Mikaela back; he himself went first, launching himself in [[Protoform|protoform]] mode to land in Savannah like a bomb and tearing his way through [[Swindle (Movie)|drone hordes]]. He was quickly gunned down by aerial units and about to be killed by Starscream, but this whole flashy attack had been a diversion—allowing other Autobots a chance to hit the distracted air forces and nab Mikaela. After the battle, Optimus remarked Starscream was no Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

Optimus seemed to quickly bond with [[General Seward]], his military liaison at Andrews Air Base, but that didn't help when the mind-controlled President Allen had the government order the Autobots out of America. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part One}} However, Prime had anticipated this. Almost two weeks before, he'd had Ironhide task [[Tom Banachek]] to identify all the Decepticon puppets for him. With Allen making the expected move, he dispatched Ironhide and Bumblebee to set things up so that the following day, when the Autobots all departed, Allen would try to nuke them out of the sky and be fooled by a decoy ship into thinking he'd killed them. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

To protect the Earth while they were undercover on Cybertron, Optimus had made a deal with Stockade to start a [[Decepticon Civil War]]. Optimus doesn't trust Stockade to not renege on the deal and just take control of Earth for himself, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part Two}} but he ensured the Decepticons were set up for the Autobot's final strike: forcibly teleporting all of the enemy to Cybertron via Unicron's leftover teleportational engines, then stranding Cybertron in a remote solar system. Optimus led the troops to Earth and witnessed Megatron's return from the dead... only to ''thwack'' him flying. The next minute, both Megatron ''and'' Stockade (why wait for him to renege?) were teleported away, along with their forces.

This left the Autobots stranded on Cybertron and with a lot of clean-up to do. But Optimus had ''finally'' brought about the end of the war... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

{{-}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
Optimus Prime led the search for the All Spark in the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]'', a transport vessel. When they came across an abandoned solar system, they located [[Ghost 1|a vessel]] of strangely Cybertronian design, seemingly of Decepticon make. When the vessel fled to the surface of a planet, Prime dispatched Bumblebee to investigate while he and the other Autobots battled Decepticons from the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]''. Prime managed to defeat [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], and [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] all on his own. After losing touch with Bumblebee, Prime went down to locate him on the planet, where they were attacked by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and the alien ship. They fell into a cavern network, where they were further attacked by [[Worm-thing|indigenous worms]].

During their flight from the creatures, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee came across the alien vessel. Prime realized that they were trying to surrender, so the Autobots communicated with its crew. Optimus explained that they came in peace, "freedom is the right of all sentient beings," Starscream tricks everyone, and so on. However, the creatures, who called themselves "[[Human|humans]]", explained that they held Megatron, whom they called the Ice Man, on their home world, [[Earth]]. Realizing the destruction Megatron would wreak upon the humans if he escaped, and that the humans would be unable to defend themselves effectively, Prime vowed to see them return to their world to warn it. Prime was able to blast an opening in the cavern, and the group escaped. As they returned to the ''Ark'', Prime began to speculate that the All Spark was what drew Megatron to Earth.

In the ensuing battle with the Decepticons, Prime was in the difficult position of fighting Starscream and protecting the human ship. His distractions allowed Bonecrusher to spear him with his tail. The difficult state nearly gave Starscream the chance to kill him, but the humans saved Prime's life by damaging Starscream, who destroyed them. Optimus Prime was inspired by their courage and sacrifice, and resolved to locate Earth before the Decepticons did—and hopefully before Megatron came back online. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007) film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Cullen]] (English), [[Tesshō Genda]] (Japanese), [[Guilherme Briggs]] (Brazil), [[Reiner Schöne]] (German), Alessandro Rossi (Italian)

[[Image:Movie OptimusPrime protoform.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Having overenergized the previous night, Prime woke up abandoned in a field, with his wallet and clothes stolen.]]
The leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime, came to Earth shortly after [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] sent his comrades a beacon. Upon atmospheric reentry, Prime managed to land outside of [[Tranquility]]'s inhabited areas. While Sam and Mikaela watched, Optimus transformed and fled his landing place. From atop a hill, he quickly scanned the form of an Earth truck, thus configuring his body to transform into it. Prime, [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] met up with Bumblebee and his human friends, [[Sam Witwicky]] and [[Mikaela Banes]] in an alley. In one of the most extended [[Transformation|transformations]] in the multiverse, Prime assumed his robotic form before the stunned humans. After confirming Sam's identity, Prime introduced himself and his team. When Mikaela asked of the Autobots' intentions, Prime explained the search for the All Spark, the betrayal of Megatron, and why Sam was important to their search.

[[Image:Movie PrimeSam parentsfreakout.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Optimus Prime will watch you fornicate. And there is nothing you can do about it.]]
Glasses that belonged to Sam's ancestor, [[Archibald Witwicky|Captain Archibald Witwicky]], contained the location of the All Spark encoded across its lenses, so Optimus Prime ordered his troops to wait outside Sam's house while Sam and Mikaela searched inside for the glasses. Much to Sam's exasperation, Optimus Prime, in his impatience, clumsily ruined his parents' garden, and the Autobots' heavy footsteps convinced them there was an earthquake. Prime's attempts to hide, such as having the Autobots transform into vehicle mode right in the backyard, were also less than satisfactory. Ultimately, Sam came so close to a panic attack that Prime was forced to order the Autobots to fall back. As Prime lectured his team on their supposed inability to remain quiet, Ratchet got himself shocked by walking into some powerlines, causing further problems. When [[Ron Witwicky|the]] [[Judy Witwicky|parents]] came to investigate, Prime's attempt to avoid discovery caused the house to shake, though this was to their benefit, as the father assumed that the damage to the yard was the result of an earthquake. Ironhide suggested that they kill the parents, but Optimus scolded his old friend. Despite all this, their presence remained undetected until [[Sector Seven]] arrived (in a convoy of GMC Yukons) and abducted Sam, Mikaela, and Sam's parents.

[[Image:Movie Optimus Prime S7 mad.JPG|right|300px|thumb|Get out of the car...what's left of it anyway!]]
Optimus Prime sent the Autobots in pursuit of the SUV that contained Sam, Mikaela, and Sector Seven's director, [[Seymour Simmons|Agent Simmons]]. Prime intercepted the vehicle carrying their young human friends, ripping the roof of the vehicle off, with the other Autobots disarming the agents, and made it perfectly clear to Simmons how pissed off he was at him for trying to apprehend the two children, regarding this as a bad move on Simmons' behalf. Optimus then ordered his comrades to relieve the agents of their weapons, and attempted to interrogate Simmons. The agents' lack of surprise at their appearance indicated that they had seen Cybertronians before, but Simmons refused to reveal any information. With a Sector Seven backup team en route, Prime ordered the Autobots to scatter, while he took Sam and Mikaela. While hiding under a bridge, Mikaela and Sam slipped and fell off Prime's shoulder. Bumblebee managed to catch them before impact, but was captured, and Sam and Mikaela recaptured, by the organization after their retreat.

Optimus Prime, now in possession of the glasses which could tell him the location of the All Spark, regretfully left Bumblebee in Sector Seven's hands, knowing that if they went after him, they would have to use deadly force. After regrouping the next day, Prime used the glasses to locate the All Spark. Jazz raised objections to leaving Bumblebee behind, but Prime remained firm in his belief of not harming the humans. Ironhide seemed okay with using deadly force, stating the humans were too violent, but Prime countered that when their time had come, the Cybertronians had been [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|little different]]. Going on to explain the potential he saw in the humans, as well as reminding them that "freedom is the right of all sentient beings", Prime revealed to the Autobots his real plan for the All Spark: if they could not defeat the Decepticons, Prime intended to merge the Cube with his [[Spark|spark]]. Though this would destroy the All Spark, Ratchet cautioned Prime against this, as it would also kill him. Prime believed that this was acceptable, vowing not to let another race suffer the mistakes of the Transformers. The glasses placed the All Spark at [[Hoover Dam]] where, luckily, Bumblebee and the young humans were taken.

[[Image:Movie2007 Prime sword.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Swiss army Prime.]]
Optimus Prime's team met up with Sector Seven, Bumblebee, Sam, and Mikaela en route, who had planned to hide the All Spark in nearby [[Mission City]]. While on the highway, he was attacked by [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]], who managed to tackle Optimus and drag him over the edge of a freeway overpass. During the battle, Optimus struck the rage filled Transformer so hard his [[Optic|optic]] popped out. As the Decepticon swung his claw wildly, Optimus drew his sword from his right arm and sliced off one of Bonecrusher's arms, before brutally finishing off his enemy by [[Decapitation|driving the blade through]] Bonecrusher's neck, severing his head.

Optimus arrived at Mission City just in time to observe Megatron discarding the remains of Jazz, and challenged him. Millennia in the ice had done nothing to lessen Megatron's hatred of his brother, and he launched himself in jet mode at the Autobot leader. Optimus leaped and grabbed hold of the wings, which was a really bad idea, as Megatron drove himself and Prime through an office block. As they flew out of the building onto the street below, Megatron transformed and leapt on top of Prime, declaring the humans undeserving of life. Prime rejected his claims, saying that they deserved to choose for themselves. Megatron threw Prime across the street, declaring that if he wished to defend the humans, Prime could die with them. He then formed his [[Fusion cannon|fusion cannon]] from his forearms. The power up time allowed Prime to draw his [[Ion blaster|ion blaster]] and fire, hitting Megatron. The Decepticon used the momentum to spin around, then used the fusion cannon to blast Prime across the street into another building. Megatron then resumed the hunt for Sam and the All Spark.

[[Image:Movie2007 Prime truck.jpg|right|300px|thumb|He knows he's a sexy truck.]]
Tracking Megatron to the deserted building, Prime barely managed to catch Sam after Megatron knocked him off the roof. Telling the boy to hold onto the Cube, Prime attempted to scale down the building, but Megatron jumped on Prime, causing them both to fall down hard onto the street below. Sam survived, however, and Optimus told the boy that if he could not defeat Megatron, Sam must put the All Spark into his chest which would destroy it. As Sam sought cover, Optimus faced down Megatron, and informed him that, "At the end of this day, one shall stand, one shall fall". Unfortunately, Megatron, even after years of stasis, proved to be far too powerful for Prime to defeat alone. The unit led by Lennox and the Raptor squadron laid down suppressing fire as Megatron reached for the All Spark, until Optimus finally took him down by sweeping his legs. Still, Megatron continued, crawling toward the cube. Believing he had lost, Optimus implored Sam to put the All Spark into his chest. Sam instead thrust it into Megatron's chest, killing the Decepticon leader and destroying the All Spark.

[[Image:Movie2007 Prime AllSpark shard.jpg|left|300px|thumb|The Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership|Dorito of leadership]]]]
As Optimus watched his brother die, he regretfully said there was little other choice. He also told Sam he owed him a debt of gratitude for saving his life, but was then informed that Jazz had not survived (Jazz was flapping around disrespectfully like a ragdoll during this sequence). Prime briefly eulogized his comrade, then commented that they had gained new comrades in the humans, and was honored by their bravery. Bumblebee, who had finally regained his voice, requested permission to remain with Sam Witwicky, to which the young human eagerly agreed, and Optimus approved. He noticed a fragment of the All Spark in Megatron's chest cavity and removed it, then permitted the humans to dispose of the Decepticon corpses by dumping them into the deepest part of the ocean.

[[Image:Movie Optimus ending.JPG|right|300px|thumb|[['Til all are one]]!]]
Though Megatron was killed and his Decepticons were defeated, the All Spark was destroyed, leaving the Autobots unable to restore Cybertron. The Autobots elected to remain on Earth, and Prime sent a message into deep space to any surviving Autobots in the Galaxy to come to their new home on Earth, their long years of searching having finally having come to an end. As the other Autobots rested (and watched Sam and Mikaela make out on Bumblebee's hood) Optimus Prime looked to the sky, hoping his message had been heard. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)}}
{{-}}

{{note|The [[Movie Adaptation Issue Number Four|comic book adaptation]] depicts Optimus Prime also defeating [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] during the highway altercation with Bonecrusher. However, the later comic [[The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One|The Reign of Starscream issue 1]] depicts Ironhide doing the deed.}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

That truck he transcanned was ''the coolest thing he ever saw''. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Movie) toys#Voyager Class toys|Robo-Vision Optimus Prime}}

When the All Spark was destroyed, Optimus was ''bathed'' in its power and became a living receptacle: he could destroy or heal with the merest thought. He still remained dedicated to peace, and altered his exterior decorations to match the ones he bore as a young leader, before the beginning of the war. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Movie) toys#Voyager Class toys|First Strike Optimus Prime}}

When the war turned out to ''not'' be over though, and with more Decepticons appearing on Earth, he was forced to alter himself to be used for stealth missions—something he finds dishonourable but knows has to be done. He is now sensor transparent and silent. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Movie) toys#Leader Class toys|Nightwatch Optimus Prime}} In this form, he came under surprise attack by an equally stealth-modified Starscream, leader of the new Decepticons! {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Movie) toys#Legends Class toys|Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream}}

Once the Decepicons were beaten on Earth, Optimus was given intelligence by [[Sector Seven]] on Decepticon activity on Mars. He immediately altered his form to blend in to Mars, and headed off to ''personally'' hunt the enemy down. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Movie) toys#Fast Action Brawlers|Fire Blast Optimus Prime}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:AllianceOptimusHoloDriver.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[Peter Cullen|Optimus Prime]] driving Optimus Prime! Sheer awesomeness!]]

Following the battle of [[Mission City]], and the destruction of Megatron and the All Spark, Optimus Prime was left to ferry the body of his first lieutenant [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] out of the city in an abandoned trailer. Trusting [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]] and his men, Prime asked the human soldiers to help the Autobots escape from the city, before [[Sector Seven]] and other untrustworthy humans could arrive. A month later, [[Seymour Simmons|Agent Simmons]] managed to convince Lennox and [[Robert Epps|Sergeant Epps]] to call upon the assistance of Optimus Prime and the Autobots to escort the Decepticon remains, thereby hopefully reactivating the Decepticon [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] somehow. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}}

Optimus, Ironhide, Ratchet and Bumblebee arrived at Sector Seven's Nevada desert base to escort the a naval base at [[California|San Diego, California]]. Optimus insisted on escorting Jazz's remains personally, and thanked Lennox for arraigning a proper burial-at-sea for his fallen lieutenant. When he noticed the All Spark shard seemingly reacting to the Decepticon bodies, he handed the fragment to [[Professor Vine]] for safekeeping until he returned. Shortly after leaving the base, Optimus had second thoughts about leaving the fragment in Sector Seven's possession, and ordered Bumblebee and Ironhide to turn around and retrieve the only remaining piece of the All Spark. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}}

[[Image:Alliance3_OptimusPrime_Lennox.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"So erm, want to go back to my place?" "Prime, are you trying to get onto me?" "No dude, I just want to show you my collection of faces and heads!"]]

The convoy returned to the Sector Seven base after learning of Wreckage and Starscream's attacks. [[Salani]] retrieved the All Spark shard and returned it to Optimus Prime, who felt the last piece of their heritage should stay with him. Weeks later, the Autobots and the soldiers with whom they served with traveled aboard a [[United States Navy|US Navy]] carrier for Jazz's burial-at-sea and to observe the disposal of the Decepticons. Optimus deeply appreciated the humans' paying last respects to their fallen comrade, though he was concerned that even the great depths of the Laurentian Abyss were not enough to keep the Decepticon bodies hidden. Below deck, Optimus and Lennox agreed to a formal [[N.E.S.T.|alliance between the Autobots and humans]] as the first line of offense and defense against the Decepticons. During training on the island of [[Diego Garcia]], Optimus Prime reminded the Autobots that they must work together with the humans as a team, never forgetting that division was what caused the war on Cybertron in the first place. When they were alone, Optimus Prime and Major Lennox complimented each other's leadership and the dedication of their respective troops. When Lennox commented that it was because of the Autobots that he and his soldiers were alive today, Optimus refuted this, saying it was because of humans such as Lennox and Sam, and that the Autobots were only part of the problem. Soon, both [[N.E.S.T.]] leaders learned that the Decepticons had returned to Earth. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}

[[Image:Alliance4_Prime_killingspree.jpg|thumb|300px|Freedom is the right of all '''non-Decepticon''' sentient beings.]]

NEST was deployed to [[San Francisco]], where the Decepticons [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] and [[Dead End (Movie)|Dead End]] were wreaking havoc. Flushed out of hiding, the Decepticons managed to evade the other Autobots, but Optimus Prime quickly put down Dead End by ramming him head-on. When asked by Prime, he commented that he was fine, but he wasn't sure if Dead End was. On the way back to base, Lennox and Optimus Prime discussed Swindle's last words and were concerned that this was just the first wave of Decepticons coming to Earth, and that they were after [[Sam Witwicky]]. Optimus convinced Lennox that no matter what, it was Sam's destiny to become involved in this conflict, and they agreed to send Bumblebee back to the States to resume his role as the boy's guardian. Later, when Optimus observed the distrust for the Autobots held by Lennox's superiors, he suggested that they must work harder and that continued success would satisfy those above them. During the subsequent hunt for Decepticons around the world, Optimus Prime personally destroyed [[Jetstorm (Movie)|Jetstorm]], [[Dropkick]] and [[Incinerator (Movie)|Incinerator]]. As NEST's ranks grew, together they celebrated their victories and mourned those who made the ultimate sacrifice. One event brought joy and hope to the team: The arrival of Autobot refugees who were eager to protect their new homeworld. This joy was tempered by the fact more and more Decepticons were being sighted on Earth, and Optimus believed that there was some unknown that threatened their new home, their species and their alliance with the humans. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4}}
{{-}}

===''The Veiled Threat'' prequel novel===
{{Note|The events of ''The Veiled Threat'' take place during [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Alliance (comic)|Alliance]]'' comic.}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Cullen]] (English), [[Tesshō Genda]] (Japanese), [[Guilherme Briggs]] (Brazil), [[Reiner Schöne]] (German), Alessandro Rossi (Italian)

[[Image:ROTF-DemolishorPrime.jpg|thumb|left|250px|With the Legends and Voyager toys, this scene is ''just'' possible.]]
After the events in [[Mission City]] two years ago, Optimus Prime and the Autobots became part of a Transformer/human military group called [[NEST]], which hunted down the remaining Decepticons across the world. When [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] and [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] were detected in [[Shanghai]], NEST was deployed there, including the Autobots [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. Once Demolishor made himself known by transforming into robot mode and crushing dozens of cars along the highway, Optimus Prime parachuted out of a NEST cargo plane and landed in vehicle mode. He leapt off a bridge onto the Decepticon's head and wrestled the titan to the ground. With his dying breath, the Constructicon stated that [[The Fallen]] would rise again. Optimus responded in the negative and unceremoniously executed him.

