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Beast Wars II (toyline)

2011-02-15T23:35:07Z

173.178.245.80:

{{Nav-bwii}}
The Japan-exclusive '''''Beast Wars II''''' toyline took and [[redeco]]ed or [[retool]]ed already-existing molds from previous toy lines, such as ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', and even [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]. Only three characters received new toy molds: [[Moon (BWII)|Moon]], [[Lio Convoy]] and [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]].

''Beast Wars II'' wasn't actually its own toyline per se—the toys related to the ''Beast Wars II'' fiction were all released under the regular ''Beast Wars'' banner.

==1998==
===[[Maximal|Cybertrons]]===
[[Image:BW-toy Powerpinch.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Scissor Boy]]
'''Basic'''
*[[DJ (BWII)|DJ]] (cicada)
*[[Drill Nuts]] (Boll weevil)
*[[Lio Junior]] (lion)
*[[Moon (BWII)|Moon]] (robotic rabbit)
*[[Motorarm (BWII)|Motorarm]] (rhinocerous beetle)
*[[Scissor Boy]] (earwig)
*[[Scuba]] (Humboldt squid)
*[[Skywarp (BWII)|Skywarp]] (bald eagle)
*[[Tasmania Kid]] (Tasmanian devil)

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Bighorn]] (bison)
*[[Gimlet]] (crawfish)
*[[Mantis]] (praying mantis)
*[[Powerhug (BWII)|Powerhug]] (pill bug)
*[[Santon]] (African elephant)
*[[Tonbot]] (dragonfly)

'''Mega'''
*[[Apache]] (mandrill)
*[[Bigmos]] (mosquito)

[[Image:BWII LioConvoy toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Lio Convoy]]
'''Ultra'''
*[[Magnaboss II|Magnaboss]] (combined form of Santon, Lio Junior & Skywarp)
*[[Lio Convoy]] (white lion)
*[[Tripledacus]] (combined form of DJ, Motorarm & Gimlet)

'''Special'''
*[[Diver (BWII)|Diver]] (frog) & [[Niagara Base]] (waterfall base)
*[[Ikard]] (Humboldt squid) & [[Tako Tank]] (octopus tank)
*[[Lio Convoy|Flash Lio Convoy]] (white lion)

'''[[Exclusive]]s'''
*[[Lio Convoy|Black Lio Convoy]] (lion, [[Toys"R"Us|Toys"R"Us Japan]])

===[[Predacon (BW)|Destrons]]===
[[Image:BWII-toy Autostinger.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Autostinger]]
'''Basic'''
*[[Dirge (BWII)|Dirge]] (Dassault Rafale fighter jet)
*[[Thrust (BWII)|Thrust]] (F-22 Raptor fighter jet)

'''Deluxe'''
*[[Autocrasher|Autocrusher]] (payloader)
*[[Autojetter]] (F/A-18 fighter jet)
*[[Autolauncher]] (armored personnel carrier)
*[[Autostinger]] (dump truck)
*[[Dirge (BWII)|Dirgegun]] ([[Cyborg Beast]] wasp)
*[[Starscream (BWII)|Hellscream]] ([[Cyborg Beast]] shark)
*[[BB|Max-B]] ([[Cyborg Beast]] wolf)
*[[Thrust (BWII)|Thrustor]] ([[Cyborg Beast]] ''Velociraptor'')

[[Image:BWII toy - Galvatron.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Behold: Galvatron.]]
'''Ultra'''
*[[Megastorm]] (M1A1 Abrams tank)
*[[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] (dragon/drill tank)
*[[Megastorm|Gigastorm]] (robotic ''Tyrannosaurus Rex''/base)
*[[God Neptune]] (combined form of [[Halfshell]] (robotic tortoise), [[Scylla]] (robotic squid monster), [[Coelagon]] (robotic quadrupedal fish monster), [[Terrormander]] (robotic bipedal manta ray) & [[Sea Phantom]] (robotic quadrupedal shark))
*[[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream]] (fighter jet) and [[BB]] (stealth bomber)

===Versus packs===
*Showdown of Artillery: [[Apache]] VS [[Megastorm]]
*2 Against 1 Showdown: [[Bighorn]] VS [[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream]] & [[BB]]
*Showdown on the Land Horizon: [[Tasmania Kid]] VS [[Dirge (BWII)|Dirge]]
*Showdown on the Sea Horizon: [[Scuba]] VS [[Thrust (BWII)|Thrust]]
*History's Greatest Showdown: [[Lio Convoy]] VS [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]]
*Showdown at the Frontier: [[Bigmos]] VS [[Autostinger]]
*Showdown of Heavy Armor: [[Powerhug (BWII)|Powerhug]] VS [[Autocrasher|Autocrusher]]
*Showdown in the Stratosphere: [[Tonbot]] VS [[Autojetter]]
*Showdown of Saucers: [[Mantis]] VS [[Autolauncher]]

[[Category:Beast Wars II]]
[[Category:Japanese toylines]]

Nightscream (BM)

2011-02-13T16:59:39Z

173.178.245.80:

{{factions|maximalbm|ttautobot}}
{{disambig3|Nightscream}}
:''Nightscream is a [[Maximal]] from the [[Beast Machines (franchise)|Beast Machines]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Nightscreambm.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I'd hit that…with a [[brick]].]]
When armies of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] conquered [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], young '''Nightscream''' survived alone in the darkness below the surface of the planet. This trauma influences much of his behavior. He's always on the defensive. Paranoid. Rude. Distrusting. Confrontational. But really, he's just a troubled kid, and he's been through a lot. Inside, he's got a good heart. He's just got to learn to stop fighting friends and enemies alike.

Regardless, he seems to have found a kindred spirit in the wild [[Noble]] creature.

==Fiction==
===''Beast Machines'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Alessandro Juliani]] (English), [[Nobutoshi Canna]] (Japanese), [[Oberdan Junior]] (Portuguese), [[Julien Haggége]] (German), [[Enrique Mederos]] (Latin American Spanish)

[[Image:ForbiddenFruit prebeast Nightscream.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm with the Vehicons here.]]
When the Vehicons and their virus struck, Nightscream ran and panicked like many Maximals. Fleeing underground, he fell down a hole during the attack, and everything went dark. Though he would not recall the details later, somehow he wandered into a [[fossil cave|cave]] bearing the fossils of a strange, gigantic bat-creature, and his internal DNA scanners used them to reformat him an organic beast form and save him, at least temporarily, from the virus. Nightscream's mental state at this point is unknown, but he seems to have spent the next period trapped in his bat form, hiding and feeding off a strange fruit tree he found growing below the planet's surface. Eventually, [[Optimus Primal]] and company arrived and, distrustful, he began to spy on their activities, hoping to work out how to transform.

[[Image:ForbiddenFruit titlescreen.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Cue Zelda "item get" music.]]

Nightscream fled when they spotted him, flying through the tunnels until they managed to corner him. When [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] turned up, Nightscream accused them of leading the Vehicons to him, but after they began fighting the [[Sonic Attack Jet|aero drones]], he realised his mistake and used a sonic cry to disorientate the Vehicons. He subsequently lead the other Maximals to his tree. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] suspected a trap on the part of [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], more so when the other Maximals ate the fruit and reverted to their beast instincts, but Nightscream objected loudly to the accusation. They were shortly found by Jetstorm again, forcing Cheetor to destroy the fruit tree to restore his friends, but to Nightscream's anguish. The young Maximal was injured by the Vehicons during the battle, and Primal reformatted him into a [[technorganic]] bat. Reveling in his new form, Nightscream used a sonic scream to destroy the aero drones and drained energon from Jetstorm. Afterward, he accepted Cheetor's invitation to join the Maximal team. {{storylink|Forbidden Fruit}}

With Primal weakened by the reformatting, Cheetor, Nightscream and [[Rattrap]] went on a mission to gather information from a Vehicon factory. Nightscream discovered that disabling the [[Vehicon general]]s disabled all of the drones they controlled. However, the plan they developed was inadvertently ruined by Rattrap, who'd thought that Nightscream was in trouble. Annoyed at Rattrap's foul-ups, Nightscream suggested they get rid of him, but Cheetor angrily turned down the idea, saying that they should cover for their friend. Unknown to them, the discussion led Rattrap to join Megatron, albeit temporarily, and the Maximals later found themselves confronting their comrade. It was only when Primal interceded that Rattrap rejoined them. {{storylink|The Weak Component}}

[[Image:Revelations3 Nightscream.jpg|thumb|left|220px|The first perfect Emo Transformer; Comes complete with hairdo and Bat Alt-Mode.]]
After another encounter with [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]], Nightscream became dissatisfied with Primal's ability to lead and suggested Cheetor take command, though his suggestion was rebuffed. They later discovered a factory of corpses with evidence of [[spark]] removal. The factory was destroyed in another battle, and Nightscream was saddened at the loss, though Rattrap pointed out they could build new bodies when they found the sparks. {{storylink|Revelations Part I: Discovery}} With Cheetor in command, the Maximals set about trying to access [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]]'s memories so they could find out what happened. Nightscream and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] were assigned to keep Thrust and Jetstorm busy, but Blackarachnia's belief that Thrust housed the spark of her lover, [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], resulted in her being overpowered by the two generals. Nightscream attempted to help, but was unable to stop Thrust extracting Blackarachnia's spark. {{storylink|Revelations Part II: Descent}} Nightscream pursued the two generals, retrieving Blackarachnia's spark from Jetstorm before dropping an elevator on the Vehicon. After then defeating Thrust, he was able to restore the spark to Blackarachnia's body, and the pair joined Cheetor and Rattrap, who had discovered that Tankor was their old friend [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]. Rhinox, unfortunately, was siding with Megatron's view of a technological Cybertron, and Primal insisted they let him go. {{storylink|Revelations Part III: Apocalypse}}

[[Image:Survivor Nightscream sonic.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
Rattrap's attempts at accessing Nightscream's memories turned up the fact that he had a built-in DNA scanner, providing a vital clue. He clashed with the other Maximals over their losing of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]], however, and was reminded that they'd lost friends during that war. The Maximals headed for the cave which had housed Nightscream's fruit tree, only to find it had been sealed off. As Nightscream tried to use his sonic scream to break through, they were attacked by Vehicons, and Nightscream was abducted. The [[Diagnostic Drone]] attempted to analyse Nightscream's physiology, but the young Maximal was able to escape, pursued through the underground corridors by the Vehicons. With the help of the other Maximals, he eluded his captors, eventually ending up an a cave full of fossils. The realisation that, had he not been caught up in himself, he could have saved other [[Transformer]]s, caused Nightscream great anguish. Optimus commiserated with him, and the Maximals took up residence in the cave. {{storylink|Survivor}}

[[Image:TheKey Nightscream holding skull.jpg|left|thumb|270px|Alas, poor whoever he was.]]
After Tankor found the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] and confronted the Maximals, Nightscream threw himself between the Vehicon and Optimus, taking a blast from the key and being turned into [[technomatter]]. Losing his sanity, Nightscream passed the technomatter sickness on to Blackarachnia before the other Maximals were able to use the [[organic goo]] they'd discovered to cure them both. {{storylink|The Key}} Nightscream, Optimus and Cheetor rescued Rattrap from some overgrowing vines after Rattrap discovered a catalyst to improve the goo. Though Optimus forbade them from using the catalyst in combat, the other three used it to rescue Blackarachnia from the Vehicons, which almost spelled doom for the Maximal orchard. {{storylink|The Catalyst}}

After Primal discovered the location of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], the other Maximals persuaded him to try it their way first, and, while Rattrap attempted to tap into Megatron's computer, the other Maximals fought against the Vehicons. Unfortunately, they were overpowered and converted into technomatter by the Vehicon drones. {{storylink|End of the Line}} The clashing energies of the Key and the Plasma Energy Chamber cancelled each other out, restoring the four Maximals, who discovered that Optimus, Megatron and Tankor had all perished during the final battle. Finding no answers above ground, they traveled down to see the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], and, finding Primal floating within, persuaded him to choose life and rejoin them. {{storylink|Fallout}}

[[Image:SavageNoble Nightscream narrowed eyes.jpg|right|260px|thumb]]
On discovering a [[Grand Mal|giant floating head]] with the likeness of Megatron, Blackarachnia and Nightscream attempted to infiltrate it, only to be repelled by its defences. The Maximals soon encountered a dragon-like beast dubbed Savage by the Vehicons, and shortly after, a wolf Maximal named [[Noble]], whom Nightscream regarded as a kindred spirit and quickly befriended. When Noble went missing, Nightscream worried that Savage had killed their new friend. However, once they cornered Savage, Nightscream was able to talk to the beast, and it transpired that Savage and Noble were one and the same, a completely organic Transformer. {{storylink|Savage Noble}} Nightscream valued his new friendship, even rebuking the other Maximals over their treatment of Noble. When the other Maximals infiltrated the [[Council Citadel]], Noble dashed in after them, and Nightscream followed. During their attempt to access Megatron's computer, Noble ripped Rattrap from the [[control harness]] and attempted to use it himself. Failing, he used a [[spark extractor]] to rip his own spark out and took over the giant flying head. In reality, Noble had been Megatron, trapped in his own organic half, and had taken advantage of Nightscream's compassion. Nightscream was shattered by the betrayal. {{storylink|Prometheus Unbound}}

[[Image:InDarkestKnight Nightscream and Noble.jpg|left|200px|thumb]]
Noble himself lived on, though sparkless and lacking in intelligence. Nightscream didn't give up on his friend, and he searched [[Cybertropolis]] at length. During a battle with Vehicons, Nightscream was knocked out by Thrust but rescued by Savage, who dragged him off. Nightscream recovered to find himself in Noble's lair, being offered metallic fruit. An ill-advised rescue attempt on Rattrap's part caused Noble to revert to Savage and chase the pair. They were able to divert his attention to Thrust, and Nightscream insisted that they should try to help Noble, but Primal said he would come to them when he was ready. {{storylink|In Darkest Knight}}

Megatron's re-engineered [[Hate Plague]] virus infected all of the Maximals, causing them to fight amongst themselves until Optimus was able to help them overcome it. Despite this, Nightscream blamed Silverbolt for the virus's spread. {{storylink|A Wolf in the Fold}} After a spaceship crashed, the Maximals headed for the site. Nightscream and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] took the option of going by air, though Nightscream made it obvious he wasn't enthusiastic about being partnered with the new Maximal. After encountering a strange plant creature, the Maximals were surprised to discover it was a Maximal named [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]]. Once again, they found themselves fighting [[Tank Drone|tank drones]], and at one point Silverbolt saved Nightscream's life, finally turning the young Maximal's opinion of him. {{storylink|Home Soil}}

Nightscream's attempts to persuade Silverbolt to be nicer to Blackarachnia were interrupted when the pair encountered two new Vehicon generals, [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]]. The other Maximals joined the fight, but were outclassed and trapped by the new generals until Botanica rescued them. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike}} In search of the missing sparks, Optimus and Nightscream ventured underground, finding the ancient city of [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]]. While Primal was conferring with a hologram of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Nightscream found himself being overwhelmed by [[Motorcycle Drone|cycle drones]] and was only rescued by the arrival of Savage. Later, Optimus revealed that he'd discovered the location of the missing sparks. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search}}

[[Image:Sparkwar3 Nightscream and dead Noble.jpg|right|240px|thumb|"Hey! Primal didn't send him to a farm at ''all!''"]]
Nightscream, Cheetor and Silverbolt fought the Vehicons while the others infiltrated the giant floating head. However, they were too late to prevent Megatron's attempt at ascension, fueled by the captured sparks. As Megatron attempted to remove Nightscream's spark, Savage came to their aid and attempted to attack Megatron, only to be blasted by the evil spark. Savage fell to the ground and reverted to Noble, who died in Nightscream's arms. Enraged, Nightscream used his sonic attack to blast Megatron, apparently destroying the evil spark. The Maximals later held a funeral service for Noble. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. III: The Siege}} Though the Maximals celebrated Megatron's demise, their enemy lived on as a disembodied spark. Megatron was unable to maintain the use of a single body for long, and Nightscream and Cheetor tangled with him in the body of a deceased aero drone. Megatron eventually became stuck in the form of a Diagnostic Drone. {{storylink|Spark of Darkness}}

[[Image:Endgame1 Nightscream sonic attack.jpg|left|240px|thumb|'''**** YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME!!!''']]
With the Maximals besieged on the giant head, Nightscream, Silverbolt and Blackarachnia attempted to keep the Vehicons busy. They were able to find a Vehicon factory, where Nightscream tricked Megatron and managed to blow up the facility. Though the trio was able to catch Botanica's pod when Rattrap ejected her from the head, they were unable to do anything when the Vehicons brought the giant head itself crashing to the ground. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. I: The Downward Spiral}} As the Maximals prepared for the Vehicon assault, Optimus consulted the Oracle, and they were bestowed with extra spark power. During the battle, Botanica became aware that the Vehicons were attacking the [[technorganic orchard]], and she went to save it with Rattrap and Nightscream. Nightscream attempted to defend the fossil cave, but was overwhelmed and, like the other Maximals, had his spark ripped out. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. II: When Legends Fall}} Though unable to help physically, the Maximals offered Primal moral support during his one-on-one battle with Megatron. After the [[Great Reformatting|reformatting of Cybertron]], Nightscream's spark was restored to his body, and he and the other Maximals found themselves in a technorganic paradise. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future}}
{{--}}

===''Universe''===
[[Image:NightscreamMol.jpg|right|thumb|300px|This looks way more phallic than it needs to.]]
During Megatron's rule over Vehicon-held Cybertron, Nightscream and Optimus Primal were able to recover a trio of [[Deployer (BM)|Deployers]] from a remote location far outside of [[Cybertropolis]]. With [[Tank Drone]]s hot on their trail, the intervention of [[Primal Prime]] and the [[Wreckers]] were eventually required to save them. The Wreckers introduced themselves, and Optimus Primal, Nightscream, and the Deployers accompanied the Wreckers to the Oracle, where other groups had assembled before it to be given instruction. However, at the end of this meeting, the memories of Nightscream and Primal were wiped, their bodies were taken back to the surface, and the Deployers were stolen away by [[Packrat]]. {{storylink|Departure}}

A week after the [[Great Reformatting]], the [[Quintesson]]s invaded [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. However, [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] felt that the true threat was below ground, and she took Nightscream and Rattrap into the subterranean chambers. Here they stumbled upon [[Al-Badur]], a rogue Quintesson, who convinced them he was aiding the Wreckers, and thus on their side, by disabling 30% of the Quintesson invading forces up on the surface.

Shortly thereafter, they met up with the Wreckers proper. As Rattrap spent forever catching up with Tigatron, Nightscream reminded them that they should probably pay more attention to [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]], who was in the planet's core attempting to use the [[Divine Light]] to usurp the power of [[Primus]] and become a [[god]]. Under Al-Badur's direction, the large group eventually made their way to a [[Quintesson execution chamber]] that the Quintesson hoped would help them banish Cryotek to another dimension... if they could lure the Predacon there.

But when Cryotek arrived, he had already grown monstrous due to the Divine Light's effects. Nightscream and some of the others attacked the former gangster, but when Nightscream tried to use his fang attack on him, Cryotek was able to grab the line that connected Nightscream to the projectile fangs and slam Nightscream into [[Rotorbolt (Universe)|Rotorbolt]]. Al-Badur was able to trap Cryotek in a containment bubble that would imminently vanish their nemesis, but the Wreckers leader [[Sentinel Maximus]] was caught inside it with him. Nightscream and the others tried to destroy the bubble, but the young Maximal's sonic attack had no effect. Only the combined efforts of [[Rodimus Major]] and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] were able to thwart it, though the strain killed Rodimus. Nightscream was stunned into near silence, as he'd only read things about Rodimus' younger days, and the sacrifice awed him. But Rodimus's sacrifice was negated by Sentinel Maximus's, who had pushed himself and Cryotek through the portal in the bubble into the void beyond.

