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Primus

2009-12-05T02:47:28Z

209.106.203.252: /* Retconning the retcon? */

{{factions|autobot}}
[[Image:PrimusG1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|''They call him Gee-Oh-Dee<br>And he the [[Big Daddy (G1)|big daddy]]<br>He look like [[Hot Rod (G1)|me]]<br>But he more [[Facial hair|beardie]]'']]
'''Primus''' is the creator-god of the [[Transformer|Transformers]]. An ancient and ethereal being whose origins date back to the beginnings of the universe itself, Primus is a multiversal force for good, his life force existing across multiple realities and infinite alternate universes. In each one, he is the final defense against his fallen sibling, [[Unicron]] the Chaos-Bringer.

Primus has adapted his body as the metallic planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]; from its surface, his creations have risen to defend and patrol the galaxy. Within the depths of Cybertron, the mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]] serves as his internal mainframe, and a gateway for select Transformers to access his power. A portion of his lifeforce resides within the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], which often determines the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot|Autobots]]. Prophecies of a war to come were written down in his [[Covenant of Primus|holy covenant]] as well. The [[spark]] of each Transformer is a small piece of Primus's essence, and together they form his lifeforce, the [[Allspark]].

Though wise and powerful beyond measure, Primus is neither infallible nor without weakness. At times he has [[Out of Time!|been deceived by mere mortals]], and has made [[The Sun|miscalculations]] which [[Balancing Act|jeopardized all of existence]], and has been betrayed by one of his [[The Fallen|earliest creations]]. Indeed, even the intended agents of his grand plan, the Transformers, have all too frequently become mired in endless civil war. Still, in [[Withered Hope|most realities]] he has [[Wreckers: Finale Part II|managed to hold the line]] against Unicron and other threats, either directly or through his innumerable children, the Transformers.

{{quote|Until all are one!|Primus to his children|"[[Trap]]"}}

==In the beginning==
[[Image:Primus original.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Hold the sword and say, "I am the Protector of the Universe!"]]
Before the dawn of time, Order and Chaos existed within an extradimensional entity known as [[The One]]. To explore the fledgling universe, he created the astral being known as [[Unicron]], and then subdivided him, creating his twin, Primus. Both brothers were [[Multiversal singularity|multiversal singularities]], unique in all realities, but whereas Unicron could only exist in one dimension at a time, moving between them at will, Primus existed simultaneously in all realities at once. It is suggested, in fact, that the two brothers embody the basic concepts of reality - good and evil, order and chaos - and that their continued existence is necessary for the stability of the multiverse.

[[Image:Primusoriginal.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"No, Rumble is blue!"]]
As Unicron and Primus went about their appointed task, venturing through the cosmos, it became apparent to Primus that Unicron was a corrupt being, and he took it upon himself to stop the threat posed to all of existence by his sibling. In combat, Primus was no match for Unicron. In cunning, however, he proved himself to his brother's superior when he shifted their battle to the astral plane, and then back to the physical world once more, only to have both their essences manifest within metallic planetoids, leaving them both trapped. It was with this act of sacrifice that Primus hoped to contain Unicron's evil forever. Unfortunately for him, over time, Unicron learned to psionically shape his prison into a giant metallic planet, and Primus followed suit, becoming the mechanical world of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. When Unicron then learned to transform his planetary form even further, into a gigantic robot form, Primus adapted the idea to suit his own ends - rather than transforming his own body, he would create small beings that would be able to change their shape, like Unicron. After performing a "test run" on the moon of [[Protos]], where he successfully created [[Covenant|twelve transforming robotic beings]], {{storylink|Herald, Covenant, Schism, Paradox|Covenant}} he birthed from his own body a group of thirteen robots that possessed the ability to change shape, like Unicron. These were the [[13 original Transformers]], each one infused with a fragment of Primus's life essence known as a [[spark]].

The Thirteen were Primus's soldiers in his war with Unicron, which came to its seeming end during a climactic battle in which one of the Thirteen, who would forever afterwards be known as the [[The Fallen|Fallen]], betrayed Primus and became an acolyte of Unicron. The battle ended when the Fallen and Unicron were sucked into a black hole and disappeared from reality. With Unicron gone for now, Primus entered an eons-long slumber, his self-imposed sleep preventing Unicron from detecting him through the mental link the brothers shared. The Transformer race grew, and Primus fell into the realm of legend, with a portion of his power, the [[Matrix of Leadership]], handed down through the generations, serving as the Transformers' ever-present link to their creator.

===Evolution of the Primus/Unicron myth===
''The Primus/Unicron backstory has evolved and been rewritten a good number of times since it first originated in the [[Marvel Comics]] series. The version recounted above is the current iteration, which has slowly solidified across a wide swath of media (beginning around the time of [[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]). Before the Primus/Unicron mythos reached its present form it went through several distinct versions in the Marvel G1 comics and elsewhere.''

====Unicron's story====
''The first time we ever heard the Primus/Unicron backstory was in the UK comic continuity, from Unicron himself, in the story "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]", when he recounted it to [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]]. Per Unicron's telling of events, he was a primal force of evil at the dawn of the universe, who led a legion of [[Dark Armies]] against his mortal foe, Primus, Lord of the [[Light Gods]] (note the plural). Events proceeded to play out basically as described above, though the role of the Light Gods and Dark Armies would diminish with each subsequent retelling of the story, until the current version, in which Primus and Unicron are alone, and have a unique origin. (Only one of the other gods was ever named - the [[Chronarchitect]]. How exactly he factors into the current iteration of the myth is unknown.)''

====The Keeper's story====
''The second time the story was told was in the US book by the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]], an ancient mechanoid who guarded Primus's head at the center of Cybertron. This telling is effectively the same as the previous UK story, but mentions that their battle was towards the end of the era of gods, that Primus and Unicron were the last of their respective pantheons, and Primus had to defeat Unicron before he could take his place with the other gods in the "[[Omniversal Matrix]]".''

====Primus's story====
''The third time the story was told was also in the US Marvel series, this time by Primus, when he gathered all his children together to prepare for Unicron's coming. It was with this telling that we learned that Unicron predated the current universe, and had destroyed the previous universe which existed before the current one. He had slept peacefully, alone in the void of uncreation that remained, until fragments of the old universe that he had overlooked reacted, causing the Big Bang and birthing the current universe. The "sentient core" of this new universe recognized the threat that Unicron posed, and so created Primus to counter his evil and be guardian of the new creation.''

====Fleer and DK====
[[Image:WarWithinPrimus.jpg|left|150px|thumb|I feel prickly...]]
''The first modern retelling of the origins of Primus and Unicron did not come from G1-oriented media, but from a set of ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' trading cards released by Fleer. It was the backstory printed on Unicron's card which introduced the concept of the two being brothers created to explore the new universe by an extradimensional entity, here named the "[[Allspark]]."''

''This was subsequently expanded on and combined with aspects of the various Marvel Comics stories in [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]], published by Dorling Kindersley and written by [[Simon Furman]], who had written all three prior tellings in the first place. Here, the entity Fleer had called the "Allspark" was redubbed "[[The One]]," and the modern iteration of the myth detailed above was firmly established, and went on to form the backbone of subsequent fiction such as ''[[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' and [[Fun Publications]]' ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' comics.''

''It was also at this point that it was established that Primus could transform from Cybertron into a robot mode like Unicron, but preferred not to, choosing to remain connected to the universe on a planetary level.''
{{-}}

==Generation 1==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[Image:Primalscream.jpg|right|180px|thumb|KHHHHHAAAAANNNNN!]]
Eventually, millions of years later, in [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|one version]] of Generation 1 continuity, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] found themselves transported to the center of Cybertron, where they discovered the sleeping form of Primus and were told the tale of his and the Transformers' origins by the Keeper. Subsequently, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Pretender|Pretenders]] attacked, and during the battle, a laser blast ricocheted off Grimlock and struck the essence of the sleeping Primus, causing a multiverse-shaking "Primal Scream" that woke Unicron and alerted him to Primus's location. Primus himself immediately slipped back into his sleep, but it was too late. {{storylink|Primal Scream (issue)|Primal Scream}}

[[Image:Emirate prmus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Form blazing god!]]
Unicron dispatched a group of [[Hook, Line, and Sinker|heralds]] to attack Cybertron and pave the way for his coming, including a [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] plucked from an [[Rhythms of Darkness!|alternate future]]. Galvatron, however, was not content to serve under Unicron, and instead captured Autobot leader [[Emirate Xaaron]], forcing him to fully awaken Primus, who possessed Xaaron's body and summoned Transformers from all across the universe back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} Primus intended for all his children to battle Unicron together, but when the planet-eater arrived, sheer terror prevented them from carrying out his desire. Primus instead made a stand himself, attempting to dupe Unicron into believing he still retained his full power, but Unicron saw through the deception, and destroyed Xaaron's body. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] subsequently used the Matrix, the full measure of Primus's power, to destroy Unicron. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} His body in this universe obliterated, Unicron moved on to another dimension, to ravage other worlds, and make further attempts on Cybertrons throughout the multiverse.

{{note|As originally written, it is quite clear that the story intends for Primus to have died after his battle with Unicron. As the current retcon makes it clear that this cannot possibly be, one must assume that Prime was wrong in his analysis that Primus had died. Notably, even in the original comics themselves, the Matrix—the life-force of Primus—is shown to still exist and is functioning fine in the G2 Marvel Comics series that follows his supposed death.}}
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===Japanese cartoon continuity===
{{note|Primus did not exist in the American [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] as it was originally written, since it was produced long before the [[retcon]] which established him to be a multiversal singularity. Precisely how Primus should then fit into the framework of the cartoon has not been explicitly established, although the [[Universe (2003 comic)|''Universe'' comic'']]'' offered one attempt for its continuity (see "Beast Era", below). Primus was, however, explicitly and thoroughly retconned into being part of the expanded universe of the ''Japanese'' cartoon continuity by the [[Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]] fiction of 2007, as part of a complicated process that folded various animated concepts—[[Oracle (G1)|Primacron's assistant]], [[Vector Sigma]] and the [[Oracle (G1)|Oracle]]—into the Primus myth.}}
[[Image:TGGPrimus.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Now you need to get this toy.]]

Formerly the assistant to the Primacron, the ancient genius who created the giant mechanoid Unicron, the robotic being known as the Oracle was badly damaged when Unicron rebelled against his creator. His essence fled to a dead world at the centre of the galaxy, which he used his powers to transform into a verdant, green planet. This world was eventually discovered by the alien Quintessons, and the Oracle was captured and transformed into the mega-computer, [[Vector Sigma]]. The Quintessons used the Key To Vector Sigma to change the Oracle's world into the metallic planet of Cybertron. The Oracle's powers were harnessed by the Quintessons to create the races of robots that would eventually become the Transformers, and the shell that had held his essence became the Matrix of Leadership. {{storylink|Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|Kiss Players timeline}}

[[Image:TGGPrimus2.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Primus = Oracle = Vector Sigma = Primacron's Assistant = aaaargh.]]
Eons later, in the year 2007, three of Unicron's servants, the [[Sparkbot|Sparkbots]], co-opted the human singing group, the [[Kiss Players (singing group)|Kiss Players]], into helping them gather up the scattered [[Angolmois|essence]] of their master following his destruction in 2005. The three girls - [[Marissa Faireborn]], [[Atari Hitotonari]] and [[Shaoshao Li]] - were taken on a journey through space and time, and were tricked into believing that they were recovering fragments of the so-called "Allspark" from [[Autobot]] or [[Maximal]] leaders throughout history. The Oracle - by this stage calling himself Primus - was forced to intervene, appearing as a giant golden hand which began to steal away the fragments before the Kiss Players could gather them. Pursuing him across the multiverse, the Kiss Players collided with the [[Wall of Time]] and were scattered across dimensions.

Primus rescued the girls from the Unicron Trilogy universe and revealed the Sparkbots' deception, before transforming into his "golden ark" mode (which Shaoshao thought looked more like a camper truck) to pursue the three villains back in time to prehistoric Earth. They arrived just in time to witness the Sparkbots' successful restoration of Unicron to life, but Primus transformed once more and unleashed the power of his mobile cannon platform, destroying Unicron's energy and sealing it and the Sparkbots deep within the planet. To ensure that Unicron would never be freed again, he created a mighty guardian, [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], who would watch over it and the Earth. With the battle over, Shaoshao asked about the Kiss Players' future, but Primus did not reply. His work complete, the god transformed into a golden sphere and went to sleep. {{storylink|Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players Position}} {{storylink|15 Go! Go!}}
{{-}}

==Beast Era==
===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
In addition to its occasional invocation in prayer or in righteous anger by the Beast Warriors, Primus's name was also lent to a set of prophetical datatrax, known as the [[Covenant of Primus]]. From this document, the [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] of this era took his name (as did, presumably, the original [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]), and the scriptures foretold the events which completed the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2|Nemesis Part 2}}

===''Universe: Featuring the Wreckers''===

{{Note|The [[3H Productions]] ''Wreckers'' comic was the first attempt by official fiction to detail how the Quintesson-born origin of the Generation 1 cartoon could be reconciled with the Primus creation myth from the comic books. Set concurrently with the ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoon, it only ''strictly'' applies to the continuity of the Beast Era, which is not explicitly the same universe as the Generation 1 cartoon itself.}}

Dispatched to an ice world in the far reaches of the galaxy by the orders of the [[Vector Sigma|Oracle]], [[Primal Prime]]'s [[Wrecker]]s encountered the exiled [[Quintesson]] known as [[Al-Badur]], who revealed to them the full extent of his race's connection to Cybertron and Primus. Al-Badur explained that, millions of years ago, the Quintessons sought to exploit the power of Primus for profit, and to that end, invaded Cybertron and set up numerous barriers to separate Primus from the Transformers. Their first attempt, the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], met with failure; next, the Quintessons targeted Vector Sigma itself, surrounding it with a shell program that acted as a barrier between the Transformers and the power and guidance of Primus. {{storylink|Disclosure}} Realizing that the Oracle itself was the Quintessons' shell program, Primal Prime began to fear that all that had come about as a result of its guidance—including [[Optimus Primal]]'s mission to restore a techno-organic balance to Cybertron—was all part of a Quintesson plot, but [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] assured him that Primus worked in mysterious ways.

The Wreckers soon returned to Cybertron, discovering that in their absence, Optimus Primal had achieved his goal of recreating the planet as a technorganic world. In the wake of this overwhelming transformation, the Quintessons had invaded the planet, but they were not the only threat to Cybertron's safety: The Wreckers were also faced with [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]], who had used the legendary [[Divine Light]] to tap into the power of Primus and transform himself into a living god. During the course of the battle that ensued, Primal Prime and [[Apelinq]] were struck by a blast of Primus's power by Cryotek, which wound up merging them into [[Sentinel Maximus]]. At Al-Badur's direction, Sentinel Maximus steered the battle to an interdimensional portal chamber far below the planet's surface, where [[Matrix Templar]]s [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] began draining Primus's power out of Cryotek. To stop them, Cryotek shattered the Divine Light and absorbed Primus's energies directly into himself, where they could not drain it, but as he grappled with Sentinel Maximus, the fused Autobot forced them both through the portal, into a [[transwarp|shapeless interdimensional void]]. Although unable to drain Primus's power any further, Cryotek was sustained in the void by the power he had absorbed, and he was ready to carry on the battle until Primus himself—now unshackled thanks to the destruction of the Oracle in the final stages of Optimus Primal's quest—took an active hand, spiriting Sentinel Maximus away to partake in [[Balancing Act|another battle]] elsewhere in the multiverse.

While all of this was happening on Cybertron, elsewhere in the universe, on [[New Quintessa]], Primus briefly possessed the body of [[Icebird]] so that he could address the Quintesson leader [[Judge Heirodyus]]. Primus shocked the Quintesson by revealing that he had allowed all that had transpired to occur, and he "thanked" Heirodyus for his race's role in the scheme, promising to call upon them again if he ever needed an "evolutionary crisis" to drive his children forward. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===''Universe'' comic===
[[Image:TFUPrimus.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Alpha, Rita's escaped! Recruit a team of teenagers with attitude!]]
In the wake of the repulsion of the Quintesson invasion, [[Unicron]] began gathering Transformers from across the multiverse, forcing them to fight and harvesting the [[Spark|Sparks]] of the losers to restore his power. With each spark devoured, Primus was weakened, and so, communing with Alpha Trion, he chose to summon Optimus Primal back from the Allspark, restoring the Maximal commander to life. {{storylink|Abduction}} Primal was charged with re-securing the battling captives from the Pit of Unicron and leading a team of multiversal warriors to put a stop to this soul-stealing scheme before it could cause the Allspark to collapse. {{storylink|Escape (issue)|Escape}}

Primus allowed Optimus Primal to choose any Transformer who ever existed—living or dead—for his army. This required considerable amounts of Primus's power, so Primal was told to choose sparingly. Primal chose his departed former troops [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]]. {{storylink|Homecoming (issue)|Homecoming}} Ultimately, however, Unicron's defeat came not as a result of their efforts, but as a consequence of another battle, happening in another corner of the Transformers multiverse. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}
{{-}}

==Unicron Trilogy==
{{cleanup|April 2009|Needs storylinks and general expansion.}}
===''Energon'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Ron Halder]] (English), [[Tesshō Genda]] (Japanese), [[Johan Hedenberg]] (Swedish)

[[Image:Primus eng.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Primus mistakes Kicker for a Japanese schoolgirl.]]
In the Unicron Trilogy universe, Primus was introduced as the living energy core of Cybertron, as well as the originator of the precious and ancient fuel, [[Energon (Energon)|energon]]. Transformers of this universe believed the stories of Unicron, Primus, and [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] to be only myth and legend until the existence of Unicron was revealed in the "Unicron Battles" of 2010. With Cybertron left in a disastrous state after the chaos-bringer's attack, large amounts of Energon were required to repair the planet, and to search for and acquire the mineral, the united Autobot-Decepticon forces entered into an alliance with the Earth Federated Government.

Primus entered into the equation when the project's head scientist, [[Dr. Brian Jones]], brought his son, [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]], to Cybertron. Terrified of the giant robots surrounding him, Kicker fled, only to find himself tumbling through tunnels into a hidden chamber deep beneath Cybertron's surface. Primus awoke and saved Kicker from what would have been a fatal fall, and for his own reasons, imbued the child with a special gift - the ability to detect energon throughout the universe. [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] subsequently discovered Kicker in Primus's chamber, and the god chose to work with the Transformers quite directly, imbuing them with the "Spark of Combination," which would allow the Autobots to combine and increase their powers. Primus went on to advise Optimus Prime on his actions in order to prepare for the future, including the Terrorcon invasion, the return of [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], and the next battle with Unicron; although vague at times, he would offer just enough information to allow his children to survive the threats they faced. Primus was often very weak due to the damage done to the planet's surface, and spent most of his time in a mode of stasis to preserve his energy and keep Cybertron's energy grid online.

When Megatron succeeded in reanimating Unicron, most of the Autobot army was critically wounded in the ensuing battle. This prompted the sleeping Primus to awaken and infuse their armor with his power, upgrading them into new forms, and allowing Optimus Prime and Omega Supreme to combine into a gigantic form and defeat Unicron. {{storylink|Unicron Perishes|Unicron Perishes}} Unicron's spark survived, however, and Primus sought to contain it by trapping it at the heart of a new sun that he created from a reservoir of "super energon" hidden within Cybertron. {{storylink|The Sun|The Sun}}

===''Cybertron'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Donovan]] (English), [[Tesshō Genda]] (Japanese)

{{bigquote|He who charted the universe when it was new! He who battled Unicron at the dawn of time! He whose spark formed the basis of all life on Cybertron, and Velocitron, and all the other Transformer colonized homeworlds! It can be no other! This... is... Primus!|[[Vector Prime]], religiously intoning Primus' achievements throughout the Multiverse|[[Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron]]}}

[[Image:Map-Primus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|If Unicron is Galactus, does that mean that Primus is Ego, The Living Planet?]]
Primus's plan to contain Unicron's essence in the center of the sun failed when the star collapsed into a massive [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]] which threatened not only Cybertron and the universe, but the entire multiverse itself. His energy drained to the point that he had once again been rendered dormant, Primus could now only be awakened and restored to full power by the four ancient [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]], lost to the far reaches of the galaxy in a failed [[space bridge]] experiment eons ago. The magnitude of the threat posed to the multiverse was enough to summon [[Vector Prime]] - one of the original thirteen Transformers, who had been following Unicron through the multiverse and repairing the damage he had done - back to Cybertron to aid the Autobots in the quest for the keys.

[[Image:Primus Cybertrony.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Oh so prickly...]]
Eventually, despite continued attempts by both Megatron and [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] to steal the power of the Cyber Planet Keys, the Autobots were able to gather the keys from [[Velocitron]], the [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]] and [[Earth]], and brought them and their focusing device, the [[Omega Lock]], back to Cybertron. Coupling these three keys with the power of the Matrix, Optimus Prime was able to initiate Primus's transformation from planet mode to robot mode. Communicating with the Autobots through the [[Mini-Con]], [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]], Primus explained that the destruction of Unicron, the embodiment of the force of evil, had unbalanced the universe, and that only he could seal the black hole and restore order - but to do that, the fourth Cyber Planet Key, from [[Gigantion]], the Giant Planet, was required to reconnect Primus's spark with his body and restore his full power. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}}

[[Image:Starscream Vs Primus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Mother...]]
Attempting to retrieve the Omega Lock, [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] made a rather pointless attack on Primus, only to be smacked down hard. {{storylink|Balance|Balance}} Shortly thereafter, when Primus was in the process of channelling some of his power into holding back the ever-growing black hole, Starscream tried again, plunging into the energy beam and absorbing some of Primus's power into himself. Starscream expanded in size until he was as large as Primus himself, but Primus did not take this slight lightly, as he converted Cybertron's moons into a pair of mace weapons and relentlessly pounded Starscream into submission. {{storylink|Titans|Titans}}

Eventually, the Autobots were able to acquire the final key, as well as to reactivate the four ancient ships which had carried the keys to the respective worlds ages ago - the [[Atlantis]], the [[Lemuria (Cybertron)|Lemuria]], the [[Hyperborea]] and the [[Ogygia]]. Primus fused the four ships together to form the [[Ark (Cybertron)|Ark]], and with his powers subsequently restored by all four keys, he channelled all of his power through the Ark as a beam, straight into the heart of the black hole. With a massive blast, the black hole was finally sealed, and Primus transformed back into Cybertron - not Cybertron as it had been, but a new Cybertron, infused with the differing aspects of Velocitron, Jungle Planet, Earth and Gigantion, a true paradise for Transformers and humans alike. {{storylink|End|End}}

===''Cybertron'' comic===
While the Autobots were occupied with the quest for the Cyber Planet Keys, Unicron's heralds [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|Nemesis Prime]] arrived on Cybertron, intent on unleashing the [[Dead Matrix]] - as the Matrix was the antithesis of Unicron, so too would the Dead Matrix ensure the destruction of Primus, thereby totally destabilizing the multiverse and reducing it to a sea of entropic chaos. For the first time, it would be possible for Unicron to strike at Primus in all realities simultaneously, ending their cosmic feud once and for all.

Ramjet and Nemesis Prime were ultimately stopped by Vector Prime and allies [[Sentinel Maximus]] and [[Omega Prime]], plucked from the midst of the ''Universe'' conflict by the multiverse-warping energies of the black hole. The Dead Matrix, however, was cast into the heart of the black hole by Unicron's servant [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], freeing Unicron's spark and allowing it to adopt a new, diminutive physical form. Unicron participated in the escalating Mini-Con civil war on Cybertron's moons, but when the planet transformed into Primus's robot mode, Unicron fled. His whereabouts are unknown.

==Shattered Glass==
The idea of Primus, the benevolent Creator, was unknown to the heroic Decepticons until [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], a visitor from the Positive Polarity universes, told them about Him. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}} Before long, Cliffjumper's "beliefs" were a subject of derision, especially among the evil Autobots. {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}}

==Robot Heroes==

Primus, considered to be the very first Transformer, created the Matrix of Leadership and personally gave it to Optimus! Wait WHAT?{{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}

==Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics==

Legend has it that the original seven Transformers are creations of Primus, though they themselves don't think this. It is not said who started the legend. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen Profile}}

== Retconning the retcon? ==

It's no secret that, after the Unicron Trilogy, ''Universe'' and the Unicron-heavy [[Dreamwave Productions]] comic books, the [[fandom]] at large was generally quite sick of stories revolving around Unicron and Primus. It is likely no coincidence, then, that the major new universes which have been created in western media since then – those of the [[IDW Publishing]] comic books, the [[live-action film series|live-action movie]] and the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' cartoon – have all eschewed use of the Primus creation myth. But what does this mean for the status of the retcon that states Primus exists in all universes?

The world of the live-action movie is a fairly cut-and-dried case. At first, The movie itself, and the comic books set in its continuity published by IDW, present the Transformers as creations of the enigmatic [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]], with no explicit connection drawn between it and Primus. However, Takara's [[World of Transformers]] website even lists the All Spark as a [[sacred implement]] alongside other Primus-related talismans such as the Matrix and Vector Sigma. The UK's Furman-scripted ''[[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Transformers]]'' magazine had introduced Unicron in [[Transformers Comic issue 18|its eighteenth issue]] and later [[Transformers Comic issue 20|had the Transformers voyage into Cybertron's depths]]. While Primus was never mentioned in the course of the story, it was shown Cybertron's bowels had what seemed like huge versions of their own interior workings – a clear reference to Cybertron being the transforming body of Primus. Where Furman was going with that is unknown, as it was never followed up. Eventually, as if to finally confirm his existence in the movieverse (or at least IDW's variation of it) Primus was referred to by name by [[The Fallen]] in Tales of the Fallen Issue 4.

The IDW and ''Animated'' universes are not so clear on the matter. Writer [[Simon Furman]] has outright said that the IDW universe will have "no Primus. No Unicron". In accordance with this, the Furman-penned ''[[Stormbringer (comics)|Stormbringer]]'', rather than have Transformers swear by Primus, instead had them swear by [[Primacron]], but a monkeywrench was thrown into the works when Primus's name was heard being taken in vain in [[Eric Holmes]]'s [[Megatron Origin issue 4|''Megatron Origin'' #4]]. Furman attempted to justify this on his blog by claiming that this was not ''the'' Primus, but simply "something or someone" called Primus that had existed some point. [http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/all-this-and-devastation-4/]

Much like the movieverse, the world of ''Transformers Animated'' also depicts the source of Transformer life as a mysterious talisman known as the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]]. The show's creative team have stated that they do not plan to give an in-story explanation for the origins of the AllSpark, for [[AllSpark (Animated)#Notes|various reasons]]. Series art director [[Derrick J. Wyatt]], meanwhile, has stated more than once his opinion that Primus does not exist in the ''Animated'' universe [http://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1759990650] but then we're into the realm of [[authorial intent]].

Ultimately, there is ''very'' little to say that Primus does not exist in the IDW or ''Animated'' universe, besides the fact that creators involved with those universes do not want to include the character in their stories. After all, just because Primus doesn't ''appear'', or characters are unaware of him, it doesn't mean he doesn't ''exist''. It wouldn't be the only time this has happened: the occupants of the parallel ''[[Shattered Glass]]'' universe were largely ignorant of Primus until a [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper from another universe]] mentioned him. It seems quite safe to conclude that, as of this moment, the retcon has not yet itself been retconned... and we kinda hope it isn't, partly because it undermines the whole multiversal concept of Transformers, but mostly because then some poor sod is going to have rewrite this article from the ground up.

==Toys==
[[Image:GodPrimus2.jpg|250px|thumb|The rod god.]]
===Generation 1===
*'''God Primus''' (2004)
**''Accessories:'' Photon Eliminator, spoiler, 2 gun shields
[[Image:GodPrimus1.jpg|150px|left|thumb|Popemobile, meet Godebago.]]
:Unbeknownst to many Western fans, the first Primus figure was a "[[Lucky Draw figure]]" in Japan, a [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] gold chrome recolored [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus Prime]] that was given away as a contest prize from the collector book, ''[[Transformers Generations|Transformers Generations Deluxe]]''. Supposedly, only 100 pieces of these lucky draw figures were manufactured.

:As a [[redeco]] of a Rodimus (no doubt inspired by the resemblance of his astral form to Rodimus in the UK comics), Primus transforms into a futuristic truck resembling nothing so much as a Winnebago. Following the trend started by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|the original Optimus Prime toy]], his trailer splits down the middle to transform into a battle station with an extending double-barrelled cannon. The figure comes with a large, hand-held blaster, and two blast-shield accessories that plug into the sides of his battle station cannon.

{{-}}{{anchor|CybG1}}
*'''Primus''' (Supreme, 2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-00'''
**''Accessories:'' Omega Lock, special silver Cybertron planet-type Cyber Planet Key
[[Image:Cybertron Primus toy.jpg|350px|thumb|Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven imag— You know what, just forget it. It's not like we have rules for a reason.]]
:Primus was developed by Hasbro and Takara as a toy for their joint ''Cybertron/Galaxy Force'' toylines, but was released in Japan in the ''Generation 1'' line a few months after ''Galaxy Force'' had ended its run. This release can be considered a pre-release of the ''Cybertron'' toy because it features Hasbro's [[Cyber Key Codes]] that the ''Galaxy Force'' line lacked.

:Primus is the first toy representation of the Transformers' creator as their home planet of Cybertron. In planet mode, he is considerably more detailed than [[Unicron]] from the [[Armada (toyline)|''Armada'' line]], with visible cities, including [[Iacon]], based upon its appearance in the [[DK Publishing]] book, ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', and [[Kaon]] as seen in ''[[The War Within]]''. On the 'bottom' of the planet mode there are four hard rubber legs, molded to be shaped like towers, allowing Primus to be displayed in planet mode, yet not require a flat base as Unicron did.

:Primus's transformation is unusual, in many ways similar to a [[Powermaster]], in that he requires the owner to insert his accompanying Omega Lock accessory into several special ports around the planet, then manipulate it to unlock his parts and transform him. When the Omega Lock is inserted into his back and pushed, a transforming sound is heard. When it is inserted into his chest and pushed up to reveal his head, his eyes glow red and a laser-type sound effect is heard. The Lock itself lights up red when it is inserted into any of the ports.

:In robot mode, Primus resembles both the ''[[Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' Unicron prototype as well as [[Don Figueroa]]'s Primus concept, created for ''The War Within'' and used in ''The Ultimate Guide''. He is bristling with weaponry, including two shoulder-mounted cannons that can fire missiles, two forearm blasters that raise and extend when a Cyber Power Key is inserted, and several banks of Gatling guns, lasers and missile launchers in his shins and legs revealed by the Omega Lock.

:Primus also has what might charitably be called a third mode - an intergalactic world-ship, which is basically formed by transforming the figure halfway and leaving the head down and the legs backward. It features no dedicated parts or transformation steps, making it very obvious that it was created after the fact. It looks kinda like The Starship Enterprise...backwards.

:Primus comes with two accessories, the aforementioned battery-operated Omega Lock that lights up red when inserted into any of the four Omega Lock ports, and a special silver Cybertron-Planet Cyber Power Key with the key code '''sp8u''' [[Tampograph|tampographed]] onto the back. Any four Cyber Planet Keys can be inserted into the four key slots at the base of the Omega Lock, though doing this does not activate any feature. There are also nine inactive Mini-Con [[powerlinx]] ports on the Primus figure, including two on the claws on his legs.

===Cybertron===
*'''Cybertron Primus''' (Supreme, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Omega Lock, special silver Cybertron planet-type Cyber Planet Key

:Cybertron Primus is the North American version of Primus, released a few months after the Japanese release. Both toys are identical.

:In North America, limited early-run versions of Cybertron Primus came packaged with a very creepy "battle damaged" Unicron head based upon his Armada appearance.

:A later version, [[exclusive]] to [[Wal-Mart]] as a [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]] 2006 special, included four Mini-Cons; [[Strongarm (Cybertron)|Strongarm]], [[Knockdown (Cybertron)|Knockdown]], [[Nightscream (Cybertron)|Nightscream]], and [[Offshoot (Cybertron)|Offshoot]].

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* The original form of Primus in Marvel Comic continuity is similar to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]]. Rather creepily, this is suggested to be down to ''deliberate action'' on Primus' part. {{storylink|Salvage!|#160's Grim Grams}}
* The myth of Primus and Unicron is similar to the duality concepts present in numerous religions.
*The idea of Primus transforming bears some resemblance to an [[The Secret of Cybertron|early script]] for [[The Transformers: The Movie|the original movie]], in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] merges with [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and transforms into a super robot to defeat Unicron.
*''Energon'' [http://web.archive.org/web/20041207164548/www.tfpulp.com/archive/energonprod/energonprod.html pre-production notes] detail early ideas the cartoon had for Primus's origin. Presumably non-canon, given that they are not particularly in-line with the "multiversal singularity" origin of the character, they present Primus as an entity consisting purely of energon. Energon, the notes state, is the product of the "genetic material" of the sun interacting with planetary bodies - this, then, appears to be a very literal interpretation of Primus's role as a "light god", presenting him as an actual product of the light of the sun.
*His ''Cybertron'' toy was designed by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]], which is ironic, considering his dislike for the religious aspects of the ''Transformers'' mythos.

==See also==
*[[Allspark]]
*[[Vector Sigma]]

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2006/Primus/Primus/primus.htm Primus at TFU.info]

[[Category:Contest prizes]]
[[Category:Cybertron characters]]
[[Category:Energon characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Gods]]
[[Category:Kiss Players characters]]
[[Category:Non-Triple Changer third mode]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]
[[Category:Toys with sound]]

Hightower (ROTF)

2009-12-02T01:49:41Z

209.106.203.252: /* Burger King */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Hightower}}

:''Hightower is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image: Hightower_%28ROTF%29_concept.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Now why was this not acknowledged in any way except as a Legends toy?]]

'''Hightower''' transforms into a gigantic truss crane.

When combined with his fellow [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]], he forms the left arm of [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]. When not combined, it is heavily disputed as to whether he can form ''himself''.

==Fiction==
===''Revenge of the Fallen'' (movie)===
[[Image:Constructicons-ROTFcanyon.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Best known as "Supplier of at least one of Devastator's balls."]]

During the climactic battle in [[Egypt]] between the Autobots, their human allies and [[The Fallen]]'s Decepticons, Hightower appeared in a quarry with the other Constructicons before merging into Devastator to attack former [[Sector Seven]] agent [[Seymour Simmons]], [[Leo Spitz]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. As Devastator smashed away at the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] after shrugging off Skids and Mudflap, Simmons called upon the [[United States Navy]] to fire upon the giant Decepticon. The [[United States Navy#U.S.S. Kidd (DDG-100)|U.S.S. ''Kidd'']] fired her experimental [[Railgun|railgun]], smashing one of his arms to pieces and destroying Devastator. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF_Legends_Hightower.jpg|right|thumb|250px|He comes with a Hannibal Lecter facemask.]]
*'''Hightower''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D7'''

:Hightower and the six other Legends class Constructicons combine to form Devastator. In Japan, the Legends class Constructicons are sold individually. He forms the left arm of Devastator.

*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (Legends figure multi-pack, 2010)

:In [[Hasbro]]'s markets, the Legends Constructicons are sold together as a store [[exclusive]].
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

*'''EZ Collection Devastator - G1 Colors Version''' (Legends, 2010)
:Takara will reissue the seven Legend class Constructicons in G1 inspired green and purple color schemes.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Supreme Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF_Devastator_combiner_toy.jpg|thumb|300px|So...do I have a robot mode or not?]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)

:Hightower transforms from a truss crane to Devastator's left arm. Like the other Constructicons in this set, he cannot transform into robot mode due to pricing, accuracy and stability concerns.

{{-}}

====Mega Power Bots====
[[Image:ROTF MegaPowerBots Devastator.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Now I don't even separate from the others to form my vehicle mode. WTF?]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Burger King===
[[Image:ROTFMerchandise-BurgerKingHightower.jpg|thumb|right|200px|*Sigh* At least I have more toys than [[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]]]]
*'''Devastator''' (2009)
:An extremely-simplified version of Hightower's vehicle mode is included as part of [[Devastator (ROTF)#Burger_King|Burger King Devastator]]. Though his ball socket is compatible with any of Devastator's limb connections, it's marked with a B to indicate he forms Devastator's left arm. Hightower seems to be the least [[Show-accuracy|movie accurate]] of the four limbs.
{{--}}

===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:rotf_desertdevastation_rh.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Grabby!]]
*'''Desert Devastation''' (Multi-pack, 2009)

:Hightower is the sculpted left arm of "Desert Devastation" Devastator, a super-sized ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' figure. He is only available in a multi-pack with [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] in their vehicle modes and [[William Lennox]].