Returning to [[Diego Garcia]], Prime entered a briefing with [[Theodore Galloway]], the National Security Adviser who had been appointed liaison by the [[President of the United States|President]], and [[Morshower]], the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was watching by satellite feed. Prime relayed the warning of The Fallen to them, but Galloway made no effort to conceal his hostility toward the Autobots. He took issue with their refusal to share weapons technology and their continued sending of transmissions into space. Prime told Galloway that the Autobots were aware of humanity's history of warfare, and Morshower said that all the transmissions had been vetted by NEST officers. Galloway also pointed out that the Decepticons had not left Earth as Optimus had hoped, leading him to conclude that the Autobots were the ones who the Decepticons were after. When asked if the Autobots would leave Earth if told to, Optimus replied that they would comply, but warned Galloway to consider what would happen if the Autobots left but the Decepticons did not.

Unknown to Prime, the Decepticon [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] had been monitoring transmissions and spied in on the briefing. Dispatching [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] to the island, he had his agent steal the remaining All Spark fragment from the island so it could be used to revive Megatron. Optimus was unaware of the Decepticons' goal, so it is understandable that he became more preoccupied by the resulting cool relations with the United States. Seeking outside help, Optimus dispatched Bumblebee to retrieve Sam Witwicky from college in an effort to secure his testimony on the Autobots' behalf. Meeting Sam at an abandoned cemetery near his college, Optimus explained the situation. Sam was not receptive; in fact, he was quite hostile, saying that he had just started college and was trying to have a normal life. Knowing that fate often called at inconvenient times, Optimus impressed upon Sam the importance of what was going on, but Sam reiterated that the Cybertronian War was not his. Optimus relayed his fear that it soon would be.

[[Image:ROTFPrimevsMegsandScreamer.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Stick em' up!]]
Prime's fear soon came to pass, but in the last way he could imagine: Megatron had learned that the knowledge of the All Spark had been passed to Sam by a fragment Sam had touched, and soon captured him, Mikaela, and Sam's college roommate [[Leo Spitz]]. Heading to rescue the three humans, Optimus and Bumblebee ambushed the Decepticons in the abandoned industrial complex where the teens were being held, just as [[Scalpel]] was about to perform fatal neurosurgery on Sam. Managing to whisk Sam away from the plant, Optimus made it as far as the nearby forest when Megatron arrived. Going one-on-one with the Decepticon leader, Prime managed to hold his own until Starscream and [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] arrived. Prime was forced to run interference between Megatron and Starscream, who pursued Sam.

[[Image:ROTF Optimus vs Grindor.jpg|thumb|left||250px|''Frenzy is red,'' '' Rumble is blue,'' ''this poem doesn't rhyme,'' ''NOW GIVE ME YOUR FACE !'' ]]As the battle raged, Megatron told Prime that the boy was the key to finding another energon source, then shattered his [[mouthplate]] and sent him flying back with a point blank shot. Megatron asked if the boy's life was greater than the future of their race, but Prime knew that he would never stop with a single life. Declaring that he'd take them all on, Optimus Prime unsheathed both [[battle blade]]s and fought a three-on-one fight against the Decepticons. Surprisingly, not only did he manage to hold his own, he was actually winning, managing to stab Megatron multiple times, slice off Starscream's arm and use it as a club, and rip apart Grindor's head. However, Megatron managed to stab his own sword through Optimus Prime's chest, following with a point blank shot through his injured back. Critically injured, Optimus implored the still-observing Sam to run. Although the rest of the Autobots soon arrived and drove off Megatron and Starscream, Optimus Prime was [[The_many_deaths_of_Optimus_Prime|dead]].

Soon after, The Fallen made his presence known and demanded Sam Witwicky be turned over to him or the world would be destroyed. Galloway used this as a reason to shut down NEST and ordered the Autobots returned to Diego Garcia under guard, along with Prime's corpse (which was unceremoniously dropped from multiple helicopters). Fortunately, Bumblebee, and [[Skids (ROTF)|the]] [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Twins]] managed to spirit Sam, Mikaela, and Leo away before The Fallen made his announcement. With help from their former enemy Seymour Simmons and the Decepticon-turned-Autobot [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]], the group discovered that Sam's mind contained the Language of the Primes, to which group The Fallen had once belonged. The human/Autobot group managed to locate the Seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], who told them of how the [[Seven Primes]] forged a [[solar harvester]] to use a star's energy to replenish the All Spark, and the [[Matrix of Leadership]], needed to activate the harvester, until they were betrayed by The Fallen, who tried to harvest [[Sun|Sol]] in defiance of the Primes' rule of the sanctity of life. Sam hit upon the idea to use the Matrix to restore Optimus to life, similar to how the Decepticons had used the All Spark fragment to resurrect Megatron. Having been teleported to [[Egypt]] by Jetfire, the group managed to relay the information to Major Lennox and Sergeant Epps, who faked engine trouble over Petra, where the [[Tomb of the Primes]] was located. Unfortunately, the Matrix had turned to dust in the thousands of years since its entombment, but Sam still believed that it could be used to revive Optimus.

[[Image:ROTF Optimus sphinx.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Upon consideration, Optimus decided not to add the Sphinx's face to his collection, but only because it was already damaged.]]
However, the Decepticons were still looking for the harvester and the Matrix needed to activate it. Sam was technically killed in the battle, during which he communed with the six Primes from the tomb, who restored the Matrix. Jamming it in the fallen Autobot's chest, Sam used the Matrix to restore Optimus Prime to life. Unfortunately, The Fallen soon arrived and stole the Matrix. Having been fatally injured by [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], Jetfire offered his parts to Optimus, as only a Prime could defeat The Fallen, and snuffed out his own spark. After Ratchet and [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] finished attaching Jetfire's wings and thrusters to Prime's body, Optimus hurried to the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]], which had been constructed around the harvester, and damaged the machine before it could destroy Earth's sun. Optimus Prime then faced Megatron and the Fallen. This against the odds battle went far better for Optimus, as he used Megatron's own blaster to shoot off half his face and quickly send him through some ruins. Telling the traitorous Prime he had picked the wrong planet, Optimus ripped off The Fallen's face and punched through his abdomen, crushing his spark core and forcing Megatron and Starscream to retreat.

On the return voyage home, Optimus and Sam discussed what they had seen and experienced. Though he did not know what the future held for their races, Optimus Prime declared that the Autobots and humans would face it together, as they had millennia before. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|The film's official adaptations note Optimus is an orphan, implying he is the son of one of the [[Seven Primes]] (although their number was [[Thirteen original Transformers|thirteen]] since these were based on early drafts of the script). }}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers'' The Game (console)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Cullen]]

====Autobot campaign====
Optimus Prime providesd intelligence and missions to Bumblebee in his search for the All Spark. Eventually, the clues led the Autobot to Sam Witwicky. After saving Sam from Barricade, Bumblebee finally completed preparations for the Autobots to arrive on Earth.

Once on Earth, and having informed the two teenagers of their mission, Prime and the Autobots were discovered by Sector Seven. Optimus sent Jazz on a high-speed <strike>destruction</strike> distraction mission, then sent Ironhide to rescue Jazz from a double-threat posed by the government agents and various Decepticon scouts.

When Bumblebee was captured, Optimus Prime transformed and chased the helicopter which from which the small Autobot was tied. After a lengthy pursuit, Optimus managed to catch the net, only to be thrown off by another Cybertronian [[transition form|meteor]. As Bumblebee was carried away, Optimus promised he would not fail him again. Jazz informed him that the meteor was not an Autobot and Optimus confronted the new threat, who turned out to be the Decepticon triplechanger [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. The two battled it out across [[Tranquility]] before Optimus finally destroyed him, and in doing so, overheard [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s transmission revealing the location of the All Spark.

Optimus then returned to an intel role as he guided Bumblebee in his mission to retrieve the All Spark from Hoover Dam. Unfortunately, the Decepticons managed to free Megatron, leading to the final battle in Mission City.

As the Autobots engaged in an all-out urban war with the Decepticons to protect Sam and the All Spark, things seemed to take a turn for the worse as Megatron finally arrived. But before the Decepticon leader could claim the Cube, Optimus Prime attacked.

The two leaders duked it out until Megatron was finally on the ground, seemingly devoid of life. Optimus knelt to take the All Spark as Sam handedit to him, but Megatron suddenly awoke, leaping at the Autobot with his chain-flail out, and making one last attempt at defeating his adversary. Optimus grabbed the chain, pulling Megatron in closer, and with the All Spark clutched in his fist, delivered a punch through Megatron's spark. As Megatron died Optimus reflected on the losses and rewards of this battle, as the Autobots have a new home. Optimus planned to guard the humans in secret, "For freedom is the right of all sentient beings." {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

====Decepticon campaign====

{{charstubfiction}}

In the final battle, Optimus Prime was beaten to the ground, and as he desperately crawled for the All Spark, Megatron smashed his head with his flail, before using the Cube to destroy humanity. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Cullen]]

Arriving late on Earth, Optimus meets up with the other Autobots to give further commands to his troops. [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]], the new rookie, is eager to help in the cause, but Optimus tells him to sit back while the grown-ups take care of business. Getting fed up with the bureaucracy, Create-A-Bot finally defies orders and completes a mission against Optimus's council. After nearly getting himself and the other Autobots killed, Create-A-Bot apologizes to Optimus personally. Taking pity on the newcomer, Optimus lets him off with a stern warning, and they move out together to face Megatron. During the fight, Create-A-Bot sacrifices himself to save his commander. Megatron defeated, Optimus commends the young Autobot as a war hero, and sends out an interstellar message to any Cybertronians living among the stars. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Cullen]]

Landing on Earth, Optimus Prime quickly joins the other Autobots to attempt to stop the Decepticons. Prime didn't appear on the battlefield until Megatron himself was released and Starscream escaped with the All Spark. He stepped in to thwart the maniacal leader of the Decepticons, but alas, was struck down, left in the streets while Megatron gave chase to his traitorous second-in-command. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - The Game''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Cullen]] (English) [[Dariusz Odija]] (Polish)

====Autobot campaign====
{{charstubfiction}}
{{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

====Decepticon campaign====
When the revanant Megatron and the Decepticons rampaged across the United States of America, Optimus Prime faced him in a major city on the East Coast. The two leaders engaged in a titantic struggle that shook the city, but despite being aided by many Autobot drone units, Optimus was seemingly destroyed. However, much later, Optimus Prime reappeared when Megatron's master, The Fallen, activated the Solar Harvester to drain Earth's Sun. The Autobot leader revealed that The Fallen's promise to make the Megatron a Prime was a lie, as Primes were born, not mate. When Megatron demanded his reward, The Fallen renegged on his promise. As the master and disciple of evil began to fight, Optimus left to find a way to disable the Harvester. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

==Commercial appearances==

* As part of the hype buildup to the movie's release, Optimus Prime made a brief cameo at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards, interacting with host Sarah Silverman. The scene spliced Silverman into pre-existing movie footage, but featured new dialogue recorded for the event by Peter Cullen. Prime heavily hinted that he wanted to present an award, but was rejected for a regular MTV fan.

* According to a tie-in advertisement for [[Burger King]], Prime likes his Whoppers with no onions, no cheese, extra pickles, with a side of ????. However, due to a cruel twist of fate, he can never enjoy the sweet taste of beefy victory. He saved the world from the Decepticons, and still he can't even have it his way? Where's the justice?

* Optimus Prime (in truck mode) made an appearance at [[BotCon 2007]], alongside the [[Sector Seven Mobile Command Unit]]. He was available for pictures all weekend. He made a second appearance at [[BotCon 2009]].

* Optimus threw a trailer during his appearance on an [[M&M's]] commercial.

* In 2009, Optimus appeared on ''The Late Show With David Letterman'' to declare the "Top Ten Things That Sound Cool When Said By A Giant Robot". Optimus said it was nice to be there, although David was ''clearly'' concerned by having an 28-feet tall robot in the studio because of a bad history of robots messing up the place, and during the presentation Letterman decided there was something about Prime he didn't like. Anyway, the top ten was:
<ol>
<li value="10">"Jergens lotion leaves my hands silky smooth."</li>
<li value="9">"Do you have these khakis in size 114?"</li>
<li value="8">"My perfect night involves a pint of Haagen-Dazs and season three of ''Sex and the City''."</li>
<li value="7">"Man do I love me some 'taters."</li>
<li value="6">"It was so hot in Central Park, I saw a squirrel rubbing sunblock on his nuts."</li>
<li value="5">"You seemed a little pitchy, dawg."</li>
<li value="4">"Brody Jenner has added you as a friend on Facebook."</li>
<li value="3">"Live from New York, it's Saturday night."</li>
<li value="2">"My parents wanted me to be a Rabbi."</li>
<li value="1">"All the slammin' shorties in the house say 'Yeah'."<ref>[http://lateshow.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/video_player/index/php/991507.phtml Lateshow CBS archive video of Optimus's guest spot.]</ref></li>
</ol>

==Toys==
{{main|Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
:''Main article: [[Optimus Prime (Movie) toys#Merchandise|Merchandise]]''

==Trivia==
[[Image:Movie Primetruck before.jpg|right|150px|thumb|8:30 pm: "Trick My Truck". Tonight's guest: [[Alpha Trion (disambiguation)|Alpha Trion]].]]
* When Optimus' design was first revealed, many fans of the Generation 1 series objected to the flames seen on Prime's body. When asked in an interview why he put the flames on, [[Michael Bay]] claimed he liked them because it was "cool". It was later revealed on a special featurette on the DVD that the flames were added because, apparently, red is not very good to film on camera, so Bay chose a blue truck but used the flames so that when Optimus transformed, the layout would result in maintaining his iconic red chest.

* The announcement of [[Peter Cullen]] as Prime's voice actor in the movie is credited by some fans as alleviating many fan tensions about the movie. Not all tensions, mind you, as there are some who just will never be satisfied, but it put the fans in a good mood.

* [[TakaraTomy]] officially recognizes Optimus Prime's vehicle mode as a [http://www.kenworth.com/2100_vir_w900.asp Kenworth W900 truck], even though the vehicle used for filming was a modified [http://www.peterbilt.com/index_gal_mod_desc.asp?model=model379 Peterbilt 379], a different model from a different brand, although both are made by the PACCAR company.<ref>[http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=121424?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..2.* Article at Edmunds.com on some of the vehicles used in the movie]</ref>
[[Image:Movie OptimusPrime truckrear.jpg|right|150px|thumb|No container for you!]]

* Prime's truck mode is apparently intended to haul a flatbed trailer, based on the presence of the large silver "headache rack", a piece of optional equipment that protects the driver in case a flatbed load breaks free during braking. It is generally not installed on trucks hauling enclosed container trailers.

* Despite this, the one time that Prime has been seen with a trailer, it's an enclosed trailer (with a design based on Generation 1 Optimus Prime's [[Combat Deck]]), commandeered by the Autobots for use as Jazz's coffin after the battle of [[Mission City]] in [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[Alliance (comic)|Alliance]] comic book series.

[[Image:Movie Prime Trucklogomistake.jpg|right|150px|thumb|In the darkness, a PA will misread "Truck A" as "Truck B", and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth -- Revelation 11:7.]]

* When Optimus Prime scans a truck for his new body, the passing truck has what appears to be an Autobot sigil on its grill, but the actual truck that Prime turns into at the end of the scene has a much wider, flatter symbol on the grill, which looks rather more like that of Peterbilt. Then, Prime has an Autobot sigil on his grill while driving to meet the other Autobots.

* According to the free trading cards from the Boston Globe, Optimus is 28 feet tall, weighs 4.3 metric tons, and his primary weapon is an [[Ion blaster|ion blaster]]. (Considering Optimus's height, however, this weight would seem implausible.)

* In the Japanese dub of the movie, he is given his original western name of Optimus Prime rather than the Japanese equivalent, Convoy. Just as Peter Cullen voiced Prime in the English version of the film, Tesshō Genda (the voice of G1 Convoy) reprised his role for the Japanese dub.

* The Optimus Prime computer generated model consisted of 10,108 individual parts, 1,830,898 polygons, 27,744 rig nodes, and 2336 texture maps. The volume of all pieces combined came to 5445 cubic feet.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>

* It said in the Autobots game in the DS, Prime's father was killed by Megatron. However, since it is also widely known that Prime and Megatron were brothers, Megatron killed his own dad. Not that this is surprising, though.

* In Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' comics, Optimus's Cybertronian robot mode is exactly like his Earth mode, but with different weapons, yet his Cybertronian mode is a mostly silver protoform—with no truck windows. Odd.

* Of the Optimus Primes in all the existing continuities, this one is probably the most aggressive incarnation. Additionally, he seems obsessed with destroying the heads of his opponents. In ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]'', Prime [[Decapitation|decapitates]] [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] and tries pulling off [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]'s head. In ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of The Fallen]]'', Optimus severely damages [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]]'s head before putting the lethal bullet in it, he tries pulling off [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream's]] head with his foot, ''rips apart'' [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor's]] head with hooks, shoots off part of Megatron's face, and ''rips off'' [[The Fallen]]'s face before killing him.

* This incarnation of Optimus Prime doesn't do the best burials in the world, either - giving what can at best be described as a half-hearted goodbye to his [[Jazz (Movie)|first lieutenant]] at the end of the first movie, and unceremoniously dumping the parts of [[Jetfire (ROTF)|the converted Decepticon who had given him the power to defeat the Fallen]] at the conclusion of the second film. This is offset by how he's treated by humans when ''he'' dies.

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/ProtoformOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm Optimus Prime at TFU.info]
* [http://www.seibertron.com/toys/index.php?f_series=40&f_name=optimus&f_type=exact&Submit=Search Galleries of various different Optimus Prime toys from the Movie]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Exclusives]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:NEST]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Toys with sound]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:MacGuffins]]

Ratchet (Movie)

2009-07-27T08:39:46Z

124.188.181.95:

{{factions|autobot|NEST}}
{{disambig3|Ratchet}}
:''Ratchet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie Ratchet promorender.jpg|right|300px|thumb|He's not a vanette with a siren slapped on. (Instead, he's a rescue truck with an H2 cab slapped on.)]]
'''Ratchet''', the Autobots' medic, is probably the bravest of them all. He'll risk his life to pull any wounded comrade from the battlefield. Indeed, he did not join [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s team to be a soldier; rather, he's there to save lives, and thinks Prime is the best chance the universe has for peace.

A medic who dislikes violence, Ratchet's well-armed appearance is more due to being an improviser with surgical tools, such as his buzzsaw. When combat is unavoidable, he can employ these makeshift weapons with surprising agility for his size.

{{bigquote|I can't save them all. I learned that truism a long time ago, on countless battlefields. But still, no matter how many I help... a hundred, a thousand... it's the one that I fail that haunts me!|Ratchet on a bitter truth|[[Transformers Comic issue 3]]}}

:''Hungarian name:'' '''Racsni'''
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Fēi Lún''' (飛輪, "Flying Wheel")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Jiu Hu Che''' (救护车, "Ambulance")

==Fiction==
===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Titan Ratchet offmodel.jpg|left|250px|thumb|How the crap are they missing a target ''that'' big?]]

