MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Hot Rod (G1)

2011-11-22T20:03:27Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|wreckers}}
{{disambig3|Rodimus}}
{{disambig3|Hot Rod}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}

:''Hot Rod is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. He has also been known as '''Rodimus Prime''', '''Rodimus''', and '''Rodimus Major'''.''

[[Image:DVDbox3d1.jpg|right|301px|thumb|And yet he still gets carded.]]

'''Hot Rod''' is brash and headstrong, with an overwhelming self-confidence that borders on arrogance. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] has assumed the role of mentor and advisor to the impetuous young Hot Rod, offering him wisdom and advice when he needs it (though Hot Rod rarely feels that he does, much to Kup's annoyance). [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] also serves as a calming influence on Hot Rod, and tends to either worry about him when he is not around, or deride and tease him when he is. Their relationship is antagonistic, but friendly. Exactly how deep Hot Rod's feelings for Arcee might run is unknown, whether they be friendly, [[Transformer romance|romantic]], or otherwise.

In contrast, his '''Rodimus Prime''' persona—while still headstrong and stubborn—seems to suffer from a severe lack of confidence, often doubting his own decisions and expressing distress over his position as an [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]]. Of course, much of this comes from comparisons with his former commander [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]—and let's face it, shoes-to-be-filled just don't ''get'' much bigger than that.

One thing that both sides of this Autobot's identity have in common is their impatience—neither Hot Rod nor Rodimus Prime can stand to wait around when they could be doing something instead. He is also very self-reliant, rarely sending others to do anything when he could be doing it himself. His [[Targetmaster]] partner is [[Firebolt]]. As Rodimus Prime, his vehicle sometimes splits between his robot and [[Mobile Defense Bay]].

{{bigquote|I ''knew'' you had potential, lad.|[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] on Hot Rod's transformation into Rodimus Prime|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[Image:Fightorflee Rodimus explosion.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}

At some point before 2005, Hot Rod became stationed at [[Autobot City]] and so was present during the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. This was a turning point in the life of the turbo-revving young punk, because the [[Matrix of Leadership]] chose him as its next bearer following the death of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. As Rodimus Prime, his first accomplishments were the defeat of [[Unicron]] and the return of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to the Autobots.

During his time as [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Rodimus not only had to deal with the Decepticons and [[Galvatron (G1)|their new leader]], but also the political complexities of the planetary alliance Cybertron joined, the return of the Transformers' cruel masters from long ago, the [[Quintesson]]s, the possible revival of Unicron and the arrival of Unicron's "little brother" [[Tornedron]].

During the [[Hate Plague]] outbreak in 2006, Optimus Prime was brought back to life and Rodimus gave up his rank of Prime, becoming Hot Rod once more. He would live to see the next Cybertronian [[Golden Age]].
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
''Several hundred years ago, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] dispatched Hot Rod and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to search for habitable worlds. During this mission, the pair ran afoul of the [[Tyroxian]]s—unpleasant [[alien]]s who captured Blurr and pursued Hot Rod through space. While fleeing, Hot Rod crossed paths with the Autobot war veteran, Kup, living a nomadic existence wandering through space at the time, and the youth's bravado in attacking [[Tyroxia]] single-handed re-ignited Kup's fighting spirit. After saving Hot Rod and helping him to rescue Blurr, Kup joined the pair in returning to Cybertron.'' {{storylink|Kup's Story!}}

[[Image:BrothersinArmor-Targetmasters.jpg|right|thumb|350px|I'm important! Just not right now.]]

Hot Rod was among the contingent of Transformers who ultimately accompanied Fortress Maximus in abandoning the war on Cybertron for a new world, [[Nebulos]]. The Autobots' arrival on the planet immediately stirred civil unrest, however, which led to the Decepticons being brought to the planet, and the war continuing on a smaller scale. Technological advancements developed during the conflict saw Nebulans being bio-engineered into [[Binary bonding|partnerships]] with the Transformers. Hot Rod became a Targetmaster, and was bonded to the Nebulan sharpshooter, Firebolt (aka Sparks), who transformed into his gun. Eventually, the Autobots determined to move their war away from Nebulos, and followed a signal sent by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]], received by Hot Rod, to the planet [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

Hot Rod and the other Autobots of Nebulos were soon incorporated into the larger Autobot force on Earth, under the command of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. On one occasion, Hot Rod and several Autobots accompanied Prime on what appeared to be a simple mission to stop some Decepticon [[Micromaster]]s from attacking MacDill Air Force Base. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} In fact, the attack was part of a much larger scheme by the deposed Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], luring Prime and his forces away from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and setting them against his rival for Decepticon leadership, the mighty [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Once Prime realized the greater threat at issue, he ordered his troops to immediately take the [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] back to the Ark, but Hot Rod recklessly chose to stay behind at Optimus's side to face the Decepticons. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} He was therefore on-hand when the newly resurrected [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] arrived, and began tearing through all Transformers present, in the name of Megatron. He managed to take a shot at Starscream's new [[Pretender]] shell, causing enough neural feedback to temporarily weaken the Decepticon, and give Scorponok time to strike and end the threat. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

[[Image:YesterdaysHeroes-HotRod.jpg|left|thumb|200px|I, Hot Rod, have entered the main US cast so that I may hatch hilariously hairbrained sitcom schemes!]]

The cost was still high, though, as Optimus Prime returned to the Ark and learned that his good friend, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], had sacrificed himself to help stop Megatron's schemes. This sent the Autobot leader into a depression, and Hot Rod took it upon himself to snap Optimus out of it. He had the crazy scheme of creating a mock threat with a [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian Mark V battle droid]], with predictable results. The robot proceeded to ''actually'' malfunction and endanger the Autobots, but Hot Rod's plan worked when Prime eventually snapped out of his funk and defeated the droid to save the day. Hot Rod needed to find a replacement hand after the Guardian snapped it off, but hey, all's well that ends well. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

[[Image:Hoverscooter.jpg|right|thumb|250px|whoopeee]]

Hot Rod continued to operate with Earth's Autobot forces aboard the Ark, and was present during [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s rampage through the shuttle bay. He took some damage, but remained functional enough to continue on, and was later seen speeding into the battle with Unicron himself on a [[Sky-sled|hoverscooter]], {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} He was also one of many Autobots destroyed by the Decepticons on [[Klo]], only to be revived by the [[Last Autobot]]. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

In an alternate future of 2005, Hot Rod was one of the many Autobots based in the completed Autobot City. He was close friends with the young human [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. Realizing that the Decepticons were invading in a stolen shuttle, Hot Rod and Daniel tried to outpace them before they reached the city. Optimus Prime fell in battle against Megatron, and Hot Rod stood with a handful of others as Optimus died and passed the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Leadership Matrix]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

[[Image:FinalBattle-Rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Galvatron can shoot at Rodimus until he's blue in the face, but he'll never surrender his coconut.]]

After Prime's death, Autobot City got word from [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] that a "monster planet" was devouring Cybertron's moons. En route, Hot Rod and Kup (and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]) were separated from the rest of the Autobots during a Decepticon attack and crashed on the planet [[Quintessa]]. After escaping the sadistic trial of the [[Quintesson]]s and attempted execution (as well as meeting [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]), {{storylink| Judgment Day!}} Hot Rod went on to the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], where he was just in time to stop [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] from fighting another group of stranded Autobots with a timely use of the [[Universal greeting]]. Together, they all traveled to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to stop [[Unicron]] before he could eat more than just its moons.

Hot Rod plunged his ship through Unicron's eye and was separated from the rest of his team. Alone, he found himself facing Galvatron in a battle to the death over the Autobot Leadership Matrix. Claiming the Matrix, Hot Rod [[Renaming|evolved into]] "Rodimus Prime", an older, larger, and more powerful version of himself. After overpowering Galvatron and hurling him through Unicron's hide into the void of space, he opened the Matrix and destroyed Unicron from within. {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

In 2006, Rodimus Prime's Autobots had taken control of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] reported suspicious activity on [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], so Rodimus sent the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s to investigate. [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] was defeated in battle but was able to send back an SOS before going offline. Sky Lynx was dispatched to retrieve him, and Rodimus decided to investigate himself. He took [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] in [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]].

Once there, the Autobots discovered a chaotic scene where aliens from many worlds, including the Decepticons, had arrived and were all engaged in a deadly battle with one another. Rodimus was immediately attacked by a hypnotized [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and the two battled to a standstill. The other Autobots were able to disrupt a hypnotic signal that was causing everyone to fight one another. The [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] then added their strength against the Decepticons, causing the latter to retreat. Rodimus didn't care where the hypnosis signal had been coming from, as long as it was off for good. He never discovered that it was the work of the [[Quintesson]]s. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

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

[[Image:GalvatrondeadrodimusUS67.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Do you expect me to talk?" "No, Mr Prime, I expect you to die!"]]
In an another alternate future timeline, Hot Rod arose to become Rodimus Prime. However, the planet-eater known as Unicron managed to destroy Cybertron, leaving Rodimus to lead a failed Autobot/human defense of Earth when [[Galvatron II|that timeline's Galvatron]] attacked and eventually conquered it. Rodimus perished during the conflict, and his body was strung up between the ruined towers of the World Trade Center. In the year 2009, Galvatron returned to Manhattan to survey its devastated landscape, and fired upon Rodimus's corpse, demanding to know how many times he would have to kill him to erase his legacy. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

{{-}}
=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[Image:Hot rod ark duty.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"Really, by assigning ''me'' to Ark duty, they're practically demanding me to go be irresponsible!"]]
''Hot Rod rose to greater prominence in the alternate future timeline of [[Earth-120185]]. In 1990, he, Kup and Blurr were captured by Megatron; although rescued by a double-agent named [[Warmonger]], Hot Rod was recaptured and bore witness first hand to Megatron's mercilessness when he executed Warmonger. Then, in 1991, he was part of a unit that escorted the captive [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], only to lose the Decepticon leader when forced to defend a human settlement against an attack by the [[Air Strike Patrol]].'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} ''On another occasion in 1995, Hot Rod was present when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] first unveiled the [[Female Transformer|female Autobot]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], to [[Feminist mob|a dubious crowd of human feminists]]. Hot Rod was more than a little flustered by Arcee's presence on the battlefield.'' {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}} ''In 2003, he and Blurr were given "Ark duty," assigned to stand guard over the [[Ark (G1)|Autobots' spaceship]] while construction on [[Autobot City]] began. Kup was apparently instructed to deliver the plans of the city to the American government, and when Hot Rod saw him being jumped by the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], he disobeyed orders and sped out to the rescue. The Stunticons brutally beat on Hot Rod and took the plans, but Hot Rod learned a hard lesson when Kup informed him that it was meant to happen that way because the plans were a fake.'' {{storylink|Ark Duty}} ''When the city was completed in 2004, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attacked it on its opening day, and Hot Rod repelled him by attacking in a wildly illogical manner, tackling him down a mountain repeatedly.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} ''Also, at some unknown point in the past, Hot Rod's Targetmaster partner Firebolt was killed in action.'' {{storylink|Headhunt}}

[[Image:FallenAngel-Unicron.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Since this is a comic book, Rodimus has to hum "[[The Touch]]" to himself.]]

''In the year 2006, when the new Decepticon leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] travelled back in time to 1986 as part of a plan to free himself from the control of Unicron, the chaos-bringer used his mental powers to plant knowledge of Galvatron's plan into the minds of Hot Rod, Kup and Blurr and transported them to Cybertron, where they used Galvatron's equipment to follow him into the past. There, with help from the present-day incarnation of Ultra Magnus, they were able to convince Galvatron that he had, in fact, traveled back in time to a parallel universe, where his actions would have no effect on the future. Believing this, Galvatron returned to his own time, and after setting any remaining wrongs to rights, the trio of Autobots also returned to 2006.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}} ''Back in his native timeline, Hot Rod was subsequently involved in a battle with Galvatron inside Unicron's body, during which he opened the sacred Autobot talisman, the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], and was transformed into Rodimus Prime. With this new strength, he hurled Galvatron through Unicron's hide and opened the Matrix, destroying the planet-eater.'' {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

''It's believed that [[Primus]] ''deliberately'' caused Hot Rod's Prime form to resemble him. What an ego!'' {{storylink|Salvage!|#160's Grim Grams}}

[[Image:Rodimusprimerequestdenied.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Rodimus learned the wrong lesson from Optimus's death.]]

''As the new Autobot leader, Rodimus became paranoid about Galvatron's eventual return, since no body was ever recovered from space. He led the Autobot forces high and low searching the universe for the Decepticon leader, neglecting Cybertron in the process. As a result, Shockwave arose as the new Decepticon leader, and total war broke out on Cybertron once again. Unable to take the time to find Galvatron himself anymore, Rodimus rashly placed a bounty on the Decepticon's head. What Rodimus did not realize, however, was that Galvatron had time-jumped again, traveling back to 1987.'' {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} ''In 2007, when the freelance peace-keeping agent [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] pursued Galvatron back to the '80s, Rodimus was informed of this fact by an Autobot double-agent named [[Nautilus]], and, dismayed at the danger he had unleashed on the past, promptly headed back in time himself to stop the dual threats.'' {{storylink|Burning Sky!}} ''Once again teaming up with the present-day Ultra Magnus, Rodimus and his team of Kup, Blurr and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] tracked Galvatron down to [[Mount Verona]], where he was attempting to harness the volcano's molten energy. While arguing with Death's Head, Rodimus and the bounty hunter were both attacked, but when Ultra Magnus opened fire on his [[power siphon]], Galvatron was distracted long enough for Rodimus to escape.'' {{storylink|Hunters}} ''Rodimus then arranged a plan that saw the Autobots capture Galvatron's time-jump mechanism, in order to have Wreck-Gar re-engineer it to return all the time-travelers to their point of origin. Rodimus engaged Galvatron in a protracted battle to buy Wreck-Gar time, but when the device was activated, Rodimus, Death's Head and the other Autobots were returned to 2007. Galvatron was left behind.'' {{storylink|Fire on High!}}

[[Image:Headhunt-Rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Rodimus discovers a depressing third option to "fight and die" or "live with the knowledge that I ran."]]

''Some time later, a disgruntled Death's Head accepted a contract from the Decepticons on Rodimus Prime's head, and ambushed him while he was inspecting Autobot lines. Their battle subsequently went underground, where [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] intervened, downing Death's Head in hopes of being the ones to defeat Rodimus, in order to reclaim their lost standing in the Decepticons' ranks. Rodimus was able to lead Death's Head through the underground tunnels, right into the heart of the Autobot camp, where he offered him advance payment for a different contract—on Cyclonus and Scourge.'' {{storylink|Headhunt}} ''Death's Head proceeded to track the two Decepticons for the remainder of the year, until the three of them fell under the mental control of Unicron when they discovered his disembodied head on the planet of [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]] in the early days of 2008. Under his control, they assassinated Decepticon leader Shockwave and reignited the stalemated Cybertronian civil war in order to keep the Autobots busy while Unicron worked on rebuilding his body. Rodimus, however, learned of the situation thanks to [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and led a small Autobot force to Junk, where Death's Head fought against Unicron's control long enough to project Rodimus's mind into a battle with the demi-god on the astral plane. During the battle, explosives planted by Wreck-Gar destroyed Unicron's head, and his mind was sealed within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

[[Image:Arceehotrodspacepirates.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hasbro slips Rodimus a few [[Shanix]] under the table to "lose" the Matrix ever so often. They's got Hot Rod toys to sell.]]

''Later in 2008, the alien Quintessons targeted Cybertron for colonization, and attacked the Autobots with a two-pronged assault on both Cybertron and Earth. When [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] shirked her guard duty at Autobot City, the Quintessons were given an opening that allowed them to take over the city, and when she returned, they gunned her down as bait for a trap for Rodimus Prime. Arriving at the city, Rodimus discovered the injured Arcee and opened his chest compartment to heal her with the Matrix, only to have it yanked from his grasp by the Quintesson general, [[Ghyrik]], causing him to revert to Hot Rod. Liberating [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s cassettes for back-up, Hot Rod and Arcee proceeded to fight their way through the Quintessons to Autobot City's control room, where Hot Rod activated [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to smash the alien threat. In battle with Ghyrik, Hot Rod duped the Quintessons with a bit of amateur ventriloquism and reclaimed the Matrix; transformed back into Rodimus Prime again, he routed the Quintessons.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

[[Image:TimeWars-OptimusPrimeentersthefray.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Rodimus traveled 20 years into the past just to be upstaged by That Guy again.]]

''Unbeknownst to Rodimus, the Quintessons had sought to colonize Cybertron because their own homeworld was being destroyed by a rift in space and time caused by the Transformers' repeated time-travel. The rift continued to grow in size until it threatened both Earth and Cybertron at the beginning of both 2009 and 1989. To put an end to the threat, Rodimus and a squad of Autobots traveled back to 1989, only to wind up mass-displacing Optimus Prime (since the Matrix could not exist in two time periods at once) and a group of other Autobots to [[limbo]], leading to a brief but violent misunderstanding with the present-day Autobots. Optimus Prime was able to stabilize the situation by communicating with all involved through the power of the Matrix. Subsequently, Autobots and Decepticons from both the present and future teamed up to battle Galvatron and [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]], but one by one they fell, until Optimus Prime used the Matrix to return himself to reality for a final showdown. After absorbing Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge, however, the rift was sealed by Shockwave, and Rodimus and the other future Autobots returned to 2009, vowing to destroy their time machines to prevent this from ever happening again.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

''As it transpired, however, things would not be that easy. In the wake of the massive chronal damage caused by the rift, time had attempted to heal its wounds, but reality was no longer as it had been. The future that Rodimus and the other Autobots came from no longer existed—in its place was a world where Galvatron had never traveled back in time, and had conquered Cybertron after Unicron's destruction. Rodimus quickly established a rebellion, but when Galvatron tracked down their headquarters, he killed Blurr and all others present, goading Rodimus into a ferocious battle in hopes of corrupting the Matrix within him. Rodimus realized what he was doing, however, and ended the fight before more damage could be done.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

[[Image:EdgeofImpact-EvilRodimus.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Tonight the part of Rodimus Prime will be played by the Green Goblin.]]

''Rodimus and the Autobots escaped to Earth via hyperspace, only to find that [[Future Autobot evacuation ship|their craft]]'s guidance systems had been damaged. During the flight, Rodimus Prime vanished,'' {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} ''and Kup discovered that he was the saboteur,'' {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} ''deducing that he had been corrupted by an evil force from within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} ''Inside the Matrix, Rodimus battled with the essence of Unicron, trapped there since the events of 2008, until Kup wrenched the Matrix from his chest, freeing him from the chaos-bringer's influence. But now, Rodimus knew that the evil of Unicron would be waiting for him within it...'' {{storylink|White Fire}} ''...and in 2010, Unicron's essence succeeded in taking over Rodimus's body, transforming it into a duplicate of his own and attacking Cybertron once more, until Rodimus was able to defeat him from within and re-seal him within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

''Centuries later, in the year 2356, Rodimus, his body withered and weakened from the continuous harmful influence of Unicron from within the Matrix, lectured a young Autobot [[student]] on the nature of evil, unwittingly setting the youth on the path towards villainy himself.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

''In an unidentified timeline in the year 2510, a healthy Rodimus Prime was overjoyed to announce that the Cybertronian war was finally over, and planned to step down as leader to allow [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to take over. The sole remaining Decepticon, a double-agent named [[Triton]], spoke out against the decision to cause dissension, and succeeded—as Rodimus could only watch in dismay, arguments escalated into conflict, and the war was born again as [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]] fought [[Wrecker]], and the Autobot Civil War began.'' {{storylink|Peace}}

{{-}}
====Generation 2====
[[Image:HotrodG2Marvelcomic.jpg|100px|thumb|left|Try purple! It's the new maroon!]]
After the defeat of the Decepticons on [[Klo]], the Autobots' forces scattered throughout the galaxy as virtually independent splinter cells. A small group under Optimus Prime's command encountered Bludgeon and his soldiers on a desolate world, both sides looking for new weapons or technology, and were in danger of being overrun. Prime sent Hot Rod into a nearby mausoleum building in the hopes that he could conjure up some form of "graven image" to distract the superstitious Decepticon leader. Hot Rod emerged empty-handed from the ruins, only to find that just [[Guardian (G2)|such a graven image]] had conjured ''itself'', chased off the trespassing Decepticons, and was now prepared to do the same to the Autobots. They managed a dignified, if rushed, scramble to safety. {{storylink|All or Nothing!|Ghosts}}

[[Image:G2kupwonderspowerandglory.jpg|right|thumb|300px|No?]]

When Grimlock sent out a message summoning Optimus Prime, Hot Rod and Kup accompanied him. Hot Rod was quick to remark the sorry state of the planet they were on, and pondered exactly why they were here. As Prime continued his lengthy internal monolog, they were ambushed by a second-generation Cybertronian patrol. Hot Rod pretended to flee, but quickly came back as he and Prime caught the squad in a crossfire, annihilating the lot of them. Grimlock made his presence known afterwards and took them to his ship, where Hot Rod casually fiddled with a panel while Grimlock exposited. [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] attacked soon after, crippling the Autobots's ship and capturing them. They later managed to escape Jhiaxus's flagship. {{storylink|War Without End!}} When Grimlock and a team of Autobots were captured once again by the Liege Centuro, Hot Rod was part of Optimus's rescue team. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}} While Optimus Prime went on a vision quest back on Cybertron, some Autobots set up camp on a deserted asteroid, where Kup set up some war games for training. Hot Rod managed to lure the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] into a false sense of confidence and into a trap consisting of Dinobots. When the exercise was over, Hot Rod expressed frustration at the fact that they were stuck playing games while Jhiaxus and his Cybertronians were still out there. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Megatron's resurfacing on Earth made Optimus Prime decide to confront him alone. Fortunately, Grimlock had different ideas and mounted up a rescue, which Hot Rod participated in. He tried to engage [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] in vehicle mode, but the small Decepticon used his piledrivers to send Hot Rod tumbling away. Hot Rod crashed just behind Megatron, prompting the Decepticon leader to order a full retreat. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

[[Image:Arageinheaven-electro.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Hot Rod is the honorary fifth [[Laser Rod]] member.]]

Hot Rod was amongst the Autobots deployed to the planet [[Ethos]] where they fought hard to counter a Cybertronian offensive, but quickly found themselves overwhelmed and had to be saved by their newfound Decepticon allies. {{storylink|Escalation!}} After Starscream sold out the location of the Autobots' [[Autobase]] on Earth, Jhiaxus organized a full-scale assault. Hot Rod was part of the counter-offensive, and as the Cybertronians were being eradicated by the Autobot-Decepticon alliance, he was quick to report Prime his new finding: Jhiaxus had a ''second wave'' waiting in the wings. {{storylink|Total War!}} When the Cybertronian threat was overshadowed by the oncoming [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], Hot Rod and [[Electro]] went scouting out for its position. Thanks to Murphy's law, he had the misfortune of reporting its arrival just as Grimlock pondered just how things could get worse. Unlike many of his fellow Autobots, Hot Rod was saved from being devoured by the Swarm thanks to Megatron's timely arrival, carrying canisters of [[Rheanimum]]. Soon afterwards, Hot Rod and company witnessed Optimus Prime's return to life in a shiny new body, and cheered at his speech for unity and a higher purpose than war. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{note|The Classics comic takes place after the end of the original Marvel Comic, but in a [[splinter timeline]] that does not include the events of the Marvel UK-exclusive stories or Generation 2.}}

[[Image:CrossingOver5-RodimusMirage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|We got to buy... more time!]]

Once peace was restored on [[Klo]], Hot Rod followed Optimus Prime back to Cybertron, where the young Autobot fell back into the racing scene. After countless years of fighting for his life, this quickly bored Hot Rod, who went to Optimus to ask advice. Hot Rod was put in charge of the rehabilitation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the integration of the millions of Transformers who had fled the planet during the war. To keep the returning Transformers entertained, Hot Rod devised the [[Cybertron Grand Challenge]], a cross-factional racing event of an epic scale. Following his cultural triumph, Hot Rod changed his name to Rodimus, both to reflect his growing maturity and in homage to Optimus Prime, the leader he still adored. Rodimus became one of Optimus Prime's closest officers, and when [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] reared his head again on [[Earth]], Rodimus was one of the first recruited to accompany Optimus to hunt him down. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 15|''Classics'' Rodimus profile}}

After the Autobots discovered the mysterious Autobot, [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], they flew to [[South America]] to investigate a mysterious power source. Rodimus led them there with a tracking device, muttering that he wished [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] were around to help him use it. Clearly they arrived at the correct location, however, because the Decepticons were there looking for it as well! {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} As the battle raged, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and Rodimus cornered Soundwave, but the two worried that they were being overwhelmed by numbers. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}} Rodimus tried contacting [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], but the Autobot scout wasn't responding, and so Rodimus grew even more frustrated when Mirage went invisible and left him. Mirage's gambit helped win the battle, and the Decepticons withdrew. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

Rodimus was damaged severely, and so after the battle in South America, Optimus Prime carried him all the way home. Bumblebee was asked to put him in a [[CR chamber]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

{{-}}
===S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers===
[[Image:PackIn RodimusPrimeRemembers Front.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Just like he remembers Woodstock.]]

Unicron just might consume the universe, and the Autobots need to determine who the Chosen One is so that he may rise from their ranks, unlock the Matrix of Power, and save all from Unicron! Unfortunately, not even the Chosen One himself knows his identity, and his discovery may come too late. {{storylink|The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:}}

There was a legendary conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons when Optimus Prime led Rodimus Prime and a large team of Autobots in a search for the future site of [[Autobot City]]. They were ambushed by Megatron and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and this became known as the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth. Rodimus Prime dubbed it "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]." {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}} Some of the Autobots were forced to retreat due to Thundercracker's "force shield," and Optimus Prime told Rodimus and the others that their only hope was to call in for additional troops. {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}}

Later, Rodimus Prime remembered the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth. {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}}
{{-}}

===Big Looker Storybook continuity===
[[Image:CarShowBlowup-AutobotCity.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Hot Rod clearly does not pass emissions standards.]]

Kup and Hot Rod traveled to the coliseum to check out a robot car the [[human]]s had built that could respond to voice commands. They heard about it on their car radios! But when they arrived at the coliseum, Kup spotted Decepticons flying about. As some entered the back door, Kup shooed Hot Rod away, telling him to warn the others. If Hot Rod stayed, he would just get into trouble!

[[Image:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This is the genocide referred to [[:Image:EdgeofImpact-EvilRodimus.jpg|above]].]]

When Hot Rod returned with the Autobots, Kup had been captured and held prisoner, so the others entered the coliseum in vehicle mode. Meanwhile, Hot Rod snuck up behind Kup and freed him. Yelling "Geronimo!" they jumped from the control room onto the coliseum floor, taking the Decepticons by surprise. Galvatron and the others escaped, but Kup and Hot Rod agreed that they'd be ready for him when he returned. {{storylink|Car Show Blow Up}}

Later, Kup led Hot Rod, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and in the middle of their journey, the ship began to have problems. Hot Rod reassured Arcee that everything would be okay, but the ship was going down! It crashed on a planet which Kup recognized. It was the planet [[Quintessa|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them, but at the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed their earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way, until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}

{{--}}
===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[Image:DecepticonsatthePole-HotRodSparks.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Say I'm badly drawn to my face, pal!]]
Hot Rod was one of several troops stationed on Earth when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] was in charge and the Transformers' war was still a secret one. He got along well with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], the two spending their downtime looking at car magazines together, and was quite pleased to receive some snazzy gold wheel-trims from the boy. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}

In the time following this campaign, Hot Rod would mature into a more sensible warrior and even a team leader. During the early stages of the war on [[Nebulos]], Hot Rod was Autobot commander against [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'s Decepticons before the return of Optimus Prime. At one point, he prevented the Decepticons causing Nebulos' destruction via cosmic radiation. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}}

===Sticker Adventures===
Out searching for a missing shuttle, Hot Rod and Kup spied it crashed on the Junk planet. They landed to find their friends engaged in battle with the natives, but Kup cautioned Hot Rod not to rashly jump in and join them. Kup's use of the Universal Autobot Greeting resulted in the Junkions abandoning the fight and making friends with the newcomers, and causing Hot Rod to exclaim "Holy cow!" The Junkions helped repair the damaged shuttle before the Autobots left. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}

{{-}}
===Young Corgi Adventure books===
[[Image:Wolf at the door desert of danger.jpg|thumb|right|200px|When you're weary, feelin' small...]]
Hot Rod had himself delivered by freight to the planet of Nebulos, where he and his Targetmaster partner Professor Sparks suspected the Decepticons were attempting reinforce their position in spite of a treaty in place to limit their numbers. With [[You|your]] help they traced the Decepticons to the [[Wolf at the Door]] nightclub, an [[oil]] bar for Nebulan miners run by [[Monzo]], and discovered that [[Weirdwolf]], [[Skullcruncher]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] were importing [[Attack Squad robot]]s from Cybertron and awakening them from cryogenic suspension with a catalytic stimulant disguised as [[Sirian brandy]].

After a confrontation with the Decepticons that left Skullcruncher and Mindwipe out of action, Hot Rod faced off against Weirdwolf and Monzo. Weirdwolf was defiant, but Monzo wasn't feeling lucky and surrendered to the Autobot. Though the Headmasters had to be released under the terms of the treaty, the Attack Squad robots were destroyed. {{storylink|Desert of Danger}}

{{note|"Desert of Danger" is a [[multipath adventure]] and the above only applies to the optimum path through the book. If you make the wrong decision, the Decepticons may well triumph instead.}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers PD Type'' comic===
[[Image:Pdtype_rodimus_manga.jpg|left|250px|thumb|]]

Clutching a [[Blackball]], Rodimus Prime found himself being attacked by Galvatron. As the Decepticon leader attempted to throttle him, a light shone from Rodimus's chest, making Galvatron think it was the power of the Blackball. After Galvatron had fled, Rodimus revealed it was just a torch, and reflected on what an idiot his foe was. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##11 "Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!"|Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!}}

As Fortress Maximus and Mega Zarak clashed violently, Rodimus reminded Optimus that he had said never to let those two fight. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##14 "Watch Out! Mega Zarak!"|Watch Out! Mega Zarak!}}

Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime enjoyed many victories against the Decepticons, but [[Greatshot|who was that in the background?]] {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##15 "No One Knows When he's Come or Gone. Greatshot..."|No One Knows When he's Come or Gone. Greatshot...}}

Together with Ultra Magnus, Rodimus engaged in battle against [[Sixshot]], but was terrified when the Decepticon ninja unleashed the fury of his "Six Shadow Selves"! Luckily for Rodimus, Sixshot's doppelgangers were actually other Decepticons whom he'd painted black (and weren't very happy about it). {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##18|The Ninja of Space, Sixshot!!}}

In a later altercation with Sixshot, Rodimus attempted to use his Photon Eliminator gun to strike down the fleeing ninja. Though he managed to shoot ''every other'' Decepticon on the battlefield, he failed to hit his intended target. Rodimus sat pouting in the corner as the other Autobots convened to register their disappointment that Rodimus let Sixshot get away. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##21|Photon Eliminator}}

Joining [[Ginrai|God Ginrai]] and Ultra Magnus in an assault on Mega Zarak, Rodimus was terrified when the mammoth Decepticon unleashed his titanic Anti-Gravity Rifle. Fortunately for the Autobots, the gun jammed and Mega Zarak was left fiddling with it while they opened fire. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##24|Anti-Gravity Rifle}}

{{-}}
===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[Image:WarAgainstDestructions-HotRodApeface.jpg|right|thumb|300px|GRONK yourself!]]
As Ultra Magnus left for a mission to find an Energon source, Hot Rod assured him that everything would be fine on Cybertron, and if there was any hint of trouble "Rodimus" would pop up and save the day. When Magnus later checked in, Hot Rod reported that they'd made some process on Headmaster technology. Though Magnus was more concerned about the threat of war, Hot Rod told him not to worry, unaware that [[Sixshot]] was planning to throw him a surprise. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

Hot Rod was pleased to have [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] back. Then [[Monitorus]] arrived with the news that [[Tau-Ursa]] had been attacked and leveled by Decepticons, and Hot Rod got to point out that the Tau-Ursans had refused the Autobots permission to build a defense base there. He shortly took part in an attempt to repel a Decepticon attack on Cybertron, finding himself fighting against Sixshot, who seemed more interested in goading him than fighting. This turned out to be a diversion, while [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] used his new [[Nullification Cannon]] on the planet's Energon supplies.

Hot Rod and Blurr next visited Tau-Ursa to check for Decepticons, and encountered [[Apeface|Ape Face]], who had found a [[Logicon]] warning beacon. The two Autobots wrestled it from him and returned to Cybertron, where the beacon was found to hold the coordinates to [[Metascan Alpha]], a major Energon storehouse. Prime placed Hot Rod in charge of one of two teams to search for the planet, though the operation was hampered slightly by the discovery of the two Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clone]]s spying on them. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

{{Note|At this point [[Blackthorne Publishing]] went bankrupt and the storyline was never completed}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Hotroddreamwave.jpg|left|thumb|]]Hot Rod joined an underground Autobot cell led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] after [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] takeover of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Among the members of the cell was [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], whom Hot Rod became attached to. From the [[Wastelands]], Hot Rod, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] observed an incoming Decepticon shuttle carrying the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Shortly afterward, the cell rescued [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], and took him to their base. After awakening, Prime attacked [[Gnaw]], Blurr, and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], forcing Hot Rod (who didn't recognize him) to hold the Autobot leader at gunpoint. After being <strike>bitch slapped</strike> admonished by Kup, Hot Rod apologized. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

After Shockwave unleashed the [[Guardian robot]]s on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Prime organized the resistance cell and other Autobot forces on the planet in an assault on Shockwave's citadel. Fighting alongside the Autobot leader, Hot Rod was amazed that the stories Kup had told him about Prime's courage and heroism had all been true. As an injured Prime breached the citadel, Hot Rod, Ironhide and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] provided cover fire, taking down a number of Guardians in the process. Along with the rest of Iacon, they witnessed the divine light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] when Shockwave activated it. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

As Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] battled Shockwave within the citadel, Hot Rod and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took down [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Immediately afterward, they were confronted with the looming threat of a remaining Guardian robot—a threat that was soon neutralized by the arrival of the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]], the [[Autobot High Council]], and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. The unified Autobot group soon breached the citadel. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Some time later, Hot Rod ran a simulation combat scenario against Kup, and won using tactics that, in Kup's opinion, would have killed them both had it been real. Only after his victory did Hot Rod remember that he'd promised to take Arcee to see an [[Earth]]-bound shuttle launch—a duty Springer was happy to relieve him of. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} Soon afterward, he was assigned to perimeter guard duty at [[Autobase]] with Gnaw and Wheelie, separating him from Arcee. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{-}}

===''Universe: Featuring the Wreckers''===
[[Image:Skidswreckers2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|It's funny because Rodimus sucked at everything.]]

A few months after the destruction of [[Unicron]] in 2005, Rodimus Prime spearheaded an effort to establish multiple recon posts to watch for advancing threats... even though some of his scientists said he shouldn't. When only two of the five launched ships were ever heard from again, Rodimus felt like a schmuck. Guy can't catch a break. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

After the Great Wars ended and the [[Pax Cybertronia]] was signed, he changed his name to simply "Rodimus" and decided to check out the new "[[Great Upgrade|Maximal Upgrade]]". His relationship with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] effectively ended shortly after, as the latter went through dark gripping emo depression over the death of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and vanished.

Rodimus joined the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] at some undetermined point afterward. After [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] took over Cybertron with his [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]], Wrecker leader [[Apelinq]] got stranded on prehistoric [[Earth]], leaving Rodimus in charge. True to form, he ditched leadership duties to [[Primal Prime]] as soon as possible.

After Primal Prime got his marching orders from the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], he met Rodimus deep inside Cybertron's caverns, where an even more gothy-emo Arcee—in a new Maximal body—lurked and stewed in her depression. Realizing he couldn't convince her to give a damn about anything, he left, rejoining the main Wrecker force in battle. Making it onto an ancient Autobot shuttle, the Wreckers blasted off... with late-arrival Arcee. {{storylink|Departure}}

[[Image:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Except you're the size of my arm now.]]

Rodimus recognized the homing beacon emitting from [[Akalo|Archa Nine]] as one of those missing exploration parties mentioned before. When the shuttle landed, Rodimus stayed behind to help repair the damage the ship had suffered. The entire Wrecker team later gathered in an [[Akalouthan]] village, where Rodimus was reunited with [[Glyph (G1)|Glyph]], who took them to see the artifact known as the [[Divine Light]]. The Wreckers' analysis of the item was cut short, as it was stolen by the traitor [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Rodimus saw the back-in-his-old-body [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] off, who was sent to chase after Cyclonus, while the Wreckers made for their next destination... even though several of them were now leery of the visions Primal Prime had been getting. Because they'd really done ''so well'' by the Wreckers so far. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

Upon landing on the frozen planet, Rodimus was part of the search party immediately dispatched to look for... something. Primal Prime wasn't too specific. They came across [[Al-Badur]], an exiled [[Quintesson]], who gave them a little history lesson. They were then promptly attacked by a school of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], but the Wreckers made short work of them. They made their way back to the ship, with Al-Badur in tow, and made for their next destination... {{storylink|Disclosure}}

[[Image:WreckersFinaleII-RodimusCyclonus.jpg|right|thumb|300px|If Optimus can die, so can I!]]

...Cybertron. As Primal Prime took some Wreckers after their true foe, [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]], Rodimus tried to get their injured to a safe place. Unfortunately, the planet was under a full scale Quintesson invasion, and some anti-aircraft fire inevitably clipped the ship and sent them plummeting downwards. After they made it to safe ground, Rodimus and the crew hooked up with his fellow [[Matrix Templar]], [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], and followed his insight to the battle. They confronted Cryotek's underling, Cyclonus, and his purloined squad of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s. With casualties mounting on both sides, Cyclonus beat a safe retreat, collapsing the tunnel behind him to prevent pursuit. Rodimus was quick enough to dive through the falling debris, however, leaving the two old enemies alone to do battle. Centuries of bad blood carried them through the conflict, until both drew their weapons at point blank range, and fired.

Horribly damaged by this last attack, Rodimus struggled to keep up with the other Wreckers and the running conflict between [[Sentinel Maximus]] and Cryotek. The fighting came to an end at a Quintesson banishing chamber, where the treacherous Al-Badur had attempted to toss Sentinel and Cryotek into a formless void. The two warriors were trapped behind an energy dome, barely able to fight off the portal's pull using their flight systems. Once [[Fractyl]] pointed out that Cryotek was empowered by the Divine Light, a fraction of Primus's own power, Rodimus realized that as Matrix Templars he and Cheetor could drain that power away from the Predacon. They managed to extract most of it before Cryotek cut off their siphoning effect. In the end, Sentinel Maximus sacrificed himself to pull Cryotek into the void with him. Rodimus finally expired from his wounds from fighting Cyclonus, quietly passing on into the Matrix. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:GIJoeTFHotRod70s.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"That bumperchest really doesn't feel right. How do Prowl and Jazz live with it?"]]
Hot Rod was one of [[Teletran 3]]'s unfortunate victims when the computer malfunctioned and transported a random number of Transformers to random points in Earth's timeline. Along with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Hot Rod ended up in mid-1970's [[San Francisco]], where he was locked into the form of a Ford Mustang muscle car. The dormant Autobot was soon stolen by a car thief, but was chased down by a group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and [[Cobra]] members sent to retrieve the Transformers. Discovering [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in the process, the humans equipped both vehicles with [[disruption unit]] that awakened the Transformers and sent them back to present-day Cybertron seconds after Hot Rod commented about feeling "really weird." {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Back on Cybertron, they were stuck waiting inside the force field Ultra Magnus had erected to prevent [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] from capturing Teletran 3. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

Some time after his time travel adventure, Hot Rod reported to Optimus Prime that [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s team on Earth had been sidetracked by a Cobra attack. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}} When said team ended up disappearing in Cybertron's [[Gladiator Zone]], Hot Rod convinced Optimus to stay behind and take care of an Autobot peace ceremony instead of going out and searching for them. Hot Rod then assembled his own search party, but they failed to find the missing Autobots. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} Unfortunately, [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s forces attacked the peace ceremony and captured Optimus Prime, leading to Hot Rod assembling a new team intent on rescuing him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} They fought Serpent O.R.'s Decepticon army together with reinforcements from G.I. Joe, and during the battle, Hot Rod paused in horror as he saw the light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] being opened inside the Decepticon base. The Decepticon army eventually defeated, and by the time Hot Rod reached inside their base, Serpent O.R. had been killed as well. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

A few months later, Hot Rod questioned Optimus Prime's choice to go to Earth again, accusing his leader of feeling guilty about [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s death at Serpent O.R.'s hands and doing everything by himself just to prevent more people from dying. Prime just looked at him sadly before leaving, causing Ultra Magnus to tell Hot Rod that he really needed to learn when to stop talking. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightHotRod rush.jpg|right|180px|thumb|WHEEEEEEE! AWESOME! TUBULAR! COWABUNGA! REAGANOMICS!]]
Years ago, Hot Rod was put in charge of a mission to the planet [[Ki-Aleta]] to obtain a powerful artifact named the [[Magnificence]] so as to keep it out of the hands of the Decepticons. The mission started off smoothly enough, with [[Gizmo]] using a [[holomatter]] generator to distract the defense systems while the rest of the team went after the Magnificence. Unfortunately, after that everything that could go wrong did go wrong. First, the generator malfunctioned, then [[Download]] tripped the security lasers around the Magnificence itself. Gizmo, Download, and [[Backbeat]] were destroyed by the security systems while Hot Rod and [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] fled. Hot Rod, nearing the exit tunnels they had previously drilled, got a call from Dealer—he had been ambushed by a Decepticon attack squad and needed help. Unfortunately, Hot Rod had been given his own, top secret orders: the Magnificence was to be the top priority of the mission, and placed before all else. With a heavy heart, Hot Rod abandoned Dealer to his fate as he left Ki-Aleta with the Magnificence.

Years later, Hot Rod learned that Dealer had not died that day; he was being held prisoner at the Decepticon penal colony known as [[Styx]]. Hot Rod stealthily infiltrated the prison complex, using a holomatter generator to disguise himself as a guard and then short-circuiting the power grid to cause all the cell doors to unlock. During the chaos he snuck in, extracted Dealer, and took off while the Decepticons were busy getting the prisoners under control. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hot Rod}}

[[Image:Escalation6 HotRod Koska.jpg|left|170px|thumb|Mine!]]
Recently, Hot Rod was called to [[Earth]] to aid the crew of the ''[[Ark-19]]'' in procuring a Decepticon [[facsimile construct]] from [[Brasnya]], a former Soviet state in eastern Europe. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3|Escalation #3}} He and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] went down to Earth from the ''[[Ark-32]]'' against [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]'s wishes, and proceeded to join the battle unannounced. As Hardhead went to support the main battle, Hot Rod went after the facsimile... which led to him colliding with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] as they both tried to stop the [[Georgi Koska]] facsimile from letting himself get gunned down by Soviet soldiers. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4|Escalation #4}} Prowl and Hot Rod managed to defuse the situation and secure the facsimile in the end {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}}, but before he could return to his ship he was attacked by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], unable to defend himself because he had to keep the facsimile alive. After returning to the ''Ark-32'', he had to be put in a [[CR chamber]] to recover. His injuries were for nothing, as the facsimile melted during the bounce. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

[[Image:Devastation6 HotRod Hardhead.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Hardhead, I'm with Arcee now. Let it go.]]
After Hot Rod was repaired and reformatted into a Dodge Viper, his "friend" Dealer tried to convince him to pull some strings to get him to Earth, but Hot Rod and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] had the more important task of rescuing [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} They ran into a bit of trouble with the [[Machination]]'s [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 2|Devastation #2}} They managed to escape temporarily, but were found and Wheeljack was incapacitated. Hot Rod easily held his own with the Headmasters {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}}, and noted that for [[Sunstreaker (G1)|some]] [[Hunter O'Nion|reason]] they had lost their "edge". He received a little help from Hardhead, who was mainly there to take Hot Rod and the others back to the ''Ark-32'' for evacuation to [[Garrus-9]]. Hot Rod refused to go, wanting to see the Headmaster mystery through to the end. Hardhead reluctantly let him go. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

[[Image:SPDHotRodM.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Oh, Magic 8-Ball, will I ever be Prime in this continuity?]]
Hot Rod's search was interrupted by Dealer's arrival on Earth, with orders for Hot Rod: find the Magnificence and use it to learn what they could about the Expansion. Hot Rod took Dealer to his hiding spot, which turned out to be the planet where they first found the device. As Dealer and Hot Rod closed on the Magnificence, he went over his first visit to the planet in his mind, and how things could have gone so wrong. Eventually he began to have suspicions, and upon locating the Magnificence, asked it the question that haunted him: had Dealer betrayed him? Sadly, it revealed the truth, and Hot Rod was forced to kill Dealer as the traitor attacked. Looking down on his remains, Hot Rod realized the truth had been staring him in the face, he just hadn't wanted to accept it. He then used the Magnificence to find out all he could about the Expansion, and relayed the information to the Autobots. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}

[[Image:HotRodMaxDino02.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You're not fooling anyone, [[Judd Nelson| Bender]]. The next screw that falls out will be YOU.]]

Returning to Earth to continue his search, Hot Rod arrived at the gates of the Machination's complex, and Scorponok prepared himself to deal with the intruder. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 1|Maximum Dinobots #1}} Unfortunately, Hot Rod found himself fighting well out of his weight class as he was man handled by Scorponok, who cheerfully bashed his face in, put out one of his optics and snapped his leg. The Headmasters dragged him into Scorponok's control room where, with absolutely no prompting, the big man explained his entire plan for the Dynobots, Skywatch and the Machination. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}}

Hot Rod seemed less than impressed with this rather mundane approach, which ticked Scorponok off enough for him to point out that it was obviously just the first stage in his master plan. He was also warned to remained awed or he'd be of no further interest. When the Dynobots and newly-arrived [[Monsterbot]]s seemed to turn Scorponok's plan on its head, Hot Rod burst out laughing, at which point, Scorponok ordered him taken out and shot. In the lift to the surface, Hot Rod suddenly erupted in flames, killing his captors, but draining his power supply. Weakened and with a crippled leg, he collapsed on the floor. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

He made it out of the building and ran into the real Sunstreaker, who blasted the 2 clones following Hot Rod. Sunstreaker ignored Hot Rod's warning about Scorponok's army and stormed into the building so Hot Rod painfully wired himself to send a distress signal. When Sunstreaker's real head was later disabled by Hunter, the Headmaster clones shut down, which Hot Rod explained to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. The group was surprised by the arrival of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], but [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] had heard Hot Rod's distress call and was on his way to Earth. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}}

After Scorponok knocked out [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] and Grimlock tended to him, the remaining Dynobots offered Hot Rod a lift aboard the Monsterbots' ship. He refused though, and made it back into Machination HQ to take care of something "personal". He eventually found Scorponok's real head (and remarked how ugly it was). Hunter also showed up and let Hot Rod know how to disable it, but before he could do so, Scorponok grabbed him. Before Scorponok could crush Hot Rod's head, the Dynobots showed up and began to battle Scorponok. Hot Rod told [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] which wires to sever, and he did just that, reducing Scorponok to a catatonic state. Ultra Magnus arrived took everyone back aboard his ship, which later docked with the ''Ark-32''. Within 3 days, Hot Rod was fully repaired, with a new body form design. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

Some time later, while traveling through space by himself, Hot Rod found himself under attack by the ''[[Torment]]'', a Decepticon warship crewed by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and the [[Pretender Monster]]s. He was shot down, but managed to transmit a distress call to the Autobot starship ''[[Trion]]'', which came to his rescue. After the Decepticons were chased off, Hot Rod joined the crew of the ''Trion''. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Lost & Found}}

[[Image:Ironhide punches Hot Rod.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Ironhide has waited twenty-two years to pay Hot Rod back for [[The Transformers: The Movie|shooting down his shuttle]].]]
When the Decepticons' galaxy-wide assault hit, the ''Trion'' was shot down over Cybertron. Hot Rod sent out a distress signal and was ecstatic when he ran into some other Autobots. They must've come specifically to save his team and... wait, why do you all look surprised about my signal and appear beaten up and resourceless and... ''oh arsebiscuits''! {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}}

Hot Rod was taken back to base and relayed the story of how he and his other crew-mates from the ''Trion'' arrived on Cybertron, having been diverted there by Decepticon ships and forced to crash land. Once on the surface, Hot Rod sent out his distress signal and was ''so'' sure someone heard it. Kup arrived with the rest of the ''Trion'''s crew at that point, just in time to tell Hot Rod ''of course'' no one heard his message. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

After the Autobots narrowly avoided the [[Insecticon swarm]] and Sunstreaker sacrificed himself, Hot Rod jumped to [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]'s defense when he was being insulted by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} When the Autobots were later rescued by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Hot Rod was glad that he sent out the distress call. He was then ferried to Earth with the other Autobots aboard Omega. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

[[Image:Ongoing issue 1-Hot Rod has had enough.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Don't talk to me about stuck, Hot Rod, you're the one with that horrible sneer stuck on your face!"]]
For the next two years, the Autobots would remain on Earth as Prime feared the return of the Decepticons. Unfortunately, this led to the capture of a number of Autobots by Skywatch, including [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and Prowl. Hot Rod, already frustrated, lashed out at Optimus, accusing him of keeping the Autobots on the planet because he needed someone to protect and demanding he be allowed to lead a team to rescue Prowl. An admonished Prime agreed to a covert operation, but with Ironhide along to watch over things. While Prowl was freed, it turned out the humans had used him as bait to draw the other Autobots in. However Wheeljack's new shielding protected Hot Rod's team from Skywatch's inhibitors and in a panic the soldiers switched to lethal measures. Hot Rod was targeted and Ironhide was killed protecting him. An enraged Hot Rod turned on the humans, damaging their equipment and machinery.

After returning with Ironhide's body, Hot Rod was shocked as Optimus Prime resigned his position as leader. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} Disgusted with Prime's decision and unimpressed with the indecisiveness of the others, Hot Rod decided to make his own way. He announced his intention to leave planet Earth behind, and invited any of his fellow Autobots to follow him in pursuit of that goal. After leaving the Autobot caves with a half-dozen recruits, Hot Rod went looking for Omega Supreme, in the hopes of convincing the massive Autobot to use his interstellar rocket mode to get them all off-planet. Omega remained resolutely loyal to Optimus Prime, however, and refused to abandon the Earth. At that moment, a small squad of Decepticon stragglers led by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] staged an attack on Omega Supreme. After some fast and smooth-talking, Swindle convinced Hot Rod that they all wanted the same thing...to go home. The Autobots put it to a vote, and the majority decided to work with the Decepticons to get off of Earth. {{storylink|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}}

The first thing Swindle asked of Hot Rod was help in reviving their incapacitated "brothers"...several Decepticons mode-locked by the humans. Hot Rod convinced [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] to work on the problem, as there "were no sides anymore", and these other Decepticons were brought back on-line to help with the construction of a new space cruiser. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

[[Image:SeasonsInFlight-RodimusMagnus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|No, don't shoot Swindle! He had some cheap electronics equipment in his van he wanted to sell me!]]

Hot Rod wasn't completely foolish — when Swindle started suggesting they find and revive all the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, he remembered how deadly [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] could be, and rejected the idea. Ever the smooth-talker, though, Swindle convinced Hot Rod to let the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] go after [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], the last missing member of their unit. He did so by lavishing a ridiculous amount of praise on Hot Rod, calling him Rodimus Prime, the herald of a new age.

The alliance was soon tested when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] arrived on the scene, attempting to investigate the death of Ironhide for Autobot Command. When he saw Hot...saw ''Rodimus'' working with Decepticons, and Swindle of all mechs, he freaked out and tried to take the Decepticon ringleader into custody. Rodimus and the other Autobots stood up for Swindle, though, and told Magnus he had to be prepared to fight ''all'' of them if he wanted to take ''one'' of them. Stunned that they did not respect his authoritay, Magnus retreated and work continued on the star cruiser. {{storylink|Seasons in Flight}}

What everyone failed to realize, even Ultra Magnus, was that Swindle was not only trading in combiner technology, he knew how to make it work. By the time Magnus came back for Swindle with a posse of Autobots, the Decepticon was prepared to end his alliance with Rodimus. He had forged the Stunticons into [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], and turned the giant loose on the assembled Autobots. {{storylink|Enemies of the System}}

Rodimus fought alongside Ultra Magnus, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and the others against the renewed Decepticon threat. They finally managed to bring down the titan, but the alliance was finished and Rodimus's own comrades turned against him for his poor judgment. Looking to escape his own bad decisions, Rodimus hijacked Ultra Magnus's ship and fled out into space. {{storylink|Earthworks}}

[[Image:Ongoing 13 Rodimus drifting.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Why must you hurt the one you love, [[Nick Roche|Nick]]??]]
Since trying to talk and reason with people had only led to betrayal Rodimus decided that it was best to simply act on his own. He had a plan to regain the respect he had lost by taking back the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership]], stolen by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] years earlier. Using the ship's advanced tracking equipment, Rodimus found the Decepticons' asteroid base and hid in one of Ultra Magnus's thickly armored weapons lockers. When the ship was shot down, he emerged from the wreckage unscathed, took out several Decepticon guards and even put [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] under his control by improvising with one of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]]s. Rodimus first sent Razorclaw to attack Starscream, but after that failed, he confronted the self-appointed Decepticon leader himself.

Starscream himself was nigh-impervious to damage, but Rodimus improvised again and fired at the Matrix around his neck, having no idea what would happen. He was in luck, as the blast caused energy to burst from the Matrix and knock Starscream unconscious. Triumphant, Rodimus took the artifact and went looking for an escape craft... only to run straight into [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] himself. He panicked and waved the Matrix threateningly at the massive Decepticon while warning him to "stay back!", but Megatron was unphased and shot him at point blank range, blowing a huge hole in Rodimus's torso and sending him flying into space. With the Matrix still around his neck, Rodimus's lifeless body could only drift through the void... {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}}

Eventually, Rodimus crash-landed on the desolate [[LV-117]]. Fortunately for him, the Matrix had somehow bonded/interfaced with his body and kept him alive. However, he wasn't alone. An [[Ilxian]] warship had also crashed there a long time ago, leaving only three survivors: a lab technician calling himself "The [[Admiral]]" and two custodians. "The Admiral", desperate for a way off the planet, attempted to use the Matrix as a power source for his ship, which he had fully repaired but was lacking sufficient fuel. But when he informed Rodimus that his plan to use the Matrix to power the ship might put him offline permanently, Rodimus broke free from his bonds and surprised the Ilxians by transforming and driving off. {{storylink|Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination}}

Having escaped from the "The Admiral", Rodimus found a cave to hide in and figure out what to do next, only to be attacked by a hostile native creature, the [[Chaosteros]]. Suddenly, strange music began to play, causing the Chaosteros to run off, and Rodimus was surprised to find himself face-to-face with [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], who had been missing for centuries. Wheelie and Rodimus devised a plan to seize the Ilxian warship. This plan succeeded and the two Autobots, along with one of the Ilxian custodians, [[Garnak]], who had agreed to help them, took off in the warship using the Matrix as a power source. {{storylink|Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination}}

Rodimus planned to return to Earth and rejoin the other Autobots, however, Wheelie misunderstood his instructions to navigate the warship "home" and took them to Cybertron instead while Rodimus was unconscious from the takeoff (It was implied that the Matrix could not accommodate both the ship and keeping Rodimus' spark alive at the same time; hence the risk when "The Admiral" wanted to use it to power the ship. Fortunately for Rodimus, Wheelie managed to fix him up enough that he could survive without it). Rodimus and Wheelie were reunited with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] on Cybertron. Sunstreaker informed Rodimus that Cybertron's atmosphere had been processed and the Swarm eliminated, rendering the planet habitable once again. The group was then attacked by one of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s [[Sweep]]s, but Rodimus and Wheelie followed the Sweep and spotted Galvatron preparing his army. Having realized that Galvatron had seen them, Rodimus and Wheelie rushed back to the others and took off in the stolen Ilxian warship before the Sweeps could attack. {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet}}

Rodimus, Sunstreaker, Wheelie, Ironhide and Garnak returned to Earth and joined the other Autobots. However, after hearing of Galvatron's recent activity on Cybertron, [[Optimus Prime (G1)| Optimus Prime]] elected to return to his home planet on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], and take any of the other Autobots along who volunteered to accompany him, including Rodimus. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}}

During the journey back to Cybertron, Rodimus was disturbed when it appeared that Optimus was getting a little too "cozy" with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], and voiced his concern during a discussion about the imprisoned Megatron's fate. Later, Optimus asked Rodimus what it felt like to interface with the Matrix. Rodimus revealed that it felt wonderful, in contrast to the pain Optimus felt when he bonded with it. However, Optimus chose not to tell Rodimus this. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

When Omega Supreme arrived in Cybertron orbit, Rodimus spotted a message from Galvatron sent using binary by ordering his soldiers to shoot off their weapons in a certain order and pattern. The message indicated that Galvatron wanted Optimus to send a landing party with which he could have a civil discussion. Optimus obliged, and Rodimus, along with several other Autobots including [[Drift (G1)| Drift]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)| Sunstreaker]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], accompanied Optimus to the meeting with Galvatron. Galvatron revealed that he was preparing an army to fight against "a threat that could destroy us all", and offered to allow Optimus and his army to join his ranks, but would not relinquish any further details. Rodimus complained that Galvatron's soldiers had attacked him before he'd rendezvoused with the others simply for setting foot on Cybertron, but Galvatron claimed the attack was a mistake. However, Optimus declined Galvatron's offer, and the latter attacked. A battle ensued, but Galvatron eventually retreated to the [[Kimia Facility]] (which he had stolen and seized control of earlier), where he activated its conversion to alt mode, which appeared to be some sort of powerful laser. Rodimus was with Optimus and the other Autobots who had come to Cybertron while they were discussing their opinions about whether Galvatron should be trusted or not, but did not voice his own. However, he exclaimed his surprise when he saw what Galvatron was doing with the Kimia facility. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}}

When the Autobots discovered that Galvatron was using a powerful laser on the Kimia facility to attack Cybertron, Optimus ordered the [[ Aerialbot (G1) | Aerialbots ]] to launch an attack on the facility. Rodimus volunteered to take Omega Supreme into orbit, along with [[Trailbreaker (G1)| Trailbreaker ]], in order to oversee the Aerialbots' attack and gather intel on what Galvatron was up to. Rodimus ordered Trailbreaker to attempt to stop the beam from firing by projecting a force field into the barrel of the laser, but this did not work and Trailbreaker suffered significant damage from the feedback. The laser also struck Cybertron and did some serious damage to the planet. Rodimus then endeavored to ram the facility with Omega Supreme in an effort to disable the laser and/or knock the facility out of orbit. However, he was not aware that the Autobots who remained trapped within Kimia after Galvatron seized control had a plan of their own: [[ Lightspeed (G1 Technobot) | Lightspeed]] blew up the facility from the inside before Omega Supreme could strike it, damaging the latter enough that he could no longer maintain orbit. Besides that fact, Trailbreaker was in need of repairs that only [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] could perform. Rodimus and Omega landed at the base that Sunstreaker had set up on Cybertron. He then asked Sunstreaker where Prime had gone, and when Sunstreaker told him that he and Ironhide had suddenly run off toward the blast crater created by the laser, he and [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] went off to search for them. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers}}

The four of them made it to the crater that the blast had made. They followed Optimus as he ventured into the crater in hopes to catch up to Galvatron and Jhiaxus. They eventually cought up to the two of them and pointed their weapons at Galvatron as he unleashed his mind control powers to take control of the Decepticons (except for the newly escaped Megatron). Drift was also affected by the mind control since he was once a Decepticon. He was ordered to attack his friends in order to give the two of them the time they needed to make their escape. Rodimus tried to talk to his friend but it was no use. Drift stopped himself by impaling himself threw the chest with his sword. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
Rodimus realised that Galvatron was planning on fusing [[Vector Sigma]] with the Heart of Darkness, which Optimus agreed with. After a short talk with Ironhide it was agreed that Ironhide would take Drift back up to the surface as Rodimus would go with Optimus to Vector Sigma, hoping to stop Galvatron. Unfortunately they were too late as Galvatron had succeeded in fusing the two right before they got there. Just when it all seemed hopeless, Arcee and Hardhead's ship crashed right on top of Galvatron. That gave him and Optimus a short time to try to save Vector Sigma while Arcee and Hardhead delayed Galvatron. After stating the obvious, Rodimus suggested to Optimus that the Matrix could help. Optimus declined it, saying that they have already lost Vector Sigma and might lose Cybertron and that the Matrix is all they have left and they couldn't afford to lose it. Right when Rodimus was telling Optimus that he knew they wouldn't lose the Matrix, Galvatron busted in after defeating Arcee and Hardhead. Right when he was about to kill Prime, Cyclonus came out and saved him but Galvatron quickly tossed him aside. But that was when Galvatron started disintergrating. With that, Rodimus told Optimus that it was the perfect moment to use the Matrix and watched as Optimus jumped into Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
[[Image:Henkei_manga_rodimus.jpg|right|thumb|155px]]
While the other Autobots were busy dealing with a rampaging [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Astrotrain]], Rodimus disrupted [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Megatron]] and the other Decepticons' attack on a power plant by engaging them solo. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} Unable to tackle Megatron in hand-to-hand combat, he was able to get [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Starscream]] to accidentally blast his leader instead, but this did little more than annoy Megatron, who flattened Rodimus with a [[fusion cannon]] blast. With Rodimus defeated, the Decepticons pulled out, but the Autobot cavalier didn't let the defeat get him down, and he sped off to join the other Autobots in battling Astrotrain. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 3}} Soon after, Rodimus helped defend another power plant against a Decepticon attack, shielding the human workers from Starscream's blasts with his own body. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 4}}

When the mysterious new Decepticon warrior [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Cyclonus]] provided Megatron with the means to transform himself into the monstrous [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Galvatron]], Rodimus, [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Ironhide]] and [[Mirage (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Mirage]] trailed Cyclonus's Targetmaster partner [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]] to the volcano in which Megatron was carrying out his transformation. Despite resistance from Starscream and Cyclonus, Rodimus and his team were able to collapse the volcano's cone in on itself. They believed they had sealed Megatron within, and were about to focus their attack on Starscream when they were sent scattering by the explosive emergence of Galvatron from the remains of the caldera. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9}}

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

Following the defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]] on [[Earth]], Rodimus was among the Autobots that [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] summoned to the planet. Together with [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Hound]] and [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Skyfire]], Rodimus was to protect the planet while Optimus's team set off for Cybertron in pursuit of the fleeing Galvatron. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{-}}

===''Wings Universe''===

In the year 2009, Hot Rod, Kup and the Dinobots experienced ''deja vu'' all over again when a horde of Decepticons attacked their shuttle. Cyclonus, Scourge and 35 of his Sweeps chased them into a nebula where the Autobots lay low to finish repairs. When the boarding party finally found them, Kup's experience helped Hot Rod and the others drive off their attackers. {{Storylink|Wings of Honor}}

==Games==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
Hot Rod was one of [[Optimus Primal]]'s many Autobot allies in a fight against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s Decepticon forces. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game#Energon Wars expansion|Energon Wars Expansion Set}}

===''The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth''===
[[Image:C64RodimusPrimeAndHotRod.jpg|right|thumb|250px|]]

Along with their fellow Autobots, Hotrod{{sic}} and Rodimus Prime protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. Hotrod was ostensibly under the command of Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}

{{note|In this game, "Hotrod" and Rodimus Prime are separate characters who can be in the same place at the same time. Don't try to think about this too hard.}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Mystery of Convoy''===
[[Image:Mysteryofconvoy_rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
When Optimus Prime went missing under mysterious circumstances, Ultra Magnus was given the task of battling hordes of Decepticons in order to solve the mystery of his whereabouts. The Decepticons had also stolen a collection of seven energon cubes belonging to Rodimus Prime, which Magnus strove to recover during his fight. When all seven were successfully obtained and the battle was won, a new challenge rose its head, but with his energon cubes back, Rodimus was able to take up the fight! He had a funny habit of looking like an orange Ultra Magnus if you looked at him sideways. {{storylink|Transformers: Mystery of Convoy}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===

Rodimus Prime was kidnapped by the Decepticons and held captive on Cybertron by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. He was rescued by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and his other comrades, and in turn helped rescue those who were still imprisoned. Once they had reunited, Rodimus Prime and the others met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] for the last battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[Image:Callofthefuture_rodimus.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"I am from the future and know a lot about history!"]]

:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter von Gomm]]

'''Autobot Version'''

When [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] gained the incredible power of the [[Zel Quartz]] in the year 2010 and began cutting a swath of destruction across the galaxy, Rodimus Prime, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] resolved to prevent this devastation by traveling back in time and eliminating the quartz in the past, thereby altering their future. Using a [[Transwarp]]-equipped ship supplied by the [[Quintesson]]s, they traveled to the world of [[Zel Samine]] in the year 2003, where they ran across teams of present-day Autobots and Decepticons led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], who were carrying out investigations on their own on the planet.

Making matters worse, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] also followed them back in time, and the two teams allied themselves with their respective present-day factions in order to locate the Zel Quartz. It wasn't necessarily an easy alliance to make: Rodimus was barely able to keep his cool when [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], not believing that he and his team were really Autobots, demanded to know if Rodimus was Autobot leader in the future, what happened to Optimus? Fortunately, Optimus calmed his lieutenant down and welcomed the trio of future Autobots into his forces.

Working with the present day Autobots was not easy for Rodimus, as he was well aware of the fate that awaited them. On a number of occasions, he struggled with his knowledge of the future, knowing he could prevent a [[Battle of Autobot City| great tragedy]] but could also cause untold damage to the timestream by doing so. He also showed some interest in Arcee when he attempted to give her a precious stone he'd found during a mission to a mine, only for the female Autobot to scold him for taking something that didn't belong to him. Luckily for him, Optimus stepped in and settled things by ordering Rodimus and Arcee to return the stone. That Optimus makes one heck of a wingman.

After several false leads, the quartz was eventually located, serving as the power source of the [[ELTA]] power transmission array. After fighting their way through the likes of Cyclonus, Scourge, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and both Soundwave and his future counterpart Soundblaster, Rodimus and Optimus engaged Megatron and Galvatron in a two-on-two battle over ELTA, using the power of their twin Matrices to stop the computer from self-destructing. Once the dust from the fight had settled, Starscream reemerged and snatched up the Zel Quartz, only to promptly take it off-planet, where it disintegrated without Zel Samine's atmosphere and electromagnetic properties to sustain it. With their future thus averted, Rodimus and his Autobots began fading away to rejoin the timestream. Before they disappeared, Rodimus attempted to warn Optimus of the coming dangers in the future, including his Optimus's death (for which Rodimus continued to blame himself), but Optimus silenced him, telling him that he did not need to know what the future held. Rodimus told Optimus that he would always be the greatest leader in Autobot history, but Optimus told him that he was merely a soldier who loved justice, and that that was all Rodimus needed to be too.

'''Decepticon Version'''

Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave encountered Rodimus Prime while investigating the presence of unknown craft over Zel Samine. Rodimus was stunned to see the Decepticon [[Emperor of Destruction]] before reminding himself of the era he was in. For his part, Megatron thought he was facing Hot Rod, but quickly realised his mistake. After a short, sharp fight that saw Rodimus defeated, Megatron was distracted enough by the appearance of Galvatron to allow the future Autobot to escape.

Rodimus would again battle Megatron as well as Galvatron at the ELTA power transmission array, this time alongside his hero Optimus Prime. He was shocked that despite the fact the two Primes were working together, they were still defeated. When Megatron and Galvatron resolved to destroy the ELTA array Rodimus pleaded with them to stop, pointing out that the array generated a massive amount of energy, the same energy the Decepticons so loved. Sadly, the two Emperors of Destruction felt that with the Zel Quartz now in their possession, they no longer needed the array and proceeded to destroy it with their combined power. The wounded Rodimus barely escaped.

He presumably returned to the future alongside all the future Transformers when Starscream unwittingly rendered the Zel Quartz powerless. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
[[Image:RodimusPrime-earlymodel.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"Hey, ladies. Look at your G1 Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime toys, now back to us, now back at your toys, now back to us."]]
* Like the rest of the 1986 movie's original characters, Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had early designs by [[Floro Dery]] which the toys were based on, and then final models were drawn from the toys. Both designs had revised heads that made it into the ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profile books and subsequent Marvel comic book appearances.
** Rodimus Prime's early model appears to carry the trailer of the truck on his back, plus additional [[kibble]] on the back of his forearms. If only there were art of the back of this design. We'd plotz.
**Both Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime's character models suggest that the windshield and roof of their respective vehicles form the pelvic area, including little side windows on their hips. The animation studio [[AKOM]] even colored his crotch like his windshield. Unsurprisingly, this has never been duplicated on any toy, although the Masterpiece version makes a nod to it with a transparent groin plate with indentations underneath denoting two seats and a steering wheel.
**Meanwhile, both sets of wheels are on Hot Rod's arms in his character model, as they are intended to span the entire length of the vehicle. His wristcuffs are intended to become the vehicle's taillights. This also has never been duplicated on any toy.
**Much of Hot Rod's early model seemed to form the basis of Rodimus Prime's finished model. (Though given that nearly everybody else from the movie had a totally redrawn finished model, we wouldn't be surprised if there's a more-final-er model out there.)
**According to earliest materials (also the source of the earliest Hot Rod head seen in this section's first image), Rodimus Prime's original name was '''Hot Rodimus'''.

[[Image:Hotrodrodimuscharactermodels.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Rodimus is always embarrassed by his yearbook photos.]]
*Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime look very similar in fiction, but there are ways to distinguish them by sight.
**Rodimus Prime's character model has extra lines on his face that go from the bottom of his nose and connect to another line forming a triangle shape. Hot Rod's cheeks are more clear and youthful.
**Despite their toys being the same color of red, the cartoon series rendered Hot Rod as magenta, and Rodimus a dark shade of burgundy (the movie, however, made Rodimus the same color as Hot Rod). In addition to repeatedly getting the two character models mixed up, sometimes the animation would depict one model colored as the other.
**In Marvel stories, Hot Rod was also colored almost entirely magenta, with a yellow spoiler and flame deco, but with silver thighs instead of orange. Whoever did the Marvel deco sheet seems to have been looking at the [[:Image:Pinkrod.jpg|original toy photos]] and colored the thighs like the toy's silver stickers. While Marvel Hot Rod was stark magenta, Marvel Rodimus was colored in the reds, oranges and yellows of his toy. Future comics and toys would ignore any differences in color between the character's two forms, presenting them both in the original toy colors (see the image at the head of the article for a good example).
**The Japanese ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon, in addition to featuring the coloration differences of the Generation 1 cartoon, also added some extra lines around the perimeter of Rodimus's eyes to further distinguish him from Hot Rod. These odd-looking lines appeared only intermittently, thankfully so—they made Rodimus look like he was wearing robo-mascara. The ''Headmasters'' Rodimus Prime character model also moved the wheel kibble from the back of the arms to the front, to better approximate their position on the toy.

* In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Hot Rod does not transform the same way twice.

[[Image:RodimusPrimeG1-trailermanagement.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Maybe his Mobile Defense Bay is just an extra set of legs!]]
* Rodimus Prime's toy followed the model set by Optimus Prime before him by having a trailer that disconnected and transformed into a battle station (in this case, called the "[[Mobile Defense Bay]]"). Unlike Prime's [[Combat Deck]], however, Rodimus's Defense Bay failed to make the leap to fiction, with the cartoon simply depicting his trailer as somewhat unfeasibly folding up into his legs and body <ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/stories/tfpulp/8704TVM/k.gif Image of Rodimus Prime's animated transformation scheme from TV Magazine]</ref> (barring a few animation errors that depicted it as a separate unit). This transformation scheme was realized in toy form with Rodimus's 6" ''[[Titanium Series]]'' action figure.

* A lot of early secondary material uses Hot Rod and Rodimus in ways that don't fit the main Movie-established dynamic, as with stories from the same era that portrayed Megatron and Galvatron as separate beings, this was likely to avoid spoiling the Movie's ending.

*Voice actor Ted Schwartz was originally cast to succeed [[Judd Nelson]] as the voice of Rodimus Prime for the third season of the animated series, but was subsequently replaced by [[Dick Gautier]]. Before his replacement, however, Schwartz recorded Rodimus's lines for several episodes (most likely all five parts of "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]"), and although Gautier re-recorded the dialogue, technical oversight led to some of Schwartz's readings making it into the finished episodes. He can be heard delivering all of Rodimus's lines in the recap for [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1|part 1]] that plays at the beginning of [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2|part 2]], and speaking one line during the scene on [[Goo 8739B]] in [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3|part 3]].

* Hot Rod might be the ''Transformers'' character with the most names in the US. From "Hot Rod" to "Rodimus Prime", to "Rodimus Major" to just plain "Rodimus". Varieties of "Rodimus" appear to be how he will be for a while, as Hasbro appears to be unable to secure the [[trademark]] on "Hot Rod".

* [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s powered up form has a color scheme which resembles Hot Rod's.

* Aside from the ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Rodimus (Energon)|namesake character]], Hot Rod has also been [[Homage|homaged]] twice (or possibly thrice depending on how you look at it) in the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. For ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] was given a very Hot-Rod-inspired deco. In ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] made a redeco of Hot Shot (well, "Exillion"), who already had some Hot Rod homage elements in his toy design, with Hot Rod deco as a DVD-pack-in [[exclusive]]. [[Hasbro]] then took this deco, altered it, and released it in the US line at mass retail as the new character [[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]].

* At [[BotCon 2002]], [[Dick Gautier]] "confirmed", jokingly, that Rodimus Prime is gay.

* This Rodimus Prime, along with the original [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] makes a cameo appearance as one of the four elders who began the [[space bridge]] project in the ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Balance]]".

===Foreign names===
====Hot Rod====
*''Japanese:'' '''Hot Rodimus''' (ホットロディマス ''Hotto Rodimasu'')
*''English:'' '''Roadimus Prime''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''French:'' '''Météorite''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Nagyágyú''' ("Hot Shot"), '''Peca''' (''The Movie'', "Fisher")
*''Italian:'' '''Folgore'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rod''' (Taiwan, 羅德 ''Lúo Dé''), '''Rè Pò''' (China, 热破, "Hot Break")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Roda Quente''' (Portugal comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Patron''' (cartoon, Патрон, "Cartridge")

====Rodimus Prime====
*''Japanese:'' '''Rodimus Convoy''' (ロディマスコンボイ ''Rodimasu Konboi'')
*''French:'' '''Rodimus Primo''' (Canada toy, "Rodimus First"), '''Rodimus Primus''' (Canada cartoon)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Rodimusz Fővezér''' ("Prime Commander Rodimus")
*''Italian:'' '''Captain'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rhodie Jr-tsūn''' (Taiwan, 羅迪至尊, "Rodimus Prime"), '''Bǔ Tīan Shì''' (China, 补天士, "Soldier Who [[Wikipedia:Nüwa|Repairs the Sky]]")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rodimus Supremo''' (Portugal comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Rodomes Prime''' (cartoon, Родомес Прайм)
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Rodimus Najkrashhyj''' (cartoon, Родімус Найкращий, "Rodimus The Best")

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

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

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy Autobots]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Hot Rod (G1)

2011-11-22T19:45:38Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|wreckers}}
{{disambig3|Rodimus}}
{{disambig3|Hot Rod}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}

:''Hot Rod is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. He has also been known as '''Rodimus Prime''', '''Rodimus''', and '''Rodimus Major'''.''

[[Image:DVDbox3d1.jpg|right|301px|thumb|And yet he still gets carded.]]

'''Hot Rod''' is brash and headstrong, with an overwhelming self-confidence that borders on arrogance. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] has assumed the role of mentor and advisor to the impetuous young Hot Rod, offering him wisdom and advice when he needs it (though Hot Rod rarely feels that he does, much to Kup's annoyance). [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] also serves as a calming influence on Hot Rod, and tends to either worry about him when he is not around, or deride and tease him when he is. Their relationship is antagonistic, but friendly. Exactly how deep Hot Rod's feelings for Arcee might run is unknown, whether they be friendly, [[Transformer romance|romantic]], or otherwise.

In contrast, his '''Rodimus Prime''' persona—while still headstrong and stubborn—seems to suffer from a severe lack of confidence, often doubting his own decisions and expressing distress over his position as an [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]]. Of course, much of this comes from comparisons with his former commander [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]—and let's face it, shoes-to-be-filled just don't ''get'' much bigger than that.

One thing that both sides of this Autobot's identity have in common is their impatience—neither Hot Rod nor Rodimus Prime can stand to wait around when they could be doing something instead. He is also very self-reliant, rarely sending others to do anything when he could be doing it himself. His [[Targetmaster]] partner is [[Firebolt]]. As Rodimus Prime, his vehicle sometimes splits between his robot and [[Mobile Defense Bay]].

{{bigquote|I ''knew'' you had potential, lad.|[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] on Hot Rod's transformation into Rodimus Prime|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[Image:Fightorflee Rodimus explosion.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}

At some point before 2005, Hot Rod became stationed at [[Autobot City]] and so was present during the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. This was a turning point in the life of the turbo-revving young punk, because the [[Matrix of Leadership]] chose him as its next bearer following the death of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. As Rodimus Prime, his first accomplishments were the defeat of [[Unicron]] and the return of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to the Autobots.

During his time as [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Rodimus not only had to deal with the Decepticons and [[Galvatron (G1)|their new leader]], but also the political complexities of the planetary alliance Cybertron joined, the return of the Transformers' cruel masters from long ago, the [[Quintesson]]s, the possible revival of Unicron and the arrival of Unicron's "little brother" [[Tornedron]].

During the [[Hate Plague]] outbreak in 2006, Optimus Prime was brought back to life and Rodimus gave up his rank of Prime, becoming Hot Rod once more. He would live to see the next Cybertronian [[Golden Age]].
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
''Several hundred years ago, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] dispatched Hot Rod and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to search for habitable worlds. During this mission, the pair ran afoul of the [[Tyroxian]]s—unpleasant [[alien]]s who captured Blurr and pursued Hot Rod through space. While fleeing, Hot Rod crossed paths with the Autobot war veteran, Kup, living a nomadic existence wandering through space at the time, and the youth's bravado in attacking [[Tyroxia]] single-handed re-ignited Kup's fighting spirit. After saving Hot Rod and helping him to rescue Blurr, Kup joined the pair in returning to Cybertron.'' {{storylink|Kup's Story!}}

[[Image:BrothersinArmor-Targetmasters.jpg|right|thumb|350px|I'm important! Just not right now.]]

Hot Rod was among the contingent of Transformers who ultimately accompanied Fortress Maximus in abandoning the war on Cybertron for a new world, [[Nebulos]]. The Autobots' arrival on the planet immediately stirred civil unrest, however, which led to the Decepticons being brought to the planet, and the war continuing on a smaller scale. Technological advancements developed during the conflict saw Nebulans being bio-engineered into [[Binary bonding|partnerships]] with the Transformers. Hot Rod became a Targetmaster, and was bonded to the Nebulan sharpshooter, Firebolt (aka Sparks), who transformed into his gun. Eventually, the Autobots determined to move their war away from Nebulos, and followed a signal sent by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]], received by Hot Rod, to the planet [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

Hot Rod and the other Autobots of Nebulos were soon incorporated into the larger Autobot force on Earth, under the command of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. On one occasion, Hot Rod and several Autobots accompanied Prime on what appeared to be a simple mission to stop some Decepticon [[Micromaster]]s from attacking MacDill Air Force Base. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} In fact, the attack was part of a much larger scheme by the deposed Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], luring Prime and his forces away from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and setting them against his rival for Decepticon leadership, the mighty [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Once Prime realized the greater threat at issue, he ordered his troops to immediately take the [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] back to the Ark, but Hot Rod recklessly chose to stay behind at Optimus's side to face the Decepticons. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} He was therefore on-hand when the newly resurrected [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] arrived, and began tearing through all Transformers present, in the name of Megatron. He managed to take a shot at Starscream's new [[Pretender]] shell, causing enough neural feedback to temporarily weaken the Decepticon, and give Scorponok time to strike and end the threat. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

[[Image:YesterdaysHeroes-HotRod.jpg|left|thumb|200px|I, Hot Rod, have entered the main US cast so that I may hatch hilariously hairbrained sitcom schemes!]]

