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Sludge (G1)

2011-03-23T04:49:00Z

65.26.33.78: /* Marvel UK future timelines */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig2|the Generation 1 Dinobot brontosaurus|the Wal*Mart-exclusive Dinobots series dimetrodon|Sludge (Dinobots)}}
:''Sludge is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Sludgeg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Me transform into non-existent dino!"]]
"'''Sludge''' dumb," is how [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander himself, describes the plodding Autobot. The Dinobots have a perhaps undeserved reputation for being dimwitted, but Sludge is the genuine article. He makes the other four look like scholars in comparison.

As Sludge can't make much of an impression in the mental department, he likes to make his presence known physically. He'll stomp his hefty hide around just so you know he's there.
None of the Dinobots really like [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], but he and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] share an especially intense dislike for him. Sludge believes that the strongest should lead, and in his mind, Grimlock is the strongest Autobot. But Sludge genuinely believes in the Autobot cause, so he tolerates Prime. Beyond that, Sludge is actually what you might call nice... Maybe not to [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]'s level, but nicer than [[Grimlock (G1)|the]] [[Slag (G1)|other]] [[Snarl (G1)|guys]].

{{bigquote|Sludge no like [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Let's stomp!|Sludge's solution to every problem|"[[Call of the Primitives]]"}}

:''Preliminary names'': '''Brontobot''', '''Piledrive''',<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071230210811/http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=41003 Jim Sorenson revealed] that the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon]] [[production bible|series bible]] features a descriptions of him typed with the name "Piledrive", then crossed out by hand and relabeled "Sludge". He was also listed parenthetically as "Brontobot".</ref> '''Bronton'''<ref>"Bronton" is from the [[Sunbow Productions]] cast list page for "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]", and was evidently coined by writer [[Donald F. Glut]].[http://web.archive.org/web/20070217131842/http://members.aol.com/tfencyc/interview_glut.html]</ref>
:''Italian name'': '''Bronto'''
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Chafurda'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Iszap'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Terro'''
:''French name'' : '''Slug'''

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]], [[Minoru Inaba]] ([[The Transformers: The Movie|The Movie]] only) (Japanese), [[Georges Atlas]] (French), [[Edgar Wald]] (Latin American)

[[Image:SOSDinobots-Sludge_Insignia.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Those with face like this good. Except when they aren't.]]

Sludge was developed, along with his fellow [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], after the Autobots discovered dinosaur bones in their volcanic headquarters. Inspired by the power of the prehistoric beasts, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] built a trio of Dinobots to add firepower to the Autobot forces. The Dinobots proved too dangerous at first, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] ordered Wheeljack to abandon the Dinobot project. Wheeljack continued improving the trio of titans in secret, crafting memory components that made them smarter and easier to control. When the rest of the Autobots were captured by the Decepticons at the [[Great Falls]] hydroelectric power plant, Wheeljack dispatched the Dinobots to free their comrades and destroy the Decepticons. The Dinobots succeeded in forcing a Decepticon retreat and were welcomed as members of the Autobot team. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

Sludge's greatest weakness was his sheer stupidity. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] exploited the Dinobots' weaknesses to turn them against Optimus Prime, Sludge merely choosing to follow whichever leader was "strongest". When Optimus Prime risked his life to boldly save Grimlock, the Dinobots rejoined him. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

[[Image:SludgeUltimateDoom.jpg|left|175px|thumb|"Hello, pretty trees. Me Sludge stomp you now."]]

Sludge and his fellow Dinobots were called upon to stop a colossal tidal wave, {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} and afterwards, he and Grimlock helped repair a city that was destroyed during the terror. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

The Dinobots were in the Ark to fight off the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] who came for [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]. Sludge didn't recognize the new Decepticons, but was still willing to pummel them. When the Constructicons merged into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] created a [[Halonix Maximus|giant hologram]] that distracted the beast and gave the Dinobots an advantage, forcing Devastator into a crevice of lava. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

During a game of football, Sludge was tackled by Hound. The other Autobots later went on a mission to stop [[Nergill]] and the Decepticons at [[Washington, D.C.]], and when in dire need of assistance, Wheeljack called in the Dinobots as reinforcements. When they arrived, Sludge was pleased to hear Grimlock's order to "transform and destroy", and his powerful feet created earthquakes. {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}}

[[Image:DayOfMachines_SludgeStomp.jpg|thumb|right|210px|"Oops. Pardon me. Coming this way. Excuse me!"]]

Sludge helped out with the destruction of oil tankers reprogrammed into attacking the Autobots, stomping them like ants. Sludge's long neck gave Optimus Prime a boost so that he could see [[Paul Gates]]. {{storylink|Day of the Machines}}

After Wheeljack's attempt to show off the Dinobots' finesse was a failure, (Sludge stepped on Slag's tail, unleashing his [[flame-breath]], and it only got worse from there) they were sent to [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]], a place where the Dinobots would be at home. Sludge didn't mind, because he thought that more room was a good thing for a big guy like him. On the island, he rescued Spike from a lake and had a rock fly in his face (courtesy of Snarl), but with the other four Dinobots, he was cornered by Megatron and fell over a cliff, plunging into a tar pit. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} Luckily, Sludge survived, and the Dinobots got out of the pit and outnumbered the Decepticons who had arrived, forcing them to retreat. Sludge then helped release the island's energy return the flow of time to normal. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

[[Image:DesertionOfDinobots2-DinoLabour.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Me Sludge celebrate Labour Day.]]

When [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] saw Decepticons at a public airport and Optimus Prime's squad was unavailable, Wheeljack sent in the Dinobots. At the airport, Sludge rescued Bumblebee from the incoming [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], but when he recklessly changed into robot modes with his comrades, Sludge was vanquished by the Decepticons' assault. Though the Autobot doctors did their best, Sludge was no longer interested in doing labour for Optimus Prime and quit with his fellow Dinobots. Grimlock then took the Dinobots to Cybertron, {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} where they were captured by Shockwave and tricked into thinking that they obeyed the Decepticons. Luckily, Sludge was rescued by Spike and Carly, and went back to Earth with a healthy supply of [[cybertonium]] for the weakened Autobots. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}}

[[Image:Purple sludge.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Dissertation of the Dinobot.]]
During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Sludge and the Dinobots attacked [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. During the attack, Devastator struck Sludge so hard his [[Sensors|optic sensors]] bulged out of his head. Later, the Dinobots escaped with [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], only to be shot down over [[Quintessa]]. The Dinobots later located the two Autobots with the help of [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and Sludge and Slag dispatched a [[Quintesson]] prosecutor—by standing on top of a door under which he'd been caught. Later, Sludge was able to tail-whip the butt of [[Unicron|a god]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Sludge and Snarl were later left to guard [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] when a seemingly resurrected Optimus Prime returned, saying that Hot Rod, Kup, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] had been killed by the Quintessons. When the aforementioned Autobots turned up on Cybertron alive, Arcee said that she was happy to see them, but Sludge was not happy, as he thought that meant he and Snarl were dead. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

{{storylink|Thief in the Night}} {{storylink|Webworld}} {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

Later, he was among the [[Primitive|Primitives]] who were summoned by [[Primacron]]'s [[Oracle (G1)|assistant]] to fight [[Tornedron]], along with the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]. When [[Headstrong]] insulted Grimlock, Sludge, who didn't like the Predacons, suggested that they stomp them. When Tornedron arrived on the Oracle's planet, Sludge and the Autobots were defeated during an attempted ambush on the creature. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
When the Decepticons invaded Cybertron to conquer [[Vector Sigma]], Sludge defended the planet alongside his fellow Dinobots. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
While the Autobots remained dormant inside [[Mount St. Hilary]], the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' detected Cybertronian life. Dispatching a probe, the ''Ark'' learned that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] had come to Earth and was wandering the [[Savage Land]]. The ''Ark'' used data gathered from the Savage Land to convert five of the dormant Autobots into the Dinobots. They traveled to fight Shockwave, but all combatants became trapped in a tar pit. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} The Dinobots were later freed by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and helped him fight and defeat Megatron.'' {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}''

''Sludge, like the other Dinobots, went a-wandering after this but reverted to his base instincts after his primary [[Cybo-dendron|cybo-dendrons]] burnt out, probably because the insulation that protected them had been eroded by [[Repeat Performance!|4 million years submerged in a tar-pit]]. Sludge ended up in the waterways of Littlewood, California, where he was befriended by [[Joy Meadows]]. Unfortunately, the Decepticons attacked, took him away from his newfound love, and made him fight [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]].'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

[[Image:Dinobots fight commentary.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"My mon Bats don't shiv." "Leader billy berserk. Leader peg Batman, you see."]]
''While Sludge was recovering from brain surgery, he dreamed of Joy,'' {{storylink|Victory!}}'' and when he'd recovered, he saw her on TV and decided to search her out. It was lucky he did, because the [[Intelligence and Information Institute]] had marked her for death to protect their [[Robot-Master]] story. Sludge saved her life, and she hooked up with the Dinobots, though both she and they viewed Sludge's open crush as quite weird. However, even the power of unrequited love couldn't stop the Decepticons from defeating the Dinobots and forcing Joy to stop her investigation. {{storylink|In the National Interest}}.'' ''Later on, he ended up fighting [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], {{storylink|Fallen Angel (issue)|Fallen Angel}}'' being destroyed by an [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] before being revived with [[Nucleon]] by Grimlock, and fighting [[Unicron]] before being killed and then resurrected by the [[Last Autobot]] as the Autobots finally won...

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Sludge and the Dinobots were one of several special units unleashed on the Decepticon attack force when [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] led the 'Cons on a siege of the Autobots' main base on Cybertron. Autobot High Command soon learned this assault was only a distraction, however, engineered by [[Unicron]] himself who was reconstructing himself on the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]]. When [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] returned from Junk with this news, [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] gathered [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]], Grimlock, and the rest of the Dinobots with him to make an assault on Junk. Much to Rodimus's dismay, Sludge and the Dinobots didn't hold back at all when attacking the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] Unicron had mind-controlled into doing his bidding, and tore through them as if they were any other enemy. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}''

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
''After Grimlock revived the Dinobots under mysterious circumstances, Shockwave and his Decepticons attempted to beat the information out of the Dinobots. Didn't work too well. Sludge engaged in some serious swordplay with [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], pitting [[energo-sword]] against [[ionizer sword]]. The Decepticons were quickly driven off. {{storylink|Two Steps Back!}} Naturally, when Optimus Prime put Grimlock in charge of Autobot activity on Earth, Sludge and the Dinobots joined his new Earthforce. {{storylink|Break-Away!}}''

''Early on, the Dinobots tried to teach Grimlock the value of a good joke; he pelted them with the world's largest snowball. {{storylink|Snow Fun!}} Later, they tried to teach Slag the value of not killing everyone in sight and chewing on their circuitry; he got a little [[Fire-breath|hot and bothered]] and left them a little... run down. {{storylink|The 4,000,000 Year Itch!}}''

''Later, Snarl began to suffer from the rusting disease called [[Corrodia Gravis]], leaving Earthforce in the uncomfortable position of getting help from the only Transformer who could give Snarl a compatible systems boost: [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Fortunately, they found the perfect opportunity for quid pro quo when they came upon the Decepticons' Louisiana headquarters and found Starscream under attack by Megatron, Shockwave and a group of assassins. Grimlock stuttered a bit on the order, but he sent Sludge and Swoop to keep Starscream alive. They fought off the Mayhems and kept Starscream around long enough for him to give Snarl the boost. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil}}''

=====''Another Time and Place''=====
Several months after the golden age of Cybertron was reintroduced, Sludge and most of his fellow Dinobots had succumbed to the transfiguring effects of Nucleon and lost their ability to transform. When Grimlock received information that the Hydrus Four facilities had reopened, and discovered a means of reversing Nucleonic changes, the Dinobots jumped at the idea. Despite Prime's half-hearted warnings, Sludge and his teammates followed Grimlock back to Hydrus Four in the hopes of becoming Transformers once again. They were followed by the "exiled" Decepticons, however, and a battle with a huge native creature delayed the Dinobots long enough for Bludgeon's crew to get ahead of them and take over the Nucleon facility. The Dinobots were laid low by a [[Holocaust Trigger]], overloading their sensory circuits so that they were helpless before the Decepticons. Cruelly tortured, the Dinobots were still left alive so that they could witness the rebirth of Megatron, thanks to the Nucleon infusions Bludgeon was feeding him. Luckily, the Autobots had long since learned to become worried whenever the Dinobots were out of sight for too long, and had followed them to Hydrus Four. [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]], [[Tote]] and several [[Micromaster|Micromasters]] managed to free the injured Dinobots, and an Autobot strike force brought down their Decepticon captors. The Nucleon reversion process was a success, and Sludge and his comrades were restored to fully operational Transformers. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Eating contest.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Doesn't he know he's supposed to be a vegetarian?]]
Sludge and the Dinobots were fighting alongside Grimlock and a small group of Autobot firestormers when they uncovered the [[Cybertronian Empire]] and their terraforming measures. After calling in Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots, they became part of a major offensive against not only [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his ilk, but everything they represented. {{storylink|War Without End!}} Despite Prime serving as overall commander, however, Sludge and his buddies were still Dinobots first and foremost. So when Grimlock wanted to take first strike action against Prime's orders, there was no question who they'd follow. Sludge and the others were captured almost immediately, though, and only escaped thanks to the timely intervention of Optimus Prime and his more loyal group of soldiers. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Sludge continued to fight alongside the Autobots with his Dinobot comrades, on both Earth and Ethos. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} {{storylink|Escalation!}} Later, after the Autobots forged an alliance with the first-generation Decepticons against the Cybertronians, the Dinobots got into the spirit of things -- they teamed up with [[Headstrong]] and [[Weirdwolf]] in a metal-munching contest, to see who could chow down on the most Cybertronians.

Man, too bad [[Hun-Gurrr|Hun-Grrr]] and [[Skullcruncher]] weren't there to make it a real contest. {{storylink|Total War!}}

====''Classics''====
{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Cheap Shots}} {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Sludge was originally part of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s [[Lightning Strike Coalition]]. They were a small squad that basically ran amok disrupting the Decepticons (which typically involved stealing [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] and taking names). He didn't have much of a speaking role (like at all) and basically plodded along and smashed whatever Grimlock told him to. Later he and his fellow Dynobots (minus Grimlock who was busy executing other people for treason) aided [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s group with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] before joining forces with [[Shockwave (G1)|good ol' one eye]] to help against [[The Fallen]]. Later, he went to Earth along with the other Dynobots to go crush some [[Insecticon (G1)|bugs]] and eventually wound up under [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s control. They were used to blackmail Grimlock to serve the Decepticons once again; however, Meg's defeat allowed them to be freed by their mighty leader and taken to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] (in a stolen Decepticon vessel no less) where they did what they did best, causing massive destruction against [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s regime. However this was cut short as old one eye let loose the [[Guardian Robot|Guardian Robots]] after them, leading to some 'rest time'. They were last seen being briefed by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] as well as standing around being huge.