Ratchet used to be a politician, Optimus Prime's chief liaison to the [[High Council of Ancients]]. He tried to find a peaceful solution to the civil war, and when this failed, he became a battlefield medic. {{storylink|Transformers: The Movie Guide}}

He would later be one of three Autobots who tried to prevent [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] from reaching the [[All Spark]]. However, they hadn't expected [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] to be demented enough to set off a foldspace warhead at pointblank range, a weapon that warped everyone to different parts of the galaxy. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2|Prelude: Megatron}} As well as ending up in a different body, Ratchet found himself stuck in the middle of a genocidal alien war that uncomfortably mirrored Cybertron's own. By challenging and defeating [[Durguth]], the local tyrant, he became ruler of the [[Thraal]] faction. He then ordered a ceasefire and oversaw an interim alliance, effectively bringing peace to the planet single-handed. He then set up a homing beacon in the hope of getting rescued. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 3|Prelude: Ratchet}}

[[Image:Titan Ratchet notanambulance.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Ratchet... in a ''non''-medical alt mode?! You go too far, Furman!]]

[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] eventually detected the beacon, Ratchet switched back to his green form, and the two began searching for Jazz when he didn't show. They rescued him from a predatory alien planet and then returned to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 6|Lost In Space Part 4: Jazz}} Once on Cybertron, he decided to try out that white body again, and was part of a mission to ''finally'' medevac [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 1}}

Centuries later and immediately following the death of Megatron, Ratchet (having gone back to green) and his comrades were attacked by [[zombie]] Decepticons. After being briefly smacked aside in the fight, it occurred to Ratchet that the corpses were being animated by All Spark energy stolen from the [[Allspark Mutation|Allspark Mutations]], and this knowledge turned the tide before the Autobots were wiped out. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}
{{-}}

{{notetitantlg}}
Ratchet was part of the outnumbered human-Autobot resistance in the conquered [[United States of America]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} Along with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], he infiltrated a Decepticon facility disguised as a (purple) Payload to stop them using the [[All Spark]] to transform Earth, and he reluctantly decided to let the All Spark be destroyed if it was the only way to save Earth. Unfortunately, [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] let them into the facility to kill them! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}}

[[Image:RatchetArmorhide_letsdoit.jpg|left|400px|thumb|Ratchet's a trendsetter, and if only the trend was having a consistent colour scheme and look between issues...]]

Ratchet's quick tactical thinking (absorbing nearby ore to reform his offensive weaponry and armour) immediately turned the tide against the Decepticon, but only the arrival of [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee and her crew]] stopped him from being gunned down by Swindles. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4}} Despite this, drone numbers were against them, and Ratchet didn't believe they could pull off a victory until he noticed a way to bypass the All Spark's defensive forcefield and destroy the Cube with regular weaponry. Ratchet did this, saving Earth at the cost of the All Spark, though he begged for forgiveness as he destroyed it. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}

To his relief, a fragment of the All Spark had survived. Optimus, worried about the fragment being corrupted by exposure to Megatron, made Ratchet its guardian. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath Part 1}} However, in the face of great Decepticon numbers, Ratchet took an unauthorised risk and used the fragment to bring Jazz back to life. The fragment's corruption meant Jazz was brought back amoral and self-serving, and Ratchet was left distraught at what he'd done. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}}

[[Image:Ratchet_Titan16notonmywatch.jpg|right|350px|thumb|"A proper mouth, at last!"]]

When the Autobots received an SOS from Ironhide's team on Cybertron, the entire team mobilised to head there. Ratchet hurriedly picked up [[Mikaela Banes]] so she could watch their base, ignoring every single traffic law as he did so. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 19|Return to Cybertron: Part 3}} When on Cybertron, Ratchet found himself in battle against [[Unicron]], trying to separate him from the [[Nucleon]] he was using to power his physical body (a possessed Cybertron!). It became clear fast that the Autobot's plan was not going to work fast enough, but Ratchet realised that such a large structure would have an energy distribution network around them; rather than drain the Nucleon manually, he sped things up by having everyone shoot the distribution network until it blew up, causing the energy to be used up in an internal fire. Who needs a [[Matrix]] when you have Ratchet! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron: Part 4}}

After the Decepticons re-took Savannah, Ratchet was part of the ground troops sent in to rescue Mikaela. He did bog all there, really. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defiance1 Ratchet Jazz vocalprocessors.jpg|left|250px|thumb|You turbo revvin young punks are always in the way!]]

Many years before the war, First Officer Ratchet was a member of the science sector on Cybertron. He greeted Commander [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] when the latter returned from a patrol in the [[Eshems nebula]] and repaired his wounds. When he reported of promising findings in the archaeological site near the temple of [[Simfur]], Starscream was somewhat dismissive of the science division's efforts in light of their previous failures. Later, at the excavation site, [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] tweaked Ratchet by asking if the artifacts found were as old as the first officer. Ratchet exaggerated being upset and deployed his various tools, threatening Jazz that he was just as good as disabling [[Vocal processor|vocal processors]] as he was fixing them. When Optimus walked off with Protector [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], Ratchet wacked Jazz on the back of the head. He was present when [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee's]] team found a strange artifact with the [[Decepticon|strange symbol]] and helped escort the relic out of the dig site when the aliens whom Starscream had encountered earlier suddenly attacked the planet. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1}}

After the alien attack ceased, Ratchet and Arcee analysed the remains of the attackers, discovering that the aliens were similar in structures to Cybertronians, even to the point of having something similar to a [[spark]] core, but only lacked the means to [[transform]]. Before they could speculate further, [[Signal Flare (Movie)|Signal Flare]] arrived, with orders from Optimus to assemble for a meeting immediately. At the gathering, Optimus explained how Megatron was demanding they betray their principals of pacifism to go to war with the aliens, and while he implored to the members of his science division to not leave with the army, he also said they could freely choose to go without fear of reprimand. Naturally, Ratchet stayed on Optimus' side. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2}}

[[Image:Defiance3_labwork_RatchetArceeElita.jpg|thumb|250px|Roger, Roger. What's your vector, Victor?]]

Hoping to learn some answers about the mysterious relic, Ratchet, [[Elita-One]] and Arcee took most of the recovered fragments found at the dig site to the lab for immediate examination. After Optimus Prime, Jazz and [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] broke into Megatron's quarters to get a close look at the intact relic, Ratchet was surprised to learn that the ancient monolith seemed to be in better than had found it in. An unexpected shock same when analysis of the fragments detected the same symbol in the same area on all the different pieces, and what's more, the symbol was also on Optimus's head. Ratchet claimed that this was proof that the [[Dynasty of Primes]] existed, and that Optimus was linked to them. Later, at a dig site near [[Burthov]], Ratchet bestowed the name Optimus '''''Prime''''' on his leader, with the opinion that it had a nice ring to it, though Optimus himself thought it might mean "[[Optimus Prime (G1)#Dreamwave comics continuity|records clerk]]" for all they knew. Examining the ruins, Optimus wondered aloud why only the relic Megatron possessed remained intact, leading Ratchet to hypothesis that the others had been smashed deliberately. Further speculation was halted by Prowl's security detachment, who had orders to arrest Optimus on flimsy charges of treason. As they were being led away, what no one in the group realised was Megatron had marked all bar Optimus for death. Ratchet assisted in the recovery of Prowl when [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] fired an explosive shell into the convoy. As the group made a run for Burthov, Optimus Prime personally took care of Starscream's group. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3}} After those following Optimus Prime were declared traitors, the planet erupted into civil war. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4}}

During the war, Optimus Prime decided to launch the All Spark into space to keep it out of Lord Megatron's hands. [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s team was successful in diverting the Decepticon leader's attention at [[Tyger Pax]], but the young Autobot was greviously injured as a result. As he was carried away on a stretcher, Ratchet declared Bumblebee a hero for delaying Megatron long enough for their plan to work. Ratchet repaired his body, but contrary to what he told Jazz years earlier, was unable to repair Bumblebee's vocal processor. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 1}}

{{note|The inability to repair Bumblebee's vocal processor (or "voice capacitor", as it is referred to in IDW's [[Movie Prequel (2007)|2007 Movie Prequel]]) is at odds with the movie itself where Ratchet said he was working on it, and eventually, Bumblebee does regain his voice.}}
{{-}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 film)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Robert Foxworth]] (English), [[Jin Urayama]] (Japan), [[Jan Spitzer]] (German), [[Alain Dorval]] (French)

Hearing [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's]] call for assistance, Ratchet and the other Autobots under Optimus Prime's direct command came to Earth, with Ratchet crashing into a storefront. As emergency crews and bystanders observed the wreckage, Ratchet assumed the vehicle mode of a nearby Hummer H2 rescue vehicle and drove away.

[[Image:Ratchetmovieautobotsforshort.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"The boy's pheromone levels suggests he wants to mate with the female. Other way around, not so much."]]

Ratchet linked up with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], then made their way to a deserted alley to meet up with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and their new [[Sam Witwicky|human]] [[Mikaela Banes|friends]]. After being introduced as the unit's medical officer, Ratchet remarked that his sensors indicated that Sam's pheromone levels suggested he wanted to mate with Mikaela. (Neither Sam nor Mikaela appreciated this comment.) He also explained how Bumblebee's [[Circuits|voicebox]] was damaged and that he had been having trouble fixing it for some time.

Following Sam to his house, Ratchet and their other Autobots unwittingly caused much destruction to the Witwicky yard and stress to Sam when they attempted to help the boy look for his [[Archibald Witwicky|grandfather's]] glasses. After Sam told them to hide, Ratchet accidentally walked into some power lines, which shocked him enough to make him fall onto a greenhouse. Ratchet found the experience tingly and suggested to Ironhide that he try it, and Ironhide sarcastically mused that it looked fun, but unfortunately, it had caused a neighborhood-wide blackout, making the search for the glasses much more difficult. Ratchet attempted to help by activating his powerful floodlights, which only succeeded in making [[Ron Witwicky|the]] [[Judy Witwicky|parents]] investigate Sam's room. When Ironhide remarked that Sam's parents were annoying and requested Prime's permission to "take them out", the normally peaceful Ratchet nodded vigorously and pointed Ironhide's left cannon at the house. Maybe that power surge did more damage than suspected.

[[Image:Movie Ratchet Ironhide runSam.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Oh, that hurt!]]

Soon, Sam, Mikaela and his parents were captured by the mysterious [[Sector Seven]]. Ratchet and the other Autobots totally outclassed the S7 agents by instantly disarming them of their weapons, then rescuing the boy and his girl. Their dramatic escape was to be short-lived, and Bumblebee was captured while saving his human friends' lives. The next morning, the remaining Autobots gathered to discuss their options. Whether through intuition or some technological means, Ratchet announced that the Decepticons were preparing to make their move. Optimus Prime declared that if they could not defeat the Decepticons, he would fuse the [[All Spark]] with his own [[spark]], hopefully destroying it. Ratchet cautioned him against this action, as the raw power of the artifact would likely kill him. Prime replied that it was his own choice, and to save the humans from destruction and the mistakes of the Transformers, it was a sacrifice that he was willing to make. Inspired by his words, the Autobots headed to [[Hoover Dam]], before encountering Bumblebee leading a column of Sector Seven vehicles headed in the opposite direction.

As the large group arrived in [[Mission City]], it was attacked by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], with the explosion crippling Bumblebee. At the same time, [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] attacked the surviving human soldiers, prompting Ratchet and Jazz to engage the large Decepticon. As Jazz destroyed one of Devastator's rocket pods, Ratchet used his buzzsaw to slice off the tank's left arm.

[[Image:Movie Prime Jazz Ironhide Ratchet battleaftermath.jpg|left|300px|thumb|"We lost a great comrade." ...*toss*]]

[[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]] ordered Sam to take the All Spark to the rooftop of a nearby, run-down building so he could pass the cube to a military helicopter that would soon arrive. Ratchet and Ironhide volunteered themselves to protect Sam as he made his escape. Unfortunately, the villainous Starscream swooped down to block Sam's path, forcing the Autobots to engage him in a rather one-sided battle that left them both damaged. Ratchet and Ironhide collapsed, and Sam had to continue on his own.

After the defeat of Megatron and the destruction of the All Spark, Ratchet somberly informed Optimus Prime that he could not save the fallen Jazz. Later, as Optimus declared that Earth was their new home and that his team would be waiting for any surviving Autobots to gather there, Ratchet spent the remainder of the day observing Sam and Mikaela making out on the hood of Bumblebee's vehicle mode. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)}}

===On-package bio===
{{notemoviebio}}

Ratchet, despite what he said previously, fixed Jazz up just fine. {{storylink|Jazz (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Target Autobot Jazz}} The All Spark helped a lot. {{storylink|Jazz (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|All Spark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz}}

He also learned a little more about Earth and decided to change to what he felt was a more typical "rescue" deco. The new look feels more natural to him, and helps him to help humans better. {{storylink|#Voyager Class toys|Rescue Ratchet}} Unfortunately, in a later encounter with [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], the Decepticon deliberately fired in all directions just to watch and laugh as Ratchet ran himself ragged trying to save all the injured people. {{storylink|#Legends Class toys|Rescue Ratchet vs. Decepticon Brawl}}

Now realising that sometimes he can only save lives through combat, he began keeping his torch fueled for use against Decepticons. {{storylink|#Fast Action Battlers|Rescue Torch Ratchet}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Alliance1 Ratchet Dew.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Yeah Ratchet, but why can't you tell this to all Americans?]]

After the battle of Mission City, Ratchet was reattaching Bumblebee's legs when [[Dispensor|an All Spark mutation]] attacked Sam. Ratchet crushed the hostile creature with his foot, but was surprised to discover that it contained substances loaded with stimulants and ingredients harmful to humans such as Sam and Mikaela. After repairing Bumblebee and retrieving Jazz's remains, the Autobots rolled out to evade Sector Seven. In the month that followed, Ratchet became fascinated with Earth's varied minerals, such that [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]] joked that the Autobots were late to meet them because Ratchet had stopped to take soil samples again. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}}

[[Image:Alliance4_Ratchet_Ironhide_stylish.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Hey Ratchet, guess what? NOBODY CARES.]]

Ratchet arrived at Sector Seven's secret base in the [[Nevada]] desert with the other Autobots to help escort the Decepticon remains to [[California|San Diego, California]]. He stayed with Prime when the Autobot leader sent Bumblebee and Ironhide back to retrieve the All Spark sliver Prime had left in Sector Seven's care. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}} The convoy returned to the base anyway after the level of destruction caused by the Decepticons was reported. Ratchet could be seen assisting the damaged Bumblebee. By the time the Autobots were on [[United States Navy|US Navy aircraft carrier]] weeks later for Jazz's burial-at-sea, Ratchet had repaired Bumblebee's outer panels (giving him a new body kit), but was evidently unable to fully restore Bumblebee's [[vocal processor]]s. The Autobots subsequently agreed to [[NEST|a formal alliance with the US military]], and they began training on the island of [[Diego Garcia]]. Soon after, the Decepticons [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] and [[Dead End (Movie)|Dead End]] were detected in [[San Francisco]]. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}}

In San Francisco, Ratchet and Ironhide bantered about how the former's vehicle mode was more suited to [[N.E.S.T.]]'s cover story of a chemical spill, while the latter asserted that he was the more stylish of the pair. After Optimus Prime disabled Dead End, Ratchet did not detect any energy readings in the Decepticon. After the Decepticons were dealt with, Optimus and Major Lennox agreed that the Decepticons would most likely pursue Sam Witwicky again, and so he ''must'' be protected. As Bumblebee left, a sad Ratchet thanked the younger Autobot and promised that they'll keep working on his vocal processors, being sure that they could get them working again. Soon, more Decepticons were being sighted on Earth, and during a subsequent battle in [[Florida]], Ratchet was pinned to the ground by the much larger [[Incinerator (Movie)|Incinerator]]. Ratchet used his hand saw to cut into the Decepticon's ankle, distracting Incinerator enough for Optimus Prime to run his energy sword through him. An event that brought joy and hope to all was the arrival of new Autobot refugees to Earth, though this was tempered with the news of even more Decepticon sightings, and training of the new recruits were put to the test when [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] was spotted in [[Shanghai]]. {{Storylink|Alliance issue 4}}
{{-}}

===''The Veiled Threat'' prequel novel===
{{Note|The events of ''The Veiled Threat'' take place during [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Alliance (comic)|Alliance]]'' comic.}}

On their way back to [[Diego Garcia]], Ratchet watched Ironhide scare the crap out of [[Erasto Khalfani|a pirate]] who was trying to attack their ship. Later, he accompanied a [[NEST]] team including Ironhide, Optimus, [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]], and [[Beachbreak]] to the Zambezi River to battle the Decepticons that had appeared there.Ratchet engaged the smaller [[Dropkick]], leaving Prime and Ironhide to take [[Macerator]] and [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]]. Shortly after; Optimus was swept over the falls; when Beachbreak lowered his cable, Ratchet transmitted to Prime to grab it and then helped haul him up.

Shortly afterwards, the team traveled to a nearby dam on the Zambezi, just as the Decepticons began their attack. Payload took up position down the gorge and began to fire on the dam. Ratchet climbed up onto the structure and did his best to patch the holes, even as he took fire from the Decepticon. Eventually, he was saved when [[William Lennox]] opened the emergency floodgates, releasing a torrent of water that sent Payload crashing away.

It took him a good deal of time to recover, so he missed out on the missions to [[Peru]] and [[Australia]]. But he was ready to join the team for the trip to Rome, and helped in the battle against [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]], [[Dead End (Movie)|Deadend]], and Starscream.
{{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Robert Foxworth]] (English), [[Jin Urayama]] (Japan), [[Jan Spitzer]] (German)
Ratchet stayed at NEST's US base during the team's mission in [[China|Shanghai]]. He was deployed when [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]—who was resurrected with the [[All Spark]] shard stolen from [[Diego Garcia]]—began hunting for [[Sam Witwicky]]. Along with his comrades, Ratchet came too late to aid [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who died protecting Sam from Megatron, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]]. Ratchet returned to base with Optimus' body, only to be surrounded by [[United States military]] forces who had grown fearful of the Autobots' presence attracting more Decepticons to Earth following Prime's death. Ratchet himself questioned why they remained on Earth, but [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] opined that Optimus would not want them to leave.

Director [[Theodore Galloway]] ordered the Autobots retreat to Diego Garcia—but when Major [[William Lennox]] learned Witwicky had travelled to [[Egypt]] to find the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which could be used to resurrect Prime, they were sent there instead. Ratchet fought off many Decepticons before Sam arrived and revived Prime with the Matrix. However, Prime was still weakened and [[the Fallen]] arrived to steal the Matrix so he could activate his [[solar harvester]]. A defected Decepticon named [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] sacrificed himself so Optimus could use his parts to fly to the solar harvester: Ratchet ordered [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] to electrify Jetfire's body so it would start attaching to Optimus' body. Having combined, Optimus flew off to destroy the harvester and kill the Fallen. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

==Games==
===''Transformers'' The Game (console)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Fred Tatasciore]]

====Autobot Campaign====
The only non-playable Autobot, he shows up in movie sequences from time to time. He's completely absent in the Decepticon campaign. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game (console)}}

===''Transformers Autobots''===
A part of Optimus Prime's force on Earth, Ratchet stayed on the sidelines until Bumblebee came racing into Tranquility with Blackout on his tail. Intercepting him from a skyscraper's rooftop, Ratchet managed to destroy Blackout, sending him crashing down. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers Decepticons''===
Ratchet does very little. (Noticing a trend here?) He comes in to attack the Decepticon Create-a-bot in the Army base. After a short fight, he escapes. He makes no other appearances, and so is one of the three characters (the other two being Megatron and Brawl) to survive the game. He's in a spot of bother now, then. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:LegendsRatchet.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hasbro might have fixed the green color, but nobody told them to fix the hue settings for the official promo photos.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Legends Class, 2007)
**''Japanese name:'' '''EZ Collection Ratchet'''

:An inexpensive, small-scale version of Ratchet, he remains relatively faithful to his vehicle mode (though highly simplified), but transforms very differently due to his simplicity. In robot mode he has a faux truck-front chest that's more faithful to the CGI design than the Voyager toy's chest, but the rest of his robot mode is (understandably) inaccurate and limited in articulation.

