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Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)

2011-12-07T01:16:33Z

86.17.124.125: /* Characters */

{{Nav-bw}}

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

==Overview==
''Beast Wars'' 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]] 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 (event)|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 characters having been thrown back in time. The third season was entirely structured around the [[Maximal]]s defending their dormant [[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 [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|some later shows]] to [[Transformers: 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: Transformers (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]]
# [[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==
[[Image:BW Maximals.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Time for Rattrap to lead. Oh GOD.]]
[[Image:BW Predacons.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Waspinator is loved by fans.]]
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.
{{-}}

{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] ([[Garry Chalk]])
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] ([[Richard Newman]])
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]* ([[Scott McNeil]])
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] ([[Ian James Corlett]])
*[[Rattrap]] ([[Scott McNeil]])
*[[Tigatron]] ([[Blu Mankuma]])
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] ([[Pauline Newstone]])
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] ([[Scott McNeil]])
*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] ([[David Sobolov]])
*[[Tigerhawk]] ([[Blu Mankuma]])
|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] ([[David Kaye]])
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] ([[Don Brown]])
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] ([[Doug Parker]])
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] ([[Alec Willows]])
*[[Waspinator]] ([[Scott McNeil]])
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]† ([[Venus Terzo]])
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] ([[Jim Byrnes]])
*[[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] ([[Colin Murdoch]])
*[[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] ([[Campbell Lane]])
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] ([[Lee Tockar]])
*[[Dinobot II]] ([[Scott McNeil]])
|c4=
*[[Vok]] ([[Blu Mankuma]], [[Richard Newman]])
'''[[Protohuman]]s'''
*[[Leader Neanderthal]] ([[Garry Chalk]])
*[[Chak]]
*[[Una]] ([[Susan Blu]])
|nonumbering=true
}}
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Allied with the Maximals, nominally a Predacon.

† Became a Maximal towards the end of the series, though originally a Maximal protoform.

==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 show]]s:

*Episode 14: "[[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 [[TakaraTomy|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. This was the work of [[Iwanami Yoshikazu]], director of the Japanese ''Beast Wars'' series.

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 [[War War! Stop It|opening rap theme]] by [[Banana Ice]]. (On that music note, "[[For the Dream|FOR THE DREAM]]" is the closing song, while "[[Hello! Toughness]]" was the ending song for the special "[[Clash! Beast Warriors]]".)
* An attempt was made to ensure that nary a moment went by in which at least ''one'' character wasn't talking. Dramatic silences and subtle jokes involving body language or facial expressions were killed with meaningless, prattling dialogue and corny jokes. Characters could even be heard talking when their lips were visibly ''not moving at all''. Even in close ups. Perhaps worst of all, a "gag" that ran through the course of the entire series featured each character "making noises" every single time they fired their weapon. For instance, Rattrap would make a sound along the likes of "pikyuu!" every time he fired. Every. Single. Time.
* 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). A character had their gender altered (poor, poor Airazor).
* Clip shows would feature the characters interacting in silly situations such as game shows 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: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]]'' and ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (cartoon)|Beast Wars Neo]]'', and two Japanese-exclusive theatrical releases.

''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars Returns]]'' (the Japanese dub of ''Beast Machines'') continued in the same vein with excessive adlibbing and character desecration.

===United Kingdom===
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.

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.

===Belgium===
Beast Wars aired under its original name with Dutch subtitles, but like the French broadcast, it stopped abruptly after [[The Agenda (Part III)]].

===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.

==Home video releases==
===Canada===
{{main|Alliance Atlantis}}
[[Image:Alliance Beast Wars Vol1 DVD.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
;VHS
*''Beast Wars'' — A Feature Length Beasties Adventure (1996)
*''Robots-Bêtes'' — Une Adventure Cybernetique (1996)
*''Beast Wars'' — Beasties Escape (1998)
*''Robots-Bêtes'' — L'Évasion (1998)
*''Beast Wars'' — Warning from Space (1998)
*''Robots-Bêtes'' — Alert Dans L'Espace (1998)
*''Beast Wars'' / ''Robots-Bêtes'' Three pack (1998)
*''Beast Wars'' — Optimus Lives! (1998)
*''Robots-Bêtes'' — L'Empreinte D'Optimus (1998)
;DVD
*''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes — Where the Beasties Began! (2005)
*''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes: Volume 2 — The Saga Continues! (2005)
*''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes: Volume 3 — The Battle Rages On! (2005)
*''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes: Volume 4 — The Predacons Advance! (2005)
*''Beast Wars'' — The Complete First Season (2005)
{{-}}

===Japan===
{{main|Geneon Universal Entertainment}}
[[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.
;VHS
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Enter the Super Lifeform Transformers (1997)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Cheetus' Crisis (1997)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Disappeared (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Lonely Warrior Tigatron (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — New Weapon of Terror (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Goodbye Rattle!? (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Floating Island Deathmatch (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — The Destrons Make Drama (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — There are 2 Dinobots? (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Resurrected Beast Power (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Starscream's Invulnerability (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Farewell Tigatron (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — To Protect the Peace... (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers Special'' — Great Cybertron Army Collection (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers Special'' — Great Destron Army Collection (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Great Quiz Collection (1999)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — We're Back! (1999)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Convoy Reborn (1999)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Quit! (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Huh? The Face? (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I'm a Crab! (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Do Love You! (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Groooww Bigger (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Rrray! (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — The Movie (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Yeah, I'm Back! (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Love Typhoon (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Sssshiny! (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — We Have Returned (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Happy? This Should Do It (2000)
[[Image:Pioneer BeastWars Laserdisc Box2.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
;Laserdisc
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Maximal Edition (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Predacon Edition (1998)
;DVD
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — DVD BOX (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD BOX 1 (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD BOX 2 (2000)
{{-}}

===United Kingdom===
{{main|Universal}}
The entire run of the show ended up on VHS from 2000 to 2001, though "[[Aftermath]]" was only available as a pack-in with [[Claw Jaw#toys|Claw Jaw]], and "[[Optimal Situation]]" could only be obtained as a free gift with purchase at [[Toys"R"Us]]. DVD releases were considerably more spotting, starting from "[[The Agenda (Part 1)|The Agenda]]" and releasing only ten episodes across two volumes. In both cases, however, cuts were gone! Characters could rightfully swear!
[[Image:UK Beast Wars Vol3 VHS.jpg|150px|thumb|Not featuring [[Razorclaw (BW)|Razorclaw]].]]
;VHS
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Free Video (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 2 (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 3 (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 4 (2000)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 5 (2001)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 6 (2001)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 7 (2001)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 8 (2001)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 1 (2001)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 2 (2001)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 3 (2001)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 4 (2001)
;DVD
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (2004)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 2 (2005)
{{-}}

===United States===
[[Image:Rhino BeastWars Vol1 DVD.jpg|thumb|100px|]]
;{{main|Kid Rhino}}
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 1 (2002)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 2 (2002)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete First Season (2003)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season (2004)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Third Season (2004)

;{{main|Shout! Factory}}
*''Transformers - Beast Wars'': Season One (2011)
*''Transformers - Beast Wars'': The Complete Series (2011)
*''Transformers - Beast Wars'': Seasons 2 & 3 (2011)
{{-}}

===Australia and New Zealand===
{{main|Madman Entertainment}}
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 (2006)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 (2006)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 3 (2006)
*''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (2009)
{{-}}

===Russia===
Russian DVD sets come only with Russian language dialogues and no subtitles.
;DVD
*''Transformery: Bitvy Zverey'' — Season 1 Vol. 1 (first 13 episodes of the first season) (2011)
{{-}}

===Pack-ins and Giveaways===
{{main|Hasbro}}
{{main|Pack-in material}}
;VHS
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — [[Aftermath]] & [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)]] (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — [[Aftermath]] (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)]] (1998)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — [[Bad Spark]] & [[Code of Hero]] (1999)

;DVD
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — [[Equal Measures]] (2006)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — [[A Better Mousetrap]] (2006)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — [[The Spark]] (2006)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — [[Spider's Game]] (2006)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — [[Possession]] (2006)
*''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — [[Code of Hero]] (2006)
*"[[Beast Wars (Part 1)|Super Lifeform Transformers Appear]]" and "[[Victory (episode)|Make a Dramatic Comeback, Destrons]]" (2006)
*"[[Beast Wars (Part 2)|Destroy the Destrons]]" (2006)
*"[[The Web|Cheetus's Crisis]]" (2006)
*"[[Equal Measures|Operation: Time Bomb Transfer]]" (2006)
*"[[Chain of Command|Convoy Disappeared]]" (2006)
*"[[Power Surge|The Sky-Mountains Explode]]" (2006)
*"[[Fallen Comrades|Solitary Warrior, Tigatron]]" (2006)
*"[[Double Jeopardy|Kick of the Spider Woman]]" (2006)
*"[[The Probe|New Weapons of Terror!]]" (2006)
*"[[Gorilla Warfare|The Assassin Virus]]" (2006)
*"[[A Better Mousetrap|Goodbye, Rattle!?]]" (2006)
*"[[The Spark|Falcon Warrior, Airazor]]" (2006)
*"[[The Trigger, Part 1|Floating Island Death Match, Part 1]]" and "[[The Trigger, Part 2|Floating Island Death Match, Part 2]]" (2006)
*"[[Dark Voyage|Around and Around the Jungle]]" (2006)
*"[[Possession|The Immortal Starscream]]" (2006)

==Notes==
* 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].
* There are three known unproduced ''Beast Wars'' episodes: "[[A Greater Ape]]", "[[Bitch Wars]]" and "[[Dark Glass]]".
* [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?
* For reasons unknown, the US Rhino release of ''Beast Wars'' season three did not include the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UmCEsbUe6E opening that was televised], which included an original shot of the ''Axalon'' and ''Darksyde'' spaceships crashing down to prehistoric Earth. Instead, all season three episodes began with the season two opening for the first part of the beginning credits.
* Also, the ''Beast Wars'' season one release from Rhino used a totally different and shorter opening sequence and a shortened version of the theme.

===Foreign names===

*''English:'' '''''Beasties''''' (Canada)
*''Japanese:'' '''''Chō Seimeitai Transformers Beast Wars''''' (超生命体トランスフォーマービーストウォーズ, "Super Lifeform Transformers Beast Wars"), '''''Chō Seimeitai Transformers Beast Wars Metals''''' (second and third seasons, 超生命体トランスフォーマービーストウォーズメタルス, "Super Lifeform Transformers Beast Wars Metals")
*''French:'' '''''Animutants''''' (France), '''''Robots-Bêtes''''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''''Biocombat'''''
*''Latvian:'' '''''Briesmoņu kari''''' ("Monster Wars")
*''Polish:'' '''''Kosmiczne Wojny''''' ("Cosmic Wars")
*''Russian:'' '''''Bitvi Zverey''''' (Битвы зверей, "Battles of the Beasts"), '''''Zhestokye voini''''' (Жестокие войны, "Cruel wars")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Guerra de Bestias''''' (America)
*''Vietnamese:'' '''''Chiến tranh quái vật vũ trụ''''' ("Galaxy Monster Wars")

[[Category:Beast Wars media]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Scale

2011-12-07T00:29:23Z

86.17.124.125: /* Human-scaled alternate modes */

[[Image:OptimusSnakeEyes.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And the truck's how big...?]]
'''Scale''' in ''Transformers'' is, not to put too fine a point on it, screwed.

Virtually no era, franchise, fiction, [[Toy|toyline]] or other incarnation of ''Transformers'' has presented scale in a logical or believable fashion. (There are, of course, a few [[#The rare exceptions|rare exceptions]], detailed below.) Most fans agree that one must either ignore it or accept it, lest they be tempted to explain these problems and in the process [[fanon|fanwank]] themselves into oblivion.

However, the scale problems of ''Transformers'' still merit description.

{{bigquote|Clearly, the pitiful humans at Hasbro are so overwhelmed by the awesomeness of Cybertronian life forms that they can't get the scale right.|[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]|[[Transformers Comic issue 23|Star Scream's #23]]}}

==Scale within toylines==

===Toys out of scale with others in the same line===
[[Image:DiacloneScale.jpg|right|350px|thumb|That little guy — who comes from the same toyline as all those vehicles — is supposed to be a normal-sized human. Yeeeah.]]
The early [[The Transformers (toyline)|''Generation 1'' toy line]], especially the pre-[[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] releases, were [[rebranding|rebranded]] and [[redeco]]ed toys from several different Japanese toy lines. The crucial point is that the toy lines were initially unrelated. The characters ''should'' be in scale with each other as they all have real-world [[alternate mode]]s that (should) pass for real vehicles. However, since ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys were not part of the same line as ''[[Microman]]'' toys, scale issues arose. ''Diaclone'' figures such as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] are more-or-less in correct scale with each other (though problems already arise with [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], whose alternate modes are based on ''the same car'' yet are not quite the same size), but many of the [[Mini Vehicle]]s from the ''New Microman'' line are clearly far too small by comparison. Even aside from their deformed penny-racer proportions, a [[Cliffjumper (G1)#Generation 1 2|Porsche 924]] ''[[Micro Change]]'' toy is disproportionately tiny when compared to a [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Porsche 935]] Diaclone toy. The disparity becomes even more obvious with Minibots such as [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (a tank) and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (a hovercraft), who should be many times their actual size.

Another glaring scale problem comes in the form of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], who turn into F-15 Eagles which, in real life, are 19.4 m (63.8 feet) long. Correctly scaled, this would make their robot modes ''colossal'' compared to most Autobots. Similarly, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], despite also coming from the ''Diaclone'' line, are too small, in particular [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], whose alternate mode is an "earth mover" type of dump truck, which are ''gigantic'' in real life. Far worse is the other ''Diaclone'' combiner team, the [[Trainbot]]s, who have train engine altmodes, yet their toys are among the ''smallest'' of the ''Diaclone'' releases.

Transformers are currently formalised to a variety of [[size class|size classes]], which dictate the approximate cost and dimensions of a figure. Consequently, if the powers that be release toys of two characters in the same line in the same size class, they're going to come out in the same size. Even if one character's a [[Starscream (Movie)|twenty-metre fighter jet]] and the other's a [[Ironhide (Movie)|five-metre pickup truck]]. So don't expect this one to go away any time soon.

===Toys slightly out of scale with others in the same assortment===
Sometimes toys that ship in the same assortment or [[size class]] have similar [[alternate mode]]s (i.e. two cars or two planes), but are not ''quite'' in scale with each other. One possible reason for this is that one of them would be considerably smaller than the other one in real life if they were perfectly in scale. For example, ''[[Movie (franchise)|Movie]]'' [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]'s Pontiac Solstice alternate mode is a ''tiny'' car, and any size class that includes both him and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] (a Chevrolet Camaro) will result in scale problems between the toys. Hasbro ''could'' have made Jazz smaller, but since the main limit for a size class is the ''weight'' of a toy, not its size (as long as it fits into the standardized packaging, that is), they decided that scale problems are more acceptable than selling a tiny Deluxe Class toy when there's still room in the budget for more plastic. With the [[Human Alliance]] assortment, Hasbro have taken a different approach by trying to keep the vehicles in scale (roughly 1:24) and adding accessories and other characters that turn into motorcycles for smaller cars such as Jazz, [[Skids (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Mudflap]].

Other toys with comparable alternate modes that are slightly out of scale with each other are ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Sunstreaker (G1)#Generation 1 2|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)#Generation 1 2|Sideswipe]] (mentioned above), who have the ''same'' basic alternate mode (with a few differences), and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Legends Class [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Autobot Jazz]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Rodimus]].

===Toys out of scale within teams===
[[Image:Bruticus toy.jpg|right|130px|thumb|Wait till you see the artist's rendition of a scale-accurate version.]]
Even toys specifically [[combiner|designed to interact with each other]] suffer from this problem. The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are wildly out of scale to each other—[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]'s [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle Orbiter|Space Shuttle]] mode should dwarf [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], with the others somewhere in between. Instead, they're about the same size. Among the Constructicons, [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] is designed to look like a gigantic [[Wikipedia:Image:Liebherr t282 1.jpg|"earth-mover" mining truck]]. He should be able to carry all his teammates in his bed, with some crowding. Similarly, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Concorde|Concorde jet]]) is dramatically undersized compared to his fighter-jet [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] teammates. These scale problems are necessary to avoid misproportioned gestalt forms.

Don't even ask about the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] with their [[Groove (G1)|motorcycle]] and [[Blades (G1)|helicopter]] limbs...

This problem isn't just limited to the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' combiners either: ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Supreme [[Devastator (ROTF)|Constructicon Devastator]] has a massive [[Scavenger (ROTF)|mining excavator]] form the lower portion of the torso, with your everyday type of [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|cement mixer truck]] that's ''almost the same size'' forming the upper portion of the torso. An [[Long Haul (ROTF)|"earth mover"-type dump truck]] that should be about the same size as the excavator forms one tiny leg, while the other leg is formed by a [[Rampage (ROTF)|bulldozer]] that should be slightly smaller. The [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|movie]] circumvents this problem by adding additional construction vehicles in the mix, which are ignored by the toy line. The [[Legends Class]] version of Devastator only adds another [[Overload (ROTF)|dump truck]] for the torso, which doesn't really improve things since all the individual components are still more or less the same size.
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===Same alternate mode, different sizes===
Other scale problems come from characters who transform into the same (or similar) [[alternate mode]]s, but whose toys are different sizes. For example, [[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|the original Air Raid]] transforms into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]], but his toy is half the size of [[Starscream (G1)/toys|the original Starscream]]'s. The same can be said for the [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Lamborghini Countach|Lamborghini Countach]] [[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]], who should be the same size as [[Sunstreaker (G1)#Toys|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)#Toys|Sideswipe]], not significantly smaller. These discrepancies are also seen in the other [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style combiners with Earth altmodes, whose toys are all smaller than similar earlier toys.

===Multiple scales of same character===
[[Image:Animated-toy MultipleSizeOptimusPrimes.jpg|right|270px|thumb|Oh great. And I thought ''Bulkhead'' was confused...]]

Starting with ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'', many franchises have released multiple versions of the same character in different [[size class]]es, most often the leader characters. Originally, the intent was apparently to make the popular [[Optimus (disambiguation)|Optimus]] and [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]] characters available at lower price points than just the large and expensive "Leader" class, so that children with less money would not miss out, and perhaps persuading [[completist]]-minded [[User:ItsWalky|collectors]] to buy multiple versions of one character.

While this introduces a nice range of options for the discerning collector, it can also lead to some problems. ''Beast Machines'', for example, featured three different [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor toys]]. The [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMSupreme|Supreme size toy]] was so large it could not interact with most of the other toys from the line (based on [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon]], he's maaaaybe in scale with [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|Nightscream]] and [[Optimus Primal/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], the later of whom wasn't released until three years later). The [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMNSC|Deluxe Cheetor]], on the other hand, was too ''small'' to match scales with most of the other toys (again, using the cartoon as a yardstick). Anyone looking ''within'' the toyline for notions of a "correct" scale between the characters would be stymied by the multiple size classes and the lack of real-world scale references.

Other instances of multiple-size characters are more clear cut; the [[Spy Changer]] incarnations of various ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' characters, for instance, are simply scaled-down representations of the same characters in the same bodies, not meant to interact with the much larger "main" toys, as are the later "Legends of Cybertron" toys in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''. Other multiple-toy scale differences include intentionally simplified forms, such as the [[Fast Action Battlers]], which simply make all the characters the same size, with no attempt at matching scales.

Multiple-scale characters usually aren't meant to cross-interact. A rare exception is [[Movie (franchise)|live-action]] [[Blackout (Movie)#Voyager Class toys|Blackout]], who came with a [[Scorponok (Movie)#Voyager Class Blackout companions|tiny (and correctly scaled) version of Scorponok]]. A much larger [[Scorponok (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Deluxe version of Scorponok]] is ''also'' meant to interact with the same Blackout toy, despite the ridiculous scale disparity (and the fact that this means Blackout can have ''two'' Scorponoks of radically different size clipped to him simultaneously.)

Multiple toy sizes are generally irrelevant to the fiction, though the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] featured [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] inflating to planetary size, presumably in response to the [[Starscream (Armada)#Supreme|super-large "King Starscream" toy]] available at the time.

===Toys out of scale with themselves===
[[Image:G1 Broadside toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Kill me. Just... kill me now.]]

[[Triple Changer]]s create a whole new set of problems. The original [[Astrotrain (G1)#Toys|Astrotrain]] transforms from a 21-meter (70-foot) locomotive to a 56-meter (184-foot) [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle Orbiter|Space Shuttle]]. [[Octane#Toys|Octane]]'s original body transforms from a 20-meter (60-foot) tanker truck into a 65-meter (200-foot) jumbo jet. [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] transforms from an Earth fighter jet of indeterminate model (let's pretend for the sake of argument that he's supposed to be an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-14 Tomcat|F-14]] and say he's 18 meters (61 feet) long) into an entire ''aircraft carrier'', approximately 333 meters (1,092 feet) long.

The newer versions of Astrotrain and Octane (aka "[[trademark|Tankor]]"), while changing the specifics of their alternate modes, really don't improve on the general size disparity all that much.

Even a two-mode toy can have this problem. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]] has wheels which are pretty tiny for a Freightliner truck, while his rear hitch section is too thick. These out-of-proportion vehicle parts were necessary to give his robot mode [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] proportions.
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===Toys with roleplay alternate modes===
The characters with roleplay altmodes such as Generation 1 [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]], [[Perceptor (G1)#Toys|Perceptor]], or [[Laserbeak (Armada)#Toys|''Armada'' Laserbeak]] are scaled to be real-world [[human]]-scale (well, kid-scale). Since the [[size changing]] seen in the fiction is not possible for real toys (at least, that's what [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''wants'' us to think), this human-scaling makes in some cases for inordinately large robot modes. E.g., [[Blaster (G1)#Toys|Blaster]]'s toy, in robot mode, is taller than most other Transformers.

The opposite problem is seen with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MasterpieceMegs|Masterpiece Megatron]], whose robot mode is in scale with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|Masterpiece Optimus Prime]]. The result is that, while he may transform into a very accurately-proportioned handgun, it's unmistakably much larger than the real thing. (Not that this has stopped him being widely banned as a "realistic firearm replica"....)

===Fanciful altmodes===
Characters with alternate modes that are not meant to be replicas of real-world things (or at least, close enough to while being legally-distinct from said things) are difficult to accurately scale, as they generally transform into futuristic or Cybertronian vehicles whose size we don't really know... or, indeed, they don't transform into vehicles at all. The scale of characters such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|original Dinobots]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]] or [[Overhaul (Cybertron)#Voyager|Leobreaker]] is fairly arbitrary and can only be estimated by their relative size to other characters within the fiction, although most fiction is highly inconsistent in this regard (see below). Nevertheless, if one assumes that most vehicle altmodes are intended for [[human]]-sized passengers, comparing toys such as [[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]] with [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]] suggests the scale problem continues.

===Big toys===
It goes without saying that the [[city-bot]] and planetbot toys (such as [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Toys|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]]) are not remotely to scale with normal Transformer toys. While they are indeed ''large'' toys, they're only two to five times bigger than typical Transformer toys, and thus transform into "cities" and "planets" about the (relative) size of a bungalow. The scale problems extend to the details. Some of the citybot toys have visible windows, which are too large for a city, suggesting instead a medium-sized building.

However, it's hard to begrudge [[Hasbro]] not offering us a [[Primus]] toy the size of an asteroid. Where would we keep it?

Additionally, Fortress Maximus's main adversary [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] is considerably smaller as a toy. Whereas Fort Max includes a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figure of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Generation 1 2|Spike]], who turns into the head of [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (whose toy is roughly the same size as the regular 1987 Headmasters toys), who in turn becomes the head of Fortress Maximus, Scorponok merely comes with [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (whose figure is the same size as Fort Max's Spike), who turns into a tiny head for Scorponok, covered up by a large helmet. So either Fortress Maximus is supposed to tower over Scorponok, or Zarak [[size changing|grows in size]] during his transformation into Scorponok's head.

===Action Masters===
[[Image:Turbo Racer art.jpg|right|300px|thumb|A car riding inside a car. Wheeljack, you are a either a genius or completely nuts.]]

The [[:Category:Action Master vehicles|Action Master vehicles]] were designed to take advantage of the fact that the [[Action Master]] figures were all the same size. They can each pilot each other's vehicles or ride as a passenger. With the vehicles as a frame of reference, it seems we should take it as fact that all of the Action Masters are literally the same size, even characters such as [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Did Devastator shrink?

Then again, the vehicles pose even more problems: [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], who still sports car [[kibble]], rides a [[Turbo Cycle|motorcycle]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (who used to transform into a car himself) drives a [[Turbo Racer|sports car]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] steers a massive [[Armored Convoy|18-wheeler truck]], despite his own chest still being the front end of a truck cab. Did [[Nucleon]] shrink the Transformers to ''[[human]]'' size, or are these just ''gargantuan'' vehicles?

Of particular note, Wheeljack's Turbo Racer is based on a Ferrari Testarossa, and the Action Master [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] figure (a new [[character]] created specifically for the Action Masters lineup) sports kibble that indicates he once used to transform into a Ferrari Testarossa himself!
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===Size class cross-compatibility===
With standardized [[size class]]es and mixed-faction assortments being the norm these days, scale issues are a given. For example, the first [[wave]] of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Deluxes featured Autobots [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Classics|Bumblebee]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Rodimus]], two cars, and Decepticons [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Starscream]], a modified F-15 Eagle fighter jet, and [[Astrotrain (G1)#Classics 2|Astrotrain]], a [[Triple Changer]] who turns into a bullet train locomotive and a modified NASA Space Shuttle orbiter, all roughly the same size in robot mode but obviously not the same scale in their alternate modes.

However, with the increasing prevalence of multiple toys of the same [[character]] in different size classes, particularly enforced by the [[live-action film series]], it is technically possible to have somewhat more accurate scale combinations. The [[Legends Class]] and its successor, [[Cyberverse]], allows Autobots with cars as their alternate modes to be roughly in scale with Deluxe or Voyager-sized Decepticons that turn into aircraft. Likewise, the Legends Class version of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Arcee (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Arcee]], a motorcycle, is more or less in scale with Deluxe-sized Autobots with car alternate modes.

[[Image:ROTF-toy FuryOfFearswoopBox.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Finally, toys that are more or less in scale with each other... yet Hasbro insists they are ''not''.]]Hasbro does not often take advantage of this possible compatibility with store [[exclusive]] [[giftset]]s and "bonus" packs. Even when toys with considerable size differences are sold in the same pack, combinations such as a Leader-sized [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Leader Class toys|Optimus Prime]] (which would be in scale with Deluxe-sized Autobots with car alternate modes) with the ''much'' smaller Legends Class versions of [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys|Bumblebee]] and [[Jazz (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Jazz]] or the large Ultimate Bumblebee toy with the much smaller Deluxe-sized toys of [[Scorponok (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Scorponok]] (who should be roughly the same size as Bumblebee) and [[Brawl (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Brawl]] (who should be considerably larger than either of them) are fairly common. The ''Revenge of the Fallen'' "Shanghai Showdown" multi-pack with [[Demolishor (ROTF)#Voyager Class toys|Demolishor]]'s Voyager-sized toy and the ice cream truck versions of [[Skids (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Mudflap]] (whose combined alternate mode is Deluxe-sized) is closer, but truly scale-accurate multi-packs like the (unreleased) [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2010)]] "Sideways Sneak Attack" pack with a Deluxe-sized [[Sideways (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Sideways]] (who transforms into a car) and the aforementioned Legends Class version of Arcee and two [[redeco]]s of her as [[Chromia (ROTF)#Transformers (2010)|Chromia]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)#Transformers (2010)|Elita-1]] are rare exceptions. A particularly odd example is the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' "[[The Fury of Fearswoop]]" three-pack, which features a Deluxe-sized [[Fearswoop (ROTF)|Fearswoop]] (who transforms into a plane) and Legends Class versions of [[Sideswipe_(Movie)#Fearswoop|Sideswipe]] and Mudflap (who turn into cars), making them more or less in scale with each other... yet the on-packaging [[bio]] states that Fearswoop has "grown to immense size".

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===Intentional attempts at a consistent scale===
[[Image:DOTM Tailpipe Pinpointer SgtNoble.jpg|right|thumb|300px|That sure is one big motorcycle...]]There have been precious few exceptions to all of this scale weirdness in the toys. However, the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toyline, where every toy is a 1:24-scale representation of a real car, and thus in perfect scale with each other, was the first to buck the trend. Unfortunately, for practical reasons this limits the choice of altmodes. A [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (Space Shuttle) toy in scale with the ''Alternator''s toys would be 1.6 meters (5.1 feet) long, while a [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (aircraft carrier) toy at that scale would be over 12 meters (40 feet)! Cool, yes. Affordable or practical? No. Hasbro actually displayed [[Prototype|mock-ups]] for an unproduced line of "military" Transformers in scale with ''Alternators'' during the [[BotCon 2007]] Hasbro Tour; two of them recycled parts of ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]], and were thus [[Size class|Supreme-sized]], which made said potential toyline not particularly commercially viable for Hasbro.

The direct—and indirect—successors to ''Alternators'' also maintained a mostly consistent internal scale. ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' made use of the same sculpts, only with added [[human]] female driver figures... which were woefully small compared to the cars they came with. This would repeat itself with the "[[Human Alliance]]" toys for ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'': The cars/robots are all roughly the right size compared to each other ([[Skids (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Mudflap]] are even smaller, squatter toys and come with sub-[[size class|Scout]]-sized [[Arcee (Movie)#Human Alliance|motorcycle]] and [[Chromia (ROTF)#HumanAlliance|robots]] to make up for it), but their human drivers are all too small. (Amusingly, [[Frenzy (Movie)#Human Alliance|Frenzy]] seems to be about right.) In fact, the size differences have even ''increased'': The [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] line introduced an even ''smaller'' scale for the driver figures, including new versions of [[Sam Witwicky]] and [[Mikaela Banes]] that are smaller than their ''Revenge of the Fallen'' predecessors. The new scale for the driver figures continues with ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'', which introduced Scout-sized robot figures that had one-man vehicle modes in a slightly larger scale, resulting in [[Sergeant Noble|undersized drivers]] riding [[Tailpipe|oversized motorcycles]]. Conversely, the [[Kmart]] [[exclusive]] ''Dark of the Moon'' "Autobot Daredevil Squad" multi-pack couples a redeco of the original ''Revenge of the Fallen'' version of Sam with a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Cannon|Cannon Bumblebee]], resulting in a large human with a small Chevrolet Camaro he couldn't possibly fit into even if the Bumblebee toy had its crude interior redesigned to house a driver.

''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' would follow in ''Alternators''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s footsteps with a series of smaller 1:32-scale licensed cars... as well as stuffing [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Alternity|characters who traditionally don't have automobile alternate modes]] into modern-day civilian vehicles. That these toys represent hyper-evolved beings most of the time make it all the more head-scratch-inducing.

== Scale within fictions ==
Scale issues abound within the fiction, especially the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]. Some can be attributed to [[animation error]]s, such as layering problems,[[:Image:Tinybluestreak.jpg|1]][[:Image:Huge Ironhide and Small Ratchet.jpg|2]][[:Image:CarnageMiniBlaster.jpg|3]] but some "errors" were deliberate choices, for a variety of reasons.

===Fictional scale vs. toy scale===
[[Image:TeenyCliff.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Frighteningly toy-accurate.]]
[[Image:Powerglide Astoria Marygoaround.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Actually, disturbing ''fiction'' is probably more of a concern than scale issues.]]

The original ''Transformers'' fictions often depict characters to the same relative scale as the toys, which duplicates the intra-toyline problems described above. The cartoon, for example, shows [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] as about the same height, [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s and Autobot cars as slightly shorter (though not as much as the toys are), and [[Mini Vehicle|Minibots]] as smaller yet. This scale was carried over to their vehicle forms, resulting in differently-sized cars that, based on real world measurements, should be virtually the same size.

For another example, the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics portrayed the [[Pretender]]s as literal interpretations of their toys: 60-foot humans with full-scale Transformers inside. The "disguise" aspect of this was later explained by having [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] and [[Cloudburst]] encounter [[Femax|giant, transformer-sized humanoids on an alien planet]] which made them appear to be of a "normal" scale.

[[Image:Omegasupreme astrotrain.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I know he's meant to be big, but holy ''crap'', dude!]]

Transformers fiction commonly shrinks or inflates characters, relative to their toy sizes. "Giant" characters such as [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] are, even aside from any [[size changing]] for transport purposes, clearly not in the same scale in toy form as they are depicted on screen. [[Mini-Cassette|Cassette characters]] such as [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s toys are roughly the same height as most Minibots, while in the show they are usually portrayed as human-sized.

[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] are usually shown to be of a fairly similar height (although Magnus is much bulkier), whereas there is a considerable difference between the size of their toys. By the same token, Rodimus is always depicted as being an equal stature to his opposing leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], whereas the [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|toy Galvatron]] is instead the same size as Magnus. Optimus Prime is also usually shown as only a head or so shorter than Magnus (if that), which gets very strange when you realize that a [[redeco]] of Prime's toy forms but a small part of Magnus' robot mode.

[[Image:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Airazor picks the Ultra-class figure.]]

The cast of ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' were size-tweaked quite a bit, relative to the toyline. The most noticeable problem is [[Optimus Primal]], who has an Ultra toy (the "level four" size, almost twice the size of the "level three" Mega next-largest Maximal toys), but is shorter than both [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (both of whom are "level two" Deluxe sized toys). Further, [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron#Toys|Tigatron]]'s toys use the same (Deluxe) mold, but Tigatron is a head taller in the show (both because tigers are larger than cheetahs, and because Cheetor is "a kid"). New and altered characters in later seasons were generally more consistent in size (and appearance) with the toys. This problem was magnified when the Generation 1 characters cameoed in the series. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] is a Tyrannosaurus rex but is shown in The Agenda Part 3, as being much smaller than Optimus Prime.
[[Image:Agenda3 MegatronOptimusPrime.jpg|right|250px|thumb|An example of how small Beast Wars Megatron is compared to Optimus Prime.]]

The ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]''' toyline was ''far'' worse in size discrepancies with the cartoon. Of the [[Maximal]]s featured in the show, the tallest character, [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], is [[Silverbolt (BW)#Beast Machines|the ''shortest'' toy]], while the diminutive [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] is a [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|massive Ultra-class toy]]. And, sadly, the most show-accurate toy, [[Optimus Primal/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], is a ''ginormous'' Supreme figure, towering over the other toys. (Weirdly, the [[King Kong]]-like size of this toy became [[canon]] in one specific [[micro-continuity]]. {{storylink|Prime Spark}})
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[[Image:ShrinkingHeavy.jpg|left|200px|thumb|I lost thirty tons, thanks to the Jump-Cut! Thank you, Jump-Cut!]]
In the otherwise fairly toy-scale-savvy [[Unicron Trilogy]], [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Metroplex]] and the other citizens of [[Gigantion]] are depicted as gargantuan in animation, whereas the toys are merely among the normal boxed size-classes. Within the animation, this causes problems with their [[Mini-Con]] partners, who are depicted as human-sized in robot mode by themselves, but when shown directly interacting with their larger partners, are scaled up right along with their partner... resulting in some temporarily gigantic Mini-Cons!

The Japanese ''[[Cybertron (franchise)#Galaxy Force|Galaxy Force]]'' release of [[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Toys|Metroplex]], dubbed "Megalo Convoy", included an exclusive [[redeco]] of the [[Legends Class|Legends of Cybertron]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#MegaloConvoy|Optimus Prime toy]] to indicate the "correct" scale.

The ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' franchise has its share of scale problems when comparing its toyline to the cartoon (not helped by multiple releases of some characters in different sizes—see above), with several characters seeming roughly one [[size class]] too small, such as the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] being a mix of one Voyager size and two Deluxes, [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)#Toys|Sentinel Prime]] looking rather diminutive as a Deluxe, and, most egregiously, [[Lugnut (Animated)#Toys|Lugnut]] as a ''very'' squat Voyager who's shorter than even some Deluxes. (As with [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Toys|Voyager-class Bulkhead]], more of his mass went into his width, plus his weapon takes away some from his robot mode.) Conversely, the traditionally stunted [[Bumblebee (Animated)#Toys|Bumblebee]] is marginally too tall and bulky to be in correct scale to his otherwise fairly accurate core teammates, assuming one includes [[Optimus Prime (Animated)#Voyager|Voyager Optimus]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Leader|Leader Bulkhead]] in their lineup. In fact, ''Animated'' is one of those toylines where you're not quite sure who you're supposed to base correct scale on.

===Inconsistent portrayal===
[[Image:OmegaSupremeintro.jpg|left|175px|thumb|No! Don't wash him in hot water! He'll...]]
[[Image:Omegasupreme-blasterandgrimlock.jpg|right|200px|thumb|...too late.]]
Even if a size was decided on, it often didn't remain consistent. The height of the cartoon's [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], just to name one, frequently varied between episodes.

The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]] is notorious for changing the relative sizes of various characters. A single Transformer's size is rarely consistent between artists. For example, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] vary in height relative to [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. A panel in the "[[Time Wars]]" shows [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]], and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] all the same height. [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], titanic in his original appearance, {{storylink|Command Performances!}} shrunk steadily in subsequent issues until he was not much taller than the average Transformer. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] suffered a similar problem, shrinking in size even though he was explicitly rebuilt to be twice as tall as the average Transformer.

Scale can even be inconsistent within the same story thanks to changing artists: In the Marvel UK story "[[Ladies' Night]]", a ginormous [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] picks up a tiiiiny military Jeep with one hand, implying that he grew to humongous proportions when he transformed (as his alternate mode is ''also'' depicted as a Jeep in fiction), but in the second part of the story, Swindle is hit by a burning Jeep (possibly even the same one) that is now in scale with his robot mode. {{storylink|Ladies' Night}} It can even happen within the same issue without an artist change: In [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''[[Spotlight: Soundwave]]'', there's a scene where a [[Hiro|human]] picks up [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] in his tape deck mode, which is smaller than a thick comic book slipcase in his hands. A few pages later, [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] picks up Soundwave out of the human's hands, being barely able to hold the tape deck in his mouth, making Laserbeak about the size of a large dog (not counting the wings). Yet when [[Skywatch]] discovers Laserbeak at the end of the story, his ''head'' alone is suddenly the size of an adult human. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[Image:Beastwarriors scale.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Beast Megatron's size vs. Optimus Prime's in America... and Japan. Looks like the Blasty Zone adds on a few tons to Beast Era characters.]]
Between the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] and the [[Beast Era]], the majority of the Cybertronian race considerably downgraded in size at the [[Great Upgrade]]. When entering the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the Beast Warriors are quite small compared to the dormant Generation 1 characters, especially [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]—but just ''how'' much bigger varies quite a bit from scene to scene and episode to episode. When interacting with the Autobot technology of the Ark and the [[Autobot shuttle]], the [[Maximal]]s are often dealing with equipment grossly oversized for them (standing on the chairs to reach the controls, turning knobs the size of their heads); yet the Ark also seems to feature some human-sized computer control panels. {{storylink|Master Blaster|Master Blaster}} Without any height booster, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] can interface well with these controls.

On the other hand, ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' depicted Generation 1 and ''Beast Wars'' characters like [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Primal]] as being exactly the same size. Lovely. It's possible that passage through the [[Blasty Zone]] may somehow [[Wikipedia:Boom tube#Later additions to the concept|account for this discrepancy]].

===Explicit size changes===
{{main|size changing}}

Numerous characters are explicitly shown to shrink or expand at various times.

====Human-scaled alternate modes====
[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] becomes a human-scale radio; [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] shrinks into a handgun scaled for either Transformer or human hands, depending on the situation. The cartoons and comics typically show this without explanation, leaving the audience to attribute it to advanced alien technology. Or wizards.

====Pretenders====
Some versions of the [[Pretender]]s are shown to explicitly shrink when hiding in their human-sized outer shells. In the U.S. toy commercials, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in their new Pretender forms were small enough to fit in [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s hand. So, at least in that [[micro-continuity]], they were human-sized or Powermaster Optimus Prime is the size of Devastator. ''[[Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' featured Pretenders who did not have outer shells but rather an ill-defined holistic transformation which explicitly involved size changing. A vaguely similar explanation appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' encyclopedia.

===Implicit size changes===
Characters often change size in a less explicit fashion when transforming. These changes in scale are usually attributed to size-changing by that portion of the fan base who like to find explanations for things. The other explanation is that the artists hoped the audience wouldn't notice. It can also be supposed that they are hiding their mass somewhere (car style Transformers storing mass in their passenger compartments when in humanoid form, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] folding his wings flat, the buildings in a city-bot collapsing to eliminate the spaces normally occupied by humans, boat-bots filling up or getting rid of the vast empty areas used to provide buoyancy) or puffing up with empty space, but at a certain point, things just get silly. Some Transformers are smaller than solid blocks of the mass contained in their alt modes: [[Unicron]] would have to be about as thick as the [[Earth]]'s crust while in planetary form, and [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] would probably be blown away by a stiff breeze in his larger incarnations.

====Transport characters====
[[Image:MakeHoistHuffer.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Definitely ''not'' toy-accurate.]]
[[Image:Ironhide carried into Ratchet.jpg|thumb|right|180px|...And not to [[Ironhide (G1)|mention]] [[Ratchet (G1)|this]].]]

In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]], Transformers that act as transport for other Transformers, such as [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], will often dramatically change size relative to their compatriots between one shot and the next. For example, Cosmos is ''much'' shorter than [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] in robot form; yet Blaster easily fits within his spacecraft mode. Likewise, a whole squad of Decepticons can fit into Astrotrain's shuttle mode easily (including the combined-form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]!), yet he's an ordinary-sized trooper in his robot form.

Sometimes the cartoon would show ordinarily-scaled characters such as [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] or [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] carrying another Transformer in their cockpit, implying either a tiny passenger or a huge vehicle. Even [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who is supposed to be huge, would have to have a greatly expanded scale for his rocket ship component to accommodate passengers as shown on the cartoon.

The Marvel comics commonly sidestepped this issue by not using Transformers as transport characters, or else requiring the passengers to transform into their explicitly smaller forms to be carried. Yet they were not immune to this problem. In one story, the Pretender [[Cloudburst]] exited his shell, transformed into jet mode, and then his shell (and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]) boarded him as a passenger. The fact that his ''outer'' shell was now much smaller than the ''inner'' robot was quietly ignored. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}

[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave's]] ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' series of [[bio]] comics tried to explain this for characters such as Astrotrain and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] by saying they're able to expand themselves to increase cargo space in vehicle mode, though their armor becomes thinner as it is spread out more. Conversely, the series notes, in robot mode, all that armor and structure being compressed into a smaller form makes that mode stronger and more durable for combat.

This concept is lampshaded in the credits of [[Transformers:_War_for_Cybertron|WFC]], where [[Bumblebee_(Prime)|Bumblebee]] pulls up, and the entire Autobot cast of the game step out of his passenger door, clown car style.

====Combiner characters====
[[Image:DreamwaveCover6.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Since when is a sedan nine stories tall?]]
[[Combiner]] characters are often depicted as far larger than the sum of their parts. Characters such as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] are frequently shown as [[Godzilla]]-sized. Given that their limbs are mere cars and construction vehicles, this is patently absurd. ([[Superion (G1)|Superion]], by contrast, ''would'' be building-sized, given that his torso is a 100-seat jetliner.)

Combiners are also often out-of-scale with other Transformers; a combiner with cars for legs and another car for its torso should be only twice as tall as a one-car Transformer, but they are routinely drawn as five to dozens of times taller than their comrades.

Sometimes, they are even out of scale in their own team; [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s torso is an [[Onslaught (G1)|anti-aircraft truck]], while one of his limbs is a [[Blast Off (G1)|Space Shuttle]] and another is a [[Swindle (G1)|two-person offroad vehicle]]. For this to work, either Blast Off has to shrink, or Swindle needs to grow.

====Scale problems and size-changing====
Some fans interpret the many otherwise-unexplained scale issues above to all be the result of [[size changing]], but this is debatable. If virtually all characters use mass-shifting (or whatever) to gain or drop a few feet of height for no logical reason, the technology would be pointlessly mundane. There's also no known reason for (e.g.) the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s to choose to get ''shorter'' when going into battle. A to-scale Starscream in robot mode could kick Bumblebee around like a soccer ball. There's simply no positive evidence that size-changing is so widespread.

===Undersized alternate modes===
Many Transformers are portrayed in fiction as having alternate modes that are smaller than the real-life objects they are imitating. Sometimes this is deliberate, allowing them to match their toy scale and/or be of a similar size to other characters; in other cases, it is essentially an artistic error.

Toys at the lowest price points usually include "mini" or "micro" in their name. [[Mini Vehicle]]s [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] are usually depicted as smaller than other Transformers in fiction, even though their alternate modes should have them towering over other characters. This often results in minuscule vehicle forms; Seaspray is a tiny hovercraft, despite being covered with doors and windows. (Conversely, if a new toy based on such a [[character]] is designed to be more in scale with other toys, such as [[Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] Ultra Class Powerglide or [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Voyager Class [[Sea Spray]], some [[fandom|fans]] complain ''because they expect those new toys to reflect the original toys' sizes'' and, by extension, the [[show-accuracy|depiction in fiction]].)

[[Image:Hotrodpatrolcommercial.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Do you have change for four hot rods?]]
The [[Micromaster]]s are explicitly downsized Transformers, roughly the size of a human in the comics, meaning that they ''should'' have explicitly tiny vehicle modes... which wouldn't make for very convincing disguises. The Micromasters are about the same height in robot mode, but they transform into equally tiny cars, trucks, planes, tanks, and other vehicles that should be vastly different sizes.

Despite this, the Marvel comic featured [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] carrying a human passenger in his vehicle form, as though he were a full-sized car. The Dreamwave miniseries ''[[Transformers: Micromasters|Micromasters]]'' suggested that the Micromasters were scaled down to interact more easily with "smaller beings". Whether that meant creatures of human scale or even smaller stature is never clarified, but the Micromasters' passenger compartments are presumably too small to accommodate human passengers.

The [[Mini-Con]]s of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] are another race of small robots who stand approximately the same height as humans and, like the Micromasters before them, are clearly modeled to carry passengers. Really teeny passengers. (Notable exceptions are [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (in his original body), [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]], and [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], who become small one-man conveyances.) This results from the Mini-Cons scanning normal vehicles and then resizing them to fit, retaining now-useless passenger compartments. In the [[Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] have slightly-larger-than-human robot modes, but their alternate modes are large enough for a single human passenger, implying either a little size-changing or that their cockpits are kinda cramped. Though the Recon Team all originate from Gigantion, and seeing how partnered Mini-Cons seem to change size to fit their larger companions, a little size shift to accommodate a passenger doesn't seem too far-fetched compared to other scale issues.

Likewise, the [[Beast Era]] Maximals and Predacons possess roughly human-size bodies; yet when portrayed as vehicles on Cybertron ("[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''), they feature seats and cockpits that, at their size, should be basically useless.

====Citybots====
[[Image:EarlyGalvatronTVMagazine1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|If you were ever this big in the cartoon, then we might call you a city.]]
[[Image:HeadmastersScale.jpg|right|200px|thumb|See above. Way, way, way above.]]
[[City-bot|A few characters]] have "city" alternate modes. As actual real-life cities can sprawl for many miles, a [[city-bot]] that can notionally house a population of humans, ''let alone'' Transformers, should have a robot-mode that'd make Godzilla look like a gecko. Suffice to say, almost no fiction even ''begins'' to approximate the logical size of a true "city-bot". In the American and Japanese cartoons, all four were shown as massive robots capable of housing many normal-sized Transformers. Even so, it would take something along the lines of the grossly undersized depictions of [[Unicron]] (see below) even to begin to represent reasonably the colossal size of a transformed city; so in the context of Transformers, "city" is perhaps better read as "building" or "fortress".

These city-bots often have "small" robots forming vital components. Scorponok has a "human-sized" being forming his head. [[Full-Tilt]], [[Six-Gun]], and [[Slammer]] must logically be building-sized in robot-mode to be in-scale with Trypticon and Metroplex, but, again, are not drawn as such.

The Marvel Generation 1 comic sidestepped this issue by depicting Trypticon, Fortress Maximus and Scorponok as merely "large-standard" characters. However, Metroplex, during his one, brief appearance, was depicted as being immensely larger, crushing Quintesson attack cruisers under foot without batting an eyelid. He was still considerably smaller than a city, however, but this was justified by him merely serving as the 'transformation core' for Autobot City: Earth, not the actual city itself.
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====Planets and planetbots====
[[Image:Cybertronplanet.jpg|left|250px|thumb|If we're generous and assume Cybertron is only the size of Earth's moon, then the larger visible buildings are roughly the size of Massachusetts stood on end, and you could wedge France into that gash. (Which would probably improve both Cybertron and France.)]]
Scale when it comes to planets is so fraught it's painful. The problems of describing citybots as "cities" is a thousand times worse if [[Unicron]] is supposed to have a planet alternate mode, and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is in turn supposed to be of similar size. Though different stories have compared Cybertron/Primus and Unicron to drastically different real planets, the fact remains that they are ''planets'', and yet are shown in such insane scale to characters as to suggest they are the size of a ''very'' small moon (or [[Darth Vader|space station]]).

To start with, Cybertron was shown throughout ''Generation 1'' with buildings visible from space. Although this was intended to show that the planet was technological in nature, it makes little sense, as the structures would have to be the size of small ''nations'' to be visible. If the buildings were in fact supposed to be skyscrapers (or even ''2000 A.D.''-style arcologies) sized for 10 m (30') robots, Cybertron would still be less than 150km (100 miles) across. The rather [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Coruscant Coruscant]-like shots of Cybertron in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' may be less distinctive or "Cybertronian", but are ''far'' more believable. (Some people reason that the Transformers' advanced technology, along with their large size and their not needing to breathe, means that buildings actually CAN be that big.)

Unicron is a more extreme problem. Assuming no [[size changing]] occurs during his transformation (and really, what possible reason would he have to become ''smaller''?), in robot mode he would be so massive that any shot featuring a recognizable ''part'' of his body, let alone the whole thing, would be on a scale such that no normal Transformer would even be visible. [[Image:UnicronEatsGalvyMmmm.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Either Galvy is humungo, or Lithone is tiiinyyy!!!]]Scenes in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]] in which he directly interacts with normal Cybertronians are blatantly absurd (though totally phat-looking). Shots such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] fleeing his grasping hand, a starship penetrating his eye, impaling [[Brainstorm]] on his fingernail, {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} or ''especially'' him picking up Galvatron between his fingers before swallowing him, break any concept of "planetary" scale. Not to mention that he's described as a "''ginormous'' weird-lookin' planet," which would lead one to assume that he is ''significantly'' larger than your average-sized weird-lookin' planet. Thank you, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. Thank you so much.

If Cybertron is the size of Earth's moon (and that's generous), and Unicron is about the size of Cybertron, his hands would be about the size of Europe and Galvatron (to the right) would be about the size of Denmark.

There is no explanation for any of this. Just go with it.

The depiction of Unicron's scale in ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' was (debatably) a slight improvement, in that physical interaction with normal beings was not attempted. He preferred instead to communicate with normal Transformers by possessing one of them. {{storylink|Sideways (RID)|Sideways}} Nevertheless, shots featuring [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] standing on his neck are still ''farcically'' out of scale.

As a side note, Unicron has been established in some continuities as having already devoured approximately 22.56% of known universes which is truly hilarious if one takes actual planetary/galactic scale into consideration. Assuming that Unicron is ''generously'' close to the size of our moon or the planet Mercury, when compared to other stellar bodies he begins to show up as an all but invisible speck. Imagine him trying to devour a star the size of [http://www.kiroastro.com/writings/perspective Betelgeuse]!

===Oversized alternate modes===
[[Image:RattrapLOVEScheetor.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I'm tellin' ya, all da rats in Brooklyn are dis big!]]
Much less common are instances of a Transformer turning into an overscaled real-world object. Most such instances occur in the ''Beast Wars'' era.

Although the Beast Warriors are consistent day-to-day in their relative size to each other, their scale in relation to their real-world animal equivalents is more complex. While the bug characters such as [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] are obviously scaled-up, other characters are more subtly not quite the right size.

[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron]] are shown standing next to real members of their species, and they are both the same size as the animals in question. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Law of the Jungle}} This makes them (and Cheetor in particular, since he's around more) the measuring sticks for the other characters. Therefore, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] is a rather small rhinoceros, and [[Optimus Primal]] is a roughly normal (or female) gorilla. However [[Rattrap]] is a monstrously huge rat, the size of a Labrador dog (indeed, the writers stated that Season 1 Rattrap was 5' (1.5 m) tall<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/8227a6ca84c0238d Bob Forward gives Rattrap's height from the show bible]</ref>). Likewise [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] is considerably larger than a real velociraptor. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], however, is a pitifully tiny specimen of a T. Rex. In their interactions with adult [[protohuman]]s, the Transformer characters seem between twice and three times their height. Considering our ancestors really were smaller than modern humans, this is not extremely wrong, but it deserves noting.

However, thanks to the scaling up of the arthropod characters, it is relatively safe to assume that the Transformers scanned only animal ''forms'' and then rescaled them to fit their own size, which is actually slightly more believable than all other series, in which the Transformers use mass shifting to make their alt modes the ''right'' size.

===Artistic license===
====Variation for characterization====
[[Image:Prime has a huge head.jpg|left|150px|thumb|With 20th Anniversary Prime and Smallest Transformers Bumblebee, you can actually recreate this scene.]]
Some scale problems are for the sake of characterization. For example, Optimus Prime is routinely shown as thoroughly gargantuan, several stories in height, and capable of cradling humans in his palm. If he's the size of a real truck, Prime in robot mode should be 8–10 m (25'–30') tall, at best. He's drawn large because he's a leader character.

Conversely, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] is sometimes shown only a few feet taller than an average human, while in reality he would be 3–5 m (10'–15') tall (the Marvel comic actually states he's 15' tall {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}). He's drawn small because he's a human-friendly character, and a junior member of the Autobots.

With fighter jet alternate modes, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] should be among the largest everyday Transformers and would ''tower'' over their Autobot adversaries; instead, the animation depicts characters such as [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] as about the same height. Though jets are much larger than cars, they're drawn the same height so the battles appear fair. (And also to make it easier to animate; blocking a shot where characters differ radically in height is difficult.)

In a related vein, sometimes Transformers are able to enter human buildings, fitting through their doors and running up their staircases without crashing through. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}} A cast that couldn't enter buildings would be grossly inconvenient for telling some stories, so the animators fudge things.

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====Intentionally strange scale====
[[Image:MarvelUS-01.jpg|right|200px|thumb|One side makes you larger, one side makes you small. (Op's been noshing on the first side too much.)]]
Sometimes artists draw a character at a different size [[Authorial intent|intentionally]]. For example, on the cover of the [[The Transformers (issue)|first issue]] of [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the original ''Transformers'' comics series]], Optimus Prime is extremely huge compared to the highway, bridge, and normal cars. ([[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] is bigger than usual, too.) This is purely for dramatic effect.

Another notable example is the splash screen for the "[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/bible/index.html World of the TRANSFORMERS]" website, which depicts [[Optimus Primal]] (in his original gorilla body) as the same size as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|G1 Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Movie Optimus Prime]], directly contradicting the size difference seen in "[[Optimal Situation]]" and elsewhere (except for ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'').

Artwork for the [[:Image:VaderVsPrime.jpg|''Star Wars'']] subline features [[:Image:Megatronvsluke.jpg|humans from another galaxy]] standing at the same height as Transformers, although this is simply because most of the figures in [[Attacktix|the tabletop game advertised by this artwork]] are the same size.

[[Image:World of the Transformers ent.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Meet the Supreme class <s>[[Trukk not munky|Munky]]</s> Optimus Primal.]]
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===The live-action film series===
[[Image:Moviescale1.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Scale is absolutely not an issue in the movie. Riiight.]]
The creators of the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]] took great pains to avoid out-of-scale issues. (Well, greater than previous franchises.) This is sometimes reflected in the choice of vehicle or the design of their robot mode. E.g., [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is an extended-hood cab in order to have more mass with which to make a taller robot mode. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s robot mode is nearly as wide as it is tall, with shorter, digitigrade legs, so the massive jet-former won't end up twice as tall as Optimus. In the case of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], his huge alternate mode simply results in a hulking, towering robot mode.

There are still minor scale issues to be found, though. For example, Optimus Prime can hold both [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] in one hand. Comparing this shot with when he picks up [[Archibald Witwicky]]'s glasses a few minutes later, it seems the glasses have lenses a foot (30cm) in diameter. This is a visual cheat so the glasses are visible to the audience. There's also debate about whether [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s head could compact itself into a slim mobile phone. The [[Movie (toyline)|movie-franchise toys]], meanwhile, are only intermittently consistent (particularly since some of the secondary ones are redecos of toys from previous lines), with the largest contrast among the "primary" toys being between Deluxe Class [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], a motorcycle, and Voyager Class Decepticons with helicopters as their [[Alternate mode|alternate modes]], such as [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Incinerator (Movie)|Incinerator]]. However, many of the wheeled vehicles are close to 1:35 scale, although Deluxe Class [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and Classic Camaro [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] are ''obviously'' not the same scale, as noted above.

[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] is another point of topic here. Whilst in the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|film]], they worked on keeping his size relative to those of his components, in the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|game]] he was far larger. Also note that the alternate mode of [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], who forms his right leg, is a massive Caterpillar 773B dump truck, which is considerably larger than a Caterpillar D9L bulldozer, the alternate mode of [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] who turns into Devastator's left leg. The movie tries to circumvent the size differences between Devastator's individual components by adding [[unknown Constructicon dump truck|more]] [[unknown Constructicon shovel|construction vehicles]] into the Devastator combination. The toy line, on the other hand, [[Overload (ROTF)|mostly]] ignores those additional components, resulting in massive scale discrepancies ([[#Toys out of scale within teams|see above]]).
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==Official scale guides ==
[[Image:Tfcartoonscaleguideic1.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Official Scale Guides of ''The Transformers'']]
[[Image:Beastwarsscalepreliminary.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Beast Wars'' Season 1 scale guide]]
Animators and comic book artists received official scale guides showing relative and (in some cases) absolute heights. Some of these were published in the character model guides ''[[Transformers: The Ark|The Ark]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Ark II|The Ark II]]''. Though they were sometimes ignored, they still give insight into the official scale of characters in Generation 1. However, even here, there are problems. Devastator in the Season One scale guide was approximately 2.5 times the height of Optimus Prime, but by Season Two he was somewhat less than twice Prime's height.

''Beast Wars'' likewise had an official scale guide, which appeared as a bonus on the DVD set of Season 2. Despite this guide, the series writers have indicated some measure of disregard for relative scale, when it suited the needs of dramatic tension.<ref>[http://builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html BotCon 98 report - see "ON THE SIZES OF CHARACTERS"]</ref> Thus, Optimal Optimus is ''ungodly'' tall in his first appearance, later reduced to perhaps two times the height of the rest of the cast.

[[Image:ROTF Autobot scale guide 1.jpg|thumb|right|''ROTF'' scale guide]]

''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' had scale guides featured in the ''25 years of Transformers'' feature for the [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)/home video|DVD release]] which showed official heights for both the Autobots and the Decepticons. Meaning [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] gains an extra twelve feet when he wears [[Jetfire (ROTF)|a corpse]].

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==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6db411e03e75a342?dmode=source Estimated "real-life" heights for several Transformers, derived from the size of their alt-modes, archived from alt.toys.transformers on groups.google.com]

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Scale

2011-12-07T00:07:45Z

86.17.124.125: /* Intentional attempts at a consistent scale */

[[Image:OptimusSnakeEyes.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And the truck's how big...?]]
'''Scale''' in ''Transformers'' is, not to put too fine a point on it, screwed.

Virtually no era, franchise, fiction, [[Toy|toyline]] or other incarnation of ''Transformers'' has presented scale in a logical or believable fashion. (There are, of course, a few [[#The rare exceptions|rare exceptions]], detailed below.) Most fans agree that one must either ignore it or accept it, lest they be tempted to explain these problems and in the process [[fanon|fanwank]] themselves into oblivion.

However, the scale problems of ''Transformers'' still merit description.

{{bigquote|Clearly, the pitiful humans at Hasbro are so overwhelmed by the awesomeness of Cybertronian life forms that they can't get the scale right.|[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]|[[Transformers Comic issue 23|Star Scream's #23]]}}

==Scale within toylines==

===Toys out of scale with others in the same line===
[[Image:DiacloneScale.jpg|right|350px|thumb|That little guy — who comes from the same toyline as all those vehicles — is supposed to be a normal-sized human. Yeeeah.]]
The early [[The Transformers (toyline)|''Generation 1'' toy line]], especially the pre-[[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] releases, were [[rebranding|rebranded]] and [[redeco]]ed toys from several different Japanese toy lines. The crucial point is that the toy lines were initially unrelated. The characters ''should'' be in scale with each other as they all have real-world [[alternate mode]]s that (should) pass for real vehicles. However, since ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys were not part of the same line as ''[[Microman]]'' toys, scale issues arose. ''Diaclone'' figures such as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] are more-or-less in correct scale with each other (though problems already arise with [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], whose alternate modes are based on ''the same car'' yet are not quite the same size), but many of the [[Mini Vehicle]]s from the ''New Microman'' line are clearly far too small by comparison. Even aside from their deformed penny-racer proportions, a [[Cliffjumper (G1)#Generation 1 2|Porsche 924]] ''[[Micro Change]]'' toy is disproportionately tiny when compared to a [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Porsche 935]] Diaclone toy. The disparity becomes even more obvious with Minibots such as [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (a tank) and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (a hovercraft), who should be many times their actual size.

Another glaring scale problem comes in the form of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], who turn into F-15 Eagles which, in real life, are 19.4 m (63.8 feet) long. Correctly scaled, this would make their robot modes ''colossal'' compared to most Autobots. Similarly, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], despite also coming from the ''Diaclone'' line, are too small, in particular [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], whose alternate mode is an "earth mover" type of dump truck, which are ''gigantic'' in real life. Far worse is the other ''Diaclone'' combiner team, the [[Trainbot]]s, who have train engine altmodes, yet their toys are among the ''smallest'' of the ''Diaclone'' releases.

Transformers are currently formalised to a variety of [[size class|size classes]], which dictate the approximate cost and dimensions of a figure. Consequently, if the powers that be release toys of two characters in the same line in the same size class, they're going to come out in the same size. Even if one character's a [[Starscream (Movie)|twenty-metre fighter jet]] and the other's a [[Ironhide (Movie)|five-metre pickup truck]]. So don't expect this one to go away any time soon.

===Toys slightly out of scale with others in the same assortment===
Sometimes toys that ship in the same assortment or [[size class]] have similar [[alternate mode]]s (i.e. two cars or two planes), but are not ''quite'' in scale with each other. One possible reason for this is that one of them would be considerably smaller than the other one in real life if they were perfectly in scale. For example, ''[[Movie (franchise)|Movie]]'' [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]'s Pontiac Solstice alternate mode is a ''tiny'' car, and any size class that includes both him and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] (a Chevrolet Camaro) will result in scale problems between the toys. Hasbro ''could'' have made Jazz smaller, but since the main limit for a size class is the ''weight'' of a toy, not its size (as long as it fits into the standardized packaging, that is), they decided that scale problems are more acceptable than selling a tiny Deluxe Class toy when there's still room in the budget for more plastic. With the [[Human Alliance]] assortment, Hasbro have taken a different approach by trying to keep the vehicles in scale (roughly 1:24) and adding accessories and other characters that turn into motorcycles for smaller cars such as Jazz, [[Skids (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Mudflap]].

Other toys with comparable alternate modes that are slightly out of scale with each other are ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Sunstreaker (G1)#Generation 1 2|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)#Generation 1 2|Sideswipe]] (mentioned above), who have the ''same'' basic alternate mode (with a few differences), and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Legends Class [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Autobot Jazz]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Rodimus]].

===Toys out of scale within teams===
[[Image:Bruticus toy.jpg|right|130px|thumb|Wait till you see the artist's rendition of a scale-accurate version.]]
Even toys specifically [[combiner|designed to interact with each other]] suffer from this problem. The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are wildly out of scale to each other—[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]'s [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle Orbiter|Space Shuttle]] mode should dwarf [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], with the others somewhere in between. Instead, they're about the same size. Among the Constructicons, [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] is designed to look like a gigantic [[Wikipedia:Image:Liebherr t282 1.jpg|"earth-mover" mining truck]]. He should be able to carry all his teammates in his bed, with some crowding. Similarly, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Concorde|Concorde jet]]) is dramatically undersized compared to his fighter-jet [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] teammates. These scale problems are necessary to avoid misproportioned gestalt forms.

Don't even ask about the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] with their [[Groove (G1)|motorcycle]] and [[Blades (G1)|helicopter]] limbs...

This problem isn't just limited to the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' combiners either: ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Supreme [[Devastator (ROTF)|Constructicon Devastator]] has a massive [[Scavenger (ROTF)|mining excavator]] form the lower portion of the torso, with your everyday type of [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|cement mixer truck]] that's ''almost the same size'' forming the upper portion of the torso. An [[Long Haul (ROTF)|"earth mover"-type dump truck]] that should be about the same size as the excavator forms one tiny leg, while the other leg is formed by a [[Rampage (ROTF)|bulldozer]] that should be slightly smaller. The [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|movie]] circumvents this problem by adding additional construction vehicles in the mix, which are ignored by the toy line. The [[Legends Class]] version of Devastator only adds another [[Overload (ROTF)|dump truck]] for the torso, which doesn't really improve things since all the individual components are still more or less the same size.
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===Same alternate mode, different sizes===
Other scale problems come from characters who transform into the same (or similar) [[alternate mode]]s, but whose toys are different sizes. For example, [[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|the original Air Raid]] transforms into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]], but his toy is half the size of [[Starscream (G1)/toys|the original Starscream]]'s. The same can be said for the [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Lamborghini Countach|Lamborghini Countach]] [[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]], who should be the same size as [[Sunstreaker (G1)#Toys|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)#Toys|Sideswipe]], not significantly smaller. These discrepancies are also seen in the other [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style combiners with Earth altmodes, whose toys are all smaller than similar earlier toys.

===Multiple scales of same character===
[[Image:Animated-toy MultipleSizeOptimusPrimes.jpg|right|270px|thumb|Oh great. And I thought ''Bulkhead'' was confused...]]

Starting with ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'', many franchises have released multiple versions of the same character in different [[size class]]es, most often the leader characters. Originally, the intent was apparently to make the popular [[Optimus (disambiguation)|Optimus]] and [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]] characters available at lower price points than just the large and expensive "Leader" class, so that children with less money would not miss out, and perhaps persuading [[completist]]-minded [[User:ItsWalky|collectors]] to buy multiple versions of one character.

While this introduces a nice range of options for the discerning collector, it can also lead to some problems. ''Beast Machines'', for example, featured three different [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor toys]]. The [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMSupreme|Supreme size toy]] was so large it could not interact with most of the other toys from the line (based on [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon]], he's maaaaybe in scale with [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|Nightscream]] and [[Optimus Primal/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], the later of whom wasn't released until three years later). The [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMNSC|Deluxe Cheetor]], on the other hand, was too ''small'' to match scales with most of the other toys (again, using the cartoon as a yardstick). Anyone looking ''within'' the toyline for notions of a "correct" scale between the characters would be stymied by the multiple size classes and the lack of real-world scale references.

Other instances of multiple-size characters are more clear cut; the [[Spy Changer]] incarnations of various ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' characters, for instance, are simply scaled-down representations of the same characters in the same bodies, not meant to interact with the much larger "main" toys, as are the later "Legends of Cybertron" toys in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''. Other multiple-toy scale differences include intentionally simplified forms, such as the [[Fast Action Battlers]], which simply make all the characters the same size, with no attempt at matching scales.

Multiple-scale characters usually aren't meant to cross-interact. A rare exception is [[Movie (franchise)|live-action]] [[Blackout (Movie)#Voyager Class toys|Blackout]], who came with a [[Scorponok (Movie)#Voyager Class Blackout companions|tiny (and correctly scaled) version of Scorponok]]. A much larger [[Scorponok (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Deluxe version of Scorponok]] is ''also'' meant to interact with the same Blackout toy, despite the ridiculous scale disparity (and the fact that this means Blackout can have ''two'' Scorponoks of radically different size clipped to him simultaneously.)

Multiple toy sizes are generally irrelevant to the fiction, though the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] featured [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] inflating to planetary size, presumably in response to the [[Starscream (Armada)#Supreme|super-large "King Starscream" toy]] available at the time.

===Toys out of scale with themselves===
[[Image:G1 Broadside toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Kill me. Just... kill me now.]]

[[Triple Changer]]s create a whole new set of problems. The original [[Astrotrain (G1)#Toys|Astrotrain]] transforms from a 21-meter (70-foot) locomotive to a 56-meter (184-foot) [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle Orbiter|Space Shuttle]]. [[Octane#Toys|Octane]]'s original body transforms from a 20-meter (60-foot) tanker truck into a 65-meter (200-foot) jumbo jet. [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] transforms from an Earth fighter jet of indeterminate model (let's pretend for the sake of argument that he's supposed to be an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-14 Tomcat|F-14]] and say he's 18 meters (61 feet) long) into an entire ''aircraft carrier'', approximately 333 meters (1,092 feet) long.

The newer versions of Astrotrain and Octane (aka "[[trademark|Tankor]]"), while changing the specifics of their alternate modes, really don't improve on the general size disparity all that much.

Even a two-mode toy can have this problem. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]] has wheels which are pretty tiny for a Freightliner truck, while his rear hitch section is too thick. These out-of-proportion vehicle parts were necessary to give his robot mode [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] proportions.
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===Toys with roleplay alternate modes===
The characters with roleplay altmodes such as Generation 1 [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]], [[Perceptor (G1)#Toys|Perceptor]], or [[Laserbeak (Armada)#Toys|''Armada'' Laserbeak]] are scaled to be real-world [[human]]-scale (well, kid-scale). Since the [[size changing]] seen in the fiction is not possible for real toys (at least, that's what [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''wants'' us to think), this human-scaling makes in some cases for inordinately large robot modes. E.g., [[Blaster (G1)#Toys|Blaster]]'s toy, in robot mode, is taller than most other Transformers.

The opposite problem is seen with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MasterpieceMegs|Masterpiece Megatron]], whose robot mode is in scale with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|Masterpiece Optimus Prime]]. The result is that, while he may transform into a very accurately-proportioned handgun, it's unmistakably much larger than the real thing. (Not that this has stopped him being widely banned as a "realistic firearm replica"....)

===Fanciful altmodes===
Characters with alternate modes that are not meant to be replicas of real-world things (or at least, close enough to while being legally-distinct from said things) are difficult to accurately scale, as they generally transform into futuristic or Cybertronian vehicles whose size we don't really know... or, indeed, they don't transform into vehicles at all. The scale of characters such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|original Dinobots]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]] or [[Overhaul (Cybertron)#Voyager|Leobreaker]] is fairly arbitrary and can only be estimated by their relative size to other characters within the fiction, although most fiction is highly inconsistent in this regard (see below). Nevertheless, if one assumes that most vehicle altmodes are intended for [[human]]-sized passengers, comparing toys such as [[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]] with [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]] suggests the scale problem continues.

===Big toys===
It goes without saying that the [[city-bot]] and planetbot toys (such as [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Toys|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]]) are not remotely to scale with normal Transformer toys. While they are indeed ''large'' toys, they're only two to five times bigger than typical Transformer toys, and thus transform into "cities" and "planets" about the (relative) size of a bungalow. The scale problems extend to the details. Some of the citybot toys have visible windows, which are too large for a city, suggesting instead a medium-sized building.

However, it's hard to begrudge [[Hasbro]] not offering us a [[Primus]] toy the size of an asteroid. Where would we keep it?

Additionally, Fortress Maximus's main adversary [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] is considerably smaller as a toy. Whereas Fort Max includes a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figure of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Generation 1 2|Spike]], who turns into the head of [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (whose toy is roughly the same size as the regular 1987 Headmasters toys), who in turn becomes the head of Fortress Maximus, Scorponok merely comes with [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (whose figure is the same size as Fort Max's Spike), who turns into a tiny head for Scorponok, covered up by a large helmet. So either Fortress Maximus is supposed to tower over Scorponok, or Zarak [[size changing|grows in size]] during his transformation into Scorponok's head.

===Action Masters===
[[Image:Turbo Racer art.jpg|right|300px|thumb|A car riding inside a car. Wheeljack, you are a either a genius or completely nuts.]]

The [[:Category:Action Master vehicles|Action Master vehicles]] were designed to take advantage of the fact that the [[Action Master]] figures were all the same size. They can each pilot each other's vehicles or ride as a passenger. With the vehicles as a frame of reference, it seems we should take it as fact that all of the Action Masters are literally the same size, even characters such as [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Did Devastator shrink?

Then again, the vehicles pose even more problems: [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], who still sports car [[kibble]], rides a [[Turbo Cycle|motorcycle]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (who used to transform into a car himself) drives a [[Turbo Racer|sports car]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] steers a massive [[Armored Convoy|18-wheeler truck]], despite his own chest still being the front end of a truck cab. Did [[Nucleon]] shrink the Transformers to ''[[human]]'' size, or are these just ''gargantuan'' vehicles?

Of particular note, Wheeljack's Turbo Racer is based on a Ferrari Testarossa, and the Action Master [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] figure (a new [[character]] created specifically for the Action Masters lineup) sports kibble that indicates he once used to transform into a Ferrari Testarossa himself!
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===Size class cross-compatibility===
With standardized [[size class]]es and mixed-faction assortments being the norm these days, scale issues are a given. For example, the first [[wave]] of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Deluxes featured Autobots [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Classics|Bumblebee]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Rodimus]], two cars, and Decepticons [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Starscream]], a modified F-15 Eagle fighter jet, and [[Astrotrain (G1)#Classics 2|Astrotrain]], a [[Triple Changer]] who turns into a bullet train locomotive and a modified NASA Space Shuttle orbiter, all roughly the same size in robot mode but obviously not the same scale in their alternate modes.

However, with the increasing prevalence of multiple toys of the same [[character]] in different size classes, particularly enforced by the [[live-action film series]], it is technically possible to have somewhat more accurate scale combinations. The [[Legends Class]] and its successor, [[Cyberverse]], allows Autobots with cars as their alternate modes to be roughly in scale with Deluxe or Voyager-sized Decepticons that turn into aircraft. Likewise, the Legends Class version of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Arcee (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Arcee]], a motorcycle, is more or less in scale with Deluxe-sized Autobots with car alternate modes.

[[Image:ROTF-toy FuryOfFearswoopBox.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Finally, toys that are more or less in scale with each other... yet Hasbro insists they are ''not''.]]Hasbro does not often take advantage of this possible compatibility with store [[exclusive]] [[giftset]]s and "bonus" packs. Even when toys with considerable size differences are sold in the same pack, combinations such as a Leader-sized [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Leader Class toys|Optimus Prime]] (which would be in scale with Deluxe-sized Autobots with car alternate modes) with the ''much'' smaller Legends Class versions of [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys|Bumblebee]] and [[Jazz (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Jazz]] or the large Ultimate Bumblebee toy with the much smaller Deluxe-sized toys of [[Scorponok (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Scorponok]] (who should be roughly the same size as Bumblebee) and [[Brawl (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Brawl]] (who should be considerably larger than either of them) are fairly common. The ''Revenge of the Fallen'' "Shanghai Showdown" multi-pack with [[Demolishor (ROTF)#Voyager Class toys|Demolishor]]'s Voyager-sized toy and the ice cream truck versions of [[Skids (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Mudflap]] (whose combined alternate mode is Deluxe-sized) is closer, but truly scale-accurate multi-packs like the (unreleased) [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2010)]] "Sideways Sneak Attack" pack with a Deluxe-sized [[Sideways (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Sideways]] (who transforms into a car) and the aforementioned Legends Class version of Arcee and two [[redeco]]s of her as [[Chromia (ROTF)#Transformers (2010)|Chromia]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)#Transformers (2010)|Elita-1]] are rare exceptions. A particularly odd example is the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' "[[The Fury of Fearswoop]]" three-pack, which features a Deluxe-sized [[Fearswoop (ROTF)|Fearswoop]] (who transforms into a plane) and Legends Class versions of [[Sideswipe_(Movie)#Fearswoop|Sideswipe]] and Mudflap (who turn into cars), making them more or less in scale with each other... yet the on-packaging [[bio]] states that Fearswoop has "grown to immense size".

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===Intentional attempts at a consistent scale===
[[Image:DOTM Tailpipe Pinpointer SgtNoble.jpg|right|thumb|300px|That sure is one big motorcycle...]]There have been precious few exceptions to all of this scale weirdness in the toys. However, the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toyline, where every toy is a 1:24-scale representation of a real car, and thus in perfect scale with each other, was the first to buck the trend. Unfortunately, for practical reasons this limits the choice of altmodes. A [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (Space Shuttle) toy in scale with the ''Alternator''s toys would be 1.6 meters (5.1 feet) long, while a [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (aircraft carrier) toy at that scale would be over 12 meters (40 feet)! Cool, yes. Affordable or practical? No. Hasbro actually displayed [[Prototype|mock-ups]] for an unproduced line of "military" Transformers in scale with ''Alternators'' during the [[BotCon 2007]] Hasbro Tour; two of them recycled parts of ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]], and were thus [[Size class|Supreme-sized]], which made said potential toyline not particularly commercially viable for Hasbro.

The direct—and indirect—successors to ''Alternators'' also maintained a mostly consistent internal scale. ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' made use of the same sculpts, only with added [[human]] female driver figures... which were woefully small compared to the cars they came with. This would repeat itself with the "[[Human Alliance]]" toys for ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'': The cars/robots are all roughly the right size compared to each other ([[Skids (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Mudflap]] are even smaller, squatter toys and come with sub-[[size class|Scout]]-sized [[Arcee (Movie)#Human Alliance|motorcycle]] and [[Chromia (ROTF)#HumanAlliance|robots]] to make up for it), but their human drivers are all too small. (Amusingly, [[Frenzy (Movie)#Human Alliance|Frenzy]] seems to be about right.) In fact, the size differences have even ''increased'': The [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] line introduced an even ''smaller'' scale for the driver figures, including new versions of [[Sam Witwicky]] and [[Mikaela Banes]] that are smaller than their ''Revenge of the Fallen'' predecessors. The new scale for the driver figures continues with ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'', which introduced Scout-sized robot figures that had one-man vehicle modes in a slightly larger scale, resulting in [[Sergeant Noble|undersized drivers]] riding [[Tailpipe|oversized motorcycles]]. Conversely, the [[Kmart]] [[exclusive]] ''Dark of the Moon'' "Autobot Daredevil Squad" multi-pack couples a redeco of the original ''Revenge of the Fallen'' version of Sam with a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Cannon|Cannon Bumblebee]], resulting in a large human with a small Chevrolet Camaro he couldn't possibly fit into even if the Bumblebee toy had its crude interior redesigned to house a driver.

''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' would follow in ''Alternators''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s footsteps with a series of smaller 1:32-scale licensed cars... as well as stuffing [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Alternity|characters who traditionally don't have automobile alternate modes]] into modern-day civilian vehicles. That these toys represent hyper-evolved beings most of the time make it all the more head-scratch-inducing.

== Scale within fictions ==
Scale issues abound within the fiction, especially the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]. Some can be attributed to [[animation error]]s, such as layering problems,[[:Image:Tinybluestreak.jpg|1]][[:Image:Huge Ironhide and Small Ratchet.jpg|2]][[:Image:CarnageMiniBlaster.jpg|3]] but some "errors" were deliberate choices, for a variety of reasons.

===Fictional scale vs. toy scale===
[[Image:TeenyCliff.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Frighteningly toy-accurate.]]
[[Image:Powerglide Astoria Marygoaround.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Actually, disturbing ''fiction'' is probably more of a concern than scale issues.]]

The original ''Transformers'' fictions often depict characters to the same relative scale as the toys, which duplicates the intra-toyline problems described above. The cartoon, for example, shows [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] as about the same height, [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s and Autobot cars as slightly shorter (though not as much as the toys are), and [[Mini Vehicle|Minibots]] as smaller yet. This scale was carried over to their vehicle forms, resulting in differently-sized cars that, based on real world measurements, should be virtually the same size.

For another example, the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics portrayed the [[Pretender]]s as literal interpretations of their toys: 60-foot humans with full-scale Transformers inside. The "disguise" aspect of this was later explained by having [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] and [[Cloudburst]] encounter [[Femax|giant, transformer-sized humanoids on an alien planet]] which made them appear to be of a "normal" scale.

[[Image:Omegasupreme astrotrain.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I know he's meant to be big, but holy ''crap'', dude!]]

Transformers fiction commonly shrinks or inflates characters, relative to their toy sizes. "Giant" characters such as [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] are, even aside from any [[size changing]] for transport purposes, clearly not in the same scale in toy form as they are depicted on screen. [[Mini-Cassette|Cassette characters]] such as [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s toys are roughly the same height as most Minibots, while in the show they are usually portrayed as human-sized.

[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] are usually shown to be of a fairly similar height (although Magnus is much bulkier), whereas there is a considerable difference between the size of their toys. By the same token, Rodimus is always depicted as being an equal stature to his opposing leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], whereas the [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|toy Galvatron]] is instead the same size as Magnus. Optimus Prime is also usually shown as only a head or so shorter than Magnus (if that), which gets very strange when you realize that a [[redeco]] of Prime's toy forms but a small part of Magnus' robot mode.

[[Image:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Airazor picks the Ultra-class figure.]]

The cast of ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' were size-tweaked quite a bit, relative to the toyline. The most noticeable problem is [[Optimus Primal]], who has an Ultra toy (the "level four" size, almost twice the size of the "level three" Mega next-largest Maximal toys), but is shorter than both [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (both of whom are "level two" Deluxe sized toys). Further, [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron#Toys|Tigatron]]'s toys use the same (Deluxe) mold, but Tigatron is a head taller in the show (both because tigers are larger than cheetahs, and because Cheetor is "a kid"). New and altered characters in later seasons were generally more consistent in size (and appearance) with the toys. This problem was magnified when the Generation 1 characters cameoed in the series. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] is a Tyrannosaurus rex but is shown in The Agenda Part 3, as being much smaller than Optimus Prime.
[[Image:Agenda3 MegatronOptimusPrime.jpg|right|250px|thumb|An example of how small Beast Wars Megatron is compared to Optimus Prime.]]

The ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]''' toyline was ''far'' worse in size discrepancies with the cartoon. Of the [[Maximal]]s featured in the show, the tallest character, [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], is [[Silverbolt (BW)#Beast Machines|the ''shortest'' toy]], while the diminutive [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] is a [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|massive Ultra-class toy]]. And, sadly, the most show-accurate toy, [[Optimus Primal/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], is a ''ginormous'' Supreme figure, towering over the other toys. (Weirdly, the [[King Kong]]-like size of this toy became [[canon]] in one specific [[micro-continuity]]. {{storylink|Prime Spark}})
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[[Image:ShrinkingHeavy.jpg|left|200px|thumb|I lost thirty tons, thanks to the Jump-Cut! Thank you, Jump-Cut!]]
In the otherwise fairly toy-scale-savvy [[Unicron Trilogy]], [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Metroplex]] and the other citizens of [[Gigantion]] are depicted as gargantuan in animation, whereas the toys are merely among the normal boxed size-classes. Within the animation, this causes problems with their [[Mini-Con]] partners, who are depicted as human-sized in robot mode by themselves, but when shown directly interacting with their larger partners, are scaled up right along with their partner... resulting in some temporarily gigantic Mini-Cons!

The Japanese ''[[Cybertron (franchise)#Galaxy Force|Galaxy Force]]'' release of [[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Toys|Metroplex]], dubbed "Megalo Convoy", included an exclusive [[redeco]] of the [[Legends Class|Legends of Cybertron]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#MegaloConvoy|Optimus Prime toy]] to indicate the "correct" scale.

The ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' franchise has its share of scale problems when comparing its toyline to the cartoon (not helped by multiple releases of some characters in different sizes—see above), with several characters seeming roughly one [[size class]] too small, such as the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] being a mix of one Voyager size and two Deluxes, [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)#Toys|Sentinel Prime]] looking rather diminutive as a Deluxe, and, most egregiously, [[Lugnut (Animated)#Toys|Lugnut]] as a ''very'' squat Voyager who's shorter than even some Deluxes. (As with [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Toys|Voyager-class Bulkhead]], more of his mass went into his width, plus his weapon takes away some from his robot mode.) Conversely, the traditionally stunted [[Bumblebee (Animated)#Toys|Bumblebee]] is marginally too tall and bulky to be in correct scale to his otherwise fairly accurate core teammates, assuming one includes [[Optimus Prime (Animated)#Voyager|Voyager Optimus]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Leader|Leader Bulkhead]] in their lineup. In fact, ''Animated'' is one of those toylines where you're not quite sure who you're supposed to base correct scale on.

===Inconsistent portrayal===
[[Image:OmegaSupremeintro.jpg|left|175px|thumb|No! Don't wash him in hot water! He'll...]]
[[Image:Omegasupreme-blasterandgrimlock.jpg|right|200px|thumb|...too late.]]
Even if a size was decided on, it often didn't remain consistent. The height of the cartoon's [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], just to name one, frequently varied between episodes.

The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]] is notorious for changing the relative sizes of various characters. A single Transformer's size is rarely consistent between artists. For example, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] vary in height relative to [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. A panel in the "[[Time Wars]]" shows [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]], and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] all the same height. [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], titanic in his original appearance, {{storylink|Command Performances!}} shrunk steadily in subsequent issues until he was not much taller than the average Transformer. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] suffered a similar problem, shrinking in size even though he was explicitly rebuilt to be twice as tall as the average Transformer.

Scale can even be inconsistent within the same story thanks to changing artists: In the Marvel UK story "[[Ladies' Night]]", a ginormous [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] picks up a tiiiiny military Jeep with one hand, implying that he grew to humongous proportions when he transformed (as his alternate mode is ''also'' depicted as a Jeep in fiction), but in the second part of the story, Swindle is hit by a burning Jeep (possibly even the same one) that is now in scale with his robot mode. {{storylink|Ladies' Night}} It can even happen within the same issue without an artist change: In [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''[[Spotlight: Soundwave]]'', there's a scene where a [[Hiro|human]] picks up [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] in his tape deck mode, which is smaller than a thick comic book slipcase in his hands. A few pages later, [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] picks up Soundwave out of the human's hands, being barely able to hold the tape deck in his mouth, making Laserbeak about the size of a large dog (not counting the wings). Yet when [[Skywatch]] discovers Laserbeak at the end of the story, his ''head'' alone is suddenly the size of an adult human. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[Image:Beastwarriors scale.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Beast Megatron's size vs. Optimus Prime's in America... and Japan. Looks like the Blasty Zone adds on a few tons to Beast Era characters.]]
Between the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] and the [[Beast Era]], the majority of the Cybertronian race considerably downgraded in size at the [[Great Upgrade]]. When entering the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the Beast Warriors are quite small compared to the dormant Generation 1 characters, especially [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]—but just ''how'' much bigger varies quite a bit from scene to scene and episode to episode. When interacting with the Autobot technology of the Ark and the [[Autobot shuttle]], the [[Maximal]]s are often dealing with equipment grossly oversized for them (standing on the chairs to reach the controls, turning knobs the size of their heads); yet the Ark also seems to feature some human-sized computer control panels. {{storylink|Master Blaster|Master Blaster}} Without any height booster, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] can interface well with these controls.

On the other hand, ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' depicted Generation 1 and ''Beast Wars'' characters like [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Primal]] as being exactly the same size. Lovely. It's possible that passage through the [[Blasty Zone]] may somehow [[Wikipedia:Boom tube#Later additions to the concept|account for this discrepancy]].

===Explicit size changes===
{{main|size changing}}

Numerous characters are explicitly shown to shrink or expand at various times.

====Human-scaled alternate modes====
[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] becomes a human-scale radio; [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] shrinks into a handgun scaled for either Transformer or human hands, depending on the situation. The cartoons and comics typically show this without explanation, leaving the audience to attribute it to advanced alien technology.

