MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

I, Lowtech

2011-06-13T03:18:41Z

72.193.233.173: /* Real-world references */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]
|prev=Withered Hope
|next=Cheap Shots
|seriesissue2=''[[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]''
|prev2=Withered Hope
|next2=Transcendent: Part 1
|image=BulletbikesReflection ILowtech.jpg
|caption=I'm starting with the Man in the Mirror/ I'm asking him to change his ways...
|title="I, Lowtech"
|publisher=[[Fun Publications]]
|date=[[September 17]], [[2008]]
|written by=[[Trent Troop]] and [[Greg Sepelak]]
|illustration by=[[Nick Roche]]
|colors by=[[Winston Bolen]]
|pagecount=47
|continuity=[[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]
}}
'''A high-ranking TransTech businessman finds himself inexplicably trapped inside a lowtech body, and will stop at nothing to regain what is rightfully his.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Axiom Nexus]] security officers [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] and [[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] are interrogating a suspect. In an attempt to get him talking, Cheetor activates a recording of another mech's memories.

The recording begins with lowtech offworlder [[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]] awaking in an alley in an [[Offworld Zone]] of Axiom Nexus. He is convinced that he is actually the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] [[Bulletbike (TransTech)|Bulletbike]], CEO of [[RoboCo]]. His last memory in his old body was at a party celebrating a lucrative defense contract with the Senate. Someone must have captured him and downgraded his body into this primitive lowtech form.

A scuffle in the street with a [[Sling|gruff organic mech]] ends in the other's death, caused by Bulletbike stabbing him with a pipe. He dumps the body down a refuse chute into the [[Heap]] and takes the off-lined attacker's shiv before passing out.

[[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]], a primitive mech, even by lowtech standards, rouses Bulletbike and offers him a drink. Scrounge guides Bulletbike to an EconTerm, necessitating a ride through the Offworld Zones' squalor in his new, decrepit vehicle mode. Upon arrival at the terminal, Bulletbike is dismayed that he cannot remember his account number to access his money.

At that moment, a holographic projection appears over the city, broadcasting TransTech Bulletbike's visage. He speaks of quelling danger in the Offworld Zones, and the lowtech Bulletbike realizes that his TransTech body wasn't stripped down or downgraded, but stolen from him. An impostor has taken his place. Scrounge offers to seek information in the Heap about Bulletbike's situation and rolls off.

Bulletbike holds up a passing [[Skyblast (Energon)|Omnicon]] who looks like he's got money. The Omnicon's raised hands sparkle with the manifestation of an energon blade. One momentary blackout later, and Bulletbike's hand is covered with the mech's fluids. Bulletbike is more concerned with his lack of revulsion than with the actual murder.

Armed with the late Omnicon's cred-key, Bulletbike heads to [[Swindle, Swindle & Swindle]]. He orders a full system scan, but it comes up negative for [[spark]] swap. He opts for some of the Swindles' other services and departs.

Sometime later, as Bulletbike hides his latest victim, Scrounge pulls up. Bulletbike asks about a communications node, and Scrounge guides him to the alley behind [[Cryotek (TransTech)|Cryotek]]'s place. He makes a call to his business rival [[Ego]]. Bulletbike, whom Ego wouldn't recognize in his current form, offers Ego information about a flaw in RoboCo's [[Vehidrone]]s. In exchange, Bulletbike wants out of the Offworld Zones. Ego demands proof. After a fond farewell to Scrounge, Bulletbike heads to the warehouse district and confronts a Vehidrone. He exploits a weakness in its optics and retrieves the drone's Processor Matrix. Meeting with Ego, Bulletbike, now going by the alias "Wildfly", offers the Processor Matrix as proof of his information, and Ego escorts him secretly past the security checkpoints into Axiom Nexus proper.

Ego welcomes Bulletbike into his offices, which are adorned with varied weapons from across the [[multiverse]]. After Bulletbike hands over a recording of his confrontation with the Vehidrone, Ego menacingly approaches him. Bulletbike charges and injects Ego with [[Nucleon]], rendering him incapacitated. Bulletbike proceeds to abscond with several of the higher-end weapons from Ego's collection.

He pitilessly guns his way back into his own building to confront the impostor Bulletbike. Before entering the office, Bullletbike hears the impostor talking with someone on the comm about withdrawing security forces to the building for protection against the rampaging maniac. Bulletbike engages the impostor in combat, showing signs of encroaching insanity. Finally, he thrusts the impostor out the window. Security guards sweep into the office, and Bulletbike calmly explains that everything is all right. He then steps out the window, plummeting to the ground after his TransTech body.

Back in the interrogation room, the recording ends. Cheetor continues to question the impostor Bulletbike. Although everything points to TransTech Bulletbike being an impostor, there's no evidence to prove a spark swap ever occurred.

[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] has a word with Cheetor. They discuss the Bulletbike case and a possible connection to the Transwarp Complex incident. Since TransTech Bulletbike recalled security forces to protect himself, the Transwarp complex was left open to attack from [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. However, in addition to the lack of proof regarding the spark swap, there is likewise no solid connection between Bulletbike and Trion.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] (1)
*[[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] (3)
*[[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] (7)
*[[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] (8)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (13)
|c2=
*[[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]] (2)
*[[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]] (5)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the Second]] (9)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the Third]] (10)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the First]] (11)
*[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] (18)
|h3=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]
|c3=
*[[Sling]] (6)
*[[Backslash]] (15)
|c4=
*[[Bulletbike (TransTech)|Bulletbike]] (4)
*[[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]] (12)
*[[Ego]] (14)
*[[Aurik]] (16)
*[[Cyclis]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"Who are you?" 
"Officer Blastcharge, but if you don't get up in the next cycle, it's going to be 'Sir Please Stop Thumping Me Across The Alleyway.'"
:—'''Bulletbike''' & '''Blastcharge''' trade pleasantries

"Good day, friend, welcome to Swindle, Swindle and Swindle. I'm Swindle the Second, but you can call me Swindle. This here is Swindle the Third, but you can call him Swindle too. What can we do ya for?"
:—A '''Swindle''' greets his new customer

"And exactly where were you during Bulletbike's rampage and the solar cycles leading up to it, Commander Cheetor? Do you routinely allow murderers to wander your precinct unmolested?" 
"Just off the top of my processor... the Gutcruncher rebellion and the ongoing black market raids, two riots, the incident with General Demolishor, sixteen murders unrelated to this case, twelve armed robberies, three major traffic snarls, fifty-six minor accidents, and four inter-faction rumbles. Plus, all the times the Senate has 'requested' my personal appearance. We're stretched thin even with the assistance of the Freelance Police Legion. If we're pointing servos, however, border security, which is under your jurisdiction, was egregiously lax in investigating Ego's transport. Personally, I'd be worried about what else is slipping through." 
"That matter is being investigated, I assure you."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Cheetor''' discuss a typical week in the Offworlder Zones

"If Bulletbike is what can happen when the system fails... why take the risk in voluntarily removing [the clarity codecs]?" 
"Did you know that some organics willingly ingest non-lethal doses of deadly poisons?" 
"Uh, no, sir?" 
"It's to build up an immunity. Small, careful doses. Their body learns to fight it. Eventually, they can handle amounts that would, under normal conditions, kill them. So, think of this as building up an immunity to the urge to kill." 
"I... guess that makes sense, sir. But I lost my temper with those two grease-stain chiselers, what if..." 
"Don't worry, I wanted to knock their smug little heads together too. Millions of supposedly 'lower' mechanoids in this city have gone gigavorns without crossing the line. We're supposed to be 'transcendent'... if we need some piece of code implanted in us to foster basic morality, then what's the point? The trick isn't not having those feelings, Stungun. It's learning how to handle them. We augment the body, but not the spark. ''That'' takes hard work. ...besides, if you crossed that line, you'd be wearing a restraining bolt before you hit the ground."
:—'''Stungun''' and '''Cheetor'''

==Notes==
* Scrounge isn't very good at being Xaaron. He claims he has a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and that he's from universe Primax 093.0 Epsilon. [[Universal stream|Decoding that technobabble]] allegedly pegs him as an Emirate Xaaron from Transformers Fan Club fiction published in 1993. Yyyyyeah.

===Errors===
* TBA

===Transformer references===
*Cameos:
**The description of Bulletbike's first victim (lizard head on chest, lizard hind-quarters on shoulder, and plant-shield) matches [[Sling]]. His second victim is described as a white aerial [[Omnicon]], like [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]].
**Early on in the story, Bulletbike rolls past [[Flareup (Timelines)|''Timelines'' Flareup]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|''Animated'' Bumblebee]], indicating that this tale occurs concurrently with "[[Bee in the City]]", where those two characters teamed up for a while.
**The "tiny, multi-armed jittering robot made of seemingly little more than silver blades" that Bulletbike sees might be [[Movie (franchise)|2007 Movie]] [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]].
**The robot that shoos Bulletbike away from Cryotek's back alley is [[Backslash]], who, in an alternate universe, works for a different [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]].
**The [http://teyowisonte.deviantart.com/art/I-Lowtech-preview-98733264 preview comic from TFCC Magazine issue 21] shows that the "blue Autobot, ground vehicle of some kind" Bulletbike kills after leaving the Swindles' shop is some version of [[Skids (G1)|Generation 1 Skids]].
*The [[Swindle, Swindle & Swindle]] shop and [[Ego]]'s showroom are stacked with Transformers easter eggs:
**Swindle, Swindle & Swindle's shop features [[Catilla|Catilla's helmet]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon's helmet]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire's arm guard]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's "Bee-Yotch" air freshener]], a [[Matrix of Leadership|box full of empty Matrix containers]], [[Bird of Prey!|the bird sculpture]] from [[Pz-Zazz]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's crown]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|one of Omega Supreme's rails]], [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|a Golden Disk]], the [[Magnificence]], jars with [[Megatron (BW)|a T-Rex]], [[Optimus Primal|a gorilla]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|a spider]] on their labels, a [[Powermaster]] engine/suit and a sheet full of [[Insignia|faction symbols]].
**Ego's showroom, meanwhile, displays [[Leozack]]'s gun, [[Stalker (G1)|Stalker]]'s missile, an Autobot jet pack, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok's claw]], a [[time-jump mechanism]], [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]]'s [[Energon weapon|Energon Spear]], [[Blacker]]'s sword, [[Tantrum]]'s sword, [[Battle Ravage]]'s tail-mace, [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber's]] Saberblade sword, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s arm guns, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s [[fusion cannon]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s weaponry, [[Fistfight]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] [[ion blaster]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s gun, an [[Exosuit]], a [[Velocitron]]ian [[Cyber Planet Key]], the [[AllSpark]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. While not pictured, Ego's desk is said to be built out of the shield of a Scorponok hailing from Primax 787.3 Alpha (in English, it's the Scorponok from [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|the Japanese ''The Headmasters'' cartoon]], so it's likely the [[Zarak Shield]]), and a sword labeled "[[Energon Sword|Sword Of Megatron]]" hovers over it. Also not pictured but mentioned are a [[Requiem Blaster]], a [[Reconfiguration Matrix]] and a [[Transmetal driver|spherical Vok instrument]].
*Swindle tries to recommend [[Twitcher F451]] to Bulletbike as a mental health technician.
*"Ego" is [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s French-Canadian name. He runs "[[C-Kar Technologies]]." Argh.
**Fittingly, the last bit of dialogue between Ego and Bulletbike mirrors Starscream's brief dialogue with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Likewise, "[[Bricolo]]" is [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]'s French-Canadian name. And he's an artist making furniture out of Transformer parts.
*"[[Corvo]]" is [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s Italian name.
* The two "grease-stain chiselers" Stungun mentions are [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] and [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]], who ran afoul of the local police (and just about everyone else) in "[[Gone Too Far]]".
* Cheetor and Stungun muse that the whole Bulletbike fiasco could easily be set straight if only they could explain how TransTech Bulletbike's spark ended up in the lowtech Bulletbike's body. (As it stood, there was no evidence of spark transfer, so that wasn't a viable theory.) Additionally, the impostor Bulletbike recalls much of his forces to his building to protect him from the rampaging lowtech Bulletbike. This has the added effect of leaving the Transwarp Complex open to attack. Taking into consideration the events of the [[Transcendent]] story, an answer (confirmed in a flashback in "[[The Coming Storm: Part 1]]") appears. [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]]'s spark-manipulation abilities would easily explain the spark transfer, setting up the removal of the guards from the Transwarp Complex, allowing [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]] to escape to his home world.

===Real-world references===
*The title is probably a reference to Isaac Asimov's famous story collection, ''[[wikipedia:I, Robot|I, Robot]]''. While ''I, Robot'' is not the first appearance of the "I, Noun" formulation (''[[wikipedia:I, Claudius|I, Claudius]],'' for example), it's certainly the most famous involving robots. (''[[I, Robot-Master!]]'' is a much clearer case.)
* The plush lizard in Ego's office is the [http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20080318 Winslow], a central [[wikipedia:MacGuffin|MacGuffin]] of [http://www.studiofoglio.com/ Phil Foglio's] "[http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buck.html Buck Godot: Zap Gun For Hire]" comics.
* At one point Bulletbike thinks that the force of a Vehidrone's voice is "one degree shy of sadistic", a line from the song "[http://tmbw.net/wiki/SenSurround SenSurround]" by They Might Be Giants.
* Bulletbike also notes that the Vehidrone has a "WVNG-class voice modulator", which might be a reference to [[Hugo Weaving]].
* "Isen Power Station" and a "D-wy warehouse district" are mentioned as places Vehidrones can be found, a possible reference to a [[Marty Isenberg|certain pair]] of [[Derrick J. Wyatt|''Animated'' creators]].
* While takling to Ego. Bulletbike apparently says he works in 'murders and executions', which Ego responds with he also worked in 'mergers and aquisitions', mirroring a scene from the horror film [[wikipedia:American Psycho (film)|American Psycho]].

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersclub.com/members/fiction.cfm Transformers Collectors' Club exclusive fiction] (must be a logged-in member to access)
* [http://teyowisonte.deviantart.com/art/I-Lowtech-preview-98733264 "I, Lowtech" preview at Thomas Deer's deviantART page]

[[Category:Text stories]]
[[Category:TransTech]]

I, Lowtech

2011-06-13T03:17:22Z

72.193.233.173: /* Real-world references */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]
|prev=Withered Hope
|next=Cheap Shots
|seriesissue2=''[[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]''
|prev2=Withered Hope
|next2=Transcendent: Part 1
|image=BulletbikesReflection ILowtech.jpg
|caption=I'm starting with the Man in the Mirror/ I'm asking him to change his ways...
|title="I, Lowtech"
|publisher=[[Fun Publications]]
|date=[[September 17]], [[2008]]
|written by=[[Trent Troop]] and [[Greg Sepelak]]
|illustration by=[[Nick Roche]]
|colors by=[[Winston Bolen]]
|pagecount=47
|continuity=[[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]
}}
'''A high-ranking TransTech businessman finds himself inexplicably trapped inside a lowtech body, and will stop at nothing to regain what is rightfully his.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Axiom Nexus]] security officers [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] and [[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] are interrogating a suspect. In an attempt to get him talking, Cheetor activates a recording of another mech's memories.

The recording begins with lowtech offworlder [[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]] awaking in an alley in an [[Offworld Zone]] of Axiom Nexus. He is convinced that he is actually the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] [[Bulletbike (TransTech)|Bulletbike]], CEO of [[RoboCo]]. His last memory in his old body was at a party celebrating a lucrative defense contract with the Senate. Someone must have captured him and downgraded his body into this primitive lowtech form.

A scuffle in the street with a [[Sling|gruff organic mech]] ends in the other's death, caused by Bulletbike stabbing him with a pipe. He dumps the body down a refuse chute into the [[Heap]] and takes the off-lined attacker's shiv before passing out.

[[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]], a primitive mech, even by lowtech standards, rouses Bulletbike and offers him a drink. Scrounge guides Bulletbike to an EconTerm, necessitating a ride through the Offworld Zones' squalor in his new, decrepit vehicle mode. Upon arrival at the terminal, Bulletbike is dismayed that he cannot remember his account number to access his money.

At that moment, a holographic projection appears over the city, broadcasting TransTech Bulletbike's visage. He speaks of quelling danger in the Offworld Zones, and the lowtech Bulletbike realizes that his TransTech body wasn't stripped down or downgraded, but stolen from him. An impostor has taken his place. Scrounge offers to seek information in the Heap about Bulletbike's situation and rolls off.

Bulletbike holds up a passing [[Skyblast (Energon)|Omnicon]] who looks like he's got money. The Omnicon's raised hands sparkle with the manifestation of an energon blade. One momentary blackout later, and Bulletbike's hand is covered with the mech's fluids. Bulletbike is more concerned with his lack of revulsion than with the actual murder.

Armed with the late Omnicon's cred-key, Bulletbike heads to [[Swindle, Swindle & Swindle]]. He orders a full system scan, but it comes up negative for [[spark]] swap. He opts for some of the Swindles' other services and departs.

Sometime later, as Bulletbike hides his latest victim, Scrounge pulls up. Bulletbike asks about a communications node, and Scrounge guides him to the alley behind [[Cryotek (TransTech)|Cryotek]]'s place. He makes a call to his business rival [[Ego]]. Bulletbike, whom Ego wouldn't recognize in his current form, offers Ego information about a flaw in RoboCo's [[Vehidrone]]s. In exchange, Bulletbike wants out of the Offworld Zones. Ego demands proof. After a fond farewell to Scrounge, Bulletbike heads to the warehouse district and confronts a Vehidrone. He exploits a weakness in its optics and retrieves the drone's Processor Matrix. Meeting with Ego, Bulletbike, now going by the alias "Wildfly", offers the Processor Matrix as proof of his information, and Ego escorts him secretly past the security checkpoints into Axiom Nexus proper.

Ego welcomes Bulletbike into his offices, which are adorned with varied weapons from across the [[multiverse]]. After Bulletbike hands over a recording of his confrontation with the Vehidrone, Ego menacingly approaches him. Bulletbike charges and injects Ego with [[Nucleon]], rendering him incapacitated. Bulletbike proceeds to abscond with several of the higher-end weapons from Ego's collection.

He pitilessly guns his way back into his own building to confront the impostor Bulletbike. Before entering the office, Bullletbike hears the impostor talking with someone on the comm about withdrawing security forces to the building for protection against the rampaging maniac. Bulletbike engages the impostor in combat, showing signs of encroaching insanity. Finally, he thrusts the impostor out the window. Security guards sweep into the office, and Bulletbike calmly explains that everything is all right. He then steps out the window, plummeting to the ground after his TransTech body.

Back in the interrogation room, the recording ends. Cheetor continues to question the impostor Bulletbike. Although everything points to TransTech Bulletbike being an impostor, there's no evidence to prove a spark swap ever occurred.

[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] has a word with Cheetor. They discuss the Bulletbike case and a possible connection to the Transwarp Complex incident. Since TransTech Bulletbike recalled security forces to protect himself, the Transwarp complex was left open to attack from [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. However, in addition to the lack of proof regarding the spark swap, there is likewise no solid connection between Bulletbike and Trion.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] (1)
*[[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] (3)
*[[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] (7)
*[[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] (8)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (13)
|c2=
*[[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]] (2)
*[[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]] (5)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the Second]] (9)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the Third]] (10)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the First]] (11)
*[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] (18)
|h3=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]
|c3=
*[[Sling]] (6)
*[[Backslash]] (15)
|c4=
*[[Bulletbike (TransTech)|Bulletbike]] (4)
*[[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]] (12)
*[[Ego]] (14)
*[[Aurik]] (16)
*[[Cyclis]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"Who are you?" 
"Officer Blastcharge, but if you don't get up in the next cycle, it's going to be 'Sir Please Stop Thumping Me Across The Alleyway.'"
:—'''Bulletbike''' & '''Blastcharge''' trade pleasantries

"Good day, friend, welcome to Swindle, Swindle and Swindle. I'm Swindle the Second, but you can call me Swindle. This here is Swindle the Third, but you can call him Swindle too. What can we do ya for?"
:—A '''Swindle''' greets his new customer

"And exactly where were you during Bulletbike's rampage and the solar cycles leading up to it, Commander Cheetor? Do you routinely allow murderers to wander your precinct unmolested?" 
"Just off the top of my processor... the Gutcruncher rebellion and the ongoing black market raids, two riots, the incident with General Demolishor, sixteen murders unrelated to this case, twelve armed robberies, three major traffic snarls, fifty-six minor accidents, and four inter-faction rumbles. Plus, all the times the Senate has 'requested' my personal appearance. We're stretched thin even with the assistance of the Freelance Police Legion. If we're pointing servos, however, border security, which is under your jurisdiction, was egregiously lax in investigating Ego's transport. Personally, I'd be worried about what else is slipping through." 
"That matter is being investigated, I assure you."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Cheetor''' discuss a typical week in the Offworlder Zones

"If Bulletbike is what can happen when the system fails... why take the risk in voluntarily removing [the clarity codecs]?" 
"Did you know that some organics willingly ingest non-lethal doses of deadly poisons?" 
"Uh, no, sir?" 
"It's to build up an immunity. Small, careful doses. Their body learns to fight it. Eventually, they can handle amounts that would, under normal conditions, kill them. So, think of this as building up an immunity to the urge to kill." 
"I... guess that makes sense, sir. But I lost my temper with those two grease-stain chiselers, what if..." 
"Don't worry, I wanted to knock their smug little heads together too. Millions of supposedly 'lower' mechanoids in this city have gone gigavorns without crossing the line. We're supposed to be 'transcendent'... if we need some piece of code implanted in us to foster basic morality, then what's the point? The trick isn't not having those feelings, Stungun. It's learning how to handle them. We augment the body, but not the spark. ''That'' takes hard work. ...besides, if you crossed that line, you'd be wearing a restraining bolt before you hit the ground."
:—'''Stungun''' and '''Cheetor'''

==Notes==
* Scrounge isn't very good at being Xaaron. He claims he has a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and that he's from universe Primax 093.0 Epsilon. [[Universal stream|Decoding that technobabble]] allegedly pegs him as an Emirate Xaaron from Transformers Fan Club fiction published in 1993. Yyyyyeah.