The cost was still high, though, as Optimus Prime returned to the Ark and learned that his good friend, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], had sacrificed himself to help stop Megatron's schemes. This sent the Autobot leader into a depression, and Hot Rod took it upon himself to snap Optimus out of it. He had the crazy scheme of creating a mock threat with a [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian Mark V battle droid]], with predictable results. The robot proceeded to ''actually'' malfunction and endanger the Autobots, but Hot Rod's plan worked when Prime eventually snapped out of his funk and defeated the droid to save the day. Hot Rod needed to find a replacement hand after the Guardian snapped it off, but hey, all's well that ends well. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

[[Image:Hoverscooter.jpg|right|thumb|250px|whoopeee]]

Hot Rod continued to operate with Earth's Autobot forces aboard the Ark, and was present during [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s rampage through the shuttle bay. He took some damage, but remained functional enough to continue on, and was later seen speeding into the battle with Unicron himself on a [[Sky-sled|hoverscooter]], {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} He was also one of many Autobots destroyed by the Decepticons on [[Klo]], only to be revived by the [[Last Autobot]]. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

In an alternate future of 2005, Hot Rod was one of the many Autobots based in the completed Autobot City. He was close friends with the young human [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. Realizing that the Decepticons were invading in a stolen shuttle, Hot Rod and Daniel tried to outpace them before they reached the city. Optimus Prime fell in battle against Megatron, and Hot Rod stood with a handful of others as Optimus died and passed the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Leadership Matrix]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

[[Image:FinalBattle-Rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Galvatron can shoot at Rodimus until he's blue in the face, but he'll never surrender his coconut.]]

After Prime's death, Autobot City got word from [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] that a "monster planet" was devouring Cybertron's moons. En route, Hot Rod and Kup (and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]) were separated from the rest of the Autobots during a Decepticon attack and crashed on the planet [[Quintessa]]. After escaping the sadistic trial of the [[Quintesson]]s and attempted execution (as well as meeting [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]), {{storylink| Judgment Day!}} Hot Rod went on to the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], where he was just in time to stop [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] from fighting another group of stranded Autobots with a timely use of the [[Universal greeting]]. Together, they all traveled to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to stop [[Unicron]] before he could eat more than just its moons.

Hot Rod plunged his ship through Unicron's eye and was separated from the rest of his team. Alone, he found himself facing Galvatron in a battle to the death over the Autobot Leadership Matrix. Claiming the Matrix, Hot Rod [[Renaming|evolved into]] "Rodimus Prime", an older, larger, and more powerful version of himself. After overpowering Galvatron and hurling him through Unicron's hide into the void of space, he opened the Matrix and destroyed Unicron from within. {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

In 2006, Rodimus Prime's Autobots had taken control of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] reported suspicious activity on [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], so Rodimus sent the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s to investigate. [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] was defeated in battle but was able to send back an SOS before going offline. Sky Lynx was dispatched to retrieve him, and Rodimus decided to investigate himself. He took [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] in [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]].

Once there, the Autobots discovered a chaotic scene where aliens from many worlds, including the Decepticons, had arrived and were all engaged in a deadly battle with one another. Rodimus was immediately attacked by a hypnotized [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and the two battled to a standstill. The other Autobots were able to disrupt a hypnotic signal that was causing everyone to fight one another. The [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] then added their strength against the Decepticons, causing the latter to retreat. Rodimus didn't care where the hypnosis signal had been coming from, as long as it was off for good. He never discovered that it was the work of the [[Quintesson]]s. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

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

[[Image:GalvatrondeadrodimusUS67.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Do you expect me to talk?" "No, Mr Prime, I expect you to die!"]]
In an another alternate future timeline, Hot Rod arose to become Rodimus Prime. However, the planet-eater known as Unicron managed to destroy Cybertron, leaving Rodimus to lead a failed Autobot/human defense of Earth when [[Galvatron II|that timeline's Galvatron]] attacked and eventually conquered it. Rodimus perished during the conflict, and his body was strung up between the ruined towers of the World Trade Center. In the year 2009, Galvatron returned to Manhattan to survey its devastated landscape, and fired upon Rodimus's corpse, demanding to know how many times he would have to kill him to erase his legacy. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

{{-}}
=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[Image:Hot rod ark duty.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"Really, by assigning ''me'' to Ark duty, they're practically demanding me to go be irresponsible!"]]
''Hot Rod rose to greater prominence in the alternate future timeline of [[Earth-120185]]. In 1990, he, Kup and Blurr were captured by Megatron; although rescued by a double-agent named [[Warmonger]], Hot Rod was recaptured and bore witness first hand to Megatron's mercilessness when he executed Warmonger. Then, in 1991, he was part of a unit that escorted the captive [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], only to lose the Decepticon leader when forced to defend a human settlement against an attack by the [[Air Strike Patrol]].'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} ''On another occasion in 1995, Hot Rod was present when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] first unveiled the [[Female Transformer|female Autobot]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], to [[Feminist mob|a dubious crowd of human feminists]]. Hot Rod was more than a little flustered by Arcee's presence on the battlefield.'' {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}} ''In 2003, he and Blurr were given "Ark duty," assigned to stand guard over the [[Ark (G1)|Autobots' spaceship]] while construction on [[Autobot City]] began. Kup was apparently instructed to deliver the plans of the city to the American government, and when Hot Rod saw him being jumped by the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], he disobeyed orders and sped out to the rescue. The Stunticons brutally beat on Hot Rod and took the plans, but Hot Rod learned a hard lesson when Kup informed him that it was meant to happen that way because the plans were a fake.'' {{storylink|Ark Duty}} ''When the city was completed in 2004, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attacked it on its opening day, and Hot Rod repelled him by attacking in a wildly illogical manner, tackling him down a mountain repeatedly.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} ''Also, at some unknown point in the past, Hot Rod's Targetmaster partner Firebolt was killed in action.'' {{storylink|Headhunt}}

[[Image:FallenAngel-Unicron.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Since this is a comic book, Rodimus has to hum "[[The Touch]]" to himself.]]

''In the year 2006, when the new Decepticon leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] travelled back in time to 1986 as part of a plan to free himself from the control of Unicron, the chaos-bringer used his mental powers to plant knowledge of Galvatron's plan into the minds of Hot Rod, Kup and Blurr and transported them to Cybertron, where they used Galvatron's equipment to follow him into the past. There, with help from the present-day incarnation of Ultra Magnus, they were able to convince Galvatron that he had, in fact, traveled back in time to a parallel universe, where his actions would have no effect on the future. Believing this, Galvatron returned to his own time, and after setting any remaining wrongs to rights, the trio of Autobots also returned to 2006.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}} ''Back in his native timeline, Hot Rod was subsequently involved in a battle with Galvatron inside Unicron's body, during which he opened the sacred Autobot talisman, the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], and was transformed into Rodimus Prime. With this new strength, he hurled Galvatron through Unicron's hide and opened the Matrix, destroying the planet-eater.'' {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

''It's believed that [[Primus]] ''deliberately'' caused Hot Rod's Prime form to resemble him. What an ego!'' {{storylink|Salvage!|#160's Grim Grams}}

[[Image:Rodimusprimerequestdenied.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Rodimus learned the wrong lesson from Optimus's death.]]

''As the new Autobot leader, Rodimus became paranoid about Galvatron's eventual return, since no body was ever recovered from space. He led the Autobot forces high and low searching the universe for the Decepticon leader, neglecting Cybertron in the process. As a result, Shockwave arose as the new Decepticon leader, and total war broke out on Cybertron once again. Unable to take the time to find Galvatron himself anymore, Rodimus rashly placed a bounty on the Decepticon's head. What Rodimus did not realize, however, was that Galvatron had time-jumped again, traveling back to 1987.'' {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} ''In 2007, when the freelance peace-keeping agent [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] pursued Galvatron back to the '80s, Rodimus was informed of this fact by an Autobot double-agent named [[Nautilus]], and, dismayed at the danger he had unleashed on the past, promptly headed back in time himself to stop the dual threats.'' {{storylink|Burning Sky!}} ''Once again teaming up with the present-day Ultra Magnus, Rodimus and his team of Kup, Blurr and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] tracked Galvatron down to [[Mount Verona]], where he was attempting to harness the volcano's molten energy. While arguing with Death's Head, Rodimus and the bounty hunter were both attacked, but when Ultra Magnus opened fire on his [[power siphon]], Galvatron was distracted long enough for Rodimus to escape.'' {{storylink|Hunters}} ''Rodimus then arranged a plan that saw the Autobots capture Galvatron's time-jump mechanism, in order to have Wreck-Gar re-engineer it to return all the time-travelers to their point of origin. Rodimus engaged Galvatron in a protracted battle to buy Wreck-Gar time, but when the device was activated, Rodimus, Death's Head and the other Autobots were returned to 2007. Galvatron was left behind.'' {{storylink|Fire on High!}}

[[Image:Headhunt-Rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Rodimus discovers a depressing third option to "fight and die" or "live with the knowledge that I ran."]]

''Some time later, a disgruntled Death's Head accepted a contract from the Decepticons on Rodimus Prime's head, and ambushed him while he was inspecting Autobot lines. Their battle subsequently went underground, where [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] intervened, downing Death's Head in hopes of being the ones to defeat Rodimus, in order to reclaim their lost standing in the Decepticons' ranks. Rodimus was able to lead Death's Head through the underground tunnels, right into the heart of the Autobot camp, where he offered him advance payment for a different contract—on Cyclonus and Scourge.'' {{storylink|Headhunt}} ''Death's Head proceeded to track the two Decepticons for the remainder of the year, until the three of them fell under the mental control of Unicron when they discovered his disembodied head on the planet of [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]] in the early days of 2008. Under his control, they assassinated Decepticon leader Shockwave and reignited the stalemated Cybertronian civil war in order to keep the Autobots busy while Unicron worked on rebuilding his body. Rodimus, however, learned of the situation thanks to [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and led a small Autobot force to Junk, where Death's Head fought against Unicron's control long enough to project Rodimus's mind into a battle with the demi-god on the astral plane. During the battle, explosives planted by Wreck-Gar destroyed Unicron's head, and his mind was sealed within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

[[Image:Arceehotrodspacepirates.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hasbro slips Rodimus a few [[Shanix]] under the table to "lose" the Matrix ever so often. They's got Hot Rod toys to sell.]]

''Later in 2008, the alien Quintessons targeted Cybertron for colonization, and attacked the Autobots with a two-pronged assault on both Cybertron and Earth. When [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] shirked her guard duty at Autobot City, the Quintessons were given an opening that allowed them to take over the city, and when she returned, they gunned her down as bait for a trap for Rodimus Prime. Arriving at the city, Rodimus discovered the injured Arcee and opened his chest compartment to heal her with the Matrix, only to have it yanked from his grasp by the Quintesson general, [[Ghyrik]], causing him to revert to Hot Rod. Liberating [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s cassettes for back-up, Hot Rod and Arcee proceeded to fight their way through the Quintessons to Autobot City's control room, where Hot Rod activated [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to smash the alien threat. In battle with Ghyrik, Hot Rod duped the Quintessons with a bit of amateur ventriloquism and reclaimed the Matrix; transformed back into Rodimus Prime again, he routed the Quintessons.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

[[Image:TimeWars-OptimusPrimeentersthefray.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Rodimus traveled 20 years into the past just to be upstaged by That Guy again.]]

''Unbeknownst to Rodimus, the Quintessons had sought to colonize Cybertron because their own homeworld was being destroyed by a rift in space and time caused by the Transformers' repeated time-travel. The rift continued to grow in size until it threatened both Earth and Cybertron at the beginning of both 2009 and 1989. To put an end to the threat, Rodimus and a squad of Autobots traveled back to 1989, only to wind up mass-displacing Optimus Prime (since the Matrix could not exist in two time periods at once) and a group of other Autobots to [[limbo]], leading to a brief but violent misunderstanding with the present-day Autobots. Optimus Prime was able to stabilize the situation by communicating with all involved through the power of the Matrix. Subsequently, Autobots and Decepticons from both the present and future teamed up to battle Galvatron and [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]], but one by one they fell, until Optimus Prime used the Matrix to return himself to reality for a final showdown. After absorbing Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge, however, the rift was sealed by Shockwave, and Rodimus and the other future Autobots returned to 2009, vowing to destroy their time machines to prevent this from ever happening again.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

''As it transpired, however, things would not be that easy. In the wake of the massive chronal damage caused by the rift, time had attempted to heal its wounds, but reality was no longer as it had been. The future that Rodimus and the other Autobots came from no longer existed—in its place was a world where Galvatron had never traveled back in time, and had conquered Cybertron after Unicron's destruction. Rodimus quickly established a rebellion, but when Galvatron tracked down their headquarters, he killed Blurr and all others present, goading Rodimus into a ferocious battle in hopes of corrupting the Matrix within him. Rodimus realized what he was doing, however, and ended the fight before more damage could be done.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

[[Image:EdgeofImpact-EvilRodimus.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Tonight the part of Rodimus Prime will be played by the Green Goblin.]]

''Rodimus and the Autobots escaped to Earth via hyperspace, only to find that [[Future Autobot evacuation ship|their craft]]'s guidance systems had been damaged. During the flight, Rodimus Prime vanished,'' {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} ''and Kup discovered that he was the saboteur,'' {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} ''deducing that he had been corrupted by an evil force from within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} ''Inside the Matrix, Rodimus battled with the essence of Unicron, trapped there since the events of 2008, until Kup wrenched the Matrix from his chest, freeing him from the chaos-bringer's influence. But now, Rodimus knew that the evil of Unicron would be waiting for him within it...'' {{storylink|White Fire}} ''...and in 2010, Unicron's essence succeeded in taking over Rodimus's body, transforming it into a duplicate of his own and attacking Cybertron once more, until Rodimus was able to defeat him from within and re-seal him within the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

''Centuries later, in the year 2356, Rodimus, his body withered and weakened from the continuous harmful influence of Unicron from within the Matrix, lectured a young Autobot [[student]] on the nature of evil, unwittingly setting the youth on the path towards villainy himself.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

''In an unidentified timeline in the year 2510, a healthy Rodimus Prime was overjoyed to announce that the Cybertronian war was finally over, and planned to step down as leader to allow [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to take over. The sole remaining Decepticon, a double-agent named [[Triton]], spoke out against the decision to cause dissension, and succeeded—as Rodimus could only watch in dismay, arguments escalated into conflict, and the war was born again as [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]] fought [[Wrecker]], and the Autobot Civil War began.'' {{storylink|Peace}}

{{-}}
====Generation 2====
[[Image:HotrodG2Marvelcomic.jpg|100px|thumb|left|Try purple! It's the new maroon!]]
After the defeat of the Decepticons on [[Klo]], the Autobots' forces scattered throughout the galaxy as virtually independent splinter cells. A small group under Optimus Prime's command encountered Bludgeon and his soldiers on a desolate world, both sides looking for new weapons or technology, and were in danger of being overrun. Prime sent Hot Rod into a nearby mausoleum building in the hopes that he could conjure up some form of "graven image" to distract the superstitious Decepticon leader. Hot Rod emerged empty-handed from the ruins, only to find that just [[Guardian (G2)|such a graven image]] had conjured ''itself'', chased off the trespassing Decepticons, and was now prepared to do the same to the Autobots. They managed a dignified, if rushed, scramble to safety. {{storylink|All or Nothing!|Ghosts}}

[[Image:G2kupwonderspowerandglory.jpg|right|thumb|300px|No?]]

When Grimlock sent out a message summoning Optimus Prime, Hot Rod and Kup accompanied him. Hot Rod was quick to remark the sorry state of the planet they were on, and pondered exactly why they were here. As Prime continued his lengthy internal monolog, they were ambushed by a second-generation Cybertronian patrol. Hot Rod pretended to flee, but quickly came back as he and Prime caught the squad in a crossfire, annihilating the lot of them. Grimlock made his presence known afterwards and took them to his ship, where Hot Rod casually fiddled with a panel while Grimlock exposited. [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] attacked soon after, crippling the Autobots's ship and capturing them. They later managed to escape Jhiaxus's flagship. {{storylink|War Without End!}} When Grimlock and a team of Autobots were captured once again by the Liege Centuro, Hot Rod was part of Optimus's rescue team. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}} While Optimus Prime went on a vision quest back on Cybertron, some Autobots set up camp on a deserted asteroid, where Kup set up some war games for training. Hot Rod managed to lure the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] into a false sense of confidence and into a trap consisting of Dinobots. When the exercise was over, Hot Rod expressed frustration at the fact that they were stuck playing games while Jhiaxus and his Cybertronians were still out there. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Megatron's resurfacing on Earth made Optimus Prime decide to confront him alone. Fortunately, Grimlock had different ideas and mounted up a rescue, which Hot Rod participated in. He tried to engage [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] in vehicle mode, but the small Decepticon used his piledrivers to send Hot Rod tumbling away. Hot Rod crashed just behind Megatron, prompting the Decepticon leader to order a full retreat. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

[[Image:Arageinheaven-electro.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Hot Rod is the honorary fifth [[Laser Rod]] member.]]

Hot Rod was amongst the Autobots deployed to the planet [[Ethos]] where they fought hard to counter a Cybertronian offensive, but quickly found themselves overwhelmed and had to be saved by their newfound Decepticon allies. {{storylink|Escalation!}} After Starscream sold out the location of the Autobots' [[Autobase]] on Earth, Jhiaxus organized a full-scale assault. Hot Rod was part of the counter-offensive, and as the Cybertronians were being eradicated by the Autobot-Decepticon alliance, he was quick to report Prime his new finding: Jhiaxus had a ''second wave'' waiting in the wings. {{storylink|Total War!}} When the Cybertronian threat was overshadowed by the oncoming [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], Hot Rod and [[Electro]] went scouting out for its position. Thanks to Murphy's law, he had the misfortune of reporting its arrival just as Grimlock pondered just how things could get worse. Unlike many of his fellow Autobots, Hot Rod was saved from being devoured by the Swarm thanks to Megatron's timely arrival, carrying canisters of [[Rheanimum]]. Soon afterwards, Hot Rod and company witnessed Optimus Prime's return to life in a shiny new body, and cheered at his speech for unity and a higher purpose than war. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{note|The Classics comic takes place after the end of the original Marvel Comic, but in a [[splinter timeline]] that does not include the events of the Marvel UK-exclusive stories or Generation 2.}}

[[Image:CrossingOver5-RodimusMirage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|We got to buy... more time!]]

Once peace was restored on [[Klo]], Hot Rod followed Optimus Prime back to Cybertron, where the young Autobot fell back into the racing scene. After countless years of fighting for his life, this quickly bored Hot Rod, who went to Optimus to ask advice. Hot Rod was put in charge of the rehabilitation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the integration of the millions of Transformers who had fled the planet during the war. To keep the returning Transformers entertained, Hot Rod devised the [[Cybertron Grand Challenge]], a cross-factional racing event of an epic scale. Following his cultural triumph, Hot Rod changed his name to Rodimus, both to reflect his growing maturity and in homage to Optimus Prime, the leader he still adored. Rodimus became one of Optimus Prime's closest officers, and when [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] reared his head again on [[Earth]], Rodimus was one of the first recruited to accompany Optimus to hunt him down. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 15|''Classics'' Rodimus profile}}

After the Autobots discovered the mysterious Autobot, [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], they flew to [[South America]] to investigate a mysterious power source. Rodimus led them there with a tracking device, muttering that he wished [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] were around to help him use it. Clearly they arrived at the correct location, however, because the Decepticons were there looking for it as well! {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} As the battle raged, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and Rodimus cornered Soundwave, but the two worried that they were being overwhelmed by numbers. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}} Rodimus tried contacting [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], but the Autobot scout wasn't responding, and so Rodimus grew even more frustrated when Mirage went invisible and left him. Mirage's gambit helped win the battle, and the Decepticons withdrew. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

Rodimus was damaged severely, and so after the battle in South America, Optimus Prime carried him all the way home. Bumblebee was asked to put him in a [[CR chamber]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

{{-}}
===S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers===
[[Image:PackIn RodimusPrimeRemembers Front.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Just like he remembers Woodstock.]]

Unicron just might consume the universe, and the Autobots need to determine who the Chosen One is so that he may rise from their ranks, unlock the Matrix of Power, and save all from Unicron! Unfortunately, not even the Chosen One himself knows his identity, and his discovery may come too late. {{storylink|The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:}}

There was a legendary conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons when Optimus Prime led Rodimus Prime and a large team of Autobots in a search for the future site of [[Autobot City]]. They were ambushed by Megatron and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and this became known as the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth. Rodimus Prime dubbed it "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]." {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}} Some of the Autobots were forced to retreat due to Thundercracker's "force shield," and Optimus Prime told Rodimus and the others that their only hope was to call in for additional troops. {{storylink|Transformers Combat Data}}

Later, Rodimus Prime remembered the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth. {{storylink|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.|Rodimus Prime remembers the Transformers greatest battle on Earth.}}
{{-}}

===Big Looker Storybook continuity===
[[Image:CarShowBlowup-AutobotCity.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Hot Rod clearly does not pass emissions standards.]]

Kup and Hot Rod traveled to the coliseum to check out a robot car the [[human]]s had built that could respond to voice commands. They heard about it on their car radios! But when they arrived at the coliseum, Kup spotted Decepticons flying about. As some entered the back door, Kup shooed Hot Rod away, telling him to warn the others. If Hot Rod stayed, he would just get into trouble!

[[Image:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This is the genocide referred to [[:Image:EdgeofImpact-EvilRodimus.jpg|above]].]]

When Hot Rod returned with the Autobots, Kup had been captured and held prisoner, so the others entered the coliseum in vehicle mode. Meanwhile, Hot Rod snuck up behind Kup and freed him. Yelling "Geronimo!" they jumped from the control room onto the coliseum floor, taking the Decepticons by surprise. Galvatron and the others escaped, but Kup and Hot Rod agreed that they'd be ready for him when he returned. {{storylink|Car Show Blow Up}}

Later, Kup led Hot Rod, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and in the middle of their journey, the ship began to have problems. Hot Rod reassured Arcee that everything would be okay, but the ship was going down! It crashed on a planet which Kup recognized. It was the planet [[Quintessa|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them, but at the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed their earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way, until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}

{{--}}
===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[Image:DecepticonsatthePole-HotRodSparks.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Say I'm badly drawn to my face, pal!]]
Hot Rod was one of several troops stationed on Earth when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] was in charge and the Transformers' war was still a secret one. He got along well with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], the two spending their downtime looking at car magazines together, and was quite pleased to receive some snazzy gold wheel-trims from the boy. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}

In the time following this campaign, Hot Rod would mature into a more sensible warrior and even a team leader. During the early stages of the war on [[Nebulos]], Hot Rod was Autobot commander against [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'s Decepticons before the return of Optimus Prime. At one point, he prevented the Decepticons causing Nebulos' destruction via cosmic radiation. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}}

===Sticker Adventures===
Out searching for a missing shuttle, Hot Rod and Kup spied it crashed on the Junk planet. They landed to find their friends engaged in battle with the natives, but Kup cautioned Hot Rod not to rashly jump in and join them. Kup's use of the Universal Autobot Greeting resulted in the Junkions abandoning the fight and making friends with the newcomers, and causing Hot Rod to exclaim "Holy cow!" The Junkions helped repair the damaged shuttle before the Autobots left. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}

{{-}}
===Young Corgi Adventure books===
[[Image:Wolf at the door desert of danger.jpg|thumb|right|200px|When you're weary, feelin' small...]]
Hot Rod had himself delivered by freight to the planet of Nebulos, where he and his Targetmaster partner Professor Sparks suspected the Decepticons were attempting reinforce their position in spite of a treaty in place to limit their numbers. With [[You|your]] help they traced the Decepticons to the [[Wolf at the Door]] nightclub, an [[oil]] bar for Nebulan miners run by [[Monzo]], and discovered that [[Weirdwolf]], [[Skullcruncher]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] were importing [[Attack Squad robot]]s from Cybertron and awakening them from cryogenic suspension with a catalytic stimulant disguised as [[Sirian brandy]].

After a confrontation with the Decepticons that left Skullcruncher and Mindwipe out of action, Hot Rod faced off against Weirdwolf and Monzo. Weirdwolf was defiant, but Monzo wasn't feeling lucky and surrendered to the Autobot. Though the Headmasters had to be released under the terms of the treaty, the Attack Squad robots were destroyed. {{storylink|Desert of Danger}}

{{note|"Desert of Danger" is a [[multipath adventure]] and the above only applies to the optimum path through the book. If you make the wrong decision, the Decepticons may well triumph instead.}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers PD Type'' comic===
[[Image:Pdtype_rodimus_manga.jpg|left|250px|thumb|]]

Clutching a [[Blackball]], Rodimus Prime found himself being attacked by Galvatron. As the Decepticon leader attempted to throttle him, a light shone from Rodimus's chest, making Galvatron think it was the power of the Blackball. After Galvatron had fled, Rodimus revealed it was just a torch, and reflected on what an idiot his foe was. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##11 "Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!"|Take a Stand! Rodimus Prime!}}

As Fortress Maximus and Mega Zarak clashed violently, Rodimus reminded Optimus that he had said never to let those two fight. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##14 "Watch Out! Mega Zarak!"|Watch Out! Mega Zarak!}}

Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime enjoyed many victories against the Decepticons, but [[Greatshot|who was that in the background?]] {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##15 "No One Knows When he's Come or Gone. Greatshot..."|No One Knows When he's Come or Gone. Greatshot...}}

Together with Ultra Magnus, Rodimus engaged in battle against [[Sixshot]], but was terrified when the Decepticon ninja unleashed the fury of his "Six Shadow Selves"! Luckily for Rodimus, Sixshot's doppelgangers were actually other Decepticons whom he'd painted black (and weren't very happy about it). {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##18|The Ninja of Space, Sixshot!!}}

In a later altercation with Sixshot, Rodimus attempted to use his Photon Eliminator gun to strike down the fleeing ninja. Though he managed to shoot ''every other'' Decepticon on the battlefield, he failed to hit his intended target. Rodimus sat pouting in the corner as the other Autobots convened to register their disappointment that Rodimus let Sixshot get away. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##21|Photon Eliminator}}

Joining [[Ginrai|God Ginrai]] and Ultra Magnus in an assault on Mega Zarak, Rodimus was terrified when the mammoth Decepticon unleashed his titanic Anti-Gravity Rifle. Fortunately for the Autobots, the gun jammed and Mega Zarak was left fiddling with it while they opened fire. {{storylink|Transformers PD Type##24|Anti-Gravity Rifle}}

{{-}}
===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[Image:WarAgainstDestructions-HotRodApeface.jpg|right|thumb|300px|GRONK yourself!]]
As Ultra Magnus left for a mission to find an Energon source, Hot Rod assured him that everything would be fine on Cybertron, and if there was any hint of trouble "Rodimus" would pop up and save the day. When Magnus later checked in, Hot Rod reported that they'd made some process on Headmaster technology. Though Magnus was more concerned about the threat of war, Hot Rod told him not to worry, unaware that [[Sixshot]] was planning to throw him a surprise. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

Hot Rod was pleased to have [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] back. Then [[Monitorus]] arrived with the news that [[Tau-Ursa]] had been attacked and leveled by Decepticons, and Hot Rod got to point out that the Tau-Ursans had refused the Autobots permission to build a defense base there. He shortly took part in an attempt to repel a Decepticon attack on Cybertron, finding himself fighting against Sixshot, who seemed more interested in goading him than fighting. This turned out to be a diversion, while [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] used his new [[Nullification Cannon]] on the planet's Energon supplies.

Hot Rod and Blurr next visited Tau-Ursa to check for Decepticons, and encountered [[Apeface|Ape Face]], who had found a [[Logicon]] warning beacon. The two Autobots wrestled it from him and returned to Cybertron, where the beacon was found to hold the coordinates to [[Metascan Alpha]], a major Energon storehouse. Prime placed Hot Rod in charge of one of two teams to search for the planet, though the operation was hampered slightly by the discovery of the two Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clone]]s spying on them. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

{{Note|At this point [[Blackthorne Publishing]] went bankrupt and the storyline was never completed}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Hotroddreamwave.jpg|left|thumb|]]Hot Rod joined an underground Autobot cell led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] after [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] takeover of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Among the members of the cell was [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], whom Hot Rod became attached to. From the [[Wastelands]], Hot Rod, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] observed an incoming Decepticon shuttle carrying the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Shortly afterward, the cell rescued [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], and took him to their base. After awakening, Prime attacked [[Gnaw]], Blurr, and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], forcing Hot Rod (who didn't recognize him) to hold the Autobot leader at gunpoint. After being <strike>bitch slapped</strike> admonished by Kup, Hot Rod apologized. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

After Shockwave unleashed the [[Guardian robot]]s on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Prime organized the resistance cell and other Autobot forces on the planet in an assault on Shockwave's citadel. Fighting alongside the Autobot leader, Hot Rod was amazed that the stories Kup had told him about Prime's courage and heroism had all been true. As an injured Prime breached the citadel, Hot Rod, Ironhide and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] provided cover fire, taking down a number of Guardians in the process. Along with the rest of Iacon, they witnessed the divine light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] when Shockwave activated it. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

As Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] battled Shockwave within the citadel, Hot Rod and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took down [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Immediately afterward, they were confronted with the looming threat of a remaining Guardian robot—a threat that was soon neutralized by the arrival of the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]], the [[Autobot High Council]], and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. The unified Autobot group soon breached the citadel. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Some time later, Hot Rod ran a simulation combat scenario against Kup, and won using tactics that, in Kup's opinion, would have killed them both had it been real. Only after his victory did Hot Rod remember that he'd promised to take Arcee to see an [[Earth]]-bound shuttle launch—a duty Springer was happy to relieve him of. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} Soon afterward, he was assigned to perimeter guard duty at [[Autobase]] with Gnaw and Wheelie, separating him from Arcee. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{-}}

===''Universe: Featuring the Wreckers''===
[[Image:Skidswreckers2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|It's funny because Rodimus sucked at everything.]]

A few months after the destruction of [[Unicron]] in 2005, Rodimus Prime spearheaded an effort to establish multiple recon posts to watch for advancing threats... even though some of his scientists said he shouldn't. When only two of the five launched ships were ever heard from again, Rodimus felt like a schmuck. Guy can't catch a break. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

After the Great Wars ended and the [[Pax Cybertronia]] was signed, he changed his name to simply "Rodimus" and decided to check out the new "[[Great Upgrade|Maximal Upgrade]]". His relationship with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] effectively ended shortly after, as the latter went through dark gripping emo depression over the death of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and vanished.

Rodimus joined the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] at some undetermined point afterward. After [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] took over Cybertron with his [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]], Wrecker leader [[Apelinq]] got stranded on prehistoric [[Earth]], leaving Rodimus in charge. True to form, he ditched leadership duties to [[Primal Prime]] as soon as possible.

After Primal Prime got his marching orders from the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], he met Rodimus deep inside Cybertron's caverns, where an even more gothy-emo Arcee—in a new Maximal body—lurked and stewed in her depression. Realizing he couldn't convince her to give a damn about anything, he left, rejoining the main Wrecker force in battle. Making it onto an ancient Autobot shuttle, the Wreckers blasted off... with late-arrival Arcee. {{storylink|Departure}}

[[Image:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Except you're the size of my arm now.]]

Rodimus recognized the homing beacon emitting from [[Akalo|Archa Nine]] as one of those missing exploration parties mentioned before. When the shuttle landed, Rodimus stayed behind to help repair the damage the ship had suffered. The entire Wrecker team later gathered in an [[Akalouthan]] village, where Rodimus was reunited with [[Glyph (G1)|Glyph]], who took them to see the artifact known as the [[Divine Light]]. The Wreckers' analysis of the item was cut short, as it was stolen by the traitor [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Rodimus saw the back-in-his-old-body [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] off, who was sent to chase after Cyclonus, while the Wreckers made for their next destination... even though several of them were now leery of the visions Primal Prime had been getting. Because they'd really done ''so well'' by the Wreckers so far. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

Upon landing on the frozen planet, Rodimus was part of the search party immediately dispatched to look for... something. Primal Prime wasn't too specific. They came across [[Al-Badur]], an exiled [[Quintesson]], who gave them a little history lesson. They were then promptly attacked by a school of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], but the Wreckers made short work of them. They made their way back to the ship, with Al-Badur in tow, and made for their next destination... {{storylink|Disclosure}}

[[Image:WreckersFinaleII-RodimusCyclonus.jpg|right|thumb|300px|If Optimus can die, so can I!]]

...Cybertron. As Primal Prime took some Wreckers after their true foe, [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]], Rodimus tried to get their injured to a safe place. Unfortunately, the planet was under a full scale Quintesson invasion, and some anti-aircraft fire inevitably clipped the ship and sent them plummeting downwards. After they made it to safe ground, Rodimus and the crew hooked up with his fellow [[Matrix Templar]], [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], and followed his insight to the battle. They confronted Cryotek's underling, Cyclonus, and his purloined squad of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s. With casualties mounting on both sides, Cyclonus beat a safe retreat, collapsing the tunnel behind him to prevent pursuit. Rodimus was quick enough to dive through the falling debris, however, leaving the two old enemies alone to do battle. Centuries of bad blood carried them through the conflict, until both drew their weapons at point blank range, and fired.

Horribly damaged by this last attack, Rodimus struggled to keep up with the other Wreckers and the running conflict between [[Sentinel Maximus]] and Cryotek. The fighting came to an end at a Quintesson banishing chamber, where the treacherous Al-Badur had attempted to toss Sentinel and Cryotek into a formless void. The two warriors were trapped behind an energy dome, barely able to fight off the portal's pull using their flight systems. Once [[Fractyl]] pointed out that Cryotek was empowered by the Divine Light, a fraction of Primus's own power, Rodimus realized that as Matrix Templars he and Cheetor could drain that power away from the Predacon. They managed to extract most of it before Cryotek cut off their siphoning effect. In the end, Sentinel Maximus sacrificed himself to pull Cryotek into the void with him. Rodimus finally expired from his wounds from fighting Cyclonus, quietly passing on into the Matrix. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:GIJoeTFHotRod70s.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"That bumperchest really doesn't feel right. How do Prowl and Jazz live with it?"]]
Hot Rod was one of [[Teletran 3]]'s unfortunate victims when the computer malfunctioned and transported a random number of Transformers to random points in Earth's timeline. Along with [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], Hot Rod ended up in mid-1970's [[San Francisco]], where he was locked into the form of a Ford Mustang muscle car. The dormant Autobot was soon stolen by a car thief, but was chased down by a group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and [[Cobra]] members sent to retrieve the Transformers. Discovering [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in the process, the humans equipped both vehicles with [[disruption unit]] that awakened the Transformers and sent them back to present-day Cybertron seconds after Hot Rod commented about feeling "really weird." {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Back on Cybertron, they were stuck waiting inside the force field Ultra Magnus had erected to prevent [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] from capturing Teletran 3. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

Some time after his time travel adventure, Hot Rod reported to Optimus Prime that [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s team on Earth had been sidetracked by a Cobra attack. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}} When said team ended up disappearing in Cybertron's [[Gladiator Zone]], Hot Rod convinced Optimus to stay behind and take care of an Autobot peace ceremony instead of going out and searching for them. Hot Rod then assembled his own search party, but they failed to find the missing Autobots. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} Unfortunately, [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s forces attacked the peace ceremony and captured Optimus Prime, leading to Hot Rod assembling a new team intent on rescuing him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} They fought Serpent O.R.'s Decepticon army together with reinforcements from G.I. Joe, and during the battle, Hot Rod paused in horror as he saw the light of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] being opened inside the Decepticon base. The Decepticon army eventually defeated, and by the time Hot Rod reached inside their base, Serpent O.R. had been killed as well. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

A few months later, Hot Rod questioned Optimus Prime's choice to go to Earth again, accusing his leader of feeling guilty about [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s death at Serpent O.R.'s hands and doing everything by himself just to prevent more people from dying. Prime just looked at him sadly before leaving, causing Ultra Magnus to tell Hot Rod that he really needed to learn when to stop talking. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightHotRod rush.jpg|right|180px|thumb|WHEEEEEEE! AWESOME! TUBULAR! COWABUNGA! REAGANOMICS!]]
Years ago, Hot Rod was put in charge of a mission to the planet [[Ki-Aleta]] to obtain a powerful artifact named the [[Magnificence]] so as to keep it out of the hands of the Decepticons. The mission started off smoothly enough, with [[Gizmo]] using a [[holomatter]] generator to distract the defense systems while the rest of the team went after the Magnificence. Unfortunately, after that everything that could go wrong did go wrong. First, the generator malfunctioned, then [[Download]] tripped the security lasers around the Magnificence itself. Gizmo, Download, and [[Backbeat]] were destroyed by the security systems while Hot Rod and [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] fled. Hot Rod, nearing the exit tunnels they had previously drilled, got a call from Dealer—he had been ambushed by a Decepticon attack squad and needed help. Unfortunately, Hot Rod had been given his own, top secret orders: the Magnificence was to be the top priority of the mission, and placed before all else. With a heavy heart, Hot Rod abandoned Dealer to his fate as he left Ki-Aleta with the Magnificence.

Years later, Hot Rod learned that Dealer had not died that day; he was being held prisoner at the Decepticon penal colony known as [[Styx]]. Hot Rod stealthily infiltrated the prison complex, using a holomatter generator to disguise himself as a guard and then short-circuiting the power grid to cause all the cell doors to unlock. During the chaos he snuck in, extracted Dealer, and took off while the Decepticons were busy getting the prisoners under control. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hot Rod}}

[[Image:Escalation6 HotRod Koska.jpg|left|170px|thumb|Mine!]]
Recently, Hot Rod was called to [[Earth]] to aid the crew of the ''[[Ark-19]]'' in procuring a Decepticon [[facsimile construct]] from [[Brasnya]], a former Soviet state in eastern Europe. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3|Escalation #3}} He and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] went down to Earth from the ''[[Ark-32]]'' against [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]'s wishes, and proceeded to join the battle unannounced. As Hardhead went to support the main battle, Hot Rod went after the facsimile... which led to him colliding with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] as they both tried to stop the [[Georgi Koska]] facsimile from letting himself get gunned down by Soviet soldiers. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4|Escalation #4}} Prowl and Hot Rod managed to defuse the situation and secure the facsimile in the end {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}}, but before he could return to his ship he was attacked by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], unable to defend himself because he had to keep the facsimile alive. After returning to the ''Ark-32'', he had to be put in a [[CR chamber]] to recover. His injuries were for nothing, as the facsimile melted during the bounce. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

[[Image:Devastation6 HotRod Hardhead.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Hardhead, I'm with Arcee now. Let it go.]]
After Hot Rod was repaired and reformatted into a Dodge Viper, his "friend" Dealer tried to convince him to pull some strings to get him to Earth, but Hot Rod and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] had the more important task of rescuing [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} They ran into a bit of trouble with the [[Machination]]'s [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 2|Devastation #2}} They managed to escape temporarily, but were found and Wheeljack was incapacitated. Hot Rod easily held his own with the Headmasters {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}}, and noted that for [[Sunstreaker (G1)|some]] [[Hunter O'Nion|reason]] they had lost their "edge". He received a little help from Hardhead, who was mainly there to take Hot Rod and the others back to the ''Ark-32'' for evacuation to [[Garrus-9]]. Hot Rod refused to go, wanting to see the Headmaster mystery through to the end. Hardhead reluctantly let him go. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

[[Image:SPDHotRodM.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Oh, Magic 8-Ball, will I ever be Prime in this continuity?]]
Hot Rod's search was interrupted by Dealer's arrival on Earth, with orders for Hot Rod: find the Magnificence and use it to learn what they could about the Expansion. Hot Rod took Dealer to his hiding spot, which turned out to be the planet where they first found the device. As Dealer and Hot Rod closed on the Magnificence, he went over his first visit to the planet in his mind, and how things could have gone so wrong. Eventually he began to have suspicions, and upon locating the Magnificence, asked it the question that haunted him: had Dealer betrayed him? Sadly, it revealed the truth, and Hot Rod was forced to kill Dealer as the traitor attacked. Looking down on his remains, Hot Rod realized the truth had been staring him in the face, he just hadn't wanted to accept it. He then used the Magnificence to find out all he could about the Expansion, and relayed the information to the Autobots. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}

[[Image:HotRodMaxDino02.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You're not fooling anyone, [[Judd Nelson| Bender]]. The next screw that falls out will be YOU.]]

Returning to Earth to continue his search, Hot Rod arrived at the gates of the Machination's complex, and Scorponok prepared himself to deal with the intruder. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 1|Maximum Dinobots #1}} Unfortunately, Hot Rod found himself fighting well out of his weight class as he was man handled by Scorponok, who cheerfully bashed his face in, put out one of his optics and snapped his leg. The Headmasters dragged him into Scorponok's control room where, with absolutely no prompting, the big man explained his entire plan for the Dynobots, Skywatch and the Machination. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}}

Hot Rod seemed less than impressed with this rather mundane approach, which ticked Scorponok off enough for him to point out that it was obviously just the first stage in his master plan. He was also warned to remained awed or he'd be of no further interest. When the Dynobots and newly-arrived [[Monsterbot]]s seemed to turn Scorponok's plan on its head, Hot Rod burst out laughing, at which point, Scorponok ordered him taken out and shot. In the lift to the surface, Hot Rod suddenly erupted in flames, killing his captors, but draining his power supply. Weakened and with a crippled leg, he collapsed on the floor. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

He made it out of the building and ran into the real Sunstreaker, who blasted the 2 clones following Hot Rod. Sunstreaker ignored Hot Rod's warning about Scorponok's army and stormed into the building so Hot Rod painfully wired himself to send a distress signal. When Sunstreaker's real head was later disabled by Hunter, the Headmaster clones shut down, which Hot Rod explained to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. The group was surprised by the arrival of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], but [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] had heard Hot Rod's distress call and was on his way to Earth. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}}

After Scorponok knocked out [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] and Grimlock tended to him, the remaining Dynobots offered Hot Rod a lift aboard the Monsterbots' ship. He refused though, and made it back into Machination HQ to take care of something "personal". He eventually found Scorponok's real head (and remarked how ugly it was). Hunter also showed up and let Hot Rod know how to disable it, but before he could do so, Scorponok grabbed him. Before Scorponok could crush Hot Rod's head, the Dynobots showed up and began to battle Scorponok. Hot Rod told [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] which wires to sever, and he did just that, reducing Scorponok to a catatonic state. Ultra Magnus arrived took everyone back aboard his ship, which later docked with the ''Ark-32''. Within 3 days, Hot Rod was fully repaired, with a new body form design. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

Some time later, while traveling through space by himself, Hot Rod found himself under attack by the ''[[Torment]]'', a Decepticon warship crewed by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and the [[Pretender Monster]]s. He was shot down, but managed to transmit a distress call to the Autobot starship ''[[Trion]]'', which came to his rescue. After the Decepticons were chased off, Hot Rod joined the crew of the ''Trion''. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Lost & Found}}

[[Image:Ironhide punches Hot Rod.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Ironhide has waited twenty-two years to pay Hot Rod back for [[The Transformers: The Movie|shooting down his shuttle]].]]
When the Decepticons' galaxy-wide assault hit, the ''Trion'' was shot down over Cybertron. Hot Rod sent out a distress signal and was ecstatic when he ran into some other Autobots. They must've come specifically to save his team and... wait, why do you all look surprised about my signal and appear beaten up and resourceless and... ''oh arsebiscuits''! {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}}

Hot Rod was taken back to base and relayed the story of how he and his other crew-mates from the ''Trion'' arrived on Cybertron, having been diverted there by Decepticon ships and forced to crash land. Once on the surface, Hot Rod sent out his distress signal and was ''so'' sure someone heard it. Kup arrived with the rest of the ''Trion'''s crew at that point, just in time to tell Hot Rod ''of course'' no one heard his message. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

After the Autobots narrowly avoided the [[Insecticon swarm]] and Sunstreaker sacrificed himself, Hot Rod jumped to [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]'s defense when he was being insulted by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} When the Autobots were later rescued by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Hot Rod was glad that he sent out the distress call. He was then ferried to Earth with the other Autobots aboard Omega. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

[[Image:Ongoing issue 1-Hot Rod has had enough.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Don't talk to me about stuck, Hot Rod, you're the one with that horrible sneer stuck on your face!"]]
For the next two years, the Autobots would remain on Earth as Prime feared the return of the Decepticons. Unfortunately, this led to the capture of a number of Autobots by Skywatch, including [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and Prowl. Hot Rod, already frustrated, lashed out at Optimus, accusing him of keeping the Autobots on the planet because he needed someone to protect and demanding he be allowed to lead a team to rescue Prowl. An admonished Prime agreed to a covert operation, but with Ironhide along to watch over things. While Prowl was freed, it turned out the humans had used him as bait to draw the other Autobots in. However Wheeljack's new shielding protected Hot Rod's team from Skywatch's inhibitors and in a panic the soldiers switched to lethal measures. Hot Rod was targeted and Ironhide was killed protecting him. An enraged Hot Rod turned on the humans, damaging their equipment and machinery.

After returning with Ironhide's body, Hot Rod was shocked as Optimus Prime resigned his position as leader. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} Disgusted with Prime's decision and unimpressed with the indecisiveness of the others, Hot Rod decided to make his own way. He announced his intention to leave planet Earth behind, and invited any of his fellow Autobots to follow him in pursuit of that goal. After leaving the Autobot caves with a half-dozen recruits, Hot Rod went looking for Omega Supreme, in the hopes of convincing the massive Autobot to use his interstellar rocket mode to get them all off-planet. Omega remained resolutely loyal to Optimus Prime, however, and refused to abandon the Earth. At that moment, a small squad of Decepticon stragglers led by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] staged an attack on Omega Supreme. After some fast and smooth-talking, Swindle convinced Hot Rod that they all wanted the same thing...to go home. The Autobots put it to a vote, and the majority decided to work with the Decepticons to get off of Earth. {{storylink|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}}

The first thing Swindle asked of Hot Rod was help in reviving their incapacitated "brothers"...several Decepticons mode-locked by the humans. Hot Rod convinced [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] to work on the problem, as there "were no sides anymore", and these other Decepticons were brought back on-line to help with the construction of a new space cruiser. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

[[Image:SeasonsInFlight-RodimusMagnus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|No, don't shoot Swindle! He had some cheap electronics equipment in his van he wanted to sell me!]]

Hot Rod wasn't completely foolish — when Swindle started suggesting they find and revive all the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, he remembered how deadly [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] could be, and rejected the idea. Ever the smooth-talker, though, Swindle convinced Hot Rod to let the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] go after [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], the last missing member of their unit. He did so by lavishing a ridiculous amount of praise on Hot Rod, calling him Rodimus Prime, the herald of a new age.

The alliance was soon tested when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] arrived on the scene, attempting to investigate the death of Ironhide for Autobot Command. When he saw Hot...saw ''Rodimus'' working with Decepticons, and Swindle of all mechs, he freaked out and tried to take the Decepticon ringleader into custody. Rodimus and the other Autobots stood up for Swindle, though, and told Magnus he had to be prepared to fight ''all'' of them if he wanted to take ''one'' of them. Stunned that they did not respect his authoritay, Magnus retreated and work continued on the star cruiser. {{storylink|Seasons in Flight}}

What everyone failed to realize, even Ultra Magnus, was that Swindle was not only trading in combiner technology, he knew how to make it work. By the time Magnus came back for Swindle with a posse of Autobots, the Decepticon was prepared to end his alliance with Rodimus. He had forged the Stunticons into [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], and turned the giant loose on the assembled Autobots. {{storylink|Enemies of the System}}

Rodimus fought alongside Ultra Magnus, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and the others against the renewed Decepticon threat. They finally managed to bring down the titan, but the alliance was finished and Rodimus's own comrades turned against him for his poor judgment. Looking to escape his own bad decisions, Rodimus hijacked Ultra Magnus's ship and fled out into space. {{storylink|Earthworks}}

[[Image:Ongoing 13 Rodimus drifting.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Why must you hurt the one you love, [[Nick Roche|Nick]]??]]
Since trying to talk and reason with people had only led to betrayal Rodimus decided that it was best to simply act on his own. He had a plan to regain the respect he had lost by taking back the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership]], stolen by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] years earlier. Using the ship's advanced tracking equipment, Rodimus found the Decepticons' asteroid base and hid in one of Ultra Magnus's thickly armored weapons lockers. When the ship was shot down, he emerged from the wreckage unscathed, took out several Decepticon guards and even put [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] under his control by improvising with one of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]]s. Rodimus first sent Razorclaw to attack Starscream, but after that failed, he confronted the self-appointed Decepticon leader himself.

Starscream himself was nigh-impervious to damage, but Rodimus improvised again and fired at the Matrix around his neck, having no idea what would happen. He was in luck, as the blast caused energy to burst from the Matrix and knock Starscream unconscious. Triumphant, Rodimus took the artifact and went looking for an escape craft... only to run straight into [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] himself. He panicked and waved the Matrix threateningly at the massive Decepticon while warning him to "stay back!", but Megatron was unphased and shot him at point blank range, blowing a huge hole in Rodimus's torso and sending him flying into space. With the Matrix still around his neck, Rodimus's lifeless body could only drift through the void... {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}}

Eventually, Rodimus crash-landed on the desolate [[LV-117]]. Fortunately for him, the Matrix had somehow bonded/interfaced with his body and kept him alive. However, he wasn't alone. An [[Ilxian]] warship had also crashed there a long time ago, leaving only three survivors: a lab technician calling himself "The [[Admiral]]" and two custodians. "The Admiral", desperate for a way off the planet, attempted to use the Matrix as a power source for his ship, which he had fully repaired but was lacking sufficient fuel. But when he informed Rodimus that his plan to use the Matrix to power the ship might put him offline permanently, Rodimus broke free from his bonds and surprised the Ilxians by transforming and driving off. {{storylink|Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination}}

Having escaped from the "The Admiral", Rodimus found a cave to hide in and figure out what to do next, only to be attacked by a hostile native creature, the [[Chaosteros]]. Suddenly, strange music began to play, causing the Chaosteros to run off, and Rodimus was surprised to find himself face-to-face with [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], who had been missing for centuries. Wheelie and Rodimus devised a plan to seize the Ilxian warship. This plan succeeded and the two Autobots, along with one of the Ilxian custodians, [[Garnak]], who had agreed to help them, took off in the warship using the Matrix as a power source. {{storylink|Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination}}

Rodimus planned to return to Earth and rejoin the other Autobots, however, Wheelie misunderstood his instructions to navigate the warship "home" and took them to Cybertron instead while Rodimus was unconscious from the takeoff (It was implied that the Matrix could not accommodate both the ship and keeping Rodimus' spark alive at the same time; hence the risk when "The Admiral" wanted to use it to power the ship. Fortunately for Rodimus, Wheelie managed to fix him up enough that he could survive without it). Rodimus and Wheelie were reunited with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] on Cybertron. Sunstreaker informed Rodimus that Cybertron's atmosphere had been processed and the Swarm eliminated, rendering the planet habitable once again. The group was then attacked by one of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s [[Sweep]]s, but Rodimus and Wheelie followed the Sweep and spotted Galvatron preparing his army. Having realized that Galvatron had seen them, Rodimus and Wheelie rushed back to the others and took off in the stolen Ilxian warship before the Sweeps could attack. {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet}}

Rodimus, Sunstreaker, Wheelie, Ironhide and Garnak returned to Earth and joined the other Autobots. However, after hearing of Galvatron's recent activity on Cybertron, [[Optimus Prime (G1)| Optimus Prime]] elected to return to his home planet on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], and take any of the other Autobots along who volunteered to accompany him, including Rodimus. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}}

During the journey back to Cybertron, Rodimus was disturbed when it appeared that Optimus was getting a little too "cozy" with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], and voiced his concern during a discussion about the imprisoned Megatron's fate. Later, Optimus asked Rodimus what it felt like to interface with the Matrix. Rodimus revealed that it felt wonderful, in contrast to the pain Optimus felt when he bonded with it. However, Optimus chose not to tell Rodimus this. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

When Omega Supreme arrived in Cybertron orbit, Rodimus spotted a message from Galvatron sent using binary by ordering his soldiers to shoot off their weapons in a certain order and pattern. The message indicated that Galvatron wanted Optimus to send a landing party with which he could have a civil discussion. Optimus obliged, and Rodimus, along with several other Autobots including [[Drift (G1)| Drift]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)| Sunstreaker]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], accompanied Optimus to the meeting with Galvatron. Galvatron revealed that he was preparing an army to fight against "a threat that could destroy us all", and offered to allow Optimus and his army to join his ranks, but would not relinquish any further details. Rodimus complained that Galvatron's soldiers had attacked him before he'd rendezvoused with the others simply for setting foot on Cybertron, but Galvatron claimed the attack was a mistake. However, Optimus declined Galvatron's offer, and the latter attacked. A battle ensued, but Galvatron eventually retreated to the [[Kimia Facility]] (which he had stolen and seized control of earlier), where he activated its conversion to alt mode, which appeared to be some sort of powerful laser. Rodimus was with Optimus and the other Autobots who had come to Cybertron while they were discussing their opinions about whether Galvatron should be trusted or not, but did not voice his own. However, he exclaimed his surprise when he saw what Galvatron was doing with the Kimia facility. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}}

When the Autobots discovered that Galvatron was using a powerful laser on the Kimia facility to attack Cybertron, Optimus ordered the [[ Aerialbot (G1) | Aerialbots ]] to launch an attack on the facility. Rodimus volunteered to take Omega Supreme into orbit, along with [[Trailbreaker (G1)| Trailbreaker ]], in order to oversee the Aerialbots' attack and gather intel on what Galvatron was up to. Rodimus ordered Trailbreaker to attempt to stop the beam from firing by projecting a force field into the barrel of the laser, but this did not work and Trailbreaker suffered significant damage from the feedback. The laser also struck Cybertron and did some serious damage to the planet. Rodimus then endeavored to ram the facility with Omega Supreme in an effort to disable the laser and/or knock the facility out of orbit. However, he was not aware that the Autobots who remained trapped within Kimia after Galvatron seized control had a plan of their own: [[ Lightspeed (G1 Technobot) | Lightspeed]] blew up the facility from the inside before Omega Supreme could strike it, damaging the latter enough that he could no longer maintain orbit. Besides that fact, Trailbreaker was in need of repairs that only [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] could perform. Rodimus and Omega landed at the base that Sunstreaker had set up on Cybertron. He then asked Sunstreaker where Prime had gone, and when Sunstreaker told him that he and Ironhide had suddenly run off toward the blast crater created by the laser, he and [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] went off to search for them. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
The four of them made it to the crater that the blast had made. They followed Optimus as he ventured into the crater in hopes to catch up to Galvatron and Jhiaxus. They eventually cought up to the two of them and pointed their weapons at Galvatron unleashed his mind control powers to take control of all the Decepticons (except for the newly escaped Megatron). Drift was also affected by the mind control since he was once a Decepticon. He was ordered to attack his friends in order to give the two the time they needed to make there escape. Rodimus tried to talk to his friend but was no used so Drift stopped himself by impaling himself threw the chest with his sword. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} Rodimus realised that Galvatron was planning on fusing [[Vector Sigma]] with the Heart of Darkness, which Optimus agreed with. After a short talk with Ironhide it was agreed that Ironhide would take Drift back up to the surface and he would go with Optimus to Vector Sigma, hoping to stop Galvatron. Unfortunately they were too late as Galvatron had fused the Heart of Darkness with Vector Sigma right before they got there. Just when it all seemed hopeless, Arcee and Hardhead's shiped crashed right on top of him. That gave him and Optimus a short time to try to save Cybertron while Arcee and Hardhead delayed Galvatron. After stating the obvious, Rodimus suggested to Optimus that the Matrix could help. Optimus declined in, saying that they have already lost Vector Sigma and might lose Cybertron and that the Matrix is all they got left and they couldn't afford to lose it. Right when Rodimus was telling Optimus that he knew they wouldn't lose the Matrix, Galvatron busted in after defeating Arcee and Hardhead. That is when Cyclonus came out and fought Galvatron but was quickly defeated, but that was when Galvatron started to to disintergrate. With that happening, Rodimus told Optimus that it was the perfect moment to use the Matrix and watched as Optimus jumped into Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
[[Image:Henkei_manga_rodimus.jpg|right|thumb|155px]]
While the other Autobots were busy dealing with a rampaging [[Astrotrain (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Astrotrain]], Rodimus disrupted [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Megatron]] and the other Decepticons' attack on a power plant by engaging them solo. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 2}} Unable to tackle Megatron in hand-to-hand combat, he was able to get [[Starscream (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Starscream]] to accidentally blast his leader instead, but this did little more than annoy Megatron, who flattened Rodimus with a [[fusion cannon]] blast. With Rodimus defeated, the Decepticons pulled out, but the Autobot cavalier didn't let the defeat get him down, and he sped off to join the other Autobots in battling Astrotrain. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 3}} Soon after, Rodimus helped defend another power plant against a Decepticon attack, shielding the human workers from Starscream's blasts with his own body. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 4}}

When the mysterious new Decepticon warrior [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Cyclonus]] provided Megatron with the means to transform himself into the monstrous [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Galvatron]], Rodimus, [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Ironhide]] and [[Mirage (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comic|Mirage]] trailed Cyclonus's Targetmaster partner [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]] to the volcano in which Megatron was carrying out his transformation. Despite resistance from Starscream and Cyclonus, Rodimus and his team were able to collapse the volcano's cone in on itself. They believed they had sealed Megatron within, and were about to focus their attack on Starscream when they were sent scattering by the explosive emergence of Galvatron from the remains of the caldera. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9}}

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

Following the defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]] on [[Earth]], Rodimus was among the Autobots that [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Optimus Prime]] summoned to the planet. Together with [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Hound]] and [[Jetfire (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Skyfire]], Rodimus was to protect the planet while Optimus's team set off for Cybertron in pursuit of the fleeing Galvatron. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{-}}

===''Wings Universe''===

In the year 2009, Hot Rod, Kup and the Dinobots experienced ''deja vu'' all over again when a horde of Decepticons attacked their shuttle. Cyclonus, Scourge and 35 of his Sweeps chased them into a nebula where the Autobots lay low to finish repairs. When the boarding party finally found them, Kup's experience helped Hot Rod and the others drive off their attackers. {{Storylink|Wings of Honor}}

==Games==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
Hot Rod was one of [[Optimus Primal]]'s many Autobot allies in a fight against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s Decepticon forces. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game#Energon Wars expansion|Energon Wars Expansion Set}}

===''The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth''===
[[Image:C64RodimusPrimeAndHotRod.jpg|right|thumb|250px|]]

Along with their fellow Autobots, Hotrod{{sic}} and Rodimus Prime protected Earth from the menace of the Decepticons. Hotrod was ostensibly under the command of Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: Battle to Save the Earth}}

{{note|In this game, "Hotrod" and Rodimus Prime are separate characters who can be in the same place at the same time. Don't try to think about this too hard.}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Mystery of Convoy''===
[[Image:Mysteryofconvoy_rodimus.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
When Optimus Prime went missing under mysterious circumstances, Ultra Magnus was given the task of battling hordes of Decepticons in order to solve the mystery of his whereabouts. The Decepticons had also stolen a collection of seven energon cubes belonging to Rodimus Prime, which Magnus strove to recover during his fight. When all seven were successfully obtained and the battle was won, a new challenge rose its head, but with his energon cubes back, Rodimus was able to take up the fight! He had a funny habit of looking like an orange Ultra Magnus if you looked at him sideways. {{storylink|Transformers: Mystery of Convoy}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===

Rodimus Prime was kidnapped by the Decepticons and held captive on Cybertron by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. He was rescued by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and his other comrades, and in turn helped rescue those who were still imprisoned. Once they had reunited, Rodimus Prime and the others met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] for the last battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[Image:Callofthefuture_rodimus.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"I am from the future and know a lot about history!"]]

:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter von Gomm]]

'''Autobot Version'''

When [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] gained the incredible power of the [[Zel Quartz]] in the year 2010 and began cutting a swath of destruction across the galaxy, Rodimus Prime, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] resolved to prevent this devastation by traveling back in time and eliminating the quartz in the past, thereby altering their future. Using a [[Transwarp]]-equipped ship supplied by the [[Quintesson]]s, they traveled to the world of [[Zel Samine]] in the year 2003, where they ran across teams of present-day Autobots and Decepticons led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], who were carrying out investigations on their own on the planet.

Making matters worse, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] also followed them back in time, and the two teams allied themselves with their respective present-day factions in order to locate the Zel Quartz. It wasn't necessarily an easy alliance to make: Rodimus was barely able to keep his cool when [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], not believing that he and his team were really Autobots, demanded to know if Rodimus was Autobot leader in the future, what happened to Optimus? Fortunately, Optimus calmed his lieutenant down and welcomed the trio of future Autobots into his forces.

Working with the present day Autobots was not easy for Rodimus, as he was well aware of the fate that awaited them. On a number of occasions, he struggled with his knowledge of the future, knowing he could prevent a [[Battle of Autobot City| great tragedy]] but could also cause untold damage to the timestream by doing so. He also showed some interest in Arcee when he attempted to give her a precious stone he'd found during a mission to a mine, only for the female Autobot to scold him for taking something that didn't belong to him. Luckily for him, Optimus stepped in and settled things by ordering Rodimus and Arcee to return the stone. That Optimus makes one heck of a wingman.

After several false leads, the quartz was eventually located, serving as the power source of the [[ELTA]] power transmission array. After fighting their way through the likes of Cyclonus, Scourge, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and both Soundwave and his future counterpart Soundblaster, Rodimus and Optimus engaged Megatron and Galvatron in a two-on-two battle over ELTA, using the power of their twin Matrices to stop the computer from self-destructing. Once the dust from the fight had settled, Starscream reemerged and snatched up the Zel Quartz, only to promptly take it off-planet, where it disintegrated without Zel Samine's atmosphere and electromagnetic properties to sustain it. With their future thus averted, Rodimus and his Autobots began fading away to rejoin the timestream. Before they disappeared, Rodimus attempted to warn Optimus of the coming dangers in the future, including his Optimus's death (for which Rodimus continued to blame himself), but Optimus silenced him, telling him that he did not need to know what the future held. Rodimus told Optimus that he would always be the greatest leader in Autobot history, but Optimus told him that he was merely a soldier who loved justice, and that that was all Rodimus needed to be too.

'''Decepticon Version'''

Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave encountered Rodimus Prime while investigating the presence of unknown craft over Zel Samine. Rodimus was stunned to see the Decepticon [[Emperor of Destruction]] before reminding himself of the era he was in. For his part, Megatron thought he was facing Hot Rod, but quickly realised his mistake. After a short, sharp fight that saw Rodimus defeated, Megatron was distracted enough by the appearance of Galvatron to allow the future Autobot to escape.

Rodimus would again battle Megatron as well as Galvatron at the ELTA power transmission array, this time alongside his hero Optimus Prime. He was shocked that despite the fact the two Primes were working together, they were still defeated. When Megatron and Galvatron resolved to destroy the ELTA array Rodimus pleaded with them to stop, pointing out that the array generated a massive amount of energy, the same energy the Decepticons so loved. Sadly, the two Emperors of Destruction felt that with the Zel Quartz now in their possession, they no longer needed the array and proceeded to destroy it with their combined power. The wounded Rodimus barely escaped.

He presumably returned to the future alongside all the future Transformers when Starscream unwittingly rendered the Zel Quartz powerless. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
{{main|Hot Rod (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
[[Image:RodimusPrime-earlymodel.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"Hey, ladies. Look at your G1 Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime toys, now back to us, now back at your toys, now back to us."]]
* Like the rest of the 1986 movie's original characters, Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime had early designs by [[Floro Dery]] which the toys were based on, and then final models were drawn from the toys. Both designs had revised heads that made it into the ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profile books and subsequent Marvel comic book appearances.
** Rodimus Prime's early model appears to carry the trailer of the truck on his back, plus additional [[kibble]] on the back of his forearms. If only there were art of the back of this design. We'd plotz.
**Both Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime's character models suggest that the windshield and roof of their respective vehicles form the pelvic area, including little side windows on their hips. The animation studio [[AKOM]] even colored his crotch like his windshield. Unsurprisingly, this has never been duplicated on any toy, although the Masterpiece version makes a nod to it with a transparent groin plate with indentations underneath denoting two seats and a steering wheel.
**Meanwhile, both sets of wheels are on Hot Rod's arms in his character model, as they are intended to span the entire length of the vehicle. His wristcuffs are intended to become the vehicle's taillights. This also has never been duplicated on any toy.
**Much of Hot Rod's early model seemed to form the basis of Rodimus Prime's finished model. (Though given that nearly everybody else from the movie had a totally redrawn finished model, we wouldn't be surprised if there's a more-final-er model out there.)
**According to earliest materials (also the source of the earliest Hot Rod head seen in this section's first image), Rodimus Prime's original name was '''Hot Rodimus'''.

[[Image:Hotrodrodimuscharactermodels.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Rodimus is always embarrassed by his yearbook photos.]]
*Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime look very similar in fiction, but there are ways to distinguish them by sight.
**Rodimus Prime's character model has extra lines on his face that go from the bottom of his nose and connect to another line forming a triangle shape. Hot Rod's cheeks are more clear and youthful.
**Despite their toys being the same color of red, the cartoon series rendered Hot Rod as magenta, and Rodimus a dark shade of burgundy (the movie, however, made Rodimus the same color as Hot Rod). In addition to repeatedly getting the two character models mixed up, sometimes the animation would depict one model colored as the other.
**In Marvel stories, Hot Rod was also colored almost entirely magenta, with a yellow spoiler and flame deco, but with silver thighs instead of orange. Whoever did the Marvel deco sheet seems to have been looking at the [[:Image:Pinkrod.jpg|original toy photos]] and colored the thighs like the toy's silver stickers. While Marvel Hot Rod was stark magenta, Marvel Rodimus was colored in the reds, oranges and yellows of his toy. Future comics and toys would ignore any differences in color between the character's two forms, presenting them both in the original toy colors (see the image at the head of the article for a good example).
**The Japanese ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon, in addition to featuring the coloration differences of the Generation 1 cartoon, also added some extra lines around the perimeter of Rodimus's eyes to further distinguish him from Hot Rod. These odd-looking lines appeared only intermittently, thankfully so—they made Rodimus look like he was wearing robo-mascara. The ''Headmasters'' Rodimus Prime character model also moved the wheel kibble from the back of the arms to the front, to better approximate their position on the toy.

* In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Hot Rod does not transform the same way twice.

[[Image:RodimusPrimeG1-trailermanagement.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Maybe his Mobile Defense Bay is just an extra set of legs!]]
* Rodimus Prime's toy followed the model set by Optimus Prime before him by having a trailer that disconnected and transformed into a battle station (in this case, called the "[[Mobile Defense Bay]]"). Unlike Prime's [[Combat Deck]], however, Rodimus's Defense Bay failed to make the leap to fiction, with the cartoon simply depicting his trailer as somewhat unfeasibly folding up into his legs and body <ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/stories/tfpulp/8704TVM/k.gif Image of Rodimus Prime's animated transformation scheme from TV Magazine]</ref> (barring a few animation errors that depicted it as a separate unit). This transformation scheme was realized in toy form with Rodimus's 6" ''[[Titanium Series]]'' action figure.

* A lot of early secondary material uses Hot Rod and Rodimus in ways that don't fit the main Movie-established dynamic, as with stories from the same era that portrayed Megatron and Galvatron as separate beings, this was likely to avoid spoiling the Movie's ending.

*Voice actor Ted Schwartz was originally cast to succeed [[Judd Nelson]] as the voice of Rodimus Prime for the third season of the animated series, but was subsequently replaced by [[Dick Gautier]]. Before his replacement, however, Schwartz recorded Rodimus's lines for several episodes (most likely all five parts of "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]"), and although Gautier re-recorded the dialogue, technical oversight led to some of Schwartz's readings making it into the finished episodes. He can be heard delivering all of Rodimus's lines in the recap for [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1|part 1]] that plays at the beginning of [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2|part 2]], and speaking one line during the scene on [[Goo 8739B]] in [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3|part 3]].

* Hot Rod might be the ''Transformers'' character with the most names in the US. From "Hot Rod" to "Rodimus Prime", to "Rodimus Major" to just plain "Rodimus". Varieties of "Rodimus" appear to be how he will be for a while, as Hasbro appears to be unable to secure the [[trademark]] on "Hot Rod".

* [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s powered up form has a color scheme which resembles Hot Rod's.

* Aside from the ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Rodimus (Energon)|namesake character]], Hot Rod has also been [[Homage|homaged]] twice (or possibly thrice depending on how you look at it) in the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. For ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the "[[Powerlinx]]" upgrade of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] was given a very Hot-Rod-inspired deco. In ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] made a redeco of Hot Shot (well, "Exillion"), who already had some Hot Rod homage elements in his toy design, with Hot Rod deco as a DVD-pack-in [[exclusive]]. [[Hasbro]] then took this deco, altered it, and released it in the US line at mass retail as the new character [[Excellion (Cybertron)|Excellion]].

* At [[BotCon 2002]], [[Dick Gautier]] "confirmed", jokingly, that Rodimus Prime is gay.

* This Rodimus Prime, along with the original [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] makes a cameo appearance as one of the four elders who began the [[space bridge]] project in the ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' episode "[[Balance]]".

===Foreign names===
====Hot Rod====
*''Japanese:'' '''Hot Rodimus''' (ホットロディマス ''Hotto Rodimasu'')
*''English:'' '''Roadimus Prime''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''French:'' '''Météorite''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Nagyágyú''' ("Hot Shot"), '''Peca''' (''The Movie'', "Fisher")
*''Italian:'' '''Folgore'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rod''' (Taiwan, 羅德 ''Lúo Dé''), '''Rè Pò''' (China, 热破, "Hot Break")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Roda Quente''' (Portugal comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Patron''' (cartoon, Патрон, "Cartridge")

====Rodimus Prime====
*''Japanese:'' '''Rodimus Convoy''' (ロディマスコンボイ ''Rodimasu Konboi'')
*''French:'' '''Rodimus Primo''' (Canada toy, "Rodimus First"), '''Rodimus Primus''' (Canada cartoon)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Rodimusz Fővezér''' ("Prime Commander Rodimus")
*''Italian:'' '''Captain'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rhodie Jr-tsūn''' (Taiwan, 羅迪至尊, "Rodimus Prime"), '''Bǔ Tīan Shì''' (China, 补天士, "Soldier Who [[Wikipedia:Nüwa|Repairs the Sky]]")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rodimus Supremo''' (Portugal comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Rodomes Prime''' (cartoon, Родомес Прайм)
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Rodimus Najkrashhyj''' (cartoon, Родімус Найкращий, "Rodimus The Best")

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

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

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy Autobots]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Brainstorm (G1)

2011-11-22T18:53:44Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Headmaster character|the Marvel comic issue|Brainstorm!}}
:''Brainstorm is an [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:Brainstormg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hey, we just met. Want to be my head?]]
'''Brainstorm''' believes that all of society's problems can be resolved so long as ideas can be developed free of outside constraints. This is understandable, as Brainstorm is a never-ending font of ideas. Even when he isn't consciously working on one of his projects or even when he's in the middle of a fight, new ideas are the background noise of his mind. Brainstorm thinks so much, he sometimes causes his brain to overheat. He looks forward to a time when military demands no longer frame his creative output.

Brainstorm is at least partly responsible for developing the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process. It's sometimes hard to tell how much of it was his doing and how much was his Headmaster partner [[Arcana]]'s, the two work together so seamlessly.

{{note|Brainstorm was quite different in Japan's [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'' animated series]]. See below for details.}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Brainstormtrialbyfire.jpg|left|250px|thumb|He's green, dammit! Green!]]
After [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and his troops aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] went missing, Brainstorm was one of several under the leadership of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. Their faction was mired in a seemingly endless war with a band of [[Decepticon]]s led by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], in a struggle so pointless and self-perpetuating that Fortress Maximus decided to leave [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and its war and settle on the peaceful planet [[Nebulos]]. Brainstorm followed Fortress Maximus's lead, building the ''[[Steelhaven]]'' and departing their war-torn home.

It would not be so easy. The [[Nebulan|Nebulans]] were xenophobic towards the strange robots which invaded their world, and after several missteps in communication, Fortress Maximus, Brainstorm, and a handful of others surrendered their heads as hopeful proof of their benevolence and compliance. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

[[Image:Brainstormworldsapart.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Brainstorm would rather fight and die than live with the knowledge that he ran.]]
When the Decepticons arrived on Nebulos, Fortress Maximus and Brainstorm convinced [[Galen]] to attempt the creation of hybrid warriors through a bio-mechanical engineering process. An experimental surgeon named [[Arcana]] constructed the necessary equipment based on the Autobots' theories and underwent the process himself along with several other Nebulans, [[binary bonding]] with Brainstorm. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}}

''During an adventure that happened at some unspecified point that was logically impossible given the circumstances, Brainstorm and the other Autobot Headmasters fought the Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] while the Autobot [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]] were held captive by the Decepticons. Mindwipe hypnotized Brainstorm, causing him to crash into [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], and in general, the Autobots put up a terrible fight. But Brainstorm refused to give up and abandon their captured comrades. The four attacked the Decepticons' [[Fortress of Despair]] and were overwhelmed, but because the Autobots learned to work together with their new Nebulan partners, they were able to rescue the Targetmasters. {{storylink|Worlds Apart!}}''

The new Headmasters managed to drive off the Decepticons, but also inadvertently created a new "arms race", as the Decepticons later created Headmasters of their own, and both sides also implemented Targetmaster warriors as well. Fearing things could only get worse for Nebulos, Fortress Maximus and Galen took the excuse of an intercepted distress signal from Earth to abandon Nebulos and prevent the war from causing any further harm to the planet. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

On the way to Earth, Brainstorm re-engineered Fortress Maximus to be larger and stronger than ever before. Then, he and Arcana managed to triangulate the Autobot signal to [[Mount St. Hilary]]. This led into their first battle with Scorponok's forces on Earth and to the death of Galen. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}

As the ''Steelhaven'' orbited the Earth, Brainstorm was kept busy building [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] a new body, repairing the injured Fortress Maximus and assisting in the creation of the Autobot [[Pretender|Pretenders]]. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} Unfortunately, those projects used up most of the group's available resources and prevented the proper recreation of Optimus Prime. The project proceeded despite Brainstorm's accurate warnings of failure. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[Image:Tastybrainstorm.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Can Unicron detect how much cinnamon is packed into every bite of Brainstorm?]]''Brainstorm was displaced to [[Limbo]] along with a handful of other Autobots when [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] traveled to the past with a group of Autobots of his own. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''
Later, he was one of the victims of a rogue Autobot Mark V Guardian droid, which resulted in him being thrown from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and landing at the feet of Optimus Prime. Brainstorm's flaming body helped contribute to the Autobot leader regaining his desire to fight. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

Brainstorm was killed when [[Unicron]] ravaged [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in 1991. Even Brainstorm's vast intellect failed him when confronted with the devil himself, so he simply screamed and shot desperately until Unicron scooped him up. He was quite tasty. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

{{-}}
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Bell]] (English), [[Hiroshi Naka]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Brainstormspike.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Okay, we'll become Headmasters, but you gotta take the old man."]]Brainstorm was first seen on Cybertron, touting his new theory that an integration of human and Autobot would dramatically enhance their fighting abilities. Most of the other Autobots, though, thought he was a crackpot. Things turned around when he and a group of Autobots met a band of freedom fighters while stranded on the planet Nebulos. With several comrades kidnapped and the safety of the <s>MacGuffin</s> [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] in jeopardy, the Autobots arranged to bond with the Nebulan soldiers. Their heads were reconstructed to accommodate Nebulan passengers and then "transform" around their partners as personal battle armor. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

[[Image:Brainstormrebirthvehicle.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Uh, Arcana, he has a cockpit.]]
With the help of their partners, the Autobot Headmasters freed their comrades and drove off the Decepticons. Unfortunately, their foes then joined forces with the freedom fighters' enemies, a group of evil machinesmiths called the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]]. They also created a new form of binary bonding called Targetmasters. The revitalized Decepticons returned and engaged the Autobots in battle anew. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] detected the key on Brainstorm and managed to disarm him. Several Hive agents then swarmed Brainstorm and removed the key from him, but he was able to run a full spectrum exo-scan on [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], one of the Targetmaster partners, before they got away. With that information, Brainstorm was able to recreate the Targetmaster process for the Autobots. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}

Returning to Cybertron in pursuit of the key and the new Decepticon city-base, Scorponok, Brainstorm and the others joined forces with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], and their partners were instrumental in reversing the chamber's power to usher in a new [[Golden Age]] for Cybertron. In the aftermath, Brainstorm and the Headmasters returned to Nebulos to clear out the Hive's machines and restore the planet to peace and prosperity. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
{{note|In Japan, "Brainstorm" is the name for the combined small head-robot and [[transtector]] body. When separated from the large, lifeless robot body, the head unit is called '''Cana'''.}}
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Ryōichi Tanaka]] (Japanese)

{{charstubfiction}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
Brainstorm was one of the newest Autobot recruits added to their ranks when Optimus Prime rose to become Supreme Commander. [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] didn't think much of Brainstorm's chances of survival in the early days of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13#"Old Ways"|Old Ways}}

Brainstorm briefly appeared among the Autobot troops fighting [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and the Decepticons on Cybertron in the distant past. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}}

[[Image:AHM15_Brainstorm.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
He was later stationed at the [[Kimia Facility]], working on lots of experimental technology and weaponry for the Autobot cause. Brainstorm was often considered the insane standard that all other weapon designers in Kimia held themselves to. More than any other Autobot, he had beaten a path to [[Room 113]] where his creations were time and time again rejected by the [[Ethics Committee]] as violations of the [[Non-Conventional Weapons Act]]. Undaunted by the rejections, Brainstorm continued to dream up more outlandish and dangerous weapons in his time at Kimia. His most daring inventions were referred to as the "[[Unmentionable]]s". {{storylink|Bullets}}

On [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s orders, he (alongside [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]) used [[Pretender]] technology to rebuild [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] into a sane, rejuvenated 'bot. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15#"Everything in Its Right Place"|Everything in Its Right Place}}

At [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]]'s request, Brainstorm agreed to go over the gun that misfired the [[cerebro-sensitive bullet]] into Ironfist's skull, looking for what went wrong with the firing mechanism. Brainstorm let the review fall into his backlog for several months, probably because Ironfist neglected to mention the accident had left a bullet in his skull, slowly killing him. Brainstorm finally reported back just as Ironfist was leaving for the [[Wrecker]]s, revealing his findings that showed the gun had been rigged to go off at a certain angle. The saboteur, [[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]], wasn't apprehended until nine months later, so Brainstorm apparently did nothing to follow up on his findings after alerting Ironfist. {{storylink|Bullets}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
Brainstorm and the other scientists were caught by surprise when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweep]]s invaded Kimia. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}} He survived and managed to escape before the facility's destruction, leaving in an escape pod together with [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and a number of other Autobots. They were soon rescued by [[Arcee (G1)|"a psychopath in pink armor"]]. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} From her, they learned that they had to save the universe by stopping [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] from letting the [[Dead Universe]] into it. Brainstorm had a hard time grasping all this, since it took her five times to go through it. He argued with her, saying that her and Hardhead have had more time to understanding it. Together with Chromedome wondered if any species other than Cybertronians ever had to deal with this kind of problem. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===

Brainstorm was kidnapped by the Decepticons and held captive on the Jail planet by [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]]. He was rescued by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and his other comrades, and in turn helped rescue those who were still imprisoned. Once they had reunited, Brainstorm and the others met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] for the last battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter von Gomm]]

====Autobot story====
{{Note|Brainstorm was available as a playable character in the Autobot campaign during the second playthrough.}}

====Decepticon story====
Brainstorm, believing he was the match of the Decepticon leader, challenged [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s march on [[Zel Samine]] as his forces made their way through an array of wind turbines. They handed his aft to him, leaving Brainstorm shocked and confused; how could his frontal attack against superior forces have failed?

He retreated to formulate a new plan.

Later, at ELTA, [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and Brainstorm joined forces to battle the Decepticons again, to no avail. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Brainstorm toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|no no no no no no no]]
*'''Brainstorm''' (1987)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-104'''
**''Accessories'': "Arcana" Headmaster pilot, left & right "High-Energy [[Photon pulse cannon|Photon Pulse Cannons]]"

: Brainstorm transforms into a turquoise Cybertronic fighter craft. Both of Brainstorm's twin pistols attach to the front of his alt-mode's nosecone to extend it and augment it with two canard wings. As with all larger Headmaster toys, Brainstorm features both a cockpit suitable for his partner, Arcana, to sit in and an abbreviated [[Tech Spec|Tech Specs]] bar graph inside his chest hidden under a hinged panel. When a compatible Headmaster head is plugged into the socket on Brainstorm's body, the bars will show three of that character's Tech Specs.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Brainstorm/brainstorm.htm More information on Brainstorm at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
==Notes==
[[Image:G1BrainstormOriginalHead.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Please find us clearer footage.]]
[[Image:Brainstormpretenderscommercial.jpg|right|150px|thumb|His blue period.]]
* In early planning stages, the Large Headmasters were to have differently styled heads that would be replaced by their more familiar heads during the Headmaster process. A [[commercial]] for [[Ring of Hate!|Headmasters #1]] featuring animation of Brainstorm and others is the only time these designs were used.
* The Headmasters appeared in a second commercial with much more sophisticated animation. In this entry, we see the Autobot Headmasters lined up in vehicle modes as their Nebulan partners run up into their cockpits and then launch into an attack. [http://youtube.com/watch?v=dDSemtc0JaU]
* Additional footage of the Headmasters featured in the animated introduction to the first commercial for the [[Pretender|Pretenders]]. As Brainstorm battles [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], the narration claims that after a series of defeats, the Autobots are required to up the ante by developing Pretender technology.
* In all three of these commercials, Brainstorm is colored in his [[Marvel Comics]] colors rather than his color scheme seen in "[[The Rebirth]]", with his dark green and orange being replaced with cyan and yellow.
* Brainstorm is a Christian! In the [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|''Headmasters'' cartoon]] episode "[[The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery]]", when the Headmasters encounter a massacre on the planet [[Praum]], he crosses himself. (This is ''slightly'' less bizarre than it seems; the space frontier colony [[Iron Town]] includes a robot-scaled Church with a cross on it.)