====Pretenders====
Some versions of the [[Pretender]]s are shown to explicitly shrink when hiding in their human-sized outer shells. In the U.S. toy commercials, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in their new Pretender forms were small enough to fit in [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s hand. So, at least in that [[micro-continuity]], they were human-sized or Powermaster Optimus Prime is the size of Devastator. ''[[Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' featured Pretenders who did not have outer shells but rather an ill-defined holistic transformation which explicitly involved size changing. A vaguely similar explanation appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' encyclopedia.

===Implicit size changes===
Characters often change size in a less explicit fashion when transforming. These changes in scale are usually attributed to size-changing by that portion of the fan base who like to find explanations for things. The other explanation is that the artists hoped the audience wouldn't notice. It can also be supposed that they are hiding their mass somewhere (car style Transformers storing mass in their passenger compartments when in humanoid form, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] folding his wings flat, the buildings in a city-bot collapsing to eliminate the spaces normally occupied by humans, boat-bots filling up or getting rid of the vast empty areas used to provide buoyancy) or puffing up with empty space, but at a certain point, things just get silly. Some Transformers are smaller than solid blocks of the mass contained in their alt modes: [[Unicron]] would have to be about as thick as the [[Earth]]'s crust while in planetary form, and [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] would probably be blown away by a stiff breeze in his larger incarnations.

====Transport characters====
[[Image:MakeHoistHuffer.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Definitely ''not'' toy-accurate.]]
[[Image:Ironhide carried into Ratchet.jpg|thumb|right|180px|...And not to [[Ironhide (G1)|mention]] [[Ratchet (G1)|this]].]]

In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]], Transformers that act as transport for other Transformers, such as [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], will often dramatically change size relative to their compatriots between one shot and the next. For example, Cosmos is ''much'' shorter than [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] in robot form; yet Blaster easily fits within his spacecraft mode. Likewise, a whole squad of Decepticons can fit into Astrotrain's shuttle mode easily (including the combined-form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]!), yet he's an ordinary-sized trooper in his robot form.

Sometimes the cartoon would show ordinarily-scaled characters such as [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] or [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] carrying another Transformer in their cockpit, implying either a tiny passenger or a huge vehicle. Even [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who is supposed to be huge, would have to have a greatly expanded scale for his rocket ship component to accommodate passengers as shown on the cartoon.

The Marvel comics commonly sidestepped this issue by not using Transformers as transport characters, or else requiring the passengers to transform into their explicitly smaller forms to be carried. Yet they were not immune to this problem. In one story, the Pretender [[Cloudburst]] exited his shell, transformed into jet mode, and then his shell (and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]) boarded him as a passenger. The fact that his ''outer'' shell was now much smaller than the ''inner'' robot was quietly ignored. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}

[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave's]] ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' series of [[bio]] comics tried to explain this for characters such as Astrotrain and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] by saying they're able to expand themselves to increase cargo space in vehicle mode, though their armor becomes thinner as it is spread out more. Conversely, the series notes, in robot mode, all that armor and structure being compressed into a smaller form makes that mode stronger and more durable for combat.

This concept is lampshaded in the credits of [[Transformers:_War_for_Cybertron|WFC]], where [[Bumblebee_(Prime)|Bumblebee]] pulls up, and the entire Autobot cast of the game step out of his passenger door, clown car style.

====Combiner characters====
[[Image:DreamwaveCover6.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Since when is a sedan nine stories tall?]]
[[Combiner]] characters are often depicted as far larger than the sum of their parts. Characters such as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] are frequently shown as [[Godzilla]]-sized. Given that their limbs are mere cars and construction vehicles, this is patently absurd. ([[Superion (G1)|Superion]], by contrast, ''would'' be building-sized, given that his torso is a 100-seat jetliner.)

Combiners are also often out-of-scale with other Transformers; a combiner with cars for legs and another car for its torso should be only twice as tall as a one-car Transformer, but they are routinely drawn as five to dozens of times taller than their comrades.

Sometimes, they are even out of scale in their own team; [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s torso is an [[Onslaught (G1)|anti-aircraft truck]], while one of his limbs is a [[Blast Off (G1)|Space Shuttle]] and another is a [[Swindle (G1)|two-person offroad vehicle]]. For this to work, either Blast Off has to shrink, or Swindle needs to grow.

====Scale problems and size-changing====
Some fans interpret the many otherwise-unexplained scale issues above to all be the result of [[size changing]], but this is debatable. If virtually all characters use mass-shifting (or whatever) to gain or drop a few feet of height for no logical reason, the technology would be pointlessly mundane. There's also no known reason for (e.g.) the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s to choose to get ''shorter'' when going into battle. A to-scale Starscream in robot mode could kick Bumblebee around like a soccer ball. There's simply no positive evidence that size-changing is so widespread.

===Undersized alternate modes===
Many Transformers are portrayed in fiction as having alternate modes that are smaller than the real-life objects they are imitating. Sometimes this is deliberate, allowing them to match their toy scale and/or be of a similar size to other characters; in other cases, it is essentially an artistic error.

Toys at the lowest price points usually include "mini" or "micro" in their name. [[Mini Vehicle]]s [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] are usually depicted as smaller than other Transformers in fiction, even though their alternate modes should have them towering over other characters. This often results in minuscule vehicle forms; Seaspray is a tiny hovercraft, despite being covered with doors and windows. (Conversely, if a new toy based on such a [[character]] is designed to be more in scale with other toys, such as [[Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] Ultra Class Powerglide or [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Voyager Class [[Sea Spray]], some [[fandom|fans]] complain ''because they expect those new toys to reflect the original toys' sizes'' and, by extension, the [[show-accuracy|depiction in fiction]].)

[[Image:Hotrodpatrolcommercial.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Do you have change for four hot rods?]]
The [[Micromaster]]s are explicitly downsized Transformers, roughly the size of a human in the comics, meaning that they ''should'' have explicitly tiny vehicle modes... which wouldn't make for very convincing disguises. The Micromasters are about the same height in robot mode, but they transform into equally tiny cars, trucks, planes, tanks, and other vehicles that should be vastly different sizes.

Despite this, the Marvel comic featured [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] carrying a human passenger in his vehicle form, as though he were a full-sized car. The Dreamwave miniseries ''[[Transformers: Micromasters|Micromasters]]'' suggested that the Micromasters were scaled down to interact more easily with "smaller beings". Whether that meant creatures of human scale or even smaller stature is never clarified, but the Micromasters' passenger compartments are presumably too small to accommodate human passengers.

The [[Mini-Con]]s of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] are another race of small robots who stand approximately the same height as humans and, like the Micromasters before them, are clearly modeled to carry passengers. Really teeny passengers. (Notable exceptions are [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (in his original body), [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]], and [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], who become small one-man conveyances.) This results from the Mini-Cons scanning normal vehicles and then resizing them to fit, retaining now-useless passenger compartments. In the [[Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] have slightly-larger-than-human robot modes, but their alternate modes are large enough for a single human passenger, implying either a little size-changing or that their cockpits are kinda cramped. Though the Recon Team all originate from Gigantion, and seeing how partnered Mini-Cons seem to change size to fit their larger companions, a little size shift to accommodate a passenger doesn't seem too far-fetched compared to other scale issues.

Likewise, the [[Beast Era]] Maximals and Predacons possess roughly human-size bodies; yet when portrayed as vehicles on Cybertron ("[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''), they feature seats and cockpits that, at their size, should be basically useless.

====Citybots====
[[Image:EarlyGalvatronTVMagazine1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|If you were ever this big in the cartoon, then we might call you a city.]]
[[Image:HeadmastersScale.jpg|right|200px|thumb|See above. Way, way, way above.]]
[[City-bot|A few characters]] have "city" alternate modes. As actual real-life cities can sprawl for many miles, a [[city-bot]] that can notionally house a population of humans, ''let alone'' Transformers, should have a robot-mode that'd make Godzilla look like a gecko. Suffice to say, almost no fiction even ''begins'' to approximate the logical size of a true "city-bot". In the American and Japanese cartoons, all four were shown as massive robots capable of housing many normal-sized Transformers. Even so, it would take something along the lines of the grossly undersized depictions of [[Unicron]] (see below) even to begin to represent reasonably the colossal size of a transformed city; so in the context of Transformers, "city" is perhaps better read as "building" or "fortress".

These city-bots often have "small" robots forming vital components. Scorponok has a "human-sized" being forming his head. [[Full-Tilt]], [[Six-Gun]], and [[Slammer]] must logically be building-sized in robot-mode to be in-scale with Trypticon and Metroplex, but, again, are not drawn as such.

The Marvel Generation 1 comic sidestepped this issue by depicting Trypticon, Fortress Maximus and Scorponok as merely "large-standard" characters. However, Metroplex, during his one, brief appearance, was depicted as being immensely larger, crushing Quintesson attack cruisers under foot without batting an eyelid. He was still considerably smaller than a city, however, but this was justified by him merely serving as the 'transformation core' for Autobot City: Earth, not the actual city itself.
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====Planets and planetbots====
[[Image:Cybertronplanet.jpg|left|250px|thumb|If we're generous and assume Cybertron is only the size of Earth's moon, then the larger visible buildings are roughly the size of Massachusetts stood on end, and you could wedge France into that gash. (Which would probably improve both Cybertron and France.)]]
Scale when it comes to planets is so fraught it's painful. The problems of describing citybots as "cities" is a thousand times worse if [[Unicron]] is supposed to have a planet alternate mode, and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is in turn supposed to be of similar size. Though different stories have compared Cybertron/Primus and Unicron to drastically different real planets, the fact remains that they are ''planets'', and yet are shown in such insane scale to characters as to suggest they are the size of a ''very'' small moon (or [[Darth Vader|space station]]).

To start with, Cybertron was shown throughout ''Generation 1'' with buildings visible from space. Although this was intended to show that the planet was technological in nature, it makes little sense, as the structures would have to be the size of small ''nations'' to be visible. If the buildings were in fact supposed to be skyscrapers (or even ''2000 A.D.''-style arcologies) sized for 10 m (30') robots, Cybertron would still be less than 150km (100 miles) across. The rather [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Coruscant Coruscant]-like shots of Cybertron in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' may be less distinctive or "Cybertronian", but are ''far'' more believable. (Some people reason that the Transformers' advanced technology, along with their large size and their not needing to breathe, means that buildings actually CAN be that big.)

Unicron is a more extreme problem. Assuming no [[size changing]] occurs during his transformation (and really, what possible reason would he have to become ''smaller''?), in robot mode he would be so massive that any shot featuring a recognizable ''part'' of his body, let alone the whole thing, would be on a scale such that no normal Transformer would even be visible. [[Image:UnicronEatsGalvyMmmm.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Either Galvy is humungo, or Lithone is tiiinyyy!!!]]Scenes in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]] in which he directly interacts with normal Cybertronians are blatantly absurd (though totally phat-looking). Shots such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] fleeing his grasping hand, a starship penetrating his eye, impaling [[Brainstorm]] on his fingernail, {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} or ''especially'' him picking up Galvatron between his fingers before swallowing him, break any concept of "planetary" scale. Not to mention that he's described as a "''ginormous'' weird-lookin' planet," which would lead one to assume that he is ''significantly'' larger than your average-sized weird-lookin' planet. Thank you, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. Thank you so much.

If Cybertron is the size of Earth's moon (and that's generous), and Unicron is about the size of Cybertron, his hands would be about the size of Europe and Galvatron (to the right) would be about the size of Denmark.

There is no explanation for any of this. Just go with it.

The depiction of Unicron's scale in ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' was (debatably) a slight improvement, in that physical interaction with normal beings was not attempted. He preferred instead to communicate with normal Transformers by possessing one of them. {{storylink|Sideways (RID)|Sideways}} Nevertheless, shots featuring [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] standing on his neck are still ''farcically'' out of scale.

As a side note, Unicron has been established in some continuities as having already devoured approximately 22.56% of known universes which is truly hilarious if one takes actual planetary/galactic scale into consideration. Assuming that Unicron is ''generously'' close to the size of our moon or the planet Mercury, when compared to other stellar bodies he begins to show up as an all but invisible speck. Imagine him trying to devour a star the size of [http://www.kiroastro.com/writings/perspective Betelgeuse]!

===Oversized alternate modes===
[[Image:RattrapLOVEScheetor.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I'm tellin' ya, all da rats in Brooklyn are dis big!]]
Much less common are instances of a Transformer turning into an overscaled real-world object. Most such instances occur in the ''Beast Wars'' era.

Although the Beast Warriors are consistent day-to-day in their relative size to each other, their scale in relation to their real-world animal equivalents is more complex. While the bug characters such as [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] are obviously scaled-up, other characters are more subtly not quite the right size.

[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron]] are shown standing next to real members of their species, and they are both the same size as the animals in question. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Law of the Jungle}} This makes them (and Cheetor in particular, since he's around more) the measuring sticks for the other characters. Therefore, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] is a rather small rhinoceros, and [[Optimus Primal]] is a roughly normal (or female) gorilla. However [[Rattrap]] is a monstrously huge rat, the size of a Labrador dog (indeed, the writers stated that Season 1 Rattrap was 5' (1.5 m) tall<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/8227a6ca84c0238d Bob Forward gives Rattrap's height from the show bible]</ref>). Likewise [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] is considerably larger than a real velociraptor. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], however, is a pitifully tiny specimen of a T. Rex. In their interactions with adult [[protohuman]]s, the Transformer characters seem between twice and three times their height. Considering our ancestors really were smaller than modern humans, this is not extremely wrong, but it deserves noting.

However, thanks to the scaling up of the arthropod characters, it is relatively safe to assume that the Transformers scanned only animal ''forms'' and then rescaled them to fit their own size, which is actually slightly more believable than all other series, in which the Transformers use mass shifting to make their alt modes the ''right'' size.

===Artistic license===
====Variation for characterization====
[[Image:Prime has a huge head.jpg|left|150px|thumb|With 20th Anniversary Prime and Smallest Transformers Bumblebee, you can actually recreate this scene.]]
Some scale problems are for the sake of characterization. For example, Optimus Prime is routinely shown as thoroughly gargantuan, several stories in height, and capable of cradling humans in his palm. If he's the size of a real truck, Prime in robot mode should be 8–10 m (25'–30') tall, at best. He's drawn large because he's a leader character.

Conversely, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] is sometimes shown only a few feet taller than an average human, while in reality he would be 3–5 m (10'–15') tall (the Marvel comic actually states he's 15' tall {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}). He's drawn small because he's a human-friendly character, and a junior member of the Autobots.

With fighter jet alternate modes, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] should be among the largest everyday Transformers and would ''tower'' over their Autobot adversaries; instead, the animation depicts characters such as [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] as about the same height. Though jets are much larger than cars, they're drawn the same height so the battles appear fair. (And also to make it easier to animate; blocking a shot where characters differ radically in height is difficult.)

In a related vein, sometimes Transformers are able to enter human buildings, fitting through their doors and running up their staircases without crashing through. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}} A cast that couldn't enter buildings would be grossly inconvenient for telling some stories, so the animators fudge things.

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====Intentionally strange scale====
[[Image:MarvelUS-01.jpg|right|200px|thumb|One side makes you larger, one side makes you small. (Op's been noshing on the first side too much.)]]
Sometimes artists draw a character at a different size [[Authorial intent|intentionally]]. For example, on the cover of the [[The Transformers (issue)|first issue]] of [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the original ''Transformers'' comics series]], Optimus Prime is extremely huge compared to the highway, bridge, and normal cars. ([[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] is bigger than usual, too.) This is purely for dramatic effect.

Another notable example is the splash screen for the "[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/bible/index.html World of the TRANSFORMERS]" website, which depicts [[Optimus Primal]] (in his original gorilla body) as the same size as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|G1 Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Movie Optimus Prime]], directly contradicting the size difference seen in "[[Optimal Situation]]" and elsewhere (except for ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'').

Artwork for the [[:Image:VaderVsPrime.jpg|''Star Wars'']] subline features [[:Image:Megatronvsluke.jpg|humans from another galaxy]] standing at the same height as Transformers, although this is simply because most of the figures in [[Attacktix|the tabletop game advertised by this artwork]] are the same size.

[[Image:World of the Transformers ent.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Meet the Supreme class <s>[[Trukk not munky|Munky]]</s> Optimus Primal.]]
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===The live-action film series===
[[Image:Moviescale1.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Scale is absolutely not an issue in the movie. Riiight.]]
The creators of the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]] took great pains to avoid out-of-scale issues. (Well, greater than previous franchises.) This is sometimes reflected in the choice of vehicle or the design of their robot mode. E.g., [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is an extended-hood cab in order to have more mass with which to make a taller robot mode. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s robot mode is nearly as wide as it is tall, with shorter, digitigrade legs, so the massive jet-former won't end up twice as tall as Optimus. In the case of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], his huge alternate mode simply results in a hulking, towering robot mode.

There are still minor scale issues to be found, though. For example, Optimus Prime can hold both [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] in one hand. Comparing this shot with when he picks up [[Archibald Witwicky]]'s glasses a few minutes later, it seems the glasses have lenses a foot (30cm) in diameter. This is a visual cheat so the glasses are visible to the audience. There's also debate about whether [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s head could compact itself into a slim mobile phone. The [[Movie (toyline)|movie-franchise toys]], meanwhile, are only intermittently consistent (particularly since some of the secondary ones are redecos of toys from previous lines), with the largest contrast among the "primary" toys being between Deluxe Class [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], a motorcycle, and Voyager Class Decepticons with helicopters as their [[Alternate mode|alternate modes]], such as [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Incinerator (Movie)|Incinerator]]. However, many of the wheeled vehicles are close to 1:35 scale, although Deluxe Class [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and Classic Camaro [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] are ''obviously'' not the same scale, as noted above.

[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] is another point of topic here. Whilst in the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|film]], they worked on keeping his size relative to those of his components, in the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|game]] he was far larger. Also note that the alternate mode of [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], who forms his right leg, is a massive Caterpillar 773B dump truck, which is considerably larger than a Caterpillar D9L bulldozer, the alternate mode of [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] who turns into Devastator's left leg. The movie tries to circumvent the size differences between Devastator's individual components by adding [[unknown Constructicon dump truck|more]] [[unknown Constructicon shovel|construction vehicles]] into the Devastator combination. The toy line, on the other hand, [[Overload (ROTF)|mostly]] ignores those additional components, resulting in massive scale discrepancies ([[#Toys out of scale within teams|see above]]).
{{-}}

==Official scale guides ==
[[Image:Tfcartoonscaleguideic1.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Official Scale Guides of ''The Transformers'']]
[[Image:Beastwarsscalepreliminary.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Beast Wars'' Season 1 scale guide]]
Animators and comic book artists received official scale guides showing relative and (in some cases) absolute heights. Some of these were published in the character model guides ''[[Transformers: The Ark|The Ark]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Ark II|The Ark II]]''. Though they were sometimes ignored, they still give insight into the official scale of characters in Generation 1. However, even here, there are problems. Devastator in the Season One scale guide was approximately 2.5 times the height of Optimus Prime, but by Season Two he was somewhat less than twice Prime's height.

''Beast Wars'' likewise had an official scale guide, which appeared as a bonus on the DVD set of Season 2. Despite this guide, the series writers have indicated some measure of disregard for relative scale, when it suited the needs of dramatic tension.<ref>[http://builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html BotCon 98 report - see "ON THE SIZES OF CHARACTERS"]</ref> Thus, Optimal Optimus is ''ungodly'' tall in his first appearance, later reduced to perhaps two times the height of the rest of the cast.

[[Image:ROTF Autobot scale guide 1.jpg|thumb|right|''ROTF'' scale guide]]

''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' had scale guides featured in the ''25 years of Transformers'' feature for the [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)/home video|DVD release]] which showed official heights for both the Autobots and the Decepticons. Meaning [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] gains an extra twelve feet when he wears [[Jetfire (ROTF)|a corpse]].

{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6db411e03e75a342?dmode=source Estimated "real-life" heights for several Transformers, derived from the size of their alt-modes, archived from alt.toys.transformers on groups.google.com]

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Planets]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]

Barricade (Movie)

2011-09-30T00:24:27Z

86.17.124.125: /* Titan Magazines ROTF comic */

{{factions|decepticonfilm}}
{{disambig3|Barricade}}
:''Barricade is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is also known as '''N.B.E. 04'''.''

[[Image:MovieBarricadeHeatScrambleCard60.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"I'm always the Bad Cop. And don't bother asking for the Good Cop. I killed him."]]

'''Barricade''' is apparently a complicated robot. He's considered "fractious" even by Decepticon standards, yet is willing to give [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] the benefit of the doubt and follow where he leads, at least for the time being. Though not totally dedicated to the service of the Decepticons' current leader, he is much more cautious and reserved about expressing mutinous dissent than say [[Blackout (Movie)|''most'']]. He believes that Starscream is vital in their search for [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and the [[AllSpark]]. In many ways this makes him Starscream's closest ally in the naturally combative Decepticon ranks. Then again, it's been said that he likes to trick people into trusting him, just so he can see their reactions when they find out just how much of a bad idea it was. As such, he has disguised himself as an Earth police car in an attempt to fool the humans around him.

If his attitude toward his fellow Decepticons is inconsistent, his attitude toward the [[Autobot|Autobots]] is not: kill them all. Barricade might not be as large as most of his peers, but he is every bit as deadly. He thoroughly relishes every chance in fighting the Autobots. He's smart enough to let one live if he thinks he or the Decepticons can use it to their advantage, but most of the time, they're dead before someone's even thought of a plan.

{{quote|Autobots, foul Autobots, here we come. Let our long war resume—and let it end here.|Barricade|''[[Ghosts of Yesterday]]''}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defiance3_BrawlCrankcaseBarricade.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Are you trying to out-complain the complainer?]]

Many years in the past, when [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] had just come under the rule of the [[Defense Force]] and the [[Science Division]], Barricade was a member of the Defense Force under the command of High Protector [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. He participated in missions to rid the planet of "malcontents" who protested against the new order, and like many of his peers, he did so ruthlessly. {{Storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}} After the discovery of a [[The Fallen|mysterious relic]], unknown alien hostiles attacked Cybertron. Megatron ordered Barricade and Scorponok to perform recon. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}} Following the battle, Megatron changed significantly, altering the military's mission from one of protection of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to making war upon the hostile aliens and anybody who would stand in their way. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

Barricade was sent on a mission to capture Science Division leader (and thorn in Megatron's side) [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and eliminate his fellow scientists and the unwitting security team sent to arrest him. He and [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]] observed [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] nailing the "traitors" with an explosive round, and he was eager to get into the fight. He was ordered back by the glory-hound [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], but Barricade had the last laugh when the wily Optimus managed to bury the aerial forces under a mountain of rubble. After they were dug out, they all joined the rest of Megatron's new "Decepticon" faction. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

During the subsequent civil war, Barricade was one of the Decepticons under the command of Starscream at a battle outside of [[Tyger Pax]]. As they were mopping up the last remnants of Autobot resistance, Barricade amused himself by playing with the decapitated head of a fallen Autobot. When he saw the AllSpark jettisoned into space, Barricade realized that Cybertron would soon die. Bonecrusher said to let it die, and he could join it. Barricade did not bring up the discussion again. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

Ordered by Megatron to follow Optimus Prime's ship, Starscream hastily assembled a crew to go after them. Barricade not-exactly-quietly questioned the need to hurry, as he thought Megatron would have captured the AllSpark by now and would have take care of the Autobots in time. He also questioned Starscream's truthfulness. Unfortunately, he was overheard by Starscream and was chastised for his big mouth. While pursuing the ''Ark'', they were led into a trap and had to limp back to Cybertron for repairs. Once their ship was repaired, they continued on with their mission, landing on the [[Mars (planet)|fourth planet]] of the solar system where they detected the AllSpark's trace energy pulse. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}}

The Decepticons landed in the [[Earth]] nation-state of Afghanistan. During their attack on a nearby [[United States military]] installation, Barricade used a facade of friendliness to trick nearby human soldiers into lowering their guard, whereupon he slaughtered them at point-blank range. Later, he was almost hit by a localized EMP weapon from a human, but it instead hit his comrade [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]]. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

{{note|The depiction of Barricade's arrival in "Planetfall" on Earth in Afghanistan conflicts with IDW's own prequel comic, which implies he actually landed somewhere in North America, and it remains unexplained how the land-based Decepticons would later appear in America, given Blackout immediately leaves to attack [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base|SOCCENT Qatar]] in this comic. However, this scene was later used in IDW's [[The Reign of Starscream]] movie sequel comic.}}

[[Image:Movie Barricade IDWprequel nowitnesses.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Christine... is that you?]]

The Decepticon infiltration unit under the command of Starscream arrived on Earth in the year 2003. Barricade scanned a Saleen S281 police car, then destroyed the original human vehicle to cover his tracks, as did his fellow Decepticons when choosing their new forms. It is uncertain how he managed to scan what appears to be a 2006 model in 2003. Maybe he's just that good. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Movie Prequel #4}}

Barricade tailed [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] outside of [[Denver]], [[Colorado]] as the Autobot was eluding [[Sector Seven]] while working on a new lead on the [[Witwicky|Witwickys]]. {{storylink|Interlude}} Unfortunately Bumblebee got wind of him and escaped. A new opportunity presented itself when Bumblebee was lured into a trap by Sector Seven; trouble was, the rest of Starscream's team had been lured as well. Barricade suggested that they let the Autobot go to see where he led them, which Starscream agreed to, but told Barricade to make it look convincing. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Movie Prequel #4}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
The Decepticon infiltration unit under the command of Starscream arrived on Earth in the year 2003. Barricade scanned a Saleen S281 police car,<ref>It is uncertain how he managed to scan what appears to be a 2006 model in 2003. Maybe he's just that good.</ref> then destroyed the original human vehicle to cover his tracks, as did his fellow Decepticons when choosing their new forms. However, Bumblebee got wind of his presence and escaped. A new opportunity presented itself when Bumblebee was lured into a trap by Sector Seven. Trouble was, the rest of Starscream's team had been lured into it as well. Barricade suggested that they let the Autobot go to see where he led them. Starscream agreed, but told Barricade to make it look convincing.

Barricade tailed Bumblebee outside of Denver, Colorado as the Autobot was eluding Sector Seven while working on a new lead on the Witwickys.

{{note|"Transformers: Beginnings" is a condensed, Flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
Barricade acted as pilot and chief science officer for the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]'' during the quest to find the [[AllSpark]]. When they encountered an [[Ghost 1|alien ship]], he analysed it and discovered that it seemed to be of Cybertronian design, leading to a disagreement between himself and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] regarding whether to study it or destroy it. He claimed to have chafed under Starscream's leadership, but was willing to tolerate him for the moment.

During Starscream's later absence, Barricade was against [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]'s plan to attack the Autobots, and remained on the ''Nemesis'' while the others got their tailpipes kicked. Following the defeat, he contacted Starscream to warn their leader that Optimus Prime was on his way to the planet below where Starscream had been misleading the occupants of the alien ship. Starscream ordered an attack on the Autobots while their numbers were diminished, so Barricade placed [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] in charge of the assault, while he himself elected to stay on the ship and use it as a distraction. And sang. He supplied support fire as the others fought the Autobots. On Starscream's return, the Decepticons leader was challenged by Blackout, and Barricade decided they should see things resolved once and for all. After Blackout's defeat, Barricade asserted that he'd known what the outcome would be even before the fight began.

When Optimus and Bumblebee entered the fray, Starscream ordered Barricade to leave the ''Nemesis'' to reinforce their numbers. He proved most effective in battle against Bumblebee and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. The fight ended when Starscream was badly damaged by the alien ship and, to Barricade's disbelief, called a retreat. The Decepticons returned to their ship and departed. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Jess Harnell]] (English), [[Katsuhiro Kitagawa]] (Japan), [[Oliver Siebeck]] (German), [[Júlio César]] (Brazil), [[Salvador Reyes]] (Latin American-Spanish)

[[Image:BarricadeVsSam.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Barricade negotiates an alternative to PayPal.]]

After being active on [[Earth]] for some time, Barricade arrived to pick up [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] after the smaller Decepticon's attempt to hack into and sabotage the United States military network on [[Air Force One]]. Using data Frenzy had acquired, the two learned of [[Sector Seven]], "Project Iceman", and [[Archibald Witwicky|Witwicky man]], the discoverer of the entombed [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. The duo were able to use the internet to learn of both Witwicky man's descendants, [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]], and a pair of glasses that Megatron had accidentally marked with the location of the long-lost [[AllSpark]]. Frenzy declared that they needed to find ladiesman217, and Barricade moved out in search of him.

[[Image:Movie Barricade defeat.jpg|left|250px|thumb|He got better.]]

Later, Barricade confronted ladiesman217 regarding his recent [[eBay]] auctions while the human was fleeing [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], whom the human mistakenly believed was out to harm him. Ladiesman217 fell for Barricade's ruse, and requested the "officer's" help, only for Barricade to transform before him. As ladiesman217 fled, Barricade knocked him onto the hood of an abandoned car, then violently demanded information on eBay item 21153. Ladiesman217 and his [[Mikaela Banes|female friend]], who had been drawn into the encounter, managed to escape him when Bumblebee convinced the boy to trust him, and Barricade pursued both the Autobot and two humans to a junkyard. After temporarily losing and then regaining their position, he charged into battle, activating his mace/rotating blade, and dispatched Frenzy to chase down the humans. The battle started off pretty good and worked in Barricade's favor until bumblebee slammed him into an office, Barricade then rolled over and took back control by bashing his fists on Bumblebee's head. However, their battle ended with Barricade heavily damaged. Considering the fact that Frenzy was decapitated, he got off lucky.

[[Image:Decepticons highway.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Nope, nothing suspicious about this.]]

Evidently, though, he recovered, and was back to working order when Frenzy (who had survived and infiltrated Sector Seven) transmitted both Megatron and the AllSpark's location to his fellow Decepticons. When the humans fled with the AllSpark, Barricade joined in the pursuit along with [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]]. Devastator soon broke off on an alternate route, while Barricade and Bonecrusher hit the freeway, making contact with the Autobot/human convoy. Barricade attempted to clear some room for the two Decepticons by activating his sirens; Bonecrusher simply rammed everything in his way. Ladiesman217 recognized Barricade, and warned that they were in danger. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] aligned to block their access to Bumblebee, who contained the humans and the AllSpark. He was absent from the battle in Mission City. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
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===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{note|The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines continuity, and occurs nowhere else.}}

Barricade was killed in the <s>[[Mission City]]</s> [[Los Angeles]] battle and then resurrected as a zombie for a few minutes by Starscream. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

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

Starscream would like to make Barricade his second-in-command. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|#16's Star Screams}}

{{notetitantlg}}
Barricade was part of two punitive Decepticon attacks: a raid on a supply convoy at Shreveport, [[Louisiana]] {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} and a solo strike on Cincinnati, [[Ohio]] as part of a "Stop supporting Autobots OR ELSE!" campaign. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}}

When Starscream started open warfare, he did indeed make Barricade one of his generals. However, Barricade soon found himself bogged down in fighting [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade's]] "New Decepticons". {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Barricade and Starscream ROS issue 1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Elvis ain't dead!]]
During the motorway chase, Barricade attempted to close on Bumblebee, but was taken out by Ironhide, knocking him off the road and causing him to go offline. He was later reactivated by "Lord" Starscream, and suggested to his new leader that they should find [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}}

He remained on Earth, watching over a Sector Seven research base. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3|The Reign of Starscream #3}}

Barricade spied on the Autobots as they prepared to help [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]] and [[Robert Epps|Sergeant Epps]] dispose of the Decepticons' bodies. He amplified the conversation and transmitted it to whoever was listening—and, as it turned out, Starscream, having returned from Cybertron to Mars, was ready and willing to answer. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1|Alliance #1}}

When more Decepticons under [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] arrived on Earth, Barricade provided them with intelligence on which Autobots they were facing. He continued to plague the Autobots and the new [[NEST]] team, escaping each time. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4|Alliance #4}}

Barricade returned to Tranquility, where he captured Sam and interrogated him again by chaining him to a hook over a car compacter. He also sent a message to Bumblebee: "The AllSpark for the boy." Bumblebee came to the boy's rescue, eventually knocking Barricade into a pool of gasoline and firing on him, setting off a massive explosion. Surviving, Barricade drove off in car mode. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 1|Tales of the Fallen #1}}

===''The Veiled Threat'' prequel novel===
{{Note|The events of ''The Veiled Threat'' take place during [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''Alliance'' comic.}}

After the traitorous businessman [[Bruno Carrera]] and Starscream had trapped Optimus Prime in the Colosseum in Rome, [[Italy]], Starscream turned the situation over to Barricade, who was more than delighted to see his old enemy in such a prone state. However, before he could strike the final blow, a bunch of [[human]]s began attacking, which wouldn't have been a problem if they weren't equipped with the scientific genius of [[Kaminari Ishihara]] and [[Petr Andronov]], in addition to [[William Lennox]] and [[Robert Epps]] firing sabot rounds into him. He was about to stomp on the insects when Prime broke free of the trap and engaged him. Once the humans were clear, Optimus pulled a surprise move by jumping out of the pit and dumping rock on top of him.

Once he was buried, Optimus melted the top layer of rock, trapping Barricade long enough for the NEST team to defeat Starscream and take him in. Unfortunately, Barricade was nowhere to be found; Instead, a passing crew working on the subway found a strange new tunnel, leading from the Colosseum to the center of a park. Whatever had dug the new passage overnight was nowhere to be seen. {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

===Titan Magazines ROTF comic===
{{Note|The following details Barricade's tenure as letter-answerer on the Law and Disorder letters page.}}

[[Image:Lawanddisorder_barricade.jpg|left|300px|thumb|]]

With Starscream suffering a nervous breakdown and was sent to a special home (the Decepticons made sure it was a very ''secure'' special home (#12)), Barricade took control of the letters page; however, the Autobots dispatched [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to co-run it, much to the Decepticon's irritation. He shares Starscream's contempt for ''you'', the reader (#1), and continues the tradition of threatening violence against ''anyone'' who cosplays as an Autobot (#7). This, however, doesn't stop him bragging to Ironhide when the letters are pro-Decepticon, and at one point he held a popularity contest to see who the kiddies wanted to be "subjugated by this issue!" (#6).

Relations appear to have broken down between the Decepticons and [[DreamWorks]], as they're back to targeting Bay et al for their propaganda films (after a brief [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|alliance]] with the second film). Barricade personally enjoyed the scene in the first film when [[Mojo|a dog]] peed on Ironhide though! (#1) Barricade won't even work with the film's tie-in media, refusing to allow his likeness to be used in one of the ROTF video games. (#4) (He claims he never wanted to be in ''[[War for Cybertron]]'' but his tears disprove that (#12)) He later decided fame was more important than principles though, submitting a script and auditioning for a part in the third film by threatening [[Michael Bay]] with death (#8). He's absolutely ''disgusted'' by [[fandom|our]] enjoyment of the films: he lost ''friends'' during filming, man. (#10)

In the early days, he appeared to be separated from the rest of the Decepticons, as his knowledge on their current status is spotty; while he knows [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] has turned traitor, he seemed unaware that [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] had been terminated. (#4) He later re-established contact, being aware of [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor's]] status and [[the Fallen]]. (#7) He also has a ''shockingly'' bad knowledge of Transformers [[units of time]]. (#8)

He doesn't think much of Starscream's intelligence or ability to lead (a bit of a pisser when Starscream considered ''him'' to be 2IC material!), but ''much'' prefers him over Megatron. (#1) He once explained some of Megatron's flaws, only to get scared and state how he totally respects him ''really''. (#3) He also dislikes [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], claiming the guy ''never'' pulls his weight and is just Megatron's fave. (#7) On top of that, while he follows the party line and claims the Decepticons have "policies" (#7), he's shown signs of discontent with being a Decepticon: the long hours, the lousy food, the admin work... (#5)

Ironhide has started to offer Barricade the chance to defect to the Autobots. The copper outright rejected this offer the first time, saying he couldn't bear the thought of listening to Optimus moralise. (#9) The second time, however, he merely stated the horrific penalties for defecting Decepticons (#10) and the third, he desperately said he just ''couldn't'' do it, even if it would be nice to hang with other cars for once... BUT HE CAN'T! Ironhide's friendliness is starting to disturb him. (#11)

Barricade has watched the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original 1980s cartoon]] (#3) and approves of humanity's fascination with giant robots. In contrast, he is ''completely'' bewildered by pop music. (#7)

He's apparently got an eye for [[Female Transformer|the ladies]], making sure to flirt right back when a neutral(ish) femme e-mailed the letter's column looking to play "bad cop/bad cop pretending to be good cop" with him. (#5)

Like Starscream before him, he somehow has awareness of [[Unicron]]. And Unicron gives him the shits. (#6)

Like Starscream before him, he's referred to being active during the 1980s. At the time, he was a [[Barricade (G1)|Micromaster]]. (#12)

He is fed up of Ironhide bringing up how Bumblebee kicked his arse, and is determined to get revenge on "that little yellow cretin"...

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Bronco D. Jackson]] (English), [[Óscar Flores]] (Latin American-Spanish)
[[Image:Cyber_Missions_Barricade.JPG‎ | thumb | right | 200x | You must agree that his head is somewhat deformed.]]
After a high speed pursuit through [[Scramble City (city)|Scramble City]], Barricade managed to ditch [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] and used
his [[Moustache Man|holo avatar]] to break into a secure facility. Standing guard while [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] raided the computers, he somehow failed to hear Sideswipe bushwhack his partner and was only alerted when Frenzy's crumpled-up form rolled into his foot. After throwing Frenzy at Sideswipe, Barricade engaged the Autobot in combat, managing to defeat him by freezing him to a wall. He then made off with Frenzy and the [[NEST]] access codes. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 6}}

Later, Barricade and [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] confronted [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Looking to steal one of Ironhide's weapons, Lockdown took a missile instead, which blew up in his face. While Lockdown was dazed, Ironhide punched Barricade out and dumped a truckload of rocks on top of him. Barricade pleaded with Lockdown for help, but the explosion damaged Lockdown's optics, and he fled. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 11}}

Later, Barricade was among the Decepticons Megatron led on a mission to free the captured Soundwave. He arrived after Megatron derailed the train Soundwave was believed to be on. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}} He was not seen after that, and did not participate in the battle with the Autobots that followed, nor was he among the Decepticons who agreed to leave Earth.

===Transformers Annual 2011===
Barricade and [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] were sent to [[Tokyo]] to cause a diversion. The Autobots soon turned up, and Barricade clashed briefly with Sideswipe before being hoisted into the air by Optimus. A short time later, Grindor crashed on top of him. Defeated, Barricade was picked up by Grindor and they departed, but not before letting Optimus know he'd been had. {{storylink|Sam in Danger}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
Barricade was one of the Decepticons that followed Starscream into attacking Sam's college, in search of [[Brains]]. In the middle of the battle he resumed his rivalry with Bumblebee, who was trying to protect Sam, [[Carly Spencer]], and Brains. Barricade placed the Autobot in a headlock, but Bumblebee then punched Barricade in the jaw. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 3|Rising Storm #3}} Bumblebee ended the battle by slamming Barricade to the ground with a sickening crunch, and Sam cheered Bumblebee on. {{storylink|Rising Storm issue 4|Rising Storm #4}}

{{Note|According to [[John Barber]], in a Twitter post, Barricade was "critically injured and his body was taken back with the other Decepticons." <ref>[http://twitter.com/TheJohnBarber/status/79649961448456192]</ref>}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
[[Image:DOTM-DecepticonprotoformBarricade.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Barricade will be kind of shy about photos until the DVD comes out.]]

Barricade was one of the Decepticons present in [[Chicago]] when [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] unleashed their plan to use a [[space bridge]] to bring [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to Earth, and assisted in the takeover of the city.

Under the command of [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], he aided in rounding up several Autobots that had infiltrated the city, including his old foe Bumblebee, whom he addressed by a hard kick to the back for fun. At the behest of the human traitor [[Dylan Gould]], Soundwave ordered Barricade to execute the Autobot prisoners, starting with [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]. Barricade pushed the Autobot scientist forward despite his pleas for mercy. After a Decepticon protoform delivered the first shot, Barricade killed Que by shooting him in the back and laughed derisively as his victim fell. He then looked on as Soundwave prepared to execute Bumblebee but before Soundwave could kill him, Wheelie and Brains caused Decepticon fighters to crash down from a Decepticon battlecruiser. This caused a distraction that allowed Bumblebee and the other captive Autobots to break free, resulting in Soundwave's death.

Barricade had managed to escape the carnage and meet up with [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], berating and smacking some of the Decepticon [[protoform]]s around when he did, apparently blaming them for the death of Soundwave and the Autobots' escape. Barricade was taken out during the [[NEST]] attack on Shockwave's group. While yelling at a protoform he was blinded by sniper shots to his eyes. He stumbled around in pain for a moment before being crippled by a boomstick placed on his leg. Barricade collapsed to the ground, dropping his gun as he did. He then tried to crawl to safety before finally being killed by several shots to his chest and head by gunfire from the human troops. {{Storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}
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==Games==
==="Flight of the Bumblebee" online game===
Barricade was one of a group of Decepticons who trapped Bumblebee in a canyon. He stood around on a rocky butte, walking back and forth and waiting for Bumblebee to drive up to him. When the Autobot dropped in, Barricade immediately opened fire, blasting Bumblebee continuously. Unfortunately, Bumblebee had the idea to shoot back, blasting him right out of the picture with just one shot. {{storylink|Flight of the Bumblebee}}
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===Transformers The Game (console)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Keith David]]

====Autobot campaign====
Barricade was sent to Tranquility to hunt down Sam Witwicky and the glasses that held the location of the AllSpark. He attempted to capture Sam and Mikaela outside their high school, but Bumblebee stepped in. The humans fled for the nearby baseball field with Barricade in pursuit, but Bumblebee beat him to them, protecting them while they ran away again. He followed them to the power plant, but was once again foiled by Bumblebee and sent packing.

Later, in [[Mission City]], Barricade made one last grab for the AllSpark after [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] had each fallen to the Autobots. However, he was once again intercepted by Bumblebee, and finally defeated for good. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
Upon reaching Tranquility and choosing his alternate mode, Barricade attempted some recon, but encountered a squad of Autobot drones, a battle which spilled out to the local baseball field. Shortly afterwards, he was informed by Starscream that [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] had information they needed, but the diminutive Decepticon had been captured by [[Sector Seven]] agents. Barricade tracked them to the power plant, then hounded the agents across town in their highly resistant van, wrecking every building in his path until Frenzy was recovered.

Finally on the trail of Sam, he was stopped cold by Sam's protector Bumblebee. Barricade got the upper hand, but the Autobot led him on a chase that ended in [[Bay Demolition|Bay's Demolition]] lot, and an ambush courtesy of a lot of Autobot drones. Barricade overcame the odds, and hunted down Bumblebee once more, finally besting the Autobot and taking the glasses from Sam. Having located Megatron, Barricade relayed his findings to Starscream, who directed him to specific coordinates while coming to the aid of Bonecrusher and Brawl.

When the Decepticons converged on Mission City, Barricade was tasked with taking out the Autobot [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]. He later stood in Megatron's presence after the AllSpark had been recovered and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ordered the Earth to be destroyed before they left it on their way to conquering all of known space. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers Autobots/Decepticons'' (Nintendo DS)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Keith David]]

====''Transformers: Autobots''====
When Bumblebee went to investigate the source of an image found on the internet, he found Barricade waiting for him. Barricade blew up a nearby car and took off, sending out messages on the police radio that Bumblebee was responsible. After failing to lose Bumblebee in spite of all of Tranquility's police force being after him, he engaged him in combat. Unable to defeat Bumblebee, he hastily retreated. Later on, he encountered Bumblebee and Optimus Prime as the two were leaving Hoover Dam. With a large helicopter Decepticon at his side, he demanded the AllSpark from Prime, not even caring about the consequences. He was killed, but revealed to Prime he was merely a distraction while other Decepticons freed Megatron from his icy prison. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

====''Transformers: Decepticons''====
When the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]] arrived on Earth, his mentor, Starscream, directed him to rendezvous with Barricade, already active on the planet and commanding some of the Decepticon forces there. Barricade was not enamored with the idea of a partner, feeling that the Create-A-Bot would only slow him down, but after putting the rookie through his paces, he permitted him to join him on his mission in the town of [[Tranquility]]. Barricade revealed to the Create-A-Bot what Starscream had not—that the signal which had brought the Decepticons to Earth had come from Megatron himself. The rookie dismissed Megatron as a relic, and was struck by Barricade for the insult. With some help from the rookie, Barricade discovered that the Autobot Bumblebee was already on Megatron's trail; Barricade pursued Bumblebee, defeated him in battle on the outskirts of Tranquility, and acquired the data he had gathered.

Now aware that the human military organization [[Sector Seven]] was holding Megatron, Barricade arranged for [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] to the Create-A-Bot to a [[Qatar]] military base, where they and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] hacked Sector Seven's databanks. The file they obtained was brought back to Barricade in Tranquility for deciphering, and revealed that Megatron was being held by Sector Seven in the [[Hoover Dam]]. The Create-A-Bot suggesting relaying this to Starscream, but Barricade loudly refuted the idea, happy that the impending resurrection of Megatron would mean that he would no longer have to serve under a cowardly, back-stabbing bureaucrat like Starscream. Swayed by Barricade's words, the rookie revealed a fact that Starscream had told only him—that the AllSpark was also present on Earth. Shocked by the revelation, Barricade realized that Starscream had been scheming to acquire the AllSpark for himself, to ensure that not even Megatron could remove him from power. With the rookie now turned from Starscream and on his side, Barricade was able to liberate Megatron from Sector Seven, and the Decepticons pursued the Autobots, now in possession of the AllSpark, back to Tranquility.

During the battle, Starscream finally claimed the AllSpark from Bumblebee, and Barricade stood against him, intent on bringing him in for treason. Alas, the AllSpark-powered Starscream destroyed Barricade, but with in death, Barricade proved to the Create-A-Bot what it truly meant to be a Decepticon. An interesting note: Barricade became one of the only Decepticons to transform while fighting in this game, and he was very effective at it. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===Allspark Highway===

Barricade and the Decepticons tried to keep the Autobots from delivering the Allspark to safety. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}

===''Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons'' (Nintendo DS)===
Despite not appearing in [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|the movie]], Barricade still appears in the Decepticons version of the DS game. He did a good deal of [[energon (fuel)|energon]] collection for [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and Starscream. Apparently, he also had the time to race [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] through a munitions factory, despite the ongoing war with the Autobots. Yeah. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen: Autobots/Decepticons|Revenge of the Fallen: Decepticons}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:LegendsBarricade.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Yes, he is movie-accurate.]]
* '''Barricade''' (Legends Class, 2007)
**''Japanese name:'' '''EZ Collection Barricade'''

: The smallest transforming version of the character, [[Legends Class|Legends]] Barricade features limited articulation and detail. In what could only be defined as an anomaly of physics, compared to the other Movie Legends, Barricade is quite close in appearance and transformation to the larger deluxe figure. Legends Barricade's instructions also overlook the fact that his grill can flip down to fill out his torso and raise his chest higher.

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[[Image:Movie Allspark Legends pack.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Round up the usual suspects.]]
*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

: A Toys'R'Us exclusive, this six-pack of Legends class figures contains unmodified toys of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (Movie)/toys|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Movie)/toys|Starscream]] and Barricade.

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{{anchor|Allspark2pack}}
[[Image:Movie Legends CliffjumperBarricade toys.jpg|right|250px|thumb|It's Redeco versus Redeco—I'm putting my money on Redeco.]]
*'''Cliffjumper vs. Recon Barricade''' (Legends Allspark Battles multi-pack, 2007)

: Released as part of the ''AllSpark Battles'' refresh of the ''Movie'' toyline, Legends class Recon Barricade is a redeco of the regular Legends class Barricade in a paint scheme based upon the Deluxe class Recon Barricade. Yes. He comes packed with Legends class [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]], itself a repaint of Legends class Bumblebee.

*'''Recon Barricade''' (Legends, 2008)

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

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====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:Movie DeluxeBarricade toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The secret love child of [[Blackjack]] and [[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]].]]
* '''Barricade''' (Deluxe Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''MD-02'''
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

:Barricade transforms into an accurate [[wikipedia:Saleen|Saleen S281 Police Cruiser]]. As with [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|MOST]] deluxe-class cars in the ''Movie'' line, he features clear windows for his windshield and doors, but oddly his rear window is opaque black plastic. Stored inside the engine bay, behind the car's ram bar is a mini-figure [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] disguised as Barricade's grill. We say mini, but Frenzy would be about six feet tall, scale wise.

: In robot mode, Barricade quite faithfully reproduces the CGI design, though his chest cannot deform to the same extent. He features a reasonable amount of articulation with ball joints for his shoulders and upper legs, ratcheting and swivels for his elbows and double-jointed knees (although the knees make it difficult to properly align the upper and lower portions of his legs). Barricade has no neck joint as the two car hood halves slot into place between the bottom of the head and the plate on which it sits. Barricade does not have any [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] [[gimmick]] to speak of; in its place is a spring-loaded extending "punching" attack on his left arm.

: As with almost all Transformers toys issued over the last few years, a few of his transformation quirks are undocumented; in robot mode front wheel panels on his shoulders are ball-jointed, allowing one to position them in a manner similar to what is seen in the movie renders. Additionally, the sections that become his claws (apart from the thumb hinge) can swing up slightly to make themselves more pronounced, and spikes on the top of his feet can be swung up. His head is also able to be pulled up farther, allowing for a less "Hunchback of Cybertron" look, and panels just behind his neck resting on top of the hood to hold it there.

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[[Image:Bumblebee Barricade deluxeboxset.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Mullethead vs. Cop]]
*'''Bumblebee vs. Barricade: First Encounter''' (Wal*Mart exclusive multi-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

: This Wal*Mart exclusive battle pack contains the deluxe-class Barricade and the 1974 Camaro deluxe-class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] figures, based upon their confrontation as seen in the movie. The box features a diorama-style background from a movie scene, but toys themselves are unchanged from their original carded releases.

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{{anchor|DeluxeRecon}}
[[Image:ReconBarricade.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Barricade escaped by disguising himself as [[Prowl (Energon)|''Energon'' Prowl]].]]
*'''Recon Barricade''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

: A [[redeco]] of the normal Deluxe Barricade toy, this time in a "local security" blue and gray pattern. All the [[Gimmick|gimmicks]] remain the same, including his little pal [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], who is now colored more [[FIRRIB|G1-accurate]] (as well as [[Show-accuracy|movie-accurate]] colored eyes not seen on any other Frenzy toy).

: Recon Barricade's license plate reads "SAGE2764", a reference to the screenname of a member of a Chinese newsgroup used by [[Joe Kyde]] (who would later design the deco for Recon Barricade) to disseminate [http://tformers.com/Unknown-Megatron-Drawing-Possible-Movie-Design/6030/news.html hoax information] for a thesis project.

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{{anchor|First Encounter}}
[[Image:Movie ScreenBattles FirstEncounter.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Which one of these is different from the others? Go ahead, guess!]]
*'''First Encounter''' (Screen Battles, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''SB-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Sam Witwicky figure, Mikaela figure and Frenzy figure

: This Screen Battles pack features a largely unchanged Deluxe class Barricade figure. The only real difference is the Frenzy mini-figure, which is now cast entirely in black plastic, sports ''no'' paint applications and is supposed to be stuck permanently inside Barricade's chest thanks to a new, additional piece of plastic (as a matter of fact, the Frenzy figure is also neither advertised on the packaging nor depicted in the instructions).

:This only applies to the Hasbro version, however—TakaraTomy's Japanese release of the pack features a Barricade that is identical to the single pack version, including an easily removable Frenzy figurine cast in grey plastic with painted red eyes.

:The pack also comes with non-posable figurines of Sam Witwicky in a running pose, Frenzy menacing [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] holding the power saw she uses to attack Frenzy. The set is packaged in a special window box with a diorama depicting the battle between Barricade and Bumblebee.

:According to details listed in an official checklist on Hasbro's website,<ref name="checklist">[http://web.archive.org/web/20090228233314/http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/default.cfm?page=Collectors/Checklist Hasbro Transformers Collectors Checklist]</ref> this pack was originally supposed to feature Sam with a bike, and Mikaela with a Scooter.

{{-}}
{{anchor|AllsparkEnhanced}}
[[Image:Movie-toy_AllSparkBarricade.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Keith David|What would you have your Arbiter do?]]]]
*'''AllSpark-Enhanced Barricade''' (Target Exclusive Deluxe, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

: This Target exclusive features the Deluxe Class Barricade in unique cylindrical packaging, with the only difference from his standard release being that key robot mode parts are highlighted by the 'AllSpark Blue' color for no other reason than [[to sell toys]]. In what can only be explained as an "''answer''" to Recon Barricade's blue [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], ''this'' release's Frenzy is cast in red plastic with a minor black color application to the chest area, making him now resemble [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]. Thanks to Hasbro, the debate [[FIRRIB|continues]]...

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{{anchor|Premium}}
[[Image:Movie Deluxe PremiumBarricade.JPG|right|300px|thumb|I thought the Makeup Department would never get their butts in gear!]]
*'''Barricade''' (Deluxe Class "Premium Series", 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

: ''This'' version of Deluxe Barricade features a slightly more [[Show-accuracy|movie-accurate]] deco, with additional "911" markings that were missing on earlier releases. However, confusingly his windows have a frosted paint deco applied to them for no apparent reason, other than to make the toy look 'different'.

:Unlike some earlier "Premium Series" toys, Barricade was available at general retail.

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====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:FABBarricade.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Wait, how's this "yo-yo" thing work again?]]
* '''Blade Shield Barricade''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)

: Fast Action Battlers Barricade is similar to the regular Deluxe class toy. However, the details are simplified, and the proportions in both vehicle mode and robot mode are less realistic, generally skewed towards are more stylised and exaggerated appearance. Instead of the punching hand gimmick seen on the Deluxe class toy, FAB Barricade's left arm features a flip out arm extension with a shield made out of blades based on his spinning blades from the Movie.

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====Cyber Slammers====
[[Image:Barricade-CS.jpg|right|255px|thumb|Awwwwwww. Bawwicade's so cute, he'll kill us all!]]
* '''Barricade''' (Cyber Slammers, 2007)

:Cyber Slammers Barricade is an ''amazingly cute'' Saleen S281 police car that transforms into an amazingly cute treacherous Decepticon pretending to be a cop. 'Slam' his robot mode down into car mode and he rolls along for a while, then pops back up into robot mode. Like most Cyber Slammers, Barricade manages to cram most of his vehicle mode's major details into a compact, super-deformed version of that mode.

{{-}}

[[Image:Movie CyberSlammers PatrolBarricade.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Cute evil, now in Blue!]]
*'''Patrol Barricade''' (Cyber Slammers, 2008)

: This adorable, pudgy version of Barricade's car mode zips forward with a little motor. The robot mode Patrol Barricade pops up after a little while, rolling along. So cute! The colors are similar to Recon Barricade, but oddly enough, the scheme is different, and the markings are for a sheriff's car.

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====Robot Replicas====
[[Image:Movie RobotReplica Barricade.jpg|right|150px|thumb|SOMEone spent a little too much time in the bathtub...]]
* '''Barricade''' (Robot Replica, 2007)

: A non-transforming action figure, [[Robot Replicas]] Barricade hews much closer to the CGI model of the character (albeit wrong paint job). With joints similar to the [[Revoltech]] series, he is also more posable than his transforming counterpart, plus features replacement arms that feature his "blender-blade tires" alternate hands briefly seen in the movie.

:Barricade's shoulders/upper arms and shins (including the feet) are incorrectly assembled as compared to the CG design used for the [[Transformers (2007)|movie]]. This can easily be fixed due to the interchangability of the Robot Replica limbs. (Although the CG design raises the question how exactly his transformation in the movie is supposed to work. The markings on the arms are located on opposite sides of the body as compared to the vehicle mode.)

{{-}}

====Micro IR Transformers Cars====
[[Image:Movie Barricade MicroIR.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Weirdest police gun we've ever seen!]]
* '''Barricade''' (2007)

: Made under license by [[RadioShack]]. Three-function infrared remote, in Barricade's signature colors, gives you control of the car with forward and reverse turn movement. More than just a vehicle styled after the Movie character, the car also transforms to robot mode. The transformation is very reminiscent of the Generation 2 [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]], but the toy is an entirely new mold

:The top of the gun-shaped IR remote serves as a storage point for Barricade, but the remote can't stand freely so it's nearly useless for display. The tip of the gun's barrel can also be unscrewed to reveal a ballpoint pen, which... wait... what? It's actually just a pen cartridge which sorta hangs freely and is difficult to use for writing, because you have to hold it and support the entire gun's weight while you do.

:Each of the Micro IR toys comes with a generic instructions sheet printed in black and white and showing the transformation for all three toys.

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===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
====Deluxe Class Toys====
*'''Interrogator Barricade''' (2009)
[[Image:Interrogator Barricade ROTF deluxe toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Comes with NIPPLE ARMS!]]
:This retool of 2007's Barricade was first officially revealed on Walmart's website.<ref>[http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10973094 Interrogator Barricade listing and image at Walmart.com]</ref> He has the vehicle mode tool arms he used to threaten Sam Witwicky in the first movie, which take the place of Frenzy from the first toy. They can either be placed on the back of his head by sliding them into the vehicle mode panels, or they can be placed into his chest either stored, or deployed and with the arms appropriately covering the headlights.

:Surprisingly, his deco seems to be ''exactly the same'' as the original toy, ignoring the Premium Series update.

:During part of 2010, [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/transformers-toy-giveaway.cfm Hasbro did a promotion] wherein US fans could receive three free Deluxes in exchange for receipts showing the purchase of $25 or more of select Transformers product. As noted in [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69645&st=0 this thread over at Allspark.com], and later confirmed by [http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=HT83971G3 this listing here], this version of Barricade was one of a pool of eight figures (all from the same wave) from which the free Deluxes were drawn, with several people having noted receiving him.

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====Human Alliance====
[[Image:ROTF_HumanAlliance_Barricade%26Frenzy.jpg|right|thumb|300px| [[Keith David| Rise up and I will kill you! Again and again!]]]]
*'''Barricade with Frenzy''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-24'''

:[[Human Alliance]] Barricade comes with a posable figure of [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], who can either sit inside the car in vehicle mode or be stored in Barricade's chest as with the Deluxe figure. Barricade also comes with two fold-out arms / weapons in vehicle mode that approximate the 'Interrogator Arms' he uses to threaten Sam Witwicky.

:In Barricade's robot mode, his main weapon is a spinning spiked flail which replaces his left hand, similar to the one seen during his duel with Bumblebee in the first movie. Aside from the interrogator arms (which can also flip out in robot mode to act as a sort of weapon for a chest-mounted Frenzy) his only other weapon is a cannon / missile rack in his right shoulder, which Frenzy is supposed to be able to operate from his seat (see the stock photo). There seems to be a bit of forced perspective going on with that; the gun rack is too far from the seat for Frenzy to actually be able to reach. Barricade's eyes have red light-piping, and instead of a battle-mask, his mouth can be opened and closed by tilting the top of his head. The chest is also capable of more deformation than shown in the stock photo to make him more movie-accurate, by angling the two bumpers up and adjusting the tilt of the grille.

:There's something odd going on with his hips; they only come out to a 45° angle, which prevents his legs from being fully straightened, This is most likely to simulate his crouching position seen in the movie and his deluxe toys. The socket is capable of the full rotation, though, and the blocking plastic can be easily sliced off. Additionally, the waist was at one point capable of rotation, but this has been oddly blocked by the addition of a small blocking bar molded on to plastic rotation axis. This weird mold change can also be easily sliced out to restore full functionality.

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====Gravity Bots====
[[Image:ROTF-toy_GravityBots_Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I can no longer command ships, lead troops into battle.]]
*'''Barricade''' (2010)
:[[Gravity Bot]] Barricade is a cute, blocky little toy that [[Autotransformation|autotransforms]] in a really neat fashion using gravity.
{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:HFTD huntersrumble barricade.jpg|thumb|300px|First person who laughs dies.]]
*'''Hunters Rumble''' (Target Figure 2-pack, 2010)
:This [[Target]] [[exclusive]] bundle includes redecos of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Interrogator Barricade and Deluxe-class [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]]. His interrogator arms are now a dark grey with menacing red "eyes".

:With his yellow and blue [[Wikipedia:Battenburg markings|Battenburg markings]] and Chinese lettering, Barricade's deco is presumably based on a [[Wikipedia:File:HKPF Hybrid Police Patrol Car AM8944.JPG|Hong Kong police car]].
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===Dark of the Moon===
====Cyberverse====
[[Image:DOTM_Cyberverse_Barricade_toy.jpg|thumb|300px|Not Pr--oh wait, maybe I am!]]
*'''Barricade''' (Cyberverse Legion, 2011)
**''Series:'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''002'''
**''Japanese ID number:''

:For the ''[[Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' line, Legends Class Barricade was redecoed in white and blue with a minor retool of a right hand intended to be able to grip [[Cyberverse]] accessories.
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====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:DOTM_MechTechDeluxe_Barricade.jpg|thumb|300px|Free back scratcher!]]
*'''Barricade''' (Mechtech Deluxe, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''DD03
**''Accessory:'' Mechtech Blaster/Robot Wrecking Claw

:''[[Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' Deluxe class Barricade is an entirely new mold. He boasts greater screen accuracy than previous figures thanks to small design tricks. Noteworthy ones include like a rotatable chest grill for a "warped" robot mode chest, and placing his hands at the front of the car, allowing his arms to have the doors placed accurate to the on-screen counterpart. He includes a [[MechTech]] weapon, a gatling gun-barrelled Blaster that can transform into a "Robot Wrecking Claw" when a lever on the side is pulled. Like all Deluxe class MechTech weapons, it cannot be locked into place.

:The Japanese release comes packed with a character card and an accompanying transparent plastic card of his MechTech weapon for the MechTech Wars online game.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers 3D Battle Card Game===
[[Image:3DBattleCard_Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|250px| If they came to hear me beg, they will be disappointed.]]
*'''Barricade''' (3D Battle Card, 2007)
**''Card number'': '''14'''

: Barricade is a 33-point "Rare" piece in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]. Constructed of punch-out pieces from randomly packed plastic cards (two full robots per pack), he can be assembled into his car mode or into a rather stumpy robot mode. His twin blaster-weapons can be mounted on his arms (their nominal placement) or on his shoulders.

: His card art was done by [[Lucio Parrillo]], and he uses the same construction as [[Earth]]-mode [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]], [[Swerve (Movie)|Swerve]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]].

{{-}}

===Transformers (2007)===
====XMODS® Evolution Transformers====
* '''Barricade''' (2007)
**''Model Number'': '''60-185'''

[[Image:Movie Barricade XMODS.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Don't you think about pissing me off, or I'll turn you into a pancake.]]
[[Image:Movie Barricade XMODS weapons.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Look into my pokey eyes and see the future...]]
:Barricade is one of the first Transformers characters to be licensed by [[RadioShack]] from [[Hasbro]] and [[DreamWorks]] for their XMODS Evolution line of radio control cars. "The maximum in modification", Barricade is a base kit that can be upgraded with '''XMODS® Evolution Weapons and Light Kit for Barricade™''' a weapons and light kit featuring the weapons/manipulators he uses in the film and rocket launchers that were cut from the film (''Model Number'': '''600-barricade3'''), as well as any of the optional motor upgrades, body kits, steering and suspension upgrades, and more available for the brand.

{{-}}

====ZipZaps® Micro RC====
* '''Barricade''' (2007)
**''Model Number'': '''6000181'''

[[Image:Movie Barricade ZipZap.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Oooh...scary!]]
:Barricade is also one of the first Transformers characters licensed by RadioShack for their ZipZaps line of pocket-size radio control cars. As a ZipZap, Barricade can be customized, trimmed, and tuned with any other accessories available for the brand. He has working headlights and requires four "AAA" batteries for the charger.

{{-}}

====Unleashed====
*'''Blackout and Barricade''' (2008)

[[Image:Movie UnleashedTurnarounds BlackoutBarricade.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Invading Australasia NOW!]]
: The Blackout and Barricade turnaround is a 3D sculpture of the two characters in both robot mode emerging from rubble and explosions, with a movie-accurate sculpt (compared to the various transforming toys.) The 'turnaround' aspect of these sculptures simply means one can turn the piece around to display a raised-relief of the movie-style Decepticon sigil instead.

: This product's release was cancelled for the US market, but was released in Australia and in Asia.

{{-}}

====Basic Fun====
*'''Barricade''' (Figural keychain assortment, 2007)

: Produced by [[Basic Fun]], this keychain is a likeness of Barricade's robot mode with articulated arms, legs, head, waist, and a keyring sticking out of his ass.

{{-}}

====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[Image:Movie Barricade screencleaner.jpg|right|97px|thumb|To polish and clean up.]]
*'''Barricade''' (2008)

:Released by Tomy Yujin on January 2008,<ref name="TomyYujin">[http://www.gachausa.com/products/transformers.asp Tomy Yujin ''Transformers'' page]</ref> this dangler is a faction logo-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Barricade printed on the other side.

===Revenge of the Fallen===
{{-}}
====RPMs - Robot Powered Machines====
[[Image:ROTF-toy_RPM_Bumblebee_vs_Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Frozen in car-bonite!]]
*'''Bumblebee VS Barricade''' (2009)
**''Series:'' '''Battle Series'''
**''Number:'' '''01 of 08'''

:''[[Robot Powered Machines]]'' Barricade is a small, ''Hot Wheels''-style Saleen S281 Police Cruiser. The toy doesn't transform, but has Barricade's robot mode sculpted and painted onto its underside, along with his name and faction insignia. It features through-axle construction which lets it reach high speeds on smooth surfaces. He was sold in a two-pack with the 1970's Camaro version of [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]].

*'''Barricade''' (2009)
**''Series:'' '''Commander Series'''
**''Number:'' '''03 of 04'''

:Barricade was also available by himself as part of the "Commander Series" of RPMs. The toy is identical to its two-pack release.

{{-}}
{{anchor|RPMRadiocontrol}}
*'''Barricade''' (2010)
**''Series:'' '''Radio Control'''

: Radio Control Barricade is a non-transforming remote-control car, larger than his previous Micro IR and ZipZaps toys. Unlike previous Radio Control toys (Optimus Prime and Bumblebee), his remote controller is not shaped like his robot mode—it's just a generic design featuring a stock photo of Barricade on the front. Batteries (of Hasbro's own [[Powrfuel]] brand) were included for the controller, but not for the car.

{{-}}
{{picsneeded}}

===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Movie RobotHeroes BumblebeevsBarricade.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Just about the only fiction-accurate RH pack. Ever.]]
* '''Bumblebee vs. Barricade''' (2007)

:The first Robot Heroes version of Barricade, he's sculpted in a bit of a hunched, thuggish crouch. He has the standard Robot Heroes articulation: Both shoulders swivel, and his head rotates.

{{-}}

[[Image:Movie RobotHeroes BarricadeVsOptimusPrime.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Fast as fast can be, you can never catch me.]]
* '''Barricade vs. Optimus''' (2008)

:This ''Robot Heroes'' pack features Barricade in a running/attacking pose, and Optimus Prime posed as he was in the Movie as he awaited Bonecrusher's attack. This version of Barricade only has articulation at the shoulders, and oddly enough has his shoulder pylons attached to his torso, as opposed to his arms.

{{-}}

[[Image:Ratchet_and_barricade_robot_heroes.jpg|thumb|300px|Medic versus police! Who will win?! (Okay, EVIL law enforcement-impersonator, that is.)]]

*'''Ratchet vs Barricade''' (2009)

:A redeco of the first ''Robot Heroes'' Barricade mold, now packaged with [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]].

{{-}}
===Speed Stars===
====Mini-Vehicles====
[[Image:Speedstars_metalheroes_highwaypatrolbarricade.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Putting the DIE in DIEcast.]]
*'''Highway Patrol Barricade''' (August, 2010)
**''Series:'' '''Metal Heroes'''
**''Number:'' '''05 of 08'''
:A redeco of the ''Robot Powered Machines'' Barricade mold, now in ''[[Speed Stars]]'' packaging with a silver and black paint job, and also some kicky red walled tires. Barricade's robot mode remains sculpted on the bottom, but contrary to what his package artwork promises, it is made entirely out of black plastic, with only a few silver paint applications. His name remains entirely unpainted. He has some slight deco differences compared to the RPM version of this toy: the "robot" mode in the RPM version is colored in black and sculpted in silver plastic, and the Speed Stars version lacks his Decepticon police badge, the "To punish and enslave" and "call 911" decals present in the RPM version and previous versions of Barricade.

: During the period between 26 December 2010 and 31 January 2011, Hasbro ran their "Supercharge Your Holidays" promotion: for every $20 spent on Hasbro-branded product, customers could receive a free, random product from a list provided by Hasbro. Among the items on the list were "Transformers Combiners and Speed Star Mini-Vehicle" and "Transformers Activator and Speed Star Mini-Vehicle." According to [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75487 this discussion thread on Allspark.com], Speed Stars Highway Patrol Barricade was one of the figures distributed.

{{-}}
[[Image:SpeedStars_Stunticon_Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Putting the.... CON in Stunti... crap. Do over?]]
*'''Barricade''' (2010)
**''Series:'' '''Stunticon'''
**''Number:'' '''02 of 04'''

: Stunticon Barricade is a redeco of the RPM mold in primarily white, with black and red details.

: An early version of this toy, with black door stripes and yellow windows and flashers, appears in some [[stock photography]].

: During the period between 26 December 2010 and 31 January 2011, Hasbro ran their "Supercharge Your Holidays" promotion: for every $20 spent on Hasbro-branded product, customers could receive a free, random product from a list provided by Hasbro. Among the items on the list were "Transformers Combiners and Speed Star Mini-Vehicle" and "Transformers Activator and Speed Star Mini-Vehicle." According to [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75487 this discussion thread on Allspark.com], Speed Stars Stunticon Barricade was one of the figures distributed.

{{-}}
[[Image:Speedstars battleseries patrolbarricade.jpg|300px|thumb|right| We are the arm of Megatron, Barricade, and you are the blade.]]
*'''Nightwatch Bumblebee VS Patrol Barricade''' (2010)
**''Series:'' '''Battle Series 2'''
**''Number:'' '''02 of 06'''

: For the second series of two-packs, RPM Barricade was redecoed in blue with black doors. He was only available with a redeco of Bumblebee, who uses a different mold than their original versus pack. Like all ''Speed Stars'' toys, the Decepticon insignia on the bottom of his car mode is not included, despite it being clearly depicted in the package art. A ''[[Hunt for the Decepticons]]'' code card is included in the two-pack.

{{-}}
*'''Barricade''' (2010?)
**''Series:'' '''Cyber Hunt'''
**''Number:'' '''0? of 04'''

: Cyber Hunt Barricade is apparently a single-packed version of versus-pack Patrol Barricade.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}
[[Image:SpeedStars_Revealers_Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
*'''Barricade''' (2010?)
**''Series:'' '''Revealers'''
**''Number:'' '''03 of 03'''

: Revealers Barricade is sculpted with various robot-mode parts protruding from his car mode, as if he's in mid-transformation.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

====Radio Control====
[[Image:SpeedStars_RadioControl_Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|300px|This is WORSE than looking at the mirror.]]
*'''Barricade''' (2010)

: Radio Control Barricade is, unsurprisingly, another non-transforming remote-controlled car. It uses the same controller and wheel molds as Radio Control Bumblebee.

{{-}}

====Stealth Force====
[[Image:SpeedStars_StealthForce_Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Due to police budget cuts, we couldn't afford weapons that fired but it's important to have a visible deterrent.]]
*'''Barricade''' (Basic, 2010)

: ''Stealth Force'' Barricade is a non-transforming car with several non-firing hidden weapons throughout his frame, activated by lifting up his spoiler. His license plate reads "2PN-SLV", in reference to "To punish and enslave..." on the sides of the car.

{{-}}

==Second Life avatars==
In the online game ''Second Life'', there was a full replica of the Sector Seven base which contained a giant discussion room where Michael Bay held a question board. This room contained a giant frozen Megatron replica and offered free avatars of both Bumblebee and Barricade. Both freebies were non-transforming.

==Notes==
[[Image:Movie Barricade finalappearance.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Barricade pulls everyone over for ''driving on the wrong side of the road.'']]

* Barricade's disappearance from the film is puzzling. It appears he was originally meant to be destroyed, as both the novel and comic adaptations of the movie depict his destruction by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who had both destroyed Bonecrusher and was delayed in joining the humans and fellow Autobots. (Alternatively the children's chapter book adaptation of the film ''[[The Quest for the AllSpark]]'' describes Barricade as being destroyed by the US military.) Regardless, in the movie proper, Barricade simply does not appear again after Bonecrusher transforms. At the time, his fate caused a great deal of speculation. Since then, however, he appeared in ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]'', ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'', ''[[Tales of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Rising Storm]]'' before finally returning for a fairly unambiguous death in ''[[Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''.

[[Image:Barricade-comicsadaptation-death.jpg|right|200px|thumb|F*** tha poh-leece!]]
*Writer [[Roberto Orci]] stated in a message board Q&A session that Barricade's disappearance from the remainder of the film is a "thread for Movie 2".<ref>[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=384946&postcount=33 Roberto Orci on Barricade's fate in the movie, at the official movie boards]</ref> Two years later, he stated that he honestly couldn't remember the reason why Barricade didn't show up in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', even though it was considered having him return.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-283.html#post3785383 Orci's Q&A at TFW2005]</ref>

* An early version of the script featured Barricade and [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] as one and the same character, named "[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]". He would have infiltrated the CIA headquarters (rather than Air Force One) in the form of a "portable stereo" and then transformed (and size-shifted) into a Humvee for his escape.<ref name="early">Details from an early script draft [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2213120&postcount=297 summed up here], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2214148&postcount=303 confirmed as authentic by Roberto Orci here].</ref>

[[Image:EarlyMovieBarricadeHead.jpg|thumb|200px|Different name, different head, same guy. As far as we know, anyway!]]

*[[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] was originally part of the Autobot line up for the movie, but was removed, as the writers loved the perverse idea of Barricade becoming a police car. This represents quite a step within any/all Transformers continuities, as a Decepticon has never before taken on a form (most) humans could so easily "trust", in a sense. <s>Sorry, Prowl, better luck [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|next time]].</s> <s>Uh, [[Dark of the Moon (film)|third time]]'s a charm?</s> Oh, forget it.

*An early working name for Barricade was '''Brawl''',<ref name="barribrawl">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/events/Botcon-2007/Hasbro-Tour/PICT5108.JPG.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1 Early design for Barricade with working name "Brawl" shown during the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour]</ref> which was later given to [[Brawl (Movie)|another movie character]] (but not in the movie itself).

* Early concept art for Barricade<ref name="barribrawl">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/events/Botcon-2007/Hasbro-Tour/PICT5108.JPG.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1 Early design for Barricade with working name "Brawl" shown during the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour]</ref> also suggests that he was originally going to transform into a white and black Crown Victoria (somewhat akin to Prowl's original G1 color scheme). Hasbro, continuing to capitalize on unused concepts/ideas, had Recon Barricade's redeco vaguely mirror the Vic's deco.

* In the first movie, Barricade sports the [[license plate]] "1-4027E", registered in Oklahoma. It can be briefly glimpsed when he slows down after having seemingly cornered Bumblebee, but is more clearly seen in set photos. Oddly enough, that plate ''also'' shows up on ''[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz's]]'' robot mode chest in the same movie. The Deluxe Class Recon Barricade [[redeco]] toy, meanwhile, sports the plate "SAGE2764", a reference pertaining to deco designer [[Joe Kyde]], the [[Premium Series]] redeco of the Deluxe toy sports the plate "DCPTCN" for "Decepticon", and the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Human Alliance]] toy sports the plate "2PN-SLV", referring to Barricade's infamous "To punish and enslave..." markings.

*The head design from this early concept artwork managed to show up on a few pieces of merchandise for the first film (such as a set of temporary tattoos), and would later inexplicably show up as a profile link for Barricade's [[Battle Bio]] on Hasbro's website.

[[Image:Movie2007 Barricade carweapon.jpg|thumb|200px|This looks familiar!]]

* During the rather truncated chase scene between Barricade and Bumblebee in the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie, Barricade was to deploy some serrated drill-like missiles from his hood and fire them at the fleeing Autobot. Though these weapons were constructed and fitted to one of the Barricade prop vehicles, this scene was ultimately cut, explaining the abrupt shift to night time at the conclusion of the chase. Until artist [[Sean Haworth]] uploaded a photo of the weapon prop onto his website, the only official proof of the existence of these weapons was page 12 of IDW Publishing's [[Movie Adaptation Issue Number Two|Movie Adaptation issue 2]] and the RadioShack ''XMODS® Evolution'' Barricade radio control car's weapons and light uppgrade kit.

* The [http://www.saleen.com/transformers.htm promotional Saleen S281E cars] that appeared at events and premieres featured the slogan "Power in the hands of a few" rather than the "To punish and enslave" motto, as well as Saleen decals rather than the Decepticon decals seen in the movie. Hmmm...

* The [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] ''[[Movie Prequel]]'' seems to contradict the very existence of his alternate mode, since the Decepticons were depicted as having come to Earth in 2003, yet his alternate mode is a 2006 model car. However, a little-known fact is that the Mustang design that would eventually be the 2006 model debuted sometime in 2003, with police car modifications showing up in car shows not long after. It could very well be that, similar to when/how Jazz scanned a Solstice in a dealership late at night, Barricade scanned a Police Mustang in one such car show display after-hours, explaining why there were "no witnesses" after he assumed this form ''and'' why his police deco has no state or city markings/I.D.

*A common misconception among fans is that Barricade's Saleen Mustang alternate mode was spotted on the set of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. This is not true. In fact, a truck transporting three "Barricade" prop vehicles was spotted in Culver City, California, in March 2008, more than two months before principal shooting for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' started.<ref name="vehspotted">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=6980 Superhero Hype reporting on the spotting of Barricade vehicles in March 2008]</ref>

* For ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Transformers: Alliance]]'', [[Chris Mowry]] had planned for Barricade to appear and be turned into [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], but Hasbro rejected the idea.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/members/mowry-73165-page2.html#vmessage170099]</ref>

*Barricade doesn't ''technically'' speak in ''Dark of the Moon'', but an editing gaffe as he kicks Que around before executing him sees him spend the entire scene talking with Soundwave's voice.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Barricade''' (バリケード ''Barikēdo'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Pàn Gūan''' (Taiwan, 叛官, "Treacherous Official"), '''Lu Zhang''' (China, 路障, "Barricade")

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

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Human Alliance]]
[[Category:Interrogators]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Pilots]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Decepticons]]

First (and Second) in Flight

2010-06-21T13:43:43Z

86.17.124.125: /* Items of note */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''Transformers Animated: Rise of Safeguard'' [[The Arrival|''Transformers Animated: The Arrival'']] #6
|prev=The Arrival issue 5
|next=
|title="First (and Second) in Flight"
|image=Rise of Safeguard.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=2009
|coverdate=2008
|story by=[[Eric Siebenaler]] and [[Marty Isenberg]]
|written by=Marty Isenberg
|art by=[[Boo]] (pp.1~12) [[Matthew Frank]] (pp13~24)
|colors by=[[Liam Shalloo]]
|letters by=[[Robbie Robbins]]
|edits by=[[Kris Oprisko]]
|continuity=[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]
|packaged with=[[Jetfire (Animated)#Animated|Jetfire and Jetstorm]]
}}

'''The Autobot Elite Guard intends to use the captive Starscream to help create the first flying Autobot. But the resulting twin brothers Jetfire and Jetstorm are more than they bargained for.'''

==Synopsis==
In the wake of the [[Decepticon]] uprisings on the rim of the galaxy, Ultra Magnus sends a secure transmission to the Autobot troops, stressing a need for a decisive show of force to remind the Decepticons of Autobot military superiority. Though he does not feel the situation is dire enough to revive [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Project Omega]], clearly action is needed, and he is willing to pursue unorthodox combat upgrade protocols for the Autobots. Back at the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]] flagship, this is met with some skepticism by Sentinel Prime and Jazz. Ultra Magnus has suggested installing flight protocols into Autobots, a feat that is entirely unprecedented. Magnus stresses that they have a rare opportunity in the form of the captured Decepticon Starscream, and that downloading his programming may allow them to do what was previously thought impossible.

Unfortunately, Starscream escapes in the process, but soon Magnus is able to address the Autobot Council on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and announce that the data download of the Decepticon's programming was successful. He turns this data over to the [[Ministry of Science]], tasking Perceptor with the means to commence with Project Safeguard. Perceptor expresses some unease at the risks involved, prompting Magnus to tell him not to endanger Elite Guard resources, and instead find test subjects that are expendable from the farms and refineries.

[[Image:Jetfirejetstormzackly.jpg|left|250px|thumb|The future of Cybertron, folks.]]
As if on cue, a pair of refinery bots are engaging in grievous shenanigans while on the job, and as a result fall victim to a catastrophic industrial accident. Perceptor promptly has them shipped back to the Ministry of Science, sensing that his "volunteers" have been procured. Indeed, as the test-subjects are split protoforms, Perceptor crows that this is a grand opportunity to experiment a bit with the project. Wheeljack reins in his comrade's scientific glee with the possibility that the data-merge will have unfortunate side-effects upon the twins.

In an upgrade process that takes the better part of a deca-cycle, the twins' structures are reinforced to better withstand the stresses of the data-merge that Red Alert is providing. Even the considerable resources of the Ministry of Science are strained, and things get a bit touch-and-go for a bit. However, Perceptor is soon able to present the finished product to Ultra Magnus.

Magnus assigns the twins to Sentinel Prime for training, who somewhat resents being busted back down to drill sergeant. Assigning the twins the codenames of Jetfire and Jetstorm, he laments that he's out of practice on naming. The twins pass his combat tests with flying colors, but sadly lay waste to most of the training grounds. Ultra Magnus arrives and recommends simulated combat in the future.

Jazz oversees the twins' servo-to-servo combat training. Initially he is able to defeat them easily, but as soon as he turns his back to them, they promptly kick his skidplate. He remarks to Magnus afterward that their flight abilities may be helping them ace the combat training, but that the twins are quickly becoming overconfident. Magnus agrees with these concerns, and Perceptor comments that Starscream's programming could be used to upgrade the combat simulator to give the twins a real challenge.

Strapped into the simulator, the twins make easy work of most of the drone troops sent after them, but have considerably more trouble once the machine tosses a simulated Starscream at them. Proving a much greater danger, Starscream brutalizes the twins up and down the battlefield, eventually grounding Jetstorm. The Starscream may be simulated, but his sadistic nature is spot-on, and he prepares to mutilate Jetstorm for the pleasure of it. Perceptor is alarmed by this, as it wasn't part of the program he'd prepared. Sentinel Prime goes to disconnect the twins before it's too late. This proves impossible, as the simulator rigs are arcing with electricity, preventing the Elite Guard from approaching.

[[Image:Safeguardriseofsafeguard.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Rise of this, rise of that...]]
Incensed by his brother's treatment at Starscream's hands, Jetfire manifests a previously unknown ability to project flames, blasting the Decepticon away from his sibling. This is mirrored by his body being immolated in the simulator rig, endangering the facility. Thankfully, his recovered sibling discovers a similar ability to use his wind turbines to produce intense cold, balancing out Jetfire. Starscream recovers from Jetfire's blast and once again floors the twins. They counter by initiating a ''third'' previously unknown ability and merge into a [[Combiner|gestalt]] form. Now the potent Autobot known as Safeguard, they are finally able to dispatch Starscream, which allows Perceptor to end the simulation.

Convinced of their usefulness, Ultra Magnus inducts the twins as junior officers in the Elite Guard and assigns them to join Sentinel Prime in pursuing the Autobot traitor [[Wasp|Waspinator]].

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (1)
* [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (3)
* [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]] (5)
* [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (6)
* [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (7)
* [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (8)
* [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] (9)
* [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (10)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (2)
}}
==Errors==
* [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] is depicted as having a real left hand, when that should be the arm that ends in her hard-light surgical tool.
* Although he doesn't transform, it's clear from several shots that Sentinel Prime still has his Earth alt mode, despite the fact that he changed back into his Cybertronian alt mode [[Autoboot Camp|soon after]] he left Earth. Then again, he'd later regain his Earth alt mode before even knowing he'd be heading back for Earth. {{storylink|Transwarped}} This was later fixed in the [[AllSpark Almanac]] where he had decided to keep his alt-mode after Ultra-Magnus decided to keep his (the suck-up...). Jazz also still appears to have his Earth-mode kibble, but since we never saw his Cybertronian mode, it's hard to say for sure. (It's also possible that Jazz kept his Earth alt mode, since he really seemed to like it.)
* [[Wasp]] is referred to as "Waspinator" by Ultra Magnus, but is still universally called "Wasp" by both the Autobots and himself in ''Animated'' episodes which take place afterward. Somewhat surprisingly, this was corrected to "Wasp" for the European printing of the comic; likewise, the trade paperback edition of the story.
* Jetfire and Jetstorm are clearly stated to be the ''first'' flying Autobots; it seems everyone has forgotten about the [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|giant Autobot that saved everyone]] in the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] (Though, Project Omega was mentioned by Ultra Magnus).

==Items of note==
* This issue was available with the Jetstorm/Jetfire action figure set, with the words "Rise of Safeguard" printed on the cover. Originally, it was also supposed to be printed as the sixth issue of ''[[The Arrival]]'' and sold through comic book retailers, but it was canceled on the basis that the ''Arrival'' edition of the story would have wound up being released before the toys were, thereby robbing the printing included with the toys of its promised-on-package exclusivity. ''The Arrival'' trade paperback collection ''does'' contain the issue, with the addition of the proper title.

* There are two Autobots alongside Ultra Magnus in the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Autobot Council Chamber]] who look like they share [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl's]] bodyframe, but in red and green trim.

*When the comic was released in Europe, it was printed in a "flip-book" style featuring two versions of the story, each in a trilingual style ''a la'' the [[Armada (mini-comic)|''Armada'' mini-comic]]: English, French and German; and Spanish, Italian and Dutch. Alas, this meant that the English language section had to be edited down from the original US printing in order to fit all the languages into speech bubbles. The lives of Europeans are, indeed, [[JaAm|pAiN]].

* The Elite Guard considers non-members to be "expendable", and has no problems with performing dangerous experiments on ordinary robots who don't appear to have volunteered (although having been nearly killed by the explosions at the Energon Plant, they couldn't have volunteered if they wanted to). Wheeljack himself said that using Starscream's code could turn them both into raging psychopaths. Ultra Magnus thinks that Sentinel showed great initiative when he claims to have used ''live ammo'' for a test which could have easily resulted in both Jetstorm and Jetfire dying if they hadn't happened to be so naturally adept at flying. And then they pop them into an untested and rather buggy simulator with Starscream, which nearly kills them. And ''these'' are the good guys?

* This book must extend over two or three weeks, as the beginning of the comic book is before "[[A Fistful of Energon]]", then Jetstorm and Jetfire are created a [[units of time|deca-cycle]] later, which, according to Magnus himself, is when he (Magnus) was able to contact Optimus and the Autobots. The end of this issue seems to happen shortly before the present-day events of "[[Autoboot Camp]]".

===Transformers references===
* Jazz mentions the cyber-ninjitsu martial arts [[Circuit-Su]] and [[Metallikato]].
* When Jazz is training with Jetstorm and Jetfire, there is a target practice doll of a [[Conehead]] in the background.

===Real world references===
* Jazz continues to speak in 1950s beatnik slang, using words such as "Clyde", "dig", "nowheresville", and "square". This is awesome.

===Covers===
* '''Cover that came w/ the 2-Pack:''' Jetstorm and Jetfire flying through space; art by [[Boo]] and colors by [[Benjamin Meier]].
* '''Unused ''The Arrival'' #6 cover:''' Sentinel Prime with Jetfire and Jetstorm; art by Boo and colors by [[Liam Shalloo]]. This was included in the TPB, along with an additional version that has the two brothers recolored to represent them using their powers.
<gallery>
Image:Rise of Safeguard.jpg|Jets. Jets with fire!
Image:Arrival issue 6 unused.jpg|Alas, it was not to be.
</gallery>

[[Category:Animated issues]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]
[[Category:The Arrival issues]]

Nightbird (G1)

2010-06-21T13:00:54Z

86.17.124.125: /* Trivia */

{{disambig2|the human-made ninja robot|the Autobot cargo ship from the IDW comics|Nightbird (ship)}}
{{factions|decepticon}}
:''Nightbird is a [[Human]]-built robot from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Nightbird g1.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Dude? A giant robot ninja?" "No dude, a giant robot ninja chick!" "Duuuude!"]]
'''Nightbird''' is a giant female ninja robot built to "benefit [[Human|mankind]]".

