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Scorponok (Movie)

2009-04-19T08:13:19Z

60.230.181.168: /* Voyager Class Blackout companions */

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

[[Image:Movie Scorponok Procterrender1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|This is his first major role since Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Movie as Scorpitron. This role he likes better because he doesn't get blown up.]]

'''Scorponok''' is a small [[Transformer]] with a symbiotic connection to [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]. His main drives are to hunt, destroy, and hunt some more, and nobody knows if he's truly barely sentient or is actually a cunning opponent getting friend & foe alike to underestimate him. Just as Blackout would often be found looming powerful and silent by [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], Scorponok is always near Blackout, except in those times he has been sent to kill.

Since he can tunnel underground with frightening speed, he's incredibly good at ambushing. His favorite pastime is playing Hide and Seek with unsuspecting players, be they robotic or organic. He prefers to be hider ''and'' seeker. On Cybertron, he was deliberately left behind on battlefields so he could use his chameleon mesh armour plating to blend in perfectly with the background, then ambush any Autobot patrols that would arrive. Thanks to this, Megatron gave him more autonomy than other Decepticons would get, as he admired Scorponok's genocidal zeal.

He may retreat, but he'll come back. He kills Autobots. He never gives up. <ref>Character Profile: Scorponok in [[Transformers #9]] (Titan)</ref>

:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Wēn-yì''' (瘟疫, "Plague")

== Fiction ==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie prequel comics===
Scorponok and Blackout, who ordinarily never leave [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]'s side, were dispatched to join [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s forces elsewhere on Cybertron while Megatron closed in on the [[All Spark]]. After the group realized that both the All Spark and Megatron had left Cybertron, Blackout ended an argument with Starscream over what to do next by deploying the fearsome Scorponok. {{storylink|Planetfall|Planetfall}}

Soon after the Decepticons launched a battlecruiser to pursue [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s starship, they were unwittingly led into a trap and crippled by mines. Also damaged was Starscream's forward scout [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]], who was rescued by Scorponok. The Decepticons limped back to Cybertron in humiliation. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}

[[Image:HoorayScorponok.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Adorably bloodthirsty.]]
After repairs were made to their ship, they followed the energy signature of the All Spark to [[Mars]], then to [[Earth]], where Scorponok adorably helped out in the massacre of a United States military installation in [[Afghanistan]]. {{storylink|Planetfall|Planetfall}}

{{note|IDW's comics thus far have the only two fictional depictions of Scorponok's robot mode (which was designed for the toy) and show that he has always had a scorpion beast mode, meaning it was not a form he assumed once on Earth. His beast mode is just alien enough to work, but you can explain his name yourself.}}
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===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
Scorponok helped Blackout fight [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and later sabotaged the ''Ark''. [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] trashed Scorponok for this act. He was saved by Blackout, who was still recovering from a massive beating by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. What a pal. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===''Transformers'' (2007) movie===
[[Image:Movie Blackout Scorponok eject1.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Oh, slag, I forgot the Bungee cord!]]
During Blackout's attack on the [[United States Military|US]] [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] in [[Qatar]], the Decepticon helicopter dispatched Scorponok to seek out and destroy an escaped unit under the command of [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]].

[[Image:Movie Scorponok attack.jpg|right|200px|thumb|No one buries Scorponok in the sand and leaves him to the tide!]]

The next morning, as the surviving soldiers discussed the attack, Scorponok observed their conversation from a distance while hidden in the sand. Targeting Lennox for elimination, Scorponok followed the unit as they made their way to [[Mahfouz|the human boy's]] village. Choosing his moment to strike just as the men stopped on the outskirts of the settlement, his attack was foiled when [[Robert Epps|Sergeant Epps]] saw the metal scorpion tail pointed at Lennox's back and shouted a warning. (Well, it wasn't so much a warning as it was a very, very panicked "''WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!''" followed by gunfire, but hey, it counts.) The other soldiers joined in the firefight as Scorponok dove under the sand to confuse them before impaling [[Donnelly|Sgt. Donnelly]] and dragging him below.

[[Image:Movie Scorponok leapsout.jpg|left|150px|thumb|HUUUGZ!!!]]

Driving the soldiers into the village, Scorponok fired a barrage of missiles, which destroyed the ruins that the village had grown around and critically injured [[Jorge Figueroa|Figueroa]]. Unfortunately for Scorponok, Lennox's distress call to the [[Pentagon]] had gotten through, and an MQ-1 Predator drone relayed images of the Decepticon to astonished US military commanders. They immediately sent two [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|A-10 Thunderbolt IIs]] to attack Scorponok, to little effect, then followed up with an AC-130 Spectre gunship, which damaged Scorponok enough for him to dive back into the sand and escape, leaving his broken tail behind.

[[Image:Scorponok hurt.JPG|right|150px|thumb|I'm not having fun any more.]]

Scorponok's tail was transported back to the States. Lennox, Epps, and several other soldiers examined it en route, which led to the discovery that the only damage the armor didn't either shrug off or quickly heal was the "6000-degree magnesium burn" of a sabot round. Armed with this knowledge, the humans knew they now had a weapon that could hurt the invaders. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
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===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' comics===
{{note|The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines continuity.}}
[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and a team of US Special Forces went looking for Scorponok. (Captain Lennox was originally meant to oversee this mission but was reassigned.) Hunting his hunters, Scorponok attacked Ironhide and took control of his motor functions, having him rampage through the humans. Luckily, one of them was able to sever the connection with a shot, and Ironhide smashed the Decepticon to pieces. {{storylink|Scorpion Sting|Scorpion Sting}}

{{note|The following events occur in an alternate timeline/continuity where Megatron won the battle of Mission City.}}
[[Image:SkyblastVersusScorponok.jpg|left|260px|thumb|"DIE, empty space next to Autobot! DIE!"]]

Scorponok spied on a team of Moon-based Autobot reinforcements {{storylink|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}} and later helped [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] battle them. {{storylink|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}}
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
He's back! {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{comingsoon}}

==Games==
==="Flight of the Bumblebee" online game===
Scorponok was one of a group of Decepticons who trapped Bumblebee in a canyon. He stood around on a rocky butte, walking back and forth and waiting for Bumblebee to drive up to him. When the Autobot dropped in, Scorponok immediately opened fire, blasting Bumblebee continuously. Unfortunately, Bumblebee had the idea to shoot back, blasting him right out of the picture with just one shot. {{storylink|Flight of the Bumblebee|Flight of the Bumblebee}}

===Transformers: The Game===
[[Image:Scorponok 2007game babygotback.jpg|right|120px|thumb|Coolest. Backpack. Ever.]]
After Blackout scrapped the military base in Qatar, Scorponok was sent to destroy five mobile communications vehicles, succeeding in his task. Scorponok went and did his own thing while Blackout searched the databanks for information on Megatron and the All Spark, but reunited with Blackout in time for their escape.

