MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)

2009-09-09T06:42:22Z

83.25.6.168:

{{Nav-bw}}

Though [[Trukk not munky|reviled]] by many Transfans when it first hit the airwaves in 1996, the wholly-[[CGI]] '''''Beast Wars''''' is now considered by many to be among the finest examples of Transformers storytelling.

:''Canadian name:'' '''Beasties'''
:''Japanese name:'' '''Beast Wars Metals''' (season 2-3)
:''French name:'' '''Animutants'''
:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Guerre-Betes'''
:''Italian name:'' '''Biocombat'''
:''Polish name:'' '''Kosmiczne Wojny''' ("Cosmic Wars")

==Overview==
The series opens at an unspecified time and place, where two warring factions of robots have crashed on a strange planet populated by animals like those on [[Earth]]. The planet abounds in mystery, with vast deposits of raw [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] and evidence of [[Vok|alien]] activity. The Energon forces the newly arrived Transformers to take on protective beast forms to shield themselves from the ambient Energon radiation. And so begin the Beast Wars...

[[Image:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Rattrap and Airazor conspire to ruin school picture day.]]
Though at first the show seemed to be in an entirely separate continuity, by the end of the first season's 26 episodes, viewers had been treated to a number of classical Transformers references, such as [[Unicron]] and even the reappearance of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], last seen as a ghost in the third season of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]]. These ties to the original story increased as the second season progressed and the planet was revealed as prehistoric Earth. The third season was entirely structured around the [[Maximal]]s defending their [[Autobot]] ancestors aboard the ancient crashed [[Ark (G1)|Ark]].

The show won over many viewers through fun, intriguing stories and generally high production values. Strong characterization, top-notch scripting and voice acting, and complex, overarching plot threads are among the reasons cited for the show's enduring popularity. Some of the show's mysteries and machinations remain topics for fan debate over a decade after it aired.

The show's CGI, though somewhat primitive by today's standards, was revolutionary by television standards of the time (and puts [[Energon (cartoon)|some later shows]] to [[Cybertron (cartoon)|shame]]). Mainframe's animators took pains to ensure their characters gestured and emoted in great detail, and the "camera" work often took creative advantage of the format's flexibility.

The show was immediately followed by a sequel series, ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
{{-}}

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Beast Wars episodes}}

''Beast Wars'' has had 52 episodes over 3 seasons.

===Season 1: 1996–1997===
{{columnlist|4|
# [[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]
# [[Beast Wars (Part 2)]]
# [[The Web]]
# [[Equal Measures]]
# [[Chain of Command]]
# [[Power Surge]]
# [[Fallen Comrades]]
# [[Double Jeopardy]]
# [[A Better Mousetrap]]
# [[Gorilla Warfare]]
# [[The Probe]]
# [[Victory (episode)|Victory]]
# [[Dark Designs (episode)|Dark Designs]]
# [[Double Dinobot]]
# [[The Spark]]
# [[The Trigger, Part 1]]
# [[The Trigger, Part 2]]
# [[Spider's Game]]
# [[Call of the Wild]]
# [[Dark Voyage]]
# [[Possession]]
# [[The Low Road]]
# [[Law of the Jungle]]
# [[Before the Storm]]
# [[Other Voices, Part 1]]
# [[Other Voices, Part 2]]}}

===Season 2: 1997–1998===
{{columnlist|4|
# [[Aftermath]]
# [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)]]
# [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]
# [[Tangled Web]]
# [[Maximal, No More]]
# [[Other Visits (Part 1)]]
# [[Other Visits (Part 2)]]
# [[Bad Spark]]
# [[Code of Hero]]
# [[Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate]]
# [[The Agenda (Part 1)]]
# [[The Agenda (Part 2)]]
# [[The Agenda (Part III)]]}}

===Season 3: 1998–1999===
{{columnlist|4|
# [[Optimal Situation]]
# [[Deep Metal]]
# [[Changing of the Guard]]
# [[Cutting Edge]]
# [[Feral Scream Part 1]]
# [[Feral Scream Part 2]]
# [[Proving Grounds]]
# [[Go with the Flow]]
# [[Crossing the Rubicon]]
# [[Master Blaster]]
# [[Other Victories]]
# [[Nemesis Part 1]]
# [[Nemesis Part 2]]}}

==Characters==
Because developing new CGI character models was, at the time, an expensive and time-consuming process, the number of on-screen characters in ''Beast Wars'' was relatively small compared to most other ''Transformers'' shows. It is thus practical to list all the Transformers who appeared in the cartoon. They are listed in order of appearance. (The [[stasis lock]]ed [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] are not on this list.) Note that many characters besides these are also full-fledged ''Beast Wars'' characters, having appeared in other media.

===[[Maximal]]s===
[[Image:BW Maximals.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Time for Rattrap to lead.]]
*[[Optimus Primal]]
*[[Rattrap]]
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (allied with the Maximals, nominally a Predacon)
*[[Tigatron]]
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]]
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]
*[[Depth Charge]]
*[[Tigerhawk]]

===[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]===
[[Image:BW Predacons.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Waspinator is loved by fans.]]
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]]
*[[Tarantulas]]
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]]
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (became a Maximal towards the end of the series)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]
*[[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]]
*[[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]]
*[[Tripredacus Council]] (very briefly)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]
*[[Dinobot II]]

===Others===
*[[Snowstalker]]
*[[Transmutate]]
*[[Protohumans]]
*Assorted [[Vok]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]

==International releases==
===Japan===
In Japan the show was split into 2 separate 26 episode series, ''Beast Wars'' which aired in 1997 (consisting of Canadian season 1) and ''Beast Wars Metals'' which aired in 1999 (consisting of Canadian seasons 2 and 3). The ''Beast Wars Metals'' series featured two additional clip shows:

*Episode 14: "[[Remix: Where is the Banana?]]"
*Episode 26: "[[Remix: I Lost the Banana!]]"

Japan crafted two separate theatrical releases, the first being "[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]" (premiering the episode "[[Bad Spark]]" as well as two other segments) and a triple feature of short animated films based on [[Takara]] toylines (premiering the episode "[[Cutting Edge]]"). Since these episodes were released theatrically, they are not included in the show's proper 26 episode list, with their places being taken by the pair of aforementioned clip shows.

Additionally, for whatever reason, the Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Wars Metals'' notoriously chose to turn the series into a goofy comedy show with lots of fourth-wall humor and a relentless string of over-the-top and in-your-face jokes, even at the most ''inappropriate'' of moments.

Some examples include:

*The beginning of every episode would start with one of the characters asking a ridiculous question and receiving equally ridiculous answers (Optimus Primal asking "Where is my banana", for instance) before segueing into the opening rap theme by [[Banana Ice]].
*Rattrap would constantly break the fourth wall by "smelling" what the audience was eating and make gluttonous comments.
*Many characters received completely new personalities that were polar opposites to their Western interpretation (Depth Charge enjoyed singing folk songs while Megatron became a flamboyant madman that shrieked like a little girl at the sight of danger). Other characters had their ''genders'' altered (poor, poor Airazor).
*Clipshows would feature the characters interacting in silly situations such as gameshows and contests (in one instance, Megatron acted as judge in a celebrity impersonation contest).
While many long-time ''Transformers'' fans in Japan reviled this dub (including [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]]) it remained a hit with its target audience: young children. At any rate, this version of ''Beast Wars'' was popular enough to spawn two equally goofy-natured spin-offs, [[Beast Wars II]] and [[Beast Wars Neo]], and two Japanese-exclusive theatrical releases.

However, [[Pioneer|Pioneer's]] Japanese DVD sets of the series come with optional English language dialogue with Japanese subtitles, allowing fans in Japan to view the more serious version of the show if desired.

===United Kingdom===

[[Image:Beastwarsvolume3_UK.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
[[Image:Beastwarsthebeginningvol1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
[[Image:BeastwarsreallycheapDVD_UK.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
When originally aired on GMTV in the United Kingdom, ''Beast Wars'' was only screened on school holidays, usually in double bills on Bank Holidays, and one episode per morning on half-term weeks, meaning that only a few episodes were shown a year, with wide gulfs in between (most prominently, ''three months'' passed between the airings of "Other Visits" parts [[Other Visits (Part 1)|1]] and [[Other Visits (Part 2)|2]]). In a sign of things to come, "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" was shown some 25 minutes earlier than billed due to re-scheduled news reports, meaning many fans missed the entire opening episode. Things went from bad to worse when "[[Equal Measures]]" was skipped, and only continued when, after "[[Victory (episode)|Victory]]", the series skipped directly to "[[Other Voices, Part 1]]". The entirety of the second season followed the conclusion of the first, but the channel never aired the third season; although it was subsequently released on VHS, the cliffhanger-resolving "[[Optimal Situation]]" was only available as a free gift with purchase at [[Toys"R"Us]].

Additionally, these GMTV airings were modified in various ways. The first and most foremost alteration was the removal of the word "Transformers" from the series' title, which was only reinstated with "[[Other Voices, Part 1]]". With regard to the actual content, the earliest episodes generally had nothing more extreme than the removal of uses of the word "[[Slag (slang)|slag]]" (as it is effectively a synonym for "slut" in English slang), but with the beginning of the second season, edits were steadily made to episodes for no readily apparent reasons. Additionally, any scenes featuring flashing images were routinely put through a filter that slowed such scenes down to comical levels. This culminated in a butchered version of "[[The Agenda (Part 1)|The Agenda]]", which snipped out many short scenes throughout all three episodes for no reason, from inconsequential moments like Tarantulas cackling and driving out of his lab in Part 1, to key scenes such as Silverbolt and Optimus Primal's "office talk" in Part 2, and in what was the last straw for many fans, the complete second half of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s speech (''the part explaining [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s entire motivation''), also from Part 2.

During the time they had the rights to the series, GMTV also showed the entirety of seasons one and two on the then cable-only channel ITV 2.

Almost the entire run of the show ended up on VHS from 2000 to 2001, oddly missing "[[Aftermath]]" and "Optimal Situation". This time, cuts were gone! Characters could rightfully swear! '''Season 3 was finally released!''' Season 3 got the first release, in Volumes 1 through 4, with box art of characters being used on the covers. Then, Season 2 got collected as well, as... Volumes 5 through 8. (''That'' must've confused some kiddies.) Finally, Season 1 was collected as ''Beast Wars: The Beginning''. These later releases used CGI art. DVD collections have so far been absent, beyond two super-cheap DVD releases by [[Universal]]. The first collected "The Agenda" through to "Cutting Edge", followed by one just collecting "Feral Scream" and "Proving Grounds". They're now out of print.

Channel 5, a terrestrial channel, showed the entire series in its complete form in 2003. Thankfully. This got rerun too, leading to the ''Beast Wars'' comics getting [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|used as reprints in Titan's Movie-based comic]].

{{-}}

===France===
In France and (French) Belgium, the show was called "Animutants" and had a good quality dubbing, rather close to the original voices. But while the first two seasons of the show were aired, the third one never was; the show always ended with "[[The Agenda (Part III)]]", leaving the viewers in the area with the worst case of cliffhanger ever.

===Vietnam===
In Vietnam, the show was called "Chiến tranh quái vật vũ trụ" (Galaxy Monster Wars). The show was released on VHS tapes with a very good Vietnamese dub, then it was copied to VCD. Unfortunately, as happened in France, only the first two seasons were aired. It ended with "[[The Agenda (Part III)]]", and left the fans with a cliffhanger.

===Germany===
The German dub used the original title, ''Beast Wars'''. The show was initially very successful on the TV Station RTL2 and was released on VHS. However, only the first season was shown and dubbed. Furthermore, the TV broadcast had many fight scenes censored to comply with Germany's strict laws against TV violence; however, the VHS Release was uncut. After many reruns the show was cancelled and the second and third Season were never shown in Germany.

