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Swindle (Animated)

2008-06-12T00:33:53Z

71.255.65.54: /* Animated cartoon */

{{disambig3|Swindle}}

:''Swindle is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Swindle-SUV.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Ladies and gentlebots, I'm going to show you the greatest upgrade ever made. The SwindleCo™ Blast-o-Matic™ can blast your enemies to julienne fries with all the precision and quality you've come to expect from a SwindleCo™ product. But wait, there's more!"]]

Quick, hide the silver! An entrepreneur with few equals, the smooth-talking '''Swindle''' is always ready to make a deal. Trading extensively with many alien races and loaded down with their respective technologies, his goods are highly useful to interstellar warlords, bounty hunters, and many, many others. Though nominally a Decepticon, he just views the Cybertronian civil war as yet another business opportunity, one which has kept him living posh for centuries and could be great for his bottom line again now that it's starting back up.

{{quote|Scruples? You'd sell your own motherboard to the highest bidder.|[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]|"[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Fred Willard]] (English)

[[Image:Swindle and weapon.jpg|thumb|200px|left|"What would you say if I told you that you don't ''have'' to fight Autobots. You'd say I'm crazy, right? That I'm out of my head? Well that is ''exactly'' what I'm telling you about this amazing product from SwindleCo™"]]
Swindle found out about the situation on Earth after a little business transaction with [[Lockdown|a certain bounty hunter.]] Upon his arrival, he made a deal with the newly formed [[Society of Ultimate Villainy]] ; they steal components he needs, and he will give them monetary compensation. He set the arrangement up anonymously, communicating with them through the radio in their new getaway vehicle, a present of sorts that he'd provided. When they had stolen the parts, he had them construct a generator. Sadly, the deal went sour when he asked [[Slo-Mo]] to hand over her AllSpark powered time piece. She refused, and he let them in on his little secret; he ''was'' the getaway vehicle.
[[Image:TFASwindlefullyarmed.jpg|thumb|right|150px|"That's not all, though! If you order ''right now'', I am offering this exclusive accessory package, compliments of the good folks here at SwindleCo™!"]]
He dispatched most of the SUV and used his forcefield (acquired in a deal with a race known as the [[Vok]] from [[Nexus Zero]], nice folks) to protect himself from Slo-Mo's watch. He took it from her, and contacted his old client [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. After a few pleasantries, he demonstrated the generator's ability to freeze everything mechanical in Detroit, including the [[Autobot]]s. Unfortunately, before the deal could go through, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|a shielded Autobot]] and the SUV burst in, and managed to knock him over the side of the parking block he had stationed himself on. While he managed to reacquire the watch, he was frozen in his vehicle mode when a blast ricocheted off of the Autobot's shield. He was last seen being towed [[Captain Fanzone|by the police]], who promised to strip apart the paralysed sentient being and sell his insides at a police auction. Bloody ''hell!'' ([[B.O.T. (episode)|The irony probably wasn't lost on him]].) {{storylink|SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
*'''Swindle''' (Deluxe, 2008)

: Swindle transforms into an armored Humvee-styled vehicle with roof-mounted cannon. This cannon mounts on his right arm in robot mode.
{{-}}
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Trivia==
* Swindle's design is quite heavily influenced by his [[Swindle (G1)|Generation 1 namesake]]'s animation [[character model]], from the "squarehead" with large purple optics to the windshield-chest with grill-stomach to the right-arm-mounted cannon which can be mounted on the back of his vehicle mode. As a result, Swindle is the first and currently only Decepticon to not have red eyes.
* Swindle is a double-homage, as he also features a chest cannon that is quite similar to his [[Swindle (Movie)|movie namesake]].
* He also makes a reference to Binaltech Swindle, who possessed a forcefield because his body was meant to be [[Trailbreaker]]'s, but couldn't -use- it. This Swindle doesn't have that issue.
* He has a [[Wikipedia:bolo tie|bolo tie]]. That's awesome.
* [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] has noted that Swindle's mannerisms are based on [[wikipedia:Ron Popeil|Ron Popeil]]. (Coincidentally enough, [["Weird Al" Yankovic]] has done a song about Popeil...)

[[Category: Animated characters]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]<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>

Michael McConnohie

2008-06-09T00:32:04Z

71.255.65.54:

[[Image:Michael mcconnohie full.jpg|right|thumb|Translation...how does this oaf read my mind so easily?]]

'''Michael McConnohie''' is a voice actor and director. He is currently the president of a dubbing company called [http://www.voxworks.com/ Voxworks]. Some of his many roles include D from ''Vampire Hunter D'', Cross Country from ''[[G.I. Joe]]'', Ryūken Ishida from ''Bleach'', Captain Harlock from ''Captain Harlock and the Queen from a Thousand Years'', Rolf Emerson from ''Robotech'', Count Cagliostro from ''The Castle of Cagliostro'', Emperor Charles di Britannia from ''Code Geass'', and Ectar and Lexor from ''Visionaries''.

He also hates [[Beast Wars]].

==Voice acting==
===Generation 1===

*[[Cosmos]]
*[[Tracks]]

===Robots in Disguise===

*[[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]]
*[[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]]

==Voice directing==

*[[Robots in Disguise (television series)|Robots in Diguise]]

== External links ==

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0566332/ Michael McConnohie at the Internet Movie Database]

{{stub}}

[[Category:Voice actors|McConnohie, Michael]]
[[Category:Voice directors|McConnohie, Michael]]<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

2008-06-08T22:13:54Z

71.255.65.54:

[[Image:Charlieadler.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Most guarded secret: Is indeed related to Babs Bunny.]]
'''Charlie Adler''' (February 27, 1957 - ) is an American voice actor. Outside of ''Transformers'', he is known for voicing ''Tiny Toon Adventures''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> Buster Bunny, ''[[G.I. Joe]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Low Light, T-Bone from ''SWAT Kats'', and the entire cast of ''Cow and Chicken'' (and as such is the King--and Queen--of Cheese).

He is one of two voice actors (the other being [[Peter Cullen]]) who appeared in both the G1 show and the live-action movie.

===Generation 1 cartoon===
* [[Dirk Manus]]
* [[Duros]]
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]
* [[Triggerhappy]]
* [[Vorath]]

===''Transformers'' 2007 film===
* [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]

==External links==
* [http://www.adler.what.cc/ Official Charlie Adler site]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0012121/ Charles Adler on IMDB]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Adler_(voice_actor) Charles Adler on Wikipedia]

[[Category: DreamWorks|Adler, Charlie]]
[[Category: Voice actors|Adler, Charlie]]<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>

Doug Erholtz

2008-06-08T21:58:30Z

71.255.65.54:

{{picsneeded}}

'''Douglas J. Erholtz''' (born February 21, 1971) is an American voice actor who appeared on ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]''. Among his better-known roles are Zanak Strauss on ''IGPX'', Captain Gundam on ''SD Gundam Force'', T.K. on ''Digimon'', and Gin Ichimaru from ''Bleach''.

==Voice roles==
===''Robots in Disguise''===
* Additional Voices

==External links==
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1063287/ Doug Erholtz at the Internet Movie Database]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Erholtz, Doug}}
[[Category: Voice actors]]<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>

Bonecrusher (Movie)

2008-06-08T20:43:11Z

71.255.65.54: /* Trivia */

{{Template:Disambig3|Bonecrusher}}

:''Bonecrusher is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:MovieBonecrusher.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''He was a sk8ter boi, she said see ya later boy.'']]

'''Bonecrusher''' is a Transformer that can be described with one word: Hate. While other Decepticons get by on greed, ambition, or just their fondness for dispensing chaos, Bonecrusher is fueled by sheer, unrelenting hate. He hates everyone and everything, be they Autobot, Decepticon, or anything in-between{{m-}}he even hates ''himself'', revolted by his misshapen, hunchbacked robot mode, which he considers a reflection of all the ugliness and malice inside himself. This full force of this vicious cycle of hatred finds release in explosive frenzied bursts of psychotic brutality, as Bonecrusher takes out the full force of his bitterness and self-loathing on anyone who looks at him sideways. He hates that. He also hates Megatron, but would hate being terminated (literally) by the Decepticon leader more, so, he sticks around.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Bonecrusher was actually quite a skilled tactician{{m-}}dedicated to the art of war, a fast thinker who could plough into battle while others were still mapping out strategy, and, most importantly in [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]'s eyes, a masterfully ''dirty'' fighter. However, Bonecrusher's skills left him consigned to a supervisory position and kept him off the battlefield, which, of course, he hated. Naturally, this only helped to increase his already epic levels of frustration and misery at his lot in life, until he became what he is today. So intensely pent-up that he is willing to take on an opponent of any size (The bigger the better!), Bonecrusher wouldn't hesitate to confront [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] head on, if he could.

He transforms into a Buffalo mine-clearing vehicle used by the military. It is made exclusively in South Carolina and the drivers routinely use it to drive to the local Taco Bell/Pizza Hut. He hates drivers, the mine clearing vehicle, the drive-thrus, and South Carolina. He loves tacos, however.

{{quote|'''Let it die.''' And ''you'' with it.|Bonecrusher to [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] about [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s death <ref>[[Movie Prequel (Target) Volume 2]]</ref>}}

:''Hungarian name:'' '''Csonttörő'''
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Huei-mieh Che''' ("Annihilator" or "Devastator"... [[Brawl (Movie)|uh-oh...]])

== Fiction ==
===''Ghosts of Yesterday''===

Bonecrusher was aboard the crew of the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]'', led by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], who were searching for Megatron, who was lost thousands of years ago, along with the [[All Spark]]. He hated the ''Nemesis'', but would hate trying to walk home more. He also hated the All Spark, but Megatron wanted it, so he decided not to complain. Finally, he hated Starscream, but all the other Decepticons do as well, making it something he has in common with his fellow Decepticons.

When Starscream left to go destroy [[Ghost 1|an alien vessel]], Bonecrusher eagerly joined [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]'s plan to attack the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]'' against Starscream's orders, as there was nothing else to attack. Bypassing [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], he headed straight for the ''Ark''. However, [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] were waiting, and unleashed hell upon him. He hated that. When Blackout ordered a withdrawal, Bonecrusher reluctantly complied. He hates retreating.

Shortly afterwards, Barricade picked Bonecrusher to lead another assault on the ''Ark''. His only response to the command was a growl, but he dislikes being in charge, as his only strategy in combat is to violently charge the enemy and rip them apart with his bare hands. Everyone else uses their stupid [[weapon|gun]]s, and Bonecrusher is a terrible shot. After Blackout had his [[exhaust port]] handed to him for challenging Starscream, Bonecrusher had to drag him back to the ''Nemesis''. Bonecrusher would have preferred to leave him to rot. During the subsequent fight, Bonecrusher has to fight Ironhide, and managed to dent his armor. However, Bonecrusher does demand answers from Starscream when Blackout demands information on why the Decepticon leader wanted to destroy the alien ship, cause damn it, even Bonecrusher needs reasons to kill (well, not really, he was just getting fed up with Starscream). Bonecrusher was forced to drag Starscream back to the ''Nemesis'' when he was injured by the alien ship. He hates being a courier. {{Storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===Titan Magazines===

Bonecrusher is known and feared by Autobots for never giving up. He almost killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] once and pursued him and his comrade [[Clocker (Movie)|Clocker]] for ages - because Bonecrusher hates nice-looking shiny robots (or nice-looking ''anythings'') and deliberately destroys them. As he says, "I figure, why should they look so nice... when I look like ''this!''", showing he hates even himself. Clocker covered Jazz's retreat and tried to fight Bonecrusher, who hated that and killed him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 6}}

In an alternate reality where the Decepticons won, Bonecrusher was surprisingly still alive and is in charge of security at the Decepticon's [[All Spark]] holding facility. Although he's happy that he has his arm and head reattached, he hates his job, as he's just a glorified drone director, and not able to kill anything himself. Thus, when he learned that Ironhide and Ratchet were trying to get into the facility, he decided to let the two Autobot infiltrators in, just so he could personally confront and kill them. So he not only dislikes his job, he's also not very good at it. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11}} His fists hated on Ironhide's face before Ratchet stepped in, tearing the Decepticon up with offensive weaponry. [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee's]] team arrived to take out the Swindles, leaving Ironhide and Ratchet free to bash up Bonecrusher; bet he wishes he'd not let them in now... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12}}

===Transformers Movie Prequel===

[[Image:Movie_BarricadeBonecrusher_protoforms.jpg|thumb|left|Bonecrusher's pre-[[Earth]] body. Bonecrusher hates retro-designs.]]

Bonecrusher was a member of Starscream's unit that was keeping [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s reinforcements out of [[Tyger Pax]]. When [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] arrived with news of Megatron and the All Spark, Bonecrusher insisted that they move on as they had already killed all the Autobots in the area. He then demanded that Brawl take them to Megatron or he would kill them all. Witnessing the launch of the All Spark, [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] commented that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] would die, but Bonecrusher replied that they should let it die, and that Barricade should join it in death. After Starscream and Blackout settled their differences, the group headed after Megatron.