Yeah, those nunchucks are really gonna be 'benefitting' their way through society.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
Nightbird was a robotic ninja warrior created by [[Doctor Fujiyama the Famous Scientist]], ostensibly to show how advanced [[Human]] technology had become. The [[Decepticon]]s stole Nightbird, and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] implanted her with an enhanced brain chip which turned the drone-like Nightbird into a true butt-kicking machine. Nightbird broke into the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and stole the [[Autobot]]s' [[World Energy Chip]], which contained the locations of a variety of energy sources, energy sources that the Decepticons would most assuredly use for conquest!

The Autobots were, at first, hampered by their promise to Doctor Fujiyama not to damage or destroy the ninja robot, and found themselves flustered in botched attempts to capture her. Eventually, however, they used an [[energy net]] which drained Nightbird's power reserves and allowed the Autobots to capture her without serious damage.

Doctor Fujiyama placed Nightbird into cold storage, but apparently didn't see fit to fully deactivate her, as she seems aware of her plight and gives an angry glare as she's stored away. Not that we've ever seen her again. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

===''Universe: The Wreckers''===
[[Image:Departure Nightbird army.jpg|450px|left|thumb|Bombshell would be [[Insecticon clone|so proud]].]]
In 2025 or so, Fujiyama, apparently having learned ''nothing'', built an entire army of Nightbird drones. When they went on a rampage, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] came to the doctor's aid. Though they were rather outnumbered, the group could hold off the drones long enough for [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] to arrive with help and an evacuation shuttle. This was only just too late for Wheelie, who found his back slashed open by a Nightbird drone, disabling him from getting to the shuttle. Loyal to his friend, Daniel stayed with him as the others fled. When he could no longer fight off the drones, he detonated an explosive to destroy them, killing himself and Wheelie in the process.

Presumably, the Nightbird drones were all destroyed, since they are never seen or mentioned again. {{storylink|Departure}}

{{-}}
===Dreamwave Generation 1 comics===
[[Image:Infestation_Aztec_Theatres_inside.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Then, would those be ''male'' ninja robots?]]
A science fiction movie, ''[[Aztec Theatres|Enter the Nightbird]]'', featured Nightbird kicking shiny metal robo-ass. {{storylink|Infestation}}

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* Nightbird's gadgets to benefit humanity include: [[Wikipedia:Nunchaku|nunchaku]] (unused), a pair of [[Wikipedia:Sai (weapon)|''sai'' daggers]] (also unused), a wrist-mounted grappling hook, magnetic feet (they also work on rocks!), fist-replacing sawblades, [[Wikipedia:Metsubushi|some kind of spin/make bright light/disappear gimmick]], an endless supply of hip-stored energized [[Wikipedia:Shuriken|shuriken]], a lightsaber, another unused weapon which hilt is visible on her "backpack" (presumably a katana), a glowing magnetic tractor beam, and stereo speaker-nullifying metal donuts. Additionally, she vanishes after jumping over a cliff edge, leading Mirage to wonder if she has the power of invisibility.

* The Nightbirds in the ''Wreckers'' comic have four different accent colors, the same colors as the bandanas of the [[Wikipedia:Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]].

* The Chiba Institute of Technology actually built a ninja robot in 2003. Martial arts is used as a benchmark of physical dexterity in robotics. Thankfully, this ninja robot is only 30 centimeters tall.<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4263 Ninja Robot Built to Benefit Mankind]</ref>

* Nightbird was featured among the Decepticon forces on the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[20th Anniversary Lithograph]].

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Drones]]
[[Category:Fiction-only characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:MacGuffins]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]

First (and Second) in Flight

2010-02-15T12:58:35Z

86.17.124.125: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''Transformers Animated: Rise of Safeguard'' [[The Arrival|''Transformers Animated: The Arrival'']] #6
|prev=The Arrival issue 5
|next=
|title="First (and Second) in Flight"
|image=Rise of Safeguard.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=2009
|coverdate=2008
|story by=[[Eric Siebenaler]] and [[Marty Isenberg]]
|written by=Marty Isenberg
|art by=[[Boo]] (pp.1~12) [[Matthew Frank]] (pp13~24)
|colors by=[[Liam Shalloo]]
|letters by=[[Robbie Robbins]]
|edits by=[[Kris Oprisko]]
|continuity=[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]
}}

'''The Autobot Elite Guard intends to use the captive Starscream to help create the first flying Autobot. But the resulting twin brothers Jetfire and Jetstorm are more than they bargained for.'''

==Synopsis==
In the wake of the [[Decepticon]] uprisings on the rim of the galaxy, Ultra Magnus sends a secure transmission to the Autobot troops, stressing a need for a decisive show of force to remind the Decepticons of Autobot military superiority. Though he does not feel the situation is dire enough to revive [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Project Omega]], clearly action is needed, and he is willing to pursue unorthodox combat upgrade protocols for the Autobots. Back at the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]] flagship, this is met with some skepticism by Sentinel Prime and Jazz. Ultra Magnus has suggested installing flight protocols into Autobots, a feat that is entirely unprecedented. Magnus stresses that they have a rare opportunity in the form of the captured Decepticon Starscream, and that downloading his programming may allow them to do what was previously thought impossible.

Unfortunately, Starscream escapes in the process, but soon Magnus is able to address the Autobot Council on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and announce that the data download of the Decepticon's programming was successful. He turns this data over to the [[Ministry of Science]], tasking Perceptor with the means to commence with Project Safeguard. Perceptor expresses some unease at the risks involved, prompting Magnus to tell him not to endanger Elite Guard resources, and instead find test subjects that are expendable from the farms and refineries.

[[Image:Jetfirejetstormzackly.jpg|left|250px|thumb|The future of Cybertron, folks.]]
As if on cue, a pair of refinery bots are engaging in grievous shenanigans while on the job, and as a result fall victim to a catastrophic industrial accident. Perceptor promptly has them shipped back to the Ministry of Science, sensing that his "volunteers" have been procured. Indeed, as the test-subjects are split protoforms, Perceptor crows that this is a grand opportunity to experiment a bit with the project. Wheeljack reins in his comrade's scientific glee with the possibility that the data-merge will have unfortunate side-effects upon the twins.

In an upgrade process that takes the better part of a deca-cycle, the twins' structures are reinforced to better withstand the stresses of the data-merge that Red Alert is providing. Even the considerable resources of the Ministry of Science are strained, and things get a bit touch-and-go for a bit. However, Perceptor is soon able to present the finished product to Ultra Magnus.

Magnus assigns the twins to Sentinel Prime for training, who somewhat resents being busted back down to drill sergeant. Assigning the twins the codenames of Jetfire and Jetstorm, he laments that he's out of practice on naming. The twins pass his combat tests with flying colors, but sadly lay waste to most of the training grounds. Ultra Magnus arrives and recommends simulated combat in the future.

Jazz oversees the twins' servo-to-servo combat training. Initially he is able to defeat them easily, but as soon as he turns his back to them, they promptly kick his skidplate. He remarks to Magnus afterward that their flight abilities may be helping them ace the combat training, but that the twins are quickly becoming overconfident. Magnus agrees with these concerns, and Perceptor comments that Starscream's programming could be used to upgrade the combat simulator to give the twins a real challenge.

Strapped into the simulator, the twins make easy work of most of the drone troops sent after them, but have considerably more trouble once the machine tosses a simulated Starscream at them. Proving a much greater danger, Starscream brutalizes the twins up and down the battlefield, eventually grounding Jetstorm. The Starscream may be simulated but his sadistic nature is spot-on and he prepares to mutilate Jetstorm for the pleasure of it. Perceptor is alarmed by this, as it wasn't part of the program he'd prepared. Sentinel Prime goes to disconnect the twins before it's too late. This proves impossible, as the simulator rigs are arcing with electricity, preventing the Elite Guard from approaching.

[[Image:Safeguardriseofsafeguard.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Rise of this, rise of that...]]
Incensed by his brother's treatment at Starscream's hands, Jetfire manifests a previously unknown ability to project flames, blasting the Decepticon away from his sibling. This is mirrored by his body being immolated in the simulator rig, endangering the facility. Thankfully, his recovered sibling discovers a similar ability to use his wind turbines to produce intense cold, balancing out Jetfire. Starscream recovers from Jetfire's blast and once again floors the twins. They counter by initiating a ''third'' previously unknown ability and merge into a [[Combiner|gestalt]] form. Now the potent Autobot known as Safeguard, they are finally able to dispatch Starscream, which allows Perceptor to end the simulation.

Convinced of their usefulness, Ultra Magnus inducts the twins as junior officers in the Elite Guard and assigns them to join Sentinel Prime in pursuing the Autobot traitor [[Wasp|Waspinator]].

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (1)
* [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (3)
* [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]] (5)
* [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (6)
* [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (7)
* [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (8)
* [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] (9)
* [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (10)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (2)
}}
==Errors==
* [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] is depicted as having a real left hand, when that should be the arm that ends in her hard-light surgical tool.
* Although he doesn't transform, it's clear from several shots that Sentinel Prime still has his Earth alt mode, despite the fact that he changed back into his Cybertronian alt mode [[Autoboot Camp|soon after]] he left Earth. Then again, he'd later regain his Earth alt mode before even knowing he'd be heading back for Earth. {{storylink|Transwarped}} This was later fixed in the [[AllSpark Almanac]] where he had decided to keep his alt-mode after Ultra-Magnus decided to keep his (the suck-up...). Jazz also still appears to have his Earth-mode kibble, but since we never saw his Cybertronian mode, it's hard to say for sure. (It's also possible that Jazz kept his Earth alt mode, since he really seemed to like it.)
* [[Wasp]] is referred to as "Waspinator" by Ultra Magnus, but is still universally called "Wasp" by both the Autobots and himself in ''Animated'' episodes which take place afterward. Somewhat surprisingly, this was corrected to "Wasp" for the European printing of the comic; likewise, the trade paperback edition of the story.
* Jetfire and Jetstorm are clearly stated to be the ''first'' flying Autobots; it seems everyone has forgotten about the [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|giant Autobot that saved everyone]] in the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] (Though, Project Omega was mentioned by Ultra Magnus).

==Items of note==
* This issue was available with the Jetstorm/Jetfire action figure set, with the words "Rise of Safeguard" printed on the cover. Originally, it was also supposed to be printed as the sixth issue of ''[[The Arrival]]'' and sold through comic book retailers, but it was canceled on the basis that the ''Arrival'' edition of the story would have wound up being released before the toys were, thereby robbing the printing included with the toys of its promised-on-package exclusivity. ''The Arrival'' trade paperback collection ''does'' contain the issue, with the addition of the proper title.

* There are two Autobots alongside Ultra Magnus in the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Autobot Council Chamber]] who look like they share [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl's]] bodyframe, but in red and green trim.

*When the comic was released in Europe, it was printed in a "flip-book" style featuring two versions of the story, each in a trilingual style ''a la'' the [[Armada (mini-comic)|''Armada'' mini-comic]]: English, French and German; and Spanish, Italian and Dutch. Alas, this meant that the English language section had to be edited down from the original US printing in order to fit all the languages into speech bubbles. The lives of Europeans are, indeed, [[JaAm|pAiN]].

* The Elite Guard considers non-members to be "expendable", has no problems with performing dangerous experiments on ordinary robots who don't appear to have volunteered. Wheeljack himself said that using Starscream's code could turn them both into raging psychopaths. Ultra Magnus thinks that Sentinel showed great initiative when he claims to have used live ammo for a test which could have easily resulted in both Jetstorm and Jetfire dying if they hadn't happened to be so naturally adept at flying. And then they pop them into an untested and rather buggy simulator with Starscream, which nearly kills them. And ''these'' are the good guys?

* This book must extend over two or three weeks, as the beginning of the comic book is before "[[A Fistful of Energon]]", then Jetstorm and Jetfire are created a [[units of time|deca-cycle]] later, which, according to Magnus himself, is when he (Magnus) was able to contact Optimus and the Autobots. The end of this issue seems to happen shortly before the present-day events of "[[Autoboot Camp]]".

===Transformers references===
* Jazz mentions the cyber-ninjitsu martial arts [[Circuit-Su]] and [[Metallikato]].
* When Jazz is training with Jetstorm and Jetfire, there is a target practice doll of a [[Conehead]] in the background.

===Real world references===
* Jazz continues to speak in 1950s beatnik slang, using words such as "Clyde", "dig", "nowheresville", and "square". This is awesome.

===Covers===
* '''Cover that came w/ the 2-Pack:''' Jetstorm and Jetfire flying through space; art by [[Boo]] and colors by [[Benjamin Meier]].
* '''Unused ''The Arrival'' #6 cover:''' Sentinel Prime with Jetfire and Jetstorm; art by Boo and colors by [[Liam Shalloo]]. This was included in the TPB, along with an additional version that has the two brothers recolored to represent them using their powers.
<gallery>
Image:Rise of Safeguard.jpg|Jets. Jets with fire!
Image:Arrival issue 6 unused.jpg|Alas, it was not to be.
</gallery>

[[Category:Animated issues]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

First (and Second) in Flight

2010-02-15T12:56:24Z

86.17.124.125: /* Items of note */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''Transformers Animated: Rise of Safeguard'' [[The Arrival|''Transformers Animated: The Arrival'']] #6
|prev=The Arrival issue 5
|next=
|title="First (and Second) in Flight"
|image=Rise of Safeguard.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=2009
|coverdate=2008
|story by=[[Eric Siebenaler]] and [[Marty Isenberg]]
|written by=Marty Isenberg
|art by=[[Boo]] (pp.1~12) [[Matthew Frank]] (pp13~24)
|colors by=[[Liam Shalloo]]
|letters by=[[Robbie Robbins]]
|edits by=[[Kris Oprisko]]
|continuity=[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]
}}

'''The Autobot Elite Guard intends to use the captive Starscream to help create the first flying Autobot. But the resulting twin brothers Jetfire and Jetstorm are more than they bargained for.'''

==Synopsis==
In the wake of the [[Decepticon]] uprisings on the rim of the galaxy, Ultra Magnus sends a secure transmission to the Autobot troops, stressing a need for a decisive show of force to remind the Decepticons of Autobot military superiority. Though he does not feel the situation is dire enough to revive [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Project Omega]], clearly action is needed, and he is willing to pursue unorthodox combat upgrade protocols for the Autobots. Back at the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]] flagship, this is met with some skepticism by Sentinel Prime and Jazz. Ultra Magnus has suggested installing flight protocols into Autobots, a feat that is entirely unprecedented. Magnus stresses that they have a rare opportunity in the form of the captured Decepticon Starscream, and that downloading his programming may allow them to do what was previously thought impossible.

Unfortunately, Starscream escapes in the process, but soon Magnus is able to address the Autobot Council on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and announce that the data download of the Decepticon's programming was successful. He turns this data over to the [[Ministry of Science]], tasking Perceptor with the means to commence with Project Safeguard. Perceptor expresses some unease at the risks involved, prompting Magnus to tell him not to endanger Elite Guard resources, and instead find test subjects that are expendable from the farms and refineries.

[[Image:Jetfirejetstormzackly.jpg|left|250px|thumb|The future of Cybertron, folks.]]
As if on cue, a pair of refinery bots are engaging in grievous shenanigans while on the job, and as a result fall victim to a catastrophic industrial accident. Perceptor promptly has them shipped back to the Ministry of Science, sensing that his "volunteers" have been procured. Indeed, as the test-subjects are split protoforms, Perceptor crows that this is a grand opportunity to experiment a bit with the project. Wheeljack reins in his comrade's scientific glee with the possibility that the data-merge will have unfortunate side-effects upon the twins.

In an upgrade process that takes the better part of a deca-cycle, the twins' structures are reinforced to better withstand the stresses of the data-merge that Red Alert is providing. Even the considerable resources of the Ministry of Science are strained, and things get a bit touch-and-go for a bit. However, Perceptor is soon able to present the finished product to Ultra Magnus.

Magnus assigns the twins to Sentinel Prime for training, who somewhat resents being busted back down to drill sergeant. Assigning the twins the codenames of Jetfire and Jetstorm, he laments that he's out of practice on naming. The twins pass his combat tests with flying colors, but sadly lay waste to most of the training grounds. Ultra Magnus arrives and recommends simulated combat in the future.

Jazz oversees the twins' servo-to-servo combat training. Initially he is able to defeat them easily, but as soon as he turns his back to them, they promptly kick his skidplate. He remarks to Magnus afterward that their flight abilities may be helping them ace the combat training, but that the twins are quickly becoming overconfident. Magnus agrees with these concerns, and Perceptor comments that Starscream's programming could be used to upgrade the combat simulator to give the twins a real challenge.

Strapped into the simulator, the twins make easy work of most of the drone troops sent after them, but have considerably more trouble once the machine tosses a simulated Starscream at them. Proving a much greater danger, Starscream brutalizes the twins up and down the battlefield, eventually grounding Jetstorm, whom he is about to mutilate out of a perverse sense of pleasure. Perceptor is alarmed by this, as it wasn't part of the program he'd prepared. Sentinel Prime goes to disconnect the twins before it's too late. This proves impossible, as the simulator rigs are arcing with electricity, preventing the Elite Guard from approaching.

[[Image:Safeguardriseofsafeguard.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Rise of this, rise of that...]]
Incensed by his brother's treatment at Starscream's hands, Jetfire manifests a previously unknown ability to project flames, blasting the Decepticon away from his sibling. This is mirrored by his body being immolated in the simulator rig, endangering the facility. Thankfully, his recovered sibling discovers a similar ability to use his wind turbines to produce intense cold, balancing out Jetfire. Starscream recovers from Jetfire's blast and once again floors the twins. They counter by initiating a ''third'' previously unknown ability and merge into a [[Combiner|gestalt]] form. Now the potent Autobot known as Safeguard, they are finally able to dispatch Starscream, which allows Perceptor to end the simulation.

Convinced of their usefulness, Ultra Magnus inducts the twins as junior officers in the Elite Guard and assigns them to join Sentinel Prime in pursuing the Autobot traitor [[Wasp|Waspinator]].

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (1)
* [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (3)
* [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]] (5)
* [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (6)
* [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (7)
* [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (8)
* [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] (9)
* [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (10)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (2)
}}
==Errors==
* [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] is depicted as having a real left hand, when that should be the arm that ends in her hard-light surgical tool.
* Although he doesn't transform, it's clear from several shots that Sentinel Prime still has his Earth alt mode, despite the fact that he changed back into his Cybertronian alt mode [[Autoboot Camp|soon after]] he left Earth. Then again, he'd later regain his Earth alt mode before even knowing he'd be heading back for Earth. {{storylink|Transwarped}} This was later fixed in the [[AllSpark Almanac]] where he had decided to keep his alt-mode after Ultra-Magnus decided to keep his (the suck-up...). Jazz also still appears to have his Earth-mode kibble, but since we never saw his Cybertronian mode, it's hard to say for sure. (It's also possible that Jazz kept his Earth alt mode, since he really seemed to like it.)
* [[Wasp]] is referred to as "Waspinator" by Ultra Magnus, but is still universally called "Wasp" by both the Autobots and himself in ''Animated'' episodes which take place afterward. Somewhat surprisingly, this was corrected to "Wasp" for the European printing of the comic; likewise, the trade paperback edition of the story.
* Jetfire and Jetstorm are clearly stated to be the ''first'' flying Autobots; it seems everyone has forgotten about the [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|giant Autobot that saved everyone]] in the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] (Though, Project Omega was mentioned by Ultra Magnus).

==Items of note==
* This issue was available with the Jetstorm/Jetfire action figure set, with the words "Rise of Safeguard" printed on the cover. Originally, it was also supposed to be printed as the sixth issue of ''[[The Arrival]]'' and sold through comic book retailers, but it was canceled on the basis that the ''Arrival'' edition of the story would have wound up being released before the toys were, thereby robbing the printing included with the toys of its promised-on-package exclusivity. ''The Arrival'' trade paperback collection ''does'' contain the issue, with the addition of the proper title.

* There are two Autobots alongside Ultra Magnus in the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Autobot Council Chamber]] who look like they share [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl's]] bodyframe, but in red and green trim.

*When the comic was released in Europe, it was printed in a "flip-book" style featuring two versions of the story, each in a trilingual style ''a la'' the [[Armada (mini-comic)|''Armada'' mini-comic]]: English, French and German; and Spanish, Italian and Dutch. Alas, this meant that the English language section had to be edited down from the original US printing in order to fit all the languages into speech bubbles. The lives of Europeans are, indeed, [[JaAm|pAiN]].

* The Elite Guard considers non-members to be "expendable", has no problems with performing dangerous experiments on ordinary robots who don't appear to have volunteered. Wheeljack himself said that using Starscream's code could turn them both into raging psychopaths. Ultra Magnus thinks that Sentinel showed great initiative when he claims to have used live ammo for a test which could have easily resulted in both Jetstorm and Jetfire dying if they hadn't happened to be so naturally adept at flying. And then they pop them into an untested and rather buggy simulator with Starscream, which nearly kills them. And ''these'' are the good guys?

* This book must extend over two or three weeks, as the beginning of the comic book is before "[[A Fistful of Energon]]", then Jetstorm and Jetfire are created a [[units of time|deca-cycle]] later, which, according to Magnus himself, is when he (Magnus) was able to contact Optimus and the Autobots. The end of this issue seems to happen shortly before the present-day events of "[[Autoboot Camp]]".

===Transformers references===
* Jazz mentions the cyber-ninjitsu martial arts [[Circuit-Su]] and [[Metallikato]].
* When Jazz is training with Jetstorm and Jetfire, there is a target practice doll of a [[Conehead]] in the background.

===Real world references===
* Jazz continues to speak in 1950s beatnik slang, using words such as "Clyde", "dig", "nowheresville", and "square". This is awesome.

===Covers===
* '''Cover that came w/ the 2-Pack:''' Jetstorm and Jetfire flying through space; art by [[Boo]] and colors by [[Benjamin Meier]].
* '''Unused ''The Arrival'' #6 cover:''' Sentinel Prime with Jetfire and Jetstorm; art by Boo and colors by [[Liam Shalloo]]. This was included in the TPB, along with an additional version that has the two brothers recolored to represent them using their powers.
<gallery>
Image:Rise of Safeguard.jpg|Jets. Jets with fire!
Image:Arrival issue 6 unused.jpg|Alas, it was not to be.
</gallery>

[[Category:Animated issues]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

First (and Second) in Flight

2010-02-15T12:51:13Z

86.17.124.125: /* Items of note */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''Transformers Animated: Rise of Safeguard'' [[The Arrival|''Transformers Animated: The Arrival'']] #6
|prev=The Arrival issue 5
|next=
|title="First (and Second) in Flight"
|image=Rise of Safeguard.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=2009
|coverdate=2008
|story by=[[Eric Siebenaler]] and [[Marty Isenberg]]
|written by=Marty Isenberg
|art by=[[Boo]] (pp.1~12) [[Matthew Frank]] (pp13~24)
|colors by=[[Liam Shalloo]]
|letters by=[[Robbie Robbins]]
|edits by=[[Kris Oprisko]]
|continuity=[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]
}}

'''The Autobot Elite Guard intends to use the captive Starscream to help create the first flying Autobot. But the resulting twin brothers Jetfire and Jetstorm are more than they bargained for.'''

==Synopsis==
In the wake of the [[Decepticon]] uprisings on the rim of the galaxy, Ultra Magnus sends a secure transmission to the Autobot troops, stressing a need for a decisive show of force to remind the Decepticons of Autobot military superiority. Though he does not feel the situation is dire enough to revive [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Project Omega]], clearly action is needed, and he is willing to pursue unorthodox combat upgrade protocols for the Autobots. Back at the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]] flagship, this is met with some skepticism by Sentinel Prime and Jazz. Ultra Magnus has suggested installing flight protocols into Autobots, a feat that is entirely unprecedented. Magnus stresses that they have a rare opportunity in the form of the captured Decepticon Starscream, and that downloading his programming may allow them to do what was previously thought impossible.

Unfortunately, Starscream escapes in the process, but soon Magnus is able to address the Autobot Council on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and announce that the data download of the Decepticon's programming was successful. He turns this data over to the [[Ministry of Science]], tasking Perceptor with the means to commence with Project Safeguard. Perceptor expresses some unease at the risks involved, prompting Magnus to tell him not to endanger Elite Guard resources, and instead find test subjects that are expendable from the farms and refineries.

[[Image:Jetfirejetstormzackly.jpg|left|250px|thumb|The future of Cybertron, folks.]]
As if on cue, a pair of refinery bots are engaging in grievous shenanigans while on the job, and as a result fall victim to a catastrophic industrial accident. Perceptor promptly has them shipped back to the Ministry of Science, sensing that his "volunteers" have been procured. Indeed, as the test-subjects are split protoforms, Perceptor crows that this is a grand opportunity to experiment a bit with the project. Wheeljack reins in his comrade's scientific glee with the possibility that the data-merge will have unfortunate side-effects upon the twins.

In an upgrade process that takes the better part of a deca-cycle, the twins' structures are reinforced to better withstand the stresses of the data-merge that Red Alert is providing. Even the considerable resources of the Ministry of Science are strained, and things get a bit touch-and-go for a bit. However, Perceptor is soon able to present the finished product to Ultra Magnus.

Magnus assigns the twins to Sentinel Prime for training, who somewhat resents being busted back down to drill sergeant. Assigning the twins the codenames of Jetfire and Jetstorm, he laments that he's out of practice on naming. The twins pass his combat tests with flying colors, but sadly lay waste to most of the training grounds. Ultra Magnus arrives and recommends simulated combat in the future.

Jazz oversees the twins' servo-to-servo combat training. Initially he is able to defeat them easily, but as soon as he turns his back to them, they promptly kick his skidplate. He remarks to Magnus afterward that their flight abilities may be helping them ace the combat training, but that the twins are quickly becoming overconfident. Magnus agrees with these concerns, and Perceptor comments that Starscream's programming could be used to upgrade the combat simulator to give the twins a real challenge.

Strapped into the simulator, the twins make easy work of most of the drone troops sent after them, but have considerably more trouble once the machine tosses a simulated Starscream at them. Proving a much greater danger, Starscream brutalizes the twins up and down the battlefield, eventually grounding Jetstorm, whom he is about to mutilate out of a perverse sense of pleasure. Perceptor is alarmed by this, as it wasn't part of the program he'd prepared. Sentinel Prime goes to disconnect the twins before it's too late. This proves impossible, as the simulator rigs are arcing with electricity, preventing the Elite Guard from approaching.

[[Image:Safeguardriseofsafeguard.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Rise of this, rise of that...]]
Incensed by his brother's treatment at Starscream's hands, Jetfire manifests a previously unknown ability to project flames, blasting the Decepticon away from his sibling. This is mirrored by his body being immolated in the simulator rig, endangering the facility. Thankfully, his recovered sibling discovers a similar ability to use his wind turbines to produce intense cold, balancing out Jetfire. Starscream recovers from Jetfire's blast and once again floors the twins. They counter by initiating a ''third'' previously unknown ability and merge into a [[Combiner|gestalt]] form. Now the potent Autobot known as Safeguard, they are finally able to dispatch Starscream, which allows Perceptor to end the simulation.

Convinced of their usefulness, Ultra Magnus inducts the twins as junior officers in the Elite Guard and assigns them to join Sentinel Prime in pursuing the Autobot traitor [[Wasp|Waspinator]].

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (1)
* [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (3)
* [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]] (5)
* [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (6)
* [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (7)
* [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (8)
* [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] (9)
* [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (10)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (2)
}}
==Errors==
* [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] is depicted as having a real left hand, when that should be the arm that ends in her hard-light surgical tool.
* Although he doesn't transform, it's clear from several shots that Sentinel Prime still has his Earth alt mode, despite the fact that he changed back into his Cybertronian alt mode [[Autoboot Camp|soon after]] he left Earth. Then again, he'd later regain his Earth alt mode before even knowing he'd be heading back for Earth. {{storylink|Transwarped}} This was later fixed in the [[AllSpark Almanac]] where he had decided to keep his alt-mode after Ultra-Magnus decided to keep his (the suck-up...). Jazz also still appears to have his Earth-mode kibble, but since we never saw his Cybertronian mode, it's hard to say for sure. (It's also possible that Jazz kept his Earth alt mode, since he really seemed to like it.)
* [[Wasp]] is referred to as "Waspinator" by Ultra Magnus, but is still universally called "Wasp" by both the Autobots and himself in ''Animated'' episodes which take place afterward. Somewhat surprisingly, this was corrected to "Wasp" for the European printing of the comic; likewise, the trade paperback edition of the story.
* Jetfire and Jetstorm are clearly stated to be the ''first'' flying Autobots; it seems everyone has forgotten about the [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|giant Autobot that saved everyone]] in the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] (Though, Project Omega was mentioned by Ultra Magnus).

==Items of note==
* This issue was available with the Jetstorm/Jetfire action figure set, with the words "Rise of Safeguard" printed on the cover. Originally, it was also supposed to be printed as the sixth issue of ''[[The Arrival]]'' and sold through comic book retailers, but it was canceled on the basis that the ''Arrival'' edition of the story would have wound up being released before the toys were, thereby robbing the printing included with the toys of its promised-on-package exclusivity. ''The Arrival'' trade paperback collection ''does'' contain the issue, with the addition of the proper title.

* There are two Autobots alongside Ultra Magnus in the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Autobot Council Chamber]] who look like they share [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl's]] bodyframe, but in red and green trim.

*When the comic was released in Europe, it was printed in a "flip-book" style featuring two versions of the story, each in a trilingual style ''a la'' the [[Armada (mini-comic)|''Armada'' mini-comic]]: English, French and German; and Spanish, Italian and Dutch. Alas, this meant that the English language section had to be edited down from the original US printing in order to fit all the languages into speech bubbles. The lives of Europeans are, indeed, [[JaAm|pAiN]].

* The Elite Guard considers non-members to be "expendable", has no problems with performing dangerous experiments on ordinary robots who don't appear to have volunteered. Wheeljack himself said that using Starscream's code could turn them both into raging psychopaths. Ultra Magnus thinks that Sentinel showed great initiative when he claims to have used live ammo for a test which could have easily resulted in both Jetstorm and Jetfire dying if they hadn't happened to be so naturally adept at flying? And ''these'' are the good guys?

* This book must extend over two or three weeks, as the beginning of the comic book is before "[[A Fistful of Energon]]", then Jetstorm and Jetfire are created a [[units of time|deca-cycle]] later, which, according to Magnus himself, is when he (Magnus) was able to contact Optimus and the Autobots. The end of this issue seems to happen shortly before the present-day events of "[[Autoboot Camp]]".

===Transformers references===
* Jazz mentions the cyber-ninjitsu martial arts [[Circuit-Su]] and [[Metallikato]].
* When Jazz is training with Jetstorm and Jetfire, there is a target practice doll of a [[Conehead]] in the background.

===Real world references===
* Jazz continues to speak in 1950s beatnik slang, using words such as "Clyde", "dig", "nowheresville", and "square". This is awesome.

===Covers===
* '''Cover that came w/ the 2-Pack:''' Jetstorm and Jetfire flying through space; art by [[Boo]] and colors by [[Benjamin Meier]].
* '''Unused ''The Arrival'' #6 cover:''' Sentinel Prime with Jetfire and Jetstorm; art by Boo and colors by [[Liam Shalloo]]. This was included in the TPB, along with an additional version that has the two brothers recolored to represent them using their powers.
<gallery>
Image:Rise of Safeguard.jpg|Jets. Jets with fire!
Image:Arrival issue 6 unused.jpg|Alas, it was not to be.
</gallery>

[[Category:Animated issues]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Where Is Thy Sting?

2010-02-15T12:40:59Z

86.17.124.125: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=WhereIsThySting-reflectingface.jpg
|caption=Get out of my head!
|ep=34
|title="Where Is Thy Sting?"
|airdate=[[March 28]], 2009
|written by=[[Todd Casey]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Shigeharu Takahashi]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}

'''A crazed Wasp finds his way to Earth to exact his revenge on Bumblebee... but he doesn't count on the Elite Guard following him.'''

==Synopsis==
Drawing closer to [[Earth]] in their pursuit of the presumed traitor [[Wasp]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] are at their stations on the bridge of the [[Elite Guard]]'s ship when [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] contacts them and demands to know what they are doing in Earth Sector. [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] joins the conference call to apologize for not letting Longarm know of the situation, pointing out that they couldn't risk tipping off Wasp when he stands poised to lead them to his Decepticon contact on the planet. Except, as Jazz points out, Wasp isn't headed for the [[Decepticon]]s... he's making a <s>bee</s>waspline for the [[Autobot]]s' base!

In the Autobots' headquarters, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] is immersed in a game of ''[[Ninja Gladiator]]'' when [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] shuts the television off and reprimands Bumblebee for neglecting his monitor duty. In mid-argument, the base computers detect a [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] signal nearby, but no other information can be obtained due to interference caused by recent torrential rain. Prime and the other Autobots thus have to depart to investigate firsthand. Bumblebee, of course, returns to playing his video game.

The Elite Guard ship touches down in Detroit, and Sentinel and Jazz disembark. Sentinel is immediately disgusted by the notion of liquid falling from the sky, and he finds himself all but incapable of driving on the slick roads, but Jazz just rolls with it.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-Bumblebeecreepilydefeated.jpg|left|thumb|200px|We enjoyed that together.]]
Back at the base, Bumblebee continues playing games until the base is suddenly plunged into darkness. As the red emergency lights come on, Bumblebee finds himself staring into the all-too-familiar face of Wasp, now sporting an Earth-mode body styled after Bumblebee's own. Bumblebee tries to explain that they had both been set up by Longarm, but the insane Wasp doesn't care. He downs Bumblebee with a blast of his stingers and takes off his own helmet, revealing a wound on the top of his head. Just before passing out, Bumblebee sees Wasp standing over him, holding a strange gun fitted with a glowing green canister and vowing to make Bumblebee lose everything, just like he did...

A little later, Bumblebee awakens to find the other Autobots all staring down at him, including...himself? Looking down at himself, Bumblebee is horrified to discover that Wasp has repainted his armor, swapped their helmets, and exchanged their vocal synthesizers, making each a dead ringer for the other. As Wasp stands there, with Bumblebee's [[battle mask]] "stuck" up, Bumblebee attempts to convince the other Autobots that he is himself, but they aren't sold. When [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] attempts to [[stasis cuffs|stasis cuff]] him, Bumblebee is forced to shoot out the lights and make a break for it. He zooms out of the plant, right past Sentinel Prime and Jazz, who intercept Prime and the other Autobots when they try to pursue him. Sentinel demands to know why Optimus's Autobots haven't checked in in so long, but when Optimus tries to explain, Sentinel refuses to listen, informing them he is here to bring in Wasp...who, Optimus points out, just drove right past him. Sentinel ignores Optimus when he tries to tell him that Longarm is the real traitor, and departs immediately to hunt down "Wasp". Optimus instructs his Autobots to locate Wasp first, and they head out to search, while the true Wasp tells them he will stay behind in case Bumblebee comes back.

On Cybertron, Shockwave desperately makes another attempt to contact the missing [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. He transmits a message to him alerting him to the direness of the situation, adding that Shockwave is about to take matters into his own hands...

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-obligatorymisunderstanding.jpg|right|thumb|200px|I has logos-Autobot on my shoulders, da?]]
Back on Earth, Optimus and Ratchet are discussing how odd "Bumblebee" has been behaving when two jets suddenly come roaring by overhead. Knowing that no organic could pilot a plane the way these two crafts fly, the two Autobots assume they are dealing with Decepticons and zoom after them in hot pursuit. The two jets soon track down "Wasp", who is desperately attempting to rub his green paint off with a discarded couch cushion, and transform to robot mode to attack him with blasts of flame and roaring hurricane winds. Ratchet and Optimus arrive to hold off these apparent Decepticons, who reveal a remarkable power to combine into [[Safeguard (Animated)|one mighty robot]], but before the fighting can get too intense, Sentinel and Jazz arrive to reveal that these two are, in fact, Autobots! Sentinel introduces [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], Elite Guard warriors created using specs from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], and orders the duo to resume their mission.

In the Autobots' base, Wasp is playing (and losing) ''Ninja Gladiator'', and he decides that he could get used to being Bumblebee. In order to complete the illusion, Wasp scans the Autobots' computer files, so that he can learn everything about Bumblebee and better pass himself off as his old rival.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-hotdogbot.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Bumblebee needs a lesson in [[kitbashing]].]]
Racing through the city streets, Bumblebee discovers a hot dog cart and desperate tries slathering his armor in mustard to make him look more like himself. He is caught in the act by [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], but he is finally able to convince Bulkhead of his true identity when he tells him something only he could know: namely, that he took the blame for Bulkhead knocking a tower over on Sentinel Prime at [[Autobot boot camp|boot camp]]. Jetfire and Jetstorm arrive just in time to witness this happy scene, but get the wrong end of the stick and assume that Bulkhead and Prowl are traitors as well! The twins report this to Sentinel, and he, Optimus, Jazz and Ratchet head for their position, with Sentinel obstinately refusing to listen to Optimus's attempts to explain the numerous misunderstandings that have happened. When everyone reunites, Bulkhead explains that Bumblebee is definitely Bumblebee, and Optimus orders everyone back to the plant to straighten everything out.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-UltraMagnusDamaged.jpg|thumb|right|200px|If anyone inserts a "He's been dealt with" caption here, so help us...]]
A little later, back at the plant, Wasp cheerily denies Bumblebee's accusations, using the information he has gleaned from the Autobots' files to "prove" he is who he claims. When interrogation yields no results, Bulkhead comes up with the best way to figure out who's who: a versus match on ''Ninja Gladiator''! Before the game even starts, Wasp chokes and grabs Bumblebee, holding his stinger to 'Bee's neck. Wasp insists that he was always a good bot, but Bulkhead says that isn't true; he might not be a traitor, but he was always mean to Bulkhead and Bumblebee and was hardly good. Wasp blasts out the lights to cover his escape, and when the emergency lights kick in, both Wasp and Bumblebee are gone. The Autobots head outside, where they spot what looks like Bumblebee lying on the ground. Bulkhead assumes it is Wasp and leaps upon the prone figure, pummeling him and ripping off his helmet...only to find out that it really is Bumblebee underneath. Prowl examines Bumblebee's helmet and discovers that their colors were switched so quickly because Wasp had hit him with an [[electronic paint job]] that he could turn off with the press of a button. As things begin to calm down, the truth of the whole matter hits Jazz—if Wasp really was innocent, that means that Longarm Prime really is a Decepticon spy!

Sometime later, on Cybertron, [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] is searching for Longarm in order to apprehend him. Entering the council chamber, Ironhide is horrified to discover the mangled, barely-alive body of Ultra Magnus. He asks the Supreme Commander where [[Magnus Hammer|his hammer]] is and who was responsible. Before collapsing, Ultra Magnus manages to choke out, "Shock...wave..."

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters

|c1=
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (1)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Wasp]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (9)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (10)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (11)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (12)
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (14)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave/Longarm Prime]] (3)
|}}

==Quotes==
"Besides, if I'm playing ''Ninja Gladiator'', I'm at least getting valuable combat training." 
:—'''Bumblebee''' gives justification for slacking off.

"Liquid falling from the sky? What is ''wrong'' with this planet?!" 
"Crazy! It's like a planet ''and'' a car wash! You diggin' this or what?"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' and '''Jazz''' share their thoughts on the rain.

"Wasp—I mean, Bumblebot—I mean, ''I'' will stay here in case Bumblebot—I mean, Wasp comes back." 
:—'''Wasp''' blows his cover several times, but the Autobots still don't pick it up.

'''Ratchet''': Come on! You're doing it wrong! Turn ''into'' the skid! 
'''Sentinel''': Into the skid? That's stupid! 
'''Jazz''': Just gotta go with the flow, S.P.! 
'''Optimus''': How do you put up with him? 
'''Jazz''': I just tune out half of everything he spits out. 
'''Optimus''': Only half?
:—The Autobots attempt to put up with the jerk, with no such luck.

"You're not arresting ''anyone'', Sentinel." 
"So you ''are'' in on it, Optimus." 
"No, Sentinel. I just have something you never will: respect for my teammates." 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' defines exactly ''how'' '''Sentinel Prime''' is a jerk.

"So hit me with that one more time. A robot in disguise swaps metal with a double agent, who is really on the level?" 
"Makes even less sense when you say it."
:—'''Jazz''' and '''Bulkhead''' try their best to fathom what's been going on.

"You were always mean to me and Bumblebee. You may not be a traitor... but you were ''never'' a good bot."
:—'''Bulkhead''' has a go at the traumatised victim of a frame-job—who's holding his best friend hostage.

==Notes==

===Animation or technical errors===
*When Bulkhead knocks Jetfire back, Jazz (who isn't even ''there'' yet), instead of Jetstorm, is standing next to Bumblebee.
*When Wasp is playing Bumblebee's video game (and liking it), the characters on screen switch sides as he loses.
*It seems that the animators can't decide which parts of the city are raining.
*Oddly, for a cartoon that tries to stay close to the transformation of the actual toys, Safeguard's transformation is nothing like the toy.
*When Wasp is on his own playing ''Ninja Gladiator'' and later, when he breaks character near the end, he has his original voice. How come Bumblebee couldn't do that?
*For that matter, after Wasp leaves Bumblebee behind, he has his original voice back too. Bumblebee is also still sporting a yellow version of Wasp's helmet.
*At certain points in the episode, Wasp (as Bumblebee) and Bumblebee (as Wasp) wear the design of their false identity's thighs.
*During the close up of Bumblebee (as Wasp), Jetfire and Jetstorm switch places. They're in the correct order in the next scene.

===Continuity errors===
*This isn't an ''error'' as such, but just when did Wasp get an identical Earth form to Bumblebee's? And perhaps more to the point, ''how'' did he change form - both Optimus' crew and the Elite Guard reformatted on their well-equipped ships. Wasp was last seen beside a space bridge with no ship of any kind. Though it's possible that Wasp has the same ability as [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Lugnut]] to scan and adapt [[alternate mode]]s on his own.
*Given how close Ratchet is to [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] you'd think he'd know better than to say "no Autobot flies."

===Transformers references===
[[Image:WhereIsThySting-Bumblebeesvideogame.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Referenciality!]]
*We last saw Wasp in "[[Autoboot Camp]]", to which this episode is essentially a sequel. A brief flashback from the episode is shown after Bumblebee says he "took the rap" for Bulkhead for what happened to Sentinel Prime. In an attempt to maintain his ruse, Wasp also mentions all the things that Bumblebee had done then which accidentally embarrassed Sentinel Prime.He also mentions the events in "[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]]".
* Optimus' Autobots discovered that Wasp wasn't guilty in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]".
* The background of the ''Ninja Gladiator'' video game prominently features [[TORQ III]].
* In the scene before he switches places with "Bumble-Bot", Wasp is wearing a [[rubsign]] in place of a conventional Autobot insignia. This is identical to [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] - at this time he does not belong to either faction.
* Sentinel Prime discusses the modifications made to Jetfire and Jetstorm, which took place in the "[[First (and Second) in Flight]]" comic book.
* Sentinel Prime still doesn't remember his time with Bumblebee and Bulkhead, as he did (didn't?) in "[[The Elite Guard]]".
* [[Tigatron]] Stadium, which will be seen in the next episode, can be seen in the background.

===Real-world references===
* The episode's title is a reference a Bible verse: namely, [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2015:55&version=31 1 Corinthians 15:55]: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
* Sentinel Prime's cry of "Arrest 'em all and let Ultra Magnus sort 'em out!" is a reference to a popular English translation of a saying by Abbot [[:wikipedia:Arnaud Amalric|Arnold Amaury]], before the massacre of Béziers during the Albigensian Crusade: "Kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out."
** According to [[David Kaye]], [[Jeff Bennett]] once used this line in a recording session during the first season, causing the cast to burst into laughter and forcing them to take five.{{fact}}
* The four-armed insect from ''Ninja Gladiator'' is [http://www.micro-outpost.com/pictures/aliens/antron/antron.html Antron] from the ''[[Micronauts]]''. According to Derrick Wyatt, the black figure the insect fights is [[Snake-Eyes]].[http://twitter.com/SentinelPrime/status/1418651506][http://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1418656175]
* The Jet bros. combination sequence, like much else about them, is based on the stock footage sequences of the various Symmetrical Docking robots from ''King Of [[Brave]]s GaoGaiGar''.
* Bumblebee's line, 'Deceptions, why'd it have to be Decepticons?' hearkens back to ''Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark''.

===Trivia===
*This episode received an impromptu online debut on [[March 25]], [[2009]], when a copy loaded onto the [[Cartoon Network]] website's server, intended to go live after the episode aired a few days later, was pilfered and leaked by some ne'er-do-wells. The next episode, "[[Five Servos of Doom]]", was leaked a few days later.

*Wasp has purple eyes, which were visible even with Bumblebee's battle mask up, and retained the striped design on his thighs. Bumblebee still had his blue eyes and other retained properties. The Autobots didn't notice this because...?

*You could ask the same question regarding the Jet twins. Although their Elite Guard insignias are on their hips, Optimus and Ratchet should have seen the insignia on their shoulders when they merged into Safeguard.

*Not to mention that Optimus and Ratchet have very obvious Autobot symbols. Why didn't the twins try to introduce themselves before diving into battle with them? Course, if Sentinel trained them, they might be bigger jerks then we realize and just assumed them traitors.

* When Bulkhead runs into the green Bumblebee in the street, Bumblebee puts his hands in the air to surrender and starts wailing that he's Bumblebee. Bulkhead ''knows'' Wasp was framed, locked up in the stockade for years, may well be traumatised, and has not as yet EVER actually hurt anybody, but he still starts swinging his wrecking ball with intent to pummel. Later on when Wasp is revealed and uses Bumblebee as a shield, Bulkhead starts telling the ''frightened and angry'' mech that he was "never a good bot." And when Wasp runs off ''without hurting anybody,'' and Bulkhead sees a yellow mech lying outside face down and motionless, he instantly attacks what he thinks is Wasp. This episode doesn't do anything for Bulkhead's rep as an Autobot ''at all.''
** None of the other Autobots seem to have a problem with his actions either.

* Apparently it doesn't rain on Cybertron, because Sentinel Prime was irritated that liquid falls from the sky on Earth.

* Strangely, the Autobots don't try and work out who's Wasp and who's Bumblebee by [[A Prime Problem|having a race]].

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Where Is Thy Sting?

2010-02-15T12:39:11Z

86.17.124.125: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=WhereIsThySting-reflectingface.jpg
|caption=Get out of my head!
|ep=34
|title="Where Is Thy Sting?"
|airdate=[[March 28]], 2009
|written by=[[Todd Casey]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Shigeharu Takahashi]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}

'''A crazed Wasp finds his way to Earth to exact his revenge on Bumblebee... but he doesn't count on the Elite Guard following him.'''

==Synopsis==
Drawing closer to [[Earth]] in their pursuit of the presumed traitor [[Wasp]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] are at their stations on the bridge of the [[Elite Guard]]'s ship when [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] contacts them and demands to know what they are doing in Earth Sector. [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] joins the conference call to apologize for not letting Longarm know of the situation, pointing out that they couldn't risk tipping off Wasp when he stands poised to lead them to his Decepticon contact on the planet. Except, as Jazz points out, Wasp isn't headed for the [[Decepticon]]s... he's making a <s>bee</s>waspline for the [[Autobot]]s' base!

In the Autobots' headquarters, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] is immersed in a game of ''[[Ninja Gladiator]]'' when [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] shuts the television off and reprimands Bumblebee for neglecting his monitor duty. In mid-argument, the base computers detect a [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] signal nearby, but no other information can be obtained due to interference caused by recent torrential rain. Prime and the other Autobots thus have to depart to investigate firsthand. Bumblebee, of course, returns to playing his video game.

The Elite Guard ship touches down in Detroit, and Sentinel and Jazz disembark. Sentinel is immediately disgusted by the notion of liquid falling from the sky, and he finds himself all but incapable of driving on the slick roads, but Jazz just rolls with it.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-Bumblebeecreepilydefeated.jpg|left|thumb|200px|We enjoyed that together.]]
Back at the base, Bumblebee continues playing games until the base is suddenly plunged into darkness. As the red emergency lights come on, Bumblebee finds himself staring into the all-too-familiar face of Wasp, now sporting an Earth-mode body styled after Bumblebee's own. Bumblebee tries to explain that they had both been set up by Longarm, but the insane Wasp doesn't care. He downs Bumblebee with a blast of his stingers and takes off his own helmet, revealing a wound on the top of his head. Just before passing out, Bumblebee sees Wasp standing over him, holding a strange gun fitted with a glowing green canister and vowing to make Bumblebee lose everything, just like he did...

A little later, Bumblebee awakens to find the other Autobots all staring down at him, including...himself? Looking down at himself, Bumblebee is horrified to discover that Wasp has repainted his armor, swapped their helmets, and exchanged their vocal synthesizers, making each a dead ringer for the other. As Wasp stands there, with Bumblebee's [[battle mask]] "stuck" up, Bumblebee attempts to convince the other Autobots that he is himself, but they aren't sold. When [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] attempts to [[stasis cuffs|stasis cuff]] him, Bumblebee is forced to shoot out the lights and make a break for it. He zooms out of the plant, right past Sentinel Prime and Jazz, who intercept Prime and the other Autobots when they try to pursue him. Sentinel demands to know why Optimus's Autobots haven't checked in in so long, but when Optimus tries to explain, Sentinel refuses to listen, informing them he is here to bring in Wasp...who, Optimus points out, just drove right past him. Sentinel ignores Optimus when he tries to tell him that Longarm is the real traitor, and departs immediately to hunt down "Wasp". Optimus instructs his Autobots to locate Wasp first, and they head out to search, while the true Wasp tells them he will stay behind in case Bumblebee comes back.

On Cybertron, Shockwave desperately makes another attempt to contact the missing [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. He transmits a message to him alerting him to the direness of the situation, adding that Shockwave is about to take matters into his own hands...

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-obligatorymisunderstanding.jpg|right|thumb|200px|I has logos-Autobot on my shoulders, da?]]
Back on Earth, Optimus and Ratchet are discussing how odd "Bumblebee" has been behaving when two jets suddenly come roaring by overhead. Knowing that no organic could pilot a plane the way these two crafts fly, the two Autobots assume they are dealing with Decepticons and zoom after them in hot pursuit. The two jets soon track down "Wasp", who is desperately attempting to rub his green paint off with a discarded couch cushion, and transform to robot mode to attack him with blasts of flame and roaring hurricane winds. Ratchet and Optimus arrive to hold off these apparent Decepticons, who reveal a remarkable power to combine into [[Safeguard (Animated)|one mighty robot]], but before the fighting can get too intense, Sentinel and Jazz arrive to reveal that these two are, in fact, Autobots! Sentinel introduces [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], Elite Guard warriors created using specs from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], and orders the duo to resume their mission.

In the Autobots' base, Wasp is playing (and losing) ''Ninja Gladiator'', and he decides that he could get used to being Bumblebee. In order to complete the illusion, Wasp scans the Autobots' computer files, so that he can learn everything about Bumblebee and better pass himself off as his old rival.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-hotdogbot.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Bumblebee needs a lesson in [[kitbashing]].]]
Racing through the city streets, Bumblebee discovers a hot dog cart and desperate tries slathering his armor in mustard to make him look more like himself. He is caught in the act by [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], but he is finally able to convince Bulkhead of his true identity when he tells him something only he could know: namely, that he took the blame for Bulkhead knocking a tower over on Sentinel Prime at [[Autobot boot camp|boot camp]]. Jetfire and Jetstorm arrive just in time to witness this happy scene, but get the wrong end of the stick and assume that Bulkhead and Prowl are traitors as well! The twins report this to Sentinel, and he, Optimus, Jazz and Ratchet head for their position, with Sentinel obstinately refusing to listen to Optimus's attempts to explain the numerous misunderstandings that have happened. When everyone reunites, Bulkhead explains that Bumblebee is definitely Bumblebee, and Optimus orders everyone back to the plant to straighten everything out.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-UltraMagnusDamaged.jpg|thumb|right|200px|If anyone inserts a "He's been dealt with" caption here, so help us...]]
A little later, back at the plant, Wasp cheerily denies Bumblebee's accusations, using the information he has gleaned from the Autobots' files to "prove" he is who he claims. When interrogation yields no results, Bulkhead comes up with the best way to figure out who's who: a versus match on ''Ninja Gladiator''! Before the game even starts, Wasp chokes and grabs Bumblebee, holding his stinger to 'Bee's neck. Wasp insists that he was always a good bot, but Bulkhead says that isn't true; he might not be a traitor, but he was always mean to Bulkhead and Bumblebee and was hardly good. Wasp blasts out the lights to cover his escape, and when the emergency lights kick in, both Wasp and Bumblebee are gone. The Autobots head outside, where they spot what looks like Bumblebee lying on the ground. Bulkhead assumes it is Wasp and leaps upon the prone figure, pummeling him and ripping off his helmet...only to find out that it really is Bumblebee underneath. Prowl examines Bumblebee's helmet and discovers that their colors were switched so quickly because Wasp had hit him with an [[electronic paint job]] that he could turn off with the press of a button. As things begin to calm down, the truth of the whole matter hits Jazz—if Wasp really was innocent, that means that Longarm Prime really is a Decepticon spy!

Sometime later, on Cybertron, [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] is searching for Longarm in order to apprehend him. Entering the council chamber, Ironhide is horrified to discover the mangled, barely-alive body of Ultra Magnus. He asks the Supreme Commander where [[Magnus Hammer|his hammer]] is and who was responsible. Before collapsing, Ultra Magnus manages to choke out, "Shock...wave..."

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters

|c1=
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (1)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Wasp]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (9)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (10)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (11)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (12)
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (14)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave/Longarm Prime]] (3)
|}}

==Quotes==
"Besides, if I'm playing ''Ninja Gladiator'', I'm at least getting valuable combat training." 
:—'''Bumblebee''' gives justification for slacking off.

"Liquid falling from the sky? What is ''wrong'' with this planet?!" 
"Crazy! It's like a planet ''and'' a car wash! You diggin' this or what?"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' and '''Jazz''' share their thoughts on the rain.

"Wasp—I mean, Bumblebot—I mean, ''I'' will stay here in case Bumblebot—I mean, Wasp comes back." 
:—'''Wasp''' blows his cover several times, but the Autobots still don't pick it up.

'''Ratchet''': Come on! You're doing it wrong! Turn ''into'' the skid! 
'''Sentinel''': Into the skid? That's stupid! 
'''Jazz''': Just gotta go with the flow, S.P.! 
'''Optimus''': How do you put up with him? 
'''Jazz''': I just tune out half of everything he spits out. 
'''Optimus''': Only half?
:—The Autobots attempt to put up with the jerk, with no such luck.

"You're not arresting ''anyone'', Sentinel." 
"So you ''are'' in on it, Optimus." 
"No, Sentinel. I just have something you never will: respect for my teammates." 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' defines exactly ''how'' '''Sentinel Prime''' is a jerk.

"So hit me with that one more time. A robot in disguise swaps metal with a double agent, who is really on the level?" 
"Makes even less sense when you say it."
:—'''Jazz''' and '''Bulkhead''' try their best to fathom what's been going on.

"You were always mean to me and Bumblebee. You may not be a traitor... but you were ''never'' a good bot."
:—'''Bulkhead''' has a go at the traumatised victim of a frame-job—who's holding his best friend hostage.

==Notes==

===Animation or technical errors===
*When Bulkhead knocks Jetfire back, Jazz (who isn't even ''there'' yet), instead of Jetstorm, is standing next to Bumblebee.
*When Wasp is playing Bumblebee's video game (and liking it), the characters on screen switch sides as he loses.
*It seems that the animators can't decide which parts of the city are raining.
*Oddly, for a cartoon that tries to stay close to the transformation of the actual toys, Safeguard's transformation is nothing like the toy.
*When Wasp is on his own playing ''Ninja Gladiator'' and later, when he breaks character near the end, he has his original voice. How come Bumblebee couldn't do that?
*For that matter, after Wasp leaves Bumblebee behind, he has his original voice back too. Bumblebee is also still sporting a yellow version of Wasp's helmet.
*At certain points in the episode, Wasp (as Bumblebee) and Bumblebee (as Wasp) wear the design of their false identity's thighs.
*During the close up of Bumblebee (as Wasp), Jetfire and Jetstorm switch places. They're in the correct order in the next scene.

===Continuity errors===
*This isn't an ''error'' as such, but just when did Wasp get an identical Earth form to Bumblebee's? And perhaps more to the point, ''how'' did he change form - both Optimus' crew and the Elite Guard reformatted on their well-equipped ships. Wasp was last seen beside a space bridge with no ship of any kind. Though it's possible that Wasp has the same ability as [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Lugnut]] to scan and adapt [[alternate mode]]s on his own.
*Given how close Ratchet is to [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] you'd think he'd know better than to say "no Autobot flies."

===Transformers references===
[[Image:WhereIsThySting-Bumblebeesvideogame.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Referenciality!]]
*We last saw Wasp in "[[Autoboot Camp]]", to which this episode is essentially a sequel. A brief flashback from the episode is shown after Bumblebee says he "took the rap" for Bulkhead for what happened to Sentinel Prime. In an attempt to maintain his ruse, Wasp also mentions all the things that Bumblebee had done then which accidentally embarrassed Sentinel Prime.He also mentions the events in "[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]]".
* Optimus' Autobots discovered that Wasp wasn't guilty in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]".
* The background of the ''Ninja Gladiator'' video game prominently features [[TORQ III]].
* In the scene before he switches places with "Bumble-Bot", Wasp is wearing a [[rubsign]] in place of a conventional Autobot insignia. This is identical to [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] - at this time he does not belong to either faction.
* Sentinel Prime discusses the modifications made to Jetfire and Jetstorm, which took place in the "[[First (and Second) in Flight]]" comic book.
* Sentinel Prime still doesn't remember his time with Bumblebee and Bulkhead, as he did (didn't?) in "[[The Elite Guard]]".
* [[Tigatron]] Stadium, which will be seen in the next episode, can be seen in the background.

===Real-world references===
* The episode's title is a reference a Bible verse: namely, [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2015:55&version=31 1 Corinthians 15:55]: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
* Sentinel Prime's cry of "Arrest 'em all and let Ultra Magnus sort 'em out!" is a reference to a popular English translation of a saying by Abbot [[:wikipedia:Arnaud Amalric|Arnold Amaury]], before the massacre of Béziers during the Albigensian Crusade: "Kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out."
** According to [[David Kaye]], [[Jeff Bennett]] once used this line in a recording session during the first season, causing the cast to burst into laughter and forcing them to take five.{{fact}}
* The four-armed insect from ''Ninja Gladiator'' is [http://www.micro-outpost.com/pictures/aliens/antron/antron.html Antron] from the ''[[Micronauts]]''. According to Derrick Wyatt, the black figure the insect fights is [[Snake-Eyes]].[http://twitter.com/SentinelPrime/status/1418651506][http://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1418656175]
* The Jet bros. combination sequence, like much else about them, is based on the stock footage sequences of the various Symmetrical Docking robots from ''King Of [[Brave]]s GaoGaiGar''.
* Bumblebee's line, 'Deceptions, why'd it have to be Decepticons?' hearkens back to ''Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark''.

===Trivia===
*This episode received an impromptu online debut on [[March 25]], [[2009]], when a copy loaded onto the [[Cartoon Network]] website's server, intended to go live after the episode aired a few days later, was pilfered and leaked by some ne'er-do-wells. The next episode, "[[Five Servos of Doom]]", was leaked a few days later.

*Wasp has purple eyes, which were visible even with Bumblebee's battle mask up, and retained the striped design on his thighs. Bumblebee still had his blue eyes and other retained properties. The Autobots didn't notice this because...?

*You could ask the same question regarding the Jet twins. Although their Elite Guard insignias are on their hips, Optimus and Ratchet should have seen the insignia on their shoulders when they merged into Safeguard.

*Not to mention that Optimus and Ratchet have very obvious Autobot symbols. Why didn't the twins try to introduce themselves before diving into battle with them? Course, if Sentinel trained them, they might be bigger jerks then we realize and just assumed them traitors.

* When Bulkhead runs into the green Bumblebee in the street, Bumblebee puts his hands in the air to surrender and starts wailing that he's Bumblebee. Bulkhead ''knows'' Wasp was framed, locked up in the stockade for years, may well be traumatised, and has not as yet actually hurt anybody, but he still starts swinging his wrecking ball with intent to pummel. Later on when Wasp is revealed and uses Bumblebee as a shield, Bulkhead starts telling the frightened and angry mech that he was "never a good bot." And when Wasp runs off without hurting anybody, and Bulkhead sees a yellow mech lying outside face down and motionless, he instantly attacks what he thinks is Wasp. This episode doesn't do anything for Bulkhead's rep as an Autobot ''at all.''
** None of the other Autobots seem to have a problem with his actions either.

* Apparently it doesn't rain on Cybertron, because Sentinel Prime was irritated that liquid falls from the sky on Earth.

* Strangely, the Autobots don't try and work out who's Wasp and who's Bumblebee by [[A Prime Problem|having a race]].

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Where Is Thy Sting?

2010-02-15T12:35:36Z

86.17.124.125: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=WhereIsThySting-reflectingface.jpg
|caption=Get out of my head!
|ep=34
|title="Where Is Thy Sting?"
|airdate=[[March 28]], 2009
|written by=[[Todd Casey]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Shigeharu Takahashi]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}

'''A crazed Wasp finds his way to Earth to exact his revenge on Bumblebee... but he doesn't count on the Elite Guard following him.'''

==Synopsis==
Drawing closer to [[Earth]] in their pursuit of the presumed traitor [[Wasp]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] are at their stations on the bridge of the [[Elite Guard]]'s ship when [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] contacts them and demands to know what they are doing in Earth Sector. [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] joins the conference call to apologize for not letting Longarm know of the situation, pointing out that they couldn't risk tipping off Wasp when he stands poised to lead them to his Decepticon contact on the planet. Except, as Jazz points out, Wasp isn't headed for the [[Decepticon]]s... he's making a <s>bee</s>waspline for the [[Autobot]]s' base!

In the Autobots' headquarters, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] is immersed in a game of ''[[Ninja Gladiator]]'' when [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] shuts the television off and reprimands Bumblebee for neglecting his monitor duty. In mid-argument, the base computers detect a [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] signal nearby, but no other information can be obtained due to interference caused by recent torrential rain. Prime and the other Autobots thus have to depart to investigate firsthand. Bumblebee, of course, returns to playing his video game.

The Elite Guard ship touches down in Detroit, and Sentinel and Jazz disembark. Sentinel is immediately disgusted by the notion of liquid falling from the sky, and he finds himself all but incapable of driving on the slick roads, but Jazz just rolls with it.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-Bumblebeecreepilydefeated.jpg|left|thumb|200px|We enjoyed that together.]]
Back at the base, Bumblebee continues playing games until the base is suddenly plunged into darkness. As the red emergency lights come on, Bumblebee finds himself staring into the all-too-familiar face of Wasp, now sporting an Earth-mode body styled after Bumblebee's own. Bumblebee tries to explain that they had both been set up by Longarm, but the insane Wasp doesn't care. He downs Bumblebee with a blast of his stingers and takes off his own helmet, revealing a wound on the top of his head. Just before passing out, Bumblebee sees Wasp standing over him, holding a strange gun fitted with a glowing green canister and vowing to make Bumblebee lose everything, just like he did...

A little later, Bumblebee awakens to find the other Autobots all staring down at him, including...himself? Looking down at himself, Bumblebee is horrified to discover that Wasp has repainted his armor, swapped their helmets, and exchanged their vocal synthesizers, making each a dead ringer for the other. As Wasp stands there, with Bumblebee's [[battle mask]] "stuck" up, Bumblebee attempts to convince the other Autobots that he is himself, but they aren't sold. When [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] attempts to [[stasis cuffs|stasis cuff]] him, Bumblebee is forced to shoot out the lights and make a break for it. He zooms out of the plant, right past Sentinel Prime and Jazz, who intercept Prime and the other Autobots when they try to pursue him. Sentinel demands to know why Optimus's Autobots haven't checked in in so long, but when Optimus tries to explain, Sentinel refuses to listen, informing them he is here to bring in Wasp...who, Optimus points out, just drove right past him. Sentinel ignores Optimus when he tries to tell him that Longarm is the real traitor, and departs immediately to hunt down "Wasp". Optimus instructs his Autobots to locate Wasp first, and they head out to search, while the true Wasp tells them he will stay behind in case Bumblebee comes back.

On Cybertron, Shockwave desperately makes another attempt to contact the missing [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. He transmits a message to him alerting him to the direness of the situation, adding that Shockwave is about to take matters into his own hands...

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-obligatorymisunderstanding.jpg|right|thumb|200px|I has logos-Autobot on my shoulders, da?]]
Back on Earth, Optimus and Ratchet are discussing how odd "Bumblebee" has been behaving when two jets suddenly come roaring by overhead. Knowing that no organic could pilot a plane the way these two crafts fly, the two Autobots assume they are dealing with Decepticons and zoom after them in hot pursuit. The two jets soon track down "Wasp", who is desperately attempting to rub his green paint off with a discarded couch cushion, and transform to robot mode to attack him with blasts of flame and roaring hurricane winds. Ratchet and Optimus arrive to hold off these apparent Decepticons, who reveal a remarkable power to combine into [[Safeguard (Animated)|one mighty robot]], but before the fighting can get too intense, Sentinel and Jazz arrive to reveal that these two are, in fact, Autobots! Sentinel introduces [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], Elite Guard warriors created using specs from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], and orders the duo to resume their mission.

In the Autobots' base, Wasp is playing (and losing) ''Ninja Gladiator'', and he decides that he could get used to being Bumblebee. In order to complete the illusion, Wasp scans the Autobots' computer files, so that he can learn everything about Bumblebee and better pass himself off as his old rival.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-hotdogbot.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Bumblebee needs a lesson in [[kitbashing]].]]
Racing through the city streets, Bumblebee discovers a hot dog cart and desperate tries slathering his armor in mustard to make him look more like himself. He is caught in the act by [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], but he is finally able to convince Bulkhead of his true identity when he tells him something only he could know: namely, that he took the blame for Bulkhead knocking a tower over on Sentinel Prime at [[Autobot boot camp|boot camp]]. Jetfire and Jetstorm arrive just in time to witness this happy scene, but get the wrong end of the stick and assume that Bulkhead and Prowl are traitors as well! The twins report this to Sentinel, and he, Optimus, Jazz and Ratchet head for their position, with Sentinel obstinately refusing to listen to Optimus's attempts to explain the numerous misunderstandings that have happened. When everyone reunites, Bulkhead explains that Bumblebee is definitely Bumblebee, and Optimus orders everyone back to the plant to straighten everything out.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-UltraMagnusDamaged.jpg|thumb|right|200px|If anyone inserts a "He's been dealt with" caption here, so help us...]]
A little later, back at the plant, Wasp cheerily denies Bumblebee's accusations, using the information he has gleaned from the Autobots' files to "prove" he is who he claims. When interrogation yields no results, Bulkhead comes up with the best way to figure out who's who: a versus match on ''Ninja Gladiator''! Before the game even starts, Wasp chokes and grabs Bumblebee, holding his stinger to 'Bee's neck. Wasp insists that he was always a good bot, but Bulkhead says that isn't true; he might not be a traitor, but he was always mean to Bulkhead and Bumblebee and was hardly good. Wasp blasts out the lights to cover his escape, and when the emergency lights kick in, both Wasp and Bumblebee are gone. The Autobots head outside, where they spot what looks like Bumblebee lying on the ground. Bulkhead assumes it is Wasp and leaps upon the prone figure, pummeling him and ripping off his helmet...only to find out that it really is Bumblebee underneath. Prowl examines Bumblebee's helmet and discovers that their colors were switched so quickly because Wasp had hit him with an [[electronic paint job]] that he could turn off with the press of a button. As things begin to calm down, the truth of the whole matter hits Jazz—if Wasp really was innocent, that means that Longarm Prime really is a Decepticon spy!

Sometime later, on Cybertron, [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] is searching for Longarm in order to apprehend him. Entering the council chamber, Ironhide is horrified to discover the mangled, barely-alive body of Ultra Magnus. He asks the Supreme Commander where [[Magnus Hammer|his hammer]] is and who was responsible. Before collapsing, Ultra Magnus manages to choke out, "Shock...wave..."

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters

|c1=
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (1)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Wasp]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (9)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (10)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (11)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (12)
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (14)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave/Longarm Prime]] (3)
|}}

==Quotes==
"Besides, if I'm playing ''Ninja Gladiator'', I'm at least getting valuable combat training." 
:—'''Bumblebee''' gives justification for slacking off.

"Liquid falling from the sky? What is ''wrong'' with this planet?!" 
"Crazy! It's like a planet ''and'' a car wash! You diggin' this or what?"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' and '''Jazz''' share their thoughts on the rain.

"Wasp—I mean, Bumblebot—I mean, ''I'' will stay here in case Bumblebot—I mean, Wasp comes back." 
:—'''Wasp''' blows his cover several times, but the Autobots still don't pick it up.

'''Ratchet''': Come on! You're doing it wrong! Turn ''into'' the skid! 
'''Sentinel''': Into the skid? That's stupid! 
'''Jazz''': Just gotta go with the flow, S.P.! 
'''Optimus''': How do you put up with him? 
'''Jazz''': I just tune out half of everything he spits out. 
'''Optimus''': Only half?
:—The Autobots attempt to put up with the jerk, with no such luck.

"You're not arresting ''anyone'', Sentinel." 
"So you ''are'' in on it, Optimus." 
"No, Sentinel. I just have something you never will: respect for my teammates." 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' defines exactly ''how'' '''Sentinel Prime''' is a jerk.

"So hit me with that one more time. A robot in disguise swaps metal with a double agent, who is really on the level?" 
"Makes even less sense when you say it."
:—'''Jazz''' and '''Bulkhead''' try their best to fathom what's been going on.

"You were always mean to me and Bumblebee. You may not be a traitor... but you were ''never'' a good bot."
:—'''Bulkhead''' has a go at the traumatised victim of a frame-job—who's holding his best friend hostage.

==Notes==

===Animation or technical errors===
*When Bulkhead knocks Jetfire back, Jazz (who isn't even ''there'' yet), instead of Jetstorm, is standing next to Bumblebee.
*When Wasp is playing Bumblebee's video game (and liking it), the characters on screen switch sides as he loses.
*It seems that the animators can't decide which parts of the city are raining.
*Oddly, for a cartoon that tries to stay close to the transformation of the actual toys, Safeguard's transformation is nothing like the toy.
*When Wasp is on his own playing ''Ninja Gladiator'' and later, when he breaks character near the end, he has his original voice. How come Bumblebee couldn't do that?
*For that matter, after Wasp leaves Bumblebee behind, he has his original voice back too. Bumblebee is also still sporting a yellow version of Wasp's helmet.
*At certain points in the episode, Wasp (as Bumblebee) and Bumblebee (as Wasp) wear the design of their false identity's thighs.
*During the close up of Bumblebee (as Wasp), Jetfire and Jetstorm switch places. They're in the correct order in the next scene.

===Continuity errors===
*This isn't an ''error'' as such, but just when did Wasp get an identical Earth form to Bumblebee's? And perhaps more to the point, ''how'' did he change form - both Optimus' crew and the Elite Guard reformatted on their well-equipped ships. Wasp was last seen beside a space bridge with no ship of any kind. Though it's possible that Wasp has the same ability as [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Lugnut]] to scan and adapt [[alternate mode]]s on his own.
*Given how close Ratchet is to [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] you'd think he'd know better than to say "no Autobot flies."

===Transformers references===
[[Image:WhereIsThySting-Bumblebeesvideogame.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Referenciality!]]
*We last saw Wasp in "[[Autoboot Camp]]", to which this episode is essentially a sequel. A brief flashback from the episode is shown after Bumblebee says he "took the rap" for Bulkhead for what happened to Sentinel Prime. In an attempt to maintain his ruse, Wasp also mentions all the things that Bumblebee had done then which accidentally embarrassed Sentinel Prime.He also mentions the events in "[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]]".
* Optimus' Autobots discovered that Wasp wasn't guilty in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]".
* The background of the ''Ninja Gladiator'' video game prominently features [[TORQ III]].
* In the scene before he switches places with "Bumble-Bot", Wasp is wearing a [[rubsign]] in place of a conventional Autobot insignia. This is identical to [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] - at this time he does not belong to either faction.
* Sentinel Prime discusses the modifications made to Jetfire and Jetstorm, which took place in the "[[First (and Second) in Flight]]" comic book.
* Sentinel Prime still doesn't remember his time with Bumblebee and Bulkhead, as he did (didn't?) in "[[The Elite Guard]]".
* [[Tigatron]] Stadium, which will be seen in the next episode, can be seen in the background.

===Real-world references===
* The episode's title is a reference a Bible verse: namely, [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2015:55&version=31 1 Corinthians 15:55]: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
* Sentinel Prime's cry of "Arrest 'em all and let Ultra Magnus sort 'em out!" is a reference to a popular English translation of a saying by Abbot [[:wikipedia:Arnaud Amalric|Arnold Amaury]], before the massacre of Béziers during the Albigensian Crusade: "Kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out."
** According to [[David Kaye]], [[Jeff Bennett]] once used this line in a recording session during the first season, causing the cast to burst into laughter and forcing them to take five.{{fact}}
* The four-armed insect from ''Ninja Gladiator'' is [http://www.micro-outpost.com/pictures/aliens/antron/antron.html Antron] from the ''[[Micronauts]]''. According to Derrick Wyatt, the black figure the insect fights is [[Snake-Eyes]].[http://twitter.com/SentinelPrime/status/1418651506][http://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1418656175]
* The Jet bros. combination sequence, like much else about them, is based on the stock footage sequences of the various Symmetrical Docking robots from ''King Of [[Brave]]s GaoGaiGar''.
* Bumblebee's line, 'Deceptions, why'd it have to be Decepticons?' hearkens back to ''Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark''.

===Trivia===
*This episode received an impromptu online debut on [[March 25]], [[2009]], when a copy loaded onto the [[Cartoon Network]] website's server, intended to go live after the episode aired a few days later, was pilfered and leaked by some ne'er-do-wells. The next episode, "[[Five Servos of Doom]]", was leaked a few days later.

*Wasp has purple eyes, which were visible even with Bumblebee's battle mask up, and retained the striped design on his thighs. Bumblebee still had his blue eyes and other retained properties. The Autobots didn't notice this because...?

*You could ask the same question regarding the Jet twins. Although their Elite Guard insignias are on their hips, Optimus and Ratchet should have seen the insignia on their shoulders when they merged into Safeguard.

*Not to mention that Optimus and Ratchet have very obvious Autobot symbols. Why didn't the twins try to introduce themselves before diving into battle with them? Course, if Sentinel trained them, they might be bigger jerks then we realize and just assumed them traitors.

* When Bulkhead runs into the green Bumblebee in the street, Bumblebee puts his hands in the air to surrender and starts wailing that he's Bumblebee. Bulkhead ''knows'' Wasp was framed, locked up in the stockade for years, may well be traumatised, and has not as yet actually hurt anybody, but he still starts swinging his wrecking ball with intent to pummel. Later on when Wasp is revealed and takes Bumblebee hostage, Bulkhead starts telling the frightened and angry mech he's not a good bot. And when Wasp runs off without hurting anybody, and Bulkhead sees a yellow mech lying outside face down and motionless, he instantly attacks what he thinks is Wasp. This episode doesn't do anything for Bulkhead's rep as an Autobot ''at all.'' None of the other Autobots seem to have a problem with his actions either.

*Apparently it doesn't rain on Cybertron, because Sentinel Prime was irritated that liquid falls from the sky on Earth.

*Strangely, the Autobots don't try and work out who's Wasp and who's Bumblebee by [[A Prime Problem|having a race]].

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

To sell toys

2010-02-15T12:31:53Z

86.17.124.125: /* Huge casts */

[[Image:MarvelUS-19.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hasbro wasn't quite sure whether to advertise this expensive toy until the fans forced their hand.]]

To understand ''Transformers'' fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[Toy|toys]] to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally [[Transformers (2007)#Reception|make a profit in their own right]], but this is regarded as mere gravy.

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

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

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

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
[[Image:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Pokeformers|Gotta catch 'em all!]]]]
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:

* The first issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comics]], "[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]", in which ''twenty-eight'' different robots appeared and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.

* Similarly, [[Transformers: Animated]] had toys for just about every character, even those who only appeared in one or two episodes. This was especially obvious for [[Waspinator (Animated)|Waspinator]] (Not the Bumblebee repaint, but WASPINATOR) who exists in a single episode for about five minutes (maybe even less).

* The 1987 ''[[Headmasters (comic)|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over ''sixty'' characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster]]s, all their [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and [[Monsterbot]]s.

* The cartoon episode "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced a deluge of the 1987 toyline characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''.

* In the first four episodes of ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.

* From #9 onwards, [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movie-based ''Transformers'']] has heavily bumped up the cast with new toys. In one example, #17 brought in nine new toys in eleven pages; only one of the five Decepticons got any real focus or dialogue.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:

* Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks (G1)|time]].

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

* The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.

* Many issues of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#42]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.

* In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].

* In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Prowl, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon]]s and the [[Triggerbot]]s.

* [[Mainframe Entertainment]] planned to use [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his CGI model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s. <ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/9c79c4226fc6dd28/30c3cdf158ea6e52?lnk=st&q=bob+forward+beast+wars+tigatron+wolfang&rnum=1#30c3cdf158ea6e52 Ben Yee relays some info from Bob Forward in regards to Wolfang being replaced by Tigatron in the Beast Wars cartoon]</ref>

* Rather than revealing stuff about the [[Vok]] and [[Tarantulas]], a long-running subplot, "[[Other Victories]]" spends much of its time telling us how great [[Tigerhawk]] is and how we should buy his toy.

* The [[First (and Second) in Flight|sixth issue]] of ''[[The Arrival]]'' stops following the regular cast so it can flag the awesome cool out-now-in-shops [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] toy.

* Prominent generals in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movieverse]] Decepticon army change frequently and without any acknowledgment as new toys jostle for (and gain) space.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.

* The early episodes of [[Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'']] featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to [[Earth]] for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms.

* [[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Both the Dreamwave]] and [[Armada (Panini comic)|Panini comics]] suffered exactly the same problem, but it gets worse: [[First Encounter|the first ''Armada'' episode]] reused models of older Transformers as generic background guys to bump numbers up. The comics ''didn't''. So Megatron apparently conquers all of planet Cybertron with an army of three guys, whereas the city/planet defending Autobots are just five blokes.

* Dreamwave would also [[Dreamwave Armada issue 10|feature a scene on Cybertron]], where the ''only'' Autobot who seemed to exist was [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]].

* For the movie prequels, IDW got around this by deciding that [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] was going to be a [[Class Alpha drone unit|series of drones]] instead of one guy, allowing for really big battle scenes despite a then-limited number of toys. {{storylink|Movie Prequel (2007)}} (It would later turn out there was ''also'' Dreadwing who was one guy.) Titan Magazines would borrow this, and turn other Decepticons into drone series too.

==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}

Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.

* Again, [[The Transformers (issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.

* The two-part Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")

* "[[The Rebirth]]" has ''three different sequences'' in which large new groups of characters form a lineup and introduce themselves to viewers one after another. Strangely enough, much of this screen- and dialogue-time is given over to Nebulan partners; the "main" Transformer characters get no such introductions, even though they are the items kids would have to purchase to acquire the Nebulan accessories. For instance, [[Spasma]], [[Monzo]], and [[Peacemaker]] (all speaking characters) are introduced by name as part of various lineups, but their in-store hosts [[Apeface]], [[Weirdwolf]], and [[Pointblank]] are never named (and Weirdwolf never even speaks).

* "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" has the Maximals walk on one-by-one admiring their beast modes, loudly explaining their names and showing character traits. This also gives the impression they deliberately changed their names to fit these new beast modes for no apparent reason.

===Gimmicks===
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.

* The Headmaster gimmick got [[Headmasters (comic)|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.

* The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender]]s, gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up—at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story. (The, uh, story of returning Optimus Prime's character to the comic book because he had [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|a new toy]].)

* [[Rotor Force]] made their debut in "[[New Dawn]]", and both here and in subsequent ''Generation 2'' issues would primarily fight enemies not with guns like everyone else, but by firing their giant rotors at them. Page 3 of ''New Dawn'' actually shows them having to ''stop and reattach their rotors'' before they can carry on fighting.

* ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] had six alternate modes and the cartoon really wanted you to see them, which is why [[Battle Protocol|his first appearance]] is as ''a giant hand for no reason''. It gets sillier when he turns into Galvatron and gains four more modes. In "[[Mistaken Identity]]", he turns into his "Iron Mammoth" form when facing off against [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|a hostile Fortress Maximus]] even though he doesn't ''do'' anything in his form except stand there ''as he was already doing''.

* [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are the only Autobot jets in the ''Animated'' line. (Not counting the toyless [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]].) To fully big this up, their origin story has it that there have ''never been'' any flying Autobots before, despite them having been in (and won) a long and bitter war with enemies who ''often fly''.

The [[Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:

* The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s practically defined the plot of the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.

* [[Powerlinx|Powerlinxing]] is shown again and again and again in ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines.

* Cyber key powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].''

* All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[Stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.

* Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled ''[[Second Generation!]]'', where [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and Shockwave <strike>watched an advert</strike> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams.

* In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.

* Season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.

* The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]]—who had just had a new and expensive toy.

* "[[A Fistful of Energon]]" has [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] learn not to use upgrades, and gives up using powerful samurai armour. But whoops, Hasbro thought "hey, we could make a toy out of that armour"! And so in [[Five Servos of Doom|a later episode]], Prowl ''regains'' it and the show hurriedly claims that the upgrade is fine ''now'' cos Prowl realizes now that it's the Autobot, not the upgrade.

* The [[France|French]] decided to be good sports and start using propeller-driven nuclear bombers again, just so [[Octane|Tankor]] could be used ([[All Hail Megatron issue 11]]).

* [[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] has been on Earth for a while, in hiding from other Decepticons while he waits for orders from [[the Fallen]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout}} Ransack is a member of a race that can scan any object and take its form as a disguise. Ransack moves around in the cunning disguise of ''a 100-year-old plane''. (At least, unlike the previous example, the oldness of the alt-mode was pointed out.)

* In Titan's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] go from being [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's]] responsibility to bugging [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to being [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe's]] responsibility in the space of three issues, all to allow each issue to focus on a specific toy-bearing movie star. Similarly, only one or two Decepticons per issue are sent on a mission, when presumably the Fallen might want to send loads of guys to silence the twins.

===Awkward continuity===

Sometimes the requirement to feature new toys can be so strong that continuity takes a major backseat and stories are produced that feature combinations of characters that make the story very difficult to slot into the main continuity. The Marvel UK comic was especially prone to this as it could not always foresee where, when and how characters would be introduced:

* The ''[[Transformers Annual 1986]]'' contains many stories featuring toys from the 1985 release long before they were formally introduced in the regular comic, often interacting with other characters who would be out of action by then. As a result few of the stories easily fit the continuity of the weekly comic.
* The demands of Hasbro UK for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster]]s to be featured heavily even before the US ''[[Headmasters (comic)|Headmasters]]'' mini-series was available meant that both the ''[[Transformers Annual 1988]]'' and the regular strip "[[Worlds Apart!]]" contain a slightly different set of events that are odds with the mini-series.
* The requirement to give prominence to the rereleased toys in the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] range resulted in one the biggest continuity trainwrecks of all, [[Earthforce]]. Nearly two decades later fans are still uncertain where it fits in continuity, and even [[Simon Furman]] admits to being unsure.<ref>"Looking back, as I try my hardest not to do, it's very hard to tie the Earthforce stories into a specific time frame (in terms of the US continuity), because (if I'm brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn't necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?" [http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.net - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'].</ref>
* Trapped between the need to pimp toys and the problem of not knowing what the plot of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' would be, Titan just threw up their hands and unambiguously set their lead strip in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Alternate universe|an alternate universe]].

===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.

* The Generation 1 cartoon introduced [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and even [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]].

[[Image:Buzzsawyikes4.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Buzzsaw reminds Omega Supreme he's not a new toy any more.]]

* The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his début issue]], slaughtering 2/3rds of the Decepticon forces sent to attack him. Just [[Dark Star (issue)|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], one of his original victims.

* In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.

* Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).

* [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.

* The [[Commandos]] were far more powerful and competent than the Predacons, who were made even ''less'' powerful and competent as episodes went on. Remarkably, this was actually used in the plot, with Megatron focusing on the new toys while the Predacons became underdogs trying to get their old status back and one-up the new guys.

* ''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.

* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction, and his ability to combine with Megatron LITERALLY gave the battle advantage to the Decepticons until his equally powerful counterpart [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] was introduced. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Tidal Wave is just this tall guy (but not as tall as he used to be) and is treated as just another Decepticon, even after he gets a body upgrade in the form of "Mirage".

* When the newly redecoed Jetfire and Optimus combine in Dreamwave's Armada comic, they are so powerful ''they can hurt Unicron himself''.

* [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]] ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] was incredibly powerful when he was first introduced, but later on, he's getting slaps on the wrist by [[Lori]] and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], and schooled by [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], ultimately becoming more of a sympathetic comedic bumbler than a credible threat.

* The Decepticons in ''Animated'' started off as being so horrifically powerful that the entire Autobot team had to take on a ''single'' one. By Season 3, this no longer happens. Uniquely, this was ''deliberate'' by the writers: they wanted to show the Decepticons as supreme threats, and have the Autobots gradually being better at dealing with them.

===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get an a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writers are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.

[[Image:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ratchet pulls a Kitty Pryde on Bumblebee.]]

* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] was rebuilt and upgraded into Goldbug following his near-destruction... and is later rebuilt back into Bumblebee to sell the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Pretender|new Classic Pretender toy]]. The reason given is that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] deliberately downgraded Goldbug against his will because he liked his old form better, something Bumblebee is strangely fine with.

* Season 2 of ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' introduced the new [[Transmetal]] toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies. The writers had originally planned to introduce these changes gradually, across the length of Season 2, but Hasbro ordered them to be brought in immediately. (The slow-and-gradual notion would eventually appear during Season 3.)

* The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" ''three times''; at the start of each subsequent series, he's given a different body but called Megatron ''again'', because the name "Megatron" just sells more toys. (This also means Hasbro gets to keep the [[trademark]] "Galvatron".)

* Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] during the Unicron arc.

* The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of [[Burning Justice|BLAZING HEART OF JUSTICE]] into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.

* In the course of the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voila, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf!

* When [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comic originally came out, there were no Generation 1-themed toys to flog, and many characters were given altered designs for the series. Then along came ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', featuring new toys of Generation 1 characters, and suddenly multiple characters get new, toy-accurate bodies in ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'', for no apparent in-story reason. Later, [[Bluestreak]] even gets a namechange to ''Silver''streak to fit his toy.

* [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was originally grey, but when he was reunited with the ''Animated'' Decepticons, he changed his colours to purple while referring to it as his proper look. Why he changed colouration to go undercover was not explained, but it may have something to do with a purple-coloured Shockwave toy being out when that episode aired.

* In ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] start out as an old ice cream truck combiner but after a disastrous mission [[NEST]] decides to upgrade them to new individual [[General Motors]] vehicles. New toys ''and'' product placement!

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

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

* The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.

* The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.

* Hasbro was only willing to support the [[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|''Generation 2'' comic]] for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Gee, axe us]]".)

* The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the axe fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.

* Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''The Wreckers'' in 2001, wishing instead for [[3H Productions|3H]] to focus on a ''[[Universe (2003 comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.

* Even though ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' wasn't abruptly canceled, Kids WB ended the series on the cliffhanger of the episode "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]", leaving millions of kids tuning in next time only to get a re-run of ''Xiaolin Showdown''. The reason? The Cybertron Defense Team toys hadn't hit stores yet.

* With ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' coming out in June, Titan had to end their alternate universe storyline in May so they could tie in early—an issue earlier than planned. The main strip handled this, with the notable exception of [[Jazz (Movie)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|the Jazz plot arc]] going completely unresolved, but it played havoc with working out the IDW reprints!

