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Starscream (G1)

2012-02-19T10:17:46Z

31.178.124.102: /* Foreign names */

{{picsneeded|Some pics of Starscream when he was merged with the Warworld}}

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|unicron|hofsilver|predacon}}
{{disambig3|Starscream}}{{suite}}
:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] and briefly a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Starscreamg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Let me guess. You're gonna attempt to overthrow Megatron, fail, cry, then repeat the cycle.]]
'''Starscream''' is the treacherous Decepticon [[Air Commander]] and the deadliest of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. The self-proclaimed pride of the [[Cybertron War Academy]], he's famous not only for his incredible skill, but also for his limitless (and troublesome) ambition. Starscream believes that he is more suited for command than [[Decepticon leader]] [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Thankfully for Megatron, Starscream's mutinous, power-grabbing plots are almost always transparent, and he can never muster up enough patience to complete a grandiose power play. Even on the few times he has taken control of the Decepticons, he quickly loses control of a situation, but is too arrogant to realize when he's in over his head. He never learns from his mistakes, but then again, Megatron doesn't either, seeing as how he's never turned Starscream into [[Slag (slang)|slag]]. Despite his constant failures, Starscream believes it is only a matter of time before he prevails—his destiny is inevitable.

Starscream's never give up attitude extends even to the afterlife: unlike most Transformers, he has a mutant, indestructible [[Spark]]. His life-force cannot be destroyed and can persist even without a body to contain it. However, there is no indication that Starscream (or anybody else) was aware of this fact prior to his destruction.

{{bigquote|''Why?'' That's what they ''all'' asked me. Why him... why ''Starscream''? Why, of all the Decepticons, did I decide to revitalize the one whose record of deceit and betrayal is ''legend''? Because I'm an ''idiot'', that's why!|Megatron on Starscream|"[[Total War!]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He's the nigh-identical jerk on the right.]]
''Millions of years ago, on the troubled planet Cybertron, Starscream acted as the figurehead leader for the controlling dictators of the city-state of [[Vos]]. Following a botched attempt at igniting war between [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and [[Tarn]], Vos itself went to war with Tarn, and both cities were destroyed by an exchange of [[Photon missile|photon missiles]]. The survivors of both cities—presumably including Starscream—were gathered together by the ex-gladiator [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who used their bitterness towards Iacon to unite them under his control as the Decepticons.'' {{storylink|State Games}}

Four million years ago, Starscream was part of Megatron's attack raid on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. After its crashlanding on [[Earth]], Starscream was revived and rebuilt into an Earthen form in 1984, along with the other survivors. After a Decepticon roll-call, they fled the Ark. When the Autobots were spotted near a native settlement, aka a drive-thru movie theater, Starscream and the other Decepticons were commanded to attack. While Starscream extolled the use of guile and stealth, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] saturated him with his [[glass gas]] gun, which coated Starscream, making his metal brittle and breakable as glass. As his chassis shattered, Starscream ordered his fellow jets to flee. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

Megatron led his Decepticons to a perch above the half-constructed [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]], with intent to take it with brute force. Starscream suggested that [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] scout the area first. Megatron reluctantly agreed with Starscream, choosing [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to scout in Buzzsaw's stead. It wasn't until Ravage's report that Megatron realized it was the [[human]]s who created the machines in their midst, and thus they must have the technology to convert their fuel to a form they could use. Starscream quietly acknowledged Megatron's shrewdness, and felt that he must never let his eagerness to take over the Decepticons blind him to Megatron's cunning. The Decepticons attacked, and when they had achieved victory, Starscream and the others each hauled off chunks of the plant's machinery to construct their own [[Fortress Sinister|base of operations]] atop a harsh cliffside. Starscream and the other Decepticons next attacked the auto repair shop of [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], a friend of the Autobots whom the Decepticons suspected could convert fuel for them. Once Starscream abducted Sparkplug, the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Power Play!}}

[[Image:Addstarscreamtothedamagereport.jpg|right|250px|thumb|He'd better get used to this.]]
Starscream and the others returned to their cliffside headquarters with Sparkplug Witwicky, as Starscream found humor in the role reversal of this planet's human domination over machines. He continued to boast of his successful kidnapping in front of Megatron and the others, a ploy that did not go unnoticed by Megatron. Their captive, Sparkplug, needed materials to aid him in converting Earth fuel to Transformer fuel, so Starscream and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] were dispatched to bring back a tanker truck full of fuel for Sparkplug to work on. The Decepticons' actions did not go unnoticed, and the human media and military crowded around their headquarters. But it wasn't until the Autobots arrived that Starscream and the other two jets were unleashed upon the crowd. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} Though the human escaped, it was not before he had successfully done their work for them. Regardless, Starscream berated Megatron for allowing the human to be rescued, to which Megatron responded with a blast from his [[fusion cannon]]. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

Starscream was one of a group of Decepticons who were sent to the [[United Kingdom]] to investigate tales of the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]], who was in reality an Autobot sent from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to Earth to look for the missing Ark. Starscream destroyed him. {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} ''Meanwhile, Megatron had begun to grow weary of Starscream's constant attempts to undermine his authority, and he sent Ravage to follow Starscream, hoping he would uncover enough damning evidence to permit Megatron to destroy Starscream once and for all. But when Starscream failed to rally the Decepticons behind him by staging a conflict with the Autobots, he tried to kill [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to keep this secret. When caught, he demanded a trial-by-combat and was pitted against [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], a fight which he won, until Starscream was shot down and deactivated by Ravage.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

When it was discovered that Sparkplug had failed to convert fuel for the Autobots, Megatron ordered an attack on the Ark to destroy them once and for all, showing them what lay in wait for those who dared to defy him. Starscream meekly agreed. Despite the Autobots' dangerously low fuel levels, Starscream was amazed at [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s commanding power. But just as victory was about to be handed to the Decepticons, Starscream and the others doubled over in pain. Sparkplug Witwicky had poisoned their converted fuel. If not for the sudden appearance and intervention by the long-lost [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], the Decepticons surely would have been defeated. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} Shockwave, having defeated the entire Autobot army, save the Autobots' medic [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], set up a base of operations inside the Ark and began rehabilitating Starscream and the others. {{storylink|The New Order}} When Megatron awoke and rebelled against Shockwave, the former Decepticon leader was humiliated in his still-weakened state, and paraded in front of Starscream and the others as a warning to those who would cross Shockwave. The Decepticons hailed Shockwave as their new leader. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}}

[[Image:Starscreamdisintegratedcircuits.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Starscream's treachery is a little more subtle when he's allowed to have thought balloons.]]
When Megatron went missing, leaving control of the Ark back in the hands of the Autobots, Starscream disparaged Megatron's failure in front of Shockwave. The Decepticons had in the meantime taken control of one of [[Blackrock Industries]]' aerospace plants, and [[G.B. Blackrock]] had constructed a superweapon to retaliate. Starscream convinced Shockwave to let him and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] destroy the weapon to boost morale (or maybe allow him to steal the superweapon and use it to destroy Shockwave and take command). There, Starscream and Frenzy not only encountered the Autobots [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] but also a super-powered human who was determined to destroy all robots, [[Circuit Breaker]]. Starscream suffered few injuries, but had to drag Frenzy's body from the conflict. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

''Shockwave went missing as well, and with both him and Megatron gone, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] assumed command. Soundwave wasted no time in telling Starscream why he would never lead the Decepticons—he's just "a missile with a mouth". Soundwave orchestrated [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s capture, and challenged Optimus Prime to fight his way through the Decepticons to rescue him. Although Starscream loudly boasted of being a "leader killer", once he faced Optimus Prime alone, he stammered and hesitated, and was quickly defeated.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}

Shockwave returned, and none too soon! Starscream and the other jets had been standing watch over their captured Blackrock Industries oil rig for weeks. Shockwave unveiled the [[power siphon]] he had built during his absence, which Starscream and the others would soon use to convert sound energy from a [[Brick Springhorn|Brick Springstern]] concert into [[Energon cube|Energon cubes]]. Their plot was stopped abruptly when they were defeated by Bumblebee and a group of new Autobot recruits. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} Starscream soon agreed with Shockwave that Bumblebee would be a perfect candidate for them to add to their own ranks. They waited until Bumblebee was alone, and then hunted him relentlessly. It wasn't until human authorities and the Autobots arrived to rescue Bumblebee did the Decepticons abandon their hunt. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

Starscream, among others, escorted Megatron to the Space Bridge, where they were expecting reinforcements from Cybertron. Though only a team of Autobots had made it through the Space Bridge to Earth, their disappointment was brief. The Autobots had in the meantime launched a full-scale attack on the Decepticons' base, which Megatron reckoned meant that the Ark was unguarded. Indeed, the sole obstacle in their way to the entrance was a tank and a rocket. However, these elements soon combined into the impressive super robot [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. One by one, Megatron's troops fell before the titan, including Starscream. Only Megatron and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] survived. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[Image:Target 2006 fake Starscream dies.jpg|right|250px|thumb|*Contains 100% genuine Starscream substitute.]]
''The Autobots gathered up Starscream and the other deactivated Decepticons and placed them in life support capsules within the Ark, holding them imprisoned in stasis. Not long afterward, the Autobots were plunged into a state of disarray by the violent arrival of the enigmatic time-travelling Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and [[Grapple]] was in such a rush to depart the medical bay and attend a mission briefing that he failed to notice an alert signifying the malfunction of Starscream's capsule. Starscream awoke and punched his way out of the capsule, and proceeded to steal out of the medical area and listen in on the Autobots' briefing. He was shocked to overhear that the Autobots had teamed up with Megatron to defeat Galvatron, and Starscream immediately decided to sneak off to join forces with this powerhouse from the future. Galvatron went along with Starscream's toadying, as the irony amused him; Galvatron was, in fact, a recreated future incarnation of Megatron, and would go on to kill Starscream twenty years in the future! When Galvatron and his men faced Megatron once again, Starscream shot Megatron in the back, but had to be stopped short of killing him by Galvatron himself, who knocked Starscream unconscious in order to secure his own future existence. Starscream's body was placed back into its stasis capsule by the future Autobots [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], who then proceeded to trick Galvatron into returning to the future through a complicated plan that involved painting Skywarp to look like Starscream, and then duping Galvatron into destroying him. After killing "Starscream", Galvatron rationalized that he must have travelled back to a parallel timeline, since Starscream was not supposed to die until 2006, and returned to the future with his men.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[Image:Starscreammerrychristmas.jpg|left|150px|thumb|His heart grew three sizes that day.]]
''Rather than do the smart thing and return Starscream the Ark, the future Autobots rather unwisely left his capsule lying in the middle of a field. As happenstance would have it, Starscream lay there, undisturbed, until he awoke at [[Christmas]] the following year. Desolate, he wished he could go home again, and was in mid-mope when he was chanced upon by a [[Christmas kid|a human]] who sought to inform him of the meaning of Christmas. Urged to help a busload of elderly humans who had become stuck in a snowdrift, Starscream wanted to know what would be in it for him. As Starscream debated this good deed, he was suddenly attacked by [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]], who suspected him to be up to his usual do-baddery. After a brief battle, the human intervened to chastise Streetwise, and Starscream proceeded to show up the Protectobot by saving the bus, purely out of spite.'' {{storylink|Stargazing}}

{{note|Starscream never awoke in the American stories—his deactivated body remained captive within the Ark for years, and was not rescued until the events of "[[Totaled!]]", when [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s forces saved all the Decepticons aboard the craft. When this story was reprinted in the UK, Starscream's name was erased from the artwork. As far as the UK stories were concerned, Starscream sought out Ratbat's Decepticons to join up with them.}}

Starscream quickly ingratiated himself with Ratbat and helped run [[Club Con]], a human island resort that covered their attempt to uncover subterranean information on the legendary [[Underbase]]. {{storylink|Club Con!}} When a pair of Autobot audio and video tapes recording the loss of the Underbase were found, Starscream convinced Ratbat to let him watch the tapes with him. In the "[[Realvision]]" playback, he witnessed a young Optimus Prime thwart Megatron's early attempts to possess the Underbase by shooting the legendary database into space. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} Starscream then set about a chain of systematic betrayals in order to gain access to that power. He set loose [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], whom the Decepticons had been holding prisoner, with equipment that would lure the Autobots to the Decepticon's Antarctic base. The ensuing battle served to distract his fellow Decepticons as he then stole a ship from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to look for the Underbase. {{storylink|Cold War!}}

[[Image:Underbaseallmine.jpg|right|250px|thumb|This is way more graphic than was needed.]]
Upon finding the ancient database, Starscream began absorbing its power but was unable to finish the task as he was blasted by Ratbat's ship, piloted by a temporary Autobot/Decepticon alliance. However, while the light of the Underbase had only shone on Starscream for a moment, that moment had been enough to fill him with its awesome power, and the now-cosmically-powered Air Commander survived the attack. Growing to monumental proportions, Starscream hurled his ship at Ratbat's craft, and promptly headed for Earth with the intention of proving his power by destroying [[New York City|New York]], [[Tokyo]] and [[Buenos Aires]]. The Autobots and Decepticons traveled to those locations to try and stop Starscream, but they ultimately failed, as a massive amount of the Transformers active on Earth were badly damaged and incapacitated by Starscream's Underbase-powered rampage. Starscream only stopped after intercepting a radio transmission between [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and Optimus Prime, and realized that the great Autobot leader was elsewhere, plotting against him. Starscream fled back out into space to find Prime, and rediscovered the Underbase. Starscream attempted to finish absorbing its power, only to have the absolute knowledge overwhelm him, which resulted in his destruction. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[Image:ZombieScream1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Braaaiiiinnnssss!]]
''Starscream's corpse crashed in South America, but the Decepticon still clung to some semblance of life, as his shattered husk was reanimated by the residual energy of the Underbase that still saturated it, and driven by Starscream's own murderous impulses into an insane rampage. After nearly killing [[Susan Hoffman]] and [[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|her Assistants]], the [[zombie]]-like Starscream was confronted by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing]], who had been sent by Megatron to recover Starscream's body, and the Autobot [[Triggerbot|Triggerbots]]. Triggerbot [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] was able to appeal to the fraction of the Underbase that was still within Starscream and convinced it to try and regain control of itself, but as soon as it did, Dreadwind and Darkwing had their [[Powermaster]] partners [[Hi-Test]] and [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] siphoned all the Underbase's remaining power from the walking cadaver. Starscream's corpse returned to being an inanimate pile of scrap, which the pair quickly collected.'' {{storylink|Race with the Devil}}

Starscream's remains were delivered to Megatron [[Megatron's base|in his Cybertronian base]], who kidnapped [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and forced him to rebuild Starscream with a powerful [[Pretender]] shell. Ratchet was shown three different shell prototypes, and a final design meant for Starscream. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} As Ratchet worked on repairing Starscream, he feigned a friendly attitude towards Megatron, but this was a facade to cover Ratchet's true motives. Though Megatron had some tweaks in mind for Starscream's personality, Ratchet had something else in mind. After the Pretender shell had finished healing the body inside, Megatron sent Starscream to Earth, where Scorponok and Optimus Prime had clashed over a misunderstanding. As they were about to peacefully discuss the machinations that had gathered them there, Starscream's shell appeared! The Transformers and Nebulans below gaped in horror as the shell opened up to reveal the treacherous Starscream! {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}

[[Image:Starscreamskindeep.jpg|right|300px|thumb|These are the Delboest panels ever.]]
Starscream's new form was powerful, but what gave him his true edge was how much he spooked his victims. He was believed to be a ghost, an invincible force of revenge, and most of Scorponok's troops quickly fled the battlefield. It wasn't until Hot Rod manned up and shot their attacker did they realize that this was no ghost at all, but rather a physical being that could [[Furmanism|feel pain and be destroyed.]] This was further sold by Starscream's sudden display of cowardice. Ratchet had arranged for Starscream's true personality to eventually surface, and Hot Rod's blast had knocked it free. Completely outmatched, he surrendered and begged Scorponok for forgiveness. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

''Briefly after becoming a Pretender, Starscream began to wallow in self-pity, believing that all the other Decepticons considered him a joke for his many failed takeover attempts and defeats. His self-esteem crumbled every time the other Decepticons refused to speak to him or spoke about him behind his back. In reality, the other Decepticons were terribly frightened of Starscream (thanks to that whole Underbase thing) and were avoiding him so they wouldn't be killed. Starscream sulked about it for a while until he defeated and captured a few Autobots and his confidence began to return.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}}

[[Image:Ratchetjollies.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Ooooh, better leave this one off the resume.]]
Starscream was a source of dissention among the Decepticons, who were angry with Scorponok for letting him back in {{storylink|Primal Scream}}—and it ''was'' pretty dumb, as Starscream tried to capture the mutant [[Dynamo]] and use him as a [[Powermaster]] so he could challenge Scorponok. He failed, but was then met by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], then believed to be dead. {{storylink|The Human Factor!}} Starscream joined his gang in a [[Decepticon Civil War]] against Scorponok, and pressganged [[Triggerhappy]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] into the group. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} Thanks to the Autobots and [[Neo-Knights]], it was a bust. {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

Starscream was transported to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to take part in the fight against [[Unicron]]. "Take part" as in "ran away". Along with Shockwave, he hijacked and repaired the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] so they could escape the dying planet. Shockwave and Starscream found Megatron and Ratchet awakening from the [[Nucleon]] on board the ship, both very confused and addled due to their mind-link. Starscream tried to kill Ratchet and got [[:Image:Ratchetjollies.jpg|totally beaten up]], before the medic directed one of Starscream's null-rays into the Nucleon storage tanks, causing enough of a chain reaction to send the Ark into a crash-landing on Earth, once again resulting in Starscream's deactivation. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
''In an alternate series of events, Starscream and Shockwave's army grew much larger, and their main competition was not Scorponok, but a revived Megatron and his group of Decepticons. As Shockwave's second-in-command, Starscream had few responsibilities, and even less power. The final indignity came when he was assigned to mere monitor duty at their undersea base. Still, even that ignoble assignment presented an opportunity, as Starscream caught Megatron's spies, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], trying to tune in to Shockwave's war room. After incapacitating the bugs, Starscream surprised them by offering to let them go free, if they would report back to Megatron that Shockwave would be alone at a certain spot the next day, ensuring that Megatron would go out to battle him alone.'' {{storylink|Bugged!}} ''With the trap baited, Starscream contacted his opposite number, Megatron's second-in-command Soundwave, and proposed an alliance. Soundwave had already been playing both sides by feeding information to him, and so the two of them conspired to join the Decepticon factions under their joint rule. Sure enough, after Megatron and Shockwave's private battle came under Autobot fire (Autobots who had been anonymously tipped off by Starscream), they radioed their respective bases only to hear that the Decepticons no longer considered the two of them leaders.'' {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}}