When the media arrived, Nightscream was eager to hog the spotlight, but [[Rook (Universe)|Rook]] ignored him. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
While attacking the Maximals in a trashed Jet drone, Megatron noted that he hated Nightscream for interrupting his ascension. Nightscream attempted to use his taser fangs on Megatron, who used the connection to shock the Maximal, whilst wondering whether any of Nightscream's verbal outbursts ever made any sense. {{storylink|Singularity Ablyss}}

===''TransTech''===
[[Image:Nightscreamtranstechbat.jpg|left|250px|thumb|If he says "music to my ears", we will end him.]]
In an alternate universe, the Autobots and Decepticons had grown too decrepit to continue waging the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Constructing the Maximals and Predacons as new armies to continue the conflict, an entire generation of Cybertronians was brought up knowing nothing but war. Nightscream was a member of [[Blackarachnia (BW)#TransTech|Blackarachnia]]'s squad, and after the death of Rhinox and Silverbolt conspired with her to kill their commander, Optimus Primal. After Primal's demise, he fled with her and activated an experimental [[transwarp]] device, seeking to flee Cybertron. The device transported them to [[Axiom Nexus]], where they were discovered by the native [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, processed, and assigned to [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. Taking advantage of Nightscream's discontent, Trion was able to sway him to his cause and procured [[Nightscream (TransTech)|a suitable body]] to transfer his spark to. His new body proving to be a significant upgrade, Nightscream was all too happy to join the rebellion. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 25|"TransTech" Blackarachnia's profile in Club magazine #25}}

After returning to Alpha Trion's lab, Nightscream claimed to have discovered where [[Megatron (TransTech)|Megatron]] and his cronies had taken [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]. With this information, Alpha Trion announced an attack on the location that very night. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 4}} At the transit facility, Nightscream went with Blackarachnia and [[Scavenger (TransTech)|Scavenger]] to secure their escape route while Alpha Trion helped [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] and [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]] rescue their friend. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 5}} He manned the transwarp controls as the others lept through the portal, leaving him the only witness to Alpha Trion's brutal murder of Skyfall. At Alpha Trion's command, he carried the corpse through the portal with them. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 6}}

Upon arrival in the Shatteredverse, Nightscream began securing equipment from Alpha Trion's old lab for travel, and their materialization was surely detected by one faction or another. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 1}}

Weeks later, after the assassination of [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]], Nightscream and [[Sky Lynx (SG)|Sky Lynx]] followed Alpha Trion to confront Optimus Prime, intent on his assassination as well. Unfortunately, the three had not counted on Prime's new warrior, [[Omega Doom]], and Sky Lynx and Nightscream stared dumbfounded after one blast left their leader a distant smear on the ground. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 5}} Nightscream was gunned down by Optimus Prime's ion blaster, and apparently left for dead. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 1}}

==Toys==
{{picsneeded|toys}}
===Beast Machines===
*'''Nightscream''' (Ultra, 2000)
: This massively out of scale Nightscream (although one could make the case that it is in scale with the later supreme-size Optimus Primal and Cheetor) was fairly show-accurate. The beast mode is a transorganic bat. It was molded entirely in transparent blue plastic, with some brown paint details to match his show model. The 2 main gimmicks of this figure are its disc launcher and "kick-attack" mode. The disc launcher is very similar to the kind Beast Wars Depth Charge uses, and fires translucent blue discs. The launcher itself has a red LED in it that will illuminate the discs and the surrounding body parts. In robot mode the disc launcher can only be used when the "chest door" is opened and it is swung forward (as it faces down in this mode). In beast mode the disc launcher can remain concealed while firing discs. The "kick-attack" mode is really more of a pose for the beast mode. Nightscream's wings actually have little folding-out "feet" on its longest points. These can support the beast mode and by putting the bat feet a little forward, you can make Nightscream kick forward by pushing on his back. This never really worked too well, as the figure usually fell over and the arm joints that allow him to swing were always too stiff. Perhaps one aspect that was pulled off well was Nightscream's little streak of hair included in the head sculpt.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/Nightscream/nightscream.htm More information on Nightscream (Ultra) at TFU.info]''

[[Image:BMtoy-NightscreamMcD.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Really good at "We're not worthy!" posturing.]]
*'''Nightscream''' (Happy Meal toy, 2000)
: Greatly simplified for the tykes, Nightscream's fast-food exclusive toy is nonetheless a fairly accurate representation of his cartoon model, albeit with somewhat warped proportions in his beast mode, and supplementary kibble in robot mode. His color scheme has been simplified to be represented with a yellowish-cream color and brown as the more dominant colored plastics, with some opaque blue plastic and translucent blue plastic for the beast mode's head and back, and his robot mode legs/beast mode wings respectively.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/McNightscream/nightscream.htm More information on Nightscream (Mcdonald's) at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Beast Wars Returns===
*'''Nightscream''' (Ultra, 2005)
** ''Japanese ID number:'' '''BR-09'''
{{charstubtoys}}

==Notes==
*Story editor Bob Skir originally wanted the character of Nightscream to be a young female Transformer, patterned after the girl "Newt" from the movie ''[[wikipedia:Aliens (film)|Aliens]]''. When the Powers That Be nixed that, Nightscream ended up becoming [[wikipedia:John Connor|John Connor]] in ''[[wikipedia:Terminator 2: Judgment Day|Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]'' instead.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071202095033/http://bigbot.com/beast-machines-transformers-bob-skir/Beast-Machines-FAQ/Fri_03_Dec_1999.html Bob Skir Q&A 3 December 1999] (archive copy)</ref> In hindsight, maybe that wasn't the best idea.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Alpha Trion's acolytes]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance specialists]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:Vampires]]

Depth Charge (BW)

2011-02-13T16:34:11Z

173.178.245.80:

{{factions|maximal|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Depth Charge}}

:''Depth Charge is a [[Maximal]] [[Triple Changer]] from the [[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]]. He is sometimes known as '''Depthcharge'''.''

[[Image:Depthchargebw.jpg|right|250px|thumb|You only wish you could look this cool.]]
'''Depth Charge''' was once an [[Imperial Peace Marshal]] whose territory was completely destroyed, and every robot under his protection slaughtered, by the malicious entity known as [[Rampage (BW)|Protoform X]]. Since that fateful day, Depth Charge has lived for no other purpose than to enact justice (or vengeance) on X. His single-mindedness makes him a relentless hunter, stopping at nothing to prevent X from taking any more lives. His quest has more than taken its toll on Depth Charge, though; whatever he was before, he is now a joyless, hollow shell of a being. While he sometimes expresses sympathy for other beings and lends aid to his fellow Maximals, Depth Charge has clearly been consumed by his mission, and the destruction of Protoform X is now more important to him than the original reasons behind his quest.

{{quote|It's not revenge I'm looking for. It's justice.|Depth Charge quoting somebody else|"[[Deep Metal]]"}}

:''Brazilian name:'' '''Profundeza'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Torpille''' ("Torpedo")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Mó-gǔei Yǘ''' (魔鬼魚, "Devil Fish")
:''Italian name:'' '''Mantas''' (toyline), '''Abysses''' (cartoon)
:''Polish name:'' '''Głębinobot''' ("Abyssalbot")
:''Spanish name:'' '''Manta Raya'''
:''French name (Europe):'' '''Deathcharge'''
:''Brazilian name:'' '''Profundeza''' ("Depth")

==Fiction==
===Toy bios===
Depth Charge would rather study military strategies then execute them, and he was commissioned by Optimus Primal to be the first line of defense against undersea aggressors. He is described as an inspired leader and dedicated warrior who battles ahead alongside his faithful platoon. {{storylink|#Toys|Depth Charge bio}} [[Cybershark]] serves under him. {{storylink|Cybershark#toys|Transmetal 2 Cybershark toy bio}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[David Sobolov]] (English), [[Kiyoyuki Yanada]] (Japanese), [[Afonso Amajones]] (Portuguese), [[Eduardo Borja]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Luigi Bertorelli]] (Italian)

[[Image:DeepMetal DepthCharge transmetalisation.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Huh...suddenly, my hand smells like fish.]]
Depth Charge was a Peace Marshal stationed on [[Colony Omicron]] when Protoform X broke free and went on a rampage. As the colony's sole survivor, Depth Charge made hunting down "X" his only mission in life. Pursuing Protoform X to places throughout the Universe (including [[Starbase Rugby]]) Depth Charge successfully captured the fugitive and turned him over to the [[Maximal Elder]]s. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}} The Elders decided that Protoform X should be placed in stasis aboard the [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] and dumped on an uninhabited world.

Knowing that "[[Optimus Primal]] would screw it up", Depth Charge continued to monitor the universe for any trace of Protoform X. The sensors on his [[Starhopper]] picked up traces of X just as Depth Charge was pulled through a temporal anomaly. The strange radiation of the wormhole-like disturbance sucked in his ship and [[Transmetal]]ized his superstructure. The resulting crash left him on prehistoric [[Earth]] with a Transmetal manta ray body and put him right in the middle of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. His new body gave him a Cybershark drone, which he used to track down Protoform X, now known as [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]].

[[Image:DeepMetal DepthCharge manta.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The original Blu-Ray.]]
His first battle with Rampage did not end particularly well, as Depth Charge did not expect that Rampage had joined up with the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] trapped on this world. Rescued and repaired by Optimus Primal's Maximals, Depth Charge was shocked by the presence of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and acknowledged the grimness of their situation, but nonetheless disregarded Primal's request that he join them, so obsessive was his pursuit of Protoform X. In any case, Rampage decided Depth Charge's stay would be permanent by destroying the Starhopper. {{storylink|Deep Metal}}

His single-minded obsession soon ended up costing the Maximals a major strategic advantage. Optimus Primal had sent [[Rattrap]] to the bottom of the lake where the wreck of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' lay in an attempt to retrieve the [[Sentinel (BW)|Sentinel]] defense system. Though Depth Charge initially helped Rattrap escape an attack from Rampage, he refused to help [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] when the latter asked for assistance in recovering Sentinel from the Predacons. Depth Charge declared that it was their war, and he had his own war with Rampage to deal with. When he finally decided to help out, the lack of Maximal coordination led to Sentinel being seized for [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. Optimus Primal hauled Depth Charge into line for his unwitting interference, and they came to an agreement that the rogue Maximal would no longer operate purely as a free agent. {{storylink|Changing of the Guard}}

Depth Charge made good on his allegiance to Primal's crew when Megatron led an attack against the Ark while most of the Maximals were elsewhere. Just as the Predacon leader was about to secure his victory, Depth Charge burst into the volcano and almost single-handedly drove the attackers into retreat. {{storylink|Cutting Edge}}

[[Image:CuttingEdge DepthCharge guns.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Where does he get those wonderful bath toys?]]
However, Depth Charge's obsessive nature resurfaced when he came across Cheetor trying to dig out a badly damaged Optimus Primal. Disobeying orders, he followed his scanners to the coordinates of Rampage's indestructible spark, not realizing that he was actually detecting the half of Rampage's spark that Megatron was using in his organic [[Transmetal 2]] experiment. Only when he faced [[Dinobot II]], a Transmetal clone of the original [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], did he learn that Rampage's spark inhabited two bodies. Cheetor and Depth Charge worked together to take the alien [[Transmetal driver]] from the organic Transmetal apparatus, but were blown away in a massive explosion when Cheetor was caught in the device's overload. Recovering only a small piece of Cheetor's chest plate, Depth Charge assumed his ally had been destroyed and reported to Optimus Primal that the young 'bot had "gone out fighting". Leaving Optimus to deal with his grief, Depth Charge had the alien transmetal driver scanned, then, determined to not allow Megatron to conduct his experiments again, threw it into the lava of the Ark's volcano. Soon afterward, the duality of Rampage's spark once again proved to be Depth Charge's downfall when he was lured into a trap by Dinobot II. Megatron demanded the Driver device back, but only received sarcasm for his trouble. Before the Predacons could make good on their threats to destroy Depth Charge, a strange, feral beast attacked and easily bested them all before being chased off by Optimus Primal's arrival. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 1}}

When Cheetor returned and Optimus Primal determined that the strange beast ''was'' Cheetor, changed somehow, the Maximal leader called Depth Charge in for a little chat, demanding to know what really happened on the mountaintop. As usual, Depth Charge told him where he could stick his questions, forcing Primal to resort to his impressive physical strength and size. Depth Charge finally relented when Primal threatened to extract the data personally from the former's core processor, and apologised that he had destroyed the alien device, not knowing what Cheetor had become. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 2}}

[[Image:GowiththeFlow DepthCharge flight.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hi-ho Silverfish! Away!]]
Later, Megatron and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] teamed up for their latest crazy scheme: a new disruptor ray cannon powered by a "bi-polar energon source", capable of destroying the Maximals in their base from afar without harming the ''Ark''. However, as the energy source was installed without adequate shielding, the Predacons couldn't get near the machine they had erected. In order to complete the weapon, Tarantulas suggested "recruiting" the two educated [[protohuman]]s on whom he happened to have been spying. Depth Charge arrived to assist Cheetor just as [[Una]] was captured by [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], and he was forced to go on a rescue mission with Rattrap to retrieve the protohuman girl. However, Depth Charge was blasted out of the sky by a low-power test of the disruptor array and had to sit out the rest of the mission on the side of a hill. After Rattrap returned with Una, Depth Charge still hadn't recovered from his damage and had to be pushed into the water so he could transform into beast mode and escape. When Megatron attempted to fire the disruptor cannon, Rattrap and Depth Charge discovered that Una had removed the stabilizer crystal from the cannon, thus rendering it dangerously unstable and causing the destruction of the weapon. In the aftermath, Depth Charge suggested going back to finish off the helpless Predacons, but Rattrap pointed out that they weren't in any condition to pick a fight. As they floated home, Rattrap jokingly pointed his gun at Depth Charge and asked Una if Cheetor ever showed her his recipe for "fried flounder", earning him a bonk on the head from Depth Charge's tail. {{storylink|Go with the Flow}}

Depth Charge was on patrol when the Predacons attacked the Maximal base with a remote-controlled Optimus Primal. Megatron sent Dinobot II out to dispose of him. {{storylink|Master Blaster}} Obviously, he failed.

[[Image:BWNemesisPt1 DepthCharge Rampage.jpg|left|250px|thumb|You've sung "Under the Sea" for the last time!]]
After the [[Darksyde|Predacon base]] was destroyed by [[Tigerhawk]], {{storylink|Other Victories}} Depth Charge spotted the Predacons skulking around the late [[Tarantulas's lair]]. His lust for vengeance again came to the detriment of the Maximals when he disobeyed Optimus Primal's orders and opened a booby-trapped hatch, resulting in Silverbolt being severely damaged. However, when he was called forth to stop Megatron from launching the legendary [[Decepticon]] warship ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', he followed the order instantly, for even he knew how important it was to stop Megatron. Ironically, it was Rampage who found Depth Charge on this mission and forced him into battle. They fought, their battle intensified by nearby raw [[Energon crystal|Energon crystals]] throughout the terrain.

{{quote|Raw Energon! Right through your twisted spark! Take it! Take it straight to the Pit, you sickening piece of slag!|Depth Charge, to Rampage|"[[Nemesis Part 1]]"}}

As Depth Charge attempted to shove an energon shard into Rampage's spark, Rampage released Depth Charge's hands and laughed maniacally, allowing his rival to impale his spark, detonating it and destroying the both of them. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics===
Depth Charge was observed emerging from the water by [[Magmatron]] and [[Drill Bit (BW)|Drill Bit]]. Due to their [[Chronal phase|chronal displacement]], they could see him, but he could not see them. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 1|The Gathering #1}}

===''Universe'' comic===
[[Image:Homecoming-depthchargevsblackarachnia.jpg|right|300px|thumb|DO I LOOK LIKE A COP?!]]
When Optimus Primal was brought before [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Primus]] and told to select any Cybertronians, past or present, to form the foundations of a new army that would take the fight for the multiverse to [[Unicron]] himself, Depth Charge was chosen by Primal, along with Rhinox. Depth Charge was less than thrilled about being brought back to life, telling Primal that after his long years of torment, he had finally found peace within the Matrix, only to be dragged back into the fray. He departed from the chamber of Primus, wanting nothing to do with the coming conflict.

Depth Charge was stunned to see the recently reformatted technorganic surface of Cybertron, which he reckoned was finally at peace with itself. Of course, seconds later, he found [[Rattrap]] in the [[Undercity]] at the mercy of the Unicron-corrupted [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Depth Charge drove the spider off, but, now sickened by violence, refused to help any further, despite Rattrap pointing out that something big was clearly afoot.

Retreating into the [[Rust Sea]], Depth Charge found that he wasn't going to have much choice, as he found himself face-to-face with a legion of Blackarachnia's [[Piranacon (Universe)|Piranacons]]... {{storylink|Homecoming (issue)|Homecoming}}

Depth Charge apparently changed his mind at some point and joined [[King Atlas]] in running a secret refugee network within Unicron's body.<ref>Depth Charge's ''Universe'' bio, published in [[Homecoming (issue)|''Universe'' #3]].</ref>

==Toys==
===Beast Wars===
*'''Depth Charge''' (Ultra Transmetal, 1998/1999)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-46'''
**''Accessories:'' Torpedo Launcher/Cybershark Drone, 7 "Shrapnel Grenades", 2 "Proton Torpedoes" and Manta Tail/Energon-Cutlass

[[Image:BW-toy Depthcharge.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Eh. Still smells like fish.]]
: Depth Charge transforms into a robotic manta ray and a third mode called a "space-cruiser"<ref>Depth Charge's toy [[bio]].</ref> or "air skimmer"{{fact}}. The very end of his tail detaches to form a sword/harpoon. In all modes, his robot chest/manta mouth is a spring-loaded, gravity-fed disc launcher with 7 "Shrapnel Grenade" disks. ("Power pizzas", as [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] calls them.) He comes with a "cybershark" drone-unit that has two spring-loaded missile launchers in its mouth. This drone can attach to Depth Charge's manta/space-cruiser modes or be used as a hand-held weapon in robot mode. Due to his back [[kibble]], he is difficult to balance.

: Unlike many of the toys in [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Beast Wars Metals'' line, the "DEPTHCHARGE" [[tampograph]] was allowed to remain.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1998/Maximal/DepthCharge/depthcharge.htm More information on Depth Charge at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

*'''Showdown at the Ocean Bottom: Metals Depth Charge Vs. Metals Inferno''' (Multi-pack, 1999)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''VS-46'''
**''Accessories:'' Torpedo Launcher/Cybershark Drone, 7 "Shrapnel Grenades", 2 "Proton Torpedoes" and Manta Tail/Energon-Cutlass

: During ''[[Beast Wars Metals]]'', Depth Charge was available both individually and in a double-pack with Metals [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]. Both toys were identical to their individual releases.

===Universe===
[[Image:Depthcharge-universe.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Boba Wett.]]
*'''Depthcharge''' (Ultra, 2004)
**''Accessories:'' Torpedo Launcher/Cybershark Drone, 5 discs, 2 missiles and Manta Tail/Energon-Cutlass

: Depthcharge was [[Redeco|redecoed]] for the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line into a series of dark drab greens, maroons, and black, with paint-wash effects on his wings. The toy had several small changes made for safety reasons. On the main toy, the cephalic lobes (the front manta-ray-mouth thingies) were cast in a much more pliable plastic. The tail of his cybershark drone was also changed to pop off as a separate piece; this also allows it to spin and makes it easier for Depthcharge to hold it in robot mode. The discs were given a much thicker, rounder border as well, and their number was reduced from 7 to 5.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/Depthcharge/depthcharge.htm More information on Universe Depth Charge at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
* In the jovial Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'', nearly all the characters were given bizarre quirks with the intention of inserting extra "comedy" elements. Depth Charge had a habit of singing "Ito Maki-maki", a Japanese folk song, while transforming. The words translate to "Wind the Thread". (It's a fishing song, ''get it''?)

* Depth Charge's severed head can be seen in the junkyard in the "[[Spark of Darkness|Spark of Darkness]]" episode of ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', precisely 5 minutes and 3 seconds into the episode.

* Depth Charge's "air skimmer" mode resembles [[wikia:starwars:TIE/In interceptor|TIE/In interceptor]] from ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise, also held at the time by Kenner.<ref>Page 66, Toy database section in ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]''</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Undersea specialists]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Sharkticon (species)

2011-02-12T18:06:51Z

173.178.245.80:

{{factions|quintesson}}
{{disambig2|the Generation 1 Quintesson shark-monster|the Energon Decepticon submarine|Sharkticon (Energon)}}
:''Sharkticons are [[Quintesson]] mass-produced enforcers from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]].''

[[Image:Sharkticon.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't [[wikipedia:Jump_the_shark|jump]] over them!]]
'''Sharkticons''' are big, dumb, plentiful and voracious—in short, perfect soldiers for the Quintessons. It's not unusual for the Quintessons to throw their captives into a big tank full of the feisty nippers after a mock trial just for chuckles. Though individual Sharkticons are not especially durable, like piranha, they swarm in ''en masse'' and can devour a full-sized robot in a few seconds with their razor-sharp teeth and claws.

One notable Sharkticon is [[Gnaw]], friend to the young [[Autobot]] [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]].

Other Sharkticons include [[Air Shark]], [[Land Shark]], and [[Sea Shark]].