===Devil's Due ''G.I.Joe vs Transformers'' comics===
When [[Teletran 3]] malfunctioned and sent a random number of Transformers into different points in Earth's timeline, Sludge and his comrades ended up in the planet's distant past, where they were reformatted into dinosaurs and took on the "Dinobot" moniker. They were eventually brought back to present day Cybertron by a group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and a [[Cobra]] [[Cobra Viper|Viper]], where their powerful dinosaur modes easily overwhelmed [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and his troops. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

===Transformers Legends anthology===
Sludge agreed with Grimlock's plan to deal with a helpless Starscream by slagging the Decepticon and scattering the pieces. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

===IDW Generation 1 comics===
{{ongoing}}
Sludge and the other Dynobots followed Grimlock to revenge themselves against Shockwave, who blew up a cache of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] they had stolen. When Shockwave traveled to [[Earth]], the Dynobots pursued him and reformatted themselves to transform into robotic dinosaurs with a synthetic skin as a defense against energon overload. Sadly, it did not protect the Dynobots from Shockwave's energy blasts, which melted the artificial skin and caused the Dynobots to go into [[stasis lock]] due to excessive [[energon radiation]]. Due to a deadman's switch, the [[Skyfire (ship)|Dynobots' ship]] blasted a volcano that buried everyone in molten lava. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}}

[[Image:GrimlockSludgeSwoopMaxDino02.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Sludge must be getting tired of being used as a giant club.]]
Thousands of years later, the Dynobots were eventually excavated by [[Skywatch]], and though Grimlock was the first to be brought back online, he was freed from Skywatch's control through a virus implanted by a [[Machination]] spy (under orders from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]). Scorponok wanted Grimlock to join him, but Grimlock refused, fought Scorponok and escaped, vowing to find and rescue Sludge and the other Dynobots. Scorponok, however, plans to take control of the Dynobots himself and use them to assassinate Grimlock. {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}}

Skywatch activated Sludge, and in a test run, had him attack a bi-plane. When Grimlock showed up in [[Fallon]], he and the other Dynobots were sent to intercept him. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 1|Maximum Dinobots #1}}

He smashed through buildings, rammed Grimlock and got chucked around by his neck before his reprogramming was toned down, allowing him to find out Grimlock had set up a dead man's switch without telling the team and then hear Grimlock's defense. Sludge's face went ":(" during this. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}}

[[Image:Sludge MaximumDinos4.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Apatosaurus'' was not aerodynamic. We have proved this with extensive testing.]]
Along with the other Dinobots, Sludge walked away after Swoop read Grimlock the riot act. When Grimlock was attacked and almost destroyed by the Sunstreaker clones, however, the team reunited once again for battle. Although fighting valiantly, they might have been destroyed, if not for the intervention of the Monsterbots, who were earlier contacted by Grimlock. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

Aboard the Monsterbots' ship, Sludge and the others wonder why Grimlock would side with the outcasts. They gave Grimlock a stern look when he exited the cockpit. The Dynobots didn't see the point of fighting Scorponok, but Grimlock said that Scorponok made it their fight when he turned the Dynobots against him. Snarl disagreed, saying that it has always been Grimlock's fight, that he and the other Dynobots went along with him, and that it was now Grimlock's wounded pride at stake. After the Monsterbots blasted away the defenses, Grimlock exited the ship, saying that there was no way he could let this go, and that with or without the Dynobots, there would be a reckoning for Scorponok. The Dynobots decided that arguing is pointless and followed Grimlock. When Hunter O'Nion pulled the cords from Sunstreaker's head, shutting him down, the clones ceased to function. Sludge cried out in victory, but the moment is short-lived as Scorponok blasted Sludge into stasis. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}}

[[Image:Sludge gets blasted MD4.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"And I have the power too!"]]
Grimlock stared down at Sludge's dead body, brooding about how it was his fault Sludge was dead... while a battle between Scorponok and Shockwave (for rights of revenge upon Grimlock) raged on around him. Eventually Snarl, Slag, and Swoop decide to get to the Monsterbots' ship while the getting was good, but Grimlock stayed behind with Sludge. Grimlock tried infusing some of his spark energy into Sludge to revive him, but it seemed to have no effect. Shockwave got the upper hand and let Scorponok escape, and in frustration, Grimlock attacked Shockwave. Grimlock and Shockwave were too busy fighting to notice the return of Slag, Snarl, and Swoop, who reasoned that, while helping Grimlock might not be much of a cause, it still beat being no better than the Monsterbots. They were noticed by Sludge, however, who seemed to have recovered due to Grimlock's treatment after all. The four of them dove into the fray proper, but Grimlock ordered them to go after Scorponok instead. When Hot Rod was about to get squished by Scorponok, the remaining Dynobots showed up in just the nick of time. At Hot Rod's urgings, Swoop severed the connections keeping Scorponok's head conscious. But before the Dynobots could kill the rest of Scorponok, Ultra Magnus showed up and told them that Scorponok would be revived and made to answer to a tribunal instead. He then said they should purge the entire Machination facility, gather up all related Machination technology, and get as far away from Earth as possible as soon as possible—a plan that the Dynobots, Hot Rod, and Hunter were all perfectly OK with. Ultra Magnus later told Grimlock that having Scorponok and Shockwave in custody could help offset Grimlock's own sentence, and that the other Dynobots' warrants had been canceled, and Grimlock was content with that and the fact that Sludge was alive again thanks to him. Sludge and the others meanwhile happily repaired the ''[[Skyfire (ship)|Skyfire]]''. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Sludge toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Me Sludge crush Littlefoot's mama.]]
*'''Sludge''' (Dinobot, 1985/1986/1991/1992)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''27'''
**''Accessories'': "Energo-Sword", "Electron Cannon", "Rocket Pod", 3 rockets

: Sludge was released as part of the second series of Transformers in 1985, transforming into a robotic "[[wikipedia:brontosaurus|brontosaurus]]". He has a trio of silver rockets, a rocket launcher, a black gun, and a red sword. Like most ''[[Diaclone]]''-era molds, Sludge also has a conspicuous driver compartment located in his chest.

: Sludge was re-released in the European "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" line in 1991. In Japan, he and the other Dinobots were offered as mail-away items during [[Operation Combination (toyline)|Operation Combination]]; Sludge cost 2300 yen (his original retail price) and two [[robot points]].

: In stark contrast to most Transformers toys of his era, Sludge is fairly well articulated in robot mode. He has a waist swivel, his legs move in and out at the hips as well as back and forth, and he has articulated knees. He also has articulated elbows and wrists, although they can only bend inward. Still, impressive for his time. He can totally facepalm.
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:ThunderGeist.jpg|thumb|200px|Dumbest idiot.]][[Image:G2SludgeBoxart.jpg|right|200px|thumb|WANT.]]
* Sludge was originally a ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Dinosaur Robo Brontosaurus". The only differences between this incarnation and the ''Transformers'' release is that the ''Diaclone'' version has a gold-chromed sword and a blue crotch piece rather than red, as well as coming with a red-and-black Diaclone pilot figure.

* Sludge turns into a Brontosaurus (a sauropod dinosaur), a dinosaur that, due to skeletal misidentification at its discovery, does [[wikipedia:Brontosaurus|not actually exist]]. However, in the IDW continuity, he was depicted as an Apatosaurus.

* Sludge is the only one of the original Dinobots not to share his alt mode with another character in another series (although considering that it doesn't exist, that ain't too difficult).

* The overall design and transformation sequence of the original Sludge toy served as the basis for '''Thunder Geist''', one of four recurring villainous henchmen on the Takara/Sunrise co-production ''[[Brave (franchise)|Brave Exkaiser]]''. In what might be called [[Beast (G1)|a vision of things to come]], the four "Geisters" were once briefly fused into a single robot called "[[:Image:MadGeister.jpg|Mad Geister]]" (マッドガイスター, ''ma-ddo-ga-i-su-taa''). However, because each Geister controlled a portion of the combined body {{m-}} and, aside from [[:Image:PteraGeist.jpg|Ptera Geist]], they had the accumulated brain power of a Froot Loop {{m-}} this ended rather badly. In a more successful (if not [[Mega-Dinobot|also prescient]]) later development, the Geisters learned to merge in groups of two, with Thunder Geist forming the lower body of "[[:Image:PtederAndHormor.jpg|Pteder]]" (プテダー, ''pu-te-daa'').

* Swoop and Sludge's absence from the [[Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' toyline]] has never been fully explained, though rumors of what might have been persist. Recently, packaging art of both in new colors was put up for auction on [[eBay]] {{m-}} seemingly from the collection of a former Hasbro employee {{m-}} indicating what he ''might'' have looked like in the line. This art surfaced alongside a [[:Image:G2GrimlockArtwork.jpg|screaming yellow-orange and turquoise Grimlock]], so it is possible that the three were at one time planned for a second wave of Dinobots.

{{-}}
==References==
<references/>

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

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Demolitions specialists]]
[[Category:Dinobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]

Landfill (G1)

2011-03-09T18:32:12Z

65.26.33.78: /* Marvel Comics continuity */

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

[[Image:Landfill g1 boxart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Picture this with stink-lines.]]

Why doesn't anybody like '''Landfill'''? Why do they step (very far) to the side when he passes by? He can't understand it. He's a really nice guy. He's always happy. He's good at his job, and he always does what he is told. Why, then, do his friends avoid him? This makes him very sad.

His comrades know the answer very well, but how do you tell a 'bot that he should clean his bodywork every once in a while, without upsetting him and making him think he's being insulted? It wouldn't help, anyway... he'd not see the need to clean up even if directly ordered to do so. It's a shame Landfill can't just realize on his own that if one is not to be selective about which cargoes he hauls, then one must be willing to use a little surfactant and solvent on occasion.

His [[Targetmaster]] partners [[Flintlock]] and [[Silencer]] try to make Landfill understand that if he wants to make friends, he has to work on his hygiene, but this effort is to no avail.

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Décharge'''

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
Landfill was a soldier under [[Emirate Xaaron]]'s command on Cybertron, first seen during the brief period where the [[Classic Pretender|Classic Pretenders]] rallied the resistance movement with several successful assaults on [[Thunderwing (G1)|Lord Thunderwing]]'s territory. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

When Galvatron and the heralds of [[Unicron]] assaulted Xaaron's camp, Landfill stayed behind to cover his leader's escape. He suffered some injuries battling [[Hook, Line, and Sinker|Hook]], but managed to survive thanks to Unicron calling off his dogs to hunt the errant Galvatron instead. {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

Landfill and Quickmix later attended Primus' oration on Cybertron, before the united Autobot and Decepticon forces. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

====Marvel UK future timelines====
''In an alternate 1991, Landfill was working with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] when [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] manipulated them into protecting him from harm during the Decepticon Civil War. While the Autobot Code compelled them to drive off his assassins, Scorponok made good his escape from all his enemies. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}''

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}

Landfill was present when Powermaster Optimus Prime led the Autobots againt the joint Decepticon leaders Shockwave and Megatron, who had tried to hijack the oil reserves of [[Alaska]]. The Autobots drove off the Decepticons, but not before [[Quickmix]] shot a minibot because he turned off his targetting computer. Optimus then sat his troops down and explained to them the differences between Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|Transformers in Action: Attack at Dawn}}

Landfill was among the Autobots monitoring the Decepticons from a distance when Megatron made peaceful gestures to Humanity in New York City. The Autobots returned to the Ark and discovered that a statue of Snaptrap that the Decepticons had gifted to New York was actually Snaptrap in disguise. Snaptrap went on a rampage and the Decepticons used this distraction to attack various other targets. Optimus Prime led the Autobots to narrowly defeat this menace. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 4#Transformers in Action: The Troy Principle|Transformers in Action: The Troy Principle}}

He took part in the rescue effort when an oil tanker was hijacked by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 5|Transformers in the Battle for Peace: A Big Day for Powermaster Optimus Prime}}

When the Decepticons stole three nuclear missiles from the United State Federation to hold the world to ransom, Optimus Prime put the entire burden of discovering their whereabouts on the shoulders of the Double Targetmasters, who were sent to scout possible locations.{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Transformers in Action: Megatron's Ultimatum}}

===''Generation 2'' cartoon===
[[Image:G2DoubleTargetmasters.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Off in that corner there.]]
Many millions of years ago, on the planet Cybertron, life existed. But not life as we know it today. Intelligent robots that could think and feel inhabited the cities. Apparently among those robots were the Autobots Landfill, [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]], and [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]], who transformed from their vehicle modes and shot at some unknown attackers. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

{{note|Footage from the [[commercial]] featuring the Autobot "Double Targetmaster" trio was spliced into the ''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' version of the episode by way of the [[Cybernet Space Cube]]. Outside of this, they never actually appeared in the cartoon.}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:SpotlightBlaster Jazz Smokescreen Landfill.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Stuck in an enclosed space with Landfill. Poor guys.]]
Several hundred years ago, Landfill was sharing a foxhole with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] on Cybertron, waiting for the latest broadcast from [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], the Voice of the war movement.

The broadcast... never came. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

After the [[Surge (event)|Surge]], Landfill was stationed in the [[Morobishi Canyons]] of [[Karashi Delta]]. The Autobots won that fight thanks to Landfill's courageous commander, the aerial strategist [[Rotorstorm]]. {{storylink|Bullets}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1-toy Landfill.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hey, is it me or does the whole room stink?]]
*'''Landfill''' (Targetmaster, 1988)

:Landfill transforms into a beige and brown off-road earth-moving dump truck, with a non-functional dumping tray (can't even put anything in it) due to his unusual arm transformation sequence. His Targetmaster partners Flintlock and Silencer (or any other accessories with handle pegs of the correct size) can be stored in the two peg holes on either side of the dumping tray.

:In robot mode it is revealed that the reason his tray is non-functional is because the arms are stored within two flip-over panels. As was the standard of smaller ''Generation 1'' toys of this era, Landfill has very limited articulation, all located in his ratcheting shoulder joints (and one has to hold the arm panels in place while rotating the arms themselves). Flintlock and Silencer can become two separate handguns, or either can attach to the rear of the other gun to form a single rifle.

: No version of this character or mold was released in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/Landfill/landfill.htm More information on Landfill at TFU.info]

==Notes==
* Though his personal hygiene may imply the contrary, Landfill is a robot and has probably never been to [[BotCon]]. You probably, ahem, detected somebody else.

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

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Slobs]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]

Quickmix (G1)

2011-03-08T19:41:25Z

65.26.33.78: /* Marvel Comics continuity */

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

[[Image:G1Quickmix cardart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Now where did I leave that ass-whupping?"]]
'''Quickmix''' is an absent-minded chemist whose demeanor is nearly as volatile as the chemicals he works with. He is accomplished in his trade, and is readily capable of devising new compounds and ways of combating the Decepticons, but his impatience and absent-mindedness often results in unfinished projects and experiments. He has a short temper and his Autobot allies make sure to give him a wide berth because of it. After all, the dude works with chemicals.

Quickmix is a "Double" [[Targetmaster]], and is partnered with the [[Nebulans]] [[Boomer]] and [[Ricochet (Nebulan)|Ricochet]].