{{Comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
* Like fellow Constructicon [[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]], Hightower had a robot mode designed for him at the concept stage, but he never transformed into robot mode in the movie itself, and indeed, artists for licensed work such as [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation|''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic adaptation]] were unaware that he even had a robot mode. All the references they were provided with simply listed the Truss crane as having "no robot mode".
* On November 6 to November 8, 2009, a second piece of concept art of Hightower similar to his Legends toy (with small ''T. rex'' arms and a claw on his tail) were displayed at Bondi Beach in Sydney, [[Australia]] to promote the [[Revenge of the Fallen DVD field guide|DVD release]] of ''Revenge of the Fallen''. [http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=137233#post137233]
*He needs help from a [[Unknown Constructicon shovel|friend]] to form Devastator's left arm.

[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Constructicons]]

Hightower (ROTF)

2009-12-02T01:46:50Z

209.106.203.252: /* Mega Power Bots */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Hightower}}

:''Hightower is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image: Hightower_%28ROTF%29_concept.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Now why was this not acknowledged in any way except as a Legends toy?]]

'''Hightower''' transforms into a gigantic truss crane.

When combined with his fellow [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]], he forms the left arm of [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]. When not combined, it is heavily disputed as to whether he can form ''himself''.

==Fiction==
===''Revenge of the Fallen'' (movie)===
[[Image:Constructicons-ROTFcanyon.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Best known as "Supplier of at least one of Devastator's balls."]]

During the climactic battle in [[Egypt]] between the Autobots, their human allies and [[The Fallen]]'s Decepticons, Hightower appeared in a quarry with the other Constructicons before merging into Devastator to attack former [[Sector Seven]] agent [[Seymour Simmons]], [[Leo Spitz]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. As Devastator smashed away at the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] after shrugging off Skids and Mudflap, Simmons called upon the [[United States Navy]] to fire upon the giant Decepticon. The [[United States Navy#U.S.S. Kidd (DDG-100)|U.S.S. ''Kidd'']] fired her experimental [[Railgun|railgun]], smashing one of his arms to pieces and destroying Devastator. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF_Legends_Hightower.jpg|right|thumb|250px|He comes with a Hannibal Lecter facemask.]]
*'''Hightower''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D7'''

:Hightower and the six other Legends class Constructicons combine to form Devastator. In Japan, the Legends class Constructicons are sold individually. He forms the left arm of Devastator.

*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (Legends figure multi-pack, 2010)

:In [[Hasbro]]'s markets, the Legends Constructicons are sold together as a store [[exclusive]].
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

*'''EZ Collection Devastator - G1 Colors Version''' (Legends, 2010)
:Takara will reissue the seven Legend class Constructicons in G1 inspired green and purple color schemes.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Supreme Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF_Devastator_combiner_toy.jpg|thumb|300px|So...do I have a robot mode or not?]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)

:Hightower transforms from a truss crane to Devastator's left arm. Like the other Constructicons in this set, he cannot transform into robot mode due to pricing, accuracy and stability concerns.

{{-}}

====Mega Power Bots====
[[Image:ROTF MegaPowerBots Devastator.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Now I don't even separate from the others to form my vehicle mode. WTF?]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Burger King===
[[Image:ROTFMerchandise-BurgerKingHightower.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
*'''Devastator''' (2009)
:An extremely-simplified version of Hightower's vehicle mode is included as part of [[Devastator (ROTF)#Burger_King|Burger King Devastator]]. Though his ball socket is compatible with any of Devastator's limb connections, it's marked with a B to indicate he forms Devastator's left arm. Hightower seems to be the least [[Show-accuracy|movie accurate]] of the four limbs.
{{--}}
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:rotf_desertdevastation_rh.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Grabby!]]
*'''Desert Devastation''' (Multi-pack, 2009)

:Hightower is the sculpted left arm of "Desert Devastation" Devastator, a super-sized ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' figure. He is only available in a multi-pack with [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] in their vehicle modes and [[William Lennox]].

{{Comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
* Like fellow Constructicon [[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]], Hightower had a robot mode designed for him at the concept stage, but he never transformed into robot mode in the movie itself, and indeed, artists for licensed work such as [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation|''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic adaptation]] were unaware that he even had a robot mode. All the references they were provided with simply listed the Truss crane as having "no robot mode".
* On November 6 to November 8, 2009, a second piece of concept art of Hightower similar to his Legends toy (with small ''T. rex'' arms and a claw on his tail) were displayed at Bondi Beach in Sydney, [[Australia]] to promote the [[Revenge of the Fallen DVD field guide|DVD release]] of ''Revenge of the Fallen''. [http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=137233#post137233]
*He needs help from a [[Unknown Constructicon shovel|friend]] to form Devastator's left arm.

[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Constructicons]]

Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity

2009-12-01T05:23:27Z

209.106.203.252: /* Generation 1 */ grammar check

{{suite}}
[[Image:Muk306 tacitus.jpg|thumb|250px|Insert [[Furmanism]] here for humorous effect.]]
What did '''[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]''' do? Find out in [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marrrrrrrrvel Comics]]!

'''Hint:''' [[Wikipedia:Giri (Japanese)|Heavy is the head... and heavier the heart.]]

{{quote|With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds.|[[Abraham Lincoln]]|[[Wikipedia:Abraham_Lincoln's_Second_Inaugural_Address|March 4, 1855]]}}

==Generation 1==
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Optimusprimeg1preearthmarvel2.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Optimus Prime's Cybertronic truck mode, along with a Cybertronic Grumman X-29, a Cybertronic Earth motorcycle, and a Cybertronic Porsche 962.]]
Before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] broke out on Cybertron, Optimus Prime was a Transformer of note, displaying his skills in the [[IntraFormers Sharpshooting Competition]]. {{storylink|Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot's ''Transformers Universe'' entry}} As a serious-minded individual, he also spoke out against [[Needlenose]]'s faddish "[[Chic Chips]]" line of hardware accessories. {{storylink|Needlenose|Needlenose's ''Transformers Universe'' entry}}

''Gladiator games were commissioned between the City-States to increase good will as the planet's population outpaced its resources. Optimus was the gladiator champion of [[Iacon]], and he shared a sporting rivalry with a young champion from [[Tarn]] called [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. But sabotage plunged Tarn and [[Vos]] into an inter-city war. An [[Overlord (rank)|Autobot Overlord]] was damaged while trying to sort it out, so Optimus Prime left to get help. However, the Overlord mysteriously perished while under the care of Megatron and Overlord's bodyguard, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. {{storylink|State Games}} Following the destruction of Tarn and Vos, Prime had planned to become a medical officer, but enrolled in the Autobot army as soon as the Decepticons declared war. He was immediately put in charge of the [[Elite Flying Corps]]. {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1987|Optimus Prime datafile}}''

''Optimus Prime saved the life of an Autobot named [[Swoop (G1)|Divebomb]] from another [[Divebomb (G1)|flying Decepticon]] who had previously beaten him and taken his name. "Divebomb" hated Prime with a passion, and was humiliated by his rescue, and so he kept this to himself. {{storylink|What's in a Name?}}''

Optimus Prime quickly made a name for himself as a combat leader. On a mission with the [[Triggerbot]]s to stop Megatron from claiming the [[Underbase]], Prime was forced to jettison the massive databank into space to prevent anyone acquiring its power, but with this action he first proved his wisdom and skill. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} ''As Optimus Prime's reputation became known, he was promoted to field commander of the entire Autobot army, but regrettably, the [[Council of Autobot Elders]] still pulled the strings. Unknown to the Elders, Optimus Prime began orchestrating unsanctioned military actions. {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1987|Optimus Prime datafile}} As the Great War intensified, Autobot territories began falling under Decepticon dominion, one City-State at a time. The last City-State to be taken was the Autobot capital of Iacon. As Decepticons besieged Iacon, the Council of Elders prepared to surrender. Councillor [[Emirate Xaaron|Xaaron]] suggested that High Councillor [[Traachon]] step down and allow a military officer to assume Autobot leadership. Traachon then used his powers of veto and effectively elected himself out of office, allowing Optimus Prime to assume supreme command of the Autobots, becoming the first soldier to ever hold the mantle of Autobot leadership. {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} ''

[[Image:Optimusprimeg1marvelfirst.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Prime had to go through an experimental "box with a gun on top" phase before he could commit to the truck thing.]]
After over a thousand years of war, Cybertron—shaken from its orbit and drifting through space—came under threat when it floated into the path of a massive asteroid swarm that could potentially devastate the planet. Prime led a group of his most powerful Autobot warriors on the Autobot starship, the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], on a mission to destroy the asteroids. Although the Autobots were successful, in the aftermath of this mission the Ark was attacked by Decepticons, hoping to overcome their weakened foes. Intent on keeping the secrets of the Ark's computer, [[Auntie]], from the Decepticons, Prime set the craft on a suicide course, crashing it into the prehistoric planet Earth. After lying dormant for four million years, the Ark was awakened by the eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]] in 1984, and Optimus Prime was rebuilt so that he could reconfigure his body into a semi truck. As the Decepticons fled, Optimus Prime called for a roll call of his own troops. Suspecting that after all this time, Cybertron probably no longer existed, Optimus Prime began studying the planet upon which they had landed; he was startled to realize that this planet did have sentient life! He swore that the Autobots would hide themselves from Earth's natives, so that they would be spared the horrors of the Transformers' war. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[Image:PowerPlay-Optimustransforms.jpg|left|thumb|250px|In the live-action movie's version of this scene, Sparkplug was replaced with some hot chick.]]

Optimus Prime and the other Autobots were all dangerously low on fuel, but thankfully [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] had befriended some humans who could help—[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] and his son, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Leading the Autobots to Sparkplug's auto shop, Optimus Prime introduced himself to the humans. Unfortunately, the Decepticons had the same idea, and the warring factions met in battle. But while Prime was busy shooting Decepticons out of the air, Megatron grabbed Sparkplug, and so Prime was forced to face his nemesis one-on-one. Despite Prime's apparent victory, Sparkplug was snatched away by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and the Decepticons retreated. Optimus Prime acknowledged Buster's sorrow at the kidnapping of his father, but noted that without fuel, retrieving him would be impossible. {{storylink|Power Play!}} Carrying [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] in his trailer, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots returned to the Ark, where [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] awaited. With the mysterious [[Spider-Man]]'s help, Sparkplug was rescued from the Decepticons' [[Fortress Sinister|cliffside headquarters]], but not before Sparkplug had converted fuel for the Decepticons! {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} Unfortunately, Optimus Prime couldn't stop the Autobots from overreacting to this bad news, and their actions caused Sparkplug Witwicky to suffer a heart attack. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[Image:Boulderdamfight.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Better get used to seeing this scene.]]

''When the Ark alerted Optimus Prime of a power surge at [[Sherman Dam]], he and his Autobots weren't surprised to find the Decepticons behind it. Afraid of the dam crumbling under the stress of the Decepticons' manipulations, he faced off against Megatron on the top of the dam, brandishing his energy ax. As he trash-talked Megatron, Prime was suddenly distracted by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s defeat. Megatron used this moment to his advantage, knocking Prime off the dam and firing his cannon into the dam itself. Prime quickly assembled his troops, directing them to divert the waves by digging trenches and elevating the neighboring humans. Mirage was angered when the humans still vilified them, despite their hard work, but Prime calmed him. {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}}''

''Meanwhile, Optimus Prime sent a team of Autobots to investigate the [[Man of Iron]], a local legend in the [[United Kingdom]]. After befriending [[Sammy Harker]], and tangling with the Decepticons over the remains of the Man of Iron's ship, Optimus Prime and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] were forced to destroy the ship and its inhabitants, not realizing that its [[Navigator]] knew the location of Cybertron. {{storylink|Man of Iron!}} Back at the Ark, after [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] suffered some sort of psychotic break and ran off, Optimus Prime decided that hunting Brawn down was crucial, before he could harm any humans! After Brawn was cornered, he threatened the Autobots with death, but he was quickly overwhelmed, and Optimus Prime carried Brawn's defeated body back to the Ark. In order to prove Brawn's loyalty, a showdown was orchestrated between him and the traitorous Decepticon, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. With the help of [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]'s holograms, Brawn's death was faked once he had proved himself, and the two factions returned to their respective bases. {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} The Decepticons did not stay there for long, and suddenly a full-scale attack was launched on the Ark! Unfortunately, the Ark's computer systems, "[[Auntie]]", went berserk, and it fell to Optimus and Megatron to team up against the malfunctioning program. Megatron used his ability to tap into the power of a black hole, freeing them, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] destroyed Auntie, and the Decepticons were forcibly ejected from the Ark. {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}''

[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] alerted Optimus Prime to information that Ratchet had uncovered from the Ark's databanks: millions of years ago, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] battled [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] to a standstill. This raised some questions, but there was little Optimus Prime could do with this knowledge now. With a Decepticon attack imminent, and the Autobots dangerously low on fuel, Optimus Prime had a desperate gamble. Using the [[Tubes of Transference]], the combined remaining fuel was compiled into five of the strongest Autobots, himself, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], Huffer, [[Bluestreak]], and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. Sure enough, the Decepticons descended quickly upon them, but even though Prime was still low on fuel, he was still quick enough to grab Starscream out of the air! It was not enough to defeat Megatron, however, and his nemesis hoisted Prime's body over his head in complete victory. ...That is, until Megatron and the other Decepticons doubled over in pain. Sparkplug had poisoned the Decepticons' fuel! Unfortunately, Optimus Prime's subsequent speech was short as he and the other Autobots were blasted into pieces. Shockwave had awakened and returned. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[Image:NewOrder-OptimusPrimehead.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Buster regretted the low volume on his Optimus Prime voice changer helmet.]]

Though the Decepticons had taken over the Ark, Ratchet was able to sneak Buster Witwicky inside, and the young human was startled to find Optimus Prime's decapitated head attached to machinery. {{storylink|The New Order}} Optimus Prime, in this weakened state, pleaded with Buster to detach two power cords and attach them to either side of the human's head. This released a tremendous amount of energy, transferring Optimus Prime's [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] to the human, and Buster blacked out. After Buster awoke, he returned to Ratchet to tell him of Optimus Prime's defeat. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} Ratchet had to see this for himself, and he was saddened to find out that Buster was correct. The Autobots were defeated, even including the mighty Optimus Prime! But Optimus would not let Ratchet give up or despair. He pushed Ratchet to action, telling him that even though Ratchet was nothing more than a doctor, now was the time for him to learn to be a warrior. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} Since Shockwave's return, he had wrested leadership of the Decepticons from Megatron, and so the former Decepticon leader was ordered by Shockwave to prepare to move Optimus Prime's head from the Ark to the Decepticons' base of operations within a [[Blackrock Industries]] aerospace plant. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

Shockwave planned to use the Creation Matrix energies within Optimus Prime's head to give life to a new Decepticon army, despite Optimus Prime's obvious objections. Shockwave didn't know that he had transferred most of the energy to Buster Witwicky, so Optimus Prime took quiet solace in the fact that the last of his remaining energies would be used on only six new warriors. ''{{storylink|The Wrath of Guardian!}}'' {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

[[Image:PrimeTime-Primewantsyou.jpg|thumb|right|250px|He's mad as hell, ain't he ain't gonna take your orders anymore!]]

Optimus Prime's head watched helplessly as Shockwave brought his [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to life using the rest of Prime's stored Creation Matrix energies. But Shockwave realized something was wrong when Prime failed to give life to his next creation, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Shockwave deduced what had happened, and so he sent Jetfire (who was still little more than a drone) out to capture Buster. Optimus Prime realized he had put Buster in tremendous danger, but thankfully Buster prevailed. However, with the Matrix energy spent, Prime was useless to Shockwave, and so the Decepticon leader made plans to dispose of the head. {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} In actuality, the head Shockwave disposed of was an impostor. Shockwave had learned that his headquarters were bugged, and so when the Autobots came to retrieve the head from a nearby swamp, the impostor head took control of Prime's body and turned on the Autobots. The day was saved only by the efforts of Buster, who was able to wrest control of Jetfire so that he could deliver the real head to its body. Once again whole, Prime retaliated against the Decepticons battling at the swamp, and one by one, they were destroyed. Shockwave himself arrived to battle Prime, but after they grappled, Shockwave was thrown into the swamps and disappeared. Instead of delivering a final blow, Optimus Prime rushed back to the plant to assure Buster's safety. The nightmare over, Prime transferred the Creation Matrix energies from Buster back into himself. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[Image:Arkchristmastree.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Prime may reconsider his return to the Autobots.]]

''Optimus Prime's dignity restored with his head once again reunited with his body, Prime immediately dressed as Santa Claus to appease Buster's strong sense of [[Christmas]] spirit. {{storylink|Christmas Breaker!}}''

''Optimus Prime questioned his ability to lead after his recent series of trials when a fight broke out amongst the Autobots on whether to use the Creation Matrix to create an army of unstoppable robot monsters. His introspection was interrupted by the intrusion of Ravage. The spy was captured, but it was not known by the Autobots that this was part of a larger Decepticon plot. Ravage escaped easily, and when Bumblebee gave chase, the Autobot was captured by the Decepticons. His disembodied arm was dropped in front of the Ark by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], a gauntlet cast. Prime decided to go alone to Decepticon headquarters to rescue Bumblebee, despite the other Autobots' objections. Indeed, Prime bested the Decepticons one-by-one, felling them all, until he arrived, heavily damaged, in the chamber where Bumblebee was held. After making short work of Soundwave, Optimus Prime returned to the Autobots, determined to do things right from then on. {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}''

''After Optimus Prime visited Bumblebee in the repair bay, the Autobots were surprised to be attacked by the Dinobot [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], who was thought to be dead. After Swoop's mind was reclaimed from [[Professor Morris]], Swoop went berserk and left once more. After learning that the Dinobots all would suffer the same involuntary rage, Optimus Prime called for a Dinobot Hunt! {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} Optimus Prime briefed the Autobots on the Dinobots and their nature and sent them to find the Dinobots in groups. Later, Optimus Prime traveled via [[Ark shuttlecraft]] to put a stop to a fight between Grimlock and Sludge that had claimed several Autobot and human injuries. Prime neutralized the rampaging Dinobots, but was saddened to hear that the Decepticons had seized the opportunity to steal large quantities of energy from the humans while the Autobots were kept busy. With the Dinobots in ruin and the Decepticons fueled, Optimus Prime's Autobots had suffered a major defeat. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} Optimus Prime later checked in with Ratchet, who was monitoring the comatose Dinobots. He implored Ratchet to find a way to save them from their constant nightmares. {{storylink|Victory!}}''

With the Autobot ranks drastically depleted, Optimus Prime gave life to Jetfire using the Creation Matrix, and performed on him the [[Rite of the Autobrand]]. He guided Jetfire through the Ark; first into Ratchet's repair bay, and next into [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s lab, where additional troops were being assembled. Optimus Prime assigned Bumblebee to train these new recruits, but ordered them not to engage the enemy. When the group stumbled onto a Decepticon plot to siphon energy from a [[Brick Springhorn]] concert, Optimus gathered every able Autobot to assist. However, Bumblebee had disobeyed orders and his rookies had successfully thwarted the Decepticons. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

When a human named [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]] appeared on television, claiming he controlled all Transformers, Optimus Prime led a team of Autobots into the [[Powder River Basin]] to prevent the human from getting hurt. Megatron, who had frozen, deactivated, at the bottom of the basin, was subsequently re-energized by Soundwave and his minions, and the combined might of their firepower and the human military's drove away Optimus and the Autobots in defeat. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} Afterward, Bumblebee felt he had failed Optimus Prime due to his relative lack of size and strength, and so he ran away. When Optimus discovered that Bumblebee had become a target of interest for the Decepticons, Optimus hurriedly led another team of Autobots to the rescue, an act that helped prove Bumblebee's worth to himself. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

[[Image:RobotBuster-outofyourminds.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"There's ''no slaggin' way'' Mary-Kate is the cuter Olsen Twin!"]]

''Optimus Prime was absolutely appalled to discover that Wheeljack and Ratchet had built Buster Witwicky an armored suit to aid him in the battle against the Decepticons, asking them outright if they had lost their minds. Though Buster protested, noting that since he was trusted with holding the Creation Matrix he should be trusted with the suit as well, Optimus Prime ordered the armored suit destroyed. But Buster stole the armored suit under cover of night and attacked the Decepticon headquarters, plowing through the Decepticons until he reached Shockwave. Shockwave bested the human, but the arrival of Optimus Prime and the Autobots convinced Shockwave to spare his life. {{storylink|Robot Buster!}} Following this incident, Buster began having strange nightmares, and Optimus Prime suspected that these nightmares were induced by the Creation Matrix. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} Wanting to investigate these Creation Matrix-induced dreams, Optimus Prime and Buster were hooked up to machinery so that the human could share them. Optimus Prime and Buster witnessed strange five-robot combiners from each faction named [[Special Teams]], and awoke shouting their name. They had seen a vision of the next generation of Transformers... {{storylink|Second Generation!}}''

Meanwhile on Cybertron, a group of Autobots were happy to learn that Optimus Prime and his Autobots still lived. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

[[Image:CommandPerformances-Autobotsattack.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"Year Two toys, attack!"]]

In front of all the active Autobots, Optimus Prime and [[Grapple]] unveiled their secret project: [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]! Designed to be their last line of defense, Prime planned to leave Omega Supreme to guard the Ark while Prime led the Autobots to the Decepticon river basin headquarters to steal combiner technology from Devastator and promptly leave. The Dinobots scoffed at this plan, refusing to start a battle they were required to run away from, and so Grimlock and his Dinobots seceded from the Autobots. Though [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] raised concerns, Optimus Prime maintained that he had allowed for this. In fact, he allowed for everything save the interference of the humans, and after the mission was successfully pulled off, one human came after Skids for revenge. Optimus Prime regretfully had to leave Skids behind. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''Learning of the Dinobots' disastrous solo adventures, Optimus Prime wanted to disown them, but reluctantly acknowledged that they were necessary muscle for the team. Tragically, while speaking to the Autobots about their war thus far on Earth, he, Prowl, and Ratchet mysteriously vanished in a flash of light! {{storylink|Target: 2006}} They found themselves in a strange dimension called [[Limbo]], where they battled violent creatures. They soon allied with Shockwave, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], who were also shunted into this dimension. The creatures' attack stopped only when Prime realized that they fed on their negative emotions. {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}} Upon his return, Optimus learned that they had been displaced by Autobots and Decepticons traveling from the future. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

As Ratchet sealed up one of Prime's wounds, the Autobot commander was delighted to see Skids was alive, having returned to him along with [[Donny Finkleberg]] (previously the Robot-Master). They had news for him regarding the arrival of Autobot reinforcements from Cybertron, but they were interrupted by a news bulletin. [[Hoover Dam]] was being attacked by Decepticons, so Optimus Prime leapt from the repair bay despite Ratchet's objections to call the new [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] into service. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} Later Ratchet was able to finish sealing Prime's wound, but not before the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] was able to implant a [[cerebro-shell]] within Prime's body. Through this link, the Decepticons would be able to share use of the Creation Matrix to give life to new troops! The Aerialbots hadn't done well on their first outing, so as Optimus Prime reformatted them, Megatron gave life to the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]! {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

''Optimus Prime observed the records of how poorly the Autobots performed in his absence in Limbo, specifically how they went so far as to seek leadership from Megatron out of sheer desperation. Optimus Prime began to consider whether he was too important to the Autobots, and if they could carry on should he fall. To alleviate his doubts, he and a reluctant [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] plotted to fake Prime's death to teach the Autobots how to fend for themselves. While Prime was setting up an impostor version of himself to leave behind destroyed for the Autobots to find, Megatron sent the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to attack Prime. {{storylink|Prey!}}''

[[Image:HarderTheyDie-Iaconno.jpg|right|thumb|300px|You can't go home again.]]

''During the scuffle, Optimus and Megatron were transported to Cybertron, while Prime's counterfeit body, torn apart, was found by the Autobots. Optimus Prime surveyed Cybertron for the first time in four million years, and he couldn't believe how terribly it had fallen. Cities and buildings were cut to the ground, and even his beloved [[Iacon]] was in shambles. After Prime saved [[Outback]] from a roving Decepticon, the tiny Autobot followed him despite Prime's wishes to be alone. Unfortunately, Megatron (in league with [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]) had spread rumors that an imposter Optimus Prime had infiltrated Cybertron, which were readily believed due to Prime's four-million-year absence. Before too long, Prime was surrounded and shackled by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and the [[Wrecker]]s! {{storylink|The Harder They Die!}} With Outback's help, Prime was able to escape, but not without Outback suffering mortal wounds. {{storylink|Under Fire!}} As Outback began to die in his arms, Prime told Outback of the time he, Prowl, and Ratchet were stuck in Limbo. His words were overheard by the Wreckers, but hearing Prime's words convinced [[Emirate Xaaron]] that this was in fact the real Optimus Prime! {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}}''

[[Image:Primefuneralnumberone.jpg|left|thumb|200px|He approved of it ''so much'' that when he died for real the next day, they instead shot him into space.]]

''The return of Optimus Prime was a welcome boost to the Autobot underground resistance. Not only did Autobot morale increase, but Decepticons were spooked at his very appearance! But after a few strategic victories, Prime knew he had to return to Earth. Prime and Ultra Magnus planned one last raid—they would besiege [[Polyhex]] and destroy Megatron! But Megatron's "eccentricities" had become too much for Cybertron's Decepticons to handle, and in the middle of their battle, all three were whisked away to Earth by the [[space bridge]]. Optimus Prime appeared before the Autobots just as they had finished their Earth-inspired burial of the impostor body he had left behind. {{storylink|Resurrection!}}''

[[Image:Afterdeath-gameoverman.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Game over, man! Game over!]]

The Autobots had been monitoring the humans' creation of [[Power Station Alpha]], and Optimus Prime, sensing its completion would need closer inspection, sent Bumblebee to its unveiling. {{storylink|Blood on the Tracks}} Optimus Prime met an anticlimactic end in a gambit for [[Energy Futures Industries]]' [[Hydrothermocline]]. He and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] agreed to fight Megatron and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] in a simulated, virtual world named ''[[Multi-World]]''. But when Megatron cheated, Prime resorted to killing virtual beings to gain the upper hand, and despite his victory Prime believed he had truly lost. Before their eyes, the human [[Ethan Zachary]] detonated Optimus Prime's body, as was previously agreed. In secret, Ethan secured away a [[floppy disk]] that held a copy of Optimus Prime's mind. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}} Meanwhile, [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] had been sent to investigate Bumblebee's destruction at the hands of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], but he was recalled in the middle of this altercation when it was discovered that Optimus Prime had been "assassinated". {{storylink|Power Struggle}}

Optimus Prime's death unhinged Megatron further. The Decepticon leader simply couldn't believe that his eternal foe was truly dead, and he began blowing up random trucks. Megatron's paranoia grew so much that he blew up the Space Bridge with himself on it. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} Ratchet's subsequent efforts to restore Optimus Prime were unsuccessful, and after much grieving, Optimus Prime's body was launched into space as per Cybertronian custom. Omega Supreme presided over his funeral, and both he and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] gave eulogies. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}}

In front of a holographic image of Optimus Prime's head, the surviving Autobots tried to choose a new leader. Optimus Prime's replacement would be like him: a great warrior, wise, compassionate, kind, and courageous. As luck would have it, Grimlock chose exactly that moment to show all of those qualities for the first and only time in his life. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

Optimus Prime's funeral barge eventually crashed on a giant moon of [[VsQs]], where it lay for untold time. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[Image:Ethanzacharypretendertothethrone.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Reaching level 70 was a momentous occasion.]]

Years passed as [[Ethan Zachary]], who still possessed the floppy disk that contained a copy of Optimus Prime's mind, tried to coax it into full sentience. This copy of Optimus Prime believed he was a video game character and nothing more, despite Ethan Zachary's constant prodding. Ethan thought he finally had a chance to jolt Prime back to his old self when he was investigated by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]]. The two put Optimus Prime in charge of a real team of Autobots, the [[Pretender]]s, and the disk copy Prime led them in battle against Decepticon Pretenders. Prime's delusions were unshaken. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} Goldbug took the disk with him, and attempts to rebuild Optimus Prime ended in failure. An argument over supreme Autobot leadership erupted between Grimlock's earthbound Autobots and a group of Autobots who had just arrived from [[Nebulos]] under the leadership of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. Ultimately, Fortress Maximus realized that Optimus Prime was the true leader of the Autobots, not anyone else, and so he sent Goldbug, [[Joyride (Autobot)|Joyride]], [[Slapdash]], and [[Getaway]] back to Nebulos where the technology existed to fully restore Optimus Prime to life. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[Image:PeoplePower-reprogrammed.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Seriously, Prime's been playing WoW waaaay too long.]]

It wasn't quite so simple, however. Fortress Maximus's Autobots had left Nebulos in ruin, and the planet poisoned its fuel supply so that robots could never return and wage war. A loophole was found, however, in the [[Powermaster]] process, created by the scientist [[Hi-Q]]. As luck would have it, Hi-Q was the exact person Goldbug was searching for to rebuild Optimus Prime, but the scientist refused on the grounds that he would be reintroducing the war to his planet—and he didn't believe the Transformers were any more than clever yet unsentient machines. Optimus Prime was rebuilt anyway, even though he wouldn't live very long at all without unpoisoned fuel. Hi-Q changed his mind on the sentience of Transformers when he saw the rebuilt Optimus Prime (shocked out of his video game persona delusions) interact with Goldbug. Hi-Q underwent the Powermaster process himself to save Optimus Prime's life, and Powermaster Optimus Prime was able to defeat two Powermaster-enhanced Decepticons, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing]]. Optimus Prime and his crew left Nebulos with their new Nebulon partners. {{storylink|People Power!}}

Prime quickly proved himself to be a fool, for he dared to ignore [[Rorza, the Rocket-cycle Racer from Rigel III]]. {{storylink|The Cosmic Carnival!}}

''Before reuniting with the other Earthbound Autobots, Optimus Prime and the other Powermasters took a [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] to Earth on [[Christmas]] Day. Optimus Prime, seeing Earth's frozen wasteland, wondered why he even cared about the Earth in the first place, much less fought desperately to defend it. But after recalling the events that first brought him there, he remembered that it was his fault that the Ark crashed there four million years ago, and so any pain and suffering caused by the Transformers' war was his burden. {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}}''

''Return to the Ark, Optimus easily assumed command of the Autobots there; while the Dinobots were initially unhappy, Prime quickly and effortlessly sweet-talked them into going along with it.'' {{storylink|The Quest!}}. That done, he learned via television about the Decepticons' baffling island vacation resort, [[Club Con]]. Optimus Prime sent Blaster to investigate. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

[[Image:TimeWars-OptimusPrimeentersthefray.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Enter a new challenger!]]

''Despite a mysterious disruption in time and space that threatened all reality, due to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s adventures in his own past (which was Prime's present), Optimus Prime halted a conference on the matter to rescue [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]. While Highbrow apologized for interrupting more important matters, he, Optimus Prime, and a few other Autobots were displaced to Limbo once again, allowing [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and other Autobots from the future to investigate the mysterious disruption. The other present-day Autobots thought Optimus Prime and the others had been disintegrated, and so attacked the "impostor" Autobots under Rodimus Prime's command, but Optimus spoke to them through Rodimus Prime's Matrix and calmed them down. A crazed yet seemingly unbeatable Galvatron attacked them, and Optimus Prime debated whether he should leave Limbo and team up with Rodimus against him, even though two Matrix-bearers coexisting at the same time would accelerate the timestorm's destruction of reality. Eventually, Optimus decided to ignore the dangers, and he materialized through Rodimus Prime's Matrix and engaged Galvatron one-on-one. Finally, Galvatron himself was eaten by the timestorm, and Scourge and the body of Cyclonus were also fed to it, which caused the timestorm to subside temporarily. Rodimus Prime promised to Optimus Prime that he would destroy all time machines when he returned to the future. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

[[Image:Fortmaxboat.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Prime's not back five minutes and he's already using the previous leader as his personal boat.]]

Optimus Prime and Fortress Maximus accompanied Blaster to where Club Con used to be located, but it had been relocated by then. Prime assured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] that the search for his brother Buster, who had been kidnapped by the Decepticons, would continue. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Sure enough, a distress signal in the Arctic led the Autobots to Buster, but also to a Decepticon ambush! After several Autobots were incapacitated, the battle stopped when it was discovered that this had all been arranged by Starscream, who had launched into space to seize the powers of the long lost [[Underbase]]. As the Autobots and Decepticons formed a loose alliance to stop Starscream, Optimus Prime warned that he had learned when he was young that fully possessing the Underbase led madness or death. Starscream was stopped before he could absorb all of the Underbase, but he had absorbed enough of it to be able to destroy the Decepticons' island spacecraft in which the two factions were traveling. Thankfully, Optimus Prime had thought ahead and had the Ark follow them there in case of an emergency.

Several teams of allied Autobots and Decepticons followed Starscream to Earth to stop him, but Optimus Prime insisted that he stay behind on the Ark to work on a plan on his own. [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] had growing suspicions that the Autobot leader was really trying to claim the rest of the Underbase for himself, and they snuck on board as the Transformers on Earth were being shut down en masse by Starscream. Unfortunately for Optimus, they caught him while Hi-Q was disconnected from him, and so he was drastically overpowered. Optimus revealed to Scorponok that he was not trying to possess the Underbase... rather, he had been working on a rocket to deflect the Underbase towards Earth. He knew Starscream would try to absorb the rest, and sure enough, Starscream did—growing in size and power before their eyes. But possession of the Underbase resulted in madness ''and'' death, and Starscream's massive body exploded. Scorponok apologized for his bad appraisal of Optimus Prime's intentions, and the two commanders resolved to cease fighting so that they could gather their wounded and resume the fight another day. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

Now that Buster had been reclaimed from the Decepticons, Spike told Optimus Prime that he felt his obligation to the Autobots was over. Prime reluctantly let Spike go, but told him that he was more attached to Fortress Maximus than he knew. {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}} Not only was now Fortress Maximus out of commission, but the Autobots had suffered incredible losses at the hands of the Underbase-powered Starscream. Optimus Prime assigned [[Cloudburst]] and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] to purchase microchips on the black market at [[Grand Central Space Station]], knowing their Pretender shells would allow them to hide their robotic forms from the robotophobic aliens there. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} Cloudburst and Landmine reached an ethical impasse involving the microchips, and so Optimus Prime reached out to Cybertron for reinforcements. He called upon the [[Micromaster]]s, specifically the [[Race Car Patrol]] and [[Off Road Patrol]], to investigate some Decepticon-originated weather problems in [[New York City]]. Hi-Q worried that the Micromasters were unreliable punks, but they were able to prove themselves against the Decepticons in the end, though they refused to join the Autobots proper. {{storylink|King Con!}}

[[Image:Doubledealerofthecentury.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Optimus Prime is also corresponding with a cash-strapped Nicaraguan prince...]]

