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Autobot

2011-05-25T04:31:22Z

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{{factions|autobot|autobotg2|ttautobot|sgAutobot}}
{{disambig2|the faction|Generation 2 watch-Autobot|Autobot (G2)}}
[[Image:Autobot symbol.png|right|250px|thumb|We've already rubbed this rub-sign for you.]]

{{quote|[['Til all are one]].|Autobot rally cry|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

The '''Autobots''' are one of the primary factions in the [[Transformer]]s mythos. They usually find themselves defending both their own race and other species against the [[Decepticon]]s and upholding justice and freedom throughout the galaxy.

They are considered "the good guys" in most, but not in [[Shattered Glass (franchise)|all]] Transformers stories.

A generally heroic, honorable group, they tend to be dedicated to peace, and feel a need to protect other races from the Decepticons. As a result, they are usually Transformers who change into non-combat oriented alternate modes such as domestic vehicles, cars, trucks, or rescue vehicles. This is not ''always'' the case, however, as their ranks certainly contain ne'er-do-wells, malcontents, and unsavory types, and the necessities of war have led many to adopt more combat-oriented alternate forms. While the Autobots have usually found themselves outnumbered by the Decepticons, the Autobots have always had home-field advantage, having not only the humans' military support, but also having more places on Earth to fall back on, while the Decepticons are entirely unwelcome on Earth.

Key concepts that repeat throughout most continuities are the use of the name [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] (or a variation thereof) to denote Autobot leadership, and the existence of an artifact of great life-giving power, usually referred to as a "[[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]", traditionally held by their leader.

The collective noun for Autobots is an "exaltation".<ref>"...more dangerous than an exaltation of Autobots." — [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]], ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac]]'' (2009) p 101</ref>

==Generation 1 / Beast Era==
===Marvel comics continuity===
====Generation 1 comics====
[[Image:Primag2.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The birth of Prima, the first Autobot. Just before Primus went around handing out cigars.]]
In the beginning [[Primus]] created the Transformers, a race of living robots that could change their bodies into the likeness of weapons, vehicles, and machinery, and all Transformers were Autobots, and he saw that they were good. The Autobot symbol (or [[Autobrand]] as it is sometimes called) was based on the face of the [[Last Autobot]], the sleeping guardian Primus left for the day when his plans came to fruition.

At first Autobot numbers were small (a mere [[Thirteen original Transformers|13]] began things), but through [[Reproduction|budding]] they expanded their race to fill the planet. When the correct level of population was reached, a mechanism triggered and memory of the process was wiped from the Transformers minds. At some point in these early days Unicron was able to reach through the mental link he shared with Primus and sow the seeds of corruption in a few Autobots, though this dark cult of Unicron would not bear fruit for a long time.

Eons passed in relative peace. Autobot society formed its own traditions, institutions, city-states and politics. From a human perspective this society resembled that of ancient Rome. [[Senate|Senators]] and [[Emirates]] governed wisely or corruptly, priests worshipped Primus and passed his holy Matrix to the chosen bearer (the lineage: [[Prima]] to [[Prime Nova]], Prime Nova to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]), gladiatorial games were held for sport and entertainment, and above it all the [[Overlord (rank)|Overlords]] ruled.

It was only with the advent of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] at the end of the [[Golden Age]], coinciding with the death of the last hereditary Overlord, and the subsequent rise of the Decepticons, that the words "Autobot" and "Transformer" ceased being necessary synonyms and the population was divided by war.

[[Image:Optimusprimeg1marvelfirst.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Optimus Prime appears to turn the tide.]]
In the early days of the war the Autobots were overwhelmed by the Decepticon war machine. They fell back again and again and for a while it looked like the war would be quickly lost... and then a young warrior rose from their ranks and rallied the troops to fight back. He made his reputation by denying Megatron access to the [[Underbase]], soon rose to command the Autobots' elite air corps, and then, at last, was granted full command of all Autobot armies. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] had turned the tide, and under his leadership the Autobots fought back until Megatron's war machine was stalled out and stalemated.

The war ground on until Autobot scientists detected that their planet's path was going to pass through a deadly asteroid belt. Putting the planet-wide conflict aside for the moment they turned their attention to planetary salvation and the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] was built.

[[Image:Autobotline.gif|left|400px|thumb|And now, shadow puppet theatre.]]
Optimus and a crew of his best soldiers took the Ark into space and cleared a path for the planet through the asteroid field. Unfortunately with their power depleted from that Herculean task they were then ambushed by Megatron and his Decepticons. The crews of both ships were lost to history.

Without Megatron or Prime the pace of the war slowed considerably. Still, fighting continued and both sides dug in for a long bitter struggle. In Prime’s absence [[Emirate Xaaron]] led the Autobot forces in their struggle to retake their homeworld.

[[Image:Autobots-disintegratedcircuits1.jpg|thumb|right|250px| ]]

The next four million years passed quickly (as it is wont to do) and without any major alteration (only a general degradation) of the situation. Finally news came to Cybertron: Optimus Prime and his forces lived! Yet this news came at a steep price, as it meant a new front had opened in the war. Optimus Prime and his forces fought the Decepticons on the distant world of Earth, while Xaaron, his [[Wrecker]]s, and others carried on the war for Cybertron.

Despite Prime's dedication to protecting Earth, Autobot/Human relations were not good. Humanity viewed all Transformers as threats and attacked any they discovered regardless of faction. Industrialist [[G.B. Blackrock]] tried to inform the public that there were two factions, with the Autobots being the benign faction, but the [[Intelligence and Information Institute]], the government agency tasked with countering the Transformers, was either unable or unwilling to distinguish between factions.

Not long after his survival was discovered, tragedy struck and Optimus Prime was killed on Earth. The Dinobot commander [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took on the leadership of Prime's soldiers, though he favored the abandonment of Earth and a renewed focus on Cybertron.

At roughly the same time, the great Autobot warrior [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] reached an important decision. He was tired of the war and if he could not end it he would leave it behind. Gathering a large following of likeminded warriors he left Cybertron for the world of Nebulos in hopes of a new and peaceful life. This was not to be. Decepticons followed Maximus and opened a third front to the war. In the end both factions abandoned Nebulos and Maximus led them to Earth to unite with the forces under Optimus Prime.

[[Image:LastAutobot.jpg|left|150px|thumb|From Prima to Last Autobot, we come full circle. You may close your notebooks.]]
However, when they arrived they discovered Prime dead and Grimlock less than welcoming. Grimlock and Maximus attempted to establish a single Autobot leader with trial by combat, but were interrupted by a devastating Decepticon attack. The upside of it all was that they ended up putting their differences aside and Optimus Prime was soon reborn to take up leadership of the Earth-based forces once again.

Not long after, a dimensional transporter accident led to the rediscovery and accidental disturbance of Primus deep in the center of Cybertron. The Autobots learned that their ancient myths about Primus were the truth, and Unicron was now coming for them. Since the Creation Matrix had been lost and corrupted, Optimus Prime offered the Autobots' unconditional surrender to the Decepticons in the hopes that this would lead the two factions to stand together against the coming threat. It did, and the Matrix was retrieved and purified in time to stop Unicron. Both Optimus Prime and Emirate Xaaron were killed in the battle, and Grimlock ascended to Autobot leadership again, this time over all Autobots.

The alliance with the Decepticons would be short lived. Cybertron appeared to be destroying itself and the Decepticons betrayed the Autobots, leaving them to die with their world. Grimlock’s leadership led to the Autobots escaping that trap, and walking right into a different one. Oops. Thankfully, the awakening of the Last Autobot saved Cybertron and led to the rebirth of Optimus Prime, who reclaimed Autobot leadership and beat the Decepticons once and for all.

''(From this point both the Marvel Generation 2 and the Fun Publication's Classics comics continue the story in separate and mutually exclusive directions.)''

====Generation 2 comic====
The war finally over, most of the Autobots retired to the revived and prosperous Cybertron. It wasn't to last. Grimlock led a crew of Autobots not ready to take a vacation and put their feet up to try and track down any remaining Decepticon trouble. They found more than they could imagine as they discovered a vast and militant Empire constructed across the stars by Decepticons who left Cybertron long ago.

At the same time, Megatron reared his head again on Earth and soon the surviving Decepticons from the end of the war joined him, intent on restarting the war on Earth. It was not long before Decepticons and Autobots were teamed up against the forces of the Cybertronian Empire. Though this new conflict never touched the revived Cybertron, Earth was devastated by it. The Bot/Con alliance won, but how long this new alliance would last and what [[Liege Maximo|new threats]] awaited remained a question.

====Classics====
{{note|''Classics'' takes place in a [[splinter timeline]] of the Marvel continuity, ignoring ''Generation Two'' and Marvel UK "future" stories}}

{{stub}}

===Generation 1 cartoon===
[[Image:Aubotot gladiator.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], a Quint slave robot who would later become Autobot leader and bearer of the Matrix.]]
The Autobots originated as non-living machines, specifically the [[Quintesson]]s' domestic slave robot line. The Autobot symbol was in fact the original Quintesson slave brand. They generally have blue glowing optics. ''(Though the series did not always abide by it, there was some attempt to establish the fact that Autobots could not fly unaided in robot mode while the Decepticons generally could).''

Having achieved sentience and emotion against their creator's expectations, they rebelled and together with the Quintessons' military hardware (the future Decepticons) achieved freedom and kicked their masters to the curb. ''(Of note: no Decepticons are seen in the bits of the rebellion we are witness to, but it is presumed they took part nonetheless.)''

For a time peace reigned. But the military hardware grew restless and eventually declared war on their peace-loving brothers and sisters. During this dark time many ships of Autobot refugees left Cybertron to try to form peaceful colonies elsewhere in the universe.

Eventually the millitary robots were defeated when the Autobots invented the art of [[transforming]]. A new peace settled over Cybertron and what became known as the [[Golden Age]] began. This age was characterized by peace, prosperity, and an abundance of energy such that the metal of the whole planet literally glowed golden with its power. [[Guardian robot]]s patrolled the planet and helped keep the peace.

But eventually the Decepticons acquired the art of transforming as well. Megatron was born and under his leadership they rose up against the Autobots once more. Sentinel Prime was killed by Megatron and passed the Matrix of Leadership to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] who held it safe until a young robot named Orion Pax was injured in one of Megatron's raids and rebuilt by Trion into the first of a new breed of Autobots specifically designed to combat the Decepticons. Thus Optimus Prime was born and under his leadership the Decepticons were stalemated.

The war raged on and eventually drained the entire planet of its once-rich sources of energy, leaving it a damaged, burnt-out gray husk of its former self. With no other choice the Autobots constructed the Ark, designed to fly Optimus Prime and his comrades to other planets in the search for new sources of energy.

The Ark launch bay was attacked just prior to lift-off and the [[Female Autobots]] under the command of [[Elita One]] vanished in the explosions. They were presumed destroyed by both sides, but actually survived to continue underground operations against Shockwave's regime on Cybertron.