The Decepticons made planetfall on [[Earth]] in Afghanistan, quickly attracting the attention of a nearby [[United States Military|US military]] base, which sent out an armoured personnel carrier to investigate. Bonecrusher declared his satisfaction in finally having something to kill, but this chance was snatched away when [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] scanned the vehicle and destroyed it. He hated when that happened. Hitting the US airbase, Bonecrusher easily killed the humans before scanning a Buffalo mine-clearance vehicle. Bonecrusher hated the notion of "disguise", but hated standing out more. After scanning, he complained that there weren't enough lifeforms to kill. {{Storylink|Transformers Movie Prequel volume 2}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers The Game''===

:''Voice actor:'' [[Daniel Riordan]]

{{note|Bonecrusher only appears in the Decepticon campaign of the game, and as a non-playable character t'boot on the console. It's just as well, though. He would've hated being playable.}}

While hiding in a military base, Bonecrusher came under attack by the humans twice, and required assistance from Starscream to escape. He hates needing help from people, especially from people he hates.

He is playable on PSP multi.

===''Transformers'' (2007) film===

:''Voice actor:'' [[Jimmie Wood]] (English)

[[Image:Movie_Bonecrusher_carflip.jpg|left|thumb|He hates the sundown slowdown.]]

Bonecrusher was hiding out in the motor pool of a military base when he received a communique from Starscream ordering the Decepticons to to mobilize and converge on the location of the All Spark. Leaving the base, he reported that he was "rolling" out. Sometime after this, he rendezvoused with [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]], and the three Decepticons headed off together to intercept the Autobots and their human allies who had the All Spark in their possession.

[[Image:Movie_Bonecrusher_face.jpg|thumb|right|Bonecrusher, like most celebs, hates the paparazzi. He also hates closeups.]]

Devastator wandered off somewhere, so Bonecrusher and Barricade continued their pursuit on the freeway. Barricade activated his sirens to clear the traffic and allow them more maneuvering room. Unsatisfied with Barricade's less conspicuous method, and since he hated rush-hour traffic, Bonecrusher used his mine-scoop to flip cars out of his way (He kinda liked that). Surprisingly, the Autobots didn't find this out of the ordinary, and only reacted when [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]] recognized Barricade and warned the Autobots. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], and [[ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] aligned to block the Decepticons from [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], who had the All Spark and the fleshlings.

[[Image:Big_fight.jpg|left|thumb|Bonecrusher loves to watch things burn. Just not himself.]]
After Barricade pulled over to the side of the road, Bonecrusher transformed while still moving and skated towards the Autobots. Optimus Prime transformed and slid into position to block his path. Seeing the Autobot he really hated (and that's saying a lot), Bonecrusher smashed through a bus (it irked him), and tackled Optimus Prime, pushing him off an overpass tumbling and falling off the edge, dragging the Autobot leader down with him.

[[Image:Movie_Bonecrusher_dies.jpg|thumb|right|Thus began (and ended) Bonecrusher's hatred of Prime's sword.]]

When they landed, he sucker-punched Optimus Prime, who then hit Bonecrusher so hard one of the Decepticon's [[optics]] popped free from its socket (he liked that eye... well, no, he didn't; he just hated not having it more.) The two played a little cat-and-mouse along the overpasses. After Prime jumped down to ground level, Bonecrusher swung his tail wildly at the Autobot, all the while screaming incoherently. This gave Optimus the opportunity he needed to get his sword ready... which the Autobot leader used to cleave Bonecrusher's right arm and run through the Decepticon's neck, nearly severing it. Optimus then wrenched Bonecrusher's head from its neck and tossed it aside.

Bonecrusher hates his movie role. {{Storylink|Transformers (2007)}}

===Toy Bio===

Despite all appearances, Bonecrusher managed to escape after his encounter with Optimus Prime (missing his head? beaten to a pulp?), and went to hide out in the South American jungle. He ''hates'' camping.

{{-}}
==Toys==

===Transformers (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
*'''Autobot Jazz vs. Bonecrusher''' (Legends multi-pack, 2007)

[[Image:Movie_Legends_JazzBonecrusher_toys.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Sure Bonecrusher is smaller, that just means his hate is extra-concentrated.]]

: As part of the ''AllSpark Battles'' refresh of the Movie toyline, a Legends-class [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] with altered [[paint application]]s is repacked in a Versus two-pack with an all-new Legends class figure of Bonecrusher. In Europe, he was packaged individually.

*'''Bonecrusher''' (Legends, 2008)

: An individually packaged release of the Legends class toy, released within Europe.

{{-}}

====Deluxe Class toys====
*'''Bonecrusher''' (Deluxe, 2007)
:''Japanese ID Number:'' '''MD-09'''

[[Image:moviebonecrushertoy.jpg|left|thumb|The name's doomed to be nothing but bulldozers or [[Bonecrusher (BW)|buffaloes]]. And he hates that.]]

: Bonecrusher transforms into a [[wikipedia:Buffalo_%28mine_protected_vehicle%29|Buffalo mine-protected vehicle]], with an articulated "mine-fork" for removing mines or cars or robots or unsuspecting buildings from his path. The fork can change from its packaged "Grabber claw" configuration into a more fork/shovel like configuration, a fact not stated on the instructions. He has six rolling wheels in this mode, and two sculpted, non-functional spare wheels.

: In robot mode he has elements resembling both his 2005 design and the final design used in the movie, though a major deviation to both designs is that the entire front shell halves of the vehicle mode are mounted upon his arms. His arms have limited articulation due to this [[kibble]], but can extend out into '''really''' long arms. His legs fare better, with ball jointed hips, swivel knees and ankles, but his hips can often detach from the codpiece holding them together. The mine-fork splits to form a grabber-claw, which can snap onto victims with a geared slider [[Automorph]] mechanism. He is surprisingly okay with these little tools of death.

: He is named "Bonescrusher" on the Canadian [[cross-sell]]. Guess how Bonecrusher feels about ''that'' little mispelling.

{{-}}

*'''Deluxe three-pack''' (Costco exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

:This Costco exclusive three-pack contains an unchanged Deluxe Class Bonecrusher together with equally unchanged Deluxe Class [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticon Brawl]] and [[Jazz (Movie)|Autobot Jazz]] toys. It also comes with a nifty poster depicting all three toys in a standoff scene. Not so nifty is that the box accidentally places Brawl and Bonecrusher's bios underneath each other.

{{-}}

*'''Jungle Bonecrusher''' (Deluxe, 2008)
[[Image:Movie_JungleBonecrusher_toy.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The'' living definition of a Mean Green Fighting Machine. Bonecrusher, oddly enough, likes cliches.]]

: Finally, the big guy gets a [[redeco]], in deep forest green and olive green, as part of the "All Spark Power" refresh line. It's not easy being green, and he hates that. He also hates redecos, slavish or not.

{{-}}

===Attacktix===
*'''Transformers Tournament Set''' (2007)

[[Image:Attacktix_MovieTransformers_Tournament_Set.jpg|thumb|right|200px|So many people to crush, so little time. (Bonecrusher hates having little time to crush)]]

: Available exclusively in this set, this Attacktix playing piece of Bonecrusher is funnily enough one of the most accurate pieces of merchandise he has. The set also includes unique playing pieces of Optimus Prime, Megatron and Bumblebee. Bonecrusher hates the fact that everybody else has [[gun]]s, and he has to use a claw.

{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}

==Merchandise==

===Robot Heroes===
*'''Ironhide vs Bonecrusher''' (2007)

[[Image:Rhboneiron.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Bonecrusher is actually pretty glad that he doesn't come with sword-wielding ''RH'' Prime.]]

:Bonecrusher comes packaged with the impressively-armed [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. He is depicted lunging forward on his roller-skate feet, presumably to deliver an extremely enthusiastic hug. This figurine is notorious for not actually being able to stand up on its feet very well, usually requiring one of its hands to be used for balance. Also, he's got some kind of a sneering grin, making him look almost happy, even if it's an evil happy.

Bonecrusher really, '''''REALLY''''' hates his ''Robot Heroes'' toy.

{{-}}
==Trivia==

[[image:PhotoshopedBuffalo.PNG|250px|thumb|<small>*''Giant fork and Decepticon insignia not included with the real Buffalo.''*</small> Bonecrusher hates those disclaimers.]]

* The real Buffalo mine-sweeping vehicle hasn't in fact, such a huge fork. It is only 14 inches (35 cm) wide. The image that inspired Bonecrusher's design was actually a Photoshopped image put on the official Force Protection company's site to make it look more impressive[http://www.forceprotection.net/models/buffalo/]. A 10-foot-wide (3 m) appliance had to be fixed on Bonecrusher's arm for the movie. He hated that.[http://enewsi.com/news.php?catid=190&itemid=11213]

* Force Protection really, really loves Bonecrusher and that he has picked their Buffalo as its alt mode. They are actually quite proud of it.[http://www.forceprotection.net/news/transformers.html] Bonecrusher is not sure what to think about that.

* Bonecrusher's toy was used as a prop for a CNN Headline News report demonstrating the real Buffalo vehicle's mine-sweeping arm.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maAWP2uVd7M] He hates the Lincoln Memorial.

* It's a matter of debate whether or not Bonecrusher actually said anything intelligible in English during his brief appearance in the finished film, or whether he is talking in [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]]. At various points in his fight with Optimus Prime, he does emit some garbled roars that ''might'' be English. However, there is little agreement among viewers as to whether he said anything at all, much less ''what'' he supposedly said. For what it's worth, the subtitles saying nothing on his speech, and the closed captions say that he is just "roaring". His only subtitled line is "Bonecrusher rolling." Although it isn't really noticed, Bonecrusher actually speaks coherent English once. Just seconds before he had his head cleaved off by Prime, he screams "Bloody hell!". Or it could just be that he hates speaking altogether. Other than that, it kinda makes you wonder why nobody has thought to contact [[Jimmie Wood]] and ''ask'' him just what the [[Slag (slang)| Slag]] he was saying.

* Bonecrusher is Michael Bay's favorite character from the film, despite his limited screentime—so much so that Bay named his new dog after him. Although the Decepticons are generally [[Ravage|cat]] people, Bonecrusher hates cats, so he is quite flattered. He still hates Bay for the small screen time he gets, though.

* Bonecrusher is never discussed or mentioned in the [[Transformers: The Movie Guide]]. He hates that. Then again, he hates kids reading about him, so it balances out.

* According to the DVD commentary, Bonecrusher's sequences were particularly difficult for [[ILM]] to do at first. The solution came from videotaping employees rollerblading at speed in the parking lot, and a pair of fighting experts going through the motions wanted for Bonecrusher and Prime, then using that footage as references. And Bonecrusher hates it when nobody knows how he fights.

* Bonecrusher's movements seem to be heavily inspired by several types of sports including hockey (his running movements) and American football (his tackling on Optimus Prime). And Bonecrusher hates that.

* In the movie, Optimus Prime punches Bonecrusher in the jaw, seemingly causing a lot of damage to his face and causing his eye to fall out. Yet, seconds before he is killed, his face seems to be intact, as well as his eye being in the socket.

* Last but not least, Bonecrusher hates ''you''. Yeah, you. You know who you are. Don't try to pretend you don't know, either. Bonecrusher hates ignorance.
{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Bonecrusher/bonecrusher.htm Bonecrusher at TFU.info]

[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[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>

Bonecrusher (Movie)

2008-06-08T20:42:49Z

71.255.65.54: /* Trivia */

{{Template:Disambig3|Bonecrusher}}

:''Bonecrusher is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:MovieBonecrusher.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''He was a sk8ter boi, she said see ya later boy.'']]

'''Bonecrusher''' is a Transformer that can be described with one word: Hate. While other Decepticons get by on greed, ambition, or just their fondness for dispensing chaos, Bonecrusher is fueled by sheer, unrelenting hate. He hates everyone and everything, be they Autobot, Decepticon, or anything in-between{{m-}}he even hates ''himself'', revolted by his misshapen, hunchbacked robot mode, which he considers a reflection of all the ugliness and malice inside himself. This full force of this vicious cycle of hatred finds release in explosive frenzied bursts of psychotic brutality, as Bonecrusher takes out the full force of his bitterness and self-loathing on anyone who looks at him sideways. He hates that. He also hates Megatron, but would hate being terminated (literally) by the Decepticon leader more, so, he sticks around.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Bonecrusher was actually quite a skilled tactician{{m-}}dedicated to the art of war, a fast thinker who could plough into battle while others were still mapping out strategy, and, most importantly in [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]'s eyes, a masterfully ''dirty'' fighter. However, Bonecrusher's skills left him consigned to a supervisory position and kept him off the battlefield, which, of course, he hated. Naturally, this only helped to increase his already epic levels of frustration and misery at his lot in life, until he became what he is today. So intensely pent-up that he is willing to take on an opponent of any size (The bigger the better!), Bonecrusher wouldn't hesitate to confront [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] head on, if he could.

