MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Smokescreen (G2)

2007-06-17T07:29:03Z

70.55.211.150: /* Marvel comics continuity */

{{disambig3|Smokescreen}}

:''Smokescreen is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 2]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

'''Smokescreen''' is paired up with the much larger Decepticon [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]], forming a deadly duo.

==Fiction==
===Marvel comics continuity===
Smokescreen was connected to Darkwing's vehicle form as they attacked the Rheanium facility. Following this attack, he pointed Megatron towards [[Skullgrin]]'s crashing shuttle. He was never referred to by name, so it's possible he could've been a remodeled Dreadwind to go with Darkwing's new form.

===Japanese ''Generation 2'' story pages===

Little is known about Smokescreen's past or origins, only that he can be very manipulative and has a bizarre hatred of both Autobots ''and'' Decepticons.

When Smokescreen met the pacifist Dreadwing, he tricked the hulking brute into believing that the only way to end the war between the Autobots and Decepticons was to ''destroy'' the Autobots and the Decepticons. Smokescreen and Dreadwing initially sided with no one but eventually joined the forces of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].

During the final assault on the Autobots, the Decepticons were soundly defeated and driven into deep space.

===Japanese ''Generation 2'' mini-comics===

During a decisive battle between [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Megatron managed to gain the upper hand after a surprise attack by [[Hooligan]] crippled Prime's weaponry. Defenseless, Megatron ordered an aerial assault from Dreadwing and Smokescreen. The pair swooped down and bombarded Optimus Prime with missiles, nearly killing him. Their enemy virtually dead, they left the killing blow to Megatron.

==Toys==
===Generation 2===
*'''Dreadwing''' (Decepticon, 1994)
:''Japanese ID number'': '''TRF-10'''

: Available only with his larger partner Dreadwing, Smokescreen transforms into a fighter jet of undetermined (probably made-up) model. He has two side-mounted spring-loaded rocket launchers that become hand-weapons in robot mode. He can combine with Dreadwing's vehicle mode to form the large stealth bomber jet.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Beast Wars II]]'' [[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream]], [[Smokejumper]] and [[Smokesniper]]. It was going to be used again in ''Generation 2'' as a new form of the [[Starscream (G1)|original Starscream]], but that toy was ultimately canceled.

: There is also a misconception that this mold was used to make Energon Starscream. However, this is all bogus lies created by [[Jetfire (G1)|heathen scientists]] who thought it would be funny. While the transformation is nigh-identical, they are noticably different in proportion and build. If it were a retool or remold, it would take a HELL of a lot of work.

==Trivia==
*Smokescreen's arms are misassembled, as his thumbs end up on the outside of his fists in robot mode.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1994/Decepticon/Smokescreen/smokescreen.htm Smokescreen at TFU.info]

*[http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/japanese/g2storypages.php?dgallery_show=g2story/G2StoryPage3a.jpg English translation of G2 story page]

*[http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/japanese/g2scans/G2Trans10.jpg Japanese G2 minicomic #10]

{{stub}}
[[Category: Combiners]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]<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>

Charlie Adler

2007-06-17T07:11:49Z

70.55.211.150: New page: He's Buster Bunny!

He's Buster Bunny!<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>

Crosswise (Cybertron)

2007-06-17T05:16:23Z

70.55.211.150:

:''Crosswise is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]].''

[[Image:planetx.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Placeholder.]]

'''Crosswise''' is a monster hunter, and shares the following attributes of all the better practitioners of his craft:

*Lots of weaponry for every occasion,
*A tough, no-nonsense attitude,
*A propensity to dress in kewl black, and
*A super-cool, generic Central European accent.

He sometimes calls himself Smokescreen, for some reason only a SUPER COOL MONSTER HUNTER could ever understand. Out of his way, peasants!

:''Japanese name'': '''Autovolt'''

==Fiction==
===Animated continuity===
====''Cybertron''====
Eons ago, reportedly Crosswise captured and imprisoned lots of Decepticon "monsters" in a crazy egg-cave-place on Earth. He did this becaues he's a MONSTER HUNTER!

He was subsequently entombed in ice himself, till some humans freed him.

Crosswise' first thought on being de-iced was frantic concern over his imprisoned "monsters", and so he rushed to the prison site to check on them. It turned out that the hundreds of Decepticons had stayed put quite nicely... until Starscream found the prison by following the oblivious Crosswise, and promptly liberated all the prisoners to serve as his personal army.

Nice goin', Crosswise.

==Toys==
===Cybertron===
*'''Crosswise''' (Deluxe Class, 2006)

: Crosswise transforms into a Bugatti Veyron sports car (a fast, costly millionaires' compensation device). His rear spoiler detaches, and can launch a big plastic-flamin' missile, and the spoiler helps it go faster. Stick a [[Cyber Planet Key]] in his tailgate and a pair of missile racks pop up, astonishing! This feature also functions in his robot mode, and is great for parties. Two more guns are molded into his inner running boards, and can be deployed beside his hips, or just left to drag behind and get dirt-fouled.

:Crosswise was later redecoed into [[Smokescreen (Cybertron)|Smokescreen]].
==Trivia==

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Cybertron characters]]<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>

Keith David

2007-06-16T23:29:57Z

70.55.211.150:

[[Image:KeithDavid.jpg|thumb|right|I should've been in the damn movie too.]]

'''Keith David''' (June 4, 1956- ) is an American actor. He has appeared in several high-profile motion pictures such as [[Michael Bay]]'s ''Armageddon'', and in many cult classics such as John Carpenter's ''They Live'', but is perhaps best known for his role as Imam in ''Pitch Black'' and ''The Chronicles of Riddick'', as well as his voice acting role of Goliath in Disney's ''Gargoyles''.

===''Transformers'' (2007) The Game===
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0202966/ Keith David at the Internet Movie Database]

[[Category:Voice actors|David, Keith]]
[[Category: Movie]]<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>

Talk:Keith David

2007-06-16T23:29:02Z

70.55.211.150:

Was confirmed he's just in the game http://transformerstoybox.blogspot.com/2007/06/keith-david-confirmed-as-barricade-in.html
: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!<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>

Megatron (Movie)

2007-06-16T16:54:26Z

70.55.211.150: Undo revision 72297 by Eric322 (Talk) Megaman > babies

{{disambig3|Megatron}}
{{spoiler}}

:''Megatron is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|Movie]] [[continuity family]]. He is often refered to as Lord Megatron. Known to humans as both "The Ice Man" and "The Mega-Man" and more formally as [[N.B.E.]] - 1''

[[Image:Megatronmovie.jpg |thumb|right|300px|Super Fighting Robot....MEGA MAN!]]

The former Lord High Protector of [[Cybertron]], '''Megatron''' is vicious and extremely powerful, single-minded in his goals, straight forward and brutally direct in his attempts to seize those goals. He is all "blunt force" in contrast to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream's]] penchant for deceipt and trickery. On the down side, Megatron tends to become so obsessed with the object of his desires that he can ignore "secondary" matters and glaring flaws in his plans (otherwise, he likely wouldn't have crashed into ice-cold arctic water and spent millions of years as a popsicle).

==Fiction==
===''Official Movie Prequel'' comic===
[[Image:MovieMegatron_Bumblebee_torture_comic.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Better get some ice on that.]]

Megatron once ruled Cybertron side-by-side with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. He got a jones for the [[Allspark]] and the war started. When [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] stalled him long enough for it to be launched into space, he tore off Bumblebee's arm and crushed his voice box (but in the friendliest way). He then took off into:space after the Allspark, eventually pulling a [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]].

{{-}}

=== [[Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday]] novel ===

"The Ice Man" may defrost if some dedicated humans can't prevent it.

===''Transformers'' (2007 movie)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Hugo Weaving]] (English)

[[Image:Megstheiceman.JPG‎|thumb|right|250px|Ice, Ice Baby!]]

{{-}}

===''Transformers'' The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]]

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
*'''Megatron''' (Leader, 2007)
:''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-07'''

[[Image:Movie_Leader_Megatron_toy.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Just what the hell do I turn into?]]

: Leader class ''Movie'' Megatron transforms into a silver Cybertronic assault jet. He is quite accurate to the CGI design... except for the giant mass of legs attempting (but failing) to hide under the wings.

: In robot mode, Megatron's sculpt is quite accurate, or as accurate as a toy based on his CG design can be. However, his paint decoration is quite inaccurate, with blue highlights on various parts of his body, possibly to allude to his pre-frozen state and to give a relatively monochromatic figure more colour. More confusing is his jet black face, which obscures the sculpt's details and is inaccurate to the movie appearance' gunmetal.

: Megatron's right fist disconnects at the wrist to become the spiked end of the extendable "chain whip" weapon concealed within his forearm (perhaps in homage to [[Megatron (G1)|G1 Megatron]]'s own flail weapon); pressing the black switch on the arm pulls the chaun taut for a whipping attack. His arms also link together at the wrists to form a "fusion cannon," with the pod on his left forearm concealing the weapon's [[Automorph]]ing twin barrels, exposed by pulling a switch. His other automorph features include his wings folding up as his vehicle nosecone is moved into place, and his feet unfolding as his knees are straightened. Finally, pressing the button on his waist activates a small friction motor, which moves various torso plates and blades on his back into place, accompanished by a metallic shrieking sound and flashing yellow lights.

:Megatron's instructions summarily fail to actually tell the reader about how his gimmicks work. The whipping-action black switch for his flail is not mentioned; they do not detail how to connect the arms for fusion cannon mode; and the fact that the cannon is on a slider, allowing it to be centre-aligned, rather than sitting off to one side, is also omitted.

: There is a significant assembly error in Megatron's arms: The right fist is ''supposed'' to launch out of the right arm, while the left arm fusion cannon is supposed to slide into position normally without requiring the user to hold it in position. However, the spring for the launching mechanism was placed in his left arm instead of his right arm, which essentially neuters the gimmicks of both arms. By switching the spring from the left arm to his right arm, the right fist should now launch properly and the left arm cannon should now Automorph correctly.

: ''Geez'', Hasbro.

*'''Megatron''' (Legends, 2007)

[[Image:Movie_Legends_Megatron_toy.jpg|thumb|right|Again, what the hell do I turn into?]]

:Legends class Megatron is the smallest mainline ''Movie'' Megatron toy, and boy does it show. Even with Megatron's relatively simple transformation sequence, the sheer simplicity of the Legends class toy means that in vehicle mode he is basically his robot mode splayed out, and again, boy is it obvious. His robot mode is passably accurate, if by accurate one means he is now a hunchback with wings for legs and Dustbusters for hands.

{{-}}

*'''Megatron''' (Voyager, 2007)
:''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-14'''

:A lot like the larger figure, but with a slightly different Transformation sequence. This one also has lots of clear blue plastic "ice" for parts of its body, including integral pieces of its wings.

====Fast Action Battlers====
*'''Megatron''' (2007)

====Robot Replicas====
*'''Megatron''' (2007)

===Attacktix===
[[Image:Attacktix-MovMegsScorp.jpg|right|thumb|150px|HADOKEN!]]
*'''Battle Masters Megatron and Scorponok''' (Battle Master set, 2007)

{{-}}
{{stub}}
[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[Category: Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Movie characters]]
[[Category: Robot Heroes]]<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>

Hot Rod (G1)

2007-06-16T08:10:01Z

70.55.211.150: /* Trivia */

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 Autobot|the Energon Autobot|Rodimus (Energon)}}
{{disambig3|Prime}}

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

[[Image:DVDbox3d1.jpg|right|301px|thumb|Opening the Matrix gives you wrinkles.]]

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

In contrast, his '''Rodimus Prime''' persona - while still headstrong and stubborn - seems to suffer from a severe lack of confidence, often doubting his own decisions and expressing distress over his position as an Autobot leader. Of course, much of this comes from having immediately succeeded leadership from [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and shoes-to-be-filled don't ''get'' much bigger than that.

One thing that both sides of this Autobot's identity have in common is their impatience - neither Hot Rod nor Rodimus Prime can stand to wait around when they could be doing something instead. He is also very self-reliant, rarely sending others to do anything when he could be doing it himself.

His [[Targetmaster]] partner is [[Firebolt (G1)|'''Firebolt''']].

''Japanese names:'' '''Hot Rodimus''', '''Rodimus Convoy'''<br>
''French-Canadian name:'' '''Météorite'''<br>
''Italian name:'' '''Folgore'''

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
:''Voice actors:'' [[Judd Nelson]] → [[Dick Gautier]] (US); [[Hiroya Ishimaru]] (Japan)

[[Image:HotRodFishing1.jpg |right|200px|thumb|"I'm tellin' you, Daniel, you HAD to [[Kiss Players|kiss]] me to activate my fishing rod. STOP crying!"]]