[[Image:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|left|300px|thumb|"Incompetent fools! There's only like seven Decepticons and fifty of us!"]]
Ambushed by the Decepticons, the Ark crashed into a nearby planet, named [[Earth]]. Crashing into a volcano, the impact rendered all the passengers, including members of both factions, into [[stasis lock]]. They were brought back online when the volcano erupted, and immediately resumed combat, this time on Earth.

The Autobots dedicated themselves to protecting Earth and its inhabitants from Megatron's forces. Their relationship with Earth's human governments and population were generally positive and mutually beneficial.

By 2005, the Decepticons had driven the Autobots from Cybertron, and they were now forced to operate out of two bases on Cybertron's moons with a reserve force at [[Autobot City]] on Earth. The Decepticons hijacked a supply shuttle, [[Battle of Autobot City|laying siege to Autobot City]]. The battle saw the deaths of many Autobots, including Optimus Prime, who in turn passed the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. However, [[Unicron]] arrived and devoured the two moons. Megatron, who had been reformatted into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], stole the Matrix from Magnus, intending to use it against Unicron. Galvatron could not open the Matrix, and Unicron proceeded to attack Cybertron, decimating the Decepticon forces on the planet. However, the young Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] managed to take the Matrix from Galvatron, causing him to become Rodimus Prime. He opened the Matrix, causing Unicron's body to self destruct. Leaderless, the Decepticons fled the planet, and the Autobots reclaimed Cybertron.

The Autobots remained in control of Cybertron for the next few years, slowly working to revitalize their homeworld. They fairly easily fought off feints by the Quintessons and the remaining Decepticon forces. Eventually Optimus Prime was revived and resumed Autobot leadership. It wasn't until Galvatron launched an all out attack on Cybertron's [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] that the balance again threatened to tip the Decepticons' way. Thankfully it turned out all had been arranged by [[Vector Sigma]] to set in motion the repowering of Cybertron. The Decepticons were defeated, and Cybertron glowed golden with energy reborn at last.

''('''Note:''' in Japan, during [[Transformers 2010 (franchise)|Transformers 2010]], the Cybertrons who transformed into automobiles were referred to as a subgroup of the faction called "Autobots".)''

===Beast Wars cartoon===
{{main|Maximal}}

The Autobots won the Great War, and their descendants the [[Maximal]]s succeeded them. It's unclear what happened to the Autobots, though followup series provided more clues.

===Beast Machines cartoon===
[[Image:ProwlMaybe BM.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Where's your Pax Cybertronia now?]]
When [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] subdued Cybertron's population with his [[Transformation lock virus|virus]], he extracted their sparks and used their bodies as raw materials for building [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]. [[Optimus Primal]] and his team discovered a junkyard/factory with acres of these corpses, one of which very clearly bore the Autobot symbol (and an uncanny resemblance to [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]). {{storylink|Revelations Part I: Discovery}} Also, among the [[Vehicon general]]s were the revived Great War veterans [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], who may have been Autobots themselves. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike}}

===3H comics===
Many of the great Autobot and Decepticon heroes (such as Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Soundwave, and Megatron) retired to a strange quasi-reality called [[J'nwan]]. Almost all who tried to reach J'nwan and seek their aid succumbed to madness, and the ancient heroes did not appreciate being disturbed by any survivors. However, the great figures did eventually decide to fight once more at [[Omega Point]], an event which erased much of the timeline they had come from. It's unclear whether or not J'nwan or the events regarding it remained intact.

===IDW Beast Wars comics===
The three components of the combiner [[Magnaboss]] are the Autobots [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. They vanished after the [[Pax Cybertronia]] was signed, but it is said they will return in a time of great need. {{storylink|Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook}}

===DW Generation 1 comic===
[[Image:AutoLitho.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Come on you bots! Do you want to live forever?!?]]
The Autobots arose as the group who sided with Sentinel Prime and the [[Council of Ancients]] and opposed Megatron's desire for the conquest of Cybertron, but their inexperience with warfare led to a serious tactical disadvantage. Sentinel Prime led the war effort for half a million years, until Megatron killed him in combat, hoping to secure the Matrix from him. Sentinel's successor, Optimus Prime, originally decided to evacuate Cybertron, fearing that, even if the Autobots won, Cybertron would be a wasteland. However, a subsequent encounter between Optimus Prime and Megatron, where he learned of the planetary engines the Decepticon leader hoped to power with the Matrix, convinced Prime to remain on Cybertron. {{storylink|The War Within}}

Later, Optimus Prime and Megatron disappeared in a space bridge explosion. Without strong leadership, both sides degenerated into factions. The [[Wrecker]]s and the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] broke off from the main Autobot army, which was led by Prowl {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages}}. After [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] took control of the Autobots, he reunified the factions, and manage to negotiate a cease-fire with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] Decepticons and Ratbat's [[Ultracon]]s. However, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's]] [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]] made a last ditch assault, and Megatron suddenly returned leading the [[Aerospace Extermination Squadron]], an army of [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] drones created by the Quintessons. Megatron managed to conquer Cybertron, forcing most of the Autobots into slavery and the escapees into hiding. The period of Autobot enslavement ended when Optimus Prime returned to Cybertron and the Air Warriors were destroyed. ''We don't know how.'' {{storylink|War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

Four million years before humans arose, Cybertron was threatened by a massive asteroid. The Autobots developed the ''Ark'' to destroy the asteroid. They were successful, but Megatron attacked with the ''Nemesis''. Both ships crashed on Earth, with both crews aboard the ''Ark''. On Cybertron, Ultra Magnus and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] worked to keep the Autobots from splitting up again. With energon growing scarce, Magnus agreed to work with Shockwave to create the [[Micromaster]]s, downsized Transformers intended for better fuel efficiency. Magnus also launched [[Operation: Containment]], a twofold program intended to prevent the Decepticons from threatening other planets and locating the ''Ark''. {{storylink|Transformers: Micromasters}} However, with the [[Great Shutdown]], all Transformers entered a period of enforced [[stasis lock]]. Shockwave was the first to be reactivated, and made peace with the Autobots, installing himself as Head of State with an Autobot High Council as a legislature.

On Earth, the Autobots on the ''Ark'' awoke in 1984. Cut off from Cybertron, and seeing that a sentient species had evolved around them, the Autobots resolved to defend Earth from the Decepticons. Over the next fifteen years, the Autobots were largely successful at preventing a Decepticon conquest, while also befriending the [[Witwicky]] family. Eventually, the Autobots allied with the humans and defeated the Decepticons, capturing them. However, rogue elements of the United States Military, apparently being manipulated by Shockwave, sabotaged the ''[[Ark II]]'', capturing several Autobots and most of the Decepticons, until the chief scientist, [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]], went rogue and set himself up as an arms dealer. [[Robert Hallo]], the original mastermind of the conspiracy, used [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] to reactivate Optimus Prime, who revived the Autobots and stopped a reactivated Megatron. {{storylink|Prime Directive}} A year later, Shockwave came to tie up loose ends and acquire the Matrix from Prime. A rebel Autobot cell managed to rescue Prime, who united the other resistance groups, and Shockwave was overthrown, bringing Cybertron under Autobot control. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

===IDW Generation 1 comic===
{{ongoing}}
In somewhat of a twist from other continuities, the early Autobots in [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] universe were less noble than their counterparts from the others. Millions of years ago, the Autobots were a police force appointed by the [[senate]]. The senate grew corrupt and their Autobot enforcers were seen as little more than thugs. During the closure of an [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]-mining facility, an outspoken miner was beaten to death by an Autobot guard. This sparked a riot, causing the Autobot unit to take even more lives. Some of the surviving miners escaped the captors and went underground and joined the [[gladiatorial combat]] games. Megatron rose as the leader of the games and gathered followers to oppose the hated Autobots, who were led by [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. Megatron's [[Decepticon]]s eventually defeated Prime and took over the city of [[Kaon]] and started the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin}}

Sentinel was succeeded by an unknown Autobot named Zeta Prime, who was protected from a Deception assassination attempt with Blurr's help, but was eventually killed by Megatron. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}} The Autobots were then led by Optimus Prime and formed into small units to counter the Decepticon units infiltrating various planets. The two sides joined forces to combat [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and the ensuing battle rendered Cybertron uninhabitable. {{storylink|Stormbringer (comics)|Stormbringer}}

==Robots in Disguise==
Here, the Autobots are the main race on Cybertron, and their enemies are the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]]. The Autobots fought in the [[Cybertronian Civil Wars]], presumably against the Predacons. [[Vector Sigma]], the [[Allspark]], chooses which Autobot is to be granted the Matrix and thus the position of commander-in-chief.

The Autobots were already on [[Earth]] when the Predacons arrived, having taken the form of Earth vehicles to work as camouflage and established a [[Global Space Bridge]] network and a central base monitoring the entire planet.

In their disguises, the Autobots integrated themselves into human society; [[Team Bullet Train]] worked as actual trains, [[X-Brawn]] was owned as a car by [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]], and Optimus Prime was working for a fire department. This continued after they went public; both [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] and [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]], for example, were shown enforcing human laws in an apparently official capacity, suggesting the Autobots had official ties to human authorities.

It's known Optimus fought the Predacons on other worlds, presumably using the same tactics as on Earth.

==Unicron Trilogy==
===Comic continuity===
====Armada====
Originally, the Autobots were not a faction, but the name of a peacekeeping organization; under the command of [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], they defended [[Cyber City]]. Their headquarters was adorned with the motto "Truth - Justice - Freedom". They were unable to stop the [[Mini-Con]]-powered Decepticons from taking Cyber City, and for a million years they were reduced to a rebel organization desperately trying & failing to protect Cybertron. The reactivation of the Mini-Cons on Earth gave the Autobots an opportunity to gain Mini-Con power of their own, but eventually the Decepticons were beaten not by them, but due to the attack of [[Unicron]].

===Cartoon continuity===
====Armada====
Throughout the Unicron Trilogy, the Autobots switched motives after each major conflict. At first, they were attempting to liberate smaller robots, called [[Mini-Con]]s, from the tyrannical control of [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], who saw them as tools to be used and disposed of when no longer needed. The Autobots followed the Mini-Cons' ship to Earth, where they crashed and eventually continued their battle against the Decepticons (some two million years later. Geez, Megatron can hold a grudge).

These two sides would unite to fight the Chaos Bringer, [[Unicron]], when he threatened to devour Cybertron. With Megatron sacrificing himself to save the rest of the Universe, Unicron shut down and was destroyed. The remaining Transformers united as the Autobots, following Megatron's order to assist them in rebuilding Cybertron.

====Energon====
Megatron's final orders to his troops still stood: work with the Autobots. The Decepticons maintained a degree of autonomy, still wearing the faction sigil and often taking military/defensive positions in the growing number of energon-mining colonies, but they were ultimately answerable to Optimus Prime and the Autobots. There were, of course, dissenters, most of whom were captured and imprisoned. For a decade, Autobot and Decepticon worked side-by-side in a somewhat stable truce.