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Cana''' (カーナ ''Kāna''), '''Brainstorm''' (ブレインストーム ''Bureinsutōmu'')
*''French:'' '''Cerveau''' (Canada, "Brain")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Agytröszt''' ("Brain-trust, an expression for a genius")
*''Italian:'' '''Goblin'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Burn''' (Taiwan, 伯恩 ''Bó Ēn''), '''Xiao Zhuge''' (China, 小诸葛, "Little [[Wikipedia:Zhuge Liang|Zhuge Liang]]")
*''Russian:'' '''Fantazjor''' (Фантазёр, "Dreamer")
{{--}}

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

[[Category:Engineers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]

Sureshot (G1)

2011-11-22T18:48:44Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the way-bad [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] Autobot Targetmaster|the [[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] European Hero Prime [[redeco]]|Sureshot (G2)}}
{{picsneeded}}

:''Sureshot is an [[Autobot]] [[Targetmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:G1 Sureshot boxart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Dammit, [[Weirdwolf]]! Stop peeing on my lawn!!]]
'''Sureshot''' is [[Michiyamenotehi Funana|an ego]] that holds a gun. 

''He's too skillful for his chestplate, too skillful for his chestplate.'' 
''His shooting is great. And he's too much for [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and even [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]],'' 
''[[Femax]] and [[Nebulon]].'' 

''And he's too skillful to take orders'' 
''Or work with stupid [[human|stubbies]].'' 
''The [[Optimus Prime (G1)|big red guy]] can stuff it.'' 

''He's a marksman—you know what that means—'' 
''And he shoots his laser gun on the front lines...'' 
''On the front lines, on the front lines, yeah.'' 
''He shoots his laser gun on the front lines.'' 

''And he's too skillful for this song...''

Sureshot would probably be pleased if [[Hasbro|a toy company]] produced a replica of his marvelous self, but extremely annoyed if said replica were [[Sureshot (G2)|a redeco of an Optimus Prime toy]].

Sureshot's [[Targetmaster]] partner [[Spoilsport]] is just as good at marksmanship as him, and he hates that.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
Sureshot was one of many Autobots living in an unnamed city on Cybertron. The city was eventually incinerated by Scorponok's Decepticons; Sureshot was among the numerous Autobots captured and marched off toward the [[smelting pool]]s. Only a timely attack by Fortress Maximus's band saved them, driving off their Decepticon captors.

Sureshot apparently joined Fortress Maximus's group at this point; he was part of the group of Autobots who abandoned the war under the leadership of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], attempting to give peace a chance on the new world of [[Nebulos]]. Their efforts at peaceful coexistence with the natives were destabilized by mistrust and treachery, however, prompting Fortress Maximus to make a desperate bid for peace. Sureshot was one of nearly a dozen Autobots who gave up their personal weapons to the Nebulans as a sign of cooperation—a major sacrifice for Sureshot, to be sure. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

The arrival of the Decepticons was almost beneficial for the Autobots, as it compelled the Autobots and Nebulans to work together by [[binary bonding]] into integrated [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] pairings. After [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and his army made a deal with the unscrupulous Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] and became Headmasters themselves, though, they were able to use Zarak's connections and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnotic power to turn public Nebulan sentiment against the Autobots. Sureshot and many of his fellow warriors were still weaponless, and now leaderless after Fortress Maximus and the Headmasters were captured by Zarak's crew. Luckily, some Nebulans still believed in Max's partner, [[Galen|Peer Galen]], and had themselves bio-mechanically engineered to transform into weapons that would replace those the Autobots lost. In defending the Nursery botanical gardens, Sureshot first combined with his Nebulan partner [[Spoilsport]] as an Autobot [[Targetmaster]]. Shortly thereafter, the Autobots chose to abandon Nebulos rather than allow the war to continue raging over an innocent new world. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

Sureshot and the other Autobots made their way to Earth and eventually came under the command of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Sureshot didn't see any major action under Prime's command and was actually taken down inside the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s hallways when a crazed [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]/[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] fusion...thingy went rampaging through the ship. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}} He was repaired in short order by [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] and was up and active by the time [[Primus]] summoned all the Transformers of Earth back to Cybertron to do battle with [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} A destroyed vehicle resembling Sureshot was seen in the aftermath of the battle with the Planet-Eater. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Steve Bulen]] (English), [[Ken Narita]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Sureshot lefty.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Sureshot will fight left-handed; otherwise, it's over too quickly.]]
Sureshot was first seen hanging around with [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Brainstorm]] and several others on Cybertron when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] radioed in to warn them that the Decepticons were coming for an assault. How many Decepticons, you ask? ALL of them. It seemed [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] had learned of the Plasma Energy Chamber, the foundry in which the original Autobot bodies were forged, and had a plan to take the Chamber's key, open it, and turn the massive energies within to his advantage. Sureshot and his allies managed to get the key back from Galvatron's lackey, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], just before a blast of [[plasma energy]] sent their shuttle rocketing through space. They eventually crash-landed on the planet Nebulos and were captured by machine-hating rebels who mistook the Autobots for creations of their enemies, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]].

When the Decepticons arrived, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] was able to convince the Nebulan leader [[Gort]] to release the Autobots to fight for them. Mere moments after the energy bonds were undone, though, Sureshot was disabled by the Decepticons' opening volley of laser fire. The 'Cons disengaged after a short battle, taking the fallen Autobots with them as leverage and to torture them for the location of the key. After applying Brainstorm's ideas for bio-mechanical engineering to themselves and the Nebulans to become Headmasters, the free Autobots assaulted the Decepticons and managed to reclaim Sureshot and the rest of their comrades.

[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], Scourge and the other Decepticons then made a devil's bargain with Zarak and the Hive, creating Decepticon Headmasters and a new variant in binary bonding: Targetmasters. Their enhancements proved effective, and they managed to steal back the key from the Autobots. On the other hand, Brainstorm's exo-scanner captured a full bodyscan of a Targetmaster warrior, allowing him to recreate the process and turn Sureshot and several others into Autobot Targetmasters, binary bonded to six Nebulan sharpshooters. Having created two giant transforming starships as well, Scorponok and later Fortress Maximus, the Transformers carried the battle back to Cybertron, where the power of the Plasma Energy Chamber was ultimately reversed back into the planet's core, revitalizing Cybertron back to what it was in the Golden Age. Sureshot and the -Master warriors were last seen returning to Nebulos to cleanse the planet of the Hive's evil machines. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1|The Rebirth}}

===''The Headmasters'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Masaharu Satō]] (Japanese)

Sureshot was part of an elite trio of Autobots, along with [[Pointblank]] and [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]]. Contrary to what SOME 'bots may have said, he was no friend of [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]'s. He and his comrades came to Fortress's aid shortly after the deaths of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and Galvatron changed the course of the war. They became involved in a mission to dispose of deadly plasma energy bombs when everything became complicated by the arrival of a Decepticon space squad and a ship of refugees trying to flee from the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]]. The bombs ended up going off during the battle, and several Autobots and Decepticons were bathed with plasma energy. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}}

The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] recovered the unconscious Sureshot and his friends from space. Miraculously, the three Autobots had not only survived the explosion, each of them had also been fused to one of the Master refugees in a kind of symbiotic combination. The smaller Master robot known as Spoilsport could now transform into a powerful weapon and affix himself to Crosshairs' hand, creating a Targetmaster. Pointblank and his men seemed cocky before, but their newfound power made them almost unbearable. Sureshot and Crosshairs had to get between Pointblank and the Headmasters when their leader simply would not shut up about how awesome he was. After the Autobots arrived on Master, [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] were triple-teamed by the new Targetmasters. Perhaps not considering the [[Horrorcon]]s worthy of their new powers, Sureshot and the Targetmasters spent the whole battle unarmed and in vehicle mode, and still royally smacked the chips out of the two Decepticons. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)}}

Sureshot continued to serve on Master with Pointblank and Fortress. He and his fellow Targetmasters were involved in the battle for data on the [[Master Sword]]. {{storylink|The Master Sword Is in Danger!!}} While in orbit around Master in the Battleship Maximus, the Targetmasters spot [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] spying on them, and chase him and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundblaster]] back to the planet's surface. Their pursuit was interrupted by the arrival of the Decepticon Targetmasters, who tried to eliminate the Autobots by blasting open a natural reservoir, washing Sureshot and his friends away in a massive wave. The Targetmasters survived, however, and located the Decepticons' secret cavern base. They sent out their small partners to covertly investigate the base, but the loud and bolsterous arrival of [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and the Headmasters made stealth impossible, and so a battle was joined. {{storylink|The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide}}

Sureshot and the Targetmasters continued working with Fortress's army against Scorponok and were involved in the final [[Head Formation]] that destroyed Mega Zarak at the North Pole. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
Following the destruction of Cybertron's [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] supply by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Sureshot was on [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s team for a mission to destroy the [[Nullification Cannon]]. After they broke into the Decepticon's hidden base, Optimus went on alone, and succeeded in destroying the Cannon. Blurr and Sureshot helped him limp away from the destruction. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

===3H ''Universe'' continuity===
Sureshot, Crosshairs, and [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], were part of a rescue team sent to [[Japan]] to retrieve [[Doctor Fujiyama the Famous Scientist|Doctor Fujiyama]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] from an all-out assault of an army of [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbirds]]. Sureshot had the task of suppressing Fujiyama's latest blunder. {{storylink|Departure}}

===IDW comics continuity===
Sureshot was a crewman aboard the ''[[Ark-27]]'' under the command of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. He was seated next to the navigator station, so he could have been in charge of anything from sensor operations to communications to helm control. With his pride in his shooting, though, weapons seems a good bet. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
Sureshot was present when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweep]]s invaded Kimia. He survived the massacre and got away aboard an escape pod piloted by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and [[Brainstorm]]. They were soon rescued by [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} She told the survivors about [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s misguided plans to save the universe (which would actually destroy it), then brought them to Cybertron to put a stop to it. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Sureshot''' (Targetmaster, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-105'''
**''Accessories'': "Spoilsport" Targetmaster partner

: Sureshot transforms into a Cybertronic buggy somewhat resembling a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Baja buggy]]. As a Targetmaster, he can hold in his hand or mount on his vehicle-mode roof any Targetmaster gun (or any weapon that uses a 5mm peg). He came with his partner, [[Spoilsport]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Sureshot/sureshot.htm More information on Sureshot at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
*Sureshot's [[character model]] (to be precise, his Japanese one from ''The Headmasters'' rather than his Western one) was recolored and used in ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' to make the "[[arrogant Autobot officer]]".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Sureshot''' (サーショット ''Sāshotto'')
*''French:'' '''Tirexact''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Dragster'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Sasha''' (Taiwan [[Omni Productions]] dub, 沙夏 ''Shā Hsìa'')

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

[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]

Swerve (G1)

2011-11-22T18:44:55Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

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

[[Image:Swerve.toy.boxart.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Someone's GOT to get this boy some defensive driving DVDs.]]
'''Swerve''' is a menace to anyone driving nearby. He's easily distracted by just about anything that catches his attention. Despite this, he's quite intelligent and skilled as a metallurgist, analyzing the properties of a material with unique sensors in his hands. When he gets caught up in a scientific problem, he becomes almost laser-like in focus and intensity. Unfortunately, this generally leaves him just as distracted from any other tasks at hand and just as accident-prone a driver as ever. Swerve and "traffic accident" just go hand in hand. He's almost always in need of some repairs, major or minor, because of it.

Now if only [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Prime]] could get him to not get easily distracted when receiving his orders too...

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Minoru Inaba]] (Japanese)

[[Image:FFOD Part5 Swerve.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Now we know why he refuses to play in the sand.]]
Swerve participated in the defense of the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] in 2006, but was trod upon by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}} Later, after the [[Quintesson]] scientist [[Inquirata]] attempted to change history by removing the Autobot resistance leader known as [[Alpha Trion (G1)|A3]] from the past, a race Swerve was participating in repeated itself in an endless loop due to the ripples in the timestream. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

{{-}}
====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic ====
[[Image:4WheeldriveBrigade1.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Swerve appeared on Earth as a member of the [[4-Wheel-Drive Brigade]]. Led by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], the Brigade confronted the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] out in the desert, only to be caught in an explosive mine trap and fall into a pit. Working together, Swerve and the others combined their Scramble Power and worked their way free of the pit. A concentrated Scrumbuster attack drove off the Decepticons, and the Autobots won the day. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:BlackSunshine Autobot training failures.jpg|left|180px|thumb|]]
Swerve was on Cybertron observing the anti-Prime propaganda that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] pumped through the data-net after retrieving the ''Ark'''s crew from [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Later, after the Autobots toppled Shockwave and the Decepticons' rule, he was among the group of new recruits seen failing to take on the [[auto-combatant]] training drones on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after Shockwave's rule was toppled. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
Swerve's metallurgical skills prompted [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] to contact him along with several other Transformer scientists with his discovery about Cybertron's dwindling energy reserves. Swerve, like the rest, disregarded Thunderwing's warnings. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}}

In modern times, Swerve was stationed at the [[Kimia Facility]]. He was a fan of the ''[[Wreckers: Declassified]]'' datalogs, although he thought [[Fisitron]] was a bit of a haliographer. {{storylink|Bullets}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
Swerve was present when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweep]]s invaded Kimia. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}} He survived the massacre and got away aboard an escape pod piloted by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and [[Brainstorm]]. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] soon came to rescue them. Everyone seemed to feel the need to remind him in particular not to say something tactless that might set her off. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} After listening to [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and Arcee's explanation of the situation with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], the Heart of Darkness and D-void, he had Hardhead confirm what was going on as he still wasn't quite sure what was going on (Hardhead also told him how to properly pronounce D-void). Once they arrived on Cybertron, Swerve was the first one to bail out of the ship before Arcee rammed it into the planet. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Swerve toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Elbows. I no has them!]]
*'''Swerve''' (Mini-Vehicle, 1986, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-58'''

:Swerve is a [[retool]] of the ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' toy originally used to make [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], and therefore has a similar pickup truck vehicle mode. He is largely maroon and white, with squarer legs and a more elaborate face than Gears.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Swerve/swerve.htm More information on Swerve at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
[[Image:Encore Swerve toy.jpg|250px|thumb|Weird—I crashed into a paint-sprayer, and for some reason, I can see better.]]
*'''Bumble & Minibots''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''10'''

:In 2008, Swerve was reissued in the [[Encore|Transformers Encore]] line, bundled with [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] and [[Outback (G1)|Outback]]. As with his pack-mates, his face paint was given more detailing to resemble his cartoon model better. The spelling of his Japanese name "Werve" was changed from ウェーブ (''Wēbu'') to ウエーブ (''Uēbu'').

{{-}}

===Alternators===
[[Image:Alternator Swerve Toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A new head. We were so spoiled...]]
*'''Swerve''' (Alternator, 2004)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''15'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

:Swerve is a retool of ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and transforms into a [[Wikipedia:Chevrolet Corvette C5|Corvette Z06]] featuring opening doors and hood and a realistic interior. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats. Swerve is armed with his double-barreled engine gun formed from his engine, two pairs of double-barreled slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, making him one of the most heavily armed Alternators toys.

:Only the new robot head and the colors distinguish Swerve from Tracks. He came with a flame hood decal reminiscent of the flames on Tracks's original toy (which was originally available with Tracks's ''[[Binaltech]]'' release), thus making him resemble [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] in vehicle mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/AltSwerve/swerve.htm More information on Alternators Swerve at TFU.info]''

{{--}}
==Notes==
* Swerve and [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] are curiously absent from 1986's ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profile book. The only other missing characters were the two [[Deluxe Vehicle]]s and the four [[Insecticon (G1)|Deluxe Insecticons]], whose absence might be explained by their toys' origins with companies in competition with [[Takara]]. Swerve and Hubcap's omissions, however, appear to be errors; all the other toys in their wave and subgroup were included. The extended, unused TFU entry [http://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/extended-bios.html ended up on ''Disciples of Boltax''].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Werve''' (ウェーブ ''Wēbu''; sometimes ウエーブ ''Uēbu'')
*''French:'' '''Embardo''' (Canada)

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Swerve (G1)

2011-11-22T18:43:48Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

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

[[Image:Swerve.toy.boxart.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Someone's GOT to get this boy some defensive driving DVDs.]]
'''Swerve''' is a menace to anyone driving nearby. He's easily distracted by just about anything that catches his attention. Despite this, he's quite intelligent and skilled as a metallurgist, analyzing the properties of a material with unique sensors in his hands. When he gets caught up in a scientific problem, he becomes almost laser-like in focus and intensity. Unfortunately, this generally leaves him just as distracted from any other tasks at hand and just as accident-prone a driver as ever. Swerve and "traffic accident" just go hand in hand. He's almost always in need of some repairs, major or minor, because of it.

Now if only [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Prime]] could get him to not get easily distracted when receiving his orders too...

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Minoru Inaba]] (Japanese)

[[Image:FFOD Part5 Swerve.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Now we know why he refuses to play in the sand.]]
Swerve participated in the defense of the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] in 2006, but was trod upon by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}} Later, after the [[Quintesson]] scientist [[Inquirata]] attempted to change history by removing the Autobot resistance leader known as [[Alpha Trion (G1)|A3]] from the past, a race Swerve was participating in repeated itself in an endless loop due to the ripples in the timestream. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

{{-}}
====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic ====
[[Image:4WheeldriveBrigade1.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Swerve appeared on Earth as a member of the [[4-Wheel-Drive Brigade]]. Led by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], the Brigade confronted the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] out in the desert, only to be caught in an explosive mine trap and fall into a pit. Working together, Swerve and the others combined their Scramble Power and worked their way free of the pit. A concentrated Scrumbuster attack drove off the Decepticons, and the Autobots won the day. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:BlackSunshine Autobot training failures.jpg|left|180px|thumb|]]
Swerve was on Cybertron observing the anti-Prime propaganda that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] pumped through the data-net after retrieving the ''Ark'''s crew from [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Later, after the Autobots toppled Shockwave and the Decepticons' rule, he was among the group of new recruits seen failing to take on the [[auto-combatant]] training drones on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after Shockwave's rule was toppled. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
Swerve's metallurgical skills prompted [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] to contact him along with several other Transformer scientists with his discovery about Cybertron's dwindling energy reserves. Swerve, like the rest, disregarded Thunderwing's warnings. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}}

In modern times, Swerve was stationed at the [[Kimia Facility]]. He was a fan of the ''[[Wreckers: Declassified]]'' datalogs, although he thought [[Fisitron]] was a bit of a haliographer. {{storylink|Bullets}}

Swerve was present when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweep]]s invaded Kimia. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}} He survived the massacre and got away aboard an escape pod piloted by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and [[Brainstorm]]. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] soon came to rescue them. Everyone seemed to feel the need to remind him in particular not to say something tactless that might set her off.{{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
After listening to [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and Arcee's explanation of the situation with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], the Heart of Darkness and D-void, he had Hardhead confirm what was going on as he still wasn't quite sure what was going on (Hardhead also told him how to properly pronounce D-void). Once they arrived on Cybertron, Swerve was the first one to bail out of the ship before Arcee rammed it into the planet. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Swerve toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Elbows. I no has them!]]
*'''Swerve''' (Mini-Vehicle, 1986, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-58'''

:Swerve is a [[retool]] of the ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' toy originally used to make [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], and therefore has a similar pickup truck vehicle mode. He is largely maroon and white, with squarer legs and a more elaborate face than Gears.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Swerve/swerve.htm More information on Swerve at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
[[Image:Encore Swerve toy.jpg|250px|thumb|Weird—I crashed into a paint-sprayer, and for some reason, I can see better.]]
*'''Bumble & Minibots''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''10'''

:In 2008, Swerve was reissued in the [[Encore|Transformers Encore]] line, bundled with [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] and [[Outback (G1)|Outback]]. As with his pack-mates, his face paint was given more detailing to resemble his cartoon model better. The spelling of his Japanese name "Werve" was changed from ウェーブ (''Wēbu'') to ウエーブ (''Uēbu'').

{{-}}

===Alternators===
[[Image:Alternator Swerve Toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A new head. We were so spoiled...]]
*'''Swerve''' (Alternator, 2004)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''15'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

:Swerve is a retool of ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and transforms into a [[Wikipedia:Chevrolet Corvette C5|Corvette Z06]] featuring opening doors and hood and a realistic interior. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats. Swerve is armed with his double-barreled engine gun formed from his engine, two pairs of double-barreled slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, making him one of the most heavily armed Alternators toys.

:Only the new robot head and the colors distinguish Swerve from Tracks. He came with a flame hood decal reminiscent of the flames on Tracks's original toy (which was originally available with Tracks's ''[[Binaltech]]'' release), thus making him resemble [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] in vehicle mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/AltSwerve/swerve.htm More information on Alternators Swerve at TFU.info]''

{{--}}
==Notes==
* Swerve and [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] are curiously absent from 1986's ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profile book. The only other missing characters were the two [[Deluxe Vehicle]]s and the four [[Insecticon (G1)|Deluxe Insecticons]], whose absence might be explained by their toys' origins with companies in competition with [[Takara]]. Swerve and Hubcap's omissions, however, appear to be errors; all the other toys in their wave and subgroup were included. The extended, unused TFU entry [http://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/extended-bios.html ended up on ''Disciples of Boltax''].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Werve''' (ウェーブ ''Wēbu''; sometimes ウエーブ ''Uēbu'')
*''French:'' '''Embardo''' (Canada)

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Swerve (G1)

2011-11-22T18:37:40Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

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

[[Image:Swerve.toy.boxart.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Someone's GOT to get this boy some defensive driving DVDs.]]
'''Swerve''' is a menace to anyone driving nearby. He's easily distracted by just about anything that catches his attention. Despite this, he's quite intelligent and skilled as a metallurgist, analyzing the properties of a material with unique sensors in his hands. When he gets caught up in a scientific problem, he becomes almost laser-like in focus and intensity. Unfortunately, this generally leaves him just as distracted from any other tasks at hand and just as accident-prone a driver as ever. Swerve and "traffic accident" just go hand in hand. He's almost always in need of some repairs, major or minor, because of it.

Now if only [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Prime]] could get him to not get easily distracted when receiving his orders too...

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Minoru Inaba]] (Japanese)

[[Image:FFOD Part5 Swerve.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Now we know why he refuses to play in the sand.]]
Swerve participated in the defense of the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] in 2006, but was trod upon by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}} Later, after the [[Quintesson]] scientist [[Inquirata]] attempted to change history by removing the Autobot resistance leader known as [[Alpha Trion (G1)|A3]] from the past, a race Swerve was participating in repeated itself in an endless loop due to the ripples in the timestream. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

{{-}}
====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic ====
[[Image:4WheeldriveBrigade1.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Swerve appeared on Earth as a member of the [[4-Wheel-Drive Brigade]]. Led by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], the Brigade confronted the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] out in the desert, only to be caught in an explosive mine trap and fall into a pit. Working together, Swerve and the others combined their Scramble Power and worked their way free of the pit. A concentrated Scrumbuster attack drove off the Decepticons, and the Autobots won the day. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:BlackSunshine Autobot training failures.jpg|left|180px|thumb|]]
Swerve was on Cybertron observing the anti-Prime propaganda that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] pumped through the data-net after retrieving the ''Ark'''s crew from [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Later, after the Autobots toppled Shockwave and the Decepticons' rule, he was among the group of new recruits seen failing to take on the [[auto-combatant]] training drones on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after Shockwave's rule was toppled. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
Swerve's metallurgical skills prompted [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] to contact him along with several other Transformer scientists with his discovery about Cybertron's dwindling energy reserves. Swerve, like the rest, disregarded Thunderwing's warnings. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}}

In modern times, Swerve was stationed at the [[Kimia Facility]]. He was a fan of the ''[[Wreckers: Declassified]]'' datalogs, although he thought [[Fisitron]] was a bit of a haliographer. {{storylink|Bullets}}

Swerve was present when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweep]]s invaded Kimia. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}} He survived the massacre and got away aboard an escape pod piloted by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and [[Brainstorm]]. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] soon came to rescue them. Everyone seemed to feel the need to remind him in particular not to say something tactless that might set her off.{{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
After listening to [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and Arcee's explanation of the situation with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], the Heart of Darkness and D-void, had Hardhead confirm what was going on as he still wasn't sure what was going on (Hardhead also told him how to properly pronounce D-void as he was calling it "devoid"). Once they arrived on Cybertron, they were greeted by a terrible storm that almost killed them all. He then took Arcee's advice on bailing out of there before they crashed by being the first to jump out of the ship. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Swerve toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Elbows. I no has them!]]
*'''Swerve''' (Mini-Vehicle, 1986, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-58'''

:Swerve is a [[retool]] of the ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' toy originally used to make [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], and therefore has a similar pickup truck vehicle mode. He is largely maroon and white, with squarer legs and a more elaborate face than Gears.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Swerve/swerve.htm More information on Swerve at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
[[Image:Encore Swerve toy.jpg|250px|thumb|Weird—I crashed into a paint-sprayer, and for some reason, I can see better.]]
*'''Bumble & Minibots''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''10'''

:In 2008, Swerve was reissued in the [[Encore|Transformers Encore]] line, bundled with [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] and [[Outback (G1)|Outback]]. As with his pack-mates, his face paint was given more detailing to resemble his cartoon model better. The spelling of his Japanese name "Werve" was changed from ウェーブ (''Wēbu'') to ウエーブ (''Uēbu'').

{{-}}

===Alternators===
[[Image:Alternator Swerve Toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A new head. We were so spoiled...]]
*'''Swerve''' (Alternator, 2004)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''15'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

:Swerve is a retool of ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and transforms into a [[Wikipedia:Chevrolet Corvette C5|Corvette Z06]] featuring opening doors and hood and a realistic interior. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats. Swerve is armed with his double-barreled engine gun formed from his engine, two pairs of double-barreled slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, making him one of the most heavily armed Alternators toys.

:Only the new robot head and the colors distinguish Swerve from Tracks. He came with a flame hood decal reminiscent of the flames on Tracks's original toy (which was originally available with Tracks's ''[[Binaltech]]'' release), thus making him resemble [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] in vehicle mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/AltSwerve/swerve.htm More information on Alternators Swerve at TFU.info]''

{{--}}
==Notes==
* Swerve and [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] are curiously absent from 1986's ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profile book. The only other missing characters were the two [[Deluxe Vehicle]]s and the four [[Insecticon (G1)|Deluxe Insecticons]], whose absence might be explained by their toys' origins with companies in competition with [[Takara]]. Swerve and Hubcap's omissions, however, appear to be errors; all the other toys in their wave and subgroup were included. The extended, unused TFU entry [http://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/extended-bios.html ended up on ''Disciples of Boltax''].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Werve''' (ウェーブ ''Wēbu''; sometimes ウエーブ ''Uēbu'')
*''French:'' '''Embardo''' (Canada)

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Swerve (G1)

2011-11-22T18:37:23Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

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

[[Image:Swerve.toy.boxart.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Someone's GOT to get this boy some defensive driving DVDs.]]
'''Swerve''' is a menace to anyone driving nearby. He's easily distracted by just about anything that catches his attention. Despite this, he's quite intelligent and skilled as a metallurgist, analyzing the properties of a material with unique sensors in his hands. When he gets caught up in a scientific problem, he becomes almost laser-like in focus and intensity. Unfortunately, this generally leaves him just as distracted from any other tasks at hand and just as accident-prone a driver as ever. Swerve and "traffic accident" just go hand in hand. He's almost always in need of some repairs, major or minor, because of it.

Now if only [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Prime]] could get him to not get easily distracted when receiving his orders too...

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Minoru Inaba]] (Japanese)

[[Image:FFOD Part5 Swerve.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Now we know why he refuses to play in the sand.]]
Swerve participated in the defense of the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] in 2006, but was trod upon by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}} Later, after the [[Quintesson]] scientist [[Inquirata]] attempted to change history by removing the Autobot resistance leader known as [[Alpha Trion (G1)|A3]] from the past, a race Swerve was participating in repeated itself in an endless loop due to the ripples in the timestream. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

{{-}}
====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic ====
[[Image:4WheeldriveBrigade1.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Swerve appeared on Earth as a member of the [[4-Wheel-Drive Brigade]]. Led by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], the Brigade confronted the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] out in the desert, only to be caught in an explosive mine trap and fall into a pit. Working together, Swerve and the others combined their Scramble Power and worked their way free of the pit. A concentrated Scrumbuster attack drove off the Decepticons, and the Autobots won the day. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:BlackSunshine Autobot training failures.jpg|left|180px|thumb|]]
Swerve was on Cybertron observing the anti-Prime propaganda that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] pumped through the data-net after retrieving the ''Ark'''s crew from [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Later, after the Autobots toppled Shockwave and the Decepticons' rule, he was among the group of new recruits seen failing to take on the [[auto-combatant]] training drones on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after Shockwave's rule was toppled. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
Swerve's metallurgical skills prompted [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] to contact him along with several other Transformer scientists with his discovery about Cybertron's dwindling energy reserves. Swerve, like the rest, disregarded Thunderwing's warnings. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}}

In modern times, Swerve was stationed at the [[Kimia Facility]]. He was a fan of the ''[[Wreckers: Declassified]]'' datalogs, although he thought [[Fisitron]] was a bit of a haliographer. {{storylink|Bullets}}

Swerve was present when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweep]]s invaded Kimia. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}} He survived the massacre and got away aboard an escape pod piloted by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and [[Brainstorm]]. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] soon came to rescue them. Everyone seemed to feel the need to remind him in particular not to say something tactless that might set her off.{{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
After listening to [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and Arcee's explanation of the situation with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], the Heart of Darkness and D-void, had Hardhead confirm what was going on as he still wasn't sure what was going on (Hardhead also told him how to properly pronounce D-void as he was calling it Devoid). Once they arrived on Cybertron, they were greeted by a terrible storm that almost killed them all. He then took Arcee's advice on bailing out of there before they crashed by being the first to jump out of the ship. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Swerve toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Elbows. I no has them!]]
*'''Swerve''' (Mini-Vehicle, 1986, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-58'''

:Swerve is a [[retool]] of the ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' toy originally used to make [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], and therefore has a similar pickup truck vehicle mode. He is largely maroon and white, with squarer legs and a more elaborate face than Gears.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Swerve/swerve.htm More information on Swerve at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
[[Image:Encore Swerve toy.jpg|250px|thumb|Weird—I crashed into a paint-sprayer, and for some reason, I can see better.]]
*'''Bumble & Minibots''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''10'''

:In 2008, Swerve was reissued in the [[Encore|Transformers Encore]] line, bundled with [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] and [[Outback (G1)|Outback]]. As with his pack-mates, his face paint was given more detailing to resemble his cartoon model better. The spelling of his Japanese name "Werve" was changed from ウェーブ (''Wēbu'') to ウエーブ (''Uēbu'').

{{-}}

===Alternators===
[[Image:Alternator Swerve Toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A new head. We were so spoiled...]]
*'''Swerve''' (Alternator, 2004)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''15'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

:Swerve is a retool of ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and transforms into a [[Wikipedia:Chevrolet Corvette C5|Corvette Z06]] featuring opening doors and hood and a realistic interior. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats. Swerve is armed with his double-barreled engine gun formed from his engine, two pairs of double-barreled slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, making him one of the most heavily armed Alternators toys.

:Only the new robot head and the colors distinguish Swerve from Tracks. He came with a flame hood decal reminiscent of the flames on Tracks's original toy (which was originally available with Tracks's ''[[Binaltech]]'' release), thus making him resemble [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] in vehicle mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/AltSwerve/swerve.htm More information on Alternators Swerve at TFU.info]''

{{--}}
==Notes==
* Swerve and [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] are curiously absent from 1986's ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profile book. The only other missing characters were the two [[Deluxe Vehicle]]s and the four [[Insecticon (G1)|Deluxe Insecticons]], whose absence might be explained by their toys' origins with companies in competition with [[Takara]]. Swerve and Hubcap's omissions, however, appear to be errors; all the other toys in their wave and subgroup were included. The extended, unused TFU entry [http://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/extended-bios.html ended up on ''Disciples of Boltax''].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Werve''' (ウェーブ ''Wēbu''; sometimes ウエーブ ''Uēbu'')
*''French:'' '''Embardo''' (Canada)

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Arcee (G1)

2011-11-22T18:25:37Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot|maximal|quintesson|wreckers}}
{{disambig3|Arcee}}
:''Arcee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:ArceeG1-2010storypage.jpg|right|300px|thumb|These aren't high heels, they just forgot to finish building my feet.]]

Most make the mistake of noticing only '''Arcee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Female Transformer|gender]], but these first impressions are quickly expanded upon. Arcee is a merciless and deadly warrior who's an expert in hand-to-hand combat and one of the best sharpshooters on record. The reason for her ferocity is how much she cares for her fellow Autobots and especially the [[human]]s they protect. She knows how fragile her organic companions are, and she's equally aware of the evils the [[Decepticon]]s are capable of. Peers such as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] may be more durable than the humans, but she no less fights to defend them as well. They get in plenty of trouble, so someone has to be the level-headed one. (Some believe Arcee has a [[Transformer romance|romantic]] attraction to either of those two, but that depends on who and when you ask.)

If concern for her friends is her strength, it's regrettably also her weakness. If anything would happen to, say, [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], she might just completely lose it. And she may be quick, but she's not very strong.

She's also [[Rattrap]]'s "[[Relatives|great-aunt]]".

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actress:'' [[Susan Blu]] (English), [[Masako Katsuki]] (Japanese, ''The Movie''), [[Yōko Kawanami]] (Japanese, ''Transformers 2010''), [[Atsuko Yuya]] (Japanese, ''The Rebirth''), [[Carmen Sheila]] (Portuguese)
[[Image:Springerarceecmonwoman.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"I bet you Hot Rod is the Chosen One." "What? He's cute, but ''please''." "Okay, if I'm right, you have to date me instead." "You're on!"]]

During the assault on [[Autobot City]] Arcee was instrumental in helping [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] transform the fortress to repel the [[Decepticon]] invaders, buying precious time for reinforcements and likely saving many lives. She was among the few Autobots to survive [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s savage blitz on the city and to form the small army sent to engage the planet eater, [[Unicron]], who was threatening [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] at the time. Although she was nearly left behind when Unicron's minion [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] attacked, she, along with Autobot leader [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], and his small attack force managed to hold their own against the villain long enough to befriend the citizens of the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], reunite with their lost Autobot comrades, and fight their way into the depths of Unicron where [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] was finally able to open the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and kill the giant foe.

[[Image:ArceeTFMovie.jpg|right|200px|thumb|She, uh, meant to flood the tunnel.]]

Throughout the entire affair, one of Arcee's top priorities was the protection and care of young [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], a human friend of Hot Rod who had wound up on the adventure with her. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

After the Matrix chose Hot Rod to become the new leader of the Autobots, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]], Arcee remained as one of his closest soldiers. She helped fight a surprise attack on the first [[Galactic Olympics]]. When Ultra Magnus, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] were discovered missing, she and Springer took off after the perceived kidnapper. Although they were successful in capturing their quarry, the [[Skuxxoid]], and taking his ship, he deceived them about the identity of his employer. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} This still turned out to be beneficial as they arrived in time to save Rodimus Prime and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] from being pummeled by a mob of Decepticons. When Rodimus learned that the [[Quintesson]]s were the real ones behind the kidnapping, she partook in the rescue mission on [[Quintessa]], saving Magnus, Kup and Spike seconds before the planet was detonated. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}}

She, along with the others, was sent by the explosion to the planet of [[Goo 8739B]] where they were stranded until the Junkions were called in to salvage them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} Although she was only briefly seen in the aftermath, it was assumed she returned to Cybertron with the others, and fought when Galvatron waged a full scale assault on the planet. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

Arcee was among the small group of Autobots that managed to stop a Quintesson plot to use the resurrected body of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] as a sort of sleeper agent to lure the rest of the Autobots into a trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}} She was also seen among the other Autobots cheering when Unicron's plan to connect himself to Cybertron failed. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

[[Image:ArceeDepth.jpg|left|thumb|250px|With this, she won't ''need'' to be a sharpshooter!]]
Later she accompanied a squad sent after Galvatron and his troops who had broken into a secret chamber on Cybertron. This too would turn out to be a Quintesson trap. This time, the Decepticons were fooled into releasing the Quintessons’ dangerous experiments, the [[Trans-Organic]]s, and their most powerful member The [[Dweller]], a giant energy leech that turned all Transformers into energy vampires. After trying to fight off both Galvatron and the Dweller in the dark tunnels, only she and Ultra Magnus were able to escape and warn Rodimus Prime and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] in time to stop the Dweller and turn the other Transformers back to normal. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}
[[Image:OnlyHumanlineup.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The color scheme isn't flattering on a jumpsuit, either.]]

She, along with Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Springer became the targets of crime lord [[Victor Drath]] after busting one too many of his operations. With the help of [[Cobra Commander| Old Snake]], the four Autobots were captured. Their minds were transferred from their bodies into the forms of [[synthoid]] humans. They managed to escape disposal by Drath’s men, and Arcee eventually made it back to Autobot City in an attempt to warn their comrades that their former bodies were going to be used to blow up the city. Being an unrecognizable human, no one believed her, and she was locked in a detention cell instead. Luckily when Ultra Magnus and Springer managed to foil Drath's plan all four Autobots were subsequently returned to their rightful bodies. {{storylink|Only Human}}

[[Image:HeadmasterDanielRebirth1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Daniel has two mommies.]]
The almost maternal connection between Daniel and Arcee was a powerful one, which was only strengthened some time later when Galvatron tried his most ambitious plan. Using the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|Key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], Galvatron tried to release its destructive power. Arcee, along with Hot Rod, Kup, and a large Autobot crew, managed to snatch the key away and escaped to the far off planet of [[Nebulos]]. There, they became embroiled in the Nebulons' struggle for freedom against their own oppressors, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]]. In an effort to combat both the Hive and the Decepticons that had tracked them down, the Autobots and the Nebulons agreed to become partners and developed the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and [[Targetmaster]] processes. Having been critically injured trying to save her from [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]], Arcee chose Daniel to partner with as he now needed an [[exosuit]] to survive and was her ”dearest friend”. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

[[Binary bonding|Binary bonded]], the two proved quite effective in combat as did all the Autobots and, later, Decepticons who became Headmasters and Targetmasters. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} Trying to escape with the key, Arcee and Daniel were captured by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and held prisoner until Spike and [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] were able to break them out of the Decepticon City just before it was blown out into the deep reaches of space by a blast of energy from the Plasma Energy Chamber. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in the Japanese timeline as detailed above, except the events of season 3 are pushed back to 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. Japanese continuity inserts several new stories into the timeline.}}

=====MC Axis comic=====
[[Image:Arcee-modelkit.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"My hair! He shot my hair! Son of a bitch..."]]

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], following a devastating battle, [[Firestar]] and [[Moonracer]] observed their enemies retreating and presumed that things would be quiet for a while. Suddenly, they were attacked from behind by a massive [[Decepticon]]. Arcee immediately saved them by killing the villain with a single shot. Arcee reminded the two Female Autobots that war is especially tough on females. They then pondered whether danger is tripled when three beautiful women are involved. {{storylink|The Transformers (MC Axis manga)|The Transformers: Arcee}}

=====''Story of Binaltech''=====
In the divergent [[universal stream]] of Primax 903.0 Beta, splintered off from the mainstream timeline when the time-tossed Decepticon [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] altered history, Arcee was selected to participate in the [[Timaeus Project]], an Autobot experiment to breach super-dimensional space being carried out on the urging of the mysterious [[Optimus Primal|Protector]], a disembodied spark from the future. Arcee's consciousness was transferred into a [[Binaltech]] body, and after saying goodbye to the Protector, she began her objective: driving in around an accelerator track while a chip in her cerebro-circuitry helped focus her thoughts towards breaching "superspace". Just as she succeeded in opening a rift into higher-dimensional space, however, a Decepticon attack led by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] struck Autobot City. Fearing for the safety of the Protector and the future he represented, Arcee recklessly attempted to go to his rescue, leaping off the track without taking the proper slowdown procedures. Arcee's body was crushed by undissipated kinetic energy, but in her unconscious state, the Protector's spark contacted her, and told her that he was unimportant: it was the Timaeus Project and its researchers who had to be saved. 38 seconds later, Arcee awoke, her spark having been automatically transferred to a spare S-2000 Binaltech unit, and she fulfilled the Protector's wishes, saving the project's human workforce and the [[Alternium|strange object]] that had passed through the rift she had opened. Alas, this allowed Shockwave's agents to capture the Proctor's spark, and bring it to Decepticon leader [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 3}}

When Nemesis Prime resurfaced in Australia, the Autobots confronted him. As Ultra Magnus and the others assaulted the Decepticons directly, Arcee managed to free the Protector from the villains' clutches. The liberated Protector then merged with Optimus Prime, giving him the strength to defeat his evil counterpart. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 4}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms'' comic=====
[[Image:Arcee2010MangaBoogie01.jpg|thumb|200px|left|She's supposed to be ''running''. Seriously.]]

After receiving an SOS signal, Arcee and the Autobots responded to aid the humans. Their rescue efforts were interrupted by Galvatron and the Decepticons, but Rodimus Prime managed to defeat their enemies, and the Autobots flew the refugees to safety. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}}

On another occasion, Arcee and her friends were confronted with five copies of the lost Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. They eventually uncovered Galvatron directing the "[[Megatron Corps]]", and destroyed his drones. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #2}}

Arcee was also present when Ultra Magnus gave a tour of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to a group of human children. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 3|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #3}}

She was present on the planet [[Feminia]] during the Decepticon invasion of the world, as well. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{-}}
=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Yōko Kawanami]] (Japanese)
[[Image:Hmep3_arcee_cries.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Blurr cares not for your pain, woman!]]
In 2011, Arcee was stationed at the Autobots' secondary command post on the planet [[Athenia]] when Cybertron's mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]] began to destabilize, threatening the planet and opening it up to an attack by Decepticons and their new "Headmaster" warriors. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} She remained there with Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Carly]] to hold down the fort while the other Autobots joined the battle on Cybertron, and watched from afar as an object that they believed to be a star also headed for the planet. The "star" was in actuality the colossal spaceship the Maximus, carrying the Autobot Headmasters from their homeworld of planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], and with their added strength, the Autobot forces were able to rout the Decepticons. While Optimus Prime headed into Cybertron's depths to try and stabilize the computer, Arcee helped welcome the Autobot Headmasters to Athenia, and again remained on the planet with Kup and Blurr while most of the other Autobots began searching for the missing Matrix of Leadership on Earth, required to bring Vector Sigma under control. Arcee wept when news of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s death during the quest reached Athenia. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Lack of any further news put Blurr on edge, and Arcee was trying to get him calm down before he drove her nuts when Autobot Headmaster commander [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] announced that he was going to Cybertron to try to help Optimus Prime. Arcee and the others went with him, helping to monitor Vector Sigma while he followed Prime into Cybertron's catacombs. Ultimately, the Matrix was recovered and used to stabilize Vector Sigma, but not before Optimus Prime perished once more, leaving Hot Rod—now Rodimus Prime again—as leader. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

[[Image:Headmasters threestooges.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Arcee, Kup and Blurr counselled Rodimus Prime on how to deal with the Decepticons' newest weapon, the [[Madmachine]]; Arcee put both Blurr and [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] in their place for underestimating the threat. She then watched as Fortress used the technology of Master to resurrect Blaster as Twincast. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}} A little later, Arcee relayed a report from Fortress about the Decepticon conquest of planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]] to Rodimus. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} Later still, she helped track the trajectory of the Decepticons' newest space-borne weapon, the meteorite [[Metamorphose]], and assured Daniel that Fortress's battleship would be able to deal with it before it posed any thread to Athenia. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Receiving a distress call from the planet [[Praum]], Arcee conferred with Kup and Blurr on what to do, since Rodimus himself was on Earth checking up on a report of a new energy discovery. While the Autobot Headmasters went to investigate Praum, Rodimus radioed in that the energy report was a fake, prompting Arcee to re-examine the report and discover it had been given by hypnotised victim of the Decepticon Headmaster [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. Realising the energy report was a distraction, Rodimus headed for Praum and saved the Autobot Headmasters from the ambush waiting for them there. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Chromedome started to develop a crush on Arcee, and the other Headmasters made fun of him by comparing Arcee's looks to the [[Statue of Liberty]]'s. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

[[Image:Hm11 arcee handsonhips.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Yeah, you'll be seeing this a lot if you get married, and it'll always be while you're trying to watch football.]]

When the Decepticons launched another major attack on Cybertron in order to seize control of the new alloy [[cybertonuron]] that Vector Sigma had created, Arcee rushed to the planet to join the battle, though she and Kup were held up by having to stop and pull Blurr out of a chair he'd gotten stuck in. The trio watched as Rodimus and Galvatron battled. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} Unfortunately, the Autobots did not reckon with Decepticon Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], who used [[plasma energy]] bombs to destroy Cybertron, rather than allow Galvatron to obtain the cybertonuron. Rodimus Prime decided to leave leadership to Fortress while he departed to search space for a new homeworld for the Transformers, and Kup and Blurr volunteered to go along with him; Arcee expressed her desire to join them, but Rodimus instructed her to stay behind to look after Daniel and Wheelie. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

[[Image:Hm11 chromedome arcee dance.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Arcee was downcast by these turns of events, but tried to encourage Wheelie and Daniel to keep their spirits up. They all attended a party to commemorate the completion of the joint Autobot-human project, the [[Sol 1]] satellite, at which Arcee slow-danced with Chromedome, surprised at his skill. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Arcee later helped to monitor the mysterious Decepticon-controlled planet [[Zarak (planet)|Zarak]] {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} and alerted Fortress to the appearance on Athenia of [[buridanka|a carnivorous plant]]. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}

When Fortress departed Athenia to join a battle on Mars, Carly worried for the safety on Daniel, and Arcee assured her he would be fine. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} During the fight on Mars, Fortress was hit by a blast of energy by the Decepticons that drained all his power, and Arcee desperately tried to raise him on the communications channel. She analyzed the energy that had struck him, identifying it as plasma energy, and realized that the Decepticons planned to destroy Mars in order to generate more of it. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}} Unbelievably, the villains succeeded in the goal, and Arcee joined with Spike and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] in scanning the planetary debris to assess the damage the planet's destruction had caused to the solar system. After they reported their findings to Fortress, a strange new phenomenon appeared on Athenia: Daniel and Wheelie saw a UFO! Arcee filled Fortress in on the mystery sighting, and travelled with the Autobot Headmasters to watch as Daniel tried communicating with the strange visitor via music. Chromedome was particularly honored to drive alongside Arcee, and got a thrill out of seeing her transform. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}}

[[Image:Hm18_arcee_memo.jpg|right|thumb|225px|"So, yeah, this is basically all I do now."]]

Arcee was the first to speak out in favour of offering aid to the energy-depleted planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], and gathered information on the Autobots' energon stockpiles in order to verify the energy could be spared. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}} Soon after, Arcee used [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to send a request from Spike to Galvatron about the unlikely possibility of the two factions uniting in a new energy research programme... and received a surprised response in the positive! Unfortunately, the negotiations proved to be a Decepticon distraction, granting the rest of the villains time to depart on an interplanetary energy-plundering quest. Once the Autobots discovered they had been duped, they set off in pursuit of their foes across space; Arcee accompanied them, helping to look after Daniel and Wheelie on the trip. {{storylink|Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!}}

[[Image:Hm19_nurse_arcee.jpg|left|thumb|225px|"Hey you look a lot like..." "Riderman? Yeah, I get that a lot."]]

The Autobots discovered that the Decepticons' first target was the planet [[Hive (planet)|Hive]] when they found a damaged ship and an injured soldier from the planet floating in space. Arcee did her best to save the soldier's life with the Maximus's medical equipment, but his wounds were to severe. {{storylink|Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!}} Next, the Decepticons went after the planet [[Twin Star|Sperity]]; Fortress instructed [[Brainstorm]] to take Arcee, Daniel and Wheelie to Sperity's barren twin [[Twin Star|Toruin]] where they could be safe until the fighting was over. However, the quartet discovered that most of Sperity's population had evacuated to a subterranean city on Toruin, and Arcee was forced to volunteer herself as a "hostage", remaining on Toruin as a show of good faith while Brainstorm went to pass this important information on to the Autobots on Sperity. {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}}

Arcee's image was programmed into one of Daniel's video games as a hapless damsel who had to be saved from sprites of the Decepticon Headmasters. Fortunately, she didn't take any offense at this, and happily watched Daniel play the game, complimenting him on his marksmanship. Soon after, the Autobots saved the injured [[Beastformer]] [[Tekna]] from the planet Darhos, and Arcee monitored his vitals as Chromedome tried and failed to save his life. {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}} Arcee then joined the Autobots in traveling to planet [[Paradise]], {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} and [[Pirate Planet]], but just really stood around on the Maximus and didn't do much. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}} She carried on doing nothing after the Autobots returned to Athenia {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} and even took the time to advocate that ''others'' do nothing as well, such as when she had Spike refrain from contacting Fortress in the face of a diversionary Decepticon attack. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}} She spent most of the time that immediately followed sitting at a monitor, either sending communications or overseeing Fortress's telekinetic surgery on an injured Spike. She finally got off her butt to tell a benched Chromedome that Fortress was in trouble in a battle on Earth, but fortunately, Chromedome had just deduced the location of Scorponok's weak spot and left Arcee in charge on Athenia while he headed off to pass the info on. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}}

[[Image:Hm27 ambassador arcee.jpg|right|thumb|"Weren't you a little taller the last time we met?" "Shut up."]]

Fortress's victory over Scorponok forced the Decepticons off of Earth, leaving the Autobots to begin clean-up operations and restore the damage done to the planet. Arcee was appointed Spike's aide in his meeting with the [[United Nations]], working to help co-ordinate the relief effort; their first endeavour was the destruction of the Decepticons' abandoned Earth headquarters. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}} Despite these new duties, however, Arcee still joined with the other Autobots in travelling to the planet Master when word reached them that Scorponok had withdrawn there and was causing chaos. She put her medical knowledge to work again treating the wounds of Chromedome's old friend [[Jack (Headmasters)|Jack]]. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)}} She proceeded to do absolutely nothing for the entirety of the remainder of the Autobots' time on the planet, but she sure did a good job of sitting silently in a chair. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

Arcee's massively importantly contribution to the Autobots' return flight to Earth was reminding Daniel and Wheelie to wear their seatbelts. Soon after touching down on the planet, Arcee received a report that an airliner carrying Spike and Carly had crashed in the Andes, prompting Daniel and the Headmasters to head to the rescue. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} She then ''finally'' stepped back on to the battlefield for the first time in ages when she joined all the other Autobots in a climactic final battle with the Decepticons at the North Pole. She united her energies with her team-mates, funnelling them through the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]], super-charging Fortress Maximus and giving him the strength to destroy Scorponok's [[transtector]]. This victory finally led the Decepticons to flee Earth for good, and Arcee stood stoically by Fortress and the other Headmasters as they bid Spike, Carly and Daniel goodbye, before heading into space to carry on the fight. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

{{-}}
===Marvel UK comics future timelines===
[[Image:Arceeprimesrib.jpg|left|300px|thumb|They're not men, Arcee. Transformers have no gender. We've been over this!]]
Arcee was constructed by the Autobots in an alternate future 1995 as a good-will attempt to placate [[Feminist mob|angry feminists]] who thought that they were "sexist" for having no women in their group. After trying multiple times to explain that Autobots, being robots, had no gender, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered and ordered [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] to make a new Autobot who would meet the humans' demands for sexual equality. However, when Arcee was unveiled at a public ceremony, her pink, skinny and curvaceous form enraged the very audience Prime intended to placate. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Horri-Bull]], [[Fangry]] and [[Squeezeplay]] who immediately attacked, looking to crush the "secret weapon" that was promised. Prime warned Arcee to stay back, lest she get hurt in battle, but the female Autobot, rightfully annoyed at the Autobots' lack of faith in her equal ability, singlehandedly forced the Decepticons into a retreat. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] thought that was pretty hot. The feminists were enraged beyond words. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}

[[Image:Arceehotrodspacepirates.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Y'know, Arcee, if you'd stop running pidgeon-toed, maybe we'd be out of here by now.]]
Arcee and Hot Rod became quite friendly, but with his ascension to Prime status in 2006, they began to drift apart. She was stationed at [[Autobot City]] on Earth and got bored by her duties. The [[Quintesson]]s attacked in 2008, stringing out the city's population to the wall and using a wounded Arcee as bait to attract Rodimus; when he tried to use the Matrix to heal her, they stole it and he reverted to Hot Rod. Despite her injuries, she assisted him in awakening [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and devastating the Quintesson fleet. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

In 2009, Arcee tracked down [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] on Earth, where they were planning to use a laser bore to leech energy right from the planet's core. Joining a small Autobot detachment, they destroyed the drill and returned to Autobot City to face the greater threat: a timestorm that threatened 20 years of history with destruction. As Galvatron had spent months back in the 20th century, the universe was unraveling from the anomaly.

[[Image:TimeWars3-ArceeDinobots.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Dinobots 1, Chivalry 0]]

Arcee, Rodimus and several other Autobots traveled back in time to 1989 in order to retrieve the Decepticon villain. Unfortunately, the Autobots of that day mistook them for imposters and tried to kill them. Arcee was nearly mauled to death by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] before [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] explained that they were actually travelers from the future. Even more unfortunately, Galvatron had acquired some allies in the past: Scourge, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], and the mighty [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]]. She joined Kup and Ultra Magnus in trying to triple-team Megatron, but was only swatted aside like a bothersome insect. Arcee survived, however, and managed to take a few cheap shots at Galvatron later on in the fight. Eventually, the timestorm asserted itself on the battle, and consumed Galvatron utterly, ending the temporal distortion. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Arcee and the Autobots returned to their time only to find it had reset so Galvatron never time-jumped and had instead conquered Cybertron. Their resistance movement was quickly crushed, and the Autobots were forced to leave their homeworld. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} Arcee joined a hundreds-strong Autobot team in fleeing to Earth to regroup. When the Matrix-imprisoned [[Unicron]] possessed Rodimus, Arcee showed a more ruthless side in being the only one of the Autobots to advocate using lethal force on him. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void}} {{storylink|White Fire}} As Unicron would go on to possess Rodimus again and devastate Cybertron in 2010—an event she witnessed—her ruthless attitude appears to have been the right one all along. Yes, Rodimus Prime managed to contain Unicron again, but at what price...? {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

{{note|Her only appearances in the Marvel U.S. comics were in their [[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]] adaptation ("[[The Planet-Eater!]]", "[[Judgment Day!]]", and "[[The Final Battle!]]"), and a profile in issue #4 of their [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]. All stuff out-of-continuity with the US storyline.}}

===''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[Image:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Look, Dinobots, do you get along with Arcee or not?]]
Kup led Hot Rod, Arcee, and the Dinobots on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on Cybertron's second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and the ship crashed on a planet. Everyone landed safely, but Kup recognized the place. It was the planet [[Quintessa|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them, but at the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed there earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way, until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}

===Coloring books===
Arcee didn't get a seat during a meeting and later shot at Decepticons. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

===Beast Era===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
After digging his way out from underneath a sudden rockslide caused by an unexpected energy surge from a damaged [[stasis pod]], Rattrap demanded to know what in the name of his [[Relatives|great aunt]] Arcee was going on. {{storylink|Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate}}

====''Universe: Featuring the Wreckers''====
{{note|The following takes place during the [[Beast Era]], specifically its cartoon continuity, which took from both the original cartoon and the Marvel Comics. However, these stories seem to be written to be specifically taking place solely after the events of the original cartoon.}}

{{bigquote|I liked her better when she had that kid in her head.|[[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]]|"[[Betrayal]]"}}

[[Image:Arceedeparturemourns.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Gothy 'cuz all her toys get canceled.]]
During a battle against a horde of killer [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbirds]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] (now an adult) sacrificed their lives to end the threat. The death of Daniel took a serious toll on Arcee, who became reclusive, preferring to sit alone with images of her former [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]]. Over time, she slipped away from her friends entirely, disappearing within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After an unspecified event, she took on the form of a techno-organic spider, and learned the skills of both [[Crystalocution]] and the previously lost art of [[Tekkaido]]. She strongly believed that she had premonitions of her friends' deaths before they would happen, and this knowledge had driven her insane. She hid herself away, hoping to spare herself the pain of experiencing this phenomenon.

[[Image:Arceedeparturespider.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty fa— well, just don't underestimate me, okay?]]
Hundreds of [[Stellar cycle|stellar cycles]] later, when [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] returned from [[Earth]]'s past and conquered Cybertron with his army of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]], Arcee's solitude spared her from the onslaught. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], now known as simply Rodimus, had helped form a new team of [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] and wished to enlist Arcee. But Arcee rejected his offer as she was still too embittered by her experience, though she was touched by the Wrecker [[Fractyl]]'s words. Rodimus's Wreckers were followed by Megatron's new Vehicon generals, [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] and [[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]], causing a battle that resulted in Fractyl's near-death. Refusing to lose another, Arcee used her spark to save Fractyl, also reformatting him into a Transmetal body. Arcee agreed to depart with the rest of the Wreckers, and she and Fractyl assisted them in defeating a vast Vehicon army in order to reach an old [[Autobot shuttle]]. {{storylink|Departure}}

But the Autobot bounty hunter [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] had snuck aboard their ship and attacked some of their group. Arcee and the others raced to the rescue, and Arcee was quickly felled by Devcon, despite his new, smaller Vehicon body. After things were sorted out, Arcee tended to Fractyl, whose new Transmetal form was wildly unstable. At Arcee's insistence, [[Apelinq]] created a crude medical bot, [[CatSCAN]], to assist Fractyl's recovery. Arcee was oddly unable to foresee the deaths of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] and [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], a result of a yet-unknown saboteur amongst their ranks, as she happily watched CatSCAN discover himself while working on Fractyl. Their ship set down on their [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]-given destination, the remote planet of [[Akalo|Archa Nine]]. Arcee stayed behind with a few others to repair damage to their ship by their mysterious saboteur, who turned out to be fellow Wrecker [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Cyclonus stole the [[Divine Light]], the artifact the Wreckers were searching for, and returned to his true master, [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

[[Image:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Just like old times, but smaller.]]
Arcee blamed herself, as she hadn't been able to foresee death since she saved Fractyl. Demoralized, Arcee and the Wreckers left Archa Nine and headed to another planet at the insistence of their divinely-inspired leader, [[Primal Prime]]. They landed on a small icy planet, and a small scout team, including Arcee, was sent to investigate. After searching for hours, they stumbled upon [[Al-Badur]], a [[Quintesson]] scientist. Arcee immediately readied her weapon, as she and Rodimus had had enough of the Quintessons for several lifetimes, but Primal Prime asked her to lower them. Al-Badur was a somewhat welcome source of information regarding their quest, and before they could leave the planet with him, they were under attack by a horde of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] sent by Cryotek. Arcee and Rodimus quietly bonded as they battled the Sharkticons; it was just like old times. Slowly but surely, Arcee's demeanor had lightened. After the Sharkticons were defeated, Al-Badur explained their problem. The Divine Light was an ancient Quintesson piece of technology that allowed them to tap directly into the power of [[Primus]], and now Cryotek had it! {{storylink|Disclosure}}

But when they returned to Cybertron, it had changed during their absence into a [[technorganic]] paradise by the [[Great Reformatting]]. Quintessons had seized the opportunity to invade the planet, but Primal Prime assured Arcee and the others that Cryotek was their only concern. Primal Prime, Apelinq, [[Ramulus]] and [[Tigatron]] left them to find Cryotek, leaving Arcee and the others to take their injured to safety before joining the counterattack forces on the ground. Instead, their shuttle took heavy damage and was descending in a ball of fire and smoke. Arcee, grabbing Fractyl's body and what life support she could, abandoned ship with the rest. Disregarding Primal Prime's orders, Arcee suggested they find Cryotek and help the other Wreckers defeat him. Descending into the layers of Cybertron, they met [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], who joined them on their journey.

Finding the battleground between Cryotek and [[Sentinel Maximus]] (the combined form of Apelinq and Primal Prime, newly merged by Primus), Arcee reluctantly set aside Fractyl and his life support to join the fight. She helped Devcon defeat Cryotek's mutated pet [[Chro]], using her weblines to hold the monster still so the bounty hunter could shoot at it. But Cyclonus and Rodimus had disappeared beneath some rubble, so Arcee, Fractyl (who had been magically repaired by Tigatron expending all of his [[Vok]] powers) and the others went digging for him... and instead found [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]], [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]... and Arcee's nephew, [[Rattrap]]. They avoided each other's glance awkwardly.

They found Rodimus, but he was in rough shape, having fought nearly to the death with Cyclonus. Arcee and the others agreed to follow Al-Badur's instruction in defeating Cryotek, and helped direct the battle between Sentinel Maximus and Cryotek to a chamber deep within Cybertron. Arcee asked Fractyl to keep on Rodimus, who was extremely weak. Their group arrived in the desired chamber, but Arcee had a bad feeling about the place. It seemed familiar. She recognized it too late. It was a Quintesson banishment chamber, and Al-Badur had activated the containment shield within, locking Sentinel Maximus, Cryotek, and himself inside a forcefield bubble that fed into a strongly gravitational portal into nothingness. To Arcee's initial horror, despite her pleas, Rodimus stood up to deal with the situation. She knew that his next action would kill him in his weakened state, but after his assurances, she resigned herself to the outcome. Rodimus and Cheetor, both [[Matrix Templar]]s, used their skills to drain Cryotek of his Primus-stolen powers. As expected, this was too much for Arcee's long-time friend, and though they succeeded in saving Cybertron, Rodimus was dead.

But death isn't an ending, she realized. It was just another change. "And change is what we do." Arcee and Fractyl gathered his body to take it to a secret burial ground that Arcee knew of. She promised that this time, she wouldn't disappear forever. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Before the war, Arcee worked in a hazardous materials treatment plant. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} She was a member of Hot Rod's underground rebellion team on Cybertron, battling the forces of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Both Hot Rod and Springer appeared to be in love with her, though she seemed rather uninterested in both of them. In reality, Arcee was a sleeper agent for the [[Quintesson]]s.

{{note|Due to [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s bankruptcy, this story was never concluded.}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:TheArtofWar1 girltalk.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
In order to oversee the decommissioning of all Cybertronian technology on Earth, Arcee was sent to the planet alongside [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the last of which whom she had a mutual attraction to. Shortly after the group arrived at [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]], the facility came under attack by [[Cobra]], and Arcee helped fight them off alongside [[Scarlett]], who was surprised over the existence of "girl robots". {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} Upon hearing about a security breach in the lower levels of Area 52, the group headed there and, to Arcee's horror, found Bumblebee injured and low on energy. Before much could be done about him, the group was attacked by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who took control of [[G.I. Joe battle mech|G.I. Joes' mechs]] and forced them to fight the Autobots before bringing the roof down on everyone. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

The Autobots and Joes survived, and quickly followed Serpent O.R. through a warpgate to Cybertron, where they were attacked by [[cannibalizer]]s. Arcee didn't think they were very threatening, but suggested that they retreat to protect the humans. During their escape, she promised that she'd rotate Bumblebee's tires if he could outrace her... only to run straight into Serpent O.R. and his new army, who remorselessly killed Bumblebee and captured the others. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} They eventually managed to escape thanks to their G.I. Joe friends. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

[[Image:GIJoevsTFArtofwar5_Arceecrys.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
After hearing that Serpent O.R. had captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Arcee and the others made their way to his chambers, only to find that [[Cobra Commander]] had taken control of Serpent O.R.'s body after he had seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. "Serpentor Prime" effortlessly defeated most of the Autobots and Joes, but Arcee dodged his tentacles and managed to rip his chestplate off, allowing [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] to take the Matrix's power and defeat him. Some time later, Arcee cried for Bumblebee during a memorial service for him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:Spotlight Arcee traumatic flashback.jpg|right|220px|thumb|]]
Arcee was an early test subject of the mad genius [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], after he decided to introduce gender into the Transformers just to see the results. Her fundamental [[CNA]] was altered, giving her a "maddening maelstrom of contradictory sensory input" and causing all other Transformers to sense a fundamental difference about her and inadvertently use feminine pronouns around her, something that she loathes. (It also gave her fangs and permanent lipstick for some unknown reason.)

[[Image:IDW Arcee mad.jpg|left|180px|thumb|The writers of the Headmasters cartoon now fear for their lives...]]
She didn't meet Jhiaxus' standards and was dumped. Dangerously unstable and driven by an implacable homing instinct towards her creator's experiments, Arcee cut a mech-fluid swath of carnage across several planets in her obsession with destroying everything Jhiaxus created. She was eventually taken down by [[Tyrest Accord]] enforcer [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and incarcerated on the Autobot penitentiary on [[Garrus-9]].

Her [[spark]] was kept separate from her body within the penitentiary, as were those of all prisoners. In this limbo, she found a kind of peace. Unfortunately, when the Decepticons attacked to seize the new inmate [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] (another Jhiaxus experiment), warden [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] freed her as a last resort to stop the attack. She was able to carve her way through the invaders, but not before they left with their target. She headed off to intercept them, with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] convincing Maximus to allow this. Arcee apparently knows of the [[Expansion]] and Jhiaxus's part in it, and refers to herself as the "servo-wrench in the works". {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

Later, on the [[Decepticon Battle Platform Zuska]], Arcee tortured a Decepticon until he agreed to tell her where [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzaitron]] had taken the [[Combiner|gestalts]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}} She tracked them down, only to find the [[Dead Universe]] Transformers had activated Monstructor and taken him to places unknown, decimating the Decepticons in the process. She agreed to assist the wounded Banzaitron in getting to the Monstructor-Six, reasoning it would lead to Jhiaxus... {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:SpotlightSideswipe Jhiaxus deathbecomeshim.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Those were the best days of our lives.]]
As Arcee assisted Banzaitron and his team in trying to recapture Monstructor, [[Skram (G2)|Skram]] arrived through a space bridge portal with the means to go to where Jhiaxus was. Slicing off his arm and murdering her way through [[Micromaster]]s, she finally cornered him and was surprised to find he wouldn't die—thanks to coming from the [[Dead Universe]], he was effectively immortal. Which meant she could kill him over and over. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

Arcee spent several years gleefully murdering Jhiaxus, but her revenge was cut short one day when the nearby portal to the Dead Universe suddenly began to lure all life on Gorlam Prime into it. She was hypnotically drawn towards it, but [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] held her back until the allure of the portal went away. Though the two Autobots were safe, the entire population of the planet had mysteriously vanished into the portal, and they decided to investigate. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}} A while later, they detected [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his minions in the vicinity and attacked them. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1}}

Though Arcee easily defeated Jhiaxus, brought back to life by Galvatron's [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], she was overpowered by Galvatron himself and his Dead Universe powers. Hardhead urged her to return to the Autobot army and warn them of Galvatron's return, and despite Cyclonus and Scourge following her and blowing her into an abyss, she survived and got away. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
Arcee later came to the rescue for an Autobot escape pod full of survivors from [[Kimia Facility]]. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} After rescuing the survivors, she and Hardhead explained five times to them all about the Dead Universe, Heart of Darkness, D-Void and Galvatrons plan and what they had to do to save the universe. They made it to Cybertron by the time Galvatron infected [[Vector Sigma]] with the Heart of Darkness which created a storm to break out so Arcee suggested on landing the ship in a nearby tunnel and told any won who would like to bail out to do it now. Fortunately they conveniently crashing right on top of Galvatron right at the right time. She and Hardhead continued to shoot Galvatron who somehow survived the crash. They were defeated. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Lenne Hardt]]

In 2010, the Decepticon military commander [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] acquired a source of infinite power called [[Zel Quartz]]. It drove him to madness, and he destroyed Cybertron while threatening to lay waste to the rest of the galaxy. Rodimus Prime and the Autobots desperately coordinated with the [[Quintesson]]s to use a timeslip device and travel back in time, preventing Shockwave from ever getting his hand on Zel Quartz. Unfortunately, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the remaining Decepticons learned of the mission, and intercepted the Autobots on the way through the timeslip.

Crashing in 2003 on [[Zel Samine]], where the quartz originated, Arcee awoke with Kup and Rodimus Prime. Separated from the rest of their team, they sent out an SOS and were met by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the present day Autobots. After explaining the situation, Arcee and her allies joined up with Optimus to search for the Zel Quartz before the Decepticons could find it.

Wheeljack searched the planet for any records or power signatures that might be Zel Quartz. After three false leads, they finally located Zel Quartz at the [[Enormous Laser Transmission Array]]. After fighting through numerous Decepticon lieutenants, and facing the might of Megatron and Galvatron united, Arcee and the Autobots secured the Zel Quartz and ultimately disposed of it so that it could do no further harm. With the rock no longer a threat, the Autobots of 2010 vanished and returned to their home timeline. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1ArceeProto.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Orange? Where'd that come from?]]
[[Image:Concept-HeadmasterArcee.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Pinkdome.]]
*'''Arcee'''
: Despite that she was a major character in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]], no transforming toy of Arcee was made during the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original toyline]]'s run. Images of a hand-sculpted [[prototype]] based on Arcee's original character design ([[#Notes|see below]]) have appeared in several Japanese publications, but it appears the toy never progressed beyond that stage.

: The Japanese ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' book shows a piece of concept artwork of the Headmaster [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] car in pink and white labeled "Arcee", a proposal for a redeco of the toy as Headmaster Arcee from "[[The Rebirth]]". (Presumably, then, this was a Hasbro-initiated idea.) The idea does not appear to have gone any farther.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

[[Image:Botconarceetoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE!]]
*'''Arcee''' (Mega, 2001)
: The very first true transforming Arcee toy is a [[redeco]] and minor [[Retool|retooling]] of the ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal 2]] [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], transforming into a malformed mish-mash of machine and organic parts in the form of a large spider. The spider-mode fangs become a grappling weapon for her robot mode which extend on a [[Retractable string gimmick|retractable string]]. She has a special [[spark crystal]] that changes her [[Insignia|faction symbol]] from [[Autobot]] to [[Maximal]] when rotated. The robot mode also features a spring-powered waist-swivel for "power kick" action. Arcee lacks the [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] toy's additional chest armor, and thus has oddly-placed holes in her... well, chest, that keep the armor in place.

: Arcee was available only as an [[exclusive]] to [[BotCon 2001]], and along with [[Tigatron]] was the first time since the inception of [[3H Productions|3H]] that they were allowed to use pre-existing characters for convention exclusives. Arcee is also the first convention toy to feature retooling. Preorders received their Arcees with a bonus; the box contained a light-sensitive sound chip featuring voice actress [[Susan Blu]]'s voice saying "Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE!". These chips are VERY light-sensitive. Many won't shut up to this day.

:Both Arcee and Tigatron were limited to 1200 pieces.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Arcee/arcee.htm More information on Generation 1 Arcee at TFU.info]''

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:Arceetitanium.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Seems like a mercy killing, really.]]
*'''Arcee'''
: A 6" transforming Arcee toy was designed and displayed at [[BotCon]] 2007, but [[Titanium Series]] was canceled before its tooling could be completed.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Binaltech===
[[Image:Binaltech arcee toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Manual tranny.]]
*'''Arcee''' (2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-21'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun

:Arcee is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Decepticharge]] (himself a [[retool]] of [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]/[[Overdrive]]), using Honda's "Pearl White" for the car bodywork. The figure transforms into a "street performance" Honda S2000. Her hardtop roof can be removed for an open-top vehicle mode and used as a shield in robot mode. The engine and driveshaft may be removed and used as a long-barreled rifle (as the toy is Japanese issue and not subject to the same issues that removed the long barrel from the [[Hasbro]] versions of the mold).

: In spite of fan speculation, no retooling has been applied to the mold to enhance character resemblance or make her look less butch.

: A redeco of this toy as [[Paradron Medic]] was originally planned to be released simultaneously (but was canceled), a fate that also befell a redeco meant to be Arcee's occasional mold-mate [[Blackarachnia (BW)#Binaltech|Blackarachnia]]. The robot mode was used as the base model for the non-toy car-form [[Legion]].

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===MC Axis===
[[Image:Hybrid_model_arcee.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Arcee''' (Super Hybrid Model, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''H-03'''

:Arcee was one of three non-transforming ''[[Super Hybrid Model]]'' vinyl figurines created in 1987 by Japanese collectables company [[MC Axis]]. Standing at about eight inches tall and featuring articulation in the head and neck, Arcee and her fellows (Rodimus Prime and Galvatron) were based on their [[Studio OX]] character models, featuring much more anime-styled proportions and detailing.

:For reasons unknown, the retail release of Arcee and the other ''Super Hybrid Model'' figures was canceled. While Galvatron was eventually released as an exclusive at [[BotCon Japan 1997]], Arcee and Rodimus have never been officially released, though they do occasionally pop up on the secondary market, commanding prices in excess of $600.
 
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}
[[Image:Mcaxis_arcee.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Arcee''' (1996)

:This Japanese "garage kit", an unpainted resin model, was made by [[MC Axis]] and was also the first official product of Arcee that got a retail release. Included among its paperwork is a [[The Transformers (MC Axis manga)|comic strip]] starring Arcee. It is not known for its exceptional quality control - numerous unsightly air bubbles in the plastic are not an uncommon thing to encounter.

::*''[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1492/Axis-Model+Kit/Arcee.html Gallery of an assembled and painted Arcee at Transformers @ The Moon]
{{-}}

===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:Hoc_arcee_and_daniel.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Arcee should maybe reconsider something that big transforming into her head.]]
* '''Arcee''' (2000)
: A three-inch tall [[plastic|PVC]] figurine of Arcee was available in the first wave of Takara's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' line. In a nice spot of attention to detail, she is holding the unremarkable small grey pistol she wielded in the Generation 1 cartoon episode, "[[The Dweller in the Depths]]". Like all the figures in the "act", it was available as both a standard full color figure and a colorless translucent version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures.

:Arcee was redecoed to create the chase figure for the eighth wave of the series, the [[Paradron Medic]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCArcee/arcee.htm More information on Super Collection Figure Arcee at TFU.info]''

* '''Arcee and Daniel''' (2001)
:The Arcee figurine was re-released as part of the fourth wave of the ''Super Collection Figure'' series, now packaged with a figure of Daniel Witwicky in his exo-suit. The pair were available in both full color and metallic "pewter" versions; in eight out of every ten cases, the pewter version of the set came with the body of the line's collectable [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] "build-a-figure".

===Heroes of Cybertron===
* '''Arcee''' (2002)
:When Hasbro released the ''Super Collection Figure'' line as ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'', the Arcee figure was released as part of the first wave, now featuring a [[light-piping]] gimmick in the character's eyes, accomplished by casting the figure in translucent blue plastic and then painting over it. Rather than come blindpacked like the ''SCF'' figure, Arcee came on a blister card with a profile card included. The mold would later be redecoed in this fashion into the ''Heroes of Cybertron'' Paradron Medic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCArcee/arcee.htm More information on Heroes of Cybertron Arcee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===MyClone===
[[Image:Myclone_arcee.jpg|right|thumb]]
* '''Arcee''' (2003)
**''ID number:'' '''MTF005'''
**''Accessories:'' White display base

:Released in the first wave of the ''[[MyClone]]'' line of Transformers PVC figures, this [[super deformed]] Arcee comes with a hexagonal white display stand, which can link up with the identical stands included with other ''MyClone'' figures. Her modular design allows her parts to be mixed and matched with those of any other MyClone figure, to hilariously hermaphroditic effect.
{{-}}
===Palisades statues===
[[Image:Palisades_arcee.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Arcee''' (2004)

:Inspired by a [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] pin-up lithograph/poster by [[Rob Armstrong]],<ref>[http://www.dreadforce.com/creators.html The creators list for Jaran Studios' ''Dread Force'' includes this information in Rob's profile.]</ref> (itself based on Arcee's Studio OX character model, complete with obnoxious shoulder-armor rig) this statue features looks-right-at-only-one-angle perspective and a face so flat you'd swear she'd flown into a window. Standing around 6" tall, Arcee was limited to 2000 pieces worldwide.

:The Arcee statue was later repainted into that old standby, the [[Paradron Medic]].
{{-}}
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroesrumblearcee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|She's actually running after Robot Heroes Cheetor. (Or her [[Rattrap|nephew)]]]]
* '''Arcee vs. Rumble''' (2008)

:Part of the second wave of [[Universe (2008 franchise)|''Universe]] [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', Arcee is packaged with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] as part of the "Generation 1 Series." She is sculpted as running across a patch of mechanical flooring, and she has articulation at the head and shoulders.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/RHArcee/arcee.htm More information on Robot Heroes Arcee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:Arcee statue.jpg|right|thumb|Not pictured: Springer and Weirdwolf.]]
* '''Arcee''' (Diamond Select, 2009)

:Released by [[Diamond Select Toys]] in 2009, Arcee was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 1000 pieces. She is featured packing two of the style of pistol she is commonly seen with and looking off to one side. As is the case in certain [[Continuity|continuities]], she is listed as a member of [[Elita One]]'s [[Female Autobots|resistance group]]. Arcee's tech specs give her the following classifications: STR 5.5, INT 8, SPD 8, END 5, RNK 6, CRG 9, FBL 6, SKL 10.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:G1ArceeModelComp.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Extreme Makeover: Arcee Edition.]]
* Arcee had two different [[Character model|character models]] in 1980s ''Transformers'' media. An earlier model served as the basis for her original unproduced toy (seen above), which was also the model used for most of her Marvel Comics appearances and for parts of the episode "[[Only Human]]". Her final model, meanwhile, was used for her appearances in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', the rest of her season 3 appearances, and her Japanese ''Headmasters'' appearances.

* When asked about Arcee's design in an interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "Arcee is the naked mechanical equivalent of Princess Leia of ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]''."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref> Well, that answers that question... while raising a whole bunch of others!

* Arcee has the most romantic attachments of any Transformers character: Hot Rod in the movie, Marvel Comics and Dreamwave continuities, Springer after the movie, Chromedome in ''The Headmasters'', and Bumblebee in [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]] continuity. And then there is the weird affection shown toward Daniel in "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]", but most fans won't read too much into it, for their own sanity. Damn but she got around.

* Arcee's finalized character model was used to make a lot of the background female characters during the movie and season 3. Various Junkion ladies and the [[Paradron Medic]]s share her design, only without the shoulder-thingies, and a [[Cheesecake robot|more "shaped" version of her earlier model]] appeared in "[[Starscream's Ghost]]".

* The extras in "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]" reveal a few alternative color schemes [[Alex Milne]] and [[Simon Furman]] tried to get approved for IDW's version of Arcee, one blue, two red. [[Hasbro]] nixed all three, insisting on Arcee's usual coloration. Apparent reasons given were that "they didn't want her to be like the other female bots[,] so they wanted the pink look" and that "they wanted her different from <nowiki> </nowiki>[[Elita One]] <nowiki></nowiki>".<ref>[http://markerguru.deviantart.com/art/arcee-cover-colors-70762649 Alex Milne's comments on IDW Arcee's colors at deviantART]</ref> If there's actually any plans on Hasbro's part to start promoting female characters other than Arcee so that these arguments make sense, as of 2011, that'd still be news.