''The Race Car Patrol accompanied Prime on a more rural mission: receiving stolen Autobot resistance plans couriered by [[Chainclaw]]. But a Decepticon, [[Doubledealer|Dealer]], abducted Chainclaw before he could deliver them, and offered the plans back to Prime as a ransom. Optimus Prime accepted, and a new Autobot named [[Doubledealer|Double]] offered to deliver the Energon payment himself. But Double never made it, and he returned to Optimus defeated with Chainclaw's injured form, having been "ransacked" by "the Decepticons". {{storylink|(Double) Deal of the Century!}}

''Optimus Prime lamented that he could no longer use the Creation Matrix to heal his fallen troops, as the Matrix was inside his old body which had been shot into space; the Autobots did not know the Matrix was in Optimus Prime's chest to remove. On cue, a being who called himself [[Deathbringer]] appeared on Earth, and it was seemingly powered by a piece of the Creation Matrix! Death Bringer proved to be invulnerable, but Optimus Prime couldn't bring himself to harm something that held the essence of the Matrix anyhow. But after enough destruction, Optimus Prime was finally able to defeat it with help from [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], who convinced it to self-destruct in concordance with its primary function. {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}}'' {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

''Thunderwing led a seemingly suicidal assault on the Ark, entirely for the purpose of seeking revenge against his defeat at the hands of Nightbeat, [[Siren]], and [[Hosehead]]. Optimus Prime took Thunderwing on, berating him for having more courage than sense. True to Prime's words, Thunderwing's own troops dragged him away. {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}}''

Optimus Prime ordered Ratchet to get some downtime, fearing his overworked medic (and friend) was losing his grip on sanity. Soon after, Optimus Prime saw news reports of the Micromaster [[Air Strike Patrol]] holding [[MacDill Air Force Base]] hostage, so he took the largest ensemble of troops down to Earth he could muster, given the Autobots' depleted ranks. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} As he told the Micromasters to surrender or face the consequences, he received a transmission from Ratchet, back at the Ark, but [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] fired at Prime's communicator before the message could be completed. This enraged Optimus Prime, who began to suspect grander, more sinister things at work behind the scenes. Optimus Prime had been led to a staged battle, but before he could leave, Scorponok and his Decepticons also arrived, itching for a fight! But after the circumstances of the day, Optimus Prime wasn't about to deny them the opportunity, and he fought back with a shocking, cold fury that baffled even Scorponok. The humans at the Air Force base called out Prime on his reckless violence, and Prime apologized for his outburst. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}}

Since Optimus Prime knew the battle was staged, he scaled back his troops accordingly, and ordered them to return to the Ark and leave him behind. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] refused and stayed behind, helping Optimus Prime fend off the hordes of Decepticons who had attacked him. But Optimus Prime stopped Hot Rod short of firing on [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Lord Zarak]], as Optimus Prime had begun to appeal to his sense of logic. Someone was pulling the strings! Scorponok hesitated, but before an agreement could be reached, they were confronted by an old enemy thought defeated—Starscream! {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}

Though Starscream's performance started out impressively, he soon began to show his true cowardly colors, and so both factions again parted ways. Once again Optimus Prime turned his thoughts towards Ratchet... {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

[[Image:YesterdaysHeroes-Whyyyy.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Meanwhile, nobody mourns poor [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]].]]

...but it was too late! Ratchet had sacrificed himself to destroy Megatron, the orchestrator behind the events at MacDill Air Force Base. Optimus Prime was overcome with grief, and he decided to stop fighting altogether. After parking the Ark on Earth's moon, he walked out on its surface, apparently never to return again. This, of course, caused the Autobots to worry about the future of their cause, and Hot Rod quickly threw together a risky plan to win Prime back. He plotted a "rampage" by an "out-of-control" [[Mark V Guardian Droid]] to whisk Prime back into fighting shape, but when the droid truly went out of control, the plan worked just a little too well. Prime came to his senses, returned to the Ark, and destroyed the droid, but not before several Autobots suffered genuine injury. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

Meanwhile, their creator, [[Primus]] had awakened within Cybertron, alerting his enemy [[Unicron]] to its location. Since the only thing that could stop Unicron was the Creation Matrix, and the Creation Matrix had been shot into space inside Optimus Prime's funeral barge, Prime and Emirate Xaaron assembled several teams of Autobots to scour a specific star system in which the funeral barge likely would have landed. {{storylink|Bird of Prey!}} Though Optimus Prime was never very comfortable with the mystical side of the Creation Matrix, he approached an altar aboard the Ark and was given a vision of a Matrix corrupted by evil and imminent oblivion! {{storylink|Kings of the Wild Frontier}} After several dead ends, the Prime's funeral barge and the Creation Matrix were found on the barren moon of [[VsQs]]. Optimus Prime and Hot Rod went together to meet the [[All-Terrain Turbo-Transport]] as it landed, but were shocked to realize that Autobots were not delivering the Matrix at all! No, they were face to face with Lord Thunderwing, the Creation Matrix's next vessel! {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[Image:AllFallDown-andweshallwin.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"The sky will open. The lights will come down. Celestial choirs will be singing and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect!"]]

Powered by the corrupted energies of the Matrix, Thunderwing was unstoppable. Even so, Optimus Prime pleaded for his troops to avoid trying to damage Thunderwing, for the Matrix was their only chance to destroy Unicron! After numerous losses were incurred, however, Optimus Prime decided to forgo the soft touch, and the Autobot leader let loose his full fury on the possessed Decepticon leader. More and more, the Matrix assumed control of Thunderwing, even taking control of his mind, but Prime could not make Thunderwing notice he was losing control of his own body. Thunderwing was not stopped by Prime's strength or by logic or reason, but by the cunning of Nightbeat. Nightbeat harpooned Thunderwing to the All-Terrain Turbo-Transport, shut off the artificial gravity systems, and Thunderwing and the transport were flung out into space. Thunderwing and the Matrix were presumed destroyed when the transport's self-destruct activated. Despite this seemingly catastrophic loss, Optimus Prime vowed to never give hope or give in to evil. With good on their side, they would ultimately prevail! {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

[[Image:PriceofLife-Icannot.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Optimus Prime is firmly against the Right to Die movement.]]

With the Matrix out of the picture, Optimus Prime fell to another prophecy, one that claimed that Unicron could be destroyed if all Transformers worked together as one. That would be impossible so long as the war continued, so Prime announced his intentions to surrender the Autobots to the Decepticons on Earth. Unsurprisingly, this was met with hostility. Optimus Prime was also still hung up on Ratchet's death, and had assigned Nightbeat to investigate it. Nightbeat suggested that Ratchet and Megatron might still be alive in [[Unspace]], the dimension that serves as a middleman between transdimensional portal openings. Nightbeat was correct, but there were complications. He was able to pull Ratchet out of Unspace, but Ratchet had been fused molecularly with Megatron into one frightening creature! {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} Optimus Prime refused to let anyone harm the creature. This caused even more complications when the creature, unchecked, began to tear apart the Ark's engine systems. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], Prime's security officer, warned him that if he didn't put the creature down, he would personally remove Prime from command. Optimus Prime reluctantly approached the creature, intending to kill it, but when the half that was Ratchet put the barrel of Prime's gun to its own head, begging Prime to kill it, Optimus Prime had second thoughts. He ordered [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] to separate the two, even though Megatron would survive. Worse, one could not survive without the other. This did not please Kup and the others. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}}

True to his word, Optimus Prime surrendered his Autobots to Scorponok's Decepticons, stationed in the [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] swamps. The Decepticons were enjoying this turn of events a little too much, which drew an outburst from Kup. Optimus Prime tried to tell Kup to have patience, but Kup reminded him that the Optimus Prime he knew would never back down, never surrender, no matter what the cost! But no matter, the deed was done, and Optimus Prime and the Autobots were escorted into cells. After a while, Optimus Prime began to suspect that Scorponok didn't really want to talk about an alliance against Unicron at all, and was ignoring the long term to satisfy his short term problems with commanding respect amongst his troops. Optimus Prime knocked aside Soundwave, his guard, and found Kup and Hot Rod. Unfortunately, Kup wouldn't be so easily rounded up, citing Prime's recent problems. But Prime pleaded to him at length, noting that for a warrior race, perhaps surrender took the most courage of all! Kup quietly admitted Prime was right, and the three Autobots burst into Scorponok's quarters, where Scorponok's body had been stowed, leaving Lord Zarak and Bludgeon mostly vulnerable. Zarak and Hot Rod grabbed a hostage each, but Prime ordered both sides to stand down. They had to begin trusting each other, if they were to team up against Unicron. Optimus Prime and Scorponok were once again about to reach an agreement when they were once again interrupted! A splinter team of Decepticons, led by Shockwave and Starscream, attacked the Decepticons' underground base, causing it to implode. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

Optimus Prime's immediate concern was damage control—and not just towards the humans in nearby New York City, but to the fragile alliance that was nearly formed! He and Nightbeat left to keep Scorponok and Shockwave's feud from reaching New York, but the fight was accelerated with the arrival of [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s new superhuman team, the [[Neo-Knights]]! {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Their best chance at securing the alliance was keeping Scorponok alive, but [[Circuit Breaker]] was making it very difficult. Finally, once Shockwave was out of the picture, Optimus Prime and Scorponok once again (again) went to shake hands... {{storylink|Out of Time!}} when all Earthbound Transformers were all whisked away by Primus to Cybertron. Primus spoke to them through the glowing body of Emirate Xaaron, telling them of the eternal conflict between himself and Unicron. Primus also selected Optimus Prime to be the Transformers' leader, which caught the attention of a hidden sect of [[Unicron cultist]]s. While Scorponok confided in Prime that he was scared, the two were jumped by the cultists. Scorponok, the Autobots, and even the rest of the Decepticon army came to Prime's rescue, and it seemed the alliance was finally forged. ...Till, at least, Kup pointed out that Unicron himself was hovering over the planet, ready for attack. Prime took the opportunity to double over in debilitating pain, a condition he had been hiding from the Autobots for some time. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

[[Image:EdgeofExtinction-sothatallmaylive.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Prime's been reading his [[Jesus|New Testament]].]]

Kup and Getaway tried to push Prime along, but the force of Unicron's claws punching into the surface of Cybertron sent them reeling. Just the sheer impossible size of Unicron paralyzed Optimus Prime and Scorponok with fear and awe. Primus, still using Emirate Xaaron's body as an avatar, tried to intervene, but was destroyed; Optimus Prime cried out in loss. Optimus Prime was not shaken into action until a [[Galvatron II|brave, unidentified soldier]] attacked Unicron singlehandedly and was swatted away. The Autobot leader charged into action, but their attacks had little effect. Scorponok was among the casualties, and Optimus Prime waited with the melted body of his former foe until death. Scorponok, having martyred himself, asked Optimus Prime if he "did good". Optimus Prime nodded, called him his friend, and finally Scorponok passed away. Unfortunately, it was Optimus Prime's turn. A Matrix-possessed Thunderwing had suddenly returned, but although Thunderwing's body was completely disintegrated by Unicron, that left the Matrix itself unaccounted for. Prime ejected Hi-Q from his chest, knowing this next act would kill him. He seized the Matrix, fought its corruption, and plunged himself and the Matrix into Unicron's maw. Unicron exploded. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

[[Image:EndOfTheRoad-itcanitis.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Gotta sell that one last toy!]]

The Transformers' ultimate battle was won, but the cost was high! What was left of Optimus Prime's body was found, and he was amazingly still holding on to life, thanks to the Matrix energy that he'd absorbed. But he hadn't much longer, so he pulled Prowl close to him and told him that Grimlock would lead the Autobots. Prime died (again), and Prowl screamed in agony. But before too long, after the Powermaster absorbed [[Nucleon]] energy from Grimlock, Hi-Q announced that ''he'' was Optimus Prime! {{storylink|Still Life!}} Since Cybertron was threatening to break apart after the stress of Unicron's attack, Hi-Q and the other Neo-Knights were packed up on a ship meant to escape the planet. But Hi-Q had other ideas. {{storylink|Exodus!}} He persuaded the Neo-Knights to stay on the dying planet and search for the [[Last Autobot]], explaining that the pains Optimus Prime were feeling before he died were the start of a larger metamorphosis. If Prime had lived, the Powermaster process would have eventually merged the two into one, but it continued on even with Prime dead. Thankfully for the Neo-Knights, Hi-Q was not crazy, and they stumbled across the storage chamber for the Last Autobot. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

The Last Autobot set in motion the planet's healing process and took an interest in Hi-Q. A new robotic body was forged around Hi-Q's, and he and Optimus Prime were truly combined into one being! Optimus Prime, fully reborn as an [[Action Master]], took the Neo-Knights and the Last Autobot to [[Klo]], where the final battle was taking place. The Autobots had dwindled to just five of their number, and the Decepticons were approaching total victory, when Optimus Prime miraculously returned. Optimus Prime ushered in a new age of peace and harmony by shoving his fists through the Decepticons' heads and torsos, and with some resurrection help from the Last Autobot, the dead Autobots were restored and the Decepticons were forced to flee. The war finally over, Optimus Prime told his fellow Autobots that they'd help Klo rebuild... and then they'd finally go home! {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

===Marvel UK future timelines===
''In an alternate timeline, Optimus Prime still maintained his Powermaster body in 1995. When a feminist group on Earth raised complaints that all the Autobots seemed to fit male archetypes, Optimus tried to appease them in the name of public relations. Unfortunately, his "appeasement" came in the form of a powder pink token Autobot female named [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. That...didn't go over well. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}''

''Years later, in 2004, Prime was back in his original Earthen appearance. While attending the grand opening of Autobot City on Earth, the Autobots came under fire from Shockwave and his Decepticons. Optimus Prime and the Autobots bravely used their bodies as shields to protect their human guests until the Decepticons were driven off. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}''

===Earthforce===
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Primevsgrimlockbreakaway.jpg|left|200px|thumb|That's got to be theraputic.]]
''While dealing with the oncoming threat of Unicron, Optimus Prime came under a great deal of stress and began actively berating [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and his newly reactivated Dinobots for their more brutal methods of combating the enemy. {{storylink|Two Steps Back!}} This reprimand prompted Grimlock to offer his resignation from the Autobot army. Tempers got heated, and the two Autobots actually started brawling with one another in the conference room. After a few minutes of furious fighting, however, Prime and Grimlock effectively beat some sense into each other. Optimus Prime decided to take the Ark and its crew out into space, leaving Grimlock behind to command an "Earthforce" of Autobots, dedicated to protecting the planet in his absence. {{storylink|Break-Away!}}''

''Optimus Prime returned briefly for an inspection after the Autobot Earthbase was completed, and the Dinobots barely managed to keep him from learning about the berserker rages which plague [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] every few million years. {{storylink|The 4,000,000 Year Itch!}} He also oversaw the reconstruction of [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] in Wheeljack's repair bay, leaving the vain Autobot under Grimlock's command before returning to space. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}}''
{{-}}

===Another Time and Place===
{{note|This text story was later [[retcon]]ned away by the events of ''[[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|Generation 2]]''.}}

[[Image:TFAnnual1991rip.JPG|left|thumb|200px|They will each keep half in special BFF lockets.]]

After Klo, the Autobots returned to Cybertron in an effort to rebuild the planetary government and resources. Optimus Prime naturally took the lead in these endeavours, but matters weighed heavily on his spark. The [[Nucleon]]-soaked Hi-Q at the core of his new body was one thing, reducing Prime to a non-transforming "[[Action Master|Actionmaster]]" like many of his fellow Autobots. But more importantly, Optimus Prime feared that the newfound peace on Cybertron would not last. He desperately wanted his soldiers to stop being soldiers, yet was petrified that something might come along and disturb their inactivity. This trepidation kept Optimus from stopping Grimlock from jetting off on an ill-advised mission to [[Hydrus Four]] in search of a way to reverse the Nucleon process, and he even refused to listen to Prowl when he reported that Grimlock took off to Hydrus Four anyway. Prowl struck a chord, however, when he pointed out that if he could track Grimlock's destination, so could the Decepticons. Shamed by Prowl's rebuke, Optimus Prime soon pushed aside his recalcitrance and assembled a strike team to go after the Dinobots.

On Hydrus Four, the Autobots discovered the Decepticons had taken over the medical facility with the Nucleon supply, and taken the Dinobots hostage. It seemed Bludgeon had a plan for the Nucleon, using it to recreate Megatron himself. With a surgical strike, however, they managed to free the Dinobots and take the fight to the enemy. Optimus confronted Bludgeon himself in battle, but was saved when Grimlock suddenly charged through and struck the Decepticon leader in dino-mode. It turned out the Nucleon process could be reversed after all! After that, all Prime and Grimlock had to do was tear apart the zombie-like, half-revived Megatron. Piece o' cake. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}
{{--}}

==''Generation 2''==
[[Image:Optimusprime-g2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|More apocalyptic visions than you can shake a covenant at.]]

As time passed, with the Decepticons supposed in exile and Cybertron at peace, the Autobots functionally disbanded. They scattered across the galaxies, with many retiring in peace while others continued to fight for peace among other civilizations they came across. The time came when Optimus Prime was called back into the skirmish, alongside his honor guard of [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], when Grimlock and his combat unit discovered a greater [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] that had sprouted up without their noticing it. These next generation Decepticons, led by the Liege Centuro [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], would conquer world after world using terraforming and exo-structuring processes to remake raw materials into a new Cybertron for their use. Optimus Prime, Grimlock and their "Dirty Dozen" of Autobots began a small resistance movement against Jhiaxus and his people, but realized they were out of their depth. As the call went out to reassemble the Autobot army en masse, Prime worried that they were still missing some greater threat—he had begun experiencing visions of an unknown peril that was heading their way, and wasn't sure if even the united Autobots would be enough to deal with it. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

Until he could identify this secondary threat, Prime ordered the Autobots to remain inactive at an Autobase built into a small asteroid belt. But certainly Grimlock was having none of that. He grabbed a sizeable percentage of their displaced warriors who had already arrived and headed out after Jhiaxus and his flagship, [[Twilight (G2)|Twilight]]. Naturally, they got in over their heads. Prime grabbed some of his personal soldiers (Hot Rod, Kup, Prowl, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]) and hijacked a strike ship to get close enough to Twilight for a rescue mission. Once Grimlock and his men were sent out on a prison vessel, Optimus blasted the ship just enough to cause chaos, and give Grimlock enough time to overtake the crew. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Surprisingly enough, he gave Grimlock no rebuke once they met up again—in fact, Prime put the Dinobot commander in charge of the entire army! In order to fully understand the visions of impending doom he was receiving, Optimus Prime decided he needed to return to Cybertron itself, to help "cut through the static" that was garbling whatever message the Matrix was trying to send him. Engaging in a quasi-mystical ritual to expand his psychic boundaries, Optimus cast himself mentally back through time to witness the birth of the first Transformer, [[Prima]], as he rose from the living structure of Cybertron itself. What he saw next, however, was astonishing—Cybertronians birthing new Cybertronians themselves, causing living metal to burst forth from them in a bio-morphic reproduction process called "[[Reproduction#Budding|budding]]". Primus had apparently allowed this only up till a point, allowing the race to evolve in stages before discontinuing the ability and the memory of it from his progeny. Jhiaxus and his new Cybertronians, however, were the end result of some Decepticons somehow relearning the budding process. They were stronger, yes, and perhaps more evolved physically, but their souls, their sparks, were distilled too many times over. Optimus Prime awoke from his trance, believing he had come to understand the threat he sensed: the fractioning of his species. Little did he know that the threat was far less philosophical, and far more tangible, than he realized. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}

When word reached Prime that Megatron had resurfaced on Earth, he jumped at the idea of joining forces with the original Decepticons to face off against the Cybertronian Empire. Travelling to Earth alone, Optimus approached Megatron with the intent to talk. Instead, Megatron blasted him from behind, beat him to a pulp, ionized his every circuit, and then ripped out his chest and siphoned away the power of the Matrix. So no, the talking didn't go too well. Prime only survived due to Grimlock's talent for insubordination, as the Dinobot leader brought a massive strike team down to save their fallen leader before Megatron finished him off. Still, as the Autobots dragged Prime away to receive repair treatment, he knew Megatron would be back—Optimus had stuttered out enough information about "new Decepticons" to pique his old foe's interest, and once Megatron went after them and bit off more than he could chew, they'd meet again. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

In this, at least, Optimus Prime knew Megatron all too well. Only days later a heavily battered and bruised Megatron wandered into Autobase: Earth, looking for that alliance Prime had offered. {{storylink|Escalation!}} With new allies, things were looking up for Prime until the unthinkable happened. His visions of death and apocalypse finally came true as the Autobots came across a devastated world looking almost identical to the images he had been experiencing. Optimus now realized his visions were not metaphorical in nature, and almost drew the conclusion himself before [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s science team completed their analysis of the genocide—it was their fault. More specifically, some by-product of the Cybertronian race had been formed by the budding process which created Jhiaxus and the Cybertronian Empire, an animate entity that scoured the cosmos of its own design. Before more data and analysis could be had, however, Jhiaxus and his troops arrived on Earth seeking to end their ancestors once and for all. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}}

[[Image:Megatrong2idiot.jpg|left|thumb|250px|No, no, shoot at ''each other''!]]

Once again seeking compromise, Optimus Prime took Megatron in an attempt to reacquire the Decepticon [[Warworld]] and use it to force Jhiaxus to see reason, that they faced a common and perhaps unbeatable foe in this "[[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]". His efforts were more than a little delayed, however, by the ever-treacherous [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. That Decepticon schemer had sold them out to Jhiaxus in the first place, but then came aboard Warworld and merged with it and the power of the Creation Matrix Megatron had been housing there. {{storylink|Total War!}} Still, Optimus Prime managed to reach a communications console, and begged Jhiaxus for an audience to discuss the impending threat which was bearing down on them all. As badly as Prime's last attempt to "just talk" with an enemy had gone, this time it went much worse, as Jhiaxus responded by ordering the orbital bombardment and destruction of the human city of [[San Francisco]]. Millions of lives wiped out in an instant. And before Prime could even attempt to respond or try again, the Swarm itself arrived in orbit. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}}

[[Image:Jhiaxusyouhavedestroyedme.jpg|right|thumb|200px|"Do you like me? Check (yes) or (no)."]]

As bad as things were, a silver lining did develop—Starscream proved too much of a "pedestrian villain" to actually corrupt the Matrix as had happened in the past. Instead, it was actually turning him more heroic, giving him selfless and self-sacrificing urges! Not wanting to be a hero, much less a dead hero, Starscream willingly relinquished the Matrix to Optimus Prime. In yet another effort at unity and compromise, Prime took a skysled over to Jhiaxus's flagship, Twilight, in order to talk the Liege Centuro into working with the Autobots and Decepticons to commune with the Swarm.

[[Image:RageInHeaven-HeroPrime.jpg|left|thumb|100px|He really does like to push the new toy at the last possible moment.]]

Instead, Jhiaxus tore off his face.

The formerly icy Cybertronian had been driven completely off his rocker by the extended conflict with his ancestors, and was now little more than a mad dog pounding away at Optimus Prime. The brutality only ended when the Swarm entered Twilight and consumed Jhiaxus utterly. At this point, Optimus had reasoned that the Swarm was merely a void, searching for something to complete the emptiness inside it. With desperate reasoning, Prime allowed the Swarm to assail him, hoping that he (and the Matrix inside him) would prove to be what it was searching for. His body ravaged to the point of total disintegration, Optimus Prime still managed to make mental contact with the Swarm as it consumed him, and expose it to the will of Primus. Having successfully purified the Swarm, Optimus Prime rematerialized in a new, more powerful body. In the aftermath, in front of the cheering masses, Prime declared a new age of peace and enlightenment.

Privately, however, Prime knew that [[Furmanism|it never ends]]... {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{--}}

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

[[Image:Classicscomicautobots.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"All right, do-over. This time I'll skip the visions of doom, and you won't get yourself tangled up with Cobra. Deal?"]]

After the war ended on Klo, Optimus Prime returned to Cybertron exhausted. Since the war had gone on for so long, Prime had all along resigned himself to an inevitable death, and so finding the war at an end, Prime simply withdrew from society. No civilian job satisfied him. Now that peace was finally here, he had no idea what to do! Fifteen years later, he was somewhat relieved that Megatron had resurfaced on Earth. Though it shamed him, he once again had a purpose. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Classics'' Optimus Prime profile}}

Optimus Prime returned to Earth commanding [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (formerly Hot Rod) to counter the return of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. When Transformers from another reality, [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] and [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], arrived on Earth unexpectedly, Megatron stumbled upon them, only to find himself under attack by Prime and his Autobots. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 1}} Overwhelmed, Megatron managed to escape with Landquake, while the Autobots returned to Autobot headquarters with Skyfall. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}}

Optimus Prime took his Autobots and Skyfall to [[South America]], where the Decepticons were investigating a mysterious energy source that was similar to the radiation readings of their new dimension-traveling companions. After Prime left Jetfire in mid-transit to help [[Armored Robot Hunters|RUNT]] fight the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], he and the remaining Autobots arrived at their destination and battled the rest of Megatron's forces on the ground. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} As the battle raged, Optimus Prime took on Megatron in a one-on-one battle. Megatron tried repeatedly to escape Prime so that he could discover the location of the energy readings, but Prime made it difficult. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 4}} As Megatron's troops were eliminated from the fight, the Decepticon leader realized his gambit was up. He swore the next time he and Prime met, it would be different! Optimus Prime told him to leave before he lost his patience, and the Decepticons withdrew. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}}

The battle won, but the energy source still a mystery, Prime and his Autobots returned to their headquarters heavily damaged, and seemingly having lost Skyfall and Cliffjumper (along with Landquake). Later, he was pleased to have been visited (seemingly very quickly, if really at all) by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] when their paths crossed while the latter was hunting [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Classics characters]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]

Tidal Wave (Armada)

2009-11-30T22:29:20Z

209.106.203.252: /* Armada */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig2|the colossal Decepticon warship from Armada|the teeny jetski/jetpack from Classics|Tidal Wave (Classics)}}
{{disambig3|Mirage}}
:''Tidal Wave is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]]. He took the name '''Mirage''' after he took a new body.''

[[Image:Tidal wave looms ps2.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Like a vast predatory <s>bird</s> fish...]]
'''Tidal Wave''' is a powerhouse, one of the largest Decepticons under [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron's]] command. His power is backed up by a brain that doesn't exactly run at optimal speeds; he's not so much stupid as he is single-minded and easily frustrated, although [[Pokeformers|his tendency to shout his own name repeatedly as a sort of battle cry]] doesn't do much to refute his reputation as a knucklehead. In battle he is merciless, an unyielding engine of destruction.

He is unquestionably loyal to Megatron and his ideals, and will quickly sign up with anyone that promises power to the Decepticon cause. He may or may not have a [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|soft spot for children]]<ref>One of the ''Super Link'' [[Commercial bumper|commercial bumpers]] features Mirage introducing himself, then telling the good little children out there that it's nice to meet them.</ref>.

Tidal Wave's [[Mini-Con]] partner is [[Ramjet (Armada)|Ramjet]].

{{quote|Tidal Wave...Tidal Wave...|Tidal Wave, too many times to properly source}}

:''Japanese name:'' '''Shockwave''' (Tidal Wave), '''Shock Fleet''' (Mirage)
:Hungarian name'': '''Szökőár''' ('''Árhullám''' on the ''Ultimate Battle DVD'')''
:Hungarian name as Mirage'': '''Délibáb'''''
:Polish ''Armada'' name'': '''Falotron''' (Wavetron)''
:Polish ''Energon'' name'': '''Falomiot''' (Waveblaster)''

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor'' [[Doug Parker]] (English), [[Jin Yamanoi]] (Japanese)

[[Image:ArmTVTidalWave.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Crumbs, chief.]]
Tidal Wave was originally brought to [[Earth]] by the [[Decepticon]] strategist [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] in an attempt to bolster the Decepticon forces so that they could obtain the [[Requiem Blaster]]. Thrust claimed Tidal Wave was a general that led Decepticon forces to a victory, an unsubstantiated claim that seems rather out of place considering Tidal Wave's... lack of grace. This was exemplified when [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] capsized the huge warship and sent it to the bottom of the deep. However, Tidal Wave quickly recovered and transformed into his massively powerful robot mode, quickly sending the Autobots scrambling for cover. {{storylink|Awakening}}

Pounding the Autobots with firepower, Thrust called out to Tidal Wave to initiate his party piece. Tidal Wave transformed and split into three component vehicle sections (which also somehow shrank in size), headed for Megatron and Powerlinked with him, forming a combination known as ''Burning Megatron''. Megatron declared that "The Power is Mine!" before setting off in pursuit of Jet Optimus. Tidal Wave gave Megatron flight capability and an overwhelming amount of firepower, which kept Jet Optimus at bay long enough for Megatron to slice the connection point between Optimus Prime and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] with the Star Saber. {{storylink|Desperate}}
{{-}}
{{charstubfiction}}

After Starscream cracked and attacked Megatron, Tidal Wave was sent after him to Earth when the rogue Decepticon jet escaped their moon base with the Star Saber in his possession. The Autobots initially assumed both Decepticons were part of a combined attack, but eventually came to Starscream's assistance against Tidal Wave when the Decepticon shot him down. [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] nailed Tidal Wave in the eye with his axle cannon, but the powerful Tidal Wave recovered quickly and caused problems for Jet Optimus, whom couldn't so much as scratch him. This prompted Starscream to toss the Star Saber to the Autobot leader, which he used to slice off one of Tidal Wave's chest guns and forced the Decepticon to retreat. {{storylink|Regeneration|Regeneration}}

Tidal Wave was present at the meeting between the Autobots and Decepticons during the [[Unicron Battles]] in which the two sides formed a temporary truce, notably shaking hands with Jetfire. {{storylink|Alliance (episode)|Alliance}}
{{-}}
====''Energon'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor'' [[Doug Parker]] (English), [[Jin Yamanoi]] (Japanese), [[Anders Öjebo]] (Swedish)

{{cleanup|October 2008|Lacks storylinks}}

After the end of the Unicron Battles, Tidal Wave loyally followed [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]'s last request—that the Decepticons remain at peace with the Autobots. During the ten year period that followed, Tidal Wave somewhere along the line changed not only his color palette but his occupation—instead of being a warrior, he was now a guardian of the [[Energon (Energon)|energon]] mines in the Sol system's asteroid belt.

Tidal Wave's post was one of the first targets of the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]] hordes. {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)|Cybertron City}} After being attacked and abducted, he was brought to [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] and [[Alpha Quintesson]]'s base of operations, where they convinced him to side with them by promising to revive Megatron, a deal which Tidal Wave eagerly agreed to. {{storylink|Scorpinok}} Although he clearly disliked Scorponok, he carried out orders in attacking other energon reserves run by the Autobots until Megatron returned. Following this, he continued raiding Autobot bases, only under Megatron's orders.

Tidal Wave would later show disdain for the madman [[Decepticon]] recruit [[Shockblast (Energon)|Shockblast]]. During a battle on Cybertron, an [[Energon Tower]] collapsed on top of Tidal Wave due to a shot from Shockblast. Megatron called for a retreat and hauled Tidal Wave's damaged body back into space, where the giant Decepticon was reformatted into "'''Mirage'''". With this new body also came an apparent upgrade in intelligence, although he also started to buddy up with [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]] to form a comedy relief trio. He continued to serve Megatron throughout the war for [[Energon (Energon)|energon]].

{{charstubfiction}}

When Galvatron flung himself into the energon sun to destroy [[Unicron]]'s spark, Mirage loyally followed after him and seemingly ended his life. {{storylink|The Sun|The Sun}}

{{note|In Japan, after becoming Mirage, Tidal Wave became straight-up Gay For Galvatron. The dub dodged the issue as best it could (although honestly, that was probably more due to the fact that the English writers didn't seem to know what was going on in the show at the best of times), with Mirage's love-struck remarks being replaced with simple cheering for his leader or something else entirely—but it couldn't do anything about his repeated coquetteish gestures, doe-eyed expressions, or that one time he pirouetted and struck a pose while surrounded by a glowing pink heart. Maybe Tidal Wave couldn't properly articulate his love in his Armada form?}}
<div class="center">[[Image:Gayforgalvatron.jpg|none|750px|thumb|center|<div class="center">Pretty Soldier Sailor Tidalwave!</div>]]</div>
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
====''Armada'' comic====
Tidal Wave was among the Decepticon troops allied with the Autobots and Mini-Cons during the battle against Unicron. He clutched his head in agony when the Chaos Bringer appeared and declared that this reality would be consumed. {{storylink|The End}}

====''Energon'' comic====
Millions of years ago, Tidal Wave captured [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] and coerced him into building [[Seismic-shock warhead|Seismic-shock warheads]] for the Decepticons, which Megatron would use as a last resort to destroy the planet should he lose the war. Whenever Ironhide refused, an Autobot prisoner of war was executed. {{storylink|Aftershock (issue)|Aftershock}}

In the present, Tidal Wave was recruited by [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]], joining the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]]. {{storylink|This Evil Reborn}} While he went on several raids and missions with the Terrorcons, it became clear to him that he wasn't the most respected of the team. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Four}}

Tidal Wave attacked Ironhide and [[Cliffjumper (Energon)|Cliffjumper]] while they were overseeing the contruction of a new base on Cybertron. Using Cliffjumper's life as leverage, he forced Ironhide to reactivate the seismic-shock warheads for Scorponok's scheme to use on Earth. Ironhide foiled Tidal Wave when he armed the doomsday weapon, with the cold threat of destroying Cybertron rather than allowing the Decepticons destroy Earth. Tidal Wave panicked and left through a space bridge. {{storylink|Aftershock (issue)|Aftershock}}

While the other Decepticons and Terrorcons thought little of Tidal Wave, [[Alpha Quintesson]], however, saw something in him, and reformatted him into Mirage, noting as he did so that Scorponok had fallen out of [[Unicron]]'s favor. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 2}}

{{note|Due to the bankruptcy of [[Dreamwave Productions]], this storyline was left unresolved.}}

==Games==
===Melbourne House ''Transformers'' video game===
[[Image:Tidalwave pushup.gif|left|180px|thumb|Megatron might be a jerk, but he cares for his troops' physical fitness.]]
Tidal Wave, in his combined battleship mode, was stationed as a relay and refuel point off a small chain of islands in the Mid-Atlantic. The [[Autobot|Autobots]] made their way inside him to take out the [[Decepticlone]] platoons inside and destroy him, but discovered that Tidal Wave wasn't merely a transport. They escaped just in time to avoid being crushed as Tidal Wave transformed into his titanic robot mode.

Tidal Wave walked around the island chain in the deep waters, unloading volleys of missiles, lasers, and the occasional [[Jet Laser]] on the tiny-by-comparison Autobots. Despite his impressive size, firepower, and nigh-impenetrable armor, the Autobots managed to do enough damage to Tidal Wave's one weak point—his face—to cause a chain reaction that caused multiple explosions inside him, sending him falling face-first to the ocean floor.

The Autobots were able to extract information from Tidal Wave's computer that the Decepticons' main base was located in Northern Alaska, but the information was planted there by Megatron to lead the Autobots into a trap.

Tidal Wave was later seen still on Earth and has survived from his battle with the Autobots, but is now taking exercises with the survived [[Decepticlone]] army. {{storylink|Transformers (Melbourne House)|Transformers}}
{{-}}
==Toys==
===Armada===
[[Image:Armada Tidal Wave toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"TCS Tiger's Claw, Transform!"]]
*'''Tidal Wave with Ramjet''' (Giga-Con, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Ramjet Mini-Con partner, 2 missiles

: Tidal Wave is a robot that is made up of three different aquatic vehicles; an aircraft carrier, a double-bowed battleship, and a troop-landing craft. All three can combine to form a single gigantic warship, which from there can transform to robot mode ''without'' having to separate (though technically, the carrier bit splits to form the arms). Each smaller craft has its own gimmick; the carrier has a working storage elevator for Tidal Wave's [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Ramjet (Armada)|Ramjet]], the battleship has Mini-Con [[Powerlinx]]-activated swiveling cannons (also usable in robot mode), and the landing craft opens up to reveal seats for Mini-Cons to sit on.

[[Image:Micron Shockwave toy.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Alleged Decepticon Military Genius.]]
: Tidal Wave can also combine with Megatron (and the Galvatron redeco), with Tidal Wave's aircraft carrier and battleship clipping onto Megatron's arms and his troop transport clipping onto Megatron's back (after the turret has been positioned in Full Blast Mode configuration) as a jetpack.

: The [[Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions are considerably different. Takara's "Shockwave" replaces all the green plastic with purple, darker grays, and several of the paint colors are altered. These changes were made to align the toy more closely to the cartoon's appearance, though they're not completely accurate.

{{-}}

===Energon===
[[Image:Energon Tidal Wave toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Tidal Wave...Tidal Wave...Tidal Wave...]]
*'''Tidal Wave with Ramjet''' (Ultra, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''SD-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Ramjet Mini-Con partner, 2 missiles

:Tidal Wave's ''Armada'' toy was [[Redeco|redecoed]] for the early part of ''Energon'', with "energy" patterns resembling stylized lightning bolts painted across it. Several portions of his body were also cast in transparent green plastic. This was the result of his body being infused with Decepticon-energy [[Energon (Energon)|energon]], as in the series, he did not have his lightning "scars" until after he touched (and was injured) by raw energon.

:The toy has also been very slightly retooled—the notches on the inside of his body that were originally designed to prevent the missiles from firing by giving the triggers a place to rest have now been made larger so they now actually fulfill their original purpose.

:Tidal Wave retains his ability to combine with ''Armada'' Megatron/Galvatron, as well as ''Universe'' [[Megazarak]].