''Starscream's first major action as Decepticon leader was the ol' "bait and switch"—sending Soundwave and a Decepticon strike force to keep the Autobots busy at their Earthbase, while he personally attended to stealing a supply of oil from a tanker in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. It seemed, however, that Starscream's plan hadn't accounted for Earthforce's newest recruits: the [[Survivors]]. A quick 1-2-3 by [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] took the fight out of Starscream, and so he retreated, radioing his troops to do the same.'' {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}

''Sometime later, returning to the [[Decepticon Louisiana bayou base|Decepticon base in the Louisiana bayous]], Starscream suddenly found himself fighting for his life against [[Louisiana bounty hunters|several mismatched bounty hunters and mercenaries]]. Believing his co-commander Soundwave must have been responsible for the contract, Starscream stormed back to their headquarters to confront him.'' {{storylink|Assassins}} ''He wasted no words in confronting his "treacherous" partner, but fortunately Soundwave had had the foresight to prerecord an explanation. While trading blows and dodging laser fire in person, Soundwave's recording outlined how the situation was clearly a set-up to make them fight each other. Fortunately, Starscream believed him. Unfortunately, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] stormed in at that moment, having been paid by the true contractors, Megatron and Shockwave, to eliminate anyone left standing.'' {{storylink|External Forces!}} ''The two Decepticons would have been overwhelmed if they hadn't received aid from an unlikely source: Earthforce. It seemed the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] was dying of [[Corrodia Gravis]], a wasting disease which required an energy transfer from a compatible Transformer, and Starscream fit the bill. After driving off Megatron, Shockwave and the Mayhems, Starscream made a deal with Earthforce to help Snarl in exchange for their aid against any future uprising by the former Decepticon leaders.'' {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

''Soon afterwards, Starscream and Soundwave engaged in Project: Smear, a campaign to ruin the Autobots' good name among the humans, and ensure they received no additional aid in the war. A straight-forward attempt to brainwash [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] into wrecking a human settlement didn't pan out,'' {{storylink|Inside Story!}} ''so a more subtle plan was engineered. Starscream had [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] use his [[Cerebro-shell|cerebro-shells]] to subvert the will of a human reporter, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]], and compel him to write a story bashing the Autobots and portraying them as kidnappers, or worse.'' {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}

====''Generation 2''====
{{Note|Starscream likely first appeared in the Marvel Generation 2 continuity in the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe issue]] "[[Unfoldings!]]", in which the silhouettes of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] were seen talking about the [[Silent Castle|possibility that there was another Decepticon left]] on [[Earth]]. Since the Seeker didn't show up again in the G.I. Joe comics and Megatron was seen repairing Starscream at the start of the Transformers: Generation 2 comics, it can be assumed the scene was retconned... Or Megatron saw the very first opportunity for a replacement lackey as a good excuse to deactivate the traitor. Whatever keeps the continuity going.}}

[[Image:Starscreamtongue.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Who have you been talking to, Starscream?]]
Starscream had been damaged to the point of stasis lock when the Ark crashed on Earth for a second time. Megatron, apparently the only one to recover from the crash more or less unscathed, decided to revive Starscream. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} He would later question his own judgement in doing so, but in his defense, the only other Decepticons involved in the crash had been Shockwave and Galvatron (and Galvatron had walked away from the crash anyway), so his options for loyalty were slim.

[[Image:Starscream uscomics.png|right|150px|thumb|"I am only saving you so that I may punish you later."]]
Predictably, though, Starscream would indeed betray Megatron and the Decepticons once again, this time by giving [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his troops information that allowed them to take control of the Decepticon flagship ''[[Warworld]]''. {{storylink|Total War!}} Starscream then doublecrossed Jhiaxus, stole the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] (which Megatron had stolen from Prime earlier) and used its powers to merge himself with the ''Warworld'', becoming an unstoppable force of destruction. As Optimus Prime and Megatron entered the possessed ship to try and stop him, Starscream exhibited a startling control over the physical nature of the vessel, turning the ''Warworld'' into an ever-shifting maze of horrors to torment the two leaders. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}} But when they confronted him face-to-face, he found that the Matrix was having a disagreeable effect on his own mind. He found himself wanting to be, in his own words, "good". He desperately gave the Matrix back to Prime in the hopes that the effect would be temporary. This reverted Starscream to his ordinary form, presumably severing his connection with the ship. {{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''.}}
Starscream reappears alongside several other Decepticons restored by Megatron fifteen years after the Ark crash-landed. He still appears to enjoy making snide remarks at Megatron's expense.

{{storylink|Crossing Over}} {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

When Megatron prepared his final strike against the pretender to his throne, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], he sent out three warships to menace the skeletal warrior, commanded by Starscream, Thundercracker and [[Octane]]. Somewhat reluctantly, Starscream did nothing but languish in his command chair in space above Bludgeon's headquarters, as the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s acted on Megatron's order to betray and eliminate Bludgeon from within. Starscream just waited for Astrotrain and Soundwave to inform him the deed was done, and the Decepticons below were surrendering and powering down their weapons. A bit cleaner than he would've liked it, but Starscream still had to admire Megatron's skill at deception. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{main|Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
[[Image:Tud3_starscream_smirkiest.jpg|left|thumb|220px| "So if I beat [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|you]], will I become the chief Decepticon?"
"More people have said that and were sent offline than there are Energon decay products."]]
A former scientist who joined the Decepticons with gusto after the loss of his friend [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], Starscream quickly decided that Megatron's leadership was old and outdated, and that he was the one who should be in charge. Cue nine million years of backstabbing, treachery, cowardice, coups and general disobedience, which continued when the war moved from Cybertron to Earth. In fact, it was Starscream's refusal to listen to Megatron that kept the war going, when a petty parting blast that he delivered to the Autobot's crashed starship jostled the body of Optimus Prime into the path of [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]'s restoration beam. Starscream's scheming was a constant throughout the Earth conflict, and it culminated in his expulsion from the Decepticon ranks, following which he created the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] to serve as his personal army, only to have them turn on him, forcing him to rejoin Megatron's ranks.

Even in death, Starscream was unstoppable. Following Megatron's climactic battle with Optimus Prime in 2005, Starscream set his commander's battered body adrift in space and promptly appointed himself the new Decepticon leader. In the midst of a grandiose coronation ceremony, however, Megatron returned, recreated as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] by the power of [[Unicron]], and promptly blasted Starscream to ashes. Surprisingly, Starscream's lifeforce persisted as a ghost, which continued to bedevil the Transformers, even across the gulf of time.
{{--}}

===Big Looker storybooks continuity===
[[Image:DecepticonsCarShow.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I have no idea what colors I am!]]
Starscream and his fellow Seekers performed a threatening flyby over the Autobots' headquarters in order to distract the heroic robots while the other Decepticons stole a tanker of oil that would give them the power to rule the world. Thanks to [[Shooting Star]], the Autobots got wise to the Decepticons' tactics and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] blew up the villains by dropping missiles on them. Starscream arrived on the scene to spitefully blow up the oil tanker so that no one could have it, then he and his fellow airborne Decepticons carried off the remains of their fallen comrades. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}

Starscream was part of the battle that resulted when the Autobots came to rescue the mind-controlled [[Grapple]] from the Decepticons' clutches. When Grapple was freed from the effects of the [[cerebro-shell]] controlling him, he kicked Megatron over on top of Starscream and Skywarp, winning the day. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}

At some point in the future, when Galvatron had taken leadership of the Decepticons, Starscream suggested to his leader that he create a city of his own to gather energy, as the Autobots did with their Autobot City. Galvatron decided to go about it in the most circular way possible, by stealing a robot car on display at a car show that night and duplicating its circuitry to create an army of drones to build said city. While investigating the Decepticons' presence at the show, Kup was captured by Starscream. When the Autobots arrived in response, Starscream threatened Kup's life to stay their hands, but luckily, Hot Rod soon saved Kup, and the Decepticons were defeated. {{storylink|Car Show Blow Up}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[Image:Starscream ladybird books.jpg|right|215px|thumb|Toy-accurate art makes Starscream ANGRY!]]
A brash and aggressive character, Starscream was constantly running up against the older, smarter Megatron. He once convinced Rumble to help him attack and destroy an Autobot tower (believed to be for communications) against Megatron's orders. In the process, he caused Megatron and the other Decepticons to come get him back. (They arrived ''just'' as he was slagging off Megatron.) Since that tower was actually used for channeling lightning storms into power, the entire Decepticon team was viciously injured by an electric surge due to his disobedience. {{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}}

Starscream later tried to overthrow Megatron when the commander was off on a mission and requested the other Decepticons rendezvous with him. Starscream's act of rebellion was to blow up the building he thought Megatron was in and declare himself leader. Megatron turned out to be standing behind him, and he gave Starscream a valuable lesson on leadership (i.e., told him how dumb that was whilst punching him). {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}

When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] time-travelled to the 20th Century and took command, Starscream served under him. He'd learnt his lesson since the early days, not trying to overthrow his commander ''once''. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}
{{-}}
===Colorforms audiobooks continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' ???
Starscream was annoyed when Megatron called off the attack on the Autobots which he was leading, and instead instructed him to scout out Doctor [[Heath Blaisedale]]'s solar plant. So annoyed was Starscream, that when he got to the plant and saw the Autobots there, he attacked them anyway. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] wounded him before an enraged Megatron ordered him to call off the attack, and Starscream and his fellow seekers retired to a location a mile away. Megatron told him off for endangering the solar plant and ordered him to stay there while the other Decepticons went to secure the plant. Partway through the battle, Starscream pointed out to Megatron that the reactor had become too damaged to use, and he should probably retreat. {{storylink|Sun Raid}}

===''Transformers PD Type''===
[[Image:Starscream pd type.jpg|left|190px|thumb|HaHA! I have caught the Golden Snitch!]]
As various [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] from across the timestream joined forces to track down the all-powerful [[Blackball|Blackballs]], Starscream proved most effective at the hunt. Discovering a Blackball, he immediately carried it over to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] for some praise. Unfortunately, the "Blackball" turned out to be a cartoon bomb, which promptly exploded in their faces. From a distance, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] were astounded that their plan actually worked. Inside the smoking crater, a badly singed Megatron strangled Starscream, frustrated at his consistent failures. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##3 "Don't Cry! Megatron!!"|Don't Cry! Megatron!!}}

Later, Starscream uncovered another Blackball. For a moment he considered giving it to Megatron, but then decided that if he kept it for himself, he could use the power to seize command of the Decepticons. He then immediately became suspicious that the Blackball might be another bomb, but dismissed the suspicion just as quickly. Then it exploded. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##10 "Good Luck! Starscream!!"|Good Luck! Starscream!!}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Doug Parker]] (English), [[Kazuki Yao]] (Japanese), [[Alfonso Obregon]] (Latin American Spanish), [[José Padilla]] (Castilian Spanish)

[[Image:Starscream ghost BW.jpg|right|250px|thumb|EBENEZER SCROOGE...!]]
After the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] Crashed on [[Earth]] Starscream's body lay in [[stasis lock]] next to his [[Megatron (G1)|leader]] along with [[Soundwave (G1)|the other]] [[Skywarp (G1)|Decepticons]].{{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

Little was known about Starscream among the [[Maximal|Maximals]], as the [[Maximal Elder|Maximal Elders]] had classified most of his information. At some point in time the Elders had attempted to duplicate Starscream's mutant indestructible spark effect, which led to the origin of the monstrous [[Rampage (BW)|Protoform X]].{{storylink|Bad Spark}} [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], a student of military history, was familiar with Starscream's record of deceit and betrayal. It is possible that [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] was also aware of his history, as he ordered [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] to keep an eye on Starscream when he arrived on Earth.

Starscream's ghost traveled through time and space to the prehistoric earth of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]], where he possessed [[Waspinator]]'s body during an electrical storm. He ingratiated himself with Megatron, claiming that he had been destroyed by [[Unicron]] while protecting [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. After leading a successful raid on the [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']], he was left in command of the captured Maximal ship, along with Scorponok and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]—the latter having sufficiently impressed Starscream by seeing through his historical deception that he took her on as a "protégé". When the defeated Maximals surrendered to him, he took Dinobot and [[Optimus Primal]] hostage and ordered the remaining Maximals to attack the ''[[Darksyde]]''. Scorponok objected, but he was very forcefully overruled. Shortly after the attack began, the two captive Maximals broke out and drove the Predacons out of the ''Axalon''. Starscream fled, pursued by Primal, and abandoned Blackarachnia to her fate. After a spirited chase, Primal cornered Starscream at an [[energon]] deposit, paralyzing him. As he tried to bargain his way out of his predicament, his vengeful ex-partner Blackarachnia detonated the energon, blowing Waspinator to scrap and forcing Starscream's spark out of his body. Waspinator was restored back to normal by Megatron, and Blackarachnia explained her betrayal as an attempt to find Starscream's true motives, and at that point, Megatron pardoned her.

Adrift in space once more, Starscream's ghost screamed vengeance into the void. {{storylink|Possession}}

====IDW Beast Wars Comics====
After his defeat at the hands of the Maximals, Starscream's immortal spark wandered through space and time, until it found an alternate timeline with another Waspinator to possess. When the quantum surge hit prehistoric earth in this timeline, Waspinator was transmetalized, and Starscream, still inhabiting the Predacon's body, was somehow able to influence Waspinator's metamorphosis, giving him a third fighter jet mode resembling Starscream's own old alternate form. Although the two of them bicker over control of the body constantly, their two separate voices audible to whoever hears them argue, Waspinator secretly enjoys the enhanced skills Starscream grants him. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
While Starscream lay [[stasis lock]]ed in the Ark, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] broke in and implanted a fraction of the original Megatron's spark into the Air Commander, allowing the two Megatron's to control him. The Decepticon leader, whose spark had been implanted into Megatron, attempted to use Starscream to return to his own body, but was subdued in a battle of wills with beast Megatron. Starscream's services ultimately went unused until the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] ended, at which point the [[Maximal]]s were able to extract the spark fragment. {{storylink|A Meeting of Minds}}

After a particularly harrowing fight with Megatron, Starscream went mountain climbing, and accidentally fell on his head. In this injured state, he was found by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], who took him back to the Ark. [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] made repairs, having persuaded Prime to let them fiddle with Starscream's logic circuits if they found anything wrong. Starscream woke with amnesia.

As he slowly learned about the war and experienced the welcoming and forgiving nature of the Autobots, he found himself siding with his former foes. When Megatron turned up to reclaim his former lieutenant, Starscream refused to go, and was surprised when Optimus and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] moved to protect him. Despite all this, the sight of [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] finally restored his memory, and he returned to the Decepticons, claiming that he had been faking amnesia as a ruse to gain access to the Autobot base. He later reflected that he had learned something from the Autobots — that a leader like Prime who could pull together the Decepticons as a team could lead more effectively than Megatron had, and Starscream could be that leader. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Starscreamwarwithin.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Smirkier-than-thou.]]
{{notekeepers}}
''Hailing from the city of [[Centurion (polity)|Centurion]]'', {{storylink|Hardwired}} Starscream was a competitor in [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s underground gladiatorial matches, the breeding ground for what would eventually become the Decepticons. He enjoyed baiting his fellow combatant, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]; in fact, he was a master at it. Once war broke out, he kept taunting his old friend, which eventually backfired when he told Grimlock exactly where the Seekers were going to attack, giving Grimlock time to set a massive bomb. Starscream's life was saved only by the fast action of Skywarp. {{storylink|The War Within Preview}}

In typical fashion, Starscream tried to seize power. While Megatron was deep within the bowels of Cybertron, Starscream instructed [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] to initiate the planet's long-hidden transformation sequence, hoping Megatron would be crushed in the process. Some people never learn. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

[[Image:Predaconstww.jpg|left|200px|thumb|My... people.]]
A few millennia later, after the apparent death of Megatron, Starscream created a splinter group of Decepticons called [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]]. However, when your smartest subordinates are [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Octane]], you can't expect much of your forces. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

Starscream was among the Decepticon boarding party that attacked the Autobot flagship Ark, causing its crash-landing on Earth and putting all Autobots and Decepticons alike in emergency stasis. In 1984 a volcanic eruption awakened the Ark's computer, Teletraan-I, and it repaired all on board. Starscream's actions over the next fifteen years are largely unrecorded, but he probably did what he did best: strafe the Autobots and fleshlings and attempt to betray Megatron, smirking all the while. In 1998, the combined forces of the Autobots and Earth defeated and captured the Decepticons. Starscream was secured on board the ''[[Ark II]]'' along with the other Decepticons when the ship exploded, killing the human crew and scattering the Transformers across the ocean. Arms dealer Adam Rook (aka. [[Lazarus]]) recovered several of the Autobots and Decepticons and used them as a reprogrammed weapons for hire for terrorists and despots. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} As part of a demonstration to prospective buyers, Rook had Starscream join an assault against the Smitco Oil Refinery alongside half a dozen Transformers. When Megatron eventually broke free of Rook's control, he freed the other Decepticons. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}

The reactivated Starscream, along with his Seeker brothers Thundercracker and Skywarp, took a particular pleasure in dismantling the Autobot Minicars. When Megatron complained that he didn't rewire them so they could sit around and do nothing, Starscream playfully said they were only having some fun with their new "toys". Megatron ordered the three Decepticons to follow him, and when Skywarp asked Starscream what their leader's plan was this time, the air commander casually tossed [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s head over his shoulder and said that he didn't care, as it was going to be evil, and evil is ''always'' fun. Soon afterwards, the Autobots arrived and attacked. As Starscream attempted to choke [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] paid him back with a nice throat punch. All the combatants were then bombed by rogue members of the U.S. military. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}}

The Decepticons escaped and attacked [[San Francisco]]. When [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] appeared to stop [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], Starscream led the other Seekers in bombing the Autobot giant, forcing the Aerialbots into their component team member forms and putting them at the mercy of Devastator. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} Starscream and the other Decepticons secured the Autobots after Optimus Prime defeated Devastator. The Autobot leader managed to free his comrades after humans distracted the Decepticons, and the battle was rejoined. Fellow F-15 [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] punched Starscream in the face, repaying him for the earlier defeat. After the Aerialbots, as Superion, sacrificed their lives to save San Francisco from [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo's]] unauthorized nuclear strike, Starscream and the other Decepticons escaped. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

[[Image:Starscreamshhhhhh.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Holy crap! Expressions!]]
Starscream led the Decepticons in joining Shockwave's Cybertronians after Megatron was defeated and was the first to recognize the mind-altering techniques being employed. Starscream escaped the CR chambers long enough almost to succeed in assassinating Megatron. Punishment didn't deter him, and Starscream was almost immediately creating a small sect of separatist Decepticons on Cybertron. He used the cover of Menasor's release to steal the incapacitated Combaticons to form his own army. If only he hadn't tried to hijack [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Yet another rebellion defeated by bad planning. Some people never learn. {{storylink|War and Peace|War and Peace}}

[[Image:Starscreamdaydream.jpg|right|200px|thumb|There but for the grace of a fusion cannon go I.]]
After returning to Earth, Starscream unleashed the Decepticons on the Autobots under the leadership of [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. Unfortunately, most of the Decepticons were incapacitated. Worse, Starscream's clone [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] arrived on some bizarre mission. Starscream was forced to ally with the Autobots in exchange for getting his forces freed. After the misadventure, Starscream took the Combaticons for some practice against Sky Lynx. This also ended in disaster, for [[Predaking]] soon arrived, and Starscream discovered that Soundwave, his cassettes, and the other Seekers had allied with Predaking's master... Megatron! Starscream was again forced into a subservient position, with Megatron preparing to lead the Decepticons in the conquest of Earth... {{storylink|Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave) |Generation One (ongoing)}}

{{note|...at which point [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] self-destructed.}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:JoeVsTF1 Starscream transforms.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Even when Starscream's nothing more than a mindless drone, he still manages to smirk.]]
When the nascent terrorist organization known as [[Cobra]] uncovered the buried hulk of the Ark, they removed the bodies of numerous Transformers with the intention of using them as weapons of war to threaten America. Cobra scientist [[Doctor Mindbender]] hacked the brain functions of the captive Transformers, reducing them to the level of remote-controlled drones, and dubbed them "[[Battle Android Trooper|Battle Android Troopers]]". Starscream was reconfigured to transform into a jet plane known as a "Night Raven", and was selected for use by the [[Cobra Commander]] as his personal aircraft.

