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BotCon

2010-11-21T20:17:53Z

69.123.60.62: /* External links */

'''BotCon''' is an annual [[convention]] for Transformers fans and collectors. The convention has been held, in one form or another, annually since 1994.

The name "BotCon" comes from both "ro'''bot''' '''con'''vention" and the names "Auto'''bot'''" and "Decepti'''con'''" used in the toyline.

Featured BotCon guests are usually involved in the creation of Transformers media in some respect, whether voice actors from the animated series, artists or writers from the Transformers [[Comics|comic books]], or actual [[Hasbro]] employees.

==Individual conventions==
For details of each convention, click on the appropriate link below.
{|style="margin:0 auto;padding:0 auto" align=center id=toc
!align=center bgcolor=#6699CC|'''BotCons:'''
|- align="center"
|| [[BotCon 1994|1994]] | [[BotCon 1995|1995]] | [[BotCon 1996|1996]] | [[BotCon 1997|1997]] | [[BotCon Japan 1997|Japan 1997]] | [[BotCon 1998|1998]] | [[BotCot Japan 1998|Japan 1998]] | [[BotCon 1999|1999]] | [[BotCon Europe 1999|Europe 1999]] | [[BotCon 2000|2000]] | [[BotCon Japan 2000|Japan 2000]] | [[BotCon 2001|2001]] | [[BotCon 2002|2002]] | [[BotCon Europe 2002|Europe 2002]] | [[OTFCC 2003]] | [[OTFCC 2004]] | [[BotCon 2004|2004]] | [[BotCon 2005|2005]] | [[BotCon 2006|2006]] | [[BotCon 2007|2007]] | [[BotCon 2008|2008]] | [[BotCon 2009|2009]] | [[BotCon 2010|2010]] |
|}

==BotCon history==
The [[BotCon 1994|first BotCon]] was held in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1994. Organized by brothers Jon and Karl Hartman, the convention had 180 attendees. [[BotCon 1995]] was organized by [[Raksha]], a prominent figure in the fan community, and 1996 by Men In Black Productions, headed up by Dennis Barger. In 1997, the Hartmans brought Glen Hallit, a fellow fan, into the fold, forming [[3H Enterprises]] (based upon the first letter of all three organizers' last names). During this era, the BotCon name was also licensed out for several conventions outside of the United States.

[[Image:OTFCC logo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|THIS... is the wave of the future! What's that? Really? We now return you to your regularly sceduled convention.]]At [[BotCon 2002]], it was announced that 3H had secured the official Transformers convention license, as well as licenses to produce comic books and start a fan club. However, the Hartmans were pressured by Hallit out of planning or running the convention, leaving Glen Hallit as the sole organizer. As a result, the BotCon name, which was owned by the Hartmans, ceased to exist for a time, as 3H's convention was called "[[The Official Transformers Collectors Convention]]," or OTFCC for short.

In 2004, BotCon made a comeback as an [[BotCon 2004|unofficial convention]], which was held in Pasadena, California. The history of the BotCon franchise up to that point was covered in great detail in the [[Unofficial guidebooks|BotCon Legends]] magazine. At the end of 2004, 3H lost all its Transformer licenses, which were soon picked up by [[Fun Publications]], owned by [[Brian Savage]]. The Hartman brothers were invited onto and accepted places in an advisory board for the new convention, along with other prominent fans [[Ben Yee|Benson Yee]] and [[Rik Alvarez]], and granted use of the BotCon name once again.

Since that time, BotCon has been held once again as an annual convention, run by Fun Publications.

==Special Guests==
Over the years, BotCon has featured many individuals who have worked to bring the Transformers multiverse to life, including voice actors, animation staff, and Hasbro design team members.

==Exclusive toys==
One of BotCon's most popular features is the sale of exclusive toys (originally just a single toy) to the guests. The toys are different every year, and will not be sold at retail anywhere in the world. The identity and design of the toys were originally kept a close secret until the opening of the convention, although in the later years of the convention the organizers often chose to reveal one or more of the exclusives ahead of time, due to repeated problems with stolen prototypes being sold on eBay.

In the past, the toys were sold individually as part of the convention registration process, however the current convention organizers are only offering the exclusives as part of a package deal, a move that has caused some contention in the fandom.

Although the toys are always unique, financial costs prohibit the creation of entirely new molds. As such, the toys are [[redeco]]s of previously used toys given new identities, occasionally switching allegiances and even gender. In the last few years, minor remoulds have been made to the exclusives, such as the new heads given the Deathsaurus and Ironhide in 2005. After the convention, exclusive toys usually become valuable collector's items in the community, particularly among fans who missed the convention. Before the convention, many fans complain vociferously because the prices of exclusive, limited-run figures are high. This is particularly true of the 2007 "Games of Deception" set, which many fans still complain about because of its unavailability at a retail level.