===Errors===
* TBA

===Transformer references===
*Cameos:
**The description of Bulletbike's first victim (lizard head on chest, lizard hind-quarters on shoulder, and plant-shield) matches [[Sling]]. His second victim is described as a white aerial [[Omnicon]], like [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]].
**Early on in the story, Bulletbike rolls past [[Flareup (Timelines)|''Timelines'' Flareup]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|''Animated'' Bumblebee]], indicating that this tale occurs concurrently with "[[Bee in the City]]", where those two characters teamed up for a while.
**The "tiny, multi-armed jittering robot made of seemingly little more than silver blades" that Bulletbike sees might be [[Movie (franchise)|2007 Movie]] [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]].
**The robot that shoos Bulletbike away from Cryotek's back alley is [[Backslash]], who, in an alternate universe, works for a different [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]].
**The [http://teyowisonte.deviantart.com/art/I-Lowtech-preview-98733264 preview comic from TFCC Magazine issue 21] shows that the "blue Autobot, ground vehicle of some kind" Bulletbike kills after leaving the Swindles' shop is some version of [[Skids (G1)|Generation 1 Skids]].
*The [[Swindle, Swindle & Swindle]] shop and [[Ego]]'s showroom are stacked with Transformers easter eggs:
**Swindle, Swindle & Swindle's shop features [[Catilla|Catilla's helmet]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon's helmet]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire's arm guard]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's "Bee-Yotch" air freshener]], a [[Matrix of Leadership|box full of empty Matrix containers]], [[Bird of Prey!|the bird sculpture]] from [[Pz-Zazz]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's crown]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|one of Omega Supreme's rails]], [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|a Golden Disk]], the [[Magnificence]], jars with [[Megatron (BW)|a T-Rex]], [[Optimus Primal|a gorilla]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|a spider]] on their labels, a [[Powermaster]] engine/suit and a sheet full of [[Insignia|faction symbols]].
**Ego's showroom, meanwhile, displays [[Leozack]]'s gun, [[Stalker (G1)|Stalker]]'s missile, an Autobot jet pack, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok's claw]], a [[time-jump mechanism]], [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]]'s [[Energon weapon|Energon Spear]], [[Blacker]]'s sword, [[Tantrum]]'s sword, [[Battle Ravage]]'s tail-mace, [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber's]] Saberblade sword, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s arm guns, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s [[fusion cannon]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s weaponry, [[Fistfight]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] [[ion blaster]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s gun, an [[Exosuit]], a [[Velocitron]]ian [[Cyber Planet Key]], the [[AllSpark]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. While not pictured, Ego's desk is said to be built out of the shield of a Scorponok hailing from Primax 787.3 Alpha (in English, it's the Scorponok from [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|the Japanese ''The Headmasters'' cartoon]], so it's likely the [[Zarak Shield]]), and a sword labeled "[[Energon Sword|Sword Of Megatron]]" hovers over it. Also not pictured but mentioned are a [[Requiem Blaster]], a [[Reconfiguration Matrix]] and a [[Transmetal driver|spherical Vok instrument]].
*Swindle tries to recommend [[Twitcher F451]] to Bulletbike as a mental health technician.
*"Ego" is [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s French-Canadian name. He runs "[[C-Kar Technologies]]." Argh.
**Fittingly, the last bit of dialogue between Ego and Bulletbike mirrors Starscream's brief dialogue with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Likewise, "[[Bricolo]]" is [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]'s French-Canadian name. And he's an artist making furniture out of Transformer parts.
*"[[Corvo]]" is [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s Italian name.
* The two "grease-stain chiselers" Stungun mentions are [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] and [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]], who ran afoul of the local police (and just about everyone else) in "[[Gone Too Far]]".
* Cheetor and Stungun muse that the whole Bulletbike fiasco could easily be set straight if only they could explain how TransTech Bulletbike's spark ended up in the lowtech Bulletbike's body. (As it stood, there was no evidence of spark transfer, so that wasn't a viable theory.) Additionally, the impostor Bulletbike recalls much of his forces to his building to protect him from the rampaging lowtech Bulletbike. This has the added effect of leaving the Transwarp Complex open to attack. Taking into consideration the events of the [[Transcendent]] story, an answer (confirmed in a flashback in "[[The Coming Storm: Part 1]]") appears. [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]]'s spark-manipulation abilities would easily explain the spark transfer, setting up the removal of the guards from the Transwarp Complex, allowing [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]] to escape to his home world.

===Real-world references===
*The title is probably a reference to Isaac Asimov's famous story collection, ''[[wikipedia:I, Robot|I, Robot]]''. While ''I, Robot'' is not the first appearance of the "I, Noun" formulation (''[[wikipedia:I, Claudius|I, Claudius]],'' for example), it's certainly the most famous involving robots. (''[[I, Robot-Master!]]'' is a much clearer case.)
* The plush lizard in Ego's office is the [http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20080318 Winslow], a central [[wikipedia:MacGuffin|MacGuffin]] of [http://www.studiofoglio.com/ Phil Foglio's] "[http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buck.html Buck Godot: Zap Gun For Hire]" comics.
* At one point Bulletbike thinks that the force of a Vehidrone's voice is "one degree shy of sadistic", a line from the song "[http://tmbw.net/wiki/SenSurround SenSurround]" by They Might Be Giants.
* Bulletbike also notes that the Vehidrone has a "WVNG-class voice modulator", which might be a reference to [[Hugo Weaving]].
* "Isen Power Station" and a "D-wy warehouse district" are mentioned as places Vehidrones can be found, a possible reference to a [[Marty Isenberg|certain pair]] of [[Derrick J. Wyatt|''Animated'' creators]].
* While takling to Ego. Bulletbike apparently says he works in 'murders and executions', which Ego responds with he also worked in 'mergers and aquisitions', mirroring a scene from the horror film [[wikipedia:American Psycho (film)|American Psycho]]

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersclub.com/members/fiction.cfm Transformers Collectors' Club exclusive fiction] (must be a logged-in member to access)
* [http://teyowisonte.deviantart.com/art/I-Lowtech-preview-98733264 "I, Lowtech" preview at Thomas Deer's deviantART page]

[[Category:Text stories]]
[[Category:TransTech]]

I, Lowtech

2011-06-13T03:17:05Z

72.193.233.173: /* Real-world references */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]
|prev=Withered Hope
|next=Cheap Shots
|seriesissue2=''[[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]''
|prev2=Withered Hope
|next2=Transcendent: Part 1
|image=BulletbikesReflection ILowtech.jpg
|caption=I'm starting with the Man in the Mirror/ I'm asking him to change his ways...
|title="I, Lowtech"
|publisher=[[Fun Publications]]
|date=[[September 17]], [[2008]]
|written by=[[Trent Troop]] and [[Greg Sepelak]]
|illustration by=[[Nick Roche]]
|colors by=[[Winston Bolen]]
|pagecount=47
|continuity=[[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]
}}
'''A high-ranking TransTech businessman finds himself inexplicably trapped inside a lowtech body, and will stop at nothing to regain what is rightfully his.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Axiom Nexus]] security officers [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] and [[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] are interrogating a suspect. In an attempt to get him talking, Cheetor activates a recording of another mech's memories.

The recording begins with lowtech offworlder [[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]] awaking in an alley in an [[Offworld Zone]] of Axiom Nexus. He is convinced that he is actually the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] [[Bulletbike (TransTech)|Bulletbike]], CEO of [[RoboCo]]. His last memory in his old body was at a party celebrating a lucrative defense contract with the Senate. Someone must have captured him and downgraded his body into this primitive lowtech form.

A scuffle in the street with a [[Sling|gruff organic mech]] ends in the other's death, caused by Bulletbike stabbing him with a pipe. He dumps the body down a refuse chute into the [[Heap]] and takes the off-lined attacker's shiv before passing out.

[[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]], a primitive mech, even by lowtech standards, rouses Bulletbike and offers him a drink. Scrounge guides Bulletbike to an EconTerm, necessitating a ride through the Offworld Zones' squalor in his new, decrepit vehicle mode. Upon arrival at the terminal, Bulletbike is dismayed that he cannot remember his account number to access his money.

At that moment, a holographic projection appears over the city, broadcasting TransTech Bulletbike's visage. He speaks of quelling danger in the Offworld Zones, and the lowtech Bulletbike realizes that his TransTech body wasn't stripped down or downgraded, but stolen from him. An impostor has taken his place. Scrounge offers to seek information in the Heap about Bulletbike's situation and rolls off.

Bulletbike holds up a passing [[Skyblast (Energon)|Omnicon]] who looks like he's got money. The Omnicon's raised hands sparkle with the manifestation of an energon blade. One momentary blackout later, and Bulletbike's hand is covered with the mech's fluids. Bulletbike is more concerned with his lack of revulsion than with the actual murder.

Armed with the late Omnicon's cred-key, Bulletbike heads to [[Swindle, Swindle & Swindle]]. He orders a full system scan, but it comes up negative for [[spark]] swap. He opts for some of the Swindles' other services and departs.

Sometime later, as Bulletbike hides his latest victim, Scrounge pulls up. Bulletbike asks about a communications node, and Scrounge guides him to the alley behind [[Cryotek (TransTech)|Cryotek]]'s place. He makes a call to his business rival [[Ego]]. Bulletbike, whom Ego wouldn't recognize in his current form, offers Ego information about a flaw in RoboCo's [[Vehidrone]]s. In exchange, Bulletbike wants out of the Offworld Zones. Ego demands proof. After a fond farewell to Scrounge, Bulletbike heads to the warehouse district and confronts a Vehidrone. He exploits a weakness in its optics and retrieves the drone's Processor Matrix. Meeting with Ego, Bulletbike, now going by the alias "Wildfly", offers the Processor Matrix as proof of his information, and Ego escorts him secretly past the security checkpoints into Axiom Nexus proper.

Ego welcomes Bulletbike into his offices, which are adorned with varied weapons from across the [[multiverse]]. After Bulletbike hands over a recording of his confrontation with the Vehidrone, Ego menacingly approaches him. Bulletbike charges and injects Ego with [[Nucleon]], rendering him incapacitated. Bulletbike proceeds to abscond with several of the higher-end weapons from Ego's collection.

He pitilessly guns his way back into his own building to confront the impostor Bulletbike. Before entering the office, Bullletbike hears the impostor talking with someone on the comm about withdrawing security forces to the building for protection against the rampaging maniac. Bulletbike engages the impostor in combat, showing signs of encroaching insanity. Finally, he thrusts the impostor out the window. Security guards sweep into the office, and Bulletbike calmly explains that everything is all right. He then steps out the window, plummeting to the ground after his TransTech body.

Back in the interrogation room, the recording ends. Cheetor continues to question the impostor Bulletbike. Although everything points to TransTech Bulletbike being an impostor, there's no evidence to prove a spark swap ever occurred.

[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] has a word with Cheetor. They discuss the Bulletbike case and a possible connection to the Transwarp Complex incident. Since TransTech Bulletbike recalled security forces to protect himself, the Transwarp complex was left open to attack from [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. However, in addition to the lack of proof regarding the spark swap, there is likewise no solid connection between Bulletbike and Trion.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] (1)
*[[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] (3)
*[[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] (7)
*[[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] (8)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (13)
|c2=
*[[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]] (2)
*[[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]] (5)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the Second]] (9)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the Third]] (10)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the First]] (11)
*[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] (18)
|h3=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]
|c3=
*[[Sling]] (6)
*[[Backslash]] (15)
|c4=
*[[Bulletbike (TransTech)|Bulletbike]] (4)
*[[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]] (12)
*[[Ego]] (14)
*[[Aurik]] (16)
*[[Cyclis]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"Who are you?" 
"Officer Blastcharge, but if you don't get up in the next cycle, it's going to be 'Sir Please Stop Thumping Me Across The Alleyway.'"
:—'''Bulletbike''' & '''Blastcharge''' trade pleasantries

"Good day, friend, welcome to Swindle, Swindle and Swindle. I'm Swindle the Second, but you can call me Swindle. This here is Swindle the Third, but you can call him Swindle too. What can we do ya for?"
:—A '''Swindle''' greets his new customer

"And exactly where were you during Bulletbike's rampage and the solar cycles leading up to it, Commander Cheetor? Do you routinely allow murderers to wander your precinct unmolested?" 
"Just off the top of my processor... the Gutcruncher rebellion and the ongoing black market raids, two riots, the incident with General Demolishor, sixteen murders unrelated to this case, twelve armed robberies, three major traffic snarls, fifty-six minor accidents, and four inter-faction rumbles. Plus, all the times the Senate has 'requested' my personal appearance. We're stretched thin even with the assistance of the Freelance Police Legion. If we're pointing servos, however, border security, which is under your jurisdiction, was egregiously lax in investigating Ego's transport. Personally, I'd be worried about what else is slipping through." 
"That matter is being investigated, I assure you."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Cheetor''' discuss a typical week in the Offworlder Zones

"If Bulletbike is what can happen when the system fails... why take the risk in voluntarily removing [the clarity codecs]?" 
"Did you know that some organics willingly ingest non-lethal doses of deadly poisons?" 
"Uh, no, sir?" 
"It's to build up an immunity. Small, careful doses. Their body learns to fight it. Eventually, they can handle amounts that would, under normal conditions, kill them. So, think of this as building up an immunity to the urge to kill." 
"I... guess that makes sense, sir. But I lost my temper with those two grease-stain chiselers, what if..." 
"Don't worry, I wanted to knock their smug little heads together too. Millions of supposedly 'lower' mechanoids in this city have gone gigavorns without crossing the line. We're supposed to be 'transcendent'... if we need some piece of code implanted in us to foster basic morality, then what's the point? The trick isn't not having those feelings, Stungun. It's learning how to handle them. We augment the body, but not the spark. ''That'' takes hard work. ...besides, if you crossed that line, you'd be wearing a restraining bolt before you hit the ground."
:—'''Stungun''' and '''Cheetor'''

==Notes==
* Scrounge isn't very good at being Xaaron. He claims he has a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and that he's from universe Primax 093.0 Epsilon. [[Universal stream|Decoding that technobabble]] allegedly pegs him as an Emirate Xaaron from Transformers Fan Club fiction published in 1993. Yyyyyeah.

===Errors===
* TBA

===Transformer references===
*Cameos:
**The description of Bulletbike's first victim (lizard head on chest, lizard hind-quarters on shoulder, and plant-shield) matches [[Sling]]. His second victim is described as a white aerial [[Omnicon]], like [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]].
**Early on in the story, Bulletbike rolls past [[Flareup (Timelines)|''Timelines'' Flareup]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|''Animated'' Bumblebee]], indicating that this tale occurs concurrently with "[[Bee in the City]]", where those two characters teamed up for a while.
**The "tiny, multi-armed jittering robot made of seemingly little more than silver blades" that Bulletbike sees might be [[Movie (franchise)|2007 Movie]] [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]].
**The robot that shoos Bulletbike away from Cryotek's back alley is [[Backslash]], who, in an alternate universe, works for a different [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]].
**The [http://teyowisonte.deviantart.com/art/I-Lowtech-preview-98733264 preview comic from TFCC Magazine issue 21] shows that the "blue Autobot, ground vehicle of some kind" Bulletbike kills after leaving the Swindles' shop is some version of [[Skids (G1)|Generation 1 Skids]].
*The [[Swindle, Swindle & Swindle]] shop and [[Ego]]'s showroom are stacked with Transformers easter eggs:
**Swindle, Swindle & Swindle's shop features [[Catilla|Catilla's helmet]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon's helmet]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire's arm guard]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's "Bee-Yotch" air freshener]], a [[Matrix of Leadership|box full of empty Matrix containers]], [[Bird of Prey!|the bird sculpture]] from [[Pz-Zazz]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's crown]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|one of Omega Supreme's rails]], [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|a Golden Disk]], the [[Magnificence]], jars with [[Megatron (BW)|a T-Rex]], [[Optimus Primal|a gorilla]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|a spider]] on their labels, a [[Powermaster]] engine/suit and a sheet full of [[Insignia|faction symbols]].
**Ego's showroom, meanwhile, displays [[Leozack]]'s gun, [[Stalker (G1)|Stalker]]'s missile, an Autobot jet pack, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok's claw]], a [[time-jump mechanism]], [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]]'s [[Energon weapon|Energon Spear]], [[Blacker]]'s sword, [[Tantrum]]'s sword, [[Battle Ravage]]'s tail-mace, [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber's]] Saberblade sword, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s arm guns, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s [[fusion cannon]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s weaponry, [[Fistfight]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] [[ion blaster]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s gun, an [[Exosuit]], a [[Velocitron]]ian [[Cyber Planet Key]], the [[AllSpark]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. While not pictured, Ego's desk is said to be built out of the shield of a Scorponok hailing from Primax 787.3 Alpha (in English, it's the Scorponok from [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|the Japanese ''The Headmasters'' cartoon]], so it's likely the [[Zarak Shield]]), and a sword labeled "[[Energon Sword|Sword Of Megatron]]" hovers over it. Also not pictured but mentioned are a [[Requiem Blaster]], a [[Reconfiguration Matrix]] and a [[Transmetal driver|spherical Vok instrument]].
*Swindle tries to recommend [[Twitcher F451]] to Bulletbike as a mental health technician.
*"Ego" is [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s French-Canadian name. He runs "[[C-Kar Technologies]]." Argh.
**Fittingly, the last bit of dialogue between Ego and Bulletbike mirrors Starscream's brief dialogue with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Likewise, "[[Bricolo]]" is [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]'s French-Canadian name. And he's an artist making furniture out of Transformer parts.
*"[[Corvo]]" is [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s Italian name.
* The two "grease-stain chiselers" Stungun mentions are [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] and [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]], who ran afoul of the local police (and just about everyone else) in "[[Gone Too Far]]".
* Cheetor and Stungun muse that the whole Bulletbike fiasco could easily be set straight if only they could explain how TransTech Bulletbike's spark ended up in the lowtech Bulletbike's body. (As it stood, there was no evidence of spark transfer, so that wasn't a viable theory.) Additionally, the impostor Bulletbike recalls much of his forces to his building to protect him from the rampaging lowtech Bulletbike. This has the added effect of leaving the Transwarp Complex open to attack. Taking into consideration the events of the [[Transcendent]] story, an answer (confirmed in a flashback in "[[The Coming Storm: Part 1]]") appears. [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]]'s spark-manipulation abilities would easily explain the spark transfer, setting up the removal of the guards from the Transwarp Complex, allowing [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]] to escape to his home world.

===Real-world references===
*The title is probably a reference to Isaac Asimov's famous story collection, ''[[wikipedia:I, Robot|I, Robot]]''. While ''I, Robot'' is not the first appearance of the "I, Noun" formulation (''[[wikipedia:I, Claudius|I, Claudius]],'' for example), it's certainly the most famous involving robots. (''[[I, Robot-Master!]]'' is a much clearer case.)
* The plush lizard in Ego's office is the [http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20080318 Winslow], a central [[wikipedia:MacGuffin|MacGuffin]] of [http://www.studiofoglio.com/ Phil Foglio's] "[http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buck.html Buck Godot: Zap Gun For Hire]" comics.
* At one point Bulletbike thinks that the force of a Vehidrone's voice is "one degree shy of sadistic", a line from the song "[http://tmbw.net/wiki/SenSurround SenSurround]" by They Might Be Giants.
* Bulletbike also notes that the Vehidrone has a "WVNG-class voice modulator", which might be a reference to [[Hugo Weaving]].
* "Isen Power Station" and a "D-wy warehouse district" are mentioned as places Vehidrones can be found, a possible reference to a [[Marty Isenberg|certain pair]] of [[Derrick J. Wyatt|''Animated'' creators]].
* While takling to Ego. Bulletbike apparently says he works in 'murders and executions', which Ego responds with he also worked in 'mergers and aquisitions', mirroring a scene from the horror film [[wikipedia:American Psycho (film)|American Psycho]

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersclub.com/members/fiction.cfm Transformers Collectors' Club exclusive fiction] (must be a logged-in member to access)
* [http://teyowisonte.deviantart.com/art/I-Lowtech-preview-98733264 "I, Lowtech" preview at Thomas Deer's deviantART page]

[[Category:Text stories]]
[[Category:TransTech]]

I, Lowtech

2011-06-13T03:16:32Z

72.193.233.173: /* Real-world references */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]
|prev=Withered Hope
|next=Cheap Shots
|seriesissue2=''[[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]''
|prev2=Withered Hope
|next2=Transcendent: Part 1
|image=BulletbikesReflection ILowtech.jpg
|caption=I'm starting with the Man in the Mirror/ I'm asking him to change his ways...
|title="I, Lowtech"
|publisher=[[Fun Publications]]
|date=[[September 17]], [[2008]]
|written by=[[Trent Troop]] and [[Greg Sepelak]]
|illustration by=[[Nick Roche]]
|colors by=[[Winston Bolen]]
|pagecount=47
|continuity=[[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]
}}
'''A high-ranking TransTech businessman finds himself inexplicably trapped inside a lowtech body, and will stop at nothing to regain what is rightfully his.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Axiom Nexus]] security officers [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] and [[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] are interrogating a suspect. In an attempt to get him talking, Cheetor activates a recording of another mech's memories.

The recording begins with lowtech offworlder [[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]] awaking in an alley in an [[Offworld Zone]] of Axiom Nexus. He is convinced that he is actually the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] [[Bulletbike (TransTech)|Bulletbike]], CEO of [[RoboCo]]. His last memory in his old body was at a party celebrating a lucrative defense contract with the Senate. Someone must have captured him and downgraded his body into this primitive lowtech form.

A scuffle in the street with a [[Sling|gruff organic mech]] ends in the other's death, caused by Bulletbike stabbing him with a pipe. He dumps the body down a refuse chute into the [[Heap]] and takes the off-lined attacker's shiv before passing out.

