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A Plague of Insecticons

2010-04-13T01:46:09Z

141.225.193.192: /* Synopsis */

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the similarly-named Marvel UK Annual story|Plague of the Insecticons!}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=15
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=64
|prev2=Fire on the Mountain
|next2=The Autobot Run
|image=Plague Insecticons robot mode.JPG
|caption=We're gonna need a big [[Rustbug Hoop|swatter]]! A really big swatter!
|title="A Plague of Insecticons"
|production code=#700-12
|airdate=[[December 19]], 1984
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Reports of giant insects terrorizing Bali lead the Decepticons to discover their long-lost comrades, the Insecticons.'''

:''Japanese title:'' インセクトロンの謎 (''Insectron no Nazo'', "The Mystery of the Insectrons")

==Synopsis==
On the island of [[Bali]], there is a swamp through which people rarely travel. It is the [[Demon Swamp]], and in that swamp lie monsters who appear to be enormous insects. But they are not insects, they are [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], and they are [[Transformer|robots in disguise]]. They are driven by a single, unrelenting desire: food. Attacking a trio of boats, the insects feed on the grain, but quickly become interested in the reports of a farm. At the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] overhears the reports of "robot insects", and a team is taken aboard [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] to investigate while [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] remains to alert [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the rest of the [[Autobot]]s.

[[Image:Inseticon Base.jpg|left|180px|thumb|"Ravage, get back here! They're just bugs, how big could they be?"]]

However, [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] comes across the transmissions, and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is intrigued. He takes a group of [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] to Demon Swamp, where [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] dispatches [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to locate the robots' lair. The Decepticons discover that the lair is not a hollowed-out rock, as it appears, but an escape pod ejected from the [[Nemesis (G1)|Decepticon cruiser]] that brought them to [[Earth]]. [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] realizes what Megatron has already figured out: The robot insects are Decepticons who have been modified to assume [[Alternate mode|insect modes]] —[[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], if you will.

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime is leading the rest of the Autobots to the farm, but they are blocked by a local festival. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] leads the Autobots down a shortcut...which turns out to be a dead end. Refusing to admit defeat, Sideswipe decides to drill his way through the solid rock. Arriving at the farm the Insecticons are attacking, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] attack, only to discover that the Insecticons possess some impressive [[weapons systems]]. Worse, they can make clones of themselves by using shells and scrap metal. Overwhelmed, the Autobots take cover amid the crops, but Shrapnel releases a fragmentation grenade which cuts the crops down to size. Finally, Megatron and the Decepticons arrive. The Autobots realize they're in over their heads, but Skyfire has been damaged and cannot [[Transformation|transform]]. Shrapnel finds something familiar about the Decepticons, and when Megatron explains that they came from Decepticon science, Shrapnel extends his hand in friendship...an alliance which will be solidified by destroying the Autobots at the farm.

[[Image:Optimus ram.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Where we're going, we don't need roads!]]

Elsewhere, Sideswipe is getting nowhere slowly with his drilling, so Optimus Prime decides on a simpler tactic and drives right through the rock wall. Coming up on the farm just in time, Sideswipe and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] tackle the Decepticons, who withdraw to a nearby oil refinery to recharge before they destroy the Autobots. During the respite, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] repairs Skyfire, who follows them in the air while the Autobots follow from the ground. The Insecticons attack Skyfire, and Wheeljack goes to help but is knocked out of the air by Kickback. Shrapnel takes control of Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, causing them to drive toward the Autobots, but [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] disrupts Shrapnel's control with his [[force field]]. Optimus throws Brawn at Shrapnel, but Kickback knocks him off. Fortunately, Skyfire is able to catch Brawn.

[[Image:Skeet surfin.jpg|left|180px|thumb|"First wave, don't get tired. Second wave, aim higher. Third wave, pull and fire. Skeet Surfin'..."]]

At the refinery, the Decepticons are busy making some [[energon cube]]s. Megatron offers the Insecticons a tanker filled to the brim, and the trio gorge themselves. Unfortunately, it also causes the oil to leak into the ocean. As the Autobots arrive, the Decepticons force them to take some cover. Shrapnel uses a shrapnel grenade to knock Optimus, Brawn, and Wheeljack into the ocean, where the Autobot leader warns that the oil could ignite. On cue, Thundercracker lights the oil on fire, only for the Autobots to knock him into the flaming water. Before the ship goes kaboom, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] is able to douse the flames. However, storm clouds appear overhead, and Shrapnel uses them as a means to fire electricity at the Autobots. Spike realizes that the rubber in their tires will serve as insulation. Some Autobots go to vehicle mode, while others stand on them, neutralizing Shrapnel's abilities. In addition, Trailbreaker uses his force field to neutralize Shrapnel's control over the clones, causing them to go to pieces.

[[Image:Tanker throw.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Optimus shows why he's a three time World's strongest Bot champion.]]

Megatron realizes that he's losing, so the Decepticon leader employs a time-honored strategy: "If I can't have it, no one can." Megatron sets the tanker on fire and pushes it toward the refinery. However, Optimus pushes the tanker underwater, and Megatron with it. Rising to the surface, Megatron prepares to blast Bumblebee and Spike, only for Optimus Prime to throw the tanker ''through the air'' at Megatron.

The Insecticons observe the deteriorating situation and decide to cut their losses. They begin to feed off the [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], but Megatron, his rage overwhelming his common sense, orders the Decepticons to attack the Insecticons. As the Insecticons flee with the Decepticons in pursuit, the Autobots claim victory. Optimus Prime still worries that the Insecticons will inevitably be drawn back towards the Decepticons, but when and if that happens, the Autobots will be ready.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (9)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (10)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (11)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (12)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (19)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (20)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (21)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (22)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (23)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (24)
|c2=
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (4)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (5)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (6)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (13)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (14)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (15)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (16)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (17)
*[[Insecticon clone]]s (25)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (26)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (27)
|c3=
*Fisherman 1 (1)
*Fisherman 2 (2)
*Fisherman 3 (3)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (8)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (7)
*Villagers (18)
*Oil Refinery Worker 1
*Oil Refinery Worker 2
}}

==Quotes==
"Boy! Talk about hot lips!"
:—'''Windcharger''' is hit by an Insecticon blast.

"Still think they're optical illusions, Brawn?"
:—'''Skyfire''', after getting his ass handed to him by an army of Insecticon clones.

"Well, let's look at the bright side—at least they didn't bring that sawed-off nerd Rumble along."
:—'''Brawn''', showing he is an optimist, even in the worst situations.

"Uh-oh! What I wouldn't give for a laser-powered flyswatter."
:—'''Skyfire''' comes up with something else for Wheeljack to invent.

"Now, taste the lightning, Autobot fool!" 
"It tastes terrible."
:—'''Shrapnel''' zaps '''Wheeljack'''.

"Megatron, CATCH!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' plays catch...with a 10,000-ton oil tanker.

"Maybe we've picked the wrong allies, Shrapnel."
:—'''Bombshell''', showing a rare moment of insight.

"The traitors! We befriended them, and now they steal our power source. Forget the Autobots, DESTROY THE INSECTICONS!"
:—'''Megatron'''. He really does have a hard time keeping his troops loyal.

==Notes==
===Technical or animation glitches===
[[Image:G1 PlagueofInsecticons Bombshell blast.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Shrapnel's back should be black, not yellow. His bug legs should probably be white, but the show changes their color so much that it's kinda hard to tell for sure.]]
* Bombshell loses all his yellow and purple coloration as he throws the first boat in the swamp.
* Shrapnel's bug head is purple instead of black as he notes that Kickback's meal is escaping.
* The "Wait for me!" rower makes a pretty spectacular and improbable leap onto the last boat.
* The show was ''never'' able to make up its mind about Kickback's insect mode head. Sometimes it's drawn with his robot mode face underneath it, just like the toy, even having him talk and emote with it. Other times it's just plain black, with his robot face replaced by a mechanical bug mouth, more like you'd expect from a giant super-advanced space robot trying to pass himself off as an ordinary giant metal robot grasshopper. This episode shows ''both'' versions at various times, even changing it between successive shots (such as the "there's more food to devour on a farm!" sequence.) At least once it splits the difference, showing abstract details colored like his face and eyeband.
* Kickback has no transformation noise as he swims up to his buddies and transforms.
[[Image:Ark silver.jpg|right|200px|thumb|.995 percent pure silver leaf]]
* In the establishing shot of [[Autobot Headquarters]], the ship is colored silver instead of orange.
* As Megatron orders his troops to move out, his faction emblem is all blurry.
* As Thundercracker exposits that the Insecticons are Decepticons, Soundwave is missing the yellow lines around his tape door.
[[Image:Plague Insecticons robot mode.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Seriously, a human comes up to the Insecticons' knees. How big ''is'' this tree??]]
* As the Insecticons stand on the (unfathomably huge) tree branch, both Shrapnel and Kickback's faces are dark gray instead of silver.
* In the next shot, Kickback's face is still dark gray.
* After the Autobots transform at the end of Sideswipe's "shortcut", Sunstreaker's engine intake is yellow instead of silver.
* As Skyfire arrives at the farm, his booster pack is white instead of red.
* Bombshell is missing his head cannon as the Insecticons raise their guns to fire.
* Brawn and company fall over into the pond before the Insecticons' fire actually hits them.
* In the first shot after the first commercial break, all of the Insecticon clones have disappeared from the field.
* As the Insecticons charge, Bombshell's head launcher is missing its little side laser dealies, and Bombshell's Decepticon insignia is blinking.
* Windcharger is drawn delivering Bumblebee's "I sure hope Prime" line.
* As Ironhide and Sunstreaker watch Sideswipe work on the tunnel, Sunstreaker's entire helmet is yellow, rather than just his ear-wings.
* Skyfire's face is white instead of gray as he tries to transform, and his antennae are blue instead of white.
* Bombshell's eyes are a creepy, empty, yet toy-like white (instead of red) as Shrapnel first addresses Megatron.
* Soundwave's missing his cassette door stripes again as the Decepticons take aim.
* As he stands aside to let Optimus through, Sideswipe's pile drivers have turned into drills.
* When Sideswipe and Sunstreaker get ahead of Optimus Prime after breaking out of the tunnel, both are coloured in Sunstreaker's yellow color scheme for a brief moment.
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** Ratchet is shown transforming with the rest of Prime's team, despite not being part of it.
* When the Decepticons and Insecticons flee from the field, Thundercracker in jet mode is colored in Skyfire's white-and-red palette. The clones finally reappear in the same shot, after going missing for several scenes.
* Thundercracker is a dark, toy-like blue as he fills the energon cubes, rather than his usual medium blue.
* Prime's tires are white instead of black as Shrapnel takes control of the twins.
* In the following overhead shot, Sideswipe is colored black instead of red.
* The blue vehicle next to out-of-focus Prime doesn't correspond to any Autobot present, and there wasn't anyone in that location in the previous shot anyway.
* Shrapnel's bug-mode front half is white as he sends the twins on a second attack run.
* Kickback's robot head shows up beneath his bug head as he turns to kick Brawn off of Shrapnel.
* Thundercracker's arm laser is mounted on the wrong side and in the wrong spot as he aims at Skyfire.
* Skyfire's cockpit, boosters and thruster nozzles are white as he fires on the refinery, rather than blue, red and black, respectively.
* Soundwave's chest compartment isn't drawn in as Ravage ejects.
* Sunstreaker is red instead of yellow as the Autobots arrive at the refinery and transform.
* Wheeljack is in Bombshell's color as the Autobots start to run for cover.
* Brawn's helmet is yellow instead of gray as he and the others dive into the water.
* Wheeljack is missing his orange chest details as he stands in the water.
* Brawn is in Skyfire's colors as Thundercracker prepares to ignite the spilled oil.
* Megatron is missing his insignia as he wonders what Kickback is talking about.
* Prime's hand is red instead of blue as he orders Bumblebee to stay back.
* Shrapnel is missing his insignia as he wonders what went wrong.
* Someone got their signals crossed; after the Autobots prove able to defeat Shrapnel's lightning blasts by rolling on their tires, Optimus is also totally immune to ''normal'' Insecticon firepower.
* Bombshell is missing his purple color as he speculates on whether they picked the right allies.
* Reflector shows up out of nowhere as Megatron rails about the Insecticons stealing their energon, despite not having been seen in the entire episode.
* In the final shot of the assembled Autobots, Sunstreaker's head is yellow again. Trailbreaker's cheeks are colored blue instead of his eye visor (it looks like he's wearing reading glasses!) Sideswipe's eyes are red instead of blue. Brawn's green is very washed out.

====Rhino DVD release====
The [[Kid Rhino]] release of this episode had errors not present in the original broadcast version, due to their use of incomplete film masters:
* A cel layering error causes Skyfire's door to appear behind Spike and the Autobots as he boards them. As a result, the door closes ''behind'' Bumblebee and Spike as they wave to Optimus, only for them to disappear when it closes fully.
* Just before Brawn asks Optimus to throw him, Prime is in vehicle mode, then he transforms from robot to vehicle mode, and is then standing in robot mode.