==Trivia==
* The first season of ''Beast Wars'' cost $18 million, according to [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/b334d45514e26ab4/bc8e54e9165e0823?hl=en&lnk=st&q=bob+forward+interview+inferno+megatron&rnum=1#bc8e54e9165e0823 a 1997 interview with Bob Forward].
* [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-CLUB_%28%E6%A8%A1%E5%9E%8B%E9%9B%91%E8%AA%8C%29 B-Club magazine] erroneously claims that ''Beast Wars'' is the first fully CGI television show in the world, a title actually held by ''[[:wikipedia:Insektors|Insektors]]''. Mainframe's own CGI show ''[[wikipedia:ReBoot|ReBoot]]'' also predates ''Beast Wars''.
* The Production Designer for the show, [[Clyde Klotz]], won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation in 1997. How cool is that?

==See also==
*[[Dark Glass]] was an unproduced script intended for season 3.

[[Category:Beast Wars]]
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[Category:Mainframe]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)

2009-09-08T18:30:42Z

83.25.6.168:

{{Nav-bw}}

Though [[Trukk not munky|reviled]] by many Transfans when it first hit the airwaves in 1996, the wholly-[[CGI]] '''''Beast Wars''''' is now considered by many to be among the finest examples of Transformers storytelling.

:''Canadian name:'' '''Beasties'''
:''Japanese name:'' '''Beast Wars Metals''' (season 2-3)
:''French name:'' '''Animutants'''
:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Guerre-Betes'''
:''Italian name:'' '''Biocombat'''
:''Polish name:'' '''Kosmiczne Wojny''' ("Space War" [Sic!])

==Overview==
The series opens at an unspecified time and place, where two warring factions of robots have crashed on a strange planet populated by animals like those on [[Earth]]. The planet abounds in mystery, with vast deposits of raw [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] and evidence of [[Vok|alien]] activity. The Energon forces the newly arrived Transformers to take on protective beast forms to shield themselves from the ambient Energon radiation. And so begin the Beast Wars...

[[Image:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Rattrap and Airazor conspire to ruin school picture day.]]
Though at first the show seemed to be in an entirely separate continuity, by the end of the first season's 26 episodes, viewers had been treated to a number of classical Transformers references, such as [[Unicron]] and even the reappearance of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], last seen as a ghost in the third season of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]]. These ties to the original story increased as the second season progressed and the planet was revealed as prehistoric Earth. The third season was entirely structured around the [[Maximal]]s defending their [[Autobot]] ancestors aboard the ancient crashed [[Ark (G1)|Ark]].

The show won over many viewers through fun, intriguing stories and generally high production values. Strong characterization, top-notch scripting and voice acting, and complex, overarching plot threads are among the reasons cited for the show's enduring popularity. Some of the show's mysteries and machinations remain topics for fan debate over a decade after it aired.

The show's CGI, though somewhat primitive by today's standards, was revolutionary by television standards of the time (and puts [[Energon (cartoon)|some later shows]] to [[Cybertron (cartoon)|shame]]). Mainframe's animators took pains to ensure their characters gestured and emoted in great detail, and the "camera" work often took creative advantage of the format's flexibility.

The show was immediately followed by a sequel series, ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
{{-}}

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Beast Wars episodes}}

''Beast Wars'' has had 52 episodes over 3 seasons.

===Season 1: 1996–1997===
{{columnlist|4|
# [[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]
# [[Beast Wars (Part 2)]]
# [[The Web]]
# [[Equal Measures]]
# [[Chain of Command]]
# [[Power Surge]]
# [[Fallen Comrades]]
# [[Double Jeopardy]]
# [[A Better Mousetrap]]
# [[Gorilla Warfare]]
# [[The Probe]]
# [[Victory (episode)|Victory]]
# [[Dark Designs (episode)|Dark Designs]]
# [[Double Dinobot]]
# [[The Spark]]
# [[The Trigger, Part 1]]
# [[The Trigger, Part 2]]
# [[Spider's Game]]
# [[Call of the Wild]]
# [[Dark Voyage]]
# [[Possession]]
# [[The Low Road]]
# [[Law of the Jungle]]
# [[Before the Storm]]
# [[Other Voices, Part 1]]
# [[Other Voices, Part 2]]}}

===Season 2: 1997–1998===
{{columnlist|4|
# [[Aftermath]]
# [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)]]
# [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]
# [[Tangled Web]]
# [[Maximal, No More]]
# [[Other Visits (Part 1)]]
# [[Other Visits (Part 2)]]
# [[Bad Spark]]
# [[Code of Hero]]
# [[Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate]]
# [[The Agenda (Part 1)]]
# [[The Agenda (Part 2)]]
# [[The Agenda (Part III)]]}}

===Season 3: 1998–1999===
{{columnlist|4|
# [[Optimal Situation]]
# [[Deep Metal]]
# [[Changing of the Guard]]
# [[Cutting Edge]]
# [[Feral Scream Part 1]]
# [[Feral Scream Part 2]]
# [[Proving Grounds]]
# [[Go with the Flow]]
# [[Crossing the Rubicon]]
# [[Master Blaster]]
# [[Other Victories]]
# [[Nemesis Part 1]]
# [[Nemesis Part 2]]}}

==Characters==
Because developing new CGI character models was, at the time, an expensive and time-consuming process, the number of on-screen characters in ''Beast Wars'' was relatively small compared to most other ''Transformers'' shows. It is thus practical to list all the Transformers who appeared in the cartoon. They are listed in order of appearance. (The [[stasis lock]]ed [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] are not on this list.) Note that many characters besides these are also full-fledged ''Beast Wars'' characters, having appeared in other media.

===[[Maximal]]s===
[[Image:BW Maximals.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Time for Rattrap to lead.]]
*[[Optimus Primal]]
*[[Rattrap]]
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (allied with the Maximals, nominally a Predacon)
*[[Tigatron]]
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]]
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]
*[[Depth Charge]]
*[[Tigerhawk]]

===[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]===
[[Image:BW Predacons.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Waspinator is loved by fans.]]
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]]
*[[Tarantulas]]
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]]
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (became a Maximal towards the end of the series)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]
*[[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]]
*[[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]]
*[[Tripredacus Council]] (very briefly)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]
*[[Dinobot II]]

===Others===
*[[Snowstalker]]
*[[Transmutate]]
*[[Protohumans]]
*Assorted [[Vok]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]

==International releases==
===Japan===
In Japan the show was split into 2 separate 26 episode series, ''Beast Wars'' which aired in 1997 (consisting of Canadian season 1) and ''Beast Wars Metals'' which aired in 1999 (consisting of Canadian seasons 2 and 3). The ''Beast Wars Metals'' series featured two additional clip shows:

*Episode 14: "[[Remix: Where is the Banana?]]"
*Episode 26: "[[Remix: I Lost the Banana!]]"

Japan crafted two separate theatrical releases, the first being "[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]" (premiering the episode "[[Bad Spark]]" as well as two other segments) and a triple feature of short animated films based on [[Takara]] toylines (premiering the episode "[[Cutting Edge]]"). Since these episodes were released theatrically, they are not included in the show's proper 26 episode list, with their places being taken by the pair of aforementioned clip shows.

Additionally, for whatever reason, the Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Wars Metals'' notoriously chose to turn the series into a goofy comedy show with lots of fourth-wall humor and a relentless string of over-the-top and in-your-face jokes, even at the most ''inappropriate'' of moments.

Some examples include:

*The beginning of every episode would start with one of the characters asking a ridiculous question and receiving equally ridiculous answers (Optimus Primal asking "Where is my banana", for instance) before segueing into the opening rap theme by [[Banana Ice]].
*Rattrap would constantly break the fourth wall by "smelling" what the audience was eating and make gluttonous comments.
*Many characters received completely new personalities that were polar opposites to their Western interpretation (Depth Charge enjoyed singing folk songs while Megatron became a flamboyant madman that shrieked like a little girl at the sight of danger). Other characters had their ''genders'' altered (poor, poor Airazor).
*Clipshows would feature the characters interacting in silly situations such as gameshows and contests (in one instance, Megatron acted as judge in a celebrity impersonation contest).
While many long-time ''Transformers'' fans in Japan reviled this dub (including [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]]) it remained a hit with its target audience: young children. At any rate, this version of ''Beast Wars'' was popular enough to spawn two equally goofy-natured spin-offs, [[Beast Wars II]] and [[Beast Wars Neo]], and two Japanese-exclusive theatrical releases.

However, [[Pioneer|Pioneer's]] Japanese DVD sets of the series come with optional English language dialogue with Japanese subtitles, allowing fans in Japan to view the more serious version of the show if desired.

===United Kingdom===

[[Image:Beastwarsvolume3_UK.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
[[Image:Beastwarsthebeginningvol1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
[[Image:BeastwarsreallycheapDVD_UK.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
When originally aired on GMTV in the United Kingdom, ''Beast Wars'' was only screened on school holidays, usually in double bills on Bank Holidays, and one episode per morning on half-term weeks, meaning that only a few episodes were shown a year, with wide gulfs in between (most prominently, ''three months'' passed between the airings of "Other Visits" parts [[Other Visits (Part 1)|1]] and [[Other Visits (Part 2)|2]]). In a sign of things to come, "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" was shown some 25 minutes earlier than billed due to re-scheduled news reports, meaning many fans missed the entire opening episode. Things went from bad to worse when "[[Equal Measures]]" was skipped, and only continued when, after "[[Victory (episode)|Victory]]", the series skipped directly to "[[Other Voices, Part 1]]". The entirety of the second season followed the conclusion of the first, but the channel never aired the third season; although it was subsequently released on VHS, the cliffhanger-resolving "[[Optimal Situation]]" was only available as a free gift with purchase at [[Toys"R"Us]].

Additionally, these GMTV airings were modified in various ways. The first and most foremost alteration was the removal of the word "Transformers" from the series' title, which was only reinstated with "[[Other Voices, Part 1]]". With regard to the actual content, the earliest episodes generally had nothing more extreme than the removal of uses of the word "[[Slag (slang)|slag]]" (as it is effectively a synonym for "slut" in English slang), but with the beginning of the second season, edits were steadily made to episodes for no readily apparent reasons. Additionally, any scenes featuring flashing images were routinely put through a filter that slowed such scenes down to comical levels. This culminated in a butchered version of "[[The Agenda (Part 1)|The Agenda]]", which snipped out many short scenes throughout all three episodes for no reason, from inconsequential moments like Tarantulas cackling and driving out of his lab in Part 1, to key scenes such as Silverbolt and Optimus Primal's "office talk" in Part 2, and in what was the last straw for many fans, the complete second half of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s speech (''the part explaining [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s entire motivation''), also from Part 2.

During the time they had the rights to the series, GMTV also showed the entirety of seasons one and two on the then cable-only channel ITV 2.

Almost the entire run of the show ended up on VHS from 2000 to 2001, oddly missing "[[Aftermath]]" and "Optimal Situation". This time, cuts were gone! Characters could rightfully swear! '''Season 3 was finally released!''' Season 3 got the first release, in Volumes 1 through 4, with box art of characters being used on the covers. Then, Season 2 got collected as well, as... Volumes 5 through 8. (''That'' must've confused some kiddies.) Finally, Season 1 was collected as ''Beast Wars: The Beginning''. These later releases used CGI art. DVD collections have so far been absent, beyond two super-cheap DVD releases by [[Universal]]. The first collected "The Agenda" through to "Cutting Edge", followed by one just collecting "Feral Scream" and "Proving Grounds". They're now out of print.

Channel 5, a terrestrial channel, showed the entire series in its complete form in 2003. Thankfully. This got rerun too, leading to the ''Beast Wars'' comics getting [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|used as reprints in Titan's Movie-based comic]].

{{-}}

===France===
In France and (French) Belgium, the show was called "Animutants" and had a good quality dubbing, rather close to the original voices. But while the first two seasons of the show were aired, the third one never was; the show always ended with "[[The Agenda (Part III)]]", leaving the viewers in the area with the worst case of cliffhanger ever.