{{bigquote|I am a swarm member. I don't like being alone.|A Sharkticon's description of his race|''[[The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers]]''}}

:''Japanese name'': '''Sharktron'''
:''Preliminary name'': '''Sharkon'''
==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Jim Cummings]], [[Frank Welker]] (English)

[[Image:TFTM Grimlock Quintessa.jpg|right|200px|thumb|There's always a bigger fish.]]
When [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] found themselves stranded on the planet [[Quintessa]], they were captured by [[Allicon]]s and brought to a group of [[Quintesson]]s to be put on trial. The [[Autobot]]s witnessed [[Arblus|two]] [[Kranix|other]] prisoners be judged "innocent" and dropped in a large pit of Sharkticons, but when it was their turn, they managed to get out of the pit and fought back. Soon enough, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] arrived and started thrashing the Sharkticons until they backed down. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] then ordered them to turn against their Quintesson masters, and apparently choosing to follow the strongest one, the Sharkticons complied. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

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

During the brief Quintesson-[[Decepticon]] alliance which besieged [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a commando team of Sharkticons were deployed to the deeper levels of the Transformer homeworld in order to find the [[Large switch|master switch]] which would shut down all Transformers as part of the Quintesson master plan. Fortunately, the commando team was intercepted by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], who prevented the trio from succeeding in their goal. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}.

{{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}
{{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}
{{storylink|The Quintesson Journal}}
{{storylink|Money Is Everything}}
{{storylink|The Face of the Nijika}}

A large group of Sharkticons were later infected with the [[Hate Plague]], and was chasing a lone Quintesson on an unknown planet when [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] saved him. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

====Kiss Players====
[[Image:KPSharkticons.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What, no tentacles?]]
When the time-traveling [[Kiss Players (singing group)|Kiss Players]] [[Marissa Faireborn]], [[Shaoshao Li]] and [[Atari Hitotonari]] found themselves on a mysterious planet in the year 2011, their ship was captured and they were surrounded by Sharkticons. Shaoshao attempted to placate them with the [[Universal greeting|universal greeting]] she had learned from [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] in 2006, but the Sharkticons swarmed over them while Shao cursed the Autobot as a liar.

Put on trial by the Quintessons, they were found "not guilty" and dropped into a pit full of even more hungry Sharkticons. Only a last-minute rescue by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] saved them from being devoured. Pity.

{{-}}

====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers'' comic====
{{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1}}

====''The Headmasters'' comic====
{{storylink|Great Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}} {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 3}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
When sharing war stories, [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] claimed to have faced off against 50 Sharkticons. {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}}

In a strange alternate future, the Sharkticons were sent by the [[Quintesson]]s to the surface of [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] to retrieve a lost data canister. Their clumsiness alerted [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] to their presence and they were driven off by the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]. In the melee, the canister was lost deeper in the junk pile where the finder-alarm was disabled. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

{{note|In the UK version of the story, the events of "The Big Broadcast of 2006" are a fabrication invented by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]].}}

===Universe: Featuring the Wreckers===
{{charstubfiction}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Wild and deadly, with a voracious appetite for [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], the Sharkticons are slaves from a Quintesson colony world, used by their masters as soldiers and guards. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}}

Packs of Sharkticons are also known to prowl Cybertron since at least the [[Great Shutdown]], though how they got there is unknown. One such pack attacked Shockwave shortly after he was reawakened, and only the intervention of [[Herald of Unicron]] [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] saved his life. As thanks, Shockwave blasted his savior and used him as the basis for his twisted experiments. Gee. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}}

Around the same time, a lone Sharkticon identifying itself as "Gnaw" was befriended by the Autobot survivalist Wheelie, and when its young companion joined the Autobot resistance movement led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], so did it. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

===IDW comics continuity===
On the world of [[LV-117]], carvings of the Sharkticons and Quintessons adorned an ancient temple. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

===Timelines: Wings of Honor continuity===
{{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[Image:TF PS2 Sharkticon.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
{{bigquote|Sharkticon, servant of the Quintessons! Terrifying creatures from the future, they have teeth that can snap tungsten rods as if they were animal bone! |The Narrator|"[[The Transformers (PS2)]]"}}
:''Voice actor:''

During [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s reign of destruction, the Quintessons provided technology to allow the elite of the surviving Transformers to travel back in time to obtain the [[Zel Quartz]] before Shockwave learned of its existence. Some Sharkticons came in secret with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the Decepticons to help them.

A swarm of Sharkticons attacked the Autobots while they were exploring the Karzite mine. The leader announced that the Autobots were not allowed to pass and transformed to robot mode. It stated that the Sharkticons were obeying Galvatron due to how strong he was, and warned that if the Autobots got in their way, the Sharkticons would kill them. Rodimus Prime expressed his annoyed grief before announcing to the Autobots that they were going to have to beat the Sharkticons before they could continue their exploration. After a lengthy battle, the Sharkticon leader announced to his swarm that he was wounded and ordered them to retreat. As Rodimus watched the Sharkticons flee, he stated that they were not very tough. Later on, the Autobots had to fight off more Sharkticons while they were trying to navigate through a minefield. The Sharkticons were defeated again.

In the Decepticon story, a destabilization in space-time occurred and when their shuttle crash-landed, all the Decepticons were scattered. One Sharkticon found himself alone, which he disliked. When the Decepticons found the Gem of Mystery, that one Sharkticon managed to catch up with them, expressing relief. It ran up to the Decepticons in its monster form and transformed to robot mode once it got close, explaining how it had came on-board the Decepticon's shuttle in secret. The Sharkticon told them that since he was a swarm member, he did not like being alone and announced that he would join them. Galvatron stated that his crew was starting to gain really odd members but concluded that allowing the Sharkticon to join them would defiantly help defeat the Autobots.

When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] stole the Zel Quartz and went off into space, it caused the future Transformers, including the Sharkticon, to return to their own era. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Gnaw toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Believe it or not, he's the fat one.]]
*'''Gnaw''' (Sharkticon, 1986)
**''Accessories'': Tail, "Maceration Laser"

: Gnaw transforms into a rotund, squat-limbed, shark-like monster. His beast-mode tail becomes a mace weapon for robot mode and is also the most frequently missing piece from many Gnaws on the secondary market. Because of its fictional appearance as mass armies, it is one of the few Generation 1 [[Army-building|army builder]] toys, though it is notably costly to use it for that purpose.

: Though the toy is labeled as "Gnaw", much like the [[Scrapmetal (Cybertron individual)|Scrapmetal]] toy, it can be considered either the individual character or one of the countless others of its type.
{{-}}

===Timelines===
[[Image:Timelinestoy-BC2010Sharkticons.jpg|right|thumb|300px|This photo was taken during the time that Sharticon was still discovering who he was...]]
*'''Land Shark/Air Shark/Sea Shark''' (multipack, 2010)
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles each

: A [[redeco]] of ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Sharkticon (Energon)|Sharkticon]], these three Sharkticons transform into a Cybertronic submarine/battleship with dimly animalistic styling. Their small gun turrets are movable, plus their side panels can extend outward to reveal spring-loaded missile launchers. Each of the three Sharkticons came with its own bio card, dubbing them either "[[Land Shark]]", "[[Air Shark]]", or "[[Sea Shark]]". They were sold as a bagged souvenir add-on set at [[BotCon 2010]]. Only 1000 sets were produced.

: This mold was also [[retool]]ed as BotCon 2010's [[Sky-Byte (Timelines)|Sky-Byte]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/BCSharkticon/sharkticon.htm More information on Sharkticon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Snarl & Sharkticon G1 Robot Heroes.jpg|right|thumb|200px|"Wait, wait, wait... explain to me ''which'' Dinobot you are, again?"]]
*'''Snarl vs. Sharkticon''' (2009)
:Sharkticon came with Snarl, who is actually [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], who has been renamed in recent years. Due to their small size and price point, the Robot Heroes Sharkticon is a prized by those wishing to inexpensively army-build Sharkticons. This made them harder to find in stores and severely overpriced in the secondary market. (One can only wonder what became of the Slag/Snarls packaged with those Sharkticons.)
{{-}}

==Notes==
* In Japan, the Sharkticon is considered an "Animatron", the Japanese name for the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. It was also not available as part of the normal retail assortment, despite its semi-prominent fictional appearance. At first, it was a promotional item as part of a [[Beastformer]] giveaway. It was later made available in limited quantities, seemingly in US packaging, as a mail-away during 1988's ''[[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' series.
** The Sharkticons' status as Animatrons may or may not be connected to Gnaw's shipping as the sixth figure in the Predacons' case assortment outside of Japan.
** ''[[Timelines (franchise)|Timelines]]'' [[Sky-Byte (Timelines)|Sky-Byte]] is a Predacon and commands Sharkticons, both groups being [[Quintesson]]-affiliated in the Generation 1 cartoon continuity (and therefore the [[Wings of Honor continuity]]). This may or may not be a coincidence.

[[Image:FloroDerySharkticonNotes.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Teehee. "Sharticon".]]
* When asked about the Sharkticon design in an interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "Sharkticon is a shark."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref> He's seen some pretty weird-ass sharks.
** In his production notes, Floro Dery delves into this explanation further, writing that he designed it as fantasy beast that uses qualities and traits of a shark, such as a large toothy mouth and a voracious appetite... which probably also explains why Sharkticons (referred to here consistently as "Sharkons") turn into fat little men.
* During the Arctic level of the ''[[Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots]]'' [[Movie (franchise)|movie]] video game, [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]] says, "This bites." [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] replies, "Bites?! Are there Sharkticons in here?"

==References==
<references />
==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Gnaw/gnaw.htm Gnaw/Sharkticon at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Sharkticons The Sharkticons' ''Universe'' profile at NFTA.net]

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Autobot

2011-02-08T21:36:17Z

173.178.245.80:

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|ttautobot|sgAutobot|autobotfilm}}
{{disambig2|the faction|Generation 2 watch-Autobot|Autobot (G2)}}
[[Image:Autobot symbol.png|right|250px|thumb|If you don't recognize this symbol, what the heck are you doing here?]]

{{quote|[['Til all are one]].|Autobot rally cry|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

The '''Autobots''' are one of the primary factions in the [[Transformer]]s mythos. They usually find themselves defending both their own race and other species against the [[Decepticon]]s and upholding justice and freedom throughout the galaxy.

They are considered "the good guys" in most, but not in [[Shattered Glass (franchise)|all]] Transformers stories.

A generally heroic, honorable group, they tend to be dedicated to peace, and feel a need to protect other races from the Decepticons. As a result, they are usually Transformers who change into non-combat oriented alternate modes such as domestic vehicles, cars, trucks, or rescue vehicles. This is not ''always'' the case, however, as their ranks certainly contain ne'er-do-wells, malcontents, and unsavory types, and the necessities of war have led many to adopt more combat-oriented alternate forms. While the Autobots have usually found themselves outnumbered by the Decepticons, the Autobots have always had home-field advantage, having not only the humans' military support, but also having more places on Earth to fall back on, while the Decepticons are entirely unwelcome on Earth.

Key concepts that repeat throughout most continuities are the use of the name [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] (or a variation thereof) to denote Autobot leadership, and the existence of an artifact of great life-giving power, usually referred to as a "[[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]", traditionally held by their leader.

The collective noun for Autobots is an "exaltation".<ref>"...more dangerous than an exaltation of Autobots." — [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]], ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac]]'' (2009) p 101</ref>

:''Japanese name:'' '''Cybertron''' (サイバトロン ''Saibatoron'')
:''Hungarian name:'' '''Autobotok'''
:''Italian name:'' '''Autorobot'''
:''Polish name:'' '''Autoboty'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Autobóticos'''
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Optimus'''
:''Ukrainian name:'' '''Cybery''' (Кібери, ''Cybers'')

==Generation 1 / Beast Era==
===Marvel comics continuity===
====Generation 1 comics====
[[Image:Primag2.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The birth of Prima, the first Autobot. Just before Primus went around handing out cigars.]]
In the beginning [[Primus]] created the Transformers, a race of living robots that could change their bodies into the likeness of weapons, vehicles, and machinery, and all Transformers were Autobots, and he saw that they were good. The Autobot symbol (or [[Autobrand]] as it is sometimes called) was based on the face of the [[Last Autobot]], the sleeping guardian Primus left for the day when his plans came to fruition.

At first Autobot numbers were small (a mere [[Thirteen original Transformers|13]] began things), but through [[Reproduction|budding]] they expanded their race to fill the planet. When the correct level of population was reached, a mechanism triggered and memory of the process was wiped from the Transformers minds. At some point in these early days Unicron was able to reach through the mental link he shared with Primus and sow the seeds of corruption in a few Autobots, though this dark cult of Unicron would not bear fruit for a long time.

Eons passed in relative peace. Autobot society formed its own traditions, institutions, city-states and politics. From a human perspective this society resembled that of ancient Rome. [[Senate|Senators]] and [[Emirates]] governed wisely or corruptly, priests worshipped Primus and passed his holy Matrix to the chosen bearer (the lineage: [[Prima]] to [[Prime Nova]], Prime Nova to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]), gladiatorial games were held for sport and entertainment, and above it all the [[Overlord (rank)|Overlords]] ruled.

It was only with the advent of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] at the end of the [[Golden Age]], coinciding with the death of the last hereditary Overlord, and the subsequent rise of the Decepticons, that the words "Autobot" and "Transformer" ceased being necessary synonyms and the population was divided by war.

[[Image:Optimusprimeg1marvelfirst.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Optimus Prime appears to turn the tide.]]
In the early days of the war the Autobots were overwhelmed by the Decepticon war machine. They fell back again and again and for a while it looked like the war would be quickly lost... and then a young warrior rose from their ranks and rallied the troops to fight back. He made his reputation by denying Megatron access to the [[Underbase]], soon rose to command the Autobots' elite air corps, and then, at last, was granted full command of all Autobot armies. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had turned the tide, and under his leadership the Autobots fought back until Megatron's war machine was stalled out and stalemated.

The war ground on until Autobot scientists detected that their planet's path was going to pass through a deadly asteroid belt. Putting the planet-wide conflict aside for the moment they turned their attention to planetary salvation and the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] was built.

[[Image:Autobotline.gif|left|400px|thumb|And now, shadow puppet theatre.]]
Optimus and a crew of his best soldiers took the Ark into space and cleared a path for the planet through the asteroid field. Unfortunately with their power depleted from that Herculean task they were then ambushed by Megatron and his Decepticons. The crews of both ships were lost to history.

Without Megatron or Prime the pace of the war slowed considerably. Still, fighting continued and both sides dug in for a long bitter struggle. In Prime’s absence [[Emirate Xaaron]] led the Autobot forces in their struggle to retake their homeworld.

[[Image:Autobots-disintegratedcircuits1.jpg|thumb|right|250px| ]]

The next four million years passed quickly (as it is wont to do) and without any major alteration (only a general degradation) of the situation. Finally news came to Cybertron: Optimus Prime and his forces lived! Yet this news came at a steep price, as it meant a new front had opened in the war. Optimus Prime and his forces fought the Decepticons on the distant world of Earth, while Xaaron, his [[Wrecker]]s, and others carried on the war for Cybertron.

Despite Prime's dedication to protecting Earth, Autobot/Human relations were not good. Humanity viewed all Transformers as threats and attacked any they discovered regardless of faction. Industrialist [[G.B. Blackrock]] tried to inform the public that there were two factions, with the Autobots being the benign faction, but the [[Intelligence and Information Institute]], the government agency tasked with countering the Transformers, was either unable or unwilling to distinguish between factions.

Not long after his survival was discovered, tragedy struck and Optimus Prime was killed on Earth. The Dinobot commander [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took on the leadership of Prime's soldiers, though he favored the abandonment of Earth and a renewed focus on Cybertron.

At roughly the same time, the great Autobot warrior [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] reached an important decision. He was tired of the war and if he could not end it he would leave it behind. Gathering a large following of likeminded warriors he left Cybertron for the world of Nebulos in hopes of a new and peaceful life. This was not to be. Decepticons followed Maximus and opened a third front to the war. In the end both factions abandoned Nebulos and Maximus led them to Earth to unite with the forces under Optimus Prime.

[[Image:LastAutobot.jpg|left|150px|thumb|From Prima to Last Autobot, we come full circle. You may close your notebooks.]]
However, when they arrived they discovered Prime dead and Grimlock less than welcoming. Grimlock and Maximus attempted to establish a single Autobot leader with trial by combat, but were interrupted by a devastating Decepticon attack. The upside of it all was that they ended up putting their differences aside and Optimus Prime was soon reborn to take up leadership of the Earth-based forces once again.

Not long after, a dimensional transporter accident led to the rediscovery and accidental disturbance of Primus deep in the center of Cybertron. The Autobots learned that their ancient myths about Primus were the truth, and Unicron was now coming for them. Since the Creation Matrix had been lost and corrupted, Optimus Prime offered the Autobots' unconditional surrender to the Decepticons in the hopes that this would lead the two factions to stand together against the coming threat. It did, and the Matrix was retrieved and purified in time to stop Unicron. Both Optimus Prime and Emirate Xaaron were killed in the battle, and Grimlock ascended to Autobot leadership again, this time over all Autobots.

The alliance with the Decepticons would be short lived. Cybertron appeared to be destroying itself and the Decepticons betrayed the Autobots, leaving them to die with their world. Grimlock’s leadership led to the Autobots escaping that trap, and walking right into a different one. Oops. Thankfully, the awakening of the Last Autobot saved Cybertron and led to the rebirth of Optimus Prime, who reclaimed Autobot leadership and beat the Decepticons once and for all.

''(From this point both the Marvel Generation 2 and the Fun Publication's Classics comics continue the story in separate and mutually exclusive directions.)''

====Generation 2 comic====
The war finally over, most of the Autobots retired to the revived and prosperous Cybertron. It wasn't to last. Grimlock led a crew of Autobots not ready to take a vacation and put their feet up to try and track down any remaining Decepticon trouble. They found more than they could imagine as they discovered a vast and militant Empire constructed across the stars by Decepticons who left Cybertron long ago.

At the same time, Megatron reared his head again on Earth and soon the surviving Decepticons from the end of the war joined him, intent on restarting the war on Earth. It was not long before Decepticons and Autobots were teamed up against the forces of the Cybertronian Empire. Though this new conflict never touched the revived Cybertron, Earth was devastated by it. The Bot/Con alliance won, but how long this new alliance would last and what [[Liege Maximo|new threats]] awaited remained a question.

====Classics====
{{note|''Classics'' takes place in a [[splinter timeline]] of the Marvel continuity, ignoring ''Generation Two'' and Marvel UK "future" stories}}

{{stub}}

===Generation 1 cartoon===
[[Image:Aubotot gladiator.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], a Quint slave robot who would later become Autobot leader and bearer of the Matrix.]]
The Autobots originated as non-living machines, specifically the [[Quintesson]]s' domestic slave robot line. The Autobot symbol was in fact the original Quintesson slave brand. They generally have blue glowing optics. ''(Though the series did not always abide by it, there was some attempt to establish the fact that Autobots could not fly unaided in robot mode while the Decepticons generally could).''

Having achieved sentience and emotion against their creator's expectations, they rebelled and together with the Quintessons' military hardware (the future Decepticons) achieved freedom and kicked their masters to the curb. ''(Of note: no Decepticons are seen in the bits of the rebellion we are witness to, but it is presumed they took part nonetheless.)''

For a time peace reigned. But the military hardware grew restless and eventually declared war on their peace-loving brothers and sisters. During this dark time many ships of Autobot refugees left Cybertron to try to form peaceful colonies elsewhere in the universe.

Eventually the millitary robots were defeated when the Autobots invented the art of [[transforming]]. A new peace settled over Cybertron and what became known as the [[Golden Age]] began. This age was characterized by peace, prosperity, and an abundance of energy such that the metal of the whole planet literally glowed golden with its power. [[Guardian robot]]s patrolled the planet and helped keep the peace.

But eventually the Decepticons acquired the art of transforming as well. Megatron was born and under his leadership they rose up against the Autobots once more. Sentinel Prime was killed by Megatron and passed the Matrix of Leadership to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] who held it safe until a young robot named Orion Pax was injured in one of Megatron's raids and rebuilt by Trion into the first of a new breed of Autobots specifically designed to combat the Decepticons. Thus Optimus Prime was born and under his leadership the Decepticons were stalemated.

The war raged on and eventually drained the entire planet of its once-rich sources of energy, leaving it a damaged, burnt-out gray husk of its former self. With no other choice the Autobots constructed the Ark, designed to fly Optimus Prime and his comrades to other planets in the search for new sources of energy.

The Ark launch bay was attacked just prior to lift-off and the [[Female Autobots]] under the command of [[Elita One]] vanished in the explosions. They were presumed destroyed by both sides, but actually survived to continue underground operations against Shockwave's regime on Cybertron.