{{-}}
[[Image:Energon Mirage toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He went from a boat to a ferry.]]
*'''Mirage''' (Mega, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''SD-15'''
**''Accessories:'' 4 missiles

: Mirage is an upgraded body for Tidal Wave, transforming into a sleek assault speedboat with multiple spring-loaded missile launchers, as well as fold-out wings for his "Hyper Mode". Something of a shellformer, Mirage's transformation sequence is one of the most complex for the ''Energon'' toy line, and as a side effect, he ends up with some obnoxiously large vehicle mode shell [[kibble]]. Some bad design and excessively tight knee joints means his lower legs will often detach from the upper thighs whenever one tries to bend his knees.

:The initial releases of Mirage were one-per-case, and part of a wave that saw limited distribution due to a glut of early product on the shelves. However, Mirage was later put into "Mega-Buy" multi-packs at a buy-one-get-one-free price at numerous chains, including Toys 'R' Us and Wal-Mart, relieving much of the demand for the item.

: This mold was also [[Redeco|redecoed]] into ''Energon'' [[Dreadwing (Energon)|Dreadwing]] and [[BotCon 2009]] [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]].

==Notes==
* Tidal Wave's use of his own name as a battle cry is not exclusive to the English stories; he likewise chants "Shock, Shock, Shock waaaaaaave" as he fights in ''Super Link''. When he upgrades to Mirage ("Shockfleet" in Japan), his battle cry becomes "ShockShockShock!"
* An easter egg on the Playstation 2 game of Transformers is that, when he's in vehicle mode, you can enter a cavity where his robot mode head is stored. You can walk all over it and a glitch enables you to walk inside his head. He doesn't seem to mind.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8hcHAW3YiY Gameplay video showing the Tidal Wave's head Easter egg.]</ref>
* Mirage may have been originally intended as a separate character. [[Hasbro]] appears to have implied this is the case, saying that designing the toys before the show was completed led to "some characters not aligning together in the animation and toy expressions". <ref>[[http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Hasbro_Q%26A/August_2009:_Answers|August 2009 Q&A]]</ref>

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/TidalWave/tidalwave.htm Tidal Wave at TFU.info]

[[Category:Armada characters]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Energon characters]]
[[Category:Terrorcons]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]

...For All Mankind

2009-11-23T22:22:29Z

209.106.203.252: /* Items of note */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #1
|prev=All Hail Megatron issue 16
|next=The Transformers issue 2
|seriesissue2=
|prev2=
|next2=
|title="...For All Mankind"
|image=IDW TF 1B.jpg
|caption=Autobots, Transform and... ah, you know the drill!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 18]], [[2009]]
|coverdate=November 2008
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|assistant editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

'''The Autobots are on the run and are forced to deal with the loss of one of their own.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Ongoing Issue 1-Optimus Surrenders.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Just throw your hands in the air and wave 'em like you just don't care!]]

Optimus Prime reflects on the responsibilities of all advanced races to spread freedom and peace, and laments that all the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronians]] have spread is war. The Autobots have been in hiding amongst the humans for the last two years as Earth's cities were rebuilt following Megatron's planet-wide assault. Ratchet and Prowl are in their altmodes, watching for signs of any trouble: trouble that comes as Breakdown destroys a power station in search of [[energon (fuel)|energon]].

The attack is monitored by [[Skywatch]] control, and Spike Witwicky orders his forces to capture the invader. Breakdown is set upon by Spike and several other personnel in armored 'crash suits', built using stolen Cybertronian technology. Prowl and Streetwise are amongst the human police on the scene, and watch as Breakdown is immobilized and forced into his altmode by Skywatch forces. When they bring out their lethal particle cannons, apparently to destroy the Decepticon, Prowl can watch no longer and transforms, only to be brought down in turn: Spike had intended to draw him out all along. As he and Breakdown are driven away, Streetwise contacts the other Autobots...

At Autobot base, Wheeljack has engineered a counter to the inhibitors, and Prime orders him to fit them to their remaining forces. Hot Rod questions Prime's leadership, particularly their presence on Earth and the corresponding loss as more of their number are captured. Prime reiterates the need to protect Earth in case of possible Decepticon attack, but allows Hot Rod to stage a rescue mission to retrieve Prowl; he assigns Ironhide to go with him.

The rescue attempt goes poorly when it is revealed that Prowl was bait in a Skywatch trap; although Hot Rod's team rescues him, Ironhide dies leaping into a blast meant for Hot Rod. Prime grieves for his friend, and in a speech to his fellow Autobots removes himself as active commander.

Alone and ruminating on the end of the war and the new era in which they find themselves, Prime drives into the desert and into a Skywatch facility. As soldiers surround him, he raises his hands in surrender...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (1)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (2)
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (6)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (7)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (9)
* [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (10)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (11)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (12)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (13)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (14)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (15)

|c2=
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (3)
|c3=
* Various [[Skywatch]] personnel (4)
* Major [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
}}

== Errors ==
* On page 2, [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] has a Decepticon insignia on his shoulder.
* The prose for the battle scene against Skywatch indicated that it was occurring at night, but James Brown's colouring makes it look like the battle was on during the very early evening.

== Items of note ==
* Not only did Don Figueroa overhaul every Transformer in the comic to have new bodies with a movie-inspired feel, but he also designed reinterpretations of the characters' previous IDW bodies in that same experimental style; these call-back designs can be seen on the covers and in the battle scene spread on pages 2 and 3.
:*Optimus Prime's new body seems to be based on his ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' form.
:* Breakdown's design uses the ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Sunstreaker/Sideswipe mold, but movie-fied. He also has his name on his license plate.
* The fight scene on pages 2 and 3 seems to be a non-literal image of the conflict on Earth, since it features combatants that could never have met during ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'' (such as [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]], [[Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], etc.) Interestingly, it seems to have several callbacks to the G1 cartoon, such as [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] bending a cannon or Ratchet kicking Thundercracker in the groin.
* 12 pages of this issue were released to the public as preview images by the time the issue was released. First there was a 3-page preview that highlighted Ironhide's death. Then there was an eight-page preview that came mostly from the beginning of the issue. And finally, the day the issue came out, the final page of the issue accompanied a ''USA Today'' news article. [http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2009-11-18-transformers-optimus-st_N.htm]
* A marquee sign in the fourth page's second panel, as Optimus Prime and Megatron battle and destroy the city, seems to read "DARNIT." On the final panel of the same page, a banner reads "[[Headmaster (Animated)|NOOB]]". In the first panel on the next page, a sign reads "SMITHIE." Billboards for a smiling woman in sunglasses and an unnamed product named "Zip," possibly a sunscreen, are popular advertisements in post-restoration Earth.
* The title of the issue is on the final page. It refers to the inscription left on [[Moon (moon)|Earth's moon]] by Apollo 11, which reads in full: "Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon, July 1969 A.D. We Came in Peace For All Mankind"
* Editor [[Andy Schmidt]] introduces the creative team in the [[Decepticomments]] section.
* This ain't the first time [[Yesterday's Heroes!|Optimus Prime quit the Autobots because his favorite mini-van died!]]
* Prowl breaks cover when he's not supposed to? To help a Decepticon? Isn't that a bit out of character?

===Covers (6)===
* '''Cover A:''' Wraparound cover featuring the Autobots running toward the reader in an homage to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] opening credits; art by Don Figueroa with colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover B:''' Prime, Hot Rod and Ironhide; art by Don Figueroa with colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime [[Barack Obama]] homage; art by [[Tim Doyle]].
* '''Cover RE (Graham Crackers Exclusive):''' Classic in characters battle, a [[Hasbro]] marketing stock image last seen on a [[Kinnerton]] 2008 Christmas advent calendar; pencils by Don Figueroa, colours by ???
* '''Cover RE (New Dimension Comics Exclusive):''' Uncolored version of cover B.
* '''Reprint cover:''' new art of an Optimus Prime who just blasted through a wall; art by Don Figueroa with colors by ???.

<gallery>
Image:IDW TF 1A.jpg|Featuring designs not actually seen in the story.
Image:IDW TF 1B.jpg|''Continuum'' is behind us? Then we go '''this''' way!
Image:IDW TF 1RI.jpg|Change we can believe in.
Image:IDW TF 1GC.jpg|Graham Crackers Cover
Image:IDW TF 1RE.jpg.jpg|New Dimension Comics Cover
Image:IDW TF 1reprint.jpg|Reprint Cover
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 2|''The Transformers'' #2]]
* ''[[Transformers: Bumblebee]]''
* ''[[The Last Stand of the Wreckers]]''
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' DVDs
* ''[[The Transformers Continuum: The Definitive Chronology]]''
* ''Ghostbusters: Displaced Aggression''
* ''G.I. Joe: [[Snake-Eyes]]'' comic
* ''Ghostbusters: Past, Present, and Future'' (back cover)

==External links==
* [http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2009-11-18-transformers-optimus-st_N.htm "Optimus Prime quits!"] @ USAToday.com

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers 01}}
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Rainmaker

2009-11-22T17:04:40Z

209.106.203.252: Undo revision 394221 by 209.106.203.252 (Talk) nevermind. that only "earthly acid rain"

{{faction|decepticon}}
:''The Rainmakers are [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Rainmakers.jpg|right|200px|thumb|All the colors of the rainbow, except for one...]]
The Decepticons known colloquially as the '''Rainmakers''' are part of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s forces on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Each one is a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] with a bright, single-color paint job. (The green member, [[Acid Storm]], did find a more exciting palette.) They retain their original Cybertronic "tetrajet" alternate modes.

As their name implies, they can make rain. [[Acid rain|''Acid'' rain]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
When a group of [[Autobot|Autobots]] (and [[Chip Chase]]) journeyed to Cybertron to fetch a [[cosmotron]] for a wounded [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Megatron sent the trio to make things difficult for our heroes with some [[acid rain]].

Guess what? They failed. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

==Trivia==
* The term "rainmakers" was originally used by [[Bluestreak]] as a colloquial description of their actions. However, repeated fan usage has turned this into a widely accepted name for the group, which was eventually made official as such by Hasbro's bio for [[Acid Storm]].

* The acid rain only affected the Autobots. Chip Chase was utterly unharmed. Make of ''that'' what you will.

[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Seekers]]

Rainmaker

2009-11-22T17:03:34Z

209.106.203.252: /* Trivia */ Acid rain doesn't harm humans directly. Any harm they produce is due to pollutants.

{{faction|decepticon}}
:''The Rainmakers are [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Rainmakers.jpg|right|200px|thumb|All the colors of the rainbow, except for one...]]
The Decepticons known colloquially as the '''Rainmakers''' are part of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s forces on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Each one is a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] with a bright, single-color paint job. (The green member, [[Acid Storm]], did find a more exciting palette.) They retain their original Cybertronic "tetrajet" alternate modes.

As their name implies, they can make rain. [[Acid rain|''Acid'' rain]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
When a group of [[Autobot|Autobots]] (and [[Chip Chase]]) journeyed to Cybertron to fetch a [[cosmotron]] for a wounded [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Megatron sent the trio to make things difficult for our heroes with some [[acid rain]].

Guess what? They failed. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

==Trivia==
* The term "rainmakers" was originally used by [[Bluestreak]] as a colloquial description of their actions. However, repeated fan usage has turned this into a widely accepted name for the group, which was eventually made official as such by Hasbro's bio for [[Acid Storm]].

[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Seekers]]

...For All Mankind

2009-11-16T07:01:29Z

209.106.203.252: /* Covers (3) */ GEEWUN abuse

Mirage (G1)

2009-11-16T00:53:26Z

209.106.203.252: /* Classics */

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

[[Image:Mirageg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"The ship was... full."]]
'''Mirage''' is what humans call "old money." Before the war, he was a member of affluent Cybertronian society, with his own large estate and high-priced [[Mirage's friends|friends]]. He enjoyed the finer things in life: vintage [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], swank evening events, and [[turbofox]] hunts on the grounds. But when the war started, he was forced to choose sides and found himself banded with a group of commoners he didn't really understand.

Some of the other Autobots don't trust Mirage. He feels the war, even after all these millions of years, is beneath him. War is not, after all, how civilized, erudite beings conduct themselves. He often questions the Autobots' violent means, and not-so-secretly hopes they and the Decepticons can get along. Because of this, he has been labelled by a few others as a Decepticon sympathizer. Still, he sided with the Autobots for a reason, and he is there for the Autobots when they need him.

Although the details vary by continuity, Mirage has the ability to create illusions which typically either render him invisible or make him appear to be somewhere he isn't.

He sounds like [[wikipedia:Dean Martin|Dean Martin]].

:''Japanese name:'' '''Ligier''' or '''Rijie''' (リジェ ''Rije'')
:''Hungarian name:'' '''Délibáb''' ("Mirage")
:''Italian name:'' '''Mistero''' ("Mystery")
:''Portuguese name:'' '''Miragem''' ("Mirage")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Hǎi-shr-shèn-lóu''' (海市蜃樓, "Mirage") / '''Hàun-yǐng''' (幻影, "Phantom")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Miragebluestreakfirst.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Mirage tells the story of how he got his name every five minutes.]]
Mirage was one of the Autobots on board the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it crashed, and was subsequently reactivated in 1984. At first, Mirage was reluctant to full-on attack his Decepticon opponents, instead trying to reason with them. However, after a battle with the relentless [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], Mirage learned that sometimes diplomacy is not an option. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[Image:Mirageg1enemywithin.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Punk'd!]]
''During an accident on the Ark, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] suffered an extreme neuro-shock, causing him to rebel and turn against his teammates. Mirage helped the Autobots hunt him down and tranquilize him. This same accident also amplified Mirage's ability to create illusions, which he later used to trick the Decepticons into believing that a duel between Brawn and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] ended with Brawn's death. The Decepticons felt totally stupid.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

In the wake of a disastrous mission to rescue [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s captive head from the Decepticons, most of the Autobots were rendered inoperative. Mirage was one of a handful of Autobots who remained active, accompanying Optimus and various newer Autobots on several subsequent missions. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''Mirage lucked out during the Dinobot Hunt—he was assigned to B-Team, whose quarry, Snarl, was knocked out by the destruction of a human military base, leaving him inert and easy to capture.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

Long after, he was blown to pieces by [[Octane]] during an Arctic battle arranged by [[Starscream (G1)| Starscream]]. He recovered in time to be destroyed again in [[New York City]] by Starscream himself (empowered by the [[Underbase]]). {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Mirageg2die.jpg|left|120px|thumb|"Got to—" '''SPOOM!''']]
Disobeying [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s orders, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] led a covert team (which included Mirage) onto the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] ship ''[[Twilight (G2)|Twilight]]'' to defeat [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his army of "evolved Decepticons". Grimlock's plan was an utter failure, ending in [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]'s death and the Autobots' capture. Mirage was destroyed by enemy fire during the following prison break. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

{{-}}
====Classics====
{{note| The Classics comic takes place after the end of the original Marvel Comic, but in a new timeline that does not include the events of the Marvel UK-exclusive stories or Generation 2.}}
Having been revived (presumably by [[Nucleon]]), Mirage was the happiest of them all, until he saw just how badly his way of life was affected by warfare. Mirage found that ages of warfare had made him bitter. Eventually, he decided to join Optimus Prime in returning to Earth, and war with Megatron.<ref>Mirage Classics Profile, [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 13]]</ref>

His actions include evacuating [[Armored Robot Hunters|RUNTs]] and their pilots, holding [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] at gunpoint, and revealing that his illusion powers (in this continuity) now ''include'' invisibility. {{storylink|Crossing Over}}

He later secretly followed [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] to a meeting from his crew of the [[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]]. Unfortunately, he tried to crash Starscream's meeting with [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]]. [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]'s infra-red sensors, and [[Weirdwolf]]'s keen nose allowed the Decepticons to find him, and he was gift-wrapped for Megatron. When the Gravitron crew led by Grimlock and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] attacked the Decepticon base, Mirage was rescued by [[Strongarm (Classics)|Strongarm]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and [[Elita One]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese)

Mirage was part of the bridge crew of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it crash-landed on Earth four million years ago. A volcanic eruption in 1984 awakened the Ark's inhabitants, including Mirage, who was reformatted by [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to have a terrestrial alternate mode of a Formula-1 racer. With the battle against the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] now transplanted to Earth, Mirage still hated warfare. He longed to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and simply turn his back to the evil Decepticons, but his loyalty to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] kept him in the fight.

Mirage was instrumental in stopping the Decepticons from returning to Cybertron after amassing enough energon from Earth. The Decepticons had constructed a [[Victory (ship)|new star cruiser]] and were in the process of flying home to tip the scales of the war in their favor. Mirage used his cloaking ability to sneak aboard the Decepticon ship. He uncloaked and opened fire, blasting away at the ship's controls. He then bailed from the doomed cruiser, floating back to Earth's surface on a parasail as the Decepticons crashed into the ocean. Optimus Prime asked Mirage why he—homesick and war-weary Autobot that he was—did not hitch the ride back home. Mirage responded, affirming his loyalty to the Autobots, "The ship was... full." {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

{{charstubfiction}}

Mirage’s role in the Autobots’ battles on Earth was a distinctly minimal one, leaving him confined to the background on the battlefield or not present at all. In early 1985, however, the spotlight shone on Mirage again when [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] suspected him of disloyalty. The discovery of a Decepticon installation in a sector Mirage had recently scouted caused Cliffjumper to leap the incorrect conclusion that Mirage had concealed the information and was a traitor to the Autobots. During a battle with the Decepticons at the site, Mirage was injured, but managed to rip a Decepticon [[Insignia|seal]] off [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. Mirage risked the trust of his comrades by sneaking away to perform a plan of his own, framing the Decepticons for stealing [[Energon cube|Energon cubes]] from the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. Spotted carrying the cubes by Cliffjumper, Mirage’s guilt seemed all but confirmed, and before he could reveal his innocence, he was captured and brainwashed by one of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]’s mind-controlling [[Cerebro-shell|cerebro-shells]]. Under Bombshell’s control, Mirage led the Autobots into an ambush, but at the battle’s end, the assorted manipulations were revealed and Cliffjumper apologized to Mirage. {{storylink|Traitor}}

Toward the end of the year, Mirage was among the team of five Autobots who disguised themselves as the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], with Mirage’s alternate mode making him the perfect choice to masquerade as [[Drag Strip]]. Penetrating the Decepticon camp, the Autobots ran into trouble when the real Stunticons arrived, trying to prove their identities by forming [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. With a combination of [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]’s magnetic powers and Mirage’s illusion-creating ability, the Autobots were able to appear as Menasor too. Though the deception was soon revealed, they were still able to thwart the Decepticons’ plans. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

{{note|An unused scene from the storyboard for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] showed Mirage wounded (possibly killed) by Megatron after getting back at Bombshell for [[Traitor|jeopardizing his career]]. Given the high body count, his death is still likely.}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Robot Masters'' pack-in comics=====
=====''Robot Masters'' online comics=====
=====''Binaltech''=====
Mirage volunteered for an experimental new Binaltech upgrade that boosted the [[power chip rectifier]] in his revamped body to the Nth degree, making him permanently invisible thanks to his electro-disruptor. This proved to be key in a special mission conceived of by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. Having uncovered several secrets from the files of the time-traveling [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], the Autobots learned of a mysterious [[Large switch|switch]] hidden away on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] which, when pulled, would instantaneously immobilize all Transformers throughout the universe. Having lost Cybertron to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s tyrannical rule and facing considerable odds in the Sol System as well, Prime decided it was necessary to activate the switch in order to end the war.

With [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and several [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] [[GT System|GTs]] awaiting his signal as back-up, Mirage invisibly infiltrated Decepticon-controlled Cybertron and made his way to the switch. After throwing the switch, though, Mirage was surprised to find that he was still mobile. It seemed the Binaltech warriors (both Autobot and Decepticon) were significantly different enough from regular Transformers to be unaffected by the immobilization wave. With the Autobots now vastly outnumbering the Decepticons still in operation, the tide of the war had irreparably shifted.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
{{note|Events from the [[Keepers Trilogy]] novels are in italics.}}
Despite his misgiving about the war effort, Mirage's tenure with the Autobot cause dates back to the time of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. When Shockwave staged a disastrous offensive against [[Iacon]], Mirage was there defending the [[Decagon]] alongside Prowl and the other Autobot soldiers. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5}} During the Dark Ages, he continued serving under Prowl as part of the main Autobot faction at [[Virtue's Forum]], in the remains of Iacon. Alongside Jazz and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], he tried defending their prisoner, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Experiment D-43]], against the intruder known as [[The Fallen]], but failed miserably in the process. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Four million years ago, Mirage crash-landed on the planet Earth aboard the shuttle known as the Ark, with more than two dozen of his fellow Autobots and Decepticons. They remained inactive in stasis lock at the base of a volcano until 1984, when volcanic activity shook them back on-line. The war began again, but without reinforcements or connection to Cybertron, Megatron and his Decepticons were eventually defeated and taken prisoner by the Autobots. Mirage and the rest of the Transformers were prepared to fly back to Cybertron in a new spacecraft, the ''[[Ark II]]'', when it exploded on its maiden voyage, leaving them all believed dead.

Not so. Most of the Transformers had been salvaged by a mercenary named [[Lazarus]], who spent the next few years repairing and reprogramming the Cybertronians to use as weapons of mass destruction at his command. Optimus Prime was reactivated by the United States military to oppose Lazarus, and he in turn used the power of the Matrix to revive several other Autobots who had escaped Lazarus' salvage crews, including Mirage. After rescuing some of their number from the human mercenaries, Mirage and the Autobots had to race against time putting their friends back together after the Decepticons escaped to wreak havoc. What's worse, a mechanizing virus had been released by Megatron, turning organic life into inanimate mechanical matter. Mirage exhausted a good percentage of his energon reserves fighting back the tide of the virus, but the Autobots were eventually successful. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

''Mirage was remarkably unhelpful during the war with the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]]. After Optimus Prime was forced to give the Matrix over to Megatron as a debt of honor, Mirage sniped about the decision worse than any of the Autobots. His criticisms only got louder after a news report from [[Washington, D.C.]] made it clear that Megatron had found one of his warriors, the already mighty [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]], who could actually wield the power of the Matrix directly. Now that Prime had actually strengthened their enemies as well as weakening the Autobots, Mirage just wouldn't shut up about it. The final straw was when [[Franklin Townsend]], a crazed augment working for the Keepers, idly strolled into the Ark, took over control of [[Bluestreak]]'s mind, and made his getaway. Mirage was ready to brazenly disobey Prime's orders and charge right after Bluestreak, until Optimus physically slammed him into a wall and forced him to obey his commanding officer. ''

''When you're being so much of a dick that the legendary patience of Optimus Prime runs out, it's time to rein it in, Mirage. {{storylink|Fusion (novel)|Fusion}}''

When [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] came to Earth and announced that the Autobot/Decepticon wars were over and that the two factions had been united, Mirage was one of the first to fall in with the new regime. The rest of the Autobots were wary of this development, and so a few (especially [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]) considered Mirage a traitor. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} Mirage quickly realigned himself with the Autobot cause when Shockwave's true plan was revealed, and Cliffjumper seemed to forgive him, as Mirage had saved Cliffjumper from [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] by sneaking up on him invisibly. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Unfortunately for Mirage, the Autobots' acting commander Prowl soon came to the conclusion that they needed to return to Earth and establish a more significant beach-head there for the future. Mirage tried to argue against the idea, as he was more than thrilled to finally be back home on Cybertron, but then [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] cut in and reminded Mirage that Shockwave's united government had sold off his riches and property while he was gone. Ooooh—burn. {{storylink|Atonement}} The Autobots readied themselves for the return mission on a new shuttle, and began construction of Autobot City upon their arrival on Earth. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics===
[[Image:GIJoevsTF4_Mirage_Ferret.jpg|thumb|left|250px|]]
[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] found Mirage's holo-projector aboard the ''Ark'', and used it to make a better holographic driver for himself than [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] could. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2}}

Meanwhile, Mirage was among the dormant Transformers discovered by [[Cobra]], reprogrammed for nefarious purposes, and given new alternate modes (Mirage now transformed into a Cobra [[Ferret]]). Upon being freed from Cobra's control by Wheeljack, Mirage's group located Optimus Prime and helped fight back against the newly freed Decepticons. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4}} He later stood watch as the damaged Prime was formulating a plan to defeat Megatron. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5}}

{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
Mirage was a suspect in the assassination attempts on [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], as he was one of only four Autobots present on the [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub|Hub]] during both attacks. He and two of the other Autobots were cleared when it was discovered that a mind-controlled [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] was the true culprit. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

A year later, he delivered information to the Autobots that there was a power-struggle among the Decepticons, information that turned out to be false and drew Optimus and an Autobot team (including the former ''[[Ark-19]]'' crew) into a hideous ambush that left them trapped on Cybertron. Before dumping them on Cybertron, Megatron revealed that there had been a willing traitor collaborator involved in his trap, and Mirage was the prime suspect {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}} with everyone but [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] believing he'd betrayed them to the Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4}}

It's not all bad, though; he got to use his invisibility trick to sneak up on [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]'s crew when Jazz was trying to prove his command skills. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}} Not long after, a raging Ironhide dragged him into a corner and beat him half to death. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}}

{{note|The events of ''Spotlight: Mirage'' possibly take place in an alternate/unknown continuity.}}
[[Image:SpotlightMirage trappedHound.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This didn't actually happen. Or did it? No, it didn't.]]
Mirage was haunted repeatedly by dreams of being a Decepticon. Or actually ''is'' a Decepticon from another universe who, after helping kill the last Autobots, got blown back through time and space to the main universe. Or via [[Zodiac]] energy has gained flashbacks of an alternate Decepticon Mirage. God knows what's going on there. {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}
{{-}}
===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===

{{storylink|Mirage's Rebirth}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' Bun Bun manga===

{{storylink|Enter! The Transformers}} {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Appears!}} {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}} {{storylink|The Enemy from the Arctic}} {{storylink|Wataru's Power}}

{{charstubfiction}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Mirage toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I don't need to be street-legal; I'm rich.]]
*'''Mirage''' (Autobot Car, 1984/1986/1991)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''07'''
**''Accessories:'' "Rocket-Dart Hunting Rifle", missile launcher, 3 missiles

: Mirage was part of the original 1984 Autobot car assortment. His mold was originally used for a ''[[Diaclone]]'' F-1 Ligier JS-11 racer. The toy was specifically designed to work with the launcher mechanism contained in the Optimus Prime / Battle Convoy trailer. This toy is easily broken at the waist pivot. The labels on the toy are references to several real-world companies. The largest name, Citanes, is a deliberate corruption of Gitanes, a French cigarette company. (Quite unusual for a child's toy, but not the only [[Marlboor Wheeljack|cigarette reference in ''Diaclone'']].) The toy included Gitanes' logo of a dancing gypsy woman on what ends up as Mirage's belt in robot form. "Ligier" is the name of the company that manufactured the JS-11 chassis and fielded the team, traditionally wearing 25 and 26 on the F1 grid, while "elf" is a reference to a French oil company that has since merged with TotalFina to become TotalFinaElf.

: In 1986, he was made available as a mail-away item (as he was no longer shipping to retail shelves) in multiple offers, including a [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]] flier packed with most boxed ''Transformers'' toys. He cost $8 and two [[robot points]]. In Japan Mirage was also included in the 1986 ''Goodbye Convoy'' [[Giftset|gift set]]. This was the final release of the mold, making Mirage the only one of the original Autobots not to have been reissued in some form.

: Hasbro and/or Takara have announced that the mold for Mirage is [[Gone Forever|either lost or damaged]], so a reissue is unlikely. This presumably excludes the molds obtained by [[Knockoff|certain Chinese companies]] to produce several Mirage "perfect" [[Bootleg|bootlegs]] in a variety of flavors including original, clear, smoke, and red, based on the ultra-rare version from the [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Diaclone Powered Convoy]] giftset.

===Generation 2===
* '''Mirage''' (Go-Bot, 1995)
**''Accessories:'' Gun

: Mirage was released in 1995 as a black and yellow recolor of the [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] [[Double Clutch]]. He was also planned to be released as a flipchanger, but the ''Generation 2'' line was canceled to make way for ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]''. The unreleased mold was first used in ''[[Machine Wars]]''.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]].

===Machine Wars===
[[Image:Mwmirage.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Gah! I'm teal! Somebody recolor me, please!]]
* '''Mirage''' (Basic, 1997)
**''Accessories:'' 2-part rifle

: Mirage's form in ''[[Machine Wars]]'' transforms into a blue and white Indycar. Like the other Machine Wars basics, the toy is a flipchanger (having a one-step, spring-loaded transformation), and his weapons are hidden in his alt mode. Unlike most of the ''Machine Wars'' toys, the head looks very similar to his Generation 1 form. This is because the mold was originally designed as Mirage for ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''.

: This mold was also used to make ''Machine Wars'' [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]].

{{-}}
===Robot Masters===
[[Image:RMRijie toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Phew. Thanks.]]
* '''Rijie''' (Basic, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-03'''
**''Accessories:'' 2-part "Molecular Bonding Gun", "JS Laser Gun"

: ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' "Rijie" used the ''Machine Wars'' Mirage mold, but in a much more [[Generation 1 (toyline)|Generation 1]]-based coloration and deco. He also came with an extra chrome-silver "JS Laser Gun" (like the other bonus weapons of ''Robot Masters'', it is suspected to be a mold originally developed yet ultimately unused by the cut-short ''[[Microman]] LED Powers'' line).

: Because of legal reasons, "Ligier" could not be used for the name of the ''Robot Masters'' toy, so "Rijie", which has the same pronunciation in Japan, was used instead. Curiously, the toy's instructions still identify it as "Ligier".

{{-}}
===Alternators===
[[Image:AlternatorsMirage toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|This toy is clearly black, red, and silver. You're just deluding yourself.]]
* '''Mirage''' (Alternator, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''22'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/tonfa weapons

: ''[[Alternators]]'' Mirage transforms into a finely detailed 1:24 scale replica of a Ford GT, featuring opening doors, engine bay and trunk, with a realistic interior. As with most Alternators, his car body is mostly unpainted, but the metallic-flake deep blue plastic makes this hard to see.

: Featuring an innovative, different robot mode, Mirage is not a straight re-interpretation of the original Mirage's robot mode, due to the completely different types of vehicles. But coincidentally the Ford GT's hood features a shape that echoes a F1-type racing car's nose and front spoiler. His engine's supercharger forms two separate tonfa weapons that can also be interpreted as guns.

: Mirage was retooled into [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rodimus]] for the ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' line, which was further redecoed into ''Alternators'' Rodimus. Later in 2007, he was redecoed in clear plastic colours to represent his 'invisibility mode' as an [[e-Hobby]] exclusive in the ''[[Binaltech]]'' line.

===Universe===
*'''Mirage''' (Spy Changer, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Gun

: For ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'', Mirage is identical to the last Kay-Bee [[exclusive]] redeco of ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots In Disguise]]'' [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]], transforming into a translucent green Lola Indy car. He was available only on an individual card from discount chains like The Dollar Store.

===Classics===
[[Image:Classics Mirage toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Applied to Revoltech club; rejected.]]
*'''Mirage''' (Classics Deluxe, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Gun/front spoiler

:''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Mirage was released in November 2006 in wave 2, along with the [[shortpacked]] [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]]. He transforms into a closed-canopy Formula racer concept car. Mirage's paint details contain a few ''Transformers'' in-jokes in the form of sponsor logos such as "[[Sparkplug Witwicky|Witwicky Sparkplugs]]" and "[[Lithone (planet)|Lithonian]] Drivetrain." Additionally, his racing number is still 26, as it was on the original toy. Other logos, which include "Plasma Injection Energy" and "F.P. Racing," refer to "pie" and the initials of [[Joe Kyde|the deco artist]]'s super-secret non-gay friendship cult, respectively.

:The front detaches to become a handheld electro-disruptor weapon which is said to be able to create illusions and allow him to appear invisible. (This is a reconciliation of Mirage's illusion-creation ability from his original tech spec profile and his invisibility power from the animated series.) He is ''extremely'' posable.

: This mold was also used to make [[Fracture]] and ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Drag Strip]].

{{-}}
<span id="BC07"></span>
*'''Hologram Mirage''' (BotCon, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Gun/front spoiler

:A redeco of Classics Mirage in translucent and opaque blue, Mirage was available only as a "freebie" gift to attendees at BotCon 2007.

{{-}}

===Binaltech===
* '''Rijie''' (e-Hobby exclusive, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-18'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/tonfa weapons

:Rijie is a redeco of ''Alternators'' Mirage using mostly transparent plastic. The toy was exclusively available from [[e-Hobby]] in September 2007.

:Even though Takara had briefly contemplated releasing a [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rodimus]] (Hot Rod) retool of Alternators Mirage as the next ''Binaltech'' toy after [[Ginrai]] (both toys would ultimately come out as part of the ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' line instead), they apparently never created any [[die-cast]] molds for the Ford GT sculpt. To justify the absence of diecast parts from a ''Binaltech'' toy, Takara decided to use clear plastic parts to represent an "invisible" mode, officially called an "Electro-Disrupter" {{sic}} mode on the packaging.

{{-}}
===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkei Mirage toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sculpted in 2006. Decoed in the late 70s.]]
*'''Ligier''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun/front spoiler

: ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]] Transformers'' Ligier is a redeco of ''Classics'' Mirage. In an effort to make him appear more accurate to Mirage's cartoon appearances, Ligier lacks most of the sponsorship tampographs that appeared on ''Classics'' Mirage. As with all ''Henkei'' toys, he lacks the heat-sensitive rubsign seen on the ''Classics'' version, but features [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] parts: his rear spoiler and his front spoiler.

{{-}}

*'''Electro Disruptor Ligier''' (Deluxe, 2009)

: Electro Disruptor Ligier is a translucent plastic version of ''Henkei'' Ligier offered as a mail-away exclusive to those who have bought the book [[Transformers Generations 2009|Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 1]].

: This toy was repurposed as "[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]" [[Mirage (SG)|Mirage]].

==Merchandise==
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:RH Mirage vs Starscream.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm too rich to be cute.]]
* '''Mirage Vs Starscream''' (2007)

:Packaged with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], Mirage is a two-inch-high robot sculpted in super deformed style with articulation at the head and shoulders. The toy has a sculpted missile launcher, like the original character, but oddly it is resting on the figure's back instead of the shoulder. This mold was later redecod into ''Hologram'' Mirage.

{{-}}<span id="RHclear"></span>
[[Image:Hologram Robot Hero Mirage.jpg|right|150px|thumb|What he said.]]
* '''Decepticon Sneak Attack''' (2007)

:Hologram Mirage is a recolor of the two-pack Mirage cast in transparent blue with slightly different paint details. Most notably, the Autobot symbols on his arms have been replaced with part of the word "Citanes", to evoke the original toy. Mirage was packed with ''Metallic Finish'' Optimus Prime, ''Metallic Finish'' Megatron, Cliffjumper, and Skywarp. This pack was sold exclusively in Walmart, and Walmart.com.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
*Mirage is absent from the fictional events of 2005 and 2006 without explanation; a storyboarded scene from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' featuring Mirage was cut from the finished film. Amidst the transformation of [[Autobot City]], Mirage was to ambush the Insecticon [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] and then be fired upon by Megatron. Whether or not this would have killed Mirage is not made clear, but given the film's casual body count, it seems highly probable.
*Mirage has been a traitor/suspected traitor in nearly every continuity he's popped up in. You just can't trust those coastal elite.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.toybin.org/search.php?q=1984+Autobot+Mirage ToyBin Mirage Toy Gallery]
* [http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Mirage/mirage.htm Mirage at TFU.info]
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Mirage Mirage's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics characters]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Go-Bots]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: Henkei! Henkei! characters]]
[[Category:Machine Wars characters]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Robot Masters characters]]
[[Category:Spies]]

The Weak Component

2009-11-15T02:39:44Z

209.106.203.252: /* Perceived characterization inconsistencies */

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=6
|image=Weak component pretty.jpg
|caption=<div style="text-align:right;padding-right:2em;">''Am I my enemy's hero?''</div>
|title="The Weak Component"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[October 23]], 1999
|written by=[[Rodney Gibbs]]
|directed by=[[Andrew Currie]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Frustrated by his inability to transform and ashamed of his uselessness, Rattrap makes a deal with the devil.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 約束の夜明け (''Yakusoku no Yoake'', "The Promised Dawn")

==Synopsis==
Optimus Primal, still exhausted after Nightscream's recent reformatting, awakens from a dream and is informed by Blackarachnia that Rattrap is on a recon mission with Cheetor and Nightscream.