===Continuity errors===
* The Insecticons' origin is fraught with problems. The story seems to be that they were aboard [[Nemesis (G1)|the Decepticon ship]], and ejected in an escape pod before it crashed, four million years ago. What happened after that is not clear, but no version of the story completely jibes with the known facts:
** Megatron says that the Insecticons' escape pod was launched "before [[Nemesis (G1)|our own ship]] crashed here millions of years ago". One might reasonably take this to mean that the Insecticons were aboard the ''Nemesis''; however, upon meeting Megatron a few scenes later, Shrapnel says to him "I don't know you", implying that they ''weren't'' aboard the ''Nemesis''. The summary of the episode in the [[production bible]] clarifies this, saying the pod "... was originally part of the Decepticon spacecraft that jettisoned away just before the Autobots and Decepticons crash landed on Earth".<ref>http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#072</ref> Guess Shrapnel was just feeling conveniently forgetful that day day.
** The narration ("a strange new form of robot") makes it sound like the Insecticons just recently awoke, as does the sudden distress call from the residents of Bali. But if that's the case, it's a ''huge'' coincidence that, after four million years, they were revived just a few months after their kin aboard the Ark.
** The alternative - that the Insecticons have been up and running around for millions of years - doesn't make sense either. How could neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons have ever learned of their existence until this episode?
* ''Digging a tunnel'' is seriously faster than just backtracking a mile or two to find another way around? Seriously?
* How does Skyfire manage to hide in the bushes with the other, shorter Autobots? He's about four Bumblebees tall! In fact the entire notion of corn that's tall enough to hide an Autobot is a bit far fetched. The absurdity is further called out a few shots later when the Autobots (and Spike!) are shown ''towering'' over the corn.
* How does Skyfire know Kickback's name? None of the Insecticons have introduced themselves.
* As per the cartoon physics norm, if ''anything'' besides the ground breaks your fall, you're just fine. Thus, Wheeljack smacking into Prime's trailer does absolutely no damage to him.
* Brawn gets the same treatment a second later, as Skyfire "catches" him.
* Megatron gives the very strange order to "activate the Ravage cassette".
* Kickback claims there is no spray capable of stopping the Insecticons. Guess he's never heard of [[robotic insecticide]]!

===Continuity notes===
* It may or may not be an intentional bit of continuity, but Starscream, [[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|last seen]] being hauled off by Megatron for unspecified punishment, is absent from this episode. Then again, Skywarp and Frenzy are missing too, which tells us absolutely nothing.
[[Image:Plagueofinsecticons fire fighting.jpg|thumb|right|200px|It can't be [[fire-retardant foam]]; if it was, the Autobots would've won the war eons ago.]]
[[Image:PlagueOfInsecticons Windcharger repulsorfield.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Funny part is, there isn't actually any button there.]]
[[Image:ShrapnelG1.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
[[Image:PlagueInsecticons Kickback harvester.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]

* Gadgets and powers:
** Laserbeak slides yet another gadget out of his head, this one a micro radar dish that he uses to contact Megatron.
** Megatron has the flashing pectoral rectangles to acknowledge Laserbeak's signal, as seen [[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|last episode]].
** The Insecticons, presumably like all Transformers, have [[idento-computer]]s that somehow "adapted them for life on Earth by turning them into Insecticons". Depending on your interpretation of this statement, it might be considered the first instance of a Transformer gaining a new alternate mode through internal reconfiguration, rather than through external reconstruction, a premise that would not gain traction until the ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' franchise in 2002.
** Not for the last time, Skyfire extends his legs in a sort of mid-transformation pause. (Sorry, ''Macross'' dorks, it's not a GERWALK/Guardian. Those have arms.)
** Rather than use his rather well documented pile driver abilities to dig his tunnel, Sideswipe just retracts his hands and ''smashes his way through with his arms''. Looks like some animator misunderstood a script direction. They ''finally'' got it right in the final tunnel digging scene.
** Windcharger activates a magnetic "repulsor field" by pressing a button on his chest.
** Wheeljack uses his documented ability to fly. He even (mostly) keeps his arms at his side like he's supposed to, considering it's supposed to be wrist rockets that let him do it. He also uses his missile launcher... sorta. Actually the missiles just kind of fly out from behind his back.
** It's a showcase for Trailbreaker's forcefield, as he uses it to cut off Shrapnel's override waves and his control beams, the later destroying the Insecticon clones. It's also a rare instance of it actually being projected from the right place, namely the silver box gadget thing behind his head.
** Ironhide puts out a fire with foamy gassy white stuff that he fires from both retracted wrists.
** Kickback materializes a gun out of thin air, one of those occasional shots leading to fandom "subspace" theories about weapons and parts storage.
** As the stars of the episode, the Insecticons get a whole host of special powers:
*** They quickly demonstrate one of their most characteristic powers, the ability to create clones of themselves almost out of nothing. Shrapnel claims ownership of the cloning beams, but Kickback is also shown generating them. Bombshell also seems to be involved, blowing up a derelict tractor with his "Insecta-shells" to create debris to form the clones. Of note, this power was ''never'' mentioned in any of their Tech Spec writeups, and was created solely for the cartoon.
*** Shrapnel uses his grenade launcher, firing a steel ball from his wrist which then explodes into a bazillion razor-sharp fragments. His Tech Spec has the launcher as his hand-held weapon, but otherwise the ability is correct as shown. Later he identifies it as "a shrapnel grenade" (or perhaps a Shrapnel Grenade?)
*** Shrapnel uses his "special override wave" to control Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.
*** Shrapnel uses his famous ability to capture and fire lightning. He seems to need Bombshell's help to do it, though. True to his tech spec, the Autobots are able to counter the effects of the lightning by transforming and electrically insulating themselves from the ground with their rubber tires.
* Optimus demonstrates ''highly improbable'' amounts of strength, lifting an entire sunken [[oil tanker]] out of the water and throwing it at Megatron.
* The episode's closing dialog provides us with the interesting factoid that Spike is not yet old enough to drive, capping his likely age in 1984 at 15.

===Real-world references===
[[Image:PlagueOfInsecticons Bali establishing shot.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Come for the farms. Stay for the Insecticons!]]
* The Insecticons inhabit the real world island of [[Wikipedia:Bali|Bali]], which is part of the nation of [[wikipedia:Indonesia|Indonesia]].
* ''[[Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** ''Falcon'' engine burst as Kickback launches to pursue the last boat.
** ''Falcon'' engine burst ''and'' Death Star superlaser as the Insecticons fly out of the swamp.
** X-Wing diving whine as Laserbeak reports his findings.
** Death Star superlaser again as the Insecticons launch to attack the farm.
** ''Falcon'' engine burst as the Insecticons fly to attack Skyfire.
** Death Star superlaser as Shrapnel and Bombshell cling to Skyfire's wings.
** X-wing diving whine in the same sequence.
** Luke deflecting seeker ball bolts as Thundercracker compresses the energon cubes.
** X-Wing diving whine as the Insecticons attach to the tanker.
** Death Star superlaser as Megatron launches to re-ignite the tanker.
** Death Star superlaser as the Insecticons flee from the refinery.

==Trivia==
* Wheeljack refers to the idea of a motorcycle alternate form as "[[Groove (G1)|something new]]". Ah, Transformers was so young and new back then!
* Some episodes provide plot, character development, and storytelling. Others are a big parade of battles and special buy-my-toy powers. The reader may draw their own conclusions as to which category this episode falls under.

==Home video releases==
{{note|All releases listed are in English audio unless otherwise noted.}}
;VHS
*1986 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 12: "The Secret of Omega Supreme", "War Dawn", "A Plague of Insecticons" ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
*1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.
*1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
*2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only.
*2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Three ([[Maverick Entertainment]])
*2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Maverick Entertainment)
*2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Kid Rhino]])
*2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Three (Kid Rhino)
*2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]])
*2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]])
*2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome)
*2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part Two (Metrodome)
*2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)
*2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 02: Stagione Uno Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio.
*2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome)
*2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment)
*2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]])
*2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/a_plague_of_insecticons.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Plague of Insecticons}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Rewind (G1)

2010-04-13T01:15:24Z

141.225.193.192:

{{factions|autobot}}
:'' Did you know that Rewind is an [[Autobot]] [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassette]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]?''

[[Image:G1 MadmansParadise Rewind inscriptions.jpg|right|350px|thumb|"Did you know that the names 'Rewind' and 'Eject' come from ACTUAL BUTTONS on a tape player? It's true, it's true!"]]
Did You Know that '''Rewind'''...

* Is the undisputed Autobot trivia master?
* Can store more data than even a [[floppy disk]], whether in robot mode or mighty microcassette mode?
* Isn't terribly selective with the data he stores, gathering up every tidbit of information he can find until it gives him a splitting electronic headache?
* Can unleash the light from his internal data storage matrix to become a blinding beacon?
* Would never lose on ''Jeopardy'', but isn't always able to remember the useful things he knows until it's too late?
* Can tell you useful facts about [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]]?

(''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]] bio. [[New York City|New York]]: [[Marvel Comics]], 1986.'')

{{quote|This all looks familiar! It's in my databanks someplace, but I can't quite...|Rewind|"[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming]]"}}

:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Mémorax'''
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Dào-dài''' (倒帶, "Rewind")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Fatiao''' (发条, "Clockwork Spring")

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
[[Image:G1 ForeverIsALongTime Rewind dunno.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Hey, did you know that my toy has a red eye visor but Eject has an orange visor? Let me tell you more."]]
'''Did You Know that cartoon Rewind...'''
* Was voiced by [[Townsend Coleman]] in the US cartoon, and [[Yoku Shioya]] in the Japanese dub?
* Became one of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster's]] cassettes sometime between 1986 and 2005?
* Helped Blaster and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] defend the communications tower during the attack on [[Autobot City]]?
* [[User:ItsWalky#Characters who have defeated Ravage|Successfully shot Ravage]] several times while doing so?
(''[[Ron Friedman]]. ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. [[New York City|New York]]: [[Sunbow Productions]], 1986.'')

* Accompanied Blaster on a mission to investigate chronal energy signals emanating from an asteroid that had existed for 1,000,200,043 years and seven months?
* Travelled back in time to the [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|First Great Cybertronian War]]?
* Successfully fought against both [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] and [[Dark Guardian]]s?
* Used his knowledge (after an initial false start) to recognize both the Guardians and the [[Quintesson]]s attempt to change history by stopping the Autobot slave rebellion?
* Spoke 17 lines of dialogue with 154 words during the accounting of these events?
(''[[Gerry Conway]] and [[Carla Conway]]. "[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming]]". New York: Sunbow Productions, 1986.'')

* Helped [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] track down a missing [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] by identifying what Steeljaw found to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]?
* Can translate ancient Quintesson inscriptions?
* Identified that a long-hidden chamber near the capital central of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was used for banishing criminals to a variety of alternate dimensions as punishment for their crimes?
* Successfully determined that Daniel was banished to [[Menonia]]?
* Participated in a Menonian battle against [[Mara-Al-Utha]], a Quintesson exiled for practicing magic?
(''[[Craig Rand]]. "[[Madman's Paradise]]". New York: Sunbow Productions, 1986.'')
{{-}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
'''Did You Know that Headmasters Rewind...'''
* Was voiced by [[Ken Yamaguchi]]?

{{charstubfiction}}

===Marvel UK future timelines===
[[Image:Arcee rewind steeljaw.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Did you know that due to Marvel's practice of using blue to represent black, I can be easily confused with Eject?"]]
'''Did You Know that Marvel Comics Rewind...'''
* Was released from Blaster's chest along with his fellow cassettes by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] to help even the odds after the other Autobots in Autobot City (including Blaster) were deactivated and crucified during a Quintesson attack on the city in 2008?
(''[[Simon Furman]]. "[[Space Pirates!]]". [[London]]: [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] Entertainment International Ltd., 1988.'')

===Blackthorne comics continuity===
'''Did You Know that Blackthorne Comics Rewind...'''
* Was the historian of the Autobots?
* Was consulted by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] after [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] retrieved a [[Logicon]] message tape that contained information on the [[Destructon]]s?
* Considered both the Destructons and the Logicons to be myths from a primitive past?
* Was subsequently asked by Optimus Prime to work out the coordinates to planet [[Metascan Alpha]], the apparent home of the Logicons?
* Noticed a spy in their midst and shot at him—but became confused by the spy seemingly being in two places at once? (It's because the Autobots were really facing [[Pounce]] and [[Wingspan]]!)
(''Williams, Fuget, Haxo, "Noodles" and Stephenson. "[[The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3]]". [[Blackthorne Publishing]], 1988.'')

===Dreamwave comics===
'''Did You Know that Dreamwave Comics Rewind...'''
* Was a frequent partner of Blaster throughout the millennia, serving under him and Perceptor during the [[Age of Internment]]?
(''[[Simon Furman]]. ''[[War Within: The Age of Wrath|The War Within: The Age of Wrath]]''. Markham, Ontario: [[Dreamwave Productions]], 2004.'')

* Was a part of Hot Rod and [[Kup (G1)|Kup's]] resistance movement when the [[Unified Cybertronian Government]] was corrupted from within by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]?
(''[[James McDonough|Brad Mick]]. "[[Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction]]". Markham, Ontario: Dreamwave Productions, 2003.'')

