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Tracks (G1)

2011-12-26T00:43:07Z

184.13.196.220:

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Tracks}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{{-}}

====Generation 2====
Tracks was operating out of [[Autobase]] on Earth after the Autobots began confronting the threat of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]]. When [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] agreed to join forces with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prime]], Tracks began working closely with the Decepticon [[Rotor Force]] members [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] and [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]]. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides. {{storylink|Total War!}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

During the battle for [[Sherma Bridge]] early in the war, Tracks and all other combatants dropped what they were doing to watch the first duel between Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

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

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

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

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

Eventually, Skywatch realized that the Autobots were good guys and formed an alliance with them, freeing Tracks in the process. He and the other Autobots fled the Skywatch base after a Decepticon attack, were chased by angry humans for a while, then were soundly defeated in battle with a newly upgraded Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies}}

Tracks was present at the Autobot base when Hot Rod (now calling himself Rodimus) showed up to warn everyone that Cybertron, which was habitable again, had been conquered by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The Autobots quickly left Earth to reclaim their home planet. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}}

Tracks was among the Autobots poised to fight against [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s army on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Led by [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], he and the other Autobot fliers attacked [[Kimia Facility]] and fought with the many [[Sweep]]s defending it. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Tracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''44''', '''TFC-4'''
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

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

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

: The European version of Tracks, released by Hasbro's newly acquired [[Milton Bradley]] subsidiary, was initially available in red, based on the original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme (the toy is also featured in red on the mural scene on the back of 1985 Transformers packaging). In fact, it is believed (based on very plausible evidence) that this red Tracks, as well as the rest of last-minute second wave of MB-branded Transformers toys released in 1985, was actually a ''Diaclone'' toy originally released by French company [[Joustra]] taken out of its packaging, given a [[rubsign]] and put in an MB Transformers box when Hasbro/MB acquired Joustra's still unsold ''Diaclone'' stock.<ref name="mbjoustra">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ "MB Transformers: Part 4"] at 20th Century Toy Collector.</ref> When Hasbro's name replaced the MB branding on European Transformers packaging, many of the MB-branded toys were re-released in the new packaging. The "Hasbro"-branded version of Tracks now sported the same blue color as his US counterpart.<ref name="maz">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=mb "Milton Bradley and the Transformers Red Tracks" at TF-1.com]</ref>

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]], an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] redeco based on the red European version.

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

{{-}}
*'''Tracks''' (Classic Hero, 1991)
: Tracks was re-released in Europe in 1991 as part of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line, again in his standard blue Transformers color scheme.

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

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

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

{{-}}

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

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

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

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

{{-}}

===Transformers Collection===
*'''Tracks''' (2002)
: Tracks was reissued by [[Takara]] on [[September 27]] of 2002 as part of their "book-box" ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' series of [[Generation 1 reissues|reissues]].

===Commemorative Series===
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2003)
: Tracks was reissued by [[Hasbro]] as part of the [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series V]]'', now officially named "Autobot Tracks" for trademark reasons.

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

:The ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'' toy of Tracks transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Z06]] featuring opening doors, an opening hood with an engine block underneath, a realistic interior and a "steering" mechanism that makes the front wheels move in unison. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his Generation 1 self, though with one major difference: The roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a [[Kibble#.22Faux-parts.22|pseudo-car-roof]] chest piece that folds down. His large shoulder pads, formed from the rear halves of the car, give the impression of the wings his original toy had. He is armed with his double-barreled engine gun, two pairs of double-barreled, slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, making him the most heavily armed ''Alternators'' toy.

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Binaltech'' line with a yellow paint job. The Hasbro version was initially also intended to be released in yellow first, with a [[Variant#Running changes|running change]] to blue intended to come out later. However, when problems with the yellow plastic were discovered at the [[prototype|test shot]] stage, Hasbro decided to scrap the yellow version and released the toy in blue from the get-go. There is no evidence that the yellow Hasbro version ever made it to the packaging stage, therefore any [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|rumors]] that the toy was shipped to stores and then recalled are unsubstantiated. A blue ''Binaltech'' variant was later also released to match the Hasbro version, which retroactively replaced the yellow version as the "main" color variant in Takara's promotional material for the line (even though the blue version's packaging and [[instructions|instruction booklet]] still depict the yellow version).