Hot Rod was one of the many Autobots based in [[Autobot City]], on [[Earth]]. He was close friends with the young human [[Daniel Witwicky]], and seemed to have a reputation for being something of a trouble-maker, judging from a few of Kup's comments to him at the time. Realizing that the Decepticons were invading, Hot Rod opened fire on their stolen shuttle and exposed their ruse before Megatron could enter the city. Although this did give the rest of the Autobots time to begin transforming Autobot City and raising their defenses, it also left Hot Rod trapped outside with Kup and Daniel. After defeating the Decepticons [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] with some help from Kup, Hot Rod managed to find a way inside the fortress city and took part in its defense. During [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], Hot Rod intervened in an attempt to help, but succeeded only in giving Megatron the chance he needed to mortally wound the Autobot leader.

After Prime's death, Autobot City was attacked again - by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. While escaping, Hot Rod and Kup (and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]) were separated from the rest of the Autobots and crashed on the planet [[Quintessa|Quintessa]]. There, Hot Rod met the Quintessons, an enemy who would haunt him for some time later. After escaping their sadistic trial and attempted execution (as well as meeting [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]), Hot Rod went on to the planet [[Junk]], where he was just in time to stop [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] from destroying the rest of the Autobot City refugees with a timely use of the [[Universal greeting]]. Together, they all traveled to [[Cybertron]] to stop [[Unicron]] before he could eat more than just its moons.

[[Image:RodimusPrimeMovie1.jpg |left|200px|thumb|"Pull my finger."]]

Inside of Unicron, Hot Rod was separated from the rest of his team when their ship crashed (something which happens to Hot Rod a lot). Alone, he found himself facing [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in a battle to the death over the [[Matrix|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]]. Claiming the Matrix, Hot Rod evolved into "Rodimus Prime", an older, larger, and more powerful version of himself, and used the power of the Matrix to destroy both Galvatron ''and'' Unicron once and for all (supposedly).

Peace reigned on Cybertron for at least long enough to put up some of the more important buildings, and Rodimus Prime began to ease into his role as the new Autobot leader. When Ultra Magnus and Spike Witwicky were kidnapped during a peace celebration, it was Rodimus who spied on the Decepticons with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] to determine if they were the ones who had done it. The way Rodimus had it figured, the Decepticons were usually behind everything anyway, so they seemed like a good enough place to start. After getting caught and severely beaten by the Decepticons (who were innocent of the kidnapping, but not really fans of his anyway), Rodimus was able to interface with the Matrix and learned about the origins of the Transformer race. He also learned that his old enemies, the Quintessons, were back and looking to destroy every Transformer in existence. Making things worse, Galvatron soon returned as well, and the war that everyone had assumed was safely over quickly started up again.

During this period, Rodimus Prime's greatest achievements both revolved around his predecessor, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. While fleeing from a Decepticon attack, Rodimus and several other Autobots took refuge in a massive Autobot crypt and discovered that their former leader seemed to have returned to life. Perhaps a little too trusting of Optimus (and possibly eager to relieve himself of the burden of leadership), Rodimus quickly passed the Matrix back to Optimus and, much to his glee, reverted back into Hot Rod. His happiness was short-lived, however, as Optimus was quickly revealed to be nothing more than a puppet of the Quintessons, sent to trick the Autobots into an ambush from which none of them would escape. With no other choice, Hot Rod was forced to do battle with Optimus Prime for the fate of the Autobots. Although their duel was clearly in the favour of the more powerful Optimus, Hot Rod was able to re-awaken the true spirit of his leader. Returning the Matrix to Rodimus, Optimus then piloted his ship into the heart of the ambush and sacrificed himself to save them all.

[[Image:HotRodReturnOfOptimusPrime1.jpg |right|200px|thumb|"Does my thumb look infected to you?"]]

Or so it had seemed at the time. As was so often the case for Rodimus, things did not quite wrap up as tidily as he might have hoped. Far from being destroyed, Optimus had been retrieved by a team of human scientists who were hoping to use him (again) as a weapon against the Autobots - this time as the bearer of a malignant "Hate Plague" that would cause them to destroy each other. When he learned of this, Rodimus swiftly formed a rescue party and led them to retrieve Optimus' body so that their former leader could rest in peace. When all of the rest of the Autobots with him were exposed to the Hate Plague, only Rodimus was able to escape unharmed - and with the still uninfected body of Optimus. Returning to Autbot City, Rodimus ordered [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky-Lynx]] to find a Quintesson to repair Optimus, then risked his life to shut down [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] before the Plague could spread to it. Attacked by Ultra Magnus and Wreck-Gar in the process, he succumbed to the plague and became infected with hate. In order to stop the Plague, the resurrected Optimus had to defeat the crazed Rodimus and forcibly extract the Matrix from him, changing him back into Hot Rod once more. This time, as Optimus had decided to stick around, the change was somewhat more permanent. ''Somewhat''.

===="Rebirth" miniseries (America-only)====

Even after losing his position as Autobot leader, Hot Rod was not the sort to rest on his laurels. Among other things, he was instrumental in championing the idea of human/Transformer binary bonding, a technique that later resulted in the [[Headmaster|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]]. Hot Rod himself became one of the latter, bonding himself to a [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] named [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]].

====''The Transformer'' manga====

Rodimus Prime faced numerous bizarre challenges within the pages of the Transformer manga. In one instance, Rodimus and his troops were taken under siege by a horde of Megatron clones calling themselves the [[Megatron Military]]. The Megatron Military made short work of Rodimus, leaving him to wonder how he could defeat a whole horde of the baddy, when Optimus Prime could barely deal with ''one''. Rodimus eventually realized that Galvatron was secretly controlling the clones and singled him out. With Galvatron defeated, the Megatron Military ceased to function.

During another battle, he was forced to team with his arch-nemesis, Galvatron, to defeat the all-powerful [[Guiltar]]. Guiltar was a creation built by the [[Quintesson]]s utilizing the powers of both Optimus Prime and Megatron. Together, Rodimus and Galvatron defeated their foe (who it turned was being controlled by the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]) and called off the truce.

====''Headmasters'' cartoon (Japan-only)====

''(The Headmasters anime skips the events which occurred in the 3-part "The Rebirth" story arc)''

[[Image:DoubleConvoy1.jpg |left|200px|thumb|"Race ya to the Matrix!" "Yer on!"]]

After the events of "The Return of Optimus Prime", Hot Rod maintained a high-level position among the Autobots as well as a new sense of duty and responsibility. After [[Vector Sigma]] was under threat of explosion, Hot Rod raced all over Earth trying to find the Matrix, which was still being repaired after its confrontation with the Hate Plague. Hot Rod eventually found the Matrix in a hiding place on Earth and rushed it back to Cybertron. Racing down to Vector Sigma, he met up with Optimus Prime and the ghost of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. Alpha Trion repaired the Matrix fully and Hot Rod transformed back into Rodimus Prime. Together, Optimus and Rodimus fought side-by-side to defeat Galvatron and his goons. However, to save Vector Sigma, Optimus Prime sacrificed his life by merging with the super computer.

Rodimus became Autobot Supreme Commander once more and continued to lead the Autobots against the Decepticons. However, once again, Vector Sigma came under threat of destruction. However, he was unable to save it this time but managed to evacuate all of Cybertron before it was destroyed. In search of a new homeworld, Rodimus, [[Kup (G1)| Kup]] and [[Blurr (G1)| Blurr]] left the planet. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] asked if she could go, too, but Rodimus made her stay behind because she's a girl, and girls can't do anything but stand around and worry and make coffee for the men.

====''Headmasters'' manga====

[[Image:Ep14.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He's so dreeeaaaaamyyyy.]]

In the concluding chapter of the Headmasters manga, issue number 8, Rodimus Prime returned from his journey in space. During his quest, he faced many dangers and hardships and learned a new admiration for the human race and the planet Earth. His trials also increased the power of the Matrix, which he had taken with him on his journey.

====''Battlestars: Return of Convoy'' (Japan-only)====

Rodimus would not appear again until [[Battlestars]], where he was shown to have reverted back to Hot Rod and now been converted into a [[Micromaster]]. As a Micromaster, Hot Rod took up residence in [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Battlestars: Return of Convoy (Japan-only)|Star Convoy's]] chest, boosting his Supreme Commander's power.

''('''Note''': Hot Rod's Micromaster body leaves fans to believe that the new homeworld he went searching for ended up being [[Planet Micro]], which was featured prominantly in [[Victory (cartoon)|Transformers Victory]].)''

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====

''('''Note:''' Events from the UK-only comics are in italics, and are flippin' convoluted.)''

''When [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] made the decision to leave Cybertron and its civil war behind and travel to a new, peaceful planet, he dispatched Hot Rod and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to search for suitable worlds. The pair discovered the planet of [[Nebulos]], but on their return trip to inform him, they ran afoul of some unpleasant aliens who captured Blurr and pursued Hot Rod through space. While fleeing, Hot Rod crossed paths with the Autobot war veteran, Kup, living a nomadic existence wandering through space at the time, and the youth's bravado re-ignited Kup's fighting spirit. After saving Hot Rod and helping him to rescue Blurr, Kup joined the pair in returning to Cybertron.'' {{storylink|Kup's Story!}}

Having delivered his report to Fortress Maximus, Hot Rod was among the contingent of Transformers who accompanied him to Nebulos. The Autobots' arrival on the planet immediately stirred civil unrest, however, which lead to the Decepticons being brought to the planet, and the war continuing on a smaller scale. Technological advancements developed during the conflict saw Nebulans being bio-engineered into [[binary bonding|partnerships]] with the Transformers - Hot Rod became a Targetmaster, and was bonded the Nebulan sharpshooter, Firebolt, who transformed into his gun. Eventually, the Autobots determined to move their war away from Nebulos, and followed a signal sent by [[Goldbug]], recieved by Hot Rod, to the planet [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

Hot Rod's role in the war on Earth was, in contrast to his nature, a small, quiet one, as he served under Fortress Maximus, and then the resurrected Optimus Prime, with little to no notable actions performed for a prolonged period of time. Eventually, however, he began playing larger roles again when he turned the tide of battle with [[Pretender]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] after he succeeded in injuring the villain, {{storylink|Skin Deep}} and made a particularly stupid move when he tried to snap Optimus Prime out of a funk by creating a mock threat with a [[Guardian|Guardian Mark V battle droid]]. The robot proceeded to malfunction and truly endanger the Autobots, but Hot Rod's plan worked when Prime saved the day and defeated it. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} He later participated in the battles against [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], {{storylink|All Fall Down}} Unicron (speeding into the conflict on a jet-sled), {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} and the Decepticon forces on the planet [[Klo]]. {{storylink|End of the Road!}}

''Hot Rod rose to greater prominence in the alternate future timeline of [[Earth-120185]]. In 1990, he, Kup and Blurr were captured by Megatron; although rescued by a double-agent named [[Warmonger]], Hot Rod was recaptured and bore witness first hand to Megatron's mercilessness when he executed Warmonger. Then, in 1991, he was part of a unit that escorted the captive [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], only to lose the Decepticon leader when forced to defend a human settlement against an attack by the [[Air Strike Patrol]].'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} ''In 2003, he and Blurr were given "Ark duty," assigned to stand guard over the [[Ark|Autobots' spaceship]] while construction on [[Autobot City]] began. Kup was apparently instructed to deliver the plans of the city to the American government, and when Hot Rod saw him being jumped by the [[Stunticon]]s, he disobeyed orders and sped out to the rescue, only to find that the tape had been a dummy.'' {{storylink|Ark Duty}} ''When the city was completed in 2004, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attacked it on its opening day, and Hot Rod repelled him by attacking in a wildly illogical manner, tackling him down a mountain repeatedly.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

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

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

''As the new Autobot leader, Rodimus re-established Autobot control of Cybertron, and proved to be a fairly ruthless leader when it came to dispensing mercy. When Galvatron did not reappear, however, he grew concerned, and rashly placed a bounty on the Decepticons' head. What Rodimus did not realize, however, was that Galvatron had time-jumped again, traveling back to 1987.'' {{storylink|Wanted - Galvatron Dead or Alive}} ''In 2007, when the freelance peace-keeping agent [[Death's Head]] pursued Galvatron back to the 80s, Rodimus was informed of this fact by an Autobot double-agent named [[Nautilus]], and, dismayed at the danger he had unleashed on the past, promptly headed back in time himself to stop the dual threats.'' {{storylink|Burning Sky!}} ''Once again teaming up with the present-day Ultra Magnus, Rodimus and his team tracked Galvatron down to [[Mount Verona]], where he was attempting to harness the volcano's molten energy. While arguing with Death's Head, Rodimus and the bounty hunter were both attacked, but when Ultra Magnus opened fire on his power siphon, Galvatron was distracted long enough for Rodimus to escape.'' {{storylink|Hunters!}} ''Rodimus then arranged a plan that saw the Autobots capture Galvatron's time-jump mechanism, in order to have [[Wreck-Gar]] re-engineer it to return all the time-travelers to their point of origin. Rodimus engaged Galvatron in a protracted battle to buy Wreck-Gar time, but when the device was activated, Rodimus, Death's Head and the other Autobots were returned to 2007 - but Galvatron was left behind.'' {{storylink|Fire on High!}}

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

[[Image:Targetmaster-nomore.jpg|thumb|right|"''I'm'' not being melodramatic, ''you're'' being insensetive!"]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additonally, in one futher alternate future timeline - a world in which Unicron succeeded in consuming Cybertron - Rodimus led the Autobot/human defense of Earth when [[Galvatron II|that timeline's Galvatron]] attacked and eventually conquered it. Rodimus perished during the conflict, and his body was strung up between the ruined towers of the World Trade Center. In the year 2009, Galvatron returned to Manhatten to survey its devastated landscape, and fired upon Rodimus's corpse, demanding to know how many times he would have to kill him to erase his legacy. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

====Generation 2====

===Dreamwave comics continuity===

Hot Rod joined an underground Autobot cell led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] after [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] takeover of [[Cybertron]]. Among the members of the cell was [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], who Hot Rod became attached to.