===Vietnam===
In Vietnam, the show was called "Chiến tranh quái vật vũ trụ" (Galaxy Monster Wars). The show was released on VHS tapes with a very good Vietnamese dub, then it was copied to VCD. Unfortunately, as happened in France, only the first two seasons were aired. It ended with "[[The Agenda (Part III)]]", and left the fans with a cliffhanger.

===Germany===
The German dub used the original title, ''Beast Wars'''. The show was initially very successful on the TV Station RTL2 and was released on VHS. However, only the first season was shown and dubbed. Furthermore, the TV broadcast had many fight scenes censored to comply with Germany's strict laws against TV violence; however, the VHS Release was uncut. After many reruns the show was cancelled and the second and third Season were never shown in Germany.

==Trivia==
* The first season of ''Beast Wars'' cost $18 million, according to [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/b334d45514e26ab4/bc8e54e9165e0823?hl=en&lnk=st&q=bob+forward+interview+inferno+megatron&rnum=1#bc8e54e9165e0823 a 1997 interview with Bob Forward].
* [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-CLUB_%28%E6%A8%A1%E5%9E%8B%E9%9B%91%E8%AA%8C%29 B-Club magazine] erroneously claims that ''Beast Wars'' is the first fully CGI television show in the world, a title actually held by ''[[:wikipedia:Insektors|Insektors]]''. Mainframe's own CGI show ''[[wikipedia:ReBoot|ReBoot]]'' also predates ''Beast Wars''.
* The Production Designer for the show, [[Clyde Klotz]], won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation in 1997. How cool is that?

==See also==
*[[Dark Glass]] was an unproduced script intended for season 3.

[[Category:Beast Wars]]
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[Category:Mainframe]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Red Alert (Armada)

2009-09-08T16:30:11Z

83.25.6.168:

{{disambig3|Red Alert}}
:''Red Alert is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Redalertut.jpg|right|283px|thumb|Red Alert takes a cue from the Quad City DJs]]
'''Red Alert''' was once a fierce warrior. It was not until he was seriously wounded, losing his hand permanently in battle, that he was able to sit back and realize how terrible war is. He is now a reluctant fighter, and somewhat emotionally detached, preferring to repair his friends than tear his enemies to shreds. This does not mean he is now a coward. To the contrary, when a fellow Autobot on the battlefield needs his immediate medical attention, he will be there no matter what it takes. He's a brilliant medic and scientist, but he's also extremely cautious.

His nominal [[Mini-Con]] partner is [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]], though during the search for the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]], he was accompanied to [[Velocitron]] by [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]].

:''Japanese ''Armada'' name'': '''Ratchet'''
:''Japanese ''Galaxy Force'' name'': '''First Aid''', '''First Gunner''' ("Cybertron Defense")
:''Hungarian name'': '''Riadó''' ("Alert")
:''Polish ''Armada'' name'': '''Alarmus''' (Alertus)

==Fiction==
===Dreamwave comics continuity===
====''Armada'' ====
[[Image:DWArmada2 RedAlert filtrekshields.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
One million years ago, a new faction of Transformers, calling themselves "[[Decepticon|Decepticons]]" attacked various [[Mini-Con]] villages on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] for unknown, but most likely nefarious purposes. Red Alert was under [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime's]] personal squad, sifting through the ruins of Mini-Con Village C-52 hoping to find survivors, though Red Alert was more interested in the fact that the Mini-Cons were using outdated [[Filtrek-A forceshields]]. What had happened to the Mini-Cons was that they had been forcibly re-engineered to "[[Powerlinx|powerlink]]" with the Decepticons, granting the [[bulk]]s increased power, which the Autobots learned first hand when [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] attacked [[Cyber City]]. Realizing that they were no match for the Decepticons, Red Alert desperately asked Prime for orders. Knowing that they would be killed if they stayed, Optimus ordered a retreat. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 2|Dreamwave Armada issue 2}}

For a million years the civil war raged on, the once-proud Autobots struggled to defend themselves against the powerful, Mini-Con augmented Decepticons, who were in possession of Cybertron's only remaining Mini-Cons, the others having escaped at the beginning of the conflict. Hope came in the form of a Mini-Con Reactivation Signal detected by Cybertron's Decepticon-controlled communications satellites, which Red Alert was able to hack into. The Autobots resolved to travel to this distant world of [[Earth]] and resolved to fight for Truth, Justice and Freedom. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 3|Dreamwave Armada issue 3}}

[[Image:DWArmada4 RedAlert Scavenger yourface.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Arriving on Earth at the [[Allspark Power Generation Station]], Red Alert attempted to communicate with the indigenous [[human]] species, asking for their help in finding the Mini-Cons, but only managing to frighten them off. [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] jokingly suggested it was because of his face. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 4|Dreamwave Armada issue 4}} Unfortunately for the Autobots, the Decepticons had already arrived and were chasing after [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug's]] group of Mini-Cons and their human friends, [[Rad White|Rad]], [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] and [[Alexis]]. Just as [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] were about to jump Scavenger, Red Alert and [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] arrived to outflank them. Eventually Megatron powerlinked with all of his Mini-Cons and gained the upper hand, but help came in the form of [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]]'s group of Mini-Cons, who powerlinked with the Autobots. [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]] linked with Red Alert, a chest-mounted disk launcher. At a tactical disadvantage, the Decepticons were forced to flee. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 5|Dreamwave Armada issue 5}}

After establishing a base on Earth on the outskirts of [[Lincoln (South Dakota)|Lincoln]], [[South Dakota]], Megatron attacked the human city with the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]], the forcibly combined form of the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Team]], to goad the Autobots to emerge from their hidden [[Autobase (Armada)|Autobase]]. Red Alert tried to contact the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team|Street Action Team]] to no avail, and the Autobots realised the Autobot-allied Mini-Cons must have left earlier to infiltrate the Decepticon base at [[Silver Ridge]]. Despite the considerable tactical disadvantage, the Autobots emerged and fought off the Decepticons as best they could, Red Alert somehow gaining the ability to use his claw rifle without powerlinking with not-present [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]]. Fortunately just as Megatron was about to deal a fatal blow to Optimus Prime, Longarm and the Mini-Cons arrived, powerlinked with their respective Autobot partners, allowing the good guys to free the Air Defense Team and send the Decepticons packing. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 7|Dreamwave Armada issue 7}}

[[Image:DWArmada10 RedAlert HotShot VENTSURPRISE.jpg|left|250px|thumb|]]
Soon afterwards, when Red Alert was looking in on the Mini-Cons, he discovered that they had vanished. Again. He thought that as they were free to come and go as they pleased, perhaps they needed some time to cool off after Optimus Prime admonished them for disobeying his orders during the Air Defense Team incident. The Autobots received an answer to the mystery when local news networks reported strange lights in [[Tranquility (Kansas)|Tranquility]], [[Kansas]]. Racing there in a [[Autobot shuttle|shuttle]], they discovered that the Mini-Cons were being subconsciously drawn to a strange obelisk. Unfortunately, the Decepticons were there as well and a fight quickly broke out, but as they fought, the Mini-Cons (and Rad) were taken into the obelisk and it blasted off to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 8|Dreamwave Armada issue 8}} With the shuttle destroyed, Optimus Prime prepared to use the [[space bridge]] to go back to Cybertron and retrieve specialised equipment needed to fly to the Moon, but the Decepticon sensors had to be neutralised before he could do so without compromising security. Hot Shot and Red Alert infiltrated the Decepticon base at Silver Ridge, knocked out [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] and erased the space bridge trace data of Prime travelling to Cybertron. Unfortunately, just before Prime returned, [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] and [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] returned to Silver Ridge, forcing Red and Hot Shot to hide inside a wall panel. Determined not to let the Decepticons learn of their secret Autobase locations on both Earth and Cybertron, Red Alert and Hot Shot blasted the hapless Decepticons and destroyed their computer. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 10|Dreamwave Armada issue 10}}

{{charstubfiction}}

====''Energon''====
While Optimus Prime waited for a meeting with the High Council, Red Alert, Scavenger and [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] were seen travelling on a highway in the center of [[Cyber City]]. {{storylink|This Evil Reborn|This Evil Reborn}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Brian Dobson]] (English), [[Ikuya Sawaki]] (Japanese), [[Claus Brockmeyer]] (German), [[Stefan Berglund]] (Swedish)

{{charstubfiction}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor'': [[Brian Dobson]] (English), [[Yasuyuki Kase]] (Japanese), [[Robert Kotulla]] (German)

Throughout the series, Red Alert spoke with a [[Accents|Liverpudlian accent]]. He was first seen communicating with Optimus Prime via video screen, showing him the destruction of the planet [[Moriturus]]. Red Alert did not immediately join his comrades on Earth, instead remaining on a remote observation station to monitor the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]].

He did not come to Earth until after the failure of his gravitron grid to negate the black hole. To the surprise of the others, the scientifically-minded Red Alert considered [[Vector Prime]]'s plan to use the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s and the [[Omega Lock]] viable. {{storylink|Hidden}}

Red Alert was first seen on Earth when coming along with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] to reinforce the [[Autobot]]s during their conflict outside a museum. Shortly after, he was sent along with Hot Shot on a covert mission to Velocitron to search for the Cyber Planet Key there. Red Alert was very dismayed at the prospect of a secret mission with the impetuous younger Autobot. {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===3H ''Universe'' comics===
[[Image:TFUjailbreak.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
Red Alert (or an alternate-universe incarnation of him) was one of the countless Cybertrons captured by agents of [[Unicron]] and held prisoner in the [[Cauldron]] arena. The quick thinking of [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] released them, and Red Alert participated in the great escape. Presumably he was transported back to his proper dimension thanks to the power of [[Primus]]. {{storylink|Escape (issue)|Escape}}

{{note|If this wasn't an alternate-universe incarnation of the character, his appearance in the Universe fiction may explain why he was absent during the Energon series. Alternately, it could be the Red Alert from the Energon comics.}}
{{-}}
===Cyber Key Code content===
Red Alert fought beside [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] until one day [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] used his Energon Saber to cut off his hand. Red Alert has never forgiven him.

==Games==
===''Transformers'' Playstation 2 game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Daran Norris]] (English)

When Optimus Prime took to the field, Red Alert served as his dispatcher, alerting him via radio to mission objectives and giving him warnings.

{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
===Armada===
[[Image:Armra.jpg|right|250px|thumb|RED UH-LURT!]]
{{listen|RedAlertWooWooWooWooWoo.ogg|RedAlertWooWooWooWooWoo.ogg|"Red Uh-Lert! Woo!Woo!Woo!Woo!Woo!" This never gets old. NEVER.|55 Kb}}

*'''Red Alert w/Longarm''' (Max-Con, 2002/2003)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MC-02'''
**''Accessories'': Claw-missile, disc, 2 hand-attachments

: Red Alert transforms into a white Nissan Patrol rescue SUV. When a [[Mini-Con]] is attached to his hood-mounted Mini-Con port, the grille springs open. Pulling back on the attached Mini-Con launches a rescue disk/missile. Similarly, when a Mini-Con is used on his emergency lights port and is pushed forward, the sirens flash and a voice chip proclaims "RED-ALERT! WOO-WOO-WOO-WOO-WOO!" (Naturally, the Japanese version has different sounds.) In robot mode, pulling back on the Mini-Con unlocks a shoulder-mounted missile/rescue grappling claw launcher, which can also be detached and held in his hand. His right leg guard contains several tools that can be attached onto his left wrist socket, while his left leg guard can be unfolded to become a Mini-Con repair bay. He comes with his Mini-Con partner [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]].

: The [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] version has some slight [[Paint operation|paint application]] differences from the [[Hasbro]] version, mainly a "separated" Autobot insignia and the addition of dark blue paint on his kneecaps.

: This mold was later used to make ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl]] and [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] [[Inferno (Movie)|Inferno]].

