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Grimlock (G1)

2007-10-27T06:57:17Z

213.202.160.121: /* Trivia */

{{disambig3|Grimlock}}

:''Grimlock is an [[Autobot]] in [[Generation 1]] and a [[Maximal]] in the [[Beast Wars]] portion of the Generation 1 [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Grimlockg1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Me Grimlock draw self-portrait.]]

Some Autobots wonder why '''Grimlock''' is even on their side. His disposition is much more suited to the [[Decepticons]]. After all, he values power and strength over wisdom and compassion, and furthermore, he doesn't really get along with most Autobots. He is more willing to accept casualties than most of the Autobot leadership, and doesn't seem particularly concerned about the [[Human|fleshie]]s either. These things, coupled with his dislike of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], have led to a defection or two on Grimlock's part. He'd have no problem offing the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] if he thought he could get away with it, though. However, despite their disagreements, Grimlock holds a respect for Prime's strength and leadership.

Grimlock is the leader of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, a small but powerful strike squad. Grimlock himself is extremely strong and durable, and is one of the few Transformers who can not only stand toe-to-toe with Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but actually give them a run for their money.

{{quote|Me Grimlock not nice dino. Me bash brains!|Grimlock on himself|''[[The Transformers: The Movie (1986)|TFTM]]''}}

:''('''Note''': Grimlock's intelligence-level differed greatly between the comic and cartoon, leading to vastly different portrayals. See the entries below for details.)''

:''French-Canadian name'': '''La Menace'''<br>
:''Italian name'': '''Tiran'''<br>
:''Preliminary name'': '''Tyrex'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Mogorva''' -- '''Grimlock''' in one of The Movie dubs.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
:''('''Note''': The comic Dinobots had average, functional intellects. Grimlock affected a caveman-esque speech pattern to mask his intelligence<ref>Grimlock possesses a brilliant mind but considers intellectuals weak. He chooses to talk dumb rather than be thought of as weak. ''Marvel UK #200 'Secrets of the Transformers' booklet.''</ref>, leaving his fellow Autobots to think he has a glitch in his speech processor. The other Dinobots speak normally. )

:''Events from UK-only stories are italicized.''

While the Autobots remained dormant inside [[Mount St. Hilary]], the [[Ark]] detected Cybertronian life. Dispatching a probe, the Ark learned that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] had come to Earth and was wandering the [[Savage Land]]. The Ark used data gathered from the Savage Land to convert five of the dormant Autobots into the Dinobots. They traveled to fight Shockwave, but all combatants became trapped in a tar pit. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} The Dinobots were later freed by [[Ratchet]], and joined the Autobots from time to time, but they were usually seen wandering on their own under Grimlock's orders.

Grimlock was a powerful and arrogant warrior who believed he knew best. He ascended to the post of overall Autobot leader on several occasions, growing in the process and eventually, despite their original conflict, becoming Optimus's hand-picked lieutenant and likely successor. Early on, [[Blaster]] was a major thorn in his side, deserting his command. Later, he tended to fight with the straight-laced, logical [[Prowl]].
[[Image:Biggrim_me_king.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Me Grimlock no bozo, me king!]]
One of the many casualties in an [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's]] rampage, Grimlock was brought back on-line by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], using [[Pretender]] technology stolen from Megatron. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} While Grimlock, along with [[Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], handily defeated Megatron's minions, he was unable to save Ratchet when Megatron's base exploded. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

Afterward, Grimlock, Jazz and Bumblebee briefly joined the Autobot resistance movement on Cybertron before attempting to return to Earth via [[Trans-Time Dimensional Portal|trans-time dimensional portal]]. However, [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], seeking to crush the resistance's momentum, sent ''the latest incarnation of'' the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] to destroy the three Autobot Pretenders. Infiltrating [[Autobase]], the three Decepticons sabotaged the portal, teleporting all six Transformers (and the [[Micromaster]] [[Rescue Patrol]]) deep into the heart of Cybertron, where the Autobots discovered the resting place of their god, [[Primus]]. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

Grimlock at first thought it was all a Decepticon trick, and was [[Atechnogenesis|skeptical]] that the Transformers even had a god. When the [[Keeper]] appeared, Grimlock demanded the ancient Transformer "prove it" by telling them the story of the Transformers' origin. The Keeper's story (complete with holographic slide-show) was suitably convincing, but unfortunately gave the Mayhem Attack Squad time to sneak up on the Autobots, and another battle ensued. The outnumbered Decepticons were no match for Grimlock and company, but [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon's]] last-ditch shot ricocheted off the Dinobot's back, waking Primus. A few seconds too late, the Autobots in Autobase repaired the portal, sending the lost Transformers to Earth. Grimlock immediately demanded they find the Earth-based Autobots to warn them of [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Primal Scream}}

After rejoining Optimus Prime's forces, Grimlock, Jazz and Bumblebee formed a team in the search for the lost [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]. Traveling to [[VsQs]], where Optimus Prime's funeral barge had crashed, the three began to search an abandoned science station for any clue as to the Matrix's whereabouts. While Bumblebee searched the computer logs, Grimlock went looking for the science team - only to discover they had all been killed. Before the Autobots could formulate a plan, Thunderwing attacked. Grimlock's first reaction was to attack, but all three could not defeat the Decepticon leader. Instead, they were "saved" by the [[Matrix Spawn]], which became Thunderwing's new target. The three Autobots searched the wrecked station independently and recovered the Matrix. Low on [[Energon]], the three attempted to return to their shuttle, but the moon's heavy gravity slowed them down, allowing Thunderwing to overtake them, defeating the three weakened Autobots and claiming the Matrix for his own. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

After Thunderwing's defeat, the Autobots sent a shuttle to VsQs to rescue Grimlock and the others, who were low on Energon and on the verge of [[stasis lock]]. Grimlock was none to grateful for his rescue, instead berating himself for failing to destroy Thunderwing and guilty that he was alive while the other Dinobots were still deactivated. However, without Ratchet or the Matrix, the Autobots knew of no way to bring back their fallen. Grimlock sought Optimus' permission to travel to [[Hydrus Four]] and investigate the rumors of the substance [[Nucleon]]. When Optimus refused, Grimlock stole a shuttle and the bodies of the Dinobots and went anyway, which everyone really should have seen coming. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm!}}

Once on Hydrus Four, Grimlock sought out the medi-center on the island of Farooth, where the well of Nucleon was kept. Along the way, he encountered the substance's three guardians, zombie-like mechanoids who attempted to bar visitors from tapping the Nucleon. Two engaged him in combat, but Grimlock dispatched them easily. Unlike destroying Decepticons, he could take no pleasure in his victories, which seemed pointless. He began to question his motives - was he really trying to save the Dinobots, or just prove himself a better leader than Prime? By the time he reached the island of Farooth, Grimlock simply wanted the grim business done with.

At the well, Grimlock encountered the final guardian. The Hydrusian didn't want to fight, but instead warned him that Nucleon always came with unexpected side effects. To quell the doubts that had plagued him since his arrival, Grimlock decided to test the Nucleon on himself, plunging a hand into the well. Feeling a surge of power and no immediate side effects, Grimlock decided it had to be safe, and went to work reviving the other Dinobots, ignoring the Hydrusian's parting words, "Time will tell". {{storylink|The Price of Life!}}

With the Dinobots revived, Grimlock loaded up as much Nucleon as he could and returned to the Ark. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} The Dinobots found it empty (as Primus had teleported the Earth-bound Transformers back to Cybertron). Electing not to waste time looking for the others, Grimlock ordered [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] to set course for Cybertron while [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] pumped the Nucleon into the Ark's life-support pods. The Dinobots were unaware that the life-support pods also held Megatron, as Grimlock departed before Ratchet's rescue. {{storylink|The Void!}}

Grimlock was the first Transformer to begin feeling the Nucleon's effect. Before he even left Hydrus Four, he began suffering erratic joint locks. He tried to hide the symptoms as long as he could, but after Unicron's defeat they began to worsen, until his entire body seized up during a battle. [[Hi-Q]] came to his rescue, recognizing that the Nucleon was still transforming Grimlock's body. Hi-Q accelerated the process, as the Nucleon granted Grimlock a new, more powerful body, but at the cost of [[Action Master|his ability to transform]].{{storylink|Still Life!}}

'''(Note: The following three sections all split off from the end of the Generation 1 comic, but in three different, irreconcilable directions.)'''

====''Another Time and Place'' text story====
====Generation 2====
After the coming of the [[Last Autobot]], much of the Autobot army scattered. Grimlock took command of a small commando team, leading strikes against [[Cybertronian|Decepticon outposts]] across the galaxy. After encountering seventeen conquered worlds, cyberformed into "little Cybertrons", Grimlock realized the problem was greater than he had originally imagined, and contacts Optimus Prime. After comparing notes in an abandoned base, the Autobots were captured by [[Jhiaxus]]. While Optimus begins to despair after learning Jhiaxus' origins, Grimlock refuses to give up, bolstering the Autobot leader's spirits as they lead an escape from [[Twilight|Jhiaxus' flagship]]. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

Despite his loyalty to Autobot ways, Grimlock still chafed under Optimus' leadership. Disobeying his orders (which somehow still surprised Optimus), Grimlock led a raiding party against Jhiaxus, seeking to destroy the ''Twilight''. Unfortunately, the Dinobot failed to anticipated Jhiaxus' increased security measures, and the mission cost [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] their lives. Their deaths forced Grimlock to question his methods and his attitude toward Optimus Prime. He admitted that he envied Prime for the loyalty he inspired in the Autobots, and that this, not the leadership of the Autobots, was what he'd truly desired. Thus, no one was more surprised than Grimlock when Optimus Prime placed the Dinobot in command while he traveled back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Devices and Desires}}

Grimlock's command status proved invaluable when Optimus met Megatron on Earth alone, intending to form an alliance against Jhiaxus. Megatron beat Optimus half to death and he only lived because Grimlock disobeyed orders and lead an Autobot brigade to Earth. When Megatron finally agreed to the alliance, Grimlock showed a great dislike for having to work with him, as well as the insults Megatron threw his way.