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Rewind toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Did you know that the cassette-formers are at 1:1 scale for micro-cassettes? True fact."]]
*'''Rewind & Steeljaw''' (Cassette 2-pack, 1986/1987)
**'''Did You Know that the Cassette 2-Pack Rewind Toy...'''
*** Has 2 "Adhesion Rifles" for accessories?
*** Transforms from a humanoid robot to a micro-cassette and vice-versa?
*** Is designed to fit in Blaster's chest compartment (though he rattles around a little bit...)?
*** Has two notable [[variant]]s, one with gold-chromed weapons, and the other, more common version with silver-chromed weapons?
*** Has foil decals that give his "cassette side" its detailing (and cover the screws holding it together) in some versions, while other versions use [[tampograph]]s?
*** May or may not have any correlation between the guns and detailing variations?
*** Had his mold used also to make [[Eject]], [[Flip Sides]] and [[Rosanna (G1)|Rosanna]]?
*** Has 19 moving parts, including shoulder pads that are adjustable?
*** Cannot hold his weapons in his fists, but has them mounted to the tape wheels inside his arms instead?
*** Is held together with 6 screws, 2 metal bolts, and 11 plastic rivets?
*** Came packaged with [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]?

*'''Rewind''' (Cassettebot, 1986/1987)
**'''Did You Know that the 1986 Japanese Rewind Toy...'''
*** Has the Japanese ID numbers '''C-67''' and '''C-118'''?
*** Also has 2 "Adhesion Rifles" for accessories?
*** Was only sold individually, with silver guns and sticker detailing?
*** Has been reissued in the [[Encore]] line of [[Generation 1 reissues|reissue]]s in 2009?
*** Also came packaged with [[Eject]], [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)| Laserbeak]] in the above Reissue?

==External links==
'''Did You Know You Can Find Out More About Rewind...'''
* From his [http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Rewind/rewind.htm page at TFU.info.]?
* From his [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Rewind Universe profile at NTFA.net]?

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini-Cassettes]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]

Rail Racer (RID)

2010-02-25T04:41:25Z

141.225.193.192: /* Trivia */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Robots in Disguise Autobot|the Universe Railbot combined form|Rail Racer (Universe)}}
:''Rail Racer is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Rail Racer-anim.jpg|right|257px|thumb|Train, train, take me on out of this town....]]
'''Rail Racer''' is the combined form of [[Team Bullet Train]]. He's basically kickass and you can't hope to beat him.

Rail Racer is composed of:

* [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] (leader)
* [[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]]
* [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]]

:''Japanese name'': '''JRX'''

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor'': [[David Lodge]] (English), [[Hisashi Izumi|Shōji Izumi]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Bullet Train Rescue Optimusrailracer.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Optimus shows Rail Racer the secret combiner handshake]]
Team Bullet Train formed Rail Racer for the first time to fight [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] after saving the Linear RFG train. As the [[Autobot Brothers]] watched in awe, Rail Racer proceeded to see Megatron off, stating that he can't stand anyone who blows up railway tracks. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}} Rail Racer saw Megatron off again when the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacon]] leader attacked [[Metro City]], although on that occasion it turned out that the attack had been a diversion while [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] carried out a mission elsewhere. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

Team Bullet Train formed Rail Racer for the highly important task of watching Grandpa steam off into the distance. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

When Rail Racer attempted to fight the [[Commando|Commandos]], they responded by forming [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]], much to the surprise of all Autobots present. Ruination quickly took the upper hand, but the Autobot Brothers lent a hand and Rail Racer was then able to use their Ultra Blast to blow Ruination apart. {{storylink|Commandos}}

[[Image:The Fish Test Rail Racer.jpg|right|200px|thumb|DOOJ!]]
Rail Racer also defended a power plant against the Decepticons, {{storylink|The Fish Test}} but the second time he faced Ruination was when the Commandos stole some energy from the East Power Station. While the pair were grappling, the [[Build Team]] siphoned off the stolen energy and let Rail Racer know it was safe to retreat. The Decepticons were not pleased. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

[[Image:Maximus Emerges Rail Racer.jpg|left|200px|thumb|I can't see my own feet. :(]]
Landfill and Rail Racer finally fought side-by-side in order to protect [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] from the Decepticon forces {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} and later fought Ruination at length while the Build Team hid the giant robot in Metro City. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}} They again fought a protracted battle when the Decepticons located [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]] and activated Maximus. The Autobot forces were finally able to see the Decepticons off when [[Koji Onishi]] commanded Maximus to halt. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

[[Image:Final Battle Landfill Rail Racer.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Wait, is that an explosion or just streaky anime lines?"]]
After the Decepticons located the Autobot base, they were lured to a predetermined location where the entire Autobot force was waiting in ambush. The arrival of the "[[Megastar]]" turned the tide in favour of the Decepticons, and Rail Racer attempted to attack it from below but was blown back by a barrage of missiles. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} His attempts to prevent Galvatron drain energy from Fortress Maximus also failed, and Team Bullet Train separated in order to beat a hasty retreat. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} The final formation of Rail Racer came when the Autobots moved to defend [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] from the Decepticons. They were able to shield Optimus from Galvatron's paralysing ray long enough for their leader to recover and return with [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|reinforcements]]. During the decisive battle between [[Omega Prime]] and Galvatron, all of the Autobots were held in a paralysed state by the Decepticon leader. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

===Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?===
Rail Racer was seen via [[T-AI]]'s viewscreen, presumably on a mission since the Autobots had spread their forces thin. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
*'''JRX''' (Multi-pack, 2000)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-015'''

: Rail Racer combines Railspike as the upper torso and arms, Rapid Run as the mid-torso and backpack, and Midnight Express as the legs of one large robot. He carries Rapid Run's shield/launcher as well as a large cannon formed from both Railspike and Midnight Express' weapons. Rail Racer (or rather, JRX) could be assembled by buying the three individual Bullet Trains, though all three members of Team Bullet Train were also available in a complete box set in Japan.

: There are significant differences between the [[Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions of Rail Racer. The Takara version has several portions cast in transparent plastic to give him clear windows, requiring extensive [[Paint operation|paint applications]] to blend in. The Hasbro version released in 2001 replaced the transparent plastics with opaques to cut back on the number of needed paint applications. There were also several smaller changes made to the individual components (detailed on their individual pages).

==Trivia==
* The Takara versions of the Bullet Trains appear to have had a particularly bad run of quality control regarding the paint applications, with many having sloppily-applied decos. While the individually-packaged Bullet Trains came in clear-window packages to see the toys, the box set was completely windowless, so it was kind of a crap shoot as to the quality of paint you got with the set.

* Reportedly, the Bullet Trains, which were developed with Takara's very flexible pricing structure, really did not fit into Hasbro's more rigid existing price-points, budget-wise. They cost too much to be sold as Deluxes, but weren't really up to Mega-costs.

* In the [[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|cartoon]], Rail Racer sometimes refers to itself as "we", which opens up questions on how much of an emergent personality this combined form has compared to previous G1 [[Combiner|combiners]].

* Coincidentally, Rail Racer was released around the same time as the Grand Liner, a set of trains that combine into a massive robot in the competing ''Super Sentai'' line.

* The letters "JR" from his Japanese name "JRX" apparently derive from the [[Wikipedia:Japan Railways Group|JR Group]].

* His Japanese name, JRX, is an acronym for "Japan(ese) Rail Express".

* His individual component's names (J-5, J-7, and J-4) are based on their respective bullet train models (J500 Series, J700 Series, and E4 Max Series).

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/RailRacer/railracer.htm Rail Racer at TFU.info]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Car Robots characters]]
[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise characters]]

Railspike (RID)

2010-02-25T04:30:42Z

141.225.193.192: /* Robots in Disguise */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Robots in Disguise Autobot|the Universe Micromaster Railbot|Railspike (Universe)}}
:''Railspike is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Railspike Robot.jpg|right|220px|thumb|If I had a hammer...]]
'''Railspike''' is the leader of [[Team Bullet Train]], a trio of Autobots who patrol the railways. An experienced and battle-tested veteran, he is often frustrated by his younger teammates and tries to set a good example for them.

:''Japanese name'': '''J-Five'''

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor'': [[Mike Reynolds]] (English), [[Shōji Izumi]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Secret of the Ruins Railspike.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Don't you just love being in control? *click*]]
When Team Bullet Train was called in to help protect the Linear RFG, Railspike was able to contact [[Koji Onishi]] on board the advanced train to let him know the Autobots were there to help. His plan for the team to link up and slow the Linear RFG with their brakes saved the train from plunging over a bridge which the Predacons had blown up. Once the train was safe, the team merged into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] to see off the Predacons. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

The team was called into [[Metro City]] to thwart another attack on the part of [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and his Predacons. Negotiating the city streets was not easy for the large Bullet Trains, and at one point Railspike had to steer [[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] back on course. In battle against the Predacons, he demonstrated the benefit of his experience by igniting [[Gas Skunk]]'s acid breath, causing chaos in the opposition ranks. Eventually the team merged into Rail Racer and chased the Predacons off. Although as it turned out, the attack was a diversion while [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] investigated some ruins. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

Detailed to protect the aging steam engine "Grandpa" from the Predacons, Railspike was bemused by Midnight Express insisting that the train was in some way alive. The team successfully got Grandpa safely to his destination, but the steam train was promptly hijacked by the Predacons. Despite Railspike's warnings, Midnight Express pursued them and ultimately saved the train. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

Team Bullet Train helped to try to track down [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] after the Autobot scanned a racing car and was possessed by an urge to engage in races. They entered the Great Race, but were halted partway by a rock-slide they were unable to pass. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[Image:Ultimate Robot Warrior Railspike Rapidrun.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He who smelt it dealt it.]]
Called in to help scare the Predacons away from the [[Cave of the Dragon]], Railspike provided the front end of a dragon while [[Rapid_Run_(RID)|Rapid Run]] provided the rear end. After firing on the Predacons (and Autobots, since Railspike realised it would look suspicious otherwise), the pair returned to the cave to let [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and Midnight Express take over as the dragon's statue "robot mode". {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

After practising their link-up manoeuvre, Team Bullet Train returned to the Autobot base to review footage of previous adventures in an attempt to find the Predacon base. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}} After the creation of the Decepticons by Megatron, the team was sent to [[Sherman Dam]], where they combined into Rail Racer and fought [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}} They would subsequently spend a lot of time using the [[Global Space Bridge]] to arrive at locations under attack from the Decepticons and form Rail Racer to fight the enemy off.

The Autobots' ability to get to remote locations quickly did not go unnoticed by the Decepticons, who managed to sabotage the space bridge, depositing Team Bullet Train on a busy motorway. Railspike subsequently had to restrain Rapid Run from coming to blows with [[Build Team]] leader [[Wedge]], whom the team initially blamed for the problems. A second attempt to use the space bridge deposited Railspike firstly in a shopping mall, and then on the side of a hill. Once the space bridge was repaired, the three bullet trains arrived at the North Energy Research Facility and prepared to form Rail Racer. They were stopped by [[Wedge]], who asked them to let the [[Build Team]] defeat Megatron as a matter of honour. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

[[Image:Test of Metal Railspike.jpg|left|200px|thumb|So I grabbed him by the ball bearings and I said...]]
On another occasion, the team formed Rail Racer to prevent the Decepticons stealing some energy, and kept Ruination busy while the Build Team recovered the stolen energy. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}} They were also sent looking for the Autobot Brothers, who had disappeared while tracking [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], a recent arrival to Earth. They were approached by Magnus himself, who informed them that Optimus was being led into a trap, and the three trains rushed to help the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

[[Image:Fortress Maximus Railspike.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''...cough.'']]
When the Autobots were on the verge of locating [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], Team Bullet Train were dispatched to the location under Metro City to protect the Build Team. Railspike and Rapid Run battled [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] and [[Movor]] in the confined space until Ultra Magnus showed up to lend a hand. Magnus accidentally flooded the subway, and the two trains were swept away in the resulting torrent. Reunited with Midnight Express, they arrived in the cavern where Maximus was located and formed Rail Racer to defend the giant robot from the Decepticons, and later tried to draw them away from where the Build Team were trying to hide Maximus. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

Team Bullet Train also attempted to defend Maximus from the Decepticons once his location was exposed. [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] successfully managed to activate Maximus, but proved unable to control him. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}} When Scourge then magnified the human portion of his bio-signature in another attempt to control Maximus, Team Bullet Train was sent into the desert with Build Team and a thousand children to halt the titan. {{storylink|The Human Element}}

Gathering at a predetermined location, the Bullet Trains and the rest of the Autobots ambushed the Decepticon forces. The team combined into Rail Racer to fight Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'', but the battle station was eventually felled by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron used [[Cyber-bat|cyber-bats]] to gain control of the world's children, the Autobots were forced to retreat into the space bridge and were followed by the Decepticons. Galvatron ruptured the tunnel during the battle which followed, flooding it with molten lava which the Autobots were only narrowly able to escape. They were prompt seized by a powered-up Galvatron. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Team Bullet Train reformed Rail Racer in order to protect Optimus Prime, and were subsequently held in a paralysed state by Galvatron until the Decepticon leader's defeat at the hands of [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
*'''Railspike''' (Mega, 2000/2001)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-012'''
**''Accessories'': Light-up cannon

[[Image:RIDtoy-Railspikeblankwindows.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I AM the Starlight!]]
: Railspike transforms into a Nozomi 500 bullet train. In this form, he can link up with the other Bullet Trains to form a three locomotive lash-up. In robot mode, his train coupler forms an electronic light-up (non-firing) blaster. He can also form the head, torso, and arms to the team's combined form [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]].

: There are significant differences between the [[Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions of Railspike. The Takara version has several portions cast in transparent plastic to give him clear windows, requiring extensive [[Paint operation|paint applications]] to blend in.