*'''Red Alert''' (Fast food premium, 2003)

: This simplified version of Red Alert features a pull-back motor that zips him along in SUV mode. The toy also features Powerlinx plugs, which enable him to form the "leg" of a really silly-looking "super robot" along with the Happy Meal versions of [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] and [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]].


[[Image:Powerlinx Red Alert toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|ORANGE UH-LURT!]]
*'''Powerlinx Red Alert w/Longarm''' (Max-Con, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MC-12'''
**''Accessories'': Claw-missile, disc, blaster hand-attachment, triple-blaster hand attachment

: This is a predominantly orange [[redeco]] of ''Armada'' Red Alert, with white stripes and 'RESCUE' [[tampograph]]ed lettering, giving him a more beach-rescue vibe. He retains all of the same gimmicks and sounds as the previous version of the mold, and also a redecoed Longarm.

: The Japanese version has some slight paint application differences, mainly additional metallic red paint on his arms (notably his right hand), and the removal of the "EMERGENCY" text on his hood.

{{-}}

[[Image:BTR ArmadaRedAlert.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Red Alert's left hand is restored by the power of not-[[wikipedia:Lego|Lego]].]]
*'''Red Alert w/ Longarm''' (Built to Rule, 2003)
**''Accessories'': Three missiles

: One of the larger ''[[Built to Rule]]'' sets, Red Alert can be built into an emergency SUV, robot, or whatever your imagination can make out of the blocks provided. The set features a large pressure-launch triple-missile "Gatling" cannon. He also came with a block-version of Longarm.

{{-}}
===Cybertron===
[[Image:Cybertron Red Alert toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Cut you up, geezer!]]
*'''Red Alert''' (Deluxe Class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''GC-11'''
**''Accessories'': Clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Earth Cyber Key

: Cybertron Red Alert transforms into a [[wikipedia:Dodge_Magnum|Dodge Magnum]] emergency vehicle. Plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into the back of his car mode causes two rear side-panels to pop out and reveal two spring-forward non-firing blasters. This gimmick is retained in robot mode, where they become over-shoulder blasters. He features an unusual transformation sequence where both the front and rear halves of the vehicle mode come together to form his legs. His hood halves open to reveal storage space for extra tools (a hammer-head and an opening claw) that can be attached onto his left arm blaster. He came with a silver-bordered [[Earth]]-style Cyber Planet Key which, in the Hasbro version, has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Key Code]] "'''d26w'''" [[tampograph]]ed on the back. Later releases of the mold had slight indents made in the leg pieces to allow them to clip together better.

: The Takara version of this toy lacks the gold paint on the robot-mode shoulders.

: This mold was later used to make [[Cannonball]], the [[Movie (toyline)|live-action movie-verse]] [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]], and ''[[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]'' [[Kup (G1)|Kup]].

{{-}}

*'''Red Alert''' (Fast-food premium, 2005)

: Available only as part of Burger King's ''Cybertron'' promotion, this version of Red Alert is a very simplified version of the original toy, transforming into a Dodge Magnum emergency vehicle, devoid of any [[Gimmick|gimmickry]]... and that includes ''functional wheels''. That's right, this toy doesn't even ''roll'' in vehicle mode.


[[Image:Cybertron Defence Red Alert.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Just what every injured robot wants to see... a giant shoulder-mounted cannon aiming at them.]]
*'''Cybertron Defense Red Alert'''<ref>Possibly because the Western name for the Vanguard Team (Cybertron Defense Team) was decided very late in the game, early batches of this toy available at retail and from online stores were lacking the "Cybertron Defense" portion of the name on the packaging. However, the more widespread version with the full name was found within mere days of the original version's initial retail sighting.</ref> (Ultra-Class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''GC-21'''
**''Accessories'': Rocket, small missile, clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Cybertron Autobot Cyber Key

: An upgraded, all-new tooling of Red Alert. He now transforms into a cross between a Russian [[wikipedia:R-400_Oka|R-400 Oka mobile ballistic missile launcher]]. The left side of his vehicle mode has a flip-up non-firing double-blaster, which can also be "used" in robot mode. Inserting a Cyber Key into the rear of the missile pops it in half, activates the electronic sound and lights, and exposes the inner spring-loaded missile launcher "laser cannon". In robot mode, Red Alert finally has two normal robotic hands, but he comes with a shield that, when a Key is inserted, flips out a multi-tool arm that can be equipped with several tools stored in his shins (a spring-loaded hammer-head or a gripping claw), emulating his old tool-arm. This shield can be mounted on either arm. He has two (nonfunctional) Mini-Con hardpoints in vehicle mode, and two ''different'' hardpoints in robot mode. He comes with a [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]-Autobot Cyber Planet Key; the Hasbro version has the Key Code "'''up0t'''" tampographed on the back.

: This mold was also used to make the [[BotCon 2006]]-[[exclusive]] [[Megatron (BW)/toys|"Dawn of Future's Past" Megatron]] and [[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe (2008)]] [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]].

{{-}}

*'''Red Alert with Dirt Boss''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
**''Accessories'': Clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Earth Cyber Key

: This is a Wal*Mart-exclusive version of Deluxe-size Red Alert packaged with a [[Tiny Tins]] version of the ''Armada'' Mini-Con [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]]. Red Alert himself is identical to his normal release.



*'''The Critical Path''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
**''Accessories'': Clamp attachment, hammer attachment, Earth Cyber Key

: This two-pack of the Deluxe-size Red Alert and ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] toys was made available only at Target stores, retailing for $16.99. The toys are identical to their individual releases.


[[Image:LOC CD Red Alert.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Say 'ello to my 'ittle friend!"]]
*'''Red Alert''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)

: A much-simplified version of the "Cybertron Defense" incarnation of Red Alert in terms of detail and articulation, this toy was made available in the third wave of the ''[[Legends Class|Legends of Cybertron]]'' series. The missile is permanently in its split-open state.

: This mold was later used to make ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]].

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* The ''Armada'' Red Alert toy's "WOO WOO WOO" sound effect has since become a famous in-joke within the Transformers [[fandom]]. For a short time, it also became something of an impromptu chant among fans at Transformers conventions. Reportedly, at the start of the [[OTFCC 2003]] [[Hasbro]] Panel, several fans started chanting "WOO WOO WOO WOO!" to the initial confusion of Hasbro designer [[Aaron Archer]], until he realized what was occurring.

* One concept drawing in the ''[[Micron Legend Year Book 2003|Micron Legend Yearbook 2003]]'' depicts Red Alert as having a large siren perched atop his cranium.

* According to the [[Transformers (Melbourne House)|''Armada'' Playstation 2 game]] instruction booklet, Red Alert's ''Armada'' body has the following statistics:

:*Mass: 3,838 lbs
:*Robot height: 19' 8"
:*Robot top speed: 37 mph
:*Vehicle height: 7' 3"
:*Vehicle top speed: 155 mph
:*Vehicle power: 450 hp @ 6600 rpm

* According to Aaron Archer, Red Alert's head sculpt seems to be based on RoboCop, hence his personality and trait.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/RedAlert/redalert.htm Red Alert at TFU.info]

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Armada characters]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Built to Rule]]
[[Category:Cybertron characters]]
[[Category:Energon characters]]
[[Category:Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category:Medics]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Toys with sound]]

Hot Shot (Armada)

2009-09-08T16:29:56Z

83.25.6.168:

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Hot Shot}}
:''Hot Shot is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Hotshotut.jpg|thumb|350px|I'm Optimus Prime's choice for successor. Scary what goes through the big guy's head, huh?]]
'''Hot Shot''' is the quintessential young hero. He's been around long enough to earn a name for himself and a place in [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime's]] entourage, but he's still too young to know when he's in over his head. In other words, he's blunt, overconfident, naïve, and more than just a little annoying, yet brave, honorable, loyal to his friends, and willing to risk his life to stop the [[Decepticon]]s and help the Autobots. With time and experience, Prime believes, he could make an excellent leader, and Prime has appointed him to his command structure accordingly. Hot Shot's got the goods, but he just needs to pay attention for more than five seconds. Until that day, Hot Shot's likely response to most anything is, "Yeah yeah, like, whatever."

Hot Shot's [[Mini-Con]] partner is [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]], though he has been known to moonlight with [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]]. Hot Shot also proclaims a love for a strange substance called [[JaAm]], but none of his Autobot peers can figure out what it is.

:''Japanese name:'' '''Hot Rod''' (''Micron Densetsu''), '''Exillion''' (''Galaxy Force''), '''Exigeyser''' (Vanguard Team)
:''Hungarian name:'' '''Tűzgolyó''' ("Fireball", ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron''), '''Nagyágyú''' ("The Ultimate Battle")
:''Polish name:'' '''Piorunus''' (Thunderboltus) (''Armada'')

==Fiction==
===Toy pack-in mini-comics===
[[Image:Hotshotarmadaminicomic.jpg|thumb|left|200px|How dumb can he be? He's fluent in three languages!]]
[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] chose Hot Shot to stop a Decepticon plot to drain power from the city, but Hot Shot balked when Prime picked [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] to be his partner. After speeding off to complete the mission alone, Hot Shot found himself overwhelmed by [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] and his partner [[Crumplezone (Armada)|Crumplezone]]. Thankfully, Jolt arrived and gave Hot Shot a hand, and Cyclonus and Crumplezone were defeated. Hot Shot had learned a valuable lesson about teamwork.

Much later, Hot Shot, [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] were present for [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s defeat of [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]. They didn't, however, see his smile upon his capture. {{storylink|Armada (mini-comic)}}

[[Image:HotShotEnergonminicomic.jpg|thumb|200px|He's so polite.]]
After Hot Shot and [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] found a pool of [[Energon (Energon)|Energon]], they were attacked by [[Battle Ravage]]s. When the situation was bleakened further by the arrival of [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]], Strongarm fashioned an [[Energon weapon]] for Hot Shot, and the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]] were driven away. With the Energon secured, Hot Shot and Strongarm were relieved that they had faced a formidable foe and come out on top.

Some time after, Hot Shot was seen alongside [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] and Optimus Prime battling Scorponok and his Terrorcons.

Optimus Prime and Hot Shot (powerlinked with Inferno) found themselves alone and outmatched in a battle with Megatron, [[Shockblast (Energon)|Shockblast]], [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] and [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Mirage]]. As the Decepticons closed in on Optimus, he warned Powerlinx Hot Shot to stay away, for he was too damaged. But at the last minute, [[Wing Saber]] arrived, combined with Prime, and drove the Decepticons away! {{storylink|Energon (mini-comic)}}
 

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
====''Armada''====
[[Image:Hotshotraizeyes.jpg|thumb|left|Hot Shot watches in horror as [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] buys the last can of [[jaAm]].]]
One million years ago, Hot Shot was a member of the Autobots, the guardians of [[Cyber City]]. Soon, news of a warlike faction called [[Decepticon]]s, led by the power-hungry [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], reached Cyber City via a dying [[Mini-Con]] Hot Shot found. The Mini-Con handed him a video disc, and with his dying breath, demanded Hot Shot take it to Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime played the disc, a distress signal from [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]], head of [[Mini-Con Sector|Mini-Con village D10]], who begged the Autobots for help.

 The Decepticons themselves soon arrived in Cyber City, armed with Mini-Cons they had captured and reconfigured to bestow incredible power when [[Powerlinx]]ed. Outclassed and near total defeat, Optimus Prime called his troops into retreat, and after the majority of Mini-Cons escaped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to parts unknown, the Autobots lost much of the planet to the Mini-Con-powered Decepticons.

