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A Prime Problem

2009-07-24T01:15:27Z

209.102.168.169:

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=27
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=22
|image=Primedeux.jpg
|caption=Double your pleasure...
|title="A Prime Problem"
|production code=#700-26
|airdate=[[October 2]], 1985
|written by=[[Dick Robbins]] [[Bryce Malek]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Megatron creates a clone of Optimus Prime to lure the Autobots to their doom.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 二人のコンボイ (''Ninin no Convoy'', "Two Convoys")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:PrimeProblem Decepticons at crevasse.jpg|left|200px|thumb|All right, who wants to dive first?]]

The Decepticons discover a crevasse in the [[Earth]] from which is emanating strange energy readings. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stops [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] from diving straight in, and orders [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to send in an [[autoscout]]. They quickly determine that the crevasse is full of dangerous [[korlonium crystal]]s, which destroy anything with electronic [[circuits|circuitry]] on contact, and decide to try to trick the [[Autobot]]s into entering the crevasse. To that end they retire to their nearby [[Incredibly tall rocket|temporary operations base]].

[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots show up at the scene shortly, but before they can learn more about the lights, they are attacked by a Decepticon squad led by Starscream. Megatron dispatches [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], who knocks Prime over a cliff with a few well-aimed shots and puts him out of commission. The Decepticon then beams holographic pictures of the Autobot leader back to Megatron, who uses them to create a [[Optimus Prime clone|remote-controlled clone]].

[[Image:PrimeProblem Megatron prime splitscreen.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Speed, I will not let you race in this race!]]

While the real Optimus is still clambering out of the pit he fell into, the clone leads the Autobots back to base. There are some awkward moments when the clone addresses [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] as "[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]", fails to work [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]], and doesn't even remember giving Teletraan a check up earlier that day, but the Autobots are distracted by the perimeter alarm sounding — the real Optimus Prime has arrived back at base. Under the clone's leadership, the Autobots prepare shoot the real Prime as an impostor, but [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] stops them, announcing that no one's shooting anyone until they determine who's really Optimus Prime.

[[Image:PrimeProblem Twin primes rev up.jpg|left|200px|thumb|THIS is how you REALLY blow off steam!]]

Teletraan scans both Primes, but is unable to determine which of them is fake. The clone excels at sharp-shooting, and when it's the real Prime's turn, the rocky outcrop they're using as a target falls on him. Fortunately Optimus shrugs the rubble off. A race to the end of the flats and back is even less conclusive. Any further tests are interrupted by Teletraan I reporting an increase in activity from the crevasse — in reality the work of Megatron's [[energy amplifier]]s. Ironhide announces he's taking command while Optimus Prime's identity is uncertain and the Autobots set out for the crevasse.

Naturally, they soon run into a Decepticon ambush. From the Decepticon base, Megatron and Starscream watch the fight. Megatron has decided that to win the Autobots' trust completely, the false Prime will have to destroy a Decepticon. Furthermore he's picked Starscream to take the fall. Starscream isn't too enthusiastic about this plan, and makes a run for it. He's seen leaving the base by [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], who then watch Laserbeak drag the protesting Decepticon back to base, enabling the pair to slip in unnoticed. Megatron explains the part of his plan that he neglected to mention earlier: that the Prime clone will only be destroying a clone of Starscream. Windcharger and Spike watch the production of Starscream's clone, and start back to warn the Autobots, but are spotted — Spike is captured by Laserbeak while Windcharger falls into the crevasse.

[[Image:PrimeProblem Windcharger scrap.jpg|right|200px|thumb|No bacon on the salad!]]
Out on the battlefield, both Autobots and Decepticons alike are surprised when the Starscream clone joins in and immediately challenges one of the Optimus Primes to a duel to the death. The Decepticon at first gets the upper hand, but is blown apart when he stops to gloat. The rest of the Decepticons flee. Now convinced that the clone is the real thing after the battle, the Autobots follow the clone to the crevasse, ignoring the warnings from the real Optimus. But before they are led to their doom, Windcharger pulls up from the crevasse and reveals the truth, letting them know that the Decepticons have Spike captive.

[[Image:PrimeProblem Prime pats Spike.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Prime rubs Spike's head for good luck.]]

The clone says to disregard Windcharger's report and Spike's plight, and orders the Autobots forward into the crevasse. Ironhide declares the clone to be the fake, because the real Prime would save Spike. The Autobots shoot the fake Optimus into oblivion and follow Prime on a rescue mission. The Decepticon rocket base quickly launches, dropping Spike in mid-air, but fortunately [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] is able to execute a mid-air rescue. Optimus assures Spike that he's the real thing, and pets the boy like a puppy.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (6)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (7)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (8)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (9)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (10)
*[[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] (18)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (19)
*[[Bluestreak]] (20)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (21)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (22)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (23)
*[[Gears]] (24)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (25)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (26)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (27)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (28)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (30)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (31)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (32)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (33)
|c2=
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (1)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Autoscout]] (4)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (12)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (13)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (14)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (15)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (16)
*[[Optimus Prime clone]] (17)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream clone]] (29)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"It's just such ignorance which forever relegates you to the ranks of underlings, Starscream!"
:—'''Megatron'''

"All the danger you can handle is already here, Floptimus Prime!"
:—'''Starscream''' comes up with a clever insult.

"I'm sorry there are only three of you. Clobbering less than four Decepticons at a time is boring."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

''"Laserbeak... you tin-foil turkey!"''
:—'''Optimus Prime''' dishes out the trash talk like a pro.

'''Optimus Prime clone''': Bumblebee, come over here. The computer's not responding to my input.... Bumblebee, I'm speaking to you. 
'''Ironhide''': You talking to me? 
'''Optimus Prime clone''': Of course. 
'''Ironhide''': But I'm not Bumblebee, I'm Ironhide, Prime. 
'''Optimus Prime clone''': I meant Ironhide, naturally.
:—The fake Optimus Prime totally flubs Ironhide's name, even though Ironhide's the only other one there, and the Southern-fried lug still doesn't get it...

"I don't mind hitting the dirt, but I don't enjoy eating it!"
:—'''Gears'''

"No, DO NOT! ARGH, my magnificent creation, vaporized! With Prime's replica destroyed, we must escape, now!"
:—'''Megatron''', not being at all melodramatic.

"Is it really you, Optimus Prime? I mean ''really?''" 
"Yes, Spike. This time I am definitely me. Or I. Myself. Oh, whoever I am. Put 'er there, partner."
:—A cautious but hopeful '''Spike''' questions '''Optimus Prime''', who doesn't do the best job of keeping a sentence together.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* The entire episode has strangely desaturated colors, even the indoor scenes. The outdoor scenes are mostly washed with a dusk-like yellow and blue, even away from the strange light of the crystals.

* Soundwave's optics turn white a couple of times, first when ejecting the autoscout, and then when ejecting Laserbeak for the first time.

* A strange animation shortcut has Optimus pick up Thundercracker to throw him. The camera angle changes, and suddenly it's Starscream that he's throwing. The next shot shows all three Seekers lying defeated, so it may or may not be an actual error. (The same color/character changing trick is used in "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 1]]".)

* When Megatron orders him to eject Laserbeak, Soundwave's chest is blue instead of light gray. (The subsequent animation of Soundwave turning and ejecting the cassettebot is recycled from the episode's opening scene, and recycled again when Soundwave sends Laserbeak to retrieve Starscream.)

* Does Megatron have a camera that flies alongside Laserbeak to take a video of him? How else to account for the third-person camera angle that he gets on his screen as he talks to Laserbeak?

* When the Prime clone is first shown, it is several heads taller than Megatron. They should be the same height.

* Megatron has blue eyes as he tests out his voice control of the clone.

* The clone's eyes are white instead of blue when Ironhide stops the Autobots from destroying Prime.

* Teletraan-1's initial statement ("Detail comparison forthcoming") is strangely muffled, as if coming over an AM radio broadcast.

* Wheeljack's ears don't flash as he says "take your positions".

* After the clone announces that they'll spring any traps that need to be sprung, the real Prime's mouthplate disappears.

* Starscream's arm lasers disappear and reappear as he agrees with Megatron's plan to have the clone destroy a Decepticon.

* Starscream sports a red Decepticon [[insignia]] when he objects to Megatron's plan.

* Starscream's chest-cockpit is repeatedly colored entirely yellow, missing the bit of gray that it's supposed to have near the bottom. In fact, through the course of the episode, it's colored wrong more frequently than right.

* As he and Spike climb the mountain and spot Laserbeak, Windcharger is sporting [[Shattered Glass|a red Decepticon insignia]].

* Windcharger's head is a darker gray than his body when he ducks to avoid Laserbeak outside the mountain, and again when Ratchet identifies the fake Prime.

* Laserbeak makes no transformation sound as he returns to Soundwave's chest compartment.

* The clone Prime, after ordering Jazz to "hit the deck", just stands there for a remarkably long time doing nothing.

* Megatron's gun barrel is dark gray as he orders Starscream to say his line.

* After the fake Starscream is destroyed by the fake Optimus, Starscream is seen standing next to the other Decepticons (it's not even a coloring error as Thundercracker and Skywarp are both standing next to him.)

* In a hilariously placed dialogue flub, Optimus calls Trailbreaker "Trailblazer", just as he's trying to convince the Autobots that he's the real Prime.

* A moment later, as Megatron tosses Spike out of the ship, Peter Cullen's delivery of Prime's line makes it sound like Prime is calling Spike "Splick."

* Powerglide catches Spike by swooping beneath him a second before Spike hits the rocks. But slamming into a metal airplane really wouldn't be much better for a human than slamming into the rocky ground.

===Continuity errors===
* The basic premise of the episode -- that nobody can tell which Optimus Prime is real -- requires all the Autobots (and Spike) to be ''incredibly'' stupid. Nobody thought to take the two Primes into separate rooms and grill them about things only the real Prime would know? Not even ''Prime himself'' thinks to suggest this? Even after Windcharger and Spike observe that something's very wrong with Prime, nobody puts two and two together when the real Prime shows up? The fake Prime's bloodthirsty response doesn't make it flagrantly obvious who's the fake? Nobody thinks to mark one of the Primes to tell them apart? Races and sharpshooting contests are supposed to prove who's who? Nobody gets suspicious at how easily Starscream is utterly annihilated?
** On the other hand, the ''real'' Optimus Prime calls Trailbreaker "Trailblazer" and Spike "Splick," so maybe we should cut the Autobots a little slack.

* Megatron makes it even easier for the Autobots; he calls Ironhide "Bumblebee", despite being able to identify Ironhide by name in "[[The Autobot Run]]", and flagrantly sets himself for discovery by mucking around with Teletraan-1, asking ridiculously leading questions of the Autobots, and responding to the real Prime's appearance with an uncharacteristic "KILL IT NOW" reaction.

* Furthermore, why didn't Megatron just have Laserbeak kill, capture or disable Optimus Prime while he was down, thus avoiding all the "two Optimus Primes" trouble in the first place??

* Heck, if it's so easy to make perfect reproductions of the strongest Autobot, why not just make a ton of them and overwhelm the Autobots? Why not just make a ton of ''Megatron'' clones and overwhelm the Autobots?

* Megatron describes the crystals as "the most rare and dangerous form of raw energy in this [[solar system]]". More dangerous and rare than [[electro-cell]]s, [[Crystal of Power|Crystals of Power]], the crystals on [[Titan]], the [[Sun]], etc.? Really?

*It doesn't make much sense that Megatron knows about the korlonium crystals and Starscream doesn't, considering it's established that Starscream is a ''scientist'' and has visited the solar system before.

* Though the [[incredibly tall rocket|temporary base]] is mostly camouflaged as a mountain peak, there are some mechanical bits at its base that remain undisguised. Luckily for Megatron, nobody seems to notice.

* "It is Optimus Prime!" declares a shocked Soundwave as the clone is revealed. Was he just not paying attention to what Megatron was doing for the last few minutes, up to and including his saying "Now to begin the '''''cloning''''' process!"?

* As Megatron feeds lines to the newly-created clone, the clone's vocal inflections don't really match those of Megatron.

* Megatron should be saying everything that the clone says on-screen, but is silent as the clone first meets up with Jazz and Trailbreaker.

* The cloning machine also somehow manages to clone Prime's trailer even though Prime was scanned in his robot mode.

* After the Decepticons retreat, why does the Prime clone lead the Autobots back to [[Ark (G1)|headquarters]], instead of investigating the energy source that drew them there in the first place?

* Only Jazz and Trailbreaker are seen withdrawing alongside the Prime clone, even though half a dozen Autobots are present at the battle.