{{-}}

==Death==
[[Image:Tftm1986a.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Guess who's no longer in the Mini Vehicles case assortment?]]
[[Image:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Publisher's clearing house.]]
[[Image:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Scorponok, Terrorsaur, we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause Waspinator has a bigger fan club.]]
===Killing off old product===
The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character—especially when there's newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

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

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

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

* The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines. However, the explanation (Underbase power didn't affect those TFs with organic components) caused that even the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], new toys at the time, met their end.

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

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

* ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]'' would end up killing a large number of Autobots in one issue, after their toys had been around for a while; as they'd not made an appearance in the comics until this mini, this is both an example of Huge Cast ''and'' Product Clearing. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3}} It would then go on to bump off some Decepticons, while its sequel ''Alliance'' slaughtered ''hordes'' of Decepticons with old toys. Mowry is the new Furman... {{storylink|Alliance (comic)}}

===Hi-and-die===
[[Image:Chuffer cof.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Likely dialog: "SHEEEAAGH!!"]]
Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the Transformers version of ''Star Trek's'' infamous [[wikipedia:redshirt_syndrome|redshirt syndrome]].

* This approach was particularly common in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#UK comics|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Autobot)|Flattop]], and the sixth member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].

* The US comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]].

* The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast (Energon)|Shockblast]]'s hands, proving motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber]].

* ''Animated'' chucked in [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] so Ratchet could have a tragic past where he failed to save someone. (And ''then'' she got a toy!)

* The [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|Animated comic]] wants to do a story arc about an Autobot who's really a spy and then have him killed. Quick, [[Afterburn|make someone up]]!

{{-}}

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new toy of that character.

[[Image:Inferno dies agenda2.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Only a flesh wound!]]

* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|so many times]] that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his [[Powermaster]] form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival in ''Generation 2'' brought him into his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G2Hero|Hero]] toy form.

* The Japanese killed off Optimus (or "Convoy" as they called him) in [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]. A few years later, they not only brought him back with a new toy {{storylink|The Battlestars (story page)}}, the ''entire franchise'' for that year was called [[Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]].

* Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.

* The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2. Hasbro wanted him brought back in the first minutes of the season premiere, but the writers managed to convince them that it would be better to do so at the ''end'' of the two-episode story.

* At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed—being ''disintegrated''—but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.

* Pretty much ''nobody'' could successfully die in the [[Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]]. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Wing Saber|Wing Dagger]], and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] all die and/or are resurrected from the dead during the course of the show.

* [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] still had toys out in 2008. The [[bio]] for All Spark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz states he was brought back from near-death by the All Spark and is "more powerful than ever". Voila, Jazz comes back from the dead thanks to the All Spark in Titan's tie-in comic! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} Optimus even uses the ''term'' "Autobot Jazz" in a later issue... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|Hard Target}}

{{-}}

===Untouchables===

[[Image:Armorhide_drawhisfire.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Really, they could just stand there making rude noises at Starscream.]]

Obviously, if a character ''does'' have a current toy (or soon will), they're not going to die, even if the plot or common sense indicates they should.

* [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] had betrayed [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] to the Maximals, ruining his greatest shot at victory. As he declared, "There will be no more betrayals!", she would pay the price: being knocked into stasis lock so the Maximals could fix her and she could stay on their team. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}

* Megatron himself was in a prime position to be terminated, as were the Maximals later on, in ''[[The Weak Component]]''. Since this was only episode 6 and everyone had toys out, the cast politely agreed not to take this opportunity to end a brutal war for the planet.

* Titan's Movie strip was moved to an alternate universe, where you'd [[Rhythms of Darkness!|expect nobody to be safe from death]]. However, most of the cast had toys out, so whether it was a desperate guerrilla fight against Decepticon occupation, the rise of [[Unicron]], a [[Decepticon Civil War]], or the final battle, very few characters bought it. The big exception was [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]], dying in his first story, but he didn't have a toy in the UK, so he was [[Furmanism|surplus to requirements]].

==Notable exceptions==
There are, however, a few notable exception to the To Sell Toys effect:

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

* Characters inherited from the US strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the US stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons (even before their US appearances were reprinted), to have entire storylines focusing on Swoop, and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.

* Characters not featured in the US strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop]] and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

Writer [[Simon Furman]] has since stated that when writing the stories he was generally unaware of which toys were unavailable in the UK: "We largely took our cue from what characters were being introduced into the US storyline. If there was a release schedule for the toys in the UK, we rarely saw it... But in the case of Swoop and the Predacons, I don't think I was consciously aware (at the time) that we were dealing with toys not generally available in the UK. They were just extant characters, and therefore fair game." <ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.net - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'].</ref>

This would happen again with Titan, as foreign exclusives palled around with UK-available toys.

===Post-Marvel comics===
[[Image:Infiltration 1b.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Hey, Runamuck, it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!" "Heh heh, now if only we could appear on toy store shelves..."]]

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

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics, had stated on IDW's forums that Hasbro does not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval.").<ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=69377</ref> By the time of ''All Hail Megatron'', however, the ''Universe'' line came out and Hasbro asked IDW to start using some of those designs. <ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=102461&sid=2298445cdfba342643da80282a95cc7a#102461 Guido reveals the Hasbro request]</ref> This practice seems to have been thrown out for the new Ongoing title.

===''Timelines'' Firestar/Flareup===
During the development of the [[BotCon]] [[Descent into Evil]] set, it was found out that the name "[[Firestar]]" could not be used due to trademark reasons. As such, the toy that would've been her was assigned a new identity as [[Flareup (Timelines)|Flareup]]. [[Ben Yee]] at first wanted to mention in her [[bio]] that Firestar had died, but refrained from doing so because of "fear Hasbro would not appreciate [him] "killing" one of their characters in any way".<ref>[http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/timelines/descent/flareup Flareup toy notes at BWTF.com]</ref>

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Toys]]

To sell toys

2010-02-15T12:31:12Z

86.17.124.125: /* Huge casts */

[[Image:MarvelUS-19.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hasbro wasn't quite sure whether to advertise this expensive toy until the fans forced their hand.]]

To understand ''Transformers'' fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[Toy|toys]] to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally [[Transformers (2007)#Reception|make a profit in their own right]], but this is regarded as mere gravy.

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

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

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

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
[[Image:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Pokeformers|Gotta catch 'em all!]]]]
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:

* The first issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comics]], "[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]", in which ''twenty-eight'' different robots appeared and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.

* Similarly, [[Transformers: Animated]] had toys for just about every character, even those who only appeared in one or two episodes. This was especially obvious for [[Waspinator (Animated)|Waspinator]] (Not the Bumblebee repaint Wasp, but WASPINATOR) who exists in a single episode for about five minutes (maybe even less).

* The 1987 ''[[Headmasters (comic)|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over ''sixty'' characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster]]s, all their [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and [[Monsterbot]]s.

* The cartoon episode "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced a deluge of the 1987 toyline characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''.

* In the first four episodes of ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.

* From #9 onwards, [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movie-based ''Transformers'']] has heavily bumped up the cast with new toys. In one example, #17 brought in nine new toys in eleven pages; only one of the five Decepticons got any real focus or dialogue.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:

* Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks (G1)|time]].

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

* The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.

* Many issues of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#42]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.

* In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].

* In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Prowl, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon]]s and the [[Triggerbot]]s.

* [[Mainframe Entertainment]] planned to use [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his CGI model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s. <ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/9c79c4226fc6dd28/30c3cdf158ea6e52?lnk=st&q=bob+forward+beast+wars+tigatron+wolfang&rnum=1#30c3cdf158ea6e52 Ben Yee relays some info from Bob Forward in regards to Wolfang being replaced by Tigatron in the Beast Wars cartoon]</ref>

* Rather than revealing stuff about the [[Vok]] and [[Tarantulas]], a long-running subplot, "[[Other Victories]]" spends much of its time telling us how great [[Tigerhawk]] is and how we should buy his toy.

* The [[First (and Second) in Flight|sixth issue]] of ''[[The Arrival]]'' stops following the regular cast so it can flag the awesome cool out-now-in-shops [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] toy.

* Prominent generals in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movieverse]] Decepticon army change frequently and without any acknowledgment as new toys jostle for (and gain) space.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.

* The early episodes of [[Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'']] featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to [[Earth]] for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms.

* [[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Both the Dreamwave]] and [[Armada (Panini comic)|Panini comics]] suffered exactly the same problem, but it gets worse: [[First Encounter|the first ''Armada'' episode]] reused models of older Transformers as generic background guys to bump numbers up. The comics ''didn't''. So Megatron apparently conquers all of planet Cybertron with an army of three guys, whereas the city/planet defending Autobots are just five blokes.

* Dreamwave would also [[Dreamwave Armada issue 10|feature a scene on Cybertron]], where the ''only'' Autobot who seemed to exist was [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]].

* For the movie prequels, IDW got around this by deciding that [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] was going to be a [[Class Alpha drone unit|series of drones]] instead of one guy, allowing for really big battle scenes despite a then-limited number of toys. {{storylink|Movie Prequel (2007)}} (It would later turn out there was ''also'' Dreadwing who was one guy.) Titan Magazines would borrow this, and turn other Decepticons into drone series too.

==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}

Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.

* Again, [[The Transformers (issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.

* The two-part Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")

* "[[The Rebirth]]" has ''three different sequences'' in which large new groups of characters form a lineup and introduce themselves to viewers one after another. Strangely enough, much of this screen- and dialogue-time is given over to Nebulan partners; the "main" Transformer characters get no such introductions, even though they are the items kids would have to purchase to acquire the Nebulan accessories. For instance, [[Spasma]], [[Monzo]], and [[Peacemaker]] (all speaking characters) are introduced by name as part of various lineups, but their in-store hosts [[Apeface]], [[Weirdwolf]], and [[Pointblank]] are never named (and Weirdwolf never even speaks).

* "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" has the Maximals walk on one-by-one admiring their beast modes, loudly explaining their names and showing character traits. This also gives the impression they deliberately changed their names to fit these new beast modes for no apparent reason.

===Gimmicks===
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.

* The Headmaster gimmick got [[Headmasters (comic)|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.

* The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender]]s, gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up—at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story. (The, uh, story of returning Optimus Prime's character to the comic book because he had [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|a new toy]].)

* [[Rotor Force]] made their debut in "[[New Dawn]]", and both here and in subsequent ''Generation 2'' issues would primarily fight enemies not with guns like everyone else, but by firing their giant rotors at them. Page 3 of ''New Dawn'' actually shows them having to ''stop and reattach their rotors'' before they can carry on fighting.

* ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] had six alternate modes and the cartoon really wanted you to see them, which is why [[Battle Protocol|his first appearance]] is as ''a giant hand for no reason''. It gets sillier when he turns into Galvatron and gains four more modes. In "[[Mistaken Identity]]", he turns into his "Iron Mammoth" form when facing off against [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|a hostile Fortress Maximus]] even though he doesn't ''do'' anything in his form except stand there ''as he was already doing''.

* [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are the only Autobot jets in the ''Animated'' line. (Not counting the toyless [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]].) To fully big this up, their origin story has it that there have ''never been'' any flying Autobots before, despite them having been in (and won) a long and bitter war with enemies who ''often fly''.

The [[Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:

* The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s practically defined the plot of the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.

* [[Powerlinx|Powerlinxing]] is shown again and again and again in ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines.

* Cyber key powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].''

* All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[Stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.

* Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled ''[[Second Generation!]]'', where [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and Shockwave <strike>watched an advert</strike> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams.

* In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.

* Season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.

* The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]]—who had just had a new and expensive toy.

* "[[A Fistful of Energon]]" has [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] learn not to use upgrades, and gives up using powerful samurai armour. But whoops, Hasbro thought "hey, we could make a toy out of that armour"! And so in [[Five Servos of Doom|a later episode]], Prowl ''regains'' it and the show hurriedly claims that the upgrade is fine ''now'' cos Prowl realizes now that it's the Autobot, not the upgrade.

* The [[France|French]] decided to be good sports and start using propeller-driven nuclear bombers again, just so [[Octane|Tankor]] could be used ([[All Hail Megatron issue 11]]).

* [[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] has been on Earth for a while, in hiding from other Decepticons while he waits for orders from [[the Fallen]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout}} Ransack is a member of a race that can scan any object and take its form as a disguise. Ransack moves around in the cunning disguise of ''a 100-year-old plane''. (At least, unlike the previous example, the oldness of the alt-mode was pointed out.)

* In Titan's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] go from being [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's]] responsibility to bugging [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to being [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe's]] responsibility in the space of three issues, all to allow each issue to focus on a specific toy-bearing movie star. Similarly, only one or two Decepticons per issue are sent on a mission, when presumably the Fallen might want to send loads of guys to silence the twins.

===Awkward continuity===

Sometimes the requirement to feature new toys can be so strong that continuity takes a major backseat and stories are produced that feature combinations of characters that make the story very difficult to slot into the main continuity. The Marvel UK comic was especially prone to this as it could not always foresee where, when and how characters would be introduced:

* The ''[[Transformers Annual 1986]]'' contains many stories featuring toys from the 1985 release long before they were formally introduced in the regular comic, often interacting with other characters who would be out of action by then. As a result few of the stories easily fit the continuity of the weekly comic.
* The demands of Hasbro UK for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster]]s to be featured heavily even before the US ''[[Headmasters (comic)|Headmasters]]'' mini-series was available meant that both the ''[[Transformers Annual 1988]]'' and the regular strip "[[Worlds Apart!]]" contain a slightly different set of events that are odds with the mini-series.
* The requirement to give prominence to the rereleased toys in the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] range resulted in one the biggest continuity trainwrecks of all, [[Earthforce]]. Nearly two decades later fans are still uncertain where it fits in continuity, and even [[Simon Furman]] admits to being unsure.<ref>"Looking back, as I try my hardest not to do, it's very hard to tie the Earthforce stories into a specific time frame (in terms of the US continuity), because (if I'm brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn't necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?" [http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.net - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'].</ref>
* Trapped between the need to pimp toys and the problem of not knowing what the plot of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' would be, Titan just threw up their hands and unambiguously set their lead strip in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Alternate universe|an alternate universe]].

===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.

* The Generation 1 cartoon introduced [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and even [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]].

[[Image:Buzzsawyikes4.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Buzzsaw reminds Omega Supreme he's not a new toy any more.]]

* The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his début issue]], slaughtering 2/3rds of the Decepticon forces sent to attack him. Just [[Dark Star (issue)|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], one of his original victims.

* In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.

* Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).

* [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.

* The [[Commandos]] were far more powerful and competent than the Predacons, who were made even ''less'' powerful and competent as episodes went on. Remarkably, this was actually used in the plot, with Megatron focusing on the new toys while the Predacons became underdogs trying to get their old status back and one-up the new guys.

* ''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.

* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction, and his ability to combine with Megatron LITERALLY gave the battle advantage to the Decepticons until his equally powerful counterpart [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] was introduced. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Tidal Wave is just this tall guy (but not as tall as he used to be) and is treated as just another Decepticon, even after he gets a body upgrade in the form of "Mirage".

* When the newly redecoed Jetfire and Optimus combine in Dreamwave's Armada comic, they are so powerful ''they can hurt Unicron himself''.

* [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]] ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] was incredibly powerful when he was first introduced, but later on, he's getting slaps on the wrist by [[Lori]] and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], and schooled by [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], ultimately becoming more of a sympathetic comedic bumbler than a credible threat.

* The Decepticons in ''Animated'' started off as being so horrifically powerful that the entire Autobot team had to take on a ''single'' one. By Season 3, this no longer happens. Uniquely, this was ''deliberate'' by the writers: they wanted to show the Decepticons as supreme threats, and have the Autobots gradually being better at dealing with them.

===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get an a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writers are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.

[[Image:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ratchet pulls a Kitty Pryde on Bumblebee.]]

* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] was rebuilt and upgraded into Goldbug following his near-destruction... and is later rebuilt back into Bumblebee to sell the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Pretender|new Classic Pretender toy]]. The reason given is that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] deliberately downgraded Goldbug against his will because he liked his old form better, something Bumblebee is strangely fine with.

* Season 2 of ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' introduced the new [[Transmetal]] toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies. The writers had originally planned to introduce these changes gradually, across the length of Season 2, but Hasbro ordered them to be brought in immediately. (The slow-and-gradual notion would eventually appear during Season 3.)

* The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" ''three times''; at the start of each subsequent series, he's given a different body but called Megatron ''again'', because the name "Megatron" just sells more toys. (This also means Hasbro gets to keep the [[trademark]] "Galvatron".)

* Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] during the Unicron arc.

* The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of [[Burning Justice|BLAZING HEART OF JUSTICE]] into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.

* In the course of the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voila, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf!

* When [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comic originally came out, there were no Generation 1-themed toys to flog, and many characters were given altered designs for the series. Then along came ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', featuring new toys of Generation 1 characters, and suddenly multiple characters get new, toy-accurate bodies in ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'', for no apparent in-story reason. Later, [[Bluestreak]] even gets a namechange to ''Silver''streak to fit his toy.

* [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was originally grey, but when he was reunited with the ''Animated'' Decepticons, he changed his colours to purple while referring to it as his proper look. Why he changed colouration to go undercover was not explained, but it may have something to do with a purple-coloured Shockwave toy being out when that episode aired.

* In ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] start out as an old ice cream truck combiner but after a disastrous mission [[NEST]] decides to upgrade them to new individual [[General Motors]] vehicles. New toys ''and'' product placement!

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

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

* The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.

* The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.

* Hasbro was only willing to support the [[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|''Generation 2'' comic]] for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Gee, axe us]]".)

* The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the axe fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.

* Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''The Wreckers'' in 2001, wishing instead for [[3H Productions|3H]] to focus on a ''[[Universe (2003 comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.

* Even though ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' wasn't abruptly canceled, Kids WB ended the series on the cliffhanger of the episode "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]", leaving millions of kids tuning in next time only to get a re-run of ''Xiaolin Showdown''. The reason? The Cybertron Defense Team toys hadn't hit stores yet.

* With ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' coming out in June, Titan had to end their alternate universe storyline in May so they could tie in early—an issue earlier than planned. The main strip handled this, with the notable exception of [[Jazz (Movie)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|the Jazz plot arc]] going completely unresolved, but it played havoc with working out the IDW reprints!

{{-}}

==Death==
[[Image:Tftm1986a.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Guess who's no longer in the Mini Vehicles case assortment?]]
[[Image:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Publisher's clearing house.]]
[[Image:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Scorponok, Terrorsaur, we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause Waspinator has a bigger fan club.]]
===Killing off old product===
The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character—especially when there's newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

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

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

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

* The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines. However, the explanation (Underbase power didn't affect those TFs with organic components) caused that even the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], new toys at the time, met their end.

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

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

* ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]'' would end up killing a large number of Autobots in one issue, after their toys had been around for a while; as they'd not made an appearance in the comics until this mini, this is both an example of Huge Cast ''and'' Product Clearing. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3}} It would then go on to bump off some Decepticons, while its sequel ''Alliance'' slaughtered ''hordes'' of Decepticons with old toys. Mowry is the new Furman... {{storylink|Alliance (comic)}}

===Hi-and-die===
[[Image:Chuffer cof.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Likely dialog: "SHEEEAAGH!!"]]
Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the Transformers version of ''Star Trek's'' infamous [[wikipedia:redshirt_syndrome|redshirt syndrome]].

* This approach was particularly common in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#UK comics|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Autobot)|Flattop]], and the sixth member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].

* The US comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]].

* The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast (Energon)|Shockblast]]'s hands, proving motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber]].

* ''Animated'' chucked in [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] so Ratchet could have a tragic past where he failed to save someone. (And ''then'' she got a toy!)

* The [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|Animated comic]] wants to do a story arc about an Autobot who's really a spy and then have him killed. Quick, [[Afterburn|make someone up]]!

{{-}}

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new toy of that character.

[[Image:Inferno dies agenda2.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Only a flesh wound!]]

* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|so many times]] that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his [[Powermaster]] form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival in ''Generation 2'' brought him into his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G2Hero|Hero]] toy form.

* The Japanese killed off Optimus (or "Convoy" as they called him) in [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]. A few years later, they not only brought him back with a new toy {{storylink|The Battlestars (story page)}}, the ''entire franchise'' for that year was called [[Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]].

* Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.

* The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2. Hasbro wanted him brought back in the first minutes of the season premiere, but the writers managed to convince them that it would be better to do so at the ''end'' of the two-episode story.

* At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed—being ''disintegrated''—but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.

* Pretty much ''nobody'' could successfully die in the [[Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]]. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Wing Saber|Wing Dagger]], and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] all die and/or are resurrected from the dead during the course of the show.

* [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] still had toys out in 2008. The [[bio]] for All Spark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz states he was brought back from near-death by the All Spark and is "more powerful than ever". Voila, Jazz comes back from the dead thanks to the All Spark in Titan's tie-in comic! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} Optimus even uses the ''term'' "Autobot Jazz" in a later issue... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|Hard Target}}

{{-}}

===Untouchables===

[[Image:Armorhide_drawhisfire.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Really, they could just stand there making rude noises at Starscream.]]

Obviously, if a character ''does'' have a current toy (or soon will), they're not going to die, even if the plot or common sense indicates they should.

* [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] had betrayed [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] to the Maximals, ruining his greatest shot at victory. As he declared, "There will be no more betrayals!", she would pay the price: being knocked into stasis lock so the Maximals could fix her and she could stay on their team. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}

* Megatron himself was in a prime position to be terminated, as were the Maximals later on, in ''[[The Weak Component]]''. Since this was only episode 6 and everyone had toys out, the cast politely agreed not to take this opportunity to end a brutal war for the planet.

* Titan's Movie strip was moved to an alternate universe, where you'd [[Rhythms of Darkness!|expect nobody to be safe from death]]. However, most of the cast had toys out, so whether it was a desperate guerrilla fight against Decepticon occupation, the rise of [[Unicron]], a [[Decepticon Civil War]], or the final battle, very few characters bought it. The big exception was [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]], dying in his first story, but he didn't have a toy in the UK, so he was [[Furmanism|surplus to requirements]].

==Notable exceptions==
There are, however, a few notable exception to the To Sell Toys effect:

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

* Characters inherited from the US strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the US stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons (even before their US appearances were reprinted), to have entire storylines focusing on Swoop, and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.

* Characters not featured in the US strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop]] and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

Writer [[Simon Furman]] has since stated that when writing the stories he was generally unaware of which toys were unavailable in the UK: "We largely took our cue from what characters were being introduced into the US storyline. If there was a release schedule for the toys in the UK, we rarely saw it... But in the case of Swoop and the Predacons, I don't think I was consciously aware (at the time) that we were dealing with toys not generally available in the UK. They were just extant characters, and therefore fair game." <ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.net - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'].</ref>

This would happen again with Titan, as foreign exclusives palled around with UK-available toys.

===Post-Marvel comics===
[[Image:Infiltration 1b.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Hey, Runamuck, it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!" "Heh heh, now if only we could appear on toy store shelves..."]]

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

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics, had stated on IDW's forums that Hasbro does not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval.").<ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=69377</ref> By the time of ''All Hail Megatron'', however, the ''Universe'' line came out and Hasbro asked IDW to start using some of those designs. <ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=102461&sid=2298445cdfba342643da80282a95cc7a#102461 Guido reveals the Hasbro request]</ref> This practice seems to have been thrown out for the new Ongoing title.

===''Timelines'' Firestar/Flareup===
During the development of the [[BotCon]] [[Descent into Evil]] set, it was found out that the name "[[Firestar]]" could not be used due to trademark reasons. As such, the toy that would've been her was assigned a new identity as [[Flareup (Timelines)|Flareup]]. [[Ben Yee]] at first wanted to mention in her [[bio]] that Firestar had died, but refrained from doing so because of "fear Hasbro would not appreciate [him] "killing" one of their characters in any way".<ref>[http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/timelines/descent/flareup Flareup toy notes at BWTF.com]</ref>

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Toys]]

The many deaths of Optimus Prime

2010-02-15T12:24:07Z

86.17.124.125:

[[Image:Afterdeath-gameoverman.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Oh, he's gone and died again. Botheration! Most inconvenient.]]
Across the various continuities, '''Optimus Prime dies a lot.''' This happens for various reasons:

* It allows for him to be replaced by [[Hot Rod (G1)|a new character]] (and thus [[To sell toys|a new toy]]).
* It allows for him to come back from the dead in a new body (again, a new toy).
* It's dramatic (or at least, it USED to be).
* It makes him into something of a [[Jesus|Christ]]-figure.
* It allows for numerous [[Optimus Prime memorials|memorials]] to be constructed in his honor (though they're some times built even ''before'' he dies, morbidly enough).

Nearly every continuity family has featured Prime dying at least once; the only exceptions are the Optimus Primes from ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' (though [[The Final Battle (RID)|only just]]) and ''[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' (though [[Reunification: Part 3|that might change soon]])

Some examples:

==Generation 1 cartoon continuity==
===''Generation 1 cartoon''===
[[Image:Wardawn_orion_dies.jpg|right|210px|thumb|It kind of doesn't count twice. He's not Optimus Prime (yet) and he's not dead (yet).]]

* Orion Pax died (or was at least severely damaged by Megatron) and had to be rebuilt into Optimus Prime by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. It's possible that if Orion had not been repaired, Optimus Prime would have ceased to exist. Pax's girlfriend Ariel was also heavily damaged, and rebuilt into [[Elita One]]. They were with their friend [[Dion]] when they were attacked by Megatron, although it is unknown if he was likewise rebuilt.

===''The Transformers: The Movie''===

[[Image:TFTM dead gray Prime.jpg|left|180px|thumb|[[:wikipedia:Oscar Wilde#Release and death|"Either that wallpaper goes, or I do."]]]]
* The best-known example is from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] dies of wounds from his battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Famously, his body turns gray as he dies. ([[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|Urban legend]] says his body also ''crumbles,'' but no such footage is known to exist.) Being the first time he died, it was actually unexpected.
{{-}}

===''Kiss Players''===
*Sometime between [[The Transformers: The Movie|2005]] and [[The Transformers (cartoon)|2010]], [[Marissa Faireborn]] revives Optimus using the Galvatron cells in her body. Ultimately, all the cells are put back into Galvatron, and without them, Optimus promptly dies again.

===Season 3===
[[Image:Optimusg1zombie.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Mind if I smoke?"]]
* He returns from the dead twice; first as a zombie under [[Quintesson]] control in "[[Dark Awakening]]" as part of a plan to destroy the Autobots, only to die again when he overcomes the Quintesson control through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and possibly the strength of his will, and sacrifices himself to save the Autobots.

* He then was brought to life again (for reals, yo) in "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1]]".
{{-}}

===''The Headmasters''===
[[Image:Headmasters-primedies.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"...I'm dead." "YES, you are!" "You think that's funny, Jennings?!"]]

* In ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', Prime's death in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' was sort-of recreated in a flashback montage at the beginning of "[[Four Warriors Come out of the Sky]]", but not really. Rather than die while taking down his ultimate nemesis in a one-on-one struggle to the death to defend his city, his comrades, the planet Earth, and freedom itself, he just kind of gets randomly shot while in the middle of an ordinary battle outside of [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]], and turns gray. Nobody else seems to notice this. It's not clear that Prime himself notices it. It's about the most half-hearted death ever.

* Optimus Prime later died again—in another act of self sacrifice, of course—when he walked into [[Vector Sigma]] and tried to bring it back under control directly in "[[Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime]]". His body turned gray as he died, followed by a (likely only symbolic) scene of him telling [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] that it would be his responsibility to keep leading the Autobots and to continue his work, seen as a transparent, light-haloed figure against the sky and heard in third person narration as Rodimus stared into the sky. (Then again, given the [[Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime|proven]] existence of [[Starscream (G1)|gho]][[Alpha Trion (G1)|sts]]...)
{{-}}

===''Return of Convoy''===
*The [[Battlestars]] managed to restore Optimus's life with the power of the [[Zodiac]], evolving him into Star Convoy in ''[[The Battlestars (story page)|The Battlestars]]''.

===''Generation 2''===
* In the Japanese version of ''Generation 2'', Optimus Prime was badly wounded by Megatron's [[fusion cannon]] and almost died, but was resurrected and evolved yet again, this time into [[Laser Rod]] Optimus Prime, by the power of the [[Reconfiguration Matrix]]. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #13}}

==Marvel Comics continuity==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Pmoptimusprimedeath.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Give me my face!"]]

*In "[[Afterdeath!]]", Prime, after failing to live up to his moral principles while playing a video game, volunteers to be killed. The [[Autobot]]s launch his funeral bier into space. Fortunately, the creator of the video game, [[Ethan Zachary]], saves a backup copy of Prime's mind on a [[floppy disk]]. We first meet this virtual Prime sixteen issues later in "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]". He gets his new [[Powermaster]] body two issues thereafter, in "[[People Power!]]".

*A previous attempt was made at making virtual Prime a new body in "[[Totaled!]]". The body ''spontaneously blew up''.

*About thirty issues later, Prime sacrifices himself to defeat [[Unicron]], in "[[On the Edge of Extinction!]]". However, his Powermaster partner, [[Hi-Q]], survives, and almost immediately begins babbling about how he's ''really'' Optimus Prime. This turns out to be true, and the [[Last Autobot]] metamorphoses Hi-Q into Prime (with a new [[Action Master]] body) in [[End of the Road! (US)|the last issue of the original Marvel US series]].
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[Image:Swarmoptimus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Unleashing the light of the Matrix upon a great evil. Again.]]
*This Prime wasn't done dying yet. His adventures continued in the G2 comics, and he died defeating the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] in the final issue of that series, "[[A Rage in Heaven!]]". The Swarm reconstituted him three pages later (in a body based on his then-current [[Combat Hero]] toy).
{{-}}

==IDW Comics continuity==

*In his first battle with the [[Ore-13]] powered Megatron, Optimus was killed. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5}} Or at least, his ''main body'' was: by quickly downloading his consciousness into [[Combat Deck]] (and then back again), Optimus was able to survive. Being that close to death meant he briefly existed in a limbo state, which got him noticed by [[Nova Prime]] in the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6}}
{{-}}

==''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity==
===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
[[Image:Smelt Prime.JPG|right|200px|thumb|"I'm not quite dead yet! I feel happy!"]]
In ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', you could mark the end of a season by the near-death experience of one [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] or [[Optimus Prime (G1)|another]]...

*At [[Other Voices, Part 2|the end of the first season]] of ''Beast Wars'', [[Optimus Primal]] piloted a bomb-equipped stasis pod in an attempt to destroy the [[Planet Buster]]. Unfortunately, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had sealed the pod's hatch, and Optimus blew up with it. [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)|Early in the second season]] (a few hours later as far as the characters were concerned), [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] managed to unite Optimus's drifting [[spark]] with a [[blank]] [[protoform]], thus bringing him back to life (and in a new [[Transmetal]] body, too).

*At [[The Agenda (Part III)|the end of second season]], the ''Beast Wars'' Megatron came very close to killing the original Optimus Prime. But [[Optimal Situation|Prime didn't ''quite'' die]], so we really shouldn't count it.

===''Beast Machines'' cartoon===
*At [[End of the Line|the end of the first season]] of ''Beast Machines'', Optimus and Megatron had a cataclysmic battle, using the energies of [[Vector Sigma]] and the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. This would have destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], but Optimus took the warring energies into himself and disintegrated. However, his spark was trapped within the [[Oracle]], and the other [[Maximal]]s convinced him to return to the real world at [[Fallout|the start of second season]]. The Oracle kindly gave him a new body (which, believe it or not, was ''not'' a new toy).

*At [[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|the end of the series]], Optimus gave his life to defeat Megatron once and for all, pushing him into the [[technorganic]] core of the planet. In assorted ancillary media ([[Universe (2003 comic)|convention comics]], [[Beast Wars Reborn|text]] [[Alternators|stories]]), he comes back to life yet again.

(Strangely, the end of the third season of ''Beast Wars'' had no Optimus deaths whatsoever! A half-dozen ''[[Depth Charge (BW)|o]][[Tigerhawk|t]][[Dinobot II|h]][[Inferno (BW)|e]][[Quickstrike (BW)|r]][[Rampage (BW)|s]]'' died, but not Optimus.)

==Robots in Disguise==

[[Optimus Prime (RID)#Notes|He]]'s one of the only Primes that ''didn't'' die! However, it came ''very'' close in [[The Final Battle (RID)|the final battle]], when he planned to sacrifice himself to stop [[Megatron (RID)|Galvatron]].

==Unicron Trilogy==
===''Armada'' cartoon===
[[Image:Sshot-arm-39-4.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Now Optimus, don't go all to pieces. You say you have to split? Well, you're a chip off the ol' block.]]
* In the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' episode "[[Crisis]]", [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] used his body to block the blast of [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]'s [[Hydra Cannon]], protecting the [[Earth]]. When the cannon's energy is spent, we see Optimus turn grayish-white, then ''actually'' crumble to bits. A bunch of [[Mini-Con]]s use the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] to resurrect him [[Miracle|three episodes later]].
{{-}}

===''Armada ''comic===
* The corpse of an [[Optimus Prime (Worlds Collide)|Optimus Prime]] (killed by Unicron) from an alternate universe appeared in the ''[[Armada (comic)|Armada]]'' comic issue titled "[[Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4]]". Yep, practically all we know about this Optimus is that he died. He doesn't turn gray, but his colors are faded.

==''Universe''==
[[Image:Nemesisprimetfuclone.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Technically, this is the clone.]]
* The corpse of an Optimus Prime (killed by [[Megazarak]]) from an alternate universe was cloned by Unicron to create [[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|Nemesis Prime]]. The clone, before he became Nemesis, appeared in ''Cybertron'' comic issue "[[Balancing Act, Part 2]]". Once again, practically all we know about this Optimus is that he died.
{{-}}

==Movie continuity==
{{Note|Though Optimus Prime doesn't die in the [[Transformers (2007)|movie itself]], he does consider fusing the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]] into his own spark, an action that would destroy them both, if necessary to keep it out of Decepticon hands.}}

===''Transformers The Game''===
In Decepticon mode storyline, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] was beaten to the ground, and as he crawled for the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] smashed his head with his flail ... poor Prime, he gets the most violent death. {{Storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{notetitantlg}}
Optimus was left in a frozen, ''near''-death state. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
[[Image:ROTF Optimus death.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Stabbed through the chest ''and'' shot at point blank range. ''And he still comes back to life!'']]
To protect [[Sam Witwicky]], Optimus Prime engaged in a brutal battle with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]]. Despite "literally" disarming Starscream and destroying Grindor, Optimus is run-through from behind by Megatron and killed. This event causes Sam to follow the symbols the All Spark sliver placed in his mind to find the ancient [[Matrix of Leadership#Live-action film series|Matrix of Leadership]], the only thing that could restore life to Optimus. Unfortunately, it crumbled into dust upon touching it in the [[Tomb of the Primes]] on the border between [[Egypt]] and [[Jordan]]. During the climactic battle in Egypt between [[NEST]] and the Decepticons, Sam was seemingly killed by Megatron, only to be taken to another plane of existence where he met [[Seven Primes|the Primes who died]] to prevent [[The Fallen]] from achieving victory, and they bestowed upon him the true Matrix, which allowed Sam to revive Optimus. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}
{{-}}

==''Animated'' cartoon==
[[Image:TFAnimated transformandrollout DEATH.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Dead in the third episode for 75 seconds. It's a new record!]]
In the third part of the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' movie, "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] dies after his battle with [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. Like the Generation 1 Prime before him, he turns gray upon dying. Seventy-five seconds later - for us AND for the characters - [[Sari Sumdac]] uses the mysterious [[AllSpark Key]] to revive him. It's a new record, Primey!
{{-}}

==''Henkei!'' manga==
{{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}}

==See also==
* [[Death]]

*[[Prime Spark]] - The short story explores the question of where <s>all</s> [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|most]] of those Optimus-es go when they die. (Answer: someplace dull.)

*[[Ginrai#Victory_cartoon|God Ginrai]] - Often erroneously put in this category

* [[Dirge (G1)]] - The appropriately named, yet very unlucky guy who gets [[:Image:Dirge DeathSerpentor.jpg|killed]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathSwarm.jpg|off]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathTimelines.jpg|in]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathUnicron.jpg|many]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathArmada.jpg|continuities]] (but less than [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]]).

* [[Sentinel Prime (G1)]] - The [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] [[:Image:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|who]] [[:Image:Sentinel prime dw.jpg|must]] [[Megatron Origin issue 4|die]].

* [[Cy-Kill (disambiguation)|Cy-Kill]], who is repeatedly killed COS HE SUCKS LOLOLOLOL.

{{DEFAULTSORT:many deaths of Optimus Prime}}
[[Category:Stories]]

Barricade (Movie)

2010-01-28T02:42:11Z

86.17.124.125: /* Titan Magazines ROTF comic */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Barricade}}
:''Barricade is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]]. He is also known as '''N.B.E. 04'''.''

[[Image:MovieBarricade render1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"I'm always the Bad Cop. And don't bother asking for the Good Cop. I killed him."]]

'''Barricade''' is apparently a complicated robot. He's considered "fractious" even by Decepticon standards, yet is willing to give [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] the benefit of the doubt and follow where he leads, at least for the time being. Though not totally dedicated to the service of the Decepticons' current leader, he is much more cautious and reserved about expressing mutinous dissent than say [[Blackout (Movie)|''most'']]. He believes that Starscream is vital in their search for [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]]. In many ways this makes him Starscream's closest ally in the naturally combative Decepticon ranks. Then again, it's been said that he likes to trick people into trusting him, just so he can see their reactions when they find out just how much of a bad idea it was. As such, he has disguised himself as an Earth police car in an attempt to fool the humans around him.

If his attitude toward his fellow Decepticons is inconsistent, his attitude toward the [[Autobot|Autobots]] is not: kill them all. Barricade might not be as large as most of his peers, but he is every bit as deadly. He thoroughly relishes every chance in fighting the Autobots. He's smart enough to let one live if he thinks he or the Decepticons can use it to their advantage, but most of the time, they're dead before someone's even thought of a plan.

{{quote|Autobots, foul Autobots, here we come. Let our long war resume—and let it end here.
|Barricade, ''[[Ghosts of Yesterday]]''}}

:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Pàn Gūan''' (叛官, "Treacherous Official")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Lu Zhang''' (路障, "Barricade" or "Roadblock")

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Defiance3_BrawlCrankcaseBarricade.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Are you trying to out-complain the complainer?]]

Many years in the past, Barricade was a member of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s defense forces, under the command of Protector [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. After the discovery of a [[The Fallen|mysterious relic]], unknown alien hostiles attacked Cybertron. Megatron ordered Barricade and Scorponok to preform recon. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 1}} Following the battle, Megatron changed significantly, altering the military's mission from one of protection of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to making war upon the hostile aliens and anybody who would stand in their way. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 2}}

Barricade was sent on a mission to capture science division leader (and thorn in Megatron's side) [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and eliminate his fellow scientists and the unwitting security team sent to arrest him. He and [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]] observed [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] nailing the "traitors" with an explosive round, and he was eager to get into the fight. He was ordered back by the glory-hound [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], but Barricade had the last laugh when the wily Optimus managed to bury the aerial forces under a mountain of rubble. After they were dug out, they all joined the rest of Megatron's new "Decepticon" faction. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 3}}

During the subsequent civil war, Barricade was one of the Decepticons under the command of Starscream at a battle outside of [[Tyger Pax]]. As they were mopping up the last remnants of Autobot resistance, Barricade amused himself by playing with the decapitated head of a fallen Autobot. When he saw the All Spark jettisoned into space, Barricade realized that Cybertron would soon die. Bonecrusher said to let it die, and he could join it. Barricade did not bring up the discussion again. {{storylink|Planetfall}}

Ordered by Megatron to follow Optimus Prime's ship, Starscream hastily assembled a crew to go after them. Barricade not-exactly-quietly questioned the need to hurry, as he thought Megatron would have captured the All Spark by now and would have take care of the Autobots in time. He also questioned Starscream's truthfulness. Unfortunately, he was overheard by Starscream and was chastised for his big mouth. While pursuing the ''Ark'', they were led into a trap and had to limp back to Cybertron for repairs. Once their ship was repaired, they continued on with their mission, landing on the [[Mars (planet)|fourth planet]] of the solar system where they detected the All Spark's trace energy pulse. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}

The Decepticons landed in the [[Earth]] nation-state of Afghanistan. During their attack on a nearby [[United States Military|US Military]] installation, Barricade used a facade of friendliness to trick nearby human soldiers into lowering their guard, whereupon he slaughtered them at point-blank range. Later, he was almost hit by a localized EMP weapon from a human, but it instead hit his comrade [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]]. {{storylink|Planetfall}}

{{note|"Planetfall"'s depiction of Barricade's arrival on Earth in Afghanistan conflicts with IDW's own ''Prime Directive'' prequel comic, which implies he actually landed somewhere in North America, and it remains unexplained how the land-based Decepticons would later appear in America, given Blackout immediately leaves to attack [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base|SOCCENT Qatar]] in this comic. However, this scene was later used in IDW's [[The Reign of Starscream]] movie sequel comic.}}

[[Image:Movie Barricade IDWprequel nowitnesses.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Christine... is that you?]]

The Decepticon infiltration unit under the command of Starscream arrived on Earth in the year 2003. Barricade scanned a Saleen S281 police car, then destroyed the original human vehicle to cover his tracks, as did his fellow Decepticons when choosing their new forms. It is uncertain how he managed to scan what appears to be a 2006 model in 2003. Maybe he's just that good. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4}}

Barricade tailed [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] outside of [[Denver]], [[Colorado]] as the Autobot was eluding [[Sector Seven]] while working on a new lead on the [[Witwicky|Witwickys]]. {{storylink|Interlude}} Unfortunately Bumblebee got wind of him and escaped. A new opportunity presented itself when Bumblebee was lured into a trap by Sector Seven; trouble was, the rest of Starscream's team had been lured as well. Barricade suggested that they let the Autobot go to see where he led them, which Starscream agreed to, but told Barricade to make it look convincing. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Prime Directive (IDW) issue 4}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
{{charstubfiction}}

{{note|"Transformers: Beginnings" is a condensed, Flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Prime Directive (IDW)|Prime Directive]] Movie Prequel that is detailed above this section.}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
{{cleanup|May 2009|Needs expansion telling us of his adventures in the story, not a general description of what he's like in it.}}

Barricade acted as pilot and chief science officer for the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]''. Through this he apparently possessed an impressive "mastery of physics", being very intelligent. He claimed to have chafed under Starscream's leadership, but was willing to tolerate him for the moment. Barricade spent most of his time rubbing everyone the wrong way and loving every minute of it. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] once said that Barricade could be as dangerous as [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 film)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Jess Harnell]] (English), [[Katsuhiro Kitagawa]] (Japan), [[Oliver Siebeck]] (German)

[[Image:BarricadeVsSam.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Barricade negotiates an alternative to PayPal.]]

After being active on [[Earth]] for some time, Barricade arrived to pick up [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] after the smaller Decepticon's attempt to hack into and sabotage the United States military network on [[Air Force One]]. Using data Frenzy had acquired, the two learned of [[Sector Seven]], "Project Iceman", and [[Archibald Witwicky|Witwicky man]], the discoverer of the entombed [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. The duo were able to use the internet to learn of both Witwicky man's descendants, [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]], and a pair of glasses that Megatron had accidentally marked with the location of the long-lost [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]]. Frenzy declared that they needed to find ladiesman217, and Barricade moved out in search of him.

[[Image:Movie Barricade defeat.jpg|left|250px|thumb|He got better.]]

Later, Barricade confronted ladiesman217 regarding his recent [[eBay]] auctions while the human was fleeing Bumblebee, whom the human mistakenly believed was out to harm him. Ladiesman217 fell for Barricade's ruse, and requested the "officer's" help, only for Barricade to transform before him. As ladiesman217 fled, Barricade knocked him onto the hood of an abandoned car, then violently demanded information on eBay item 21153. Ladiesman217 and his [[Mikaela Banes|female friend]], who had been drawn into the encounter, managed to escape him when Bumblebee convinced the boy to trust him, and Barricade pursued both the Autobot and two humans to a junkyard. After temporarily losing and then regaining their position, he charged into battle, activating his mace/rotating blade, and dispatched Frenzy to chase down the humans. However, his battle with Bumblebee ended with Barricade heavily damaged. Considering the fact that Frenzy was decapitated, he got off lucky.

[[Image:Decepticons highway.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Nope, nothing suspicious about this.]]

Evidently, though, he recovered, and was back to working order when Frenzy (who had survived and infiltrated Sector Seven) transmitted both Megatron and the All Spark's location to his fellow Decepticons. When the humans fled with the All Spark, Barricade joined in the pursuit along with [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]]. Devastator soon broke off on an alternate route, while Barricade and Bonecrusher hit the freeway, making contact with the Autobot/human convoy. Barricade attempted to clear some room for the two Decepticons by activating his sirens; Bonecrusher simply rammed everything in his way. Ladiesman217 recognized Barricade, and warned that they were in danger. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] aligned to block their access to Bumblebee, who contained the humans and the All Spark. He was never seen again... {{storylink|Transformers (2007)}}

{{-}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{note|The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines continuity, and occurs nowhere else.}}

Barricade was killed in the <strike>[[Mission City]]</strike> [[Los Angeles]] battle and then resurrected as a zombie for a few minutes by Starscream. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

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

Starscream would like to make Barricade his second-in-command. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|#16's Star Screams}}

{{notetitantlg}}
Barricade was part of two punitive Decepticon attacks: a raid on a supply convoy at Shreveport, [[Louisiana]] {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} and a solo strike on Cincinnati, [[Ohio]] as part of a "Stop supporting Autobots OR ELSE!" campaign. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}}

When Starscream started open warfare, he did indeed make Barricade one of his generals. However, Barricade soon found himself bogged down in fighting [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade's]] "New Decepticons". {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
[[Image:Barricade and Starscream ROS issue 1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Elvis ain't dead!]]
During the motorway chase, Barricade attempted to close on Bumblebee, but was taken out by Ironhide, knocking him off the road and causing him to go offline. He was later reactivated by "Lord" Starscream, and suggested to his new leader that they should find [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number One|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}

He remained on Earth, watching over a Sector Seven research base. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3}}

Barricade spied on the Autobots as they prepared to help [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox]] and [[Robert Epps|Sergeant Epps]] dispose of the Decepticons' bodies. He amplified the conversation and transmitted it to whoever was listening—and, as it turned out, Starscream, having returned from Cybertron to Mars, was ready and willing to answer. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1}}

When more Decepticons under [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] arrived on Earth, Barricade provided them with intelligence on which Autobots they were facing. He continued to plague the Autobots and the new [[NEST]] team, escaping each time. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4}}

Barricade returned to Tranquility, where he captured Sam and interrogated him again by chaining him to a hook over a car compacter. He also sent a message to Bumblebee: "The All Spark for the boy." Bumblebee came to the boy's rescue, eventually knocking Barricade into a pool of gasoline and firing on him, setting off a massive explosion. Surviving, Barricade drove off in car mode. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 1}}

===''The Veiled Threat'' prequel novel===
{{Note|The events of ''The Veiled Threat'' take place during [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''Alliance'' comic.}}

After the traitorous businessman [[Bruno Carrera]] and Starscream had trapped Optimus Prime in the Colosseum in Rome, [[Italy]], Starscream turned the situation over to Barricade, who was more than delighted to see his old enemy in such a prone state. However, before he could strike the final blow, a bunch of [[human]]s began attacking, which wouldn't have been a problem if they weren't equipped with the scientific genius of [[Kaminari Ishihara]] and [[Petr Andronov]], in addition to [[William Lennox]] and [[Robert Epps]] firing sabot rounds into him. He was about to stomp on the insects when Prime broke free of the trap and engaged him. Once the humans were clear, Optimus pulled a surprise move by jumping out of the pit and dumping rock on top of him.

Once he was buried, Optimus melted the top layer of rock, trapping Barricade long enough for the NEST team to defeat Starscream and take him in. Unfortunately, Barricade was nowhere to be found; instead, a passing crew working on the subway found a strange new tunnel, leading from the Colosseum to the center of a park. Whatever had dug the new passage overnight was nowhere to be seen. {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

===Titan Magazines ROTF comic===

{{Note|The following details Barricade's tenure as letter-answerer on the Law and Disorder letters page.}}

[[Image:Lawanddisorder_barricade.jpg|left|300px|thumb|]]

With Starscream suffering a nervous breakdown, Barricade took control of the letters page; however, the Autobots dispatched [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to co-run it, much to the Decepticon's irritance. He shares Starscream's contempt for ''you'', the reader (#1), and continues the tradition of threatening violence against ''anyone'' who cosplays as an Autobot (#7). This, however, doesn't stop him bragging to Ironhide when the letters are pro-Decepticon, and at one point he held a popularity contest to see who the kiddies wanted to be "subjgated by this issue!" (#6).

Relations appear to have broken down between the Decepticons and [[DreamWorks]], as they're back to targeting Bay et al for their propaganda films (after a brief [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|alliance]] with the second film). Barricade personally enjoyed the scene in the first film when [[Mojo|a dog]] peed on Ironhide though! (#1) Barricade won't even work with the film's tie-in media, refusing to allow his likeness to be used in one of the ROTF video games. (#4) He later decided fame was more important than principles though, submitting a script and auditioning for a part in the third film by threatening [[Michael Bay]] with death. (#8)

In the early days, he appeared to be separated from the rest of the Decepticons, as his knowledge on their current status is spotty; while he knows [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] has turned traitor, he seemed unaware that [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] had been terminated. (#4) He later re-established contact, being aware of [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor's]] status and [[the Fallen]]. (#7) He also has a ''shockingly'' bad knowledge of Transformers [[units of time]]. (#8)

He doesn't think much of Starscream's intelligence or ability to lead (a bit of a pisser when Starscream considered ''him'' to be 2IC material!), but ''much'' prefers him over Megatron. (#1) He once explained some of Megatron's flaws, only to get scared and state how he totally respects him ''really''. (#3) He also dislikes [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], claiming the guy ''never'' pulls his weight and is just Megatron's fave. (#7) On top of that, while he follows the party line and claims the Decepticons have "policies" (#7), he's shown signs of discontent with being a Decepticon: the long hours, the lousy food, the admin work... (#5)

Barricade has watched the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original 1980s cartoon]] (#3) and approves of humanity's fascination with giant robots. In contrast, he is ''completely'' bewildered by pop music. (#7)

He's apparently got an eye for [[Female Transformer|the ladies]], making sure to flirt right back when a neutral femme wrote into the letter's column looking to play "bad cop/bad cop pretending to be good cop" with him. (#5)

Like Starscream before him, he somehow has awareness of [[Unicron]]. And Unicron gives him the shits. (#6)

He is fed up of Ironhide bringing up how Bumblebee kicked his arse, and is determined to get revenge on "that little yellow cretin"...

==Games==
==="Flight of the Bumblebee" online game===
Barricade was one of a group of Decepticons who trapped Bumblebee in a canyon. He stood around on a rocky butte, walking back and forth and waiting for Bumblebee to drive up to him. When the Autobot dropped in, Barricade immediately opened fire, blasting Bumblebee continuously. Unfortunately, Bumblebee had the idea to shoot back, blasting him right out of the picture with just one shot. {{storylink|Flight of the Bumblebee|Flight of the Bumblebee}}
{{-}}

===Transformers The Game (console)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Keith David]]

====Autobot campaign====
Barricade was sent to Tranquility to hunt down Sam Witwicky and the glasses that held the location of the All Spark. He attempted to capture Sam and Mikaela outside their high school, but Bumblebee stepped in. The humans fled for the nearby baseball field with Barricade in pursuit, but Bumblebee beat him to them, protecting them while they ran away again. He followed them to the power plant, but was once again foiled by Bumblebee and sent packing.

Later, in [[Mission City]], Barricade made one last grab for the All Spark after [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] had each fallen to the Autobots. However, he was once again intercepted by Bumblebee, and finally defeated for good. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

====Decepticon campaign====
Upon reaching Tranquility and choosing his alternate mode, Barricade attempted some recon, but encountered a squad of Autobot drones, a battle which spilled out to the local baseball field. Shortly afterwards, he was informed by Starscream that [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] had information they needed, but the diminutive Decepticon had been captured by [[Sector Seven]] agents. Barricade tracked them to the power plant, then hounded the agents across town in their highly resistant van, wrecking every building in his path until Frenzy was recovered.

Finally on the trail of Sam, he was stopped cold by Sam's protector Bumblebee. Barricade got the upper hand, but the Autobot led him on a chase that ended in [[Bay Demolition|Bay's Demolition]] lot, and an ambush courtesy of a lot of Autobot drones. Barricade overcame the odds, and hunted down Bumblebee once more, finally besting the Autobot and taking the glasses from Sam. Having located Megatron, Barricade relayed his findings to Starscream, who directed him to specific coordinates while coming to the aid of Bonecrusher and Brawl.

When the Decepticons converged on Mission City, Barricade was tasked with taking out the Autobot [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]. He later stood in Megatron's presence after the All Spark had been recovered and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ordered the Earth to be destroyed before they left it on their way to conquering all of known space. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

===''Transformers Autobots/Decepticons'' (Nintendo DS)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Keith David]]

====''Transformers: Autobots''====
When Bumblebee went to investigate the source of an image found on the internet, he found Barricade waiting for him. Barricade blew up a nearby car and took off, sending out messages on the police radio that Bumblebee was responsible. After failing to lose Bumblebee in spite of all of Tranquility's police force being after him, he engaged him in combat. Unable to defeat Bumblebee, he hastily retreated. Later on, he encountered Bumblebee and Optimus Prime as the two were leaving Hoover Dam. With a large helicopter Decepticon at his side, he demanded the All Spark from Prime, not even caring about the consequences. He was killed, but revealed to Prime he was merely a distraction while other Decepticons freed Megatron from his icy prison. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

====''Transformers: Decepticons''====
When the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]] arrived on Earth, his mentor, Starscream, directed him to rendezvous with Barricade, already active on the planet. Barricade was not enamored with the idea of a partner, feeling that the Create-A-Bot would only slow him down, but after putting the rookie through his paces, he permitted him to join him on his mission in the town of [[Tranquility]]. Barricade revealed to the Create-A-Bot what Starscream had not—that the signal which had brought the Decepticons to Earth had come from Megatron himself. The rookie dismissed Megatron as a relic, and was struck by Barricade for the insult. With some help from the rookie, Barricade discovered that the Autobot Bumblebee was already on Megatron's trail; Barricade pursued Bumblebee, defeated him in battle on the outskirts of Tranquility, and acquired the data he had gathered.

Now aware that the human military organization [[Sector Seven]] was holding Megatron, Barricade arranged for [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] to the Create-A-Bot to a [[Qatar]] military base, where they and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] hacked Sector Seven's databanks. The file they obtained was brought back to Barricade in Tranquility for deciphering, and revealed that Megatron was being held by Sector Seven in the [[Hoover Dam]]. The Create-A-Bot suggesting relaying this to Starscream, but Barricade loudly refuted the idea, happy that the impending resurrection of Megatron would mean that he would no longer have to serve under a cowardly, back-stabbing bureaucrat like Starscream. Swayed by Barricade's words, the rookie revealed a fact that Starscream had told only him—that the All Spark was also present on Earth. Shocked by the revelation, Barricade realized that Starscream had been scheming to acquire the All Spark for himself, to ensure that not even Megatron could remove him from power. With the rookie now turned from Starscream and on his side, Barricade was able to liberate Megatron from Sector Seven, and the Decepticons pursued the Autobots, now in possession of the All Spark, back to Tranquility. During the battle, Starscream finally claimed the All Spark from Bumblebee, and Barricade stood against him, intent on bringing him in for treason. Alas, the All Spark-powered Starscream destroyed Barricade, but with in death, Barricade proved to the Create-A-Bot what it truly meant to be a Decepticon. An interesting note: Barricade became one of the only Decepticons to transform while fighting in this game, and he was very effective at it. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===''Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons'' (Nintendo DS)===
Despite not appearing in [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|the movie]], Barricade still appears in the Decepticons version of the DS game. He did a good deal of [[energon (fuel)|energon]] collection for [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and Starscream. Apparently, he also had the time to race [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] through a munitions factory, despite the ongoing war with the Autobots. Yeah. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen: Autobots/Decepticons|Revenge of the Fallen: Decepticons}}

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:LegendsBarricade.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Yes, he is movie-accurate.]]
* '''Barricade''' (Legends Class, 2007)
**''Japanese name:'' '''EZ Collection Barricade'''

: The smallest transforming version of the character, [[Legends Class|Legends]] Barricade features limited articulation and detail. In what could only be defined as an anomaly of physics, compared to the other Movie Legends, Barricade is quite close in appearance and transformation to the larger deluxe figure. Legends Barricade's instructions also overlook the fact that his grill can flip down to fill out his torso and raise his chest higher.

{{-}}

[[Image:Movie Allspark Legends pack.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Round up the usual suspects.]]
*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

: A Toys'R'Us exclusive, this six-pack of Legends class figures contains unmodified toys of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and Barricade.

{{-}}

[[Image:Movie Legends CliffjumperBarricade toys.jpg|right|250px|thumb|It's Redeco versus Redeco—I'm putting my money on Redeco.]]
*'''Cliffjumper vs. Recon Barricade''' (Legends Allspark Battles multi-pack, 2007)

: Released as part of the ''AllSpark Battles'' refresh of the ''Movie'' toyline, Legends class Recon Barricade is a redeco of the regular Legends class Barricade in a paint scheme based upon the Deluxe class Recon Barricade. Yes. He comes packed with Legends class [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]], itself a repaint of Legends class Bumblebee.

*'''Recon Barricade''' (Legends, 2008)

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

{{-}}

====Deluxe Class toys====
[[Image:Movie DeluxeBarricade toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The secret love child of [[Blackjack]] and [[Stakeout]].]]
* '''Barricade''' (Deluxe Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''MD-02'''
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

:Barricade transforms into an accurate [[wikipedia:Saleen|Saleen S281 Police Cruiser]]. As with [[Bumblebee (Movie)|MOST]] deluxe-class cars in the ''Movie'' line, he features clear windows for his windshield and doors, but oddly his rear window is opaque black plastic. Stored inside the engine bay, behind the car's ram bar is a mini-figure [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] disguised as Barricade's grill. We say mini, but Frenzy would be about six feet tall, scale wise.

: In robot mode, Barricade quite faithfully reproduces the CGI design, though his chest cannot deform to the same extent. He features a reasonable amount of articulation with ball joints for his shoulders and upper legs, ratcheting and swivels for his elbows and double-jointed knees (although the knees make it difficult to properly align the upper and lower portions of his legs). Barricade has no neck joint as the two car hood halves slot into place between the bottom of the head and the plate on which it sits. Barricade does not have any [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] [[gimmick]] to speak of; in its place is a spring-loaded extending "punching" attack on his left arm.

: As with almost all Transformers toys issued over the last few years, a few of his transformation quirks are undocumented; in robot mode front wheel panels on his shoulders are ball-jointed, allowing one to position them in a manner similar to what is seen in the movie renders. Additionally, the sections that become his claws (apart from the thumb hinge) can swing up slightly to make themselves more pronounced, and spikes on the top of his feet can be swung up. His head is also able to be pulled up farther, allowing for a less "Hunchback of Cybertron" look, and panels just behind his neck resting on top of the hood to hold it there.

{{-}}

[[Image:Bumblebee Barricade deluxeboxset.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mullethead vs. Cop]]
*'''Bumblebee vs. Barricade: First Encounter''' (Wal*Mart exclusive multi-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

: This Wal*Mart exclusive battle pack contains the deluxe-class Barricade and the 1974 Camaro deluxe-class [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] figures, based upon their confrontation as seen in the movie. The box features a diorama-style background from a movie scene, but toys themselves are unchanged from their original carded releases.

{{-}}

[[Image:ReconBarricade.jpg|right|255px|thumb|Barricade escaped by disguising himself as [[Prowl (Energon)|''Energon'' Prowl]].]]
*'''Recon Barricade''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

: A [[redeco]] of the normal Deluxe Barricade toy, this time in a "local security" blue and gray pattern. All the [[Gimmick|gimmicks]] remain the same, including his little pal [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], who is now colored more [[FIRRIB|G1-accurate]] (as well as [[Show-accuracy|movie-accurate]] colored eyes not seen on any other Frenzy toy).

: Recon Barricade's license plate reads "SAGE2764", a reference to the screenname of a member of a Chinese newsgroup used by [[Joe Kyde]] (who would later design the deco for Recon Barricade) to disseminate [http://tformers.com/Unknown-Megatron-Drawing-Possible-Movie-Design/6030/news.html hoax information] for a thesis project.

{{-}}

[[Image:Movie ScreenBattles FirstEncounter.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Which one of these is different from the others? Go ahead, guess!]]
*'''First Encounter''' (Screen Battles, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''SB-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Sam Witwicky figure, Mikaela figure and Frenzy figure

: This Screen Battles pack features a largely unchanged Deluxe class Barricade figure. The only real difference is the Frenzy mini-figure, which is now cast entirely in black plastic, sports ''no'' paint applications and is supposed to be stuck permanently inside Barricade's chest thanks to a new, additional piece of plastic (as a matter of fact, the Frenzy figure is also neither advertised on the packaging nor depicted in the instructions).

:This only applies to the Hasbro version, however—TakaraTomy's Japanese release of the pack features a Barricade that is identical to the single pack version, including an easily removable Frenzy figurine cast in grey plastic with painted red eyes.

:The pack also comes with non-posable figurines of Sam Witwicky in a running pose, Frenzy menacing [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] holding the power saw she uses to attack Frenzy. The set is packaged in a special window box with a diorama depicting the battle between Barricade and Bumblebee.

:According to details listed in an official checklist on Hasbro's website<ref name="checklist">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/default.cfm?page=Collectors/Checklist Hasbro Transformers Collectors Checklist]</ref>, this pack was originally supposed to feature Sam with a bike, and Mikaela with a Scooter.

{{-}}
[[Image:Movie-toy_AllSparkBarricade.jpg|right|250px|thumb|]]
*'''All Spark-Enhanced Barricade''' (Target Exclusive Deluxe, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

: This Target exclusive features the Deluxe Class Barricade in unique cylindrical packaging, with the only difference from his standard release being that key robot mode parts are highlighted by the 'All Spark Blue' color for no other reason than [[to sell toys]]. Interestingly, in what can only be explained as an "''answer''" to Recon Barricade's blue [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], ''this'' release's Frenzy is cast in red plastic with a minor black color application to the chest area, making him now resemble [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]. Thanks to Hasbro, the debate [[FIRRIB|continues]]...

{{-}}

[[Image:Movie Deluxe PremiumBarricade.JPG|right|250px|thumb|I thought the Makeup Department would never get their butts in gear!]]
*'''Barricade''' (Deluxe Class "Premium Series", 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

: ''This'' version of Deluxe Barricade features a slightly more [[Show-accuracy|movie-accurate]] deco, with additional "911" markings that were missing on earlier releases. However, confusingly his windows have a frosted paint deco applied to them for no apparent reason, other than to make the toy look 'different'.

:Unlike some earlier "Premium Series" toys, Barricade was available at general retail.

{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers====
[[Image:FABBarricade.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Wait, how's this "yo-yo" thing work again?]]
* '''Blade Shield Barricade''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)

: Fast Action Battlers Barricade is similar to the regular Deluxe class toy. However, the details are simplified, and the proportions in both vehicle mode and robot mode are less realistic, generally skewed towards are more stylised and exaggerated appearance. Instead of the punching hand gimmick seen on the Deluxe class toy, FAB Barricade's left arm features a flip out arm extension with a shield made out of blades based on his spinning blades from the Movie.

{{-}}

====Cyber Slammers====
[[Image:Barricade-CS.jpg|right|255px|thumb|Awwwwwww. Bawwicade's so cute, he'll kill us all!]]
* '''Barricade''' (Cyber Slammers, 2007)

:Cyber Slammers Barricade is an ''amazingly cute'' Saleen S281 police car that transforms into an amazingly cute treacherous Decepticon pretending to be a cop. 'Slam' his robot mode down into car mode and he rolls along for a while, then pops back up into robot mode. Like most Cyber Slammers, Barricade manages to cram most of his vehicle mode's major details into a compact, super-deformed version of that mode.

{{-}}

[[Image:Movie CyberSlammers PatrolBarricade.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Cute evil, now in Blue!]]
*'''Patrol Barricade''' (Cyber Slammers, 2008)

: This adorable, pudgy version of Barricade's car mode zips forward with a little motor. The robot mode Patrol Barricade pops up after a little while, rolling along. So cute! The colors are similar to Recon Barricade, but oddly enough, the scheme is different, and the markings are for a sheriff's car.

{{-}}

====Robot Replicas====
[[Image:Movie RobotReplica Barricade.jpg|right|150px|thumb|SOMEone spent a little too much time in the bathtub...]]
* '''Barricade''' (Robot Replica, 2007)

: A non-transforming action figure, [[Robot Replicas]] Barricade hews much closer to the CGI model of the character (albeit wrong paint job). With joints similar to the [[Revoltech]] series, he is also more posable than his transforming counterpart, plus features replacement arms that feature his "blender-blade tires" alternate hands briefly seen in the movie.

:Barricade's shoulders/upper arms and shins (including the feet) are incorrectly assembled as compared to the CG design used for the [[Transformers (2007)|movie]]. This can easily be fixed due to the interchangability of the Robot Replica limbs. (Although the CG design raises the question how exactly his transformation in the movie is supposed to work. The markings on the arms are located on opposite sides of the body as compared to the vehicle mode.)

{{-}}

====Micro IR Transformers Cars====
[[Image:Movie Barricade MicroIR.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Weirdest police gun we've ever seen!]]
* '''Barricade''' (2007)

: Made under license by [[RadioShack]]. Three-function infrared remote, in Barricade's signature colors, gives you control of the car with forward and reverse turn movement. More than just a vehicle styled after the Movie character, the car also transforms to robot mode. The transformation is very reminiscent of the Generation 2 [[Gobots (G2)|Gobots]], but the toy is an entirely new mould.

:The top of the gun-shaped IR remote serves as a storage point for Barricade, but the remote can't stand freely so it's nearly useless for display. The tip of the gun's barrel can also be unscrewed to reveal a ballpoint pen, which... wait... what? It's actually just a pen cartridge which sorta hangs freely and is difficult to use for writing, because you have to hold it and support the entire gun's weight while you do.

:Each of the Micro IR toys comes with a generic instructions sheet printed in black and white and showing the transformation for all three toys.

{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
====Deluxe Class Toys====
*'''Interrogator Barricade''' (2009)
[[Image:Interrogator Barricade ROTF deluxe toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Comes with NIPPLE ARMS!]]
:This retool of 2007's Barricade was first officially revealed on Walmart's website <ref>[http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10973094 Interrogator Barricade listing and image at Walmart.com]</ref>. He has the vehicle mode tool arms he used to threaten Sam Witwicky in the first movie, which take the place of Frenzy from the first toy. Surprisingly, his deco seems to be ''exactly the same'' as the original toy, ignoring the Premium Series update.

{{-}}
====Human Alliance====
*'''Barricade with Frenzy''' (2009)
[[Image:ROTF_HumanAlliance_Barricade%26Frenzy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
:[[Human Alliance]] Barricade comes with a posable figure of [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], who can either sit inside the car in vehicle mode or be stored in Barricade's chest as with the Deluxe figure. Barricade also comes with two fold-out arms / weapons in vehicle mode that approximate the 'Interrogator Arms' he uses to threaten Sam Witwicky.

In Barricade's very decent robot mode, his main weapon is a spinning spiked flail which replaces his left hand, similar to the one seen during his duel with Bumblebee in the first movie. Aside from the interrogator arms (which can also flip out in robot mode to act as a sort of weapon for a chest-mounted Frenzy) his only other weapon is a cannon / missile rack in his right shoulder, which Frenzy is supposed to be able to operate from his seat (see the stock photo). There seems to be a bit of forced perspective going on with that; the gun rack is too far from the seat for Frenzy to actually be able to reach. Barricade's eyes have red light-piping, and instead of a battle-mask, his mouth can be opened and closed by tilting the top of his head. The chest is also capable of more deformation than shown in the stock photo to make him more movie-accurate, by angling the two bumpers up and adjusting the tilt of the grille.

There's something odd going on with his hips; they only come out to a 45° angle, which prevents his legs from being fully straightened. The socket is capable of the full rotation, though, and the blocking plastic could be removed with a craft knife.

{{-}}

====Gravity Bots====
[[Image:ROTF-toy_GravityBots_Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
*'''Barricade''' (2010)
:[[Gravity Bot]] Barricade is a cute, blocky little toy that [[Autotransformation|autotransforms]] in a really neat fashion using gravity.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers 3D Battle Card Game===
*'''Barricade''' (3D Battle Card, 2007)
{{charstubtoys}}

:His card art was done by [[Lucio Parrillo]].

===Transformers (2007)===
====XMODS® Evolution Transformers====
* '''Barricade''' (2007)
**''Model Number'': '''60-185'''

[[Image:Movie Barricade XMODS.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Don't you think about pissing me off, or I'll turn you into a pancake.]]
[[Image:Movie Barricade XMODS weapons.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Look into my pokey eyes and see the future...]]
:Barricade is one of the first Transformers characters to be licensed by [[RadioShack]] from [[Hasbro]] and [[DreamWorks]] for their XMODS Evolution line of radio control cars. "The maximum in modification", Barricade is a base kit that can be upgraded with '''XMODS® Evolution Weapons and Light Kit for Barricade™''' a weapons and light kit featuring the weapons/manipulators he uses in the film and rocket launchers that were cut from the film (''Model Number'': '''600-barricade3'''), as well as any of the optional motor upgrades, body kits, steering and suspension upgrades, and more available for the brand.

{{-}}

====ZipZaps® Micro RC====
* '''Barricade''' (2007)
**''Model Number'': '''6000181'''

[[Image:Movie Barricade ZipZap.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Oooh...scary!]]
:Barricade is also one of the first Transformers characters licensed by RadioShack for their ZipZaps line of pocket-size radio control cars. As a ZipZap, Barricade can be customized, trimmed, and tuned with any other accessories available for the brand. He has working headlights and requires four "AAA" batteries for the charger.

{{-}}

====Unleashed====
*'''Blackout and Barricade''' (2008)

[[Image:Movie UnleashedTurnarounds BlackoutBarricade.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Invading Australasia NOW!]]
: The Blackout and Barricade turnaround is a 3D sculpture of the two characters in both robot mode emerging from rubble and explosions, with a movie-accurate sculpt (compared to the various transforming toys.) The 'turnaround' aspect of these sculptures simply means one can turn the piece around to display a raised-relief of the movie-style Decepticon sigil instead.

: This product's release was cancelled for the US market, but was released in Australia and in Asia.

{{-}}

====Basic Fun====
*'''Barricade''' (Figural keychain assortment, 2007)

: Produced by [[Basic Fun]], this keychain is a likeness of Barricade's robot mode with articulated arms, legs, head, waist, and a keyring sticking out of his ass.

{{-}}

====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[Image:Movie Barricade screencleaner.jpg|right|97px|thumb|To polish and clean up.]]
*'''Barricade''' (2008)

:Released by Tomy Yujin on January 2008<ref name="TomyYujin">[http://www.gachausa.com/products/transformers.asp Tomy Yujin ''Transformers'' page]</ref>, this dangler is a faction logo-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Barricade printed on the other side.

===Revenge of the Fallen===
{{-}}
====RPMs—Robot Powered Machines====
=====Battle Series=====
[[Image:ROTF-toy_RPM_Bumblebee_vs_Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
*'''Bumblebee VS Barricade''' (2009)
**''Number:'' '''01 of 08'''

:''[[Robot Powered Machines]]'' Barricade is a small, ''Hot Wheels''-style Saleen S281 Police Cruiser. The toy doesn't transform, but has Barricade's robot mode sculpted and painted onto its underside, along with his name and faction insignia. He was sold in a two-pack with the 1970's Camaro version of [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]].

=====Commander Series=====
*'''Barricade''' (2009)
**''Number:'' '''03 of 04'''

:Barricade was also available by himself as part of the "Commander Series" of RPMs. The toy is identical to its two-pack release.

{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Movie RobotHeroes BumblebeevsBarricade.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Just about the only fiction-accurate RH pack. Ever.]]
* '''Bumblebee vs. Barricade''' (2007)

:The first Robot Heroes version of Barricade, he's sculpted in a bit of a hunched, thuggish crouch. He has the standard Robot Heroes articulation: Both shoulders swivel, and his head rotates.

{{-}}

[[Image:Movie RobotHeroes BarricadeVsOptimusPrime.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Fast as fast can be, you can never catch me.]]
* '''Barricade vs. Optimus''' (2008)

:This ''Robot Heroes'' pack features Barricade in a running/attacking pose, and Optimus Prime posed as he was in the Movie as he awaited Bonecrusher's attack. This version of Barricade only has articulation at the shoulders, and oddly enough has his shoulder pylons attached to his torso, as opposed to his arms.

{{-}}

[[Image:Ratchet_and_barricade_robot_heroes.jpg|thumb|300px|Medic versus police! Who will win?! (Okay, EVIL law enforcement-impersonator, that is.)]]

*'''Ratchet vs Barricade''' (2009)
{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}

==Second Life avatars==
There is a full replica of the Sector Seven base which contains a giant discussion room where Michael Bay held a question board in Second Life. This room contains a giant frozen Megatron replica and free avatars of both Bumblebee and Barricade. Both freebees are non-transforming. However, some sellers have created a transforming version.

==Trivia==
[[Image:Movie Barricade finalappearance.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Barricade pulls everyone over for ''driving on the wrong side of the road.'']]

* Barricade's disappearance from the film is puzzling. It appears he was originally meant to be destroyed, as both the novel and comic adaptations of the movie depict his destruction by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who had both destroyed Bonecrusher and was delayed in joining the humans and fellow Autobots. (Alternatively the children's chapter book adaptation of the film ''[[The Transformers Quest for the Allspark]]'' describes Barricade as being destroyed by the US military.) Regardless, in the movie proper, Barricade simply does not appear again after Bonecrusher transforms. At the time, his fate caused a great deal of speculation. Since then, however, he has appeared in ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]'', ''[[Alliance (comic)|Alliance]]'', and ''[[Tales of the Fallen]]'', although it remains to be seen whether he'll reappear in the movies proper.

[[Image:Barricade-comicsadaptation-death.jpg|right|200px|thumb|F*** tha poh-leece!]]
*Writer [[Roberto Orci]] stated in a message board Q&A session that Barricade's disappearance from the remainder of the film is a "thread for Movie 2".<ref>[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=384946&postcount=33 Roberto Orci on Barricade's fate in the movie, at the official movie boards]</ref> Two years later, he stated that he honestly couldn't remember the reason why Barricade didn't show up in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', even though it was considered having him return.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-283.html#post3785383 Orci's Q&A at TFW2005]</ref>

* An early version of the script featured Barricade and [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] as one and the same character, named "[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]". He would have infiltrated the CIA headquarters (rather than Air Force One) in the form of a "portable stereo" and then transformed (and size-shifted) into a Humvee for his escape.<ref name="early">Details from an early script draft [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2213120&postcount=297 summed up here], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2214148&postcount=303 confirmed as authentic by Roberto Orci here].</ref>

*[[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] was originally part of the Autobot line up for the movie, but was removed, as the writers loved the perverse idea of Barricade becoming a police car. This represents quite a step within any/all Transformers continuities, as a Decepticon has never before taken on a form (most) humans could so easily "trust", in a sense. <s>Sorry, Prowl, better luck [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|next time]].</s> Uh, [[Transformers 3|third time]]'s a charm?

*An early working name for Barricade was "Brawl"<ref name="barribrawl">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/events/Botcon-2007/Hasbro-Tour/PICT5108.JPG.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1 Early design for Barricade with working name "Brawl" shown during the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour]</ref>, which was later given to [[Brawl (Movie)|another movie character]] (but not in the movie itself).

* Early concept art for Barricade<ref name="barribrawl">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/events/Botcon-2007/Hasbro-Tour/PICT5108.JPG.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1 Early design for Barricade with working name "Brawl" shown during the BotCon 2007 Hasbro Tour]</ref> also suggests that he was originally going to transform into a white and black Crown Victoria (somewhat akin to Prowl's original G1 color scheme). Hasbro, continuing to capitalize on unused concepts/ideas, had Recon Barricade's redeco vaguely mirror the Vic's deco.

[[Image:Movie2007 Barricade carweapon.jpg|thumb|200px|]]

* During the rather truncated chase scene between Barricade and Bumblebee in the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie, Barricade was to deploy some serrated drill-like missiles from his hood and fire them at the fleeing Autobot. Though these weapons were constructed and fitted to one of the Barricade prop vehicles, this scene was ultimately cut, explaining the abrupt shift to night time at the conclusion of the chase. Until artist [[Sean Haworth]] uploaded a photo of the weapon prop onto his website, the only official proof of the existence of these weapons was page 12 of IDW Publishing's [[Movie Adaptation Issue Number Two|Movie Adaptation issue 2]] and the RadioShack ''XMODS® Evolution'' Barricade radio control car's weapons and light uppgrade kit.

* The [http://www.saleen.com/transformers.htm promotional Saleen S281E cars] that appeared at events and premieres featured the slogan "Power in the hands of a few" rather than the "To punish and enslave" motto, as well as Saleen decals rather than the Decepticon decals seen in the movie. Hmmm...

* The [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] ''[[Prime Directive]]'' Prequel ''seems'' to contradict the very existence of his alternate mode, since the Decepticons were depicted as having come to Earth in 2003, yet his alternate mode is a 2006 model car. However, a little-known fact is that the Mustang design that would eventually be the 2006 model debuted sometime in 2003, with police car modifications showing up in car shows not long after. It could very well be that, similar to when/how Jazz scanned a Solstice in a dealership late at night, Barricade scanned a Police Mustang in one such car show display after-hours, explaining why there were "no witnesses" after he assumed this form ''and'' why his police deco has no state or city markings/I.D.

*In an act of both love for his child and extreme fanwank, Jessie Vigil from New Mexico turned his own Ford Mustang into a homage of Barricade's alt-mode, right down to Decepticon symbol and the sinister twist on the LAPD motto. Though this has brought the ire of the New Mexico police upon him, let's just concentrate on the fact of how insanely cool this is. His kid is one lucky ''Transformers'' fan.

*A common misconception among fans is that Barricade's Saleen Mustang alternate mode was spotted on the set of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. '''This is not true.''' In fact, a truck transporting three "Barricade" prop vehicles was spotted in Culver City, California, in March 2008, more than ''two months'' before principal shooting for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' started.<ref name="vehspotted">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=6980 Superhero Hype reporting on the spotting of Barricade vehicles in March 2008]</ref>

{{-}}

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

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Exclusives]]
[[Category:Movie characters]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]

The many deaths of Optimus Prime

2010-01-25T23:12:35Z

86.17.124.125: /* Animated cartoon */

[[Image:Afterdeath-gameoverman.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Oh, he's gone and died again. Botheration! Most inconvenient.]]
Across the various continuities, '''Optimus Prime dies a lot.''' This happens for various reasons:

* It allows for him to be replaced by [[Hot Rod (G1)|a new character]] (and thus [[To sell toys|a new toy]]).
* It allows for him to come back from the dead in a new body (again, a new toy).
* It's dramatic (in theory).
* It makes him into something of a [[Jesus|Christ]]-figure.
* It allows for numerous [[Optimus Prime memorials|memorials]] to be constructed in his honor (though they're some times built even ''before'' he dies, morbidly enough).

Nearly every continuity family has featured Prime dying at least once; the only exceptions are the Optimus Primes from ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' (though [[The Final Battle (RID)|only just]]) and ''[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' (though [[Reunification: Part 3|that might change soon]])

Some examples:

==Generation 1 cartoon continuity==
===''Generation 1 cartoon''===
[[Image:Wardawn_orion_dies.jpg|right|210px|thumb|It kind of doesn't count twice. He's not Optimus Prime (yet) and he's not dead (yet).]]

* Orion Pax died (or was at least severely damaged by Megatron) and had to be rebuilt into Optimus Prime by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. It's possible that if Orion had not been repaired, Optimus Prime would have ceased to exist. Pax's girlfriend Ariel was also heavily damaged, and rebuilt into [[Elita One]]. They were with their friend [[Dion]] when they were attacked by Megatron, although it is unknown if he was likewise rebuilt.

===''The Transformers: The Movie''===

[[Image:TFTM dead gray Prime.jpg|left|180px|thumb|[[:wikipedia:Oscar Wilde#Release and death|"Either that wallpaper goes, or I do."]]]]
* The best-known example is from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] dies of wounds from his battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Famously, his body turns gray as he dies. ([[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|Urban legend]] says his body also ''crumbles,'' but no such footage is known to exist.) Being the first time he died, it was actually unexpected.
{{-}}

===''Kiss Players''===
*Sometime between [[The Transformers: The Movie|2005]] and [[The Transformers (cartoon)|2010]], [[Marissa Faireborn]] revives Optimus using the Galvatron cells in her body. Ultimately, all the cells are put back into Galvatron, and without them, Optimus promptly dies again.

===Season 3===
[[Image:Optimusg1zombie.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Mind if I smoke?"]]
* He returns from the dead twice; first as a zombie under [[Quintesson]] control in "[[Dark Awakening]]" as part of a plan to destroy the Autobots, only to die again when he overcomes the Quintesson control through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and possibly the strength of his will, and sacrifices himself to save the Autobots.

* He then was brought to life again (for reals, yo) in "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1]]".
{{-}}

===''The Headmasters''===
[[Image:Headmasters-primedies.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"...I'm dead." "YES, you are!" "You think that's funny, Jennings?!"]]

* In ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', Prime's death in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' was sort-of recreated in a flashback montage at the beginning of "[[Four Warriors Come out of the Sky]]", but not really. Rather than die while taking down his ultimate nemesis in a one-on-one struggle to the death to defend his city, his comrades, the planet Earth, and freedom itself, he just kind of gets randomly shot while in the middle of an ordinary battle outside of [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]], and turns gray. Nobody else seems to notice this. It's not clear that Prime himself notices it. It's about the most half-hearted death ever.

* Optimus Prime later died again—in another act of self sacrifice, of course—when he walked into [[Vector Sigma]] and tried to bring it back under control directly in "[[Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime]]". His body turned gray as he died, followed by a (likely only symbolic) scene of him telling [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] that it would be his responsibility to keep leading the Autobots and to continue his work, seen as a transparent, light-haloed figure against the sky and heard in third person narration as Rodimus stared into the sky. (Then again, given the [[Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime|proven]] existence of [[Starscream (G1)|gho]][[Alpha Trion (G1)|sts]]...)
{{-}}

===''Return of Convoy''===
*The [[Battlestars]] managed to restore Optimus's life with the power of the [[Zodiac]], evolving him into Star Convoy in ''[[The Battlestars (story page)|The Battlestars]]''.

===''Generation 2''===
* In the Japanese version of ''Generation 2'', Optimus Prime was badly wounded by Megatron's [[fusion cannon]] and almost died, but was resurrected and evolved yet again, this time into [[Laser Rod]] Optimus Prime, by the power of the [[Reconfiguration Matrix]]. {{storylink|G-2 (pack-in comic)|G-2 #13}}

==Marvel Comics continuity==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Pmoptimusprimedeath.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Give me my face!"]]

*In "[[Afterdeath!]]", Prime, after failing to live up to his moral principles while playing a video game, volunteers to be killed. The [[Autobot]]s launch his funeral bier into space. Fortunately, the creator of the video game, [[Ethan Zachary]], saves a backup copy of Prime's mind on a [[floppy disk]]. We first meet this virtual Prime sixteen issues later in "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]". He gets his new [[Powermaster]] body two issues thereafter, in "[[People Power!]]".

*A previous attempt was made at making virtual Prime a new body in "[[Totaled!]]". The body ''spontaneously blew up''.

*About thirty issues later, Prime sacrifices himself to defeat [[Unicron]], in "[[On the Edge of Extinction!]]". However, his Powermaster partner, [[Hi-Q]], survives, and almost immediately begins babbling about how he's ''really'' Optimus Prime. This turns out to be true, and the [[Last Autobot]] metamorphoses Hi-Q into Prime (with a new [[Action Master]] body) in [[End of the Road! (US)|the last issue of the original Marvel US series]].
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[Image:Swarmoptimus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Unleashing the light of the Matrix upon a great evil. Again.]]
*This Prime wasn't done dying yet. His adventures continued in the G2 comics, and he died defeating the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] in the final issue of that series, "[[A Rage in Heaven!]]". The Swarm reconstituted him three pages later (in a body based on his then-current [[Combat Hero]] toy).
{{-}}

==IDW Comics continuity==

*In his first battle with the [[Ore-13]] powered Megatron, Optimus was killed. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5}} Or at least, his ''main body'' was: by quickly downloading his consciousness into [[Combat Deck]] (and then back again), Optimus was able to survive. Being that close to death meant he briefly existed in a limbo state, which got him noticed by [[Nova Prime]] in the [[Dead Universe]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6}}
{{-}}

==''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity==
===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
[[Image:Smelt Prime.JPG|right|200px|thumb|"I'm not quite dead yet! I feel happy!"]]
In ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', you could mark the end of a season by the near-death experience of one [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] or [[Optimus Prime (G1)|another]]...

*At [[Other Voices, Part 2|the end of the first season]] of ''Beast Wars'', [[Optimus Primal]] piloted a bomb-equipped stasis pod in an attempt to destroy the [[Planet Buster]]. Unfortunately, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had sealed the pod's hatch, and Optimus blew up with it. [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)|Early in the second season]] (a few hours later as far as the characters were concerned), [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] managed to unite Optimus's drifting [[spark]] with a [[blank]] [[protoform]], thus bringing him back to life (and in a new [[Transmetal]] body, too).

*At [[The Agenda (Part III)|the end of second season]], the ''Beast Wars'' Megatron came very close to killing the original Optimus Prime. But [[Optimal Situation|Prime didn't ''quite'' die]], so we really shouldn't count it.

===''Beast Machines'' cartoon===
*At [[End of the Line|the end of the first season]] of ''Beast Machines'', Optimus and Megatron had a cataclysmic battle, using the energies of [[Vector Sigma]] and the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. This would have destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], but Optimus took the warring energies into himself and disintegrated. However, his spark was trapped within the [[Oracle]], and the other [[Maximal]]s convinced him to return to the real world at [[Fallout|the start of second season]]. The Oracle kindly gave him a new body (which, believe it or not, was ''not'' a new toy).

*At [[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|the end of the series]], Optimus gave his life to defeat Megatron once and for all, pushing him into the [[technorganic]] core of the planet. In assorted ancillary media ([[Universe (2003 comic)|convention comics]], [[Beast Wars Reborn|text]] [[Alternators|stories]]), he comes back to life yet again.

(Strangely, the end of the third season of ''Beast Wars'' had no Optimus deaths whatsoever! A half-dozen ''[[Depth Charge (BW)|o]][[Tigerhawk|t]][[Dinobot II|h]][[Inferno (BW)|e]][[Quickstrike (BW)|r]][[Rampage (BW)|s]]'' died, but not Optimus.)

==Robots in Disguise==

[[Optimus Prime (RID)#Notes|He]]'s one of the only Primes that ''didn't'' die! However, it came ''very'' close in [[The Final Battle (RID)|the final battle]], when he planned to sacrifice himself to stop [[Megatron (RID)|Galvatron]].

==Unicron Trilogy==
===''Armada'' cartoon===
[[Image:Sshot-arm-39-4.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Now Optimus, don't go all to pieces. You say you have to split? Well, you're a chip off the ol' block.]]
* In the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' episode "[[Crisis]]", [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] used his body to block the blast of [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]'s [[Hydra Cannon]], protecting the [[Earth]]. When the cannon's energy is spent, we see Optimus turn grayish-white, then ''actually'' crumble to bits. A bunch of [[Mini-Con]]s use the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] to resurrect him [[Miracle|three episodes later]].
{{-}}

===''Armada ''comic===
* The corpse of an [[Optimus Prime (Worlds Collide)|Optimus Prime]] (killed by Unicron) from an alternate universe appeared in the ''[[Armada (comic)|Armada]]'' comic issue titled "[[Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4]]". Yep, practically all we know about this Optimus is that he died. He doesn't turn gray, but his colors are faded.