* Around 1999, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] released a special version of the Replica (reissue) [[Microman]] Lady Command figure as part of a [[Lucky Draw figure|lucky draw]] for "The Official Guide to Takara SF Land" book in white and gold chrome named Arcee. The regular versions of the Lady Command figure all had names starting with "A" (Ann, Alice, Annie and Ai<ref>[http://microforever.com/replicam18X.htm Replica Microman Series; Reissued Lady Command M181 Ann, M182 Alice, M183 Annie & M184 Ai (11/1999) at Microman Forever]</ref>), so Arcee makes sense by that logic - but whether this is an incarnation of "our" G1 character is currently not known. Only 5 Lady Command Arcee figures were released.<ref>[http://microforever.com/sflandprize.htm Replica Microman Series; Kodashan Takara SF Land Book Prize - Microman Lady Command Arcee (?/00) at Microman Forever]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Arcee''' (アーシー ''Āshī'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Arszi''', '''RC''' (''The Movie'')
*''Italian:'' '''Saturnia''' (''The Headmasters'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Silvia''' (America ''The Headmasters'')

==References==
<references />

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

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:MyClone]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Hardhead (G1)

2011-11-22T18:23:57Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Headmaster from Generation 1|the Predacon from Beast Wars Neo|Hardhead (BWN)}}
:''Hardhead is an [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:HardH.gif|right|274px|thumb|No, my toy's head looks nothing remotely like this, why do you ask?]]
'''Hardhead''' is a soldier to his core. A soldier with a stubborn streak a [[Units of length|megamile]] wide. He's stubborn to the point of rejecting outright any path but his own, any idea that goes against his natural instinct or inclination (namely fighting), and any advice he didn't come up with himself. He doesn't talk much, and when he does, it tends to be blunt and terse, if not outright rude. A soldier doesn't waste time on social niceties when there's a war to fight.

Perhaps surprisingly, given his limited social aptitude, Hardhead has found a good companion in [[Duros]], his [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] [[Nebulan]] partner, who enjoys warfare just as much as Hardhead does. The two mesh so well, it's been said that theirs may be the best match among all the Autobot-Nebulan teams.

{{quote|So what? They call me Hardhead. And that's really '''''all''''' you need to know.|Hardhead is unimpressed with [[Sixshot]]'s bragging|[[Devastation issue 4|''Devastation'' #4]]}}

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Stephen Keener]] (English), [[Eiji Itō]] (Japan)
[[Image:Rebirth2-Welcometotheclub.jpg|left|thumb|250px|This is what my head looks like. Sometimes.]]
After the resurrection of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], the Decepticons practically disappeared for a time. On Cybertron, Brainstorm used this reprieve to experiment on pairing Transformers with human partners, though his efforts did not convince Hardhead or [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]. Shortly after the exercise, Optimus Prime contacted them, notifying them of the Decepticons' return. They had stolen the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber]] and were on their way to the chamber itself on Cybertron. Unfortunately, the chamber's activation would destroy Cybertron. Hardhead and several other Autobots commandeered a ship to head off [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] before they could reach the Plasma Energy Chamber, and they managed to retrieve the Key, but an energy surge smacked the Autobot ship out of Cybertron's orbit and far into space.

Hardhead and the others crash-landed on a strange planet named [[Nebulos]] and were quickly taken captive by an underground resistance movement that believed the Autobots were machines controlled by the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], who ruled Nebulos. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
{{note|In Japan, Hardhead is a small robot who transforms into a head and controls a larger, lifeless [[transtector]] body. The ''Headmasters'' toyline referred to the small robot as '''Ros''', with "Hardhead" being the name of the combined small robot/transtector form, though this distinction is hardly ever made in fiction.}}
====''The Great Transformer War'' comic====
While significant Transformer battles were being waged on [[Earth]] and across space, Hardhead and the other Headmasters were battling their Decepticon counterparts on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]]. Thinking that the three Decepticons had escaped them by leaping into a chasm, Hardhead began raging, and nearly wound up fighting with [[Brainstorm]] when the other Headmaster told him to calm down. Luckily, he was able to direct his anger back upon the Decepticons when they came bursting out of the ground beneath the Autobots' feet. The Decepticons didn't fare terribly well in the battle, which abruptly ended when the Decepticon ninja [[Sixshot]] arrived and instructed them to follow him back to [[Chaar]]. The Decepticons fled into space, but Hardhead and his fellow Autobot Headmasters quickly gave chase aboard the battleship ''Maximus'', heading for Cybertron rejoin the larger Transformer war. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Masato Hirano]] (Japanese)
[[Image:IRiskMyLifeForEarth-Letgoofme.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Humpty Grumpty.]]
Four million years ago, Hardhead was among a group of [[Cyberdroid|diminutive Cybertronians]] who departed Cybertron under the leadership of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], seeking to escape the eternal war that had consumed the planet. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Alas, engine trouble caused their craft to crash land on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], an inhospitable world whose murderous environments and wildly changeable atmospheric conditions threatened the lives of the Cybertronians almost as soon as they stepped off their ship and were caught in a desert of sinking sands. Fighting against the odds, the Cybertronians made several technological quantum leaps to survive on Master, including the creation of larger, lifeless Transformer bodies called [[transtector]]s. Hardhead and many of his comrades underwent rigorous physical and mental training to master the art of [[transformation]], learning to transform into heads that connected to the transtectors and placed them under their control. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Hardhead was one of ten warriors who became one of these "Headmasters", but unfortunately, half their number soon rebelled against Fortress's leadership and sided with a traitor named [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] against him. Via the Decepticon ninja [[Sixshot]], Scorponok soon forged an alliance with the Decepticon leader, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

{{note|The events of "The Great Transformer War" manga occur at this point.}}

In the year 2011, when Galvatron launched his latest attack on Cybertron with the added power of his new Decepticon Headmasters, Hardhead and his fellow Autobot Headmasters travelled to the planet to help their comrades defend their homeworld. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

Hardhead can't hold his energon wine very well. One drink and he wants to karaoke! {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}}
{{charstubfiction}}

====''The Headmasters'' comic====
{{note|The ''Headmasters'' manga takes place concurrently with the ''Headmasters'' cartoon}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 1|The Headmasters #1}}
{{storylink|Great Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 2|The Headmasters #2}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 3|The Headmasters #3}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 4|The Headmasters #4}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 5|The Headmasters #5}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 6|The Headmasters #6}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 7|The Headmasters #7}}
{{charstubfiction}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic====
Several years after the end of the Headmasters' war on Earth, a new Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] named [[Ginrai]] was appointed, and flown to [[Athenia]] for his coronation. Hardhead was present for the ceremony, and then helped to fight off a Decepticon attack upon the planet. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The United Earth-Space Troops}} Soon after, when the Decepticon [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] made his way to Earth, Hardhead, the other Autobot Headmasters and [[Raiden]] pursued him, but were defeated in battle in Earth's orbit. {{storylink|God Ginrai's Amazing Super-God Combination!}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Hardhead-RingofHate.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Highbrow's forehead is right!]]

A long time ago, on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hardhead was part of an Autobot strike unit led by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. This unit operated out of a cave dug into the [[Manganese Mountains]], and often worked to foil the schemes of their primary nemesis, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Their last major mission on Cybertron was to upset a slave march to the [[Smelting pool|smelting pools]]. After that, however, Fortress Maximus revealed to the Autobots that he had grown sick of warfare, and planned to escape the endless ring of hate by immigrating to a new world altogether: [[Nebulos]]. Initially, Hardhead was outraged and accused Maximus of cowardice for even conceiving of leaving the war before it was finished, but he was quickly chastized when [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] reminded him of how valiantly their leader had fought on the battlefield that day, and every day prior for countless [[Units of time|vorns]]. With some convincing, Hardhead and many others chose to join Fortress Maximus on his quest for peace. Peace is rarely an Autobot's lot, though, as an innocent mishap combined with some xenophobia among a few of the Nebulan rulers to bring war to the Autobot camp's doorstep. Hardened warriors like Hardhead and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] immediately fell into old habits and started fighting back, but Fortress Maximus abruptly ended their gunplay and ordered an all-out retreat.

Despite these setbacks, Fortress Maximus was determined to wage peace, not war. He brought an envoy of Autobots, including Hardhead, to the Nebulan capitol of [[Koraja]] to once again plead for peace. When the Nebulans still were not totally swayed after he and his Autobots disarmed, Maximus removed his own head from his shoulders, leaving his body deactivated and inoperable in the Nebulans' care. Hardhead and three other Autobots joined their leader in his gesture. It was this gesture which finally ushered in a cease fire with the Nebulans. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

Fortress Maximus, Hardhead and the others had their separate heads and bodies detained inside a bunker outside Koraja, as so-called "prisoners of peace", while the Nebulan leaders conversed with them and also the remaining Autobots (under Kup's supervision) in the [[Folassian Forest]] beyond the city. Maximus had successfully convinced [[Galen]], head of the [[World Watchers]], of his good intentions, but the paranoid Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] distrusted the Autobots at every turn, and was committed to removing them from Nebulos even if he had to fake their crimes in order to do it. He even went so far as to summon the Decepticons to Nebulos, hoping that they would rid the planet of their Autobot problem. (So he's not that bright. Give him a break, he's in politics!)

[[Image:Loveandsteel-runfortmaxrun.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]

The Decepticon arrival was everything you would expect, as Scorponok and his henchmen began to lay siege to Koraja, trying to get at the inoperative Fortress Maximus and his men. Galen and Council Guard Commander [[Duros]] arrived at the Autobots' bunker to rapidly consult them on options. Several potential strategies were discarded in short order, and the allies finally settled on a radical solution involving bio-mechanical engineering — Galen and several other volunteers were bionically reconstructed to transform into duplicates of the Autobots' severed heads, allowing them to [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] with the Autobots' bodies and share both physical control and tactical analysis with the original Autobot personalities. Duros was one of the first volunteers for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process, and was binary bonded to Hardhead. Duros quickly adjusted to the raw power and military might of his new body, using Hardhead's laser-guided cannon against the Decepticon aggressors. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}}

Their status as the saviors of Koraja made Duros and the others an instant hit among the populace, but Nebulos's rulers were still wary of the Transformers, especially now that their presence had led Nebulans themselves to wage war for the first time in over 10,000 years. Galen and his men did their best to assuage the fears of the [[Council of Peers]]. When the [[Horrorcon|Horrorcons]] and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] attacked the [[Splendora]] resort, Hardhead and [[Brainstorm]] joined their Autobot comrades, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], in fending off [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and zapping [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] into submission. The devastation left in the wake of their battle did little to discourage the Council's antipathy, however. When the Autobot Headmasters went on a rescue mission to recover Lord Zarak and his followers (who had been prisoners of the Decepticons since their arrival), a detachment of Council members insisted on accompanying them. Unfortunately, Zarak had entered into a bargain with Scorponok, and by the time Hardhead and the others reached the [[Plains of Thok]], the Decepticon Headmasters had been born. Although Zarak / Scorponok endangered the council members by using them as a diversion to gun down the Autobots, [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnotic gaze had scrambled the other Nebulans' minds so much that Zarak was able to convince them that Galen's men were the evil ones, and he manipulated the Decepticons into becoming Nebulos's new "champions". {{storylink|Love and Steel!}}

Duros and the other Nebulan Headmasters were held captive by Zarak in Koraja, alongside their disabled Autobot counterparts. Despite his hunger for power and growing battle-lust, however, Zarak still ultimately wanted what was best for Nebulos. Realizing how a continued war between the Autobots and Decepticons would truly affect the planet he loved, Zarak freed Duros and the Autobot Headmasters, sending them back to their comrades in the forest. Galen had reached the same conclusions as Zarak, and gathered his men back aboard the Autobot ship ''[[Steelhaven]]'', to leave Nebulos behind to rebuild in their absence. Sure enough, Zarak / Scorponok and the Decepticons chose to follow the Autobots into space. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[Image:Hardhead-WorldsApart.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Got to... SHEEAKK!]]

''Before they left, however, the Autobot Headmasters had another encounter with their Decepticon opposite numbers. After the [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]] were captured by the Decepticons for analysis and dissection, Hardhead and the Headmasters went out looking for them, only to run into the Decepticon Headmasters on the way. Hardhead was nearly knocked off the road when Mindwipe's hypnotic stare sent Brainstorm crashing into him. Despite being shaken by the impact, Hardhead still managed to defeat both [[Weirdwolf]] and [[Skullcruncher]] by himself. The Autobots regrouped to follow Mindwipe, the last of their attackers, who was apparently fleeing for safety. After entering the Decepticons' [[Fortress of Despair]], however, Hardhead and the others realized they had been led into a trap, and were confronted by the might Scorponok and the Decepticon Targetmasters. In order to help even the odds, Hardhead freed the Autobot Targetmasters who were being held prisoner. With their help, the Autobots eventually overcame the Decepticons and fled back to base. {{storylink|Worlds Apart!}}''

[[Image:Trialbyfire-fortmax-disassemble.jpg|right|thumb|250px|And I'll form the head! Fortress Maximus's head, that is. With tools.]]

After leaving Nebulos, Hardhead and the crew of ''Steelhaven'' followed an Autobot distress call to the planet called Earth. During the long journey, they had Fortress Maximus heavily upgraded into a larger, more powerful body. Even the militaristic Duros was a bit unsettled by the new war-like outlook of their leader, Galen, but he insisted he was merely changing to fit the circumstances they had been dealt. Upon arrival, Fortress Maximus, Hardhead and the other Headmasters took a shuttle down to Earth's surface, and located the caves in [[Mount St. Hilary]] where the distress call had first been broadcast. They also found the broadcaster himself, an Autobot named [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] whose [[brain module]] had been retrofitted into a tiny electronic toy car. [[Toy Soldiers!|Long story]]. Scorponok and the Decepticon Headmasters had also come to Earth after the distress call, however, and a battle broke out. The battle proved costly, as Galen died protecting an Earthen from Scorponok. He passed on his control helmet to this boy, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], leaving Fortress Maximus and the Autobots in his hands. It was Hardhead who first suggested that Spike was the group's new leader. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}

In the weeks that followed, ''Steelhaven's'' crew united with the other Autobots on board the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Hardhead was present on the moon when two members of the Ark's crew, [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], engaged in ritual combat to settle their differences. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[Image:Edgeofextinction-hardheadbombburst.jpg|left|200px|thumb|That's gonna leave a mark.]]
''During the Time Wars, Hardhead was among the Autobot strike team gathered by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], Grimlock and Fortress Maximus to engage [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] for the fate of two time periods, several associated planets, and the universe at large. Unfortunately, the future Autobots of 2009 arrived before the battle began, and the mass-substitution effect created by time travel shunted Hardhead into [[Limbo]] for the duration. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

Hardhead was next seen on Cybertron for the final united battle against [[Unicron]]. Working with the Decepticon [[Pretender]], [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]], he was in the process of moving a surface-to-air missile battery into position when Unicron touched down on the planet's surface. The Planet-Eater's massive foot indiscriminately crushed Autobot, Decepticon, and weapon flat. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Escalation6 Hardhead AVENGE.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hardhead makes his own decisions!]]
Hardhead was a career soldier, intended as a problem solver who got things done fast. To him, this meant he had no future, as some day the war will end, and he would be a walking reminder of it, something to be quietly done away with. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:Devastation4 Hardhead.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Hardhead answers his own questions!]]

Prior to the [[Brasnya]] incident, Hardhead was ordered by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to [[Earth]] on the ''[[Ark-32]]'', along with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3|Escalation #3}} The two arrived right in the middle of the battle, although Hot Rod sped away after the [[facsimile construct|facsimile]] before Hardhead could stop him to report their presence. He engaged in battle with [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], {{storylink|Escalation issue 4|Escalation #4}} causing severe damage to the shuttle [[Triple Changer]] and continued to hound him to such an extent that [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] had to call in [[Thundercracker (G1)|reinforcements]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}} When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] seemingly defeated Optimus Prime, Hardhead attempted (futilely) to damage him with repeated cannon blasts. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

Hardhead would eventually regroup with his teammates after the battle and was among them during [[Sixshot]]'s surprise assault on the ''[[Ark-19]]''. He bravely (if futilely) attacked Sixshot, along with the rest of the Autobots before being beamed back to the ''Ark-32''. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}} Due to injuries and separate missions, Hardhead found himself to be the only active Autobot besides [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] — and neither were happy to hear that Optimus was withdrawing them from Earth to [[Garrus-9]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} Hardhead went to retrieve Hot Rod and the others, blowing up a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] that was attacking Hot Rod. Hot Rod refused to go though, wanting to see the Headmaster mystery to the end. Hardhead reluctantly let him go and took [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] back with him. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

[[Image:SpotlightHardhead HardheadsHeadshot.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hardhead expresses his own feelings!]]
Soon, [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] discovered that he logged a message during his visit to [[Gorlam Prime]] — of which he had no recollection — and asked Hardhead for help. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

Before leaving for Gorlam Prime, Nightbeat told Hardhead of his fears that he may be compromised, and that if he threatened Hardhead or anyone else, he should terminate Nightbeat. Arriving on Gorlam Prime, Nightbeat and Hardhead discovered virtually the entire planet's population had frozen in a chrysalis-like state and were in the midst of undergoing some kind of evolutionary cycle. Before they could explore further, however, they were beset upon by dozens of [[Micromaster|Micromasters]], all of whom immediately targeted Hardhead.

[[Image:Nightbeatexecuted.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Hardhead shoots his own comrades!]]
Escaping from their attackers, the two Autobots fled deep underground. Once they neared the portal to the [[Dead Universe]], [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] took remote-control of Nightbeat and tried to kill Hardhead with a point-blank shot between the optics. Fortunately, Hardhead lived up to his name and took the shot with minimal damage. As Nightbeat was joined by more Micromasters, Hardhead took the opportunity to retreat deeper into Gorlam Prime's underground caverns.

There, he discovered the portal to the Dead Universe. As the mind-controlled Nightbeat caught up with him, Hardhead realized he had nowhere else to fall back to. When told to surrender, Hardhead responded by shooting Nightbeat through the head with a pinpoint shot and then plunged through the portal, ready to face whatever dangers lay on the other side. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:DeadUniverseHardhead.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Hardhead rises from his own grave!]]
Having become a permanent resident of the [[Dead Universe]], Hardhead did not resurface until Jhiaxus's plans were well underway. However, he did manage to catch the Cybertronian scientist who was fleeing the onslaught of [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. Preventing the madman's escape, he explained to the hyperviolent Autobot that Jhiaxus couldn't truly die here on the threshold between the material world and the Dead Universe. That suited Arcee fine, as it let her indulge her revenge fantasies to their utmost. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[Image:Heart of Darkness2 HardheadVSCyclonus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Hardhead delivers his own lame dialogue!]]
Hardhead remained at Arcee's side as she happily killed Jhiaxus over and over again, though he was more interested in investigating some ancient catacombs discovered in the depths of Gorlam Prime. After some time had passed, the portal to the Dead Universe began to act strangely, luring the inhabitants of the planet into wandering through it. Seemingly due to his connection to the Dead Universe, Hardhead was immune to this apparent hypnosis, and he pinned Arcee down to keep her from following the others. Once the entire population of Gorlam Prime was gone, the portal emitted a flash of light and changed shape, knocking Hardhead and Arcee out cold. After they awoke, they left to investigate the catacombs and figure out what happened. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}} Eventually, they detected [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his troops entering the portal's chamber and attacked them. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1|Heart of Darkness #1}}

Hardhead took on [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], defeating both of them, but was brought down by Galvatron, who was drawing on power from the Dead Universe. He urged Arcee to flee and warn the Autobots, and was then captured by Galvatron, who invaded his mind and read his memories. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2|Heart of Darkness #2}}

Having presumably fallen under Galvatron's control, Hardhead joined the army he was building to defend the universe from [[D-Void]] from the Dead Universe. He accompanied Galvatron, Cyclonus, and a [[generic]] or two to the planet [[Dykayra]] to scout out a sight of an incursion of D-Void. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 3|Heart of Darkness #3}} There, he and the others fought with [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]], resurrected and controlled by D-Void. Hardhead survived the battle and was later air-dropped onto [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the army's first line of defense. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4|Heart of Darkness #4}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
After Hardhead and Arcee save the survivers of the attack on the [[Kimia Facility]], they headed to Cybertron while they explained all about Galvatron's plan and the D-Void (and had to help [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]pronounce D-Void). Unfortunately they didn't make it before Galvatron infected [[Vector Sigma]] with the Heart of Darkness and created a storm around Cybertron, but they did make in time to crash their ship right on top of Galvatron. Hardhead emerged from the wreckage and asked if it was Galvatron that they hit. He and Arcee continued to fire at the apparently invincible Galvatron after he emerged unscratched. They were defeated. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===
Hardhead was kidnapped by the Decepticons and held captive on the Jail planet by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. He was rescued by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and his other comrades, and in turn helped rescue those who were still imprisoned. Once they had reunited, Hardhead and the others met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] for the last battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Hardhead was available as a playable character in the Autobot campaign during the second playthrough.}}

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

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Hardhead toy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I don't get it either. Not like I have a "hard head" to draw.]]
*'''Hardhead''' (Headmaster, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-102'''
**''Accessories'': "Duros" Headmaster partner "Tank Commander", 2 "Shatterblasters"

:Hardhead transforms into a Cybertronian self-propelled artillery gun. Like many Transformers of this era, he can store his rifles in 5mm peg holes in his vehicle mode, and his Headmaster partner, Duros, can ride inside his cockpit. Duros transforms into his head, which, when attached to Hardhead's robot mode, activates a simplified, spring-loaded [[Tech Spec]] meter hidden under a panel on his chest. This [[gimmick]] works with any other Headmaster "pilot" figure.

:In robot mode, Hardhead is unusually tall for a toy of his price point, as the tank basically flips on end and extends to transform. As to be expected, Hardhead has rather limited articulation.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Hardhead/hardhead.htm More information on Hardhead at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
====Generation 1 Series====
[[Image:Universe2008toy-HardheadUltra.jpg|right|thumb|300px|It feels like a pizza-disc launcher is missing.]]
*'''Hardhead''' (Ultra Class, 2009)
**''Accessories'': Shield

: Hardhead is a mostly green [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Ultra Class [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], transforming into a six-wheeled SWAT assault truck. Instead of blending in with the rest of his colors, his shield stands out entirely black with a messily painted "no" sign on top of a similarly made Decepticon symbol and seven tally marks below it. He doesn't seem to come with Duros in any form, which might explain the shield.

: Hardhead uses the later version of Onslaught's electronics that doesn't cut off quickly.

: This mold was [[retool]]ed into ''[[Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Clench (G1)|Clench]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUHardhead/hardhead.htm More information on Hardhead at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:G1HardheadOriginalHead.jpg|right|180px|thumb|More like... Squathead...]]
* In the television [[commercial]] for [[Marvel Comics]]' ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' limited series, the Autobot and Decepticon Headmasters are shown having different head designs than the ones their Nebulan partners would later turn into. These designs were seemingly never used in any other piece of ''Transformers'' media. The [[Character model|models]] for most of them, however, turned up in the excellent ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' guidebook.
* The [[instructions]] for ''[[Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] show him with an alternate head sculpt resembling Hardhead. Unlike various other ''Generations'' toys, however, the alternate head only shows up in ''some'' steps in the instructions, whereas most steps simply depict Warpath's actual head. There are currently no known specific plans to release a Hardhead [[retool]] of Warpath.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ros''' (ロス ''Rosu''), '''Hardhead''' (ハードヘッド ''Hādoheddo'')
*''Italian:'' '''Blindobot''' ("Armoredbot")
*''French:'' '''Tête-Dure''' (Canada, "Hard-Head")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tǐeh Tóu''' (Taiwan, 鐵頭, "Hard Head", literally "Iron Head"), '''Lao Wangu''' (China, 老顽固, "Old Stubborn")
{{--}}

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

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Hardhead (G1)

2011-11-22T18:22:40Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Headmaster from Generation 1|the Predacon from Beast Wars Neo|Hardhead (BWN)}}
:''Hardhead is an [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:HardH.gif|right|274px|thumb|No, my toy's head looks nothing remotely like this, why do you ask?]]
'''Hardhead''' is a soldier to his core. A soldier with a stubborn streak a [[Units of length|megamile]] wide. He's stubborn to the point of rejecting outright any path but his own, any idea that goes against his natural instinct or inclination (namely fighting), and any advice he didn't come up with himself. He doesn't talk much, and when he does, it tends to be blunt and terse, if not outright rude. A soldier doesn't waste time on social niceties when there's a war to fight.

Perhaps surprisingly, given his limited social aptitude, Hardhead has found a good companion in [[Duros]], his [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] [[Nebulan]] partner, who enjoys warfare just as much as Hardhead does. The two mesh so well, it's been said that theirs may be the best match among all the Autobot-Nebulan teams.

{{quote|So what? They call me Hardhead. And that's really '''''all''''' you need to know.|Hardhead is unimpressed with [[Sixshot]]'s bragging|[[Devastation issue 4|''Devastation'' #4]]}}

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Stephen Keener]] (English), [[Eiji Itō]] (Japan)
[[Image:Rebirth2-Welcometotheclub.jpg|left|thumb|250px|This is what my head looks like. Sometimes.]]
After the resurrection of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], the Decepticons practically disappeared for a time. On Cybertron, Brainstorm used this reprieve to experiment on pairing Transformers with human partners, though his efforts did not convince Hardhead or [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]. Shortly after the exercise, Optimus Prime contacted them, notifying them of the Decepticons' return. They had stolen the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber]] and were on their way to the chamber itself on Cybertron. Unfortunately, the chamber's activation would destroy Cybertron. Hardhead and several other Autobots commandeered a ship to head off [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] before they could reach the Plasma Energy Chamber, and they managed to retrieve the Key, but an energy surge smacked the Autobot ship out of Cybertron's orbit and far into space.

Hardhead and the others crash-landed on a strange planet named [[Nebulos]] and were quickly taken captive by an underground resistance movement that believed the Autobots were machines controlled by the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], who ruled Nebulos. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
{{note|In Japan, Hardhead is a small robot who transforms into a head and controls a larger, lifeless [[transtector]] body. The ''Headmasters'' toyline referred to the small robot as '''Ros''', with "Hardhead" being the name of the combined small robot/transtector form, though this distinction is hardly ever made in fiction.}}
====''The Great Transformer War'' comic====
While significant Transformer battles were being waged on [[Earth]] and across space, Hardhead and the other Headmasters were battling their Decepticon counterparts on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]]. Thinking that the three Decepticons had escaped them by leaping into a chasm, Hardhead began raging, and nearly wound up fighting with [[Brainstorm]] when the other Headmaster told him to calm down. Luckily, he was able to direct his anger back upon the Decepticons when they came bursting out of the ground beneath the Autobots' feet. The Decepticons didn't fare terribly well in the battle, which abruptly ended when the Decepticon ninja [[Sixshot]] arrived and instructed them to follow him back to [[Chaar]]. The Decepticons fled into space, but Hardhead and his fellow Autobot Headmasters quickly gave chase aboard the battleship ''Maximus'', heading for Cybertron rejoin the larger Transformer war. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Masato Hirano]] (Japanese)
[[Image:IRiskMyLifeForEarth-Letgoofme.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Humpty Grumpty.]]
Four million years ago, Hardhead was among a group of [[Cyberdroid|diminutive Cybertronians]] who departed Cybertron under the leadership of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], seeking to escape the eternal war that had consumed the planet. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Alas, engine trouble caused their craft to crash land on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], an inhospitable world whose murderous environments and wildly changeable atmospheric conditions threatened the lives of the Cybertronians almost as soon as they stepped off their ship and were caught in a desert of sinking sands. Fighting against the odds, the Cybertronians made several technological quantum leaps to survive on Master, including the creation of larger, lifeless Transformer bodies called [[transtector]]s. Hardhead and many of his comrades underwent rigorous physical and mental training to master the art of [[transformation]], learning to transform into heads that connected to the transtectors and placed them under their control. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Hardhead was one of ten warriors who became one of these "Headmasters", but unfortunately, half their number soon rebelled against Fortress's leadership and sided with a traitor named [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] against him. Via the Decepticon ninja [[Sixshot]], Scorponok soon forged an alliance with the Decepticon leader, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

{{note|The events of "The Great Transformer War" manga occur at this point.}}

In the year 2011, when Galvatron launched his latest attack on Cybertron with the added power of his new Decepticon Headmasters, Hardhead and his fellow Autobot Headmasters travelled to the planet to help their comrades defend their homeworld. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

Hardhead can't hold his energon wine very well. One drink and he wants to karaoke! {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}}
{{charstubfiction}}

====''The Headmasters'' comic====
{{note|The ''Headmasters'' manga takes place concurrently with the ''Headmasters'' cartoon}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 1|The Headmasters #1}}
{{storylink|Great Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 2|The Headmasters #2}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 3|The Headmasters #3}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 4|The Headmasters #4}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 5|The Headmasters #5}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 6|The Headmasters #6}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 7|The Headmasters #7}}
{{charstubfiction}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic====
Several years after the end of the Headmasters' war on Earth, a new Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] named [[Ginrai]] was appointed, and flown to [[Athenia]] for his coronation. Hardhead was present for the ceremony, and then helped to fight off a Decepticon attack upon the planet. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The United Earth-Space Troops}} Soon after, when the Decepticon [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] made his way to Earth, Hardhead, the other Autobot Headmasters and [[Raiden]] pursued him, but were defeated in battle in Earth's orbit. {{storylink|God Ginrai's Amazing Super-God Combination!}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Hardhead-RingofHate.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Highbrow's forehead is right!]]

A long time ago, on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hardhead was part of an Autobot strike unit led by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. This unit operated out of a cave dug into the [[Manganese Mountains]], and often worked to foil the schemes of their primary nemesis, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Their last major mission on Cybertron was to upset a slave march to the [[Smelting pool|smelting pools]]. After that, however, Fortress Maximus revealed to the Autobots that he had grown sick of warfare, and planned to escape the endless ring of hate by immigrating to a new world altogether: [[Nebulos]]. Initially, Hardhead was outraged and accused Maximus of cowardice for even conceiving of leaving the war before it was finished, but he was quickly chastized when [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] reminded him of how valiantly their leader had fought on the battlefield that day, and every day prior for countless [[Units of time|vorns]]. With some convincing, Hardhead and many others chose to join Fortress Maximus on his quest for peace. Peace is rarely an Autobot's lot, though, as an innocent mishap combined with some xenophobia among a few of the Nebulan rulers to bring war to the Autobot camp's doorstep. Hardened warriors like Hardhead and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] immediately fell into old habits and started fighting back, but Fortress Maximus abruptly ended their gunplay and ordered an all-out retreat.

Despite these setbacks, Fortress Maximus was determined to wage peace, not war. He brought an envoy of Autobots, including Hardhead, to the Nebulan capitol of [[Koraja]] to once again plead for peace. When the Nebulans still were not totally swayed after he and his Autobots disarmed, Maximus removed his own head from his shoulders, leaving his body deactivated and inoperable in the Nebulans' care. Hardhead and three other Autobots joined their leader in his gesture. It was this gesture which finally ushered in a cease fire with the Nebulans. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

Fortress Maximus, Hardhead and the others had their separate heads and bodies detained inside a bunker outside Koraja, as so-called "prisoners of peace", while the Nebulan leaders conversed with them and also the remaining Autobots (under Kup's supervision) in the [[Folassian Forest]] beyond the city. Maximus had successfully convinced [[Galen]], head of the [[World Watchers]], of his good intentions, but the paranoid Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] distrusted the Autobots at every turn, and was committed to removing them from Nebulos even if he had to fake their crimes in order to do it. He even went so far as to summon the Decepticons to Nebulos, hoping that they would rid the planet of their Autobot problem. (So he's not that bright. Give him a break, he's in politics!)

[[Image:Loveandsteel-runfortmaxrun.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]

The Decepticon arrival was everything you would expect, as Scorponok and his henchmen began to lay siege to Koraja, trying to get at the inoperative Fortress Maximus and his men. Galen and Council Guard Commander [[Duros]] arrived at the Autobots' bunker to rapidly consult them on options. Several potential strategies were discarded in short order, and the allies finally settled on a radical solution involving bio-mechanical engineering — Galen and several other volunteers were bionically reconstructed to transform into duplicates of the Autobots' severed heads, allowing them to [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] with the Autobots' bodies and share both physical control and tactical analysis with the original Autobot personalities. Duros was one of the first volunteers for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process, and was binary bonded to Hardhead. Duros quickly adjusted to the raw power and military might of his new body, using Hardhead's laser-guided cannon against the Decepticon aggressors. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}}

Their status as the saviors of Koraja made Duros and the others an instant hit among the populace, but Nebulos's rulers were still wary of the Transformers, especially now that their presence had led Nebulans themselves to wage war for the first time in over 10,000 years. Galen and his men did their best to assuage the fears of the [[Council of Peers]]. When the [[Horrorcon|Horrorcons]] and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] attacked the [[Splendora]] resort, Hardhead and [[Brainstorm]] joined their Autobot comrades, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], in fending off [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and zapping [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] into submission. The devastation left in the wake of their battle did little to discourage the Council's antipathy, however. When the Autobot Headmasters went on a rescue mission to recover Lord Zarak and his followers (who had been prisoners of the Decepticons since their arrival), a detachment of Council members insisted on accompanying them. Unfortunately, Zarak had entered into a bargain with Scorponok, and by the time Hardhead and the others reached the [[Plains of Thok]], the Decepticon Headmasters had been born. Although Zarak / Scorponok endangered the council members by using them as a diversion to gun down the Autobots, [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnotic gaze had scrambled the other Nebulans' minds so much that Zarak was able to convince them that Galen's men were the evil ones, and he manipulated the Decepticons into becoming Nebulos's new "champions". {{storylink|Love and Steel!}}

Duros and the other Nebulan Headmasters were held captive by Zarak in Koraja, alongside their disabled Autobot counterparts. Despite his hunger for power and growing battle-lust, however, Zarak still ultimately wanted what was best for Nebulos. Realizing how a continued war between the Autobots and Decepticons would truly affect the planet he loved, Zarak freed Duros and the Autobot Headmasters, sending them back to their comrades in the forest. Galen had reached the same conclusions as Zarak, and gathered his men back aboard the Autobot ship ''[[Steelhaven]]'', to leave Nebulos behind to rebuild in their absence. Sure enough, Zarak / Scorponok and the Decepticons chose to follow the Autobots into space. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[Image:Hardhead-WorldsApart.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Got to... SHEEAKK!]]

''Before they left, however, the Autobot Headmasters had another encounter with their Decepticon opposite numbers. After the [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]] were captured by the Decepticons for analysis and dissection, Hardhead and the Headmasters went out looking for them, only to run into the Decepticon Headmasters on the way. Hardhead was nearly knocked off the road when Mindwipe's hypnotic stare sent Brainstorm crashing into him. Despite being shaken by the impact, Hardhead still managed to defeat both [[Weirdwolf]] and [[Skullcruncher]] by himself. The Autobots regrouped to follow Mindwipe, the last of their attackers, who was apparently fleeing for safety. After entering the Decepticons' [[Fortress of Despair]], however, Hardhead and the others realized they had been led into a trap, and were confronted by the might Scorponok and the Decepticon Targetmasters. In order to help even the odds, Hardhead freed the Autobot Targetmasters who were being held prisoner. With their help, the Autobots eventually overcame the Decepticons and fled back to base. {{storylink|Worlds Apart!}}''

[[Image:Trialbyfire-fortmax-disassemble.jpg|right|thumb|250px|And I'll form the head! Fortress Maximus's head, that is. With tools.]]

After leaving Nebulos, Hardhead and the crew of ''Steelhaven'' followed an Autobot distress call to the planet called Earth. During the long journey, they had Fortress Maximus heavily upgraded into a larger, more powerful body. Even the militaristic Duros was a bit unsettled by the new war-like outlook of their leader, Galen, but he insisted he was merely changing to fit the circumstances they had been dealt. Upon arrival, Fortress Maximus, Hardhead and the other Headmasters took a shuttle down to Earth's surface, and located the caves in [[Mount St. Hilary]] where the distress call had first been broadcast. They also found the broadcaster himself, an Autobot named [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] whose [[brain module]] had been retrofitted into a tiny electronic toy car. [[Toy Soldiers!|Long story]]. Scorponok and the Decepticon Headmasters had also come to Earth after the distress call, however, and a battle broke out. The battle proved costly, as Galen died protecting an Earthen from Scorponok. He passed on his control helmet to this boy, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], leaving Fortress Maximus and the Autobots in his hands. It was Hardhead who first suggested that Spike was the group's new leader. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}

In the weeks that followed, ''Steelhaven's'' crew united with the other Autobots on board the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Hardhead was present on the moon when two members of the Ark's crew, [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], engaged in ritual combat to settle their differences. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[Image:Edgeofextinction-hardheadbombburst.jpg|left|200px|thumb|That's gonna leave a mark.]]
''During the Time Wars, Hardhead was among the Autobot strike team gathered by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], Grimlock and Fortress Maximus to engage [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] for the fate of two time periods, several associated planets, and the universe at large. Unfortunately, the future Autobots of 2009 arrived before the battle began, and the mass-substitution effect created by time travel shunted Hardhead into [[Limbo]] for the duration. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

Hardhead was next seen on Cybertron for the final united battle against [[Unicron]]. Working with the Decepticon [[Pretender]], [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]], he was in the process of moving a surface-to-air missile battery into position when Unicron touched down on the planet's surface. The Planet-Eater's massive foot indiscriminately crushed Autobot, Decepticon, and weapon flat. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Escalation6 Hardhead AVENGE.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hardhead makes his own decisions!]]
Hardhead was a career soldier, intended as a problem solver who got things done fast. To him, this meant he had no future, as some day the war will end, and he would be a walking reminder of it, something to be quietly done away with. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:Devastation4 Hardhead.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Hardhead answers his own questions!]]

Prior to the [[Brasnya]] incident, Hardhead was ordered by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to [[Earth]] on the ''[[Ark-32]]'', along with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3|Escalation #3}} The two arrived right in the middle of the battle, although Hot Rod sped away after the [[facsimile construct|facsimile]] before Hardhead could stop him to report their presence. He engaged in battle with [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], {{storylink|Escalation issue 4|Escalation #4}} causing severe damage to the shuttle [[Triple Changer]] and continued to hound him to such an extent that [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] had to call in [[Thundercracker (G1)|reinforcements]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}} When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] seemingly defeated Optimus Prime, Hardhead attempted (futilely) to damage him with repeated cannon blasts. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

Hardhead would eventually regroup with his teammates after the battle and was among them during [[Sixshot]]'s surprise assault on the ''[[Ark-19]]''. He bravely (if futilely) attacked Sixshot, along with the rest of the Autobots before being beamed back to the ''Ark-32''. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}} Due to injuries and separate missions, Hardhead found himself to be the only active Autobot besides [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] — and neither were happy to hear that Optimus was withdrawing them from Earth to [[Garrus-9]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} Hardhead went to retrieve Hot Rod and the others, blowing up a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] that was attacking Hot Rod. Hot Rod refused to go though, wanting to see the Headmaster mystery to the end. Hardhead reluctantly let him go and took [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] back with him. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

[[Image:SpotlightHardhead HardheadsHeadshot.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hardhead expresses his own feelings!]]
Soon, [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] discovered that he logged a message during his visit to [[Gorlam Prime]] — of which he had no recollection — and asked Hardhead for help. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

Before leaving for Gorlam Prime, Nightbeat told Hardhead of his fears that he may be compromised, and that if he threatened Hardhead or anyone else, he should terminate Nightbeat. Arriving on Gorlam Prime, Nightbeat and Hardhead discovered virtually the entire planet's population had frozen in a chrysalis-like state and were in the midst of undergoing some kind of evolutionary cycle. Before they could explore further, however, they were beset upon by dozens of [[Micromaster|Micromasters]], all of whom immediately targeted Hardhead.

[[Image:Nightbeatexecuted.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Hardhead shoots his own comrades!]]
Escaping from their attackers, the two Autobots fled deep underground. Once they neared the portal to the [[Dead Universe]], [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] took remote-control of Nightbeat and tried to kill Hardhead with a point-blank shot between the optics. Fortunately, Hardhead lived up to his name and took the shot with minimal damage. As Nightbeat was joined by more Micromasters, Hardhead took the opportunity to retreat deeper into Gorlam Prime's underground caverns.

There, he discovered the portal to the Dead Universe. As the mind-controlled Nightbeat caught up with him, Hardhead realized he had nowhere else to fall back to. When told to surrender, Hardhead responded by shooting Nightbeat through the head with a pinpoint shot and then plunged through the portal, ready to face whatever dangers lay on the other side. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:DeadUniverseHardhead.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Hardhead rises from his own grave!]]
Having become a permanent resident of the [[Dead Universe]], Hardhead did not resurface until Jhiaxus's plans were well underway. However, he did manage to catch the Cybertronian scientist who was fleeing the onslaught of [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. Preventing the madman's escape, he explained to the hyperviolent Autobot that Jhiaxus couldn't truly die here on the threshold between the material world and the Dead Universe. That suited Arcee fine, as it let her indulge her revenge fantasies to their utmost. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[Image:Heart of Darkness2 HardheadVSCyclonus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Hardhead delivers his own lame dialogue!]]
Hardhead remained at Arcee's side as she happily killed Jhiaxus over and over again, though he was more interested in investigating some ancient catacombs discovered in the depths of Gorlam Prime. After some time had passed, the portal to the Dead Universe began to act strangely, luring the inhabitants of the planet into wandering through it. Seemingly due to his connection to the Dead Universe, Hardhead was immune to this apparent hypnosis, and he pinned Arcee down to keep her from following the others. Once the entire population of Gorlam Prime was gone, the portal emitted a flash of light and changed shape, knocking Hardhead and Arcee out cold. After they awoke, they left to investigate the catacombs and figure out what happened. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}} Eventually, they detected [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his troops entering the portal's chamber and attacked them. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1|Heart of Darkness #1}}

Hardhead took on [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], defeating both of them, but was brought down by Galvatron, who was drawing on power from the Dead Universe. He urged Arcee to flee and warn the Autobots, and was then captured by Galvatron, who invaded his mind and read his memories. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2|Heart of Darkness #2}}

Having presumably fallen under Galvatron's control, Hardhead joined the army he was building to defend the universe from [[D-Void]] from the Dead Universe. He accompanied Galvatron, Cyclonus, and a [[generic]] or two to the planet [[Dykayra]] to scout out a sight of an incursion of D-Void. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 3|Heart of Darkness #3}} There, he and the others fought with [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]], resurrected and controlled by D-Void. Hardhead survived the battle and was later air-dropped onto [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the army's first line of defense. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4|Heart of Darkness #4}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
After Hardhead and Arcee save the survivers of the attack on the [[Kimia Facility]], they headed to Cybertron while they explained all about Galvatron's plan and the D-Void (and had to help [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]pronounce D-Void). They didn't make it before Galvatron infected [[Vector Sigma]] with the Heart of Darkness and created a storm around Cybertron, but they did make in time to crash their ship right on top of Galvatron. Hardhead emerged from the wreckage and asked if it was Galvatron that they hit. He and Arcee continued to fire at the apparently invincible Galvatron after he emerged unscratched. They were defeated. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===
Hardhead was kidnapped by the Decepticons and held captive on the Jail planet by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. He was rescued by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and his other comrades, and in turn helped rescue those who were still imprisoned. Once they had reunited, Hardhead and the others met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] for the last battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Hardhead was available as a playable character in the Autobot campaign during the second playthrough.}}

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

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Hardhead toy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I don't get it either. Not like I have a "hard head" to draw.]]
*'''Hardhead''' (Headmaster, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-102'''
**''Accessories'': "Duros" Headmaster partner "Tank Commander", 2 "Shatterblasters"

:Hardhead transforms into a Cybertronian self-propelled artillery gun. Like many Transformers of this era, he can store his rifles in 5mm peg holes in his vehicle mode, and his Headmaster partner, Duros, can ride inside his cockpit. Duros transforms into his head, which, when attached to Hardhead's robot mode, activates a simplified, spring-loaded [[Tech Spec]] meter hidden under a panel on his chest. This [[gimmick]] works with any other Headmaster "pilot" figure.

:In robot mode, Hardhead is unusually tall for a toy of his price point, as the tank basically flips on end and extends to transform. As to be expected, Hardhead has rather limited articulation.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Hardhead/hardhead.htm More information on Hardhead at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
====Generation 1 Series====
[[Image:Universe2008toy-HardheadUltra.jpg|right|thumb|300px|It feels like a pizza-disc launcher is missing.]]
*'''Hardhead''' (Ultra Class, 2009)
**''Accessories'': Shield

: Hardhead is a mostly green [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Ultra Class [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], transforming into a six-wheeled SWAT assault truck. Instead of blending in with the rest of his colors, his shield stands out entirely black with a messily painted "no" sign on top of a similarly made Decepticon symbol and seven tally marks below it. He doesn't seem to come with Duros in any form, which might explain the shield.

: Hardhead uses the later version of Onslaught's electronics that doesn't cut off quickly.

: This mold was [[retool]]ed into ''[[Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Clench (G1)|Clench]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUHardhead/hardhead.htm More information on Hardhead at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:G1HardheadOriginalHead.jpg|right|180px|thumb|More like... Squathead...]]
* In the television [[commercial]] for [[Marvel Comics]]' ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' limited series, the Autobot and Decepticon Headmasters are shown having different head designs than the ones their Nebulan partners would later turn into. These designs were seemingly never used in any other piece of ''Transformers'' media. The [[Character model|models]] for most of them, however, turned up in the excellent ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' guidebook.
* The [[instructions]] for ''[[Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] show him with an alternate head sculpt resembling Hardhead. Unlike various other ''Generations'' toys, however, the alternate head only shows up in ''some'' steps in the instructions, whereas most steps simply depict Warpath's actual head. There are currently no known specific plans to release a Hardhead [[retool]] of Warpath.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ros''' (ロス ''Rosu''), '''Hardhead''' (ハードヘッド ''Hādoheddo'')
*''Italian:'' '''Blindobot''' ("Armoredbot")
*''French:'' '''Tête-Dure''' (Canada, "Hard-Head")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tǐeh Tóu''' (Taiwan, 鐵頭, "Hard Head", literally "Iron Head"), '''Lao Wangu''' (China, 老顽固, "Old Stubborn")
{{--}}

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

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Hardhead (G1)

2011-11-22T18:18:49Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Headmaster from Generation 1|the Predacon from Beast Wars Neo|Hardhead (BWN)}}
:''Hardhead is an [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:HardH.gif|right|274px|thumb|No, my toy's head looks nothing remotely like this, why do you ask?]]
'''Hardhead''' is a soldier to his core. A soldier with a stubborn streak a [[Units of length|megamile]] wide. He's stubborn to the point of rejecting outright any path but his own, any idea that goes against his natural instinct or inclination (namely fighting), and any advice he didn't come up with himself. He doesn't talk much, and when he does, it tends to be blunt and terse, if not outright rude. A soldier doesn't waste time on social niceties when there's a war to fight.

Perhaps surprisingly, given his limited social aptitude, Hardhead has found a good companion in [[Duros]], his [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] [[Nebulan]] partner, who enjoys warfare just as much as Hardhead does. The two mesh so well, it's been said that theirs may be the best match among all the Autobot-Nebulan teams.

{{quote|So what? They call me Hardhead. And that's really '''''all''''' you need to know.|Hardhead is unimpressed with [[Sixshot]]'s bragging|[[Devastation issue 4|''Devastation'' #4]]}}

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Stephen Keener]] (English), [[Eiji Itō]] (Japan)
[[Image:Rebirth2-Welcometotheclub.jpg|left|thumb|250px|This is what my head looks like. Sometimes.]]
After the resurrection of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], the Decepticons practically disappeared for a time. On Cybertron, Brainstorm used this reprieve to experiment on pairing Transformers with human partners, though his efforts did not convince Hardhead or [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]. Shortly after the exercise, Optimus Prime contacted them, notifying them of the Decepticons' return. They had stolen the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber]] and were on their way to the chamber itself on Cybertron. Unfortunately, the chamber's activation would destroy Cybertron. Hardhead and several other Autobots commandeered a ship to head off [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] before they could reach the Plasma Energy Chamber, and they managed to retrieve the Key, but an energy surge smacked the Autobot ship out of Cybertron's orbit and far into space.

Hardhead and the others crash-landed on a strange planet named [[Nebulos]] and were quickly taken captive by an underground resistance movement that believed the Autobots were machines controlled by the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], who ruled Nebulos. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
{{note|In Japan, Hardhead is a small robot who transforms into a head and controls a larger, lifeless [[transtector]] body. The ''Headmasters'' toyline referred to the small robot as '''Ros''', with "Hardhead" being the name of the combined small robot/transtector form, though this distinction is hardly ever made in fiction.}}
====''The Great Transformer War'' comic====
While significant Transformer battles were being waged on [[Earth]] and across space, Hardhead and the other Headmasters were battling their Decepticon counterparts on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]]. Thinking that the three Decepticons had escaped them by leaping into a chasm, Hardhead began raging, and nearly wound up fighting with [[Brainstorm]] when the other Headmaster told him to calm down. Luckily, he was able to direct his anger back upon the Decepticons when they came bursting out of the ground beneath the Autobots' feet. The Decepticons didn't fare terribly well in the battle, which abruptly ended when the Decepticon ninja [[Sixshot]] arrived and instructed them to follow him back to [[Chaar]]. The Decepticons fled into space, but Hardhead and his fellow Autobot Headmasters quickly gave chase aboard the battleship ''Maximus'', heading for Cybertron rejoin the larger Transformer war. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Masato Hirano]] (Japanese)
[[Image:IRiskMyLifeForEarth-Letgoofme.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Humpty Grumpty.]]
Four million years ago, Hardhead was among a group of [[Cyberdroid|diminutive Cybertronians]] who departed Cybertron under the leadership of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], seeking to escape the eternal war that had consumed the planet. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Alas, engine trouble caused their craft to crash land on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], an inhospitable world whose murderous environments and wildly changeable atmospheric conditions threatened the lives of the Cybertronians almost as soon as they stepped off their ship and were caught in a desert of sinking sands. Fighting against the odds, the Cybertronians made several technological quantum leaps to survive on Master, including the creation of larger, lifeless Transformer bodies called [[transtector]]s. Hardhead and many of his comrades underwent rigorous physical and mental training to master the art of [[transformation]], learning to transform into heads that connected to the transtectors and placed them under their control. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Hardhead was one of ten warriors who became one of these "Headmasters", but unfortunately, half their number soon rebelled against Fortress's leadership and sided with a traitor named [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] against him. Via the Decepticon ninja [[Sixshot]], Scorponok soon forged an alliance with the Decepticon leader, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

{{note|The events of "The Great Transformer War" manga occur at this point.}}

In the year 2011, when Galvatron launched his latest attack on Cybertron with the added power of his new Decepticon Headmasters, Hardhead and his fellow Autobot Headmasters travelled to the planet to help their comrades defend their homeworld. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

Hardhead can't hold his energon wine very well. One drink and he wants to karaoke! {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}}
{{charstubfiction}}

====''The Headmasters'' comic====
{{note|The ''Headmasters'' manga takes place concurrently with the ''Headmasters'' cartoon}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 1|The Headmasters #1}}
{{storylink|Great Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 2|The Headmasters #2}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 3|The Headmasters #3}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 4|The Headmasters #4}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 5|The Headmasters #5}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 6|The Headmasters #6}}
{{storylink|The Headmasters issue 7|The Headmasters #7}}
{{charstubfiction}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic====
Several years after the end of the Headmasters' war on Earth, a new Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] named [[Ginrai]] was appointed, and flown to [[Athenia]] for his coronation. Hardhead was present for the ceremony, and then helped to fight off a Decepticon attack upon the planet. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The United Earth-Space Troops}} Soon after, when the Decepticon [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] made his way to Earth, Hardhead, the other Autobot Headmasters and [[Raiden]] pursued him, but were defeated in battle in Earth's orbit. {{storylink|God Ginrai's Amazing Super-God Combination!}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Hardhead-RingofHate.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Highbrow's forehead is right!]]

A long time ago, on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hardhead was part of an Autobot strike unit led by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. This unit operated out of a cave dug into the [[Manganese Mountains]], and often worked to foil the schemes of their primary nemesis, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Their last major mission on Cybertron was to upset a slave march to the [[Smelting pool|smelting pools]]. After that, however, Fortress Maximus revealed to the Autobots that he had grown sick of warfare, and planned to escape the endless ring of hate by immigrating to a new world altogether: [[Nebulos]]. Initially, Hardhead was outraged and accused Maximus of cowardice for even conceiving of leaving the war before it was finished, but he was quickly chastized when [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] reminded him of how valiantly their leader had fought on the battlefield that day, and every day prior for countless [[Units of time|vorns]]. With some convincing, Hardhead and many others chose to join Fortress Maximus on his quest for peace. Peace is rarely an Autobot's lot, though, as an innocent mishap combined with some xenophobia among a few of the Nebulan rulers to bring war to the Autobot camp's doorstep. Hardened warriors like Hardhead and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] immediately fell into old habits and started fighting back, but Fortress Maximus abruptly ended their gunplay and ordered an all-out retreat.

Despite these setbacks, Fortress Maximus was determined to wage peace, not war. He brought an envoy of Autobots, including Hardhead, to the Nebulan capitol of [[Koraja]] to once again plead for peace. When the Nebulans still were not totally swayed after he and his Autobots disarmed, Maximus removed his own head from his shoulders, leaving his body deactivated and inoperable in the Nebulans' care. Hardhead and three other Autobots joined their leader in his gesture. It was this gesture which finally ushered in a cease fire with the Nebulans. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

Fortress Maximus, Hardhead and the others had their separate heads and bodies detained inside a bunker outside Koraja, as so-called "prisoners of peace", while the Nebulan leaders conversed with them and also the remaining Autobots (under Kup's supervision) in the [[Folassian Forest]] beyond the city. Maximus had successfully convinced [[Galen]], head of the [[World Watchers]], of his good intentions, but the paranoid Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] distrusted the Autobots at every turn, and was committed to removing them from Nebulos even if he had to fake their crimes in order to do it. He even went so far as to summon the Decepticons to Nebulos, hoping that they would rid the planet of their Autobot problem. (So he's not that bright. Give him a break, he's in politics!)

[[Image:Loveandsteel-runfortmaxrun.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]

The Decepticon arrival was everything you would expect, as Scorponok and his henchmen began to lay siege to Koraja, trying to get at the inoperative Fortress Maximus and his men. Galen and Council Guard Commander [[Duros]] arrived at the Autobots' bunker to rapidly consult them on options. Several potential strategies were discarded in short order, and the allies finally settled on a radical solution involving bio-mechanical engineering — Galen and several other volunteers were bionically reconstructed to transform into duplicates of the Autobots' severed heads, allowing them to [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] with the Autobots' bodies and share both physical control and tactical analysis with the original Autobot personalities. Duros was one of the first volunteers for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process, and was binary bonded to Hardhead. Duros quickly adjusted to the raw power and military might of his new body, using Hardhead's laser-guided cannon against the Decepticon aggressors. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}}

Their status as the saviors of Koraja made Duros and the others an instant hit among the populace, but Nebulos's rulers were still wary of the Transformers, especially now that their presence had led Nebulans themselves to wage war for the first time in over 10,000 years. Galen and his men did their best to assuage the fears of the [[Council of Peers]]. When the [[Horrorcon|Horrorcons]] and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] attacked the [[Splendora]] resort, Hardhead and [[Brainstorm]] joined their Autobot comrades, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], in fending off [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and zapping [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] into submission. The devastation left in the wake of their battle did little to discourage the Council's antipathy, however. When the Autobot Headmasters went on a rescue mission to recover Lord Zarak and his followers (who had been prisoners of the Decepticons since their arrival), a detachment of Council members insisted on accompanying them. Unfortunately, Zarak had entered into a bargain with Scorponok, and by the time Hardhead and the others reached the [[Plains of Thok]], the Decepticon Headmasters had been born. Although Zarak / Scorponok endangered the council members by using them as a diversion to gun down the Autobots, [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnotic gaze had scrambled the other Nebulans' minds so much that Zarak was able to convince them that Galen's men were the evil ones, and he manipulated the Decepticons into becoming Nebulos's new "champions". {{storylink|Love and Steel!}}

Duros and the other Nebulan Headmasters were held captive by Zarak in Koraja, alongside their disabled Autobot counterparts. Despite his hunger for power and growing battle-lust, however, Zarak still ultimately wanted what was best for Nebulos. Realizing how a continued war between the Autobots and Decepticons would truly affect the planet he loved, Zarak freed Duros and the Autobot Headmasters, sending them back to their comrades in the forest. Galen had reached the same conclusions as Zarak, and gathered his men back aboard the Autobot ship ''[[Steelhaven]]'', to leave Nebulos behind to rebuild in their absence. Sure enough, Zarak / Scorponok and the Decepticons chose to follow the Autobots into space. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[Image:Hardhead-WorldsApart.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Got to... SHEEAKK!]]

''Before they left, however, the Autobot Headmasters had another encounter with their Decepticon opposite numbers. After the [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]] were captured by the Decepticons for analysis and dissection, Hardhead and the Headmasters went out looking for them, only to run into the Decepticon Headmasters on the way. Hardhead was nearly knocked off the road when Mindwipe's hypnotic stare sent Brainstorm crashing into him. Despite being shaken by the impact, Hardhead still managed to defeat both [[Weirdwolf]] and [[Skullcruncher]] by himself. The Autobots regrouped to follow Mindwipe, the last of their attackers, who was apparently fleeing for safety. After entering the Decepticons' [[Fortress of Despair]], however, Hardhead and the others realized they had been led into a trap, and were confronted by the might Scorponok and the Decepticon Targetmasters. In order to help even the odds, Hardhead freed the Autobot Targetmasters who were being held prisoner. With their help, the Autobots eventually overcame the Decepticons and fled back to base. {{storylink|Worlds Apart!}}''

[[Image:Trialbyfire-fortmax-disassemble.jpg|right|thumb|250px|And I'll form the head! Fortress Maximus's head, that is. With tools.]]

After leaving Nebulos, Hardhead and the crew of ''Steelhaven'' followed an Autobot distress call to the planet called Earth. During the long journey, they had Fortress Maximus heavily upgraded into a larger, more powerful body. Even the militaristic Duros was a bit unsettled by the new war-like outlook of their leader, Galen, but he insisted he was merely changing to fit the circumstances they had been dealt. Upon arrival, Fortress Maximus, Hardhead and the other Headmasters took a shuttle down to Earth's surface, and located the caves in [[Mount St. Hilary]] where the distress call had first been broadcast. They also found the broadcaster himself, an Autobot named [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] whose [[brain module]] had been retrofitted into a tiny electronic toy car. [[Toy Soldiers!|Long story]]. Scorponok and the Decepticon Headmasters had also come to Earth after the distress call, however, and a battle broke out. The battle proved costly, as Galen died protecting an Earthen from Scorponok. He passed on his control helmet to this boy, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], leaving Fortress Maximus and the Autobots in his hands. It was Hardhead who first suggested that Spike was the group's new leader. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}

In the weeks that followed, ''Steelhaven's'' crew united with the other Autobots on board the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Hardhead was present on the moon when two members of the Ark's crew, [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], engaged in ritual combat to settle their differences. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[Image:Edgeofextinction-hardheadbombburst.jpg|left|200px|thumb|That's gonna leave a mark.]]
''During the Time Wars, Hardhead was among the Autobot strike team gathered by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], Grimlock and Fortress Maximus to engage [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] for the fate of two time periods, several associated planets, and the universe at large. Unfortunately, the future Autobots of 2009 arrived before the battle began, and the mass-substitution effect created by time travel shunted Hardhead into [[Limbo]] for the duration. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

Hardhead was next seen on Cybertron for the final united battle against [[Unicron]]. Working with the Decepticon [[Pretender]], [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]], he was in the process of moving a surface-to-air missile battery into position when Unicron touched down on the planet's surface. The Planet-Eater's massive foot indiscriminately crushed Autobot, Decepticon, and weapon flat. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Escalation6 Hardhead AVENGE.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hardhead makes his own decisions!]]
Hardhead was a career soldier, intended as a problem solver who got things done fast. To him, this meant he had no future, as some day the war will end, and he would be a walking reminder of it, something to be quietly done away with. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:Devastation4 Hardhead.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Hardhead answers his own questions!]]

Prior to the [[Brasnya]] incident, Hardhead was ordered by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] to [[Earth]] on the ''[[Ark-32]]'', along with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3|Escalation #3}} The two arrived right in the middle of the battle, although Hot Rod sped away after the [[facsimile construct|facsimile]] before Hardhead could stop him to report their presence. He engaged in battle with [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], {{storylink|Escalation issue 4|Escalation #4}} causing severe damage to the shuttle [[Triple Changer]] and continued to hound him to such an extent that [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] had to call in [[Thundercracker (G1)|reinforcements]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}} When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] seemingly defeated Optimus Prime, Hardhead attempted (futilely) to damage him with repeated cannon blasts. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

Hardhead would eventually regroup with his teammates after the battle and was among them during [[Sixshot]]'s surprise assault on the ''[[Ark-19]]''. He bravely (if futilely) attacked Sixshot, along with the rest of the Autobots before being beamed back to the ''Ark-32''. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}} Due to injuries and separate missions, Hardhead found himself to be the only active Autobot besides [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] — and neither were happy to hear that Optimus was withdrawing them from Earth to [[Garrus-9]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} Hardhead went to retrieve Hot Rod and the others, blowing up a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] that was attacking Hot Rod. Hot Rod refused to go though, wanting to see the Headmaster mystery to the end. Hardhead reluctantly let him go and took [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] back with him. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

[[Image:SpotlightHardhead HardheadsHeadshot.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hardhead expresses his own feelings!]]
Soon, [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] discovered that he logged a message during his visit to [[Gorlam Prime]] — of which he had no recollection — and asked Hardhead for help. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

Before leaving for Gorlam Prime, Nightbeat told Hardhead of his fears that he may be compromised, and that if he threatened Hardhead or anyone else, he should terminate Nightbeat. Arriving on Gorlam Prime, Nightbeat and Hardhead discovered virtually the entire planet's population had frozen in a chrysalis-like state and were in the midst of undergoing some kind of evolutionary cycle. Before they could explore further, however, they were beset upon by dozens of [[Micromaster|Micromasters]], all of whom immediately targeted Hardhead.

[[Image:Nightbeatexecuted.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Hardhead shoots his own comrades!]]
Escaping from their attackers, the two Autobots fled deep underground. Once they neared the portal to the [[Dead Universe]], [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] took remote-control of Nightbeat and tried to kill Hardhead with a point-blank shot between the optics. Fortunately, Hardhead lived up to his name and took the shot with minimal damage. As Nightbeat was joined by more Micromasters, Hardhead took the opportunity to retreat deeper into Gorlam Prime's underground caverns.

There, he discovered the portal to the Dead Universe. As the mind-controlled Nightbeat caught up with him, Hardhead realized he had nowhere else to fall back to. When told to surrender, Hardhead responded by shooting Nightbeat through the head with a pinpoint shot and then plunged through the portal, ready to face whatever dangers lay on the other side. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:DeadUniverseHardhead.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Hardhead rises from his own grave!]]
Having become a permanent resident of the [[Dead Universe]], Hardhead did not resurface until Jhiaxus's plans were well underway. However, he did manage to catch the Cybertronian scientist who was fleeing the onslaught of [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. Preventing the madman's escape, he explained to the hyperviolent Autobot that Jhiaxus couldn't truly die here on the threshold between the material world and the Dead Universe. That suited Arcee fine, as it let her indulge her revenge fantasies to their utmost. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[Image:Heart of Darkness2 HardheadVSCyclonus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Hardhead delivers his own lame dialogue!]]
Hardhead remained at Arcee's side as she happily killed Jhiaxus over and over again, though he was more interested in investigating some ancient catacombs discovered in the depths of Gorlam Prime. After some time had passed, the portal to the Dead Universe began to act strangely, luring the inhabitants of the planet into wandering through it. Seemingly due to his connection to the Dead Universe, Hardhead was immune to this apparent hypnosis, and he pinned Arcee down to keep her from following the others. Once the entire population of Gorlam Prime was gone, the portal emitted a flash of light and changed shape, knocking Hardhead and Arcee out cold. After they awoke, they left to investigate the catacombs and figure out what happened. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}} Eventually, they detected [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his troops entering the portal's chamber and attacked them. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1|Heart of Darkness #1}}

Hardhead took on [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], defeating both of them, but was brought down by Galvatron, who was drawing on power from the Dead Universe. He urged Arcee to flee and warn the Autobots, and was then captured by Galvatron, who invaded his mind and read his memories. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2|Heart of Darkness #2}}

Having presumably fallen under Galvatron's control, Hardhead joined the army he was building to defend the universe from [[D-Void]] from the Dead Universe. He accompanied Galvatron, Cyclonus, and a [[generic]] or two to the planet [[Dykayra]] to scout out a sight of an incursion of D-Void. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 3|Heart of Darkness #3}} There, he and the others fought with [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]], resurrected and controlled by D-Void. Hardhead survived the battle and was later air-dropped onto [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the army's first line of defense. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4|Heart of Darkness #4}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
After Hardhead and Arcee save the survivers on the raid on the [[Kimia Facility]], they headed to Cybertron while they explained all about Galvatron's plan and the D-Void (which [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] couldn't pronounce without his help). They didn't make it before Galvatron infected [[Vector Sigma]] with the Heart of Darkness and created a storm around Cybertron, but they did make in time to crash their ship right on top of Galvatron. Hardhead emerged fro the wreckage and asked if it was Galvatron that they hit. He and Arcee continued to fire at the apparently invinccible Galvatron after he emerged unscratched. They were defeated. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: The Headmasters''===
Hardhead was kidnapped by the Decepticons and held captive on the Jail planet by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. He was rescued by [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and his other comrades, and in turn helped rescue those who were still imprisoned. Once they had reunited, Hardhead and the others met with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] for the last battle against [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|Transformers: The Headmasters}}

===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Hardhead was available as a playable character in the Autobot campaign during the second playthrough.}}

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

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Hardhead toy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I don't get it either. Not like I have a "hard head" to draw.]]
*'''Hardhead''' (Headmaster, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-102'''
**''Accessories'': "Duros" Headmaster partner "Tank Commander", 2 "Shatterblasters"

:Hardhead transforms into a Cybertronian self-propelled artillery gun. Like many Transformers of this era, he can store his rifles in 5mm peg holes in his vehicle mode, and his Headmaster partner, Duros, can ride inside his cockpit. Duros transforms into his head, which, when attached to Hardhead's robot mode, activates a simplified, spring-loaded [[Tech Spec]] meter hidden under a panel on his chest. This [[gimmick]] works with any other Headmaster "pilot" figure.

:In robot mode, Hardhead is unusually tall for a toy of his price point, as the tank basically flips on end and extends to transform. As to be expected, Hardhead has rather limited articulation.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Hardhead/hardhead.htm More information on Hardhead at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
====Generation 1 Series====
[[Image:Universe2008toy-HardheadUltra.jpg|right|thumb|300px|It feels like a pizza-disc launcher is missing.]]
*'''Hardhead''' (Ultra Class, 2009)
**''Accessories'': Shield

: Hardhead is a mostly green [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Ultra Class [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], transforming into a six-wheeled SWAT assault truck. Instead of blending in with the rest of his colors, his shield stands out entirely black with a messily painted "no" sign on top of a similarly made Decepticon symbol and seven tally marks below it. He doesn't seem to come with Duros in any form, which might explain the shield.

: Hardhead uses the later version of Onslaught's electronics that doesn't cut off quickly.

: This mold was [[retool]]ed into ''[[Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Clench (G1)|Clench]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUHardhead/hardhead.htm More information on Hardhead at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:G1HardheadOriginalHead.jpg|right|180px|thumb|More like... Squathead...]]
* In the television [[commercial]] for [[Marvel Comics]]' ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' limited series, the Autobot and Decepticon Headmasters are shown having different head designs than the ones their Nebulan partners would later turn into. These designs were seemingly never used in any other piece of ''Transformers'' media. The [[Character model|models]] for most of them, however, turned up in the excellent ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' guidebook.
* The [[instructions]] for ''[[Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] show him with an alternate head sculpt resembling Hardhead. Unlike various other ''Generations'' toys, however, the alternate head only shows up in ''some'' steps in the instructions, whereas most steps simply depict Warpath's actual head. There are currently no known specific plans to release a Hardhead [[retool]] of Warpath.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ros''' (ロス ''Rosu''), '''Hardhead''' (ハードヘッド ''Hādoheddo'')
*''Italian:'' '''Blindobot''' ("Armoredbot")
*''French:'' '''Tête-Dure''' (Canada, "Hard-Head")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tǐeh Tóu''' (Taiwan, 鐵頭, "Hard Head", literally "Iron Head"), '''Lao Wangu''' (China, 老顽固, "Old Stubborn")
{{--}}

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

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Arcee (G1)

2011-11-22T18:04:42Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot|maximal|quintesson|wreckers}}
{{disambig3|Arcee}}
:''Arcee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:ArceeG1-2010storypage.jpg|right|300px|thumb|These aren't high heels, they just forgot to finish building my feet.]]

Most make the mistake of noticing only '''Arcee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Female Transformer|gender]], but these first impressions are quickly expanded upon. Arcee is a merciless and deadly warrior who's an expert in hand-to-hand combat and one of the best sharpshooters on record. The reason for her ferocity is how much she cares for her fellow Autobots and especially the [[human]]s they protect. She knows how fragile her organic companions are, and she's equally aware of the evils the [[Decepticon]]s are capable of. Peers such as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] may be more durable than the humans, but she no less fights to defend them as well. They get in plenty of trouble, so someone has to be the level-headed one. (Some believe Arcee has a [[Transformer romance|romantic]] attraction to either of those two, but that depends on who and when you ask.)

If concern for her friends is her strength, it's regrettably also her weakness. If anything would happen to, say, [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], she might just completely lose it. And she may be quick, but she's not very strong.

She's also [[Rattrap]]'s "[[Relatives|great-aunt]]".

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actress:'' [[Susan Blu]] (English), [[Masako Katsuki]] (Japanese, ''The Movie''), [[Yōko Kawanami]] (Japanese, ''Transformers 2010''), [[Atsuko Yuya]] (Japanese, ''The Rebirth''), [[Carmen Sheila]] (Portuguese)
[[Image:Springerarceecmonwoman.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"I bet you Hot Rod is the Chosen One." "What? He's cute, but ''please''." "Okay, if I'm right, you have to date me instead." "You're on!"]]

During the assault on [[Autobot City]] Arcee was instrumental in helping [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] transform the fortress to repel the [[Decepticon]] invaders, buying precious time for reinforcements and likely saving many lives. She was among the few Autobots to survive [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s savage blitz on the city and to form the small army sent to engage the planet eater, [[Unicron]], who was threatening [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] at the time. Although she was nearly left behind when Unicron's minion [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] attacked, she, along with Autobot leader [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], and his small attack force managed to hold their own against the villain long enough to befriend the citizens of the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], reunite with their lost Autobot comrades, and fight their way into the depths of Unicron where [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] was finally able to open the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and kill the giant foe.

[[Image:ArceeTFMovie.jpg|right|200px|thumb|She, uh, meant to flood the tunnel.]]

Throughout the entire affair, one of Arcee's top priorities was the protection and care of young [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], a human friend of Hot Rod who had wound up on the adventure with her. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

After the Matrix chose Hot Rod to become the new leader of the Autobots, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]], Arcee remained as one of his closest soldiers. She helped fight a surprise attack on the first [[Galactic Olympics]]. When Ultra Magnus, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] were discovered missing, she and Springer took off after the perceived kidnapper. Although they were successful in capturing their quarry, the [[Skuxxoid]], and taking his ship, he deceived them about the identity of his employer. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} This still turned out to be beneficial as they arrived in time to save Rodimus Prime and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] from being pummeled by a mob of Decepticons. When Rodimus learned that the [[Quintesson]]s were the real ones behind the kidnapping, she partook in the rescue mission on [[Quintessa]], saving Magnus, Kup and Spike seconds before the planet was detonated. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}}

She, along with the others, was sent by the explosion to the planet of [[Goo 8739B]] where they were stranded until the Junkions were called in to salvage them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} Although she was only briefly seen in the aftermath, it was assumed she returned to Cybertron with the others, and fought when Galvatron waged a full scale assault on the planet. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

Arcee was among the small group of Autobots that managed to stop a Quintesson plot to use the resurrected body of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] as a sort of sleeper agent to lure the rest of the Autobots into a trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}} She was also seen among the other Autobots cheering when Unicron's plan to connect himself to Cybertron failed. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

[[Image:ArceeDepth.jpg|left|thumb|250px|With this, she won't ''need'' to be a sharpshooter!]]
Later she accompanied a squad sent after Galvatron and his troops who had broken into a secret chamber on Cybertron. This too would turn out to be a Quintesson trap. This time, the Decepticons were fooled into releasing the Quintessons’ dangerous experiments, the [[Trans-Organic]]s, and their most powerful member The [[Dweller]], a giant energy leech that turned all Transformers into energy vampires. After trying to fight off both Galvatron and the Dweller in the dark tunnels, only she and Ultra Magnus were able to escape and warn Rodimus Prime and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] in time to stop the Dweller and turn the other Transformers back to normal. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}
[[Image:OnlyHumanlineup.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The color scheme isn't flattering on a jumpsuit, either.]]

She, along with Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Springer became the targets of crime lord [[Victor Drath]] after busting one too many of his operations. With the help of [[Cobra Commander| Old Snake]], the four Autobots were captured. Their minds were transferred from their bodies into the forms of [[synthoid]] humans. They managed to escape disposal by Drath’s men, and Arcee eventually made it back to Autobot City in an attempt to warn their comrades that their former bodies were going to be used to blow up the city. Being an unrecognizable human, no one believed her, and she was locked in a detention cell instead. Luckily when Ultra Magnus and Springer managed to foil Drath's plan all four Autobots were subsequently returned to their rightful bodies. {{storylink|Only Human}}

[[Image:HeadmasterDanielRebirth1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Daniel has two mommies.]]
The almost maternal connection between Daniel and Arcee was a powerful one, which was only strengthened some time later when Galvatron tried his most ambitious plan. Using the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|Key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], Galvatron tried to release its destructive power. Arcee, along with Hot Rod, Kup, and a large Autobot crew, managed to snatch the key away and escaped to the far off planet of [[Nebulos]]. There, they became embroiled in the Nebulons' struggle for freedom against their own oppressors, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]]. In an effort to combat both the Hive and the Decepticons that had tracked them down, the Autobots and the Nebulons agreed to become partners and developed the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and [[Targetmaster]] processes. Having been critically injured trying to save her from [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]], Arcee chose Daniel to partner with as he now needed an [[exosuit]] to survive and was her ”dearest friend”. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

[[Binary bonding|Binary bonded]], the two proved quite effective in combat as did all the Autobots and, later, Decepticons who became Headmasters and Targetmasters. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} Trying to escape with the key, Arcee and Daniel were captured by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and held prisoner until Spike and [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] were able to break them out of the Decepticon City just before it was blown out into the deep reaches of space by a blast of energy from the Plasma Energy Chamber. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in the Japanese timeline as detailed above, except the events of season 3 are pushed back to 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. Japanese continuity inserts several new stories into the timeline.}}

=====MC Axis comic=====
[[Image:Arcee-modelkit.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"My hair! He shot my hair! Son of a bitch..."]]

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], following a devastating battle, [[Firestar]] and [[Moonracer]] observed their enemies retreating and presumed that things would be quiet for a while. Suddenly, they were attacked from behind by a massive [[Decepticon]]. Arcee immediately saved them by killing the villain with a single shot. Arcee reminded the two Female Autobots that war is especially tough on females. They then pondered whether danger is tripled when three beautiful women are involved. {{storylink|The Transformers (MC Axis manga)|The Transformers: Arcee}}

=====''Story of Binaltech''=====
In the divergent [[universal stream]] of Primax 903.0 Beta, splintered off from the mainstream timeline when the time-tossed Decepticon [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] altered history, Arcee was selected to participate in the [[Timaeus Project]], an Autobot experiment to breach super-dimensional space being carried out on the urging of the mysterious [[Optimus Primal|Protector]], a disembodied spark from the future. Arcee's consciousness was transferred into a [[Binaltech]] body, and after saying goodbye to the Protector, she began her objective: driving in around an accelerator track while a chip in her cerebro-circuitry helped focus her thoughts towards breaching "superspace". Just as she succeeded in opening a rift into higher-dimensional space, however, a Decepticon attack led by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] struck Autobot City. Fearing for the safety of the Protector and the future he represented, Arcee recklessly attempted to go to his rescue, leaping off the track without taking the proper slowdown procedures. Arcee's body was crushed by undissipated kinetic energy, but in her unconscious state, the Protector's spark contacted her, and told her that he was unimportant: it was the Timaeus Project and its researchers who had to be saved. 38 seconds later, Arcee awoke, her spark having been automatically transferred to a spare S-2000 Binaltech unit, and she fulfilled the Protector's wishes, saving the project's human workforce and the [[Alternium|strange object]] that had passed through the rift she had opened. Alas, this allowed Shockwave's agents to capture the Proctor's spark, and bring it to Decepticon leader [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 3}}

When Nemesis Prime resurfaced in Australia, the Autobots confronted him. As Ultra Magnus and the others assaulted the Decepticons directly, Arcee managed to free the Protector from the villains' clutches. The liberated Protector then merged with Optimus Prime, giving him the strength to defeat his evil counterpart. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 4}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms'' comic=====
[[Image:Arcee2010MangaBoogie01.jpg|thumb|200px|left|She's supposed to be ''running''. Seriously.]]

After receiving an SOS signal, Arcee and the Autobots responded to aid the humans. Their rescue efforts were interrupted by Galvatron and the Decepticons, but Rodimus Prime managed to defeat their enemies, and the Autobots flew the refugees to safety. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}}

On another occasion, Arcee and her friends were confronted with five copies of the lost Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. They eventually uncovered Galvatron directing the "[[Megatron Corps]]", and destroyed his drones. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #2}}

Arcee was also present when Ultra Magnus gave a tour of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to a group of human children. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 3|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #3}}

She was present on the planet [[Feminia]] during the Decepticon invasion of the world, as well. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{-}}
=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Yōko Kawanami]] (Japanese)
[[Image:Hmep3_arcee_cries.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Blurr cares not for your pain, woman!]]
In 2011, Arcee was stationed at the Autobots' secondary command post on the planet [[Athenia]] when Cybertron's mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]] began to destabilize, threatening the planet and opening it up to an attack by Decepticons and their new "Headmaster" warriors. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} She remained there with Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Carly]] to hold down the fort while the other Autobots joined the battle on Cybertron, and watched from afar as an object that they believed to be a star also headed for the planet. The "star" was in actuality the colossal spaceship the Maximus, carrying the Autobot Headmasters from their homeworld of planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], and with their added strength, the Autobot forces were able to rout the Decepticons. While Optimus Prime headed into Cybertron's depths to try and stabilize the computer, Arcee helped welcome the Autobot Headmasters to Athenia, and again remained on the planet with Kup and Blurr while most of the other Autobots began searching for the missing Matrix of Leadership on Earth, required to bring Vector Sigma under control. Arcee wept when news of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s death during the quest reached Athenia. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Lack of any further news put Blurr on edge, and Arcee was trying to get him calm down before he drove her nuts when Autobot Headmaster commander [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] announced that he was going to Cybertron to try to help Optimus Prime. Arcee and the others went with him, helping to monitor Vector Sigma while he followed Prime into Cybertron's catacombs. Ultimately, the Matrix was recovered and used to stabilize Vector Sigma, but not before Optimus Prime perished once more, leaving Hot Rod—now Rodimus Prime again—as leader. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

[[Image:Headmasters threestooges.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Arcee, Kup and Blurr counselled Rodimus Prime on how to deal with the Decepticons' newest weapon, the [[Madmachine]]; Arcee put both Blurr and [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] in their place for underestimating the threat. She then watched as Fortress used the technology of Master to resurrect Blaster as Twincast. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}} A little later, Arcee relayed a report from Fortress about the Decepticon conquest of planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]] to Rodimus. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} Later still, she helped track the trajectory of the Decepticons' newest space-borne weapon, the meteorite [[Metamorphose]], and assured Daniel that Fortress's battleship would be able to deal with it before it posed any thread to Athenia. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Receiving a distress call from the planet [[Praum]], Arcee conferred with Kup and Blurr on what to do, since Rodimus himself was on Earth checking up on a report of a new energy discovery. While the Autobot Headmasters went to investigate Praum, Rodimus radioed in that the energy report was a fake, prompting Arcee to re-examine the report and discover it had been given by hypnotised victim of the Decepticon Headmaster [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. Realising the energy report was a distraction, Rodimus headed for Praum and saved the Autobot Headmasters from the ambush waiting for them there. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Chromedome started to develop a crush on Arcee, and the other Headmasters made fun of him by comparing Arcee's looks to the [[Statue of Liberty]]'s. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

[[Image:Hm11 arcee handsonhips.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Yeah, you'll be seeing this a lot if you get married, and it'll always be while you're trying to watch football.]]