[[Image:Hotshotfreecomicbookday.jpg|thumb|300px|Hot Shot, stop stealing Jolt's gun!]]
In the present day, both the Autobots and Decepticons received a signal of the Mini-Cons' activation on the planet [[Earth]]. Hot Shot and his colleagues [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], and [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] were led by Optimus Prime to the planet, where they met the Decepticons in battle. But this time, with the help of the estranged Mini-Cons, the Autobots regained the edge they'd lost against the Decepticons one million years prior. An uneasy alliance was formed, and Hot Shot was partnered with the Mini-Con [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]]. {{storylink|Armada (Dreamwave comic)#Volume 1: First Contact|First Contact}}

When their human friends [[Rad White|Rad]], [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]], and [[Alexis]] befriended a Mini-Con named [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]], they soon attracted the attention of the Decepticons, and Hot Rod and the other Autobots weren't far behind. With the arrival of Megatron, however, the Autobots were quickly defeated and restrained, and the children were shocked to learn that Swindle had been working with the Decepticons all this time! Swindle found himself conflicted, as he genuinely liked the human children, and so he eventually had a small change of heart. Grabbing Hot Shot's gun, he was able to disable the Autobots' restraints, and the Decepticons retreated... though with Swindle. {{storylink|Armada Free Comic Book Day}}

[[Image:Hotshotdwissue6.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Wait, Jolt attaches ''where?'']]
After their initial battles on Earth, Megatron was quick to capture the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] and forge them into the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. Optimus Prime led Hot Shot and Red Alert against the Decepticons again, despite being at a strategic disadvantage while the Mini-Cons were missing, a point Hot Shot belabored. Thankfully, the Autobot-allied Mini-Cons arrived just in time to Powerlinx with Hot Shot and the other Autobots, fend off Megatron, and rescue the Air Defense Mini-Cons from the Decepticon leader's clutches.

[[Image:Hotshotguido.jpg|thumb|"Well, let's go!"]]
Soon, a Mini-Con beacon tower was erected in [[Tranquility, Kansas]], drawing all Earth-bound Mini-Cons to it. Hot Shot and the rest of the Autobots again met the Decepticons in battle at the location when the tower's effect was discovered. However, they were too busy fighting to notice the beacon tower blasting off toward the Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. Hot Shot and Red Alert secreted Optimus Prime into the Decepticon base for the use of their space bridge, so that the Autobot leader could ask for reinforcements from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Armada (Dreamwave comic)#Volume 2: Fortress|Fortress}}

After the Mini-Cons were evacuated from the Moon, five did not return home safely and sent a distress signal from northern Alaska. When the [[Adventure Mini-Con Team]] failed to retrieve them, Hot Shot and the other Autobots arrived in full force, though they were kept in check by Cyclonus, who was suffering from a Mini-Con overdose. Though they were successful, Optimus Prime disappeared before their eyes, and when Hot Shot returned to Autobase, he found [[Optimus Prime (Worlds Collide)|another Optimus Prime]], dying, sent from a different timeline to warn of [[Unicron]]'s coming. Learning of the "real" Optimus Prime's disappearance, Megatron and his Decepticons stormed Autobase, nearly killing Smokescreen and heavily injuring Hot Shot, Red Alert, and Scavenger.

Optimus Prime was returned to them and insisted on teaming up with the Decepticons to battle the arriving Unicron. Hot Shot excused himself from this alliance, as Smokescreen's critical condition due to the Decepticons' recent attack still weighed heavily in his mind. So when Megatron stole away during the battle with Unicron to strike a deal with the Dark God, Hot Shot, Scavenger, and Red Alert ambushed him, leaving him to die as Unicron was seemingly destroyed by the [[Mini-Con Matrix]]. {{storylink|Armada (Dreamwave comic)#Volume 3: Worlds Collide|Worlds Collide}}

 

====''Energon''====
[[Image:Hotshotironhidedw.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Sorry, Hot Shot, you've been replaced.]]
Ten years later, at the beginning of the Energon Era, Hot Shot accompanied Optimus Prime, who was skeptical and restless about the new peacetime, on his visit with the High Council in Cyber City. Prime's demands for vigilance were denied, so Hot Shot later followed him to a special [[uplink platform]] that [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] had directed them to. This trip was a first outing for the rookie Autobot [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]], who fawned over Hot Shot. Hot Shot met this with difficulty. Learning of the continued existence of [[Unicron]], {{storylink|This Evil Reborn}} Prime once again returned to the High Council, again accompanied by Hot Shot. But this time, Cyber City was attacked by [[Cheetor (Armada)|Cheetor]], [[Rhinox (Armada)|Rhinox]], [[Airazor (Armada)|Airazor]], and [[Terrorsaur (Armada)|Terrorsaur]], who were presumed dead during the [[Unicron Battles]], but in fact were transformed into Unicron's [[Beasts of the Apocalypse]]. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath}} The Beasts of the Apocalypse overwhelmed Hot Shot and the other Autobots, and they were saved from destruction only by the timely arrival of the [[Omnicon]]s. Hot Shot, Optimus Prime, and the others were granted the [[Spark of Combination]] by [[Sig-Omega]], and thanks partly to the combined powerlinked form of Hot Shot and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]], the Beasts were deterred. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Two}}

Hot Shot, along with Inferno, Ironhide, and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], followed Prime to Earth after the Autobots received a distress signal. They regrettably arrived four hours later than the signal was sent, and Hot Shot boggled at how much damage could have been done in that time. Indeed, [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] and his [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]] had caused massive devastation while chasing after a young boy named [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]] who could detect [[Energon (Energon)|Energon]]. The Terrorcons outclassed the Autobots upon arrival, however, and left only when their Energon-mining gear was destroyed...but not without taking Kicker. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Three}} After the Autobots reunited with [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]], [[Rad White|Rad]], and [[Alexis]], Hot Shot and the Omnicon [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] were able to pursue the Terrorcons and deliver a special suit to Kicker that his father, [[Dr. Brian Jones]], had made for him. With Kicker's help, the Terrorcons were defeated and returned to Unicron. {{storylink|What Lies Beneath, Part Four}}

Hot Shot, along with Optimus Prime and Inferno, attended a public meeting with the [[United Nations]] in [[New York City]] after the ratification of the [[Cybercord Treaty]]. {{storylink|Multiplicity}}

[[Image:Hotshotomni-potent.jpg|thumb|300px|Wait, ''Hot Shot'' has wisdom?]]
After the Terrorcons attacked an [[Energon Tower]] in [[Chicago]], Hot Shot was put in charge of the unruly Omnicons and sent to [[Base Site One]] in [[Yukon Territory]]. Immediately upon arrival, Strongarm crashed into the base site's intrathermal uplink assembly and subsurface transference grid, frustrating Ironhide. This was the final straw for Hot Shot. After telling them to get lost, he was darkly amused that this was the first order he'd given that they actually followed to the letter. An hour later, Hot Shot had a change of heart, and he and Kicker left to track them down. Their search abruptly ended when [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]] was dropped in their laps, defeated during the Omnicons' solo adventure. Eight days later, Hot Shot had returned to Optimus, who tasked him with protecting the Autobots' growing Energon-gathering installations on Earth. However, Prime soon disappeared into a portal, his whereabouts completely unknown. {{storylink|Omni-Potent}}

When Terrorcons orchestrated an attack on four major Earth cities, Hot Shot (leading a team consisting of [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], [[Beachcomber (Energon)|Beachcomber]], and [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Hoist]]) was sent to repel [[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb]] drones in [[Toronto]]. Badly outnumbered and confined, Rodimus suggested the group split up. Hot Shot agreed, sending him and Red Alert elsewhere. Hot Shot contacted Jetfire in [[Los Angeles]], telling him it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed and the battle was lost, but he interrupted his transmission to witness a spectacle above. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 3}} [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] had arrived in a new body, and he was dramatically tearing through the Divebomb drones. After Megatron cleared away enough of the Terrorcons in Toronto to give Hot Shot's team a fighting chance, he moved on to the concurrent battle in [[Tokyo]]. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 4}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====Armada''====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Brent Miller]] (English), [[Kōsuke Okano]] (Japanese), [[Alexandre Moreno]] (Portuguese), [[Martin Halm]] (German), [[Ola Norman]] (Swedish)

[[Image:Past Part 1 Hot Shot flashback.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'll be back to save you, Wheeljack, right after 4:20.]]
An indeterminate number of years ago on Cybertron, Hot Shot was appointed the supervisor of a young Autobot named [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]]. Wheeljack strongly looked up to Hot Shot as a potential mentor and as a friend, but after a blazing battle, Wheeljack was incapacitated under some debris. Hot Shot left him behind as the flames closed in, promising to get help. However, when Hot Shot reached the other Autobots, his [[Arrogant Autobot officer|commander]] would not let him endanger his own life by returning to help his friend. Hot Shot ignored this order, running back into the battle to find Wheeljack, but he was overwhelmed by the heat and passed out. Instead, Wheeljack was rescued by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. Thinking he had been abandoned by Hot Shot, Wheeljack swore vengeance against him and the Autobots. {{storylink|Past, Part 1}} {{storylink|Past, Part 2}}

[[Image:Metamorphosis Hot Shot Red Alert arrive.jpg|thumb|200px|Wave 1 all accounted for, sir!]]
When [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] received a distress signal from the long-lost [[Mini-Con]]s, Hot Shot was one of two soldiers he brought with him to Earth to investigate. When they arrived, Hot Shot was quick to block [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] from attacking some human children who had stumbled upon the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team]], and before long, the Decepticons warped away. Hot Shot suggested that the Decepticons' base must be within sight if they were able to use short-warp teleportation; [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] correctly assumed this base was on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. Hot Shot and the other two Autobots returned when the humans and the Mini-Cons once again found themselves under attack from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Metamorphosis}} Hot Shot and Red Alert used their bodies to shield the human kids from the Decepticons' firepower. During the battle, Hot Shot and Red Alert recovered two [[Mini-Con storage panel|Mini-Con storage panels]], and [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] was one of two Mini-Cons who materialized when the panels were activated. Hot Shot partnered with this Mini-Con, and together with Red Alert and Mini-Con [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]], their combined firepower was able to drive the Decepticons away. The Autobots then returned to their Earth base with the human children and the Mini-Cons, and the nature of their war over the Mini-Cons was explained. Hot Shot and the other Autobots also learned the Earth custom of fist-bumping to signify friendship. {{storylink|Base}}

[[Image:Soldier Hot Shot axelzooka.jpg|thumb|left|200px|This is exactly why his shoulders hurt.]]
Immediately thereafter, the Autobots' computer systems warned them of a detected Mini-Con, and so Hot Shot and the others made plans to travel to [[Big Canyon]] to find it. In their rush, [[Rad White]] was left behind, but [[Alexis]] and Hot Shot returned soon enough to pick him up. Alexis apologized, for Hot Shot's sleek power excited her so much that she'd forgotten about Rad. As they left for the Big Canyon once again, Hot Shot's driving was extremely rough, yet despite the children's complaints, he increased his speed—so much so that upon arrival, Hot Shot nearly drove into the canyon itself. After Hot Shot followed [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] into the canyon, [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] warped into the area and attacked him. Ultimately, the Autobots won, and everyone returned to base after having retrieved the Mini-Con [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]]. {{storylink|Comrade}}

The hotheaded Hot Shot often found himself at odds with Red Alert, including one incident when he was playing tag with the three children instead of doing work. He resented being chastised by the Autobot medic, who didn't even have a personality, as far as he was concerned. Soon after this, the Autobots, Mini-Cons, and the human children ventured to [[Antarctica]] to uncover another Mini-Con, and Hot Shot was paired with [[Carlos Lopez]]. When the two came across the Decepticons, Hot Shot continued to battle them despite having Carlos inside him. Finally, he ejected Carlos over a gorge, leaving Jolt to catch him. Hot Shot soon found himself outnumbered, and it took Red Alert's skills to rescue him from the grip of the Decepticons. Hot Shot learned some respect for Red Alert that day, even if he claimed to save Hot Shot not out of friendship, but merely because it was his job. {{storylink|Soldier}}