Both sides found themselves the target of attacks from Unicron again; hordes of Terrorcon drones, sent by Alpha Quintesson to steal energon ore with which to revive the now-shattered husk of Unicron. What the alien did not count on was that Megatron's spark had survived within the remains, and was siphoning energon from Unicron's body. Soon the Decepticon leader had revived himself in a new form, driven off Alpha Quintesson, and, along with an elite cadre of soldiers and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of mindless Terrorcon drones, begun his new plans for conquest.

When news of Megatron's return reached Cybertron, hundreds of Decepticons rose up and rebelled, eager to get back to conquering. But having been joined to Unicron for so long apparently had given Megatron a taste of godhood; he had no more interest in amassing a galaxy-spanning army of troops. Countless Decepticons died in the resulting battles, with Megatron more than willing to sacrifice them without a thought to attain ultimate power for himself. As the "Powerlinx Battles" - as they came to be called - came to their climax, Megatron found that his actions and thoughts were being influenced and controlled by the dark spark of Unicron. Unwilling to let Unicron stand in his way, Megatron ultimately sacrificed himself (again) and seemingly destroyed Unicron's spark by plunging himself into a newly-formed energon sun created by Primus.

====Cybertron====
Another ten years after Energon, the energon sun created by Primus was gone, collapsed into the [[Unicron Singularity]], a giant black hole threatening to devour all of existence. In death, Unicron's power to destroy his only opposition - Primus - was greater than ever. The Autobots searched for a method of destroying the Black Hole and found a single answer; the Omega Lock, a powerful artifact linked to the Spark of Primus. With it, the Universe could be saved... or destroyed. Seeing an opportunity to rebuild existence in his own image, Megatron sought out the Omega Lock and the Cyber Planet Keys.

As the two sides battled for the Keys, the Autobots would eventually find all four and use them to revive Primus, but in doing so caused a massive earthquake that began shattering the planet around them.

Or so they thought.

Primus was emerging from Cybertron, awakened from the body he sculpted into a world for his creation. When informed of Unicron's destruction, he was infuriated to find that the universe was out of balance because of a severe lack of evil. Starscream attacked Primus' weakened form, due to the smaller robot stealing a piece of his spark and becoming an even equally huge monster, but was quickly dispatched by his creator. Defeated, Starscream flew off, leaving the Autobots to seal the Black Hole. Once this was accomplished, Galvatron attempted an escape from his fire dimension, but by combining Vector Prime's sword with the Omega Lock, the portal was sealed, and the Autobots returned home in peace.

The remaining Decepticons joined the Autobots, save for four who left Earth to start the New Decepticon Army. Their ship made it to Mars before crashing.

==Live-action film series==
[[Image:Movie Sam Mikaela meettheAutobots.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
The Autobots (autonomous robotic organisms) are the second Cybertronian civilization, being the descendants of the early workers who served the [[Dynasty of Primes]]. Following the outbreak of the war, the Autobots became the Transformers who rallied around [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], the last of the Primes, to prevent [[Megatron (Movie)|Protector Megatron]] from claiming the [[AllSpark]]. They were formed mostly from the [[Science Division]], the [[Security Force]], and what few members of the [[Defense Force]] rejected Megatron's violent ambitions. Although they fought valiantly, the Decepticons were more warlike, and they began to gain ground. In a move to prevent the Decepticons from acquiring the AllSpark, Prime sent it hurtling into deep space. Megatron followed, and disappeared. The Autobots then scattered among the universe, searching for the AllSpark. {{storylink|Defiance}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel}}

Following some twelve thousand years of searching, the Autobots encountered a stranded human vessel in space. Known as [[Ghost One]], the creatures aboard, named humans, revealed that they had developed the ship based on studies from Megatron. Recognizing that Megatron would destroy their world if he came back online, Optimus tried to send them back to Earth, but they sacrificed their lives to save Optimus from [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. Already suspecting that the AllSpark was on their homeworld, the Autobots made efforts to find [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

Eventually, the Autobots made their way to Earth, discovering a link to the AllSpark with [[Sam Witwicky]]. The Autobot [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] came into Sam's possession, and contacted Optimus Prime. Prime came to Earth with [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] to retrieve the AllSpark and eliminate Megatron, fearing the Decepticon would use the Cube to raise an army from human technology. However, Starscream's retrieval team was also on Earth, having come for the AllSpark. The Autobots were further hampered by [[Sector Seven]], the human agency tasked with dealing with Transformers. Eventually forming a brief truce with Sector Seven and a group of Army Rangers who had encountered [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], the Autobots fought off the Decepticons in [[Mission City]], which saw the deaths of Megatron, Blackout, [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]], and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], but Jazz was killed and the AllSpark destroyed when Sam Witwicky extinguished Megatron's spark. Without a means to restore Cybertron, the Autobots decided to remain on Earth, and Optimus Prime sent a message into space for Autobots to come and protect their new home and newfound allies in humanity. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}

Over the next two years, more Autobots began making their way to Earth, such as [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Jolt (Movie)|Jolt]], [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]], and others, joining a human military force known as [[NEST]]. Under the classified Autobot Alien cooperation act, the Autobots entrusted the remaining AllSpark shard to humanity and gave them intelligence about the Decepticons they were facing. However, the Autobots refused to share weapons technology with humanity, knowing their history internecine warfare. {{storylink|Alliance (comic)|Alliance}} {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

In 2009, NEST had five encounters with the Decepticons on different continents, indicating that the Decepticons were searching for something. During a sweep of [[Shanghai]], NEST encountered [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] and [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], who caused substantial damage to the city during their attempts to escape. Although they were neutralized, Demolishor relayed a warning to Optimus Prime: "[[The Fallen]] will rise again". Following this, NEST returned to their base of operations at [[Diego Garcia]], where they relayed the warning to [[Morshower|General Morshower]] and [[Theodore Galloway|Director Galloway]]. Having been appointed liaison by the President, Galloway concluded that the Decepticons only interest in Earth was to hunt down the Autobots. Unfortunately, Galloway also revealed both Megatron's resting place and the presence of the shard on Diego Garica. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] was listening to the briefing, and directed [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] and the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] to raise Megatron. Meeting with his master, The Fallen, Megatron was commanded to retrieve Sam Witwicky, who had absorbed the knowledge of the AllSpark, and kill Optimus Prime, the only one who could defeat The Fallen. Optimus died helping Sam escape, and the Decepticons launched multiple attacks to have the humans turn Sam over to them. Galloway used the attacks as an excuse to have himself placed in charge of NEST and place the Autobots under guard.

Meanwhile, Sam, his girlfriend [[Mikaela Banes]], and his roommate [[Leo Spitz]] were being hidden by Bumblebee and the Twins [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], and with help from [[Seymour Simmons]] of Sector Seven, discovered Decepticon-turned-Autobot [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], who told them that the Fallen, one of the founders of the Dynasty of Primes, was looking for the Matrix of Leadership needed to activate the [[star harvester]], which would destroy Earth's sun and make energon. Sam was able to find the Matrix and use it to revive Optimus Prime, who, armed with the knowledge of his family and parts from the dead Jetfire, managed to destroy the harvester and kill the Fallen, saving Earth. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

{{note|In the movie it is Ratchet who provides the name "Autobot", claiming it is an abbreviation after Optimus' line, "We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron". Seeing as how Decepticons also fit this description, this may imply that "Autobot" is the species name for the Transformers. In a departure from previous Transformers incarnations, Japan used the name "Autobots" for this franchise, rather than "Cybertrons".<ref>[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/products/movie/autobots.html Movie Autobots toy listing on Takaratomy.com]</ref>}}

==Animated==
The Autobots in the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated continuity]] won the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] with the Decepticons because of three things: the Autobot-exclusive [[space bridge]] technology, [[Project Omega]], and by sending the [[AllSpark]] into space to keep the Decepticons from getting it. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} Since then [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] has known peace under the rule of the [[Autobot High Council]], headed by a [[Magnus]], in this case [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]]. Magnus heads the military portion of the planet's defense force, the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]], which is based at [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]] ([[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] is in charge of the civilian guards, which may include the [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]]). [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] is a subordinate rank answerable to the Magnus, and [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel]], [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm]] have been promoted to this rank. A lower officer is known as a [[Minor (rank)|Minor]]. The High Council, [[Cybertron Intelligence]] and the [[Ministry of Science]] are based at the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]].
{{note|Takara also used the name "Autobots" instead of "Cybertrons" for the faction in this franchise.}}

==Shattered Glass==
[[Image:Autobot Shattered Glass.png|right|177px|thumb|...the evil forces of the Autobots.]]
{{quote|'Til all are gone.|[[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]]|[[Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass]]}}

In this universe, the Autobots are the evildoers, bent on conquering and destroying everything in their path, starting with Earth. On Cybertron, they are the dominant faction, ruled by the Prime, specifically [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]]. Ranks are in constant flux due to their backstabbing nature. [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] may very well usurp rule one day. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass}}
{{-}}

==Prime==
[[Image:DarknessRising1-untappedenergondeposit.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
"Autobot", a contraction of "autonomous robot", was an old philosopical phrase [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]] found on the [[DataNet]] and one that he suggested to his friend [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] to be the name of their movement to abolish the [[caste system]]. At their hearing with the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], Orion used the term over and over again to remind his enthusiastic followers of the freedom they sought. He implored the Council choose a new Prime, so [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]] chose Orion as the new Prime, tearing Orion and Megatron's movement in two. In the war with Megatron's Decepticons, the Autobots only held fifteen percent of Cybertron, including [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]] and [[Kalis]]. The Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', transported by the [[space bridge]] to the [[Milky Way]]. [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]'s [[Wrecker]]s, [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]], [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] and [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] remained on the planet. ''{{storylink|Exodus: The Official History of the War for Cybertron}}''

Soon enough, Cybertron became deserted, with Autobot forces stretched thin across the universe. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (comic)}} With the death of [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], Optimus only had [[Team Prime|four Autobots]] with him on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[Image:Movie Autobot Screencleaner.jpg|right|106px|thumb|This was originally the top bit of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion's]] pimp cane.]]
*'''Autobot''' (2008)
:Released by [[TakaraTomy|Tomy Yujin]] in January 2008<ref>[http://www.gachausa.com/products/transformers.asp Tomy Yujin ''Transformers'' page]</ref>, this dangler is a [[Insignia|faction logo]]-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Autobot insignia printed on the other side.
{{-}}

====Kinnerton====
[[Image:Kinnerton Transformers Tin.jpg|right|200px|thumb|For holding all your Autobot-symbol-shaped cookies.]]
*'''Transformers Tin''' (2008)
: Confectionery and... stationary company [[Kinnerton]] produced ''Movie''-style Autobot sigil-shaped tins. It is currently unknown what these tins were used for. These tins and other Kinnerton products were available in [[Australia]].
{{-}}

====PTI Group====
*'''Transformers Treat Containers''' (2008)
:Produced as an exclusive for [[Target]] stores, these blue plastic containers were molded in the shape of the Autobot symbol. They were sold in packs of three. While not dishwasher safe, they were perfect for containing any number of small treats.
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Cybertron''' (サイバトロン ''Saibatoron''), '''Autobot''' (オートボット ''Ōtobotto'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Autobotok'''
*''Italian:'' '''Autorobot'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Àu Tè Bā''' (Taiwan, 奧特巴)
*''Polish:'' '''Autoboty'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Autobóticos''' (Portugal comic), '''Optimus''' (Brazil comic)
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Cybery''' (Кібери, ''Cybers'')

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Energon]]
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Generation 1 factions]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:Machine Wars]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]

Gears (G1)

2011-03-11T05:35:27Z

71.76.205.57: /* The Transformers cartoon */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{picsneeded|Fictional appearances}}
{{disambig2|the Generation 1 Autobot|the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Autobot|Gears (ROTF)}}
:''Gears is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:Gearsg1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Gears, ironically, hates [[Neon|bright colors]].]]
'''Gears''' hates [[Earth]], a lush, green planet practically as unlike his cozy, gray, metallic [[Cybertron (planet)|homeworld]] as possible. He grumbles and complains about being shipwrecked on it—complains and grumbles to a ridiculous extent, until he becomes a source of amusement, rather than negativity. This is usually his intent—unlike his fellow [[Mini Vehicle]] [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], Gears has a desire to help his fellow Autobots see good in a bad situation. Still, he does get depressed from time to time.