[[Image:Biggrim.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Me Grimlock work hard!]]
Eventually both the Empire attacked Autobase on Earth, with Grimlock gunning down scores of them. With the Empire came the Swarm, and with both Optimus and Megatron out of contact, it fell to Grimlock to organise the Transformers in a desperate defensive action. His plans caused the Autobots to hold out just long enough - bar a few casualties like his comrade Slag - for Megatron to arrive with the Rheanimanium that ensured their survival.

''(In the convention story [[Alignment]], which ties up plot threads from Generation 2, Grimlock sacrifices himself in the final battle against the [[Liege Maximo]]. (Despite being written by Simon Furman, this story was not approved by Hasbro and produced for an unofficial convention so the canonicity of this all is debatable.)''

====Fun Publications ''Classics'' comics====
[[Image:Classics_Ultramagnus_Springer_Grimlock_comic.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Me Grimlock like to make self look smart by hanging around bots who no hold binoculars correctly.]]

He liked to call [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] "Little Prime". {{Storylink|Games of Deception!}}

BWWWHHHAHAHAHAHAHA

{{-}}

===Animated continuity===
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Gregg Berger]] (US), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japan)

''(Note: In the animated series, Grimlock was more dimwitted than in most other continuities. As the series progressed, he was portrayed increasingly as a comic relief character.)''

[[Image:Grimlockskywarp.jpg|right|thumb|Mmm. Me Grimlock think Skywarp taste like chicken.]]

Cartoon Grimlock, like all the cartoon Dinobots, has a stereotypical "caveman" type personality and intellect level. They originally decide to help the Autobots, for instance, because "them have face like this on chest..." Pre-movie this lack of intelligence is usually coupled together with their great power to make them dangerous wild cards; Post-movie, however, Grimlock and the Dinobots are generally played as just plain dumb for comic relief.

When mysterious tremors shook the [[Ark|Autobot base]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s investigation revealed strange objects behind a rock wall. After removing the wall, the Autobots found a cave full of dinosaur bones. The Autobots decided the idea of dinosaurs was interesting and researched the prehistoric beasts. Wheeljack and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] asked Optimus Prime if they could build robot dinosaurs, and Prime agreed this was a good idea. Grimlock, [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] were built and unveiled to the Autobots, but the Dinobots were dimwitted and violent, and they attacked their makers. Grimlock blasted [[Teletraan I]] with his fire-breath, damaging it. Optimus Prime decreed that the Dinobots ''must be destroyed''. However, Wheeljack convinced him instead to lock them away, and the trio were herded back into the cave and buried alive.

Later, the Decepticons took over a hydroelectric plant, but when the Autobots arrived to stop them, the Autobots were defeated and captured. Wheeljack, Ratchet, and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], left behind at Autobot base to finish repairing Teletraan-I, decided to go against Optimus' orders and release the Dinobots, but not before upgrading their brains to be smarter and more obedient. After the Dinobots are reactivated, Wheeljack asks them to save their friends. Grimlock says he will obey... this time. They successfully attack the Decepticons and free the imprisoned Autobots. Optimus forgives Wheeljack, Ratchet, and Bumblebee for disobeying his orders and welcomes the victorious Dinobots back to the Autobots. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

After a meteor surging with unknown energies struck the Earth, Optimus ordered the three Dinobots to guard it. He was so pleased with the Dinobots he asked Ratchet and Wheeljack to build two more. Meanwhile, Megatron was frustrated at the Dinobots' success, and sent [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to probe them for potential weaknesses. Reading the Dinobots' minds, he discovered that Grimlock was arrogant and believed he would make a better leader than the weak Optimus Prime. Megatron decided to use this to his advantage, and approached them himself. He played to Grimlock's jealousy and agreed with him that the strongest should be leader. The Dinobots declared Optimus Prime their enemy.

[[Image:Grimlockapologize.jpg|left|thumb|After we stop shaking hands, me Grimlock am going to eat him!!!!]]

Realizing the meteorite was due to explode, Optimus left to warn the Dinobots, but they attacked him. Instead of destroying him completely, however, Grimlock carried him to the Decepticons, who had stolen the meteorite during the battle. Megatron was angry that Optimus Prime was not destroyed, and Starscream suggested that despite Grimlock's arrogance, inside he was still compassionate(or as compassionate as Grimlock can get). Grimlock didn't take this well, and blasted Starscream right in the chest. They were interrupted by the two new Dinobots, [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], whom Megatron ordered the original three Dinobots to attack. At the climax of the battle, the meteorite exploded, but Optimus Prime pushed Grimlock out of the way, saving him. Grimlock realized the error of his ways and the Dinobots forced the Decepticons into retreat. Grimlock apologized for his jealousy. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

The Decepticons joined forces with [[Sub-Atlantica]] and staged a full-scale attack on [[Washington, D.C.]]. The Autobots were overwhelmed, forcing Wheeljack to call for the Dinobots' assistance. Grimlock expressed his frustration at being called whenever the Autobots were in over their heads. With their help, the Autobots were able to overturn the Decepticons' advance and plunge the city of Sub-Atlantica, burning, into the sea. {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}} This pattern of the Autobots' dependence on the Dinobots repeated when the artificial intelligence [[TORQ III]] turned machines against mankind. With every piece of help he and his troops gave, Grimlock was never slow to add a scathing remark about the inabilities of the Autobots. {{storylink|Day of the Machines}} That said, he was not unwilling to admit the failings of his own troops, either, and willingly took them to the time-displaced "Dinobot Island," where they trained in the wilderness and helped stop a Decepticon raid on the prehistoric paradise. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}}

[[Image:Grimlock01.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Me Grimlock stick it to [[Spike Witwicky|Spike]].]]

The final straw for Grimlock came when he and the Dinobots were injured in a Decepticon trap at an airfield. Enraged, Grimlock refused to take orders from Optimus Prime any more, and led the Dinobots away from the Ark. When the Autobots began to suffer from Cybertonium deficiency, Spike Witwicky and his girlfriend Carly attempted to persuade the Dinobots - who continued to function perfectly, as they had been built on Earth without Cybertonium - to steal some of the mineral from a Decepticon shipment coming in from Cybertron. Grimlock instead opted to lead the Dinobots to Cybertron itself, where they were captured by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and put to work in the Cybertonium mines, until Spike and Carly rescued them. Brought back to Earth, the Dinobots agreed to follow Prime's order again - until such time as Grimlock didn't feel like it. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}}

[[Image:Grimlock.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Me Grimlock upset name "[[T-Wrecks]]" already taken. <small>(Albeit possilby by me Grimlock.)</small>]]

After fleeing [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s attack on [[Autobot City]], the Dinobots, along with [[Kup]] and [[Hot Rod]], crashed on [[Quintessa]], and were separated from the two Autobots. During their search, the Dinobots met [[Wheelie]]. Grimlock initially didn't like the rhyming little robot, but eventually grew quite fond of him, letting him ride his back. Eventually, the Dinobots managed entered the execution room with all the grace they could muster, and Grimlock immediately declared his desire to munch metal. After saving Hot Rod and Kup from the [[Sharkticon]]s, a [[Quintesson]] judge ordered the Sharkticons to execute the Dinobots. Grimlock stompped his foot on the ground, and ordered the Sharkticons to execute the Quintessons. They complied with the Dinobot's order. Later, Grimlock did one of his greatest life-accomplishment by literally kicking the butt of [[Unicron|a deity]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie (1986)|TFTM}}

[[Image:GrimlockManga.jpg|right|200px|thumb|If he REALLY smart he know how stupid he look.]]

By the Earth year 2005, it seemed apparent that Grimlock had undergone some degree of a personality change, becoming more childish and petulant, rather than brutish and stubborn. Throughout 2006, he regularly participated in missions with his fellow Autobots rather than the other Dinobots, battling on the planets of [[Chaar]], Goo, Dredd and [[Eurhythma]]. He and [[Daniel Witwicky]] were transported to the sorcerous other-dimensional realm of Menonia, where Grimlock was duped into fighting on the side of the tyrannical [[Quintesson]] [[Mara-Al-Utha]] {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}}, and later, he helped to sniff out the "[[dinosaur transform static]]" that implicated [[Trypticon]] in the theft of world monuments {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}. Later in the year, when Decepticon leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] had Cybertron infused with function-inverting anti-electrons, a dose of the particles gave Grimlock super-intelligence. During a mission to [[Unicron]]'s disembodied head, where the Autobots were outmatched by the new Decepticon [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], Grimlock used components of Unicron's head to construct the [[Technobot|Technobots]] to battle them. Combined as Computron, the Technobots felt they could not match the Terrorcons, until Grimlock transferred his super-intelligence into Computron, reverting to his old self and allowing the Technobots to claim victory. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

Grimlock's greatest victory came when he and a large number of other Transformers with animal transformations were summoned to a world at the centre of the galaxy by the ex-assistant of the ancient genius, [[Primacron]], creator of Unicron. The assistant had assembled these "[[Primitive]]" Transformers in the hope that their simple instincts could defeat Primacron's newest creation, [[Tornedron]], but one by one they fell to him, with Grimlock apparently crushed under [[Trypticon]]. Grimlock survived, however, and followed Tornedron back to Primacron's lab. When Tornedron turned on his master, like his predecessor, Primacron's complicated plans and equations could not find a way to stop him; Grimlock, on the other hand, randomly flicked a switch which reversed Tornedron's energy polarity, undoing the damage he had done and dissipating. Dancing around over his successful saving of the universe, Grimlock decimated Primacron's lab, dubbing it the smartest thing he'd ever done. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

====Season 5====
Grimlock piloted the shuttle bringing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to an important meeting<ref>The meeting was with [[Tommy Kennedy]] and its importance was debatable, but Prime was upset at being late.</ref>, and took a wrong turn, making Prime very late. Prime subsequently took him to have his brain circuits upgraded. <ref>From the 'Season 5' shell sequence retelling of TF:TM, part 4.</ref>

====The Headmasters====

In the year 2011, the Decepticons invaded Cybertron in full force. Grimlock was deployed by [[Wreck-Gar]] to fend off the invaders. He was seen fighting alongside his fellow Dinobots as well as the [[Throttlebot]]s against the invading Decepticons, however, they didn't fare too well against the Decepticon [[Headmaster]]s, as they were all quickly put to sleep by [[Mindwipe]]'s hypnosis attack.

