Battlecharger

2012-03-28T15:45:57Z

168.30.244.126: /* Wings Universe */

{{factions|decepticon}}
:''The Battlechargers are a [[Decepticon]] [[subgroup]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:Battlechargers-marvel23a.jpg|450px|thumb|"Heh heh. He said 'do'."]]

The '''Battlechargers''' are a devilish duo of deadly Decepticon dragsters dedicated to destruction, demolition and deviance. Individually, they are [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]]; collectively, they are a copyeditor's nightmare.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Battlechargersperchance.jpg|left|250px|thumb|[[Iron Man|"DAAAA DAAAA DAN-DAH-DAH, DANANANANA DAAA-NAN DAH!"]]]]
The Battlechargers were summoned to [[Earth]] from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who wanted a dramatic way to announce his challenge to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] for a fight to the death. Ignoring their orders, the two reckless Decepticons left and began to raise a bit of random highway havoc. During a break in the mayhem, they rested in a parking lot and saw a [[Noah Acton|defiant youngster]] expressing his disgust of family vacations through graffiti. [[Gary Acton|His dad]] angrily escorted him back to the station wagon, and their holiday trip resumed. The Battlechargers, impressed by the boy's disregard for authority, began following the family on a road trip through the [[United States of America|U.S.]], defacing any monuments they happened upon (such as [[Mount Rushmore]], the Gateway Arch in [[St. Louis]], and the [[Washington Monument]]). They wrote insults and jokes in [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]], thus attracting the attention of [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]], which had already captured thirteen Autobots. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}} ''Their actions also attracted the attention of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], though he was ordered by Optimus Prime to back off due to the collateral damage the pursuit was causing.'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}}

[[Image:MarvelUS23_Battlechargers_defeated.JPG|right|250px|thumb|"[[Circuit Breaker|Diarrhea]], cha cha cha! Diarrhea, cha cha cha! Di-ACK!"]]
RAAT caught up with them in Philadelphia, where [[Circuit Breaker]] engaged them in a battle that nearly killed the graffiti-inclined boy. Because of her disregard for civilian safety, Circuit Breaker was temporarily stripped of her command and ordered to stay out of action. Itching for revenge, she found her only allies to be the partially-disassembled [[Autobot|Autobots]] in her RAAT lab. She didn't have time to rebuild them all properly, but she knew she could jury-rig them together into a single form which she could partially control. However, she needed the Autobots' consent, and they only agreed to do it if she would release them afterward. She agreed, and she soon fought an aerial battle with the two Decepticons at the Statue of Liberty (where, incidentally, they had written "humans are wimps" in poor English). The two hooligans met quick defeat at the hands of her makeshift gestalt, their charred bodies sent plunging into the harbor. Circuit Breaker's release of the captive Autobots cost her her job at RAAT, as well as that of [[Donny Finkleberg]], AKA Robot Master, who had helped her do it. Donny had received a $50,000 reward for turning the Autobot [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] in, and he ended up using that money to help pay for the cleanup of the Battlechargers' antics. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}}

[[Image:Clubconresort.jpg|250px|left|thumb|"Careers are stupid! Everyone, like, works in a booth."]]

For quite some time, the Battlechargers were complete absent except for one of them helping tourists with their suitcases at [[Club Con]]. We assume many things went missing from those suitcases. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

However, when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] wanted to wrest control of the Earth-based Decepticons from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the Battlechargers mysteriously returned and for unknown reasons joined his motley band of rebels. They attacked Scorponok's New Jersey base, and a battle ensued. {{storylink|Surrender!}} Just as the battle ended, the combatants were transported to Cybertron by [[Primus]], who was gathering his Transformer children to stand against the demigod [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Runamuck died during the planet-rending battle that followed. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

[[Image:MarvelUS71_Shockwaves_troops.JPG|right|250px|thumb|"The plan is to all go to Scorponok's base and stand shooting at him. Runamuck, your thoughts?"<br><br> "This sucks more than anything I have ever seen."]]
The next day Runabout was strolling with [[Battletrap]] when he was pulled below ground by a [[Demon|strange Cybertronian creature]], and devoured. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