When the Decepticons launched another major attack on Cybertron in order to seize control of the new alloy [[cybertonuron]] that Vector Sigma had created, Arcee rushed to the planet to join the battle, though she and Kup were held up by having to stop and pull Blurr out of a chair he'd gotten stuck in. The trio watched as Rodimus and Galvatron battled. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} Unfortunately, the Autobots did not reckon with Decepticon Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], who used [[plasma energy]] bombs to destroy Cybertron, rather than allow Galvatron to obtain the cybertonuron. Rodimus Prime decided to leave leadership to Fortress while he departed to search space for a new homeworld for the Transformers, and Kup and Blurr volunteered to go along with him; Arcee expressed her desire to join them, but Rodimus instructed her to stay behind to look after Daniel and Wheelie. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

[[Image:Hm11 chromedome arcee dance.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Arcee was downcast by these turns of events, but tried to encourage Wheelie and Daniel to keep their spirits up. They all attended a party to commemorate the completion of the joint Autobot-human project, the [[Sol 1]] satellite, at which Arcee slow-danced with Chromedome, surprised at his skill. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Arcee later helped to monitor the mysterious Decepticon-controlled planet [[Zarak (planet)|Zarak]] {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} and alerted Fortress to the appearance on Athenia of [[buridanka|a carnivorous plant]]. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}

When Fortress departed Athenia to join a battle on Mars, Carly worried for the safety on Daniel, and Arcee assured her he would be fine. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} During the fight on Mars, Fortress was hit by a blast of energy by the Decepticons that drained all his power, and Arcee desperately tried to raise him on the communications channel. She analyzed the energy that had struck him, identifying it as plasma energy, and realized that the Decepticons planned to destroy Mars in order to generate more of it. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}} Unbelievably, the villains succeeded in the goal, and Arcee joined with Spike and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] in scanning the planetary debris to assess the damage the planet's destruction had caused to the solar system. After they reported their findings to Fortress, a strange new phenomenon appeared on Athenia: Daniel and Wheelie saw a UFO! Arcee filled Fortress in on the mystery sighting, and travelled with the Autobot Headmasters to watch as Daniel tried communicating with the strange visitor via music. Chromedome was particularly honored to drive alongside Arcee, and got a thrill out of seeing her transform. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}}

[[Image:Hm18_arcee_memo.jpg|right|thumb|225px|"So, yeah, this is basically all I do now."]]

Arcee was the first to speak out in favour of offering aid to the energy-depleted planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], and gathered information on the Autobots' energon stockpiles in order to verify the energy could be spared. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}} Soon after, Arcee used [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to send a request from Spike to Galvatron about the unlikely possibility of the two factions uniting in a new energy research programme... and received a surprised response in the positive! Unfortunately, the negotiations proved to be a Decepticon distraction, granting the rest of the villains time to depart on an interplanetary energy-plundering quest. Once the Autobots discovered they had been duped, they set off in pursuit of their foes across space; Arcee accompanied them, helping to look after Daniel and Wheelie on the trip. {{storylink|Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!}}

[[Image:Hm19_nurse_arcee.jpg|left|thumb|225px|"Hey you look a lot like..." "Riderman? Yeah, I get that a lot."]]

The Autobots discovered that the Decepticons' first target was the planet [[Hive (planet)|Hive]] when they found a damaged ship and an injured soldier from the planet floating in space. Arcee did her best to save the soldier's life with the Maximus's medical equipment, but his wounds were to severe. {{storylink|Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!}} Next, the Decepticons went after the planet [[Twin Star|Sperity]]; Fortress instructed [[Brainstorm]] to take Arcee, Daniel and Wheelie to Sperity's barren twin [[Twin Star|Toruin]] where they could be safe until the fighting was over. However, the quartet discovered that most of Sperity's population had evacuated to a subterranean city on Toruin, and Arcee was forced to volunteer herself as a "hostage", remaining on Toruin as a show of good faith while Brainstorm went to pass this important information on to the Autobots on Sperity. {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}}

Arcee's image was programmed into one of Daniel's video games as a hapless damsel who had to be saved from sprites of the Decepticon Headmasters. Fortunately, she didn't take any offense at this, and happily watched Daniel play the game, complimenting him on his marksmanship. Soon after, the Autobots saved the injured [[Beastformer]] [[Tekna]] from the planet Darhos, and Arcee monitored his vitals as Chromedome tried and failed to save his life. {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}} Arcee then joined the Autobots in traveling to planet [[Paradise]], {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} and [[Pirate Planet]], but just really stood around on the Maximus and didn't do much. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}} She carried on doing nothing after the Autobots returned to Athenia {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} and even took the time to advocate that ''others'' do nothing as well, such as when she had Spike refrain from contacting Fortress in the face of a diversionary Decepticon attack. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}} She spent most of the time that immediately followed sitting at a monitor, either sending communications or overseeing Fortress's telekinetic surgery on an injured Spike. She finally got off her butt to tell a benched Chromedome that Fortress was in trouble in a battle on Earth, but fortunately, Chromedome had just deduced the location of Scorponok's weak spot and left Arcee in charge on Athenia while he headed off to pass the info on. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}}

[[Image:Hm27 ambassador arcee.jpg|right|thumb|"Weren't you a little taller the last time we met?" "Shut up."]]

Fortress's victory over Scorponok forced the Decepticons off of Earth, leaving the Autobots to begin clean-up operations and restore the damage done to the planet. Arcee was appointed Spike's aide in his meeting with the [[United Nations]], working to help co-ordinate the relief effort; their first endeavour was the destruction of the Decepticons' abandoned Earth headquarters. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}} Despite these new duties, however, Arcee still joined with the other Autobots in travelling to the planet Master when word reached them that Scorponok had withdrawn there and was causing chaos. She put her medical knowledge to work again treating the wounds of Chromedome's old friend [[Jack (Headmasters)|Jack]]. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)}} She proceeded to do absolutely nothing for the entirety of the remainder of the Autobots' time on the planet, but she sure did a good job of sitting silently in a chair. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

Arcee's massively importantly contribution to the Autobots' return flight to Earth was reminding Daniel and Wheelie to wear their seatbelts. Soon after touching down on the planet, Arcee received a report that an airliner carrying Spike and Carly had crashed in the Andes, prompting Daniel and the Headmasters to head to the rescue. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} She then ''finally'' stepped back on to the battlefield for the first time in ages when she joined all the other Autobots in a climactic final battle with the Decepticons at the North Pole. She united her energies with her team-mates, funnelling them through the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]], super-charging Fortress Maximus and giving him the strength to destroy Scorponok's [[transtector]]. This victory finally led the Decepticons to flee Earth for good, and Arcee stood stoically by Fortress and the other Headmasters as they bid Spike, Carly and Daniel goodbye, before heading into space to carry on the fight. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

{{-}}
===Marvel UK comics future timelines===
[[Image:Arceeprimesrib.jpg|left|300px|thumb|They're not men, Arcee. Transformers have no gender. We've been over this!]]
Arcee was constructed by the Autobots in an alternate future 1995 as a good-will attempt to placate [[Feminist mob|angry feminists]] who thought that they were "sexist" for having no women in their group. After trying multiple times to explain that Autobots, being robots, had no gender, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered and ordered [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] to make a new Autobot who would meet the humans' demands for sexual equality. However, when Arcee was unveiled at a public ceremony, her pink, skinny and curvaceous form enraged the very audience Prime intended to placate. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Horri-Bull]], [[Fangry]] and [[Squeezeplay]] who immediately attacked, looking to crush the "secret weapon" that was promised. Prime warned Arcee to stay back, lest she get hurt in battle, but the female Autobot, rightfully annoyed at the Autobots' lack of faith in her equal ability, singlehandedly forced the Decepticons into a retreat. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] thought that was pretty hot. The feminists were enraged beyond words. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}

[[Image:Arceehotrodspacepirates.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Y'know, Arcee, if you'd stop running pidgeon-toed, maybe we'd be out of here by now.]]
Arcee and Hot Rod became quite friendly, but with his ascension to Prime status in 2006, they began to drift apart. She was stationed at [[Autobot City]] on Earth and got bored by her duties. The [[Quintesson]]s attacked in 2008, stringing out the city's population to the wall and using a wounded Arcee as bait to attract Rodimus; when he tried to use the Matrix to heal her, they stole it and he reverted to Hot Rod. Despite her injuries, she assisted him in awakening [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and devastating the Quintesson fleet. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

In 2009, Arcee tracked down [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] on Earth, where they were planning to use a laser bore to leech energy right from the planet's core. Joining a small Autobot detachment, they destroyed the drill and returned to Autobot City to face the greater threat: a timestorm that threatened 20 years of history with destruction. As Galvatron had spent months back in the 20th century, the universe was unraveling from the anomaly.

[[Image:TimeWars3-ArceeDinobots.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Dinobots 1, Chivalry 0]]

Arcee, Rodimus and several other Autobots traveled back in time to 1989 in order to retrieve the Decepticon villain. Unfortunately, the Autobots of that day mistook them for imposters and tried to kill them. Arcee was nearly mauled to death by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] before [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] explained that they were actually travelers from the future. Even more unfortunately, Galvatron had acquired some allies in the past: Scourge, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], and the mighty [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]]. She joined Kup and Ultra Magnus in trying to triple-team Megatron, but was only swatted aside like a bothersome insect. Arcee survived, however, and managed to take a few cheap shots at Galvatron later on in the fight. Eventually, the timestorm asserted itself on the battle, and consumed Galvatron utterly, ending the temporal distortion. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Arcee and the Autobots returned to their time only to find it had reset so Galvatron never time-jumped and had instead conquered Cybertron. Their resistance movement was quickly crushed, and the Autobots were forced to leave their homeworld. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} Arcee joined a hundreds-strong Autobot team in fleeing to Earth to regroup. When the Matrix-imprisoned [[Unicron]] possessed Rodimus, Arcee showed a more ruthless side in being the only one of the Autobots to advocate using lethal force on him. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void}} {{storylink|White Fire}} As Unicron would go on to possess Rodimus again and devastate Cybertron in 2010—an event she witnessed—her ruthless attitude appears to have been the right one all along. Yes, Rodimus Prime managed to contain Unicron again, but at what price...? {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

{{note|Her only appearances in the Marvel U.S. comics were in their [[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]] adaptation ("[[The Planet-Eater!]]", "[[Judgment Day!]]", and "[[The Final Battle!]]"), and a profile in issue #4 of their [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]. All stuff out-of-continuity with the US storyline.}}

===''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[Image:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Look, Dinobots, do you get along with Arcee or not?]]
Kup led Hot Rod, Arcee, and the Dinobots on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on Cybertron's second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and the ship crashed on a planet. Everyone landed safely, but Kup recognized the place. It was the planet [[Quintessa|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them, but at the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed there earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way, until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}

===Coloring books===
Arcee didn't get a seat during a meeting and later shot at Decepticons. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

===Beast Era===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
After digging his way out from underneath a sudden rockslide caused by an unexpected energy surge from a damaged [[stasis pod]], Rattrap demanded to know what in the name of his [[Relatives|great aunt]] Arcee was going on. {{storylink|Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate}}

====''Universe: Featuring the Wreckers''====
{{note|The following takes place during the [[Beast Era]], specifically its cartoon continuity, which took from both the original cartoon and the Marvel Comics. However, these stories seem to be written to be specifically taking place solely after the events of the original cartoon.}}

{{bigquote|I liked her better when she had that kid in her head.|[[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]]|"[[Betrayal]]"}}

[[Image:Arceedeparturemourns.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Gothy 'cuz all her toys get canceled.]]
During a battle against a horde of killer [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbirds]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] (now an adult) sacrificed their lives to end the threat. The death of Daniel took a serious toll on Arcee, who became reclusive, preferring to sit alone with images of her former [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]]. Over time, she slipped away from her friends entirely, disappearing within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After an unspecified event, she took on the form of a techno-organic spider, and learned the skills of both [[Crystalocution]] and the previously lost art of [[Tekkaido]]. She strongly believed that she had premonitions of her friends' deaths before they would happen, and this knowledge had driven her insane. She hid herself away, hoping to spare herself the pain of experiencing this phenomenon.

[[Image:Arceedeparturespider.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty fa— well, just don't underestimate me, okay?]]
Hundreds of [[Stellar cycle|stellar cycles]] later, when [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] returned from [[Earth]]'s past and conquered Cybertron with his army of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]], Arcee's solitude spared her from the onslaught. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], now known as simply Rodimus, had helped form a new team of [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] and wished to enlist Arcee. But Arcee rejected his offer as she was still too embittered by her experience, though she was touched by the Wrecker [[Fractyl]]'s words. Rodimus's Wreckers were followed by Megatron's new Vehicon generals, [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] and [[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]], causing a battle that resulted in Fractyl's near-death. Refusing to lose another, Arcee used her spark to save Fractyl, also reformatting him into a Transmetal body. Arcee agreed to depart with the rest of the Wreckers, and she and Fractyl assisted them in defeating a vast Vehicon army in order to reach an old [[Autobot shuttle]]. {{storylink|Departure}}

But the Autobot bounty hunter [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] had snuck aboard their ship and attacked some of their group. Arcee and the others raced to the rescue, and Arcee was quickly felled by Devcon, despite his new, smaller Vehicon body. After things were sorted out, Arcee tended to Fractyl, whose new Transmetal form was wildly unstable. At Arcee's insistence, [[Apelinq]] created a crude medical bot, [[CatSCAN]], to assist Fractyl's recovery. Arcee was oddly unable to foresee the deaths of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] and [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], a result of a yet-unknown saboteur amongst their ranks, as she happily watched CatSCAN discover himself while working on Fractyl. Their ship set down on their [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]-given destination, the remote planet of [[Akalo|Archa Nine]]. Arcee stayed behind with a few others to repair damage to their ship by their mysterious saboteur, who turned out to be fellow Wrecker [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Cyclonus stole the [[Divine Light]], the artifact the Wreckers were searching for, and returned to his true master, [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

[[Image:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Just like old times, but smaller.]]
Arcee blamed herself, as she hadn't been able to foresee death since she saved Fractyl. Demoralized, Arcee and the Wreckers left Archa Nine and headed to another planet at the insistence of their divinely-inspired leader, [[Primal Prime]]. They landed on a small icy planet, and a small scout team, including Arcee, was sent to investigate. After searching for hours, they stumbled upon [[Al-Badur]], a [[Quintesson]] scientist. Arcee immediately readied her weapon, as she and Rodimus had had enough of the Quintessons for several lifetimes, but Primal Prime asked her to lower them. Al-Badur was a somewhat welcome source of information regarding their quest, and before they could leave the planet with him, they were under attack by a horde of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] sent by Cryotek. Arcee and Rodimus quietly bonded as they battled the Sharkticons; it was just like old times. Slowly but surely, Arcee's demeanor had lightened. After the Sharkticons were defeated, Al-Badur explained their problem. The Divine Light was an ancient Quintesson piece of technology that allowed them to tap directly into the power of [[Primus]], and now Cryotek had it! {{storylink|Disclosure}}

But when they returned to Cybertron, it had changed during their absence into a [[technorganic]] paradise by the [[Great Reformatting]]. Quintessons had seized the opportunity to invade the planet, but Primal Prime assured Arcee and the others that Cryotek was their only concern. Primal Prime, Apelinq, [[Ramulus]] and [[Tigatron]] left them to find Cryotek, leaving Arcee and the others to take their injured to safety before joining the counterattack forces on the ground. Instead, their shuttle took heavy damage and was descending in a ball of fire and smoke. Arcee, grabbing Fractyl's body and what life support she could, abandoned ship with the rest. Disregarding Primal Prime's orders, Arcee suggested they find Cryotek and help the other Wreckers defeat him. Descending into the layers of Cybertron, they met [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], who joined them on their journey.

Finding the battleground between Cryotek and [[Sentinel Maximus]] (the combined form of Apelinq and Primal Prime, newly merged by Primus), Arcee reluctantly set aside Fractyl and his life support to join the fight. She helped Devcon defeat Cryotek's mutated pet [[Chro]], using her weblines to hold the monster still so the bounty hunter could shoot at it. But Cyclonus and Rodimus had disappeared beneath some rubble, so Arcee, Fractyl (who had been magically repaired by Tigatron expending all of his [[Vok]] powers) and the others went digging for him... and instead found [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]], [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]... and Arcee's nephew, [[Rattrap]]. They avoided each other's glance awkwardly.

They found Rodimus, but he was in rough shape, having fought nearly to the death with Cyclonus. Arcee and the others agreed to follow Al-Badur's instruction in defeating Cryotek, and helped direct the battle between Sentinel Maximus and Cryotek to a chamber deep within Cybertron. Arcee asked Fractyl to keep on Rodimus, who was extremely weak. Their group arrived in the desired chamber, but Arcee had a bad feeling about the place. It seemed familiar. She recognized it too late. It was a Quintesson banishment chamber, and Al-Badur had activated the containment shield within, locking Sentinel Maximus, Cryotek, and himself inside a forcefield bubble that fed into a strongly gravitational portal into nothingness. To Arcee's initial horror, despite her pleas, Rodimus stood up to deal with the situation. She knew that his next action would kill him in his weakened state, but after his assurances, she resigned herself to the outcome. Rodimus and Cheetor, both [[Matrix Templar]]s, used their skills to drain Cryotek of his Primus-stolen powers. As expected, this was too much for Arcee's long-time friend, and though they succeeded in saving Cybertron, Rodimus was dead.

But death isn't an ending, she realized. It was just another change. "And change is what we do." Arcee and Fractyl gathered his body to take it to a secret burial ground that Arcee knew of. She promised that this time, she wouldn't disappear forever. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Before the war, Arcee worked in a hazardous materials treatment plant. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} She was a member of Hot Rod's underground rebellion team on Cybertron, battling the forces of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Both Hot Rod and Springer appeared to be in love with her, though she seemed rather uninterested in both of them. In reality, Arcee was a sleeper agent for the [[Quintesson]]s.

{{note|Due to [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s bankruptcy, this story was never concluded.}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:TheArtofWar1 girltalk.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
In order to oversee the decommissioning of all Cybertronian technology on Earth, Arcee was sent to the planet alongside [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the last of which whom she had a mutual attraction to. Shortly after the group arrived at [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]], the facility came under attack by [[Cobra]], and Arcee helped fight them off alongside [[Scarlett]], who was surprised over the existence of "girl robots". {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} Upon hearing about a security breach in the lower levels of Area 52, the group headed there and, to Arcee's horror, found Bumblebee injured and low on energy. Before much could be done about him, the group was attacked by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who took control of [[G.I. Joe battle mech|G.I. Joes' mechs]] and forced them to fight the Autobots before bringing the roof down on everyone. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

The Autobots and Joes survived, and quickly followed Serpent O.R. through a warpgate to Cybertron, where they were attacked by [[cannibalizer]]s. Arcee didn't think they were very threatening, but suggested that they retreat to protect the humans. During their escape, she promised that she'd rotate Bumblebee's tires if he could outrace her... only to run straight into Serpent O.R. and his new army, who remorselessly killed Bumblebee and captured the others. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} They eventually managed to escape thanks to their G.I. Joe friends. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

[[Image:GIJoevsTFArtofwar5_Arceecrys.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
After hearing that Serpent O.R. had captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Arcee and the others made their way to his chambers, only to find that [[Cobra Commander]] had taken control of Serpent O.R.'s body after he had seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. "Serpentor Prime" effortlessly defeated most of the Autobots and Joes, but Arcee dodged his tentacles and managed to rip his chestplate off, allowing [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] to take the Matrix's power and defeat him. Some time later, Arcee cried for Bumblebee during a memorial service for him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:Spotlight Arcee traumatic flashback.jpg|right|220px|thumb|]]
Arcee was an early test subject of the mad genius [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], after he decided to introduce gender into the Transformers just to see the results. Her fundamental [[CNA]] was altered, giving her a "maddening maelstrom of contradictory sensory input" and causing all other Transformers to sense a fundamental difference about her and inadvertently use feminine pronouns around her, something that she loathes. (It also gave her fangs and permanent lipstick for some unknown reason.)

[[Image:IDW Arcee mad.jpg|left|180px|thumb|The writers of the Headmasters cartoon now fear for their lives...]]
She didn't meet Jhiaxus' standards and was dumped. Dangerously unstable and driven by an implacable homing instinct towards her creator's experiments, Arcee cut a mech-fluid swath of carnage across several planets in her obsession with destroying everything Jhiaxus created. She was eventually taken down by [[Tyrest Accord]] enforcer [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and incarcerated on the Autobot penitentiary on [[Garrus-9]].

Her [[spark]] was kept separate from her body within the penitentiary, as were those of all prisoners. In this limbo, she found a kind of peace. Unfortunately, when the Decepticons attacked to seize the new inmate [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] (another Jhiaxus experiment), warden [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] freed her as a last resort to stop the attack. She was able to carve her way through the invaders, but not before they left with their target. She headed off to intercept them, with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] convincing Maximus to allow this. Arcee apparently knows of the [[Expansion]] and Jhiaxus's part in it, and refers to herself as the "servo-wrench in the works". {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

Later, on the [[Decepticon Battle Platform Zuska]], Arcee tortured a Decepticon until he agreed to tell her where [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzaitron]] had taken the [[Combiner|gestalts]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}} She tracked them down, only to find the [[Dead Universe]] Transformers had activated Monstructor and taken him to places unknown, decimating the Decepticons in the process. She agreed to assist the wounded Banzaitron in getting to the Monstructor-Six, reasoning it would lead to Jhiaxus... {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:SpotlightSideswipe Jhiaxus deathbecomeshim.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Those were the best days of our lives.]]
As Arcee assisted Banzaitron and his team in trying to recapture Monstructor, [[Skram (G2)|Skram]] arrived through a space bridge portal with the means to go to where Jhiaxus was. Slicing off his arm and murdering her way through [[Micromaster]]s, she finally cornered him and was surprised to find he wouldn't die—thanks to coming from the [[Dead Universe]], he was effectively immortal. Which meant she could kill him over and over. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

Arcee spent several years gleefully murdering Jhiaxus, but her revenge was cut short one day when the nearby portal to the Dead Universe suddenly began to lure all life on Gorlam Prime into it. She was hypnotically drawn towards it, but [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] held her back until the allure of the portal went away. Though the two Autobots were safe, the entire population of the planet had mysteriously vanished into the portal, and they decided to investigate. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}} A while later, they detected [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his minions in the vicinity and attacked them. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1}}

Though Arcee easily defeated Jhiaxus, brought back to life by Galvatron's [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], she was overpowered by Galvatron himself and his Dead Universe powers. Hardhead urged her to return to the Autobot army and warn them of Galvatron's return, and despite Cyclonus and Scourge following her and blowing her into an abyss, she survived and got away. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
Arcee later came to the rescue for an Autobot escape pod full of survivors from [[Kimia Facility]]. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} After rescuing the survivors, she and Hardhead explained five times to them all about the Dead Universe, Heart of Darkness, D-Void and Galvatrons plan and what they had to do to save the universe. They made it to Cybertron by the time Galvatron infected [[Vector Sigma]] with the Heart of Darkness which created a storm to break out so Arcee suggested on landing the ship in a nearby tunnel and told any won who would like to bail out to do it now. Fortunately they conveniently crashing right on top of Galvatron right at the right time. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Lenne Hardt]]

In 2010, the Decepticon military commander [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] acquired a source of infinite power called [[Zel Quartz]]. It drove him to madness, and he destroyed Cybertron while threatening to lay waste to the rest of the galaxy. Rodimus Prime and the Autobots desperately coordinated with the [[Quintesson]]s to use a timeslip device and travel back in time, preventing Shockwave from ever getting his hand on Zel Quartz. Unfortunately, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the remaining Decepticons learned of the mission, and intercepted the Autobots on the way through the timeslip.

Crashing in 2003 on [[Zel Samine]], where the quartz originated, Arcee awoke with Kup and Rodimus Prime. Separated from the rest of their team, they sent out an SOS and were met by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the present day Autobots. After explaining the situation, Arcee and her allies joined up with Optimus to search for the Zel Quartz before the Decepticons could find it.

Wheeljack searched the planet for any records or power signatures that might be Zel Quartz. After three false leads, they finally located Zel Quartz at the [[Enormous Laser Transmission Array]]. After fighting through numerous Decepticon lieutenants, and facing the might of Megatron and Galvatron united, Arcee and the Autobots secured the Zel Quartz and ultimately disposed of it so that it could do no further harm. With the rock no longer a threat, the Autobots of 2010 vanished and returned to their home timeline. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1ArceeProto.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Orange? Where'd that come from?]]
[[Image:Concept-HeadmasterArcee.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Pinkdome.]]
*'''Arcee'''
: Despite that she was a major character in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]], no transforming toy of Arcee was made during the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original toyline]]'s run. Images of a hand-sculpted [[prototype]] based on Arcee's original character design ([[#Notes|see below]]) have appeared in several Japanese publications, but it appears the toy never progressed beyond that stage.

: The Japanese ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' book shows a piece of concept artwork of the Headmaster [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] car in pink and white labeled "Arcee", a proposal for a redeco of the toy as Headmaster Arcee from "[[The Rebirth]]". (Presumably, then, this was a Hasbro-initiated idea.) The idea does not appear to have gone any farther.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

[[Image:Botconarceetoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE!]]
*'''Arcee''' (Mega, 2001)
: The very first true transforming Arcee toy is a [[redeco]] and minor [[Retool|retooling]] of the ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal 2]] [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], transforming into a malformed mish-mash of machine and organic parts in the form of a large spider. The spider-mode fangs become a grappling weapon for her robot mode which extend on a [[Retractable string gimmick|retractable string]]. She has a special [[spark crystal]] that changes her [[Insignia|faction symbol]] from [[Autobot]] to [[Maximal]] when rotated. The robot mode also features a spring-powered waist-swivel for "power kick" action. Arcee lacks the [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] toy's additional chest armor, and thus has oddly-placed holes in her... well, chest, that keep the armor in place.

: Arcee was available only as an [[exclusive]] to [[BotCon 2001]], and along with [[Tigatron]] was the first time since the inception of [[3H Productions|3H]] that they were allowed to use pre-existing characters for convention exclusives. Arcee is also the first convention toy to feature retooling. Preorders received their Arcees with a bonus; the box contained a light-sensitive sound chip featuring voice actress [[Susan Blu]]'s voice saying "Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE!". These chips are VERY light-sensitive. Many won't shut up to this day.

:Both Arcee and Tigatron were limited to 1200 pieces.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Arcee/arcee.htm More information on Generation 1 Arcee at TFU.info]''

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:Arceetitanium.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Seems like a mercy killing, really.]]
*'''Arcee'''
: A 6" transforming Arcee toy was designed and displayed at [[BotCon]] 2007, but [[Titanium Series]] was canceled before its tooling could be completed.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Binaltech===
[[Image:Binaltech arcee toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Manual tranny.]]
*'''Arcee''' (2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-21'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun

:Arcee is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Decepticharge]] (himself a [[retool]] of [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]/[[Overdrive]]), using Honda's "Pearl White" for the car bodywork. The figure transforms into a "street performance" Honda S2000. Her hardtop roof can be removed for an open-top vehicle mode and used as a shield in robot mode. The engine and driveshaft may be removed and used as a long-barreled rifle (as the toy is Japanese issue and not subject to the same issues that removed the long barrel from the [[Hasbro]] versions of the mold).

: In spite of fan speculation, no retooling has been applied to the mold to enhance character resemblance or make her look less butch.

: A redeco of this toy as [[Paradron Medic]] was originally planned to be released simultaneously (but was canceled), a fate that also befell a redeco meant to be Arcee's occasional mold-mate [[Blackarachnia (BW)#Binaltech|Blackarachnia]]. The robot mode was used as the base model for the non-toy car-form [[Legion]].

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===MC Axis===
[[Image:Hybrid_model_arcee.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Arcee''' (Super Hybrid Model, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''H-03'''

:Arcee was one of three non-transforming ''[[Super Hybrid Model]]'' vinyl figurines created in 1987 by Japanese collectables company [[MC Axis]]. Standing at about eight inches tall and featuring articulation in the head and neck, Arcee and her fellows (Rodimus Prime and Galvatron) were based on their [[Studio OX]] character models, featuring much more anime-styled proportions and detailing.

:For reasons unknown, the retail release of Arcee and the other ''Super Hybrid Model'' figures was canceled. While Galvatron was eventually released as an exclusive at [[BotCon Japan 1997]], Arcee and Rodimus have never been officially released, though they do occasionally pop up on the secondary market, commanding prices in excess of $600.
 
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}
[[Image:Mcaxis_arcee.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Arcee''' (1996)

:This Japanese "garage kit", an unpainted resin model, was made by [[MC Axis]] and was also the first official product of Arcee that got a retail release. Included among its paperwork is a [[The Transformers (MC Axis manga)|comic strip]] starring Arcee. It is not known for its exceptional quality control - numerous unsightly air bubbles in the plastic are not an uncommon thing to encounter.

::*''[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1492/Axis-Model+Kit/Arcee.html Gallery of an assembled and painted Arcee at Transformers @ The Moon]
{{-}}

===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:Hoc_arcee_and_daniel.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Arcee should maybe reconsider something that big transforming into her head.]]
* '''Arcee''' (2000)
: A three-inch tall [[plastic|PVC]] figurine of Arcee was available in the first wave of Takara's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' line. In a nice spot of attention to detail, she is holding the unremarkable small grey pistol she wielded in the Generation 1 cartoon episode, "[[The Dweller in the Depths]]". Like all the figures in the "act", it was available as both a standard full color figure and a colorless translucent version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures.

:Arcee was redecoed to create the chase figure for the eighth wave of the series, the [[Paradron Medic]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCArcee/arcee.htm More information on Super Collection Figure Arcee at TFU.info]''

* '''Arcee and Daniel''' (2001)
:The Arcee figurine was re-released as part of the fourth wave of the ''Super Collection Figure'' series, now packaged with a figure of Daniel Witwicky in his exo-suit. The pair were available in both full color and metallic "pewter" versions; in eight out of every ten cases, the pewter version of the set came with the body of the line's collectable [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] "build-a-figure".

===Heroes of Cybertron===
* '''Arcee''' (2002)
:When Hasbro released the ''Super Collection Figure'' line as ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'', the Arcee figure was released as part of the first wave, now featuring a [[light-piping]] gimmick in the character's eyes, accomplished by casting the figure in translucent blue plastic and then painting over it. Rather than come blindpacked like the ''SCF'' figure, Arcee came on a blister card with a profile card included. The mold would later be redecoed in this fashion into the ''Heroes of Cybertron'' Paradron Medic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCArcee/arcee.htm More information on Heroes of Cybertron Arcee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===MyClone===
[[Image:Myclone_arcee.jpg|right|thumb]]
* '''Arcee''' (2003)
**''ID number:'' '''MTF005'''
**''Accessories:'' White display base

:Released in the first wave of the ''[[MyClone]]'' line of Transformers PVC figures, this [[super deformed]] Arcee comes with a hexagonal white display stand, which can link up with the identical stands included with other ''MyClone'' figures. Her modular design allows her parts to be mixed and matched with those of any other MyClone figure, to hilariously hermaphroditic effect.
{{-}}
===Palisades statues===
[[Image:Palisades_arcee.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Arcee''' (2004)

:Inspired by a [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] pin-up lithograph/poster by [[Rob Armstrong]],<ref>[http://www.dreadforce.com/creators.html The creators list for Jaran Studios' ''Dread Force'' includes this information in Rob's profile.]</ref> (itself based on Arcee's Studio OX character model, complete with obnoxious shoulder-armor rig) this statue features looks-right-at-only-one-angle perspective and a face so flat you'd swear she'd flown into a window. Standing around 6" tall, Arcee was limited to 2000 pieces worldwide.

:The Arcee statue was later repainted into that old standby, the [[Paradron Medic]].
{{-}}
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroesrumblearcee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|She's actually running after Robot Heroes Cheetor. (Or her [[Rattrap|nephew)]]]]
* '''Arcee vs. Rumble''' (2008)

:Part of the second wave of [[Universe (2008 franchise)|''Universe]] [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', Arcee is packaged with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] as part of the "Generation 1 Series." She is sculpted as running across a patch of mechanical flooring, and she has articulation at the head and shoulders.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/RHArcee/arcee.htm More information on Robot Heroes Arcee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:Arcee statue.jpg|right|thumb|Not pictured: Springer and Weirdwolf.]]
* '''Arcee''' (Diamond Select, 2009)

:Released by [[Diamond Select Toys]] in 2009, Arcee was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 1000 pieces. She is featured packing two of the style of pistol she is commonly seen with and looking off to one side. As is the case in certain [[Continuity|continuities]], she is listed as a member of [[Elita One]]'s [[Female Autobots|resistance group]]. Arcee's tech specs give her the following classifications: STR 5.5, INT 8, SPD 8, END 5, RNK 6, CRG 9, FBL 6, SKL 10.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:G1ArceeModelComp.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Extreme Makeover: Arcee Edition.]]
* Arcee had two different [[Character model|character models]] in 1980s ''Transformers'' media. An earlier model served as the basis for her original unproduced toy (seen above), which was also the model used for most of her Marvel Comics appearances and for parts of the episode "[[Only Human]]". Her final model, meanwhile, was used for her appearances in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', the rest of her season 3 appearances, and her Japanese ''Headmasters'' appearances.

* When asked about Arcee's design in an interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "Arcee is the naked mechanical equivalent of Princess Leia of ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]''."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref> Well, that answers that question... while raising a whole bunch of others!

* Arcee has the most romantic attachments of any Transformers character: Hot Rod in the movie, Marvel Comics and Dreamwave continuities, Springer after the movie, Chromedome in ''The Headmasters'', and Bumblebee in [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]] continuity. And then there is the weird affection shown toward Daniel in "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]", but most fans won't read too much into it, for their own sanity. Damn but she got around.

* Arcee's finalized character model was used to make a lot of the background female characters during the movie and season 3. Various Junkion ladies and the [[Paradron Medic]]s share her design, only without the shoulder-thingies, and a [[Cheesecake robot|more "shaped" version of her earlier model]] appeared in "[[Starscream's Ghost]]".

* The extras in "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]" reveal a few alternative color schemes [[Alex Milne]] and [[Simon Furman]] tried to get approved for IDW's version of Arcee, one blue, two red. [[Hasbro]] nixed all three, insisting on Arcee's usual coloration. Apparent reasons given were that "they didn't want her to be like the other female bots[,] so they wanted the pink look" and that "they wanted her different from <nowiki> </nowiki>[[Elita One]] <nowiki></nowiki>".<ref>[http://markerguru.deviantart.com/art/arcee-cover-colors-70762649 Alex Milne's comments on IDW Arcee's colors at deviantART]</ref> If there's actually any plans on Hasbro's part to start promoting female characters other than Arcee so that these arguments make sense, as of 2011, that'd still be news.

* Around 1999, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] released a special version of the Replica (reissue) [[Microman]] Lady Command figure as part of a [[Lucky Draw figure|lucky draw]] for "The Official Guide to Takara SF Land" book in white and gold chrome named Arcee. The regular versions of the Lady Command figure all had names starting with "A" (Ann, Alice, Annie and Ai<ref>[http://microforever.com/replicam18X.htm Replica Microman Series; Reissued Lady Command M181 Ann, M182 Alice, M183 Annie & M184 Ai (11/1999) at Microman Forever]</ref>), so Arcee makes sense by that logic - but whether this is an incarnation of "our" G1 character is currently not known. Only 5 Lady Command Arcee figures were released.<ref>[http://microforever.com/sflandprize.htm Replica Microman Series; Kodashan Takara SF Land Book Prize - Microman Lady Command Arcee (?/00) at Microman Forever]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Arcee''' (アーシー ''Āshī'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Arszi''', '''RC''' (''The Movie'')
*''Italian:'' '''Saturnia''' (''The Headmasters'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Silvia''' (America ''The Headmasters'')

==References==
<references />

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

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:MyClone]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Arcee (G1)

2011-11-22T18:04:03Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot|maximal|quintesson|wreckers}}
{{disambig3|Arcee}}
:''Arcee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:ArceeG1-2010storypage.jpg|right|300px|thumb|These aren't high heels, they just forgot to finish building my feet.]]

Most make the mistake of noticing only '''Arcee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Female Transformer|gender]], but these first impressions are quickly expanded upon. Arcee is a merciless and deadly warrior who's an expert in hand-to-hand combat and one of the best sharpshooters on record. The reason for her ferocity is how much she cares for her fellow Autobots and especially the [[human]]s they protect. She knows how fragile her organic companions are, and she's equally aware of the evils the [[Decepticon]]s are capable of. Peers such as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] may be more durable than the humans, but she no less fights to defend them as well. They get in plenty of trouble, so someone has to be the level-headed one. (Some believe Arcee has a [[Transformer romance|romantic]] attraction to either of those two, but that depends on who and when you ask.)

If concern for her friends is her strength, it's regrettably also her weakness. If anything would happen to, say, [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], she might just completely lose it. And she may be quick, but she's not very strong.

She's also [[Rattrap]]'s "[[Relatives|great-aunt]]".

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actress:'' [[Susan Blu]] (English), [[Masako Katsuki]] (Japanese, ''The Movie''), [[Yōko Kawanami]] (Japanese, ''Transformers 2010''), [[Atsuko Yuya]] (Japanese, ''The Rebirth''), [[Carmen Sheila]] (Portuguese)
[[Image:Springerarceecmonwoman.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"I bet you Hot Rod is the Chosen One." "What? He's cute, but ''please''." "Okay, if I'm right, you have to date me instead." "You're on!"]]

During the assault on [[Autobot City]] Arcee was instrumental in helping [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] transform the fortress to repel the [[Decepticon]] invaders, buying precious time for reinforcements and likely saving many lives. She was among the few Autobots to survive [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s savage blitz on the city and to form the small army sent to engage the planet eater, [[Unicron]], who was threatening [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] at the time. Although she was nearly left behind when Unicron's minion [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] attacked, she, along with Autobot leader [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], and his small attack force managed to hold their own against the villain long enough to befriend the citizens of the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], reunite with their lost Autobot comrades, and fight their way into the depths of Unicron where [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] was finally able to open the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and kill the giant foe.

[[Image:ArceeTFMovie.jpg|right|200px|thumb|She, uh, meant to flood the tunnel.]]

Throughout the entire affair, one of Arcee's top priorities was the protection and care of young [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], a human friend of Hot Rod who had wound up on the adventure with her. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

After the Matrix chose Hot Rod to become the new leader of the Autobots, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]], Arcee remained as one of his closest soldiers. She helped fight a surprise attack on the first [[Galactic Olympics]]. When Ultra Magnus, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] were discovered missing, she and Springer took off after the perceived kidnapper. Although they were successful in capturing their quarry, the [[Skuxxoid]], and taking his ship, he deceived them about the identity of his employer. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} This still turned out to be beneficial as they arrived in time to save Rodimus Prime and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] from being pummeled by a mob of Decepticons. When Rodimus learned that the [[Quintesson]]s were the real ones behind the kidnapping, she partook in the rescue mission on [[Quintessa]], saving Magnus, Kup and Spike seconds before the planet was detonated. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}}

She, along with the others, was sent by the explosion to the planet of [[Goo 8739B]] where they were stranded until the Junkions were called in to salvage them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} Although she was only briefly seen in the aftermath, it was assumed she returned to Cybertron with the others, and fought when Galvatron waged a full scale assault on the planet. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

Arcee was among the small group of Autobots that managed to stop a Quintesson plot to use the resurrected body of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] as a sort of sleeper agent to lure the rest of the Autobots into a trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}} She was also seen among the other Autobots cheering when Unicron's plan to connect himself to Cybertron failed. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

[[Image:ArceeDepth.jpg|left|thumb|250px|With this, she won't ''need'' to be a sharpshooter!]]
Later she accompanied a squad sent after Galvatron and his troops who had broken into a secret chamber on Cybertron. This too would turn out to be a Quintesson trap. This time, the Decepticons were fooled into releasing the Quintessons’ dangerous experiments, the [[Trans-Organic]]s, and their most powerful member The [[Dweller]], a giant energy leech that turned all Transformers into energy vampires. After trying to fight off both Galvatron and the Dweller in the dark tunnels, only she and Ultra Magnus were able to escape and warn Rodimus Prime and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] in time to stop the Dweller and turn the other Transformers back to normal. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}
[[Image:OnlyHumanlineup.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The color scheme isn't flattering on a jumpsuit, either.]]

She, along with Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Springer became the targets of crime lord [[Victor Drath]] after busting one too many of his operations. With the help of [[Cobra Commander| Old Snake]], the four Autobots were captured. Their minds were transferred from their bodies into the forms of [[synthoid]] humans. They managed to escape disposal by Drath’s men, and Arcee eventually made it back to Autobot City in an attempt to warn their comrades that their former bodies were going to be used to blow up the city. Being an unrecognizable human, no one believed her, and she was locked in a detention cell instead. Luckily when Ultra Magnus and Springer managed to foil Drath's plan all four Autobots were subsequently returned to their rightful bodies. {{storylink|Only Human}}

[[Image:HeadmasterDanielRebirth1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Daniel has two mommies.]]
The almost maternal connection between Daniel and Arcee was a powerful one, which was only strengthened some time later when Galvatron tried his most ambitious plan. Using the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|Key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], Galvatron tried to release its destructive power. Arcee, along with Hot Rod, Kup, and a large Autobot crew, managed to snatch the key away and escaped to the far off planet of [[Nebulos]]. There, they became embroiled in the Nebulons' struggle for freedom against their own oppressors, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]]. In an effort to combat both the Hive and the Decepticons that had tracked them down, the Autobots and the Nebulons agreed to become partners and developed the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and [[Targetmaster]] processes. Having been critically injured trying to save her from [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]], Arcee chose Daniel to partner with as he now needed an [[exosuit]] to survive and was her ”dearest friend”. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

[[Binary bonding|Binary bonded]], the two proved quite effective in combat as did all the Autobots and, later, Decepticons who became Headmasters and Targetmasters. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} Trying to escape with the key, Arcee and Daniel were captured by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and held prisoner until Spike and [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] were able to break them out of the Decepticon City just before it was blown out into the deep reaches of space by a blast of energy from the Plasma Energy Chamber. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in the Japanese timeline as detailed above, except the events of season 3 are pushed back to 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. Japanese continuity inserts several new stories into the timeline.}}

=====MC Axis comic=====
[[Image:Arcee-modelkit.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"My hair! He shot my hair! Son of a bitch..."]]

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], following a devastating battle, [[Firestar]] and [[Moonracer]] observed their enemies retreating and presumed that things would be quiet for a while. Suddenly, they were attacked from behind by a massive [[Decepticon]]. Arcee immediately saved them by killing the villain with a single shot. Arcee reminded the two Female Autobots that war is especially tough on females. They then pondered whether danger is tripled when three beautiful women are involved. {{storylink|The Transformers (MC Axis manga)|The Transformers: Arcee}}

=====''Story of Binaltech''=====
In the divergent [[universal stream]] of Primax 903.0 Beta, splintered off from the mainstream timeline when the time-tossed Decepticon [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] altered history, Arcee was selected to participate in the [[Timaeus Project]], an Autobot experiment to breach super-dimensional space being carried out on the urging of the mysterious [[Optimus Primal|Protector]], a disembodied spark from the future. Arcee's consciousness was transferred into a [[Binaltech]] body, and after saying goodbye to the Protector, she began her objective: driving in around an accelerator track while a chip in her cerebro-circuitry helped focus her thoughts towards breaching "superspace". Just as she succeeded in opening a rift into higher-dimensional space, however, a Decepticon attack led by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] struck Autobot City. Fearing for the safety of the Protector and the future he represented, Arcee recklessly attempted to go to his rescue, leaping off the track without taking the proper slowdown procedures. Arcee's body was crushed by undissipated kinetic energy, but in her unconscious state, the Protector's spark contacted her, and told her that he was unimportant: it was the Timaeus Project and its researchers who had to be saved. 38 seconds later, Arcee awoke, her spark having been automatically transferred to a spare S-2000 Binaltech unit, and she fulfilled the Protector's wishes, saving the project's human workforce and the [[Alternium|strange object]] that had passed through the rift she had opened. Alas, this allowed Shockwave's agents to capture the Proctor's spark, and bring it to Decepticon leader [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 3}}

When Nemesis Prime resurfaced in Australia, the Autobots confronted him. As Ultra Magnus and the others assaulted the Decepticons directly, Arcee managed to free the Protector from the villains' clutches. The liberated Protector then merged with Optimus Prime, giving him the strength to defeat his evil counterpart. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 4}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms'' comic=====
[[Image:Arcee2010MangaBoogie01.jpg|thumb|200px|left|She's supposed to be ''running''. Seriously.]]

After receiving an SOS signal, Arcee and the Autobots responded to aid the humans. Their rescue efforts were interrupted by Galvatron and the Decepticons, but Rodimus Prime managed to defeat their enemies, and the Autobots flew the refugees to safety. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}}

On another occasion, Arcee and her friends were confronted with five copies of the lost Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. They eventually uncovered Galvatron directing the "[[Megatron Corps]]", and destroyed his drones. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #2}}

Arcee was also present when Ultra Magnus gave a tour of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to a group of human children. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 3|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #3}}

She was present on the planet [[Feminia]] during the Decepticon invasion of the world, as well. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{-}}
=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Yōko Kawanami]] (Japanese)
[[Image:Hmep3_arcee_cries.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Blurr cares not for your pain, woman!]]
In 2011, Arcee was stationed at the Autobots' secondary command post on the planet [[Athenia]] when Cybertron's mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]] began to destabilize, threatening the planet and opening it up to an attack by Decepticons and their new "Headmaster" warriors. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} She remained there with Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Carly]] to hold down the fort while the other Autobots joined the battle on Cybertron, and watched from afar as an object that they believed to be a star also headed for the planet. The "star" was in actuality the colossal spaceship the Maximus, carrying the Autobot Headmasters from their homeworld of planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], and with their added strength, the Autobot forces were able to rout the Decepticons. While Optimus Prime headed into Cybertron's depths to try and stabilize the computer, Arcee helped welcome the Autobot Headmasters to Athenia, and again remained on the planet with Kup and Blurr while most of the other Autobots began searching for the missing Matrix of Leadership on Earth, required to bring Vector Sigma under control. Arcee wept when news of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s death during the quest reached Athenia. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Lack of any further news put Blurr on edge, and Arcee was trying to get him calm down before he drove her nuts when Autobot Headmaster commander [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] announced that he was going to Cybertron to try to help Optimus Prime. Arcee and the others went with him, helping to monitor Vector Sigma while he followed Prime into Cybertron's catacombs. Ultimately, the Matrix was recovered and used to stabilize Vector Sigma, but not before Optimus Prime perished once more, leaving Hot Rod—now Rodimus Prime again—as leader. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

[[Image:Headmasters threestooges.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Arcee, Kup and Blurr counselled Rodimus Prime on how to deal with the Decepticons' newest weapon, the [[Madmachine]]; Arcee put both Blurr and [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] in their place for underestimating the threat. She then watched as Fortress used the technology of Master to resurrect Blaster as Twincast. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}} A little later, Arcee relayed a report from Fortress about the Decepticon conquest of planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]] to Rodimus. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} Later still, she helped track the trajectory of the Decepticons' newest space-borne weapon, the meteorite [[Metamorphose]], and assured Daniel that Fortress's battleship would be able to deal with it before it posed any thread to Athenia. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Receiving a distress call from the planet [[Praum]], Arcee conferred with Kup and Blurr on what to do, since Rodimus himself was on Earth checking up on a report of a new energy discovery. While the Autobot Headmasters went to investigate Praum, Rodimus radioed in that the energy report was a fake, prompting Arcee to re-examine the report and discover it had been given by hypnotised victim of the Decepticon Headmaster [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. Realising the energy report was a distraction, Rodimus headed for Praum and saved the Autobot Headmasters from the ambush waiting for them there. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Chromedome started to develop a crush on Arcee, and the other Headmasters made fun of him by comparing Arcee's looks to the [[Statue of Liberty]]'s. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

[[Image:Hm11 arcee handsonhips.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Yeah, you'll be seeing this a lot if you get married, and it'll always be while you're trying to watch football.]]

When the Decepticons launched another major attack on Cybertron in order to seize control of the new alloy [[cybertonuron]] that Vector Sigma had created, Arcee rushed to the planet to join the battle, though she and Kup were held up by having to stop and pull Blurr out of a chair he'd gotten stuck in. The trio watched as Rodimus and Galvatron battled. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} Unfortunately, the Autobots did not reckon with Decepticon Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], who used [[plasma energy]] bombs to destroy Cybertron, rather than allow Galvatron to obtain the cybertonuron. Rodimus Prime decided to leave leadership to Fortress while he departed to search space for a new homeworld for the Transformers, and Kup and Blurr volunteered to go along with him; Arcee expressed her desire to join them, but Rodimus instructed her to stay behind to look after Daniel and Wheelie. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

[[Image:Hm11 chromedome arcee dance.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Arcee was downcast by these turns of events, but tried to encourage Wheelie and Daniel to keep their spirits up. They all attended a party to commemorate the completion of the joint Autobot-human project, the [[Sol 1]] satellite, at which Arcee slow-danced with Chromedome, surprised at his skill. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Arcee later helped to monitor the mysterious Decepticon-controlled planet [[Zarak (planet)|Zarak]] {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} and alerted Fortress to the appearance on Athenia of [[buridanka|a carnivorous plant]]. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}

When Fortress departed Athenia to join a battle on Mars, Carly worried for the safety on Daniel, and Arcee assured her he would be fine. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} During the fight on Mars, Fortress was hit by a blast of energy by the Decepticons that drained all his power, and Arcee desperately tried to raise him on the communications channel. She analyzed the energy that had struck him, identifying it as plasma energy, and realized that the Decepticons planned to destroy Mars in order to generate more of it. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}} Unbelievably, the villains succeeded in the goal, and Arcee joined with Spike and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] in scanning the planetary debris to assess the damage the planet's destruction had caused to the solar system. After they reported their findings to Fortress, a strange new phenomenon appeared on Athenia: Daniel and Wheelie saw a UFO! Arcee filled Fortress in on the mystery sighting, and travelled with the Autobot Headmasters to watch as Daniel tried communicating with the strange visitor via music. Chromedome was particularly honored to drive alongside Arcee, and got a thrill out of seeing her transform. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}}

[[Image:Hm18_arcee_memo.jpg|right|thumb|225px|"So, yeah, this is basically all I do now."]]

Arcee was the first to speak out in favour of offering aid to the energy-depleted planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], and gathered information on the Autobots' energon stockpiles in order to verify the energy could be spared. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}} Soon after, Arcee used [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to send a request from Spike to Galvatron about the unlikely possibility of the two factions uniting in a new energy research programme... and received a surprised response in the positive! Unfortunately, the negotiations proved to be a Decepticon distraction, granting the rest of the villains time to depart on an interplanetary energy-plundering quest. Once the Autobots discovered they had been duped, they set off in pursuit of their foes across space; Arcee accompanied them, helping to look after Daniel and Wheelie on the trip. {{storylink|Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!}}

[[Image:Hm19_nurse_arcee.jpg|left|thumb|225px|"Hey you look a lot like..." "Riderman? Yeah, I get that a lot."]]

The Autobots discovered that the Decepticons' first target was the planet [[Hive (planet)|Hive]] when they found a damaged ship and an injured soldier from the planet floating in space. Arcee did her best to save the soldier's life with the Maximus's medical equipment, but his wounds were to severe. {{storylink|Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!}} Next, the Decepticons went after the planet [[Twin Star|Sperity]]; Fortress instructed [[Brainstorm]] to take Arcee, Daniel and Wheelie to Sperity's barren twin [[Twin Star|Toruin]] where they could be safe until the fighting was over. However, the quartet discovered that most of Sperity's population had evacuated to a subterranean city on Toruin, and Arcee was forced to volunteer herself as a "hostage", remaining on Toruin as a show of good faith while Brainstorm went to pass this important information on to the Autobots on Sperity. {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}}

Arcee's image was programmed into one of Daniel's video games as a hapless damsel who had to be saved from sprites of the Decepticon Headmasters. Fortunately, she didn't take any offense at this, and happily watched Daniel play the game, complimenting him on his marksmanship. Soon after, the Autobots saved the injured [[Beastformer]] [[Tekna]] from the planet Darhos, and Arcee monitored his vitals as Chromedome tried and failed to save his life. {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}} Arcee then joined the Autobots in traveling to planet [[Paradise]], {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} and [[Pirate Planet]], but just really stood around on the Maximus and didn't do much. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}} She carried on doing nothing after the Autobots returned to Athenia {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} and even took the time to advocate that ''others'' do nothing as well, such as when she had Spike refrain from contacting Fortress in the face of a diversionary Decepticon attack. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}} She spent most of the time that immediately followed sitting at a monitor, either sending communications or overseeing Fortress's telekinetic surgery on an injured Spike. She finally got off her butt to tell a benched Chromedome that Fortress was in trouble in a battle on Earth, but fortunately, Chromedome had just deduced the location of Scorponok's weak spot and left Arcee in charge on Athenia while he headed off to pass the info on. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}}

[[Image:Hm27 ambassador arcee.jpg|right|thumb|"Weren't you a little taller the last time we met?" "Shut up."]]

Fortress's victory over Scorponok forced the Decepticons off of Earth, leaving the Autobots to begin clean-up operations and restore the damage done to the planet. Arcee was appointed Spike's aide in his meeting with the [[United Nations]], working to help co-ordinate the relief effort; their first endeavour was the destruction of the Decepticons' abandoned Earth headquarters. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}} Despite these new duties, however, Arcee still joined with the other Autobots in travelling to the planet Master when word reached them that Scorponok had withdrawn there and was causing chaos. She put her medical knowledge to work again treating the wounds of Chromedome's old friend [[Jack (Headmasters)|Jack]]. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)}} She proceeded to do absolutely nothing for the entirety of the remainder of the Autobots' time on the planet, but she sure did a good job of sitting silently in a chair. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

Arcee's massively importantly contribution to the Autobots' return flight to Earth was reminding Daniel and Wheelie to wear their seatbelts. Soon after touching down on the planet, Arcee received a report that an airliner carrying Spike and Carly had crashed in the Andes, prompting Daniel and the Headmasters to head to the rescue. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} She then ''finally'' stepped back on to the battlefield for the first time in ages when she joined all the other Autobots in a climactic final battle with the Decepticons at the North Pole. She united her energies with her team-mates, funnelling them through the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]], super-charging Fortress Maximus and giving him the strength to destroy Scorponok's [[transtector]]. This victory finally led the Decepticons to flee Earth for good, and Arcee stood stoically by Fortress and the other Headmasters as they bid Spike, Carly and Daniel goodbye, before heading into space to carry on the fight. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

{{-}}
===Marvel UK comics future timelines===
[[Image:Arceeprimesrib.jpg|left|300px|thumb|They're not men, Arcee. Transformers have no gender. We've been over this!]]
Arcee was constructed by the Autobots in an alternate future 1995 as a good-will attempt to placate [[Feminist mob|angry feminists]] who thought that they were "sexist" for having no women in their group. After trying multiple times to explain that Autobots, being robots, had no gender, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered and ordered [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] to make a new Autobot who would meet the humans' demands for sexual equality. However, when Arcee was unveiled at a public ceremony, her pink, skinny and curvaceous form enraged the very audience Prime intended to placate. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Horri-Bull]], [[Fangry]] and [[Squeezeplay]] who immediately attacked, looking to crush the "secret weapon" that was promised. Prime warned Arcee to stay back, lest she get hurt in battle, but the female Autobot, rightfully annoyed at the Autobots' lack of faith in her equal ability, singlehandedly forced the Decepticons into a retreat. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] thought that was pretty hot. The feminists were enraged beyond words. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}

[[Image:Arceehotrodspacepirates.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Y'know, Arcee, if you'd stop running pidgeon-toed, maybe we'd be out of here by now.]]
Arcee and Hot Rod became quite friendly, but with his ascension to Prime status in 2006, they began to drift apart. She was stationed at [[Autobot City]] on Earth and got bored by her duties. The [[Quintesson]]s attacked in 2008, stringing out the city's population to the wall and using a wounded Arcee as bait to attract Rodimus; when he tried to use the Matrix to heal her, they stole it and he reverted to Hot Rod. Despite her injuries, she assisted him in awakening [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and devastating the Quintesson fleet. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

In 2009, Arcee tracked down [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] on Earth, where they were planning to use a laser bore to leech energy right from the planet's core. Joining a small Autobot detachment, they destroyed the drill and returned to Autobot City to face the greater threat: a timestorm that threatened 20 years of history with destruction. As Galvatron had spent months back in the 20th century, the universe was unraveling from the anomaly.

[[Image:TimeWars3-ArceeDinobots.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Dinobots 1, Chivalry 0]]

Arcee, Rodimus and several other Autobots traveled back in time to 1989 in order to retrieve the Decepticon villain. Unfortunately, the Autobots of that day mistook them for imposters and tried to kill them. Arcee was nearly mauled to death by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] before [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] explained that they were actually travelers from the future. Even more unfortunately, Galvatron had acquired some allies in the past: Scourge, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], and the mighty [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]]. She joined Kup and Ultra Magnus in trying to triple-team Megatron, but was only swatted aside like a bothersome insect. Arcee survived, however, and managed to take a few cheap shots at Galvatron later on in the fight. Eventually, the timestorm asserted itself on the battle, and consumed Galvatron utterly, ending the temporal distortion. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Arcee and the Autobots returned to their time only to find it had reset so Galvatron never time-jumped and had instead conquered Cybertron. Their resistance movement was quickly crushed, and the Autobots were forced to leave their homeworld. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} Arcee joined a hundreds-strong Autobot team in fleeing to Earth to regroup. When the Matrix-imprisoned [[Unicron]] possessed Rodimus, Arcee showed a more ruthless side in being the only one of the Autobots to advocate using lethal force on him. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void}} {{storylink|White Fire}} As Unicron would go on to possess Rodimus again and devastate Cybertron in 2010—an event she witnessed—her ruthless attitude appears to have been the right one all along. Yes, Rodimus Prime managed to contain Unicron again, but at what price...? {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

{{note|Her only appearances in the Marvel U.S. comics were in their [[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]] adaptation ("[[The Planet-Eater!]]", "[[Judgment Day!]]", and "[[The Final Battle!]]"), and a profile in issue #4 of their [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]. All stuff out-of-continuity with the US storyline.}}

===''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[Image:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Look, Dinobots, do you get along with Arcee or not?]]
Kup led Hot Rod, Arcee, and the Dinobots on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on Cybertron's second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and the ship crashed on a planet. Everyone landed safely, but Kup recognized the place. It was the planet [[Quintessa|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them, but at the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed there earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way, until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}

===Coloring books===
Arcee didn't get a seat during a meeting and later shot at Decepticons. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

===Beast Era===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
After digging his way out from underneath a sudden rockslide caused by an unexpected energy surge from a damaged [[stasis pod]], Rattrap demanded to know what in the name of his [[Relatives|great aunt]] Arcee was going on. {{storylink|Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate}}

====''Universe: Featuring the Wreckers''====
{{note|The following takes place during the [[Beast Era]], specifically its cartoon continuity, which took from both the original cartoon and the Marvel Comics. However, these stories seem to be written to be specifically taking place solely after the events of the original cartoon.}}

{{bigquote|I liked her better when she had that kid in her head.|[[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]]|"[[Betrayal]]"}}

[[Image:Arceedeparturemourns.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Gothy 'cuz all her toys get canceled.]]
During a battle against a horde of killer [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbirds]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] (now an adult) sacrificed their lives to end the threat. The death of Daniel took a serious toll on Arcee, who became reclusive, preferring to sit alone with images of her former [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]]. Over time, she slipped away from her friends entirely, disappearing within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After an unspecified event, she took on the form of a techno-organic spider, and learned the skills of both [[Crystalocution]] and the previously lost art of [[Tekkaido]]. She strongly believed that she had premonitions of her friends' deaths before they would happen, and this knowledge had driven her insane. She hid herself away, hoping to spare herself the pain of experiencing this phenomenon.

[[Image:Arceedeparturespider.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty fa— well, just don't underestimate me, okay?]]
Hundreds of [[Stellar cycle|stellar cycles]] later, when [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] returned from [[Earth]]'s past and conquered Cybertron with his army of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]], Arcee's solitude spared her from the onslaught. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], now known as simply Rodimus, had helped form a new team of [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] and wished to enlist Arcee. But Arcee rejected his offer as she was still too embittered by her experience, though she was touched by the Wrecker [[Fractyl]]'s words. Rodimus's Wreckers were followed by Megatron's new Vehicon generals, [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] and [[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]], causing a battle that resulted in Fractyl's near-death. Refusing to lose another, Arcee used her spark to save Fractyl, also reformatting him into a Transmetal body. Arcee agreed to depart with the rest of the Wreckers, and she and Fractyl assisted them in defeating a vast Vehicon army in order to reach an old [[Autobot shuttle]]. {{storylink|Departure}}

But the Autobot bounty hunter [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] had snuck aboard their ship and attacked some of their group. Arcee and the others raced to the rescue, and Arcee was quickly felled by Devcon, despite his new, smaller Vehicon body. After things were sorted out, Arcee tended to Fractyl, whose new Transmetal form was wildly unstable. At Arcee's insistence, [[Apelinq]] created a crude medical bot, [[CatSCAN]], to assist Fractyl's recovery. Arcee was oddly unable to foresee the deaths of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] and [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], a result of a yet-unknown saboteur amongst their ranks, as she happily watched CatSCAN discover himself while working on Fractyl. Their ship set down on their [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]-given destination, the remote planet of [[Akalo|Archa Nine]]. Arcee stayed behind with a few others to repair damage to their ship by their mysterious saboteur, who turned out to be fellow Wrecker [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Cyclonus stole the [[Divine Light]], the artifact the Wreckers were searching for, and returned to his true master, [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

[[Image:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Just like old times, but smaller.]]
Arcee blamed herself, as she hadn't been able to foresee death since she saved Fractyl. Demoralized, Arcee and the Wreckers left Archa Nine and headed to another planet at the insistence of their divinely-inspired leader, [[Primal Prime]]. They landed on a small icy planet, and a small scout team, including Arcee, was sent to investigate. After searching for hours, they stumbled upon [[Al-Badur]], a [[Quintesson]] scientist. Arcee immediately readied her weapon, as she and Rodimus had had enough of the Quintessons for several lifetimes, but Primal Prime asked her to lower them. Al-Badur was a somewhat welcome source of information regarding their quest, and before they could leave the planet with him, they were under attack by a horde of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] sent by Cryotek. Arcee and Rodimus quietly bonded as they battled the Sharkticons; it was just like old times. Slowly but surely, Arcee's demeanor had lightened. After the Sharkticons were defeated, Al-Badur explained their problem. The Divine Light was an ancient Quintesson piece of technology that allowed them to tap directly into the power of [[Primus]], and now Cryotek had it! {{storylink|Disclosure}}

But when they returned to Cybertron, it had changed during their absence into a [[technorganic]] paradise by the [[Great Reformatting]]. Quintessons had seized the opportunity to invade the planet, but Primal Prime assured Arcee and the others that Cryotek was their only concern. Primal Prime, Apelinq, [[Ramulus]] and [[Tigatron]] left them to find Cryotek, leaving Arcee and the others to take their injured to safety before joining the counterattack forces on the ground. Instead, their shuttle took heavy damage and was descending in a ball of fire and smoke. Arcee, grabbing Fractyl's body and what life support she could, abandoned ship with the rest. Disregarding Primal Prime's orders, Arcee suggested they find Cryotek and help the other Wreckers defeat him. Descending into the layers of Cybertron, they met [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], who joined them on their journey.

Finding the battleground between Cryotek and [[Sentinel Maximus]] (the combined form of Apelinq and Primal Prime, newly merged by Primus), Arcee reluctantly set aside Fractyl and his life support to join the fight. She helped Devcon defeat Cryotek's mutated pet [[Chro]], using her weblines to hold the monster still so the bounty hunter could shoot at it. But Cyclonus and Rodimus had disappeared beneath some rubble, so Arcee, Fractyl (who had been magically repaired by Tigatron expending all of his [[Vok]] powers) and the others went digging for him... and instead found [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]], [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]... and Arcee's nephew, [[Rattrap]]. They avoided each other's glance awkwardly.

They found Rodimus, but he was in rough shape, having fought nearly to the death with Cyclonus. Arcee and the others agreed to follow Al-Badur's instruction in defeating Cryotek, and helped direct the battle between Sentinel Maximus and Cryotek to a chamber deep within Cybertron. Arcee asked Fractyl to keep on Rodimus, who was extremely weak. Their group arrived in the desired chamber, but Arcee had a bad feeling about the place. It seemed familiar. She recognized it too late. It was a Quintesson banishment chamber, and Al-Badur had activated the containment shield within, locking Sentinel Maximus, Cryotek, and himself inside a forcefield bubble that fed into a strongly gravitational portal into nothingness. To Arcee's initial horror, despite her pleas, Rodimus stood up to deal with the situation. She knew that his next action would kill him in his weakened state, but after his assurances, she resigned herself to the outcome. Rodimus and Cheetor, both [[Matrix Templar]]s, used their skills to drain Cryotek of his Primus-stolen powers. As expected, this was too much for Arcee's long-time friend, and though they succeeded in saving Cybertron, Rodimus was dead.

But death isn't an ending, she realized. It was just another change. "And change is what we do." Arcee and Fractyl gathered his body to take it to a secret burial ground that Arcee knew of. She promised that this time, she wouldn't disappear forever. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Before the war, Arcee worked in a hazardous materials treatment plant. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} She was a member of Hot Rod's underground rebellion team on Cybertron, battling the forces of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Both Hot Rod and Springer appeared to be in love with her, though she seemed rather uninterested in both of them. In reality, Arcee was a sleeper agent for the [[Quintesson]]s.

{{note|Due to [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s bankruptcy, this story was never concluded.}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:TheArtofWar1 girltalk.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
In order to oversee the decommissioning of all Cybertronian technology on Earth, Arcee was sent to the planet alongside [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the last of which whom she had a mutual attraction to. Shortly after the group arrived at [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]], the facility came under attack by [[Cobra]], and Arcee helped fight them off alongside [[Scarlett]], who was surprised over the existence of "girl robots". {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} Upon hearing about a security breach in the lower levels of Area 52, the group headed there and, to Arcee's horror, found Bumblebee injured and low on energy. Before much could be done about him, the group was attacked by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who took control of [[G.I. Joe battle mech|G.I. Joes' mechs]] and forced them to fight the Autobots before bringing the roof down on everyone. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

The Autobots and Joes survived, and quickly followed Serpent O.R. through a warpgate to Cybertron, where they were attacked by [[cannibalizer]]s. Arcee didn't think they were very threatening, but suggested that they retreat to protect the humans. During their escape, she promised that she'd rotate Bumblebee's tires if he could outrace her... only to run straight into Serpent O.R. and his new army, who remorselessly killed Bumblebee and captured the others. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} They eventually managed to escape thanks to their G.I. Joe friends. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

[[Image:GIJoevsTFArtofwar5_Arceecrys.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
After hearing that Serpent O.R. had captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Arcee and the others made their way to his chambers, only to find that [[Cobra Commander]] had taken control of Serpent O.R.'s body after he had seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. "Serpentor Prime" effortlessly defeated most of the Autobots and Joes, but Arcee dodged his tentacles and managed to rip his chestplate off, allowing [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] to take the Matrix's power and defeat him. Some time later, Arcee cried for Bumblebee during a memorial service for him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:Spotlight Arcee traumatic flashback.jpg|right|220px|thumb|]]
Arcee was an early test subject of the mad genius [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], after he decided to introduce gender into the Transformers just to see the results. Her fundamental [[CNA]] was altered, giving her a "maddening maelstrom of contradictory sensory input" and causing all other Transformers to sense a fundamental difference about her and inadvertently use feminine pronouns around her, something that she loathes. (It also gave her fangs and permanent lipstick for some unknown reason.)

[[Image:IDW Arcee mad.jpg|left|180px|thumb|The writers of the Headmasters cartoon now fear for their lives...]]
She didn't meet Jhiaxus' standards and was dumped. Dangerously unstable and driven by an implacable homing instinct towards her creator's experiments, Arcee cut a mech-fluid swath of carnage across several planets in her obsession with destroying everything Jhiaxus created. She was eventually taken down by [[Tyrest Accord]] enforcer [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and incarcerated on the Autobot penitentiary on [[Garrus-9]].

Her [[spark]] was kept separate from her body within the penitentiary, as were those of all prisoners. In this limbo, she found a kind of peace. Unfortunately, when the Decepticons attacked to seize the new inmate [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] (another Jhiaxus experiment), warden [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] freed her as a last resort to stop the attack. She was able to carve her way through the invaders, but not before they left with their target. She headed off to intercept them, with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] convincing Maximus to allow this. Arcee apparently knows of the [[Expansion]] and Jhiaxus's part in it, and refers to herself as the "servo-wrench in the works". {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

Later, on the [[Decepticon Battle Platform Zuska]], Arcee tortured a Decepticon until he agreed to tell her where [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzaitron]] had taken the [[Combiner|gestalts]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}} She tracked them down, only to find the [[Dead Universe]] Transformers had activated Monstructor and taken him to places unknown, decimating the Decepticons in the process. She agreed to assist the wounded Banzaitron in getting to the Monstructor-Six, reasoning it would lead to Jhiaxus... {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:SpotlightSideswipe Jhiaxus deathbecomeshim.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Those were the best days of our lives.]]
As Arcee assisted Banzaitron and his team in trying to recapture Monstructor, [[Skram (G2)|Skram]] arrived through a space bridge portal with the means to go to where Jhiaxus was. Slicing off his arm and murdering her way through [[Micromaster]]s, she finally cornered him and was surprised to find he wouldn't die—thanks to coming from the [[Dead Universe]], he was effectively immortal. Which meant she could kill him over and over. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

Arcee spent several years gleefully murdering Jhiaxus, but her revenge was cut short one day when the nearby portal to the Dead Universe suddenly began to lure all life on Gorlam Prime into it. She was hypnotically drawn towards it, but [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] held her back until the allure of the portal went away. Though the two Autobots were safe, the entire population of the planet had mysteriously vanished into the portal, and they decided to investigate. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}} A while later, they detected [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his minions in the vicinity and attacked them. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1}}

Though Arcee easily defeated Jhiaxus, brought back to life by Galvatron's [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], she was overpowered by Galvatron himself and his Dead Universe powers. Hardhead urged her to return to the Autobot army and warn them of Galvatron's return, and despite Cyclonus and Scourge following her and blowing her into an abyss, she survived and got away. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
Arcee later came to the rescue for an Autobot escape pod full of survivors from [[Kimia Facility]]. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} After rescuing the survivors, she and Hardhead explained five times to them all about the Dead Universe, Heart of Darkness, D-Void and Galvatrons plan and what they had to do to save the universe. They made it to Cybertron by the time Galvatron infected [[Vector Sigma]] with the Heart of Darkness which created a storm to break out so Arcee suggested on landing the ship in a nearby tunnel and told any won who would like to bail out to do it now. Fortunately they conveniently crashing right on top of Galvatron right at the right time.{{-}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Lenne Hardt]]

In 2010, the Decepticon military commander [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] acquired a source of infinite power called [[Zel Quartz]]. It drove him to madness, and he destroyed Cybertron while threatening to lay waste to the rest of the galaxy. Rodimus Prime and the Autobots desperately coordinated with the [[Quintesson]]s to use a timeslip device and travel back in time, preventing Shockwave from ever getting his hand on Zel Quartz. Unfortunately, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the remaining Decepticons learned of the mission, and intercepted the Autobots on the way through the timeslip.

Crashing in 2003 on [[Zel Samine]], where the quartz originated, Arcee awoke with Kup and Rodimus Prime. Separated from the rest of their team, they sent out an SOS and were met by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the present day Autobots. After explaining the situation, Arcee and her allies joined up with Optimus to search for the Zel Quartz before the Decepticons could find it.

Wheeljack searched the planet for any records or power signatures that might be Zel Quartz. After three false leads, they finally located Zel Quartz at the [[Enormous Laser Transmission Array]]. After fighting through numerous Decepticon lieutenants, and facing the might of Megatron and Galvatron united, Arcee and the Autobots secured the Zel Quartz and ultimately disposed of it so that it could do no further harm. With the rock no longer a threat, the Autobots of 2010 vanished and returned to their home timeline. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1ArceeProto.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Orange? Where'd that come from?]]
[[Image:Concept-HeadmasterArcee.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Pinkdome.]]
*'''Arcee'''
: Despite that she was a major character in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]], no transforming toy of Arcee was made during the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original toyline]]'s run. Images of a hand-sculpted [[prototype]] based on Arcee's original character design ([[#Notes|see below]]) have appeared in several Japanese publications, but it appears the toy never progressed beyond that stage.

: The Japanese ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' book shows a piece of concept artwork of the Headmaster [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] car in pink and white labeled "Arcee", a proposal for a redeco of the toy as Headmaster Arcee from "[[The Rebirth]]". (Presumably, then, this was a Hasbro-initiated idea.) The idea does not appear to have gone any farther.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

[[Image:Botconarceetoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE!]]
*'''Arcee''' (Mega, 2001)
: The very first true transforming Arcee toy is a [[redeco]] and minor [[Retool|retooling]] of the ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal 2]] [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], transforming into a malformed mish-mash of machine and organic parts in the form of a large spider. The spider-mode fangs become a grappling weapon for her robot mode which extend on a [[Retractable string gimmick|retractable string]]. She has a special [[spark crystal]] that changes her [[Insignia|faction symbol]] from [[Autobot]] to [[Maximal]] when rotated. The robot mode also features a spring-powered waist-swivel for "power kick" action. Arcee lacks the [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] toy's additional chest armor, and thus has oddly-placed holes in her... well, chest, that keep the armor in place.

: Arcee was available only as an [[exclusive]] to [[BotCon 2001]], and along with [[Tigatron]] was the first time since the inception of [[3H Productions|3H]] that they were allowed to use pre-existing characters for convention exclusives. Arcee is also the first convention toy to feature retooling. Preorders received their Arcees with a bonus; the box contained a light-sensitive sound chip featuring voice actress [[Susan Blu]]'s voice saying "Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE!". These chips are VERY light-sensitive. Many won't shut up to this day.

:Both Arcee and Tigatron were limited to 1200 pieces.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Arcee/arcee.htm More information on Generation 1 Arcee at TFU.info]''

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:Arceetitanium.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Seems like a mercy killing, really.]]
*'''Arcee'''
: A 6" transforming Arcee toy was designed and displayed at [[BotCon]] 2007, but [[Titanium Series]] was canceled before its tooling could be completed.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Binaltech===
[[Image:Binaltech arcee toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Manual tranny.]]
*'''Arcee''' (2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-21'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun

:Arcee is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Decepticharge]] (himself a [[retool]] of [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]/[[Overdrive]]), using Honda's "Pearl White" for the car bodywork. The figure transforms into a "street performance" Honda S2000. Her hardtop roof can be removed for an open-top vehicle mode and used as a shield in robot mode. The engine and driveshaft may be removed and used as a long-barreled rifle (as the toy is Japanese issue and not subject to the same issues that removed the long barrel from the [[Hasbro]] versions of the mold).

: In spite of fan speculation, no retooling has been applied to the mold to enhance character resemblance or make her look less butch.

: A redeco of this toy as [[Paradron Medic]] was originally planned to be released simultaneously (but was canceled), a fate that also befell a redeco meant to be Arcee's occasional mold-mate [[Blackarachnia (BW)#Binaltech|Blackarachnia]]. The robot mode was used as the base model for the non-toy car-form [[Legion]].

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===MC Axis===
[[Image:Hybrid_model_arcee.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Arcee''' (Super Hybrid Model, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''H-03'''

:Arcee was one of three non-transforming ''[[Super Hybrid Model]]'' vinyl figurines created in 1987 by Japanese collectables company [[MC Axis]]. Standing at about eight inches tall and featuring articulation in the head and neck, Arcee and her fellows (Rodimus Prime and Galvatron) were based on their [[Studio OX]] character models, featuring much more anime-styled proportions and detailing.

:For reasons unknown, the retail release of Arcee and the other ''Super Hybrid Model'' figures was canceled. While Galvatron was eventually released as an exclusive at [[BotCon Japan 1997]], Arcee and Rodimus have never been officially released, though they do occasionally pop up on the secondary market, commanding prices in excess of $600.
 
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}
[[Image:Mcaxis_arcee.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Arcee''' (1996)

:This Japanese "garage kit", an unpainted resin model, was made by [[MC Axis]] and was also the first official product of Arcee that got a retail release. Included among its paperwork is a [[The Transformers (MC Axis manga)|comic strip]] starring Arcee. It is not known for its exceptional quality control - numerous unsightly air bubbles in the plastic are not an uncommon thing to encounter.

::*''[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1492/Axis-Model+Kit/Arcee.html Gallery of an assembled and painted Arcee at Transformers @ The Moon]
{{-}}

===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:Hoc_arcee_and_daniel.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Arcee should maybe reconsider something that big transforming into her head.]]
* '''Arcee''' (2000)
: A three-inch tall [[plastic|PVC]] figurine of Arcee was available in the first wave of Takara's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' line. In a nice spot of attention to detail, she is holding the unremarkable small grey pistol she wielded in the Generation 1 cartoon episode, "[[The Dweller in the Depths]]". Like all the figures in the "act", it was available as both a standard full color figure and a colorless translucent version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures.

:Arcee was redecoed to create the chase figure for the eighth wave of the series, the [[Paradron Medic]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCArcee/arcee.htm More information on Super Collection Figure Arcee at TFU.info]''

* '''Arcee and Daniel''' (2001)
:The Arcee figurine was re-released as part of the fourth wave of the ''Super Collection Figure'' series, now packaged with a figure of Daniel Witwicky in his exo-suit. The pair were available in both full color and metallic "pewter" versions; in eight out of every ten cases, the pewter version of the set came with the body of the line's collectable [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] "build-a-figure".

===Heroes of Cybertron===
* '''Arcee''' (2002)
:When Hasbro released the ''Super Collection Figure'' line as ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'', the Arcee figure was released as part of the first wave, now featuring a [[light-piping]] gimmick in the character's eyes, accomplished by casting the figure in translucent blue plastic and then painting over it. Rather than come blindpacked like the ''SCF'' figure, Arcee came on a blister card with a profile card included. The mold would later be redecoed in this fashion into the ''Heroes of Cybertron'' Paradron Medic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCArcee/arcee.htm More information on Heroes of Cybertron Arcee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===MyClone===
[[Image:Myclone_arcee.jpg|right|thumb]]
* '''Arcee''' (2003)
**''ID number:'' '''MTF005'''
**''Accessories:'' White display base

:Released in the first wave of the ''[[MyClone]]'' line of Transformers PVC figures, this [[super deformed]] Arcee comes with a hexagonal white display stand, which can link up with the identical stands included with other ''MyClone'' figures. Her modular design allows her parts to be mixed and matched with those of any other MyClone figure, to hilariously hermaphroditic effect.
{{-}}
===Palisades statues===
[[Image:Palisades_arcee.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Arcee''' (2004)

:Inspired by a [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] pin-up lithograph/poster by [[Rob Armstrong]],<ref>[http://www.dreadforce.com/creators.html The creators list for Jaran Studios' ''Dread Force'' includes this information in Rob's profile.]</ref> (itself based on Arcee's Studio OX character model, complete with obnoxious shoulder-armor rig) this statue features looks-right-at-only-one-angle perspective and a face so flat you'd swear she'd flown into a window. Standing around 6" tall, Arcee was limited to 2000 pieces worldwide.

:The Arcee statue was later repainted into that old standby, the [[Paradron Medic]].
{{-}}
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroesrumblearcee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|She's actually running after Robot Heroes Cheetor. (Or her [[Rattrap|nephew)]]]]
* '''Arcee vs. Rumble''' (2008)

:Part of the second wave of [[Universe (2008 franchise)|''Universe]] [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', Arcee is packaged with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] as part of the "Generation 1 Series." She is sculpted as running across a patch of mechanical flooring, and she has articulation at the head and shoulders.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/RHArcee/arcee.htm More information on Robot Heroes Arcee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:Arcee statue.jpg|right|thumb|Not pictured: Springer and Weirdwolf.]]
* '''Arcee''' (Diamond Select, 2009)

:Released by [[Diamond Select Toys]] in 2009, Arcee was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 1000 pieces. She is featured packing two of the style of pistol she is commonly seen with and looking off to one side. As is the case in certain [[Continuity|continuities]], she is listed as a member of [[Elita One]]'s [[Female Autobots|resistance group]]. Arcee's tech specs give her the following classifications: STR 5.5, INT 8, SPD 8, END 5, RNK 6, CRG 9, FBL 6, SKL 10.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:G1ArceeModelComp.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Extreme Makeover: Arcee Edition.]]
* Arcee had two different [[Character model|character models]] in 1980s ''Transformers'' media. An earlier model served as the basis for her original unproduced toy (seen above), which was also the model used for most of her Marvel Comics appearances and for parts of the episode "[[Only Human]]". Her final model, meanwhile, was used for her appearances in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', the rest of her season 3 appearances, and her Japanese ''Headmasters'' appearances.