From the [[Wastelands]], Hot Rod, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] observed an incoming Decepticon shuttle carrying the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Shortly afterwards, the cell rescued [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], and took him to their base. After awakening, Prime attacked [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]], Blurr, and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], forcing Hot Rod (who didn't recognize him) to hold him at gunpoint. After being admonished by Kup, Hot Rod apologized.

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

As Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] battled Shockwave within the citadel, Hot Rod and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took down [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Immediately afterwards, they were confronted with the looming threat of a remaining Guardian Robot - a threat that was soon neutralized by the arrival of the [[Wreckers]], the [[Autobot High Council]], and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. The unified Autobot group soon breached the citadel.

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

===''Universe: The Wreckers''===
[[Image:Hotrodg1.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Undergoing the [[Maximal Upgrade]] mostly involves applying your stickers.]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

''('''Note''': As the comic series ended prematurely here, it is unknown how things went. The Wreckers ''series'' was intended to end shortly afterwards and tie directly into the ''[[Universe]]'' comic, but it never happened.)''

===''Teletraan Go! Go!'' mini-comics===
[[Image:Hotrod-micro.jpg|left|150px|thumb|This isn't the last time he'll work with a creepy-looking girl.]]

Hot Rod (in his [[Micromaster]] form) rescued [[Teletraan 15]] from a strange mechanical monster, a [[Great Novaroid|Novaroid]]. Teletraan 15 noted that Hot Rod was considerably smaller than she remembered him.

Irked, Hot Rod laid the blame for the [[transwarp]] holes in space-time on 15. It was through these holes that this future/alternate version of Hot Rod and the Novaroid had arrived in Teletraan 15's time.

Things probably turned out allright from that point.
{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Spotlight03HotRod.jpg|right|thumb|WHEEEEEEE! AWESOME! TUBULAR! COWABUNGA!]]
Years ago, Hot Rod was put in charge of a mission to the planet [[Ki-Aleta]] to obtain a powerful artifact named the [[Magnificence]] so as to keep it out of the hands of the Decepticons. Though the mission started off smoothly enough, with [[Gizmo]] using a [[holomatter]] generator to distract the defense systems while the rest of the team went after the Magnificence. Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. First the generator malfunctioned, then [[Download]] tripped the security lasers around the Magnificence itself. Gizmo, Download, and [[Backbeat]] were destroyed by the security systems while Hot Rod and [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] fled. Hot Rod, nearing the exit tunnels they had previously drilled, got a call from Dealer - he had been ambushed by a Decepticon attack squad and needed help. Unfortunately, Hot Rod had been given his own, top secret orders: the Magnificence was to be the top priority of the mission, and placed before all else. With a heavy heart, Hot Rod abandoned Dealer to his fate as he left Ki-Aleta with the Magnificence.

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

Recently, Hot Rod was called to Earth to aid the crew of the [[Ark-19]] in procuring a Decepticon [[facsimile]] from a former Soviet state in eastern Europe. He and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] went down to Earth from the [[Ark-32]] against [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]'s wishes, and proceeded to join the battle unannounced. As Hardhead went to support the main battle, Hot Rod went after the facsimile... which lead to him colliding with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] as they both tried to stop the facsimile from letting himself get gunned down by Soviet soldiers. He succeeded in the end, but before he could return to his ship he was attacked by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], unable to defend himself because he had to keep the facsimile alive. After returning to the Ark-32, he had to be put in a CR Chamber to recover. His injuries were in vain, as the facsimile melted during the bounce.

===''Kiss Players''===
'''Voice actors:''' [[Ryōtarō Okiayu]] (Japan)

Following the death of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the defeat of [[Unicron]], Hot Rod became [[Rodimus Prime]], the new leader of the [[Autobot]]s. However, when his defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] led to a [[Tokyo|calamitous disaster]] on [[Earth]], he gave up the [[Matrix]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], reverted to Hot Rod once more and returned to the [[human]] homeworld.

Damaged by the E.D.C.'s [[anti-electron]] field, Hot Rod [[ParaSitech|fused]] with a [[Legion]] and was reformatted into a Ford GT body by a kiss from the former [[Earth Defense Command]] [[Kiss Players|Kiss player]] [[Shao-Shao Li|Lǐ Shāo-Shāo]]. Now, partnered with the kung-fu mistress, he travels around [[Japan]] battling the E.D.C., Legion, and the resurrected Optimus Prime.

Hot Rod is cocky and confident in his speed and sharpshooting skills, and weathers his human partner's complaints that he's slacking off on his hand-to-hand combat training. He would much prefer to practice kissing, and the resulting fusion grants him Shāo's considerable martial arts skills as well as the ability to wield his firearms as [[wikipedia:tonfa|tonfas]]. In return, he steals underwear for her.

He enjoys fishing and carries a customized rod that can be converted into a forearm-mounted weapon called the "Exhaust Eliminator". Shāo-Shāo doesn't like working with him after a fishing trip due to the smell, but she secretly wishes that he would take her with him anyway. Hot Rod is also suspicious of Optimus Prime, and claims that he is not the ''real'' Optimus, presumably because he still believes his former commander to be dead following the battle of Autobot City.

Hot Rod has the distinction of being the only known robot with a Kiss Player partner to have lips. This may contribute to Shāo's feelings of excitement when she kisses him, though the rest of the time she's a bit outraged that a robot would have the audacity to talk to her like a person.

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Rodimusmajor.jpg|125px|right|thumb|This is totally what automobiles will look like in the far-flung future of 2005.]]

* '''Hot Rod''' (Autobot Car, 1986/2000/2002)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-78'''

: Hot Rod was one of the first toys designed specifically for the ''Transformers'' toyline, versus being an imported pre-existing toy. Designer [[Floro Dery]] created Hot Rod for the animated film and then the toy was created from his model sheet. (The model sheet would be altered further after the toy was completed.) Hot Rod transforms from a robot into a "futuristic" hot rod sportscar based on the Nissan Dome Zero racecar designed in 1978. His robot mode bears some resemblance to Bandai's [http://www.robot-japan.com/Gallery/Bandai/SOC/GX23/Zambot-soc.asp Super Robot Zanbo Ace] and may have been partially inspired by it. The toy comes with two rifles. There are two versions of this toy; initial releases have die-cast (unpainted) metal feet, while later shipments use black plastic.

: In 2000, [[Takara]] re-released the Hot Rod toy, having had to retro-[[retool]] it from the [[Targetmaster]] release. In 2002, [[Hasbro]] released it as part of the Toys 'R' Us [[exclusive]] [[Commemorative Series]] line as '''Rodimus Major'''. Both versions use die-cast metal for his feet.

: The same mold is used by [[Black Rodimus (G1)|Black Rodimus]].

* '''Rodimus Prime''' (Autobot Hero, 1986/2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-77'''

: Rodimus Prime was designed in much the same way as Hot Rod. Rodimus transforms from a robot and battle platform into a futuristicky Winnebago camper. The toy comes with a "Photon eliminator" rifle and two blast shields to attach to either side of his battle platform's cannon. (The yellow spoiler was also to be removed and replaced during transformation.) Like Hot Rod, there are materials variations; initial releases have metal toes with rubber tires, while latter shipments replaced both with black plastic.

: The metal-toes/rubber-ties version of the toy saw re-release in both Japan and the US in 2004.

: This mold is also used by [[Primus]].

* '''Hot Rod w/ Firebolt''' (Targetmaster, 1987/2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-110''', '''TFC-13'''

: Hot Rod was re-released with his new [[Nebulan]] [[Targetmaster]] partner [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]] a year after the original release. The toy was [[retool]]ed to have larger pegholes in his fists and his engine block so the Targetmaster gun would fit. Latter versions of this toy retooled his lower legs to minimize the scraping of his thigh decals.

: Takara reissued Targetmaster Hot Rod in 2004 as sort of an "ultimate" version, with metal toes (the original versions all used plastic) and the twin rifles from the non-Targetmaster version.

*'''Crystal Rodimus''' (Autobot Car, 2001)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-78C'''

: One of the earliest [[e-Hobby]] exclusives, "Crystal" Rodimus uses the reissue Hot Rod mold, but cast almost entirely in transparent plastics. He was availbale only in a set with the evil clone [[Black Rodimus (G1)|Black Rodimus]].

===Battlestars===
[[Image:Hotrodmicromaster.jpg|100px|right|thumb|Shrinkage!]]
* '''Star Convoy w/ Hot Rodimus''' (Autobot, 1991/2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-372'''

: Available only with [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Battlestars: Return of Convoy (Japan-only)|Star Convoy]], Hot Rod's [[Micromaster]] form is a simplified version of his original toy, transforming into the same futuristic race car. In 2005, Star Convoy was re-released with several deco changes; among them, the decals used on Hot Rod were changed to [[paint applications]].

===Classics===
*'''Rodimus''' (Deluxe, 2006)
[[Image:Rodimusclassics.jpg|100px|left|thumb|This is maybe what cars will look like in 2026? Who knows.]]

: ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Rodimus is a sleeker, more streamlined version of the original, now transforming into a heavily-altered Dome Zero, a [http://www.supercarnet.jp/File/File-Japan/File-Dome.htm futuristic race car from 1978]. His rear-mounted thruster engine becomes a hand-held weapon in robot mode, launching a spring-loaded missile. His left arm also hides a flip-out "comm unit" that is clearly supposed to be the buzzsaw he used for a brief period in [[The Transformers: The Movie (1986)|the Movie]].

: In a twist of delicious buttery fandom irony, Classics Rodimus has elements that were introduced in his [[Rodimus (Energon)|''Energon'' namesake]], making him a somewhat backwards-[[homage]]. His face also appears to take visual cues from how he was drawn by [[Derek Yaniger]] in the [[Generation 2 (Marvel comic)|''Generation 2'' comic book]].

{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
*'''Rodimus''' (3-inch Robot Masters, 2006)
[[Image:TitaniumRM_Rodimus.jpg|right|thumb|120px|"Three-inch Rod" is its own joke.]]

: ''Titanium'' Rodimus is a 3 inch tall, non-transforming, die-cast metal figuerine. He has limited articulation, localized in his head, shoulders and waist. His gun (which looks an ''awful'' lot like Firebolt) is also removable. Excitement!

*'''Rodimus Prime''' (6-inch Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
[[Image:TitaniumHeroRodimus_toy.jpg|left|thumb|Winnebago... ''of the '''future'''!!!'']]

: ''Titanium Cybertron Heroes'' Rodimus Prime is a mostly die-cast metal transforming toy based loosely upon the original ''Generation 1'' Rodimus Prime toy. He features much greater articulation and bulkier body proportions.

: Unlike the original toy which separated into a robot and a battle station, the entire vehicle mode of the 6-inch ''Titanium'' version transforms into the robot mode. As with ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Rodimus, ''Titanium'' Rodimus Prime takes some visual cues from the ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' version of the character in addition to the original toy and the animation model... ''and'' the actual ''Classics'' Rodimus toy, such as the engine-block dickie.