===Transformers PD-Type===
[[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] recruited Grimlock as backup for a duel with [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]. Grimlock became bored watching the two of them fight in the sky, but when Star Saber finally succeeded in knocking Deathsaurus to the ground, Grimlock ate his head while Star Saber looked on, pleased at the outcome of his clever plan.<ref>From the [[Transformer_PD_Type|TF-PD type]] comic [http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/japanese/superdeformed.php?dgallery_show=deformed/SDComicTrans06.jpg Me Strongest! Me Grimlock]</ref>

===''Binaltech''===
After the Dinobots were defeated and deactivated on [[Earth]] by a strange alien virus, Grimlock was rebuilt using [[Binaltech]] technology to save his life. He hates his new Ford Mustang form. No teeth to munch metal, ya see.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
{{quote|Me Grimlock--badass!!|Grimlock on himself|[[The War Within, Part 5]]}}
[[Image:ScrollDinobots.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Give me Grimlock purse!"]]

Grimlock, years ago, before the war, was part of a cage-fighting arena. He and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] fought beside and against each other on numerous occasions. Starscream believed Grimlock was a natural born killer, but Grimlock really just carried alot of rage and anger and needed an outlet.

When the war began, Grimlock sided with the Decepticons. Then, after a while, he switched sides and went to the Autobots. Nobody is quite sure why or what happened. He eventually became leader of a squad including [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], Kup, and Wheeljack.

By the time [[Sentinel Prime]] is killed and a new Prime must be chosen, Grimlock calls a secret meeting: If new [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] isn't up to doing what has to be done, then they'll do it for him - and take the Prime out in the process.

Optimus Prime, having defeated a team of Decepticons by himself, still didn't settle Grimlock's nerves. Prime's decision to evacuate Cybertron did it; Grimlock had enough. He left and went to brood by himself.

Starscream and his Seekers dropped by while Grimlock was alone. Starscream baited Grimlock, telling him he was a Decepticon inside and just was in denial. He gave him a choice: go to Sector Zero-Six and help the Seekers take out the Autobot command post, or warn them about their arrival.

Grimlock, out of spite, instead evacuated the Autobots from the base and planted a bomb, and a message: "Me not like Optimus Prime or Autobots that much...but me like you and yours even less!"

While he was on his way back to Iacon to help with the defense, Prowl ordered him away, instead telling him to go find Optimus Prime. Grimlock decided that it was a good opportunity to give the new Prime a piece of his mind.

While he and the team went deep in Cybertron's core to find Prime, they found out about Megatron's plan; to win the war, and turn Cybertron into a mobile battlestation with which to conquer the universe. He split up the team - he would go find Optimus Prime, the rest of the team would shut down the transformation system for Cybertron.

To his surprise, Prime abruptly was standing next to him. Prime ordered Grimlock to help him find Megatron. Grimlock shoved his [[energo-sword]] into Prime's hands and gave clear instructions: if Megatron is the problem, then fix it.

When the crisis was over, Grimlock no longer questioned Optimus Prime. He knew that Prime had figured things out, and though he didn't execute Megatron, he wasn't going to spend his time in the war running away. {{storylink|The War Within}}

During the Dark Ages, Optimus Prime and Megatron were seemingly destroyed in a [[space bridge]] explosion, Grimlock broke off from the Autobots lead by Prowl and formed the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]]. Grimlock was targeted, along with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Blitzwing and [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] by the [[Fallen]], who wished to use their apparently unique [[Spark]]s to help in his revival of [[Primus]], which would allow Unicron to locate him. Sending [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], [[Mindwipe]] and [[Bugly]] to capture Grimlock, who conveniently was attacking Jetfire at the time, the Fallen had to watch his followers take a sound beating. Grimlock wanted to continue his fight with Jetfire and was annoyed by the interruption. Which only got worse when the Fallen himself arrived. Grimlock being Grimlock, he launched himself at the Fallen, but was completely overwhelmed. He woke up later strapped to a table and had to listen to Jetfire trying to convince him to help them both escape. Grimlock broke free with ease, and was part of the multi faction army that attempted to halt the Fallen's plans. {{storylink|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Later, Grimlock served both as leader of the Dynobots and the right hand bot to Ultra Magnus, who had taken control in Optimus' absence and had managed to secure a truce with Shockwave. Grimlock was less then happy about this, partly because he didn't trust the Decepticons, and partly because he had no idea what to with himself in peace time. He never got to find out, as the truce was betrayed and Grimlock was apparently killed when he dove in front of a blast meant for Magnus. {{storylink|The War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

''Due to Dreamwave's the closure, the War Within series, and Grimlock's subsequent return never seen. It's safe to assume however it was intended that Grimlock would be restored to his former glory in the second half of the mini-series. Plus, did you actually think Furman would kill off Grimlock?''

Millenia later, on Earth, Megatron captured the other four Dinobots, a fact which he used as leverage to get Grimlock to turn traitor and join the Decepticons after they were reactivated by [[Lazarus]]. It didn't last very long, though, as [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] soon showed up with his Triple Changers. Grimlock's true loyalty became obvious when he stopped Blitzwing from blowing off Optimus' head by grabbing his tank turret and bending it into a pretzel with one hand. After that, Shockwave Megatron off to Cybertron, prompting Grimlock to rejoin the Autobots in the Ark. When Optimus' group surrendered to Ultra Magnus, some of the autobots remained on Earth, Grimlock among them. He headed for the frozen north, and then freed the other Dinobots from Megatron's holding tank. Stealing a decepticon shuttle, the Dinobot's then headed for Cybertron, meaning to free Prime and his group. After a rough landing, they acquired some transportation from Octane and hurried to Iacon. There, Grimlock did his part by leading a massive Dinobot assault on Shockwave's complex, before breaking off to take care of the Decepticon leader himself. Blitzwing again got in his way however, and Grimlock was forced to battle both, a battle that was going his way until Ultra Magnus shot him in the face. Preceptor repaired him and Grimlock did his part for the rebellion by giving Hot Rod some back up. For a third and final time he fought Blitzwing, this time taking the Decepticon out with ease, grabbing him by the tank turret and throwing him into a Guardian. Leaving the main conflict, Grimlock followed Shockwave, Optimus and Ultra Magnus and ended up saving the Autobot pair, stating he'd hate the lose the chance to pay back the "stuffy traitor". As Prime thanked Primus, Grimlock said he should be thanking him. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

While the main group of Earth Autobots returned, the Dinobots remained on Cybertron to give Ultra Magnus some needed muscle.

===The Beast Within===
In a devastating battle with the Decepticons, Grimlock makes the decision to combine with the other Dinobots to form the "[[Beast]]". {{storylink|The Beast Within}}

===Beast Wars animated continuity===
====3H ''Reaching the Omega Point'' comics====
====IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics====
[[Image:Acvra.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Give starring role, Magmatron, or me Grimlock take it by force.]]

Grimlock was among the [[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'s protoforms when the ship crashed on Earth. When [[Razorbeast]] and [[Optimus Minor]] were attempting to "rescue" [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] from [[Magmatron]], the Predacons detected a spark signature that was apparently off the scale, big and mad. Grimlock showed up and acted as the perfect distraction, making ''very'' short work of the Predacons (apparently he was in a very bad mood after waking up and took it out on the Preds). Magmatron offered Grimlock the chance to withdraw, and when the incredulous Grimlock refused, the Predacon general attacked. Magmatron narrowly arose as the victor by use of his triple beast modes. Grimlock was knocked out, but later helped to construct the [[Maximal]]'s new base. {{Storylink|The Gathering, Part 4}}

Later, when [[Prowl (Transmetal)|Prowl]] remarked they had work to do on Earth, with [[Ravage]]'s Predacon militia still a threat, [[Wolfang]] reminded him that they had Grimlock on their side. {{Storylink|The Ascending, Part 1}}. The bot in question was patrolling the jungle around the base at the time, and bumped into the three mech team of Manterror, Retrax and Snapper. He only noticed Manterror and Retrax however, as Snapper was being crushed under his right foot at the time. While Retrax rolled for his life, Manterror had to face Grimlock on his own, and lost his wings for his trouble. This little group turned out to be a distraction however, with the intent of luring the Maximals big gun away while Ravage led an all out strike on the base.

The former Dinobot wasn't about to beleft out in the cold however, and he returned to base, ready for ''the main course'' which consisted of crushing Spittor under his foot, and tearing Iguanus and half a dozen other predacons apart. Still, even with him and Torca working overtime, things might have gone poorly without Lio Convoy's arrival.

===IDW comics continuity===
Grimlock and the rest of the D'''y'''nobots were a close-knit group of hunters, suffering from neither low intelligence nor Grimlock's traditional speech impairment.