* When asked about Arcee's design in an interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "Arcee is the naked mechanical equivalent of Princess Leia of ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]''."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref> Well, that answers that question... while raising a whole bunch of others!

* Arcee has the most romantic attachments of any Transformers character: Hot Rod in the movie, Marvel Comics and Dreamwave continuities, Springer after the movie, Chromedome in ''The Headmasters'', and Bumblebee in [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]] continuity. And then there is the weird affection shown toward Daniel in "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]", but most fans won't read too much into it, for their own sanity. Damn but she got around.

* Arcee's finalized character model was used to make a lot of the background female characters during the movie and season 3. Various Junkion ladies and the [[Paradron Medic]]s share her design, only without the shoulder-thingies, and a [[Cheesecake robot|more "shaped" version of her earlier model]] appeared in "[[Starscream's Ghost]]".

* The extras in "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]" reveal a few alternative color schemes [[Alex Milne]] and [[Simon Furman]] tried to get approved for IDW's version of Arcee, one blue, two red. [[Hasbro]] nixed all three, insisting on Arcee's usual coloration. Apparent reasons given were that "they didn't want her to be like the other female bots[,] so they wanted the pink look" and that "they wanted her different from <nowiki> </nowiki>[[Elita One]] <nowiki></nowiki>".<ref>[http://markerguru.deviantart.com/art/arcee-cover-colors-70762649 Alex Milne's comments on IDW Arcee's colors at deviantART]</ref> If there's actually any plans on Hasbro's part to start promoting female characters other than Arcee so that these arguments make sense, as of 2011, that'd still be news.

* Around 1999, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] released a special version of the Replica (reissue) [[Microman]] Lady Command figure as part of a [[Lucky Draw figure|lucky draw]] for "The Official Guide to Takara SF Land" book in white and gold chrome named Arcee. The regular versions of the Lady Command figure all had names starting with "A" (Ann, Alice, Annie and Ai<ref>[http://microforever.com/replicam18X.htm Replica Microman Series; Reissued Lady Command M181 Ann, M182 Alice, M183 Annie & M184 Ai (11/1999) at Microman Forever]</ref>), so Arcee makes sense by that logic - but whether this is an incarnation of "our" G1 character is currently not known. Only 5 Lady Command Arcee figures were released.<ref>[http://microforever.com/sflandprize.htm Replica Microman Series; Kodashan Takara SF Land Book Prize - Microman Lady Command Arcee (?/00) at Microman Forever]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Arcee''' (アーシー ''Āshī'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Arszi''', '''RC''' (''The Movie'')
*''Italian:'' '''Saturnia''' (''The Headmasters'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Silvia''' (America ''The Headmasters'')

==References==
<references />

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

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:MyClone]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Arcee (G1)

2011-11-22T18:03:17Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|autobot|maximal|quintesson|wreckers}}
{{disambig3|Arcee}}
:''Arcee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:ArceeG1-2010storypage.jpg|right|300px|thumb|These aren't high heels, they just forgot to finish building my feet.]]

Most make the mistake of noticing only '''Arcee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Female Transformer|gender]], but these first impressions are quickly expanded upon. Arcee is a merciless and deadly warrior who's an expert in hand-to-hand combat and one of the best sharpshooters on record. The reason for her ferocity is how much she cares for her fellow Autobots and especially the [[human]]s they protect. She knows how fragile her organic companions are, and she's equally aware of the evils the [[Decepticon]]s are capable of. Peers such as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] may be more durable than the humans, but she no less fights to defend them as well. They get in plenty of trouble, so someone has to be the level-headed one. (Some believe Arcee has a [[Transformer romance|romantic]] attraction to either of those two, but that depends on who and when you ask.)

If concern for her friends is her strength, it's regrettably also her weakness. If anything would happen to, say, [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], she might just completely lose it. And she may be quick, but she's not very strong.

She's also [[Rattrap]]'s "[[Relatives|great-aunt]]".

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actress:'' [[Susan Blu]] (English), [[Masako Katsuki]] (Japanese, ''The Movie''), [[Yōko Kawanami]] (Japanese, ''Transformers 2010''), [[Atsuko Yuya]] (Japanese, ''The Rebirth''), [[Carmen Sheila]] (Portuguese)
[[Image:Springerarceecmonwoman.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"I bet you Hot Rod is the Chosen One." "What? He's cute, but ''please''." "Okay, if I'm right, you have to date me instead." "You're on!"]]

During the assault on [[Autobot City]] Arcee was instrumental in helping [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] transform the fortress to repel the [[Decepticon]] invaders, buying precious time for reinforcements and likely saving many lives. She was among the few Autobots to survive [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s savage blitz on the city and to form the small army sent to engage the planet eater, [[Unicron]], who was threatening [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] at the time. Although she was nearly left behind when Unicron's minion [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] attacked, she, along with Autobot leader [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], and his small attack force managed to hold their own against the villain long enough to befriend the citizens of the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], reunite with their lost Autobot comrades, and fight their way into the depths of Unicron where [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] was finally able to open the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and kill the giant foe.

[[Image:ArceeTFMovie.jpg|right|200px|thumb|She, uh, meant to flood the tunnel.]]

Throughout the entire affair, one of Arcee's top priorities was the protection and care of young [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], a human friend of Hot Rod who had wound up on the adventure with her. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

After the Matrix chose Hot Rod to become the new leader of the Autobots, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]], Arcee remained as one of his closest soldiers. She helped fight a surprise attack on the first [[Galactic Olympics]]. When Ultra Magnus, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] were discovered missing, she and Springer took off after the perceived kidnapper. Although they were successful in capturing their quarry, the [[Skuxxoid]], and taking his ship, he deceived them about the identity of his employer. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} This still turned out to be beneficial as they arrived in time to save Rodimus Prime and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] from being pummeled by a mob of Decepticons. When Rodimus learned that the [[Quintesson]]s were the real ones behind the kidnapping, she partook in the rescue mission on [[Quintessa]], saving Magnus, Kup and Spike seconds before the planet was detonated. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}}

She, along with the others, was sent by the explosion to the planet of [[Goo 8739B]] where they were stranded until the Junkions were called in to salvage them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} Although she was only briefly seen in the aftermath, it was assumed she returned to Cybertron with the others, and fought when Galvatron waged a full scale assault on the planet. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

Arcee was among the small group of Autobots that managed to stop a Quintesson plot to use the resurrected body of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] as a sort of sleeper agent to lure the rest of the Autobots into a trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}} She was also seen among the other Autobots cheering when Unicron's plan to connect himself to Cybertron failed. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

[[Image:ArceeDepth.jpg|left|thumb|250px|With this, she won't ''need'' to be a sharpshooter!]]
Later she accompanied a squad sent after Galvatron and his troops who had broken into a secret chamber on Cybertron. This too would turn out to be a Quintesson trap. This time, the Decepticons were fooled into releasing the Quintessons’ dangerous experiments, the [[Trans-Organic]]s, and their most powerful member The [[Dweller]], a giant energy leech that turned all Transformers into energy vampires. After trying to fight off both Galvatron and the Dweller in the dark tunnels, only she and Ultra Magnus were able to escape and warn Rodimus Prime and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] in time to stop the Dweller and turn the other Transformers back to normal. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}
[[Image:OnlyHumanlineup.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The color scheme isn't flattering on a jumpsuit, either.]]

She, along with Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Springer became the targets of crime lord [[Victor Drath]] after busting one too many of his operations. With the help of [[Cobra Commander| Old Snake]], the four Autobots were captured. Their minds were transferred from their bodies into the forms of [[synthoid]] humans. They managed to escape disposal by Drath’s men, and Arcee eventually made it back to Autobot City in an attempt to warn their comrades that their former bodies were going to be used to blow up the city. Being an unrecognizable human, no one believed her, and she was locked in a detention cell instead. Luckily when Ultra Magnus and Springer managed to foil Drath's plan all four Autobots were subsequently returned to their rightful bodies. {{storylink|Only Human}}

[[Image:HeadmasterDanielRebirth1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Daniel has two mommies.]]
The almost maternal connection between Daniel and Arcee was a powerful one, which was only strengthened some time later when Galvatron tried his most ambitious plan. Using the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|Key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], Galvatron tried to release its destructive power. Arcee, along with Hot Rod, Kup, and a large Autobot crew, managed to snatch the key away and escaped to the far off planet of [[Nebulos]]. There, they became embroiled in the Nebulons' struggle for freedom against their own oppressors, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]]. In an effort to combat both the Hive and the Decepticons that had tracked them down, the Autobots and the Nebulons agreed to become partners and developed the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and [[Targetmaster]] processes. Having been critically injured trying to save her from [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]], Arcee chose Daniel to partner with as he now needed an [[exosuit]] to survive and was her ”dearest friend”. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

[[Binary bonding|Binary bonded]], the two proved quite effective in combat as did all the Autobots and, later, Decepticons who became Headmasters and Targetmasters. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} Trying to escape with the key, Arcee and Daniel were captured by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and held prisoner until Spike and [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] were able to break them out of the Decepticon City just before it was blown out into the deep reaches of space by a blast of energy from the Plasma Energy Chamber. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in the Japanese timeline as detailed above, except the events of season 3 are pushed back to 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. Japanese continuity inserts several new stories into the timeline.}}

=====MC Axis comic=====
[[Image:Arcee-modelkit.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"My hair! He shot my hair! Son of a bitch..."]]

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], following a devastating battle, [[Firestar]] and [[Moonracer]] observed their enemies retreating and presumed that things would be quiet for a while. Suddenly, they were attacked from behind by a massive [[Decepticon]]. Arcee immediately saved them by killing the villain with a single shot. Arcee reminded the two Female Autobots that war is especially tough on females. They then pondered whether danger is tripled when three beautiful women are involved. {{storylink|The Transformers (MC Axis manga)|The Transformers: Arcee}}

=====''Story of Binaltech''=====
In the divergent [[universal stream]] of Primax 903.0 Beta, splintered off from the mainstream timeline when the time-tossed Decepticon [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] altered history, Arcee was selected to participate in the [[Timaeus Project]], an Autobot experiment to breach super-dimensional space being carried out on the urging of the mysterious [[Optimus Primal|Protector]], a disembodied spark from the future. Arcee's consciousness was transferred into a [[Binaltech]] body, and after saying goodbye to the Protector, she began her objective: driving in around an accelerator track while a chip in her cerebro-circuitry helped focus her thoughts towards breaching "superspace". Just as she succeeded in opening a rift into higher-dimensional space, however, a Decepticon attack led by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] struck Autobot City. Fearing for the safety of the Protector and the future he represented, Arcee recklessly attempted to go to his rescue, leaping off the track without taking the proper slowdown procedures. Arcee's body was crushed by undissipated kinetic energy, but in her unconscious state, the Protector's spark contacted her, and told her that he was unimportant: it was the Timaeus Project and its researchers who had to be saved. 38 seconds later, Arcee awoke, her spark having been automatically transferred to a spare S-2000 Binaltech unit, and she fulfilled the Protector's wishes, saving the project's human workforce and the [[Alternium|strange object]] that had passed through the rift she had opened. Alas, this allowed Shockwave's agents to capture the Proctor's spark, and bring it to Decepticon leader [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 3}}

When Nemesis Prime resurfaced in Australia, the Autobots confronted him. As Ultra Magnus and the others assaulted the Decepticons directly, Arcee managed to free the Protector from the villains' clutches. The liberated Protector then merged with Optimus Prime, giving him the strength to defeat his evil counterpart. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 4}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms'' comic=====
[[Image:Arcee2010MangaBoogie01.jpg|thumb|200px|left|She's supposed to be ''running''. Seriously.]]

After receiving an SOS signal, Arcee and the Autobots responded to aid the humans. Their rescue efforts were interrupted by Galvatron and the Decepticons, but Rodimus Prime managed to defeat their enemies, and the Autobots flew the refugees to safety. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}}

On another occasion, Arcee and her friends were confronted with five copies of the lost Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. They eventually uncovered Galvatron directing the "[[Megatron Corps]]", and destroyed his drones. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #2}}

Arcee was also present when Ultra Magnus gave a tour of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to a group of human children. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 3|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #3}}

She was present on the planet [[Feminia]] during the Decepticon invasion of the world, as well. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{-}}
=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Yōko Kawanami]] (Japanese)
[[Image:Hmep3_arcee_cries.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Blurr cares not for your pain, woman!]]
In 2011, Arcee was stationed at the Autobots' secondary command post on the planet [[Athenia]] when Cybertron's mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]] began to destabilize, threatening the planet and opening it up to an attack by Decepticons and their new "Headmaster" warriors. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} She remained there with Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Carly]] to hold down the fort while the other Autobots joined the battle on Cybertron, and watched from afar as an object that they believed to be a star also headed for the planet. The "star" was in actuality the colossal spaceship the Maximus, carrying the Autobot Headmasters from their homeworld of planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], and with their added strength, the Autobot forces were able to rout the Decepticons. While Optimus Prime headed into Cybertron's depths to try and stabilize the computer, Arcee helped welcome the Autobot Headmasters to Athenia, and again remained on the planet with Kup and Blurr while most of the other Autobots began searching for the missing Matrix of Leadership on Earth, required to bring Vector Sigma under control. Arcee wept when news of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s death during the quest reached Athenia. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Lack of any further news put Blurr on edge, and Arcee was trying to get him calm down before he drove her nuts when Autobot Headmaster commander [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] announced that he was going to Cybertron to try to help Optimus Prime. Arcee and the others went with him, helping to monitor Vector Sigma while he followed Prime into Cybertron's catacombs. Ultimately, the Matrix was recovered and used to stabilize Vector Sigma, but not before Optimus Prime perished once more, leaving Hot Rod—now Rodimus Prime again—as leader. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

[[Image:Headmasters threestooges.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Arcee, Kup and Blurr counselled Rodimus Prime on how to deal with the Decepticons' newest weapon, the [[Madmachine]]; Arcee put both Blurr and [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] in their place for underestimating the threat. She then watched as Fortress used the technology of Master to resurrect Blaster as Twincast. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}} A little later, Arcee relayed a report from Fortress about the Decepticon conquest of planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]] to Rodimus. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} Later still, she helped track the trajectory of the Decepticons' newest space-borne weapon, the meteorite [[Metamorphose]], and assured Daniel that Fortress's battleship would be able to deal with it before it posed any thread to Athenia. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Receiving a distress call from the planet [[Praum]], Arcee conferred with Kup and Blurr on what to do, since Rodimus himself was on Earth checking up on a report of a new energy discovery. While the Autobot Headmasters went to investigate Praum, Rodimus radioed in that the energy report was a fake, prompting Arcee to re-examine the report and discover it had been given by hypnotised victim of the Decepticon Headmaster [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. Realising the energy report was a distraction, Rodimus headed for Praum and saved the Autobot Headmasters from the ambush waiting for them there. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Chromedome started to develop a crush on Arcee, and the other Headmasters made fun of him by comparing Arcee's looks to the [[Statue of Liberty]]'s. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

[[Image:Hm11 arcee handsonhips.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Yeah, you'll be seeing this a lot if you get married, and it'll always be while you're trying to watch football.]]

When the Decepticons launched another major attack on Cybertron in order to seize control of the new alloy [[cybertonuron]] that Vector Sigma had created, Arcee rushed to the planet to join the battle, though she and Kup were held up by having to stop and pull Blurr out of a chair he'd gotten stuck in. The trio watched as Rodimus and Galvatron battled. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} Unfortunately, the Autobots did not reckon with Decepticon Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], who used [[plasma energy]] bombs to destroy Cybertron, rather than allow Galvatron to obtain the cybertonuron. Rodimus Prime decided to leave leadership to Fortress while he departed to search space for a new homeworld for the Transformers, and Kup and Blurr volunteered to go along with him; Arcee expressed her desire to join them, but Rodimus instructed her to stay behind to look after Daniel and Wheelie. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

[[Image:Hm11 chromedome arcee dance.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Arcee was downcast by these turns of events, but tried to encourage Wheelie and Daniel to keep their spirits up. They all attended a party to commemorate the completion of the joint Autobot-human project, the [[Sol 1]] satellite, at which Arcee slow-danced with Chromedome, surprised at his skill. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Arcee later helped to monitor the mysterious Decepticon-controlled planet [[Zarak (planet)|Zarak]] {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} and alerted Fortress to the appearance on Athenia of [[buridanka|a carnivorous plant]]. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}

When Fortress departed Athenia to join a battle on Mars, Carly worried for the safety on Daniel, and Arcee assured her he would be fine. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} During the fight on Mars, Fortress was hit by a blast of energy by the Decepticons that drained all his power, and Arcee desperately tried to raise him on the communications channel. She analyzed the energy that had struck him, identifying it as plasma energy, and realized that the Decepticons planned to destroy Mars in order to generate more of it. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}} Unbelievably, the villains succeeded in the goal, and Arcee joined with Spike and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] in scanning the planetary debris to assess the damage the planet's destruction had caused to the solar system. After they reported their findings to Fortress, a strange new phenomenon appeared on Athenia: Daniel and Wheelie saw a UFO! Arcee filled Fortress in on the mystery sighting, and travelled with the Autobot Headmasters to watch as Daniel tried communicating with the strange visitor via music. Chromedome was particularly honored to drive alongside Arcee, and got a thrill out of seeing her transform. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}}

[[Image:Hm18_arcee_memo.jpg|right|thumb|225px|"So, yeah, this is basically all I do now."]]

Arcee was the first to speak out in favour of offering aid to the energy-depleted planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], and gathered information on the Autobots' energon stockpiles in order to verify the energy could be spared. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}} Soon after, Arcee used [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to send a request from Spike to Galvatron about the unlikely possibility of the two factions uniting in a new energy research programme... and received a surprised response in the positive! Unfortunately, the negotiations proved to be a Decepticon distraction, granting the rest of the villains time to depart on an interplanetary energy-plundering quest. Once the Autobots discovered they had been duped, they set off in pursuit of their foes across space; Arcee accompanied them, helping to look after Daniel and Wheelie on the trip. {{storylink|Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!}}

[[Image:Hm19_nurse_arcee.jpg|left|thumb|225px|"Hey you look a lot like..." "Riderman? Yeah, I get that a lot."]]

The Autobots discovered that the Decepticons' first target was the planet [[Hive (planet)|Hive]] when they found a damaged ship and an injured soldier from the planet floating in space. Arcee did her best to save the soldier's life with the Maximus's medical equipment, but his wounds were to severe. {{storylink|Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!}} Next, the Decepticons went after the planet [[Twin Star|Sperity]]; Fortress instructed [[Brainstorm]] to take Arcee, Daniel and Wheelie to Sperity's barren twin [[Twin Star|Toruin]] where they could be safe until the fighting was over. However, the quartet discovered that most of Sperity's population had evacuated to a subterranean city on Toruin, and Arcee was forced to volunteer herself as a "hostage", remaining on Toruin as a show of good faith while Brainstorm went to pass this important information on to the Autobots on Sperity. {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}}

Arcee's image was programmed into one of Daniel's video games as a hapless damsel who had to be saved from sprites of the Decepticon Headmasters. Fortunately, she didn't take any offense at this, and happily watched Daniel play the game, complimenting him on his marksmanship. Soon after, the Autobots saved the injured [[Beastformer]] [[Tekna]] from the planet Darhos, and Arcee monitored his vitals as Chromedome tried and failed to save his life. {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}} Arcee then joined the Autobots in traveling to planet [[Paradise]], {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} and [[Pirate Planet]], but just really stood around on the Maximus and didn't do much. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}} She carried on doing nothing after the Autobots returned to Athenia {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} and even took the time to advocate that ''others'' do nothing as well, such as when she had Spike refrain from contacting Fortress in the face of a diversionary Decepticon attack. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}} She spent most of the time that immediately followed sitting at a monitor, either sending communications or overseeing Fortress's telekinetic surgery on an injured Spike. She finally got off her butt to tell a benched Chromedome that Fortress was in trouble in a battle on Earth, but fortunately, Chromedome had just deduced the location of Scorponok's weak spot and left Arcee in charge on Athenia while he headed off to pass the info on. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}}

[[Image:Hm27 ambassador arcee.jpg|right|thumb|"Weren't you a little taller the last time we met?" "Shut up."]]

Fortress's victory over Scorponok forced the Decepticons off of Earth, leaving the Autobots to begin clean-up operations and restore the damage done to the planet. Arcee was appointed Spike's aide in his meeting with the [[United Nations]], working to help co-ordinate the relief effort; their first endeavour was the destruction of the Decepticons' abandoned Earth headquarters. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}} Despite these new duties, however, Arcee still joined with the other Autobots in travelling to the planet Master when word reached them that Scorponok had withdrawn there and was causing chaos. She put her medical knowledge to work again treating the wounds of Chromedome's old friend [[Jack (Headmasters)|Jack]]. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2)}} She proceeded to do absolutely nothing for the entirety of the remainder of the Autobots' time on the planet, but she sure did a good job of sitting silently in a chair. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

Arcee's massively importantly contribution to the Autobots' return flight to Earth was reminding Daniel and Wheelie to wear their seatbelts. Soon after touching down on the planet, Arcee received a report that an airliner carrying Spike and Carly had crashed in the Andes, prompting Daniel and the Headmasters to head to the rescue. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} She then ''finally'' stepped back on to the battlefield for the first time in ages when she joined all the other Autobots in a climactic final battle with the Decepticons at the North Pole. She united her energies with her team-mates, funnelling them through the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]], super-charging Fortress Maximus and giving him the strength to destroy Scorponok's [[transtector]]. This victory finally led the Decepticons to flee Earth for good, and Arcee stood stoically by Fortress and the other Headmasters as they bid Spike, Carly and Daniel goodbye, before heading into space to carry on the fight. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

{{-}}
===Marvel UK comics future timelines===
[[Image:Arceeprimesrib.jpg|left|300px|thumb|They're not men, Arcee. Transformers have no gender. We've been over this!]]
Arcee was constructed by the Autobots in an alternate future 1995 as a good-will attempt to placate [[Feminist mob|angry feminists]] who thought that they were "sexist" for having no women in their group. After trying multiple times to explain that Autobots, being robots, had no gender, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered and ordered [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] to make a new Autobot who would meet the humans' demands for sexual equality. However, when Arcee was unveiled at a public ceremony, her pink, skinny and curvaceous form enraged the very audience Prime intended to placate. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Horri-Bull]], [[Fangry]] and [[Squeezeplay]] who immediately attacked, looking to crush the "secret weapon" that was promised. Prime warned Arcee to stay back, lest she get hurt in battle, but the female Autobot, rightfully annoyed at the Autobots' lack of faith in her equal ability, singlehandedly forced the Decepticons into a retreat. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] thought that was pretty hot. The feminists were enraged beyond words. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}

[[Image:Arceehotrodspacepirates.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Y'know, Arcee, if you'd stop running pidgeon-toed, maybe we'd be out of here by now.]]
Arcee and Hot Rod became quite friendly, but with his ascension to Prime status in 2006, they began to drift apart. She was stationed at [[Autobot City]] on Earth and got bored by her duties. The [[Quintesson]]s attacked in 2008, stringing out the city's population to the wall and using a wounded Arcee as bait to attract Rodimus; when he tried to use the Matrix to heal her, they stole it and he reverted to Hot Rod. Despite her injuries, she assisted him in awakening [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and devastating the Quintesson fleet. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

In 2009, Arcee tracked down [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] on Earth, where they were planning to use a laser bore to leech energy right from the planet's core. Joining a small Autobot detachment, they destroyed the drill and returned to Autobot City to face the greater threat: a timestorm that threatened 20 years of history with destruction. As Galvatron had spent months back in the 20th century, the universe was unraveling from the anomaly.

[[Image:TimeWars3-ArceeDinobots.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Dinobots 1, Chivalry 0]]

Arcee, Rodimus and several other Autobots traveled back in time to 1989 in order to retrieve the Decepticon villain. Unfortunately, the Autobots of that day mistook them for imposters and tried to kill them. Arcee was nearly mauled to death by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] before [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] explained that they were actually travelers from the future. Even more unfortunately, Galvatron had acquired some allies in the past: Scourge, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], and the mighty [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]]. She joined Kup and Ultra Magnus in trying to triple-team Megatron, but was only swatted aside like a bothersome insect. Arcee survived, however, and managed to take a few cheap shots at Galvatron later on in the fight. Eventually, the timestorm asserted itself on the battle, and consumed Galvatron utterly, ending the temporal distortion. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Arcee and the Autobots returned to their time only to find it had reset so Galvatron never time-jumped and had instead conquered Cybertron. Their resistance movement was quickly crushed, and the Autobots were forced to leave their homeworld. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} Arcee joined a hundreds-strong Autobot team in fleeing to Earth to regroup. When the Matrix-imprisoned [[Unicron]] possessed Rodimus, Arcee showed a more ruthless side in being the only one of the Autobots to advocate using lethal force on him. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void}} {{storylink|White Fire}} As Unicron would go on to possess Rodimus again and devastate Cybertron in 2010—an event she witnessed—her ruthless attitude appears to have been the right one all along. Yes, Rodimus Prime managed to contain Unicron again, but at what price...? {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

{{note|Her only appearances in the Marvel U.S. comics were in their [[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]] adaptation ("[[The Planet-Eater!]]", "[[Judgment Day!]]", and "[[The Final Battle!]]"), and a profile in issue #4 of their [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]. All stuff out-of-continuity with the US storyline.}}

===''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[Image:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Look, Dinobots, do you get along with Arcee or not?]]
Kup led Hot Rod, Arcee, and the Dinobots on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on Cybertron's second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and the ship crashed on a planet. Everyone landed safely, but Kup recognized the place. It was the planet [[Quintessa|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them, but at the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed there earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way, until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}

===Coloring books===
Arcee didn't get a seat during a meeting and later shot at Decepticons. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

===Beast Era===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
After digging his way out from underneath a sudden rockslide caused by an unexpected energy surge from a damaged [[stasis pod]], Rattrap demanded to know what in the name of his [[Relatives|great aunt]] Arcee was going on. {{storylink|Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate}}

====''Universe: Featuring the Wreckers''====
{{note|The following takes place during the [[Beast Era]], specifically its cartoon continuity, which took from both the original cartoon and the Marvel Comics. However, these stories seem to be written to be specifically taking place solely after the events of the original cartoon.}}

{{bigquote|I liked her better when she had that kid in her head.|[[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]]|"[[Betrayal]]"}}

[[Image:Arceedeparturemourns.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Gothy 'cuz all her toys get canceled.]]
During a battle against a horde of killer [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbirds]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] (now an adult) sacrificed their lives to end the threat. The death of Daniel took a serious toll on Arcee, who became reclusive, preferring to sit alone with images of her former [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]]. Over time, she slipped away from her friends entirely, disappearing within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After an unspecified event, she took on the form of a techno-organic spider, and learned the skills of both [[Crystalocution]] and the previously lost art of [[Tekkaido]]. She strongly believed that she had premonitions of her friends' deaths before they would happen, and this knowledge had driven her insane. She hid herself away, hoping to spare herself the pain of experiencing this phenomenon.

[[Image:Arceedeparturespider.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty fa— well, just don't underestimate me, okay?]]
Hundreds of [[Stellar cycle|stellar cycles]] later, when [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] returned from [[Earth]]'s past and conquered Cybertron with his army of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]], Arcee's solitude spared her from the onslaught. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], now known as simply Rodimus, had helped form a new team of [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] and wished to enlist Arcee. But Arcee rejected his offer as she was still too embittered by her experience, though she was touched by the Wrecker [[Fractyl]]'s words. Rodimus's Wreckers were followed by Megatron's new Vehicon generals, [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] and [[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]], causing a battle that resulted in Fractyl's near-death. Refusing to lose another, Arcee used her spark to save Fractyl, also reformatting him into a Transmetal body. Arcee agreed to depart with the rest of the Wreckers, and she and Fractyl assisted them in defeating a vast Vehicon army in order to reach an old [[Autobot shuttle]]. {{storylink|Departure}}

But the Autobot bounty hunter [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] had snuck aboard their ship and attacked some of their group. Arcee and the others raced to the rescue, and Arcee was quickly felled by Devcon, despite his new, smaller Vehicon body. After things were sorted out, Arcee tended to Fractyl, whose new Transmetal form was wildly unstable. At Arcee's insistence, [[Apelinq]] created a crude medical bot, [[CatSCAN]], to assist Fractyl's recovery. Arcee was oddly unable to foresee the deaths of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] and [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], a result of a yet-unknown saboteur amongst their ranks, as she happily watched CatSCAN discover himself while working on Fractyl. Their ship set down on their [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]-given destination, the remote planet of [[Akalo|Archa Nine]]. Arcee stayed behind with a few others to repair damage to their ship by their mysterious saboteur, who turned out to be fellow Wrecker [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Cyclonus stole the [[Divine Light]], the artifact the Wreckers were searching for, and returned to his true master, [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

[[Image:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Just like old times, but smaller.]]
Arcee blamed herself, as she hadn't been able to foresee death since she saved Fractyl. Demoralized, Arcee and the Wreckers left Archa Nine and headed to another planet at the insistence of their divinely-inspired leader, [[Primal Prime]]. They landed on a small icy planet, and a small scout team, including Arcee, was sent to investigate. After searching for hours, they stumbled upon [[Al-Badur]], a [[Quintesson]] scientist. Arcee immediately readied her weapon, as she and Rodimus had had enough of the Quintessons for several lifetimes, but Primal Prime asked her to lower them. Al-Badur was a somewhat welcome source of information regarding their quest, and before they could leave the planet with him, they were under attack by a horde of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] sent by Cryotek. Arcee and Rodimus quietly bonded as they battled the Sharkticons; it was just like old times. Slowly but surely, Arcee's demeanor had lightened. After the Sharkticons were defeated, Al-Badur explained their problem. The Divine Light was an ancient Quintesson piece of technology that allowed them to tap directly into the power of [[Primus]], and now Cryotek had it! {{storylink|Disclosure}}

But when they returned to Cybertron, it had changed during their absence into a [[technorganic]] paradise by the [[Great Reformatting]]. Quintessons had seized the opportunity to invade the planet, but Primal Prime assured Arcee and the others that Cryotek was their only concern. Primal Prime, Apelinq, [[Ramulus]] and [[Tigatron]] left them to find Cryotek, leaving Arcee and the others to take their injured to safety before joining the counterattack forces on the ground. Instead, their shuttle took heavy damage and was descending in a ball of fire and smoke. Arcee, grabbing Fractyl's body and what life support she could, abandoned ship with the rest. Disregarding Primal Prime's orders, Arcee suggested they find Cryotek and help the other Wreckers defeat him. Descending into the layers of Cybertron, they met [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], who joined them on their journey.

Finding the battleground between Cryotek and [[Sentinel Maximus]] (the combined form of Apelinq and Primal Prime, newly merged by Primus), Arcee reluctantly set aside Fractyl and his life support to join the fight. She helped Devcon defeat Cryotek's mutated pet [[Chro]], using her weblines to hold the monster still so the bounty hunter could shoot at it. But Cyclonus and Rodimus had disappeared beneath some rubble, so Arcee, Fractyl (who had been magically repaired by Tigatron expending all of his [[Vok]] powers) and the others went digging for him... and instead found [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]], [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]... and Arcee's nephew, [[Rattrap]]. They avoided each other's glance awkwardly.

They found Rodimus, but he was in rough shape, having fought nearly to the death with Cyclonus. Arcee and the others agreed to follow Al-Badur's instruction in defeating Cryotek, and helped direct the battle between Sentinel Maximus and Cryotek to a chamber deep within Cybertron. Arcee asked Fractyl to keep on Rodimus, who was extremely weak. Their group arrived in the desired chamber, but Arcee had a bad feeling about the place. It seemed familiar. She recognized it too late. It was a Quintesson banishment chamber, and Al-Badur had activated the containment shield within, locking Sentinel Maximus, Cryotek, and himself inside a forcefield bubble that fed into a strongly gravitational portal into nothingness. To Arcee's initial horror, despite her pleas, Rodimus stood up to deal with the situation. She knew that his next action would kill him in his weakened state, but after his assurances, she resigned herself to the outcome. Rodimus and Cheetor, both [[Matrix Templar]]s, used their skills to drain Cryotek of his Primus-stolen powers. As expected, this was too much for Arcee's long-time friend, and though they succeeded in saving Cybertron, Rodimus was dead.

But death isn't an ending, she realized. It was just another change. "And change is what we do." Arcee and Fractyl gathered his body to take it to a secret burial ground that Arcee knew of. She promised that this time, she wouldn't disappear forever. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Before the war, Arcee worked in a hazardous materials treatment plant. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} She was a member of Hot Rod's underground rebellion team on Cybertron, battling the forces of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Both Hot Rod and Springer appeared to be in love with her, though she seemed rather uninterested in both of them. In reality, Arcee was a sleeper agent for the [[Quintesson]]s.

{{note|Due to [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s bankruptcy, this story was never concluded.}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:TheArtofWar1 girltalk.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
In order to oversee the decommissioning of all Cybertronian technology on Earth, Arcee was sent to the planet alongside [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the last of which whom she had a mutual attraction to. Shortly after the group arrived at [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]], the facility came under attack by [[Cobra]], and Arcee helped fight them off alongside [[Scarlett]], who was surprised over the existence of "girl robots". {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} Upon hearing about a security breach in the lower levels of Area 52, the group headed there and, to Arcee's horror, found Bumblebee injured and low on energy. Before much could be done about him, the group was attacked by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who took control of [[G.I. Joe battle mech|G.I. Joes' mechs]] and forced them to fight the Autobots before bringing the roof down on everyone. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

The Autobots and Joes survived, and quickly followed Serpent O.R. through a warpgate to Cybertron, where they were attacked by [[cannibalizer]]s. Arcee didn't think they were very threatening, but suggested that they retreat to protect the humans. During their escape, she promised that she'd rotate Bumblebee's tires if he could outrace her... only to run straight into Serpent O.R. and his new army, who remorselessly killed Bumblebee and captured the others. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} They eventually managed to escape thanks to their G.I. Joe friends. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

[[Image:GIJoevsTFArtofwar5_Arceecrys.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
After hearing that Serpent O.R. had captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Arcee and the others made their way to his chambers, only to find that [[Cobra Commander]] had taken control of Serpent O.R.'s body after he had seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. "Serpentor Prime" effortlessly defeated most of the Autobots and Joes, but Arcee dodged his tentacles and managed to rip his chestplate off, allowing [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] to take the Matrix's power and defeat him. Some time later, Arcee cried for Bumblebee during a memorial service for him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:Spotlight Arcee traumatic flashback.jpg|right|220px|thumb|]]
Arcee was an early test subject of the mad genius [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], after he decided to introduce gender into the Transformers just to see the results. Her fundamental [[CNA]] was altered, giving her a "maddening maelstrom of contradictory sensory input" and causing all other Transformers to sense a fundamental difference about her and inadvertently use feminine pronouns around her, something that she loathes. (It also gave her fangs and permanent lipstick for some unknown reason.)

[[Image:IDW Arcee mad.jpg|left|180px|thumb|The writers of the Headmasters cartoon now fear for their lives...]]
She didn't meet Jhiaxus' standards and was dumped. Dangerously unstable and driven by an implacable homing instinct towards her creator's experiments, Arcee cut a mech-fluid swath of carnage across several planets in her obsession with destroying everything Jhiaxus created. She was eventually taken down by [[Tyrest Accord]] enforcer [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and incarcerated on the Autobot penitentiary on [[Garrus-9]].

Her [[spark]] was kept separate from her body within the penitentiary, as were those of all prisoners. In this limbo, she found a kind of peace. Unfortunately, when the Decepticons attacked to seize the new inmate [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] (another Jhiaxus experiment), warden [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] freed her as a last resort to stop the attack. She was able to carve her way through the invaders, but not before they left with their target. She headed off to intercept them, with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] convincing Maximus to allow this. Arcee apparently knows of the [[Expansion]] and Jhiaxus's part in it, and refers to herself as the "servo-wrench in the works". {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

Later, on the [[Decepticon Battle Platform Zuska]], Arcee tortured a Decepticon until he agreed to tell her where [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzaitron]] had taken the [[Combiner|gestalts]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}} She tracked them down, only to find the [[Dead Universe]] Transformers had activated Monstructor and taken him to places unknown, decimating the Decepticons in the process. She agreed to assist the wounded Banzaitron in getting to the Monstructor-Six, reasoning it would lead to Jhiaxus... {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

[[Image:SpotlightSideswipe Jhiaxus deathbecomeshim.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Those were the best days of our lives.]]
As Arcee assisted Banzaitron and his team in trying to recapture Monstructor, [[Skram (G2)|Skram]] arrived through a space bridge portal with the means to go to where Jhiaxus was. Slicing off his arm and murdering her way through [[Micromaster]]s, she finally cornered him and was surprised to find he wouldn't die—thanks to coming from the [[Dead Universe]], he was effectively immortal. Which meant she could kill him over and over. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

Arcee spent several years gleefully murdering Jhiaxus, but her revenge was cut short one day when the nearby portal to the Dead Universe suddenly began to lure all life on Gorlam Prime into it. She was hypnotically drawn towards it, but [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] held her back until the allure of the portal went away. Though the two Autobots were safe, the entire population of the planet had mysteriously vanished into the portal, and they decided to investigate. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}} A while later, they detected [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his minions in the vicinity and attacked them. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1}}

Though Arcee easily defeated Jhiaxus, brought back to life by Galvatron's [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], she was overpowered by Galvatron himself and his Dead Universe powers. Hardhead urged her to return to the Autobot army and warn them of Galvatron's return, and despite Cyclonus and Scourge following her and blowing her into an abyss, she survived and got away. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}}

Arcee later came to the rescue for an Autobot escape pod full of survivors from [[Kimia Facility]]. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} After rescuing the survivors, she and Hardhead explained five times to them all about the Dead Universe, Heart of Darkness, D-Void and Galvatrons plan and what they had to do to save the universe. They made it to Cybertron by the time Galvatron infected [[Vector Sigma]] with the Heart of Darkness which created a storm to break out so Arcee suggested on landing the ship in a nearby tunnel and told any won who would like to bail out to do it now. Fortunately they conveniently crashing right on top of Galvatron right at the right time.{{-}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Lenne Hardt]]

In 2010, the Decepticon military commander [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] acquired a source of infinite power called [[Zel Quartz]]. It drove him to madness, and he destroyed Cybertron while threatening to lay waste to the rest of the galaxy. Rodimus Prime and the Autobots desperately coordinated with the [[Quintesson]]s to use a timeslip device and travel back in time, preventing Shockwave from ever getting his hand on Zel Quartz. Unfortunately, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the remaining Decepticons learned of the mission, and intercepted the Autobots on the way through the timeslip.

Crashing in 2003 on [[Zel Samine]], where the quartz originated, Arcee awoke with Kup and Rodimus Prime. Separated from the rest of their team, they sent out an SOS and were met by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the present day Autobots. After explaining the situation, Arcee and her allies joined up with Optimus to search for the Zel Quartz before the Decepticons could find it.

Wheeljack searched the planet for any records or power signatures that might be Zel Quartz. After three false leads, they finally located Zel Quartz at the [[Enormous Laser Transmission Array]]. After fighting through numerous Decepticon lieutenants, and facing the might of Megatron and Galvatron united, Arcee and the Autobots secured the Zel Quartz and ultimately disposed of it so that it could do no further harm. With the rock no longer a threat, the Autobots of 2010 vanished and returned to their home timeline. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1ArceeProto.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Orange? Where'd that come from?]]
[[Image:Concept-HeadmasterArcee.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Pinkdome.]]
*'''Arcee'''
: Despite that she was a major character in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]], no transforming toy of Arcee was made during the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original toyline]]'s run. Images of a hand-sculpted [[prototype]] based on Arcee's original character design ([[#Notes|see below]]) have appeared in several Japanese publications, but it appears the toy never progressed beyond that stage.

: The Japanese ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' book shows a piece of concept artwork of the Headmaster [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] car in pink and white labeled "Arcee", a proposal for a redeco of the toy as Headmaster Arcee from "[[The Rebirth]]". (Presumably, then, this was a Hasbro-initiated idea.) The idea does not appear to have gone any farther.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

[[Image:Botconarceetoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE! Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE!]]
*'''Arcee''' (Mega, 2001)
: The very first true transforming Arcee toy is a [[redeco]] and minor [[Retool|retooling]] of the ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal 2]] [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], transforming into a malformed mish-mash of machine and organic parts in the form of a large spider. The spider-mode fangs become a grappling weapon for her robot mode which extend on a [[Retractable string gimmick|retractable string]]. She has a special [[spark crystal]] that changes her [[Insignia|faction symbol]] from [[Autobot]] to [[Maximal]] when rotated. The robot mode also features a spring-powered waist-swivel for "power kick" action. Arcee lacks the [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] toy's additional chest armor, and thus has oddly-placed holes in her... well, chest, that keep the armor in place.

: Arcee was available only as an [[exclusive]] to [[BotCon 2001]], and along with [[Tigatron]] was the first time since the inception of [[3H Productions|3H]] that they were allowed to use pre-existing characters for convention exclusives. Arcee is also the first convention toy to feature retooling. Preorders received their Arcees with a bonus; the box contained a light-sensitive sound chip featuring voice actress [[Susan Blu]]'s voice saying "Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty face. Arcee, MAXIMIZE!". These chips are VERY light-sensitive. Many won't shut up to this day.

:Both Arcee and Tigatron were limited to 1200 pieces.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Arcee/arcee.htm More information on Generation 1 Arcee at TFU.info]''

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:Arceetitanium.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Seems like a mercy killing, really.]]
*'''Arcee'''
: A 6" transforming Arcee toy was designed and displayed at [[BotCon]] 2007, but [[Titanium Series]] was canceled before its tooling could be completed.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Binaltech===
[[Image:Binaltech arcee toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Manual tranny.]]
*'''Arcee''' (2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-21'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun

:Arcee is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Decepticharge]] (himself a [[retool]] of [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]/[[Overdrive]]), using Honda's "Pearl White" for the car bodywork. The figure transforms into a "street performance" Honda S2000. Her hardtop roof can be removed for an open-top vehicle mode and used as a shield in robot mode. The engine and driveshaft may be removed and used as a long-barreled rifle (as the toy is Japanese issue and not subject to the same issues that removed the long barrel from the [[Hasbro]] versions of the mold).

: In spite of fan speculation, no retooling has been applied to the mold to enhance character resemblance or make her look less butch.

: A redeco of this toy as [[Paradron Medic]] was originally planned to be released simultaneously (but was canceled), a fate that also befell a redeco meant to be Arcee's occasional mold-mate [[Blackarachnia (BW)#Binaltech|Blackarachnia]]. The robot mode was used as the base model for the non-toy car-form [[Legion]].

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===MC Axis===
[[Image:Hybrid_model_arcee.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Arcee''' (Super Hybrid Model, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''H-03'''

:Arcee was one of three non-transforming ''[[Super Hybrid Model]]'' vinyl figurines created in 1987 by Japanese collectables company [[MC Axis]]. Standing at about eight inches tall and featuring articulation in the head and neck, Arcee and her fellows (Rodimus Prime and Galvatron) were based on their [[Studio OX]] character models, featuring much more anime-styled proportions and detailing.

:For reasons unknown, the retail release of Arcee and the other ''Super Hybrid Model'' figures was canceled. While Galvatron was eventually released as an exclusive at [[BotCon Japan 1997]], Arcee and Rodimus have never been officially released, though they do occasionally pop up on the secondary market, commanding prices in excess of $600.
 
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}
[[Image:Mcaxis_arcee.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Arcee''' (1996)

:This Japanese "garage kit", an unpainted resin model, was made by [[MC Axis]] and was also the first official product of Arcee that got a retail release. Included among its paperwork is a [[The Transformers (MC Axis manga)|comic strip]] starring Arcee. It is not known for its exceptional quality control - numerous unsightly air bubbles in the plastic are not an uncommon thing to encounter.

::*''[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1492/Axis-Model+Kit/Arcee.html Gallery of an assembled and painted Arcee at Transformers @ The Moon]
{{-}}

===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:Hoc_arcee_and_daniel.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Arcee should maybe reconsider something that big transforming into her head.]]
* '''Arcee''' (2000)
: A three-inch tall [[plastic|PVC]] figurine of Arcee was available in the first wave of Takara's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' line. In a nice spot of attention to detail, she is holding the unremarkable small grey pistol she wielded in the Generation 1 cartoon episode, "[[The Dweller in the Depths]]". Like all the figures in the "act", it was available as both a standard full color figure and a colorless translucent version, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures.

:Arcee was redecoed to create the chase figure for the eighth wave of the series, the [[Paradron Medic]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCArcee/arcee.htm More information on Super Collection Figure Arcee at TFU.info]''

* '''Arcee and Daniel''' (2001)
:The Arcee figurine was re-released as part of the fourth wave of the ''Super Collection Figure'' series, now packaged with a figure of Daniel Witwicky in his exo-suit. The pair were available in both full color and metallic "pewter" versions; in eight out of every ten cases, the pewter version of the set came with the body of the line's collectable [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] "build-a-figure".

===Heroes of Cybertron===
* '''Arcee''' (2002)
:When Hasbro released the ''Super Collection Figure'' line as ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'', the Arcee figure was released as part of the first wave, now featuring a [[light-piping]] gimmick in the character's eyes, accomplished by casting the figure in translucent blue plastic and then painting over it. Rather than come blindpacked like the ''SCF'' figure, Arcee came on a blister card with a profile card included. The mold would later be redecoed in this fashion into the ''Heroes of Cybertron'' Paradron Medic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/HoCArcee/arcee.htm More information on Heroes of Cybertron Arcee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===MyClone===
[[Image:Myclone_arcee.jpg|right|thumb]]
* '''Arcee''' (2003)
**''ID number:'' '''MTF005'''
**''Accessories:'' White display base

:Released in the first wave of the ''[[MyClone]]'' line of Transformers PVC figures, this [[super deformed]] Arcee comes with a hexagonal white display stand, which can link up with the identical stands included with other ''MyClone'' figures. Her modular design allows her parts to be mixed and matched with those of any other MyClone figure, to hilariously hermaphroditic effect.
{{-}}
===Palisades statues===
[[Image:Palisades_arcee.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Arcee''' (2004)

:Inspired by a [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] pin-up lithograph/poster by [[Rob Armstrong]],<ref>[http://www.dreadforce.com/creators.html The creators list for Jaran Studios' ''Dread Force'' includes this information in Rob's profile.]</ref> (itself based on Arcee's Studio OX character model, complete with obnoxious shoulder-armor rig) this statue features looks-right-at-only-one-angle perspective and a face so flat you'd swear she'd flown into a window. Standing around 6" tall, Arcee was limited to 2000 pieces worldwide.

:The Arcee statue was later repainted into that old standby, the [[Paradron Medic]].
{{-}}
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroesrumblearcee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|She's actually running after Robot Heroes Cheetor. (Or her [[Rattrap|nephew)]]]]
* '''Arcee vs. Rumble''' (2008)

:Part of the second wave of [[Universe (2008 franchise)|''Universe]] [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', Arcee is packaged with [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] as part of the "Generation 1 Series." She is sculpted as running across a patch of mechanical flooring, and she has articulation at the head and shoulders.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/RHArcee/arcee.htm More information on Robot Heroes Arcee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:Arcee statue.jpg|right|thumb|Not pictured: Springer and Weirdwolf.]]
* '''Arcee''' (Diamond Select, 2009)

:Released by [[Diamond Select Toys]] in 2009, Arcee was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 1000 pieces. She is featured packing two of the style of pistol she is commonly seen with and looking off to one side. As is the case in certain [[Continuity|continuities]], she is listed as a member of [[Elita One]]'s [[Female Autobots|resistance group]]. Arcee's tech specs give her the following classifications: STR 5.5, INT 8, SPD 8, END 5, RNK 6, CRG 9, FBL 6, SKL 10.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:G1ArceeModelComp.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Extreme Makeover: Arcee Edition.]]
* Arcee had two different [[Character model|character models]] in 1980s ''Transformers'' media. An earlier model served as the basis for her original unproduced toy (seen above), which was also the model used for most of her Marvel Comics appearances and for parts of the episode "[[Only Human]]". Her final model, meanwhile, was used for her appearances in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', the rest of her season 3 appearances, and her Japanese ''Headmasters'' appearances.

* When asked about Arcee's design in an interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "Arcee is the naked mechanical equivalent of Princess Leia of ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]''."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref> Well, that answers that question... while raising a whole bunch of others!

* Arcee has the most romantic attachments of any Transformers character: Hot Rod in the movie, Marvel Comics and Dreamwave continuities, Springer after the movie, Chromedome in ''The Headmasters'', and Bumblebee in [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]] continuity. And then there is the weird affection shown toward Daniel in "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]", but most fans won't read too much into it, for their own sanity. Damn but she got around.

* Arcee's finalized character model was used to make a lot of the background female characters during the movie and season 3. Various Junkion ladies and the [[Paradron Medic]]s share her design, only without the shoulder-thingies, and a [[Cheesecake robot|more "shaped" version of her earlier model]] appeared in "[[Starscream's Ghost]]".

* The extras in "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]" reveal a few alternative color schemes [[Alex Milne]] and [[Simon Furman]] tried to get approved for IDW's version of Arcee, one blue, two red. [[Hasbro]] nixed all three, insisting on Arcee's usual coloration. Apparent reasons given were that "they didn't want her to be like the other female bots[,] so they wanted the pink look" and that "they wanted her different from <nowiki> </nowiki>[[Elita One]] <nowiki></nowiki>".<ref>[http://markerguru.deviantart.com/art/arcee-cover-colors-70762649 Alex Milne's comments on IDW Arcee's colors at deviantART]</ref> If there's actually any plans on Hasbro's part to start promoting female characters other than Arcee so that these arguments make sense, as of 2011, that'd still be news.

* Around 1999, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] released a special version of the Replica (reissue) [[Microman]] Lady Command figure as part of a [[Lucky Draw figure|lucky draw]] for "The Official Guide to Takara SF Land" book in white and gold chrome named Arcee. The regular versions of the Lady Command figure all had names starting with "A" (Ann, Alice, Annie and Ai<ref>[http://microforever.com/replicam18X.htm Replica Microman Series; Reissued Lady Command M181 Ann, M182 Alice, M183 Annie & M184 Ai (11/1999) at Microman Forever]</ref>), so Arcee makes sense by that logic - but whether this is an incarnation of "our" G1 character is currently not known. Only 5 Lady Command Arcee figures were released.<ref>[http://microforever.com/sflandprize.htm Replica Microman Series; Kodashan Takara SF Land Book Prize - Microman Lady Command Arcee (?/00) at Microman Forever]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Arcee''' (アーシー ''Āshī'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Arszi''', '''RC''' (''The Movie'')
*''Italian:'' '''Saturnia''' (''The Headmasters'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Silvia''' (America ''The Headmasters'')

==References==
<references />

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

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:MyClone]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Cyclonus (G1)

2011-11-22T17:45:57Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|decepticon|unicron|wreckers}}

{{disambig3|Cyclonus}}
:''Cyclonus is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:CyclonusPioneerDVD1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Darling one, read my words and hear my heart speak of a love soft and undying: a love that will be with you always.]]
Among the Decepticons, finding a genuinely loyal and competent [[second-in-command]] is [[Soundwave (G1)|a]] [[Shockwave (G1)|near]] [[Starscream (G1)|impossibility]]. '''Cyclonus''' is the exception to that rule. Created by [[Unicron]], Cyclonus is a being whose loyalty to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the Decepticon cause is so intense as to exclude most other emotions and interests from his mind. He is dedicated to destruction in his leader's name.

He also has brains to back up that dedication, power to enforce Galvatron's will, and the initiative to form plans and get them done. Cyclonus could easily rule the Decepticons himself if he so desired, either as a power behind the throne or directly overthrowing his psychotic master. His responses to any suggestions that he do so? "All hail Galvatron!"

It's really amazing that he's so loyal, when one considers that he alternates with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] as Galvatron's personal punching bag. His [[Targetmaster]] partner is [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Roger C. Carmel]] → [[Jack Angel]] (English), [[Minoru Inaba]] (Japanese), [[Fumihiko Tachiki]] (Japanese, ''The Rebirth'' only), [[Hans-Rainer Müller]] (German), [[Carlos Agosti]] (Latin American)

{{note|Carmel's performance as the voice of Cyclonus was notoriously inconsistent—varying in pitch, emphasis, and speed from episode to episode. Following his death, Jack Angel took up the role for the final five episodes of the series.}}

In the year 2005, after an abortive attack on [[Autobot City]], the evil [[Decepticon]]s found it necessary to jettison excess weight from their craft to make it back to their homeworld of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The injured and dying Decepticons were chosen to be ejected into the void of space, including the commander, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], but when their bodies were recovered by the world-eater, [[Unicron]], they were reborn as deadly new warriors in the service of the recreated Megatron, now known as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Immediately following his creation, Cyclonus served as little more than Galvatron's personal ship and attack dog, carrying his leader to [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]'s coronation, into the battle in Autobot City and to the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]]. He was also involved in attacking and crippling the shuttle of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] over [[Quintessa]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Image:Cyclonus toon.jpg|left|180px|thumb|An actually loyal soldier.]]

By 2006, Galvatron was believed dead and the Decepticons had retreated to the barren world of [[Chaar]]. Although Cyclonus and the Sweeps' Unicronian physiology kept them in relatively good condition, the other Decepticons degenerated quickly in the absence of regular energon. Disgusted with how far the leaderless Decepticons had fallen as they eked out this miserable existence, Cyclonus resolved to locate Galvatron, daring even to enter Unicron’s deactivated, disembodied head. By replaying the planet-eater's memory banks, Cyclonus traced Galvatron to the world of [[Thrull]]. [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]'s accelerated sight peeled back light-years of space and confirmed their fallen leader's presence. Returning to Chaar, Cyclonus asked his fellow Decepticons to give of their meager energon supplies in support of a quest to retrieve and revive Galvatron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

The Decepticons' need for a strong leader was driven home when two Autobots invaded Chaar, and the entire Decepticon army couldn't muster up enough energon or firepower to put up a decent fight. Cyclonus and the Sweeps made their way to Thrull after that to retrieve Galvatron. Unfortunately, once extricated from a pool of the planet's plasma-lava, Galvatron proved to have been driven insane from exposure to it and brutalized Cyclonus and the [[Sweep]]s before being talked down and returned to his position as leader. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} Despite his lunacy, Galvatron was effective enough to destroy an entire space platform for Earth's defense system. Cyclonus brought him back to Chaar, only to find the Decepticons were missing, having forged an alliance with the [[Quintesson]]s in their absence. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} With Galvatron's permission, the alliance continued, and the Decepticons and Quintessons launched an all-out assault on Cybertron and Earth both. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} The assault failed, and Cyclonus and the Decepticon were driven back to Chaar. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[Image:Cyclonus jet.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Never realized he'd sprung a leak.]]

As 2006 settled in, Cyclonus was captured by a [[Quintesson]] scientist for study, along with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Marissa Faireborn]], but when the entire group was sucked through a [[black hole]] into a [[negative universe]], they were forced to work together to escape; Cyclonus and Magnus developed a grudging respect for each other as warriors, but vowed that when they met again on the battlefield, it would be as enemies. {{storylink|The Killing Jar}}

Chasing the Autobots through space, Cyclonus and his great leader ran them down on an abandoned funeral barge floating in the void. The Decepticons pursued the Autobots into the vessel, but were taken completely by surprise by the sudden appearance of the dead Autobot leader, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Galvatron was injured in battle, and Cyclonus had to provide him with support. The loyal lieutenant was willing to fight on against Prime, but when the Sweeps abandoned the barge in fear, Cyclonus was forced to choose the better part of valor and leave as well, carrying Galvatron with him. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

Some time later, outnumbered and fleeing from the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], Cyclonus and Scourge took refuge inside a vortex, which transported them to the pacifistic, energy-rich planet of [[Paradron]], which had been settled by Cybertronian refugees. Naturally, the duo immediately conquered the planet and summoned Galvatron and the other Decepticons there; the plan was ultimately foiled by the Autobots, but at the cost of Paradron itself, which was destroyed. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}}

[[Image:Cyclonus alt.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Cyclonus' alternate robot mode design, as seen in "Starscream's Ghost". Compare to the previous robot mode pic, above.]]
Cyclonus and Galvatron met up with [[Octane]] in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]], where they briefly adapted the local oil into a more powerful form of energon before the Autobots chased them out of the country. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}} After Octane fled the Decepticons and started working as a free trader with the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] and even the Autobots, Cyclonus and the Sweeps infiltrated Cybertronian air space to deal with the traitor. They chased him into the abandoned Decepticon mausoleum below the planet's surface. Cyclonus marveled at Scourge's pathetic leadership ability when he couldn't even order ONE Sweep to enter the mausoleum ahead of them. He borrowed half a page from Galvatron's book and only ''threatened'' to kill a Sweep if they didn't get moving. Cyclonus's hunt was interrupted by the arrival of Starscream's ghost, who possessed the Decepticon saboteur for his own ends. The next thing Cyclonus knew, it was hours later and he was at the base of Galvatron's throne, having just been blasted by his leader. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

On another occasion, Cyclonus clashed with Ultra Magnus aboard the Autobot records asteroid with the fate of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] in the balance. {{storylink|Surprise Party}}

Sometime later, Starscream's ghost returned and possessed Scourge, causing him to fire wildly. Cyclonus tried to convince Galvatron his fellow warrior was not a traitor, but only malfunctioning. Then Scourge/Starscream shot Galvatron dead center in the chest, and chaos ensued. The Decepticons were a step behind Starscream over the next few hours as he stole one of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s (invisible) eyes, then Astrotrain, then finally Trypticon himself in a mad scavenger hunt orchestrated by Unicron. Their weapons temporarily neutralized after trying to recover Trypticon, Cyclonus and the Decepticons began limping away from Cybertron when they saw Starscream tumbling uncontrollably through space. Cyclonus rightly questioned how a ghost could tumble uncontrollably ''anywhere'', but Galvatron was just glad his [[particle cannon]] was working again, and he started taking potshots at the flying figure. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

When Astrotrain reported to Galvatron that the Junkions were shooting at anyone in their airspace, even Autobots, Cyclonus saw opportunity. Although Galvatron couldn't care less about Junkions, Cyclonus investigated further for the good of the Decepticon cause, for the Autobots would lose a valuable ally if the Junkions had indeed turned against them. His personal analysis, however, did nothing to raise Galvatron's interest, only his rage. Cyclonus followed orders and ceased bothering his leader with the details, but still chose to pursue the matter with the Sweeps. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

Cyclonus was alerted to a mysterious Quintesson signal by [[Predaking]]. He and the Sweeps rendezvoused with Predaking at the source, only to find [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and the Autobots competing with them in their pursuit. They managed to recover the Quintesson journal that was the source of the signal, and they learned it had key information that would be beneficial to peace talks the Autobots were overseeing. Cyclonus and the Decepticons tried to stop the Autobots from orchestrating a cease fire between the warring worlds, but failed. {{storylink|The Quintesson Journal}}

Later, Cyclonus was among the Transformers turned into an energy vampire by the [[Trans-Organic]] [[Dweller]], thrown to the beast by Galvatron to delay his own fate—though at least with Cyclonus he hesitated for a moment before fleeing, almost repentant for his action. Hours later, after the Autobots saved him from an eternal unlife as an energy vampire, Cyclonus reconnected with Galvatron. Out of all the Decepticons in history, only Cyclonus could deliver his relief at Galvatron's safety with such genuine feeling and without a trace of sarcasm. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

[[Image:GalvatronCyclonusWebworld.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Cyclonus misses the days when Galvatron would be inside him.]]
When a group of Decepticons, tired of being beaten and abused by the deranged Galvatron, confronted Cyclonus and demanded that he do something about the situation, Cyclonus was so short on options that he accepted the advice of a Quintesson and tricked Galvatron into accompanying him to the therapeutic mental institution on planet [[Torkulon]]. It pained Cyclonus to see his leader so demented as each attempted therapy met with failure, but when the Torkuli attempted to cure Galvatron by removing the damaged part of his mind, thereby leaving him a vegetable, Cyclonus sprang into action, only to be restrained. Patched into the sentient network of the planet, rather than be cured, Galvatron infected the world itself with his madness and freed himself, decimating the planet, and decided to turn his attention back to fighting the Autobots, rather than dwell on Cyclonus's deception. {{storylink|Webworld}}

While in Europe, Cyclonus and the Decepticons made contact with several human terrorists and unscrupulous mercenaries. They even hired out human mechanics to work on Trypticon and oversee his repairs. Okay, fine. But when Cyclonus ran across [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] wandering around inside Trypticon, shouldn't he have recognized ''them?!'' Apparently, all flesh-creatures DO look alike to the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

In a scheme to utilize [[anti-electron]]s against the Autobots, the Decepticons were forced to raid Unicron's head for an additional supply of the substance. Scourge and Cyclonus performed the recovery operation while Galvatron and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] kept their Autobot pursuers busy. They had only just returned with the flask, however, when [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] and the new [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] arrived, destroying the anti-electrons and routing the Decepticon invaders. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

[[Image:Ejectcall.jpg|left|250px|thumb|I'm big because Galvatron rides me.]]
Cyclonus and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] were at Galvatron's side during a heavy battle with the Autobots, along with Trypticon, the Sweeps, and an assortment of Predacons and Terrorcons. The battle was going relatively well until more than half of Galvatron's forces suddenly responded to a mysterious call that only [[Primitive]]s could hear. Enraged at Trypticon and the others for abandoning the field of battle, Galvatron took off after them with Cyclonus and Soundwave in tow. They didn't get far, however, before the energy-absorbing [[Tornedron]] struck them down in the middle of space. Only after the Primitives defeated Tornedron's creator were Cyclonus and the others restored to life. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

Later still, he, along with a group of Autobots and Quintessons, was transported into a region of space cordoned off by the Quintessons, landing on the planet [[Zamojin (planet)|Zamojin]]. There, Cyclonus aided the Quintessons in acquiring [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s [[universal emulator]] in order to repair their systems and return to normal space. He demonstrated a working knowledge of psychology and mob mentality when he prodded the Zamojins into trying to execute their prisoner, the Autobot [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. {{storylink|The Face of the Nijika}}

Cyclonus participated in a major Decepticon attack on Japan. When they were repulsed by the Autobots, he returned to Chaar with Galvatron. The rear guard, [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], miraculously managed to steal the Matrix of Leadership from an unconscious Rodimus Prime. After Galvatron was unable to unleash its power himself, he tossed the bauble away as if it were nothing. Scourge seized the opportunity to take the Matrix's power for himself and attempted to take over the Decepticons. Cyclonus refused to bow to anyone but Galvatron, and so was blasted down along with his leader. They eventually recovered and traveled to Earth after Scourge and the Decepticon army. They found Scourge shortly after Hot Rod reclaimed the Matrix from him. Galvatron was... not happy. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

When the [[Hate Plague]] swept the universe, Cyclonus was infected and took leadership of the afflicted Decepticons, hunting down Galvatron, tracking him and a group of Autobots into the depths of Chaar and infecting scientist [[Jessica Morgan]]. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}} {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

[[Image:Cyclonus tm.jpg|right|180px|thumb|See this? This...is my NIGHTSTICK!]]
In 2007, Cyclonus participated in the massive Decepticon attack on Autobot City, which culminated in the theft of the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. When the chamber was then opened, the energy released blasted the key and a group of Autobots across the galaxy to the planet [[Nebulos]], and Cyclonus and Scourge led a team of Decepticons in pursuit, attacking and capturing several of the Autobots. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} To battle them, the remaining Autobots combined with a group of Nebulan rebels into "[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]" and bested them in combat. Having learned of this fusion of Transformer and Nebulan, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], the evil ruling council of Nebulos, approached the Decepticons to repeat the process, but Cyclonus argued them down to taking the heads of only the animal-mode Decepticons, and merely the weapons of the others.

Consequently, Cyclonus became a [[Targetmaster]], as his handgun was converted into an exo-suit for the Hive member [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], giving them enhanced targeting abilities and firepower. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} Reclaiming the chamber key with their superior powers, the Decepticons headed back to Cybertron aboard the giant robot [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], where Cyclonus attempted to convince the disgusted Galvatron of the benefits of being bonded to the Nebulans. The Autobots soon arrived back on Cybertron and invaded Scorponok, only to be captured by the Decepticons and almost executed by Cyclonus before being saved by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. The Decepticons’ plan was subsequently thwarted by Spike and the Nebulans, and they were sent spiraling off through space aboard Scorponok by a tendril of plasma energy. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{-}}

=====Who is Cyclonus?=====
[[Image:Cyclonus armada tftf.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Cyclonus the warrior... ''and'' his stunt double."]]

{{bigquote|Even when you were a ''bug'', I hated your stinkin’ circuits.|[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] on Cyclonus's origins|[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]}}

{{bigquote|I don't know who you are, or even who you used to be... and I don't care!|[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] on Cyclonus's origins|[[Rodimus vs. Cyclonus]]}}

When Unicron creates Cyclonus in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', we actually see ''two'' Cyclonuses: In the foreground, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (or perhaps [[Insecticon clone|a clone]]) becomes one, while in the background, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] becomes another. While this is happening, Unicron declares, "Cyclonus—the warrior... and his [[Cyclonus's Armada|armada]]." But clearly, one warrior does not an armada make. The reasoning behind the line can be seen in the script, which states that Cyclonus is supposed to have multiple identical duplicates like Scourge's Sweeps.<ref>[http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/tidbits/tftm_script.txt Final version of the ''Transformers: The Movie'' script]</ref> However, the idea didn't even survive the next cut; as the group boards [[Revenge (G1)|their ship]] moments later, the second Cyclonus has been replaced with a third Sweep. And while the number of Sweeps would fluctuate constantly throughout the film and the rest of the series, Cyclonus was depicted as a unique individual (barring some animation errors in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]" and "[[The Quintesson Journal]]"). It was, essentially, as if the armada had never existed in the first place.

So which robot actually became Cyclonus? Bombshell or Skywarp? Bombshell is the most straightforward interpretation, as he is shown more prominently in the shot. This would mean Skywarp "really" became a Sweep. But some fans dislike that asymmetry; they believe that if [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], the blue jet from 1984, becomes Galvatron's blue spaceship lieutenant, then Skywarp, the purple(-accented) jet from 1984, "ought to" become Galvatron's purple spaceship lieutenant. (The [[cross-sell]] [[catalog]]s included with 1986 toys even replace Thundercracker and Skywarp with Cyclonus and Scourge in the "Decepticon Jets" section.) Moreover, the Sweeps' portrayal as inexplicably-endless cannon fodder jibes with the Insecticons' cloning ability, so it seems thematically appropriate for Bombshell to end up a Sweep alongside the established [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]. On the other hand, the fact that they were all intended to be dead at that point makes their former attributes questionably relevant.
{{-}}
[[Image:Coronationscene3.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Hi, we're back from being dead. What we miss?"]]
[[Image:Bombshell-to-cyclonus-storyboard.jpg|right|300px|thumb|What are you going to believe: [[fanon]] or your lying eyes?]]

Unhelpfully, Thundercracker, Skywarp, and the Insecticons all ''continue to appear'' in the film, with Shrapnel even being called for by name in a later scene of the finalized script. This seems to be a vestige of the early draft that did not feature Megatron being cast into space with other contemporary Decepticons; instead, a brawl in the Decepticon [[Hall of Heroes]] results in his body being destroyed and his "[[Life Spark]]" floating off into space. Several shrines in the Hall are broken, releasing the sparks in them as well; it is ''these'' sparks of long-dead Decepticons who are recreated by Unicron as Cyclonus and the rest.<ref>[http://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Early draft of the ''Transformers: The Movie'' script on Jim Sorenson's blog]</ref>

The final script only states that "other Decepticons" are turned into Galvatron's troops, but the storyboard of the scene is slightly more definitive: It shows Bombshell alone (labeled with his name!) being re-created, then a shot of Cyclonus with some unidentified, vaguely Cyclonus-like robots behind him. Cyclonus's ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' [[bio]], the only other contemporary source, states that he is made from "parts of dead Decepticons" (note plural).<ref>[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Cyclonus Cyclonus's Universe entry at NTFA.net]</ref> This would later be echoed in his [[Heroes of Cybertron]] and [[Universe (2008 franchise)|2008 ''Universe'']] bios.<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/files/84/cyclonus020.jpg Cyclonus's ''Universe Generation 1 Series'' bio]</ref>

[[Image:Idwwhoiscyclonus.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Not to be confused with [[Cyclonus (Armada)|''Armada'' Cyclonus]].]]
[[Image:Tftm sony covers.jpg|right|200px|thumb|By the same logic, Rodimus is actually Optimus. Well, hey, if it's [[Time Wars|good enough for Furman]]...]]

Some more modern attempts have been made to [[Retcon|clear the matter up]], with conflicting results. As mentioned [[#3H comics|elsewhere]], in 2001 the [[Departure|''Universe: Featuring the Wreckers'' comic]] stars Cyclonus and Skywarp side-by-side in the future. [[Wreckers: Finale Part II|The 2007 conclusion of that storyline]] contains an exchange between the two wherein Cyclonus says that Skywarp had once been his "Armada". Skywarp retorts that he had always disliked Cyclonus, even when Cyclonus had been "a bug". Also, in 2006 [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] published [[Transformers: The Animated Movie|a comic-book adaptation of the movie]] that puts Unicron's "Cyclonus—the warrior" speech-bubble on top of the Bombshell-Cyclonus, while "and his armada!" is seen over the Skywarp-Cyclonus.

Meanwhile, the 2003, [[Madman Entertainment]]'s Australian DVD release of the movie contained character bios that declare Cyclonus to have been Skywarp. These bios were also included in the 2005 [[Metrodome]] UK DVD release. Then in 2006, the Sony edition of the DVD featured a [[Wikipedia:Lenticular printing|lenticular]] cover showing Skywarp being replaced with Cyclonus, next to Megatron being replaced with Galvatron. And most recently, in 2011, [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' toys featured pack-in fiction called "[[Macrocosmic Seekers]]" that tells of several characters regressing to a state somewhere between their post-movie forms and their original bodies. This restores old powers, such as Scourge being able to produce Thundercracker-like sonic booms... and Cyclonus being able to [[Teleportation|teleport]] like Skywarp.
{{-}}

====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese continuity as noted above, except that season 3, which takes place across 2005 and 2006 in America, is set in 2010 in Japan, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. Japanese continuity inserts several new stories into the timeline, as described below.}}

[[Image:CyclonusFlopsyManga01.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Silly robot! Trix are for kids!]]

Cyclonus took part in many of Galvatron's wacky schemes, including one involving a giant toothy spaceship that ate ''other'' spaceships and stole their energy. When Rodimus Prime infiltrated the ship, Cyclonus, Scourge and Galvatron swiftly ganged up on him. Rodimus, however, was clever enough to trick Galvatron into blasting a hole in the side of the ship, providing him with an escape. As Rodimus left, he dropped off a little "gift" for Cyclonus. Cyclonus was unable to recognize it as a bomb until it was too late. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}}

He was also involved in the Decepticon siege on [[Feminia]]. He was forced to retreat with the rest of the Decepticons after [[Predaking]] was defeated by the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]]. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}

====''The Great Transformer War''====
Cyclonus stood by Galvatron's side as he commanded the captive scientist Doctor [[Dalton (G1)|Dalton]] to improve Trypticon and their combiner warriors. However, he was unable to prevent [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] of the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s from freeing the doctor. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1|The Great Transformer War #1}}

After the resurrection of Optimus Prime, Cyclonus was seen getting trounced by Hot Rod. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}
{{-}}

====''Macrocosmic Seekers''====
[[Image:United Expanded Story 7.jpg|thumb|]]
{{storylink|Unending Battle}} {{storylink|A Treasure Lost}} {{storylink|Eternal Moment}} {{storylink|Time to Move}} {{storylink|Those Who Resist}} {{Storylink|True Value of Treasure}}

{{charstubfiction}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tomomichi Nishimura]] (Japanese)

[[Image:MysteryofPlanetMaster-ScourgeCyclonus.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Omega Supreme gets smaller and we get dumber!]]
Cyclonus and Scourge continued to make token appearances when the new [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] warriors arrived to dominate the Cybertronian war. Cyclonus fought alongside Galvatron on Cybertron against [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Cyclonus seemed rather threatened by the arrival of Galvatron's new lieutenant, [[Sixshot]]. Cyclonus and Scourge somehow managed to beat Optimus Prime to the [[Vector Sigma]] supercomputer, and battled him at the planet's core. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

[[Image:CyclonusBoulderHeadmasters01.jpg|right|250px|thumb|His credentials for the position of Second in Command were impeccable.]] During the attack on the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]], Cyclonus attempted to drop a rock on [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]], but accidentally clobbered Galvatron instead, and ran away yelping in fear. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}}

Cyclonus felt discouraged when Galvatron declared all his troops were bumbling incompetents, without making a special exception for Cyclonus. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Later, when Sixshot attempted to extort energy from six countries using each of his six modes, Scourge and Cyclonus completely botched his scheme when they failed to realize that he was behind it and attacked him with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}} After Galvatron vanished during Cybertron's destruction, and the unfamiliar [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] took over as Emperor of Destruction, Cyclonus and Scourge felt even less secure in their positions. When [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundblaster]] proudly sucked up to Scorponok, reporting on a new energy-absorbing satellite named [[Sol 1]] set for launch, Cyclonus vowed to steal the satellite in order to gain favor in Scorponok's eyes. Joined by Scourge and [[Predaking]], he attacked the launch pad, but was repelled by [[Raiden]] and the Headmasters. [[Brainstorm]] did some aerial dogfighting with Cyclonus, and the Decepticons were forced to leave empty-handed. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}}

Scourge and Cyclonus were concerned that Scorponok's latest series of attacks on Earth were more likely to destroy the planet than allow the Decepticons to gather energy. Scorponok told to them that the awe-inspiring [[plasma energy]] was released from Cybertron in its destruction. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} In his next scheme, Scorponok explained to the duo that he planned to detonate a series of bombs to destroy the planet [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], and harvest the plasma energy its destruction would surely generate. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} Cyclonus was present for the unveiling of Scorponok's new super [[transtector]] on Mars. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

Later, Cyclonus and Scourge made arrangements for Scorponok's official society debut as leader of the Decepticons. The Autobots attacked during the proceedings on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]], but all combatants were interrupted by the triumphant return of Galvatron. Cyclonus was quick to redirect his boot-licking towards his old commander, as Scorponok's leadership was immediately overruled. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}} Cyclonus and Scourge would later field an SOS call from the planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], and reported their findings to Galvatron. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

Presumably left behind on Earth while Galvatron plundered the cosmos for energon, Cyclonus and Scourge were not seen for many months. After he returned, Galvatron heaped praise on Sixshot, telling Cyclonus and Scourge that they could learn a thing or two from the Ninja Commander. Grumbling to themselves, the duo noticed [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] acting shifty, but were too caught up in their own problems to think too much about it. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|left|250px|thumb|What once had been a misread movie script was now dumb-sounding canon!]]
''In a future timeline similar but different to that depicted in the animated continuity, set in 2006, rather than 2005,'' (2006 being the original date for the movie, amended to 2005 after the production of a treatment from which the comics were penned) ''Cyclonus was also a creation of Unicron, remade from the body of the dispatched Decepticon [[Life Spark]]. Following Unicron's consumption of Cybertron's moons, Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge [[Time travel|traveled back in time]] to 1986 as part of a plan to free themselves from Unicron's control by constructing a massive cannon that would destroy him upon their return to the future. The three Unicronian Decepticons proved themselves almost invincible in the face of the Autobots' attacks, but were finally defeated when Galvatron was duped into believing he was trapped in a temporal paradox, and returned to his own time to live out the remaining events 2006. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[Image:Cyclonuspullsthebeardy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sure, yanking Scourge's beard is funny, but wait till you see what they do with Cyclonus's ears.]]
''Following the destruction of Unicron at the hands of Rodimus Prime and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], Galvatron transported himself back in time to 1987, leaving Cyclonus and Scourge in the future, under [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]’s command. The duo were attacked by the freelance peace-keeping agent, [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], who was seeking the bounty on Galvatron’s head, and Cyclonus revealed Galvatron’s whereabouts to him. {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} Later, Shockwave hired Death’s Head to kill Rodimus Prime, but Cyclonus and Scourge interfered with the job as they sought to kill Rodimus first, in order to reclaim their lost standing amongst the Decepticons. {{storylink|Headhunt}} This did not please Death’s Head, and consequently, he willingly accepted a contract from Rodimus to hunt down Cyclonus and Scourge, eventually tracking them down to the planet of Junk as 2008 dawned. Before he could finish the job, however, all three of them fell under the mind-controlling influence of Unicron, whose disembodied head had survived the destruction of his body and had landed on the planet, where he was having the native Junkions construct a new body for him.''

''Under Unicron's control, Cyclonus and Scourge killed Shockwave and became Decepticon leaders, reigniting the stalemated Cybertronian war to a furious degree to cover Unicron's actions. Death's Head, however, was able to fight the mind control and work with the Autobots long enough to stop the chaos-bringer's plan. As explosions destroyed Unicron, Death's Head tackled Cyclonus and Scourge, pushing them through a time portal Unicron had built, promising to kill them another time. Cyclonus and Scourge were hurled into the past of Cybertron by the portal, where they came under the command of Scorponok. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}''

[[Image:Scourge scorponok cyclonus marvel uk 151.jpg|left|180px|thumb|He's from the future and knows a lot about history.]]

Cyclonus and Scourge traveled with Scorponok and several other Decepticons to the peaceful planet [[Nebulos]] in pursuit of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s Autobots. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}} After Scorponok and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] were defeated by the new Autobot [[Targetmaster]]s, the Nebulan [[Vorath]] attempted to duplicate the technology on the Decepticons. Cyclonus was partnered with [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], a Nebulan recruit who had been bio-mechanically engineered to be able to transform into his weapon. Cyclonus was soon presented with an opportunity to test his new Targetmaster abilities when some Autobot Headmaster prisoners escaped. The fury of the battle destroyed the city of [[Koraja]], culminating in Fortress Maximus knocking down Cyclonus and the other Decepticon Targetmasters with part of a beloved fountain. Ultimately, Cyclonus and Scorponok's Decepticons followed the Autobots off Nebulos to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[Image:Cyclonuskronk.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Back-seat driver!]]

''Once there, Cyclonus and Scourge sought out Galvatron, and, no longer willing to serve him, instead demanded that he hand over his [[Time-jump trigger device|time travel device]] so that they could return to the future and their position as Decepticon leaders. The confrontation was disrupted by the sudden appearance of the Autobot commando squad, the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]], who drew the ensuing battle away from the human settlement it was taking place in by professing to have stolen Galvatron's time jump mechanism, when in reality, the Decepticon no longer even had it for them to take. {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}} Having met with failure again, Cyclonus and Scourge decided to cut their losses and team up with Shockwave's present-day Earth-based Decepticon forces.''

[[Image:Cyclonus death.jpg|left|180px|thumb|"Handles on your head are the latest thing," Unicron says to me. "You'll look so trendy with head-handles."]]
''Unfortunately, Cyclonus accidentally let slip that they would kill Shockwave in the future. Naturally wanting to ensure his continued existence, Shockwave unleashed a brainwashed [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron clone]] upon the two. Seized by the clone, Cyclonus’s Targetmaster partner, Nightstick, was crushed, and as Cyclonus begged Scourge for help, his companion fled to save his own life and Cyclonus’s head was torn from his body, killing him outright.'' {{storylink|Dry Run!}}

''Cyclonus and Scourge’s displacement into the past had circumvented the normal mass-replacement method used by time travel, and had hence unbalanced the space-time continuum, causing a rift to appear in the fabric of space and time. Cyclonus's death, twenty years before he was even created, proved to be the final straw, accelerating the rift, which soon threatened to consume Earth and Cybertron. Realizing that the only way to stop it was to return himself, Galvatron and Cyclonus to their original time, Scourge attempted to recover Cyclonus’s body from Shockwave, only to be attacked by the deranged Decepticon, who had lost his mind due to the illogical nature of the situation, and had strung Cyclonus’s remains up like a twisted trophy. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], however, was able to bring Shockwave back to sanity enough for him to deposit Cyclonus’s remains after Galvatron and Scourge, and then seal it with an x-ray blast. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

In an alternate future of 2006, Cyclonus was on the Decepticon planet [[Chaar]] when [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] arrived and gave a report to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] about the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] being hypnotized by a television. Galvatron angrily declared he didn't care anything about the news. Cyclonus pleaded with him to reconsider how the information could be used against the Autobots, but Galvatron would not change his mind. On his own initiative, Cyclonus took [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] along to investigate and discovered the [[Quintesson]]s were involved.