===Kiss Players===
*'''Hot Rodimus X SyaoSyao''' (Kiss Players, 2006)
[[Image:KPHotRodimus.jpg|right|thumb|The fishing rod turns into arm blasters. The girl eats dumplings.]]

: ''[[Kiss Players]]'' Hot Rodimus is a retool and redeco of the ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Mirage]] toy, transforming into a red Ford GT. His engine becomes a pair of pistols that double as tonfa weapons, and his fishing rod can be taken apart and reassembled to create a triple-barreled arm-mounted blaster reminiscent of the original Hot Rod's exhaust pipe weapons. His new head sculpt includes a retractable visor patterned after the one used in the movie.

:The toy also included a PVC figurine of the character's "Kiss Player" partner Shaoshao Li and a bamboo dumpling steamer.

{{-}}

===Alternators===
*'''Rodimus''' (Alternators, 2007)

: ''[[Alternators]]'' Rodimus is an exclusive figure, confirmed for SDCC in July 2007. It is a repaint of Kiss Players Hot Rodimus, which itself is a remold of Alternators [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. The figure uses the head mold introduced in the Kiss Players figure, and appears to retain the visor. The deco has been altered by changing the side striping from white to yellow, while the stripes over the hood, roof and trunk have been eliminated altogether, with a Hot Rod-style flame graphic now adorning the hood and front guards. Most of the Kiss Player deco remain in robot mode, including the yellow hands and flame graphics on the forearms, however promotional images show the license plates (located at the knees in robot mode) have been changed to read "TOO HOT". Rodimus' weapons are the dual pistols/tonfa seen with both Mirage and Hot Rodimus, however it is currently not known whether Rodimus will include his Kiss Player counterpart's fishing rod/eliminator.

{{-}}

===Merchandise===
*'''Rodimus Convoy''' (Super Collection Figure, 2002)

*'''Rodimus Convoy''' (Mega Super Collection Figure, 2002)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''Mega SCF-06'''
[[Image:MegaSCFRodimus.jpg|left|thumb|90px|''YOU!'' Yeah, you! Say that again ''to my face'', you son of a--!]]

''Mega SCF'' Rodimus Convoy is a 5 inch tall non-transforming, articulated PVC action figure based upon the cartoon model. He comes with four sets of hands and a 'Photon Eliminator' rifle.

*'''Hot Rodimus''' (Mega Super Collection Figure, 2002)

*'''Rodimus Prime''' (Heroes of Cybertron, 2003)

{{-}}

==Trivia==

[[Image: Pinkrod.jpg|right|thumb|What do you want to do tonight, Brain?]]

* The original Hot Rod toy was initially cast in a pinker plastic similar to the color of his animation model. For unknown reasons, this was later changed to a decidedly less [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] red before release, but the earlier version of the toy is visible in the original 1986 Hasbro toy catalogue, and the televised [[Sharkticon]] toy advert.

[[Image:TFGRodimus.jpg|left|100px|thumb|"I fight fire with fire, baby!"]]

* A new Rodimus Prime was devised for the 1991-1992 lineup, however this one did not leave the drawing board. He was to be a fire truck, apparently with a design in the spirit of [[Optimus Prime (G1) #Battlestars 2|Star Convoy]] and with transformation scheme similar to [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]].

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

{{-}}

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

* One of the first concepts for Classics Rodimus was based around the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagani_Zonda Pagani Zonda] super car, before the [http://www.supercarnet.jp/File/File-Japan/File-Dome.htm Dome Zero] design was decided upon.

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

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/HotRod/hotrod.htm Hot Rod at TFU.info]

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

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

{{stub}}
[[Category: Autobot leaders]]
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Battlestars characters]]
[[Category: Classics characters]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: Kiss Players]]
[[Category: Matrix bearers]]
[[Category: Robot Heroes]]
[[Category: Targetmasters]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]
[[Category: Wreckers]]
[[Category: Primus]]<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>

Hot Rod (G1)

2007-06-16T08:08:08Z

70.55.211.150: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 Autobot|the Energon Autobot|Rodimus (Energon)}}
{{disambig3|Prime}}

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

[[Image:DVDbox3d1.jpg|right|301px|thumb|Opening the Matrix gives you wrinkles.]]

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

In contrast, his '''Rodimus Prime''' persona - while still headstrong and stubborn - seems to suffer from a severe lack of confidence, often doubting his own decisions and expressing distress over his position as an Autobot leader. Of course, much of this comes from having immediately succeeded leadership from [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and shoes-to-be-filled don't ''get'' much bigger than that.

One thing that both sides of this Autobot's identity have in common is their impatience - neither Hot Rod nor Rodimus Prime can stand to wait around when they could be doing something instead. He is also very self-reliant, rarely sending others to do anything when he could be doing it himself.

His [[Targetmaster]] partner is [[Firebolt (G1)|'''Firebolt''']].

''Japanese names:'' '''Hot Rodimus''', '''Rodimus Convoy'''<br>
''French-Canadian name:'' '''Météorite'''<br>
''Italian name:'' '''Folgore'''

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
:''Voice actors:'' [[Judd Nelson]] → [[Dick Gautier]] (US); [[Hiroya Ishimaru]] (Japan)

[[Image:HotRodFishing1.jpg |right|200px|thumb|"I'm tellin' you, Daniel, you HAD to [[Kiss Players|kiss]] me to activate my fishing rod. STOP crying!"]]

Hot Rod was one of the many Autobots based in [[Autobot City]], on [[Earth]]. He was close friends with the young human [[Daniel Witwicky]], and seemed to have a reputation for being something of a trouble-maker, judging from a few of Kup's comments to him at the time. Realizing that the Decepticons were invading, Hot Rod opened fire on their stolen shuttle and exposed their ruse before Megatron could enter the city. Although this did give the rest of the Autobots time to begin transforming Autobot City and raising their defenses, it also left Hot Rod trapped outside with Kup and Daniel. After defeating the Decepticons [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] with some help from Kup, Hot Rod managed to find a way inside the fortress city and took part in its defense. During [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], Hot Rod intervened in an attempt to help, but succeeded only in giving Megatron the chance he needed to mortally wound the Autobot leader.

After Prime's death, Autobot City was attacked again - by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. While escaping, Hot Rod and Kup (and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]) were separated from the rest of the Autobots and crashed on the planet [[Quintessa|Quintessa]]. There, Hot Rod met the Quintessons, an enemy who would haunt him for some time later. After escaping their sadistic trial and attempted execution (as well as meeting [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]), Hot Rod went on to the planet [[Junk]], where he was just in time to stop [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] from destroying the rest of the Autobot City refugees with a timely use of the [[Universal greeting]]. Together, they all traveled to [[Cybertron]] to stop [[Unicron]] before he could eat more than just its moons.

[[Image:RodimusPrimeMovie1.jpg |left|200px|thumb|"Pull my finger."]]

Inside of Unicron, Hot Rod was separated from the rest of his team when their ship crashed (something which happens to Hot Rod a lot). Alone, he found himself facing [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in a battle to the death over the [[Matrix|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]]. Claiming the Matrix, Hot Rod evolved into "Rodimus Prime", an older, larger, and more powerful version of himself, and used the power of the Matrix to destroy both Galvatron ''and'' Unicron once and for all (supposedly).

Peace reigned on Cybertron for at least long enough to put up some of the more important buildings, and Rodimus Prime began to ease into his role as the new Autobot leader. When Ultra Magnus and Spike Witwicky were kidnapped during a peace celebration, it was Rodimus who spied on the Decepticons with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] to determine if they were the ones who had done it. The way Rodimus had it figured, the Decepticons were usually behind everything anyway, so they seemed like a good enough place to start. After getting caught and severely beaten by the Decepticons (who were innocent of the kidnapping, but not really fans of his anyway), Rodimus was able to interface with the Matrix and learned about the origins of the Transformer race. He also learned that his old enemies, the Quintessons, were back and looking to destroy every Transformer in existence. Making things worse, Galvatron soon returned as well, and the war that everyone had assumed was safely over quickly started up again.

During this period, Rodimus Prime's greatest achievements both revolved around his predecessor, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. While fleeing from a Decepticon attack, Rodimus and several other Autobots took refuge in a massive Autobot crypt and discovered that their former leader seemed to have returned to life. Perhaps a little too trusting of Optimus (and possibly eager to relieve himself of the burden of leadership), Rodimus quickly passed the Matrix back to Optimus and, much to his glee, reverted back into Hot Rod. His happiness was short-lived, however, as Optimus was quickly revealed to be nothing more than a puppet of the Quintessons, sent to trick the Autobots into an ambush from which none of them would escape. With no other choice, Hot Rod was forced to do battle with Optimus Prime for the fate of the Autobots. Although their duel was clearly in the favour of the more powerful Optimus, Hot Rod was able to re-awaken the true spirit of his leader. Returning the Matrix to Rodimus, Optimus then piloted his ship into the heart of the ambush and sacrificed himself to save them all.

[[Image:HotRodReturnOfOptimusPrime1.jpg |right|200px|thumb|"Does my thumb look infected to you?"]]

Or so it had seemed at the time. As was so often the case for Rodimus, things did not quite wrap up as tidily as he might have hoped. Far from being destroyed, Optimus had been retrieved by a team of human scientists who were hoping to use him (again) as a weapon against the Autobots - this time as the bearer of a malignant "Hate Plague" that would cause them to destroy each other. When he learned of this, Rodimus swiftly formed a rescue party and led them to retrieve Optimus' body so that their former leader could rest in peace. When all of the rest of the Autobots with him were exposed to the Hate Plague, only Rodimus was able to escape unharmed - and with the still uninfected body of Optimus. Returning to Autbot City, Rodimus ordered [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky-Lynx]] to find a Quintesson to repair Optimus, then risked his life to shut down [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] before the Plague could spread to it. Attacked by Ultra Magnus and Wreck-Gar in the process, he succumbed to the plague and became infected with hate. In order to stop the Plague, the resurrected Optimus had to defeat the crazed Rodimus and forcibly extract the Matrix from him, changing him back into Hot Rod once more. This time, as Optimus had decided to stick around, the change was somewhat more permanent. ''Somewhat''.

===="Rebirth" miniseries (America-only)====

Even after losing his position as Autobot leader, Hot Rod was not the sort to rest on his laurels. Among other things, he was instrumental in championing the idea of human/Transformer binary bonding, a technique that later resulted in the [[Headmaster|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]]. Hot Rod himself became one of the latter, bonding himself to a [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] named [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]].

====''The Transformer'' manga====

Rodimus Prime faced numerous bizarre challenges within the pages of the Transformer manga. In one instance, Rodimus and his troops were taken under siege by a horde of Megatron clones calling themselves the [[Megatron Military]]. The Megatron Military made short work of Rodimus, leaving him to wonder how he could defeat a whole horde of the baddy, when Optimus Prime could barely deal with ''one''. Rodimus eventually realized that Galvatron was secretly controlling the clones and singled him out. With Galvatron defeated, the Megatron Military ceased to function.

During another battle, he was forced to team with his arch-nemesis, Galvatron, to defeat the all-powerful [[Guiltar]]. Guiltar was a creation built by the [[Quintesson]]s utilizing the powers of both Optimus Prime and Megatron. Together, Rodimus and Galvatron defeated their foe (who it turned was being controlled by the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]) and called off the truce.

====''Headmasters'' cartoon (Japan-only)====

''(The Headmasters anime skips the events which occurred in the 3-part "The Rebirth" story arc)''

[[Image:DoubleConvoy1.jpg |left|200px|thumb|"Race ya to the Matrix!" "Yer on!"]]

After the events of "The Return of Optimus Prime", Hot Rod maintained a high-level position among the Autobots as well as a new sense of duty and responsibility. After [[Vector Sigma]] was under threat of explosion, Hot Rod raced all over Earth trying to find the Matrix, which was still being repaired after its confrontation with the Hate Plague. Hot Rod eventually found the Matrix in a hiding place on Earth and rushed it back to Cybertron. Racing down to Vector Sigma, he met up with Optimus Prime and the ghost of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. Alpha Trion repaired the Matrix fully and Hot Rod transformed back into Rodimus Prime. Together, Optimus and Rodimus fought side-by-side to defeat Galvatron and his goons. However, to save Vector Sigma, Optimus Prime sacrificed his life by merging with the super computer.

Rodimus became Autobot Supreme Commander once more and continued to lead the Autobots against the Decepticons. However, once again, Vector Sigma came under threat of destruction. However, he was unable to save it this time but managed to evacuate all of Cybertron before it was destroyed. In search of a new homeworld, Rodimus, [[Kup (G1)| Kup]] and [[Blurr (G1)| Blurr]] left the planet. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] asked if she could go, too, but Rodimus made her stay behind because she's a girl, and girls can't do anything but stand around and worry and make coffee for the men.