After arriving in [[Mission City]], Scorponok fought through a horde of [[Energon drone|Energon drones]] to secure the All Spark. Sam Witwicky nearly handed Scorponok the All Spark, but Ironhide punted Scorponok. That made Blackout very mad... {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game (console)}}
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==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Voyager Class Blackout companions====
[[Image:MiniScorponok.jpg|right|144px|thumb|I'm just an accessory.]]
*'''Blackout''' (Voyager Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-01'''

: Blackout comes packed with a small silver figurine of Scorponok, who himself features a spring-loaded tail. He is usually stored in a cage on the rear of Blackout's helicopter mode. (Note: The spring in the figurine's tail is oriented not to spring the tail forward, but to help propel the figure out of the cage so that it lands right-side up.)

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* '''Blackout Ver. 4500X''' (Lawson exclusive Voyager Class, Japan 2007)

:This Voyager Class Blackout repaint, exclusive to the Japanese convenience store chain Lawson with the purchase of the movie DVD, came with a redeco of the small Scorponok figurine that came with the regular Voyager Class Blackout, in metallic colors that better match the Deluxe Class Scorponok toy (and the movie CG design, of course).

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[[Image:Mov2007-toy PremiumScorponok.JPG|right|162px|thumb|I'm just a Premium accessory. But face it, I got better colours.]]
* '''Blackout''' ("Premium Series" Voyager Class, USA 2008)

:This redeco of the Voyager Class Blackout toy appears to be based on the same plastic color layout and paint mask as the Japanese Lawson exclusive "Version 4500X" redeco of Voyager Blackout, down to the improved paint on the Scorponok mini-figure. As a matter of fact, both toys might turn out to be outright ''identical'', packaging aside.

:Unlike some of the early "Premium Series" toys, Blackout was available as a mass release.

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====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Legends Bumblebee Scorponok toys.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ironically, more robot-like than the deluxe-sized one.]]
*'''Bumblebee vs. Scorponok''' (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2008)

: Legends Scorponok is the smallest transforming figure of ''Movie'' Scorponok yet. He features a better-proportioned robot mode and better articulation for the legs than the Deluxe Class version. In fact, he's one of the best articulated Legends-sized toys to date. Even his claw hands are able to rotate. He does bear a resemblance to a [[Scorponok (BW)|previous version]], though. The only version of the mold released thus far comes packed with a slightly redecoed Legends Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]].

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====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:Move DeluxeScorponok toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ever notice every Scorponok has the same transformation? Claws into claws, legs from the main body, tail sits behind, hoping to be ignored...]]
*'''Scorponok''' (Deluxe Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-04'''

: Scorponok is a robotic scorpion. His body is covered in military warning and command designation markings, suggesting he forms part of a larger military vehicle ([[Blackout (Movie)|hint, hint]]). Two wheels on the bottom of his beast mode, when pushed along a flat, smooth surface, rotate gears that cause the turbines in his body and the pincers on his arms to spin. His tail features a spring-loaded, yet non-launching stinger that extends when a latch is released.

: In beast mode, Scorponok can combine with the underside of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout's]] helicopter mode to exploit the larger Decepticon's own gear gimmick system. A geared shaft linked to Blackout's rotor mechanism connects to a geared peg on Scorponok's back. Thus, pressing the button on Blackout's tail not only rotates his blades, but also rotates Scorponok's pincers and the turbines in his body. (This can also be done with [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]] due to him being a retool of Blackout.) This gimmick can also be activated (more easily) by rotating the geared wheels on Scorponok's undercarriage instead.

: Deluxe Scorponok can transform into what might be ''charitably'' called a robot mode, but was most likely added as an afterthought to the design for added play value (and possibly so Hasbro could actually justify selling the toy as a "Transformer" by itself). The later Legends Class toy features a considerably better-executed bipedal robot mode. In any case, this robot mode never appears in the movie, but does appear briefly in the second Target-sponsored [[Planetfall|Movie Prequel comic]] and in [[The Reign of Starscream issue 1]].

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[[Image:Movie DecepticonDesertAttack 2pack.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ignoring the vast difference in scale between Scorponok's two figures while linked to Blackout takes some imagination.]]
*'''Decepticon Desert Attack''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive two-pack, 2007)

: This package, based on their first appearance in the film, features an unchanged Voyager Blackout packaged with an unchanged Deluxe Scorponok, which was exclusively available at Toys "R" Us stores. Since Voyager Blackout was gang-molded with the miniature Scorponok figure the single release came with, this means that the set contains ''two'' Scorponok toys in different sizes.

{{-}}

*'''Ultimate Bumblebee Bonus Value pack''' (Wal*Mart exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

:A Wal*Mart-exclusive special pack of [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Ultimate Bumblebee]] with Deluxe Class [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticon Brawl]] and Scorponok as bonus figures. None of the three toys are changed from their respective original releases.

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[[Image:Movie ScreenBattles DesertAttack.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Scorponok now comes with little people to kill.]]
*'''Desert Attack''' (Screen Battles, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''SB-03'''

:This pack features a minor [[redeco]] of Deluxe Class Scorponok sporting "sand" paint applications on his body. The pack also comes with non-posable figurines of [[Epps|Sergeant Epps]], [[Jorge Figueroa]] and [[Donnelly|Sergeant Donnelly]]. They are packaged in a special window box featuring a diorama depicting the battle at [[Mahfouz]]'s village.

:According to details listed in an official checklist on Hasbro's website<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/default.cfm?page=Collectors/Checklist Hasbro Transformers Collectors Checklist]</ref>, this pack was originally supposed to include "4 soldiers". Apparently budget ultimately only allowed for three. The fourth one was most probably supposed to be [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]], who was included with the Screen Battles "Capture of [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]" set instead, colored as a [[Sector Seven]] soldier.

{{-}}

===Attacktix===
[[Image:Attacktix-MovMegsScorp.jpg|right|150px|thumb|I am going to KILL Yukon Cornelius.]]
*'''Battle Masters Megatron and Scorponok''' (Battle Master set, 200?)

{{charstubtoys}}
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==Merchandise==
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Rhscorpprime.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ripped straight from that scene they didn't appear together in.]]
*'''Optimus Prime vs Scorponok''' (2007)

:Scorponok is naturally sculpted in his beast mode for his Robot Heroes release. Cast in gray plastic, he has gold and black paint apps for color. His head is quirked to the side, and his pedipalps are bent into a ''possible'' standard-issue smile. He is articulated only at the pincers' shoulder joints, but his tail and legs are made of soft enough plastic to wiggle about. (The tail is much too short to sting anything other than his own back.)

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Scorponok headprop.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Now I'm the Headmaster!]]
* Real physical props of Scorponok's head and tail were made by ILM's crew for certain scenes, most notably Lennox and Epps's examination of the tail leftovers on the plane. The head prop was used in the close-up of Scorponok stalking the SOCCENT survivors.<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/SITEv2/HTML/PROJPAGE_Trans_08.html Ben Procter's portfolio, depicting CGI models and life-sized props for Scorponok]</ref>

* According to writer [[Roberto Orci]] on the official Transformers Movie board, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] was originally going to appear in the movie (back when Blackout was still supposed to be [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]])<ref>[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=234188&postcount=2008 Roberto Orci confirms that Ravage was replaced by Scorponok at the official movie boards]</ref>, but was later changed to Scorponok when the setting of the opening scene was changed from jungle to desert.<ref>[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=234188&postcount=2008 Roberto Orci confirms that Ravage would have appeared in a different terrain at the official movie boards]</ref> This would make Scorponok's scorpion form the ''robot mode'' (in the same fashion Ravage's panther mode was the robot mode), whereas his "alternate mode" is actually a part of Blackout's engine.