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

: Due to only shipping in two [[wave]]s, Tracks initially ended up as one of the rarer ''Alternators'' toys. When Hasbro tried to relaunch the line in 2006, a re-released Tracks (with no changes other than the different packaging) was part of the first wave of the new assortment. Ironically, the re-released Tracks ended up as a [[shelfwarmer]] this time around.

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

: The original prototype for Tracks (seen in the Takara [[stock photography|stock photos]] on the toy's packaging and in the instruction booklet) featured a spring-loaded trigger mechanism for the arm cannons, which was changed to the final toy's manually deployed cannon mechanism starting with the test shot stage.

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

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

: Part of the fifth wave of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Deluxe class toys, Turbo Tracks transforms from a blue sports car into a winged robot. Tracks comes with three [[C joint|C clip]] weapons, one of which can be handheld, while the missile launchers clip behind his head, a callback to his G1 toy. He can also assume the flying car mode as on the original toy by folding out the wings in car mode and moving the missile launchers from under the doors to tabs on a rotatable flipout panel just behind the rear window. This configuration frees up the launchers' clips, allowing [[Cyberverse]] accessories to be attached. His main gun can then attach to his underside. As part of the first wave of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he sports a [[Rubsign]].

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

{{-}}

===United===
{{picsneeded|United toy}}
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 "black beam gun"/clip-on launcher

:''[[United (toyline)|United]]'' Autobot Tracks is a redeco of ''Transformers'' (2010 toyline) Turbo Tracks. ''United'' Tracks features a more detailed paint deco, including metallic blue paint on his blue plastic panels, a Generation 1-style flame hood symbol and painted rear trunk grille and tailpipes. The yellow paint on Turbo Tracks' chest is unpainted on the United version, and the yellow paint on Turbo Tracks' waist is now silver. United Tracks has light blue painted eyes to Turbo Tracks' unpainted smoky gray. United Tracks also has a more detailed rear in car mode, featuring painted exhausts, a silver grill detail, as well as the painted taillights like on Turbo Tracks. Unlike a good portion of Turbo Tracks figures, the red paint on United Tracks' face comes all the way up to the crest of his helmet. Despite all these changes, the two figures have identical (or nearly identical) plastic colors. As with all ''United'' versions of the ''Transformers'' (2010) toys, Tracks lacks a heat-sensitive rub sign, replacing it with a [[tampograph]]ed Autobot sigil.

:The Japanese Instructions show to flip down the rear tires while the car is in Flight Mode.
{{-}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* Not that there's anything wrong with that.

* But really. He's not gay.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Tracks''' (トラックス ''Torakkusu'')
*''French:'' '''Le Sillage''' (Canada, "The Trail")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Vagány''' ("Tough guy")
*''Italian:'' '''Puma'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rasto''' (Portugal comic, "Track"), '''Trilho''' (Brazil comic, "Track")
*''Russian:'' '''Krah''' (Крах, "Failure")

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

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

Talk:Aligned timeline

2011-12-26T00:08:49Z

184.13.196.220:

Do we need to have a seperate section for the Rescue Bots? So far I don't see anything that implies that they can't exist in the "main" Prime universe. [[User:Tom Servo the Great|Tom Servo the Great]] 23:17, 22 December 2011 (EST)
:I would think not. It all seems to be one (mostly) coherent timeline thus far (barring a few contradiction hiccups between such things as WFC and Exodus). --[[Special:Contributions/184.13.196.220|184.13.196.220]] 19:08, 25 December 2011 (EST)