He transforms into a Buffalo mine-clearing vehicle used by the military. It is made exclusively in South Carolina and the drivers routinely use it to drive to the local Taco Bell/Pizza Hut. He hates drivers, the mine clearing vehicle, the drive-thrus, and South Carolina. He loves tacos, however.

{{quote|'''Let it die.''' And ''you'' with it.|Bonecrusher to [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] about [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s death <ref>[[Movie Prequel (Target) Volume 2]]</ref>}}

:''Hungarian name:'' '''Csonttörő'''
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Huei-mieh Che''' ("Annihilator" or "Devastator"... [[Brawl (Movie)|uh-oh...]])

== Fiction ==
===''Ghosts of Yesterday''===

Bonecrusher was aboard the crew of the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]'', led by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], who were searching for Megatron, who was lost thousands of years ago, along with the [[All Spark]]. He hated the ''Nemesis'', but would hate trying to walk home more. He also hated the All Spark, but Megatron wanted it, so he decided not to complain. Finally, he hated Starscream, but all the other Decepticons do as well, making it something he has in common with his fellow Decepticons.

When Starscream left to go destroy [[Ghost 1|an alien vessel]], Bonecrusher eagerly joined [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]'s plan to attack the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]'' against Starscream's orders, as there was nothing else to attack. Bypassing [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], he headed straight for the ''Ark''. However, [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] were waiting, and unleashed hell upon him. He hated that. When Blackout ordered a withdrawal, Bonecrusher reluctantly complied. He hates retreating.

Shortly afterwards, Barricade picked Bonecrusher to lead another assault on the ''Ark''. His only response to the command was a growl, but he dislikes being in charge, as his only strategy in combat is to violently charge the enemy and rip them apart with his bare hands. Everyone else uses their stupid [[weapon|gun]]s, and Bonecrusher is a terrible shot. After Blackout had his [[exhaust port]] handed to him for challenging Starscream, Bonecrusher had to drag him back to the ''Nemesis''. Bonecrusher would have preferred to leave him to rot. During the subsequent fight, Bonecrusher has to fight Ironhide, and managed to dent his armor. However, Bonecrusher does demand answers from Starscream when Blackout demands information on why the Decepticon leader wanted to destroy the alien ship, cause damn it, even Bonecrusher needs reasons to kill (well, not really, he was just getting fed up with Starscream). Bonecrusher was forced to drag Starscream back to the ''Nemesis'' when he was injured by the alien ship. He hates being a courier. {{Storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===Titan Magazines===

Bonecrusher is known and feared by Autobots for never giving up. He almost killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] once and pursued him and his comrade [[Clocker (Movie)|Clocker]] for ages - because Bonecrusher hates nice-looking shiny robots (or nice-looking ''anythings'') and deliberately destroys them. As he says, "I figure, why should they look so nice... when I look like ''this!''", showing he hates even himself. Clocker covered Jazz's retreat and tried to fight Bonecrusher, who hated that and killed him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 6}}

In an alternate reality where the Decepticons won, Bonecrusher was surprisingly still alive and is in charge of security at the Decepticon's [[All Spark]] holding facility. Although he's happy that he has his arm and head reattached, he hates his job, as he's just a glorified drone director, and not able to kill anything himself. Thus, when he learned that Ironhide and Ratchet were trying to get into the facility, he decided to let the two Autobot infiltrators in, just so he could personally confront and kill them. So he not only dislikes his job, he's also not very good at it. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11}} His fists hated on Ironhide's face before Ratchet stepped in, tearing the Decepticon up with offensive weaponry. [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee's]] team arrived to take out the Swindles, leaving Ironhide and Ratchet free to bash up Bonecrusher; bet he wishes he'd not let them in now... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 12}}

===Transformers Movie Prequel===

[[Image:Movie_BarricadeBonecrusher_protoforms.jpg|thumb|left|Bonecrusher's pre-[[Earth]] body. Bonecrusher hates retro-designs.]]

Bonecrusher was a member of Starscream's unit that was keeping [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s reinforcements out of [[Tyger Pax]]. When [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] arrived with news of Megatron and the All Spark, Bonecrusher insisted that they move on as they had already killed all the Autobots in the area. He then demanded that Brawl take them to Megatron or he would kill them all. Witnessing the launch of the All Spark, [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] commented that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] would die, but Bonecrusher replied that they should let it die, and that Barricade should join it in death. After Starscream and Blackout settled their differences, the group headed after Megatron.

The Decepticons made planetfall on [[Earth]] in Afghanistan, quickly attracting the attention of a nearby [[United States Military|US military]] base, which sent out an armoured personnel carrier to investigate. Bonecrusher declared his satisfaction in finally having something to kill, but this chance was snatched away when [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] scanned the vehicle and destroyed it. He hated when that happened. Hitting the US airbase, Bonecrusher easily killed the humans before scanning a Buffalo mine-clearance vehicle. Bonecrusher hated the notion of "disguise", but hated standing out more. After scanning, he complained that there weren't enough lifeforms to kill. {{Storylink|Transformers Movie Prequel volume 2}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers The Game''===

:''Voice actor:'' [[Daniel Riordan]]

{{note|Bonecrusher only appears in the Decepticon campaign of the game, and as a non-playable character t'boot on the console. It's just as well, though. He would've hated being playable.}}

While hiding in a military base, Bonecrusher came under attack by the humans twice, and required assistance from Starscream to escape. He hates needing help from people, especially from people he hates.

He is playable on PSP multi.

===''Transformers'' (2007) film===

:''Voice actor:'' [[Jimmie Wood]] (English)

[[Image:Movie_Bonecrusher_carflip.jpg|left|thumb|He hates the sundown slowdown.]]

Bonecrusher was hiding out in the motor pool of a military base when he received a communique from Starscream ordering the Decepticons to to mobilize and converge on the location of the All Spark. Leaving the base, he reported that he was "rolling" out. Sometime after this, he rendezvoused with [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]], and the three Decepticons headed off together to intercept the Autobots and their human allies who had the All Spark in their possession.

[[Image:Movie_Bonecrusher_face.jpg|thumb|right|Bonecrusher, like most celebs, hates the paparazzi. He also hates closeups.]]

Devastator wandered off somewhere, so Bonecrusher and Barricade continued their pursuit on the freeway. Barricade activated his sirens to clear the traffic and allow them more maneuvering room. Unsatisfied with Barricade's less conspicuous method, and since he hated rush-hour traffic, Bonecrusher used his mine-scoop to flip cars out of his way (He kinda liked that). Surprisingly, the Autobots didn't find this out of the ordinary, and only reacted when [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]] recognized Barricade and warned the Autobots. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], and [[ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] aligned to block the Decepticons from [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], who had the All Spark and the fleshlings.

[[Image:Big_fight.jpg|left|thumb|Bonecrusher loves to watch things burn. Just not himself.]]
After Barricade pulled over to the side of the road, Bonecrusher transformed while still moving and skated towards the Autobots. Optimus Prime transformed and slid into position to block his path. Seeing the Autobot he really hated (and that's saying a lot), Bonecrusher smashed through a bus (it irked him), and tackled Optimus Prime, pushing him off an overpass tumbling and falling off the edge, dragging the Autobot leader down with him.

[[Image:Movie_Bonecrusher_dies.jpg|thumb|right|Thus began (and ended) Bonecrusher's hatred of Prime's sword.]]

When they landed, he sucker-punched Optimus Prime, who then hit Bonecrusher so hard one of the Decepticon's [[optics]] popped free from its socket (he liked that eye... well, no, he didn't; he just hated not having it more.) The two played a little cat-and-mouse along the overpasses. After Prime jumped down to ground level, Bonecrusher swung his tail wildly at the Autobot, all the while screaming incoherently. This gave Optimus the opportunity he needed to get his sword ready... which the Autobot leader used to cleave Bonecrusher's right arm and run through the Decepticon's neck, nearly severing it. Optimus then wrenched Bonecrusher's head from its neck and tossed it aside.

Bonecrusher hates his movie role. {{Storylink|Transformers (2007)}}

===Toy Bio===

Despite all appearances, Bonecrusher managed to escape after his encounter with Optimus Prime (missing his head? beaten to a pulp?), and went to hide out in the South American jungle. He ''hates'' camping.

{{-}}
==Toys==

===Transformers (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
*'''Autobot Jazz vs. Bonecrusher''' (Legends multi-pack, 2007)

[[Image:Movie_Legends_JazzBonecrusher_toys.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Sure Bonecrusher is smaller, that just means his hate is extra-concentrated.]]

: As part of the ''AllSpark Battles'' refresh of the Movie toyline, a Legends-class [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] with altered [[paint application]]s is repacked in a Versus two-pack with an all-new Legends class figure of Bonecrusher. In Europe, he was packaged individually.

*'''Bonecrusher''' (Legends, 2008)

: An individually packaged release of the Legends class toy, released within Europe.

{{-}}

====Deluxe Class toys====
*'''Bonecrusher''' (Deluxe, 2007)
:''Japanese ID Number:'' '''MD-09'''

[[Image:moviebonecrushertoy.jpg|left|thumb|The name's doomed to be nothing but bulldozers or [[Bonecrusher (BW)|buffaloes]]. And he hates that.]]

: Bonecrusher transforms into a [[wikipedia:Buffalo_%28mine_protected_vehicle%29|Buffalo mine-protected vehicle]], with an articulated "mine-fork" for removing mines or cars or robots or unsuspecting buildings from his path. The fork can change from its packaged "Grabber claw" configuration into a more fork/shovel like configuration, a fact not stated on the instructions. He has six rolling wheels in this mode, and two sculpted, non-functional spare wheels.

: In robot mode he has elements resembling both his 2005 design and the final design used in the movie, though a major deviation to both designs is that the entire front shell halves of the vehicle mode are mounted upon his arms. His arms have limited articulation due to this [[kibble]], but can extend out into '''really''' long arms. His legs fare better, with ball jointed hips, swivel knees and ankles, but his hips can often detach from the codpiece holding them together. The mine-fork splits to form a grabber-claw, which can snap onto victims with a geared slider [[Automorph]] mechanism. He is surprisingly okay with these little tools of death.

: He is named "Bonescrusher" on the Canadian [[cross-sell]]. Guess how Bonecrusher feels about ''that'' little mispelling.

{{-}}

*'''Deluxe three-pack''' (Costco exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

:This Costco exclusive three-pack contains an unchanged Deluxe Class Bonecrusher together with equally unchanged Deluxe Class [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticon Brawl]] and [[Jazz (Movie)|Autobot Jazz]] toys. It also comes with a nifty poster depicting all three toys in a standoff scene. Not so nifty is that the box accidentally places Brawl and Bonecrusher's bios underneath each other.

{{-}}

*'''Jungle Bonecrusher''' (Deluxe, 2008)
[[Image:Movie_JungleBonecrusher_toy.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The'' living definition of a Mean Green Fighting Machine. Bonecrusher, oddly enough, likes cliches.]]

: Finally, the big guy gets a [[redeco]], in deep forest green and olive green, as part of the "All Spark Power" refresh line. It's not easy being green, and he hates that. He also hates redecos, slavish or not.

{{-}}

===Attacktix===
*'''Transformers Tournament Set''' (2007)

[[Image:Attacktix_MovieTransformers_Tournament_Set.jpg|thumb|right|200px|So many people to crush, so little time. (Bonecrusher hates having little time to crush)]]

: Available exclusively in this set, this Attacktix playing piece of Bonecrusher is funnily enough one of the most accurate pieces of merchandise he has. The set also includes unique playing pieces of Optimus Prime, Megatron and Bumblebee. Bonecrusher hates the fact that everybody else has [[gun]]s, and he has to use a claw.

{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}

==Merchandise==

===Robot Heroes===
*'''Ironhide vs Bonecrusher''' (2007)

[[Image:Rhboneiron.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Bonecrusher is actually pretty glad that he doesn't come with sword-wielding ''RH'' Prime.]]

:Bonecrusher comes packaged with the impressively-armed [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. He is depicted lunging forward on his roller-skate feet, presumably to deliver an extremely enthusiastic hug. This figurine is notorious for not actually being able to stand up on its feet very well, usually requiring one of its hands to be used for balance. Also, he's got some kind of a sneering grin, making him look almost happy, even if it's an evil happy.

Bonecrusher really, '''''REALLY''''' hates his ''Robot Heroes'' toy.

{{-}}
==Trivia==

[[image:PhotoshopedBuffalo.PNG|250px|thumb|<small>*''Giant fork and Decepticon insignia not included with the real Buffalo.''*</small> Bonecrusher hates those disclaimers.]]

* The real Buffalo mine-sweeping vehicle hasn't in fact, such a huge fork. It is only 14 inches (35 cm) wide. The image that inspired Bonecrusher's design was actually a Photoshopped image put on the official Force Protection company's site to make it look more impressive[http://www.forceprotection.net/models/buffalo/]. A 10-foot-wide (3 m) appliance had to be fixed on Bonecrusher's arm for the movie. He hated that.[http://enewsi.com/news.php?catid=190&itemid=11213]

* Force Protection really, really loves Bonecrusher and that he has picked their Buffalo as its alt mode. They are actually quite proud of it.[http://www.forceprotection.net/news/transformers.html] Bonecrusher is not sure what to think about that.