:The original production run of the toy sported a significantly wrong shade of green. A running change variant that quickly replaced the original version corrected the error, now sporting the same shade of green as the Voyager Class toy.<ref>[http://www.thetf.net/forum_posts-TID-10086-PN-1.htm Comparison images of both color variants of Legends Ratchet]</ref> Still, the color variant was not limited to the US market, as both versions also popped up in Europe. Japan, however, got stuck with the original, off-color version.
{{-}}
[[Image:Movie2007 LegendsRatchet VS Brawl.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Doctor vs. the Warrior.]]
*'''Rescue Ratchet vs. Decepticon Brawl''' (Legends "Allspark Battles" two-pack, 2007)

:Released as part of the ''AllSpark Battles'' refresh of the Movie toyline, Legends class Rescue Ratchet is, naturally, a redeco of the previously-released Legends class Ratchet in his white ''Generation 1''-inspired colors. He comes packed with an all-new sculpt Legends class Brawl.
{{-}}
====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Voyager Ratchet toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|This green is both NEON and PLAYSKOOL.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Voyager Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MA-02'''
**''Accessories:'' Roof rack/claw

:Voyager ''Movie'' Ratchet transforms into a [[wikipedia:Hummer_H2|AM General Hummer H2]], customised as a fire search and rescue vehicle. Ratchet is also missing significant amounts of paint applications, with unpainted wheels, emergency tools, and light details, as well as a underpainted face, resulting in a rather monochromatic toy.

:During transformation, unfolding his legs will activate his [[Automorph|Automorphing]] feature, which folds out his kneepads and feet, and 'bulges' out two small panels along his inner calves. The only Autobot toy to not feature a ranged weapon, Ratchet's right forearm unfolds into an axe (based upon a weapon concept study), and the removable rollbar/roof rack can either be mounted on his left arm as a shield/claw, or stored on his back.

:Oddly, although Ratchet's thumbs are articulated, space is so restricted that they are all but useless. His left thumb can only move a millimeter due to his wrist armour getting in the way. His right thumb does have more space to move, but pushing it will invariably disengage the fold-out axe from his forearm.
{{-}}

[[Image:Movie Voyager RescueRatchet.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hasbro proving that anything looks better as a slavish G1 homage.]]
*'''Rescue Ratchet''' (Voyager Class, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Roof rack/claw

:Rescue Ratchet is an extensive [[redeco]] based in part upon ''Generation 1'' [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet's]] [[Marvel]] comics appearance. Aside from the deco and name change, the toy is otherwise the same in functionality to the previous Voyager class release.

:Oddly for a deco described as being ''more'' likely for the type of vehicle, Rescue Ratchet's vehicle mode—a fire search and rescue vehicle—is prominently labeled "AMBULANCE."
{{-}}
[[Image:Movie Voyager Premium Ratchet.jpg|right|250px|thumb|And yet they've done nothing to put better coloring on my legs....]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Best Buy exclusive "Premium Series" Voyager Class, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Roof rack/claw

:Ratchet was one of the first figures in the ''Premium Series'', released on October 16th, 2007 exclusively at Best Buy for the launch of the ''Transformers'' movie DVD. Ratchet's main plastic has been changed to a metallic yellow, with an additional coat of metallic yellow paint over the top of those parts (and others), resulting in a much more accurate colour scheme in relation to the actual ''Movie'' character and prop vehicle.

:Ratchet was presented in robot mode, within a special display package similar in shape to the packaging for the Hasbro release of ''Generation 1'' ''Masterpiece'' [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Even though Hasbro officially considers him as part of the Premium Series, this is not indicated anywhere on the packaging, as the Premium Series wasn't officially announced until ''after'' Ratchet and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] had already been released to stores.
{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:FABRatchet.jpg|right|250px|thumb|An axe that shoots missiles. Seriously.]]
*'''Axe Attack Autobot Ratchet''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''QC-03'''
**''Accessories:'' Missile

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}
[[Image:Mov2007-toy RescueTorchRatchet.JPG|right|250px|thumb|]]
*'''Rescue Torch Ratchet''' (Fast Action Battler, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}
====Cyber Slammers====
[[Image:CyberSlammersRatchet.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Even the Throttlebots didn't want me.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Cyber Slammer, 2007)

:Cyber Slammers Ratchet is a cute little super-deformed Hummer H2 that transforms into a cute little super-deformed Autobot medical officer. 'Slam' his robot mode down into van mode and he rolls along, slowly transforming back up into vehicle mode. Like most Cyber Slammers, Ratchet manages to cram most of his vehicle mode's major details into a compact, super-deformed version of that mode.
{{-}}
====Titanium Series====
[[Image:Movie TitaniumRM Ratchet.jpg|right|140px|thumb|Ratchet rejects your measly attempts to paint his face.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (3" Robot Masters, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Movie-style Autobot sigil display stand

:''Titanium'' Ratchet is a die-cast metal and plastic figurine, with an accurate sculpt based on the CG model owing to the fact he doesn't need to transform. Being a figurine, he only has articulation in his shoulders, neck and waist. For some odd reason most of his face is left unpainted. Ratchet comes with a Movie-style Autobot symbol display stand.
{{-}}

===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Ratchet ROTF Legends toy.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Just as Don and Andrew foretold!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Legends, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''EZ-07'''

:This Legends class Ratchet is a tan [[redeco]] (sigh) of Ratchet's 2007 Legends class Toy.

{{-}}

====Deluxe Class toys====
*'''Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2009/2010)
**''Japanese ID number:''
**''Accessories:''

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF_Voyager_DesertRatchet_toy.jpg|thumb|250px|What the hell, Hasbro? You couldn't afford the other half of the emergency stripe?]]
*'''Desert Tracker Ratchet''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RA-08'''
**''Accessories:'' Roof rack/claw

:Ratchet is a barely redecoed version of the Voyager class Ratchet toy released in 2007, the only new decos being the change of his black plastic to dark grey and a "dirt" wash on his doors and shoulders. In a probable effort to cut costs, Hasbro has removed several decos that existed on the 2007 toy, such as half of the Emergency stripe on the sides of the vehicle, the red paint for the light bar and the turn signal lights.

{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:ROTF_FAB_Ratchet_toy.jpg|thumb|250px|Lol @ Voyager, I have more paint apps than you! ]]
*'''Beam Blast Autobot Ratchet''' (Fast Action Battler, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:This toy is a redeco of the 2007 Fast Action Battlers Autobot Ratchet, now done in a sort of "impractical army" camouflage colour scheme.

{{-}}

====Robot Replicas====
[[Image:ROTF RobotReplicas Ratchet.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Damn it Prime, I'm a doctor not a gunslinger!]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Robot Replica, 2009)

{{charstubtoys}}

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers (2007)===
[[Image:Movie Ratchet Allsparkblaster.jpg|right|150px|thumb|The irony that the medic gets firearm merchandise, though the weapons specialist doesn't.]]
*'''Ratchet AllSpark Blaster''' (2008)

:The Ratchet AllSpark Blaster is one of several Movie Roleplay toys. The toy consists of a a blaster attached to Ratchet's (hollow) hand which a child can slip their own hand inside like a glove and wield. Pulling the trigger causes the toy to emit transformation sounds, allowing the user to transform the toy weapon from laser blaster mode to battle cannon mode, by pulling the handle on the back. Laser blaster mode features features siren and laser sounds and a "triple laser light", while the battle cannon mode has cannon blasting sounds and a "weapon-blast light".
{{-}}
===Unleashed===
[[Image:Movie UnleashedTurnarounds RatchetJazz.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Their descision to light a campfire in the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma really pissed Ratchet off......]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet and Autobot Jazz''' (2008)

:The Ratchet and Jazz turnaround is a 3D sculpture of the two characters, both in robot mode, emerging from rubble and explosions, with a movie-accurate sculpt (compared to the various transforming toys). The 'turnaround' aspect of these sculptures simply means one can turn the piece around to display a raised-relief of the movie-style Autobot sigil instead.

:This product's release was cancelled for the US market, but was released in Australia and in Asia.
{{-}}
====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[Image:Movie Ratchet screencleaner.jpg|right|105px|thumb|]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (2008)

:Released by Tomy Yujin on January 2008<ref name=TomyYujin">[http://www.gachausa.com/products/transformers.asp Tomy Yujin ''Transformers'' page]</ref>, this Dangler is a faction logo-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Ratchet printed on the other side.
{{-}}
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====RPMs - Robot Powered Machines====
=====Combat Series=====
[[Image:ROTF RPMs Ratchet.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Did anyone get the number of that hummer that ran me over?"]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (2009)
**''Number:'' '''01 of 04'''

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}
===Robot Heroes===
*'''Autobot Ratchet and Megatron''' (2007)

[[Image:Robot Heroes Ratchet vs Megatron.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Going my way?]]
:''[[Robot Heroes]]'' Autobot Ratchet is a soft-plastic figurine sculpted in a [[super-deformed]] style, with joints at his head and shoulders. He can place one hand on his hip and raise his thumbs-up arm for hitch-hiking fun.
{{-}}
*'''The Final Battle''' (2008)

[[Image:Robotheroesfinalbattle.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Infected with herpe-- er, Allspark Power.]]
:Sold exclusively in Wal-Mart stores, this release of Ratchet is a repaint of the first Robot Heroes toy. Sold with redecoed Autobot Jazz, Blackout, Optimus Prime, and Megatron, no molding was changed on this toy. However, the figure boasts an "Allspark blue" paint job, which swaps out a few of the toy's original decos with the bright blue paint instead.
{{-}}
*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (2009)
[[Image:RobotHeroes_BattlefortheAllspark.jpg|300px|thumb|right|]]
:Packaged in a set depicting the battle in [[Mission City]] with [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticon Brawl]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], plus new figures of [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] in truck mode, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] in fighter mode and Bumblebee in vehicle mode, this Ratchet Heroes figurine has the circular saw on his arm that he uses to slice off Brawl's left arm.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Trivia==
[[Image:Bprocter ratchetdev.jpg|thumb|250px|Early Ratchet laughs at your premature rejection.]]

*Ratchet was originally going to be a red/white "offroad emergency truck" fire department vehicle, not a medical ambulance. Reputedly{{fact}}, it was due to the [[fandom]] uproar over this change that Ratchet became an ambulance later in the development of the live-action movie (or as much of an ambulance that a Hummer with stuff slapped on the back of it can be). However, in the transition from "fire rescue vehicle" to "ambulance", Ratchet's main color became high visibility yellow... which sent the fandom into an uproar once more. Schadenfreude!

* Ratchet's early design would later go on to inspire the [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive [[Inferno (Movie)|Inferno]].

*According to [[Meet the Autobots]], Ratchet has X-ray vision, which lets him see for miles.

*In the hardcover ''Movie Guide'', it is noted that Ratchet can cannibalize his own parts for emergency treatment of a patient; he carries within him redundant systems for such situations. (This only turns up once in a story though, in [[Transformers Comic issue 16|one of Titan's issues]]) He can also tow up to 300 lbs over his own weight in vehicle form, and his specialization isn't listed as being a medic, but in actually '''getting''' to the wounded.

*In the hardcover ''Movie Guide'' it is noted that Ratchet is one of the few Autobots that could conceivably give Megatron a decent fight one-on-one before being dismembered and fed upon.

*In the Transformers guide to the movie, the book proclaims that "Ratchet carefully chose his landing site to avoid loss of human life." Yet he is seen crashing in the middle of the street, causing fires and several minor explosions. Maybe Ratchet ''thought'' he was avoiding loss of human life.

*Ratchet's toy packaging proclaims he has an "Automorph Forearm Cannon". However, the toy obviously lacks this weapon. At the Hasbro Tour during Botcon 2007, an early design [[prototype]] of Ratchet was displayed during a slide show, with similar callouts. Presumably, the forearm cannon was attempted, but dropped due to either engineering issues or cost.

*Ratchet's toys are part of a matrix of cross-referencing [[Redeco|redecos]], along with [[Ratchet (Animated)|''Animated'' Ratchet]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Generation 1 Ratchet]]:
**In 2008, the original Generation 1 Ratchet mold got an [[e-Hobby]] exclusive green redeco in Japan as "Ratchet Emergency Green" in obvious reference to his movie counterpart.
**The red and white "Rescue Ratchet" redecos of movie Ratchet's toys are based on [[Ratchet (G1)|Generation 1 Ratchet]]'s original toy.
**''Animated'' Ratchet, his original design already referencing both predecessors with Generation 1 Ratchet's chevron and coloring and movie Ratchet's squiggly EEG symbol, had a further homage to the latter with a yellow redeco as (another) "Rescue Ratchet".

*In the film, a part of Ratchet's transformation involves his entire upper body rotating around. The toy does not do this, but [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s does.

*Contrary to what is implied or outright stated by everything from the Rescue Ratchet deco to the words of the moviemakers themselves, Ratchet is ''not,'' in fact, an ambulance.

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm Ratchet at TFU.info]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Medics]]
[[Category:NEST]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]

Blackout (Movie)

2009-07-27T08:35:50Z

124.188.181.95:

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Blackout}}
{{disambig2|the Decepticon helicopter from the first live-action movie|the Decepticon helicopter from Revenge of the Fallen|Grindor (ROTF)}}
:''Blackout is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is also known as N.B.E. 23.''

[[Image:MovieBlackout promorender.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Hike the ball already!]]

The massive '''Blackout''' has been described as the "hound" of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. In better days he was always to be found looming powerful and silent behind his leader's right shoulder. When given a target he hunts it down with fierce determination. Blackout is not happy with the progress [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] is making towards finding the missing Decepticon leader. He suspects (quite rightly) that Starscream would prefer Megatron to stay lost. Blackout is openly mutinous and will challenge Starscream's leadership at any opportunity, not for his own sake, but to better serve his ultimate goal of finding his lost master. Blackout has a sneaky side and uses his symbiotic companion [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s small size to great advantage.

{{quote|All hail Megatron!|Blackout|''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]''}}

:''Hungarian name:'' '''Kisülés''' ("Discharge")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Hēi Mó''' (黑魔, "Black Demon")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Xuan Yun''' (眩晕, "Dizziness")

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defiance2_Blackout_spacebattle.jpg|thumb|left|300px|]]

In the distant past, Blackout was a member of the Cybertronian Defense Force. During an attack by unknown aliens on the city of [[Metrotitan (Movie)|Metrotitan]], he could be seen picking up a wrecked enemy tank. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1}} In the aftermath of the attack, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] consulted with [[The Fallen|the mysterious relic]] dug up near [[Simfur]] and (essentially) declared a military dictatorship over Cybertron. Blackout followed Megatron and the other flight-capable soldiers into battle, using his special powers to disrupt the enemy flagship's targeting array. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2}}

After science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] survived an attempted kidnapping by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s squadron, Megatron declared the scientist and his followers traitors, and reformed the army under a new banner: the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3}}

[[Image:Movie BlackoutStarscream protoforms.jpg|right|200px|thumb|An ominous rumble is Blackout's only response...]]

During the subsequent civil war, Blackout fought alongside Megatron, until his master ordered 'this loyal hound' to assist Starscream's unit in keeping [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime's]] forces busy, while Megatron pursued his destiny. Arriving soon after [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] delivered news of Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream witnessed the successful Autobot launch of the All Spark. Blackout restrained Starscream from going after it, the pair nearly coming to blows when Blackout launched Scorponok from his chest. Fortunately, Starscream calmed down, and after witnessing Megatron leave the planet himself, the group took on protoform transition forms and followed. {{storylink|Planetfall}}

Meanwhile, Starscream crew ''also'' went after Optimus Prime's starship in a Decepticon battlecruiser. Just before launch, Blackout listened to Barricade's not-so-quiet concerns that Starscream wasn't telling them everything. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, they were led into a trap by the Autobots, their ship (and Starscream's advance scout [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]]) was crippled by concussion chain mines. Blackout gave a detailed damage report when ordered but was berated for giving his observation on what had occured, and was ordered to despatch Scorponok to retrieve Dreadwing.

[[Image:Movie Blackout TargetPrequel continuityheadache.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Beware, Qatar! Beware! Muhahahahahaha!]]

After making repairs to their ship, the Decepticons followed the All Spark's trace energy and landed on [[Mars]]. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One}} There, they destroyed a primitive [[Beagle 2 Rover|human rover scout]] and decided to investigate the nearby third planet of this solar system. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3}}

Making planetfall on Earth in Afghanistan, Blackout attracted the attention of a military vehicle of the local creatures. Witnessing the ease in which [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] destroyed the carrier, Starscream pondered that Megatron would have been able to subjugate these beings if he was able to. Blackout replied that they needed to find out why he hadn't yet. Starscream's unit then attacked the nearby air base where Blackout scanned and adopted the form of an MH-53J 'Pave Low' helicopter, then easily hacked into the files of the human computers. Inside, he found files on something called 'Project: Iceman', which he suspected was related to Megatron. After the base's destruction, Blackout headed towards [[Qatar]], intent on attacking a similar military base there to access the information they needed. {{storylink|Planetfall}}

{{note|Several instances of Planetfall contradicts both [[Movie Prequel issue 4|issue #4]] of IDW's ''[[Movie Prequel (2007)|Movie Prequel]]'' mini-series as well as the movie ''itself'' with regards to where & when the Decepticons arrived on Earth; they landed in the United States during 2003 in the Prequel mini. In this story, Blackout immediately leaves for Qatar after the attack (2007), whereas in the Movie itself, he assumed the form three months before attacking the SOCCENT base. However, this sequence was subsequently used in [[The Reign of Starscream]].}}

[[Image:Movie Blackout IDWprequel camoflageenabled.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Apparently the crew of military helicopters don't count as "witnesses".]]

Meanwhile, the unit ''also'' arrived on [[Earth]] in the [[United States of America]] in the year 2003. Blackout scanned a USAF [[wikipedia:MH-53_Pave_Low|MH-53 Pave Low]] helicopter, but apparently was not detected by the humans, nor caused any casualties, in contrast to his two comrades. When Starscream tells the Decepticons that their mission is to find the All Spark, Blackout reminds Starscream that they must also find Megatron.

Later, after being lured into a trap intended for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] set by a group of impressively equipped humans, Blackout attacked the organisation's bunker and attempted to hack into their main server, but failed after they disconnected their local systems. The only lead he got was a name...[[Sector Seven]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Brian Stepanek]]

{{charstubfiction}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW]] [[Prime Directive (IDW)|Prime Directive]] Movie Prequel that is detailed above this section.}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
During the war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Blackout preferred to sow confusion and disarray before he attacked, rather than engage in direct confrontation and risk being killed. He would only go into ground battles under cover of loud noise and pyrotechnics (which he himself caused with his devastating sonic shriek emitters).