[[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]], a primitive mech, even by lowtech standards, rouses Bulletbike and offers him a drink. Scrounge guides Bulletbike to an EconTerm, necessitating a ride through the Offworld Zones' squalor in his new, decrepit vehicle mode. Upon arrival at the terminal, Bulletbike is dismayed that he cannot remember his account number to access his money.

At that moment, a holographic projection appears over the city, broadcasting TransTech Bulletbike's visage. He speaks of quelling danger in the Offworld Zones, and the lowtech Bulletbike realizes that his TransTech body wasn't stripped down or downgraded, but stolen from him. An impostor has taken his place. Scrounge offers to seek information in the Heap about Bulletbike's situation and rolls off.

Bulletbike holds up a passing [[Skyblast (Energon)|Omnicon]] who looks like he's got money. The Omnicon's raised hands sparkle with the manifestation of an energon blade. One momentary blackout later, and Bulletbike's hand is covered with the mech's fluids. Bulletbike is more concerned with his lack of revulsion than with the actual murder.

Armed with the late Omnicon's cred-key, Bulletbike heads to [[Swindle, Swindle & Swindle]]. He orders a full system scan, but it comes up negative for [[spark]] swap. He opts for some of the Swindles' other services and departs.

Sometime later, as Bulletbike hides his latest victim, Scrounge pulls up. Bulletbike asks about a communications node, and Scrounge guides him to the alley behind [[Cryotek (TransTech)|Cryotek]]'s place. He makes a call to his business rival [[Ego]]. Bulletbike, whom Ego wouldn't recognize in his current form, offers Ego information about a flaw in RoboCo's [[Vehidrone]]s. In exchange, Bulletbike wants out of the Offworld Zones. Ego demands proof. After a fond farewell to Scrounge, Bulletbike heads to the warehouse district and confronts a Vehidrone. He exploits a weakness in its optics and retrieves the drone's Processor Matrix. Meeting with Ego, Bulletbike, now going by the alias "Wildfly", offers the Processor Matrix as proof of his information, and Ego escorts him secretly past the security checkpoints into Axiom Nexus proper.

Ego welcomes Bulletbike into his offices, which are adorned with varied weapons from across the [[multiverse]]. After Bulletbike hands over a recording of his confrontation with the Vehidrone, Ego menacingly approaches him. Bulletbike charges and injects Ego with [[Nucleon]], rendering him incapacitated. Bulletbike proceeds to abscond with several of the higher-end weapons from Ego's collection.

He pitilessly guns his way back into his own building to confront the impostor Bulletbike. Before entering the office, Bullletbike hears the impostor talking with someone on the comm about withdrawing security forces to the building for protection against the rampaging maniac. Bulletbike engages the impostor in combat, showing signs of encroaching insanity. Finally, he thrusts the impostor out the window. Security guards sweep into the office, and Bulletbike calmly explains that everything is all right. He then steps out the window, plummeting to the ground after his TransTech body.

Back in the interrogation room, the recording ends. Cheetor continues to question the impostor Bulletbike. Although everything points to TransTech Bulletbike being an impostor, there's no evidence to prove a spark swap ever occurred.

[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] has a word with Cheetor. They discuss the Bulletbike case and a possible connection to the Transwarp Complex incident. Since TransTech Bulletbike recalled security forces to protect himself, the Transwarp complex was left open to attack from [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. However, in addition to the lack of proof regarding the spark swap, there is likewise no solid connection between Bulletbike and Trion.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] (1)
*[[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] (3)
*[[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] (7)
*[[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] (8)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (13)
|c2=
*[[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]] (2)
*[[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]] (5)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the Second]] (9)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the Third]] (10)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle the First]] (11)
*[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] (18)
|h3=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]
|c3=
*[[Sling]] (6)
*[[Backslash]] (15)
|c4=
*[[Bulletbike (TransTech)|Bulletbike]] (4)
*[[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]] (12)
*[[Ego]] (14)
*[[Aurik]] (16)
*[[Cyclis]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"Who are you?" 
"Officer Blastcharge, but if you don't get up in the next cycle, it's going to be 'Sir Please Stop Thumping Me Across The Alleyway.'"
:—'''Bulletbike''' & '''Blastcharge''' trade pleasantries

"Good day, friend, welcome to Swindle, Swindle and Swindle. I'm Swindle the Second, but you can call me Swindle. This here is Swindle the Third, but you can call him Swindle too. What can we do ya for?"
:—A '''Swindle''' greets his new customer

"And exactly where were you during Bulletbike's rampage and the solar cycles leading up to it, Commander Cheetor? Do you routinely allow murderers to wander your precinct unmolested?" 
"Just off the top of my processor... the Gutcruncher rebellion and the ongoing black market raids, two riots, the incident with General Demolishor, sixteen murders unrelated to this case, twelve armed robberies, three major traffic snarls, fifty-six minor accidents, and four inter-faction rumbles. Plus, all the times the Senate has 'requested' my personal appearance. We're stretched thin even with the assistance of the Freelance Police Legion. If we're pointing servos, however, border security, which is under your jurisdiction, was egregiously lax in investigating Ego's transport. Personally, I'd be worried about what else is slipping through." 
"That matter is being investigated, I assure you."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Cheetor''' discuss a typical week in the Offworlder Zones

"If Bulletbike is what can happen when the system fails... why take the risk in voluntarily removing [the clarity codecs]?" 
"Did you know that some organics willingly ingest non-lethal doses of deadly poisons?" 
"Uh, no, sir?" 
"It's to build up an immunity. Small, careful doses. Their body learns to fight it. Eventually, they can handle amounts that would, under normal conditions, kill them. So, think of this as building up an immunity to the urge to kill." 
"I... guess that makes sense, sir. But I lost my temper with those two grease-stain chiselers, what if..." 
"Don't worry, I wanted to knock their smug little heads together too. Millions of supposedly 'lower' mechanoids in this city have gone gigavorns without crossing the line. We're supposed to be 'transcendent'... if we need some piece of code implanted in us to foster basic morality, then what's the point? The trick isn't not having those feelings, Stungun. It's learning how to handle them. We augment the body, but not the spark. ''That'' takes hard work. ...besides, if you crossed that line, you'd be wearing a restraining bolt before you hit the ground."
:—'''Stungun''' and '''Cheetor'''

==Notes==
* Scrounge isn't very good at being Xaaron. He claims he has a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and that he's from universe Primax 093.0 Epsilon. [[Universal stream|Decoding that technobabble]] allegedly pegs him as an Emirate Xaaron from Transformers Fan Club fiction published in 1993. Yyyyyeah.

===Errors===
* TBA

===Transformer references===
*Cameos:
**The description of Bulletbike's first victim (lizard head on chest, lizard hind-quarters on shoulder, and plant-shield) matches [[Sling]]. His second victim is described as a white aerial [[Omnicon]], like [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]].
**Early on in the story, Bulletbike rolls past [[Flareup (Timelines)|''Timelines'' Flareup]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|''Animated'' Bumblebee]], indicating that this tale occurs concurrently with "[[Bee in the City]]", where those two characters teamed up for a while.
**The "tiny, multi-armed jittering robot made of seemingly little more than silver blades" that Bulletbike sees might be [[Movie (franchise)|2007 Movie]] [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]].
**The robot that shoos Bulletbike away from Cryotek's back alley is [[Backslash]], who, in an alternate universe, works for a different [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]].
**The [http://teyowisonte.deviantart.com/art/I-Lowtech-preview-98733264 preview comic from TFCC Magazine issue 21] shows that the "blue Autobot, ground vehicle of some kind" Bulletbike kills after leaving the Swindles' shop is some version of [[Skids (G1)|Generation 1 Skids]].
*The [[Swindle, Swindle & Swindle]] shop and [[Ego]]'s showroom are stacked with Transformers easter eggs:
**Swindle, Swindle & Swindle's shop features [[Catilla|Catilla's helmet]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon's helmet]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire's arm guard]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's "Bee-Yotch" air freshener]], a [[Matrix of Leadership|box full of empty Matrix containers]], [[Bird of Prey!|the bird sculpture]] from [[Pz-Zazz]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream's crown]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|one of Omega Supreme's rails]], [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|a Golden Disk]], the [[Magnificence]], jars with [[Megatron (BW)|a T-Rex]], [[Optimus Primal|a gorilla]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|a spider]] on their labels, a [[Powermaster]] engine/suit and a sheet full of [[Insignia|faction symbols]].
**Ego's showroom, meanwhile, displays [[Leozack]]'s gun, [[Stalker (G1)|Stalker]]'s missile, an Autobot jet pack, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok's claw]], a [[time-jump mechanism]], [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]]'s [[Energon weapon|Energon Spear]], [[Blacker]]'s sword, [[Tantrum]]'s sword, [[Battle Ravage]]'s tail-mace, [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber's]] Saberblade sword, [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s arm guns, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s [[fusion cannon]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s weaponry, [[Fistfight]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] [[ion blaster]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s gun, an [[Exosuit]], a [[Velocitron]]ian [[Cyber Planet Key]], the [[AllSpark]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. While not pictured, Ego's desk is said to be built out of the shield of a Scorponok hailing from Primax 787.3 Alpha (in English, it's the Scorponok from [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|the Japanese ''The Headmasters'' cartoon]], so it's likely the [[Zarak Shield]]), and a sword labeled "[[Energon Sword|Sword Of Megatron]]" hovers over it. Also not pictured but mentioned are a [[Requiem Blaster]], a [[Reconfiguration Matrix]] and a [[Transmetal driver|spherical Vok instrument]].
*Swindle tries to recommend [[Twitcher F451]] to Bulletbike as a mental health technician.
*"Ego" is [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s French-Canadian name. He runs "[[C-Kar Technologies]]." Argh.
**Fittingly, the last bit of dialogue between Ego and Bulletbike mirrors Starscream's brief dialogue with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Likewise, "[[Bricolo]]" is [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]'s French-Canadian name. And he's an artist making furniture out of Transformer parts.
*"[[Corvo]]" is [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s Italian name.
* The two "grease-stain chiselers" Stungun mentions are [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] and [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]], who ran afoul of the local police (and just about everyone else) in "[[Gone Too Far]]".
* Cheetor and Stungun muse that the whole Bulletbike fiasco could easily be set straight if only they could explain how TransTech Bulletbike's spark ended up in the lowtech Bulletbike's body. (As it stood, there was no evidence of spark transfer, so that wasn't a viable theory.) Additionally, the impostor Bulletbike recalls much of his forces to his building to protect him from the rampaging lowtech Bulletbike. This has the added effect of leaving the Transwarp Complex open to attack. Taking into consideration the events of the [[Transcendent]] story, an answer (confirmed in a flashback in "[[The Coming Storm: Part 1]]") appears. [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]]'s spark-manipulation abilities would easily explain the spark transfer, setting up the removal of the guards from the Transwarp Complex, allowing [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]] to escape to his home world.

===Real-world references===
*The title is probably a reference to Isaac Asimov's famous story collection, ''[[wikipedia:I, Robot|I, Robot]]''. While ''I, Robot'' is not the first appearance of the "I, Noun" formulation (''[[wikipedia:I, Claudius|I, Claudius]],'' for example), it's certainly the most famous involving robots. (''[[I, Robot-Master!]]'' is a much clearer case.)
* The plush lizard in Ego's office is the [http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20080318 Winslow], a central [[wikipedia:MacGuffin|MacGuffin]] of [http://www.studiofoglio.com/ Phil Foglio's] "[http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buck.html Buck Godot: Zap Gun For Hire]" comics.
* At one point Bulletbike thinks that the force of a Vehidrone's voice is "one degree shy of sadistic", a line from the song "[http://tmbw.net/wiki/SenSurround SenSurround]" by They Might Be Giants.
* Bulletbike also notes that the Vehidrone has a "WVNG-class voice modulator", which might be a reference to [[Hugo Weaving]].
* "Isen Power Station" and a "D-wy warehouse district" are mentioned as places Vehidrones can be found, a possible reference to a [[Marty Isenberg|certain pair]] of [[Derrick J. Wyatt|''Animated'' creators]].
* While takling to Ego. Bulletbike apparently says he works in 'murders and executions', which Ego responds with he also worked in 'mergers and aquisitions', mirroring a scene from the horror film [[American Psycho (film)|American Psycho]

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersclub.com/members/fiction.cfm Transformers Collectors' Club exclusive fiction] (must be a logged-in member to access)
* [http://teyowisonte.deviantart.com/art/I-Lowtech-preview-98733264 "I, Lowtech" preview at Thomas Deer's deviantART page]

[[Category:Text stories]]
[[Category:TransTech]]

Humanization

2011-06-05T04:31:38Z

72.193.233.173: /* Breathing */

Throughout the various Transformers canon, there have been several instances of Transformers with humanistic traits and having very human actions that possibly conflict with their status as mechanical robots. Many of these instances can be dismissed as stylistic choices by the artists or as gags not to be taken seriously.

==Glandular, digestive, and respiratory==
===Sweating===
[[Image:LandsharkWOH-energondelivery.jpg|right|thumb|180px|]]

* In [[Prime Time!|issue twelve]] of the original [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''Generation 1'' comic]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] is seen leaking lubricant from his head during a stressful confrontation with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (as Shockwave points out), in a manner resembling sweating.
* Numerous times in the Marvel UK comic, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] can be seen "sweating".
* ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' and ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' featured Transformers displaying the traditional anime "sweat drop", a giant bead of liquid appearing at the side of the head to convey embarrassment or exasperation.
* [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] sweatdrops upon seeing a particularly scary expression on [[Lori]]'s face. {{storylink|Ambush}}
* [[Leozack]] sweatdrops oil when [[Landshark]] attacks him. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

===Coughing===
* In the G1 episode "[[Roll for It]]", when the Autobots emerge from the ruins of a demolished [[antimatter]] laboratory, they are coughing.
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] coughs when [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] surrounds him with smoke.{{storylink|Triple Takeover}}
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] coughs while infected with Cosmic Rust. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}
* In "[[Call of the Primitives]]", a fiery blast from [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] causes both the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] and [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to cough.
* In ''Beast Wars'', [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] begins to cough for no reason while making a triumphant speech. Much like Powerglide's "heart", this could be a one-shot joke. He also coughs while sleeping, and when amidst the smoky remains of an electrical fire.
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] fake-coughed in the episode "[[Sparkwar Pt. III: The Siege]]" of the [[Beast Machines (cartoon)|''Beast machines'' cartoon]] to draw [[Optimus Primal]]'s attention to the matter of [[Noble]].
* In the ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' episode "[[Secret Weapon: D-5]]", [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]], and [[Dark Scream]] all cough after inhaling smoke.
* In the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' episode "[[Mortal Combat]]", right after Optimus Prime says "I wish I could accommodate you," he coughs silently.
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] visibly coughs after [[Sam Witwicky]] uses the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to restore him to life in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', even expelling what appears to be dust.

===Breathing===
On ''[http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation Star Trek: The Next Generation]'', it was explained that the android [http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Data Data]'s breathing served to cool his inner components, but mostly so that he doesn't appear unnatural to the humans he was designed to resemble. He also blinks for this reason. It could be argued that breathing serves the same "cooling" purpose in Transformers, but this explanation is always going to smack of desperation.

* In an ''Energon'' episode, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] instructs [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] that they have to synchronize their breathing before they can [[Powerlinx|powerlink]].
* At the climax of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] tries to strangle [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], complete with sounds of Hot Rod gagging and struggling to breathe. It's possible that Galvatron was trying to compress Hot Rod's neck until the Autobot's head popped off, but that isn't likely.
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], calling for help as a python constricts him, says he can't breathe. {{storylink|Dark Voyage}}
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] is shown to be breathing heavily after trying to chase down Blurr, even though he quips in a previous episode that not needing to breathe is useful for an Autobot. {{storylink|Velocity}}
* On the [[Nemesis (ROTF)| Nemesis]], [[Megatron (Movie)| Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Movie)| Starscream's]] breath can be seen due to condensation in the cold ship. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] breathes heavily as he runs in fear from [[Chaos (alien)|Chaos]] and the slave mines on [[Dread (planet)|Dread]]. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] is visibly breathing while in stasis. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}}
* "[[A Team Effort]]" comfirms that Transformers require ventilation airways in thier neck to prevent system overheating, as when [[Charger]] strangles [[Roadgrabber]] in a fit of rage.

===Spitting===
* Throughout his term on the Marvel UK comic letters page, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] would regularly say "(Puttup)" after mentioning the Autobots or an Autobot's name to represent him spitting in disgust. This habit made an in-story appearance, with him spitting at [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]] despite his [[mouthplate]]. {{storylink|Second Generation!}}
* After [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] escapes from the Decepticons's New Jersey base via a sewer, he spits as he complains about their poor choice of back door.{{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}}
* In the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Tangled Web]]", [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] "spits" after reissuing his challenge to tangle with [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], despite the fact that, like Soundwave, he has no apparent mouth.
*In ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] repeatedly spits while talking to [[Sam Witwicky]] and his companions. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] also has to spit his mouth clean after being blasted across a forest by [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] spits twice: once at Sam while in the [[Broadwater Metal Works]] foundry, and again when he mentions Prime's name.
* [[Galvatron II|Galvatron II]] is seen spitting and drooling while explaining the situation.{{storylink|Out of Time!}} Both Megatron and Galvatron II are seen both spitting on each other. Gross!.{{storylink|Exodus!}}

===Crying===
[[Image:Omega Supreme tears up.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Tissue: desired.]]

* A twinkle of light that may not literally be a tear, but is clearly intended to imply one, can be seen in [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'s eye at the end of "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]".

* When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] dies in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] is seen to dab at her eyes.

* [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] told his colleagues he was about to "leak optical lubricant" when they wouldn't stop about giving up on [[Operation: Volcano]]. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

* In "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]", [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] has tears falling from his eyes, presumably in pain, during his monstrous disfigurement after he gains the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].

* There is a teardrop on young [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]]'s face after being beaten by Deathsaurus. {{storylink|The Star of Friendship, Jean and Star Saber!}}

* At the end of "[[Heroic! The Victory War]]", some Decepticons are crying over their defeat.

* As he mourns his dead friend [[Snowstalker]] and decides he can never fight again, [[Tigatron]] cries a single tear in beast mode.

* [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] wiped a fake tear when [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] put on the heroic act. {{storylink|Code of Hero}}

* When pondering [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]'s fate in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] is shown to shed a single tear from one of her spider eyes. {{storylink|Revelations Part I: Discovery}}

[[Image:Bw2 ep6 twinwaterfalls.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Surf's up—and I'm talkin' ''up''!]]

* Throughout ''[[Beast Wars II (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]]'' and ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', and occasionally in the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, several characters are seen crying in hyperbolic anime fashion.

* Tears can be seen welling up in [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]'s eyes and falling to the ground in ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' as he mourns a fallen comrade.

* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] told [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] to "cry him a river". {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}}

* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] cries over [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s death in [[The Art of War issue 5|''The Art of War'' #5]].

* In ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers: Animated]]'', [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] cries, though this "ability" could be part of her partially organic nature. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] cries after [[Sam Witwicky]] tells him cars are not allowed on campus, although he was exaggerating his sorrow and was likely deliberately leaking fluids to enhance the visual. ''{{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}''

* [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] was crying in the corner for not being in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron|War for Cybertron]] game. [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] had to talk to him. Again. {{Storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.12#Law and Disorder|Law and Disorder}}

===Eating===
[[Image:Optimusprime-mom.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Probably contains [[energon (fuel)|energon goodies]] in the shape of a happy face.]]

* There are references to [[Cybertronian food]].

* [[Skullcruncher]] has been known to eat Autobots as well as humans and other organics, despite not needing to do so to survive. Other Decepticons are disgusted by this practice.

* There are Pepsi and [[Destron Pizza|pizza]] in the refrigerator in [[Pepsi Convoy]]'s home.

* In ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', the Maximals and Predacons are shown to eat:
**[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] even displays something of a voracious appetite, eating rats and leaving webs to catch prey. At one point, he captures Cheetor and prepares to drain the Maximal's fluids, claiming that it is the act he prefers over the nourishment (which adds just another level of creepy to the already creepy Tarantulas). {{storylink|The Web}}
**[[Rattrap]] eats apples. {{storylink|The Web}}
**And garbage {{storylink|The Web}}
**[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] eats a bird. {{storylink|Power Surge}}
**[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] eats [[Clone One|his clone]]. [[Optimus Primal]] remarks that he is "disgusting". {{storylink|Double Dinobot}}
**While suffering from an [[Energon discharge virus]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] eats wild beans to build up his power. This later ends disastrously for [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Low Road}}
* In ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', [[Optimus Primal]] wants to eat the underground tree's fruit; [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] protests that "we don't eat food, we process [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]—PERIOD!", but is overruled. {{storylink|Forbidden Fruit}}
* According to [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] eats [[Autobot]] [[Protoform]]s for breakfast. But of course that could just be a rumour. {{Storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

===Flatulence===
* In the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[The Low Road]]", Rhinox lets out an extreme amount of flatulence after consuming wild bean vines. This could be due to Maximals having organic parts in their makeup.
* In the ''Beast Wars'' episode "[[Bad Spark]]", [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] also lets out flatulence, blaming it on a large buildup of energy from his [[Transmetal]] body.
* Just go watch ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. Happens every five minutes. You can set a clock by it.
* One of the [[Mini-Constructicon]]s "cuts one", causing the others to laugh and request someone to open a window in "[[Spotlight: Ramjet]]".

===Urination===
* [[Tasmania Kid]] urinates (in beast mode) to put out a fire.
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] performs a similar action on [[Seymour Simmons|Agent Simmons]] by popping off his automobile oil filter in robot mode. Optimus Prime claims that 'Bee is just leaking lubricants on him. Presumably, this action was inspired from witnessing a [[Mojo|similar incident]].
* [[Scoop (SG)|Scoop]] apparently urinates himself in [[Do Over]]
* In Beast Wars II, [[DJ (BWII)|DJ]] is known for wetting himself whenever he drinks too much oil.

===Defecation===
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] defecates on [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' from Marvel UK issue [[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]].