* It's only an error retroactively, but when both Primes get X-rayed, neither one possesses the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in his chest cavity. In fact their chest interior design is completely different than the design from [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]].

* If the clone is completely remote controlled, then what is clone Optimus Prime doing while Megatron is not wearing his control helmet? (seen several times, such as the beginning of the second battle and when Megatron gloats to Spike.)

* The clone's order for Jazz to "hit the deck" is completely useless; Jazz wasn't even remotely in Prime's way. (After this moment of tactical idiocy, Megatron takes a moment to gloat about his "brilliant scenario of Autobot destruction". We dare say this is ''ironic!'')

* Powerglide and Warpath both just show up out of nowhere during the final battle.

===Other notes===
* This episode features the only appearance of the [[Autoscout]], a cassette drone launched by Soundwave.

* The episode goes an unusually long time before featuring its first [[scene transition]], which finally comes around the six minute mark.

* This episode has the first appearances of [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]. However, no explanation of their origins is made, which is made all the more irksome by the fact that this episode was written by the show's own dang story editors. Warpath gets no lines at all.

* Man, Starscream sure is eager to throw away the life of one of his fellow Decepticons, huh? He suggests it be "a trusted officer", which pretty much narrows the selection down to Soundwave (or mayyyybe Reflector.) Make of that what you will!

* Laserbeak is pretty hardcore. Optimus is easily able to overpower Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp with his bare hands, yet a few blasts from Laserbeak take him down. Laserbeak also manages to open a pretty nice can of whoop-ass on Starscream when Starscream tries to run away; then he captures Spike and causes Windcharger to fall to his near-death.

* Based on the absurdity of this episode, "WE MUST HAVE A RACE" has become a popular fandom meme any time two things might be remotely confused with one another.

==Home video releases==
* [[The Original Transformers Volume 1: Prime Threat]] (1999)

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prime Problem}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Targetmaster (technology)

2009-07-22T00:23:37Z

209.102.168.169: /* Generation 1 */

{{picsneeded|Japanese Targetmasters in "handgun" mode}}

:''Targetmasters are Transformers (and their partners) from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Desertislandofspace-targetmaster-rollcall.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Cambot! Gypsy! Tom Servo! Croooooow!]]

The '''Targetmasters''' are a subset of Transformers [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] to smaller partners, who transform into their weapons. The partner is often an organic life form that has been bio-engineered to be partly mechanical, or wears a suit of armor that transforms around them to become the weapon.

The Targetmasters benefit from being able to take two minds into battle. A Targetmaster possesses a living weapon that is capable of making its own tactical decisions and target priorities. The advantage is similar to that of having a dedicated gunner aboard an aircraft.

The Targetmaster process is often seen to follow shortly after development of the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process. The earliest known Targetmasters were among the [[Autobot|Autobots]] and [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] involved in the war on [[Nebulos]], and were paired with a bio-engineered Nebulan humanoid. Later Targetmasters included virtually any Transformer specifically partnered with another being that becomes their weapon, not limited to Nebulans or organics. The term has been applied to the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]] team<ref>[[Hasbro]]'s 1988 toy [[catalog]]</ref> and several [[Action Master]] pairings {{storylink|More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye}}.

Some Transformers, known as '''Double-Targetmasters''', are bonded with two smaller partners who can form individual weapons or combine with one another to form a 'double weapon', with the power of whichever weapon forms the 'barrel' boosted by the other.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
The first Targetmasters were a group of six Autobots under the command of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. Having traveled to the planet Nebulos in search of peace, this group surrendered their weapons to the natives to prove their peaceful intentions. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

''Nebulon minds were duplicated and installed into transformable Nebulon-sized robots, crating the Targetmasters.'' {{storylink|The Final Conflict}}

{{note|This depiction of Targetmasters as robots with duplicated Nebulon minds and not actual Nebulons is unique to this story.}}

Some time later, Lord Zarak and his Decepticon Headmaster partner Scorponok had discredited the Autobots, turned public opinion against them, and driven them into retreat. A group of six Nebulan dissidents undertook a great risk to join the Autobots, allowing themselves to be bio-engineered into replacement weapons for the six unarmed Autobots. {{storylink|Worlds Apart!}}

[[Image:BrothersinArmor-Targetmasters.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Mouseketeer Roll Call! Cubby! Bobby! Gregor! Jimmy! Darlene! Annette! ]]

The Autobot Targetmasters' first trial by combat came at [[The Nursery]], a horticultural research facility that was under threat by Zarak's Decepticons. The newly-minted Targetmasters engaged Scorponok and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] in a battle for the Nursery, but retreated as the facility was being destroyed by the battle, regardless of who was winning.

[[Vorath]] was soon able to duplicate the Autobots' experiment, creating a group of five Decepticon Targetmasters, though they weren't quite a match for the Autobot Headmasters. All of the Targetmasters left Nebulos soon after, as the Autobots retreated to spare Nebulos further warfare, and the Decepticons pursued. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

The Autobot Targetmasters subsequently went on a mission to rescue the human [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from the Decepticons. They were repulsed from the Decepticons' [[Club Con|island base]] by a phalanx of hidden weapons. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

{{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}}

{{storylink|Dry Run!}}

{{storylink|Time Wars}}

[[Image:Targetmaster-nomore.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Hot Rod is no longer a Targetmaster as he mourns Firebolt's death.]]

{{storylink|Headhunt}}

Additional Targetmasters may or may not have been created as the war went on. Quickmix and Needlenose were both seen using weapons resembling their Targetmaster partners, but their individual circumstances do not seem to easily allow for them to have been on Nebulos to acquire Targetmaster partners. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

Recoil was among the weapons surrendered by the Autobots to the Decepticons as part of preparation for an alliance against [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

Prowl noted the double-paired Targetmasters known as Double-Targetmasters among his list of complaints about how complicated things had gotten in his absence. {{storylink|Starting Over!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
The Targetmaster process was developed eons ago on Cybertron, as a process to forge a warrior and his weapon into a cohesive fighting team. The two are linked on a mental and physical level, allowing them to draw energy from each other and multitask with extreme efficiency. Targetmaster weapons cannot be wielded by another being without their consent unless they are somehow incapacitated in their weapon configuration. Severe injury or death of one partner can have a profound physical and emotional impact on the other.

The Targetmaster process was further expanded upon on the planet Nebulon. This would allow organic humanoids, not just mechanoids, to function as weapons when adorned with removable armor. The strength and endurance of these modified beings were greatly enhanced, though their appearance does not change. {{storylink|More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye issue 8}}

===American cartoon continuity===
[[Image:Targetmasters.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Here's me, and here's my gun!]]
{{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

{{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}

{{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''Headmasters''====
In Japanese continuities, Targetmaster partners hail from the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], but unlike the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] they are partnered with a regular Transformer as opposed to a [[Transtector]]. This fusion came about in a blast which binary-bonded a group of refugees from Master to the arms of the new Autobot recruits, as well as the Decepticon marauders, who were terrorizing the refugees in the first place. Unlike in the US continuity and toys, when the Masters transform into gun mode, they take the place of their larger partner's entire hand instead of being held by it.

[[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]], [[Artfire]], Hot Rod, and Kup have Targetmasters, even though they were not present for the explosion. The Japanese Targetmasters speak in a series of electronic beeps (like the [[Mini-Cons]]) that only their bonded partner can understand, instead of speaking normally like their Headmaster brethren.

{{stub|Fiction section is incomplete}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Crosshairs toy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|No crossing hairs about it,I'm Crosshairs! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahaha..hah.. Fuck my life.]]
* '''Autobot Targetmasters''' (1987)
** [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] with [[Haywire]]
** [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] with [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]]
** [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] with [[Firebolt]]
** [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] with [[Recoil]]
** [[Pointblank]] with [[Peacemaker]]
** [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] with [[Spoilsport]]

:The Autobot Targetmasters were sold boxed with their Targetmaster partners, and consisted of three all-new molds alongside slightly retooled versions of Hot Rod, Kup and Blurr from the previous year's assortment. The three older molds featured enlarged fist holes, allowing them to hold their new weapons. Both old and new molds transform into futuristic/Cybertronian ground vehicles. All six can mount their Targetmaster weapon on their roof or hood while in vehicle mode.

[[Image:G1 Misfire toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Misfire]]
* '''Decepticon Targetmasters''' (1987)
** [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] with [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]]
** [[Misfire]] with [[Aimless]]
** [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] with [[Fracas]]
** [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] with [[Caliburst]]
** [[Triggerhappy]] with [[Blowpipe]]

:Similar to their Autobot counterparts, the Decepticon Targetmasters feature three new jet molds alongside retooled versions of Cyclonus and Scourge with enlarged fist holes. All five transform into futuristic/Cybertronian aircraft. Their weapons can be mounted on top of them in jet form. The three newer molds were also sold in 1988.

[[Image:Double targetmasters.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Nebulan-on-Nebulan action!]]
* '''Autobot Targetmasters''' (1988)
** [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] with [[Flintlock]] and [[Silencer]]
** [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] with [[Boomer]] and [[Ricochet (Nebulan)|Ricochet]]
** [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] with [[Holepunch]] and [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]]

: Often referred to as the "small Targemasters" to distinguish them from the larger 1987 releases, these toys were sold carded. Each toy includes two smaller Targetmaster partners, each of which can form a gun or combine together as a larger gun. The two guns can also mount on the robot's vehicle form. The three Autobots share a construction vehicle theme. These toys were never released in Japan.

* '''Decepticon Targetmasters''' (1988)
** [[Needlenose]] with [[Sunbeam]] and [[Zigzag]]
** [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] with [[Tiptop]] and [[Heater]]
** [[Spinister]] with [[Hairsplitter]] and [[Singe]]
: The Decepticon "small Targetmasters" were sold carded with two Targetmaster partners each. Like the 1988 Autobots, these partners can form independent or combined weapons, and mount on their partner Transformers' vehicle forms or be wielded by them in robot mode. The three Transformers all turn into military vehicles. These toys were never released in Japan.

* '''Seacons''' (1988)
** [[Nautilator]]
** [[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]]
** [[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]]
** [[Skalor]]
** [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]]
: The Seacons are a [[Scramble City]]-style combiner team, with [[Snaptrap (G1)|a large leader toy]] who forms the torso of a larger robot, with four smaller toys plugging in to form the limbs. The team was given an additional fifth small toy, however. All five small toys have a "weapon" mode -- essentially their creature mode with a gun barrel attached -- allowing any of them to be used by the combined robot as a Targetmaster weapon. Each small toy could also form a free-standing gun by attaching to a small stand included with the toy.

* '''Japanese Targetmasters'''
** [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] with [[Nightstick (Ricochet)|Nightstick]]
** [[Artfire]] with [[Nightstick (Artfire)|Nightstick]]

: Artfire and Ricochet are redecos of the original toys for Inferno and Jazz, respectively. They each come with the Targetmaster partner molds that were used as Fracas and Nightstick in the US.

* '''Action Masters''' (1990)
** [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] with [[Razor-Sharp]]
** [[Jackpot]] with [[Sights]]
** [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] with [[Gatoraider]]
** [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] with [[Push-Button]]
** [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] with [[Lionizer]]
** [[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] with [[Glitch]]
** [[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]] with [[Top-Heavy]]
** [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] with [[Catgut]]

: Several [[Action Master]] figures include robotic partners who transform into weapons for the robot's use. Though not labeled as such at the time, 2003's ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile books retroactively dubbed these characters Targetmasters.

===''Beast Wars''===
* '''Basics'''
** [[Break]]
** [[Stampy]]
:Several of the ''Beast Wars Neo'' toys include third-mode weapon forms, which could be wielded by other toys.

===''Beast Machines''===
* '''Deployers''' (2000)
** [[Dillo]]
** [[Mol]]
** [[Rav]]

===''Universe'' series===
* [[Chro]]<ref>Chro was called a Targetmaster in Cryotek's [http://botcon.com/archive/story/characters/cryotek.html BotCon online bio]. Chro is repurposed from Rav's blue deco.</ref>

===''Universe'' (2008)===
* Cyclonus (2008)
:A reimagining of the original [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] design, complete with his partner [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]].

===''Gentei!'' (2009)===
* [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] and [[Strafe's Targetmaster partner|his partner]].
:[[Redeco]]s of the ''Universe'' Cyclonus and Nightstick molds.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:Subgroups]]
[[Category:Targetmasters| ]]
[[Category:Technology]]

Megatron (G1)

2009-07-07T09:30:01Z

209.102.168.169:

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2}}
{{featured}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}
:''Megatron is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. He is also known as Lord Megatron and sometimes nicknamed the Slag Maker.''