Aligned continuity family

2011-12-26T00:07:09Z

184.13.196.220: /* Creative vision */

{{noname-unconfirmed}}
[[Image:Hasbrobible-OPrimedescription.jpg|350px|thumb|Optimus Prime's depiction in Hasbro's brand bible at the center of the aligned continuity family.]]
The '''Aligned continuity family''' was launched in 2010 with the intention of being the foundation of most ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' projects for the decade to come.<ref name="decade">[[Hasbro Q&A/January 2011: Answers|TFWiki.net Hasbro Q&A, Jan. 2011]]</ref> Its core is the "[[Binder of Revelation]]",<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/botcon-2011-coverage-hasbro-intellectual-property-panel/21870/ Seibertron.com Botcon 2011 Coverage: Hasbro Intellectual Property Panel]</ref> a 354-page<ref>[http://www.figures.com/forums/news/13305-botcon-2011-hasbro-panel-report.html Figures.com recap of Hasbro BotCon 2011 panel]</ref> [[production bible|brand bible]] co-written by [[Aaron Archer]], [[Rik Alvarez]] and other Transformer experts from [[Hasbro]] and the [[fandom]], charting billions of years worth of history for the Transformers.<ref>''[[Transformers Vault]]''.</ref> The [[Continuity family|family]] currently comprises the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' franchises,<ref name="aligned">[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/8189/20/ Hasbro continuity declaration]</ref> and it has some influence on [[Transformers Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] character portrayal.<ref name="newaligned">[http://www.tfviews.com/news/main/hasbro-q-and-a/1024 TFviews.com Hasbro Q&A, July 2010]</ref>

Hasbro has not given this family an official title. We have derived the name "Aligned" from Hasbro statements referring to this as a new "aligned continuity".<ref name="aligned" /><ref name="newaligned" /> Hasbro considered the whole continuity "a bit of an animal to define".<ref name="allspark2011botcon"/>

==Creative vision==
The Aligned venture appears to be Hasbro's attempt at synthesizing a grand unified [[continuity]] out of all of the previous lore. An expression of this can be seen in the Hall of Fame profiles, one of which was officially confirmed as being "based off of" Aligned continuity.<ref name="newaligned" /> That one and several others present each character as an amalgam of traits from disparate continuities, ranging from ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' to the [[Unicron Trilogy]] to the [[live-action film series]] and more (see [[#Hall of Fame profiles|below]]).

This is a significant departure from Hasbro's [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|previous]] [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|forays]] into meta-continuity, which preserved the integrity of old timelines as separate, coexistent universes within a single [[multiverse]]. In that schema, the Aligned family would be simply one more [[universal stream]] added to the mix, beholden to preestablished concepts like [[Multiversal singularity|multiversal singularities]]. But when asked about how [[The Fallen|a certain singularity]] would relate to the new fiction, Hasbro replied, "Anything you know from past generations of the brand may or may not be factual in the new continuity."<ref name="fallen">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=74182&view=findpost&p=1675011 Allspark.com Hasbro Q&A, Nov. 2010]</ref> At [[BotCon 2011]], the multiverse was referred to as a "separate universe".<ref name="allspark2011botcon">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=79726 AllSpark.com live transcript of Archer and Alvarez's 2011 BotCon panel]</ref>

Where, exactly, this leaves the Aligned fiction in relation to the rest of the multiverse is unclear. [[Movie continuity|Other]] [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|contemporary]] [[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|fiction]] has continued to tell stories set in older universes, so it seems at least that Aligned material is not meant to supersede the continuities from which it draws.

==Continuities==
''See also: [[Aligned timeline]]''

Hasbro consistently refers to all Aligned fiction as one "continuity", and while different storylines may appear to contradict each other, "reasons for the confusion will be revealed".<ref name="decade" /> However, that ideal is hampered by the fact that various elements of the fiction have separate creative teams with distinct visions that sometimes conflict. For that reason, this wiki takes the more cautious route of calling it a "continuity family". The brand bible's description in ''Transformers Vault'' states it paints the Transformers history in broad strokes, so as to give creators the necessary flexibility when crafting their stories, a belief echoed by statements made at [[BotCon 2011]]: Archer spoke of a "squint test" where everything can be seen as one family of stories, where only fans would see differences.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2011-hasbro-story-building-panel-172316/ TFW coverage of Botcon 2011 Hasbro Story Building Panel]</ref> Branches of fiction include:

===Hall of Fame profiles===
In May of 2010, before any Aligned franchises had launched, Hasbro announced a "Transformers Hall of Fame" honoring characters and people associated with the ''Transformers'' brand. The spot for one inductee was put to a fan-vote: [[Transformers Hall of Fame#Nominees|Five character profiles]] were published on Hasbro.com, and users could cast a vote for one of them. Most of them were described with a combination of traits from various continuities; for example, [[Jazz (disambiguation)|Jazz]] is pictured in [[Jazz (G1)|his ''Generation 1'' form]] but described as a "[[Cyber-Ninja Corps|Cyber-Ninja]]" like [[Jazz (Animated)|his ''Animated'' incarnation]].<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/news/TRANSFORMERS-HALL-OF-FAME-Nominee-3.cfm Jazz's Hall of Fame profile]</ref> [[Soundwave (disambiguation)|Soundwave]], also looking like [[Soundwave (G1)|his ''Generation 1'' self]], is said to have a mysterious origin like [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|his ''Cybertron'' counterpart]], his partners are called "[[Mini-Con]]s" instead of "[[Mini-Cassette]]s", and he has [[Soundwave (ROTF)|his live-action movie incarnation]]'s vulnerability to simultaneous sonic booms.<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/news/TRANSFORMERS-HALL-OF-FAME-Nominee-1.cfm Soundwave's Hall of Fame profile]</ref> Later, a [[Hasbro Q&A]] answer stated that Jazz's entry is based on Aligned continuity.<ref name="newaligned" /> [[Jazz (WFC)|The character does appear in ''War for Cybertron'' fiction]], but with no particularly Cyber-Ninja-like attributes.

===''War for Cybertron'' and ''Fall of Cybertron'' video games===
Created by [[High Moon Studios]] under Game Director [[Matt Tieger]] with tie-in games by [[Next Level Games]] and [[Vicarious Visions]], [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|''War for Cybertron'']]'s aesthetics and characterizations are heavily based on [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]; for example, [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] and [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] speak words, despite both being quasi-mute in the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'' cartoon]]. Set in the ancient days of the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]ian war, the games' plot focuses on [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]'s quest to harness [[Dark Energon]], which ends up corrupting the planet itself and leaving it uninhabitable for millions of years. Those events overlap a large portion of the simultaneously-released ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' novel, but they [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)#Synopsis|differ in many details]]. Two years later, ''War for Cybertron'' was followed by its sequel, ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (games)|Fall of Cybertron]]''.

===Alex Irvine novels===
Written by [[Alex Irvine]], ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' describes the beginning of the war and then, as mentioned above, covers the same ground as the ''War for Cybertron'' games with many differing details. (Hasbro did take a small stab at reconciliation by declaring [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]]'s predecessor in the games, "Zeta Prime", and the one in the novel, "Sentinel Prime", to be the same individual, "[[Sentinel Zeta Prime]]".)<ref>[http://www.ripten.com/2010/06/26/creators-talk-transformers-war-for-cybertron-at-botcon-2010-panel-lbd416/ Ripten.com's coverage of the BotCon 2010 Activision panel]</ref> Irvine also wrote the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|''War for Cybertron'' comic]] and the apocryphal short story [[Bumblebee at Tyger Pax]], both set in the novel's pre-game period. The comic contains no major discrepancies, other than maintaining the "Sentinel Prime" name, but the short story features [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] losing his ability to speak words before the game events. ''[[Transformers: Exiles]]'' continues the saga post-Cybertron.

===''Generations'' toy bios===
[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)#Toys|A handful of toys]] were created directly from ''War for Cybertron'' designs and sold as part of the [[Generations (toyline)|''Generations'' toyline]]. While lacking the phrase "War for Cybertron" on their packaging, the release of the first wave was timed within days of the games and novel,<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69812 Allspark.com toy-sighting forum reports]</ref> and their on-package [[bio]]s are basically in sync with that fiction as well. Megatron's, for example, focuses on his penchant for upgrading his body with "bleeding-edge" technology,<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/files/127/cybertronian-megatron-011.jpg Cybertronian Megatron's on-package bio]</ref> which may be an allusion to his lustful utilization of Dark Energon. Bumblebee's says he was once a "chatterbox" but is now a "silent warrior",<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/files/127/wfc-bumblebee-009.jpg Cybertronian Bumblebee's on-package bio]</ref> which appears to be a bridge between his ''War for Cybertron'' and then-upcoming ''Prime'' portrayals; however, it's not strictly accurate because in ''Prime'' he can still vocalize, just [[R2-D2|not in words]].