===Intoxication===
* In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]] episode "[[Microbots]]", the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] behaving in a noticeably intoxicated fashion after consuming high-grade [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] refers to this as "over-energizing".
* In the UK comic, the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] frequent a "bar" on Cybertron called [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], where they consume high-grade energon, presumably for the purposes of getting intoxicated. [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing]] pay a visit to this establishment in a later story, and get so hammered that they don't even notice [[Quickswitch]] fighting with some [[Mecannibal]]s.
* In ''Beast Wars II'', [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] gets "drunk" on numerous occasions.
* In the ''Beast Wars II'' manga, [[Lio Convoy]] gets drunk once and messes up [[Apache]]'s room.
* The [[Constructicon (Animated) |Constructicons]] in ''Animated'', whose personalities are shout-outs to construction worker stereotypes, seem to drink oil the way humans drink beer. However, they never actually get drunk.

===Miscellaneous===
[[Image:Cigarchomping.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Bet it's imported from Cubatron.]]
* [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] once gets a cold, causing him to cough and have a fever, in an issue of the [[Victory (manga)|''Victory'' manga]]. {{storylink|The Star of Friendship, Jean and Star Saber!}}

* [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]] got a bump on his head after being hit by Deathsaurus with a staff when they were young boys. {{storylink|The Star of Friendship, Jean and Star Saber!}}

* In ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'', [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] chomps on a [[cigar|cy-gar]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron}}

* [[Bumblebee (Animated)| Bumblebee]] has bandages wrapped around his middle after Sari is knocked out and the Autobots return to their base. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

* [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] wore a cast over his arm after being hit by a falling building. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}

{{-}}

==Body parts==
===Mouths/teeth/tongues===
{{Main|Teeth}}
{{Main|Tongue}}
{{Main|Mouthplate}}

* The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon series]] is the only major piece of fiction to ''not'' present Transformers as possessing [[teeth]] and/or [[Tongue|tongues]]. The features appear in both the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] comics, [[The Battlestars (manga)|''The Battlestars'' manga]], the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' animated series (where teeth would even be knocked out on occasion), the ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon, and the [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons and comics.

* In an episode of [[Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]], [[Browning]] sticks his tongue out at [[Wilder]] and [[Bullhorn]] after they insult [[Cancer]].

*In the [[live-action film series]], the more human-like the robot, the more they are likely to have teeth. In the case of, say, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], his teeth are mechanical cubes overlaid on each other, while [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] has bona fide fangs. Optimus spits out a piece of his shattered faceplate in the second film, which is intended to resemble a boxer spitting out a tooth after a brutal match. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

* One of the most prevalent examples of this tradition is the [[Kiss Players (manga)|''Kiss Players'' manga]], in which a [[Legion]] character is equipped with a distinctive prehensile (and phallic) tongue.

===Eyeballs/eyelashes===
[[Image:AutoBerserk OptimusPrime closedeyes.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Oh, my eyes!!]]
* In the episode "[[Auto Berserk]]", Optimus Prime's eyes are closed (apparently to shield them against the smoke) much like a human's when the Autobots stagger out of the fire and smoke of the Negavator's destruction.

* Cyclonus also closes his eyes when Galvatron is about to go through the [[Alya]] treatment and he cannot bear to watch. {{storylink|Webworld}}

* [[Lyzack]] sports some pretty heavy-duty eyelashes for her brief appearance in the ''[[Victory (manga)|Victory]]'' manga. So does [[Esmeral (Victory)|Esmeral]]. {{storylink|Heroic! The Victory War}}

* In [[Spotlight: Hot Rod]], Hot Rod is shown to have what appears to be blast shields for his optics when he passes out after landing. Dealer's optics are mostly covered by his eyelids, so he looks half-passed out. ''Per an email query to IDW, their response is that Transformers do not have eyelids, that it's just artistic license.''

* The robots in the [[live-action film series]] have eyes designed to resemble cameras, enabling them to dilate and blink.

* ''Animated'' [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] has eyelids. He also blinks frequently.

* The cyborg [[GoBots (franchise)|GoBots]], as portrayed in the animated cartoon, do in fact possess eyelids (when the eyes aren't covered by a visor) and frequently blink. Some also have visible pupils.

* Most robots in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' possess camera-like eyes similar to those seen in the live-action films, which dilate, contract, and blink in a highly human-like fashion. Notably, they also replicate the involuntary, back-and-forth movements of the human eye when idle.

<center><gallery>
Image:Esmeral-manga.jpg
Image:LyzackEyelashes01.jpg|About 15 gallons of mascara for those things.
Image:HotRodOpticShields.jpg|Hey, wake up!
Image:Dealerseyelids.jpg|Got munchies?
</gallery></center>

===Obesity===
Although Transformers come in all shapes and sizes anyway, some characters have particularly round appearances that suggest something equivalent to human obesity.

* In [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Grim Grams #94]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] mentioned that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] weighs a little over 90 tons and "could stand to lose a little around the fuel storage system".
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] complained that the Decepticons had grown "fat and complacent" under [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s rule. {{storylink|Surrender!}}
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] is virtually as wide as he is tall and is depicted as extremely round, with very short, stubby legs. It gives him more than a passing resemblance to a heavily obese person, or at best one of those huge, flabby, off-season wrestlers.
* Much the same could be said of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Being big-chassised is no excuse to let yourself go.
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|''Animated'' Ratchet]] has a prominent gut that resembles a human paunch. Although ordinarily this might be considered merely a feature of his transformation scheme (ala [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]), he is specifically designed to be a crotchety "old man" character, and in flashback sequences to his younger days in the Great War, he notably ''lacks'' said paunch.
* [[Gnaw]]. Well, all the [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], really, but seriously. It's kind of comically appropriate that the robots which do absolutely nothing but hang out and eat stuff all day are so roly-poly.

===Masculine characteristics===
====Facial hair====
{{Main|Facial hair}}

* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Unicron]], and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] all sport "facial hair" in the G1 cartoon. In addition to that, ''Energon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Bulkhead (Energon)|Bulkhead]], the films' Optimus (who has a goatee), [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and ''Animated''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]], [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]], and [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|the other Wreck-Gar]] all have varying amounts of facial hair. (The last of these was modeled after [["Weird Al" Yankovic|his voice actor's]] own, prior to his appearance's overhaul.)

====Nuts, Bolts and Screws====
[[Image:LightfootDramaticEncounter Gilmer's injury.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
* [[Gilmer]] got rammed in his crotch by [[Lightfoot]], causing it to become red and Gilmer to clutch it, groaning he got "kicked in the balls". {{storylink|Lightfoot: A Dramatic Encounter}}

* [[Rattrap]] kicks [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] in the groin, causing apparent pain and giving him a high-pitched voice. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 1}}

* [[Stampy (BWN)|Stampy]] once suggested a kick to the "unmentionables" as a workable battle tactic. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 3|The Ascending #3}}

* [[Heinrad]] has a set in [[Beast mode|tanuki mode]]. Since tanuki are known for their massive testicles, his equipment's existence actually makes sense.

* [[Flareup (Timelines)|Flareup]] interpreted the word "[[AllSpark Key|key]]" in "[[Wikipedia:Ghostbusters|keymaster]]" a little differently than [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] intended. {{storylink|Bee in the City}}

* [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] has a pair of dangling wrecking balls in a... very unfortunate place. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

* [[Dickbot the blender guy|Blenderbot]] has a... well... [[:Image:Appliancebots2.jpg|just look for yourself (NSFW?)]]. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

===Feminine characteristics===
[[Image:CrossingtheRubicron-newbody.jpg|right|230px|thumb|I'd tap it like the fist of an angry god.]]
{{main|Female Transformer}}

====Breasts====
Some female Transformers, such as [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Elita One]] (not to mention the ''other'' [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] and [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Elita-1]]) have a protruding chest area that bears no apparent relation to their alt mode [[kibble]], but bears some vague resemblance to clothed human breasts, or a "monoboob", if you will. Some females even have two separate and even more distinctly rounded breast-like protuberances, particularly in their fictional depictions. [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], [[Antagony]] and [[Beta (G1)|Beta]] all fall into this category. One, [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)| Thunderblast]], even has [[:Image:ThunderblastBoobsAndNipples01.jpg|visible nipples]]. ''(You're going to look, aren't you...?)''

====Lips====
[[Image:G1 Silverbolt cartoon.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Though not female, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]'s got <s>sexy</s> nice lips.]]
Another common feature to denote gender in some female Transformers (mostly only in the fiction) is distinctly fuller, plumper lips than is standard, such as Blackarachnia's in ''Beast Wars''. Sometimes, however, they will additionally have red or otherwise different/darker colouration to their lips, with an evident similarity to human lipstick. Such paint-mouthed femmes include Blackarachnia in ''Beast Machines'', her [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|''Animated'' cousin]], and the [[Female Autobots|G1 Female Autobots]].

As far as males go, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] clearly has thicker lips than the average male Transformer would, as does [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] and [[Optimus Prime (Animated)| Optimus Prime]].

====Hips====
[[Image:SpacePirates Arcee Bunsofsteel.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Dan Reed, you perv.]]

Alike to humans, many a female Transformer has a distinctly more curving hipstructure.

:''See also the '''[[Humanization#Sexuality|Sexuality]]''' section below.

{{--}}

===Questionable body parts===
[[Image:Powerglide heart.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Not [[Wikipedia:Astroboy|Astroboy]], we swear!]]

* Nearly all Transformers seem to possess noses for no discernible functional reason, ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' characters and movieverse [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] being exceptions. Movie [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] also notes that he can smell [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] when the latter is trying to escape from him, and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] remarks that he can "smell" [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]]. This would seem to imply that movieverse Transformers have a form of olfactory systems. The idea of noses is somewhat 'fixed' in ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers Prime]]'' by having the noses be a visible part of the robot's helmet as opposed to being part of their face.

* At the end of the G1 episode "[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]", [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] is seen to have the LED outline of a cartoon heart within his chassis. This is somewhat nonsensical even within in the context of the show (the contents of Transformers chest cavities had been shown several times before), and is doubtless merely meant as a one-off sight gag.

* Although listed separately above, breasts and "nuts, bolts and screws" would also fit under this category quite well, seeing as there doesn't appear to be any use for them on Transformers, other than to show them off.

;Brains
[[Image:PredaBrain1.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Predaking: All brawn AND brains!]]

* [[Predaking]] has an organic brain when he is sliced in half in the [[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|''Zone'' cartoon]].

* [[Unicron]] also has an organic brain in the G.I. Joe crossover, [[Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2|Black Horizon Part 2]].

{{-}}

==Other biological functions==
===Sleep===
* In the G1 comic, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] plays a prank on [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] while he is in "rest mode." {{storylink|Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Trailbreaker's ''Universe'' profile}} [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] falls asleep and dreams (or rather, has a nightmare), an experience Prime refers to as an "involuntary systems shutdown". {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} Skids is also seen to require a manually activated nightly shutdown to conserve energy. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Kup later attempts to rouse a vision-struck Optimus Prime by urging him to "wake up"—then reminds himself that "we don't sleep!" {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} When [[Donny Finkleberg]] remarks that unlike machines, humans need to rest, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] informs him Transformers need to as well to conserve fuel. Skids also has an on/off button in his dashboard. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}
* In the Japanese ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' cartoon, [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] is able to use a form of hypnotism on the Autobots, which can include lulling them to sleep.
* In ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', it has been firmly established that (perhaps partially due to their organic components), all Transformers within the cartoon sleep. Some prime examples of this are:
**Megatron has been shown to sleep in the command chair of the ''Darksyde'', while his dino head mounted on the end of his arm stays awake, looks around, and smiles slyly. Wonder what it thinks about...
** Cheetor has been shown asleep at many points, complete with (occasionally prophetic) dreams. In "[[Feral Scream Part 2]]", he also purrs when he's asleep. How cute!
** In "[[Call of the Wild]]", the Maximals are kept awake for two days by the Predacons' non-stop attacks on their base, which exacerbate their beast instincts overriding their logic circuits.
* In ''Beast Wars II'', [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] often nods off in a narcoleptic-like fashion.
* In the ''Beast Wars II'' manga, Lio Convoy sleeps and has a nightmare at one point.
* ''Armada'' [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] is quite fond of catching forty winks when possible. [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] does the same on one occasion. Armada Megatron is also seen asleep twice in the episode "Rebellion".
* ''Animated'' [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] enters a form of sleep he calls a "stasis nap", during which he gets several parking tickets. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}
* Also in ''Animated'', when the Autobots feel tired after drinking an oil-nog, they decide to go to sleep, pardon, to take a stasis nap. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]] even yawns. {{storylink|Human Error, Part I}}

===Aging===
{{main|Life cycle}}
Some Transformers have been depicted as aging.

* [[Image:Alpha Trion through the epochs.jpg|right|250px|thumb|]][[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] has been depicted in three different eras: 11 million years in the past, 9 million years in the past, and the present day. Though his [[character model]] undergoes many changes, his facial hair changes seem to mimic human aging. In his (chronologically) earliest depiction, he has a small black mustache. In his second depiction, his mustache has turned white. By the modern era, he sports a long mustache and beard.

* The [[Overlord (rank)|Overlord]] was so old that his body needed a regular energy supply to keep him functioning. {{storylink|State Games}}

[[Image:MangaYoungDeathyStarSaber.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Young and Innocent]]
* [[Xaaron]] couldn't transform anymore because he was old.

* In an issue of the Marvel UK G1 comics, Kup's systems are going to shut down because he is too old.

* [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] and [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]] are depicted as "child" Transformers, complete with childlike temperaments, in flashbacks. {{storylink|The Star of Friendship, Jean and Star Saber!}}

* [[Cohrada]] is depicted as "child" in his flashback in the issue "[[A Battle Fought Alone]]".

* Movieverse [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] has a cane and is rusting. Some parts even fall off him when he transforms!

* [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] claimed to have been a classic car when he was younger, and a tricycle when he was younger. While he was lying, his story was plausible enough for [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]]. On the other hand, Slapper is an idiot.

{{-}}

===Sexuality===
[[Image:Sideburnhearts.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Sorry, Side Burn, I don't think Wedge rolls that way.]]
{{Main|Transformer romance}}
{{Main|Reproduction}}

One of the most controversial aspects of Transformers is the idea of sexuality. While it is established in most continuities that Transformers do not reproduce sexually, most continuities nonetheless have distinctive male and [[Female Transformer|female characters]] and sometimes drops a hint Transformers may engage in (recreational) sex.

The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] brought the first official female Transformers into the canon, including [[Elita One]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. The characters are noticeably more feminine in design and some have clearly defined romantic relationships with male Transformers. In contrast, such relations between two individuals of the same gender are virtually unheard of.

{{--}}
==Accents==
{{Main|Accents}}

==See also==
* [[:Category:Transformer anatomy|Transformer anatomy]]
* [[Anatomic euphemism]]
* [[Relatives]]
* [[Transformer clothing|Clothing]]

==External links==
* [http://transfans.co.uk/comics_guide_detail.php?id=106&page=5 Transformers #94 Letters Page on Transfans.co.uk]

[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Humanization

2011-06-04T04:10:41Z

72.193.233.173: /* Breathing */

Throughout the various Transformers canon, there have been several instances of Transformers with humanistic traits and having very human actions that possibly conflict with their status as mechanical robots. Many of these instances can be dismissed as stylistic choices by the artists or as gags not to be taken seriously.

==Glandular, digestive, and respiratory==
===Sweating===
[[Image:LandsharkWOH-energondelivery.jpg|right|thumb|180px|]]

* In [[Prime Time!|issue twelve]] of the original [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''Generation 1'' comic]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] is seen leaking lubricant from his head during a stressful confrontation with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (as Shockwave points out), in a manner resembling sweating.
* Numerous times in the Marvel UK comic, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] can be seen "sweating".
* ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' and ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' featured Transformers displaying the traditional anime "sweat drop", a giant bead of liquid appearing at the side of the head to convey embarrassment or exasperation.
* [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] sweatdrops upon seeing a particularly scary expression on [[Lori]]'s face. {{storylink|Ambush}}
* [[Leozack]] sweatdrops oil when [[Landshark]] attacks him. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

===Coughing===
* In the G1 episode "[[Roll for It]]", when the Autobots emerge from the ruins of a demolished [[antimatter]] laboratory, they are coughing.
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] coughs when [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] surrounds him with smoke.{{storylink|Triple Takeover}}
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] coughs while infected with Cosmic Rust. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}
* In "[[Call of the Primitives]]", a fiery blast from [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] causes both the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] and [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to cough.
* In ''Beast Wars'', [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] begins to cough for no reason while making a triumphant speech. Much like Powerglide's "heart", this could be a one-shot joke. He also coughs while sleeping, and when amidst the smoky remains of an electrical fire.
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] fake-coughed in the episode "[[Sparkwar Pt. III: The Siege]]" of the [[Beast Machines (cartoon)|''Beast machines'' cartoon]] to draw [[Optimus Primal]]'s attention to the matter of [[Noble]].
* In the ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' episode "[[Secret Weapon: D-5]]", [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]], and [[Dark Scream]] all cough after inhaling smoke.
* In the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' episode "[[Mortal Combat]]", right after Optimus Prime says "I wish I could accommodate you," he coughs silently.
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] visibly coughs after [[Sam Witwicky]] uses the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to restore him to life in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', even expelling what appears to be dust.

===Breathing===
On ''[http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation Star Trek: The Next Generation]'', it was explained that the android [http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Data Data]'s breathing served to cool his inner components, but mostly so that he doesn't appear unnatural to the humans he was designed to resemble. He also blinks for this reason. It could be argued that breathing serves the same "cooling" purpose in Transformers, but this explanation is always going to smack of desperation.

* In an ''Energon'' episode, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] instructs [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] that they have to synchronize their breathing before they can [[Powerlinx|powerlink]].
* At the climax of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] tries to strangle [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], complete with sounds of Hot Rod gagging and struggling to breathe. It's possible that Galvatron was trying to compress Hot Rod's neck until the Autobot's head popped off, but that isn't likely.
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], calling for help as a python constricts him, says he can't breathe. {{storylink|Dark Voyage}}
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] is shown to be breathing heavily after trying to chase down Blurr, even though he quips in a previous episode that not needing to breathe is useful for an Autobot. {{storylink|Velocity}}
On the [[Nemesis (ROTF)| Nemesis]], [[Megatron (Movie)| Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Movie)| Starscream's]] breath can be seen due to condensation in the cold ship. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] breathes heavily as he runs in fear from [[Chaos (alien)|Chaos]] and the slave mines on [[Dread (planet)|Dread]]. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] is visibly breathing while in stasis. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}}
*{{storylink|A Team Effort}} comfirms that Transformers require ventilation airways in they're neck to prevent system overheating, as when [[ Charger| Charger]] strangles [[Roadgrabber| Roadgrabber]] in a fit of rage.

===Spitting===
* Throughout his term on the Marvel UK comic letters page, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] would regularly say "(Puttup)" after mentioning the Autobots or an Autobot's name to represent him spitting in disgust. This habit made an in-story appearance, with him spitting at [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]] despite his [[mouthplate]]. {{storylink|Second Generation!}}
* After [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] escapes from the Decepticons's New Jersey base via a sewer, he spits as he complains about their poor choice of back door.{{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}}
* In the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Tangled Web]]", [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] "spits" after reissuing his challenge to tangle with [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], despite the fact that, like Soundwave, he has no apparent mouth.
*In ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] repeatedly spits while talking to [[Sam Witwicky]] and his companions. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] also has to spit his mouth clean after being blasted across a forest by [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] spits twice: once at Sam while in the [[Broadwater Metal Works]] foundry, and again when he mentions Prime's name.
* [[Galvatron II|Galvatron II]] is seen spitting and drooling while explaining the situation.{{storylink|Out of Time!}} Both Megatron and Galvatron II are seen both spitting on each other. Gross!.{{storylink|Exodus!}}

===Crying===
[[Image:Omega Supreme tears up.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Tissue: desired.]]

* A twinkle of light that may not literally be a tear, but is clearly intended to imply one, can be seen in [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'s eye at the end of "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]".

* When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] dies in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] is seen to dab at her eyes.

* [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] told his colleagues he was about to "leak optical lubricant" when they wouldn't stop about giving up on [[Operation: Volcano]]. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

* In "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]", [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] has tears falling from his eyes, presumably in pain, during his monstrous disfigurement after he gains the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].

* There is a teardrop on young [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]]'s face after being beaten by Deathsaurus. {{storylink|The Star of Friendship, Jean and Star Saber!}}

* At the end of "[[Heroic! The Victory War]]", some Decepticons are crying over their defeat.

* As he mourns his dead friend [[Snowstalker]] and decides he can never fight again, [[Tigatron]] cries a single tear in beast mode.

* [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] wiped a fake tear when [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] put on the heroic act. {{storylink|Code of Hero}}

* When pondering [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]'s fate in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] is shown to shed a single tear from one of her spider eyes. {{storylink|Revelations Part I: Discovery}}

[[Image:Bw2 ep6 twinwaterfalls.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Surf's up—and I'm talkin' ''up''!]]

* Throughout ''[[Beast Wars II (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]]'' and ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', and occasionally in the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, several characters are seen crying in hyperbolic anime fashion.

* Tears can be seen welling up in [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]'s eyes and falling to the ground in ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' as he mourns a fallen comrade.

* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] told [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] to "cry him a river". {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}}

* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] cries over [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s death in [[The Art of War issue 5|''The Art of War'' #5]].

* In ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers: Animated]]'', [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] cries, though this "ability" could be part of her partially organic nature. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] cries after [[Sam Witwicky]] tells him cars are not allowed on campus, although he was exaggerating his sorrow and was likely deliberately leaking fluids to enhance the visual. ''{{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}''

* [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] was crying in the corner for not being in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron|War for Cybertron]] game. [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] had to talk to him. Again. {{Storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.12#Law and Disorder|Law and Disorder}}

===Eating===
[[Image:Optimusprime-mom.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Probably contains [[energon (fuel)|energon goodies]] in the shape of a happy face.]]

* There are references to [[Cybertronian food]].