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Mixture'''

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Quickochet.jpg|left|150px|thumb|I'm going to invent Flubber!]]
Quickmix assisted the [[Classic Pretender|Classic Pretenders]] and [[Rescue Patrol]] in eight successful raids on Decepticon-held facilities on Cybertron. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

He continued serving [[Emirate Xaaron]], and took command of holding the line at [[Autobase (G1)|Autobase]] against [[Unicron]]'s agents while Xaaron fled to safety, even having the cajones to stand up to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] himself. {{storylink|Surrender!}}{{storylink|Out of Time!}}

Quickmix survived to be present for the arrival of Unicron himself, but made little showing after that. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

====Marvel UK future timelines====
''In an alternate 1991, Quickmix was part of a unit under [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s command during the Decepticon Civil War. [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the leader of one faction, deliberately surrendered to Quickmix's trio, knowing that the Autobot Code would compel them to protect the life of a willing prisoner in their custody. Scorponok was easily able to escape after pitting his foes against each other. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}''

''In 2009, Quickmix was serving on the Autobot bridge crew with [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] when they fled the Decepticon controlled Cybertron. Their leader, [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], was possessed by the evil of [[Unicron]], and sabotaged the ship so that it was forced into an out-of-control landing, with the retro-rockets firing only at the last second. {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} Quickmix's deactivated body was seen in the aftermath, although whether he was taken off-line in the crash or from facing his insane leader was unclear. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}}''
{{-}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}
Small Targetmaster Quickmix was a fairly prominent Autobot, constantly seeing action against the evil Decepticons and backed up by two mini-robots that could transform into guns! Unfortunately, in his first bit of action in [[Alaska]], he switched off his guidance systems (which ensured you don't shoot your own side) to increase his reaction time and ended up shooting an Autobot Minibot by mistake. Optimus told him off and gave him [[To sell toys|<strike>a sales catalog</strike> a lecture on the current Autobots and Decepticons so the same mistake wouldn't happen again]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|Transformers in Action: Attack at Dawn}} He managed better when [[Piranacon]] attacked New York City, helping bring him down. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 4|Transformers in Action: The Troy Principle}}

When Optimus Prime mused that the Decepticons were winning because they were more brutal and ruthless, Quickmix got angry and demanded to know if he was suggesting they should copy the Decepticons. He later applauded Slapdash's call for an Autobot-run global government, and fought off a massive Decepticon assault across America. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 5|Transformers in the Battle for Peace: A Big Day for Powermaster Optimus Prime}}

Quickmix did less well in [[Nevada]], being severely damaged by [[Horri-Bull]]. He was sent to base for repairs {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Transformers in Action: "Save Nevada Alpha"}} and then immediately sent back out with the other Small Targetmasters to find where the Decepticons were hiding nuclear weapons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Transformers in Action: Megatron's Ultimatum}}

He was astounded when news of both a failing oil tanker near Alaska and a dimensional portal came through. He may have taken part in the latter's battle. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 9|The Transformers' Grand Hour: Headmaster of the Dimensions}}

Quickmix vanished while on routine patrol in [[Michigan]], and was feared dead. He'd actually been captured by the Decepticons after finding their GIANT LASER CANNON, and that dastardly Shockwave even claimed he was dead even though he wasn't! Goldbug's squad brought Quickmix back to the Arc. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 19|Transformers in Action: Shockwave's Galactic Secret}}

===Ladybird continuity===
[[Image:Quickmix ladybird.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Quickmix concretes all the Decepticons into a living death. Nice one!]]
When the Decepticons went to ground on [[Nebulos]], Quickmix was sent with [[Quickswitch]] and [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] to locate them. When Quickswitch returned with news of the base, he and Scoop sealed up the only exit with concrete made from [[Nebulite]] so the Decepticons remained trapped, and the Nebulos campaign, possibly the war itself, was ended. So not only did he help end the war, he did so in an ''incredibly gruesome'' way. {{storylink|Decepticons Underground}}
{{-}}
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
[[Image:G2DoubleTargetmasters.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Blasted time-travel experiments.]]
Many millions of years ago, on the planet Cybertron, life existed. But not life as we know it today. Intelligent robots that could think and feel inhabited the cities. Apparently among those robots were the Autobots [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]], Quickmix, and [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]], who transformed from their vehicle modes and shot at some unknown attackers. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

{{note|Footage from the [[commercial]] featuring the Autobot "Double Targetmaster" trio was spliced into the [[Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]] version of the episode by way of the [[Cybernet Space Cube]]. Outside of this, they never actually appeared in the cartoon.}}
{{-}}
===Universe: The Wreckers===
After the threat of Unicron passed, Quickmix was one of several Autobot scientists who challenged [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]'s decision to send out exploration ships and establish early-warning reconnaissance posts to prevent future threats from reaching Cybertron unopposed. It seems his counsel was wise, as three of the five ships were never heard from again. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

{{note|It's hard to tell that's Quickmix in the original printing, as he and [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] had color schemes that were [[Neon|way off base]]. Like most of the coloring blunders from that issue, this was fixed in the Director's cut. Thankfully.}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Quickmix with Boomer and Ricochet''' (Targetmaster, 1988)

[[Image:G1 Quickmix toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hands to the sky, partner!]]
: Quickmix transforms into a red and off-white cement mixer truck, a rarity in ''Transformers'' and very rare amongst the Autobots in ''Generation 1''. While [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] received painted chrome on his wheel rims, Quickmix gets this paint on his headlights. The mixing drum does not spin due to his unusual robot mode design. Boomer and Ricochet (or any other accessories with handle pegs of the correct size) can be mounted on either side of his (immobile) mixing drum.

:The most remarkable aspect of Quickmix's robot mode is the fact the mixing drum forms the majority of his upper torso. Boomer and Ricochet can become two separate handguns, or either can attach to the rear of the other gun to form a single rifle.

: No version of this character or mold was released in Japan.

:*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/Quickmix/quickmix.htm More information on Quickmix at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==External links==

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

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]

Landfill (G1)

2011-03-08T19:35:42Z

65.26.33.78: /* Marvel Comics continuity */

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

[[Image:Landfill g1 boxart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Picture this with stink-lines.]]

Why doesn't anybody like '''Landfill'''? Why do they step (very far) to the side when he passes by? He can't understand it. He's a really nice guy. He's always happy. He's good at his job, and he always does what he is told. Why, then, do his friends avoid him? This makes him very sad.

His comrades know the answer very well, but how do you tell a 'bot that he should clean his bodywork every once in a while, without upsetting him and making him think he's being insulted? It wouldn't help, anyway... he'd not see the need to clean up even if directly ordered to do so. It's a shame Landfill can't just realize on his own that if one is not to be selective about which cargoes he hauls, then one must be willing to use a little surfactant and solvent on occasion.

His [[Targetmaster]] partners [[Flintlock]] and [[Silencer]] try to make Landfill understand that if he wants to make friends, he has to work on his hygiene, but this effort is to no avail.

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Décharge'''

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
Landfill was a soldier under [[Emirate Xaaron]]'s command on Cybertron, first seen during the brief period where the [[Classic Pretender|Classic Pretenders]] rallied the resistance movement with several successful assaults on [[Thunderwing (G1)|Lord Thunderwing]]'s territory. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

When Galvatron and the heralds of [[Unicron]] assaulted Xaaron's camp, Landfill stayed behind to cover his leader's escape. He suffered some injuries battling [[Hook, Line, and Sinker|Hook]], but managed to survive thanks to Unicron calling off his dogs to hunt the errant Galvatron instead. {{storylink|Surrender!}}{{storylink|Out of Time!}}

Landfill and Quickmix later attended Primus' oration on Cybertron, before the united Autobot and Decepticon forces. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

====Marvel UK future timelines====
''In an alternate 1991, Landfill was working with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] when [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] manipulated them into protecting him from harm during the Decepticon Civil War. While the Autobot Code compelled them to drive off his assassins, Scorponok made good his escape from all his enemies. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}''

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}

Landfill was present when Powermaster Optimus Prime led the Autobots againt the joint Decepticon leaders Shockwave and Megatron, who had tried to hijack the oil reserves of [[Alaska]]. The Autobots drove off the Decepticons, but not before [[Quickmix]] shot a minibot because he turned off his targetting computer. Optimus then sat his troops down and explained to them the differences between Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|Transformers in Action: Attack at Dawn}}

Landfill was among the Autobots monitoring the Decepticons from a distance when Megatron made peaceful gestures to Humanity in New York City. The Autobots returned to the Ark and discovered that a statue of Snaptrap that the Decepticons had gifted to New York was actually Snaptrap in disguise. Snaptrap went on a rampage and the Decepticons used this distraction to attack various other targets. Optimus Prime led the Autobots to narrowly defeat this menace. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 4#Transformers in Action: The Troy Principle|Transformers in Action: The Troy Principle}}

He took part in the rescue effort when an oil tanker was hijacked by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 5|Transformers in the Battle for Peace: A Big Day for Powermaster Optimus Prime}}

When the Decepticons stole three nuclear missiles from the United State Federation to hold the world to ransom, Optimus Prime put the entire burden of discovering their whereabouts on the shoulders of the Double Targetmasters, who were sent to scout possible locations.{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Transformers in Action: Megatron's Ultimatum}}

===''Generation 2'' cartoon===
[[Image:G2DoubleTargetmasters.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Off in that corner there.]]
Many millions of years ago, on the planet Cybertron, life existed. But not life as we know it today. Intelligent robots that could think and feel inhabited the cities. Apparently among those robots were the Autobots Landfill, [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]], and [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]], who transformed from their vehicle modes and shot at some unknown attackers. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

{{note|Footage from the [[commercial]] featuring the Autobot "Double Targetmaster" trio was spliced into the ''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' version of the episode by way of the [[Cybernet Space Cube]]. Outside of this, they never actually appeared in the cartoon.}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:SpotlightBlaster Jazz Smokescreen Landfill.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Stuck in an enclosed space with Landfill. Poor guys.]]
Several hundred years ago, Landfill was sharing a foxhole with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] on Cybertron, waiting for the latest broadcast from [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], the Voice of the war movement.

The broadcast... never came. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

After the [[Surge (event)|Surge]], Landfill was stationed in the [[Morobishi Canyons]] of [[Karashi Delta]]. The Autobots won that fight thanks to Landfill's courageous commander, the aerial strategist [[Rotorstorm]]. {{storylink|Bullets}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1-toy Landfill.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hey, is it me or does the whole room stink?]]
*'''Landfill''' (Targetmaster, 1988)

:Landfill transforms into a beige and brown off-road earth-moving dump truck, with a non-functional dumping tray (can't even put anything in it) due to his unusual arm transformation sequence. His Targetmaster partners Flintlock and Silencer (or any other accessories with handle pegs of the correct size) can be stored in the two peg holes on either side of the dumping tray.

:In robot mode it is revealed that the reason his tray is non-functional is because the arms are stored within two flip-over panels. As was the standard of smaller ''Generation 1'' toys of this era, Landfill has very limited articulation, all located in his ratcheting shoulder joints (and one has to hold the arm panels in place while rotating the arms themselves). Flintlock and Silencer can become two separate handguns, or either can attach to the rear of the other gun to form a single rifle.

: No version of this character or mold was released in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/Landfill/landfill.htm More information on Landfill at TFU.info]

==Notes==
* Though his personal hygiene may imply the contrary, Landfill is a robot and has probably never been to [[BotCon]]. You probably, ahem, detected somebody else.

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

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Slobs]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]

Charlie Fong

2011-03-01T15:33:32Z

65.26.33.78: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Charlie}}

:''Charlie Fong is a [[human]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Charlie Fong window.jpg|thumb|right|250px|His stare pierces your soul.]]

'''Charles "Charlie" Fong''' is a research scientist very eager to take advantage of any opportunity for scientific discovery. He isn't afraid to take a risk here and there when necessary. For science, of course, but becoming famous isn't a bad thing either.

He makes alien friends easily and will go out of his way to help them out.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
When a meteorite landed in northern [[Arizona]], a research team led by Dr. [[Walter Huddleston]] was given permission by the [[United States of America|federal]] government to investigate. Charlie Fong thought Dr. Huddleston was overly cautious in his approach to the investigation. The team had hardly begun their study when [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], and [[Octane]] arrived on the scene over the [[space bridge]]. These invaders drove the team away and the National Guard was brought in to lock down the area.

Outside the restricted area, Charlie Fung still wanted to continue his research despite the risks and said as much to Dr. Huddleston. He was overheard by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] who offered to work together to get past the checkpoint. Charlie agreed and was able to smooth talk his way past the guard driving Goldbug. At the crater, the three of them were attacked by the Decepticon [[Triple Changer]]s. Charlie fell in and Blaster held off the attackers while Goldbug went after him.

In the crater they found the wreckage of a spaceship and its [[freighter pilot|pilot]]. The pilot warned them of his [[scraplet]] infection before dying of it himself. Being immune, Charlie fought the scraplets off before Goldbug could be infected. Blaster was then knocked into the crater and caught the disease. Goldbug wanted to stay and help him but Charlie convinced him that Blaster was as good as dead if they didn't go find a cure.

[[Image:Scraplets duplicate Marvel US issue 29.jpg|left|thumb|250px|He does stuff other than look over and through things, we swear.]]

While driving to the next town, Goldbug became infected.{{storylink|Crater Critters}} Goldbug's engine eventually broke down and Charlie had to get out and push. They found a [[Blackrock Industries|Blackrock]] gas station. Having been pushing a car through the Arizona desert, he was very thirsty and the attendant hurried him some water. He drank it so fast he spilled some on Goldbug. To his surprise, it cured the scraplets. He hurriedly tried to use the gas station's water hose to wash Goldbug off but was stopped by the gas station attendants. Water was scarce and they thought he was crazy for insisting on washing his rusted out wreck of a car that very instant.

[[Image:Goldbugthecure.jpg|right|thumb|200px|See? Sometimes he stands around.]]

Goldbug was tracked to the gas station by the [[Throttlebot]]s, who were prepared to melt him in acid to contain the disease by orders from [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (it's a long story). Charlie tried to tell them he had a cure but they wouldn't listen, and began tearing up the garage where Goldbug ran for cover. Charlie was finally able to convince [[Wide Load]] he had a cure by infecting him with scraplets then getting him wet. Since the attendants were chased off, he was able to use the hose to wash down Goldbug. Goldbug telephoned [[G.B. Blackrock]] and convinced him to bring tanker trucks full of water to the crater site.

Charlie went back to the crater with Goldbug and the Throttlebots and watched as the scraplets merged into a monster, Blaster and the Triple Changers were cured, the scraplet monster defeated, and the Triple Changers make off with the freighter's cargo.{{storylink|The Cure!}}

==Notes==
*[[Bob Budiansky]] would later use the name "Charlie Fong" again for a character in his ''Sleepwalker'' comic book series for [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]. This was not a deliberate reference to his past ''Transformers'' work, however, but a coincidental re-use of the name, which Budiansky had originally created to honor an old college friend named Chun-Wai Fong.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fong, Charlie}}
[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Transformers: Breakdown

2011-02-25T16:16:35Z

65.26.33.78: /* Covers */

{{picsneeded|Hardcover edition}}
{{disambig3|Breakdown}}

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]]'' TPB
|prev=Showdown (Titan)
|next=Treason
|title=Breakdown
|image=Titan-BreakdownSC.jpg
|caption="These are not the [[Predacon (G1)|Cons]] you're looking for."
|publisher=[[Titan Books]]
|date=[[March]] 2004
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciller=[[Don Perlin]]
|inkers=[[Ian Akin]], [[Brett Breeding]] & [[Brian Garvey]]
|letterer=[[Janice Chiang]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|ISBN=1-84023-791-0, 1-84023-810-0 (hardcover)
|price=$19.95, £14.99
|printed in=Italy
}}

'''''Breakdown''''', published by [[Titan Books]], is the name of the eleventh printed [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] trade paperback, which contains six issues of the original US [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Transformers comics]] published by [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]].

==Contents==
* "Yo - Transformers!," a foreward by [[James McDonough|Brad Mick]]
* "The Story so Far," a recap
* [[Gone but Not Forgotten!]]
* [[Funeral for a Friend!]]
* [[King of the Hill!]]
* [[Mechanical Difficulties!]]
* [[Crater Critters]]
* [[The Cure!]]
* Cover gallery

==Covers==
* '''TPB cover art:''' [[Predaking]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and half of [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] by [[Andrew Wildman]].
* '''Hardback cover art:''' [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] fighting [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] by [[Kev Walker]], [[Simon Coleby]] and [[Chris Blythe]].

==Advertisements==
* ''Transfomers: [[Treason]]''
* The Engine

[[Category:Comic compilations]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]

Transformers Annual 1990

2011-02-18T07:16:10Z

65.26.33.78:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[Transformers Annual]]
|prev=Transformers Annual 1989
|next=Transformers Annual 1991
|prev2=Peace
|next2=The Quest!
|title=Transformers Annual 1990
|image=Transformers annual 1990.jpg
|caption=I thought Powermaster [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] was supposed to be [[Scale|twice as tall]] as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[August 1|1st August]] 1989
|coverdate=1990
|editor=[[Chris Francis]]
|designer=[[Gary Gilbert]]
|cover=[[Lee Sullivan]]
|inside cover=[[Art Wetherell|Wetherell]]/[[Stephen Baskerville|Baskerville]]/[[John Burns|Burns]]
|price=£3.99
|ISBN=1-85400-001-2
|pagecount=64
|printed in=Italy
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

The '''Transformers Annual 1990''' was published in the UK by Marvel Comics Ltd. on 1st August 1989.