===''Prime'' cartoon===
Overseen by the team of [[Jeff Kline]], [[Duane Capizzi]], [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], this show is set on modern-day [[Earth]] with a unique aesthetic somewhere between the [[live-action film series]] and ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]''. Released five months after ''War for Cybertron'', it also features Dark Energon as a primary plot element, but it seems to be a more mysterious substance with the added quality of being able to [[Terrorcon (Prime)|reanimate corpses]].<ref>[[Darkness Rising, Part 2|''Prime'' episode "Darkness Rising, Part 2"]]</ref> Also, strangely, Megatron is able to create an army of such creatures by crashing Dark Energon into the dead world of Cybertron,<ref>[[Darkness Rising, Part 2|''Prime'' episode "Darkness Rising, Part 5"]]</ref> despite the reason for the planet's demise in ''War for Cybertron'' being its complete infection with the stuff. It was stated at [[BotCon 2011]] that Dark Energon's nature differed because of the modern era of the show, as opposed to the ancient setting of the novel and games. The producers also iterated that while they strive to maintain continuity, ultimately leeway was allowed if it served the story.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2011-transformers-prime-panel-172315/ TFW coverage of Hasbro Studios panel at BotCon 2011]</ref>

A [[Transformers: Prime (comic)|prequel comic]] written by [[Mike Johnson]] shows events on Cybertron immediately before the cartoon, incorporating the ''Exodus'' notion of [[space bridge]]s being a lost art and Megatron's backstory as a [[Kaon]]ian miner.

===''Online'' and ''Universe'' MMOs===
Developed by [[NetDragon]] and [[Jagex]] for their respective Eastern and Western markets, the ''[[Transformers Online]]'' and ''[[Transformers Universe]]'' MMOs tie into ''Prime'' aesthetically and broaden the universe. Their continuities will presumably not tie into each other however.

===''Rescue Bots'' fiction===
{{stub}}

==Notes==
* Instead of giving this continuity family an official name, Hasbro has instead referred to it with brief descriptors such as "new aligned",<ref name="newaligned" /> "aligned",<ref name="aligned" /> "modern",<ref name="decade" /><ref name="fallen" /> and "War for Cybertron/Exodus".<ref name="newaligned" /> VP of Intellectual Property Development [[Aaron Archer]] said at a [[BotCon 2010]] panel that he had considered naming it "Epochs" but then decided not to.
* The [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|subtitle-less ''Transformers'' toyline launched in 2010]] and its companion line, ''Generations'', share some of the Aligned spirit, since they likewise contain characters and concepts from previous franchises with little separation. But the only real connection between those toylines and Aligned material is the small number of [[#Generations toy bios|previously-mentioned]] ''War for Cybertron''-inspired toys. Hasbro has referred to the [[Power Core Combiners]] subline as "exist[ing] in the modern world continuity",<ref>[[Hasbro Q&A/November 2010: Answers|TFWiki.net Hasbro Q&A, Nov. 2010]]</ref> but the context of that statement doesn't suggest a specific reference to Aligned.
* The ''Hubworld Transformers: Prime'' TV special featured footage of BotCon attendees taking a ''Transformers'' quiz, with the questions being what Optimus Prime's original name was, what his job had been, and which soap opera was the Autobots' favorite. The soap opera (''[[As the Kitchen Sinks]]'') is from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon]], but the "correct" answers to the first two questions were said to be "Orion Pax" and "data clerk". Aligned continuity is the only source where both of those ideas are true. This seems to reflect Hasbro's current policy of treating Aligned material as the default ''Transformers'' "truth". Something similar occurred during the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] era, where [[DK Publishing|DK]]'s ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' treated that continuity as the default "truth," so this not a completely new phenomenon.