[[Image:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|left|300px|thumb|"Incompetent fools! There's only like seven Decepticons and fifty of us!"]]
Ambushed by the Decepticons, the Ark crashed into a nearby planet, named [[Earth]]. Crashing into a volcano, the impact rendered all the passengers, including members of both factions, into [[stasis lock]]. They were brought back online when the volcano erupted, and immediately resumed combat, this time on Earth.

The Autobots dedicated themselves to protecting Earth and its inhabitants from Megatron's forces. Their relationship with Earth's human governments and population were generally positive and mutually beneficial.

By 2005, the Decepticons had driven the Autobots from Cybertron, and they were now forced to operate out of two bases on Cybertron's moons with a reserve force at [[Autobot City]] on Earth. The Decepticons hijacked a supply shuttle, [[Battle of Autobot City|laying siege to Autobot City]]. The battle saw the deaths of many Autobots, including Optimus Prime, who in turn passed the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. However, [[Unicron]] arrived and devoured the two moons. Megatron, who had been reformatted into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], stole the Matrix from Magnus, intending to use it against Unicron. Galvatron could not open the Matrix, and Unicron proceeded to attack Cybertron, decimating the Decepticon forces on the planet. However, the young Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] managed to take the Matrix from Galvatron, causing him to become Rodimus Prime. He opened the Matrix, causing Unicron's body to self destruct. Leaderless, the Decepticons fled the planet, and the Autobots reclaimed Cybertron.

The Autobots remained in control of Cybertron for the next few years, slowly working to revitalize their homeworld. They fairly easily fought off feints by the Quintessons and the remaining Decepticon forces. Eventually Optimus Prime was revived and resumed Autobot leadership. It wasn't until Galvatron launched an all out attack on Cybertron's [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] that the balance again threatened to tip the Decepticons' way. Thankfully it turned out all had been arranged by [[Vector Sigma]] to set in motion the repowering of Cybertron. The Decepticons were defeated, and Cybertron glowed golden with energy reborn at last.

''('''Note:''' in Japan, during [[Transformers 2010 (franchise)|Transformers 2010]], the Cybertrons who transformed into automobiles were referred to as a subgroup of the faction called "Autobots".)''

===Beast Wars cartoon===
{{main|Maximal}}

The Autobots won the Great War, and their descendants the [[Maximal]]s succeeded them. It's unclear what happened to the Autobots, though followup series provided more clues.

===Beast Machines cartoon===
[[Image:ProwlMaybe BM.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Where's your Pax Cybertronia now?]]
When [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] subdued Cybertron's population with his [[Transformation lock virus|virus]], he extracted their sparks and used their bodies as raw materials for building [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]. [[Optimus Primal]] and his team discovered a junkyard/factory with acres of these corpses, one of which very clearly bore the Autobot symbol (and an uncanny resemblance to [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]). {{storylink|Revelations Part I: Discovery}} Also, among the [[Vehicon general]]s were the revived Great War veterans [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], who may have been Autobots themselves. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike}}

===3H comics===
Many of the great Autobot and Decepticon heroes (such as Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Soundwave, and Megatron) retired to a strange quasi-reality called [[J'nwan]]. Almost all who tried to reach J'nwan and seek their aid succumbed to madness, and the ancient heroes did not appreciate being disturbed by any survivors. However, the great figures did eventually decide to fight once more at [[Omega Point]], an event which erased much of the timeline they had come from. It's unclear whether or not J'nwan or the events regarding it remained intact.

===IDW Beast Wars comics===
The three components of the combiner [[Magnaboss]] are the Autobots [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. They vanished after the [[Pax Cybertronia]] was signed, but it is said they will return in a time of great need. {{storylink|Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook}}

===DW Generation 1 comic===
[[Image:AutoLitho.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Come on you bots! Do you want to live forever?!?]]
The Autobots arose as the group who sided with Sentinel Prime and the [[Council of Ancients]] and opposed Megatron's desire for the conquest of Cybertron, but their inexperience with warfare led to a serious tactical disadvantage. Sentinel Prime led the war effort for half a million years, until Megatron killed him in combat, hoping to secure the Matrix from him. Sentinel's successor, Optimus Prime, originally decided to evacuate Cybertron, fearing that, even if the Autobots won, Cybertron would be a wasteland. However, a subsequent encounter between Optimus Prime and Megatron, where he learned of the planetary engines the Decepticon leader hoped to power with the Matrix, convinced Prime to remain on Cybertron. {{storylink|The War Within}}

Later, Optimus Prime and Megatron disappeared in a space bridge explosion. Without strong leadership, both sides degenerated into factions. The [[Wrecker]]s and the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] broke off from the main Autobot army, which was led by Prowl {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages}}. After [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] took control of the Autobots, he reunified the factions, and manage to negotiate a cease-fire with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] Decepticons and Ratbat's [[Ultracon]]s. However, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's]] [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]] made a last ditch assault, and Megatron suddenly returned leading the [[Aerospace Extermination Squadron]], an army of [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] drones created by the Quintessons. Megatron managed to conquer Cybertron, forcing most of the Autobots into slavery and the escapees into hiding. The period of Autobot enslavement ended when Optimus Prime returned to Cybertron and the Air Warriors were destroyed. ''We don't know how.'' {{storylink|War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

Four million years before humans arose, Cybertron was threatened by a massive asteroid. The Autobots developed the ''Ark'' to destroy the asteroid. They were successful, but Megatron attacked with the ''Nemesis''. Both ships crashed on Earth, with both crews aboard the ''Ark''. On Cybertron, Ultra Magnus and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] worked to keep the Autobots from splitting up again. With energon growing scarce, Magnus agreed to work with Shockwave to create the [[Micromaster]]s, downsized Transformers intended for better fuel efficiency. Magnus also launched [[Operation: Containment]], a twofold program intended to prevent the Decepticons from threatening other planets and locating the ''Ark''. {{storylink|Micromasters}} However, with the [[Great Shutdown]], all Transformers entered a period of enforced [[stasis lock]]. Shockwave was the first to be reactivated, and made peace with the Autobots, installing himself as Head of State with an Autobot High Council as a legislature.

On Earth, the Autobots on the ''Ark'' awoke in 1984. Cut off from Cybertron, and seeing that a sentient species had evolved around them, the Autobots resolved to defend Earth from the Decepticons. Over the next fifteen years, the Autobots were largely successful at preventing a Decepticon conquest, while also befriending the [[Witwicky]] family. Eventually, the Autobots allied with the humans and defeated the Decepticons, capturing them. However, rogue elements of the United States Military, apparently being manipulated by Shockwave, sabotaged the ''[[Ark II]]'', capturing several Autobots and most of the Decepticons, until the chief scientist, [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]], went rogue and set himself up as an arms dealer. [[Robert Hallo]], the original mastermind of the conspiracy, used [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] to reactivate Optimus Prime, who revived the Autobots and stopped a reactivated Megatron. {{storylink|Prime Directive}} A year later, Shockwave came to tie up loose ends and acquire the Matrix from Prime. A rebel Autobot cell managed to rescue Prime, who united the other resistance groups, and Shockwave was overthrown, bringing Cybertron under Autobot control. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

===IDW Generation 1 comic===
{{ongoing}}
In somewhat of a twist from other continuities, the early Autobots in [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] universe were less noble than their counterparts from the others. Millions of years ago, the Autobots were a police force appointed by the [[senate]]. The senate grew corrupt and their Autobot enforcers were seen as little more than thugs. During the closure of an [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]-mining facility, an outspoken miner was beaten to death by an Autobot guard. This sparked a riot, causing the Autobot unit to take even more lives. Some of the surviving miners escaped the captors and went underground and joined the [[gladiatorial combat]] games. Megatron rose as the leader of the games and gathered followers to oppose the hated Autobots, who were led by [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. Megatron's [[Decepticon]]s eventually defeated Prime and took over the city of [[Kaon]] and started the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin}}

Sentinel was succeeded by an unknown Autobot named Zeta Prime, who was protected from a Deception assassination attempt with Blurr's help, but was eventually killed by Megatron. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}} The Autobots were then led by Optimus Prime and formed into small units to counter the Decepticon units infiltrating various planets. The two sides joined forces to combat [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and the ensuing battle rendered Cybertron uninhabitable. {{storylink|Stormbringer (comics)|Stormbringer}}

==Robots in Disguise==
Here, the Autobots are the main race on Cybertron, and their enemies are the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]]. The Autobots fought in the [[Cybertronian Civil Wars]], presumably against the Predacons. [[Vector Sigma]], the [[Allspark]], chooses which Autobot is to be granted the Matrix and thus the position of commander-in-chief.

The Autobots were already on [[Earth]] when the Predacons arrived, having taken the form of Earth vehicles to work as camouflage and established a [[Global Space Bridge]] network and a central base monitoring the entire planet.

In their disguises, the Autobots integrated themselves into human society; [[Team Bullet Train]] worked as actual trains, [[X-Brawn]] was owned as a car by [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]], and Optimus Prime was working for a fire department. This continued after they went public; both [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] and [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]], for example, were shown enforcing human laws in an apparently official capacity, suggesting the Autobots had official ties to human authorities.

It's known Optimus fought the Predacons on other worlds, presumably using the same tactics as on Earth.

==Unicron Trilogy==
===Comic continuity===
====Armada====
Originally, the Autobots were not a faction, but the name of a peacekeeping organization; under the command of [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], they defended [[Cyber City]]. Their headquarters was adorned with the motto "Truth - Justice - Freedom". They were unable to stop the [[Mini-Con]]-powered Decepticons from taking Cyber City, and for a million years they were reduced to a rebel organization desperately trying & failing to protect Cybertron. The reactivation of the Mini-Cons on Earth gave the Autobots an opportunity to gain Mini-Con power of their own, but eventually the Decepticons were beaten not by them, but due to the attack of [[Unicron]].

===Cartoon continuity===
====Armada====
Throughout the Unicron Trilogy, the Autobots switched motives after each major conflict. At first, they were attempting to liberate smaller robots, called [[Mini-Con]]s, from the tyrannical control of [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], who saw them as tools to be used and disposed of when no longer needed. The Autobots followed the Mini-Cons' ship to Earth, where they crashed and eventually continued their battle against the Decepticons (some two million years later. Geez, Megatron can hold a grudge).

These two sides would unite to fight the Chaos Bringer, [[Unicron]], when he threatened to devour Cybertron. With Megatron sacrificing himself to save the rest of the Universe, Unicron shut down and was destroyed. The remaining Transformers united as the Autobots, following Megatron's order to assist them in rebuilding Cybertron.

====Energon====
Megatron's final orders to his troops still stood: work with the Autobots. The Decepticons maintained a degree of autonomy, still wearing the faction sigil and often taking military/defensive positions in the growing number of energon-mining colonies, but they were ultimately answerable to Optimus Prime and the Autobots. There were, of course, dissenters, most of whom were captured and imprisoned. For a decade, Autobot and Decepticon worked side-by-side in a somewhat stable truce.

Both sides found themselves the target of attacks from Unicron again; hordes of Terrorcon drones, sent by Alpha Quintesson to steal energon ore with which to revive the now-shattered husk of Unicron. What the alien did not count on was that Megatron's spark had survived within the remains, and was siphoning energon from Unicron's body. Soon the Decepticon leader had revived himself in a new form, driven off Alpha Quintesson, and, along with an elite cadre of soldiers and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of mindless Terrorcon drones, begun his new plans for conquest.

When news of Megatron's return reached Cybertron, hundreds of Decepticons rose up and rebelled, eager to get back to conquering. But having been joined to Unicron for so long apparently had given Megatron a taste of godhood; he had no more interest in amassing a galaxy-spanning army of troops. Countless Decepticons died in the resulting battles, with Megatron more than willing to sacrifice them without a thought to attain ultimate power for himself. As the "Powerlinx Battles" - as they came to be called - came to their climax, Megatron found that his actions and thoughts were being influenced and controlled by the dark spark of Unicron. Unwilling to let Unicron stand in his way, Megatron ultimately sacrificed himself (again) and seemingly destroyed Unicron's spark by plunging himself into a newly-formed energon sun created by Primus.

====Cybertron====
Another ten years after Energon, the energon sun created by Primus was gone, collapsed into the [[Unicron Singularity]], a giant black hole threatening to devour all of existence. In death, Unicron's power to destroy his only opposition - Primus - was greater than ever. The Autobots searched for a method of destroying the Black Hole and found a single answer; the Omega Lock, a powerful artifact linked to the Spark of Primus. With it, the Universe could be saved... or destroyed. Seeing an opportunity to rebuild existence in his own image, Megatron sought out the Omega Lock and the Cyber Planet Keys.

As the two sides battled for the Keys, the Autobots would eventually find all four and use them to revive Primus, but in doing so caused a massive earthquake that began shattering the planet around them.

Or so they thought.

Primus was emerging from Cybertron, awakened from the body he sculpted into a world for his creation. When informed of Unicron's destruction, he was infuriated to find that the universe was out of balance because of a severe lack of evil. Starscream attacked Primus' weakened form, due to the smaller robot stealing a piece of his spark and becoming an even equally huge monster, but was quickly dispatched by his creator. Defeated, Starscream flew off, leaving the Autobots to seal the Black Hole. Once this was accomplished, Galvatron attempted an escape from his fire dimension, but by combining Vector Prime's sword with the Omega Lock, the portal was sealed, and the Autobots returned home in peace.

The remaining Decepticons joined the Autobots, save for four who left Earth to start the New Decepticon Army. Their ship made it to Mars before crashing.

==Live-action film series==
[[Image:Movie Sam Mikaela meettheAutobots.jpg|thumb|right|300px]Wow, you guys look nothing like your original selves!]
The Autobots (autonomous robotic organisms) are the second Cybertronian civilization, being the descendants of the early workers who served the [[Dynasty of Primes]]. Following the outbreak of the war, the Autobots became the Transformers who rallied around [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], the last of the Primes, to prevent [[Megatron (Movie)|Protector Megatron]] from claiming the [[AllSpark]]. They were formed mostly from the [[Science Division]], the [[Security Force]], and what few members of the [[Defense Force]] rejected Megatron's violent ambitions. Although they fought valiantly, the Decepticons were more warlike, and they began to gain ground. In a move to prevent the Decepticons from acquiring the AllSpark, Prime sent it hurtling into deep space. Megatron followed, and disappeared. The Autobots then scattered among the universe, searching for the AllSpark. {{storylink|Defiance}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel}}

Following some twelve thousand years of searching, the Autobots encountered a stranded human vessel in space. Known as [[Ghost One]], the creatures aboard, named humans, revealed that they had developed the ship based on studies from Megatron. Recognizing that Megatron would destroy their world if he came back online, Optimus tried to send them back to Earth, but they sacrificed their lives to save Optimus from [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. Already suspecting that the AllSpark was on their homeworld, the Autobots made efforts to find [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

Eventually, the Autobots made their way to Earth, discovering a link to the AllSpark with [[Sam Witwicky]]. The Autobot [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] came into Sam's possession, and contacted Optimus Prime. Prime came to Earth with [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] to retrieve the AllSpark and eliminate Megatron, fearing the Decepticon would use the Cube to raise an army from human technology. However, Starscream's retrieval team was also on Earth, having come for the AllSpark. The Autobots were further hampered by [[Sector Seven]], the human agency tasked with dealing with Transformers. Eventually forming a brief truce with Sector Seven and a group of Army Rangers who had encountered [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], the Autobots fought off the Decepticons in [[Mission City]], which saw the deaths of Megatron, Blackout, [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]], and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], but Jazz was killed and the AllSpark destroyed when Sam Witwicky extinguished Megatron's spark. Without a means to restore Cybertron, the Autobots decided to remain on Earth, and Optimus Prime sent a message into space for Autobots to come and protect their new home and newfound allies in humanity. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}

Over the next two years, more Autobots began making their way to Earth, such as [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Jolt (Movie)|Jolt]], [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]], and others, joining a human military force known as [[NEST]]. Under the classified Autobot Alien cooperation act, the Autobots entrusted the remaining AllSpark shard to humanity and gave them intelligence about the Decepticons they were facing. However, the Autobots refused to share weapons technology with humanity, knowing their history internecine warfare. {{storylink|Alliance (comic)|Alliance}} {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

In 2009, NEST had five encounters with the Decepticons on different continents, indicating that the Decepticons were searching for something. During a sweep of [[Shanghai]], NEST encountered [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] and [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], who caused substantial damage to the city during their attempts to escape. Although they were neutralized, Demolishor relayed a warning to Optimus Prime: "[[The Fallen]] will rise again". Following this, NEST returned to their base of operations at [[Diego Garcia]], where they relayed the warning to [[Morshower|General Morshower]] and [[Theodore Galloway|Director Galloway]]. Having been appointed liaison by the President, Galloway concluded that the Decepticons only interest in Earth was to hunt down the Autobots. Unfortunately, Galloway also revealed both Megatron's resting place and the presence of the shard on Diego Garica. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was listening to the briefing, and directed [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] and the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] to raise Megatron. Meeting with his master, The Fallen, Megatron was commanded to retrieve Sam Witwicky, who had absorbed the knowledge of the AllSpark, and kill Optimus Prime, the only one who could defeat The Fallen. Optimus died helping Sam escape, and the Decepticons launched multiple attacks to have the humans turn Sam over to them. Galloway used the attacks as an excuse to have himself placed in charge of NEST and place the Autobots under guard.

Meanwhile, Sam, his girlfriend [[Mikaela Banes]], and his roommate [[Leo Spitz]] were being hidden by Bumblebee and the Twins [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], and with help from [[Seymour Simmons]] of Sector Seven, discovered Decepticon-turned-Autobot [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], who told them that the Fallen, one of the founders of the Dynasty of Primes, was looking for the Matrix of Leadership needed to activate the [[solar harvester]], which would destroy Earth's sun and make energon. Sam was able to find the Matrix and use it to revive Optimus Prime, who, armed with the knowledge of his family and parts from the dead Jetfire, managed to destroy the harvester and kill the Fallen, saving Earth. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|In the movie it is Ratchet who provides the name "Autobot", claiming it is an abbreviation after Optimus' line, "We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron". Seeing as how Decepticons also fit this description, this may imply that "Autobot" is the species name for the Transformers. In a departure from previous Transformers incarnations, Japan used the name "Autobots" for this franchise, rather than "Cybertrons".<ref>[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/products/movie/autobots.html Movie Autobots toy listing on Takaratomy.com]</ref>}}

==Animated==
The Autobots in the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated continuity]] won the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] with the Decepticons because of three things: the Autobot-exclusive [[space bridge]] technology, [[Project Omega]], and by sending the [[AllSpark]] into space to keep the Decepticons from getting it. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} Since then [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] has known peace under the rule of the [[Autobot High Council]], headed by a [[Magnus]], in this case [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]]. Magnus heads the military portion of the planet's defense force, the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]], which is based at [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]] ([[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] is in charge of the civilian guards, which may include the [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]]). [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] is a subordinate rank answerable to the Magnus, and [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel]], [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm]] have been promoted to this rank. A lower officer is known as a [[Minor (rank)|Minor]]. The High Council, [[Cybertron Intelligence]] and the [[Ministry of Science]] are based at the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]].
{{note|Takara also used the name "Autobots" instead of "Cybertrons" for the faction in this franchise.}}

==Shattered Glass==
[[Image:Autobot Shattered Glass.png|right|177px|thumb|...the evil forces of the Autobots.]]
{{quote|'Til all are gone.|[[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]]|[[Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass]]}}

In this universe, the Autobots are the evildoers, bent on conquering and destroying everything in their path, starting with Earth. On Cybertron, they are the dominant faction, ruled by the Prime, specifically [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]]. Ranks are in constant flux due to their backstabbing nature. [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] may very well usurp rule one day. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass}}
{{-}}

==Prime==
[[Image:Bumblebee_Bulkhead_Arcee_Darkness_Rising_1.jpg|thumb|600x|]]"Autobot", a contraction of "autonomous robot", was an old philosopical phrase [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]] found on the [[DataNet]] and one that he suggested to his friend [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] to be the name of their movement to abolish the [[caste system]]. At their hearing with the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], Orion used the term over and over again to remind his enthusiastic followers of the freedom they sought. He implored the Council choose a new Prime, so [[Halogen]] chose Orion as the new Prime, tearing Orion and Megatron's movement in two. In the war with Megatron's Decepticons, the Autobots only held fifteen percent of Cybertron, including [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]] and [[Kalis]]. The Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (Prime)|Ark]]'', transported by the [[space bridge]] to the [[Milky Way]]. [[Ultra Magnus (Prime)|Ultra Magnus]]'s [[Wrecker]]s, [[Jetfire (Prime)|Jetfire]], [[Omega Supreme (Prime)|Omega Supreme]] and [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] remained on the planet. ''{{storylink|Exodus: The Official History of the War for Cybertron}}''

==Merchandise==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[Image:Movie Autobot Screencleaner.jpg|right|106px|thumb|This was originally the top bit of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion's]] pimp cane.]]
*'''Autobot''' (2008)
:Released by [[TakaraTomy|Tomy Yujin]] in January 2008<ref>[http://www.gachausa.com/products/transformers.asp Tomy Yujin ''Transformers'' page]</ref>, this dangler is a [[Insignia|faction logo]]-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Autobot insignia printed on the other side.
{{-}}

====Kinnerton====
[[Image:Kinnerton Transformers Tin.jpg|right|200px|thumb|For holding all your Autobot-symbol-shaped cookies.]]
*'''Transformers Tin''' (2008)
: Confectionery and... stationary company [[Kinnerton]] produced ''Movie''-style Autobot sigil-shaped tins. It is currently unknown what these tins were used for. These tins and other Kinnerton products were available in [[Australia]].
{{-}}

====PTI Group====
*'''Transformers Treat Containers''' (2008)
:Produced as an exclusive for [[Target]] stores, these blue plastic containers were molded in the shape of the Autobot symbol. They were sold in packs of three. While not dishwasher safe, they were perfect for containing any number of small treats.
{{-}}

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Energon]]
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:Machine Wars]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]

Pretender

2011-02-08T21:28:34Z

173.178.245.80:

{{picsneeded|Screen captures from TV commercial (muscle guys)}}

{{bigquote|Pretenders hide the Transformers inside.|Pretenders subline tag}}

[[Image:Skullgrin-packageart.jpg|right|350px|thumb|The sad part is that you bought the toy thinking it could actually do this...]]