==Contents==
* [[The Quest!]]
* [[Destiny of the Dinobots!]]
* The Autobot Versus Decepticon - Duel of Wits!
* [[Trigger-Happy!]] (Part 1)
* Bios: [[Race Car Patrol]], [[Off Road Patrol]]
* [[Dreadwing Down!]]
* Who Won the Duel of Wits?
* Trigger Happy! (Part 2)
* Bios: [[Air Strike Patrol]], [[Sports Car Patrol]]
* [[The Chain Gang!]]
* Bios: [[Rescue Patrol]], [[Battle Patrol]]

==Synopsis==
==Items of Note==

{{stub}}

[[Category:Annuals|1990]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Springer (G1)

2011-02-18T07:09:05Z

65.26.33.78: /* Earthforce */

{{factions|autobot|wreckers|autobotg2}}

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

[[Image:Springer-decipherthedecepticon.jpg|right|400px|thumb|One of these days, Alice... POW!]]
'''Springer''' is the archetypical action hero: great in a fight, unselfconsciously brave, confident, and always ready with a dead-pan sarcastic quip to lighten the moment. Someone you can depend on to ride in, save the day and be smug about it.

Springer prefers fighting solo (''Ha!'') and lending a hand to friends where he can. Though his easy self-confidence is one of his most notable features, actually being responsible for others weighs heavily upon his otherwise jocular personality. Nonetheless, Springer ascended to lead the [[Wrecker]]s in many continuities. He has twice been named as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime's]] successor to take the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and lead the Autobots, though neither one actually came to pass.

Springer combines the thrusting power of his legs with his retro thrusters to move rapidly through the battlefield, leaping tall structures in a single bound. Although he is quite speedy, he is not faster than a speeding bullet.

{{quote|I've got better things to do tonight than die.|Springer in the defense of [[Autobot City]]|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

:''Italian name'': '''Bora'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Ricochet'''
:''Japanese name'': '''Sprang''' or '''Sprung'''<ref>Both are acceptable transliterations.</ref>(スプラング ''Supurangu'')
:''Hungarian name'': '''Szökkenő''' (exact translation)
:''Russian name'': '''Спринтер''' (Sprinter)

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Neil Ross]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese), [[Willi Röbke]] (German), [[Frank Muth]] (German, ''The Transformers: The Movie''), [[Pierre Hatet]] (French, ''The Transformers: The Movie''), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American)

[[Image:Springerarceecmonwoman.jpg|left|200px|thumb|C'mon, woman!]]
Springer was among the first Autobots to leap into the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in 2005. He helped [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] transform the city into its heavily-armed, armored fortress configuration, and later used an oversized piece of artillery to bombard [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]].

When [[Unicron]] made his existence known to the Autobots by destroying two of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron's]] moons, Springer was among those who left Earth aboard a shuttle to stop the Chaos-Bringer somehow. The ship Springer was aboard crashlanded on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], where a battle erupted between the Autobots and the native [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], during which Springer dueled with the Junkion chieftain, [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]].

After arriving at Cybertron, Springer and the other Autobots wound up inside Unicron himself, where they desperately fought off Unicron's internal defenses. Luckily, just as one of the defensive claws was about to crush him, Hot Rod opened the Matrix of Leadership, destroying Unicron and becoming Rodimus Prime. Springer and the rest escaped the monster by driving out through its eye and into space. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Image:Springerfivefacescopter.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The physics of this makes no sense.]]

A year later, Springer attended the first [[Galactic Olympics]] alongside his fellow Autobots. Unfortunately, the festivities were interrupted by an [[Skuxxoid|alien mercenary]] who turned the Olympic torch into a giant flash/smoke grenade, and then a battalion of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] attacked. Springer was able to douse the torch from the air, but by then, the attackers had already fled, having captured [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]. Springer immediately volunteered to track the escaped alien saboteur, and was joined by Arcee. They followed their quarry to his strange base ship, an asteroid-like spacecraft referred to as a "Rockeroid". The mercenary fled after misleading his pursuers into believing that the Decepticons were behind the attack, and Springer was fortunately able to pilot his ship (barely). {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

Springer flew the Rockeroid to the distant planet [[Chaar]], where he arrived just in time to save Rodimus Prime and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] from being beaten to scrap by a mob of Decepticons. Later, a badly-damaged Rodimus prepared to pass the Matrix on to Springer in anticipation of his imminent demise. Fortunately, the Autobot leader did not die, but rather experienced the Cybertronian equivalent of a near-death experience, wherein his [[Spark|"life force"]] left his body to embark on a very trippy (and poorly animated) journey into the Matrix itself. Immediately afterwards, Springer participated in a daring rescue mission to save Ultra Magnus and the others from the [[Quintesson]]s, only for the groups' ship to get caught in the explosion of [[Quintessa]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}}

Before long, they all wound up on [[Goo|Goo#8379B]], where Springer was disassembled by the planet's mobile garbage disposal unit. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} Fortunately, he was rebuilt and restored to life by the Junkions. As Rodimus contemplated the mysteries of the Quintessons, Springer advised the others to leave him alone, give him some room to think, and trust him not to do anything rash. When he found that Rodimus had scrambled his own circuitry to enter the Matrix, Springer expressed his disapproval to his commanding officer in a calm and respectful manner. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

{{quote|Are you CRAZY?! Why'd you short-circuit yourself?! Get up, you... you moron!|Springer}}

Springer and the others returned to Cybertron in time to defend against a major Decepticon offensive. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Sometime later, Springer, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], Grimlock and [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] were on-hand when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] miraculously returned from the dead, telling tales of how Rodimus, Arcee and an Autobot shuttle crew gave their lives against the Quintessons so that he could escape, and return to Cybertron. Springer eagerly jumped on the bandwagon to follow Optimus and the entire Autobot fleet to hunt down the Quintessons and avenge Arcee and his friends. ''Especially'' Arcee. He was on-board the flagship when Rodimus and the others, alive and well, intercepted the fleet and stopped the Quintesson trap from being sprung. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

When a strange unidentified ship entered Cybertronian air space, Rodimus Prime sent [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and Springer out to rescue the occupant before he crash-landed. Inside, they found the long-lost Autobot Triple Changer known as [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], who now lived on a peaceful planet called [[Paradron]] which had just been invaded by the Decepticons. As the Autobots returned to Paradron to overthrow the Decepticon oppressors, Springer teamed up with Rodimus and Sandstorm to free the captive Paradronians. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}}

[[Image:NightmarePlanetSteed.jpg|left|200px|thumb|For Narnia!]]

Springer and Ultra Magnus picked up an electromagnetic disturbance in a remote region of Cybertron, and drove out with Rodimus Prime to investigate. They were ambushed by a [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]] assassination squad, but ''all'' the Transformers were ambushed again by the Quintessons' latest toy: a device which turned the nightmarish dreams of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] into physical reality. Springer and the Predacon commander [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] were kidnapped by a massive [[dragon]] and flown off to an isolated castle. Tossed into the dungeon, Springer and Razorclaw met a [[Damsel in Distress]] being held captive by the dragon. Going with the flow, Springer took up her quest to defeat the dragon and return the Damsel to her father. Knight Springer and his faithful steed Razorclaw (the imaginary Damsel had promised him imaginary gold to satisfy his imaginary greed) escaped the dungeon and took up the search for the "magic lance" necessary to kill the dragon. Riding into battle atop the Predacon's back, Springer plunged the lance into the dragon's chest and then followed the yellow brick road back to his friends. {{storylink|Nightmare Planet}}

While on monitor duty on Cybertron, Springer and Blurr caught sight of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] on what appeared to be an attack vector. After the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] shot him down, the Autobots learned his "assault" was just the latest in a series of recent events involving [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's ghost]], who had stolen the eyes of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] for Unicron. Springer joined Ultra Magnus and the Protectobots on a spy mission to Unicron's head in order to investigate further, but they were violently repulsed by the Planet-Eater's internal defenses. Things got even more complicated once Scourge turned on his "partners" and reported to the Autobots that Unicron planned to use Trypticon's transforming cog to connect himself to Cybertron, and convert the entire planet into his new body. Luckily, Springer and the others were able to <s>casually chuck</s> plant energon explosives at the base of Unicron's head as he touched down, blasting him back out into space before he could connect with the planet. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

On a geological survey to uncover [[isodrite]] for their weaponry, Springer and the Autobots were attacked by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s forces, seeking the mineral for their own purposes. Luckily, Galvatron beat up most of his own troops for them, giving the Autobots a chance to depart. {{storylink|Webworld}}

[[Image:VampireDepth.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Coooookiiiieeees.]]

When Perceptor finished construction of a new experimental power core for Cybertron, Springer used his helicopter mode to lower the core into place. Naturally, the Decepticons attempted to acquire the power core for themselves, but were led astray by their Quintesson "allies" who instead directed them towards the [[Hibernation Chamber]] of the [[Trans-Organic]]s. Springer and the other Autobots caught up with the 'Cons just in time to find them in pitched battle with the unleashed Trans-Organics, including the massive and monstrous power-sapping [[Dweller]]. The Dweller drained the energy from its victims on contact, then placed them inside incubation tubes on its back. [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and three [[Sweep]]s were among its first victims. Springer valiantly scaled the creature and tore open its rear casing to free his friend and renew his series for another season. No good deed goes unpunished, though, for the creature had transformed Wreck-Gar into a [[Energy vampire|vampiric]] extension of itself, an undead robot who drained energy from others to feed it back into the Dweller itself. Springer became a victim of the very robot he tried to save. Luckily, Perceptor was able to concoct a method of correcting their power imbalance, restoring Springer, Wreck-Gar and the other victims to normal. The Dweller was launched into space once it latched onto the power core, thanks to Perceptor's bizarre security measures which allowed him to jettison the entire unit with the pull of a lever. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

[[Image:SpringerOnlyHuman.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Surprise, he's the green one!]]

Somewhere on Earth (it doesn't really matter where) a crime spree was raging, and the Autobots were called in to help. Springer lent his helicopter mode to rescue civilians trapped in burning buildings during a series of bombings. Springer, Arcee, Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime were called in by an anonymous tip that would be their "big break in the case." Springer laughed off the police chief when he suggested it might be a dangerous trap, but he stopped laughing when [[Victor Drath]] and "[[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]]" captured the Autobots inside of a minute. Not one to waste resources, Drath eliminated his enemies and developed powerful new weapons at the same time by converting the four Autobots' mental essence into synthetic organic forms. He ordered the organic material destroyed but, surprisingly, it seemed to form itself into four genuinely human bodies for the Autobots. Springer and the "Autobots" escaped Drath's thugs in the scrapyard where they were being disposed of, and sought cover in a nearby shed. In the sort of plot contrivance not revived until ''Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers'' years later, the Autobots found four matching jumpsuits inside, each perfectly replicating their individual color schemes. As a human, Springer faced some tough lessons, like shaving and dealing with sidewalk preachers.

After finding Drath's men test-driving the Autobots' now-inanimate bodies in the city, Springer ingratiated himself with the gang due to his ability to "pilot" the Autobot like a pro. The gang was set to infiltrate Autobot City inside their robot drones and then detonate Metroplex from the inside-out. After learning the plan, Springer carjacked himself (rescuing the captured Ultra Magnus in the process) and then flew to intercept the other Autobots before they reached Autobot City. Desperate to keep the Autobots from innocently letting their "friends" inside, Springer opened fire on Autobot City himself in order to force the Autobots to raise their defenses before the explosive-laden vehicles got too close. He succeeded in getting himself shot out of the sky, but at least Metroplex was put on alert and the bombing of Autobot City was stopped. Perceptor whipped up a reversal-transference doodad, and Springer and the others were returned to their rightful bodies. {{storylink|Only Human}}

After Galvatron's goons sabotaged the master power generator on Cybertron with [[anti-electron]]s, the Autobots began experiencing system irregularities. In Springer's case, he was attempted to fly [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] to the repair bay when he transformed in mid-air and crashed instead. The problem was eventually corrected, but surely Springer missed out on a good opportunity to tease Sky Lynx about tarnishing his "oh so perfect" flight record. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

[[Image:CotP-BlasterEject.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Blaster, please, this isn't the time for this!]]

On a barren planetoid, Springer was fighting alongside Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] against the Decepticons. They were pinned down in the trenches, waiting for "[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Commander Modesty]]" to arrive and lend some air support. Once he arrived, though, Sky Lynx and the other "[[primitive]]s" on both sides were called into space by a signal only they could hear. Before either side could fully comprehend what had happened, a massive energy creature known as [[Tornedron]] arrived, draining them dry of their energy. Luckily, Grimlock and the primitives eventually managed to save the universe and undo the power loss suffered by Springer and the others. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

During a skirmish in [[Japan]], Springer was present when Rodimus temporarily reverted back to Hot Rod. He and the other Autobots held off an attack by the Decepticons when Scourge briefly took control of them and the Matrix of Leadership. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

{{-}}
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
Alongside [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], Springer was sent from [[Athenia]] to Cybertron in order to defend against a major Decepticon assault. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} The Triple Changers then travelled to Earth, where they helped [[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] sneak into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] by keeping their Decepticon counterparts busy with a dogfight. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Triplechangerstarget2006.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This trinity's going to war!]]
''Springer was a member of the Wreckers commando squad, originally meant (with the other Triple Changers) to substitute for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] in [[Operation: Volcano]], and could 'spring' forwards really far. He first met the squad leader [[Impactor]] by beating him up while pretending to be a Decepticon, [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]] feeling this would be the best way to sell Springer's skills to Impactor. {{storylink|Target: 2006}} It appears to have made an impact, as when Impactor died it was discovered he had named Springer as his successor.''

