Generic

2007-04-09T19:53:33Z

69.4.102.145:

[[Image:Generic.jpg|right|thumb|250px|His existence is about a millisecond, but that millisecond!]]

A "'''Generic'''" is the fan-coined, unofficial term for any unnamed background [[Transformer]] that is clearly not intended to represent any previously existing and named toy/character. Generics are frequently used to fill out crowd scenes and battles, and often (though not always) employ repeated standardized designs (especially in the older material such as the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]).

It is rare that a generic gets a speaking part, but it has happened from time to time. However, if the character is given a name he/she ceases to be a generic and becomes a regular old character (see [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] for an example of such an apotheosis).

== Notable generics==

===Generation 1 cartoon===

*[[Seekers]] - The comparatively low number of Decepticons in the early episodes of the cartoon led to the filling out of the ranks with numerous generics based on the existing cast, and most notably the Seekers.

*[[Junkion|Junkions]] - Hordes of generic Junkions tended to appear whenever the Cartoon visited [[Junkion (planet)|that planet]].

*Paradrons - The entire population of [[Paradron]] save for [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] were generics, especially their [[Paradron Medic|medics]].

*Lithonians - [[Lithone]] designs featured many background generics of strange design, some of which were later recycled as members of [[Hive (G1)|The Hive]].

=== Beast Machines ===
*''[[Generation 1]]'' character models created for the ''Beast Wars'' episode [[The Agenda, Part 3]] were modified to represent various generic Cybertronian citizens who were infected with Megatron's transformation lock virus.

=== Armada ===
[[Image:Prominent generic.png|thumb|left|"I had a bigger role than [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]]!"|100px]]
* Autobot and Decepticon forces were filled out using [[Generation 1]] character models, creating several odd instances of classic characters getting remarkably awkward (and often randomly-colored) cameos.

* Depending on who was animating the episode, the masses of [[Mini-Con]]s combined toy-characters with either randomly-colored toy-based models or entirely-new designs... or, in one notable instance, [[Wheelie]]'s character model!

=== Energon ===
[[Image:EnergonGeneric.jpg|right|thumb|150px|"Absolutely, positively not made of the corpses of other more important characters, SIR!"]]
*Due to the computer generated nature of the graphics, both Autobot and Decepticon forces were filled out with generics assembled from parts of other existing or unused character models. [[Wing Saber]]'s original "Wing Dagger" form is one such example of a mixed-and-matched generic character model.
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==External links==
*[http://s90690880.onlinehome.us/jhiaxus/pages/generics.htm Generics at the Obscure Transformers Website]
*[http://www.insecticons.com/screencapsarm/s-npcs.html Armada Background Characters at insecticons.com]

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[[Category: Fandom]]
[[Category: Generation 1]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Seeker (body-type)

2007-04-09T18:47:02Z

69.4.102.145:

{{Template:Disambig2|the group of Decepticon jets|the Mini-Con|Seeker (Energon)}}
{{featured}}

[[Image:Seekers.png|thumb|300px|Well, they keep the toy-repainting fans off the streets, at least.]]

The term '''Seeker''' refers to [[Decepticon]] jet troopers who all share the same body style. That is, the Decepticons in [[Generation 1]] that looked like [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] but in different colors or with minor variations in wing and head shapes, and also the Decepticons in later franchises such as ''[[Armada]]'' where similar "families" of jets appear.

The word "Seeker" hovered a long time in a strange grey area between official and fan-coined terms. It seems to have originated in ''extremely'' obscure official or semi-official writing, but somehow became widely used among fans. In 2002 the term appeared in dialogue from the first issue of [[War Within|''The War Within'']] from [[Dreamwave]], making it "official" after years of controversy. It has subsequently appeared here and there in other official materials including the ''[[Armada]]'' storybook, "[[The Awakening]]" and packaging bios such as [[Titanium Series]] ''[[War Within]]'' [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's]].

==Generation 1 Seekers==
'''Japanese name:''' ''Jetron''

In Generation 1, there were six Seekers given names and characterization: [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]. The last three are usualy designated as [[Conehead]] Seekers by fans for their distinctive transformation that leaves the jet nosecone pointing up. The animation models for the Conehead Seekers were designed by [[Floro Dery]], whereas the season one Seekers were done primarily by an unknown designer in Japan.