[[Image:Geturboshaftengine.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Turboshaft engine that film Scorponok transforms from. You can almost see the bits of Donnelly.]]
* Exactly ''which'' parts of Blackout turn into Scorponok is a little unclear. The center of his body appears to be made of a [[wikipedia:General_Electric_T64|General Electric T64]] turboshaft engine; his transformation/separation sequence in the movie shows that his forearms are made up of part of the side exhausts, and therefore ''also'' consist of parts of T64 engines. How this is possible, considering an MH-53 Pave Low only features ''two'' T64 engines, is up to anyone's guess.

* Meanwhile, the various markings found on the CGI model's design, the life-sized props and Hasbro's Deluxe toy are taken from all kinds of places on Blackout's helicopter mode, most prominently the cockpit and the tail.<ref>[http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/mh53jreferencefr_1.htm Detail close-up photos of a real MH-53 Pave Low]</ref> Some of those markings can also be found on props used for the scene which features the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] dumping the Decepticons' remains into the ocean.<ref>[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2006/10/pics-from-uss-shoup-of-transformer.html Behind the scenes photos taken aboard the [[Wikipedia:USS Shoup (DDG-86)|''U.S.S. Shoup'']], depicting props from the movie used for the scene which features the US Navy dumping the Decepticons' remains into the ocean]</ref> Considering Blackout didn't appear to be missing any integral parts of his alternate mode in the movie's final act, it seems that either Scorponok reattached himself to Blackout after he escaped the US Air Force's counterattack in Qatar (and was therefore part of Blackout during the final battle), or Blackout somehow magically regrew the parts that were previously made up by Scorponok.

* In the feature "From Script to Sand: The Skorponok Desert Attack" on the movie's bonus DVD, production designer [[Jeff Mann]] suggested that Scorponok was "birthed" from Blackout, thus suggesting that he might be more of an autonomous extension of Blackout himself, similar to [[Roller]]. Screenwriter Roberto Orci later confirmed that as far as he was concerned, Scorponok was something between a symbiont and a "drone", rather than a fully fledged character.<ref>[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showpost.php?p=1159482&postcount=9822 Orci confirming his view of Scorponok]</ref> The [[Ghosts of Yesterday]] novel would go on to unambiguously identify him as a symbiont.

* A leaked early draft of the script<ref>Details from an early script draft [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2213120&postcount=297 summed up here], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2214148&postcount=303 confirmed as authentic by Roberto Orci here].</ref> spells his name "Skorponok". That spelling is also used by [[Alan Dean Foster]]'s [[Transformers (novel)|novelization]] of the movie and in the menus for the movie's bonus DVD (most notably the featurette named "From Script to Sand: The Skorponok Desert Attack"). Hasbro themselves used the [[Scorponok (G1)|traditional]] [[Scorponok (BW)|spelling]] "[[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]]" for their toys, even though a wallpaper on Hasbro's website spells the name "Scorponock".<ref name="hasbrodemolishor">[http://www.hasbro.com/objects/content/wallpaper.cfm?img=wp_transformers651_1280.jpg&brand_id=496&lang_id=1 Wallpaper at Hasbro's website calling Brawl/Devastator "Demolisher".]</ref> Meanwhile, in interviews, Michael Bay constantly refers to him as "Scorponox", and a preorder listing for the movie score even uses the spelling "Skorpinok".<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Steve-Jablonsky/dp/B000VFGQHK Amazon.com preorder for the movie score]</ref> Come on, people! It's not like his name's Mxyzptlk. (Even though misspelling Scorponok's name is not quite [[Scorpinok|unprecedented]].)

* Speaking of real, the famous shot of Scorponok leaping from the sand in pursuit a trio of soldiers, the shot used in a lot of the promos? Scorponok is the ''only'' element of CGI in that shot. The sand-explosion behind the soldiers is real, caused by carefully timed explosives placed under the dunes, which certainly must have encouraged the actors to run like hell—the looks of fear on their faces are 100% genuine. The overwhelming majority of explosions, flying cars, and broken buildings in the movie are similarly real effects, not CGI.

* Scorponok is the only Transformer in the movie whose name is not spoken or stated in any way. <small>Well, arguably [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] fits in that category too...</small>

* In [http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-04-01-transformers-first-look_N.htm an interview] for [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]] Roberto Orci stated that the Decepticon beasts didn't speak because it would be "strange," for audiences to hear Scorponok's English accent.

==Footnotes==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Scorponok/scorponok.htm Scorponok at TFU.info]

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[[Category:Character stubs missing toys]]
[[Category:Character stubs]]
[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]

Blackout (Movie)

2009-04-19T08:01:32Z

60.230.181.168: /* Trivia */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Blackout}}
:''Blackout is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is also known as N.B.E. 23.''

[[Image:MovieBlackout promorender.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Hike the ball already!]]
The massive '''Blackout''' has been described as the "hound" of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. In better days he was always to be found looming powerful and silent behind his leader's right shoulder. When given a target he hunts it down with fierce determination. Blackout is not happy with the progress [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] is making towards finding the missing Decepticon leader. He suspects (quite rightly) that Starscream would prefer Megatron to stay lost. Blackout is openly mutinous and will challenge Starscream's leadership at any opportunity, not for his own sake, but to better serve his ultimate goal of finding his lost master. Blackout has a sneaky side and uses his symbiotic companion [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s small size to great advantage.

{{quote|All hail Megatron!|Blackout|''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]''}}

:''Hungarian name:'' '''Kisülés''' ("Discharge")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Hēi Mó''' (黑魔, "Black Demon")

==Fiction==
===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comic===
During the war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Blackout preferred to sow confusion and disarray before he attacked, rather than engage in direct confrontation & risk being killed. He would only go into ground battles under cover of loud noise and pyrotechnics (which he himself caused with his devastating sonic shriek emitters).

Unfortunately for him, he kept getting stuck leading the first wave of attacks. To protect himself, he used an army of drone troopers (presumably [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponoks]]) to draw enemy fire. These drones were called "the swarm" and Blackout deliberately encouraged rumours about them so their arrival would strike fear into the hearts of enemies. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4|Lost In Space 2: Devastator}}

'''Note:''' ''The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines continuity.''

Half an hour after his death and before his body was dumped in the sea, Blackout was briefly turned into a rampaging zombie by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

'''Note:''' ''The following events occur in an alternate timeline/continuity where Megatron won the battle of Mission City.''

Blackout was not dead!