''He felt unworthy of the role and suffered from worries that he couldn't handle it, worries made worse when [[Kalis]] was overrun by the undead, the Wreckers were captured, and Springer had to face Impactor's [[zombie]]! Unable to blast his old comrade, Springer instead succeeded in getting Impactor's mind to resurface, allowing him to carry on to meet up with Ultra Magnus' team. {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}} Alongside a host of allies, Springer helped end the zombie threat. {{storylink|Meltdown!}}''

[[Image:Uk203 cover detail.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"See Springer, that's the difference between you and me. Forward thinking—careful planning— organisation. That's why I sleep in the arms of a beautiful woman, while you lie in your bedsit with [[Kiss Players (franchise)|''cheap porn'']]."]]
''That done, it was time for the main mission: Take the Wreckers to Earth to face [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Unfortunately, by accident they found themselves sent by the [[Space bridge|Space Bridge]] to a human city, and the fight against Galvatron began causing major destruction and endangerment of human life. Springer quickly decided to take the fight out of the city, pretending he'd captured Galvatron's time-jump device and leading Scourge and Cyclonus away from the humans. Springer led the Wreckers back to Cybertron with the intent of returning for Galvatron later. {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}} Unfortunately, that "later" was the Time Wars. Even with the support of the Decepticon [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], the Wreckers were massacred, with Springer's order to retreat and fight a running battle doing nothing to stop the slaughter. However, Springer's heroism impressed Mayhem leader [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] so much he disobeyed his orders to kill the surviving Autobots; the two also saved each other's life during the battle. {{storylink|Time Wars (issue)|Time Wars}}''

''Left stranded on Earth, Springer and the other Time Wars survivors decided to band together as the eponymous [[Survivors]] after a proposal from Carnivac. Springer was originally reluctant but soon became the leader of that group too. {{storylink|Survivors!}} Carnivac eventually chafed under his leadership, whacked Springer one, and then left—right when the new Mayhems were arriving to kill him! {{storylink|Way of the Warrior}} Springer was convinced by the others to go to Carnivac's aid, but while Carnivac was saved, [[Catilla]] was killed. {{storylink|A Savage Place!}}''

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Wolf in the Fold Springer.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Grrrrr. >:( ]]
''Springer wanted to wait for the Mayhem Attack Squad to make the first mistake before seeking vengeance for Catilla, but Carnivac couldn't wait. He set off on his own to enact his revenge. Without time to formulate a decent plan, Springer realized the Survivors would need raw numbers to defeat the Mayhems, and that meant dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Earthforce]]. Asking for help to save a Decepticon... Springer ruminated that Grimlock was likely to declare them all traitors on the spot. {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} Still, they went to Earthforce, pledging the Survivors' allegiance in return for them helping rescue Carnivac. They were successful, and half the Mayhems were captured while the other half died at Carnivac's hands. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}} Soon thereafter, Springer led his men against [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], protecting a human oil tanker in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}} Springer's final act as a member of Earthforce was standing around with Grimlock and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] as they coerced [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]] into removing the cerebro shell from [[Superion (G1)|Superion's]] brain. {{storylink|Inside Story!}}''

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[Image:Peace Rodimus Springer.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Springimus Prime?]]''In 2008, Springer was briefly seen among a massive melee between the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}''

''In one future, set in the year 2510, the war with the Decepticons finally came to a conclusion. Springer led his Wreckers into battle in Cybertron's northern hemisphere, wiping out the last of the remaining Decepticon warriors. When [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] officially declared the war over, he decided to nominate Springer to carry on the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] for him. Tragically, however, things wouldn't be that simple. A deep-cover Decepticon named [[Triton]] stirred up trouble at the meeting by declaring Ultra Magnus a better choice for the new Autobot leader. His antics led to a brawl between Springer's Wreckers and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], who favored Ultra Magnus. Although Triton was killed in the fight, it was too late: the war began again, this time with Autobot vs. Autobot. {{storylink|Peace}}''

=====Another Time and Place=====
When Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] rushed off half-cocked searching for a cure for [[Nucleon]] on [[Hydrus Four]], it was up to the Autobots to bail them out of trouble when they were caught by the Decepticons. Working with a small group (including [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]), Springer caught the Decepticon [[Fangry]] alone and pulled him into the sea. Before he could fight back, Springer used a thermal knife to amputate both of his arms, leaving the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] helpless against his Autobot attackers.

Cold, Springer. Awesome, but cold. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Springerg2.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Hey, Marvel US, it's me!]]
When the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] ambushed the [[Autobot]]s on the planet [[Ethos]], Springer was in charge of a squad consisting of former [[Wrecker]]s buddies [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], Inferno's buddy [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. Although Springer warned his squad to stay close together, Smokescreen broke formation, resulting in his death and the injuring of Ironhide. Smokescreen's death caused Inferno to lose his temper, and he subsequently also died despite Springer's warnings. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

Springer later helped lay [[Sky Sniper]] mines on Earth, in preparation for a final stand against the coming of the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

{{-}}
====''Classics''====
{{note|The ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' story takes place in a post-Marvel Generation 1 comics universe where the UK Marvel Comics and the [[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|Generation 2 mini-series]] did not happen, thus negating all of Springer's previous appearances in comic continuity. For all effects and purposes he gets a totally fresh start.}}
[[Image:Classics Ultramagnus Springer Grimlock comic.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Springer's the one who doesn't know how binoculars work. Well, one of them, anyway.]]
Springer seems to be much more of a loner, never having been part of the Wreckers, and having mainly worked alone against the Decepticons until after [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon's]] defeat on [[Klo]]. Fearing the end of the conflict that was so important to him, he was eager to sign on with Grimlock's crew.

Fifteen years after the Autobot/Decepticon war ended on Klo, Springer was head of security under Substitute Commander Ultra Magnus aboard the ''[[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]]'' as it tracked [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] to Earth. Springer was looking forward to seeing Grimlock again. Once on Earth, Springer and Ultra Magnus were spying on a meeting between the Decepticons that had followed Bludgeon and those that had thrown their lot in with Starscream. After observing Mirage get captured and Bug Bite using modified [[Cerebro-shell|cerebro-shells]] to control some of the assembled Decepticons, they withdrew. Later using modified cerebro-shell jammers, Springer was part of the Autobot force that disrupted Bug Bite's meeting with Megatron. The disrupted meeting led to Decepticon firing on Decepticon and in the chaos that followed, Springer disabled the Decepticon computers, allowing the raiding party to withdraw with a rescued Mirage. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

[[Image:AtFightsEnd-OverkillDragstripAcidStorm.jpg|left|thumb|250px|And then there was a fight. We guess.]]
Later, [[Acid Storm]], [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]], and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] were waiting on a dusty planet when Springer's rogue team of Autobots attempted to hunt them down. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

{{-}}
===Sticker Adventures===
[[Image:Springer botjp.jpg|left|150px|thumb|In the Special Edition, Wreck-Gar shoots first.]]
Springer was one of four Autobots working on mapping out the universe when their shuttle is hit by a meteor. Forced into an emergency landing on the [[Junkion (planet)|Junk Planet]], and are attacked by [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] until Hot Rod & Kup arrive to save their skidplates.{{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}

{{-}}
===''Universe: The Wreckers''===
Not long after the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]], Springer attempted (fruitlessly) to cheer up [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], who had become severely depressed following the death of her surrogate son and Headmaster companion [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. Afterward, he and Hot Rod, now called simply "Rodimus", both checked out and later underwent the [[Maximal Upgrade]]. {{storylink|Departure}}

{{note|In this continuity, Springer is apparently at least a member of the Wreckers, as he is seen bearing their distinctive insignia in his brief appearance.}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:TWW Escalation Springer.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Spring-heeled jerk.]]
After [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] disappeared along with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in a test of the [[space bridge]], {{storylink|Fragmentation}} Springer broke off from the Autobot army and formed the Wreckers. Springer was leading the Wreckers into an investigation of the [[Tagan Heights]] Industrial Quadrant East, but they were discoved by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], who unleashed [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] upon them. Springer, alongside his fellow Wreckers, attacked the Ultracon Combiner but ended up tangled in cabling. This gave Ratbat the chance to gloat at Springer. Once news of Devastator aligning with the [[Ultracon]]s reached [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], they moved in to aid the Wreckers, combining into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] and battling Devastator. {{storylink|Escalation (Dreamwave)|Escalation}}

Freed in the confusion, Springer leapt at Ratbat, screaming at the Ultracon leader for violating the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]. The Combiner teams were downgraded from combat status and monitored for a reason. Ratbat mocked Springers newfound concern for treaties. Springer stated that there's enough destructive potential in the Tagan Heights to knock Cybertron out of orbit, and an accident in the Combiner throwdown would light the fuse. A stray blast from Defensor in fact, did just that. Springer chastised the Protectobots for taking such a huge risk. The Protectobots vacated the area leaving Springer alone against the Ultracon Combiner. Fortunately, the individual Protectobots managed to overload and defeat Devastator, saving Springer. {{storylink|Devastation (Dreamwave)|Devastation}}

[[Image:DW Countdown to Extinction Springer.jpg|thumb|left|200px|]]
Millions of years later, after the [[Great Shutdown]], Springer, together with Hot Rod and Blurr, spotted a Decepticon shuttle emerging from [[transwarp]] over the [[Wastelands]] of Cybertron. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Springer reported to Optimus Prime that the situation in [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]] had become worse and that the [[Guardian robot]]s had been reactivated. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Whilst fighting the Guardian robots outside of Shockwave's fortress, Springer saw the matrix fire a beam of light towards an [[Unicron|unknown entity]]. {{storylink|countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

Later still, whilst Hot Rod and Kup were training, Springer took the opportunity to hang out with Arcee on Landing Patform A as they observed Prowl and his group of Autobots heading back to Earth.{{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

{{-}}
===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics===
[[Image:ArtofWar3_Sandstorm_Springer.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Get to the Choppah!]]
Springer accompanied [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] in searching for a missing team of Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]]. However, their radars were jammed by [[Serpent O.R.]], so their search was fruitless. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}

Soon after Optimus became Optimus '''''Prime''''', Springer participated in a battle that the Autobots couldn't win. [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] suggested they counter-attack from the west, but the young Autobot leader realised that it was a trap,and advocated falling back to [[Polyhex]]. Optimus was proven right when Springer, acting as aerial support, spotted [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] arriving to the west. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

Springer's skills caught the attention of [[Impactor]], who arrived in the midst of a battle to recruit him into the elite Autobot military unit known as the Wreckers. {{storylink|Dead Men's Boots}}

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers5 Springer arrives too late.jpg|left|250px|thumb|You monster! THEY WERE FANWANK!!!]]

Sometime later, after chasing [[Squadron X]] across the galaxy, the Wreckers' rivalry with them came to an end on the planet [[Pova]]. The Wreckers, however, found themselves in a bad way after [[Impactor]]'s first officer, Springer, was trapped under some collapsed rubble. Despite Springer's pleas, Impactor used Springer's own body as a shield against Squadron X's advancing troops, firing through it. This helped turn the tide, and the Wreckers rounded up all of Squadron X for transport offworld. Unfortunately, Impactor snapped when [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] told him that Pova was neutral territory, and that he was ordered to set them free or else the Autobots would face diplomatic repercussions. Impactor locked himself in their ship, and as Springer tried to break through the door, personally executed every member of Squadron X while they were restrained. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5}}

Springer testified against Impactor, and the disgraced Wreckers leader was sentenced to be imprisoned on [[Garrus-9]]. A cover story for what happened on Pova was released which involved Springer suggesting Impactor fire through his torso and Squadron X later escaping their restraints, necessitating their execution. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} As Impactor was dragged to his cell, Springer told his former commander something he didn't want to hear, something he would dwell upon for the length of his incarceration: Squadron X deserved to die for their crimes, but Impactor didn't have the right to kill them. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5}}

[[Image:Stormbringer2 Springer.jpg|right|350px|thumb|The Wreckers don't half go on about that, do they?]]

Years later on the planet [[Varas Centralus]], Springer, now commander of the Wreckers, was coordinating the counter-offensive against a [[infiltration protocol|Phase Six Decepticon siege bunker]] when he got the call from Optimus Prime that [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] might be active again on Cybertron. Pulling the Wreckers out of Varas Centralus, Springer was of the opinion that if Thunderwing was still alive, they should nuke Cybertron and take the monster with it. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2}} After [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] and [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] were rescued, the Wreckers prepared to breach [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s cultist liar at [[Thunderhead Pass]]. Springer tried to persuade Optimus Prime from joining the battle, but the Autobot leader was not to be deterred. After routing the cultists, a new problem arose: Thunderwing, sent off to wreck havoc on [[Nebulos]], was returning. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3}} The Wreckers gave it their all against Thunderwing, but were seriously outmatched, with Springer's rotors being destroyed by the monstrous titan. As Thunderwing bore down on him, unexpected help came from the Decepticon battleship ''[[Thanatos]]'', and the combined efforts managed to stagger the giant, forcing it to draw more [[Ultra-Energon]] from the environment, whose side effects eventually forced it to shut down. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 4}}

[[Image:SpotlightKup Springersholograph.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Ebeneezer Kup!]]

Not long thereafter, Springer excused himself from actively leading the Wreckers when he heard his old mentor Kup had finally been found, after being MIA for some time. Rescue conditions were hardly ideal, however: the planet the old warhorse was stuck on was permeated with highly unstable energy crystals which produced massive amounts of debilitating radiation and a single spark might set off an explosive chain reaction that would destroy the planet. Kup, meanwhile, had somehow survived exposure to this environment, yet had gone over the brink of madness, attacking the Autobot teams that beamed down to retrieve him because their thick radiation armors made them appear monstrous to his eyes. Despite these complications, Springer insisted rescue efforts continue, even after many Autobots were destroyed in the attempt. Finally, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] arrived as a defensive specialist, and used his force field to block the radiation and get Kup to recognize him. Kup was brought in for repairs, and Springer returned to the Wreckers. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

Later, Springer, along with Autobots across the galaxy, watched an Autobot news report heralding the miraculous return of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

When the denizens of the [[Dead Universe]] stepped up their plans to merge the living and unliving universes together, Springer and the Wreckers were called in once again to battle Thunderwing when he was found guarding a cave on planet [[Corata-Vaz]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} They didn't have much luck. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} However, once [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] managed to take control of Thunderwing, Springer and the Wreckers snuck past it and into the cave to retrieve one of the [[Nega-Core]]s, which were crucial to the Dead Universe plans. Unfortunately, as they were doing so, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] regained control of Thunderwing, and the Wreckers were forced to hold the line until the Nega-Core could be removed and deposited back into the Dead Universe via a portable [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[Image:AHM15_SpringerpunchesProwl.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Why should [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] get [[All Hail Megatron issue 4|all the fun?]]]]
Springer was making regular trips to the ''[[Ark-17]]'' to check up on Kup, but one day found that the old warrior had been transferred to the [[Kimia Facility]] without his knowledge. Filled with rage, Springer traveled to the facility and delivered an uppercut to [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s chin, only to learn that Kup had been fully repaired using [[Pretender]] technology. While he was skeptic at first, Springer's spirits were soon lifted when he got to meet the rejuvenated Kup. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Everything in Its Right Place}}

Led by Kup, Springer later helped rescue a number of Wreckers who had been captured by the Decepticon [[Turmoil]]. Following this mission, Springer and his fellow Wrecker [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] joined Kup's personal strike force onboard the starship ''[[Trion]]''. He argued against letting [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] into the team, but Kup felt that everyone deserves a second chance. {{storylink|Spotlight: Drift}} Shortly afterwards, the team caught a distress call from [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], who was being chased by Decepticons. Kup's team went to his aid, but unfortunately their opponent was the abominable [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]], who melted Springer's rotor blades with acid. Eventually, the giant was toppled by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s new sniping skills. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Lost & Found}}

While chasing the Decepticon cruiser ''[[Torment]]'', the ''Trion'' was lured into a trap and shot down above the planet Cybertron. The crew was "bonded" with the ship at the time, and Springer refused to disconnect from the doomed vessel as he attempted to steer it into a crash landing. He succeeded, and later met with another Autobot unit that had also ended up on the abandoned planet. Kup's team decided to show the others how badass they were, a showcase which ended with Springer being wrestled to the floor by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and his weapon being used to hold Kup at gunpoint. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}} After this little show of force, the two groups teamed up to fight off the [[Insecticon swarm]] that was inhabiting the planet along with them. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}}

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers1 Springer introduction.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''Lookin' back on the track, for a little green bag...'']]
When the Autobots relocated to another base, Springer participated in the caravan in his ground vehicle mode. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}} At the new base, Springer helped set up a large defensive cannon to use against the incoming swarm. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9}} Despite Springer's best use of fisticuffs, the Autobots were overrun by the thousands of Insecticons, and only saved by the intervention of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10}} Omega took everyone to [[New York City]] on [[Earth]], where Megatron and his forces were located. During the great battle, Springer shoved his knee hard in [[Viewfinder]]'s abdomen. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11}}

After Megatron's defeat on Earth and the general collapse of the Decepticon war effort, Prowl formulated a desperate plan to use the Wreckers to retake the [[Garrus-9]] prison facility from the Decepticons and retrieve the potentially damaging war criminal trial data from supercomputer [[Aequitas]]. Springer began recruiting new members into the Wreckers, noting with irony that he had now assumed Impactor's role, though the main difference was Springer offered the potential recruits a choice, and sometimes they said no. {{storylink|Dead Men's Boots}}

On [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s ship Springer introduced himself to the new team members: [[Rotorstorm]], [[Ironfist]], [[Pyro]], and [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]]. He told them that their first mission was to clean up [[Garrus-9]] and warned them that their first day as a Wrecker could be their last. When Ironfist fainted, Springer felt he needed to keep an eye on him. Afterward he spoke with [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and shared thoughts about Impactor until Ultra Magnus called for him to return to the bridge. He arrived just in time to see a Decepticon starship explode, revealing the former Wrecker. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}}

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers2 SpringerImpactorReunion.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Reunited and it feeeels so bad!]]
Once Impactor was aboard, Springer asked him how he got out of Garrus-9. After hearing Impactor's tale of escape and the revelation that infamous [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] was now the death camp warden, Springer felt that the mission was finally getting interesting. He then shared words with Impactor about the incident on [[Pova]]. Impactor stormed out, but Springer still felt it would be a good idea to use him on the team. Ultra Magnus then relayed something that Prowl wanted done, but only revealed the name: [[Aequitas]].