[[Image:Megatronguido.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Baby, why you make me gotta hurt you?]]
'''Megatron''' is the founder of the Decepticon uprising, and their most well-known and feared [[Decepticon leader|leader]]. As a young, charismatic leader forged in battle and the heritage of war, he began to believe in a grand purpose for his race—it is the [[Transformer|Transformers]]' glorious destiny to rule an [[Decepticon Empire|empire]] which will span the universe. The opposite of his mortal enemy [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], he feels great contempt for other Transformers who, he feels, betray their proud heritage by demanding peace and cooperation with weaker life forms. It is the destiny of the Decepticons to bring order to the universe through conquest, though in the millions of years since coining this purpose it remains to be seen how much of his mission statement is altruistic... and how much of it is mere words built to fuel warriors to further his desire for personal power.

Megatron will attempt almost anything to achieve his goals, but his schemes are rarely in any way subtle. This is perhaps due to his arrogance, but his pride is not so strong as to dissuade him from abandoning a battle he is losing. Some would question his sanity, though these few are mostly now dead by his hands... or his [[fusion cannon]], depending on his mood. Sometimes he uses his [[energon mace]] to strike them down. It does not matter how they die. Death by the hands of Megatron is an honor.

His Earth [[Alternate mode]] is usually a modified [[wikipedia:Walther P38|Walther P38]]. His [[fusion cannon]] becomes the scope.

Sometimes, Megatron is later [[Renaming|reborn as]] [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].

{{quote|You destroy everything you touch, Megatron!|Optimus Prime, "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]"}}

{{quote|That's because everything I touch is food for my hunger. My hunger for ''power''!|Megatron, "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]"}}

:''Portugese name (Portugal comics)'': '''Megatrão'''
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Měi-jīa Wáng''' (美加王, "King Mega" or "Mega Throne") / '''Jǜ Wú Bà''' (巨無霸, "Extremely huge" or "Extremely Gigantic")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Wei Zhen Tian''' (威震天, "Extremely prestigious", literally "Heaven-shaking Might")
:''Cantonese name:'' '''Megaton''' (麥加登 ''Mak Gaa Dang'', literally "Wheat Garden" or "Wheat Adding Climbing")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Megatrong1marvelarmy.jpg|left|250px|thumb|No, not fascist at all.]]
Four million years ago, ''rising from his beginnings as a gladiator for the city-state of [[Tarn]],'' Megatron and the Decepticons developed the ability of transformation, using it to begin the war against the Autobots, who fought back by mimicking the technology. Megatron declared his intent to transform [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] into a "cosmic dreadnought" to conquer the universe. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''However, he would only get as far as building massive engines deep beneath the planet's surface.'' {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}}

Megatron also vowed to possess the planet's superdatabase, the [[Underbase]], for himself, so he followed a young [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] on his quest into the [[Temple of Knowledge]], where he destroyed the temple's curator, [[Boltax]]. In order to keep the Underbase out of Megatron's hands, Optimus Prime destroyed the temple and launched the Underbase into space. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}}

[[Image:Megatrong1earlymarvel.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Check out my awesome preproduction model!]]
''After the death of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Megatron's troops poised themselves around the Autobot capital city of [[Iacon]], slowly disintegrating its defenses. [[Emirate Xaaron]] chose Optimus Prime, a warrior, to take the [[Council of Autobot Elders]]' place as leader of the Autobot forces. Optimus Prime and Megatron's armies then met in battle, and Megatron's forces were defeated—with help from an exploding bridge.'' {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}}

In time, the war grew so fierce that Cybertron itself was shaken from its orbit, and set adrift in the cosmos. Eventually, over a thousand years after Megatron's war had begun,<ref>The length of the war is given as "over a thousand years" in [[The Transformers (issue)|Marvel Comics #1]], but it's said to be just a hundred years in Marvel UK's [[Legion of the Lost!|Legion of the Lost!, Part 1]].</ref> the planet fell into the path of an asteroid cluster in the Sol system that threatened to destroy it, and so Optimus Prime led a contingent of his troops in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to reduce the asteroids to rubble, saving Cybertron. The plan was a success, but immediately afterwards, Megatron and his troops attacked, forcing Optimus Prime to crash the Ark into prehistoric Earth.

Four million years later, in 1984, the Transformers were reawakened, and Megatron immediately set about trying to locate a source of fuel for the Decepticons. Unable to ingest common Earth gasoline, the Decepticons kidnapped [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] and forced him to develop a conversion process. Megatron soon found his Decepticons and his base of operations under siege by the Autobot [[Gears]] and a strange super-powered human named [[Spider-Man]]. The pair escaped with Sparkplug, but not before he had managed to convert Earth fuel into usable energy. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}}

[[Image:Megatrong1marvelblackhole.jpg|left|250px|thumb|In early Marvel UK stories, Megatron's colors were blinged up to match his box art.]]
''After an argument with Megatron, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] left their headquarters and set about on a plan to position himself above Megatron in the eyes of his comrades. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], sent by Megatron to spy on Starscream, was discovered overhearing Starscream's treachery, and so Starscream tried to eliminate the elusive jaguar. This enraged Megatron, who punished Starscream by having him duel the Autobot [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]].'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} ''Soon, Megatron and the full fury of the Decepticons under his command laid siege to the Ark itself, but his attack was stopped short by a malfunctioning [[Auntie]], the Ark's computer system. Captured with Optimus Prime in a stasis field, Auntie's fatal intentions towards them prompted Megatron to activate his rarely-used ability to tap into the power of a black hole. This proved unnecessary after [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] saved them, so Megatron moved to use his cosmic power on Prime—until Windcharger magnetically launched him out of the Ark and into the stratosphere.'' {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}

While Sparkplug was kidnapped, this had only afforded him the chance to poison their fuel, and the Decepticons were forcibly deactivated at the end of a climactic fight between the two factions. The Autobots were not saved, however, as [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] suddenly arrived and defeated the Autobots with a single blast. He brought the Decepticons back online to serve him—including Megatron. {{storylink|The New Order}} Chafing under his command, Megatron battled Shockwave, but was soundly defeated. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}}

[[Image:Megatrong1marvelhumiliation.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Get used to this, Megatron.]]
Repeat Performance!
This forced Megatron into an alliance with [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], who located and reactivated the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], who had defeated Shockwave in the past. However, Ratchet loosed them on Megatron, and was willing to sacrifice himself to knock Megatron off a cliff. While Ratchet survived, Megatron disappeared for some time. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

Soon, however, Megatron re-emerged, trapped in pistol mode, his higher brain functions disconnected. Used as a weapon by wannabe gangster, [[Joey Slick]], Megatron eventually restored himself, and was impressed enough with Slick for standing up to him that he allowed him to live. {{storylink|Shooting Star!}} At this point, Megatron was desperately low on fuel and attacked a coal mine, attempting to locate some, when he eventually completely ran out and froze in place. He was soon located by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], who brought him back online, and they subsequently entered into an alliance with the human [[Donny Finkleberg]], who used the alias of "Robot-Master" to con humankind into thinking the Transformers worked for him. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}}

Shockwave and Megatron entered into a period of shared leadership, but when a two-pronged attack by the Autobots saw Megatron defeated by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], and Shockwave allowing the Autobots to capture the secrets of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], Megatron was able to spin the situation and reclaim his leadership. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[Image:Megatrong1marveltarget2006.jpg|left|250px|thumb|SPOILERS!]]
''A mysterious Decepticon called [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], along with his henchmen [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], entered the Decepticon camp and claimed he was the future Decepticon leader from the year 2006. Megatron found this preposterous, but though he tried to destroy the alleged impostor, he and Soundwave were buried under rubble by the powerful newcomers. Megatron was retrieved from the rubble by [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], and he and the Autobots forged an uneasy alliance against Galvatron. This was still not enough, as Galvatron (who was revealed to be Megatron himself from the future) easily disposed of all of them, and was only deterred when he was tricked into believing he had traveled back in time to a past that would not become his own future.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Megatron summoned the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to Earth with the intention of having them hunt down Optimus Prime, but Shockwave used the opportunity to try and remove Megatron from the picture. After trailing Prime through a forest and bringing him to his knees, the Predacons turned on Megatron, blindsiding him, stealing his fusion cannon, and absconding.'' {{storylink|Prey!}} ''When Megatron came to, he continued hunting Prime, but when the Autobot leader attacked him, he summoned the [[space bridge]] in hopes of escaping to Cybertron, only for Prime to be transported with him. On Cybertron, Megatron established contact with local Decepticon commander Lord [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]], whose body had been destroyed by [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], leaving him a head floating in a jar.'' {{storylink|The Harder They Die!}}

''Straxus soon came to consider the irrational Megatron a liability and sought to dispose of him by transplanting his mind into Megatron's body, giving him mobility again while trapping Megatron in his remains. Megatron resisted the transfer, however, and the process went awry, leaving both Straxus and Megatron's minds trapped in Megatron's body together. Outwardly, Megatron seemed to become more and more unstable as the two personalities inside him battled for control; when attacked by Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], he even proved desperate enough to use his [[antimatter]] manipulation powers, nearly destroying the entire Decepticon complex, until [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] activated the space bridge and sent him back to Earth. Straxus's consciousness fled Megatron's body, and Megatron himself was left with no memory of the whole affair.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[Image:Megatrong1marveltooclever.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Yes, you're very smart. Shut up.]]
In order to attain possession of a new energy-generating device, the hydrothermocline, Megatron battled Optimus Prime in a video game duel, using a cheat code to continue the fight after he had lost. Prime defeated him again, but at the expense of some of the game's characters, and ruled himself the loser because he would not have committed such an act in real life. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}} Prime was destroyed, and Megatron's elation soon turned into paranoia, as he had not killed Prime with his own hands, and believed he could still be alive. Bringing the Predacons ''back'' to Earth, Shockwave had them pose as Autobots and attack Megatron in another attempt to remove his threat, but the plan failed when the deranged Megatron defeated even [[Predaking]]. Believing (correctly, as it would turn out) that Prime's mind could have been preserved on computer disk, Megatron descended into outright insanity, and boarded the space bridge, vowing to go where Prime could not follow - right before he blew it up with his fusion cannon, apparently killing himself. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}}

[[Image:Megatrong1marveltwomegatrons.jpg|left|200px|thumb|buggabuggaWHA?]]
''Megatron's absence allowed a contingency plan arranged by Lord Straxus to be put into motion. In the event that his attempt to seize Megatron's body failed, Straxus had had a clone of Megatron created, complete with a copy of his brain patterns, into which his consciousness retreated following the previous debacle. Straxus lay dormant within the clone, which was activated following Megatron's seeming demise, and sent to Earth, to the sewers beneath [[London]]. There, the clone - believing itself to be the genuine article - battled the Autobots, [[G.I. Joe|Action Force]], and the mechanoid [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]], and wound up submerged in the Thames river.'' {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

''Some time later, it was salvaged by Shockwave, who brainwashed it and unleashed it on [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], a recreated future version of Megatron who had traveled back in time from the year 2006 and posed a threat to Shockwave's leadership. The clone Megatron, however, saw a possible partner in Galvatron, and the two teamed up to battle Autobots and Decepticons from both present and future in the apocalyptic [[Time Wars]]. Subsequently, the clone returned to Cybertron, where it defeated the ruling Decepticon Triumvirate, but was then confronted with the ''real'' Megatron - ''the Spacebridge explosion had deposited him in [[Dead End (place)|the Dead End]] region of Cybertron, where he had wandered, with no recollection of who he was, until he had saved [[Blackjack|a Decepticon]] from Autobots and regained his memories.'' The clone Megatron subsequently destroyed itself to prevent Straxus, buried inside its mind, from taking over.'' {{storylink|Two Megatrons!}}

[[Image:Megs ratch.jpg|right|200px|thumb|As you can tell, the Marvel Comics weren't very good to Megatron. Or Ratchet for that matter...]]
While Megatron's [[Micromaster]] [[Air Strike Patrol]] created a diversion which pitted Optimus Prime's forces against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s, Megatron sent his Micromaster [[Sports Car Patrol]] to capture Ratchet from the Ark, bringing him to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} Threatening Ratchet with the destruction of the Ark and all of his patients aboard, Megatron forced him to recreate Starscream as a [[Pretender]]. Ratchet did so, but also restored [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] in the same manner, thwarting Megatron's scheme, and also bringing the explosives on board the Ark through a [[Trans-Time Dimensional Portal|trans-time dimensional portal]] into Megatron's base. When Megatron then attempted to flee through the portal, Ratchet tackled him as the Decepticon's base exploded around them, apparently killing them both. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

Soon after, however, Autobot detective [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] discovered that the explosion had actually blown them through the portal, and he dispatched a probe to pull them back from the gaps between reality. However, when they rematerialized, it was revealed that the explosion had fused the two enemies together, into a hideous, twisted mockery of a being, which ran rampant through the Ark. The half that was Ratchet begged Optimus Prime to kill them, but Prime could not, and had the Micromaster [[Fixit]] separate their bodies. Unfortunately, Fixit could not separate their minds, as they were bonded at a molecular level; one could not survive without the other. {{storylink|The Price of Life!}}

Their separated bodies lay in the Ark's medbay until Grimlock pumped them full of [[Nucleon]], though the revitalizing effect took some time to help Ratchet and Megatron come to. Megatron awoke to find [[Galvatron II]], another version of him from the future, wandering the halls of the Ark as it returned to Earth. Galvatron II, driven to insanity, initially tried to kill Megatron to purge the memory of him that haunted his mind. Megatron was in no state to comprehend what was going on around him, and began interpreting Galvatron II's blows as coming from Ratchet.