[[Image:Hotshotarmada.jpg|thumb|200px|He grins because he's too stupid to be sad.]]
Hot Shot also accompanied the others on a Mini-Con rescue mission in a jungle, where they learned to respect the Earth's environment. {{storylink|Jungle}} Later, as the children wondered why the Mini-Con panel they'd uncovered in Antarctica hadn't opened yet, Hot Shot asked them to pass him a spanner too heavy for them to lift because he thought it would be funny. A bored Carlos and Rad then ran off with some Mini-Cons to a local carnival, where they got into trouble. Alexis, Hot Shot, and [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] followed Laserbeak to the carnival, and after some mischief, Hot Shot was able to avert disaster. {{storylink|Carnival}} When the Autobots followed the Decepticons into the desert in pursuit of more Mini-Cons, Hot Shot was frustrated with his tires' incompatibility with the terrain. Unfortunately, he was unable to prevent [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] from acquiring the Mini-Con [[Bonecrusher (Armada)|Bonecrusher]] from within an ancient desert temple. {{storylink|Palace}}

[[Image:Underground merchandising.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Hey, [[Ruined FOREVER|they're right]]! Hot Shot's car mode DOES look like a [[Playskool]] toy!]]
When the Decepticons held the children hostage in a ghost town, Hot Shot and the other Autobots grappled with them, reluctant to hand over their Mini-Cons to get the children returned unharmed. Eventually, after some close calls, Hot Shot was able to kick Rad out of Megatron's hand, the tide was turned, and things were restored to the status quo. {{storylink|Confrontation (episode)|Confrontation}} While working in the underground ruins of half of the crashed Mini-Con ship, Hot Shot was called by Optimus to join them in another Mini-Con search. The Mini-Con was deep within the subway system of a local city, and the Autobots' presence in vehicle mode caused some stir. Here they met up with another Autobot, [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]], though they lost the Mini-Con to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Underground}} Smokescreen joined Hot Shot and the others when they journeyed underwater to the lost city of [[Atlantis]], where, despite their efforts, they lost yet another Mini-Con to the Decepticons. Worse still, this one could combine with two others to form the mighty [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber sword]]. {{storylink|Ruin}} As compensation, Hot Shot and the Autobots found another of the three Star Saber Mini-Cons within a volcano. {{storylink|Prehistory}}

Megatron and his Decepticons soon attacked the Autobot base, hoping to steal the two Mini-Cons they needed to complete the Star Saber sword. While Optimus Prime hid the Mini-Con panels, Hot Shot confronted Megatron directly. Hot Shot was defeated by Megatron's prehensile antlers, which tossed him to the ground like a doll. During another skirmish with Megatron, the Mini-Con panels activated, and Megatron was able to grasp the powerful Star Saber sword! His victory was short-lived, as Optimus was able to knock it out of his hands and into Hot Shot's. With the Star Saber sword, Hot Shot was able to ward off the Decepticons and force them to retreat. {{storylink|Swoop (episode)|Swoop}}

[[Image:Hotshotstarsaber.jpg|thumb|200px|He loves his Star Saber sword. It's so bad.]]
Optimus assigned the three Star Saber Mini-Cons to Hot Shot. The Autobot was young, inexperienced, and hotheaded, so the great advantage the Star Saber granted him went straight to his ego. With the sword, he was nearly unbeatable on the battlefield, which enraged the Decepticons. Then an enigmatic Decepticon named [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] appeared at a battle, mocking Hot Shot's skill. Hot Shot was angered when Scavenger told him that he was nothing without the sword, so he rushed the Decepticon, but was knocked aside. Hot Shot learned the hard way that power without skill is useless against an experienced opponent. {{storylink|Overmatch}} Scavenger confronted Hot Shot again on an unfinished stretch of a highway overpass, while a mysterious motorcycle observed. After exchanging a few blows, Scavenger left Hot Shot again, promising to prove his incompetence another day. The motorcycle introduced himself as the Autobot [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], and Red Alert and Hot Shot wondered if they could truly trust this stranger. {{storylink|Gale}}

[[Image:Overmatch Scavenger-HotShotbeatdown.jpg|thumb|left|300px|And later, he gets [[:Image:Credulous Hot Shot beatdown.jpg|curb-stomped]].]]
During another battle with the Decepticons for a Mini-Con, Sideways and Hot Shot were accidentally warped away with Megatron to their base on Earth's Moon. With Sideways's guidance, Hot Shot was able to fight his way through an army of holographic Autobots, only to have Megatron capture Sideways and demand the Star Saber sword in return. Hot Shot reluctantly relinquished it, but once Megatron released Sideways, Hot Shot called for its Mini-Con components to return to him. At this moment, Sideways betrayed Hot Shot, knocking the Star Saber sword away from him and towards Starscream. Helpless without his powerful weapon, Hot Shot was brutally beaten by the humiliated Decepticons and dropped back at the Autobots' base. {{storylink|Credulous}}

[[Image:Conspiracy faces.jpg|thumb|150px|Like all future Autobot leaders, Hot Shot is amused easily.]]
Hot Shot was understandably in a dour mood following this fall from grace, so the kids made faces at him to cheer him up. Because this was Hot Shot, it worked. During the next battle, Hot Shot targeted the traitor, Sideways, and was once again bested by Scavenger. Hot Shot was surprised to discover later that Scavenger was actually an Autobot working undercover as a Decepticon. {{storylink|Conspiracy}} With Scavenger now with the Autobots again, he began personally training Hot Shot. {{storylink|Trust (Armada)|Trust}} Hot Shot and the others were later caught by local television news journalists while they were rescuing some young children who were lost near a dam, but footage of them was destroyed. {{storylink|Vacation}} When a new recruit, [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]], joined the team, Hot Shot at first had trouble getting along with him. However, after working together to retrieve a Mini-Con, they were able to make peace. {{storylink|Reinforcement}}

With both the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] shield and the Star Saber sword in his possession, Megatron issued a challenge to Optimus Prime and the other Autobots. When the two factions met on a stretch of rocky desert, Hot Shot was disappointed to discover that none of his firepower could penetrate Megatron's shield. His weapons useless against the Decepticon leader, Hot Shot joined Blurr in running interference during the battle between Megatron and Optimus. The tide was turned when the Skyboom shield fell into Autobot hands. {{storylink|Decisive Battle}} For a while, Hot Shot and the other Autobots wouldn't allow their human friends to enter the base. {{storylink|Vow}} While Hot Shot and the others were away, the kids traveled into a digital realm and met with an [[Unicron|evil force]]. {{storylink|Chase (episode)|Chase}} Optimus Prime led Hot Shot and the others into battle in a gully, but it was actually a trap conceived by the Decepticons' new tactician, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]]. To the Decepticons' surprise, the Autobots had an incoming addition of their own, and Prime's second-in-command, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], arrived and saved the Autobots. {{storylink|Tactician}} However, Optimus Prime was badly damaged in the fight, so Jetfire took over as leader. Hot Shot didn't like this, as he thought Jetfire was nothing more than a braggart. Jetfire led Hot Shot and the Autobots to another battle for a Mini-Con on a distant island, and Optimus Prime arrived, repaired, just in time to combine with Jetfire and save the day. {{storylink|Linkup}}

[[Image:Desperate Tidal Wave blocked.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Yes, punch my tiny shield!]]
After Hot Shot and the other Autobots sparred with one another at their base, their morale boosted by Jetfire's arrival, Hot Shot wondered openly about the nature of Sideways, and whether he was really in either faction at all. They left for yet another battle, but this time, the Decepticons had a secret weapon: The gigantic warrior known as [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] had arrived. {{storylink|Detection}} The Autobots barely held up against Tidal Wave. {{storylink|Awakening}} Hot Shot attempted to block Tidal Wave's mighty blows with the Skyboom shield, and with help, the Autobots were finally able to topple the titan. The battle ended with the awakening of the three Mini-Cons which formed the [[Requiem Blaster]]. {{storylink|Desperate}}

When the kids ran off with the Mini-Cons, fearful that they would be used as objects by either faction, Hot Shot and the others had to hunt them down. To reassure the kids, Hot Shot decided that the Autobots would only work with the Mini-Cons as a team! {{storylink|Runaway}}

[[Image:Past Part 2 Wheeljack Hot Shot fight.jpg|thumb|300px|"I won't fight you, I won't! Well, maybe just a little."]]
Wheeljack returned to Hot Shot's life, seeking revenge for abandoning him on the battlefield all those years ago. Unfortunately, Hot Shot was training a new Autobot recruit, [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]], when Wheeljack returned, and the young Autobot found himself caught up in Wheeljack's vendetta as well. {{storylink|Past, Part 1}} When Wheeljack explained to Hot Shot that it was Megatron who'd rescued him and saved his life, Hot Shot couldn't believe it. Hot Shot refused to fight his former friend, yet Wheeljack Shot him, leaving him on the road. Side Swipe dragged Hot Shot's body back to base, where he was placed in intensive care, but Hot Shot's memories still haunted him. Events seemed to repeat themselves when Wheeljack confronted Hot Shot once again within an abandoned human facility. When Side Swipe showed up to help Hot Shot, the area was caught in flames, and Hot Shot was forced once again to save the young Autobot under his care. Wheeljack had chained up Side Swipe within the facility, and he told his captive not to expect rescue from Hot Shot. Regardless, Hot Shot threw himself through the fire and saved Side Swipe, despite the latter's pleas to keep away lest the place blow up with both of them inside. Wheeljack was deterred, but promised he'd be around later to revisit his ill will. {{storylink|Past, Part 2}}

[[Image:Rescue Megatron vs Hot Shot.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]] wants to know why mommy and daddy are fighting!]]

When the Autobots were informed by a mysterious source to meet the Decepticons in battle within a forest, Hot Shot wondered why they didn't bring the Requiem Blaster with them. He was told to shut up, and soon the Decepticons arrived to fight them, as promised. Megatron noticed the absence of the Requiem Blaster and realized it was back at the Autobots' base, where Smokescreen was guarding it, alone. Hot Shot and the Autobots returned to their base too late to assist Smokescreen, who nearly died valiantly trying to protect the Mini-Cons. Despite his sacrifice, Megatron took the Requiem Blaster and retreated. {{storylink|Sacrifice}} Hot Shot was among the Autobots who watched Red Alert begin to repair Smokescreen. Hot Shot then took Side Swipe with him to investigate the appearance of Starscream on Earth, who had left the Decepticons with the Star Saber sword after an argument with Megatron. After a fight with Tidal Wave, Starscream returned with the Autobots to their base, despite Hot Shot's objections. He didn't trust Starscream and believed this was a trick, citing the treachery of Sideways. And worse, Starscream was partly to blame for Smokescreen's condition! Outside, Hot Shot picked a fight with Starscream as their Mini-Cons watched. Their battle, which lasted until dusk, was interrupted by a strange Transformer, whom Hot Shot yelled at for interrupting the avenging of his friend. The fight was stopped when Hot Shot realized this Transformer was Smokescreen, rebuilt in a new body. {{storylink|Regeneration}}

Using coordinates given by Starscream, the Autobots were able to warp themselves directly into the Decepticons' base. Hot Shot confronted Wheeljack again, telling the "creep" to get out of his way. With Starscream's help, the Autobots were able to locate where the Decepticons were keeping their captured Mini-Cons, and Hot Shot fought Megatron, giving the Mini-Cons a chance to escape. Starscream interfered, saving Hot Shot's life, and after the two teamed up against the Decepticon leader, they returned to the Autobot base with the rescued Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Rescue}} Hot Shot stayed home while Jetfire and Starscream journeyed to [[Mars]] to retrieve another Mini-Con. {{storylink|Mars (episode)|Mars}} Hot Shot was frustrated with Starscream's apathy, and his original suspicions were confirmed when Starscream had a change of heart in the midst of a battle, bringing the Skyboom shield and the Star Saber sword to Megatron, giving him control of all three weapons. {{storylink|Crack}}