Starscream was among the Transformers deployed during Cobra's opening attack on world freedom, when they targeted the [[United Nations]] Headquarters. Starscream transformed to robot mode and was punching his way through the building when a U.S. Military soldier code-named [[Snake-Eyes]] opened fire on him with a machine gun. Although unharmed by the attack, Starscream returned fire with his lasers, blowing up the missile tank upon which the soldier was perched and horribly scarring his face. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #1}} Returning to Cobra's island base, Cobra Commander began his meeting with [[Destro]] by having Starscream dramatically fly by overhead and transform, for no reason other than to impress the arms dealer. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}}

Meanwhile, Autobot scientist Wheeljack had been able to avoid capture by Cobra, and had allied himself with America's newly-formed special mission force [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Hacking into Cobra's system, he was able to shut off the terrotists' control of the Transformers, liberating their minds and bodies. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}} Naturally, the first thing Starscream did once he was free was to interrupt a battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron by shooting Megatron in the chest in a bid for leadership. Megatron returned the sentiment, blasting him with his fusion cannon, and Starscream slunk away as Megatron returned to more important matters. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}}

[[Image:Starscream snakeeyes eye gouge.jpg|right|350px|thumb|"You've got something in your eye. Let me get it out."]]
Lurking in the island's jungle, Starscream crossed paths with Snake-Eyes, who took revenge for his disfigurement by shattering the unsuspecting Starscream's eye with his sword and shoving a grenade into the socket. Clawing at his face, Starscream tumbled over a cliff and was badly damaged in the fall. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}} His still-operational body was soon happened across by Cobra Commander, who was attempting to flee the escalating battle between the Autobots, Decepticons, Joes and Cobras that was engulfing the island, and Starscream made the human proposition: help him remove the grenade, and he would get him off the island. Naturally, the commander agreed. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

[[Image:Starscream gijoe energyropes.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Starscream is allergic to glow stick ropes.]]
Starscream and Cobra Commander resurfaced two years later, when Cobra Commander learned that human scientists had created an interstellar wormhole to Cybertron. With Starscream forced to do his bidding (via unspecified means), he used the portal to travel to Cybertron with the intention of gaining control of the wormhole technology by stealing the super-computer [[Teletran 3]]. However, a G.I. Joe ambush that struck just as they were carrying out their plan caused a catastrophic malfunction in Teletran 3, scattering numerous Transformers through the wormhole network across space and time. Starscream was not among those scattered, but he was promptly bound with [[energon chains]] by Perceptor and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] while they assessed the severity of the situation. It transpired that the chronal disruption caused by the time-lost Transformers would destroy the Earth, and teams of Joes and Cobras were soon dispatched through the timestream to retrieve the robots and save the planet. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}}

While the Joes and Cobras were off on their time-tossed mission, the forcefield protecting Magnus, Perceptor and Teletran 3 collapsed, at which point Decepticon commander Shockwave struck. Shockwave freed Starscream and reprogrammed Teletran 3 to prevent Transformers from being able to return to their proper times, so that Earth would be destroyed and he could invade it, as he had always planned to—it was Shockwave who had leaked the wormhole technology to humans in the first place. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}} When a small team of Joes and Cobras that remained on Cybertron tried to undo his programming, Starscream spotted [[Lady Jaye]] modifying Teletran 3 and shouted a warning, but it came too late. The Transformers were returned, and Starscream escaped in the midst of the chaotic battle that resulted.

In the aftermath of the battle, Shockwave accused Starscream of deliberately trying to foil his scheme by trying to steal Teletran 3. Starscream denied any treacherousness on his part, and Shockwave was just starting to come around when a recording Cobra Commander had programmed into Starscream began to play, informing the Decepticon leader of Starscream's general uselessness. At that point, Starscream promptly exploded, taking out the Decepticon headquarters in the process, courtesy of forty-five pounds of plastic explosives that Cobra Commander had lined his housing with, in case the Decepticon had ever escaped his clutches. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[Image:Starscream gijoe ww2.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Pathetic fools! There's no escape!"]]
When the foundling terrorist organization known as Cobra discovered the Ark buried in the [[Fera Islands]] in [[1938]], they inadvertently awoke the Decepticons from their stasis. The evil robots entered into an alliance with the organization's leader, Cobra Commander, to conquer the world and strip it of its energy, but Megatron's true goal was to take the Matrix of Leadership—stolen from the body of Optimus Prime—from around Cobra Commander's neck. Starscream adopted the alternate form of a P-51 Mustang aeroplane.

One year later, in [[1939]], the American military formed a special mission force to counter the Cobra-Decepticon alliance named "G.I. Joe". Laserbeak spied upon the first meeting of this team and reported the information to Cobra; Starscream stood nearby as Cobra Commander vowed to kill the Joes, and opined that heroes were ''born'' to die. G.I. Joe's first attack came soon after, and Starscream distracted their aircraft in his jet mode while Megatron attacked them from above and downed them. {{storylink|The Line|The Line}} As it happened, the Joes bailed out and landed near to the buried Ark, where they wound up awakening the Autobots within the craft. Starscream watched as the ship sent out a repair drone to scan for alternate modes, aware of what it meant and seeing it as a threat to Megatron's leadership that he could exploit. Megatron happened upon Starscream as he was monologuing about taking the power of the Matrix for himself, and witnessed the drone going about its business. Knowing he would need the scheming Starscream for the coming battle, he ordered the Air Commander to help him move their stockpiled energon cubes to safer location. {{storylink|Transformed|Transformed}}

Megatron proceeded to mass the Decepticons for a major battle with the Autobots, save for Starscream, who was left to languish within their base. Unfortunately for Megatron, this merely left Starscream with an opportunity to conspire with Cobra Commander's own traitorous second, [[Destro]], and together the pair prepared to unleash the newly-constructed giant robot, Bruticus, upon everyone. {{storylink|Wolves|Wolves}}

[[Image:Starscream gijoe ww2 weakspot.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"I...will...keep reaching...uuuhh."]]
Even this conspiracy proved to be a deception on Destro's part, however, when he had his lover, the [[Baroness]], shoot Starscream in his weak spot: an inch below his right ear, just behind his jaw hinge. Starscream's head flared with electricity and he collapsed, while Destro loosed Bruticus upon all his assembled enemies. G.I. Joe member Snake-Eyes ended the threat when he plucked the Matrix from Cobra Commander's clutches, and at Optimus Prime's direction, hurled it at Bruticus. The resultant explosion of creation energy destroyed Bruticus, but apparently killed all the Transformers in the process. {{storylink|The Iron Fist|The Iron Fist}}

Forty-six years later, in [[1985]], Starscream was revealed to have survived his injuries and the destruction of the Matrix through unexplained means. Discarding his archaic alternate mode for the form of an F-15, Starscream was performing a flyby over Cobra Island, seeking a means to return to Cybertron, when he intercepted a communication about an alien starship (actually a Cybertronian craft containing Blaster and Perceptor) crashing in [[Oregon]]. Starscream saw the craft as his ticket home, and while he was too low on energon to claim the ship for himself, he was content to let Cobra take it and then steal it from them later. {{storylink|Targets of Opportunity|Targets of Opportunity}}

{{note|Due to Dreamwave's bankruptcy, how Starscream survived, and his subsequent actions, remain a mystery.}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
Starscream and his comrades, Skywarp and Thundercracker, were recruited by Soundwave when Megatron requested fliers. They believed they had been called to join Megatron's gladiatorial team, but accepted the offer to join the Decepticons. Starscream immediately proclaimed his allegiance and declared how much of an honor fighting alongside Megatron would be. After going through some upgrades to boost their firepower, the Seekers' first duty was to capture a senator, who would be executed at Megatron's recruitment rally. He was also informed by Megatron of confidential plans in which he would play a key role. When the security forces intervened, Starscream was captured, and—surprise, surprise—offered to reveal Megatron's plans to save his own neck. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} However, this turned out to have ''been'' Megatron's plan—Starscream, together with Soundwave, executed the council questioning him, then freed every prisoner in the building, solidifying his loyalty to Megatron... until such time as Starscream felt like betraying his leader. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

{{spoiler|Parasites|February 15}}
In the very early stages of the war, one of Starscream's duties appears to have been recruitment, as he made a very pointed effort to convince [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to join the team. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}} Around the same time he appeared as a delegate during one of [[Zeta Prime]]'s security sessions, bringing with him a disguised Soundwave to spy on the [[Senate]]'s plans for how to stop the growing Decepticon menace. When Zeta expressed surprise at how easily Starscream accepted his idea of draining energy from civilians to power [[vamparc ribbon|weapons]], he almost let slip that he'd done worse things in Megatron's name. To cover up his blunder, he yelled out that there was a spy in their midst, causing Soundwave to escape and distracting Zeta. {{storylink|Parasites}}

Starscream was present when Megatron first faced [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in battle on [[Sherma Bridge]]. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} During the war he ended up as Megatron's bodyguard, a position largely for show, and developed a mutual hatred with [[Sixshot]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} He would also appear to settle with Megatron instead of carrying on being an attempted traitor. Megatron viewed this as them moving on from such things but it was actually because Starscream feared him—a fear he initially thought was respect. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}}

[[Image:Infiltration6 takeyourpunishment.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Starscream, seen here actually getting off easy!]]

{{bigquote|Thanks to Ore-13, Megatron, I have evolved... beyond you! I am the ''future!''|Starscream|[[Infiltration issue 6]]}}

Millions of years later, Starscream was the leader of a Decepticon [[Infiltration protocol|insurgent cell]] that had operated covertly on [[Earth]] for at least four years, working to destabilize Earth's governing organizations and create global anarchy. However, since the discovery of the mysterious, Energon-like substance known as [[Ultra-Energon|Ore-13]], Starscream had stepped outside standard procedure, establishing a second command bunker in [[Oregon]] above a richer seam of the ore than the one in [[Nebraska]]. Unfortunately, the abandoned Nebraska bunker had been infiltrated by a human named [[Stoker]], who had managed to obtain data on Starscream's operations, forcing Starscream to have the human eliminated, though he didn't count on [[Verity Carlo|another human]] obtaining Stoker's [[SM-40]] computer and an [[Ratchet (G1)|Autobot counter-insurgency agent]] bringing the evidence to the Autobots. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 1|Infiltration #1}} Meanwhile, Starscream had ordered [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] to cover his tracks by destroying all evidence of Stoker's travels and what remained of the Nebraska bunker. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 5|Infiltration #5}} Starscream intended to use Ore-13 to challenge [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] for leadership of the Decepticons, but when the moment of truth finally arrived, the energy source proved insufficient to destroy the Decepticon leader, and Megatron blasted Starscream with his fusion cannon at point-blank range, virtually obliterating him. Megatron told the other Decepticons, "See to the remains. If he lives, then I'll decide what to do with him." {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}}

[[Image:Starcasm idw dev6.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Sarcasm from Starscream?? NO!]]
As it turns out, Starscream survived and was placed in a [[CR chamber]] for extensive repairs. The other Decepticons were worried that Megatron was jumping the gun by calling in [[Sixshot]] early, and Astrotrain realized Starscream might be the only one of them willing to tell Megatron this. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} During an attack on Decepticon headquarters by the [[Reaper|Reapers]], Starscream completed his recovery and was confident that he would prevail in the upcoming battle. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}}

[[Image:AHM3Starscream.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Hey, I just spotted the janitor from ''Futurama''!]]
When [[Sixshot]] arrived, he initially attacked the Reapers, but they insisted he join them or die. Starscream then emerged from base calling out Sixshot—his hatred of Starscream caused the living weapon to decide to switch sides after all, at which point Starscream promptly activated Sixshot's shutdown command, sending him crashing to the ground. Starscream then proceeded to bomb the Reapers, causing Megatron to agree to take the fight to the Reapers. (Based on the timing of his emergence and his co-plotter Astrotrain immediately going "look at brave Starscream, Megatron!", it seems having an excuse to take out Sixshot and thus force Megatron to go against the Reapers was all planned by Starscream) {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} Starscream once again accepted Megatron as his liege, and together they teamed up to destroy the alien invaders. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

At some point during the following year, Starscream (now an F-15 for [[To sell toys|some]] [[GEEWUN|reasons]]) met with [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and persuaded him to lead the rest of the Autobots into an ambush (under the pretence that Megatron would be defeated, the Autobots could leave Earth, and the 'Cons would get Earth to themselves) {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}, where they were promptly defeated. Optimus was rendered almost offline, and Starscream watched in glee as Megatron delivered the news of a [[Sunstreaker (G1)|traitor]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

Some time later, Starscream, was back in a subordinate position under Megatron and getting increasingly annoyed with it. He joined in Megatron's attack on [[New York City]], quite enjoying that whole "killing humans who can't fight back" thing. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}}

Starscream personally shot down the fleeing [[Air Force One]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], after which he returned to join Megatron in New York City. Upon his arrival, Megatron mused that it was fitting to have Starscream beside him, as a Decepticon who had been with the cause since the start. Starscream, believing Megatron to be sarcastic, retorted that he'd been there before even Megatron. A somewhat weary Megatron clarified, congratulating him and complimenting his skills. He further explained that Starscream was very nearly the living embodiment of the Decepticon ideal, but a step short of realizing it. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3|All Hail Megatron #3}}

With the conquest completed, Starscream stood at Megatron's side as he addressed the gathered Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} However, he soon reverted to type when he noticed Megatron didn't have a proper plan now that he'd won and the fun on Earth was a distraction for the troops. He taunted Megatron with the knowledge that he knew this and told him other Decepticons would start getting restless, so Megatron's position would soon be challenged by hordes of bored sociopaths whom Megatron had indoctrinated to be violent and take things. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

Later, Starscream met with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] (passing a depressed [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] on the way) and discussed the possibility of overthrowing Megatron. They agreed. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}} He made his move a short while later, sending the Insecticons to attack Megatron. His allies were summarily defeated, however, and Megatron revealed that he had known about Starscream's plans all along. Starscream explained his reasoning behind the revolt: while he once idolized Megatron for teaching the Decepticons to fight the "old order" and take what they want, all he had done since was lead them into a war without end. He then revealed that the Insecticons weren't his only loyalists, as he had also managed to sway the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to his cause. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

Starscream's uprising was suddenly cut short when the Decepticons came under attack, first from human jets arrived from [[Europe]], and then the returning Autobots. Starscream was forced to team up with Megatron, who assured him that someday he would get be in charge, someday after the Decepticons won... but not now. After giving this some thought, Starscream organized his troops to fight back, ending his orders with "All hail Megatron!" {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} When Megatron was eventually defeated, Starscream picked up his injured leader, refusing to let the Autobots finish him off. When Optimus Prime asked why, he replied that leadership of the Decepticons is to be ''taken'', not offered up by chance. Before retreating, he reminded Prime that the Decepticons still had the advantage in most parts of the galaxy. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

Along with a few other Decepticons, Starscream took off into space aboard Astrotrain. Despite what he had told Prime, he was not pleased that Soundwave was keeping Megatron on life support, but his attempts to dissuade the loyalist were met with failure. He considered just throwing his former leader out Astrotrain's airlock, but had a [[The Transformers: The Movie|nagging feeling]] that he'd "somehow return, [[Galvatron (G1)|even more powerful than before]]." Starscream was ready to give up, knowing that the Decepticons had no real reason to follow him, and that the faction would fall to infighting as soon as others challenged his rule. All he had was the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership]], which Megatron had seized from Optimus Prime earlier, but he had failed to find any supposed "ultimate power" within it, and prepared to throw it away. When [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] stopped him, saying that the Matrix was used by the Autobots to choose their leaders, Starscream suddenly realized that it was just what he needed to rally people to his cause. Gathering his followers, he told them that he had unlocked the unlimited powers of the Matrix, and that he had been chosen to light their [[darkest hour]]. While the roused Decepticons started hailing his name, Starscream knew fully well that his newfound leadership was wholly reliant on a seemingly useless Matrix, and wondered if this was really the right thing to have done. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Uneasy Lies the Head}}