: The Hasbro version released in 2001 replaced the transparent plastics with opaques to cut back on the number of needed paint applications. An Autobot [[insignia]] was also added to the left side of the train mode, and the barrel of his gun was lengthened for unknown reasons. Early versions of the toy had unpainted windows, but later runs added metallic blue paint to them.

*'''JRX''' (Multi-pack, 2000)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-015'''

: All three members of Team Bullet Train —— J-Five, [[Midnight Express (RID)|J-Four]] and [[Rapid Run (RID)|J-Seven]] —— were also available in a complete box set in Japan.

{{--}}

==Notes==
* Railspike was portrayed slightly differently in the two different versions of the cartoon. Though both were rather polite, Railspike was portrayed as being much older and gruffer than J-Five.

* Railspike's voice is pretty much identical to Gennai from ''Digimon'', both of which were played by the same voice actor. [[Skid-Z (RID)|This]] is not [[Wedge|unusual]] in RID.

* The Takara versions of the Bullet Trains appear to have had a particularly bad run of quality control regarding the paint applications, with many having sloppily-applied decos. While the individually-packaged Bullet Trains came in clear-window packages to see the toys, the box set was completely windowless, so it was kind of a crap shoot as to the quality of paint you got with the set.

* Reportedly, the Bullet Trains, which were developed with Takara's very flexible pricing structure, really did not fit into Hasbro's more rigid existing price-points, budget-wise. They cost too much to be sold as Deluxes, but weren't really up to Mega-costs.

{{--}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Railspike/railspike.htm Railspike at TFU.info]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Car Robots characters]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Elderly Transformers]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise characters]]

Rapid Run (RID)

2010-02-25T04:13:32Z

141.225.193.192: /* Robots in Disguise */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Rapid Run}}
:''Rapid Run is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Rapid Run Robot.jpg|right|160px|thumb|Agent Jay-Seven]]
'''Rapid Run''' is a member of [[Team Bullet Train]], a trio of Autobots who patrol the railways. The physically strongest member of the team, Rapid Run is always eager for action. Cool-headed and sarcastic. You don't have to ask him twice to tackle the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]] or [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]... in fact, more often than not he's already firing away before you could ask once. And with the ability to generate an almost impenetrable force-field, he can take just about any punishment they throw back at him.

:''Japanese name'': '''J-Seven'''

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor'': [[Keith Diamond]] (English), [[Eiji Takemoto]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Secret of the Ruins Rapid Run.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Just chillin']]
When Team Bullet Train was called in to help protect the Linear RFG, Rapid Run was forced to abandon a trainload of commuters, including an indignant [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]]. He was keen to test the Linear RFG's speed in a race and almost got his chance when the experimental train's control was overridden by the Predacons. He and the rest of Team Bullet Train linked up and used their brakes to halt the Linear RFG and, once it was safe, combined into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] in order to drive off the Predacons. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

The team was called into [[Metro City]] to thwart another attack on the part of [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and his Predacons. After clumsily traversing narrow streets, the team found the Predacons and engaged them in combat. Rapid Run was extremely impressed by [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]]'s experience and tactics. After a pitched battle with the Predacons, the team merged into Rail Racer and chased them off. Although, as it turned out, the attack was a diversion while [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] investigated some ruins. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

Rapid Run was less than impressed with the smoky and aging steam engine nicknamed "Grandpa" when Team Bullet Train was detailed to protect it, and even less impressed with Midnight Express' insistence that the train was somehow self-aware and could understand what they said. The team successfully got Grandpa safely to his destination, but the steam train was promptly hijacked by the Predacons. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

Team Bullet Train helped to try to track down [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] after the Autobot scanned a racing car and was possessed by an urge to engage in races. They entered the Great Race, but were halted partway by a rock-slide they were unable to pass. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[Image:Tow-Line Goes Haywire Rapid Run.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Another new arrival, [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]], was reprogrammed by the Predacons, forcing him to tow away the other Autobots. Rapid Run found himself being carried through the middle of Metro City, scraping along the sides of buildings. He was then unceremoniously dumped down a pit with [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] and [[X-Brawn]]. Tow-Line was eventually brought back to his senses and rescued the trio, apologising profusely. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

Rapid Run interrupted [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] interfering with a statue and chased him off. The Autobots subsequently realised that the [[Cave of the Dragon]] was likely the Predacons' target, and Rapid Run and Railspike disguised themselves as a dragon as part of a ruse to make the Predacons think it was home to a giant transforming robot. Rapid Run resented being the hind-end of the dragon and didn't think much of the [[Autobot Brothers]]' acting. After Railspike fired on the enemy, the pair returned to the cave to let [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and Midnight Express take over as the dragon's statue "robot mode". {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

After practising their link-up manoeuvre, Team Bullet Train returned to the Autobot base to review footage of previous adventures in an attempt to find the Predacon base. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}} After the creation of the Decepticons by Megatron, the team was sent to [[Sherman Dam]], where they combined into Rail Racer and fought [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}} They would subsequently spend a lot of time using the [[Global Space Bridge]] to arrive at locations under attack from the Decepticons and form Rail Racer to fight the enemy off.

[[Image:Landfill Rapidrunballgame.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
The Autobots' ability to get to remote locations quickly did not go unnoticed by the Decepticons, who managed to sabotage the space bridge, depositing Team Bullet Train on a busy motorway. Rapid Run blamed the [[Build Team]] for the incident and was only prevented from coming to blows with [[Wedge]] by Railspike. A second attempt to use the space bridge dropped him in Metro City stadium, where he caught a baseball. Once the space bridge was repaired, the three bullet trains arrived at the North Energy Research Facility and prepared to form Rail Racer. They were stopped by [[Wedge]], who asked them to let the [[Build Team]] defeat Megatron as a matter of honour. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

[[Image:Test of Metal Rapidrunrotor.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Copterfu?]]
On another occasion, the team formed Rail Racer to prevent the Decepticons stealing some energy, and kept Ruination busy while the Build Team recovered the stolen energy. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}} They were also sent looking for the Autobot Brothers, who had disappeared while tracking [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], a recent arrival to Earth. They were approached by Magnus himself, who informed them that Optimus was being led into a trap, and the three trains rushed to help the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

[[Image:Fortress Maximus Railspikerapidrun.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
When the Autobots were on the verge of locating [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], Team Bullet Train were dispatched to the location under Metro City to protect the Build Team. Railspike and Rapid Run battled [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] and [[Movor]] in the confined space until Ultra Magnus showed up to lend a hand. Magnus accidentally flooded the subway and the two trains were swept away in the resulting torrent. Reunited with Midnight Express, they arrived in the cavern where Maximus was located and formed Rail Racer to defend the giant robot from the Decepticons, and later tried to draw them away from where the Build Team were trying to hide Maximus. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

Team Bullet Train also attempted to defend Maximus from the Decepticons once his location was exposed. [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] managed to successfully activate Maximus, but proved unable to control him. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}} When Scourge then magnified the human portion of his bio-signature in another attempt to control Maximus, Team Bullet Train was sent into the desert with Build Team and a thousand children to halt the titan. {{storylink|The Human Element}}

Gathering at a predetermined location, the Bullet Trains and the rest of the Autobots ambushed the Decepticon forces. The team combined into Rail Racer to fight Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'', but the battle station was eventually felled by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron used [[Cyber-bat|cyber-bats]] to gain control of the world's children, the Autobots were forced to retreat into the space bridge and were followed by the Decepticons. Galvatron ruptured the tunnel during the battle which followed, flooding it with molten lava which the Autobots were only narrowly able to escape. They were prompt seized by a powered-up Galvatron. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Team Bullet Train reformed Rail Racer in order to protect Optimus Prime, and were subsequently held in a paralysed state by Galvatron until the Decepticon leader's defeat at the hands of [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
*'''Rapid Run''' (Mega, 2000/2001)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-013'''

[[Image:RID Rapid Run Toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I'm going off the rails on a crazy train!]]
: Rapid Run transforms into a "Rail Star" 700 bullet train. In this form, he can link up with the other Bullet Trains to form a three locomotive lash-up. In robot mode, a portion of his train-mode forms a shield with spring-loaded missile launcher; the missile is also the train's coupler. He can also form the midsection/backpack to the team's combined form [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]].

: There are significant differences between the [[Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions of Rapid Run. The Takara version has several portions cast in transparent plastic to give him clear windows, requiring extensive [[Paint operation|paint applications]] to blend in. The robot mode's head was also painted a golden yellow.

: The Hasbro version released in 2001 replaced the transparent plastics with opaques to cut back on the number of needed paint applications. However, this also enabled them to add several other piece of deco, including an Autobot sigil on the roof, golden stripes on the robot-mode shins and gold on the very tip of the train's "nose". All of the yellow paint was also replaced with metallic gold. Early versions of the Hasbro Rapid Run had unpainted windows; later runs added sky blue paint to both them and the headlight wells under his windshield.

*'''JRX''' (Multi-pack, 2000)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-015'''

: All three members of Team Bullet Train -- [[Railspike (RID)|J-Five]], [[Midnight Express (RID)|J-Four]] and J-Seven-- were also available in a complete box set in Japan.

==Trivia==
* Rapid Run was portrayed slightly differently in the two different versions of the cartoon. For the Japanese ''Car Robots'', "J-Seven" was a gruff, older veteran combatant. In ''Robots in Disguise'', Rapid Run was seemingly the youngest of the trio, with a much cooler attitude. They were both pretty battle-eager, though.

* The Takara versions of the Bullet Trains appear to have had a particularly bad run of quality control regarding the paint applications, with many having sloppily-applied decos. While the individually-packaged Bullet Trains came in clear-window packages to see the toys, the box set was completely windowless, so it was kind of a crap shoot as to the quality of paint you got with the set.

* Reportedly, the Bullet Trains, which were developed with Takara's very flexible pricing structure, really did not fit into Hasbro's more rigid existing price-points, budget-wise. They cost too much to be sold as Deluxes, but weren't really up to Mega-costs.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/RapidRun/rapidrun.htm Rapid Run at TFU.info]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Car Robots characters]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise characters]]

Rapid Run (RID)

2010-02-25T04:12:15Z

141.225.193.192: /* Robots in Disguise */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Rapid Run}}
:''Rapid Run is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Rapid Run Robot.jpg|right|160px|thumb|Agent Jay-Seven]]
'''Rapid Run''' is a member of [[Team Bullet Train]], a trio of Autobots who patrol the railways. The physically strongest member of the team, Rapid Run is always eager for action. Cool-headed and sarcastic. You don't have to ask him twice to tackle the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]] or [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]... in fact, more often than not he's already firing away before you could ask once. And with the ability to generate an almost impenetrable force-field, he can take just about any punishment they throw back at him.

:''Japanese name'': '''J-Seven'''

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor'': [[Keith Diamond]] (English), [[Eiji Takemoto]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Secret of the Ruins Rapid Run.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Just chillin']]
When Team Bullet Train was called in to help protect the Linear RFG, Rapid Run was forced to abandon a trainload of commuters, including an indignant [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]]. He was keen to test the Linear RFG's speed in a race and almost got his chance when the experimental train's control was overridden by the Predacons. He and the rest of Team Bullet Train linked up and used their brakes to halt the Linear RFG and, once it was safe, combined into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] in order to drive off the Predacons. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

The team was called into [[Metro City]] to thwart another attack on the part of [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and his Predacons. After clumsily traversing narrow streets, the team found the Predacons and engaged them in combat. Rapid Run was extremely impressed by [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]]'s experience and tactics. After a pitched battle with the Predacons, the team merged into Rail Racer and chased them off. Although, as it turned out, the attack was a diversion while [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] investigated some ruins. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

Rapid Run was less than impressed with the smoky and aging steam engine nicknamed "Grandpa" when Team Bullet Train was detailed to protect it, and even less impressed with Midnight Express' insistence that the train was somehow self-aware and could understand what they said. The team successfully got Grandpa safely to his destination, but the steam train was promptly hijacked by the Predacons. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

Team Bullet Train helped to try to track down [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] after the Autobot scanned a racing car and was possessed by an urge to engage in races. They entered the Great Race, but were halted partway by a rock-slide they were unable to pass. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[Image:Tow-Line Goes Haywire Rapid Run.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Another new arrival, [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]], was reprogrammed by the Predacons, forcing him to tow away the other Autobots. Rapid Run found himself being carried through the middle of Metro City, scraping along the sides of buildings. He was then unceremoniously dumped down a pit with [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] and [[X-Brawn]]. Tow-Line was eventually brought back to his senses and rescued the trio, apologising profusely. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

Rapid Run interrupted [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] interfering with a statue and chased him off. The Autobots subsequently realised that the [[Cave of the Dragon]] was likely the Predacons' target, and Rapid Run and Railspike disguised themselves as a dragon as part of a ruse to make the Predacons think it was home to a giant transforming robot. Rapid Run resented being the hind-end of the dragon and didn't think much of the [[Autobot Brothers]]' acting. After Railspike fired on the enemy, the pair returned to the cave to let [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and Midnight Express take over as the dragon's statue "robot mode". {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

After practising their link-up manoeuvre, Team Bullet Train returned to the Autobot base to review footage of previous adventures in an attempt to find the Predacon base. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}} After the creation of the Decepticons by Megatron, the team was sent to [[Sherman Dam]], where they combined into Rail Racer and fought [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}} They would subsequently spend a lot of time using the [[Global Space Bridge]] to arrive at locations under attack from the Decepticons and form Rail Racer to fight the enemy off.