Back on Chaar, a hypnotized Galvatron suddenly took off without telling Cyclonus where he was going, so Cyclonus and Scourge followed him to [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. They were soon met there by a group of Autobots where they engaged them in battle. When the Autobots succeeded in disrupting the Quintessons' hypnosis signal the Junkions added their strength to the Autobots' which caused Galvatron to retreat so fast he nearly left Cyclonus behind. Cyclonus decided to ask Galvatron to make Junkion off-limits to Decepticons. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

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

[[Image:Cyclonusrod.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Those ears are never not useful and/or hilarious in these death scenes.]]
An alternate version of Cyclonus later made a brief appearance, inhabiting an alternate future world of 2009 where Cybertron had been destroyed and [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] ruled Earth. In this future world, Cyclonus failed to stop an Autobot/human rebel invasion of the main Decepticon base, and was destroyed by an enraged Galvatron for his failure. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

{{-}}
===Ladybird Books continuity===
Cyclonus worked for [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] during the 1980s. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}} Later, he rose to leadership of the Decepticons at a time when the war was entrenched on [[Nebulos]]. Now a very evil and gloat-happy chap, he matched wits against [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], his opposite number in the Autobots. His schemes included trying to absorb a burst of cosmic radiation, unconcerned that it could kill the rest of the planet, {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}} and a substantially less evil plot of trying to stop the Autobots lubricating their joints. {{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}

At some point, the Decepticon base [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] became a sentient Transformer and leader of the Decepticons, and Cyclonus was ''never seen again''...

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
Cyclonus grew increasingly discontent with Galvatron after the Decepticon leader took to talking to [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] more than him, and began openly discussing mutiny with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. He was sent out on a mission to locate a new [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] source which had been detected on an asteroid, and found that the source was a strange [[Observer|small alien]]. Following more abuse heaped on him by Galvatron, Cyclonus was able to study the creature, and discovered that it regurgitated its food in the form of Energon. Galvatron was pleased, but while Ratbat was out searching for more of the creatures, an Autobot was detected spying on the Decepticons, and the situation soon escalated into a pitched battle. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

Along with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Octane]], Cyclonus intercepted [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], as the Autobot was heading for [[Andellor]]. Though Cyclonus initially disbelieved Cosmos's story, he insisted that Cosmos lead them to his destination. It was there that Cyclonus was able to recall the history of Andellor and the existence of the [[Prism of Power]]. Down on the planet, the three Decepticons ventured into a cave and were attacked, first by some tentacles from a pool, and finally by [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], who defeated them. {{storylink|Transformers in 3-D issue 2|Transformers in 3-D #2}}

Cyclonus took part in the attack on [[Tau-Ursa]] which saw Galvatron acquire a component for his latest weapon. Galvatron ordered the city destroyed. Cyclonus subsequently took part in a diversionary attack led by [[Sixshot]] while Galvatron used his new weapon, the [[Nullification Cannon]], to destroy Cybertron's Energon stocks. The Autobots began searching for the planet [[Metascan Alpha]], location of a vast store of energy, and Cyclonus took the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s to find them, eventually encountering [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] on a desolate moon. The Autobots quickly retreated, preferring to concentrate on their goal, but inadvertently ended up leading the [[Destructon]]s to the moon. Cyclonus and the Terrorcons were outmatched against this new foe, and Cyclonus reluctantly agreed to cooperate with the Autobots against the Destructons. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

{{note|Unfortunately at this point [[Blackthorne Publishing]] went bankrupt, so the outcome of this alliance may never be known.}}

===3H comics===
{{quote|But ''I'' grew up! ''You're'' still kissing the [[skidplate]] of a 'con with more vision than you! Only now it's a two-bit crime boss with delusions of grandeur instead of the psychotic leftovers of Megatron's legacy!|Rodimus trash talks Cyclonus|"[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]"}}

[[Image:Cryotekcyclonusseries.jpg|left|500px|thumb|Cryotek looks like a Megatron and hits Cyclonus only about half as much.]]
When [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] was reformatted by [[Unicron]] into Cyclonus, and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] into [[Cyclonus's Armada]], Cyclonus was given a mental link to his Armada that gave him control over him. This link persisted even when Skywarp's personality resurfaced years later. When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] failed the Decepticons and the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] ended, Cyclonus turned his allegiance towards the gangster [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

Centuries later, Cyclonus was caught up in the Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s attack on all Cybertron. Despite Megatron's attempts to implant his spark within a [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] body, Cyclonus retained his own mind and managed to escape. Wishing to restore the glorious Decepticon empire, Cyclonus had already been seduced by [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]'s ambitions when he, alongside other renegade "bad guys" Skywarp and [[Rotorbolt (Universe)|Rotorbolt]], joined the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]]. In the aftermath of Megatron's [[transformation virus]], the Wreckers and a few other small groups were the only Transformers left active on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

[[Image:Wreckersskywarpcyclonus.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Looks like Cyclonus was Bombshell after all!]]
Soon, the legendary entity called the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] gathered these groups together and gave them each a task. The Wreckers were summoned to a far-off planet, and so the team fought their way through scores of Vehicons to secure a shuttle. Cyclonus and Skywarp's arrival helped seal the Wreckers' victory, and the group managed to leave Cybertron towards their destination. {{storylink|Departure}}

After some difficulties with [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]], a stowaway, Cyclonus and the other Wreckers landed on [[Akalo|Archa Nine]], where they learned of a mysterious energy-generating crystal named the "[[Divine Light]]". Cyclonus killed the [[Maximal]] [[Packrat]], nearly killed Rotorbolt, and stole the Divine Light, and after taunting his deceived "comrades," fled home to deliver the artifact to his true master, Cryotek. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

[[Image:WreckersFinaleII-RodimusCyclonus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Any possible caption for this image is already taken by the in-story banter.]]

As Cryotek siphoned the power of [[Primus]] by using the Divine Light, his ascension to borrowed godhood was guarded by Cyclonus. At first, Cyclonus seemed to have the upper hand when he appeared to be able to command Skywarp, who had been rebuilt as [[Cyclonus's Armada|his armada]] during the Great War. Skywarp's complicity was just a ruse, however, and Cyclonus found himself doublecrossed. With the rest of the Wreckers busy, Cyclonus faced his old rival, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]], in a very personal battle. After trading barbs both physical and verbal, the two ended their duel in a messy, violent stalemate. This stalemate lasted until Rotorbolt arrived and ended Cyclonus, avenging his near-deadly encounter on Archa Nine. Cryotek briefly resurrected him as one of many [[Zombie|zombies]], but his subsequent defeat at the hands of Rodimus, [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Sentinel Maximus]], [[Al-Badur]], and [[Ramulus]] ended Cyclonus's life again. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Cyclonusdreamwave.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Neither Skywarp nor Bombshell? This is madness!]]

After [[Unicron]] consumed the planet [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]] in the wake of his reactivation, the Cyclonus series of drone was built within pods inside the chaos-bringer's body, constructed from the remnants Lithone's matter and captured inhabitants. The second in a series of Unicron's drone fleets, the Cyclonus model was considered by the [[Quintesson]]s to be more powerful, more efficient and more of a threat. One of these drones broke out of his incubation pod as [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] was having some difficulties on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Generation One issue 0|Generation One #0}}

{{note|Future stories would have brought Cyclonus to the fore as he attacked the base of the Earth Defense Command in order to retrieve Scourge, who was being held there. Due to [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s plunge into insolvency, these stories were never published.}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Cyclonus was serving Shockwave when the latter was running the Cybertronian Decepticons in Megatron's absence. After failing to capture a group of [[energon cube]]-stealing Autobots, he was part of a unit standing by to seize several Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] as they used [[Teletran 3]] to prevent damage to the time-stream. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] put up a force field around the computer, Cyclonus reported to Shockwave that the field would soon fall, and was pleased when Shockwave told him his life was ensured for another [[Units of time|cycle]]. When the field came down, Cyclonus helped capture the Autobots and shoot [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] in the back when he arrived from the future. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

Following their victory, Cyclonus listened to Shockwave's intentions of dissecting the humans, only for the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to arrive from the past and attack the Decepticons. It is unknown if Cyclonus survived the battle. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightCyclonus hesistate.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Just press the damn button!]]
Cyclonus was a crewman on the original ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' which plunged into the [[Benzuli Expanse]] millions of [[Units of time|meta-cycles]] ago and hence continued to serve [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]] (who he keeps forgetting is no longer called Nova Prime). He has a fierce love of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and wants to see it bring about an ordered universe, bringing structure to a chaotic universe. Ironically he's absolutely ''mental'', prone to unpredictable, violent actions; he tries to submerge this behind a fiction of being an ordered intellectual, and hopes ordering the universe might order him.

[[Image:Cyclonusunleashed.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Get the Holy Hand Grenade!]]
Cyclonus was sent out of the [[Dead Universe]] to arm the [[Nega-Core]] and put up [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] as its guardian, but he made a divergence to see first hand the devastation of his beloved Cybertron. Pissed off, he decided to take his anger out on the nearest Transformer and so assaulted the ''[[Ark-12]]'', helmed by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s crew en route to [[Garrus-9]]. He was blown to bits, only to reform and keep on coming until [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] arrived and Cyclonus realized he was blowing his mission—too long outside of the Dead Universe can kill its inhabitants.

Arriving on [[Corata-Vaz]], he armed the Nega-Core but balked at activating Thunderwing, due to the destruction he caused Cybertron. Unfortunately Hound's crew and Magnus arrived, and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] goaded Cyclonus into attacking and in the process made Cyclonus realize he truly was a chaotic loony and just what Nemesis Prime wanted to erase. He was brought down, only to detach his hand, which flew off to activate Thunderwing. Using the distraction, Cyclonus escaped but Magnus sent another tracker after him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

Cyclonus made it back to the Dead Universe on time and was later patrolling the Benzuli Expanse with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] to look for those who would disturb the [[Expansion]]. Upon spotting [[Cloudburst]]'s ship, Cyclonus called "dibs" and Galvatron happily let Cyclonus attack the vessel. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} After some time, Cyclonus finally destroyed the ''[[Mirror-Manifold]]'' just as its crew were beamed out by the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], who had brand new [[Pretender|Pretender shells]] waiting for them. Designed to survive the Dead Universe, they were more than a match for Cyclonus and he was defeated. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

After recovering, Cyclonus made his way back to [[Gorlam Prime]], where he and other minions of Nemesis Prime began to slowly die after the Autobots disconnected them from the Dead Universe. After several years of wasting away {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1}}, he gathered the bodies of his former crewmates to recycle them with honor. One of them, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], was still barely alive, and Cyclonus told him that he would put an end to his miserable existence. He was interrupted by Galvatron, who was now infused with the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]]. Galvatron blasted the bodies of the dead warriors, prompting Cyclonus to ask if he had gone binary. Galvatron revived Scourge, and created an army of [[Sweep]]s, which angered Cyclonus, who said they were [[spark|sparkless]] slaves and refused to let this happen to him. Galvatron assured Cyclonus that he had plans and would need a lieutenant to join him. Using the Darkness, Galvatron repaired Cyclonus's spark and although he was unsure of their mission, Cyclonus told Scourge that as [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], their new mission is to follow Galvatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 14|Rebirth}}

Galvatron had Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps search Gorlam Prime for signs of life, as every single inhabitant of the planet had mysteriously vanished while they were busy dying. After, Cyclonus found nothing in the planet's data archives, they decided to investigate the portal to the Dead Universe, and on the way they found remains of their ally [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Micromaster]] bodyguards in some rubble. Cyclonus wanted to examine them, but was blown away by Galvatron who was more eager to get through the rubble. They eventually found Jhiaxus in a half-dead state, repaired him, and had him take them to the portal. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1}} There, they found themselves under attack by [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]. Cyclonus and Scourge were defeated by Hardhead at first, but Galvatron turned the tide and sent the two to hunt down Arcee as she fled. Using heat-seeking missiles, Cyclonus destroyed the bridge under her feet and sent her falling into the abyss below. He then returned to Galvatron and left the planet in his quest to raise an army to battle the "[[D-Void]]", a new threat he had found in the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}}

Though Galvatron's turned out to be very good at recruiting (and resurrecting) troops for his army, Cyclonus considered him a bit loopy and was unsure if this D-Void was even real. Unwisely, he voiced his opinion around Galvatron, and was throttled for doubting him. Cyclonus later accompanied Galvatron to the planet [[Dykayra]], where they investigated ruins similar to ones found on Gorlam Prime. Inside, they discovered another Dead Universe portal and none other than Nemesis Prime, who was alive and well despite having been betrayed and killed by Galvatron years earlier. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 3}} Nemesis revealed that he had been resurrected by D-Void and attacked Galvatron, prompting Cyclonus and the others to come to their leader's aid. Their small scout party was beaten back by the powerful Nemesis, who transformed into a monstrous avatar of D-Void's power, but managed to vanquish him by summoning Galvatron's entire army. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4}}

Seeking to add [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s Autobots to his army, Galvatron traveled towards [[Earth]]. On the way, the ship under his command ran into a space-time distortion, and inside it they found a block of ice containing what appeared to be organic and robotic corpses. But when the crew thawed the ice, the dead came to life, and Cyclonus and the others found themselves fighting against a [[zombie]] outbreak. Their ship crashed in [[Las Vegas]] on Earth, where they were attacked by Prime's Autobots, who didn't trust their intentions. Cyclonus eventually surrendered, but not without sarcasm. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 1}} Though they eventually stopped bickering with Galvatron long enough to defeat [[Britt]], the zombie mastermind, the Autobots refused to join Galvatron's army. With the zombies safely deposited in the distant past of the Dead Universe, Cyclonus and the others warped back to their base. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 2}}

Galvatron then took his entire army with him to Cybertron, declaring the planet their first line of defense against D-Void. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4}}

With Cybertron under his control, Galvatron sent Cyclonus and a number of Sweeps to take [[Kimia Facility]] from the Autobots. Cyclonus took a psychotic amount of glee murdering the Autobots on board and brought the station into orbit above Cybertron, arriving just in time to prevent [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] from doing any more damage to Galvatron and carrying his leader away while informing him that the Kimia Facility was now above Cybertron. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}}

{{spoiler|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|December 14}}
After Galvatron fed the Heart of Darkness into Vector Sigma in an effort to destroy Cybertron, Cyclonus attacked him, angrily claiming that Galvatron had brainwashed him into serving him and that he had forced him to harm Cybertron, something that made Cyclonus furious. However, Galvatron was too powerful for Cyclonus to damage and he tossed him aside with ease. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

===''Universe'' cartoon===
[[Image:FfE Cyclonus.JPG|left|thumb|250px|Red Eyes Insanity!]]
Cyclonus was helping Megatron mine Energon from a gas station, mostly by taking pot-shots at [[bunny rabbit|bunnies]]. This ended shortly after he was El Kabong'd by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[energon-axe|axed]] by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Prime]]. {{storylink|Fight for Energon}}

{{--}}
===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
{{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9|Henkei! Henkei! #9}}

{{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 12|Henkei! Henkei! #12}}
{{charstubfiction}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' comic===
{{storylink|Time of Resurrection}} {{storylink|Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!!}} {{storylink|The Threat of Galvatron}} {{storylink|Revenge (issue)|Revenge}} {{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}} {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{charstubfiction}}

===''Wings Universe''===
Following the rebirth of Cybertron's [[Golden Age]], Galvatron led Cyclonus and the majority of his troops out into deep space, leaving behind their home planet. The Autobots gave chase, and the Cybertronian Civil War moved to new frontiers. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

In 2010, Cyclonus and Scourge led the Sweeps in an attack on an Autobot shuttle. Unfortunately, they neglected to plan for the raw fury that accompanied interrupting the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]' story time. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[image:TF PS2 Cyclonus.jpg|thumb|250px]]
:''Voice actor:'' [[Barry Gjerde]]
====Decepticon story====
As one of the elite troops sent back in time to prevent Shockwave's unstoppable rampage, Cyclonus acted as Galvatron's second in command. When they joined forces with Megatron and his troops, Cyclonus worked with Soundwave in identifying possible targets. At one point, the pair disagreed with one another over one of these targets and Cyclonus threatened Soundwave into accepting all blame if the lead didn't pan out. Soundwave agreed, but ominously warned that he charged a high price for being spoken to in such a manner.

Sure enough, the operation was a dud and Cyclonus attempted to deflect the blame to Soundwave, who promptly played back a recording of the entire conversation. Unluckily for Cyclonus, that conversation included him insulting Megatron and referring to him as obsolete scrap. Soundwave next had the pleasure of recording Cyclonus's screams as Megatron used him for target practice.

Cyclonus also had the unusual experience of being impressed with Starscream when the normally-treacherous Air Commander successfully defused a potentially lethal fight between Megatron and Galvatron. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

====Autobot story====
Cyclonus attacked the Autobots inside the Atalstan gem mine with Octane for support. Deciding to skip the usual pre-fight banter, Cyclonus got right to the fighting. After a fierce battle, the Autobots managed to take down Cyclonus and Octane. Defeated, Cyclonus stated that he had underestimated the Autobots' power and that he needed to retreat and rest. He bid the Autobots goodbye and transformed into his fighter craft form, retreating from the mine. Rodimus Prime expressed disappointment about how Cyclonus got away, and Optimus acknowledged that Cyclonus was a tough opponent.

Later, Cyclonus joined up with Scourge while the latter was fighting the Autobots on their way to the ELTA. Both were eventually defeated, and Cyclonus decided to fall back, almost leaving Scourge behind! {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1CyclonusToy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Shoulders by [[wikipedia:Piet Mondrian|Mondrian]].]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (Decepticon Jet, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-70'''
**''Accessories:'' "Oxidating Laser"

: Cyclonus transforms into a purple Cybertronian fighter craft. Early releases of Cyclonus had his belt and part of his "ears" painted blue. Later releases had those areas unpainted.

: Cyclonus, like the other new characters created for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', was designed for animation first, and had his toy based on these designs. However, as with the other characters, the toy was based on an earlier design, most notably featuring folded back wings, while his animation model underwent further modifications before being finalized. The earlier design was the basis for the Marvel Comics version of the character, and also erroneously appeared in a few instances in the cartoon series. For some odd reason, his wings detach as an official feature. For some even more odd reason, you have to open his ass which is referred to as "trap doors" in the instructions.

: The [[Toy Fair 1986]] catalogue shows the Cyclonus toy with a different colour scheme, including a mainly silver head, that was also seen in his earliest Marvel Comics appearances and the [[Ladybird Books|Ladybird Book]] ''[[Galvatron's Air Attack]]''. Also his name was swapped with Scourge.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Cyclonus/cyclonus.htm More information on Cyclonus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|Targetmaster}}
*'''Targetmaster Cyclonus''' (1987)
**''Accessories:'' Nightstick Targetmaster partner/"[[black beam gun|black-beam gun]]"

: Still lacking the blue paint, Targetmaster Cyclonus's fist holes were widened to accommodate his Nebulan partner, [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], who replaced his previous handgun. This version of the toy was not released in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Decepticon/Cyclonus/cyclonus.htm More information on Targetmaster Cyclonus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Expanded Universe===
[[Image:ExpandedUniversetoy-Cyclonus.jpg|right|300px|thumb|With Galvatron gone, things went kind of screwy for the poor guy...]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (Ultra, 2002)
**''Accessories:'' 2 missiles, 2 drone-missiles

: ''[[Expanded Universe]]'' Cyclonus is a redeco of ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' [[Jetstorm (BM)#Toys|Ultra Jetstorm]], replacing blue with lavender, purple and gray, and the yellows with red. His [[spark]] crystal was [[tampograph]]ed with a Decepticon sigil. He transforms into a Cybertronic fighter jet. His jet mode cockpit/neck is geared up with the pop-up gun turret on his back so that both turn in the same direction when moved. This turret has a light-up feature plus two spring-loaded missiles. Cyclonus has both a "normal" bipedal robot mode and a "flight robot mode" with pop-out thruster engines.

: Cyclonus was available exclusively at [[BotCon 2002]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/BCCyclonus/cyclonus.htm More information on BotCon Cyclonus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:UniverseCyclonusCorrected.JPG|right|300px|thumb|...and now that Galvatron is back, he is happy.]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Series:'' Generation 1 Series
:''Universe'' Cyclonus is the first new-mold toy of the character in over 20 years. This version is a better match for Cyclonus's main [[character model]] whereas the Generaton 1 version was designed from an early alternate model. The transformation scheme is reminiscent of the old toy, with a few new twists to allow for greater articulation and a more satisfying robot mode. As before, the toy transforms into a grey and purple Cybertronian jet-fighter. Most notably, the toy release includes his [[Targetmaster]] partner [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], similarly featuring far greater detail and articulation than the original. Oddly, only his right hand has a hole to hold Nightstick in, a very rare feature amongst two-handed Transformers toys. An undocumented feature (in both the Hasbro and Takara versions) is that Nightstick can also mount to Cyclonus' wrists by leaving the hands folded in, exposing a tab-slot, a la [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]... in which Cyclonus wasn't a Targetmaster. Tsk.

[[Image:Universecyclonusbeige.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Dodged a bullet!]]

:Early [[Hasbro]] photos showed Cyclonus and Nightstick with considerably more beige than the final retail release. This was a factory mistake that was corrected before any toys hit stores, but it did create some [[fandom]] [[Ruined FOREVER|angst]] in its wake. Though no retail versions feature this factory mistake, some [[Prototype|prerelease samples]] did.

: This mold was also used to make "[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Gentei! Gentei!]]" [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] and "[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]" [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TFUCyclonus/cyclonus.htm More information on Universe (and Henkei) Cyclonus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
[[Image:Universe2008toy-ChallengeatCybertronCyclonus.jpg|right|thumb|300px|As you scroll down, watch this toy slowly become the Easter bunny.]]
*'''Challenge at Cybertron''' (Deluxe Class figure 3-pack, 2010)
**''Series:'' Generation 1 Series
: A redeco of ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Cyclonus was released in the "[[Challenge at Cybertron]]" multi-pack along with redecoes of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. This version of Cyclonus, like the ''Henkei!'' figure, is intended to be accurate to the cartoon's colors, though it attempts the idea much differently.

: The set was only released in Southeast Asian markets by Hasbro Malaysia.

{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Cyclonushenkeitoy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Also available in pastels.]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-07'''

:Unlike the Hasbro ''Universe'' Cyclonus's toy-based colour scheme, TakaraTomy's ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Cyclonus has a mostly cartoon-based colour scheme, and casts much of the toy in a lavender plastic balancing between the toy's purple and cartoon's purple-blue, and includes a painted face. Like all ''Henkei'' toys, he features [[Vacuum metallizing|vac-metalized]] plastic, specifically his purple wings and much of the Nightstick Targetmaster weapon.

{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
*'''Battle in Space''' (Deluxe figure 2-pack, 2010)
[[Image:TF2010toy rod vs cyc.jpg|right|thumb|300px|It was either the whole box or a photoshopped pic of what's above.]]
:This release of the ''Universe'' Cyclonus is a modified version from the Asia market-exclusive "Challenge at Cybertron" 3-pack, replacing his Decepticon sigil with a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]]. His wings are painted a more flat purple compared to the semi-gloss of the Universe "Challenge at Cybertron" release as well as his lower thighs are less purple tinged (matching his upper thighs better). The set also comes with a similarly modified ''Classics'' Rodimus from the "Challenge at Cybertron" set, the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership]] accessory from the 2002 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#NewYearConvoy|New Year Special Convoy]] reissue of Generation 1 Optimus Prime, and "[[Rodimus vs. Cyclonus]]", a new comic book created specifically for this set by [[IDW Publishing]].

{{-}}
===United===
*'''Decepticon SET''' (3-pack, 2011)

: Dubbed "Cyclonus Purple Clear Version", this [[redeco]] of the ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Cyclonus mold (see above) is cast in transparent purple plastics, emulating the scene in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' where Cyclonus is created from some dead Decepticon (no, we won't get into that here).

: This version was only available in an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] 3-pack with clear-plastic versions of [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#United|Galvatron]], [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)#United|Nightstick]] and [[Scourge (G1)#UnitedClear|Scourge]]. Preorders for the set were opened on [[December 13]] of 2010 and closed on [[January 11]] of 2011, and shipped on in April.

: This figure was available with a Galvatron pin and [[Macrocosmic Seekers]] booklet directly from e-Hobby, he was also released in Asian countries outside of Japan without said pin and booklet.

: Oddly, and unlike Galvatron and Scourge, Cyclonus' deco is based on the Hasbro Challenge at Cybertron / Battle In Space release rather than the Henkei! Henkei! release.

==Merchandise==
===Super Collection Figure===
*'''Cyclonus''' (2002)

[[Image:SCFCyclonus colour.jpg|right|125px|thumb|His head comes off, too!]]
: A PVC figurine of Cyclonus was part of the eighth act of [[Takara]]'s [[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]] series in 2002. Each case of 12 PVCs had two Cyclonuses; one in full-color, the other pewter-finish. It was later released as part of the third wave of [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' line in 2003, with its pointed edges rounded off for safety.

{{-}}

===Hard Hero===
[[Image:HHCyclonus bust.jpg|right|130px|thumb|Galvatron needs my legs? Then I shall GIIIIIVE till it HUUUUUURTS!]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (2005)

: In May 2005, [[Hard Hero]] released a Cyclonus polystone bust based upon his cartoon appearances. It is roughly six inches tall and was limited to 1000 pieces.

{{-}}
[[Image:HardHero_CyclonusMetallic.jpg|right|130px|thumb|I'm just a useless bunny, only good for my metallic paint.]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (2005)

: Hard Hero also made a limited run of 100 Cyclonus busts painted metallic purple as an exclusive for the [[Canada|Canadian]] [[TransformersCon]] convention.

{{-}}

==Notes==
* When asked about Cyclonus' design in an online interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "Cyclonus was a small time demon."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref>

* In two scenes in the US edition of [[Broken Glass!|''Headmasters'' #2]], where Cyclonus was supposed to appear, artist [[Frank Springer]] [[The Transformers: Headmasters|accidentally drew]] a giant-sized version of [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]] (though it's actually [[Fracas]], but those two's character models got swapped and... oy), who was then colored like Cyclonus. For the UK printing of the story, since audiences were already very familiar with Cyclonus from exclusive stories in that comic, the giant Nightstick was renamed "[[Krunix (G1)|Krunix]]".

[[Image:Cyclonusscale.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He's big!]]
* During ''The Transformers: The Movie'', Cyclonus is shown to be [[:Image:Cyclonuscoronation.jpg|''huge'' in vehicle form]], serving as a personal attack ship for Galvatron, despite being a normal-sized robot. In the cartoon's subsequent third season, however, Galvatron uses the ''[[Revenge (G1)|Revenge]]'' and his own flight capabilities as his primary means of transport, and Cyclonus never shows such size-changing abilities again except in the episode "Starscream's Ghost".

*Cyclonus's unique origin in the UK comics is a result of Simon Furman's misinterpretation of the movie summary he had read (having not yet actually seen the feature), which referenced the fading "life spark" of a Decepticon. This led to Cyclonus actually claiming he had been rebuilt from a Decepticon named "[[Life Spark]]".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Cyclonus''' (サイクロナス ''Saikuronasu'')
*''Italian:'' '''Ciclone''' ("Cyclone")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Hsúan-fēng''' (Taiwan, 旋風, "Cyclone"), '''Kuáng Biāo''' （China, 狂飙, "Hurricane"）
*''Russian:'' '''Ciklon''' (Циклон, "Cyclone")

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Beast Machines characters]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Saboteurs]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Cyclonus (G1)

2011-11-22T17:42:40Z

68.239.196.126: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{factions|decepticon|unicron|wreckers}}

{{disambig3|Cyclonus}}
:''Cyclonus is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:CyclonusPioneerDVD1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Darling one, read my words and hear my heart speak of a love soft and undying: a love that will be with you always.]]
Among the Decepticons, finding a genuinely loyal and competent [[second-in-command]] is [[Soundwave (G1)|a]] [[Shockwave (G1)|near]] [[Starscream (G1)|impossibility]]. '''Cyclonus''' is the exception to that rule. Created by [[Unicron]], Cyclonus is a being whose loyalty to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the Decepticon cause is so intense as to exclude most other emotions and interests from his mind. He is dedicated to destruction in his leader's name.

He also has brains to back up that dedication, power to enforce Galvatron's will, and the initiative to form plans and get them done. Cyclonus could easily rule the Decepticons himself if he so desired, either as a power behind the throne or directly overthrowing his psychotic master. His responses to any suggestions that he do so? "All hail Galvatron!"

It's really amazing that he's so loyal, when one considers that he alternates with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] as Galvatron's personal punching bag. His [[Targetmaster]] partner is [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Roger C. Carmel]] → [[Jack Angel]] (English), [[Minoru Inaba]] (Japanese), [[Fumihiko Tachiki]] (Japanese, ''The Rebirth'' only), [[Hans-Rainer Müller]] (German), [[Carlos Agosti]] (Latin American)

{{note|Carmel's performance as the voice of Cyclonus was notoriously inconsistent—varying in pitch, emphasis, and speed from episode to episode. Following his death, Jack Angel took up the role for the final five episodes of the series.}}

In the year 2005, after an abortive attack on [[Autobot City]], the evil [[Decepticon]]s found it necessary to jettison excess weight from their craft to make it back to their homeworld of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The injured and dying Decepticons were chosen to be ejected into the void of space, including the commander, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], but when their bodies were recovered by the world-eater, [[Unicron]], they were reborn as deadly new warriors in the service of the recreated Megatron, now known as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Immediately following his creation, Cyclonus served as little more than Galvatron's personal ship and attack dog, carrying his leader to [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]'s coronation, into the battle in Autobot City and to the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]]. He was also involved in attacking and crippling the shuttle of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] over [[Quintessa]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Image:Cyclonus toon.jpg|left|180px|thumb|An actually loyal soldier.]]

By 2006, Galvatron was believed dead and the Decepticons had retreated to the barren world of [[Chaar]]. Although Cyclonus and the Sweeps' Unicronian physiology kept them in relatively good condition, the other Decepticons degenerated quickly in the absence of regular energon. Disgusted with how far the leaderless Decepticons had fallen as they eked out this miserable existence, Cyclonus resolved to locate Galvatron, daring even to enter Unicron’s deactivated, disembodied head. By replaying the planet-eater's memory banks, Cyclonus traced Galvatron to the world of [[Thrull]]. [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]'s accelerated sight peeled back light-years of space and confirmed their fallen leader's presence. Returning to Chaar, Cyclonus asked his fellow Decepticons to give of their meager energon supplies in support of a quest to retrieve and revive Galvatron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

The Decepticons' need for a strong leader was driven home when two Autobots invaded Chaar, and the entire Decepticon army couldn't muster up enough energon or firepower to put up a decent fight. Cyclonus and the Sweeps made their way to Thrull after that to retrieve Galvatron. Unfortunately, once extricated from a pool of the planet's plasma-lava, Galvatron proved to have been driven insane from exposure to it and brutalized Cyclonus and the [[Sweep]]s before being talked down and returned to his position as leader. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} Despite his lunacy, Galvatron was effective enough to destroy an entire space platform for Earth's defense system. Cyclonus brought him back to Chaar, only to find the Decepticons were missing, having forged an alliance with the [[Quintesson]]s in their absence. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} With Galvatron's permission, the alliance continued, and the Decepticons and Quintessons launched an all-out assault on Cybertron and Earth both. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} The assault failed, and Cyclonus and the Decepticon were driven back to Chaar. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[Image:Cyclonus jet.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Never realized he'd sprung a leak.]]

As 2006 settled in, Cyclonus was captured by a [[Quintesson]] scientist for study, along with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Marissa Faireborn]], but when the entire group was sucked through a [[black hole]] into a [[negative universe]], they were forced to work together to escape; Cyclonus and Magnus developed a grudging respect for each other as warriors, but vowed that when they met again on the battlefield, it would be as enemies. {{storylink|The Killing Jar}}

Chasing the Autobots through space, Cyclonus and his great leader ran them down on an abandoned funeral barge floating in the void. The Decepticons pursued the Autobots into the vessel, but were taken completely by surprise by the sudden appearance of the dead Autobot leader, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Galvatron was injured in battle, and Cyclonus had to provide him with support. The loyal lieutenant was willing to fight on against Prime, but when the Sweeps abandoned the barge in fear, Cyclonus was forced to choose the better part of valor and leave as well, carrying Galvatron with him. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

Some time later, outnumbered and fleeing from the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], Cyclonus and Scourge took refuge inside a vortex, which transported them to the pacifistic, energy-rich planet of [[Paradron]], which had been settled by Cybertronian refugees. Naturally, the duo immediately conquered the planet and summoned Galvatron and the other Decepticons there; the plan was ultimately foiled by the Autobots, but at the cost of Paradron itself, which was destroyed. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}}

[[Image:Cyclonus alt.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Cyclonus' alternate robot mode design, as seen in "Starscream's Ghost". Compare to the previous robot mode pic, above.]]
Cyclonus and Galvatron met up with [[Octane]] in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]], where they briefly adapted the local oil into a more powerful form of energon before the Autobots chased them out of the country. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}} After Octane fled the Decepticons and started working as a free trader with the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] and even the Autobots, Cyclonus and the Sweeps infiltrated Cybertronian air space to deal with the traitor. They chased him into the abandoned Decepticon mausoleum below the planet's surface. Cyclonus marveled at Scourge's pathetic leadership ability when he couldn't even order ONE Sweep to enter the mausoleum ahead of them. He borrowed half a page from Galvatron's book and only ''threatened'' to kill a Sweep if they didn't get moving. Cyclonus's hunt was interrupted by the arrival of Starscream's ghost, who possessed the Decepticon saboteur for his own ends. The next thing Cyclonus knew, it was hours later and he was at the base of Galvatron's throne, having just been blasted by his leader. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

On another occasion, Cyclonus clashed with Ultra Magnus aboard the Autobot records asteroid with the fate of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] in the balance. {{storylink|Surprise Party}}

Sometime later, Starscream's ghost returned and possessed Scourge, causing him to fire wildly. Cyclonus tried to convince Galvatron his fellow warrior was not a traitor, but only malfunctioning. Then Scourge/Starscream shot Galvatron dead center in the chest, and chaos ensued. The Decepticons were a step behind Starscream over the next few hours as he stole one of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s (invisible) eyes, then Astrotrain, then finally Trypticon himself in a mad scavenger hunt orchestrated by Unicron. Their weapons temporarily neutralized after trying to recover Trypticon, Cyclonus and the Decepticons began limping away from Cybertron when they saw Starscream tumbling uncontrollably through space. Cyclonus rightly questioned how a ghost could tumble uncontrollably ''anywhere'', but Galvatron was just glad his [[particle cannon]] was working again, and he started taking potshots at the flying figure. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

When Astrotrain reported to Galvatron that the Junkions were shooting at anyone in their airspace, even Autobots, Cyclonus saw opportunity. Although Galvatron couldn't care less about Junkions, Cyclonus investigated further for the good of the Decepticon cause, for the Autobots would lose a valuable ally if the Junkions had indeed turned against them. His personal analysis, however, did nothing to raise Galvatron's interest, only his rage. Cyclonus followed orders and ceased bothering his leader with the details, but still chose to pursue the matter with the Sweeps. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

Cyclonus was alerted to a mysterious Quintesson signal by [[Predaking]]. He and the Sweeps rendezvoused with Predaking at the source, only to find [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and the Autobots competing with them in their pursuit. They managed to recover the Quintesson journal that was the source of the signal, and they learned it had key information that would be beneficial to peace talks the Autobots were overseeing. Cyclonus and the Decepticons tried to stop the Autobots from orchestrating a cease fire between the warring worlds, but failed. {{storylink|The Quintesson Journal}}

Later, Cyclonus was among the Transformers turned into an energy vampire by the [[Trans-Organic]] [[Dweller]], thrown to the beast by Galvatron to delay his own fate—though at least with Cyclonus he hesitated for a moment before fleeing, almost repentant for his action. Hours later, after the Autobots saved him from an eternal unlife as an energy vampire, Cyclonus reconnected with Galvatron. Out of all the Decepticons in history, only Cyclonus could deliver his relief at Galvatron's safety with such genuine feeling and without a trace of sarcasm. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

[[Image:GalvatronCyclonusWebworld.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Cyclonus misses the days when Galvatron would be inside him.]]
When a group of Decepticons, tired of being beaten and abused by the deranged Galvatron, confronted Cyclonus and demanded that he do something about the situation, Cyclonus was so short on options that he accepted the advice of a Quintesson and tricked Galvatron into accompanying him to the therapeutic mental institution on planet [[Torkulon]]. It pained Cyclonus to see his leader so demented as each attempted therapy met with failure, but when the Torkuli attempted to cure Galvatron by removing the damaged part of his mind, thereby leaving him a vegetable, Cyclonus sprang into action, only to be restrained. Patched into the sentient network of the planet, rather than be cured, Galvatron infected the world itself with his madness and freed himself, decimating the planet, and decided to turn his attention back to fighting the Autobots, rather than dwell on Cyclonus's deception. {{storylink|Webworld}}

While in Europe, Cyclonus and the Decepticons made contact with several human terrorists and unscrupulous mercenaries. They even hired out human mechanics to work on Trypticon and oversee his repairs. Okay, fine. But when Cyclonus ran across [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] wandering around inside Trypticon, shouldn't he have recognized ''them?!'' Apparently, all flesh-creatures DO look alike to the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

In a scheme to utilize [[anti-electron]]s against the Autobots, the Decepticons were forced to raid Unicron's head for an additional supply of the substance. Scourge and Cyclonus performed the recovery operation while Galvatron and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] kept their Autobot pursuers busy. They had only just returned with the flask, however, when [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] and the new [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] arrived, destroying the anti-electrons and routing the Decepticon invaders. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

[[Image:Ejectcall.jpg|left|250px|thumb|I'm big because Galvatron rides me.]]
Cyclonus and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] were at Galvatron's side during a heavy battle with the Autobots, along with Trypticon, the Sweeps, and an assortment of Predacons and Terrorcons. The battle was going relatively well until more than half of Galvatron's forces suddenly responded to a mysterious call that only [[Primitive]]s could hear. Enraged at Trypticon and the others for abandoning the field of battle, Galvatron took off after them with Cyclonus and Soundwave in tow. They didn't get far, however, before the energy-absorbing [[Tornedron]] struck them down in the middle of space. Only after the Primitives defeated Tornedron's creator were Cyclonus and the others restored to life. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

Later still, he, along with a group of Autobots and Quintessons, was transported into a region of space cordoned off by the Quintessons, landing on the planet [[Zamojin (planet)|Zamojin]]. There, Cyclonus aided the Quintessons in acquiring [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s [[universal emulator]] in order to repair their systems and return to normal space. He demonstrated a working knowledge of psychology and mob mentality when he prodded the Zamojins into trying to execute their prisoner, the Autobot [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. {{storylink|The Face of the Nijika}}

Cyclonus participated in a major Decepticon attack on Japan. When they were repulsed by the Autobots, he returned to Chaar with Galvatron. The rear guard, [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], miraculously managed to steal the Matrix of Leadership from an unconscious Rodimus Prime. After Galvatron was unable to unleash its power himself, he tossed the bauble away as if it were nothing. Scourge seized the opportunity to take the Matrix's power for himself and attempted to take over the Decepticons. Cyclonus refused to bow to anyone but Galvatron, and so was blasted down along with his leader. They eventually recovered and traveled to Earth after Scourge and the Decepticon army. They found Scourge shortly after Hot Rod reclaimed the Matrix from him. Galvatron was... not happy. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

When the [[Hate Plague]] swept the universe, Cyclonus was infected and took leadership of the afflicted Decepticons, hunting down Galvatron, tracking him and a group of Autobots into the depths of Chaar and infecting scientist [[Jessica Morgan]]. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}} {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

[[Image:Cyclonus tm.jpg|right|180px|thumb|See this? This...is my NIGHTSTICK!]]
In 2007, Cyclonus participated in the massive Decepticon attack on Autobot City, which culminated in the theft of the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. When the chamber was then opened, the energy released blasted the key and a group of Autobots across the galaxy to the planet [[Nebulos]], and Cyclonus and Scourge led a team of Decepticons in pursuit, attacking and capturing several of the Autobots. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} To battle them, the remaining Autobots combined with a group of Nebulan rebels into "[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]" and bested them in combat. Having learned of this fusion of Transformer and Nebulan, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], the evil ruling council of Nebulos, approached the Decepticons to repeat the process, but Cyclonus argued them down to taking the heads of only the animal-mode Decepticons, and merely the weapons of the others.

Consequently, Cyclonus became a [[Targetmaster]], as his handgun was converted into an exo-suit for the Hive member [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], giving them enhanced targeting abilities and firepower. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} Reclaiming the chamber key with their superior powers, the Decepticons headed back to Cybertron aboard the giant robot [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], where Cyclonus attempted to convince the disgusted Galvatron of the benefits of being bonded to the Nebulans. The Autobots soon arrived back on Cybertron and invaded Scorponok, only to be captured by the Decepticons and almost executed by Cyclonus before being saved by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. The Decepticons’ plan was subsequently thwarted by Spike and the Nebulans, and they were sent spiraling off through space aboard Scorponok by a tendril of plasma energy. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{-}}

=====Who is Cyclonus?=====
[[Image:Cyclonus armada tftf.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Cyclonus the warrior... ''and'' his stunt double."]]

{{bigquote|Even when you were a ''bug'', I hated your stinkin’ circuits.|[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] on Cyclonus's origins|[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]}}

{{bigquote|I don't know who you are, or even who you used to be... and I don't care!|[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] on Cyclonus's origins|[[Rodimus vs. Cyclonus]]}}

When Unicron creates Cyclonus in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', we actually see ''two'' Cyclonuses: In the foreground, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (or perhaps [[Insecticon clone|a clone]]) becomes one, while in the background, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] becomes another. While this is happening, Unicron declares, "Cyclonus—the warrior... and his [[Cyclonus's Armada|armada]]." But clearly, one warrior does not an armada make. The reasoning behind the line can be seen in the script, which states that Cyclonus is supposed to have multiple identical duplicates like Scourge's Sweeps.<ref>[http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/tidbits/tftm_script.txt Final version of the ''Transformers: The Movie'' script]</ref> However, the idea didn't even survive the next cut; as the group boards [[Revenge (G1)|their ship]] moments later, the second Cyclonus has been replaced with a third Sweep. And while the number of Sweeps would fluctuate constantly throughout the film and the rest of the series, Cyclonus was depicted as a unique individual (barring some animation errors in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]" and "[[The Quintesson Journal]]"). It was, essentially, as if the armada had never existed in the first place.

So which robot actually became Cyclonus? Bombshell or Skywarp? Bombshell is the most straightforward interpretation, as he is shown more prominently in the shot. This would mean Skywarp "really" became a Sweep. But some fans dislike that asymmetry; they believe that if [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], the blue jet from 1984, becomes Galvatron's blue spaceship lieutenant, then Skywarp, the purple(-accented) jet from 1984, "ought to" become Galvatron's purple spaceship lieutenant. (The [[cross-sell]] [[catalog]]s included with 1986 toys even replace Thundercracker and Skywarp with Cyclonus and Scourge in the "Decepticon Jets" section.) Moreover, the Sweeps' portrayal as inexplicably-endless cannon fodder jibes with the Insecticons' cloning ability, so it seems thematically appropriate for Bombshell to end up a Sweep alongside the established [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]. On the other hand, the fact that they were all intended to be dead at that point makes their former attributes questionably relevant.
{{-}}
[[Image:Coronationscene3.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Hi, we're back from being dead. What we miss?"]]
[[Image:Bombshell-to-cyclonus-storyboard.jpg|right|300px|thumb|What are you going to believe: [[fanon]] or your lying eyes?]]

Unhelpfully, Thundercracker, Skywarp, and the Insecticons all ''continue to appear'' in the film, with Shrapnel even being called for by name in a later scene of the finalized script. This seems to be a vestige of the early draft that did not feature Megatron being cast into space with other contemporary Decepticons; instead, a brawl in the Decepticon [[Hall of Heroes]] results in his body being destroyed and his "[[Life Spark]]" floating off into space. Several shrines in the Hall are broken, releasing the sparks in them as well; it is ''these'' sparks of long-dead Decepticons who are recreated by Unicron as Cyclonus and the rest.<ref>[http://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Early draft of the ''Transformers: The Movie'' script on Jim Sorenson's blog]</ref>

The final script only states that "other Decepticons" are turned into Galvatron's troops, but the storyboard of the scene is slightly more definitive: It shows Bombshell alone (labeled with his name!) being re-created, then a shot of Cyclonus with some unidentified, vaguely Cyclonus-like robots behind him. Cyclonus's ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' [[bio]], the only other contemporary source, states that he is made from "parts of dead Decepticons" (note plural).<ref>[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Cyclonus Cyclonus's Universe entry at NTFA.net]</ref> This would later be echoed in his [[Heroes of Cybertron]] and [[Universe (2008 franchise)|2008 ''Universe'']] bios.<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/images/toys/files/84/cyclonus020.jpg Cyclonus's ''Universe Generation 1 Series'' bio]</ref>

[[Image:Idwwhoiscyclonus.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Not to be confused with [[Cyclonus (Armada)|''Armada'' Cyclonus]].]]
[[Image:Tftm sony covers.jpg|right|200px|thumb|By the same logic, Rodimus is actually Optimus. Well, hey, if it's [[Time Wars|good enough for Furman]]...]]

Some more modern attempts have been made to [[Retcon|clear the matter up]], with conflicting results. As mentioned [[#3H comics|elsewhere]], in 2001 the [[Departure|''Universe: Featuring the Wreckers'' comic]] stars Cyclonus and Skywarp side-by-side in the future. [[Wreckers: Finale Part II|The 2007 conclusion of that storyline]] contains an exchange between the two wherein Cyclonus says that Skywarp had once been his "Armada". Skywarp retorts that he had always disliked Cyclonus, even when Cyclonus had been "a bug". Also, in 2006 [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] published [[Transformers: The Animated Movie|a comic-book adaptation of the movie]] that puts Unicron's "Cyclonus—the warrior" speech-bubble on top of the Bombshell-Cyclonus, while "and his armada!" is seen over the Skywarp-Cyclonus.

Meanwhile, the 2003, [[Madman Entertainment]]'s Australian DVD release of the movie contained character bios that declare Cyclonus to have been Skywarp. These bios were also included in the 2005 [[Metrodome]] UK DVD release. Then in 2006, the Sony edition of the DVD featured a [[Wikipedia:Lenticular printing|lenticular]] cover showing Skywarp being replaced with Cyclonus, next to Megatron being replaced with Galvatron. And most recently, in 2011, [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' toys featured pack-in fiction called "[[Macrocosmic Seekers]]" that tells of several characters regressing to a state somewhere between their post-movie forms and their original bodies. This restores old powers, such as Scourge being able to produce Thundercracker-like sonic booms... and Cyclonus being able to [[Teleportation|teleport]] like Skywarp.
{{-}}

====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese continuity as noted above, except that season 3, which takes place across 2005 and 2006 in America, is set in 2010 in Japan, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. Japanese continuity inserts several new stories into the timeline, as described below.}}

[[Image:CyclonusFlopsyManga01.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Silly robot! Trix are for kids!]]

Cyclonus took part in many of Galvatron's wacky schemes, including one involving a giant toothy spaceship that ate ''other'' spaceships and stole their energy. When Rodimus Prime infiltrated the ship, Cyclonus, Scourge and Galvatron swiftly ganged up on him. Rodimus, however, was clever enough to trick Galvatron into blasting a hole in the side of the ship, providing him with an escape. As Rodimus left, he dropped off a little "gift" for Cyclonus. Cyclonus was unable to recognize it as a bomb until it was too late. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}}

He was also involved in the Decepticon siege on [[Feminia]]. He was forced to retreat with the rest of the Decepticons after [[Predaking]] was defeated by the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]]. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}

====''The Great Transformer War''====
Cyclonus stood by Galvatron's side as he commanded the captive scientist Doctor [[Dalton (G1)|Dalton]] to improve Trypticon and their combiner warriors. However, he was unable to prevent [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] of the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s from freeing the doctor. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1|The Great Transformer War #1}}

After the resurrection of Optimus Prime, Cyclonus was seen getting trounced by Hot Rod. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}
{{-}}

====''Macrocosmic Seekers''====
[[Image:United Expanded Story 7.jpg|thumb|]]
{{storylink|Unending Battle}} {{storylink|A Treasure Lost}} {{storylink|Eternal Moment}} {{storylink|Time to Move}} {{storylink|Those Who Resist}} {{Storylink|True Value of Treasure}}

{{charstubfiction}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tomomichi Nishimura]] (Japanese)

[[Image:MysteryofPlanetMaster-ScourgeCyclonus.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Omega Supreme gets smaller and we get dumber!]]
Cyclonus and Scourge continued to make token appearances when the new [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] warriors arrived to dominate the Cybertronian war. Cyclonus fought alongside Galvatron on Cybertron against [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Cyclonus seemed rather threatened by the arrival of Galvatron's new lieutenant, [[Sixshot]]. Cyclonus and Scourge somehow managed to beat Optimus Prime to the [[Vector Sigma]] supercomputer, and battled him at the planet's core. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

[[Image:CyclonusBoulderHeadmasters01.jpg|right|250px|thumb|His credentials for the position of Second in Command were impeccable.]] During the attack on the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]], Cyclonus attempted to drop a rock on [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]], but accidentally clobbered Galvatron instead, and ran away yelping in fear. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}}

Cyclonus felt discouraged when Galvatron declared all his troops were bumbling incompetents, without making a special exception for Cyclonus. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}} Later, when Sixshot attempted to extort energy from six countries using each of his six modes, Scourge and Cyclonus completely botched his scheme when they failed to realize that he was behind it and attacked him with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}} After Galvatron vanished during Cybertron's destruction, and the unfamiliar [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] took over as Emperor of Destruction, Cyclonus and Scourge felt even less secure in their positions. When [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundblaster]] proudly sucked up to Scorponok, reporting on a new energy-absorbing satellite named [[Sol 1]] set for launch, Cyclonus vowed to steal the satellite in order to gain favor in Scorponok's eyes. Joined by Scourge and [[Predaking]], he attacked the launch pad, but was repelled by [[Raiden]] and the Headmasters. [[Brainstorm]] did some aerial dogfighting with Cyclonus, and the Decepticons were forced to leave empty-handed. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}}

Scourge and Cyclonus were concerned that Scorponok's latest series of attacks on Earth were more likely to destroy the planet than allow the Decepticons to gather energy. Scorponok told to them that the awe-inspiring [[plasma energy]] was released from Cybertron in its destruction. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} In his next scheme, Scorponok explained to the duo that he planned to detonate a series of bombs to destroy the planet [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], and harvest the plasma energy its destruction would surely generate. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} Cyclonus was present for the unveiling of Scorponok's new super [[transtector]] on Mars. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

Later, Cyclonus and Scourge made arrangements for Scorponok's official society debut as leader of the Decepticons. The Autobots attacked during the proceedings on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]], but all combatants were interrupted by the triumphant return of Galvatron. Cyclonus was quick to redirect his boot-licking towards his old commander, as Scorponok's leadership was immediately overruled. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}} Cyclonus and Scourge would later field an SOS call from the planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], and reported their findings to Galvatron. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

Presumably left behind on Earth while Galvatron plundered the cosmos for energon, Cyclonus and Scourge were not seen for many months. After he returned, Galvatron heaped praise on Sixshot, telling Cyclonus and Scourge that they could learn a thing or two from the Ninja Commander. Grumbling to themselves, the duo noticed [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] acting shifty, but were too caught up in their own problems to think too much about it. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|left|250px|thumb|What once had been a misread movie script was now dumb-sounding canon!]]
''In a future timeline similar but different to that depicted in the animated continuity, set in 2006, rather than 2005,'' (2006 being the original date for the movie, amended to 2005 after the production of a treatment from which the comics were penned) ''Cyclonus was also a creation of Unicron, remade from the body of the dispatched Decepticon [[Life Spark]]. Following Unicron's consumption of Cybertron's moons, Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge [[Time travel|traveled back in time]] to 1986 as part of a plan to free themselves from Unicron's control by constructing a massive cannon that would destroy him upon their return to the future. The three Unicronian Decepticons proved themselves almost invincible in the face of the Autobots' attacks, but were finally defeated when Galvatron was duped into believing he was trapped in a temporal paradox, and returned to his own time to live out the remaining events 2006. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[Image:Cyclonuspullsthebeardy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sure, yanking Scourge's beard is funny, but wait till you see what they do with Cyclonus's ears.]]
''Following the destruction of Unicron at the hands of Rodimus Prime and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], Galvatron transported himself back in time to 1987, leaving Cyclonus and Scourge in the future, under [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]’s command. The duo were attacked by the freelance peace-keeping agent, [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], who was seeking the bounty on Galvatron’s head, and Cyclonus revealed Galvatron’s whereabouts to him. {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} Later, Shockwave hired Death’s Head to kill Rodimus Prime, but Cyclonus and Scourge interfered with the job as they sought to kill Rodimus first, in order to reclaim their lost standing amongst the Decepticons. {{storylink|Headhunt}} This did not please Death’s Head, and consequently, he willingly accepted a contract from Rodimus to hunt down Cyclonus and Scourge, eventually tracking them down to the planet of Junk as 2008 dawned. Before he could finish the job, however, all three of them fell under the mind-controlling influence of Unicron, whose disembodied head had survived the destruction of his body and had landed on the planet, where he was having the native Junkions construct a new body for him.''

''Under Unicron's control, Cyclonus and Scourge killed Shockwave and became Decepticon leaders, reigniting the stalemated Cybertronian war to a furious degree to cover Unicron's actions. Death's Head, however, was able to fight the mind control and work with the Autobots long enough to stop the chaos-bringer's plan. As explosions destroyed Unicron, Death's Head tackled Cyclonus and Scourge, pushing them through a time portal Unicron had built, promising to kill them another time. Cyclonus and Scourge were hurled into the past of Cybertron by the portal, where they came under the command of Scorponok. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}''

[[Image:Scourge scorponok cyclonus marvel uk 151.jpg|left|180px|thumb|He's from the future and knows a lot about history.]]

Cyclonus and Scourge traveled with Scorponok and several other Decepticons to the peaceful planet [[Nebulos]] in pursuit of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s Autobots. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}} After Scorponok and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] were defeated by the new Autobot [[Targetmaster]]s, the Nebulan [[Vorath]] attempted to duplicate the technology on the Decepticons. Cyclonus was partnered with [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], a Nebulan recruit who had been bio-mechanically engineered to be able to transform into his weapon. Cyclonus was soon presented with an opportunity to test his new Targetmaster abilities when some Autobot Headmaster prisoners escaped. The fury of the battle destroyed the city of [[Koraja]], culminating in Fortress Maximus knocking down Cyclonus and the other Decepticon Targetmasters with part of a beloved fountain. Ultimately, Cyclonus and Scorponok's Decepticons followed the Autobots off Nebulos to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[Image:Cyclonuskronk.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Back-seat driver!]]

''Once there, Cyclonus and Scourge sought out Galvatron, and, no longer willing to serve him, instead demanded that he hand over his [[Time-jump trigger device|time travel device]] so that they could return to the future and their position as Decepticon leaders. The confrontation was disrupted by the sudden appearance of the Autobot commando squad, the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]], who drew the ensuing battle away from the human settlement it was taking place in by professing to have stolen Galvatron's time jump mechanism, when in reality, the Decepticon no longer even had it for them to take. {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}} Having met with failure again, Cyclonus and Scourge decided to cut their losses and team up with Shockwave's present-day Earth-based Decepticon forces.''

[[Image:Cyclonus death.jpg|left|180px|thumb|"Handles on your head are the latest thing," Unicron says to me. "You'll look so trendy with head-handles."]]
''Unfortunately, Cyclonus accidentally let slip that they would kill Shockwave in the future. Naturally wanting to ensure his continued existence, Shockwave unleashed a brainwashed [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron clone]] upon the two. Seized by the clone, Cyclonus’s Targetmaster partner, Nightstick, was crushed, and as Cyclonus begged Scourge for help, his companion fled to save his own life and Cyclonus’s head was torn from his body, killing him outright.'' {{storylink|Dry Run!}}

''Cyclonus and Scourge’s displacement into the past had circumvented the normal mass-replacement method used by time travel, and had hence unbalanced the space-time continuum, causing a rift to appear in the fabric of space and time. Cyclonus's death, twenty years before he was even created, proved to be the final straw, accelerating the rift, which soon threatened to consume Earth and Cybertron. Realizing that the only way to stop it was to return himself, Galvatron and Cyclonus to their original time, Scourge attempted to recover Cyclonus’s body from Shockwave, only to be attacked by the deranged Decepticon, who had lost his mind due to the illogical nature of the situation, and had strung Cyclonus’s remains up like a twisted trophy. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], however, was able to bring Shockwave back to sanity enough for him to deposit Cyclonus’s remains after Galvatron and Scourge, and then seal it with an x-ray blast. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

In an alternate future of 2006, Cyclonus was on the Decepticon planet [[Chaar]] when [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] arrived and gave a report to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] about the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] being hypnotized by a television. Galvatron angrily declared he didn't care anything about the news. Cyclonus pleaded with him to reconsider how the information could be used against the Autobots, but Galvatron would not change his mind. On his own initiative, Cyclonus took [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] along to investigate and discovered the [[Quintesson]]s were involved.

Back on Chaar, a hypnotized Galvatron suddenly took off without telling Cyclonus where he was going, so Cyclonus and Scourge followed him to [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. They were soon met there by a group of Autobots where they engaged them in battle. When the Autobots succeeded in disrupting the Quintessons' hypnosis signal the Junkions added their strength to the Autobots' which caused Galvatron to retreat so fast he nearly left Cyclonus behind. Cyclonus decided to ask Galvatron to make Junkion off-limits to Decepticons. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

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

[[Image:Cyclonusrod.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Those ears are never not useful and/or hilarious in these death scenes.]]
An alternate version of Cyclonus later made a brief appearance, inhabiting an alternate future world of 2009 where Cybertron had been destroyed and [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] ruled Earth. In this future world, Cyclonus failed to stop an Autobot/human rebel invasion of the main Decepticon base, and was destroyed by an enraged Galvatron for his failure. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

{{-}}
===Ladybird Books continuity===
Cyclonus worked for [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] during the 1980s. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}} Later, he rose to leadership of the Decepticons at a time when the war was entrenched on [[Nebulos]]. Now a very evil and gloat-happy chap, he matched wits against [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], his opposite number in the Autobots. His schemes included trying to absorb a burst of cosmic radiation, unconcerned that it could kill the rest of the planet, {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}} and a substantially less evil plot of trying to stop the Autobots lubricating their joints. {{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}

At some point, the Decepticon base [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] became a sentient Transformer and leader of the Decepticons, and Cyclonus was ''never seen again''...

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
Cyclonus grew increasingly discontent with Galvatron after the Decepticon leader took to talking to [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] more than him, and began openly discussing mutiny with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. He was sent out on a mission to locate a new [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] source which had been detected on an asteroid, and found that the source was a strange [[Observer|small alien]]. Following more abuse heaped on him by Galvatron, Cyclonus was able to study the creature, and discovered that it regurgitated its food in the form of Energon. Galvatron was pleased, but while Ratbat was out searching for more of the creatures, an Autobot was detected spying on the Decepticons, and the situation soon escalated into a pitched battle. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

Along with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Octane]], Cyclonus intercepted [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], as the Autobot was heading for [[Andellor]]. Though Cyclonus initially disbelieved Cosmos's story, he insisted that Cosmos lead them to his destination. It was there that Cyclonus was able to recall the history of Andellor and the existence of the [[Prism of Power]]. Down on the planet, the three Decepticons ventured into a cave and were attacked, first by some tentacles from a pool, and finally by [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], who defeated them. {{storylink|Transformers in 3-D issue 2|Transformers in 3-D #2}}

Cyclonus took part in the attack on [[Tau-Ursa]] which saw Galvatron acquire a component for his latest weapon. Galvatron ordered the city destroyed. Cyclonus subsequently took part in a diversionary attack led by [[Sixshot]] while Galvatron used his new weapon, the [[Nullification Cannon]], to destroy Cybertron's Energon stocks. The Autobots began searching for the planet [[Metascan Alpha]], location of a vast store of energy, and Cyclonus took the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s to find them, eventually encountering [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] on a desolate moon. The Autobots quickly retreated, preferring to concentrate on their goal, but inadvertently ended up leading the [[Destructon]]s to the moon. Cyclonus and the Terrorcons were outmatched against this new foe, and Cyclonus reluctantly agreed to cooperate with the Autobots against the Destructons. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

{{note|Unfortunately at this point [[Blackthorne Publishing]] went bankrupt, so the outcome of this alliance may never be known.}}

===3H comics===
{{quote|But ''I'' grew up! ''You're'' still kissing the [[skidplate]] of a 'con with more vision than you! Only now it's a two-bit crime boss with delusions of grandeur instead of the psychotic leftovers of Megatron's legacy!|Rodimus trash talks Cyclonus|"[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]"}}

[[Image:Cryotekcyclonusseries.jpg|left|500px|thumb|Cryotek looks like a Megatron and hits Cyclonus only about half as much.]]
When [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] was reformatted by [[Unicron]] into Cyclonus, and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] into [[Cyclonus's Armada]], Cyclonus was given a mental link to his Armada that gave him control over him. This link persisted even when Skywarp's personality resurfaced years later. When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] failed the Decepticons and the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] ended, Cyclonus turned his allegiance towards the gangster [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

Centuries later, Cyclonus was caught up in the Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s attack on all Cybertron. Despite Megatron's attempts to implant his spark within a [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] body, Cyclonus retained his own mind and managed to escape. Wishing to restore the glorious Decepticon empire, Cyclonus had already been seduced by [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]'s ambitions when he, alongside other renegade "bad guys" Skywarp and [[Rotorbolt (Universe)|Rotorbolt]], joined the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]]. In the aftermath of Megatron's [[transformation virus]], the Wreckers and a few other small groups were the only Transformers left active on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

[[Image:Wreckersskywarpcyclonus.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Looks like Cyclonus was Bombshell after all!]]
Soon, the legendary entity called the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] gathered these groups together and gave them each a task. The Wreckers were summoned to a far-off planet, and so the team fought their way through scores of Vehicons to secure a shuttle. Cyclonus and Skywarp's arrival helped seal the Wreckers' victory, and the group managed to leave Cybertron towards their destination. {{storylink|Departure}}

After some difficulties with [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]], a stowaway, Cyclonus and the other Wreckers landed on [[Akalo|Archa Nine]], where they learned of a mysterious energy-generating crystal named the "[[Divine Light]]". Cyclonus killed the [[Maximal]] [[Packrat]], nearly killed Rotorbolt, and stole the Divine Light, and after taunting his deceived "comrades," fled home to deliver the artifact to his true master, Cryotek. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

[[Image:WreckersFinaleII-RodimusCyclonus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Any possible caption for this image is already taken by the in-story banter.]]

As Cryotek siphoned the power of [[Primus]] by using the Divine Light, his ascension to borrowed godhood was guarded by Cyclonus. At first, Cyclonus seemed to have the upper hand when he appeared to be able to command Skywarp, who had been rebuilt as [[Cyclonus's Armada|his armada]] during the Great War. Skywarp's complicity was just a ruse, however, and Cyclonus found himself doublecrossed. With the rest of the Wreckers busy, Cyclonus faced his old rival, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]], in a very personal battle. After trading barbs both physical and verbal, the two ended their duel in a messy, violent stalemate. This stalemate lasted until Rotorbolt arrived and ended Cyclonus, avenging his near-deadly encounter on Archa Nine. Cryotek briefly resurrected him as one of many [[Zombie|zombies]], but his subsequent defeat at the hands of Rodimus, [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Sentinel Maximus]], [[Al-Badur]], and [[Ramulus]] ended Cyclonus's life again. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Cyclonusdreamwave.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Neither Skywarp nor Bombshell? This is madness!]]

After [[Unicron]] consumed the planet [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]] in the wake of his reactivation, the Cyclonus series of drone was built within pods inside the chaos-bringer's body, constructed from the remnants Lithone's matter and captured inhabitants. The second in a series of Unicron's drone fleets, the Cyclonus model was considered by the [[Quintesson]]s to be more powerful, more efficient and more of a threat. One of these drones broke out of his incubation pod as [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] was having some difficulties on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Generation One issue 0|Generation One #0}}

{{note|Future stories would have brought Cyclonus to the fore as he attacked the base of the Earth Defense Command in order to retrieve Scourge, who was being held there. Due to [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s plunge into insolvency, these stories were never published.}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Cyclonus was serving Shockwave when the latter was running the Cybertronian Decepticons in Megatron's absence. After failing to capture a group of [[energon cube]]-stealing Autobots, he was part of a unit standing by to seize several Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] as they used [[Teletran 3]] to prevent damage to the time-stream. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] put up a force field around the computer, Cyclonus reported to Shockwave that the field would soon fall, and was pleased when Shockwave told him his life was ensured for another [[Units of time|cycle]]. When the field came down, Cyclonus helped capture the Autobots and shoot [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] in the back when he arrived from the future. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

Following their victory, Cyclonus listened to Shockwave's intentions of dissecting the humans, only for the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to arrive from the past and attack the Decepticons. It is unknown if Cyclonus survived the battle. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightCyclonus hesistate.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Just press the damn button!]]
Cyclonus was a crewman on the original ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' which plunged into the [[Benzuli Expanse]] millions of [[Units of time|meta-cycles]] ago and hence continued to serve [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]] (who he keeps forgetting is no longer called Nova Prime). He has a fierce love of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and wants to see it bring about an ordered universe, bringing structure to a chaotic universe. Ironically he's absolutely ''mental'', prone to unpredictable, violent actions; he tries to submerge this behind a fiction of being an ordered intellectual, and hopes ordering the universe might order him.

[[Image:Cyclonusunleashed.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Get the Holy Hand Grenade!]]
Cyclonus was sent out of the [[Dead Universe]] to arm the [[Nega-Core]] and put up [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] as its guardian, but he made a divergence to see first hand the devastation of his beloved Cybertron. Pissed off, he decided to take his anger out on the nearest Transformer and so assaulted the ''[[Ark-12]]'', helmed by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s crew en route to [[Garrus-9]]. He was blown to bits, only to reform and keep on coming until [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] arrived and Cyclonus realized he was blowing his mission—too long outside of the Dead Universe can kill its inhabitants.

Arriving on [[Corata-Vaz]], he armed the Nega-Core but balked at activating Thunderwing, due to the destruction he caused Cybertron. Unfortunately Hound's crew and Magnus arrived, and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] goaded Cyclonus into attacking and in the process made Cyclonus realize he truly was a chaotic loony and just what Nemesis Prime wanted to erase. He was brought down, only to detach his hand, which flew off to activate Thunderwing. Using the distraction, Cyclonus escaped but Magnus sent another tracker after him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

Cyclonus made it back to the Dead Universe on time and was later patrolling the Benzuli Expanse with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] to look for those who would disturb the [[Expansion]]. Upon spotting [[Cloudburst]]'s ship, Cyclonus called "dibs" and Galvatron happily let Cyclonus attack the vessel. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} After some time, Cyclonus finally destroyed the ''[[Mirror-Manifold]]'' just as its crew were beamed out by the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], who had brand new [[Pretender|Pretender shells]] waiting for them. Designed to survive the Dead Universe, they were more than a match for Cyclonus and he was defeated. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

After recovering, Cyclonus made his way back to [[Gorlam Prime]], where he and other minions of Nemesis Prime began to slowly die after the Autobots disconnected them from the Dead Universe. After several years of wasting away {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1}}, he gathered the bodies of his former crewmates to recycle them with honor. One of them, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], was still barely alive, and Cyclonus told him that he would put an end to his miserable existence. He was interrupted by Galvatron, who was now infused with the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]]. Galvatron blasted the bodies of the dead warriors, prompting Cyclonus to ask if he had gone binary. Galvatron revived Scourge, and created an army of [[Sweep]]s, which angered Cyclonus, who said they were [[spark|sparkless]] slaves and refused to let this happen to him. Galvatron assured Cyclonus that he had plans and would need a lieutenant to join him. Using the Darkness, Galvatron repaired Cyclonus's spark and although he was unsure of their mission, Cyclonus told Scourge that as [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], their new mission is to follow Galvatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 14|Rebirth}}

Galvatron had Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps search Gorlam Prime for signs of life, as every single inhabitant of the planet had mysteriously vanished while they were busy dying. After, Cyclonus found nothing in the planet's data archives, they decided to investigate the portal to the Dead Universe, and on the way they found remains of their ally [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Micromaster]] bodyguards in some rubble. Cyclonus wanted to examine them, but was blown away by Galvatron who was more eager to get through the rubble. They eventually found Jhiaxus in a half-dead state, repaired him, and had him take them to the portal. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1}} There, they found themselves under attack by [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]. Cyclonus and Scourge were defeated by Hardhead at first, but Galvatron turned the tide and sent the two to hunt down Arcee as she fled. Using heat-seeking missiles, Cyclonus destroyed the bridge under her feet and sent her falling into the abyss below. He then returned to Galvatron and left the planet in his quest to raise an army to battle the "[[D-Void]]", a new threat he had found in the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2}}

Though Galvatron's turned out to be very good at recruiting (and resurrecting) troops for his army, Cyclonus considered him a bit loopy and was unsure if this D-Void was even real. Unwisely, he voiced his opinion around Galvatron, and was throttled for doubting him. Cyclonus later accompanied Galvatron to the planet [[Dykayra]], where they investigated ruins similar to ones found on Gorlam Prime. Inside, they discovered another Dead Universe portal and none other than Nemesis Prime, who was alive and well despite having been betrayed and killed by Galvatron years earlier. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 3}} Nemesis revealed that he had been resurrected by D-Void and attacked Galvatron, prompting Cyclonus and the others to come to their leader's aid. Their small scout party was beaten back by the powerful Nemesis, who transformed into a monstrous avatar of D-Void's power, but managed to vanquish him by summoning Galvatron's entire army. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4}}

Seeking to add [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s Autobots to his army, Galvatron traveled towards [[Earth]]. On the way, the ship under his command ran into a space-time distortion, and inside it they found a block of ice containing what appeared to be organic and robotic corpses. But when the crew thawed the ice, the dead came to life, and Cyclonus and the others found themselves fighting against a [[zombie]] outbreak. Their ship crashed in [[Las Vegas]] on Earth, where they were attacked by Prime's Autobots, who didn't trust their intentions. Cyclonus eventually surrendered, but not without sarcasm. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 1}} Though they eventually stopped bickering with Galvatron long enough to defeat [[Britt]], the zombie mastermind, the Autobots refused to join Galvatron's army. With the zombies safely deposited in the distant past of the Dead Universe, Cyclonus and the others warped back to their base. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 2}}

Galvatron then took his entire army with him to Cybertron, declaring the planet their first line of defense against D-Void. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4}}

With Cybertron under his control, Galvatron sent Cyclonus and a number of Sweeps to take [[Kimia Facility]] from the Autobots. Cyclonus took a psychotic amount of glee murdering the Autobots on board and brought the station into orbit above Cybertron, arriving just in time to prevent [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] from doing any more damage to Galvatron and carrying his leader away while informing him that the Kimia Facility was now above Cybertron. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}}

After Galvatron fed the Heart of Darkness into Vector Sigma in an effort to destroy Cybertron, Cyclonus attacked him, angrily claiming that Galvatron had brainwashed him into serving him and that he had forced him to harm Cybertron, something that made Cyclonus furious. However, Galvatron was too powerful for Cyclonus to damage and he tossed him aside with ease. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis}}

===''Universe'' cartoon===
[[Image:FfE Cyclonus.JPG|left|thumb|250px|Red Eyes Insanity!]]
Cyclonus was helping Megatron mine Energon from a gas station, mostly by taking pot-shots at [[bunny rabbit|bunnies]]. This ended shortly after he was El Kabong'd by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[energon-axe|axed]] by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Prime]]. {{storylink|Fight for Energon}}

{{--}}
===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
{{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 9|Henkei! Henkei! #9}}

{{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 12|Henkei! Henkei! #12}}
{{charstubfiction}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun'' comic===
{{storylink|Time of Resurrection}} {{storylink|Creation! The New Emperor of Destruction!!}} {{storylink|The Threat of Galvatron}} {{storylink|Revenge (issue)|Revenge}} {{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}} {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{charstubfiction}}

===''Wings Universe''===
Following the rebirth of Cybertron's [[Golden Age]], Galvatron led Cyclonus and the majority of his troops out into deep space, leaving behind their home planet. The Autobots gave chase, and the Cybertronian Civil War moved to new frontiers. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

In 2010, Cyclonus and Scourge led the Sweeps in an attack on an Autobot shuttle. Unfortunately, they neglected to plan for the raw fury that accompanied interrupting the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]' story time. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[image:TF PS2 Cyclonus.jpg|thumb|250px]]
:''Voice actor:'' [[Barry Gjerde]]
====Decepticon story====
As one of the elite troops sent back in time to prevent Shockwave's unstoppable rampage, Cyclonus acted as Galvatron's second in command. When they joined forces with Megatron and his troops, Cyclonus worked with Soundwave in identifying possible targets. At one point, the pair disagreed with one another over one of these targets and Cyclonus threatened Soundwave into accepting all blame if the lead didn't pan out. Soundwave agreed, but ominously warned that he charged a high price for being spoken to in such a manner.

Sure enough, the operation was a dud and Cyclonus attempted to deflect the blame to Soundwave, who promptly played back a recording of the entire conversation. Unluckily for Cyclonus, that conversation included him insulting Megatron and referring to him as obsolete scrap. Soundwave next had the pleasure of recording Cyclonus's screams as Megatron used him for target practice.

Cyclonus also had the unusual experience of being impressed with Starscream when the normally-treacherous Air Commander successfully defused a potentially lethal fight between Megatron and Galvatron. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

====Autobot story====
Cyclonus attacked the Autobots inside the Atalstan gem mine with Octane for support. Deciding to skip the usual pre-fight banter, Cyclonus got right to the fighting. After a fierce battle, the Autobots managed to take down Cyclonus and Octane. Defeated, Cyclonus stated that he had underestimated the Autobots' power and that he needed to retreat and rest. He bid the Autobots goodbye and transformed into his fighter craft form, retreating from the mine. Rodimus Prime expressed disappointment about how Cyclonus got away, and Optimus acknowledged that Cyclonus was a tough opponent.

Later, Cyclonus joined up with Scourge while the latter was fighting the Autobots on their way to the ELTA. Both were eventually defeated, and Cyclonus decided to fall back, almost leaving Scourge behind! {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1CyclonusToy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Shoulders by [[wikipedia:Piet Mondrian|Mondrian]].]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (Decepticon Jet, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-70'''
**''Accessories:'' "Oxidating Laser"

: Cyclonus transforms into a purple Cybertronian fighter craft. Early releases of Cyclonus had his belt and part of his "ears" painted blue. Later releases had those areas unpainted.

: Cyclonus, like the other new characters created for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', was designed for animation first, and had his toy based on these designs. However, as with the other characters, the toy was based on an earlier design, most notably featuring folded back wings, while his animation model underwent further modifications before being finalized. The earlier design was the basis for the Marvel Comics version of the character, and also erroneously appeared in a few instances in the cartoon series. For some odd reason, his wings detach as an official feature. For some even more odd reason, you have to open his ass which is referred to as "trap doors" in the instructions.

: The [[Toy Fair 1986]] catalogue shows the Cyclonus toy with a different colour scheme, including a mainly silver head, that was also seen in his earliest Marvel Comics appearances and the [[Ladybird Books|Ladybird Book]] ''[[Galvatron's Air Attack]]''. Also his name was swapped with Scourge.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Cyclonus/cyclonus.htm More information on Cyclonus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|Targetmaster}}
*'''Targetmaster Cyclonus''' (1987)
**''Accessories:'' Nightstick Targetmaster partner/"[[black beam gun|black-beam gun]]"

: Still lacking the blue paint, Targetmaster Cyclonus's fist holes were widened to accommodate his Nebulan partner, [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], who replaced his previous handgun. This version of the toy was not released in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Decepticon/Cyclonus/cyclonus.htm More information on Targetmaster Cyclonus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Expanded Universe===
[[Image:ExpandedUniversetoy-Cyclonus.jpg|right|300px|thumb|With Galvatron gone, things went kind of screwy for the poor guy...]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (Ultra, 2002)
**''Accessories:'' 2 missiles, 2 drone-missiles

: ''[[Expanded Universe]]'' Cyclonus is a redeco of ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' [[Jetstorm (BM)#Toys|Ultra Jetstorm]], replacing blue with lavender, purple and gray, and the yellows with red. His [[spark]] crystal was [[tampograph]]ed with a Decepticon sigil. He transforms into a Cybertronic fighter jet. His jet mode cockpit/neck is geared up with the pop-up gun turret on his back so that both turn in the same direction when moved. This turret has a light-up feature plus two spring-loaded missiles. Cyclonus has both a "normal" bipedal robot mode and a "flight robot mode" with pop-out thruster engines.

: Cyclonus was available exclusively at [[BotCon 2002]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/BCCyclonus/cyclonus.htm More information on BotCon Cyclonus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:UniverseCyclonusCorrected.JPG|right|300px|thumb|...and now that Galvatron is back, he is happy.]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Series:'' Generation 1 Series
:''Universe'' Cyclonus is the first new-mold toy of the character in over 20 years. This version is a better match for Cyclonus's main [[character model]] whereas the Generaton 1 version was designed from an early alternate model. The transformation scheme is reminiscent of the old toy, with a few new twists to allow for greater articulation and a more satisfying robot mode. As before, the toy transforms into a grey and purple Cybertronian jet-fighter. Most notably, the toy release includes his [[Targetmaster]] partner [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]], similarly featuring far greater detail and articulation than the original. Oddly, only his right hand has a hole to hold Nightstick in, a very rare feature amongst two-handed Transformers toys. An undocumented feature (in both the Hasbro and Takara versions) is that Nightstick can also mount to Cyclonus' wrists by leaving the hands folded in, exposing a tab-slot, a la [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]... in which Cyclonus wasn't a Targetmaster. Tsk.

[[Image:Universecyclonusbeige.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Dodged a bullet!]]

:Early [[Hasbro]] photos showed Cyclonus and Nightstick with considerably more beige than the final retail release. This was a factory mistake that was corrected before any toys hit stores, but it did create some [[fandom]] [[Ruined FOREVER|angst]] in its wake. Though no retail versions feature this factory mistake, some [[Prototype|prerelease samples]] did.

: This mold was also used to make "[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Gentei! Gentei!]]" [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] and "[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]" [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TFUCyclonus/cyclonus.htm More information on Universe (and Henkei) Cyclonus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
[[Image:Universe2008toy-ChallengeatCybertronCyclonus.jpg|right|thumb|300px|As you scroll down, watch this toy slowly become the Easter bunny.]]
*'''Challenge at Cybertron''' (Deluxe Class figure 3-pack, 2010)
**''Series:'' Generation 1 Series
: A redeco of ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Cyclonus was released in the "[[Challenge at Cybertron]]" multi-pack along with redecoes of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. This version of Cyclonus, like the ''Henkei!'' figure, is intended to be accurate to the cartoon's colors, though it attempts the idea much differently.

: The set was only released in Southeast Asian markets by Hasbro Malaysia.

{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Cyclonushenkeitoy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Also available in pastels.]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-07'''

:Unlike the Hasbro ''Universe'' Cyclonus's toy-based colour scheme, TakaraTomy's ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Cyclonus has a mostly cartoon-based colour scheme, and casts much of the toy in a lavender plastic balancing between the toy's purple and cartoon's purple-blue, and includes a painted face. Like all ''Henkei'' toys, he features [[Vacuum metallizing|vac-metalized]] plastic, specifically his purple wings and much of the Nightstick Targetmaster weapon.

{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
*'''Battle in Space''' (Deluxe figure 2-pack, 2010)
[[Image:TF2010toy rod vs cyc.jpg|right|thumb|300px|It was either the whole box or a photoshopped pic of what's above.]]
:This release of the ''Universe'' Cyclonus is a modified version from the Asia market-exclusive "Challenge at Cybertron" 3-pack, replacing his Decepticon sigil with a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]]. His wings are painted a more flat purple compared to the semi-gloss of the Universe "Challenge at Cybertron" release as well as his lower thighs are less purple tinged (matching his upper thighs better). The set also comes with a similarly modified ''Classics'' Rodimus from the "Challenge at Cybertron" set, the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership]] accessory from the 2002 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#NewYearConvoy|New Year Special Convoy]] reissue of Generation 1 Optimus Prime, and "[[Rodimus vs. Cyclonus]]", a new comic book created specifically for this set by [[IDW Publishing]].