While nearing Garrus-9 orbit, Springer assisted Ultra Magnus with the mission briefing. He outlined the mission, dividing them into two teams to penetrate the [[lattice forcefield]] via [[drop pod]]s. He took control of one of the pods before relaying control over to Rotorstorm for a simultaneous hit against the forcefield. Once through the pod came under instand attack, but Springer managed a crash landing. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}}

Upon planetfall, Springer's team ran from an oncoming horde of Decepticons. He took a look at [[Twin Twist]]'s wounds while Guzzle, Kup, and Impactor held off the Decepticons. Springer ordered Guzzle into tank mode to bring down the ceiling, granting them an moment's reprieve. He then sent Kup and Guzzle to get backup while Twin Twist drilled through the floor. He drilled into an open area, but was saved by Springer, who jumped through and quickly transformed into helicoptor mode. On the ground they found the demolished remains of [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]], but Twin Twist warned them that they had just set off a defense mechanism. Springer attempted to escape but was zapped unconscious, ending up in [[Stalker (G1)|Stalker]]'s Spark Extinction Chamber. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers4 faceshot.jpg|thumb|left|200px||Right in the kissah!]]

Springer came to after a torturing round from Stalker and began arguing with Impactor about the events that led to the former Wreckers command to be imprisoned on Garrus-9. Springer expressed the desire to forgive Impactor and himself for what happened on Pova, but this couldn't happen until Impactor admitted that what he did was wrong. They were interrupted by the return of Stalker, who had retrieved his latest instrument of torture, the [[endoscopic claw]]. After Twin Twist died as a result of [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]'s sacrifice to activate Aequitas, Stalker was about to move onto the others when help arrived in the form of Guzzle, Kup and [[Snare]]. Kup sprang Springer, who brought a quick end to Stalker with the torturer's own endoscopic claw. This respite didn't last long, as [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] blasted through the wall having been radioed by Stalker. The large Decepticon simply asked if the Wreckers were ready, with Springer replying affirmative. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}}

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers SpringerOverlordFaceoff.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Give me your-<br>[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Oh, you know.]]]]
The battle with Overlord took the combatants to Garrus-9's roof, but it soon became apparent that Springer's team were fighting a losing battle. After Impactor was seemingly defeated, Ironfist, Perceptor and Verity arrived with a large rotary cannon for Springer to use that would supposedly turn the tide. The Wreckers commander emptied the massive weapon into Overlord, who at merely seemed annoyed at the attack, knocked the weapon away and tore Springer's face off. As he advanced on Ironfist, the diminutive Autobot detonated the payload of [[deterrence chip]]s that the Springer had fired into Overlord, and Verity broke his will by revealing that Megatron had since died, robbing the insane Overlord of his obsessive desire to face the Decepticon leader in combat. After Impactor disabled Overlord, he refused to kill him, stating that it was not what Springer wanted. With G-9's liberation, Ultra Magnus took the survivors back to [[Earth]], where Springer was still alive but on life-support, with Kup by his bedside.{{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
* Springer featured in his own 1986 [[commercial]] alongside [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]. In an animation sequence narrated by Optimus Prime and loosely based on the events of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Springer's shuttle is shot down over the planet of Junk, where he does battle with an aggressive Wreck-Gar (introduced by Megatron). Prime describes him as "the toughest of the Autobot [[Triple Changer]]s."

==Games==
===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:SpringerG1Toy.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Three totally different modes]]
*'''Springer''' (1986/1991)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-84'''
**''Accessories'': "Light saber" rotor blade, "laser" rifle

: Springer was one of three Autobot Triple Changers. He transforms from a robot to a futuristic armored car to a helicopter that doesn't look terribly different from the car. In robot mode, his articulation is limited entirely to his arms. His copter rotor blades snap together to form a sword.

:Very early releases of Springer had a [[die-cast]] metal chestplate which was then changed to plastic in subsequent releases. When he was released in the European [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] line in 1991, he retained the plastic chest.
{{-}}

===Timelines===
*'''Springer''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Accessories'': Sword, Cybertron-planet Autobot Cyber Key

[[Image:Springerbotcontoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Suffers from vestigial JaAm cravings.]]

:Sold together in a bag with [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and their instructions, keys and bio cards, Springer is a ''Classics''-themed [[BotCon 2007]] attendee exclusive. A paint-heavy [[redeco]] of the [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Cybertron Defense Hot Shot]] toy using green and grey as the base colors, Springer transforms into a modified [[Wikipedia:M1117 Armored Security Vehicle|M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle]]. When Springer's [[Cyber Planet Key]] is inserted into the back of the turret, the two gun barrels open up into dual (non-firing) missile launchers. Compartments on his shoulders and his thighs can also open up to reveal additional missile launchers. He also comes with a dagger that stows between his legs in vehicle mode; when he's in robot mode, the dagger can be hand-held, pegged into the front of his fist, or stored in a sheath on his leg.

:Springer is assembled differently from the other uses of this mold. The panels covering the missile racks on each shoulder are swapped.

:The mold was later used as ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] in the Target-exclusive Autobot Ambush Comic 2-Pack.

{{-}}
===Universe (2008)===
*'''Battle Beneath the Streets''' (Voyager-Deluxe Comic 2-Pack, 2008)
**''Series'': '''War Within Series'''
**''Accessories'': Two missiles, Cyber Planet Key

[[Image:Universe2008 Springer comicpack toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Whatever happened to the whole Triple Changer angle...?]]
: A Target-exclusive redeco of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], Springer transforms into a Eurocopter Dauphin rescue helicopter. His rotor blades spin using a geared push-button, which becomes a spinning-blade weapon mounted on his robot mode's left arm. He has an adjustable [[Retractable string gimmick|tow-hook on a string]], which retracts with the push of a button: this gimmick ends up on his right robot-mode arm. Inserting a [[Cyber Key]] into his back end (backpack in robot mode) swings around a pair of spring-loaded [[missile]] launchers. He was available only with [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]].

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Blades (G1)|Blades]].

: Packaging Springer with Ratbat is a [[homage]] to their rivalry in ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages]]''. Likewise, Springer's deco is directly inspired by his color layout in ''The Dark Ages'', down to the blue "cockpit" painted on his chest, and that he does not have three modes (yet). This connection is further enhanced by having Ratbat possess a humanoid robot mode and jet-like altmode. See [[#Dreamwave comics continuity|above]].

: In its first release in Canada, the set did not include a comic (in spite of the ''INCLUDES COMIC!'' marking on the package), and in the US, the set included the ''wrong'' comic. The right comic was to be ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages]]'' issue "[[Escalation (Dreamwave)|Escalation]]". The comic that was included was a reprint of "[[Target: 2006]] parts 5 & 6".

{{-}}
==Notes==
* The Hasbro design team chose the ''Cybertron'' [[Evac (Cybertron)| Evac]] mold for Universe Springer, because the BotCon 2007 version already had the ground vehicle [[alternate mode]] of the original covered, and they wanted to give some attention to the original's helicopter mode.
* Fun Publications' [[Jesse Wittenrich]] used an unwanted [[Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'' (2008)]] Springer to come up with [[Megatron (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' Galvatron]].
* Springer's name comes from his ability to jump good. Jump real good. As you'd expect from someone who has a flying [[Alternate mode|altmode]], it's not an ability he uses much.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Springer/springer.htm Springer at TFU.info]

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

[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Defense specialists]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Springer (G1)

2011-02-18T07:07:55Z

65.26.33.78: /* Earthforce */

{{factions|autobot|wreckers|autobotg2}}

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

[[Image:Springer-decipherthedecepticon.jpg|right|400px|thumb|One of these days, Alice... POW!]]
'''Springer''' is the archetypical action hero: great in a fight, unselfconsciously brave, confident, and always ready with a dead-pan sarcastic quip to lighten the moment. Someone you can depend on to ride in, save the day and be smug about it.

Springer prefers fighting solo (''Ha!'') and lending a hand to friends where he can. Though his easy self-confidence is one of his most notable features, actually being responsible for others weighs heavily upon his otherwise jocular personality. Nonetheless, Springer ascended to lead the [[Wrecker]]s in many continuities. He has twice been named as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime's]] successor to take the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and lead the Autobots, though neither one actually came to pass.

Springer combines the thrusting power of his legs with his retro thrusters to move rapidly through the battlefield, leaping tall structures in a single bound. Although he is quite speedy, he is not faster than a speeding bullet.

{{quote|I've got better things to do tonight than die.|Springer in the defense of [[Autobot City]]|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

:''Italian name'': '''Bora'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Ricochet'''
:''Japanese name'': '''Sprang''' or '''Sprung'''<ref>Both are acceptable transliterations.</ref>(スプラング ''Supurangu'')
:''Hungarian name'': '''Szökkenő''' (exact translation)
:''Russian name'': '''Спринтер''' (Sprinter)

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Neil Ross]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese), [[Willi Röbke]] (German), [[Frank Muth]] (German, ''The Transformers: The Movie''), [[Pierre Hatet]] (French, ''The Transformers: The Movie''), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American)

[[Image:Springerarceecmonwoman.jpg|left|200px|thumb|C'mon, woman!]]
Springer was among the first Autobots to leap into the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in 2005. He helped [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] transform the city into its heavily-armed, armored fortress configuration, and later used an oversized piece of artillery to bombard [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]].

When [[Unicron]] made his existence known to the Autobots by destroying two of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron's]] moons, Springer was among those who left Earth aboard a shuttle to stop the Chaos-Bringer somehow. The ship Springer was aboard crashlanded on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], where a battle erupted between the Autobots and the native [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], during which Springer dueled with the Junkion chieftain, [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]].

After arriving at Cybertron, Springer and the other Autobots wound up inside Unicron himself, where they desperately fought off Unicron's internal defenses. Luckily, just as one of the defensive claws was about to crush him, Hot Rod opened the Matrix of Leadership, destroying Unicron and becoming Rodimus Prime. Springer and the rest escaped the monster by driving out through its eye and into space. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Image:Springerfivefacescopter.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The physics of this makes no sense.]]

A year later, Springer attended the first [[Galactic Olympics]] alongside his fellow Autobots. Unfortunately, the festivities were interrupted by an [[Skuxxoid|alien mercenary]] who turned the Olympic torch into a giant flash/smoke grenade, and then a battalion of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] attacked. Springer was able to douse the torch from the air, but by then, the attackers had already fled, having captured [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]. Springer immediately volunteered to track the escaped alien saboteur, and was joined by Arcee. They followed their quarry to his strange base ship, an asteroid-like spacecraft referred to as a "Rockeroid". The mercenary fled after misleading his pursuers into believing that the Decepticons were behind the attack, and Springer was fortunately able to pilot his ship (barely). {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

Springer flew the Rockeroid to the distant planet [[Chaar]], where he arrived just in time to save Rodimus Prime and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] from being beaten to scrap by a mob of Decepticons. Later, a badly-damaged Rodimus prepared to pass the Matrix on to Springer in anticipation of his imminent demise. Fortunately, the Autobot leader did not die, but rather experienced the Cybertronian equivalent of a near-death experience, wherein his [[Spark|"life force"]] left his body to embark on a very trippy (and poorly animated) journey into the Matrix itself. Immediately afterwards, Springer participated in a daring rescue mission to save Ultra Magnus and the others from the [[Quintesson]]s, only for the groups' ship to get caught in the explosion of [[Quintessa]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}}

Before long, they all wound up on [[Goo|Goo#8379B]], where Springer was disassembled by the planet's mobile garbage disposal unit. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} Fortunately, he was rebuilt and restored to life by the Junkions. As Rodimus contemplated the mysteries of the Quintessons, Springer advised the others to leave him alone, give him some room to think, and trust him not to do anything rash. When he found that Rodimus had scrambled his own circuitry to enter the Matrix, Springer expressed his disapproval to his commanding officer in a calm and respectful manner. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

{{quote|Are you CRAZY?! Why'd you short-circuit yourself?! Get up, you... you moron!|Springer}}

Springer and the others returned to Cybertron in time to defend against a major Decepticon offensive. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Sometime later, Springer, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], Grimlock and [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] were on-hand when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] miraculously returned from the dead, telling tales of how Rodimus, Arcee and an Autobot shuttle crew gave their lives against the Quintessons so that he could escape, and return to Cybertron. Springer eagerly jumped on the bandwagon to follow Optimus and the entire Autobot fleet to hunt down the Quintessons and avenge Arcee and his friends. ''Especially'' Arcee. He was on-board the flagship when Rodimus and the others, alive and well, intercepted the fleet and stopped the Quintesson trap from being sprung. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

When a strange unidentified ship entered Cybertronian air space, Rodimus Prime sent [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and Springer out to rescue the occupant before he crash-landed. Inside, they found the long-lost Autobot Triple Changer known as [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], who now lived on a peaceful planet called [[Paradron]] which had just been invaded by the Decepticons. As the Autobots returned to Paradron to overthrow the Decepticon oppressors, Springer teamed up with Rodimus and Sandstorm to free the captive Paradronians. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}}

[[Image:NightmarePlanetSteed.jpg|left|200px|thumb|For Narnia!]]

Springer and Ultra Magnus picked up an electromagnetic disturbance in a remote region of Cybertron, and drove out with Rodimus Prime to investigate. They were ambushed by a [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]] assassination squad, but ''all'' the Transformers were ambushed again by the Quintessons' latest toy: a device which turned the nightmarish dreams of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] into physical reality. Springer and the Predacon commander [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] were kidnapped by a massive [[dragon]] and flown off to an isolated castle. Tossed into the dungeon, Springer and Razorclaw met a [[Damsel in Distress]] being held captive by the dragon. Going with the flow, Springer took up her quest to defeat the dragon and return the Damsel to her father. Knight Springer and his faithful steed Razorclaw (the imaginary Damsel had promised him imaginary gold to satisfy his imaginary greed) escaped the dungeon and took up the search for the "magic lance" necessary to kill the dragon. Riding into battle atop the Predacon's back, Springer plunged the lance into the dragon's chest and then followed the yellow brick road back to his friends. {{storylink|Nightmare Planet}}

While on monitor duty on Cybertron, Springer and Blurr caught sight of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] on what appeared to be an attack vector. After the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] shot him down, the Autobots learned his "assault" was just the latest in a series of recent events involving [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's ghost]], who had stolen the eyes of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] for Unicron. Springer joined Ultra Magnus and the Protectobots on a spy mission to Unicron's head in order to investigate further, but they were violently repulsed by the Planet-Eater's internal defenses. Things got even more complicated once Scourge turned on his "partners" and reported to the Autobots that Unicron planned to use Trypticon's transforming cog to connect himself to Cybertron, and convert the entire planet into his new body. Luckily, Springer and the others were able to <s>casually chuck</s> plant energon explosives at the base of Unicron's head as he touched down, blasting him back out into space before he could connect with the planet. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

On a geological survey to uncover [[isodrite]] for their weaponry, Springer and the Autobots were attacked by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s forces, seeking the mineral for their own purposes. Luckily, Galvatron beat up most of his own troops for them, giving the Autobots a chance to depart. {{storylink|Webworld}}

[[Image:VampireDepth.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Coooookiiiieeees.]]