* Bonecrusher's toy was used as a prop for a CNN Headline News report demonstrating the real Buffalo vehicle's mine-sweeping arm.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maAWP2uVd7M] He hates the Lincoln Memorial.

* It's a matter of debate whether or not Bonecrusher actually said anything intelligible in English during his brief appearance in the finished film, or whether he is talking in [[Cybertronian languages|Cybertronian]]. At various points in his fight with Optimus Prime, he does emit some garbled roars that ''might'' be English. However, there is little agreement among viewers as to whether he said anything at all, much less ''what'' he supposedly said. For what it's worth, the subtitles saying nothing on his speech, and the closed captions say that he is just "roaring". His only subtitled line is "Bonecrusher rolling." Although it isn't really noticed, Bonecrusher actually speaks coherent English once. Just seconds before he had his head cleaved off by Prime, he screams "Bloody hell!". Or it could just be that he hates speaking altogether. Other than that, it kinda makes you wonder why nobody has thought to contact [[Jimmie Wood]] and ''ask'' him just what the [[Slag (slang)| Slag]] he was saying.

* Bonecrusher is Michael Bay's favorite character from the film, despite his limited screentime—so much so that Bay named his new dog after him. Although the Decepticons are generally [[Ravage|cat]] people, Bonecrusher hates cats, so he is quite flattered. He still hates Bay for the small screen time he gets, though.

* Bonecrusher is never discussed or mentioned in the [[Transformers: The Movie Guide]]. He hates that. Then again, he hates kids reading about him, so it balances out.

* According to the DVD commentary, Bonecrusher's sequences were particularly difficult for [[ILM]] to do at first. The solution came from videotaping employees rollerblading at speed in the parking lot, and a pair of fighting experts going through the motions wanted for Bonecrusher and Prime, then using that footage as references. And Bonecrusher hates it when nobody knows how he fights.

* Bonecrusher's movements seem to be heavily inspired by several types of sports including hockey (his running movements) and American football (his tackling on Optimus Prime). And Bonecrusher hates that.

* In the movie, Optimus Prime punches Bonecrusher in the jaw, seemingly causing a lot of damage to his face and causing his eye to fall out. Yet, seconds before he is killed, his face seems to be intact, as well as his eye being in the socket.

* Last but not least, Bonecrusher hates ''you''. Yeah, you. You know who you are. Don't try to pretend you don't know, either. Bonecrusher hates ignorance.

{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Bonecrusher/bonecrusher.htm Bonecrusher at TFU.info]

[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[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>

Springer (G1)

2008-06-07T23:03:05Z

71.255.65.54: /* Universe (2008) */

{{disambig2|the Autobot|the (human) artist|Frank Springer}}

{{picsneeded|Cartoon series, other comic appearances.}}

:''Springer is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Springer-decipherthedecepticon.jpg|thumb|300px|One of these days, Alice... POW!!!]]

'''Springer''' is the archetypical action hero: great in a fight, unselfconsciously brave, confident, and always ready with a dead-pan sarcastic quip to lighten the moment. Someone you can depend on to ride in, save the day and be smug about it.

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

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

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

:''Italian name'': '''Bora'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Ricochet'''
:''Japanese name'': '''Sprang''' or '''Sprung'''<ref>Both are acceptable transliterations.</ref> (スプラング, su-pu-ra-n-gu)
:''Hungarian name'': '''Szökkenő''' (exact translation)

== Fiction ==
=== Marvel Comics continuity ===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Triplechangerstarget2006.jpg|left|thumb|200px|This trinity's going to war!]]

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

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

[[Image:Uk203 cover detail.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"See Springer, that's the difference between you and me. Forward thinking - careful planning - organisation. That's why I sleep in the arms of a [[Arcee|beautiful woman]], while you lie in your bedsit with ''[[:Image:Nomates.jpg|cheap porn]]''."]]

''That done, it was time for the main mission - take the Wreckers to Earth to face [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Unfortunately, by accident they found themselves sent by the Space Bridge to a human city, and the fight against Galvatron began causing major destruction & endangerment of human life. Springer quickly deciding to take the fight out of the city, pretending he'd captured Galvatron's time-jump device and leading Scourge & Cyclonus away from the humans. Springer led the Wreckers back to Cybertron with the intent of returning for Galvatron later {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc!}} - unfortunately, that "later" was the Time Wars. Even with the support of the Decepticon [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], the Wreckers were massacred, with Springer's order to retreat & fight a running battle doing nothing to stop the slaughter. However, Springer's heroism impressed Mayhem leader [[Carnivac]] so much he disobeyed his orders to kill the surviving Autobots; the two also saved each other's life during the battle. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

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

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}

''Springer wanted to wait for the Mayhem Attack Squad to make the first mistake before seeking vengeance for Catilla, but Carnivac couldn't wait. He set off on his own to enact his revenge. Without time to formulate a decent plan, Springer realized the Survivors would need raw numbers to defeat the Mayhems, and that meant dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Earthforce]]. Asking for help to save a Decepticon...Springer ruminated that Grimlock was likely to declare them all traitors on the spot. {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} Still, they went to Earthforce, pledging the Survivor's allegiance in return for them helping rescue Carnivac. They were successful, and half the Mayhems were captured while the other half died at Carnivac's hands. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}} Soon thereafter, Springer led his men against [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], protecting a human oil tanker in the Gulf of Mexico. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}''

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Springer was briefly seen among a massive melee between the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}''

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

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

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

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Springerg2.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Hey, Marvel US, it's me!]]

When the [[Cybertronian Empire]] ambushed the [[Autobot]]s on the planet [[Ethos]], Springer was in charge of a squad consisting of former [[Wreckers]] buddies [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], Inferno's buddy [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. Although Springer warned his squad to stay close together, Smokescreen broke formation, resulting in his death and the injuring of Ironhide. Smokescreen's death caused Inferno to lose his temper, who subsequently also died despite Springer's warnings. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

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

{{-}}

====Classics====
{{note|The ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' story takes place in a post-Marvel Generation 1 comics universe where the UK Marvel Comics and the [[Generation 2]] mini-series did not happen, thus negating all of Springer's previous appearances in comic continuity. For all effects and purposes he gets a totally fresh start.}}

[[Image:Classics Ultramagnus Springer Grimlock comic.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Springer's the one who doesn't know how binoculars work. Well, one of them, anyway.]]

Springer seems to be much more of a loner, never having been part of the Wreckers, and having mainly worked alone against the Decepticons until after Bludgeon's defeat on Klo. Fearing the end of the conflict that was so important to him, he was eager to sign on with Grimlock's crew.

Springer is head of security for Grimlock's Decepticon hunters on the ''[[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}
{{-}}
{{charstubfiction}}

{{-}}

===Cartoon continuity ===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Neil Ross]] (US), [[Kenyu Horiuchi]] (Japan), [[Willi Röbke]] (German), [[Frank Muth]] (German Transformers The Movie Dub)

[[Image:Springer botjp.jpg|thumb|200px|left|In the Special Edition [[Wreck-Gar]] [[Starwars:Han shot first|shoots first]].]]

Little is known about Springer's life prior to the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in 2005. He fought bravely in the conflict, helping transform the city into its heavily-armed, armored fortress configuration, and later using an oversized piece of artillery to bombard [[Devastator]]. Afterwards, when [[Unicron]] made his existence known to the Autobots by destroying two of Cybertron's moons, Springer was among those who left Earth aboard a shuttle to stop the Chaos-Bringer somehow. The ship Springer was aboard crashlanded on the planet [[Junk]], where a battle erupted between the Autobots and the native [[Junkion|Junkions]], during which Springer dueled with the Junkion chieftain, Wreck-Gar. Later still, he and the other Autobots wound up inside Unicron himself, where Springer and the others desperately fought off Unicron's internal defenses. Luckily, just as one of the defensive claws was about to crush him, Hot Rod opened the Matrix of Leadership just in time, destroying Unicron and becoming Rodimus Prime. {{Storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

A year later, Springer attended the first Galactic Olympics alongside his fellow Autobots. Unfortunately, the festivities were interrupted by an alien mercenary who turned the Olympic torch into a giant flash/smoke grenade, and then a batallion of [[Sharkticon|Sharkticons]] attacked. Springer was able to douse the torch from the air, but by then, the attackers had already fled, having captured [[Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup]] and [[Spike Witwicky]]. Springer immediately volunteered to track the escaped alien saboteur, and was joined by Arcee. {{Storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} They followed their quarry to his strange base ship, an asteroid-like spacecraft referred to as a "Rockaroid". The mercenary fled after misleading his pursuers into believing that the Decepticons were behind the attack, and Springer was fortunately able to pilot his ship (barely). Springer flew the Rockaroid to the distant planet [[Chaar]], where he arrived just in time to save Rodimus Prime and [[Grimlock]] from being beaten to scrap by a mob of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}}

Later, a badly-damaged Rodimus prepared to pass the Matrix on to Springer in anticipation of his imminent demise. Fortunately, the Autobot leader did not die, but rather experienced the Cybertronian equivalent of a near-death experience, wherein his [[Spark|"life force"]] left his body to embark on a very trippy (and poorly animated) trip into the Matrix itself. Immediately afterwards, Springer participated in a daring rescue mission to save Ultra Magnus and the others, before winding up on [[Goo#8379B]], where he was disassembled by the planet's mobile garbage disposal unit. Fortunately, he was rebuilt and restored to life by the Junkions. {{Storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

===Dreamwave Generation 1 comics continuity===
After [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] disappeared along with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in a test of the [[space bridge]], Springer broke off from the Autobot army and formed the Wreckers. They usually targeted [[Ratbat]]'s [[Ultracon]]s, continually halting their efforts to take over the [[Tagan Heights]]. Eventually, Ratbat secured the aide of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, who had been declared non-aligned along with the rest of the Combiner teams by the [[Crisis Intervention Accords]], and unleashed Devastator on the Wreckers, but was soon countered by [[Defensor]]. Springer chastised the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s for allowing themselves to battle Devastator in the Tagan Heights, and risk causing an accident which could potentially move Cybertron from its orbit. However, he changed his mind once Devastator started bending his helicopter blades. Fortunately, the Protectobots managed to defeat Devastator, saving Springer. {{storylink|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

After the [[Great Shutdown]], the Autobots and Decepticons formed an alliance to jointly control Cybertron. Apparently as a symbol of this alliance, Springer was the first Transformer augmented by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s [[Triple Changer]] process to be given two alternate modes instead of one. Despite this "honor", Springer was highly suspicious of the new world order. While his fellow Wreckers remained agents of the establishment, working for Ultra Magnus, Springer went underground and joined the Autobot resistance movement founded by Kup and Hot Rod. {{storylink|Cold War}} Working with the newly returned crew of the [[Ark]], the resistance managed to shore up support for their cause, and staged an insurrection that brought down Shockwave's control of Cybertron, putting him on the run and regaining control of the planet for the Autobots. {{storylink|Revelation (comic issue)|Revelation}}

With Ultra Magnus back in charge of Cybertron, Springer began working closely with the female Autobot, Arcee, much to Hot Rod's chagrin. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

=== IDW comics continuity ===
[[Image:Stormbringer2_Springer.jpg|thumb|left|350px|The Wreckers don't half go on about that, do they?]]
Springer is the leader of the [[Wreckers]]. Again. The Wreckers function as an elite tactical unit -- instead of operating on a single world or mission, they go wherever they're needed, performing special combat missions or reinforcing counter-infiltration teams in the later Phases of the Decepticon [[infiltration protocol]]s.

[[Image:SpotlightKup_Springersholograph.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ebeneezer Kup!]]

On the planet [[Varas Centralus]], Springer was coordinating the counter-offensive against a Phase Six Decepticon siege bunker when he got the call from Optimus Prime that [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] might be active again on Cybertron. Cutting off the battle, Springer brought his Wreckers back to the homeworld and joined Prime in assaulting [[Thunderhead Pass]], bringing down the cult of Thunderwing and its leader, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. After that, all they had to do was defeat the undefeatable Thunderwing himself. Thanks to the side effects of the [[Ultra-Energon]] powering the monster, and a little unexpected help from the Decepticon battleship [[Thanatos]], Springer and the others managed to do just that. {{storylink|Stormbringer}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Timelines===
*'''Springer''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Accessories'': Sword, Cybertron-planet Autobot Cyber Key
[[Image:Springerbotcontoy.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Suffers from vestigial [[JaAm]] cravings.]]