Gears is strong and tough, not so much in lifting but in endurance, and carrying heavy loads with little effort, be they energon cubes, disabled Autobots, or potatoes for the farmers' market. He is fitted with infrared vision sensors.

In robot mode, Gears can release controlled bursts of compressed air from his feet, launching himself to altitudes over 100,000 feet, and floating back down. In doing so, he must be careful not to lose air pressure before coming close enough to the ground for a safe landing.

:''Nicknames:'' '''Ox''', '''Sourball'''<ref>Nicknames found in early ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Universe]]''-style profiles published in [[The Transformers Comic Magazine]]</ref>
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comics):'' '''Engrenagem'''
:''Hungarian name:'' '''Fuvaros''' (meaning Hauler)
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comics):'' '''Mecano'''
:''Italian name:'' '''Mulo'''
:''South American name:'' '''Pick-Up'''
:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Rollo'''
:''Russian name'': '''Привод''' ("Drive")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Gearsg1firstappearance.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Wish we saw more of the design on the right. Yikes!]]
{{quote|The only thing '''Gears''' wants to learn about this planet is how to get off it. I hate this place already. I just know you're going to use me as a mobile transport unit again, once we have to set up. Nuts. Let's go home.|The worst words out of his mouth.}}

Gears was one of Cybertron's great warriors, and was chosen to join the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] mission to save Cybertron from an asteroid belt—a mission that saw him stranded on [[Earth]] for four million years. Once he woke up in 1984 and was rebuilt as an Earth truck, he immediately began complaining. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[Image:Spider-man.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Spider-Man's amazing friend.]]
Shortly after arriving on Earth, Gears teamed up with [[Spider-Man]], using his ability to launch himself upward using compressed air and fly alongside the superhero in an attempt to reach the mountaintop [[Decepticon]] fortress. When Gears ran low on power, he began to fall before Spidey caught him in webbing. Although Spider-Man's webbing is extremely strong, the Autobot's weight threatened to break it, and Spider-Man completed Gears' ascent using the webbing for assistance. After a fight with the Decepticons, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] caused Gears (and human [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]) to fall through a hole in the fortress. Although Spidey was able to rescue Sparkplug, and attempted to catch Gears as he had done before, the added momentum of the fall proved too much strain on the webbing, and Gears crashed to the ground. Gears was quickly patched up enough to tell the Autobots that Megatron had gotten what he wanted (a fuel conversion process) from Sparkplug. His complete restoration was seemingly interrupted when, following recriminations, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] needed to drive Sparkplug to the hospital to treat his sudden heart attack. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}}

[[Image:Buzzsawyikes2.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Ow ow ow.]]
When the Autobots overheard Shockwave's plans to drop the captured head of their leader, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], in a nearby swamp, Gears was among the Autobots who traveled to the swamp with Prime's body. However, the head was actually a decoy head, which, when attached to the body, caused it to go on a murderous rampage. [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] shot Gears right in the face! {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

''Gears was eventually restored, however, and joined [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] in searching for [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] during the Dinobot Hunt. Their mission was suddenly cut short by the arrival of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and the Decepticons, who shot the Minibots in the back and took them prisoner. [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] soon rescued his disabled comrades from the Decepticon cruiser, but they were too badly injured and remained inactive for some time thereafter. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}''

[[Image:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Barely snuck into the margins during his own death scene.]]
Gears was repaired in time to witness a battle between [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] for Autobot leadership on [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. While Autobots around him cheered vehemently for either combatant, Gears seemingly didn't really care, choosing to watch in stoic silence. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

Gears was among the Autobots who answered [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s distress call from just outside the Decepticons' [[Club Con|headquarters]] in the Arctic. Shortly thereafter, when an [[Underbase]]-powered Starscream announced that he would "destroy the cities of [[New York City|New York]], [[Tokyo]], and [[Buenos Aires]]", Gears was among the allied Autobot/Decepticon teams sent ahead to New York City. As Starscream approached, [[Goldbug (G1)|Goldbug]] led a team of Autobots which included Gears, and the entire team was destroyed with a "single wave of <strike>[[To sell toys|a market executive's]]</strike> Starscream's hand"! Oops. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

Gears's torso, head, and right arm were shown in the midst of attempted repairs while Optimus Prime explained the bleak condition of their fallen to [[Cloudburst]] and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}

{{-}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Don Messick]] (English), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American)
[[Image:Hufferg1animated.jpg|left|240px|thumb|A competition of who complains the most!]]

Gears was one of the original crew of Autobots on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] spaceship when it crash-landed on Earth millions of years ago. When he awoke in 1984, he was reformatted by [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] so that his alt-mode was an Earth-based pickup truck. Not a true combatant by nature, he didn't participate in many of the Autobots' more famous battles against the Decepticons, but he did his part despite his complaints. Gears first saw action on Earth at an off-shore oil rig, fighting one of the Seekers with his partner, [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Gears' infrared sensors were useful in capturing [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] when the Decepticon was caught trespassing at the Autobot headquarters. By modifying his searchlight wavelength, Gears could illuminate Ravage's heat traces and neutralize the jaguar's ability to hide in shadows. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} When Prime was injured in an explosion outside the [[Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma]], Gears discarded the complaining facade he often wore, in order to encourage Optimus to push himself into returning to robot mode. He later donned a lab coat to help sell [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s holographic rocket base idea, although it didn't do much good. In the final battle to stop the launch of the Decepticon space cruiser, Gears and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] were engaged in battling [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] until Megatron called for a retreat. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

Gears assembled for battle when the Decepticons returned to attack a solar power plant, and chastised [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] for missing roll call. At the plant, Gears and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] attempted to stop the Seekers from taking off with the energon cubes, but [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] knocked them aside with a concussion blast. Later, after Bumblebee led the Autobots to the supposed site of the new [[Space Bridge]], only to find a deserted cave, Gears offered to electrocute the 'Bee in order to juice up his memory circuits. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} When Optimus Prime was heavily damaged in battle, Gears returned from patrol with [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and Windcharger to check on his condition. None of them, however, was sharp-eyed enough to spot [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] swoop down and land on Brawn's shoulder as they entered the base. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[Image:FireintheSky Gears crashes through ice.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
After it started snowing, in July, in the middle of the desert, Optimus Prime got suspicious and consulted Teletraan I for a weather report. Gears, who was performing reconnaissance scans on the now-frozen tropical region of the planet, concurred with Teletraan I's conclusions, that Megatron and the Decepticons must somehow be draining heat energy right out of the Earth's core. In the Arctic, as the Autobots prepared to enter the Decepticons' cavernous base of operations, Gears stalled outside the entrance on the sneaking suspicion the Autobots were falling into a trap. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy—by lingering too long on the ice, the combined weight of Gears, Hound, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] caused the tunnel to collapse beneath them. Gears and his buddies were briefly captured by the Decepticons, but escaped thanks to Hound's holograms. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

[[Image:SOSDinobots Soundwave shoots Gears.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"Hey! Being shot in the face plays havoc with my sinuses."]]
Gears attended the unveiling of [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s latest science project, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, and managed to stay out of the way after they ran amok. He joined Optimus Prime and the other Autobots on a mission to the [[Great Falls]]. Being one of the few Autobots who can fly (usually), Gears took to the air to fight [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] face-to-face, but was quickly shot down by the more experienced Decepticon. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} On one mission, Gears travelled to Peru to help the Autobots remove the [[Crystal of Power]] from Megatron's control. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain}} He was also involved in the dino-design project that created [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

Following a Decepticon attack on the Ark, Gears was briefly seen cleaning up the deadly fire extinguisher foam which drove them away. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} In the aftermath of Cybertron's orbit around Earth, Gears worked on the massive repairs necessary to rebuild human society. He also participated in the raid on [[Doctor Arkeville]]'s laboratory. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

[[Image:ChangingGears Gears Bee acrobatics.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bumblebee and Gears - [[Powerlinx]]!!]]
During an Autobot Alert(!!!), the Ark's crew all leapt into action at high speed...well, except for Gears. The alarm interrupted his plan to "lube his cables", making the cranky Gears slow to respond to the call of duty. He might have trudged even slower if he knew the entire alert was a ruse by Megatron, designed solely for the purpose of capturing Gears. It seemed that Megatron's newest toy, the [[Solar Needle]], required a specific circuit board in order to be properly completed, and Gears contained just such a circuit board in his chest. A curious side effect of removing the circuit board was that it negated Gears' inclination towards squawking and complaining. He was now a compulsively good-natured people-pleaser, unable to refuse requests by anyone, even Megatron. With the solar needle activated, the Decepticons put Gears to work harvesting energon cubes, filled by the sun's mighty power.

Despite the alterations to his personality, Gears tried to remain true to himself. Even while helping Megatron's energy pilfering, he still managed to toss an insult or two at the Decepticon leader. In a good-natured way, of course. And, after the Autobots arrived to destroy the solar needle and drew the Decepticons' attention, Gears made a break for the control panel to retrieve his circuit board and restore his real personality. He was interrupted by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who had been looking for an excuse to blast Gears all day, but Bumblebee knocked the Seeker aside before he could eliminate the tiny Autobot. Also, when Megatron hurled Prime out of control into the solar needle's incinerating energy grid, Gears used the holdout blaster in his sleeve to disrupt the grid and save Optimus. Still, once Megatron got the drop on the Autobots, he was able to exploit Gears' new personality glitch to make him repair the solar needle while the Decepticons held his teammates at gunpoint. Megatron gloated too much about the nature of Gears' problem, though, allowing Optimus Prime to circumvent his control over Gears. Tricking Megatron into agreeing to honor his last request "as a condemned mechanism", Prime turned the tables on Megatron by asking Gears for a favor of his own. Gears was all too happy to oblige...and destroy the solar needle for Optimus.