{{spoiler}}

At the start of Megatron's rise to power the Dynobots turned out to an open casting call for Megatron's underground Gladatorial games. It turned out to be a recruitment drive for the Decepticon army. What they thought of that is unknown as Autobot security forces raided the party soon after.

After [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] destroyed a cache of Energon the Dynobots had been hoarding, causing them severe Energon burns and equally severe humiliation, they swore revenge. So, against orders from Optimus Prime, they followed Shockwave when he left Cybertron to stabilize "Ultra-Energon" deposits he had sent to other worlds as a precaution against the depletion of Cybertron's own Energon reserves.

When Shockwave reached his first destination - Earth, at the end of the last Ice Age - the Dynobots destroyed his ship, but Slag revealed that the high energon levels of the planet would put them in stasis lock, since they hadn't come prepared like Shockwave. Slag then came up with the idea that they should scan the local life forms and create alt-modes based on those animals, but with synthetic flesh coatings to protect against the high levels of energon radiation. Grimlock was completely against the idea, but since Slag couldn't come up with something better, he relented. However, he refused to take on the form of the weak mammalians that dominated the planet, demanding "Something with some...bite." Scanning fossil deposits, Slag found the remains of some extinct reptilian animals and brought up a holographic representation of one to see if Grimlock approved. What popped up was a Tyrannosaurus Rex, which Grimlock seemed to fall in love with the moment he saw it. The choice made, Grimlock took the Tyrannosaur as his altmode and had Slag find more dinosaurs as templates for the rest of the Dynobots.

On transporting down to the planet's surface to confront Shockwave, they gained an initial advantage, as Shockwave's logic was unable to comprehend the effort and risks they had taken for their revenge. However, when Shockwave recognized this weakness, shut down his logic processors and operated a "rage" program to enable him to operate on pure instinct, he shrugged off their attacks and beat them severely, ending the assault by burning off their organic coatings. Unable to accept another defeat, Grimlock transformed to robot mode and fought against his imminent [[stasis lock]] to no avail.

However, before leaving the Dynobots' ship, he had enabled a "dead man's switch" designed to take Shockwave with them if they were defeated. When he entered stasis lock, this failsafe activated, firing on a nearby dormant volcano and causing an eruption which buried Shockwave and the Dynobots under ash and lava.

However, in 2006, Shockwave was discovered by a team of human archeologists. Whether he, Grimlock or the rest of the Dynobots can/will be reactivated remains to be seen.

===Universe===

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Grimlock''' (Dinobot, 1985/1986/1991/1992)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-26'''

[[Image:Grimlockg185toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|And the debate goes on...... "Me Grimlock am greatest warrior!" ::: "No! Me Grimlock am greatest warrior!"]]

: Grimlock's toy was originally part of [[Takara]]'s ''[[Diaclone]]'' [[Dinosaur Robo]] series. When [[Hasbro]] imported the toy in 1985 for the ''Transformers'' line, the blue crotch was changed to red and the Diaclone driver mini-figure was dropped.

:The original Grimlock changes from a robot into a robotic T-Rex and comes with a red [[energo-sword]], a black double-barreled rifle, and a rocket launcher with three silver rockets.

: Grimlock was later reissued in the European/Australian-exclusive "[[Classics (Euro)|Classics]]" series. In Japan, he and the other four Dinobots were offered as mail-away items during [[Operation Combination]]; Grimlock cost 2300 yen (his original retail price) and 2 [[robot points]].

* '''Grimlock''' ([[Classic Pretender]], 1989)
[[Image:Pretender_Grimlock_toy.jpg|right|thumb|130px|Me Grimlock look like Ed Asner?]]

: A simplified and slightly-modified version of Grimlock, he transforms into a robotic T-Rex whose tail becomes a handgun. He came with a large human [[Pretender]] shell with a rather knight-like armor theme, with a helmet and large cannon.

: His human shell looks a lot like [[Wikipedia:Ed Asner|Ed Asner]].
:''('''Note''': Pretender Classic Grimlock's fuction was Lieutenant Commander instead of Dinobot Commander.)''

* '''Grimlock''' ([[Legends (G1)|Legends]], 1989)
[[Image:GrimlockLegends_toy.jpg|left|thumb|130px|Me Grimlock say cut it out.]]

: A K-Mart [[exclusive]] in its Hasbro release, this version of Grimlock is simply the inner robot of his Classic Pretender form without the shell or its accessories, leaving him only his tail/gun. In Japan, he was only available in a boxed "Hero Set" with the other three Legends toys, but with a silver face rather than the Hasbro version's orange.

* '''Grimlock''' (Action Master, 1990)

[[Image:Grimlock action master.jpg|thumb|right|50px|Me Grimlock no longer able to transform.]]

: Part of the initial assortment of non-transforming [[Action Master]] figures, Grimlock's design combines his cartoon model with extra toy-based detailing. He came with the [[Anti-tank cannon]] "partner" machine which Grimlock could ride, or be unfolded to form a really ''big'' "long range mortar launcher."

{{-}}

===Generation 2===
* '''Grimlock''' (Dinobot, 1992)

: Grimlock's original toy was [[redeco]]ed for release in ''Generation 2'', this time lacking the missile launcher accessory. He was available in three different colors; the first --and rarest-- in his original silver (the easiest way to spot if this is a G2 or original is by the "Autobot" tampograph on his leg), then in a medium turquoise-blue, and finally (and most commonly) in a dark blue.

:''('''Note''': Grimlock outranked Optimus Prime in the G2 toyline! (Prime had a rank of 9.)''

===Beast Wars===
* '''Grimlock''' (Deluxe, 1997)

[[Image:BeastWarsgrimlock_toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[Ben Yee]] think me Grimlock look like dalmatian... :(]]

: Beast Wars Grimlock is a [[redeco]] of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] in gray and gold with black spots, transforming into a "raptor" of some variety. His tail becomes a sword and a rotate-blade. He was slightly [[retool]]ed to have space for an "energon chip" [[rubsign]]. Unfortunately, Grimlock suffers from [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]].

: This mold is also used by [[Dinobots (toyline)|Dinobots]] [[Grimlock (Dinobots)|Grimlock]], and was retooled to make [[Dinotron (BM)|Dinotron]], [[Hardhead (BW)|Hardhead]] and [[Thrustor (BW)|Thrustor]].

===Beast Machines===
:[[T-Wrecks]] may have been intended to be a new form for Grimlock, based on the references in his tech spec bio to his ''Beast Wars'' "Attack Specialist" function and other hints. However, T-Wrecks' appearances in the ''Universe: The Wreckers'' comics suggests he is a new, unrelated character.

===Alternators===
* '''Grimlock''' (2005)
:''Alternator ID number:'' '''9'''
:''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-10'''
[[Image:AlternatorsGrimlock_toy.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Me Grimlock no longer munch metal, so me Grimlock burn rubber.]]

: ''[[Alternators]]'' Grimlock transforms into a silver 1:24 scale Ford Mustang with opening doors, hood, and trunk. His engine transforms into a double-barreled gun, and he also carries an orange sword which can attach to the underside of his vehicle mode. The toy is one of the most-complained-about Alternators toys, due to its notoriously finicky transformation (with many small steps that must be performed in exactly the right order) and to several pieces which have a tendency to pop off with relatively small amounts of force.

:This mold was remolded into ''Alternators'' [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]].

{{-}}

===Universe===
:The [[Grimlock (Energon)|Grimlock]] toy released in ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' was originally created by Hasbro for release as a special new-mold addition for the ''Universe'' toyline and was intended to represent ''Generation 1'' Grimlock. However, it wasn't and it didn't.

===Classics===
*'''Grimlock''' (Deluxe, 2006)
[[Image:Grimlockclassicstoy.jpg|left|thumb|100px|Me Grimlock just come from Jurassic Park 4 audition. Me ate all other actors.]]

: ''Classics'' Grimlock, a gray and gold ''Tyrannosaurus rex'', is a reimagined form of his original toy. His dinosaur mode's sculpt is based heavily upon [[TakaraTomy]]'s Zoids Genosaurer toy, although for Grimlock the Zoids Tyrannosaurus toy Berserk Führer might have been more apropos. It features articulated jaws, some neck and arm movement, posable legs, a segmented, articulated tail, and is notably designed to run rather than drag (theories on the T-Rex having changed from "caveman adversary" to "Carl Lewis in Lizard Skin" since the G1 incarnation).

:In robot mode, his tail detaches to become a sword/whip, similar to his Pretender Classic toy. Also, his bayonet blaster bears a [[:Image:Grimlock_gun_prt_clsc.JPG|similarity]] to his Pretender toy's. His bayonet blaster can be deployed in either mode, and fires a clear red projectile. Both weapons can be stored on his back when not used. As with most ''Classics'' toys, Grimlock features a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]], placed on the left side of the tyrannosaurus torso/his left leg.

:A common complaint about the figure is the size of the peg being too small in relation to the peg-hole, making it impossible to lock the arms into place. In addition, the bayonet blaster has a hair-trigger.

:An unpainted ''Classics'' Grimlock was used at the [[BotCon 2007]] customization classes to create ''[[Timelines]]'' [[Overkill]].

{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
*'''Grimlock''' (3" Robot Masters, 2006)
[[Image:Titanium_RM_Grimlock.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Me Grimlock say, boogie down!!]]

: ''Titanium'' Grimlock is a non-transforming, three inch die-cast metal figurine based on his toy and comic/cartoon model. He has very limited articulation, in his neck, waist and shoulders. Grimlock is posed squatting and/or dancing.

*'''Grimlock''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 200?)

