MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Tech Spec

2012-03-30T05:15:47Z

50.73.25.65: /* Japanese cartoon continuity */

{{disambig2|the character-rating system|information about character write-ups|Bio}}

[[Image:MegatronG2Hero_Bio&TechSpecs.jpg|right|275px|thumb|"Tech Specs" ≠ "[[bio]]". Clip and save ''that,'' jack.]]

'''Tech Specs''', short for "technical specifications", are the character-ratings that many [[Transformer]]s have received on their packaging or on Hasbro.com, ranking qualities like "Strength" and "Intelligence" and "Skill" on a scale of 1-10. These have also been called '''Technical Data''' or '''Vehicle Data'''.

While technically the character [[bio]]s included on most toys are separate from the Tech Specs—and are sometimes called out as such on the packaging itself—the graphic design traditionally merged them into a single box/card (which you are encouraged to "clip and save!"), along with a reduced version of the character's [[package art]]. Thus, "tech specs" has become, in casual use, a shorthand term for the entire bio/art/Tech-Specs combination.

The current lineup of stats is:

*'''Strength'''
*'''Intelligence'''
*'''Speed'''
*'''Endurance'''
*'''Rank'''
*'''Courage'''
*'''[[Fireblast]]''' (formerly '''Firepower''', which meant something)
*'''Skill'''

The [[Micromaster]] teams replaced "Rank" and "Firepower" with:

*'''Teamwork'''
*'''Cooperation'''

The ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' ''[[Robot Powered Machines|RPMs]]'' line features a reduced list of "Vehicle Data" stats presented in much the same manner:
*'''Max Speed'''
*'''Horsepower'''
*'''Ramming Power'''
*'''Armor'''

While these stats often correspond at least loosely to the described abilities of the characters, parity ''between'' characters is virtually nonexistent. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], for instance, has traditionally maxed out most or all of his stats, despite the existence of much [[Omega Supreme (G1)|stronger, faster, fireblastier]] characters. The only category with anything really close to a sense of scale between characters is "Rank," where faction leaders tend to be 10s, group leaders tend to be 9s and 8s, and most others are below that. There are of course many exceptions, but at least there's a solid trend.

==History==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Trailbreaker_Bio&TechSpec.jpg|left|250px|thumb|The original style, with decoder overlaid.]]
[[Image:Mainframespec.gif|left|250px|thumb|The last ''Generation 1'' style. Did dropping the decoder gimmick [[Ruined FOREVER|kill the franchise]]? Undoubtedly yes.]]

Tech Specs were present right from the start. With the very first Transformers also came a packaging gimmick: Kids were instructed to "use the special decoder inside to decipher your Tech Specs." A fuchsia criss-cross pattern obscured the blue line that indicated the various ratings, so overlaying a piece of clear red plastic made the blue line much easier to see. This design was used for five years, then was replaced with a bar-graph design that required no decoder to read. The description was also changed from just "Tech Specs" to "Bio and Tech Specs". ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' ended two years later, but in all the ''Transformers'' revivals and re-envisionings since then, the decoder gimmick has not yet made a comeback.

In addition to the packaging, Tech Specs were once briefly seen on the toys themselves: The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster figures]] contained abbreviated Tech Specs bar-graphs inside their chests. When the head was plugged into the body, bars would emerge on the graph.

[[Image:MicroSpec.gif|right|200px|thumb|The Micromasters got two stats all their own. Awww... it's like they're real toys.]]

After the cartoon was canceled and the comic entered the [[Simon Furman|Furman]] years, many new toys were made whose corresponding characters never appeared in the fiction. But, with an extremely small number of exceptions, Hasbro continued writing bios and Tech Specs for every toy, and this was the only source of "life" for dozens—perhaps even hundreds—of characters. While [[Rescue Force|some European toys]] were released with virtually no character information (not even names), even this was a small hiccup in the larger trend.

The [[Micromaster]] patrols were notable for being the first variation in stat categories, replacing "Rank" and "Firepower" with "Teamwork" and "Cooperation". The difference between Teamwork and Cooperation isn't quite clear.
{{--}}

===Generation 2===
[[Image:Realactionpopups3dtransformertradingcard.jpg|left|120px|thumb|What? It was the '90s. You had to be there.]]

The early ''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' packages kept all the same information as the ''Generation 1'' toys before them but reorganized it, placing the portrait and bio sections above the stats so that the whole thing resembled a trading card ''(see image at top of page)''.

Some later ''Generation 2'' toys took this further: While a figure's packaging had the bio and Tech Specs printed on it like usual, it would also contain a separate pack-in card that not only featured the bio and Tech Specs again, but could also be folded into a free-standing pop-up image of the character.

In [[Europe]], ''Generation 2'' packaging was crammed with multilingual text, so the bios were shorter, and in many cases there were no Tech Spec ratings at all.
{{--}}
===Beast Wars / Machine Wars===
[[Image:OptimusMinor_TechSpecs.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Put it in your spokes, and your bike will go EEK EEK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK.]]

The tech spec designs on ''Beast Wars'' packaging kept the "trading card" dimensions established in ''Generation 2'', but the internal elements were rearranged. For the first time, the stats were represented numerically rather than via a chart, which allowed them to be run vertically alongside a much-enlarged space for the portrait. Earlier cards also included a space displaying the toy's hidden weapons.

The short-lived ''[[Machine Wars]]'' line, running concurrently with ''Beast Wars'', used the same design.
{{--}}
===Beast Machines===
[[Image:StrikaBM_ToyBio.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The dotted line is pretty much a formality at this point.]]

''Beast Machines'' altered the tech spec format once again, most obviously by replacing the illustrated portrait that had been included since ''Generation 1'' with a photo of the actual toy. More subtly, it took the first steps toward disintegrating the picture/bio/Tech-Specs unit: While a clip-and-save rectangle still framed the design, the elements within were more loosely structured and less consistently arranged. The lack of a standardized size, shape, or backing made them seem less like distinct collectible cards and more like... well, just bits of the box you might want to keep.

Where previously there had always been a description of the card by the "Clip and Save" note, ''Beast Machines'' omitted it. With it went the term "Tech Specs", which would never be seen on packaging again.
{{--}}
===Robots in Disguise===
[[Image:AxerSidewaysRID BoxBack.jpg|thumb|right|150px|What the...?]]

It was ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' that marked the first real break in tradition, brought on by a move to [[Multilingual packaging|trilingual packaging]]. Toys on the smallest packaging cards, such as the [[Spy Changer]]s, literally did not have room for character information. Most Deluxe-sized and larger packaging still retained bios, Tech Specs, and "art," but the bios were graphically separated from the "clip-and-save" box that contained the rest. In at least one case, creative use of space put the Tech Specs box at a 90-degree angle to the rest of the layout, including the bios ''(see image at right)''. And in [http://www.seibertron.com/toys/fullsize.php?id=392&size=1&image=5 another], there was no bio at all.

Later on, individually-carded Kay-Bee and Target [[exclusive]] versions of the six show-character Spychangers were released with bios and Tech Specs, since the exclusive packaging was English-only. However, this didn't last; the final ''Robots in Disguise'' exclusives had ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]''-style trilingual packaging with no character info except for names and allegiances. All told, a little less than half of RID releases lacked bios and Tech Specs, which meant more than a third of the characters.

===Unicron Trilogy / Universe===
''Armada'' continued the departure from tradition, eliminating all character information from the packaging beyond names, allegiances, and a few trilingual "blurbs" noting the vehicle modes and conspicuous weapons or gimmicks. The toys came with sticker cards that had their pictures and names on them, but no further information. This was also true for the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, which started halfway through ''Armada'''s run. The Japanese release, ''Micron Legend'', continued the use of stats on the more traditional trading card for Super-con and larger sized toys.

Some bios and Tech Specs did appear, but only on the Hasbro website, only for the main ''Armada'' characters, and only on a somewhat haphazard schedule. The fandom response ran from neutral to negative; certainly no one was ''happy'' about the dwindling output, especially since the supplementary character info had had the most impact on characters who had no other fiction.

But by the time of ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'', the in-package stickers had become trading cards, and in response to the fandom, each had Tech Specs on the back. However, the casual use of the term had muddied the issue: In granting the request for "tech specs," Hasbro hadn't realized that the most important part was the ''bio,'' not the actual Tech Spec ratings. So some more time passed before packs of trading cards with bios were released. And, of course, bios continued appearing on the Hasbro site for ''Energon'' and ''Universe'' characters, though not every character in those series got in before the practice was discontinued. Meanwhile, two new specifics were added: "N/A," which was used for [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]'s rank and courage and [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]]'s Fireblast, and "?" which was Starscream's Strength rating, and the rating for every statistic for [[Unicron]] and [[Dreadwing (Energon)|Dreadwing]].

It was with ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' that bios and Tech Specs (now called "Technical Data") finally returned to the packaging, with even more information (sometimes further bio info, sometimes toy-trivia) hosted online and accessed via [[Cyber Key Codes]]. The Technical Data also introduced "unknown" in lieu of some numerical ratings, such as for [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]'s stats.

===Transformers Animated===
Though Animated toys have on-package bios, they are mostly free-form, with call-out section for "Galactic Powers and Abilities" listing three vaguely technical facts or trivia items in a bullet-point style. However, [[BotCon 2011]] featured two lithographs, each with 26 bios done up as early G1 style Tech Specs.

===Other===
The [[Alternators]] line never got more than names, allegiances, and mottoes; but the ''[[Titanium Series|Titanium]]'', ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'', and [[Movie (toyline)|live-action film]] lines have all continued the old tradition. ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' never had the stats on the packaging, but had the rest, including three special facts about each character. [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Hasbro TFCC]] made up for this by printing ''Generation 1''-style tech specs for upcoming characters in their magazine, starting with 10 in issue 24, and 2 in each of the next 6 issues.

==Fiction==
===''Generation 1''===
====Toy instructions====
A Transformer's Tech Specs were determined by means of a ratings test. The [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]]s were not given a ratings test because they were a new type of [[Autobot]] still young in their evolution.<ref>The Omnibots' [[instructions]], specifically panel three [http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/instructions/autobot/1985/instr_camshaft.jpg (scan at BotchTheCrab.com)]</ref>
====Japanese cartoon continuity====
[[Image:HM3 Chromedome's tech specs.jpg|thumb|right|200px|More bars in more places. That's what you can expect from Cybertron.]]
[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s and [[Headmaster Junior]]s would often briefly flash their abbreviated tech specs on their chest displays when they attached their heads. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters}} {{storylink|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce}}

===''Timelines''===
====''TransTech'' text stories====
As part of the processing performed at [[Axiom Nexus]] by the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, each [[offworlder]] is given an [[identification bolt|identification card]] which includes, among other things, his or her Tech Specs. [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] did not know what to think about his "Strength=3". At one point he told a [[Cheetor (TransTech)|security official]] "check our tech specs". {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===''Transformers Animated''===
====''The AllSpark Almanac''====
After [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] confronts [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] in an [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]] training simulation, his test evaluation is given in the form of a Tech Spec.{{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac}}

==Notes==
* When Hasbro went to trilingual packaging, [[Aaron Archer]] said it was because they believed in the near future all products, down to mundane items such as sticks of butter, would require it; they were attempting to get "ahead of the curve." Years later this obviously has not come to pass, to the relief of most Transformers fans, but not necessarily [[Jorge Figueroa|everyone]].

==See also==
* [[Bio]]
* [[Package art]]
* [[Packaging]]
* [[Power Plans]]

==References==
<references/>

{{stub|Non-US sources for all eras; imagery for later lines.}}

[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Transformers]]

Soundwave (G1)

2012-03-30T04:54:52Z

50.73.25.65: /* The Transformers (PS2) */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Soundwave}}
{{disambig2|the Generation 1 character eventually upgraded to Soundblaster|the ''Cybertron'' character|Soundblaster (Cybertron)}}
{{suite}}
:''Soundwave is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:Soundwave mixalot.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Big butts: preferable. Lying: impossible."]]
'''Soundwave''' is one of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s most reliable troops, and he has positioned himself comfortably and irreplaceably in Megatron's upper command structure. He stands at the [[Decepticon leader]]'s side as a confidant. Though "only" Communications Officer, he is comparable to [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in rank and is the only one of the three to display consistent loyalty to Megatron. Soundwave guards his place in the hierarchy fiercely. Other Decepticons (except Megatron) see him as a two-faced snake, since, as Communications Officer, Soundwave hears all and doesn't hesitate to use blackmail to keep himself high in Megatron's esteem. The other Decepticons wouldn't mind abandoning him on the battlefield—if they thought Megatron would let them get away with it.

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

He usually has all the personality of a [[:Image:Cybertronsoundwave.jpg|stump]] (as evidenced by his computer-style speech). He also has no imagination, sending the aforementioned cassettes on operations with mundane names.

As an [[Action Master]], he is [[Action Master partner|partnered]] with [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]].

Soundwave's scanning systems are so powerful that he can actually read and decode the electrical impulses that comprise "thoughts" in both organics and Cybertronians. This telepathic power is likely one of the reasons why he is so highly placed in Megatron's hierarchy.

In various universes, Soundwave is upgraded into '''Soundblaster''' (サウンドブラスター ''Saundoburasutā'').

{{quote|As you command, Megatron.|Soundwave, eternal loyalist|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Contentedfools.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Ravage, Megatron, and Soundwave, the first Decepticons.]]
Millions of years ago, Soundwave was one of the first members of the Decepticons; after sowing discontent amongst the masses, he, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] began the war that tore the planet itself out of its orbit. The Decepticons, including Soundwave, attempted to hijack the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] four million years ago, only to fail and fall into deactivation sleep for four million years. In 1984, the detonation of the volcano, [[Mount St. Hilary]], reactivated the Autobots and Decepticons, unleashing their war on Earth. Learning the [[Human|inhabitants]] of this planet had access to its vast energy sources, Soundwave joined the Decepticons in raiding a drive-in movie theatre. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} Soon after, Soundwave participated in a raid on [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]], and after helping the Decepticons make off with large chunks of its machinery, helped use their bounty to build a [[Fortress Sinister|new headquarters atop a cliffside]]. {{storylink|Power Play!}} After returning from [[S. Witwicky Auto Repairs & Tow Service]] with [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], a human the Decepticons kidnapped to help them convert human fuel to Transformer fuel, the Decepticons' headquarters were infiltrated by a rescue party of [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and the human superhero [[Spider-Man]]. While Spider-Man caused a diversion in front of Soundwave, Gears was able to suckerpunch him. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}}

[[Image:Laserbeakwarriorschool.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Fly, my pretties, fly!"]]
''When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] nearly caused the death of Ravage, Megatron rallied the other Decepticons, including Soundwave, to enact vengeance for his treason. {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} Later, the Decepticons unleashed a surprise attack on the Ark. After Soundwave defeated [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], the battle was halted when [[Aunty]], the Ark's computer system, turned rogue. After the crisis was averted, Soundwave and the others were able to retreat. {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}'' Due to Sparkplug's efforts during his kidnapping, the Decepticons were able to refuel, and Soundwave and his comrades attacked the Autobots. However, Sparkplug had poisoned the fuel, and Soundwave shorted out along with the others. As Soundwave lay deactivated, it was only the surprise arrival of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] that turned the tide. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

Shockwave assumed command, and immediately began restoring Soundwave and the other poisoned Decepticons. Soundwave was ordered to prepare the bodies of the fallen Autobots to serve as spare parts for Shockwave's new army of Decepticons. {{storylink|The New Order}} Megatron objected to this new order and rebelled, but Shockwave quelled him quickly, and paraded Megatron's broken body in front of Soundwave and his peers as a warning to those who would cross him. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} Under Shockwave's command, Soundwave attacked the [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]] and secured it for Decepticon use. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} The plant's facilities were used to create the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], who built a massive radio dish that Soundwave used to beam a message back to Cybertron. However, the radio dish was destroyed when Soundwave was defeated by [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and the human trucker [[Bomber Bill]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}

[[Image:Soundwavedinobothunt.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"And you—YOU!—no longer exiiii... oh, wait."]]
''A short time later, during a brief period when both Megatron and Shockwave were missing in action, Soundwave assumed leadership of the Decepticons, happily slagging off [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s ambitions of leadership. His first attempt at manipulating Autobots into a trap failed. {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} The second, taking advantage of the "Dinobot Hunt", was a major success—six Autobots were badly injured, not counting two of the Dinobots, and a large amount of fuel was stolen while the Autobots tried to stop a Dinobot rampage in a human town. On the way out, Soundwave proudly declared their victory, a turn of events that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] did not enjoy.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

When Megatron resurfaced, rendered immobile in a [[Wyoming]] [[Wyoming base|coal mine]] due to lack of fuel, Soundwave sped to his rescue, re-energizing him. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} ''Using the splintered state of the Decepticon forces to his advantage, Soundwave worked both sides of the field, reporting to both Megatron and the returned Shockwave, each without the other's knowledge. When Shockwave learned that the human [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] had begun to suffer [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced visions of the [[Combiner|next leap in Transformer evolution]], Soundwave reported this to Megatron, prompting him to battle Shockwave for leadership. The Decepticons' human ally, [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]], televised the battle, much to Soundwave's distaste, and in order to prevent the Decepticons from looking like fools, he interrupted the duel and insisted that they agree to a joint leadership.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[Image:Soundwavetarget2006.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You find: Insanity!]]
''When the Robot-Master hoax the Decepticons were perpetrating was threatened by the investigative work of [[Joy Meadows]], Soundwave was instrumental in ending the conflict that ensued between the Decepticons and the Dinobots by holding the reporter hostage and destroying her footage.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest}} ''Not long thereafter, when the deranged future Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], traveled back in time, Soundwave was intrigued by the fact that he was unable to scan his mind to discern the truth of his identity. Siding with Megatron when conflict erupted, Soundwave and his leader were buried under an avalanche by Galvatron and then rescued by the Autobots in the name of forming an alliance to defeat their common enemy.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Soundwave's loyalty to Megatron was shaken when the latter became increasingly paranoid. Consequently he manipulated his leader into summoning the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to Earth as part of a scheme by Shockwave to ensure a weaponless Megatron was destroyed by Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Prey!}} However Megatron survived and soon returned to the Decepticon leadership, albeit with his memories of the events lost. {{storylink|Resurrection!}} ''Soundwave ''again'' served as co-conspirator when Shockwave once more used the Predacons to destroy Megatron. In the process a deranged Megatron seemingly committed suicide on the [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}}

''Soundwave was now once again under Shockwave's command, and, while patrolling on the Decepticons' mobile island base, he found himself attacked and subdued by the time-traveling freelance peace-keeping agent, [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], and tricked into giving up information on the whereabouts of Galvatron.'' {{storylink|Hunters}} ''Although Death's Head's attempts to track down the Decepticon met with failure, Galvatron was ultimately entombed in lava, where he was later discovered by [[Susan Hoffman]]. Soundwave observed a televised broadcast of her discovery, and he and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] attempted to destroy Galvatron with explosives planted around the volcano in question. After a battle with the [[Throttlebot|Throttlebots]], Soundwave found that he was unable to remote-detonate the explosives thanks to [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] jamming his signal.'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}}

[[Image:FlamesofBoltax-SoundwaveRatbat.jpg|left|300px|thumb|In Soviet Russia, ''tape'' commands ''you''!]]
When Shockwave was removed from power, Soundwave smoothly transitioned to serving under the new Decepticon leader, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], and helped to operate his [[Realvision]] playback system to decode data from Autobot tapes [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]]. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} The tapes, it was discovered, contained information on the [[Underbase]], the power of which was desired by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] so badly he sparked off a Decepticon-Decepticon war to cover himself. Soundwave ended up having his fuel pump torn into by [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]]. {{storylink|Cold War!}} When Starscream gained the Underbase's power and targeted the Earth, Soundwave co-led the defense of [[Buenos Aires]] alongside [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], but was temporarily deactivated by a blast of cosmic power from Starscream. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

''He was back on his feet by the time that Starscream, now a [[Pretender]], was busy doubting his self-worth. Soundwave was extremely scared of Starscream by this point.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}} He continued to operate under the command of the new Decepticon Earth commander, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], though like the other troops he was very unhappy about Starscream being allowed back in after trying to kill everyone. {{storylink|Primal Scream}} He was put in charge of guarding Optimus Prime after the Autobot leader surrendered his troops to Scorponok, hoping to elicit an alliance against the coming of [[Unicron]]. When Prime changed his mind about meekly waiting in a cell for Scorponok to make time for him, however, Soundwave provided little resistance in keeping him there. {{storylink|Surrender!}} After the Decepticon auxiliary army bombed Scorponok's base in New Jersey, Soundwave assumed temporary command of the active Decepticons in fighting back against the traitors, led by Starscream and Shockwave. This "[[Decepticon Civil War]]" didn't last long, though, as all the Autobots and Decepticons of Earth were summoned to Cybertron by [[Primus]] to deal with Unicron. {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

[[Image:TreadshotMarvel.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He's found a new gunformer to toady up with.]]
Soundwave survived the battle with Unicron, and attended a meeting between the briefly-allied Autobots and Decepticons with [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]]. There Blaster announced the imminent end of their world, and an evacuation was called for. Soundwave was still hanging out with Treadshot when he witnessed a fight break out between [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Fangry]]. [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], who had assumed command of the Decepticons, doublecrossed the Autobots by sabotaging their ships. Soundwave was last seen beside Bludgeon as the Decepticons left their self-destructing homeworld. {{storylink|Exodus!}}

In an alternate future of 2006, Soundwave was briefly seen participating in a battle on [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. He didn't do much except retreat. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

{{note|In the UK version of the story, the events of "The Big Broadcast of 2006" are a fabrication invented by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]].}}

{{-}}
=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Soundwave was under the command of Shockwave on Cybertron. When the bounty hunter named [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] arrived with the deactivated bodies of the renegades [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and demanded an audience, Shockwave had Soundwave wait nearby as a precautionary measure. Sure enough, Soundwave's monitoring abilities alerted Shockwave that the two Decepticons were not as dead as they seemed, and the three invaders began an assassination attempt on Shockwave. Soundwave summoned the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], hoping that [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] could breach the sealed doors of the audience chamber in time, but wasn't swift enough. Death's Head killed Shockwave, and together the trio demanded that the Decepticons accept Scourge and Cyclonus as their new leaders. Faced with superior firepower and a hefty dose of explosives, Soundwave was reluctantly forced to accept on behalf of the Decepticons. ''

[[Image:SpacePiratesSoundwaveLeader.JPG|right|400px|thumb|Or, in short, "Soundwave: Superior".]]
''Wasting no time, Scourge and Cyclonus commanded the Decepticons to begin a full-scale assault on [[Autobase]]. This was effectively suicide, as the two armies were just about evenly matched. That, of course, was the point—Scourge and Cyclonus's true master, Unicron, wanted the children of Primus exhausted and depleted in number by the time of his glorious resurrection. After [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and Death's Head took the fight straight to the recuperating Unicron on [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], however, he summoned his two minions back to his side. Seeing their "glorious leaders" abandon the battle, Soundwave and [[Hun-Gurrr|Hun-Grrr]] sounded a retreat. In the absence of Unicron's spawn, Soundwave became the new permanent leader of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}} ''

''Aching to make a name for himself in Decepticon military history, Soundwave soon fell into a [[Quintesson]] trap. A lone Quintesson arrived at Decepticon headquarters, seeking an alliance against the Autobots, who supposedly had assembled most of their fleet and were on their way to [[Quintessa]]. Instead of helping the Quintessons, Soundwave saw this as an opportunity to invade and destroy the Autobot territory on Cybertron, when most of their warriors were off-world. He assembled his various sub-commanders and set out aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to claim a glorious victory.''