* [[Skullcruncher]] has been known to eat Autobots as well as humans and other organics, despite not needing to do so to survive. Other Decepticons are disgusted by this practice.

* There are Pepsi and [[Destron Pizza|pizza]] in the refrigerator in [[Pepsi Convoy]]'s home.

* In ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', the Maximals and Predacons are shown to eat:
**[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] even displays something of a voracious appetite, eating rats and leaving webs to catch prey. At one point, he captures Cheetor and prepares to drain the Maximal's fluids, claiming that it is the act he prefers over the nourishment (which adds just another level of creepy to the already creepy Tarantulas). {{storylink|The Web}}
**[[Rattrap]] eats apples. {{storylink|The Web}}
**And garbage {{storylink|The Web}}
**[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] eats a bird. {{storylink|Power Surge}}
**[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] eats [[Clone One|his clone]]. [[Optimus Primal]] remarks that he is "disgusting". {{storylink|Double Dinobot}}
**While suffering from an [[Energon discharge virus]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] eats wild beans to build up his power. This later ends disastrously for [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Low Road}}
* In ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', [[Optimus Primal]] wants to eat the underground tree's fruit; [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] protests that "we don't eat food, we process [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]—PERIOD!", but is overruled. {{storylink|Forbidden Fruit}}
* According to [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] eats [[Autobot]] [[Protoform]]s for breakfast. But of course that could just be a rumour. {{Storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

===Flatulence===
* In the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[The Low Road]]", Rhinox lets out an extreme amount of flatulence after consuming wild bean vines. This could be due to Maximals having organic parts in their makeup.
* In the ''Beast Wars'' episode "[[Bad Spark]]", [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] also lets out flatulence, blaming it on a large buildup of energy from his [[Transmetal]] body.
* Just go watch ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. Happens every five minutes. You can set a clock by it.
* One of the [[Mini-Constructicon]]s "cuts one", causing the others to laugh and request someone to open a window in "[[Spotlight: Ramjet]]".

===Urination===
* [[Tasmania Kid]] urinates (in beast mode) to put out a fire.
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] performs a similar action on [[Seymour Simmons|Agent Simmons]] by popping off his automobile oil filter in robot mode. Optimus Prime claims that 'Bee is just leaking lubricants on him. Presumably, this action was inspired from witnessing a [[Mojo|similar incident]].
* [[Scoop (SG)|Scoop]] apperantly urinates himself in [[Do Over]]
* In Beast Wars II, [[DJ (BWII)|DJ]] is known for wetting himself whenever he drinks too much oil.

===Defecation===
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] defecates on [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' from Marvel UK issue [[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]].

===Intoxication===
* In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]] episode "[[Microbots]]", the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] behaving in a noticeably intoxicated fashion after consuming high-grade [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] refers to this as "over-energizing".
* In the UK comic, the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]] frequent a "bar" on Cybertron called [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], where they consume high-grade energon, presumably for the purposes of getting intoxicated. [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing]] pay a visit to this establishment in a later story, and get so hammered that they don't even notice [[Quickswitch]] fighting with some [[Mecannibal]]s.
* In ''Beast Wars II'', [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] gets "drunk" on numerous occasions.
* In the ''Beast Wars II'' manga, [[Lio Convoy]] gets drunk once and messes up [[Apache]]'s room.
* The [[Constructicon (Animated) |Constructicons]] in ''Animated'', whose personalities are shout-outs to construction worker stereotypes, seem to drink oil the way humans drink beer. However, they never actually get drunk.

===Miscellaneous===
[[Image:Cigarchomping.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Bet it's imported from Cubatron.]]
* [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] once gets a cold, causing him to cough and have a fever, in an issue of the [[Victory (manga)|''Victory'' manga]]. {{storylink|The Star of Friendship, Jean and Star Saber!}}

* [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]] got a bump on his head after being hit by Deathsaurus with a staff when they were young boys. {{storylink|The Star of Friendship, Jean and Star Saber!}}

* In ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'', [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] chomps on a [[cigar|cy-gar]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron}}

* [[Bumblebee (Animated)| Bumblebee]] has bandages wrapped around his middle after Sari is knocked out and the Autobots return to their base. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

* [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] wore a cast over his arm after being hit by a falling building. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}

{{-}}

==Body parts==
===Mouths/teeth/tongues===
{{Main|Teeth}}
{{Main|Tongue}}
{{Main|Mouthplate}}

* The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon series]] is the only major piece of fiction to ''not'' present Transformers as possessing [[teeth]] and/or [[Tongue|tongues]]. The features appear in both the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] comics, [[The Battlestars (manga)|''The Battlestars'' manga]], the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' animated series (where teeth would even be knocked out on occasion), the ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon, and the [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons and comics.

* In an episode of [[Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]], [[Browning]] sticks his tongue out at [[Wilder]] and [[Bullhorn]] after they insult [[Cancer]].

*In the [[live-action film series]], the more human-like the robot, the more they are likely to have teeth. In the case of, say, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], his teeth are mechanical cubes overlaid on each other, while [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] has bona fide fangs. Optimus spits out a piece of his shattered faceplate in the second film, which is intended to resemble a boxer spitting out a tooth after a brutal match. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

* One of the most prevalent examples of this tradition is the [[Kiss Players (manga)|''Kiss Players'' manga]], in which a [[Legion]] character is equipped with a distinctive prehensile (and phallic) tongue.

===Eyeballs/eyelashes===
[[Image:AutoBerserk OptimusPrime closedeyes.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Oh, my eyes!!]]
* In the episode "[[Auto Berserk]]", Optimus Prime's eyes are closed (apparently to shield them against the smoke) much like a human's when the Autobots stagger out of the fire and smoke of the Negavator's destruction.

* Cyclonus also closes his eyes when Galvatron is about to go through the [[Alya]] treatment and he cannot bear to watch. {{storylink|Webworld}}

* [[Lyzack]] sports some pretty heavy-duty eyelashes for her brief appearance in the ''[[Victory (manga)|Victory]]'' manga. So does [[Esmeral (Victory)|Esmeral]]. {{storylink|Heroic! The Victory War}}

* In [[Spotlight: Hot Rod]], Hot Rod is shown to have what appears to be blast shields for his optics when he passes out after landing. Dealer's optics are mostly covered by his eyelids, so he looks half-passed out. ''Per an email query to IDW, their response is that Transformers do not have eyelids, that it's just artistic license.''

* The robots in the [[live-action film series]] have eyes designed to resemble cameras, enabling them to dilate and blink.

* ''Animated'' [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] has eyelids. He also blinks frequently.

* The cyborg [[GoBots (franchise)|GoBots]], as portrayed in the animated cartoon, do in fact possess eyelids (when the eyes aren't covered by a visor) and frequently blink. Some also have visible pupils.

* Most robots in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' possess camera-like eyes similar to those seen in the live-action films, which dilate, contract, and blink in a highly human-like fashion. Notably, they also replicate the involuntary, back-and-forth movements of the human eye when idle.

<center><gallery>
Image:Esmeral-manga.jpg
Image:LyzackEyelashes01.jpg|About 15 gallons of mascara for those things.
Image:HotRodOpticShields.jpg|Hey, wake up!
Image:Dealerseyelids.jpg|Got munchies?
</gallery></center>

===Obesity===
Although Transformers come in all shapes and sizes anyway, some characters have particularly round appearances that suggest something equivalent to human obesity.

* In [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Grim Grams #94]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] mentioned that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] weighs a little over 90 tons and "could stand to lose a little around the fuel storage system".
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] complained that the Decepticons had grown "fat and complacent" under [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s rule. {{storylink|Surrender!}}
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] is virtually as wide as he is tall and is depicted as extremely round, with very short, stubby legs. It gives him more than a passing resemblance to a heavily obese person, or at best one of those huge, flabby, off-season wrestlers.
* Much the same could be said of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Being big-chassised is no excuse to let yourself go.
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|''Animated'' Ratchet]] has a prominent gut that resembles a human paunch. Although ordinarily this might be considered merely a feature of his transformation scheme (ala [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]), he is specifically designed to be a crotchety "old man" character, and in flashback sequences to his younger days in the Great War, he notably ''lacks'' said paunch.
* [[Gnaw]]. Well, all the [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], really, but seriously. It's kind of comically appropriate that the robots which do absolutely nothing but hang out and eat stuff all day are so roly-poly.

===Masculine characteristics===
====Facial hair====
{{Main|Facial hair}}

* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Unicron]], and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] all sport "facial hair" in the G1 cartoon. In addition to that, ''Energon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Bulkhead (Energon)|Bulkhead]], the films' Optimus (who has a goatee), [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and ''Animated''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]], [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]], and [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|the other Wreck-Gar]] all have varying amounts of facial hair. (The last of these was modeled after [["Weird Al" Yankovic|his voice actor's]] own, prior to his appearance's overhaul.)

====Nuts, Bolts and Screws====
[[Image:LightfootDramaticEncounter Gilmer's injury.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
* [[Gilmer]] got rammed in his crotch by [[Lightfoot]], causing it to become red and Gilmer to clutch it, groaning he got "kicked in the balls". {{storylink|Lightfoot: A Dramatic Encounter}}

* [[Rattrap]] kicks [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] in the groin, causing apparent pain and giving him a high-pitched voice. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 1}}

* [[Stampy (BWN)|Stampy]] once suggested a kick to the "unmentionables" as a workable battle tactic. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 3|The Ascending #3}}

* [[Heinrad]] has a set in [[Beast mode|tanuki mode]]. Since tanuki are known for their massive testicles, his equipment's existence actually makes sense.

* [[Flareup (Timelines)|Flareup]] interpreted the word "[[AllSpark Key|key]]" in "[[Wikipedia:Ghostbusters|keymaster]]" a little differently than [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] intended. {{storylink|Bee in the City}}

* [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] has a pair of dangling wrecking balls in a... very unfortunate place. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

* [[Dickbot the blender guy|Blenderbot]] has a... well... [[:Image:Appliancebots2.jpg|just look for yourself (NSFW?)]]. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

===Feminine characteristics===
[[Image:CrossingtheRubicron-newbody.jpg|right|230px|thumb|I'd tap it like the fist of an angry god.]]
{{main|Female Transformer}}

====Breasts====
Some female Transformers, such as [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Elita One]] (not to mention the ''other'' [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] and [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Elita-1]]) have a protruding chest area that bears no apparent relation to their alt mode [[kibble]], but bears some vague resemblance to clothed human breasts, or a "monoboob", if you will. Some females even have two separate and even more distinctly rounded breast-like protuberances, particularly in their fictional depictions. [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], [[Antagony]] and [[Beta (G1)|Beta]] all fall into this category. One, [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)| Thunderblast]], even has [[:Image:ThunderblastBoobsAndNipples01.jpg|visible nipples]]. ''(You're going to look, aren't you...?)''

====Lips====
[[Image:G1 Silverbolt cartoon.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Though not female, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]'s got <s>sexy</s> nice lips.]]
Another common feature to denote gender in some female Transformers (mostly only in the fiction) is distinctly fuller, plumper lips than is standard, such as Blackarachnia's in ''Beast Wars''. Sometimes, however, they will additionally have red or otherwise different/darker colouration to their lips, with an evident similarity to human lipstick. Such paint-mouthed femmes include Blackarachnia in ''Beast Machines'', her [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|''Animated'' cousin]], and the [[Female Autobots|G1 Female Autobots]].

As far as males go, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] clearly has thicker lips than the average male Transformer would, as does [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] and [[Optimus Prime (Animated)| Optimus Prime]].

====Hips====
[[Image:SpacePirates Arcee Bunsofsteel.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Dan Reed, you perv.]]

Alike to humans, many a female Transformer has a distinctly more curving hipstructure.

:''See also the '''[[Humanization#Sexuality|Sexuality]]''' section below.

{{--}}

===Questionable body parts===
[[Image:Powerglide heart.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Not [[Wikipedia:Astroboy|Astroboy]], we swear!]]

* Nearly all Transformers seem to possess noses for no discernible functional reason, ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' characters and movieverse [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] being exceptions. Movie [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] also notes that he can smell [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] when the latter is trying to escape from him, and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] remarks that he can "smell" [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]]. This would seem to imply that movieverse Transformers have a form of olfactory systems. The idea of noses is somewhat 'fixed' in ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers Prime]]'' by having the noses be a visible part of the robot's helmet as opposed to being part of their face.

* At the end of the G1 episode "[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]", [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] is seen to have the LED outline of a cartoon heart within his chassis. This is somewhat nonsensical even within in the context of the show (the contents of Transformers chest cavities had been shown several times before), and is doubtless merely meant as a one-off sight gag.

* Although listed separately above, breasts and "nuts, bolts and screws" would also fit under this category quite well, seeing as there doesn't appear to be any use for them on Transformers, other than to show them off.

;Brains
[[Image:PredaBrain1.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Predaking: All brawn AND brains!]]

* [[Predaking]] has an organic brain when he is sliced in half in the [[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|''Zone'' cartoon]].

* [[Unicron]] also has an organic brain in the G.I. Joe crossover, [[Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2|Black Horizon Part 2]].

{{-}}

==Other biological functions==
===Sleep===
* In the G1 comic, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] plays a prank on [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] while he is in "rest mode." {{storylink|Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Trailbreaker's ''Universe'' profile}} [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] falls asleep and dreams (or rather, has a nightmare), an experience Prime refers to as an "involuntary systems shutdown". {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} Skids is also seen to require a manually activated nightly shutdown to conserve energy. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Kup later attempts to rouse a vision-struck Optimus Prime by urging him to "wake up"—then reminds himself that "we don't sleep!" {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} When [[Donny Finkleberg]] remarks that unlike machines, humans need to rest, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] informs him Transformers need to as well to conserve fuel. Skids also has an on/off button in his dashboard. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}
* In the Japanese ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' cartoon, [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] is able to use a form of hypnotism on the Autobots, which can include lulling them to sleep.
* In ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', it has been firmly established that (perhaps partially due to their organic components), all Transformers within the cartoon sleep. Some prime examples of this are:
**Megatron has been shown to sleep in the command chair of the ''Darksyde'', while his dino head mounted on the end of his arm stays awake, looks around, and smiles slyly. Wonder what it thinks about...
** Cheetor has been shown asleep at many points, complete with (occasionally prophetic) dreams. In "[[Feral Scream Part 2]]", he also purrs when he's asleep. How cute!
** In "[[Call of the Wild]]", the Maximals are kept awake for two days by the Predacons' non-stop attacks on their base, which exacerbate their beast instincts overriding their logic circuits.
* In ''Beast Wars II'', [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] often nods off in a narcoleptic-like fashion.
* In the ''Beast Wars II'' manga, Lio Convoy sleeps and has a nightmare at one point.
* ''Armada'' [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] is quite fond of catching forty winks when possible. [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] does the same on one occasion. Armada Megatron is also seen asleep twice in the episode "Rebellion".
* ''Animated'' [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] enters a form of sleep he calls a "stasis nap", during which he gets several parking tickets. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}
* Also in ''Animated'', when the Autobots feel tired after drinking an oil-nog, they decide to go to sleep, pardon, to take a stasis nap. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]] even yawns. {{storylink|Human Error, Part I}}

===Aging===
{{main|Life cycle}}
Some Transformers have been depicted as aging.

* [[Image:Alpha Trion through the epochs.jpg|right|250px|thumb|]][[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] has been depicted in three different eras: 11 million years in the past, 9 million years in the past, and the present day. Though his [[character model]] undergoes many changes, his facial hair changes seem to mimic human aging. In his (chronologically) earliest depiction, he has a small black mustache. In his second depiction, his mustache has turned white. By the modern era, he sports a long mustache and beard.

* The [[Overlord (rank)|Overlord]] was so old that his body needed a regular energy supply to keep him functioning. {{storylink|State Games}}

[[Image:MangaYoungDeathyStarSaber.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Young and Innocent]]
* [[Xaaron]] couldn't transform anymore because he was old.

* In an issue of the Marvel UK G1 comics, Kup's systems are going to shut down because he is too old.

* [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] and [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]] are depicted as "child" Transformers, complete with childlike temperaments, in flashbacks. {{storylink|The Star of Friendship, Jean and Star Saber!}}

* [[Cohrada]] is depicted as "child" in his flashback in the issue "[[A Battle Fought Alone]]".

* Movieverse [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] has a cane and is rusting. Some parts even fall off him when he transforms!

* [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] claimed to have been a classic car when he was younger, and a tricycle when he was younger. While he was lying, his story was plausible enough for [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]]. On the other hand, Slapper is an idiot.

{{-}}

===Sexuality===
[[Image:Sideburnhearts.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Sorry, Side Burn, I don't think Wedge rolls that way.]]
{{Main|Transformer romance}}
{{Main|Reproduction}}

One of the most controversial aspects of Transformers is the idea of sexuality. While it is established in most continuities that Transformers do not reproduce sexually, most continuities nonetheless have distinctive male and [[Female Transformer|female characters]] and sometimes drops a hint Transformers may engage in (recreational) sex.

The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] brought the first official female Transformers into the canon, including [[Elita One]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. The characters are noticeably more feminine in design and some have clearly defined romantic relationships with male Transformers. In contrast, such relations between two individuals of the same gender are virtually unheard of.

{{--}}
==Accents==
{{Main|Accents}}

==See also==
* [[:Category:Transformer anatomy|Transformer anatomy]]
* [[Anatomic euphemism]]
* [[Relatives]]
* [[Transformer clothing|Clothing]]

==External links==
* [http://transfans.co.uk/comics_guide_detail.php?id=106&page=5 Transformers #94 Letters Page on Transfans.co.uk]

[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Cypher

2011-05-30T01:37:10Z

72.193.233.173:

:''Cypher is a [[Transformer]] from the "[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]" [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Reunification_Cypher.jpg|thumb|300px| "Ignorance is bliss."]]
'''Cypher''' is a resident of a hidden building on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. He seems like a swell guy.

Bit of a cipher, though.

==Fiction==
===Shattered Glass===
When [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] knocked the entrance of the building he was hiding out at, Cypher opened the door. Breakaway thanked him, and Cypher responded to the "Healer" in kind. Then, after Breakway, [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]], and [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]] conversed about the crappy situation they were in, something happened! {{storylink|Reunification: Part 2}}

Cypher and the other residents of the hideout, with the exception of Breakway, Topspin, and Landquake, were frozen in place, revealed to be the doings of [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]], so he could reveal his plans for the trio (and [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]]). Cypher and the others remained immobile throughout the entire conversation. When Aquarius's [[slow time]] abilities expired, [[Computron (SG)|Computron]] ripped off the roof of the hideout, surprising the residents. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 3}} As Landquake shot out Computron's eyes, Cypher and the other ordinary residents fled the scene. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 4}}

[[Category:Comic-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Fan Club-original characters]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass characters]]
[[Category:Transformers]]

Thundercracker (Movie)

2011-05-14T20:51:57Z

72.193.233.173: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticonfilm}}
{{picsneeded|Appearances in fiction}}
{{disambig3|Thundercracker}}
:''Thundercracker is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:ReignofStarscream3 Thundercracker.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"I was in the movie, I had a great scene... you just weren't allowed to see it...the, uh, special edition will have it."]]
'''Thundercracker''' is the master of fear. His victims can hear him coming from 200 miles away, which is the way he likes it—it's not worth the effort it takes to kill them unless they're nice and terrified first. He doesn't care much about galactic conquest or the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]], but as long as [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] allows him to indulge himself, he's happy to serve.

A fellow [[Seeker (Movie)|Seeker]] and loyal to a fault, Thundercracker is [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s personal choice for Second in Command once he takes control. In fact, bar a lack of experience, he is in many ways comparable to Starscream in skill. However, the air commander is not simply going to hand the job over, and Thundercracker must prove himself worthy by seizing the opportunity with both servos.

==Fiction==
===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{notetitantlg}}

[[Image:Thundercracker Titan10.jpg|left|300px|thumb|"Alright, Thundercracker?" "Not bad, Thundercracker. How's you and Thundercracker?"]]
Thundercracker was the designation for a series of drone units used in the Decepticon occupation of Earth. [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] led a group of Thundercrackers in the annihilation of the [[NATO]] nuclear fleet. The drones were skilled enough to take out submarines with their guns whilst still in high-speed flight. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}}

A black non-drone Thundercracker serves under Starscream, carrying out a recon sweep at the Okeechobee energon field. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}}

A ''blue'' non-drone Thundercracker was present for Starscream's moment of glory and at the taking of Savannah. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 19|Return to Cybertron: Part 3}} That same Thundercracker was a key part of an ambush when the Autobots re-entered Savannah, flying with [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] and hitting Optimus with a barrage of missiles. Unfortunately, an Autobot sonic attack knocked everyone out of the sky. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

Thundercracker served as one of Starscream's generals in the attempted reconquest of America. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}

{{note|The following events occur in the Star Screams timeline.}}

Thundercracker and Starscream are old colleagues and Starscream would like to reunite with him, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|#9's Star Screams}} though he also sneers at Thundercracker for having a lack of drive.

At some point, Thundercracker had an F-15 form, implying he was with Starscream in his [[:Image:Starscream 1982.jpg|covert mission in 1980s Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|#11's Star Screams}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
Many years ago, Thundercracker was member of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[Defense Force]] under the command of Protector Megatron. When a [[The Fallen|mysterious relic]] was uncovered, aliens from the [[Eshems Nebula]] attacked, leveling much of the city of [[Metrotitan (ROTF)|Metrotitan]]. Thundercracker was among the forces deployed to defend their home. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 1}} Following this outrageous attack on their sovereignty, Megatron used this to declare a military dictatorship and led the flight-capable soldiers in a bloody counterattack on the aliens. During the battle, Thundercracker and his comrade [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]] competed against each other in the numbers of confirmed kills. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2}}

After Megatron discovered that science leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] had snooped around his quarters, he issued orders for the arrest of the scientist, but assigned Starscream and Thundercracker's team the task with assassinating those escorting Optimus. However, they underestimated the scientist's fighting prowess and paid for it when an entire ''city'' was dropped on top of their heads. They survived, and Megatron used Optimus' act of self-defense as a catalyst for declaring them traitors and forming a new faction: the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3}}

During the subsequent civil war, Thundercracker fought against [[Strongarm (Movie)|Strongarm]] and was present for the launch of the Decepticon flagship ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]''. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4}}

Late in the war, Optimus '''Prime''' ejected the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]] into deep space, forcing both sides to quit the war on Cybertron to chase after it. [[Blackout (Movie)|While]] [[Barricade (Movie)|the]] [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|other]] [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticons]] [[Wreckage (Movie)|went]] to [[Earth]] in search of the All Spark, he waited aboard [[Nemesis (Movie)|Starscream's battlecruiser]], hidden on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] with only [[Hardtop (Movie)|Hardtop]] for company. When Starscream returned with the seemingly lifeless [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], Thundercracker was there to greet his barely functioning Commander and brought him aboard for repairs.