Disguise has always been a key component of Transformer operations on other worlds. '''Pretenders''' attempt to take this concept to the next level. Pretenders are Transformers fitted with special external armor shells that can disguise their very nature as robots. Rather than hiding themselves as the machinery or vehicles of a world, Pretender Shells (also known as Pretender Suits<Ref>[[Metalhawk]]'s package</ref>) allow a robot to take on the appearance of a native life form itself.

On top of its exploration and infiltration uses, a shell can also function as powerful battle armor, aid in self-repair, and even function independently of its robot as a second combatant mentally controlled by its "wearer". The major drawback of the technology is that the core robot will feel whatever pain is inflicted on the shell, sometimes even more strongly than pain inflicted on the robot itself.

The most common style of Pretender is an inner robot with a single humanoid shell (usually resembling a monster for [[Decepticon]]s or a [[human]] in battle armor for [[Autobot]]s).

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Scorponokpretendertothethrone.jpg|left|250px|thumb|What a pervert.]]

Pretender technology was created by Scorponok and [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Lord Zarak]] to help their troops operate quasi-anonymously on an Earth that had become openly and publicly hostile towards giant alien robots (partially due to the influence of the [[Z Foundation]]). The idea was that giant, organic-looking alien monsters would somehow attract less attention. Strangely enough, he was [[Monstercon from Mars!|right]].
{{-}}
{{note|Despite Scorponok and Zarak's claims, subsequent stories showed [[Longtooth]] and [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] using Pretender technology long ago in [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s past.}}

[[Image:Pretendertothethrone-landmine.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Sproing!]]
This technology was stolen by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (at the time reduced to a computerized personality) and replicated by the Autobots. The Autobots fashioned their shells after humans, with the stated rationalization that the Decepticons were rather unobservant and wouldn't notice that these humans were many stories tall. Just as strangely, they were also right. The attacking Decepticon Pretenders, encased in their giant, fleshy monster shells, were shocked when the giant, fleshy humans turned out to have Autobots inside them. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}}

[[Image:SkullgrinMonconMars.jpg|left|200px|thumb|When the star wants a "tall latte", he means TALL.]]
Pretender technology allowed Skullgrin to become first a rural legend, then a movie star. Sent to Earth to establish a fuel depot while hidden in his outer shell, he attracted the attention of a B-movie producer, who wrote him into the script of his latest feature. The giant devil-goat monster became a nationwide phenomenon. When Skullgrin revealed his true robotic nature to one of his human co-stars, however, he drew the ire of [[Circuit Breaker]], an encounter which may have ended his movie career. {{storylink|Monstercon from Mars!}}

During the [[Underbase Saga]], the quasi-flesh nature of the Pretenders' outer shells saved them from the energy blasts of the [[Underbase]]-possessed Starscream, even as innumerable Autobots and Decepticons were being destroyed around them. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

''Pretender shells were considered a sufficiently valuable resource that Scorponok was able to offer the technology to Carnivac and Snarler as payment for an assassination job.'' {{storylink|Survivors!}} The job didn't go so well; even two shell-equipped Decepticons weren't enough to defeat Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}}

[[Image:Nomates.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"No, no, my shell isn't that well-equipped!"]]
The Autobots Landmine and Cloudburst were able to make good use of their Pretender shells while on a mission to acquire spare parts for their fallen comrades. Traveling to a space station where giant humans were common but robots were unwelcome, they were able to bargain for microchips without tipping off their robotic natures. Later, when faced with seeing fellow Autobot Sky Lynx devoured by the [[Mecannibal]]s, Landmine's robot form was able to attack, free Sky Lynx, and then disappear by hiding inside his own shell. The entire scheme would have gone without a hitch if not for a tip-off from [[Hi-Test]] and [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]], alerting the Mecannibals that the two giant "humans" were in fact robots. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}

[[Image:Resurrectiongambit-starscreamrevival.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Most Pretender figures had a poor alt mode but this guy does not even have a proper robot mode!]]
After bargaining their way free from the Mecannibals, Landmine and Cloudburst continued to make use of their shells, negotiating with the inhabitants of the planet [[Femax]], who also just happened to be giant humans. Cloudburst almost got to experience a little giant human nookie, before revealing to the Femaxians' [[First One]] that he was a robot, and therefore not a particularly desirable mate. {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}}

Pretender technology showed another face when Megatron returned to power. New shells he had developed would repair and restore even the most severely damaged robots. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} Ratchet was compelled to resurrect Starscream with this technology, but also managed to bring back Grimlock, Jazz and Bumblebee; all four now had their own Pretender shells. These new shells not only enabled disguise, but also served as great power-boosting enhancements for their wearers and allowed them to fight in two places at once. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}

''Thunderwing had his mechanical Pretender shell eons ago on Cybertron, indicating that some form of the technology predated Scorponok's use of it.'' {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!}} ''Thunderwing mostly remained inside his shell, only emerging on rare occasions.'' {{storylink|The Big Shutdown!}}

[[Image:Slog-rhythmsofdarkness1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|An adorable minion of evil.]]
''Carnivac, meanwhile, used his shell in his initial solo assault on the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. When he was caught off guard, outnumbered and nearly surrounded, he sent the shell on a suicide run, allowing it to be destroyed.'' {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} ''Though the feedback nearly killed him, the ruse worked, and his pursuers believed him to be dead, allowing him to regain the element of surprise.'' {{storylink|Where Wolf?}}

In an alternate future where Galvatron had triumphed, Pretender technology was still in use by his troops, the [[Pretender Monster]]s. These Pretenders could apparently somehow phase through their shells, without the shells having to split open like most others. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}
{{-}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon====
[[Image:ProtecttheWildAnimals Autobot Pretenders human.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Wikipedia:The A-Team|If you can find them, maybe you can hire...]]]]
Eight thousand years ago, a starship containing the Autobot Pretenders [[Metalhawk]], [[Lander]], [[Diver (Masterforce)|Diver]] and [[Phoenix]] pursued the Decepticon Pretenders [[Blood]], [[Dauros]] and [[Gilmer]] to neolithic-era [[Earth]], where they crashed. Using their Pretender abilities, the Autobots adopted the form of humans. They transformed the very structure of their bodies into an organic equivalent, shrinking down to normal human size to hide in plain sight among burgeoning Humanity.

[[Image:Metalhawk puretendaaaaa.jpg|right|150px|thumb]]
A Pretender could transform from a human in two stages. Touching his left wrist and yelling "suit on!" would cause him to don his Pretender suit. From this state, he could touch his left wrist and yell "Pretender!" to [[size changing|size-change]] and revert to his robot mode.

{{note|The Pretender suit corresponded to the toy's Pretender shell, while their robot modes were the inner robot.}}

The Decepticon Pretenders, on the other hand, adopted the forms of monstrous creatures, becoming feared as demons by early Man. After many battles, the Autobots succeeded in defeating their enemies and sealing them away—Blood in the pyramids of Egypt, Gilmer in the ruins of [[Atlantis]], and Dauros beneath the Nazca Lines in Peru—for thousands of years.

The Autobot Pretenders continued to live among humanity. By the early twenty-first century, Hawk was working at the [[Space Astronomy Research Center]] in [[Japan]], while Diver was running the [[Ocean Research Institute of California]]. When the three Decepticon Pretenders were liberated by the mysterious Decepticon "god", [[Devil Z]], the four Autobots were drawn out of hiding to fight them. {{storylink|Rise Up!! Pretenders}}

[[Image:KidnappingTargetedJet Phoenix Lander robot modes.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
The Decepticons began a plan to convert humans into zombie-like [[Destroid]]s. The Autobots sought to foil their plan, leading them to the [[Karin Islands]]. Meanwhile Blood destroyed the Astronomy Research Center and killed [[Professor Gō]]. The Autobots subsequently took residence in a new [[Autobot Base (Masterforce)|Autobot Base]]. Hawk would act as base coordinator until its later destruction. {{storylink|Terror! The Decepticons' Manhunt}} The Decepticons began hijacking planes to provide bodies for their Destron experiments. The Autobot Pretenders fought the new creations in [[Rome]], before Hawk and Phoenix fought to protect another plane against Blood. {{storylink|Kidnapping!? The Targeted Jumbo Jet}}

The three young humans whom the Autobots had befriended were given [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] [[transtector]]s by Hawk. He intended them to be used only for search and rescue, and later had to come to the [[Headmaster Junior]]s' aid when they were faced with three Decepticon Headmaster Juniors. {{storylink|Birth! Headmaster Jrs}} Hawk later sent them to Diver in California for training. {{storylink|Rage!! Little Devils with No Need for Rules}} When the Decepticon Pretenders started interfering with wildlife in [[Kenya]], the Autobots went to stop them. The Autobot Pretenders were kept busy fighting [[Seacon (Masterforce)|Seacon]]s. {{storylink|Panic! Protect the Wild Animals!!}}

[[Image:ProtecttheWildAnimals Decepticons Pretenders robot mode.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Unexpectedly, the Decepticon trio found themselves being supplanted by [[Buster]] and [[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]], two [[Godmaster]]s. The Decepticon Pretenders attacked a [[Mt Fuji Foothills Hang Gliding Competition Tournament|hang gliding competition]] to draw out Hawk and Lander, who were promptly set upon by the Godmasters and almost beaten until Phoenix and Diver arrived to help. {{storylink|Super Warriors - The Godmaster Brothers}} The Pretenders were involved in another Decepticon plan to attack a new power plant in the Karin Islands. Again, the Autobots fought the two Godmaster brothers, and were able to win. {{storylink|A Fierce Battle!! The Autobots Are in Trouble}}

A short time later, Diver encountered a Godmaster, [[Ginrai]], in California, and helped the young man understand what he'd taken on. {{storylink|A Hero Is Chosen - His Name Is Ginrai}} Diver and Lander briefed Ginrai on the Decepticons, and came to his aid when he fought the Godmaster brothers. {{storylink|Ginrai: God On of Rage!!}} Ginrai found some [[Master-Brace]]s in his Transtector cab, which Hawk unsuccessfully tried to analyse. {{storylink|A Strange Friendship: Cancer and Minerva}} After Ginrai got hold of a trailer for his Transtector, he showed it to Diver and Lander. The two Pretenders later came to his aid when he was attacked by the Godmaster brothers. {{storylink|Eliminate the Godmaster Ginrai}}

[[Image:BirthofSuperGinrai Dauros holding Diver.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
The Decepticon Pretenders captured a group of humans and held them on an island. When Diver went to investigate, he was captured by Gilmer and Dauros, who bound his arms so he couldn't touch his wrist, effectively trapping him in human form. He was, with the help of a [[Tony|young boy]], able to get a signal back to the rest of the Autobots, who came to the rescue. {{storylink|Heroism!! The Birth of Super Ginrai}} After the discovery of a second Autobot Godmaster, [[Lightfoot]], Hawk and Lander accompanied the two Godmasters and the Headmaster Juniors to Canada, where they found a third Godmaster, [[Ranger]]. {{storylink|An Enemy? The Third Godmaster, Ranger}} When [[Sixknight]] came to Earth looking to prove himself, the Decepticon Pretenders were happy to show him how to draw the Autobots out. Hawk didn't fare terribly well against Sixknight in battle. {{storylink|A Powerful Foe!! Sixknight the Wanderer}}

With the arrival of [[Road King]], the Autobot Pretenders opted to turn defence of the Earth over to Ginrai and the Godmasters. {{storylink|The Autobot Warrior, Sixknight?!}} The three Decepticon Pretenders set about enacting a plan dreamed up by the Godmaster brothers, kidnapping doctors from across the planet and holding them on [[Atlan Island]]. Once the plan was discovered, the Autobot Godmasters defeated the trio. {{storylink|Save the Little Girl! The Chōjin Warriors, the Godmasters}}

[[Image:ExposetheDecepticons Decepticon Pretenders.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Another Pretender, [[Grand Maximus]], arrived from space to join the Autobot forces, providing plans for a [[Godbomber]] drone unit. {{storylink|Life? Death? The Desperate Lightfoot}} The Autobot Pretenders soon began construction on Godbomber at a [[British Motors]] factory in Canada. {{storylink|Super Ginrai Gets Blown Away in the Desert!?}} They raced to complete it as the Decepticons attacked the factory. {{storylink|Will the Bomber Project Be Destroyed!?}} They immediately turned it over to Ginrai so he could use it to reach a moonbase under attack from [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] {{storylink|God Ginrai - Into the Sky!!}} and could only observe from the Autobot Base as he and Grand Maximus duked it out with Overlord and [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]]. Lander opted to celebrate the victory with some wine. {{storylink|God Ginrai - Showdown on the Surface of the Moon}}

[[Image:DisasterAutobotBase Metalhawk injured.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
Gilmer took part in the construction of an undersea base, but took a back seat to [[King Poseidon]] when it came to doing any fighting. {{storylink|Escape!! The Underwater Volcano Erupts}} The Decepticon Pretenders searched in North America for the final Godmaster, but all they found was a bear. Meanwhile a distress call from a ship damaged by the real final Godmaster was picked up by Diver, who relayed the information to Ginrai. {{storylink|Appearance!! The Final Godmaster}} After the Autobots took in [[Clouder]], Hawk became suspicious of the last Godmaster, and he was proved right when he caught Clouder passing information to the Decepticons. Unfortunately the damage was already done, and the Decepticons launched an attack on the Autobot Base. {{storylink|Secret Orders! Destroy the Autobot Base!!}} Hawk was subsequently injured while trying to undertake damage control, and the base was destroyed. {{storylink|Disaster! The Autobot Base Explodes}}

Hawk, Phoenix and Diver fought Overlord over the ocean, but were no match for the Decepticon. {{storylink|BlackZarak - Destroyer from Space}} The Pretenders continued to scan the globe for Decepticon activity. Grand Maximus joined an assault on the Decepticon's space-borne [[Death Para-Machine]]. {{storylink|Crisis! The Day of Human Extinction}} The Autobot and Decepticon Pretenders clashed in Latin America {{storylink|God Ginrai - Save Cancer!?}} and again in various places around the world while Ginrai launched an attack on the Decepticon base to rescue [[Shūta Gō]]. {{storylink|God Ginrai: Showdown at the Decepticon Base}}

[[Image:UltimateCombination Autobot Pretenders.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
While everyone else went to trash the Decepticon base, the Autobot Pretenders were left to monitor the planet for Decepticon activity. The Decepticon Pretenders made a brief attempt to defend the base against Ginrai, which didn't end well for them. {{storylink|The Ultimate Combination!! BlackZarak, the New Lifeform}} As Ginrai and the Autobots closed in on BlackZarak, Lightfoot and Road King fought Gilmer and Dauros, defeating them before being attacked by Hydra and Buster, who inadvertently fragged Blood. {{storylink|Autobots! Desperate Attack!!}} The three Decepticon Pretenders spotted Road King, Ranger and Lightfoot, and alerted BlackZarak to their location. Hawk fought King Poseidon, defeating the combiner with a lot of help from Ginrai. {{storylink|Malevolent and Inhuman! The True Form of Devil Z}} Following the destruction of Devil Z, the Decepticon Pretenders did not appear to depart Earth with the other Decepticons, and presumably went back into hiding. {{storylink|A Battle... and Then...}}

====''Victory'' cartoon====
Pretender technology had advanced to the point that the shells gained sentience, as seen in the shells of the [[Dinoforce]], and could be employed simultaneously with the Transformers' robot modes.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Pretender technology was originally developed as a form of additional body armour. Pretender shells could enhance their wearer’s physical strength and resistance to damage. More advanced shell designs could shrink down to human size and enable their wearer to blend into Earth society unnoticed.

It is possible that the Pretender technology was later adapted to develop the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] beast modes.

{{note|Pretenders were only depicted in [[Dreamwave Productions]]'s ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile books and did not appear in the actual storylines.}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:Thunderwing stormbringer.jpg|left|150px|thumb|It's just not natural, I tell you!]]

The technology was the invention of the Decepticon [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and used living tissue painfully culled from live (and quite likely unwilling) subjects to create a powerful symbiotic, living carapace. The goal of this technology was to allow Transformers to survive an impending environmental collapse on their home planet, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Even [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] rejected the concept as unnatural and repulsive. The first experiences were not that encouraging. Both cases where the technology was implemented ended in disaster, as the melding of the robot's mind with the shell was improperly aligned or hastily executed. Subject one, Thunderwing, became unfathomably powerful but totally insane and destructive, ultimately rendering Cybertron too hostile for Transformer habitation. Subject two, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], tried to rush the process and ended up comatose inside his new shell. {{storylink|Stormbringer (comics)|Stormbringer}}

Surprisingly, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], formerly aghast at the details of what the process entailed, decided that they needed the technology to penetrate the portal at the [[Benzuli Expanse]]. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was a little hesitant on the subject, but Jetfire managed to convince the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]]. The Autobots selected for the process were [[Cloudburst]], [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]], [[Groundbreaker]], and [[Waverider]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:IDWAutobotPretenders.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Robots wearing space suits?]]
After a long process {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}, the Technobots finally completed the four shells. Unlike the hideous and pseudo-organic look of Thunderwing and Bludgeon, these shells were simply large, bulky armor suits. Suiting up, Cloudburst's team were able to fight off a raging [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and took the [[Nega-Core]]s through the Expanse into the [[Dead Universe]] for disposal. The shells proved effective in combating the deadly energies of the dimension, protecting the Cybertronians within. However it was apparent that they could only do so for a limited amount of time under such harsh conditions. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

Later, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] ordered that Jetfire's research be taken to the [[Kimia Facility]] where the scientists there (along with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]) were able to create a new body for [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], whose former body hadn't been upgraded in so long that it was incompatible with current tech. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Lost & Found}}

{{note|The term "Pretender" is not used at all during the ''Stormbringer'' series. Instead the term "polydermal grafting" is used to further illustrate how repulsive, grotesque and dangerous the process appears to be.}}
{{-}}

===Timelines===
[[Black Shadow]] made good use of his Pretender-style [[Crossformer]] shell, which allowed him to simultaneously pursue [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] and [[Jackpot]] even as they fled in opposite directions. Rather than requiring him to operate it remotely and divide his attention, the entirely robotic shell was equipped with an artificial intelligence which allowed it to function independently, if a bit stiltedly. When Black Shadow's robot form was destroyed, the shell also ceased to function - though this may have been the work of a saboteur, rather than a feature endemic to the shell. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===Shattered Glass===
[[Goldbug (SG)|Goldbug]], [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]], and [[Jazz (SG)|Jazz]] snuck into a Pretender laboratory. There were at least six Pretender shells, including the four [[Classic Pretender]] Shells and two [[:Image:DoublePretenders.jpg|Double Pretender]] Shells.