[[Image:Soundwaveconsiders.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Too nostalgic to let go of the past? No wonder he's a fan-favorite.]]
''Instead, Soundwave and the Decepticons walked right into an ambush. There were no Autobots on Quintessa: it was a ruse to draw them out of their base, where legions of [[Allicon]]s and [[Trident Attack Craft]]s waited to overwhelm the Decepticons. Seeing the danger his troops were in, Soundwave was forced to call in the Autobots. Sending a garbled distress beacon to Autobase, Soundwave hoped to draw a suitable fighting force of Autobots to their location. He was successful, as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and his men remained to fight even after learning who the distress call came from. Autobot and Decepticon fought side-by-side until the Quintesson invaders were either destroyed or driven off-world. In a moment of introspection, Soundwave realized how effective the two armies were when fighting as one instead of as enemies... but quickly brushed aside the idea. Simply too much had happened between the Autobots and Decepticons to ever hope for a peaceful end to the war. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

''In 2009, Soundwave and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] were on Earth, prepping a new energy extraction system to leech the planet dry. A surgical strike led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and Ultra Magnus destroyed all their equipment, however, leaving their power cells empty of [[energon]]. Looking for revenge, the Decepticons pursued the Autobots back to Autobot City, only to find an open [[Time-jump mechanism|trans-time dimensional portal]]. Realizing the Autobots had fled back to 1989 on a mission of unknown purpose, the vengeful Terrorcons wanted to pursue them. Giving in to popular opinion, Soundwave led his troops back through time and right into the midst of the Time Wars.''

''Recognizing that the uncontrolled timestorm could conceivably destroy all of existence, Soundwave chose to put aside vendettas for the moment, and added his men to the alliance of Autobots and Decepticons from two time periods against the unmatched power and evil of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]] combined. Still, the alliance was far from perfect: Soundwave was more than willing to allow the Autobots to charge in first, letting them die in order to "soften up" the resistance. When things turned ugly, Soundwave and the Terrorcons then fled back to 2009, apparently without ever getting their hands dirty. Their final fate after reality restructured itself and the timestorm abated is unknown. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Secrets Soundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Decepticons never got the hang of Internal Affairs.]]
''In an alternate timeline, Soundwave left [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s army and returned to serving at [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s side during the [[Decepticon Civil War]] against [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], helping him with the launch of a [[global warming satellite]]. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} He was not above exploiting the conflict for his own ends, however. When an energon shipment was hijacked by Shockwave's forces thanks to information Soundwave had given them, Megatron came to suspect the presence of a traitor in his ranks, but ironically assigned Soundwave to identify the culprit. To keep his own duplicity a secret, Soundwave set up [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] to take the fall, and Megatron destroyed the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]. Soundwave not only got away with his treachery, he went on to happily blackmail everyone he'd mind-scanned. Eat your heart out, Starscream! {{storylink|Secrets}}''

''Approached by Starscream with a plan to make them both Decepticon leaders, Soundwave joined forces with the schemer and lured Megatron and Shockwave to an airport, tipping off the Autobots to their location. With the two leaders thus occupied, Soundwave and Starscream took control of both factions. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}} Subsequently, Soundwave led an all-out attack on the [[Earthbase|Earthforce base]] as a diversion, while Starscream attempted to plunder an oil tanker. Starscream met with failure, however, leading Soundwave to withdraw his forces and hint to them that maybe be should have sole command... {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}} Starscream was aware of Soundwave's goals, and when he was attacked by a [[Louisiana bounty hunters|group of alien assassins]], he suspected that Soundwave had ordered the hit and struck back at him. Soundwave was able to convince Starscream he was not responsible and that in actuality, it was the work of Megatron and Shockwave. {{storylink|External Forces!}}''

''Soon afterward, Soundwave learned that human reporter [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]] had secured an interview with the Autobots that could potentially resolve the public view of the Transformer war. Seeking to prevent this, he had the Stunticons capture the journalist. Although the Autobots were able to rescue him, a carefully planted [[cerebro-shell]] ensured that the story Irwin wrote was anything but accurate. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}
Soundwave was present when the Decepticons unleashed a robotic hell-beast known as 'King Con' on New York and helped Megatron and Shockwave to set up a mine belt around the harbor. However Optimus Prime rented a helicopter to fly a banner announcing huge raw oil deposit finds in the Rocky Mountains. After a short hesitation, the Decepticons retreated to pursue these findings{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 7|Transformers — Transforming Robots in Action: New York — A City Sinking in Terror}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Soundwavemarvelg2.jpg|left|125px|thumb|He gave the "complete sentences" thing a decent go, but he never really got the hang of commas.]]
After Megatron deposed Bludgeon and reassumed control of the Decepticons, Soundwave once again served Megatron as a close adviser. One of his first acts was to ask, "Why revive Starscream?". Megatron shared Soundwave's concerns, and assured him the on-again-off-again traitor would be dealt with once Megatron had regrown his army. {{storylink|Tales of Earth Part Three}}

Megatron immediately drew his Decepticons to the moon of [[Tykos]] to violently acquire [[Rheanimum]] from the natives. However, things soured when Soundwave received a distress call from [[Skullgrin]]. In moments, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] was upon them. After several casualties, and Megatron missing in action, Soundwave led a party to discover if Megatron had survived and recover him if he had; when Mindwipe expressed doubts about the mission, Soundwave told him to shut up. He appeared to assume command when Megatron appeared dead, but ceased when Megatron turned out to still function. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

He was in command of the ''[[Warworld]]'' while Megatron was on Earth. When the Empire boarded the ship (thanks to Starscream's treachery) he and his bridge crew fled to Earth in escape pods. {{storylink|Total War!}} He was later seen standing by in the final battle against the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

{{-}}
====''Classics''====
Soundwave was apparently one of the first Decepticons to return to Megatron's side after the Decepticon leader re-emerged. He helped Megatron rebuild his power base on Earth in secret, using human proxies to covertly recover the remains of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and other Decepticons lost on Earth during the Underbase Saga. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 14|Astrotrain's ''Classics'' profile}}

After the arrival of the mysterious Decepticon [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], Soundwave ran a neural scan on the Transformer to confirm his story of alternate dimensions and [[Unicron]] singularities. Soundwave confirmed that, at the very least, Landquake believed he was telling the truth. The Decepticons took off aboard Astrotrain to explore a new energy signature in the Southern Hemisphere...one which materialized at the same time as Landquake and possessed a similar resonance pattern. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}} In South America, Soundwave engaged [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s troops alongside Megatron and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] on the ground. At Megatron's command, he dispatched [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] to intercept the Autobot scouts who had been sent after the energy source. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}}

The Cassettes soon reported back that the energy had been discovered, and Megatron rallyed the Decepticons behind Soundwave to break for the source's location. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] interferred with the Decepticons' progress, however, by hurling Constructicons like shotputs until he knocked Soundwave down. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}}
Soundwave and Astrotrain got caught exchanging fire with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] until the latter Autobot turned invisible and snuck around behind the Decepticons, getting the drop on Soundwave. An explosion from below rocked the battlefield, however, and the Decepticons withdrew from combat. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

When [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] tried to assassinate Megatron, he used [[cerebro-shell]]s to take control of Soundwave and several other Megatron loyalists. The shells' effects were soon jammed by an attacking Autobot team, and in the chaos that followed, Soundwave noticed that the Autobots were targeting their [[Ark (G1)|base]]'s computers, but failed to stop them. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Soundwave was stationed aboard Starscream's warship when Megatron orchestrated the downfall of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his splinter faction. After their [[Seacon (G1)|inside men]] terminated Bludgeon, Soundwave informed Starscream he had received a transmission of surrender from the forces below. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[Image:Soundwave and company.jpg|right|thumb|220px]]
{{main|Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
Soundwave was one of the first Decepticons and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s most loyal soldier. Denoted by his eerie, echoing monotone, Soundwave regularly gathered vital intelligence for Megatron's numerous schemes with the aid of his faithful and ever-growing team of cassettes, but despite his primary role as a spy and communications officer, he never shied away the battlefield, and would regularly clash with the Autobot [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] before finding a true rival in his Autobot opposite number, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. He survived the perilous events of 2005 that took the lives of many of his contemporaries, and continued serving under [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in the 21st century.

In a future timeline that branches off from this one, Soundwave ultimately met his end at the hands of Blaster, but even death could not stymie his loyalty to the Decepticon cause, as he was reborn as '''Soundblaster''' through the super-science of the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]].
{{-}}

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

According to Megatron, Soundwave is a "blundering, tape-filled idiot." While the veracity of this statement is subjective, Soundwave ''does'' whine a lot. {{storylink|When Continents Collide}}

===Colorforms audiobooks continuity===
Soundwave recorded a broadcast Doctor [[Heath Blaisedale]] receiving an award from the [[President of the United States]] and reported it to Megatron. Megatron dubbed him a "King of Communication". {{storylink|Sun Raid}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[Image:BW Agenda Pt3 Soundwave.jpg|right|180px|thumb|With one stroke I shall free my tiny dinosaur brethren, yesssss!"]]
Soundwave was among the many Transformers strewn about the bridge of the Ark when the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] infiltrated the ship on his mission to destroy Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}
{{-}}
====3H comics====
Soundwave is one of the ancient warriors who appears from [[J'nwan]] to help battle the warlord [[Shokaract]]. {{storylink|Terminus}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Soundwavewarwithin.jpg|left|225px|thumb|Sound and ([[Ravage (G1)#3H Universe_comics|eventually]]) Furry.]]
Soundwave was chosen by Megatron to lead his second assassination team against the new Autobot supreme commander, Optimus Prime. With the aid of Soundwave's cassette troops, most notably [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], as well as [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], it was assumed he would have no problem with a young, peace-loving Autobot. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} Soundwave, like many others, underestimated Prime's resolve and was quickly incapacitated. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} He was still out cold when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] came by, {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} but recovered in time to rescue Megatron after the latter's own battle with Prime. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

When Megatron and Optimus Prime vanished in a [[space bridge]] accident, the Decepticons were fragmented and Soundwave joined [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s faction. He participated in the attack on [[The Fallen]]'s minions in an attempt to stop the [[Unbinding]]. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

Eventually, Shockwave attempted to call a truce with the Autobots for the good of the Transformer race, but the initial ceremony was interrupted by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s faction, the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]]. Soundwave was quite mad about this, telling the Predacons to perish for their crimes against Cybertron as he attacked them alongside several Autobots. Shortly after the Predacons were defeated, Megatron returned to Cybertron with his [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]] and reunited the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}} After falling back under Megatron's command, Soundwave reported the progress on his leader's plan to dig a hole to the core of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2}}

In the present day, Soundwave was among the Decepticons defeated by the Autobots and their human allies on Earth. The ''[[Ark II]]'', the spacecraft that would have taken the Transformers back to Cybertron, was sabotaged by General [[Robert Hallo]] and [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]], and it exploded upon liftoff, scattering the robots across the Arctic Ocean. Soundwave and the others were recovered, Autobot and Decepticon alike, and reprogrammed by Rook to accept commands and were leased to terrorist organisations and military juntas as powerful weapons of war. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} After Megatron freed himself and the other Decepticons, Soundwave developed a 'metallic virus' that cyberformed Earth organics into cybertronic materials. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} During the subsequent battle with the Autobots in [[San Francisco]], Soundwave warned Megatron that a nuclear missile launched by Hallo was headed for the city. The Decepticons used the distraction to escape. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

[[Image:Soundwaveg1vol2.jpg|right|225px|thumb|Leader's pet.]]Soundwave was among the Decepticons who joined Shockwave's forces when the new ruler of Cybertron appeared on Earth. {{storylink|War and Peace}} When Shockwave brutally deposed Megatron, Soundwave stood by in silence and did nothing to help his former leader. Soundwave worked his way quietly into Shockwave's good graces, earning the ire of Starscream. However, it didn't take many words to bring Soundwave around to the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]'s point of view. Later, when interrogated by Shockwave, a single, silent look from Soundwave stopped [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] from revealing that Starscream was behind Megatron's disappearance during their voyage to Cybertron. As the battle between the Autobots and Shockwave's forces intensified, Soundwave followed Starscream's lead without a word, and helped him prepare for a return trip to Earth aboard [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Starscream rewarded him by giving him a [[Ratbat (G1)|present]]. Soundwave silently approved.

Though Soundwave feigned subservience to Starscream, it was later revealed that he had been serving Megatron the entire time in secret. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{-}}

===''G.I.Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:Soundwavedevilsdue.jpg|left|225px|thumb|"Eject. Operation: Dynamic Group Shot."]]
Soundwave was among the Transformers on the ''Ark'' when it crashed long ago, and was discovered and reprogrammed by the human terrorist organization known as [[Cobra]] in the present. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #1}} Arms dealer [[Destro]] made a visit to [[Cobra Island]] where [[Doctor Mindbender]] introduced him to Soundwave and his cassettes, who were under the complete control of Cobra's scientists. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} While Destro liked what he saw, he wanted to run a test, and personally operated Soundwave's controls during an attack on the [[SPS Research Facility]].

Meanwhile, a picture of Soundwave was secretly sent out to hundreds of email boxes. The message turned out to be a [[Defense Matrix|secret signal]] from Optimus Prime, which alerted [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and Bumblebee to the location of Cobra's secret base where the rest of the Transformers were being held. When the two Autobots appeared to stop Destro's attack, the human brought Soundwave and himself back to Cobra Island. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}

Soundwave was released from Cobra control thanks to Wheeljack and attacked his former human masters. With Megatron and the other Decepticons freed, Soundwave went to work making energon cubes. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} Just as things were going their way, Optimus Prime arrived, powered up using the energon, and punched his fist right through Soundwave's chest, taking him out of the battle. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}} After the Autobots left on a return voyage to Cybertron, Soundwave's head and remains were taken in secret by human scientists for study. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

Several years later, the scientists managed to use Megatron's technology to create the organic weapon [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who plugged himself into Soundwave's deactivated head after getting free and downloaded data on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s history. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
Along with the rest of the Decepticons, Soundwave was buried in the [[Fera Islands]] until 1938, when [[Cobra]] accidentally awakened them and used them to conquer most of [[Europe]]. He sent Laserbeak to spy on the [[United States of America|United States]]' reaction to this, and learned that [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] had been created to battle the Cobra threat. Soundwave later helped Megatron and Starscream get rid of some Royal Air Force fighters above the English Channel, allowing Cobra to attack the [[United Kingdom]]. {{storylink|The Line}}

When G.I. Joe attacked the Fera Islands, Soundwave infiltrated [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]]'s unit in the form of a radio transmitter carried by a disguised [[Zartan]]. Flint noticed that it wasn't their radio, but that didn't stop Soundwave from capturing him and taking him back to Cobra HQ. {{storylink|Wolves}} However, the Joes had managed to awaken the Autobots also buried on the island, and Soundwave soon found himself facing down [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. He lost the fight, and either died at the hands of Grimlock or when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] was smashed to pieces. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

{{note|According to solicitations for ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]'', Soundwave was set to return by unknown means years later, but [[Dreamwave Productions]] bankrupted before the issues could be produced.}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
Soundwave was extremely amused by the footage Laserbeak and Ravage gathered of Starscream falling on his head. He let Megatron know, and they went to pick up Starscream, only to find him gone, taken by the Autobots. The discovery that Starscream appeared to be working with the Autobots only amused Soundwave more, and the Decepticons went to retrieve their former comrade. When it turned out that Starscream wanted to stay with the Autobots, Megatron was enraged, and Soundwave reflected that it was the most fun he'd had in years. Starscream eventually returned to the Decepticons, claiming it was all an act, and Soundwave suggested he should be more careful while mountain climbing in future. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

Puzzled by the loss of much of their stock of weapons, Megatron assigned Soundwave to investigate. Using Laserbeak's spying abilities, Soundwave determined that [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] was selling the weapons on the black market, much to Megatron's outrage. {{storylink|Two for the Price of One}}

===IDW ''Hearts of Steel'' continuity===
Millions of years in the past, Soundwave was among the Decepticons who took on organic modes in order to battle the Autobots on prehistoric Earth. When an ice age approached, the Decepticons survived by powering down under what would eventually become the [[San Francisco]] Bay. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} Soundwave woke up in the mid-19th century, where he came under the command of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Along with several other Decepticons, he stood by Starscream as he and [[Tobias Muldoon]] discussed where they would build their headquarters. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:MegatronOrigin4 Soundwave humbles Ratbat.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Ratbat, you shall be repurposed as the greatest mix tape ever to be given to Megatron."]]
Long before the war began, Soundwave was the personal assistant to Senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] caught Ratbat's eye as a champion of the illegal underground gladiatorial matches, Ratbat sent Soundwave to offer Megatron funding and weapons technology. When [[Bumper (G1)|two]] [[Fastback (G1)|Autobots]] were discovered listening in on their conversation, Soundwave dispatched [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] to capture them. After their capture, he read Bumper's mind to see if there was any immediate threat to Megatron's activities. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} Some time later, Soundwave was assigned to find a warrior with flight capabilities. He found the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]: Starscream, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. During a recruitment rally in which Megatron attempted to kill [[Decimus|Senator Decimus]], a raid by the Autobots under [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] resulted in the participants being arrested. Soundwave, however, was freed under [[Senate]] directive, something which greatly angered Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} Soundwave had apparently switched loyalties at this time, becoming one of Megatron's own in not only helping Starscream exterminate [[Kaon]] senators but also to the extent that he destroyed Ratbat's original body, placing his spark into a relatively weak cassette form and thus forcing him into the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

After [[Zeta Prime]] was made leader of the Autobots, Soundwave was sent to spy on him and gather information on what he planned to do about the growing Decepticon movement. Smuggled into a Senate security meeting by Starscream, he overheard Zeta announce his plan to drain civilians of their energy in order to power the [[Omega Destructor]]s' [[vamparc ribbon|weaponry]], but was forced to make a break for it when Starscream revealed his presence in order to ease suspicion against himself. Fearing what would happen if the populace found out about his plans, Zeta Prime sent [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] to hunt Soundwave down. {{storylink|Parasites}} As Soundwave fled towards the safety of Kaon, he was continuously set upon by Orion Pax's Autobots, but got away every time by ejecting one of his many cassettes to defeat or distract them. When he finally reached the border of Kaon, Orion himself caught up and put a stop to his minions by crushing his chest window before defeating him in hand-to-hand combat. {{storylink|The Hunt for Soundwave}} Luckily, a squad of Decepticons showed up before the Autobots could arrest Soundwave, and his findings were delivered to Megatron. {{storylink|Cause and Effect}}

Four million years ago, Soundwave and [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] were leading a Decepticon offensive to cover for [[Octane|Tankor]]'s convoy of energon. When Optimus Prime slipped away to intercept the convoy, Soundwave went after him and got the drop on Prime from behind. Prime's bodyguard [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] turned the tables on him, though, taking out both Soundwave and his Mini-Cassettes. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

During the war, [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] contacted various scientists on both sides to discuss his startling findings that the conflict would create such devastation that would render the planet uninhabitable, and that the only way to survive was to adopt the [[Pretender|organic carapace]] idea he had come up with. Soundwave was among those scientists who refused to accept Thunderwing's findings and his proposal. {{Storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}}

After the end of the cataclysm brought by Thunderwing, as part of a plan to assassinate [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], a motivational speaker for the Autobots, Soundwave had [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] captured and used [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to implement a [[cerebro-shell]] into him. While Beachcomber didn't outright kill Blaster, his motivational broadcast failed to air at precisely the moment the Decepticons began the big push. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

[[Image:SpotlightSoundwave infoispower.jpg|left|180px|thumb|He's just too busy being an eighties guy.]]