Afterwards, Starscream began to confide in his subordinate his plans for recreating [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while Thundercracker questioned him on both his new [[alternate mode]] and the fate of the All Spark. Before they could finish their chat, Hardtop alerted them that the ship was under Autobot attack. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 2|The Reign of Starscream #2}}

[[Image:ReignofStarscream3 Camshaft dies.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Face it Cliffjumper! You're not half the man Camshaft is!"]]

Thundercracker sent in [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]], [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]], and [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] drones to soften up the Autobots, and then entered the fray himself, shooting down [[Air Raid (Movie)|Air Raid]] and unleashing his sonic weaponry on the rest of the team. He then swiftly slew [[Camshaft (Movie)|Camshaft]] and wounded [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]], but he took a little too much time savoring the latter's fear and soon found himself at the mercy of Cliffjumper and [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]]. The revitalized Starscream was forced to enter the fray to save his would-be second-in-command, and he killed or critically damaged the entire Autobot squad. After berating him for his failure, Starscream took Thundercracker back on board and took the ''Nemesis'' back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. They landed in the Decepticon city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]], where they were greeted by [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]]. Starscream ordered Thundercracker to undergo repairs. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3|The Reign of Starscream #3}}

Thundercracker's status received a boost after Starscream's copy All Spark failed. While Dreadwing and Ramjet turned on the Seeker leader, Stockade and Thundercracker fought at his side. As Dreadwing made his escape, Starscream gave chase, and when Thundercracker told him he would take care of Dreadwing's drones, Starscream wished "Commander" Thundercracker luck.

After Starscream and Dreadwing were transported by the space bridge, Thundercracker transformed and began to search for his lord, who, having been returned to Mars, was comforted by the fact he had some actual allies still out there. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 5|The Reign of Starscream #5}}

Later, Thundercracker caught up to Arcee's spaceship by an undesignated planet. Eager for a chance to settle the score, Thundercracker singlehandedly massacred his way through the ship until he caught up with Arcee and gleefully tore her apart limb from limb. However, he wasn't about to let her off so easily. He brought her remains back to the outpost he commanded so that [[Flatline|Flatline]] could experiment on her. Flatline questioned Thundercracker whether or not her spark was cut out for his latest far-reaching, objectionable experiment. But Thundercracker insisted it would be and scolded him for squandering the outpost's supply of protoforms on some of his not-so-successful endeavors.

Once Arcee regained consciousness in a strange new body, Thundercracker dropped by to pay his respects personally, casually remarking he got 'carried away' taking her down. Even though Arcee couldn't quite remember him, Thundercracker and Flatline revealled their plan to use her spark to power three discarded protoforms to bolster Decepticon forces and helped the medic carry out the procedure. The experiment was successful...But perhaps a little too successful when all three Arcees escaped, freeing [[Skids (ROTF)|two]] [[Mudflap (ROTF)|other]] prisoners with her. Ultimately, Thundercracker had to personally intervene and subdued one of the three Arcees. However, even he was no match for the combined forces of the two other fury-driven Arcees and was forced to flee. After Flatline purged the outpost, the wounded Thundercracker bitterly watched Arcee, Skids and Mudflap escape on their shuttle.{{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 6}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}

===''Unite for the Universe''===
After [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], high on the power [[Project Unite|Project: Unite]] granted him, attacked various human installations, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] became furious that he would so without his command. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], on his behalf, sent [[Brimstone (TF 2010)|Brimstone]] and Thundercracker to intercept the rogue Decepticon. Thundercracker was shot down with little difficulty and Brimstone soon followed his teammate when Starscream transformed and plunged his claws through Brimstone's torso. {{Storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 2|On the Road to Destruction}}

==Games==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
Under [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]'s command, Thundercracker did battle with the Autobots using machine guns, cruise missiles and sonic booms. He could also perform a "Thunder Punch" and a "Terror Slash", but it's unclear exactly what those attacks involved. Thundercracker may also have participated in the seemingly inter-dimensional "Energon Wars" conflict, during which the Decepticons were led by [[Megatron (BW)|Predacon Megatron]] against [[Optimus Primal]]'s Autobots. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game}}

===Transformers: The Game (PSP)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Seth Bleiler]]

[[Image:Thundercracker movie psp.jpg|left|170px|thumb|Just like you are embarrassed by your high school picture, Thundercracker is embarrassed by his depiction in this game.]]
Thundercracker was [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]'s right-hand man and confidante, and came to Earth alongside him and the other Decepticons. After Shockwave received a communique from [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] informing him that the Autobots had found a lead to the location of the lost Decepticon leader [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], Thundercracker airlifted his boss into Qatar so they could relay the message to [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]. Shockwave decided to follow up on the lead himself, and had Thundercracker take him to the Arctic, where they battled their way through a platoon of Autobots that had already arrived and searched the ice cavern that Megatron's body had been found in. Although Megatron had already been moved by [[Sector Seven]], Shockwave discovered that Megatron had brought an army of drones to Earth with him which were currently lying dormant on Earth.

Thundercracker and Shockwave subsequently travelled south, keeping themselves hidden by making the trip submerged in a large body of water, heading for an unknown location. Thundercracker was fairly puzzled by the whole affair, as Shockwave was playing the mission objective close to his chest, but things soon became clear when he discovered that they had arrived at a rocket launch site. While Thundercracker created a distraction by attacking the facility, Shockwave slipped in and programmed the rocket with the signal code required to reactivate the drones. Once the rocket blasted off, the signal was beamed down across the world, bringing the drone army back on-line.

A platoon of drones proceeded to attack the Autobots who were on their way to [[Hoover Dam]], forcing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] to break off and take care of them. The fight carried the two Autobots to the [[Smash Derby]] arena, where Thundercracker attacked them. Unfortunately for the Decepticon, the two Autobots overpowered him, and forced him to reveal the origin of the drone army, providing them with the information they needed to take the drones down. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (PSP)|Transformers The Game (PSP)}}

{{note|The PSP game was the first piece of media to feature the movie incarnation of Thundercracker, and based him on the [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] drone body-type, with a new head. Later depictions of the character, naturally, ignored this rendition and based Thundercracker on his toy, a [[redeco]] of the [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] in true Generation 1 fashion.}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
[[Image:Movie Voyager Thundercracker toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I'm blue, dabadee dabadi, dabadee dabadi]]
*'''Thundercracker''' (Voyager, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-19'''
**''Accessories:'' 6 missiles

:This version of Thundercracker is a [[Retool|retooling]] of the [[Movie (toyline)|''Transformers'']] Voyager class [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] toy, with a new head. Cast mostly in light blue and grey plastic resembling ''Generation 1'' [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker's]] paint scheme, he transforms into a [[wikipedia:F-22|Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor]] fighter jet. As with Starscream, this vehicle mode is ''ridiculously'' inaccurate. Farcically so. Pushing the fighter along a smooth surface causes the barrels of his gigantic spring-loaded Gatling missile launchers to rotate and fire their projectiles, which can also be stored in the black flip-up braces on the launchers.

:During transformation, pushing up upon the canopy fuselage piece activates Thundercracker's [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] gimmick which pushes panels out of the torso, wings and stabilizers. In robot mode, his projectile missiles are sculpted to resemble fingers, should users choose keep them loaded while Thundercracker is in robot mode.

:This version of the mold was later [[Redeco|redecoed]] into the [[Target]]-[[exclusive]] ''Generation 1'' style-Starscream and the [[Walmart]]-exclusive ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Skywarp (ROTF)|Skywarp]]. The original mold was used to make ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]].

{{-}}

===Revenge of the Fallen===
*'''War for the Skies''' (Legends multi-pack, 2009)

[[Image:KMartROTFThundercracker.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Beefcake! BEEEEFCAAAAKE!]]

:''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Thundercracker was available only as part of the [[Kmart]]-[[exclusive]] "[[War for the Skies]]" [[Legends Class]] battlepack, He is a [[redeco]] of [[Size class|Legends class]] [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], colored very similarly to his Voyager class toy from 2007.

:He comes with the Legends-class figures [[Blades (ROTF)|Autobot Blades]], [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] and [[Spinister (ROTF)|Spinister]].
{{-}}

===Dark of the Moon===
*'''Thundercracker''' (MechTech Deluxe, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:''
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Blaster/Assault Saw, Null Ray Cannon/Sword

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
[[Image:3DBattleCard_Thundercracker.jpg|thumb|right|250px|]]
* '''Thundercracker''' (3D Battle Card, 2007)
**''Card number:''

:[[3D Battle-Card Game]] Thundercracker consists of two card with punch-out pieces that can be assembled into a robot or a jet. He uses the same parts layout as live-action Starscream, [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] and [[Jetfire (Movie)|Jetfire]], but is decorated like [[Thundercracker (G1)|Generation 1 Thundercracker]]. This layout was also used for [[Starscream (G1)|Classic Starscream]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] in the "Energon Wars" expansion set.

:Thundercracker's card art was done by [[Lucio Parrillo]].

{{-}}

==Notes==
* Curiously, Thundercracker's upturned nosecone behind his head is interpreted as being a part of his head on the box art. Target-exclusive [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], which was released nearly concurrently, uses the same box art, but with the odd nosecone section correctly removed.
*Because of his Dark of the Moon figure, Thundercracker is the only non-movie character to get toys in all three films.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Thundercracker/thundercracker.htm Thundercracker at TFU.info]
* [http://www.wizards.com/transformers/ 3D Battle Card Game at Wizards of the Coast]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kmart exclusives]]
[[Category:Seekers]]

Out of His Head

2011-05-09T02:43:33Z

72.193.233.173: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 14
|prev=Sick Mind
|next=Shadowzone
|image=OutOfHisHead-evileye.jpg
|caption=If looks could kill.
|title="Out of His Head"
|airdate=[[May 7]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Megatron attempts to resurrect himself using Dark Energon by controling Bumblebee's mind.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:OutOfHisHead-basketball.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I really enjoyed playing with you guys. Let's play some basketball. I really enjoyed playing with you guys. Let's play some basketball. I really enjoyed playing with you guys. Let's play some basketball. ]]
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] concludes his tests on [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] and gives their leader a clean bill of health. Optimus thanks Ratchet and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]], while [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] is unsure whether she managed to successfully end [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]'s life during their mission on the [[Nemesis (Prime)|Decepticon ship]]. In truth and unknown to any of the others, Megatron's psyche still dwells in Bumblebee's processor, and he's determined to reclaim his own body.

[[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] referees a basketball game between Bumblebee and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]. Bulkhead easily sinks the first basket, but as Bumblebee goes to shoot, he suddenly flashes back to the [[space bridge]] explosion. When Bulkhead interrupts the vision, he gets the ball thrown at his head. Bumblebee apologizes and they play on. Later on, Bumblebee freezes as Megatron takes control. Megatron wonders how he escaped the destruction of the space bridge, and he recalls [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] pulling the sliver of [[Dark Energon]] from his chest and decides to find and take revenge upon his apprentice.

On the Decepticon warship, [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] taunts Megatron's body with the Dark Energon sliver, announcing that he has come up with a new, epic plan that will convince the other Decepticons that he's worthy of leadership. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] arrives in time to hear the tail end of the speech.

Waiting outside his house, [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] calls [[Jack Darby|Jack]], who is already in class, to complain that Bumblebee hasn't picked him up for school. Bumblebee is at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]], being puppeted by Megatron to crush a piece of equipment. Ratchet is irritated by the destruction, and Bumblebee explains his visions of Megatron. Ratchet induces a power-down to allow Bumblebee's mind time to rest. While he's explaining this to Optimus and Raf, they get a call from [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]], who says that [[Decepticon]]s have broken into the [[Kauai Naval Observatory]] in [[Hawaii]] and stolen the [[Heuck Nigoghossian telescope]]'s primary lens. Fortunately, the lens has a tracking device, and the Autobots trace it to the [[Arctic]], where there's a massive, unmineable [[energon (fuel)|energon]] deposit—unmineable unless the glacier it's in is melted, something that would devastate coastal cities.

Indeed, the Decepticons have already created a heat ray with the lens, and Starscream begins melting the glacier in question.

[[Image:OutOfHisHead-vigil.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''While You Were Beeping'', starring Sandra Bullock.]]

Raf chats with the shut-down Bumblebee, despite Ratchet pointing out that Bumblebee can't hear him. Raf asserts that Bumblebee is family and shows off a photo of his parents and siblings.

Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead walk through the Arctic and locate the Decepticon warship, which is warming things up with its heat ray.

Ratchet leaves Raf and Bumblebee to find parts to repair the equipment Bumblebee damaged. While he's gone, Bumblebee suddenly powers up and heads to the main control room, where he activates the [[GroundBridge]]. Ratchet and Raf are surprised to find him departing through the GroundBridge and wonder where the diminutive [[Autobot]] is going. Bumblebee arrives at the battlefield where Optimus and Ratchet once fought Megatron's army of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]], in search of the Dark Energon shard Megatron used to raise the dead. Ratchet attempts to use the GroundBridge to follow Bumblebee, but once he activates it, Bumblebee promptly steps back through, carrying the Dark Energon, and decks the medic. Having placed Raf out of the way, Bumblebee runs back through the GroundBridge. Ratchet realizes that Megatron's mind has taken over Bumblebee, and he tracks the scout to coordinates in the Arctic. Raf insists on going too.

Atop the Decepticon warship, Starscream spots Bulkhead and Arcee. Knock Out orders [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] to deal with the two Autobots, and the big 'Con starts laying into them. Meanwhile, the unseen Optimus scales a nearby cliff.

Ratchet and Raf arrive in the Decepticon ship to find disabled [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s everywhere. They reach the lab, where Bumblebee has hooked himself up to Megatron's body, but when Ratchet attacks Bumblebee, he's knocked across the room. Raf manages to encourage Bumblebee to retake control, but it's only a brief respite. Ratchet yanks the life support cable from Megatron, only to again be tossed across the room. Despite a last-ditch attempt by Raf to stop Bumblebee, the scout plunges the Dark Energon shard into Megatron's body, and Megatron awakens. A group of Vehicons arrives to find Megatron has risen from the dead, and he orders them to terminate the Autobots. Ratchet, Bumblebee and Raf retreat.

[[Image:OutOfHisHead-grabby.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"Exit, stage lef—GURRK!"]]

Optimus reaches the top of his cliff and takes a flying leap onto the Decepticon ship. On the ground, Arcee and Bulkhead continue to battle Breakdown. Starscream and Knock Out spot Optimus coming towards them across the hull of the ship, and Starscream turns the heat ray on the Autobot leader. Undeterred, Optimus drives all the way up to the heat ray and slices it with his sword, causing the whole thing to explode. Optimus is thrown to the ground, only to face the rage of Starscream, who begins diving towards him, missiles at the ready. Starscream is intercepted halfway through the dive by Megatron, who takes his disloyal lieutenant back to the Decepticon warship. Faced with his old leader, Starscream attempts to flee in his vehicle mode, only for Megatron to grab him by the tail and toss him against the ship. Even the promise of nearby Autobots to destroy isn't enough to distract Megatron, who begins dragging Starscream away by the head.

Watching the still-blazing ship depart, Optimus radios Ratchet for a bridge, but Ratchet, Bumblebee and Raf appear nearby.

Later at base, Ratchet finishes checking over Bumblebee, who thanks Raf for helping to rescue him.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (7)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (10)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (11)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (14)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (15)

|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (6)
*[[Jack Darby]] (8)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (9)
*[[Sierra's friend]] (12)
*[[William Fowler]] (13)

}}

==Quotes==
"Lucky for us Megatron was still alive. <Bumblebee says something> Yeah, I actually said that."
:—'''Arcee''' surprising us all.

"Hm, hm. Yes, very nice."
:—'''Ratchet''' is unimpressed with Raf's picture of his family.

"Yes! I love when a plan comes together!"
:—'''Starscream''', fan of the A-Team.

"Decepticons! Your rightful lord and master has returned!"
:—'''Megatron''' reawakens.

"Megatron's greatest mistake was ever allowing you to live, Prime !"
:—'''Starscream''', few seconds before Megatron shows up.

"But the Autobots! Optimus! Right there, waiting for you!" 
"My greatest mistake? I've made a few. But there is one I do not intend to make again!"
:—A desperate '''Starscream''' and a surprisingly self-aware '''Megatron'''.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===

===Continuity errors===
*Although Bumblebee is not able to speak, he is able to produce Megatron's voice. Of course, Megatron could be speaking through Bumblebee and what we hear is Raf's "translation".

===Continuity notes===
* Arcee hasn't forgotten her trip to the Arctic in "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]."
* It seems that Megatron was conscious (and able to perfectly remember) when Starscream extracted the fragment of Dark Energon from his chest in "[[Masters & Students]]."
* The fight with the Dark Energon zombies took place in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]".
* Bulkhead and Bumblebee play with the same ball he used for lobbing with [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] in "[[Con Job]]".
* Raf doesn't know how he understands Bumblebee, as stated in his [[Raf's Notes|notebook]].

===Transformers references===
* Optimus Prime recalls their "end run on [[Polyhex]]."
* An enraged Megatron carrying away Starscream to inflict horrible punishment? Just like old [[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|times]]!
* Starscream announces the beginning of "[[The Reign of Starscream|the reign of Lord Starscream]]".

===Foreign dubbing===

===Real-world references===
*The Heuck Nigoghossian telescope is named for ''Prime'' directors Vinton Heuck and [[Shaunt Nigoghossian]].
*Starscream [[Wikipedia:The A-Team|loves it when a plan comes together.]]

===Trivia===
* In the real world, large telescopes use mirrors, not lenses.
* Raf apparently has seven people in his family, including himself. He also has at least two sisters.
* Sierra's friend sits in front of Jack in at least one class (or perhaps homeroom). And yet she is still unnamed.
* Even Raf doesn't know how he understands Bumblebee. [[Sari Sumdac|He's a robot]], isn't he?
* Jack's ringtone is the same as in [[Darkness Rising, Part 1 |Darkness Rising, Part 1]]

==Home video releases==

==External links==

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Transformer

2011-05-08T17:44:41Z

72.193.233.173: /* Transformers: Prime */

{{disambig2|the living alien robots|the brand that they appear and are sold as toys in|Transformers brand}}
{{Disambigr|Transformers|other uses of Transformers|Transformers (disambiguation)}}
[[Image:Bumblebeeg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], a Transformer, transforming. Savvy?]]
The '''Transformers''' are a species of [[wikipedia:Sentience|sentient]], living robotic beings (mostly) originating from the distant machine world of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The stories of their lives, their histories, and most especially their wars have been chronicled across many different [[Continuity|continuities]] in the vast [[multiverse]].

The designation "Transformer" stems from the species' generally-shared ability to ''[[Transformation|transform]]'', to change their bodies at will, rearranging their component parts from a robotic primary mode (usually, but not always, humanoid) into an alternate form; generally vehicles, weapons, machinery, or animals. In some continuities this ability to transform is innate to all members of the species, in others it was a wartime innovation that was adopted by most, but not all, of the populace.

Although "Transformer" is the most common term for these beings, there are others, mainly "'''Cybertron'''" as a reference to ''any'' being whose origin traces back to the planet in question (the adjective form being the more frequently used "'''Cybertronian'''" and occasionally "'''Cybertronic'''").