Starscream quickly proved to be an incompetent leader, gathering his troops on a lifeless asteroid and doing nothing to expand their territory or improve their conditions. As the Decepticons resorted to stealing energy and cannibalizing eachother for parts, he demanded [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] do something about it, but the Insecticon would rather work on his [[cerebro-shell]]s. Though initially angry, Starscream conceded that he could use these devices after he used one to take out a rebellious [[Quake (G1)|Quake]]. {{storylink|All His Engines}} When he went to ask [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] about the same issue, he found him and Soundwave cutting open Megatron's body to make weapons. Just as Starscream began to express fake outrage about this "coup", Megatron himself appeared, revealing that the two had built him a new body with a built-in [[space bridge]]. He grudgingly admitted he knew Megatron would be back sooner or later, though Megatron neglected to take back leadership as long as Starscream had the Matrix, which he considered a possible threat. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon}}

Some time later, Bombshell approached Starscream to report that an Autobot ship had crashed on their defenses, but he did nothing but shrug it off and stare emptily at his Matrix, responding violently when Bombshell offered to take it from him. As it turned out, the wrecked ship had contained [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]], on a quest to take back the Matrix. After first using a cerebro-shell on [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] to make him attack Starscream, he confronted the Decepticon leader on his own. Starscream was unimpressed, having used his rank to give himself nigh-impenetrable armor, only to be taken by surprise when Rodimus shot the Matrix around his neck instead, causing it to release a burst of energy and incapacitate Starscream. Rodimus snagged the Matrix, and Megatron subsequently took back control of the Decepticons. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}}

As Megatron put his new plans into action and had the Decepticons return to Earth, Starscream went off on his own to meet with Thundercracker, who had abandoned the Decepticon cause following their previous defeat. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon}} He tried to convince his fellow Seeker to join with him and overthrow Megatron again, seeing him as obsessed with petty revenge on humanity and lacking long-term goals. When Thundercracker refused, Starscream lost patience and gunned him down, but before he could finish the job he was attacked by [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]. As the Autobot accused him of shooting down a plane carrying Optimus Prime, Starscream pleaded for his life and revealed that Megatron was to blame. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies}} Fortunately for him, Brawn chose to carry Thundercracker to safety rather than capture him. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome}} Starscream returned to the other Decepticons and watched Optimus Prime confront Megatron in a one-on-one battle. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine}}

Megatron would later use the space bridge technology built into in his new body to summon Starscream and the rest of the Decepticons to him on Cybertron. At first they did battle with the Autobots, but were soon mind-controlled by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] into combining with his [[Sweep]] army and forming a huge monster. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} Once this "[[Deceptigod]]" was defeated, the weakened component Decepticons were captured by the Autobots and outfitted with [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]]. Starscream spent his time in prison snarking at [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s attempts to take control of the situation. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime}}

{{spoiler|The Autonomy Lesson|February 25}}
He was present when [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] talked to Ratbat about [[Needlenose]] and [[Horri-Bull]] beating people up. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson}}

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

At the war's end, Starscream and a small team of Decepticons accompanied the mercenary [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] to the [[Pegasus Star Cluster]]. He led the Decepticons into the Autobot bunker after Mirage destroyed the Autobot security system, but stood back during the ensuing fight. After Megatron ordered the Autobot prisoners executed, Starscream held [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] back as Mirage prepared to kill [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[Image:Starscream HOS.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Ye olde Tyme treacherie.]]
Starscream is the nominal leader of the Decepticons on 19th-century Earth, while Megatron sleeps in [[stasis lock]]. He decides to conquer the Earth in this time, and use that power to overthrow Megatron when he should wake up. Posing as a benefactor to humanity, he enlists the help of inventor [[Tobias Muldoon]] to design new [[Alternate mode|altmodes]] for the Decepticons. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}} In particular, Starscream builds (or reformats) [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] for an assault on [[New York City]], and the new electrical generators there. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 3|Hearts of Steel #3}} It all ends badly. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}}

{{note|Starscream has three bodies through the course of these events. His initial "[[Ice Age Wars]]" body appears to be a prehistoric flying reptile. He then takes on two different biplane bodies, one with one engine per wing and bat-wing-shaped propellers (as seen at left), and one with two engines per wing and straight-bladed propellers<ref>[http://www.idwpublishing.com/titles/transformers/images/hos/decepticon_planes.jpg ''Hearts of Steel'' sketch at IDW Publishing]</ref>. No reason is given for him changing from one biplane body to the next. (The fact that planes are an anachronism in the 19th Century is lightly glossed over.)}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in mini-comics===

[[Image:Henkei_starscream_pack_in_comic.jpg|right|thumb]]

Starscream was among the Decepticons who joined [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Megatron]] in attacking the Earth in the 21st century. During an attack on Tokyo, Starscream got the drop on some human military operatives who were observing a fight between Megatron and [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Optimus Prime]], but before he could take them out, [[Bumblebee (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Bumblebee]] got the drop on ''him'', spraying him with a fire engine's hose. This gave [[Grimlock (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Grimlock]] the opening he needed to lash Starscream with his tail and send him crashing into Megatron, prompting the villains to retreat. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 1}}

Starscream later concocted a plan to have [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Astrotrain]] keep the Autobots busy while the Decepticons raided a power plant, but he had not factored in the Autobots' newest warrior, [[Hot Rod (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Hot Rod]], who took them by surprise and blasted Starscream in the back. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} Seeking revenge, Starscream tried to return the favor, only for Hot Rod to dodge the blast, and cause Starscream to shoot Megatron instead! {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 3}}

Knowing that his friend [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Skyfire]] had been stranded on Earth tens of thousands of years ago, Starscream had [[Ramjet (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Ramjet]] search for his body, which was eventually located frozen in a glacier. Starscream thawed out Skyfire and placed a mind-controlling helmet on him, to ensure that his kind-hearted old friend would serve the destructive Decepticon cause. Together, they attacked a power plant, but while they fought off the plant's Autobot defenders, Skyfire began to struggle against the helmet's influence, eventually overpowering it and turning on Starscream. Realizing he was outnumbered, Starscream fled, as Skyfire called after him to remind him that even thousands of years ago, they'd never gotten along that well anyway... {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 4}}

Following Megatron's use of energon cubes to power himself up into [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Galvatron]], Starscream attempted to repeat the process on himself, and had [[Ravage (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Ravage]] steal a sack of cubes for him. Before he could put them to use, however, he was ambushed by [[Cheetor (BW)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Cheetor]], who defeated him and reclaimed the cubes. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 8}} Later, Starscream was led by [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Cyclonus]] to a volcanic field, where Megatron was in the process of using the magma to again power up into Galvatron. Seething over his own inability to obtain the power Galvatron wielded, Starscream thought his chance to lead had finally come when a team of Autobots arrive and collapsed the volcano on top of Galvatron. His gloating was short lived, however, as Galvatron burst out from under the rubble, and, entirely unaware that a fight had even gone on, began berating Starscream and Cyclonus for being lazy idiots. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9}}

When [[Ratchet (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Ratchet]] was trying to take a human girl to the hospital, Starscream arrived to take potshots at him. Ratchet's comrade [[Inferno (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Inferno]] blocked Starscream's shots, and the enabled Ratchet to escape by blinding Starscream with a blast from his water cannon. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 10}}
{{-}}

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

[[Image:Henkei1_enter_starscream.jpg|left|220px|thumb]]

Years ago on Cybertron, Starscream was a scientist and explorer. Together with his friend [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Skyfire]], he embarked on a search for energy on other planets, but when the duo visited Earth, Skyfire was caught in a blizzard and frozen in ice. Starscream subsequently returned to Cybertron and became a warrior, joining up with [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Megatron]]'s Decepticons.{{storylink|The Enemy from the Arctic}} Untold years later, when the legendary power source known as the [[Energon Cube]] was lost to the reaches of space, Starscream was among a small team of Decepticons who departed Cybertron in pursuit of it. The Cube crash-landed on Earth in the Japanese town of [[Hoshinochō]] and shattered into fragments, so Starscream and the other Decepticons took on the forms of local vehicles and machinery to remain hidden while searching for the shards. [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] and his Autobots had also followed the Cube to Earth, and so the Transformers' war continued in secret on this new world. {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}

Eleven years after arriving on Earth, Starscream and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] tracked Prime's Autobots to the human building known built over the Cube's impact crater called the [[Star Dome]], and launched an attack. Starscream was surprised to find a human boy, [[Wataru Hoshinoumi]], caught in the middle of the conflict, but gave the fleshling little thought and aimed his gun to destroy it. The human, however, had a protector: the littlest Autobot, [[Bumblebee (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Bumblebee]] came bursting out of nowhere to nail Starscream with a flying kick and save the boy. {{storylink|Enter! The Transformers}} Starscream didn't take kindly to this insult upon his person, and pinned Bumblebee beneath his foot, but before he could finish him off, Wataru blinded the Air Commander with a fire extinguisher! Unfortunately for Starscream, it was at that point that Megatron himself chose to arrive, and he violently berated Starscream for going behind his back, throttling him and using him as a shield to block Optimus Prime's fire. After some further shots were exchanged, Megatron's attention was piqued by Wataru, and he decided to call retreat. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Appears!}} Back at the Decepticons' underwater base, Starscream opined that Megatron was growing old, but Megatron simply replied with equal sarcasm that the weakest dog barks the loudest. Starscream stalked off, vowing to himself that he would be leader of the Decepticons, then summoned Ramjet to join him on a personal mission to the Arctic. {{storylink|Kingdom of Giants}}

[[Image:Henkei4_starscream_and_skyfire.jpg|right|thumb|300px|*cue "ScreamerxSkyfire OTP" squeals*]]

Starscream and Ramjet located the glacier that Skyfire's body was trapped in, and released him from his frozen sleep. Skyfire was happy to see Starscream again, but Starscream soon proved how much he had changed when he sent a watching group of humans to their deaths by shooting the ice out from under them. Just as Skyfire demanded an explanation for his actions, Starscream slapped a helmet onto his head that took over his mind and co-opted him into the Decepticon ranks. Starscream proceeded to lead the brainwashed Skyfire in an attack on a power plant back in Hoshinochō, but through it all, Skyfire refrained from outright killing any human workers. Displeased with Skyfire's resistance to the helmet's control, Starscream set an example by opening fire indiscriminately. Just before he shot Wataru, who happened to be visiting the plant, Skyfire seized his arm at the last second, insisting they were researchers, not murderers. Luckily, this was enough of a delay to save Wataru's life, as Optimus Prime's Autobots then came blasting into the plant. {{storylink|The Enemy from the Arctic}} In the battle that followed, Skyfire continued to struggle against the helmet, shielding Wataru and Bumblebee from Starscream's attacks. Starscream was shocked to learn that Wataru was a "[[Booster]]", a being born with the ability to control energon, when Wataru used his powers to liberate Skyfire from the control helmet. Skyfire turned his guns on Starscream, blowing off his left null ray cannon, then informed him of one important fact he had remembered: they never actually got along that well in the first place. With no options left, Starscream was forced to retreat. {{storylink|Wataru's Power}}

When both Optimus Prime and Megatron were left badly damaged after a fierce battle, Starscream, Ramjet and [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Astrotrain]] exploited the Autobots' reduced manpower by raiding a hydroelectric power plant. Together, they made short work of the Autobots who did turn up to fight them, but just as they were preparing to leave with a haul of [[energon cube]]s, the revitalized Optimus Prime came speeding onto the scene. The three Decepticons beat a hasty retreat, but only Starscream got away, the other two taken down by a powered-up blast from Prime's [[ion blaster]]. {{storylink|Time of Resurrection}} With nothing to show for his efforts, Starscream returned to the volcanic caves were Megatron was recuperating from his injuries, bathing in a "bath" of molten energon cubes. Deeming it a waste of their energon resources, Starscream saw his chance when Optimus Prime and Bumblebee arrived in the caves, the Autobots having received a message that gave Megatron's location. Starscream greeted the two Autobots and gleefully led them to the chamber Megatron was in, serving them up the Decepticon leader in the hopes that they would destroy him and leave his throne free to be usurped. Starscream kept Megatron's newest soldier, [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Cyclonus]], busy so Prime could deliver the killing strike, but against everyone's expectations, Megatron did not die from Prime's sword slash, and was instead transformed by the power of energon into the deranged [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]]! {{storylink|Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!!}}

[[Image:Henkei10_starscream_survives.jpg|left|220px|thumb]]

Galvatron immediately attacked Optimus Prime, and Starscream exploited the opened, attacking his former leader from above. Galvatron proved able to shrug his shots off, and destroyed the rocky outcrop on which Starscream was standing, bringing him tumbling into Galvatron's clutches. After being slammed around a bit, Starscream fired his jets and blasted from Galvatron's grip, looping back around to deliver a jet-powered kick, but the attack accomplished little other than to thoroughly tax Galvatron's patience. Powering up his cannon, Galvatron unleashed a single earth-shattering blast that appeared to reduce Starscream to atoms. {{storylink|The Threat of Galvatron}}

[[Image:Henkei10_starscreams_end.jpg|right|thumb]]

Starscream proved hardier than Galvatron expected, though: after Galvatron had torn his way through the assembled Autobots, Starscream re-appeared, broken and crippled, but nonetheless determined to bring Galvatron down. His weapons still proved ineffective, however, and so Starscream demanded that Wataru use his powers to give him a boost. Naturally, Wataru was hesitant, but saw the logic in Starscream's plan and acquiesced, providing the Decepticon with a forcefield and a powered-up gun. Starscream was only able to get off one shot before Galvatron destroyed the field and his cannon, but the blast successfully reopened the original wound Optimus Prime had torn in Galvatron's armor. Taking the opening, Prime repeated the tactic and plunged his energon sword into the gash, ripping Galvatron open. A catastrophic release of energy from Galvatron's body ensued, which began to the collapse the cavern. The Autobots raced for the exit, but Starscream did not move, and Wataru could only look back to see a smile form upon the Air Commander's lips as he watched Galvatron's defeat, seconds before he too disappeared beneath the tumbling rocks. {{storylink|Revenge (issue)|Revenge}}

Later, as Prime's Autobots prepared to return to Cybertron, Skyfire announced that he would be staying on Earth in order to search for Starscream, indicating that he believed his old friend was still alive. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{-}}

===Alternity===
[[Image:Alternity starscream boxart.jpg|left|thumb|200px| "Carscream"? Really, that's the best [[Fandom| you]] could come up with?]]

A Starscream from an unidentified [[universal stream]] was selected by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Alternity|Megatron]] to become the leader of his team of cross-dimensional [[Questor]]s. Imbued with a small portion of the incredible powers over space and time that his leader had acquired from the god-beast [[Hytherion]], Starscream became incredibly powerful, equipped with an uncharacteristic sports car alternate mode, a [[Timaeus drive]] that allowed him to travel through dimensions, a "Retroactive Nullifer" capable of erasing victims from history, and four "Evil Optics" that can send an enemy into [[stasis lock]] with only a look. Despite all the new powers that this infusion of Hytherion power conveyed about him, Starscream was wary, wondering why Megatron would so empower him given his record of deceit. Despite fears that he might be the subject of some strange cosmic experiment that Megatron was conducting, Starscream still took to his new role with glee, seeking ways to put his new power to use overthrowing Megatron.

On a mission to Earth, Starscream confronted one of [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Alternity|Optimus Prime]]'s [[auto-avatar]]s. Surprising Prime with his sports car form, Starscream scored a hit with his Nullifer, which slowly began killing the Autobot. Starscream had heard other species call the [[Alternity]] "gods", but taunted Prime by telling him that any story of gods must end with a Ragnarök. However, Starscream did not expect Prime to tell him that the Alternity were already well aware of the time and circumstances of their prophesied end, and were already prepared. {{storylink|Foreshadows}}
{{-}}

===''Wings Universe''===
Starscream was the captain of [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]]'s Skyraider-Seeker Brigade until Deathsaurus used [[Falcon (G1)|Falcon]] to assassinate most of the other Warlords by suicide bomb. With the new opening, Starscream was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. {{storylink|A Team Effort}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 5}}

Starscream was happy to report the success of the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s' success against the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]] with their new form of [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. He warned Deathsaurus that the five ex-Autobots were likely stab him in the back, but Deathsaurus told Starscream that it was ambition that made them the perfect Decepticons, and instructed him to tell [[Lyzack]] to ready the medibay for their return. Starscream passed on the message, and noted that Lyzack seemed overly formal, suggesting he would be able to get her out of her timid shell. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 1}}

As that repairs on the Combaticons proceeded, Starscream admired Deathsaurus's foresight in adding an override control to Bruticus, but admitted he bore bad news: Elite Guard forces were closing in on their base. Deathsaurus instructed him to deploy the troops. ''All'' of the troops. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 2}} Starscream led the initial wave of defenders, shooting [[Ricochet (Timelines)|Ricochet]] out of the sky. While he was still ranting at the barrage of missiles unleashed by [[Flak (G1)|Flak]], he was cut off mid-sentence by a missile strike which struck him square on. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 3}} When more Autobot reinforcements showed up, one of Starscream's subordinates asked if they should retreat, and Starscream's response was an emphatic order to counterattack. After belting [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]], he was distracted by the sight of Lyzack savagely dealing to Magnum with a huge sword and could only stare open-mouthed. Starscream came to his senses after she was belted by [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], but he was too late to avoid being blasted by [[Side Burn (G1)|Side Burn]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 4}}

When Starscream arrived back at base to find [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had taken over, he readily switched allegiances, though he vowed under his breath that he would someday take his place as rightful heir to Deathsaurus. Megatron sent him with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to retrieve the data on the [[Combiner]] process that Deathsaurus had perfected. A week later, Starscream was part of the Decepticon forces who broke through [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s outer walls, thanks to [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} He was still by Megatron's side when Devastator fell and took part in the subsequent retreat. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

==Commercial appearances==
[[Image:Starscreamg1early.jpg|thumb|right|200px|I'm the black one! ...wait.]]
[[Image:Commercial-PretenderStarscream.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Way to leave your shell stranded on the top of a skyscraper.]]
[[Image:Commercial-AMStarscreamsits.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Where's our [[BotCon]] exclusive of ''this'' deco?]]