[[Image:MTMTEGenerics-OilField.jpg|thumb|left|Aw, not "When Continents Collide" again...]]

In the Generation 1 cartoon, there were large numbers of [[Generic|generic]], unnamed Seekers in addition to the named characters.They came in a wide variety of colors, and seem to have formed the bulk of the Decepticon forces on Cybertron, as well as among Megatron's initial troops on Earth. They gradually became less common, perhaps as a result of casualties, or the cartoon's production team getting more careful, or likely just plain having more "actual" Decepticons to work with as the line expanded. (Extra-Reflector units and alternate color cassettes were also used along with these Seekers, early on, to fill out the comparatively thin Decepticon ranks.)

There is a seventh official Seeker who has been retroactively inserted into Generation 1: [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], an orange Seeker who started his existence as an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] toy, inspired by one of the nameless generic Seekers from the first episode of the ''Transformers'' cartoon. (He was only available with an [[Autobot]] toy also based on a [[Load Hauler|first-episode cameo]].)

Unnamed Seekers appear in the following episodes:

*[[More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1]] - In the "return to Iacon" scene on Cybertron 5 to 7 Seekers appear (wide shots depict a group of 5, but the close-ups give us 7 distinct color schemes.) The first three are (as far as colors are concerned) Skywarp, Screamer, and TC. Most visable behind them are a lavender Seeker with a flamethrower pack, a Blue-but-distinct-from-Thundercracker Seeker who holds his arm gun like a rifle, and the yellow/orange Seeker who would become Sunstorm. A second almost-Thundercracker lurks in the background in one shot.

*More Than Meets the Eye, Parts 2 & 3 - At least 6 different Seekers of various shades and decos of blue and at least or 4 of various shades and decos of lavender (two with Black tailfins as jets, two with white). Also a blue varient (seen in the picture above) missing his wings and shoulder vents appears in part 3.

*[[Divide and Conquer]] - Avert your eyes: One deep blue, one eye-burning bright green, and one garishly bright yellow. This trio is often referred to by fans as "the [[Rainmakers]]" because they started an [[acid rain]] shower to irritate a group of Autobots.

*[[Ultimate Doom, Part 3]] - Two blue variants, and one really nice looking pine-green Seeker appears.

*Five Faces of Darkness - One all grey Seeker, one with [[Onslaught]]'s coloration, and one with [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]. Also the interesting Conehead variant. All pictured above.

*[[Dark Awakening]] - One Season 1 style Seeker with Dirge's colors appears next to the actual Dirge.

*Puffy stickers - A sheet of TF puffy stickers featured a rare generic with a Starscream based colorsheme. He is pictured above as well.

==Unicron Trilogy Seekers==
In ''Armada'', the [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]/[[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]]/[[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] trio returned in an alternate incarnation. All three even used the same toy mold, though Skywarp was heavily [[retool]]ed from the others (including getting an entirely new-mold [[Mini-Con]] partner). While new Decepticon-allied jet characters named [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Ramjet (Armada)|Ramjet]] came out in ''Armada'', they each had their own unique molds.

Though only Starscream would appear in the follow-up series ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'', the final portion of the Unicron Trilogy, ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', saw the return of the trio. While Starscream came back in a form heavily inspired by the [[War Within]] Starscream design (itself based on the "tetrajet" (see below)), Thundercracker got a completely different body. Skywarp was later released as an exclusive [[redeco]] of the ''[[Legends of Cybertron]]'' Starscream: a tiny, simplified version of the main toy, but would also later be released in the normal retail line as a redeco of Thundercracker. Whee!

Two more ''Legends'' Starscream redecos would be released in ''Cybertron'', both as alternate incarnations of previous Seekers: [[Ramjet (LOC)|Ramjet]], who was a giveaway at [[BotCon 2005]], and [[Sunstorm (LOC)|Sunstorm]], part of the last wave of the miniatures line at retail. Considering the numbers, it is safest to assume that the Starscream-shaped jets would be considered the Seekers of the ''Cybertron'' era (though they are never officially called as such).