===Proposed/Unreleased Exclusives===
A number of toys were planned over the years but never produced, for various reasons. Note that some of these entries are essentially jokes from the organizers' brainstorming sessions, which they then later mentioned to other fans:

*Lickme, a redeco of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] as a Poison Arrow Frog. Function: Psychological Warfare. Mentioned at the BotCon '99 Organizers Panel.
*Jai-Alai, a black redeco of [[Manterror]]. Function: Ninja. Mentioned at the BotCon '99 Organizers Panel.
*[[Cataclysm (BW)|Cataclysm]], a green and purple redeco of Transmetal [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]]. This character actually appeared in the convention storyline and was thought to be the lower priced exclusive in 2000 until Apelinq was revealed instead. It is unclear whether or not Cataclysm was ever truly intended to be released, however.
*Optimal Rodimus Primal, mentioned by the Hartmans at the organizer's panel at Botcon 2000, this would have been an updated version of Rodimus Prime made from the Optimal Optimus mold. Plans were nixed very early on as Primal Prime was going into its limited production run and Hasbro didn't give licensees the leeway they now enjoy. Optimal Rodimus Primal's events in the Wreckers storyline were revised for Primal Prime and Rodimus instead
*Blue Balls Attack Team, from an anecdote shared by Karl Hartman on the now defunct BotCon Beyond message board, a planning session for BotCon had run much later than anticipated and an exhausted Hartman proposed a pair of blue repaints of Beast Wars [[Retrax]]. Obviously not a serious proposal.
*[[Defensor (OTFCC)|Hot Spot]], a blue redeco of [[Optimus Prime (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime]] as a new Autobot leader modelled after the Generation One character. The toy would have featured a new headsculpt for the robot's larger "[[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]]" mode. This toy was originally solicited for OTFCC 2004, then pushed back for OTFCC 2005. When the license was removed from 3H Productions, this figure was cancelled.
*[[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]], a red redeco of [[Megatron (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Megatron]] as an upgraded (and resurrected) ''Beast Wars'' Megatron. This toy would have featured a new headsculpt. Designs of this toy were part of 3H's OTFCC 2005 proposal, which never happened.
*[[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]], a blue redeco of [[Slugslinger (Energon)|''Energon'' Slugslinger]] as the Generation One character. This toy would have featured a new headsculpt. Designs of this toy were part of 3H's OTFCC 2005 proposal, which never happened.
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], a green redeco of [[Strongarm (Energon)|''Energon'' Strongarm]] as the Generation One character. This toy would have featured a new headsculpt and snap on Energon gauntlets. Designs of this toy were part of 3H's OTFCC 2005 proposal, which never happened.
*[[Roadbuster]], an orange and green redeco of ''Energon'' Strongarm as the Generation One character. This toy would have featured a new headsculpt and Energon rifle. Designs of this toy were part of 3H's OTFCC 2005 proposal, which never happened.
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], originally conceived as the ''Cybertron Defense'' Hot Shot redeco for 2007. He was dropped in favor of Springer, who fit the mold and the story/theme better.

==Exclusive fiction==
Many BotCons have featured fiction exclusive to the convention. This fiction has taken the form of comic books, text stories, and script readings.

==External links==
*[http://www.botcon.com Official site]
*[http://www.transformersclub.com/ Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club]
*[http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/faq/fandom/conventions.php Convention info from the Transformers FAQ]

[[Category:Conventions]]
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Fun Publications]]
[[Category:Exclusives]]

Cyclonus (G1)

2010-09-09T20:37:24Z

69.123.60.62: Undo revision 498027 by 137.198.20.48 (Talk)-redundant

{{factions|decepticon|unicron|wreckers}}

{{disambig3|Cyclonus}}
:''Cyclonus is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|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]].

:''Italian name:'' '''Ciclone''' ("Cyclone")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Hsúan-fēng''' (旋風, "Cyclone")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Kuáng Biāo''' （狂飙, "Rampage"）

==Fiction==
===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)

{{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|Decepticons]] 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)|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)|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)|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|Sweeps]] 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)|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. 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]] 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 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]] 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?=====
{{bigquote|Even when you were a ''bug'', I hated your stinkin’ circuits.|[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] on Cyclonus's origins|[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]}}

[[Image:Cyclonus tf1.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Bombshell and Skywarp, who the hell am I?]]
When the injured Decepticons are transformed by Unicron, two identical Cyclonus robots are simultaneously created—in the foreground, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], becomes one, while in the background, Decepticon jet [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] becomes another. The dialogue which accompanies this scene claims that we are seeing "Cyclonus... and his [[Cyclonus's Armada|armada]]." But, clearly, one warrior does not make an armada ([[Armada (cartoon)|at least three are required]]) – the line is, in fact, a carry over from the original script, in which Cyclonus was intended to have multiple identical duplicates, in the same way that Scourge had the Sweeps. However, the idea was apparently abandoned right after this scene—as the group boards the ''[[Revenge (G1)|Revenge]]'' moments later, the second Cyclonus has disappeared and 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 consistently depicted as a unique individual, barring some animation errors in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]" and "[[The Quintesson Journal]]" that depicted multiple Cyclonuses. It was, essentially, as if the armada had never existed in the first place.