[[Image:Crisis Hot Shot Matrix.jpg|thumb|300px|Awww, ''hell'' naw.]]
When Megatron harnessed the power of the three weapons to power the [[Hydra Cannon]], a starship powerful enough to destroy Earth in one blast, Hot Shot and the others worked to build a starship of their own. {{storylink|Threaten}} Hot Shot blamed everything on Starscream's betrayal and angrily accused Optimus Prime for letting Starscream join their team and beginning this series of events. This had some effect on the Autobot leader, as Optimus Prime later offered the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix of the Commander]] to Hot Shot. Hot Shot refused, saying he couldn't take such an important thing from Optimus. Optimus Prime put the Matrix back in his chest, warped into space, and blocked the Hydra Cannon's Earth-shattering shot with his own body. The Autobot leader disintegrated before their eyes. {{storylink|Crisis}}

[[Image:Remorse democracy.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Scavenger, you're fired.]]
The death of Optimus hit Hot Shot hard. After starting fights with everyone, he left the Autobots and ran out on his own, only to face Scavenger. Scavenger assaulted Hot Shot, revealing that the former Decepticon had left their team for the Autobots because of him. As the two beat on each other, Side Swipe arrived with a small group of Mini-Cons, and they all pleaded for Hot Shot to stop fighting with everyone. Hot Shot realized he was being selfish, that he needed his teammates just as much as they needed him, and he promised to stop treating his friends as if they were enemies. The rest of the Autobots arrived, and they were pleased with Hot Shot's discovery. Jetfire nominated Hot Shot to lead the Autobots because it was what Optimus would have wanted. Scavenger went to hit Hot Shot one more time, but Hot Shot didn't move. Proving he was without fear, Hot Shot became leader of the Autobots. As a stipulation, Hot Shot stated that he would only be leader until they return to Cybertron, and that they should put the Matrix of the Commander someplace safe, as he didn't feel he should carry it. {{storylink|Remorse}}

Hot Shot oversaw the completion of their starship, the [[Axalon (Armada)|''Axalon'']], and asked the Mini-Cons if they wanted to come or not. They unanimously decided to accompany the Autobots to Cybertron. He initially forbade the kids from coming, but the Mini-Cons convinced him to change his mind. {{storylink|Depart}} As the ''Axalon'' left Earth, Hot Shot said some final words in memory of Optimus Prime. Their starship caught up with the Decepticons', and soon there was a huge battle between the two factions. Hot Shot battled Megatron in space, but it was a one-sided battle. Hot Shot placed himself between Megatron's Requiem Blaster and the ''Axalon'', hoping to spare his friends, but then a miracle occurred. The Mini-Con Sparkplug was able to resurrect Optimus Prime from within the Matrix, and the formerly-deceased Autobot Leader reappeared in a blinding flash of green light. Optimus turned the tide, {{storylink|Miracle}} and he reintroduced himself to a very grateful Hot Shot and the rest of the crew. But before anything else could happen, Hot Shot and Red Alert were pulled through a strange hole to an alien landscape. Here they met a [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|strange dark version of Optimus Prime]] who battled them. It was discovered that Megatron, Starscream, and Demolishor were on this strange planet, too, and despite their combined numbers, the Prime doppleganger overwhelms them. Arriving Mini-Cons bathe the planet in a strange light, and when the larger Transformers woke up, they were completely repaired, yet in strange new colors. Ultimately, their battle caused the planet itself to disintegrate, and both factions were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Puppet}}

[[Image:Dash Hot Shot crouch.jpg|thumb|250px|Twenty episodes ago, he cooed like a baby if you made faces at him.]]
By the time the Autobots had repaired the ''Axalon'' and arrived over Cybertron, the Decepticons had managed to take over the planet. Hot Shot and Blurr fought through Decepticons on the planet's surface, while a strange phenomenon appeared in the sky. {{storylink|Uprising}} [[Unicron]], the Chaos Bringer, was looming over their planet, but [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] (previously Megatron) would not listen to Optimus Prime's pleas to unite their two factions against him. Hot Shot decided to take matters into his own hands and fought his way through the Decepticon base and countless Decepticon warriors to reach Galvatron and reason with him. If not for Wheeljack's intervention, he might not have survived. Wheeljack's hatred for Hot Shot seemed to have softened, and Hot Shot's former friend joined him in pleading to Galvatron to stop the war so that the two factions could unite against Unicron. Galvatron was unconvinced, but Thrust, a secret pawn of Unicron, panicked and ran away with the Requiem Blaster and the Skyboom shield. Hot Shot and Wheeljack took off after him. {{storylink|Dash (episode)|Dash}}

Hot Shot continued to hunt Thrust down, while the true nature of the Mini-Cons was revealed; they were created by Unicron long ago. {{storylink|Drift (episode)|Drift}} Hot Shot and Wheeljack aided Starscream against Sideways within the surprisingly organic-looking caverns of Cybertron. But when Unicron formed out of Cybertron's moon, the battle dissipated as each side readied for the final battle. {{storylink|Portent}} Despite Hot Shot's intentions to convince Galvatron himself, the Decepticon leader did not change his mind until Starscream sacrificed himself to Unicron. {{storylink|Cramp}} After a formal alliance between Autobots and Decepticons was formed, Hot Shot was part of a unified team sent to Unicron's surface. However, once the team arrived, the Decepticons abandoned Hot Shot and the other Autobots. Later, Demolishor made up for this by begrudgingly catching Side Swipe before could fall to his doom. In return, Hot Shot had found Demolishor's Mini-Con partner, [[Blackout (Armada)|Blackout]]. They agreed to work together from then on. {{storylink|Alliance (episode)|Alliance}} Optimus Prime and Megatron traveled together to the core of Unicron, leaving both armies under the command of Hot Shot. {{storylink|Union}} No matter how much damage Hot Shot's teams inflicted on Unicron, Unicron could repair himself. Their massive opponent was fed by the negative energies of the battle. Ordering a cease fire, Unicron stood motionless, seemingly defeated. {{storylink|Origin}}

[[Image:Mortal Combat Hot Shot Jetfire.jpg|thumb|left|250px|When we come back, we'll be terrible cel-shaded CGI!]]
Hot Shot told both armies to begin rebuilding Cybertron while he went to Unicron to find Optimus, but Jetfire demanded he go instead. Inside, after a fight between Optimus Prime and Megatron, Megatron sacrificed himself to Unicron so that their negative energies would not revive him. But Optimus Prime felt he had failed as Autobot Leader, and with the end of the conflict between the two factions, he exiled himself to parts unknown. Hot Shot and [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] were left in charge of the Transformers. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}
 

====''Energon''====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Brent Miller]] (English), [[Kōsuke Toriumi]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Hotshotenergoncartoon.jpg|thumb|300px|Hot Shot always forgets he's not supposed to shoot at the humans.]]
10 years after the events of [[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]], Hot Shot was stationed on Earth as the commander of [[Ocean City|Cybertron City]] while Optimus Prime trained new soldiers on Cybertron. He faced administrative challenges such as [[Demolishor (Armada)|surly former adversaries]] and teenaged angst from the resident teenaged angster, [[Kicker Jones]]. Hot Shot had proved himself up to the task of being "city commander," and was seen with fanboy-like adoration by younger Autobots such as [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]. Ironhide in particular wished he could advance further in rank just so he could combine with Hot Shot.

Kicker seemed to have a certain clairvoyance when it came to trouble (and [[Energon (Energon)|Energon]]!), though Hot Shot would often dismiss Kicker's warnings. But one day, like most days, Kicker was right. Mysterious bestial Transformers, the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]], suddenly attacked Cybertron City, forcing Hot Shot, Kicker, Ironhide, and the others to go on the defensive. When Optimus Prime arrived, Hot Shot and Inferno were granted the [[Spark of Combination]], which allowed the two to combine into a single super robot. With everyone working together, the last of that batch of Terrorcons were defeated. {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)|Cybertron City}}

When [[Mars City|Cyber City]] on Mars was destroyed by more Terrorcons, Hot Shot was among those assembled to hear the news. The Terrorcons' next target was Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]], so after Cybertron City was raised, Hot Shot and the others, including the [[Omnicon|Omnicons]], used the [[space bridge]] to warp there. But despite their efforts, the Terrorcons were able to flee with much stolen Energon. {{storylink|Energon Stars}} Later, Hot Shot headed up a strikeforce to [[Desert City]] to fortify it against possible Terrorcon assault. While there he flirted with jailbait super-scientist [[Misha Miramond]] and filled her ear with what a dork her not-my-boyfriend (Kicker) was back at Cybertron City. When Terrorcons invaded the city, Hot Shot and his troops performed a holding action at the entrance to the Energon Mine, but their position was overrun, and Hot Shot was the only survivor. Though battered, Hot Shot commended [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]'s decision to leave him behind and rescue the humans, resulting in the other Autobot being awarded his own Combination Spark. Finally, Ironhide could combine with Hot Shot, just as he'd always wanted! {{storylink|Scorpinok}}

As part of [[Prime Squad]], Hot Shot prepared to travel to Mars before the mission was canceled, and took part in the defense of [[Plains City]], again tasked with securing the Energon supply. He was the first to feel the wrath of [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]]'s [[Energon Sword|Megatron Sword]], and later battled [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] while attempting to shore up [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]]'s flagging confidence in the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Megatron's Sword}} Hot Shot also led a recon team searching for a [[Energon Point]] in the mountains, the future location of [[Blizzard City]]. He ordered Ironhide and Demolishor to team up for their mutual benefit. While trying to rescue Kicker, Hot Shot was buried in an avalanche by Cyclonus. He evacuated his team before they could be crushed by the emergency deployment of a new [[Cybertron City]] via [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|The New Cybertron City}}

[[Image:E07 hotshotarm.gif|frame|left|Ironhide kept it as a souvenir for his [[User:ItsWalky|Hot Shot shrine]].]]

Hot Shot and his crew were still at Plains City when the newly-resurrected [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] attacked. He was defeated in battle by Megatron and 'dis-armed' as an object lesson to Optimus. {{storylink|Megatron Resurrected}} Optimus retreated to Ocean City with the injured Hot Shot and left the Plains City Energon supply to the Decepticons. Hot Shot's injury awakened a protective streak in Optimus Prime, who briefly forbade Kicker from accompanying the Autobots on missions. At Ocean City Hot Shot underwent medical treatment, submerged in liquefied Energon while his damaged exostructure re-grew. When the base was breached, Hot Shot broke out of his medical unit to defend Inferno from Terrorcons and, armed with a clone of the Megatron Sword, he helped kick the visiting Decepticons back out. {{storylink|Megatron Raid}}

[[Image:Energon Tower groupshot.jpg|thumb|300px|Why even take multiple screencaps? He always looks the same.]]
Hot Shot organized a covert surveillance of Optimus Prime while he was targeted by a [[Starscream (Armada)|Mysterious Mercenary]]. Unfortunately, his large shoulder armor made it impossible to hide behind objects and Optimus discovered him. When Optimus fought Starscream on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]], Hot Shot placed Inferno in temporary command of Ocean City so he could bring a supply of Energon Stars to [[Lunar City]]. {{storylink|Starscream the Mysterious Mercenary}} When the Autobots encountered the [[Mobile Fortress]] near [[Asteroid City]], Hot Shot panicked, momentarily believing it was Unicron himself, and [[Brainstorm#Marvel Comics continuity|fired blindly and ineffectually into it]] using a hand weapon. {{storylink|Battle of the Asteroid Belt}} During the construction of an [[Energon Tower]] that would help protect their cities from attack, the Terrorcons chose the moment to strike. After Inferno combined with Hot Shot to form Powerlinx Inferno, the tower was finally activated and the Terrorcons fled. {{storylink|Energon Tower (episode)|Energon Tower}}

Hot Shot wandered over when he heard Ironhide telling Kicker to 'lose the attitude', but was unable to wholly endorse Ironhide's statement that Kicker should automatically look up to [[Brian Jones (Energon)|his father]]. Instead he gently suggested that Kicker might want to seek a ''different'' hero to look up to, and told Ironhide that he'd looked up to [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] since he was a young Autobot. {{storylink|The Legend of Rodimus}} Hot Shot later supervised the project to construct the second [[Energon Tower]] at [[Jungle City]]. Ironhide was placed in co-command when the larger Autobot contingent arrived for the final stage, and when the city was attacked and put to siege they split duties, with Hot Shot taking Aerial defense. As the siege wore on, Hot Shot had to be the one to confront Optimus Prime and force him to admit that this battle was unwinnable. They destroyed Jungle City rather than letting it fall to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Crisis in Jungle City}}