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

Soundwave was purchased by a human teenager named [[Jimmy]] and taken to his home. When Ravage and Laserbeak were reprogrammed by the American government agency [[Skywatch]] to find the other Transformers, Skywatch's control signal was blocked by a signal emanating from a functioning Soundwave, still in cassette-player mode. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}} Sometime later on, Ravage and Laserbeak located the signal and reclaimed their master from Jimmy. Relocating to Mount St. Helens, Soundwave told them that he could barely keep blocking Skywatch's hold on them, due to his weakening state in cassette mode. Shockwave suddenly appeared from a cave entrance and said that the four could make a deal together. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}} Shockwave knew how Soundwave could unlock his robot mode, but would only tell him if he did Shockwave a favour in return, something which Soundwave agreed to. He was told that Skywatch had placed a bomb in Shockwave's head, and that he needed to intercept and copy its disarm code. The plan went off without a hitch, and after transmitting the code to Shockwave, Soundwave was finally freed from his alt mode. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

After returning to his position as Megatron's right hand, Soundwave helped defeat the Autobot forces on Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} He was present during the attack on [[New York City]], and detected the incoming human military jets. The planes fired, and on Megatron's orders, Soundwave calmly detonated the arsenal. He then launched Laserbeak to take out the human resistance. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}}

Soundwave reported that the humans had sent a sizable ground force after the Decepticons. Following Megatron's orders, he released [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and set him loose on the humans. The only being immune to Frenzy's infrasonic manipulation, he silently observed his minion's work. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 2|All Hail Megatron #2}} With the conquest of New York complete, Soundwave listened to Megatron's victory speech. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} When a group of humans led by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Cmdr. Spike Witwicky]] deactivated [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] with an experimental weapon which originated from Shockwave, Soundwave, sensing this, found Rumble's lifeless body, grieved, and took him away. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}}

During [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] attempt to take control of the Decepticons, Megatron revealed that Soundwave had been watching him all along, reporting his planned rebellion to Megatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} The infighting amongst the Decepticons stopped when jets from [[Europe]] arrived to take them all on, soon followed by the return of the Autobots. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} Megatron was defeated, and Soundwave escaped alongside the rest of the Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}} Whilst traveling away from Earth onboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Soundwave and his cassettes took care of their heavily injured leader. Starscream attempted to dissuade him from wasting energon on Megatron, all the while buttering him up with compliments about his loyalty, but all Soundwave said in response was "Negative. Megatron functions." {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Uneasy Lies the Head}}

Three years later, Soundwave was still dutifully attending to Megatron's reconstruction. {{storylink|All His Engines}} He eventually came to the conclusion that his leader's body was beyond repair, and instead recruited Shockwave to build a new body for him. Once Megatron returned in a new and upgraded form, he hatched a plan to use parts of his old body to make Megatron gun replicas that would subconsciously influence humans. Alongside his cassettes and Shockwave, Soundwave helped produce these weapons. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon}} He was later present when Megatron got rid of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], and was ordered to gather everyone in the base so that their leader could address them. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}}

[[Image:BurningChrome Prime shoots Soundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
As part of Megatron's master plan, the Decepticons subsequently returned to Earth, where Soundwave led Rumble and Frenzy in an attack on the [[Skywatch]] base where several Decepticons were being held captive. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man}} Soundwave was then responsible for holding [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] hostage while Megatron explained to Optimus Prime that he was the one turning the humans against the Autobots. In an attempt to throw off Megatron's concentration, and with it his influence over the gun-wielding humans, Prime fired on Soundwave, blowing off a large portion of his head. The plan worked: seeing his loyal soldier fall sent Megatron into a rage, and he picked up the barely living Soundwave and flew off. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome}} With his body in [[stasis lock]], Soundwave was brought to Shockwave, who was unsure if he could repair such an extensive injury with the limited resources at his disposal. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine}}

Soundwave was mostly repaired by the time Megatron had surrendered himself to the Autobots, although half his face remained exposed and damaged from Optimus Prime's attack. The damage caused to his vocal processors rendered him completely mute. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} Once on Cybertron and having freed himself, Megatron used the [[space bridge]] technology built into his new body to summon Soundwave and the rest of the Decepticons to him. At first, Soundwave and the others did battle with the Autobots, but were soon entranced by [[D-Void]]. The Decepticons along with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s army of [[Sweep]]s combined into an [[Deceptigod|enormous monster]]. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

Following the defeat and fracturing of this "Deceptigod", Soundwave and the rest were left in a weakened state from the ordeal. This allowed the Autobots to round the Decepticons up, stick [[inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]] in them, and place them in a holding pen. Prowl was eventually forced to sanction their release to quell a riot, leaving Soundwave and the others with a limited sort of freedom. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} [[Needlenose]], fed up with working as an enforcer for the Autobots, accused Soundwave, Shockwave and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] of just sitting around instead of doing something about the Decepticons' situation. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson}}

Little did Needlenose know that Soundwave and Shockwave had actually been working together to take control of the I/D chips on the orders of Ratbat, who was trying to reassert his authority in Megatron's absence. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}}

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

[[Image:SpotlightMirage Soundwavescorpse.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Not so superior now, are you?]]
In a dream set in an alternate universe wrapped in an enigma surrounded by a soft taco shell dreamt by [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], Soundwave was part of the Decepticon strike force who attacked the last stronghold of the Autobots. Soundwave was attacked by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], who snapped his head off, killing him. But it was just a dream, so it didn't matter. Right? {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}
{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
Soundwave—[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#LaserCycle|in his Laser Cycle body]]—was seen among the inhabitants of the multiversal hub city of [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 4}}

===Timelines===
Soundwave was present with Megatron, [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]], and [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] when the topic about finding new ultimate weapon ideas changed to [[BotCon 2010]]. As Breakdown mentioned that one of the things he was looking forward to was the debut of the [[Transformers Hall of Fame]], Soundwave turned to Counterpunch and pointed to himself. {{storylink|BotCon 2010 Promo}}

===''Wings Universe''===
When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] captured [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]]'s base, Soundwave was by his side. After defeating Deathsaurus in single combat, Megatron ordered Soundwave to check the computers for information on [[Combiner]] technology, and sent [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] with him. A week later, Soundwave was part of the Decepticon forces who entered [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] after [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] breached the city walls. {{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:Soundwavecommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Say hello to my leetle friend!"]]

Soundwave's [[commercial]] appearances include:

* An appearance in his very own 1984 commercial. This early animation featured a Soundwave model colored in lavender, versus the dark blue used later. Also, instead of the cassettes ejecting themselves from his chest, he reached into his chest compartment with his own fingers and threw the (tiny) tapes into the air. He wasn't properly introduced.

* He's more on-form in a commercial for the Dinobots, where he, Ravage and Laserbeak are driven back by the robotic monsters amid a thunderstorm.

* Soundwave has a speaking part in the commercial for Blaster. When Rumble strolls into his base carrying a radio, Soundwave immediately identifies it as an "Autobot intruder" and dispatches Ravage and Laserbeak to attack the Autobot. Soundwave is given his correct voice and modulation.

* He's seen grappling with Springer in a 1987 commercial for the ''Headmasters'' comic.

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
When Optimus embarked on his mission to rescue the Autobots' [[Mini Vehicle|Minicar]] troops from the Decepticons, Soundwave could intefere with Optimus Prime's progress, diverting him into areas of the Decepticons' 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 Soundwave.jpg|thumb|250px|They were gonna make his alt mode a Playstation, but that was a little too meta.]]
:''Voice actor'': [[Robert Belgrade]]

====Decepticon story====

Soundwave and Starscream were sent to investigate strange reports of space-time warps and UFOs on the planet Zel Samine, bringing a space bridge with them on their shuttle that they would use to transport Megatron to the plant once they had landed. Inexplicably, their ship wound up crashing, and when they attempted to use the space bridge, it malfunctioned, dumping Megatron some distance away. After reuniting with his leader, Soundwave deduced that powerful electromagnetic rays from Zel Samine's sun, Paradius, were responsible for scrambling the systems of the shuttle and the space bridge, and that the Decepticons themselves would be subject to similar catastrophic system disruption if they tried venturing off the planet without a ship. The Decepticons immediately set about raiding local energy sources for energon to repair their craft, starting with a wind power plant on [[Mount Jaad]]. Then, after successfully draining the [[Ranpas geothermal plant]]—in part thanks to Soundwave deploying Laserbeak to locate any Autobot guards around the facility—Megatron chose the [[Monogan hydroelectric power station]] for their next target. Soundwave pointed out the heavy Autobot fortifications that had been set up around the station and suggested a different target, but Megatron dismissed his concerns, and when the Decepticons did indeed emerge victorious, Soundwave apologized for speaking out of turn and doubting his leader.

Via Laserbeak, Soundwave soon discovered that the Autobots on the planet had made contact with the occupants of one of the strange UFOs, and suggested to Megatron that they send a task force to intercept them. In the process, the Decepticons wound up allying themselves with the ''other'' UFO's passengers: Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge, a trio of Decepticons from the future who had traveled back in time to locate and destroy the powerful [[Zel Quartz]], a weapon that threatened Galvatron's rule in their home time. Soundwave was teamed with Cyclonus to seek out possible locations of the quartz across the planet, and the communications officer stoically carried out his task, all the while struggling to keep Megatron and Galvatron from fighting with each other.

After failing to find the quartz at the [[Lazalt Ruins]], the Decepticons next decided to search the [[Karzite mine]]. Cyclonus informed Soundwave that he saw both him and Megatron as "worthless scrap", and warned the communications officer the mine yielded a similar lack of results, then he would be taking the blame, not Cyclonus. Soundwave agreed, but have a warning of his own: he charged a high price for being spoken to with disrespect. As it turned out, the quartz was not in the mine, and Soundwave accepted the blame as promised, only to then reveal his price: he had recorded his conversation with Cyclonus and played it back for Megatron, who did not take kindly to the future Decepticon's insults. At Megatron's command, Soundwave recorded Cyclonus's screams as the Decepticon leader subjected him to a vicious punishment.

{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

====Autobot story====
Megatron had Soundwave send out a fake Autobot SOS transmission in an attempt to trick the Autobots into leaving their base. The plan was a success and Optimus Prime and his crew were lured out. When the Autobots realized that they had been deceived, Megatron sent a message through Soundwave's transmitter, gloating how he had tricked Prime and announced that his crew was going to steal the energon the Autobots had on their shuttle. When Megatron had finished his message, Soundwave returned to base. On the way back to their shuttle, the Autobots encountered Soundwave again, this time leading a hoard of Decepticon troops, and fought them. Despite his best efforts, Soundwave was overwhelmed and left to rejoin Megatron. Later, Soundwave fought the Autobots again while they were dealing with another swarm of enemies. He lost again, and left to fight another day.

Later on, Soundwave teamed up with his future self, Soundblaster, and with [[Full-Tilt]] as the final defense against the Autobots before they reached Megatron and Galvatron. When the Autobots arrived, Soundblaster started by expressing [[dull surprise]] at how the Autobots managed to survive up until the current point. Soundwave continued, warning the Autobots that he would not let them stand in Megatron's way. Both the present and future versions of the Communications Officer we all know and love put up the best fight they could, but even with Full-Tilt's help, the Autobots overpowered them.

===Transformers G1: Awakening===
{{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
:''Main article: [[Soundwave (G1)/toys]]''
{{-}}
==Merchandise==
:''Main article: [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave (G1) toys#Merchandise]]''
{{-}}
==Notes==
[[Image:SoundwaveButtonUD3.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"When I think about you, I touch myself."]]

* The Decepticon faction insignia appears to be roughly based on Soundwave's head.

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

* The Marvel U.S. comics chose a purple scheme for Soundwave. This could have been an attempt to distinguish him from the other Decepticons, who were mostly blue (especially since blacks also ended up as blues in the industry's then-limited color palette). Or it could have been a simple error. But very likely, it had something to do with his early animation model, which appeared lavender, rather than blue. (See Commercial Appearances.) Compounding this error, Marvel US Soundwave was drawn without a mouthplate by artist [[José Delbo]]. The Marvel UK comics colored him blue like everywhere else (partially due to using a more sophisticated coloring system) and always included his faceplate.

[[Image:Soundwave fly.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Hey, wait for me!"]]

* The G1 cartoon almost always depicted him as having to press all his own controls to eject minions or perform other functions even though these are actually part of him. This has led to many a shot of Soundwave pressing his own crotch. What will the children think?

* According to the original script<ref>http://boltax.blogspot.com/2011/02/ron-friedman-auctions-scripts-part-3-of.html</ref> for [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]], "Sound Wave" transformed into "a LIGHT STANDARD - identical to the one that exists a short distance away, the perfect camouflage". So... yes, he really ''did'' turn into a lamppost on Cybertron.

* Soundwave's distinctive voice proved to be one of Generation 1's most memorable aspects. The [[Wikipedia:Vocoder|highly processed voice]] (processed by [[Scott Brownlee]]) began with [[Frank Welker]] basically doing his "Dr. Claw" voice from ''[[Wikipedia:Inspector Gadget|Inspector Gadget]]''. Whether due to variations in the performance or the processing, the final result varied quite a bit across Soundwave's three seasons on the show. Occasionally, as in the episodes "[[Roll for It]]" and "[[Webworld]]", the processing was left out and Welker's actual voice can be heard. This Dr. Claw version of Soundwave's voice made a return when Welker reprised the [[Soundwave (ROTF)|role]] for ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' as the processing was, again, left out.

* Similarly, he often emphasizes words at random, such as his well-known "RavAAAAAGE", or "LAAZABEEK". This may be a side effect of the voice doctoring in the cartoon.

*In the Mandarin dub, Soundwave had a glorious, operatic voice.

[[Image:Bm soundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Soundwave gets slagged by Vehicons, and Nightscream escapes. How's that for injustice?]]

* The typically emotionally-barren Soundwave actually ''laughs'' on two separate occasions in the Generation 1 cartoon ("[[Quest for Survival]]" and "[[Auto-Bop]]"), while he ''screams like a little girl'' only once ("[[Roll for It]]").

* Soundwave has flown in his [[alternate mode|alt mode]] one time, in the episode "[[Masquerade]]." In [[Atlus]]'s ''[[The Transformers (PS2)|Transformers]]'' game, Soundwave can transform to tape deck mode and kind of bounces around to move in that form. No, really.

* In the Japanese dub of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], as well as the supporting [[manga]], all of Soundwave's cassette forces which could talk referred to him as "Anikii" (兄貴い) or "Big Brother." This is a fairly common way to refer to others you admire and such in Japanese. It's also a term that gang members use toward older, more experienced members who aren't actual gang bosses. Take it as you will. Whatever it says about his relationship with them, it does give new meaning to the phrase [[Wikipedia:Big Brother (Nineteen Eighty-Four)|"Big Brother is watching over you"]].

* Soundwave was in charge of the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|UK letters page]] from issues 22 to 78, barring a few interruptions.

[[Image:Unused AHM Soundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|What? You mean we don't use brick-sized microcassette recorders anymore?]]

* Soundwave's computer model was used for one of the [[generic]] Transformers in Beast Machines. It is seen in "[[Forbidden Fruit]]" during [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream's]] flashback being cornered by [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]] just before Nightscream flees into the lower levels of Cybertron. Though the model was recolored, it was still really 'Soundwavey,' causing much confusion among fans. His computer model as well as [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s continued to show up for the rest of the series, used to represent deactivated Transformer shells.

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

* [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] listened to music using a tape deck resembling Soundwave in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Memory]]". Later, after a new [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] was found, ''Cybertron'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] held tape deck Soundwave in his arms. This caused a great disturbance in the [[force]]...

* IDW Publishing seems to be undecided on Soundwave's speech pattern. In ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'', he speaks in his classic cartoon-based monotone. However, in "[[Spotlight: Soundwave]]", he speaks in a normal fashion. Which is once again reverted to the classic speech in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]''.

* [[Guido Guidi]] made a concept drawing of Soundwave with a modern microcassette recorder as an alt-mode (which are still used by reporters and doctors today) for [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' maxi-series. This was also unused. Consequently, Soundwave may go down as the Transformers character with the most unused designs.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Soundwave''' (サウンドウェーブ ''Saundowēbu'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Jam Bo''' (音波, "Voice Wave")
*''English:'' '''New Soundwave''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub Soundblaster)
*''French:'' '''Radar''' (Canada), '''Sonore''' (Canada Action Master, "Sound")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Fülelő''' ("Listener")
*''Italian:'' '''Memor''', '''Vizar''' (Soundblaster)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Shēng-bō''' (Taiwan, 聲波, "Sound Wave"), '''Shēng Bàu''' (Taiwan Soundblaster, 聲爆, "Sound Blast")
*''Polish:'' '''Dźwiękofalowiec''' (''The Movie'', "Soundwaver")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Onda-Sonora''' (Portugal comics), '''Microonda''' (Brazil comics, "Microwave")
*''Russian:'' '''Barkhan''' (cartoon, Бархан, "Dune")<ref>Dubbers thought his name was "Sandwave".</ref>
*''Spanish:'' '''Sam''' (America ''The Headmasters'')
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Zvukohvyl''' (Звукохвил, "Soundwave")

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Communications specialists]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Go-Bots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Machine Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robo-Capers characters]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Soundwave (G1)

2012-03-30T04:50:27Z

50.73.25.65: /* Generation 1 cartoon continuity */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Soundwave}}
{{disambig2|the Generation 1 character eventually upgraded to Soundblaster|the ''Cybertron'' character|Soundblaster (Cybertron)}}
{{suite}}
:''Soundwave is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:Soundwave mixalot.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Big butts: preferable. Lying: impossible."]]
'''Soundwave''' is one of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s most reliable troops, and he has positioned himself comfortably and irreplaceably in Megatron's upper command structure. He stands at the [[Decepticon leader]]'s side as a confidant. Though "only" Communications Officer, he is comparable to [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in rank and is the only one of the three to display consistent loyalty to Megatron. Soundwave guards his place in the hierarchy fiercely. Other Decepticons (except Megatron) see him as a two-faced snake, since, as Communications Officer, Soundwave hears all and doesn't hesitate to use blackmail to keep himself high in Megatron's esteem. The other Decepticons wouldn't mind abandoning him on the battlefield—if they thought Megatron would let them get away with it.

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

He usually has all the personality of a [[:Image:Cybertronsoundwave.jpg|stump]] (as evidenced by his computer-style speech). He also has no imagination, sending the aforementioned cassettes on operations with mundane names.

As an [[Action Master]], he is [[Action Master partner|partnered]] with [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]].