====''Headmasters'' manga====

[[Image:Ep14.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He's so dreeeaaaaamyyyy.]]

In the concluding chapter of the Headmasters manga, issue number 8, Rodimus Prime returned from his journey in space. During his quest, he faced many dangers and hardships and learned a new admiration for the human race and the planet Earth. His trials also increased the power of the Matrix, which he had taken with him on his journey.

====''Battlestars: Return of Convoy'' (Japan-only)====

Rodimus would not appear again until [[Battlestars]], where he was shown to have reverted back to Hot Rod and now been converted into a [[Micromaster]]. As a Micromaster, Hot Rod took up residence in [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Battlestars: Return of Convoy (Japan-only)|Star Convoy's]] chest, boosting his Supreme Commander's power.

''('''Note''': Hot Rod's Micromaster body leaves fans to believe that the new homeworld he went searching for ended up being [[Planet Micro]], which was featured prominantly in [[Victory (cartoon)|Transformers Victory]].)''

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====

''('''Note:''' Events from the UK-only comics are in italics, and are flippin' convoluted.)''

''When [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] made the decision to leave Cybertron and its civil war behind and travel to a new, peaceful planet, he dispatched Hot Rod and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to search for suitable worlds. The pair discovered the planet of [[Nebulos]], but on their return trip to inform him, they ran afoul of some unpleasant aliens who captured Blurr and pursued Hot Rod through space. While fleeing, Hot Rod crossed paths with the Autobot war veteran, Kup, living a nomadic existence wandering through space at the time, and the youth's bravado re-ignited Kup's fighting spirit. After saving Hot Rod and helping him to rescue Blurr, Kup joined the pair in returning to Cybertron.'' {{storylink|Kup's Story!}}

Having delivered his report to Fortress Maximus, Hot Rod was among the contingent of Transformers who accompanied him to Nebulos. The Autobots' arrival on the planet immediately stirred civil unrest, however, which lead to the Decepticons being brought to the planet, and the war continuing on a smaller scale. Technological advancements developed during the conflict saw Nebulans being bio-engineered into [[binary bonding|partnerships]] with the Transformers - Hot Rod became a Targetmaster, and was bonded the Nebulan sharpshooter, Firebolt, who transformed into his gun. Eventually, the Autobots determined to move their war away from Nebulos, and followed a signal sent by [[Goldbug]], recieved by Hot Rod, to the planet [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

Hot Rod's role in the war on Earth was, in contrast to his nature, a small, quiet one, as he served under Fortress Maximus, and then the resurrected Optimus Prime, with little to no notable actions performed for a prolonged period of time. Eventually, however, he began playing larger roles again when he turned the tide of battle with [[Pretender]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] after he succeeded in injuring the villain, {{storylink|Skin Deep}} and made a particularly stupid move when he tried to snap Optimus Prime out of a funk by creating a mock threat with a [[Guardian|Guardian Mark V battle droid]]. The robot proceeded to malfunction and truly endanger the Autobots, but Hot Rod's plan worked when Prime saved the day and defeated it. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} He later participated in the battles against [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], {{storylink|All Fall Down}} Unicron (speeding into the conflict on a jet-sled), {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} and the Decepticon forces on the planet [[Klo]]. {{storylink|End of the Road!}}

''Hot Rod rose to greater prominence in the alternate future timeline of [[Earth-120185]]. In 1990, he, Kup and Blurr were captured by Megatron; although rescued by a double-agent named [[Warmonger]], Hot Rod was recaptured and bore witness first hand to Megatron's mercilessness when he executed Warmonger. Then, in 1991, he was part of a unit that escorted the captive [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], only to lose the Decepticon leader when forced to defend a human settlement against an attack by the [[Air Strike Patrol]].'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} ''In 2003, he and Blurr were given "Ark duty," assigned to stand guard over the [[Ark|Autobots' spaceship]] while construction on [[Autobot City]] began. Kup was apparently instructed to deliver the plans of the city to the American government, and when Hot Rod saw him being jumped by the [[Stunticon]]s, he disobeyed orders and sped out to the rescue, only to find that the tape had been a dummy.'' {{storylink|Ark Duty}} ''When the city was completed in 2004, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attacked it on its opening day, and Hot Rod repelled him by attacking in a wildly illogical manner, tackling him down a mountain repeatedly.'' {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

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

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

''As the new Autobot leader, Rodimus re-established Autobot control of Cybertron, and proved to be a fairly ruthless leader when it came to dispensing mercy. When Galvatron did not reappear, however, he grew concerned, and rashly placed a bounty on the Decepticons' head. What Rodimus did not realize, however, was that Galvatron had time-jumped again, traveling back to 1987.'' {{storylink|Wanted - Galvatron Dead or Alive}} ''In 2007, when the freelance peace-keeping agent [[Death's Head]] pursued Galvatron back to the 80s, Rodimus was informed of this fact by an Autobot double-agent named [[Nautilus]], and, dismayed at the danger he had unleashed on the past, promptly headed back in time himself to stop the dual threats.'' {{storylink|Burning Sky!}} ''Once again teaming up with the present-day Ultra Magnus, Rodimus and his team tracked Galvatron down to [[Mount Verona]], where he was attempting to harness the volcano's molten energy. While arguing with Death's Head, Rodimus and the bounty hunter were both attacked, but when Ultra Magnus opened fire on his power siphon, Galvatron was distracted long enough for Rodimus to escape.'' {{storylink|Hunters!}} ''Rodimus then arranged a plan that saw the Autobots capture Galvatron's time-jump mechanism, in order to have [[Wreck-Gar]] re-engineer it to return all the time-travelers to their point of origin. Rodimus engaged Galvatron in a protracted battle to buy Wreck-Gar time, but when the device was activated, Rodimus, Death's Head and the other Autobots were returned to 2007 - but Galvatron was left behind.'' {{storylink|Fire on High!}}

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

[[Image:Targetmaster-nomore.jpg|thumb|right|"''I'm'' not being melodramatic, ''you're'' being insensetive!"]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additonally, in one futher alternate future timeline - a world in which Unicron succeeded in consuming Cybertron - Rodimus led the Autobot/human defense of Earth when [[Galvatron II|that timeline's Galvatron]] attacked and eventually conquered it. Rodimus perished during the conflict, and his body was strung up between the ruined towers of the World Trade Center. In the year 2009, Galvatron returned to Manhatten to survey its devastated landscape, and fired upon Rodimus's corpse, demanding to know how many times he would have to kill him to erase his legacy. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

====Generation 2====

===Dreamwave comics continuity===

Hot Rod joined an underground Autobot cell led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] after [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] takeover of [[Cybertron]]. Among the members of the cell was [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], who Hot Rod became attached to.

From the [[Wastelands]], Hot Rod, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] observed an incoming Decepticon shuttle carrying the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Shortly afterwards, the cell rescued [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], and took him to their base. After awakening, Prime attacked [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]], Blurr, and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], forcing Hot Rod (who didn't recognize him) to hold him at gunpoint. After being admonished by Kup, Hot Rod apologized.

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

As Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] battled Shockwave within the citadel, Hot Rod and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took down [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Immediately afterwards, they were confronted with the looming threat of a remaining Guardian Robot - a threat that was soon neutralized by the arrival of the [[Wreckers]], the [[Autobot High Council]], and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. The unified Autobot group soon breached the citadel.

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

===''Universe: The Wreckers''===
[[Image:Hotrodg1.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Undergoing the [[Maximal Upgrade]] mostly involves applying your stickers.]]

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

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

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

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

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

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

''('''Note''': As the comic series ended prematurely here, it is unknown how things went. The Wreckers ''series'' was intended to end shortly afterwards and tie directly into the ''[[Universe]]'' comic, but it never happened.)''

===''Teletraan Go! Go!'' mini-comics===
[[Image:Hotrod-micro.jpg|left|150px|thumb|This isn't the last time he'll work with a creepy-looking girl.]]

Hot Rod (in his [[Micromaster]] form) rescued [[Teletraan 15]] from a strange mechanical monster, a [[Great Novaroid|Novaroid]]. Teletraan 15 noted that Hot Rod was considerably smaller than she remembered him.

Irked, Hot Rod laid the blame for the [[transwarp]] holes in space-time on 15. It was through these holes that this future/alternate version of Hot Rod and the Novaroid had arrived in Teletraan 15's time.

Things probably turned out allright from that point.
{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Spotlight03HotRod.jpg|right|thumb|WHEEEEEEE! AWESOME! TUBULAR! COWABUNGA!]]
Years ago, Hot Rod was put in charge of a mission to the planet [[Ki-Aleta]] to obtain a powerful artifact named the [[Magnificence]] so as to keep it out of the hands of the Decepticons. Though the mission started off smoothly enough, with [[Gizmo]] using a [[holomatter]] generator to distract the defense systems while the rest of the team went after the Magnificence. Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. First the generator malfunctioned, then [[Download]] tripped the security lasers around the Magnificence itself. Gizmo, Download, and [[Backbeat]] were destroyed by the security systems while Hot Rod and [[Doubledealer|Dealer]] fled. Hot Rod, nearing the exit tunnels they had previously drilled, got a call from Dealer - he had been ambushed by a Decepticon attack squad and needed help. Unfortunately, Hot Rod had been given his own, top secret orders: the Magnificence was to be the top priority of the mission, and placed before all else. With a heavy heart, Hot Rod abandoned Dealer to his fate as he left Ki-Aleta with the Magnificence.

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

Recently, Hot Rod was called to Earth to aid the crew of the [[Ark-19]] in procuring a Decepticon [[facsimile]] from a former Soviet state in eastern Europe. He and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] went down to Earth from the [[Ark-32]] against [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]'s wishes, and proceeded to join the battle unannounced. As Hardhead went to support the main battle, Hot Rod went after the facsimile... which lead to him colliding with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] as they both tried to stop the facsimile from letting himself get gunned down by Soviet soldiers. He succeeded in the end, but before he could return to his ship he was attacked by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], unable to defend himself because he had to keep the facsimile alive. After returning to the Ark-32, he had to be put in a CR Chamber to recover. His injuries were in vain, as the facsimile melted during the bounce.

===''Kiss Players''===
'''Voice actors:''' [[Ryōtarō Okiayu]] (Japan)

Following the death of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the defeat of [[Unicron]], Hot Rod became [[Rodimus Prime]], the new leader of the [[Autobot]]s. However, when his defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] led to a [[Tokyo|calamitous disaster]] on [[Earth]], he gave up the [[Matrix]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], reverted to Hot Rod once more and returned to the [[human]] homeworld.

Damaged by the E.D.C.'s [[anti-electron]] field, Hot Rod [[ParaSitech|fused]] with a [[Legion]] and was reformatted into a Ford GT body by a kiss from the former [[Earth Defense Command]] [[Kiss Players|Kiss player]] [[Shao-Shao Li|Lǐ Shāo-Shāo]]. Now, partnered with the kung-fu mistress, he travels around [[Japan]] battling the E.D.C., Legion, and the resurrected Optimus Prime.

Hot Rod is cocky and confident in his speed and sharpshooting skills, and weathers his human partner's complaints that he's slacking off on his hand-to-hand combat training. He would much prefer to practice kissing, and the resulting fusion grants him Shāo's considerable martial arts skills as well as the ability to wield his firearms as [[wikipedia:tonfa|tonfas]]. In return, he steals underwear for her.

He enjoys fishing and carries a customized rod that can be converted into a forearm-mounted weapon called the "Exhaust Eliminator". Shāo-Shāo doesn't like working with him after a fishing trip due to the smell, but she secretly wishes that he would take her with him anyway. Hot Rod is also suspicious of Optimus Prime, and claims that he is not the ''real'' Optimus, presumably because he still believes his former commander to be dead following the battle of Autobot City.

Hot Rod has the distinction of being the only known robot with a Kiss Player partner to have lips. This may contribute to Shāo's feelings of excitement when she kisses him, though the rest of the time she's a bit outraged that a robot would have the audacity to talk to her like a person.

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Rodimusmajor.jpg|125px|right|thumb|This is totally what automobiles will look like in the far-flung future of 2005.]]