When Perceptor finished construction of a new experimental power core for Cybertron, Springer used his helicopter mode to lower the core into place. Naturally, the Decepticons attempted to acquire the power core for themselves, but were led astray by their Quintesson "allies" who instead directed them towards the [[Hibernation Chamber]] of the [[Trans-Organic]]s. Springer and the other Autobots caught up with the 'Cons just in time to find them in pitched battle with the unleashed Trans-Organics, including the massive and monstrous power-sapping [[Dweller]]. The Dweller drained the energy from its victims on contact, then placed them inside incubation tubes on its back. [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and three [[Sweep]]s were among its first victims. Springer valiantly scaled the creature and tore open its rear casing to free his friend and renew his series for another season. No good deed goes unpunished, though, for the creature had transformed Wreck-Gar into a [[Energy vampire|vampiric]] extension of itself, an undead robot who drained energy from others to feed it back into the Dweller itself. Springer became a victim of the very robot he tried to save. Luckily, Perceptor was able to concoct a method of correcting their power imbalance, restoring Springer, Wreck-Gar and the other victims to normal. The Dweller was launched into space once it latched onto the power core, thanks to Perceptor's bizarre security measures which allowed him to jettison the entire unit with the pull of a lever. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

[[Image:SpringerOnlyHuman.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Surprise, he's the green one!]]

Somewhere on Earth (it doesn't really matter where) a crime spree was raging, and the Autobots were called in to help. Springer lent his helicopter mode to rescue civilians trapped in burning buildings during a series of bombings. Springer, Arcee, Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime were called in by an anonymous tip that would be their "big break in the case." Springer laughed off the police chief when he suggested it might be a dangerous trap, but he stopped laughing when [[Victor Drath]] and "[[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]]" captured the Autobots inside of a minute. Not one to waste resources, Drath eliminated his enemies and developed powerful new weapons at the same time by converting the four Autobots' mental essence into synthetic organic forms. He ordered the organic material destroyed but, surprisingly, it seemed to form itself into four genuinely human bodies for the Autobots. Springer and the "Autobots" escaped Drath's thugs in the scrapyard where they were being disposed of, and sought cover in a nearby shed. In the sort of plot contrivance not revived until ''Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers'' years later, the Autobots found four matching jumpsuits inside, each perfectly replicating their individual color schemes. As a human, Springer faced some tough lessons, like shaving and dealing with sidewalk preachers.

After finding Drath's men test-driving the Autobots' now-inanimate bodies in the city, Springer ingratiated himself with the gang due to his ability to "pilot" the Autobot like a pro. The gang was set to infiltrate Autobot City inside their robot drones and then detonate Metroplex from the inside-out. After learning the plan, Springer carjacked himself (rescuing the captured Ultra Magnus in the process) and then flew to intercept the other Autobots before they reached Autobot City. Desperate to keep the Autobots from innocently letting their "friends" inside, Springer opened fire on Autobot City himself in order to force the Autobots to raise their defenses before the explosive-laden vehicles got too close. He succeeded in getting himself shot out of the sky, but at least Metroplex was put on alert and the bombing of Autobot City was stopped. Perceptor whipped up a reversal-transference doodad, and Springer and the others were returned to their rightful bodies. {{storylink|Only Human}}

After Galvatron's goons sabotaged the master power generator on Cybertron with [[anti-electron]]s, the Autobots began experiencing system irregularities. In Springer's case, he was attempted to fly [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] to the repair bay when he transformed in mid-air and crashed instead. The problem was eventually corrected, but surely Springer missed out on a good opportunity to tease Sky Lynx about tarnishing his "oh so perfect" flight record. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

[[Image:CotP-BlasterEject.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Blaster, please, this isn't the time for this!]]

On a barren planetoid, Springer was fighting alongside Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] against the Decepticons. They were pinned down in the trenches, waiting for "[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Commander Modesty]]" to arrive and lend some air support. Once he arrived, though, Sky Lynx and the other "[[primitive]]s" on both sides were called into space by a signal only they could hear. Before either side could fully comprehend what had happened, a massive energy creature known as [[Tornedron]] arrived, draining them dry of their energy. Luckily, Grimlock and the primitives eventually managed to save the universe and undo the power loss suffered by Springer and the others. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

During a skirmish in [[Japan]], Springer was present when Rodimus temporarily reverted back to Hot Rod. He and the other Autobots held off an attack by the Decepticons when Scourge briefly took control of them and the Matrix of Leadership. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

{{-}}
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
Alongside [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], Springer was sent from [[Athenia]] to Cybertron in order to defend against a major Decepticon assault. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} The Triple Changers then travelled to Earth, where they helped [[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] sneak into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] by keeping their Decepticon counterparts busy with a dogfight. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Triplechangerstarget2006.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This trinity's going to war!]]
''Springer was a member of the Wreckers commando squad, originally meant (with the other Triple Changers) to substitute for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] in [[Operation: Volcano]], and could 'spring' forwards really far. He first met the squad leader [[Impactor]] by beating him up while pretending to be a Decepticon, [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]] feeling this would be the best way to sell Springer's skills to Impactor. {{storylink|Target: 2006}} It appears to have made an impact, as when Impactor died it was discovered he had named Springer as his successor.''

''He felt unworthy of the role and suffered from worries that he couldn't handle it, worries made worse when [[Kalis]] was overrun by the undead, the Wreckers were captured, and Springer had to face Impactor's [[zombie]]! Unable to blast his old comrade, Springer instead succeeded in getting Impactor's mind to resurface, allowing him to carry on to meet up with Ultra Magnus' team. {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}} Alongside a host of allies, Springer helped end the zombie threat. {{storylink|Meltdown!}}''

[[Image:Uk203 cover detail.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"See Springer, that's the difference between you and me. Forward thinking—careful planning— organisation. That's why I sleep in the arms of a beautiful woman, while you lie in your bedsit with [[Kiss Players (franchise)|''cheap porn'']]."]]
''That done, it was time for the main mission: Take the Wreckers to Earth to face [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Unfortunately, by accident they found themselves sent by the [[Space bridge|Space Bridge]] to a human city, and the fight against Galvatron began causing major destruction and endangerment of human life. Springer quickly decided to take the fight out of the city, pretending he'd captured Galvatron's time-jump device and leading Scourge and Cyclonus away from the humans. Springer led the Wreckers back to Cybertron with the intent of returning for Galvatron later. {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}} Unfortunately, that "later" was the Time Wars. Even with the support of the Decepticon [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], the Wreckers were massacred, with Springer's order to retreat and fight a running battle doing nothing to stop the slaughter. However, Springer's heroism impressed Mayhem leader [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] so much he disobeyed his orders to kill the surviving Autobots; the two also saved each other's life during the battle. {{storylink|Time Wars (issue)|Time Wars}}''

''Left stranded on Earth, Springer and the other Time Wars survivors decided to band together as the eponymous [[Survivors]] after a proposal from Carnivac. Springer was originally reluctant but soon became the leader of that group too. {{storylink|Survivors!}} Carnivac eventually chafed under his leadership, whacked Springer one, and then left—right when the new Mayhems were arriving to kill him! {{storylink|Way of the Warrior}} Springer was convinced by the others to go to Carnivac's aid, but while Carnivac was saved, [[Catilla]] was killed. {{storylink|A Savage Place!}}''

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Wolf in the Fold Springer.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Grrrrr. >:( ]]
''Springer wanted to wait for the Mayhem Attack Squad to make the first mistake before seeking vengeance for Catilla, but Carnivac couldn't wait. He set off on his own to enact his revenge. Without time to formulate a decent plan, Springer realized the Survivors would need raw numbers to defeat the Mayhems, and that meant dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Earthforce]]. Asking for help to save a Decepticon... Springer ruminated that Grimlock was likely to declare them all traitors on the spot. {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} Still, they went to Earthforce, pledging the Survivors' allegiance in return for them helping rescue Carnivac. They were successful, and half the Mayhems were captured while the other half died at Carnivac's hands. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}} Soon thereafter, Springer led his men against [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], protecting a human oil tanker in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}} Springer's final act as a member of Earthforce was standing around with Grimlock and [[Prowl (G1)\|Prowl]] as they coerced [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]] into removing the cerebro shell from [[Superion (G1)|Superion's]] brain. {{storylink|Inside Story!}}''

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[Image:Peace Rodimus Springer.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Springimus Prime?]]''In 2008, Springer was briefly seen among a massive melee between the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}''

''In one future, set in the year 2510, the war with the Decepticons finally came to a conclusion. Springer led his Wreckers into battle in Cybertron's northern hemisphere, wiping out the last of the remaining Decepticon warriors. When [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] officially declared the war over, he decided to nominate Springer to carry on the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] for him. Tragically, however, things wouldn't be that simple. A deep-cover Decepticon named [[Triton]] stirred up trouble at the meeting by declaring Ultra Magnus a better choice for the new Autobot leader. His antics led to a brawl between Springer's Wreckers and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], who favored Ultra Magnus. Although Triton was killed in the fight, it was too late: the war began again, this time with Autobot vs. Autobot. {{storylink|Peace}}''

=====Another Time and Place=====
When Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] rushed off half-cocked searching for a cure for [[Nucleon]] on [[Hydrus Four]], it was up to the Autobots to bail them out of trouble when they were caught by the Decepticons. Working with a small group (including [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]), Springer caught the Decepticon [[Fangry]] alone and pulled him into the sea. Before he could fight back, Springer used a thermal knife to amputate both of his arms, leaving the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] helpless against his Autobot attackers.

Cold, Springer. Awesome, but cold. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Springerg2.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Hey, Marvel US, it's me!]]
When the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] ambushed the [[Autobot]]s on the planet [[Ethos]], Springer was in charge of a squad consisting of former [[Wrecker]]s buddies [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], Inferno's buddy [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. Although Springer warned his squad to stay close together, Smokescreen broke formation, resulting in his death and the injuring of Ironhide. Smokescreen's death caused Inferno to lose his temper, and he subsequently also died despite Springer's warnings. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

Springer later helped lay [[Sky Sniper]] mines on Earth, in preparation for a final stand against the coming of the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

{{-}}
====''Classics''====
{{note|The ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' story takes place in a post-Marvel Generation 1 comics universe where the UK Marvel Comics and the [[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|Generation 2 mini-series]] did not happen, thus negating all of Springer's previous appearances in comic continuity. For all effects and purposes he gets a totally fresh start.}}
[[Image:Classics Ultramagnus Springer Grimlock comic.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Springer's the one who doesn't know how binoculars work. Well, one of them, anyway.]]
Springer seems to be much more of a loner, never having been part of the Wreckers, and having mainly worked alone against the Decepticons until after [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon's]] defeat on [[Klo]]. Fearing the end of the conflict that was so important to him, he was eager to sign on with Grimlock's crew.

Fifteen years after the Autobot/Decepticon war ended on Klo, Springer was head of security under Substitute Commander Ultra Magnus aboard the ''[[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]]'' as it tracked [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] to Earth. Springer was looking forward to seeing Grimlock again. Once on Earth, Springer and Ultra Magnus were spying on a meeting between the Decepticons that had followed Bludgeon and those that had thrown their lot in with Starscream. After observing Mirage get captured and Bug Bite using modified [[Cerebro-shell|cerebro-shells]] to control some of the assembled Decepticons, they withdrew. Later using modified cerebro-shell jammers, Springer was part of the Autobot force that disrupted Bug Bite's meeting with Megatron. The disrupted meeting led to Decepticon firing on Decepticon and in the chaos that followed, Springer disabled the Decepticon computers, allowing the raiding party to withdraw with a rescued Mirage. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

[[Image:AtFightsEnd-OverkillDragstripAcidStorm.jpg|left|thumb|250px|And then there was a fight. We guess.]]
Later, [[Acid Storm]], [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]], and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] were waiting on a dusty planet when Springer's rogue team of Autobots attempted to hunt them down. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

{{-}}
===Sticker Adventures===
[[Image:Springer botjp.jpg|left|150px|thumb|In the Special Edition, Wreck-Gar shoots first.]]
Springer was one of four Autobots working on mapping out the universe when their shuttle is hit by a meteor. Forced into an emergency landing on the [[Junkion (planet)|Junk Planet]], and are attacked by [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] until Hot Rod & Kup arrive to save their skidplates.{{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}

{{-}}
===''Universe: The Wreckers''===
Not long after the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]], Springer attempted (fruitlessly) to cheer up [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], who had become severely depressed following the death of her surrogate son and Headmaster companion [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. Afterward, he and Hot Rod, now called simply "Rodimus", both checked out and later underwent the [[Maximal Upgrade]]. {{storylink|Departure}}

{{note|In this continuity, Springer is apparently at least a member of the Wreckers, as he is seen bearing their distinctive insignia in his brief appearance.}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:TWW Escalation Springer.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Spring-heeled jerk.]]
After [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] disappeared along with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in a test of the [[space bridge]], {{storylink|Fragmentation}} Springer broke off from the Autobot army and formed the Wreckers. Springer was leading the Wreckers into an investigation of the [[Tagan Heights]] Industrial Quadrant East, but they were discoved by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], who unleashed [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] upon them. Springer, alongside his fellow Wreckers, attacked the Ultracon Combiner but ended up tangled in cabling. This gave Ratbat the chance to gloat at Springer. Once news of Devastator aligning with the [[Ultracon]]s reached [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], they moved in to aid the Wreckers, combining into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] and battling Devastator. {{storylink|Escalation (Dreamwave)|Escalation}}

Freed in the confusion, Springer leapt at Ratbat, screaming at the Ultracon leader for violating the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]. The Combiner teams were downgraded from combat status and monitored for a reason. Ratbat mocked Springers newfound concern for treaties. Springer stated that there's enough destructive potential in the Tagan Heights to knock Cybertron out of orbit, and an accident in the Combiner throwdown would light the fuse. A stray blast from Defensor in fact, did just that. Springer chastised the Protectobots for taking such a huge risk. The Protectobots vacated the area leaving Springer alone against the Ultracon Combiner. Fortunately, the individual Protectobots managed to overload and defeat Devastator, saving Springer. {{storylink|Devastation (Dreamwave)|Devastation}}

[[Image:DW Countdown to Extinction Springer.jpg|thumb|left|200px|]]
Millions of years later, after the [[Great Shutdown]], Springer, together with Hot Rod and Blurr, spotted a Decepticon shuttle emerging from [[transwarp]] over the [[Wastelands]] of Cybertron. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Springer reported to Optimus Prime that the situation in [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]] had become worse and that the [[Guardian robot]]s had been reactivated. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Whilst fighting the Guardian robots outside of Shockwave's fortress, Springer saw the matrix fire a beam of light towards an [[Unicron|unknown entity]]. {{storylink|countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

Later still, whilst Hot Rod and Kup were training, Springer took the opportunity to hang out with Arcee on Landing Patform A as they observed Prowl and his group of Autobots heading back to Earth.{{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

{{-}}
===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics===
[[Image:ArtofWar3_Sandstorm_Springer.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Get to the Choppah!]]
Springer accompanied [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] in searching for a missing team of Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]]. However, their radars were jammed by [[Serpent O.R.]], so their search was fruitless. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}

Soon after Optimus became Optimus '''''Prime''''', Springer participated in a battle that the Autobots couldn't win. [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] suggested they counter-attack from the west, but the young Autobot leader realised that it was a trap,and advocated falling back to [[Polyhex]]. Optimus was proven right when Springer, acting as aerial support, spotted [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] arriving to the west. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

Springer's skills caught the attention of [[Impactor]], who arrived in the midst of a battle to recruit him into the elite Autobot military unit known as the Wreckers. {{storylink|Dead Men's Boots}}

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers5 Springer arrives too late.jpg|left|250px|thumb|You monster! THEY WERE FANWANK!!!]]