Soundwave's scanning systems are so powerful that he can actually read and decode the electrical impulses that comprise "thoughts" in both organics and Cybertronians. This telepathic power is likely one of the reasons why he is so highly placed in Megatron's hierarchy.

In various universes, Soundwave is upgraded into '''Soundblaster''' (サウンドブラスター ''Saundoburasutā'').

{{quote|As you command, Megatron.|Soundwave, eternal loyalist|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Contentedfools.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Ravage, Megatron, and Soundwave, the first Decepticons.]]
Millions of years ago, Soundwave was one of the first members of the Decepticons; after sowing discontent amongst the masses, he, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] began the war that tore the planet itself out of its orbit. The Decepticons, including Soundwave, attempted to hijack the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] four million years ago, only to fail and fall into deactivation sleep for four million years. In 1984, the detonation of the volcano, [[Mount St. Hilary]], reactivated the Autobots and Decepticons, unleashing their war on Earth. Learning the [[Human|inhabitants]] of this planet had access to its vast energy sources, Soundwave joined the Decepticons in raiding a drive-in movie theatre. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} Soon after, Soundwave participated in a raid on [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]], and after helping the Decepticons make off with large chunks of its machinery, helped use their bounty to build a [[Fortress Sinister|new headquarters atop a cliffside]]. {{storylink|Power Play!}} After returning from [[S. Witwicky Auto Repairs & Tow Service]] with [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], a human the Decepticons kidnapped to help them convert human fuel to Transformer fuel, the Decepticons' headquarters were infiltrated by a rescue party of [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and the human superhero [[Spider-Man]]. While Spider-Man caused a diversion in front of Soundwave, Gears was able to suckerpunch him. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}}

[[Image:Laserbeakwarriorschool.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Fly, my pretties, fly!"]]
''When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] nearly caused the death of Ravage, Megatron rallied the other Decepticons, including Soundwave, to enact vengeance for his treason. {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} Later, the Decepticons unleashed a surprise attack on the Ark. After Soundwave defeated [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], the battle was halted when [[Aunty]], the Ark's computer system, turned rogue. After the crisis was averted, Soundwave and the others were able to retreat. {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}'' Due to Sparkplug's efforts during his kidnapping, the Decepticons were able to refuel, and Soundwave and his comrades attacked the Autobots. However, Sparkplug had poisoned the fuel, and Soundwave shorted out along with the others. As Soundwave lay deactivated, it was only the surprise arrival of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] that turned the tide. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

Shockwave assumed command, and immediately began restoring Soundwave and the other poisoned Decepticons. Soundwave was ordered to prepare the bodies of the fallen Autobots to serve as spare parts for Shockwave's new army of Decepticons. {{storylink|The New Order}} Megatron objected to this new order and rebelled, but Shockwave quelled him quickly, and paraded Megatron's broken body in front of Soundwave and his peers as a warning to those who would cross him. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} Under Shockwave's command, Soundwave attacked the [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]] and secured it for Decepticon use. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} The plant's facilities were used to create the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], who built a massive radio dish that Soundwave used to beam a message back to Cybertron. However, the radio dish was destroyed when Soundwave was defeated by [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and the human trucker [[Bomber Bill]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}

[[Image:Soundwavedinobothunt.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"And you—YOU!—no longer exiiii... oh, wait."]]
''A short time later, during a brief period when both Megatron and Shockwave were missing in action, Soundwave assumed leadership of the Decepticons, happily slagging off [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s ambitions of leadership. His first attempt at manipulating Autobots into a trap failed. {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} The second, taking advantage of the "Dinobot Hunt", was a major success—six Autobots were badly injured, not counting two of the Dinobots, and a large amount of fuel was stolen while the Autobots tried to stop a Dinobot rampage in a human town. On the way out, Soundwave proudly declared their victory, a turn of events that [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] did not enjoy.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

When Megatron resurfaced, rendered immobile in a [[Wyoming]] [[Wyoming base|coal mine]] due to lack of fuel, Soundwave sped to his rescue, re-energizing him. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} ''Using the splintered state of the Decepticon forces to his advantage, Soundwave worked both sides of the field, reporting to both Megatron and the returned Shockwave, each without the other's knowledge. When Shockwave learned that the human [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] had begun to suffer [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced visions of the [[Combiner|next leap in Transformer evolution]], Soundwave reported this to Megatron, prompting him to battle Shockwave for leadership. The Decepticons' human ally, [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]], televised the battle, much to Soundwave's distaste, and in order to prevent the Decepticons from looking like fools, he interrupted the duel and insisted that they agree to a joint leadership.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[Image:Soundwavetarget2006.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You find: Insanity!]]
''When the Robot-Master hoax the Decepticons were perpetrating was threatened by the investigative work of [[Joy Meadows]], Soundwave was instrumental in ending the conflict that ensued between the Decepticons and the Dinobots by holding the reporter hostage and destroying her footage.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest}} ''Not long thereafter, when the deranged future Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], traveled back in time, Soundwave was intrigued by the fact that he was unable to scan his mind to discern the truth of his identity. Siding with Megatron when conflict erupted, Soundwave and his leader were buried under an avalanche by Galvatron and then rescued by the Autobots in the name of forming an alliance to defeat their common enemy.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Soundwave's loyalty to Megatron was shaken when the latter became increasingly paranoid. Consequently he manipulated his leader into summoning the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to Earth as part of a scheme by Shockwave to ensure a weaponless Megatron was destroyed by Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Prey!}} However Megatron survived and soon returned to the Decepticon leadership, albeit with his memories of the events lost. {{storylink|Resurrection!}} ''Soundwave ''again'' served as co-conspirator when Shockwave once more used the Predacons to destroy Megatron. In the process a deranged Megatron seemingly committed suicide on the [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}}

''Soundwave was now once again under Shockwave's command, and, while patrolling on the Decepticons' mobile island base, he found himself attacked and subdued by the time-traveling freelance peace-keeping agent, [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], and tricked into giving up information on the whereabouts of Galvatron.'' {{storylink|Hunters}} ''Although Death's Head's attempts to track down the Decepticon met with failure, Galvatron was ultimately entombed in lava, where he was later discovered by [[Susan Hoffman]]. Soundwave observed a televised broadcast of her discovery, and he and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] attempted to destroy Galvatron with explosives planted around the volcano in question. After a battle with the [[Throttlebot|Throttlebots]], Soundwave found that he was unable to remote-detonate the explosives thanks to [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] jamming his signal.'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}}

[[Image:FlamesofBoltax-SoundwaveRatbat.jpg|left|300px|thumb|In Soviet Russia, ''tape'' commands ''you''!]]
When Shockwave was removed from power, Soundwave smoothly transitioned to serving under the new Decepticon leader, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], and helped to operate his [[Realvision]] playback system to decode data from Autobot tapes [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]]. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} The tapes, it was discovered, contained information on the [[Underbase]], the power of which was desired by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] so badly he sparked off a Decepticon-Decepticon war to cover himself. Soundwave ended up having his fuel pump torn into by [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]]. {{storylink|Cold War!}} When Starscream gained the Underbase's power and targeted the Earth, Soundwave co-led the defense of [[Buenos Aires]] alongside [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], but was temporarily deactivated by a blast of cosmic power from Starscream. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

''He was back on his feet by the time that Starscream, now a [[Pretender]], was busy doubting his self-worth. Soundwave was extremely scared of Starscream by this point.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}} He continued to operate under the command of the new Decepticon Earth commander, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], though like the other troops he was very unhappy about Starscream being allowed back in after trying to kill everyone. {{storylink|Primal Scream}} He was put in charge of guarding Optimus Prime after the Autobot leader surrendered his troops to Scorponok, hoping to elicit an alliance against the coming of [[Unicron]]. When Prime changed his mind about meekly waiting in a cell for Scorponok to make time for him, however, Soundwave provided little resistance in keeping him there. {{storylink|Surrender!}} After the Decepticon auxiliary army bombed Scorponok's base in New Jersey, Soundwave assumed temporary command of the active Decepticons in fighting back against the traitors, led by Starscream and Shockwave. This "[[Decepticon Civil War]]" didn't last long, though, as all the Autobots and Decepticons of Earth were summoned to Cybertron by [[Primus]] to deal with Unicron. {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

[[Image:TreadshotMarvel.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He's found a new gunformer to toady up with.]]
Soundwave survived the battle with Unicron, and attended a meeting between the briefly-allied Autobots and Decepticons with [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]]. There Blaster announced the imminent end of their world, and an evacuation was called for. Soundwave was still hanging out with Treadshot when he witnessed a fight break out between [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Fangry]]. [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], who had assumed command of the Decepticons, doublecrossed the Autobots by sabotaging their ships. Soundwave was last seen beside Bludgeon as the Decepticons left their self-destructing homeworld. {{storylink|Exodus!}}

In an alternate future of 2006, Soundwave was briefly seen participating in a battle on [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. He didn't do much except retreat. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

{{note|In the UK version of the story, the events of "The Big Broadcast of 2006" are a fabrication invented by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]].}}

{{-}}
=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Soundwave was under the command of Shockwave on Cybertron. When the bounty hunter named [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] arrived with the deactivated bodies of the renegades [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and demanded an audience, Shockwave had Soundwave wait nearby as a precautionary measure. Sure enough, Soundwave's monitoring abilities alerted Shockwave that the two Decepticons were not as dead as they seemed, and the three invaders began an assassination attempt on Shockwave. Soundwave summoned the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], hoping that [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] could breach the sealed doors of the audience chamber in time, but wasn't swift enough. Death's Head killed Shockwave, and together the trio demanded that the Decepticons accept Scourge and Cyclonus as their new leaders. Faced with superior firepower and a hefty dose of explosives, Soundwave was reluctantly forced to accept on behalf of the Decepticons. ''

[[Image:SpacePiratesSoundwaveLeader.JPG|right|400px|thumb|Or, in short, "Soundwave: Superior".]]
''Wasting no time, Scourge and Cyclonus commanded the Decepticons to begin a full-scale assault on [[Autobase]]. This was effectively suicide, as the two armies were just about evenly matched. That, of course, was the point—Scourge and Cyclonus's true master, Unicron, wanted the children of Primus exhausted and depleted in number by the time of his glorious resurrection. After [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and Death's Head took the fight straight to the recuperating Unicron on [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], however, he summoned his two minions back to his side. Seeing their "glorious leaders" abandon the battle, Soundwave and [[Hun-Gurrr|Hun-Grrr]] sounded a retreat. In the absence of Unicron's spawn, Soundwave became the new permanent leader of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}} ''

''Aching to make a name for himself in Decepticon military history, Soundwave soon fell into a [[Quintesson]] trap. A lone Quintesson arrived at Decepticon headquarters, seeking an alliance against the Autobots, who supposedly had assembled most of their fleet and were on their way to [[Quintessa]]. Instead of helping the Quintessons, Soundwave saw this as an opportunity to invade and destroy the Autobot territory on Cybertron, when most of their warriors were off-world. He assembled his various sub-commanders and set out aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to claim a glorious victory.''

[[Image:Soundwaveconsiders.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Too nostalgic to let go of the past? No wonder he's a fan-favorite.]]
''Instead, Soundwave and the Decepticons walked right into an ambush. There were no Autobots on Quintessa: it was a ruse to draw them out of their base, where legions of [[Allicon]]s and [[Trident Attack Craft]]s waited to overwhelm the Decepticons. Seeing the danger his troops were in, Soundwave was forced to call in the Autobots. Sending a garbled distress beacon to Autobase, Soundwave hoped to draw a suitable fighting force of Autobots to their location. He was successful, as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and his men remained to fight even after learning who the distress call came from. Autobot and Decepticon fought side-by-side until the Quintesson invaders were either destroyed or driven off-world. In a moment of introspection, Soundwave realized how effective the two armies were when fighting as one instead of as enemies... but quickly brushed aside the idea. Simply too much had happened between the Autobots and Decepticons to ever hope for a peaceful end to the war. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

''In 2009, Soundwave and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] were on Earth, prepping a new energy extraction system to leech the planet dry. A surgical strike led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and Ultra Magnus destroyed all their equipment, however, leaving their power cells empty of [[energon]]. Looking for revenge, the Decepticons pursued the Autobots back to Autobot City, only to find an open [[Time-jump mechanism|trans-time dimensional portal]]. Realizing the Autobots had fled back to 1989 on a mission of unknown purpose, the vengeful Terrorcons wanted to pursue them. Giving in to popular opinion, Soundwave led his troops back through time and right into the midst of the Time Wars.''

''Recognizing that the uncontrolled timestorm could conceivably destroy all of existence, Soundwave chose to put aside vendettas for the moment, and added his men to the alliance of Autobots and Decepticons from two time periods against the unmatched power and evil of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]] combined. Still, the alliance was far from perfect: Soundwave was more than willing to allow the Autobots to charge in first, letting them die in order to "soften up" the resistance. When things turned ugly, Soundwave and the Terrorcons then fled back to 2009, apparently without ever getting their hands dirty. Their final fate after reality restructured itself and the timestorm abated is unknown. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Secrets Soundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Decepticons never got the hang of Internal Affairs.]]
''In an alternate timeline, Soundwave left [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s army and returned to serving at [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s side during the [[Decepticon Civil War]] against [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], helping him with the launch of a [[global warming satellite]]. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} He was not above exploiting the conflict for his own ends, however. When an energon shipment was hijacked by Shockwave's forces thanks to information Soundwave had given them, Megatron came to suspect the presence of a traitor in his ranks, but ironically assigned Soundwave to identify the culprit. To keep his own duplicity a secret, Soundwave set up [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] to take the fall, and Megatron destroyed the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]. Soundwave not only got away with his treachery, he went on to happily blackmail everyone he'd mind-scanned. Eat your heart out, Starscream! {{storylink|Secrets}}''

''Approached by Starscream with a plan to make them both Decepticon leaders, Soundwave joined forces with the schemer and lured Megatron and Shockwave to an airport, tipping off the Autobots to their location. With the two leaders thus occupied, Soundwave and Starscream took control of both factions. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}} Subsequently, Soundwave led an all-out attack on the [[Earthbase|Earthforce base]] as a diversion, while Starscream attempted to plunder an oil tanker. Starscream met with failure, however, leading Soundwave to withdraw his forces and hint to them that maybe be should have sole command... {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}} Starscream was aware of Soundwave's goals, and when he was attacked by a [[Louisiana bounty hunters|group of alien assassins]], he suspected that Soundwave had ordered the hit and struck back at him. Soundwave was able to convince Starscream he was not responsible and that in actuality, it was the work of Megatron and Shockwave. {{storylink|External Forces!}}''

''Soon afterward, Soundwave learned that human reporter [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]] had secured an interview with the Autobots that could potentially resolve the public view of the Transformer war. Seeking to prevent this, he had the Stunticons capture the journalist. Although the Autobots were able to rescue him, a carefully planted [[cerebro-shell]] ensured that the story Irwin wrote was anything but accurate. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}
Soundwave was present when the Decepticons unleashed a robotic hell-beast known as 'King Con' on New York and helped Megatron and Shockwave to set up a mine belt around the harbor. However Optimus Prime rented a helicopter to fly a banner announcing huge raw oil deposit finds in the Rocky Mountains. After a short hesitation, the Decepticons retreated to pursue these findings{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 7|Transformers — Transforming Robots in Action: New York — A City Sinking in Terror}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Soundwavemarvelg2.jpg|left|125px|thumb|He gave the "complete sentences" thing a decent go, but he never really got the hang of commas.]]
After Megatron deposed Bludgeon and reassumed control of the Decepticons, Soundwave once again served Megatron as a close adviser. One of his first acts was to ask, "Why revive Starscream?". Megatron shared Soundwave's concerns, and assured him the on-again-off-again traitor would be dealt with once Megatron had regrown his army. {{storylink|Tales of Earth Part Three}}

Megatron immediately drew his Decepticons to the moon of [[Tykos]] to violently acquire [[Rheanimum]] from the natives. However, things soured when Soundwave received a distress call from [[Skullgrin]]. In moments, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] was upon them. After several casualties, and Megatron missing in action, Soundwave led a party to discover if Megatron had survived and recover him if he had; when Mindwipe expressed doubts about the mission, Soundwave told him to shut up. He appeared to assume command when Megatron appeared dead, but ceased when Megatron turned out to still function. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

He was in command of the ''[[Warworld]]'' while Megatron was on Earth. When the Empire boarded the ship (thanks to Starscream's treachery) he and his bridge crew fled to Earth in escape pods. {{storylink|Total War!}} He was later seen standing by in the final battle against the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

{{-}}
====''Classics''====
Soundwave was apparently one of the first Decepticons to return to Megatron's side after the Decepticon leader re-emerged. He helped Megatron rebuild his power base on Earth in secret, using human proxies to covertly recover the remains of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and other Decepticons lost on Earth during the Underbase Saga. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 14|Astrotrain's ''Classics'' profile}}

After the arrival of the mysterious Decepticon [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], Soundwave ran a neural scan on the Transformer to confirm his story of alternate dimensions and [[Unicron]] singularities. Soundwave confirmed that, at the very least, Landquake believed he was telling the truth. The Decepticons took off aboard Astrotrain to explore a new energy signature in the Southern Hemisphere...one which materialized at the same time as Landquake and possessed a similar resonance pattern. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}} In South America, Soundwave engaged [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s troops alongside Megatron and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] on the ground. At Megatron's command, he dispatched [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] to intercept the Autobot scouts who had been sent after the energy source. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}}

The Cassettes soon reported back that the energy had been discovered, and Megatron rallyed the Decepticons behind Soundwave to break for the source's location. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] interferred with the Decepticons' progress, however, by hurling Constructicons like shotputs until he knocked Soundwave down. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}}
Soundwave and Astrotrain got caught exchanging fire with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] until the latter Autobot turned invisible and snuck around behind the Decepticons, getting the drop on Soundwave. An explosion from below rocked the battlefield, however, and the Decepticons withdrew from combat. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

When [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] tried to assassinate Megatron, he used [[cerebro-shell]]s to take control of Soundwave and several other Megatron loyalists. The shells' effects were soon jammed by an attacking Autobot team, and in the chaos that followed, Soundwave noticed that the Autobots were targeting their [[Ark (G1)|base]]'s computers, but failed to stop them. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Soundwave was stationed aboard Starscream's warship when Megatron orchestrated the downfall of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his splinter faction. After their [[Seacon (G1)|inside men]] terminated Bludgeon, Soundwave informed Starscream he had received a transmission of surrender from the forces below. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[Image:Soundwave and company.jpg|right|thumb|220px|He released Ravage and Laserbeak to help him figure out whether that's Frenzy or Rumble.]]
{{main|Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
Soundwave was one of the first Decepticons and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s most loyal soldier. Denoted by his eerie, echoing monotone, Soundwave regularly gathered vital intelligence for Megatron's numerous schemes with the aid of his faithful and ever-growing team of cassettes, but despite his primary role as a spy and communications officer, he never shied away the battlefield, and would regularly clash with the Autobot [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] before finding a true rival in his Autobot opposite number, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. He survived the perilous events of 2005 that took the lives of many of his contemporaries, and continued serving under [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in the 21st century.