[[Image:Weak Component Rattrap computer.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Wonder if there's anything new at Transformers Wiki. What the- Who wrote that about me! CHOPPERFACE!!"]]
At a manufacturing facility, Rattrap, Nightscream and Cheetor are being attacked by Aero Drones and Tank Drones. Since Rattrap still is unable to transform, Cheetor orders him to go and download the data from the computers. As Megatron observes this, a Diagnostic Drone warns him that the DNA purging process is still in its experimental stage. But Megatron, eager to be rid of his hated beast mode, wishes to proceed before the Maximals can discover any more “mongrel beasts”.

During the fight, Nightscream uses his sonic powers and discovers that if they attack the generals, the drones stop operating. Cheetor and Nightscream plan to ambush Tankor to test the theory.

Unfortunately, Rattrap observes the ensuing entrapment setup from his computer, unaware of the plan. Feeling genuine concern for his friends, he finally transforms successfully, and being eager to help, swings into action as Nightscream and Cheetor are attempting to disable Tankor and Jetstorm. His interference ends up spoiling the ambush, however, and causes the factory's machinery to start operating and building more Tank Drones at a faster and faster rate. Rattrap realises, much to his disgust, that his new robot form is unarmed, so he is unable to help in the battle.

[[Image:Weak Component Cheetor carrying Rattrap.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Every time we go to the bar, stuff blows up and I end up carrying you home!"]]
As the new tank drones run wild, Megatron takes control. Rattrap attempts to stop the manufacture of the drones by linking himself into the main computer, only to become a sitting target for Megatron's Aero Drones. The resulting feedback travels along the power cables and causes a system failure, the total destruction of the manufacturing plant, and a power cut for the whole sector.

On their way back to their base, Cheetor and Nightscream harshly reprimand Rattrap for not following orders. Rattrap later complains to a sleeping Optimus Primal about his robot mode, when the others appear. Cheetor knocks Rattrap to the ground, ordering him to transform to beast mode; this jolt to Rattrap's system causes him to realise Megatron is weak as he replays vital stats he downloaded earlier. However, Cheetor brushes off his suggestions of an attack on their weakened enemy.

Rattrap overhears Blackarachnia, Cheetor and Nightscream discussing what to do with him and how he is such a burden with his useless robot mode. Infuriated, he leaves the base alone.

[[Image:Weak Component Rattrap mech.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Rattrap prepares to face the Queen Alien.]]
Megatron is being told the extent of the damage caused by the feedback earlier, when Rattrap saunters into his citadel, saying he wants “noisemakers”. After a bit of back and forth, Megatron and Rattrap work out a deal wherein Rattrap will defend Megatron for one night when he is at his weakest. If anything happens to Megatron, Rattrap forfeits his new weaponry.

[[Image:Rattrap-bm-withmegatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|My shoulder angel!]]
Unexpectedly, Cheetor, Nightscream and Blackarachnia arrive to rescue Rattrap, forcing Rattrap to honour his word with Megatron—and he does so, firing on his friends as they advance. While this is happening, Megatron returns to full strength and begins rebooting his control of Cybertron. The Maximals and Rattrap are at an impasse when Optimus Primal arrives, still exhausted, and asks Rattrap to look inside himself and re-evaluate what he's doing. Primal tells him that Rattrap is stronger than any of them realize.

Megatron orders Rattrap to attack Optimus Primal, but Rattrap reiterates the terms of the deal: The sun is rising, the solar cycle is over, and Rattrap has kept his end of the bargain. Impressed with Rattrap's handling of the situation, Megatron upholds his word and lets the Maximals walk away. Megatron vows to his Diagnostic Drone that they shall liberate the Maximals' sparks another day.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Rattrap]] (2)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (3)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (6)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (8)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (9)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s
|c2=
*[[Sonic Attack Jet|Sonic Attack Jets]] (1)
*[[Tank Drone|Tank Drones]] (4)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] (7)
*[[Diagnostic Drone]] (10)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (11)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (12)
*[[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] (13)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ah, did somebody forget to load this robot mode with weapons?"
:—'''Rattrap''' discovers that he is suddenly a pacifist.

"Piece of advice: Never trust a rat."
:—'''Rattrap''' turns Megatron's own weapons on him.

"Short 'em out now! Sort 'em out later!"
:—'''Blackarachnia''' shoots first.

'''Megatron''': "See how quickly your friends turn on you? They promised you great power, but only I delivered it. They abandoned you, Rattrap. They did worse than hate you. They pitied you."<br />
'''Rattrap''': "Ya still think ya gotta cover for me?" [''fires on Cheetor, Blackarachnia and Nightscream''] "Ya still wanna cut me loose?! You never believed in me, ever!"<br />
'''Optimus Primal''': [''enters''] "I believed in you. What do you mean by firing at your friends?"<br />
'''Megatron''': "He's right. Optimus is the one you want. He's the one who lied to you; who kept making promises he never intended to keep. He made you weak; defenseless."<br />
'''Optimus Primal''': "Look inside yourself, Rattrap. You don't need his weapons. You're stronger than you know – stronger than ''any'' of you know."

"You have the makings of a fine Vehicon, ''yes''."<br />
"Not from where I'm standing. The monkey's right; I am stronger than you know."
:—'''Megatron''' seems keen for '''Rattrap''' to join his side.

==Notes==
===Perceived characterization inconsistencies===
* This episode was the source of some controversy, as Rattrap was arguably depicted as being a "traitor" to the Maximals, something many fans claimed was completely against the grain of his character.
* Fans also complained about Megatron's behavior at the end. Whereas [[Nemesis Part 2|before]], he would have crushed a [[Dinobot II|subordinate]] for merely mentioning "the h-word," here he makes a huge point of displaying honor when he keeps his word to Rattrap at the end of the episode, with no ulterior motive. In fact, either side could have potentially won the war right there, but the two characters with the least scruples suddenly became interested in fair play for no reason (other than to keep the series from ending, obviously).
* Other fans counter the points above by mentioning how Megatron implies Rattrap deserves to win because of his gambling skills, which refers back to Megatron's repeated use of gambling and card-playing idioms throughout the Beast Wars. It's a weak argument, though, as Megatron's prior use of gambling lingo generally emphasized cheating (e.g., "[[Code of Hero|stacking the deck]]") rather than fair play.
* And in Rattrap's defense, he was never subjected to this kind of situation in ''Beast Wars''. Losing one's memories and Transmetal body, being unable to transform for several episodes because of one's personality, and finding out that once you ''can'' transform your body is as useful as a solar-powered flashlight can have an effect on someone -- especially someone as previously tough and trigger-happy as Rattrap. (Remember: the guy was ''obsessed'' with weapons.) Also, stretching it further, he could be said to want the weapons entirely to DEFEND his friends, justifying it in terms of his loyalty rather than in spite of it. On the other hand, he ended up not taking the weapons at the end, which defeated the whole purpose of this exercise in the first place.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* When Rattrap says, "Gangway! Rat crossing!" and the Vehicons turn towards the camera, Jetstorm's mouth angles upwards, over his nose.

===Real-world references===
* When the weakened Megatron sees Rattrap in his chamber, he remarks: "Ah, so this is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a simpering...rodent." This is a paraphrased quote from the poem "[[wikipedia:The_Hollow_Men|The Hollow Men]]" by T.S. Eliot.

===Trivia===
* Blackarachnia calling Rattrap a traitor is, quite frankly, the [[Optimal Situation|pot]] calling the kettle [[Escape (issue)|BLACK.]]
* During Rattrap's "Not from where I'm standing" line, it seems that Scott McNeil halfway slips into his Silverbolt voice. But when someone [[Waspinator|voices]] [[Silverbolt (BW)|so]] [[Dinobot (BW)|many]] [[Rattrap|characters]], these things happen occasionally.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Weak Component}}
[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)

2009-11-15T02:09:32Z

209.106.203.252: /* Trivia */

{{nav-rid}}

'''''Robots in Disguise''''' is a Transformers [[franchise]] that launched in the year 2001. It was an American port of 2000's Japanese Transformers series '''''Car Robots'''''. Many of the characters were changed into new incarnations of characters from [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]], and it remains notable for its numerous vague reference to characters and events from other series, making it difficult to place in relation to other continuities. Despite [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|fan rumors]] to the contrary, ''Car Robots'' was never called and was never going to be called "Transformers 2000".

The ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise featured the following primary components:

*[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|A toyline]]
*[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|A cartoon series]]
*[[Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?|A single American comic book story]] by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] (produced after the series ended production) set in the same continuity as the cartoon series.

''Robots in Disguise'' was intended as a low-cost, minimal-work "filler" line after Hasbro scrapped [[Transtech]], the series slated to follow ''[[Beast Machines (franchise)|Beast Machines]]''. Hasbro used the time this bought to co-develop ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' with their Japanese partner, Takara. It aired on Fox Kids (the last Transformers series to air on a broadcast network) and saw surprising commercial success, laying the groundwork for the success of the subsequent series, ''Armada''. The series dub was inadvertently bought by Disney in 2002.

The series has had several DVD releases, all of them in the UK only. The DVDs are Region 2 and in PAL format, to serve you better and protect us all from robot [[Cannonball|pirates]].

==Continuity headaches==
* The ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon rewrote the Japanese Transformers series ''Car Robots'', ''transforming'' the all-new Japanese cast into familiar American characters, notably [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]].
* [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] considers ''Robots in Disguise'' to be the 'same' series as ''Car Robots''.{{fact|August, 2009}} Thus, the American release of Sideways for the ''Robots in Disguise'' toyline means that [[Armada (franchise)|Micron Legend]] [[Sideways (RID)|Doubleface]] (Sideways's Japanese name) first appeared in ''Car Robots''.
* The ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon included numerous references that seemed to make it follow season 2 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]], but which precluded it being in the same continuity as the [[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] and season 3. Though unprecedented at the time, as of this writing there are now 3 or 4 more 'branch off before the movie' continuities. {{fact}}
* Takara placed ''Car Robots'' in the year 2000 of its Transformers Generation 1 timeline, and the Generation 1-based ''[[Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]'' storyline makes several references to its story events taking place in then-recent history (even suggesting that, thanks to time travel, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)]] and [[Fortress Maximus (RID)]] are the same character). Yes, we're aware that's crazy.
* [[Optimus Primal/toys|Air Attack Optimus Primal]] is a cartoon-accurate version of [[Beast Machines (franchise)|Beast Machines]] [[Optimus Primal]], originally produced for ''Beast Machines'', but released as an exclusive in ''Robots in Disguise'' packaging. His on-package bio states he is from the future and served as a spirit guide for [[Optimus Prime (RID)]]. This implies that the [[Beast Era]] (or at least Beast Machines) is somehow in the future of the Robots in Disguise continuity.
* Several of the toys released in the second and third year had no featured role in ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity fiction. Instead, these characters were effectively treated as belonging to the [[Universe (2003 franchise)]] as they were seamlessly included in fiction from that continuity.
**[[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]
**[[Megabolt]]
**[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]
**[[Dreadwind (RID)|Dreadwind]] & [[Smokejumper]]

==Trivia==
*'''Car Robots''' is also the original name of the [[Autobot Cars]] (including [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]) in the ''[[Diaclone]]'' toyline.
* This universe is to date the only one without a [[universal stream]] prefix.

==External Links==
* [http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/table.html Takara's Transformers Continuity Map places ''Car Robots'' in Generation 1.]

{{stub}}

[[Category:Continuity families]]
[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise| ]]

The Weak Component

2009-11-14T23:58:53Z

209.106.203.252: /* Perceived characterization inconsistencies */

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=6
|image=Weak component pretty.jpg
|caption=<div style="text-align:right;padding-right:2em;">''Am I my enemy's hero?''</div>
|title="The Weak Component"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[October 23]], 1999
|written by=[[Rodney Gibbs]]
|directed by=[[Andrew Currie]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Frustrated by his inability to transform and ashamed of his uselessness, Rattrap makes a deal with the devil.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 約束の夜明け (''Yakusoku no Yoake'', "The Promised Dawn")

==Synopsis==
Optimus Primal, still exhausted after Nightscream's recent reformatting, awakens from a dream and is informed by Blackarachnia that Rattrap is on a recon mission with Cheetor and Nightscream.

[[Image:Weak Component Rattrap computer.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Wonder if there's anything new at Transformers Wiki. What the- Who wrote that about me! CHOPPERFACE!!"]]
At a manufacturing facility, Rattrap, Nightscream and Cheetor are being attacked by Aero Drones and Tank Drones. Since Rattrap still is unable to transform, Cheetor orders him to go and download the data from the computers. As Megatron observes this, a Diagnostic Drone warns him that the DNA purging process is still in its experimental stage. But Megatron, eager to be rid of his hated beast mode, wishes to proceed before the Maximals can discover any more “mongrel beasts”.

During the fight, Nightscream uses his sonic powers and discovers that if they attack the generals, the drones stop operating. Cheetor and Nightscream plan to ambush Tankor to test the theory.

Unfortunately, Rattrap observes the ensuing entrapment setup from his computer, unaware of the plan. Feeling genuine concern for his friends, he finally transforms successfully, and being eager to help, swings into action as Nightscream and Cheetor are attempting to disable Tankor and Jetstorm. His interference ends up spoiling the ambush, however, and causes the factory's machinery to start operating and building more Tank Drones at a faster and faster rate. Rattrap realises, much to his disgust, that his new robot form is unarmed, so he is unable to help in the battle.

[[Image:Weak Component Cheetor carrying Rattrap.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Every time we go to the bar, stuff blows up and I end up carrying you home!"]]
As the new tank drones run wild, Megatron takes control. Rattrap attempts to stop the manufacture of the drones by linking himself into the main computer, only to become a sitting target for Megatron's Aero Drones. The resulting feedback travels along the power cables and causes a system failure, the total destruction of the manufacturing plant, and a power cut for the whole sector.

On their way back to their base, Cheetor and Nightscream harshly reprimand Rattrap for not following orders. Rattrap later complains to a sleeping Optimus Primal about his robot mode, when the others appear. Cheetor knocks Rattrap to the ground, ordering him to transform to beast mode; this jolt to Rattrap's system causes him to realise Megatron is weak as he replays vital stats he downloaded earlier. However, Cheetor brushes off his suggestions of an attack on their weakened enemy.

Rattrap overhears Blackarachnia, Cheetor and Nightscream discussing what to do with him and how he is such a burden with his useless robot mode. Infuriated, he leaves the base alone.

[[Image:Weak Component Rattrap mech.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Rattrap prepares to face the Queen Alien.]]
Megatron is being told the extent of the damage caused by the feedback earlier, when Rattrap saunters into his citadel, saying he wants “noisemakers”. After a bit of back and forth, Megatron and Rattrap work out a deal wherein Rattrap will defend Megatron for one night when he is at his weakest. If anything happens to Megatron, Rattrap forfeits his new weaponry.

[[Image:Rattrap-bm-withmegatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|My shoulder angel!]]
Unexpectedly, Cheetor, Nightscream and Blackarachnia arrive to rescue Rattrap, forcing Rattrap to honour his word with Megatron—and he does so, firing on his friends as they advance. While this is happening, Megatron returns to full strength and begins rebooting his control of Cybertron. The Maximals and Rattrap are at an impasse when Optimus Primal arrives, still exhausted, and asks Rattrap to look inside himself and re-evaluate what he's doing. Primal tells him that Rattrap is stronger than any of them realize.

Megatron orders Rattrap to attack Optimus Primal, but Rattrap reiterates the terms of the deal: The sun is rising, the solar cycle is over, and Rattrap has kept his end of the bargain. Impressed with Rattrap's handling of the situation, Megatron upholds his word and lets the Maximals walk away. Megatron vows to his Diagnostic Drone that they shall liberate the Maximals' sparks another day.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Rattrap]] (2)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (3)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (6)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (8)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (9)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s
|c2=
*[[Sonic Attack Jet|Sonic Attack Jets]] (1)
*[[Tank Drone|Tank Drones]] (4)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] (7)
*[[Diagnostic Drone]] (10)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (11)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (12)
*[[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] (13)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ah, did somebody forget to load this robot mode with weapons?"
:—'''Rattrap''' discovers that he is suddenly a pacifist.

"Piece of advice: Never trust a rat."
:—'''Rattrap''' turns Megatron's own weapons on him.

"Short 'em out now! Sort 'em out later!"
:—'''Blackarachnia''' shoots first.

'''Megatron''': "See how quickly your friends turn on you? They promised you great power, but only I delivered it. They abandoned you, Rattrap. They did worse than hate you. They pitied you."<br />
'''Rattrap''': "Ya still think ya gotta cover for me?" [''fires on Cheetor, Blackarachnia and Nightscream''] "Ya still wanna cut me loose?! You never believed in me, ever!"<br />
'''Optimus Primal''': [''enters''] "I believed in you. What do you mean by firing at your friends?"<br />
'''Megatron''': "He's right. Optimus is the one you want. He's the one who lied to you; who kept making promises he never intended to keep. He made you weak; defenseless."<br />
'''Optimus Primal''': "Look inside yourself, Rattrap. You don't need his weapons. You're stronger than you know – stronger than ''any'' of you know."

"You have the makings of a fine Vehicon, ''yes''."<br />
"Not from where I'm standing. The monkey's right; I am stronger than you know."
:—'''Megatron''' seems keen for '''Rattrap''' to join his side.

==Notes==
===Perceived characterization inconsistencies===
* This episode was the source of some controversy, as Rattrap was arguably depicted as being a "traitor" to the Maximals, something many fans claimed was completely against the grain of his character.
* Fans also complained about Megatron's behavior at the end. Whereas [[Nemesis Part 2|before]], he would have crushed a [[Dinobot II|subordinate]] for merely mentioning "the h-word," here he makes a huge point of displaying honor when he keeps his word to Rattrap at the end of the episode, with no ulterior motive. In fact, either side could have potentially won the war right there, but the two characters with the least scruples suddenly became interested in fair play for no reason (other than to keep the series from ending, obviously).
* Other fans counter the points above by mentioning how Megatron implies Rattrap deserves to win because of his gambling skills, which refers back to Megatron's repeated use of gambling and card-playing idioms throughout the Beast Wars. It's a weak argument, though, as Megatron's prior use of gambling lingo generally emphasized cheating (e.g., "[[Code of Hero|stacking the deck]]") rather than fair play.
* And in Rattrap's defense, he was never subjected to this kind of situation in ''Beast Wars''. Losing one's memories and Transmetal body, being unable to transform for several episodes because of one's personality, and finding out that once you ''can'' transform your body is as useful as a solar-powered flashlight can have an effect on someone -- especially someone as previously tough and trigger-happy as Rattrap. (Remember: the guy was ''obsessed'' with weapons.) Also, stretching it further, he could be said to want the weapons entirely to DEFEND his friends, justifying it in terms of his loyalty rather than in spite of it. But then why did he not keep the weapon afterward? That ALONE defeated the whole purpose of the venture.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* When Rattrap says, "Gangway! Rat crossing!" and the Vehicons turn towards the camera, Jetstorm's mouth angles upwards, over his nose.

===Real-world references===
* When the weakened Megatron sees Rattrap in his chamber, he remarks: "Ah, so this is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a simpering...rodent." This is a paraphrased quote from the poem "[[wikipedia:The_Hollow_Men|The Hollow Men]]" by T.S. Eliot.

===Trivia===
* Blackarachnia calling Rattrap a traitor is, quite frankly, the [[Optimal Situation|pot]] calling the kettle [[Escape (issue)|BLACK.]]
* During Rattrap's "Not from where I'm standing" line, it seems that Scott McNeil halfway slips into his Silverbolt voice. But when someone [[Waspinator|voices]] [[Silverbolt (BW)|so]] [[Dinobot (BW)|many]] [[Rattrap|characters]], these things happen occasionally.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Weak Component}}
[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

Movie Adaptation issue 4

2009-11-05T04:55:59Z

209.106.203.252: /* Differences with movie */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[Movie Adaptation|''Transformers: Movie Adaptation'']] #4
|prev=Movie Adaptation Issue Number Three
|title="Transformers: Movie Adaptation Issue Number Four"
|image=Movie Adaptation 4a.jpg
|caption=''StarBots Episode IV: A New Cube''
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 27]], [[2007]]
|coverdate=June 2007
|screenplay=Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
|adaptation by=[[Kris Oprisko]]
|story by=[[Roberto Orci]] & [[Alex Kurtzman]] and [[John Rogers]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]]
|color assist by=[[Zac Atkinson]], [[Josh Burcham]], [[Andrew Elder]], [[Keiran Oats]] and [[Rob Ruffolo]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|edits by=[[Chris Ryall]]
|continuity=[[Movie continuity]]
}}
'''The Autobots and Decepticons battle it out while Sam takes charge of the All Spark.'''

== Synopsis ==
As Sam identifies Megatron, Agent Simmons informs the group that reverse engineering on Megatron is the source of all modern machines. Sam states the Transformers are on Earth because of the [[All Spark]] and the group heads to the area where it is kept. Simmons informs the group that the All Spark was discovered in 1913 and that [[Hoover Dam]] was built around it to hide its energy. He also demonstrates that the All Spark can give life to any mechanical device.

The [[Decepticon]]s arrive and attack the dam—the blasts complete the awakening of Megatron. He kills the scientist near him and transforms into his jet mode. Sam convinces Simmons to free Bumblebee to help protect them. Bumblebee shrinks the All Spark into a tiny cube and leaves with Sam and Mikaela. Megatron meets up with the other Decepticons and give chase to the [[Autobot]]s, knowing they have the All Spark. Bonecrusher and Barricade attack but Optimus Prime, who kills them both.

Simmons stops to call in an air strike and a jet soon arrives. Unfortunately, it's actually Starscream, who injures Bumblebee and causes him to drop the All Spark. Brawl attacks, unphased by the military but is attacked by Jazz. Jazz, in turn is killed by Megatron, infuriating Optimus Prime, who begins to battle his brother. Sam takes the All Spark along with Ironhide, who is blasted by Starscream. Megatron knocks out Prime and goes after Sam and the All Spark. Mikaela, meanwhile hooks Bumblebee up to a tow truck to get him to safety. Brawl pursues them, but is blasted by Bumblebee and killed.

Captain Lennox, along with an air strike kill Blackout while Sam faces off with Megatron. Megatron blasts the ledge, causing Sam to fall, but he's caught by Optimus Prime. Before Prime can destroy the All Spark, Megatron attacks again. Sam throws the All Spark into Megatron's spark, destroying him. In celebration, Mikaela kisses Sam but the Autobots gather around Jazz's body.

Later, [[Sector Seven]] is terminated and the Decepticons are dropped into the [[wikipedia:Laurentian_Abyss|Laurentian Abyss]] and a nuclear blast buries them. While Sam and Mikaela enjoy life, Optimus states that the Autobots will live on [[Earth]], hiding in their vehicle modes to protect the humans. He sends a message into space welcoming any surviving to join their brothers on Earth.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] (12)
* [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] (13)
* [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] (14)
* [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] (15)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] (6)
* [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] (7)
* [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] (8)
* [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] (9)
* [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] (10)

|c3=
* [[Seymour Simmons|Agent Simmons]] (2)
* [[John Keller|General Keller]] (3)
* [[Mikaela Banes]] (4)
* [[Sam Witwicky]] (5)
}}

== Errors ==
* Okay, we know what happened to Barricade (unlike in the [[Transformers (2007)|movie]])... but whatever became of Frenzy? The last time we saw him was when he called the other Decepticons in the [[Movie Adaptation Issue Number Three|previous issue]] and asked Barricade to bring his body. Yet he's mysteriously absent from this issue.
* In the movie itself, Optimus Prime's absence from the first minutes of the final battle in [[Mission City]] is explained by his battle with Bonecrusher. In this issue, he kills Bonecrusher and then Barricade, throwing the latter against a bridge column as the other Autobots are ''just'' passing under that bridge. So what's keeping him from joining them again right away? The scenes in Mission City following Barricade's death only take up four pages until Optimus Prime shows up again, though. He arrives just in time to witness Jazz's death at the hands of Megatron.

== Items of note ==
* Items in the pawn shop on page 8 include a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] lunch box and a [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] figure.
* "Bonus material 4.0": Pull-out poster of Megatron, Blackout, Barricade and Frenzy, Barricade vs Bumblebee pin-up, All Spark pin-up, interview with Hasbro's [[Michael Verrecchia]], including toy gallery.

===Differences with movie===
* In the movie, [[Glen Whitmann|Glen]] (more or less willingly) donates a cell phone for a presentation of the All Spark's abilities. Since Glen is ''missing entirely'' from the comic adaptation, Simmons simply takes [[Maggie Madsen|Maggie's]] cell phone out of her bag, adding to his ''really'' rude portrayal as seen in the [[Movie Adaptation Issue Number Three|previous issue]].
* In the movie, Sam realizes that Sector Seven has the Allspark based on some cryptic words from Banachek. In the comic, he strangely figures it out right out of the blue, with no hints or clues whatsoever.
* In the movie, Frenzy deactivates the cryo-pumps and frees Megatron. Starscream is the only other Decepticon actually to arrive at [[Hoover Dam]], destroying several power stations and thereby accelerating Megatron's release. In the comic version, Starscream arrives at Hoover Dam together with Blackout, Barricade, Bonecrusher and Brawl (thus ignoring any speed differences between their vehicle modes). They all shoot the dam together, and Megatron is apparently freed from his cryo-stasis ''from the concussions of the blasts'' alone. Furthermore, Megatron is also shown to be a lot more talkative with the [[Human|insects]].
* In addition, Megatron breaks free ''before'' Bumblebee takes the All Spark out. Which begs the question... where does Megatron go in the meantime?
* Instead of stabbing Bonecrusher in the head with his spiffy blade and thereby decapitating him, Optimus Prime shoots him in the chest with his [[ion blaster]].
* After killing Bonecrusher, Optimus also defeats (and decapitates) Barricade. This was included in an early draft of the script, as it's also told that way in [[Alan Dean Foster]]'s [[Transformers (novel)|novelization]] of the movie. In the movie itself, however, Barricade simply disappears with no explanation after Bonecrusher transforms. (Furthermore, ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]'' also explicitly contradicts this. There, Ironhide causes Barricade to crash into a bridge column, and Starscream later returns there to find Barricade damaged, but alive.)
* As Megatron kills Jazz, he says "Your Spark will be mine!" In older drafts of the script, Megatron was supposed to "eat" the Sparks of defeated Autobots. This is also told in detail in Foster's novelization, but again, the movie itself doesn't make this clear—there, Megatron simply rips Jazz in two (whereas at the end of this issue, Jazz is dead, but still in one piece).
* Also, Optimus Prime is present when Megatron kills Jazz.
* Optimus Prime tells Sam to use the All Spark cube to defeat Megatron, instead of offering to sacrifice himself.
* Instead of ''pushing'' the All Spark into Megatron's chest, Sam simply ''throws'' it at him.

===Covers (2)===
* '''Regular Cover:''' Wraparound cover of most major movie characters by [[Alex Milne]].
* '''Cover RI:''' Photo of Ironhide
<gallery>
Image:Movie Adaptation 4a.jpg|Regular cover
Image:Movie Adaptation 4b.jpg|Phantom Zone
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]'' film
* ''[[Ghosts of Yesterday]]'' novel
* ''[[Movie Prequel (2007)|Movie Prequel]]'' TPB
* IDW trade paperbacks (''[[Infiltration]]'', ''[[Stormbringer (comics)|Stormbringer]]'', ''[[The Gathering]]'', ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'', ''[[War and Peace]]'', ''[[Generations (comic reprints)|Generations]]'')

[[Category:IDW Movie issues|Movie Adaptation 4]]

Mindwipe (ROTF)

2009-11-04T05:07:21Z

209.106.203.252:

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig2|the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Decepticon|the Generation 1 Decepticon Headmaster|Mindwipe (G1)}}
:''Mindwipe is an [[Decepticon]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Mindwipe_ROTF_Voyager_toy.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Bludgeon (G1)|Two]]-[[Mindwipe (G1)|thirds]] of the [[Chaos Trinity]] down, [[Bugly|one]] to go.]]

==Toys==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Voyager class toys====
*'''Mindwipe''' (Voyager, 2010)
**''Japanese ID number:''
Mindwipe transforms into an F-117 Nighthawk stealth ground attack aircraft.

{{comingsoontoy}}

[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Toy-only characters]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]

Prime (rank)

2009-10-25T05:17:29Z

209.106.203.252: /* Fun Publications fan club comics */ there's 5 known members, not 4. Edited to reflect this.

{{quote|We are Primus. We are Prima. We are Prime Nova. We are Sentinel Prime. We are Optimus Prime.}}
'''Prime''' is a rank of highest distinction in many [[Transformers]] continuities. Typically, it is used as the identification for the leader of the [[Autobot]]s, something that is bestowed only on those that carry the [[Matrix of Leadership]] within them. It is [[Retcon|retroactively]] derived from [[Primus]], the creator of the Transformers.

With the retcon that Primus is one singular entity that exists (and '''must''' exist) threaded through all Transformer continuities, the term Prime is likewise given one singular origin. It was, first of all, the designation granted by Primus to seven of the [[Thirteen original Transformers]] created, by his own hand, at the dawn of the physical universe to crew his planetary form.

:''Japanese equivalent:'' '''[[Convoy]]'''

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comic continuity===
The idea of Prime being a title/rank has its first, fullest expression here. A direct lineage of Creation Matrix bearers is established, each taking on a derivation of the name of their god Primus. They are [[Prima]], [[Prime Nova]], [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]].

{{note|A later [[Simon Furman]] story drawing on this lineage he himself created added [[Primon]] to the beginning of this list. Of note is that the name Prime has no real necessary relation to Autobot leadership here. Optimus Prime becomes a Prime long before he becomes the overall Autobot Commander. Rather, Prime is a religious title (as the Creation Matrix is a religious artifact: a relic of their god). The closest human analogue to a Prime might be the Pope. }}

===Cartoon continuity===
The evidence for "Prime" being a rank here is weaker than elsewhere, but the case can still be made. Though many Matrix-Bearers are seen, and all are by definition Autobot Leaders, only four are ever named; 2 Primes, 2 not: [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus Prime, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], and Rodimus Prime. Without knowing any other names it is hard to make a concrete case here for "Prime" being a title given only to Matrix-Bearers.

It is of note though that if it were, then "Prime" in this continuity would be a military/political title (since it is the ''Matrix of Leadership''), rather than the religious title of the Marvel Comics.

{{note|Not all Convoys are Primes (and vice-versa). If you can lead [[Ant-droid]]s to a picnic, you're a Convoy in Japan.}}

===Beast Wars continuity===
It's only passingly touched on, but may be noteworthy that the phrase, "Who died and made you Prime?" was used by [[Maximal]] characters in ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]],'' implying that, to them, "prime" was roughly equivalent to "leader". They also used the word to mean "great" or "good" in the phrases "That's just prime," (said sarcastically), and "Feeling prime."

===Dreamwave continuity===
This continuity also establishes Prime as designating the leader of the Autobots, but there is some muddled information. The Prime carried within him the Matrix of Leadership, but it appears that the Matrix doesn't contain the wisdom of past leaders, as that was held on a [[Golden Disk (council)|separate datatrak]]. Also, the Prime did not appoint his successor. A new Prime was chosen by the [[Council of Ancients]], supposedly through divine authority.

It's unknown what powers the Prime shared with the [[High Council]] and the Council of Ancients, but the Prime had several powers. In addition to being commander-in-chief of the Autobot Army, the Prime also had the authority to order a planet wide evacuation. Autobots gave oaths of loyalty to the Prime, and were expected to risk their lives for the Prime's safety (whether the Prime wanted them to or not). {{storylink|The War Within}}

There are five known Primes in Dreamwave continuity, listed in MTMTE #8. These are Alpha Prime, Guardian Prime, Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime. The list does not specify chronology, and Rodimus Prime never appeared in any actual Dreamwave comics.

===Armada/Energon/Cybertron continuity===
Prime is indeed a title given to leaders and matrix bearers here, as evidenced by both Vector Prime and Optimus Prime, but no other Primes are ever named.

===IDW Comics continuity===
[[Image:Primes IDW.JPG|right|150px|thumb|[[To sell toys|Get on it, Hasbro!]]]]
Optimus Prime describes Primes as beings that define the eras they ruled. Thus, Nova Prime presided over an era in which the populace believed the Cybertronian race's destiny was in the stars, and commissioned the first [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'' spacecraft]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} Although certainly a matrix-bearer, as confirmed by Optimus and Galvatron, Nova Prime disappeared into the [[Benzuli Expanse]] while aboard the ''Ark'', with the Matrix guiding him into the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}}

Before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Sentinel Prime served as the head of the Autobot Security Services, the chief law enforcement and military body on Cybertron. However, he stresses that he is ultimately subservient to the will of the [[Senate]] who enact the laws he enforces. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3}}

After Cybertron is rendered uninhabitable, Optimus Prime is the apparent highest ranking Autobot, directing the galaxy-spanning conflict to deny the Decepticons conquest of additional planets. In this task, he occasionally seeks the guidance of the ancient Autobot and weapon of last resort [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]].

There appear to be at least four Primes predating Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}}

There seems to be an Autobot who held the rank of "Prime" between Sentinel and Optimus in the IDW continuity. During an early skirmish during the opening days of the Great War, a pre-Prime Optimus and Blurr discuss a plan to rescue the Autobot commander [[Zeta Prime]]. It can be assumed that this "new" Prime was "sworn in" following Sentinel Prime's death in Megatron: Origins (LBJ style), before ultimately dying himself, passing the "Prime" mantle onto Optimus. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}}

===Movie continuity===
{{main|Dynasty of Primes}}

{{note|The following has been [[retcon]]ned during the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]] phase of the film series.}}
The title of Prime was bestowed upon the civilian and spiritual leader of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] but at the same time, aided the [[Lord High Protector]] in stewarding the [[All Spark]] just as the Lord High Protector was co-ruler. Optimus Prime held this title before, during and after the war for the All Spark as leader of the [[Autobot]]s. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

According to The Quest For the ALLSPARK paperback's opening paragraph, "...Most revered were Optimus and Megatron. They were twin brothers of the Prime dynasty."
This, along with the note from the Autobots version of the same DS game that Megatron "took the spark" of his and Optimus' father, implies that “Prime” may have been their father’s name and that Megatron may have also had the surname "Prime" as well.

===Transformers Animated===
Prime is still a rank in this continuity, but surprisingly one far lower than commander of all the Autobots ([[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] - the "[[Magnus]]" refers to his rank). This is revealed when [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] attempts to give an order to [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]. Optimus is able to disregard this order because regardless of Sentinel's standing on the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]], they are both still of equal rank, Primes. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}} Both Ultra Magnus and Sentinel Prime have bars on their forearms, with more bars present for the superior officer. Optimus Prime lacks these, and as such it is unknown if they are only present in the Elite Guard. The Rank of Prime seems to be equivalent to the human Naval rank of Captain in this continuity.

In addition to Optimus and Sentinel, there is also [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]]. Longarm was presumably given the rank as head of [[Cybertron Intelligence]], although his predecessor [[Highbrow (Animated)|Highbrow]] was never referred to as a Prime.

===Fun Publications fan club comics===
[[Image:Clubcombinercarving.jpg|right|150px|thumb|A component of the Prime of Rarified Energon looks at a portrait of his complete self...]]
It is revealed that the first [[Thirteen original Transformers]] created by Primus to crew his planetary form were all designated Primes. In addition to this designation, each was given a specific task or role in sustaining the multiverse.

[[Vector Prime]] was granted guardianship of space-time. The Prime who would become [[The Fallen]] was charged to oversee the force of entropy. [[Nexus Maximus|Another of these Primes]] was made the guardian of [[Rarified Energon]]. Logos Prime and Prima's function are still unknown.

These Primes are [[Multiversal singularity|multiversal singularities]] (like their creator, only one version of each existing across all realities).
{{-}}

===Shattered Glass===
The title of Prime is not an honorary rank but the title of the diabolical leader of the Autobots. [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] stands as the current Prime. For now. [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]], [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]] or [[Thunderclash (SG)|Thunderclash]] may very well usurp the title and position in the future.