Starscream's [[commercial]] appearances include:

* An appearance in the first Transformers animation, a commercial for [[The Transformers (issue)|Issue #1]] of Marvel's ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]]'' comic book. Alongside Thundercracker and Skywarp, Starscream attacks an Earth power plant, then defends himself against an Autobot counterattack.
* Starscream and Thundercracker are seen strafing three Autobots, then getting shot down, in the Jetfire/Shockwave commercial.
* A 1985 commercial for [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Starscream leads Thrust over the desert to attack the Autobots' new defense base, brushing off Thrust's concerns about the whereabouts of the Autobots themselves. He is caught off-guard when the base transforms into [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Good goin' there, Starscream. This is the only ad in which Starscream has a speaking part; he's given his usual cartoon voice.
* He makes a short appearance in the 1986 commercial for Hot Rod/Kup/Blurr.
* He is seen in jet mode leading an attack on the Autobots' power station in a commercial for Ultra Magnus.
* He can be glimpsed flying into battle alongside Galvatron - yes, Galvatron! - in the Galvatron/Magnus commercial.
* He and the other two standard Seekers are seen battling the Dinobots on the ground in a commercial for the Predacons.
* Starscream briefly features in the [[Classic Pretender|Pretender Classics]] commercial. He's shown lurking in the dark of an Earth city as Optimus Prime is reunited with Jazz and Bumblebee. Narration from [[Victor Caroli]] leads the viewer to believe that his lurking is quite evil.
* Still in his Pretender Classics body, Starscream is seen dunking [[Wildfly]] and company into colorful vats to create the [[Pretender Monster]]s in their commercial.
* He features alongside Prowl and [[Over-Run (G1)|Over-Run]] in a commercial for [[Action Master]] vehicles; he's shown battling Prowl aboard his [[Turbo Jet]] on Cybertron.
* His jet form is shown in an early ''Generation 2'' commercial, rendered in CGI and flying over a rocky landscape alongside Ramjet.
{{-}}

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
When Optimus embarked on his mission to rescue the Autobots' [[Mini Vehicle|Minicar]] troops from the Decepticons, Starscream could hinder Optimus Prime's progress, pushing him back towards Optimus's point of origin in the Decepticon's maze-like base. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}

===''The Transformers'' (Commodore 64)===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (Commodore 64)}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[image:TF PS2 Starscream.jpg|thumb|250px]]
:''Voice actor'': [[Jack Merluzzi]]

While the Autobots were on their way to ELTA, Starscream appeared and told them to stop right where they were. Transforming to robot form, he announced that he would be their opponent. Optimus Prime asked him where he had been during the whole adventure, but Starscream just told him to shut up and warned him that his null ray was not like the others. Despite saying that he was going to shut Optimus' mouth forever, Starscream was defeated by the Autobots. Deciding to make a strategic withdraw and that discretion was the better part of valor, despite knowing that Megatron was going to chew him out, Starscream transformed to jet form and flew off. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals'' video game===
{{note|This game takes place in an alternate version of the second season of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]] cartoon.}}
[[Image:N64Starscream.jpg|200px|thumb|Yes, that's Transmetal Waspinator in original Waspinator colors as Generation 1 Starscream. No, that's not normal.]]
{{Note|Starscream is only available for game play in the Nintendo 64 version of this game.}}
Starscream returned to the Beast Wars following the [[quantum surge]], with a strange but powerful new [[Transmetal]] body. Fearing that the Beast Wars would alter history against his liking, Starscream set out to destroy any Maximal or Predacon that opposed him. After vanquishing his foes, Starscream entered the Ark and infused himself with the power of his old body, just as Megatron and Optimus Primal had increased their power. This fusion of old and new allowed Starscream to finally achieve his eons long goal of restoring his original body. Finally whole, Starscream undertook the long journey through transwarp back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)|Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals}}
{{note|Each character possessed an alternate ending, displayed if the N64 version of the game was beaten with said character. Each character has only their own ending listed on their pages, see the other characters' pages for Starscream’s fate in those outcomes.}}
{{-}}

===3D Battle-Card Game===
Starscream serves under [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] as one of his Decepticon soldiers, battling [[Optimus Primal]]'s many Autobot allies in what might possibly have been an inter-universe battle. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game#Energon Wars expansion|Energon Wars Expansion Set}}
{{-}}

===Sector Seven Alternate Reality Game===
[[Image:Starscream 1982.jpg|200px|thumb|Masterpiece attack!]]
Disguised as an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, Starscream was active on Earth in [[1982]], with documented sightings of jets sporting his unique colors on several continents before he was caught on camera transforming to robot mode in California. This sighting (and its subsequent leak) was the direct impetus for [[Hungry Dragon|Hungry Dragon 1]].

Later, during late April/early May of [[2007]], [[Sector Seven]] intercepted two sound clips through Agent Cod3x and another source (currently unknown). Apparently, Starscream wanted to make his presence known and left a message announcing that he would have the All Spark, and that Agent Powers would be the one to hand it over. These messages were somewhat garbled, as they were apparently received over a SETI@home system. So far, only these two "blips" have been analyzed (the second still needing work), but more may come in the near future. {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)|Sector Seven}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game (Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC)===
[[Image:ROTF_360PS3PC__DLC_G1Starscream.jpg|thumb|200px|"Why do I feel like [[Pat Lee]] designed me?"]]
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]]

{{Note|Starting on [[August 27]], [[2009]], Starscream was made available as one of a handful of downloadable characters in a DLC pack for Xbox 360 and Sony Playstation 3. }}
{{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Battle Universe===
{{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}
{{charstubfiction}}

===Transformers G1: Awakening===
[[Image:Starscream g1awakening stats.jpg|200px|left|thumb|]]
{{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{charstubfiction}}

{{-}}

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

==Notes==
[[Image:Ulchtar.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Phew.]]

*In [[Jim Shooter]] and [[Denny O'Neil|Denny O'Neil's]] original Transformers treatment, Starscream was named "'''Ulchtar'''." Yes. When [[Bob Budiansky]] took over Transformers preproduction from them, he changed it to "Starscream." <ref>[http://transformers-advent.blogspot.com/2009/07/exclusive-interview-with-bob-budiansky.html Exclusive Interview with Bob Budiansky!]</ref> And "Starscream" was the name given to [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s bio, so who knows what else was going on. This may be related to a mix-up that involved all three jets' [[Tech Spec]] numbers being switched around (Starscream was given Skywarp's stats by mistake).

[[Image:Starscreamg1early.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Confusing Nelson Yomtov since 1984.]]

* An early ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]''-style character profile published in ''[[The Transformers Comics Magazine]]'' gave Starscream the smirk-worthy nickname of '''The Silver Snake'''. A second "alternate name" for Starscream shows up in Bob Budiansky's hand-written write-up of his bio, which is briefly visible in one of [[Shout! Factory]]'s DVD featurettes. In addition to "The Silver Snake", the hand-written bio gives Starscream the alternate name of '''Pretty Poison'''. Oookay then...

* For the first half of the [[Marvel Comics]], Starscream's chest was colored dark blue, versus the red seen on the toy and in the cartoon. The apparent reason for this discrepancy is hinted at in animated segments in early [[commercial]] footage (see right), where Starscream's chest and forearms are black. Lack of color depth in comic books at the time required black to be represented by dark blue. Starscream's "true" colors began appearing in the Marvel Comics starting with issue 47, "[[Club Con!]]"

* An actor in a Starscream costume was among "live" Transformers one could meet at the 1985 [[The Transformers Universal Studios Tour|Universal Studios Tour]].

* According to the line art of Starscream by Studio OX, each side of his chest has a turbine mounted on it. This concept has influenced his [[Action Master]], [[The Transformers: Masterpiece]], and [[Transformers: Classics|Classics]] toys and the [http://tfu.info/2004/Destron/RMStarscream/starscream.htm art of the Robot Master version].<ref>[[Transformers Visualworks]]</ref>

[[Image:StarscreamMW Genesis.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Bringing a [[Particle cannon|cannon]] to a [[canon]]-fight.]]

*In ''[[Genesis: The Art of Transformers]]'' is a picture by [[Matt Kuphaldt]] of ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' Starscream wearing a purple cape and brandishing [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s torn-off arm cannon. To date, this remains the only canonical appearance of Starscream in this body—so far as the canonicity of art books can be placed.

* Starscream appears in the DLC for Revenge of the Fallen on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 in his G1 appearance with quite a few new features, not the least of which is the fact that he can summon and fire [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] gun mode (despite the fact that Megatron is already playable as a separate downloadable character).

*When seen in stasis lock aboard the Ark in "The Agenda-Part 3", Starscream almost looks kind of peaceful. It's kind of creepy, really.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Starscream''' (スタースクリーム ''Sutāsukrīmu'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Seng Seng Giu''' (星星叫, "Star Shouting")
*''Czech:'' '''Hvězdolam''' ("Starbreak")
*''Euskera:'' '''Izaroihu''' (Basque)
*''French:'' '''Égo''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Üstökös''' ("Comet")
*''Italian:'' '''Astrum''', '''Tornado'''("Set Commandos" four-pack),'''Scintillor''' (''Beast Wars'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Hǒu Hsīng''' (Taiwan, 吼星, "Roaring Star", or 天王星, "lord of sky and stars in meaning of translation / Uranus in direct translation"), '''Hóng Zhīzhū''' (China, 紅蜘蛛, "Red Spider")
*''Polish:'' '''Gwiazdowrzask''' ("Starscream"), '''Gwiezdny Krzyk''' (''Beast Wars'', "Star Cry")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Estrela-Estridente''' (Portugal comics, "Shrill Star"), '''Cometa''' (Brazil comics, "Comet")
*''Russian:'' '''Skandalist''' (cartoon, Скандалист, "Troublemaker")
*''Spanish:'' '''Grito de Estrella''' ("Star Cry"), '''Destello''' (America ''Beast Wars'', "Sparkle")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Zorekryk''' (Зорекрик, "Starscream")

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Starscream Starscream's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
*[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1784/Generation+2/Starscream.html Gallery of G2 Starscream with comparison to BW Starscream at Transformers At the Moon]

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Decepticons]]
[[Category:Alternity Decepticons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Gender-switch characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Live-action film ARG characters]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Decepticons]]
[[Category:Machine Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Predacon leaders]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robot Masters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Sideways (Armada)

2012-02-19T10:09:34Z

31.178.124.102: /* Foreign names */

{{picsneeded|Sideways's Autobot/Decepticon faction symbol from Armada or Cybertron package.}}
{{disambig2|the Unicron-serving backstabber|the live-action Decepticon|Sideways (ROTF)}}
{{factions|autobot|decepticon|unicron}}

:''Sideways is a cross-universal agent of [[Unicron]] hailing from [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], first seen in the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity]].''

[[Image:Sidewaysarmadafleer.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Goofy ominous nutball hardass.]]

'''Sideways''' is the consummate con-artist. He is misleading and deceitful in everything he does, portraying himself as the ninja-like warrior or the aloof drifter, and he lives for the look of shock and betrayal on his victims' faces when they realize he's played them for fools. Though Sideways appears to be a robot of average size and strength, he is nigh-invincible when he calls upon the powers of Unicron. Using the mysterious [[trans-phase mode]], he can take any form he chooses, and "heal" even the most grievous damage at will. Often, he'll eschew a body entirely, choosing to speak through monitors or as a vision in the sky. When he does choose to manifest in physical form, there is one constant: Sideways prefers to shroud his face behind a mask or visor or [[Mini-Con]] so as to keep himself mysterious and anonymous.

{{note|Sideways enjoys an extremely convoluted backstory in which he has been retroactively inserted into multiple different continuity families, and may be portrayed very differently in each. See individual series notes for details.}}

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' toy bio===
Sideways was recruited into the Autobot army on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] around the time that [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] was uncovered on [[Earth]]. He modified his body to resemble a Terran sports motorcycle, facilitating the speed with which he performed many of his duties. Conscientious and ninja-like, Sideways maintained a mysterious silence about himself, expressing only a desire to quickly engage the enemy and then return to Cybertron (presumably from Earth, given his [[Alternate mode|alt-mode]]).<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/tech-specs/Robots-In-Disguise-Tech-Specs/2002-Transformers-Tech-Specs/Sideways__RID_.jpg.html ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways's on-package bio]</ref>

{{note|In this, Sideways's first portrayal, we see no hint of anything beyond a run-of-the-mill Autobot warrior. However, much of the text of the ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways profile (as well as the name and altmode, of course) was copied to become the basis for the ''Armada'' toy—thus making them the same character and "reversing" Sideways's exploits into the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity.}}

===Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
:''Voice actors:'' [[Paul Dobson]], [[Mark Acheson]] (as Unicron) (English); [[Takahiro Sakurai]] (Japanese), [[Ekkehardt Belle]] (German)

[[Image:Gale Needalift.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Hey kids, want some candy?]]
Sideways first appeared as a beam of light from the sky striking a large [[Earth]] city near the Autobot base. An enigmatic warrior, he appeared to side with the Autobots, helping Hot Shot by watching his back during a confrontation with Scavenger. When asked to reveal himself, he transformed, his rider quickly splitting and becoming a helmet that covered his entire head. He claimed to be Sideways, a drifter who just wandered into the conflict. While he gave the human kids [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] rides in cycle mode to keep them entertained, [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] as well as [[Rad White|Rad]] and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] were suspicious of the motorcycle's motives, especially his close attention to the Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Gale}}

[[Image:Credulous Sidewaysknocksswordaway.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Surprise, the mysterious ninja is evil!]]

In the following battle, [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] faced Sideways and Hot Shot alone, and managed to force the [[Mini-Con storage panel|Mini-Con panel]] Sideways had (apparently) found out of his grasp. As the Decepticon leader began to warp away, both Autobots grabbed onto Megatron and all three were teleported to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. To Hot Shot and Megatron's surprise, the Mini-Con panel was a fake,
made to convince Megatron to retreat so that Hot Shot, spurred on by Sideways's encouragement, could defeat the Decepticons once and for all. Though both robots fought well alongside each other, with Sideways expressing concern over Hot Shot's well-being, he eventually betrayed
the young Autobot, by striking a deal with Megatron. He would pretend to be Megatron's hostage and in exchange, no matter what, Hot Shot
would turn over the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. At first, Hot Shot did follow through, but reneged at the last moment by calling the Mini-Cons back to him. Sideways suddenly attacked Hot Shot, knocking the Star Saber out of his hands and kicking it to [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. He switched Mini-Con heads, revealing his allegiance to the Decepticons. Hot Shot was savagely beaten by the Decepticons, who stopped short of destroying him on the advice of [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]], who teleported the young 'bot back to the Autobot base. Once Sideways's loyalty to the Decepticons seemed to be confirmed, he began manipulating them and playing them against each other to suit his mysterious goals. {{storylink|Credulous}}

[[Image:Sidewaysheads.jpg|left|150px|thumb|My Autobot counterpart is nearby...]]

One of these goals was the replacement of Megatron as Decepticon leader after a series of significant losses. Sideways sowed the seeds of rebellion within the Decepticon ranks, subtly turning Starscream against Megatron and convincing Megatron of Starscream's imminent treachery. The situation came to a head when the two Decepticons fought outside their base, but Sideways then realized Megatron would never execute Starscream for his insubordination, exposing an ever-constant weakness within the Decepticon command structure. After the battle, Sideways mused that this weakness would come back to haunt Megatron one day, and would be his ruin. Fortunately though, this incident somehow served to solidify the Decepticons as a unit, giving them much greater morale and cohesiveness, and achieving Sideways's aims of giving neither faction in the conflict a clear advantage. {{storylink|Rebellion}}

[[Image:Chase RainbowSideways.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You don't want to taste Sideways's rainbow.]]

Shortly thereafter, Sideways tried to hack the Autobot base computer, only to encounter the children attempting to destroy the equipment to stop Sideways. He transported them to a digital universe, where they saw the coming of two [[Jetfire (Armada)|new]] [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|combatants]]. He tried to threaten them into handing over the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Street Action Mini-Con Team]], before the kids realized that as this wasn't real, he could not harm them. Sideways then apologized to an unseen master, shortly before the children escaped the digital universe, chased by an unknown [[Unicron|entity]]. {{storylink|Chase (episode)|Chase}}

The Decepticons began to distrust Sideways, suspecting he was not what he seemed, and realized he was manipulating everybody in the unit. Caught out by [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and the other Decepticons while communicating with his unseen master, Sideways panicked and attempted to escape, but not before he was confronted by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and sliced in half with the Star Saber. Sideways simply reformed each time, reconnecting his parts and absorbing laser blasts from the other Decepticons. Megatron, in fury and disgust, hacked Sideways to pieces and he was seemingly destroyed... or so they thought. Sideways had entered [[trans-phase mode]] and his [[Mirror|rider]] rose in the form of a twisted [[nanite]] creature before the Decepticons' eyes, declaring that the Star Saber and Skyboom shield were merely toys to him, as he was near-invincible. His rider said there were millions of Mini-Cons left to be found, and challenged Megatron to see who would find them first, before flying off to parts unknown. {{storylink|Detection}}

[[Image:Awakening-Sidewaysonscreen.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Sideways may be dead, but he lives on in reruns.]]

While most of the Autobots were on Earth fighting the monstrous new Decepticon recruit, [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], Sideways made an appearance inside the Autobots' base... on a monitor! He told [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and Alexis about the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]], and how the Autobots must find the three Mini-Cons that form it before the Decepticons do. Neither of them trusted Sideways, but they knew Sideways was right. If the Decepticons did find the Requiem Blaster first, it could spell doom for the Autobots and the galaxy. {{storylink|Awakening}} Once the Autobots had acquired the Requiem Blaster, Sideways appeared once again on the Autobots' monitors, laughing. He showed them that he'd disabled their defenses. Sure enough, the Decepticons infiltrated the Autobot base, took the Requiem Blaster, and nearly killed [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] in the process. {{storylink|Sacrifice}}

Later, Sideways appeared to the Decepticon tactician, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], and told him that the Requiem Blaster would be even more powerful if used in conjunction with the other two Mini-Con weapons, the sword and the shield. {{storylink|Mars (episode)|Mars}} Thrust talked with Sideways again in a secret, ominous meeting. They planned to get the Mini-Con weapons away from the Autobots. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}} Thanks to Starscream's confusion on where his loyalties lay, he was able to steal the other two weapons from the Autobots, giving the Decepticons all three weapons. Thrust was hard at work on a secret project for Megatron, one that would harness the energy of all three weapons, and Sideways congratulated the tactician on his growing duplicity. When the three weapons were combined to power the starship [[Hydra Cannon]], Megatron used it to blow up a nearby comet while Sideways laughed from afar, on Earth's moon. {{storylink|Threaten}}

Both the Autobots and Decepticons were en route to Cybertron when a few of each faction were warped to a strange planet where they fought a dark copy of Optimus Prime called [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]]. When Optimus Prime and Megatron combined their firepower against it, Nemesis Prime was destroyed, and as the copy dissipated, Sideways appeared momentarily. Nemesis Prime had merely been Sideways's puppet. {{storylink|Puppet}}

[[Image:Uprising-SidewaysSpookyGhost.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He controls the horizontal, but not the vertical. The vertical is for saps.]]