Also, [[Dirge (SG)|Dirge]] appeared as a Pretender. {{storylink|Shattered Expectations}}

===Revenge of the Fallen===
[[Alice]] tried to get information from [[Sam Witwicky]] by getting close to him, but later she revealed her true nature as a Pretender. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|Alice was not a traditional Pretender in that she transformed into an "organic" humanoid mode instead of having an outer shell. The confirmation of her as a Pretender came from an interview with [[Roberto Orci]].<ref>[http://au.movies.ign.com/articles/944/944836p1.html Transformers 2 Rumor Confirmed]</ref>}}

===Hunt for the Decepticons===
A [[new lab assistant]] also found a place in Sam Witwicky's life so that the Decepticons could monitor him. Megatron used him to lure [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] into a trap. {{storylink|Prime Target (book)|Prime Target}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1 (US)===
[[Image:G1Finback toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Finback]]
[[Image:G1Splashdown toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Splashdown]]
*'''Pretenders''' (1988)
{{collist|2|
:*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]]
:*[[Bugly]]
:*[[Cloudburst]]
:*[[Finback]]
:*[[Groundbreaker]]
:*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]]
:*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]
:*[[Skullgrin]]
:*[[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]]
:*[[Splashdown]]
:*[[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]]
:*[[Waverider]]
}}

: The basic Pretenders (often called the "large Pretenders" to distinguish them from the smaller toys released in 1989) are the default: a single robot with a single humanoid shell. The shells split into front and back halves. All are essentially statues, articulated only at the shoulder with swivel joints. The inner robots, by comparison, tend to be highly articulated for their time, though they are generally thin-limbed and have simplistic transformations.

: The large Pretenders were released in two [[wave]]s (Cloudburst, Landmine, Waverider, Bomb-Burst, Skullgrin, and Submarauder making up the first wave, and the remainder the second). Each wave consists of an air, sea, and land themed character for each faction. There is a distinct design variation noticeable between the first and second wave Autobot Pretenders. The first wave shells feature a largely single-color "space suit" style design with the "human" heads partially concealed by the suits. The second wave had brighter, more "Power Ranger"-ish, armor suits with large animal-themed chest plates and fully-visible "human" heads.

: The second wave in general appears to have had production problems or delays; the initial 1988 catalogs omitted their photographs, showing only a "COMING SOON" silhouette (though common in Kenner's Star Wars toyline, such an unfinished "preview" was rare for Transformers); additionally, several of these toys have minor engineering problems, in the form of limbs which don't fold away completely in vehicle mode.

: The first wave of these toys was released in Japan with new names and characterizations, but otherwise unaltered. The second were never sold there.
{{-}}
[[Image:G1 Chainclaw toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Chainclaw]]
*'''Pretender Beasts''' (1988)
**[[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]]
**[[Catilla]]
**[[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]]
**[[Snarler]]
{{main|Pretender Beast}}
: The Pretender Beasts are Pretenders with quadrupedal Earth animal-based shells.
{{-}}
[[Image:G1 Gunrunner toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Gunrunner]]
*'''Pretender Vehicles''' (1988)
**[[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]]
**[[Roadgrabber]]
{{main|Pretender Vehicle}}
: The Pretender Vehicles are Pretenders whose shells are vehicles that transform into combat decks for their inner robots.
{{-}}
[[Image:G1Longtooth toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Longtooth]]
*'''Pretenders''' (1989)
**[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]
**[[Doubleheader]]
**[[Longtooth]]
**[[Octopunch]]
**[[Pincher]]
**[[Stranglehold]]
: The 1989 Pretenders (often called the "small Pretenders") were sold carded. Like their larger 1988 brethren, the shells are articulated only at the shoulder and split front-back. Their inner robots are much more thick-limbed than the large Pretenders; they are also small, about the same size as the [[Mini Vehicle]]s. A portion of each robot's alternate mode detaches and serves as a weapon or shield for the outer shell, rather than being concealed within. There has been some speculation that the designs for Longtooth and Stranglehold may have been switched between factions at some point, as the former better fits the Decepticon monster motif and the latter better matches the Autobots "human" stylings.
{{-}}
[[Image:Pretender Grimlock toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Grimlock]]
*'''Pretender Classics''' (1989)
**[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]
**[[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]]
**[[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]]
**[[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]]
{{main|Pretender Classics}}
:Classic Pretenders are smaller-sized figures of 1984-85 characters (except for Bumblebee, whose inner robot figure was actually [[Mini Vehicle|larger than his original toy]]), the first subline to focus on reinventing previous characters. The inner robots were also released without their shells as Kmart exclusive [[Legends (G1)|Legends]].
{{-}}
[[Image:G1Thunderwing toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Thunderwing]]
*'''Mega Pretenders''' (1989)
**[[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]]
**[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]
**[[Vroom]]
{{main|Mega Pretender}}
: Both the inner robot and the humanoid shell of the Mega Pretenders transform and can combine their alternate modes into a larger vehicle.
{{-}}
[[Image:G1 Skyhammer toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Skyhammer]]
* '''Ultra Pretenders''' (1989)
**[[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]]
**[[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]]
{{main|Ultra Pretender}}
: The Ultra Pretenders have two Pretender shells. The outermost shell is a large vehicle that can transform into a combat deck for the inner robot. This outermost shell contains a secondary, humanoid Pretender shell that is itself able to transform into a vehicle that can be piloted by its inner robot.
{{-}}
[[Image:Birdbrain-toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Birdbrain]]
[[Image:Slog-toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Slog]]
*'''Pretender Monsters''' (1989)
**[[Birdbrain]]
**[[Bristleback]]
**[[Icepick (G1)|Icepick]]
**[[Scowl]]
**[[Slog]]
**[[Wildfly]]
{{main|Pretender Monster}}
: The Pretender Monsters are smaller Pretenders with rubbery monster shells. Their inner robots can combine to form [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]].
{{-}}{{anchor|Double Pretenders (unreleased)}}
[[Image:DoublePretenders2.png|right|200px|thumb|...Tarantulas? Optimus Primal?]]
*'''Double Pretenders'''
**Unnamed ape duo.
**Unnamed spider-bandito duo.
: Prototypes for "Double Pretenders", two small robots in one shell, which splits top and bottom at the waist, were designed but never put in production.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Generation 1 (Japan)===
[[Image:MF-toy Metalhawk.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Metalhawk]]
*'''Pretenders''' (1988)
**[[Blood]]
**[[Dauros]]
**[[Diver (Masterforce)|Diver]]
**[[Gilmer]]
**[[Grand Maximus|Grand]]
**[[Lander]]
**[[Metalhawk]]
**[[Phoenix]]
:The bulk of the Japanese Pretenders are exactly the same as their US counterparts. Metalhawk was an entirely new mold, however, and Grand featured a new-mold Pretender shell designed to hold the existing [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] mold.
{{-}}
[[Image:G1Blue Bacchus toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Blue Bacchus. Not to be confused with Violet Vulcan, Silver Saturn, Cyan Cupid, etc...]]
*'''Crossformers''' (1989)
**[[Black Shadow]]
**[[Blue Bacchus]]
{{main|Crossformer}}
: The Crossformers are the Takara counterpart to the Hasbro Mega Pretenders; the shells were remolded to be less organic.
{{-}}
*'''Dinoforce''' (1989)
**[[Doryū]]
**[[Gairyū]]
**[[Gōryū]]
**[[Kakuryū]]
**[[Rairyū]]
**[[Yokuryū]]
{{main|Dinoforce}}
: The Dinoforce reuses the inner robot forms of the Pretender Monsters, but with cyborg dinosaur outer shells. The inner robots can combine to form [[Dinoking]].

==Notes==
[[Image:TwinTwistPretenderConcept.jpg|right|150px|thumb|..."Drillrider" just didn't sound right.]]
* Despite the fact that nearly all of the toys split front/back, most Marvel Comics portrayals of the Pretenders show the shells splitting down the middle.
* In the Marvel Comics, it may have been intended that only the Decepticon Pretenders with wings on their Pretender shells could [[flight|fly]] with their shells on. In their [[Pretender to the Throne!|first appearance]] they are all flying, but it sort of looks like Bomb-Burst and Bugly were supposed to be carrying the others (maybe something went wrong with the art?). [[King Con!|Later]], Scorponok specifically ordered Bomb-Burst and Bugly to fly Iguanus around.
* ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' categorizes humanoid Pretender shells into three types: Human shells with thermostatic plating such as Cloudburst's are "Space-Defense Pretender Shells"; monstrous humanoid shells like Bomb-Burst's are called "Predator-Class Pretender Shells"; and shells like Bludgeon's are "Warrior-Grade Pretender Shells".
* [[Twin Twist]] has been found in a piece of Pretender concept art, which was likely used to pitch the Pretender toy concept. Given that a large number of the first Pretenders transform similarly to Twin Twist, (bend over at the waist) it seems to have been a successful conceptual model.
* In most parts of Europe, the second wave of the large 1988 Pretenders was never released.
* Not to be confused with [[reverse-pretender technology]], where a Human disguises himself as a Transformer.

==External links==
*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Prototypes/PretendersDoubleBC96Displ.html Some photos] of unreleased Double Pretenders from [http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Prototypes/Prototypes.html SUPER TOY ARCHIVE]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:Pretenders| ]]
[[Category:Subgroups]]

Blaster (G1)

2011-01-08T16:42:26Z

173.178.245.80: /* Binaltech Asterisk online comic */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Blaster}}
:''Blaster is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. In Japan he is later rebuilt as '''Twincast'''.''
[[Image:SDCCBlasterBoxArt.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"What it is, big mama? My mama ain't raise no dummies, I dug her rap!"]]
'''Blaster''' loves all [[Earth]] music, especially good, hard, LOUD rock 'n' roll. A powerful fighter who tends to make his presence known, you can find him at the forefront of any situation in which he's involved.

{{note|Blaster's personality varied significantly between the comic and cartoon; see entries below for details.}}

:''Preliminary names:'' '''Pulse'''<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/index.php?full=1&set_albumName=BotCon_2010_Sat_Panels&id=DSC05237&option=com_gallery&Itemid=4&include=view_photo.php Bob Budiansky's notes at BotCon 2010]</ref>, '''Blastbox'''<ref>[[Production bible]] of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]]</ref>
:''Japanese names:'' '''Broadcast''', later '''Twincast'''
:''Japanese names (Binaltech Asterisk):'' '''Broadblast'''
:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Tempo'''
:''Hungarian name:'' '''Össztűz''' ("All-fire" or "Class firing")
:''Italian name (original cartoon):'' '''Radiorobot'''
:''Italian names (The Headmasters):'' '''Audiobot''' / '''Digital'''
:''[[Omni Productions]] dub names:'' '''Billy''' / '''Blaster'''
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Dinamitador'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Rajada''' ("Gust")
:''Latin-American name (The Headmasters):'' '''Bill'''

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Buster Jones]] (English), [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese), [[Leonardo Araujo]] (Latin American)

[[Image:G1 DinobotIsland Blaster.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"May I have this dance?"]]
Blaster was a fun-loving, hip and happening robot. Loud and energetic, he was happy to share his choice of rockin' tunes with anyone, whether they really wanted to hear them or not.

Blaster appeared out of nowhere one day during [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s demonstration of the modifications he'd made to the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to improve their sense of balance and coordination, and to that end, Blaster was requested to play something "nice". For some reason, Blaster had trouble tuning into a station until Grimlock (obviously tired of this padding) blasted fire at Blaster's controls, allowing the Autobot boom box to tune into the local rock 'n' roll/big band music fusion station. [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] showed their appreciation for the fine selection of elevator music by jerkily dancing around and claiming their audio sensors were being fried. Blaster continued to enthrall Grimlock until [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] bumped into their leader and totally freaked him out. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}}

[[Image:DesertionDinos1 BlastergrabsRavage.jpg|right|170px|thumb|One must wonder how he failed to notice Soundwave, but really, it's more Ironhide's fault.]]
At a not-so-secret EJK testing facility for the new Ultraplane, Blaster was sitting in the back of Ironhide's vehicle mode and didn't seem to notice the fact that [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] was sitting right next to him—at least until the Decepticon tape deck launched [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], whom Blaster quickly transformed to grab. The cat turned to attack the Autobot while his master escaped to report to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Blaster continued to tussle until Ironhide transformed into robot mode and threw them both out of his caboose. After being initially distracted by the Ultraplane's destruction, the Autobots returned to EJK's lab to confront the Decepticons. Blaster greatly appreciated [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]'s taste in fusion rock/big band music to confound the hapless villains. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}}

[[Image:BlasterBlues kickedinface.jpg|left|170px|thumb|De-FEETed!]]
Blaster's taste in music often got him into trouble. He attended a concert by a popular '80s rock/big band fusion hair metal band with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Carly]]. Concerned that the other Autobots weren't enjoying the concert with them, Blaster flooded the Autobot communications channels with the music, though only [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] and Jazz seemed to appreciate it. Unfortunately, his taste in music also disrupted an emergency communique from the Helix Observatory, until the other Autobots told him to shut up. After the [[Voltronic Galaxer]] was stolen, Blaster was teamed up with Cosmos to search for signs of the Decepticons, but both were rather quickly captured. Blaster was welded into place to be used as a trans-scrambler for Megatron's scheme to use the voltronic galaxer to disrupt communications on Earth and then demand all the energy on the planet in exchange for normality. While Megatron ranted about his demands, Blaster secretly played his music, which served both to rally the Autobots and inform them of Megatron's location — until Megatron kicked him in the face. After foiling the Decepticon plans, Blaster was assigned to the abandoned moon base with Cosmos, but quickly got into trouble with Prime again for his music. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

Later, Blaster and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] helped the [[New York City|New York]] police crack a car theft ring by posing as an attractive target for punks to steal. After Blaster teamed up with car thief [[Raoul]], they learned that Megatron was behind the criminal operation, stealing cars to rebuild them into transforming drones. Blaster defended the Washington Bridge from the Decepticon drones alongside the other Autobots, but they were nearly overwhelmed by sheer numbers. After [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] realized the cars were remote-controlled, Blaster jammed the frequency, allowing the Autobots to attack and defeat the Decepticons. {{storylink|Make Tracks}}

Blaster proved useful again, even pivotal, in allowing the Autobots to save Cosmos and some [[robotic insecticide]] from the [[Morphobot]]s. It turns out even plants hate Blaster's music. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}} Soon afterward, the Autobots were attacked by the malevolent [[Kremzeek]], an energy life form created by Megatron. Blaster and a small number of other Autobots were the only ones to stay functional long enough to be sprayed with an insulating foam that protected them from the creature's attacks. The Autobot team chased it to [[Japan]], where it wreaked havoc with the massive electronics industry there. The creature spawned copies of itself, one of which managed to slip inside Blaster, and after the other Kremzeeks were seemingly destroyed, it jumped out of his chest and the pursuit began again. {{storylink|Kremzeek!}}

[[Image:Auto-Bop Blaster Soundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|So. AWESOME.]]
Blaster was watching "[[As the Kitchen Sinks]]" with his Auto-buddies when Prime informed them that Tracks and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] were late returning from their supply run. Suspecting foul play, the Autobots took off to search for their missing comrades. While on the search, Blaster was forcibly transformed by a Creamy Cream billboard ''(They can do that?)'', then carted away by the big game hunter [[Lord Chumley]] and his butler [[Dinsmoore]] as bait to lure Optimus Prime into a hunt. Chumley apparently couldn't think of a suitably dastardly device in which to store Blaster, though, as he was totally absent from Chumley's prisoner showcase later on. {{storylink|Prime Target}}

{{bigquote|I've been waiting a long time for this, you poor excuse for a sound system!|Blaster confronting [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]|"[[Auto-Bop]]"}}

Tracks and Blaster were reunited with Raoul when they saved their human friend and his [[Bop Crew]] from a bunch of hoodlums in the employ of the [[Dancitron]] nightclub. When a punk tried to ensnare him in a chain, Blaster simply remarked that the humans were seriously out of their league, then broke the chain by moving his arm slightly. The Autobots forced their way into the nightclub, where Blaster appreciated the atmosphere and the impressive sound system. He then went off to dance with some oddly well-dressed ladies who sounded like Penny Marshall. Soon after leaving the club, Tracks and Blaster had to save Raoul again when a Decepticon-controlled train driver sent the train Raoul was in hurtling out of control. Conferring with [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]], Blaster discovered that Dancitron controlled its patrons by using hypnotic signals, and he suggested countering them with his own sonic powers. Entering the club, Blaster finally faced his Decepticon counterpart Soundwave in battle. At first, the combatants appeared to be evenly matched, but Soundwave drove Blaster back with his sonic assaults. Improvising, Blaster jury-rigged Dancitron's own sound system into his speakers. He turned the combined sonic force against Soundwave, forcing him into retreat and wrecking the nightclub in the process. {{storylink|Auto-Bop}}

When Megatron journeyed to Cybertron to bring life to his new [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], Optimus Prime took Blaster and a small group aboard Omega Supreme to stop him. Megatron sent a cadre of [[Centurion droid|Centurion droids]] after the Autobots, delaying them long enough for him to access [[Vector Sigma]] and bring his Stunticons to life. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} As a counter-measure, Blaster and the other Autobots worked to retrofit five Cybertronian shuttles as Earth vehicles, and then used Vector Sigma in turn to bring life to these [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. Once they returned to Earth, the Autobots and Aerialbots confronted the newly-minted Stunticons. Impressively, Blaster used his sound system to generate a miniature earthquake using sonic vibrations, but [[Wildrider]] just sailed over the cracks and smashed into Blaster's face. On a second encounter with the Stunticons, Blaster converted into tapedeck mode and used his sonics to try blasting down a tree to make [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] crash. Instead, Breakdown used it as a ramp and Wildrider casually drove by and ran Blaster over. Ouch. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Blaster and Cosmos were sent on an inter-galactic shopping trip to pick up more [[Ingredient X]] for Perceptor's protective chemical spray, [[Corrostop]]. Unfortunately there was no more Ingredient X. Anywhere. In the entire universe. Bummer. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} When the Stunticons returned performing a series of heists for Megatron, Blaster joined Prime and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] in hunting down [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]. He didn't do much, but he did get to witness the most awesome game of chicken ever, when Prime totalled Motormaster and proved himself the real "King of the Road". {{storylink|Masquerade}}

[[Image:TFtM BlasterRoundhouseKick.jpg|left|172px|thumb|Everybody was kung-fu fighting, those cats were fast as lightning...]]
In the year 2005, Blaster was assigned to the communications hub at [[Autobot City]] on Earth. When the fortress was [[Battle of Autobot City|attacked]] by the Decepticons, Blaster attempted to send out a distress signal to Optimus Prime's forces on Moon Base 1. His efforts were disrupted by Soundwave, who had sent out his cassette forces to destroy the hub's transmitter. Blaster countered with his own cassette army, and the itty-bitty guys 'rassled. After the Decepticons retreated, Blaster was helping to rebuild the city when he received a faint signal from Jazz and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] on Moon Base 1, which was being munched by a [[Unicron|ginormous, weird-looking planet]]. Then disappeared for a while. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

In early 2006, Blaster was stationed mostly on Earth. After the attack on the [[Galactic Olympics]] which saw [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and Spike kidnapped, Blaster and [[Outback]] were sent to the North African nation of [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] on the suspicion that the militant leader [[Abdul Fakkadi (G1)|Abdul Fakkadi]] was harbouring Decepticon fugitives. Despite Fakkadi's assurances that there were no Decepticons on his soil, Outback managed to psyche out [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], whose escape was also quickly put down by the Australian-accented Autobot. Blaster then threatened the two [[Conehead|coneheads]] to spill the beans, for Outback was trigger-happy. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} After returning to Autobot City, Blaster kept tabs on the delivery of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[Transformation cog|transforming cog]], which had been damaged during the battle of Autobot City the year before. Unfortunately, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]'s delivery shuttle was destroyed by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], forcing Blaster to call upon Commander [[Marissa Faireborn]] of the [[Earth Defense Command]] for help. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}}

However, Faireborn and the Autobot delivery team were stranded when [[Lipole|lipoles]] native to [[Io]] destroyed the EDC ship, so the long-suffering Blaster sent rescue in the form of the magnificent [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], whom Blaster remarked was difficult to describe. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} After Sky Lynx effortlessly saved their friends and delivered the cog to Earth, [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] installed the cog, and Blaster activated Metroplex's transformation sequence. Once the Autobot city defeated the Decepticon giant [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Blaster declared that Metroplex was his kind of town. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Blaster was briefly seen aboard the Autobot flagship when Optimus Prime returned from the dead to rally the troops against the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. He fled the ship with the rest of the crew before Prime's suicidal assault on the Quintessons' central planet. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