==See also==

* [[Aligned timeline]]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Aligned| ]]
[[Category:Continuity families]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron]]

Talk:Star Seeker

2011-12-25T23:09:26Z

184.13.196.220:

Are the Star Seekers actually Seekers? I can't remember if this was mentioned in the book. --[[Special:Contributions/178.190.166.38|178.190.166.38]] 17:25, 25 December 2011 (EST)
:I don't believe so. Their name wasn't even given till near the end of the book. The main descriptor they were given was "pirates". --[[Special:Contributions/184.13.196.220|184.13.196.220]] 18:09, 25 December 2011 (EST)

Talk:Soundwave (SG)

2011-12-25T18:59:49Z

184.13.196.220:

I get just a blank page when I try to read the article, but all other aspects seem to work fine. Is this something I can fix?--[[User:G.B. Blackrock|G.B. Blackrock]] 19:32, 1 June 2009 (EDT)
:It is something Suki can work on if you point it out to her at [[Transformers Wiki Talk:Community Portal/Arriving2]]--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 19:35, 1 June 2009 (EDT)

We need to make this art official so we can use it: [http://zeromayhem.deviantart.com/art/Soundwave-and-Stage-Dive-144030643 Evan Gauntt's DA page] --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 01:46, 20 December 2009 (EST)

:It will be great for Soundwave's mainpic! --'''[[User:TX55|TX55]]'''''[[User talk:TX55|TALK]]'' 02:45, 20 December 2009 (EST)

== Title ==

Lol, I was like "WTF is this?" when I saw this while searching for ROTF Soundwave. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 06:48, 1 July 2010 (EDT)

Why isn't this guy and the other Shattered Glass guys considered Hall of Famers
:Because they are the complete polar opposites of the Hall of Fame characters. -- [[User:Semysane|Semysane]] 23:22, 29 August 2011 (EDT)
::I don't see how that is relevant given that Hasbro said that "no version of Optimus Prime" was eligible for fan voting because they were ALL already in. We here on the wiki make a much bigger deal out of the so called different Optimus Primes, to Hasbro the name and the character are one. I could have sworn I even saw a picture of an SG Prime in the toy display for OP's HOF induction, but would like someone else to back me up on this. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 10:56, 30 August 2011 (EDT)

==Is he a...==
Is Sir Soundwave supposed to be like a Ninja Turtle? --[[Special:Contributions/184.13.196.220|184.13.196.220]] 13:59, 25 December 2011 (EST)

Soundwave (SG)

2011-12-25T05:48:40Z

184.13.196.220: /* Shattered Glass */

{{factions|sgDecepticon}}
{{disambig3.5|the heroic Decepticon|his evil counterpart|Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave}}
:''Soundwave is a heroic [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:Soundwave buzzsaw shattered glass.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Poor Soundwave; even in a mirror universe he's still in Megatron's shadow.]]
Sir '''Soundwave''' is a righteous dude! He and his gnarly [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|cassettes]]—[[Laserbeak (SG)|Laserbeak]], [[Buzzsaw (SG)|Buzzsaw]], [[Frenzy (SG)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]], [[Ratbat (SG)|Ratbat]], [[Overkill (SG)|Overkill]] and [[Slugfest (SG)|Slugfest]]—bring the good vibrations to [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron's]] fight against the totally heinous [[Autobot]]s! He is sometimes known as '''Monstroso, the Robot Horror from Beyond'''.