==Alternate terms==
The most obvious alternate name for these Transformers is '''Decepticon jets'''. While usually clear enough from context, this term has the weakness that there are many Decepticon jets who are not "Seekers".

[[Image:Tetrajet_seekers.jpg|thumb|right|For every Saturn 5 rocket, there is a Flying Pyramid of Doom.]]

The same Transformers are also sometimes referred to as '''tetrajets'''. This makes reference to their Cybertronian forms as seen in the cartoon episode "[[More Than Meets the Eye]]" and a handful of other episodes set on Cybertron. In these forms, their vehiclular modes are shaped somewhat like tetrahedra, or "triangular pyramids" (that is, a pyramid with a triangular base).

For a time, the term '''Skyraider''' saw increasing popularity. It comes from European ''[[Generation 2]]'' marketing. When Starscream and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] were released in this line, their packaging referred to them as Skyraiders. The UK ''Generation 2'' comic also featured some character profiles (much like the old [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|''Transformers Universe'']] comics), and those profiles for Starscream and Ramjet used the word as well. It is a relatively small leap to extend usage to all similarly-built Decepticons. The push to use "Skyraider" was largely founded on the idea of using an official term instead of one that was, seemingly, coined and used only by fans. When [[Simon Furman]] made use of "Seeker" in ''The War Within'', however, this primary motivation was lost.

A final, joking alternate name is '''non-blunderscrounge'''. Used infrequently and only for the sake of silliness, this term originated in a post to [[alt.toys.transformers]] by the fan, Sky Shadow. In a discussion of the term "seeker", Shy Shadow suggested that all Decepticon jets who do ''not'' share the body design of Starscream be called "blunderscrounges", making Starscream himself a "non-blunderscrounge".

==History of term "Seeker"==
Although the most well-known name for these Decepticons, the wide use of the term "Seeker" is still somewhat mysterious.

[[Image:Seekers ad text.jpg|frame|left|300px|From the 1984 JCPenney wishbook. [[:Image:Seekers ad.jpg|See the full page here.]]]]

The only known, documented use of the term is from the 1984 JCPenney holiday catalog (sometimes called a "wishbook"). On the page which shows the Christmas season's available TFs, the following entry is found: ''"Decepticon Silver Plane. Airplane with sensational F-15 styling scours the countryside searching for Autobots. When they're found, the Seekers set out to destroy them. Transforms to an exciting robot with hi-tech weapons and Decepticon logo."'' A photo of Starscream and Thundercracker is displayed.

It has been rumored, but not demonstrated, that the term "Seeker" was used in some other early promotional materials. If so, then the term must have been handed down by [[Hasbro]] at some point. It hardly seems possible that the term could have been invented by a lowly copy writer at JCPenney who also just happend to decide to capitalize it. Still, though, if this catalog is the only primary source in which the term appears, it seems strange that it could have inspired the entire fandom to use the term. "Seeker" was in wide use among internet Transfans even in the early 1990s, when the fandom was just getting off its feet. Did somebody in the days of the Transformers email list have a memory of the word from when they saw this catalog at age 10 and start the trend? It is probably impossible to know at this point.

==Apocryphal origins==
It is sometimes claimed that "Seeker" is derived from a line of dialogue in the first episode of the G1 cartoon, in which these jets are referred to as "hunter-seekers". This line does not exist.

The term "hunter-seekers" is used in issue 17 of the US comic, [[The Smelting Pool!|The Smelting Pool]]. However, the Decepticons it is applied to are shown only in their flight modes, which look nothing like the "Seekers" we are familiar with. In fact, the Conehead Seekers make their first appearance in this same issue, and their Cybertronian flight modes appear very similar to their [[Earth]] jet forms (if not completely identical), and completely ''different'' from the craft which are referred to as hunter-seekers. The only real connection between the hunter-seekers we were shown and the "Seekers" is that there's more than one of them and they fly.

[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Fandom]]
[[Category: Generation 1]]
[[Category: Seekers| ]]
[[Category: Mass-produced Transformers]]
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Generic

Seeker (body-type)