Unfortunately for him, he kept getting stuck leading the first wave of attacks. To protect himself, he used an army of drone troopers (presumably [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponoks]]) to draw enemy fire. These drones were called "the swarm" and Blackout deliberately encouraged rumours about them so their arrival would strike fear into the hearts of enemies. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4|Lost In Space 2: Devastator}}

{{Note|The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines continuity.}}

Half an hour after his death and before his body was dumped in the sea, Blackout was briefly turned into a rampaging zombie by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

{{notetitantlg}}

Blackout was not dead!

He assaulted an Autobot convoy at Shreveport, [[Louisiana]] as part of a general terror campaign. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} Later, he was a key part in a Decepticon ambush, appearing from nowhere to blankside Autobot ground troops. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

He was one of the [[Decepticon Heartland]] generals, and had to report the grim news to Starscream of just how badly [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] had gummed up their advance. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part Two}} By the time the battle reached him in Philadelphia, he was commanding the only Decepticon force left standing. He rejected an offer to defect to Stockade's team, defiantly saying this planet was ''theirs'', and sicced Scorponok on him.

Scorponok failed and Blackout went down. Now he ''is'' dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
Blackout had spent thousands of years searching for Megatron and the All Spark under Starscream aboard the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]''. While Starscream was hoping not to find Megatron, Blackout was working against him in hopes of restoring the former leader. Upon discovering [[Ghost 1|a vessel similar to Megatron's alternate mode]], Blackout became convinced that Megatron was nearby. However, the Autobots arrived in the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]'' to investigate the ship, and Starscream ordered the Decepticons to wait while he investigated the alien ship. Growing impatient, Blackout convinced [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] to join him in an attack on the Autobots. Blackout, Scorponok, and Frenzy ganged up on [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], but he managed to defeat them, forcing Blackout to call for a retreat. After Prime headed to investigate [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s disappearance, Starscream ordered them to attack, and Bonecrusher was given command. Blackout, however, was able to sneak Scorponok on board the ''Ark''.

After Starscream returned, Blackout demanded answers. Starscream claimed that Prime and Bumblebee were killed by indigenous worms, while the alien ship was destroyed when it fell into a cavern. Blackout, unconvinced, challenged Starscream, but was seriously damaged, and had to be taken back to the ''Nemesis''. However, Prime, Bumblebee, and the ship appeared soon after. When Starscream ordered the Decepticons to destroy the ship, Blackout demanded answers, which Bonecrusher and Barricade agreed to. However, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] was able to force Scorponok off the ''Ark'', and Blackout, still healing, sped to his rescue. What a pal. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007) film===
[[Image:Movie Blackout Raptors.jpg|right|201px|thumb|I will let them order me now so I can shoot them later.]]
Blackout flew into the airspace of [[United States military|US]] [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] in [[Qatar]] and refused to identify himself, prompting base commander [[Colonel Sharp]] to dispatch two [[wikipedia:F-22_Raptor|F-22 Raptors]] to escort the Decepticon into their base. One of the Raptors reported that Blackout had the registry number of 4500X on his vertical stabilizer, the number of the helicopter Blackout had scanned and destroyed three months earlier in Afghanistan.

[[Image:Movie Blackout SOCCENTAttack1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|All your base are belong to us.]]
Once landed, Blackout was surrounded by the soldiers stationed at the base and ordered to power down and disembark his crew, or deadly force would be used. Seeing no reason to hide himself any further, Blackout transformed under a hail of automatic weapons fire from the shocked humans. Activating his heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, Blackout made quick work of the soldiers closest to him, then unleashed a massive shock wave that killed the rest of the troops and shattered their vehicles and the windows of the operations control tower. Blackout made his way around the base, tossing tanks aside, crushing soldiers underfoot and blowing up aircraft. Eventually, he reached the operations bunker and tore off the roof to link up with their server and download its files in an attempt to find information on [[Megatron (Movie)|Project: Ice Man]]. Unfortunately, the base commander intervened, cutting the physical hard line of the server, severing Blackout's connection and thwarting the primary objective of his mission.

[[Image:Movie Blackout holoavatar.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Watch me twirl my [[Moustache Man|moustache]] as I contemplate the destruction of Earth.]]
Still, Blackout carried out his second objective—the destruction of the human base. As he proceeded, [[Robert Epps|a human soldier]] was nearly crushed. Instinctively, the soldier recorded images of Blackout, the Decepticon indulging this brief moment of curiosity by looking straight back at the human. Blackout then activated a chest-mounted laser cannon to put the fleshling out of its misery, but before he could do so, he was struck by a grenade fired by [[Jorge Figueroa|another soldier]], and the human made his escape. Enraged, Blackout fired flare countermeasures into the sky to confuse any other attempts to attack him, then ejected Scorponok from his back and sent his minion to track the [[William Lennox|fleeing]] [[Patrick Donnelly|soldiers]]. Blackout then turned his attention and his weapons back to the rest of the base, eventually destroying it, leaving no survivors.

Evidently, after the attack, Blackout flew back to the [[United States of America|United States]], as he was in the vicinity when [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] reported the discovery of All Spark's location and Starscream ordered their forces to mobilize. Blackout was the last to acknowledge the order, then rallied in Megatron's name, perhaps to remind Starscream who his master was.

[[Image:Blackout is going to kill you.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Point that thing someplace else!]]
Blackout arrived at [[Mission City]] just as the final battle was getting underway. Megatron's order of "Decepticons attack" must have been music to his ears, and he followed his master's commands whole heartedly. He attempted to block [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]]'s path as the boy was trying to get away with the All Spark, before he was attacked by [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. The Autobot threw a car at Blackout, who fired his laser cannon to destroy the vehicle and knock Ironhide over. He flew ahead of ladiesman217, attempting to use his rotor weapon to kill him, but the human managed to dodge this attack.

[[Image:Blackout movie dead.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Oh, God, I hope that stuff leaking out is Energon.]]
Blackout withdrew from the battle for a few moments, but returned as [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron fought. Seeing his master under attack, Blackout came to the defense of his lord by activating his hand-held rotor weapon, but soldiers—including survivors of the SOCCENT base attack—attempted to stop him by painting him with targeting lasers for friendly F-22 Raptors to fire upon. As Blackout activated his cannon, he noticed the lasers targeted on him. Underestimating the fighting spirit and desire for vengeance of the humans, Blackout tried to finish them off until Captain Lennox, using an abandoned motorcycle, charged at him and fired a sabot round into his crotch (ouch), as F-22s pounded the Decepticon with missiles, extinguishing his [[spark]].

His remains were dumped in the <strike>deepest</strike> ''second'' deepest part of the ocean—the Laurentian Abyss—along with his fellow dead Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)}}

{{note|The possible period of time that Blackout acquired his vehicle mode in the movie appears to contradict the origin of his vehicle mode in both IDW's ''Prime Directive'' prequel and the second Target-sponsored prequel comic. See [[#Trivia|Trivia]] section below.}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Blackout's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}}

==Games==
===''Transformers'' The Game (console)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Noah Nelson]]

====Autobot campaign====
During the battle of Mission City, Blackout suffered a humiliating defeat from [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], even though he had help from [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and two [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwings]]. That's got be the most humiliating thing for any of the characters in the videogame, losing to somebody a third of his size. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

====Decepticon campaign====
Blackout and Scorponok were sent to the SOCCENT Base to destroy the human military installation there and download information from the military servers on the location of the [[All Spark]]. The pair were successful, though Blackout's escape was briefly interrupted by the arrival of a squad of human jet fighters. After blasting them to tiny bits, he made good his escape.

Blackout arrived at [[Hoover Dam]], where his scans failed to detect the energy signatures of Megatron or the All Spark. Starscream ordered him to break the dam piece by piece. Blackout fired a pair of missiles and fought off a squad of [[Swindle (Movie)|Autobot sports car drones]] that were defending the installation. As Megatron emerged, he bowed before his lord. He then followed the newly-revived Megatron to [[Mission City]], where he engaged in a final showdown with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], who had just punted Scorponok. The Autobot warhorse certainly gave the massive Decepticon a run for his money. The huge number of Autobot drones backing Ironhide up didn't make things any easier.

During Megatron's battle with Optimus Prime, Blackout attempted to assist his master by charging Prime. Prime punched the massive Decepticon, sending him flying. How embarrassing. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
As Jazz retrieved Sector 7 vehicles for Optimus Prime, he happened upon their helicopter, which to his surprise turned out to be Blackout. The two battled at Tranqulity's power plant, where Jazz managed to defeat him. Humiliated, he transformed and flew away.

Blackout made his presence felt again as Bumblebee raced back to Tranquility carrying the All Spark with him. He chased Bumblebee through the streets until he was intercepted on a rooftop by Ratchet, who put an end to his menace for good. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
First arriving under the command of [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|a low-ranking soldier]], Blackout was sent out to destroy the communications arrays in the Qatar SOCCENT military base. Once completed, he returns for more orders.

Soon after, Blackout encounters [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], who appears at the base to stop you from blowing the [[Pit|hell]] out of everything. Once defeated, Blackout disappears until the other Decepticons arrive at Hoover Dam.

Dropping off some bombs for Brawl to set, the Decepticons attempt to blow up the Dam to simultaneously release Megatron and thaw him out, but are thwarted by Jazz and his drone clones. Their heroic attempts are for naught, as Megatron escapes anyway, while Blackout and Barricade retrieve his weapon chip. Once in hand, they meet before their leader and reactivate his weapons. After a charismatic speech, they set out to Tranquility to capture the All Spark and defeat the Autobots once and for all.

Blackout arrives just in time to be blasted to [[Slag (slang)|slag]] by an All Spark powered Starscream with a single blast. That's still slightly less embarrassing than being beaten by a half-dead Jazz. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

==Toys==
===Transformers===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Blackout Legends toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I have no fingers? You did this, Starscream!]]
*'''Blackout''' (Legends, 2007)

:A much smaller and highly simplified version of the character, Legends Blackout features limited articulation and detail, with the helicopter mode not being a particularly faithful recreation of an [[wikipedia:MH-53_Pave_Low|Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low]] heavy-lift helicopter (the placement of the fuel tanks, in particular making him look more like a [[Wikipedia:CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53 Sea Stallion]]). Even though the robot mode sports an attempt to emulate the movie character's chest design, this does not involve the use of obvious fake elements of the helicopter mode's cockpit, unlike [[Jazz (Movie)|other]] Legends Class toys of movie characters. Curiously, the instructions on the back of the card show how to transform him from his alt-mode to his robot mode, which is the reverse of the rest of the Legends Class packaging.

:This toy was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]].
{{-}}
[[Image:Movie Legends Ironhide DesertBlackout.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]
*'''Ironhide vs. Desert Blackout''' (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2007)

: Desert Blackout is a tan redeco of the previously released Legends Blackout toy. He comes with an all-new Legends Class Ironhide.
{{-}}
====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Voyager Blackout toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The largest Transformer in the film. Ironically, the smallest Voyager-class figure ever.]]
*'''Blackout''' (Voyager Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''MD-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: Blackout transforms into a reasonably accurate MH-53 Pave Low. An aft "cage" compartment can be opened to release a small PVC figurine of his partner, [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]. A button on the very end of his tail can be pressed in a geared action to rotate his rotor blades. By attaching the Deluxe-class Scorponok to his underside, the rotor [[gimmick]] also spins Scorponok's claws.

: During transformation, Blackout's (mind-numbingly delicate) [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] gimmick is activated when the user swings down his legs, which in turn flips the gray chest section his head is mounted upon up and into position, and lifts his back assembly and locks into into place behind his head. Another, less impressive automorph is in his legs—if you pull his knees down, his shin armor pops out a bit.

: In robot mode, Blackout appears closer to his original concept art, back when he was called "Incinerator" (seemingly also the basis for his Nintendo DS appearance). The entire rotor assembly on his back can be removed and converted into a gigantic fan weapon, to ''vaguely'' represent the hand-held rotor-blade weapon he wields in the film, also seen on [[#Titanium_Series|the ''Titanium'' figurine (see below)]]. Because of the size of his rotor assembly, Blackout is also much shorter than most Voyager-class figures despite his bulk, barely taller than a Deluxe figure.

: It is ''very'' easy for the gears in the cockpit/chest to become misaligned during transformation, enough so that the chest/head section refuses to align with the cockpit halves. Getting the gears back into alignment is a veritable nightmare, as so many other parts shift and move as you attempt to manipulate the respective pieces. Swinging the legs down locks the back assembly into place for robot mode, but simply swinging the legs back does ''not'' ''un''lock it, with the user being required to actively separate the parts by hand. Failing to do so is sure to misalign your Blackout to bejeezus.

: An interesting side note is that the two hard points located on Blackout's shoulders, intended to support his abominably large weapon, are actually the same size as the [[Mini-Con]] [[Powerlinx]] plugs on most [[Unicron Trilogy]] figures.

: This mold was [[Retool|retooled]] and [[Redeco|redecoed]] into [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]] for the ''AllSpark Power'' refresh of the movie toyline, and was then redecoed into [[Whirl (ROTF)|Whirl]] for ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. The original Blackout mold was redecoed into [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] for the same line.

[[Image:Movie DecepticonDesertAttack 2pack.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ignoring the vast difference in scale between Scorponok's two figures while linked to Blackout takes some imagination.]]
*'''Decepticon Desert Attack''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive two-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: This package, based on their first appearance in the film, features an unchanged Voyager Blackout packaged with an unchanged Deluxe Scorponok, which was exclusively available at Toys "R" Us stores. Since Voyager Blackout was gang-molded with the miniature Scorponok figure the single release came with, this means that the set contains two Scorponok toys in different sizes.
{{-}}
*'''Blackout Ver. 4500X''' (Lawson exclusive Voyager Class, Japan 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure, Autobot and Decepticon pins

: This Voyager class Blackout repaint is exclusive to the Lawson Japan convenience store chain, with the purchase of the movie DVD. He is redecoed in a more realistic color scheme for vehicle mode, 4500X markings and a drastically changed plastic color scheme in robot mode (many parts once black are now silver or the same colour as his helicopter hull). Additionally, the mini-Scorponok figurine has been repainted in metallic colours and detailed to resemble the deluxe-class toy (and the movie CG design, of course).

:Also included a set of two brass Autobot and Decepticon insignia pins.
{{-}}
[[Image:Movie Blackout PremiumVoyager toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|NOW the size is perfect.]]
*'''Blackout''' ("Premium Series" Voyager Class, USA 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: This redeco of the Voyager Class Blackout toy is based on the same plastic color layout and paint mask as the Japanese Lawson exclusive "Version 4500X" redeco of Voyager Blackout, down to the improved paint on the Scorponok mini-figure. As a matter of fact, both toys were almost ''identical'', the main difference being that the paint used on Version 4500X's is more matte than the paint used on the Premium Series release.

: Unlike some of the early "Premium Series" toys, Blackout was available as a mass market release.
{{-}}
====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Movie FAB Blackout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|... Brownout?]]
*'''Gyro Blade Blackout''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:A simplified version of Blackout, designed for smaller children. His rotor blade can be detached and inserted into his left hand to represent the hand-held rotor blade seen in the film, just like the Voyager class version. He also features a chest cannon which can be flipped up from his back. Oddly, you can only see one-fourth of Blackout's head from a 90-degree angle. Even less of it is visible when his chest cannon is flipped up. He features a firing missile.

:This toy was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]].
{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:Movie TitaniumRM Blackout.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Scorponok! I can't move! Quick, drag me away!]]
*'''Blackout''' (3" Robot Masters, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Decepticon display stand

: This three-inch figurine, as with all Titaniums, is partially made of die-cast metal and plastic, sculpted holding his rotor-blades as a hand weapon. Interestingly, Blackout has a more unique sculpt to him; the weapon is sculpted as it was briefly seen in the movie, but on the wrong hand. Blackout ''himself'' has an altered leg & foot design as well as having the main rotor-blades on his back excluded, matching it up more with the fact that instead of using his tail rotor, he uses his ''main'' rotor as a multi-purpose melee weapon, echoing the game render. His articulation is limited to his shoulders, head and waist, and he comes packaged with a movie-style Decepticon symbol display base.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
* '''Blackout''' (3D Battle Card, 2007)

: A 29-point "uncommon" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]], Evac "transforms" into a yellow helicopter. He uses the same parts layout as [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]], [[Vortex (Energon Wars)|Vortex]] and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]].
{{-}}
===Transformers (2007)===
====Unleashed====
[[Image:Movie UnleashedTurnarounds BlackoutBarricade.jpg|right|150px|thumb|After camping out in the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma, the two vowed to never go spelunking again.....]]
*'''Blackout and Barricade''' (2008)

: The Blackout and Barricade turnaround is a 3D sculpture of the two characters in both robot mode emerging from rubble and explosions, with a movie-accurate sculpt (compared to the various transforming toys.) The 'turnaround' aspect of these sculptures simply means one can turn the piece around to display a raised-relief of the movie-style Decepticon sigil instead.

: This product's release was cancelled for the US market, but was released in Australia and in Asia.
{{-}}
====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[Image:Movie Blackout screencleaner.jpg|right|97px|thumb|]]
*'''Blackout''' (2008)

:Released by [[Tomy]] [[Yujin]] on January 2008<ref name="TomyYujin">[http://www.gachausa.com/products/transformers.asp Tomy Yujin ''Transformers'' page]</ref>, this Dangler is a faction logo-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Blackout printed on the other side.
{{-}}
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:RH Prime vs Blackout.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Blackout's hobbies include worshiping Megatron, and jumping out of bushes and yelling "BOOGA-BOOGA!" at small children.]]
*'''Optimus Prime vs. Blackout''' (2007)

: Packaged with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], Blackout is a cute style rendition of the character. Most notably, his face has been given a more traditional Transformer style mouth and nose, making him appear more like a grumpy old man. His articulation is the standard three points, however, the kibble in his design limits the movement. This mold was later redecoed into "Battle Damage" Blackout.
{{-}}
[[Image:Robotheroesfinalbattle.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Keeps 'em where I can sees 'em!]]
*'''The Final Battle''' (2008)

: Packaged with Autobot Jazz, Autobot Ratchet, Megatron, and Optimus Prime. "Battle Damage" Blackout is a slightly redecoed version of the two pack version. No molding has changed, and the articulation is still limited. His exclusive deco is a black paint wash over various parts of his body to evoke battle damage. Oddly, the undersides of his arms get this deco but not the top, meaning the toy is meant to only be posed with arms raised. The Final Battle 5-pack was sold exclusively in [[Walmart]] stores.
{{-}}
*'''Optimus Prime & Blackout''' (2009)
[[Image:Robotheroesoptimusblackout.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sure you aren't [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] or somethin'?]]