==See also==
*[[Autobot commander (disambiguation)|Autobot Commander]]
*[[Supreme Commander]]
*[[Convoy]]
*[[Magnus]]

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Ranks]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Thirteen

2009-10-22T04:01:49Z

209.106.203.252: /* Trivia */

{{disambig2|the group of ancient Transformers |the comic series that might never be published|Transformers: The Thirteen}}
[[Image:Original13.jpg|center|500px|thumb|Guess the one on fire!]]
{{quote|We are the 13, the first, the forgotten, each of us serving a function vital to the survival of the universe. Each of us designated a Prime and given a function to serve during the long march of infinity.|Vector Prime|"[[Vector Prime: In the Beginning]]"}}

When [[Primus]] first created [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], he created a crew of '''thirteen living robotic beings''' to man him. These beings, in imitation of [[Unicron]]'s transformation abilities, were able to change their forms into the likeness of vehicles, weapons, and machinery. They were the first Transformers and all "[[Prime (rank)|Primes]]". Many of the thirteen died in a cataclysmic first battle with Unicron, where he was sucked down into a black hole and trapped along with his acolyte known as [[The Fallen]], one of the thirteen who had turned against his brothers and joined Unicron. Of those that survived, many abandoned their original functions and were lost to time. Only [[Vector Prime]] was known to still be following the path he was set upon by Primus.

==The thirteen==
[[Image:Vectorprimeut.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Vector Prime steps forward from the First Thirteen Tabernacle Choir with a heartfelt solo.]]
The identities of most of the thirteen remain shrouded in mystery.

'''Confirmed members are:'''
*[[Prima]], the first [[Matrix|Matrix-bearer]] and first Transformer born from Cybertron, leader of the 13.<ref>''Sentinel Prime was one of a dynasty of Primes, stretching back to the original '''13 Transformers''' and their leader, Prima.'' — ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' (2005) <small>1st ed</small> p15, "Sentinel Prime"</ref>
*"[[The Fallen]]" (original name unknown), the guardian of entropy.
*[[Vector Prime]], the guardian of space and time.
*Logos Prime, also known as [[Soundblaster (Cybertron)|Soundblaster]]. The ''Beast Wars Reborn'' text story establishes Soundblaster as an "[[Ancients|Ancient]]", equal with Vector Prime. There is also a silhouette resembling him in the image from the ''[[World of Transformers]]'' web site, found at the top of this article.
*[[Nexus Prime]], the guardian of the multiverse's [[Rarified Energon]], capable of splitting into 5 smaller robots:
**[[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]]
**[[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]]
**[[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]
**[[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]]
**[[Heatwave]]

'''Possible members are:'''
*The [[Liege Maximo]]; he was confirmed in [[Simon Furman]]'s "[[Alignment]]" story as one of the first thirteen, but that story was "unofficial" and of debatable canonicity.
*[[Maccadam]]; rumor on Cybertron says that he is one of the thirteen and that his bar exists outside regular space-time, linking all realities, though sometimes this rumor is chalked up to the imaginations of the bar's drunken patrons. The story "[[Prime Spark]]" from the ''[[Transformers Legends]]'' anthology confirms half of this rumor, portraying the bar as a multiversal nexus of sorts, though not making any specific revelations about Maccadam himself. The anthology labels all its stories as not being part of mainstream continuity, so its revelations [[author intent|could be viewed]] as irrelevant.
*The [[Last Autobot]]; according to the words he spoke "Since Cybertron's Creation, I have slumbered within the planet, awaiting a time long foreseen by your creator, Primus", it can be inferred that he might be one of the thirteen.

Numerous other very ancient Transformers exist—[[Boltax (G1)|Boltax]], steward of the [[Underbase]], and the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]], protector of the slumbering Primus—but none have been included in the ranks of the thirteen.

==Functions==
Aside from their base functions as "crew" for Primus's planet form and their duty to battle Unicron, the quote above hints that each was given another charge. Three of the four known members of the thirteen were also charged with protecting specific aspects of the multiverse. It is possible, but unconfirmed, that each of the other ten might also have originally had an assigned role as guardian to some aspect of reality.

Vector Prime was tasked with overseeing the space and time continuum. The Prime who would eventually become the Fallen was tasked with overseeing the process of entropy. Nexus Prime was tasked with overseeing the [[multiverse]]'s Rarified Energon.

==Multiversal singularities==
The original thirteen are [[Multiversal singularity|multiversal singularities]] like Primus and Unicron, with only one of each of them existing throughout the whole multiverse. Though they may pass from universe to universe, it is one quantum individual doing so, and they possess no alternate-reality counterparts as normal beings do. For further details on how this weird little mind-bender works, see that article.

==Fiction==
===Dreamwave Comics===
===Cybertron Comic===
{{stub}}
===Cybertron Cartoon===
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defianceissue4-creation.jpg|right|thumb|150px|The Thirteen being created.]]
A race of beings that included the Fallen were the first creations of the [[All Spark]]. They were extremely powerful and able to travel across dimensions. The Allspark then created the [[Transformer]]s to seek out stars that could replenish itself. With their descendants, they formed the [[Dynasty of Primes]], protecting Cybertron and the All Spark. The Fallen decided he wanted the Allspark's power for himself, and so slew the rest of his brothers...but they trapped him within a sarcophagus in the process. A long time passed, and he was eventually dug up. From his prison, he then pushed [[Megatron (Movie)|High Protector Megatron]] into forming the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4}}

===DK Transformers: The Movie Universe book===
The All Spark created "the Primes". One of their number, however, fought the other twelve as he prepared to harvest the power of [[Earth]]'s sun. In the end, he slaughtered all of his brethren, but they were still able to imprison this Fallen being in a pocket dimension and save the Earth. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe|The Movie Universe}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
{{note|The ROTF adaptations have thirteen Primes. While designs were made for twelve non-Fallen Prime heads, the finished film shows only seven Primes.}}
::''See [[Dynasty of Primes]]''

===Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic===

Legend has it that [[Primus]] created the first seven Transformers, known as "the Primes", though they believe themselves creations of the All Spark. (So... who started the legend?) {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|The Fallen Profile}}

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* IDW comics talked repeatedly about a planned/potential miniseries telling the story of the Thirteen. What similarity this new telling would have to the previous original thirteen stories is unknown. Hasbro became quite involved, and Simon Furman stated that it "seems pretty likely that Vector Prime will be amongst the 13, the Liege Maximo too, and possibly Alpha Trion. But nothing's set in stone here yet." [http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=5032] No release date for this series was ever set. As of [[BotCon]] 09, IDW says this series is off their publishing schedule. In an interview, Furman said it's "probably not going to happen for a while, as it's become more of a Hasbro thing than an IDW thing, and Hasbro need to crystallize the whole concept before it can be turned into a comic book". [http://hombreimaginario.deviantart.com/art/Interviews-10-Simon-Furman-130246343]

* ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' specifically asserts that all of the original 13 Transformers were destroyed in the early battle between Primus and Unicron. In and of itself this statement cannot be accurate, since the same book later recounted how the Fallen was not destroyed but exiled to a transdimensional prison from which he later escaped. When the book was published, in 2004, it would have been hypothetically possible to assert that the other 12 members had been dead all along—but subsequent canon has indisputably established their survival.

* In an answer in [[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009#AllSpark.com|October 2009's Q&A]] Hasbro indicated that only seven of the 13 were Primes. These seven were hinted at as being the seven Primes featured in the film version of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. How that relates to the claim in fiction that all 13 were Primes is not yet known. However, the wording of their answer could could be construed to mean that only that seven had prime in their name instead of being primes. Stay tuned for details...

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Subgroups]]
[[Category:Thirteen original Transformers| ]]

Jolt (Movie)

2009-10-21T02:02:39Z

209.106.203.252:

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3.5|the non-screen [[Decepticon]] occasionally called "Jolt" from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]]|the (barely) on-screen ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Autobot]]| Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt}}
{{disambig3|Dead End}}
:''Jolt is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''
{{mainpic|2 June 2008}}
Brought to life by the creative energies of the [[All Spark]], '''Jolt''' sought the guidance of [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] in the fine art of being a [[Decepticon]]. Barricade proceeded to beat poor Jolt senseless, and that creep [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] slashed his tires. That was the only lesson he got... and he clearly got the message.

He is also known as '''Deadend''' or '''Dead End'''. And he hates [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] for whatever reason.

{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
Dead End landed in [[San Francisco]] with [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] as part of [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]'s forces. After scanning the alternate form of a Alfa Romeo Mito, the pair carried out their mission, to cause destruction and mayhem in San Francisco so as to distract the Autobots and their [[human]] allies from the Decepticons' true objectives. While they were racing along the Golden Gate Bridge, Deadend made it clear that he loathed Swindle. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3|Alliance #3}} This odd-couple relationship did not last long, as soon after the pair had successfully lured the Autobots to San Francisco, Deadend was rammed head-on by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], killing the Decepticon near-instantly. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4|Alliance #4}}

===''The Veiled Threat'' prequel novel===
{{note|The events of ''The Veiled Threat'' take place during [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Alliance (comic)|Alliance]]'' comic. Presumably, taking place before Dead End and Swindle's appearance in the story.}}

As part of Starscream's plan in [[Italy]], Deadend joined [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] in causing chaos in the streets of Rome to draw the Autobots out. {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
[[Image:Movie Jolt toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Jolt; Decepticon wannabe.]]
*'''Jolt''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Missile launcher, flame missile, Planet X-type Cyber Planet Key

: A Wal-Mart-[[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of [[Cybertron (franchise)|''Cybertron'']] [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]], Jolt transforms into a [[wikipedia:Bugatti Veyron|Bugatti EB 15.4 Veyron]] sports car. The spoiler is a spring-loaded missile launcher that can fire a transluscent blue flame-shaped projectile. Plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]] in his tailgate makes a pair of missile racks pop up from the engine bay and flip over onto his roof. He comes with a purple [[Planet X]]-type Cyber Planet Key. Jolt has a regular Decepticon insignia on both his hood and Cyber Key rather than a movie-styled one.

: Jolt's upper legs are switched in the package, but this is easily fixed by popping them off their respective balljoints and swapping them.

:This mold was also used for ''Cybertron'' [[Smokescreen (Cybertron)|Smokescreen]] and was retooled into the [[BotCon 2008]]-exclusive "[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]" [[Jazz (SG)|Jazz]] and [[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Jolt/jolt.htm More information on Jolt at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
*According to Hasbro designer [[Joe Kyde]]'s [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/default.cfm?page=News/Item&newsID=5716B133-D56F-E112-46403859800D7A16 design notes on Hasbro's Transformers website], the original Jolt toy was originally made as a [[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]] homage. The name could not be secured, so the he got to be a [[Jolt (G2)|Jolt]] homage, too. Subsequently, all fiction has referred to this toy as Dead End.

* For some reason, the "Dead End" character in ''[[Alliance (comic)|Alliance]]'' is drawn as an Alfa Romeo Mito, instead of the Jolt toy's Bugatti Veyron. He has the same colors, however.

[[Category:Allspark Mutations]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Rodimus Prime (Animated)

2009-09-09T20:54:13Z

209.106.203.252: /* Notes */

{{faction|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Rodimus}}
:''Rodimus Prime is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:Animated Rodimus Bow.jpg|thumb|400px|Hawkeye Prime]]

'''Rodimus Prime''' is more than just a high ranking Autobot officer, he's the "Chosen One"! He is extremely popular amongst his fellow Autobot brethren, and has mastered several different battle skills, including servo-to-servo combat. While he has mastered the use of various defensive weaponry, his personal weapon of choice is his uniquely-designed energy bow. Rodimus is a born leader and strives to become the next [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Magnus]]. In other words, he's "practically perfect in every way".

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Judd Nelson]] (English)

[[Image:TransWarpedRodimusCosmicRust.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Aww, but I'm too cool to rust!]]

Rodimus Prime and his team, [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]], [[Hot Shot (Animated)|Hot Shot]], [[Brawn (Animated)|Brawn]], and [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]], defended [[space bridge 687-030]] from [[Team Chaar]]. Rodimus ordered Brawn and Ironhide to fall back so they could protect the bridge, but a combo attack from [[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] and [[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] took down both [[Autobot]]s. Rodimus managed to evade [[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]]'s tentacle-attack and incapacitate the monster, but he was quickly knocked aside by [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]]'s power-stomp attack.

As the Decepticons moved in, Rodimus defiantly growled that they'd have to go through him. In response, Oil Slick threw a vial of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] at Rodimus' feet, which quickly spread across his body and paralyzed him. {{storylink|TransWarped}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:Animated Rodimus Minor toy.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Help! I'm being attacked by ''Photoshop''!"]]
*'''Rodimus Minor''' (Deluxe, 2009?)
**''Accessories'': "Energy Bow", 2 missiles
: Rodimus Minor transforms into a futuristic car that highly homages the vehicle mode of Generation 1 [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. A panel on the car's hood, which is also the figure's chest, can be flipped to either show an engine block or the figure's Autobot [[insignia]]. The figure comes with an Energy Bow, capable of firing two missiles.

{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
*Rodimus shares his [[Hot Rod (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]]'s original voice actor, Judd Nelson.
*This Rodimus is the second [[Rodimus (Energon)|to be a leader]] without [[The Transformers: The Movie|Optimus having to die first]].
*In an answer to a question at [http://www.allspark.com/content/view/4966/20/ TFCon 2009], [[Derrick J. Wyatt|Derrick Wyatt]] stated that Rodimus is recovering from the Cosmic Rust attack. Aside from a very brief cameo<ref>An Autobot with Rodimus's character model but slightly different color scheme can be seen in the lower right of a crowd shot in [[Endgame, Part II]].</ref> that may or may not be him, Rodimus's fate has never been revealed fictionally.
*Originally, Rodimus was going to be the [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|jerk]] character of ''Animated''. This means his team is roughly 60% [[Hot Shot (Animated)|scrapped]] [[Red Alert (Animated)|ideas]], although 40% of those are because of the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]].
*Despite being credited by the show's creators<ref>''Animated'' [[Tech Spec]] by [[Derrick J. Wyatt]].{{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 24}}</ref> as having the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] rank and clearly being the leader of a team like [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|another bloke]], his toy is listed as 'Rodimus Minor' for reasons currently unknown, though likely in order to protect the trademark "prime" by not using it too much.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Animated characters]]

Skids (ROTF)

2009-09-01T23:53:25Z

209.106.203.252: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|NEST}}
{{disambig3|Skids}}
:''Skids is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].

[[Image:ROTF_Skids_promo.jpg|thumb|300px|Look, it's that robot child actor that grew up and robbed a convenience store.]]

The dopey-looking '''Skids''' spends a lot his time arguing with his twin brother [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] and trying to outdo him in crazy stunts, all while believing ''he's'' the responsible, level headed one. In his own mind, everything dangerous and dopey he does is simply making him a better warrior. And that means one day, one ''glorious'' day, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] will ''notice'' him! Prime even looking in his direction makes him babble, fall over, and generally fail to make an impression, but that won't stop him trying! Underneath it all, he harbors a secret fear that Mudflap is actually the superior warrior of the pair... which is probably true.<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Hasbro Skids Battle Bio]</ref>

Skids' hyper-reactive optical imaging scanner allows him to process tactical information faster than ''anyone'' (except his twin). Add that to his supreme firepower and his unpredictable actions, and he's a pain in the aft for any [[Decepticon]] who wants to counter him! On Earth, he's already been part of an ice-cream truck (combining with his brother), and more recently a Chevy Beat, but that's unlikely to last very long.

{{bigquote|You gotta blend in... be stealthy... like a ninja.|A less-than-successful Skids tries to conceal himself,'' [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}
==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Alliance04 icecreamtruck.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Skids is the one in front.]]
Skids and Mudflap arrived on [[Earth]] as part of Autobot reinforcements that [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] requested. They both chose the [[combiner|combined]] form of an old, beat-up ice cream truck. The newly-arrived Autobots joined the human-Transformer military alliance [[NEST]] and began training in earnest on [[Diego Garcia]], but soon had to be deployed to [[Shanghai]], [[China]]. {{Storylink|Alliance issue 4|Alliance #4}}
{{-}}

===Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===

Skids first met [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] when they were about to be thrown into a [[smelting pool]]. {{Storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}} They're well known for tall tales and messing about, enough so that people stopped believing their claims. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|Learning Curve}}

[[Image:Titan2-1_Skids.jpg|right|thumb|350px|You know what? ''You'' tell him he looks dopey.]]

Skids and Mudflap happily stayed on Cybertron, going through intensive training (which ''totally'' wasn't goofing off) and having extreme-sports contests. Neither wanted to leave their homeworld, and they were the only Transformers on it until [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] turned up with a Decepticon army. When they heard him mention a [[Solar Harvester|star harvester]], they realised they should tell someone...but Skids worked out the fastest way to do that would be in person, meaning they'd have to leave their homeworld.

The decision was made for them when the Decepticons attacked. Skids angrily blew away some of the jet-drones when they shot his brother, using an impressive missile barrage, and used transform-and-shoot moves to keep their pursuers away...but he realised this was delaying the inevitable. They fled the planet, with Skids remembering to head for Earth, the site of Optimus's message. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}}

[[Image:Titan2_twinsbeats.jpg|left|thumb|200px|...actually, no, tell him to ''put some clothes on JESUS''.]]

The twins made it to [[Earth]] soon, crash-landing in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]]. On the way in, Mudflap hit a [[Wikipedia: CN Tower|big tower]], but Skids felt it wasn't that big a deal. They swam their way to Ball's Falls, where they picked up Earth alternate modes and set out to try and find local Autobots and warn them about the solar harvester.

Driving along the wrong side of the Interstate (Skids wanted a challenge!), the twins were attacked by the Seeker [[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]], trying to kill them on [[the Fallen]]'s orders. While Skids dissed Ransack's retro alt mode, he pursued them across [[Wikipedia: North by Northwest|open countryside]]. With their energon levels low, the airborne enemy kept up with the twins, and Skids soon collapsed, unable to run any further. He and his brother would've both died, if not for Bumblebee arriving and forcing the Seeker into retreat. {{Storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}}

[[Image:Titan2-3_Mudflap_face.jpg|right|thumb|"I hear you're racist now, Father! How'd you get involved in that sorta thing?"]]

Now living at [[NEST]]'s Californian base with Bumblebee as their minder, Skids and Mudflap repeatedly asked to deliver their info to [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]—and only Optimus, much to [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide's]] annoyance. He was more annoyed when they ambushed him (Skids tipping crates on him!) to get to Optimus...who, as it turns out, was away on a need-to-know mission anyway.

After this defeat, and with Ironhide having bluntly told them nobody believed them, they desperately asked to join in a NEST op in [[Las Vegas]]...getting turned down, because they were too crap to get involved. Annoyed with this, Skids went along with Mudflap's suggestion to go to Vegas and show Ironhide just what they could do! What they could do, it turned out, was screw up a successful mission by freeing [[Grindor (ROTF)|a captured Decepticon]] by trying to "shoot him down". Skids was left mortified. Ironhide, recognising what they were trying to do, told him that maybe they could work on training the twins not to jump in without looking, and that the trick was to learn from mistakes. The twins claimed they'd try. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.3|Learning Curve}}

{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tom Kenny]] (English), [[Tomokazu Seki]] (Japan), [[Michael Pan]] (German)

Skids and his brother were part of a taskforce deployed in Shanghai to root out Decepticon activity. In their combined ice cream truck [[alternate mode]], they rolled through the evacuated zone, taunting and trying to lure out the Decepticons in the area. When the Decepticons did show themselves, they gave chase to the escaping [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]]. However, their slow and ungainly choice of vehicle could not keep up with the fugitive, and they rounded a corner too sharply, tearing their combined form in half.

Upon arrival at [[Diego Garcia]] and NEST headquarters, the twins received new, separate alternate modes. A fight broke out between the two of them over which vehicle they wanted, and Skids "called" the [[Wikipedia: Chevy Beat|Beat]], resigning Mudflap to the form of a [[Wikipedia: Chevy Trax|Trax]].

Later, the twins, along with the other NEST-allied Autobots, were dispatched to look for [[Sam Witwicky]] when Decepticons were detected heading towards his college. After [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] was killed by [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], the twins helped the Autobot force fight off the Decepticon leader and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], allowing Sam, [[Leo Spitz]], [[Mikaela Banes]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] to make good their escape. Skids and Mudflap met up with Bumblebee and the humans, and together they fled to a remote location. After teasing Leo for a while for his panic attack, Sam inquired whether one of them could interpret the Cybertronic symbols he had become obsessed with, but the twins claimed that they couldn't read the ancient Language of the Primes, and weren't much into reading, anyway.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_SkidsMudflap_bigmother.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Yousome people gonna die??"<br/> "Yep. Wesa screwed."]]

With the help of the Decepticon [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] and former [[Sector Seven]] agent [[Seymour Simmons]], the group made their way to the Smithsonian, where the humans reactivated the venerable ex-Decepticon [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. He teleported them all to [[Egypt]] before telling them the tale of the original [[Prime (ROTF)|Primes]], the [[Solar harvester]], which had the potential to destroy all life on Earth, and finally, the [[Matrix of Leadership]], the key to activating the harvester, and possibly the only thing that could bring Optimus Prime back to life. When the Matrix could not be found at the ruins of [[Petra]], the twins began argue with each other over why they were following Sam, which soon escalated into physical violence. As their brawl nearly crushed the humans, Bumblebee picked up the twins in each hand, slammed them together, and threw them outside the ruins, which Skids considered to be just rude. Fortunately, their bickering created a hole in the wall where the [[Tomb of the Primes]] lay, and with it, the Matrix.

Making their way back to the Pyramids where NEST waited with Optimus Prime's body, the group came under attack by Starscream. Mudflap, Skids, Leo and Simmons acted as a decoy to lure the Decepticons away from Sam and Mikaela. Unfortunately, they attracted the attention of the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]], who [[combiner|combined]] into [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] and attacked by vacuuming up loose objects such as sand, cars, and Mudflap. When his brother was thought dead, Skids clambered up the Decepticon's leg for vengeance, only to discover that Mudflap had survived being vacuumed up by Devastator and had blasted a hole through its head. Together the twins attacked the combiner, but were unable to stop him from reaching the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]]. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''Revenge of the Fallen''===

====Legends Class Toys====
*'''Skids''' (Legends, 2009/2010)

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Deluxe Class Toys====
[[Image:ROTFtoy-SkidsDeluxe.jpg|250px|thumb|Kids, never try to deflect a fusion cannon blast with your face.]]
*'''Autobot Skids''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RA-10'''

:Skids was released as part of the second wave of deluxe class ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' action figures. He transforms into a green Chevy Beat Concept car with black stripe designs on either side and a black hood. His vehicle form features transparent blue windows. In robot mode, Skids features a "[[Mech Alive]]" [[gimmick]] that makes the fenders on the sides of his chest push out and his head move forward when the front grill is pushed inwards. Moving the head up and down through this gimmick may suggest it's meant to make him appear as though he is talking, but the packaging only says "Moving Armor Panels".

:Skids' right arm is larger than his left, just like his movie counterpart's. It features a small cannon that when pressed both makes the cannon stick out in a position more suitable for firing, and activates Skids' "Punching Robot Fist" action. Despite this, his right hand is surprisingly poseable.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/Skids/skids.htm More information on Skids at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

[[Image:ROTF_Deluxe_Skids&Mudflap_toy.jpg|thumb|250px|Hey look, it's the robot child actor who grew up and ''became'' a convenience store.]]
*'''Autobot Skids And Mudflap''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:''

:This two pack of the two twin Autobot brothers can combine into a single, old-fashioned ice cream truck. Unfortunately, they are SMALLER than a scout class figure and is missing the "Suck My Popsicle" writing.

{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:ROTF_FAB_Missile_Blast_Skids.jpg|thumb|250px|That's not going to pick up any [[Charlene (cowgirl)|cowgirls]] any time soon.]]
*'''Missile Blast Skids''' (Fast Action Battler, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:''
**''Accessories:''

:[[Fast Action Battlers]] Missile Blast Skids is quite similar in transformation engineering to [[Bumblebee (Movie) toys#Fast Action Battlers|Plasma Punch/Plasma Blast Bumblebee]], and even has a similar [[gimmick]] in having one arm being a spring-loaded projectile launcher.
{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}

====Human Alliance====
{{anchor|haskids2009}}[[Image:ROTFtoy-SkidsHumanAlliance.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Then again...]]
*'''Autobot Skids / Arcee / Mikaela Banes''' (Human Alliance, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RA-25'''
**''Accessories:''

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Gravity Bots====
[[Image:ROTF_GravityBots_Skids.jpg|thumb|250px|From car to novelty trash can in the blink of an eye!]]
*'''Autobot Skids''' (Gravity Bot, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''???'''

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====R.P.M.s - Robot Powered Machines====
=====Battle Series=====
[[Image:ROTFtoy-SkidsRPM.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I ran myself over!]]
*'''Mudflap vs Autobot Skids''' (R.P.M. Mini-Vehicle, 2009)
**''Number:'' '''04 of 08'''

: Number four in a series of eight [[Robot Powered Machines]] [[Mini-Vehicle]] versus packs, Skids is packaged against his twin, Mudflap. He's an untransformable Hot Wheels-like car, unless you count his robot mode being sculpted and painted onto the underside of him.

: This toy is also available with the Devastator Showdown track set.

=====Robot Replicas=====
*'''Autobot Skids''' (Robot Replica, 2009)

{{-}}

=====Track Set=====
*'''Devastator Showdown''' (R.P.M. Mini-Vehicle Track Set, 2009)

: A Mini-Vehicle of Skids also comes with this Devastator-themed race track set.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}
===Robot Heroes===
*'''Autobot Skids and Megatron''' (2009)
{{charstubtoys}}

*'''Desert Devastation''' (Multi-pack, 2009)

[[Image:rotf_desertdevastation_rh.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Give me your fac- oh wait, wrong article.]]

:Both Skids and Mudflap are sculpted in their vehicle modes for this box-set that also includes [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] and [[William Lennox]].

{{comingsoontoy}}

[[Image:Robotheroestwinswidewaysprimedemolishorsideswipe.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Pink smoke? Should probably get that looked at.]]
*'''Shanghai Shootout''' (Multi-pack, 2009)
:Shanghai Shootout replicates the opening action scene from ''Revenge of the Fallen'', featuring figurines of [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]/Skids (ice cream truck), [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] (vehicle mode), [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]], and [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] (vehicle mode). Demolishor is a slightly-oversized figure and the centerpiece of the box set.
{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
*The Chevrolet Beat, Skids's alternate mode, goes into production in 2011 as the Chevrolet [[Spark]].
*The ice cream truck's bumper sticker reads "Decepticons, suck my Popsicle." Classy. Too bad the toy does not. (because, you know, for kids...)
*In many markets, the aforementioned text was edited out, resulting in the somewhat nonsensical result of a Decepticon symbol and the word "Popsicle".
*The twins have been accused of being derogatory racial stereotypes. Though Skids's voice actor Tom Kenny had not commented at the time this note was written, Mudflap's voice actor [[Reno Wilson]] was sad to learn his way of speaking was apparently offensive to himself. Writers [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] claim to have followed [[Michael Bay]]'s lead with the characters, while Bay says Wilson and Kenny came up with their schtick on their own. <ref>[http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org/jivetalking-twin-transformers-raise-race-issues-ap Yahoo's coverage of the furore over the Twins]</ref> Orci and Kurtzman said the twins' portrayal was not in their script, that they were disappointed in the characters and admitted that they could understand if others were offended by the characters.<ref>[http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/orci-and-kurtzman-respond-to-claims-of-racism-in-transformers-2.php Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman respond to claims of racism on ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Film School Rejects, June 24, 2009 ]</ref> Bay has admitted the idea was that they were intended to be a caricature of white people pretending that they're black ("wiggers")... which is difficult to convey when they're "colored" red and green.
*The twins are less slangy in the [[Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation|comic adaptation]] and [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan comics]], which could either indicate it was a last-minute voice actor decision or [[Simon Furman]] just didn't want to try writing ebonics.
*If Skids can't read the [[cyberglyphics|Language of the Primes]], why does he have a glyph from it on the sides of his vehicle mode?
*Amusingly, [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Hasbro's Battle Bio] for Skids lists his arch-enemy as... [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]].
*The ice cream truck alternate mode is probably the most bewildering violation of [[scale]] in the movie universe. The combined form is only as large as a single Chevy vehicle, which begs the question of how both twins manage to fit into the combiner, or how a single twin can grow to fit a seperate car.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:NEST]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]

Transformers: Alternators

2009-08-25T15:50:19Z

209.106.203.252: /* Other changes */ modified a fact to reflect information given out during one of the recent Hasbro Q&A's

[[Image:AlternatorsLogo.jpg|center]]
{{-}}
'''''Alternators''''' ('''''Binaltech''''' in Japan) is a line of Transformers that started in late 2003. The toys in this series transform into [[Licensed vehicle alternate modes|fully-licensed]], 1:24-[[scale]] accurate representations of real cars from automobile manufacturers around the globe, complete with opening doors, hoods, trunks, plus "realistic" open driver/passenger compartments.

==Car licenses and character selection==
[[Image:BTSmokescreenRakuten.jpg|left|150px|thumb|This photo resulted in collective drooling.]]
At one point in 2003, [[Hasbro]] stated that the ''Alternators'' line would consist of "six 'hot' contemporary cars".<ref>[http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/3305.html Report about Hasbro's statements regarding the Alternators line from Wizard World Chicago 2003, at Internal Correspondence version 2]</ref> The first six models were based on a [[Wikipedia:Subaru_Impreza|Subaru Impreza]], a [[Wikipedia:Dodge_Viper|Dodge Viper]], a [[Wikipedia:Jeep_Wrangler|Jeep Wrangler]], a [[Wikipedia:Chevrolet_Corvette"|C5 Chevrolet Corvette]], a [[Wikipedia:Mazda_RX-8|Mazda RX-8]], and a [[Wikipedia:Ford_Mustang|Ford Mustang]]. Even before the line was launched, though, new licenses were already pursued by Hasbro and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], with the first new mold that was not part of the "original six" anymore being based on a [[Wikipedia:Honda_S2000|Honda S2000]]. More and more models and manufacturers joined the line over its run. Nearly all of these models are from either American or Japanese manufacturers, with the only exception being the [[Wikipedia:Jaguar_XK|Jaguar XK]], which is originally a European car.

Character-wise, Hasbro and Takara initially started out with better-known [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] characters from the 1984-85 era that had originally transformed into cars. [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] started the line, with his extensive [[Paint operation|paint application]]s and [[Tampograph|tampographed]] sponsor logos meant to show the level of detail put into the line. For budget reasons, Hasbro and Takara decided very early on that [[Redeco|redecos]]/[[Retool|retools]] were necessary even more than they were in other lines, thus retools of the first three molds were already available by the time the last of the "original six" molds came out. Initially, Hasbro and Takara intended to keep the retools rooted in Generation 1 whenever possible, thus the retool of Smokescreen became [[Bluestreak]] (renamed into "Silverstreak" for [[trademark]] reasons). Though the line was originally meant to be just [[Autobot|Autobots]], it was later decided to release [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] as part of the line, which took the form of retools of existing Autobot toys, hence the [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]] retool ended up as [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] rather than [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and the intended [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] retool of [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] ultimately became [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] instead.

Over the time, the selection was expanded to include characters which had not originally transformed into vehicles (such as [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] aka "Shockblast", or [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] aka "Battle Ravage"). The first character difference between the ''Alternators'' and ''Binaltech'' versions of the line occurred when Hasbro named a toy that was designed to resemble the Omnibot [[Overdrive]] (who the toy was released as in Japan) after the [[Mini Vehicle]] [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] instead, presumably due to [[trademark]] reasons (a constant thorn in the side). As the two lines progressed, they diverged more, both in terms of different decos and the addition of third-stringer characters (mostly on Hasbro's end). Even characters that had no root in Generation 1 at all would eventually be added, namely [[Decepticharge]] and [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. Interestingly, the first molds to ''start out'' as Decepticons rather than Autobots, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and a second [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] toy, would ultimately also be the last new molds of the line released by Hasbro.

==Alternators==
[[Image:MazdaRX-8.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Who is the Mazda RX-8 Transformer? Who? WHO?]]
In the USA, the '''''Alternators''''' line was launched in December 2003, with the toys being made entirely out of plastic (with the exception of the rubber tires). The first wave consisted ''only'' of Smokescreen, who shipped in a case all by himself. The second wave mixed Smokescreen and Side Swipe in a 50:50 ratio, with new toys being introduced in the following waves (but Smokescreen choked shelves like crazy). Over the time of its original run, the ''Alternators'' line was particularly notorious for including toys that were extremely hard to find due to only shipping in one or two waves (Meister, Tracks, Decepticharge, Swerve), whereas others shipped for multiple waves, despite having already been [[Shelfwarmer|shelfwarmers]] (Swindle, in particular).

In 2005, Wal*Mart decided to drop the ''Alternators'' assortment due to poor sales. As a result, Hasbro relaunched the line with a new assortment in late 2005, featuring completely new packaging, a mix of new molds, redecos of older toys and re-releases of highly sought-after rarities such as Tracks or Meister, prompting Wal-Mart to pick the line up again. In a twist of irony, those "rare" toys re-released ended up as shelfwarmers this time around.

As sales for the second assortment were not particularly stellar either, Hasbro eventually decided to drop the ''Alternators'' as a mass retail line altogether. A Nemesis Prime redeco of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] mold was released as a [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] [[exclusive]] that was originally offered at San Diego Comic-Con 2006, with poor handling and limited availability resulting in a lot of frustrated fans. Meanwhile, the toy was warming shelves in Asia, where it had been released at mass retail. Following Nemesis Prime, the last two new molds that had been far into development at the time it was decided to discontinue the line, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]], were released as Wal*Mart exclusives in Spring 2007. The last new release after that was [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]], a retool of [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], again available as a Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive.

Distribution in other countries was oftentimes even worse: Canadian stores already dropped the line after the first four or five waves and didn't really pick it up again until the launch of the second assortment; in New Zealand, Meister shipped in a solid case assortment (similar to Smokescreen before him), thereby almost killing the line there; Australian stores dropped the line during its second year, making it effectively an online retailer exclusive for the most part there from that point on (on the upside, Australia also got Nemesis Prime and Rodimus, albeit only as store-initiated imports); and Europe got a borderline random selection of toys, with different toys being available in different countries (and some toys not being released ''anywhere'' in Europe). However, as if Jaguar-Ravage wasn't already exceptional enough, the toy was also available in various European countries several months ''before'' he came out in the USA.

The future of the ''Alternators'' line is highly questionable right now, and not very bright. Following the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 movie toyline]], the second ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, launched in 2008, partly filled the gap for "realistic vehicles", primarily by having unlicensed approximations of vehicles in the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' style.

In addition, at [[BotCon 2007]], Hasbro staffers (notably [[Greg Lombardo]]) said that many of the licenses they had acquired to make ''Alternators'' had expired. They were hoping to make a few more exclusive redecoes using the remaining licenses (like Rodimus) before those expired in 2008, but were unsure of the available venues, noting that future retail releases—even as exclusives—was unlikely.

At the New York International Toy Fair 2008, Hasbro stated that they might bring the Alternators line back. However, no news has come out of this thus far.

The [[Human Alliance]] assortment from the 2009 ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' movie toy line can be considered as a spiritual successor of the ''Alternators'' line: Licensed vehicle modes at a 1:24 scale with interiors that can even hold (included) figures of human characters from the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|movie]]''.

==Binaltech==
[[Image:SunstreakerComparison.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Hasbro vs. Takara - can you guess which one is which?]]
In Japan, the line was known as '''''Binaltech''''', with the primary difference being that ''Binaltech'' figures are more "collector"-oriented, featuring fully-painted car bodies and [[die-cast]] metal parts, in comparison to ''Alternators''' color-molded plastic construction. Additionally, various ''Binaltech'' figures have same-character variants, usually released concurrently with the "regular" version in a 50:50 ratio per case (as Japanese toys usually ship in solid cases), that Hasbro did not release (though there are numerous redecoes and remolds in ''Alternators'' that never saw release in ''Binaltech'').

The mass retail ''Binaltech'' line was officially cancelled (or, to put it politely, put on "indefinite hiatus") in early 2006 after the release of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], apparently due to slow sales. Reportedly two more releases were cancelled; "[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Black Widow]]" (a silver and purple redeco of [[Decepticharge]] as the ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' femme fatale, better known as Blackarachnia outside Japan) and [[Ginrai]] ([[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s ''[[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' look-alike) had been solicited, but only the first was shown in any capacity. The latter would ultimately end up as the first release of Takara's short-lived replacement for the ''Binaltech'' line, ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]], whereas the Blackarachnia concept eventually evolved into ''Binaltech'' [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] much, much later (see below).