[[Image:Cyclonus tf2.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Cyclonus "and his armada"]]
After all of this to-ing and fro-ing, the question is left: if there is actually only one Cyclonus, then which robot became him? Bombshell or Skywarp?

Outside of the questionable nature of the armada's actual existence, the question mainly exists due to certain fans' dissatisfaction with the asymmetry of the fates of Skywarp and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. While many fans are happy to simply follow what is shown in the film and take it that Bombshell became Cyclonus, others point their fingers at Skywarp, offering the rationalization that since Thundercracker the blue jet from 1984 became Galvatron's blue spaceship lieutenant, ''it simply should be'' that Skywarp the purple(-accented) jet from 1984 would become Galvatron's purple spaceship lieutenant (the [[cross-sell]] catalogs included with 1986 toys even replaced Thundercracker and Skywarp with Cyclonus and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] in the Decepticon Jets section). It is not uncommon, however, for fans to then tack on to this rationalization that if Skywarp became Cyclonus, then Bombshell must have become the armada, unhelpfully overlooking the nebulous existence of the armada which caused the whole argument in the first place.

There are any number of other niggly little arguments that can be made for either party, regarding the personalities of the characters or the roles that they had prior to their reconstruction, but it's all very circular and self-defeating. Then, there are those who feel that it does not matter who became Cyclonus, holding that both candidates were dead at the time, and, ultimately, arguments on the matter seem irrelevant, as Cyclonus never displays any inklings of a past life, whatever life that might have been. This group of people probably sleep better at night.

The only extant written statement on the matter from the time of the movie's production and release comes, originally, from Cyclonus' ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' bio, which states that he is made from the "parts of dead Decepticons" (note plural), which would be echoed in his much later [[Heroes of Cybertron]] bio and his [[Universe (2008 franchise)|2008 ''Universe'']] bio. However, as noted above, the visuals in the scene as-animated certainly imply that it was one old body per new body, without mixing and matching, and favoring "Bombshell" as the answer because of the blocking of the shot.

[[Image:Bombshell-to-cyclonus-storyboard.jpg|left|400px|thumb|What are you going to believe: fanfic or your lying eyes?]] The movie script is silent, or rather, completely apathetic on the matter: it states that after Megatron's transformation, the "other Decepticons" are turned into Scourge and Cyclonus and their minions, with no statements about particular bodies. The storyboards, however, are fairly unambiguous. They show Bombshell, pre-reformatting, and Cyclonus (with some other robots in the shot), post-reformatting. This may at least offer some insight into the [[authorial intent]]. It's worth noting that this version of the Storyboard omits any reference to Cyclonus' Armada.

[[Image:Idwwhoiscyclonus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Not to be confused with Armada Cyclonus.]]
For what it's worth in terms of [[Retcon|retroactive canon-making]], [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s 20th anniversary adaptation, ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'', presented the scene precisely as animated in the movie, with Bombshell in the foreground declared as Cyclonus through a caption box, and Skywarp in the background marked as his armada. On the other hand, the lenticular cover to the 20th Anniversary DVD edition places Skywarp and Cyclonus in the same location, and a set of character bios written by Australian fans for the 2003 Madman Entertainment DVD release of the movie—later used on several UK Metrodome DVDs—state with complete unambiguity that Skywarp become Cyclonus. Tangentially, Cyclonus and Skywarp are two separate, concurrently-existing characters in the arguably post-movie setting of the [[Universe (2003 comic)|''Wreckers'']] comics. "[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]" addressed the issue directly, adhering to the scene as animated by specifically stating that Skywarp had once been Cyclonus's armada, and having Skywarp call Cyclonus a former "bug." Meanwhile, the 2007 Masterpiece Skywarp toy includes an 'Armada Decepticon' sticker, seemingly putting that toy in the "Bombshell was Cyclonus" pile, but Masterpiece Thundercracker comes with the same sticker, only recolored.