[[Image:ChangingGears got a bang out of that.jpg|thumb|left|280px|In the uncut version, Gears farts.]]
With the fight back on, Gears happily got in on the action and tossed Starscream for a loop. The Decepticons abandoned the field of battle, leaving the Autobots behind to clean up the mess caused by their solar needle. As the needle was being dismantled, Prime was ready to return Gears' circuit board to him when [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] stepped in. Seems the Autobots took a vote, and they would rather not restore Gears' talent for complaining, and whining, and hypochondria, and...well. After a quick joke, though, they did return the circuit board, and Gears showed his gratitude by going "whine, whine, whine" all the way home. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

Gears was seen awaiting his turn at the [[recharging chamber]]s, but did not appear later on rampaging with the other Autobots afflicted by the [[personality destabilizer device]]. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots}} He attended Wheeljack's demonstration of the [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer|Immobilizer]]. When the Decepticons got their metal mitts on the device, Gears was trapped in mid-transformation by the device's rays. He was restored to normal after [[Carly]] fiddled with the controls to reverse its effects. {{storylink|The Immobilizer}}

[[Image:AutobotRun Gears lifts ground.jpg|thumb|right|230px]]
Like most of the Autobots, Gears was temporarily trapped in vehicle mode after Megatron unleashed his [[Transfixatron]] on them during a car rally for charity. Wheeljack came up with an [[anti-transfixation grenade]] to reverse the process (even his cures explode!), but that only revived the Autobots in time to deal with Plan B: [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. While he isn't in Brawn or Prime's class, Gears is still one strong little Autobot, and demonstrated his strength by ripping out huge chunks of rock to hurl at the massive Decepticon. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}} Sometime later, Gears helped install [[detection plate]]s around the Ark as an early warning system against any intruders. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}} He was also briefly seen gawking at the two Optimus Primes who showed up in the dirt. After a sharpshooting contest and car race failed to uncover the imposter, the Autobots rode into battle anyway with both Primes at their side. Gears didn't have much fun in the following melee: first he got sent face-first into the dirt by one of the opening salvos, and was later overmatched in single combat against [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. He was saved only by the continuation of Megatron and Starscream's cockeyed, overly-elaborate scheme of clones killing clones. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}}

Gears was on patrol with the team when they suddenly came across an empty riverbed. After a quick mud massage from Jazz's spinning tires, Gears and the others decided to follow the river's trail to see where it had been diverted. What they found was trouble: [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s. The Autobots barely escaped battle with Devastator to report on Megatron's activities to Prime. {{storylink|The Core}}

[[Image:MMP2 Seaspray and Gears shooting.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Gears attended Wheeljack's demonstration of how he had taught Grimlock "finesse". The resulting chaos and destruction was predictable, but memorable. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} Despite not being seen in the battle at all, Gears was injured fighting Megatron and the [[Heart of Cybertron]] in South America. All the repairs and none of the glory. Boy, he must have been ''craaaanky''...{{storylink|Microbots}}

Gears and many of his fellow Autobots showed up in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]] for the Autobot Day parade and celebration. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} The city soon turned on the Autobots, thanks to Megatron's machinations, but they returned to help drive the Decepticons away once the humans were temporarily enslaved. Gears was seen among the horde of Autobots that overwhelmed the Decepticon slave-drivers. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} He was also one of the Autobots cheering for the Dinobots when they returned from Cybertron with a fresh supply of [[cybertonium]]. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} Gears was part of the third wave of Autobots to confront the invulnerable Decepticons, but fared no better than his predecessors against their [[electrum]] coating. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon}} Gears stood by as [[Chip Chase]] and Teletraan I tried to locate the Autobots lost aboard the Space Bridge. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}} He was also seen applying [[Corrostop]] to the Statue of Liberty. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

[[Image:BOT wet Gears.jpg|thumb|right|200px|You'd complain too if you ran into Ron Jeremy.]]

When Megatron and the Decepticons attacked the Ark looking for the [[Combaticon (G1)|renegade Decepticons]], Gears joined Optimus Prime in fending off their assault. Megatron soon retreated once he realized Prime had no slaggin' idea what he was talking about. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

Gears, Ironhide and Bumblebee responded to an S.O.S. from [[Benjamin Franklin Pierce High School]] and found themselves chasing [[B.O.T. (robot)|B.O.T.]] around the city. They were beaten to it by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], who needed to get back [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]'s personality component, and Gears later found himself defending Autobot Headquarters from [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}

In 2005, Gears was stationed on [[Moonbase One]] under Optimus Prime's command. It is unknown whether he left for Earth with Prime and the Dinobots to repel Megatron's attack on [[Autobot City]], or if he remained behind. If he did, his chances aren't that good, as only [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and Cliffjumper were seen escaping from [[Unicron]]'s smelting pits. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

{{note|In an early draft of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', Gears meets a decidedly unambiguous fate. He was at Autobot City when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his new forces attacked, and was obliterated by a carpet-bombing run from [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and his [[Sweep]]s.<ref>http://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html</ref>}}

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====

Gears was amongst the Autobots who defended [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]] in [[Arizona]] from a Decepticon attack. Although the Autobots won the day, the attack was actually just a distraction so that [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] could go do evil in Japan or something unspecified. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2}}

===Coloring books===
[[Image:G1 GearsPotatoes AutobotSmasher.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Steve Ditko is noted for his superb use of shading, his handling of facial expressions, and his ability to do cosmic vistas of mystery. Here he was asked to do a line drawing of a truck carrying potatoes.]]
Gears was hauling a load of potatoes, with plans to sell them for oil and gas money. (Really.) He was tricked by the Decepticons into taking a detour, which led him to their "[[Autobot Rest Stop]]"—a car crusher disguised with pillows and a set of curtains. Gears rolled into the Rest Stop and was enjoying himself when [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] activated the machine, crushing Gears flat.

Gears was later restored by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with no ill effects. {{storylink|The Autobot Smasher!}}

{{note|This coloring book was illustrated by [[Steve Ditko]], co-creator of none other than... the amazing [[Spider-Man]]! Coincidence? Probably.}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] vanished in a space bridge during the war on Cybertron, their respective factions were split into several smaller groups. Gears remained in the main Autobot faction, now under the command of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Fragmentation}} He was part of a team who scouted out [[Nova Cronum]] in search of the Decepticons' new mobile command base. Unfortunately, it was a bit [[Trypticon (G1)|''too'' mobile]] for them to handle. {{storylink|Devastation (Dreamwave)|Devastation}} Even assistance from the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] helped against the giant Decepticon, but in the end, their target just left. {{storylink|Revelation (The Dark Ages)|Revelation}} Later, when [[The Fallen]] broke into [[Autobase]], Gears was eager to get out there and do something about it. Prowl opted for trying to contain the villain instead, but he turned out to be unstoppable anyway. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}}

Gears was part of the Ark's original crew, crash-landing on Earth four million years ago and awakening in 1984. Like all the Transformers of Earth, he was believed dead for many years after the mid-air explosion of the ''[[Ark II]]''. In fact, Gears was one of many robots who were salvaged by the mercenary known as [[Lazarus]], who began the time-consuming process of installing remote control programming into his inert Cybertronian captives. Lazarus was doomed to failure, however, for Megatron regained control of his own body shortly after the human reactivated him. With the Decepticons back in action thanks to Megatron, Gears and the other Autobots held captive by Lazarus were left at their mercy. Although a small group of Autobots were free under Optimus Prime's command to combat the Decepticons, most of the 'bots recovered by Lazarus (including Gears) were too badly damaged to be reactivated for that first battle. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

Gears and the other deactivated Autobots were recovered, though, and were back to full functionality by the time [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] arrived from Cybertron. {{storylink|New World Order}} As the Autobot forces split in two, Gears went with Optimus Prime and his contingent back to Cybertron aboard [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} Back on his home planet, Gears participated in the insurrection by Autobot dissidents against the rule of Shockwave. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Much to his dismay, Gears was soon put in the position of having to return to Earth. With Prime temporarily out of action due to injuries, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] had assumed command of the Ark's crew on Cybertron, and made the decision that a new base of operations needed to be constructed on Earth, to fortify Autobot interests there. Gears reluctantly left his beloved homeworld behind to return to Earth, and begin work on the construction of [[Autobot City]]. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics===
[[Image:GIJoevsTF4_Gears_Brawn_FlightPods.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
Gears was among the dormant Transformers found by the terrorist organization [[Cobra]] and reprogrammed to be under the humans' control. In the process, he and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] were rebuilt to transform into Cobra [[Flight Pod]]s. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} The two may have participated in an attack on the [[SPS Research Facility]], or it may have just been two regular Flight Pods. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}} When [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] hacked Cobra's computers and undid his comrades' reprogramming, Gears and Brawn hunted down [[Cobra Commander]] and blew up the ship he was going to escape from [[Cobra Island]] with. However, before the Autobots could capture the commander, they were taken out by [[Storm Shadow]]'s [[S.N.A.K.E.]] mech. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}}

Gears didn't give up so easily, however, as he joined several other Autobots and located Cobra Commander and his S.N.A.K.E. guards again. Storm Shadow fought back and killed [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], sending Gears and the others into a berserker rage as they ripped his S.N.A.K.E. apart. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

{{-}}

===IDW ''Generation 1'' comics continuity===
Millions of years ago, Gears was one of several mourners seen at the funeral of [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (G1)|Fastback]], after Megatron killed them. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

In the modern era, Gears was seen reacting to the return of [[Blaster (G1)|"The Voice"]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

At some point, Gears made it to Earth, where he was captured by [[Skywatch]], along with [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and later, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} He was eventually released once Skywatch realized their misgivings in regards to the Autobots. After a Decepticon attack on their base, Gears and the other Autobots tried to flee and regroup at [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], but were attacked by armed civilians with a grudge against the Transformers. Gears was injured and had to be carried inside [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s trailer. Before they could reach safety, the Autobots were attacked again, this time by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies}}

{{spoiler|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome}}

The Decepticon leader scattered the Autobots with extreme firepower, then left them beaten and bruised on a school playground inside Albuquerque city limits. Gears and his comrades were held hostage by two humans carrying Megatron-based handguns, unable to fight back or defend themselves without risking human lives. The dilemma was ultimately taken out of their hands by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], whose special ops training kicked in and led to him blasting one of the humans. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome}}

===IDW ''Hearts of Steel'' continuity===
Gears and his fellow Autobots battled the Decepticons in Earth's distant past, until an ice age came around and forced them to go underground and wait it out. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1}} They eventually woke up in the mid-19th century, and learned that the Decepticons were up and going as well. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2}} In order to pursue the [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Gears took on the form of what appeared to be a boxcar and linked up with his friends to form an Autobot train. During the chase, much of the train was trapped when the Decepticons collapsed a tunnel on it, although Gears made it out safe and sound. He was hammered by Decepticon fire as he helped clear away rubble, but survived and went back to sleep underground after the Decepticons were defeated. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4}}

==Games==
===Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons===
Gears, along with several other Autobots, was abducted and held captive by the Decepticons. Optimus Prime undertook a rescue operation to free his friends from Megatron's clutches, entering the Decepticons' labyrinthine base in order to do so. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}
{{--}}
==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Gears toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Grumble... I suppose they want me to supply my own penny..."]]
* '''Gears''' (Mini Vehicle, 1984/1985)

: Part of the first assortment of Autobot [[Mini Vehicle|Mini Vehicles]], Gears transforms into a blue and red "penny racer"-proportioned pickup truck of indeterminable model. The Gears toy was originally from [[Takara]]'s ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]'' line, in the same basic coloration but with a darker blue, as the "Micro Robot 04 4WD Off-Road". This is the source of the "M" on his truck-mode hood.