Hot Shot accompanied the rescue mission to [[Lunar City]]. {{storylink|Kicker Beware!}} When Earth was threatened by artificial cometary impacts, he was part of the orbital team sent to intercept them as they approached Earth's atmosphere. Forced to wait as other teams tried to slow the comets, Hot Shot occupied himself by aggravating [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], who eventually just told him to be quiet. He, Jetfire and Optimus Prime supercharged themselves with Energon to push against the comets, delaying their approach long enough for the [[Energon Grid]] to come online. {{storylink|Energon Grid}}

On Earth, Hot Shot was shocked when [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], a transformer he idolized in his youth, broke in on a communication with [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] and demanded a secret meeting. He traveled to [[Mars]], where he discovered Scorponok had reactivated the destroyed Energon mines. Rodimus appeared to head off a fight between the two of them. He attempted to recruit Hot Shot as a double agent for the secret agenda that he, Scorponok and [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] shared— the revival of Unicron! Hot Shot refused to betray Optimus Prime, and pulled a gun on Rodimus... but he was unable to fire on his one-time idol. Rodimus had no such compunctions, and he shot Hot Shot, but Kicker and Ironhide intervened to save him. {{storylink|Rodimus: Friend or Foe?}}

Hot Shot attended the launch of the ''[[Miranda II]]'' Autobot-human spacecraft. He joined the crew and was part of a space battle in the [[Asteroid Belt]] to defend the [[Energon Ring]] before their journey could begin. {{storylink|Go for Unicron!}}

After Rodimus saved Hot Shot's life, he regretted his quick judgment. The relationship between Hot Shot and Rodimus was eventually restored and they become Powerlink partners.

Hot Shot continued to serve under Optimus Prime, surviving many battles on Cybertron and other worlds. Along with several other Autobots, Hot Shot was injured when the reborn Unicron destroyed a fledgling planet in the reformed Q-system. Hot Shot was reformatted into a slick silver body along with his Autobot comrades.

Hot Shot warned Sally not to go spy on the Decepticons, but she got away from him by wiggling disturbingly through a human-size passageway. He was suitably impressed when she captured the control room the Decepticons had been using all by herself. {{storylink|Galvatron Terror}} He watched in horror as Galvatron grew to enormous size using Super Energon, and led Cliffjumper and Downshift onto the battlefield. He powerlinxed with Downshift to try and rescue Optimus from Galvatron, but they were engaged by Starscream instead. {{storylink|Destructive Power}} He eventually merged his [[spark]] with that of [[Optimus Supreme]] and his partners in the final battle with [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Sun}}

====''Cybertron''====
{{charstubfiction}}
{{cleanup|March 2009|Needs storylinks, and really, he appeared in more episodes than just this.}}
:''Voice actor:'' [[Kirby Morrow]] (English), [[Daisuke Hirakawa]] (Japanese)
[[Image:Hotshotcybertron.jpg|thumb|250px|He knows kung-fu.]]
Hot Shot thought that the new [[Earth]]-based [[alternate mode]] provided to him by [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] was "so him," but couldn't believe they were abandoning [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. When the Decepticons attacked, he battled [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. He was unable to stop the Decepticons from stealing the map, and accompanied [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] to Earth. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}} Once there, he assisted in helping build the new Autobot base. When the Decepticons attacked, Hot Shot battled Starscream to stop them from detecting the base. {{storylink|Haven}} When [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] attempted to close the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]], Hot Shot viewed from Earth. He then arrived as backup when Optimus Prime battled [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Hidden}} Hot Shot was racing on a speedway. Optimus Prime arrived and gave him a lecture about their need to stay hidden on Earth. So when they decided to split up to search for the [[Omega Lock]], Hot Shot went with Red Alert to the [[Velocitron|Speed Planet]]. When they arrived he marveled at the open roads and took to enjoying himself. He was then surprised at something faster than him. {{storylink|Landmine (episode)|Landmine}}

Hot Shot thought the Speed Planet was his type of place, but was adamant he wouldn't disobey Optimus Prime's orders. From a distance he watched [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] utilize his [[Cyber Key]], then saw [[Ransack (Cybertron)|two]] [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|bullies]] terrorizing [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|some]] [[Clocker (Cybertron)|locals]]. He argued with Red Alert about interfering. At first he said he wasn't going to interfere but eventually when things looked bad he saved them. {{storylink|Space}} Hot Shot was then attacked by Ransack and Crumplezone. He transformed and drove off. When driving between them he caused them to blast each other. Red Alert then berated him for breaking cover against Prime's orders, but Hot Shot was still excited over every little part of Speed Planet. Upon seeing a race between [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] and Megatron he joined in. He would have won the race if Crumplezone's missiles hadn't upset him. {{storylink|Rush}} Afterward Hot Shot trained to get into peak performance for his next race against Override. He removed his entire self analysis system to lighten his weight. During the race he felt a need for more speed and was able to summer Cyber Key Power. With this burst of speed, though, he broke and was thrown off the track. {{storylink|Speed}}

Hot Shot readied himself for another race while Red Alert accused him of no longer caring for his mission. Hot Shot was ready to hit Red Alert when Brakedown stepped in. Later while testing out his racing skills he went too fast and almost crashed into a wall, but was saved by Clocker. Reflecting on this, he decided that he was too lightweight. {{storylink|Time (episode)|Time}} Hot Shot still felt he needed to win his race despite being injured. Ransack tricked him into racing [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] by telling him the winner would race Override again 1-on-1. He was damaged by Dirt Boss's [[Cyber Key]] attack, but kept racing. Later he was shot at by Ransack but fired back and caused a landslide, burying himself. After being unburied by Landmine, he apologized to a newly arrived [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] for disobeying his orders and possibly failing his mission. He then collapsed. While in an unconscious state Red Alert repaired the damage he had been putting on himself. Landmine berated him to snap him out of the rut his mind was in. He took it hard and for a bit felt like he wasn't part of the team until Clocker convinced him otherwise. Optimus Prime later decided to use Hot Shot's original plan. Then he raced along with the other Autobots for interference. {{storylink|Hero}}

At the start of the race, Hot Shot took the lead, but was again passed by Override and Dirt Boss. Crumplezone and Ransack spun him in circles, but he quickly recovered and continued to purse Override. The duo later cut away the bridge, but Hot Shot jumped the gap by leapfrogging off of Optimus Prime. He was not able to win the race, but placed second place. {{storylink|Race}} Hot Shot then raced in the next race. Seeing the twisting course up ahead, he attempted to take the lead early in the race and passed Override. He went the wrong direction when Ransack switched over the course. When hearing the fact that he was on the wrong course he shared the information with Override to beat her fair and square. Later after an avalanche he helped out a buried Override rather than continue to race. Once again he came in second place due to Dirt Boss passing him while he was busy helping Override. {{storylink|Detour (episode)|Detour}} Hot Shot continued to train with the rest of the Autobots to be ready for the next race while Optimus Prime and [[Vector Prime]] went to find another planet key. He then listened to Red Alert's lecture about the Cyber Keys and then lined up for the next race. {{storylink|Savage (episode)|Savage}}

[[Image:Retreat-HotShotholomatteravatar.jpg|thumb|left|200px|JaAm executive.]]
Later, Hot Shot, Red Alert and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] faced [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] alone when the Decepticon leader returned to Earth thirsting for revenge against the treacherous Starscream. Humiliating the Decepticon in combat, they enraged Megatron, who used his new Omega Lock-powered Death Machine Gun on the three Autobots, crippling them beyond repair. {{storylink|Revelation (episode)|Revelation}}

[[Image:CDHotShot fists.jpg|250px|thumb|Now we know why his shoulders hurt]]

Fortunately, the powers of Primus acting through the [[Omega Lock]] bathed the trio in the creator's holy light, repairing and reformatting the young Autobot into '''Cybertron Defense Hot Shot.''' Along with his newly reformatted friends, the [[Cybertron Defense Team]] arrived on the battlefield and easily defeated the Decepticons Scourge and Megatron. {{storylink|Critical}}
{{note|The "power of Primus/Omega Lock" explanation was added for the English-language dub of the show. In the original Japanese ''Galaxy Force'' version, the upgrade was simply a result of [[Burning Justice]].}}

As Optimus Prime and the other Autobots dealt with Starscream and Megatron's forces, the Cybertron Defense Team was sent on an advance mission to Planet Cybertron. Hot Shot and his fellow team members had to blast their way through a debris field littering the Space Bridge path to Cybertron, during the course of which Hot Shot's vision was obscured by a thick oily substance excreted out of an asteroid as it exploded.

When the unit finally arrived on Cybertron, they were shocked to discover the planet overrun with the [[Scrapmetal (type)|Scrapmetal]], and quickly had to fight their way through legions of the robotic pests. {{storylink|United}}

Much later on [[Gigantion]] the Cybertron Defense Team was caught in [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]]'s smokescreen, but they managed to figure out the mysterious agent's mind games and defeat him.

After Galvatron was finally defeated, Override resigned from leadership of Velocitron in order to travel to a new world, and Hot Shot won the race to determine who would be her successor, despite his bulky new body. {{storylink|Beginning}}

===Melbourne House ''Transformers'' video game continuity===
[[Image:BalanceOfPower-Autobots.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Hot Shot has particular skills?]]
Shortly after Hot Shot was brought online, he and Red Alert were sent deep into Decepticon territory to uncover an [[Data-Con|ancient relic]] that would tell them how to find the long-lost race of [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]. The two were discovered by passing [[Dropship|Dropships]] and the [[Spider Tank|Spider Tanks]] they carried, and so they quickly dodged for cover. But there was nowhere to run; the Decepticons had created a massive army of [[Decepticlone|Decepticlones]]. After sending out an auto-distress signal, Optimus Prime arrived to bolster their firepower. This caught the attention of Megatron, and the two leaders grappled while Hot Shot and Red Alert continued to evade the Decepticlones. Meanwhile, Starscream had managed to find the relic, and a portal was opened in front of them. Hot Shot, Red Alert, and Optimus Prime followed the Decepticons through the portal to [[Earth]]. The search for the Mini-Cons began! {{storylink|The Balance of Power}}

[[Image:PS2game-HotShotDecepticlones.jpg|thumb|200px|He's the best there is at what he does! (We don't like to say what he does...)]]
Hot Shot found himself in the sweeping jungles that surrounded abandoned Aztec ruins. After failing to find Mini-Cons under a rock, he managed to pair up with the Mini-Con Jolt, and when he reached the top of the ruins, he faced Cyclonus. The following battles took him many places, such as a frozen wasteland, the interior of a battleship (which eventually revealed itself as the gigantic Tidal Wave), and ultimately Hot Shot battled Unicron himself.

Hot Shot, having collected all the Mini-Cons on Earth, was able to wield the legendary [[Matrix Cannon]], which he used to fire a deadly Shot into the core of the Planet Eater. {{storylink|Transformers (Melbourne House)|Transformers}}
{{note|The events of the game listed above are exactly the same for when players choose to take Red Alert or Optimus Prime into battle instead of Hot Shot... except for the rock thing. That's all Hot Shot, baby.}}
 

==Toys==
{{main|Hot Shot (Armada)/toys }}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
* According to the [[Transformers (Melbourne House)|''Armada'' Playstation 2 game]] instruction booklet, Hot Shot's ''Armada'' body has the following statistics:
:*Mass: 3,109 lbs
:*Robot height: 16' 5"
:*Robot top speed: 50 mph
:*Vehicle height: 5' 11"
:*Vehicle top speed: 186 mph
:*Vehicle power: 400 hp @ 8000 rpm

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