[[Image:Landfill Rapidrunballgame.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
The Autobots' ability to get to remote locations quickly did not go unnoticed by the Decepticons, who managed to sabotage the space bridge, depositing Team Bullet Train on a busy motorway. Rapid Run blamed the [[Build Team]] for the incident and was only prevented from coming to blows with [[Wedge]] by Railspike. A second attempt to use the space bridge dropped him in Metro City stadium, where he caught a baseball. Once the space bridge was repaired, the three bullet trains arrived at the North Energy Research Facility and prepared to form Rail Racer. They were stopped by [[Wedge]], who asked them to let the [[Build Team]] defeat Megatron as a matter of honour. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

[[Image:Test of Metal Rapidrunrotor.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Copterfu?]]
On another occasion, the team formed Rail Racer to prevent the Decepticons stealing some energy, and kept Ruination busy while the Build Team recovered the stolen energy. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}} They were also sent looking for the Autobot Brothers, who had disappeared while tracking [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], a recent arrival to Earth. They were approached by Magnus himself, who informed them that Optimus was being led into a trap, and the three trains rushed to help the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

[[Image:Fortress Maximus Railspikerapidrun.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
When the Autobots were on the verge of locating [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], Team Bullet Train were dispatched to the location under Metro City to protect the Build Team. Railspike and Rapid Run battled [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] and [[Movor]] in the confined space until Ultra Magnus showed up to lend a hand. Magnus accidentally flooded the subway and the two trains were swept away in the resulting torrent. Reunited with Midnight Express, they arrived in the cavern where Maximus was located and formed Rail Racer to defend the giant robot from the Decepticons, and later tried to draw them away from where the Build Team were trying to hide Maximus. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

Team Bullet Train also attempted to defend Maximus from the Decepticons once his location was exposed. [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] managed to successfully activate Maximus, but proved unable to control him. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}} When Scourge then magnified the human portion of his bio-signature in another attempt to control Maximus, Team Bullet Train was sent into the desert with Build Team and a thousand children to halt the titan. {{storylink|The Human Element}}

Gathering at a predetermined location, the Bullet Trains and the rest of the Autobots ambushed the Decepticon forces. The team combined into Rail Racer to fight Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'', but the battle station was eventually felled by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron used [[Cyber-bat|cyber-bats]] to gain control of the world's children, the Autobots were forced to retreat into the space bridge and were followed by the Decepticons. Galvatron ruptured the tunnel during the battle which followed, flooding it with molten lava which the Autobots were only narrowly able to escape. They were prompt seized by a powered-up Galvatron. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Team Bullet Train reformed Rail Racer in order to protect Optimus Prime, and were subsequently held in a paralysed state by Galvatron until the Decepticon leader's defeat at the hands of [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
*'''Rapid Run''' (Mega, 2000/2001)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-013'''

[[Image:RID Rapid Run Toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I'm going off the rails on a crazy train!]]
: Rapid Run transforms into a "Rail Star" 700 bullet train. In this form, he can link up with the other Bullet Trains to form a three locomotive lash-up. In robot mode, a portion of his train-mode forms a shield with spring-loaded missile launcher; the missile is also the train's coupler. He can also form the midsection/backpack to the team's combined form [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]].

: There are significant differences between the [[Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions of Rapid Run. The Takara version has several portions cast in transparent plastic to give him clear windows, requiring extensive [[Paint operation|paint applications]] to blend in. The robot mode's head was also painted a golden yellow.

: The Hasbro version released in 2001 replaced the transparent plastics with opaques to cut back on the number of needed paint applications. However, this also enabled them to add several other piece of deco, including an Autobot sigil on the roof, golden stripes on the robot-mode shins and gold on the very tip of the train's "nose". All of the yellow paint was also replaced with metallic gold. Early versions of the Hasbro Rapid Run had unpainted windows; later runs added metallic blue paint to them.

*'''JRX''' (Multi-pack, 2000)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-015'''

: All three members of Team Bullet Train -- [[Railspike (RID)|J-Five]], [[Midnight Express (RID)|J-Four]] and J-Seven-- were also available in a complete box set in Japan.

==Trivia==
* Rapid Run was portrayed slightly differently in the two different versions of the cartoon. For the Japanese ''Car Robots'', "J-Seven" was a gruff, older veteran combatant. In ''Robots in Disguise'', Rapid Run was seemingly the youngest of the trio, with a much cooler attitude. They were both pretty battle-eager, though.

* The Takara versions of the Bullet Trains appear to have had a particularly bad run of quality control regarding the paint applications, with many having sloppily-applied decos. While the individually-packaged Bullet Trains came in clear-window packages to see the toys, the box set was completely windowless, so it was kind of a crap shoot as to the quality of paint you got with the set.

* Reportedly, the Bullet Trains, which were developed with Takara's very flexible pricing structure, really did not fit into Hasbro's more rigid existing price-points, budget-wise. They cost too much to be sold as Deluxes, but weren't really up to Mega-costs.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/RapidRun/rapidrun.htm Rapid Run at TFU.info]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Car Robots characters]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise characters]]

Rapid Run (RID)

2010-02-25T04:06:06Z

141.225.193.192: /* Robots in Disguise cartoon */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Rapid Run}}
:''Rapid Run is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Rapid Run Robot.jpg|right|160px|thumb|Agent Jay-Seven]]
'''Rapid Run''' is a member of [[Team Bullet Train]], a trio of Autobots who patrol the railways. The physically strongest member of the team, Rapid Run is always eager for action. Cool-headed and sarcastic. You don't have to ask him twice to tackle the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]] or [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]... in fact, more often than not he's already firing away before you could ask once. And with the ability to generate an almost impenetrable force-field, he can take just about any punishment they throw back at him.

:''Japanese name'': '''J-Seven'''

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor'': [[Keith Diamond]] (English), [[Eiji Takemoto]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Secret of the Ruins Rapid Run.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Just chillin']]
When Team Bullet Train was called in to help protect the Linear RFG, Rapid Run was forced to abandon a trainload of commuters, including an indignant [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]]. He was keen to test the Linear RFG's speed in a race and almost got his chance when the experimental train's control was overridden by the Predacons. He and the rest of Team Bullet Train linked up and used their brakes to halt the Linear RFG and, once it was safe, combined into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] in order to drive off the Predacons. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

The team was called into [[Metro City]] to thwart another attack on the part of [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and his Predacons. After clumsily traversing narrow streets, the team found the Predacons and engaged them in combat. Rapid Run was extremely impressed by [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]]'s experience and tactics. After a pitched battle with the Predacons, the team merged into Rail Racer and chased them off. Although, as it turned out, the attack was a diversion while [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] investigated some ruins. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

Rapid Run was less than impressed with the smoky and aging steam engine nicknamed "Grandpa" when Team Bullet Train was detailed to protect it, and even less impressed with Midnight Express' insistence that the train was somehow self-aware and could understand what they said. The team successfully got Grandpa safely to his destination, but the steam train was promptly hijacked by the Predacons. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

Team Bullet Train helped to try to track down [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] after the Autobot scanned a racing car and was possessed by an urge to engage in races. They entered the Great Race, but were halted partway by a rock-slide they were unable to pass. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[Image:Tow-Line Goes Haywire Rapid Run.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Another new arrival, [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]], was reprogrammed by the Predacons, forcing him to tow away the other Autobots. Rapid Run found himself being carried through the middle of Metro City, scraping along the sides of buildings. He was then unceremoniously dumped down a pit with [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] and [[X-Brawn]]. Tow-Line was eventually brought back to his senses and rescued the trio, apologising profusely. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

Rapid Run interrupted [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] interfering with a statue and chased him off. The Autobots subsequently realised that the [[Cave of the Dragon]] was likely the Predacons' target, and Rapid Run and Railspike disguised themselves as a dragon as part of a ruse to make the Predacons think it was home to a giant transforming robot. Rapid Run resented being the hind-end of the dragon and didn't think much of the [[Autobot Brothers]]' acting. After Railspike fired on the enemy, the pair returned to the cave to let [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and Midnight Express take over as the dragon's statue "robot mode". {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

After practising their link-up manoeuvre, Team Bullet Train returned to the Autobot base to review footage of previous adventures in an attempt to find the Predacon base. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}} After the creation of the Decepticons by Megatron, the team was sent to [[Sherman Dam]], where they combined into Rail Racer and fought [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}} They would subsequently spend a lot of time using the [[Global Space Bridge]] to arrive at locations under attack from the Decepticons and form Rail Racer to fight the enemy off.

[[Image:Landfill Rapidrunballgame.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
The Autobots' ability to get to remote locations quickly did not go unnoticed by the Decepticons, who managed to sabotage the space bridge, depositing Team Bullet Train on a busy motorway. Rapid Run blamed the [[Build Team]] for the incident and was only prevented from coming to blows with [[Wedge]] by Railspike. A second attempt to use the space bridge dropped him in Metro City stadium, where he caught a baseball. Once the space bridge was repaired, the three bullet trains arrived at the North Energy Research Facility and prepared to form Rail Racer. They were stopped by [[Wedge]], who asked them to let the [[Build Team]] defeat Megatron as a matter of honour. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

[[Image:Test of Metal Rapidrunrotor.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Copterfu?]]
On another occasion, the team formed Rail Racer to prevent the Decepticons stealing some energy, and kept Ruination busy while the Build Team recovered the stolen energy. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}} They were also sent looking for the Autobot Brothers, who had disappeared while tracking [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], a recent arrival to Earth. They were approached by Magnus himself, who informed them that Optimus was being led into a trap, and the three trains rushed to help the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

[[Image:Fortress Maximus Railspikerapidrun.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
When the Autobots were on the verge of locating [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], Team Bullet Train were dispatched to the location under Metro City to protect the Build Team. Railspike and Rapid Run battled [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] and [[Movor]] in the confined space until Ultra Magnus showed up to lend a hand. Magnus accidentally flooded the subway and the two trains were swept away in the resulting torrent. Reunited with Midnight Express, they arrived in the cavern where Maximus was located and formed Rail Racer to defend the giant robot from the Decepticons, and later tried to draw them away from where the Build Team were trying to hide Maximus. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

Team Bullet Train also attempted to defend Maximus from the Decepticons once his location was exposed. [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] managed to successfully activate Maximus, but proved unable to control him. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}} When Scourge then magnified the human portion of his bio-signature in another attempt to control Maximus, Team Bullet Train was sent into the desert with Build Team and a thousand children to halt the titan. {{storylink|The Human Element}}

Gathering at a predetermined location, the Bullet Trains and the rest of the Autobots ambushed the Decepticon forces. The team combined into Rail Racer to fight Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'', but the battle station was eventually felled by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron used [[Cyber-bat|cyber-bats]] to gain control of the world's children, the Autobots were forced to retreat into the space bridge and were followed by the Decepticons. Galvatron ruptured the tunnel during the battle which followed, flooding it with molten lava which the Autobots were only narrowly able to escape. They were prompt seized by a powered-up Galvatron. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Team Bullet Train reformed Rail Racer in order to protect Optimus Prime, and were subsequently held in a paralysed state by Galvatron until the Decepticon leader's defeat at the hands of [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
*'''Rapid Run''' (Mega, 2000/2001)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-013'''

[[Image:RID Rapid Run Toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I'm going off the rails on a crazy train!]]
: Rapid Run transforms into a "Rail Star" 700 bullet train. In this form, he can link up with the other Bullet Trains to form one long locomotive. In robot mode, a portion of his train-mode forms a shield with spring-loaded missile launcher; the missile is the train link-arm. He can also form the midsection/backpack to the team's combined form [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]].

: There are significant differences between the [[Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions of Rapid Run. The Takara version has several portions cast in transparent plastic to give him clear windows, requiring extensive [[Paint operation|paint applications]] to blend in. The robot mode's head was also painted a golden yellow.

: The Hasbro version released in 2001 replaced the transparent plastics with opaques to cut back on the number of needed paint applications. However, this also enabled them to add several other piece of deco, including an Autobot sigil on the roof, golden stripes on the robot-mode shins and gold on the very tip of the train's "nose". All of the yellow paint was also replaced with metallic gold. Early versions of the Hasbro Rapid Run had unpainted windows; later runs added metallic blue paint to them.

*'''JRX''' (Multi-pack, 2000)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-015'''

: All three members of Team Bullet Train -- [[Railspike (RID)|J-Five]], [[Midnight Express (RID)|J-Four]] and J-Seven-- were also available in a complete box set in Japan.

==Trivia==
* Rapid Run was portrayed slightly differently in the two different versions of the cartoon. For the Japanese ''Car Robots'', "J-Seven" was a gruff, older veteran combatant. In ''Robots in Disguise'', Rapid Run was seemingly the youngest of the trio, with a much cooler attitude. They were both pretty battle-eager, though.

* The Takara versions of the Bullet Trains appear to have had a particularly bad run of quality control regarding the paint applications, with many having sloppily-applied decos. While the individually-packaged Bullet Trains came in clear-window packages to see the toys, the box set was completely windowless, so it was kind of a crap shoot as to the quality of paint you got with the set.

* Reportedly, the Bullet Trains, which were developed with Takara's very flexible pricing structure, really did not fit into Hasbro's more rigid existing price-points, budget-wise. They cost too much to be sold as Deluxes, but weren't really up to Mega-costs.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/RapidRun/rapidrun.htm Rapid Run at TFU.info]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Car Robots characters]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise characters]]

Roller (G1)

2009-08-01T08:12:37Z

141.225.193.192: /* Generation 1 */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{picsneeded|Toys, including color variations of the original toy.}}
:''Roller is a component of [[Autobot]] leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Roller .jpg|right|350px|thumb|Roller should not look this cool.]]
In robot mode, Optimus Prime splits 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.