:Just like his first ''Robot Heroes'' set, Blackout comes with Optimus Prime. While Blackout is a [[Redeco|redeco]] of the previous mold, Optimus Prime is an all-new sculpt with two swords. With his blue and tan, Blackout kinda looks like [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]].
{{-}}
===Burger King===
[[Image:MovieMerchandise-BurgerKingBlackout.jpg|right|thumb|200px|]]
*'''Blackout''' (2007)
:This [[Burger King]] toy is a small plastic replica of Blackout's Pave Low vehicle form, with two special features:
:*Holding his cockpit window up to a light source and peering through a small lens behind his front landing wheel will reveal an image of his CGI-rendered robot mode.
:*His wheels are linked to his rotor drive shaft — spinning them will cause his rotors to spin rapidly, possibly flying off and disappearing under the nearest piece of furniture, where the cat will eventually find them and chew them to pieces.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:EarlyMovieBlackout.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Blackoutwave lives in constant fear of pterodactyls.]]
* Blackout was originally conceived as [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], hence his symbiotic relationship with Scorponok, who was originally conceived as [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]]. Though this obviously changed, his portrayal in the ''Ghosts of Yesterday'' novel is rather Soundwave-esque. Likewise, in the IDW prequel comic, Blackout is the only Decepticon to land on Earth and acquire his alternate mode without ''any'' witnesses, whereas Starscream and Barricade had to kill existing witnesses. In the film ''itself'', Blackout's only speaking role has him quickly reporting to Starscream's call... in Cybertronian, with he alone both hailing Megatron upon the All Spark's discovery and attempting to aid him in battle against Prime. What's more, all this "Soundwave-ness" is further enhanced by Hasbro's official bio, calling Blackout "his leader's hound".

* Blackout wins the award for being the Transformers character from the 2007 movie that has gone through the most number of working names: Aside from "Soundwave", he was also supposed to be named "Grimlock"<ref name="early">Details from an early script draft [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2213120&postcount=297 summed up here], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2214148&postcount=303 confirmed as authentic by Roberto Orci here].</ref>, "Vortex"<ref>[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1120447#post1120447 Unformatted script sample from first draft naming the Decepticon helicopter "Vortex" posted by Roberto Orci on Don Murphy's message board]</ref>, "Devastator"<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/SITEv2/HTML/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_32.html "Devastator" concept art at Ben Procter Online Portfolio]</ref>, and "Incinerator"<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/SITEv2/HTML/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_34.html "Incinerator" pre-production render at Ben Procter Online Portfolio]</ref> at different stages of the pre-production process. The name "Incinerator" was later used for a [[Incinerator (Movie)|different toy]] from the Movie toyline.

* Blackout's working name "Incinerator" is also accounted for in the aforementioned Hasbro bio, noting how Blackout will "fill the air with fire and burn the land clear to take his revenge".

* The period of time that Blackout acquired his vehicle mode in the film, three months prior to the unfolding events, appears to contradict the origin of his vehicle mode in IDW's ''Prime Directive'' prequel comics, with him apparently having scanned and destroyed the MH-53 Pave Low all the way back in 2003. It's maaaaybe possible that he just kept on destroying ''different'' Pave Lows over time to maintain his covert status (with the U.S. government covering it up) until he finally realized how close he was to a military network access point.

* [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok's]] alternate mode is actually a part of Blackout's helicopter mode; he's made up of a [[wikipedia:General_Electric_T64|General Electric T64]] turboshaft engine and various other helicopter bits. Considering Blackout didn't appear to be missing any integral parts of his alternate mode when answering [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy's]] call or during the final battle in [[Mission City]], either Scorponok reattached himself to Blackout after he escaped the US Air Force's counter-attack in Qatar, or Blackout somehow magically regrew the parts that were previously made up by Scorponok.

* Blackout is never actually seen using his chest cannon in the film, even though he unfurls it quite emphatically on two separate occasions.

* During a transmission from Burger King's website, Optimus Prime has decreed that we are not to ride ''this'' helicopter. The current ridability of ''other'' helicopters the world over is unknown. Stand by for further updates as they become available.

*Blackout uses a [[mouthplate]] in the movie, seen in a brief shot of the side of his face before Epps takes his photo at the beginning of the film, and again when Epps was targeting him during the climactic battle.

* Whilst Blackout is seen using his smaller rear Helicopter rotor as a weapon in the film, the console game shows that he is able to detach the main rotor from his back and swing it around in a somewhat similar manner.

* Blackout can also use the main rotor to briefly hover in robot mode. Usually as an attack.

* ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' never explicitly establishes [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] as a separate character from Blackout. Screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], when asked, was not sure whether they were supposed to be the same character or not.<ref name="orci">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-283.html#post3785383 Q&A with Roberto Orci at TFW2005]</ref>

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Blackout/blackout.htm Blackout on TFU.info]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]

Starscream (Movie)

2009-07-27T08:31:19Z

124.188.181.95:

{{disambig3|Starscream}}
{{factions|decepticon}}

:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[live-action film series]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Movie Starscream promorender2.jpg|right|350px|thumb|I got yer All Spark, right here.]]
'''Starscream''' is a hero on the wrong side. Over the centuries he's come to believe both [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] have lost sight of what is best for the Cybertronian race, and simply pursue their own agendas. At some point, he came to the decision that, for the good of the species, a new leader must emerge, and he would be that leader. However, over time, he became as corrupt in his own way as Megatron, although he prefers subtlety and deception to Megatron's brute force. Now, what may once have been noble goals are buried under layers of self interest, transforming Starscream into that which he supposedly despised.

{{quote|Truly the universe favors those who persist.|Starscream on himself, [[Ghosts of Yesterday]]}}
{{quote|In your absence, someone had to take command.|Starscream thinks the boss' death means instant promotion|[[Revenge of the Fallen]]}}

:''Hungarian name ([[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan Magazine]] only):'' '''Csillagsikoly''' ("Starcream")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Tīen-wáng Hsīng''' (天王星, "Planet Uranus")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Hong Zhi Zhu''' (红蜘蛛, "Red Spider")
:''Hungarian name'': '''Üstökös''' ("Comet")

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defiance1_Starscream_Ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Someone is praising Starscream!? Stop the presses!]]

Many years before civil war broke out on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], commander Starscream was a member of the Cybertron defense forces. He was patrolling the [[Eshems Nebula]] when he encountered the fourth alien scout ship he had spotted in the same [[Units of time|cycle]]. As he related this to first officer [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] of the science division, this time the alien ship did not maintain a safe distance, forcing Starscream to attack, and he was damaged in the subsequent battle (and was late for a meeting with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and Protector [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]). Soon afterwards, these same aliens attacked Cybertron, and Starscream commanded the aerial forces in the defense of the [[Simfur]] temple near the city of [[Metrotitan (Movie)|Metrotitan]]. After Megatron was injured in battle, Starscream rushed to his side to enquire about his condition and to ask for further orders. He was informed to keep Optimus's team out of the military's way. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1}}

Megatron was influenced by [[The Fallen|the mysterious relic]] found outside [[Simfur]] to wage a vengeful war against the aliens. Starscream attended at war rally at [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]] where Megatron assumed dictatorship of Cybertron and its armed forces. After destroying much of the enemy fleet and eliminating its leader, Megatron ordered Starscream and his fellow fliers to destroy the alien flagship and conquer the surrounding systems. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 2}} Underground opposition to the new regime came in the form of Optimus and his science division, something Lord Megatron would not stand for. While [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] and security officers arrested Optimus on trumped-up charges of treason, Starscream's squadron was given orders to capture Optimus alive and leave no living witnesses. Unfortunately, Optimus ''Prime'' proved more than a match for Starscream's entire unit, bringing down the ruins of a city upon them. The group survived, and were used by Megatron as "proof" that there were enemies within Cybertron as well as without, to rally his army into a new faction: the Decepticons. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4}}

During the subsequent civil war, Starscream blindly followed Megatron's orders, murdering those who did not bow to his Lord's will, even those who did not choose sides. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4}} Some time later, Starscream was leading an assault on the Autobots at [[Tyger Pax]] when Blackout arrived to reinforce them. They witnessed the launch of the [[All Spark]] into space, a desperate gambit by the Autobots, and immediately Starscream and Blackout began to bicker over their next move. Seeing Megatron leave the planet in pursuit of the All Spark, Starscream decided that so would they. {{storylink|Planetfall}}

[[Image:Planetfall Starscream yesweare.jpg|200px|thumb|"Hey, what's that?" "I'd call it a TARGET!"]]

Starscream was concerned over the Autobots who still posed a threat, but Megatron ordered him to gather a crew to pursue [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime's]] [[Ark (Movie)|ship]]. Unfortunately, [[Nemesis (Movie)|Starscream's ship]] was led into a trap and crippled by [[concussion pulse]] weapons, throwing them off the chase, for now. Humiliated, Starscream and his crew limped back home for repairs. Sometime later, they followed the All Spark's trace energy pulse and the wake of Prime's ship to a solar system galaxies away. Landing on the [[Mars|fourth planet]], they destroyed [[Beagle 2 Rover|a primitive lifeform]] that seemed to have been created from the All Spark, and felt the tag of the life-giving object on the third planet. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}

Starscream's team made planetfall on [[Earth]] in Afghanistan, quickly attracting the attention of a nearby US military base, which sent out an armoured personnel carrier to investigate. After it was destroyed, the Decepticons attacked the base itself. During the rather one-sided assault, a human agent of Sector Seven was impressed by the alien invaders' ability to adapt to Earth's finest weaponry. Starscream agreed that they were impressive, and killed the fleshling. After Blackout left the group for another nearby base, Starscream told his fellow Decepticons that their mission wouldn't always be this easy, as the Autobots were bound to turn up. {{storylink|Planetfall}}

{{note|The events of Planetfall are inconsistent with the events of IDW's own Prime Directive prequel comic. However, the depiction of the Decepticon arrival in Afghanistan was later used in [[The Reign of Starscream]].}}

In 2003, Starscream's infiltration team, consisting of [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and Blackout, touched down on [[Mars]] and destroyed the [[Beagle 2 Rover]]. Starscream was disgusted with the rover, but Blackout and Barricade warned that there was an obviously intelligent species nearby, so they would need to be cautious. Starscream agreed, as long as they got to kill something. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 3}}

[[Image:MoviePrequel4 Starscream youcangonow.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Top this one, Samus.]]

Splitting up, they headed to Earth, where Starscream scanned an F-22 Raptor fighter jet being tested by the [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] at [[Nellis Air Force base]]. He destroyed it, then adopted the vehicle form for himself. Leaving the scene of destruction, he radioed his fellow Decepticons to report in on their hunt for new disguise forms, which they did. He reiterated that their mission was to find the All Spark, to which Blackout responded with a reminder that the mission was also to find Megatron. Starscream dismissively replied, "Yeah, right... him too."

Later, Starscream and Blackout detected the unique radiation of the All Spark and investigated, but Starscream soon realized it was a trap by Sector Seven. Starscream destroyed several AH-64 Apache helicopters while Blackout attacked Sector Seven's bunker and attempted to hack into their mainframe. When the humans severed the connection, the Decepticons broke off from the battle and linked up with Barricade, who was in pursuit of the Autobot [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Patrick Hallahan]]

Starscream led the Decepticons to Earth while following the beacon signal used by Bumblebee to call the Autobots. In typical Starscream fashion, he seemed more concerned about collecting the All Spark to further his own goals than to rescue [[Megatron (Movie)|Lord High Protector Megatron]]. Attracting the attention of a nearby military installation, they were attacked, but easily overpowered the humans, after which he and Blackout took their [[alternate mode]]s from vehicles on base. Starscream, along with Blackout, followed Bumblebee as he fled from a losing battle against Barricade.

Later, when Sector Seven tried to use a false energy signature to attract Bumblebee to their location, the Decepticons picked up on it and followed. Realizing the signal was fake, Starscream pulled the troops out and waited for the Autobots to arrive and flush out the All Spark for them. {{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel (2007)|Prime Directive]] Movie Prequel that is detailed above this section.}}

====''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel====
Starscream had ascended to Decepticon leadership in the absence of their former lord, and though he had to ''seem'' to carry on the long search for the lost Megatron and the [[All Spark]] to keep his position as leader, his greatest hope was that Megatron would NEVER be found. Some loyal Decepticons, especially [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], strongly suspected this and sought to frustrate Starscream's species-serving plans. [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] buddied up with him, but he did like to trick people. [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] hated him, but one shouldn't really read too much into that. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] and [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s opinions are unknown, but Frenzy's a complete lunatic and nobody cared what the pet thought.

During a search of an abandoned solar system, the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]'' came across ''[[Ghost 1|a vessel]]'' that bore a resemblance to Megatron's [[alternate mode]]. Starscream went to investigate it, intending to destroy it. After chasing off [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], he communicated with the creatures aboard the vessel, who called themselves [[human]]s. Starscream claimed that his people once lived with the [[Autobot]]s, and that their treacherous leader, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], started a war for the All Spark. The humans told him of a robotic creature that they had found on their world, and Starscream, recognizing it as Megatron, told them it was an Autobot scout. While communicating with them, he downloaded all the information on their computers, learning that the All Spark was also located on Earth. He offered to help the humans to return to their world if they helped Starscream's group attack the Autobots, hoping that Prime would destroy them and be guilt-stricken in the process. The humans attacked Optimus and Bumblebee, but the two Autobots escaped. After their ship sank into a cavern, Starscream revealed his true nature and abandoned them. As a result, the humans concluded neither faction could be fully trusted. Way to make first contact there, Screamer.

Returning to the battle, he lied to his fellow Decepticons, claiming that the two Autobots were dead and that he'd been unable to communicate with the humans. Blackout, unconvinced by the story, challenged Starscream to single combat. Starscream won, and the Decepticons launched an attack on the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]''. Unfortunately for Starscream, Optimus, Bumblebee and the human vessel showed up. Starscream, fearful of the information that the ship contained, ordered the Decepticons to destroy it. Unfortunately, Starscream experienced a minor mutiny when Bonecrusher and Blackout demanded answers, and even Barricade wanted to know why. As the battle drew to a close, Starscream was in a position to terminate Prime but came under fire from the humans' weapons. Seriously damaged, Starscream finished them off with a single plasma blast, then ordered the Decepticons to retreat, despite the advantage they had over the Autobots. The Autobots figured that Starscream would not risk traveling to [[Earth]] for fear of losing power, but Prime figured that it was only a matter of time before the desire for vengeance and the lure of the All Spark brought the Decepticons to that world. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

====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 early 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]].

{{note|In the [[Hungry Dragon 2]] misinformation campaign, Starscream wouldn't arrive until 2003. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Prime Directive #4}}, though [[Transformers Comic issue 9|in a letter's column for Titan's Transformers comic]], Starscream refers to spending some time as an F-15.}}

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)}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 film)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]] (English), [[Tadashi Miyazawa]] (Japan), [[José Sant'anna]] (Brazil), [[Axel Lutter]] (German)

[[Image:Movie2007_Starscream_HooverDam.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Starscream lacking the null-ray could destroy the universe as we know it. But we have others, so it's okay.]]

Starscream was lying in wait at a [[United States military|US]] air base when covert agent [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] reported that the [[All Spark]] had been located, along with Megatron, underneath [[Hoover Dam]]. Though he had long feared this day would come, Starscream ordered the rest of the Decepticons to mobilize. The others responded, with Blackout rallying in the name of Megatron.

[[Image:Starscreammovieheadshot.jpg|right|250px|thumb|It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a... bird-legged freak that transforms into a plane...]]

The first to arrive, Starscream attacked the hydroelectric power plant attached to the dam to cause havoc to [[Sector Seven|Sector Seven's]] operations and to speed the thawing of Megatron. With Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron quickly broke free of his icy restraints and escaped the facility. He almost immediately met with the waiting Starscream, who repledged his loyalty to Megatron. Demanding to know what had happened to the All Spark, Megatron was told by his [[second-in-command]] that it was now in the possession of the humans. Furious, Megatron berated his lieutenant for yet another failure. What a warm reunion.

During the assault on a [[Mission City|nearby city]], Starscream fooled [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox's]] unit by posing as an [[wikipedia:F-22 Raptor|F-22 Raptor]] providing cover. Starscream launched an attack that crippled [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] as [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] realized too late who the fighter really was. As [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]] ran with the All Spark, Starscream swooped down, blocking his path, only to be attacked by both Ironhide and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After fighting without much effort, but still besting them, Starscream took to the skies again, instead of securing the All Spark from the now-defenseless ladiesman217.

[[Image:Starscreammoviestillrobot.jpg|left|250px|thumb|How do you feel, mighty traffic? Yah!]]

While Megatron attempted to retrieve the All Spark from ladiesman217, Starscream perched on nearby buildings and shot down an Army Blackhawk helicopter when it attempted to help the human evacuate the Cube. Eventually, real F-22 Raptors from the US Air Force arrived, and Starscream disguised himself. Pretending to be a part of their squadron, Starscream surprised the human pilots by transforming in mid-air and, performing the best display of [[jet judo]] in 20 years, destroyed three of the Raptors before he was fired upon. He transformed back into his disguise and fled, and was not seen in the closing moments of the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron. (Or was he?)

[[Image:Starscream bails.JPG|right|200px|thumb|I will rule the sequel, Megatron!]]

Most of the Decepticons were defeated, and their bodies cast into the deepest part of the ocean. Ultimately, Starscream retreated from Earth to parts—and with intentions—unknown. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Fleeing from the Mission City fiasco, Starscream repaired and reenergised himself from a nearby power plant, then fled into deep space to find Decepticon reinforcements. {{storylink|#Voyager Class toys|Deep Space Starscream}}

He eventually decided this was too time-consuming, and went back to Earth in a new stealthy form to wait for the Decepticons, alerted by the energy signature of the All Spark's destruction, to come to ''him''. He succeeded in building a small army, and had them distract the Autobot forces while he launched a surprise attack on a lone Optimus. {{storylink|#Legends Class toys|Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream}} The battle ended with Optimus still alive and the Decepticons beaten on Earth. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Fire Blast Optimus Prime}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===

{{bigquote|You could mark [your letters] 'All Hail Starscream' so long as you make it clear this is in no way a reflection on our glorious leader or a prelude to some sort of coup. Just so that we're clear on that.|Star Screams}}

{{Note|The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines comic continuity and thus doesn't occur anywhere else.}}

Within seconds of Megatron's defeat, Starscream dubbed himself the new Decepticon leader, with the main problem being that he didn't actually have any troops to lead. To amend this slight impediment, he attacked several [[Allspark Mutation]]s and removed the energy from their bodies, which he then proceeded to implant into the corpses of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]]. With his former comrades reanimated in this [[Zombie|rudimentary manner]], he directed the shambling husks to attack the Autobots, who were still recovering from their battle that had just finished. While the Autobots eventually destroyed the zombies, Starscream had escaped with several All Spark energy fragments still in his possession. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

{{notetitantlg}}

[[Image:Tf mag 10 2008.JPG|left|150px|thumb|So evil, boats spontaneously explode rather than face him.]]
Starscream remained on Earth serving under Megatron—and taking orders from [[Dropkick]], who's got a higher rank. In secret, however, he was using [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticons]] to implant cerebro-strips in the heads of useful humans; at will, he could control their minds, paving the way for a more subtle conquest when he finally got Megatron out of the way. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath Part 1}}

He became aware of the moon-based Autobots and while ordered to join [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] in beating up [[NATO]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}} he got bored during the mission and left as soon as he could to attack the moon-based Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} He beat them up and viciously taunted them, forcing them to take the initiative and go to Earth—just as he wanted. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} As he hoped, the Autobots eventually won, killing Megatron, destroying the All Spark and halting the cyberforming of Earth... leaving him free to take command of the Decepticons!