{{-}}
===United===
*'''Decepticon SET''' (3-pack, 2011)

: Dubbed "Cyclonus Purple Clear Version", this [[redeco]] of the ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Cyclonus mold (see above) is cast in transparent purple plastics, emulating the scene in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' where Cyclonus is created from some dead Decepticon (no, we won't get into that here).

: This version was only available in an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] 3-pack with clear-plastic versions of [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#United|Galvatron]], [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)#United|Nightstick]] and [[Scourge (G1)#UnitedClear|Scourge]]. Preorders for the set were opened on [[December 13]] of 2010 and closed on [[January 11]] of 2011, and shipped on in April.

: This figure was available with a Galvatron pin and [[Macrocosmic Seekers]] booklet directly from e-Hobby, he was also released in Asian countries outside of Japan without said pin and booklet.

: Oddly, and unlike Galvatron and Scourge, Cyclonus' deco is based on the Hasbro Challenge at Cybertron / Battle In Space release rather than the Henkei! Henkei! release.

==Merchandise==
===Super Collection Figure===
*'''Cyclonus''' (2002)

[[Image:SCFCyclonus colour.jpg|right|125px|thumb|His head comes off, too!]]
: A PVC figurine of Cyclonus was part of the eighth act of [[Takara]]'s [[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]] series in 2002. Each case of 12 PVCs had two Cyclonuses; one in full-color, the other pewter-finish. It was later released as part of the third wave of [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' line in 2003, with its pointed edges rounded off for safety.

{{-}}

===Hard Hero===
[[Image:HHCyclonus bust.jpg|right|130px|thumb|Galvatron needs my legs? Then I shall GIIIIIVE till it HUUUUUURTS!]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (2005)

: In May 2005, [[Hard Hero]] released a Cyclonus polystone bust based upon his cartoon appearances. It is roughly six inches tall and was limited to 1000 pieces.

{{-}}
[[Image:HardHero_CyclonusMetallic.jpg|right|130px|thumb|I'm just a useless bunny, only good for my metallic paint.]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (2005)

: Hard Hero also made a limited run of 100 Cyclonus busts painted metallic purple as an exclusive for the [[Canada|Canadian]] [[TransformersCon]] convention.

{{-}}

==Notes==
* When asked about Cyclonus' design in an online interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "Cyclonus was a small time demon."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref>

* In two scenes in the US edition of [[Broken Glass!|''Headmasters'' #2]], where Cyclonus was supposed to appear, artist [[Frank Springer]] [[The Transformers: Headmasters|accidentally drew]] a giant-sized version of [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]] (though it's actually [[Fracas]], but those two's character models got swapped and... oy), who was then colored like Cyclonus. For the UK printing of the story, since audiences were already very familiar with Cyclonus from exclusive stories in that comic, the giant Nightstick was renamed "[[Krunix (G1)|Krunix]]".

[[Image:Cyclonusscale.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He's big!]]
* During ''The Transformers: The Movie'', Cyclonus is shown to be [[:Image:Cyclonuscoronation.jpg|''huge'' in vehicle form]], serving as a personal attack ship for Galvatron, despite being a normal-sized robot. In the cartoon's subsequent third season, however, Galvatron uses the ''[[Revenge (G1)|Revenge]]'' and his own flight capabilities as his primary means of transport, and Cyclonus never shows such size-changing abilities again except in the episode "Starscream's Ghost".

*Cyclonus's unique origin in the UK comics is a result of Simon Furman's misinterpretation of the movie summary he had read (having not yet actually seen the feature), which referenced the fading "life spark" of a Decepticon. This led to Cyclonus actually claiming he had been rebuilt from a Decepticon named "[[Life Spark]]".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Cyclonus''' (サイクロナス ''Saikuronasu'')
*''Italian:'' '''Ciclone''' ("Cyclone")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Hsúan-fēng''' (Taiwan, 旋風, "Cyclone"), '''Kuáng Biāo''' （China, 狂飙, "Hurricane"）
*''Russian:'' '''Ciklon''' (Циклон, "Cyclone")

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Beast Machines characters]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Saboteurs]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Megatron (WFC)

2011-11-15T22:51:28Z

68.239.196.126: /* Prime cartoon */

{{faction|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}
:''Megatron is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[Image:PrimeMegatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Lord of the [[Dark Energon]] wraiths.]]
The awesomely powerful '''Megatron''' is, in many ways, a fallen hero. He rose up from the oppressed lower working castes of [[Kaon]] to become a champion in the region's illegal [[gladiatorial combat|deathmatches]], cast aside his designation of '''D-16''' and took the legendary name '''[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'''<ref>Megatron was an abbreviation, so it'd be easier for the masses to chant his name; ''Transformers: Exodus'', Chapter 3</ref> as his own, he called for an end to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s decrepit [[caste system]] and told the downtrodden that freedom of self-determination was the right of all sentient beings!

But absolute power corrupts absolutely, and Megatron's Decepticon revolution, like many such movements, ended up becoming a whole new tyranny. Powerful, charismatic, violent, and full of rage for any who would stand in the way of his ambition and drive, Megatron brought Cybertron ''past'' the brink of destruction. Now he and his former brother-in-arms [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] fight on other worlds. Megatron will never forgive Optimus for "betraying" him, stealing from the Council the rank of Prime which was rightfully his. He has reserved for his old friend the greatest honor possible: glorious death at his hands.

Megatron has been gone for three years, but now he's returned. He's brought the monstrous [[Dark Energon]] to Earth, and quite possibly left his sanity in space.

{{quote|I... am the Dominator, I... am the Destroyer, I am '''Megatron!'''|Megatron|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

==Fiction==
===''Exodus''===
[[Image:WFCcomicD16.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Alright! What's the square root of pi?! What's the capital of Sierre Leone?! What's... awww, this 'ask questions later' thing doesn't work at ''all''."]]
Megatron nicknamed himself D-16 after the sector of the mine where he performed demolition operations. As a gladiator, in killing others he began to appreciate the value of life, and in between matches he became something of an intellectual, debating the castes with other miners. After bosses requested he lose a few fights, D-16 killed them and took over Kaon and [[Slaughter City]]. After murdering one boss in front of his employees, D-16 declared himself Megatronus, whom he considered the greatest of the [[Thirteen]]. After hearing his preaching on the [[Communication Grid]] against the [[Guilds of Cybertron]], the concerned [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] sent [[Bumper (WFC)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (WFC)|Fastback]] to investigate. Megatronus killed them, believing two lives were worthless compared to the millions doomed by the castes Sentinel created.

After a victorious battle with the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s, in which the crowd redubbed him Megatron, the gladiator was contacted by the [[Iacon (polity)|Iaconian]] [[Hall of Records|records monitor]] [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]], and they began exchanging their ideas in intense but friendly philosophical discussions. Megatron encouraged Orion to learn self defense and invited him to visit Kaon, which he did to a warm welcome from Megatron (and from none of his gladiators). By this point Megatron was planning to call his movement the Decepticons, and he had begun sending his followers on a search for artifacts of the Primes, as their discovery would be signs their cause was just. His followers began bombing Cybertron, and Megatron distanced himself from their extremism to gain credibility. Orion and his mentor [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] believed him, but the latter was well aware Megatron might have gained a taste for violence after the attention it earned him. Soon enough, Megatron accepted the gift of a kidnapped Sentinel Prime from [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]].

[[Image:WFCcomicHalogendies.jpg|thumb|250px|]]

Alpha Trion organized a hearing for Orion and Megatron with the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]]. They protested involvement in Sentinel's disappearance. When confronted with the phrase "Decepticon", Megatron denied any knowledge of it but accepted his followers' term wholeheartedly, stating deception was necessary sometimes for the corrupt to see the truth. When [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]] revealed Megatron's followers had been trying to locate the [[Matrix of Leadership]], he declared that Orion should become the Prime that he desperately wanted to lead Cybertron into the new [[Golden Age]], and find it. Incensed, Megatron killed Halogen, and when Optimus prevented the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]] from attacking Megatron, the ungrateful gladiator declared Optimus had fallen into the trap of power the High Council had given him. He declared Optimus was no longer his brother (though he would continue to refer to him as such privately), and that the Matrix would be his.

In the subsequent war with Optimus' [[Autobot]]s, the Decepticons took control of eighty-five percent of the planet. Wherever Starscream's [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] aided, they were victorious. Megatron was initially merciful to neutrals, but he let Shockwave take control of [[Tarn]] and torture Autobot sympathizers there. When the [[Praxus|Praxians]], a progressive city-state who were disappointed with the direction Megatron took, allied with the Autobots, Megatron decided he would no longer try to convert followers and launched the first genocide of the war, slaughtering all in [[Nova Cronum]] who would not submit to the Decepticons as they attacked.

As the war dragged into a siege of Iacon, Soundwave's spying bore fruit as he discovered [[Dark Energon]], the essence of [[Unicron]], was aboard [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. Megatron forgave Starscream for hiding its existence from him, acknowledging its potentially dangerous nature. To ensure loyalty, Megatron's gladiators stormed the Station slaughtering and maiming Starscream's scientists. He forced Starscream to pick two test subjects to be Darkened, and following an astonishingly successful result, Megatron absorbed some, invigorating him. Soon Darkened Decepticons appeared on the battlefield, but it proved to be an inefficient resource and they would have to flee if a battle was prolonged. Megatron needed more, and even Starscream's activation of the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]] didn't provide enough. Megatron felt he would kill all the Decepticons before he was deprived of Dark Energon and turn rabid.

Fortunately, Soundwave revealed the existence of the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] within [[Teletraan-1]], which required the [[Code Key]]s of Power and Justice to activate it. Starscream recovered the Key of Power, while Megatron and his best soldiers searched for the Key of Justice below the [[High Council Tower]]. Sentinel Prime emerged, to Megatron's surprise. Sentinel confronted him about Bumper and Fastback, and the two dueled. Megatron disarmed and sliced open Sentinel, revealing the Key of Justice within. Starscream made a grab for it, exposing that he had released Sentinel to kill Megatron and take leadership for himself. After fighting Starscream to a standstill, Megatron pardoned him as he found him a better soldier than would-be example, and used the Keys to open Teletraan-1: which activated [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] to fly the Chamber to safety.

The Seekers shot Omega Supreme out of the air, causing him to crash. Optimus's Autobots arrived to fight the Decepticons, but the more they killed them the more Dark Energon left their bodies and empowered Megatron. He was able to knee Omega Supreme and turn him on his back, tearing the Chamber out of his chest. Using the Chamber, Megatron poisoned the [[core]] of Cybertron and Darkened the entire planet. But then the core stopped producing Dark Energon, and Megatron learnt Optimus had gone to the core and received the Matrix. As the Autobots attempted to flee Cybertron via the last [[space bridge]], Megatron used Trypticon to fire on their ships, and used his and Orion's old frequency to criticize Optimus for fleeing. He added he never believed in individual freedom for every Cybertronian, only the illusion of freedom that he as leader would provide and that the Guilds did not. Optimus responded that Megatron had turned his soldiers into addicts and they would turn on him, and used the ''[[Eight Track (WFC)|Eight Track]]'' to board, sabotage and crash Trypticon.

As the Autobots left on the completed ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', the Decepticons fully invaded Iacon. Megatron ordered Trypticon to transform into the ''Nemesis'', boarding it with Starscream, Soundwave, [[Lugnut (WFC)|Lugnut]] and other elite soldiers, leaving Shockwave in charge. He used his old frequency once again to warn Optimus that he would hound him through the stars and finally kill him for the Matrix. He explained they were still brothers, as they were bonded for life despite their enmity. Optimus was just glad his hunt would get him off Cybertron. The two ships entered the last [[space bridge]] together, and when the ''Ark'' emerged, the ''Nemesis'' was gone. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

===''Exiles''===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor'': [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Sean Long]] (BotCon 2011), [[Juan Carlos Lozano]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Ja-hyeong Gu]] (Korean), [[Antonio Fuochi]] (Italian), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Antonio Moreno]] (Brazilian Portuguese)

[[Image:OneShallRise3-corresponding.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"I'm a fox!" "I'm a hound doooog!"]]

In the waning years of the [[Golden Age]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Megatronus (who named himself after [[The Fallen|one of the original thirteen Primes]]) was a gladiator who noticed there was a disparity in freedom among the classes of his race, and that the ruling class was corrupt and all-powerful. In drawing attention to this inequity, he inspired a [[Hall of Records]] clerk named [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]], and the two joined forces to end corruption and bring equality to the masses. Soundwave also helped them. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} Optimus and Megatron became close allies, almost like brothers. But soon Megatron's ideals would become corrupted, and the two would become bitter enemies. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

[[Image:DarknessRising2-Megsflashback.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Things were very red in those days.]]

Megatronus shortened his name to Megatron before he and Orion Pax appeared before the [[High Council]]. Shocking his colleague with his true intentions, Megatron stated that he would overthrow the High Council by force and instate himself as the next [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. But it was Orion's speech that drew their attention. Jealous, Megatron left angrily and began his conquest, which resulted in countless casualties and left the [[Core]] of Cybertron itself [[Dark Energon|poisoned]]. Denied the [[Matrix of Leadership]] by the High Council, Megatron was obsessed with finding it, but Orion Pax was given it by the Core itself, and Orion became Optimus Prime. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

Over the following years, Megatron and Optimus fought many a battle, such as the [[Battle of Technar]] where Megatron ordered [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] to assassinate Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} After his failure, Megatron came to believe only he should finally terminate Prime. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}}
[[Image:DarknessRising2-MegatronDarkEnergon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|We can relate. We're just like this with our [[BotCon]] toys.]]

The Transformers' war eventually brought Megatron and Prime's teams to Earth, where, after an initial clash, Megatron withdrew to space to search for more troops, leaving Starscream in charge. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Searching the void for three years, Megatron found something better than mere warriors: he discovered a new source of Dark Energon, the "blood of [[Unicron]]", with which he could reanimate fallen Transformers as an army of the undead. Returning to Earth and resuming command of the Decepticons, Megatron tested the Dark Energon on the deceased Autobot [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], reviving him as a [[zombie]] "[[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]]" that slaughtered several [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]], but which posed no threat to Megatron himself. Unfortunately for Megatron, this partial reactivation of Cliffjumper's lifesigns drew Optimus Prime's Autobots to the Decepticons' mining operations. Deciding it was not yet time for a confrontation with Prime, Megatron withdrew aboard the [[Nemesis (Prime)|''Nemesis'']], and continued to brood over the Dark Energon.

[[Image:darknessrising3_Megatronglowy.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Megatron, you fool! Rave glowsticks aren't candy!]]
Megatron's inability to control the zombie Cliffjumper convinced him that he needed to integrate the Dark Energon into his own body in order to control the undead legions he planned to create. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} Thrusting a shard of the material into his spark, he was filled with its power, feeling as thought he was connected to Unicron's very thoughts. Requiring a test run for his new power, Megatron headed for the site of an ancient Cybertronian battle on Earth, full of the remains of fallen warriors, where he was confronted by Optimus and [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]]. Using Dark Energon to raise the dead Transformers as Terrorcons, Megatron successfully found he had complete control of the undead horde, and send them against the two Autobots. [[Image:DarknessRising4-Megatron.jpg|right|thumb|250px|I chew scenery while the zombies chew ''you''.]] {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}} Optimus and Ratchet fought their way through the Terrorcons, only for Megatron to fly off before they could reach him, satisfied with his test results and ready put his plan into action—to open a [[space bridge]] to Cybertron and use Dark Energon to revive the entire planet's dead. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}} Despite the Autobots' best efforts to damage the ''Nemesis'' and prevent the bridge from opening, Megatron succeeded in his plans, and then had his showdown with Optimus Prime atop the bridge itself as he waited for the Terrorcon legions to pass through to Earth. While the two old foes battled, the other Autobots sabotaged the bridge, causing it to explode and destroy both the Terrorcon army, and seemingly, Megatron himself. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}[[Image:Masters&Students-Megatronstasis.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Well, it's better than just [[Megatron (Animated)|being a head]] I suppose.]]
The Autobots were not so lucky, however: the Dark Energon in his spark allowed Megatron to survive the explosion, but just barely. When Starscream found his leader floating in space, he tore the Dark Energon from his body in the hope that he would expire, but was caught in the act by [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]]'s [[Deployer (Prime)|Deployer]], [[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] and forced to take Megatron back to the ''Nemesis'', where he was placed in [[Stasis lock|stasis]] in the sick bay. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Starscream was content to leave Megatron in this state to recover or expire as fate saw fit, but the crew of the ''Nemesis'' disagreed, and voted to bring in the Decepticon medic [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] to help heal their wounded leader. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} Even with Knock Out's expertise, it seemed unlikely that Megatron would recover, but his assistant [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] gave his body a good buffing nonetheless; Starscream approved, as it meant their ex-leader would look his best for the memorial service. {{storylink|Speed Metal}}

[[Image:SickMind megs and bee.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Hey, [[Megatron (Animated)|you]] really ''are'' [[Transform and Roll Out|uglier from this angle]]]]

When Optimus Prime was infected by cybonic plague, Arcee and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] board the ''Nemesis'' to search for an antidote. While they failed to find one in the database, the two Autobots did discover Megatron in stasis, and Bumblebee mind-linked with the Decepticon leader via [[cortical psychic patch]] to try and pluck the cure from his sleeping brain. Bumblebee found himself within Megatron's mind, which took the form of [[Kaon]], where the Decepticon's subconscious was spending its time killing endless visions of Optimus Primes; unfortunately, Bumblebee's intrusion only caused Megatron to become aware of his situation, when he found he was unable to kill Bumblebee. Learning what had befallen Optimus, Megatron initially refused to give up the cure until Bumblebee convinced him that he would gain greater satisfaction from finishing his enemy off with his own two hands. Megatron offered the cure in exchange for Bumblebee's help in escaping his mental prison, but Bumblebee double-crossed him, withdrawing from his mind as soon as the cure was in Autobot hands. At the last moment, Megatron was able to effect his own escape, leaping into Bumblebee's mind along with him. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} [[Image:OutofhisHead megatron revived.jpg|left|thumb|250px|IT'S... AAALLLLLIIIIIIIIVE!]] Recalling the sliver of Dark Energon Starscream had removed from his body, Megatron took full control of Bumblebee's body a short time later and used the GroundBridge to return to the ancient battlefield where he had raised his original Terrorcons, recovering the Dark Energon shard he had used to do so. He returned to the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], where he dealt with Ratchet and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] before again GroundBridging to the ''Nemesis'' and using the Dark Energon to restore his body and return his mind to it. Storming out of the ''Nemesis'' to find Starscream, Megatron snatched his subordinate out of the air in the middle of a battle with Optimus Prime and took back for his punishment. {{storylink|Out of His Head}}

[[Image:Shadowzone-MegsStarscream.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Lulz]] Despite his treason, Megatron decided not to terminate Starscream, viewing him as no real threat and taking perverse amusement in his repeated failures. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}} Instead, Megatron proceeded to beat Starscream only to ''near'' death, then had him placed in the infirmary, occasionally visiting to gloat. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}}

When Breakdown was captured by the humans of [[MECH]], Megatron refuted Starscream's suggestion that they rescue him, announcing that if Breakdown had allowed himself to be captured by those weaker than him, then he deserved whatever he got. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}} Breakdown did manage to escape, however, insisted his wounded pride saw him volunteer to recover a [[polarity gauntlet]] for Megatron, in order to prove his worth. Megatron was disappointed when his minion returned without the gauntlet, but was placated with the revelation that he had instead brought back [[Airachnid]]. {{storylink|Metal Attraction}}

[[Image:RockBottom-Starscreamprays.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Definitely ''not'' [[Bruticus]], Starscream.]]

Discovering that Starscream was still attempting to mine energon for his personal use without his knowledge, Megatron determined that the amusement had come to an end. Taking him to the mine in question, Megatron revealed that he had been aware of Starscream's previous transgressions the whole time thanks to Soundwave, and was about to execute his grovelling lieutenant when [[Jack Darby]] and [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] walked in. In the firefight that followed, stray shots from Megatron's fusion cannon brought the mine down on top of them all, with Megatron being completely pinned by rubble. Jack happened upon the Decepticon leader with a mining drill, and Megatron, knowing that the human would not help him, instead urged Jack to finish him off. Jack refused, saying that wasn't what Optimus would do, and left, but the opening he had created allowed Megatron to begin his escape. After finally extricating himself, Megatron came upon Starscream trying to keep a large rock from crushing him. Starscream insisted that he had come to rescue Megatron, and begged the Decepticon leader to spare him, and Megatron acquiesced with a smirk. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}

Though Megatron allowed Starscream to live and continue as his second-in-command, he was furious to learn from Airachnid that Starscream had kept the location of the ''[[Harbinger]]'' from him. He ordered Starscream to lead Airachnid to the crash site and retrieve an [[Immobilizer|experimental weapon]] that was inside. Much to Megatron's fury, Airachnid returned not only without the weapon, but with the news that Starscream had been captured by the Autobots as well. {{storylink|Partners}}
[[Image:StrongerFaster-KnockOutMegatronRatchet.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Steroids?" "Yup." "Ah."]]
When a formula for [[Synthetic Energon]] was transferred from a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]] into the mind of the Autobot [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], Optimus Prime petitioned Megatron for the return of the cylinder so they could extract the formula, after which they would willingly hand it over. Megatron briefly considered the proposal, but instead sent Knock Out and Breakdown to capture Bulkhead and dared Prime to fight for the cylinder. When his Vehicon troops were defeated, Megatron simply crushed the device and took flight. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} The synthetic energon formula helped the Autobots counter Megatron's next tactic: causing the Autobots to burn through their energon supplies at an accelerated rate by leading them on wild goose chases. Juiced up on the "SynthEn", Ratchet attacked Megatron and Knock Out while they were surveying an energon mine, and sent the Decepticon leader flying with one punch. Unfortunately for Ratchet, Megatron swiftly recovered and subdued the Autobot medic with ease. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

[[Image:PrimeEp23-Megatronjetmode.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Hold still, jet mode, so we can screencap you, dammit!]]

Convinced by Dark Energon-induced visions that an impending prophecy detailed his own destiny, Megatron stepped up the Decepticons' work in constructing a new space bridge so they could obtain more Dark Energon. When they located the last component they needed, Megatron went in personally, grievously wounding Raf with a blast of Dark Energon on the way and creating an unintended distraction that allowed him to make off with the power source he needed. Soon after, Megatron lured Optimus Prime to a volcano he had seen in his visions, and during their battle, it erupted with Dark Energon, imbuing Megatron with the power he needed to fell Prime. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}}[[Image:OneShallFall-visionfulfilled.jpg|thumb|255px|right|Look, Prime! Look at the fireworks! Aren't they splendid?!]] The intervention of the other Autobots saved Prime's life, but this was of little concern to Megatron, who now had all the Dark Energon he needed and set his miners to work gathering it up. When Soundwave detected a spark-beat coming from within the Earth, Megatron felt it pounding through his brain and realized what his visions had meant: the lifeforce of Unicron himself dwelt within Earth. Leaving Airachnid in command, Megatron flew into the volcano to address Unicron, but received not the power he hoped the chaos-bringer would bestow on him, but instead Unicron's displeasure at the fact that Optimus Prime still lived. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

Spurned, Megatron instead went to the aid of Optimus and his Autobots, who were under attack from Unicron's stone avatars. He offered Optimus his services—he intended to lead them to Unicron's real form so that Optimus could use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on the Chaos God. While the Autobots returned to base, Megatron kept the giant stone Unicrons busy, and Prime eventually accepted Megatron's offer. On arrival in the Autobot base, Megatron encountered a couple of humans he recognized, Raf and Jack, as well as a [[Miko Nakadai|new loud one]]. Megatron was first to step through the GroundBridge into the Earth's core, and as the Autobots followed, he warned them that Unicron already knew they were there. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}}

[[Image:OneShallRise3-together.jpg|thumb|255px|left|"Just this once, we work together! Mortal enemies working together for the common good!" "Be quiet!"]]

Despite the persistent influence of Unicron, Megatron led the Autobots through Unicron's insides, even helping them fight off [[Unicron's antibodies|antibodies]]. The Dark Energon he was imbued with allowed him to enter Unicron's spark chamber with Optimus, though at that point Unicron's influence became so great that the Chaos God was able to commandeer his body. After Optimus unleashed the power of the Matrix, apparently extinguishing Unicron's spark, Megatron went to kill Optimus, only to discover his foe had lost his memory and now believed himself to be Orion Pax. Megatron convinced Optimus that the other Autobots were enemies, and the pair returned to the ''Nemesis'', where Megatron introduced "Orion Pax" to his men. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}
{{-}}

===Commercial appearances===
Megatron, [[wikipedia:Dan Vs.|Dan]], and [[My Little Pony|Pinkie Pie]] sang a collaborative group song while the scene quickly shifted between a variety of strange alternate universes. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime|The Hub summer promo 2011}}
{{quote|Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for the hot <strike> nuts </strike> nights?|Megatron}}

At some point he ended up in detention at a school because he had "anger issues". {{storylink|Commercial/Prime|The Hub promo}}

===Titan Magazines ''Prime'' comics===
{{spoilers|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|December 9, 2011}}
Under Megatron's leadership, the Decepticons conquered many city states including [[Kalis]], [[Tarn]] and [[Vos]]. When the time came to strike against [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Megatron led a five-con team in under the cover of darkness to bomb the [[Iacon Energon Refinery]]. They had barely planted the first bomb when they were spotted and fired on. After the other three Decepticons were shot down, Megatron gave Soundwave a bomb and set about causing a distraction while his second-in-command went to plant it. When Soundwave was also shot down, Megatron flew into action, helping up the rest of his team and carrying Soundwave as they retreated under the cover of an exploding bomb. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|War Story}}

====Mega-Mouth====
{{charstubfiction}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]] (English), [[Oliviero Corbetta]] (Italian), [[Juan Carlos Lozano]] (Spain-Spanish)
[[Image:WFC_Megatron.jpg|thumb|350px|He wants the whole world in his hand.]]
During the early war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Megatron found reference to an energy source called [[Dark Energon]], which had impressive potential as a weapon, and became determined to claim it for himself. One of the few places it was made was in a station in orbit around Cybertron, guarded by a politically neutral force led by [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]]. With this knowledge, he took a ship and launched an assault on the station.

The ship was badly damaged in the attack, and so he ordered [[Barricade (Prime)|Barricade]] and [[Brawl (WFC)| Brawl]], piloting it, to ram the station. He and many of his soldiers survived the impact and escaped the core's detonation. They were then confronted by Starscream, who informed them that they would not allow them to take what he had guarded for ten thousand years. After surviving a trap of sentry guns, Megatron, Barricade, and Brawl were reinforced by more of Megatron's troops, and set out on their way to find the station's Dark Energon stores and claim them for the war effort. They encountered significant resistance, but managed to shoot their way through, with directional aid from [[Soundwave (Prime)| Soundwave]]. Barricade noted that the station itself seemed quite primitive; Megatron noted it was very old, and that he intended to modernize it... At one point, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] confronted Megatron nonviolently, asking him to give up his quest, as Dark Energon would result in only horror, death, and destruction, to which Megatron sneered, "You say that as if it were a bad thing."

[[Image:WFC-MegatronmeetsStarscream.jpg|left|thumb|300px|At last we meet, my punching bag.]]

Along their way to the Dark Energon, they found that a large portion of the station had been blasted clean off, the debris field traversable but sparse enough to allow easy viewing of Cybertron itself. Soundwave soon found records indicating that a small amount of Dark Energon lost containment and was the sole cause of the destruction, underscoring Megatron's desire for it. When Barricade asked how he expected to control it when no other had, Megatron said that such power was only for the strong, that he was the strongest, and not to question him again.

When they finally reached the storage chamber, and Megatron averted Starscream's destruction of it, he calmly entered into a container full of raw Dark Energon, while Starscream watched and gloated at his imminent destruction...only for him to walk out, not only unscathed, but crackling with power, which he further bestowed upon Barricade and Brawl. A single blast of Dark Energon was enough to destroy an entire company of station security forces, the last line of defense between Megatron and Starscream and his companions.

Jetfire again tried to warn Megatron about the dangers of Dark Energon, but Starscream interrupted, asking to join the Decepticon leader. Megatron asked what Starscream could offer that he could not simply take. Starscream revealed the station's supply of Dark Energon was almost spent, and he knew how to manufacture more—and as luck would have it, there was a dormant [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]] which could be used to power it. Jetfire retreated to inform [[Sentinel Zeta Prime| Zeta Prime]]; Megatron let him go, seeming pleased by the notion of letting the Autobots tremble in advance of their actions, and sent Starscream, [[Thundercracker (WFC)| Thundercracker]], and [[Skywarp (WFC)| Skywarp]] to activate the bridge.

Megatron repeatedly mocked what he perceived as Starscream's slowness in his simple mission, but the Seeker did what he said he could. With a steady supply of Dark Energon, Megatron launched an attack on Iacon City, intending to take a device called the [[Omega Key]] and use it to enter the Core of Cybertron. This time, he took [[Breakdown (Prime)| Breakdown]] and Soundwave with him. The trio took the less-guarded way in—which, since the Autobots were not complete fools (as even Megatron would admit), still had significant military presence. During the attack, Starscream noted that Dark Energon was proving every bit as potent as Megatron had promised. Breakdown let Megatron know of his misgivings about the Sky Commander; Megatron admitted he was treacherous and untrustworthy, but he had useful talents, and his cunning and ambition was intriguing.

The Omega Key had been taken from its normal resting place, however, by Autobot leader Zeta Prime, and so Megatron took his squad on an assault on Zeta's headquarters. They met Brawl, leading an attack on the doors to Zeta Prime's armory, along the way. Even Megatron's touch of Dark Energon could not breach the vault doors, however, and so he called in [[Dark Energon Bombers]]. When they were shot down, Brawl suggested they take out the Autobots' air defense guns, after which bombers were called in again; Megatron's troops then held off a massive assault from what seemed like the entire Autobot army while waiting for the bombing run to finally arrive.

[[Image:WFC Megatron Vs ZetaPrime.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Zeta Prime, you might be more egotistical than me. I mean really, a huge holographic version of you and smaller holograms doing what you can't do without your pointy stick thing?]]

After the vault doors were breached, they reached Zeta Prime himself, who had constructed several layers of security while he waited. An invincible energy field protected him, while he could drop portions of the ceiling with pistons to crush anything beneath them, and construct endless holographic clones of himself outfitted for melee combat, which Megatron personally found nauseating. However, his defenses were not without flaw: periodically, the power core would need to disperse waste heat, and Megatron's team survived long enough to destroy it during this stage. Zeta fell, buried under the wreckage of his own defenses, and Megatron took the device he'd carried...which started to make electronic chirping noises. Zeta, with black humor, noted that the device was not the Omega Key. It merely ''activated'' the Key, which would come to them...

Searching for the Key in the skies aboard another ship, Megatron, with Soundwave and Breakdown at the controls, were abruptly confronted by a massive ship, [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]], who knocked them out of the sky, causing them to crash back in Iacon. There, they played a cat-and-mouse campaign in a desperate attempt to survive the enormous Autobot's vast firepower, though Soundwave noted that the weaponry they bore had little chance of penetrating Omega Supreme's armor. Megatron, for his part, at least contrived to appear unafraid, claiming that if it came to a real fight, the brute wouldn't stand a chance against Megatron's intellect. However, Omega's attacks drove them underground and left them unable to immediately transmit counter to Starscream, who declared Megatron dead and announced he was taking control. Even when they re-established contact, Starscream's aerial forces only briefly distracted Omega, who dispensed large numbers of troops, sucked up Decepticons with a tractor beam, fired weapons of mass destruction, and mined the roads Megatron and his squad were using.

Soundwave, however, had come up with a suggestion—there were weapons emplacements higher up that had the ability to damage Omega Supreme. Taking them from the Autobots was a battle in and of itself, but nothing compared to the fight against Omega Supreme, who could unload entire squadrons of Aerialbots. Nonetheless, Megatron's boldness and tactical acumen finally shot Omega Supreme out of the sky.

[[Image:WFC-hearmynameandtremble.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I stand on your crotch!]]

Gloating, Megatron found that the behemoth was still not defeated, and indeed was drawing power from Cybertron itself to repair his systems, making him stronger, if anything. However, by corrupting the energon batteries with which he was using to feed himself with Dark Energon charges, they were able to weaken him to the point where they could finally blast away his last defenses and brought him to heel. With Omega Supreme defeated, Megatron went underground, directly to the Core, and corrupted it with a massive infusion of Dark Energon, finally bringing Cybertron itself more completely under his control.

At this point, Megatron was clearly convinced, and for good reason, that he'd won, making propaganda broadcasts extolling his greatness and how he had taken away the Autobots' burdens of "liberty" and "choice". When Starscream was defeated and the Decagon retaken, however, he realized the Autobots were not yet going to roll over for him, and sent a distress signal from Zeta Prime, whom he had kept alive in the Kaon prison camp, in order to provoke a rescue attempt from the Autobots. His old acquaintance Optimus took the bait, and Megatron confronted him, telling him that the war could be over tomorrow if Optimus took the Autobots and left. Optimus refused, so Megatron consigned him and his team to the prisons. When they managed to stage a mass breakout, an enraged Megatron ordered his troops to prevent their escape at any cost, to the point of tearing apart portions of Kaon.

This was not enough, however, and they escaped, journeying to the Core, where they kickstarted the cleansing of Megatron's corruption. Doing so, however, would take the Core millions of years of shutdown, rendering Cybertron uninhabitable. Whether Megatron knew this or not, when he saw the Autobots leaving after Optimus's refusal of his earlier offer, he apparently took offense. His earlier plans of renovating Starscream's station had come to fruition; now, it mounted a powerful superweapon, capable of destroying entire structures in one shot. He had it fire upon the Autobot transports as they left. When a team of Aerialbots attempted to disable or destroy it, he called Jetfire, now one of them, and taunted him about his past. He further mocked them when they destroyed the plasma coolant system without apparently having accounted for backups. Finally, during the attack he came into possession of information on Optimus Prime's location, and ordered Trypticon—the name of the weapon, for it was actually a Cybertronian—to fire upon it.

Trypticon, however, was forced into his natural form and defeated after he crash-landed on Cybertron. Megatron's reaction to this went unrecorded. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
Megatron was the Decepticon Leader during the final days of the Great War. After capturing an Autobot facility, and killing a cadet, Megatron revealed his plan to his troops. Megatron intended to conquer Trypticon Space Station, which had the means and power to manufacture Dark Energon: a variant of Energon which greatly increased the stamina and strength of its host. Megatron fought his way through the station to its commander, the Autobot Starscream. Upon Starscream's defeat, Starscream offered his services and the Dark Energon if he was spared. Megatron agreed, and Starscream joined the Decepticons.

After a test run of the Dark Energon in Kaon Prison, Soundwave deduced the element would only kill the host, but Starscream was able to find a way to fix it. Megatron then decided the time was right, and led his army to the inner levels of Cybertron. He was able to activate the uplink to channel energy from the Core of Cybertron itself to Trypticon Station, but he needed the Omega Key to access it once it was shut down with a firewall.

[[Image:WFCDS Defeat Omega Supreme.jpg|thumb|left|256px|Simple enough... OH GOD BULLETS.]]
Megatron learned through a recording from Laserbeak that Autobot Leader Zeta Prime had the Omega Key in his possession and had holed up deep within Iacon. Megatron led a full-scale assault on the city, totally devastating Iacon, until he found Zeta Prime at last. After a hard battle, Zeta fell, and Megatron obtained the Omega Key. However, immediately upon taking it, alarms went off, and Iacon itself was shaking. Zeta Prime, despite being mortally wounded, laughed at Megatron's face, saying the Omega Key was only the key to the ''true'' key: the city-sized Autobot Omega Supreme.

Omega immediately attacked the victorious Decepticons, and quickly decimated their presence in Iacon, save for Megatron's team and a few others. By this point, Megatron was absolutely furious at Starscream: Megatron declared it was he who led them to Omega Supreme and the devastating onslaught he carried out. Starscream bitterly retorted even if Megatron killed him, Omega Supreme would still be out for his blood, helping nothing whatsoever. Megatron angrily let it go for the time being, and led his army to battle. His troops' confidence beginning to falter, Megatron declared they would either be kicking themselves for not acting for the rest of their lives, or heroes in a historic event. His men followed him to battle Omega, and the titan fell. Megatron was free to corrupt the Core of Cybertron with Dark Energon, and obtain near-supremacy of Cybertron.

That kind of went downhill when the new Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, extinguished the Dark Energon and destroyed Trypticon Space Station, didn't it?
{{Storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]] (English), [[Oliviero Corbetta]] (Italian)

Early in the war, when the Autobots learned of the existence of the orbiting superweapon [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]], Megatron sent waves of Decepticon forces to keep them from discovering more about it. Megatron, happy to see the destruction Trypticon was creating, ordered Starscream and Skywarp at gunpoint to return to Trypticon and clean up after it, while he took his troops into battle to scour the area for Autobots to kill. Few Autobots other than the medic, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]], were spared Megatron's initial assault.

When Megatron found out that Starscream had left his post at Trypticon, Megatron grew angry. But the Autobots had infiltrated the [[Datacore]], so Megatron focused his efforts there instead. Bumblebee was captured, and information useful for the taking of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] was pulled from his mind. Megatron assigned Skywarp the task of the initial Iacon assault. The traitorous Starscream returned to Megatron's focus, and the Air Commander was ordered to infiltrate the Core of Cybertron to reactivate the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]]. But Starscream took too long, discovering Megatron had already reached the Core by the time he arrived. In a foul mood, Megatron would test Starscream's loyalty by putting him on the Iacon assault's front lines.

The assault went as planned, and Iacon crumbled. As Barricade and Starscream reached an empty Council Chamber, Megatro alerted them to the evacuation of the surviving Autobots. Three Autobot ships positioned themselves to escape, and so Megatron ordered Thundercracker and Skywarp to take them down.

Though Iacon fell, the Trypticon orbiting superweapon was destroyed by the Autobots... but not before Megatron ripped the datacore from its brain so as to salvage its information on Dark Energon. Megatron was pleased. Despite his loss, he still had the upper hand. {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}

==Toys==
===Generations===
[[Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianMegatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px| Fashionably asymmetrical.]]
*'''Cybertronian Megatron''' (Deluxe, 2010)
:*''Accessories'': clear purple missile, fusion cannon

: This toy is based on Megatron's appearance in the video game ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'', transforming into a Cybertronian self-propelled gun. The treads of his vehicle can be positioned in either a vertical configuration like a traditional tank or in a horizontal, hovertank configuration. Megatron's spring-loaded cannon can attach to either arm. He also has an insignia on his back, but unlike Optimus, his is not hidden by kibble. Like [[Soundwave (Prime)|''War for Cybertron'' Soundwave]], his head has a light-piping gimmick that has been neutered by his painted eyes.

: Some units of the figure have Megatron's left internal shoulder strut misassembled, preventing that side of the tank-mode from becoming properly flush to the body when transforming. This can be corrected by unscrewing and separating the outer shoulder structure, flipping the strut 180 degrees, and reassembling the shoulder covering.

: Also, the packaging image for his tank mode is flipped.

: This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#United|Megatron Cybertron Mode]] and [[Darkside Megatron]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/GenerationsMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Cybertronian Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Prime===
[[Image:Primetoy-MegatronEP.jpg|right|thumb|300px|His jet mode needs a little scarf attached to the robot head.]]
*'''Optimus Prime vs Megatron''' (5 figure gift set, 2011)
: A Deluxe-sized Megatron comes with a similarly-scaled [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] and PVC figurines of [[Miko Nakadai]], [[Jack Darby]] and [[Raf Esquivel]]. Megatron converts from his alien jet mode to his robot mode.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

*'''Megatron''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2012)
**'''Accessories''': "Cyber sword"
: This Cyberverse scaled Megatron is cast partly in translucent plastic so that the toy can be lit using the electronic lights featured in the larger playsets. He also comes with a translucent "cyber sword" weapon and a pack-in file card.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
*'''Rage over Cybertron''' (Multipack, 2011)
:*''Accessories'': clear blue missile, fusion cannon

:A translucent [[redeco]] of Cybertronian Megatron, collected together with Cybertronian Optimus Prime and Cybertronian Bumblebee in a three-pack [[exclusive]] to [[Toys"R"Us]].

{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Tfprimemegatronjet.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Too fast for screen caps.]]
*Megatron's designation as an energon miner was "D-16".<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?guid=7fd5ecd9-19b9-f369-1041-a7635be83172 War for Cybertron timeline].</ref> Megatron's original [[Japanese ID number list|Japanese ID number]] was "16". Takara would eventually change the numbering system using a "D" to denote [[Decepticon|Destrons]]. So Megatron's Japanese ID number could retroactively be considered "D-16".
*In ''Transformers: War for Cybertron'', Megatron has multiple glitches when controlled by the computer, among them shrinking (quite hilariously), losing his Fusion Cannon, and having his Tank mode cannon stick straight up (also humorous). He may be the most glitchy character in the game.
*Optimus Prime's recollections in ''Darkness Rising'' have him and Megatron fighting side-by-side at the start of the Great War. This is the first time a Megatron has been involved in a Great War that he ''didn't'' start, never mind one where he used to be a goodie.
*The show design of this version of Megatron takes visual cues from both G1 (the ever-famous [[Megatron (G1)| buckethead]]) and [[Megatron (Movie)|the Movie version]] of the Decepticon leader (the sharp angles and bits on his shoulders, along with two-toed feet and a demonic-looking face with sharp teeth), even including the jet mode the latter version appeared in: the ''Prime'' staff used the same rationale that Megatron would not scan an Earth mode out of disgust at humans.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/botcon-2010-transformers-prime-panel-coverage-170054/ BotCon 2010 Transformers Prime Panel Coverage]</ref> According to Cybertronian Megatron's packaging bio, Megatron often changes his altmode, probably in an attempt to explain why he's a tank in the game and a jet in the cartoon.
*At a video shown at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con, Welker explained his ''Prime'' voice for Megatron would be mostly toned down from his G1 counterpart, to give the character more range.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/san-diego-comic-con-33/transformers-prime---peter-cullen--frank-welker-behind-the-scenes-170264/ Transformers Prime - Peter Cullen & Frank Welker Behind the Scenes] TFW2005</ref> When the show aired, Megatron indeed had a more quiet, sinister version of his voice than the iconic shouty one.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Gladiators]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Prime Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Decepticons]]

Megatron (WFC)

2011-11-15T22:50:55Z

68.239.196.126: /* Prime cartoon */

Megatron (WFC)

2011-11-15T22:50:02Z

68.239.196.126: /* Prime cartoon */

{{faction|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}
:''Megatron is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[Image:PrimeMegatron.jpg|thumb|250px|Lord of the [[Dark Energon]] wraiths.]]
The awesomely powerful '''Megatron''' is, in many ways, a fallen hero. He rose up from the oppressed lower working castes of [[Kaon]] to become a champion in the region's illegal [[gladiatorial combat|deathmatches]], cast aside his designation of '''D-16''' and took the legendary name '''[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'''<ref>Megatron was an abbreviation, so it'd be easier for the masses to chant his name; ''Transformers: Exodus'', Chapter 3</ref> as his own, he called for an end to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s decrepit [[caste system]] and told the downtrodden that freedom of self-determination was the right of all sentient beings!

But absolute power corrupts absolutely, and Megatron's Decepticon revolution, like many such movements, ended up becoming a whole new tyranny. Powerful, charismatic, violent, and full of rage for any who would stand in the way of his ambition and drive, Megatron brought Cybertron ''past'' the brink of destruction. Now he and his former brother-in-arms [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] fight on other worlds. Megatron will never forgive Optimus for "betraying" him, stealing from the Council the rank of Prime which was rightfully his. He has reserved for his old friend the greatest honor possible: glorious death at his hands.

Megatron has been gone for three years, but now he's returned. He's brought the monstrous [[Dark Energon]] to Earth, and quite possibly left his sanity in space.

{{quote|I... am the Dominator, I... am the Destroyer, I am '''Megatron!'''|Megatron|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

==Fiction==
===''Exodus''===
[[Image:WFCcomicD16.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Alright! What's the square root of pi?! What's the capital of Sierre Leone?! What's... awww, this 'ask questions later' thing doesn't work at ''all''."]]
Megatron nicknamed himself D-16 after the sector of the mine where he performed demolition operations. As a gladiator, in killing others he began to appreciate the value of life, and in between matches he became something of an intellectual, debating the castes with other miners. After bosses requested he lose a few fights, D-16 killed them and took over Kaon and [[Slaughter City]]. After murdering one boss in front of his employees, D-16 declared himself Megatronus, whom he considered the greatest of the [[Thirteen]]. After hearing his preaching on the [[Communication Grid]] against the [[Guilds of Cybertron]], the concerned [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] sent [[Bumper (WFC)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (WFC)|Fastback]] to investigate. Megatronus killed them, believing two lives were worthless compared to the millions doomed by the castes Sentinel created.

After a victorious battle with the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s, in which the crowd redubbed him Megatron, the gladiator was contacted by the [[Iacon (polity)|Iaconian]] [[Hall of Records|records monitor]] [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]], and they began exchanging their ideas in intense but friendly philosophical discussions. Megatron encouraged Orion to learn self defense and invited him to visit Kaon, which he did to a warm welcome from Megatron (and from none of his gladiators). By this point Megatron was planning to call his movement the Decepticons, and he had begun sending his followers on a search for artifacts of the Primes, as their discovery would be signs their cause was just. His followers began bombing Cybertron, and Megatron distanced himself from their extremism to gain credibility. Orion and his mentor [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] believed him, but the latter was well aware Megatron might have gained a taste for violence after the attention it earned him. Soon enough, Megatron accepted the gift of a kidnapped Sentinel Prime from [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]].

[[Image:WFCcomicHalogendies.jpg|thumb|250px|]]

Alpha Trion organized a hearing for Orion and Megatron with the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]]. They protested involvement in Sentinel's disappearance. When confronted with the phrase "Decepticon", Megatron denied any knowledge of it but accepted his followers' term wholeheartedly, stating deception was necessary sometimes for the corrupt to see the truth. When [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]] revealed Megatron's followers had been trying to locate the [[Matrix of Leadership]], he declared that Orion should become the Prime that he desperately wanted to lead Cybertron into the new [[Golden Age]], and find it. Incensed, Megatron killed Halogen, and when Optimus prevented the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]] from attacking Megatron, the ungrateful gladiator declared Optimus had fallen into the trap of power the High Council had given him. He declared Optimus was no longer his brother (though he would continue to refer to him as such privately), and that the Matrix would be his.

In the subsequent war with Optimus' [[Autobot]]s, the Decepticons took control of eighty-five percent of the planet. Wherever Starscream's [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] aided, they were victorious. Megatron was initially merciful to neutrals, but he let Shockwave take control of [[Tarn]] and torture Autobot sympathizers there. When the [[Praxus|Praxians]], a progressive city-state who were disappointed with the direction Megatron took, allied with the Autobots, Megatron decided he would no longer try to convert followers and launched the first genocide of the war, slaughtering all in [[Nova Cronum]] who would not submit to the Decepticons as they attacked.

As the war dragged into a siege of Iacon, Soundwave's spying bore fruit as he discovered [[Dark Energon]], the essence of [[Unicron]], was aboard [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. Megatron forgave Starscream for hiding its existence from him, acknowledging its potentially dangerous nature. To ensure loyalty, Megatron's gladiators stormed the Station slaughtering and maiming Starscream's scientists. He forced Starscream to pick two test subjects to be Darkened, and following an astonishingly successful result, Megatron absorbed some, invigorating him. Soon Darkened Decepticons appeared on the battlefield, but it proved to be an inefficient resource and they would have to flee if a battle was prolonged. Megatron needed more, and even Starscream's activation of the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]] didn't provide enough. Megatron felt he would kill all the Decepticons before he was deprived of Dark Energon and turn rabid.

Fortunately, Soundwave revealed the existence of the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] within [[Teletraan-1]], which required the [[Code Key]]s of Power and Justice to activate it. Starscream recovered the Key of Power, while Megatron and his best soldiers searched for the Key of Justice below the [[High Council Tower]]. Sentinel Prime emerged, to Megatron's surprise. Sentinel confronted him about Bumper and Fastback, and the two dueled. Megatron disarmed and sliced open Sentinel, revealing the Key of Justice within. Starscream made a grab for it, exposing that he had released Sentinel to kill Megatron and take leadership for himself. After fighting Starscream to a standstill, Megatron pardoned him as he found him a better soldier than would-be example, and used the Keys to open Teletraan-1: which activated [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] to fly the Chamber to safety.

The Seekers shot Omega Supreme out of the air, causing him to crash. Optimus's Autobots arrived to fight the Decepticons, but the more they killed them the more Dark Energon left their bodies and empowered Megatron. He was able to knee Omega Supreme and turn him on his back, tearing the Chamber out of his chest. Using the Chamber, Megatron poisoned the [[core]] of Cybertron and Darkened the entire planet. But then the core stopped producing Dark Energon, and Megatron learnt Optimus had gone to the core and received the Matrix. As the Autobots attempted to flee Cybertron via the last [[space bridge]], Megatron used Trypticon to fire on their ships, and used his and Orion's old frequency to criticize Optimus for fleeing. He added he never believed in individual freedom for every Cybertronian, only the illusion of freedom that he as leader would provide and that the Guilds did not. Optimus responded that Megatron had turned his soldiers into addicts and they would turn on him, and used the ''[[Eight Track (WFC)|Eight Track]]'' to board, sabotage and crash Trypticon.

As the Autobots left on the completed ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', the Decepticons fully invaded Iacon. Megatron ordered Trypticon to transform into the ''Nemesis'', boarding it with Starscream, Soundwave, [[Lugnut (WFC)|Lugnut]] and other elite soldiers, leaving Shockwave in charge. He used his old frequency once again to warn Optimus that he would hound him through the stars and finally kill him for the Matrix. He explained they were still brothers, as they were bonded for life despite their enmity. Optimus was just glad his hunt would get him off Cybertron. The two ships entered the last [[space bridge]] together, and when the ''Ark'' emerged, the ''Nemesis'' was gone. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

===''Exiles''===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor'': [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Sean Long]] (BotCon 2011), [[Juan Carlos Lozano]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Ja-hyeong Gu]] (Korean), [[Antonio Fuochi]] (Italian), [[Hans-Jürgen Wolf]] (German), [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Antonio Moreno]] (Brazilian Portuguese)

[[Image:OneShallRise3-corresponding.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"I'm a fox!" "I'm a hound doooog!"]]

In the waning years of the [[Golden Age]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Megatronus (who named himself after [[The Fallen|one of the original thirteen Primes]]) was a gladiator who noticed there was a disparity in freedom among the classes of his race, and that the ruling class was corrupt and all-powerful. In drawing attention to this inequity, he inspired a [[Hall of Records]] clerk named [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]], and the two joined forces to end corruption and bring equality to the masses. Soundwave also helped them. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} Optimus and Megatron became close allies, almost like brothers. But soon Megatron's ideals would become corrupted, and the two would become bitter enemies. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

[[Image:DarknessRising2-Megsflashback.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Things were very red in those days.]]

Megatronus shortened his name to Megatron before he and Orion Pax appeared before the [[High Council]]. Shocking his colleague with his true intentions, Megatron stated that he would overthrow the High Council by force and instate himself as the next [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. But it was Orion's speech that drew their attention. Jealous, Megatron left angrily and began his conquest, which resulted in countless casualties and left the [[Core]] of Cybertron itself [[Dark Energon|poisoned]]. Denied the [[Matrix of Leadership]] by the High Council, Megatron was obsessed with finding it, but Orion Pax was given it by the Core itself, and Orion became Optimus Prime. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

Over the following years, Megatron and Optimus fought many a battle, such as the [[Battle of Technar]] where Megatron ordered [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] to assassinate Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} After his failure, Megatron came to believe only he should finally terminate Prime. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}}
[[Image:DarknessRising2-MegatronDarkEnergon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|We can relate. We're just like this with our [[BotCon]] toys.]]

The Transformers' war eventually brought Megatron and Prime's teams to Earth, where, after an initial clash, Megatron withdrew to space to search for more troops, leaving Starscream in charge. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Searching the void for three years, Megatron found something better than mere warriors: he discovered a new source of Dark Energon, the "blood of [[Unicron]]", with which he could reanimate fallen Transformers as an army of the undead. Returning to Earth and resuming command of the Decepticons, Megatron tested the Dark Energon on the deceased Autobot [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], reviving him as a [[zombie]] "[[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]]" that slaughtered several [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]], but which posed no threat to Megatron himself. Unfortunately for Megatron, this partial reactivation of Cliffjumper's lifesigns drew Optimus Prime's Autobots to the Decepticons' mining operations. Deciding it was not yet time for a confrontation with Prime, Megatron withdrew aboard the [[Nemesis (Prime)|''Nemesis'']], and continued to brood over the Dark Energon.

[[Image:darknessrising3_Megatronglowy.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Megatron, you fool! Rave glowsticks aren't candy!]]
Megatron's inability to control the zombie Cliffjumper convinced him that he needed to integrate the Dark Energon into his own body in order to control the undead legions he planned to create. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} Thrusting a shard of the material into his spark, he was filled with its power, feeling as thought he was connected to Unicron's very thoughts. Requiring a test run for his new power, Megatron headed for the site of an ancient Cybertronian battle on Earth, full of the remains of fallen warriors, where he was confronted by Optimus and [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]]. Using Dark Energon to raise the dead Transformers as Terrorcons, Megatron successfully found he had complete control of the undead horde, and send them against the two Autobots. [[Image:DarknessRising4-Megatron.jpg|right|thumb|250px|I chew scenery while the zombies chew ''you''.]] {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}} Optimus and Ratchet fought their way through the Terrorcons, only for Megatron to fly off before they could reach him, satisfied with his test results and ready put his plan into action—to open a [[space bridge]] to Cybertron and use Dark Energon to revive the entire planet's dead. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}} Despite the Autobots' best efforts to damage the ''Nemesis'' and prevent the bridge from opening, Megatron succeeded in his plans, and then had his showdown with Optimus Prime atop the bridge itself as he waited for the Terrorcon legions to pass through to Earth. While the two old foes battled, the other Autobots sabotaged the bridge, causing it to explode and destroy both the Terrorcon army, and seemingly, Megatron himself. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}[[Image:Masters&Students-Megatronstasis.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Well, it's better than just [[Megatron (Animated)|being a head]] I suppose.]]
The Autobots were not so lucky, however: the Dark Energon in his spark allowed Megatron to survive the explosion, but just barely. When Starscream found his leader floating in space, he tore the Dark Energon from his body in the hope that he would expire, but was caught in the act by [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]]'s [[Deployer (Prime)|Deployer]], [[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] and forced to take Megatron back to the ''Nemesis'', where he was placed in [[Stasis lock|stasis]] in the sick bay. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Starscream was content to leave Megatron in this state to recover or expire as fate saw fit, but the crew of the ''Nemesis'' disagreed, and voted to bring in the Decepticon medic [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] to help heal their wounded leader. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} Even with Knock Out's expertise, it seemed unlikely that Megatron would recover, but his assistant [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] gave his body a good buffing nonetheless; Starscream approved, as it meant their ex-leader would look his best for the memorial service. {{storylink|Speed Metal}}

[[Image:SickMind megs and bee.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Hey, [[Megatron (Animated)|you]] really ''are'' [[Transform and Roll Out|uglier from this angle]]]]

When Optimus Prime was infected by cybonic plague, Arcee and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] board the ''Nemesis'' to search for an antidote. While they failed to find one in the database, the two Autobots did discover Megatron in stasis, and Bumblebee mind-linked with the Decepticon leader via [[cortical psychic patch]] to try and pluck the cure from his sleeping brain. Bumblebee found himself within Megatron's mind, which took the form of [[Kaon]], where the Decepticon's subconscious was spending its time killing endless visions of Optimus Primes; unfortunately, Bumblebee's intrusion only caused Megatron to become aware of his situation, when he found he was unable to kill Bumblebee. Learning what had befallen Optimus, Megatron initially refused to give up the cure until Bumblebee convinced him that he would gain greater satisfaction from finishing his enemy off with his own two hands. Megatron offered the cure in exchange for Bumblebee's help in escaping his mental prison, but Bumblebee double-crossed him, withdrawing from his mind as soon as the cure was in Autobot hands. At the last moment, Megatron was able to effect his own escape, leaping into Bumblebee's mind along with him. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} [[Image:OutofhisHead megatron revived.jpg|left|thumb|250px|IT'S... AAALLLLLIIIIIIIIVE!]] Recalling the sliver of Dark Energon Starscream had removed from his body, Megatron took full control of Bumblebee's body a short time later and used the GroundBridge to return to the ancient battlefield where he had raised his original Terrorcons, recovering the Dark Energon shard he had used to do so. He returned to the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], where he dealt with Ratchet and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] before again GroundBridging to the ''Nemesis'' and using the Dark Energon to restore his body and return his mind to it. Storming out of the ''Nemesis'' to find Starscream, Megatron snatched his subordinate out of the air in the middle of a battle with Optimus Prime and took back for his punishment. {{storylink|Out of His Head}}

[[Image:Shadowzone-MegsStarscream.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Lulz]] Despite his treason, Megatron decided not to terminate Starscream, viewing him as no real threat and taking perverse amusement in his repeated failures. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}} Instead, Megatron proceeded to beat Starscream only to ''near'' death, then had him placed in the infirmary, occasionally visiting to gloat. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}}

When Breakdown was captured by the humans of [[MECH]], Megatron refuted Starscream's suggestion that they rescue him, announcing that if Breakdown had allowed himself to be captured by those weaker than him, then he deserved whatever he got. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}} Breakdown did manage to escape, however, insisted his wounded pride saw him volunteer to recover a [[polarity gauntlet]] for Megatron, in order to prove his worth. Megatron was disappointed when his minion returned without the gauntlet, but was placated with the revelation that he had instead brought back [[Airachnid]]. {{storylink|Metal Attraction}}

[[Image:RockBottom-Starscreamprays.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Definitely ''not'' [[Bruticus]], Starscream.]]

Discovering that Starscream was still attempting to mine energon for his personal use without his knowledge, Megatron determined that the amusement had come to an end. Taking him to the mine in question, Megatron revealed that he had been aware of Starscream's previous transgressions the whole time thanks to Soundwave, and was about to execute his grovelling lieutenant when [[Jack Darby]] and [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] walked in. In the firefight that followed, stray shots from Megatron's fusion cannon brought the mine down on top of them all, with Megatron being completely pinned by rubble. Jack happened upon the Decepticon leader with a mining drill, and Megatron, knowing that the human would not help him, instead urged Jack to finish him off. Jack refused, saying that wasn't what Optimus would do, and left, but the opening he had created allowed Megatron to begin his escape. After finally extricating himself, Megatron came upon Starscream trying to keep a large rock from crushing him. Starscream insisted that he had come to rescue Megatron, and begged the Decepticon leader to spare him, and Megatron acquiesced with a smirk. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}

Though Megatron allowed Starscream to live and continue as his second-in-command, he was furious to learn from Airachnid that Starscream had kept the location of the ''[[Harbinger]]'' from him. He ordered Starscream to lead Airachnid to the crash site and retrieve an [[Immobilizer|experimental weapon]] that was inside. Much to Megatron's fury, Airachnid returned not only without the weapon, but with the news that Starscream had been captured by the Autobots as well. {{storylink|Partners}}
[[Image:StrongerFaster-KnockOutMegatronRatchet.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Steroids?" "Yup." "Ah."]]
When a formula for [[Synthetic Energon]] was transferred from a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]] into the mind of the Autobot [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], Optimus Prime petitioned Megatron for the return of the cylinder so they could extract the formula, after which they would willingly hand it over. Megatron briefly considered the proposal, but instead sent Knock Out and Breakdown to capture Bulkhead and dared Prime to fight for the cylinder. When his Vehicon troops were defeated, Megatron simply crushed the device and took flight. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} The synthetic energon formula helped the Autobots counter Megatron's next tactic: causing the Autobots to burn through their energon supplies at an accelerated rate by leading them on wild goose chases. Juiced up on the "SynthEn", Ratchet attacked Megatron and Knock Out while they were surveying an energon mine, and sent the Decepticon leader flying with one punch. Unfortunately for Ratchet, Megatron swiftly recovered and subdued the Autobot medic with ease. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

[[Image:PrimeEp23-Megatronjetmode.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Hold still, jet mode, so we can screencap you, dammit!]]

Convinced by Dark Energon-induced visions that an impending prophecy detailed his own destiny, Megatron stepped up the Decepticons' work in constructing a new space bridge so they could obtain more Dark Energon. When they located the last component they needed, Megatron went in personally, grievously wounding Raf with a blast of Dark Energon on the way and creating an unintended distraction that allowed him to make off with the power source he needed. Soon after, Megatron lured Optimus Prime to a volcano he had seen in his visions, and during their battle, it erupted with Dark Energon, imbuing Megatron with the power he needed to fell Prime. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}}[[Image:OneShallFall-visionfulfilled.jpg|thumb|255px|right|Look, Prime! Look at the fireworks! Aren't they splendid?!]] The intervention of the other Autobots saved Prime's life, but this was of little concern to Megatron, who now had all the Dark Energon he needed and set his miners to work gathering it up. When Soundwave detected a spark-beat coming from within the Earth, Megatron felt it pounding through his brain and realized what his visions had meant: the lifeforce of Unicron himself dwelt within Earth. Leaving Airachnid in command, Megatron flew into the volcano to address Unicron, but received not the power he hoped the chaos-bringer would bestow on him, but instead Unicron's displeasure at the fact that Optimus Prime still lived. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

Spurned, Megatron instead went to the aid of Optimus and his Autobots, who were under attack from Unicron's stone avatars. He offered Optimus his services—he intended to lead them to Unicron's real form so that Optimus could use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on the Chaos God. While the Autobots returned to base, Megatron kept the giant stone Unicrons busy, and Prime eventually accepted Megatron's offer. On arrival in the Autobot base, Megatron encountered a couple of humans he recognized, Raf and Jack, as well as a [[Miko Nakadai|new loud one]]. Megatron was first to step through the GroundBridge into the Earth's core, and as the Autobots followed, he warned them that Unicron already knew they were there. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}}

{{spoilers|One Shall Rise, Part 3|November 15, 2011}}

[[Image:OneShallRise3-together.jpg|thumb|255px|left|"Just this once, we work together! Mortal enemies working together for the common good!" "Be quiet!"]]

Despite the persistent influence of Unicron, Megatron led the Autobots through Unicron's insides, even helping them fight off [[Unicron's antibodies|antibodies]]. The Dark Energon he was imbued with allowed him to enter Unicron's spark chamber with Optimus, though at that point Unicron's influence became so great that the Chaos God was able to commandeer his body. After Optimus unleashed the power of the Matrix, apparently extinguishing Unicron's spark, Megatron went to kill Optimus, only to discover his foe had lost his memory and now believed himself to be Orion Pax. Megatron convinced Optimus that the other Autobots were enemies, and the pair returned to the ''Nemesis'', where Megatron introduced "Orion Pax" to his men. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}
{{-}}

===Commercial appearances===
Megatron, [[wikipedia:Dan Vs.|Dan]], and [[My Little Pony|Pinkie Pie]] sang a collaborative group song while the scene quickly shifted between a variety of strange alternate universes. {{storylink|Commercial/Prime|The Hub summer promo 2011}}
{{quote|Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for the hot <strike> nuts </strike> nights?|Megatron}}

At some point he ended up in detention at a school because he had "anger issues". {{storylink|Commercial/Prime|The Hub promo}}

===Titan Magazines ''Prime'' comics===
{{spoilers|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|December 9, 2011}}
Under Megatron's leadership, the Decepticons conquered many city states including [[Kalis]], [[Tarn]] and [[Vos]]. When the time came to strike against [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Megatron led a five-con team in under the cover of darkness to bomb the [[Iacon Energon Refinery]]. They had barely planted the first bomb when they were spotted and fired on. After the other three Decepticons were shot down, Megatron gave Soundwave a bomb and set about causing a distraction while his second-in-command went to plant it. When Soundwave was also shot down, Megatron flew into action, helping up the rest of his team and carrying Soundwave as they retreated under the cover of an exploding bomb. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|War Story}}

====Mega-Mouth====
{{charstubfiction}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]] (English), [[Oliviero Corbetta]] (Italian), [[Juan Carlos Lozano]] (Spain-Spanish)
[[Image:WFC_Megatron.jpg|thumb|350px|He wants the whole world in his hand.]]
During the early war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Megatron found reference to an energy source called [[Dark Energon]], which had impressive potential as a weapon, and became determined to claim it for himself. One of the few places it was made was in a station in orbit around Cybertron, guarded by a politically neutral force led by [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]]. With this knowledge, he took a ship and launched an assault on the station.

The ship was badly damaged in the attack, and so he ordered [[Barricade (Prime)|Barricade]] and [[Brawl (WFC)| Brawl]], piloting it, to ram the station. He and many of his soldiers survived the impact and escaped the core's detonation. They were then confronted by Starscream, who informed them that they would not allow them to take what he had guarded for ten thousand years. After surviving a trap of sentry guns, Megatron, Barricade, and Brawl were reinforced by more of Megatron's troops, and set out on their way to find the station's Dark Energon stores and claim them for the war effort. They encountered significant resistance, but managed to shoot their way through, with directional aid from [[Soundwave (Prime)| Soundwave]]. Barricade noted that the station itself seemed quite primitive; Megatron noted it was very old, and that he intended to modernize it... At one point, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] confronted Megatron nonviolently, asking him to give up his quest, as Dark Energon would result in only horror, death, and destruction, to which Megatron sneered, "You say that as if it were a bad thing."

[[Image:WFC-MegatronmeetsStarscream.jpg|left|thumb|300px|At last we meet, my punching bag.]]

Along their way to the Dark Energon, they found that a large portion of the station had been blasted clean off, the debris field traversable but sparse enough to allow easy viewing of Cybertron itself. Soundwave soon found records indicating that a small amount of Dark Energon lost containment and was the sole cause of the destruction, underscoring Megatron's desire for it. When Barricade asked how he expected to control it when no other had, Megatron said that such power was only for the strong, that he was the strongest, and not to question him again.

When they finally reached the storage chamber, and Megatron averted Starscream's destruction of it, he calmly entered into a container full of raw Dark Energon, while Starscream watched and gloated at his imminent destruction...only for him to walk out, not only unscathed, but crackling with power, which he further bestowed upon Barricade and Brawl. A single blast of Dark Energon was enough to destroy an entire company of station security forces, the last line of defense between Megatron and Starscream and his companions.

Jetfire again tried to warn Megatron about the dangers of Dark Energon, but Starscream interrupted, asking to join the Decepticon leader. Megatron asked what Starscream could offer that he could not simply take. Starscream revealed the station's supply of Dark Energon was almost spent, and he knew how to manufacture more—and as luck would have it, there was a dormant [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]] which could be used to power it. Jetfire retreated to inform [[Sentinel Zeta Prime| Zeta Prime]]; Megatron let him go, seeming pleased by the notion of letting the Autobots tremble in advance of their actions, and sent Starscream, [[Thundercracker (WFC)| Thundercracker]], and [[Skywarp (WFC)| Skywarp]] to activate the bridge.

Megatron repeatedly mocked what he perceived as Starscream's slowness in his simple mission, but the Seeker did what he said he could. With a steady supply of Dark Energon, Megatron launched an attack on Iacon City, intending to take a device called the [[Omega Key]] and use it to enter the Core of Cybertron. This time, he took [[Breakdown (Prime)| Breakdown]] and Soundwave with him. The trio took the less-guarded way in—which, since the Autobots were not complete fools (as even Megatron would admit), still had significant military presence. During the attack, Starscream noted that Dark Energon was proving every bit as potent as Megatron had promised. Breakdown let Megatron know of his misgivings about the Sky Commander; Megatron admitted he was treacherous and untrustworthy, but he had useful talents, and his cunning and ambition was intriguing.

The Omega Key had been taken from its normal resting place, however, by Autobot leader Zeta Prime, and so Megatron took his squad on an assault on Zeta's headquarters. They met Brawl, leading an attack on the doors to Zeta Prime's armory, along the way. Even Megatron's touch of Dark Energon could not breach the vault doors, however, and so he called in [[Dark Energon Bombers]]. When they were shot down, Brawl suggested they take out the Autobots' air defense guns, after which bombers were called in again; Megatron's troops then held off a massive assault from what seemed like the entire Autobot army while waiting for the bombing run to finally arrive.

[[Image:WFC Megatron Vs ZetaPrime.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Zeta Prime, you might be more egotistical than me. I mean really, a huge holographic version of you and smaller holograms doing what you can't do without your pointy stick thing?]]

After the vault doors were breached, they reached Zeta Prime himself, who had constructed several layers of security while he waited. An invincible energy field protected him, while he could drop portions of the ceiling with pistons to crush anything beneath them, and construct endless holographic clones of himself outfitted for melee combat, which Megatron personally found nauseating. However, his defenses were not without flaw: periodically, the power core would need to disperse waste heat, and Megatron's team survived long enough to destroy it during this stage. Zeta fell, buried under the wreckage of his own defenses, and Megatron took the device he'd carried...which started to make electronic chirping noises. Zeta, with black humor, noted that the device was not the Omega Key. It merely ''activated'' the Key, which would come to them...

Searching for the Key in the skies aboard another ship, Megatron, with Soundwave and Breakdown at the controls, were abruptly confronted by a massive ship, [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]], who knocked them out of the sky, causing them to crash back in Iacon. There, they played a cat-and-mouse campaign in a desperate attempt to survive the enormous Autobot's vast firepower, though Soundwave noted that the weaponry they bore had little chance of penetrating Omega Supreme's armor. Megatron, for his part, at least contrived to appear unafraid, claiming that if it came to a real fight, the brute wouldn't stand a chance against Megatron's intellect. However, Omega's attacks drove them underground and left them unable to immediately transmit counter to Starscream, who declared Megatron dead and announced he was taking control. Even when they re-established contact, Starscream's aerial forces only briefly distracted Omega, who dispensed large numbers of troops, sucked up Decepticons with a tractor beam, fired weapons of mass destruction, and mined the roads Megatron and his squad were using.

Soundwave, however, had come up with a suggestion—there were weapons emplacements higher up that had the ability to damage Omega Supreme. Taking them from the Autobots was a battle in and of itself, but nothing compared to the fight against Omega Supreme, who could unload entire squadrons of Aerialbots. Nonetheless, Megatron's boldness and tactical acumen finally shot Omega Supreme out of the sky.

[[Image:WFC-hearmynameandtremble.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I stand on your crotch!]]

Gloating, Megatron found that the behemoth was still not defeated, and indeed was drawing power from Cybertron itself to repair his systems, making him stronger, if anything. However, by corrupting the energon batteries with which he was using to feed himself with Dark Energon charges, they were able to weaken him to the point where they could finally blast away his last defenses and brought him to heel. With Omega Supreme defeated, Megatron went underground, directly to the Core, and corrupted it with a massive infusion of Dark Energon, finally bringing Cybertron itself more completely under his control.

At this point, Megatron was clearly convinced, and for good reason, that he'd won, making propaganda broadcasts extolling his greatness and how he had taken away the Autobots' burdens of "liberty" and "choice". When Starscream was defeated and the Decagon retaken, however, he realized the Autobots were not yet going to roll over for him, and sent a distress signal from Zeta Prime, whom he had kept alive in the Kaon prison camp, in order to provoke a rescue attempt from the Autobots. His old acquaintance Optimus took the bait, and Megatron confronted him, telling him that the war could be over tomorrow if Optimus took the Autobots and left. Optimus refused, so Megatron consigned him and his team to the prisons. When they managed to stage a mass breakout, an enraged Megatron ordered his troops to prevent their escape at any cost, to the point of tearing apart portions of Kaon.

This was not enough, however, and they escaped, journeying to the Core, where they kickstarted the cleansing of Megatron's corruption. Doing so, however, would take the Core millions of years of shutdown, rendering Cybertron uninhabitable. Whether Megatron knew this or not, when he saw the Autobots leaving after Optimus's refusal of his earlier offer, he apparently took offense. His earlier plans of renovating Starscream's station had come to fruition; now, it mounted a powerful superweapon, capable of destroying entire structures in one shot. He had it fire upon the Autobot transports as they left. When a team of Aerialbots attempted to disable or destroy it, he called Jetfire, now one of them, and taunted him about his past. He further mocked them when they destroyed the plasma coolant system without apparently having accounted for backups. Finally, during the attack he came into possession of information on Optimus Prime's location, and ordered Trypticon—the name of the weapon, for it was actually a Cybertronian—to fire upon it.

Trypticon, however, was forced into his natural form and defeated after he crash-landed on Cybertron. Megatron's reaction to this went unrecorded. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
Megatron was the Decepticon Leader during the final days of the Great War. After capturing an Autobot facility, and killing a cadet, Megatron revealed his plan to his troops. Megatron intended to conquer Trypticon Space Station, which had the means and power to manufacture Dark Energon: a variant of Energon which greatly increased the stamina and strength of its host. Megatron fought his way through the station to its commander, the Autobot Starscream. Upon Starscream's defeat, Starscream offered his services and the Dark Energon if he was spared. Megatron agreed, and Starscream joined the Decepticons.

After a test run of the Dark Energon in Kaon Prison, Soundwave deduced the element would only kill the host, but Starscream was able to find a way to fix it. Megatron then decided the time was right, and led his army to the inner levels of Cybertron. He was able to activate the uplink to channel energy from the Core of Cybertron itself to Trypticon Station, but he needed the Omega Key to access it once it was shut down with a firewall.

[[Image:WFCDS Defeat Omega Supreme.jpg|thumb|left|256px|Simple enough... OH GOD BULLETS.]]
Megatron learned through a recording from Laserbeak that Autobot Leader Zeta Prime had the Omega Key in his possession and had holed up deep within Iacon. Megatron led a full-scale assault on the city, totally devastating Iacon, until he found Zeta Prime at last. After a hard battle, Zeta fell, and Megatron obtained the Omega Key. However, immediately upon taking it, alarms went off, and Iacon itself was shaking. Zeta Prime, despite being mortally wounded, laughed at Megatron's face, saying the Omega Key was only the key to the ''true'' key: the city-sized Autobot Omega Supreme.

Omega immediately attacked the victorious Decepticons, and quickly decimated their presence in Iacon, save for Megatron's team and a few others. By this point, Megatron was absolutely furious at Starscream: Megatron declared it was he who led them to Omega Supreme and the devastating onslaught he carried out. Starscream bitterly retorted even if Megatron killed him, Omega Supreme would still be out for his blood, helping nothing whatsoever. Megatron angrily let it go for the time being, and led his army to battle. His troops' confidence beginning to falter, Megatron declared they would either be kicking themselves for not acting for the rest of their lives, or heroes in a historic event. His men followed him to battle Omega, and the titan fell. Megatron was free to corrupt the Core of Cybertron with Dark Energon, and obtain near-supremacy of Cybertron.

That kind of went downhill when the new Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, extinguished the Dark Energon and destroyed Trypticon Space Station, didn't it?
{{Storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
:''Voice actor'': [[Fred Tatasciore]] (English), [[Oliviero Corbetta]] (Italian)

Early in the war, when the Autobots learned of the existence of the orbiting superweapon [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]], Megatron sent waves of Decepticon forces to keep them from discovering more about it. Megatron, happy to see the destruction Trypticon was creating, ordered Starscream and Skywarp at gunpoint to return to Trypticon and clean up after it, while he took his troops into battle to scour the area for Autobots to kill. Few Autobots other than the medic, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]], were spared Megatron's initial assault.

When Megatron found out that Starscream had left his post at Trypticon, Megatron grew angry. But the Autobots had infiltrated the [[Datacore]], so Megatron focused his efforts there instead. Bumblebee was captured, and information useful for the taking of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] was pulled from his mind. Megatron assigned Skywarp the task of the initial Iacon assault. The traitorous Starscream returned to Megatron's focus, and the Air Commander was ordered to infiltrate the Core of Cybertron to reactivate the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]]. But Starscream took too long, discovering Megatron had already reached the Core by the time he arrived. In a foul mood, Megatron would test Starscream's loyalty by putting him on the Iacon assault's front lines.

The assault went as planned, and Iacon crumbled. As Barricade and Starscream reached an empty Council Chamber, Megatro alerted them to the evacuation of the surviving Autobots. Three Autobot ships positioned themselves to escape, and so Megatron ordered Thundercracker and Skywarp to take them down.

Though Iacon fell, the Trypticon orbiting superweapon was destroyed by the Autobots... but not before Megatron ripped the datacore from its brain so as to salvage its information on Dark Energon. Megatron was pleased. Despite his loss, he still had the upper hand. {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}

==Toys==
===Generations===
[[Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianMegatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px| Fashionably asymmetrical.]]
*'''Cybertronian Megatron''' (Deluxe, 2010)
:*''Accessories'': clear purple missile, fusion cannon

: This toy is based on Megatron's appearance in the video game ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'', transforming into a Cybertronian self-propelled gun. The treads of his vehicle can be positioned in either a vertical configuration like a traditional tank or in a horizontal, hovertank configuration. Megatron's spring-loaded cannon can attach to either arm. He also has an insignia on his back, but unlike Optimus, his is not hidden by kibble. Like [[Soundwave (Prime)|''War for Cybertron'' Soundwave]], his head has a light-piping gimmick that has been neutered by his painted eyes.

: Some units of the figure have Megatron's left internal shoulder strut misassembled, preventing that side of the tank-mode from becoming properly flush to the body when transforming. This can be corrected by unscrewing and separating the outer shoulder structure, flipping the strut 180 degrees, and reassembling the shoulder covering.

: Also, the packaging image for his tank mode is flipped.

: This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#United|Megatron Cybertron Mode]] and [[Darkside Megatron]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/GenerationsMegatron/megatron.htm More information on Cybertronian Megatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Prime===
[[Image:Primetoy-MegatronEP.jpg|right|thumb|300px|His jet mode needs a little scarf attached to the robot head.]]
*'''Optimus Prime vs Megatron''' (5 figure gift set, 2011)
: A Deluxe-sized Megatron comes with a similarly-scaled [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] and PVC figurines of [[Miko Nakadai]], [[Jack Darby]] and [[Raf Esquivel]]. Megatron converts from his alien jet mode to his robot mode.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

*'''Megatron''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2012)
**'''Accessories''': "Cyber sword"
: This Cyberverse scaled Megatron is cast partly in translucent plastic so that the toy can be lit using the electronic lights featured in the larger playsets. He also comes with a translucent "cyber sword" weapon and a pack-in file card.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
*'''Rage over Cybertron''' (Multipack, 2011)
:*''Accessories'': clear blue missile, fusion cannon

:A translucent [[redeco]] of Cybertronian Megatron, collected together with Cybertronian Optimus Prime and Cybertronian Bumblebee in a three-pack [[exclusive]] to [[Toys"R"Us]].

{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Tfprimemegatronjet.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Too fast for screen caps.]]
*Megatron's designation as an energon miner was "D-16".<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?guid=7fd5ecd9-19b9-f369-1041-a7635be83172 War for Cybertron timeline].</ref> Megatron's original [[Japanese ID number list|Japanese ID number]] was "16". Takara would eventually change the numbering system using a "D" to denote [[Decepticon|Destrons]]. So Megatron's Japanese ID number could retroactively be considered "D-16".
*In ''Transformers: War for Cybertron'', Megatron has multiple glitches when controlled by the computer, among them shrinking (quite hilariously), losing his Fusion Cannon, and having his Tank mode cannon stick straight up (also humorous). He may be the most glitchy character in the game.
*Optimus Prime's recollections in ''Darkness Rising'' have him and Megatron fighting side-by-side at the start of the Great War. This is the first time a Megatron has been involved in a Great War that he ''didn't'' start, never mind one where he used to be a goodie.
*The show design of this version of Megatron takes visual cues from both G1 (the ever-famous [[Megatron (G1)| buckethead]]) and [[Megatron (Movie)|the Movie version]] of the Decepticon leader (the sharp angles and bits on his shoulders, along with two-toed feet and a demonic-looking face with sharp teeth), even including the jet mode the latter version appeared in: the ''Prime'' staff used the same rationale that Megatron would not scan an Earth mode out of disgust at humans.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/botcon-2010-transformers-prime-panel-coverage-170054/ BotCon 2010 Transformers Prime Panel Coverage]</ref> According to Cybertronian Megatron's packaging bio, Megatron often changes his altmode, probably in an attempt to explain why he's a tank in the game and a jet in the cartoon.
*At a video shown at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con, Welker explained his ''Prime'' voice for Megatron would be mostly toned down from his G1 counterpart, to give the character more range.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/san-diego-comic-con-33/transformers-prime---peter-cullen--frank-welker-behind-the-scenes-170264/ Transformers Prime - Peter Cullen & Frank Welker Behind the Scenes] TFW2005</ref> When the show aired, Megatron indeed had a more quiet, sinister version of his voice than the iconic shouty one.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Gladiators]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Prime Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Decepticons]]