Roller is a small, cart-shaped device that Optimus Prime uses to slip unobtrusively behind enemy lines. He can maintain radio control over Roller at distances up to 1200 miles. Having Roller present somewhere is like being there himself.

Roller is a droid, able to function autonomously without Optimus's active oversight. But without Optimus, by far the most important of the three modules, Roller would not survive. Optimus shows great attachment and concern for Roller, who is left particularly vulnerable by the behind-the-scenes situations in which it specializes.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
[[Image:Roller deploy.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Roller's one tough little Autobot.]]
When [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] were caught by [[Decepticon|Decepticons]], and with the clock ticking on the bomb they planted, Optimus Prime sent Roller into the mine. When the bomb exploded, Optimus was nearly destroyed, but Roller emerged cheekily unscathed, prompting [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] to observe "Roller's one tough little Autobot!" {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

Another of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] schemes involved sabotaging the Autobots' recharging chamber with a personality destabilizer device, turning a good number of them, including Optimus Prime, "evil". When the unaffected Autobots attempted to restore Prime back to normal, he split into his three components. Both Roller and the Combat Deck attempted to take the Autobots out, but [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] was able to nail them both with attitude exchangers. However, that left then with only one more exchanger. Not wanting to chance a miss, Bumblebee risked his life to attach it to Prime personally. Luckily, he was successful. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots}}

[[Image:Roller outsmart.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Roller exploits a tactical opening.]]
The Autobots were stuck in automotive mode by the evil [[Transfixatron]]. With [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] in the claws of Megatron's car-crushing machine, only Roller could save the day! Roller led the Decepticons on a merry chase, allowing Optimus to rescue Ironhide from the jaws of undignified death! {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

Megatron would later succeed in killing Ironhide in an undignified manner during [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]], when Roller was not around.

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
====Generation 1====
''Optimus Prime used his Roller unit to command a battle in [[Washington, D.C.]] while actually sneaking away from the action to find [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] swooped in and destroyed Roller, causing Optimus Prime to double over in pain, and ironically saving him from the Insecticon [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]].'' {{storylink|Plague of the Insecticons!}}

[[Image:Roller g2.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Roller's extreme phase in the '90s.]]
====Generation 2====
Roller provided covering fire for Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] as they fled the [[Cybertronian Empire]]. {{storylink|Total War!}}

{{-}}
===Ladybird continuity===
[[Image:MegatronsFightforPower_Roller.jpg|right|150px|thumb|]]
[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]]'s sally to sneakily sabotage the Solar Station was stymied by a sealed storage-door. Roller to the Rescue! Sent scuttling through the sage, secreted from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s sight, to supply a Cybertronian sonic multi-tool. Roller had saved the day!

''Spike's subsequent sabotage of the solar station and ensuing detonation of the [[Energon cube|energon cubes]] in it could be construed (in some small way) to save the day as well.''
{{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}

{{-}}
===e-Hobby toy bio===
Several million years ago on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], when Optimus Prime was a mere transport and delivery worker known as Orion Pax, his body was composed of two autonomous units: Orion, the main robot, and '''Barrelroller''',<ref>The name "Barrelroller" only appears in the official English-language translations of Orion Pax's bio on Takara's e-Hobby site. In the Japanese-language version of the bio—both online and on the pack-in bio card from the toy—Barrelroller is called simply "Roller".</ref> an industrial droid who transformed into an electromagnetic lift handle.

Presumably, Barrelroller was changed into Roller when [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] rebuilt Orion Pax as Optimus Prime.

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Escalation5 Roller.jpg|left|150px|thumb|You feelin' lucky, punk?]]
Roller was being considered for an exploring mission, but lost out to [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

Megatron ordered [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to wait for Optimus Prime to come into range before firing on him. Optimus discreetly sent Roller ahead to intercept Blitzwing, and at the last moment, Roller blew him up good. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4}} Unfortunately, the same trick didn't work on Megatron, who buried the poor guy under a pile of rocks. However, this bought Optimus Prime the time to transfer his consciousness to his trailer section. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (1984)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-01'''

[[Image:Roller g1 toy.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Many colors: Roller has been released in Dark Blue (shown,) Light Blue, Purple, Dark Purple, Silver and Black.]]
: Roller was included with the original Optimus Prime toy (as well as its many rereleases). Roller is a small, six-wheeled vehicle that is stored in the trailer portion. The seats are scaled to allow Roller to carry [[Diaclone]] figures, due to its use in the prior toyline. The [[trailer]]/[[Combat Deck]] features a spring-loaded device that is capable of launching Roller out of the combat deck. Roller has a hole on top to hold the included oil pump or Optimus's gun. As a result of the original Optimus Prime's production variants (prior to rerelease), Roller was molded in silver (the trailer's exterior color) and various shades of blue, indigo, and purple (mold colors of the corresponding Optimus's fists, legs, and Combat Deck).
:: As an homage to the silver Roller pictured in the G1 cartoon, some 2000s re-issues of Optimus Prime/Convoy have included Roller molded in that Prime's blue color, only ''painted'' silver. (Only the ''New Year Special'' and 25th Anniversary Rollers have been left blue, and unpainted.)
:: JAFCon 2000 Convoy's Roller was black, along with the rest of him.)

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info]''

[[Image:Barrelroller g1.jpg|right|80px|thumb|Roll out the barrel, we'll have a barrel of fun...]]
* '''Orion Pax''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''67'''

: This Japanese e-Hobby exclusive was a redeco of [[Targetmaster]] [[Recoil]]. As Orion Pax is meant to represent an early version of Optimus Prime, his Targetmaster partner, Barrelroller, is meant to represent an early version of Roller. This is the first version of Roller actually to transform, from robot to an electromagnetic lift handle.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/OrionPax/orionpax.htm More information on Barrelroller (with Orion Pax) at TFU.info]''

===Return of Convoy===
* '''Star Convoy''' (Powered Master, 1991, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-372'''

: This toy from the ''[[Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]'' line included an upgraded Roller named '''Tread Unit''', patterned after a tracked ballistic missile carrier.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Cybertron/StarConvoy/starconvoy.htm More information on Tread Unit (with Star Convoy) at TFU.info]''

===Generation 2===
* '''Optimus Prime''' (1993, 1994)

: A slightly altered version of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime, it included Roller.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Generation 2'' Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info]''

===Smallest Transforming Transformers===
* '''G1 Convoy Trailer''' (2003)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''GTF-01B (trailer)'''

: The Combat Deck was available separately as a shortpacked figure. Included was a tiiiiny Roller. Aww!

: In wave 2.5, it was again available in cartoon colors as a chase figure.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SmallestCombatDeck/combatdeck.htm More information on ''Smallest'' Roller (with Combat Deck) at TFU.info]''

===Hybrid Style===
*'''G1 Convoy''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''THS-02'''

: THS-02 G1 Convoy is a finely detailed, partially die-cast metal transforming toy of G1 Optimus Prime. It comes with a fully transforming and highly detailed trailer that opens up into its Combat Deck/repair bay, as well as Roller, who features four-wheel steering.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Cybertron/HybridConvoy/convoy.htm More information on ''Hybrid Style'' Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info]''

===Masterpiece===
*'''Roller is not part of the so-called Convoy Complete Edition''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-4'''

: The indignity!

===Encore===
*'''Convoy''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''01'''

: Roller is included in this reissue of the original Optimus Prime toy, painted in "anime" colors (light gray).

===Universe (2008)===
*'''Optimus Prime 25th Anniversary Pack'''

:Roller is reissued with Optimus in blue, as Hasbro wanted the unit to match Prime's fists. It was originally intended to be grey.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/25thOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on 25 Anniversary Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
*Prime's original character description, as seen in the [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|''Transformers Universe'']] profile comic, named the robot module "Optimus" and the drone module "Prime", noting that the Prime module is also known as Roller. However, in practice, these names were never used. The robot module was always treated as if named "Optimus Prime", with "Prime" even being his most common nickname.
*A reference to this "Prime module" was retained in ''Universe'''s [[Powermaster]] Optimus Prime profile, so the little guy must still be around, despite not being included with the Powermaster toy.
*Early [[:Image:EarlyPMPrime3.jpg|concept drawings]] for Powermaster Prime, as seen in ''[[Transformers Generations]]'', made him a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]/Powermaster, with a four-wheeled Roller forming the head.
*When the Powermaster Optimus Prime toy was re-released as part of the Commemorative Series in 2003, it included the "[[Apex Bomber]]", a rechristened [[Godbomber]]. In the on-package bio, Apex Bomber was described as a "roller drone" under Prime's control.
*Roller was renamed "Scout Car" in a profile in [[War Without End (issue)|issue #1]] of the [[Generation 2 (Fleetway comic)|UK ''Generation 2'' comic]].
*Roller was supposed to have a minor role in [[Ginrai]]'s ''[[Binaltech]]'' toy bio (written by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]]), but the toy was ultimately used as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and so the bio went unused. In this storyline, a new Dodge Ram Binaltech body was built for Roller, but was instead possessed by Ginrai as he travelled through time to save his own future.

==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]
*[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SmallestCombatDeck/combatdeck.htm Smallest Transforming Transformers Roller (with Combat Deck) at TFU.info.]
*[http://www.e-hobby.co.jp/cgi-bin/omc?&port=33301&req=PRODUCT&code=tfce_34 Orion Pax's e-HOBBY bio.]

== Footnotes ==
<references />

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Drones]]

Roller (G1)

2009-08-01T08:02:14Z

141.225.193.192: /* Generation 1 */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{picsneeded|Toys, including color variations of the original toy.}}
:''Roller is a component of [[Autobot]] leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Roller .jpg|right|350px|thumb|Roller should not look this cool.]]
In robot mode, Optimus Prime splits 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.

Roller is a small, cart-shaped device that Optimus Prime uses to slip unobtrusively behind enemy lines. He can maintain radio control over Roller at distances up to 1200 miles. Having Roller present somewhere is like being there himself.

Roller is a droid, able to function autonomously without Optimus's active oversight. But without Optimus, by far the most important of the three modules, Roller would not survive. Optimus shows great attachment and concern for Roller, who is left particularly vulnerable by the behind-the-scenes situations in which it specializes.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
[[Image:Roller deploy.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Roller's one tough little Autobot.]]
When [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] were caught by [[Decepticon|Decepticons]], and with the clock ticking on the bomb they planted, Optimus Prime sent Roller into the mine. When the bomb exploded, Optimus was nearly destroyed, but Roller emerged cheekily unscathed, prompting [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] to observe "Roller's one tough little Autobot!" {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

Another of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] schemes involved sabotaging the Autobots' recharging chamber with a personality destabilizer device, turning a good number of them, including Optimus Prime, "evil". When the unaffected Autobots attempted to restore Prime back to normal, he split into his three components. Both Roller and the Combat Deck attempted to take the Autobots out, but [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] was able to nail them both with attitude exchangers. However, that left then with only one more exchanger. Not wanting to chance a miss, Bumblebee risked his life to attach it to Prime personally. Luckily, he was successful. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots}}

[[Image:Roller outsmart.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Roller exploits a tactical opening.]]
The Autobots were stuck in automotive mode by the evil [[Transfixatron]]. With [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] in the claws of Megatron's car-crushing machine, only Roller could save the day! Roller led the Decepticons on a merry chase, allowing Optimus to rescue Ironhide from the jaws of undignified death! {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

Megatron would later succeed in killing Ironhide in an undignified manner during [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]], when Roller was not around.

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
====Generation 1====
''Optimus Prime used his Roller unit to command a battle in [[Washington, D.C.]] while actually sneaking away from the action to find [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] swooped in and destroyed Roller, causing Optimus Prime to double over in pain, and ironically saving him from the Insecticon [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]].'' {{storylink|Plague of the Insecticons!}}

[[Image:Roller g2.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Roller's extreme phase in the '90s.]]
====Generation 2====
Roller provided covering fire for Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] as they fled the [[Cybertronian Empire]]. {{storylink|Total War!}}

{{-}}
===Ladybird continuity===
[[Image:MegatronsFightforPower_Roller.jpg|right|150px|thumb|]]
[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]]'s sally to sneakily sabotage the Solar Station was stymied by a sealed storage-door. Roller to the Rescue! Sent scuttling through the sage, secreted from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s sight, to supply a Cybertronian sonic multi-tool. Roller had saved the day!

''Spike's subsequent sabotage of the solar station and ensuing detonation of the [[Energon cube|energon cubes]] in it could be construed (in some small way) to save the day as well.''
{{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}

{{-}}
===e-Hobby toy bio===
Several million years ago on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], when Optimus Prime was a mere transport and delivery worker known as Orion Pax, his body was composed of two autonomous units: Orion, the main robot, and '''Barrelroller''',<ref>The name "Barrelroller" only appears in the official English-language translations of Orion Pax's bio on Takara's e-Hobby site. In the Japanese-language version of the bio—both online and on the pack-in bio card from the toy—Barrelroller is called simply "Roller".</ref> an industrial droid who transformed into an electromagnetic lift handle.

Presumably, Barrelroller was changed into Roller when [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] rebuilt Orion Pax as Optimus Prime.