On top of that, he got his hands on the nanovirus the Autobots used on Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}} He also took the All Spark interface module from Megatron's corpse and assimilated it. He started hearing Megatron's voice in his head some time after this... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

[[Image:InsecticonMovie.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Hey, Starscream's ''bugging'' us lolololololol]]

One of his first acts as leader was to begin a bombing campaign against any human attempt to rebuild infrastructure or regain a foothold in the United States. He then organised an attack that would get all the Autobots together so a NATO tank regiment (its commander under cerebro-strip control) could wipe them all out. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath Part 1}} While this failed, Starscream has still ensured the new [[President of the United States]] is under cerebro control—and the Autobots have no idea he's in command... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|Aftermath Part 2}}

As well as secretly overseeing scorched-earth strategies and attempted Energon grabs {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}}, he also gained [[Mikaela Banes]] as a cerebro-controlled slave. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron: Part 2}} When the bulk of the Autobots prepared to briefly leave Earth and had Mikaela watch over their [[Savannah]] base, Starscream just waited until they'd gone and effortlessly seized the place. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 19|Return to Cybertron: Part 3}} As a result, the six hundred square miles around the Autobot base were swiftly seized as an autonomous Decepticon nation, with all resistance smashed easily. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron: Part 4}} This means, shockingly, he actually ''is'' a better leader than Megatron. ''[[Jesus]]''.

[[Image:Starscream Titan22.JPG|left|210px|thumb|"Stop looking at me ''stop looking at me!''"]]
He sadistically taunted Mikaela, hoping there was part of her that was screaming for help, before dispatching [[Jazz (Movie)|the corrupted Jazz]] and [[Kullt]] to assassinate Optimus. It didn't work. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|Hard Target}}

While preparing an ambush for the Autobots who he knew would come for Mikaela, he ranted to the Megatron in his head how he'd been a ''far'' better leader and how he was about to kill all the Autobots. His ambush almost worked too, and he almost killed Prime himself—only for the Autobots to turn out to have had a better plan all along, and escape. Admitting to the voices that he had failed and demanding a strategy from then, he realised to his horror that Megatron's mind had wanted him to take the interface module and had downloaded his brain into it; the voice ''really was'' Megatron and he was demanding to be released! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

He didn't release him, though Megatron did feed Starscream a strategy—blackmailing America into booting the Autobots out, then having Allen nuke their ship. This plan was a success {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}}, and a jubilant Starscream despatched his armies to seize the United States, all the while having his mind-controlled humans hamper ''any'' military counter-offensive. He was ''this'' close to total victory when [[Stockade (Movie)|''Stockade'']] turned up, turning a third of the drone armies and possibly two generals to his side, sparking a [[Decepticon Civil War]].

Watching everything collapse around him, a gibbering Starscream was visited by Megatron's voice again, telling him once again that the only way out was to release him and allow Megatron to live again... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}

[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|right|350px|thumb|"I'm as sane as the [[Thunderwing (G1)|next]] leader!"]]

...and this time, desperate and pressured, Starscream ''did''. With his mind now his own again, he realised to his horror what he'd done... but it was too late, he was now a minion again, and tasked to strafe Stockade's forces while Megatron took on the rebel himself. It all was for naught, however: the Autobots (surprisingly ''not'' dead!) intervened and forcibly teleported all the Decepticons to Cybertron, leaving Starscream trapped there ''forever''. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

====Star Screams====
{{Note|The following details Starscream's tenure as letter-answerer on the Star Screams letters page.}}

[[Image:Star Screams logo.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Hate mail!]]
As of issue 7, he runs the letters page (renamed Star Screams from the original Mech Mail). He hates the letters, the readers, the comic, the editorial team, and probably the baby [[Jesus]]—but he's still got nothing on ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream's]] [[Armada (Panini comic)|letter-answering stint]]. The source of his misanthropy appears to be that nobody ever sent in fan-art of him (#8). The few things he does like are recycling and environmental measures (#14), girls becoming Transformers fans (#19), and [[To sell toys|humans collecting his action figures]].

Autobot sympathisers are hunted down to be exterminated, especially those who dress up as Autobots (#8, #12 and #17), and even the Prime Minister isn't safe (#24). That said, Starscream appears to have a soft spot for his own fans—in #11, when a female reader complained her mum and aunt kept telling her she was too old for Transformers, he announced that the offending relatives had been shortlisted to spend forever polishing his armour with their own spit, bless.

In #8, he revealed he hates the movie because his best scenes and lines were cut out, and #13 confirmed the Decepticon army loathes [[Michael Bay]] for producing pro-Autobot propaganda. This still hasn't prevented him from shilling Bay's second documentary ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', as he believes it will depict a Decepticon victory (#10) and is going to ignore the script if it says otherwise (#18). Since then, however, he has come under the sway of an unknown higher power in regards to the film, one Starscream fears (#22)...

In #7, he expressed concern that this "[[Simon Furman|Fur-Man]]" was a [[Maximal]] agent, and warned that Titan Magazines would be destroyed if they continued to produce Autobot propaganda. By #13, the Decepticons appear to have taken over Titan and have imprisoned the staff and creators in cages, forcing them to work merely for food—it is surely no coincidence that during this period, Starscream became a successful leader of the Decepticons in the comic strip and that Starscream began wanting more issues brought out. This mistreatment is causing severe physical trauma to [[Steve White]] and [[Den Patrick]] (#19} though Fur-Man is still a free agent and is evading Decepticon capture (#21). Writer [[Robin Etherington]] appears to have angered him, as Starscream is believed to have deliberately miscredited one of his stories in #24. [http://www.studioblinktwice.com/announce.php?Year=2009]

He has incredible hate for [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], gleefully recounting the guy's horrible death and going berserk in #9 at the idea of Jazz answering the letters.

While he has said he talks to himself to get intelligent conversation and doesn't trust anyone (#9), he has shown some signs of wanting company: he hoped the [[Seeker (Movie)|Seeker]] jets would all be reunited in the next film (#9), is trying to convince [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to be in it too (#15), and wishes Ironhide would join the Decepticons (#16). Despite wanting to re-unite with Thundercracker, he shows contempt for the guy's lack of drive (#11). He views [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and Soundwave as potential successors if anything ever happens to him (#21). He also appreciates [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout's]] work (#23) and while he's annoyed the helicopter is more popular than him, he did go to the trouble of giving the guy a proper burial. (#25)

Starscream appears to have had several "off the record" adventures. He has revealed he once had an [[Starscream (G1)|F-15 mode]] and liked it (#9), openly confirming he was [[:Image:Starscream 1982.jpg|active in 1982]] and the impetus for the [[Hungry Dragon]] cover-up. He also refers to [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] also being an F-15 (#11), implying both were active in 1982. He has also had some experience with and knowledge of [[Unicron]] (#12), something [[Transformers Comic issue 19|no other Transformer had]] and something that terrified him (#17), and in which he apparently witnessed Unicron trying to devour Cybertron (#19)...

He maintains that his voice is not [[Chris Latta|scratchy]] in any way.

Eventually, however, the constant stress of the letters drove him to a nervous breakdown, and he was sent to a very special home (or "on a mission of great importance", according to his cover story). (Vol.2 #1)

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{bigquote|My plan failed, or was it my troops that failed me? I can only process the situation and hope for a conclusion. There are allies on Earth, and more scattered across the Galaxy. I will seek them out. By my side they will join, and in time, I '''will''' have my kingdom... regardless of the location.|Starscream|[[The Reign of Starscream issue 5]]}}

Starscream assumed the role of [[Decepticon leader]] on Earth following Megatron's defeat and the destruction of the All Spark. Though tempted to exact revenge on the humans, he realized he might be the last functional Decepticon on the planet, so he escaped Mission City to recover the badly-damaged Barricade. Starscream gave him orders to continue his reconnaissance of the Autobot once he was able, and headed for Hoover Dam to retrieve Frenzy. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}

Starscream made his way to Hoover Dam, taking out masses of human soldiers and a [[Landmine (Movie)|less-than-functional attack drone]]. Starscream took a [[Salazar|human captive]] along with Frenzy's body, but the fleshling didn't survive the Decepticon's trip to [[Mars]]. However, the trip, combined with the damage from the battle took its toll and upon finding his starship, he had to be helped inside by [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]]. The pair discussed Thundercracker's progress with the space bridge terminal, the physiology of humans and the abilities of Starscream's new form. While recharging, he ordered Thundercracker to download the information from Frenzy; however, an Autobot scouting party interrupted their efforts. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Two|The Reign of Starscream issue 2}}

[[Image:ROSWannabet.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Let's hope that Dreadwing isn't revived by Unicron.]]
Starscream ordered Thundercracker and the drones to deal with them while he prepared for take off. After recovering, he made short work of the Autobots and dragged a damaged Thundercracker inside the ship, before activating the terminal and warping to Cybertron. He handed Thundercracker over to [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]], and ordered construction of a [[replica All Spark]], based on Frenzy's data. Approaching Megatron's citadel, Starscream, still impressed by the power his new form gave him, destroyed the former leader's figurehead. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Three|The Reign of Starscream issue 3}}

A [[Units of time|quartex]] later, Starscream ruminated about ruling over a Cybertron free of war or factions, as well as bringing certain [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|war criminals]] to justice. He arrived at the All Spark construction yard, busted [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]]'s vocal processor for whining too much, and chained him up along with [[Elita-One|four]] [[Warpath (Movie)|enslaved]] [[Signal Flare (Movie)|Autobot]] [[Grindcore (Movie)|prisoners]] on the new All Spark, ready to offer up their lives in exchange for a new life for Cybertron. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Four|The Reign of Starscream issue 4}}

[[Image:StarscreamandWreckageAlliance2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Yes, it is!]]

Things sort of went downhill from there, though. First, the All Spark replica didn't work; then [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] rebelled. Then they saw that Arcee had snuck aboard Starscream's ship, led an Autobot attack on [[Simfur]] and destroyed the new All Spark. In the ensuing chaos, Starscream, along with his few remaining loyal subjects, fought off the army of Dreadwing drones and assorted other traitors. Starscream tracked Dreadwing to the space bridge as he took a starship through it. By the time the ship arrived on [[Mars]], it was damaged by Starscream's attack, but Dreadwing survived. However, Starscream also survived, revealed himself, and ripped out Dreadwing's spark core. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Five|The Reign of Starscream issue 5}}

After Dreadwing's betrayal, Starscream relocated to Earth, his aspirations for leadership and his faith in his fellow Decepticons shattered. As he brooded and carved All Spark runes onto his exo-structure, he picked up a transmission from [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]], informing Starscream of Optimus Prime's forthcoming journey to a Sector Seven facility where Wreckage was held. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}}

Starscream arrived on Earth not long after Wreckage escaped. The two engaged in a heated battle, each accusing the other of betrayal. Wreckage managed to gain the upper hand, but the timely arrival of Bumblebee gave Starscream the chance to kill Wreckage. He thanked Bumblebee by blasting him, but was contacted by Soundwave before he could finish the job. Shocked that Soundwave was still alive, Starscream was nonetheless pleased when he was told a number of troops were headed for Earth. After receiving co-ordinates to Soundwave's ship, a more enthusiastic Starscream left Earth, aiming to bring the troops aboard out of stasis. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}}
{{-}}

===''The Veiled Threat'' prequel novel===
{{Note|The events of ''The Veiled Threat'' take place during [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Alliance (comic)|Alliance]]'' comic.}}
Starscream was in [[Zambia]] where he gained control of the rebel [[Human Accessory Force]] by synthesizing [[gold]] coins with his own body. He sent [[Macerator]], [[Dropkick]] and [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] to blow up a series of dams along the Zambezi River. Although the free Decepticons were stopped by [[NEST]], Starscream intercepted them and killed [[Beachbreak]], who was hoisting [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] up Victoria Falls.

After this failure, Starscream flew to [[Italy]] where he allied with criminal mastermind [[Bruno Carrera]], promising him rule of Europe once Starscream ruled Earth if he helped kill Optimus Prime. [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] and [[Jolt (Movie)|Deadend]] drew NEST to Rome, where Starscream challenged Optimus to one-on-one combat in the Coliseum: it was a trap, and Optimus fell through a hidden door into a set of restraints in an underground tunnel built by Carrera. The humans helped Optimus escape though, and Starscream flew off to pay Carrera back for his failure. {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

===Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===

[[Image:Titan1_FallenStarscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hey! C'mon on outa there you!]]

With Megatron dead, Starscream found himself as [[The Fallen]]'s new proxy and was not too happy with the idea of working for another guy ''again''. He organised <strike>his</strike> the Fallen's Decepticon army and took them to Cybertron on the Fallen's orders. Unfortunately he was spied on by [[Mudflap (ROTF)|two]] [[Skids (ROTF)|Autobots]], and failed to exterminate them before they fled to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}} News of this made the Fallen ''very unhappy'', who ordered Starscream to remain on Cybertron and ''not fail again''. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]] (English), [[Tadashi Miyazawa]] (Japanese), [[Axel Lutter]] (German)

Starscream was unconcerned with reviving his leader Megatron, choosing to spend his time as acting commander on the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' and engineer a new army. His plan was failing miserably, as without [[energon (fuel)|energon]] the [[hatchling]]s were dying. After [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] successfully executed his plan to resurrect Megatron, Starscream attempted to welcome his commander with open arms, only to get slammed across a wall and criticized for leaving him for dead. Megatron noted the plight of the hatchlings though, and sought the advice of [[the Fallen]], whom Starscream had kept on life support, on another source of energon now that the [[All Spark]] was destroyed. The Fallen revealed there was another source, but first requested that they kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], so that he would be safe.

Starscream aided in [[Sam Witwicky]]'s capture by cutting open the car [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] had captured him in, and watched as Megatron and [[Scalpel]] threatened to dissect him for the information in his mind from the All Spark regarding the energon source. Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] arrived to rescue Sam: Starscream let Megatron do most of the fighting in the factory, before Optimus blasted him through the wall and drove off with Sam to a forest. Starscream arrived immediately going for the boy, but Prime ran interference, leading to the three Decepticons to gang up on him. Surprisingly, it went quite poorly for the Decepticons: Prime was able to take on all three, using Starscream as a shield and sending his artillery flying at Grindor. After stabbing Megatron multiple times, Optimus ripped off Starscream's arm. Starscream could only cry out in horror as Optimus then used it as a club against the Decepticon. Although Optimus managed to kill Grindor, Megatron eventually managed to kill Optimus, but before they could retrieve Sam, the rest of the Autobots arrived while Bumblebee spirited Sam away. Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|left|300px|25 years later and I'm still your punching bag!]]

Starscream and Megatron flew to the top of a skyscraper, where Megatron berated Starscream and hit him with the detached arm he was trying to stick in. Megatron decided to reveal the Decepticons' presence to the world: Starscream stood openly atop a skyscraper during the rejuvenated Fallen's announcement to the world. Starscream accompanied Megatron to [[Egypt]], standing with him atop the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] as the Fallen began his plan to activate the [[solar harvester]] inside. Starscream flew after Bumblebee, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], who had Sam, [[Mikaela Banes]], [[Leo Spitz]] and [[Seymour Simmons]] as their passengers, bombing them to no avail. As Sam and Mikaela tried to reach Optimus to revive him with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Starscream hunted for them in robot mode and attempted to capture the Matrix by ordering [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] to hold Sam's parents [[Ron Witwicky|Ron]] and [[Judy Witwicky|Judy]] for ransom: Sam was ready to exchange the Matrix, but Bumblebee rescued them and killed Rampage.

Starscream watched from the sidelines as Optimus was resurrected by the Matrix, and combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Although the Fallen had obtained the Matrix and activated his Solar harvester, as he had predicted, the last of the Primes killed the Fallen and destroyed the harvester. Starscream stood next to Megatron, who had lost his right arm and had half his face blown off thanks to Optimus Prime, and advised that they should flee (cowards do survive after all), something that Megatron acknowledged. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}

==Games==
{{picsneeded|Game screen shots, cut scenes, whatever}}
===Transformers: The Game===
====Autobot campaign====
Starscream, Blackout, and a pair of [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] drones all took on [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] during the battle of [[Mission City]]. Jazz beat all four of them. Guess he finally got to fight the big ones. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

====Decepticon campaign====
Starscream coordinated the missions for Blackout and Barricade while hiding in a military base. After receiving information from Barricade that Megatron had been located, Starscream ordered him to proceed to Hoover Dam, while he himself went to locate [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]. However, the humans were aware of the three Decepticons and used drones, weapon platforms, and fighters based on Cybertronian design. Starscream was forced to move back and forth between Bonecrusher and Brawl, rescuing them from human attackers, all to background music far too heroic for someone of Screamer's character. After taking a moment to enjoy the ruin he had made of the base, Starscream proceeded to Hoover Dam. Blackout informed him that the structure was blocking their scans, so Starscream ordered him to tear it down piece by piece to find Megatron and the All Spark. When Megatron emerged, Starscream bowed before his [[Lord High Protector|Lord]].

At [[Mission City]], Starscream took a moment to [[Ramjet (G1)|ram]] Optimus Prime during the latter's duel with Megatron, and tried to go head to head with Optimus Prime but was knocked away. After Megatron absorbed the All Spark and Earth was decimated, Starscream stood at his master's left side as the Decepticon leader declared their business on Earth was concluded.

There is an unlockable skin for Starscream that gives him a G1 paintjob. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

===Transformers: Autobots (DS)===
:''voice actor'': [[Daniel Ross]]

While on a mission in the Arctic to find and destroy Megatron and recover the All Spark, [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]] and Ironhide ran into the air commander during their escape. Making Create-A-Bot run for cover, Ironhide took on Starscream and his lackeys (despite mentioning he's "getting too old for this"). Once defeated, Starscream took off into the atmosphere, never to be seen again. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

{{Note|Starscream is the only Decepticon in this version of the game who is not definitively destroyed. (Bonecrusher isn't included, since Prime cut off his head on his way in. Bonecrusher hates this game because of that.) Starscream's body type appears as Skydive, unlockable with 2500 WiFi Tokens. In the US, this feature is also unlockable by downloading the ''Transformers'' preview movie from a Target DS Download Station.}}

===Transformers: Decepticons (DS)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Daniel Ross]]

After the disappearance of Megatron nearly a million years ago (yeah, we know), Starscream took over the Decepticons as their high commander. Arriving on Earth, he instructed [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]] to follow Barricade until he arrived. However, none of the other Decepticons would trust him, and he confided in Create-A-Bot a great number of secrets, including the location of the All Spark and the identity of the lost Decepticon they were retrieving: [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. Starscream reasoned that he hid these things because revealing them would lead to a power struggle, but no one bought it except the naive rookie.

Soon, though, the other Decepticons revealed the reason for their lack of faith (which Create-A-Bot found disturbing): Starscream was a morally ambiguous backstabber. Of course, Megatron wasn't much better, since he was a treacherous, black-hearted face-stabber, but at least he let you know where you stood with him. Once the Autobots returned the All Spark to Tranquility, he gave chase after a now-All Spark-empowered Bumblebee (in the single most frustrating level of the game), caught the "babbling fool", and destroyed a meddlesome Blackout, until Barricade got in the way.