: For reasons unknown, he was the only Mini Vehicle not made available as part of Takara's original retail line in any capacity (while [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] were not available at normal retail, both were offered as mail-away toys).

: There were a few variations of Gears south of the border, where he was known as "Pick-Up". Initial releases had the same plastic colors but retained the sticker designs from his original Micro Change release, while later toys had the plastic colors changed to make him a red truck with orange robot parts (pre-Malignus). In Mexico, and subsequently also found in some European markets, a maroon and white version was released, possibly to bring the character of [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] over without the use of a new mold.

: This mold was used to make the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Pick-Up (Malignus)|Pick-Up]], the Autobot [[Small Foot]] and was [[Retool|retooled]] to make Swerve.

*'''Minibots Team''' (Multi-pack, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''TFC-12'''

: Gears was ''finally'' put out at Japanese retail in 2004, as part of the [[Transformers Collection]] "Minibot" set, containing Gears, a retooled [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], Cosmos, [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and Warpath. This set was later [[Redeco|redecoed]] to make the [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] [[G1 GoBots]] team.

==Notes==
* In his first Marvel Comics appearance, Gears sported a more humanoid [[character model]] that looked less like his toy than his final animation model. He would also use this model in the UK annual story "[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]", while ''[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'' was inexplicably drawn with this model in the earlier UK story "[[The Enemy Within!]]".

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Gears/gears.htm Gears at TFU.info]
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Gears Gears' Universe entry at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance specialists]]

Sun

2011-01-27T23:46:22Z

71.76.205.57:

{{disambig2|the big shiny thing in the sky|the Energon episode|The Sun}}

[[Image:Sun rebirth.jpg|right|300px|thumb|MY EYES! THE GOGGLES! THEY DO NOTHING!]]
The '''Sun''' is the closest star to [[Earth]], <s>a mass of incandescent gas</s> a miasma of incandescent plasma, a gigantic nuclear furnace where hydrogen is built into helium at a temperature of millions of degrees.

The Sun is a frequent target of the [[Decepticon]]s, who seek to utilize it in various ways, such as tapping into its power, hurling things such as [[Autobot]]s or the planet [[Earth]] into it, or just plain blowing it to smithereens. The Autobots usually stop them in time, but it's almost always a close call.

The Sun is the center of its own [[Solar System]].

:''Japanese name:'' '''Taiyō''' (太陽 "Biggest Light/Sun"), '''Nichi''' (日)

==Sun facts==
* Look out the window, see that big bright thing? That's the Sun.
* The Sun is hot.
* The Sun is large.
* The Sun is far away.
* Even when it's out of sight, the Sun shines night and day.

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
[[Image:ChangingGears Prime Sun being zapped.jpg|thumb|200px|left]]
The Decepticons built the [[Solar Needle]] to harvest the Sun's energy, but did not intend to destroy it: only an instability was causing it to damage the star. A last minute pull of the Needle's wires by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] that shut it down saved the day. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

When a court ruling expelled the Autobots from Earth, they were launched into space in a rocket ship constructed by [[Shawn Berger]]. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] fixed the ship's course to collide with the Sun. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} When the Autobots were unable to change the ship's destination, they abandoned ship before it was plunged into the Sun and was destroyed. Contained in [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]'s forcefield linked to [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], the Autobots found they were still on course for the Sun, as Cosmos's course was being determined by [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]. It wasn't until the computer was disabled that they were able to escape certain doom. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s intended to gain their revenge on Megatron for exiling them. Taking [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] rigged the [[space bridge]] to push Earth into the Sun. Torn from its orbit, the Earth began heating up, causing spontaneous fires to break out across the planet. While the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s battled to save the planet, the Autobots and Decepticons went to Cybertron, where they managed to reverse the effects of the space bridge and prevent Earth from plunging into the Sun. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

As part of a plan to overload the Sun, sending it nova, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] opened the [[plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] and channeled the energy into the star. With all of the Transformers disabled by the plasma energy, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] shut down the chamber and, with the help of the [[Nebulos|Nebulons]], reversed the process, drawing the energy back out of the Sun and stabilising it. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

===Live-action film continuity===
====IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics====
In the distant past, the mysterious relic known as the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]] Cube created life on the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and terraformed its surface to make the world suitable for habitation for its creations. However, this effort depleted the All Spark, and the power from a star was the one thing that could re-energize it. The Cube created a servant race of [[Transformers|transforming workers]] who would seek out suns and build devices called [[Solar Harvester|solar harvester]]s to aid in collecting the solar energy.

The Cybertronians arrived on the distant world of [[Earth]] to prepare to drain the Sun's energy with a harvester, but when it was realized that the planet was inhabited, twelve of the [[Thirteen original Transformers|thirteen master beings]] refused to utilize the harvester. Unfortunately, [[The Fallen|the remaining being]] felt no such obligation to protect life and merely wanted all of the All Spark's energy for himself. His twelve brothers gave their lives to seal him in his own [[sarcophagus]], and the harvester was hidden by the native inhabitants of Earth. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4}}

====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
{{quote|Now I claim your sun!|[[The Fallen]], savoring victory before it even happens|''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}

In [[17000 BC]], the [[Dynasty of Primes]] and their workers came to Earth to build a [[solar harvester]], with which to create [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]]. Just as they were completing the harvester, they discovered a group of primitive [[human]]s who were hunting in the valley they were building the harvester. Six of the Primes invoked their rule of the sanctity of life and refused to activate the harvester. However, Seventh Prime despised the humans as simple insects, and seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]], the key to making the harvester work, in an attempt to activate it. As Transformer fought Transformer for the first time, the faithful Six stole the Matrix and sacrificed their lives to seal it in a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb made of their bodies]]. The surviving Prime, forever known as [[The Fallen]], sent the [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]] to find the Matrix, but he abandoned them when they failed.

Thousands of years later, when [[Sam Witwicky]] used the Matrix to revive [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], the last of the Dynasty of Primes, The Fallen teleported in and stole the Matrix, placing it in the harvester. Proclaiming that he would finally claim Earth's sun, The Fallen and his disciple [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] were soon defeated when Optimus, using parts donated by the dead Seeker [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], destroyed the solar harvester and killed The Fallen, saving Earth and the sun. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

==External links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun The Sun at Wikipedia]

* [http://tmbw.net/wiki/Why_Does_The_Sun_Shine%3F Why ''does'' the Sun shine?]

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Beast Wars]]
[[Category:Beast Wars II]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Energon locations]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:Masterforce]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise]]
[[Category:Solar System]]
[[Category:Stars]]
[[Category:The Headmasters]]
[[Category:Victory]]
[[Category:Zone]]

Hub Network

2011-01-24T07:02:00Z

71.76.205.57:

{{disambig3|Hub}}

[[Image:Thehubnetworklogo.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Beware of programming manager [[Liege Maximo]].]]

'''The Hub''', previously known as the '''Hasbro-Discovery Communications Joint Venture Network''', is a new cable television network being developed by the '''[[Hasbro]]-Discovery Communications Joint Venture'''<ref>
Margaret Loesch is President of "Hasbro-Discovery Communications Joint Venture." A bit like inventing "New Technology #3" in Sid Meyers Civilization., isn't it?</ref>. It began broadcasting [[October 10]], [[2010]], replacing the channel formerly known as Discovery Kids.

The Hub is the outlet for the ''[[Transformers: Prime]]'', ''[[My Little Pony]]: Friendship is Magic'' and ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]: Renegades'' cartoons. Its management team is headed up by [[Margaret Loesch]], a veteran of the Transformers brand who worked on [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]], which airs weeknights on the channel.

Currently, Loesch and The Hub's senior Vice President of advertising sales [[Brooke Goldstein]] are negotiating with Hasbro's rival Mattel in an attempt to get the world's biggest toy company to buy advertising spots on the Hasbro-owned network.<ref>[http://adage.com/upfront2010/article?article_id=143861 "Can Hub Rally Rivals to Play With Hasbro?"; Andrew Hampp Advertising Age, May 17, 2010]</ref>

Hub broadcasts of the original cartoon are placed in the "Huboom" block. One of the host characters from the block, Fax Machine, is a fax machine who believes, without any demonstrable ability, that he is a Transformer, who is in an "Office-Bot" sub-grouping of the Autobots. Fax Machine has a gray Autobot sigil on his handset.

==Footnotes==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://hubworld.com/ HubWorld.com, the official website for The Hub]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9QPN5BP70I Commercial for The Hub]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPaS-jjasmY&feature=related The Adventures of Copier and Fax Machine, from Huboom]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hub, The}}
[[Category:Networks]]
[[Category:Hasbro subsidiaries]]

Dirge (G1)

2011-01-10T05:24:29Z

71.76.205.57:

{{faction|decepticon|decepticong2|unicron}}
{{disambig3|Dirge}}
:''Dirge is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:G1Dirge MTMTE.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Death comes to he who-- wait, no, death comes to ME. I've been saying that wrong this whole time."]]

'''Dirge''' is a master of using fear as a weapon. Mournful, morose, and silent, his behavior gives even close comrades like [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] the creeps. Dirge actively cultivates this atmosphere; his engines are even tuned to generate fear in all who hear them. Few realize, however, that this need to instill fear is part of an overwhelming need for control over his own situation. Should things spiral out of control, Dirge falls victim to paralyzing fear himself and his usefulness as a warrior vanishes.

True to his name, he tends to die. A lot.

{{bigquote|Death comes to he who crosses me.|A confused Dirge|"[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]"}}

:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Dirgo''' / '''Funeral'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Funebre'''
:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Funébro'''
:''Italian name:'' '''Sparviero'''
:''Russian name:'' '''Smert''' (''Смерть'', "Death"), also '''Toopik''' (''Тупик'', "Deadlock")

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor'': [[Bud Davis]] (English), [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese), [[Héctor Vieyra]] (Latin American)

[[Image:DinobotIslandPt2-Dirge.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This one's just a warning. From now on, you won't get off so easily.]]