When both sides had arrived on Cybertron, a black hole opened up over the planet. It started becoming apparent to some that Unicron was arriving. An apparition of Sideways appeared over the Autobots, and the Mini-Cons attacked it. After telling the Mini-Cons to get lost, Sideways again disappeared. Sideways returned to swear vengeance against the Mini-Cons when they tried to stop the black hole's effects. {{storylink|Uprising}} Eventually, Thrust became suspicious that his partnership with Sideways and Unicron might be found out, so he panicked and stole the Requiem Blaster and Skyboom Shield. Thrust ran deep underground where he met up with Sideways, but he was tailed by Starscream. Starscream declined Sideways's obligatory offer to join Unicron, and the two fought.

[[Image:Portent-Sideways vs Starscream.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Armada basically lines up the cast one by one so Sideways can call them an idiot.]]

Sideways assaulted Starscream with strange tendrils and amoeba-like organisms, and he and Thrust were able to leave with the two weapons. Now inside the moon in Cybertron's orbit, Sideways placed the Mini-Con weapons into its core, revealing that the moon was Unicron lying dormant all along. {{storylink|Portent}} The last of the three Mini-Con weapons was dropped by Starscream when he sacrificed himself to Unicron to prove to Galvatron (a transformed Megatron) that Autobot and Decepticon must join forces to destroy Unicron. Sideways formed over what was left of Starscream and grabbed the sword, making an easy getaway. {{storylink|Cramp}}

With all three weapons in place within Unicron's core, Sideways's master was able to shed the rest of his moon disguise and show his real form. Sideways and his patsy Thrust celebrated their inevitable victory over time and space. {{storylink|Alliance}} Thrust was told by Sideways to leave, as his work for now Unicron was now done. Thrust was confused, thinking he would be Unicron's right-hand man, but Sideways got angry, and ordered him to leave immediately. Thrust, dejected, left for the surface, where he later was crushed to death within Unicron's creases during the battle. {{storylink|Union}}

[[Image:Origin-SidewaysUnicroncore.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"I'm going to start elongating all my 's' sounds, Optimusssss."]]

Optimus and Megatron managed to reach the glowing core deep within Unicron's body. Before their eyes, the core budded, recreating the body of Sideways. Unicron spoke through this Sideways body, announcing that Sideways had always been an extension of Unicron himself, and that Sideways had intentionally stoked the flames of the Autobot/Decepticon war so that Unicron could be fueled by their mutual hatred. He took special delight in mocking Optimus Prime for claiming to fight a war for peace, a seeming contradiction. The truth, according to Unicron/Sideways, was that Optimus Prime loved to battle; Prime refused to admit this. Unicron/Sideways wrapped Prime and Megatron in tendrils, drained Megatron of his energy, and offered Prime the opportunity to merge with him.

[[Image:Sideways dead.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Ouchies.]]

Then the children and their Mini-Cons arrived, and they pleaded with him to stop, but Unicron/Sideways was able to claim them as their own; the Mini-Cons were Unicron's creation, after all. But inside a dreamworld created by Unicron, the children were able to call out to the Mini-Cons. They reactivated and told Unicron/Sideways that they believed in peace, and would fight for it if necessary. Their combined might was able to help Prime break free of his tendrils, and he fired a shot right through Sideways using the Requiem Blaster. As what was left of Sideways faded, he claimed he'd have his revenge... {{storylink|Origin}}

{{note|Internal to the ''Armada'' series, it is slightly unclear whether Unicron was somehow possessing his body for that period of time, or if Sideways had been an extension of Unicron all along instead of a separate individual. The additional backstory provided for Sideways in ''Cybertron'', however, would seem to establish that it's the former. Additionally, in "[[Credulous]]", before Sideways's Mini-Con head connects with his body after colliding with Megatron, an odd voice spoke, sounding like it came from a being of lesser intelligence emanated from the motorcycle body's own head, before the Mini-Con head took over. The mysterious line not being in the Japanese version of the episode and the shaky nature of the ''Armada'' dub in general only further obscures the issue.}}

====Linkage====
After informing the Autobots of the Requiem Blaster, Sideways journeyed to the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] to deliver [[Ravenus]] and the [[Doomstone]] to a group of [[Speed Chaser Team|evil Mini-Cons]] who were hunting down [[Super Stunt Team|a group of refugee Mini-Cons]] for their master. {{storylink|Linkage Part 8}} When they failed to eliminate or claim [[Redline]] and his friends, the evil Mini-Cons used [[trans-phase mode]] to connect with Sideways via a dimensional portal, and fled from Earth. {{storylink|Linkage Part 12}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
:''Voice actors:'' [[Ted Cole]] (English), [[Susumu Chiba]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Deep-Sideways.jpg|left|200px|thumb|He's been up there waiting the whole time!]]

Sideways and his brother, [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] were the last two survivors of the tyrannical [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], which was destroyed as the result of a battle between it and Gigantion long ago. Even though X started the war and was destroyed by its ''own'' weapon of mass destruction, the survivors were still determined to destroy Gigantion as revenge! {{storylink|Challenge}} Sideways and Soundwave agreed to serve Unicron in exchange for the assured death of Gigantion. {{storylink|Revelations Part 3|Soundwave's bio}} Thanks to this deal, Sideways was preserved by Unicron's dark power after his defeat by the Requiem Blaster. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

Once the Chaos-Bringer was defeated, Sideways and Soundwave were free from the deal and went after Gigantion with their own plan. Outside of Unicron's influence, Sideways started to show a laidback, jokey and sarcastic personality, doing things like singing to himself when flying away from fights, dancing to tunes when bored, and dissing other robots. He even showed he was capable of genuine friendship, having strong camraderie with Soundwave... but the thought of the lost Planet X, and the need to avenge it, would be something that would make this jokester turn grim and serious. {{storylink|City}}

Twenty years later, the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole caused by Unicron's demise]] had warped reality and caused everyone to forget Sideways existed! {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} Perfect opportunity! Taking a jet-like alternate mode, Sideways entered the Transformers war again, during their desperate search for the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]]. After the disappearance of ''[[Atlantis]],'' he observed from the top of a rocky cliff and wondered how he could best manipulate both factions to his own advantage. It wouldn't be long until they were all his puppets! {{storylink|Deep}} He offered his services to the Autobots, but as soon as he'd helped them corner Starscream, Sideways switched to a Decepticon symbol, fired on the Autobots, and promptly left. Starscream and the others were left wondering exactly what that was all about. {{storylink|Ship}}

[[Image:Sand-Sideways explains.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Honestly guys, I'm an Autobot! You don't remember me at all!]]

Later, Sideways spoke to Megatron through a portal window, telling him that Optimus Prime could be found on [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]]. He later appeared with the other Decepticons as they confronted the Autobots, chuckling evilly as they argued over who sent the messages leading to their meeting. {{storylink|Savage}} Sideways stood back and observed as Megatron fumed after his defeat at the hands of Optimus Prime on Jungle planet. Noting that the locals were itching for another fight with Prime, Sideways sought out [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] in the woods, pleading for help to save a friend who was buried under a rockslide. Leobreaker rallied the other Autobots on Jungle Planet and marched them into a canyon to save this imaginary friend, while Sideways laughed from above. He had also sent a fake message from Optimus Prime to [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], and so the Decepticons were also converging on that point. Megatron suspected the message was fake, but kept quiet. The two factions met in battle as Sideways planned, while he mused from above that no matter who loses, he wins! But he was spotted, and Leobreaker angrily threw him to the ground for lying to him. Sideways desperately explained that he was a "secret agent" for the Autobots, digging for "inside information". Optimus Prime wasn't convinced, but when their interrogation was interrupted by a communication from [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]], Sideways transformed and escaped. {{storylink|Sand}}

Sideways traveled with Megatron and the other Decepticons to [[Velocitron]] to apprehend the Speed Planet Cyber Planet Key. Here, Leobreaker and Sideways clashed again. When Megatron lost the Cyber Planet Key to [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], he, Sideways, and the other Decepticons fled. {{storylink|Champion}} Meanwhile, as Optimus Prime prepared to battle Scourge for the Jungle Planet Cyber Planet Key, Sideways and Starscream plotted. {{storylink|Honor}} As Scourge trained for the coming battle, Sideways and Starscream bet on the winner. At Sideways's suggestion, Starscream interfered with the Autobots's ability to get to the battle, thus causing Scourge's faith in Prime as an honorable opponent to waver. {{storylink|Primal}}

When the Autobots finally defeated Scourge and acquired the Cyber Planet Key, Sideways was deployed with the rest of Megatron's troops to track down the Key after the Autobots split up with several decoy boxes. He personally pursued Vector Prime, revealing the ability to warp as he battled the ancient warrior for the box he held. When Vector Prime sent out [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] to attack, Sideways used his faction-swapping shield to trick the Mini-Con into leaving before snatching the box from Vector Prime. When he found nothing but a rock inside, Sideways beat a hasty retreat. He was later seen goofing off as Megatron and Starscream went after the real holders of the Cyber Planet Key, and returned to Megatron's personal dimension when the rest of the Autobots arrived to secure the Key. {{storylink|Trust (Cybertron)|Trust}}

[[Image:Retreat-SidewaysStarscreamarmy.jpg|left|200px|thumb|That's right, the undercarriage of Sideways's altmode shows you the inside of his split-open ass.]]

Starscream was growing tired of Megatron's attitude towards him, and Sideways wondered if Starscream was going to doublecross his leader. When Megatron and his troops headed out from his dimension to find another Cyber Planet Key, Starscream instead chose to head to Earth. Intrigued, Sideways followed Starscream there, where they witnessed a burst of Cyber Key-related energy. He joined Starscream on his trip to the Arctic, where the wayward Decepticon demanded the Autobot [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] give him Earth's Cyber Planet Key. When Sideways realized that Starscream had sent Megatron the wrong direction and intended to take Earth's Key for himself, he decided to stay back and watch Starscream's fight with Crosswise, out of harm's way. ...at least, until Crosswise looked like he was going to lose, when Sideways happily leapt into action to kick him while he was down. Crosswise drove away, and Sideways shadowed him while Starscream investigated the cave he was guarding. {{storylink|Trap}} Sideways followed Crosswise all the way to his hidden hideout, where his leader, [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], was waiting. When Sideways was discovered, he once again fled. {{storylink|Invasion}}

Starscream, meanwhile, had recruited countless imprisoned Decepticons he had freed in the Arctic, and so Sideways stood at his side while Starscream marched his army across the face of the Earth. They converged on the location of the Autobot base, where they found the Autobots retreating via a [[space bridge]]. Starscream and Sideways engaged them in battle, but Sideways was quickly knocked away by the Autobots' firepower. {{storylink|Retreat}} Starscream succeeded in grabbing the Autobots' collected Cyber Planet Keys and the [[Omega Lock]], and returned to his underground volcanic lair, where Sideways and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] were waiting. {{storylink|Critical}} The Autobots weren't far behind, and a clash between them and Starscream's army was inevitable. Sideways called them forth, ordering them to rise up and destroy their enemies, while he and Starscream watched the battlefield through a portal;
Starscream was slowly absorbing the power of his stolen goods, and wasn't quite ready yet. The Autobots and Megatron managed to break into the volcano base, but Sideways had prepared a series of explosive boobytraps. {{storylink|Assault}}

[[Image:Starscreamepisode-Sidewaysposes.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hey, Sideways, your shield has huge gaps in it.]]

Despite this, the Autobots were able to get through them, where they came face to face with Sideways. Asked as to what side he was on today, Sideways replied that he was on his own, but today he was betting on Starscream. The Autobots fought him, but he was able to warp around them at will, and none were able to land a punch. Ultimately, [[Vector Prime]] placed his Mini-Con, [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] on Sideways's back, and Optimus Prime was able to use that to detect where Sideways would appear next. After several blasts, Sideways was once again able to flee, this time because of the arrival of Scourge. He returned to Starscream's side, where the wayward Decepticon was nearly finished absorbing the Omega Lock's power. When Starscream said he wouldn't run to face Megatron, but wait for Megatron to come and be picked off at his leisure, Sideways realized there was nothing more he could do there and left, teleporting away. {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}} Once the tremendous battle was over, and Starscream (despite having grown to a large size) had fallen over defeated, Sideways reappeared. Noting that Starscream could still be useful to him, he warped Starscream's humongous body away. {{storylink|United}} Starscream woke up inside the ''Atlantis'', with Sideways standing over him. Sideways explained that during the time Starscream had been out, Megatron had been defeated and Primus had awoken. The two traveled to Cybertron and found it transformed into Primus, but lying dormant; Sideways snarked that some clever guy had stolen all his power. He and Starscream tried to fight their way through the Autobots to the Omega Lock, but failed. Later, Sideways warped behind the Autobots' human friends, nabbed their three [[Mini-Con]] pals, and warped away. Angry, the children jumped into the portal window he left behind. {{storylink|Balance}}

[[Image:Memory-Sidewaysandchildren.jpg|left|200px|thumb|WOULD YOU LIKE TO? WOULD YOU LIKE TO?]]

Sideways attached Jolt to some equipment in order to search his memories for data pertaining to location of [[Gigantion]], where the last Cyber Planet Key would be found. But all Sideways could extract was useless data that would take forever to examine, so he tried to watch some television to pass the time. No luck—they were jamming their own communications, so he couldn't watch ''[[Galactic Guardians]]'' or anything, so he turned on his [[Soundwave (G1)|stereo]] and began moving to the music. Starscream yelled at him for goofing off. Embarrassed, Sideways ran off to do repairs. Indeed, the memory download was taking too long, so Sideways decided it would be much quicker if they just hacked open Jolt's head, took what they wanted, and deleted the rest. The operation was interrupted by the children, and so Sideways left to deal with them. After a few slapstick adventures, including a faked hologram of Megatron telling Sideways to jump on one foot and call himself a "pretty lady", the children were able to escape with Sideways's key to the cell he was keeping the other two Mini-Cons in. Though those two were rescued, Sideways finally caught up with them, laughing maniacally and with evil intent. {{storylink|Memory}} Jolt, whose rotors were now untied, was able to open a warpgate for himself and the others to escape through. Angered, Sideways warped away himself, and appeared again in front of the children and the Mini-Cons, telling him that he had put an energy field around the ship to prevent Jolt from pulling that trick again. The children and the Mini-Cons ran, but he threw one of his wing blades into the path ahead of them, blocking their escape. As Sideways mocked their attempts to distract him so they could make their getaway, [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] was able to communicate with the ship and spray [[fire-retardant foam]] over Sideways's head. They fled.

[[Image:Escape-Sidewaysmeandrawing.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"A ''mouth?!'' This is libel!"]]

Later, when the children and the Mini-Cons had located the chamber in which Sideways was guarding, the one that was blocking communications from being sent out of ''Atlantis'', they remotely caused a malfunction in one of the engine rooms. Sideways ran out of the chamber and into the engine room, where he found a crude drawing of him on the wall. "Now that's just mean!" Next they dumped him down one of the garbage chutes, which Sideways laughed at. He'd just warp out of there! But he forgot that he'd disabled warping, so he was cast out of the ship into space. A piece of trash that followed him conked him on his head, knocking him out. ''Atlantis'' was soon found by the Autobots and Decepticons, and so Starscream set the ship to warp away. Just in time, the children and the Mini-Cons shot themselves out of the ship in two escape pods, but Sideways's floating body blocked the second pod from leaving the warp perimeter of the ship. Sideways and the second pod disappeared along with ''Atlantis''. {{storylink|Escape (episode)|Escape}}

Sideways returned to the helm of ''Atlantis'' with Starscream, as the distance between them and the planet [[Gigantion]], home to the final [[Cyber Planet Key]], quickly narrowed. But due to the work of [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], Jolt, and [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]], [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], and the Decepticons were able to follow a trail to the ship, and so Sideways activated the ship's defenses while he navigated a warp jump away. But after they had jumped, Starscream felt the power of Primus, and so the ''Atlantis'' returned to Cybertron. After a battle between Starscream and Primus, Starscream was brutally defeated, so Sideways warped the ship away again with Starscream's body in tow. {{storylink|Titans}} Starscream was no worse for wear by the time Sideways had begun piloting ''Atlantis'' through a warp gate to another dimension where Gigantion was located, but the Autobots' ship, the ''[[Ogygia]]'', wasn't far behind. ''Atlantis'' started lagging behind the Autobots when Bud and the Mini-Cons aboard began sabotaging its engines, much to the fury of Sideways and Starscream. {{storylink|Warp}}

Sideways managed to get ''Atlantis'' to Gigantion, but only after a crash-landing. Before too long, the ship was under attack from the Autobots. Starscream was still too drained from his fight with Primus, so Sideways was told to fight them himself, an order he grumbled loudly about once he was out of Starscream's range. He confronted Optimus Prime, merged with Wing Saber, and bemoaned their sneaky tactics. He was the one supposed to be pulling the strings! As Sideways was targeted by a volley of missiles, Optimus Prime told Sideways that he'd had enough of his tricks. After a prolonged fight, Sideways could do nothing better than to utter a pathetic "mother!" as Prime's final, most powerful attack was bearing in on him. Thankfully for Sideways, he was saved by Soundwave, who pushed him out of the way at the last second. Once they were safe, Sideways thanked Soundwave for the rescue. Soundwave reminded Sideways that "that's how we roll," and not to forget their ultimate purpose. {{storylink|City}}

[[Image:Showdown-SoundwaveSidewaysstare.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Don't go towards the light, Sideways!]]

While the both of them were searching for the last Cyber Planet Key, they were discovered by the [[Cybertron Defense Team]]. Soundwave explained their backstory as survivors of Planet X and their vendetta against Gigantion. When the Autobots noted it was their own fault their planet was destroyed, Soundwave shrouded them in a thick black cloud while Sideways created virtual duplicates of himself. He managed to mess with Red Alert's head, but was tricked into revealing himself by Scattorshot after the clever technician dealt with the smog. In the end, the two Planet X natives were crushed under a falling tower. {{storylink|Challenge}}

Sideways and Soundwave didn't resurface until the Autobots were ready to leave Gigantion to their home dimension to repair the black hole. They challenged the Autobots, blocking their path out of the planet, for they wanted to ensure the black hole destroyed the galaxy. After fighting Optimus Prime to a standstill, they were interrupted by Starscream and Megatron, who were fighting several layers above them, glowing and pulsating with energy levels no one present had ever seen. Soundwave and Sideways wanted to escape, fearing their own destruction, but they lamented that if they didn't grab the Omega Lock then, they'd have failed at their mission. Both warped closer to the battle between Megatron and Starscream, and, reaching towards the tremendous energy that had built up during the Decepticons' battle, Sideways begged Soundwave to leave and save himself. Soundwave rejected this, because they were in this together. As Megatron and Starscream punched each other simultaneously, a wave of energy seemed to destroy both Planet X natives.