{{bigquote|Many [[MYA|millions of years ago]], on the planet Cybertron, there existed life. But not life as we know it today. Intelligent robots that could think and feel inhabited the cities.|[[Victor Caroli|A voice]] from beyond|[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]}}

==Origin==
[[Image:EdgeofExtinction-survivors.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Narration boxes don't lie!]]
{{quote|They '''were''' the dream--mechanical beings able to transform their bodies into vehicles, machinery and weapons; a last line of defense against the chaos bringer, '''Unicron'''! They '''are''' at war, heroic '''Autobot''' pitted against evil '''Decepticon''', both on their homeworld, the metal planet called '''Cybertron''', and here on our '''Earth'''. They '''are''' the galaxy's last hope, they '''are'''-- '''''TRANSFORMERS'''''|[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' comic]] introductory blurb}}

The origin of the Transformers species differs according to continuity, and not all continuities have given the race a specific stated origin at all, but, of those that exist, the most prominent are:

* '''[[Atechnogenesis]]''' — Spontaneous evolution from "naturally occurring gears, levers and pulleys" on Cybertron's surface. This rather questionable origin was given in the first [[Marvel Comics|Marvel Comic]] issue and then was promptly (and thankfully) ignored.
* '''[[Quintesson|Quintesson made]]''' — Created as [[Autobot|consumer goods]] and [[Decepticon|military hardware]] by the alien Quintessons, who employed Cybertron as a planet-sized factory. This was the origin given for the Transformers in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Although well-known because of the cartoon's prominence, it has been given relatively little attention in subsequent media, and when it is mentioned it is usually in the form of "[[retcon|corrections to the historic record]]" that place the involvement of the Quintessons as secondary to the role of Primus (see below).
* '''[[Primus|Primus created]]''' — Created by the god-like "Lord of the Light" Primus to carry on his age old battle with the "dark god" [[Unicron]]. This origin sprang from [[Simon Furman|Simon Furman's]] United Kingdom comics and then carried back to the later American Marvel books. It is also the origin that has been embraced and adopted by pretty much every subsequent ''Transformers'' work/continuity except for an interlude from 2007 to 2010 — and a [[retcon]] created by the ''Transformers [[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' and [[Fun Publications]] ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' comics and related fiction has unilaterally applied the Primus and Unicron backstory to all Transformers continuities in the Multiverse, past and future.
*'''[[Unicron Trilogy]]''' — After coming into being, Primus, a "unique digital entity", sent out digital mechanical beings into the furthest reaches of the [[galaxy]] as explorers in search of other life. These beings became known as Transformers. They settled on many worlds, one of which became known as Cybertron. {{storylink|First Encounter}} Cybertron was later revealed to be the body of Primus.
[[Image:CybertronFossil.jpg|left|150px|thumb|I ''was'' Batman.]]
* '''Biomechanical evolution''' — In no continuity is this a proven back history for the Transformer race. It is mentioned as idle speculation by [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] in [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] fiction, who wonders if perhaps Transformers perhaps evolved/upgraded (with or without external help) from biological beings to mechanical ones, in a similar manner to the transition he witnesses underway on [[Gorlam Prime]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Nightbeat}} The inhabitants of Gorlam Prime ''did'' turn into Transformers, albeit with [[Jhiaxus (G2)|outside prompting]], but then went on to independently rename their world... Cybertron. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}} In at least one alternate universe, a [[GoBots (franchise)|certain other race of transforming robotic lifeforms]] did indeed arise in such a fashion. In some continuities, Cybertron is known to have once been inhabited by organic life; in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', for example, Nightscream finds the fossilized remains of organic animals, which incidentally were startlingly similar to known Earthly life forms. {{storylink|Survivor}} However, there is little or no implication that the Transformers ''evolved'' from these organics; there is more implication that whatever previous life was on Cybertron was instead swept aside by the Transformers or their forebears. The ''Kiss Players'' timeline states that [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|12,000,000,000 years ago]] Cybertron was a verdant planet in Japanese continuity.
* '''[[AllSpark|Cube Creationism]]''' — This origin was introduced in 2007 for the live-action movies and ''Transformers Animated''. Here, the cube-like AllSpark (much larger—though shrinkable—in the movie) mystically gave birth to the Transformers. It is not known by any of the Transformers who created it. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}} Unknown to the Transformers in the Movie-verse, the AllSpark created them as a worker race to seek out energy refills for it, and had created [[Thirteen original Transformers|a different race]] first. {{storylink|Defiance issue 4}} Except then [[Seven Primes|those beings]] ''were'' Transformers. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen issue 3}}
* '''Historical hybridization''' - In 2010, the [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned continuity]] was launched, with one of its goals being to sensibly reconcile many of the more popular elements from prior franchises. [[Exodus (novel)|The new story]] lists Primus as the ultimate creator of the Transformers, with the AllSpark being the physical mechanism he set up to generate them, and the Quintessons having invaded Cybertron in the ancient past and briefly interfering with their development.

{{-}}

==Biology==
===Physical construction===
====Generation 1 Marvel Comics continuity====
Transformers are comprised of a physical body and their programming. Their programming is encoded into a specialized component called a [[brain module]]. Given the resources and a means of assembly, Transformer bodies (including brain modules) can be designed and constructed by other Transformers.<ref>[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] took over [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]] and assembled bodies for the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] there. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} [[Ark (G1)|The Ark]] created bodies for five 1985 [[Autobot Cars]]. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}</ref> Without programming, a Transformer body is a mindless drone. It is able to carry out pre-programmed straightforward missions, but that is about it.<ref>Shockwave sends Jetfire's body on such missions. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}</ref>

Transformer programming, however, cannot be created by Transformers. The [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] is able to infuse a Transformer brain module with programming, thus giving the Transformer personality and sentience.<ref>Shockwave describes the process of the Creation Matrix infusing prepared brain modules with data in detail. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] briefly describes the process, "Engineered by [[Grapple]], programmed for life by my Creation Matrix..." {{storylink|Command Performances!}}</ref> Programming on existing Transformers can be copied and stored externally on storage media.<ref>The "minds" of five Autobot Cars were copied and stored as engrams in a [[mind bank]] which are crystal containment vessels storing the minds as patterns of light. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} [[Ethan Zachary]] copied Optimus Prime's programming and stored it on a [[floppy disk]]. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}}</ref> These stored minds can be used to infuse a new Transformer body with a new brain module with programming.<ref>{{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} {{storylink|People Power!}}</ref> The brain module (containing a Transformer's programming) can be extracted from the body and installed into other machinery, keeping the Transformer alive.<ref>{{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}}</ref>

====''Transformers: Prime''====
Transformers consist of a [[mind]] and body. A Transformer's mind can be transferred to another body using a [[cortical psychic patch]], where it is possible for two minds to occupy the same body. Without a mind, a Transformer body can be kept alive by artificial means, but it is then essentially without personality.<ref>{{storylink|Sick Mind}}</ref>

====In general====
[[Image:Spark.gif|left|100px|thumb|Sparks retail for $29.95 at [http://www.sharperimage.com/ Sharper Image]]]
Traditionally, Transformers are living, sentient, emotional, and fully-mechanical beings. Many continuities portray Transformer "life" as being granted by a soul-like [[spark]] residing within their mechanical frames.

The [[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|''Generation 2'' comic books]] established that Transformers possess both "genetic material" (useful when [[Reproduction|"budding"]]) and a distinct cellular structure, presumably both of a somehow mechanical nature.

[[Image:Dino comparison Grimlock Megatron.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Original, or extra-fleshy.]]
By the [[Beast Era]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]] synthetic flesh had become increasingly incorporated into their construction, often to aid in disguise or survival on worlds inhabited by organic lifeforms. (A version of this technology had been introduced earlier with [[Pretender]] Transformers, though in that instance the synthetic flesh was a removable outer "shell".)

In the era of ''[[Beast Machines (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'', events led to true organics being infused into Transformers biology down to the cellular level, making them "[[technorganic]]" with an increased range of powers resulting. (The "[[ParasiTech]]" technology introduced in the Generation-1-based ''[[Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]'' series seems to have an organic component to it as well.)

Being mechanical creatures, Transformers possess a number of distinct mechanical parts that make up their anatomy. For a list, see: [[:Category:Transformer anatomy|Transformers Anatomy]].

Transformers are also known to suffer from some infamous ailments: [[:Category:Diseases|Transformers Diseases]].

First generation Transformers shared the same computational matrix as [[Vector Sigma]], making their power source compatible with the mega computer. Such Transformers are thus capable of reactivating the sleeping computer intelligence. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

====See also====
{{see|Ability}}

===Size===
[[Image:Sizes TFTM Unicron vs MF Browning.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Unicron is quite big, Browning is quite small. The contrast scares this poor little boy something mighty.]] Transformers are ''generally'' large in comparison to Earth lifeforms, (two to eight times the height of a human seems to be about average, though depictions vary wildly even for the same character), but a Transformer can be much, much smaller or much, much larger. There are some small enough to fit in a human's palm (see [[Browning]] and the [[Real Gear Robot]]s). While the [[Micromaster]]s and [[Mini-Con]]s are two groups whose size range is within normal human standards at a time when most Transformers are larger, human-sized appears to be the norm for Transformers altogether in the Beast Era. In the G1 cartoon, the sizes often shift from episode to episode, at times when they can be twice the average human height to that of being able to reach a four-story building. Several Japanese animations have the robots usually large enough for a number of human characters to fit in one hand.

The upper range of size can be a good deal larger, if you include planet-formers like [[Unicron]] and [[Primus]] or even the colossal city-bots [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] or [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (the latter's gigantism depending on the continuity). In the ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' series, the planet [[Gigantion]] is populated by both extremes: robots who tower over "normal"-sized Transformers, aided by their tiny Mini-Con partners. But to be blunt, the usual sizes range from 20 feet to 40 feet.

====See also====
{{see|Scale}}
{{--}}

===Variance in form===
[[Image:Scorponok-Annual.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Unconventional limbs make [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] a slow typist.]]

[[Image:Ravageboxart.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A [[Ravage (G1)|classic example]] of a non-humanoid Transformer.]]
[[Image:ROTF Voyager Demolishor.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A [[Demolishor (ROTF)|not-so-classic]] example.]]

While many Transformers possess a "humanoid" form with two arms, two legs and a head atop their torso, it is not uncommon at all for there to be extensive variations. Some Transformers do not have a "humanoid" mode at all, rather their "primary" form is that of an animal or vehicle. [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1's]] [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]], for example, or the ''Beast Wars'' [[Mutant (BW)|Mutants]].

[[Image:MCA-ElitaOne.jpg|left|100px|thumb|[[Elita One|Elita 1]] - Boys 0]]

Some have unconventional limbs, their hands (or whole arm) replaced with tools, claws, weapons, or some other form of manipulator (like a beast-mode's head!). Some Transformers' lower bodies feature digitigrade legs, or wheels/treads instead of feet, or no discernible separate legs at all. Some even have more (or less!) than the normal number of limbs altogether. This design style became much more common in the Beast Era (''Beast Wars'' [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and ''Beast Machines'' [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]], for example), and is also common among the Mini-Cons, but Generation 1 is not without its examples (like [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], and [[Octus (G1)|Octus]]).

Transformers' faces also run the gamut of design, from looking like a metal human in a helmet, to faces that can only be described as robotic (again, like Generation 1 Shockwave, whose face consists of little more than a single glowing eye) or animalistic (again, the Beast Era). The Mini-Cons are also notable for more commonly having non-humanoid faces.

The existence and appearance of [[Female Transformer]]s in most continuities seem to suggest a level of "sexual" dimorphism to the species as well (the term sexual is used in a gender-based, rather than physical sense, see [[Reproduction]] for that whole kettle of robo-fish). In almost all cases female Transformers are portrayed as more graceful of form and more rounded and curved in general, often with a more than passing resemblance to an attractive metal human female wearing armor and kibble. There are rare exceptions to this rule (notably [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] and [[Discharge]], though the latter is said to be wearing armor that obscures her true appearance).
{{-}}

===Energy===
[[Image:EnergonCubesCartoon1.jpg|left|thumb|Energon - the food, drink, and primary currency of Cybertron. (It's like if chocolate coins had a valid exchange rate...)]]
Unlike humans who need air and water as well as food, generally the Transformers' only major need to assure their continued functioning is fuel (though again, even this can vary depending on the fiction).

[[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] is the most common and preferred form of Transformer fuel, but other alternatives may be substituted if it is unavailable.

In the Marvel Comics Earth fuel needed to be treated with a special additive (invented by [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]) to be made usable by Transformer life. In the Cartoon, on the other hand, human energy sources were converted into energon simply by being condensed inside Energon Cubes.

In the original cartoon the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] alone among Transformers seemed to be able to fuel themselves by ingesting organic matter, but by the Beast Era, the ability to ingest organic substances to supplement their fuel needs seems more commonplace.

The [[Action Master]] line introduced a new type of Transformer fuel called [[Nucleon]] which was extremely powerful but prone to unpredictable and destructive side-effects.

There are also even further examples of fuel, including [[Solitarium]] from the Japanese-exclusive [[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]] line of toys/FMV produced by Takara, and the [[Kiss Player|kisses of little girls]] in ''[[Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]''.

===See also===
For more information on Transformer biology see:
* '''[[New body]]'''
* '''[[Life cycle]]'''
* '''[[Reproduction]]'''

==Culture==
[[Image:WOTF Emotion.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Transformers are [[Optimus Prime (G1)|lovable]] [[Ariel|couples]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|peaceful creatures]], or [[Galvatron (G1)|omnicidal maniacs]].]]
Regardless of continuity, the most distinctive facet of Transformers society has been its near-continuous state of [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|planetary Civil War]]. The two major factions in these wars are the [[Autobot]]s and the [[Decepticon]]s. The conflict is mostly defined by what each faction believes is the "destiny" of the Transformers: the Autobots believe in a peaceful society where Cybertron is a place of culture and justice, while the Decepticons believe in a "might makes right" philosophy where Cybertron would be the center of a [[Decepticon Empire|mighty empire]]. The fact that the vast majority of what we know about Transformers has been shaped by this constant, corrosive warfare should not be overlooked. What a theoretical Transformer society would be like in peacetime is mostly unknown, glimpsed mainly during its disintegration into war or via brief flashbacks and asides. That said, there are some things we do know.

===Sociology===
The Cybertronian society of wartime is portrayed as heavily polarized between Autobot and Decepticon. When there are neutrals they generally fare poorly, becoming victims of Decepticon abuse and destruction.

What little we know of the society before the war suggests it was stratified economically between "haves" (like the aristocratic [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]) and [[Empties|have-nots]]. Other facets of society were similarly Earth-like with [[Needlenose|fads and fashions]], [[Chromedome (G1)|schools]] and [[Crankcase (G1)|lousy jobs]], [[Rook (Universe)|news]] [[Slamdance (G1)|media]] and so on.

===Politics===
{{main|Transformer government}}

In many continuities Transformers seem to prefer a non-democratic one-world autocracy centered around a single powerful hero-leader called a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], who serves as both Head of State and Commander-in-Chief (sometimes referred to as [[Supreme Commander]]); in the Generation 1 cartoon continuity the Autobots determine this leadership by possession of the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership]] which is passed from each leader to his chosen successor, while in Dreamwave's continuity they were chosen by a [[Council of Ancients]] and in ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' by an [[Autobot High Council]]. This would make the Autobots an absolute monarchy.

By contrast, in the Marvel comic continuity, possession of the Matrix does not denote political leadership, as it was more of a religious icon. Instead, Cybertron was ''previously'' an absolute monarchy under the [[Overlord (rank)|Overlords]]; however, later on, Cybertron became a multitude of autonomous city-states under their own governments with the last Overlord as a figurehead ruler, making it both a federation and a constitutional monarchy. During the war, Autobot Cybertron was governed by a [[Council of Autobot Elders]] with the Prime as military commander-in-chief. [[Emirates]] existed but we're not sure how they're chosen or what they do.

In the IDW continuity, the planet is ruled by a [[Senate]], with each city-state having a subordinate council with lesser powers; [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|the current Prime]] was ''subordinate'' to the Senate and only ran the security forces. (This would make Cybertron a republic.)

The Decepticons, however, generally bowed only to the supremacy of the [[Decepticon leader|most powerful]] and normally had ''no'' mechanism for peaceful handover of power: a [[Decepticon Civil War]] often resulted. If the civil war began to seriously hamper the Autobot war effort, the opposing factions would agree to a diplomatic meeting called an [[Enclave]] to try the rare idea of ''talking out'' their differences. One (brief) exception was Marvel UK's [[Decepticon High Council]], a governing body that decided on the new Decepticon leader.

By the era of the Maximals and Predacons, the planet is dually ruled by [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] governments with separate jurisdictions; it's not fully clear how this worked. We know the Maximals are in charge of pretty much most of Cybertron, with a [[Predacon Alliance]] overseeing Predacon affairs and a [[Bi-Partate Committee for State Affairs]] bridging the gap: a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consociationalism consociational] government. There's a [[Maximal High Council|High Council]], but they're rarely talked about despite having legislative power (and it may be another term for the Elders). Most of the time, when talking about governments, the Transformers refer to the [[Maximal Elder|Maximal Council of Elders]] or the [[Tripredacus Council]] (what ''is'' it with Transformers and the word "council"?). Both of them are bodies of old Transformers (well, the former would have to be!) who appear to wield the ''real'' power in their respective factions, making this brave new peaceful Cybertron hamstrung by its past. [[Chain of Command|We're told]] that [[democracy]] is a Maximal tradition, indicating the Maximal's Councils are elected by the people.

The [[Go-Bots (toyline)|Transformers Go-Bots]] are ruled by the [[Go-Bot Council]], a triumvirate selected by unknown means. They have direct control over the Go-Bots military force, right down to personally selecting which Go-Bots are going to placed in a planetary garrison. Their primary concern seems to be "helping" other planets, which doesn't sound sinister at all...

In the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' continuity, the planet is governed by the [[Autobot High Council]] in the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]]. The head of state is the [[Magnus]], an unelected position seemingly based on military rank, and the Council appears unable to depose a Magnus on their own. The Council itself is divided into civilian guilds on one side and military on the other, with security bodies like [[Cybertron Intelligence]] having a seat on the Council. How the civilian councilors are chosen is unknown.

The [[live-action film series]], the first Cybertronian civilization was ruled by the [[Dynasty of Primes]], with the [[Thirteen original Transformers|Thirteen Primes]] serving as the highest authority. The later Autobots ''had'' a co-leadership structure, control split between the Optimus and Megatron, who commanded the Science Division and Defence Force respectively. Optimus' proper title isn't said ("Prime" was a later addition to his name when he discovered he was the last of the Dynasty of Primes), though Megatron's position was [[Lord High Protector]]. There was a law-giving body called the [[High Council of Ancients]], who were respected but an outdated relic of an earlier time. Obviously, this didn't last long when the war started...

===Interaction with other races===
The Civil Wars have resulted in the factions adopting radically different views of how to interact with other races. The Autobots, in the words of Optimus Prime, believe that "freedom is the right of all sentient beings", whereas the Decepticons view other races, particularly organic lifeforms, as little more than slave labor or target practice. When arriving on a planet, the Autobots will usually attempt to contact the native species and warn them of the Decepticon threat, but sometimes they will remain hidden or outright discourage other lifeforms from participating, usually in an effort to better protect them. The Decepticons often make overt attacks on native species, but there are occasions when stealth has been a priority. After the Great War, the Maximals were ''banned'' from travelling to [[Earth|certain]] areas of the galaxy.

However, one unique method of interacting with other races is [[binary bonding]], a process where an organic lifeform will enter into a symbiotic relationship with a Transformer. Such lifeforms will serve as their [[Headmaster (technology)|heads]], [[Targetmaster|weapons]], and, in rare cases, their [[Powermaster|powercores]]. This process has met with mixed results, as it places the Transformer in a dependent situation in the relationship.

[[Swindle (Animated)|Some]] [[Scorponok (G1)#IDW comics continuity|Decepticons]] [[Swindle (G1)|are]] known for making deals with other races, either to gain power through an alliance or for cold hard cash.

The Autobots have made diplomatic and military alliances with humanity in several continuities, most notably in having [[Autobot City]] built on Earth.

===The Arts===
The Transformers have been shown to have a very active [[Transformer music|musical tradition]]. The [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] itself has an archive of 11 million traditional Cybertronian songs. Many Transformers such as [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] have shown great interest in music, and [[Squawkbox]] is one prominent example of a Cybertronian musician.

Furthermore, sculpture seems to be one of the primary art forms of Cybertron, with many Transformers dedicated to it. One notable (and gruesome) school of sculpture, practiced by a startling number of Transformers involves making art out of the bodies of other Transformers. The [[Slogism]] movement is a part of this school.

Before the war, Cybertron also featured many marvels of architecture. See: [[Crystal City]]

===See also===
For more information on Transformer culture see:
*'''[[Cybertronian Civil Wars]]'''
*'''[[Religion]]'''
*'''[[Transformer funerary practices]]'''
*'''[[Transformer economics]]'''
*'''[[Transformer furniture]]'''
*'''[[Transformer romance]]'''

==Toys==
{{main|Toy}}

The Transformers were introduced by [[Hasbro]] in 1984 with the [[franchise]] now known as [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]. The line has gone through numerous incarnations since, with the latest being the [[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|sequel]] to the [[Movie (toyline)|2007 film's line]]. Nearly all the product sold in the line consists of actual Transformer figures; non-Transformer items such as bases, vehicles and accessories, while common in most boy-centric toy lines, have been fairly uncommon in the history of the [[Transformers brand]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Beast Machines]]
[[Category:Beast Wars]]
[[Category:Beast Wars II]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Neo]]
[[Category:Binaltech Asterisk]]
[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Classics]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon]]
[[Category:Energon]]
[[Category:Generation 1 species]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:Kiss Players]]
[[Category:Micromaster]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Operation Combination]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise]]
[[Category:Species]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce]]
[[Category:The Headmasters]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]
[[Category:Transformers| ]]
[[Category:TransTech]]
[[Category:United]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]
[[Category:Victory]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron]]
[[Category:Zone]]

Shockwave (Movie)

2011-05-03T04:26:39Z

72.193.233.173:

{{factions|decepticonfilm}}
{{disambig3|Shockwave}}
:''Shockwave is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[live-action film series|live-action movie]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]].''

[[Image:ShockwaveDOTMgamepromo.jpg|right|thumb|400px|[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s most bewildering foe: the faceless!]]

'''Shockwave''' was left to watch [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] long ago, arriving on Earth to hunt for the [[AllSpark|Allspark]] shortly after Megatron. A peerless scientist with deadly efficientcy and a cold devotion to logic, he is one of the very few who could rival Megatron. After spending decades under Chernobyl, Shockwave is ready and willing to destroy the Autobots with his arm-mounted AstroMag Cannon.