Though Galvatron II and Megatron eventually came to terms with each other while beating up Shockwave (he and Starscream had stolen the ship), vowing to join forces and take over the galaxy, Ratchet doomed them all by igniting the Ark's engines and spiraling the Autobot spacecraft into the Earth below. Megatron was presumed dead among the remains that constituted the crash site in northern [[Canada]]. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In an alternate 1990, Megatron was in control of Decepticon forces on Cybertron, including [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], [[Stranglehold]], [[Octopunch]], and [[Warmonger]]. After they captured a trio of Autobots, the heroes somehow managed to escape custody. They were recaptured, but Megatron realized there must be a traitor in his midst. Accusing Bludgeon of the crime, he attempted to beat the [[Pretender]] into confessing. Instead, Bludgeon demanded a trial by combat, as was his right as a Decepticon. Megatron agreed, and sent him out into the wreckage surrounding the base, with his three fellow Decepticons chasing after him, eager for the kill. Octopunch and Stranglehold both tried and failed to destroy Bludgeon, but Warmonger managed to get the drop on him. When Warmonger hesitated to kill a helpless foe, however, Megatron executed him as the REAL traitor. He then revealed this was his plan all along, to draw out the traitor by trusting in the sickeningly honorable Autobot code to make the spy reveal himself. Megatron also made it clear he would have had no regrets if Bludgeon had died in the "testing" process.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

{{note|The above story is the earliest known account from the Marvel UK alternate "Movie" timeline. The split between the main comic and the future stories almost certainly took place in 1989, either due to the Time Wars, the events of [[Primal Scream (issue)|Primal Scream]] where Primus alerted Unicron to his location 15 years early, or both.}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Megs earthforce.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The real culprit behind global warming.]]
''In an offshoot of the Marvel timeline following the restoration of the Autobots aboard the Ark with Nucleon, but before... uh ... (okay, see [[Earthforce]] for continuity notes, it's pretty complicated...)''

''Somewhere in the Arizona desert, Megatron and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] built a rocket that would launch into Earth's atmosphere and detonate, converting the atmosphere into [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. The Decepticons were interrupted by [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and though Megatron insisted they were too late to stop the rocket,'' {{storylink|Starting Over!}} ''Prowl rode the rocket into the atmosphere, and was able to destroy the satellite the rocket carried before it released its gas canisters.'' {{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}}

''Now that [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s [[Earthforce]] had installed itself to counter Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s Decepticons on Earth, the two leaders decided to hold an [[Enclave]] to foster unity. This event was sabotaged by the Earthforce by staging an assassination attempt on Megatron, and once again, Megatron and Shockwave's respective groups were at each other's throats.'' {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}}

''After being ambushed at a secret energon drop by Shockwave and the [[Triple Changer|Triple Changers]], an enraged Megatron demanded that [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] use his mind-reading powers to find the traitor who betrayed his location to the enemy. Of course, Soundwave WAS the traitor, so this proved difficult. He managed to satisfy Megatron, though, by framing the [[Stunticon]] named [[Wildrider]] for leaking the information, knowing Megatron would destroy Wildrider before he could explain himself. {{storylink|Secrets}} When Megatron gained information as to Shockwave's whereabouts, Megatron ambushed him, unaware the information had been deliberately leaked by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Starscream and Soundwave subsequently deposed their respective leaders and when they came under attack from the Autobots (who had been alerted to their position by Starscream) Megatron and Shockwave were forced to join forces to escape.'' {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}}

''Megatron and Shockwave soon hired a group of inept assassins to attack Starscream, knowing he would believe Soundwave had sent them and thus initiate a confrontation between the pair. They then hired the surviving members of the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] - Bludgeon, Octopunch and Stranglehold - to kill whichever one of the two survived. The plan failed thanks to the intervention of the Autobots, who needed Starscream's help to save [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and Megatron and Shockwave were forced to retreat again.'' {{storylink|Assassins}} {{storylink|External Forces!}} {{storylink|The Lesser Evil}}
{{-}}
=====''Another Time And Place''=====
[[Image:TFAnnual1991rip.JPG|right|100px|thumb|Prime and Grimlock disapprove of Megatron's Bludgeon cosplay.]]
:''"Another Time and Place" was retconned out of continuity a few years later by the Generation 2 comic books.''

Trapped in non-transforming Action Master bodies, Grimlock and the Dinobots snuck a shuttle to [[Hydrus Four]], where rumor had it a new, less destructive brand of [[Nucleon]] had been developed. However, the allegedly defeated Decepticons were waiting for just such a trip, and followed the Dinobots to the planet's surface, where they were ambushed and captured. Grimlock woke up to hear endless chants of "Megatron! Megatron! Megatron!" as technicians had strung up the late Decepticon leader's body, culled from his supposed doom on Earth, for repairs. Bludgeon would revive him and revive their fallen, and then the war would begin anew.

But Bludgeon wouldn't get the chance. The cavalry arrived, and Optimus Prime's Autobots quickly quelled the Decepticons' would-be resurgence. As Bludgeon was taken to pieces by a vicious repair spider, a partially-restored Megatron, a visual monstrosity, lunged half-alive at Grimlock and Optimus Prime. With a double-teamed punch, Megatron's undead corpse was easily defeated. The war was truly over. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Megatrong2cobra.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Green with evil!]]
Although thought dead for a year or two, Megatron had actually survived the Ark crash (though his mental link with Ratchet was forgotten), and had quietly worked to repair it, concealing it beneath the ground. From there, Megatron tracked a signal, mistakenly believing it was another Transformer, but instead he found the shape-shifting castle of the terrorist organization, [[Cobra]]. He entered into a bargain with its leader, [[Cobra Commander]], offering him the technology of the Ark in exchange for the new weapons his organization was developing. {{storylink|Realignments}} Reconstructed into a new tank body with a powerful rail gun, Megatron defeated a squad of Autobots sent to stop him, and then turned on Cobra, capturing the scientist who had developed his gun, [[Dr. Sidney Biggles-Jones]] and escaping in the Ark. {{storylink|Final Transformations}}

Both [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] had snuck on board, and following a clearly one-sided battle with Spike's [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]], [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], Megatron was seemingly killed again when Fortress Maximus threw himself into the Ark's power core, destroying it once and for all. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} But Megatron (and a repaired Starscream) rejoined the Decepticons on Earth to challenge the current Decepticon leader, Bludgeon. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Bludgeon was deposed, fatally, though Megatron continued many of the Pretender's ongoing projects, such as calling the attentions of Optimus Prime to Earth by indiscriminately rampaging across it. When Prime finally showed up, Megatron's old foe at first attempted to talk and join forces against the new threat of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his [[Cybertronian (faction)|Advanced-Decepticons]], but Megatron ignored him, ripped the [[Creation Matrix]] from his chest, and left to infuse a new generation of warriors with life. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} His warriors proved to be highly successful, and helped Megatron secure the galvanizing additive known as [[Rheanimum]]. Immediately thereafter, however, Megatron's Decepticons came into conflict with Jhiaxus's forces. Many of Megatron's troops were killed in the resulting battle, and Megatron himself was humbled brutally in battle against Jhiaxus, getting knocked out of space and crashing with immense force into the planet below. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

[[Image:Megatrong2idiot.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Megatron's getting a little too self-aware.]]
In order to gain revenge, Megatron entered into an alliance with the Autobots to "put their house in order". He was forced to deal with Prime's more altruistic streak, but toughed it out for the sake of the alliance. {{storylink|Escalation!}} But, of course, they were betrayed by Starscream, who joined forces with Jhiaxus' troops, alerted Jhiaxus to the location of the Autobot/Decepticon camp on Earth, and then again betrayed both sides by using the opportunity to steal the Creation Matrix and Megatron's [[Warworld]]. {{storylink|Total War!}} Starscream, using the powers of the Matrix, fused himself with the Warworld, which gave Megatron and Optimus Prime great difficulty as they fought their way through its shifting insides. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}} Ultimately, Starscream relinquished the Creation Matrix to Optimus Prime when it was discovered that the artifact was making him nice, allowing Megatron to load a ship with canisters of [[Rheanimum]] gas and head back to Earth, where the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] was beginning its attack. Megatron arrived just in time to coat the remaining Transformers with the gas, which protected them from the Swarm long enough for Optimus Prime to defeat the Swarm with the Matrix. The Swarm departed, changed into a force for good, leaving both Autobot and Decepticon seemingly united for good. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

====Fun Publications ''Classics'' comics====
{{note|The Classics comic takes place after the end of the original Marvel Comic, but in a [[splinter timeline]] that does not include the events of the Marvel UK-exclusive stories or Generation 2.}}

[[Image:Megatronclassicscrossingover.jpg|left|175px|thumb|I got your child safety right here pal!]]
Fifteen years had passed since Megatron supposedly died along with Shockwave, Starscream, and Ratchet when the Ark crashed violently into the Yukon. The defeated Decepticon army scattered, and the Autobots were able to return to a peaceful Cybertron.

Inexplicably, Megatron returned (in a new body) and once again stalked the Earth, rallying the remaining Decepticons to him. Megatron rebuilt many of these Decepticons using altered specifications created by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], shortly before Megatron presumably had Shockwave decommissioned in an unspecified way. Eventually, Megatron, roaming free, stumbled across [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] and [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], who had travelled from [[Unicron Trilogy|their universe]] in a fantastic energon/forcefield explosion, but his evil intentions for them were interrupted by human-piloted [[Armored Robot Hunters]] (or RUNTs) and subsequently a small team of Autobots led by Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 1}}

Megatron managed to escape with Landquake and return with him to the Decepticons' base of operations, where he had Landquake restrained, interrogated, and inspected. Megatron was intrigued by Landquake's claims of being from another dimension. He was further intrigued by a radiation wavelength signature detected in South America that exactly matched Landquake's readouts, and so Megatron led his Decepticons to the source of the signature. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}} There, he encountered not only a fleet of jet-piloting RUNTs, but also the Autobots again. This time, with the might of his Decepticons behind him, he eagerly engaged in battle. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}}

{{-}}

===Cartoon continuity===
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Seizō Katō]] (Japanese), [[José Santacruz]] (Portuguese), [[Carl Béchard]] (French Canadian), [[Gernot Duda]] (Generation 1, German), [[Manfred Erdmann]] (The Movie TV Dub & Generation 2 Season One, German), [[Thomas Rauscher]] (Generation 2 Season Two, German), [[Achim Barrenstein]] (The Movie DVD Dub, German)

[[Image:Megatronffod.jpg|right|200px|thumb|And then in 1984, Megatron creates the Constructicons. It all comes full circle.]]
Following a war between the Decepticons and the other robot race, the [[Autobot|Autobots]], the Decepticons were defeated by the Autobots' invention of transformation, which allowed them the advantage of stealth. The Autobot victory in the war began the [[Golden Age of Cybertron]], but a viper lurked within this paradise. Eventually, Decepticons too developed transformation, leading to the creation of Megatron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

Megatron quickly gathered a small group of like-minded warriors together beneath him, and began his mission to restore the Decepticons to glory and overthrow the Autobots. In these early, shadowy days, Megatron is known to have attacked at least one of [[Iacon]]'s outer cities, {{storylink|War Dawn}} and was responsible for the death of the [[U-Haul Robot|Autobot leader]] at the time. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Using a device called the [[Robo-Smasher]] to permanently reprogram Autobots and Decepticons into servitude of his cause, Megatron swelled the Decepticons' ranks into a true army. Among the robots forced into servitude were the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

[[Image:WarDawn Megs Orion.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"So what do you do here?" "I cut steel with my voice!"]]
For whatever reason, the aggressive actions of Megatron and the Decepticons were not made public knowledge, and young robots like the naive [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Orion Pax]] still looked up to Megatron and his followers because of their new robot-mode flight powers. However, Pax soon learned the error of his ways when Megatron approached him about the possibility of using one of his warehouses for storage, only to turn on him once he had gained access to the [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] stored within the facility. Megatron fatally injured Orion in a scuffle, but thanks to the actions of the time-displaced [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], the young Autobot was rebuilt by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] into a new configuration that could truly stand up to Megatron's power. Now, Orion Pax was [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], leader of the Autobots and Megatron's sworn opponent as the civil war erupted again. {{storylink|War Dawn}}

Under Megatron's leadership, the Decepticons conquered a large portion of Cybertron, but the war drained Cybertron of most of its energy, necessitating that both factions seek out new worlds and new sources of power. Megatron and his elite forces pursued the [[Ark (G1)|Autobots' craft]] in their [[Nemesis (G1)|space cruiser]] and attacked and boarded the craft, causing it to crash on a prehistoric planet, entombing all on the ship in emergency stasis as it crashed into a dormant volcano.