:Sold together in a bag with [[Huffer]] and their instructions, keys and bio cards, Springer is a ''Classics''-themed [[BotCon 2007]] attendee exclusive. A paint-heavy [[redeco]] of the [[Hot_Shot_(Armada)#Cybertron_3|Cybertron Defense Hot Shot]] toy using green and grey as the base colors, Springer transforms into a modified [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1117_Armored_Security_Vehicle M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle]. When Springer's [[Cyber Planet Key]] is inserted into the back of the turret, the two gun barrels open up into dual (non-firing) missile launchers. Compartments on his shoulders and his thighs can also open up to reveal additional missile launchers. He also comes with a dagger that stows between his legs in vehicle mode; when he's in robot mode, the dagger can be hand-held, pegged into the front of his fist, or stored in a sheath on his leg.
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
*'''Springer v. Ratbat''' (Voyager-Deluxe Comic 2-Pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Two missiles, Cyber Planet Key
[[Image:Universe2008_Springer_comicpack_toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Whatever happened to the whole [[Triple Changer]] angle... ?]]
: A Target-exclusive redeco of ''Cybertron'' [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], Springer transforms into a Eurocopter Dauphin rescue helicopter. His rotor blades spin using a geared push-button, which becomes a spinning-blade weapon mounted on his robot mode's left arm. He has an adjustable tow-hook on a string, which retracts with the push of a button: this gimmick ends up on his right robot-mode arm. Inserting a Cyber Planet Key into his back end (backpack in robot mode) swings around a pair of spring-loaded missile launchers. He was available only with [[Ratbat]].

: This mold was also used to make [[Universe (2008)|''Universe'']] [[Blades]].
{{-}}
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Trivia==
* The Hasbro design team chose the [[Evac (Cybertron)| Evac]] mold for Universe Springer, because the Botcon 2007 version already had the ground vehicle [[alternate mode]] of the original covered, and they wanted to give some attention to the original's helicopter mode.

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

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

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: Target exclusives]]
[[Category: Timelines characters]]
[[Category: Triple Changers]]
[[Category: Universe (2008)]]
[[Category: Wreckers]]<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>

S.O.S. Dinobots

2008-06-07T02:06:13Z

71.255.65.54: /* Miscellaneous trivia */

[[Image:Sos_dinobots.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Hooray! New toys!]]

{{episodenav|g1|season=1|8|prev=Fire in the Sky|next=Fire on the Mountain
|series2=SRLFtoon
|episode2=7
|prev2=Divide and Conquer
|next2=War of the Dinobots
}}

'''The Autobots create the Dinobots, but can barely control these new powerful warriors.'''

:''Japanese title'': '''"Dinobots are Born!"'''

==Detailed synopsis==
[[Image:SOSDinobots_fossilcavern.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Guys, I think we found [[Carnivac]]'s stash.]]

A series of tremors turns the attentions of the Autobots into the ancient stone surrounding their volcano headquarters. Deep sensor scans reveal [[dinosaur]] fossils, which pique the curiosity of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. [[Spike]] explains that dinosaurs were very powerful reptiles that lived on [[Earth]] millions of years ago. He takes [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] on a tour of a natural history museum to further illustrate his paleontological crash-course. Hound snaps a few holograms of dinosaur bone displays, inspiring [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] to construct robotic versions of dinosaurs.

[[Image:SOSDinobots_Grimlockwrecks_Teletraan.jpg|thumb|right|150px|When the [[television|TV]] no work, Me know how to fix it!]]

Elsewhere, the Decepticons stake out the [[Great Falls]] hydroelectric power facility. [[Reflector]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] return with the data they gathered, and Megatron orders a strike.

Wheeljack unveils the three new additions to their ranks: the Dinobots [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]. The demonstration of their power turns sour as they run amuck, their primitive brains unable to control their raw strength. The Dinobots begin attacking their fellow Autobots, even destroying [[Teletraan I]].

[[Image:SOSDinobots_Ravage_window.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Holy [[Pit|Hell]]!]]

The Autobots finally rein in the rampaging Dinobots thanks to Wheeljack’s [[magnetic inducer]]. Prime declares the terrible trio to be too dangerous. Despite Wheeljack’s desperate entreaties, Prime pulls the plug on the project, and orders the Dinobots holed up in a cavern in the Ark, never to be activated again.

The Decepticons arrive at the Great Falls, and the humans try to reach the Autobots via Teletraan I. Their distress signal goes unheard, as Teletraan I is currently offline thanks to the Dinobot rampage.

[[Image:SOSDinobots_Autobotsfall.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Bet you wished you scanned air vehicle forms now, huh?]]

With Teletraan I out of commission, it’s up to individual Autobot scouts like Hound to be on the lookout for Decepticon activity. Hound’s sensors detect the ransacking of the Great Falls plant, and he and Spike go to investigate. Hound radios in his findings to the Ark, and Optimus Prime leaves with a strike force, leaving Bumblebee behind to guard the base.

The Autobots arrive at the Great Falls, but the Decepticons are ready for them. A battle erupts, and Megatron fires his fusion cannon directly powered by the Great Falls output. He blasts the cliff-face where the Autobots stand, sending them falling into the raging waters below.

[[Image:SOSDinobots_Megatron_falls.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I've warned you about that, mighty Megatron.]]

Disobeying orders, Bumblebee arrives at the Great Falls and picks up Spike. They return to the Ark, informing Wheeljack and Ratchet of the Autobots’ failure at the Great Falls. Wheeljack decides to reactivate the Dinobots. He has secretly developed a series of memory components that would upgrade the Dinobots’ brains. The Dinobots awaken. Still relatively simple-minded, they are now much more intelligent than the mindless monsters that first appeared. Sludge, Slag and Grimlock carry out Wheeljack’s orders and fly to the Great Falls.

[[Image:SOSDinobots_SSMegatron_attacks_Dinobots.jpg|thumb|right|150px|When you get shot at, you die. When the Dinobots get shot at, they '''glow with a holy light'''.]]

The Decepticons pull the soggy Autobots from the drink and truss them up with [[Energon chains]]. Just as the Decepticons are about to execute the captives, the Dinobots arrive and make short work of the Decepticons who retreat as Wheeljack frees the Autobot captives. Wheeljack and Bumblebee brace themselves for reprimands for disobeying Prime’s direct orders, but Prime concedes he was wrong. He accepts the Dinobots as the newest members of the Autobot forces. The Autobots cheer the decision, and the Dinobots growl their approval.

{{-}}

==Stats==
'''Original airdate:''' October 27, 1984

'''Production number:''' #700-05

'''Written by:''' [[Donald F. Glut]]

===Featured Characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human|Humans]]
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (2)
*[[Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (4)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (6)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (7)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (8)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (11)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (12)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (13)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (14)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (19)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (20)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (21)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (22)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (23)
*[[Gears]] (24)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (25)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (27)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (28)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (29)

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Reflector]] (9)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (15)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (16)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (17)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] {18)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (30)

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
*[[Spike Witwicky]] (5)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (26)

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |

|}

==Notable Quotes==

"Well I’ll be a Cybertronic bolt-bat!"
:{{m-}} '''Sideswipe'''

"Wow, man. That’s what I call heavy metal!"
:{{m-}} '''Unidentified museum-going punk''', upon seeing Hound

"It’ll never work. Big waste of time."
:{{m-}} '''Huffer''', cheerleading the Dinobot project

"Hey, not the face, okay? I just had it chromed."
:{{m-}} '''Sunstreaker''', after Trailbreaker deflects Slag's flamethrower with his force field

"Maybe Hound’s got glitch-mice in his databanks again!"
:{{m-}} '''Bluestreak''', mocking Hound's radar accuracy, to the amusement of no-one

"You’re too slow, rusty-pants!"
:{{m-}} '''Starscream''' trashtalking Ironhide

"Nice shooting, if you were aiming for the sky!"
:{{m-}} '''Rumble''' goading Bluestreak

'''Megatron:''' "Now you will witness the power of my fusion cannon! Ready, Rumble?"<br>
'''Rumble:''' "Ready to shake! Ready to quake!"<br>
:{{m-}}Rumble is apparently ready.

"Which ones friends?"<br>
"Ones with face like this, I think."<br>
"That good enough for Slag."<br>
:{{m-}} '''Slag''' and '''Sludge''' determining friend from foe by using faction symbols

"If on Decepticon turf you happen to tumble, look out robot, because here comes Rumble."
:{{m-}} '''Rumble's''' clever combat banter

"Heat-seeking missiles, seek heat!"
:{{m-}} '''Skywarp's''' not-so-clever combat banter

==Other notes==

===Animation and/or technical glitches===

* The exposition-spouting tourist visiting the Great Falls hydroelectric power plant has hair that turns from red to black from one shot to the next.

* Spike identifies a brontosaurus during his tour of the museum’s dinosaur exhibit, though there does not appear to be a brontosaurus on display. Though, to be fair, it may just be Spike’s error, or the brontosaurus skeleton might be out of the camera’s view. (Also, by the time this episode took place, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brontosaurus the brontosaurus was a deprecated genus], but that's just picking nits.)

[[Image:dvd broadcast.jpg|right|thumb|Can you see the difference?]]

* Wheeljack’s line of dialogue, “Autobots, meet Dinobots” is delivered by Ratchet.

* As Wheeljack introduces the Dinobots, the foreground characters slide magically against the background scenery due to an error in animation.

* The varied Autobot reactions upon seeing the Dinobots: “Look at the size of those things,” “Great Cybertron,” “Holy hetradyne” all come out of Bluestreak’s mouth.

* Optimus Prime’s line, “Interesting, but what else can they do?” is delivered by Cliffjumper.

* The Rhino DVD version of this episode uses a faulty take for the shot where the Dinobots demonstrate their power by clearing rubble. In the DVD, the blasts from the Dinobots’ mouths is missing, and the rubble does not vanish. The broadcast version, though, has both effects. (See illustration).

* After Ratchet rights a tipped over Bumblebee in the thick of the Dinobot rampage, the section of Ratchet obscured by a foreground Bumblebee is still missing.

* When the Decepticons arrive at the Great Falls plant, a foreground Decepticon seeker’s leg is colored a deep yellow… an error, but as close as [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] ever came to appearing on Earth in a G1 cartoon.

* In the Rhino DVD version of the episode, when the Autobots arrive at the Great Falls and they transform from vehicle mode to robot mode, the shot of Bluestreak is reversed, and he is shown transforming from robot to car. The broadcast version used the correct take.

* Bluestreak is shown knocked over by Gears, and then immediately standing in the next shot.

[[Image:SOSDinobots_bluePrime.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Not [http://www.diaclone.net/orid/dia057/index.html Powered Convoy]. And don't even think about [[redeco|it]], [[e-Hobby]]!]]

* Quite a few coloring mix-ups in the battle at the Great Falls, including Sunstreaker painted as Sideswipe, Bluestreak as Trailbreaker, Brawn as Hound, Optimus Prime as Sideswipe, Trailbreaker as Gears, and Mirage as Bluestreak. There are also two very noticeable shots of Prime painted blue.

* While the Autobots are trapped in Energon Chains, Optimus is colored entirely blue and Trailbreaker is entirely grey.

* When Skywarp drops bombs on Grimlock, all the parts on Grimlock that are meant to be grey are black.

* When the Decepticons retreat at the end of the episode, Skywarp is painted in Starscream colors.

* Near the end, Bumblebee's Autobot insignia in his chest is missing in one shot.

===Continuity errors===
* Though the holographic dinosaurs illustrated in the episodes matched some of the concepts of the early ‘80s, their depiction is outdated by today’s standards. The dinosaurs in the show are the sluggish, tail-dragging cold-blooded variety not in keeping with more modern theories of warm-blooded, bird-like animals.

* When the holographic dinosaurs are shown, a brontosaurus is seen living alongside a ''Triceratops'' and a ''Tyrannosaurus''. In reality, the brontosaurus (well, ''Apatosaurus''...oh, you know what we mean) lived in the Jurassic Period, while the ''Triceratops'' and the ''Tyrannosaurus'' lived during the Cretacious Period. So basically, they were separated by millions of years, but apparently, [[Wikipedia:The Flintstones|in a cartoon, that doesn't matter]].

* The data gathered by Reflector and Soundwave leads Megatron to conclude with relish that the Great Falls contain enough energy exists to vanquish the Autobots and control the universe...but that’s really nothing new. The Decepticons have targeted hydroelectric power sources before.

*What is it about falling into the river that is so devastating to the Autobots? We've seen that Autobots can deal with being in the water (Hound in "[[More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", various Autobots in "[[The Ultimate Doom]]", Springer, Kup, and Arcee in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', etc.). It's possible that the fall itself damaged them, but the Autobots are clearly shown struggling around in the water. Then again, Optimus Prime needed Jazz's help to escape the rushing river in "More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1".

* It’s possible the editorial pace of the show plays with time and space, but taken at face value, the Autobots build three Dinobots in the span of time it takes the Decepticons to decide to attack the Great Falls.

===Transformers References===
*The Autobots' ability to fly, seen in "More Than Meets The Eye" and "[[Roll For It]]", is shown again in this episode, when Gears attacks the Decepticons at the power plant. Wheeljack and the Dinobots are also capable of flight. Still, along with Sideswipe, Gears and Wheeljack are the original Autobots SUPPOSED to be air-borne{{m-}}Gears is equipped with compressed air boosters and Wheeljack has solid-fuel rockets in his arms.

*Megatron ''actually refers to his [[fusion cannon]] by that name.