{{quote|You dudes may be numerous, but there's one thing you don't know. I have no mouth... Yet I must ''rock''.|Soundwave. How can you not love this guy?|"[[Eye in the Sky]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Shattered Glass''===
As the [[Decepticon]]s followed [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]]'s plan to disable the ''[[Ark (SG)|Ark]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s launching platform, Soundwave was among the ground forces that followed Starscream, [[Divebomb (SG)|Divebomb]] and [[Whisper (SG)|Whisper]]'s initial assault. Later in the battle he was seen assisting the injured [[Slugslinger (SG)|Slugslinger]]. {{storylink|Shattered Glass}}

When the Autobots tried to take the [[Arch-Ayr]] fuel dump from the [[Decepticon]]s and it was starting to look bleak, Soundwave called in the [[Mayhem Suppression Squad]] as the "cavalry". {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}}

Starscream reported to Soundwave that the [[Slugfest (SG)|Slugfest]] and [[Overkill (SG)|Overkill]] were missing. Soundwave checked the security tapes, but found only minor glitches. The two [[Dinobot (SG)|Dinocons]] were soon discovered, having transformed into octaltrack data cartridges.

When boarding the ''[[Nemesis (SG)|Nemesis]]'', [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] assigned Soundwave to the comm. Soundwave brought with him his usual complement of [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|tapes]] as well as the newcomers Slugfest and Overkill.

Soundwave manned the comm throughout the clash with the ''Ark''. He volunteered to stay and help Starscream guide the damaged Nemesis down to [[Earth]], but Cliffjumper insisted that Soundwave seek the safety of an escape pod, because he would need to communicate with Cybertron about their situation. {{storylink|Do Over}}
[[Image:DH Soundwave SG.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[http://streetfighter.wikia.com/wiki/Ryu Street Fighter superior!]]]
Before the ''Nemesis'' crash-landed on Earth, Soundwave jettisoned in an escape pod, but went into [[stasis lock]] when it landed. [[Heatwave (Timelines)|Heatwave]] found him at a scenic spot named [[Wyatt's Roadsideaganza]] and reactivated the escape pod's systems and the on-board scanner, which [[scanning|scanned]] a vehicle nearby for Soundwave and reactivated him. Soundwave tore a flag from a nearby pole and used it as his [[wikipedia:Hachimaki|hachimaki]], then detonated the stasis pod as the pair of them set out to find their fallen comrades. {{storylink|The Desert Heat!}}

Soundwave and Heatwave tracked down the ''Nemesis'' crash site, inadvertently hooking up with [[Professor Arkeville]] and his students who were also out looking to see what had crashed. Soundwave quickly befriended them and defended the humans in general against Cliffjumper's complaints about the ship being shot down. He and the other Decepticons were disappointed when it turned out that the Autobots had survived the crash of the ''Ark'' as well, and had commandeered the humans' [[Global Orbiting Defense Satellite|orbital laser]]. [[Will Hayes|Will]], [[Rick Ottman|Rick]] and Soundwave disguised themselves as ice cream delivery and infiltrated [[Burpleson Air Force Base]], which the Autobots had taken over. While Heatwave broke into the base in a more conventional manner, Soundwave kept the Autobots busy while his comrade talked to the orbital laser control system. Everyone got clear before the control system used the orbiting laser to destroy the base. {{storylink|Eye in the Sky}}

[[Image:SGSoundwave&BlasterFight BlitzwingBop.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cowabunga!]]
For his various heroic deeds, he was knighted and given the title Sir Soundwave. Shortly thereafter, he attended a [[Misfits]]/[[Cold Slither (band)|Cold Slither]] concert. After Heatwave was lost in an Autobot [[Stellar Spanner]] experiment, Soundwave realized that an [[oPod]] that Will had installed in [[Blitzwing (SG)|Blitzwing]]'s systems was broadcasting on an Autobot frequency. Unfortunately Blitzwing's broadcast began to spread to Decepticons frequencies, though naturally Soundwave was immune, and went looking for the triple changer so they could surgically remove the oPod. He briefly located Blitzwing at [[Wyatt's Roadsideaganza]], before his target fled in jet mode. Eventually [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]] spotted a [[Yatter]] update pointing to a particular alleyway, and arrived just as [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]] found Blitzwing. Soundwave and Blaster fought, until they were interrupted by the arrival of [[Thunderwing (SG)|Thunderwing]] who arrested Soundwave for a transmission he made four million solar cycles ago. Soundwave managed to talk him into suspending the arrest on a technicality and tracked Blaster down as he was preparing to send Blitzwing to Cybertron using the Stellar Spanner. After Soundwave tricked Blaster into confessing a crime, Thunderwing attempted to arrest the Autobot, allowing Soundwave free reign to rescue Blitzwing. They returned to base, where Thunderwing sentenced Soundwave to 500 hours community service. {{storylink|Blitzwing Bop}}