In a future timeline that branches off from this one, Soundwave ultimately met his end at the hands of Blaster, but even death could not stymie his loyalty to the Decepticon cause, as he was reborn as '''Soundblaster''' through the super-science of the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]].
{{-}}

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

According to Megatron, Soundwave is a "blundering, tape-filled idiot." While the veracity of this statement is subjective, Soundwave ''does'' whine a lot. {{storylink|When Continents Collide}}

===Colorforms audiobooks continuity===
Soundwave recorded a broadcast Doctor [[Heath Blaisedale]] receiving an award from the [[President of the United States]] and reported it to Megatron. Megatron dubbed him a "King of Communication". {{storylink|Sun Raid}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[Image:BW Agenda Pt3 Soundwave.jpg|right|180px|thumb|With one stroke I shall free my tiny dinosaur brethren, yesssss!"]]
Soundwave was among the many Transformers strewn about the bridge of the Ark when the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] infiltrated the ship on his mission to destroy Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}
{{-}}
====3H comics====
Soundwave is one of the ancient warriors who appears from [[J'nwan]] to help battle the warlord [[Shokaract]]. {{storylink|Terminus}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Soundwavewarwithin.jpg|left|225px|thumb|Sound and ([[Ravage (G1)#3H Universe_comics|eventually]]) Furry.]]
Soundwave was chosen by Megatron to lead his second assassination team against the new Autobot supreme commander, Optimus Prime. With the aid of Soundwave's cassette troops, most notably [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], as well as [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], it was assumed he would have no problem with a young, peace-loving Autobot. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} Soundwave, like many others, underestimated Prime's resolve and was quickly incapacitated. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} He was still out cold when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] came by, {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} but recovered in time to rescue Megatron after the latter's own battle with Prime. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

When Megatron and Optimus Prime vanished in a [[space bridge]] accident, the Decepticons were fragmented and Soundwave joined [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s faction. He participated in the attack on [[The Fallen]]'s minions in an attempt to stop the [[Unbinding]]. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

Eventually, Shockwave attempted to call a truce with the Autobots for the good of the Transformer race, but the initial ceremony was interrupted by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s faction, the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]]. Soundwave was quite mad about this, telling the Predacons to perish for their crimes against Cybertron as he attacked them alongside several Autobots. Shortly after the Predacons were defeated, Megatron returned to Cybertron with his [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]] and reunited the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}} After falling back under Megatron's command, Soundwave reported the progress on his leader's plan to dig a hole to the core of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2}}

In the present day, Soundwave was among the Decepticons defeated by the Autobots and their human allies on Earth. The ''[[Ark II]]'', the spacecraft that would have taken the Transformers back to Cybertron, was sabotaged by General [[Robert Hallo]] and [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]], and it exploded upon liftoff, scattering the robots across the Arctic Ocean. Soundwave and the others were recovered, Autobot and Decepticon alike, and reprogrammed by Rook to accept commands and were leased to terrorist organisations and military juntas as powerful weapons of war. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} After Megatron freed himself and the other Decepticons, Soundwave developed a 'metallic virus' that cyberformed Earth organics into cybertronic materials. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} During the subsequent battle with the Autobots in [[San Francisco]], Soundwave warned Megatron that a nuclear missile launched by Hallo was headed for the city. The Decepticons used the distraction to escape. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

[[Image:Soundwaveg1vol2.jpg|right|225px|thumb|Leader's pet.]]Soundwave was among the Decepticons who joined Shockwave's forces when the new ruler of Cybertron appeared on Earth. {{storylink|War and Peace}} When Shockwave brutally deposed Megatron, Soundwave stood by in silence and did nothing to help his former leader. Soundwave worked his way quietly into Shockwave's good graces, earning the ire of Starscream. However, it didn't take many words to bring Soundwave around to the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]'s point of view. Later, when interrogated by Shockwave, a single, silent look from Soundwave stopped [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] from revealing that Starscream was behind Megatron's disappearance during their voyage to Cybertron. As the battle between the Autobots and Shockwave's forces intensified, Soundwave followed Starscream's lead without a word, and helped him prepare for a return trip to Earth aboard [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Starscream rewarded him by giving him a [[Ratbat (G1)|present]]. Soundwave silently approved.

Though Soundwave feigned subservience to Starscream, it was later revealed that he had been serving Megatron the entire time in secret. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{-}}

===''G.I.Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:Soundwavedevilsdue.jpg|left|225px|thumb|"Eject. Operation: Dynamic Group Shot."]]
Soundwave was among the Transformers on the ''Ark'' when it crashed long ago, and was discovered and reprogrammed by the human terrorist organization known as [[Cobra]] in the present. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #1}} Arms dealer [[Destro]] made a visit to [[Cobra Island]] where [[Doctor Mindbender]] introduced him to Soundwave and his cassettes, who were under the complete control of Cobra's scientists. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} While Destro liked what he saw, he wanted to run a test, and personally operated Soundwave's controls during an attack on the [[SPS Research Facility]].

Meanwhile, a picture of Soundwave was secretly sent out to hundreds of email boxes. The message turned out to be a [[Defense Matrix|secret signal]] from Optimus Prime, which alerted [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and Bumblebee to the location of Cobra's secret base where the rest of the Transformers were being held. When the two Autobots appeared to stop Destro's attack, the human brought Soundwave and himself back to Cobra Island. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}

Soundwave was released from Cobra control thanks to Wheeljack and attacked his former human masters. With Megatron and the other Decepticons freed, Soundwave went to work making energon cubes. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} Just as things were going their way, Optimus Prime arrived, powered up using the energon, and punched his fist right through Soundwave's chest, taking him out of the battle. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}} After the Autobots left on a return voyage to Cybertron, Soundwave's head and remains were taken in secret by human scientists for study. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

Several years later, the scientists managed to use Megatron's technology to create the organic weapon [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who plugged himself into Soundwave's deactivated head after getting free and downloaded data on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s history. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
Along with the rest of the Decepticons, Soundwave was buried in the [[Fera Islands]] until 1938, when [[Cobra]] accidentally awakened them and used them to conquer most of [[Europe]]. He sent Laserbeak to spy on the [[United States of America|United States]]' reaction to this, and learned that [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] had been created to battle the Cobra threat. Soundwave later helped Megatron and Starscream get rid of some Royal Air Force fighters above the English Channel, allowing Cobra to attack the [[United Kingdom]]. {{storylink|The Line}}

When G.I. Joe attacked the Fera Islands, Soundwave infiltrated [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]]'s unit in the form of a radio transmitter carried by a disguised [[Zartan]]. Flint noticed that it wasn't their radio, but that didn't stop Soundwave from capturing him and taking him back to Cobra HQ. {{storylink|Wolves}} However, the Joes had managed to awaken the Autobots also buried on the island, and Soundwave soon found himself facing down [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. He lost the fight, and either died at the hands of Grimlock or when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] was smashed to pieces. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

{{note|According to solicitations for ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]'', Soundwave was set to return by unknown means years later, but [[Dreamwave Productions]] bankrupted before the issues could be produced.}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
Soundwave was extremely amused by the footage Laserbeak and Ravage gathered of Starscream falling on his head. He let Megatron know, and they went to pick up Starscream, only to find him gone, taken by the Autobots. The discovery that Starscream appeared to be working with the Autobots only amused Soundwave more, and the Decepticons went to retrieve their former comrade. When it turned out that Starscream wanted to stay with the Autobots, Megatron was enraged, and Soundwave reflected that it was the most fun he'd had in years. Starscream eventually returned to the Decepticons, claiming it was all an act, and Soundwave suggested he should be more careful while mountain climbing in future. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

Puzzled by the loss of much of their stock of weapons, Megatron assigned Soundwave to investigate. Using Laserbeak's spying abilities, Soundwave determined that [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] was selling the weapons on the black market, much to Megatron's outrage. {{storylink|Two for the Price of One}}

===IDW ''Hearts of Steel'' continuity===
Millions of years in the past, Soundwave was among the Decepticons who took on organic modes in order to battle the Autobots on prehistoric Earth. When an ice age approached, the Decepticons survived by powering down under what would eventually become the [[San Francisco]] Bay. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} Soundwave woke up in the mid-19th century, where he came under the command of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Along with several other Decepticons, he stood by Starscream as he and [[Tobias Muldoon]] discussed where they would build their headquarters. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:MegatronOrigin4 Soundwave humbles Ratbat.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Ratbat, you shall be repurposed as the greatest mix tape ever to be given to Megatron."]]
Long before the war began, Soundwave was the personal assistant to Senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] caught Ratbat's eye as a champion of the illegal underground gladiatorial matches, Ratbat sent Soundwave to offer Megatron funding and weapons technology. When [[Bumper (G1)|two]] [[Fastback (G1)|Autobots]] were discovered listening in on their conversation, Soundwave dispatched [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] to capture them. After their capture, he read Bumper's mind to see if there was any immediate threat to Megatron's activities. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} Some time later, Soundwave was assigned to find a warrior with flight capabilities. He found the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]: Starscream, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. During a recruitment rally in which Megatron attempted to kill [[Decimus|Senator Decimus]], a raid by the Autobots under [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] resulted in the participants being arrested. Soundwave, however, was freed under [[Senate]] directive, something which greatly angered Sentinel Prime. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} Soundwave had apparently switched loyalties at this time, becoming one of Megatron's own in not only helping Starscream exterminate [[Kaon]] senators but also to the extent that he destroyed Ratbat's original body, placing his spark into a relatively weak cassette form and thus forcing him into the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

After [[Zeta Prime]] was made leader of the Autobots, Soundwave was sent to spy on him and gather information on what he planned to do about the growing Decepticon movement. Smuggled into a Senate security meeting by Starscream, he overheard Zeta announce his plan to drain civilians of their energy in order to power the [[Omega Destructor]]s' [[vamparc ribbon|weaponry]], but was forced to make a break for it when Starscream revealed his presence in order to ease suspicion against himself. Fearing what would happen if the populace found out about his plans, Zeta Prime sent [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] to hunt Soundwave down. {{storylink|Parasites}} As Soundwave fled towards the safety of Kaon, he was continuously set upon by Orion Pax's Autobots, but got away every time by ejecting one of his many cassettes to defeat or distract them. When he finally reached the border of Kaon, Orion himself caught up and put a stop to his minions by crushing his chest window before defeating him in hand-to-hand combat. {{storylink|The Hunt for Soundwave}} Luckily, a squad of Decepticons showed up before the Autobots could arrest Soundwave, and his findings were delivered to Megatron. {{storylink|Cause and Effect}}

Four million years ago, Soundwave and [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] were leading a Decepticon offensive to cover for [[Octane|Tankor]]'s convoy of energon. When Optimus Prime slipped away to intercept the convoy, Soundwave went after him and got the drop on Prime from behind. Prime's bodyguard [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] turned the tables on him, though, taking out both Soundwave and his Mini-Cassettes. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

During the war, [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] contacted various scientists on both sides to discuss his startling findings that the conflict would create such devastation that would render the planet uninhabitable, and that the only way to survive was to adopt the [[Pretender|organic carapace]] idea he had come up with. Soundwave was among those scientists who refused to accept Thunderwing's findings and his proposal. {{Storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}}

After the end of the cataclysm brought by Thunderwing, as part of a plan to assassinate [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], a motivational speaker for the Autobots, Soundwave had [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] captured and used [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to implement a [[cerebro-shell]] into him. While Beachcomber didn't outright kill Blaster, his motivational broadcast failed to air at precisely the moment the Decepticons began the big push. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

[[Image:SpotlightSoundwave infoispower.jpg|left|180px|thumb|He's just too busy being an eighties guy.]]

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

Soundwave was purchased by a human teenager named [[Jimmy]] and taken to his home. When Ravage and Laserbeak were reprogrammed by the American government agency [[Skywatch]] to find the other Transformers, Skywatch's control signal was blocked by a signal emanating from a functioning Soundwave, still in cassette-player mode. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}} Sometime later on, Ravage and Laserbeak located the signal and reclaimed their master from Jimmy. Relocating to Mount St. Helens, Soundwave told them that he could barely keep blocking Skywatch's hold on them, due to his weakening state in cassette mode. Shockwave suddenly appeared from a cave entrance and said that the four could make a deal together. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}} Shockwave knew how Soundwave could unlock his robot mode, but would only tell him if he did Shockwave a favour in return, something which Soundwave agreed to. He was told that Skywatch had placed a bomb in Shockwave's head, and that he needed to intercept and copy its disarm code. The plan went off without a hitch, and after transmitting the code to Shockwave, Soundwave was finally freed from his alt mode. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

After returning to his position as Megatron's right hand, Soundwave helped defeat the Autobot forces on Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} He was present during the attack on [[New York City]], and detected the incoming human military jets. The planes fired, and on Megatron's orders, Soundwave calmly detonated the arsenal. He then launched Laserbeak to take out the human resistance. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}}

Soundwave reported that the humans had sent a sizable ground force after the Decepticons. Following Megatron's orders, he released [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and set him loose on the humans. The only being immune to Frenzy's infrasonic manipulation, he silently observed his minion's work. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 2|All Hail Megatron #2}} With the conquest of New York complete, Soundwave listened to Megatron's victory speech. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} When a group of humans led by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Cmdr. Spike Witwicky]] deactivated [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] with an experimental weapon which originated from Shockwave, Soundwave, sensing this, found Rumble's lifeless body, grieved, and took him away. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}}

During [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] attempt to take control of the Decepticons, Megatron revealed that Soundwave had been watching him all along, reporting his planned rebellion to Megatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} The infighting amongst the Decepticons stopped when jets from [[Europe]] arrived to take them all on, soon followed by the return of the Autobots. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} Megatron was defeated, and Soundwave escaped alongside the rest of the Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}} Whilst traveling away from Earth onboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Soundwave and his cassettes took care of their heavily injured leader. Starscream attempted to dissuade him from wasting energon on Megatron, all the while buttering him up with compliments about his loyalty, but all Soundwave said in response was "Negative. Megatron functions." {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Uneasy Lies the Head}}

Three years later, Soundwave was still dutifully attending to Megatron's reconstruction. {{storylink|All His Engines}} He eventually came to the conclusion that his leader's body was beyond repair, and instead recruited Shockwave to build a new body for him. Once Megatron returned in a new and upgraded form, he hatched a plan to use parts of his old body to make Megatron gun replicas that would subconsciously influence humans. Alongside his cassettes and Shockwave, Soundwave helped produce these weapons. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon}} He was later present when Megatron got rid of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], and was ordered to gather everyone in the base so that their leader could address them. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}}

[[Image:BurningChrome Prime shoots Soundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
As part of Megatron's master plan, the Decepticons subsequently returned to Earth, where Soundwave led Rumble and Frenzy in an attack on the [[Skywatch]] base where several Decepticons were being held captive. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man}} Soundwave was then responsible for holding [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] hostage while Megatron explained to Optimus Prime that he was the one turning the humans against the Autobots. In an attempt to throw off Megatron's concentration, and with it his influence over the gun-wielding humans, Prime fired on Soundwave, blowing off a large portion of his head. The plan worked: seeing his loyal soldier fall sent Megatron into a rage, and he picked up the barely living Soundwave and flew off. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome}} With his body in [[stasis lock]], Soundwave was brought to Shockwave, who was unsure if he could repair such an extensive injury with the limited resources at his disposal. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine}}

Soundwave was mostly repaired by the time Megatron had surrendered himself to the Autobots, although half his face remained exposed and damaged from Optimus Prime's attack. The damage caused to his vocal processors rendered him completely mute. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} Once on Cybertron and having freed himself, Megatron used the [[space bridge]] technology built into his new body to summon Soundwave and the rest of the Decepticons to him. At first, Soundwave and the others did battle with the Autobots, but were soon entranced by [[D-Void]]. The Decepticons along with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s army of [[Sweep]]s combined into an [[Deceptigod|enormous monster]]. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

Following the defeat and fracturing of this "Deceptigod", Soundwave and the rest were left in a weakened state from the ordeal. This allowed the Autobots to round the Decepticons up, stick [[inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]] in them, and place them in a holding pen. Prowl was eventually forced to sanction their release to quell a riot, leaving Soundwave and the others with a limited sort of freedom. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} [[Needlenose]], fed up with working as an enforcer for the Autobots, accused Soundwave, Shockwave and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] of just sitting around instead of doing something about the Decepticons' situation. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson}}

Little did Needlenose know that Soundwave and Shockwave had actually been working together to take control of the I/D chips on the orders of Ratbat, who was trying to reassert his authority in Megatron's absence. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}}

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

[[Image:SpotlightMirage Soundwavescorpse.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Not so superior now, are you?]]
In a dream set in an alternate universe wrapped in an enigma surrounded by a soft taco shell dreamt by [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], Soundwave was part of the Decepticon strike force who attacked the last stronghold of the Autobots. Soundwave was attacked by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], who snapped his head off, killing him. But it was just a dream, so it didn't matter. Right? {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}
{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
Soundwave—[[Soundwave (G1)/toys#LaserCycle|in his Laser Cycle body]]—was seen among the inhabitants of the multiversal hub city of [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 4}}

===Timelines===
Soundwave was present with Megatron, [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]], and [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] when the topic about finding new ultimate weapon ideas changed to [[BotCon 2010]]. As Breakdown mentioned that one of the things he was looking forward to was the debut of the [[Transformers Hall of Fame]], Soundwave turned to Counterpunch and pointed to himself. {{storylink|BotCon 2010 Promo}}

===''Wings Universe''===
When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] captured [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]]'s base, Soundwave was by his side. After defeating Deathsaurus in single combat, Megatron ordered Soundwave to check the computers for information on [[Combiner]] technology, and sent [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] with him. A week later, Soundwave was part of the Decepticon forces who entered [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] after [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] breached the city walls. {{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:Soundwavecommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Say hello to my leetle friend!"]]

Soundwave's [[commercial]] appearances include:

* An appearance in his very own 1984 commercial. This early animation featured a Soundwave model colored in lavender, versus the dark blue used later. Also, instead of the cassettes ejecting themselves from his chest, he reached into his chest compartment with his own fingers and threw the (tiny) tapes into the air. He wasn't properly introduced.

* He's more on-form in a commercial for the Dinobots, where he, Ravage and Laserbeak are driven back by the robotic monsters amid a thunderstorm.

* Soundwave has a speaking part in the commercial for Blaster. When Rumble strolls into his base carrying a radio, Soundwave immediately identifies it as an "Autobot intruder" and dispatches Ravage and Laserbeak to attack the Autobot. Soundwave is given his correct voice and modulation.

* He's seen grappling with Springer in a 1987 commercial for the ''Headmasters'' comic.

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
When Optimus embarked on his mission to rescue the Autobots' [[Mini Vehicle|Minicar]] troops from the Decepticons, Soundwave could intefere with Optimus Prime's progress, diverting him into areas of the Decepticons' 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 Soundwave.jpg|thumb|250px]]
:''Voice actor'': [[Robert Belgrade]]

====Decepticon story====

Soundwave and Starscream were sent to investigate strange reports of space-time warps and UFOs on the planet Zel Samine, bringing a space bridge with them on their shuttle that they would use to transport Megatron to the plant once they had landed. Inexplicably, their ship wound up crashing, and when they attempted to use the space bridge, it malfunctioned, dumping Megatron some distance away. After reuniting with his leader, Soundwave deduced that powerful electromagnetic rays from Zel Samine's sun, Paradius, were responsible for scrambling the systems of the shuttle and the space bridge, and that the Decepticons themselves would be subject to similar catastrophic system disruption if they tried venturing off the planet without a ship. The Decepticons immediately set about raiding local energy sources for energon to repair their craft, starting with a wind power plant on [[Mount Jaad]]. Then, after successfully draining the [[Ranpas geothermal plant]]—in part thanks to Soundwave deploying Laserbeak to locate any Autobot guards around the facility—Megatron chose the [[Monogan hydroelectric power station]] for their next target. Soundwave pointed out the heavy Autobot fortifications that had been set up around the station and suggested a different target, but Megatron dismissed his concerns, and when the Decepticons did indeed emerge victorious, Soundwave apologized for speaking out of turn and doubting his leader.

Via Laserbeak, Soundwave soon discovered that the Autobots on the planet had made contact with the occupants of one of the strange UFOs, and suggested to Megatron that they send a task force to intercept them. In the process, the Decepticons wound up allying themselves with the ''other'' UFO's passengers: Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge, a trio of Decepticons from the future who had traveled back in time to locate and destroy the powerful [[Zel Quartz]], a weapon that threatened Galvatron's rule in their home time. Soundwave was teamed with Cyclonus to seek out possible locations of the quartz across the planet, and the communications officer stoically carried out his task, all the while struggling to keep Megatron and Galvatron from fighting with each other.

After failing to find the quartz at the [[Lazalt Ruins]], the Decepticons next decided to search the [[Karzite mine]]. Cyclonus informed Soundwave that he saw both him and Megatron as "worthless scrap", and warned the communications officer the mine yielded a similar lack of results, then he would be taking the blame, not Cyclonus. Soundwave agreed, but have a warning of his own: he charged a high price for being spoken to with disrespect. As it turned out, the quartz was not in the mine, and Soundwave accepted the blame as promised, only to then reveal his price: he had recorded his conversation with Cyclonus and played it back for Megatron, who did not take kindly to the future Decepticon's insults. At Megatron's command, Soundwave recorded Cyclonus's screams as the Decepticon leader subjected him to a vicious punishment.

{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

====Autobot story====
Megatron had Soundwave send out a fake Autobot SOS transmission in an attempt to trick the Autobots into leaving their base. The plan was a success and Optimus Prime and his crew were lured out. When the Autobots realized that they had been deceived, Megatron sent a message through Soundwave's transmitter, gloating how he had tricked Prime and announced that his crew was going to steal the energon the Autobots had on their shuttle. When Megatron had finished his message, Soundwave returned to base. On the way back to their shuttle, the Autobots encountered Soundwave again, this time leading a hoard of Decepticon troops, and fought them. Despite his best efforts, Soundwave was overwhelmed and left to rejoin Megatron. Later, Soundwave fought the Autobots again while they were dealing with another swarm of enemies. He lost again, and left to fight another day.