After Perceptor uncovered a source of chronal energy emanating from an asteroid belt, Blaster accompanied him on a survey mission, along with his cassettes [[Rewind]] and [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]]. Their simple survey soon turned into a battle, though, when a school of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] assaulted the Autobots as they approached the belt. Blaster radioed for reinforcements during the battle but, alongside Blurr and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], they soon made short work of their opponents. At the asteroid belt, they found a Quintesson scientist working with an actual [[Time Window]], allowing passage backwards through time. Several Quintesson ships interrupted their observations, and Blaster and the other Autobots were accidentally chased through the time window itself, finding themselves 11 million years in Cybertron's past. The Quintesson warships were gone, but they just traded one threat for another and soon came under assault by [[Guardian robot|Guardian Robots]]. Blaster and his comrades were saved by the intervention of [[Beta (G1)|Beta]], [[second-in-command]] of the slave rebellion against the Quintessons. With the rebels' leader [[Alpha Trion (G1)|A3]] missing, Blaster and the Autobots stepped into his place to lead the rebellion against the Guardians and their Quintesson masters. The Autobots did their best, but the sheer number of Guardian Robots was on the verge of overwhelming them when A3 returned through the time window. He turned his [[Coda Remote]] device against the Guardians and preserved the natural flow of history, as Blaster and the future Autobots took the window back to the present. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

When Daniel Witwicky and Wheelie were taken hostage by the Decepticons, Blaster fielded the ransom call for Spike and Ultra Magnus. His skill as a communication officer seemed to fail him, as he lost [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'s signal at a critical point in the monologing. Maybe he was just tired of listening to The Villain Speech, trademarked. {{storylink|Surprise Party}} Daniel was saved, but it wasn't long before he got into more trouble, disappearing with Grimlock during a reception on Cybertron. Ultra Magnus summoned Blaster for assistance, and Blaster in turn ejected [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] so that his tracking abilities could locate the missing boy. Their search led to a hidden chamber beneath Cybertron's surface, abandoned since the time of the Quintessons. Blaster summoned Rewind next to help translate and interpret the ancient Quintessonese on the walls, and the rescue party learned the chamber was a method of banishing criminals to other dimensions. After Rewind worked out that Daniel had travelled to [[Menonia]], Blaster and the others reactivated the portal to chase after them. They got involved in a local skirmish against [[Mara-Al-Utha]], the banished Quintesson who had usurped power from the benevolent [[Golden One]]. In order to defeat the Quintesson, Blaster lent his sound system to the Golden One, amplifying his voice as he invoked the proper counter-spells. It had a nice beat, and you could smash Quintessons with it: even Grimlock had to approve. {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}}

[[Image:Blaster C Minor.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Who runs Bartertown?]]
While helping Ultra Magnus and the other Autobots fight the Decepticons on a renegade comet, Blaster was blasted out of space by a musical harmony. It was generated from the planet [[Eurythma]] below as a sonic weapon to destroy the comet before it struck their world. Galvatron naturally wanted such a powerful weapon for himself, and fled the battle with Soundwave to steal the secret of the harmony. Ultra Magnus recruited Blaster and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] to make their own effort to secure the harmony, or at least keep it out of Galvatron's hands. Blaster was enamored with Eurythma, and could somehow interpret that the nearby city and the entire civilization were based on musical harmonies. Luckily, he also somehow knew exactly where the "band leader" was, and directed Broadside to take them to [[Basso Profundo]]'s palace. Blaster was the only one who could understand the overly synthesized and harmonic speaking voices of the Eurythmians. Maybe Ultra Magnus was tone deaf. The hunt for the harmony turned into a bizarre scavenger hunt, as Blaster and Soundwave attempted to recover the three thirds of the harmony produced by Basso Profundo, [[Zebop Skandana]] and [[Allegra]]. The Decepticons assembled the harmony first, and Soundwave turned its united power against the Autobots. Blaster managed to stop Soundwave by punching him in the crotch. No seriously — that's where his "Erase" button is. Really. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}}

Running the day-to-day operations of Metroplex and Autobot City on Earth, Blaster was subjected to a security inspection by Kup. He passed with flying colors and nearly succeeded in convincing Kup how seriously they took the job... until he happened to lean against a control panel and set off some 20 year old tunes on the sound speakers. Things turned serious immediately thereafter, though, as Metroplex was invaded by [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the ghost of Starscream. It only got worse when they stole Metroplex's eyes and set off a bomb in his brain. The report Kup filed for the inspection must have interesting reading material. Poor Blaster. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

Blaster joined Kup, Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime aboard Omega Supreme to check out some strange reports from the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]]. These "strange reports" turned out to be a full-fledged war between half the galaxy raging over the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]' heads. On the surface, Blaster's receivers located a hypnotic signal being broadcast somehow from the Junkions' TV antenna. Using Omega Supreme to get the proper altitude, Blaster began broadcasting his own counter-frequency to break the spell. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

Blaster was returning from a space mission aboard Sky Lynx with Outback, Steeljaw and Ramhorn when Perceptor radioed in that a peculiar Quintession transmission was being picked up in their area. On an uninhabited planet, they found a Quintesson journal which detailed centuries of manipulating the planets [[Xetaxxis]] and [[Lanarq]] into ever-escalating warfare. Despite Quintesson and Decepticon interference, Blaster and his comrades managed to bring the journal to the attention of the warring aliens, ending their conflicts... at least for the moment. {{storylink|The Quintesson Journal}}

Blaster was manning Autobot City when [[Victor Drath]]'s men drove the empty shells of Ultra Magnus, Arcee, Springer and Rodimus Prime towards the city for a Trojan horse ploy. When the REAL Magnus and Springer hijacked the latter's helicopter mode and started taking potshots at the city, however, Blaster quickly caught on and transformed the city into battle station mode, cutting off their entry. It's not Springer, it's a ringer! How's that for a zinger? {{storylink|Only Human}}

When Sky Lynx and Cosmos crashed on [[Power Platform Alpha]], Blaster raced out to help with his fellow Autobots. Upon trying to radio for assistance, however, Blaster found himself unable to properly transmit any signals. The Autobots eventually uncovered [[anti-electron]] sabotage in the new power generator, and cleaned out the disruptive influence. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}} Later, Blaster began self-ejecting when the [[Oracle (G1)|Oracle]]'s transmission convinced Ramhorn and Steeljaw to force their way out of Blaster's chest to answer the call of the [[Primitive|Primitives]]. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

Although he wasn't on the initial casualty list, Blaster was revived alongside the Autobots who fell before the crazed [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], during the outbreak of the [[Hate Plague]]. Apparently, the Quintesson repaired him instead of Wheelie. Wise choice. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

{{-}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers comics=====
Blaster was vacationing on a utopian island when he was captured by the Constructicons. He was eventually freed by [[Kenji]], Superion and several other Autobots. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6}}

=====''Full Throttle Scramble Power!''=====
[[Image:Fullthrottle_tape_fight.jpg|thumb|right|150px|]]
Blaster came to the rescue of [[Toru]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], after they were captured while searching for the Decepticon [[Omega Whip]] device. Blaster's electro-scrambler gun blew several large holes in Ravage. He then fought against Soundwave until the entire Autobot army arrived with Metroplex to drive off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}

{{-}}
=====Scramble City (animation)=====
Blaster was finally gifted with some Cassette forces of his own to counter Soundwave's. [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] and [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] took on [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] but couldn't protect the secrets of Metroplex. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}} {{storylink|Scramble City (toy version)}}

=====''Binaltech Asterisk'' online comic=====
[[Image:BroadblastAsteriskManga01.jpg|left|300px|thumb|"..And they say his heart grew Three sizes that day."]]

As a member of the [[Interplanetary Personnel Exchange Program]], Blaster paired up with TV Announcer [[Lumina Hoshi]] in an attempt to promote goodwill and cooperation between humans and Transformers.

While covering an auto show where Blaster was operating undercover, Lumina Hoshi was unfortunately present when a large section of lighting broke free from the ceiling and came hurtling down upon a crowd of people. Luckily, Blaster was able to transform in time and catch the lights before they could squash everyone. Blaster was then left to nervously explain his presence to the onlookers as Lumina apologized for the technical difficulties to her viewers. {{storylink|Binaltech Asterisk (online comic)|Blaster Meets Lumina}}

{{-}}

=====''15 Go! Go!''=====
[[Image:TGGBlaster.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Don't be cryin'—here's a lion!"]]
As [[Teletraan 15]] lay recuperating from her Galvatron-inflicted injuries, a voice came from a nearby boombox, remarking that the song in her heart sounded lonely.

Transforming into his towering robot mode, Blaster told 15 that a princess like her deserved a more cheerful song. After listening to her problems, he advised her not to worry about what she ought to do and suggested that she concentrate on doing what she loved best. He told her that as individuals, sentient beings are notes, and that together, they become music.

He handed her a small cassette tape and told her that whenever she was depressed, she should listen to music. She thanked him as he left.

Despite Blaster's good intentions, the tape turned out to be full of depressing music. It also turned out to be [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]. {{storylink|Blaster Volume}}

=====''Kiss Players Position''=====
Blaster hand-picked [[Rosanna (KP)|Rosanna]] to join his cassette team, feeling that she was the only [[Autobot]] who properly understood his love of music.

He was later appointed by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] as the Producer of the [[Kiss Players (singing group)|Kiss Players]] singing group, of which Rosanna became a founding member. {{storylink|Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players Position}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Hm blaster1.jpg|left|150px|thumb|OOH YEAH MACHO MACHINE WITH THE ELBOW DROP OFF THE TOP ROPE! SNAP INTO A SLIM JIM! MISS ELIZABETH!!]]

Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Blaster briefly engaged the Decepticons with his comrades.

In 2011, Blaster and his Mini-Cassettes were on Earth under Ultra Magnus's command when the Decepticons attacked Cybertron. While making their way to the [[Space Bridge]] to join their comrades, Blaster and Ultra Magnus were attacked by the new Decepticon ninja consultant, [[Sixshot]]. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

Later, Blaster joined Hot Rod in his search for the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. As they were outlining their plans, however, Blaster detected [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] spying on their conversation. Chasing the bat uncovered Soundwave and Ravage at the Autobot base as well, and after the battle Blaster vowed to one day rid the universe of his nemesis. As the search for the Matrix continued, Hot Rod and Blaster were again confronted by Soundwave in the Arctic. As the Mini-Cassette warriors dealt with each other, Blaster urged Hot Rod to go on without him: HE would deal with Soundwave. The two communications officers began blasting away at one another furiously. The fight then turned physical as Blaster ripped off one of Soundwave's arms and both combatants caved in each other's chests. Soundwave was killed -- and actually ''exploded'' due to the extent of his injuries -- but Blaster quickly succumbed to his wounds as well. With his last words, he urged Hot Rod to find the Matrix. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

[[Image:Twincast emerges.jpg|right|150px|thumb|I'm blue da ba dee da ba die...]]

All the Autobots were content to leave Blaster as a corpse until [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] and Blaster's cassette forces whined enough to have their pal resurrected. Blaster was then brought back online via [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]]' [[Master (planet)|Master]] technology, as the yellow and blue repaint '''Twincast'''. Coincidentally, the Decepticons reanimated Soundwave as the black-as-coal Soundblaster. The two arch-enemies then renewed their struggle. Soundblaster was the key figure in controlling Galvatron new WMD, the [[Madmachine]]. Twincast and his Mini-Cassettes infiltrated Trypticon and learned that Soundblaster was broadcasting from [[Chaar]]. He single-handedly overpowered the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s to access the Decepticon Space Bridge, and made his way to Decepticon headquarters on Chaar. In the control room, Twincast struck Soundblaster hard enough to shake loose the sonic conductor he had been installed with to control the Madmachine, and blew it to smithereens. With a jaunty wave, Twincast said, "Well, I must be going!" and returned to the Autobots. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

Later on, Twincast reported to Rodimus Prime that the Decepticons were gathering on Earth, in preparation for raiding Cybertron via the Space Bridge. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} He also served as the Autobots' karaoke machine at parties. [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] loves karaoke. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}}

In order to learn more about the Decepticons' plans, Twincast sent Ramhorn and Steeljaw to Chaar on a reconnaissance mission. They reported back on Scorponok's scheme to harness [[plasma energy]], like that which was released by Cybertron's destruction. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} He also managed to follow Sixshot to Chaar over the Space Bridge (doesn't anyone GUARD that thing anymore?!), and witnessed the activation of Scorponok's MegaZarak [[Transtector]]. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

Presumably because of his role as a communications officer, Twincast was aware of [[Punch (G1)|Punch]]'s undercover duties with the Decepticons as [[Counterpunch (G1)|Counterpunch]]. After the Headmasters clashed with Scorponok near Chaar, he alerted Fortress that Punch had arrived to make his latest report. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}} Later, Twincast learned that the Decepticons planned to raid the energy supplies Ultra Magnus was sending to the destitute planet [[Sandra]]. His warning only arrived a few short moments before the Decepticons did. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

When Fortress and the Headmasters pursued the Decepticons out into space, Twincast joined them on the expedition. {{storylink|Fight to the Death on Susei!!}} He was with the Headmasters when they investigated an SOS call from the planet [[Daros]]. {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}} On [[Paradise]], Twincast used his Mini-Cassettes to scout the countryside and locate the Decepticons. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} He was also active when the Autobots came to the [[Pirate Planet]], watching for Decepticon activity. His scouting patrol came by a sealed pyramid in time to pull [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to safety when Galvatron arrived looking for energy. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}}

After the Autobots returned to Earth, Twincast helped investigate the sudden flurry of Decepticon attacks. He released his collection of Mini-Cassettes to seek out information, and personally accompanied Steeljaw on an investigation to an Autobot outpost in Alaska. Upon arriving, they discovered Scorponok had wiped out the outpost. Twincast and Steeljaw were spotted by Sixshot, who opened fire on them. Twincast demanded Steeljaw return to Autobot City with the information they had uncovered, while he stayed behind to cover the retreat. Steeljaw reluctantly left his commander to his fate, and Twincast was ultimately blasted into a ravine by Sixshot's Wingwolf mode. Steeljaw eventually returned with reinforcements, and Twincast was taken in for repairs. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

Twincast reported to a series of caves where the Headmasters were searching for [[plasma energy]] bombs left behind by Scorponok and the Decepticons when they departed Earth. He joined the Headmasters aboard the Battleship Maximus as they tried to get the massively powerful explosives a safe distance away from Earth. When they came across a group of [[Targetmaster|six refugees]] fleeing the planet Master, Twincast used his interpretive skills to translate their strange language. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}} On the planet Master, Twincast was among the Autobots when the kidnapped scientist, [[Jack (Headmasters)|Jack]], suddenly returned to their midst. Prompted by the suspicious [[Pointblank]], Twincast scanned Jack and discovered the Decepticons had installed a time bomb inside him. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)}} Twincast was also among the Autobots debating whether [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]'s life was worth the secret of the [[Master Sword]]. {{storylink|The Master Sword Is in Danger!!}}

Twincast joined the entire Autobot army in journeying to the North Pole. There they battled Scorponok and his minions to stop the [[crysmag metal]] towers from destroying the planet Earth. Twincast saved Chromedome and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] from [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnotic spell by dumping his entire chest full of Mini-Cassettes on the evil Headmaster. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

{{-}}

=====''Generation 2'' story pages=====
[[Image:BlasterG2.jpg|left|180px|thumb|There's so much I don't understand about this image.]]

After [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] forged the [[Cybertron Alliance]], Twincast returned to his original form as Blaster for reasons unknown, adopting a new [[Action Master]] body in the process. {{storylink|G-2 (story page)|G-2 Part 3}}

{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:BlasterUS17.jpg|left|200px|thumb|More than likely, he'll kill you. Yeah, you. You know who you are.]]
Blaster was a rather grim, brooding, rebellious loner who hated Decepticons with a passion. And while he was one of the best kickass fighters the [[Autobot|Autobots]] had he had a bit of a problem with authority. Part of [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s Autobot resistance cell on Cybertron, he often disagreed with his superior's orders, especially after his friend [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] went missing and Blaster wanted to hunt for him. Unfortunately, he found him in the Decepticons' [[smelting pool]]. Blaster was too late to save Scrounge's life, but he did retrieve the last bit of data the little spy had uncovered, so Scrounge didn't die in vain.

[[Image:Powerglideblastercybertronic.jpg|right|150px|thumb|And you thought the 1980s cellphones were huge.]]
This information brought new hope to the Autobot resistance, as it revealed that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots on the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' were still alive and well after four million years, fighting on a planet called Earth. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}} Shortly after Scrounge was killed, Blaster took part in an assault on [[Darkmount]], where he engaged and seemingly destroyed the Decepticon commander [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]], before using the [[space bridge]] to flee to Earth. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}

Upon arriving on Earth, Blaster was among the Autobots deactivated and disassembled by [[Circuit Breaker]] and [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} He was later released and, ''after a brief skirmish with the crazed future Decepticon known as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] {{storylink|Fallen Angel (issue)|Fallen Angel}},'' joined the other Earthbound Autobots at the ''Ark'' shortly before Optimus Prime's death. Blaster was one of the Autobots who voted for [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] to be the new Autobot leader, though he soon came to regret this decision. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

Blaster developed a reluctant friendship with [[Goldbug (G1)|Goldbug]], whose more naturally upbeat personality provided the Boy Wonder to his Batman. After an encounter with the [[Mechanic (G1)|Mechanic]], Blaster and Goldbug went AWOL from Grimlock's command, having grown tired of his aggressive orders and increasing disregard for humans. {{storylink|Mechanical Difficulties!}}

For this disobedience (and their failure to capture the Mechanic), Grimlock branded Blaster and Goldbug traitors and sent the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] to hunt them down. They eventually captured Blaster, but after he saved their lives from the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], they realized Grimlock's orders were purely vengeful and let him go. {{storylink|Used Autobots}} {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}}

[[Image:Blasterbeourleaderplease.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"BLASTER, BE OUR LEADER, PLEAAAASE???"]]
Blaster finally returned to the Ark, where his fellow Autobots begged him to take over as leader. However, he was forced to surrender to his former commander when Grimlock threatened the safety of several Earth children. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}}

[[Image:Variablevoltageharnessblaster.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Maybe they should have called it a Constant Sarcasm Harness.]]
Imprisoned by Grimlock, Blaster was strapped to a [[variable voltage harness]] as punishment for his desertion and disobedience. However, when [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and his Autobots arrived and Grimlock challenged him to a duel, Blaster took Fortress Maximus's place. Their duel was interrupted by a Decepticon attack. When Blaster pointed out that their feud had put all Autobots in danger, Grimlock agreed to call their duel a draw and declared a truce with Blaster as they fended off the Decepticons side by side. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

While Blaster and [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s girlfriend [[Jesse]] failed to rescue the young boy from the Decepticons' [[Club Con|island resort/base]], they proved instrumental in discovering the upcoming arrival of the legendary Transformers database, the [[Underbase]]. {{storylink|Club Con!}} ''Then Blaster, Prime, [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] [[Highbrow (G1)|and]] [[Brainstorm|three]] [[Hardhead (G1)|newcomers]] were temporarily displaced into [[Limbo]] to make room for [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] [[Kup (G1)|and]] [[Blurr (G1)|his]] [[Arcee (G1)|own]] [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|little]] [[Red Alert (G1)|band.]] {{storylink|Time Wars (issue)|Time Wars}}'' Like many other Transformers, Blaster was killed fighting the [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], shot dead atop the Brooklyn Bridge in [[New York City|New York]]. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

[[Image:Marvel77-Blaster.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He used to be badass, now he's just a poor man's Perceptor...]]
Blaster was later among the first Autobots resurrected by Grimlock with [[Nucleon]]. Arriving on Cybertron in the nick of time aboard the ''Ark'', he took part in and survived the battle with [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} In the aftermath, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] had Blaster run a check on the strange seismic activity Cybertron was suffering from, with disastrous results. It turned out Cybertron was tearing itself apart without the binding life-force of [[Primus]] to sustain it. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Prowl had the Autobots plan for a peaceful co-departure with the Decepticons.

[[Image:EndOfTheRoad-finalfive.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Spared not because I was super awesome earlier, but probably because I have a new Action Master toy.]]