However, none of these things, many coming two decades after the fact, are exactly "evidence" for what happened in the film.
{{-}}

====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers'' manga====
{{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}}

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)|Omnibot]]s. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5}}

====''The Great Transformer War'' comic====
Cyclonus stood by Galvatron's side as he commanded the captive scientist [[Doctor 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}} After the resurrection of Optimus Prime, Cyclonus was seen getting trounced by Hot Rod. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tomomichi Nishimura]] (Japanese)

{{note|The ''Headmasters'' cartoon and Japanese continuity thereafter ignores the events of ''[[The Rebirth]]''. Cyclonus and Scourge's roles were reduced to comedy relief, with their intelligence being markedly decreased until they were little more than cackling, bumbling henchmen.}}

[[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, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s. {{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 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 [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]] proudly sucked up to Scorponok, reporting on a new energy-absorbing satellite named [[Solar 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]], 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 [[Counterpunch (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 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 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 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 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 in "[[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 lock virus]], the Wreckers and a few other small groups were the only Transformers left active on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

[[Image:Wreckersskywarpcyclonus.jpg|right|180px|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 [[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}}

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}}

{{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}} 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}}

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}}

===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!]]

In the present, he 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 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)|Seeker]]s, their new mission is to follow Galvatron.
{{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 14|Rebirth}}

===''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}}

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

{{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}}

===Timelines: Wings of Honor continuity===
{{storylink|Wings of Honor}}
{{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{-}}

==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.

::*''[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"

: 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)===
====Generation 1 Series====
[[Image:UniverseCyclonusCorrected.JPG|right|300px|thumb|...and now that Galvatron is back, he is happy.]]
*'''Cyclonus''' (Deluxe, 2008)

:''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]]" [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] and "[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|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)
: A redeco of ''[[Universe (2008)|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.

: So far the set has only been released in Southeast Asian markets by Hasbro Malaysia, and there are currently no details about a release elsewhere.

{{-}}

===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.

{{-}}

==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 [[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|]]
*'''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]] [[Headmasters (comic)|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.

*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]]".

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

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Beast Machines characters]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! characters]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Saboteurs]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Galvatron (G1)/toys

2010-08-15T15:53:19Z

69.123.60.62: /* Henkei! Henkei! */

{{suite}}

Toys of a Galvatronic nature.

See also [[Megatron (G1)/toys]] and [[Galvatron II#Toys]].

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Galvatron toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Nobody minds ''his'' [[neon]] orange barrel.]]
* '''Galvatron''' (Decepticon, 1986/1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-62'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Rifle, Particle Cannon, Particle Cannon connector

: Galvatron transforms into a Cybertronic treaded field artillery unit with an alternate hand-held gun mode. Using a 9-volt battery, he has a light-up barrel in cannon or gun mode, light-up eyes in robot mode, and variable electronic warbly noises in any mode. Galvatron is notable as one of the most well-articulated toys in the ''Generation 1'' line, with ratcheting shoulders and hips, as well as swivel waist, elbows, mid-biceps, knees, and ankle joints. He was also armed with a small, black laser rifle.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Galvatron/galvatron.htm More information on Galvatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

[[Image:G1 Reissue Galvatron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|WHO CHANGED MY COLORS?! NGAAAAA!!!!]]
* '''Galvatron''' (Decepticon, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-62-S'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Rifle, Particle Cannon, Particle Cannon connector, Mini Matrix necklace.

: The original Galvatron toy was much later [[Redeco|redecoed]] and re-released by [[Takara]] into a sort-of more show-like appearance, being primarily purple instead of gray. His face mold was also slightly [[Retool|retooled]], and he was given new sound effects, including speech clips (in Japanese, naturally). He also came with a Matrix on a chain to be worn around his neck, as in the movie. It also used two AA batteries, rather than the previous 9-volt.

: This version of the mold was later redecoed into the original toy's colors for the [[e-Hobby]]-exclusive [[Galvatron II]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Destron/Galvatron/galvatron.htm More information on Reissue Galvatron at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
[[Image:Galvatronuniversetoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And there... on the shoulder... was a HOOK!]]
*'''Galvatron''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:Galvatron transforms into a tank reminiscent of the [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/merkava.htm Israel Weapons Industries Merkava] main battle tank. The tank shows very little purple on its hull, presumably to keep it a reasonably realistic representation of a real-life tank. The tank likewise has a giant translucent orange laser cannon that can fire a translucent orange missile, also keeping in the spirit of realistic alt-modes. Upon transforming to robot mode, it looks much more like the violently insane Decepticon leader we all know and love, and shows larger areas of metallic purple. On the tank turret is the slogan "GALV-25", in reference to the [[franchise]]'s 25th anniversary.

:This toy has many undocumented features in the form of small moving parts that play no role in transformation or either mode; most conspicuous are two articulated feet for the tank mode. In one of the [[Hasbro Q&A]] sessions, it was confirmed that these are remnants of an early design version of Galvatron, which would have been at a larger size class and [http://www.toymania.com/news/messages/10873.shtml featured a third mode as a "walking tank."] It is still possible to manipulate his parts into a mode greatly resembling the original concept design.