* '''Hot Rod''' (Autobot Car, 1986/2000/2002)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-78'''

: Hot Rod was one of the first toys designed specifically for the ''Transformers'' toyline, versus being an imported pre-existing toy. Designer [[Floro Dery]] created Hot Rod for the animated film and then the toy was created from his model sheet. (The model sheet would be altered further after the toy was completed.) Hot Rod transforms from a robot into a "futuristic" hot rod sportscar based on the Nissan Dome Zero racecar designed in 1978. His robot mode bears some resemblance to Bandai's [http://www.robot-japan.com/Gallery/Bandai/SOC/GX23/Zambot-soc.asp Super Robot Zanbo Ace] and may have been partially inspired by it. The toy comes with two rifles. There are two versions of this toy; initial releases have die-cast (unpainted) metal feet, while later shipments use black plastic.

: In 2000, [[Takara]] re-released the Hot Rod toy, having had to retro-[[retool]] it from the [[Targetmaster]] release. In 2002, [[Hasbro]] released it as part of the Toys 'R' Us [[exclusive]] [[Commemorative Series]] line as '''Rodimus Major'''. Both versions use die-cast metal for his feet.

: The same mold is used by [[Black Rodimus (G1)|Black Rodimus]].

* '''Rodimus Prime''' (Autobot Hero, 1986/2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-77'''

: Rodimus Prime was designed in much the same way as Hot Rod. Rodimus transforms from a robot and battle platform into a futuristicky Winnebago camper. The toy comes with a "Photon eliminator" rifle and two blast shields to attach to either side of his battle platform's cannon. (The yellow spoiler was also to be removed and replaced during transformation.) Like Hot Rod, there are materials variations; initial releases have metal toes with rubber tires, while latter shipments replaced both with black plastic.

: The metal-toes/rubber-ties version of the toy saw re-release in both Japan and the US in 2004.

: This mold is also used by [[Primus]].

* '''Hot Rod w/ Firebolt''' (Targetmaster, 1987/2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-110''', '''TFC-13'''

: Hot Rod was re-released with his new [[Nebulan]] [[Targetmaster]] partner [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]] a year after the original release. The toy was [[retool]]ed to have larger pegholes in his fists and his engine block so the Targetmaster gun would fit. Latter versions of this toy retooled his lower legs to minimize the scraping of his thigh decals.

: Takara reissued Targetmaster Hot Rod in 2004 as sort of an "ultimate" version, with metal toes (the original versions all used plastic) and the twin rifles from the non-Targetmaster version.

*'''Crystal Rodimus''' (Autobot Car, 2001)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-78C'''

: One of the earliest [[e-Hobby]] exclusives, "Crystal" Rodimus uses the reissue Hot Rod mold, but cast almost entirely in transparent plastics. He was availbale only in a set with the evil clone [[Black Rodimus (G1)|Black Rodimus]].

===Battlestars===
[[Image:Hotrodmicromaster.jpg|100px|right|thumb|Shrinkage!]]
* '''Star Convoy w/ Hot Rodimus''' (Autobot, 1991/2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-372'''

: Available only with [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Battlestars: Return of Convoy (Japan-only)|Star Convoy]], Hot Rod's [[Micromaster]] form is a simplified version of his original toy, transforming into the same futuristic race car. In 2005, Star Convoy was re-released with several deco changes; among them, the decals used on Hot Rod were changed to [[paint applications]].

===Classics===
*'''Rodimus''' (Deluxe, 2006)
[[Image:Rodimusclassics.jpg|100px|left|thumb|This is maybe what cars will look like in 2026? Who knows.]]

: ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Rodimus is a sleeker, more streamlined version of the original, now transforming into a heavily-altered Dome Zero, a [http://www.supercarnet.jp/File/File-Japan/File-Dome.htm futuristic race car from 1978]. His rear-mounted thruster engine becomes a hand-held weapon in robot mode, launching a spring-loaded missile. His left arm also hides a flip-out "comm unit" that is clearly supposed to be the buzzsaw he used for a brief period in [[The Transformers: The Movie (1986)|the Movie]].

: In a twist of delicious buttery fandom irony, Classics Rodimus has elements that were introduced in his [[Rodimus (Energon)|''Energon'' namesake]], making him a somewhat backwards-[[homage]]. His face also appears to take visual cues from how he was drawn by [[Derek Yaniger]] in the [[Generation 2 (Marvel comic)|''Generation 2'' comic book]].

{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
*'''Rodimus''' (3-inch Robot Masters, 2006)
[[Image:TitaniumRM_Rodimus.jpg|right|thumb|120px|"Three-inch Rod" is its own joke.]]

: ''Titanium'' Rodimus is a 3 inch tall, non-transforming, die-cast metal figuerine. He has limited articulation, localized in his head, shoulders and waist. His gun (which looks an ''awful'' lot like Firebolt) is also removable. Excitement!

*'''Rodimus Prime''' (6-inch Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
[[Image:TitaniumHeroRodimus_toy.jpg|left|thumb|Winnebago... ''of the '''future'''!!!'']]

: ''Titanium Cybertron Heroes'' Rodimus Prime is a mostly die-cast metal transforming toy based loosely upon the original ''Generation 1'' Rodimus Prime toy. He features much greater articulation and bulkier body proportions.

: Unlike the original toy which separated into a robot and a battle station, the entire vehicle mode of the 6-inch ''Titanium'' version transforms into the robot mode. As with ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Rodimus, ''Titanium'' Rodimus Prime takes some visual cues from the ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' version of the character in addition to the original toy and the animation model... ''and'' the actual ''Classics'' Rodimus toy, such as the engine-block dickie.

===Kiss Players===
*'''Hot Rodimus X SyaoSyao''' (Kiss Players, 2006)
[[Image:KPHotRodimus.jpg|right|thumb|The fishing rod turns into arm blasters. The girl eats dumplings.]]

: ''[[Kiss Players]]'' Hot Rodimus is a retool and redeco of the ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Mirage]] toy, transforming into a red Ford GT. His engine becomes a pair of pistols that double as tonfa weapons, and his fishing rod can be taken apart and reassembled to create a triple-barreled arm-mounted blaster reminiscent of the original Hot Rod's exhaust pipe weapons. His new head sculpt includes a retractable visor patterned after the one used in the movie.

:The toy also included a PVC figurine of the character's "Kiss Player" partner Shaoshao Li and a bamboo dumpling steamer.

{{-}}

===Alternators===
*'''Rodimus''' (Alternators, 2007)

: ''[[Alternators]]'' Rodimus is an exclusive figure, confirmed for SDCC in July 2007. It is a repaint of Kiss Players Hot Rodimus, which itself is a remold of Alternators [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. The figure uses the head mold introduced in the Kiss Players figure, and appears to retain the visor. The deco has been altered by changing the side striping from white to yellow, while the stripes over the hood, roof and trunk have been eliminated altogether, with a Hot Rod-style flame graphic now adorning the hood and front guards. Most of the Kiss Player deco remain in robot mode, including the yellow hands and flame graphics on the forearms, however promotional images show the license plates (located at the knees in robot mode) have been changed to read "TOO HOT". Rodimus' weapons are the dual pistols/tonfa seen with both Mirage and Hot Rodimus, however it is currently not known whether Rodimus will include his Kiss Player counterpart's fishing rod/eliminator.

{{-}}

===Merchandise===
*'''Rodimus Convoy''' (Super Collection Figure, 2002)

*'''Rodimus Convoy''' (Mega Super Collection Figure, 2002)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''Mega SCF-06'''
[[Image:MegaSCFRodimus.jpg|left|thumb|90px|''YOU!'' Yeah, you! Say that again ''to my face'', you son of a--!]]

''Mega SCF'' Rodimus Convoy is a 5 inch tall non-transforming, articulated PVC action figure based upon the cartoon model. He comes with four sets of hands and a 'Photon Eliminator' rifle.

*'''Hot Rodimus''' (Mega Super Collection Figure, 2002)

*'''Rodimus Prime''' (Heroes of Cybertron, 2003)

{{-}}

==Trivia==

[[Image: Pinkrod.jpg|right|thumb|What do you want to do tonight, Brain?]]

* The original Hot Rod toy was initially cast in a pinker plastic similar to the color of his animation model. For unknown reasons, this was later changed to a decidedly less [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] red before release, but the earlier version of the toy is visible in the original 1986 Hasbro toy catalogue, and the televised [[Sharkticon]] toy advert.

[[Image:TFGRodimus.jpg|left|100px|thumb|"I fight fire with fire, baby!"]]

* A new Rodimus Prime was devised for the 1991-1992 lineup, however this one did not leave the drawing board. He was to be a fire truck, apparently with a design in the spirit of [[Optimus Prime (G1) #Battlestars 2|Star Convoy]] and with transformation scheme similar to [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]. Some people see a resemblance between this concept art and the mecha Duke Fire from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_Police_J-Decker Brave Police J-Decker], one of Takara's post-Transformers Yusha lines.

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

{{-}}

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

* One of the first concepts for Classics Rodimus was based around the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagani_Zonda Pagani Zonda] super car, before the [http://www.supercarnet.jp/File/File-Japan/File-Dome.htm Dome Zero] design was decided upon.

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

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/HotRod/hotrod.htm Hot Rod at TFU.info]

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

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

{{stub}}
[[Category: Autobot leaders]]
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Battlestars characters]]
[[Category: Classics characters]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: Kiss Players]]
[[Category: Matrix bearers]]
[[Category: Robot Heroes]]
[[Category: Targetmasters]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]
[[Category: Wreckers]]
[[Category: Primus]]<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>

Swindle (Movie)

2007-06-16T06:12:30Z

70.55.211.150: /* Transformers (2007) */

{{Template:Disambig3|Swindle}}
:''Swindles are [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] drone units from the [[Movie (franchise)|live action Transformers film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Swindle-gamedrone.jpg|thumb|250px|right|]]

'''Swindle''' is one of many Decepticons ordered to [[Earth]] by [[Megatron (Movie)| Megatron]] to cause havoc for the Autobot forces there. He's well suited to the task. Swindle is not a great fighter and, more, he's dumb as a post, but he takes great glee in blowing things (any "things") to pieces and that's worth something right? Generally he leaps and hops around the battlefield like a madman, blasting explosives out of his chest cannon and laughing uncontrollably. Havoc is a given when he's around. He's also an enthusiastic but unfortunately ineffectual interrogator.

Sometimes there are lots of him.

On both sides.

== Fiction ==
{{spoiler}}

=== IDW Prequel Comic ===
[[Image: SwindleMovie.gif|thumb|left|150px|Given his intelligence stat I'm impressed he managed that coherent a sentence.]]

Swindle (or ''a'' Swindle) is in charge of torturing the location of the [[Allspark]] out of [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s team after their capture at [[Tyger Pax]]. He fails at that but succeeds at pissing off [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. Lucky for Swindle, Megs takes off into space and is lost before he's able to follow through on his threats.

{{-}}

==Games==

=== Transformers (2007) video game ===
[[Image:Swindle head.jpg|thumb|right|Swindle units can be either Autobot (top) or Decepticon (bottom)]]
Swindle appears as one of the Autobot & Decepticon foes, in many colors.

===''Battle For the Allspark'' online game===
Swindle units have excellent speed, fair attack power, but very weak defense.
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
*'''Swindle''' (Deluxe, 2007)

: Swindle transforms into a Chevrolet Cobalt. He's the Decepticon version. Thanks to Automorphing, his head flips out on its own from his chest during transformation. His torso also features a spring-loaded cannon that extends. This cannon gimmick can also be used in car mode, where it looks like a super-turbo-nitro exhaust pipe.

{{stub}}
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Mass-produced Transformers]]
[[Category: Mechanoids/Drones]]
[[Category: Movie characters]]<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>

Transtech

2007-06-16T02:28:19Z

70.55.211.150:

'''Transtech''' was originally planned as the follow-up to the [[Beast Machines]] toy-line and cartoon.

== Fiction ==

Story-wise, not much is known. It likely would have picked up on [[technorganic]] [[Cybertron]] following the events of Beast Machines. A Mainframe CGI animated series to support the line was likely in the discussion stage at some point.

== Toyline ==

[[Image: TransScream.gif|thumb|Right|150px|Nightscream would have been spared a lot of hate had he looked like this in BM.]]

The characters transformed into Cybertronic vehicles that in many cases had animal-like features/deco. Cheetor was a Cybertronic race-car with a cheetah-like paint job, for instance, and Prime (confusingly invoking [[Optimus Primal]]) was a truck whose front end looked like an ape's face. Designs were done by [[Draxhall Jump]] and had somewhat less traditional robot modes (Cheetor had large hoop "wheels" for shoulders and feet, for instance) and didn't always resemble older versions of the character very closely. The overall aesthetic being somewhere in between Beast Machines odder moments and the new 2007 movie designs. Many of these designs were first shown at [[Botcon 2002]] (apparently without Hasbro permission as they were pulled down from the booth halfway through the show) and then subsequently available online.