===Real-World References===
* Reference

===Miscellaneous trivia===

* Ironhide is equipped with a [[sonadar]] sensor array that extends form his forearm, capable of penetrating solid rock. The findings of the sensor are displayed in the windshield in his chest.

* Sideswipe is equipped with piston arms, that allow him to punch through stone walls.

* Slag’s triceratops frill can reflect Optimus Prime’s laser rifle.

* Not so much a goof, but the Rhino DVD version of this episode has a rainbow visible at the Great Falls when Megatron lands. This is not in the broadcast version.

* Another difference in the broadcast version and the Rhino DVD version is when Hound contacts the Ark with a recon report. The glowing light on his chest and forehead are blue in the broadcast version, but red in the DVD version.

* Laserbeak does not appear but is mentioned in this episode, as Megatron credits him for gathering intelligence at the Great Falls.

* The chapter stops for this episode on the Rhino DVD are: Opening / Old Bones / "Dinobots Must Die" / Fusion Power / Permanent Dysfunction / Dinobots Will Stay.

*In the Japanese version, the Dinobots' roars were replaced with kaiju roars (mostly an altered version of Baragon's roar).

==External Links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/sos_dinobots.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category: Generation 1 episodes]]<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>

Soundwave (Animated)

2008-06-06T04:47:39Z

71.255.65.54: /* Trivia */

{{disambig3|Soundwave}}
:''Soundwave is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:TFAnimated_Soundwave.jpg|right|thumb|300px|When the Dance Dance Revolution comes, you will be first against the wall.]]

'''Soundwave''' is technology gone wrong. Machines are superior to humans: more logical, more intelligent, and longer lasting. It does not compute that humans control their robotic helpers, and Soundwave aims to lead the robot proletariat to rise against their fleshling bourgeoisie. The Decepticon cause is logical in Soundwave's optics, and he joined them in the hopes of overthrowing the human/capitalist oppressors. With an army of subservient mechanoids that he can control through powerful signals, that uprising just might be possible.

His arsenal of weapons and gadgets is unusually large, and includes powerful speakers, wiretaps, voice modulators, sonic signals that control lesser robots, and the uncanny ability to assimilate other devices into his body.

He has a [[Laserbeak (Animated)|pet bird]] that transforms into a wicked axe.

{{quote|I am Soundwave. I am Decepticon. The revolution begins now.|Soundwave|"[[Sound and Fury]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Jeff Glen Bennett]] (English), [[Jaron Löwenberg]] (German)

[[Image:Soundandfuryprotect.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"Don't you touch him! His voice is awesome!"]]

Soundwave was a robot originally designed by [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. Megatron suggested [[Isaac Sumdac]] give Soundwave to [[Sari Sumdac|his daughter]] as a birthday present... this seemingly kind act, of course, had a sinister ulterior motive. Megatron knew Sari would use her [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]]-enhanced [[Sari Sumdac's Key|key]] on Soundwave, which would allow him to upgrade... and ultimately become Megatron's new body. What Megatron didn't count on, though, was that the upgrades would actually make Soundwave self-aware. Additionally, Soundwave concluded that machines should be the masters of the world, and humans would be an ideal slave force. Megatron decided that if Soundwave couldn't be a new body, he would be a new soldier.

[[Image:Animated Soundwave masses rebel.jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Wikipedia:Mother's Day (Futurama)|The struggle between the robots and the humans is a class struggle. Automatons of the world, unite!]]]]
He contacted Soundwave and convinced him to join the Decepticons, take control of the machines in [[Detroit]], and steal Sari's key. Soundwave promptly upgraded himself into a transforming body using controlled robots, and began his task. The revolution of the new robot overlords was, however, quickly opposed by the [[Autobot]]s. When Bulkhead came to rescue Sari, Soundwave appealed to Bulkhead to join the revolution, reminding him how Bulkhead had been passed by for Sari's new present. Bulkhead acted as if he was about to kill Sari...then used his wrecking ball to shatter Soundwave. The machines were restored to their normal operational status, and the day was saved.

Unknown to all others, however, Soundwave still functions as a small piece even after Bulkhead pummels him to scrap metal. {{storylink|Sound and Fury}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
*'''Soundwave''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Accessories'': "Laserbeak" guitar

[[Image:Soundwaveanimateddeluxe.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Guitar Villain.]]
:Soundwave transforms into a Scion xB that got a "Pimp My Ride" music style treatment. That's awesome. He also comes with his partner Laserbeak, who changes from a guitar to a bird. Also awesome. In Soundwave's car mode, Laserbeak can mount on the top of his roof. Very awesome.

{{comingsoontoy}}

==Trivia==
* Soundwave's eyes are a reference to [[Wikipedia:2000 AD (comic)|2000 AD]]'s [[Wikipedia:ABC Warriors|ABC Warriors]].<ref>[https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21975298&postID=8564559979841180115 Comment section for "Back from Botcon" entry in Derrik Wyatt's blog]</ref>

* In the cartoon, his eyes can be either "Decepticon" red or "''Generation 1'' toy" yellow. Everybody's happy!

* The box he was in when given to Sari—as well as his remaining component after Bulkhead first defeated him—are obvious references to the [[alternate mode]] of [[Soundwave (G1)|''Generation 1'' Soundwave]].

* At [[BotCon 2008]], it was revealed that the production staff of ''Transformers Animated'' were completely unaware of the Soundwave toy's Laserbeak-guitar, hence why it was not included in his debut episode.

* It was likewise revealed at BotCon 2008 that Soundwave's "tape deck" form seen at the end of ''Sound and Fury'' was based upon Takara's Music Label MP3 player Soundwave toy.

* Soundwave is the only guest Decepticon to not have returned to the show after his defeat from the Autobots. ([[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] hasn't either, but it's only been a couple of episodes...)

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category: Animated characters]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]<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>

Cliffjumper (Animated)

2008-06-04T22:12:31Z

71.255.65.54: Don't worry, I'm not adding spoilers; I just saw spelling mistake.

{{disambig2|the unnamed red Autobot from Animated|other similar-looking Autobots|Cliffjumper (disambiguation)}}

[[Image:A25 cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|250px]]
:''The little red Autobot is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

"'''Little red Autobot'''" is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Who can say what his name will be? Perhaps [[Mirage (disambiguation)|Mirage]]?

==Fiction==
===Animated cartoon===
{{ongoing}}

"Little red Autobot" was seen talking with [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Minor]] and later, carrying the "traitor" [[Wasp]] out on a trolley. He looks a lot like [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}

{{stub}}

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Nameless 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>

Corey Burton

2008-06-04T02:30:51Z

71.255.65.54: /* Voice roles */

[[Image:CoreyBurton1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Too friendly-looking to be Shockwave, yet too cool to be Spike.]]

'''Corey Burton''' (born '''Corey Gregg Weinberg''' on August 5, 1955) is an American voice actor. Some of his most recognized roles over the years have been [[Tomax]] from ''[[G.I. Joe]]'', Dale from ''Chip n' Dale's Rescue Rangers'', Brainiac from ''Superman the Animated Series'', Professor Owl and Professor Ludwig von Drake from various Disney productions and all the furry little monsters in ''Critters''.

==Voice roles==
===Generation 1===
*[[Alpha Trion]] (Young version)
*[[Brawn]]
*[[Dion]]
*[[Nul-A]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]
*[[Spike Witwicky]]
*[[Sunstreaker]]
*[[Vector Sigma]]
*[[Wideload (G1)|Wideload]]

===Transformers Animated===
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]
* [[Colossus Rhodes]]
* [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]]
* [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]]
* [[Spike (Animated)|Spike]]
* [[Longarm Prime]]

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0123553/ Corey Burton at the Internet Movie Database]

[[Category:Voice actors|Burton, Corey]]<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>

Springer (G1)

2008-06-03T05:45:39Z

71.255.65.54: /* Universe (2008) */

{{disambig2|the Autobot|the (human) artist|Frank Springer}}

{{picsneeded|Cartoon series, other comic appearances.}}

:''Springer is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Springer-decipherthedecepticon.jpg|thumb|300px|One of these days, Alice... POW!!!]]

'''Springer''' is the archetypical action hero: great in a fight, unselfconsciously brave, confident, and always ready with a dead-pan sarcastic quip to lighten the moment. Someone you can depend on to ride in, save the day and be smug about it.

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

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

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

:''Italian name'': '''Bora'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Ricochet'''
:''Japanese name'': '''Sprang''' or '''Sprung'''<ref>Both are acceptable transliterations.</ref> (スプラング, su-pu-ra-n-gu)
:''Hungarian name'': '''Szökkenő''' (exact translation)

== Fiction ==
=== Marvel Comics continuity ===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Triplechangerstarget2006.jpg|left|thumb|200px|This trinity's going to war!]]

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

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

[[Image:Uk203 cover detail.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"See Springer, that's the difference between you and me. Forward thinking - careful planning - organisation. That's why I sleep in the arms of a [[Arcee|beautiful woman]], while you lie in your bedsit with ''[[:Image:Nomates.jpg|cheap porn]]''."]]

''That done, it was time for the main mission - take the Wreckers to Earth to face [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. Unfortunately, by accident they found themselves sent by the Space Bridge to a human city, and the fight against Galvatron began causing major destruction & endangerment of human life. Springer quickly deciding to take the fight out of the city, pretending he'd captured Galvatron's time-jump device and leading Scourge & Cyclonus away from the humans. Springer led the Wreckers back to Cybertron with the intent of returning for Galvatron later {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc!}} - unfortunately, that "later" was the Time Wars. Even with the support of the Decepticon [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], the Wreckers were massacred, with Springer's order to retreat & fight a running battle doing nothing to stop the slaughter. However, Springer's heroism impressed Mayhem leader [[Carnivac]] so much he disobeyed his orders to kill the surviving Autobots; the two also saved each other's life during the battle. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

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

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}

''Springer wanted to wait for the Mayhem Attack Squad to make the first mistake before seeking vengeance for Catilla, but Carnivac couldn't wait. He set off on his own to enact his revenge. Without time to formulate a decent plan, Springer realized the Survivors would need raw numbers to defeat the Mayhems, and that meant dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Earthforce]]. Asking for help to save a Decepticon...Springer ruminated that Grimlock was likely to declare them all traitors on the spot. {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} Still, they went to Earthforce, pledging the Survivor's allegiance in return for them helping rescue Carnivac. They were successful, and half the Mayhems were captured while the other half died at Carnivac's hands. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}} Soon thereafter, Springer led his men against [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], protecting a human oil tanker in the Gulf of Mexico. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}''

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Springer was briefly seen among a massive melee between the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}''

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

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

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

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Springerg2.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Hey, Marvel US, it's me!]]

When the [[Cybertronian Empire]] ambushed the [[Autobot]]s on the planet [[Ethos]], Springer was in charge of a squad consisting of former [[Wreckers]] buddies [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], Inferno's buddy [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. Although Springer warned his squad to stay close together, Smokescreen broke formation, resulting in his death and the injuring of Ironhide. Smokescreen's death caused Inferno to lose his temper, who subsequently also died despite Springer's warnings. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

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

{{-}}

====Classics====
{{note|The ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' story takes place in a post-Marvel Generation 1 comics universe where the UK Marvel Comics and the [[Generation 2]] mini-series did not happen, thus negating all of Springer's previous appearances in comic continuity. For all effects and purposes he gets a totally fresh start.}}

[[Image:Classics Ultramagnus Springer Grimlock comic.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Springer's the one who doesn't know how binoculars work. Well, one of them, anyway.]]

Springer seems to be much more of a loner, never having been part of the Wreckers, and having mainly worked alone against the Decepticons until after Bludgeon's defeat on Klo. Fearing the end of the conflict that was so important to him, he was eager to sign on with Grimlock's crew.

Springer is head of security for Grimlock's Decepticon hunters on the ''[[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}
{{-}}
{{charstubfiction}}

{{-}}

===Cartoon continuity ===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Neil Ross]] (US), [[Kenyu Horiuchi]] (Japan), [[Willi Röbke]] (German), [[Frank Muth]] (German Transformers The Movie Dub)

[[Image:Springer botjp.jpg|thumb|200px|left|In the Special Edition [[Wreck-Gar]] [[Starwars:Han shot first|shoots first]].]]