[[Image:G1Megatron-Flail.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Megatron and his energy flail/mace/morning star/thingamajig.]]
Four million years later, a volcanic eruption reactivated the ship's computer, [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]], which in turn brought [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] back on-line. Skywarp proceeded to drag Megatron into the computer's reconfiguration beam, and the Decepticon leader was restored, with the Autobots soon to follow. Realizing that the Transformers were far from Cybertron, Megatron immediately arranged for construction of a new space cruiser, which would be fuelled with energy pillaged from Earth's many natural resources. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Early in his campaign against Earth, Megatron engaged Optimus Prime in a famous battle atop [[Sherman Dam]], where he defeated the Autobot leader and absconded with the plant's energy. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} After several further energy raids, the space cruiser was refuelled and the Decepticons blasted off from Earth, but an attempted coup by Megatron's treacherous lieutenant [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] abord the ship allowed Autobot stowaway [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] the opportunity to sabotage the vessel and send it crashing back to Earth. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

The Autobots believed the Decepticons to be destroyed, but in reality, they had survived the crash and repurposed the hulk of their spaceship as a sub-oceanic staging base and bunker. Megatron re-established contact with the guardian of Cybertron, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], and began construction of an intergalactic transport system called a "[[space bridge]]," although the early tests nearly resulted in his destruction when he was sucked into the portal and teleported to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} The technology was eventually stabilized, however, and used in a grand scheme to transport Cybertron through space into Earth's orbit, where the natural disasters its gravity wreaked created tremendous energy that Megatron and the Decepticons gathered. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} The Earth was saved, however, when the stockpile of energy aboard a transport craft being piloted by Megatron was detonated by the Autobots, the explosion forcing Cybertron out of orbit. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} Although caught in the explosion and left adrift in space, Megatron was again able to cheat death, and soon found himself forced to team up with Optimus Prime in order to stop Starscream's attempt to destroy Earth. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

In his next scheme, Megatron absorbed all the separate powers of the other Decepticons into himself, and challenged Optimus Prime to one-on-one combat. With the added abilities of all his minions, Megatron easily defeated Prime in the battle, but when his deception was revealed, he and his followers were defeated in a group attack. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

Over the following years, Megatron's schemes to obtain Earth's energies continued, growing ever more convoluted, imaginative and outlandish. His assorted plans included various attempts to harness the power of Earth's core, {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}} {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain}} {{storylink|The Core}} the manipulation of the Autobots' minds and bodies to his own evil ends, {{storylink|Changing Gears}} {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots}} {{storylink|The Autobot Run}} stealing or taking control of various new weapons, devices and energy sources from both humans and the Autobots, {{storylink|Traitor}} {{storylink|The Immobilizer}} {{storylink|Day of the Machines}} {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}} {{storylink|Blaster Blues}} trying to conquer key human cities, {{storylink|City of Steel}} {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}} the draining of energy from a time-lost prehistoric island, {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} supercharging himself with the [[Heart of Cybertron]], {{storylink|Microbots}} partnership with a [[Shawn Berger|human politician]] that actually allowed him to force the Autobots off Earth and temporarily conquer [[Central City (G1)|Central City]] {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}}, the creation of many new creatures, {{storylink|Kremzeek!}} Transformers, {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} ridiculous elaborate weapons {{storylink|Aerial Assault}} {{storylink|Masquerade}} {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}} and many, many others. Also, at one undefined point, he was known to have battled Optimus Prime in a laboratory, causing an explosion that disfigured [[Gregory Swofford]], which would have repercussions decades later. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

[[Image:TFTM Ironhide dies.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This is for Demolisher,Punk-Ass Autobot!]]
Eventually, at some point over the following twenty years, Megatron turned his attention away from Earth, and succeeded in completely conquering Cybertron by the Earth year 2005. The Autobots, however, were able to maintain control of two of Cybertron's moons, while the majority of their forces were relocated to the new [[Autobot City]] on Earth. Learning the Autobots were planning a decisive strike against the Decepticons, Megatron and the Decepticons intercepted the shuttle sent to Earth to acquire energy to power the raid, and unleashed a [[Battle of Autobot City|mighty assault]] on Autobot City. In the course of the conflict, word was sent to Optimus Prime, who arrived the following morning after the slaughter and confronted Megatron in another one-on-one struggle. Megatron appeared beaten, but spying a discarded pistol, stalled for time by pleading for mercy as he attempted to reach it. The young Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] then intervened, tackling Megatron, but the powerful Decepticon proved too much for him, seizing him and using him as a shield as he grabbed the pistol and opened fire on Prime. The wounds were fatal and sent Prime to the grave - but not before he delivered his own final blow to Megatron, seriously damaging him and forcing the Decepticons to flee.

[[Image:Megatron1986movie.jpg|right|180px|thumb|No, not drawn by Pat Lee—that's actually battle damage.]]
On the return trip to Cybertron aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], it became necessary to jettison excess mass, or the Decepticons would be unable to reach the planet. The wounded Decepticons were voted out, and set adrift in space, with Starscream personally jettisoning Megatron. Before long, however, Megatron's drifting body was found by the planet-eating [[Unicron]], who offered to rebuild his body if he would destroy the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership]] for him. Although Megatron initially refused, unwilling to be anyone's servant, Unicron tortured him into accepting the bargain, and Megatron was recreated as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{-}}
===Japanese cartoon continuity===
{{note|The events of the American cartoon series occur in Japanese continuity as noted above. This timeline, however, inserts a large number of additional storylines, told through various different media, into the timeline (in particular, between Season 2 and the movie), as detailed below.}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga====
In the late 1980s, Megatron turned his attention away from North America, and chose to focus on stealing the energy of Japan. In addition to ordering many attacks, he transformed himself into the gigantic "Super Megatron Gun" (a non-shrunken version of his pistol mode, operated by Starscream riding atop [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]!) {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 4|F!SRLF #4}} and ordered the construction of the Decepticon city, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], to counter the Autobots' [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|F!SRLF #3}} {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|F!SRLF #6}}

====E-Hobby manga====
Early in his career as a ruthless tyrant, Megatron, along with Soundwave and a horde of [[Silver Soldier]]s were performing raids on Autobot energon warehouses. Suddenly, his troops began to report sighting a giant Autobot shortly before having their transmissions cut-off. Megatron then came face to face with the culprit: a [[Guardian robot]]. {{storylink|64 Cybertron Urban Defense Robot GADEP}}

Later, during the battles between the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth, Megatron ordered a raid on the [[Autobot Headquarters]]. He attacked the unarmed Optimus Prime, only to be immediately punched straight through a wall. This blow unhinged his gyrocompass stabilizers, which were keeping the [[quantum surge]] energy he had been exposed to during the Beast Wars in check. Now unleashed, the quantum energy changed Megatron's body into a powerful black metallic [[transmetal]] form. Megatron believed the change to be divine intervention and decided to use it to his advantage in conquering the Autobots. {{storylink|Decepticon Leader Megatron Black Ver.}}

====''Scramble City'' OVA====
To hide the continuing construction of Scramble City from prying Decepticon optics, the Autobots moved the project to a concealed cavern, but when the Decepticons detected magnetic fluctuations emanating from the caves, Megatron dispatched [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s cassettes to investigate, and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] discovered the facility. Hoping to destroy the fortress before it was completed, Megatron sent his entire army of [[Combiner|combiners]] to attack the Autobots. The plan met with failure, as the Autobots and their combiners were able to hold off the Decepticons long enough for Scramble City to be completed and transformed into its robot mode of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. Metroplex dispatched the Decepticons, but Megatron then revealed his trump card - Trypticon! {{storylink|Scramble City|Scramble City}}

{{note|This storyline was never concluded, as a second installment of ''Scramble City'' was never produced.}}

====The Stargate Battles====
Continued Autobot and human interaction led to a joint project to create an [[Warp gate|interstellar transport system]] in the late 1990s. When Starscream fused with the mechanism and attempted a coup, Megatron and Prime were forced to team up to stop him, and went missing following the battle that ensued. {{storylink|The Stargate Battles|The Stargate Battles}}

{{note|This manga's cliffhanger was never resolved, but was retroactively exploited to insert the ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' animated series into the Japanese Generation 1 continuity, by claiming that its events took place when Prime and Megatron were absent and most of the Autobots and Decepticons were injured and off-planet.}}

====Binaltech====
After the Autobots' Earth-based forces were decimated by a [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] plague unleashed by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] in 2003, Megatron made his big push to fully take over Cybertron in 2004. The vast majority of the Autobots were occupied battling Megatron's forces on Cybertron, leading to the creation of new "Binaltech" bodies for the injured Autobots on Earth to protect the planet.

In the midst of this Binaltech affair, the time-tossed Decepticon [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] attempted to alter history by using the [[Kronosphere]] time-machine. In the middle of a decisive battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, Ravage used the Kronosphere to transport Megatron and the Decepticons through time, altering history so that the Autobots were left to face the looming threat of [[Unicron]] alone. This disruption of the natural order of time proved almost catastrophic, but reality was saved by the appearance of a mysterious entity known only as the "[[Optimus Primal|Protector]]", which restored the timeline as it should have been, but also preserved the "Binal-Time" timeline as an alternate universe.

In this alternate universe, Unicron was ultimately defeated, but the weakened Autobot forces were then overwhelmed by the fighting-fit Megatron and the Decepticons when they reappeared in 2006, and Cybertron was conquered by them once again. Megatron then turned his attention on the Sol system, and launched an attack on the [[Earth Defense Command]] base on [[Mars]]. At the same time, however, the Autobot spy Mirage had been dispatched to Cybertron, where he was instructed to locate and throw a [[large switch]] that the Autobots had received information on. This switch effectively froze every non-Binaltech Transformer throughout the entire universe, including Megatron and his armada on Mars. The only active Decepticons in the area, [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] and Shockwave, staged a full retreat while using drones to gather up as many of the frozen Decepticons as possible. Since Nemesis Prime was last seen taking Megatron's throne for himself, it is unknown if he took the frozen Megatron to safety, or left the former Decepticon leader to be taken into custody.

====''Robot Masters''====
=====Cartoon=====
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Jirō Saitō]] (Japanese)

In the year 2004, Megatron disappeared through unknown circumstances, leaving his time-displaced descendant from the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] to take his place as Decepticon leader in the battle for the mysterious element [[solitarium]]. {{storylink|Fight! The Group of the Strongest Commanders!|Fight! The Group of the Strongest Commanders!}}

Precisely what happened to Megatron was never explained, but the Decepticon leader was later able to effect his return by using his inter-dimensional black hole uplink powers to take over the body of [[Reverse Convoy]] from the planet [[Vehicon (planet)|Vehicon]]. Posing as an ally to the Autobots, Megatron proceeded to betray them by revealing himself as the aptly-named "Rebirth Megatron". {{storylink|The Lio Convoy Typhoon Enters (episode)|The Lio Convoy Typhoon Enters}}

Eventually, however, Optimus Prime returned all the Autobots and Decepticons to their proper place in time and space through the power of solitarium and rid the Earth of Decepticons.