:There were several odd paint choices used on this figure. The left arm is molded in purple plastic to properly match the rest of the robot mode... but is then painted over in tank-mode grey paint, even though the arm is not visible in tank mode at all. The vehicle mode's wheels are molded in the same translucent orange as the cannon, and then painted over with ''a slightly different shade of orange''. [[Hasbro]] lead designer [[Bill Rawley]] commented at [[BotCon 2010]] that these must have simply been paint-assignment errors.

:Galvatron's transformation is almost insanely complex for a deluxe figure. Expect this version's arms and legs to pop off regularly during transformation; the arm with the cannon on it is known to pop off rather easily, but is mind-numbingly hard to get back on. The ''Henkei'' version (see below) is noticeably sturdier.

:Hasbro's print advertisement for this figure (featuring Galvatron in combat with [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]) depicts it with the right arm held away from the body and pointing upwards... which is a pose the toy cannot actually assume, short of digital manipulation and/or breaking and creatively gluing the arm.

::*[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/TFUGalvatron/galvatron.htm ''More information on ''Universe'' Galvatron at TFU.info'']

{{-}}

*'''Challenge at Cybertron''' (Deluxe Class figure 3-pack, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

: A redeco of ''[[Universe (2008)|Universe]]'' Galvatron was released in the "[[Challenge at Cybertron]]" multi-pack along with redecoes of [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]]. This version of Galvatron, like the ''Henkei!'' figure, is intended to be accurate to the cartoon's colors, though it attempts the idea much differently.

: So far the set has only been released in Southeast Asian markets by Hasbro Malaysia, and there are currently no details about a release elsewhere.

{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkei Galvatron toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|About ten years too late to be the No Limit Records logo.]]
*'''Galvatron''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:''Henkei! Henkei!'' Galvatron is a redeco of ''Universe'' Galvatron. As with all ''Henkei'' releases, TakaraTomy have attempted to make the toy better resemble his cartoon counterpart, so most of the bright orange plastic from the ''Universe'' toy is now black. The shade of purple used on ''Henkei'' Galvatron is the lighter, lavender shade commonly seen on Takara's Galvatron toys, rather than the deeper purple seen on Hasbro's Galvatron toys. The left arm now retains the "correct" robot-mode plastic color, instead of being painted over in tank colors as the Hasbro version was. The gray is also lighter and a cooler shade of gray than the warm shade used on the Hasbro version.

:Galvatron features [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] plastic, though in Galvatron's case it is the most random and illogical usage of the gimmick yet in the ''Henkei'' toyline. Galvatron's entire tank turret and the equipment on the vehicle side skirts are vacuum-metallized silver, making him one hell of a blingin' tank. His six-pack... errr, four-pack abs are likewise covered in reddish chrome, a design choice that had also been used on the 2005 "anime-colored" G1 Galvatron reissue and on ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Energon|Galvatron]].

:Also of note, the box art on the back of the packaging shows the mythical third "turret" mode, but has no instructions on how to convert the toy into it.

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Generation 1===
*'''Galvatron''' (Watch, 1986, 1993)[[Image:G2merch-Galvatronwatch.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Not only do I tell time, I defy it as well]]
:A Galvatron watch was released in the 1980s in Japan. It was subsequently re-released in the 1990s by Takara as merchandise for the [[Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' line]] in the USA. The watch featured Galvatron's torso with a clock in his chest. It included a mechanism whereby when a lever was pushed, the tiny Galvatron torso "transformed" into a full tiny Galvatron figure complete with legs, standing up on the watch band. The figure cannot be removed from the watch, but the arms do rotate.
{{-}}

===Super Hybrid Model===
* '''Galvatron''' (1987, 1997)

[[Image:SHBMGalv1.jpg|right|150px|thumb|I can't transform? This is YOUR fault, Cyclonus!]]
: ''[[Super Hybrid Model]]'' Galvatron was the exclusive toy for [[BotCon Japan 1997]]. It is a vinyl figure about 8" tall, styled after his [[Studio Ox]]-modified [[Character model|animation model]]; of the original intended SHBM roster, this is the only one to have ever been officially released. [[Image:SHBMGalv2.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Clearly crazy.]] This figure was initially available in two versions: "standard" purple and a translucent orange "lava bath" version limited to 100 pieces. In subsequent years, at least two more versions of this figure would be released for online sale: one that replaced the orange paint on the cannon barrel with an orange molded plastic piece, and another that replaced the entire purple body coloration with royal blue.

{{-}}

===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:PVCGalvyMetalChase.jpg|right|150px|thumb|PVC in this case means Probably Very Crazy.]]
* '''Galvatron''' (2001, 2002)

:Galvatron was part of the second "Act" of Takara's ''[[Super Collection Figure|Super Collection Figures]]'', a soft-plastic PVC of his cartoon model in both full-color and all-clear plastics, one each per case of twelve. A metallic-painted version of this figure was one of the chase items in act 6.