==''Universe''==
[[Image:Nemesisprimetfuclone.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Technically, this is the clone.]]
* The corpse of an Optimus Prime (killed by [[Megazarak]]) from an alternate universe was cloned by Unicron to create [[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|Nemesis Prime]]. The clone, before he became Nemesis, appeared in ''Cybertron'' comic issue "[[Balancing Act, Part 2]]". Once again, practically all we know about this Optimus is that he died.
{{-}}

==Movie continuity==
{{Note|Though Optimus Prime doesn't die in the [[Transformers (2007)|movie itself]], he does consider fusing the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]] into his own spark, an action that would destroy them both, if necessary to keep it out of Decepticon hands.}}

===''Transformers The Game''===
In Decepticon mode storyline, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] was beaten to the ground, and as he crawled for the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] smashed his head with his flail ... poor Prime, he gets the most violent death. {{Storylink|Transformers The Game (console)}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{notetitantlg}}
Optimus was left in a frozen, ''near''-death state. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
[[Image:ROTF Optimus death.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Stabbed through the chest ''and'' shot at point blank range. ''And he still comes back to life!'']]
To protect [[Sam Witwicky]], Optimus Prime engaged in a brutal battle with [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]]. Despite "literally" disarming Starscream and destroying Grindor, Optimus is run-through from behind by Megatron and killed. This event causes Sam to follow the symbols the All Spark sliver placed in his mind to find the ancient [[Matrix of Leadership#Live-action film series|Matrix of Leadership]], the only thing that could restore life to Optimus. Unfortunately, it crumbled into dust upon touching it in the [[Tomb of the Primes]] on the border between [[Egypt]] and [[Jordan]]. During the climactic battle in Egypt between [[NEST]] and the Decepticons, Sam was seemingly killed by Megatron, only to be taken to another plane of existence where he met [[Seven Primes|the Primes who died]] to prevent [[The Fallen]] from achieving victory, and they bestowed upon him the true Matrix, which allowed Sam to revive Optimus. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}
{{-}}

==''Animated'' cartoon==
[[Image:TFAnimated transformandrollout DEATH.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Dead in the third episode for 75 seconds. It's a new record!]]
In the third part of the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' movie, "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] dies after his battle with [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. Like the Generation 1 Prime before him, he turns gray upon dying. Seventy-five seconds later - for us AND for the characters - [[Sari Sumdac]] uses the mysterious [[AllSpark Key]] to revive him. It's a new record, Primey!
{{-}}

==''Henkei!'' manga==
{{storylink|A Nightmare, Once Again}}

==See also==
* [[Death]]

*[[Prime Spark]] - The short story explores the question of where <s>all</s> [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|most]] of those Optimus-es go when they die. (Answer: someplace dull.)

*[[Ginrai#Victory_cartoon|God Ginrai]] - Often erroneously put in this category

* [[Dirge (G1)]] - The appropriately named, yet very unlucky guy who gets [[:Image:Dirge DeathSerpentor.jpg|killed]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathSwarm.jpg|off]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathTimelines.jpg|in]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathUnicron.jpg|many]] [[:Image:Dirge DeathArmada.jpg|continuities]] (but less than [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]]).

* [[Sentinel Prime (G1)]] - The [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] [[:Image:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|who]] [[:Image:Sentinel prime dw.jpg|must]] [[Megatron Origin issue 4|die]].

* [[Cy-Kill (disambiguation)|Cy-Kill]], who is repeatedly killed COS HE SUCKS LOLOLOLOL.

{{DEFAULTSORT:many deaths of Optimus Prime}}
[[Category:Stories]]

Humanization

2009-12-13T02:23:14Z

86.17.124.125: /* Sexuality */

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

==Glandular, digestive, and respiratory==
===Sweating===
* In [[Prime Time!|issue twelve]] of the original [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''Generation 1'' comic]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] is seen leaking lubricant from his head during a stressful confrontation with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (as Shockwave points out), in a manner resembling sweating.
* Numerous times in the Marvel UK comic, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] can be seen "sweating".
* ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' and ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' featured Transformers displaying the traditional anime "sweat drop", a giant bead of liquid appearing at the side of the head to convey embarrassment or exasperation.

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

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

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

===Smelling===
Nearly all Transformers possess noses (except in [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]).

* The ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Universe]]'' profiles of [[Blot (G1)|Blot]], [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] and [[Skalor]] mention that their teammates dislike and/or avoid them because they smell putrid.

* [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] can apparently detect human pheromones, visibly sniffing the air before he mentions this. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}

* In the same movie, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] said "I can smell you, boy!" right before breaking through to the second floor of the building where [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] was hiding.

* [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] stated that he could smell Decepticons while wrinkling his nose as if he just caught a scent. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

* [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] smelt and complained about the garbage the Autobots were hauling. No one else was, but then again, no one else in ''Animated'' seems to have a nose. {{storylink|Garbage In, Garbage Out}}

* [[Octane]] used his nose to smell some alien food and then declined to try a sample. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is known to be capable of detecting the smell of dinosaur transform static. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] uses his scent-tracking ability to find [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] on the world of [[Menonia]]. {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}}

*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] uses his keen sense of smell to track [[Donny Finkleberg]]. {{storylink|Showdown!}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Eating===
[[Image:Optimusprime-mom.jpg|200px|right|thumb]]

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

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

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

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

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

===Urination===
* [[Tasmania Kid]] urinates (in beast mode) to put out a fire.
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] performs a similar action on [[Seymour Simmons|Agent Simmons]] by popping off his automobile oil filter in robot mode. Optimus Prime claims that 'Bee is just leaking lubricants on him. Presumably, this action was inspired from witnessing a [[Mojo|similar incident]].

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

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

* [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] once gets a cold, causing him to cough and have a fever, in an issue of the [[Victory (manga)|''Victory'' manga]]. {{storylink|The Star of Friendship, Jean and Star Saber!}}

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

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

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

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

{{-}}

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

* There is a teardrop on young [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]]'s face after being beaten by Deathsaurus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Facial hair===
{{Main|Facial hair}}

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

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

* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] is virtually as wide as he is tall and is depicted as extremely round, with very short, stubby legs. It gives him more than a passing resemblance to a heavily obese person, or at best one of those huge, flabby, off-season wrestlers.
* Much the same could be said of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Being big-chassised is no excuse to let yourself go.
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|''Animated'' Ratchet]] has a prominent gut that resembles a human paunch. Although ordinarily this might be considered merely a feature of his transformation scheme (ala [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]), he is specifically designed to be a crotchety "old man" character, and in flashback sequences to his younger days in the Great War, he notably ''lacks'' said paunch.
* [[Gnaw]]. Well, all the [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], really, but seriously. It's kind of comically appropriate that the robots which do absolutely nothing but hang out and eat stuff all day are so roly-poly.

===Feminine Characteristics===
[[Image:TM2 Blackarachnia.jpg|right|230px|thumb|I'd tap it like the fist of an angry god.]]
There are several instances of female transformers whose bodies are designed with the explicit similarity to stereotypical human females. While this generally includes a more slender build (particularly a narrow waist) it also sometimes includes other characteristics which suggest a degree of gender dimorphism similar to organic races, although the purpose of this is unclear.

Note, however, that there are [[Strika (BM)|certainly]] some [[Glyph (G1)|exceptions]] to [[Road Rage|this]].

''The real-world explanation to most of these exceptions are [[redecos]] of originally male toys.''

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

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

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

:''See also the '''[[Humanization#Sexuality|Sexuality]]''' section below and the articles '''[[Female Transformer]]''' and '''[[Reproduction]]'''

{{--}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

{{-}}

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

===Aging===
Some Transformers have been depicted as aging.

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

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

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

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

*Movieverse [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] has a cane and is rusting.

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

{{-}}

===Sexuality===
One of the most controversial aspects of Transformers is the idea of sexuality. While it is established in most continuities that Transformers do not reproduce sexually, most continuities nonetheless have distinctive male and [[Female Transformer|female characters]].

[[Image:Sideburnhearts.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Sorry, Side Burn, I don't think Wedge rolls that way.]]
The G1 cartoon brought the first official female Transformers into the canon, including [[Elita One]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. The characters are noticeably more feminine in design and some have clearly defined romantic relationships with male Autobots.

The issue becomes more complicated in ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', where the sexuality line is clearly defined. ([[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] has a particularly well defined female figure, including what appears to be an ample bosom) It is hinted on occasion that the robots may engage in activities resembling human sex acts. Rattrap offers to take [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to what sounds like a Cybertronian version of a strip club, and later slyly makes a double entendre regarding Silverbolt's suspected kinky activities with Predacon Blackarachnia. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}} In the Japanese ''[[Beast Wars Metals (franchise)|Metals]]'' dub, Rattrap, thinking himself about to be stabbed by Dinobot, asks him to "be gentle, because I've heard the first time can hurt." But then, Rattrap is kind of a pervert anyway.

In the original Japanese version of ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Mirage]] displays romantic interest in [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]], causing his comrades to regard him with minor confusion. The ''Energon'' dub seemed to do its best to skirt around this issue, with Mirage's exclamations either being about different things entirely or simple cheering on of his leader—but they couldn't do anything about the hands-clasped-beside-his-head-while-doe-eyed expressions, or the one time that he pirouettes and strikes a pose while surrounded by a giant, glowing, pink heart. ''Why'', Japan?

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

==See also==
* [[:Category:Transformer anatomy|Transformer anatomy]]
* [[Anatomic euphemism]]
* [[Robot-fleshling romance]]
* [[Reproduction]]
* [[Relatives]]

[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Nightbird (G1)

2009-12-12T22:26:21Z

86.17.124.125: /* Universe: The Wreckers */

{{picsneeded|Universe Nightbird drones, Dreamwave movie and/or clear close-up of the DW 20A Litograph}}

{{disambig2|the human-made ninja robot|the Autobot cargo ship from the IDW comics|Nightbird (ship)}}
{{factions|decepticon}}
:''Nightbird is a [[Human]]-built robot from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Nightbird g1.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Dude? A giant robot ninja?" "No dude, a giant robot ninja chick!" "Duuuude!"]]
'''Nightbird''' is a giant female ninja robot built to "benefit [[Human|mankind]]".

Yeah, those nunchucks are really gonna be 'benefitting' their way through society.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
Nightbird was a robotic ninja warrior created by [[Doctor Fujiyama the Famous Scientist]], ostensibly to show how advanced [[Human]] technology had become. The [[Decepticon]]s stole Nightbird, and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] implanted her with an enhanced brain chip which turned the drone-like Nightbird into a true ass-kicking machine. Nightbird broke into the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and stole the [[Autobot]]s' [[World Energy Chip]], which contained the locations of a variety of energy sources, energy sources that the Decepticons would most assuredly use for conquest!

The Autobots were, at first, hampered by their promise to Doctor Fujiyama not to damage or destroy the ninja robot, and found themselves flustered in botched attempts to capture her. Eventually, however, they used an [[Energy Net]] which drained Nightbird's power reserves and allowed the Autobots to capture her without serious damage.

Doctor Fujiyama placed Nightbird into cold storage, but apparently didn't see fit to fully deactivate her, as she seems aware of her plight and gives an angry glare as she's stored away. Not that we've ever seen her again, which kind of renders the not damaging or destroying her part a bit pointless, really. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

===''Universe: The Wreckers''===
In 2025 or so, Fujiyama, apparently having learned ''nothing'', built an entire ''army'' of Nightbird drones to benefit humanity. [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] detonated an explosive to destroy them, killing himself and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] in the process. This event caused [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] to enter a deep depression, setting the stage for her personality change as she became a [[Wrecker]].

Presumably, the Nightbird drones were all destroyed, since they are never seen or mentioned again. {{storylink|Departure}}

===Dreamwave Generation 1 comics===
A science fiction movie, ''[[Enter the Nightbird (film)|Enter the Nightbird]]'', featured Nightbird kicking shiny metal robo-ass. {{storylink|Infestation}}

==Trivia==
* Nightbird's gadgets to benefit humanity include: nunchucks (unused), a pair of ''sai'' daggers (also unused), a wrist-mounted grappeling hook, magnetic feet (they also work on rocks!), fist-replacing sawblades, some kind of spin/make bright light/disappear gimmick, an endless supply of hip-stored energized throwing stars, a lightsaber, another unused weapon whose hilt is stored on her "backpack", a glowing magnetic tractor beam, and stereo speaker-nullifying metal donuts. Additionally, she vanishes after jumping over a cliff edge, leading Mirage to wonder if she has the power of invisibility.

* The Nightbirds in the ''Wreckers'' comic have four different accent colors, the same colors as the bandanas of the [[Wikipedia:Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]].

* The Chiba Institute of Technology actually built a ninja robot in 2003. Martial arts is used as a benchmark of physical dexterity in robotics. Thankfully, this ninja robot is only 30 centimeters tall.<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4263 Ninja Robot Built to Benefit Mankind]</ref>

* Nightbird was featured among the Decepticon forces on the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[20th Anniversary Lithograph]].

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Drones]]
[[Category:Fiction-only characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:MacGuffins]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]

Nightbird (G1)

2009-12-12T22:23:53Z

86.17.124.125: /* Generation 1 cartoon */

{{picsneeded|Universe Nightbird drones, Dreamwave movie and/or clear close-up of the DW 20A Litograph}}

{{disambig2|the human-made ninja robot|the Autobot cargo ship from the IDW comics|Nightbird (ship)}}
{{factions|decepticon}}
:''Nightbird is a [[Human]]-built robot from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Nightbird g1.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Dude? A giant robot ninja?" "No dude, a giant robot ninja chick!" "Duuuude!"]]
'''Nightbird''' is a giant female ninja robot built to "benefit [[Human|mankind]]".

Yeah, those nunchucks are really gonna be 'benefitting' their way through society.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
Nightbird was a robotic ninja warrior created by [[Doctor Fujiyama the Famous Scientist]], ostensibly to show how advanced [[Human]] technology had become. The [[Decepticon]]s stole Nightbird, and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] implanted her with an enhanced brain chip which turned the drone-like Nightbird into a true ass-kicking machine. Nightbird broke into the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and stole the [[Autobot]]s' [[World Energy Chip]], which contained the locations of a variety of energy sources, energy sources that the Decepticons would most assuredly use for conquest!

The Autobots were, at first, hampered by their promise to Doctor Fujiyama not to damage or destroy the ninja robot, and found themselves flustered in botched attempts to capture her. Eventually, however, they used an [[Energy Net]] which drained Nightbird's power reserves and allowed the Autobots to capture her without serious damage.

Doctor Fujiyama placed Nightbird into cold storage, but apparently didn't see fit to fully deactivate her, as she seems aware of her plight and gives an angry glare as she's stored away. Not that we've ever seen her again, which kind of renders the not damaging or destroying her part a bit pointless, really. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

===''Universe: The Wreckers''===
In 2025 or so, Fujiyama, apparently having learned ''nothing'', built an entire army of Nightbird drones. [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] detonated an explosive to destroy them, killing himself and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] in the process. This event caused [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] to enter a deep depression, setting the stage for her personality change as she became a [[Wrecker]].

Presumably, the Nightbird drones were all destroyed, since they are never seen or mentioned again. {{storylink|Departure}}

===Dreamwave Generation 1 comics===
A science fiction movie, ''[[Enter the Nightbird (film)|Enter the Nightbird]]'', featured Nightbird kicking shiny metal robo-ass. {{storylink|Infestation}}

==Trivia==
* Nightbird's gadgets to benefit humanity include: nunchucks (unused), a pair of ''sai'' daggers (also unused), a wrist-mounted grappeling hook, magnetic feet (they also work on rocks!), fist-replacing sawblades, some kind of spin/make bright light/disappear gimmick, an endless supply of hip-stored energized throwing stars, a lightsaber, another unused weapon whose hilt is stored on her "backpack", a glowing magnetic tractor beam, and stereo speaker-nullifying metal donuts. Additionally, she vanishes after jumping over a cliff edge, leading Mirage to wonder if she has the power of invisibility.

* The Nightbirds in the ''Wreckers'' comic have four different accent colors, the same colors as the bandanas of the [[Wikipedia:Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]].

* The Chiba Institute of Technology actually built a ninja robot in 2003. Martial arts is used as a benchmark of physical dexterity in robotics. Thankfully, this ninja robot is only 30 centimeters tall.<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4263 Ninja Robot Built to Benefit Mankind]</ref>

* Nightbird was featured among the Decepticon forces on the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[20th Anniversary Lithograph]].

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Drones]]
[[Category:Fiction-only characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:MacGuffins]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]

Kibble

2009-09-01T00:47:56Z

86.17.124.125: /* Connotation */

[[Image:Kibblerhinox.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Rhinox photographed from behind, showcasing the several large pieces of rhinoceros hanging loosely from his body.]]
'''Kibble''' is a feature of many Transformers, both in [[Toy|their toys]] and in their animation/comic designs. In its modern usage (see below for earlier meanings) it refers to pieces which have no clear purpose in one mode but are there only because they are part of another mode. In most cases, "kibble" is used to refer to pieces of the character's [[alternate mode]] which "hang" or stick out in their robot mode. Sometimes these pieces are there as a matter of aesthetics, and sometimes it's simply because there wasn't any place better to put the stuff.

Much less frequently, the word is used to refer to "robot parts" which are badly hidden in an altmode; This is most common in figures with aircraft altmodes, where whole limbs or compressed torsos were left exposed on the underside. In this case, the term ''undercarriage junk'' is more often used. During the [[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]] era, the term was also applied to any figure with robot mode limbs hanging from underneath the animal-mode shell.

Parts of one mode which are merely ''visible'' in other modes are not necessarily kibble. For example, an altmode part which is well-integrated into the robot's form—like the front of a car or truck that becomes a character's chest—is not kibble because it is an integral part of the robot's body, rather than being "tacked on".

When "kibble" entered the Transfan lexicon, it had a different meaning, and referred to a Transformer's accessories and detachable parts which had nowhere to go when not attached/worn/held. This meaning has almost, if not completely, disappeared from use.

==Examples of kibble==
[[Image:BWN-toy Break.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Penguins, after reaching a certain size, undergo a process that scientists have taken to calling "second-stage hatching".]]
Although it was most prominent during the [[Beast Era]] and ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'', kibble has been a part of Transformers from the very beginning. [[Prowl (G1)|G1 Prowl]], for example, has car doors that stick out behind his shoulders. The doors have no purpose in robot mode. They are not part of his actual body; they are just there, serving as decoration, but otherwise pointless. Those doors are kibble. In the robot modes of the G1 [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] toys, the jet's nosecone and tailfins are also kibble. The jet wings, despite being one of the Seekers' most prominent features, are kibble as well because they are not needed for the robot mode. In the old sense of the word, their fists can also be considered kibble since they are removed for jet mode yet do not store anywhere in said mode.

[[Image:Bigconvoy shell.jpg|right|250px|thumb|It really is two toys in one.]]
One of the most infamous examples of beast kibble on a robot mode is [[Big Convoy]] from ''[[Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]]''. Many of the Neo toys are kibble heavy, with "panels" of beast skin attached to the robot body by swiveling rods. This is also common in the ''Car Robots''/''Robots in Disguise'' line, most notably with the [[Autobot Brothers]] ([[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], and [[X-Brawn]]).{{See|Shellformer}}

==Connotation==
[[Image:Kibbleprowl.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Prowl's car door "wings" are kibble, and so are his removable missiles and launchers.]]
Kibble is usually only brought up when it is being used derisively. Indeed, kibble often has a negative impact on a toy. It can restrict movement by getting in the way, it can make a toy unbalanced if it is too concentrated in one part of the body such as a "backpack", and it can simply make the robot look like a purely humanoid robot that has car or animal parts stuck to it, rather than being a robot ''composed of'' car or animal parts.

However, kibble serves an important purpose in Transformer design, often giving characters distinctive or interesting silhouettes. As mentioned above, the airplane wings on the Seekers' backs, as well as the doors on Prowl, are among their most memorable features. They look "cool" even if they are not integrated into the robot body. Thus, kibble is not an intrinsically bad thing. Most Transformers have it, and it may even be seen as an integral part of some characters' designs. In fact, if all kibble was removed from Transformers (with the exception of shellformers), they would look like generic anthromorphic robots.

Some kibble can also serve a purpose in the fiction even if it has no purpose on the toy. For example [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)| Animated Wreck-Gar's]] backpack. On the toy it's just most of his garbage truck mode folded up on his back. However, on the show it holds a phenomenal amount of junk that Wreck-Gar can pull out and use, often for comedic effect.

==Other meanings / development of term==
[[Image:Kibblecombiner.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Combiner kibble." These pieces have nowhere to go while Superion is broken up into his smaller components.]]
The word "kibble" was first applied to Transformers in February of 1996, when Lizard coined the term "combiner kibble" in a post to the newsgroup [[alt.toys.transformers]]. At that time, and for the next two years, the word kibble was used mainly to refer to detachable parts or accessories. It seems to have acquired its modern meaning sometime in 1998. A more detailed discussion follows:

In Google's archive of ATT, there are no recorded uses of the word "kibble" until the year 1996. In that year it was used only in reference to detachable parts and/or accessories, usually (but not always) in reference to pieces needed for [[combiner]]s to combine properly, such as [[Combiner#Terms_for_combiners|Scramble City]] style feet, heads and fists. The very first instance of the word comes from a post by Lizard which is missing from the archive, but appears quoted in other posts:

<blockquote>Now, if only there was a convenient place to store "Combiner Kibble" - all the hands, feet, chestplates, etc, that go into making a combiner... ([http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/ea0978924f203ee7?dmode=source&hl=en&output=gplain Quoted text in <3122E99A.19BB@texas.net>], Feb 1996)</blockquote>

Said Lizard when reflecting on this ten years later, "The word comes from, of course, pet food -- I guess I felt the plethora of small pieces of Transformers detritus strongly resembled the little bits of cat food batted all over the kitchen." Lizard also used the word to refer to [[Megatron (G1)|G1 Megatron]]'s accessories in his [[BotCon 1996]] report. Three other fans referred to "combiner kibble" in the first half of 1996 after Lizard's use of the term, all of them either placing it in quotes or adding an emoticon, which emphasizes the newness of the term. Later in the year the word shows up about a dozen more times, always in reference to combiner pieces or other detachable parts.

The first archived use of the word kibble to refer to something ''other than'' detachable parts is a January 1997 review of [[Claw Jaw]], by Dave Richter. "In beast mode, he looks great from head on, but the abdomen (made out of robot legs and jointed squid kibble) doesn't look too solid if viewed from the side." ([http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/e087c89d29ba5c97?dmode=source&hl=en&output=gplain <32F023AC.397A@virginia.edu>], 29 Jan 1997) In March, Dave made a more explicitly modern use of the word in response to another fan. This post serves reasonably well as a definition:

<blockquote>''IMO, toys should look cool from any angle. You should be able to turn a BW or any figure around have it look as cool as it does in the front. The rear should not be a place for a toy designer to throw any excess pieces on the figure that are not needed in robot mode. There are much more better designs than that.'' 
I don't know, you've got to put the animal kibble somewhere. This is standard TF fare; look at all the T-rex bitz Grimlock has hanging off his back. BW has alot of junk hanging off the back of many of it's entries, but it doesn't overbalance them, so what does it matter? ([http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/376dcb3652135228?dmode=source&hl=en&output=gplain <33237FCB.656E@virginia.edu>], 9 Mar 1997)
</blockquote>
Still, through 1997 the "detachable parts" sense was more heavily used, with six uses to the modern meaning's three. In the previous year, 1996, the word was used to refer to detachable parts 16 times. In 1998 Dave Van Domelen began to use the word regularly in his posted toy reviews. He used it in both senses, but more often in the modern one. Overall, the word appeared in ATT 21 distinct times in 1998, with 13 of those being the new/current meaning. In 1999, usage exploded, with virtually all instances of the word being in its modern usage.

The original "detachable parts" meaning has essentially become archaic and all but unknown, most likely due to the toyline itself largely abandoning that form of construction. Indeed, it is very unusual for a modern Transformers toy ''not'' to integrate or at least store all of its parts in all modes. With regards to combiner kibble, combiner teams themselves have become rare, and the recent examples either have no kibble ([[Superion Maximus]]), or the kibble can ''itself'' combine into a separate vehicle ([[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]] [[Superion (Universe)|Superion]]) — it's still kibble, but it's kibble with play value!

By November 1999, the meaning was well enough entrenched in ATT that Straight-Edge gave this definition, from which the meaning has not drifted at all in the years since:

<blockquote>It means pieces of the alternate mode (Beast mode, vehicle mode) being not only visible, but actually hanging off the robot body. IE the Doors hanging off of Prowl's shoulders, and the Crab Legs/Claws on Rampage's robot mode. They are not part of an anthropomorphic robot, hence they are kibble. ([http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/0caa8c898d45586d?dmode=source&hl=en&output=gplain <19991109002603.08548.00002231@ng-fg1.aol.com>], 9 Nov 1999)</blockquote>
It can't be determined from the limited breadth of the Usenet archive how the word kibble shifted its meaning, but it seems reasonable to ''guess'' that the earliest uses in the modern sense were simply an extension of the idea of "parts that stick on". Kibble, as we discuss it today, is just that—parts that are "stuck on".

=="Anti-kibble"==
There is a related phenomenon with no generally accepted name, in which a toy's robot mode has obvious elements of its alternate mode showing (usually in the chest area), which are ''not'' in fact part of its altmode. This usually happens when the toy is based on a pre-existing design with prominent elements of its alternate mode present in robot mode (usually an older toy), but due to budget, size or other reasons, the transformation could not be designed to reflect the existing design accordingly.

The original example of this is [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], who had the front windshield and grill of a semi-cab on his chest...which had no relation at all to his semi-cab mode. The false truck windows on the chest also showed up on ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' Laser Optimus Prime and his redeco, ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]], whose chests are on the underside of the truck in vehicle mode. Another example is the T-rex face on the chest of [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Transmetal Megatron]] from ''Beast Wars'', which is not the same part as his actual T-rex face. A particularly inelegant example would be the [[Legends Class]] toy for [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] from the 2007 movie, whose robot mode "bumper" chest ends up on his ''roof'' in vehicle mode. Legends Class, Voyager Class and [[Fast Action Battler]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]] from the same line also featured fake "windows" on their robot mode chests, while the actual truck mode's windows ended up elsewhere in robot mode.

Its use is even seen in ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'': [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] has a false roof on his chest. A more notable case is [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]: He has false ambulance sides on his shoulder kibble (kibble AND anti-kibble). [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] create even more confusing examples. Their robot mode chests are designed to be evocative of their much wider alt-mode hoods, which become kibble themselves.

There are, of course, other examples of "Anti-kibble". [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] has spinning arm blades that transform from his front wheels in the movie, but because of the way the Deluxe toy transforms, the spinning wheels on his arms are not actually his front wheels. In that regard, Sideways has ''six'' turning wheels shared by his altmode and robot mode.

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Optimus Prime (RID)

2009-08-08T18:39:09Z

86.17.124.125:

{{factions|autobot}}
{{picsneeded|Fiction.}}
{{disambig3|Optimus Prime}}
:''Optimus Prime is the [[Autobot]] leader from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:RIDPrime02.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Filled with BURNING JUSTICE.]]
'''Optimus Prime''' is a stern and serious commander, devoted to protecting freedom and innocent life. He has seen the galactic path of conquest and destruction already burned by [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and swears it will not include [[Earth]]. Optimus Prime often finds himself in the role of "straight man" to the more comic stylings of the other Autobots and [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]], and tends to treat their humorous exaggerations or personality quirks as statements of straightforward fact. His subordinates view him as a great leader, if stubborn and much too prone to long speeches. Optimus Prime's greatest weakness is his sense of nobility. If an adversary claims to have had a change of heart and discovered inner goodness, Prime will fall for it every single time.

:''Japanese name'': '''Fire Convoy'''

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Neil Kaplan]] (English), [[Satoshi Hashimoto]] (Japanese), [[Guilherme Briggs]] (Portuguese)

Optimus Prime was created, along with [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], by [[Alpha Trion (RID)|Alpha Trion]] during the [[Golden Age]]. The two of them were raised together, and thus, saw each other as brothers. However, this relationship was torn apart after the Cybertron Civil Wars, whereupon the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] chose Optimus Prime to command the Autobots in stopping the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacon]] leader [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] from ravaging the universe in his quest for energy. Ultra Magnus left Cybertron that same day, bitter and spiteful of his brother.

Prime soon struck up command on [[Earth]], where he took the form of a fire truck. Operating out of a secret base in [[Metro City]], he and his fellow Autobots were more than ready to face Megatron and his Predacons. The conflict began when Megatron appeared in New York, attempting to kidnap the famous scientist [[Doctor Kenneth Onishi]]. Optimus struck up a friendship with Onishi's son, [[Koji Onishi|Koji]], and despite not being able to save the boy's father, vowed that he would help rescue him. {{storylink|Battle Protocol!}}

In the events that followed, Prime was forced to deal with the Predacons' many energy-grabbing schemes, either personally, or indirectly by way of helping [[T-AI]] coordinate the movement of his troops by way of the [[Global Space Bridge]].

However, Prime soon found another threat, in the form of the [[Decepticon]]s—namely, one named [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]. Scourge was a corrupted Autobot [[protoform]], who, in addition to being infused with Megatron's evil, scanned Optimus Prime and a tanker truck at the same time, resulting in his looking like a twisted clone of the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} Prime hoped that Scourge and his fellow Decepticons would one day be restored to their true Autobot selves, but after the Decepticons themselves tried to use this to trick him, he decided he should not allow this to cloud his judgement. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

Matters escalated when Ultra Magnus appeared on Earth, making his desire to take the Matrix from Optimus Prime known to his "brother". Optimus refused to fight Magnus, and was thus mercilessly fired upon, until [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], and [[X-Brawn]] arrived to carry him away. Prime took refuge on a deserted island, but the Decepticons, Megatron, and Magnus all tracked him there. In the midst of the battle, Magnus forcibly activated their ability to combine into [[Omega Prime]], intending to use it to drain Prime of his energy so he could take the Matrix, but Optimus managed to take control and use their combination to stop the Decepticons. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} This fusion apparently resulted in both Autobots sharing the Matrix's power, which led to Magnus's attitude softening towards his brother.

Eventually, it was revealed that Megatron's true purpose on Earth was to take control of the massive Autobot, [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]. These events led to Megatron becoming the more powerful Galvatron, who eventually devastated the Autobot forces. In his final battle with the evil leader, Prime and Magnus combined into Omega Prime to face Galvatron at the Earth's core. They were seemingly no match for him, until Fortress Maximus sent them his power, which energized the Matrix, forming the giant weapon, the [[Matrix Blade]]. Galvatron was defeated, and with that, the Autobots' mission on Earth was finished, and Prime resolved to return to Cybertron—but not before "one last look around" with Koji and the rest of his team. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

===Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?===
With the other Autobots all engaged in other fights around the world, Optimus Prime alone was available to answer T-AI's battle protocol at an experimental nuclear generator in Arizona. His opening plan was to lure the Predacons and Decepticons away from the humans to battle them at a safe distance, but his wayward brother Ultra Magnus intervened, confronting the villains head on in the middle of the generator plant. As Prime chastised Magnus for his rash action, Scourge overheard and seized on the idea to threaten the humans if the Autobots didn't stand down. Despite his anger at Optimus, Ultra Magnus remembered his Autobot training and reluctantly laid down his weapon. At the proper moment, though, the brothers managed to attack a distracted Scourge and save the humans. The Predacons and Decepticons escaped with the generator, but the humans were safe. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

===''Universe'' comic===
Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus were among the countless Transformers pulled from the multiverse to engage in the death-duels of the [[Cauldron]] deep inside the shattered [[Unicron]]. As Omega Prime, they escaped this fate in the jail-break set by [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]. {{storylink|Escape (issue)|Escape}}

===''Cybertron'' comic===
During the final battle with the [[Minion of Unicron|Minions of Unicron]] in the [[Pit]], Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus (as Omega Prime) were fighting alongside the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] when the corrupt pocket universe began to collapse around them. Omega Prime and the others fled through a dimensional portal, but the powerlinxed brothers were diverted by the former [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] into another reality, just in time to stop [[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|Nemesis Prime]] from unleashing the [[Dead Matrix]] inside the Spark Chamber of [[Primus]]. The evil clone was vanquished, and the brothers hooked up with [[Sentinel Maximus]] and his comrades as they attempted to fortify Cybertron against the [[Unicron Singularity]].

Working relatively behind the scenes while that reality's [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and his crew searched for the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]], Optimus Prime and his brother found themselves moderating an internal dispute among the Mini-Con colonies in Cybertron's debris field, and were engaged with a Cybertronian-sized version of [[Unicron]] himself when Primus first transformed due to an infusion of Cyber Key Power. Some months later, after the final battle with the Cyber Key empowered [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]], Optimus Prime first met his local counterpart, and they exchanged information on their endeavors over the last few months. With the newly reformed Unicron on the loose after their last encounter, Optimus chose to join Ultra Magnus and Sentinel Maximus in hunting him down. The final fate of their mission, and whether the brothers ever returned to their home reality, remains to be seen. {{storylink|Balancing Act}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
[[Image:RID Optimus Prime toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|BURNING JUSTICE]]
{{listen
|OpthimuthPrimeMaxthimithe.ogg
|OpthimuthPrimeMaxthimithe.ogg
|Sound Chip Sounds from RiD Optimus Prime. It's no "Hypergoldfish! GOLFBALL!", but at least he has a lisp...
|96 Kb
}}

*'''Optimus Prime''' (Super, 2000, 2001)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-001'''
**''Accessories'': Pistol, 4 missiles

: ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime transforms into a Japanese Hino Brandlier fire truck. Harkening back to Generation 1 toys, he features chromed wheels with rubber tires. The forward section of his truck detaches to become his standard robot mode. His '[[trailer]]' can be reconfigured into a sort of battle station. The station can then be disassembled and attached around the robot to form his Battle Mode. His standard robot can combine with [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] to form [[Omega Prime]].

: The original [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''Car Robots'' release differs from the [[Hasbro]] version in that it has a darker, metallic-flake plastic, and has no Autobot symbols tampo-printed on the shoulder pads. Obviously, the voice clips used for the Japanese toy are also different, although the English clips are essentially translations of the Japanese ones (with the Hasbro toy incorrectly proclaiming that Optimus Prime's transformation into super mode uses the code-phrase "maximize"). Additionally, the Hasbro version has the unfortunate tendency for its rubber tires to split down its molding connection. Furthermore, Fire Convoy's missiles are of a different mold on the Japanese toy. The toy’s ladder features a trigger that flips all four of his missile launchers forward into firing position when pressed. On Fire Convoy, pressing this trigger causes all four missiles to immediately launch (if by "launch" you mean "be-flung-up-into-the-air-and-fall-to-the-ground-instantly") when they flip forward, whereas the Hasbro toy removes the auto-fire feature, allowing them to be launched one-at-a-time via individual triggers.

: By some bizarre twist of fate, the standard robot mode has four [[Mini-Con]] ports on his arms ''before'' they were used in ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]''.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
{{anchor|SuperBlack}}

*'''Black Super Fire Convoy ''' (Super, 2000/2001)
**''Accessories'': Pistol, 4 missiles

: Also known as "Super Fire Convoy Black Version" and "Dark Super Fire Convoy", this [[black repaint]] of the Optimus Prime figure featured a golden chrome chest, and clear sirens. It was available only as a prize in several contests held by Takara: 15 units were avaialble as prizes in a raffle held in [[TV Magazine]] in July; 400 were raffled off in a drawing that involved sending in coupons that came with the ''Car Robots'' DVDs (200 from October to December 2000, and 200 more from March to May 2001); and an undetermined amount were offered in a scratch-card contest also held by TV Magazine.

:This figure was also sold in a giftest with a black version of Ultra Magnus as "Black God Fire Convoy", noted below.
{{-}}
{{anchor|SuperClear}}
*'''Clear Super Fire Convoy''' (Super, 2000)
**''Accessories'': Pistol, 4 missiles

: Clear Super Fire Convoy is, as his name suggests, constructed primarily of translucent plastic, and like the Black Version of the figure, was only available as a contest prize. An unknown number of units were raffled off as part of the "Convoy Car Robots Campaign" between June and July 2000, while 15 were avaialble at drawings held at Tokyo's Seibu Department Store between the 15th and 28th of August.

:This figure was also sold in a giftest with a translucent version of Ultra Magnus as "Clear God Fire Convoy", noted below.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearSuperFireConvoy/superfireconvoy.htm More information on Clear Super Fire Convoy at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
{{anchor|GodFireClear}}
*'''Black God Fire Convoy''' (Giftset, 2000)
:This two-figure giftset includes the Black Super Figure Convoy figure, plus a black version of the Ultra Magnus figure (itself exceptionally rare), who together combine to form Black God Fire Convoy. It was ''ludicrously'' limited in its availablity, with the only ten units known to exist being offered as prizes in a scratch-card contest that TV Magazine run until early November 2000.
{{-}}
{{anchor|GodFireClear}}
*'''Clear God Fire Convoy''' (Giftset, 2000)
**''Accessories'': Matrix Blade
:This two-figure giftset includes the Clear Super Figure Convoy figure, plus a clear version of the Ultra Magnus figure not available anywhere else, who together combine to form Clear God Fire Convoy. The set also included the Matrix Blade sword, which had previously been available only through various contests and raffles.

:The giftset was exclusive to Japanese [[Toys"R"Us]] stores. Released in November 2000, it was limited to 3000 pieces; reportedly, only 100 TRUs carried the set, and limited customers to one purchase on the day of release.
{{-}}
{{anchor|SC}}

[[Image:Spychanger RIDPrime toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Tiny BURNING JUSTICE]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Basic, 2002)

: This is a smaller, simplified version of ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime made for the Spy Changer/Basic class in the ''Robots In Disguise'' toyline. It has no standard robot mode and parts do not detach. Oddly, all promotional images of this figure depicted it colored in ''orange''.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/OptimusPrimeGobot/optimusprime.htm More information on Spychanger Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Universe===
[[Image:Universe RID OptimusPrime toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|LEMON-FLAVORED BURNING JUSTICE]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Supreme, 2003)
**''Accessories'': Pistol, 4 missiles

: A Sam's Club [[exclusive]], the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' release of ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime basically swapped out all of his red plastic for a yellow-orange color. He came packed in robot mode in an upright display package, which featured a sticker on the front with a hilariously mistransformed Omega Prime, advertising the toy's combining ability with the simultaneously-released, slightly-redecoed Sam's Club exclusive ''Universe'' release of ''Robots In Disguise'' Ultra Magnus.

: For some reason, the Autobot symbol on his chest in Battle Mode is left unpainted.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/TFUOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Universe'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
{{anchor|WMSC}}

[[Image:Universe Spychanger OptimusPrime Prowl toys.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Tiny LEMON-FLAVORED BURNING JUSTICE with donut chaser]]
*'''Optimus Prime and Prowl''' (Basic, 2003)

: One of a half-dozen Wal-Mart exclusive ''Universe'' toys to hit in the span of a few short months in 2003, this version of Prime is a yellow [[redeco]] of the ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Spy Changer]] Prime (with an oddly-unpainted face), based on the Sam's Club version of the larger toy. He was only available in a Basic-pricepoint two-pack with [[Prowl (Spychanger)|Prowl]].

:This toy was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as an [[Optimus Prime (Universe Spychanger)|alternate universe version of Optimus Prime]] by the [[OTFCC 2004 Live-Action Script Reading]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/TFUOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Universe'' Spychanger Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:Titanium RIDPrime.jpg|right|200px|thumb|METAL BURNING JUSTICE]]
* '''Optimus Prime''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
**''Accessories'': Display stand, nameplate

: ''[[Titanium Series]]'' Optimus is a six-inch tall [[die-cast]] metal and plastic version of ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime. In vehicle mode the ladder rotates at its base and the nozzles flip out of the end of the ladder, but the ladder cannot extend. As he is much simplified compared to the larger toy, the (largely hollow) front of the vehicle cannot separate and form the standard robot mode, nor can the rear of the vehicle form the battlestation. Instead, the entire fire truck transforms into a simplified version of the super robot Battle Mode.

: This mold was also used to make ''Titanium Series'' [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Zone]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/TitRIDOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Titanium'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers DX===

[[Image:Rid_prime_kabayakit1.jpg|right|225px|thumb|Puny BURNING JUSTICE]]

*'''Fire Convoy''' (2000)
**''Accessories:'' Pistol
:As part of [[Kabaya]]'s first collection of ''Robots in Disguise''-themed [[candy toy]]s, Optimus Prime was one of three pre-assembled transforming figurines packaged with lemon candy. Capable of transforming into only the cab portion of his vehicle mode, Prime's robot mode could also be upgraded into his Super Mode by attaching several additional armor pieces (two boots, two gauntlets, two arm-cannons, two shoulder guards, a head, a chest piece and a ladder), some of which came packaged with Prime himself, and the rest of which were split between the other two figures in the line, [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] and [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]].
{{-}}
===Transformers Gum===
[[Image:Rid_prime_kabayakit2.jpg|right|225px|thumb|[[Scale|Out of scale]] BURNING JUSTICE]]

*'''Fire Convoy''' (2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' 1
**''Accessories:'' Pistol
:Part of the second wave of Kabaya's ''Robots in Disguise'' candy toys, this version of Prime is a diminutive non-transforming model kit packaged with a stick of gun. Split across two plastic sprues, the kit is made of metallic silver and translucent red pieces with some painted details, which must be cut off their sprues and assembled by the buyer.

*'''Super Fire Convoy''' (2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' 2
:Also part of the second Kabaya candy toy wave, this version of Prime is likewise non-transforming, silver and translucent red, and packaged with gum.
{{-}}

===Trans Kit===
[[Image:Rid_prime_kabayakit3.jpg|right|225px|thumb|White Chocolate, Blueberry, and Cherry (not pictured) BURNING JUSTICE]]

*'''Super Fire Convoy''' (2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' 1
:Part of the third and final wave of Kabaya's ''RiD'' candy toys, this non-transforming Prime model kit is cast entirely in one color of plastic, but was available in either grey, blue or red. It came packaged in a two-piece box with candy-coated chocolates.

*'''Fire Convoy''' (2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' 2
**''Accessories:'' Pistol
:Like his larger self, this version of Prime was also available in both grey, blue and red plastic.
{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
* '''Optimus Prime''' / '''Megatron'''

[[Image:Robotheroesprimemegatron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|ADORABLE BURNING JUSTICE with [[Megatron (RID)|lazy madman]]]]
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* According to the first ''Car Robots'' toy catalog, Optimus and his Autobots are part of a "Dimensional Patrol" that followed the Predacons from another dimension. This seems to have been only vaguely alluded to in the Japanese version of the show—Fire Convoy proclaimed in the first episode that he would follow Gigatron wherever he went, "even if it's to the edge of the universe"—but does not seem to have played a large part of the main story, to the extent that the ''Robots in Disguise'' dub was able to omit it entirely. However, the [[3H]] supplemental materials for the ''Universe'' series re-established the idea, presenting the "Dimensional Patrol" as a post-cartoon organization.

* The first ''Car Robots'' catalog also stated that Fire Convoy and Gigatron were once "[[:Image:MangaYoungDeathyStarSaber.jpg|childhood friends]]" that became eternal rivals. We don't really have any idea how that was supposed to work.

* Fans in Japan joke that Optimus Prime is an Autobot [[Emperor of Destruction]] rather than an Autobot [[Supreme Commander]], due to his actions in the ''Car Robot'' anime.

* For this incarnation of Optimus, voice actor [[Neil Kaplan]] specifically impersonated the voice of the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Peter Cullen]]. ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime is one of the few Optimuses (two as of 2008) whose English voice actor isn't Cullen or [[Garry Chalk]]. At conventions, Kaplan refers to himself as "the [[wikipedia:George_Lazenby|George Lazenby]] of Optimus Primes".<ref>This would presumably make [[David Kaye]] the [[wikipedia:Daniel_Craig|Daniel Craig]] of Optimus Primes.</ref>

* ''Cybertron'' "Multi-Pack" Optimus Prime's on-package [[bio]] seems to indicate he's ''Unicron Trilogy'' Optimus Prime. However, his (and Magnus') deco was later used in the [[Fun Publications]] ''Cybertron'' fan club magazine comic as ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime having traveled to the ''Unicron Trilogy'' universe.

* Optimus Prime's [[Super Mode]] chest resembles the chest of EnRyu from ''[[Brave|King of Braves GaoGaiGar]]'', another Takara series. EnRyu also transforms into a fire truck with a similarly positioned "ladder cannon".

*This is the first incarnation of Optimus not to be [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|killed off]] at any point during his series. Possibly due to the fact that he is not intended to be [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] in the original ''Car Robot'' series.

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Costco exclusives]]
[[Category:Cybertron characters]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Japanese-original characters]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Reassigned toys]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise characters]]
[[Category:Sam's Club exclusives]]
[[Category:Spy Changers]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Toys with sound]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]

Optimus Prime (RID)

2009-08-08T18:38:22Z

86.17.124.125:

{{factions|autobot}}
{{picsneeded|Fiction.}}
{{disambig3|Optimus Prime}}
:''Optimus Prime is the [[Autobot]] leader from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:RIDPrime02.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ironically, filled with burning justice.]]
'''Optimus Prime''' is a stern and serious commander, devoted to protecting freedom and innocent life. He has seen the galactic path of conquest and destruction already burned by [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and swears it will not include [[Earth]]. Optimus Prime often finds himself in the role of "straight man" to the more comic stylings of the other Autobots and [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]], and tends to treat their humorous exaggerations or personality quirks as statements of straightforward fact. His subordinates view him as a great leader, if stubborn and much too prone to long speeches. Optimus Prime's greatest weakness is his sense of nobility. If an adversary claims to have had a change of heart and discovered inner goodness, Prime will fall for it every single time.

:''Japanese name'': '''Fire Convoy'''

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Neil Kaplan]] (English), [[Satoshi Hashimoto]] (Japanese), [[Guilherme Briggs]] (Portuguese)

Optimus Prime was created, along with [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], by [[Alpha Trion (RID)|Alpha Trion]] during the [[Golden Age]]. The two of them were raised together, and thus, saw each other as brothers. However, this relationship was torn apart after the Cybertron Civil Wars, whereupon the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] chose Optimus Prime to command the Autobots in stopping the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacon]] leader [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] from ravaging the universe in his quest for energy. Ultra Magnus left Cybertron that same day, bitter and spiteful of his brother.

Prime soon struck up command on [[Earth]], where he took the form of a fire truck. Operating out of a secret base in [[Metro City]], he and his fellow Autobots were more than ready to face Megatron and his Predacons. The conflict began when Megatron appeared in New York, attempting to kidnap the famous scientist [[Doctor Kenneth Onishi]]. Optimus struck up a friendship with Onishi's son, [[Koji Onishi|Koji]], and despite not being able to save the boy's father, vowed that he would help rescue him. {{storylink|Battle Protocol!}}

In the events that followed, Prime was forced to deal with the Predacons' many energy-grabbing schemes, either personally, or indirectly by way of helping [[T-AI]] coordinate the movement of his troops by way of the [[Global Space Bridge]].

However, Prime soon found another threat, in the form of the [[Decepticon]]s—namely, one named [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]. Scourge was a corrupted Autobot [[protoform]], who, in addition to being infused with Megatron's evil, scanned Optimus Prime and a tanker truck at the same time, resulting in his looking like a twisted clone of the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} Prime hoped that Scourge and his fellow Decepticons would one day be restored to their true Autobot selves, but after the Decepticons themselves tried to use this to trick him, he decided he should not allow this to cloud his judgement. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

Matters escalated when Ultra Magnus appeared on Earth, making his desire to take the Matrix from Optimus Prime known to his "brother". Optimus refused to fight Magnus, and was thus mercilessly fired upon, until [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], and [[X-Brawn]] arrived to carry him away. Prime took refuge on a deserted island, but the Decepticons, Megatron, and Magnus all tracked him there. In the midst of the battle, Magnus forcibly activated their ability to combine into [[Omega Prime]], intending to use it to drain Prime of his energy so he could take the Matrix, but Optimus managed to take control and use their combination to stop the Decepticons. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}} This fusion apparently resulted in both Autobots sharing the Matrix's power, which led to Magnus's attitude softening towards his brother.

Eventually, it was revealed that Megatron's true purpose on Earth was to take control of the massive Autobot, [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]. These events led to Megatron becoming the more powerful Galvatron, who eventually devastated the Autobot forces. In his final battle with the evil leader, Prime and Magnus combined into Omega Prime to face Galvatron at the Earth's core. They were seemingly no match for him, until Fortress Maximus sent them his power, which energized the Matrix, forming the giant weapon, the [[Matrix Blade]]. Galvatron was defeated, and with that, the Autobots' mission on Earth was finished, and Prime resolved to return to Cybertron—but not before "one last look around" with Koji and the rest of his team. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

===Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?===
With the other Autobots all engaged in other fights around the world, Optimus Prime alone was available to answer T-AI's battle protocol at an experimental nuclear generator in Arizona. His opening plan was to lure the Predacons and Decepticons away from the humans to battle them at a safe distance, but his wayward brother Ultra Magnus intervened, confronting the villains head on in the middle of the generator plant. As Prime chastised Magnus for his rash action, Scourge overheard and seized on the idea to threaten the humans if the Autobots didn't stand down. Despite his anger at Optimus, Ultra Magnus remembered his Autobot training and reluctantly laid down his weapon. At the proper moment, though, the brothers managed to attack a distracted Scourge and save the humans. The Predacons and Decepticons escaped with the generator, but the humans were safe. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

===''Universe'' comic===
Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus were among the countless Transformers pulled from the multiverse to engage in the death-duels of the [[Cauldron]] deep inside the shattered [[Unicron]]. As Omega Prime, they escaped this fate in the jail-break set by [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]. {{storylink|Escape (issue)|Escape}}

===''Cybertron'' comic===
During the final battle with the [[Minion of Unicron|Minions of Unicron]] in the [[Pit]], Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus (as Omega Prime) were fighting alongside the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] when the corrupt pocket universe began to collapse around them. Omega Prime and the others fled through a dimensional portal, but the powerlinxed brothers were diverted by the former [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] into another reality, just in time to stop [[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|Nemesis Prime]] from unleashing the [[Dead Matrix]] inside the Spark Chamber of [[Primus]]. The evil clone was vanquished, and the brothers hooked up with [[Sentinel Maximus]] and his comrades as they attempted to fortify Cybertron against the [[Unicron Singularity]].

Working relatively behind the scenes while that reality's [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and his crew searched for the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]], Optimus Prime and his brother found themselves moderating an internal dispute among the Mini-Con colonies in Cybertron's debris field, and were engaged with a Cybertronian-sized version of [[Unicron]] himself when Primus first transformed due to an infusion of Cyber Key Power. Some months later, after the final battle with the Cyber Key empowered [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]], Optimus Prime first met his local counterpart, and they exchanged information on their endeavors over the last few months. With the newly reformed Unicron on the loose after their last encounter, Optimus chose to join Ultra Magnus and Sentinel Maximus in hunting him down. The final fate of their mission, and whether the brothers ever returned to their home reality, remains to be seen. {{storylink|Balancing Act}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
[[Image:RID Optimus Prime toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|BURNING JUSTICE]]
{{listen
|OpthimuthPrimeMaxthimithe.ogg
|OpthimuthPrimeMaxthimithe.ogg
|Sound Chip Sounds from RiD Optimus Prime. It's no "Hypergoldfish! GOLFBALL!", but at least he has a lisp...
|96 Kb
}}

*'''Optimus Prime''' (Super, 2000, 2001)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-001'''
**''Accessories'': Pistol, 4 missiles

: ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime transforms into a Japanese Hino Brandlier fire truck. Harkening back to Generation 1 toys, he features chromed wheels with rubber tires. The forward section of his truck detaches to become his standard robot mode. His '[[trailer]]' can be reconfigured into a sort of battle station. The station can then be disassembled and attached around the robot to form his Battle Mode. His standard robot can combine with [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] to form [[Omega Prime]].

: The original [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''Car Robots'' release differs from the [[Hasbro]] version in that it has a darker, metallic-flake plastic, and has no Autobot symbols tampo-printed on the shoulder pads. Obviously, the voice clips used for the Japanese toy are also different, although the English clips are essentially translations of the Japanese ones (with the Hasbro toy incorrectly proclaiming that Optimus Prime's transformation into super mode uses the code-phrase "maximize"). Additionally, the Hasbro version has the unfortunate tendency for its rubber tires to split down its molding connection. Furthermore, Fire Convoy's missiles are of a different mold on the Japanese toy. The toy’s ladder features a trigger that flips all four of his missile launchers forward into firing position when pressed. On Fire Convoy, pressing this trigger causes all four missiles to immediately launch (if by "launch" you mean "be-flung-up-into-the-air-and-fall-to-the-ground-instantly") when they flip forward, whereas the Hasbro toy removes the auto-fire feature, allowing them to be launched one-at-a-time via individual triggers.

: By some bizarre twist of fate, the standard robot mode has four [[Mini-Con]] ports on his arms ''before'' they were used in ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]''.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
{{anchor|SuperBlack}}

*'''Black Super Fire Convoy ''' (Super, 2000/2001)
**''Accessories'': Pistol, 4 missiles

: Also known as "Super Fire Convoy Black Version" and "Dark Super Fire Convoy", this [[black repaint]] of the Optimus Prime figure featured a golden chrome chest, and clear sirens. It was available only as a prize in several contests held by Takara: 15 units were avaialble as prizes in a raffle held in [[TV Magazine]] in July; 400 were raffled off in a drawing that involved sending in coupons that came with the ''Car Robots'' DVDs (200 from October to December 2000, and 200 more from March to May 2001); and an undetermined amount were offered in a scratch-card contest also held by TV Magazine.

:This figure was also sold in a giftest with a black version of Ultra Magnus as "Black God Fire Convoy", noted below.
{{-}}
{{anchor|SuperClear}}
*'''Clear Super Fire Convoy''' (Super, 2000)
**''Accessories'': Pistol, 4 missiles

: Clear Super Fire Convoy is, as his name suggests, constructed primarily of translucent plastic, and like the Black Version of the figure, was only available as a contest prize. An unknown number of units were raffled off as part of the "Convoy Car Robots Campaign" between June and July 2000, while 15 were avaialble at drawings held at Tokyo's Seibu Department Store between the 15th and 28th of August.

:This figure was also sold in a giftest with a translucent version of Ultra Magnus as "Clear God Fire Convoy", noted below.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearSuperFireConvoy/superfireconvoy.htm More information on Clear Super Fire Convoy at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
{{anchor|GodFireClear}}
*'''Black God Fire Convoy''' (Giftset, 2000)
:This two-figure giftset includes the Black Super Figure Convoy figure, plus a black version of the Ultra Magnus figure (itself exceptionally rare), who together combine to form Black God Fire Convoy. It was ''ludicrously'' limited in its availablity, with the only ten units known to exist being offered as prizes in a scratch-card contest that TV Magazine run until early November 2000.
{{-}}
{{anchor|GodFireClear}}
*'''Clear God Fire Convoy''' (Giftset, 2000)
**''Accessories'': Matrix Blade
:This two-figure giftset includes the Clear Super Figure Convoy figure, plus a clear version of the Ultra Magnus figure not available anywhere else, who together combine to form Clear God Fire Convoy. The set also included the Matrix Blade sword, which had previously been available only through various contests and raffles.

:The giftset was exclusive to Japanese [[Toys"R"Us]] stores. Released in November 2000, it was limited to 3000 pieces; reportedly, only 100 TRUs carried the set, and limited customers to one purchase on the day of release.
{{-}}
{{anchor|SC}}

[[Image:Spychanger RIDPrime toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Tiny BURNING JUSTICE]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Basic, 2002)

: This is a smaller, simplified version of ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime made for the Spy Changer/Basic class in the ''Robots In Disguise'' toyline. It has no standard robot mode and parts do not detach. Oddly, all promotional images of this figure depicted it colored in ''orange''.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/OptimusPrimeGobot/optimusprime.htm More information on Spychanger Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Universe===
[[Image:Universe RID OptimusPrime toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|LEMON-FLAVORED BURNING JUSTICE]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Supreme, 2003)
**''Accessories'': Pistol, 4 missiles

: A Sam's Club [[exclusive]], the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' release of ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime basically swapped out all of his red plastic for a yellow-orange color. He came packed in robot mode in an upright display package, which featured a sticker on the front with a hilariously mistransformed Omega Prime, advertising the toy's combining ability with the simultaneously-released, slightly-redecoed Sam's Club exclusive ''Universe'' release of ''Robots In Disguise'' Ultra Magnus.

: For some reason, the Autobot symbol on his chest in Battle Mode is left unpainted.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/TFUOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Universe'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
{{anchor|WMSC}}

[[Image:Universe Spychanger OptimusPrime Prowl toys.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Tiny LEMON-FLAVORED BURNING JUSTICE with donut chaser]]
*'''Optimus Prime and Prowl''' (Basic, 2003)

: One of a half-dozen Wal-Mart exclusive ''Universe'' toys to hit in the span of a few short months in 2003, this version of Prime is a yellow [[redeco]] of the ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Spy Changer]] Prime (with an oddly-unpainted face), based on the Sam's Club version of the larger toy. He was only available in a Basic-pricepoint two-pack with [[Prowl (Spychanger)|Prowl]].

:This toy was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as an [[Optimus Prime (Universe Spychanger)|alternate universe version of Optimus Prime]] by the [[OTFCC 2004 Live-Action Script Reading]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/TFUOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Universe'' Spychanger Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:Titanium RIDPrime.jpg|right|200px|thumb|METAL BURNING JUSTICE]]
* '''Optimus Prime''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
**''Accessories'': Display stand, nameplate

: ''[[Titanium Series]]'' Optimus is a six-inch tall [[die-cast]] metal and plastic version of ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime. In vehicle mode the ladder rotates at its base and the nozzles flip out of the end of the ladder, but the ladder cannot extend. As he is much simplified compared to the larger toy, the (largely hollow) front of the vehicle cannot separate and form the standard robot mode, nor can the rear of the vehicle form the battlestation. Instead, the entire fire truck transforms into a simplified version of the super robot Battle Mode.

: This mold was also used to make ''Titanium Series'' [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Zone]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/TitRIDOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Titanium'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers DX===

[[Image:Rid_prime_kabayakit1.jpg|right|225px|thumb|Puny BURNING JUSTICE]]

*'''Fire Convoy''' (2000)
**''Accessories:'' Pistol
:As part of [[Kabaya]]'s first collection of ''Robots in Disguise''-themed [[candy toy]]s, Optimus Prime was one of three pre-assembled transforming figurines packaged with lemon candy. Capable of transforming into only the cab portion of his vehicle mode, Prime's robot mode could also be upgraded into his Super Mode by attaching several additional armor pieces (two boots, two gauntlets, two arm-cannons, two shoulder guards, a head, a chest piece and a ladder), some of which came packaged with Prime himself, and the rest of which were split between the other two figures in the line, [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] and [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]].
{{-}}
===Transformers Gum===
[[Image:Rid_prime_kabayakit2.jpg|right|225px|thumb|[[Scale|Out of scale]] BURNING JUSTICE]]

*'''Fire Convoy''' (2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' 1
**''Accessories:'' Pistol
:Part of the second wave of Kabaya's ''Robots in Disguise'' candy toys, this version of Prime is a diminutive non-transforming model kit packaged with a stick of gun. Split across two plastic sprues, the kit is made of metallic silver and translucent red pieces with some painted details, which must be cut off their sprues and assembled by the buyer.

*'''Super Fire Convoy''' (2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' 2
:Also part of the second Kabaya candy toy wave, this version of Prime is likewise non-transforming, silver and translucent red, and packaged with gum.
{{-}}

===Trans Kit===
[[Image:Rid_prime_kabayakit3.jpg|right|225px|thumb|White Chocolate, Blueberry, and Cherry (not pictured) BURNING JUSTICE]]

*'''Super Fire Convoy''' (2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' 1
:Part of the third and final wave of Kabaya's ''RiD'' candy toys, this non-transforming Prime model kit is cast entirely in one color of plastic, but was available in either grey, blue or red. It came packaged in a two-piece box with candy-coated chocolates.

*'''Fire Convoy''' (2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' 2
**''Accessories:'' Pistol
:Like his larger self, this version of Prime was also available in both grey, blue and red plastic.
{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
* '''Optimus Prime''' / '''Megatron'''

[[Image:Robotheroesprimemegatron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|ADORABLE BURNING JUSTICE with [[Megatron (RID)|lazy madman]]]]
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* According to the first ''Car Robots'' toy catalog, Optimus and his Autobots are part of a "Dimensional Patrol" that followed the Predacons from another dimension. This seems to have been only vaguely alluded to in the Japanese version of the show—Fire Convoy proclaimed in the first episode that he would follow Gigatron wherever he went, "even if it's to the edge of the universe"—but does not seem to have played a large part of the main story, to the extent that the ''Robots in Disguise'' dub was able to omit it entirely. However, the [[3H]] supplemental materials for the ''Universe'' series re-established the idea, presenting the "Dimensional Patrol" as a post-cartoon organization.

* The first ''Car Robots'' catalog also stated that Fire Convoy and Gigatron were once "[[:Image:MangaYoungDeathyStarSaber.jpg|childhood friends]]" that became eternal rivals. We don't really have any idea how that was supposed to work.

* Fans in Japan joke that Optimus Prime is an Autobot [[Emperor of Destruction]] rather than an Autobot [[Supreme Commander]], due to his actions in the ''Car Robot'' anime.

* For this incarnation of Optimus, voice actor [[Neil Kaplan]] specifically impersonated the voice of the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Peter Cullen]]. ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime is one of the few Optimuses (two as of 2008) whose English voice actor isn't Cullen or [[Garry Chalk]]. At conventions, Kaplan refers to himself as "the [[wikipedia:George_Lazenby|George Lazenby]] of Optimus Primes".<ref>This would presumably make [[David Kaye]] the [[wikipedia:Daniel_Craig|Daniel Craig]] of Optimus Primes.</ref>

* ''Cybertron'' "Multi-Pack" Optimus Prime's on-package [[bio]] seems to indicate he's ''Unicron Trilogy'' Optimus Prime. However, his (and Magnus') deco was later used in the [[Fun Publications]] ''Cybertron'' fan club magazine comic as ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime having traveled to the ''Unicron Trilogy'' universe.

* Optimus Prime's [[Super Mode]] chest resembles the chest of EnRyu from ''[[Brave|King of Braves GaoGaiGar]]'', another Takara series. EnRyu also transforms into a fire truck with a similarly positioned "ladder cannon".

*This is the first incarnation of Optimus not to be [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|killed off]] at any point during his series. Possibly due to the fact that he is not intended to be [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] in the original ''Car Robot'' series.

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Costco exclusives]]
[[Category:Cybertron characters]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Japanese-original characters]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Reassigned toys]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise characters]]
[[Category:Sam's Club exclusives]]
[[Category:Spy Changers]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Toys with sound]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]

Scale

2009-06-09T01:24:01Z

86.17.124.125: /* Planets and planetbots */

For safety reasons

2009-06-09T01:10:40Z

86.17.124.125: /* Trivia */

{{disambig2|why you can't have that awesome toy|the Autobot from Operation Combination|Safety}}
[[Image:G1Megatron toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|In your dreams, American fans.]]
The United States is a very litigious society. If a child is injured or (heaven forbid) killed by use or abuse of a toy, that child's parents are very likely to sue the toy manufacturer. As such, [[Hasbro]] puts its toys through rigorous testing, '''for safety reasons'''. Sometimes, a [[Toy|Transformers toy]] has to be altered from the original design in order to maintain safety standards, which vary from country to country.

==Safety testing==
[[Image:DVD 20thPrime.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Stubbimus Prime]]
Hasbro has several tests that come up frequently. One of the more famous ones is the "drop test." As its name implies, this involves dropping a toy from great heights in order to ascertain whether or not said toy will break, and if any of the parts which may have broken loose could potentially injure a child (sharp edges, swallowable/chokeable bits, etc.). This is often cited as the reason [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] has not been reissued in the United States, as well as the reason for the shortened smokestacks on the shoulders of various [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Optimus Prime toys]] (it's a common mistake to assume this started in 1988 with the [[Powermaster]] version;<ref>For one thing the pegs on Powermaster Prime's shoulder-canons were brittle as hell!</ref> however, it was actually the Japanese [[Ginrai|Super Ginrai]] version that had the shorter stacks, not the Hasbro Optimus Prime version). This test is also used to determine the durability of a toy's packaging, making sure that ''only'' the packaging is damaged should it be dropped.

Other tests have similar goals, generally concerned with breakage issues. Hence, the Japanese version of [[Vector Prime]] has hard plastic wings, but the U.S. version uses a rubbery material less likely to accidentally snap off or gouge out the eye of a child (or a particularly clumsy adult). Even as early as 1985, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] were altered to have blunted nosecones, and the [[Seeker]] jets had rubber nosecones instead of hard plastic. Again, this was likely to prevent trauma from a thrown or jabbed toy.

==Safety standards==
[[Image:MarvelUS-33.jpg|left|150px|thumb|We don't let lawyers wear armor or carry lances anymore.]]
[[Image:G1Thunder clash toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm a choking hazard!]]
[[Image:MachineWarsPrime.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm not!]]
Besides the safety testing, Hasbro (and other toy manufacturers) try to make sure their products conform to certain standards. Some of these standards are self-imposed, while others are mandated at the state or national level. Most notably, these laws include choke laws, which are designed to prevent small parts (''especially'' projectiles) from being lodged in a child's windpipe; the use of toxic materials like lead-based paints; and toy gun laws, which are designed to prevent scenarios where law enforcement officials accidentally shoot children or adults who are not armed, but carrying "realistic" toy guns; like say, [[Megatron (G1) toys|G1 Megatron]]. U.S. law requires that toy guns have either an orange plug in the barrel, or a coat of orange paint on the barrel. Some states have even more stringent laws, which require that toy guns must be brightly colored and must not resemble real-world firearms. (Some retailers won't even carry realistic toy guns ''anyway'', so that's a double-whammy some places.)

Note that the major federal toy gun law was enacted in 1988, and applies to all toy guns manufactured after May 1989. As such, it is entirely legal for dealers to sell original G1 Megatron figures, as they are grandfathered in; but any later American release of the toy WOULD have to meet these standards, hence the "Safety/Lava Bath Megatron" toy, which STILL failed to meet these guidelines, as the entire external surface was not (and likely could not be) made from a single color of plastic.
{{-}}
==Safety standards in other countries==
The USA isn't the only country with rigid toy safety standards that affect Transformers. In fact, some countries have safety standards that are even ''more'' rigid than anything the USA has. Examples:

* Japan apparently has extremely lax toy safety regulations. The Japanese toy safety standard is called "ST", which can be applied to toys aimed at children under the age of 14; however, that doesn't mean that a toy ''can't'' be sold if it ''doesn't'' sport the "ST" seal. The only difference is that parents will receive a compensation if their child gets injured by playing with an "ST"-approved toy.

* In Italy's ''[[Trasformer]]'' {{sic}} line by [[GiG]], many toys' missile launchers didn't have their springs removed, but the missiles ''did'' have comically-huge giant rubber balls attached to the tips. Some of the subsequent, officially-licensed-by-Hasbro ''Transformers'' re-releases of those toys still featured the same kind of missiles. Makes those elongated [[Commemorative Series]] missiles seem not so bad after all, huh?

* Whereas European toy gun laws are more relaxed, hence making the import of [[Megatron (G1) toys|G1 Megatron]] reissues and [[Masterpiece]] Megatron less of a legal hassle, Australia actually has ''harsher'' regulations than the US, officially classifying MP Megatron as a "firearm replica". Some Australian states even consider the ''possession'' of the toy ''illegal'', even if it was painted in bright orange or sported a permanently glued on orange plug. Apparently, the only way to circumvent this problem requires joining some kind of registered Collectors' Club.<ref>[http://www.csapo.com.au/ttf/TCTF_Club.htm Details about the legal situation concerning the import and possession of Masterpiece Megatron in Australia]</ref>

* Members of the European Union don't consider American safety regulations sufficient, but require their own safety tests, with the toys having to adhere to the European standard EN 71. As a consequence, toys that are perfectly fine to be released in the USA might occasionally not be considered suitable for the European market. And since Hasbro has long since abandoned producing international "variants" of toys beyond mere packaging differences, that would mean those toys simply won't come out in Europe at all. (However, while specific examples are unconfirmed, it's highly doubtful that this affects a large number of toys.)

{{picsneeded|}}

==Trivia==
* According to Hasbro, toys that represent flying characters are given more stringent drop tests and rounded/collapsible bits, as children (and the kind of adults who buy Transformers) are more prone to throwing these figures around or ramming them into things (or people).
* You know how G1 Megatron turns into a realistic-looking handgun? And how there are various laws prohibiting the sale of realistic-looking toy handguns? [http://www.windsorstar.com/hour+standoff+ends+peacefully/1660116/story.html Yeah.] C'mon, you knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.
* Besides "turning into a realistic handgun," another Generation 1 [[gimmick]] we won't be seeing again in the future is the [[Sparking gimmick|"sparking" action]] found in the [[Firecon|Firecons]], [[Sparkabot|Sparkabots]], and [[Monsterbot|Monsterbots]], after a Barbie doll with a similar action feature reportedly set a child's underwear on fire. No, seriously.<ref>[http://mail.hudat.com/~ken/funny/barbie.html Blading Barbie Sparks Up Hell On Wheels.]</ref>

==External links==
* [http://theswca.com/textf/toydeath.html Page featuring articles on the genesis of the choke-gate test, due to a missile-firing ''Battlestar Galactica'' toy.]
* [http://www.washingtonwatchdog.org/documents/cfr/title15/part1150.html CFR Title 15, Part 1150, the official federal law on "realistic" toy guns and the markings thereof.]
* [http://www.btha.co.uk/about_us/toy_safety_guide.php Overview on toy safety standards in the UK]
* [http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/toypremguid04.pdf Pages five and six of this article give a brief summary of the federal safety guidelines regarding breakability testing.] (PDF format.)
* [http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28331 ''The Onion'''s slightly snarkier take on the subject, for those who like their snarky snark snarkiness.]
* [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080807.wmegatron0807/BNStory/National/home Canadian ruling that Masterpiece Megatron does not constitute a "replica firearm" for importing purposes.]

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Toys]]

Scale

2009-06-02T10:55:54Z

86.17.124.125: /* Multiple scales of same character */

Jetfire (Animated)

2009-05-20T12:00:52Z

86.17.124.125: /* Animated */

{{factions|autobot|eliteguard}}
{{disambig3|Jetfire}}
:''Jetfire is a [[Autobot|comrade]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Jetfireanimatedboxart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Ready, Ronald?" "Ready when you are, Professor Stein."]]

'''Jetfire''' and his twin [[brother]] [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] are part of a risky Autobot [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]] experiment in duplicating the flight and combat abilities of the [[Decepticon]]s. What the Autobots got were two incredibly rambunctious, cocky, and oddly naive robots with devastating combat power and acrobatic skill. Jetfire, true to his name, has the ability to create massive bursts of flame in both robot and jet modes. However, his accuracy and judgment as to when to use this power are questionable at best. Thankfully, he actually listens to [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]]'s orders to throttle down once they get on his nerves (which is often).

The twins also have the ability to combine into a superjet, or into the robot [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]]... modes that makes them even more physically powerful, but no less prone to acting without thinking.

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{note|Events from the IDW comics are in italics.}}
:''Voice actor:'' [[Tom Kenny]] (English)

[[Image:Jetfirejetstormzackly.jpg|left|200px|thumb|He probably thinks the "henbotway" joke is funny too.]]

''Jetfire was a simple repair bot who, along with his brother Jetstorm, nearly died in an on-site accident. Viewed by the Elite Guard as completely expendable, Jetfire and his brother were chosen to have [[Decepticon]] coding (acquired from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] during his time in custody) grafted onto their Autobot shells in hopes that the pair would gain the Decepticons' flight abilities. [[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]], [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] and [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] did the necessary calculations and programming needed. After this, the pair's combat abilities were tested against [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]], whom they easily defeated.''

[[Image:Jetfirewilldestroyusall.jpg|right|200px|thumb|My goggles, they do nothing!]]

''To try their combat skills against a Decepticon, Starscream's programming was scanned into a combat simulator. However, Starscream's programming overpowered the training system, and the battle became real. Starscream's strength and cunning were more than they expected; Jetfire briefly lost control of his flame throwers and began to burn up, only to be saved when Jetstorm's wind turbines put out the flames. With newfound determination, the two combined into Safeguard for the first time and destroyed the virtual Decepticon. After this performance, Jetfire and his brother were inducted into the Elite Guard. {{storylink|Rise of Safeguard|Rise of Safeguard}}''

Later, Jetfire, along with his brother, Jazz, and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]], were sent by [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] to chase after the supposed Decepticon spy [[Wasp]]. The twins soon found a Wasp-disguised [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], whom Wasp intended to frame by swapping paint jobs, helmets and voices, and Jetfire was able to make at least one fireball attack before Jetstorm accidentally (and literally) blew Bumblebee away. They then were confronted by [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], who mistook them for Decepticons due to their ability to fly. After a one-on-one battle with Optimus & Ratchet (with Jetstorm facing Optimus and Jetfire facing Ratchet, respectively), the two combined into Safeguard to try and gain the upper hand, only to have the brawl end when Sentinel & Jazz arrived and cleared up the misunderstanding. Then, under Sentinel's orders, the twins set out to find Wasp once more.

They later found him with [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], who tried to convince them that Wasp had swapped places with Bumblebee, but to no avail. The twins assumed all three to be traitors and attacked them. The long battle was once again broken up by the others, who had become at least partly convinced of Bumblebee's true identity. The group quickly headed back to the Autobots' base to try and sort out the matter. During the fighting, however, Wasp had hacked into the Autobots' files on Bumblebee, allowing Wasp to know everything about him. Bulkhead decided to settle it with a game of ''[[Ninja Gladiator]]'' to determine the real Bumblebee. Jetfire and Jetstorm were so delighted by the concept of video games that they both shouted that they would play the winner. This would not happen, as Wasp revealed his true identity under the pressure. {{storylink|Where Is Thy Sting?}} {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}} {{storylink|Predacons Rising}} {{storylink|This Is Why I Hate Machines}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:AniJetfire-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I am the god of Jetfire! And I bring you...]]
*'''Jetfire and Jetstorm''' (Entertainment Pack, 2008)

: Available only in a twin-pack with his brother Jetstorm, Jetfire transforms into a white and orange Cybertronic wedge-shaped jet. He features pop-up "fire blades" in his robot mode armor. He can combine with his brother in both modes; in vehicle mode, they form an odd super-jet simply by docking together along their undercarriages (Yes, yes, har har, very droll), while Jetfire's robot mode forms the right half of the super robot Safeguard.

:Both Jetfire and Jetstorm can flip open their cockpits. Nice. Pointless, but nice.

: The set comes with a bonus comic book, "[[Rise of Safeguard]]", which details the creation of the twins.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/Jetfire/jetfire.htm| More information on Jetfire at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

==Notes==
* Both twins speak with a thick Romanian accent.

[[Image:TFA Jetfire Jetstorm concept.jpg|right|200px|thumb|CHEEKS!]]
* Jetfire and Jetstorm's fire/wind theme has its roots in some of the earliest concepts of ''Animated''. [[Sean Galloway]], who had been commissioned to do early concept work for the series, revealed several pieces of this concept art long before the "final" [[Derrick J. Wyatt|Derrick Wyatt]]-designed characters were shown. Among these images were a pair of "fire and wind" robots who have a few features that made it into the jet-twins' final designs.

* The twins' method of combination is seemingly an homage to Hyōryū and Enryū/Chōryūjin from the final installment of Takara's [[Brave]] Series, ''King of Braves GaoGaiGar''.

* In the early stages of the toy's development, the end of the twins' combined vehicle mode is supposed to split apart and wings are supposed to slide out of the shins, so that the combined mode resembles an [[Luke Skywalker|X-wing fighter]].<ref>[http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html Derrick Wyatt blog post (read comments below)]</ref>

* [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] had no input over Jetfire's name, as the twins were largely the work of [[Eric Siebenaler]]; Wyatt only did a "once-over" of their aesthetics to match the rest of the series near the end of their development cycle. That's the reason why ''Animated'' Jetfire does not have a more "traditional" [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] design. As such, Wyatt says that if he ever does an homage to the original Jetfire's design, he would gladly call the character "Skyfire". (Of course, that [[trademark]] isn't actually available to [[Hasbro]] for toys, but that doesn't matter for a TV show.)

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category: Elite Guard]]

Soundwave (Cybertron)

2009-04-14T18:20:44Z

86.17.124.125: /* Cybertron comic */

{{factions|decepticon|unicron}}
{{disambig3|Soundwave}}
:''Soundwave is a [[Planet X]] [[Decepticon]] from the [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]].''

[[Image:SoundwaveCyb FPbio.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"The rock it to the bang bang boogie say up jumped the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat."]]
'''Soundwave''' is possibly Planet X's most physically intimidating warrior, but his ''true'' talent and the real threat comes from his "mad skillz" at creating confusion. His audio-altering abilities let him change his voice to sound like virtually anyone, or focus devastating sonic attacks. He also seems to be able to create illusions, though of limited duration, to further confuse his targets. The abilities of his companion [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]] only increase Soundwave's ability to confound and crush.

Even his speech seems to be geared towards throwing people off-balance; though his tone is often a deadpan monotone (at least, when he's not impersonating someone else), his speech is that of a rave-club DJ, announcing loudly to "all the bots in the hizzouse" that he's here to "lay some science down on you all". Despite the appearance these mannerisms give off, he's actually a very serious-minded and focused robot, far more than his fellow Planet X agent [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]]. His mission is manipulating [[Autobot]] and Decepticon alike to get his revenge on the citizens of [[Gigantion]], and serving the will of [[Unicron]].

{{quote|His name is Soundwave, and he spins like the sun.|[[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]]|"[[Giant]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''Cybertron'' comic====
When his home planet, the world of technological marauders known only as [[Planet X]], was destroyed in a war with [[Gigantion]], Soundwave was one of a small handful of survivors who became fixated solely on revenge against the Giant Planet. Immediately after that catastrophic event, Planet X's surviving scholars pooled their knowledge in a search for some force which might bring the same fate to their hated enemies. Lore of an ancient, planet-devouring being brought them hope, and they split up across the universe in their search for it. Soundwave would end up succeeding in the millennia-long quest, tracing the Gigantion [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]' origins to his quarry: [[Unicron]]. Soundwave struck a deal with the Chaos Bringer: one million years of servitude in return for the assured destruction of Gigantion.<ref>Soundwave's [[bio]] in the [[Revelations Part 3|''Transformers Collectors' Club Official Newsletter'' #9]]</ref>

Unfortunately for Soundwave, Unicron was destroyed just as the end date of his servitude approached. {{storylink|The Sun|The Sun}} But he did not let this minor detail impede his loyalty; while [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]'s forces were busy searching for the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]], Soundwave and Laserbeak stole the fallen [[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|Nemesis Prime]]'s [[Dead Matrix]] from the [[Autobot|Autobots]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and cast it into the [[Unicron Singularity]], liberating the Chaos Bringer's essence. Unicron's lifeforce immediately sought out and entered the tiny planet [[Yst]], which he perverted and destroyed from within, shaping it into his new body. {{storylink|Revelations Part 3|Revelations Part 3}} Unicron (now the size of an average Transformer) returned to Cybertronian orbit and rejoined Soundwave. The two of them participated briefly in a battle among some Mini-Cons and [[Omega Prime|a few]] [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|dimensional]] [[Landquake (Timelines)|travelers]] before the transformation of Cybertron itself into [[Primus]]' robot mode caused them to flee. {{storylink|Revelations Part 6|Revelations Part 6}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Robert O. Smith]] (US), [[Taketora]] (Japan)

[[Image:GiantCybertronSoundwave.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Can I get a what what?"]]
Following Primus' transformation, the Autobots and Decepticons focused their efforts into locating the fourth and final Cyber Planet Key, which just so happened to be on Gigantion. With the Decepticons unable to voyage across time and space to the parallel dimension in which Gigantion was located, Soundwave seized upon another chance for revenge and opted to ally himself with the villains. Emerging before the Decepticons from a fiery portal in space, Soundwave performed a bit of dramatic posturing before revealing his name and informing them that he knew the way to the planet. {{storylink|Titans|Titans}}

Living up to his word, Soundwave led Megatron and his troops through another fiery portal, across the dimensions to the Giant Planet. {{storylink|Warp|Warp}} When the Decepticons clashed with Optimus Prime's Autobots not long afterwards, Soundwave shocked the amassed heroes with his talent for mimicry by flawlessly impersonating the Autobot leader's voice. Prime was flattered and merged with [[Wing Saber]] to battle Soundwave; the villain held his own in the fight, but when Megatron was thoroughly pwned by Giant Planet leader [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]], he joined the Decepticons in fleeing. {{storylink|Giant|Giant}} Megatron proceeded to tap the power of Gigantion's Cyber Planet Key, and transformed himself into Galvatron, at which point Soundwave decided to "drop out of this session," and flew off to carry out his own agenda. He observed Galvatron's subsequent battle with Optimus Prime from afar with great interest. {{storylink|Fury|Fury}}

During a later battle between Optimus Prime and Soundwave's fellow Planet X-er [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] over the starship ''[[Atlantis]]'', Soundwave suddenly came streaking into the middle of the battlefield to yank Sideways out of the path of a blast from Prime. The pair retreated to safety, as Soundwave reminded Sideways not to forget the true reason they were there. {{storylink|City|City}} The duplicitous duo began searching for Gigantion's Cyber Planet Key, but when they were caught in the act by the [[Cybertron Defense Team]], Soundwave didn't have any reservations about revealing his and Sideways's true history to the Autobot trio, as he intended to destroy them. As Laserbeak shrouded the area with a smokescreen, Soundwave used his imitative abilities to distract and disorient the three Autobots, until [[Scattershot]] blasted Laserbeak out of the air. After the smoke cleared, the trio unloaded their weapons on the two tricksters, collapsing a tower on top of them. {{storylink|Challenge|Challenge}}

Following this defeat, Soundwave and Sideways dropped out of sight for a period of time, during which the Autobot successfully located Gigantion's Cyber Planet Key. Galvatron was able to steal all four keys and the [[Omega Lock]] from the heroes, but before he could make good his escape, Galvatron was confronted by his treacherous lieutenant, [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. As the two former allies engaged in battle over the keys, the Autobots prepared to intercede, only for Soundwave and Sideways to suddenly burst out of nowhere and stand in their path. The two Planet X-ers kept the Autobots occupied while Galvatron and Starscream's battle escalated until the two Decepticons were channelling so much raw energy that reality actually began to warp around them. Having failed to predict such a calamitous outcome, Soundwave was in favor of simply warping away to fight another day, but Sideways insisted on making one final play for the Cyber Planet Keys, and Soundwave stuck by his "bro". The pair lunged for the Omega Lock, suspended between Galvatron and Starscream, just as their conflict reached a crescendo, resulting in a colossal explosion of energy. As the light from the blast dimmed, Starscream, Soundwave and Sideways had vanished, and although [[Vector Prime]] could not be certain, he believed that they had been blasted into yet another dimension. {{storylink|Showdown (Cybertron episode)|Showdown}}

Precisely what had happened to Soundwave and Sideways was never clearly explained, but they did, at least survive the experience. When Galvatron had a vision of Starscream, seemingly reaching out across the dimensions via the [[fire dimension]] to mock him one last time, Soundwave and Sideways were seen standing at his side, {{storylink|Unfinished|Unfinished}} Later, the pair were shown to have found another Planet X, presumably in the dimension they had been blasted to, and seemed to be pretty dang happy there, given the way they were boogieing. {{storylink|End|End}}

==Toys==
===Cybertron===
[[Image:CybertronSoundwave toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Throw your hands up in the air, you can surrender but I just don't care."]]
* '''Soundwave w/ Laserbeak''' (Voyager-Class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GX-02'''
**''Accessories:'' Laserbeak Mini-Con partner, tri-barrel cannon/bomb, double-barrel blaster/bomb, Planet X Cyber Planet Key

: Soundwave transforms into a Cybertronic stealth bomber somewhat akin to a F-117A Nighthawk prototype, the [[wikipedia:Have_Blue|Have Blue]]. He comes with three hexagonal prism "bombs"; one converts into his partner Laserbeak, the other two unfold into non-firing blaster weapons. Any one of these "bombs" can be stored in his robot-mode chest, which opens by plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into him. The other two store in indents on the underside of his wings. He comes with a silver-bordered Planet X style Cyber Planet Key; the [[Hasbro]] version has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Key Code]] "'''vmj8'''" [[Tampograph|tampographed]] on the back.

: The Japanese ''Galaxy Force'' version has more elaborate [[Paint application|paint applications]], particularly around the face and wings. This version also has [[Vacuum metalizing|vacuum-metallized]] plastic, but lacks the Decepticon sigil. Many Soundwave figures in the initial ''Galaxy Force'' run had a serious misassembly issue preventing the toy from correctly transforming into fighter mode. The large hinge bar that connects the upper torso to the waist is bolted crookedly on one side, making it impossible for the legs and the canopy to properly front of the fighter.

: This mold was later used to make ''Galaxy Force'' [[Soundblaster (Cybertron)|Soundblaster]] and the [[Universe (2008)|2008 ''Universe'']] [[Blaster (G1)|Autobot Blaster]].

{{anchor|Legends}}

[[Image:LOCSoundwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Of all the LOCs, this one gets served the most.]]
* '''Soundwave''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2005)

: This incredibly-simplified version of the original Soundwave toy was made available in the third wave of "[[Legends of Cybertron]]" product. His jet-mode cockpit does not attach to his left arm, but rather just kind of hangs awkwardly off his left hip. The stock photo at right, the picture on the toy's card, and the toy's instructions, show ''three'' different arrangements of Soundwave's hips and lower torso in vehicle mode. (They differ in whether the triangular pattern of stripes on his crotch points up or forward, and on whether the fronts of his thighs point up or out.) None of the arrangements works terribly well.

: This mold was also used to make the 2008 ''Universe'' version of [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]].

===Classics===
* '''Soundwave''' (Legends class, 2007)

: Bizarrely enough, Soundwave was one of three ''Cybertron'' Legends toys straight-released in ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' packaging, though with the modifier "Cybertron Collection" printed on the cardfront. The toy itself is identical to the ''Cybertron'' release.

==Trivia==
* According to the ''Galaxy Force'' Volume 13 DVD booklet, Soundwave's stats are:
*''Height'': 4.1 meters
*''Weight'': 4.1 tons
*''Speed'': Mach 4.1

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2006/Decepticon/Soundwave/soundwave.htm Soundwave at TFU.info]

[[Category:Cybertron characters]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Planet X]]

Landmine (episode)

2009-04-14T18:19:41Z

86.17.124.125: /* Synopsis */

<center>
<table cellspacing="0" style="">

<tr>
<td style="padding:0 1em 0 1em;text-align:right;"><div class="tti_messageboxdiv" style="width:100%;padding:.5em; background-color:#efefff; border:solid 1px #9f9fff;text-align:center;margin:auto;">[[Image:PicsNeeded.gif|left|80px|They're actually both looking for characterization.]]
Let's see what you can see...<hr />
This article is in need of images.

</div>
</td></tr></table>
</center>

{{disambig3|Landmine}}
<table class="infobox" style="width: 20em;">

<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="background-color:#e7d492;text-align:center;font-size:12px;">
<table width="100%" style="background-color:transparent">

<tr style="font-size:14px;">
<td class="tti_buttonlink">'''[[Hidden|«]]'''
</td><td>'''''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Transformers: Cybertron]]'' ep 4'''
</td><td class="tti_buttonlink">'''[[Space|»]]'''
</td></tr>
<tr class="tt1_secondarynav">
<td class="tti_buttonlink">
</td><td>'''''[[Galaxy Force]]'' ep 5'''
</td><td class="tti_buttonlink">
</td></tr></table>
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="font-size: 14px; background-color:#e7d492; color:black;font-weight:bold;" align="center"> "Landmine" <div style="font-size:x-small;font-weight:normal;">チップスクエアを探せ! (''Chip Square wo Sagase!'') "Find the Chip Square!"</div>
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td> '''Airdate'''
</td><td> [[August]], 2005 (English) [[February 5|5 February]] 2005 (Japanese)
</td></tr>

<tr>
<td> '''Animation studio'''
</td><td> [[GONZO]]
</td></tr>

</table>
'''The Autobots investigate their first clue to the Omega Lock, and Landmine reveals there's more to him than meets the eye.'''