=====Online comic=====
[[Image:Rmrebirthmegatron.JPG|right|180px|thumb|HAH! I fooled you for all of five seconds!]]
{{charstubfiction}}
{{-}}

====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''====
{{note|[[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers]] manga takes place concurrently with the third season of the animated animated series. However, while that series took place in 2006 in American continuity, in Japan, its events were moved forward to 2010.}}
At some point in 2010, Galvatron attempted to destroy the Autobots with a legion of Megatron clones dubbed [[Megatron Military|"The Megatron Military"]]. Each clone was equipped with its own unique fusion cannon and they were capable of combining the blasts into an intense attack. As a unified force, the Megatron Military crushed [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. Their victory was assured until Rodimus managed to deduce that the Megatron Military was being controlled by Galvatron, who was, as it turned out, actually disguised as one of the Megatron clones himself. Once Rodimus defeated Galvatron, all the Megatron clones lost power and were easily vanquished. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2}}

====''The Battlestars''====
{{note|With his transformation into Galvatron, Megatron departed from the animated continuity until this storyline, five years later.}}

[[Image:SuperAndUltraMegatron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Mister and Mister Overdesigned, 1991.]]

During his time as Galvatron, Megatron had been seemingly vanquished forever when he was crushed beneath an iceberg. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

Over fifteen years later, an evil force named [[Dark Nova]], hoping to eliminate the threat of the recently resurrected Optimus Prime as Star Convoy, beamed a blast of crazy energy down to Galvatron's icy tomb. Galvatron was instantly revived and reborn as '''Super Megatron'''. Super Megatron erupted from the ice, horrifying eskimos and polar bears everywhere. {{storylink|The Battlestars (story page)|The Battlestars Part 6}}

Taking command of a unit of [[Galaman]] drone warriors, Super Megatron attacked an oil rig, converting the oil into [[Energon cube]]s and taking the [[human]]s hostage. Realizing that human bio-energy is powerful and plentiful, he planned to ''eat'' the oil rig workers as snacks at his victory party. As he licked one up and down with his mighty tongue, he was suddenly attacked by [[Sixliner]]. Unimpressed, Super Megatron shrugged Sixliner off with a single blow, informing the runt he was a million years too young to challenge him. A worthy foe soon appeared in the form of Star Convoy and the two eternal enemies threw down once more. Super Megatron transformed to his "gunjet" mode and proved a powerful enemy, but was tricked by Star Convoy into crashing into the side of an oiltank. Star Convoy then used his "Galaxy Bomber" attack to detonate the oil, sending the injured Super Megatron fleeing into space, swearing vengeance. {{storylink|The Battlestars|The Battlestars special}}

Super Megatron then returned with his upgraded forces, the [[Galaman|Great Galaman]] warriors and took the [[Battlestars]] on in a space battle. He was swiftly defeated when they combined into their [[Triple Combination Battlestar Attack]] and shot him to pieces. {{storylink|The Battlestars (story page)|The Battlestars Part 7}}

Dark Nova then upgraded him into '''Ultra Megatron''' and at last joined him in battle against the Battlestars. {{storylink|The Battlestars (story page)|The Battlestars Part 8}}

For the final confrontation, Dark Nova merged with the remains of Ultra Megatron and formed the massive [[Dark Nova|Star Giant]]. Ultra Megatron was mostly disassembled in the process, what was left of him being stored in Star Giant's head. {{storylink|The Battlestars (story page)|The Battlestars Part 9}}

Star Giant proved virtually invincible from the outside, so Star Convoy, [[Grandus (ROC)|Grandus]] and [[Sky Garry (G1)|Sky Garry]] traveled inside his body and began tearing up the joint. As soon as they'd inflicted enough damage, the trio escaped just as Star Giant detonated, leaving only his head somewhat intact...fortunately for Ultra Megatron. {{storylink|The Battlestars (story page)|The Battlestars Part 10}}

====''G-2'' story pages and mini-comics====
[[Image:JapG2Meg.jpg|left|250px|thumb|He hasn't lost his knack for monologuing in his old age]]

Recovering from the Star Giant incident, Megatron's formerly damaged sanity circuits were repaired and he abandoned his evil ways. He then upgraded into a new [[Action Master]] body and joined with Optimus Prime to form the [[Cybertron Alliance]], ushering in the Second Generation of the Transformers. However, after human soldiers mistook and murdered one of his messengers and dearest comrades, he adopted a new tank body and began the war anew. This time, however, Megatron did not wish to conquer the universe for truly evil purposes, but under the belief that true peace can only be attained through tyranny and an iron fist. {{storylink|G-2 (story page)|Autobots vs. Decepticons: Combat Secrets}}

During an early battle, Megatron threatened to destroy [[Volt]] and [[Electro]]. He was stopped by Optimus Prime in his new missile trailer body. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #1}} Megatron refused to retreat and was hit by an onslaught of attacks by the Autobots. Megatron emerged unscathed from the smoke and snatched Electro up by the head. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #2}} Volt then took Megatron from behind, stabbing him in the back with his Needle Saber, causing him to drop Electro. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #4}}

Later, Megatron ordered [[Jolt (G2)|Jolt]] to follow Electro and Volt to locate Optimus Prime and the Autobots' field base. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #5}} Prime was eventually located by [[Skyjack]], who slipped past the Autobot radar and reported Prime's location to Megatron. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #7}}

Engaging Prime in battle, Megatron fell on the losing end as he ran low on power. Prime offered him one final chance to surrender, only to be interrupted by [[Hooligan (G2)|Hooligan]] and his missile attack. The attack destroyed Prime's back-mounted weaponry unit, shifting the balance of the battle in Megatron's favor. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #9}} Megatron then ordered an airstrike from [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] and [[Smokescreen (G2)|Smokescreen]], who bombed Prime mercilessly, but stopped just short of killing him, as they wanted to save the honor for Megatron. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #10}} With scarcely a look of satisfaction, Megatron gunned down his adversary. As Prime died, he offered him one final prayer. However, Megatron's prayer was short, as the [[Reconfiguration Matrix]] within Prime's chest revived him in a new body as "Battle Convoy". Alive and more powerful than before, the two foes battled it out once again. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #13}} {{storylink|G-2 (story page)|Optimus Prime of the Autobots has Fallen!}} {{storylink|G-2 (story page)|Birth of the New Supreme Commander Battle Convoy!}}

Later, Megatron and the [[Cyberjet]]s had defeated a troop of Autobots, leaving only [[Volt]] standing. Megatron offered Volt a chance to surrender, but he refused. Luckily for Volt, [[Strafe (G2)|Strafe]] arrived on the scene, just in time to belt Megatron in the jaw. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #15}} Megatron eventually captured Electro and took him back to Decepticon Headquarters. He attempted to persuade Electro to join him, but Electro politely declined the invitation, as his rescue had just arrived. Just then, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] burst out from the hall and to his friend's side. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #16}}

Megatron at last coordinated an all-out attack on the Autobots, eventually culminating in he and Prime agreeing to a one-on-one showdown following the ''Law of Cybertron'': complete banishment to the defeated and his followers. After a long and painful battle, Prime managed to narrowly defeat Megatron. Following the terms of the ''Law of Cybertron'', Megatron and the Decepticons fled back into deep space, ending the war. {{storylink|G-2 (story page)|The Autobots Triumph in the Battle of Good Vs. Evil!}}

====Comic Bom Bom ''Generation 2'' manga====
In the year 199X, the Decepticons had learned of a powerful new energy source known as [[forestonite]] which just happened to be located (surprise surprise) on [[Earth]]. Megatron sent his trio of [[Cyberjet|Cyberjets]] to Earth first to draw out the enemy Autobots. The Cyberjets made quick work of [[Electro]] but were soon halted by the appearance of Optimus Prime.

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

However, Prime was encouraged to keep fighting by the cheers of a human boy named [[Junpei]]. Megatron, surprised at Prime's resilience, attempted to finish his foe off with his Tornado Axe attack. Prime countered with his Double Wheel-Torque Mega-Ton, which trumped Megatron's attack and injured the Decepticon badly. Megatron teleported back to his ship and left Earth's atmosphere, vowing to return. {{storylink|The New Battle!!|Generation 2: The New Battle!!}}

====''Beast Wars II'' cartoon====
The Predacon [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] attempted to use a time-and-space-warping gate to summon a "Megatron" to his aid. [[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger|It is not clear]] whether he was searching for the Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] or the original Decepticon to bear that name.

Galvatron's brother [[Megastorm|Gigastorm]] screws up the calculations and instead summons the titanic [[Majin Zarak]]. Galvatron proudly declares "we obtained a weapon far superior to Megatron".

Dissed, Megsey. ''Dissed''! {{storylink|Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger}}

===Kid Stuff Talking Story Books continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Earl Hammond]] (?)

Megatron calls Soundwave a "blundering tape-filled idiot." {{storylink|When Continents Collide}}

{{charstubfiction}}

{{note|This is notable because it is hilarious. Also, Megatron totally sounds like "Mumm-Ra" from ''Thundercats''. Megatron had an odd obsession with drills, mole machines, and other burrowing devices, as he used them frequently in his plans for energy gathering and conquest.}}

===Marvel Books Big Looker Storybook continuity===
[[Image:KidsCliff1.jpg|right|150px|thumb|MTV pimps Megatron's ride.]]
A bunch of humans set up a race for charity, and the victor would receive a year's supply of oil and gasoline. Well, the Decepticons desperately wanted that bounty, so rather than just steal it, they decided to sneak into the race. [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] was one of the Autobots driving in the rally and was unaware that the scary black Cadillac was actually being driven by Megatron! Megatron dogged Cliffjumper for quite a while but ended up losing to the Minibot. Cliffjumper won the race and everybody smiled, even Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}}

Frighteningly.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Megatrong1gladiator.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Gladiators can afford extra paint applications.]]
Young Megatron was a rising star in gladiatorial combat in the depths of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. As victory upon victory mounted, he began to realize that the games were nothing more than an elaborate conspiracy by the [[Council of Ancients]] to divert the attentions of the masses from the dangerous truth of Cybertron’s history. When Megatron began to show interest in Cybertron's buried past through exploration and research, the Council of Ancients attempted to have him assassinated - a plan that only resulted in stirring up even more discontent among Cybertronians, allowing Megatron to begin recruiting for the Decepticon movement.

First his "inner circle," then many of the gladiators, and then finally disgruntled civilians answered his call to action. The Decepticons were born. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

[[Image:Fledglingcause.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Megatron is so grass-roots.]]
Megatron's forces began a civil war of Autobot against Decepticon in order to mask his reactivation of the ancient planetary engines buried beneath Cybertron’s surface. As a result, Cybertron would be transformed into a massive warworld that would cut a swathe of destruction through the galaxy. What he required, however, was a power source for the engines, which he believed could be found in the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. He personally killed [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], but found the Matrix was not with him. He sent two assassination squads after [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], the new [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]], before going for him personally. During the fight, Megatron's lieutenant, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], shot both leaders into a deep hole. During their subsequent battle, Megatron explained his goals, and urged Prime to join him. His attack on Prime also cracked the Matrix's casing, causing both Transformers to see visions of the future. Unfortunately for Megatron, Starscream activated the planet mechaforming process too soon, resulting in the destruction of the machinery, and Prime erased Megatron's memories of the future, and of the engines. {{storylink|The War Within}}

Roughly 7.4 million years BCE, Megatron and Optimus Prime disappeared in an early test of the then-unstable [[Space Bridge]] matter-transport system. Spending an undisclosed time on the planet [[Quintessa]], Megatron returned with an overwhelming army of lifeless [[Air Warrior|seeker clones]], quickly subjugating Cybertron. ''(This story was never finished due to the closure of Dreamwave, though the seekers and presumably Megatron as well were eventually defeated.)''

Four million years BCE, Cybertron was threatened by a massive approaching asteroid, so Optimus Prime led a contingent of Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to blow the rock to fragments, which were transported away by an orbital Space Bridge network. When this task was completed, Megatron chose this moment to strike, attacking the Ark with his troops. Crippled, the craft flew through one of the Space Bridge portals, and was transported to prehistoric Earth, where it crashed, entombing the occupants in stasis for four million years.