He assaulted an Autobot convoy at Shreveport, [[Louisiana]] as part of a general terror campaign. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} Later, he was a key part in a Decepticon ambush, appearing from nowhere to blankside Autobot ground troops. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the distant past, Blackout was a member of the Cybertronian Defense Force. During an attack by unknown aliens on the city of [[Metrotitan (Movie)|Metrotitan]], he could be seen picking up a wrecked enemy tank. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance issue 1}}

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{{storylink|Defiance issue 2}}

[[Image:Movie BlackoutStarscream protoforms.jpg|right|150px|thumb|An ominous rumble is Blackout's only response...]]
On Cybertron, Blackout fought alongside Megatron, until his master ordered 'this loyal hound' to assist Starscream's unit in keeping [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime's]] forces busy, while Megatron pursued his destiny. Arriving soon after [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] delivered news of Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream witnessed the successful Autobot launch of the All Spark. Blackout restrained Starscream from going after it, the pair nearly coming to blows when Blackout launched Scorponok from his chest. Fortunately, Starscream calmed down, and after witnessing Megatron leave the planet himself, the group took on protoform transition forms and followed. {{storylink|Planetfall|Planetfall}}

Meanwhile, Starscream crew ''also'' went after Optimus Prime's starship in a Decepticon battlecruiser. Just before launch, Blackout listened to Barricade's not-so-quiet concerns that Starscream wasn't telling them everything. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, they were led into a trap by the Autobots, their ship (and Starscream's advance scout [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]]) was crippled by concussion chain mines. Blackout gave a detailed damage report when ordered but was berated for giving his observation on what had occured, and was ordered to despatch Scorponok to retrieve Dreadwing.

[[Image:Movie Blackout TargetPrequel continuityheadache.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Beware, Qatar! Beware! Muhahahahahaha!]]
After making repairs to their ship, the Decepticons followed the All Spark's trace energy and landed on [[Mars]]. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}} There, they destroyed a primitive [[Beagle 2 Rover|human rover scout]] and decided to investigate the nearby third planet of this solar system. {{storylink|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 3|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 3}}

Making planetfall on Earth in Afghanistan, Blackout attracted the attention of a military vehicle of the local creatures. Witnessing the ease in which [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] destroyed the carrier, Starscream pondered that Megatron would have been able to subjugate these beings if he was able to. Blackout replied that they needed to find out why he hadn't yet. Starscream's unit then attacked the nearby air base where Blackout scanned and adopted the form of an MH-53J 'Pave Low' helicopter, then easily hacked into the files of the human computers. Inside, he found files on something called 'Project: Iceman', which he suspected was related to Megatron. After the base's destruction, Blackout headed towards [[Qatar]], intent on attacking a similar military base there to access the information they needed. {{storylink|Planetfall|Planetfall}}

{{note|Several intances of Planetfall contradicts both issue #4 of IDW's Prime Directive movie prequel as well as the movie ''itself'' with regards to where & when the Decepticons arrived on Earth; they landed in the United States during 2003 in the Prime Directive comic. In this story, Blackout immediately leaves for Qatar after the attack (2007), whereas in the Movie itself, he assumed the form three months before attacking the SOCCENT base. However, this sequence was subsequently used in [[The Reign of Starscream]].}}

[[Image:Movie Blackout IDWprequel camoflageenabled.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Apparently the crew of military helicopters don't count as 'witnesses'.]]
Meanwhile, the unit ''also'' arrived on [[Earth]] in the [[United States of America]] in the year 2003. Blackout scanned a USAF [[wikipedia:MH-53_Pave_Low|MH-53 Pave Low]] helicopter, but apparently was not detected by the humans, nor caused any casualties, in contrast to his two comrades. When Starscream tells the Decepticons that their mission is to find the All Spark, Blackout reminds Starscream that they must also find Megatron.

Later, after being lured into a trap intended for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] set by a group of impressively equipped humans, Blackout attacked the organisation's bunker and attempted to hack into their main server, but failed after they disconnected their local systems. The only lead he got was a name...[[Sector Seven]]. {{storylink|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Brian Stepanek]]

{{charstubfiction}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW]] [[Prime Directive (IDW)|Prime Directive]] Movie Prequel that is detailed above this section.}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
Blackout had spent thousands of years searching for Megatron and the All Spark under Starscream aboard the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]''. While Starscream was hoping not to find Megatron, Blackout was working against him in hopes of restoring the former leader. Upon discovering [[Ghost One|a vessel similar to Megatron's alternate mode]], Blackout became convinced that Megatron was nearby. However, the Autobots arrived in the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]'' to investigate the ship, and Starscream ordered the Decepticons to wait while he investigated the alien ship. Growing impatient, Blackout convinced [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] to join him in an attack on the Autobots. Blackout, Scorponok, and Frenzy ganged up on [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], but he managed to defeat them, forcing Blackout to call for a retreat. After Prime headed to investigate [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s disappearance, Starscream ordered them to attack, and Bonecrusher was given command. Blackout, however, was able to sneak Scorponok on board the ''Ark''.

After Starscream returned, Blackout demanded answers. Starscream claimed that Prime and Bumblebee were killed by indigenous worms, while the alien ship was destroyed when it fell into a cavern. Blackout, unconvinced, challenged Starscream, but was seriously damaged, and had to be taken back to the ''Nemesis''. However, Prime, Bumblebee, and the ship appeared soon after. When Starscream ordered the Decepticons to destroy the ship, Blackout demanded answers, which Bonecrusher and Barricade agreed to. However, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] was able to force Scorponok off the ''Ark'', and Blackout, still healing, sped to his rescue. What a pal. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007) film===
[[Image:Movie Blackout Raptors.jpg|right|201px|thumb|I will let them order me now so I can shoot them later.]]
Blackout flew into the airspace of [[United States Military|US]] [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] in [[Qatar]] and refused to identify himself, prompting base commander [[Colonel Sharp]] to dispatch two [[wikipedia:F-22_Raptor|F-22 Raptors]] to escort the Decepticon into their base. One of the Raptors reported that Blackout had the registry number of 4500X on his vertical stabilizer, the number of the helicopter Blackout had scanned and destroyed three months earlier in Afghanistan.

[[Image:Movie Blackout SOCCENTAttack1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|All your base are belong to us.]]
Once landed, Blackout was surrounded by the soldiers stationed at the base and ordered to power down and disembark his crew, or deadly force would be used. Seeing no reason to hide himself any further, Blackout transformed under a hail of automatic weapons fire from the shocked humans. Activating his heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, Blackout made quick work of the soldiers closest to him, then unleashed a massive shock wave that killed the rest of the troops and shattered their vehicles and the windows of the operations control tower. Blackout made his way around the base, tossing tanks aside, crushing soldiers underfoot and blowing up aircraft. Eventually, he reached the operations bunker and tore off the roof to link up with their server and download its files in an attempt to find information on [[Megatron (Movie)|Project: Ice Man]]. Unfortunately, the base commander intervened, cutting the physical hard line of the server, severing Blackout's connection and thwarting the primary objective of his mission.