Dirge appeared without explanation on [[Earth]] under [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s command a year or two after the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]-borne Transformers awoke. His first notable activity was joining in a raid on [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]], where he was eventually chewed on and thrown bodily by a time-lost Tyrannosaurus rex. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

Dirge served as part of Megatron's personal guard when the Decepticons confronted the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] about their dubious loyalties. {{storylink|The Master Builders}} He was also briefly involved in an aborted air strike to seize the [[Negavator]], and was present for the next raid on the Negavator's holding pen. Once [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] rigged the Negavator to explode, however, Dirge led his fellow [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] in retreat, against Megatron's direct orders. Guess he didn't feel like dying that day. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

When a new solar energy facility opened up in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] led Dirge, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] to steal its power. The facility proved to be a trap, however, set by [[Shawn Berger]] to elevate himself in the public eye by taking down the Decepticons with his private militia. Berger's operatives failed, but the Autobots soon arrived to engage the Decepticons as well. [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] took to the air and zapped Dirge with his blackout beam. Luckily for Dirge, Ramjet managed to pull off a loopity-loop and ram the flying Autobot into the ground. Megatron then "requested" the pleasure of Shawn Berger's presence, not to punish him, but to play a subtler game. He attempted to convince the industrialist that the Decepticons were good, and the Autobots evil. He had Dirge escort Berger home so that the human could think about his proposal of alliance against the "Evil Autobots". Dirge was also one of the key players in Megatron's staged videos to tarnish the Autobots' reputation. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Later, after the Autobots were successfully villified in the public eye and exiled to deep space, the Seekers turned on the people of Central City, opening fire in the middle of the streets. Although Dirge and the Seekers fared well against an attack by the Air Force, the eventual return of the Autobots proved to be more than the Decepticons could handle. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

When the Decepticons uncovered a pool of [[electrum]], a strange element that rendered them totally invincible to harm, they thoroughly enjoyed taunting the Autobots with their superiority. Dirge, unfortunately, drew the short straw and was left to guard the pool with [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], right up until the Constructicon abandoned him to go fight the battle as well. Dirge was in the middle of...*ahem* exhorted Long Haul's virtues when [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] jumped him from behind, giving the Autobots a chance to use the electrum pool as well. The supply was quickly exhausted with both armies using it, however, reducing the war back to stage one. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon}} Dirge was also part of Megatron's team working with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s, producing energon cubes from the insects' feasting. They were eventually defeated by the Autobots and a grove of robotic space plants called [[Morphobot]]s. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

Later on, Dirge, Ramjet and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] came to [[Monacus]] to look after Megatron's interests in [[Sheol]], and his less than reputable partner, Lord [[Gyconi]]. They were putting the squeeze on Gyconi when a program caught Dirge's optic, inviting one-and-all to see the Autobots in pit battle against Gyconi's [[animalien]]s. They decided to take in a show while on Monacus, but quickly realized what was going on when [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] flooded the arena with smoke to stop the games and save his friends. Dirge and Ramjet set off after the Autobot in jet mode, and very nearly destroyed him before the bounty hunting Autobot named [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] stepped in to blast them out of the air. There's nothing a Decepticon fears more than a fair fight, and the two Seekers skidadled as soon as they were able to get back in the sky. They retreated back to Astrotrain with their share of Gyconi's energon, and eventually fled the planet, with Devcon chasing their smoke trail. {{storylink|The Gambler}}

On another occasion, Dirge accompanied Megatron to help their ally [[Deceptitran]] against the [[Tlalakan]] rebels. After the Decepticons captured [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (who was aiding the rebels), Dirge was eager to try out his mind probe on the little Autobot, but was interrupted by a rebel attack before he could really get into it. {{storylink|Sea Change}}

When the [[Triple Changer]]s temporarily disposed of Megatron and Starscream, Decepticon leadership became a free-for-all. Instead of chosing sides like the Constructicons, Ramjet and the Seekers were mostly content just to watch the hilarity ensue, like [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]'s football antics and Astrotrain's army of idiot trains. He even actually ''avoided'' death for a change and was seen successfully escaping from a train tunnel flooded by Astrotrain's [[Astroforce]]. That must have made his day.{{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

Megatron said Dirge and the other two [[Conehead|Coneheads]] were "supposed to be the most powerful jets in the galaxy." {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} But if Megatron was serious, then they certainly didn't do much to live up to that reputation. They were loyal enough troopers, participating in all the usual Decepticon mischief, but not much more than that. Dirge was once ordered to transport an unknown invention stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s lab on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to their home base, and ended up crashing in a swamp and temporarily deactivating due to its weight, prompting the other coneheads to save him. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood}} In fact, the general incompetence of Dirge and the Seekers in the air was one of the reasons Megatron chose to try fighting the Autobots on the roads with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

[[Image:Dirge DeathUnicron.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Turns out Unicron didn't have a secret weak spot in his mouth. Thanks for trying, though!]]

Dirge and Ramjet were briefly seen using Megatron's [[Lightning Bug]] in defense of the Decepticons' undersea base. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} The two were later captured by Starscream and the renegade [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s, and pilfered for their energy absorbers. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Still, Dirge was repaired rather quickly, and was seen helping Megatron and the Insecticons in another joint scheme soon thereafter. He and Ramjet were commissioned to find the Insecticons when [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] stole a vital part of the [[Space Bridge]] machinery. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}} During a Decepticon mission in the Middle East, Dirge inexplicably showed up with the Combaticons just long enough to get shot down by the Autobots. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

Dirge's first apparent death was during [[Unicron]]'s attack on Cybertron in 2005. All three coneheads (or Seekers who looked like them) were seen flying into Unicron's mouth and exploding. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}} However, Dirge soon turned up again in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]], hiding with Ramjet amongst [[Abdul Fakkadi (G1)|President Fakkadi]]'s air force. Fakkadi denied their presence to the Autobots, but [[Outback]] psyched the two Decepticons out by walking around the airfield with what he claimed was a "[[Decepticon detector]]." When the coneheads tried to escape, Outback used a smoke grenade to make them crash, then tore the location of [[Chaar]] out of them with his steely gaze. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

[[Image:Dirge toondeath.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Maybe he shouldn't take his nitroglycerin collection everywhere with him.]]

The two hapless Decepticons somehow escaped Autobot captivity, though. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} They later participated in a full-scale assault on Cybertron and chose to strafe [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]—who dispatched them both with well-timed punches that sent them careening into buildings. They exploded quite spectacularly (even Ramjet, who you'd think would be used to it). {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Later, after some much needed repairs, Dirge and Thrust accompanied Galvatron's lieutenants in pursuing Rodimus Prime and the Autobots through space. Once they reached the Autobot funeral barge, however, the Seekers did not enter the vessel after the Autobots. A very wise decision, as it turned out. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}} Sometime afterwards, Dirge came to [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] with Galvatron in search of [[Octane]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. The Decepticons briefly seized control of the country and its oil supplies, but were driven off by the Autobots. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

[[Image:Dirge AlmostDeath.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Uncharacteristically AVOIDING death somehow.]]

And yet they later appeared again on Chaar, failing to defend [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] against the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. In fact, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] tried to execute the coneheads and the [[Battlecharger]]s for their inability to stop the wraith. But they were saved when Starscream possessed Trypticon himself and launched into space, Dirge and the others onboard. When they saw that Starscream was using Trypticon to connect Unicron's head to Cybertron, they sabotaged the dinosaur from within. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine}}

{{-}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
Dirge and Thrust stood guard outside the Decepticon headquarters on Earth when [[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] was ordered to infiltrate it. The two Seekers got into a firefight with the Autobot and [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|his Mini-Cassettes]] and were too distracted to notice [[Rewind]] sneaking past them and into the base. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====''Generation 1''====
{{noteukonly}}
Dirge was on Cybertron serving under [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] when contact was first made with the long-lost Earthbound Decepticons. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}} ''He was one of the Decepticons' greatest killers, with [[Macabre]] desperately wanting acknowledgement from him. After [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] received some information about a major meeting of the Autobot resistance chiefs, Dirge led his fellow elite killers to the meeting, hoping to capture the infamous Emirate [[Xaaron]] and siphon some information from his old cranial cavity. Mere yards from their goal, however, the Decepticons were halted by a communique from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], demanding they return to [[Polyhex]] at once and ready the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] for an Earth-bound mission. Pissed about missing their chance, but not foolish enough to disobey Megatron, Dirge turned the troops around, little realizing how close they came to being ambushed by the [[Wrecker]]s. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:Dirge DeathSerpentor.jpg|left|200px|thumb|He couldn't even kill [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], but he wasted ''you?'']]

Dirge, his fellow "coneheads", and the Insecticons dutifully travelled to Earth via the [[space bridge]]. Megatron had instructed that [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] be altered to resemble "Terran craft". Their mission was to defend a giant drill that would bore through [[Hoover Dam]] and siphon the Colorado River through the space bridge to the waterless Cybertron, where Decepticon turbines would generate "enough energy to power Cybertron for years." But just as the drill began its work, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] intervened. Dirge found his fear-inducing ability was particularly effective against the acrophobic [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], but the other Decepticons fared poorly enough that a retreat was eventually called. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

When the Decepticons later allied with [[Cobra]], Dirge was assigned to be an emissary among the humans. This would be unfortunate for the luckless Seeker. When [[Serpentor]] realized the Decepticons were going to destroy the Earth, he needed a token of conciliation to show the [[Autobot]]s. So in the middle of a battle against [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Serpentor goaded Dirge into attacking the giant with everything he had. Serpentor then pressed a button in the cockpit of his own jet, "jamming" Dirge's "frequencies", which caused the Seeker's weapons to lock up and explode when he tried to fire.

The explosion tore Dirge apart, and he wouldn't be seen again for years. {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}}

{{note|The [[G.I. Joe and the Transformers]] series is the only US story that was ignored in the UK comic. Consequently Dirge was not dead in the UK continuity.}}

''Dirge was one of the Decepticons who took part in the operation to recover Megatron from the River Thames. {{storylink|Salvage!}}''

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
With [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] in command, Dirge joined a massive Decepticon offensive against the Autobot Earthbase. Their goal was to kill some Autobots while also distracting them as Starscream looted a human oil tanker in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Both goals proved fruitless, and the Decepticons were driven off. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}

{{note|First depicted rather late in the series, it is unknown whether Dirge served Megatron or [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] before the coup merged the Decepticon factions.}}

=====Marvel ''Transformers: The Movie''=====
Dirge was one of the Decepticons seriously wounded at the [[Battle of Autobot City]] and subsequently thrown out of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to be recreated as [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Cyclonus's Armada]] and the [[Sweep]]s. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}} As none of the new Decepticons bar Galvatron ever demonstrates any awareness of a past life, this could be considered another Dirge death.

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Dirge was serving Soundwave while on Cybertron. He went into battle alongside [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and the other flyers, fighting the [[Quintesson]] [[Trident]] assault craft. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

====''Generation 2''====
[[Image:Dirge DeathSwarm.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Death by [[Furmanism]].]]

Dirge reappeared among the Decepticon forces just long enough to sacrifice himself futilely against the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], self-destructing alongside [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]. Moments later, Megatron showed up with the [[rheanimum]] that could have saved him. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

{{-}}
====''Classics''====
[[Image:Dirge DeathTimelines.jpg|left|150px|thumb|You only get so many do-overs, pal.]]