The Autobots and Decepticons were reactivated in 1984, but specific details of their battles in the 1980s and 1990s are unrecorded. (Presumably, they broadly resembled the G1 cartoon and comic books.) In 1999, a Autobot/Human military alliance succeeded in capturing and deactivating the Decepticons. However, the [[Ark II]] spaceship carrying them back to Cybertron exploded shortly after liftoff, and the Transformers were believed destroyed. In actuality, they had been scattered back to Earth, where they lay in [[stasis lock]] across the globe for three years. This slumber was brought to an end when [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]] (aka Lazarus), a rogue military scientist who had devised a method of controlling Transformers, salvaged many of the fallen Cybertronians and reprogrammed them as mass killing machines, which he then attempted to sell on the black market. Megatron was first to break free of the human's control, overriding the new programming and capturing Lazarus during an auction. Megatron forced Lazarus to watch as he unleashed a technorganic virus designed to transform all of Earth into a new Cybertron. It also served to lure Optimus Prime and the Autobots, also now reactivated, to his location. Megatron, tired of the war, continuously asked Prime to join him. After his first failed attempt, Megatron unleashed [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] on [[San Francisco]], ensuing in mass slaughter, in an attempt to show Prime the humans were not worth fighting for. However, the selfless sacrifice of several firemen restored Prime's faith in humanity and allowed him and the Autobots to beat back Megatron.

[[Image:Shockwavedwwarandpeace.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Megatron's a bottom.]]
Several months later. Megatron was subliminally summoned to a remote area in Alaska along with the other Earthbound Transformers. There they battled until Megatron's former second-in-command, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], arrived and revealed that in their absence the war on Cybertron had ended. He arrested Megatron, Prime, and their troops as war criminals. Megatron, weakened by battle, was quickly defeated by Shockwave and loaded aboard his shuttle for return to Cybertron, only to have Starscream seize the opportunity by jettisoning him into space on the return trip. Megatron used the time floating in space to contemplate his existence and the Decepticon goal. Realizing that he had wasted millennia in his feud with Prime, Megatron resolved to once again conquer Cybertron as a means of enhancing the Transformer race and strengthening it from outside threats. It seemed as through he would not live to accomplish this goal, however, as death closed in on him... only for him to be retrieved by the [[Junkion]] [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]. Wreck-Gar took Megatron to the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] and repaired and re-armed him, as well as digging up and reactivating a number of seeker clones that had wound up there after being dumped through space bridge portals. Megatron returned the favor by stabbing him in the back with an energy dagger.

Traveling to the Planet [[Beest]], Megatron defeated the exiled Decepticon warlords, the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], and rebuilt them into the mightiest of all combiners, [[Predaking]], to serve as his ace in the hole in his quest to reclaim leadership of the Decepticons. Moving in stealth on Cybertron, Megatron defeated Shockwave, severing his laser arm and forcing him into servitude. He then returned to Earth to collect the remaining Decepticons under Starscream's command, and to teach Starscream a lesson long in coming.

{{note|While it was alluded that Megatron had a grand goal in mind that also included the subjugation of the [[Quintessons]], the remainder of the story has yet to be told due to the closure of [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]. However it has been stated by representatives of [[IDW Publishing]], the current holders of the Transformer comic license, that once Dreamwave has exited bankruptcy court, they intend to finish the story.}}

===Dreamwave ''Transformers/G.I. Joe'' continuity===
Megatron and the other Decepticons were unintentionally revived by [[Major Bludd]]. Bludd's leader, [[Cobra Commander]], used Megatron as a weapon of global conquest. Megatron took the opportunity to harvest energy from the conquered human establishments. To enforce Megatron's loyalty, the Commander was willing to use his possession of the [[Matrix]] as a weapon capable of causing Megatron great pain. Megatron eagerly awaited the Commander's death.

When Cobra Commander's legs were crushed during Bruticus's rampage, Megatron suggested the Commander use Megatron's gun mode as a means of killing himself to relieve the pain, but it was Baroness who was bold enough to fire the killing shot.

Then Snake-Eyes broke the Matrix and Megatron died. He remained dead. {{storylink|Transformers/G.I. Joe}}

===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. The Transformers'' continuity===
[[Image:Megatronddjoe.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Joey Slick > Cobra Commander]]
After [[Cobra]], a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world, found a crashed spaceship full of Transformers in [[stasis lock]], these beings were rebuilt into Cobra vehicles and reprogrammed to serve Cobra. One exception to the latter detail was Megatron, who was rebuilt to transform into a Walther P38 handgun, but was only locked in this mode and not reprogrammed. He mocked [[Cobra Commander]]'s decisions, especially deciding [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], Megatron's traitorous lieutenant, would serve as the Commander's choice of transport.

Megatron was able to bargain for his freedom when the Transformers were cleared of their reprogramming, including a very stern [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. The two leaders clashed, but ultimately Megatron was defeated. Unbeknownst to the victors, Megatron's remains were seized by the United States government. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers}}

Megatron's remains were eventually used to create [[Serpent O.R.]], a synthetic creature that combined the personalities of several of [[Earth]]'s most famous warmongers and Megatron. During a Cobra raid, Serpent O.R. was prematurely activated. After discerning his origins, Serpent O.R. considered himself the son of Megatron. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War|The Art of War}}

=== IDW comics continuity ===
{{ongoing}}
{{quote|I don't care why you fight to protect these people, this place, the old way. It must change. ''I will make it change.''|Megatron to Sentinel Prime|"[[Megatron Origin issue 4]]"}}

[[Image:Apexthrone.JPG|right|250px|thumb|You should have gone to IKEA.]]
Long ago, before the war, Megatron was an [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] miner, a member of the lower class, in [[Mine C-12]]. One day [[Decimus|Senator Decimus]] arrived at the mine to announce that the mine was being closed immediately and the workers would be relocated. However, one of the Senator's guards killed a worker for insubordination and claims of Senate corruption, which spurred Megatron into action. He attacked Senator Decimus and killed the guard in self-defense, and was shocked to find he had done so. He and the other miners were en route to imprisonment when [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] broke free and started a riot aboard their ship. They escaped and made their way to [[Kaon]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 1}}

After evading law enforcement, Megatron joined a team of underworld gladiators under the tutelage of [[Clench (G2)|Clench]]. Initially repulsed by killing his opponents, the games eventually turned him more brutal and excessive, and he took control of the entire operation from Clench. The opportunistic Senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], after seeing how much money there was in the underworld matches, sent his agent [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to offer Megatron weaponry and technology to upgrade himself and his comrades. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2}} [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s Autobots were sent to investigate the gladiatorial games, but when two Autobots were personally killed by Megatron, Prime's forces stepped up their pursuit. Megatron used the gladiatorial games to drum up an army of violent malcontents and spread chaos throughout Cybertron. He then deliberately allowed Sentinel Prime's forces to capture his burgeoning army, {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3}} so that [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (pretending to defect) and Soundwave and his hidden cassette army could exterminate the Kaon Senate and then free every last prisoner. Megatron led the army of prisoners against the Autobots, beat Sentinel Prime nearly to death, and took control of Kaon. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4}}

[[Image:Megatrong1idwpreearth.jpg|left|150px|thumb|450 years ago, his helmet was black, but now it's gray. The difference time makes, huh?]]
Over time, the war between Megatron's Decepticon army and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s Autobots covered the entire planet and soon beyond to the rest of the galaxy. Optimus grew to respect and fear Megatron as a calm, calculating and measured opponent, while Megatron himself respected Prime's sheer power and his skill as a tactician and as a leader. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5}} Megatron also constructed [[Sixshot]], a living weapon with frightening amounts of power that only he had the "off-switch" for. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5}} The conflict became so great that it created an impending energy crisis and threatened the stability of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] itself. When [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] left Cybertron, secretly pursuing alternate energy sources, Megatron ordered [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] to investigate his files, secretly assigning Soundwave to investigate Bludgeon. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}}

Later, a Decepticon scientist, [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], came to Megatron with a revolutionary, controversial plan to stave off this energy death by [[Pretender|polydermal grafting]], a process where they encased themselves in "symbiotic carapaces," or shells created from living tissue. When Megatron dismissed him angrily and cut him down, Thunderwing did not abandon his research, but instead experimented on himself. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3}} As a result, Thunderwing became so powerful that Megatron had to join forces with Optimus Prime to stop him. This battle at [[Thunderhead Pass]] accelerated the apocalypse destined to befall Cybertron, leaving it an uninhabitable, radioactive husk and forcing both armies to continue their war on other worlds. Megatron advocated that they simply destroy Cybertron to ensure that Thunderwing was destroyed, but Prime refused, and threatened to stop Megatron if he tried. Megatron agreed not to destroy the planet, but warned Prime that whatever happened was on his head. Shortly after the last big push by the Decepticons, Cybertron was abandoned by both factions.

[[Image:Infiltration6 takeyourpunishment.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Those librarians are getting really strict on late returns.]]
Seven hundred [[Units of time|stellar cycles]] later, in current times, it was discovered that as a result of digging through Shockwave's files, Bludgeon had resurrected Thunderwing's dangerous project, as well as Thunderwing himself. After being informed of Thunderwing's attack on [[Nebulos]], Megatron dispatched the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] in the ''[[Thanatos]]'' to Cybertron, authorizing [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] to do whatever was necessary to destroy Thunderwing, including the destruction of Cybertron. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3}} However, Optimus Prime and the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] were able to thwart both Bludgeon and Thunderwing, and so destruction of the planet was averted. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 4}}

{{quote|You will stand down. If you fight, you ''die''. There is no room anymore for mercy. In the end, you are ''all'' expendable. Choose.|Megatron's ultimatum to Starscream's troops|"[[Infiltration issue 6]]"}}

Megatron, meanwhile, was on Earth, investigating Starscream's infiltration team. He discovered that Starscream had stumbled across [[Ore-13]], an incredible energy source which had been [[Spotlight: Shockwave|mysteriously seeded there]], and that the [[Air Commander]] was planning to use it to usurp Megatron's command — this annoyed him, as he had thought they were beyond such power games. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 4}} After seriously damaging the hesitantly rebellious [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], {{storylink|Infiltration issue 5}} Megatron ordered the AWOL team to stand down and then took on a super-powered Starscream. Though the Ore-13 made Starscream a formidable adversary, Megatron was still more deadly than he, and Starscream was destroyed. All throughout, he acted eerily calm & measured and made both Autobot and Decepticon wet themselves in fear. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6}}

[[Image:Megatrong1idwgunbody.jpg|left|150px|thumb|I also wonder.]]
Megatron took stock of Starscream's progress on Earth in light of the discovery of Ore-13, repaired Skywarp and Blitzwing, and made Starscream's former troops aware, in no uncertain terms, that any further insurrections would be met with deadly force. {{storylink|Escalation issue 1}} But instead of leaving Earth in the hands of a new commander, Megatron stayed to guide the second stage of the Decepticons' plans, wishing to try out his new [[Size changing|mass-displacing]] handgun [[Alternate mode|altmode]] and the Ore-13 power. {{storylink|Escalation issue 2}} He personally took charge of the Decepticon subterfuge in [[Brasnya]], guiding the facsimile of [[Georgi Koska]] in an attempt to escalate an international incident into a full polarizing war, and acting as Koska's personal weapon. (His alt-mode only works when a human is holding and firing him, which left him at a disadvantage against the Autobots, who could simply pin him down in that form. Maybe Megs just wants to be held.) {{storylink|Escalation issue 3}}

When Optimus Prime arrived, Megatron transformed and started a full-blown to-the-death melee with his longtime foe for all the nuts and bolts - this surprised Optimus, who accused Megatron of letting the Ore-13 power go to his head and causing him to be "some raging braggart". Even with his fusion cannon disabled almost right away, Megatron gained the upper hand due to his Ore-13 high. Beating his foe down, he squeezed Prime's spark casing and seemingly killed him; {{storylink|Escalation issue 5}} aghast, the Autobots moved into a full but ineffective counterattack, their only edge being that Megatron had no long-range guns left. However, Prime's death was a desperate ruse, and the Autobot leader countered with a surprise attack on Megatron, able to exploit Ore-13's weakness — the more it's used, the faster it burns itself out. Megatron almost collapsed from power loss and was forced to have Skywarp take him to safety before the Autobots could kill him.