[[Image:Movie Blackout holoavatar.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Watch me twirl my mustache as I contemplate the destruction of Earth.]]
Still, Blackout carried out his second objective - the destruction of the human base. As he proceeded, [[Robert Epps|a human soldier]] was nearly crushed. Instinctively, the soldier recorded images of Blackout, the Decepticon indulging this brief moment of curiosity by looking straight back at the human. Blackout then activated a chest-mounted laser cannon to put the fleshling out of its misery, but before he could do so, he was struck by a grenade fired by [[Jorge Figueroa|another soldier]], and the human made his escape. Enraged, Blackout fired flare countermeasures into the sky to confuse any other attempts to attack him, then ejected Scorponok from his back and sent his minion to track the [[William Lennox|fleeing]] [[Donnelly|soldiers]]. Blackout then turned his attention and his weapons back to the rest of the base, eventually destroying it, leaving no survivors.

Evidently, after the attack, Blackout flew back to the [[United States of America|United States]], as he was in the vicinity when [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] reported the discovery of All Spark's location and Starscream ordered their forces to mobilize. Blackout was the last to acknowledge the order, then rallied in Megatron's name, perhaps to remind Starscream who his master was.

[[Image:Blackout is going to kill you.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Point that thing someplace else!]]
Blackout arrived at [[Mission City]] just as the final battle was getting underway. Megatron's order of "[[Decepticons attack]]" must have been music to his ears, and he followed his master's commands whole heartedly. He attempted to block [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]]'s path as the boy was trying to get away with the All Spark, before he was attacked by [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. The Autobot threw a car at Blackout, who fired his laser cannon to destroy the vehicle and knock Ironhide over. He flew ahead of ladiesman217, attempting to use his rotor weapon to kill him, but the human managed to dodge this attack.

[[Image:Blackout movie dead.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Oh, God, I hope that stuff leaking out is Energon.]]
Blackout withdrew from the battle for a few moments, but returned as [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron fought. Seeing his master under attack, Blackout came to the defense of his lord by activating his hand-held rotor weapon, but soldiers—including survivors of the SOCCENT base attack—attempted to stop him by painting him with targeting lasers for friendly F-22 Raptors to fire upon. As Blackout activated his cannon, he noticed the lasers targeted on him. Underestimating the fighting spirit and desire for vengeance of the humans, Blackout tried to finish them off until Captain Lennox, using an abandoned motorcycle, charged at him and fired a sabot round into his crotch (ouch), as F-22s pounded the Decepticon with missiles, extinguishing his [[spark]].

His remains were dumped in the <strike>deepest</strike> ''second'' deepest part of the ocean - the Laurentian Abyss - along with his fellow dead Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers (2007)}}

{{note|The possible period of time that Blackout acquired his vehicle mode in the movie appears to contradict the origin of his vehicle mode in both IDW's ''Prime Directive'' prequel and the second Target-sponsored prequel comic. See [[Blackout (Movie)|Trivia]] section below.}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Blackout's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organisation brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they can out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1|Alliance issue 1}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
{{coming soon|unreleased}}
[[Image:ROTFMegatronStarscreamPrimeBlackout.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Alright, where's the guy who shot me in the crotch?!]]
He's back too! But... seeing as how he's not the only [[Megatron (Movie)|"dead" guy]] coming back, it's a little less of a surprise.

{{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}

==Games==
===''Transformers'' The Game (console)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Noah Nelson]]

====Autobot campaign====
In the Autobot campaign he suffered a humiliating defeat from [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], even though Blackout had [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s help. That's got be the most humiliating thing for any of the characters in the videogame, losing to somebody a third of his size. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game (console)}}

====Decepticon campaign====
Blackout and Scorponok were sent to the SOCCENT Base to destroy the human military installation there and download information from the military servers on the location of the [[All Spark]]. The pair were successful, though Blackout's escape was briefly interrupted by the arrival of a squad of human jet fighters. After blasting them to tiny bits, he made good his escape.

Blackout arrived at [[Hoover Dam]], where his scans failed to detect the energy signatures of Megatron or the All Spark. Starscream ordered him to break the dam piece by piece. Blackout fired a pair of missiles and fought off a squad of [[Swindle (Movie)|Autobot sports car drones]] that were defending the installation. As Megatron emerged, he bowed before his lord. He then followed the newly-revived Megatron to [[Mission City]], where he engaged in a final showdown with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], who had just punted Scorponok. The Autobot warhorse certainly gave the massive Decepticon a run for his money. The huge number of Autobot drones backing Ironhide up didn't make things any easier.

During Megatron's battle with Optimus Prime, Blackout attempted to assist his master by charging Prime. Prime punched the massive Decepticon, sending him flying. How embarrassing. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game (console)}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
As Jazz retrieved Sector 7 vehicles for Optimus Prime, he happened upon their helicopter, which to his surprise turned out to be Blackout. The two battled at Tranqulity's power plant, where Jazz managed to defeat him. Humiliated, he transformed and flew away.

Blackout made his presence felt again as Bumblebee raced back to Tranquility carrying the All Spark with him. He chased Bumblebee through the streets until he was intercepted on a rooftop by Ratchet, who put an end to his menace for good. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
First arriving under the command of [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|a low-ranking soldier]], Blackout was sent out to destroy the communications arrays in the Qatar SOCCENT military base. Once completed, he returns for more orders.

Soon after, Blackout encounters [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], who appears at the base to stop you from blowing the [[Pit|hell]] out of everything. Once defeated, Blackout disappears until the other Decepticons arrive at Hoover Dam.

Dropping off some bombs for Brawl to set, the Decepticons attempt to blow up the Dam to simultaneously release Megatron and thaw him out, but are thwarted by Jazz and his drone clones. Their heroic attempts are for naught, as Megatron escapes anyway, while Blackout and Barricade retrieve his weapon chip. Once in hand, they meet before their leader and reactivate his weapons. After a charismatic speech, they set out to Tranquility to capture the All Spark and defeat the Autobots once and for all.

Blackout arrives just in time to be blasted to [[Slag (slang)|slag]] by an All Spark powered Starscream with a single blast. That's still slightly less embarrassing than being beaten by a half-dead Jazz. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

==Toys==
===Transformers===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Blackout Legends toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I have no fingers? You did this, Starscream!]]
*'''Blackout''' (Legends, 2007)

:A much smaller and highly simplified version of the character, Legends Blackout features limited articulation and detail, with the helicopter mode not being a particularly faithful recreation of an MH-53 Pave Low (the placement of the fuel tanks, in particular). Even though the robot mode sports an attempt to emulate the movie character's chest design, this does not involve the use of obvious fake elements of the helicopter mode's cockpit, unlike [[Jazz (Movie)|other]] Legends Class toys of movie characters. Curiously, the instructions on the back of the card show how to transform him from his alt-mode to his robot mode, which is the reverse of the rest of the Legends Class packaging.
{{-}}
[[Image:Movie Legends Ironhide DesertBlackout.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]
*'''Ironhide vs. Desert Blackout''' (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2007)

: Desert Blackout is a tan redeco of the previously released Legends Blackout toy. He comes with an all-new Legends Class Ironhide.
{{-}}
====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:Movie Voyager Blackout toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The largest Transformer in the film. Ironically, the smallest Voyager-class figure ever.]]
*'''Blackout''' (Voyager Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''MD-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: Blackout transforms into a reasonably accurate [[wikipedia:MH-53_Pave_Low|Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low]] heavy-lift helicopter. An aft "cage" compartment can be opened to release a small PVC figurine of his partner, [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]. A button on the very end of his tail can be pressed in a geared action to rotate his rotor blades. By attaching the Deluxe-class Scorponok to his underside, the rotor [[gimmick]] also spins Scorponok's claws.