In an alternate post-apocalyptic future where the Decepticons had conquered much of Earth, Runamuck was among the Decepticon ranks... until [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] shot him full of holes. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

===Earthforce===
{{earthforcefiction}}
{{storylink|Two Steps Back!}} {{storylink|Life in the Slow Lane}}
{{stub}}

{{-}}
===''Generation 2'' comics===
Despite having apparently died, Runamuck was among the Decepticons under Megatron's command when they ran into [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]]. In a rather one-sided battle against the powerful second gen troops, he promptly died again. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
Runamuck attacked [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and some other Autobots investigating a decimated [[Earth Defense Command]] station that had crashed on the planet [[Goo 8739B]]. Riding [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]], Runamuck strafed the Autobots with a [[Death crystal|death-crystal]] shooter (the station had been destroyed by death crystals, so it's possible that was Runamuck's work as well). The Autobots engaged the duo in a short space battle that ended when Runamuck blew up a comet with the death crystals, delaying the Autobots long enough to get away. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}

[[Image:GhostMachine Decepticon execution.jpg|right|210px|thumb|"This is the fourth time you've been sent to my office today! And this laughing, what the hell's with this laughing?! All the generals are sick of it!"]]
Both Runabout and Runamuck were next seen guarding [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s city mode on [[Chaar]]. They were attacked by [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who wanted to steal one of Trypticon's eyes for [[Unicron]]. Starscream possessed Runabout, shot Runamuck, then ran into a wall, knocking Runabout unconscious. Runamuck, however, was able to sound an alarm, and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] arrived to help. Scourge got Trypticon's eye, and Starscream possessed Astrotrain and escaped. Later, under Unicron's orders, Starscream returned to Chaar and took control of Trypticon, not knowing that Dirge, Thrust, and the Battlechargers were inside. Starscream used Trypticon to bring Unicron's head down Cybertron's surface, but Thrust sabotaged Trypticon from within before Starscream could connect Unicron to the planet. Starscream came out of Trypticon and demanded that Unicron give him a corporeal form so he could complete the connections. Just as Unicron did so, Autobot-planted explosives detonated and sent Unicron's head back into orbit. Starscream was also flung into outer space, where [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] began pursuing him. Trypticon (and the Decepticons inside him) were probably thrown into space as well. Although the Battlechargers never appeared again, Trypticon and the others did, so they most likely did survive. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

{{-}}

===Young Corgi continuity===
In the year 2000, the Battlechargers tried to destroy the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] in [[San Francisco]], but met resistance from [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] and [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] and were summarily defeated. The battle was shown on the news and recorded by the Autobot ally [[Jeff Grey]], but he accidentally taped over it with an episode of the ''[[Gus Gopher Show]]''. {{storylink|Battle Beneath the Ice}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation 1'' comics===
The Battlechargers are indestructible. First, [[Gnaw]] ate them when they tried to ambush Optimus Prime, {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} but they evidently survived and later found [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s lab. Then [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] fried them, {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} but they survived to become part of Shockwave's small army on Cybertron, which Megatron then took over. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

{{note|[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s closure means we will never know if Runabout and Runamuck continued their "horribly killed only to turn up alive later" trend.}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Infiltration1-gimme.jpg|200px|right|thumb|"Er, y'know, Runabout, everyone's always runnin' down [[Pat Lee]] and saying he sucks and stuff, but you know, he really does suck and this is one of those times everyone is right."]]