===Attacktix===
*'''Grimlock''' (Booster, 2007)
[[Image:Attacktix_Grimlock.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Me Grimlock can no move.]]

: '''Attacktix''' Grimlock is depicted in his ''Tyrannosarus'' mode, and has a sculpt based heavily upon his original G1 toy. Pressing down on his back will cause his head to extend and presumably hit whatever he's facing.

{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
*'''Grimlock Vs Shockwave''' (Two Pack, 2007)
[[Image:Robot_Hero_Grimlock.jpg|right|thumb|120px|Me Grimlock no cutie, me king!]]

Packed with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] Grimlock is a detailed two-inch tall figurine with exaggerated, cartoony proportions. He is sculpted holding his sword in his left hand. He brings cuddly wuddly death.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
[[Image:Grimlock_Natural_History_Museum.JPG|thumb|left|150px|Me Grimlock am BIG person, so they put my statue in Natural History Museum.]]
* In the original Diaclone commercial for Grimlock, it showed him spewing fire from his mouth. Guess why ''that'' was removed, huh?
* There is a Grimlock's toy placed in the showcase in the Dinosaur Section from [[Wikipedia:Natural History Museum|Natural History Museum]], London, United Kindom.
* Grimlock is generally regarded as Simon Furman's signature character.
* Grimlock's fuction is '''Lieutenant Commander''' instead of Dinobot Commander on his Pretender Classic and Alternator toys. Lieutenant Commander is [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]'s rank. Deal with it, egobot.
* The Energon Grimlock toy was originally intended to be the original Generation 1 character, and was to be released in Universe. However, it was ultimately shunted into Energon, reportedly for a combination of budgetary concerns and keeping the combination gimmick (since he combines with the packed-in Swoop to form a super robot) only in the main-line, which had combination as a central theme.
* A working name for the [[Alternators]] Ford Mustang mold which ultimately ended up as Grimlock was "[[Freeway]]", according to various early store listings.
* Grimlock's beast mode in The Gathering does not actually match any dromeaosaur on record, seeming to combine elements of both the dromea0saur body type with that of a carnosaur or tyrannosaurid. Why, because Grimlock only does massive dues ex machina powerhouse, not speed merchent, like [[Dinbot (BW)|some]] people.
* Simon Furman announced on the IDW forums that Grimlock will be receiving a Spotlight in 2008.

{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Grimlock/grimlock.htm Grimlock at TFU.info]

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

{{stub}}
[[Category: Alternators]]
[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[Category: Autobot leaders]]
[[Category: Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category: Classics characters]]
[[Category: Combiners]]
[[Category: Deputy Commanders]]
[[Category: Dinobots]]
[[Category: Pretenders]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: K-Mart exclusives]]
[[Category: Letters page answerers]]
[[Category: Maximals]]
[[Category: Primitives]]
[[Category: Robot Heroes]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Turncoats]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Soundwave (G1)

2007-10-27T00:05:05Z

213.202.160.121: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{disambig3|Soundwave}}

:''Soundwave is a [[Decepticon]] in the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. In the Japanese series, he later took the name '''Soundblaster'''.''

[[Image:Soundwave_mixalot.jpg|thumb|300px|Big butts: preferred. Lying: impossible.]]

'''Soundwave''' is one of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s most reliable troops, and has positioned himself comfortably and irreplaceably in Megatron's upper command structure, and stands at the Decepticon leader's side as confidant. Though Communications Officer, he is comparable to [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in rank, and the only one of the three that has consistently displayed loyalty to Megatron. Soundwave guards his place in the hierarchy fiercely. Though loyal to Megatron, the other Decepticons see him as a two-faced snake. As Communications Officer, Soundwave sees and hears all, and will not hesitate to use blackmail to keep himself high in Megatron's esteem. The other Decepticons wouldn't mind abandoning him on the battlefield -- if they thought Megatron would let them get away with it.

Soundwave commands [[Mini-Cassette|a legion of cassette troops]] to carry out tasks big and small. He has a symbiotic relationship with them, providing them transportation and a cheap, if cramped, place to live in his chest. Sometimes he lets them all out to watch impromptu gladiator games, or takes them to discotheques. In return, they perform spy and recon missions for him, and make sure no one calls him "unchrasimatic".

He also has all the personality of a stump (as evidenced in his computer-style speech). He also has no imagination, sending the aforementioned cassettes on operations with mundane names.

:''Italian name'': '''Memor''', '''Vizar''' (as Soundblaster)<br>
:''RTM dub name'': '''New Soundwave''' (as Soundblaster)<br>
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Radar''', '''Sonore''' (as Action Master)
:''Hungarian name'': '''Fülelő''' (meaning Listener)

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
''(Note: Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.)''
[[Image:Contentedfools.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Ravage]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], and Soundwave, the first Decepticons.]]
After the Transformers' awakening on Earth, Soundwave served quietly under Megatron, before he was overthrown by [[Shockwave]]. Under Shockwave's command, Soundwave attacked the [[Blackrock Aerospace Plant]] and secured it for Decepticon use. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} The plant's facilities were used to create the [[Constructicons]], who built a massive radio dish that Soundwave used to beam a message back to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} ''Soundwave assumed leadership of the Decepticons a short time later and led them against the Autobots during the "Dinobot Hunt," during a brief period when both Megatron and Shockwave were missing in action.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

When Megatron resurfaced, rendered immobile in a Wyoming coal mine due to lack of fuel, Soundwave sped to his rescue, re-energizing him. {{storylink| I, Robot Master!}} ''Using the splintered state of the Decepticon forces to his advantage, Soundwave worked both sides of the field, reporting to both Megatron and the returned Shockwave, without the other's knowledge. When Shockwave learned that the human [[Buster Witwicky]] had begun to suffer [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced visions of the [[combiner|next leap in Transformer evolution]], Soundwave reported this to Megatron, prompting him to battle Shockwave for leadership. The Decepticons' human ally, [[Robot Master]], televised the battle, much to Soundwave's distaste, and in order to prevent the Decepticons from looking like fools, interrupted the duel and insisted that they agree to a joint leadership.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[Image:Laserbeakwarriorschool.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Fly, my pretties, fly!]]
''When the [[Robot-Master]] hoax the Decepticons were perpetrating was threatened by the investigate work of [[Joy Meadows]], Soundwave was instrumental in ending the conflict that ensued between the Decepticons and the Dinobots by holding the reporter hostage and destroying her footage.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest!}} ''Not long thereafter, when the deranged future Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], traveled back in time, Soundwave was intrigued by the fact that he was unable to scan his mind to discern the truth of his identity. Siding with Megatron when conflict erupted, Soundwave and his leader were buried under an avalanche by Galvatron, and then rescued by the Autobots in the name of forming an alliance to defeat their common enemy.'' {{storylink|Target 2006}}

''It would be some time before Soundwave came back to the fore, and his return to the spotlight was an ignominious one. With Megatron having apparently died, Soundwave was now once again under Shockwave's command, and, while patrolling on the Decepticon's mobile island base, found himself attacked and subdued by the time-travelling freelance peace-keeping agent, [[Death's Head]], and tricked into giving up information on the whereabouts of Galvatron.'' {{storylink|Hunters!}} ''Although Death's Head's attempts to track down the Decepticon met with failure, Galvatron was ultimately entombed in lava, where he was later discovered by [[Susan Hoffman]]. Soundwave observed a televised broadcast of her discovery, and he and the [[Combaticon]]s attempted to destroy Galvatron with explosives planted around the volcano in question. After a battle with the [[Throttlebot]]s, Soundwave found that he was unable to remotely detonate the explosives planted around the volcano thanks to Blaster jamming his signal.'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night}}

[[Image:Soundwave uscomics.jpg|thumb|left|G2 before it was cool.]]When Shockwave was removed from power, Soundwave smoothly transitioned to serving under the new Decepticon leader Ratbat, and helped to operate his [[Realvision]] playback system to decode data from Autobot tapes [[Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]]. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} The tapes, it was discovered, contained information on the [[Underbase]], the power of which was soon claimed by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who immediately targeted the Earth. Soundwave co-led the defense of New York alongside [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], but was deactivated by a blast of cosmic power from Starscream. {{storylink|Dark Star!}}

''It would be some time before Soundwave was operational again, but was back on his feet by the time that Starscream, now a [[Pretender]], was busy doubting his self-worth.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star}} He continued to operate under the command of the new Decepticon Earth commander, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]].