: During transformation, Blackout's (mind-numbingly delicate) [[Automorph|Automorphing]] gimmick is activated when the user swings down his legs, which in turn flips the gray chest section his head is mounted upon up and into position, and lifts his back assembly and locks into into place behind his head. Another, less impressive automorph is in his legs - If you pull his knees down, his shin armor pops out a bit.

: In robot mode, Blackout appears closer to his original concept art, back when he was called "Incinerator" (seemingly also the basis for his Nintendo DS appearance). The entire rotor assembly on his back can be removed and converted into a gigantic fan weapon, to ''vaguely'' represent the hand-held rotor-blade weapon he wields in the film, also seen on [[#Titanium_Series|the ''Titanium'' figurine (see below)]]. Because of the size of his rotor assembly, Blackout is also much shorter than most Voyager-class figures despite his bulk, barely taller than a Deluxe figure.

: It is ''very'' easy for the gears in the cockpit/chest to become misaligned during transformation, enough so that the chest/head section refuses to align with the cockpit halves. Getting the gears back into alignment is a veritable nightmare, as so many other parts shift and move as you attempt to manipulate the respective pieces. Swinging the legs down locks the back assembly into place for robot mode, but simply swinging the legs back does ''not'' ''un''lock it, with the user being required to actively separate the parts by hand. Failing to do so is sure to misalign your Blackout to bejeezus.

: An interesting side note is that the two hard points located on Blackout's shoulders, intended to support his abominably large weapon, are actually the same size as the [[Mini-Con]] [[Powerlinx]] plugs on most [[Unicron Trilogy]] figures.

: This mold was [[Retool|retooled]] and [[Redeco|redecoed]] into [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]] for the ''AllSpark Power'' refresh of the movie toyline.

[[Image:Movie DecepticonDesertAttack 2pack.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ignoring the vast difference in scale between Scorponok's two figures while linked to Blackout takes some imagination.]]
*'''Decepticon Desert Attack''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive two-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: This package, based on their first appearance in the film, features an unchanged Voyager Blackout packaged with an unchanged Deluxe Scorponok, which was exclusively available at Toys "R" Us stores. Since Voyager Blackout was gang-molded with the miniature Scorponok figure the single release came with, this means that the set contains two Scorponok toys in different sizes.
{{-}}
*'''Blackout Ver. 4500X''' (Lawson exclusive Voyager Class, Japan 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure, Autobot and Decepticon pins

: This Voyager class Blackout repaint is exclusive to the Lawson Japan convenience store chain, with the purchase of the movie DVD. He is redecoed in a more realistic color scheme for vehicle mode, 4500X markings and a drastically changed plastic color scheme in robot mode (many parts once black are now silver or the same colour as his helicopter hull). Additionally, the mini-Scorponok figurine has been repainted in metallic colours and detailed to resemble the deluxe-class toy (and the movie CG design, of course).

:Also included a set of two brass Autobot and Decepticon insignia pins.
{{-}}
[[Image:Movie Blackout PremiumVoyager toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|NOW the size is perfect.]]
*'''Blackout''' ("Premium Series" Voyager Class, USA 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: This redeco of the Voyager Class Blackout toy is based on the same plastic color layout and paint mask as the Japanese Lawson exclusive "Version 4500X" redeco of Voyager Blackout, down to the improved paint on the Scorponok mini-figure. As a matter of fact, both toys were almost ''identical'', the main difference being that the paint used on Version 4500X's is more matte than the paint used on the Premium Series release.

: Unlike some of the early "Premium Series" toys, Blackout was available as a mass market release.
{{-}}
====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:Movie FAB Blackout.jpg|right|250px|thumb|... Brownout?]]
*'''Gyro Blade Blackout''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:A simplified version of Blackout, designed for smaller children. His rotor blade can be detached and inserted into his left hand to represent the hand-held rotor blade seen in the film, just like the Voyager class version. He also features a chest cannon which can be flipped up from his back. Oddly, you can only see one-fourth of Blackout's head from a 90-degree angle. Even less of it is visible when his chest cannon is flipped up. He features a firing missile.
{{-}}
===Titanium Series===
[[Image:Movie TitaniumRM Blackout.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Scorponok! I can't move! Quick, drag me away!]]
*'''Blackout''' (3" Robot Masters, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Decepticon display stand

: This three-inch figurine, as with all Titaniums, is partially made of die-cast metal and plastic, sculpted holding his rotor-blades as a hand weapon. Interestingly, Blackout has a more unique sculpt to him; the weapon is sculpted as it was briefly seen in the movie, but on the wrong hand. Blackout ''himself'' has an altered leg & foot design as well as having the main rotor-blades on his back excluded, matching it up more with the fact that instead of using his tail rotor, he uses his ''main'' rotor as a multi-purpose melee weapon, echoing the game render. His articulation is limited to his shoulders, head and waist, and he comes packaged with a movie-style Decepticon symbol display base.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
* '''Blackout''' (3D Battle Card, 2007)

: A 29-point "uncommon" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]], Evac "transforms" into a yellow helicopter. He uses the same parts layout as [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]], [[Vortex (Energon Wars)|Vortex]] and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]].
{{-}}
===Transformers (2007)===
====Unleashed====
[[Image:Movie UnleashedTurnarounds BlackoutBarricade.jpg|right|150px|thumb|After camping out in the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma, the two vowed to never go spelunking again.....]]
*'''Blackout and Barricade''' (2008)

: The Blackout and Barricade turnaround is a 3D sculpture of the two characters in both robot mode emerging from rubble and explosions, with a movie-accurate sculpt (compared to the various transforming toys.) The 'turnaround' aspect of these sculptures simply means one can turn the piece around to display a raised-relief of the movie-style Decepticon sigil instead.