Fat chance. Bludgeon and his army sabotaged the Autobot shuttles and took off to lay waste to the next world they found. Thanks to Grimlock planning ahead, the Autobots managed to follow, but were caught in a trap as the Decepticons lay waiting for them. Blaster was one of the few Autobots present to survive the initial Decepticon ambush on [[Klo]]. He took a blast in the shoulder from [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], but there was still more than enough fight left in Blaster to join Grimlock and the other survivors in charging the Decepticon position. He was last seen shooting the head off of [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]]. [[Krunk|Uh oh.]] {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

In an alternate version of 2006, Blaster went with a group of Autobots to [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] to investigate strange happenings there. When they arrived they discovered a chaotic scene where aliens from many worlds, including the Decepticons, had arrived and were all engaged in a deadly battle with one another. Blaster detected a signal he suspected was putting all the combatants under hypnosis. He and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] came up with a plan where [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] would fly Blaster into the air where Blaster would then broadcast soothing music. The plan succeeded in calming the combatants. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

{{note|In the UK version of the story, the events of "The Big Broadcast of 2006" are a fabrication invented by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]].}}

=====Marvel UK Future Timelines=====
''In the future of 2008, Blaster was present at Autobot City when the Quintesson [[Trident]] ships attacked. He attempted to transform Autobot City himself, but was stopped cold by General [[Ghyrik]]. He was deactivated in the battle that followed and his body strung up on the outer parapets as a warning to any Autobots who came to liberate the city. Although Blaster was inactive, his cassettes were not, and this fact gave Hot Rod and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] an edge when they began battling their way through the Quintesson occupants. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

''Blaster was seen briefly in 2009 at the start of the Time Wars, but did not end up joining Rodimus Prime on his mission into the past (see above). {{storylink|Time Wars (issue)|Time Wars}} After Galvatron was destroyed back in 1989 and the time line rebooted itself, Blaster was still among the Autobots stationed at Autobot City. He responded to Kup's emergency signal when the Autobots crash landed on Earth after a crazed Rodimus Prime turned against them, and helped drive the evil possessing presence out of their leader. {{storylink|White Fire}}''

====''Another Time and Place''====
Blaster was part of the rescue unit who infiltrated [[Hydrus Four]] to defeat the Decepticons and rescue the Dinobots. He personally helped disarm and defeat [[Fangry]]. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
When Hot Rod and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] returned from [[Tau-Ursa]] with a strange recording, Blaster was able to play it. The recording revealed the existence of the [[Destructon]]s, [[Logicon]]s, and the location of [[Metascan Alpha]], the Logicons' storehouse of [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]]. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:AgeofWrath2 AutobotResistance.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Steeljaw was in the bathroom.]]
Blaster's first recorded activities took place shortly before the [[Age of Internment]]. When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] returned from self-imposed exile, he unified the disjointed Autobot factions with the help of warriors like Blaster and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. Blaster may or may not have been co-leading a fourth Autobot faction during the Dark Ages with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (in addition to those factions overseen by [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and Grimlock), but this was never made completely clear. The Autobots were ready to usher in a new Golden Age, negotiating a peace with the Decepticons and [[Ultracon|Ultracons]], when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] returned to Cybertron after a prolonged absence with his [[Aerospace Extermination Squadron]]. With his new army, Megatron ushered in an Age of Internment, with virtually the entire Autobot army forced to serve as slaves digging under the city-state of [[Praxus]].

Virtually.

A small faction of Autobots remained free, operating under the command of Blaster and Perceptor in the subterranean chambers of [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]] Command. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath issue 2}} This resistance unit coordinated several different plans in the hopes of one day overthrowing Megatron's rule over Cybertron. One plan involved the capture and analysis of one of the AXS drones, in order to learn more about Megatron's new [[Cloning|clone technology]]. Blaster oversaw this mission from a distance, using his abilities to jam any emergency transmissions while [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and several other Autobots engaged the drone in battle long enough to attach an inhibitor claw, immobilizing it. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath issue 3}}
{{-}}
{{note|Dreamwave's subsequent backruptcy ended the story half-way, leaving it up to speculation how the capture of the drone and the eventual return of Optimus Prime worked into the defeat of Megatron and the end of the Age of Internment.}}

[[Image:PassiveAggression Blaster lovesEarth.jpg|left|300px|thumb|]]
Millions of years later, Blaster was one of the first Autobots who joined the resistance movement against [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s so-called "unified" Cybertronian government, sensing things were rotten in the city-state of Iacon. He joined up with several like-minded 'Bots under the supervision of [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] to coordinate a rise against the one-eyed tyrant. Blaster's efforts helped the Autobots uncover a subliminal code being pumped through the public address screens around the planet. It seemed that, for whatever reason, Shockwave was intentionally aggravating the violent tendencies of the entire population. Despite his feelings for Shockwave, Blaster still developed a strong taste for information from the Earth culture Shockwave was introducing to Cybertron. He even modified his alternate mode into a Earthen tapedeck. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

When Optimus Prime and the crew of the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] were returned to Cybertron by Shockwave's forces, double agents inside the United Cybertronian force delivered Prime and his crew to Blaster and the others at their headquarters in the [[Wastelands]]. With the help of Cybertron's greatest hero, the resistance movement began an open insurrection against Shockwave's loyal Decepticon forces and the [[Guardian Robot|Guardian Robots]] under his control. Shockwave's regime fell, and the Autobots resumed command of Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

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===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
In the year 1985, Blaster and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] hastily took off for [[Earth]] in an starship poorly-suited for interstellar travel. Upon arrival, they unsurprisingly crashed, landing in the forests of [[Oregon]] near [[Mount St. Hilary]]. They were discovered there by a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] team led by [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]]. {{storylink|Targets of Opportunity}}

{{note|Due to Dreamwave's bankruptcy, Blaster and Perceptor's motivations for coming to Earth — and pretty much anything else — were never revealed.}}

===IDW ''Hearts of Steel'' comics===
Blaster and his fellow Autobots fought the Decepticons on Earth in the distant past until an incoming ice age threatened to deactivate all the Transformers. Both sides went into hiding underground until the danger had passed, remaining in stasis until the mid-19th century. When they woke up, the war against the Decepticons started anew, though Blaster was not seen getting involved. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1}}

===IDW comics continuity===

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

[[Image:SpotlightBlaster REVENGE.jpg|right|150px|thumb|I'm Batman.]]
Blaster was known as The Voice, a patriotic broadcaster who used his gift with words to rally Autobots whose faith was lacking, or who were in a bad way. He was such a positive influence on the Autobots, it was arranged that he be assassinated. The attempt failed, but Blaster's damaged body was ejected into space. Picked up by a passing [[Yar|trawler]], he was delivered home, where it was revealed that he had to have been attacked by an Autobot. In an effort to flush the traitor out, Blaster went back on the air. The attempt worked, and his would-be killer was revealed: [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]. [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] had used [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to implant a [[cerebro-shell]] and ordered him to kill Blaster. However, he was able to resist when Blaster used his greatest weapon: his voice. As a damaged Beachcomber was brought in for repairs, Blaster swore he'd find Soundwave and that the last thing he'd ever hear would be... the Voice. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Over the next year, Blaster began working alongside the [[Wreckers]], and was recruited into a new elite fighting unit on-board the ''[[Trion]]'' by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Drift}} As the ship's communications officer, Blaster started catching large amounts of distress signals before everything suddenly went quiet, and all contact with other Autobots was lost. Eventually, he caught a distress signal from [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and the crew of the ''Trion'' went to save the turbo-revvin' young punk from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. The day was saved by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], although Blaster disapproved of the scientist's transformation into a warrior, saying he had "defiled himself". {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Lost & Found}}

{{note|It is unclear whether Blaster became an official member of the Wreckers before Kup cannibalized that team to make his own strike force.}}

Blaster and the others harried the Decepticon fleet until they were baited into an ambush above Cybertron. There, the ship was shot down and forced to crash-land on the assumed uninhabitable world. Banding together to survive, they eventually encountered Optimus Prime's unit, only to find him incapacitated, the Matrix having been seized by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}} Blaster mingled with the other Autobots for a while, but he didn't feel like having The Voice around raised their morale much. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}} He later warned Kup about an incoming [[Insecticon swarm|swarm]] attack that forced them to relocate. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8}} With morale still dwindling, Blaster attempted to break up a fight between Hot Rod and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], but was interrupted by [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] telling them they all deserved to die. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9}}

The Autobots were eventually saved when [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] decimated the swarm and carried them all to Earth, where they attacked [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and his troops (which included Soundwave, but Blaster probably didn't know that). Blaster was ordered to block the Decepticons' communications, allowing the arrival of Omega Supreme to take them completely by surprise. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11}} He survived the great battle. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12}}

Blaster remained on Earth with the other Autobots for the next three years, as they regathered their forces. [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] radioed in to Blaster when [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] got himself nabbed by [[Skywatch]], an event which led to the death of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and the resignation of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}}

After [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] was named the new leader of the Autobots and formed an alliance with [[Gordon Horiuchi]] of Skywatch, Blaster was among the Autobots who captured [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and other Decepticons for their new allies. {{storylink|The Hanging Sword}} Unfortunately, Horiuchi betrayed the Autobots and forced them to hunt one of their own kind, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. Bumblebee managed to get free from Horiuchi's control, and so Blaster and the others stayed behind to cover for him as he sought a solution for their problems. {{storylink|The Impossible Knot}} They pretended to be making plans to hunt down [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] while Bumblebee recovered the control tech Skywatch was using to keep them in line. {{storylink|The Gift Horse}} Bumblebee was successful, and Blaster was later present when Bumblebee unveiled his new, more powerful form, to better serve as Autobot leader. {{storylink|Wings of Wax}}
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==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Blaster toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Still think you're so superior, Soundwave?"]]
* '''Blaster''' (Autobot, 1985/1986/2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''38''', '''TFC-21'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Electro-scrambler|Electro-Scrambler]] Gun

: Originally a ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' "Radi-Casse Robo" ("radio-cassette", you see), Blaster transforms into a miniature "ghetto blaster" boombox with a fold-out carrying handle. Pressing the "eject" button pops open his tape door, which can store a single micro-cassette Transformer. Due to a possible common internal misassembly issue, many original Blasters had doors which would not open when the eject button is pressed, nor would the other buttons work.

:In robot mode Blaster is freaking huge by the standards of ''Generation 1'' Transformers, towering over most Autobots and Decepticons. He has rather limited (useful) articulation, located in his neck and shoulders.

: Blaster is not a functional AM radio like his original ''Microchange'' toy, but has some left over parts from it, such as the molded power switch above the left speaker, the earphone jack behind the right speaker and the tuning dial next to the tape door. Some releases of Blaster still retain the opening back from the ''Microchange'' release (see Notes).

: Blaster was re-released in 2006 as part of the "[[Transformers Collection]]" "bookbox" series, packaged with [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Blaster/blaster.htm More information on Blaster at TFU.info]''

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[[Image:ActionMasterBlaster toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Which gun is better?]]
*'''Blaster w/ Flight Pack''' (Action Master, 1990)
**''Accessories:'' "Flight Pack" backpack, "tractor beam electron gun"

: A non-transforming action figure, [[Action Master]] Blaster (not to be confused with the "Action Master Blasters" price-point) is compatible with any other Action Master vehicle or accessory. His design is based largely on his cartoon model, with elements from the toy added (like his visor). He came with the "[[Flight Pack]]" accessory, which converts from a winged jetpack to a massive "electro-scrambler" cannon.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1990/Autobot/Blaster/blaster.htm More information on Action Master Blaster at TFU.info]''

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===The Headmasters===
* '''Twincast''' (Autobot, 1987/2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-116'''
**''Accessories:'' Electro-Scrambler Gun

: The first Blaster toy was [[Redeco|redecoed]] and had its tape-door [[Retool|retooled]] in order to accommodate two cassettes at once. The clear-plastic part of the door was also changed to clear-red, so when certain cassettes were placed inside, the "secret plans" decals on them would reveal the "weak point" of either [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] or [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], much like using the [[Tech Spec decoder]]s. He came with Steeljaw, who was given one of these new decals.

: In 2006, Twincast was reissued as an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]], this time packaged with the new character [[Flip Sides (G1)|Flip Sides]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Cybertron/Twincast/twincast.htm More information on Twincast at TFU.info]''
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===Binaltech Asterisk===
[[Image:Bta broadblast.jpg|right|300px|thumb|They see me rollin', they hatin'.]]
*'''Broadblast meets Lumina''' (Binaltech, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BTA03'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun, Lumina Hoshi with stand, driving arms and driving legs

: A redeco of ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], "Broadblast" transforms into a 1:24 scale [[wikipedia:Scion_xB|Toyota bB, aka the Scion xB]]. He has working doors, hood, and trunk, plus his engine becomes a non-firing weapon. He also comes with an extra decal sheet, which includes signs for "TBN" which ''possibly'' stands for "Transformers Broadcast Network" or some such; there is Japanese text on the labels as well, but it's really tiny and hard to make out.

: He came with a PVC-plastic figurine of the [[human]] newsgirl [[Lumina Hoshi]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/Broadblast/broadblast.htm More information on Binaltech Asterisk Blaster at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Attacktix===
*'''Blaster'''

: Blaster was likely to have been one of several ''Transformers [[Attacktix]]'' Booster pieces, using a powerful spring-loaded "blaster" missile launcher attack. Though displayed as part of the ''Attacktix'' display at the ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' "Celebration IV" convention, he —and all the other pieces revealed at the show— were ultimately never released.

{{canceledtoy}}

===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
[[Image:Blasteruniversetoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Preparations for the military strike, dubbed Operation Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication Storm, are already underway.]]
*'''Autobot Blaster with Blockrock Mini-Con!''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Tri-barrel "particle feedback blaster"/bomb, double-barrel "harmonic wave cannon"/bomb, Cybertron Autobot Cyber Key (Clear black plastic, silver border, red insignia)

: Blaster is a redeco of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], transforming into a Cybertronic stealth bomber vaguely like an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-117A Nighthawk prototype]], the [[Wikipedia:Have_Blue|Have Blue]]. He comes with three hexagonal prism "bombs"; one converts into his partner [[Blockrock]], the other two unfold into non-firing blaster weapons. Any one of these "bombs" can be stored in his robot-mode chest, which opens by plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into him (his is a gunmetal-bordered clear-plastic [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]-style Autobot Key). The other two bombs store in indents on the underside of his wings.

[[Image:Blaster-U08-boxart.jpg|left|100px|thumb|If only...]]
: His packaging art shows him with only half of his chest-door as clear-blue, emulating the original toy design's tape-window, but the final product (and stock photography) show the blue all the way across. However, his visor ''does'' have red paint to simulate the "goggle visor" look of the [[#Generation 1|original toy]] and Marvel comics model.

: This mold was also used to make ''Galaxy Force'' [[Soundblaster (Cybertron)|Soundblaster]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUBlaster/blaster.htm More information on Classics Blaster at TFU.info]''

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====G1 Series====
[[Image:Universe2008_SDCC_G1Blaster.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Autobot Blaster''' (2010)
**''Accessories:'' Electro-Scrambler Gun
:This San Diego Comic-Con [[exclusive]] reissue of Blaster comes with [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] and [[Eject]]. Released as part of the [[Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'' (2008) toyline]], the packaging also has a special foil-detailed outer slip case. Blaster is technically a slight [[redeco]], having metal-flake beige legs instead of metallic-swirl silver, and his stickers come pre-applied.

:This set was also made available at the Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong Fair 2010, and was later released on the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] and then also sold at FanExpo Canada 2010.
{{-}}

===Device Label===
[[Image:Device_Label_Broadcast.jpg|thumb|right|300px|What, not a real notebook?! You are the REAL ''Decept''icon!!]]
*'''Broad Blast''' ([[July 24|7/24]]/2010)
**''Accessories:'' USB cable

:''[[Device Label]]'' Broad Blast transforms into a working USB hub (designed to look like the Toshiba Qosmio laptop computer). The USB functionality works in both robot and laptop modes. Generation 1 Mini-Cassettes can fit into the false tape-deck in his chest in robot mode, but cannot be stored while Broad Blast is in laptop mode due to his head being inside his chest in this form. The Generation 1 Blaster toy's Electro-Scrambler Gun can also fit into Broad Blast's [[5mm post|compatible fist holes]].

:Originally scheduled for release in late [[2009]], Broad Blast was delayed until July 2010. According to a report from getnews.jp at the Tokyo Toy Show 2010, the delay was due to the discovery of a connection cut-off problem after the toy/USB hub is transformed into robot mode. TakaraTomy redesigned the entire lower body to fix this problem. <ref>[http://getnews.jp/archives/68064 Get News.jp report on Device Label Broadblast]</ref>

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
==Merchandise==
===Decoy===
*'''Blaster''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''29'''

: Like all [[Decoy]]s, the decoy Blaster was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Decoys/Blaster/blaster.htm More information on Decoy Blaster at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroesblasterthrust.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Waiting futilely for Robot Heroes Scrounge.]]
*'''Blaster and Thrust''' (2008)

:Part of the third wave of ''Universe'' ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', "Generation 1 Series" Blaster comes packaged with [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]. He has the standard shoulders-and-neck articulation. His headsculpt is more toy-based than cartoon-based, featuring his "goggles" (even though his eyes kind of pop out from them).
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/RHBlaster/blaster.htm More information on Robot Heroes Blaster at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

==Notes==
* The [[Pre-Transformer|pre-''Transformers'']] version of Blaster was actually a functioning AM radio. The ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' release of the toy came with a microcassette-sized radio that plugged in to Radi-Casse Robo, which had internal wiring that allowed the radio to play through the speakers in its legs. The big hole in his Electro-Scrambler rifle is an earphone storage space, while the cord can be wrapped around the gun and the plug connects to the hole in the gun's stock. Despite popular belief, the compartment in the back of some Blaster toys was not a remnant of a battery compartment, but was actually storage for one of the transforming microcassettes, since a plug kept them from fitting in the cassette door. The battery compartment was actually in one of his legs.

* According to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] on a [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]], Blaster's visor is retractable. He uses it to shield his especially delicate optical sensors from sunlight.

* The packaging for Twincast's e-Hobby reissue was the same generic [[Decepticon]]-scheme box used to package [[Magnificus (G1)|Magnificus]]. However, since Flip Sides is technically a Decepticon, it... sorta works.

* According to Blaster himself on the UK letters page, he has two [[Relatives|siblings]]: [[Toaster]] and [[Karmen]]. And then there's [[Bluster]], his retroactively-created and less-seen brother.

* Blaster hosted the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Marvel UK comic's letters page]] for the final 33 issues (from [[Rhythms of Darkness!|issue #300]] to [[End of the Road! (US)|issue #332]]), to tie in with his Action Master toy. Here, the letters page was dubbed "Darn 'n' Blast," replacing [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind's]] "Dread Tidings" (despite Dreadwind's holing himself up in the Marvel offices. He was finally evicted by Blaster who complained that Dreadwind had decorated the office in all purple and orange with a solitary picture of a dog with sad eyes). His characterization in the letters page is more in line with his fun-loving, hip and happening self from the cartoon than the rather grim, brooding, rebellious loner seen in the comics. He arrived on the letters page in advance of his resurrection in the comics itself, which did not occur until [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #321]]. He was explicitly identified as being a non-transformer Action Master, though his partner Flight Pack did not appear.

* Blaster had a different appearance in the 1980s between the cartoon and the Marvel comic series. His head in the comic was closer to the toy and depicted him with goggles, while the cartoon drew him with regular eyes and a large forehead. By [[On the Edge of Extinction!|late 1990]], however, Blaster's head in the comics more closely resembled the cartoon appearance. This did come after he was revived by Nucleon, though, so maybe this was his side-effect?
** The toy-based head was drawn by [[Don Perlin]] and [[José Delbo]], while [[Herb Trimpe]] (covers, [[G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]), [[Geoff Senior]] (issue 75) and [[Andrew Wildman]] (issues 76-80) drew Blaster's head based on the cartoon version. All versions were colored by [[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]], who gave Blaster a red forehead and yellow face (a combination never used on a toy, or in the cartoon).

* Blaster's absence from the second half of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' is often a talking point among fans. It stems from a deleted plotline from early drafts of the movie, in which he would have led several other 1984 and '85 Autobots as a team of guerilla fighters, defending Earth against the Decepticons while Ultra Magnus and the other Autobots went into space to stop Unicron from feeding on the energy of the planet.

* Since the release of ''Universe'' Blaster, there seems to be an attempt on the part of tech spec writers to balance Marvel's dark and brooding portrayal of Blaster with the rock 'n' roll loving version from the original US cartoon. The ''Universe'' write-up has Blaster organizing resistance cells with Perceptor (with NO mention of his musical interests), recalling the storyline in US comic #17-18. The 2010 San Diego Comic Convention release of the figure not only mentions Blaster's love of music ("Any music, from Cybertronian magna marches to down and dirty D.C. hardcore"), it references "his hatred of the Decepticons," because "the war they started killed the music scene (and most of the musicians) on Cybertron"--combining Blaster's varying personalities from these two continuities into one.
** This also means Blaster is a fan of Bad Brains and Minor Threat. That rules '''so hard.'''

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Binaltech Asterisk characters]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Communications specialists]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Autobots]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]