[[Image:Beginning-SoundwaveSideways.jpg|right|thumb|250px|We're not dead! Neither is our planet! Weird.]]

Vector Prime noted that neither were likely destroyed in the conventional sense, but were blasted into another dimension. {{storylink|Showdown}} His analysis seemed to be correct; a little later, when Megatron witnessed a vision of Starscream—apparently reaching out through the [[fire dimension]] to mock him one final time—Sideways and Soundwave were both standing by the traitor's side. {{storylink|Unfinished}}

The next (and last) time Sideways was seen, he, Soundwave, and [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]] were cheering as they stood before an undestroyed Planet X, apparently having found an intact, parallel version of their homeworld in the dimension they had been transported to. {{storylink|Beginning}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
[[Image:SkywarpSidewaysWheeljack.jpg|left|300px|thumb|I'm such a secret shill for Unicron that you only ever see me once! Well, twice.]]

Always evasive about where his true loyalties lie, Sideways has been seen on battlefields the galaxy over, but not always on the same side. He has manipulated both factions like a game of cosmic chess, and chooses his words carefully. Neither Autobot nor Decepticon, he has always served just one master: [[Unicron]]. To these purposes, he assigned his Mini-Con companion, [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]] to infiltrate the Mini-Cons' Moonbase operations and send things awry. Crosswise was more of a wildcard than a full-on partner, unlike Sideways's other Mini-Con, [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]]. Rook was assigned to sow the real seeds of discontent amongst the Mini-Cons on the moon. {{storylink|More Than Meets The Eye (Armada)}}

Sideways himself was first seen working on a secret desert rocket site, guarded by [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]], which was designed to launch Megatron's [[Solar Scalpel]] laser system in orbit. {{storylink|Fire & Ice}} After the rocket was launched, he returned to Cybertron, and was present for the battle against Unicron... though what exact role he played in it is unknown. {{storylink|The End}}
{{-}}

===''Robot Masters'' online comic===
[[Image:RMComic-SidewaysBWMegs.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Master manipulator teamed up with master manipulator? That's WAY more interesting than [[Lio Convoy]] teaming up with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]... so of course it only happens ONCE.]]

Sideways participated in the confusing war over [[solitarium]], where he employed a special communications system called "[[Crosswise (Armada)|Shadow]] and [[Rook (Armada)|Bright]]".

Sideways acted as a source of intelligence for the Autobots, alerting them to a large supply of solitarium on [[Chaar]]. When [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]] led [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Primal]] to a crevasse filled with solitarium crystals, they were ambushed from above by [[Megatron (BW)|Beast Megatron]] and Sideways, who was revealed to be in collusion with the Decepticons. They detonated the crystals around the Autobots.

Fortunately, Primal managed to shield the three from the explosion with a huge slab of rock, but they were unable to prevent the Decepticons from making off with a huge load of Solitarium.{{storylink|Defend the Solitarium!}}

{{note|Sideways is said to have used special dimension-jumping powers to participate in this storyline, and he now shares the paintscheme of Armada Sideways. Remember that part—you'll see why soon!}}
{{-}}

===''Robot Masters'' 3D Diorama Manga===
[[Image:Roadrocketsidewaysphotocomic.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Okay, thumb war!]]

Road Rocket and Sideways found a piece of Solitarium at the same time, though each claimed they saw it first. The Solitarium was located across a gorge, so the two revved up their engines to see who could cross it in their motorcycle modes. Unfortunately, Sideways miscalculated, falling down the gorge, while Road Rocket was victorious. {{storylink|Robot Masters Vol. 4}}
{{-}}

===''Animated''===
[[Image:Sidewaysanimated.jpg|right|thumb|100px|He might change his mind about Shanghai once he gets there.]]
Shortly before the [[AllSpark]] was hidden in space by [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], Sideways arrived from another dimension and joined the Decepticons. Land General Sideways was responsible for overseeing the [[Silvart War]], where he was captured by [[Primal Major]] and prepared for transportation back to Cybertron on board the ''[[Alpha Supreme|Axalon]]''. [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] speculated that thanks to the General's [[Trans-phase mode|Trans-Phase Generator]], Sideways broke free of his restraints and sabotaged the engine, causing the ''Axalon'' and its crew to succumb to a black hole.

Since Sideways was never seen again, Longarm Prime suspects Sideways was trying to get to some place called "[[Shanghai]]", which he frequently mentioned. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

{{note|''Animated'' Sideways is described as having the signature powers of the familiar pre-existing character. His body, while mainly based on ''Armada'' Sideways, also features minor visual cues from [[Sideways (ROTF)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' Sideways]]. These visual continuity points are very similar to those used to establish that Sideways had "jumped" from the Unicron Trilogy into Generation 1. However, there is no absolute proof that after his arrival in ''Animated'', Sideways ever followed through on his desire to visit Shanghai, nor which universe's Shanghai he might have visited. If one makes the conclusion that he did make that jump, he and the movie-continuity Sideways must be the same person; if not, not.}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
[[Image:RIDtoy-Sideways.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hello, my treacherous friend.]]

* '''Sideways vs. Axer''' (Mega multi-pack, 2002)

: The first Sideways toy is a yellow and black [[redeco]] (and minor [[Retool|retooling]], from changes made to the mold for a Japanese ''[[Microman]]'' version) of [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]], transforming into a Yamaha GTS1000A racing motorcycle with a light-up rear wheel suspension/buzzsaw weapon. He came packaged with [[Axer]] in a [[Walmart|Wal-Mart]] [[exclusive]] two-pack. Of note is that Sideways is, rather unusually, cast ''entirely'' from black plastic except for the transparent portions, with all other colors being paint.

: This set was released in Japan as a [[Toys"R"Us|ToysЯUs]]-[[exclusive]] "[[USA Edition]]" on [[May 30]], 2002.

: This mold was going to be used to make [[Laser Cycle]] [[Jazz (G1)#LaserCycle|Jazz]] in ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', but the line was cancelled before the toy hit full production.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on RiD Sideways at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Armada===
[[Image:Armadatoy-Sideways-wrongways.jpg|right|300px|thumb|My hats are the grandest of all... except that they're putting me on the wrong sides!]]

* '''Sideways w/ Rook and Crosswise''' (Super-Con, 2003 / Japanese release [[April 24]] 2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MX-01'''
**''Accessories'': 2 tailpipe-missiles

: The second toy of Sideways was released in 2002 in ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'', transforming into a Cybertronic motorcycle, and was the first larger ''Armada'' toy to come with two [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]; [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]]. Each Mini-Con could form a new head for Sideways, as well as reveal a faction sigil behind his clear-plastic chestplate in that mode. Their individual and combined robot modes were designed to act as riders when Sideways is in vehicle mode. His tailpipes become arm-mounted [[Powerlinx]]-activated pressure-launch missile launchers.

: Two variations of the [[Hasbro]] version of the toy exist. The first variation features the opposite Mini-Con heads revealing their intended faction logo. This was due to an error in the television series' animation which depicted Crosswise as the Decepticon head and Rook as the Autobot head. Hasbro made a [[variant|running change]] so the toy reflected the series' faction alignments. The second variation changed the salmon on Crosswise to a more Decepticon-like purple. This toy was also released in the Japanese ''Micron Legend'' toyline as "Doubleface" shortly afterwards, featuring a color scheme on the cockpit of the bike that was closer to the anime appearance.

: The Takara version reverses the purple and yellow on the chest, making it more show accurate (as always). The arms cannot connect when in vehicle mode.

: In November of 2003, US [[Toys"R"Us]] stores had special bonus pack Max-Con (Deluxe) toys, which came with a single bonus Mini-Con attached to the card over their sticker, for ''less'' than the price as a normal Max-Con during Toys"R"Us's post-Thanksgiving-day sale. Like [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]], Sideways could come with one of the [[Destruction Mini-Con Team]] members: [[Buzzsaw (Armada)|Buzzsaw]], [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]], or [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]].

: This mold was also used for ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Rapid Run (Energon)|Rapid Run]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/ArmSideways/sideways.htm More information on Armada Sideways at TFU.info]''

===Robot Masters===
[[Image:RMtoy-Doubleface.jpg|right|300px|thumb|We've come full circle or something.]]
* '''Doubleface''' (Robot Master, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-19'''

: Doubleface, a purple, gray, and yellow [[redeco]] (and minor [[Retool|retooling]], from changes made to the mold for a Japanese ''[[Microman]]'' version) of [[Road Pig (G2)|Road Pig]], was released in Japan in 2005, transforming into a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide touring motorcycle with electronic light-up tailpipe/"blaster" weapon. It featured a fixed Decepticon logo, and was the second and last appearance of this character in Japan as of 2006.

: There is a minor variation to this toy; though both versions feature an "electronics warning" on the robot mode's butt, some versions use a clear-plastic sticker, while others have the text tampographed there.

: This mold was also used for ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Axer]]. It was planned for use in ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' as [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#LaserCycle|Soundwave]], but that toy never saw release.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Destron/DoubleFace/doubleface.htm More information on Robot Masters Doubleface at TFU.info]''

===Cybertron===
[[Image:SidewaysCybertron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|On second thought, screw the whole motorcycle thing.]]
* '''Sideways''' (Deluxe-Class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GX-01'''
**''Accessories'': Left & right wing-blades, [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] [[Cyber Key]]

: The third toy of Sideways released in the US was in the [[Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toyline]]. Sideways in this line is a black and orange alien spacefighter with Cyber Key-activated faction-switching ability and pop-out blades built into his battle shield. His wings can also detach from his ankles and be used as blades, with both [[5mm post|pegging]] into either his hands, either with one blade in each hand, or with both blades pegging into the top and bottom of a single hand, forming a double-bladed weapon. The toy features a translucent face with his signature horns. He comes with a Planet X style Cyber Planet Key; the US version has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Cyber Key Code]] "'''dj51'''" [[Tampograph|tampographed]] on the back.

: This toy was released in Japan as ''Galaxy Force'' Noisemaze, and no mention was made of a relationship to Doubleface/Sideways. He features chromed details on the wings instead of the standard gray, along with more intricate paint applications.

: This mold was also used for the Japanese DVD-[[exclusive]] [[Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version#Galaxy Force|Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version]], ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ratbat (G1)#Universe (2008)|Ratbat]], and was [[Retool|retooled]] into [[BotCon 2009]] ''[[Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Scourge (G1)#Timelines|Scourge]] and Sweeps [[Sweep Two#Toys|Two]], [[Sweep Six#Toys|Six]], and [[Sweep Seven#Toys|Seven]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on Cybertron Sideways at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VsRedAlert}}
[[Image:Cyb-toy CriticalPath.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Look, Grandma's is down this path! It's ''critical'' I take it!]]
*'''Critical Path Pack!''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
**''Accessories'': Left & right wing-blades, Planet X Cyber Key

: This two-pack of the [[Red Alert (Armada)#Cybertron|Deluxe-size ''Cybertron'' Red Alert]] and Sideways toys was made available only at [[Target]] stores, retailing for $16.99. The toys are identical to their individual releases.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:ACT10-Doubleface.jpg|right|thumb|300px|STRIKE POSE!]]
*'''Doubleface''' (2003)

:Available in "Act 10" of Takara's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' PVC line, Doubleface was available in both color and pewter. He came with an extra head so that his appearance could be switched between Doubleface's "normal" head and the "Decepticon" head. His appearance could ''not'' be switched out of its sort of weird-looking pose, however.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The case for the Sidewayses of the five different continuity families (''Robots in Disguise,'' Unicron Trilogy, Generation 1, ''Animated'', and the live-action film) being the same individual hopping universes is... not airtight. Until 2010, no fiction had actually portrayed him migrating from one universe to another, but even before then, circumstantial evidence abounded:
** The first Sideways, a ''Robots in Disguise'' toy, was packaged with [[Axer]], whose on-package [[bio]] strongly insinuates that he had come from the ''Generation 1'' universe through a black hole. The bios make no particular connection between the two characters, so there is no reason to think Sideways must have come from another universe as well. Nevertheless, the real-world pairing of the characters makes it easy to accept that he did, based on later evidence.
** The next Sideways, from ''Armada'', was given an on-package bio of almost identical wording to that of the ''Robots in Disguise'' character. The ''Armada'' bio suggests that his duplicity is a new development upon coming to Earth, the result of being pulled in two mental directions by his Mini-Cons.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/tech-specs/Armada-Tech-Specs/2002-Transformers-Tech-Specs/Sideways__A_.jpg.html ''Armada'' Sideways's on-package bio]</ref> However, the cartoons and comics would both develop him as a pure agent of Unicron, which of course opens all sorts of cross-universal possibilities.
** The ''Robot Masters'' toy is what seals the deal. It's named and colored after the ''Armada'' toy, and some ''Robot Masters'' publicity material has declared that the character's first toy was indeed the ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways figure. Since the entire premise of ''Robot Masters'' is that Transformers are arriving on present-day Earth through wormholes from across time and space, the idea that Sideways universe-hopped into the ''Robot Masters'' continuity is too strong to ignore.
** And finally, in 2010 the ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'' presented ''Animated'' Sideways as pretty clearly the same individual as all the other previous Sidewayses, and arguably the [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways of the live-action film]]. We are so, so shocked. On the other hand, this means getting cut in half was no huge deal for him. It'd happened [[Star Saber (Armada)|before]].

[[Image:Detection-SidewaysNoHat.jpg|right|180px|thumb|He's back. From outer space.]]
* In ''Armada'', outside of the stock footage sequences showing Sideways putting his Mini-Con helmets on, his "bare" head was often colored in shades of gray similar to the Crosswise head, rather than the appropriate purple and yellow.
* While the positioning of ''Armada'' Sideways's head-handlebars in toy form is up to the owner, the cartoon consistently portrayed them as angled downwards.
* In "[[Memory]]", Sideways seemed to be a fan of the [[Galactic Guardians]], a superhero team who star in their own cartoon show. He also seemed to be a fan of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive", as he sang the first few lyrics to himself before being interrupted by Starscream.
* A 2001 Armada IP bible includes a bio of Sideways that notes he is comic relief after his Mini-Con is damaged and split in two, now acting as his "angel" and "devil" consciences who also bicker between themselves. Before the accident, Sideways was an aloof and mysterious ninja who turns into a police cycle. Obviously, this characterization didn't exactly pan out.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Doubleface''' (ダブルフェイス ''Daburufeisu''), '''Noisemaze''' (''Galaxy Force'', ノイズメイズ ''Noizumeizu''), '''Sideways''' (''Animated'', サイドウェイズ ''Saidoweizu'')
*''Polish:'' '''Krętacz''' ("Dodger")
*''Russian:'' '''Otshel'nik''' (Отшельник, "Hermit")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Kanyargó''' ("Swerver", ''Armada''), '''Mellékút''' ("By-pass", ''Cybertron'')

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Armada Autobots]]
[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Animated Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Double agents]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Planet X]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Robot Masters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise Autobots]]
[[Category:Scouts]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Tidal Wave (Armada)

2012-02-15T21:26:39Z

31.178.124.102: /* Foreign names */

{{picsneeded|Fictional appearances.}}

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Tidal Wave}}

:''Tidal Wave is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tidal wave looms ps2.jpg|right|400px|thumb|Like a vast predatory <s>bird</s> fish...]]
'''Tidal Wave''' is a colossal 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]]. Tidal Wave takes on the name '''Mirage''' when upgrading to a new body.

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

==Fiction==
===Toy pack-in comics===
[[Image:Armada V3 Tidal Wave.jpg|thumb|]]
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Tidal Wave rescued [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] when the [[Decepticon]] leader was being transported to prison. The two combined, and their power was too much for [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] and [[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]] to handle. Their battle was cut short when Ramjet pointed out the gigantic form of [[Unicron]] in the sky. {{Storylink|Armada Volume 4}}

[[Image:Energon V4 Decepticons.jpg|thumb|left]]

As part of [[Eclipse-Team]], Tidal Wave, now in a new body as Mirage, was assigned to patrol the exterior of an Autobot [[energon]] refinery plant while his team-mates [[Sharkticon (Energon)|Sharkticon]] and [[Slugslinger (Energon)|Slugslinger]] plundered the ressources within. The plan quickly went awry and when Slugslinger called in Mirage for reinforcement, Mirage was swatted by [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] for his troubles. The mission was a complete failure. {{Storylink|Energon Volume 3}}

In another battle, Mirage, along with [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]], and [[Shockblast]], were sicced on a weakened [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], but were blasted away by [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]]. {{storylink|Energon Volume 4}}
{{-}}

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

Tidal Wave was 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 (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]. Thrust's claims of Tidal Wave's prowess initially conflicted with the newcomer'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 by transforming into his massively powerful robot mode and quickly sent 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 somehow shrank in size), headed for Megatron and Powerlinxed 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. However, Optimus Prime managed to obtain the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]] and used it to injure both Tidal Wave and Megatron, forcing the Decepticons to retreat {{storylink|Desperate}} to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]] for repairs. {{storylink|Runaway}}

Tidal Wave later participated in the Decepticons' operation to steal the Blaster, during which [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] decided to defect. {{storylink|Sacrifice}} 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 nailed Tidal Wave in the eye with his axle cannon but the powerful Tidal Wave recovered quickly and caused problems for Jet Optimus, who 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 again. {{storylink|Regeneration}}

He was present when Starscream led the Autobots into the heart of the Decepticon base to liberate the captive Mini-Cons. He handily took down Side Swipe, then moved to the chamber where the [[Hydra Cannon]] was under construction to prevent the Mini-Cons from being lost to the Autobots. On the way, he encountered [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] and Hot Shot, the latter of whom distracted him long enough for the former to penetrate deeper into the Decepticon base.