===Heroes of Cybertron===
*'''Galvatron''' (2003)

:''Super Collection Figure'' Galvatron was later released as part of Hasbro's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' series, cast entirely in clear-red plastic then painted over (giving it a lightpipe-like glowing eye effect). He was only available in the third wave of the line.

{{-}}

===MyClone===
* '''Galvatron''' (2003)

[[Image:MycloneGalv.jpg|right|120px|thumb|He will kill you with adorability.]]
: [[MyClone]] Galvatron is a [[super deformed]] figurine whose parts were interchangable with other ''[[MyClone]]'' figures. He came in standard cartoon colours and lava "chase" versions (referencing his lava bath in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]").

{{-}}

===Transformers Generation 1 Bottlecap Collection===
[[Image:BottlecapGalvatron.jpg|right|120px|thumb|How dare [[Pepsi Convoy]]?!]]
* '''Galvatron''' (2003)

:[[Kabaya]] released a set of 12 non-articulated ''Generation 1'' figures affixed at their feet to screw-on bottlecaps. Galvatron was painted entirely in greys, like all the figures except Optimus Prime and Megatron.

{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:TitaniumGalvatron.jpg|right|100px|thumb|"This pose is too crazy, even for ME!!!"]]
*'''Galvatron''' (3-inch Robot Masters, 2006)

: ''Titanium'' Galvatron is a 3-inch-tall, non-transforming, die-cast metal figurine. He is based heavily on his cartoon model and has articulation in his neck, waist, shoulders, and wrists. His orange cannon and right arm from the elbow down are also removable.

::*[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Decepticon/TitGalvatron/galvatron.htm ''More information on ''Titanium'' Galvatron at TFU.info'']

{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:RobotHeroes Galvatron Sunstreaker.jpg|right|thumb|"Hi, I'm better than you." "Yeah, but I'm crazier than you."]]
* '''Sunstreaker vs. Galvatron''' (2-pack, 2008)

:''Robot Heroes'' Galvatron is an adorably insane super-deformed figurine with articulation at the neck and shoulders. Glitch-tastically, he has a [[:Image:Decepticon_Shattered_Glass.png|red]] [[Transformers (2007)|movie]]-style Decepticon symbol.

{{-}}

===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:DiamondGalvBust.jpeg|right|thumb|150px|What Zarak meant by "we shall see..."]]
* '''Galvatron''' (Diamond Select, 2008)
: The first large Galvatron merchandise item to see release in U.S. markets was this bust, sculpted by [[Art Asylum]] and released by [[Diamond Select Toys]] in 2008. It is a static depiction of Galvatron's head and collar region, limited to 1,000 pieces.

{{-}}

[[Image:DST09_Galvatron_bust.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Hadooken!]]
* '''Galvatron''' (Diamond Select, 2009)
: Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2009, Galvatron was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of Art Asylum and limited to 1,000 pieces. He has his particle cannon posed forward either at an Autobot or perhaps one of his own underlings. His base is the planet devouring [[Unicron]] who originally created him from the dying [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron.]]

[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! characters]]
[[Category:Kiss Players characters]]
[[Category:MyClone]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Watches]]

Space bridge

2010-07-25T14:06:53Z

69.123.60.62: /* Movie continuity */

The '''space bridge''' is a means of moving Transformers from one planet to another almost instantaneously, without the need for a spacecraft.

Space bridges are not to be confused with [[Transwarp]] technology, which is generally used to propel a spaceship between worlds (and, on occasion, through time.)

{{note|Space bridge technology varies widely between continuities, as described below.}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
[[Image:DivideConquer Earth spacebridge.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Colonel White has been looking for his control panel.]]
The space bridge was apparently first conceived by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in 1984, as a means of transport back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] for the [[Decepticon]]s stranded on [[Earth]], and to allow them to ferry [[energon cube]]s to revitalize the planet. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}}

The Cybertronic end of the space bridge is a fixture in Shockwave's command center, where it takes the form of a cylindrical tube, the top of which projects outside of the center's dome; it is through this open end that transportees enter or depart amid a geyser of energy. The Earth-based end of the space bridge is decidedly more flexible—the Decepticons frequently constructed new space bridges in various locations, normally in the form of large metal rings.

In early uses of the space bridge, the dimensional portal could only remain open and stable for a maximum of 11 minutes. Early Space Bridge travel likewise proved somewhat unstable, and required the use of a small vehicle to safely transport any cargo. The vehicle was rolled into the ring on a railed structure, and then had to be piloted along "a beam of light". [[Reflector (G1)|Some]] Decepticons displayed pronounced horror at being chosen for this unenviable task, as not staying on the light beam would cause the pilot and cargo to "cease to exist". {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}} In the very first practice run of the mechanism, the villains opted to use the captive [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], rather than risk any of their number.