[[Image: TransCharge.gif|thumb|150px|left|Depth Charge replaces "Banditto Spider" as coolest unmade TF ever.]]

The line would have included characters carried over from Beast Machines:

*[[Blackarachnia]]
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]
*[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]

returning Beast Wars character:

*[[Depth Charge]]

returning Generation 1 characters:

*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]

and at least one new character

*[[Immorticon]]

Design sketches for a [[Megatron]] and a [[Scavenger]] of uncertain identity also exist.

The toyline got to the early hard-copy prototype stage, and some prototypes, including Cheetor, Starscream, and Prime, have surfaced. None of them apparently reached a stage of production where real usable molds were created, and so future release is extremely unlikely.

== Cancellation ==

The reasons for Transtech's cancellation remain unknown for certain, though over the years a number of possible reasons have been speculated, among them: negative fan reaction to Beast Machines, conflict with Mainframe, difference with Takara, or simply a desire to go in a new direction. The most likely explanation is not a singular culprit, but a number of corresponding culprits, perhaps culminating in the closing of Hasbro's Cincinnati offices and departures of staff, followed by the subsequent relocation to Hasbro's central offices in Rhode Island.

The cancellation of Transtech lead to the Japanese "Car Robots" cartoon and toyline being imported as a stopgap measure while Hasbro and Takara began to work together to jointly create and launch the Armada line.

== External Links ==

[http://tfarchive.com/fandom/transtech/?dgallery=browse Transtech concept art gallery (from TFarchive.com)]

[[Category: Toys]]
[[Category: Unreleased toys]]<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>

Transtech

2007-06-16T02:27:57Z

70.55.211.150:

'''Transtech''' was originally planned as the follow-up to the [[Beast Machines]] toy-line and cartoon.

== Fiction ==

Story-wise, not much is known. It likely would have picked up on [[technorganic]] [[Cybertron]] following the events of Beast Machines. A Mainframe CGI animated series to support the line was likely in the discussion stage at some point.

== Toyline ==

[[Image: TransScream.gif|thumb|Right|150px|Nightscream would have been spared a lot of hate had he looked like this in BM.]]

The characters transformed into Cybertronic vehicles that in many cases had animal-like features/deco. Cheetor was a Cybertronic race-car with a cheetah-like paint job, for instance, and Prime (confusingly invoking [[Optimus Primal]]) was a truck whose front end looked like an ape's face. Designs were done by [[Draxhall Jump]] and had somewhat less traditional robot modes (Cheetor had large hoop "wheels" for shoulders and feet, for instance) and didn't always resemble older versions of the character very closely. The overall aesthetic being somewhere in between Beast Machines odder moments and the new 2007 movie designs. Many of these designs were first shown at [[Botcon 2002]] (apparently without Hasbro permission as they were pulled down from the booth halfway through the show) and then subsequently available online.

[[Image: TransCharge.gif|thumb|150px|left|Depth Charge replaces "Banditto Spider" as coolest unmade TF ever.]]

The line would have included characters carried over from Beast Machines:

*[[Blackarachnia]]
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]
*[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]

returning Beast Wars character:

*[[Depth Charge]]

returning Generation 1 characters:

*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]

and at least one new character

*[[Immorticon]]

Design sketches for a [[Megatron]] and a [[Scavenger]] of uncertain identity also exist.

The toyline got to the early hard-copy prototype stage, and some prototypes, including Cheetor, Starscream, and Prime, have surfaced. None of them apparently reached a stage of production where real usable molds were created, and so future release is extremely unlikely.

== Cancellation ==

The reasons for Transtech's cancellation remain unknown for certain, though over the years a number of possible reasons have been speculated, among them: negative fan reaction to Beast Machines, conflict with Mainframe, difference with Takara, or simply a desire to go in a new direction. The most likely explanation is not a singular culprit, but a number of corresponding culprits, perhaps culminating in the closing of Hasbro's Cincinnati offices and departures of staff, followed by the subsequent relocation to Hasbro's central offices in Rhode Island.

The cancellation of Transtech lead to the Japanese "Car Robots" cartoon and toyline being imported as a stopgap measure while Hasbro and Takara began to work together to jointly create and launch the Armada line.

== Sources ==

[http://tfarchive.com/fandom/transtech/?dgallery=browse Transtech concept art gallery (from TFarchive.com)]

[[Category: Toys]]
[[Category: Unreleased toys]]<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>

Megatron (Armada)

2007-06-15T20:41:58Z

70.55.211.150: Undo revision 72192 by 205.251.93.72 (Talk)

{{disambig3|Megatron}}

: ''Megatron is a [[Decepticon]] character in the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. When in his powered-up form, is known as '''Galvatron'''.''

[[Image:Megatronut.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Megatron, Decepticon leader. Shops for headgear with the big, bad Beetleborgs.]]

'''Megatron''' is not content with conquest of [[Cybertron_(planet)|Cybertron]]. When he learns of some power greater than his own, he does not attempt to merely defeat it. He will subjugate it, bend it to his will, carve up its corpse and integrate its power into himself. He is a monster. Megatron tempers this barbarism with regal militaristic formality. He calls his closest troops "gentlemen." He speaks politely and intelligently. He makes it perfectly clear that he is completely cognizant of his madness.

Megatron's only weakness is his obsession with [[Optimus_Prime_(UT)|Optimus Prime]]. No matter how much power he attains, his final, glorious battle must be against him. On the occasions Prime has seemingly been destroyed, Megatron has sunk into a deep depression. Once Optimus Prime is gone, there may be no further challenges in this universe.

''Japanese name:'' '''Galvatron''' (''Energon''), '''Master Megatron/Master Galvatron''' (''Cybertron'')

==Fiction==
===Animated continuity===

====Armada====

'''Voice actor:''' [[David Kaye]] (US), [[Kiyoyuki Yanada]] (Japan)

Megatron led his Decepticons to Earth in the year 2010, in pursuit of the small race of power-enhancing Transformers known as [[Mini-Cons]]. Establishing a base in the ruined hulk of the Mini-Con ship on Earth's moon, Megatron waged a generally successful campaign against the Autobots, regularly capturing Mini-Cons and successfully combining the first two Mini-Con weapons, the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] and the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]]. Through the machinations of his tactician, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] (who was at the time indirectly being manipulated by [[Unicron]]), Megatron then acquired the final weapon, the [[Requiem Blaster]], which was with the other two served to power the newly-built [[Hydra Cannon]]. The destructive force of his new weapon was unleashed against Earth, but [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] took the blast to save the planet, killing himself in the process.

Prime's death plunged Megatron into a deep depression, having lost his greatest opponent without the chance to finish him with his own hands. Thankfully for all concerned, the Mini-Cons were able to resurrect Optimus, restoring Megatron to his former self - but he soon underwent another change that allowed him to surpass all he had been, when he was among the Transformers who had their powers boosted by their Mini-Cons. Renaming himself "Galvatron," he returned to Cybertron with a renewed vigour for conquest. However, the emergence of the threat of Unicron was ignored by Galvatron, forcing his lieutenant [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] to sacrifice himself to make his leader see the truth, and Galvatron again came to fear the end of his war in the face of Unicron's power. Galvatron entered Unicron's body along with Optimus Prime, and was absorbed into the demi-god's body and mind, but when the Autobots' human allies freed the Mini-Cons from Unicron's thrall, Galvatron too was freed. Believing the threat of Unicron to be over, he challenged Prime to a final duel. However, the energies released in the battle reawakened Unicron, and Galvatron saw that the only way to end the circle was to destroy himself - sacrificing his life rather than live in an era of peace, Galvatron plunged himself into Unicron's maw, and in a flash, the two seemingly ceased to exist.

====Energon====

'''Voice actor:''' [[David Kaye]], [[Richard Newman]] Episode 14 (US), [[Junichi Endô]] (Japan)

Although he was believed dead by both the Autobots and Decepticons, Megatron, like Unicron, had survived the final battle, his body now a decayed husk, absorbed into the equally damaged body of Unicron, where it lay for ten years. When the being called [[Alpha Q]] began his plan to re-energise Unicron, Megatron saw his opportunity, syphoning off some of the [[energon]] that Alpha Q's [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]] stole, working towards his own rebirth. To turn the Decepticons to his side, Alpha Q forged a sword from Megatron's [[spark]], but when an enraged [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] stabbed Megatron's corpse with the blade, Megatron was born anew. Taking the sword for his own, he proceeded to take over Unicron's body, sending Alpha Q fleeing in Unicron's head, and restarted his campaign against Earth and the Autobots, seeking energon to reactivate Unicron, who he would use as the ultimate weapon.

Megatron eventually succeeded in bringing Unicron to the vicinity of Cybertron and transforming the planet-eater to robot mode. However, in an attempt to stop him, Alpha Q rammed Unicron's head, charged with the positive energon of Earth, into Unicron's body. The resultant reaction between Earth's energon and the negatively-charged energon that powered Unicron tore a rupture in reality that led to a new region of space where Alpha Q recreated all the planets Unicron had consumed. Megatron immediately saw these new worlds as targets to acquire more energon, and after another series of attacks, Megatron successfully amassed enough to fully reanimate Unicron. However, the chaos-bringer's consciousness invaded Megatron's body, taking over his mind.

Although [[Optimus Supreme]] was able to destroy Unicron's body, his mind lived on, buried within Megatron, subtly directing him to attack Cybertron and uncover a reservoir of Super Energon beneath the planet's surface. Megatron immersed himself in the powerful liquid and underwent another power boost, once again taking the name of Galvatron. Quickly acquiring control of the planet, he forced the Autobots underground with energon gas and used the planet's Energon Towers to relocate Cybertron to Alpha Q's region of space. Once there, Galvatron once again soaked himself in Super Energon, growing to a colossal height, but as he did so, Unicron's influence totally seized control of his mind and directed him out into space to re-merge with his spark. Optimus Prime forced him into a battle, knowing that Galvatron's hatred of him would force his consciousness to surface again, and when it did, Prime drained Unicron's influence from Galvatron, sealing it within himself.

Enraged by Unicron's manipulations, Galvatron intended to destroy Unicron's spark, but wound up being possessed by it once more. While struggling to fight the control of Unicron, he was confronted by Optimus Prime once again, and rather than fight him, he plunged himself into the foundling sun created by Primus, igniting the star and once again seemingly destroying himself rather than allow Unicron victory.

====Cybertron====
'''Voice actor:''' [[David Kaye]], [[Trevor Devall]] "Fallen" (US), [[Jouji Nakata]] (Japan)

Ten years later, Primus's plan to imprison Unicron's spark at the heart of the sun ultimately failed, leading the star to collapse, creating a [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]] which threatened the existence of Cybertron, and the rest of the universe. Escaping his confinement within the sun, Megatron enhanced his powers by merging his body with the remnants of Unicron's shattered form, increasing his power with the dark god's own.

As the Autobots prepared to evacuate Cybertron in the wake of disasters caused by the black hole, Megatron struck, approaching the unprotected ancient Transformer [[Vector Prime]], and stealing a holographic map containing locations of the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s that could be used to seal the black hole. Operating out of a fiery pocket dimension, Megatron schemed to used the world-shaping power of the Cyber Planet Keys and their focal [[Omega Lock]] to accelerate the universal degeneration created by the black hole, destroying the universe and using the keys to remake it in his own image.

Leaving [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] and [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] to search for the Omega Lock on Earth, Megatron located the resting place of the first Cyber Planet Key on [[Velocitron]], the Speed Planet. Recruiting the native troublemakers [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] and [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] to do his bidding, he deduced that the planet's racing trophy was the key. After failing to defeat planet ruler [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] in a race to learn more, however, he left Ransack and Crumplezone to compete in tournaments and win the trophy and turned his attention to the [[Jungle Planet]], home of the second Cyber Planet Key, where he ingratiated himself with planet ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]]. Both missions ultimately ended in failure, however, when the Autobots acquired the keys.

Attempting to find the third key, Megatron discovered that he had been betrayed by Starscream when the planet map - in reality, a duplicate switched out by Starscream - led him to a dead sector of space and sealed him within a metallic sphere. Scourge was able to liberate him a short time later, but in that time, Starscream had obtained the third Cyber Planet Key, from Earth, for himself, along with the Omega Lock and other keys. Megatron made a beeline for his treacherous lieutenant, but was intercepted by the Autobots [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]], who intended to hold him off until the other Autobots could stop Starscream. Starscream's attempts to harness the Earth Key, however, caused a release of its energies which endowed Megatron with a new Cyber Key power - the "Death Machine Gun," which he used to mow down the Autobots in his path.