While the war seemingly ended with [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s defeat at [[Klo]], Megatron was quietly gathering the remains of forgotten Earthbound casualties and rebuilding them. Dirge was among his resurrections, but the Seeker chose to follow the exiled Bludgeon instead. {{storylink|Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker's ''Timelines'' bio}} This would prove an unfortunate choice, as Dirge soon ended up in the [[Cerebro-shell|Cerebro-shell]]ed thrall of [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]].

When Bug Bite decided to try and subvert Megatron himself, Dirge was on the team accompanying him to Earth. As Bug Bite and Megatron confronted each other, the Autobots ambushed them, freeing many of Bug Bite's troops with a cerebro-shell jammer. It's unclear whether Dirge's shell was disabled, but the point is somewhat moot; [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] shot him in the chest, leaving him lying on the floor with extinguished optics. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Dirge was eventually revived and compelled into serving Megatron again. He attacked a human city on Earth with his old wingmen, Ramjet and Thrust. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

{{-}}
===''Find Your Fate Junior''===
{{note|This is a [[multipath adventure]] with no fixed outcome.}}

Dirge was the Decepticon defending the [[anti-gravity base]], striking fear in the Autobots. In one outcome, he succeeded in destroying [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], only to be destroyed himself by the Autobot leader's final shot. In the end, Prime's sacrifice spurred the Autobots to fight on to victory!

Dirge was the most overpowering Decepticon present, but he could be defeated by a surprise attack. Alternately, if both Ramjet and Thrust were defeated, Dirge would retreat. {{storylink|Desert Flight}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' comics===
Dirge participated in Shockwave's offensive against [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]] shortly after Optronix took the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. During the Dark Ages, he joined up with Starscream's [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction and attempted to disrupt the peace treaty at [[Tyger Pax]]... only to have the combined forces of the Autobots, Decepticons, and [[Ultracon]]s brought against him. Guess death comes to he who has no common sense. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath issue 1|The Age of Wrath #1}}

After the [[Great Shutdown]] was over, Dirge became one of Shockwave's top agents and traveled to Earth to help collect the former crews of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' and ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. Back on Cybertron, he helped defend Shockwave's empire when the Autobots finally rose up against him, but he was defeated along with the rest of the Decepticons. Somehow he escaped detention and joined up with Shockwave and his remaining flunkies in the [[Wastelands]], hidden in an underground bunker while planning their next move. When Megatron arrived with his new [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], though, Dirge quickly assessed his priorities and agreed to serve under the old Decepticon commander for the duration. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{note|Somewhat ironically, Dirge's survival was guaranteed by Dreamwave's own death as a publisher.}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comics===
[[Image:Dirge_DeathArmada.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Even in a new continuity, he can't get a break.]]

Dirge was one of [[Herald of Unicron|Unicron's Heralds]], along with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], and Galvatron. He was blown up when [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] detonated the [[Decepticon Command Headquarters]] that they had taken over. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

{{-}}
===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Dirge was based on Cybertron, serving as one of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s bodyguards. Along with Ramjet and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], he tried to stop a group of Autobots from stealing a load of [[energon cube]]s from the Decepticons, and almost managed to shoot [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. Shockwave later led Dirge and the others to capture [[Teletran 3]], but they were stopped when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] set up a force field around the computer. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} The field eventually went down, and the Decepticons attacked, capturing the Autobots. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

When the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] attacked, several of Shockwave's forces were killed. The remainder withdrew to Shockwave's command tower, where they were destroyed when [[Cobra Commander]] detonated explosives hidden on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. So one way or another, Dirge died again. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

===IDW comics===
Dirge was first seen escorting defeated Autobots to Cybertron... ''and then died''. That must be a new record. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}
{{Note|Writer [[Shane McCarthy]] [[authorial intent|insists]] both Dirge and Deluge are still alive, as they are not seen getting killed.<ref name="shane">[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=137730#137730 Shane McCarthy interview]</ref>}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Dirge toy.jpg|300px|thumb|Closet [[Conehead]]]]
*'''Dirge'''( Decepticon Jet, 1985/2001/2004)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''97'''
**''Accessories'': Left & right fists, front landing gear, 2 "concussion missiles"

: A [[retool]] of the [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream mold]], Dirge transforms into a modified F-15 fighter jet with different wings. The spring-loaded missile launchers were replaced with simplified non-firing... rifle barrels?

[[Image:Commemorativeseriesdirge.jpg|left|150px|thumb|WYLD STALLYNS! deedleedleedleedleet]]

: Dirge never had a full release in Japan, where he was only available as a mail-away in 1986 (for 1980 yen and 4 [[Robot Point]]s), and at the 20th Century Toy Museum in 2001. He was also re-released in the US as part of the Toys "R" Us [[Commemorative Series]].

: This mold was also used to make [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1985/Decepticon/Dirge/dirge.htm More information on Dirge at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Timelines===
[[Image:Classics Dirge Toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Conehead uncloseted.]]

*'''Games of Deception''' (Multi-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories'': Left & right missile launchers, 2 missiles

: Dirge is part of the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]''-themed [[BotCon 2007]] box set, along with [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bugbite]], [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. He is a [[redeco]] of the ''Classics'' Ramjet toy, transforming into a made up fighter based upon the F-15. He also comes with two spring-loaded missile launchers that can mount on his biceps, under his wings, or be used as hand-held weapons.

:As with most ''Classics'' toys, he features a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]].

: There were 1500 ''Timelines'' Dirge figures produced.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/BCDirge/dirge.htm More information on Timelines Dirge at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
===Universe (2008)===
====G1 Series====
[[Image:Universe 2008 Dirge toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Wait... if Dirge dies in the past, doesn't that create a [[Paul Eiding|time paradox]]?]]

*'''Autobot Ambush''' (Voyager Deluxe Comic 2-Pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Launcher, missile, Cyber Key

:A Target-exclusive redeco of ''Galaxy Force'' [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], Dirge transforms into a Cybertronic starfighter. In both modes, plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into his back end flips out a spring-loaded blade from each arm. His spring-loaded missile launcher can be used as either a hand-held weapon, or mounted under his jet-mode nosecone.

:He is packed with [[Roadbuster]] (a redeco of the Deluxe-class ''Cybertron'' [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Cybertron Defense Hot Shot]]) and a reprint of "[[Target: 2006]]" parts 5 & 6 (although the Canadian version had no comic included). Initial releases of the set have the wrong comic, using the ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages]]'' issue "[[Escalation (Dreamwave)|Escalation]]" meant for the [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]/[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] two-pack instead.

:His dark purple Cyber Planet Key features a movie-style Decepticon sigil.

:This mold was also used for the [[BotCon 2008]]-exclusive ''[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/TFUDirge/dirge.htm More information on Universe Dirge at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Gentei! Gentei!===
[[Image:Henkei Dirge toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|AHA! Undeniable proof that Takara does things better than Hasbro! <small>(Sometimes.)</small>]]
*'''Dirge''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Left & right missile launchers, 2 missiles

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Gentei! Gentei!]]'' Dirge is a [[Toy Hobby Market]] exclusive retool of ''Classics'' Ramjet. Unlike his [[BotCon 2007]] ''Timelines'' version, he has newly tooled wings based upon the wings from his original toy, uses the smaller gun missiles from Starscream, and, unusually for ''Henkei'', features an all-new, colorful [[Hasbro]] ''Classics''-style deco for his new wings. Like all ''Henkei'' toys, he features [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] parts, specifically the barrels of his missile launchers, his engine nozzles and his cockpit interior.

: Dirge was available for pre-order from [[November 13]]th through [[December 10]]th 2008, and shipped in late March of 2009.
{{-}}

===Generations===
[[Image:Generations-toy_Dirge.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Death by mold degradation.]]
*'''Dirge''' (Deluxe, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' Left & right missile launchers, 2 missiles
: ''[[Generations (toyline)| Generations]]'' Dirge is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Gentei! Gentei!]]'' Dirge.

:Like [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Ghost Starscream]] and ''Generations'' [[Thrust (G1)#Generations|Thrust]], Dirge uses the older version of the ''Classics'' Seeker mold used from ''Classics'' [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] to [[Acid Storm]], rather than the newer version used for the majority of the Henkei figures and [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Generation 1 Series|Universe Starscream]], right down to the 2006 copyright rather than 2008 featured on Gentei Dirge.

:Initial batches of Dirge lacked the lack the white center of the head crest in for all three [[tampograph]]ed Decepticon [[insignia|faction symbols]]. This was [[quality control|fixed]] by a [[variant|running change]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/GenerationsDirge/dirge.htm More information on Generations Dirge at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:HOC_Dirge.jpg|thumb|200px|right| My head's not pointy enough! Someone fix this before I start busting YOUR nice, flat heads.]]
*'''Dirge''' (2002)

: A retool of the ''[[Super Collection Figure]]'' [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] mold, Dirge is a three-inch tall non-transforming figure. He was released as a [[chase figure]] in the sixth wave of the line.

: This mold was further retooled into [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]].

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

: ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' Dirge is redeco of ''Super Collection Figure'' Dirge, cast in translucent red plastic and painted over to allow for a [[light-piping]] gimmick. His cone was also rounded off [[for safety reasons]]. The Hasbro release of Dirge was much easier to find than his Japanese counterpart, as he was a normal release in wave four, and packed on a blister card rather than in a [[Blindpacking|blindpacked]] box.

: Dirge came with the torso to the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] Build-A-Figure.

{{-}}

===MyClone===
*'''Dirge''' (MyClone, 2003)

: Dirge was a chase figure in the third wave of ''[[MyClone]]'' figures. He's a cute, [[super-deformed]] figure who can be disassembled to switch his components with other MyClones. Dirge shares many, but not all, of his component molds with ''MyClone'' [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]].

===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:Dirge statue.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Worst case of petrification he's ever had.]]

* '''Dirge''' (Diamond Select, 2008)

: Dirge was released by [[Diamond Select Toys]] in 2008 and exclusive to online retailer Big Bad Toy Store. He was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 250 pieces. The sculpt features Dirge's distinctive wings.

{{-}}

==Notes==
* [[Simon Furman]] originally planned for Dirge and the other "coneheads" to appear and defend the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' in the [[Nemesis Part 2|conclusion]] to ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but this plot point was dropped due to time and budget constraints. Furman was so disappointed at his missed chance to use Dirge (whom he appreciated because he has a "...a cool doom-laden name") that he chose the character to be one of [[Herald of Unicron|Unicron's Heralds]] in the ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' comic's "[[Worlds Collide]]" arc.
* Colorist [[Drew Eiden]] stated at the [[Transformers Collectors' Club|Collector's Club]] panel at [[BotCon 2007]] that the day after final colors were applied to the ''Timelines'' comic where Dirge apparently falls dead, he found this article and noted to editor [[Pete Sinclair]] how ironic it was. Whether the comic was actually ''intended'' to continue Dirge's death-trend is unknown.

==References==
<references />

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

[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Decepticons]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:MyClone]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
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