[[Image:SpaceBridgeCartoon1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Indiana Jones and the Flower of Doom!]]
After being knocked into the bridge by accident, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] proved able to traverse the bridge without a craft. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} Several Autobots likewise survived the trip in their vehicle forms. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}} After this, the need for the craft seems to have been removed, as many Transformers and various cargoes would travel by space bridge with no vessel and no difficulties. On one occasion, two humans in a convertible even made the trip with no ill effects. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} The process could, however, still go wrong, as it did when the Decepticons attempted to convert a baseball field into a new space bridge site, and a malfunction blasted a small group of Transformers to an alien world of giants. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}}

It's never made clear exactly how the space bridge works. Typical activation sequences show what appears to be a dimensional portal in the sky above the bridge, opened up by a blast of energy from the bridge ring; the bridge's contents (along with a great deal of rock and detritus) were then drawn into the portal, which then closed with a large discharge of energy. On the Cybertron end, the arrival is marked by a beam or gusher of energy arriving from deep space.

[[Image:TransportOblivion Cybertron spacebridge.jpg|right|200px|thumb|That door wasn't there a moment ago.]]
The space bridge technology was taken to its ultimate extent when the Decepticons constructed three colossal pylons that would generate a "space pyramid", the apex of which extended to Cybertron's location in another galaxy. Using this, Cybertron was transported into Earth's orbit for a brief period. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} Cybertron was later removed from Earth's orbit by an explosion; though never explicitly addressed, this event by rights should have left Cybertron ''much'' closer to Earth, possibly accounting for the ease of travel between the two planets thereafter. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}

The space bridge was used for planetary transportation once more when the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] wired his missile guidance systems into it and used its powers to redirect the orbit of Earth, intending to send it spiraling into the sun, only to be stopped by an [[Autobot]]-Decepticon team-up. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

The space bridge fell into disuse when the Autobots reclaimed Cybertron in 2005, and throughout 2006, both they and the Decepticons were shown to rely on more mundane means of space travel (shuttles, self-propelled flight) in addition to space bridge-like devices called "[[Warp Gate]]s" located throughout space. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
{{cleanup|May 2009|Needs storylinks.}}
By the year 2011, the Autobots had studied and duplicated the space bridge technology for their own use. They developed their own space bridge network, allowing transport between Cybertron, Earth and the planet [[Athenia]], with fixed space bridge receptors in each base (the transport beam was, of course, now the traditional Autobot orange, as opposed to the Decepticons' iconic purple). They did not, however, destroy the original Decepticon space bridge, as the Decepticons were unable to use it to travel to the planet due to Vector Sigma maintaining an Autobot balance of power. This proved to be a mistake, however, when the [[Matrix]]'s energy was released in 2010 to cure the [[Hate Plague]]; this caused Vector Sigma to become destabilized, and the Decepticons were able to exploit this to use the space bridge to invade Cybertron.

When [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] was destroyed by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the gravimetric balance of the solar system was disrupted, making space bridge travel to Earth unstable. This soon ceased to be an issue, however, when the Decepticons headed off on an interplanetary energy raid; in order to slow the Autobots down, [[Sixshot]] destroyed the Earth-based space bridge, causing a chain reaction that detonated the entire network.

The destruction of the space bridge left the only means to travel to Earth as the [[Trainbot]]s and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]] (or on one occasion, [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]). This reduced ability to travel to Earth is one of the reasons for the heavy human involvement in the [[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|following battles]], since Transformers are mostly unable to join the battle on Earth themselves.

===Marvel Generation 1 comics===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Spacebridgemarvelcomic.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Get it? Space "bridge"? Ahahaha.]]
[[Image:Spanner2.JPG|left|180px|thumb|"Blow me up so that I may die with dignity."]]
The space bridge was built by [[Straxus (G1)|Lord Straxus]]'s Cybertronian Decepticons, in response to the discovery that [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s lost group of Decepticons were alive and had set up operations on Earth. The bridge, which resembles a normal Earthen suspension bridge when not in use, has two halves; one which which remains stationary on Cybertron, and another which teleports to Earth. Passing through the bridge's central arch transports objects across vast distances, instantly and painlessly. Although a properly functioning space bridge is a far more pleasant mode of transportation than the more fuel-efficient Autobot version, the [[Trans-Time Dimensional Portal]], an improperly calibrated space bridge will annihilate any object or being who attempts to pass through its arch. Lord Straxus illustrated this fact when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] sent him over the edge during transit.

The original space bridge was built from the vast body of [[Spanner (G1)|Spanner]], a neutral scientist who had been captured by Straxus's forces and forced to design the Bridge. ''After the space bridge was almost completely destroyed, a new Bridge was built to replace it.''