Though Hot Shot fought hard, Tidal Wave was simply too big and powerful for the young 'bot to defeat alone, so he fled to the construction room with Tidal Wave in hot pursuit. Tidal Wave arrived just in time to see the Mini-Cons flee with Perceptor. [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] then arrived and the two fought for a while before the Autobots retreated, their objectives achieved. {{storylink|Rescue}}

Megatron then sent Tidal Wave to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] as part of a trap for Starscream and Jetfire. He beat up Starscream in the sky, which sent him crashing to the surface. He encountered both the Autobots, as well as their Mini-Cons, shortly thereafter in the asteroid belt where they had located [[Firebot (Armada)|Firebot]]. Megatron and Thrust arrived to help him at this point, but all three were forced back when the Autobots unlocked the power of [[burning justice]] in the Star Saber and [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] shield. {{storylink|Mars (episode)|Mars}}

Tidal Wave participated in the attack during which Starscream returned to the Decepticons, bringing the Star Saber and Skyboom Shield with him. Once again, he fought Hot Shot. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}} He also fought against Optimus Prime and Jetfire atop the Hydra Cannon, {{storylink|Crisis}} combined with Megatron to defeat Side Swipe, {{storylink|Miracle}} and again when they found themselves on [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]]'s world. {{storylink|Puppet}} He presumably took part in Galvatron's conquest of Cybertron {{storylink|Uprising}} and later tried, with only partial success, to prevent Hot Shot from getting close to Galvatron. {{storylink|Dash (episode)|Dash}}

After that, he was assigned a squad to Decepticons and sent to clear an area of Autobots. He engaged Jetfire during this time, calling the Autobot a "show-off". {{storylink|Portent}} He again combined with Megatron when the Decepticon leader decided to approach Optimus Prime for some... aggressive negotiations. Somehow, Jetfire managed to defeat single-handedly during this time. {{storylink|Cramp}}

Tidal Wave attended the meeting during which the Autobots and Decepticons formed a temporary truce to combat the menace of [[Unicron]], notably shaking hands with Jetfire. {{storylink|Alliance}} After this, he combined with Galvatron in order to kill the traitorous Thrust, save Demolishor, and then, with the similarly combined Optimus Prime and Jetfire, penetrate deep into the core of Unicron. {{storylink|Union}} He detached from his master for a final time to allow the two Transformer leaders to settle their final differences and accompanied the rest of the Transformers, where he then fled the scene. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}

====''Energon'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor'' [[Doug Parker]] (English), [[Jin Yamanoi]] (Japanese), [[Anders Öjebo]] (Swedish)
{{noteslonly}}

''Before he came to Earth, Tidal Wave was in charge of a [[Decepticon]] platoon on [[Dabola]] which included [[Shockblast]] and [[Six Shot]]. After a series of battles, they eliminated the Autobots on the planet but Shockblast and Six Shot grew bored and started lashing out at their Decepticon allies. Tidal Wave eventually managed to drive them away and subsequently garnered an everlasting hatred for Shockblast. {{storylink|Alpha Q: Identity}}''

After the end of the Unicron Battles, Tidal Wave loyally followed 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 also his occupation—instead of being a warrior, he was now a guardian of the [[energon]] mines in the Solar 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 despite clearly disliking Scorponok. He began by attacking an energon-mining facility on Mars and managed to obtain a large amount of energon before being driven back by the Autobots. {{storylink|Scorpinok}} At some point thereafter, he met up with Cyclonus somewhere in space and gave him a quick run-down on the situation. Cyclonus liked the idea of reviving Megatron, but was skeptical that this goal could actually be achieved.

After that, Tidal Wave led a force of Terrorcons to attack [[Mars City]] and steal its energon. Due to the city's weak defenses, he was able to grab all its energon and slaughter most of its guards and inhabitants before leaving.

Fresh from this success, he led an attack on [[Plains City]] alongside Scorponok where he faced off against his old allies Cyclonus and Demolishor. They were again repelled after a fierce battle against the Autobots, but this time Cyclonus came with them, having seen that Scorponok possessed [[Energon Sword|Megatron's sword]] and thus concluding that Megatron could be brought back to life with reasonable effort {{storylink|Megatron's Sword}}.

Tidal Wave, Cyclonus, and Scorponok returned to Unicron's body where Tidal Wave showed Megatron's corpse to Cyclonus. After Cyclonus hitting the corpse failed to resurrect it, he and Tidal Wave tried to persuade Scorponok to bring back their old leader, only to be ordered to go get more energon. They tried to raid a recently-discovered energon vein in the [[Arctic]], but were driven away when [[Cybertron City (city)|Cybertron City]] arrived. {{Storylink|The New Cybertron City}}

After this, the Autobots upgraded all their defenses around their energon sources, leading to a series of defeats for the Decepticons under Alpha Q's control. In frustration, Cyclonus kicked Megatron's corpse a few times in proxy revenge for all the times he'd mistreated them. Tidal Wave begged him not to do that and verbally defended Megatron when their leader's disembodied voice demanded that they treat him with more respect.

Seeing that Megatron's spark was causing trouble, Scorponok attempted to kill him outright but only succeeded in resurrecting him in a new body; at this, Tidal Wave was overjoyed and gleefully helped Megatron take control of Unicron's body from Alpha Q. He then followed Megatron in another attack on Plains City, during which Hot Shot lost an arm. {{storylink|Megatron Resurrected}} After this, they returned to their base where Tidal Wave was assigned to guard the recently inducted Scorponok. Scorponok wondered why Megatron didn't kill Optimus Prime in their last sortie and Tidal Wave told him to figure it out - in the event that he did, the rest of the Decepticons would start to trust him.

Tidal Wave later took part in the Decepticon mission to [[Ocean City]], during which Demolishor returned to their ranks {{storylink|Megatron Raid}} for another raid on [[Moon (moon)|Earth's moon]]. {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}} He also accompanied the Decepticons in their next attack on Ocean City, attacking from beneath the water but was like everyone else, repelled by the [[energon tower]]'s ''Autobot-flavored'' energon. {{storylink|Energon Tower}} He was present when Megatron, for the first and only time, used the powers he gained from Unicron to restore Starscream's loyalty to the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Legend of Rodimus}}

After this, he observed a force of Alpha Q's Terrorcons investigating [[Jungle City]], and reasoned that there was probably energon to be had. The Decepticons attacked and made off with as much energon as they could, during which Tidal Wave attempted to destroy the energon tower. On this occasion, most of their efforts went to waste when the Autobots exploded the city to prevent the Decepticons from getting the energon, but the 'Cons still came out ahead. {{storylink|Crisis in Jungle City}}

He also took part in an attempt to capture [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]]. {{storylink|Kicker Beware!}} When this failed, Megatron got the idea that chucking some giant comet-shaped lumps of Unicron at Earth would obliterate the Autobots and assigned Tidal Wave to lead the efforts in pushing them across the gulf of space. Tidal Wave explained to Scorponok that this slow procession would scare the humans much more than having the projectiles appear near their planet without warning.

However, Megatron's grand plan just gave the humans and Autobots time to prepare and so the plan failed miserably. All the Decepticons fled back to Unicron. {{storylink|Energon Grid}} Following this, Megatron ordered them to find Alpha Q, who would have a lot of energon. Demolishor and Tidal Wave protested that this would be nigh impossible - after all, space is really big - but Megatron would have none of it.

Just before trying to track him down, Tidal Wave and Starscream were responsible for seeing that Scorponok took all his energon back to Megatron and didn't try to skim any off the top for Alpha Q. {{storylink|Rodimus Friend or Foe?}}

He later took part in a plan to lure out Alpha Q, using Scorponok as bait. However, it was [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] who came to Scorponok's rescue. All the Decepticons present, Tidal Wave among them, exchanged fire with Rodimus's team and retreated when Megatron was injured. {{storylink|Go for Unicron!}} Some time after this battle, he received a message from Snow Cat that he had found energon on an icy planet and so the Decepticons set off in pursuit. He attacked the ''[[Miranda II]]'' alongside Megatron and, after making some initial gains, the two were forced back by Alpha Q's new [[Cruellock]] drones.

Still, this event ended well for Tidal Wave and the Decepticons. The Autobot's used the ''Miranda II's'' [[Energon Ring]] to destroy the Terrorcons, allowing the Decepticons to take all the planet's energon. {{storylink|The Return of Demolishor}} After that, he took part in a rather half-hearted attack on the ''Miranda II'' in deep space, and was again driven off. {{storylink|A Tale of Two Heros}} After that, the Autobots under Optimus Prime decided to attack Unicron and so the Decepticons went to defend their base, Tidal Wave paying particular attention to Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Battle Stations}} After fighting for a while, both Unicron and the ''Miranda II'' arrived at Cybertron where both sides fell back to regroup.

With the arrival of Unicron, Cybertron erupted into chaos. Megatron decided to recruit the unstable and dangerous Shockblast, ''who had been imprisoned by the Autobot/Decepticon coalition since Tidal Wave had last seen him''. Due to their previous enmity, Tidal Wave vehemently opposed this plan, but to no avail. {{storylink|Alpha Q: Identity}} Shockblast [[radio]]ed Megatron regarding a cache of energon big enough to revive Unicron, and thus despite his objections to trusting Shockblast, Tidal Wave was assigned to lead a team to this location.

As soon as they met, Shockblast immediately took charge of the operation, sending the Decepticons to smash various towers. Tidal Wave, ''being familiar with Shockblast'', refused to obey him and the two began squabbling with Shockblast actually using Tidal Wave as a flying surfboard from which to shoot down Autobots. Megatron ordered the Decepticons to bring Shockblast to him and, his loyalty to Megatron being greater than his hatred of Shockblast, Tidal Wave reluctantly did so. {{storylink|Shockblast: Rampage}}

Tidal Wave kept up his dislike and distrust of Shockblast, even going so far as to blame him for Unicron's highly destructive pangs of hunger. {{storylink|Survival Instincts}} When Unicron had been sated, Megatron sent the surviving Decepticons to destroy Cybertron's energy grid with Shockblast in command; Tidal Wave chafed at this, but still obeyed his commander. Shockblast ended up getting in over his head and so Tidal Wave tried to rescue him, getting hit by a falling energon tower in the process. {{storylink|Each One Fights...}} After this, Megatron rebuilt him as Mirage.

Mirage's first mission in his new body was to lead a large force of Terrorcons down to Cybertron as a distraction to allow Shockblast to sneak in with the main force. The plan worked and, despite Shockblast's incompetence, Unicron was restored to functionality. {{storylink|Unicron Unleashed}} The Autobots attacked and Mirage helped defend Unicron. {{storylink|Open Fire!}} In the aftermath he helped Starscream save Megatron from Shockblast's attempted coup and then followed Megatron into the rift in space that had opened up in the meantime. {{storylink|Ripped Up Space}}

Mirage followed Megatron when he destroyed the first of Alpha Q's planets and also when they took a large amount of energon from [[Iron Planet]] while deliberately not helping the imprisoned Shockblast. {{storylink|Protection}} He then accompanied Megatron on his secret mission to Iron Planet. There, Mirage advised Megatron not to release Shockblast; Megatron agreed, threatening to 'rewire' the traitor which inspired Shockblast to offer to capture an Autobot as proof of his loyalty. Megatron did release Shockblast at this, above Mirage's objections; Mirage's fears on this particular occasion proves groundless as Shockblast did indeed capture [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]], allowing Megatron to forcibly turn him into a Decepticon. {{storylink|Imprisoned Inferno}}

When Scorponok went to harvest the energon from [[Jungle Planet (Energon)|Jungle Planet]], Mirage was among those who distracted the Autobots from this mission. {{storylink|Jungle Planet (episode)|Jungle Planet}}

Some time later, he took part in the attack on the Autobot base on Ocean Planet, approaching the base of the energon tower from underwater and destroying it. He also took part in the attempted recruitment of Inferno and got shot at. {{storylink|Farewell Inferno}} ''When [[Planet Q]] was restored, Mirage was one of those sent to guard the palace in case Scorponok should get in and regain his memories, but was smashed out of the way by [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]. As it turned out, however, they needn't have bothered. {{storylink|Return! Our Scorponok}}''

He later took part in another defense of Unicron against the Autobots, and was this time defeated by the presence of [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] and the timely arrival of Inferno, now rebuilt as Roadblock, with a huge number of energon towers {{storylink|Omega Supreme (episode)|Omega Supreme}}. He remained with Unicron and again fought to defend the chaos bringer's body from those who would destroy it {{storylink|A Heroic Battle}}.

Around this time, he started forming a comedy trio with Snow Cat and Demolishor. During a subsequent stage of the Autobots' attack, Mirage and Snow Cat formed a combat duo with Mirage flying around while towing Snow Cat behind him in a manner not unlike water skiing, except in space. {{storylink|The Power of Unicron}} Despite, or perhaps because of, this wonderful new tactic, the two were overwhelmed by the Autobots' superior numbers and had to be rescued by Starscream. {{storylink|Optimus Supreme}} Meanwhile, Megatron successfully merged his [[spark]] with Unicron; when that happened, he trapped all the other Decepticons with tentacles and tried to devour Demolishor, but Mirage saved him. {{storylink|Unicron Perishes}}

When Unicron was destroyed, it seemed that Mirage, Snow Cat, and Demolishor were the only survivors. They were summarily rounded up by the Autobots and put in prison where they shared a block with Six Shot. ''Oddly enough, given their history'', Mirage didn't seem to bear Six Shot any of the hatred he had for his brother. As it turned out, the other Decepticons had survived as well and the four in prison were released by Starscream. {{storylink|Ambition}} During the jailbreak, Mirage was separated from the others, but soon found them again. Not seeing any Autobots around, they just decided to blow up whatever was convenient. After a while, the others left him to attend to various tasks, leaving Mirage and Snow Cat to carry on creating chaos. {{storylink|Wishes}}

After Six Shot collapsed the energon towers and flooded Cybertron with ''Decepticon-flavored'' energon gas, Mirage and Snow Cat rejoined the rest of the Decepticons in their commandeered control room, where they along with Demolishor were ready and willing to rub Six Shot's face in it when he activated the base defenses to fire on the ''Miranda II'' without Galvatron's express permission. {{storylink|Galvatron!}}

After taking part in another battle, {{storylink|Break Through}} Mirage, Demolishor, and Snow Cat followed Rad and [[Brian Jones (Energon)|Dr. Jones]] to the energon core, having been misdirected by Starscream into thinking this was the location of the Super Energon pool. Dr. Jones led Snow Cat and Demolishor off to find the actual pool, leaving Mirage to guard Rad. {{storylink|The Omega Train}} After a while, for some reason, [[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]] and Kicker arrived on a rescue mission. Arcee fired an [[energon star]] at [[Primus]], temporarily re-energising the deity and causing it to drive Mirage out {{storylink|Ironhide Team}}. He then rejoined the Decepticons and returned to shooting Autobots on the surface. {{storylink|Formidable}}

Following this battle, the Decepticons retreated and Mirage, along with Demolishor and Snow Cat, was assigned to guard the unreliable Six Shot. Having apparently become stupider since his upgrade, Mirage and friends took seriously Six Shot's suggestion that they go and claim some super energon for themselves, and so they ran off and let their prisoner escape.

Six Shot managed to trap them and they were once again rescued by Starscream. The four blasted their way into the control room, only to find Six Shot was long gone. Then, thanks to [[Sally Jones|Sally]]'s meddling, the Autobots arrived, which led to a shoot-out. Mirage despaired at how Galvatron had left them to their own devices in a distinctly soap operatic manner. {{storylink|Galvatron Terror}} He was impressed when Galvatron became a giant and later joined in chasing Rodimus and Landmine before Optimus Prime arrived with reinforcements. {{storylink|Destructive Power}}

He followed Galvatron when he towed Cybertron into Alpha Q's universe. {{storylink|Spark (episode)|Spark}} 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}}

{{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 <s>Tidal Wave''</s> Mirage.</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]]s 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 construction 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==
===''Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[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]]s 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 (PS2)|Transformers}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Armada===
[[Image:Armada Tidal Wave toy.jpg|right|300px|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, collectively called the "Dark Fleet"; an aircraft carrier, a Cybertronic 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. 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|200px|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. His arms, as their plugs are identical to Leobreaker's, can also be attached to the later ''Cybertron'' Megatron toy, using the same ports that allow for Dark Claw Mode. These arms can also be attached to the Leader class Optimus Prime toy. Conversely, one may connect any character or characters using the Leobreaker mold to Tidal Wave in lieu of one or both of his arms.

: 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 differences were made to align the toy more closely to the cartoon's appearance, though they're not completely accurate. Hasbro's original color scheme for Tidal Wave was supposed to match the animation more closely, but the Hasbro design team thought there was too much purple between the Decepticons currently on the store shelves, changing some of Tidal Wave's colors around.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/TidalWave/tidalwave.htm More information on Tidal Wave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Energon===
[[Image:Energon Tidal Wave toy.jpg|right|300px|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]], 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 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 ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Decepticon/TidalWave/tidalwave.htm More information on ''Energon'' Tidal Wave at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
[[Image:Energon Mirage toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|He went from a boat to a fairy.]]
*'''Mirage''' (Mega, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''SD-15'''
**''Accessories:'' 4 missiles
{{note|Mirage was [[repurposing|repurposed]] from a separate character named [[Mirage (Energon)|Mirage]].}}
: 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". As 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 was part of a wave that saw limited distribution due to [[Shelfwarmer|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]]ed into ''Energon'' [[Dreadwing (Energon)|Dreadwing]] and [[BotCon 2009]] [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Decepticon/Mirage/mirage.htm More information on Mirage at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==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!"

* In the English dub of the ''Armada'' cartoon, Tidal Wave is called by his Japanese name, Shockwave, several times. Of course, the English dub was notorious for [[Sparkplug (Armada)|not]] [[High Wire (Armada)|keeping]] [[Sureshock (Armada)|names]] [[Grindor (Armada)|straight]].

* 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>[[Hasbro Q&A/August 2009: Answers]]</ref>

*''[[Transformers Vault]]'' mistakenly calls him '''Tidalwave''', lacking the spacing.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Shockwave''' (ショックウェーブ ''Shokkuwēbu''), '''Shockfleet''' (Mirage, ショックフリート ''Shokkufurīto'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Hullámsír''' (''Armada'', "Watery Grave"), '''Szökőár''' (''Energon'', "Tidal Wave"), '''Árhullám''' ("[[Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle]]"), '''Délibáb''' (Mirage, "Mirage")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Hvylya''' ("Wave")
*''Polish:'' '''Falotron''' ("Wavetron"), '''Falomiot''' ("Waveblaster"), '''Miraż''' ("Mirage")

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Energon Terrorcons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Sea specialists]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]