Later on, Soundwave teamed up with his future self, Soundblaster, and with [[Full-Tilt]] as the final defense against the Autobots before they reached Megatron and Galvatron. When the Autobots arrived, Soundblaster started by expressing [[dull surprise]] at how the Autobots managed to survive up until the current point. Soundwave continued, warning the Autobots that he would not let them stand in Megatron's way. Both the present and future versions of the Communications Officer we all know and love put up the best fight they could, but even with Full-Tilt's help, the Autobots overpowered them.

===Transformers G1: Awakening===
{{storylink|Transformers G1: Awakening}}
{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
:''Main article: [[Soundwave (G1)/toys]]''
{{-}}
==Merchandise==
:''Main article: [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave (G1) toys#Merchandise]]''
{{-}}
==Notes==
[[Image:SoundwaveButtonUD3.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"When I think about you, I touch myself."]]

* The Decepticon faction insignia appears to be roughly based on Soundwave's head.

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

* The Marvel U.S. comics chose a purple scheme for Soundwave. This could have been an attempt to distinguish him from the other Decepticons, who were mostly blue (especially since blacks also ended up as blues in the industry's then-limited color palette). Or it could have been a simple error. But very likely, it had something to do with his early animation model, which appeared lavender, rather than blue. (See Commercial Appearances.) Compounding this error, Marvel US Soundwave was drawn without a mouthplate by artist [[José Delbo]]. The Marvel UK comics colored him blue like everywhere else (partially due to using a more sophisticated coloring system) and always included his faceplate.

[[Image:Soundwave fly.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Hey, wait for me!"]]

* The G1 cartoon almost always depicted him as having to press all his own controls to eject minions or perform other functions even though these are actually part of him. This has led to many a shot of Soundwave pressing his own crotch. What will the children think?

* According to the original script<ref>http://boltax.blogspot.com/2011/02/ron-friedman-auctions-scripts-part-3-of.html</ref> for [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]], "Sound Wave" transformed into "a LIGHT STANDARD - identical to the one that exists a short distance away, the perfect camouflage". So... yes, he really ''did'' turn into a lamppost on Cybertron.

* Soundwave's distinctive voice proved to be one of Generation 1's most memorable aspects. The [[Wikipedia:Vocoder|highly processed voice]] (processed by [[Scott Brownlee]]) began with [[Frank Welker]] basically doing his "Dr. Claw" voice from ''[[Wikipedia:Inspector Gadget|Inspector Gadget]]''. Whether due to variations in the performance or the processing, the final result varied quite a bit across Soundwave's three seasons on the show. Occasionally, as in the episodes "[[Roll for It]]" and "[[Webworld]]", the processing was left out and Welker's actual voice can be heard. This Dr. Claw version of Soundwave's voice made a return when Welker reprised the [[Soundwave (ROTF)|role]] for ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' as the processing was, again, left out.

* Similarly, he often emphasizes words at random, such as his well-known "RavAAAAAGE", or "LAAZABEEK". This may be a side effect of the voice doctoring in the cartoon.

*In the Mandarin dub, Soundwave had a glorious, operatic voice.

[[Image:Bm soundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Soundwave gets slagged by Vehicons, and Nightscream escapes. How's that for injustice?]]

* The typically emotionally-barren Soundwave actually ''laughs'' on two separate occasions in the Generation 1 cartoon ("[[Quest for Survival]]" and "[[Auto-Bop]]"), while he ''screams like a little girl'' only once ("[[Roll for It]]").

* Soundwave has flown in his [[alternate mode|alt mode]] one time, in the episode "[[Masquerade]]." In [[Atlus]]'s ''[[The Transformers (PS2)|Transformers]]'' game, Soundwave can transform to tape deck mode and kind of bounces around to move in that form. No, really.

* In the Japanese dub of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], as well as the supporting [[manga]], all of Soundwave's cassette forces which could talk referred to him as "Anikii" (兄貴い) or "Big Brother." This is a fairly common way to refer to others you admire and such in Japanese. It's also a term that gang members use toward older, more experienced members who aren't actual gang bosses. Take it as you will. Whatever it says about his relationship with them, it does give new meaning to the phrase [[Wikipedia:Big Brother (Nineteen Eighty-Four)|"Big Brother is watching over you"]].

* Soundwave was in charge of the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|UK letters page]] from issues 22 to 78, barring a few interruptions.

[[Image:Unused AHM Soundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|What? You mean we don't use brick-sized microcassette recorders anymore?]]

* Soundwave's computer model was used for one of the [[generic]] Transformers in Beast Machines. It is seen in "[[Forbidden Fruit]]" during [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream's]] flashback being cornered by [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]] just before Nightscream flees into the lower levels of Cybertron. Though the model was recolored, it was still really 'Soundwavey,' causing much confusion among fans. His computer model as well as [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s continued to show up for the rest of the series, used to represent deactivated Transformer shells.

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

* [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] listened to music using a tape deck resembling Soundwave in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Memory]]". Later, after a new [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] was found, ''Cybertron'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] held tape deck Soundwave in his arms. This caused a great disturbance in the [[force]]...

* IDW Publishing seems to be undecided on Soundwave's speech pattern. In ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'', he speaks in his classic cartoon-based monotone. However, in "[[Spotlight: Soundwave]]", he speaks in a normal fashion. Which is once again reverted to the classic speech in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]''.

* [[Guido Guidi]] made a concept drawing of Soundwave with a modern microcassette recorder as an alt-mode (which are still used by reporters and doctors today) for [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' maxi-series. This was also unused. Consequently, Soundwave may go down as the Transformers character with the most unused designs.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Soundwave''' (サウンドウェーブ ''Saundowēbu'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Jam Bo''' (音波, "Voice Wave")
*''English:'' '''New Soundwave''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub Soundblaster)
*''French:'' '''Radar''' (Canada), '''Sonore''' (Canada Action Master, "Sound")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Fülelő''' ("Listener")
*''Italian:'' '''Memor''', '''Vizar''' (Soundblaster)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Shēng-bō''' (Taiwan, 聲波, "Sound Wave"), '''Shēng Bàu''' (Taiwan Soundblaster, 聲爆, "Sound Blast")
*''Polish:'' '''Dźwiękofalowiec''' (''The Movie'', "Soundwaver")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Onda-Sonora''' (Portugal comics), '''Microonda''' (Brazil comics, "Microwave")
*''Russian:'' '''Barkhan''' (cartoon, Бархан, "Dune")<ref>Dubbers thought his name was "Sandwave".</ref>
*''Spanish:'' '''Sam''' (America ''The Headmasters'')
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Zvukohvyl''' (Звукохвил, "Soundwave")

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Communications specialists]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Go-Bots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Machine Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robo-Capers characters]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Inferno (G1)

2012-03-30T04:44:00Z

50.73.25.65: /* 3D Battle-Card Game */

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

[[Image:G1 Inferno profilecollection1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Will probably start fires just to put them out.]]
'''Inferno''' is one gung-ho robot, ready and willing to roll out into the thick of any action at the drop of a hat. If the mission is search and rescue he's one of the best bots to have around, but he's even happier when called on to fight. Nothing gets Inferno's circuits going like a one-on-one with a few Decepticon trouble makers.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Walker Edmiston]] (English), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese), [[Isidro Olace]] (Spanish), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Dinobot Island, Part 1"), [[Thomas Albus]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Dinobot Island, Part 2", "Prime Target", and "Auto Berserk"), [[Kai Taschner]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Kremzeek!"), [[Ulf-Jürgen Wagner]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "The Revenge of Bruticus"), [[Ulf Jürgen Söhmisch]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Masquerade")

[[Image:InsecticonSyndrome Inferno fires.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Flashlights of DOOM!]]
Inferno appeared without explanation one day as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] explained their mission to stop the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] from attacking the [[Nova Power Plant]]. He was the first to roll out on Prime's orders. During the battle at the power plant, the gun-slinging fire fighter stood by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and shot down [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] before they rushed off to rescue the human pilots of a downed helicopter. After the super-powered Insecticons crushed [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and electrocuted [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], Inferno sprayed fire-retardant foam on Ironhide and loaded him into Prime's trailer as the Autobots retreated. Inferno later participated in the Autobot counter attack at [[Iron Mountain]] where he and the other Autobots were buried under tons of rock. [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] was heard to complain about Inferno ending up on his head whilst they were trapped. {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}}

[[Image:DinobotIsland Pt2 InfernospraysCowboys.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Bonanza got a little weird near the end of the series]]
When the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] accidentally set fire to [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]], Inferno helped [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] douse the flames. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} Later, Inferno did his part to preserve the sanctity of the timestream by spraying cowboys with [[fire-retardant foam]]. Eh... you had to be there. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

Inferno showed off his athletic ability in a friendly game of basketball with Optimus Prime, [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]. When [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] discovered that [[Grapple]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] were working with the Constructicons, Inferno came with the other Autobots to investigate, where he assisted in the fight against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Though Inferno was initially stunned when Devastator deflected some of [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]'s [[glass gas]], the Autobots eventually emerged victorious. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

[[Image:AutoBerserk Inferno RedAlert friendship.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Why can't I quit you?]]
Later, Inferno was ordered to guard over Red Alert as the Autobots repelled an attack by the Decepticons on the [[Negavator]] super weapon's bunker. Inferno, itching for a fight, abandoned Red Alert despite his paranoid friend's repeated requests for him to stay. Inferno rescued Red Alert when his friend was buried under rubble which had the unfortunate side-effect of damaging Red Alert's logic circuits to the point of overload. Inferno later proved his friendship to Red when he saved Red Alert from himself when the latter, in a state of paranoia, allied himself with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and the Decepticons. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

Inferno and the other Autobots were sent on a rocket to the sun as part of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s plot. Though all hope seemed lost, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] created a force field that protected the Autobots and allowed Cosmos to return them to Earth. The Autobots arrived just in time to stop Megatron, and Inferno helped shoot at the Decepticons during the onslaught. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

[[Image:BlasterBlues-InfernoSpray.jpg|thumb|right|210px|Inferno used Hydro Pump!]]

After the Decepticons caused a disastrous explosion at an airport that severely injured the Dinobots, Inferno arrived with Hoist and Red Alert to put out the fire and cart the Dinobots back to headquarters. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} When Megatron disrupted Earth's radio waves, peril was unleashed worldwide. Among the calamities was a train derailed and blown up by a fallen tree, and the dead radio meant that the fire lookout was unavailable. Luckily, Inferno and Red Alert were in the area, and together they worked to put out the fire, with Inferno watering down the flames. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:ChildsPlay-InfernoToTheRescue.jpg|thumb|left|190px|He's got better things to do tonight than let others die.]]

Inferno helped defend [[New York City]] against Megatron's army of robot drones, and put out a fire at the Chrysler Building. {{storylink|Make Tracks}} He later fought the Decepticons at a baseball stadium where Megatron was trying to set up his latest [[space bridge]]. Inferno extended a net from his ladder assembly to catch a pair of humans Starscream had been terrorizing in the air. During the battle, the Space Bridge was inadvertently activated, transporting Inferno and several other Autobots and Decepticons to an alien world, where they were all merely the size of toys. Having landed in a child's room, Inferno helped the Autobots gain the boy [[Aron (G1)|Aron]]'s trust when he put out the fire Starscream started in a toy building. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}} On their way back to Earth, the Autobots were intercepted by an alien named [[Bosch]] and Inferno and the others were immobilized. They were eventually restored, but only after some complicated wheeling and dealing by Bosch and Smokescreen. {{storylink|The Gambler}}

As the Insecticons rampaged through the world's farmland, Inferno and a squad of Autobots attempted to overpower them before they caused a worldwide famine. Unfortunately, the blasted bugs were so strong from repeatedly feedings, they repelled a group of Autobots twice their number without even calling upon their [[Insecticon clone]]s. Inferno kept [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] from death by fire, but otherwise the mission was a total failure. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

Inferno was one of only four Autobots left undamaged by [[Kremzeek]]'s disastrous run through the Ark, thanks to [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]'s insulating foam. Despite this, he and the other remaining Autobots were hard pressed to even slow the little spark down. Even Inferno's time-tested solution of shooting foam at every problem failed miserably. Eventually, it was the human scientist [[Sōji Yoshikawa]] who came up with the plan that finally dispersed the creature. {{storylink|Kremzeek!}}

[[Image:PrimeTarget_CapturedInferno.jpg|thumb|right|170px|Remind me never to shop at Canadian Tire!]]

Inferno came searching for Tracks and Bumblebee when they were captured by [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]]. When Inferno saw a burning building, he couldn't help but rush in and check it out. However, it was one of Lord Chumley's traps, and a hose wrapped around Inferno's leg, capturing him. Yes. Inferno's bravery impressed Chumley, who remarked that he had never seen a species so unafraid of fire! The captured Autobots were freed when Optimus Prime (with a little help from the Decepticon [[Triple Changer]]s) defeated Chumley. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

Inferno was reunited with his old friend [[Firestar]] when he, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] went to search for where Optimus Prime had wandered off to. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

Inferno was briefly seen assembled with the rest of the Autobots before they drove off to rescue Perceptor from [[Fox Creek Canyon]]. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} With Red Alert and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], Inferno watered down a blazing village during the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]' attempt to move the Earth closer to its sun. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

[[Image:Masquerade_AutobotsBlasted.jpg|thumb|left|190px|Shot down in flames!]]

Inferno was in one of the Autobot teams that captured the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. While [[Grapple]] ignited the oil [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] were in, Inferno doused it (something he "wouldn't feel good about" when he did it) to help capture the stunt freaks. He was, eventually, among those Autobots taken down by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] when the Stunticons formed into him to escape. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

{{-}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:JHeadmasters03InfernoEtc.jpg|thumb|]]
Alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], Inferno was dispatched by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] to protect [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] from any Decepticons trying to stop him from finding the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. They were not seen to actually confront anyone. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Infernomissinginaction.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Inferno used up all his cool in this image, so he didn't show up much.]]
''Inferno was present at the battle of [[Sherman Dam]].'' {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}} ''He later led [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Grapple]] to search for the missing [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], saving [[Danny Phillips|a boy]] in the process.'' {{storylink|Missing in Action}}

''Inferno joined [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] as part of a monitoring unit stationed on Earth to keep watch for the threat of super-Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Shortly after they arrived, the unit chased off the unrelated threat of a [[Furnacia|Furnacian]] [[Firebug]], who had arrived on Earth and begun starting fires in human settlements. They exiled it to Mercury in a message pod.'' {{storylink|Firebug!}}

''When Galvatron later resurfaced, the reconnaissance team sent a message to Cybertron and joined up with the [[Wrecker]]s and Decepticon [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] in confronting the time traveler. Unfortunately Galvatron had help (as if he needed it) in the form of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. The Wreckers and Mayhems were torn to shreds, suffering greater than 50% losses.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}} ''Inferno was one of the few survivors who limped away from the final battle, cut off from any support from Cybertron. The remaining members of the Wreckers and Mayhems pooled resources as the [[Survivors]], living on Earth separately from the planet's active Cybertronian armies.'' {{storylink|Survivors!}}

Inferno was present when [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] were loading up their shuttles to go chase after [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his gang of less-than-merry men. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} He was later killed on the planet [[Klo]] and then reactivated by the power of the [[Last Autobot]]. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

[[Image:Infernorhythmsofdarkness.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Can you believe this was my first Marvel US appearance?]]
In an alternate timeline, Inferno was one of seven remaining Autobots on Earth in the year [[2009]], fighting against Decepticon domination of the American continents. He survived the desperate attempt to prevent a nuclear attack by the rest of the world, and was last seen fighting against greater odds heroically, for all our freedoms. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

{{note|Inferno's US and UK timelines are more difficult to reconcile than most characters, primarily because of how the Survivors story blends from the main UK continuity ("Time Wars") straight into the splinter continuity (Earthforce). He shows up totally unannounced on Cybertron after the war with Unicron, and never speaks. His presence in the stories "[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!]]" and "[[Missing in Action]]" is also hard to reconcile as he is not otherwise shown amongst the original Autobots on Earth and the latter story is a general continuity nightmare.}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Infernoshutup.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He really kind of deserved it.]]
After a new squad of Mayhems came to Earth to execute their treacherous former members, the Survivors failed to stop the Decepticon named Bludgeon from killing [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]]. {{storylink|A Savage Place!}} After [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] ran off on his own to seek vengeance against the Mayhems, Inferno and the remaining Survivors hooked up with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s [[Earthforce]] in order to provide the [[Pretender]] some proper back-up. They then chose to stick around with Earthforce full time as an adjunct unit. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}} Inferno and the Survivors were later seen on the high seas, fighting off [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when he attempted to hijack an oil tanker. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}

Later, Inferno was standing guard over the Mayhems they had captured when the Survivors first joined with Earthforce. Bludgeon, [[Octopunch]] and [[Stranglehold]] were being model prisoners. Very quiet... too quiet. As Inferno began to get unnerved by the silence, Stranglehold suddenly began pounding away at the floor like a madman, tearing it up while still they all remained totally silent. Not quite sure what else to do, Inferno turned off the energy bars and entered the cell to blast the prisoner with a pacifier ray. As soon as he did, though, Bludgeon's katana shot through his backside, summoned mentally from the storage room by its master's [[Metallikato]] discipline. Inferno blacked out as the three Pretenders casually sauntered out of their cell to freedom. {{storylink|Shut Up!}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[Image:Smokescreeninferno.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He can't quit Smokescreen either!]]
In the alternate version of 2008, after Unicron's attack on Cybertron, Inferno and his good friend [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] discovered Unicron's continued existence on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], where he had enslaved the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] into rebuilding his body. Retreating to their ship to make contact with the rest of the Autobots, they ran afoul of the brainwashed [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]]. Inferno was badly injured, but with their shuttle under attack by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] in the skies over Cybertron, he was forced to hurl Smokescreen to safety through the front windscreen, so word of Unicron's survival could reach Rodimus Prime. Inferno's last act was to go out in a blaze of glory, crashing straight into the Decepticon ranks in the battle below. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}
{{-}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Infernoescalation.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"And there's an apocryphal third reason involving my love for disco!"]]
Inferno was working with a squad of Autobots trying to stop [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]] from committing genocide on planet [[Ethos]]. Most of his team took heavy fire, but it was the death of his friend [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] that got Inferno ''really'' angry. His temper getting the best of him, Inferno broke ranks to hit more of the [[Ethos raiding party|Cybertronians]]. Though he managed to avenge Smokescreen's death, other Cybertronians cornered him, and he was forced to leap into a building for safety. Unfortunately, the building collapsed, and he was crushed. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave ''Generation 1'' comics===
Inferno and his good buddy [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] joined up with Grimlock's [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] during the time of the [[Dark Ages]]. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages}} Some millennia later, after the [[Great Shutdown]], Inferno was one of the first Autobots reactivated and brought around to the idea of a unified Cybertronian populace by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. Joining Red Alert, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Grapple]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], he became a charter member of the [[Autobot High Council]], ruling alongside Shockwave in administrative matters while Ultra Magnus focused on more militant concerns. However, the lack of leadership experience by Inferno and most of his fellow council-beings led to them ceding more and more power to Shockwave over the years. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} They eventually came to their senses and joined in the insurrection against Shockwave led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the ''Ark'''s crew. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
Inferno was at the Ark when Starscream was brought in, badly damaged and offline. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

===IDW Generation 1 comics===
[[Image:MegsOrigin4 Grapple Inferno.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Inferno discovers that your face really will stay that way.]]
Inferno was attending to the fire damage and chaos caused by Megatron's opening assault on [[Kaon]] when an [[Kaon upperclass|elite]] pleasure cruiser fell out of the sky on top of him and [[Grapple]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

During the following war on Cybertron, Inferno was one of several Autobots [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] would have trusted his life with. After Blaster returned to the Autobots after having been lost for millennia, Inferno was among Blaster's friends who took leave from their assignments to see "The Voice". However, after a second attempt on Blaster's life, Inferno was also one of the four Autobots under suspicion of the failed assassination. Fortunately the [[Beachcomber (G1)|real (unwilling) culprit]] was caught, so Inferno and the others were cleared. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Inferno eventually ended up on [[Earth]], where he was among those who remained with [[Skywatch]] while other Autobots were returning to Cybertron. He listened to [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and [[Kyle Pennington]] discuss ways to improve relations between humanity and the Autobots, and facepalmed when said ways included putting out fires and saving cats from trees. {{storylink|Police Action: Part 1}}

After the Chaos War, the Autobots left on Earth reunited with their fellows on Cybertron, which had become wild and untamed after the release of all the Matrix's power. When Optimus Prime stepped down as leader of the Autobots and went into self-imposed exile, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] disagreed on the future of the Cybertronian race. Rodimus wanted to leave Cybertron and search for the fabled [[Knights of Cybertron]], in the hope that they could restore balance and order to Cybertron. Inferno was among the few hundred Autobots who agreed with Rodimus, and he joined the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' as it left Cybertron for deeper space. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
Inferno and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] teamed-up on an emergency rescue mission. While Inferno put out the deadly fire, Ratchet recovered a young girl from a burning building, badly in need of hospital care. On their way to the hospital, however, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] started firing on Ratchet. Inferno "took the heat" for Ratchet and his patient, letting them get to the hospital safely. Ratchet cheerily got to work on his next patient...patching up Inferno. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 10|Henkei! Henkei! #10}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[Image:BattleLines6-UltraMagnus.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Two seconds later, Inferno uses his hose to douse the fires of their rad bromance.]]
Nine million years ago, Inferno was present at the first "meeting" of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Five million years later, following the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s disappearance, he and several other Autobots entered [[stasis hibernation pod]]s to await the energy rejuvenation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Inferno is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Autobot duplicates in the Decepticon campaign.}}

{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Inferno toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Then he'll start the fire again.]]
*'''Inferno''' (Autobot, 1985, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''10'''
**''Accessories:'' "Extinguisher Rifle", 2 fists (left & right), 3 missiles, 2 hose nozzles

: Inferno transforms into a Japanese Mitsubishi Fuso firetruck. His ladder has three sections to it, allowing it to extend to a really impressive length. Each of his forearms contains a spring-loaded missile launcher, so he can fire his own fists or silver missiles, though the [[Hasbro]] versions have these launchers severely weakened [[for safety reasons]]. He is usually depicted in media as having a missile/laser/nozzle in place of a hand on his right arm. He is also armed with a small black Extinguisher rifle.