===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
{{main|Global Space Bridge}}

===Dreamwave Generation 1 comics===
The space bridge was developed by the Decepticons as a means of exploring (and presumably conquering) other worlds far away from Cybertron. These bridges were <s>[[wikipedia:Stargate_(device)|stargates]]</s> small portals that could only be programmed for a certain number of people. Megatron himself underwent the first test of the space bridge. However, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] collided with him before he entered. As it had been only programmed to accept one, the space bridge exploded, and both leaders were presumed dead. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages}} In actuality, they had survived, and been transported to [[Quintessa]], where they remained for several millennia. {{storylink|War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

===Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity===
Space bridges are the main mode of traveling in the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. Unlike their Generation 1 counterparts, they do not appear to need the use of a fixed device at both ends.

They appear to change in variation from series to series, although this is likely simply due to art direction. In ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the Transformers are 'stretched' into warp gates, while in ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', space bridges tend to appear as a large hole in the sky that may or may not have a clear ramp leading into it.

===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[Image:TFA Space Bridge.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Chevron seven is locked.]]
Space bridges are used to travel around the galaxy. This incarnation takes the form of a large, forked structure and works by generating a sphere of energy between the two prongs. The [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] was thrown into one to keep it out of Decepticon hands. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and his [[Bumblebee (Animated)|small]] [[Bulkhead (Animated)|band]] [[Prowl (Animated)|of]] [[Ratchet (Animated)|Autobots]] were put in charge of repairing space bridges.

These and the AllSpark were apparently the key to the Autobots winning the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], and [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] planned to use some schematics to build his own. He kidnapped [[Isaac Sumdac]] to design it and used [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] to build it, but it wasn't enough. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

With [[Bulkhead (Animated)|some additional help]] he completed it, {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}} but as often is the case with Decepticon plans, it didn't end well. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}} During the [[Decepticon Uprisings]], [[Team Chaar]] attempted to use a space bridge in order to travel to the [[Space bridge nexus]] on Cybertron but were stopped by Shockwave who was waiting for Megatron's signal to begin the attack. The network was later shut down by the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]]. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

[[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] used components from a transwarp generator in order to create a teleportation pod which she used to transform [[Wasp]] into a [[Technorganic]] being; however, after its use, the chamber exploded. {{storylink|Predacons Rising}} Bulkhead along with Isaac Sumdac later attempted to work together in making a space bridge on Earth for the Autobots but faced many arguments on how to calibrate the equipment. Luckily, Sari Sumdac managed to activate the system which was later used to transport Optimus Prime onto the [[Steelhaven (Animated)|Elite Guard flagship]] which had been taken over by the former Decepticon prisoners. {{storylink|Decepticon Air}}

===IDW continuity===
Space bridge technology was invented by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]. After being turned into a zombie by Jhiaxus, [[Sixshot]] obtained his space bridge schematics and traded them to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in exchange for being returned to normal. {{storylink|Spotlight: Metroplex}} Megatron planned to create a web of space bridges across the galaxy, granting the Decepticons instant access to anything they needed. The first space bridge was constructed by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] in the Decepticon-conquered [[New York City]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

===Movie continuity===
{{quote|You{{m-}}you blue-lighted us and something loud and painful and hallucinogenic happened and there was five seconds of Ted Nugent meets [[Thor]] and then...!|[[Sam Witwicky]] describes going through a space bridge.|[[Revenge of the Fallen (novel)]]}}
Space bridges (also known as "transpatial portals") were first used by the [[Dynasty of Primes]], allowing them to transport between dimensions. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4}} [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]] have the ability to create space bridges, teleporting across worlds and between planets. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 3}} It was eventually discontinued in later models because of the excessive rate of failure. Apparently it was prone to catastrophic malfunction.<ref>[[Revenge of the Fallen (novel)]]</ref>

Eventually, the Decepticons began using space bridge nodes to travel between vast distances of space. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ordered [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] to build a space bridge on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] while his team went to retrieve [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]]. The trials were successful, but because of the distance between Mars and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], they would have to pass through several nodes to return to their homeworld. {{storylink|the Reign of Starscream issue 2}}

[[Image:ROTF Jetfire space bridge.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
[[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] mentioned the Space Bridge by name shortly before he did a really half-assed job of throwing himself and the rest of the heroes halfway across the world to Egypt, wrecking Sam's hand in the process (Jetfire wasn't entirely sure they were still on the right planet). The even-more-ancient but significantly less senile [[The Fallen|Fallen]], one of the [[Thirteen original Transformers|original Primes]], shows a similar ability where he teleports across short distances, seeming to use it as a form of flight. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise]]
[[Category:Energon]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]