: This product's release was cancelled for the US market, but was released in Australia and in Asia.
{{-}}
====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[Image:Movie Blackout screencleaner.jpg|right|97px|thumb|]]
*'''Blackout''' (2008)

:Released by [[Tomy]] [[Yujin]] on January 2008<ref name="TomyYujin">[http://www.gachausa.com/products/transformers.asp Tomy Yujin ''Transformers'' page]</ref>, this Dangler is a faction logo-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Blackout printed on the other side.
{{-}}
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:RH Prime vs Blackout.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Blackout's hobbies include worshiping Megatron, and jumping out of bushes and yelling "BOOGA-BOOGA!" at small children.]]
*'''Optimus Prime vs. Blackout''' (2007)

: Packaged with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], Blackout is a cute style rendition of the character. Most notably, his face has been given a more traditional Transformer style mouth and nose, making him appear more like a grumpy old man. His articulation is the standard three points, however, the kibble in his design limits the movement. This mold was later redecoed into "Battle Damage" Blackout.
{{-}}
[[Image:Robotheroesfinalbattle.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Keeps 'em where I can sees 'em!]]
*'''The Final Battle''' (2008)

: Packaged with Autobot Jazz, Autobot Ratchet, Megatron, and Optimus Prime. "Battle Damage" Blackout is a slightly redecoed version of the two pack version. No molding has changed, and the articulation is still limited. His exclusive deco is a black paint wash over various parts of his body to evoke battle damage. Oddly, the undersides of his arms get this deco but not the top, meaning the toy is meant to only be posed with arms raised. The Final Battle 5-pack was sold exclusively in Walmart stores.
{{-}}
== Trivia ==
[[Image:EarlyMovieBlackout.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Blackwave lives in constant fear of pterodactyls.]]
* Blackout was originally conceived as [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], hence his symbiotic relationship with Scorponok, who was originally conceived as [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. Though this obviously changed, his portrayal in the ''Ghosts of Yesterday'' novel is rather Soundwave-esque. Likewise, in the IDW prequel comic, Blackout is the only Decepticon to land on Earth and acquire his alternate mode without ''any'' witnesses, whereas Starscream and Barricade had to kill existing witnesses. In the film ''itself'', Blackout's only speaking role has him quickly reporting to Starscream's call... in Cybertronian, with he alone both hailing Megatron upon the All Spark's discovery and attempting to aid him in battle against Prime. What's more, all this "Soundwave-ness" is further enhanced by Hasbro's official bio, calling Blackout "his leader's hound".

* Blackout wins the award for being the Transformers character from the 2007 movie that has gone through the most number of working names: Aside from "Soundwave", he was also supposed to be named "Grimlock"<ref name="early">Details from an early script draft [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2213120&postcount=297 summed up here], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2214148&postcount=303 confirmed as authentic by Roberto Orci here].</ref>, "Vortex"<ref>[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1120447#post1120447 Unformatted script sample from first draft naming the Decepticon helicopter "Vortex" posted by Roberto Orci on Don Murphy's message board]</ref>, "Devastator"<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/SITEv2/HTML/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_32.html "Devastator" concept art at Ben Procter Online Portfolio]</ref>, and "Incinerator"<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/SITEv2/HTML/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_34.html "Incinerator" pre-production render at Ben Procter Online Portfolio]</ref> at different stages of the pre-production process. The name "Incinerator" was later used for a [[Incinerator (Movie)|different toy]] from the Movie toyline.

* Blackout's working name "Incinerator" is also accounted for in the aforementioned Hasbro bio, noting how Blackout will "fill the air with fire and burn the land clear to take his revenge".

* The period of time that Blackout acquired his vehicle mode in the film, three months prior to the unfolding events, appears to contradict the origin of his vehicle mode in IDW's ''Prime Directive'' prequel comics, with him apparently having scanned and destroyed the MH-53 Pave Low all the way back in 2003. It's maaaaybe possible that he just kept on destroying ''different'' Pave Lows over time to maintain his covert status (with the U.S. government covering it up) until he finally realized how close he was to a military network access point.

* [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok's]] alternate mode is actually a part of Blackout's helicopter mode; he's made up of a [[wikipedia:General_Electric_T64|General Electric T64]] turboshaft engine and various other helicopter bits. Considering Blackout didn't appear to be missing any integral parts of his alternate mode when answering [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy's]] call or during the final battle in [[Mission City]], either Scorponok reattached himself to Blackout after he escaped the US Air Force's counter-attack in Qatar, or Blackout somehow magically regrew the parts that were previously made up by Scorponok.

* Blackout is never actually seen using his chest cannon in the film, even though he unfurls it quite emphatically on two separate occasions.

* During a transmission from Burger King's website, Optimus Prime has decreed that we are not to ride ''this'' helicopter. The current ridability of ''other'' helicopters the world over is unknown. Stand by for further updates as they become available.

*Blackout uses a [[mouthplate]] in the movie, seen in a brief shot of the side of his face before Epps takes his photo at the beginning of the film, and again when Epps was targeting him during the climactic battle.

*According to the ShoWest Preview of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Blackout is set to reappear as he was seen alongside Megatron and Starscream as they battled Optimus in a forest. Scorponok must be very happy.

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Blackout/blackout.htm Blackout on TFU.info]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]

Alliance issue 4

2009-04-19T07:52:45Z

60.230.181.168: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[Alliance (comic)|''Transformers: Alliance'']] #4
|prev=Alliance issue 3
|next=Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation issue 1
|image=Alliance4_coverA.jpg
|caption=Now go out and buy the movie adaptation!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 25]], [[2009]]
|coverdate=March 2009
|written by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]] & [[Kris Carter]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|edits by=[[Denton J. Tipton]] & [[Andy Schmidt]]
|continuity=[[Movie continuity]]
}}
'''Everyone gets ready for the ''Revenge of the Fallen.'''''

==Synopsis==

En route to [[San Francisco]], the Autobots and [[NEST]] soldiers converse about their mission. Two Decepticons have been spotted in the city, but thankfully, there was no mention of robots, so they must be in their vehicle modes. Lennox wonders how their team can do this without drawing attention from bystanders, to which Ironhide told him to leave it to the Autobots, knowing that the two Decepticons will put up a fight. Once they land, Salani reminds them that this is for real. Team 3 is to serve as perimeter defense, Team 2 sets up the trap, and Team 1 (consisting of Lennox, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee) will flush them out. Lennox once again lays down the plans, with a chemical spill used as cover for their operations, as they need as much secrecy as possible.

In Downtown San Francisco, the area is cordoned off, and the civilians have been moved out, so Team 2 is cleared to go. Ratchet tells Ironhide that their appearance seems much suited for the mission, and that both them and the humans look stylish, but Ironhide tells him to stow it. Suddenly, Ratchet picks up energy readings, then Swindle and Deadend crash through a sliding wall and Team 2 picks up the chase. Swindle thinks that, if Barricade's intel is right, he and Deadend are chased by Ironhide and Ratchet, and not Prime. Then, Prime appears out of nowhere and runs over Deadend. Swindle runs off, but Bumblebee chases after him.

Prime is okay, but Deadend isn't, as noted by Ratchet. Salani calls Epps for a clean-up crew, while at the Golden Gate Bridge, Epps asks Lennox for his status. Lennox is pursuing Swindle, and Swindle is heading toward the Bridge fast. Lennox tells Epps to have the soldiers let Swindle get a bit of "clearance", then he and Bumbleee continue the pursuit. When they reach the bridge, Swindle transforms and is incredulous that Bumblebee came alone, but Lennox tells Swindle otherwise. Swindle blast at them, then beats up Bumblebee. Lennox fires at Swindle, but Swindle turns his attention to Lennox, but before he can do anything, he is blasted by the soldiers on the bridge. Dying, Swindle says that none of them are safe, but shuts down before he tells more. Lennox considers the mission a success, seeing as it wasn't as bad as [[Mission City]] was.