Runabout and Runamuck were part of a [[Infiltration protocol|Decepticon insurgent cell]] that had operated covertly on Earth for at least four years, working to destabilize Earth's governing organizations and create global anarchy. Along with [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], they were assigned by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to intercept the human [[Stoker]] and retrieve his SM-40 palmtop PC, which contained data on their [[Nebraska]] operation. The team caught up with and killed Stoker outside Phoenix, AZ, by which time [[Verity Carlo]] had already stolen the SM-40. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 0|Infiltration #0}} The Battlechargers' attempts to retrieve it from Verity and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] blew their cover; {{storylink|Infiltration issue 1|Infiltration #1}} They appeared in full public view both in primary mode and in a secondary alternate mode, where the panels of their sports-car disguises split apart to reveal weapons and ram-plates. While pursuing Ratchet, both Battlechargers were run off the road by a semi-trailer. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 2|Infiltration #2}} They got better, but were no longer part of any major operations. When Megatron arrived on Earth, they, along with the rest of the infiltration team, refused to stand against the Decepticon leader. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}}

A year later, when Megatron called [[Sixshot]] to Earth, the Battlechargers questioned his sanity in ruining the careful planning of infiltration protocol. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} The Battlechargers continued their trend of being brutally off-lined when the [[Reaper|Reapers]] attacked the Decepticon command bunker in Oregon. Runabout was electrocuted until he exploded and Runamuck was decapitated and then had his errant head crushed by a large boulder. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}
{{-}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[Image:ComingStorm1-Battlechargers.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"Yeah, yeah. We're in the bureau of beer and fire and cigarettes. And maybe some chicks, too."]]
Runabout and Runamuck were present during the battle that led to the destruction of [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}} At some other time, the pair were hanging out with the equally-delinquent pair of [[Jetstorm (G2)|Jetstorm]] and [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] when a [[Nexus Prime|giant Autobot]] and his [[Aquarius (SG)|Quintesson cohort]] wandered into their territory. While Jetstorm and Deluge jumped the Autobot, Runabout and Runamuck tortured the Quintesson. The Decepticons misjudged the strength of their victims, and a short moment later all four Decepticons were defeated, left brutally embarrassed. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 1}}

When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] abandoned [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] with the majority of the Decepticon forces, Runabout and Runamuck opted to stay behind because Galvatron was "crazier than a [[three-headed Nullusceran]]". They were recruited by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], who had them fill him in on recent history and decided it was time to rebuild his [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Runabout toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"I think they make daytime TV suck so, like, we're ''forced'' to go to school."]]
Released in 1986, the primary [[gimmick]] of the Battlecharger toys is [[Autotransformation]] from car to robot mode through the use of a [[pull-back motor]]. The motor gimmick is still usable in their robot modes. Though they share exceedingly similar construction, it is highly unlikely one is actually a [[retool]] of the other since they had simultaneous production. They come with guns which, since they lack hands and arm articulation, mount on their shoulders.

Neither toy was released as part of the original retail line in Japan.

{{-}}
[[Image:G1runamuck_toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Er, heh heh. I think it's working."]]
*'''Runabout'''
**''Accessories'': "High-Energy Particle Beam Rifle"
: Runabout transforms into a Lotus Turbo Esprit sports car.

*'''Runamuck'''
**''Accessories'': "Friction Rifle"
: Runamuck transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Pontiac Firebird Trans Am]] sports car.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:PreBattlecharger.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Runamuckabout.]]
*Like [[Punch (G1)|Punch]], the Battlechargers concept was boiling in the design stages long before it was actually implemented. The most notable version of the concept comes from a 1985 patent where the pullback motor detaches and transforms into a robot separate from the robot formed by the car.<ref>[http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=JP60259290&F=0&QPN=JP60259290 Patent #JP60-259290A]</ref>

*Fans have joked for ''years'' that the Battlechargers, in their "[[Decepticon Graffiti!]]" story, are eerily similar to the later ''Beavis and Butt-head'' cartoon, but it wasn't until [[Bill Forster]] in ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|AllSpark Almanac II]]'' that someone [http://billforster.deviantart.com/art/Runabout-and-Runamuck-176356248 deliberately put this into official media]. Kudos, Bill. They also are based on Yin and Yang with Runabout being Yin and Runamuck being Yang.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Battlecharger''' (バトルチャージャー ''Batoruchājā'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 2 subgroups]]
[[Category:Wings Universe subgroups]]

MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Battlecharger