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Escalation5 Roller.jpg|left|150px|thumb|You feelin' lucky, punk?]]
Roller was being considered for an exploring mission, but lost out to [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

Megatron ordered [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to wait for Optimus Prime to come into range before firing on him. Optimus discreetly sent Roller ahead to intercept Blitzwing, and at the last moment, Roller blew him up good. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4}} Unfortunately, the same trick didn't work on Megatron, who buried the poor guy under a pile of rocks. However, this bought Optimus Prime the time to transfer his consciousness to his trailer section. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (1984)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-01'''

[[Image:Roller g1 toy.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Many colors: Roller has been released in Dark Blue (shown,) Light Blue, Purple, Dark Purple, Silver and Black.]]
: Roller was included with the original Optimus Prime toy (as well as its many rereleases). Roller is a small, six-wheeled vehicle that is stored in the trailer portion. The seats are scaled to allow Roller to carry [[Diaclone]] figures, due to its use in the prior toyline. The [[trailer]]/[[Combat Deck]] features a spring-loaded device that is capable of launching Roller out of the combat deck. Roller has a hole on top to hold the included oil pump or Optimus's gun. As a result of the original Optimus Prime's production variants (prior to rerelease), Roller was molded in silver (the trailer's exterior color) and various shades of blue, indigo, and purple (mold colors of the corresponding Optimus's fists, legs, and Combat Deck).
:: As an homage to the silver Roller pictured in the G1 cartoon, some 2000s re-issues of Optimus Prime have included Roller molded in that Prime's blue color, only ''painted'' silver.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info]''

[[Image:Barrelroller g1.jpg|right|80px|thumb|Roll out the barrel, we'll have a barrel of fun...]]
* '''Orion Pax''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''67'''

: This Japanese e-Hobby exclusive was a redeco of [[Targetmaster]] [[Recoil]]. As Orion Pax is meant to represent an early version of Optimus Prime, his Targetmaster partner, Barrelroller, is meant to represent an early version of Roller. This is the first version of Roller actually to transform, from robot to an electromagnetic lift handle.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/OrionPax/orionpax.htm More information on Barrelroller (with Orion Pax) at TFU.info]''

===Return of Convoy===
* '''Star Convoy''' (Powered Master, 1991, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-372'''

: This toy from the ''[[Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]'' line included an upgraded Roller named '''Tread Unit''', patterned after a tracked ballistic missile carrier.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Cybertron/StarConvoy/starconvoy.htm More information on Tread Unit (with Star Convoy) at TFU.info]''

===Generation 2===
* '''Optimus Prime''' (1993, 1994)

: A slightly altered version of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime, it included Roller.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Generation 2'' Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info]''

===Smallest Transforming Transformers===
* '''G1 Convoy Trailer''' (2003)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''GTF-01B (trailer)'''

: The Combat Deck was available separately as a shortpacked figure. Included was a tiiiiny Roller. Aww!

: In wave 2.5, it was again available in cartoon colors as a chase figure.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SmallestCombatDeck/combatdeck.htm More information on ''Smallest'' Roller (with Combat Deck) at TFU.info]''

===Hybrid Style===
*'''G1 Convoy''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''THS-02'''

: THS-02 G1 Convoy is a finely detailed, partially die-cast metal transforming toy of G1 Optimus Prime. It comes with a fully transforming and highly detailed trailer that opens up into its Combat Deck/repair bay, as well as Roller, who features four-wheel steering.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Cybertron/HybridConvoy/convoy.htm More information on ''Hybrid Style'' Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info]''

===Masterpiece===
*'''Roller is not part of the so-called Convoy Complete Edition''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-4'''

: The indignity!

===Encore===
*'''Convoy''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''01'''

: Roller is included in this reissue of the original Optimus Prime toy, painted in "anime" colors (light gray).

===Universe (2008)===
*'''Optimus Prime 25th Anniversary Pack'''

:Roller is reissued with Optimus in blue, as Hasbro wanted the unit to match Prime's fists. It was originally intended to be grey.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/25thOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on 25 Anniversary Roller (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
*Prime's original character description, as seen in the [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|''Transformers Universe'']] profile comic, named the robot module "Optimus" and the drone module "Prime", noting that the Prime module is also known as Roller. However, in practice, these names were never used. The robot module was always treated as if named "Optimus Prime", with "Prime" even being his most common nickname.
*A reference to this "Prime module" was retained in ''Universe'''s [[Powermaster]] Optimus Prime profile, so the little guy must still be around, despite not being included with the Powermaster toy.
*Early [[:Image:EarlyPMPrime3.jpg|concept drawings]] for Powermaster Prime, as seen in ''[[Transformers Generations]]'', made him a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]/Powermaster, with a four-wheeled Roller forming the head.
*When the Powermaster Optimus Prime toy was re-released as part of the Commemorative Series in 2003, it included the "[[Apex Bomber]]", a rechristened [[Godbomber]]. In the on-package bio, Apex Bomber was described as a "roller drone" under Prime's control.
*Roller was renamed "Scout Car" in a profile in [[War Without End (issue)|issue #1]] of the [[Generation 2 (Fleetway comic)|UK ''Generation 2'' comic]].
*Roller was supposed to have a minor role in [[Ginrai]]'s ''[[Binaltech]]'' toy bio (written by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]]), but the toy was ultimately used as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and so the bio went unused. In this storyline, a new Dodge Ram Binaltech body was built for Roller, but was instead possessed by Ginrai as he travelled through time to save his own future.

==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]
*[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SmallestCombatDeck/combatdeck.htm Smallest Transforming Transformers Roller (with Combat Deck) at TFU.info.]
*[http://www.e-hobby.co.jp/cgi-bin/omc?&port=33301&req=PRODUCT&code=tfce_34 Orion Pax's e-HOBBY bio.]

== Footnotes ==
<references />

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Drones]]

Fortress Sinister

2009-08-01T07:03:01Z

141.225.193.192:

{{cleanup|August 2009|Not much, just needs storylinks.}}

:''The Fortress Sinister is a Decepticon base from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:DecepticonFortressSalvage.jpg|right|179px|thumb|Megatron rejected Soundwave's initial suggestion they call it the "Fortress of Funk"]]
The '''Fortress Sinister''' is a Decepticon base built at the summit of a mountain in [[Oregon]]. It's greatest future is the massive foundation of ''irony'' on which it stands; it was built out of a '''nuclear power plant''' during a Decepticon '''energy crisis'''.

{{note|The name "Fortress Sinister" is only found in the Marvel UK material. In Marvel US, it was referred to commonly as the "Decepticon fortress."}}
==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
:''(Note: Events from UK-only stories are in italics.)''

Shortly after arriving on Earth, the Decepticons attacked the [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]] and stripped it of useful technology. They then used the materials salvaged from the plant to build a giant fortress atop a nearby mountain.

Desperate for fuel, they then kidnapped [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], brought him to the fortress, and attempted to force him into synthesising Transformer fuel from oil. (Sparkplug, in turn, noticed that the Decepticons had stripped down a nuclear power plant—lucrative for the Decepticons' then-current energy needs—to build their fortress in order to "hack it out like cavemen".) [[Gears]] and the human superhero [[Spider-Man]] later infiltrated the fortress and managed to rescue Sparkplug. However, Gears was sent plummeting from one of the upper floors to the ground and was badly damaged when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] blew a hole in the floor of the fortress.

The fortress was later abandoned when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] took control of the Decepticons away from Megatron and set up base first in the captured [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], then later at the [[Blackrock Aerospace Plant]]. Shockwave was nice enough to come to the same conclusion as Sparkplug about the fortress's impractical construction, and he shared the obvious with a recuperating and enraged Megatron.

''Following Megatron’s disappearance and Shockwave sinking to the bottom of a swamp, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] took command of the Decepticons and reoccupied the fortress. From here, he coordinated a plan to destroy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] by using a captured [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] as bait.''

''Following Shockwave’s return, he also returned to the fortress. During this period, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] attempted to use an experimental robotic [[exosuit]] to infiltrate the fortress and show Optimus Prime that the suit was a good idea. He came face to face with Shockwave and narrowly escaped with his life.''

''Shockwave continued to use the fortress as a base, where he tested the newly developed Constructicons and eavesdropped on the premonitions granted to Buster by the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] relating to the next generation of [[Combiner|combiners]].''

After Megatron returned, Soundwave managed to engineer a joint leadership between him and Shockwave, which resulted in the fortress being abandoned for their long-term base in a coal mine in Wyoming.

[[Image:Fortress sinister.jpg|left|239px|thumb|The fortress is referred to by name. Crisis of Command!]]
''The fortress then remained unoccupied for many years, until Shockwave once again used it following [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s assumption of the command of the main Decepticon force. Shockwave took the remaining Decepticons back the fortress.''

''It was here that he developed his plan to use Megatron as a weapon against [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Having brainwashed Megatron into a weapon, he tested him against [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] after they revealed that they would be responsible for Shockwave’s death in the future. Megatron killed Cyclonus, and Scourge barely escaped with his life.''

''This foreknowledge led Shockwave to have a breakdown, and he mounted the body of Cyclonus on the wall as a trophy. Shockwave then descended into a depression and closeted himself away inside the fortress.''

''It was only when Ravage appealed to Shockwave’s logic that he left the fortress and cast the body of Cyclonus into a time rift that threatened reality. The fortress thereafter played no further part in events, and its fate remains unknown.''

[[Category:Decepticon bases]]
[[Category:Generation 1 locations]]
[[Category:Pacific Northwest]]

Fortress Sinister

2009-08-01T06:19:47Z

141.225.193.192: /* Marvel Comics continuity */

:''The Fortress Sinister is a Decepticon base from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:DecepticonFortressSalvage.jpg|right|179px|thumb|Megatron rejected Soundwave's initial suggestion they call it the "Fortress of Funk"]]
The '''Fortress Sinister''' is a Decepticon base built at the summit of a mountain in [[Oregon]].

{{note|The name "Fortress Sinister" is only found in the Marvel UK material. In Marvel US, it was referred to commonly as the "Decepticon fortress."}}
==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
:''(Note: Events from UK-only stories are in italics.)''

Shortly after arriving on Earth the Decepticons attacked the [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]] and stripped it of useful technology. They then used the materials salvaged from the plant to build a giant fortress atop a nearby mountain.

Desperate for fuel they then kidnapped [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] and brought him to the fortress and attempted to force him into synthesising Transformer fuel from oil. (Sparkplug, in turn, noticed that the Decepticons had stripped down a nuclear power plant -- lucrative for the Decepticons' then-current energy needs -- to build their fortress in order to 'hack it out like cavemen'.) [[Gears]] and the human superhero [[Spider-Man]] later infiltrated the fortress and managed to rescue Sparkplug. However Gears was sent plummeting (from one of the upper floors) to the ground and was badly damaged when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] blew a hole in the floor of the fortress.

The fortress was later abandoned when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] took control of the Decepticons away from Megatron and at first set up base in the captured [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and then later moved to the [[Blackrock Aerospace Plant]]. Shockwave was nice enough to come to the same conclusion as Sparplug about the fortress's impractical construction and share the obvious with a recuperating -- and enraged Megatron.

''Following Megatron’s disappearance and Shockwave sinking to the bottom of a swamp, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] took command of the Decepticons and reoccupied the fortress. From here he coordinated a plan to destroy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] by using a captured [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] as bait.''

''Following Shockwave’s return he also returned to the fortress. During this period [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] attempted to use an experimental robotic [[exosuit]] to infiltrate the fortress and show Optimus Prime that the suit was a good idea. He came face to face with Shockwave and narrowly escaped with his life.''

''Shockwave continued to use the fortress as a base, where he tested the newly developed Constructicons and eavesdropped on the premonitions granted to Buster by the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] relating to the next generation of [[Combiner|combiners]].''

After Megatron returned Soundwave managed to engineer a joint leadership between him and Shockwave which resulted in the fortress being abandoned for their long term base in the coal mine in Wyoming.

[[Image:Fortress sinister.jpg|left|239px|thumb|The fortress is referred to by name. Crisis of Command!]]
''The fortress then remained unoccupied for many years until Shockwave once again used it following [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s assumption to the command of the main Decepticon force. Shockwave took the remaining Decepticons back the fortress.''

''It was here that he developed his plan to use Megatron as a weapon against [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Having brainwashed Megatron into a weapon he tested him against [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] after they revealed that they would be responsible for Shockwave’s death in the future. Megatron killed Cyclonus and Scourge barely escaped with his life.''

''This foreknowledge led Shockwave to have a breakdown and he mounted the body of Cyclonus on the wall as a trophy. Shockwave then descended into a depression and closeted himself away inside the fortress.''

''It was only when Ravage appealed to Shockwave’s logic that he left the fortress and cast the body of Cyclonus into a time rift that threatened reality. The fortress then played no further part in events and its fate remains unknown.''

[[Category:Decepticon bases]]
[[Category:Generation 1 locations]]
[[Category:Pacific Northwest]]

Hubcap (G1)

2009-08-01T06:19:08Z

141.225.193.192: /* Generation 1 */

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

[[Image:Hubcapg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Orange face and experimental dog energies not included.]]

Everybody likes '''Hubcap'''. He's friendly, always has a clever joke or compliment ready, and is generally a nice, fun, affable bot to be around. On the other hand nobody actually ''trusts'' Hubcap. It's not his devotion to the Autobot cause that's the concern (mostly), but his ulterior motives for his friendship and jokes and the like. He is at his core a con artist, and everyone's a bit on their guard around him. Some think he's this way to cover for deficiencies or to stay in a position well above his actual aptitude level... or maybe he just likes tricking people. He doesn't seem to have made many enemies with his tricks and scams, though; quite the opposite. So perhaps it is all mostly harmless.