The Decepticons got their own Stellar Spanner working, and Soundwave was overjoyed to discover that Heatwave had survived his trip to Cybertron. Soundwave was among the Decepticons who attended the unveiling of [[R.J. Blackrock]]'s new [[Mega-Rig]] and found himself facing a group of Autobots who attacked the ceremony. When following the attack [[Sephie Beller]] had herself augmented with Cybertronian technology, Starscream and Soundwave were concerned for their human ally, but she reacted badly to Starscream confining her to base, and Soundwave sent Ravage to talk to her. She had already gone to attack the Autobots, and when the Decepticons went to help, they stepped into an Autobot trap. With the Decepticons bound, the Autobots prepared a firing squad, and were going to shoot Soundwave first to stop the electronic jamming when Soundwave pointed out it wasn't ''him'' doing the jamming. The arrival of Blackrock piloting a [[Centurion (SG)|Centurion]] mech kept the Autobots distracted, and Soundwave freed himself using high-frequency vibrations. Unfortunately before he could do anything, Blackrock knocked him out with an EMP blast. He recovered in time to watch Sephie destroy the Centurion, and took Sephie and Rick back to base. He was disappointed when Sephie turned down a spot on the Decepticon team, though unbeknownst to him, she took the opportunity to copy his [[power chip rectifier]] before leaving. {{storylink|Transhuman}}

===Recordicons===
While hiding outside a [[Taco Horn]], Soundwavce cautioned [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]] to enter stealth mode, including not updating [[Yatter]]. A few moments later, Ravage updated his [[Boxball]] account, as Mexican restaurants were worth three points, and they were consequently found by [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]]. Soundwave was very disappointed. {{storylink|Recordicons#Recordicons #6|Recordicons #6}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Music Label===
[[Image:Soundwave mp3 spark white.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"So what? I'm a different character now? When did this happen?"]]
*'''Soundwave Playing Audio Player''' (2007)
**''Accessories:'' Electric launcher, "Wave Bluster", 2 closed fists (left & right), 2 gun-holding pose fists (left & right), 2 eject-button pose fists (left & right), headphones
{{note|Soundwave was [[repurposing|repurposed]] from the Sonic White version of Generation 1 Music Label [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Music Label|Soundwave]].}}
: Released by [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''[[Transformers Music Label|Music Label]]'', [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Music Label|Soundwave]] is an MP3 player which takes a miniSD card. The box says it can take up to 1 GB, but many claims have shown it can support up to 2 GB. The player uses one AAA battery. The player also features a transformation almost entirely accurate to his Generation 1 appearance. He also comes with two sets of hands, his shoulder cannon, and a sidearm. It's totally awesome to so many degrees.

:'''Controls'''
:* Play/Pause (Press and hold for three seconds to power on or off)
:* Next
:* Previous
:* Volume Up
:* Volume Down.

: It also treats Folders as Albums.

: An LED behind the "cassette" door turns on and flashes to indicate the power's on. The single AAA battery lasts for about 6 hours of continuous play. Soundwave was initially released in two color schemes: "Spark Blue", his normal blue and silver colors; and "Sonic White", a mostly white color scheme with some blue detailing, echoing the traditional iPod color scheme.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Destron/MLSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Music Label Soundwave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Timelines===
*'''Invasion''' ([[BotCon 2012]] box set)
:Soundwave is a [[retool]] of [[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|''Universe'' Classics Series]] [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], featuring a new head. His vehicle mode has a [[Cold Slither (band)|Cold Slither]] design on the side.

:Soundwave was released in a box set with [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]], [[Treadshot (SG)|Treadshot]], [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Gigatron]], and [[Metalhawk]].
{{comingsoontoy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Soundwave, Sir}}
[[Category:Communications specialists]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass Decepticons]]
[[Category:Timelines Decepticons]]