In 2007, the ''Binaltech'' line got resurrected in a way similar to the state Hasbro's version was in at that point. The two new molds that had previously been intended to be released prior to the cancellation of the mass retail line were now released as redecos of the ''Kiss Players'' toys, with Black Convoy (exclusively available at the Wonder Festival 2007 Winter convention, and later at [[e-Hobby]]) being Takara's counterpart of the Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con Nemesis Prime redeco of Optimus Prime/Convoy, whereas "Rijie" (Mirage), a redeco of the Ford GT mold which Takara had previously released as ''Kiss Players'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rodimus]], was only released as a clear e-Hobby exclusive variant, using the same head sculpt as Hasbro's Alternators Mirage version. Therefore, Rijie was the only ''Binaltech'' toy that didn't contain any [[die-cast]] parts. Thus far, Takara have shown no indication of intending to release the new Rumble or Ravage molds; however, four new [[redeco]]s of older toys were released in 2008, all of them once again available at mass retail. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]] was released as the latest addition to this resurrected ''Binaltech'' line, featuring slightly different colouring from its previous Kiss Player Convoy counterpart.

Following this, Takara replaced ''Binaltech'' with a new toy line following a similar overall concept (licensed vehicle mode, diecast parts) at a smaller scale (1/32), under the new name ''[[Alternity (toyline)|Alternity]]''. At time of writing, one toy has been released and another is slated for a release in 2009, both in several color variants.

===Binaltech Asterisk===
In late 2005 (not too long before it went on "indefinite hiatus"), ''Binaltech'' gained a sub-series called '''''Binaltech Asterisk''''', using old molds in new decos as previously-unreleased Autobots, but also including small PVC figurines of human girls, each one based on a female human character from a previous ''Transformers'' series. These figurines had alternate arms and lower bodies so they could "drive" the Autobots in car mode. These toys were also packaged in robot mode as opposed to the normal car mode (presumably to encourage transformation to car mode so the girls could drive). Reportedly, the addition of the PVCs was to try and reach a broader market to help the line's flagging sales... though the ''higher price tag'' probably didn't help. This series only had three releases before it was canceled; a "Black Convoy w/ [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]]" (spelled "Melissa") set was solicited as the fourth set but never released as originally planned... it got changed for the latest incarnation of the 1:24 line, ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]''.

==Fiction==
===Binaltech===
''Binaltech'' has its own storyline written by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]], though it is only told in small text chunks within each toy's instruction booklet (during the original run of the series) or on the toys' packaging itself (for the toys released in 2007 and 2008).

Taking place during the 'lost years' between the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]'s second season and [[The Transformers: The Movie]], the ''Binaltech'' storyline saw the [[Autobot]] forces split across Earth and Cybertron, as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] launched a major offensive to take control of the Transformers' homeworld. With the Autobot forces spread thin, [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] unleashed the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] virus on the Autobots, crippling their bodies. With many of their number damaged beyond repair, the Autobots teamed up with various name-brand car companies to create new "Binaltech" bodies for the infected, which would be immune to the plague. Following the reconstruction of [[Bluestreak]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], the Autobots launched a counter-offensive that successfully beat back the Decepticon threat, driving the villains off-planet.

As this battle raged, an evil conspiracy group named the "[[Concurrence]]", consisting both of human villains from season 2 of the original ''Transformers'' cartoon and obscure villains from ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' spin-offs from the 1990s, was formed, seeking to create a rift in the Autobot/human alliance. With a little help from [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], the Concurrence hijacked the Binaltech bodies intended for [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and used them to restore [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and Swindle. To combat this renewed Decepticon offensive, the Autobots developed "[[GT System|Genetronic Translink]]" technology, allowing a single Autobot to control multiple bodies at once. Smokescreen was outfitted with this technology, and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] received the Binaltech upgrade to make use of it.

The plot of the ''Binaltech'' storyline took a dramatic turn with the arrival of the time-tossed [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. It was revealed that, years before, the government organization known as the [[Intelligence and Information Institute]] had unearthed the flight recorder from Ravage's [[Transwarp]] cruiser (crashed on Earth during the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]), which contained a copy of the Decepticon's personality. Striking a deal with Ravage's consciousness, the Triple-I staffers uploaded his mind into a Binaltech body, but the felonious feline immediately set about using his knowledge of the future in an attempt to alter the course of history. However, the acts of sabotage he committed were detected by the freshly-Binaltech-upgraded [[Overdrive]], who put the Autobots on Earth on alert, forcing Ravage to take a different approach.

When [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] came to Earth to help restore the damaged [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] in a Binaltech body, Ravage hijacked his shuttle on the return trip to Cybertron. Once on the planet, Ravage uncovered the [[Kronosphere]] time machine, and used it to transport Megatron and the bulk of the Decepticon army outside of time. With this act, Ravage successfully changed the timeline, leaving the Autobots to face the approaching threat of [[Unicron]] alone, after which Ravage would recall Megatron and the Decepticons, allowing them to easily conquer the weakened Autobots and claim victory in the war. To lead the Decepticons in the meantime, Ravage arranged for the recreation of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] as a Binaltech warrior.

Having been offered a glimpse of the impending future by Ravage, Wheeljack dedicated himself to finding ways to save the lives of the Autobots that would die in the future. Establishing the "Body Shop" project to create Binaltech bodies for his friends, Wheeljack upgraded himself as well, but when he attempted to transfer Prowl's [[spark]] into a new body via [[subspace]], an accident resulted in the spark being lost between dimensions. [[Chip Chase]] downloaded his mind into the Binaltech body instead, becoming the new Prowl, and together with Overdrive, led a strike that resulted in the capture of Ravage. Just at that moment, alas, Unicron appeared in the skies over Cybertron, and in the midst of the ensuing chaos, the Autobots made a desperate last-chance gamble: using the time-warp on [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] traveled back in time in an attempt to undo all of Ravage's corruption upon the timeline.

Skids's chapter of the ''Binaltech'' story was released in 2005, after which the toyline was put on hiatus and replaced with ''[[Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]''. As such, it would be two more years before fans found out how his time-travelling endeavour turned out, in the story chapter released with [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Black Convoy]] in 2007—and as it transpired, things did not go well. Although [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] proved able to defeat Unicron with the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], Skids's trip into the past caused the timestream to destabilize, causing all of time to unravel around the Autobots. A mysterious spark known only as the "[[Optimus Primal|Protector]]" emerged from the chronal chaos and possessed the body of [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] (created by [[Doctor Arkeville]]). The Protector used its powers to stabilize the timestream, restoring history to its intended flow, while also preserving the "Binal-Time" timeline as a parallel universe, with the explanation that the Binaltech warriors would ultimately lead to the creation of a great force in the future known as the "[[Alternity (species)|Alternity]]". Unfortunately, Nemesis Prime's programming soon overrode the Protector's spark, forcing it from his body and returning to Arkeville, who succeeded in bringing the new Decepticon to true life. The bad news kept on coming when Megatron and his Decepticon forces returned from outside of time, and succeeded in the goal Ravage had envisioned for them, defeating the Autobot and conquering Cybertron. To stop the Decepticons, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] used his invisibility powers to venture into the depths of Cybertron and activate the [[large switch]] created by the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] which shut down all non-Binaltech Transformers everywhere. Nearly the entire Decepticon forces were disabled, and Nemesis Prime took control of the remaining troops.

It would be mid-2008 before futher ''Binaltech'' toys, and hence more story chapters, were released, but when they did at last arrive, they picked up right where the story had left off. First, Prowl's spark reappeared from its subspace sojourn in another dimension (the original "correct" timeline of the cartoon continuity), the Bluestreak of that world travelled into the Binal-Timeline to inform the Autobots there of their friend's fate. After stopping a Concurrence plan to tap the energy of Prowl's spark to power a war-machine made from animated [[electrum]], the Autobots restored Prowl's spark to his frame, and Chip to his own body. With this crisis averted, the Autobots began focusing their efforts on the Protector, attempting to give him a Binaltech body, while also conducting the [[Timaeus Project]] at his direction to create the substance known as "[[Alternium]]", which would be important for the future he had foretold. Although [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] successfully carried out the Timaeus Project, she was unable to stop a Decepticon attack that saw the villains kidnap the Protector, as part of a plan by Nemesis Prime to create a synthetic Matrix for himself by removing human consciousnesses from their bodies and fusing them together. A strike by the Autobots prevented the dark Prime from carrying out his horrible scheme, and during the final battle, the Protector merged with Optimus Prime, increasing his strength to the point that he was able to destroy Nemesis Prime.

===Alternators===
<strike>Unlike ''Binaltech'', there is no actual fiction for the ''Alternators'' line, and it is highly unlikely there ever will be, the line's questionable future regardless.</strike> According to [[Hasbro]] representatives, they never pursued the licensing rights for "2D" representations of the car models. Though the reasons were never stated, it is not hard to extrapolate numerous reasons not to; additional costs for securing rights for an indefinite period, debatable ability to utilize those rights in a timely manner, plus clearing whatever fictional portrayal is made with every car company involved (see [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]'s page for more on ''that''), which would massively bog down any publication.

However, a few chunks of Takara's ''Binaltech'' story have made it to the Western market nonetheless: A promotional website set up by Mazda's USA branch in early 2004, offering the first hint at what would ultimately end up as the Alternators Meister toy, featured a brief summary of the original setting for the Binaltech story, including mention of the Cosmic Rust. More than two years later, a bio for the Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Nemesis Prime toy, written by [[Forest Lee]], directly referred to the Binaltech story, including the names of Doctor Arkeville and his employer, the "[[Concurrence]]". For reasons unknown, though, the story was never officially released, and only found its way to the public through websites with access to Hasbro's official library for promotional material intended for retailers, later also to be featured by [[Ben Yee]] in his review for the toy. Interestingly enough, the story for Takara's Black Convoy version of Nemesis Prime, as well as a related revelation from the final chapter that came with the e-Hobby exclusive Rijie toy, appear to be based around the bio for the Alternators toy.

===Binaltech Asterisk===
''Binaltech Asterisk'' has its own fiction that is largely unconnected to any other Transformers timeline, or even itself, being mostly short vignettes free of Decepticon troubles; however, the official [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|Japanese G1 timeline]] places it within the same fiction and period of time as Binaltech.

==Toys==
===Alternators===
{{note|Although most ''Alternators'' ''did'' come out in waves, the number of actually new toys was limited to two or three per season; as a result, they're simply listed ordered by number, even though some of them (notably Dead End/Tracks and Decepticharge/Swerve) were released in reversed order at general retail.}}
*01. [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003)
*02. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
*03. [[Hound (G1)|Autobot Hound]] (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
*04. [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*05. [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*06. [[Tracks (G1)|Autobot Tracks]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06)
*07. [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]] (Mazda RX-8)
*08. [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*09. [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]] (Ford Mustang GT)
*10. [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Battle Ravage]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
*11. [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (Honda S2000)
*12. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockblast]] (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*13. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
*14. [[Decepticharge]] (Mugen Honda S2000)
*15. [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (Chevrolet Corvette Z06)
*16. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (Acura RSX)

{{note|The mass retail Alternators line was officially released in two subsequent assortments in North America. The first one ran from Smokescreen to Prowl, whereas the second one ran from Prowl (who was carried over from the first assortment) to Autobot Camshaft, including re-releases of Autobot Tracks and Meister. European releases, on the other hand, were a lot more complicated (if not to say outright confusing).}}
*17. [[Skids (G1)|Autobot Skids]] (Scion xB)
*18. [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*19. [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*20. [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*21. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)
*22. [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (Ford GT)
*23. [[Camshaft (G1)|Autobot Camshaft]] (Acura RSX)
*24. [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10, Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive)

{{note|Nemesis Prime shipped all by himself and wasn't part of ''any'' assortment as such. He was was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, and as a Mr Toys Toyworld exclusive in Australia.}}
*24. (25.) [[Rumble (G1)|Decepticon Rumble]] (Honda Civic Si, Wal*Mart exclusive)

{{note|Rumble and Ravage were available in a Wal*Mart exclusive assortment of their own, although Rumble was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in some Asian countries. Also note that, while Rumble's official number on the packaging is 24, common consensus among fans is that this is an error, seeing as Nemesis Prime had aleady sported that number, and there is no ''Alternators'' toy numbered 25.}}
*26. [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] (Jaguar XK, Wal*Mart exclusive)

{{note|Ravage was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in several European countries (among them Germany, making him the ''first'' Alternators toy to be officially released there) and in some Asian countries, also in [[Multilingual packaging|European packaging]].}}
*27. [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]] (Ford GT, Hasbro Toy Shop/San Diego Comic-Con exclusive)

{{note|Rodimus shipped all by himself and wasn't part of ''any'' assortment as such. He was was also available as a non-exclusive mass retail release in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, and as a Mr Toys Toyworld exclusive in Australia.}}

===Binaltech===
*BT-01. Smokescreen (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 #7 version)
*BT-01. Smokescreen (Subaru Impreza WRC 2003 #8 version)
*BT-02. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Lambor]] (Dodge Viper SRT-10)
*BT-03. [[Bluestreak|Streak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BT-04. [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (Jeep Wrangler Sport)
*BT-05. Dead End (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 yellow version)
*BT-06. Tracks (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 blue version)

{{note|Blue ''Binaltech'' Tracks was the only "variant" version of a ''Binaltech'' toy (the yellow version was originally considered the "regular" version by Takara, which got retroactively changed later) that was ''not'' shipped together with the "regular" version in a 50:50 ratio per case. Instead, Blue Tracks was shipped several months after the release of the yellow version, at the same time Swindle was released.}}
*BT-07. Smokescreen GT (Subaru Impreza WRC 2004 #1 version)
*BT-07. Smokescreen GT (Subaru Impreza WRC 2004 #2 version)
*BT-08. [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]] (Mazda RX-8 white version)
*BT-08. Meister "Velocity Red Mica Edition" (Mazda RX-8 red version, aka [[Zoom-Zoom]])
*BT-09. Swindle (Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom)
*BT-10. Grimlock (Ford Mustang GT)
*BT-11. Ravage (Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible)
*BT-12. [[Overdrive]] (Honda S2000)
*BT-13. [[Shockwave (G1)|Laserwave]] (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*BT-14. Wheeljack (2005 Ford Mustang Street Tuning)
*BT-15. Prowl "Patrol Type" (Honda Integra Type-R police version)
*BT-15. Prowl "Vivid Blue Pearl Edition" (Honda Integra Type-R blue version)
*BT-16. Skids (Toyota bB)
*BT-17. [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Black Convoy]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10, Wonder Festival 2007 Winter exclusive)
*BT-18. [[Mirage (G1)|Rijie]] "Electro Disrupter Mode" (Ford GT, e-Hobby exclusive clear version)
*BT-19. [[Bluestreak]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BT-20. Argent Meister (Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed Version II)
*BT-21. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (Honda S2000)
*BT-22. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]] (Dodge Ram SRT-10)

===Binaltech Asterisk===
*BTA01. [[Red Alert (G1)|Alert]] meets [[Ai Kuruma|Ai]] (Subaru Impreza WRX)
*BTA02. [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] meets [[Junko Shiragami|Junko]] (Dodge Viper Competition Coupe)
*BTA03. [[Blaster (G1)|Broadblast]] meets [[Lumina Hoshi|Lumina]] (Toyota bB)

==Trivia==
===Pre-release development===
[[Image:PorscheMiniSubaru.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You'll never ever find us in stores.]]It's not certain what exactly originally led Hasbro and Takara to the concept of a line of Transformers based on licensed vehicles. An interview with Takara's development team<ref>[http://tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/alternators_binaltech/takara_binaltech_interview_translation.php interview with Takara's Binaltech development team, English translation at TF Archive]</ref> confirmed that both companies initially had different ideas (for example, a different intended scale for the toys) that ultimately resulted in a compromise. It's possible that Hasbro's motivation stemmed from the ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' line, where they were required to alter [[X-Brawn]]'s headlights in order to avoid legal trouble with Mercedes, and had to acquire a license from Dodge for all iterations of the [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] mold beginning with the "Super Side Burn" redeco.
* The first toy planned for the line was Jazz (probably to be named "Autobot Jazz" for [[trademark]] reasons) as a Porsche 986. A prototype was made, but Porsche refused to grant Hasbro and Takara the license, stating that "Transformers are not worthy carrying the Porsche trademark. They are war machines and the toyline in no way represents the lifestyle and ideas which Porsche represents.<ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24622 Former Porsche employee Addl recounting an informal inquiry with Porsche's licensing department at TF Archive]</ref> As a consequence, the toy ultimately never went into production. Photos of the prototype were depicted in the Japanese book ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'', and Hasbro later also displayed the prototype during the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour.

* The second prototype produced was Tracks as a Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Although the toy eventually came out, Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license as well, presumably fearing that "having these car panels that separate apart conveys an image of being broken".<ref>[http://toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?3,97799,97800 interview with Binaltech designer Hironori Kobayashi, English translation at the Toybox DX forums]</ref> This led Hasbro and Takara to conceive an alternate concept for Tracks as another "well-known American sports car", namely a Dodge Viper. Ultimately, though, Chevrolet would later have a change of mind, which allowed Hasbro and Takara to start production on Corvette-Tracks after all, whereas the Viper ended up as Side Swipe instead.

* The third design was for [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] as a [[Wikipedia:Volkswagen_New_Beetle|Volkswagen New Beetle]], with [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] as the redeco. Unfortunately, VW had similar concerns as Porsche, what with not wanting to be associated with "war toys", therefore the design never made it past the control drawing stage. [[Control drawing]]s for both Bumblebee and Cliffjumper have been published in the aforementioned Japanese BT guide book.

* Another prototype, which was apparently created before the final scale for the line was settled on, was a smaller version of [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], displayed by Hasbro as part of the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour. <ref>[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-gallery/convention-photographs/238/convention-photographs/BotCon+2007+Hasbro+Tour.html Photos from the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour at Transformers @ The Moon]</ref> Oddly enough, though, the prototype is a different scale than the one Takara claimed having initially pursued in their interview in the ''Binaltech'' guide book; furthermore, the small Subaru prototype was stated to be the second prototype after the Porsche version of Jazz (which was displayed next to him), which also appears to contradict the Takara interview; and lastly, the Subaru prototype mixes a Smokescreen head sculpt and a WRC (Smokescreen) front bumper with a WRX ([[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]]) rear spoiler.

* The 1:24 scale Subaru Impreza mold was apparently the first design that went without any major difficulty at any stage in its production process, if one ignores the smaller scale prototype. It should be noted, though, that Silverstreak (the WRX street model) was originally designed first, with Smokescreen (the WRC rally model) being intended as the redeco, but Takara's marketing department decided to reverse the release order of the two versions, thinking that the rally model would have "more visual impact" as the first release of the line.

===Other changes===
* Many other toys later down the line also went through various changes prior to being released. More details can be found on the individual pages for [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], [[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]], [[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Overdrive]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Decepticharge]], [[Wildrider]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Ginrai]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] and [[Bluestreak]].

* Hasbro originally intended to use real branded tires such as Bridgestone, Michelin or Goodyear (evidence can be found on early, "leaked" [[Prototype|test shots]] for Smokescreen, Side Swipe and Meister, and in the Japanese ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'' book). However, all the final ''Alternators'' and ''Binaltech'' toys either use the fictious brand [[Cybertronian Radial]] for their tires, or sport no brand markings on their tires at all.

* In early 2004, a trade publication named ''Brandweek'' reported that Hasbro was negotiating with Dodge about the licenses for a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Dodge Neon. While the former ultimately ended up as Optimus Prime, the latter vehicle was never actually turned into an Alternator.

* In mid-2004, several online stores solicited an upcoming ''Binaltech'' toy based on a MINI Cooper alongside the newly confirmed Swindle and Grimlock. The preorders were later canceled, which, coupled with conflicting statements from Hasbro and MINI prior to that, resulted in quite a lot of confusion among fans. To this day it's not certain whether the preorders were premature and solely based on an advertising campaign MINI had been running during that time, or whether such a ''Binaltech''/''Alternators'' toy was actually in the works. Rumors of an existing prototype could never be verified.

* In late 2004, store listings revealed an entry for an upcoming Alternators toy based on an unspecified Mitsubishi vehicle, listed alongside an Acura which would later turn out to be Prowl. Ultimately, the Mitsubishi would never materialize, and the only other concrete piece of information was a rumor that ''predated'' the store listing, suggesting that an Alternators toy based on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was in the pipeline.

* Another new mold, a Cadillac XLR convertible, was also planned. According to Hasbro at BotCon 2006, the toy would have been [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], but when it was decided to put the Alternators line on an indefinite hiatus, the Cadillac Megatron plans never went beyond the early planning stages. It would have had Oregon license plates.

* In early 2006, Wal-Mart store and website listings included another release of the Scion and Mustang molds, in addition to mass retail releases of Rumble, Jaguar Ravage, and the aforementioned Cadillac Megatron. The Mustang and Scion never got far enough along in development to be assigned characters.

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.oafe.net/articulation/0602.php English translation of the Binaltech story, with images and footnotes]
* [http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?threadid=41133 English translation of the BT-18 chapter] (from BT-18 Rijie)

[[Category:Alternators| Alternators (toyline)]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Ramjet (Animated)

2009-05-02T19:04:49Z

209.106.203.252: /* Notes */ I did not edit the trivia box for organizational purposes.

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{noname-designation}}
:''The Liar Starscream is'' not ''a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]] [[continuity family]]''.

[[Image:Liarscream-ABTC.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Derrick J. Wyatt|"No clone army...definitely no clone army...absolutely no clone army in this show"]].]]

The '''Liar Starscream''' is the [[Starscream (Animated)|original Starscream]], and not a [[Starscream clone|clone]].

What? We never said he was the original Starscream.

He does not have a problem with telling the truth. Not every single thing he ever says is a complete lie. Just because what he just said completely contradicts everything he said previously, this doesn't make him an irredeemable bold-faced liar.

{{bigquote|I'm not down! I can escape any time I want to! I...just don't want to.|The Liar after not getting stasis cuffed by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]|"[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]"}}

__TOC__
==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' Not [[Tom Kenny]] (English), Nicht [[Stefan Staudinger]] (German)

[[Image:Starscream with Liarscream.jpg|thumb|left|"Argument is an intellectual process. Contradiction is just the automatic gainsaying of any statement the other person makes."<br/> "No it isn't."<br/> "It is."<br/> "Not at all."]]

The Liar did not first try to assert that he was the original Starscream, then deny he said that, then deny that he was a liar when the [[Female Starscream]] called him a liar. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}.

The Liar managed to do fairly well in the [[space bridge]] battle. He never told his Autobot targets that he wasn't about to shoot them. He was not trapped by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] in a pair of [[stasis cuffs]], and after that didn't happen he wasn't helped to escape by the [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sycophant]], and he never denied that any of this occurred. When [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] came on the scene, the Liar did not try to tell the giant his stabilizing servo was unbolted. Had he done so, Omega would have fallen for it and not just promptly kicked the clone a few miles away. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

Later, a stasis-cuffed [[Lugnut]] wasn't helped at all out of his plight by the Liar. And even if that ''had'' happened, the clone was being completely honest when he promised not to tell Megatron about Lugnut's humiliating failure. But none of that happened so it doesn't matter. Yeah, that's the ticket. {{storylink|Three's a Crowd}}

Long after that, [[Lockdown]] didn't capture the disarmed and helpless Liar for [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] in exchange for a gyro-stabilizer. However, Lockdown didn't double-cross Sentinel when the Liar didn't offer the bounty hunter a better deal earlier. The Liar didn't break free and stasis cuff the alert Autobot on the spot. As the Liar didn't try to get away with the armed and dangerous Sentinel, he wasn't knocked out of the sky by [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], who weren't accompanied by [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]]. Even if they did, the battle didn't go in the Liar's favor and he didn't use Sentinel as a shield against their attacks. The Liar didn't try to escape again, but Optimus didn't cover his face with foam. Had that happened, he wouldn't have dropped Sentinel head-first into the ground. After [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] didn't blast him out of the sky with a fireball, Optimus and Jazz didn't push a scoreboard on top of him. If they did, it wouldn't have hurt one bit, and he wouldn't have been stasis cuffed and hauled into custody. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}}

==Notes==
* The Liar's colors are completely original. They have nothing to do with [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] whatsoever, no sir. It's just a coincidence that he has burgundy wings and a white helmet.

* The Liar was not given his Generation 1 counterpart's [[Conehead |cone-shaped helmet]] in [[Decepticon Air |Decepticon Air]]. He didn't get it from anybody, especially not [[Swindle (Animated) |Swindle]]. Absolutely not.

* This entire article is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The fact that it's about the liar has nothing to do with anything. So there.

* We never said that this article spoke truth. You can't prove anything!

[[Category: Animated characters]]
[[Category: Clones]]
[[Category: Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]

Demolishor (ROTF)

2009-04-30T03:47:46Z

209.106.203.252: Undo revision 281843 by 64.12.116.202 (Talk) it's safe to say these similar ideas were developed independently & simultaneously

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Demolishor}}
{{disambig2|just one Constructicon, despite what much of the media and [[fandom]] seems to think|the combined super-robot |Devastator (ROTF)}}

:''Demolishor is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:Demolishor shanghai rotfgame conceptart.jpg|thumb|400px|Oh, it's that dream again.]]

The gigantic '''Demolishor''' can smash through anything that gets in his way, even major highway bridges. He has a wacky unicycle configuration instead of legs, yet despite his ungainly appearance he can swat helicopters out of midair. He can bring his wheels down to race like a motorcycle too.

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' comics===
Demolishor was detected in [[Shanghai]], [[China]], prompting the [[human]]-[[Autobot]] [[N.E.S.T.]] team under [[William Lennox|Major Lennox]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] to move out. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
{{comingsoon}}

==Toys==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Voyager Demolishor.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Well... this will be fun to pose.]]
*'''Demolishor''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-03'''

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Supreme Class toys====
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Trivia==
*It is currently unclear what relationship, if any, Demolishor has to a ''Revenge of the Fallen'' character named Scavenger. Official packaging photos for Demolishor's Voyager class toy clearly show his name to be Demolishor, yet a component in the Constructicon Devastator toy set that has an identical vehicle mode to Demolishor has "SCVNGR" [[tampograph]]ed on the side of the vehicle and the official image files from Hasbro for the toy component are named "scavenger". On April 1st, 2009, screen writers [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] added to the confusion by referring to Demolishor as a separate character from the other Constructicons, and that Devastator is made up of seven Constructicons, including Scavenger (but not Demolishor) and a new character named Overload.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-04-01-transformers-first-look_N.htm Various characters revealed on USA Today.com. April 1, 2009.]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Constructicons]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]

Ramjet (Movie)

2009-04-23T17:08:21Z

209.106.203.252: /* Toys */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Ramjet}}
:''Ramjet is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:FAB-Ramjet-art.jpg|right|275px|thumb|I was unsupervised, I had a real good time, until I... I hit my head.]]
'''Ramjet''' bristles with high-tech weaponry, including an arsenal of deadly missiles and bombs as well as his lethal vibro-claws. But what he really loves to do is hit people with his head. The more he does this, the more his own cerebral circuitry gets rattled, and the better an idea it seems like next time.

Ramjet doesn't think very good.

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' (2007) comics continuity===
[[Image:PreearthramjetROS3.JPG|left|180px|thumb|This I command!]]
Ramjet was apparently left in command of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and his troops departed in search of the [[All Spark]]. He, [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]], and [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] greeted Starscream and [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] on their return to Cybertron. Ramjet informed Starscream that the construction of the temple at [[Simfur]] was progressing as planned. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3|The Reign of Starscream #3}}

When Starscream's Allspark failed, Ramjet sided with Dreadwing and pointed his cannon at Thundercracker's head, telling him to choose a side. When the fighting broke out, he broke off to chase down some Autobots, but was beheaded for his trouble. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Five|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Five}}

{{note|His comic Cybertron-mode design has a pointy panel on his head, giving him a little more resemblance to his [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Conehead]] appearance.}}

===Titan Magazines Movie comics===

{{note|The following events occur in the Star Screams timeline.}}

Ramjet and Starscream are old colleagues in the [[Seekers]] and Starscream would like to reunite with him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|#9's Star Screams}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
[[Image:Movie FAB Ramjet.jpg|right|200px|thumb|SD Popeman! KAWAI!! ^_^]]
*'''Claw Slash Ramjet''' (Fast Action Battler, 2008)

: [[Fast Action Battler|Fast Action Battlers]] "Claw Slash" Ramjet is a pale grey and maroon [[redeco]] of "Battle Blade" [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], based upon the colour scheme of [[Generation 1]] [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]. He transforms into a somewhat super deformed [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-22 Raptor]], simplifying the overall design of the movie Starscream-type Decepticon jet to the point of his feet noticeably sticking out the aft of the fighter, and has a truncated transformation sequence that relies to a fair degree on an [[Automorph]]-like gearing system to move multiple parts at once.

:Rather than having a separate weapon, he only has a claw-like blade that flips over the right hand (hence "Claw Slash") via spring-loaded trigger and non-removable missiles in the palms of his hands. His claw-arm is also spring-loaded for a nasty upward slash attack.

===Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)===
[[Image:Movie Voyager Ramjet.jpg|right|200px|thumb|SD Popeman! KAWAI!! ^_^]]
*'''Ramjet''' (Voyager, 2009)

: [[Voyagers]] Ramjet is a repaint of Voayger 2007 Starscream and turns into an F-22 Raptor. No weapons though. A Generation 1 repaint.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/FABRamjet/ramjet.htm Ramjet at TFU.info]

[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:Seekers]]

Ironhide (G1)/toys

2009-04-19T16:43:14Z

209.106.203.252: /* Classic Series */

{{factions|autobot}}
You have reached [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s toy page!

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Ironhide toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Sit on my face and tell me that you love me.]]
* '''Ironhide''' (1984/1991/2001/2007)
*''Japanese ID number:'' '''98'''
*''Accessories:'' "Static Laser Gun", gun post, 3 missiles

:Ironhide was part of the original assortment of [[Autobot]] cars released in 1984. His mold was originally used to create a ''[[Diaclone]]'' Nissan Onebox Cherry Vanette. The ''Diaclone'' line of toys were not meant to depict sentient robots, but rather human-controlled machines; the Ironhide and Ratchet-predecessor toys are the ones that most clearly show evidence of this. Rather than a head, these toy robots had chairs behind windscreens where the human rider would control the robot. When ported into the Transformer toyline, it was both the [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and Ironhide figures that differed the most from their animated incarnations, as the cartoon versions did away with all traces of the human-controlled design to give the robots proper faces and heads.

: Ironhide was reissued in Europe as part of their "[[Classics (Euro)|Classics]]" line in 1990, and released in Japan from [[e-Hobby]] in 2001.

:[[Image:Encoretoy-Ironhidewithhead.jpg|left|thumb|100px|His head problem just became a shoulders problem.]]

: In mid-December 2007, he was reissued again as part of Takara's Transformers Encore line. This particular version came with an illustration on one box flap depicting Ironhide's cartoon-design head and chest windshield. By punching out the image along the perforated edges, folding it just so and tucking it in behind the toy's windshield, one could obscure the circuit-board "face" on the driver's seat and give the toy a "real" head, just like in the TV series. Sort of. This version of the toy was [[retool]]ed to add a pair of "clips" to the mobile platform's gun-base, designed to keep Ironhide more securely attached when riding it. However, these clips are right where a pair of decals normally go.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Ironhide/Ironhide.htm More information on Ironhide at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
{{anchor|black}}

* '''Protect Black Ironhide''' (2008)
*''Accessories:'' "Static Laser Gun", gun post, 3 missiles

:e-Hobby released a New Year Special [[Exclusive]]: [[Transformers Encore|TF Encore]] Black Protect Ironhide. (In smoother, less loaded English, it would probably be Protective Blackcoat Ironhide. Hurray for cultural distance.) The toy was priced at 4725 yen. Pre-orders were taken until [[January 11|January 11th]], 2008, with a shipping date of April 2008.

:The text on e-Hobby's page for the toy (see External Links, below) indicates the black coloration is meant to [[homage]] Ironhide's original Diaclone version, but between the release of Emergency Green Ratchet and a hint in Ironhide's new [[bio]], it's easy to see this is also an homage to [[Ironhide (Movie)|the new movie Ironhide]]. The packaging is the same as the regular TF Encore Ironhide's.

:According to his bio, Ironhide got the black protective coating to disguise himself from both Destrons and members of the human criminal underworld when he's acting as Convoy's bodyguard. Not a few of his fellow Cybertrons have whispered to him that he looks like a [[Sector Seven|"Men in Black"]] vehicle, but Ironhide insists he got the idea from the deep black coloration of pickup trucks he saw around town. The coating, a composite gel metal, has made his trithyllium steel skin even more durable, allowing him to self-repair minor injuries right away. His robot/mobile artillery forms are now 25% more maneuverable than before, and he can handle even the worst of roads using his three-legged Marauder Mode. (This likely refers to the mode using the robot portion perched on top of the mobile artillery "battle sled.")

===Generation 2===
[[Image:G2Gobot Ironhide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Not a Gateway.]]
* '''Ironhide''' (Go-bot, 1995)
*''Accessories:'' Gun

: Part of the second wave of [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] focusing on Generation 1 characters, Ironhide transforms into a silver Ford F150 Flareside pickup truck. Using through-axle construction for his wheels, he is compatible with most "Hot Wheels" and "Matchbox" play sets and tracks.

: The mold is a [[redeco]] of ''Generation 2'' Go-Bots toy [[Motormouth]], and was later redecoed into the ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Spy Changer]] [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]], the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Autobot [[Ironhide (Universe)|Ironhide]], and the second ''Universe'' incarnation of [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]].

{{anchor|PowerMaster}}

[[Image:G2Powermaster Ironhide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Both robot mode and vehicle mode at once!]]
* '''Ironhide''' (Power Master, 1995)
*''Accessories:'' 2 guns

: ''[[Power Master]]'' Ironhide was one of the last toys in the ''Generation 2'' line, and was only released in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Oddly, the Australia and New Zealand releases were in US packaging, complete with [[Hasbro]]'s Rhode Island address.

: Ironhide (barely) transforms from a grey camouflaged Humvee into a dorky robot. His main gimmick is his "Power Master" pull-back motor, which you use by pulling back on his motorized rear wheels, then placing one of his guns into one of the holes above the doors, which releases a catch and allows him to zip along a smooth surface.

{{-}}

===Beast Wars===
[[Image:Ironhide-bw-magnaboss-toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Yes, this Alien-faced monstrosity certainly screams out "G1 Ironhide"! Who could possibly think otherwise?!]]
*'''Magnaboss''' (Ultra, 1997)
*''Accessories:'' 2 guns

: Ironhide transforms from an elephant into a rather stumpy robot. He is an extremely complex figure with numerous hinges and panels unfolding between modes. Two removable guns are hidden behind the beast mode's ears. These guns can be plugged into the holes at the bottom of Ironhide's stump arms. In addition, [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]'s heel struts can be used as giant spike weapons, as Ironhide's arms become Magnaboss's legs.

: Ironhide can combine with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], his package buddies, into Magnaboss. Ironhide forms the bulk of Magnaboss's mass, including all four limbs.

: Ironhide was slightly redecoed to create [[Santon]].

:The Magnaboss toy included no information about its 3 components beyond their names. The character was finally established to be ''Generation 1'' Ironhide a decade after its release in [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' in 2007.

{{-}}

===Timelines===
[[Image:TimelinesIronhide toy.jpg|right|225px|thumb|Red, red, and also red.]]
*'''Descent into Evil''' (Multi-figure boxset, 2005)
*''Accessories:'' Fold out gun/radar energon weapon, BotCon 2005 pin

: A [[BotCon 2005]] convention exclusive, ''[[Timelines]]'' Ironhide was only available in the ''Descent into Evil'' boxset. He is a [[retool]] and redeco of ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Tow-Line (Energon)|Tow-Line]], with a newly sculpted head resembling his Generation 1 animation model. When not in vehicle mode, Ironhide splits into a robot mode and a battle sled. Like Towline, Ironhide can [[powerlinx]] with any other powerlinxable Deluxe or Mega from the ''Energon'' toyline, or with his battle sled. In his powerlinx mode, he has small (non-firing) guns that flip out from his feet to form over-shoulder blasters. He comes with a blue [[Energon weapon]].

: Ironhide's retooled mold was also used for ''Timelines'' [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]].