The Autobots managed to retake the keys from Starscream, but a further attack from Megatron saw the Decepticon leader steal them out from under Optimus Prime's nose and retreat into his pocket dimension. Prime pursued him through the portal and defeated him in a pitched battle, reacquiring the lock and returning to Cybertron. As Megatron attempted to follow him, Vector Prime combined his portal-opening powers with the Cyber Planet Keys and collapsed Megatron's dimension in upon itself, destroying the villain.

This was not to be the end for Megatron, however, as the power of his Unicron armor sustained him as a ghost-like entity composed of pure darkness. In this state, he rematerialised on Cybertron and used Unicron's reformatting powers to upgrade the injured Crumplezone into Dark Crumplezone. As he came under attack from the Autobot [[Leobreaker]], his regeneration completed and his physical body was restored, even as he used the remainder of the lingering darkness to create an evil doppleganger of Leobreaker, [[Nemesis Breaker]], out of the Autobots own dark thoughts. Merging with Nemesis Breaker to form Dark Claw Mode, Megatron battled Optimus Prime and Leobreaker's Savage Claw Mode and made a further play for the Omega Lock, until news of the location of the fourth and final Cyber Planet Key led him to withdraw.

Guided through a spatial warp by the mysterious [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] to [[Gigantion]], the Giant Planet, home of the final key, Megatron engaged the world's leader, [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]], in battle. Much to his surprise, however, he was utterly defeated in seconds. Consumed with rage, the power of Unicron within his armour reached out and detected the energies of the Giant Planet's Cyber Planet Key, drawing upon them and infusing Megatron's body with them. Attacking the Autobots in a dark, shadowed form, he decimated most of their forces before being confronted by Optimus Prime and completing his transformation - once again, Megatron had become Galvatron.

After taking revenge on Metroplex, Galvatron joined the race to acquire the Giant Play key, which included a rematch the reborn Hot Shot, Red Alert and Scattorshot. Yet again, the Autobots were able to acquire the key, but Galvatron then stole the completed Omega Lock, only to be attacked by Starscream, who battled with Galvatron for possession of the artifact. Galvatron ultimately claimed victory in the battle, with the sheer amount of energy released in the clash actually blasting Starscream into another universe. With the lock and keys now in his hands, Galvatron returned to the Black Hole, where he was confronted and finally defeated by the five planet leaders.

Having had ultimate power torn form his grasp, Galvatron contemplated giving up, but when Starscream's spirit reached out to him and goaded him into continuing his vendetta, he challenged Optimus Prime to one final duel. Battling on Cybertron's moon, Galvatron generated a massive blade of dark energy, which Prime countered with Vector Prime's sword. As the two old enemies charged towards each other in a final strike, Prime impaled Galvatron, whose body crumbled and dissolved as he met his end once and for all.

In a montage sequence at the conclusion of the series, however, Galvatron's evil proved eternal, as, beyond the veil of time and space, his spark battled with that of Vector Prime.

===Dreamwave Comics continuity===
====Armada====
Megatron is the cold, calculating, and above all powerful and dangerous leader of the Decepticons. Despite this, he occasionally rushes into situations without thinking; on one such occasion he was sealed in a security room and tortured nearly to death by [[Leader-1]]. Later, after [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s sudden disappearance, he ordered an attack on Autobase, critically wounding [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] in the process. When [[Unicron]] attacked, Megatron attempted to gain power from the chaos bringer. However, [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], and [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] met him there and blasted him into Unicron in order to avenge Smokescreen's recent near-death experience.

====Energon====
Though his body was meticulously and painfully deconstructed by Unicron's defense systems, his consciousness survived within Unicron's spark core. In secret, he constructed a new body for himself and, after teleporting Optimus Prime into Unicron and convincing him to shut down some sensors, returned to Earth and destroyed [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]]. [[Ironhide (Armada)|Ironhide]] was worried that Megatron would kill him too, but Megatron told him that he wanted him alive so that he could tell everyone that he had returned.<br>
''Unfortunately, Dreamwave went bankrupt before Megatron's intentions could be revealed.''

At an unknown point in time, Megatron ordered [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]], [[Slugslinger (Energon)|Slugslinger]], and [[Sharkticon (Energon)|Sharkticon]] to attack [[Ocean City]]. Each of them failed in various embarassing ways, then lied about it afterward in an attempt to defend their failures.

Megatron

:was not

::amused.

He ''was'', however, impressed with Slugslinger's lie, and in fact promoted him for it.

===Universe===

==Toys==
===Armada===
[[Image:Armada_megatron_toy.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Mmm... Slanty posing.]]
*'''Megatron with Leader-1''' (Ultra, 2002/2003)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-01'''

: Megatron transforms into a green and purple Cybertronic tank. Its turret is able to spin freely and aim up and down. With a Mini-Con, two missiles will flip up, ready to fire with a push of a button. A shoulder contains a "launch pad" for Mini-Cons. The other shoulder has three Mini-Con posts hidden from sight unless one pushes a button. A leg contains a ramp for Mini-Cons, and a claw to ensnare them. The other leg is a holding compartment for Mini-cons, although most are too large to fit inside. One arm can pop out a knife with the help of a Mini-Con. The toy is able to combine with [[Tidal Wave]]. While the American version had a metallic purple face, the Japanese had a plain silver face and more detailed Decepticon symbols.

: This mold was used to make ''[[Universe]]'' [[Megazarak]].

*'''Megatron''' (McDonald's Happy Meal, 2002)
:Megatron is a simplified version of the Ultra toy that could combine with the other McDonald's ''Armada'' Decepticons in vehicle mode.

*'''Galvatron with Clench''' (Ultra, 2003)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-08'''

: Galvatron is a purple and white redeco of the previous Megatron toy. The [[Takara]] release has slight paint-shade difference from the [[Hasbro]] version and a metallic gray face instead of flat black, plus fictionally, he comes with a powered-up version of Leader-1 rather than the separate character Clench.

[[Image:Black_Micron_Megatron.jpg|left|thumb|180px|You are a lucky bastard if you own this.]]
*'''Black Megatron''' (Ultra, 2003)

: For the June 2003 issue of ''Tele-V Magazine''' in Japan, 100 special redecoes of Megatron were given as "Lucky Draw" prizes. This coloration was primarily black with dark olive and purple shades.

*'''Megatron''' (Built to Rule)

===Energon===
[[Image:En_Megatron_toy.jpg|right|thumb|185px|Minty fresh mouthwash laser cannons!]]
*'''Megatron''' (Super, 2004)
:Megatron transforms into a off-white gray and blue Cybertronic jet. Included is a small representation of ''Armada'' Megatron's tank form, which can fire missiles and serve as a hilt for a sword. The transformation includes many springs, and the hyper power involves extending the translucent green parts of its wings. This figure was initially only available at Wal-Mart stores, and saw a wider release shortly after.

*'''Galvatron''' (Ultra, 2004)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''SD-07'''
:This toy is a down-sized version of the Super toy. The features are the same, and the dark and light blue have switched positions, with the white and green a different tint. The electronic lights and sounds were different as well.

*'''Black Galvatron''' (Ultra, 2004)

*'''Megatron''' (European McDonald's Happy Meal, 2004)

*'''Galvatron''' (Super, 2005)
:Galvatron is a purple redeco of the Super toy based on Generation 1 [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].

*'''Galvatron General''' (Ultra, 2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''SD-20'''
:Galvatron General, shortened to Galvatron G, is a some what garish purple redeco of the Ultra toy. It featured an in pack purple Energon sword originally found with [[Cruellock]].

*'''Powerlinx Optimus Prime vs. Megatron''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
:This two pack, released in American Toys "R" Us stores, included the Ultra version of Megatron and the Deluxe version of [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]. This two-pack was the only method to obtain those toys outside of Japan, without importing.

*Unreleased
:A black redeco of the Super mold was planned to be released with Smallest Transformers [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] as a Target exclusive, but was cancelled.

===Cybertron===
[[Image:Cyb_Megatron_toy.jpg|right|thumb|170px|Megatron's Unicron cosplay did not turn out very well.]]
*'''Megatron''' (Leader, 2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''GD-01'''
:Megatron transforms into a multi-colored Cybertronic race car and jet. His robot mode design is partially based upon Armada Unicron. Inserting a Cyber Key into his central slot activates a pop-up engine with lights. Inserting a Key into his right slot opens up a panel to access his rotating wheel gun, and inserting a Key into his left slot detaches the Unicron spins melee weapon. The Japanese version of this figure uses different paint applications and a significantly lighter purple than the American version released months later.

*'''Megatron''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2005)
:Megatron is a simplified version of the Leader toy. It can only transform into the car mode.

*'''Megatron''' (Burger King, 2005)
:Burger King's Megatron is very simplified version of the Leader toy that could only transform into the jet mode.

[[Image:Cyb_Galvatron_toy.jpg|left|thumb|175px|"It wasn't ever this bad when Megatron was in command." "You mean Galvatron!" "Well, they were the same guy..."]]
*'''Galvatron''' (Leader, 2005)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''GD-14'''
:Galvatron is a silver and black redeco of Cybertron Megatron. The colour scheme is based upon [[Megatron_(G1)|G1 Megatron]]. All other functions remain the same.

The Japanese version uses yellow details while the American uses gold.

*'''Galvatron''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)
:Galvatron is a black and silver redeco of the Legends of Cybertron toy.

*'''Megatron''' (Deluxe, 2006)
:A green redeco of ''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary'' [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. This toy transforms into a ''Tyrannosaurus rex''. Inside its tail was a missile launcher that was revealed when a Cyber Key was inserted into the slot.

===Attacktix===
*'''Megatron''' (Intergalactic Showdoen, 2006)
:''Attacktix ID number'': '''SVT066'''

*'''Megatron''' (Ultimate Battle, 2006)
:''Attacktix ID number'': '''TF16'''

*'''Megatron (Vehicle)''' (Booster, 2006)
:''Attacktix ID number'': '''TF17'''

*'''Galvatron''' (Battle Case, Unreleased)
:''Attacktix ID number'': '''TF23'''

*'''Galvatron''' (Booster, 2007)

===Merchandise===
*Super Figure Collection Micron Legend Megatron (normal)
*Super Figure Collection Micron Legend Megatron (Cybertronian)
*Mega SFC Micron Legend Micron Megatron

==Trivia==
[[Image:Concept-ArmadaMegatron.jpg|thumb|right|200px|SWEET MONKEY JESUS!!!!]]

* A conceptual drawing in the ''[[Micron Legend Yearbook 2003]]'' showed Armada Megatron as originally being more weapon-laden and certifiably able to '''kill you to death'''.

* A different development sketch in the ''Yearbook'' revealed that "Gigatron" was one of Armada Megatron's working names.

* According to [[Aaron Archer]] as ORSON on the now-defunct "Orson's World" forum at [http://www.tfw2005.com TFW2005.com], Armada Megatron's "antlers" were part of an aborted Mini-Con grabber gimmick. The gimmick didn't make it, but the antlers remained.

* Also according to Archer, the chin on Armada Megatron is supposed to look like a pair of fangs to play up the character's evil nature. How well this was actually pulled off in the final sculpt is debatable.

* When a fan asked him why ''Energon'' Megatron was not named Galvatron, owing to continuity with the ''Armada'' series and the obvious visual homage in the figure's design, Archer explained that it was due to Hasbro needing to protect their trademarks, as well as Megatron being a more recognisable (and thus marketable) product name. He added that he personally wanted to call the toy '''Galvatron Imperius'''.

* According to the [[Transformers (Melbourne House)|''Armada'' Playstation 2 game]] instruction booklet, Megatron's ''Armada'' body has the following statistics:
:Height: 22' 11" (8' 3" vehicle mode)
:Weight: 106,925 lbs
:Power: 1,600 hp
:Vehicle top speed: 50mph

* During his stint on the Armada comic, it seems [[Pat Lee]] may have been referring to the Hasbro stock photo of Megatron (shown above in the toy section), as he consistently draws Megatron's feet as being flipped with the "grates" from the tops of the feet facing forward.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/Megatron/megatron.htm Megatron at TFU.info]
* [http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/binalternator/unreleased/megatron_soundwave/ Energon Megatron redeco with Smallest Transformers Soundwave gallery]

{{stub}}
[[Category: Armada characters]]
[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[Category: Children of Primus]]
[[Category: Combiners]]
[[Category: Cybertron characters]]
[[Category: Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category: Energon characters]]
[[Category: Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category: Legends of Cybertron]]
[[Category: Letters page answerers]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category: Triple Changers]]
[[Category: Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category: Unreleased toys]]<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>