{{bigquote|Logic brings all things to order.}}

{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===IDW live-action film prequel comics===
[[Image:Foundation1-Shockwavedoesntlikeit.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"'''Your star burns!''' I require frozen treats."]]
Eons after the [[Dynasty of Primes]] were vanquished, Cybertron fell into dark times. The AllSpark had been buried somewhere within Cybertron and been dismissed as a legend, and the planet itself lacked a star to orbit. As energy became more and more scarce, Cybertronians segregated into tribes. Shockwave chose to rally behind [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]], who claimed to be descended from [[Primus]] himself. However, he faced opposition from the non-believer [[Thetacon]]s, and Shockwave joined [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], and several others in repelling their attacks. Ultimately, Sentinel Prime won the day, as he and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] were successful in locating the lost AllSpark and harnessing a new sun to orbit. This, however, did not please Shockwave. Now that the war was over, he was dissatisfied, and he no longer knew his purpose. This shocked his old friend, Megatron, and Shockwave explained that it was the journey he enjoyed, not the destination. Plus, well, that new sun was kind of bright. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}}

Later, Megatron detailed to Shockwave how he had eavesdropped on a conversation between Sentinel and Optimus, where Sentinel had tried to pass on leadership to Optimus, who refused, unable to accept he was also a Prime. They encountered a monster that was attacking the [[Hatchling]]s and their protector [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. Shockwave was amazed by the creature and called it "magnificent". After besting it, he joined the Cybertronian [[Defense Force]] that Sentinel placed under Megatron's command, rooting out dissident Transformers. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}}

Many years later, after war had broken out between the Autobots and Decepticons, Shockwave and Starscream exchanged worried glances over the crumbling sanity of their lord, Megatron. {{storylink|Foundation issue 1}} {{charstubfiction}}
{{Storylink|Foundation issue 3}}

[[Image:RisingStorm 2 Chromia Dies.jpg|right|thumb|200px|]]
Some time later, after the Autobots sent the All Spark into space, Megatron left Shockwave in charge of the Decepticons still on Cybertron as he went in search of his prize. Later, Shockwave heard the scream of the All Spark when it was found by [[Sector 7]]. Leaving [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] in charge of the Decepticons on Cybertron, Shockwave set out in an impossibly fast ship, swearing not to return without the All Spark. He crashed in Tunguska, Siberia in 1908.<ref>''Rising Storm'' issue 2 reveals that Shockwave caused the mysterious real-life [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunguska_event Tunguska event.]</ref> He remained buried there in stasis-lock, healing until Soviet Russia found him. They tried to use his technology, especially after the U.S. found Megatron the same way. They eventually gave up and Shockwave was released. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}

{{-}}

===Titan Magazines===
While Starscream doesn't like or trust Shockwave, he respects his intelligence and, if he had to choose, would give the nod to Shockwave being his successor. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|#21's Star Screams}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' film===
[[Image:Shockwave-ROTFnewspaper.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Quick, add him to the character list!]]
At some point during 2009, Shockwave was caught on film and the event was written up for a newspaper article. A newspaper page with the headline "Mysterious Robot Spotted" was discarded in [[Egypt]], where it was sucked up by a rampaging [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}
{{-}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
[[Image:RisingStorm_Shockwave_and_astrotrain.jpg|left|thumb|250px|]]
Much later, he was revived by Megatron and resided with him in [[Zambia]]. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}

In the present day, Shockwave and [[Astrotrain (DOTM)|Astrotrain]] made their presence known on Earth near [[Dalian]], [[China]], where they quickly disposed of the Autobots [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]] and [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]].

Shockwave began following the exploits of Earth's stranded Transformers from afar, and derided its war's combatants as idiots after watching a skirmish in [[California]]. After contacting Astrotrain for an update on a mysterious construction project, he tracked Divebomb's radiation trail back to Starscream's current base of operations, in a junkyard on the outskirts of [[Mexico City]]. Blasting his way through the Decepticons unwise enough to try defending Starscream, Shockwave informed the treacherous air commander that Megatron had "requested his services." Before the conversation could go any further, Astrotrain radioed Shockwave with some bad news: the "brain unit" scrap drone that held the control software for the machine he was constructing had escaped. Shockwave charged Starscream and his followers with recovering the drone. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 1}}

{{spoiler|Rising Storm issue 3}}

[[Image:Risingstorm_3_shockwave_on_NEST.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Shock blast!]]

Shockwave contacted an angry Starscream who thought he was promised the Autobots would be occupied. Shockwave countered that they were occupied, but, you know, with Starscream, leaving Shockwave free to leave a message for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] at the [[NEST]] Headquarters in [[Diego Garcia]]. After killing [[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knock Out]], [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]], [[Dune Runner (ROTF)|Dune Runner]], and other Autobots who stood in his way, Shockwave confronted the trembling humans left to fend for themselves. When Shockwave asked who was in command, [[Theodore Galloway]] told him that he was. Shockwave killed Galloway and the other humans save one, and he asked his question one more time. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 3}}

{{-}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
{{comingsoon|unreleased|when=July 1, 2011}}
{{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: The Game'' (console)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Daniel Riordan]]

[[Image:Tf2007console shockwave.jpg|left|250px|thumb|1% assorted Shockwave parts, 99% weapons.]]
Under the orders of Starscream, Shockwave attacked [[Tranquility]] in an effort to interfere with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s attempt to rescue [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] from [[Sector Seven]]. Prime actually had a grip on the helicopter net that held Bumblebee, but the force of Shockwave's entry mode's impact knocked him off, allowing Sector Seven to get away.

[[Image:Tf2007console shockwave turrent.jpg|200px|thumb|Death Cannon OF LOGIC!]]
Landing in downtown, the [[Triple Changer|triple-changing]] Shockwave adopted a helicopter and an artillery emplacement as his alternate modes, promptly transforming into the latter and lobbing explosives around the city. Prime, forced to cut off his rescue, charged in and pounded Shockwave until the goliath transformed and retreated to another position. Prime doggedly kept at Shockwave, following him every time he retreated, eventually defeating the Decepticon and saving Tranquility. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game (console)}}

Later, when the Autobots returned to Cybertron, Shockwave appeared on the planet alongside (and presumably leading) an army of Decepticon drones. Optimus quickly defeated the drones and once more defeated Shockwave.

{{note|Shockwave is not a playable character in the game, appearing only as a boss character during the Autobot campaign. He also appears (but does not transform) as one of the enemies battled in the Autobot campaign's bonus level set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], but what this implies about Shocky is debatable at best, given the level's questionable in-game continuity.}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: The Game'' (PSP)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Daniel Riordan]]

[[Image:Shockwave movie psp.jpg|left|170px|thumb|He makes up for his loss of weapons by being the most awesome character in the game.]]

The massive Shockwave might ''look'' like he's purely about muscle and firepower, but he's actually remarkably shrewd and cunning. Coveting the position of Decepticon leader for himself, Shockwave has been working to oust Megatron for years. As you might imagine, he and Starscream don't get along very well.

When the Decepticons arrived on Earth in search of their lost leader, Megatron, Shockwave adopted a tank as his alternate mode. Shockwave was supposed to join [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] in his attack on the [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] in [[Qatar]], but instead busied himself surrepticiously searching for leads to the location of the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]]. After receiving a communique from [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], who informed him that the Autobots were on Earth and had discovered their own leads to the location of Megatron, Shockwave had [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] airlift him to Qatar, where he helped Blackout take care of the last few military units opposing him. He relayed Frenzy's message to Blackout, then departed for the Arctic with Thundercracker, intending to investigate the site where Megatron's body was discovered.

In the Arctic, Shockwave and Thundercracker faced resistance from an Autobot unit in the area, but fought their way through them to discover that Megatron's body had been moved by [[Sector Seven]]. The trip was not a wasted one, however: after scanning a computer terminal in the cavern, Shockwave discovered that Megatron had brought an army of drones with him to Earth to help in the search for the All Spark. These drones were presently lying dormant all over the Earth, and Shockwave schemed to reactivate them so that they could serve him as his personal army. The signal required to reanimated the drones had to be broadcast from a great height, so Shockwave and Thundercracker quickly made their way to a rocket launch site, where Shockwave
programmed the code into a rocket that subsequently beamed the signal down over the Earth from space. Drones sprang to life all over the planet, and began attacking the Autobots. Shockwave's control of his
self-made army was short lived, however, as Autobots [[Trailbreaker (Movie)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] successfully transmitted a virus that shut the drones down. Simultaneously, Shockwave received another message from Frenzy that the he had discovered the location of Megatron, and that the Decepticon leader was about to reawaken.

After the Autobots defeated Megatron and most of the other Decepticons in battle in [[Center City]], Shockwave retreated back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], as did Starscream. Back on their homeworld, Shockwave and Starscream faced off for leadership of the Decepticons, with Starscream ultimately claiming victory. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (PSP)|Transformers The Game (PSP)}}

{{note|In contrast to the console version of the game, Shockwave ''is'' a playable character on the PSP.}}

===Autobot Stronghold===

Shockwave was used as the basis for an army of [[drone]] units, who were part of the constant attacks on the Autobot's [[LG]] Stronghold. For some reason, these drones had ''two'' Sparks. {{storylink|Autobot Stronghold}}

===''Dark of the Moon: The Game'' (console)===
{{comingsoon}}

==Toys==
===Dark of the Moon===
*'''Shockwave''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' ?
**''Accessories:'' [[MechTech]] cannon

:Shockwave transforms into a purple Cybertronian tank. He has a large MechTech cannon on his right arm, a tube connecting it to his backpack, and a blade on his left arm.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
* [[Transformers The Game (console)|''Transformers: The Game'']] Shockwave was designed by artist [[Ken Christiansen]].
*The "Attack Copter", "Recon Chopper" and "Stealth Chopper" [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-]][[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|A-Bot]] vehicle modes from the [[Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Nintendo DS video games]] transform into robot modes bearing some resemblance to Shockwave. The Attack Chopper is the only one that can be customized to appear purple, though.
*The photo on the newspaper article in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' is a photo of [[:Image:Shockwaveministatue.jpg|Palisades's statue]] of [[Shockwave (G1)|Generation 1 Shockwave]], with something photoshopped in the foreground.
*Shockwave will be the main villain of ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''. According to the very earliest promotional materials, Shockwave rules over Cybertron while the Autobots and the Decepticons duke it out on Earth. <ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-3-Push-Pops-Readers-Digest/dp/0794423094/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287431242&sr=1-7 Product summary of Transformers 3 Push-Pops on Amazon.]</ref> Director Michael Bay later commented that Shockwave was a "little bit more vicious" than Megatron.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657670/michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.jhtml February 10, 2011 interview with MTV]</ref> Given that live-action Megatron is psychotically violent, that sounds pretty vicious.
*Shockwave does not have the same form in IDW's ''[[Rising Storm]]'' and ''[[Foundation]]'' that he does in ''Dark of the Moon'' despite both being Cybertronian forms. His form in the comics is less skeletal in robot mode than his appearance in the film and he also transforms into a Cybertronian jet, much like [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]'s original body, whereas he will apparently transform into some form of Cybertronian tank in the film (following the leader maybe?). [[John Barber]] commented on his Twitter account that he isn't sure why his appearance is different to that of the film, but that an explanation will be given in issue 4 of ''Rising Storm''. <ref>http://twitter.com/#!/TheJohnBarber/status/60710221739339776</ref>
*It has been said that Shockwave's original voice actor [[Corey Burton]] has rejected voicing him for ''Dark of the Moon'', so the inspiration for his Shockwave voice David Warner is being considered.

==External links==
*''Transformers: The Game'' Shockwave [http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/tf1-shockwave-01.html concepts], [http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/tf1-shockwave-02.html vehicle mode renderings], [http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/tf1-shockwave-03.html robot mode and head concepts], [http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/tf1-shockwave-04.html final robot mode rendering] and [http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/tf1-shockwave-05.html transformation animation guide] on Ken Christiansen's blog.
* [http://www.gamespot.com/video/932116/6172356/transformers-the-game-interview-1 ''Transformers: The Game'' video interview with Daniel Suarez, featuring Shockwave footage]
* [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm#/characters/shockwave Shockwave's entry at Transformers.Com's Cybertronian Database]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Macabre

2011-04-16T05:00:34Z

72.193.233.173: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon}}
:''Macabre is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:Macabre marvel uk 88.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And after Octane acknowledges me as an equal, I wanna be acknowledged by [[Misfire]]!]]
Oddly enough, despite appearing to be a target in [[Operation: Volcano]], '''Macabre''' didn't even get name-checked during the [[Wrecker]]s' training—possibly because he's just a small-time thug who is awed by the likes of [[Octane]]. Sadly for him, Octane and the other Decepticons also treat Macabre with little more than contempt, so he is constantly looking to prove himself to them.

This is why he ''really'' wants to kill [[Xaaron|Emirate Xaaron]].

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[Image:Dirge macabre marvel uk 88.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Compensating for something? No, no... why do you ask?]]

Macabre was part of a Decepticon strikeforce that included the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], the [[Conehead]]s, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and the aforementioned Octane; according to Impactor, they were among Cybertron's ten deadliest killers. Acting on information recovered by [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], they believed that they would have the chance of assassinating Xaaron, the leader of the [[Autobot]] resistance on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. In reality, the information had been deliberately leaked and they were unwittingly walking into a trap.

When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] called off the attack, the Decepticons turned back for fear of disobeying the Slag Maker - all except Macabre, who was so driven by his desire to be remembered for ''something'' that he continued on the mission alone. He had the target in his sights when [[Impactor]] intervened, taking the shot meant for Xaaron.

Frustrated at being cheated of his kill, Macabre jumped to his feet to take another shot, all the time ranting about how much he was going to kill Xaaron. Unfortunately for him, the assembled Wreckers blew him into spare parts, and that was the last anyone saw of Macabre. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers4-SquadronX.jpg|right|thumb|250px|He's got a smile you'd love to remove with a harpoon arm attachment.]]

Long ago, Macabre was the leader of [[Squadron X]], a team of Decepticons which served as a brutal counterpart to the Autobots' [[Wrecker]]s. Wreckers commander [[Impactor]] had Macabre singled out as someone who he ''really'' hated. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

Their rivalry came to a head on [[Pova]], and victory seemed in his grasp when [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] was trapped under rubble. Knowing [[Impactor]] wouldn't leave Springer to die, Macabre advanced on their position with [[Tornado (Marvel)|Tornado]] and [[Earthquake (G1)|Earthquake]]. Impactor fired through Springer's torso at them, and this surprise tactic turned the tide against them. Macabre and the others were put in inhibitor harnesses and contained, ready for justice.

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers5-SquadronX_uhoh.jpg|left|thumb|250px|But I thought you ''loved'' me, [[Nick Roche|Nick]]. :(]]

According to [[Ironfist|Fisitron]]'s ''[[Wreckers: Declassified]]'' datalogs, Macabre and Squadron X were able to somehow escape their harnesses, forcing the Wreckers to execute rather than imprison them. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} In actual fact, Pova happened to be a planet where the Autobots weren't supposed to be and the Wreckers were ordered to let their prisoners go. So Impactor went into their cell with a handgun and locked the door, and when he came out Autobot High Command had to be told about how Squadron X had "broken free". {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* According to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] in his [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]], Macabre transformed into a "bat-winged air current glider". No wonder he had an inferiority complex.<ref>[http://www.transfans.co.uk/comics_guide_detail.php?id=110&page=22 Letters Page to Marvel UK 98 at Transfans.co.uk]</ref>
* He killed Impactor in [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel continuity]] while Impactor killed him in [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]. Funny.
* In issue 5's flashback, he is shown to have a necklace made up of Autobot symbols. ''Sweet.''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://s90690880.onlinehome.us/jhiaxus/ukcomics/macabre.htm Macabre at the Obscure Transformers Website]

[[Category:Comic-only Transformers]]
[[Category:European-original characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]

Macabre

2011-04-16T05:00:14Z

72.193.233.173: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon}}
:''Macabre is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:Macabre marvel uk 88.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And after Octane acknowledges me as an equal, I wanna be acknowledged by [[Misfire]]!]]
Oddly enough, despite appearing to be a target in [[Operation: Volcano]], '''Macabre''' didn't even get name-checked during the [[Wrecker]]s' training—possibly because he's just a small-time thug who is awed by the likes of [[Octane]]. Sadly for him, Octane and the other Decepticons also treat Macabre with little more than contempt, so he is constantly looking to prove himself to them.

This is why he ''really'' wants to kill [[Xaaron|Emirate Xaaron]].

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[Image:Dirge macabre marvel uk 88.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Compensating for something? No, no... why do you ask?]]

Macabre was part of a Decepticon strikeforce that included the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], the [[Conehead]]s, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and the aforementioned Octane; according to Impactor, they were among Cybertron's ten deadliest killers. Acting on information recovered by [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], they believed that they would have the chance of assassinating Xaaron, the leader of the [[Autobot]] resistance on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. In reality, the information had been deliberately leaked and they were unwittingly walking into a trap.

When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] called off the attack, the Decepticons turned back for fear of disobeying the Slag Maker - all except Macabre, who was so driven by his desire to be remembered for ''something'' that he continued on the mission alone. He had the target in his sights when [[Impactor]] intervened, taking the shot meant for Xaaron.

Frustrated at being cheated of his kill, Macabre jumped to his feet to take another shot, all the time ranting about how much he was going to kill Xaaron. Unfortunately for him, the assembled Wreckers blew him into spare parts, and that was the last anyone saw of Macabre. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers4-SquadronX.jpg|right|thumb|250px|He's got a smile you'd love to remove with a harpoon arm attachment.]]

Long ago, Macabre was the leader of [[Squadron X]], a team of Decepticons which served as a brutal counterpart to the Autobots' [[Wrecker]]s. Wreckers commander [[Impactor]] had Macabre singled out as someone who he ''really'' hated. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

Their rivalry came to a head on [[Pova]], and victory seemed in his grasp when [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] was trapped under rubble. Knowing [[Impactor]] wouldn't leave Springer to die, Macabre advanced on their position with [[Tornado (Marvel)|Tornado]] and [[Earthquake (G1)|Earthquake]]. Impactor fired through Springer's torso at them, and this surprise tactic turned the tide against them. Macabre and the others were put in inhibitor harnesses and contained, ready for justice.

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers5-SquadronX_uhoh.jpg|left|thumb|250px|But I thought you ''loved'' me, [[Nick Roche|Nick]]. :(]]

According to [[Ironfist|Fisitron]]'s ''[[Wreckers: Declassified]]'' datalogs, Macabre and Squadron X were able to somehow escape their harnesses, forcing the Wreckers to execute rather than imprison them. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} In actual fact, Pova happened to be a planet where the Autobots weren't supposed to be and the Wreckers were ordered to let their prisoners go. So Impactor went into their cell with a handgun and locked the door, and when he came out Autobot High Command had to be told about how Squadron X had "broken free". {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* According to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] in his [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]], Macabre transformed into a "bat-winged air current glider". No wonder he had an inferiority complex.<ref>[http://www.transfans.co.uk/comics_guide_detail.php?id=110&page=22 Letters Page to Marvel UK 98 at Transfans.co.uk]</ref>
* He killed Impactor in [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel continuity]] while Impactor killed him in [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]. Funny.
* In issue 5's flashback, he is shown to have a neclace made up of Autobot symbols. ''Sweet.''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://s90690880.onlinehome.us/jhiaxus/ukcomics/macabre.htm Macabre at the Obscure Transformers Website]

[[Category:Comic-only Transformers]]
[[Category:European-original characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]

Macabre

2011-04-16T04:59:57Z

72.193.233.173: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon}}
:''Macabre is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:Macabre marvel uk 88.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And after Octane acknowledges me as an equal, I wanna be acknowledged by [[Misfire]]!]]
Oddly enough, despite appearing to be a target in [[Operation: Volcano]], '''Macabre''' didn't even get name-checked during the [[Wrecker]]s' training—possibly because he's just a small-time thug who is awed by the likes of [[Octane]]. Sadly for him, Octane and the other Decepticons also treat Macabre with little more than contempt, so he is constantly looking to prove himself to them.

This is why he ''really'' wants to kill [[Xaaron|Emirate Xaaron]].

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[Image:Dirge macabre marvel uk 88.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Compensating for something? No, no... why do you ask?]]

Macabre was part of a Decepticon strikeforce that included the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], the [[Conehead]]s, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and the aforementioned Octane; according to Impactor, they were among Cybertron's ten deadliest killers. Acting on information recovered by [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], they believed that they would have the chance of assassinating Xaaron, the leader of the [[Autobot]] resistance on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. In reality, the information had been deliberately leaked and they were unwittingly walking into a trap.

When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] called off the attack, the Decepticons turned back for fear of disobeying the Slag Maker - all except Macabre, who was so driven by his desire to be remembered for ''something'' that he continued on the mission alone. He had the target in his sights when [[Impactor]] intervened, taking the shot meant for Xaaron.

Frustrated at being cheated of his kill, Macabre jumped to his feet to take another shot, all the time ranting about how much he was going to kill Xaaron. Unfortunately for him, the assembled Wreckers blew him into spare parts, and that was the last anyone saw of Macabre. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers4-SquadronX.jpg|right|thumb|250px|He's got a smile you'd love to remove with a harpoon arm attachment.]]

Long ago, Macabre was the leader of [[Squadron X]], a team of Decepticons which served as a brutal counterpart to the Autobots' [[Wrecker]]s. Wreckers commander [[Impactor]] had Macabre singled out as someone who he ''really'' hated. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

Their rivalry came to a head on [[Pova]], and victory seemed in his grasp when [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] was trapped under rubble. Knowing [[Impactor]] wouldn't leave Springer to die, Macabre advanced on their position with [[Tornado (Marvel)|Tornado]] and [[Earthquake (G1)|Earthquake]]. Impactor fired through Springer's torso at them, and this surprise tactic turned the tide against them. Macabre and the others were put in inhibitor harnesses and contained, ready for justice.

[[Image:LastStandoftheWreckers5-SquadronX_uhoh.jpg|left|thumb|250px|But I thought you ''loved'' me, [[Nick Roche|Nick]]. :(]]

According to [[Ironfist|Fisitron]]'s ''[[Wreckers: Declassified]]'' datalogs, Macabre and Squadron X were able to somehow escape their harnesses, forcing the Wreckers to execute rather than imprison them. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}} In actual fact, Pova happened to be a planet where the Autobots weren't supposed to be and the Wreckers were ordered to let their prisoners go. So Impactor went into their cell with a handgun and locked the door, and when he came out Autobot High Command had to be told about how Squadron X had "broken free". {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* According to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] in his [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]], Macabre transformed into a "bat-winged air current glider". No wonder he had an inferiority complex.<ref>[http://www.transfans.co.uk/comics_guide_detail.php?id=110&page=22 Letters Page to Marvel UK 98 at Transfans.co.uk]</ref>
* He killed Impactor in [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel continuity]] while Impactor killed him in [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]. Funny.
* I issue 5's flashback, he is shown to have a neclace made up of Autobot symbols. ''Sweet.''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://s90690880.onlinehome.us/jhiaxus/ukcomics/macabre.htm Macabre at the Obscure Transformers Website]

[[Category:Comic-only Transformers]]
[[Category:European-original characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]