==Synopsis==
On [[Velocitron]], Crumplezone and Ransack are driving along, minding their own business, when Megatron accosts them, slaps them around, and tells them, "You work for me, now." Cowed, they agree.

Meanwhile, on [[Earth]], Landmine is feeling useless, as he's still recovering from his injuries at the hands of Starscream. (As seen in "[[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]".) Optimus reassures him he'll be back at 100% soon, and the kids come by to cheer him up.

Optimus meets with the rest of the Autobots to decide on a plan of action. They agree that more info on the [[Atlantis Pattern]] and the [[Omega Lock]] is needed. Vector Prime says he'll analyze the Pattern, while the rest go forth to gather intel. Lori and Bud go too, with Jetfire and Jolt, respectively.

Optimus goes looking for Hot Shot, and finds him goofing off at a local race track. He reprimands him for being reckless when discretion is needed. Hot Shot swears it won't happen again.

Back at the base, Coby is giving Landmine a checkup. He tells him he's not completely healed yet, but Landmine is eager to help look for info. Bud agrees to go out with him, so long as he picks an Earth vehicle mode, first. They head out to a construction site, and Landmine chooses a front loader.

Meanwhile, Bud has been surfing the net from within Jolt, and has located a copy of the Atlantis Pattern at a museum in [[Mexico]]. Jolt passes the news to Optimus, who orders the whole team to the museum. Starscream and Thundercracker spot them en route, and follow.

At the museum, the guard is fast asleep. The Autobots are about to enter, when the two Decepticons show up. Thundercracker shows off his new Cyber Key, blasting Jetfire. The two nemeses take off to duel in the skies. The [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] take the kids aside to safety, as Optimus confronts Starscream. Vector Prime heads inside to check out the Pattern, protected by Hot Shot and Scattorshot.

Prime and 'Scream exchange some bon mots, then Landmine charges in, determined to get a piece of the Decepticon. Prime orders him to stand back, as he's not ready for combat. Landmine hesitates, and Starscream takes the opportunity to shoot at him. Optimus shields Landmine, and is injured. Landmine fights with Starscream briefly, but the Decepticon knocks him down, and flies toward the museum to take out Vector Prime. Scattorshot and Hot Shot hold him off.

One of Thundercracker's shots goes wide, and heads toward the kids and Mini-Cons. Landmine leaps to defend them, summons his Cyber Key, and invokes his Cyber Tempest to detonate the incoming fire, proving that he's ready for action again.

At this point, Vector Prime emerges and declares that the object inside is not the Omega Lock, but rather an imitation. With Red Alert and Overhaul just arriving to reinforce the Autobots, Starscream calls for a retreat.

Back at base, Landmine and Coby share a moment. Then Vector Prime informs the Autobots that, while the object at the base was an imitation, it did contain a star map giving the location of the Speed Planet, Velocitron, where one of the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]] is located. Optimus dispatches Hot Shot and Red Alert to Velocitron, with orders to be discreet and make no contact with the locals. Vector Prime's [[dimension gate]] and the power of Optimus's [[Matrix]] see them on their way.

Arriving on Velocitron, Hot Shot is agog over the endless speedways... and aghast when he's passed by [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], who seems to be even faster than him.

==Featured characters==
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)''

<table border="5" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" align="center" style="border:#800000">
<tr>
<th style="background:#FFEEEE"> [[Autobots]]</th><th style="background:#EEEEFE"> [[Decepticons]]</th><th style="background:antiquewhite"> [[Human|Humans]]
</th></tr>
<tr>
<td style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top">
* [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Vector Prime]] (9)
* [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] (10)
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (11)
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] (12)
* [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] (13)
* Generic sports cars (14, 15)
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (16)
* [[Six-Speed]] (19)
* [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] (20)
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (21)
* [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] (22)

</td><td style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top">
* [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] (1)
* [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] (2)
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] (3)
* [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] (17)
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] (18)

</td><td style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top">
* [[Coby Hansen]] (6)
* [[Bud Hansen]] (7)
* [[Lori]] (8)
* Museum guard

</td></tr></table>

==Quotes==
'''Crumplezone:''' Hey, there's [[Megatron (Armada)|some big guy]] parked up on the road! So, you think he's friendly? 
'''Ransack:''' Ah . . . ''(Megatron fires on them.)'' No, ''not'' friendly! Make tracks buddy! ''(They scarper.)'' What's with him? 
'''Crumplezone:''' I don't know, maybe he's related to that cute scooter you dumped. You should have been ''nicer'' to her. 

'''Bud:''' Jolt! Jetfire and Lori just burned us! Can't you fly any faster? 
'''Jolt:''' If you wanted to fly fast, you picked the wrong Mini-Con. 

'''Coby:''' You can't go out looking like that! It's time for you to pick a disguise. Ah, how about that? 
''(Points to a small bucket loader.)'' 
'''Landmine:''' I don't know. Nah, I can't see myself looking like that, kid. It just ain't me. 
'''Coby:''' Okay, looks like you're a picky shopper. How about something in a shovel like that? 
''(Points to a front loader.)'' 
'''Landmine:''' Hmm. 
'''Coby:''' I'd say that's your color. 
'''Landmine:''' Mmm-hmm. I like it. It's powerful, it's sturdy, y'know? Yeah, it's just my style! 
'''Coby:''' Go try it on. 
''(Landmine scans front loader.)'' 
'''Landmine:''' Landmine, transform! 
''(He does.)'' 
'''Coby:''' Whoa, I dig your new look! 
'''Landmine:''' Dig! Ha-ha, hey, that's a joke, right? I get it! Huh, that's a good one, kid! 

'''Thundercracker:''' Man, wha'cha reckon this Omega Lock thing looks like? Where exactly ''are'' we headed? Gotta picture of it? 
'''Starscream:''' Oh, quit ''whining'' and keep searching. 
'''Thundercracker:''' Aww, whining?! I'm ''thinking!'' Out ''loud!'' ''(Starscream accelerates away.)'' Hey, I was talking to you!

'''Jolt:''' So, Atlantis is in Mexico? 
'''Bud:''' Can't say that for sure, but I do love tacos!

''(Megatron has recruited the Velocitronian miscreants to work for him.)'' 
'''Crumplezone:''' I don't wanna work! 
'''Ransack:''' Ah, it's an offer we can't refuse, Crumplezone. 
'''Crumplezone:''' But this guy is mean! He kinda scares the oil out of me. 
'''Ransack:''' Eh, go with the flow.

'''Thundercracker:''' ''(Blasts Jetfire.)'' I got you like a bad habit! 
'''Jetfire:''' I ''hate'' this guy.

'''Coby:''' No, Landmine! We both know you're not fully recovered yet! Don't fight Starscream! 
'''Starscream (snidely):''' Ahh, "Oh please, don't fight Starscream!" 
'''Landmine:''' Grr!

"Got it. Keepin' it on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down-low_%28MSM%29" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:Down-low_(MSM)">down-low</a>. The D.L." 
"Oh, be still my beating heart. A secret mission with Hot Shot? I'm dizzy..."

:—'''Hot Shot''' + '''Red Alert''' OTP!

==Notes==
===Pain count===
*"Cyber Key Power!": 4
*"Super mode!": 1

===Animation and/or technical glitches===
* When Thundercracker says, "I just love parties, don't you, Starscream?" his mouth is not moving.

===Miscellaneous trivia===
* The generic sports car Autobots are once again based on [[Blurr (Cybertron)|Blurr]].
* Landmine takes an Earth [[altmode]] in this episode. However, he pretty clearly had a lot of [[kibble]] from this altmode before he acquired it (as the animators didn't have the budget to design a pre-Earth body).
* Also, when he scans a front loader to reconfigure his body, the real front loader apparently disappears. Kinda harsh for the real owners, nu?
* When Starscream and Thundercracker arrive at the museum, they both announce their own names for no apparent reason. Optimus then ''repeats'' their names, in case anyone missed 'em.
* Thundercracker is the first of many characters to be able to summon a Cyber Key untrained, despite the strong implication in "[[Hidden]]" that in order to summon a Key, Vector Prime has to show you how. From this point on, almost anyone can do it.
* Landmine's transformation to robot mode is awfully ''balletic'' for a rough, tough, front loader.
* In the beginning, Ransack and Crumplezone are running a car that looks similar to [[Blurr (Armada)|Armada Blurr]] off the road. This scene is cut from the dub.

[[Category:Articles in need of images]]
[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]

Overhaul (Cybertron)

2009-04-14T18:18:10Z

86.17.124.125: /* Cybertron cartoon continuity */

{{faction|autobot}}
{{disambigr|Overhaul|the Generation 1 War Within Autobot|Overhaul (G1)}}{{picsneeded|Toys}}

:''Overhaul is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]]. Upon recieving a new body, he took the name '''Leobreaker'''.''

[[Image:Map-Leobreaker01.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Let's lionize, guys!]]

'''Overhaul''' is an elder Autobot warrior, having fought alongside [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] during the [[Unicron Battles]] and [[Powerlinx Battles]], and likely before that, as well. He is gruff and oftentimes confrontational, but exceptionally loyal to the Autobot cause. He says he prefers to work alone, but knows deep down the value of friendship and teamwork.

As '''Leobreaker''', his gung-ho attitude is heavily amplified, but he's no longer so independent-minded. He's become fast friends with [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] of the [[Jungle Planet]], and has even gained his own [[Platinum Mini-Cons|personal Mini-Con attendants]]. He's even taken a shining to [[Earth]] team sports like baseball, possibly as a replacement for war. This new focus on teamwork does have its downside; he harbors a litlte bit of resentment that his "Savage Claw Mode" combination with Optimus might not be as strong as the "Sonic Wing Mode" the Autobot leader can form with [[Wing Saber]].

He is the cousin of the [[Decepticon]] [[Brushguard]].

:''Japanese name:'' '''Jackshot / Ligerjack''' 
:''Hungarian name, as Overhaul'': '''Generál''' ('''Generálozó''' in ''Ultimate Battle'' DVD) 
:''Hungarian name, as Leobreaker'': '''Vastigris''' ("Iron-tiger")
:''Polish name, as Leobreaker'': '''Megalion'''

==Fiction==
===Cybertron cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Paul Dobson]] (US), [[Hisao Egawa]] (Japan) 

[[Image:CybOverhaul.jpg|left|thumb|Who thought "Jackshot" was a good idea? No, seriously. Who?]]

Overhaul was one of the most bull-headed members of the Autobots. During a skirmish with the [[Decepticon]]s, he charged into battle without backup and was pinned under a massive boulder. When he came to, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] was personally defending Overhaul's position, apologising to him for not coming sooner. This taught Overhaul to value friendship and camaraderie. {{Storylink|Honor}}

Soon afterwards, the [[Unicron Singularity]] threatened to destroy [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], so Overhaul accompanied Optimus Prime's unit to [[Earth]] in search of the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]] that would restore the Allspark of [[Primus]], at least according to the time-travelling [[Vector Prime]]. {{Storylink|Fallen}} During the construction of their new base on Earth, Overhaul alone completed the application of the stealth coating that prevented their base from being detected by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. {{Storylink|Haven}}

Later, when [[Motorcycle refugee|an Autobot civilian]] discovered the warp coordinates leading to a Cyber Planet Key on another [[Jungle Planet|another world]], Overhaul and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] were selected to scout out this strange prehistoric planet. Unfortunately, due to interference from [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]], Overhaul was left stranded by himself. {{Storylink|Search}}

{{charstubfiction}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Cybertron===
*'''Overhaul''' (Scout class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''GC-05'''
**''Accessories'': Missile, Cybertron Autobot Cyber Key (Takara only), Jungle Planet Key (Hasbro only)

[[Image:Overhaul_toy.jpg|right|thumb|250px|My arms really suck.]]

: Overhaul transforms into an off-road vehicle similar to a Humvee. Plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into his robot mode back launches his chest-mounted missile (you can do this in car mode too, but the missile is blocked). In Japan, he came with a silver-bordered [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] Autobot Cyber Planet Key, but for his [[Hasbro]] release he came with a silver Jungle Planet style key, with the [[Cyber Key Codes|Key Code]] "'''s9d7'''" on the back. There are rumors that a later release of the Japanese version was changed to a Jungle key, but this has not been confirmed.

: This mold is also used by [[Brushguard]] and the [[Movie (franchise)|live-action-movie-verse]] [[Warpath (Movie)|Warpath]].

{{-}}
*'''Leobreaker''' (Voyager-class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''GC-16'''
**''Accessories'': Tail-blade, Jungle Planet Cyber Key

[[Image:Leobreaker_toy.jpg|thumb|250px|Another $13 and my arms still suck.]]

: The Overhaul upgrade transforms into a mechanical lion (though in Japan he's called a liger) with electronic sound effects. Each forelimb/arm has a Cyber-Key-released spring-loaded claw, and his tail becomes a blade-whip for robot mode. He can also transform into "Savage Claw Mode", becoming a massive clawed arm that can attach to the Super-class ''Cybertron'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)#CybSuper1|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Armada)#CybSuper1|Megatron]] toys, usable on either side of their torsos.

: He comes with a silver-bordered Jungle Planet style Cyber Key; the Hasbro version has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Key Code]] "'''vg08'''" on the back.

: This mold is also used by [[Nemesis Breaker]]. It is also the visual model for the comic-only form of [[Generation 1]] [[Razorclaw (G1)#Timelines|Razorclaw]] in the [[Beast Era]].

{{-}}

[[Image:Cybertron-toy_LoC_Leobreaker.JPG|right|thumb|250px]]
*'''Leobreaker''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2005)

: This toy is a simplified version of the Leobreaker toy. Needless to say, it cannot combine with Optimus Prime.

: This mold is also used by ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' [[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]] and ''[[Universe (2008) franchise|Universe]]'' [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]].

{{-}}

===Attacktix===
*'''Overhaul''' (Starter Set, 2006)
[[Image:Attacktix_Overhaul.jpg|thumb|right|Eh, with a gun like this, who needs arms?]]

{{attacktix
|ID=TF19
|faction=Autobot
|class=Leader
|special=Sacrifice - 14/26 (54%)
|cost=30
|speed=4
|attacktype=Shooter (Energy Blast)
}}

{{-}}

:Available only in the Transformers series 1 Starter Set, ''[[Attacktix]]'' Overhaul is very similar in stats and attacks to [[Excellion]]. Unlike Excellion, Overhaul can use his sacrifice power to return to play by taking the play of any Autobot figure, not just Trooper figures.

:Overhaul's 360 degree shoulder articulation (in addition to his waist and head) arguably gives this little figure more satisfying poseability than his larger brother. Okay, keep your shirt on. We said ''arguably''.
{{-}}

==Trivia==
[[Image:Leobreakerearly.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Look, ma, a hand!]]
* The original plans for Leobreaker involved a more coherent Savage Claw Mode arm design, complete with fingers and thumbs. But a variety of factors resulted in the simplified form, including rising petroleum prices.

* Additionally, one of the early prototypes featured a faux-SUV chest for Leobreaker, probably to link him more closely to his first body. Like the previously-listed changes, this was likely removed to lower the production cost — or possibly it was discarded for other reasons.

* The television CGI model of Leobreaker used during the combiner sequence animation, as well as the representation of the combined arm mode is based upon a modified version of one of the original prototypes of Leobreaker, who, as mentioned above, had a much more complex and believable 'arm-mode'.

* Originally, Overhaul was going to be called '''Trailbreaker''', in reference to the [[Generation 1]] [[Trailbreaker (G1)|character of the same name]]. However, the [[Trademark|trademark]] could not be secured for this, resulting in the name-change.

* In a related tidbit, the original naming idea was apparently to go from "Trailbreaker" to "Leobreaker". When they couldn't get Trailbreaker, it seems Hasbro considered naming Overhaul's lion form ''Overcast'', as that name is listed as Leobreaker's American name in the ''[[Galaxy Force Phase Ignition]]'' guidebook. However, they ultimately kept the name Leobreaker.

* Leobreaker's Japanese name is '''Jushin Ligerjack''', which may possibly derive from the '''[[wikipedia:Jushin_Liger_(anime)|Jushin Liger]]''', another [[Takara]]'s franchise.

* Both of this character's bodies feature three claws extending from each wrist. This makes him [[Wolverine]].

* The combination sequence between Galaxy Convoy and Leo Breaker is a reference to the combination of Goldymarg and GaoGaiGar in the anime ''The King of Braves GaoGaiGar''. The attack they perform appears similar to the Shining Finger from G Gundam.

{{-}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/Overhaul/overhaul.htm Overhaul at TFU.info]

[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Combiners]]
[[Category: Cybertron characters]]
[[Category: Jungle Planet]]
[[Category: Legends of Cybertron]]

AllSpark Key

2009-04-14T18:16:29Z

86.17.124.125: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Key}}
:''The Key is Sari Sumdac's very own MacGuffin in the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:SariKey.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Time to watch some Picture Pages!]]
Originally just a security keycard, the '''Key''' possessed by [[Sari Sumdac]] holds a great power. Given a portion of the power of the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]], the Key can be used to heal damaged [[Transformer|Transformers]], give life to machines, and control the machines. Such an object holds great power, and [[Spider-Man|with great power comes great responsibility]].

Sari had a little trouble getting a handle on that last part.

Oh, who are we kidding? She initially had ''no'' sense of responsibility when it came to the Key.

Fortunately, the Key itself has a better idea of when it should be used. Sometimes it can even overpower its owner to accomplish its own goals, even if they are contrary to Sari's wishes.

{{quote|Sari, how many times do I have to tell you: That key is not a toy!|[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], fighting a losing battle|"[[Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found]]}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[Image:TFA TARO Key creation.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Huh...pretty sure this has never happened before.]]

After Sari Sumdac met the [[Autobot]]s, she convinced [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] to take her to [[Autobot ship (Animated)|their ship]]. Once there, her inability to stay quiet forced the yellow and black bot to drop her down a shaft. She was deposited into the cargo hold where the AllSpark was located. Scanning Sari's mind, it channeled some of its power into the key. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] discovered Sari, but was forced to rush to the med bay, where [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] was dying. The Key began to glow, and she used it to heal his damaged circuits, saving his life. Several days later, Sari used the Key to restore Optimus Prime's [[spark]] after he was killed in the battle with [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

While trying to get into [[Isaac Sumdac|her father]]'s lab, Sari discovered that she could use the Key to control other machines. She activated the lock on the door, entering the lab, though Sumdac quickly moved her out of the room. The leftover energy, however, transferred itself to the head of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], restoring his higher functions. Sari then used her Key to short-circuit her [[Tutor Bot]] and get out of class early. (Don't pretend you wouldn't have.) {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is}}

When Bumblebee and [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] were creating an [[electromagnetic pulse]] to counter the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]], Sari used the Key to give Bumblebee's stingers a boost. The AllSpark energy was channeled into the Dinobots, granting them [[spark]]s. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}}

When [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] arrived on Earth, she tried to use the Key to purge her techno-organic body and restore her original form. However, the Key began to drain the life from everything organic in [[Detroit]], and it nearly killed Blackarachnia as well. Prime was forced to remove the Key to save everyone. Blackarachnia was noticeably displeased with this. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

Megatron had been observing Sari for some time, including her liberal use of the Key. He built [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] as [[Isaac Sumdac]]'s birthday gift for Sari. In fact, Megatron had designed Soundwave to evolve with each exposure to the Key, with the intention of using it as his new body. However, Megatron did not foresee that the Key would also grant Soundwave sentience. {{storylink|Sound and Fury}}

Sari used the Key to cheat at a game of street hockey with the Autobots. Later, the Key seemed to act as an early-warning system, projecting a beam of light whenever trouble for the Autobots appeared. When [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Lugnut]] appeared on Earth, it projected a beam of light targeting them. Later on, it projected a similar beam of light at a series of missiles launched at the Autobots. Once the Autobots eluded those and Ratchet safely got Sari to their ship, the Key prevented her from sabotaging the vessel so her friends couldn't leave, and aided in repairing the weapon systems. It also not-so-subtly gave Sari a little jolt to remind her of the power she wields through it, working with the AllSpark to project holograms of Megatron. This scared her into a reconciliation with Ratchet and indirectly led her to realize how she'd been abusing the Key. This time, it looks like the lesson may stick. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}}

Unfortunately, Optimus Prime didn't learn the right lesson. Although Sari had been chosen as the guardian of the Key, Prime was convinced by increasing Decepticon activity that it was no longer safe in Sari's care. He ordered Ratchet to confiscate it from her...and shortly thereafter, Ratchet was ambushed by Blitzwing and Lugnut, who stole the Key. They delivered it to Megatron, who used its power to rebuild himself, just as the foreboding vision had warned. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

In Megatron's hands, the Key proved capable of ''harming'' machines as well as healing, used by the Decepticon leader to offline his traitorous second in command Starscream. Megatron was also able to use the Key as a beacon to the AllSpark itself. However upon acquiring the AllSpark, Dr. Sumdac stunned Megatron and dropped the Key. Sari seized this opportunity and tossed the tiny object to Optimus Prime, who used it to shatter the shell that kept the AllSpark's energies in check. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

In the wake of the shattering of the AllSpark, the Key proved effective in locating the scattered shards of the artifact. Unfortunately it also showed such endeavors to be a bit hazardous, as it could not be removed from a piece of equipment that had a shard lodged in its workings. Optimus Prime's axe was needed to destroy the machinery and free the Key. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

Sari's continued use of the key grew to irritate Ratchet, who resented that his slower manual repair techniques might be viewed as obsolete. But Sari's reliance on the key burned her one last time: after she discovered her true Cybertronian origin, she attempted to upgrade herself with the key. It caused her to grow in size and apparent age, and also manifest many new combat features such as a helmet, wings, blades, and energy attacks; however, it also overloaded her systems and sent her on a destructive rampage. In the subsequent chaos, Sari badly injured Bumblebee, and when Ratchet attempted to use the key to repair him, it was discovered that the key had now been completely drained and was powerless. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

==Notes==
*The Key resembles the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] from Generation 1. Both artifacts grant access to the life giving power of their respective hosts, and both can have potentially disastrous results if misused.
*Sari's Key also has cues taken from the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]], in that it can provide temporary boosts of power to Transformers and upgrade certain machines.
*''Animated'' character designer and art director [[Derrick Wyatt]] has said that the key will no longer appear in the series: it was created to fuse with Sari, and with that accomplished it has no further role. <ref>[http://unicron-events-interviews.blogspot.com/2009/04/derrick-wyatt-interview.html Derrick Wyatt interview at Unicron.com]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:MacGuffins]]
[[Category:Objects]]

AllSpark Key

2009-04-14T18:15:52Z

86.17.124.125: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Key}}
:''The Key is Sari Sumdac's very own MacGuffin in the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:SariKey.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Time to watch some Picture Pages!]]
Originally just a security keycard, the '''Key''' possessed by [[Sari Sumdac]] holds a great power. Given a portion of the power of the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]], the Key can be used to heal damaged [[Transformer|Transformers]], give life to machines, and control the machines. Such an object holds great power, and [[Spider-Man|with great power comes great responsibility]].

Sari had a little trouble getting a handle on that last part.

Oh, who are we kidding? She initially had ''no'' sense of responsibility when it came to the Key.

Fortunately, the Key itself has a better idea of when it should be used. Sometimes it can even overpower its owner to accomplish its own goals, even if they are contrary to Sari's wishes.

{{quote|Sari, how many times do I have to tell you: That key is not a toy!|[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], fighting a losing battle|"[[Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found]]}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[Image:TFA TARO Key creation.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Huh...pretty sure this has never happened before.]]

After Sari Sumdac met the [[Autobot]]s, she convinced [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] to take her to [[Autobot ship (Animated)|their ship]]. Once there, her inability to stay quiet forced the yellow and black bot to drop her down a shaft. She was deposited into the cargo hold where the AllSpark was located. Scanning Sari's mind, it channeled some of its power into the key. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] discovered Sari, but was forced to rush to the med bay, where [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] was dying. The Key began to glow, and she used it to heal his damaged circuits, saving his life. Several days later, Sari used the Key to restore Optimus Prime's [[spark]] after he was killed in the battle with [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

While trying to get into [[Isaac Sumdac|her father]]'s lab, Sari discovered that she could use the Key to control other machines. She activated the lock on the door, entering the lab, though Sumdac quickly moved her out of the room. The leftover energy, however, transferred itself to the head of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], restoring his higher functions. Sari then used her Key to short-circuit her [[Tutor Bot]] and get out of class early. (Don't pretend you wouldn't have.) {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is}}

When Bumblebee and [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] were creating an [[electromagnetic pulse]] to counter the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]], Sari used the Key to give Bumblebee's stingers a boost. The AllSpark energy was channeled into the Dinobots, granting them [[spark]]s. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}}

When [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] arrived on Earth, she tried to use the Key to purge her techno-organic body and restore her original form. However, the Key began to drain the life from everything organic in [[Detroit]], and it nearly killed Blackarachnia as well. Prime was forced to remove the Key to save everyone. Blackarachnia was noticeably displeased with this. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

Megatron had been observing Sari for some time, including her liberal use of the Key. He built [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] as [[Isaac Sumdac]]'s birthday gift for Sari. In fact, Megatron had designed Soundwave to evolve with each exposure to the Key, with the intention of using it as his new body. However, Megatron did not foresee that the Key would also grant Soundwave sentience. {{storylink|Sound and Fury}}

Sari used the Key to cheat at a game of street hockey with the Autobots. Later, the Key seemed to act as an early-warning system, projecting a beam of light whenever trouble for the Autobots appeared. When [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Lugnut]] appeared on Earth, it projected a beam of light targeting them. Later on, it projected a similar beam of light at a series of missiles launched at the Autobots. Once the Autobots eluded those and Ratchet safely got Sari to their ship, the Key prevented her from sabotaging the vessel so her friends couldn't leave, and aided in repairing the weapon systems. It also not-so-subtly gave Sari a little jolt to remind her of the power she wields through it, working with the AllSpark to project holograms of Megatron. This scared her into a reconciliation with Ratchet and indirectly led her to realize how she'd been abusing the Key. This time, it looks like the lesson may stick. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}}

Unfortunately, Optimus Prime didn't learn the right lesson. Although Sari had been chosen as the guardian of the Key, Prime was convinced by increasing Decepticon activity that it was no longer safe in Sari's care. He ordered Ratchet to confiscate it from her...and shortly thereafter, Ratchet was ambushed by Blitzwing and Lugnut, who stole the Key. They delivered it to Megatron, who used its power to rebuild himself, just as the foreboding vision had warned. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

In Megatron's hands, the Key proved capable of ''harming'' machines as well as healing, used by the Decepticon leader to offline his traitorous second in command Starscream. Megatron was also able to use the Key as a beacon to the AllSpark itself. However upon acquiring the AllSpark, Dr. Sumdac stunned Megatron and dropped the Key. Sari seized this opportunity and tossed the tiny object to Optimus Prime, who used it to shatter the shell that kept the AllSpark's energies in check. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

In the wake of the shattering of the AllSpark, the Key proved effective in locating the scattered shards of the artifact. Unfortunately it also showed such endeavors to be a bit hazardous, as it could not be removed from a piece of equipment that had a shard lodged in its workings. Optimus Prime's axe was needed to destroy the machinery and free the Key. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

Sari's continued use of the key grew to irritate Ratchet, who resented that his slower manual repair techniques might be viewed as obsolete. But Sari's reliance on the key burned her one last time: after she discovered her true Cybertronian origin, she attempted to upgrade herself with the key. It caused her to grow in size and apparent age, and also manifest many new combat features such as a helmet, wings, blades, and energy attacks; however, it also overloaded her systems and sent her on a destructive rampage. In the subsequent chaos, Sari badly injured Bumblebee, and when Ratchet attempted to use the key to repair him, it was discovered that the key had now been completely drained and was powerless. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

==Notes==
*The Key resembles the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] from Generation 1. Both artifacts grant access to the life giving power of their respective hosts, and both can have potentially disastrous results if misused.
*Sari's Key also has cues taken from the [[Cyber Planet Keys|Cyber Planet Key]], in that it can provide temporary boosts of power to Transformers and upgrade certain machines.
*''Animated'' character designer and art director [[Derrick Wyatt]] has said that the key will no longer appear in the series: it was created to fuse with Sari, and with that accomplished it has no further role. <ref>[http://unicron-events-interviews.blogspot.com/2009/04/derrick-wyatt-interview.html Derrick Wyatt interview at Unicron.com]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:MacGuffins]]
[[Category:Objects]]

AllSpark Key

2009-04-14T18:15:15Z

86.17.124.125: /* Notes */

Nanite

2009-04-14T18:12:09Z

86.17.124.125:

'''Nanites''', also called '''Nanobots''', are very tiny robots that can be programmed to do work at molecular levels. They are usually very simple and can only be used for one task at a time. [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] seems to be made out of a sheer hell of a lot of these things. [[[Help:Citing sources|''citation needed'']]]
 
[[Sumdac Systems]] developed a form of nanite that could dissolve organic waste, but after a mutation created by the [[Key|Allspark empowered key]], they began to break down any and all matter they came in contact with. They were stopped by [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]], who was seemingly destroyed in the process (though he did survive). {{storylink|Garbage In, Garbage Out|Garbage In, Garbage Out}}

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You left a piece out!<hr />
''This article is a [[:Category:Stub|stub]] and is missing information. You can help '''Transformers Wiki''' by [http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Nanite&action=edit expanding it].''

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[[Category:Articles needing citations]]
[[Category:Stub]]
[[Category:Objects]]

Talk:Where Is Thy Sting?

2009-04-14T10:37:56Z

86.17.124.125: /* Bulkhead is a jerk... */

why was this episode released three days early? check youtube.. {{unsigned|122.2.209.6}}
:It wasn't officially released, someone leaked it. --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 23:39, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
:: kay' then, i was just a bit surprised by that. so all the info on it still gets written by the 29th right?{{unsigned|122.2.209.6}}
:::We'll be allowed to write it up as soon as it officially airs on Cartoon Network on Saturday morning the 28th. --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 23:54, 24 March 2009 (EDT)
::::That was weird. Cartoon Network watermark on it and everything, but not the new one they used on the last two episodes. But yeah, that hasn't actually aired to my knowledge.--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 00:02, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
:::::Word is that someone fished it from Cartoon Network's own video section by finding out where it had been pre-uploaded in anticipation of official release. Might well be the case, seeing as how the watermark is the same as the officially linked previous Animated eps on CN's video section, and it's nice quality. --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 00:19, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
::::::Yep, same tactic was used earlier in the week when Ben 10 Alien Force's season finale got leaked. --[[User:FigmentJedi|FigmentJedi]] 11:43, 25 March 2009 (EDT)
:::::::And now "Five Servos of Doom" has been leaked too. At this rate we'll be seeing the whole season during the next week. [[Special:Contributions/90.241.216.15|90.241.216.15]] 06:12, 27 March 2009 (EDT)
::::::::Should it be noted that bouth episodes got leaked in advance like the last few episodes of season 2?--[[User:Sunjumper|Sunjumper]] 15:45, 27 March 2009 (EDT)
:::::::::Not the same thing. The last few episodes of S2 had a legitimate foreign release. Here, people are just taking advantage of Cartoon Network's failure to set up basic website security (or their lack of caring). [[User:Interrobang|—Interrobang]] 17:59, 27 March 2009 (EDT)
::::::::::I wish CN would get it in gear (or the leakers would stop being jerks, I'll take either). Where is Thy Sting? was halfway tolerable because it was just a few days ahead of time, but now it's starting to get annoying. --[[User:Jeysie|Jeysie]] 20:34, 27 March 2009 (EDT)

== Nightbird reference? ==

I couldn't really tell because of the quality of the videos on Youtube (and me being in Canada, hence I have not seen it on the tv screen) but the fighter that Bumblebee uses in his game looks a bit like Nightbird from G1.
I can't really tell though. Can anyone that has seen it clearer confirm this?
([[User:Tribor|Tribor]] 15:16, 28 March 2009 (EDT))
: It's insectile and has multiple arms, so I don't think so. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 15:27, 28 March 2009 (EDT)
::Not that one silly, the other fighter!([[User:Tribor|Tribor]] 15:39, 28 March 2009 (EDT))
:::but they already said it was snake eyes.--[[User:Zi|Zi]] 09:31, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
::::It doesn't look a thing like Snake-Eyes. Where exactly did you hear this? --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 12:38, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
:::::Someone's added it to the article. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 12:39, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
::::::Yeah, no. It's an entirely black character with no defining traits, unlike Snake-Eyes who's full of visors and military and ninja gear. If it looks like anything, it looks like [[wikipedia:Noob Saibot|Noob Saibot]]. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 12:51, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
:The insecticide goon ''isn't'' the 3-armed Lunartix Alien from G.I. Joe, if you were wondering. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 12:55, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
::Well, SanityOrMadness managed to identify that four-armed bug as an old Micronaut toy, so it's not General Grievous. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 13:12, 29 March 2009 (EDT)

== Featured characters ==

Does Safeguard ''really'' count separately from Jetfire & Jetstorm? - [[User:SanityOrMadness|SanityOrMadness]] 13:46, 29 March 2009 (EDT)
:Yes. Combined forms ''are'' separate characters. [[User:Interrobang|—Interrobang]] 19:42, 29 March 2009 (EDT)

== A Prime Problem==
Seriously, how come this hasn't been mentioned? They try to work out which one is the Real <s>Prime</s> Bumblebee, using a <s>Race</s> Video Game. While this was successful (it scared Wasp into revealling himself), and it makes a bit more sense in this situation (Bumblebee had played the game a lot, so was probably indeed better at it than Wasp), but still, it is a similar idea to the Race and other contests in the old Cartoon episode, A Prime Problem.[[User:Shadow Mask Prime|Shadow Mask Prime]] 08:45, 30 March 2009 (EDT)

==Bulkhead is a jerk...==
As to my Trivia edit: Let's face it - three times in this episode Bulkhead acts like a jerk. He's ready to beat a surrendering, green Bumblebee to a pulp with his wrecking ball, he calls the angry and frightened Wasp a bad bot while he's holding his best friend hostage, and he attacks what he thinks is Wasp when Bumblebee's face down and motionless in the street. Not exactly Autobot actions. Not to mention nobody tries to stop him or correct him. Transformers Animated has some serious issues when it comes to accepting that the Autobots are supposed to be the good guys. [[Special:Contributions/86.17.124.125|86.17.124.125]] 06:37, 14 April 2009 (EDT)

Talk:Where Is Thy Sting?

2009-04-14T10:37:34Z

86.17.124.125:

Where Is Thy Sting?

2009-04-14T10:29:59Z

86.17.124.125: /* Notes */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=WhereIsThySting-reflectingface.jpg
|caption=Get out of my head!
|ep=34
|title="Where Is Thy Sting?"
|airdate=[[March 28]], 2009
|written by=[[Todd Casey]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]], [[Shigeharu Takahashi]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}

'''A crazed Wasp finds his way to Earth to exact his revenge on Bumblebee... but he doesn't count on the Elite Guard following him.'''

==Synopsis==
Drawing closer to [[Earth]] in their pursuit of the presumed traitor [[Wasp]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] are at their stations on the bridge of the [[Elite Guard]]'s ship when [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] contacts them and demands to know what they are doing in Earth Sector. [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] joins the conference call to apologize for not letting Longarm know of the situation, pointing out that they couldn't risk tipping off Wasp when he stands poised to lead them to his Decepticon contact on the planet. Except, as Jazz points out, Wasp isn't headed for the [[Decepticon]]s... he's making a <s>bee</s>waspline for the [[Autobot]]s' base!

In the Autobots' headquarters, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] is immersed in a game of ''[[Ninja Gladiator]]'' when [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] shuts the television off and reprimands Bumblebee for neglecting his monitor duty. In mid-argument, the base computers detect a [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] signal nearby, but no other information can be obtained due to interference caused by recent torrential rain. Prime and the other Autobots thus have to depart to investigate firsthand. Bumblebee, of course, returns to playing his video game.

The Elite Guard ship touches down in Detroit, and Sentinel and Jazz disembark. Sentinel is immediately disgusted by the notion of liquid falling from the sky, and he finds himself all but incapable of driving on the slick roads, but Jazz just rolls with it.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-Bumblebeecreepilydefeated.jpg|left|thumb|200px|We enjoyed that together.]]
Back at the base, Bumblebee continues playing games until the base is suddenly plunged into darkness. As the red emergency lights come on, Bumblebee finds himself staring into the all-too-familiar face of Wasp, now sporting an Earth-mode body styled after Bumblebee's own. Bumblebee tries to explain that they had both been set up by Longarm, but the insane Wasp doesn't care. He downs Bumblebee with a blast of his stingers and takes off his own helmet, revealing a wound on the top of his head. Just before passing out, Bumblebee sees Wasp standing over him, holding a strange gun fitted with a glowing green canister and vowing to make Bumblebee lose everything, just like he did...

A little later, Bumblebee awakens to find the other Autobots all staring down at him, including...himself? Looking down at himself, Bumblebee is horrified to discover that Wasp has repainted his armor, swapped their helmets, and exchanged their vocal synthesizers, making each a dead ringer for the other. As Wasp stands there, with Bumblebee's [[battle mask]] "stuck" up, Bumblebee attempts to convince the other Autobots that he is himself, but they aren't sold. When [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] attempts to [[stasis cuffs|stasis cuff]] him, Bumblebee is forced to shoot out the lights and make a break for it. He zooms out of the plant, right past Sentinel Prime and Jazz, who intercept Prime and the other Autobots when they try to pursue him. Sentinel demands to know why Optimus's Autobots haven't checked in in so long, but when Optimus tries to explain, Sentinel refuses to listen, informing them he is here to bring in Wasp...who, Optimus points out, just drove right past him. Sentinel ignores Optimus when he tries to tell him that Longarm is the real traitor, and departs immediately to hunt down "Wasp". Optimus instructs his Autobots to locate Wasp first, and they head out to search, while the true Wasp tells them he will stay behind in case Bumblebee comes back.

On Cybertron, Shockwave desperately makes another attempt to contact the missing [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. He transmits a message to him alerting him to the direness of the situation, adding that Shockwave is about to take matters into his own hands...

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-obligatorymisunderstanding.jpg|right|thumb|200px|I has logos-Autobot on my shoulders, da?]]
Back on Earth, Optimus and Ratchet are discussing how odd "Bumblebee" has been behaving when two jets suddenly come roaring by overhead. Knowing that no organic could pilot a plane the way these two crafts fly, the two Autobots assume they are dealing with Decepticons and zoom after them in hot pursuit. The two jets soon track down "Wasp", who is desperately attempting to rub his green paint off with a discarded couch cushion, and transform to robot mode to attack him with blasts of flame and roaring hurricane winds. Ratchet and Optimus arrive to hold off these apparent Decepticons, who reveal a remarkable power to combine into [[Safeguard (Animated)|one mighty robot]], but before the fighting can get too intense, Sentinel and Jazz arrive to reveal that these two are, in fact, Autobots! Sentinel introduces [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], Elite Guard warriors created using specs from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], and orders the duo to resume their mission.

In the Autobots' base, Wasp is playing (and losing) ''Ninja Gladiator'', and he decides that he could get used to being Bumblebee. In order to complete the illusion, Wasp scans the Autobots' computer files, so that he can learn everything about Bumblebee and better pass himself off as his old rival.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-hotdogbot.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Bumblebee needs a lesson in kitbashing.]]
Racing through the city streets, Bumblebee discovers a hot dog cart and desperate tries slathering his armor in mustard to make him look more like himself. He is caught in the act by [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], but he is finally able to convince Bulkhead of his true identity when he tells him something only he could know: namely, that he took the blame for Bulkhead knocking a tower over on Sentinel Prime at [[Autobot boot camp|boot camp]]. Jetfire and Jetstorm arrive just in time to witness this happy scene, but get the wrong end of the stick and assume that Bulkhead and Prowl are traitors as well! The twins report this to Sentinel, and he, Optimus, Jazz and Ratchet head for their position, with Sentinel obstinately refusing to listen to Optimus's attempts to explain the numerous misunderstandings that have happened. When everyone reunites, Bulkhead explains that Bumblebee is definitely Bumblebee, and Optimus orders everyone back to the plant to straighten everything out.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-UltraMagnusDamaged.jpg|thumb|right|200px|If anyone inserts a "He's been dealt with" caption here, so help us...]]
A little later, back at the plant, Wasp cheerily denies Bumblebee's accusations, using the information he has gleaned from the Autobots' files to "prove" he is who he claims. When interrogation yields no results, Bulkhead comes up with the best way to figure out who's who: a versus match on ''Ninja Gladiator''! Before the game even starts, Wasp chokes and grabs Bumblebee, holding his stinger to 'Bee's neck. Wasp insists that he was always a good bot, but Bulkhead says that isn't true; he might not be a traitor, but he was always mean to Bulkhead and Bumblebee and was hardly good. Wasp blasts out the lights to cover his escape, and when the emergency lights kick in, both Wasp and Bumblebee are gone. The Autobots head outside, where they spot what looks like Bumblebee lying on the ground. Bulkhead assumes it is Wasp and leaps upon the prone figure, pummeling him and ripping off his helmet...only to find out that it really is Bumblebee underneath. Prowl examines Bumblebee's helmet and discovers that their colors were switched so quickly because Wasp had hit him with an electronic paintjob that he could turn off with the press of a button. As things begin to calm down, the truth of the whole matter hits Jazz—if Wasp really was innocent, that means that Longarm Prime really is a Decepticon spy!

Sometime later, on Cybertron, [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] is searching for Longarm in order to apprehend him. Entering the council chamber, Ironhide is horrified to discover the mangled, barely-alive body of Ultra Magnus. He asks the Supreme Commander where [[Stormbringer (Animated)|his hammer]] is and who was responsible. Before collapsing, Ultra Magnus manages to choke out, "Shock...wave..."

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters

|c1=
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (1)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Wasp]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (9)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (10)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (11)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (12)
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (14)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave/Longarm Prime]] (3)
|}}

==Quotes==
"Besides, if I'm playing ''Ninja Gladiator'', I'm at least getting valuable combat training." 
:—'''Bumblebee''' gives justification for slacking off.

"Liquid falling from the sky? What is ''wrong'' with this planet?!" 
"Crazy! It's like a planet ''and'' a car wash! You diggin' this or what?"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' and '''Jazz''' share their thoughts on the rain.

"I hate this planet."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' shares his thoughts on Earth.

"Wasp—I mean, Bumblebot—I mean, ''I'' will stay here in case Bumblebot—I mean, Wasp comes back." 
:—'''Wasp''' blows his cover several times, but the Autobots still don't pick it up.

'''Ratchet''': Come on! You're doing it wrong! Turn ''into'' the skid! 
'''Sentinel''': Into the skid? That's stupid! 
'''Jazz''': Just gotta go with the flow, S.P.! 
'''Optimus''': How do you put up with him? 
'''Jazz''': I just tune out half of everything he spits out. 
'''Optimus''': Only half?
:—The Autobots attempt to put up with the jerk, with no such luck.

"I don't care! Arrest 'em all and let Ultra Magnus sort 'em out!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''', jerk.

"You're not arresting ''anyone'', Sentinel." 
"So you ''are'' in on it, Optimus." 
"No, Sentinel. I just have something you never will: respect for my teammates." 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' defines exactly ''how'' '''Sentinel Prime''' is a jerk.

"So hit me with that one more time. A robot in disguise swaps metal with a double agent, who is really on the level?" 
"Makes even less sense when you say it."
:—'''Jazz''' and '''Bulkhead''' try their best to fathom what's been going on.

"You were always mean to me and Bumblebee. You may not be a traitor...but you were ''never'' a good bot."
:-'''Bulkhead''' has a go at the traumatised, insane victim of a frame-job over something that happened back in school

==Notes==

===Animation or technical errors===
*When Bulkhead knocks Jetfire back, Jazz (who isn't even ''there'' yet), instead of Jetstorm, is standing next to Bumblebee.
*When Wasp is playing Bumblebee's video game (and liking it), the characters on screen switch sides as he loses.
*It seems that the animators can't decide which parts of the city are raining.
*Oddly, for a cartoon that tries to stay close to the transformation of the actual toys, Safeguard's transformation is nothing like the toy.
*When Wasp is on his own playing ''Ninja Gladiator'' and later, when he breaks character near the end, he has his original voice. How come Bumblebee couldn't do that?
*For that matter, after Wasp leaves Bumblebee behind, he has his original voice back too. Bumblebee is also still sporting a yellow version of Wasp's helmet.
*At certain points in the episode, Wasp (as Bumblebee) and Bumblebee (as Wasp) wear the design of their false identity's thighs.

===Continuity errors===
*This isn't an ''error'' as such, but just when did Wasp get an identical Earth form to Bumblebee's? And perhaps more to the point, ''how'' did he change form - both Optimus' crew and the Elite Guard reformatted on their well-equipped ships. Wasp was last seen beside a space bridge with no ship of any kind. Though it's possible that Wasp has the same ability as [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Lugnut]] to scan and adapt [[altmodes]] on his own.
*Given how close Ratchet is to [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] you'd think he'd know better than to say "no Autobot flies."

===Transformers references===
[[Image:WhereIsThySting-Bumblebeesvideogame.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Referenciality!]]
*We last saw Wasp in "[[Autoboot Camp]]", to which this episode is essentially a sequel. A brief flashback from the episode is shown after Bumblebee says he "took the rap" for Bulkhead for what happened to Sentinel Prime. In an attempt to maintain his ruse, Wasp also mentions all the things that Bumblebee had done then which accidentally embarrassed Sentinel Prime.He also mentions the events in "[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]]".
* Optimus' Autobots discovered that Wasp wasn't guilty in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]".
* The background of the ''Ninja Gladiator'' video game prominently features [[TORQ III]].
* In the scene before he switches places with "Bumble-Bot", Wasp is wearing a [[rubsign]] in place of a conventional Autobot insignia.
* Sentinel Prime discusses the modifications made to Jetfire and Jetstorm, which took place in the "[[Rise of Safeguard]]" comic book.
* Sentinel Prime still doesn't remember his time with Bumblebee and Bulkhead, as he did (didn't?) in "[[The Elite Guard]]".
* [[Tigatron]] Stadium, which will be seen in the next episode, can be seen in the background.

===Real-world references===
* The episode's title is a reference a Bible verse: namely, 1 Corinthians 15:55: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
* Sentinel Prime's cry of "Arrest 'em all and let Ultra Magnus sort 'em out!" is a reference to a supposed statement by Abbot Arnold Amaury before the massacre of Béziers during the Albigensian Crusade, the original statement being "Kill them all, let God sort them out."
** According to [[David Kaye]], [[Jeff Bennett]] once used this line in a recording session during the first season, causing the cast to burst into laughter and forcing them to take five.{{fact}}
* The four-armed insect from ''Ninja Gladiator'' is [http://www.micro-outpost.com/pictures/aliens/antron/antron.html Antron from the Micronauts]. According to Derrick Wyatt, the black figure the insect fights is [[Snake-Eyes]].[http://twitter.com/SentinelPrime/status/1418651506][http://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1418656175]
* The Jet bros. combination sequence, like much else about them, is based on the stock footage sequences of the various Symmetrical Docking robots from ''King Of [[Brave]]s GaoGaiGar''.

===Trivia===
*This episode received an impromptu online debut on [[March 25]], [[2009]], when a copy loaded onto the [[Cartoon Network]] website's server, intended to go live after the episode aired a few days later, was pilfered and leaked by some ne'er-do-wells. The next episode, "[[Five Servos of Doom]]", was leaked a few days later.
*Wasp has purple eyes, which were visible even with Bumblebee's battle mask up, and retained the striped design on his thighs. Bumblebee still had his blue eyes and other retained properties. The Autobots didn't notice this because...?
*You could ask the same question regarding the Jet twins. Although their Elite Guard insignias are on their hips, Optimus and Ratchet should have seen the insignia on their shoulders when they merged into Safeguard.
*Not to mention that Optimus and Ratchet have very obvious Autobot symbols. Why didn't the twins try to introduce themselves before diving into battle with them? Course, if Sentinel trained them, they might be bigger jerks then we realize and just assumed them traitors.
* When Bulkhead runs into the green Bumblebee in the street, Bumblebee puts his hands in the air to surrender and starts wailing that he's Bumblebee. Bulkhead ''knows'' Wasp was framed, locked up in the stockade for years, may well be traumatised, and has not as yet actually hurt anybody, but he still starts swinging his wrecking ball with intent to pummel. Later on when Wasp is revealed and takes Bumblebee hostage, Bulkhead starts telling the frightened and angry mech he's not a good bot. And when Wasp runs off, and Bulkhead sees a yellow mech lying outside face down and motionless, he instantly attacks what he thinks is Wasp. This episode doesn't do much for Bulkhead's rep as an Autobot ''at all.''
[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Size class

2009-04-13T22:35:42Z

86.17.124.125: /* Animated */

'''Size class''' is how [[Hasbro]] determines the size and price of a toy. It also determines the amount of budget spent on the production of a [[Toy|Transformers toy]], such as paint or electronics. The logic behind size classes is simple; retailers can order a [[case]] of toys, knowing exactly how much they will sell for and exactly how much shelf space they will occupy. All the Deluxes in a line have identically-sized packaging and cost the same price. When you run out of Deluxes, you order a new case and put them right back where they belong. This is incredibly convenient, especially compared to [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]], where the sizes and prices of figures varied widely.

Up until [[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]], toys with a uniform gimmick were sold as their own distinct assortment, which often resulted in an assortment consisting of no more than four or six different toys. Since Autobots and Decepticons often had their own distinct gimmicks, this resulted in separate Autobot and Decepticon assortments. Starting with [[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]], however, [[HasKen]] introduced uniform price points which continued as ongoing size class assortments throughout the line (although, in the case of longer lines, an assortment could occasionally be reset while still retaining the same size class name).

The intended class of a toy is relevant to all phases of its design process. To sell at a given price, there are tight formulas for how much plastic can be used, how many paint applications are allowed, whether electronics can be included, and how complex the transformation and articulation can be. Further, since a size class is literally a ''size'' class, toys are limited in their measurements, so that they will fit into the same size packaging as other toys in their class. (As an example, the Voyager [[Lugnut]] toy, in robot mode, is very short compared to other toys in his class. This may be because he transforms into a mostly-linear plane, with his weapon added on as a tail assembly, making him even longer. Most Transformers are packaged in their [[altmode]]. Regardless of whether there was room in the budget for more plastic, there may not have been room in a Voyager-sized box for him to be any bigger.)

Size classes have not been consistent from line to line, with names often changing to affect marketability.

==Beast Wars==
''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' had five size classes. From smallest to largest:

* '''Basic,''' the cheapest at US$5.
* '''Deluxe,''' at US$10.
* '''Mega,''' at US$15. Toys of this size were often [[Shelfwarmer|shelfwarmers]].
* '''Ultra,''' at US$20. Only eight toys were sold at this price point.
* '''Super,''' at US$30. This size class contained only one toy, [[Optimal Optimus]].

Basic and Deluxe are sold on cards to this day; size classes larger than Deluxe were, and are, sold in boxes.

==Beast Machines==
''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' continued ''Beast Wars''' size classes, but increased the price of Basic to US$7.

'''Supreme''' was introduced as a US$40 size class. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] was the only Supreme in this line; a Supreme [[Optimus Primal]] toy was planned to be in this line, but was moved to ''Robots in Disguise''. Both of these supreme class designs featured electronic lights and sounds. Supreme Optimus Primal even featured speech by voice actor [[Garry Chalk]].

Two additional size classes, [[Deployer|Deployers]] (US$5) and [[Beast Rider|Beast Riders]] (US$10) would turn out to be short-lived. The size of Ultra toys was increased while maintaining the price.

==Robots in Disguise==
''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' used the ''Beast Machines'' size classes, though the Basic price point was once again lowered to US$5. However, most of the toys at this price point were either [[Spychanger]] two-packs or [[Redeco|redecoed]] ''Generation 1'' combiner limbs, making them somewhat smaller and less intricate than previous lines' Basics (a notable exception is [[Obsidian (RID)|the recolor]] of [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]], which was sold for less than the original version).

''Robots in Disguise'' also had three Mega-priced multipacks of smaller figures (The three smaller Predacons, a trio of recolored ''Beast Machines'' Basics as Autobots, and the recolored [[Laser Cycle|Laser Cycles]].

Several of the line's toys ran afoul of the differences between US and Japanese packaging policies. The [[Team Bullet Train]] toys were individually packaged as Megas, despite being smaller than the usual members of that size class. The near-Basic-sized [[Wedge]] was sold as a Deluxe.

==Armada==
The ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' toyline renamed or repurposed all the existing price points:

* '''Mini-Con,''' at US$6.50 replaced the Basic price point, with 3-packs of [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]].
* '''Super-Con,''' at US$10 replaced the Deluxe.
* '''Max-Con,''' at US$20 replaced the Ultra. All Max-Cons had electronic sound effects.
* '''Giga-Con,''' at US$25. All Giga-Cons (except for [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]]) featured electronic lights and sounds.
* '''Super-Base,''' at US$40 replaced Super, but used the Supreme price point. The only figure of this class was [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], who featured an infrared-activated automatic transformation gimmick, as well as lights and sounds.
* "[[Unicron]]" was in his own class using the Supreme size, at US$50. He had lights, but no sounds.

The old US$15 price, previously used by the Mega size class, was effectively discontinued, taken up by role-play toys like the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] and the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Dark Saber]].

==Universe (2003)==
The original ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line used the ''Beast Wars'' size class designations, but only had '''Deluxe''' and '''Ultra''' (the latter at US$20).

After the ''Universe'' line as such had effectively ended, repackaged ''Energon'' (and even later, ''Cybertron'') toys were sold on ''Universe'' cards as discount chain [[Exclusive|exclusives]], divided into the price points '''Basic''' (US$5) and '''Deluxe''' (US$8).

==Alternators==
The ''[[Alternators (toyline)|Alternators]]'' line was unique insofar as it only consisted of one single price point (US$20). This was owed to the uniform [[scale]] of the line at 1:24, as well as the fact that all the toys from the line were based on licensed vehicles.

Some retailers actually listed the toys under the "Mega" price point, but this designation was never officially used by Hasbro. In fact, there was an official "Mega Alternators" assortment of sorts, which consisted of shrinkwrapped two-packs consisting of two individual toys (mostly limited to [[Shelfwarmer|shelfwarmers]] such as [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Side Swipe]] or [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]), available for the price of a single Alternators toy exclusively at Toys'R'Us.

Hasbro later replaced the original mass retail Alternators assortment with a second one, which remained at the original one's price point. In the case of Alternators [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys|Optimus Prime]], Hasbro reportedly accepted a smaller profit margin (since the toy was more expensive to produce than other Alternators toys) so they could still sell it at the US$20 price point.

==Energon==
''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' took a somewhat random approach to size-class naming. The second [[Energon (mini-comic)|pack-in catalog]] introduced the size class range as

* '''Energon''' (Basic), with the price back to US$7
* '''Combat''' (Deluxe) - US$10.
* '''Mega Combat''' (the former "Max-Con") - US$20. All Mega Combat (and the subsequently renamed Mega Class) figures featured sound effects.
* '''Commanders''' (the former "Giga-Con") - US$25. Commanders had lights and sounds depending on the figure.
* '''Leaders''' (the former "Super Base") - US$40. Leaders featured both lights and sounds.
* [[Unicron]] was given no size class - US$50.

The third [[catalog]] explicitly referred to the price points as

* '''Energon Class'''
* '''Combat Class'''
* '''Mega Class'''
* '''Command Class'''
* '''Leaders Class'''
* Omega Supreme was given no size class.

The fourth and final catalog continued using the terms originated by the third (although listed no price points for the combiners), but finally listed Omega Supreme as '''Supreme Class'''.

==Cybertron==
''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' changed the naming of some size classes, but retained others:

* '''[[Legends of Cybertron]],''' at US$3, with tiny [[Market six]]-aimed figures.
* '''Mini-Con Class,''' at US$5 was added for the Mini-Con two-packs.
* '''Scout Class,''' at US$7, formerly Energon Class.
* '''Deluxe Class,''' at US$10, formerly Combat Class.
* '''Voyager Class,''' at US$20, formerly Mega Class. Sound effects were dropped from all but one figure in this size class. Only [[Vector Prime]] managed to retain his sound effects gimmick.
* '''Ultra Class,''' at US$25, formerly Command Class. Ultra class toys had lights and sounds.
* '''Leader Class,''' dropping the plural "s" from the previous "Leaders Class". Leader class figures featured lights and sounds, and (except for [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]]) featured several [[Cyber Planet Key]] gimmicks.
* '''Supreme Class,''' remained the same. Supreme class figures had lights and sounds, with several different Cyber Planet Key gimmicks. [[Primus]] featured an [[Omega Lock]] accessory gimmick that was essential for his transformation.

==Classics==
''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' kept the Deluxe and Voyager classes, renamed as

* '''Legends,''' at US$4 - Legends of Cybertron repaints, raised $1 in price.
* '''Mini-Con,''' at US$7, in three-packs again, replacing the Scout Class price point.
* '''Classic Deluxe,''' at US$10.
* '''Classic Voyager,''' at US$20.

==Movie==
''Transformers'', the [[Movie (toyline)|toyline]] based on the 2007 [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]], retained many size classes from before:

* '''Legends Class,''' at US$4.
* '''Scout Class,''' at US$7.
* '''Deluxe Class,''' at US$10.
* '''Voyager Class,''' at US$20. Continuing on from the standards set in ''Cybertron'' and ''Classics'', ''Movie'' Voyagers featured no electronics unless they were redecos of toys from previous lines.
* '''Ultra Class,''' at US$25. (Consisted of two Toys "R" Us [[exclusive]] ''Cybertron'' redecoes.)
* '''Leader Class,''' at US$40. The Leaders featured electronic lights and sounds, usually attached to a spring-loaded [[Automorph|Automorphing]] gimmick.

The '''Supreme''' class was dropped. The Scout Class, which consisted entirely of [[Redeco|redecos]] of toys from the ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' toylines, was exclusively available at Target stores in the USA, but was sold at mass retail in Europe and Canada. Additionally, there was a gimmick-based sub-line named '''[[Fast Action Battlers]]''', which also sold at US$10 (like the Deluxe Class toys); a simplistic, cutesy sub-line aimed at young children named ''[[Cyber Slammers]]'', which also sold for US$8; and a new US$90 figure sold as '''Ultimate Bumblebee.'''

==Animated==
Thus far, the [[Animated (toyline)|''Transformers Animated'' toyline]] has the following size classes:

* '''Activators''', at US $8. Features an automorph gimmick.
* '''Deluxe Class''', at US$10.
* '''Voyager Class''', at US$20.
* '''Leader Class''', at US$40. Features electronic lights and sounds, including speech samples voiced by the actors from the cartoon.
* '''Supreme Class''', at US$50. Features electronic lights and sounds, including speech samples voiced by [[David Kaye]].

In addition, the [[Bumper Battlers]] size class replaces the movie line's [[Cyber Slammers]], going one better by featuring an extensive array of voice samples and sound effects. However, with this comes a price increase to US$10. Legends Class toys of the Animated cast are being released as part of the ''[[Universe (2008)|Universe]]'' toyline instead.

==Universe (2008)==
The 2008 [[Universe (2008 franchise)|''Transformers Universe'' toyline]] has the following confirmed size classes:

* '''Legends Class''', at US$4.
* '''Deluxe Class''', at US$10.
* '''Voyager Class''', at US$20. Vector Prime and [[Lio Convoy|Leo Prime]], being redecos and retools of ''Cybertron'' toys respectively, are the only toys in this size class to feature sound effects.
* '''Ultra Class''', at US$25. Ultra class have lights and sounds for all-new figures.
* '''Supreme Class''', at US$50. This size class consists solely of the Toys 'R' Us exclusive repackaged ''Armada'' [[Unicron]].

==Size class chart==
Class names, organized by toy line and approximate price point:

<table border="1" style="line-height:100%;border-collapse:collapse;">

<tr>
<td>Price
</td><th>BW</th><th>BM</th><th>RiD</th><th>Armada</th><th colspan="2">Energon</th><th>Universe</th><th>Cybertron</th><th>Classics</th><th>Movie</th><th>Animated</th><th>Universe
</th></tr>
<tr>
<td>$3
</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Legends of Cybertron</td><td></td><td></td><td>
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$4
</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Legends</td><td>Legends</td><td></td><td>Legends
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$5
</td><td>Basic</td><td></td><td>Basic</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Basic</td><td>Mini-Cons</td><td></td><td></td><td>
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$7
</td><td></td><td>Basic</td><td></td><td>Mini-Con</td><td>Basic</td><td>Energon</td><td></td><td>Scout</td><td>Mini-Con</td><td>Scout</td><td>Activators
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$10
</td><td>Deluxe</td><td>Deluxe</td><td>Deluxe</td><td>Super-Con</td><td>Combat</td><td>Combat</td><td>Deluxe</td><td>Deluxe</td><td>Classic Deluxe</td><td>Deluxe</td><td>Deluxe</td><td>Deluxe
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$15
</td><td>Mega</td><td>Mega</td><td>Mega</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$20
</td><td>Ultra</td><td>Ultra</td><td>Ultra</td><td>Max-Con</td><td>Mega Combat</td><td>Mega</td><td>Ultra</td><td>Voyager</td><td>Classic Voyager</td><td>Voyager</td><td>Voyager</td><td>Voyager
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$25
</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Giga-Con</td><td>Commanders</td><td>Command</td><td></td><td>Ultra</td><td></td><td>Ultra</td><td></td><td>Ultra
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$30
</td><td>Super</td><td>Super</td><td>Super</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$40
</td><td></td><td>Supreme</td><td>Supreme</td><td>Super-Base</td><td>Leaders</td><td>Leaders</td><td></td><td>Leader</td><td></td><td>Leader</td><td>Leader
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$50
</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Supreme</td><td></td><td>Supreme</td><td></td><td></td><td>Supreme</td><td>Supreme
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>$90
</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Ultimate</td><td>
</td></tr></table>

[[Category:Toys]]

Blitzwing (Animated)

2009-04-13T19:35:42Z

86.17.124.125:

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

[[Image:AniBlitzwingPromoModel.jpg|right|250px|thumb|That's far enough, Dr. Jones.]]
'''Blitzwing''' not only has three modes (robot, jet, and tank), he also has three alternate personalities (an "icy" cold strategist, a short-tempered "hothead", and a total "random" nutcase) along with the faces rattling around in his head to go with them.<ref>Blitzwing's three personas are named "Icy", "Hothead" and "Random" on his [[Character model|model]] sheets.</ref> He's as liable to have a conversation with himself as he is to say a word to his fellow Decepticons. Pretty much the only thing that keeps him in line is that all three of his personalities are scared to death of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]].

Blitzwing's "dominant", icy personality is represented by a long, blue face with a monocle and speaks with quiet disdain. His easily angered hothead personality has a wide, red face, is gap-toothed,and tends to react angrily with violent threats towards almost anyone. Finally, his random personality's face looks like nothing so much as a black jack-o'-lantern, and may toss out bad puns and jokes, children's nursery rhymes, or random non sequiturs. All three personalities speak with a pronounced German [[Accents|accent]] and apparently he has trouble flying in a straight line.

Blitzwing's armament varies depending upon which personality is dominant at the time. His calculating personality has an arsenal of ice weaponry, while the hothead predictably can turn up the heat. When his third personality is foremost, nearly anything can be dished out from either of his vehicle modes. Blitzwing's alt-mode is likewise usually dependent on which aspect is dominant at the time. His cold side uses the jet, his angry side uses the tank, and his insane side can use either. However it seems that if he changes personality while in his alt mode, that alt will change with him, and if that's a jet to tank change, he'll fall right out of the sky.

{{quote|Ze name iz Blitzwing, [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|insect]]—remember it! Cause it's ze last thing you're gonna hear before I—express my feelings in song!|—Blitzwing switching personalities like we switch shoes, "[[Transform and Roll Out!]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{ongoing}}
{{note|Events from [[IDW Publishing]] comic books are in italics.}}

:''Voice actor:'' [[Bumper Robinson]] (English), [[Rainer Doering]] (German)

[[Image:Animated blitzwing faces1.JPG|left|125px|thumb|"So Arnold, Dietrich, and Blot walk into a bar..."]]
Blitzwing was aboard the [[Nemesis (Animated)|''Nemesis'']] with the other Decepticons at the time of the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]]'s re-discovery. He partially froze [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]]'s arm, commenting on how her demeanor was as unpleasant as her organic beast mode. When Blackarachnia advised him to blow it out his actuator, Blitzwing angrily demanded that she refer to him by his proper name, or else he would...''express his feelings in song!'' His out-of-tune rendition of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" got all the Decepticons arguing until Megatron entered, prompting Blitzwing to fall silent with the rest.

When it became clear the ''Nemesis'' was going to crash into an exploding space bridge, Blitzwing fled in an escape pod. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out!}}

''After Megatron's disappearance, the Decepticons held a funeral at [[New Kaon]]. Blitzwing gave the eulogy, in which he vowed that they would destroy the [[Autobots]] responsible for their leader's demise...and then paint mustaches on their faceplates. [[Lugnut]] was angry with the service, declaring that Megatron was alive and would return. When Blitzwing pointed out evidence to the contrary, Lugnut destroyed the statue of Megatron that Blitzwing had built. This angered Blitzwing, who'd spent six deca-cycles building it, and initiated an exchange of fire between him and Lugnut.'' {{storylink|The Arrival issue 1}}

Blitzwing placed a bounty on [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], intending to punish him for destroying Megatron. Fifty stellar cycles later, the bounty hunter [[Lockdown]] contacted Blitzwing, saying he had Prime. Blitzwing promised that Lockdown would receive payment once Blitzwing received Prime — then his random side asked if he could ''please, please please'' see Prime turn into a firetruck. {{storylink|The Thrill of the Hunt}} ''His conversation was cut short however, when an enraged Lugnut slammed his face into the monitor for daring to commune with the bounty hunter. The pair began scrapping, and things were only made worse when [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] showed up, taking to opportunity to sell each of them a wide variety of weapons so they could pummel each other. It eventually culminated in him selling the pair of them doomsday weapons and unbreakable nemesis shields. Realizing they were being played, Lugs and Blitz put aside their anger, beat the holy hell out of Swindle and made friends again'' {{storylink|The Arrival issue 5}}

[[Image:LugnutBlitzwingNemesis.JPG|right|175px|thumb|"This was Megatron's ship!" "Oh, cool! Maybe my DVD collection's still in there."]]

Some time after this, Blitzwing and Lugnut followed a beacon to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]] to find the wreckage of the ''Nemesis''. Noting that Starscream was bad at parking, Blitzwing also remembered that this quadrant was the last time they received an update from Lockdown. Concluding that the Autobots responsible for killing Megatron were nearby, the duo went to Earth. Landing at a construction site, the two had similar problems determining the dominant species on Earth as the Autobots did, mistaking Earth's automatons and machines for sentient beings. Lugnut's attempt to interrogate a crane ended up getting Blitzwing hit by the wrecking ball, which convinced the Decepticons to do a more time honored tactic—blow stuff up and hope it forces the Autobots to come out. It worked. During the battle with the Autobots, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] were hard pressed to avoid Blitzwing's energy blasts, but his freeze beam did get Bumblebee off his feet. When Lugnut demanded information on Megatron's location, the Autobots mentioned that he had "turned into a fireball somewhere over [[Cleveland]]". Naturally, Lugnut was displeased, and he used his [[Punch of Kill Everything|super-punch]] to floor the Autobots—and bury himself and Blitzwing under the rubble. When Blitzwing unburied himself, he irritatedly reminded Lugnut of his oft-repeated request for a little warning before the punch.

Having observed the battle over a live feed, Megatron opted to radio Lugnut exclusively, leaving Blitzwing struggling to work out what exactly was going on. Blitzwing believed Lugnut was only listening to voices in his head, so Lugnut had to take him along forcibly. Uncertain of the number and strength of the Autobots' "reinforcements" (the Detroit Police Department), the pair scanned Earth vehicles for disguises so they could lay low. Icy Blitzwing wanted to scan a fighter jet, while Hothead wanted a tank. After a brief argument, Random suggested that they scan both. That evening, the two Decepticons followed the Autobots to [[Lake Erie]], where Blitzwing froze the lake. When the Autobots submerged, he followed them in tank form. Blitzwing was lured by the Autobots towards [[Autobot ship (Animated)|their ship]] and blasted by one of its weapons systems. He and Lugnut were left fragmented but functional and floated to the surface, only to be met by [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], who offered to repair them in exchange for a pledge of undying allegiance. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}}

Apparently, they chose to serve under Starscream, but still were bickering with each other. When Lugnut began receiving internal transmissions from Megatron again, Starscream was confused, and Blitzwing explained that it was a "technical glitch" that happened. A lot. When Starscream learned that Lugnut thought he was talking to Megatron, he felt threatened and scanned Lugnut, detecting the signals. Starscream ordered both Lugnut and Blitzwing to find the [[Key]] while he himself tracked the transmissions.

At the moment, the Key was in the hands of [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]. Blitzwing used his ice guns to freeze Ratchet and rip off the arm that was carrying the Key. Afterward, they went to [[Sumdac Tower]] to find Megatron. In the process of greeting him, they revealed Megatron's true Decepticon nature to [[Isaac Sumdac|Prof. Sumdac]]. Blitzwing, now understanding what had been going on with Lugnut, inserted the Key into Megatron's head, restoring their true leader. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

[[Image:Megatron Rising 2 Blitzwing tank crash.jpg|left|200px|thumb|He's just as aerodynamic as the next tank.]]
As Megatron proceeded to beat up the Autobots, Blitzwing and Lugnut decided not to intervene and kept an eye on Professor Sumdac instead. When Megatron called his loyal troops to him, Blitzwing looked on as his leader made an example of Starscream. The Decepticons took to the air, locating and attacking the Autobots' ship as it travelled from the lake to the Tower, then from the Tower to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], where it was shot down. Blitzwing split off to tackle Prowl, Ratchet and Bumblebee, before being brought down by a combined EMP burst. As Blitzwing rolled around and shelled the Autobots, Prowl noticed that Blitzwing's personalities were connected to his alternate modes and powers. By this time, Blitzwing was back in the air, but Bumblebee taunted the Triple Changer enough that Hothead Blitzwing took over, transformed from jet to tank—and fell into the lake. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

[[Image:TFA Blitzwing Jet Altmode.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm gunning for you, Snoopy.]]
The Decepticons set up a base in a mine containing carbon deposits, which would block their energy signatures so they could recover from their encounter with the Autobots without detection. When Megatron announced his new plan to conquer [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Blitzwing felt the plan was crazy, as neither he nor Lugnut had any idea how they would get there. He changed his mind when Megatron explained that they would build their own [[space bridge]] using the specs Megatron had downloaded from [[Teletran-1]] during one of the encounters with the Autobots. However, they would need the captured Prof. Sumdac to help them, as the specs were incomplete. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

After Isaac Sumdac developed a device that shielded their energy signatures from Autobot sensors, Blitzwing and Lugnut went to retrieve a tachyon transmitter from the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard's]] ship. When they presented it to Megatron, Starscream appeared, tried to kill Megatron—and was killed by Megatron. However, Starscream appeared to survive, and Blitzwing spent the rest of the evening dumping Starscream's body into the river. The next day, Blitzwing and Megatron responded to an AllSpark energy signature which turned out to be a trap laid by Starscream. Blitzwing and Megatron then pursued the traitor, offlining him again. {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}}

Blitzwing was later sent by Megatron to track down an All Spark fragment, with an oddly disappearing energy signature. He froze [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and much of the surrounding landscape, destroyed a bridge, [[Captain Fanzone|Captain Fanzone's]] [[Captain Fanzone's car|car]], and [[Master Disaster|Master Disaster's]] truck before Sari Sumdac managed to make him leave using Master Disaster's remote. {{storylink|Velocity}}

Blitzwing and Lugnut wound up stuck with the dirty work, collecting supplies for the construction of the space bridge. Foiled by the Autobots, they tried again the next day, hauling heavy trailers up a hill. Blitzwing's foot slipped, and he was nearly offlined by the trailer sending him careening towards a wall. Bracing for impact, his demise was interrupted by the intervention of [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Seeing a good opportunity in the brawny Constructibots, he tricked them into hauling the two trailers to the mine. Though Lugnut stated that Megatron would never stand for this, he reassured the huge Decepticon that the two newcomers would be offlined as soon as the work was done. True to his word, Blitzwing was about to have Lugnut dispatch the hapless bots when Megatron stepped in. He had bigger plans for them. {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons}}

[[Image:TFA Sari no one home Blitzwing Ratchet hostage.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Verrry interesting...but shtupid.]]
When the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] resurfaced, Megatron dispatched Blitzwing to bring them back to the mine, giving him some oil to entice them, and instructing Blitzwing not to engage the Autobots. During his search, Blitzwing came across the Autobots. Although his Icy personality wanted to continue the search, his Hothead and Random personality decided to engage them. During the battle, Blitzwing utterly dominated the Autobots, and eventually took Ratchet hostage. At that point, Megatron ordered Blitzwing to disengage and resume his search. Finally locating the Constructicons, Blitzwing offered the two the oil barrels he was carrying, and led them back to base. {{storylink|Sari, No One's Home}}

Soon after the space bridge was near completion, the Autobots found the Decepticons' hideout and attempted to stop them. Blitzwing and Lugnut attacked the Autobots invading their underground base, but they ended up getting stasis cuffed by [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]]. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

Blitzwing was later retrieved by Scrapper and joined in on the attack on [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. His hothead side was unimpressed with the gargantuan Autobot, and he vowed to damage Omega Supreme so badly he'd need a GPS locator to help him find his still-attached exhaust port. Omega was equally unimpressed with the verbal posturing and headbutted Blitzwing to the horizon. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:Ani blitz.JPG|right|250px|thumb|"WHY IS IT GETTING SO CROWDED IN HERE?!" "Oh, wait, it's me." "And me! AHAHAHAHAAA!!!"]]
*'''Blitzwing''' (Voyager, 2008)
*''Accessories'': 2 "flame" missiles

: Blitzwing transforms into a futuristic "Mech-Warrior"ish-tank with two large, spring-loaded anti-aircraft-like guns, and a squat jet with tracks. His tank-cannons become the jet's thrusters. The robot mode has three faces, which can be switched around via a knob on the back of the head. Surprisingly against the [[For safety reasons|norm]], Blitzwing's pointy nosecone is molded from rigid plastic.

: Sadly, his cannons cannot tilt forward over his shoulders when in robot mode. Though promotional photos showed the figure with a gold traditional Decepticon insignia, the final toy used the movie variant in the tampograph.

: Blitzwing also has a minor [[misassembly]] problem, in that his upper arms are swapped. This is the reason his wings cannot press down flush with the rest of the jet fuselage. This can be fixed by pulling off his arms, unscrewing the one screw visible on either forearm, then separating the upper arms and switching them. This makes for a much improved jet mode. It still doesn't explain the purpose of the spring-loaded purple panels on his forearms though...

[[Image:Blitzwinganimatedtoyfaces.jpg|left|250px|thumb|So people who buy enough toys to display them in every mode have to buy five of this guy, right?]]
{{-}}



*'''Blitzwing''' (McDonald's Happy Meal toys, 2009)

: A very simplified (but well painted!) version of Blitzwing that has abandoned his triple changer aspect for simplicity's sake. Although this toy sports Blitzwing's "icy" face, he transforms into "hothead's" tank mode.

{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* When developing the character who would become Blitzwing, [[Marty Isenberg]] originally envisioned a character who could change into anything. Obviously enough, that idea proved unworkable in toy terms, so art director [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] proposed using [[Sixshot]] for the role. When Hasbro deemed a [[Six Changer]] to be too expensive, the Triple Changer Blitzwing was finally settled upon instead.<ref>http://www.cvcomics.com/artandstory/?p=242 Art & Story interview with Marty Isenberg]</ref> As fate would have it, Hasbro designer [[Eric Siebenaler]] had been itching to do a face-swapping Blitzwing since 2005. <ref>Blitzwing's long design history was detailed at [[BotCon 2008|BotCon 2008's]] Hasbro Design panel.</ref>
* His German accent was a last-minute improvisation by voice actor [[Bumper Robinson]], inspired by the character's name, that went on to influence his entire robot mode aesthetic; once Robinson had been cast in the role, Blitzwing was subsequently designed to "make him look really German"<ref>http://www.cvcomics.com/artandstory/?p=242 Art & Story interview with Marty Isenberg]</ref> , with his helmet an obvious nod to a World War II-era [[wikipedia:Stahlhelm|Stahlhelm]] helmet and goggles.
* Blitzwing's face-changing [[gimmick]] was in part inspired by [[wikipedia:Man-E-Faces|Man-E-Faces]] from ''Masters of the Universe.''<ref>According to [[Hasbro]] employees speaking at the 2007 Comic-ConInternational.</ref> He's not the first Transformers toy to feature multiple rotating faces; [[Alpha Q]], inspired by the five-faced Generation 1 [[Quintessons]], holds that distinction.

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Blitzwing/blitzwing.htm Blitzwing at TFU.info]

[[Category:Upcoming toy releases]]
[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Jetstorm (Animated)

2009-04-13T19:33:25Z

86.17.124.125: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|eliteguard}}{{disambig3|Jetstorm}}
:''Jetstorm is a [[Autobot|comrade]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Jetstormanimatedboxart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Still got the air superiority complex?]]

'''Jetstorm''' and his twin brother [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are part of a risky Autobot [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]] experiment in duplicating the flight and combat abilities of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. While the experiment gave them incredible new powers, it did absolutely nothing to blunt their hyperactive, act-without-thinking natures. Jetstorm is capable of attacking with incredible bursts of wind in both robot and jet modes, creating focused cyclones with devastating force (if somewhat questionable accuracy). Luckily, he's one of the few bots who actually listens to [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]], and stops his attack once his commander barks out his order to do so... though usually by that time, the damage has already been done.

The twins also have the ability to combine into a superjet ''and'' the powerful robot [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]]. Both modes greatly enhance their combat effectiveness... but not their wits, unfortunately.

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' continuity===
{{note|Events from [[IDW Publishing]] comics are in italics}}
:''Voice actor:'' [[Phil LaMarr]] (English)
[[Image:Jetfirejetstormzackly.jpg|left|200px|thumb|He's just mad because he didn't think of the joke first.]]

''Jetstorm was a simple repair bot who, along with his brother Jetfire, nearly died in an on-site accident. Viewed by the [[Elite Guard]] as completely expendable, Jetstorm and his brother were chosen to have [[Decepticon]] coding (acquired from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] during his time in custody) grafted onto their Autobot shells in hopes that the pair would gain the Decepticons' flight abilities. [[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]], [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] and [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] did the necessary calculations and programming needed. After this, the pair's combat abilities were tested against [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]], whom they easily defeated.''

[[Image:Jetstormdoesnotswing.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Boot" is a sound effect?]]

''To try their combat skills against a Decepticon, Starscream's programming was scanned into a combat simulator. However, Starscream's programming overpowered the training system, and the battle became real. Starscream's strength and cunning were more than they expected; Jetfire briefly lost control of his flame throwers and began to burn up, only to be saved when Jetstorm's wind turbines put out the flames. With newfound determination, the two combined into Safeguard for the first time and destroyed the virtual Decepticon. After this performance, Jetstorm and his brother were inducted into the Elite Guard. {{storylink|Rise of Safeguard|Rise of Safeguard}}''

Later, Jetstorm, along with his brother, Jazz, and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]], were sent by [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] to chase after the supposed Decepticon spy [[Wasp]]. The twins soon found a Wasp-disguised [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], whom Wasp intended to frame by swapping paint jobs, helmets and voices, but Jetstorm accidentally (and literally) blew Bumblebee away. They then were confronted by [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], who mistook them for Decepticons due to their ability to fly. After a one-on-one battle with Optimus & Ratchet (with Jetstorm facing Optimus and Jetfire facing Ratchet, respectively), the two combined into Safeguard to try and gain the upper hand, only to have the brawl end when Sentinel and Jazz arrived and cleared up the misunderstanding. Then, under Sentinel's orders, the twins set out to find Wasp once more.

They later found him with [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], who tried to convince them that Wasp had swapped places with Bumblebee, but to no avail. The twins assumed all three to be traitors and attacked them. The long battle was once again broken up by the others, who had become at least partly convinced of Bumblebee's true identity. The group quickly headed back to the Autobots' base to try and sort out the matter. During the fighting, however, Wasp had hacked into the Autobots' files on Bumblebee, allowing Wasp to know everything about him. Bulkhead decided to settle it with a game of ''Ninja Gladiator'' to determine the real Bumblebee. Jetfire and Jetstorm were so delighted by the concept of video games that they both shouted that they would play the winner. This would not happen, as Wasp revealed his true identity under the pressure. He swapped the paint jobs back and was able to escape. {{storylink|Where Is Thy Sting?}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}}{{Storylink|Predacons Rising}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:AniJetstorm-toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Not to be confused with JetBlue...or Blue Jet.]]
*'''Jetfire and Jetstorm''' (Entertainment Pack, 2008)

: Available only in a two-pack with his brother Jetfire, Jetstorm transforms into a blue Cybertronic wedge-shaped jet. He features pop-up "wind blades" in his robot mode armor. He can combine with his brother in both modes; in vehicle mode, they form an odd super-jet simply by docking together along their undercarriages (Yes, yes, har har, very droll), while Jetstorm's robot mode forms the left half of the super robot Safeguard.

:Both Jetfire and Jetstorm can flip open their cockpits. Very nice.

: The set comes with a bonus comic book, "[[Rise of Safeguard]]", which details the creation of the twins.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:TFA Jetfire Jetstorm concept.jpg|right|200px|thumb|CHEEKS!]]
* Both twins speak with a pronounced Romanian accent.

* Jetstorm's design, revealed at [[BotCon 2008]], contains numerous [[homage]]s to the ''[[Beast Machines (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'' [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] General [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]], particularly his helmet.

* Jetfire and Jetstorm's fire/wind theme has its roots in some of the earliest concepts of ''Animated''. [[Sean Galloway]], who had been commissioned to do early concept work for the series, revealed several pieces of this concept art long before the "final" [[Derrick J. Wyatt|Derrick Wyatt]]-designed characters were shown. Among these images were a pair of "fire and wind" robots who have a few features that made it into the jet-twins' final designs.

* The twins' method of combination is seemingly an intentional homage to Hyoryū and Enryū/Chōryūjin from the final installment of Takara's [[Brave]] Series, ''King of Braves GaoGaiGar''.

* In the early stages of the toy's development, the end of the twins' combined vehicle mode is supposed to split apart and wings are supposed to slide out of the shins, so that the combined mode resembles an [[Luke Skywalker|X-wing fighter]]<ref>http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html</ref> however, this did not appear in the released instructions.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category: Elite Guard]]

Prowl (Animated)

2009-03-21T14:19:44Z

86.17.124.125: /* Transformers Animated */

<div id="title-factionicons" style="float: right; display: none;"><div style="position: relative;">[[Autobot|<img alt="" src="/w2/images2/thumb/f/fe/Symbol_autobot_reg.png/30px-Symbol_autobot_reg.png" width="30" height="30" border="0"/>]]</div></div>
{{disambig3|Prowl}}
:''Prowl is an Autobot from the [[Transformers Animated|Transformers Animated]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]].''

[[Image:AniProwlPromoModel.jpg|right|250px|thumb|True warriors must move like water. NINJA water.]]
Some people are team players, and some...well, aren't. '''Prowl''' falls into the latter category. A loner at heart, he has little interest in teamwork, something [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] finds extremely frustrating. Prowl feels cooperation with the [[Bumblebee (Animated)|loud]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|unsubtle]] Autobots around him would cramp his style: a keen [[Cyber ninja|cyber ninja]] prowess with elements of [[Circuit-Su|Circuit-Su]]<a href="#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a> and [[Metallikato|Metallikato]].<a href="#cite_note-TEG-1" title="">[2]</a>

Seemingly bound up in his martial-arts philosophy is his deep, deep fascination with [[Earth|Earth]]'s natural environment. His quarters on [[Earth|Earth]] is missing most of its ceiling, allowing him a permanent window into nature. In fact, he seems to have a deeper appreciation of his new surroundings than the [[Human|humans]] who grew up with them. The phrase "stop and smell the roses" is a life truth for Prowl, and he can spend hours motionless, watching the organic world play out around him.

When called to battle, Prowl uses an array of throwing weapons, such as cutting discs, that he can hurl with high accuracy. While useful as projectiles, these weapons tend to be far more damaging at close range and will occasionally bounce off their target with little damage if thrown from too great a distance. He can project [[Hologram|holograms]] of himself, using them to misdirect his enemies. He is also the only member of his team with a jetpack, granting him limited flight.

Prowl is probably the most skilled fighter of his comrades, but this might not be saying much, as they were a mere [[Space bridge|space bridge]] repair crew before finding themselves suddenly defending the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] against the resurgent [[Decepticon|Decepticons]].<a href="#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a> In fact, [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]], witnessing him in action, remarked that Prowl must not have ''finished'' his cyber ninja training.<a href="#cite_note-TEG-1" title="">[2]</a> Perhaps that might provide a clue as to why a martial artist like Prowl was assigned to that oft-maligned repair duty.

<table align="center" style="border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote">
<tr>
<td width="20" valign="top" style="color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:left;padding:9px 10px 0 10px;"> “
</td><td valign="top" style="padding:4px 10px 5px 10px;font-family: 'lucida console', arial, sans-serif;"> Stillness...then ''strike''.
</td><td width="20" valign="bottom" style="color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:right;padding:10px 10px 0px 10px;"> ”
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0"> <cite style="font-style:normal;">—Prowl getting past motion detectors, "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is|Home Is Where the Spark Is]]"</cite>

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
<table cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">

<tr bgcolor="#ececec">
<td>This section covers fiction that is '''ongoing'''. It will be added to as the story progresses. If it isn't current, you can help by [http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Prowl_%28Animated%29&action=edit updating it].
</td></tr></table>
:''Voice actor:'' [[Jeff Glen Bennett|Jeff Glen Bennett]] (English), [[Lutz Schnell|Lutz Schnell]] (German)

Prowl showed a lack of interest in both teamwork (as a loner type) and in the motivational (kinda long-winded) speeches of [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]. He did not obey orders at first and learned of the consequences firsthand as he was nearly killed by a nanite-enhanced cockroach. After his revival at the hands of [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] and the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark-empowered]] [[Key|Key]], he showed that he had become a valuable team player when he headed out with Bumblebee and Sari to save [[Isaac Sumdac|Professor Sumdac]] and [[Captain Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out!|Transform and Roll Out!}}

Later, Prowl was watching a cat stalk a bird. He found it fascinating, but was aggravated when he was interrupted by human fans. Returning to base, he hid out in his Japanese-themed room, only to be interrupted by Prime and Bumblebee. Even worse, Sari threw a slumber party, pushing Prowl to the edge with the commotion. Ironically, when [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] took over the factory, Prowl was able to show Bumblebee the value of stillness in battle, something the pair would work on later in a game of Twister™. {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is|Home Is Where the Spark Is}}

In an attempt to get [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] to be less bumbling and destructive, he tried to teach his comrade how to move with ninja-like grace as he did. It...did not go well. Bulkhead's effectiveness in battle was undermined until Prowl realized Bulkhead's approach had its place and encouraged him to "do what you do." He also sensed [[Spark|sparks]] within the [[Dinobots (Animated)|Dinobots]] and, unwilling to let them be destroyed, secretly hid them on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|a small island]] before they were melted down. As he explained to Bulkhead, "Just because something's big and lumbering and destructive, doesn't mean you give up on it." {{storylink|Blast from the Past|Blast from the Past}}

Reasoning correctly that the Decepticons would target Sari to get at the Key, Prowl took to instructing her in the art of "ninja nerve blows." It was shortly after one of these sessions that his decision to save the Dinobots seemingly came back to haunt him when the gargantuan robots kidnapped the girl. He headed to their island home with Bulkhead in tow, the suspicious [[Captain Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] shadowing them somewhat clumsily the whole way. However, the police captain was not prepared for the environmental hazards of the secluded island and had to be rescued by the pair of Autobots. Together, the three of them discovered that the Dinobots had been coerced into kidnapping Sari by [[Prometheus Black|Prometheus Black]], whose corrosive touch they had come to fear. Forced along with Fanzone to fight the mad geneticist's [[Fusion creature|creations]] in a gladiatorial arena, Prowl began to develop a bond with the captain, who in turn came to trust Prowl. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest|Survival of the Fittest}}

When Decepticon energy signals were detected, the Autobots quickly realized that they were outnumbered. Bulkhead mentioned that the Dinobots might be able to help, not aware that Prowl hadn't told Optimus they had moved them to Dinobot Island. Prime was furious and ordered the two to take him there at once. After searching the island, the Autobots found the Dinobots. Prime's introduction was less than friendly, and Prowl was forced to smooth things over with Grimlock. They were unwilling to help, so the Autobots left, unsure of their next move. When Bumblebee contacted Prime, saying that Starscream was at Sumdac Tower, he ordered him to stand down. When they arrived at the tower, they saw Bumblebee fighting Starscream. Prime dryly noted that disobeying orders was becoming a habit, but Prowl wasn't too insulted.