Hours later, during the trip back to base, Optimus Prime notes that Lennox looks tired, but Lennox says that he was wondering if things are about to get worse, and is worried about what Swindle said. Prime asks him is he's also worried about Sam Witwicky; Lennox says yes, but is more concerned about the "we'll" part, thinking that more Decepticons will arrive, and if so, ''why'' are they on Earth? Prime doesn't have the answer, but agrees with the safety of Sam. Prime thinks that Sam will be safe at the base, but Lennox doesn't agree, because he's just a kid, and they can't move him from the street, either. Prime thinks that, no matter what happens,
with their own destinies being absolute and uncontrollable, Sam is going to be involved in this. Lennox tells Prime that they need someone to watch over him, but Prime knows just the one.

When the team lands back at the base, a refreshed Epps meets with the still-tired Lennox, who tells him that something's going on out there. Epps tells him that they're ready for anything, but Lennox questions this, saying that for all their training, they weren't clean during the day's mission. Epps thinks it could have been worse, but Lennox says that it might get worse, as well as saying that Bumblebee is leaving the team to once again guard Sam. Epps is upset, saying that they can't lose team members that came from another planet; Lennox agrees.

Later, Lennox is debriefed by the Army over the day's mission. Lennox tells them about the incident at the Golden Gate Bridge, but the commander debriefing the team isn't pleased with this, as they were given ''strict orders'' to not transform. If the Decepticons did so on their own accord, then so be it; however, the team was ordered ''not'' to, as the Army didn't want to risk disclosure in a major city again. Lennox said that they had no choice, as the Decepticons had engaged them and they took caution in how they responded. The battle at Mission City was in the past, and now is the time to move on. The commander says that civilians weren't used to seeing robots or jets flying in major cities. Lennox argues, saying that the jet was one of them. As for proof that the Autobots want to work for the army, it couldn't be helped, but their working on that. The mission was a success, despite the incident at the bridge.

The army commander still isn't sold on Lennox's idea. They had been authorization on that mission, but now they expect that the rules to be followed in the missions that will be coming to them, and that the unit is used to ''fix'' problems, not make new ones. After making Lennox clear on this issue, the commander will pass this onto his superiors, and tells Lennox that he and his men need to look over the day's mission and ''learn'' from them. When the conversation ends, Lennox is upset at the commander, saying that he was impossible to work. Prime says that the team will have to work harder, but Lennox thinks that the problem is the army still doesn't get the difference between Autobots and Decepticons. Optimus Prime says that they have to succeed.

The next day, Bumblebee says his brief good-byes to the group. Ironhide tells him to stay out of trouble until he meets with Bumblebee, while Optimus Prime reminds Bumblebee that the protection of Sam is his first priority, then Bumblebee leaves. Later, the team is briefed by the army. There have been multiple Decepticon sightings all over the globe. Lennox lets Optimus Prime talk to the army, and Prime believes that, coming from Swindle's comments, the Decepticons are looking for something, be it Megatron's remains, Sam's house, or somewhere else. The commander asks if they aren't spreading for another attack, but Prime doesn't know. The Decepticons soldiers don't act like the ones Megatron commanded, but are more like scouts. The commander gives them new orders; they are to find these Decepticon scouts, engage, hunt down, and eliminate them.

And so, as Prime relates, with upgraded technology from Sector Seven installed by Ratchet, the Autobots found the Decepticons, and, when found, they were destroyed immediately (in Italy, Fracture gets smashed by Ironhide and falls to the ravine). With help from NEST, the war with the Decepticons continues. As weeks, then months went by, they trained and got better. Soldiers from all over the world signed up. Together, they celebrated triumph (in Europe, Overcast is shot down by NEST forces) and mourned those who made sacrifices (a mission in the Middle East resulted in the death of Salani). They grew as a team and learned from one another, becoming stronger allies in an ever-changing war. The Decepticons wouldn't give them info, but they never lasted long enough anyways (in Florida, they eliminated Dropkick and Incinerator), and others they couldn't get rid of (Barricade fled after the Florida battle).

Each mission was followed with an army debriefing. It was from there that they received judgment and new orders. It was in one briefing that they were given hope and joy. The next day, the Autobots head to a junkyard. Lennox says that the rad detector is going crazy, and that it's not them. Optimus reassures Lennox, then calls to the hiding Autobots. The new Autobots respond by appearing (in the guises of a silver sports car, three motorcycles, and an old ice cream truck), and saying that they got Optimus' call. However, the reunion is cut short by more sightings. The old Autobots catched up with the new ones through their training. The training ends as they are called to the briefing room, as Optimus wonders that if something is out there, friend or foe, they are the only ones who can deal with the situation, one which is threatening their new home, themselves, and their alliance with the humans.

Inside, Lennox briefs the team on a new assignment, which will involve the new Autobots to stick with their training and watching their backs. Their target location: Shanghai...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] (1)
* [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] (2)
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] (6)
* [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] (16)
* [[Chromia (ROTF)|Chromia]] (17)
* Bike #2 (18)
* Bike #3 (19)
* [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] (20)
* [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]

|c2=
* [[Jolt (Movie)|Dead End]] (7)
* [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] (8)
* [[Fracture]] (11)
* [[Overcast (Movie)|Overcast]] (12)
* [[Jetstorm (Movie)|Jetstorm]] (13)
* [[Dropkick]] (14)
* [[Incinerator (Movie)|Incinerator]] (15)
* [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] (21)
* [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] (22)
|c3=
* [[Robert Epps]] (3)
* [[William Lennox]] (4)
* [[Salani]] (9)
* Mystery Army guy (10)
}}

==Quotes==
*TBD

==Errors==
*TBD

==Items of note==
[[Image:Alliance4_CoverB_preliminary.jpg|thumb|150px|Does Prime transform into a short bus?]]
* Much like the changes made to [[Josh Nizzi]]'s cover for "[[Defiance issue 3]]", his cover for this issue went through several revisions. When it was previewed on [http://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=208&itemid=12437 ComicNewsi.com] on December 13, 2008, the cover featured a much brighter background with only the [[Pyrimid of Giza]] behind the characters; Optimus Prime was more awkwardly posed; Ironhide & Ratchet were large and prominent; and [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] could be (barely) seen on the cover behind the three bikes. On Nizzi's final version, the tone is much darker and more sombre; at least two pyrimids are visible; Optimus Prime has been given a different pose; Ironhide & Ratchet are less prominent and Jolt has been removed entirely. The final published cover removes some forward window pillars that do not exist on Sideswipe's prop vehicle.
* Though they do not appear in this issue due to lack of space, [[Reverb (Movie)|Reverb]] and [[Gunbarrel (Movie)|Gunbarrel]] are most likely to be been destroyed in Italy, judging by Ironhide's comment about Fracture being the last of the group there.

===Covers (2)===
*'''Cover A:''' The Autobots and their human allies, as well as a fallen Decepticon; art by [[Alex Milne]], colors by [[Priscilla Tramontano]].
*'''Cover B:''' The Autobots and their new Autobot allies; art and colors by [[Josh Nizzi]].
<gallery>
Image:Alliance4_coverA.jpg|
Image:Alliance4_coverB.jpg|Here's the [[to sell toys|new toys]] to look for this summer!
</gallery>

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