{{-}}

===Attacktix===
*'''Ironhide''' (Booster, 2007)

{{canceledtoy}}
===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
[[Image:Universe 2008 Ironhide Toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hey, I found my head!]]
*'''Ironhide''' (Deluxe, 2008)
*''Accessories'': Converting Cannon

: Ironhide transforms into a red SUV. Hasbro did a poor job at matching the colour of his painted windows to the transparent blue plastic windows. Pictures of a hand-painted prototype released by Hasbro shows Ironhide having silver paint on his wheels and face, but on the final toy the wheels were left unpainted and his face is the same light blue paint as the windows. Hasbro has recently confirmed that the final products' face paint was an error and will be corrected in a running change. So far, no dice.

:There is also an engineering defect in the figure. Due to a combination of three places on the figure having too much plastic, Ironhide's head does not rise enough and it ends up looking like he's hanging his head in shame. However, with a bit of tinkering, the head can be raised to a more level, straight position[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transtopia-fix-universe-20-ironhides-low-self-esteem/14298/].

:His robot mode has a [[Automorph]]-like [[gimmick]] that brings up mechanical detailing/armor behind his chestplate. His Converting Cannon weapon is a double-ended piece that fits over his hand, and has a Gatling cannon on one end and a melee blade on the other. This weapon is meant to emulate Ironhide's arm-mounted water gun from the ''Generation 1'' fiction.

: He has an [[Oregon]] license plate.

: His packaging's art, depicting him with an aggressive snarl, was a first in the Universe toyline. Since then a range of sneers, smiles and even some active poses have become more common in later waves, replacing the [[Dull surprise|blank expressions]] used before.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Henkei]]'' [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], surprising absolutely no one.

{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkei Ironhide toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He still has the head, and the stripe too.]]
*'''Ironhide''' (Deluxe, 2008)
*''Japanese ID number'': '''C-11'''
*''Accessories'': Converting Cannon

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]] Transformers'' Ironhide is a redeco of ''Universe'' Ironhide, generally to make him more accurate to Ironhide's cartoon appearances. To this end, some plastic colours have been rearranged, such as his now-grey shoulders, darker gray hands, and red forearms, as well as a generally darker shade of red plastic and lighter gray plastic. Additionally, the blue paint used for his opaque windows are a better match to his transparent blue windows than on Hasbro's ''Universe'' toy. As with all ''Henkei'' toys, Ironhide features [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] silver for his headlights, brake lights and his converting cannon housing.
:Although the instructions indicate that Ironhide's weapon should be attached by flipping his hand to the side of his wrist (as in transformation) and fitting the weapon over the naked wrist, the hand can in fact be made to fit inside the weapon with some careful jiggling.

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Super Collection Figure===
*'''Ironhide''' (200?)

: Released in the "Act 3" assortment of SCF, this is a small PVC figurine of Ironhide based on his cartoon appearances.

{{-}}

===Heroes of Cybertron===
*'''Ironhide''' (2003)

:The Hasbro release of the SCF figures were cast in either transparent blue or transparent red plastic, which was then painted over, giving Ironhide [[Light-piping|light-piped]] eyes, but a generally sloppier appearance.

{{-}}

===Hard Hero===
*'''Ironhide''' (2002?)

[[Image:HardHero G1Ironhide bust.jpg|left|150px|thumb|He finally found his head, but it came at a cost...]]
: This cold-cast porcelain 6-inch tall bust was sculpted by Jason Ray, and is based very heavily upon Ironhide's cartoon appearance. A signed artist's proof version was available, limited to 100 pieces.

{{-}}

===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:DiamondSelect G1Ironhide bust.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Proof that EVERY Wave 1 Autobot had a shoulder cannon.]]
*'''Ironhide''' (2009)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2009, Ironhide was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 1000 pieces. This detailed bust is based on Ironhide's (you guessed it) cartoon/comic model, but with much more detailing and with elements of his toy design. These include his vehicle sled's missile launcher mounted on his shoulder, his wielding of his sled's static laser gun and his original Diaclone "face" being present behind his windshield. In addition to the missile launcher being removable his open left hand can be replaced with a hand gripping his cartoon pistol for two handed "chop busting."

{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
*'''Ironhide vs. Kickback''' (2008)

[[Image:RobotHeroes G1 Ironhide.jpg|left|150px|thumb|He's cute when he's ornery.]]
:This adorably happy figurine of Ironhide is ready to pound his packmate [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] into metal filings.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* The black ''[[Diaclone]]'' version of Ironhide was sold by [[Takara]] in North America as the ''[[Diakron]]'' "DK-2" Car/Robot in 1983, seemingly just a few months before he would be rebranded as a Transformer.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Ironhide/ironhide.htm Ironhide at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Ironhide Ironhide's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
*[http://www.e-hobby.co.jp/cgi-bin/omc?port=33301&tno=11964126283JGBV&req=PRODUCT&code=tfe27 e-Hobby's page for Black Protect Ironhide]

Dirge (Animated)

2009-04-17T01:59:32Z

209.106.203.252:

Thundercracker (Animated)

2009-04-17T01:57:17Z

209.106.203.252:

Thundercracker (Animated)

2009-04-17T01:54:29Z

209.106.203.252:

Sunstorm (Animated)

2009-04-17T01:52:55Z

209.106.203.252: restoring a meme.

{{factions|decepticon}}
{| style="margin:0 1em; padding:.5em; background:#f7f8ff; border:thin solid #aaa;display:block;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"
|-
|''The name or term Sunstorm refers to more than one character or idea, all of which are honorable and excellent. For a list of other meanings, feel free to see [[Sunstorm (disambiguation)]].''
|}
:''Sunstorm is honored to be a [[Decepticon]] from the mesmerizing [[Transformers Animated|Animated]] [[continuity family]]''.

[[Image:Sycophantscream-ABTF.jpg|thumb|right|302px|<small><center>The second color scheme</center></small>"You are a slimy, despicable, rat-hearted, green discharge of a 'Con, aren't you?"]]

'''Sunstorm''', the '''Sycophant Starscream''', is but a humble type of [[Starscream clone|clone]], based on the [[Starscream (Animated)|original and most brilliant Starscream]], as well as his flattering, "suck-up" nature incarnate. He will offer his fawning platitudes to anyone within eyesight. All he asks is to offer his meager energy-absorption powers in the services of that amazing genius, Starscream, and he can also beg to please you by blinding your enemies with flashes of brilliant light. Needless to say, that amazing genius Starscream likes him a lot.

Though he would never compare his abilities to [[Coward Starscream|other clones]], this overriding personality trait does not seem to affect his performance as a warrior too badly. He just heaps praise on his deserving victims for their efforts, even when he's somehow winning. He does, however, have a knack for talking when he should be shooting.
Of course, he's not nearly as awesome as you, wonderful article reader. ''You're so cool!''

{{quote|Oh, great and mighty [[Autobot]]! It is an honor to merely bask in your majestic pre-''daaagh!''|—The Sycophant tries his shtick on an unimpressed [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]], "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Superbly talented voice actor:'' [[Tom Kenny]] (English), [[Stefan Staudinger]] (German)

====First Sycophant====
[[Image:Red_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|Starsmithers.]]
The first Sycophant appeared with a reddish-brown and off-white coloration, leaning towards a "hot" interpretation of Starscream's colors. True to form, he went so far as to laud grandiosely and in turn each of the assembled Autobots trying to capture him (though he ''did'' forget mighty [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead's]] name), assuming he was fortunate enough to be the true Starscream. When stealthy [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] took him down with a sneak attack, he also complimented the underhanded move, further horrifying the magnificent Prowl (who had done some understandable damage to the city while skillfully showing off with his fancy new mods). The clone was brought to grand and glorious [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]'s attention, who had the wise [[Coward Starscream|Coward]], a far better clone. Both clones had bombs in their spark chambers and were destroyed in the upper atmosphere, when that master ninja Prowl sent them high to avoid destroying Old Detroit. How clever! {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

====Second Sycophant====
Another Sycophant humbly appeared afterward, with a bright orange and white color scheme. His suck-up nature was even more prominent, as he basically kissed the aft of everyone he came in contact with. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

During the space bridge battle, the Sycophant freed the briefly captured but still majestic [[Liar Starscream]] and just barely managed to get a pair of [[stasis cuffs]] on handsome [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]. He made sure to tell the Autobot how ''impressed'' he was with Prowl's use of the cuffs, so much so that he had to try the move out himself. He quickly capitulated to the vastly superior Megatron as soon as the tenacious Starscream was beheaded, and even sucked up to mighty [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]...before getting smashed into the dirt and blasted for it. What an honor! {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

When the [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|superbly idiotic Sentinel Prime]] made a deal with the [[Lockdown|great Lockdown]] to capture the other Decepticons that remained on Earth in exchange for probably some fantastic upgrades, Sunstorm was one of the first three he captured, though Sentinel received the credit for it. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom|Five Servos of Doom}}

===Toy bio===
The heart of a raving madman bent on destruction lies underneath Sunstorm's boot-licking facade. Watch your back.

== Toys ==
=== Animated ===
[[Image:Sunstormratchetanimatedtoys.jpg|300px|thumb|right|What a flattering color choice was chosen for me, if I may say so.]]
*'''Sunstorm VS Autobot Ratchet''' (multipack, 2009)
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles

: A Target [[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of [[Starscream (Animated)|Voyager-class Starscream]], Sunstorm transforms into a futuristic, forward-swept wing fighter jet based upon the [http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/s37/" Su-47 (S-37) Berkut Experimental Fighter] and the [http://www.new-un-spacy.com/macrossplus/yf-19.htm YF-19 "Alpha One"] from the series ''[[Wikipedia:Macross_Plus|Macross Plus]].'' This shape allows him to have his faction symbols right-side-up on his wings in robot mode. He features a pair of spring-loaded missile launchers, available in both robot and jet modes. His gauntlets also feature pop-out non-firing "blasters".

: This mold was also used to make [[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]].

: Sunstorm comes with wise [[Activators]] [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], who appears to be identical to his individual release.
{{-}}

==Trivia==
* Though the beautiful [[Female Starscream|Female clone]] refers to him as "a suck-up", according to fantastic character designer [[Derrick Wyatt]], his official model-sheet name is "Sycophant Starscream".

* The second Sycophant's set of colors are generously provided by the devout and formidable [[Generation 1]] [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], from whom he also gets his name.

* Sunstorm's package bio makes no mention of his sycophancy, and makes him sound more like Generation 1 Sunstorm's [[Dreamwave]] portrayal instead. Whoever Hasbro's current copywriter is... he or she has failed horribly in their duty.

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Clones]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]

Skywarp (Animated)

2009-04-17T01:51:23Z

209.106.203.252:

{{factions|decepticon}}
{| style="margin:0 1em; padding:.5em; background:#f7f8ff; border:thin solid #aaa;display:block;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"
|-
|''The name or term Skywarp refers to more than one character or idea, which very much frightens the character featured here. For a list of other meanings, do not be afraid to see [[Skywarp (disambiguation)]].''
|}

:''Skywarp barely musters up the courage to be a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers Animated|Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Cowardscream-ABTF.jpg|thumb|300px|<small><center>The second color scheme.</center></small>Hear this, because it's only coming once: I surrender totally and without condition. Additional: Sorry to take up your valuable time. Sorry. Thank you. Sorry. Bye.]]

'''Skywarp''', the '''Coward Starscream''', is a [[Starscream clone]] embodying the [[Starscream (Animated)|original Starscream]]'s cowardly side, although it seems to have been greatly enhanced. So much that he's basically afraid of ''everything''. He can't even stand still; even when nothing is going on, he's trembling at some imagined threat.

Naturally, this makes him something of a liability in battle. But he does make one fine decoy to draw enemy fire.

{{bigquote|Us? Against Megatron? Are you ''insane?!'' (''whimpers'') I... think I just sprang an oil leak. |—The second Skywarp, right after his activation, "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tom Kenny]] (English), [[Stefan Staudinger]] (German)

====First coward====
[[Image:StarscreamPurpleCoward.jpg|150px|thumb|left|When danger reared its ugly head, he bravely turned his tail and fled.]]
The first Coward had a "cool" version of Starscream's normal colours, heavily tending toward purple with gray extremities. He bolted after [[Lockdown]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] tracked him down, confusing him for the real Starscream, though both were a little taken aback by how chicken "Starscream" was being. Prowl was able to take the fleeing jet out of the air using his fancy new mods. The clone begged and pleaded with his captors not to be given to [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], who had ordered a bounty on Starscream's head. As Prowl explained he was going to be given to the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]], Lockdown tied Prowl up, then ran off with the clone and dragged him to his rendezvous with Megatron.

As Megatron was about to [[Death|make an example of him]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] arrived with another Starscream clone, the [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sycophant]], prompting a Mexican standoff. Both clones had bombs implanted in their spark chambers and were used as bait to draw all of Starscream's enemies to one spot. As Lockdown and the Decepticons made a break for it, Prowl welded his borrowed mods to the pair and launched them into the sky, where they exploded. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

====Second coward====
A second Coward would later appear, this time with a black, purple and grey colour scheme. He was the last clone brought online before Starscream led his new force to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

In the battle for the [[space bridge]], he mostly cowered and pleaded. [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] got a pair of [[stasis cuffs]] on him, which absolutely terrified him, as he claimed that he had an irrational fear of stasis lock. But then both of them and [[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]] were accidentally stuck in [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmasters]]'s glue-like cement and hurled into the space bridge, their destination unknown. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

Skywarp's personal hell only continued on the other side of the space bridge. He was trapped with Blurr and Thundercracker in the glue, and it was sepping into his circuitry! Even worse, Blurr's idea to get out of the glue was to release short wave sonic pulses, which Thundercracker did, causing an explosion. He could have been hurt! Fortunately, he wasn't. Needless to say, Skywarp did not join Thundercracker in pursuing the Autobot. He might have shot back! {{storylink|TransWarped}}

==Toys==
===Transformers Animated===
[[Image:Animated_Skywarp_Voyager.jpg|thumb|right|300px|You want anxiety? We haven't told him he's a [[black repaint]] yet.]]
*'''Skywarp''' (Voyager, 2009)
*''Accessories'': 2 missiles
: A [[redeco]] of Voyager-class [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], Skywarp transforms into a futuristic, forward-swept wing fighter jet based upon the [http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/s37/ Su-47 (S-37) Berkut Experimental Fighter] and the [http://www.new-un-spacy.com/macrossplus/yf-19.htm YF-19 "Alpha One"] from the series ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macross_Plus Macross Plus].'' This shape allows him to have his faction symbols right-side-up on his wings in robot mode. He features a pair of spring-loaded missile launchers, available in both robot and jet modes.

==Trivia==
* Skywarp was announced as a toy at [[BotCon 2008]]'s [[Hasbro]] toy panel. The Hasbro presenters were pretty insistent that he was developed as a non-show character, simply a way to re-use the Voyager Starscream mold.
* Later in the weekend during their designers panel, they revealed a "concept colors" illustration to show that they considered the redeco potential of their molds early in the development process. This illustration showed line-art of ''Animated'' Starscream in both Skywarp and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]-inspired colors. This (of course) has led some fans to conclude Thundercracker was in the pipeline... but at no point did Hasbro ever say they were, merely that his deco was among the options they looked at (which isn't exactly a shock).
* Skywarp's given name in the scripts for the episodes in which he appeared was "Coward Starscream." The fact that people now know his name no doubt terrifies him.
* His bio states that he has teleportation powers like his [[Generation 1]] [[Skywarp (G1)|counterpart]], but he's definitely not brave enough to push anyone down the stairs. They might get back up!

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Skywarp/skywarp.htm Skywarp at TFU.info]

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Clones]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]

Ruined FOREVER

2009-04-12T03:54:04Z

209.106.203.252: /* Things that have Ruined Transformers Forever in the past */

[[Image:Ruined forever.jpg|right|250px|thumb|We believe in regular Preparedness Drills.]]
[[Fandom|Fans]] realize something [[Hasbro]] does not, that [[Transformers brand|robust 25-year-old billion-dollar franchises]], while seemingly healthy, are in actuality as fragile as two [[brick]]s tied together with tissue paper. One mistake, one bad mis-step will cause the entire thing to [[Gold Plastic Syndrome|shatter]] and fall apart; and '''Transformers would be ruined forever'''.

Fortunately, there ''is'' hope. The Transformers fanbase has resolved to remain ''ever vigilant'' against something that could Ruin Transformers Forever, and call out a warning if they see something that could potentially do so.

Some Transformers conservationists suggest a more extreme approach, that Transformers should [[Mickey Mouse|abandon all attempts at re-invention]] and instead [[wikipedia:Masters of the Universe#Masters of the Universe Classics 2008-|cater exclusively to the old-school collectors]]. Though attractive, this approach may prove [[G.I. Joe|impractical as a long-term solution]].

Ruined Forever remains a serious threat to Transformers now and in the foreseeable future, though it's possible a proposed initiative requiring all Transformers fans to purchase an annual [[wikipedia:Carbon offset|plastic offset]] could ensure our fragile brand's existence through the mid-21st century.

==Things that have '''Ruined Transformers Forever''' in the past==
* [[The Transformers: The Movie|Killing Optimus Prime]]
* [[Action Master|Transformers that don't transform]]
* [[Beast Wars|Munky]]
* [[Beast Machines|Hippies]]
* [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Reboots]]
* [[Armada (cartoon)|Pokeformers]]
* [[Kiss Players (franchise)|Perverts]]
* [[Transformers (2007)|Bayformers]]
* [[Transformers Animated|Teen Titans]]

In other words... pretty much everything.

==See also==
*[[GEEWUN]]
*[[Pokeformers]]
*[[Trukk not munky]]

[[Category:Fandom]]

The Weak Component

2009-04-12T03:49:41Z

209.106.203.252: /* Trivia */

<table class="infobox" style="width: 20em;">

<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="background-color:#e7d492;text-align:center;font-size:12px;">
<table width="100%" style="background-color:transparent">

<tr style="font-size:14px;">
<td class="tti_buttonlink">'''[[Forbidden Fruit|«]]'''
</td><td>'''''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' ep <strong class="selflink">6'''
</strong>

</td><td class="tti_buttonlink">'''[[Revelations Part I: Discovery|»]]'''
</td></tr></table>
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="font-size: 12px; background-color:#ffffff;" align="center"> [[Weak component pretty.jpg|<img alt="" src="/w2/images2/thumb/a/ab/Weak_component_pretty.jpg/300px-Weak_component_pretty.jpg" width="300" height="229" border="0" />]]<br /><div style="text-align:right;padding-right:2em;">''Am I my enemy's hero?</div>''
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="font-size: 14px; background-color:#e7d492; color:black;font-weight:bold;" align="center"> "The Weak Component"
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td> '''Production company'''
</td><td> [[Mainframe Entertainment]]
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td> '''Airdate'''
</td><td> [[October 23]], 1999
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td> '''Written by'''
</td><td> [[Rodney Gibbs]]
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td> '''Directed by'''
</td><td> [[Andrew Currie]]
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td> '''Animation studio'''
</td><td> [[Mainframe Entertainment]]
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td> '''Continuity'''
</td><td> [[Beast Wars continuity]]
</td></tr></table>
'''Frustrated by his inability to transform and ashamed of his uselessness, Rattrap makes a deal with the devil.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 約束の夜明け (''Yakusoku no Yoake'', "The Promised Dawn")

==Synopsis==
Optimus Primal, still exhausted after Nightscream's recent reformatting, awakens from a dream and is informed by Blackarachnia that Rattrap is on a recon mission with Cheetor and Nightscream.

[[Image:Weak Component Rattrap computer.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Wonder if there's anything new at Transformers Wiki. What the- Who wrote that about me! CHOPPERFACE!!"]]
At a manufacturing facility, Rattrap, Nightscream and Cheetor are being attacked by Aero Drones and Tank Drones. Since Rattrap still is unable to transform, Cheetor orders him to go and download the data from the computers. As Megatron observes this, a Diagnostic Drone warns him that the DNA purging process is still in its experimental stage. But Megatron, eager to be rid of his hated beast mode, wishes to proceed before the Maximals can discover any more “mongrel beasts”.

During the fight, Nightscream uses his sonic powers and discovers that if they attack the generals, the drones stop operating. Cheetor and Nightscream plan to ambush Tankor to test the theory.

Unfortunately, Rattrap observes the ensuing entrapment setup from his computer, unaware of the plan. He finally transforms successfully, and being eager to help, swings into action as Nightscream and Cheetor are attempting to disable Tankor and Jetstorm. His interference ends up spoiling the ambush, however, and causes the factory's machinery to start operating and building more Tank Drones at a faster and faster rate. Rattrap realises his robot form is unarmed, so he is unable to help in the battle.

[[Image:Weak Component Cheetor carrying Rattrap.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Every time we go to the bar, stuff blows up and I end up carrying you home!"]]
As the new tank drones run wild, Megatron takes control. Rattrap attempts to stop the manufacture of the drones by linking himself into the main computer, only to become a sitting target for Megatron's Aero Drones. The resulting feedback travels along the power cables and causes a system failure, the total destruction of the manufacturing plant, and a power cut for the whole sector.

On their way back to their base, Cheetor and Nightscream harshly reprimand Rattrap for not following orders. Rattrap later complains to a sleeping Optimus Primal about his robot mode, when the others appear. Cheetor knocks Rattrap to the ground, ordering him to transform to beast mode; this jolt to Rattrap's system causes him to realise Megatron is weak as he replays vital stats he downloaded earlier. However, Cheetor brushes off his suggestions of an attack on their weakened enemy.

Rattrap overhears Blackarachnia, Cheetor and Nightscream discussing what to do with him and how he is such a burden with his useless robot mode. Infuriated, he leaves the base alone.

[[Image:Weak Component Rattrap mech.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Rattrap prepares to face the Queen Alien.]]
Megatron is being told the extent of the damage caused by the feedback earlier, when Rattrap saunters into his citadel, saying he wants “noisemakers”. After a bit of back and forth, Megatron and Rattrap work out a deal wherein Rattrap will defend Megatron for one night when he is at his weakest. If anything happens to Megatron, Rattrap forfeits his new weaponry.

[[Image:Rattrap-bm-withmegatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|My shoulder angel!]]
Unexpectedly, Cheetor, Nightscream and Blackarachnia arrive to rescue Rattrap, forcing Rattrap to honour his word with Megatron—and he does so, firing on his friends as they advance. While this is happening, Megatron returns to full strength and begins rebooting his control of Cybertron. The Maximals and Rattrap are at an impasse when Optimus Primal arrives, still exhausted, and asks Rattrap to look inside himself and re-evaluate what he's doing. Primal tells him that Rattrap is stronger than any of them realize.

Megatron orders Rattrap to attack Optimus Primal, but Rattrap reiterates the terms of the deal: The sun is rising, the solar cycle is over, and Rattrap has kept his end of the bargain. Impressed with Rattrap's handling of the situation, Megatron upholds his word and lets the Maximals walk away. Megatron vows to his Diagnostic Drone that they shall liberate the Maximals' sparks another day.

==Featured characters==
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)''

<table border="5" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" align="center" style="border:#800000">
<tr>
<th style="background:#FFEEEE"> [[Maximal|Maximals]]</th><th style="background:#EEEEFE"> [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]
</th></tr>
<tr>
<td style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top">
*[[Rattrap]] (2)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (3)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (6)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (8)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (9)

</td><td style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top">
*[[Sonic Attack Jet|Sonic Attack Jets]] (1)
*[[Tank Drone|Tank Drones]] (4)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] (7)
*[[Diagnostic Drone]] (10)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (11)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (12)
*[[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] (13)

</td></tr></table>
==Quotes==
"Ah, did somebody forget to load this robot mode with weapons?"

:—'''Rattrap''' discovers someone forgot to give him a gun.

"Piece of advice: Never trust a rat."

:—'''Rattrap''' turns Megatron's own weapons on him.

"Short 'em out now! Sort 'em out later!"

:—'''Blackarachnia''' shoots first.

'''Megatron''': "See how quickly your friends turn on you? They promised you great power, but only I delivered it. They abandoned you, Rattrap. They did worse than hate you. They pitied you."<br />
'''Rattrap''': "Ya still think ya gotta cover for me?" ''[fires on Cheetor, Blackarachnia and Nightscream]'' "Ya still wanna cut me loose?! You never believed in me ever."<br />
'''Optimus Primal''': ''[enters]'' "I believed in you. What do you mean by firing at your friends?"<br />
'''Megatron''': "He's right. Optimus is the one you want. He's the one who lied to you; who kept making promises he never intended to keep. He made you weak; defenseless."<br />
'''Optimus Primal''': "Look inside yourself, Rattrap. You don't need his weapons. You're stronger than you know – stronger than ''any'' of you know."

"You have the makings of a fine Vehicon, yes."<br />
"Not from where I'm standing. The monkey's right; I am stronger than you know."

:—'''Megatron''' seems keen for '''Rattrap''' to join his side.

==Notes==
===Perceived characterization inconsistencies===
* This episode was the source of some controversy, as Rattrap was arguably depicted as being a "traitor" to the Maximals, something many fans claimed was completely against the grain of his character (which ''never'' happens in ''Beast Machines'').

* Fans also complained about Megatron's behavior at the end. Whereas [[Nemesis Part 2|before]], he would have crushed a [[Dinobot II|subordinate]] for merely mentioning "the h-word," here he makes a huge point of displaying honor when he keeps his word to Rattrap at the end of the episode, with no ulterior motive.

* In fact, either side could have potentially won the war right there, but the two characters with the least scruples suddenly became interested in fair play for no reason (other than to keep the series from ending, obviously).

* Other fans counter the points above by mentioning how Megatron implies Rattrap deserves to win because of his gambling skills, which refers back to Megatron's repeated use of gambling and card-playing idioms throughout the Beast Wars.

* It is suggested in return that "he played a fair hand" doesn't align with how Megatron used gambling lingo before, since he previously emphasized cheating (e.g., "stacking the deck") rather than fair play.

* And in Rattrap's defense, he was never subjected to this kind of situation in ''Beast Wars''. Losing one's memories and Transmetal body, being unable to transform for several episodes because of one's personality, and finding out that once you ''can'' transform your body is as useful as a solar-powered flashlight can have an effect on someone.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* When Rattrap says, "Gangway! Rat crossing!" and the Vehicons turn towards the camera, Jetstorm's mouth angles upwards, over his nose.

===Real-world references===
* When the weakened Megatron sees Rattrap in his chamber, he remarks: "Ah, so this is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a simpering...rodent." This is a paraphrased quote from the poem "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hollow_Men" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:The_Hollow_Men">The Hollow Men</a>" by T.S. Eliot.

===Trivia===
* Blackarachnia calling Rattrap a traitor is, quite frankly, the [[Optimal Situation|pot]] calling the kettle [[Escape (Universe comic)|BLACK.]]

* During Rattrap's "Not from where I'm standing" line, it seems that Scott McNeil halfway slips into his Silverbolt voice.

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

The Weak Component

2009-04-12T03:48:30Z

209.106.203.252: /* Trivia */

<table class="infobox" style="width: 20em;">

<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="background-color:#e7d492;text-align:center;font-size:12px;">
<table width="100%" style="background-color:transparent">

<tr style="font-size:14px;">
<td class="tti_buttonlink">'''[[Forbidden Fruit|«]]'''
</td><td>'''''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' ep <strong class="selflink">6'''
</strong>

</td><td class="tti_buttonlink">'''[[Revelations Part I: Discovery|»]]'''
</td></tr></table>
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="font-size: 12px; background-color:#ffffff;" align="center"> [[Weak component pretty.jpg|<img alt="" src="/w2/images2/thumb/a/ab/Weak_component_pretty.jpg/300px-Weak_component_pretty.jpg" width="300" height="229" border="0" />]]<br /><div style="text-align:right;padding-right:2em;">''Am I my enemy's hero?</div>''
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="font-size: 14px; background-color:#e7d492; color:black;font-weight:bold;" align="center"> "The Weak Component"
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td> '''Production company'''
</td><td> [[Mainframe Entertainment]]
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td> '''Airdate'''
</td><td> [[October 23]], 1999
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td> '''Written by'''
</td><td> [[Rodney Gibbs]]
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td> '''Directed by'''
</td><td> [[Andrew Currie]]
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td> '''Animation studio'''
</td><td> [[Mainframe Entertainment]]
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td> '''Continuity'''
</td><td> [[Beast Wars continuity]]
</td></tr></table>
'''Frustrated by his inability to transform and ashamed of his uselessness, Rattrap makes a deal with the devil.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 約束の夜明け (''Yakusoku no Yoake'', "The Promised Dawn")

==Synopsis==
Optimus Primal, still exhausted after Nightscream's recent reformatting, awakens from a dream and is informed by Blackarachnia that Rattrap is on a recon mission with Cheetor and Nightscream.

[[Image:Weak Component Rattrap computer.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Wonder if there's anything new at Transformers Wiki. What the- Who wrote that about me! CHOPPERFACE!!"]]
At a manufacturing facility, Rattrap, Nightscream and Cheetor are being attacked by Aero Drones and Tank Drones. Since Rattrap still is unable to transform, Cheetor orders him to go and download the data from the computers. As Megatron observes this, a Diagnostic Drone warns him that the DNA purging process is still in its experimental stage. But Megatron, eager to be rid of his hated beast mode, wishes to proceed before the Maximals can discover any more “mongrel beasts”.

During the fight, Nightscream uses his sonic powers and discovers that if they attack the generals, the drones stop operating. Cheetor and Nightscream plan to ambush Tankor to test the theory.

Unfortunately, Rattrap observes the ensuing entrapment setup from his computer, unaware of the plan. He finally transforms successfully, and being eager to help, swings into action as Nightscream and Cheetor are attempting to disable Tankor and Jetstorm. His interference ends up spoiling the ambush, however, and causes the factory's machinery to start operating and building more Tank Drones at a faster and faster rate. Rattrap realises his robot form is unarmed, so he is unable to help in the battle.

[[Image:Weak Component Cheetor carrying Rattrap.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Every time we go to the bar, stuff blows up and I end up carrying you home!"]]
As the new tank drones run wild, Megatron takes control. Rattrap attempts to stop the manufacture of the drones by linking himself into the main computer, only to become a sitting target for Megatron's Aero Drones. The resulting feedback travels along the power cables and causes a system failure, the total destruction of the manufacturing plant, and a power cut for the whole sector.

On their way back to their base, Cheetor and Nightscream harshly reprimand Rattrap for not following orders. Rattrap later complains to a sleeping Optimus Primal about his robot mode, when the others appear. Cheetor knocks Rattrap to the ground, ordering him to transform to beast mode; this jolt to Rattrap's system causes him to realise Megatron is weak as he replays vital stats he downloaded earlier. However, Cheetor brushes off his suggestions of an attack on their weakened enemy.

Rattrap overhears Blackarachnia, Cheetor and Nightscream discussing what to do with him and how he is such a burden with his useless robot mode. Infuriated, he leaves the base alone.

[[Image:Weak Component Rattrap mech.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Rattrap prepares to face the Queen Alien.]]
Megatron is being told the extent of the damage caused by the feedback earlier, when Rattrap saunters into his citadel, saying he wants “noisemakers”. After a bit of back and forth, Megatron and Rattrap work out a deal wherein Rattrap will defend Megatron for one night when he is at his weakest. If anything happens to Megatron, Rattrap forfeits his new weaponry.

[[Image:Rattrap-bm-withmegatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|My shoulder angel!]]
Unexpectedly, Cheetor, Nightscream and Blackarachnia arrive to rescue Rattrap, forcing Rattrap to honour his word with Megatron—and he does so, firing on his friends as they advance. While this is happening, Megatron returns to full strength and begins rebooting his control of Cybertron. The Maximals and Rattrap are at an impasse when Optimus Primal arrives, still exhausted, and asks Rattrap to look inside himself and re-evaluate what he's doing. Primal tells him that Rattrap is stronger than any of them realize.

Megatron orders Rattrap to attack Optimus Primal, but Rattrap reiterates the terms of the deal: The sun is rising, the solar cycle is over, and Rattrap has kept his end of the bargain. Impressed with Rattrap's handling of the situation, Megatron upholds his word and lets the Maximals walk away. Megatron vows to his Diagnostic Drone that they shall liberate the Maximals' sparks another day.

==Featured characters==
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)''

<table border="5" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" align="center" style="border:#800000">
<tr>
<th style="background:#FFEEEE"> [[Maximal|Maximals]]</th><th style="background:#EEEEFE"> [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]
</th></tr>
<tr>
<td style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top">
*[[Rattrap]] (2)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (3)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (6)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (8)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (9)

</td><td style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top">
*[[Sonic Attack Jet|Sonic Attack Jets]] (1)
*[[Tank Drone|Tank Drones]] (4)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] (7)
*[[Diagnostic Drone]] (10)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (11)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (12)
*[[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] (13)

</td></tr></table>
==Quotes==
"Ah, did somebody forget to load this robot mode with weapons?"

:—'''Rattrap''' discovers someone forgot to give him a gun.

"Piece of advice: Never trust a rat."

:—'''Rattrap''' turns Megatron's own weapons on him.

"Short 'em out now! Sort 'em out later!"

:—'''Blackarachnia''' shoots first.

'''Megatron''': "See how quickly your friends turn on you? They promised you great power, but only I delivered it. They abandoned you, Rattrap. They did worse than hate you. They pitied you."<br />
'''Rattrap''': "Ya still think ya gotta cover for me?" ''[fires on Cheetor, Blackarachnia and Nightscream]'' "Ya still wanna cut me loose?! You never believed in me ever."<br />
'''Optimus Primal''': ''[enters]'' "I believed in you. What do you mean by firing at your friends?"<br />
'''Megatron''': "He's right. Optimus is the one you want. He's the one who lied to you; who kept making promises he never intended to keep. He made you weak; defenseless."<br />
'''Optimus Primal''': "Look inside yourself, Rattrap. You don't need his weapons. You're stronger than you know – stronger than ''any'' of you know."

"You have the makings of a fine Vehicon, yes."<br />
"Not from where I'm standing. The monkey's right; I am stronger than you know."

:—'''Megatron''' seems keen for '''Rattrap''' to join his side.

==Notes==
===Perceived characterization inconsistencies===
* This episode was the source of some controversy, as Rattrap was arguably depicted as being a "traitor" to the Maximals, something many fans claimed was completely against the grain of his character (which ''never'' happens in ''Beast Machines'').

* Fans also complained about Megatron's behavior at the end. Whereas [[Nemesis Part 2|before]], he would have crushed a [[Dinobot II|subordinate]] for merely mentioning "the h-word," here he makes a huge point of displaying honor when he keeps his word to Rattrap at the end of the episode, with no ulterior motive.

* In fact, either side could have potentially won the war right there, but the two characters with the least scruples suddenly became interested in fair play for no reason (other than to keep the series from ending, obviously).

* Other fans counter the points above by mentioning how Megatron implies Rattrap deserves to win because of his gambling skills, which refers back to Megatron's repeated use of gambling and card-playing idioms throughout the Beast Wars.

* It is suggested in return that "he played a fair hand" doesn't align with how Megatron used gambling lingo before, since he previously emphasized cheating (e.g., "stacking the deck") rather than fair play.

* And in Rattrap's defense, he was never subjected to this kind of situation in ''Beast Wars''. Losing one's memories and Transmetal body, being unable to transform for several episodes because of one's personality, and finding out that once you ''can'' transform your body is as useful as a solar-powered flashlight can have an effect on someone.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* When Rattrap says, "Gangway! Rat crossing!" and the Vehicons turn towards the camera, Jetstorm's mouth angles upwards, over his nose.

===Real-world references===
* When the weakened Megatron sees Rattrap in his chamber, he remarks: "Ah, so this is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a simpering...rodent." This is a paraphrased quote from the poem "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hollow_Men" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:The_Hollow_Men">The Hollow Men</a>" by T.S. Eliot.

===Trivia===
* Blackarachnia calling Rattrap a traitor is, quite frankly, the [[Optimal Situation|pot]] calling the kettle [[Escape (Universe comic)|BLACK.]]

* During Rattrap's "The monkey's right" line, it seems that Scott McNeil halfway slips into his Silverbolt voice.

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

Springer (disambiguation)

2009-04-06T18:45:08Z

209.106.203.252:

The name '''Springer''' refers to multiple concepts in ''Transformers''.

*'''1929''' — [[Frank Springer]], artist for the [[Marvel Comics]] [[Headmasters (comic)|''Headmasters'' 4-issue miniseries]].

*'''1986''' — [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] the [[Autobot]] [[Triple Changer]] and member of the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] from [[Generation 1]].

*'''2009''' — [[Springer (ROTF)|Springer]] the Autobot military prop plane from ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''.

"Springer" should not be confused with

* [[Hopper]]

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