He was too busy being shocked by Megatron bursting through Sumdac Tower. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

Quickly regaining their composure, the Autobots attacked, only for Megatron to defeat all three of them himself. After the battle, Sumdac revealed that he had helped rebuild Megatron. Prowl was furious, but Prime said that it was unimportant. Using residual Key energy in Sumdac's lab, the Autobots repaired themselves, and Prime apologized for his harsh words. [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] and Sari came in the ship, but it was shot down over Dinobot Island. During the subsequent battle, Prowl noticed that [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing's]] multiple personalities were connected to his [[Alternate mode|alternate modes]]. To cause his hotheaded side to emerge and transform into a tank, Prowl suggested that Bumblebee use his greatest strength— his obnoxious personality. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

[[Image:Samprowl.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Got to get back... Back to the past. Samurai Jack Jazz Prowl]]
While responding to a report of rampages on Dinobot Island, Prowl and Bulkhead were given Ratchet's EMP generator and stasis cuffs to detain the Dinobots. Discovering that Grimlock had a metal shard wedged in his foot, Prowl used the generator to dull Grimlock's sensors and remove the shard. However, they then received a call from [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] that Starscream had escaped. Heading to the Autobots' crashed ship, Prowl used [[Teletran 1|Teletran 1]] to scan for Starscream, discovering him on the Moon. Prowl suggested that they go after Starscream, but Bulkhead thought it was suicide. So Prowl stole a shuttle and went off by himself. Locating Starscream on the Moon, he managed to place stasis cuffs on the Decepticon, but [[Lockdown|Lockdown]] appeared to take Starscream off Prowl's hands. During their fight, Starscream escaped and destroyed Prowl's shuttle. Stowing away on Lockdown's ship, Prowl suggested an alliance to capture him. Lockdown gave him a set of armor that would assist him in the hunt. Discovering a purple (and frightened) Starscream, they captured him, but Lockdown revealed that he was working for Megatron. Prowl would not allow Starscream to be taken, but Lockdown tied Prowl up and left.

The other Autobots arrived and chewed out Prowl for his actions, but Prowl insisted that they retrieve Starscream first. During their pursuit, Starscream somehow showed up and offered an alliance against Megatron. Prowl took down Starscream, but in his actions, he destroyed a bird's nest. Realizing that the modifications he had were going to his head, he resolved to abandon them... once they got Starscream. Prowl initially flubbed an attempt to spy on the meet between Megatron and Lockdown and quickly found himself outgunned until the other Autobots arrived with the second Starscream. During the standoff that followed, the two Starscreams revealed that they had bombs inside them. Prowl used the armor he had been given to send them into the sky, saving Detroit from destruction. Lockdown then contacted Prowl, offering him a partnership, but Prowl declined and returned Ratchet's EMP generator. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon|A Fistful of Energon}}

When Bulkhead was kidnapped, Bumblebee brought the Autobot intelligence agent [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] to the plant, who revealed that Megatron was building a space bridge to conquer Cybertron from within. As Sari and Ratchet went to repair the ship, Prowl went with the others to rescue Bulkhead and shut down the space bridge. However, they were incapacitated by the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]]...just in time for Starscream and [[Starscream clone|his clones]] to attack. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

Escaping the Constructicons, Prowl was able to lock stasis cuffs on [[Liar Starscream|a lying clone]], but was soon occupied with [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]]. When Prowl managed to disengage long enough to check on an injured Prime, [[Sunstorm (Animated)|a fawning clone]] managed to place stasis cuffs on him. Once he came back online, Prowl began a [[Processor over matter|processor over matter]] technique to disable his stasis cuffs, which would theoretically work if he had completed his training. Fortunately, it did work, and Prowl was able to throw a shuriken at Prime's stasis cuffs as he was being thrown through the space bridge. Unfortunately, power problems with the bridge arose, causing Megatron to add Starscream's AllSpark infused head to the mix. This caused a power overload which sucked up Megatron and Starscream, and nearly sucked up the Autobots as well. Fortunately, [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] arrived and sacrificed himself to save the Autobots by allowing himself to be sucked into the portal. After escaping from the self-destructing bridge, Optimus Prime asked if everyone was okay, and Prowl gave an affirmative nod.

Unfortunately, Sari was not okay, for the skin of her right arm had been torn, revealing robotic circuitry underneath! {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

===Titan Magazines===
When [[Quake-Maker|Quake-Maker]] attacked Detroit with, yep, earthquakes, Prowl was there saving people from falling rubble before the villain temporarily buried him. Once he got out, he found himself following the orders of new arrival [[Afterburn|Afterburn]] and helped beat Quake-Maker. {{storylink|Burnout|Burnout}}

On his day off, Prowl went to a basketball game with Bulkhead, Sari and Afterburn. The speed, grace and tactics of the game thrilled him, leaving him with the belief they could learn much from basketball. Unfortunately he had to duck out of the game to stop the supervillain [[Crossroads|Crossroads]], who was causing robotic systems across Detroit. Working out with Sari that this was a diversionary tactic so Crossroads could reach [[Sumdac Tower|Sumdac Tower]], Prowl and the others headed for the building and Prowl disabled the villain's robot-controlling gauntlets with well-aimed shurikens. And he spouted basketball terms while doing this for... well, I dunno.

He stood in front of Afterburn while saying they should all keep their eyes out for the enemy. Surely a coincidental posing! {{storylink|Crossroads!|Crossroads!}}

==Toys==
===Transformers Animated===
[[Image:Prowl anim toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|No, you're not seeing things, both of his wheels are part of his robot mode, and it's still symmetrical.]]
*'''Prowl''' (Deluxe, 2008)
*''Accessories:'' 2 bladed ninja stars, 1 street lamp "chain" weapon

: Prowl transforms into a black and gold police motorcycle of made-up model. Two of his hubcaps are removable, and they both can reconfigure into three-bladed shurikens which he can hold in robot mode. The shurikens have a pseudo-automorph feature; pulling out on one blade simultaneously opens the other two. He also comes with a traffic light "chain" weapon which he can hold in robot mode, but it cannot be stowed in vehicle mode. As advertised on the back of the box, his bike mode klaxons can flip forward to form some kind of laser weapon.

:Partly due to his lithe proportions and the double-jointed knees required for his transformation, Prowl is extremely poseable. Additionally, he has a large number of translucent plastic colors, with blue and red translucent beacons, a red, yellow, and green traffic light, and a smoky gray translucent windscreen.

{{-}}

*'''Rescue Ratchet''' (Animated 3-pack, 2008)

: A ''Universe'' Legends-class Prowl came packaged with this version of [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], as well as a Legends [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. It is different from the ''Universe'' release in that it has a silver [[Faction symbol|faction symbol]] instead of the individual release's red-and-white.

{{-}}

*'''Battle in Space''' (Deluxe 2-pack, 2008)

: This two-pack features an unchanged Deluxe Prowl and an unchanged Battle Damaged Deluxe [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], from the ''Battle Begins'' two-pack.

{{-}}

[[Image:Samuraiprowldeluxe.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Bludgeon redeco in 5...4...3...]]
[[Image:Samuraiprowlsplitwheels.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Yours won't do this.]]
*'''Samurai Prowl''' (Deluxe, 2009)
*''Accessories'': Sidecar/battle armor, wheel/"sword"

:This heavy [[Retool|retool]] of Prowl includes an all-new sidecar which transforms into the "samurai" armor that appeared in "[[A Fistful of Energon|A Fistful of Energon]]." Roughly 80% of the original robot mode is retooled or replaced, leaving only parts such as the biceps, interior of the arms, and the lower legs untouched. The robot mode "wings" are now designed to fold upwards, and a pair of slots were added to accommodate the body of the samurai armor. A new, smaller head with translucent plastic lightpiping replaces the original head so that the samurai helmet can fit, and either of the new pegs on his forearms can be used to mount the new wheel/blade weapon. The bladed ninja stars can still be removed from his legs, but they have been remolded so they no longer open.

:Prowl loses a lot of his original manouverability when you put his samurai armour on, but that's the price you pay for the ability to blind your enemies with pure awesomeness and blue translucent plastic.

:A change was made to the wheel/sword weapon between the photography and final production stages. The Hasbro stock photography shows that the wheel was originally able to split down the middle, with each half pegging onto a forearm. However, this is not possible on the production version. The two halves are screwed together, and there's no hint of a second connection piece when disassembled.

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:Legends animated prowl.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Itty-bitty ninja.]]
*'''Prowl''' (Legends, 2008)

:A Legends-scale version of Animated Prowl, featuring a simplified transformation scheme. As with all current Legends class toys, it was offered under the Universe toyline.

: This toy can also be found as part of the ''Animated'' [[Ratchet (Animated)|Rescue Ratchet]] three-pack with Legends [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], and as part of a ''Universe'' three-pack with Legends [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and Legends [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]].

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* Prowl's eyes are a reference to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_AD_%28comic%29" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:2000_AD_(comic)">2000 AD</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_Warriors" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:ABC_Warriors">ABC Warriors</a>.<a href="#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a>
* Prowl's general robot mode design, down to his khaki legs, tall boots, and helmet-shaped head, is meant to evoke a California Highway Police motorcycle cop, circa ''<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHiPs" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:CHiPs">CHiPs</a>''. Eat your heart out, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Estrada" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:Erik_Estrada">Erik Estrada</a>.<a href="#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a>
* Despite his alternate mode being the smallest among the core cast, [[Size changing|Prowl's robot mode is about the same height as Ratchet's, and much taller than Bumblebee's]].
* As of "[[Autoboot Camp|Autoboot Camp]]", Prowl is the only main cast Autobot who hasn't had an episode dedicated to his past. However, he did reveal in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II|A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]" that he never actually completed his cyber ninja training. Perhaps a dedicated episode will happen in Season 3.
* Prowl is the only one of the five main Autobots whose Cybertron vehicle mode hasn't been shown, although according to Derrick Wyatt, it has been designed.<a href="#cite_note-5" title="">[6]</a>
* Amazingly, Hasbro hadn't originally intended to make a Samurai Prowl toy until one of their team saw the episode <a href="#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a>
* Prowl's retractable [[Mouthplate|mouthplate]] was inspired by Snake Eyes from [[G.I. Joe|G.I. Joe]]<a href="#cite_note-7" title="">[8]</a>

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<ol class="references"><li id="cite_note-0"><a href="#cite_ref-0" title="">↑</a> Prowl's on-package [[Bio|bio]]
<li id="cite_note-TEG-1">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-TEG_1-0" title="">2.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-TEG_1-1" title="">2.1</a> "[[The Elite Guard|The Elite Guard]]"
<li id="cite_note-2"><a href="#cite_ref-2" title="">↑</a> "[[Transform and Roll Out!|Transform and Roll Out!]]"
<li id="cite_note-3">[#cite_ref-3" title="">↑</a> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21975298&postID=8564559979841180115 Comment section for "Back from Botcon" entry in Derrick Wyatt's blog]
<li id="cite_note-4">[#cite_ref-4" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html Derrick Wyatt explains Prowl's design in his personal blog]
<li id="cite_note-5">[#cite_ref-5" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html Derrick Wyatt explains Prowl's design in his personal blog]
<li id="cite_note-6"><a href="#cite_ref-6" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html" class="external free" title="http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html" rel="nofollow">http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html</a>
<li id="cite_note-7">[#cite_ref-7" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html Response to comments in "Hey Everybody, It's Prowl!" article on Derrick Wyatt's blog]</ol></div>
==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Prowl/prowl.htm Prowl at TFU.info]

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Spies]]

Prowl (Animated)

2009-03-21T14:19:07Z

86.17.124.125: /* Transformers Animated */

<div id="title-factionicons" style="float: right; display: none;"><div style="position: relative;">[[Autobot|<img alt="" src="/w2/images2/thumb/f/fe/Symbol_autobot_reg.png/30px-Symbol_autobot_reg.png" width="30" height="30" border="0"/>]]</div></div>
{{disambig3|Prowl}}
:''Prowl is an Autobot from the [[Transformers Animated|Transformers Animated]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]].''

[[Image:AniProwlPromoModel.jpg|right|250px|thumb|True warriors must move like water. NINJA water.]]
Some people are team players, and some...well, aren't. '''Prowl''' falls into the latter category. A loner at heart, he has little interest in teamwork, something [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] finds extremely frustrating. Prowl feels cooperation with the [[Bumblebee (Animated)|loud]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|unsubtle]] Autobots around him would cramp his style: a keen [[Cyber ninja|cyber ninja]] prowess with elements of [[Circuit-Su|Circuit-Su]]<a href="#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a> and [[Metallikato|Metallikato]].<a href="#cite_note-TEG-1" title="">[2]</a>

Seemingly bound up in his martial-arts philosophy is his deep, deep fascination with [[Earth|Earth]]'s natural environment. His quarters on [[Earth|Earth]] is missing most of its ceiling, allowing him a permanent window into nature. In fact, he seems to have a deeper appreciation of his new surroundings than the [[Human|humans]] who grew up with them. The phrase "stop and smell the roses" is a life truth for Prowl, and he can spend hours motionless, watching the organic world play out around him.

When called to battle, Prowl uses an array of throwing weapons, such as cutting discs, that he can hurl with high accuracy. While useful as projectiles, these weapons tend to be far more damaging at close range and will occasionally bounce off their target with little damage if thrown from too great a distance. He can project [[Hologram|holograms]] of himself, using them to misdirect his enemies. He is also the only member of his team with a jetpack, granting him limited flight.

Prowl is probably the most skilled fighter of his comrades, but this might not be saying much, as they were a mere [[Space bridge|space bridge]] repair crew before finding themselves suddenly defending the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] against the resurgent [[Decepticon|Decepticons]].<a href="#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a> In fact, [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]], witnessing him in action, remarked that Prowl must not have ''finished'' his cyber ninja training.<a href="#cite_note-TEG-1" title="">[2]</a> Perhaps that might provide a clue as to why a martial artist like Prowl was assigned to that oft-maligned repair duty.

<table align="center" style="border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote">
<tr>
<td width="20" valign="top" style="color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:left;padding:9px 10px 0 10px;"> “
</td><td valign="top" style="padding:4px 10px 5px 10px;font-family: 'lucida console', arial, sans-serif;"> Stillness...then ''strike''.
</td><td width="20" valign="bottom" style="color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:right;padding:10px 10px 0px 10px;"> ”
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0"> <cite style="font-style:normal;">—Prowl getting past motion detectors, "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is|Home Is Where the Spark Is]]"</cite>

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
<table cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">

<tr bgcolor="#ececec">
<td>This section covers fiction that is '''ongoing'''. It will be added to as the story progresses. If it isn't current, you can help by [http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Prowl_%28Animated%29&action=edit updating it].
</td></tr></table>
:''Voice actor:'' [[Jeff Glen Bennett|Jeff Glen Bennett]] (English), [[Lutz Schnell|Lutz Schnell]] (German)

Prowl showed a lack of interest in both teamwork (as a loner type) and in the motivational (kinda long-winded) speeches of [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]. He did not obey orders at first and learned of the consequences firsthand as he was nearly killed by a nanite-enhanced cockroach. After his revival at the hands of [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] and the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark-empowered]] [[Key|Key]], he showed that he had become a valuable team player when he headed out with Bumblebee and Sari to save [[Isaac Sumdac|Professor Sumdac]] and [[Captain Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out!|Transform and Roll Out!}}

Later, Prowl was watching a cat stalk a bird. He found it fascinating, but was aggravated when he was interrupted by human fans. Returning to base, he hid out in his Japanese-themed room, only to be interrupted by Prime and Bumblebee. Even worse, Sari threw a slumber party, pushing Prowl to the edge with the commotion. Ironically, when [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] took over the factory, Prowl was able to show Bumblebee the value of stillness in battle, something the pair would work on later in a game of Twister™. {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is|Home Is Where the Spark Is}}

In an attempt to get [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] to be less bumbling and destructive, he tried to teach his comrade how to move with ninja-like grace as he did. It...did not go well. Bulkhead's effectiveness in battle was undermined until Prowl realized Bulkhead's approach had its place and encouraged him to "do what you do." He also sensed [[Spark|sparks]] within the [[Dinobots (Animated)|Dinobots]] and, unwilling to let them be destroyed, secretly hid them on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|a small island]] before they were melted down. As he explained to Bulkhead, "Just because something's big and lumbering and destructive, doesn't mean you give up on it." {{storylink|Blast from the Past|Blast from the Past}}

Reasoning correctly that the Decepticons would target Sari to get at the Key, Prowl took to instructing her in the art of "ninja nerve blows." It was shortly after one of these sessions that his decision to save the Dinobots seemingly came back to haunt him when the gargantuan robots kidnapped the girl. He headed to their island home with Bulkhead in tow, the suspicious [[Captain Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] shadowing them somewhat clumsily the whole way. However, the police captain was not prepared for the environmental hazards of the secluded island and had to be rescued by the pair of Autobots. Together, the three of them discovered that the Dinobots had been coerced into kidnapping Sari by [[Prometheus Black|Prometheus Black]], whose corrosive touch they had come to fear. Forced along with Fanzone to fight the mad geneticist's [[Fusion creature|creations]] in a gladiatorial arena, Prowl began to develop a bond with the captain, who in turn came to trust Prowl. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest|Survival of the Fittest}}

When Decepticon energy signals were detected, the Autobots quickly realized that they were outnumbered. Bulkhead mentioned that the Dinobots might be able to help, not aware that Prowl hadn't told Optimus they had moved them to Dinobot Island. Prime was furious and ordered the two to take him there at once. After searching the island, the Autobots found the Dinobots. Prime's introduction was less than friendly, and Prowl was forced to smooth things over with Grimlock. They were unwilling to help, so the Autobots left, unsure of their next move. When Bumblebee contacted Prime, saying that Starscream was at Sumdac Tower, he ordered him to stand down. When they arrived at the tower, they saw Bumblebee fighting Starscream. Prime dryly noted that disobeying orders was becoming a habit, but Prowl wasn't too insulted.

He was too busy being shocked by Megatron bursting through Sumdac Tower. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

Quickly regaining their composure, the Autobots attacked, only for Megatron to defeat all three of them himself. After the battle, Sumdac revealed that he had helped rebuild Megatron. Prowl was furious, but Prime said that it was unimportant. Using residual Key energy in Sumdac's lab, the Autobots repaired themselves, and Prime apologized for his harsh words. [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] and Sari came in the ship, but it was shot down over Dinobot Island. During the subsequent battle, Prowl noticed that [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing's]] multiple personalities were connected to his [[Alternate mode|alternate modes]]. To cause his hotheaded side to emerge and transform into a tank, Prowl suggested that Bumblebee use his greatest strength— his obnoxious personality. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

[[Image:Samprowl.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Got to get back... Back to the past. Samurai Jack Jazz Prowl]]
While responding to a report of rampages on Dinobot Island, Prowl and Bulkhead were given Ratchet's EMP generator and stasis cuffs to detain the Dinobots. Discovering that Grimlock had a metal shard wedged in his foot, Prowl used the generator to dull Grimlock's sensors and remove the shard. However, they then received a call from [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] that Starscream had escaped. Heading to the Autobots' crashed ship, Prowl used [[Teletran 1|Teletran 1]] to scan for Starscream, discovering him on the Moon. Prowl suggested that they go after Starscream, but Bulkhead thought it was suicide. So Prowl stole a shuttle and went off by himself. Locating Starscream on the Moon, he managed to place stasis cuffs on the Decepticon, but [[Lockdown|Lockdown]] appeared to take Starscream off Prowl's hands. During their fight, Starscream escaped and destroyed Prowl's shuttle. Stowing away on Lockdown's ship, Prowl suggested an alliance to capture him. Lockdown gave him a set of armor that would assist him in the hunt. Discovering a purple (and frightened) Starscream, they captured him, but Lockdown revealed that he was working for Megatron. Prowl would not allow Starscream to be taken, but Lockdown tied Prowl up and left.

The other Autobots arrived and chewed out Prowl for his actions, but Prowl insisted that they retrieve Starscream first. During their pursuit, Starscream somehow showed up and offered an alliance against Megatron. Prowl took down Starscream, but in his actions, he destroyed a bird's nest. Realizing that the modifications he had were going to his head, he resolved to abandon them... once they got Starscream. Prowl initially flubbed an attempt to spy on the meet between Megatron and Lockdown and quickly found himself outgunned until the other Autobots arrived with the second Starscream. During the standoff that followed, the two Starscreams revealed that they had bombs inside them. Prowl used the armor he had been given to send them into the sky, saving Detroit from destruction. Lockdown then contacted Prowl, offering him a partnership, but Prowl declined and returned Ratchet's EMP generator. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon|A Fistful of Energon}}

When Bulkhead was kidnapped, Bumblebee brought the Autobot intelligence agent [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] to the plant, who revealed that Megatron was building a space bridge to conquer Cybertron from within. As Sari and Ratchet went to repair the ship, Prowl went with the others to rescue Bulkhead and shut down the space bridge. However, they were incapacitated by the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]]...just in time for Starscream and [[Starscream clone|his clones]] to attack. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

Escaping the Constructicons, Prowl was able to lock stasis cuffs on [[Liar Starscream|a lying clone]], but was soon occupied with [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]]. When Prowl managed to disengage long enough to check on an injured Prime, [[Sunstorm (Animated)|a fawning clone]] managed to place stasis cuffs on him. Once he came back online, Prowl began a [[Processor over matter|processor over matter]] technique to disable his stasis cuffs, which would theoretically work if he had completed his training. Fortunately, it did work, and Prowl was able to throw a shuriken at Prime's stasis cuffs as he was being thrown through the space bridge. Unfortunately, power problems with the bridge arose, causing Megatron to add Starscream's AllSpark infused head to the mix. This caused a power overload which sucked up Megatron and Starscream, and nearly sucked up the Autobots as well. Fortunately, [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] arrived and sacrificed himself to save the Autobots by allowing himself to be sucked into the portal. After escaping from the self-destructing bridge, Optimus Prime asked if everyone was okay, and Prowl gave an affirmative nod.

Unfortunately, Sari was not okay, for the skin of her right arm had been torn, revealing robotic circuitry underneath! {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

===Titan Magazines===
When [[Quake-Maker|Quake-Maker]] attacked Detroit with, yep, earthquakes, Prowl was there saving people from falling rubble before the villain temporarily buried him. Once he got out, he found himself following the orders of new arrival [[Afterburn|Afterburn]] and helped beat Quake-Maker. {{storylink|Burnout|Burnout}}

On his day off, Prowl went to a basketball game with Bulkhead, Sari and Afterburn. The speed, grace and tactics of the game thrilled him, leaving him with the belief they could learn much from basketball. Unfortunately he had to duck out of the game to stop the supervillain [[Crossroads|Crossroads]], who was causing robotic systems across Detroit. Working out with Sari that this was a diversionary tactic so Crossroads could reach [[Sumdac Tower|Sumdac Tower]], Prowl and the others headed for the building and Prowl disabled the villain's robot-controlling gauntlets with well-aimed shurikens. And he spouted basketball terms while doing this for... well, I dunno.

He stood in front of Afterburn while saying they should all keep their eyes out for the enemy. Surely a coincidental posing! {{storylink|Crossroads!|Crossroads!}}

==Toys==
===Transformers Animated===
[[Image:Prowl anim toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|No, you're not seeing things, both of his wheels are part of his robot mode, and it's still symmetrical.]]
*'''Prowl''' (Deluxe, 2008)
*''Accessories:'' 2 bladed ninja stars, 1 street lamp "chain" weapon

: Prowl transforms into a black and gold police motorcycle of made-up model. Two of his hubcaps are removable, and they both can reconfigure into three-bladed shurikens which he can hold in robot mode. The shurikens have a pseudo-automorph feature; pulling out on one blade simultaneously opens the other two. He also comes with a traffic light "chain" weapon which he can hold in robot mode, but it cannot be stowed in vehicle mode. As advertised on the back of the box, his bike mode klaxons can flip forward to form some kind of laser weapon.

:Partly due to his lithe proportions and the double-jointed knees required for his transformation, Prowl is extremely poseable. Additionally, he has a large number of translucent plastic colors, with blue and red translucent beacons, a red, yellow, and green traffic light, and a smoky gray translucent windscreen.

{{-}}

*'''Rescue Ratchet''' (Animated 3-pack, 2008)

: A ''Universe'' Legends-class Prowl came packaged with this version of [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], as well as a Legends [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. It is different from the ''Universe'' release in that it has a silver [[Faction symbol|faction symbol]] instead of the individual release's red-and-white.

{{-}}

*'''Battle in Space''' (Deluxe 2-pack, 2008)

: This two-pack features an unchanged Deluxe Prowl and an unchanged Battle Damaged Deluxe [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], from the ''Battle Begins'' two-pack.

{{-}}

[[Image:Samuraiprowldeluxe.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Bludgeon redeco in 5...4...3...]]
[[Image:Samuraiprowlsplitwheels.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Yours won't do this.]]
*'''Samurai Prowl''' (Deluxe, 2009)
*''Accessories'': Sidecar/battle armor, wheel/"sword"

:This heavy [[Retool|retool]] of Prowl includes an all-new sidecar which transforms into the "samurai" armor that appeared in "[[A Fistful of Energon|A Fistful of Energon]]." Roughly 80% of the original robot mode is retooled or replaced, leaving only parts such as the biceps, interior of the arms, and the lower legs untouched. The robot mode "wings" are now designed to fold upwards, and a pair of slots were added to accommodate the body of the samurai armor. A new, smaller head with translucent plastic lightpiping replaces the original head so that the samurai helmet can fit, and either of the new pegs on his forearms can be used to mount the new wheel/blade weapon. The bladed ninja stars can still be removed from his legs, but they have been remolded so they no longer open.

:Prowl loses a lot of his original manouverability when you put his samurai armour on, but that's the price you pay for the ability to blind your enemies with pure awesomeness and translucent plastic.

:A change was made to the wheel/sword weapon between the photography and final production stages. The Hasbro stock photography shows that the wheel was originally able to split down the middle, with each half pegging onto a forearm. However, this is not possible on the production version. The two halves are screwed together, and there's no hint of a second connection piece when disassembled.

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:Legends animated prowl.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Itty-bitty ninja.]]
*'''Prowl''' (Legends, 2008)

:A Legends-scale version of Animated Prowl, featuring a simplified transformation scheme. As with all current Legends class toys, it was offered under the Universe toyline.

: This toy can also be found as part of the ''Animated'' [[Ratchet (Animated)|Rescue Ratchet]] three-pack with Legends [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], and as part of a ''Universe'' three-pack with Legends [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and Legends [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]].

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* Prowl's eyes are a reference to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_AD_%28comic%29" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:2000_AD_(comic)">2000 AD</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_Warriors" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:ABC_Warriors">ABC Warriors</a>.<a href="#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a>
* Prowl's general robot mode design, down to his khaki legs, tall boots, and helmet-shaped head, is meant to evoke a California Highway Police motorcycle cop, circa ''<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHiPs" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:CHiPs">CHiPs</a>''. Eat your heart out, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Estrada" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:Erik_Estrada">Erik Estrada</a>.<a href="#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a>
* Despite his alternate mode being the smallest among the core cast, [[Size changing|Prowl's robot mode is about the same height as Ratchet's, and much taller than Bumblebee's]].
* As of "[[Autoboot Camp|Autoboot Camp]]", Prowl is the only main cast Autobot who hasn't had an episode dedicated to his past. However, he did reveal in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II|A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]" that he never actually completed his cyber ninja training. Perhaps a dedicated episode will happen in Season 3.
* Prowl is the only one of the five main Autobots whose Cybertron vehicle mode hasn't been shown, although according to Derrick Wyatt, it has been designed.<a href="#cite_note-5" title="">[6]</a>
* Amazingly, Hasbro hadn't originally intended to make a Samurai Prowl toy until one of their team saw the episode <a href="#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a>
* Prowl's retractable [[Mouthplate|mouthplate]] was inspired by Snake Eyes from [[G.I. Joe|G.I. Joe]]<a href="#cite_note-7" title="">[8]</a>

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<ol class="references"><li id="cite_note-0"><a href="#cite_ref-0" title="">↑</a> Prowl's on-package [[Bio|bio]]
<li id="cite_note-TEG-1">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-TEG_1-0" title="">2.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-TEG_1-1" title="">2.1</a> "[[The Elite Guard|The Elite Guard]]"
<li id="cite_note-2"><a href="#cite_ref-2" title="">↑</a> "[[Transform and Roll Out!|Transform and Roll Out!]]"
<li id="cite_note-3">[#cite_ref-3" title="">↑</a> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21975298&postID=8564559979841180115 Comment section for "Back from Botcon" entry in Derrick Wyatt's blog]
<li id="cite_note-4">[#cite_ref-4" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html Derrick Wyatt explains Prowl's design in his personal blog]
<li id="cite_note-5">[#cite_ref-5" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html Derrick Wyatt explains Prowl's design in his personal blog]
<li id="cite_note-6"><a href="#cite_ref-6" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html" class="external free" title="http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html" rel="nofollow">http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html</a>
<li id="cite_note-7">[#cite_ref-7" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html Response to comments in "Hey Everybody, It's Prowl!" article on Derrick Wyatt's blog]</ol></div>
==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Prowl/prowl.htm Prowl at TFU.info]

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Spies]]

Prowl (Animated)

2009-03-21T14:18:40Z

86.17.124.125: /* Transformers Animated */

<div id="title-factionicons" style="float: right; display: none;"><div style="position: relative;">[[Autobot|<img alt="" src="/w2/images2/thumb/f/fe/Symbol_autobot_reg.png/30px-Symbol_autobot_reg.png" width="30" height="30" border="0"/>]]</div></div>
{{disambig3|Prowl}}
:''Prowl is an Autobot from the [[Transformers Animated|Transformers Animated]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]].''

[[Image:AniProwlPromoModel.jpg|right|250px|thumb|True warriors must move like water. NINJA water.]]
Some people are team players, and some...well, aren't. '''Prowl''' falls into the latter category. A loner at heart, he has little interest in teamwork, something [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] finds extremely frustrating. Prowl feels cooperation with the [[Bumblebee (Animated)|loud]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|unsubtle]] Autobots around him would cramp his style: a keen [[Cyber ninja|cyber ninja]] prowess with elements of [[Circuit-Su|Circuit-Su]]<a href="#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a> and [[Metallikato|Metallikato]].<a href="#cite_note-TEG-1" title="">[2]</a>

Seemingly bound up in his martial-arts philosophy is his deep, deep fascination with [[Earth|Earth]]'s natural environment. His quarters on [[Earth|Earth]] is missing most of its ceiling, allowing him a permanent window into nature. In fact, he seems to have a deeper appreciation of his new surroundings than the [[Human|humans]] who grew up with them. The phrase "stop and smell the roses" is a life truth for Prowl, and he can spend hours motionless, watching the organic world play out around him.

When called to battle, Prowl uses an array of throwing weapons, such as cutting discs, that he can hurl with high accuracy. While useful as projectiles, these weapons tend to be far more damaging at close range and will occasionally bounce off their target with little damage if thrown from too great a distance. He can project [[Hologram|holograms]] of himself, using them to misdirect his enemies. He is also the only member of his team with a jetpack, granting him limited flight.

Prowl is probably the most skilled fighter of his comrades, but this might not be saying much, as they were a mere [[Space bridge|space bridge]] repair crew before finding themselves suddenly defending the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] against the resurgent [[Decepticon|Decepticons]].<a href="#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a> In fact, [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]], witnessing him in action, remarked that Prowl must not have ''finished'' his cyber ninja training.<a href="#cite_note-TEG-1" title="">[2]</a> Perhaps that might provide a clue as to why a martial artist like Prowl was assigned to that oft-maligned repair duty.

<table align="center" style="border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none; background-color:transparent;" class="cquote">
<tr>
<td width="20" valign="top" style="color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:left;padding:9px 10px 0 10px;"> “
</td><td valign="top" style="padding:4px 10px 5px 10px;font-family: 'lucida console', arial, sans-serif;"> Stillness...then ''strike''.
</td><td width="20" valign="bottom" style="color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:right;padding:10px 10px 0px 10px;"> ”
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" style="padding-top: 0"> <cite style="font-style:normal;">—Prowl getting past motion detectors, "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is|Home Is Where the Spark Is]]"</cite>

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
<table cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">

<tr bgcolor="#ececec">
<td>This section covers fiction that is '''ongoing'''. It will be added to as the story progresses. If it isn't current, you can help by [http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Prowl_%28Animated%29&action=edit updating it].
</td></tr></table>
:''Voice actor:'' [[Jeff Glen Bennett|Jeff Glen Bennett]] (English), [[Lutz Schnell|Lutz Schnell]] (German)

Prowl showed a lack of interest in both teamwork (as a loner type) and in the motivational (kinda long-winded) speeches of [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]. He did not obey orders at first and learned of the consequences firsthand as he was nearly killed by a nanite-enhanced cockroach. After his revival at the hands of [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] and the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark-empowered]] [[Key|Key]], he showed that he had become a valuable team player when he headed out with Bumblebee and Sari to save [[Isaac Sumdac|Professor Sumdac]] and [[Captain Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out!|Transform and Roll Out!}}

Later, Prowl was watching a cat stalk a bird. He found it fascinating, but was aggravated when he was interrupted by human fans. Returning to base, he hid out in his Japanese-themed room, only to be interrupted by Prime and Bumblebee. Even worse, Sari threw a slumber party, pushing Prowl to the edge with the commotion. Ironically, when [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] took over the factory, Prowl was able to show Bumblebee the value of stillness in battle, something the pair would work on later in a game of Twister™. {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is|Home Is Where the Spark Is}}

In an attempt to get [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] to be less bumbling and destructive, he tried to teach his comrade how to move with ninja-like grace as he did. It...did not go well. Bulkhead's effectiveness in battle was undermined until Prowl realized Bulkhead's approach had its place and encouraged him to "do what you do." He also sensed [[Spark|sparks]] within the [[Dinobots (Animated)|Dinobots]] and, unwilling to let them be destroyed, secretly hid them on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|a small island]] before they were melted down. As he explained to Bulkhead, "Just because something's big and lumbering and destructive, doesn't mean you give up on it." {{storylink|Blast from the Past|Blast from the Past}}

Reasoning correctly that the Decepticons would target Sari to get at the Key, Prowl took to instructing her in the art of "ninja nerve blows." It was shortly after one of these sessions that his decision to save the Dinobots seemingly came back to haunt him when the gargantuan robots kidnapped the girl. He headed to their island home with Bulkhead in tow, the suspicious [[Captain Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] shadowing them somewhat clumsily the whole way. However, the police captain was not prepared for the environmental hazards of the secluded island and had to be rescued by the pair of Autobots. Together, the three of them discovered that the Dinobots had been coerced into kidnapping Sari by [[Prometheus Black|Prometheus Black]], whose corrosive touch they had come to fear. Forced along with Fanzone to fight the mad geneticist's [[Fusion creature|creations]] in a gladiatorial arena, Prowl began to develop a bond with the captain, who in turn came to trust Prowl. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest|Survival of the Fittest}}

When Decepticon energy signals were detected, the Autobots quickly realized that they were outnumbered. Bulkhead mentioned that the Dinobots might be able to help, not aware that Prowl hadn't told Optimus they had moved them to Dinobot Island. Prime was furious and ordered the two to take him there at once. After searching the island, the Autobots found the Dinobots. Prime's introduction was less than friendly, and Prowl was forced to smooth things over with Grimlock. They were unwilling to help, so the Autobots left, unsure of their next move. When Bumblebee contacted Prime, saying that Starscream was at Sumdac Tower, he ordered him to stand down. When they arrived at the tower, they saw Bumblebee fighting Starscream. Prime dryly noted that disobeying orders was becoming a habit, but Prowl wasn't too insulted.

He was too busy being shocked by Megatron bursting through Sumdac Tower. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

Quickly regaining their composure, the Autobots attacked, only for Megatron to defeat all three of them himself. After the battle, Sumdac revealed that he had helped rebuild Megatron. Prowl was furious, but Prime said that it was unimportant. Using residual Key energy in Sumdac's lab, the Autobots repaired themselves, and Prime apologized for his harsh words. [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] and Sari came in the ship, but it was shot down over Dinobot Island. During the subsequent battle, Prowl noticed that [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing's]] multiple personalities were connected to his [[Alternate mode|alternate modes]]. To cause his hotheaded side to emerge and transform into a tank, Prowl suggested that Bumblebee use his greatest strength— his obnoxious personality. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

[[Image:Samprowl.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Got to get back... Back to the past. Samurai Jack Jazz Prowl]]
While responding to a report of rampages on Dinobot Island, Prowl and Bulkhead were given Ratchet's EMP generator and stasis cuffs to detain the Dinobots. Discovering that Grimlock had a metal shard wedged in his foot, Prowl used the generator to dull Grimlock's sensors and remove the shard. However, they then received a call from [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] that Starscream had escaped. Heading to the Autobots' crashed ship, Prowl used [[Teletran 1|Teletran 1]] to scan for Starscream, discovering him on the Moon. Prowl suggested that they go after Starscream, but Bulkhead thought it was suicide. So Prowl stole a shuttle and went off by himself. Locating Starscream on the Moon, he managed to place stasis cuffs on the Decepticon, but [[Lockdown|Lockdown]] appeared to take Starscream off Prowl's hands. During their fight, Starscream escaped and destroyed Prowl's shuttle. Stowing away on Lockdown's ship, Prowl suggested an alliance to capture him. Lockdown gave him a set of armor that would assist him in the hunt. Discovering a purple (and frightened) Starscream, they captured him, but Lockdown revealed that he was working for Megatron. Prowl would not allow Starscream to be taken, but Lockdown tied Prowl up and left.

The other Autobots arrived and chewed out Prowl for his actions, but Prowl insisted that they retrieve Starscream first. During their pursuit, Starscream somehow showed up and offered an alliance against Megatron. Prowl took down Starscream, but in his actions, he destroyed a bird's nest. Realizing that the modifications he had were going to his head, he resolved to abandon them... once they got Starscream. Prowl initially flubbed an attempt to spy on the meet between Megatron and Lockdown and quickly found himself outgunned until the other Autobots arrived with the second Starscream. During the standoff that followed, the two Starscreams revealed that they had bombs inside them. Prowl used the armor he had been given to send them into the sky, saving Detroit from destruction. Lockdown then contacted Prowl, offering him a partnership, but Prowl declined and returned Ratchet's EMP generator. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon|A Fistful of Energon}}

When Bulkhead was kidnapped, Bumblebee brought the Autobot intelligence agent [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] to the plant, who revealed that Megatron was building a space bridge to conquer Cybertron from within. As Sari and Ratchet went to repair the ship, Prowl went with the others to rescue Bulkhead and shut down the space bridge. However, they were incapacitated by the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]]...just in time for Starscream and [[Starscream clone|his clones]] to attack. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

Escaping the Constructicons, Prowl was able to lock stasis cuffs on [[Liar Starscream|a lying clone]], but was soon occupied with [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]]. When Prowl managed to disengage long enough to check on an injured Prime, [[Sunstorm (Animated)|a fawning clone]] managed to place stasis cuffs on him. Once he came back online, Prowl began a [[Processor over matter|processor over matter]] technique to disable his stasis cuffs, which would theoretically work if he had completed his training. Fortunately, it did work, and Prowl was able to throw a shuriken at Prime's stasis cuffs as he was being thrown through the space bridge. Unfortunately, power problems with the bridge arose, causing Megatron to add Starscream's AllSpark infused head to the mix. This caused a power overload which sucked up Megatron and Starscream, and nearly sucked up the Autobots as well. Fortunately, [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] arrived and sacrificed himself to save the Autobots by allowing himself to be sucked into the portal. After escaping from the self-destructing bridge, Optimus Prime asked if everyone was okay, and Prowl gave an affirmative nod.

Unfortunately, Sari was not okay, for the skin of her right arm had been torn, revealing robotic circuitry underneath! {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

===Titan Magazines===
When [[Quake-Maker|Quake-Maker]] attacked Detroit with, yep, earthquakes, Prowl was there saving people from falling rubble before the villain temporarily buried him. Once he got out, he found himself following the orders of new arrival [[Afterburn|Afterburn]] and helped beat Quake-Maker. {{storylink|Burnout|Burnout}}

On his day off, Prowl went to a basketball game with Bulkhead, Sari and Afterburn. The speed, grace and tactics of the game thrilled him, leaving him with the belief they could learn much from basketball. Unfortunately he had to duck out of the game to stop the supervillain [[Crossroads|Crossroads]], who was causing robotic systems across Detroit. Working out with Sari that this was a diversionary tactic so Crossroads could reach [[Sumdac Tower|Sumdac Tower]], Prowl and the others headed for the building and Prowl disabled the villain's robot-controlling gauntlets with well-aimed shurikens. And he spouted basketball terms while doing this for... well, I dunno.

He stood in front of Afterburn while saying they should all keep their eyes out for the enemy. Surely a coincidental posing! {{storylink|Crossroads!|Crossroads!}}

==Toys==
===Transformers Animated===
[[Image:Prowl anim toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|No, you're not seeing things, both of his wheels are part of his robot mode, and it's still symmetrical.]]
*'''Prowl''' (Deluxe, 2008)
*''Accessories:'' 2 bladed ninja stars, 1 street lamp "chain" weapon

: Prowl transforms into a black and gold police motorcycle of made-up model. Two of his hubcaps are removable, and they both can reconfigure into three-bladed shurikens which he can hold in robot mode. The shurikens have a pseudo-automorph feature; pulling out on one blade simultaneously opens the other two. He also comes with a traffic light "chain" weapon which he can hold in robot mode, but it cannot be stowed in vehicle mode. As advertised on the back of the box, his bike mode klaxons can flip forward to form some kind of laser weapon.

:Partly due to his lithe proportions and the double-jointed knees required for his transformation, Prowl is extremely poseable. Additionally, he has a large number of translucent plastic colors, with blue and red translucent beacons, a red, yellow, and green traffic light, and a smoky gray translucent windscreen.

{{-}}

*'''Rescue Ratchet''' (Animated 3-pack, 2008)

: A ''Universe'' Legends-class Prowl came packaged with this version of [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], as well as a Legends [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. It is different from the ''Universe'' release in that it has a silver [[Faction symbol|faction symbol]] instead of the individual release's red-and-white.

{{-}}

*'''Battle in Space''' (Deluxe 2-pack, 2008)

: This two-pack features an unchanged Deluxe Prowl and an unchanged Battle Damaged Deluxe [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], from the ''Battle Begins'' two-pack.

{{-}}

[[Image:Samuraiprowldeluxe.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Bludgeon redeco in 5...4...3...]]
[[Image:Samuraiprowlsplitwheels.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Yours won't do this.]]
*'''Samurai Prowl''' (Deluxe, 2009)
*''Accessories'': Sidecar/battle armor, wheel/"sword"

:This heavy [[Retool|retool]] of Prowl includes an all-new sidecar which transforms into the "samurai" armor that appeared in "[[A Fistful of Energon|A Fistful of Energon]]." Roughly 80% of the original robot mode is retooled or replaced, leaving only parts such as the biceps, interior of the arms, and the lower legs untouched. The robot mode "wings" are now designed to fold upwards, and a pair of slots were added to accommodate the body of the samurai armor. A new, smaller head with translucent plastic lightpiping replaces the original head so that the samurai helmet can fit, and either of the new pegs on his forearms can be used to mount the new wheel/blade weapon. The bladed ninja stars can still be removed from his legs, but they have been remolded so they no longer open.

Prowl loses a lot of his original manouverability when you put his samurai armour on, but that's the price you pay for the ability to blind your enemies with pure awesomeness and translucent plastic.

:A change was made to the wheel/sword weapon between the photography and final production stages. The Hasbro stock photography shows that the wheel was originally able to split down the middle, with each half pegging onto a forearm. However, this is not possible on the production version. The two halves are screwed together, and there's no hint of a second connection piece when disassembled.

{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:Legends animated prowl.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Itty-bitty ninja.]]
*'''Prowl''' (Legends, 2008)

:A Legends-scale version of Animated Prowl, featuring a simplified transformation scheme. As with all current Legends class toys, it was offered under the Universe toyline.

: This toy can also be found as part of the ''Animated'' [[Ratchet (Animated)|Rescue Ratchet]] three-pack with Legends [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], and as part of a ''Universe'' three-pack with Legends [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and Legends [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]].

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* Prowl's eyes are a reference to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_AD_%28comic%29" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:2000_AD_(comic)">2000 AD</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_Warriors" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:ABC_Warriors">ABC Warriors</a>.<a href="#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a>
* Prowl's general robot mode design, down to his khaki legs, tall boots, and helmet-shaped head, is meant to evoke a California Highway Police motorcycle cop, circa ''<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHiPs" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:CHiPs">CHiPs</a>''. Eat your heart out, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Estrada" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:Erik_Estrada">Erik Estrada</a>.<a href="#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a>
* Despite his alternate mode being the smallest among the core cast, [[Size changing|Prowl's robot mode is about the same height as Ratchet's, and much taller than Bumblebee's]].
* As of "[[Autoboot Camp|Autoboot Camp]]", Prowl is the only main cast Autobot who hasn't had an episode dedicated to his past. However, he did reveal in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II|A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]" that he never actually completed his cyber ninja training. Perhaps a dedicated episode will happen in Season 3.
* Prowl is the only one of the five main Autobots whose Cybertron vehicle mode hasn't been shown, although according to Derrick Wyatt, it has been designed.<a href="#cite_note-5" title="">[6]</a>
* Amazingly, Hasbro hadn't originally intended to make a Samurai Prowl toy until one of their team saw the episode <a href="#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a>
* Prowl's retractable [[Mouthplate|mouthplate]] was inspired by Snake Eyes from [[G.I. Joe|G.I. Joe]]<a href="#cite_note-7" title="">[8]</a>

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<ol class="references"><li id="cite_note-0"><a href="#cite_ref-0" title="">↑</a> Prowl's on-package [[Bio|bio]]
<li id="cite_note-TEG-1">↑ <a href="#cite_ref-TEG_1-0" title="">2.0</a> <a href="#cite_ref-TEG_1-1" title="">2.1</a> "[[The Elite Guard|The Elite Guard]]"
<li id="cite_note-2"><a href="#cite_ref-2" title="">↑</a> "[[Transform and Roll Out!|Transform and Roll Out!]]"
<li id="cite_note-3">[#cite_ref-3" title="">↑</a> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21975298&postID=8564559979841180115 Comment section for "Back from Botcon" entry in Derrick Wyatt's blog]
<li id="cite_note-4">[#cite_ref-4" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html Derrick Wyatt explains Prowl's design in his personal blog]
<li id="cite_note-5">[#cite_ref-5" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html Derrick Wyatt explains Prowl's design in his personal blog]
<li id="cite_note-6"><a href="#cite_ref-6" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html" class="external free" title="http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html" rel="nofollow">http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html</a>
<li id="cite_note-7">[#cite_ref-7" title="">↑</a> <a href="http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-everybody-its-prowl.html Response to comments in "Hey Everybody, It's Prowl!" article on Derrick Wyatt's blog]</ol></div>
==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Prowl/prowl.htm Prowl at TFU.info]

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Spies]]

Transformers (film)

2008-06-08T23:57:42Z

86.17.124.125: /* Errors */

{{disambig3|Transformers: The Movie}}
:''Transformers is an elaborate cover up in the [[Movie (franchise)|movie]] [[continuity family]].

[[Image:Transformers2007teaserposter.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Beyond good. Beyond evil. Beyond your wildest imagination]]

'''''Transformers''''' is a live-action movie released by [[DreamWorks]] in 2007, with Executive Producer [[Steven Spielberg]] and Director [[Michael Bay]]. The story follows the Transformers' arrival on modern-day Earth and their interactions with the human race, as they search for the life-giving [[All Spark]] and continue their ages-old civil war. The movie is a new imagining of the [[Transformers brand]], drawing on past Transformers fiction but also distinct in its own right.

The principal cast members are [[Shia LaBeouf]], [[Jon Voight]], and [[Megan Fox]], with [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Hugo Weaving]] as the voices of the Transformers' iconic leaders. Character designs and visual effects were created by [[Industrial Light and Magic]], the effects-wizards behind the ''[[Star Wars]]'' films.

Originally slated to release in the summer of 2006, the film arrived in US theaters on July 3, 2007, and hit UK theaters on July 27 and French theaters on July 25. It premiered in Australia on June 12, 2007, and was was released there and in a number of Asian countries on June 28, 2007. An extended cut of the film featuring footage not in the original was released to IMAX theatres on September 21, 2007.

==Main cast==

{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobot]]s
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticon]]s
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human]]s
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ([[Mark Ryan]])
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] ([[Darius McCrary]])
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]
*[[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] ([[Jimmie Wood]])
*[[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]* / Devastator
*[[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charles Adler]])

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" |
*[[Tom Banachek]] ([[Michael O'Neill]])
*[[Mikaela Banes]] ([[Megan Fox]])
*[[Bobby Bolivia]] ([[Bernie Mac]])
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[John Keller]] ([[Jon Voight]])
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Maggie Madsen]] ([[Rachael Taylor]])
*[[Reggie Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[Glen Whitmann]] ([[Anthony Anderson]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Ronald Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Samuel James Witwicky|Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
|}

<nowiki>* - Brawl is named "Devastator" in the film itself, but "Brawl" in the toyline and all other supporting media. Plot summaries and such will reflect whichever name is relevant to that being described.</nowiki>

==Technical details==
'''Length:''' 144 min (original theatrical)<ref>The movie had some content cuts to meet the standards of some <strike>oppressive regimes</strike> quaint "developing world" rating boards.</ref>

'''Aspect Ratio:''' 2.35:1

'''Audio:''' Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS

'''Content Rating:'''
{{columnlist|4|
* PG-13 (USA/MPAA)
* ? (Japan)
* 12A (United Kingdom)
* PG (Canada; British Columbia)<ref>''Transformers'' received a "14A" rating in British Columbia, but an appeal by the studio successfully reduced it to PG.</ref>
* G (Canada; Quebec)
* PG (Canada; Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario)
* PG (Taiwan)
* IIA (China; Hong Kong)
* PG (Singapore)
* G (Philippines/MTRCB)
* U (France)
* U (Malaysia)
* M (Australia)
* M (New Zealand)
* TE (Chile)
* 10 (Brazil)
* 10M (South Africa)
* 11 (Denmark)
* K-11 (Finland)
* 11 (Norway)
* 11 (Sweden)
* 12 (Germany)
* 12A (Ireland)
* 12 (Netherlands)
* M/12 (Portugal)
* 12 (South Korea)
* 12 (Switzerland)
* 13 (Argentina)
* 14 (Peru)
* 12 (Poland)
}}

==Short synopsis==
[[Image:Prime-Sam-Mikaela-poster.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Megatron must be stopped... no matter the cost.]]

The movie features [[Sam Witwicky]], a plucky teenager who just wants a cool car, but gets more than he bargained for. The beater he and his father take home is actually [[Bumblebee]], an alien robot from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], who plants Sam down in the middle of a civil war between Bumblebee's benevolent [[Autobot]] comrades and the evil [[Decepticon]]s who threaten the galaxy's peace. Both sides are after the [[All Spark]], a mysterious artifact that landed on Earth ten thousand years ago. The approaching robot-against-robot battle is a coming-of-age moment for Sam, who learns the meaning of his family's motto, "No sacrifice, no victory."

{{-}}

==Full synopsis==

[[Image:Allspark movie.jpg|thumb|right|200px|With this, I shall make you my slave!]]
The film begins with the history of Cybertron's destruction at the hands of Megatron, and his quest to obtain the All Spark. Megatron discovers the All Spark on Earth, but crash-lands in the Arctic Circle, becoming frozen in the ice. Captain Archibald Witwicky and his crew of explorers stumble upon Megatron's body in the late 19th century. Megatron's navigational system is unintentionally activated, and Archibald's eye glasses are imprinted with the coordinates to the All Spark's location. Sector Seven, a secret organization of the United States government, discovers the All Spark and builds the Hoover Dam around it to mask its energy signal. The still-frozen Megatron is moved into this facility, and is reverse engineered to further advance human technology.

[[Image:Movie Blackout SOCCENT.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Let the slaughter begin!]]
In the present day, the rest of the Decepticons — Blackout, Scorponok, Frenzy, Barricade, Starscream, Bonecrusher, and Devastator — have already landed on Earth and assumed the disguise of Earth vehicles. Blackout and Scorponok attack the U.S. SOCCENT Forward Operations Base in Qatar in an effort to use the military database to discover the location of Megatron and the All Spark, but they do not succeed. A small group of survivors under Captain William Lennox wander through the desert and are followed by Scorponok. The Autonomous Robotic Organism (shortened to "Autobot") known as Bumblebee is also on Earth, disguised as a 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, and looking for Sam Witwicky, the descendant of Captain Archibald Witwicky. As soon as he locates Sam, the two quickly begin to bond as Bumblebee helps Sam try and woo his crush, Mikaela Banes. Sam is unaware of the fact that Bumblebee is an alien, until he witnesses Bumblebee transform and send out a homing signal for the rest of the Autobots.

[[Image:Movie_Scorponok_leapsout.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Run, Blaster! Save yourself!]]
At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary John Keller oversees the investigation into the attack in Qatar. After Blackout's failure, Frenzy infiltrates Air Force One and attempts to download the all information relating to "Project Iceman". However, Maggie Madsen, one of the technicians studying the Decepticon infiltration signal, discovers Frenzy's actions and convinces the Pentagon to take down the Defense Network, halting Frenzy's download. When Air Force One makes an emergency landing, Frenzy slips into Barricade, and discusses his discovery of Archibald Witwicky, who has seen [[Cybertronian languages|their language]]. Using an internet search, they discover that Sam's glasses will that will lead the Decepticons to the All Spark. Frenzy and Barricade begin tracking Sam's location. Back in Qatar, the army rangers are attacked by Scorponok, who take refugee in a nearby village. Calling the Pentagon and getting air support, they discover that the Decepticons are vulnerable to high heat weaponry such as sabot rounds. Using this information, the soldiers inform the Pentagon that they now have a weapon.

[[Image:Movie Autobots.JPG|thumb|200px|left|Wheelie say find friends today.]]
Barricade confronts Sam, demanding Archibald's glasses. Bumblebee, who is following Sam, transforms and battles Barricade. Mikaela, who is also following Sam, is caught in the crossfire, but Bumblebee is able to defeat Barricade, while Mikaela decapitates Frenzy, who is still functioning and hides in Mikaela's purse as her cellphone. Bumblebee takes Sam and Mikaela to rendezvous with the rest of the Autobots. The Autobots—Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet—land on Earth and take on the forms of several Earth vehicles. They all meet in a dark, secluded alley, transform in front of the two amazed humans, introduce themselves and tell of the reasons they had to come to Earth to Sam and Mikaela. Meanwhile, Maggie made a copy of the intrusion signal and shows it to her friend Glenn Whitmann, who discovers a message with the signal about Sector Seven, Captain Witwicky, and Project Iceman. However, the FBI arrest Glenn and Maggie, who desperately tries to convince them not to go to war with the wrong country.

[[Image:Movie Autobots Sector Seven.JPG|right|thumb|200px|I'll use the universal greeting.]]
Sam, Mikaela, and the Autobots then return to Sam's home to retrieve the glasses. However, agents from [[Sector Seven]] arrive to take Sam and Mikaela into custody. Reggie Simmons, the agency's director, reveals that Mikaela has a criminal record and threatens Sam with life imprisonment, at which point the Autobots disable the convoy and rescue the teens. During the retreat, Sam and Mikaela are recaptured, and Bumblebee is also apprehended, against the pleas of Sam who assures the agents—to no avail—that he means them no harm. Prime orders the Autobots to let them go, unwilling to use deadly force against the humans. At the Pentagon, a virus Frenzy uploaded during the Air Force One hack causes a global communications blackout, while Keller is finally informed of the Decepticons. After Bumblebee's capture, Optimus uses the glasses locate the All Spark at Hoover Dam, and declares that if they cannot defeat the Decepticons, he will merge the Cube with his spark.

[[Image:Movie Optimus Megatron.JPG|thumb|left|200px|One shall stand. One shall fall.]]
Sam, Mikaela, Keller, Maggie, Glenn, and Lennox's unit are brought to Hoover Dam, where they are shown the frozen Megatron and the All Spark, while Frenzy slips away. Locating the All Spark, he sends out an alert to Starscream, who mobilizes the the rest of the Decepticons. Due to Starscream's attack and Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron begins to revive, and Sam convinces the Sector Seven agents to release Bumblebee so that he can get the All Spark to Optimus Prime. The Decepticons chase the Autobots, who now possess the All Spark, into Mission City.

Glenn, Maggie, Keller, and Simmons manage to contact the Air Force and direct F22s to Mission City. An ensuing battle results in casualties for both sides, including Jazz, who is killed by Megatron, while Bumblebee is crippled in an explosion. As Lennox orders Sam to take the All Spark to a building to be removed from the city, under escort from Ironhide and Ratchet, Megatron and Optimus Prime battle, while the soldiers remain to fight Devastator. Mikaela drags the injured Bumlebee away from the battle with a tow truck, but goes back, with Bumblebee's weapons killing Devastator. Ironhide and Ratchet are incapacitated by Starscream, and Megatron joins the pursuit.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Now, light our darkest hour!]]
Sam's helicopter is destroyed by Starscream, and Prime challenges Megatron. The battle is fierce and dominated by Megatron. Blackout attempts to assist Megatron, but is killed by Lennox and the Air Force before he can engage. Starscream hides among a raptor squadron, destroying three fighters. Despite this, the Air Force and Lennox's rangers manage to inflict serious damage on Megatron, but he is still functional, and heading toward the Cube. Finally, with both Prime and Megatron weakened, Prime beckons Sam to shove the All Spark into his chest, destroying them both, but Sam instead takes the riskier action of shoving the All Spark into Megatron's chest.

{{Note|For an extensive synopsis of the battle, see separate article [[Mission City]].}}

[[Image:Movie Optimus ending.JPG|left|thumb|200px|[['Til all are one]]!]]
Optimus thanks Sam for his courage and for saving his life, while Bumblebee, who has regained his voice, asks permission to remain with Sam, which is granted. In an attempt to cover up the existence of the Transformers, Sector Seven is disbanded, while the remains of the Decepticons are cast into the Laurentian Abyss. And though Megatron is dead, the All Spark's destruction leaves the Autobots unable to restore Cybertron. With no other home to go to, the Autobots decide to stay on Earth, and Optimus sends out a signal across space in an effort to locate any surviving Autobots, while Sam and Mikaela begin a relationship. Starscream, one of the Decepticons that survived the battle, leaves Earth.

{{-}}

==Quotes==
"Before time began, there was the Cube. We know not where it comes from, only that it holds the power to create worlds and fill them with life. That was how our race was born. For a time, we lived in harmony, but like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil. And so began the war - a war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death, and the Cube was lost to the far reaches of space. We scattered across the galaxy, hoping to find it and rebuild our home, searching every star, every world. And just when all hope seemed lost, message of a new discovery drew us to an unknown planet called... Earth. But we were already too late."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' opening narration

"Look, can you do me a favor—can you look out the window for a second? See my father? He's the guy in the green car? Let me tell you about a dream, a boy's dream, and a man's promise to that boy. He looked him in the eye and said "Son, I' gonna buy you a car, but I want you to bring me two-thousand dollars and three A's." OK, I got the two thousand and two A's. OK, here's the dream. Your B minus? Pfff! Dream gone. Kaput. Sir, just ask yourself...what would Jesus do?"''
:—'''Sam Witwicky''' negotiates a better mark for his Family Genealogy project

'''Bobby Bolivia:''' "What with the semi-classic nature of the vehicle, slick wheels and custom paint job—" 
'''Sam:''' "The paint's faded!" 
'''Bobby:''' "Y-yeah, but it's custom." 
'''Sam:''' "It's custom faded?" 
'''Bobby:''' "Well, it's your first car, I wouldn't expect you to understand." ''Turns to Ron'' "Five grand." 
'''Ron:''' "No, not paying over four. Sorry." 
'''Bobby:''' ''Turns back to Sam'' "Kid, c'mon, get out, get out of the car." 
'''Sam:''' "No, no, no, you said cars pick their drivers!" 
'''Bobby:''' "Well sometimes they pick a driver with a cheap-ass father—out of the car." 
:—Negotiations over [[Bumblebee (Movie)|the car]] at Bolivia's Finest Quality Used Cars and Petting Zoo

''Sam's car leaves in a puff of black smoke'' 
"Wow...you are so cheap." 
"It's his first car...supposed to be like that."
:—'''Judy Witwicky''' comments on the car's condition to '''Ron'''

'''Capt. Lennox:''' "I need a credit card! Epps, where's your wallet?" 
'''Sgt. Epps:''' "Pocket!" ''Fires gun'' 
'''Lennox:''' "Which pocket?" 
'''Epps:''' "My ''back'' pocket!" ''Fires gun'' 
'''Lennox:''' "You got ten back pockets!" 
'''Epps:''' "Left cheek! Left cheek! ''Left cheek!''" 
:—Calling the Pentagon from Qatar gets complicated.

"Ready, heat's coming!" 
"What, BRING IT!" 
:—'''Lennox''' and '''Epps''' giving the green light for Strike Package Bravo to attack

'''Jazz''': "What about Bumblebee? What can't just leave him to die! And become some human experiment!" 
'''Optimus Prime''': He'll die in vain if we don't accomplish our mission. Bumblebee is a brave soldier. This is what he would want. 
'''Ironhide:''' "Why are we fighting to save the humans? They're a primitive and violent race." 
'''Optimus Prime:''' "Were we so different? They are a young species. They have much to learn...but I've seen goodness in them. Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.... You all know there is only one way to end this war: We must destroy the Cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest." 
'''Ratchet:''' "That's suicide! The Cube is raw power—it could destroy you both." 
'''Optimus Prime:''' "A necessary sacrifice to bring peace to this planet.... We cannot let the humans pay for our mistakes. It's been an honor serving with you all. Autobots, roll out!" 
:—The '''Autobots''' discuss their next move.

"Humans don't deserve to live." 
"They deserve to choose for themselves!" 
"Then you will die with them! Join them in extinction!"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' have some mid-battle banter, Transformers style

"Give me the All Spark, and you may live to be my ''pet''." 
"I'm never giving you this All Spark!" 
"Oh, ''so'' unwise..."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Sam Witwicky''' have a tense moment on a Mission City rooftop.

"With the All Spark gone, we cannot return life to our planet. And fate has yielded its reward: a new world to call...home. We live among its people now, hiding in plain sight...but watching over them in secret...waiting...protecting. I have witnessed their capacity for courage, and though we are worlds apart, like us, there's more to them than meets the eye. I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to any surviving Autobots taking refuge among the stars: We are here...we are waiting."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' closing narration

==Production staff==

[[Image:Movie_Castandcrew2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Megatron? Is that you?!]]

* Executive Producer: [[Steven Spielberg]]
* Executive Producer: [[Brian Goldner]]
* Director: [[Michael Bay]]
* Producers: [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Ian Bryce]], [[Tom DeSanto]], [[Don Murphy]]
* Story by: [[Alex Kurtzman]] & [[Roberto Orci]] and [[John Rogers]],
* Screenwriters: [[Alex Kurtzman]] & [[Roberto Orci]]
* Music by: [[Steve Jablonsky]]

====Visual Effects====
* Visual Effects by: [[Industrial Light and Magic]], [[Digital Domain]]
* Production Designer: [[Jeff Mann]]
* Lead Robot Illustrator: [[Ben Procter]]
* ILM Visual Effects Supervisior: [[Scott Farrar]]
* Art Director: [[Alex Jaeger]]

====Locations Department====
(winners of the California On Location Award[http://www.californiaonlocationawards.com/] for "Production Company / Location Team of the Year for Feature Films")
* Supervising Location Manager: '''Ilt Jones'''
* Location Managers: '''Michael J. Burmeister''', '''Fermín Dávalos''', and '''Emre Sonmez'''
* Key Assistant Location Managers: '''Michael Wesley Aycock''', '''Leann Emmert''', '''Perri Fichtner''', '''Ronald M. Haynes''', '''Jonathan Hook''', '''Kathy McCurdy''', '''Manny Padilla''', '''Lisa Patton''', '''Rob Swenson''', '''Marta Tomkiw''', and '''Scott Trimble'''
* Additional Key Assistant Location Managers: '''Brooks Bonstin''', '''Alexandre Chen''', '''Michael Chickey''', '''Martin J. Cummins'''
* Assistant Location Managers: '''Ces Hardy''' and '''Amanda Harrington'''
* Location Scouts: '''Stuart Raven Barter''', '''Richard Klotz''', '''James Lin''', and '''Keith Nakata'''

{{-}}

==Other editions==
The 2007 Transformers film has more than one 'cut.'

* The worldwide theatrical release was essentially identical all around the world with a few minor exceptions.
** The film board of Malaysia{{fact}} required [[Judy Witwicky]]'s masturbation reference be removed. However, no such change has been made and her lines were not omitted from the film.
* The [[Wikipedia:IMAX|IMAX]] edition of the movie features two minutes of additional footage in the form of slightly extended scenes and very brief new scenes. Added material includes the following:
**Before heading to the lake party, Sam is shown picking Miles up at his house. Miles derides Sam's choice of car colors.
**After Sam is questioned by the sheriff at the police station, he is given an anti-drug bumper sticker and shown the "[[wikipedia:This is Your Brain on Drugs|This is Your Brain on Drugs]]" [[Public service announcement|PSA]] starring [[wikipedia:Rachel Leigh Cook|Rachel Leigh Cook]].
**After abducting Sam and Mikaela, Agent Simmons uses a device to monitor Sam's pupil dilation while interrogating him in the truck. He also remarks that he has "been there" when it comes to women with criminal records.
**Upon arriving at Hoover Dam, Simmons remarks colorfully that it is "Area 50". A few minutes later, he lists the nicknames of all the U.S. Presidents to have toured the facility.
**In Mission City, Lennox acquires short-range radios from a gun-toting, but easily-flattered, pawn shop owner.

==Prequel material==
* ''[[Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday]]''
: A novel about the truth behind humankind's first venture into space and how that event is related to the Transformers' presence on Earth, both past and present.
* ''[[Prime Directives]]'' (originally published as ''Transformers Movie Prequel'')
: A four issue limited series comic book from [[IDW]] Publishing, released before the movie's debut. It chronicles the events which bring the Transformers to [[Earth]].
* ''[[Transformers Movie Prequel]]''
: A short comic book by IDW, available exclusively from Target, following Bumblebee's early search for clues on Earth.
* ''[[Transformers Movie Prequel volume 2]]''
: A mini-comic by IDW, available exclusively from Target, showing the Decepticons' arrival on Earth.
* ''Transformers Beginnings''
: A not-really-animated animatic version of IDW's Prime Directives prequel comics, voiced by some of the actors from the movie, the game and a bunch of other people. Included in a Wal-Mart 2-Disc exclusive of the Movie DVD.
* ''[[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Transformers]]''
: A monthly comic published in the UK by [[Titan Books]], featuring new adventures set before the movie.

Some dialog in the film contradicts the prequel material, specifically pertaining to the years in which the frozen Megatron was moved from the Arctic to Hoover Dam, and exactly when the Decepticons arrived on Earth.

==Sequels==
{{main|Transformers 2}}

A sequel to this film is in production and is scheduled for release in 2009.

[[IDW Publishing]] is also releasing the comic sequel to the film, titled ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]''.

==Soundtrack==
[[Image:Transformers soundtrack .jpg|thumb|You got the TOUCH! You got the POWAAAAH!]]
On July 3, 2007, Warner Bros Records released a ''Transformers'' soundtrack full of songs from or inspired by the motion picture.

*1. "What I've Done" - [[Linkin Park]]
*2. "Doomsday Clock" - [[Smashing Pumpkins]]
*3. "This Moment" - [[Disturbed]]
*4. "Before It's Too Late (Sam and Mikaela's Theme)" aka "Fiction" - [[Goo Goo Dolls]]
*5. "Pretty Handsome Awkward" - [[The Used]]
*6. "Passion's Killing Floor" - [[HIM]]
*7. "What It Feels Like To Be A Ghost?" - [[Taking Back Sunday]]
*8. "Second To None" - [[Styles Of Beyond]]
*9. "End Of The World" - [[Armor For Sleep]]
*10. "Retina and the Sky" - [[Idiot Pilot]]
*11. "Technical Difficulties" - [[Julien-K]]
*12. "Transformers Theme" - [[MuteMath]]

==Score==
[[Image:Transformersthescore.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Jam that transmission!]]

On October 9, 2007, Warner Bros Records released a ''Transformers'' score featuring the instrumental music composed by [[Steve Jablonsky]].

*1. Autobots
*2. Decepticons
*3. The All Spark
*4. Deciphering The Signal
*5. Frenzy
*6. Optimus
*7. Bumblebee
*8. SOCCENT Attack
*9. Sam At The Lake
*10. Scorponok
*11. Cybertron
*12. Arrival To Earth
*13. Witwicky
*14. Downtown Battle
*15. Sector 7
*16. Bumblebee Captured
*17. You're A Soldier Now
*18. Sam On The Roof
*19. Optimus Vs. Megatron
*20. No Sacrifice, No Victory

The tracks "Optimus Vs. Megatron" and "No Sacrifice, No Victory" were used during various [[wikipedia:New England Patriots|New England Patriots]] promos for [[wikipedia:Super Bowl XLII|Super Bowl XLII]].

==DVD release==
* '''US:''' [http://tformers.com/US-To-Get-Transformers-DVD-HD-DVD-October-16th/8350/news.html October 16th, 2007] (DVD, HD-DVD)
* '''Australia:''' November 1st, 2007 (DVD)
* '''United Kingdom:''' December 3rd, 2007 (DVD,HD-DVD)

There are nearly a dozen store [[exclusive]] [http://tformers.com/Transformers-DVD-Exclusives-Who-Gets-What/8534/news.html versions and sales premiums of the DVD.] They include:
* Target and HMV UK: transforming Optimus Prime display case.
* Best Buy: [[Robot Heroes]] [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] and battle-damaged Optimus Prime.
* Wal-Mart: [[Transformers: Beginnings]] "animated" prequel material.
* Borders: "Making Of" book.
* Circuit City: password unlocking 15 minutes of exclusive online behind-the-scenes featurettes, covering the voice recording sessions, prop construction, stunt work, and early CG tests and animatics.

==Reception==
The movie set multiple records when it opened, including biggest opening week gross for a non-sequel ($155.4 million), biggest Tuesday release gross ($27.4 million), biggest July 4th gross ($29 million), and the biggest foreign film opening in mainland China ($3 million).

The movie closed domestically on November 8, 2007, during which time it took in $319,071,806. (Domestic gross accounted for $310,578,372 before the IMAX version's release.) As of November 15, 2007, it has earned a ''worldwide'' gross of $702,918,603. It currently sits [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm at spot #19] in the "most domestic gross" list of movies, though this listing is ''not'' adjusted for inflation. When taking inflation into account, ''Transformers'' [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm just ekes in at spot #95].

{{quote|I didn’t sleep through it the way I Novocained my way through the awful ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', but by the time it ended, I thought I might have vertigo or whiplash, or both, and I certainly lost more than a few of my remaining I.Q. points.|[http://www.observer.com/2007/bay-bombs-again Rex Reed]}}

{{quote|It's goofy fun with a lot of stuff that blows up real good, and it has the grace not only to realize how preposterous it is, but to make that into an asset.|Roger Ebert}}

{{quote|But it’s tough to really care about questions like, “Why did that happen?” or even “What’s going on?” when you’re constantly interrupted by “Oh my goodness! Giant robots! Weeee!”|Peter Suderman|[http://tinyurl.com/373rps The National Review]}}

Critical reception was hit-and-miss, [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_the_movie/ more positive than negative but not by a lot], though it's sometimes hard to tell how many negative reviewers were more interested in criticizing [[Michael Bay]] in general over the movie itself. Otherwise, the most common negatives involved it being a generally think-free "spectacle"-style movie; even those who rated the movie positively noted it was a pure "popcorn" movie meant to wow its audience with [[CGI]] and explosions rather than make them think (Richard Roper noted in his "thumbs up" review "it has no nutritional value"). Whether one considers that a good or bad thing for a movie and if the movie was enough fun to overcome that is, of course, highly debatable. The other main culprit, again noted by many of the positive reviews, was its long running time, particularly the overly-chaotic, often hard-to-follow final big-bang extended ending action sequence. ([http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/REVIEWS/70620006/1023 Roger Ebert] noted that this sequence was what made him give the movie three out of four stars rather than the full four.)

Transformers was nominated for three Oscars, in the fields of Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Achievement in Visual Effects. The sound awards went to ''The Bourne Ultimatum'', and the visual effects award went to ''The Golden Compass''.

Currently, two sequels are planned, with [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[Peter Cullen]] signed for both. Michael Bay, Spielberg, and the two screenwriters have also returned, with pre-production already underway. Filming for TF2 is scheduled to begin in June 2008, for a planned release date of June 2009.

==Trivia==
* The Autobot computer generated models consisted of 35,592 total pieces, 7,435,478 polygons, 95,247 rig nodes, and 20,258 texture maps. If laid end to end, the pieces would stretch 3.11 miles.

* For all the robots combined, there are 60,217 pieces of geometry, 123,509,502 polygons, 144,341 rigging nodes, and 34,215 texture maps.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>

* The events of the movie span 4-5 days.

* Within the movie, neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons are referred to as "Transformers".

==Transformer References==
The movie contains a number of nods and winks to previous iterations of ''Transformers'', primarily from [[Generation 1]]. Some of these were included in direct response to urgings of the fans; others originated with the production crew.
* The basic story set-up is similar to many iterations of the ''Generation 1'' story -- two warring factions, the noble Autobots and the power-hungry Decepticons, arrive on Earth, having left their devastated home planet, the war-torn mechanical world of Cybertron.
* Many of the featured Transformers are re-imagined versions of characters from ''Generation 1''. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in particular are similar in physical form and characterization to their movie incarnations. The original versions of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] differ in appearance but fulfill story roles similar to their Movie versions.
* Though the characters are new, "[[Frenzy]]", "[[Scorponok]]", "[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]", "[[Devastator (disambiguation)|Devastator]]", "[[Blackout]]", "[[Barricade]]", and "[[Bonecrusher]]" are all names that have been used on Transformer characters before.
* Blackout's symbiotic relationship with Scorponok originated as an interpretation of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his cassette troops. Frenzy's transformation into a portable stereo is likewise an homage to Soundwave's cassette deck alternate form.
* Sam shares his last name with the [[Spike Witwicky|main human allies]] of the Autobots in the original ''[[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]''. Like Spike before him, he's closest to Bumblebee.
* The Autobot faction symbol seen on Bumblebee and others is basically unchanged from its ''Generation 1'' appearance.
* The All Spark takes its name from [[Allspark|a concept]] originally introduced in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
* The original G1 [[transformation]] sound pops up several times during the course of the film, such as Blackout's first conversion sequence (though truth be told it sounds more like it's being broadcast from a loudspeaker.)
[[Image:Movie BoliviasFinestQualityUsedCars 2.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.]]
* In his first appearance, Bumblebee parks next to a yellow Volkswagen Beetle—the alternate form of [[Bumblebee (G1)|G1 Bumblebee]].
* When instructing the Autobots to escape Sector Seven and when they later head for Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime delivers his catchphrase from the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon]], ordering them to [[roll out|"Roll out!"]]
* Prime references "the spark within my chest". [[Spark]]s{{m-}}the life-force that makes Transformers alive{{m-}}have been an integral part of Transformers fiction since ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.
* Although the Transformers' primary energy supply, [[Energon]], does not make a physical appearance in the film, an SUV's licence plate bears its name, the SUV thrown through the air during Megatron's rampage in Mission City.
* Optimus Prime's line "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings" is the quote from his original 1984 [[bio]].
* The scene in which Jazz yanks aside Devastator's tank barrel is a direct homage to a similar sequence from TF:TM involving Kup and Blitzwing.
* Prime's line "...one shall stand; one shall fall" comes from the 1986 animated ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* Ironhide's complaint that Mojo "leaked lubricant" on his foot references a line spoken by his ''Generation 1'' namesake in the [[More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1|first episode of the original cartoon]], in which he famously exclaimed "Leakin' lubricant!"

==Errors==
* Sunset occurs roughly every fifteen minutes. Possibly indicative of time passage, but a little too much to not warrant mention in the actual movie.

* When Sam's car breaks down and Mikaela gets out to look at the engine, she leaves the passenger door open. When the car restarts and Sam leaves to close the hood, the passenger side door is now shut. But hey, maybe that was Bumblebee.

* After Bumblebee backs into a corner of the power plant to evade Barricade, there is a close up shot of him spinning his wheels to make his getaway. However, the shot of the wheels spinning is at a different location: the empty warehouse that Bumblebee and Barricade had raced through moments earlier.

* During the scene where Optimus Prime scans a truck for his new body, the passing truck has what appears to be an Autobot sigil on its grill, but the actual truck that Prime turns into at the end of the scene has a much wider, flatter symbol on the grill, quite possibly a Peterbilt sign.

* When Simmons replays Sam's "last words" recorded onto his cell phone, it doesn't match what he said in the scene where he actually recorded them.

* When the Autobots arrive to rescue Sam and Mikaela from Agent Simmons, Ironhide is the first Autobot to reach the damaged SUV and the other Sector Seven agents. Behind him, Ratchet is making his way towards the SUV, while Jazz and Bumblebee have their respective weapons drawn. However, in the very next shot, Ratchet's gun is suddenly in front of Ironhide, who is now making two short steps towards the SUV, while Jazz's gun has been replaced by his hand (which he uses to magnetically pull Sector Seven's guns away). In the shot after that, Jazz is just standing around sans Sector Seven guns, while Bumblebee wanders up and draws his gun... again.

* It is explained that the AllSpark was dated with carbon-dating. However, the carbon-dating process is actually only useful in dating organic materials, and so would be useless in dating a metallic artifact like the AllSpark.

* When Lennox arrives as Sam and Mikaela are supposedly strapping Bumblebee with the tow truck's chains, Bumblebee is not actually there. When the shot changes angles to the other side of the truck, Bumblebee is sitting right beside the truck while Sam directs Mikaela to wrap Bumblebee in the chains. When Lennox tells Sam to evacuate the Cube, subsequent camera angles from this side of the truck are actually where Bumblebee was moments earlier, but he's not there again (it is unlikely the angle was meant to be from Bumblebee's perspective). When Sam starts to run off and Mikaela calls him back, Bumblebee is once again clearly not sitting beside the truck. In fact, the space he once occupied has the beige van he crawled out of, earlier in the battle.

* After Optimus Prime and Megatron land in the city streets after flying through the office tower, Megatron throws the Autobot leader a short distance away, causing him to land on a parked car. After Megatron forms his fusion cannon, Optimus Prime has suddenly moved further down the street and the car he crushed, along with the other abandoned cars, have vanished. Additionally, Optimus stops at the intersection just in front of Megatron to pull out his Ion blaster in this shot, but when it cuts to a shot to the left-front of Optimus, he is only mid-way up the street, and there is a parked yellow cab at the kerb which was empty seconds earlier. Funnily enough, this kerb was where the crushed car was parked.

* When Optimus Prime is blasted by Megatron's fusion cannon, he goes flying into an office building, with his right leg going into the office itself and his right calf (back of the leg) facing the camera. However, when the shot is cut to the exterior, Optimus is hanging out of the office facing upwards, which is the opposite position he would be in according to the orientation he was in as he flew into the building.

* During the fight towards the end of the film between Megatron and Optimus, it is shown that Optimus is about the same size as Megatron in robot mode. Yet, in vehicle mode, Megatron is a great deal larger then Optimus is. Similarly, Starscream seems to be smaller then Megatron in robot form, leading to the logical conclusion that he is smaller then Optimus as well. Yet in vehicle mode, he is nearly four to five times larger, seeing as an F-22 Raptor is a great deal larger than a Peterbilt 379 tractor cab.

* ''See also: [[Mission City]].''

===Not actually an error===
* Sam and Mikaela, as well as Maggie and Glenn arrive at Hoover Dam on the same helicopter despite being from opposite ends of the country. Occasionally cited as an error, it is actually a narrative oversight, as it is likely that Sam and Mikaela were held in custody at a U.S. Air Base while waiting for Maggie and Glen to arrive with Secretary Keller's party by plane, then they all left for Hoover Dam together on the helicopters.

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Transformersmovie.com]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418279/ ''Transformers'' at IMDB.com]
* [http://www.transformersalbum.com/ ''Transformers The Albu''m]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers_%28film%29 ''Transformers'' 2007 film on Wikipedia]
* [http://www.capalert.com/capreports/transformers.htm ''Transformers'' CAPalert.com review]

==References==

<references />

{{-}}

{{Nav-movie}}

{{-}}

[[Category: DreamWorks]]
[[Category: Films]]
[[Category: Movie| ]]<div id="wikia-credits"> From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</div>

Transformers (film)

2008-06-08T23:51:47Z

86.17.124.125: /* Soundtrack */

{{disambig3|Transformers: The Movie}}
:''Transformers is an elaborate cover up in the [[Movie (franchise)|movie]] [[continuity family]].

[[Image:Transformers2007teaserposter.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Good vs Evil - the Michael Bay Experience.]]

'''''Transformers''''' is a live-action movie released by [[DreamWorks]] in 2007, with Executive Producer [[Steven Spielberg]] and Director [[Michael Bay]]. The story follows the Transformers' arrival on modern-day Earth and their interactions with the human race, as they search for the life-giving [[All Spark]] and continue their ages-old civil war. The movie is a new imagining of the [[Transformers brand]], drawing on past Transformers fiction but also distinct in its own right.

The principal cast members are [[Shia LaBeouf]], [[Jon Voight]], and [[Megan Fox]], with [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Hugo Weaving]] as the voices of the Transformers' iconic leaders. Character designs and visual effects were created by [[Industrial Light and Magic]], the effects-wizards behind the ''[[Star Wars]]'' films.

Originally slated to release in the summer of 2006, the film arrived in US theaters on July 3, 2007, and hit UK theaters on July 27 and French theaters on July 25. It premiered in Australia on June 12, 2007, and was was released there and in a number of Asian countries on June 28, 2007. An extended cut of the film featuring footage not in the original was released to IMAX theatres on September 21, 2007.

==Main cast==

{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobot]]s
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticon]]s
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human]]s
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ([[Mark Ryan]])
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] ([[Darius McCrary]])
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]
*[[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] ([[Jimmie Wood]])
*[[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]* / Devastator
*[[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charles Adler]])

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" |
*[[Tom Banachek]] ([[Michael O'Neill]])
*[[Mikaela Banes]] ([[Megan Fox]])
*[[Bobby Bolivia]] ([[Bernie Mac]])
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[John Keller]] ([[Jon Voight]])
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Maggie Madsen]] ([[Rachael Taylor]])
*[[Reggie Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[Glen Whitmann]] ([[Anthony Anderson]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Ronald Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Samuel James Witwicky|Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
|}

<nowiki>* - Brawl is named "Devastator" in the film itself, but "Brawl" in the toyline and all other supporting media. Plot summaries and such will reflect whichever name is relevant to that being described.</nowiki>

==Technical details==
'''Length:''' 144 min (original theatrical)<ref>The movie had some content cuts to meet the standards of some <strike>oppressive regimes</strike> quaint "developing world" rating boards.</ref>

'''Aspect Ratio:''' 2.35:1

'''Audio:''' Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS

'''Content Rating:'''
{{columnlist|4|
* PG-13 (USA/MPAA)
* ? (Japan)
* 12A (United Kingdom)
* PG (Canada; British Columbia)<ref>''Transformers'' received a "14A" rating in British Columbia, but an appeal by the studio successfully reduced it to PG.</ref>
* G (Canada; Quebec)
* PG (Canada; Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario)
* PG (Taiwan)
* IIA (China; Hong Kong)
* PG (Singapore)
* G (Philippines/MTRCB)
* U (France)
* U (Malaysia)
* M (Australia)
* M (New Zealand)
* TE (Chile)
* 10 (Brazil)
* 10M (South Africa)
* 11 (Denmark)
* K-11 (Finland)
* 11 (Norway)
* 11 (Sweden)
* 12 (Germany)
* 12A (Ireland)
* 12 (Netherlands)
* M/12 (Portugal)
* 12 (South Korea)
* 12 (Switzerland)
* 13 (Argentina)
* 14 (Peru)
* 12 (Poland)
}}

==Short synopsis==
[[Image:Prime-Sam-Mikaela-poster.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Megatron must be stopped... no matter the cost.]]

The movie features [[Sam Witwicky]], a plucky teenager who just wants a cool car, but gets more than he bargained for. The beater he and his father take home is actually [[Bumblebee]], an alien robot from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], who plants Sam down in the middle of a civil war between Bumblebee's benevolent [[Autobot]] comrades and the evil [[Decepticon]]s who threaten the galaxy's peace. Both sides are after the [[All Spark]], a mysterious artifact that landed on Earth ten thousand years ago. The approaching robot-against-robot battle is a coming-of-age moment for Sam, who learns the meaning of his family's motto, "No sacrifice, no victory."

{{-}}

==Full synopsis==

[[Image:Allspark movie.jpg|thumb|right|200px|With this, I shall make you my slave!]]
The film begins with the history of Cybertron's destruction at the hands of Megatron, and his quest to obtain the All Spark. Megatron discovers the All Spark on Earth, but crash-lands in the Arctic Circle, becoming frozen in the ice. Captain Archibald Witwicky and his crew of explorers stumble upon Megatron's body in the late 19th century. Megatron's navigational system is unintentionally activated, and Archibald's eye glasses are imprinted with the coordinates to the All Spark's location. Sector Seven, a secret organization of the United States government, discovers the All Spark and builds the Hoover Dam around it to mask its energy signal. The still-frozen Megatron is moved into this facility, and is reverse engineered to further advance human technology.

[[Image:Movie Blackout SOCCENT.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Let the slaughter begin!]]
In the present day, the rest of the Decepticons — Blackout, Scorponok, Frenzy, Barricade, Starscream, Bonecrusher, and Devastator — have already landed on Earth and assumed the disguise of Earth vehicles. Blackout and Scorponok attack the U.S. SOCCENT Forward Operations Base in Qatar in an effort to use the military database to discover the location of Megatron and the All Spark, but they do not succeed. A small group of survivors under Captain William Lennox wander through the desert and are followed by Scorponok. The Autonomous Robotic Organism (shortened to "Autobot") known as Bumblebee is also on Earth, disguised as a 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, and looking for Sam Witwicky, the descendant of Captain Archibald Witwicky. As soon as he locates Sam, the two quickly begin to bond as Bumblebee helps Sam try and woo his crush, Mikaela Banes. Sam is unaware of the fact that Bumblebee is an alien, until he witnesses Bumblebee transform and send out a homing signal for the rest of the Autobots.

[[Image:Movie_Scorponok_leapsout.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Run, Blaster! Save yourself!]]
At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary John Keller oversees the investigation into the attack in Qatar. After Blackout's failure, Frenzy infiltrates Air Force One and attempts to download the all information relating to "Project Iceman". However, Maggie Madsen, one of the technicians studying the Decepticon infiltration signal, discovers Frenzy's actions and convinces the Pentagon to take down the Defense Network, halting Frenzy's download. When Air Force One makes an emergency landing, Frenzy slips into Barricade, and discusses his discovery of Archibald Witwicky, who has seen [[Cybertronian languages|their language]]. Using an internet search, they discover that Sam's glasses will that will lead the Decepticons to the All Spark. Frenzy and Barricade begin tracking Sam's location. Back in Qatar, the army rangers are attacked by Scorponok, who take refugee in a nearby village. Calling the Pentagon and getting air support, they discover that the Decepticons are vulnerable to high heat weaponry such as sabot rounds. Using this information, the soldiers inform the Pentagon that they now have a weapon.