''In 2007, in the alternate future world of [[Earth-120185]], Soundwave was second-in-command of the Decepticon forces under Shockwave, and succeeded him after Death's Head assassinated him on the orders of [[Unicron]].'' {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}} ''In 2008, Soundwave entered into an alliance with the [[Quintesson]]s, arranging to attack the Autobots as part of a larger plan. He was, however, unaware of the aliens' true plans to take control of Cybertron, and found himself double-crossed when the Quintessons ambushed the Decepticons en route to their attack on the Autobots. The Autobots, led by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], saved Soundwave's forces from the Quintessons, and they joind forces to repel the Quintesson invasion.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!}} ''Finally, in 2009, Soundwave led the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] back in time to 1989, where they briefly participated in the "Time Wars," before returning to their own time in the midst of the conflict to save their own hides.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

====Earthforce====

''In the tangent timeline that is home to the Autobot [[Earthforce]] team, Soundwave nominally served on Megatron's side during the Decepticon Civil War, but, once again, was not above exploiting the conflict for his own ends. When an energon shipment was hijacked by Shockwave's forces thanks to information he had given them, Megatron came to suspect the presence of a traitor in his ranks, but ironically assigned Soundwave to identify them. To keep his own duplicity a secret, he sets up [[Wildrider]] to take the fall, and Megatron destroys the [[Stunticon]].'' {{storylink|Secrets}}

''Approached by Starscream with a plan to make them both Decepticon leaders, Soundwave joined forces with the schemer and lured Megatron and Shockwave to an airport, tipping off the Autobots to their location. With the two leaders thus occupied, Soundwave and Starscream take control.'' {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}}'' Subsequently, Soundwave led an all-out attack on the Earthforce base as a diversion, while Starscream attempts to plunder an oil tanker. Starscream meets with failure, however, leading Soundwave to withdraw his forces, and wonder if he should not take leadership for himself alone.'' {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}} ''Starscream is aware of Soundwave's goals, and when he is attacked by a group of alien assassins, suspects that he has ordered the hit and strikes back at him. Soundwave is able to convince him he is not responsible - in actuality, it was the work of Megatron and Soundwave.'' {{storylink|External Forces!}}

''Learning that human reporter [[Irwin Spoon]] had secured an interview with the Autobots that could potentially resolve public view of the Transformer war. Seeking to prevent this, he has the Stunticons captured the journalist, and although the Autobots are able to rescue him, a carefully planted [[cerebro-shell]] ensures that the story Irwin writes is anything but accurate.'' {{storylink|End of the Road!}}

===Animated continuity===
====''The Transformers''====
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (US), [[Issei Masamune]] (Japan)
[[Image:Cybertronsoundwave.jpg|thumb||left|Before the tape recorder, he was a lamp post. It's hard to take him seriously sometimes.]]

Prior to his arrival on Earth, Soundwave had the questionably useful [[altmode]] of a space-age lamp-post. This allowed him to get as close to Autobot headquarters as the street leading into [[Iacon]], but thankfully his chest-dwelling minion [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] could snoop even closer. The loyal Laserbeak overheard talk of the Autobot mission to seek new energy sources off Cybertron, which prompted the fateful Decepticon interception mission that eventually landed both teams on Earth.

Immediately after the Transformers awakened on Earth in 1984, Soundwave played an essential role in the generation of [[energon cube]]s and the formation of plans for a new space cruiser to return the Decepticons to Cybertron. He sounded really cool when he talked about these, too. Soundwave was reformatted as a portable cassette player, which allowed him to dupe a grabby and none-too-questioning [[Spike Witwicky]] into carrying his shrunken form into the [[Ark]] headquarters. This was to happen many times to the seemingly tape-deck addicted citizens of Earth.

Later, he used his mind-reading talents to acquire an [[antimatter]] formula for the Decepticons from the brain of [[Chip Chase]]. One of Soundwave's most notable misadventures came in in 1985, when, operating a plan conceived by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], he brainwashed humans with ultrasonic vibrations inside the Decepticon-built night club [[Dancitron]] in [[New York City]], leading to a confrontation with his Autobot Communications Officer counterpart, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], beginning a lasting rivalry between the two.

[[Image:Soundwaveg1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|We'll get you next time, Gadget.]]

Soundwave rarely displayed much emotion, and only infrequently exhibited any cunning and self-serving traits. He came across as extremely loyal to Megatron, even going so far as to recover the mortally wounded leader after being left for dead at the Battle of Autobot City in 2005. But while Soundwave was loyal, he was far from stupid, and kept his mouth shut when Megatron was subsequently ejected into space, and although he did suggest himself as a replacement leader, he again loyally served Megatron when he returned as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].

In the year 2006, although operating in a less prominent capacity for most of the time, Soundwave played a prominent role in Galvatron's attempt to learn the secret of a sonic weapon on the planet [[Eurhythma]], where sound and music were the way of life, leaving Soundwave entranced by the planet's perfect melodies. Recording each piece of the harmony that formed the devastating sonic effect, Soundwave was defeated when the Eurhythmans countered the harmony with white noise, and was again pulled into a confrontation with Blaster, who erased his recordings.

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformer'' manga=====

While Megatron and the Decepticons engaged the Autobots in battle in Arizona, Soundwave and his cassettes were dispatched to do something unspecified but likely ''evil'' in Tokyo. Optimus Prime dispatched a unit of Autobots, lead by Bumblebee and [[Kenji]] to track them down. He was ultimately defeated when Bumblebee got the drop on him with his patented "Bumble-Kick" and shattered his chest, making it impossible for his cassette forces to return to him, leaving them to be captured as well.

''The manga maintained something resembling continuity: during his appearance in the third issue of the book, Soundwave was shown to have bandages over his chest. Adorable.''

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformer'' story pages=====

In the second "Anime Theater" story page, titled ''Sick em, Hound!'', the Autobots decided to keep themselves in shape by having a friendly race. Soundwave learned of the race and set up a trap within a narrow canyon. He walled the Autobots up within the canyon and began shooting them all. Luckily, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] arrived on the scene and delivered a powerful punch to his chest, shattering his tape door. Soundwave immediately fled.

====''Headmasters''====

Shortly after the arrival of the [[Headmaster]]s, Soundwave and Blaster engaged in their final clash in the Arctic circle as the Autobots and Decepticons were in the process of searching for the missing Autobot [[Matrix]] of Leadership. The two opponents inflicted fatal damage on each other, and Soundwave's body exploded even as Blaster collapsed, but his fragments were recovered by his cassettes. Using reconstructive technology from the planet [[Master]], the leader of the Decepticon Headmasters, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] successfully rebuilt and resurrected Soundwave as '''Soundblaster''' - essentially identical to his former self, except for his predominantly black color scheme. As Soundblaster, Soundwave served the same role as he had previously under the leadership of Galvatron and later Scorponok, frequently embarking on spying missions with [[Ratbat]].

=====''Headmasters'' manga=====

After the Decepticons had been vanquished from Earth, [[Scorponok (G1)|Mega Zarak]] ordered Soundblaster to remain on Earth in secret to act as a spy for the Decepticons. Soundblaster made his presence and intentions known almost instantly (not a very good spy) by kicking [[Wheelie]] square in the face and taking the [[Spike Witwicky|Witwicky]] family hostage. Strangely enough, the Autobots considered these acts to be hostile. [[Chromedome]] was left powerless to do anything but surrender, as [[Slugfest]] and [[Overkill]] brutalized [[Spike Witwicky|Spike]] and threatened [[Carly]]. Daniel finally snapped and beat the living crap out of the two Cassette dinosaurs, leaving Soundblaster open to Chromedome's poorly named "Master-Chrome Hurricane Throw to the End of Hell!" Chromedome chucked Soundblaster over the horizon where he landed near the rogue Decepticon, [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]].

===Kid Stuff Talking Story Books continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' Unknown

In ''[[When Continents Collide]]'', [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] calls Soundwave a "blundering tape-filled idiot." This is notable because it is hilarious. Also, Soundwave is really, really whiny in these stories.

===''Beast Wars''===
Soundwave is shown among the many Transformers strewn about the interior of the Ark when the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] infiltrates the ship on his mission to destroy Optimus Prime.

In the [[3H]] ''Tales of the Beast Wars'' comics, Soundwave is one of the ancient warriors who appears from [[J'nwan]] to help battle the warlord [[Shokaract]].

{{-}}

===Dreamwave Generation 1 continuity===
Soundwave was chosen by Megatron to lead his second assassination team against the new Autobot supreme Commander, Optimus Prime. With the aid of his cassette troops, most notably Ravage, as well as [[Shrapnel]], [[Bombshell]], and [[Kickback]], it was assumed he would have no problem with a young, peace loving Autobot. Soundwave, like many others, underestimated Prime's resolve and was quickly incapacitated. He recovered quickly enough to rescue Megatron after the latter's own battle with Prime.
Soundwave was among the Decepticons who quickly joined Shockwave's forces upon returning to Cybertron. It seems clear, however, that Soundwave had little loyalty to him, as he readily joins up with Starscream when the [[Seeker]] decides to return to Earth and take over. Though Soundwave feigned subservience to Starscream, it is later revealed that he had been serving Megatron the entire time in secret.

{{-}}

===Devil's Due G.I.Joe vs. Transformers comics===

===IDW comics continuity===
{{spoiler}}
Long before the war began, Soundwave was the personal assistant to Senator [[Ratbat]]. When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] caught Ratbat's eye as a champion of the illegal underground gladiatorial matches, Ratbat sent Soundwave to offer Megatron funding and weapons technology. When [[Bumper|two]] [[Fastback|Autobots]] were discovered listening in on their conversation, Soundwave dispatched Ravage and Laserbeak to capture them. Some time later, Soundwave was assigned to find a warrior with flight capabilities. He found the [[Seeker]]s Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker. During a recruitment rally where Megatron attempted to kill [[Decimus|Senator Decimus]], a raid by the Autobots under [[Sentinel Prime]] resulted in the partcipants being arrested. Soundwave, however, was freed under [[Senate]] directive, something which greatly angered the Prime. Soundwave had apparently switched loyalties at this time, becoming one of Megatron's own to such an extent he destroyed Ratbat's original body nd forced him into the relatively weak cassette form. {{storylink|Megatron Origin}}

Centuries later, after [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] disappeared, Megatron assigned [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] to delve into his research and relay all the information back to him. As the Decepticon leader did not fully trust Bludgeon, he also assigned Soundwave to spy on him. Soundwave followed Bludgeon and his team as they left for Earth in 1984 and established a base within Mt. St. Helens, eventually discovering that they intended to resurrect [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]. Though he tried to stop them, [[Iguanus]] used an experimental cannon from Shockwave's arsenal to lock him in his alt mode while they instigated a volcanic eruption. He was eventually recovered by a team of unwitting humans who sold him to a pawn shop. He remains sitting in the window to this day. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Soundwave''' (Decepticon, 1984/1985, 2003)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''17''', '''TFC-10'''

: Soundwave transforms into a realistically-sized microcassette recorder of indeterminate manufacture, and includes weapons that turn into imitation batteries to power his nonexistent circuitry. [[Takara]]'s release of Soundwave in the ''[[Transformers]]'' line was nearly identical to the ''[[Microchange]]'' "MC-10 Cassette Man" toy on which he was based. This meant that along with being packaged with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (previously a red "MC-01 Micross"), he came with a set of non-functioning headphones that allowed you to not listen to the silence not recorded on his non-functioning tapes with the non-functioning microphone. [[Hasbro]] packaged Soundwave with [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] rather than Rumble, and omitted the other non-functioning accessories.