No-one doubts that he's got ''very'' good audio receptors, though, capable of picking up incredibly weak signals, which is why he's part of the Autobot communications hub. One can only guess as to what he might ''do'' with all he hears in that position, though.

:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Virevolto'''

==Fiction==
===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic===
[[Image:FSRLTFmanga8_Minibots.jpg|left|100px|thumb|]]
Hubcap was part of a group who arrived to back up [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], who was defending a [[Murdered puppy|dog]] that had been cruelly experimented on by the Decepticons from being hunted and captured by the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. He and the other Minibots [[Minibot combiner|combined]] with Powerglide in their vehicle modes thanks to the [[Decepticon super science|experimental energies]] within the dog, and spinning furiously, smashed through [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s chest and out the other side in a flying drill attack.

No, seriously. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:BlackSunshine Autobot training failures.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
Hubcap was among the group of new recruits seen failing to take on the [[Auto-Combatant|Auto-Combatant]] training drones on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s rule was toppled. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:MegsOrigin4 Hubcap.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Actually doing his job!]]

Hubcap was among the mourners at [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback]]'s funeral at the Security Services HQ in [[Kaon]], appropriately standing next to [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3}} He later served at an Autobot communications post, trying to radio through to [[Iacon]] for reinforcements during Megatron's "everything burns" offensive. In the end, the area was so devastated that Hubcap and the Autobots only requested evacuation from the area instead of new troops, leaving Kaon under Decepticon control. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4}}

Later on, he listed as a potential candidate for a mission that was ultimately given to [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

{{-}}
===''TransTech''===
{{storylink|Gone Too Far}}
{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1-toy Hubcap.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Not yellow Cliffjumper, dammit.]]

*'''Hubcap''' (Mini-Vehicle, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-57'''

: Released in the third year of the [[Generation 1 (toyline)|original toy line]] in the US (second year in Japan), Hubcap is a [[retool]]ing of the [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] "penny-racer"-proportioned Porsche 924 Turbo sports car mold, giving him a new robot-mode head and "no spoiler". (His seeminglack of a spoiler is actually scale-accurate to the spoiler found on the real Porsche 924 and 944.) He is sometimes mistaken for the variant yellow Cliffjumper, and even occasionally for [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]], who has a similar transformation, but an entirely different mold for his car parts and robot head.

: In 1986, he was made available as a mail-away item (incorrectly labeled as Cliffjumper) in the "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]" and "[[The Autobots Are Under Attack!]]" fliers packed with most boxed ''Transformers'' toys. He cost $3.50 and one [[Robot points|robot point]]. The instruction booklet to mail-away Hubcap (sometimes bundled with [[Warpath]] and [[Cosmos]]) also incorrectly refers to him as "Cliffjumper".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Hubcap/hubcap.htm More information on Hubcap at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Generation 2===
[[Image:G2-toy Hubcap.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Really not Cliffjumper.]]
*'''Hubcap''' (Mini-Vehicle, 1993)

:Hubcap was re-released as part of the first batch of ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toys in the US, this time in shiny chrome red. There's speculation that this was because [[Hasbro]] had intended to release Cliffjumper instead but didn't have the mold, but it seems more likely it was simply to keep him from looking too much like his assortment partner [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Autobot/HubCap/hubcap.htm More information on Generation 2 Hubcap at TFU.info]''

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:TransTech characters]]

Circuit (circuit)

2009-08-01T05:53:11Z

141.225.193.192: /* Transform circuits */

{{disambig3|Circuit}}
'''Circuits''' are an essential part of the anatomy of mechanical beings, especially [[Transformer|Transformers]]. They regulate a diverse range of functions, not all of which are equally applicable in differing eras of Cybertronian history. However, they all share a [[Circuit Breaker|common nemesis]].

==Circuit types==
===Bio-circuits===
The function of bio-circuits is not explicitly stated, though by context it can be inferred that they are vital to a Transformer's continued functioning. After [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] almost accidentally destroyed the [[Solar Needle]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] threatened to permanently deactivate his bio-circuits. {{storylink|Changing Gears|Changing Gears}}

===Brain circuits===
Brain circuits are sometimes known as '''cerebro-circuits'''.

Brain circuits are vital circuits which maintain a Transformer's intelligence as well as a part of their personality. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] once caused [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to be late for a very important meeting with [[Tommy Kennedy]] (well...not really, Prime was just upset he was late), so the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] intended to have Grimlock's brain circuits upgraded. Good luck with that, Prime.

In the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel G1 comic]], brain circuits were sometimes referred to as cerebro-circuits. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!|Toy Soldiers!}}

[[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] reinstalled his cerebro-circuitry from his diminutive [[Mini-Cassette|mini-cassette]] form into a larger, more dangerous body.<ref>''Special Edition'' Overkill's on-package bio.</ref>

===Chameleon circuits===
[[Image:Ravageboxart.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Not a London police box.]]
Chameleon circuits are advanced circuitry that allows a Transformer to better disguise themselves from detection by others. [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s various [[Mini Cassette|symbiots]] possess chameleon circuitry to better avoid detection by the Autobots. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] possesses special "umbra" chameleon circuits that allow him to blend into the shadows.<ref>[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]</ref>

===Conflict circuits===
Apparently the part of a Transformer's brain that decides how to respond to a challenge. At the opening of the [[Beast Wars]], when [[Rattrap]] was teasing [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] into a frenzy, [[Optimus Primal]] ordered them to "moderate [their] conflict circuits." {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)|Beast Wars (Part 1)}}

===Electro circuits===
The electro circuits are a component within Transformer anatomy, but their purpose is unclear. [[Anti-electron|Anti-electrons]] attack such circuits and cause severe glitches to occur in a Transformer. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain|Grimlock's New Brain}}

===Logic circuits===
Logic circuits are a component of Transformer anatomy that is charged with intelligence and reasoning out confusing situations. In the [[Beast Wars]] series, these circuits were especially important due to the increased reliance on [[Alternate mode|beast modes]]. With the acquisition of beast modes, there came instances of the beast modes' instincts influencing the logic circuits. When [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] came online, his beast mode convinced him that he was a real fire ant and that his [[stasis pod]] was his colony. {{storylink|Spider's Game|Spider's Game}} Later, the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] stole the shielding system of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', forcing the [[Maximal|Maximals]] to remain in beast mode to avoid [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] buildup, all while under bombardment and suffering from sleep deprivation. Eventually, their beast modes came to override their logic circuits. Only with [[Tigatron]]'s help did they overcome their baser instincts. {{storylink|Call of the Wild|Call of the Wild}}

Implying that another Transformer has no logic circuits is a common (mild) slur on their character. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy|Double Jeopardy}}

===Memory circuits===
Memory circuits are a component of Transformer anatomy that allows access to memories. They can be bypassed in order to make a Transformer "forget" certain things, such as who their enemies are.

In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 series]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] was hit after he downloaded the contents of a computer mainframe, which caused him to lose the information he'd collected. {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome|The Insecticon Syndrome}}

As well, after capturing the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] bypassed the Dinobots' memory circuits in order to make them willing slaves in the [[Cybertonium Pit|Cybertonium Pits]]. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}}

In the [[Beast Wars]] cartoon, Tigatron's revival from his [[stasis pod]] left him with damaged memory circuits and made him believe that he was an animal like [[Snowstalker]]. {{storylink|Fallen Comrades|Fallen Comrades}}

Contaminated oil resulted in the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] damaging their memory circuits, thus causing them to completely forget previous events. {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons|Rise of the Constructicons}}

===Oral circuits===
A Transformer's oral circuits are related to vocalization. In the UK Marvel ''Transformers'' comic, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] cleared his oral circuits to cover up his daydreaming during one of Optimus Prime's boring lectures. {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!|The Magnificent Six!}}

In the live-action movie, [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] is described as having had his "vocal processor" damaged in a battle with the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]], rendering him unable to communicate with other species, though still able to communicate over inter-Autobot frequencies. [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] had been having trouble fixing them ever since. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers (2007)}}

It is unknown how, if at all, the vocal processor and oral circuits are related. They may coexist, or they may be different devices which serve the same purpose.

===Reason circuits===
Reason circuits are a component of Transformer anatomy that governs their capacity to reason. They are evidently distinct from logic circuits. In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], after being hit by a missile from [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] became increasingly paranoid (far more so even than usual) due to damage made to both his logic and reason circuits. {{storylink|Auto Berserk|Auto Berserk}}

===Security circuits===
A Transformer's security circuits prevent outside intrusion onto their computers.

Security circuits briefly remain offline after a [[protoform]] goes through its [[activation sequence]]. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] took advantage of this to change [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt's]] [[Activation code|activation codes]] by remote override in order to make them believe they were [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}}

===Servo circuits===
Servo circuits are essential for a Transformer to remain standing. Without them, Transformers collapse as if paralyzed.

Among [[Rattrap]]'s bag of tricks was a key-sized device which could disrupt another Transformer's servo circuits and disable [[transformation]]. The device worked only at ''extremely'' close range and appeared to be single-use, as Rattrap threw it away afterward. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy|Double Jeopardy}}

===Transform circuits===
''Transform circuits'', or ''transformation'' circuits apparently govern the electronic activation of a Transformers' conversion into any alternate mode(s). Damage to them may make a Transformer unable to initiate a change, or successfully complete one.

[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] had his transform circuits damaged by one of [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]'s powerful kicks. {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons|A Plague of Insecticons}}

===Truth circuits===
Truth circuits measure and assess the accuracy (or possibly credulity) of spoken statements (kinda like Pinocchio's nose, but more high-tech).

Optimus Primal once refrained from offering [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] the conversational pleasantry "glad to see you" rather than risk burning his own out. {{storylink|Before the Storm|Before the Storm}}

[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] believed [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] was lying as his [[Cybro polygraph]] was going off, but whether this relates to truth circuits is not known. {{storylink|Traitor|Traitor}}

==See also==
*[[Processors]]
*[[Programs]]
*[[Sensors]]
*[[Systems]]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Fortress Sinister

2009-08-01T05:11:52Z

141.225.193.192: /* Marvel Comics continuity */

:''The Fortress Sinister is a Decepticon base from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:DecepticonFortressSalvage.jpg|right|179px|thumb|Megatron rejected Soundwave's initial suggestion they call it the "Fortress of Funk"]]
The '''Fortress Sinister''' is a Decepticon base built at the summit of a mountain in [[Oregon]].

{{note|The name "Fortress Sinister" is only found in the Marvel UK material. In Marvel US, it was referred to commonly as the "Decepticon fortress."}}
==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
:''(Note: Events from UK-only stories are in italics.)''

Shortly after arriving on Earth the Decepticons attacked the [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]] and stripped it of useful technology. They then used the materials salvaged from the plant to build a giant fortress atop a nearby mountain.

Desperate for fuel they then kidnapped [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] and brought him to the fortress and attempted to force him into synthesising Transformer fuel from oil. (Sparkplug, in turn, noticed that the Decepticons had stripped down a nuclear power plant -- lucrative for the Decepticons' then-current energy needs -- to build their fortress in order to 'hack it out like cavemen'.) [[Gears]] and the human superhero [[Spider-Man]] later infiltrated the fortress and managed to rescue Sparkplug. However Gears was sent plummeting (from one of the upper floors) to the ground and was badly damaged when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] blew a hole in the floor of the fortress.

The fortress was later abandoned when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] took control of the Decepticons away from Megatron and at first set up base in the captured [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and then later moved to the [[Blackrock Aerospace Plant]].

''Following Megatron’s disappearance and Shockwave sinking to the bottom of a swamp, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] took command of the Decepticons and reoccupied the fortress. From here he coordinated a plan to destroy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] by using a captured [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] as bait.''

''Following Shockwave’s return he also returned to the fortress. During this period [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] attempted to use an experimental robotic [[exosuit]] to infiltrate the fortress and show Optimus Prime that the suit was a good idea. He came face to face with Shockwave and narrowly escaped with his life.''

''Shockwave continued to use the fortress as a base, where he tested the newly developed Constructicons and eavesdropped on the premonitions granted to Buster by the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] relating to the next generation of [[Combiner|combiners]].''

After Megatron returned Soundwave managed to engineer a joint leadership between him and Shockwave which resulted in the fortress being abandoned for their long term base in the coal mine in Wyoming.

[[Image:Fortress sinister.jpg|left|239px|thumb|The fortress is referred to by name. Crisis of Command!]]
''The fortress then remained unoccupied for many years until Shockwave once again used it following [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s assumption to the command of the main Decepticon force. Shockwave took the remaining Decepticons back the fortress.''

''It was here that he developed his plan to use Megatron as a weapon against [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Having brainwashed Megatron into a weapon he tested him against [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] after they revealed that they would be responsible for Shockwave’s death in the future. Megatron killed Cyclonus and Scourge barely escaped with his life.''

''This foreknowledge led Shockwave to have a breakdown and he mounted the body of Cyclonus on the wall as a trophy. Shockwave then descended into a depression and closeted himself away inside the fortress.''

''It was only when Ravage appealed to Shockwave’s logic that he left the fortress and cast the body of Cyclonus into a time rift that threatened reality. The fortress then played no further part in events and its fate remains unknown.''

[[Category:Decepticon bases]]
[[Category:Generation 1 locations]]
[[Category:Pacific Northwest]]