: In 2003, Inferno was re-released as part of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s "[[Transformers Collection]]" series. This time he featured [[Tampograph|tampographed]] Autobot symbol and blue eyes instead of yellow. These changes carried over to the [[Commemorative Series]] Inferno, Commemorative Series [[Grapple]], and [[Hauler|RoadHauler]].

: Later in the same year, he was released by [[Hasbro]] in the Toys "R" Us [[exclusive]] "[[Commemorative Series]]" line. The Hasbro version no longer featured launching fists or missiles unlike the Takara version.

: This mold was [[Redeco|redecoed]] and partially [[Retool|retooled]] to make [[Grapple]], [[e-Hobby]] [[Hauler|RoadHauler]] and ''[[The Headmasters (toyline)|The Headmasters]]'' [[Artfire (Headmasters)|Artfire]].

{{-}}{{anchor|ActionMaster}}

[[Image:ActionMaster Inferno.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Inferno's lack of transformation ability was compensated by a big orange thingamajig.]]
*'''Inferno with Hydro-Pack''' (Action Master, 1990)
**''Accessories:'' Hydro-Pack, "Magna-Blast Gun"

: Part of the third assortment of "basic" carded [[Action Master|Action Masters]], Inferno is a non-transforming action figure with a simplified design, based loosely on his cartoon [[Character model|animation model]]. Inferno came with a [[Hydro-Pack]] that could be attached to his back (with a "hose" that flipped over his shoulder to attach to his handgun, a feature unique among Action Master "partner" accessories), or transformed via spring-loaded mechanism into a large cannon, with a barrel that could be further extended by attaching his handgun to the very end of it. He is compatible with all other Action Master weapons and vehicles.

{{-}}

===Generation 2===
[[Image:G2 Inferno toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|How's anyone supposed to climb the ladder with this huge thing on my back?]]
*'''Inferno''' (Autobot Hero, 1993)
**''Accessories:'' "Extinguisher Rifle", water cannon, 2 fists (left & right), 2 head nozzles

: For ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', Inferno's original toy was re-used with virtually no deco changes, adding only the "Autobot" [[tampograph]]. His forearms were retooled to remove the spring-loaded launcher mechanism (the chromed missiles from the original releases were also dropped), his detachable fists were also re-tooled in order for them to fit snuggly in the connecting hole of the forearms and the wing extensions on his shoulders were also slightly retooled. He came with a large red [[Water-squirting gimmick|water-shooting]] cannon that clipped to his ladder. Said cannon rains pain.

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:Universe2008 G1Inferno.jpg|right|300px|thumb|BURNING JUSTI— Oh, sorry, wrong fire truck.]]
*'''Inferno''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Series'': Generation 2 Series
**''Accessories'': "Water Blast" projectile

:"[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] series" ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Inferno is the first all-new tooling for the Voyager class [[size class|pricepoint]] in the ''Universe'' line. Unlike the original toy, ''Universe'' Inferno transforms into an American pumper/tanker fire truck, rather than the Generation 1's Japanese Hino ladder engine. In lieu of a ladder, he packs a water cannon with spring-loaded projectile, a call-back to ''Generation 2'' Inferno's working water cannon.

:This version of Inferno transforms into a fictional six-wheeled variant of the 2002-2007 Pierce Contender series of firetrucks. It appears to be a fusion of two different designs from that period. See: [[Wikipedia:Pierce_Manufacturing#Gallery of Pierce Apparatus|Pierce Manufacturing]]

:The number "401" [[tampograph]]ed onto him is the area code for the state of Rhode Island, home of [[Hasbro]]'s headquarters.

: This mold was also used to make [[BotCon 2010]]'s [[Pyro|Spark]] and was retooled to make [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|the 2010 series]] [[Grapple#Transformers (2010)|Solar Storm Grappel]].

{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkei inferno.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Is it hot in here, or is it just me?]]
*'''Cybertron Inferno''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-15'''
**''Accessories:'' "Water Blast" projectile

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Inferno differs from ''Universe'' Inferno mainly in the red plastic used: whereas ''Universe'' Inferno has a darker shade of red, ''Henkei'' Inferno is considerably brighter. The dark brown plastic used for several parts on ''Universe'' Inferno have been changed to gray. The black parts on ''Universe'' Inferno are now dark blue and the colorless clear plastic used for his eyes is actually molded in clear blue plastic (rather than being painted over clear blue). Major paint application changes include chroming Inferno's water cannon, forearm panels, and the backs of his shoulder panels. Aside from the chrome he also has the addition of yellow highlights to his head, clear-red painted sirens, and the removal of the Rhode Island "401" area code.
{{-}}

===Speed Stars===
====Stealth Force====
[[Image:StealthForce_Inferno_toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Because ''real'' firetrucks come with ''real'' firepower]]
*'''Autobot Inferno''' (Stealth Force Deluxe, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' 2 projectiles

:''[[Speed Stars]]'' Inferno is a new non-transformable mold, appearing as a much more traditional looking fire truck than any of his previous toys but retaining the "401" tampograph that his ''Universe'' toy had. His packaging also depicts his ''Universe'' toy's robot head. At the press of a button, he can deploy his weapons located on top, at the side and the front of his vehicle mode while pulling a tab hides the weapons again.

: Included in the package are ''two'' water-burst missiles. However, they can only be stored in and fired from his top-mounted cannon one at a time.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Decoy===
*'''Cybertron Hero Collection 9''' (multi-pack, 1986)

*'''Inferno''' (1987)
**''Decoy number:'' '''14'''

: The figurine was later brought over to [[Hasbro]] markets as part of the [[Decoy]] promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Decoys/Inferno/inferno.htm More information on Decoy Inferno at TFU.info]''

===3D Battle-Card Game===
[[Image:3DBattleCard Inferno.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Non-flammable cardboard, naturally.]]
*'''Inferno''' (2007)

: A 36-point "rare" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Inferno "transforms" into a red fire truck. He uses the same parts layout as [[Transformers (2007)|Movie]] [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]], Movie [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]] and "[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Classic Bonecrusher]]", albeit with some parts moved around to make him more fire truck-like.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Phoenix King movie poster.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Inferno moonlights for easy cash.]]
* Inferno's [[character model]] seems to have two different head designs. One, seen in "[[Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target]]", is a more angular and toy-based design; the other, seen in "[[Auto Berserk]]", is more rounded and simplified, and lacks any facial definition lines.
* According to his [[Tech Spec]] and [[The Transformers Universe]] profile, Inferno shoots [[missile]]s out of his forearms. This weapon is usually depicted in fiction as a fire-retardant nozzle or laser gun.
* Inferno's original toy, slightly modified, was [[Knockoff|knocked off]] and used as the title giant robot in the Korean animated film ''Phoenix King'' (피닉스킹). ''Phoenix King'' was dubbed (horribly) and released in America by Digiview Entertainment as ''[http://www.angelfire.com/droid/futuremasters/Defenders.html Defenders of Space]'', generally selling for the bargain price of $1.00. Scenes of "Inferno" from this movie were also incorporated into another bargain film distributed by Digiview Entertainment, ''[http://www.angelfire.com/droid/futuremasters/SpaceThunder.html Space Thunder Kids]''.
* The earliest pictured version of Action Master Inferno is largely different from the final version, but only upon close examination. The early version errs on the side of the original toy in color and design, while the final more closely follows the design of the animation model. Strangely, the early version has a nearly solid black block of a head (possibly to echo the ladder base in which the original's head was contained), as well as generally wider and chunky proportions.
* Inferno seems to have been cut from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''; he never appears in the film, but still has a voice actor credit. Unlike the few other characters mentioned in the credits who do not have speaking roles, Inferno doesn't even appear in the ''script'' of the film.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Inferno''' (インフェルノ ''Inferuno'')
*''Russian:'' '''Vodomjot''' (Водомёт, "Water Cannon")
{{--}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Inferno/inferno.htm Inferno at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Inferno Inferno's ''Universe'' profile at NFTA.net]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Targetmaster (technology)

2012-03-30T04:42:48Z

50.73.25.65: /* Marvel Comics continuity */

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{{note|Only the eleven "large" Targetmasters are given an origin in the Headmasters mini-series, and there isn't a lot of room in the plot for others to have been made off-panel. Nevertheless, the [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Marvel bios]] for several of the "small" (1988) Targetmasters imply they became Targetmasters at this time.}}

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

{{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}}

{{storylink|Dry Run!}}

{{storylink|Time Wars}}

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

{{storylink|Headhunt}}

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

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

Prowl noted the double-paired Targetmasters known as Double-Targetmasters among his list of complaints about how complicated things had gotten in his absence. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} This is somewhat confusing, at is literally the only reference to them in the comics continuity.

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

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

===American cartoon continuity===
[[Image:Targetmasters.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Here's me, and here's my gun!]]

The creation of Targetmasters and [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], in this continuity, started with an initial idea of Brainstorm's that Autobots should use [[human]] partners while driving to help with steering and speed, this idea was confirmed when a race between [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] was won not by Blurr's speed, but by Daniel's help in driving Hot Rod. [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], however, was very sceptical about this idea.

After a large scale Decepticon attack, several Autobots, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] crash landed on [[Nebulos]]; where the Autobots were taken captive by the inhabitants. After a Decepticon attack in which Daniel Witwicky was injured and put on life support, several Autobots were kidnapped by Decepticons.

The Nebulan warriors explained their situation with the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]] to the Autobots, and why they didn't trust them at first, and came to an agreement. Using Brainstorm's idea, they would use their and Daniel's minds with the Autobot's bodies to be powerful enough to defeat the Hive and save the others. Thus were born the Headmasters. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

Once the Headmasters got to know their partners, they set off to rescue the five captured captured Autobots. After some torture, Hot Rod, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] and [[Pointblank]] were all saved by the Headmasters.

After witnessing the power of secondary operators, the Decepticons and other Autobots saw the logic in having some of their own.

The defeated Decepticons were captured by the hive and taken to their underground base of operations. [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]], the leader of the hive gave the Decepticons an opertunity to become powerful like the Autobot Headmasters at the literal cost of their heads. [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] agreed to let the Nebulans make Headmasters only out of the Decepticons there with beast modes, they however would only let the organic beings into their weapons. So [[Skullcruncher]], [[Apeface]], [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]], [[Weirdwolf]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] were turned into Headmasters, [[Triggerhappy]], [[Misfire]], [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]], Scourge and Cyclonus had their weapons modified so that hive members could fit into and transform into them.

[[Image:Cyclonus tm.jpg|right|thumb|200px|*ptew ptew*]]

[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]], meanwhile had found a city and told the news to the other Autobots, damaging himself in the process. The Nebulans fixed him and believed the city he talked about to be the hive's old base from before they moved underground. The Decepticons, now with their Nebulan partners, attacked the Autobots again. Brainstorm was mad that the Decepticons stole his idea, the Head and Targetmasters and the Decepticons overwelmed the Autobots and stole the key to the plasma energy chamber from them before the hive convinced the Decepticons to go back to Zarak to await orders.

[[Image:Rebirth2 Blurr with gun.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"Haywire you're grey and black, now stop looking like my old gun."
"Aww, but this model is so much nicer."]]

Brainstorm, to even the odds, showed his fellow Autobots scans of [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], showing how the Decepticons modified their guns and used the Nebulan tech to modify the non-Headmaster Autobot's guns and have Nebulan partners inside them. Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Crosshairs, Pointblank and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]'s guns were modified and became the Autobot targetmasters.

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] then showed up on Nebulos and was introduced to the Autobot's Headmaster and Targetmaster partners. He was also informed that the Decepticons also had access to the same technology and the key to the plasma energy chanber. The Autobots went to the Decepticons to fight but they and their Nebulan partners had nearly completed their project. The Decepticons engaged the Autobots in combat but were surprised to see that the Autobots now Tergetmaster partners too.

The Autobots, however, were much more surprised to see that Zarak had created something big using the same Headmaster technology both factions had: [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{-}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''Headmasters''====
[[Image:Tf headmaster 29 pointblank target on.jpg|200px|thumb|right|FIRE IN THE HOLE!]]

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

[[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]], [[Artfire (Headmasters)|Artfire]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] have Targetmasters, even though they were not present for the explosion. The Japanese Targetmasters speak in a series of electronic beeps (like the [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]) that only their bonded partner can understand, instead of speaking normally like their Headmaster brethren.
{{-}}

===Shattered Glass===
[[Image:Crosshairs_SG.jpg|right|150px|thumb|]]
In this reverse universe, the connection Targetmasters have to their smaller partners seems not to go beyond simple personality complements, i.e. [[Crosshairs (SG)|Crosshairs]] is lazy, so his partner [[Pinpointer (SG)|Pinpointer]] is enthusiastic. The small partners are [[Micromaster]]s with three modes: robot, vehicle, and weapon.

[[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]] devised a plan to keep the Decepticons stranded on Cybertron while the Autobots fled to Earth. To execute this plan, he, [[Scoop (SG)|Scoop]], and Crosshairs took Targetmaster partners. [[Nightstick (SG)|Nightstick]] was easily able to take down Megatron, but the Decepticon Micromasters were able to thwart the entire group of Targetmasters, allowing Megatron to free himself. {{storylink|Do Over}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Crosshairs toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Crosshairs]]
* '''Autobot Targetmasters''' (1987)
** [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] with [[Haywire]]
** [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] with [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]]/[[Pointech]]
** [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]] with [[Firebolt]]
** [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] with [[Recoil]]
** [[Pointblank]] with [[Peacemaker]]/[[Peaceman (Headmasters)|Peaceman]]
** [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] with [[Spoilsport]]/[[Spoil (Headmasters)|Spoil]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* '''Japanese-original Targetmasters''' (1987)
** Stepper ([[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]]) with Nebulon ([[Nightstick (Ricochet)|Nightstick]])
** [[Artfire (Headmasters)|Artfire]] with [[Nightstick (Artfire)|Nightstick]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

===''Universe'' (2008)===
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] with [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]]
:A re-imagining of their original designs.

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

===Shattered Glass===
* [[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]] with [[Nightstick (SG)|Nightstick]]
* [[Scoop (SG)|Scoop]] with [[Holepunch (SG)|Holepunch]]
* [[Crosshairs (SG)|Crosshairs]] with [[Pinpointer (SG)|Pinpointer]]
: All of these characters except Ricochet are [[repurposing|repurposed]] toys from previous toylines.
* [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] with [[Krunix (SG)|Krunix]]
:[[Redeco]]s of the ''Universe'' Cyclonus and Nightstick molds.

===''United''===
'''Targetmaster Microns'''
:The ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' [[Mini-Con]] molds are released as Targetmaster Microns in the Japanese toyline ''[[United (toyline)|Transformers United]]'':<ref>[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/event/micron_01.html ''Transformers United'' official site]</ref>
*[[Recoil]] (2011)
*[[Fracas]] (2010)
*[[Haywire]] (2010)
*[[Caliburst (G1)|Caliburst]] (2011)
*[[Spoilsport]] (2011)

===''Transformers'' (2010 toyline)===
'''Masterpiece Rodimus Prime'''
:The North American release of Masterpiece Rodimus Prime comes with a "Limited Edition" Targetmaster partner named Offshoot.
*[[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] with [[Firebolt|Offshoot]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:Targetmasters| ]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:The Headmasters subgroups]]

Inferno (G1)

2012-03-30T04:27:38Z

50.73.25.65: /* Wings Universe */

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

[[Image:G1 Inferno profilecollection1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Will probably start fires just to put them out.]]
'''Inferno''' is one gung-ho robot, ready and willing to roll out into the thick of any action at the drop of a hat. If the mission is search and rescue he's one of the best bots to have around, but he's even happier when called on to fight. Nothing gets Inferno's circuits going like a one-on-one with a few Decepticon trouble makers.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Walker Edmiston]] (English), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese), [[Isidro Olace]] (Spanish), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Dinobot Island, Part 1"), [[Thomas Albus]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Dinobot Island, Part 2", "Prime Target", and "Auto Berserk"), [[Kai Taschner]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Kremzeek!"), [[Ulf-Jürgen Wagner]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "The Revenge of Bruticus"), [[Ulf Jürgen Söhmisch]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Masquerade")

[[Image:InsecticonSyndrome Inferno fires.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Flashlights of DOOM!]]
Inferno appeared without explanation one day as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] explained their mission to stop the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] from attacking the [[Nova Power Plant]]. He was the first to roll out on Prime's orders. During the battle at the power plant, the gun-slinging fire fighter stood by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and shot down [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] before they rushed off to rescue the human pilots of a downed helicopter. After the super-powered Insecticons crushed [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and electrocuted [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], Inferno sprayed fire-retardant foam on Ironhide and loaded him into Prime's trailer as the Autobots retreated. Inferno later participated in the Autobot counter attack at [[Iron Mountain]] where he and the other Autobots were buried under tons of rock. [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] was heard to complain about Inferno ending up on his head whilst they were trapped. {{storylink|The Insecticon Syndrome}}

[[Image:DinobotIsland Pt2 InfernospraysCowboys.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Bonanza got a little weird near the end of the series]]
When the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] accidentally set fire to [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]], Inferno helped [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] douse the flames. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} Later, Inferno did his part to preserve the sanctity of the timestream by spraying cowboys with [[fire-retardant foam]]. Eh... you had to be there. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

Inferno showed off his athletic ability in a friendly game of basketball with Optimus Prime, [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]. When [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] discovered that [[Grapple]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] were working with the Constructicons, Inferno came with the other Autobots to investigate, where he assisted in the fight against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Though Inferno was initially stunned when Devastator deflected some of [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]'s [[glass gas]], the Autobots eventually emerged victorious. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

[[Image:AutoBerserk Inferno RedAlert friendship.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Why can't I quit you?]]
Later, Inferno was ordered to guard over Red Alert as the Autobots repelled an attack by the Decepticons on the [[Negavator]] super weapon's bunker. Inferno, itching for a fight, abandoned Red Alert despite his paranoid friend's repeated requests for him to stay. Inferno rescued Red Alert when his friend was buried under rubble which had the unfortunate side-effect of damaging Red Alert's logic circuits to the point of overload. Inferno later proved his friendship to Red when he saved Red Alert from himself when the latter, in a state of paranoia, allied himself with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and the Decepticons. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

Inferno and the other Autobots were sent on a rocket to the sun as part of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s plot. Though all hope seemed lost, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] created a force field that protected the Autobots and allowed Cosmos to return them to Earth. The Autobots arrived just in time to stop Megatron, and Inferno helped shoot at the Decepticons during the onslaught. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

[[Image:BlasterBlues-InfernoSpray.jpg|thumb|right|210px|Inferno used Hydro Pump!]]

After the Decepticons caused a disastrous explosion at an airport that severely injured the Dinobots, Inferno arrived with Hoist and Red Alert to put out the fire and cart the Dinobots back to headquarters. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} When Megatron disrupted Earth's radio waves, peril was unleashed worldwide. Among the calamities was a train derailed and blown up by a fallen tree, and the dead radio meant that the fire lookout was unavailable. Luckily, Inferno and Red Alert were in the area, and together they worked to put out the fire, with Inferno watering down the flames. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:ChildsPlay-InfernoToTheRescue.jpg|thumb|left|190px|He's got better things to do tonight than let others die.]]