: Soundwave was included in the VS-Y versus pack along with Rumble and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]].

: For 2003, Soundwave was reissued as part of Takara's [[Transformers Collection]] "book-box" series. This iteration of Soundwave came packaged with [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]].

*'''Soundblaster''' (Decepticon, 1987, 2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-101''', '''TFC-18'''

: As part of the Japanese ''[[Headmasters (franchise)|Headmasters]]'' series, Soundwave was [[redeco]]ed and [[retool]]ed so that he could hold two Cassettes in his chest at once. Soundblaster's tape door was cast in transparent red plastic to allow the information on the "readout" decal, unique to the ''Headmasters'' decos of the cassettes, to be seen, functioning in the same manner as the Tech Specs decoders. The readouts of the Decepticon cassettes showed the "weak points" of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. Soundblaster came packaged with Buzzsaw.

: Soundblaster saw reissue in the Transformers Collection series in 2005, packaged together with Buzzsaw and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]].

*'''Soundwave with Wingthing''' (Action Master, 1990)

: [[Action Master]] Soundwave is a non-transforming action figure who combines elements of his cartoon model and original toy. He is compatible with any other Action Master weapon or vehicle. He came packaged with his new partner [[Wingthing]].

===Generation 2===
*'''Soundwave''' (Go-Bot, 1995)
: A [[redeco]] of the [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] [[Gearhead]], Soundwave transforms into a Ford Thunderbird stock car with precision wheels and wire axles, compatible with "Hot Wheels" and "Matchbox" playsets and tracks (which he was properly sized to fit).

: Notably, his color scheme is very '''loud''', being bright shades of fluorescent yellow, pink and blue. This is one time fans can actually get away with describing a toy's color scheme as [[neon]].

===Machine Wars===
*'''Soundwave''' (Mega, 1997)
: ''[[Machine Wars]]'' Soundwave was a [[redeco]] of the [[Predator]] [[Stalker]] minus Stalker's handgun and its missiles and with the sighting gimmick having been removed from the missile. In this incarnation Soundwave transforms into tracked missile carrier.

===Smallest Transformers===
*'''Soundwave and Ravage''' (2003)
: Like all of the ''[[Smallest Transformers]]'', this version of Soundwave is a tiny replica of his G1 form. He came with ''Smallest Transformers'' Ravage, who is probably ''the'' smallest Transformer ever.

===Universe===
*'''Soundwave & Space Case''' (Ultra, 2004)
: The ''Machine Wars'' version of Soundwave was redecoed for release in the ''[[Universe]]'' line in an Ultra-level two-pack with [[Space Case]]. Due to the lack of fiction, it is ''possible'' that this incarnation is in fact an alternate-universe version of Soundwave, or possibly a new character altogether.

===Titanium===
*'''Soundwave'''
: A new representation of his G1 form, this Soundwave transforms into a slightly redesigned version of his original microcassette player mode. He also comes with a VERY tiny Laserbeak that transforms into a black rectangle vaguely resembling a microcassette and is almost (but not quite) as small as ''Smallest TF'' Ravage. He can also fit inside of Soundwave's chest. Both of Soundwave's guns resemble batteries and fit into the battery compartment on his back.

===Classics (2006)===
*'''Soundwave''' (Commemorative Edition, 2007)

: Despite having packaging that claims ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Soundwave is "Identical to the original toy", this version is actually a redeco of the [[Transformers Collection]] Sound''blaster'' reissue in Soundwave's original colors. Like the Soundblaster reissue, ''Classics'' Soundwave is packaged with "Battle" Ravage, as well as Laserbeak, recolored from Soundblaster's Buzzsaw. In a move rare for a US release of this toy, the set included two [[Takara]] clear plastic cassette cases. Exclusive to Toys 'R' Us stores, Soundwave had been intended for the [[Commemorative Series]], but after the cancellation of that line he was added to ''Classics'', although the phrase "Commemorative Edition" is prominently displayed on the front and sides of the box.

:''(It is interesting to note that while the actual product uses the Soundblaster mold, the package photos show Soundwave with the single-tape door mold used for Takara's TFC-10 reissue.)

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

===Unreleased===
:In ''Generation 2'', a [[redeco]] of the [[Laser Cycle]] [[Road Pig]] was planned as Soundwave, but ultimately never released, one of many planned redecos that never made it. Some packaged samples do exist.

==Merchandise==
[[Image:Music label soundwave.jpg|left|thumb|200px|SOUNDWAVE: SUPERIOR. ALL OTHER MUSIC PLAYERS: INFERIOR.]]
===Soundwave Playing Audio Player (2007)===

* Released by [[TakaraTomy]]'s Music Label (which also puts out a not-half-as-cool Convoy iPod stand), Soundwave is an MP3 player which takes a miniSD card. The box says it can take up to 1 GB, but many claims have shown it can support upwards to 2 GB. Uses 1 AAA battery. An optional accessory, sold separately, feature headphones that transform into [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]].
* The player also features a transformation almost entirely accurate to his G1 appearance. He also comes with two sets of hands, his shoulder cannon, and a sidearm.
* As of this writing, SanDisk has not indicated any plans to release tie-in miniSD cards named [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] or [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. It's sure to [[Transformers:_Rise_of_the_Chevy_Autobots|only be a matter of time]], though.

==Trivia==
*According to an interview in the magazine ''Otaku USA'' (issue 3, pg. 102-3), the original Microchange toy and the accompanying cassettes were at least partially designed by famed mecha designer and anime director [[Shinji Aramaki]]. He did not come up with the transformation scheme, but designed most of the outward appearance and details. He also worked on the toys that became the deluxe [[Insecticon]]s, [[Reflector]], and [[Perceptor]].
* Including the ''Microchange'' "Cassette Man" version, the original Soundwave mold has sported at least four different tape doors:
** The original MC-10 version had a cassette door that had "Cassette Man" emblazoned on it, and featured a hinge that was internal to the robot's body.
** For the initial ''Transformers'' release by Hasbro, the "Cassette Man" text was removed.
** When Takara's Soundwave was released, the hinge was remolded so the bottom of the door attached to the outside of the robot, on either side of the "buttons", which had also been remolded.
** The Soundblaster version had a door that retained the external hinge and added the capacity for holding a second cassette.

[[Image:Soundwavecommercial.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Say hello to my leetle friend!]]

* Though Soundwave's toy is a microcassette recorder, his fictional appearances depict him as a stereo cassette deck or Walkman. (Likewise, his microcassette tapes are depicted as regular audio cassettes.)

* Animation from early ''Transformers'' commercials featured a Soundwave model colored in very light blue, versus the dark blue used later. Also, instead of the cassettes ejecting themselves from his chest, he reached into his chest compartment with his own fingers and threw the (tiny) tapes into the air.

* Soundwave's distinctive voice proved to be one of G1's most memorable aspects. The highly-processed voice began with Frank Welker basically doing his Dr. Claw voice. Whether due variations in the performance or the processing, the final result varied quite a bit across Soundwave's three seasons on the show. Occasionally, as in the episodes [[Roll For It]] and [[Webworld]], the processing was left out and Welker's actual voice can be heard.

* The Marvel US comics chose a purple scheme for Soundwave. This could have been an error, an early look for him that was dropped in other media, or perhaps an attempt to distinguish him from the other Decepticons, who were mostly blue (especially since blacks also ended up as blues in the industry's then-limited color palette). The Marvel UK comics colored him blue like everywhere else.

[[Image:Bm soundwave.jpg|thumb|right|Soundwave gets [[slag (slang)|slagged]] by Vehicons, and Nightscream escapes. How's that for injustice?{{storylink|Forbidden Fruit}}]]

* Soundwave's computer model was used for one of the generic transformers in Beast Machines seen in [[Nightscream]]'s flashback being cornered by [[Vehicon]] drones just before Nightscream fled into the lower levels of Cybertron. Though the model was recolored, it was still really <span title="This may not be an actual word" style="cursor:help;">'Soundwavey,'</span> causing much confusion among fans.

* Later, Soundwave's character model showed up numerous times in various color schemes as a generic background character in [[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]].

* [[Sideways]] listened to music using a tape deck resembling Soundwave in the [[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]] cartoon. Later, after a new [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] was found, ''Cybertron'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] held tape deck Soundwave in his arms.

*In the Japanese dub of the [[Generation 1 (television series)|Generation 1 cartoon]] as well as the [[manga]], all of Soundwave's cassette forces which could talk referred to him as "big brother". It should probably be noted, though, that this is a fairly common way to refer to others you admire and such in Japanese. Then again, it's also seen as a cute term of endearment from girls and young women, so... yeah. Take it as you will. Whatever it says about his relationship with them, it does give new meaning to the phrase [[Wikipedia:Big Brother (Nineteen Eighty-Four)|"Big Brother is watching over you"]].

{{-}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1984/Decepticon/Soundwave/soundwave.htm Soundwave at TFU.info]

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

{{stub}}
[[Category: Action Masters]]
[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[Category: Classics characters]]
[[Category: Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: Go-Bots]]
[[Category: Letters page answerers]]
[[Category: Machine Wars characters]]
[[Category: Robot Heroes]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]
[[Category: Unreleased toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Ratbat (G1)

2007-10-27T00:02:07Z

213.202.160.121: /* Trivia */

:''Ratbat is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:ratbat.jpg|320px|thumb|right|Ah, the children of the night. What wonderful spreadsheets they make!]]