Sometime later, after chasing [[Squadron X]] across the galaxy, the Wreckers' rivalry with them came to an end on the planet [[Pova]]. The Wreckers, however, found themselves in a bad way after [[Impactor]]'s first officer, Springer, was trapped under some collapsed rubble. Despite Springer's pleas, Impactor used Springer's own body as a shield against Squadron X's advancing troops, firing through it. This helped turn the tide, and the Wreckers rounded up all of Squadron X for transport offworld. Unfortunately, Impactor snapped when [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] told him that Pova was neutral territory, and that he was ordered to set them free or else the Autobots would face diplomatic repercussions. Impactor locked himself in their ship, and as Springer tried to break through the door, personally executed every member of Squadron X while they were restrained. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5}}

Springer testified against Impactor, and the disgraced Wreckers leader was sentenced to be imprisoned on [[Garrus-9]]. A cover story for what happened on Pova was released which involved Springer suggesting Impactor fire through his torso and Squadron X later escaping their restraints, necessitating their execution. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} As Impactor was dragged to his cell, Springer told his former commander something he didn't want to hear, something he would dwell upon for the length of his incarceration: Squadron X deserved to die for their crimes, but Impactor didn't have the right to kill them. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5}}

[[Image:Stormbringer2 Springer.jpg|right|350px|thumb|The Wreckers don't half go on about that, do they?]]

Years later on the planet [[Varas Centralus]], Springer, now commander of the Wreckers, was coordinating the counter-offensive against a [[infiltration protocol|Phase Six Decepticon siege bunker]] when he got the call from Optimus Prime that [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] might be active again on Cybertron. Pulling the Wreckers out of Varas Centralus, Springer was of the opinion that if Thunderwing was still alive, they should nuke Cybertron and take the monster with it. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2}} After [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] and [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] were rescued, the Wreckers prepared to breach [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s cultist liar at [[Thunderhead Pass]]. Springer tried to persuade Optimus Prime from joining the battle, but the Autobot leader was not to be deterred. After routing the cultists, a new problem arose: Thunderwing, sent off to wreck havoc on [[Nebulos]], was returning. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3}} The Wreckers gave it their all against Thunderwing, but were seriously outmatched, with Springer's rotors being destroyed by the monstrous titan. As Thunderwing bore down on him, unexpected help came from the Decepticon battleship ''[[Thanatos]]'', and the combined efforts managed to stagger the giant, forcing it to draw more [[Ultra-Energon]] from the environment, whose side effects eventually forced it to shut down. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 4}}

[[Image:SpotlightKup Springersholograph.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Ebeneezer Kup!]]

Not long thereafter, Springer excused himself from actively leading the Wreckers when he heard his old mentor Kup had finally been found, after being MIA for some time. Rescue conditions were hardly ideal, however: the planet the old warhorse was stuck on was permeated with highly unstable energy crystals which produced massive amounts of debilitating radiation and a single spark might set off an explosive chain reaction that would destroy the planet. Kup, meanwhile, had somehow survived exposure to this environment, yet had gone over the brink of madness, attacking the Autobot teams that beamed down to retrieve him because their thick radiation armors made them appear monstrous to his eyes. Despite these complications, Springer insisted rescue efforts continue, even after many Autobots were destroyed in the attempt. Finally, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] arrived as a defensive specialist, and used his force field to block the radiation and get Kup to recognize him. Kup was brought in for repairs, and Springer returned to the Wreckers. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

Later, Springer, along with Autobots across the galaxy, watched an Autobot news report heralding the miraculous return of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

When the denizens of the [[Dead Universe]] stepped up their plans to merge the living and unliving universes together, Springer and the Wreckers were called in once again to battle Thunderwing when he was found guarding a cave on planet [[Corata-Vaz]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} They didn't have much luck. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} However, once [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] managed to take control of Thunderwing, Springer and the Wreckers snuck past it and into the cave to retrieve one of the [[Nega-Core]]s, which were crucial to the Dead Universe plans. Unfortunately, as they were doing so, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] regained control of Thunderwing, and the Wreckers were forced to hold the line until the Nega-Core could be removed and deposited back into the Dead Universe via a portable [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[Image:AHM15_SpringerpunchesProwl.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Why should [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] get [[All Hail Megatron issue 4|all the fun?]]]]
Springer was making regular trips to the ''[[Ark-17]]'' to check up on Kup, but one day found that the old warrior had been transferred to the [[Kimia Facility]] without his knowledge. Filled with rage, Springer traveled to the facility and delivered an uppercut to [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s chin, only to learn that Kup had been fully repaired using [[Pretender]] technology. While he was skeptic at first, Springer's spirits were soon lifted when he got to meet the rejuvenated Kup. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Everything in Its Right Place}}

Led by Kup, Springer later helped rescue a number of Wreckers who had been captured by the Decepticon [[Turmoil]]. Following this mission, Springer and his fellow Wrecker [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] joined Kup's personal strike force onboard the starship ''[[Trion]]''. He argued against letting [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] into the team, but Kup felt that everyone deserves a second chance. {{storylink|Spotlight: Drift}} Shortly afterwards, the team caught a distress call from [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], who was being chased by Decepticons. Kup's team went to his aid, but unfortunately their opponent was the abominable [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]], who melted Springer's rotor blades with acid. Eventually, the giant was toppled by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s new sniping skills. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Lost & Found}}

While chasing the Decepticon cruiser ''[[Torment]]'', the ''Trion'' was lured into a trap and shot down above the planet Cybertron. The crew was "bonded" with the ship at the time, and Springer refused to disconnect from the doomed vessel as he attempted to steer it into a crash landing. He succeeded, and later met with another Autobot unit that had also ended up on the abandoned planet. Kup's team decided to show the others how badass they were, a showcase which ended with Springer being wrestled to the floor by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and his weapon being used to hold Kup at gunpoint. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}} After this little show of force, the two groups teamed up to fight off the [[Insecticon swarm]] that was inhabiting the planet along with them. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6}}

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers1 Springer introduction.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''Lookin' back on the track, for a little green bag...'']]
When the Autobots relocated to another base, Springer participated in the caravan in his ground vehicle mode. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}} At the new base, Springer helped set up a large defensive cannon to use against the incoming swarm. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9}} Despite Springer's best use of fisticuffs, the Autobots were overrun by the thousands of Insecticons, and only saved by the intervention of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10}} Omega took everyone to [[New York City]] on [[Earth]], where Megatron and his forces were located. During the great battle, Springer shoved his knee hard in [[Viewfinder]]'s abdomen. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11}}

After Megatron's defeat on Earth and the general collapse of the Decepticon war effort, Prowl formulated a desperate plan to use the Wreckers to retake the [[Garrus-9]] prison facility from the Decepticons and retrieve the potentially damaging war criminal trial data from supercomputer [[Aequitas]]. Springer began recruiting new members into the Wreckers, noting with irony that he had now assumed Impactor's role, though the main difference was Springer offered the potential recruits a choice, and sometimes they said no. {{storylink|Dead Men's Boots}}

On [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s ship Springer introduced himself to the new team members: [[Rotorstorm]], [[Ironfist]], [[Pyro]], and [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]]. He told them that their first mission was to clean up [[Garrus-9]] and warned them that their first day as a Wrecker could be their last. When Ironfist fainted, Springer felt he needed to keep an eye on him. Afterward he spoke with [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and shared thoughts about Impactor until Ultra Magnus called for him to return to the bridge. He arrived just in time to see a Decepticon starship explode, revealing the former Wrecker. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}}

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers2 SpringerImpactorReunion.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Reunited and it feeeels so bad!]]
Once Impactor was aboard, Springer asked him how he got out of Garrus-9. After hearing Impactor's tale of escape and the revelation that infamous [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] was now the death camp warden, Springer felt that the mission was finally getting interesting. He then shared words with Impactor about the incident on [[Pova]]. Impactor stormed out, but Springer still felt it would be a good idea to use him on the team. Ultra Magnus then relayed something that Prowl wanted done, but only revealed the name: [[Aequitas]].

While nearing Garrus-9 orbit, Springer assisted Ultra Magnus with the mission briefing. He outlined the mission, dividing them into two teams to penetrate the [[lattice forcefield]] via [[drop pod]]s. He took control of one of the pods before relaying control over to Rotorstorm for a simultaneous hit against the forcefield. Once through the pod came under instand attack, but Springer managed a crash landing. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}}

Upon planetfall, Springer's team ran from an oncoming horde of Decepticons. He took a look at [[Twin Twist]]'s wounds while Guzzle, Kup, and Impactor held off the Decepticons. Springer ordered Guzzle into tank mode to bring down the ceiling, granting them an moment's reprieve. He then sent Kup and Guzzle to get backup while Twin Twist drilled through the floor. He drilled into an open area, but was saved by Springer, who jumped through and quickly transformed into helicoptor mode. On the ground they found the demolished remains of [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]], but Twin Twist warned them that they had just set off a defense mechanism. Springer attempted to escape but was zapped unconscious, ending up in [[Stalker (G1)|Stalker]]'s Spark Extinction Chamber. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers4 faceshot.jpg|thumb|left|200px||Right in the kissah!]]

Springer came to after a torturing round from Stalker and began arguing with Impactor about the events that led to the former Wreckers command to be imprisoned on Garrus-9. Springer expressed the desire to forgive Impactor and himself for what happened on Pova, but this couldn't happen until Impactor admitted that what he did was wrong. They were interrupted by the return of Stalker, who had retrieved his latest instrument of torture, the [[endoscopic claw]]. After Twin Twist died as a result of [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]'s sacrifice to activate Aequitas, Stalker was about to move onto the others when help arrived in the form of Guzzle, Kup and [[Snare]]. Kup sprang Springer, who brought a quick end to Stalker with the torturer's own endoscopic claw. This respite didn't last long, as [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] blasted through the wall having been radioed by Stalker. The large Decepticon simply asked if the Wreckers were ready, with Springer replying affirmative. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}}

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers SpringerOverlordFaceoff.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Give me your-<br>[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Oh, you know.]]]]
The battle with Overlord took the combatants to Garrus-9's roof, but it soon became apparent that Springer's team were fighting a losing battle. After Impactor was seemingly defeated, Ironfist, Perceptor and Verity arrived with a large rotary cannon for Springer to use that would supposedly turn the tide. The Wreckers commander emptied the massive weapon into Overlord, who at merely seemed annoyed at the attack, knocked the weapon away and tore Springer's face off. As he advanced on Ironfist, the diminutive Autobot detonated the payload of [[deterrence chip]]s that the Springer had fired into Overlord, and Verity broke his will by revealing that Megatron had since died, robbing the insane Overlord of his obsessive desire to face the Decepticon leader in combat. After Impactor disabled Overlord, he refused to kill him, stating that it was not what Springer wanted. With G-9's liberation, Ultra Magnus took the survivors back to [[Earth]], where Springer was still alive but on life-support, with Kup by his bedside.{{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}
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==Commercial appearances==
* Springer featured in his own 1986 [[commercial]] alongside [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]. In an animation sequence narrated by Optimus Prime and loosely based on the events of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Springer's shuttle is shot down over the planet of Junk, where he does battle with an aggressive Wreck-Gar (introduced by Megatron). Prime describes him as "the toughest of the Autobot [[Triple Changer]]s."

==Games==
===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:SpringerG1Toy.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Three totally different modes]]
*'''Springer''' (1986/1991)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-84'''
**''Accessories'': "Light saber" rotor blade, "laser" rifle

: Springer was one of three Autobot Triple Changers. He transforms from a robot to a futuristic armored car to a helicopter that doesn't look terribly different from the car. In robot mode, his articulation is limited entirely to his arms. His copter rotor blades snap together to form a sword.

:Very early releases of Springer had a [[die-cast]] metal chestplate which was then changed to plastic in subsequent releases. When he was released in the European [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] line in 1991, he retained the plastic chest.
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===Timelines===
*'''Springer''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Accessories'': Sword, Cybertron-planet Autobot Cyber Key

[[Image:Springerbotcontoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Suffers from vestigial JaAm cravings.]]

:Sold together in a bag with [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and their instructions, keys and bio cards, Springer is a ''Classics''-themed [[BotCon 2007]] attendee exclusive. A paint-heavy [[redeco]] of the [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Cybertron Defense Hot Shot]] toy using green and grey as the base colors, Springer transforms into a modified [[Wikipedia:M1117 Armored Security Vehicle|M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle]]. When Springer's [[Cyber Planet Key]] is inserted into the back of the turret, the two gun barrels open up into dual (non-firing) missile launchers. Compartments on his shoulders and his thighs can also open up to reveal additional missile launchers. He also comes with a dagger that stows between his legs in vehicle mode; when he's in robot mode, the dagger can be hand-held, pegged into the front of his fist, or stored in a sheath on his leg.

:Springer is assembled differently from the other uses of this mold. The panels covering the missile racks on each shoulder are swapped.

:The mold was later used as ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] in the Target-exclusive Autobot Ambush Comic 2-Pack.

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===Universe (2008)===
*'''Battle Beneath the Streets''' (Voyager-Deluxe Comic 2-Pack, 2008)
**''Series'': '''War Within Series'''
**''Accessories'': Two missiles, Cyber Planet Key

[[Image:Universe2008 Springer comicpack toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Whatever happened to the whole Triple Changer angle...?]]
: A Target-exclusive redeco of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], Springer transforms into a Eurocopter Dauphin rescue helicopter. His rotor blades spin using a geared push-button, which becomes a spinning-blade weapon mounted on his robot mode's left arm. He has an adjustable [[Retractable string gimmick|tow-hook on a string]], which retracts with the push of a button: this gimmick ends up on his right robot-mode arm. Inserting a [[Cyber Key]] into his back end (backpack in robot mode) swings around a pair of spring-loaded [[missile]] launchers. He was available only with [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]].

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Blades (G1)|Blades]].

: Packaging Springer with Ratbat is a [[homage]] to their rivalry in ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages]]''. Likewise, Springer's deco is directly inspired by his color layout in ''The Dark Ages'', down to the blue "cockpit" painted on his chest, and that he does not have three modes (yet). This connection is further enhanced by having Ratbat possess a humanoid robot mode and jet-like altmode. See [[#Dreamwave comics continuity|above]].

: In its first release in Canada, the set did not include a comic (in spite of the ''INCLUDES COMIC!'' marking on the package), and in the US, the set included the ''wrong'' comic. The right comic was to be ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages]]'' issue "[[Escalation (Dreamwave)|Escalation]]". The comic that was included was a reprint of "[[Target: 2006]] parts 5 & 6".

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==Notes==
* The Hasbro design team chose the ''Cybertron'' [[Evac (Cybertron)| Evac]] mold for Universe Springer, because the BotCon 2007 version already had the ground vehicle [[alternate mode]] of the original covered, and they wanted to give some attention to the original's helicopter mode.
* Fun Publications' [[Jesse Wittenrich]] used an unwanted [[Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'' (2008)]] Springer to come up with [[Megatron (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' Galvatron]].
* Springer's name comes from his ability to jump good. Jump real good. As you'd expect from someone who has a flying [[Alternate mode|altmode]], it's not an ability he uses much.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Springer/springer.htm Springer at TFU.info]

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

[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Defense specialists]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]