Upon returning to base and being refueled and repaired, Megatron was hopping mad. Mad enough to prematurely call in his ultimate living weapon—[[Sixshot]]—despite [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'s panic attack on hearing that. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6}}

During this time, he discovered a plot by [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] to overthrow him. Without saying a word, he beat the living [[Slag (slang)|slag]] out of the attempted traitor. {{storylink|Spotlight: Ramjet}}

Upon Sixshot's arrival, Megatron ordered him to utterly destroy the Autobots, throwing out the methodical "Phase" strategy. The other Decepticons were worried that Megatron was losing his grip - and since they were too scared to tell him that, they decided to revive Starscream to do it for them. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1}} Before Sixshot could obliterate the Autobots, Megatron recalled him to deal with a new threat—the [[Reapers]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4}} Megatron deduced that the other Decepticons betrayed him by awakening Starscream, but decided not to punish them '''yet''', due to the present task of destroying the Reapers. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5}} After these foes were dead, Megatron was forced to accept Starscream and the others when it became clear the humans were aware of them now. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6}}

[[Image:Bringingthehousedown.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Megatron's urban renewal program was off to a flying start.]]
At some point between ''Devastation'' and ''AHM'', the Autobots were led into a trap; false information was planted by an [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Autobot traitor]], and they were badly smashed up by the 'Cons and Devastator. Megatron planned to drop the Autobots into the midst of [[Insecticon Swarm|three thousand horrendous things he ha created]] on Cybertron. When all but Prime had gone throught the space bridge, Prime grabbed Blitzwing's gun and somehow saved the other Autobots from ceratin death, closing the portal. Optimus was critically injured by the space bridge, which fried his circuits. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}} This caused Starscream's status among the Decepticons and their concern about Megatron to go ''way'' down, with former dissenters like [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] becoming Megatron fanboys. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}} By use of Sunstreaker's input with Starscream and Bombshell's experimentation on [[Hunter O'Nion]], Megatron was able to defeat [[Omega Supreme (G1)|almost]] all the Autobots in the galaxy...

A year after the defeat of Optimus, Megatron decided to take Earth and make it the new Decepticon homeworld. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}} He arrived on the front lines as the Decepticons attacked [[New York]], humiliating Starscream by outdoing him in destroying things with just one shot from his fusion cannon. When the US Air Force responded with an F-22 squad, as a show of force Megatron had Soundwave disable the human's missile targeting, followed by the Decepticons just standing there shrugging off bullets before making their attack. After one jet was damaged by Skywarp, [[DJ (G1)|its pilot]] attempted to take out Megatron with a suicide run, but the Decepticon leader calmly swatted the incoming plane, causing it to explode. As flames rose from the wreckage, Megatron emerged, completely undamaged, laughing maniacally. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}} Megatron continued to direct the Decepticon assault on New York, dispatching [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] to mop up the U.S. Army's ground forces and ordering the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to combine into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and destroy the underwater tunnels leading out of the city. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 2}}

His plan executed flawlessly, the Decepticons continued their assault on the major cities of the United States, disabling or nullifying any attempt by the army or navy to counterattack. As he surveyed his handiwork in New York, he ordered Hook and the Constructicons to begin building ''something'' in the once-great human city and appreciated their "sacrifice" in using "substandard" building materials. Soon thereafter he was joined by Starscream, with whom he had a heart to heart and revealed he believed Starscream to be the embodiment of the Decepticon cause, but that Starscream was blind to realizing this. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3}}

When the humans had fallen, Megatron made a propaganda speech to his men in the ruins of New York. He heaped great praise on their efforts, both on Earth and across the galaxy, announcing they had finally crushed the Autobots for good. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4}} After making this speech (and dispatching Ratbat to attack a small group of mercenaries led by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Commander Witwicky]]), Megatron entered one of the "buildings" to gaze at his newly prized possession... the Autobot Matrix of Leadership that he stole from Optimus. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}}

That praise turned out to be empty, as Starscream started noticing that Megatron didn't have a plan now victory had been achieved, and the smashy-smash fun on Earth was him trying to distract the troops - because now he had an army of evil sociopathic murderers with nothing to murder and a doctrine of taking power. Not even smashing up Israel made him feel better. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}}

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

With most of the Autobots in the galaxy defeated, Megatron chafed to end the war quickly. He demanded [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] track the last pocket of Autobot resistance down for the Decepticons. The mercenary demanded a majority share in all energon mining operations, a deal which outraged Megatron, until Mirage pointed out it was a small price to pay to end the war. After Optimus Prime surrendered, Megatron demanded the prisoners be executed despite Mirage's promise to spare Autobot lives. Seeing Mirage's hesitation, Megatron appealed to his greed. {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}

===IDW ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' continuity===
He is referred to (as a leader [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] wants to replace, big surprise), but does not appear. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2}}

====IDW ''Hearts of Steel'' Concept Art micro-continuity====
Megatron is depicted with three different altmodes: a giant cannon (with big studded wheels that become shoulder-shields), a 19th-century Colt revolver, possibly a [[wikipedia:Colt 1851 Navy Revolver|Colt 1851 Navy]], and another very similar revolver, with an anachronistic scope and a bulkier muzzle. Since these altmodes have no place in the story, these sketches constitute a [[micro-continuity]] in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] and Megatron are active in the late 19th century.

===''Beast Wars''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Garry Chalk]] (English)

[[Image:G1Megatron MasterBlaster stasislock.jpg|left|150px|thumb|I know we all need our beauty sleep, but 4 million years, now that's taking the pee.]]
After the Autobot/Decepticon war moved to Earth, Megatron hunted down the [[Voyager probe]] as it traveled through the [[Solar System]] and encoded a message on its disc. Should his efforts fail, he left detailed instructions to any Decepticon descendants who recovered the disc, instructions which apparently condoned use of [[transwarp]] technology to alter history in his favor by locating the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] before it was reactivated, with access codes to the Ark stored in the disk, and killing Optimus Prime before the Autobots and Decepticons reawaken. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}

[[Image:G1Megatron Disc Agenda part2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Now that's what I call a smile.]]
The disk (dubbed the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]]) eventually fell into Cybertronian hands and was stolen by a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] who shared Megatron's name. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} This new [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], later stranded in Earth's past, was able to use a recording of the original Megatron to sway one of the original Megatron's most loyal troops, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], to his cause. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}

[[Image:G1Megs Nemesis part2 deletedclip.jpg|left|150px|thumb|I was cut out?! This is Starscream's doing!]]
The original Megatron himself was stranded in Earth's past on board the Ark, offline. Before long, Predacon Megatron was able to approach the comatose body of his namesake and steal his [[spark]], integrating it into his own system. Almost immediately, however, during Predacon Megatron's painful reaction to this integration, he was thrown into a pool of lava by his treacherous underlings. In spite of—or perhaps because of—this, Predacon Megatron emerged from the lava, with a new body that could now transform into a fire-breathing dragon. It is unknown how much influence the original Megatron's Spark had in this metamorphosis. {{storylink|Master Blaster}} At the end of the ''Beast Wars'', after Predacon Megatron was overcome, the original Megatron's Spark was returned to his body, restoring the flow of history. <ref>This scene was cut out of "[[Nemesis Part 2]]" for air-time reasons, but its occurrence is still implied by [[Optimus Primal]]'s note that all was as it should be. The clip was added as a special feature to [[Kid Rhino]]'s and [[Madman Entertainment]]'s ''Beast Wars'' season 3 DVD box sets.</ref>

A Megatron is mentioned in the [[Covenant of Primus]], an ancient sacred text which claims to prophesize future events, including the Beast Wars. It is implied that both Megatrons took their name from here. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}
{{-}}
==Commercial appearances==
Megatron featured in quite a few [[commercial]]s, mostly advertising other toys:

* He appear in the very first Transformers animation, a commercial announcing the upcoming 1984 comic book. He lands amid a battle on Earth and fires his cannon at incoming Autobots. This appearance uses his pre-cartoon design, with the black helmet and triggered cannon.

* Footage from that commercial, as well as the show's opening credits, was recycled into an early ad for the toyline.

* In the ad for [[Coleco]]'s [[Power Cycle]], Megatron and the Decepticons are raiding a <s>jungle gym</s> power plant. This footage is recycled from the advertisement for the first issue of the comic, and features Megatron's early "black helmet" model.

* Megatron attempts to hijack a load of shoes in a South American ad for [[Bata]]'s licensed ''Transformers'' footwear. He is stopped when a pair of said shoes deflect his fusion cannon blast right back at him. No, really.

* In the middle of a desert battle, Megatron summons Thrust and Dirge, in response to Optimus Prime bringing in like half a dozen new guys.

* Megatron, in his Action Master body, is seen in a base futilely trying to grab a pair of [[Micromaster Combiner]]s.

Megatron's voice, provided by Frank Welker, has narrated numerous commercials, including:
* The Constructicons
* Rubsigns
* Sharkticons (strange!)
* Wreck-Gar (stranger!)
* Galvatron (stranger still!)
* Stunticons
* Combaticons
* Trypticon
* Predacons
* Battlechargers

==Toys==
{{main|Megatron (G1)/toys}}

==Trivia==
* Early in the ''Transformers'' series preproduction, Megatron's look was based not on the toy, but on concept art for an unproduced prototype version. This early version, sporting a different, black head, a very different scope/fusion cannon, and the gun's barrel on his back, managed to make its way into not only early [[commercial]] animation and licensed material, but into the art of the early Marvel Comics. Though the model was altered before the animated series was produced, elements from the first model were perpetuated such as the back-mounted barrel in both the comic and the cartoon. The Marvel Comics continued to color Megatron's helmet black (well, blue) until the end of its run.

<center><gallery>
Image:Earlymegatron.jpg|The [[fusion cannon]]'s got that handle because... well, we're not sure.
Image:P-Megatron.jpg|Microman Megatron's concept model. Back then, he was a little less happy to see you.
</gallery></center>
[[Image:MegatronOrigin2 Megs hair.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Megatron sincerely hopes that you do not remember this.]]
* The name "Megatron" was originally used by Marvel Comics for ''another'' robot that appeared long before the Transformers toyline came about, in issue 18 of the ''Shogun Warriors'' series (written by Doug Moench, art by Herb Trimpe, released in July 1980)<ref>[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix2/droneracecharter.htm#Megatron Megatron and the "Drones" from Marvel's ''Shogun Warriors'' comic at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe]</ref>. [[Bob Budiansky]] stated in an interview that the name "Megatron" is a portmanteau derived from "Megaton" and "Electronic".<ref>[http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/bbudiansky_2.php ASM - Your Future Nostalgia. Today]</ref> He suggested the name "Megatron" for the Transformers line (it's unclear if he was aware of the existing Marvel character, though as an editor it seems likely that he at least had a subconscious memory of it) but [[Hasbro]] initially rejected it, claiming that "mega" conjured images of nuclear bombs. Budiansky reminded them that the name was supposed to sound evil, because he's the leader of the bad guys. Hasbro responded, "Oh, right," and then approved the name. <ref>[http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/bbudiansky_2.php ASM: A Little Q&A with... Bob Budiansky]</ref>

* In the UK comics, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] explains that Megatron is the equivalent of a 'blueblood,' possessing some royal lineage.<ref>[[Letters page (Marvel UK)]] #227</ref>

* After his fight with Optimus Prime in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 animated movie]], Megatron appears to have energon leaking from his eyes and mouth. Either that or he's been crying, which seems unlikely.

* In [[Megatron Origin issue 2]], we see that Megatron's helmet is, in fact, a helmet and not part of his head (at least in this continuity). Upon removing his helmet, Megatron then briefly unfurls a crest. The significance of this moment is not explained, nor is it ever revisited. Thankfully.

*Megatron [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|once]] crushed [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]'s head with his bare hands!

*Some [[Canada|Québecquers]] loved his shiny body so much they named their postal service after him. <ref>[http://www.megatron.net/quebec/ Megatron Dot Net Forward Slash Quebec.]</ref>

*When Megatron transforms into gun mode, he [[Size changing|shrinks]] to a size where he can be held by either a human or fellow Transformer. He generally requires someone to aim and fire for him. This is in contrast to Shockwave who does not size change and can fly about, aim, and fire for himself. The reasons Megatron chooses to Transform instead of simply using his fusion cannon are not entirely clear, but one could probably assume his gun-mode firepower is more concentrated or in some other way more powerful.

*There are some exceptions to the statement above. In the episode "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]", Megatron does not shrink and instead attaches himself to Starscream's jet-mode undercarriage. In the episode "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]", he floats in the air and takes a shot at Skyfire unassisted.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Megatron Megatron's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
* [http://www.transformers-universe.com/popup.php?img=content/images/galerie/pics/44/4417_Megatron_DreamwaveProfile1.jpg Page 1,] [http://www.transformers-universe.com/popup.php?img=content/images/galerie/pics/44/4418_Megatron_DreamwaveProfile2.jpg 2 and] [http://www.transformers-universe.com/popup.php?img=content/images/galerie/pics/44/4419_Megatron_DreamwaveProfile3.jpg 3 of Megatron's MTMTE profile at Transformers-universe.com]
*[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/4539/37/|e-HOBBY Megatron Black Version Manga and Profile Translation at the Allspark / TF Pulp]

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