Inferno helped defend [[New York City]] against Megatron's army of robot drones, and put out a fire at the Chrysler Building. {{storylink|Make Tracks}} He later fought the Decepticons at a baseball stadium where Megatron was trying to set up his latest [[space bridge]]. Inferno extended a net from his ladder assembly to catch a pair of humans Starscream had been terrorizing in the air. During the battle, the Space Bridge was inadvertently activated, transporting Inferno and several other Autobots and Decepticons to an alien world, where they were all merely the size of toys. Having landed in a child's room, Inferno helped the Autobots gain the boy [[Aron (G1)|Aron]]'s trust when he put out the fire Starscream started in a toy building. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}} On their way back to Earth, the Autobots were intercepted by an alien named [[Bosch]] and Inferno and the others were immobilized. They were eventually restored, but only after some complicated wheeling and dealing by Bosch and Smokescreen. {{storylink|The Gambler}}

As the Insecticons rampaged through the world's farmland, Inferno and a squad of Autobots attempted to overpower them before they caused a worldwide famine. Unfortunately, the blasted bugs were so strong from repeatedly feedings, they repelled a group of Autobots twice their number without even calling upon their [[Insecticon clone]]s. Inferno kept [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] from death by fire, but otherwise the mission was a total failure. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

Inferno was one of only four Autobots left undamaged by [[Kremzeek]]'s disastrous run through the Ark, thanks to [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]'s insulating foam. Despite this, he and the other remaining Autobots were hard pressed to even slow the little spark down. Even Inferno's time-tested solution of shooting foam at every problem failed miserably. Eventually, it was the human scientist [[Sōji Yoshikawa]] who came up with the plan that finally dispersed the creature. {{storylink|Kremzeek!}}

[[Image:PrimeTarget_CapturedInferno.jpg|thumb|right|170px|Remind me never to shop at Canadian Tire!]]

Inferno came searching for Tracks and Bumblebee when they were captured by [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]]. When Inferno saw a burning building, he couldn't help but rush in and check it out. However, it was one of Lord Chumley's traps, and a hose wrapped around Inferno's leg, capturing him. Yes. Inferno's bravery impressed Chumley, who remarked that he had never seen a species so unafraid of fire! The captured Autobots were freed when Optimus Prime (with a little help from the Decepticon [[Triple Changer]]s) defeated Chumley. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

Inferno was reunited with his old friend [[Firestar]] when he, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] went to search for where Optimus Prime had wandered off to. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

Inferno was briefly seen assembled with the rest of the Autobots before they drove off to rescue Perceptor from [[Fox Creek Canyon]]. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} With Red Alert and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], Inferno watered down a blazing village during the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]' attempt to move the Earth closer to its sun. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

[[Image:Masquerade_AutobotsBlasted.jpg|thumb|left|190px|Shot down in flames!]]

Inferno was in one of the Autobot teams that captured the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. While [[Grapple]] ignited the oil [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] were in, Inferno doused it (something he "wouldn't feel good about" when he did it) to help capture the stunt freaks. He was, eventually, among those Autobots taken down by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] when the Stunticons formed into him to escape. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

{{-}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:JHeadmasters03InfernoEtc.jpg|thumb|]]
Alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], Inferno was dispatched by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] to protect [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] from any Decepticons trying to stop him from finding the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. They were not seen to actually confront anyone. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Infernomissinginaction.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Inferno used up all his cool in this image, so he didn't show up much.]]
''Inferno was present at the battle of [[Sherman Dam]].'' {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}} ''He later led [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Grapple]] to search for the missing [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], saving [[Danny Phillips|a boy]] in the process.'' {{storylink|Missing in Action}}

''Inferno joined [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] as part of a monitoring unit stationed on Earth to keep watch for the threat of super-Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Shortly after they arrived, the unit chased off the unrelated threat of a [[Furnacia|Furnacian]] [[Firebug]], who had arrived on Earth and begun starting fires in human settlements. They exiled it to Mercury in a message pod.'' {{storylink|Firebug!}}

''When Galvatron later resurfaced, the reconnaissance team sent a message to Cybertron and joined up with the [[Wrecker]]s and Decepticon [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] in confronting the time traveler. Unfortunately Galvatron had help (as if he needed it) in the form of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. The Wreckers and Mayhems were torn to shreds, suffering greater than 50% losses.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}} ''Inferno was one of the few survivors who limped away from the final battle, cut off from any support from Cybertron. The remaining members of the Wreckers and Mayhems pooled resources as the [[Survivors]], living on Earth separately from the planet's active Cybertronian armies.'' {{storylink|Survivors!}}

Inferno was present when [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] were loading up their shuttles to go chase after [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his gang of less-than-merry men. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} He was later killed on the planet [[Klo]] and then reactivated by the power of the [[Last Autobot]]. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

[[Image:Infernorhythmsofdarkness.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Can you believe this was my first Marvel US appearance?]]
In an alternate timeline, Inferno was one of seven remaining Autobots on Earth in the year [[2009]], fighting against Decepticon domination of the American continents. He survived the desperate attempt to prevent a nuclear attack by the rest of the world, and was last seen fighting against greater odds heroically, for all our freedoms. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

{{note|Inferno's US and UK timelines are more difficult to reconcile than most characters, primarily because of how the Survivors story blends from the main UK continuity ("Time Wars") straight into the splinter continuity (Earthforce). He shows up totally unannounced on Cybertron after the war with Unicron, and never speaks. His presence in the stories "[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!]]" and "[[Missing in Action]]" is also hard to reconcile as he is not otherwise shown amongst the original Autobots on Earth and the latter story is a general continuity nightmare.}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Infernoshutup.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He really kind of deserved it.]]
After a new squad of Mayhems came to Earth to execute their treacherous former members, the Survivors failed to stop the Decepticon named Bludgeon from killing [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]]. {{storylink|A Savage Place!}} After [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] ran off on his own to seek vengeance against the Mayhems, Inferno and the remaining Survivors hooked up with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s [[Earthforce]] in order to provide the [[Pretender]] some proper back-up. They then chose to stick around with Earthforce full time as an adjunct unit. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}} Inferno and the Survivors were later seen on the high seas, fighting off [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when he attempted to hijack an oil tanker. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}

Later, Inferno was standing guard over the Mayhems they had captured when the Survivors first joined with Earthforce. Bludgeon, [[Octopunch]] and [[Stranglehold]] were being model prisoners. Very quiet... too quiet. As Inferno began to get unnerved by the silence, Stranglehold suddenly began pounding away at the floor like a madman, tearing it up while still they all remained totally silent. Not quite sure what else to do, Inferno turned off the energy bars and entered the cell to blast the prisoner with a pacifier ray. As soon as he did, though, Bludgeon's katana shot through his backside, summoned mentally from the storage room by its master's [[Metallikato]] discipline. Inferno blacked out as the three Pretenders casually sauntered out of their cell to freedom. {{storylink|Shut Up!}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[Image:Smokescreeninferno.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He can't quit Smokescreen either!]]
In the alternate version of 2008, after Unicron's attack on Cybertron, Inferno and his good friend [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] discovered Unicron's continued existence on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], where he had enslaved the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] into rebuilding his body. Retreating to their ship to make contact with the rest of the Autobots, they ran afoul of the brainwashed [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]]. Inferno was badly injured, but with their shuttle under attack by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] in the skies over Cybertron, he was forced to hurl Smokescreen to safety through the front windscreen, so word of Unicron's survival could reach Rodimus Prime. Inferno's last act was to go out in a blaze of glory, crashing straight into the Decepticon ranks in the battle below. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}
{{-}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Infernoescalation.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"And there's an apocryphal third reason involving my love for disco!"]]
Inferno was working with a squad of Autobots trying to stop [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]] from committing genocide on planet [[Ethos]]. Most of his team took heavy fire, but it was the death of his friend [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] that got Inferno ''really'' angry. His temper getting the best of him, Inferno broke ranks to hit more of the [[Ethos raiding party|Cybertronians]]. Though he managed to avenge Smokescreen's death, other Cybertronians cornered him, and he was forced to leap into a building for safety. Unfortunately, the building collapsed, and he was crushed. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave ''Generation 1'' comics===
Inferno and his good buddy [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] joined up with Grimlock's [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] during the time of the [[Dark Ages]]. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages}} Some millennia later, after the [[Great Shutdown]], Inferno was one of the first Autobots reactivated and brought around to the idea of a unified Cybertronian populace by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. Joining Red Alert, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Grapple]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], he became a charter member of the [[Autobot High Council]], ruling alongside Shockwave in administrative matters while Ultra Magnus focused on more militant concerns. However, the lack of leadership experience by Inferno and most of his fellow council-beings led to them ceding more and more power to Shockwave over the years. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} They eventually came to their senses and joined in the insurrection against Shockwave led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the ''Ark'''s crew. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
Inferno was at the Ark when Starscream was brought in, badly damaged and offline. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

===IDW Generation 1 comics===
[[Image:MegsOrigin4 Grapple Inferno.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Inferno discovers that your face really will stay that way.]]
Inferno was attending to the fire damage and chaos caused by Megatron's opening assault on [[Kaon]] when an [[Kaon upperclass|elite]] pleasure cruiser fell out of the sky on top of him and [[Grapple]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

During the following war on Cybertron, Inferno was one of several Autobots [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] would have trusted his life with. After Blaster returned to the Autobots after having been lost for millennia, Inferno was among Blaster's friends who took leave from their assignments to see "The Voice". However, after a second attempt on Blaster's life, Inferno was also one of the four Autobots under suspicion of the failed assassination. Fortunately the [[Beachcomber (G1)|real (unwilling) culprit]] was caught, so Inferno and the others were cleared. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Inferno eventually ended up on [[Earth]], where he was among those who remained with [[Skywatch]] while other Autobots were returning to Cybertron. He listened to [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and [[Kyle Pennington]] discuss ways to improve relations between humanity and the Autobots, and facepalmed when said ways included putting out fires and saving cats from trees. {{storylink|Police Action: Part 1}}

After the Chaos War, the Autobots left on Earth reunited with their fellows on Cybertron, which had become wild and untamed after the release of all the Matrix's power. When Optimus Prime stepped down as leader of the Autobots and went into self-imposed exile, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] disagreed on the future of the Cybertronian race. Rodimus wanted to leave Cybertron and search for the fabled [[Knights of Cybertron]], in the hope that they could restore balance and order to Cybertron. Inferno was among the few hundred Autobots who agreed with Rodimus, and he joined the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' as it left Cybertron for deeper space. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
Inferno and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] teamed-up on an emergency rescue mission. While Inferno put out the deadly fire, Ratchet recovered a young girl from a burning building, badly in need of hospital care. On their way to the hospital, however, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] started firing on Ratchet. Inferno "took the heat" for Ratchet and his patient, letting them get to the hospital safely. Ratchet cheerily got to work on his next patient...patching up Inferno. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 10|Henkei! Henkei! #10}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[Image:BattleLines6-UltraMagnus.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Two seconds later, Inferno uses his hose to douse the fires of their rad bromance.]]
Nine million years ago, Inferno was present at the first "meeting" of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Five million years later, following the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s disappearance, he and several other Autobots entered [[stasis hibernation pod]]s to await the energy rejuvenation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Inferno is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Autobot duplicates in the Decepticon campaign.}}

{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Inferno toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Then he'll start the fire again.]]
*'''Inferno''' (Autobot, 1985, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''10'''
**''Accessories:'' "Extinguisher Rifle", 2 fists (left & right), 3 missiles, 2 hose nozzles

: Inferno transforms into a Japanese Mitsubishi Fuso firetruck. His ladder has three sections to it, allowing it to extend to a really impressive length. Each of his forearms contains a spring-loaded missile launcher, so he can fire his own fists or silver missiles, though the [[Hasbro]] versions have these launchers severely weakened [[for safety reasons]]. He is usually depicted in media as having a missile/laser/nozzle in place of a hand on his right arm. He is also armed with a small black Extinguisher rifle.

: In 2003, Inferno was re-released as part of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s "[[Transformers Collection]]" series. This time he featured [[Tampograph|tampographed]] Autobot symbol and blue eyes instead of yellow. These changes carried over to the [[Commemorative Series]] Inferno, Commemorative Series [[Grapple]], and [[Hauler|RoadHauler]].

: Later in the same year, he was released by [[Hasbro]] in the Toys "R" Us [[exclusive]] "[[Commemorative Series]]" line. The Hasbro version no longer featured launching fists or missiles unlike the Takara version.

: This mold was [[Redeco|redecoed]] and partially [[Retool|retooled]] to make [[Grapple]], [[e-Hobby]] [[Hauler|RoadHauler]] and ''[[The Headmasters (toyline)|The Headmasters]]'' [[Artfire (Headmasters)|Artfire]].

{{-}}{{anchor|ActionMaster}}

[[Image:ActionMaster Inferno.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Inferno's lack of transformation ability was compensated by a big orange thingamajig.]]
*'''Inferno with Hydro-Pack''' (Action Master, 1990)
**''Accessories:'' Hydro-Pack, "Magna-Blast Gun"

: Part of the third assortment of "basic" carded [[Action Master|Action Masters]], Inferno is a non-transforming action figure with a simplified design, based loosely on his cartoon [[Character model|animation model]]. Inferno came with a [[Hydro-Pack]] that could be attached to his back (with a "hose" that flipped over his shoulder to attach to his handgun, a feature unique among Action Master "partner" accessories), or transformed via spring-loaded mechanism into a large cannon, with a barrel that could be further extended by attaching his handgun to the very end of it. He is compatible with all other Action Master weapons and vehicles.

{{-}}

===Generation 2===
[[Image:G2 Inferno toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|How's anyone supposed to climb the ladder with this huge thing on my back?]]
*'''Inferno''' (Autobot Hero, 1993)
**''Accessories:'' "Extinguisher Rifle", water cannon, 2 fists (left & right), 2 head nozzles

: For ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', Inferno's original toy was re-used with virtually no deco changes, adding only the "Autobot" [[tampograph]]. His forearms were retooled to remove the spring-loaded launcher mechanism (the chromed missiles from the original releases were also dropped), his detachable fists were also re-tooled in order for them to fit snuggly in the connecting hole of the forearms and the wing extensions on his shoulders were also slightly retooled. He came with a large red [[Water-squirting gimmick|water-shooting]] cannon that clipped to his ladder. Said cannon rains pain.

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:Universe2008 G1Inferno.jpg|right|300px|thumb|BURNING JUSTI— Oh, sorry, wrong fire truck.]]
*'''Inferno''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Series'': Generation 2 Series
**''Accessories'': "Water Blast" projectile

:"[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] series" ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Inferno is the first all-new tooling for the Voyager class [[size class|pricepoint]] in the ''Universe'' line. Unlike the original toy, ''Universe'' Inferno transforms into an American pumper/tanker fire truck, rather than the Generation 1's Japanese Hino ladder engine. In lieu of a ladder, he packs a water cannon with spring-loaded projectile, a call-back to ''Generation 2'' Inferno's working water cannon.

:This version of Inferno transforms into a fictional six-wheeled variant of the 2002-2007 Pierce Contender series of firetrucks. It appears to be a fusion of two different designs from that period. See: [[Wikipedia:Pierce_Manufacturing#Gallery of Pierce Apparatus|Pierce Manufacturing]]

:The number "401" [[tampograph]]ed onto him is the area code for the state of Rhode Island, home of [[Hasbro]]'s headquarters.

: This mold was also used to make [[BotCon 2010]]'s [[Pyro|Spark]] and was retooled to make [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|the 2010 series]] [[Grapple#Transformers (2010)|Solar Storm Grappel]].

{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkei inferno.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Is it hot in here, or is it just me?]]
*'''Cybertron Inferno''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-15'''
**''Accessories:'' "Water Blast" projectile

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Inferno differs from ''Universe'' Inferno mainly in the red plastic used: whereas ''Universe'' Inferno has a darker shade of red, ''Henkei'' Inferno is considerably brighter. The dark brown plastic used for several parts on ''Universe'' Inferno have been changed to gray. The black parts on ''Universe'' Inferno are now dark blue and the colorless clear plastic used for his eyes is actually molded in clear blue plastic (rather than being painted over clear blue). Major paint application changes include chroming Inferno's water cannon, forearm panels, and the backs of his shoulder panels. Aside from the chrome he also has the addition of yellow highlights to his head, clear-red painted sirens, and the removal of the Rhode Island "401" area code.
{{-}}

===Speed Stars===
====Stealth Force====
[[Image:StealthForce_Inferno_toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Because ''real'' firetrucks come with ''real'' firepower]]
*'''Autobot Inferno''' (Stealth Force Deluxe, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' 2 projectiles

:''[[Speed Stars]]'' Inferno is a new non-transformable mold, appearing as a much more traditional looking fire truck than any of his previous toys but retaining the "401" tampograph that his ''Universe'' toy had. His packaging also depicts his ''Universe'' toy's robot head. At the press of a button, he can deploy his weapons located on top, at the side and the front of his vehicle mode while pulling a tab hides the weapons again.

: Included in the package are ''two'' water-burst missiles. However, they can only be stored in and fired from his top-mounted cannon one at a time.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Decoy===
*'''Cybertron Hero Collection 9''' (multi-pack, 1986)

*'''Inferno''' (1987)
**''Decoy number:'' '''14'''

: The figurine was later brought over to [[Hasbro]] markets as part of the [[Decoy]] promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Decoys/Inferno/inferno.htm More information on Decoy Inferno at TFU.info]''

===3D Battle-Card Game===
[[Image:3DBattleCard Inferno.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
*'''Inferno''' (2007)

: A 36-point "rare" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Inferno "transforms" into a red fire truck. He uses the same parts layout as [[Transformers (2007)|Movie]] [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]], Movie [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]] and "[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Classic Bonecrusher]]", albeit with some parts moved around to make him more fire truck-like.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Phoenix King movie poster.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Inferno moonlights for easy cash.]]
* Inferno's [[character model]] seems to have two different head designs. One, seen in "[[Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target]]", is a more angular and toy-based design; the other, seen in "[[Auto Berserk]]", is more rounded and simplified, and lacks any facial definition lines.
* According to his [[Tech Spec]] and [[The Transformers Universe]] profile, Inferno shoots [[missile]]s out of his forearms. This weapon is usually depicted in fiction as a fire-retardant nozzle or laser gun.
* Inferno's original toy, slightly modified, was [[Knockoff|knocked off]] and used as the title giant robot in the Korean animated film ''Phoenix King'' (피닉스킹). ''Phoenix King'' was dubbed (horribly) and released in America by Digiview Entertainment as ''[http://www.angelfire.com/droid/futuremasters/Defenders.html Defenders of Space]'', generally selling for the bargain price of $1.00. Scenes of "Inferno" from this movie were also incorporated into another bargain film distributed by Digiview Entertainment, ''[http://www.angelfire.com/droid/futuremasters/SpaceThunder.html Space Thunder Kids]''.
* The earliest pictured version of Action Master Inferno is largely different from the final version, but only upon close examination. The early version errs on the side of the original toy in color and design, while the final more closely follows the design of the animation model. Strangely, the early version has a nearly solid black block of a head (possibly to echo the ladder base in which the original's head was contained), as well as generally wider and chunky proportions.
* Inferno seems to have been cut from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''; he never appears in the film, but still has a voice actor credit. Unlike the few other characters mentioned in the credits who do not have speaking roles, Inferno doesn't even appear in the ''script'' of the film.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Inferno''' (インフェルノ ''Inferuno'')
*''Russian:'' '''Vodomjot''' (Водомёт, "Water Cannon")
{{--}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Inferno/inferno.htm Inferno at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Inferno Inferno's ''Universe'' profile at NFTA.net]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Time (magazine)

2012-03-30T03:57:19Z

50.73.25.65:

{{disambig3|Time}}

[[Image:Monstercon Time.jpg|thumb|250px|So, are you convinced that the liberal news media are controlled by Satan NOW?]]

'''''Time''''' is a magazine.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Generation 1 comics===
''Time'' reported on the mania surrounding [[Skullgrin]] when he was hired to star in ''[[Monster from Mars]]''. {{Storylink|Monstercon from Mars!}}

====Earthforce====
{{earthforcefiction}}
Journalist [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]] kept that fabled ''Time'' cover story in his thoughts when scaling [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] to remove the [[cerebro-shell]] in his brain. {{storylink|Inside Story!}}

==External links==
*[[Wikipedia:Time (magazine)|''Time'']] at Wikipedia

[[Category:Earth culture]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Magazines]]