Cold-blooded and obsessed with efficiency, '''Ratbat's''' primary concern is looking out for himself. He treats his responsibilities, whether as a fuel auditor or as leader of Decepticons, as a business. In his book, everything comes down to profit and loss.

In his role as fuel scout, Ratbat carries sensors that allow him to detect and evaluate the quality of fuels of various types, from primitive hydrocarbons to [[energon]]. He can process any number of these different fuels to power himself.

Although obsessed with efficiency, like any good CEO, Ratbat allows himself a small indulgence: He enjoys sinking his fangs into the fuel tanks of Terran automobiles, the more expensive the better. He enjoys nothing more than savoring high-test gasoline siphoned from a hapless yuppie's Mercedes or BMW.

Ratbat is also the best Decepticon leader ever. True, that's what [[Megatron (G1)|every]] [[Starscream (G1)|other]] [[Shockwave (G1)|leader]] says, but he's got the victories to back it up.

''Italian name:'' '''Stridek'''<br>
''French-Canadian name:'' '''Vampiro''' <br>
''Hungarian name'': '''Féreg''' (yep, means Worm)

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[Image:Ratbatcratercritters.jpg|left|thumb|175px|"That...that's your fist, Astrotrain."]]
Ratbat was one of the many Decepticons left on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where he rose to the critical post of fuel auditor. With a drive towards extreme efficiency, he would rarely countenance unnecessary risks. After the fall of [[Straxus|Lord Straxus]], Ratbat emerged as the most powerful Decepticon in [[Polyhex]].

Ratbat grew increasingly dissatisfied with the inefficient use of fuel by the Decepticons based on Earth under the command of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and developed schemes to improve the planet's output. He dispatched hypnotizing machines with the hope of taking over the minds of many humans and using them to deliver fuel at minimum cost to the Decepticons, but this plan was disrupted by the intervention of the Autobots' ally [[Buster Witwicky]].

Ratbat allied with the Earthbound Decepticons but remained dissatisfied with the leadership of Shockwave. When the Earthbound Autobots briefly left the planet in [[Ark]], Ratbat was at the forefront of a new Decepticon reign of terror and kidnapped Buster Witwicky, taking him to the Decepticons' island base.

[[Image:Ratbatfortmax.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Ratbat breaks through the Cassetticon glass ceiling.]]
When the Autobot [[Headmaster]]s and [[Targetmaster]]s besieged the base, the Decepticons were forced to flee by deploying its rocket facility. In the process of departure, Shockwave was shot down in space and seen heading towards Earth, apparently dying, and Ratbat declared it would be inefficient to rescue him and so, instead seized command of the Decepticons for himself.

Of all the leaders of the Decepticons on Earth few came closer to outright victory than Ratbat. He followed the Autobots under [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] when they set out to unite with those under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and launched an all-out attack that resulted in huge casualties and the Autobots being briefly stranded on the Moon.

Later, Ratbat promoted the newly recovered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to the position of second-in-command and set out to learn the truth about the legendary [[Underbase]], which could seemingly make a Transformer supremely powerful. Ratbat was determined to attain its power for itself but this ambition was shared by Starscream. The latter lured the separate Decepticon faction led by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to a meeting with Ratbat's forces, which soon resulted in conflict between the two, allowing Starscream to seek the Underbase for himself. Both Decepticon factions allied with the Autobots in fighting against Starscream, suffering huge casualties in the process. However both Ratbat and Scorponok independently suspected that the Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had plans to seize the power of the Underbase for himself, and they set out to stop them. Seconds later, Ratbat was dead, shot in the back by Scorponok.

===Animated continuity===
[[Image:RatbatTV.jpg|150px|thumb|left| Squeak! Squeak I tell you! Squeak!]]

:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (US), [[Hōchū Ōtsuka|Yoshitada Ōtsuka]] (Japan)

Like the other cassette tape Transformers that turned into animals, Ratbat was not capable of speech and was likened more to a pet than an equal member of the [[Decepticon]] forces. However, in the Japanese series, he and the other cassettes possessed the power of speech, though their roles seemed no different. Ratbat first appeared in ''[[Scramble City]]'' in Japan and ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' in the US.

====''Headmasters'' (Japan)====

===Blackthorne Comics continuity===
[[Image:Ratbat_blackthorne.png|thumb|Ratbat watches over his loyal pet Galvatron]]

Ratbat secretly plotted to rule the Decepticons by posing as the mentally unstable [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron's]] witless pet and sole confidant.

[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] worried about Galvatron's unhealthy attachment to Ratbat. When [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] foiled Ratbat's search for mysterious [[energon]]-producing aliens by causing Galvatron to step on him accidentally using [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Galvatron stopped fighting to rush to Ratbat's side, distraught over his actions.

:''('''Note''': Blackthorne Ratbat appeared to have the ability to change size from his parrot-like perch on Galvatron's shoulder (at right) to a [[:image:Ratbat_blackthorne2.png|giant bat]] large enough for a Throttlebot to ride on.) This fits in with his abilities as described in his expanded Marvel comics profile.''

:''('''Another Note''': Blackthorne's Ratbat was absolutely adorable. He is love.)''

===Dreamwave comics continuity===

[[Image:ratbatwarwithin.jpg|left|thumb|If Ratbat turned into a jet, why did they call him Ratbat?]]

Millions of years ago, before the Transformers crash-landed on Earth, Ratbat was the leader of a sub-faction of Decepticons called the [[Ultracons]] during the time when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had disappeared. During the Dark Ages, Ratbat made several efforts to secure the [[Tagan Heights]], which held forty percent of Cybertron's industrial capability. However, his efforts were constantly thwarted by [[Springer]] and the [[Wreckers]]. Eventually, he became so frustrated that he openly violated the [[Crisis Intervention Accords]] and managed to sway the [[Constructicon]]s over to the Ultracons, unleashing [[Devastator]] on the Heights. However, the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s arrived and formed [[Defensor]]. Their duel resulted in the destruction of a good deal of the Tagan Heights, and Ratbat was forced to retreat. {{storylink|The War Within: The Dark Ages}} Megatron's return saw the Ultracons reintegrated into the Decepticons. At this point in time, Ratbat possessed his original Cybertronian form, able to transform from robot mode to jet. However, at a later date, after the Great Shutdown, when Shockwave established control of the planet, many Transformers, including Ratbat, had their bodies reformatted into Earth-themed modes, leading to Ratbat's bat/tape body. It was noted that he was not pleased with its unimposing nature compared to his original structure.

When next we saw Ratbat, he had been freed by Starscream from imprisonment and was given to Soundwave as a servant/gift, implying a past connection for which Soundwave would want recompense. It is entirely possible that Shockwave may have viewed Ratbat as a threat to his control of the planet and deliberately gave him a weak body and imprisoned him to keep him out of the way.

===IDW comics continuity===

{{spoiler}}
[[Image:Senator ratbat.jpg|thumb|Vote Ratbat. A name you can trust.]]

Millions of years ago, before the war, Ratbat was a member of the [[Senate]] and possessed a fairly impressive humanoid form with wing-like capes and a bat head-like helmet. His professed role was "the application of wisdom through judgment" whatever that means, but actually he simply monitored news feeds and manipulated events (including stoking conflicts) to create the most profit for himself. Interested by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] early [[gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial exploits]], he sent his servant [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to offer Megatron a wide variety of advanced weaponry. {{storylink|Megatron Origin, part 2}}

When Megatron's forces bloomed from underground fightclub to planet-destabilizing army, Ratbat realized that he'd made a mistake and his manipulations had gone too far. {{storylink|Megatron Origin, part 3}} Ratbat was eventually betrayed by Soundwave, who blasted him in the chest and removed his [[spark]], which he transferred into a cassette body, assumed to have his familiar robot-bat alternate mode. {{storylink|Megatron Origin, part 4}}

Millions of years later, in the present day, Ratbat has come WAY down in the world and serves as scout for the Decepticons on Earth. He now appears to change into some sort of consumer electronic device of the iPod variety. {{storylink|Devastation (issue 1)}}
{{-}}

==Trivia==

*The Megatron: Origin miniseries was originally conceived back when DW held the TF license, and it might be speculated that, had it been so published as a part of that continuity rather than IDWs, the early connection established between Soundwave and Ratbat might have explained Shockwave's "gift" mentioned in the Dreamwave section above. Although, considering Soundwave's surprising actions in Origins P4, this is debatable.

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Ratbat / Frenzy''' (Cassette 2-pack, 1986)

: Ratbat transforms from a robot bat into a microcassette that can fit in the chest compartment of the [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Blaster]] molds. He was released in a two-pack with [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] in 1986 in the US and European markets. The toy had either gold or silver weapons and painted or sticker cassette detail. It is unknown if the color of the weapons corresponded the the detailing types.

: It is worth noting that Ratbat's tiny "ears" are among the more easily lost parts in the original [[Generation 1]] line.

*'''Ratbat''' (Cassettron, 1986/1987)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-61''', '''D-107'''

: In Japan, Ratbat was released as an individual toy. He came with a clear-plastic cassette storage case, like all other Japanese releases of the cassettes. It is unknown what weapon/tape-detail variants were available in Japan.

: Nick Kelsch has also imagined him as a tire.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Ratbat/ratbat.htm Ratbat at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Ratbat Ratbat's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category: Mini-Cassettes]]
[[Category: Politicians]]
[[Category: Primitives]]
[[Category: Ultracons]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>