After threat of execution for treason, Starscream proceeded to show the smaller Decepticon WHY Megatron picked him as his second-in-command: his brute strength and incredible battle strategy. After a severe thrashing, Create-A-Bot arrived with intent to kill. However, Starscream now had the All Spark and was nearly unstoppable. They proceeded to battle over the Casino Strip, where Create-A-Bot took the All Spark from him and smashed it into his chest. Create-A-Bot was knocked back and severely damaged by the blast, but Starscream remained as powerful as ever, perhaps more so now that the All Spark had merged with his body. However, as was quickly proven, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscreams]] who receive [[Starscream (Armada)|ungodly power]] tend to explode, as Megatron found him and proceeded to chase and tear him apart. In his last breath, Starscream spat on Megatron's name, saying there would always be those who would question his power. Megatron simply replied by smashing his face in. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

{{note|Starscream's body type is available in two forms, the regular Starscream playable in certain missions (unlocked by beating the game) and G1 Starscream, based on the Target exclusive retooling/redeco. The G1 body is unlocked by earning 2500 WiFi tokens, or by downloading the preview movie for the game from a Target DS Download Station.}}

===Transformers: The Game (PSP)===
Starscream attacked Hoover Dam to free Megatron from his "tomb". Afterwards, he battled [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] over the leadership of the Decepticons back on Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (PSP)}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Legends Starscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A gold paint job can't hide the lameness.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Legends Class, 2007)

: Legends-class Starscream is a highly simplified, low-cost version of Starscream in his F-22 Raptor body. As such, he has a greatly compromised transformation sequence due to the smaller parts count, with limited articulation and detailing. He's also the bronzest F-22 Raptor Starscream toy there is.

{{-}}
[[Image:Movie Allspark Legends pack.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Tiny toys are tiny. And they don't do Starscream justice.]]
*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

: A Toys R Us exclusive, this six-pack of Legends class figures contains unmodified toys of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], Starscream and [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]].

{{-}}
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream''' (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2008)

: The previously released Legends-class Starscream toy is redecoed predominantly black and silver, somewhat resembling ''Generation 1'' [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. He comes with a redeco Legends-class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] in his Nightwatch color scheme.

{{-}}
====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:MovieProtoform Starscream toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Gold Plastic Syndrome just waiting to happen.]]
*'''Protoform Starscream''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-05'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun with missile and flame attachment

:Based upon the "Protoform" (Cybertronian) appearances of the Transformers in the movie, Protoform Starscream transforms into his "entry" mode Cybertronic rocket thing. This mode somewhat resembles a Cybertronic spaceship, with a visible bridge between the two dorsal fins. A flame decoration piece fits onto the back of the "vehicle" over the missile projectile, creating the illusion of a flaming comet's tail . The bottom of the vehicle has small wheels to roll the toy across smooth surfaces.

:In robot mode, Starscream marginally resembles previous Starscreams, mostly G1 Starscream, with the large turbines on his chest, wings and vents on his legs. Due to his extensive use of ball joints, he has excellent articulation. Starscream is armed with a spring-loaded missile launcher that fires the previously mentioned projectile cast in the same bronze color as his body. Alternatively, the flame decoration can be fitted onto the end of the barrel.

:This toy also has an [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] feature, as most of the figures in the main line do. Pushing his head back during transformation will move his shoulder pieces back into place, while moving the shoulders forward will make the head pop back up. While either the missile or the flame can be placed into the gun, the flame can be placed onto the missile, using both at once. However, in some cases, the flame does not have a snug fit on the missile and falls off easily. This makes firing the missile rather awkward and makes the gun look extremely goofy.

: It's also entirely possible that this figure will eventually suffer from [[Gold Plastic Syndrome|GPS]], as the bronze plastic it is cast in has the same characteristic swirling exhibited by older figures that rapidly deteriorated. However, newer materials and processes may prevent the toy from ever seeing a single crack form. It is highly suggested that this toy not be painted or altered in any way to maximize its lifespan.

*'''Protoform Starscream Fusion Cluster Edition''' (C3xHobby Convention exclusive Deluxe, Japan 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Gun with missile and flame attachment

:An extensive redeco of the Protoform Starscream mold that was exclusively available at the Japanese C3xHobby Convention in August of 2007, and later offered by [[e-Hobby]] in limited quantities. Most of the body is made out of transparent orange plastic, while orange and yellow paint are used on the front end of the "entry" mode, mimicking the heat effects of sudden atmospheric entry. The flame attachment is made out of clear ''blue'' plastic, with the tail end being covered in ''gold'' paint.

{{-}}
====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Voyager Starscream toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Shake hands with danger.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Voyager, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-08'''
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

: The Voyager-class version of Movie Starscream transforms into an officially-licensed [[wikipedia:F-22|Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet]], albeit in beige.

:Pushing the fighter along a smooth surface causes the missile-launching barrels to rotate and fire their projectiles, which can also be stored in the black flip-up braces on the launchers. During transformation, pushing up upon the canopy fuselage piece activates Starscream's [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] gimmick, which pushes panels out of the torso, wings and stabilizers. In robot mode, Starscream is mostly faithful to his movie CGI model, except for being bulkier around his chest, lacking engines on his back and having the very large Gatling cannons serve as his arms (a facsimile of his much slenderer weapons from the movie). Interestingly, his projectile missiles are sculpted to resemble fingers, should users choose keep them loaded while Starscream is in robot mode. An interesting note is [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle's]] (or Camshaft's) hands, when detached, make a snug fit in between the three main cannons; if you're feeling sillier, ''Legends'' [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron's]] shoulder does, too. Go on, try it yourself, yes, we'll wait...

:This toy was later retooled and [[Redeco|redecoed]] into Movie [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]], ROTF [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]] and, ROTF [[Skywarp (ROTF)|Skywarp]].

{{-}}
*'''Battle damage three-pack''' (Sam's Club exclusive three-pack, 2007)

:A three-pack, exclusive to Sam's Club stores, consisting of redecos of Voyager Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and Deluxe Class [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], both with a battle damage deco, and an unchanged Voyager Class Starscream.

{{-}}
[[Image:Starscream target.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"The first G1 fan who complains gets a minigun... to the face."]]
*'''Starscream''' (Target exclusive Voyager-sized toy, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

: An extensive redeco of Voyager class Starscream available only as a Target [[exclusive]], this version is [[Redeco|redecoed]] in a color scheme based upon ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. This version of Starscream shares the retooled version of this mold with Movie Thundercracker, giving Starscream a new, vaguely G1-ish head sculpt. The packaging for this toy explains that Starscream altered his appearance following his escape at the end of the film in order to avoid detection.

{{-}}
[[Image:Starscream Vardia red.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Pinkscream]]
*'''Starscream Vardia Red Model''' (Toshiba exclusive Voyager-sized toy, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

: In a joint venture by Paramount Home Entertainment Japan and electronics giant [[wikipedia:Toshiba|Toshiba]], Starscream Vardia Red Model is an exclusive redeco of Voyager Starscream only available with Toshiba's new ''Vardia'' RD-A301 HD DVD recorder. The package also comes with an HD-DVD copy of ''Transformers'', five HD DVD-R and five DVD-R discs.

:Starscream Vardia Red Model is '''extremely''' red, with some gold, a little black and Toshiba ''Vardia'' markings on his hull. With the player expected to cost just under 100,000 yen, this may be the most expensive Transformers exclusive to be released in relatively large quantities.

{{-}}
[[Image:Movie DeepSpaceStarscream toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|I'm Starscream, and I can breathe in space. ]]
*'''Deep Space Starscream''' (Target exclusive "Premium Series" Voyager, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Six missiles

:A Target exclusive (But appeared in European retail in 2009), Deep Space Starscream is a redeco of the first version of Voyager class Starscream, based upon the colours used by [[Industrial Light & Magic]] on Starscream's CGI model (instead of the totally made up and inaccurate tan colouring on the previous release). As such he is metallic silver with complementary greys in fighter mode, including the 'First Fighter' (FF) squadron markings indicating he is an F-22 Raptor from [[wikipedia:Langley_Air_Force_Base|Langley Air Force Base]]. In robot mode reveals gold paint inside his chest detailing and red for circuitry detailing. Oddly, his eyes are painted red, but the rest of the [[Light-piping]] that makes up the back of his head is left uncolored, making the glowing eye effect no longer work while STILL retaining the miscolored bronzed glass color that the clear plastic was molded in, though the paint is fairly easy to remove.

: Deep Space Starscream is presented in 'Premium Octagonal' packaging very similar to Robo-Vision Optimus Prime. Even though Hasbro officially considers him as part of the Premium Series, this is not indicated anywhere on the packaging.

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Movie FAB Starscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|You are the Dragon Booster Artha!]]
*'''Battle Blade Starscream''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''QC-02'''

: [[Fast Action Battler|Fast Action Battlers]] "Battle Blade" Starscream transforms into a somewhat superdeformed F-22 Raptor, simplifying the overall design to the point of his feet noticeably sticking out the aft of the fighter, and has a truncated transformation sequence reminiscent of past Transformers such as ''Generation 1'' [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and ''Cybertron'' [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]]. Rather than having a separate weapon, he only has a claw-like blade that flips over the right hand (hence "Battle Blade") and non-removable missiles in the palms of his hands.

: This toy was later redecoed as [[Ramjet (Movie)|Claw Slash Ramjet]].

: There is a Korean [[Knockoff|fake]] of this model going around, under the name of "Latent Spider". Fortunately no real spiders have been found latent inside the toy.

{{-}}
====Other toys====
*'''Starscream''' (Little Red Rooster Meal, 2007)

:One of five toys that was available at Red Rooster, an Australian based fast food chain. This kids meal toy is a black F-22 Raptor with a silver canopy that transforms by simply flipping the jet around to reveal the gray robot mode underneath, pulling down the landing gear and legs, and standing him upright.

{{-}}
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Starscream ROTF Legends toy.jpg|right|thumb|250px|So I wake up with a hangover and find all these tattoos all over me. Damn parties.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Legends, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''EZ-04'''

:Legends class Starscream is a redeco of 2007's Legends class Starscream, the main difference being a mostly single main colour scheme (compared to 2007's rather random colour choices) and the ''Revenge of the Fallen''-specific Cyberglyph tattoos.
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Voyager Starscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|At long last, I have fingers! And tattoos! Odd.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-02'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 projectiles

:''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyager class Starscream is an all new mold that is far more accurate in both modes than the previous Voyager Starscream toy from the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie line. His F-22 Raptor mode's design is no longer severely compromised by the play pattern or transformation gimmicks that plagued the 2007 toy. His robot mode is more accurate to the movie design, no longer burdened with having giant handless rotating missile launchers, ''Revenge'' Starscream has 2 arm-mounted launchers sculpted to resemble his [[wikipedia:M61_Vulcan|M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannon]]. Starscream's [[Mech Alive]] gimmick is linked between his head and chest: when you turn his head, the gears in his chest spin. Curiously, although almost every other part of his alt mode is rearranged, this Starscream's nose cone ''doesn't'' flip down to reveal his head. He has amber light piping for his eyes, but they've been painted over in red.

[[Image:ROTFtoy-StarscreamVoyager-popoutlaunchers.jpg|left|thumb|150px|I had more joints!]]

:The surface of Starscream's fighter mode and robot mode are covered in [[Cybertronian_languages#Transformers_.282007.29|Cybertronian glyphs]], based on his appearance in the [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie]], but chronologically first appeared in [[Alliance issue 1]]. In a strange backwards step from the mostly-accurate Deep Space Starscream, and his stock photo, ''Revenge'' Starscream's main base color is a light beige.

:According to the stock photographs of the hand-painted prototype, Starscream's hands originally had a joint down the middle of his palms, possibly to facilitate in hiding them in fighter mode. His arm-mounted cannons were also originally separate parts from his forearms, jointed to move back and forth, again possibly to hide them in fighter mode. However, on the final toy, the hands are molded as one piece and cannot be hidden in vehicle mode, and his cannons' details (including the joints) are simply molded directly onto his arms. His knee caps were also a separate movable piece and not joined to his upper leg. It is assumed this was done for cost cutting. His packaging call-outs (excepting Europe) still claim that he has "pop out missile launchers," despite this gimmick's removal.

His manual's main picture (at least in Europe) is a badly edited one.
{{-}}

====Leader Class toys====
*'''Starscream''' (Leader, 2010)
**''Japanese ID number:''
**''Accessories:''
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Starscream ROTF FAB toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Kids, tattoos are awesome, get some NOW!]]
*'''Starscream''' (Fast Action Battler, 2009)

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Gravity Bots====
[[Image:ROTF GravityBots Starscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Some toys have hands or maybe a head sticking out of their alternate modes, but Starscream has WHOLE LEGS.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Gravity Bot, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GB-03'''

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

====Robot Replicas====
[[Image:ROTF RobotReplicas Starscream.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Hey guys, like my tattoos?"]]
*'''Starscream''' (Robot Replica, 2009)
{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers (2007)===
[[Image:Starscreambarrelrollblaster.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Eat your heart out, Peppy.]]
*'''Starscream Barrel Roll Blaster''' (2007)
**''Accessories:'' 4 Nerf N-Strike foam missiles

:This version of Starscream's altmode turns into not a robot, but a robot '''fist''' holding a two-barreled blaster. The guns in this form fire [[Nerf]] N-Strike-sized foam missiles.

{{-}}

*'''Lunchables''' "Pocket Transformers" toy prize (2007)

[[Image:Starscreamlunchables.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I come with crappy chicken.]]
:Free inside specially marked boxes of Oscar Meyer Lunchables dinners, Starscream is one of six "Pocket Transformers" toy prizes. Molded in green, his tablet unfolds to reveal a picture of his robot mode inside.

:The Lunchables website code engraved on his back is "MISLEAD."

{{-}}

*'''Starscream Micro Flyer''' (2007)

{{charstubtoys}}

*'''Starscream''' Burger King free toy (2007)

:A non-transformable version of Starscream, cast primarily in chalk-grey plastic. It can rotate its arms at the shoulder. The toy's main gimmick, though, is the wheel in his chest. Striking the wheel causes it to advance to the next slot, revealing damage to Starscream's torso. A second tap reveals even more damage. Despite being a free pack-in toy, the figure is surprisingly well molded, having well defined head parts and the twin afterburners on his back that even the Voyager version lacks. It even has six fingers (or rather, four fingers and two thumbs) on each hand!

{{-}}

====Basic Fun====
*'''Articulated keychain''' (2009)

: Produced by [[Basic Fun]], this keychain is a likeness of Starscream's robot mode with articulated arms, legs, head, waist, and a keyring sticking out of his ass.
{{comingsoontoy}}

*'''Mini Figural Clip-Ons''' (2009)
{{comingsoontoy}}

===Robot Heroes===
*'''Armored Bumblebee vs. Starscream''' (2007)

[[Image:Rhstarbee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Packaged with Bumblebee holding the Allspark. TWICE.]]
:Robot Heroes Starscream is sculpted in a crouching pose, possibly inspired by his landing when talking to Megatron in the film. He has the standard Robot Heroes articulation of both shoulders and his neck, however the pre-posed nature means his right arms is really more useful as a support than a usable joint.

{{-}}
*'''Bumblebee vs. Starscream''' (2008)

[[Image:RH Movie Bumblebee Starscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|It's my turn to use the Rubik's Cube, Bumblebee!]]
:This version of Starscream is almost a prelude to the previous one, as he's now sculpted in a touching down pose as opposed to a full land. Like the previous mold, it has articulation at the shoulders and neck. Unfortunately, the left arm is lifted straight out to side, allowing him to rotate the arm but not pose it.

{{-}}

*'''Autobot Springer and Starscream''' (2009)

[[Image:Robotheroesspringerstarscream.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Who's ''that'' dude?]]
: Starscream is part of the first wave of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen]]'' ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' figures and is packaged versus [[Springer (ROTF)|Springer]]. A [[redeco]] of the first Movie-style Starscream, he still has articulation at the shoulders and neck, and now sports [[Cyberglyphics]] tattooed on his body.
{{-}}

*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (2009)

[[Image:RobotHeroes_BattlefortheAllspark.jpg|300px|thumb|right|]]
:Packaged in a set depicting the battle in [[Mission City]] with [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticon Brawl]], [[Ratchet (Movie)|Autobot Ratchet]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], plus new figures of [[Sam Witwicky]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] in truck mode and Bumblebee in vehicle mode, this is the first Starscream Robot Heroes figurine in vehicle mode.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Trivia==
* The card back of Protoform Starscream's packaging features a completely different, earlier head sculpt. What's more, this head design is featured on his protoform body in IDW's movie prequel comics.

* His protoform was not the only design to get a new head. The earliest concepts of Starscream's head were more skull-like and oblong in shape. This was, of course, redesigned to look more "like a samurai helmet." Unlike the redesigned head of Megatron, Starscream's earlier face only shows up in ''one'' piece of media: the book [[Look and Find Transformers]].

* On-screen in the first live-action movie, Starscream has only one short conversation with Megatron and a total screen time of less than 10 minutes. The tie-in fictions are ''much'' kinder.

* It has been suggested that, following his attack on the F-22 squadron over the city, Starscream was able to hide among the survivors and take part in the attack on Megatron shortly thereafter. This theory is speculative; while it fits the character of the G1 Starscream from the '80s, there is nothing actually on the screen to suggest it. (Roberto Orci was asked, but refused to give a definite answer.)<ref>http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=387172&postcount=185 Roberto Orci refusing to comment on the possibility of Starscream attacking Megatron during the final battle</ref>

* His bio for his Deep Space figure mentions that he re-energized himself at a power plant after the [[Mission City]] battle. Whilst this was not seen in the film, it appears [[The Real Effing Deal|others]] caught notice of it; [http://www.therealeffingdeal.com/blog/“mission-city-update-exclusive”/].

* The Sector Seven online ARG used the "[[Masterpiece]]" version of [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to represent the "real" Starscream who had infiltrated Earth. A lot of Generation 1 cameos were made in this manner. Make of that what you will.

* Even though Starscream had only two lines of dialogue in the first film, José Sant'anna, who played the Generation 1 character in the Brazilian dub of the original cartoon, was re-cast to play the role in the movie. However, his voice was so heavily modulated that only someone with a really good ear could recognize him. Go figure.

*Speaking of two dialogues, most of his lines are Cybertronian. He begins his role with speaking Cybertronian ("This is Starscream. All Decepticons mobilize") and ends with saying another Cybertronian line that isn't subtitled. Of course, he could have been talking to himself (as he does when he reaches Sector Seven) or even cursing. Considering ''The Reign of Starscream'' has a guy exploding inside him at this point, swearing seems appropriate.

*He's probably the only Starscream that hasn't died or suffered grievous bodily damage. ''Yet''.
** Although he loses an arm in ''RotF'', he eventually (when Megatron stops slapping him with it) puts it back on. Must be a ball joint.

{{-}}

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/ProtoformStarscream/starscream.htm Starscream at TFU.info]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Reassigned toys]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Seekers]]