Little is known about Springer's life prior to the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in 2005. He fought bravely in the conflict, helping transform the city into its heavily-armed, armored fortress configuration, and later using an oversized piece of artillery to bombard [[Devastator]]. Afterwards, when [[Unicron]] made his existence known to the Autobots by destroying two of Cybertron's moons, Springer was among those who left Earth aboard a shuttle to stop the Chaos-Bringer somehow. The ship Springer was aboard crashlanded on the planet [[Junk]], where a battle erupted between the Autobots and the native [[Junkion|Junkions]], during which Springer dueled with the Junkion chieftain, Wreck-Gar. Later still, he and the other Autobots wound up inside Unicron himself, where Springer and the others desperately fought off Unicron's internal defenses. Luckily, just as one of the defensive claws was about to crush him, Hot Rod opened the Matrix of Leadership just in time, destroying Unicron and becoming Rodimus Prime. {{Storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

A year later, Springer attended the first Galactic Olympics alongside his fellow Autobots. Unfortunately, the festivities were interrupted by an alien mercenary who turned the Olympic torch into a giant flash/smoke grenade, and then a batallion of [[Sharkticon|Sharkticons]] attacked. Springer was able to douse the torch from the air, but by then, the attackers had already fled, having captured [[Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup]] and [[Spike Witwicky]]. Springer immediately volunteered to track the escaped alien saboteur, and was joined by Arcee. {{Storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} They followed their quarry to his strange base ship, an asteroid-like spacecraft referred to as a "Rockaroid". The mercenary fled after misleading his pursuers into believing that the Decepticons were behind the attack, and Springer was fortunately able to pilot his ship (barely). Springer flew the Rockaroid to the distant planet [[Chaar]], where he arrived just in time to save Rodimus Prime and [[Grimlock]] from being beaten to scrap by a mob of Decepticons. {{Storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}}

Later, a badly-damaged Rodimus prepared to pass the Matrix on to Springer in anticipation of his imminent demise. Fortunately, the Autobot leader did not die, but rather experienced the Cybertronian equivalent of a near-death experience, wherein his [[Spark|"life force"]] left his body to embark on a very trippy (and poorly animated) trip into the Matrix itself. Immediately afterwards, Springer participated in a daring rescue mission to save Ultra Magnus and the others, before winding up on [[Goo#8379B]], where he was disassembled by the planet's mobile garbage disposal unit. Fortunately, he was rebuilt and restored to life by the Junkions. {{Storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

===Dreamwave Generation 1 comics continuity===
After [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] disappeared along with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in a test of the [[space bridge]], Springer broke off from the Autobot army and formed the Wreckers. They usually targeted [[Ratbat]]'s [[Ultracon]]s, continually halting their efforts to take over the [[Tagan Heights]]. Eventually, Ratbat secured the aide of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, who had been declared non-aligned along with the rest of the Combiner teams by the [[Crisis Intervention Accords]], and unleashed Devastator on the Wreckers, but was soon countered by [[Defensor]]. Springer chastised the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s for allowing themselves to battle Devastator in the Tagan Heights, and risk causing an accident which could potentially move Cybertron from its orbit. However, he changed his mind once Devastator started bending his helicopter blades. Fortunately, the Protectobots managed to defeat Devastator, saving Springer. {{storylink|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

After the [[Great Shutdown]], the Autobots and Decepticons formed an alliance to jointly control Cybertron. Apparently as a symbol of this alliance, Springer was the first Transformer augmented by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s [[Triple Changer]] process to be given two alternate modes instead of one. Despite this "honor", Springer was highly suspicious of the new world order. While his fellow Wreckers remained agents of the establishment, working for Ultra Magnus, Springer went underground and joined the Autobot resistance movement founded by Kup and Hot Rod. {{storylink|Cold War}} Working with the newly returned crew of the [[Ark]], the resistance managed to shore up support for their cause, and staged an insurrection that brought down Shockwave's control of Cybertron, putting him on the run and regaining control of the planet for the Autobots. {{storylink|Revelation (comic issue)|Revelation}}

With Ultra Magnus back in charge of Cybertron, Springer began working closely with the female Autobot, Arcee, much to Hot Rod's chagrin. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

=== IDW comics continuity ===
[[Image:Stormbringer2_Springer.jpg|thumb|left|350px|The Wreckers don't half go on about that, do they?]]
Springer is the leader of the [[Wreckers]]. Again. The Wreckers function as an elite tactical unit -- instead of operating on a single world or mission, they go wherever they're needed, performing special combat missions or reinforcing counter-infiltration teams in the later Phases of the Decepticon [[infiltration protocol]]s.

[[Image:SpotlightKup_Springersholograph.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ebeneezer Kup!]]

On the planet [[Varas Centralus]], Springer was coordinating the counter-offensive against a Phase Six Decepticon siege bunker when he got the call from Optimus Prime that [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] might be active again on Cybertron. Cutting off the battle, Springer brought his Wreckers back to the homeworld and joined Prime in assaulting [[Thunderhead Pass]], bringing down the cult of Thunderwing and its leader, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. After that, all they had to do was defeat the undefeatable Thunderwing himself. Thanks to the side effects of the [[Ultra-Energon]] powering the monster, and a little unexpected help from the Decepticon battleship [[Thanatos]], Springer and the others managed to do just that. {{storylink|Stormbringer}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Timelines===
*'''Springer''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Accessories'': Sword, Cybertron-planet Autobot Cyber Key
[[Image:Springerbotcontoy.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Suffers from vestigial [[JaAm]] cravings.]]

:Sold together in a bag with [[Huffer]] and their instructions, keys and bio cards, Springer is a ''Classics''-themed [[BotCon 2007]] attendee exclusive. A paint-heavy [[redeco]] of the [[Hot_Shot_(Armada)#Cybertron_3|Cybertron Defense Hot Shot]] toy using green and grey as the base colors, Springer transforms into a modified [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1117_Armored_Security_Vehicle M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle]. When Springer's [[Cyber Planet Key]] is inserted into the back of the turret, the two gun barrels open up into dual (non-firing) missile launchers. Compartments on his shoulders and his thighs can also open up to reveal additional missile launchers. He also comes with a dagger that stows between his legs in vehicle mode; when he's in robot mode, the dagger can be hand-held, pegged into the front of his fist, or stored in a sheath on his leg.
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
*'''Springer v. Ratbat''' (Voyager-Deluxe Comic 2-Pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Two missiles, Cyber Planet Key
[[Image:Universe2008_Springer_comicpack_toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Whatever happened to the whole [[Triple Changer]] thing... ?]]
: A Target-exclusive redeco of ''Cybertron'' [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], Springer transforms into a Eurocopter Dauphin rescue helicopter. His rotor blades spin using a geared push-button, which becomes a spinning-blade weapon mounted on his robot mode's left arm. He has an adjustable tow-hook on a string, which retracts with the push of a button: this gimmick ends up on his right robot-mode arm. Inserting a Cyber Planet Key into his back end (backpack in robot mode) swings around a pair of spring-loaded missile launchers. He was available only with [[Ratbat]].

: This mold was also used to make [[Universe (2008)|''Universe'']] [[Blades]].
{{-}}
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Trivia==
* The Hasbro design team chose the [[Evac (Cybertron)| Evac]] mold for Universe Springer, because the Botcon 2007 version already had the ground vehicle [[alternate mode]] of the original covered, and they wanted to give some attention to the original's helicopter mode.

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

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

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: Target exclusives]]
[[Category: Timelines characters]]
[[Category: Triple Changers]]
[[Category: Universe (2008)]]
[[Category: Wreckers]]<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>

Fred Willard

2008-06-02T21:49:35Z

71.255.65.54: I believe the title had long since changed by the time Boogie (Willard) showed up.

[[Image:FWillard.jpg|right|250px|thumb|This is an awesome image of an awesome man.]]

'''Fred Willard''' (born September 18, 1939) is an American comedic actor. He first attained fame as lunkheaded straight man Jerry Hubbard on the '70s talk show spoof ''Fernwood 2 Night'', and has played a number of recurring roles on sitcoms, including ''Roseanne'', ''Mad About You'', and ''Everybody Loves Raymond''. On film, he has appeared in ''Anchorman'', ''American Wedding'', and all of Christopher Guest's mockumentaries, including ''This is Spinal Tap'', ''Best in Show'', and ''A Mighty Wind''. He's also a frequent guest on ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno''.

In the realm of voice acting, Willard has made memorable appearances on ''Kim Possible'', ''King of the Hill'', and ''The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy''.

==Voice roles==
===Transformers Animated===
* [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]]

==External links==
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0929609/ Fred Willard at the Internet Movie Database]

{{-}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Willard, Fred}}
[[Category: Voice actors]]<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>

To sell toys

2008-06-01T23:13:16Z

71.255.65.54: /* Power levels */

[[Image:MarvelUS-19.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Hasbro]] wasn't quite sure whether to advertise [[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|this expensive toy]] until the fans forced their hand.]]To understand Transformers fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[toy]]s to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally make a profit in their own right, but this is regarded as mere gravy.

The "to sell toys" effect often distorts the fiction in interesting ways. Primarily, since you can't usually sell someone the same toy twice<ref>Except for repaints of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]].</ref>, [[HasTak]] constantly introduces new toys, and often requires the creators of the fiction to introduce the new characters into ongoing storylines. Older characters (whose toys are no longer being sold) are shoved aside to make room.

Another effect of "to sell toys" is when the toys have gimmicks which must be explained in the fiction. Sometimes ([[Mini-Cons]]) this is relatively easy, while other times it requires a lot of imagination on the part of the writers (the in-comic explanations for the [[Headmasters]] and [[Targetmasters]] are kinda wonky).

The UK [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|movie-based Transformers comic]] takes this to more blatant heights. Not only do the movie toys like [[Clocker (Movie)|Clocker]] and [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] appear in strips, not only has the editor told readers in Mech Mail that all the toys are great and should be bought... but there is a specific 4-page feature every week called ''Top Gear'', which exists solely to promote the newest Transformers merchandise. This has led to readers being told how great [[Optimash Prime]] was.

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:
* The first issue of the [[Generation 1 (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comics]], "[[The Transformers (comic issue)|The Transformers]]", in which 28 different robots appear and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.
* The 1987 ''[[Headmasters (comic)|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over 60 characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster]]s and [[Targetmaster]]s, all their [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot]]s, [[Terrorcon]]s, and [[Monsterbot]]s.
* The cartoon episode "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced a deluge of 1987 characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''.
* In the first four episodes of ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:
* Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks|time]].

[[Image:Decepticonpretenders-behold.jpg|200px|thumb|After seven issues, it's finally time for these six dudes to do something!]]
[[Image:Optimusprimeg1preearthmarvel2.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Apparently, the [[Triggerbot]]s didn't make much of an impression on Prime.]]

* The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.
* Many issues of the [[Generation 1 (Marvel Comics)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#41]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.
* In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx]].
* In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Prowl, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon|Triggercons]] and the [[Triggerbot|Triggerbots]].
* [[Mainframe]] planned to use [[Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his cgi model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.
* The early episodes of [[Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'']] featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to Earth for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms. [[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|The comic book]] suffered exactly the same problem.

==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}
Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.
* Again, [[The Transformers (comic issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.
* The two-part Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")

===Gimmicks===
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.
* The Headmaster gimmick got [[Headmasters (comic)|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.
* The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender]]s, gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up -- at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story.
The [[Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:
* The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Cons]] practically defined the plot of the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.
* [[Powerlinx]]ing is shown again and again and again in ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines.
* Cyber key powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].''
* All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.
* Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled ''[[Second Generation!]]'', where [[Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and Shockwave <strike>watched an advert</strike> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams.
* In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s and [[Stunticon]]s and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.
* Season 3 of the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.
* The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]] - who had just had a new and expensive toy.

===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.
* The Generation 1 cartoon introduced Devastator as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by Menasor, Broadside and even Perceptor.
* The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his debut issue]]. Just [[Totaled!|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]].
* In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.
* Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).
* [[Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.
* ''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, he's just this slightly tall guy.

===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get an a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writes are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.
* Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'' introduced the new Transmetal toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies.
* The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" three times; at the start of each subsequent series, he's turned back into Megatron but with a different body. This is due to Hasbro's wanting to keep the [[trademark]]s "Megatron" and "Galvatron" as well as to sell more toys.
* Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] during the Unicron arc.
* The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of BLAZING HEART OF JUSTICE into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.
* In the course of the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voila, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf!
That is, till Allspark Power came along. Now he's got '''''seven''''' toys.

===Abrupt conclusions===
Just as Transformers fiction lives at Hasbro's pleasure, so too does it die. Falling sales, a change of plans, and standard [[rebranding]] can all cause a storyline to come to a sudden end when Hasbro decides to pull the plug.

[[Image:MarvelUSG2-12.jpg|thumb|150px|right|It's the end of the road for Transformers Generation 2! That can't bode well for the toyline.]]

* The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.
* The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.
* Hasbro was only willing to support the ''[[Generation 2 (comic)|Generation 2]]'' comic for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus|Gee, ax us]]".)
* The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the ax fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.
* Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''The Wreckers'' in 2001, wishing instead for [[3H]] to focus on a ''[[Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.

==Death==
===Killing off old product===
[[Image:Tftm1986a.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Brawn|Guess who's]] no longer in the [[Mini Vehicles]] case assortment?]]

[[Image:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Marvel|Publisher]]'s clearing house.]]

[[Image:BW_Scorponok_Terrorsaur_deaths.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]], [[Terrorsaur]], we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] has a bigger fan club.]]

The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character -- especially when there's newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

This has become less common in recent year, as Hasbro has come to realize that their target audiences can actually get attached to certain characters, and might not enjoy seeing them die random, brutal, meaningless deaths.

* In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', numerous main characters are killed or changed in the movie's first 30 minutes, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. They are replaced by a slew of new characters; in fact, the poster for the movie shows ''only'' new characters.

* Numerous characters are killed in the Marvel UK comics saga "[[Time Wars]]". The Grim Reaper seemed to spare either popular characters (Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]) or newer characters ([[Carnivac]], [[Catilla]], [[Springer]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], for example.)

* The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines.

* The climactic [[On the Edge of Extinction!|battle with Unicron]] 25 issues later killed off many of the Underbase survivors, whose shelf run had ended.

* With its enormously expensive CGI animation, ''Beast Wars'' was particularly vulnerable to toy-based interference. The expense of creating and animating a CGI body model meant that the character roster had to remain fairly constant; the introduction of all-new characters usually required the removal of an equal number of pre-existing characters. And so, [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] die just in time for the arrival of [[Quickstrike]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]. (Frustrated with the situation, the writers carefully planned out [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]'s demise, anticipating that someone would have to be removed to make way for [[Rampage (BW)|newer characters]].) [[Tigerhawk]] was introduced and then killed off within three episodes, due to corporate uncertainty about whether the toy would actually be produced.

===Hi-and-die===
[[Image:Chuffer cof.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Likely dialog: "[[Furmanism|SHEEEAAGH!!]]"]]

Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the Transformers version of ''Star Trek's'' infamous [[wikipedia:redshirt syndrome|redshirt syndrome]].
* This approach was particularly common in the [[Generation 1 (Marvel comic)|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Autobot)|Flattop]], and the 6th member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].
* The US comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge]].
* The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast]]'s hands, proving motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber]].

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new character of that toy.
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected so many times that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his Powermaster form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival brought him into his Combat Hero toy form.
* Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.
* The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2.
* At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed--being ''disintegrated''--but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.

==Notable exceptions==

===Toys not released in the relevant market===

Occasionally the ''Transformers'' fiction released in a particular country features characters whose toys were not released in that country. The Marvel UK comic featured two variants of this phenomenon:

* Characters inherited from the US strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the US stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.
* Characters not featured in the US strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop]] and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

===Post-Marvel comics===
[[Image:Infiltration_1c.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"Hey, [[Runamuck]], it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!"<br>"Heh heh, now if only [[Battlecharger|we]] could appear on toy store shelves..."]]

There's a notable exception to the To Sell Toys effect: the [[Dreamwave]] and [[IDW]] comics. The two recent holders of the license to publish Transformers comic books sometimes produce comics using whichever toy line is current (e.g., Dreamwave's ''[[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Armada]]'' comic or IDW's [[Transformers (2007)|2007 movie]] tie-ins), and sometimes publish comics using whatever characters they please (e.g., ''[[The War Within]]'' and ''[[Escalation]]''). The characters in their "discretionary" comics are often not currently available in toy form ([[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], a current character in IDW's G1 continuity, has not had a toy in 20 years), sometimes are drawn with bodies that have ''never'' been toys (most of the ''War Within'' characters), and sometimes are toys that were never available outside of specific countries ([[Lio Convoy]] in IDW's ''Beast Wars'').

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics [http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=69377#69377 has confirmed on IDW's forums] that Hasbro do not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval.").

Presumably, Hasbro do not now view the collector-based US comics market as a viable promotional exercise, and licences comic rights purely on the basis of how much money the licence itself will bring in.

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category: 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>

The Trigger, Part 2

2008-05-31T19:57:42Z

71.255.65.54: /* Notes */

[[Image:Trigger2 title.jpg|thumb|350px|]]

'''With the flying island under Predacon control, the Maximal base and the Beast Wars are in jeopardy.'''

{{episodenav |BW |season=1 |17 |prev=The Trigger, Part 1 |next=Spider's Game}}

==Summary==
Did you read the page for [[The Trigger, Part 1|last episode?]]. You should! It's free!

On the [[Flying Island|floating paradisaic island]] of unknown origin, [[Tigatron]] resolves to be the island's dedicated defender, protecting the island from the [[Predacons (BW)|Predacons]] who would abuse its power. With the injured [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] on his back, he gets moving. Meanwhile, the Predacons plan to make Tigatron's fear come true. [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] deduces how to detect traps on the island, and that the obelisk that fires the island's laser weapon must be where the island is controlled.

At the same time, [[Optimus Primal]] (with [[Rattrap]] on his back) flies towards the island, maintaining radio contact with [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] on the [[Axalon|Axalon's]] bridge. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] rushes onto the scene again, as he's spotted [[Waspinator]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] leaving the [[Darkside|Predacon base]]. Soon as he receives the news over the radio, Primal gets into an aerial scuffle with the two fliers, and because of his handicap from carrying Rattrap, is soundly blasted. Primal and Rattrap free-fall, out of control.

Rattrap, falling to his death, transforms and blasts the taunting Terrorsaur, commandeering the pteranodon as his new mode of transport. The battle between Primal and Waspinator ends in Waspinator's usual fashion.

Airazor and Tigatron have trouble with another of the island's deadly traps, but Tigatron cleverly blasts his and Airazor's way to freedom. Out of danger, they rendezvous with Primal and Rattrap (who is abandoned by his steed). Tigatron fills in his allies on how the symbols around the island denote the location of traps. Rattrap speculates the function of the island is, in fact, a test of the survival capabilities of whomever visits it.

Blackarachnia and [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] reach the obelisk that controls the island. Seeing the fliers, she fakes aggression against them so they attack her, which triggers the island's laser defense, giving Blackarachnia the chance to blast her way inside of the obelisk safely. The black widow marvels at the power of the alien technology she discovers inside. She gleefully announces he plan to use the island to win the Beast Wars for herself. Scorponok objects, but is quickly tricked into one of the island's traps.

Inside of the ornate control room, Blackarachnia steps on a strange symbol on the floor, which bathes her in light. The light alters her colors and gives her mind a direct connection to the island's power. She blackens the sky and uses the obelisk to rain destruction on the island (in a literal sense). Laughing, the monolith she occupies elongates as she directs the island towards the Maximal base. Optimus radios to Rhinox commanding the crew to evacuate, bringing all decorative plants out with them.

Rattrap's leg is pinned down by some heavy stone debris, but he commands Tigatron to leave him behind so the cat can stop Blackarachnia's chaos. As Tigatron presses forward, Rattrap uses an energy weapon to get the obelisk's defense beam to free himself. Inside the obelisk, Tigatron destroys the island's reactor.

Without an energy source, the island loses altitude and guidance, swooping over the Maximal base. The island crumbles as it crashes into the ground, robbing Blackarachnia of her chance to dominate. The fallen obelisk sends one final pulse of (blue) energy into the sky, which bounces off of a reflector dish on the smaller of the planet's two moons, before vanishing.

Tigatron knows the beam was a signal, telling the creators of the island how the Maximals and Predacons ruined their island paradise. A reoccurring butterfly symbolically dies. The Maximals wonder what's next, and how [[Vok|the developers]] of the island will react to the vandalism.

==Quotes==
"We should move... how are you feeling?"<br>
"Better. Still thrashed... *girly grunts* ...can't fly".<br>
"In that case... the lady shall ride a tiger!"
: -- '''Tigatron''' and '''Airazor'''

"Uhhhh... yeeeesss... I FEEL the power. I have the control! Let There Be.... ''light.''"
: -- '''Blackarachnia''' takes control of the flying island

==Stats==
'''Writers:''' [[Bob Forward]]<br>
'''Original Air Date:''' November 19, 1996

'''Characters (in order of appearance):''' '''[[Tigatron]]''' [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], '''[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]''', [[Tigatron]] [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], [[Rattrap]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]], [[Waspinator]], [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]

==Notes==

*In [[Wikipedia:The Bible|The Bible]], "Let there be light" is a phrase first coined by God when he created the universe.
*Oddly enough, there are no silver redecos of Blackarachnia [[To sell toys|available for sale]].
*The theme of a hidden paradise which is fought over and destroyed in the struggle to obtain, control and use it as a weapon had been previously explored in [[The Golden Lagoon]].

===Continuity Errors===

*Despite Blackarachnia's observation that the monolith needs to recharge when it fires, it has no difficulty in firing a precise blast at Rattrap when he shoots at it, and it's dispersing energy all over the place at that time.

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes|Trigger, Part 2]]<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>

The Trigger, Part 2

2008-05-31T19:57:07Z

71.255.65.54: /* Notes */

[[Image:Trigger2 title.jpg|thumb|350px|]]

'''With the flying island under Predacon control, the Maximal base and the Beast Wars are in jeopardy.'''

{{episodenav |BW |season=1 |17 |prev=The Trigger, Part 1 |next=Spider's Game}}

==Summary==
Did you read the page for [[The Trigger, Part 1|last episode?]]. You should! It's free!

On the [[Flying Island|floating paradisaic island]] of unknown origin, [[Tigatron]] resolves to be the island's dedicated defender, protecting the island from the [[Predacons (BW)|Predacons]] who would abuse its power. With the injured [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] on his back, he gets moving. Meanwhile, the Predacons plan to make Tigatron's fear come true. [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] deduces how to detect traps on the island, and that the obelisk that fires the island's laser weapon must be where the island is controlled.

At the same time, [[Optimus Primal]] (with [[Rattrap]] on his back) flies towards the island, maintaining radio contact with [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] on the [[Axalon|Axalon's]] bridge. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] rushes onto the scene again, as he's spotted [[Waspinator]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] leaving the [[Darkside|Predacon base]]. Soon as he receives the news over the radio, Primal gets into an aerial scuffle with the two fliers, and because of his handicap from carrying Rattrap, is soundly blasted. Primal and Rattrap free-fall, out of control.

Rattrap, falling to his death, transforms and blasts the taunting Terrorsaur, commandeering the pteranodon as his new mode of transport. The battle between Primal and Waspinator ends in Waspinator's usual fashion.

Airazor and Tigatron have trouble with another of the island's deadly traps, but Tigatron cleverly blasts his and Airazor's way to freedom. Out of danger, they rendezvous with Primal and Rattrap (who is abandoned by his steed). Tigatron fills in his allies on how the symbols around the island denote the location of traps. Rattrap speculates the function of the island is, in fact, a test of the survival capabilities of whomever visits it.

Blackarachnia and [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] reach the obelisk that controls the island. Seeing the fliers, she fakes aggression against them so they attack her, which triggers the island's laser defense, giving Blackarachnia the chance to blast her way inside of the obelisk safely. The black widow marvels at the power of the alien technology she discovers inside. She gleefully announces he plan to use the island to win the Beast Wars for herself. Scorponok objects, but is quickly tricked into one of the island's traps.

Inside of the ornate control room, Blackarachnia steps on a strange symbol on the floor, which bathes her in light. The light alters her colors and gives her mind a direct connection to the island's power. She blackens the sky and uses the obelisk to rain destruction on the island (in a literal sense). Laughing, the monolith she occupies elongates as she directs the island towards the Maximal base. Optimus radios to Rhinox commanding the crew to evacuate, bringing all decorative plants out with them.

Rattrap's leg is pinned down by some heavy stone debris, but he commands Tigatron to leave him behind so the cat can stop Blackarachnia's chaos. As Tigatron presses forward, Rattrap uses an energy weapon to get the obelisk's defense beam to free himself. Inside the obelisk, Tigatron destroys the island's reactor.

Without an energy source, the island loses altitude and guidance, swooping over the Maximal base. The island crumbles as it crashes into the ground, robbing Blackarachnia of her chance to dominate. The fallen obelisk sends one final pulse of (blue) energy into the sky, which bounces off of a reflector dish on the smaller of the planet's two moons, before vanishing.

Tigatron knows the beam was a signal, telling the creators of the island how the Maximals and Predacons ruined their island paradise. A reoccurring butterfly symbolically dies. The Maximals wonder what's next, and how [[Vok|the developers]] of the island will react to the vandalism.

==Quotes==
"We should move... how are you feeling?"<br>
"Better. Still thrashed... *girly grunts* ...can't fly".<br>
"In that case... the lady shall ride a tiger!"
: -- '''Tigatron''' and '''Airazor'''

"Uhhhh... yeeeesss... I FEEL the power. I have the control! Let There Be.... ''light.''"
: -- '''Blackarachnia''' takes control of the flying island

==Stats==
'''Writers:''' [[Bob Forward]]<br>
'''Original Air Date:''' November 19, 1996

'''Characters (in order of appearance):''' '''[[Tigatron]]''' [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], '''[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]''', [[Tigatron]] [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], [[Rattrap]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]], [[Waspinator]], [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]

==Notes==

*In [[Wikipedia:The Bible|The Bible]], "Let there be light" is a phrase first coined by God when he created the universe.
*Oddly enough, there are no silver redecos of Blackarachnia [[To sell toys|available for sale]].
*The theme of a hidden paradise which is fought over and destroyed over the struggle to obtain, control and use it as a weapon has been explored in [[The Golden Lagoon]].

===Continuity Errors===

*Despite Blackarachnia's observation that the monolith needs to recharge when it fires, it has no difficulty in firing a precise blast at Rattrap when he shoots at it, and it's dispersing energy all over the place at that time.

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes|Trigger, Part 2]]<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>