[[Image:Movie Autobots.JPG|thumb|200px|left|Wheelie say find friends today.]]
Barricade confronts Sam, demanding Archibald's glasses. Bumblebee, who is following Sam, transforms and battles Barricade. Mikaela, who is also following Sam, is caught in the crossfire, but Bumblebee is able to defeat Barricade, while Mikaela decapitates Frenzy, who is still functioning and hides in Mikaela's purse as her cellphone. Bumblebee takes Sam and Mikaela to rendezvous with the rest of the Autobots. The Autobots—Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet—land on Earth and take on the forms of several Earth vehicles. They all meet in a dark, secluded alley, transform in front of the two amazed humans, introduce themselves and tell of the reasons they had to come to Earth to Sam and Mikaela. Meanwhile, Maggie made a copy of the intrusion signal and shows it to her friend Glenn Whitmann, who discovers a message with the signal about Sector Seven, Captain Witwicky, and Project Iceman. However, the FBI arrest Glenn and Maggie, who desperately tries to convince them not to go to war with the wrong country.

[[Image:Movie Autobots Sector Seven.JPG|right|thumb|200px|I'll use the universal greeting.]]
Sam, Mikaela, and the Autobots then return to Sam's home to retrieve the glasses. However, agents from [[Sector Seven]] arrive to take Sam and Mikaela into custody. Reggie Simmons, the agency's director, reveals that Mikaela has a criminal record and threatens Sam with life imprisonment, at which point the Autobots disable the convoy and rescue the teens. During the retreat, Sam and Mikaela are recaptured, and Bumblebee is also apprehended, against the pleas of Sam who assures the agents—to no avail—that he means them no harm. Prime orders the Autobots to let them go, unwilling to use deadly force against the humans. At the Pentagon, a virus Frenzy uploaded during the Air Force One hack causes a global communications blackout, while Keller is finally informed of the Decepticons. After Bumblebee's capture, Optimus uses the glasses locate the All Spark at Hoover Dam, and declares that if they cannot defeat the Decepticons, he will merge the Cube with his spark.

[[Image:Movie Optimus Megatron.JPG|thumb|left|200px|One shall stand. One shall fall.]]
Sam, Mikaela, Keller, Maggie, Glenn, and Lennox's unit are brought to Hoover Dam, where they are shown the frozen Megatron and the All Spark, while Frenzy slips away. Locating the All Spark, he sends out an alert to Starscream, who mobilizes the the rest of the Decepticons. Due to Starscream's attack and Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron begins to revive, and Sam convinces the Sector Seven agents to release Bumblebee so that he can get the All Spark to Optimus Prime. The Decepticons chase the Autobots, who now possess the All Spark, into Mission City.

Glenn, Maggie, Keller, and Simmons manage to contact the Air Force and direct F22s to Mission City. An ensuing battle results in casualties for both sides, including Jazz, who is killed by Megatron, while Bumblebee is crippled in an explosion. As Lennox orders Sam to take the All Spark to a building to be removed from the city, under escort from Ironhide and Ratchet, Megatron and Optimus Prime battle, while the soldiers remain to fight Devastator. Mikaela drags the injured Bumlebee away from the battle with a tow truck, but goes back, with Bumblebee's weapons killing Devastator. Ironhide and Ratchet are incapacitated by Starscream, and Megatron joins the pursuit.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Now, light our darkest hour!]]
Sam's helicopter is destroyed by Starscream, and Prime challenges Megatron. The battle is fierce and dominated by Megatron. Blackout attempts to assist Megatron, but is killed by Lennox and the Air Force before he can engage. Starscream hides among a raptor squadron, destroying three fighters. Despite this, the Air Force and Lennox's rangers manage to inflict serious damage on Megatron, but he is still functional, and heading toward the Cube. Finally, with both Prime and Megatron weakened, Prime beckons Sam to shove the All Spark into his chest, destroying them both, but Sam instead takes the riskier action of shoving the All Spark into Megatron's chest.

{{Note|For an extensive synopsis of the battle, see separate article [[Mission City]].}}

[[Image:Movie Optimus ending.JPG|left|thumb|200px|[['Til all are one]]!]]
Optimus thanks Sam for his courage and for saving his life, while Bumblebee, who has regained his voice, asks permission to remain with Sam, which is granted. In an attempt to cover up the existence of the Transformers, Sector Seven is disbanded, while the remains of the Decepticons are cast into the Laurentian Abyss. And though Megatron is dead, the All Spark's destruction leaves the Autobots unable to restore Cybertron. With no other home to go to, the Autobots decide to stay on Earth, and Optimus sends out a signal across space in an effort to locate any surviving Autobots, while Sam and Mikaela begin a relationship. Starscream, one of the Decepticons that survived the battle, leaves Earth.

{{-}}

==Quotes==
"Before time began, there was the Cube. We know not where it comes from, only that it holds the power to create worlds and fill them with life. That was how our race was born. For a time, we lived in harmony, but like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil. And so began the war - a war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death, and the Cube was lost to the far reaches of space. We scattered across the galaxy, hoping to find it and rebuild our home, searching every star, every world. And just when all hope seemed lost, message of a new discovery drew us to an unknown planet called... Earth. But we were already too late."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' opening narration

"Look, can you do me a favor—can you look out the window for a second? See my father? He's the guy in the green car? Let me tell you about a dream, a boy's dream, and a man's promise to that boy. He looked him in the eye and said "Son, I' gonna buy you a car, but I want you to bring me two-thousand dollars and three A's." OK, I got the two thousand and two A's. OK, here's the dream. Your B minus? Pfff! Dream gone. Kaput. Sir, just ask yourself...what would Jesus do?"''
:—'''Sam Witwicky''' negotiates a better mark for his Family Genealogy project

'''Bobby Bolivia:''' "What with the semi-classic nature of the vehicle, slick wheels and custom paint job—" 
'''Sam:''' "The paint's faded!" 
'''Bobby:''' "Y-yeah, but it's custom." 
'''Sam:''' "It's custom faded?" 
'''Bobby:''' "Well, it's your first car, I wouldn't expect you to understand." ''Turns to Ron'' "Five grand." 
'''Ron:''' "No, not paying over four. Sorry." 
'''Bobby:''' ''Turns back to Sam'' "Kid, c'mon, get out, get out of the car." 
'''Sam:''' "No, no, no, you said cars pick their drivers!" 
'''Bobby:''' "Well sometimes they pick a driver with a cheap-ass father—out of the car." 
:—Negotiations over [[Bumblebee (Movie)|the car]] at Bolivia's Finest Quality Used Cars and Petting Zoo

''Sam's car leaves in a puff of black smoke'' 
"Wow...you are so cheap." 
"It's his first car...supposed to be like that."
:—'''Judy Witwicky''' comments on the car's condition to '''Ron'''

'''Capt. Lennox:''' "I need a credit card! Epps, where's your wallet?" 
'''Sgt. Epps:''' "Pocket!" ''Fires gun'' 
'''Lennox:''' "Which pocket?" 
'''Epps:''' "My ''back'' pocket!" ''Fires gun'' 
'''Lennox:''' "You got ten back pockets!" 
'''Epps:''' "Left cheek! Left cheek! ''Left cheek!''" 
:—Calling the Pentagon from Qatar gets complicated.

"Ready, heat's coming!" 
"What, BRING IT!" 
:—'''Lennox''' and '''Epps''' giving the green light for Strike Package Bravo to attack

'''Jazz''': "What about Bumblebee? What can't just leave him to die! And become some human experiment!" 
'''Optimus Prime''': He'll die in vain if we don't accomplish our mission. Bumblebee is a brave soldier. This is what he would want. 
'''Ironhide:''' "Why are we fighting to save the humans? They're a primitive and violent race." 
'''Optimus Prime:''' "Were we so different? They are a young species. They have much to learn...but I've seen goodness in them. Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.... You all know there is only one way to end this war: We must destroy the Cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest." 
'''Ratchet:''' "That's suicide! The Cube is raw power—it could destroy you both." 
'''Optimus Prime:''' "A necessary sacrifice to bring peace to this planet.... We cannot let the humans pay for our mistakes. It's been an honor serving with you all. Autobots, roll out!" 
:—The '''Autobots''' discuss their next move.

"Humans don't deserve to live." 
"They deserve to choose for themselves!" 
"Then you will die with them! Join them in extinction!"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' have some mid-battle banter, Transformers style

"Give me the All Spark, and you may live to be my ''pet''." 
"I'm never giving you this All Spark!" 
"Oh, ''so'' unwise..."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Sam Witwicky''' have a tense moment on a Mission City rooftop.

"With the All Spark gone, we cannot return life to our planet. And fate has yielded its reward: a new world to call...home. We live among its people now, hiding in plain sight...but watching over them in secret...waiting...protecting. I have witnessed their capacity for courage, and though we are worlds apart, like us, there's more to them than meets the eye. I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to any surviving Autobots taking refuge among the stars: We are here...we are waiting."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' closing narration

==Production staff==

[[Image:Movie_Castandcrew2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Megatron? Is that you?!]]

* Executive Producer: [[Steven Spielberg]]
* Executive Producer: [[Brian Goldner]]
* Director: [[Michael Bay]]
* Producers: [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Ian Bryce]], [[Tom DeSanto]], [[Don Murphy]]
* Story by: [[Alex Kurtzman]] & [[Roberto Orci]] and [[John Rogers]],
* Screenwriters: [[Alex Kurtzman]] & [[Roberto Orci]]
* Music by: [[Steve Jablonsky]]

====Visual Effects====
* Visual Effects by: [[Industrial Light and Magic]], [[Digital Domain]]
* Production Designer: [[Jeff Mann]]
* Lead Robot Illustrator: [[Ben Procter]]
* ILM Visual Effects Supervisior: [[Scott Farrar]]
* Art Director: [[Alex Jaeger]]

====Locations Department====
(winners of the California On Location Award[http://www.californiaonlocationawards.com/] for "Production Company / Location Team of the Year for Feature Films")
* Supervising Location Manager: '''Ilt Jones'''
* Location Managers: '''Michael J. Burmeister''', '''Fermín Dávalos''', and '''Emre Sonmez'''
* Key Assistant Location Managers: '''Michael Wesley Aycock''', '''Leann Emmert''', '''Perri Fichtner''', '''Ronald M. Haynes''', '''Jonathan Hook''', '''Kathy McCurdy''', '''Manny Padilla''', '''Lisa Patton''', '''Rob Swenson''', '''Marta Tomkiw''', and '''Scott Trimble'''
* Additional Key Assistant Location Managers: '''Brooks Bonstin''', '''Alexandre Chen''', '''Michael Chickey''', '''Martin J. Cummins'''
* Assistant Location Managers: '''Ces Hardy''' and '''Amanda Harrington'''
* Location Scouts: '''Stuart Raven Barter''', '''Richard Klotz''', '''James Lin''', and '''Keith Nakata'''

{{-}}

==Other editions==
The 2007 Transformers film has more than one 'cut.'

* The worldwide theatrical release was essentially identical all around the world with a few minor exceptions.
** The film board of Malaysia{{fact}} required [[Judy Witwicky]]'s masturbation reference be removed. However, no such change has been made and her lines were not omitted from the film.
* The [[Wikipedia:IMAX|IMAX]] edition of the movie features two minutes of additional footage in the form of slightly extended scenes and very brief new scenes. Added material includes the following:
**Before heading to the lake party, Sam is shown picking Miles up at his house. Miles derides Sam's choice of car colors.
**After Sam is questioned by the sheriff at the police station, he is given an anti-drug bumper sticker and shown the "[[wikipedia:This is Your Brain on Drugs|This is Your Brain on Drugs]]" [[Public service announcement|PSA]] starring [[wikipedia:Rachel Leigh Cook|Rachel Leigh Cook]].
**After abducting Sam and Mikaela, Agent Simmons uses a device to monitor Sam's pupil dilation while interrogating him in the truck. He also remarks that he has "been there" when it comes to women with criminal records.
**Upon arriving at Hoover Dam, Simmons remarks colorfully that it is "Area 50". A few minutes later, he lists the nicknames of all the U.S. Presidents to have toured the facility.
**In Mission City, Lennox acquires short-range radios from a gun-toting, but easily-flattered, pawn shop owner.

==Prequel material==
* ''[[Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday]]''
: A novel about the truth behind humankind's first venture into space and how that event is related to the Transformers' presence on Earth, both past and present.
* ''[[Prime Directives]]'' (originally published as ''Transformers Movie Prequel'')
: A four issue limited series comic book from [[IDW]] Publishing, released before the movie's debut. It chronicles the events which bring the Transformers to [[Earth]].
* ''[[Transformers Movie Prequel]]''
: A short comic book by IDW, available exclusively from Target, following Bumblebee's early search for clues on Earth.
* ''[[Transformers Movie Prequel volume 2]]''
: A mini-comic by IDW, available exclusively from Target, showing the Decepticons' arrival on Earth.
* ''Transformers Beginnings''
: A not-really-animated animatic version of IDW's Prime Directives prequel comics, voiced by some of the actors from the movie, the game and a bunch of other people. Included in a Wal-Mart 2-Disc exclusive of the Movie DVD.
* ''[[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Transformers]]''
: A monthly comic published in the UK by [[Titan Books]], featuring new adventures set before the movie.

Some dialog in the film contradicts the prequel material, specifically pertaining to the years in which the frozen Megatron was moved from the Arctic to Hoover Dam, and exactly when the Decepticons arrived on Earth.

==Sequels==
{{main|Transformers 2}}

A sequel to this film is in production and is scheduled for release in 2009.

[[IDW Publishing]] is also releasing the comic sequel to the film, titled ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]''.

==Soundtrack==
[[Image:Transformers soundtrack .jpg|thumb|You got the TOUCH! You got the POWAAAAH!]]
On July 3, 2007, Warner Bros Records released a ''Transformers'' soundtrack full of songs from or inspired by the motion picture.

*1. "What I've Done" - [[Linkin Park]]
*2. "Doomsday Clock" - [[Smashing Pumpkins]]
*3. "This Moment" - [[Disturbed]]
*4. "Before It's Too Late (Sam and Mikaela's Theme)" aka "Fiction" - [[Goo Goo Dolls]]
*5. "Pretty Handsome Awkward" - [[The Used]]
*6. "Passion's Killing Floor" - [[HIM]]
*7. "What It Feels Like To Be A Ghost?" - [[Taking Back Sunday]]
*8. "Second To None" - [[Styles Of Beyond]]
*9. "End Of The World" - [[Armor For Sleep]]
*10. "Retina and the Sky" - [[Idiot Pilot]]
*11. "Technical Difficulties" - [[Julien-K]]
*12. "Transformers Theme" - [[MuteMath]]

==Score==
[[Image:Transformersthescore.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Jam that transmission!]]

On October 9, 2007, Warner Bros Records released a ''Transformers'' score featuring the instrumental music composed by [[Steve Jablonsky]].

*1. Autobots
*2. Decepticons
*3. The All Spark
*4. Deciphering The Signal
*5. Frenzy
*6. Optimus
*7. Bumblebee
*8. SOCCENT Attack
*9. Sam At The Lake
*10. Scorponok
*11. Cybertron
*12. Arrival To Earth
*13. Witwicky
*14. Downtown Battle
*15. Sector 7
*16. Bumblebee Captured
*17. You're A Soldier Now
*18. Sam On The Roof
*19. Optimus Vs. Megatron
*20. No Sacrifice, No Victory

The tracks "Optimus Vs. Megatron" and "No Sacrifice, No Victory" were used during various [[wikipedia:New England Patriots|New England Patriots]] promos for [[wikipedia:Super Bowl XLII|Super Bowl XLII]].

==DVD release==
* '''US:''' [http://tformers.com/US-To-Get-Transformers-DVD-HD-DVD-October-16th/8350/news.html October 16th, 2007] (DVD, HD-DVD)
* '''Australia:''' November 1st, 2007 (DVD)
* '''United Kingdom:''' December 3rd, 2007 (DVD,HD-DVD)

There are nearly a dozen store [[exclusive]] [http://tformers.com/Transformers-DVD-Exclusives-Who-Gets-What/8534/news.html versions and sales premiums of the DVD.] They include:
* Target and HMV UK: transforming Optimus Prime display case.
* Best Buy: [[Robot Heroes]] [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] and battle-damaged Optimus Prime.
* Wal-Mart: [[Transformers: Beginnings]] "animated" prequel material.
* Borders: "Making Of" book.
* Circuit City: password unlocking 15 minutes of exclusive online behind-the-scenes featurettes, covering the voice recording sessions, prop construction, stunt work, and early CG tests and animatics.

==Reception==
The movie set multiple records when it opened, including biggest opening week gross for a non-sequel ($155.4 million), biggest Tuesday release gross ($27.4 million), biggest July 4th gross ($29 million), and the biggest foreign film opening in mainland China ($3 million).

The movie closed domestically on November 8, 2007, during which time it took in $319,071,806. (Domestic gross accounted for $310,578,372 before the IMAX version's release.) As of November 15, 2007, it has earned a ''worldwide'' gross of $702,918,603. It currently sits [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm at spot #19] in the "most domestic gross" list of movies, though this listing is ''not'' adjusted for inflation. When taking inflation into account, ''Transformers'' [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm just ekes in at spot #95].

{{quote|I didn’t sleep through it the way I Novocained my way through the awful ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', but by the time it ended, I thought I might have vertigo or whiplash, or both, and I certainly lost more than a few of my remaining I.Q. points.|[http://www.observer.com/2007/bay-bombs-again Rex Reed]}}

{{quote|It's goofy fun with a lot of stuff that blows up real good, and it has the grace not only to realize how preposterous it is, but to make that into an asset.|Roger Ebert}}

{{quote|But it’s tough to really care about questions like, “Why did that happen?” or even “What’s going on?” when you’re constantly interrupted by “Oh my goodness! Giant robots! Weeee!”|Peter Suderman|[http://tinyurl.com/373rps The National Review]}}

Critical reception was hit-and-miss, [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_the_movie/ more positive than negative but not by a lot], though it's sometimes hard to tell how many negative reviewers were more interested in criticizing [[Michael Bay]] in general over the movie itself. Otherwise, the most common negatives involved it being a generally think-free "spectacle"-style movie; even those who rated the movie positively noted it was a pure "popcorn" movie meant to wow its audience with [[CGI]] and explosions rather than make them think (Richard Roper noted in his "thumbs up" review "it has no nutritional value"). Whether one considers that a good or bad thing for a movie and if the movie was enough fun to overcome that is, of course, highly debatable. The other main culprit, again noted by many of the positive reviews, was its long running time, particularly the overly-chaotic, often hard-to-follow final big-bang extended ending action sequence. ([http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/REVIEWS/70620006/1023 Roger Ebert] noted that this sequence was what made him give the movie three out of four stars rather than the full four.)

Transformers was nominated for three Oscars, in the fields of Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Achievement in Visual Effects. The sound awards went to ''The Bourne Ultimatum'', and the visual effects award went to ''The Golden Compass''.

Currently, two sequels are planned, with [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[Peter Cullen]] signed for both. Michael Bay, Spielberg, and the two screenwriters have also returned, with pre-production already underway. Filming for TF2 is scheduled to begin in June 2008, for a planned release date of June 2009.

==Trivia==
* The Autobot computer generated models consisted of 35,592 total pieces, 7,435,478 polygons, 95,247 rig nodes, and 20,258 texture maps. If laid end to end, the pieces would stretch 3.11 miles.

* For all the robots combined, there are 60,217 pieces of geometry, 123,509,502 polygons, 144,341 rigging nodes, and 34,215 texture maps.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>

* The events of the movie span 4-5 days.

* Within the movie, neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons are referred to as "Transformers".

==Transformer References==
The movie contains a number of nods and winks to previous iterations of ''Transformers'', primarily from [[Generation 1]]. Some of these were included in direct response to urgings of the fans; others originated with the production crew.
* The basic story set-up is similar to many iterations of the ''Generation 1'' story -- two warring factions, the noble Autobots and the power-hungry Decepticons, arrive on Earth, having left their devastated home planet, the war-torn mechanical world of Cybertron.
* Many of the featured Transformers are re-imagined versions of characters from ''Generation 1''. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in particular are similar in physical form and characterization to their movie incarnations. The original versions of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] differ in appearance but fulfill story roles similar to their Movie versions.
* Though the characters are new, "[[Frenzy]]", "[[Scorponok]]", "[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]", "[[Devastator (disambiguation)|Devastator]]", "[[Blackout]]", "[[Barricade]]", and "[[Bonecrusher]]" are all names that have been used on Transformer characters before.
* Blackout's symbiotic relationship with Scorponok originated as an interpretation of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his cassette troops. Frenzy's transformation into a portable stereo is likewise an homage to Soundwave's cassette deck alternate form.
* Sam shares his last name with the [[Spike Witwicky|main human allies]] of the Autobots in the original ''[[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]''. Like Spike before him, he's closest to Bumblebee.
* The Autobot faction symbol seen on Bumblebee and others is basically unchanged from its ''Generation 1'' appearance.
* The All Spark takes its name from [[Allspark|a concept]] originally introduced in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
* The original G1 [[transformation]] sound pops up several times during the course of the film, such as Blackout's first conversion sequence (though truth be told it sounds more like it's being broadcast from a loudspeaker.)
[[Image:Movie BoliviasFinestQualityUsedCars 2.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.]]
* In his first appearance, Bumblebee parks next to a yellow Volkswagen Beetle—the alternate form of [[Bumblebee (G1)|G1 Bumblebee]].
* When instructing the Autobots to escape Sector Seven and when they later head for Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime delivers his catchphrase from the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon]], ordering them to [[roll out|"Roll out!"]]
* Prime references "the spark within my chest". [[Spark]]s{{m-}}the life-force that makes Transformers alive{{m-}}have been an integral part of Transformers fiction since ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.
* Although the Transformers' primary energy supply, [[Energon]], does not make a physical appearance in the film, an SUV's licence plate bears its name, the SUV thrown through the air during Megatron's rampage in Mission City.
* Optimus Prime's line "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings" is the quote from his original 1984 [[bio]].
* The scene in which Jazz yanks aside Devastator's tank barrel is a direct homage to a similar sequence from TF:TM involving Kup and Blitzwing.
* Prime's line "...one shall stand; one shall fall" comes from the 1986 animated ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* Ironhide's complaint that Mojo "leaked lubricant" on his foot references a line spoken by his ''Generation 1'' namesake in the [[More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1|first episode of the original cartoon]], in which he famously exclaimed "Leakin' lubricant!"

==Errors==
* Sunset occurs roughly every fifteen minutes. Possibly indicative of time passage, but a little too much to not warrant mention in the actual movie.

*When Sam's car breaks down and Mikaela gets out to look at the engine, she leaves the passenger door open. When the car restarts and Sam leaves to close the hood, the passenger side door is now shut.

* After Bumblebee backs into a corner of the power plant to evade Barricade, there is a close up shot of him spinning his wheels to make his getaway. However, the shot of the wheels spinning is at a different location: the empty warehouse that Bumblebee and Barricade had raced through moments earlier.

* During the scene where Optimus Prime scans a truck for his new body, the passing truck has what appears to be an Autobot sigil on its grill, but the actual truck that Prime turns into at the end of the scene has a much wider, flatter symbol on the grill, quite possibly a Peterbilt sign.

* When Simmons replays Sam's "last words" recorded onto his cell phone, it doesn't match what he said in the scene where he actually recorded them.

* When the Autobots arrive to rescue Sam and Mikaela from Agent Simmons, Ironhide is the first Autobot to reach the damaged SUV and the other Sector Seven agents. Behind him, Ratchet is making his way towards the SUV, while Jazz and Bumblebee have their respective weapons drawn. However, in the very next shot, Ratchet's gun is suddenly in front of Ironhide, who is now making two short steps towards the SUV, while Jazz's gun has been replaced by his hand (which he uses to magnetically pull Sector Seven's guns away). In the shot after that, Jazz is just standing around sans Sector Seven guns, while Bumblebee wanders up and draws his gun... again.

* It is explained that the AllSpark was dated with carbon-dating. However, the carbon-dating process is actually only useful in dating organic materials, and so would be useless in dating a metallic artifact like the AllSpark.

* When Lennox arrives as Sam and Mikaela are supposedly strapping Bumblebee with the tow truck's chains, Bumblebee is not actually there. When the shot changes angles to the other side of the truck, Bumblebee is sitting right beside the truck while Sam directs Mikaela to wrap Bumblebee in the chains. When Lennox tells Sam to evacuate the Cube, subsequent camera angles from this side of the truck are actually where Bumblebee was moments earlier, but he's not there again (it is unlikely the angle was meant to be from Bumblebee's perspective). When Sam starts to run off and Mikaela calls him back, Bumblebee is once again clearly not sitting beside the truck. In fact, the space he once occupied has the beige van he crawled out of, earlier in the battle.

* After Optimus Prime and Megatron land in the city streets after flying through the office tower, Megatron throws the Autobot leader a short distance away, causing him to land on a parked car. After Megatron forms his fusion cannon, Optimus Prime has suddenly moved further down the street and the car he crushed, along with the other abandoned cars, have vanished. Additionally, Optimus stops at the intersection just in front of Megatron to pull out his Ion blaster in this shot, but when it cuts to a shot to the left-front of Optimus, he is only mid-way up the street, and there is a parked yellow cab at the kerb which was empty seconds earlier. Funnily enough, this kerb was where the crushed car was parked.

* When Optimus Prime is blasted by Megatron's fusion cannon, he goes flying into an office building, with his right leg going into the office itself and his right calf (back of the leg) facing the camera. However, when the shot is cut to the exterior, Optimus is hanging out of the office facing upwards, which is the opposite position he would be in according to the orientation he was in as he flew into the building.

* During the fight towards the end of the film between Megatron and Optimus, it is shown that Optimus is about the same size as Megatron in robot mode. Yet, in vehicle mode, Megatron is a great deal larger then Optimus is. Similarly, Starscream seems to be smaller then Megatron in robot form, leading to the logical conclusion that he is smaller then Optimus as well. Yet in vehicle mode, he is nearly four to five times larger, seeing as an F-22 Raptor is a great deal larger than a Peterbilt 379 tractor cab.

* ''See also: [[Mission City]].''

===Not actually an error===
* Sam and Mikaela, as well as Maggie and Glenn arrive at Hoover Dam on the same helicopter despite being from opposite ends of the country. Occasionally cited as an error, it is actually a narrative oversight, as it is likely that Sam and Mikaela were held in custody at a U.S. Air Base while waiting for Maggie and Glen to arrive with Secretary Keller's party by plane, then they all left for Hoover Dam together on the helicopters.

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Transformersmovie.com]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418279/ ''Transformers'' at IMDB.com]
* [http://www.transformersalbum.com/ ''Transformers The Albu''m]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers_%28film%29 ''Transformers'' 2007 film on Wikipedia]
* [http://www.capalert.com/capreports/transformers.htm ''Transformers'' CAPalert.com review]

==References==

<references />

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{{Nav-movie}}

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[[Category: DreamWorks]]
[[Category: Films]]
[[Category: Movie| ]]<div id="wikia-credits"> From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</div>

Transformers (film)

2008-06-08T23:48:16Z

86.17.124.125:

{{disambig3|Transformers: The Movie}}
:''Transformers is an elaborate cover up in the [[Movie (franchise)|movie]] [[continuity family]].

[[Image:Transformers2007teaserposter.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Good vs Evil - the Michael Bay Experience.]]

'''''Transformers''''' is a live-action movie released by [[DreamWorks]] in 2007, with Executive Producer [[Steven Spielberg]] and Director [[Michael Bay]]. The story follows the Transformers' arrival on modern-day Earth and their interactions with the human race, as they search for the life-giving [[All Spark]] and continue their ages-old civil war. The movie is a new imagining of the [[Transformers brand]], drawing on past Transformers fiction but also distinct in its own right.

The principal cast members are [[Shia LaBeouf]], [[Jon Voight]], and [[Megan Fox]], with [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Hugo Weaving]] as the voices of the Transformers' iconic leaders. Character designs and visual effects were created by [[Industrial Light and Magic]], the effects-wizards behind the ''[[Star Wars]]'' films.

Originally slated to release in the summer of 2006, the film arrived in US theaters on July 3, 2007, and hit UK theaters on July 27 and French theaters on July 25. It premiered in Australia on June 12, 2007, and was was released there and in a number of Asian countries on June 28, 2007. An extended cut of the film featuring footage not in the original was released to IMAX theatres on September 21, 2007.

==Main cast==

{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobot]]s
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticon]]s
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human]]s
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ([[Mark Ryan]])
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] ([[Darius McCrary]])
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]
*[[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] ([[Jimmie Wood]])
*[[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]* / Devastator
*[[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charles Adler]])

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" |
*[[Tom Banachek]] ([[Michael O'Neill]])
*[[Mikaela Banes]] ([[Megan Fox]])
*[[Bobby Bolivia]] ([[Bernie Mac]])
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[John Keller]] ([[Jon Voight]])
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Maggie Madsen]] ([[Rachael Taylor]])
*[[Reggie Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[Glen Whitmann]] ([[Anthony Anderson]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Ronald Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Samuel James Witwicky|Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
|}

<nowiki>* - Brawl is named "Devastator" in the film itself, but "Brawl" in the toyline and all other supporting media. Plot summaries and such will reflect whichever name is relevant to that being described.</nowiki>

==Technical details==
'''Length:''' 144 min (original theatrical)<ref>The movie had some content cuts to meet the standards of some <strike>oppressive regimes</strike> quaint "developing world" rating boards.</ref>

'''Aspect Ratio:''' 2.35:1

'''Audio:''' Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS

'''Content Rating:'''
{{columnlist|4|
* PG-13 (USA/MPAA)
* ? (Japan)
* 12A (United Kingdom)
* PG (Canada; British Columbia)<ref>''Transformers'' received a "14A" rating in British Columbia, but an appeal by the studio successfully reduced it to PG.</ref>
* G (Canada; Quebec)
* PG (Canada; Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario)
* PG (Taiwan)
* IIA (China; Hong Kong)
* PG (Singapore)
* G (Philippines/MTRCB)
* U (France)
* U (Malaysia)
* M (Australia)
* M (New Zealand)
* TE (Chile)
* 10 (Brazil)
* 10M (South Africa)
* 11 (Denmark)
* K-11 (Finland)
* 11 (Norway)
* 11 (Sweden)
* 12 (Germany)
* 12A (Ireland)
* 12 (Netherlands)
* M/12 (Portugal)
* 12 (South Korea)
* 12 (Switzerland)
* 13 (Argentina)
* 14 (Peru)
* 12 (Poland)
}}

==Short synopsis==
[[Image:Prime-Sam-Mikaela-poster.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Megatron must be stopped... no matter the cost.]]

The movie features [[Sam Witwicky]], a plucky teenager who just wants a cool car, but gets more than he bargained for. The beater he and his father take home is actually [[Bumblebee]], an alien robot from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], who plants Sam down in the middle of a civil war between Bumblebee's benevolent [[Autobot]] comrades and the evil [[Decepticon]]s who threaten the galaxy's peace. Both sides are after the [[All Spark]], a mysterious artifact that landed on Earth ten thousand years ago. The approaching robot-against-robot battle is a coming-of-age moment for Sam, who learns the meaning of his family's motto, "No sacrifice, no victory."

{{-}}

==Full synopsis==

[[Image:Allspark movie.jpg|thumb|right|200px|With this, I shall make you my slave!]]
The film begins with the history of Cybertron's destruction at the hands of Megatron, and his quest to obtain the All Spark. Megatron discovers the All Spark on Earth, but crash-lands in the Arctic Circle, becoming frozen in the ice. Captain Archibald Witwicky and his crew of explorers stumble upon Megatron's body in the late 19th century. Megatron's navigational system is unintentionally activated, and Archibald's eye glasses are imprinted with the coordinates to the All Spark's location. Sector Seven, a secret organization of the United States government, discovers the All Spark and builds the Hoover Dam around it to mask its energy signal. The still-frozen Megatron is moved into this facility, and is reverse engineered to further advance human technology.

[[Image:Movie Blackout SOCCENT.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Let the slaughter begin!]]
In the present day, the rest of the Decepticons — Blackout, Scorponok, Frenzy, Barricade, Starscream, Bonecrusher, and Devastator — have already landed on Earth and assumed the disguise of Earth vehicles. Blackout and Scorponok attack the U.S. SOCCENT Forward Operations Base in Qatar in an effort to use the military database to discover the location of Megatron and the All Spark, but they do not succeed. A small group of survivors under Captain William Lennox wander through the desert and are followed by Scorponok. The Autonomous Robotic Organism (shortened to "Autobot") known as Bumblebee is also on Earth, disguised as a 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, and looking for Sam Witwicky, the descendant of Captain Archibald Witwicky. As soon as he locates Sam, the two quickly begin to bond as Bumblebee helps Sam try and woo his crush, Mikaela Banes. Sam is unaware of the fact that Bumblebee is an alien, until he witnesses Bumblebee transform and send out a homing signal for the rest of the Autobots.

[[Image:Movie_Scorponok_leapsout.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Run, Blaster! Save yourself!]]
At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary John Keller oversees the investigation into the attack in Qatar. After Blackout's failure, Frenzy infiltrates Air Force One and attempts to download the all information relating to "Project Iceman". However, Maggie Madsen, one of the technicians studying the Decepticon infiltration signal, discovers Frenzy's actions and convinces the Pentagon to take down the Defense Network, halting Frenzy's download. When Air Force One makes an emergency landing, Frenzy slips into Barricade, and discusses his discovery of Archibald Witwicky, who has seen [[Cybertronian languages|their language]]. Using an internet search, they discover that Sam's glasses will that will lead the Decepticons to the All Spark. Frenzy and Barricade begin tracking Sam's location. Back in Qatar, the army rangers are attacked by Scorponok, who take refugee in a nearby village. Calling the Pentagon and getting air support, they discover that the Decepticons are vulnerable to high heat weaponry such as sabot rounds. Using this information, the soldiers inform the Pentagon that they now have a weapon.

[[Image:Movie Autobots.JPG|thumb|200px|left|Wheelie say find friends today.]]
Barricade confronts Sam, demanding Archibald's glasses. Bumblebee, who is following Sam, transforms and battles Barricade. Mikaela, who is also following Sam, is caught in the crossfire, but Bumblebee is able to defeat Barricade, while Mikaela decapitates Frenzy, who is still functioning and hides in Mikaela's purse as her cellphone. Bumblebee takes Sam and Mikaela to rendezvous with the rest of the Autobots. The Autobots—Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet—land on Earth and take on the forms of several Earth vehicles. They all meet in a dark, secluded alley, transform in front of the two amazed humans, introduce themselves and tell of the reasons they had to come to Earth to Sam and Mikaela. Meanwhile, Maggie made a copy of the intrusion signal and shows it to her friend Glenn Whitmann, who discovers a message with the signal about Sector Seven, Captain Witwicky, and Project Iceman. However, the FBI arrest Glenn and Maggie, who desperately tries to convince them not to go to war with the wrong country.

[[Image:Movie Autobots Sector Seven.JPG|right|thumb|200px|I'll use the universal greeting.]]
Sam, Mikaela, and the Autobots then return to Sam's home to retrieve the glasses. However, agents from [[Sector Seven]] arrive to take Sam and Mikaela into custody. Reggie Simmons, the agency's director, reveals that Mikaela has a criminal record and threatens Sam with life imprisonment, at which point the Autobots disable the convoy and rescue the teens. During the retreat, Sam and Mikaela are recaptured, and Bumblebee is also apprehended, against the pleas of Sam who assures the agents—to no avail—that he means them no harm. Prime orders the Autobots to let them go, unwilling to use deadly force against the humans. At the Pentagon, a virus Frenzy uploaded during the Air Force One hack causes a global communications blackout, while Keller is finally informed of the Decepticons. After Bumblebee's capture, Optimus uses the glasses locate the All Spark at Hoover Dam, and declares that if they cannot defeat the Decepticons, he will merge the Cube with his spark.

[[Image:Movie Optimus Megatron.JPG|thumb|left|200px|One shall stand. One shall fall.]]
Sam, Mikaela, Keller, Maggie, Glenn, and Lennox's unit are brought to Hoover Dam, where they are shown the frozen Megatron and the All Spark, while Frenzy slips away. Locating the All Spark, he sends out an alert to Starscream, who mobilizes the the rest of the Decepticons. Due to Starscream's attack and Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron begins to revive, and Sam convinces the Sector Seven agents to release Bumblebee so that he can get the All Spark to Optimus Prime. The Decepticons chase the Autobots, who now possess the All Spark, into Mission City.

Glenn, Maggie, Keller, and Simmons manage to contact the Air Force and direct F22s to Mission City. An ensuing battle results in casualties for both sides, including Jazz, who is killed by Megatron, while Bumblebee is crippled in an explosion. As Lennox orders Sam to take the All Spark to a building to be removed from the city, under escort from Ironhide and Ratchet, Megatron and Optimus Prime battle, while the soldiers remain to fight Devastator. Mikaela drags the injured Bumlebee away from the battle with a tow truck, but goes back, with Bumblebee's weapons killing Devastator. Ironhide and Ratchet are incapacitated by Starscream, and Megatron joins the pursuit.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Now, light our darkest hour!]]
Sam's helicopter is destroyed by Starscream, and Prime challenges Megatron. The battle is fierce and dominated by Megatron. Blackout attempts to assist Megatron, but is killed by Lennox and the Air Force before he can engage. Starscream hides among a raptor squadron, destroying three fighters. Despite this, the Air Force and Lennox's rangers manage to inflict serious damage on Megatron, but he is still functional, and heading toward the Cube. Finally, with both Prime and Megatron weakened, Prime beckons Sam to shove the All Spark into his chest, destroying them both, but Sam instead takes the riskier action of shoving the All Spark into Megatron's chest.

{{Note|For an extensive synopsis of the battle, see separate article [[Mission City]].}}

[[Image:Movie Optimus ending.JPG|left|thumb|200px|[['Til all are one]]!]]
Optimus thanks Sam for his courage and for saving his life, while Bumblebee, who has regained his voice, asks permission to remain with Sam, which is granted. In an attempt to cover up the existence of the Transformers, Sector Seven is disbanded, while the remains of the Decepticons are cast into the Laurentian Abyss. And though Megatron is dead, the All Spark's destruction leaves the Autobots unable to restore Cybertron. With no other home to go to, the Autobots decide to stay on Earth, and Optimus sends out a signal across space in an effort to locate any surviving Autobots, while Sam and Mikaela begin a relationship. Starscream, one of the Decepticons that survived the battle, leaves Earth.

{{-}}

==Quotes==
"Before time began, there was the Cube. We know not where it comes from, only that it holds the power to create worlds and fill them with life. That was how our race was born. For a time, we lived in harmony, but like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil. And so began the war - a war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death, and the Cube was lost to the far reaches of space. We scattered across the galaxy, hoping to find it and rebuild our home, searching every star, every world. And just when all hope seemed lost, message of a new discovery drew us to an unknown planet called... Earth. But we were already too late."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' opening narration

"Look, can you do me a favor—can you look out the window for a second? See my father? He's the guy in the green car? Let me tell you about a dream, a boy's dream, and a man's promise to that boy. He looked him in the eye and said "Son, I' gonna buy you a car, but I want you to bring me two-thousand dollars and three A's." OK, I got the two thousand and two A's. OK, here's the dream. Your B minus? Pfff! Dream gone. Kaput. Sir, just ask yourself...what would Jesus do?"''
:—'''Sam Witwicky''' negotiates a better mark for his Family Genealogy project

'''Bobby Bolivia:''' "What with the semi-classic nature of the vehicle, slick wheels and custom paint job—" 
'''Sam:''' "The paint's faded!" 
'''Bobby:''' "Y-yeah, but it's custom." 
'''Sam:''' "It's custom faded?" 
'''Bobby:''' "Well, it's your first car, I wouldn't expect you to understand." ''Turns to Ron'' "Five grand." 
'''Ron:''' "No, not paying over four. Sorry." 
'''Bobby:''' ''Turns back to Sam'' "Kid, c'mon, get out, get out of the car." 
'''Sam:''' "No, no, no, you said cars pick their drivers!" 
'''Bobby:''' "Well sometimes they pick a driver with a cheap-ass father—out of the car." 
:—Negotiations over [[Bumblebee (Movie)|the car]] at Bolivia's Finest Quality Used Cars and Petting Zoo

''Sam's car leaves in a puff of black smoke'' 
"Wow...you are so cheap." 
"It's his first car...supposed to be like that."
:—'''Judy Witwicky''' comments on the car's condition to '''Ron'''

'''Capt. Lennox:''' "I need a credit card! Epps, where's your wallet?" 
'''Sgt. Epps:''' "Pocket!" ''Fires gun'' 
'''Lennox:''' "Which pocket?" 
'''Epps:''' "My ''back'' pocket!" ''Fires gun'' 
'''Lennox:''' "You got ten back pockets!" 
'''Epps:''' "Left cheek! Left cheek! ''Left cheek!''" 
:—Calling the Pentagon from Qatar gets complicated.

"Ready, heat's coming!" 
"What, BRING IT!" 
:—'''Lennox''' and '''Epps''' giving the green light for Strike Package Bravo to attack

'''Jazz''': "What about Bumblebee? What can't just leave him to die! And become some human experiment!" 
'''Optimus Prime''': He'll die in vain if we don't accomplish our mission. Bumblebee is a brave soldier. This is what he would want. 
'''Ironhide:''' "Why are we fighting to save the humans? They're a primitive and violent race." 
'''Optimus Prime:''' "Were we so different? They are a young species. They have much to learn...but I've seen goodness in them. Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.... You all know there is only one way to end this war: We must destroy the Cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest." 
'''Ratchet:''' "That's suicide! The Cube is raw power—it could destroy you both." 
'''Optimus Prime:''' "A necessary sacrifice to bring peace to this planet.... We cannot let the humans pay for our mistakes. It's been an honor serving with you all. Autobots, roll out!" 
:—The '''Autobots''' discuss their next move.

"Humans don't deserve to live." 
"They deserve to choose for themselves!" 
"Then you will die with them! Join them in extinction!"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' have some mid-battle banter, Transformers style

"Give me the All Spark, and you may live to be my ''pet''." 
"I'm never giving you this All Spark!" 
"Oh, ''so'' unwise..."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Sam Witwicky''' have a tense moment on a Mission City rooftop.

"With the All Spark gone, we cannot return life to our planet. And fate has yielded its reward: a new world to call...home. We live among its people now, hiding in plain sight...but watching over them in secret...waiting...protecting. I have witnessed their capacity for courage, and though we are worlds apart, like us, there's more to them than meets the eye. I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to any surviving Autobots taking refuge among the stars: We are here...we are waiting."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' closing narration

==Production staff==

[[Image:Movie_Castandcrew2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Megatron? Is that you?!]]

* Executive Producer: [[Steven Spielberg]]
* Executive Producer: [[Brian Goldner]]
* Director: [[Michael Bay]]
* Producers: [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Ian Bryce]], [[Tom DeSanto]], [[Don Murphy]]
* Story by: [[Alex Kurtzman]] & [[Roberto Orci]] and [[John Rogers]],
* Screenwriters: [[Alex Kurtzman]] & [[Roberto Orci]]
* Music by: [[Steve Jablonsky]]

====Visual Effects====
* Visual Effects by: [[Industrial Light and Magic]], [[Digital Domain]]
* Production Designer: [[Jeff Mann]]
* Lead Robot Illustrator: [[Ben Procter]]
* ILM Visual Effects Supervisior: [[Scott Farrar]]
* Art Director: [[Alex Jaeger]]

====Locations Department====
(winners of the California On Location Award[http://www.californiaonlocationawards.com/] for "Production Company / Location Team of the Year for Feature Films")
* Supervising Location Manager: '''Ilt Jones'''
* Location Managers: '''Michael J. Burmeister''', '''Fermín Dávalos''', and '''Emre Sonmez'''
* Key Assistant Location Managers: '''Michael Wesley Aycock''', '''Leann Emmert''', '''Perri Fichtner''', '''Ronald M. Haynes''', '''Jonathan Hook''', '''Kathy McCurdy''', '''Manny Padilla''', '''Lisa Patton''', '''Rob Swenson''', '''Marta Tomkiw''', and '''Scott Trimble'''
* Additional Key Assistant Location Managers: '''Brooks Bonstin''', '''Alexandre Chen''', '''Michael Chickey''', '''Martin J. Cummins'''
* Assistant Location Managers: '''Ces Hardy''' and '''Amanda Harrington'''
* Location Scouts: '''Stuart Raven Barter''', '''Richard Klotz''', '''James Lin''', and '''Keith Nakata'''

{{-}}

==Other editions==
The 2007 Transformers film has more than one 'cut.'

* The worldwide theatrical release was essentially identical all around the world with a few minor exceptions.
** The film board of Malaysia{{fact}} required [[Judy Witwicky]]'s masturbation reference be removed. However, no such change has been made and her lines were not omitted from the film.
* The [[Wikipedia:IMAX|IMAX]] edition of the movie features two minutes of additional footage in the form of slightly extended scenes and very brief new scenes. Added material includes the following:
**Before heading to the lake party, Sam is shown picking Miles up at his house. Miles derides Sam's choice of car colors.
**After Sam is questioned by the sheriff at the police station, he is given an anti-drug bumper sticker and shown the "[[wikipedia:This is Your Brain on Drugs|This is Your Brain on Drugs]]" [[Public service announcement|PSA]] starring [[wikipedia:Rachel Leigh Cook|Rachel Leigh Cook]].
**After abducting Sam and Mikaela, Agent Simmons uses a device to monitor Sam's pupil dilation while interrogating him in the truck. He also remarks that he has "been there" when it comes to women with criminal records.
**Upon arriving at Hoover Dam, Simmons remarks colorfully that it is "Area 50". A few minutes later, he lists the nicknames of all the U.S. Presidents to have toured the facility.
**In Mission City, Lennox acquires short-range radios from a gun-toting, but easily-flattered, pawn shop owner.

==Prequel material==
* ''[[Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday]]''
: A novel about the truth behind humankind's first venture into space and how that event is related to the Transformers' presence on Earth, both past and present.
* ''[[Prime Directives]]'' (originally published as ''Transformers Movie Prequel'')
: A four issue limited series comic book from [[IDW]] Publishing, released before the movie's debut. It chronicles the events which bring the Transformers to [[Earth]].
* ''[[Transformers Movie Prequel]]''
: A short comic book by IDW, available exclusively from Target, following Bumblebee's early search for clues on Earth.
* ''[[Transformers Movie Prequel volume 2]]''
: A mini-comic by IDW, available exclusively from Target, showing the Decepticons' arrival on Earth.
* ''Transformers Beginnings''
: A not-really-animated animatic version of IDW's Prime Directives prequel comics, voiced by some of the actors from the movie, the game and a bunch of other people. Included in a Wal-Mart 2-Disc exclusive of the Movie DVD.
* ''[[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Transformers]]''
: A monthly comic published in the UK by [[Titan Books]], featuring new adventures set before the movie.

Some dialog in the film contradicts the prequel material, specifically pertaining to the years in which the frozen Megatron was moved from the Arctic to Hoover Dam, and exactly when the Decepticons arrived on Earth.

==Sequels==
{{main|Transformers 2}}

A sequel to this film is in production and is scheduled for release in 2009.

[[IDW Publishing]] is also releasing the comic sequel to the film, titled ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]''.

==Soundtrack==
[[Image:Transformers soundtrack .jpg|thumb|You got the touch. You got the power.]]
On July 3, 2007, Warner Bros Records released a ''Transformers'' soundtrack full of songs from or inspired by the motion picture.

*1. "What I've Done" - [[Linkin Park]]
*2. "Doomsday Clock" - [[Smashing Pumpkins]]
*3. "This Moment" - [[Disturbed]]
*4. "Before It's Too Late (Sam and Mikaela's Theme)" aka "Fiction" - [[Goo Goo Dolls]]
*5. "Pretty Handsome Awkward" - [[The Used]]
*6. "Passion's Killing Floor" - [[HIM]]
*7. "What It Feels Like To Be A Ghost?" - [[Taking Back Sunday]]
*8. "Second To None" - [[Styles Of Beyond]]
*9. "End Of The World" - [[Armor For Sleep]]
*10. "Retina and the Sky" - [[Idiot Pilot]]
*11. "Technical Difficulties" - [[Julien-K]]
*12. "Transformers Theme" - [[MuteMath]]

==Score==
[[Image:Transformersthescore.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Jam that transmission!]]

On October 9, 2007, Warner Bros Records released a ''Transformers'' score featuring the instrumental music composed by [[Steve Jablonsky]].

*1. Autobots
*2. Decepticons
*3. The All Spark
*4. Deciphering The Signal
*5. Frenzy
*6. Optimus
*7. Bumblebee
*8. SOCCENT Attack
*9. Sam At The Lake
*10. Scorponok
*11. Cybertron
*12. Arrival To Earth
*13. Witwicky
*14. Downtown Battle
*15. Sector 7
*16. Bumblebee Captured
*17. You're A Soldier Now
*18. Sam On The Roof
*19. Optimus Vs. Megatron
*20. No Sacrifice, No Victory

The tracks "Optimus Vs. Megatron" and "No Sacrifice, No Victory" were used during various [[wikipedia:New England Patriots|New England Patriots]] promos for [[wikipedia:Super Bowl XLII|Super Bowl XLII]].

==DVD release==
* '''US:''' [http://tformers.com/US-To-Get-Transformers-DVD-HD-DVD-October-16th/8350/news.html October 16th, 2007] (DVD, HD-DVD)
* '''Australia:''' November 1st, 2007 (DVD)
* '''United Kingdom:''' December 3rd, 2007 (DVD,HD-DVD)

There are nearly a dozen store [[exclusive]] [http://tformers.com/Transformers-DVD-Exclusives-Who-Gets-What/8534/news.html versions and sales premiums of the DVD.] They include:
* Target and HMV UK: transforming Optimus Prime display case.
* Best Buy: [[Robot Heroes]] [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] and battle-damaged Optimus Prime.
* Wal-Mart: [[Transformers: Beginnings]] "animated" prequel material.
* Borders: "Making Of" book.
* Circuit City: password unlocking 15 minutes of exclusive online behind-the-scenes featurettes, covering the voice recording sessions, prop construction, stunt work, and early CG tests and animatics.

==Reception==
The movie set multiple records when it opened, including biggest opening week gross for a non-sequel ($155.4 million), biggest Tuesday release gross ($27.4 million), biggest July 4th gross ($29 million), and the biggest foreign film opening in mainland China ($3 million).

The movie closed domestically on November 8, 2007, during which time it took in $319,071,806. (Domestic gross accounted for $310,578,372 before the IMAX version's release.) As of November 15, 2007, it has earned a ''worldwide'' gross of $702,918,603. It currently sits [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm at spot #19] in the "most domestic gross" list of movies, though this listing is ''not'' adjusted for inflation. When taking inflation into account, ''Transformers'' [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm just ekes in at spot #95].

{{quote|I didn’t sleep through it the way I Novocained my way through the awful ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', but by the time it ended, I thought I might have vertigo or whiplash, or both, and I certainly lost more than a few of my remaining I.Q. points.|[http://www.observer.com/2007/bay-bombs-again Rex Reed]}}

{{quote|It's goofy fun with a lot of stuff that blows up real good, and it has the grace not only to realize how preposterous it is, but to make that into an asset.|Roger Ebert}}

{{quote|But it’s tough to really care about questions like, “Why did that happen?” or even “What’s going on?” when you’re constantly interrupted by “Oh my goodness! Giant robots! Weeee!”|Peter Suderman|[http://tinyurl.com/373rps The National Review]}}

Critical reception was hit-and-miss, [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_the_movie/ more positive than negative but not by a lot], though it's sometimes hard to tell how many negative reviewers were more interested in criticizing [[Michael Bay]] in general over the movie itself. Otherwise, the most common negatives involved it being a generally think-free "spectacle"-style movie; even those who rated the movie positively noted it was a pure "popcorn" movie meant to wow its audience with [[CGI]] and explosions rather than make them think (Richard Roper noted in his "thumbs up" review "it has no nutritional value"). Whether one considers that a good or bad thing for a movie and if the movie was enough fun to overcome that is, of course, highly debatable. The other main culprit, again noted by many of the positive reviews, was its long running time, particularly the overly-chaotic, often hard-to-follow final big-bang extended ending action sequence. ([http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/REVIEWS/70620006/1023 Roger Ebert] noted that this sequence was what made him give the movie three out of four stars rather than the full four.)

Transformers was nominated for three Oscars, in the fields of Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Achievement in Visual Effects. The sound awards went to ''The Bourne Ultimatum'', and the visual effects award went to ''The Golden Compass''.

Currently, two sequels are planned, with [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[Peter Cullen]] signed for both. Michael Bay, Spielberg, and the two screenwriters have also returned, with pre-production already underway. Filming for TF2 is scheduled to begin in June 2008, for a planned release date of June 2009.

==Trivia==
* The Autobot computer generated models consisted of 35,592 total pieces, 7,435,478 polygons, 95,247 rig nodes, and 20,258 texture maps. If laid end to end, the pieces would stretch 3.11 miles.

* For all the robots combined, there are 60,217 pieces of geometry, 123,509,502 polygons, 144,341 rigging nodes, and 34,215 texture maps.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>

* The events of the movie span 4-5 days.

* Within the movie, neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons are referred to as "Transformers".

==Transformer References==
The movie contains a number of nods and winks to previous iterations of ''Transformers'', primarily from [[Generation 1]]. Some of these were included in direct response to urgings of the fans; others originated with the production crew.
* The basic story set-up is similar to many iterations of the ''Generation 1'' story -- two warring factions, the noble Autobots and the power-hungry Decepticons, arrive on Earth, having left their devastated home planet, the war-torn mechanical world of Cybertron.
* Many of the featured Transformers are re-imagined versions of characters from ''Generation 1''. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in particular are similar in physical form and characterization to their movie incarnations. The original versions of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] differ in appearance but fulfill story roles similar to their Movie versions.
* Though the characters are new, "[[Frenzy]]", "[[Scorponok]]", "[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]", "[[Devastator (disambiguation)|Devastator]]", "[[Blackout]]", "[[Barricade]]", and "[[Bonecrusher]]" are all names that have been used on Transformer characters before.
* Blackout's symbiotic relationship with Scorponok originated as an interpretation of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his cassette troops. Frenzy's transformation into a portable stereo is likewise an homage to Soundwave's cassette deck alternate form.
* Sam shares his last name with the [[Spike Witwicky|main human allies]] of the Autobots in the original ''[[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]''. Like Spike before him, he's closest to Bumblebee.
* The Autobot faction symbol seen on Bumblebee and others is basically unchanged from its ''Generation 1'' appearance.
* The All Spark takes its name from [[Allspark|a concept]] originally introduced in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
* The original G1 [[transformation]] sound pops up several times during the course of the film, such as Blackout's first conversion sequence (though truth be told it sounds more like it's being broadcast from a loudspeaker.)
[[Image:Movie BoliviasFinestQualityUsedCars 2.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.]]
* In his first appearance, Bumblebee parks next to a yellow Volkswagen Beetle—the alternate form of [[Bumblebee (G1)|G1 Bumblebee]].
* When instructing the Autobots to escape Sector Seven and when they later head for Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime delivers his catchphrase from the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon]], ordering them to [[roll out|"Roll out!"]]
* Prime references "the spark within my chest". [[Spark]]s{{m-}}the life-force that makes Transformers alive{{m-}}have been an integral part of Transformers fiction since ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.
* Although the Transformers' primary energy supply, [[Energon]], does not make a physical appearance in the film, an SUV's licence plate bears its name, the SUV thrown through the air during Megatron's rampage in Mission City.
* Optimus Prime's line "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings" is the quote from his original 1984 [[bio]].
* The scene in which Jazz yanks aside Devastator's tank barrel is a direct homage to a similar sequence from TF:TM involving Kup and Blitzwing.
* Prime's line "...one shall stand; one shall fall" comes from the 1986 animated ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* Ironhide's complaint that Mojo "leaked lubricant" on his foot references a line spoken by his ''Generation 1'' namesake in the [[More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1|first episode of the original cartoon]], in which he famously exclaimed "Leakin' lubricant!"

==Errors==
* Sunset occurs roughly every fifteen minutes. Possibly indicative of time passage, but a little too much to not warrant mention in the actual movie.

*When Sam's car breaks down and Mikaela gets out to look at the engine, she leaves the passenger door open. When the car restarts and Sam leaves to close the hood, the passenger side door is now shut.

* After Bumblebee backs into a corner of the power plant to evade Barricade, there is a close up shot of him spinning his wheels to make his getaway. However, the shot of the wheels spinning is at a different location: the empty warehouse that Bumblebee and Barricade had raced through moments earlier.

* During the scene where Optimus Prime scans a truck for his new body, the passing truck has what appears to be an Autobot sigil on its grill, but the actual truck that Prime turns into at the end of the scene has a much wider, flatter symbol on the grill, quite possibly a Peterbilt sign.

* When Simmons replays Sam's "last words" recorded onto his cell phone, it doesn't match what he said in the scene where he actually recorded them.

* When the Autobots arrive to rescue Sam and Mikaela from Agent Simmons, Ironhide is the first Autobot to reach the damaged SUV and the other Sector Seven agents. Behind him, Ratchet is making his way towards the SUV, while Jazz and Bumblebee have their respective weapons drawn. However, in the very next shot, Ratchet's gun is suddenly in front of Ironhide, who is now making two short steps towards the SUV, while Jazz's gun has been replaced by his hand (which he uses to magnetically pull Sector Seven's guns away). In the shot after that, Jazz is just standing around sans Sector Seven guns, while Bumblebee wanders up and draws his gun... again.

* It is explained that the AllSpark was dated with carbon-dating. However, the carbon-dating process is actually only useful in dating organic materials, and so would be useless in dating a metallic artifact like the AllSpark.

* When Lennox arrives as Sam and Mikaela are supposedly strapping Bumblebee with the tow truck's chains, Bumblebee is not actually there. When the shot changes angles to the other side of the truck, Bumblebee is sitting right beside the truck while Sam directs Mikaela to wrap Bumblebee in the chains. When Lennox tells Sam to evacuate the Cube, subsequent camera angles from this side of the truck are actually where Bumblebee was moments earlier, but he's not there again (it is unlikely the angle was meant to be from Bumblebee's perspective). When Sam starts to run off and Mikaela calls him back, Bumblebee is once again clearly not sitting beside the truck. In fact, the space he once occupied has the beige van he crawled out of, earlier in the battle.

* After Optimus Prime and Megatron land in the city streets after flying through the office tower, Megatron throws the Autobot leader a short distance away, causing him to land on a parked car. After Megatron forms his fusion cannon, Optimus Prime has suddenly moved further down the street and the car he crushed, along with the other abandoned cars, have vanished. Additionally, Optimus stops at the intersection just in front of Megatron to pull out his Ion blaster in this shot, but when it cuts to a shot to the left-front of Optimus, he is only mid-way up the street, and there is a parked yellow cab at the kerb which was empty seconds earlier. Funnily enough, this kerb was where the crushed car was parked.

* When Optimus Prime is blasted by Megatron's fusion cannon, he goes flying into an office building, with his right leg going into the office itself and his right calf (back of the leg) facing the camera. However, when the shot is cut to the exterior, Optimus is hanging out of the office facing upwards, which is the opposite position he would be in according to the orientation he was in as he flew into the building.

* During the fight towards the end of the film between Megatron and Optimus, it is shown that Optimus is about the same size as Megatron in robot mode. Yet, in vehicle mode, Megatron is a great deal larger then Optimus is. Similarly, Starscream seems to be smaller then Megatron in robot form, leading to the logical conclusion that he is smaller then Optimus as well. Yet in vehicle mode, he is nearly four to five times larger, seeing as an F-22 Raptor is a great deal larger than a Peterbilt 379 tractor cab.

* ''See also: [[Mission City]].''

===Not actually an error===
* Sam and Mikaela, as well as Maggie and Glenn arrive at Hoover Dam on the same helicopter despite being from opposite ends of the country. Occasionally cited as an error, it is actually a narrative oversight, as it is likely that Sam and Mikaela were held in custody at a U.S. Air Base while waiting for Maggie and Glen to arrive with Secretary Keller's party by plane, then they all left for Hoover Dam together on the helicopters.

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Transformersmovie.com]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418279/ ''Transformers'' at IMDB.com]
* [http://www.transformersalbum.com/ ''Transformers The Albu''m]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers_%28film%29 ''Transformers'' 2007 film on Wikipedia]
* [http://www.capalert.com/capreports/transformers.htm ''Transformers'' CAPalert.com review]

==References==

<references />

{{-}}

{{Nav-movie}}

{{-}}

[[Category: DreamWorks]]
[[Category: Films]]
[[Category: Movie| ]]<div id="wikia-credits"> From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</div>

Transformers (film)

2008-06-08T23:47:52Z

86.17.124.125:

{{disambig3|Transformers: The Movie}}
:''Transformers is an elaborate cover up in the [[Movie (franchise)|movie]] [[continuity family]].

[[Image:Transformers2007teaserposter.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Good vs Evil - the Bay Experience.]]

'''''Transformers''''' is a live-action movie released by [[DreamWorks]] in 2007, with Executive Producer [[Steven Spielberg]] and Director [[Michael Bay]]. The story follows the Transformers' arrival on modern-day Earth and their interactions with the human race, as they search for the life-giving [[All Spark]] and continue their ages-old civil war. The movie is a new imagining of the [[Transformers brand]], drawing on past Transformers fiction but also distinct in its own right.

The principal cast members are [[Shia LaBeouf]], [[Jon Voight]], and [[Megan Fox]], with [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Hugo Weaving]] as the voices of the Transformers' iconic leaders. Character designs and visual effects were created by [[Industrial Light and Magic]], the effects-wizards behind the ''[[Star Wars]]'' films.

Originally slated to release in the summer of 2006, the film arrived in US theaters on July 3, 2007, and hit UK theaters on July 27 and French theaters on July 25. It premiered in Australia on June 12, 2007, and was was released there and in a number of Asian countries on June 28, 2007. An extended cut of the film featuring footage not in the original was released to IMAX theatres on September 21, 2007.

==Main cast==

{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobot]]s
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticon]]s
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human]]s
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] ([[Mark Ryan]])
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] ([[Darius McCrary]])
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]]
*[[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] ([[Jimmie Wood]])
*[[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]* / Devastator
*[[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charles Adler]])

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" |
*[[Tom Banachek]] ([[Michael O'Neill]])
*[[Mikaela Banes]] ([[Megan Fox]])
*[[Bobby Bolivia]] ([[Bernie Mac]])
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[John Keller]] ([[Jon Voight]])
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Maggie Madsen]] ([[Rachael Taylor]])
*[[Reggie Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[Glen Whitmann]] ([[Anthony Anderson]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Ronald Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Samuel James Witwicky|Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
|}

<nowiki>* - Brawl is named "Devastator" in the film itself, but "Brawl" in the toyline and all other supporting media. Plot summaries and such will reflect whichever name is relevant to that being described.</nowiki>

==Technical details==
'''Length:''' 144 min (original theatrical)<ref>The movie had some content cuts to meet the standards of some <strike>oppressive regimes</strike> quaint "developing world" rating boards.</ref>

'''Aspect Ratio:''' 2.35:1

'''Audio:''' Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS

'''Content Rating:'''
{{columnlist|4|
* PG-13 (USA/MPAA)
* ? (Japan)
* 12A (United Kingdom)
* PG (Canada; British Columbia)<ref>''Transformers'' received a "14A" rating in British Columbia, but an appeal by the studio successfully reduced it to PG.</ref>
* G (Canada; Quebec)
* PG (Canada; Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario)
* PG (Taiwan)
* IIA (China; Hong Kong)
* PG (Singapore)
* G (Philippines/MTRCB)
* U (France)
* U (Malaysia)
* M (Australia)
* M (New Zealand)
* TE (Chile)
* 10 (Brazil)
* 10M (South Africa)
* 11 (Denmark)
* K-11 (Finland)
* 11 (Norway)
* 11 (Sweden)
* 12 (Germany)
* 12A (Ireland)
* 12 (Netherlands)
* M/12 (Portugal)
* 12 (South Korea)
* 12 (Switzerland)
* 13 (Argentina)
* 14 (Peru)
* 12 (Poland)
}}

==Short synopsis==
[[Image:Prime-Sam-Mikaela-poster.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Megatron must be stopped... no matter the cost.]]

The movie features [[Sam Witwicky]], a plucky teenager who just wants a cool car, but gets more than he bargained for. The beater he and his father take home is actually [[Bumblebee]], an alien robot from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], who plants Sam down in the middle of a civil war between Bumblebee's benevolent [[Autobot]] comrades and the evil [[Decepticon]]s who threaten the galaxy's peace. Both sides are after the [[All Spark]], a mysterious artifact that landed on Earth ten thousand years ago. The approaching robot-against-robot battle is a coming-of-age moment for Sam, who learns the meaning of his family's motto, "No sacrifice, no victory."

{{-}}

==Full synopsis==

[[Image:Allspark movie.jpg|thumb|right|200px|With this, I shall make you my slave!]]
The film begins with the history of Cybertron's destruction at the hands of Megatron, and his quest to obtain the All Spark. Megatron discovers the All Spark on Earth, but crash-lands in the Arctic Circle, becoming frozen in the ice. Captain Archibald Witwicky and his crew of explorers stumble upon Megatron's body in the late 19th century. Megatron's navigational system is unintentionally activated, and Archibald's eye glasses are imprinted with the coordinates to the All Spark's location. Sector Seven, a secret organization of the United States government, discovers the All Spark and builds the Hoover Dam around it to mask its energy signal. The still-frozen Megatron is moved into this facility, and is reverse engineered to further advance human technology.

[[Image:Movie Blackout SOCCENT.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Let the slaughter begin!]]
In the present day, the rest of the Decepticons — Blackout, Scorponok, Frenzy, Barricade, Starscream, Bonecrusher, and Devastator — have already landed on Earth and assumed the disguise of Earth vehicles. Blackout and Scorponok attack the U.S. SOCCENT Forward Operations Base in Qatar in an effort to use the military database to discover the location of Megatron and the All Spark, but they do not succeed. A small group of survivors under Captain William Lennox wander through the desert and are followed by Scorponok. The Autonomous Robotic Organism (shortened to "Autobot") known as Bumblebee is also on Earth, disguised as a 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, and looking for Sam Witwicky, the descendant of Captain Archibald Witwicky. As soon as he locates Sam, the two quickly begin to bond as Bumblebee helps Sam try and woo his crush, Mikaela Banes. Sam is unaware of the fact that Bumblebee is an alien, until he witnesses Bumblebee transform and send out a homing signal for the rest of the Autobots.

[[Image:Movie_Scorponok_leapsout.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Run, Blaster! Save yourself!]]
At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary John Keller oversees the investigation into the attack in Qatar. After Blackout's failure, Frenzy infiltrates Air Force One and attempts to download the all information relating to "Project Iceman". However, Maggie Madsen, one of the technicians studying the Decepticon infiltration signal, discovers Frenzy's actions and convinces the Pentagon to take down the Defense Network, halting Frenzy's download. When Air Force One makes an emergency landing, Frenzy slips into Barricade, and discusses his discovery of Archibald Witwicky, who has seen [[Cybertronian languages|their language]]. Using an internet search, they discover that Sam's glasses will that will lead the Decepticons to the All Spark. Frenzy and Barricade begin tracking Sam's location. Back in Qatar, the army rangers are attacked by Scorponok, who take refugee in a nearby village. Calling the Pentagon and getting air support, they discover that the Decepticons are vulnerable to high heat weaponry such as sabot rounds. Using this information, the soldiers inform the Pentagon that they now have a weapon.

[[Image:Movie Autobots.JPG|thumb|200px|left|Wheelie say find friends today.]]
Barricade confronts Sam, demanding Archibald's glasses. Bumblebee, who is following Sam, transforms and battles Barricade. Mikaela, who is also following Sam, is caught in the crossfire, but Bumblebee is able to defeat Barricade, while Mikaela decapitates Frenzy, who is still functioning and hides in Mikaela's purse as her cellphone. Bumblebee takes Sam and Mikaela to rendezvous with the rest of the Autobots. The Autobots—Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ironhide, and Ratchet—land on Earth and take on the forms of several Earth vehicles. They all meet in a dark, secluded alley, transform in front of the two amazed humans, introduce themselves and tell of the reasons they had to come to Earth to Sam and Mikaela. Meanwhile, Maggie made a copy of the intrusion signal and shows it to her friend Glenn Whitmann, who discovers a message with the signal about Sector Seven, Captain Witwicky, and Project Iceman. However, the FBI arrest Glenn and Maggie, who desperately tries to convince them not to go to war with the wrong country.

[[Image:Movie Autobots Sector Seven.JPG|right|thumb|200px|I'll use the universal greeting.]]
Sam, Mikaela, and the Autobots then return to Sam's home to retrieve the glasses. However, agents from [[Sector Seven]] arrive to take Sam and Mikaela into custody. Reggie Simmons, the agency's director, reveals that Mikaela has a criminal record and threatens Sam with life imprisonment, at which point the Autobots disable the convoy and rescue the teens. During the retreat, Sam and Mikaela are recaptured, and Bumblebee is also apprehended, against the pleas of Sam who assures the agents—to no avail—that he means them no harm. Prime orders the Autobots to let them go, unwilling to use deadly force against the humans. At the Pentagon, a virus Frenzy uploaded during the Air Force One hack causes a global communications blackout, while Keller is finally informed of the Decepticons. After Bumblebee's capture, Optimus uses the glasses locate the All Spark at Hoover Dam, and declares that if they cannot defeat the Decepticons, he will merge the Cube with his spark.

[[Image:Movie Optimus Megatron.JPG|thumb|left|200px|One shall stand. One shall fall.]]
Sam, Mikaela, Keller, Maggie, Glenn, and Lennox's unit are brought to Hoover Dam, where they are shown the frozen Megatron and the All Spark, while Frenzy slips away. Locating the All Spark, he sends out an alert to Starscream, who mobilizes the the rest of the Decepticons. Due to Starscream's attack and Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron begins to revive, and Sam convinces the Sector Seven agents to release Bumblebee so that he can get the All Spark to Optimus Prime. The Decepticons chase the Autobots, who now possess the All Spark, into Mission City.

Glenn, Maggie, Keller, and Simmons manage to contact the Air Force and direct F22s to Mission City. An ensuing battle results in casualties for both sides, including Jazz, who is killed by Megatron, while Bumblebee is crippled in an explosion. As Lennox orders Sam to take the All Spark to a building to be removed from the city, under escort from Ironhide and Ratchet, Megatron and Optimus Prime battle, while the soldiers remain to fight Devastator. Mikaela drags the injured Bumlebee away from the battle with a tow truck, but goes back, with Bumblebee's weapons killing Devastator. Ironhide and Ratchet are incapacitated by Starscream, and Megatron joins the pursuit.

[[Image:Megatron allspark merge.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Now, light our darkest hour!]]
Sam's helicopter is destroyed by Starscream, and Prime challenges Megatron. The battle is fierce and dominated by Megatron. Blackout attempts to assist Megatron, but is killed by Lennox and the Air Force before he can engage. Starscream hides among a raptor squadron, destroying three fighters. Despite this, the Air Force and Lennox's rangers manage to inflict serious damage on Megatron, but he is still functional, and heading toward the Cube. Finally, with both Prime and Megatron weakened, Prime beckons Sam to shove the All Spark into his chest, destroying them both, but Sam instead takes the riskier action of shoving the All Spark into Megatron's chest.

{{Note|For an extensive synopsis of the battle, see separate article [[Mission City]].}}

[[Image:Movie Optimus ending.JPG|left|thumb|200px|[['Til all are one]]!]]
Optimus thanks Sam for his courage and for saving his life, while Bumblebee, who has regained his voice, asks permission to remain with Sam, which is granted. In an attempt to cover up the existence of the Transformers, Sector Seven is disbanded, while the remains of the Decepticons are cast into the Laurentian Abyss. And though Megatron is dead, the All Spark's destruction leaves the Autobots unable to restore Cybertron. With no other home to go to, the Autobots decide to stay on Earth, and Optimus sends out a signal across space in an effort to locate any surviving Autobots, while Sam and Mikaela begin a relationship. Starscream, one of the Decepticons that survived the battle, leaves Earth.

{{-}}

==Quotes==
"Before time began, there was the Cube. We know not where it comes from, only that it holds the power to create worlds and fill them with life. That was how our race was born. For a time, we lived in harmony, but like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil. And so began the war - a war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death, and the Cube was lost to the far reaches of space. We scattered across the galaxy, hoping to find it and rebuild our home, searching every star, every world. And just when all hope seemed lost, message of a new discovery drew us to an unknown planet called... Earth. But we were already too late."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' opening narration

"Look, can you do me a favor—can you look out the window for a second? See my father? He's the guy in the green car? Let me tell you about a dream, a boy's dream, and a man's promise to that boy. He looked him in the eye and said "Son, I' gonna buy you a car, but I want you to bring me two-thousand dollars and three A's." OK, I got the two thousand and two A's. OK, here's the dream. Your B minus? Pfff! Dream gone. Kaput. Sir, just ask yourself...what would Jesus do?"''
:—'''Sam Witwicky''' negotiates a better mark for his Family Genealogy project

'''Bobby Bolivia:''' "What with the semi-classic nature of the vehicle, slick wheels and custom paint job—" 
'''Sam:''' "The paint's faded!" 
'''Bobby:''' "Y-yeah, but it's custom." 
'''Sam:''' "It's custom faded?" 
'''Bobby:''' "Well, it's your first car, I wouldn't expect you to understand." ''Turns to Ron'' "Five grand." 
'''Ron:''' "No, not paying over four. Sorry." 
'''Bobby:''' ''Turns back to Sam'' "Kid, c'mon, get out, get out of the car." 
'''Sam:''' "No, no, no, you said cars pick their drivers!" 
'''Bobby:''' "Well sometimes they pick a driver with a cheap-ass father—out of the car." 
:—Negotiations over [[Bumblebee (Movie)|the car]] at Bolivia's Finest Quality Used Cars and Petting Zoo

''Sam's car leaves in a puff of black smoke'' 
"Wow...you are so cheap." 
"It's his first car...supposed to be like that."
:—'''Judy Witwicky''' comments on the car's condition to '''Ron'''

'''Capt. Lennox:''' "I need a credit card! Epps, where's your wallet?" 
'''Sgt. Epps:''' "Pocket!" ''Fires gun'' 
'''Lennox:''' "Which pocket?" 
'''Epps:''' "My ''back'' pocket!" ''Fires gun'' 
'''Lennox:''' "You got ten back pockets!" 
'''Epps:''' "Left cheek! Left cheek! ''Left cheek!''" 
:—Calling the Pentagon from Qatar gets complicated.

"Ready, heat's coming!" 
"What, BRING IT!" 
:—'''Lennox''' and '''Epps''' giving the green light for Strike Package Bravo to attack

'''Jazz''': "What about Bumblebee? What can't just leave him to die! And become some human experiment!" 
'''Optimus Prime''': He'll die in vain if we don't accomplish our mission. Bumblebee is a brave soldier. This is what he would want. 
'''Ironhide:''' "Why are we fighting to save the humans? They're a primitive and violent race." 
'''Optimus Prime:''' "Were we so different? They are a young species. They have much to learn...but I've seen goodness in them. Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.... You all know there is only one way to end this war: We must destroy the Cube. If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest." 
'''Ratchet:''' "That's suicide! The Cube is raw power—it could destroy you both." 
'''Optimus Prime:''' "A necessary sacrifice to bring peace to this planet.... We cannot let the humans pay for our mistakes. It's been an honor serving with you all. Autobots, roll out!" 
:—The '''Autobots''' discuss their next move.

"Humans don't deserve to live." 
"They deserve to choose for themselves!" 
"Then you will die with them! Join them in extinction!"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' have some mid-battle banter, Transformers style

"Give me the All Spark, and you may live to be my ''pet''." 
"I'm never giving you this All Spark!" 
"Oh, ''so'' unwise..."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Sam Witwicky''' have a tense moment on a Mission City rooftop.

"With the All Spark gone, we cannot return life to our planet. And fate has yielded its reward: a new world to call...home. We live among its people now, hiding in plain sight...but watching over them in secret...waiting...protecting. I have witnessed their capacity for courage, and though we are worlds apart, like us, there's more to them than meets the eye. I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to any surviving Autobots taking refuge among the stars: We are here...we are waiting."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' closing narration

==Production staff==

[[Image:Movie_Castandcrew2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Megatron? Is that you?!]]

* Executive Producer: [[Steven Spielberg]]
* Executive Producer: [[Brian Goldner]]
* Director: [[Michael Bay]]
* Producers: [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Ian Bryce]], [[Tom DeSanto]], [[Don Murphy]]
* Story by: [[Alex Kurtzman]] & [[Roberto Orci]] and [[John Rogers]],
* Screenwriters: [[Alex Kurtzman]] & [[Roberto Orci]]
* Music by: [[Steve Jablonsky]]

====Visual Effects====
* Visual Effects by: [[Industrial Light and Magic]], [[Digital Domain]]
* Production Designer: [[Jeff Mann]]
* Lead Robot Illustrator: [[Ben Procter]]
* ILM Visual Effects Supervisior: [[Scott Farrar]]
* Art Director: [[Alex Jaeger]]

====Locations Department====
(winners of the California On Location Award[http://www.californiaonlocationawards.com/] for "Production Company / Location Team of the Year for Feature Films")
* Supervising Location Manager: '''Ilt Jones'''
* Location Managers: '''Michael J. Burmeister''', '''Fermín Dávalos''', and '''Emre Sonmez'''
* Key Assistant Location Managers: '''Michael Wesley Aycock''', '''Leann Emmert''', '''Perri Fichtner''', '''Ronald M. Haynes''', '''Jonathan Hook''', '''Kathy McCurdy''', '''Manny Padilla''', '''Lisa Patton''', '''Rob Swenson''', '''Marta Tomkiw''', and '''Scott Trimble'''
* Additional Key Assistant Location Managers: '''Brooks Bonstin''', '''Alexandre Chen''', '''Michael Chickey''', '''Martin J. Cummins'''
* Assistant Location Managers: '''Ces Hardy''' and '''Amanda Harrington'''
* Location Scouts: '''Stuart Raven Barter''', '''Richard Klotz''', '''James Lin''', and '''Keith Nakata'''

{{-}}

==Other editions==
The 2007 Transformers film has more than one 'cut.'

* The worldwide theatrical release was essentially identical all around the world with a few minor exceptions.
** The film board of Malaysia{{fact}} required [[Judy Witwicky]]'s masturbation reference be removed. However, no such change has been made and her lines were not omitted from the film.
* The [[Wikipedia:IMAX|IMAX]] edition of the movie features two minutes of additional footage in the form of slightly extended scenes and very brief new scenes. Added material includes the following:
**Before heading to the lake party, Sam is shown picking Miles up at his house. Miles derides Sam's choice of car colors.
**After Sam is questioned by the sheriff at the police station, he is given an anti-drug bumper sticker and shown the "[[wikipedia:This is Your Brain on Drugs|This is Your Brain on Drugs]]" [[Public service announcement|PSA]] starring [[wikipedia:Rachel Leigh Cook|Rachel Leigh Cook]].
**After abducting Sam and Mikaela, Agent Simmons uses a device to monitor Sam's pupil dilation while interrogating him in the truck. He also remarks that he has "been there" when it comes to women with criminal records.
**Upon arriving at Hoover Dam, Simmons remarks colorfully that it is "Area 50". A few minutes later, he lists the nicknames of all the U.S. Presidents to have toured the facility.
**In Mission City, Lennox acquires short-range radios from a gun-toting, but easily-flattered, pawn shop owner.

==Prequel material==
* ''[[Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday]]''
: A novel about the truth behind humankind's first venture into space and how that event is related to the Transformers' presence on Earth, both past and present.
* ''[[Prime Directives]]'' (originally published as ''Transformers Movie Prequel'')
: A four issue limited series comic book from [[IDW]] Publishing, released before the movie's debut. It chronicles the events which bring the Transformers to [[Earth]].
* ''[[Transformers Movie Prequel]]''
: A short comic book by IDW, available exclusively from Target, following Bumblebee's early search for clues on Earth.
* ''[[Transformers Movie Prequel volume 2]]''
: A mini-comic by IDW, available exclusively from Target, showing the Decepticons' arrival on Earth.
* ''Transformers Beginnings''
: A not-really-animated animatic version of IDW's Prime Directives prequel comics, voiced by some of the actors from the movie, the game and a bunch of other people. Included in a Wal-Mart 2-Disc exclusive of the Movie DVD.
* ''[[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Transformers]]''
: A monthly comic published in the UK by [[Titan Books]], featuring new adventures set before the movie.

Some dialog in the film contradicts the prequel material, specifically pertaining to the years in which the frozen Megatron was moved from the Arctic to Hoover Dam, and exactly when the Decepticons arrived on Earth.

==Sequels==
{{main|Transformers 2}}

A sequel to this film is in production and is scheduled for release in 2009.

[[IDW Publishing]] is also releasing the comic sequel to the film, titled ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]''.

==Soundtrack==
[[Image:Transformers soundtrack .jpg|thumb|You got the touch. You got the power.]]
On July 3, 2007, Warner Bros Records released a ''Transformers'' soundtrack full of songs from or inspired by the motion picture.

*1. "What I've Done" - [[Linkin Park]]
*2. "Doomsday Clock" - [[Smashing Pumpkins]]
*3. "This Moment" - [[Disturbed]]
*4. "Before It's Too Late (Sam and Mikaela's Theme)" aka "Fiction" - [[Goo Goo Dolls]]
*5. "Pretty Handsome Awkward" - [[The Used]]
*6. "Passion's Killing Floor" - [[HIM]]
*7. "What It Feels Like To Be A Ghost?" - [[Taking Back Sunday]]
*8. "Second To None" - [[Styles Of Beyond]]
*9. "End Of The World" - [[Armor For Sleep]]
*10. "Retina and the Sky" - [[Idiot Pilot]]
*11. "Technical Difficulties" - [[Julien-K]]
*12. "Transformers Theme" - [[MuteMath]]

==Score==
[[Image:Transformersthescore.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Jam that transmission!]]

On October 9, 2007, Warner Bros Records released a ''Transformers'' score featuring the instrumental music composed by [[Steve Jablonsky]].

*1. Autobots
*2. Decepticons
*3. The All Spark
*4. Deciphering The Signal
*5. Frenzy
*6. Optimus
*7. Bumblebee
*8. SOCCENT Attack
*9. Sam At The Lake
*10. Scorponok
*11. Cybertron
*12. Arrival To Earth
*13. Witwicky
*14. Downtown Battle
*15. Sector 7
*16. Bumblebee Captured
*17. You're A Soldier Now
*18. Sam On The Roof
*19. Optimus Vs. Megatron
*20. No Sacrifice, No Victory

The tracks "Optimus Vs. Megatron" and "No Sacrifice, No Victory" were used during various [[wikipedia:New England Patriots|New England Patriots]] promos for [[wikipedia:Super Bowl XLII|Super Bowl XLII]].

==DVD release==
* '''US:''' [http://tformers.com/US-To-Get-Transformers-DVD-HD-DVD-October-16th/8350/news.html October 16th, 2007] (DVD, HD-DVD)
* '''Australia:''' November 1st, 2007 (DVD)
* '''United Kingdom:''' December 3rd, 2007 (DVD,HD-DVD)

There are nearly a dozen store [[exclusive]] [http://tformers.com/Transformers-DVD-Exclusives-Who-Gets-What/8534/news.html versions and sales premiums of the DVD.] They include:
* Target and HMV UK: transforming Optimus Prime display case.
* Best Buy: [[Robot Heroes]] [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] and battle-damaged Optimus Prime.
* Wal-Mart: [[Transformers: Beginnings]] "animated" prequel material.
* Borders: "Making Of" book.
* Circuit City: password unlocking 15 minutes of exclusive online behind-the-scenes featurettes, covering the voice recording sessions, prop construction, stunt work, and early CG tests and animatics.

==Reception==
The movie set multiple records when it opened, including biggest opening week gross for a non-sequel ($155.4 million), biggest Tuesday release gross ($27.4 million), biggest July 4th gross ($29 million), and the biggest foreign film opening in mainland China ($3 million).

The movie closed domestically on November 8, 2007, during which time it took in $319,071,806. (Domestic gross accounted for $310,578,372 before the IMAX version's release.) As of November 15, 2007, it has earned a ''worldwide'' gross of $702,918,603. It currently sits [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm at spot #19] in the "most domestic gross" list of movies, though this listing is ''not'' adjusted for inflation. When taking inflation into account, ''Transformers'' [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm just ekes in at spot #95].

{{quote|I didn’t sleep through it the way I Novocained my way through the awful ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', but by the time it ended, I thought I might have vertigo or whiplash, or both, and I certainly lost more than a few of my remaining I.Q. points.|[http://www.observer.com/2007/bay-bombs-again Rex Reed]}}

{{quote|It's goofy fun with a lot of stuff that blows up real good, and it has the grace not only to realize how preposterous it is, but to make that into an asset.|Roger Ebert}}

{{quote|But it’s tough to really care about questions like, “Why did that happen?” or even “What’s going on?” when you’re constantly interrupted by “Oh my goodness! Giant robots! Weeee!”|Peter Suderman|[http://tinyurl.com/373rps The National Review]}}

Critical reception was hit-and-miss, [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_the_movie/ more positive than negative but not by a lot], though it's sometimes hard to tell how many negative reviewers were more interested in criticizing [[Michael Bay]] in general over the movie itself. Otherwise, the most common negatives involved it being a generally think-free "spectacle"-style movie; even those who rated the movie positively noted it was a pure "popcorn" movie meant to wow its audience with [[CGI]] and explosions rather than make them think (Richard Roper noted in his "thumbs up" review "it has no nutritional value"). Whether one considers that a good or bad thing for a movie and if the movie was enough fun to overcome that is, of course, highly debatable. The other main culprit, again noted by many of the positive reviews, was its long running time, particularly the overly-chaotic, often hard-to-follow final big-bang extended ending action sequence. ([http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/REVIEWS/70620006/1023 Roger Ebert] noted that this sequence was what made him give the movie three out of four stars rather than the full four.)

Transformers was nominated for three Oscars, in the fields of Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Achievement in Visual Effects. The sound awards went to ''The Bourne Ultimatum'', and the visual effects award went to ''The Golden Compass''.

Currently, two sequels are planned, with [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[Peter Cullen]] signed for both. Michael Bay, Spielberg, and the two screenwriters have also returned, with pre-production already underway. Filming for TF2 is scheduled to begin in June 2008, for a planned release date of June 2009.

==Trivia==
* The Autobot computer generated models consisted of 35,592 total pieces, 7,435,478 polygons, 95,247 rig nodes, and 20,258 texture maps. If laid end to end, the pieces would stretch 3.11 miles.

* For all the robots combined, there are 60,217 pieces of geometry, 123,509,502 polygons, 144,341 rigging nodes, and 34,215 texture maps.<ref>Robertson, Barbara (2007). Heavy Metal. ''Computer Graphics, 30''(7), 12-17.</ref>

* The events of the movie span 4-5 days.

* Within the movie, neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons are referred to as "Transformers".

==Transformer References==
The movie contains a number of nods and winks to previous iterations of ''Transformers'', primarily from [[Generation 1]]. Some of these were included in direct response to urgings of the fans; others originated with the production crew.
* The basic story set-up is similar to many iterations of the ''Generation 1'' story -- two warring factions, the noble Autobots and the power-hungry Decepticons, arrive on Earth, having left their devastated home planet, the war-torn mechanical world of Cybertron.
* Many of the featured Transformers are re-imagined versions of characters from ''Generation 1''. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in particular are similar in physical form and characterization to their movie incarnations. The original versions of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] differ in appearance but fulfill story roles similar to their Movie versions.
* Though the characters are new, "[[Frenzy]]", "[[Scorponok]]", "[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]", "[[Devastator (disambiguation)|Devastator]]", "[[Blackout]]", "[[Barricade]]", and "[[Bonecrusher]]" are all names that have been used on Transformer characters before.
* Blackout's symbiotic relationship with Scorponok originated as an interpretation of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his cassette troops. Frenzy's transformation into a portable stereo is likewise an homage to Soundwave's cassette deck alternate form.
* Sam shares his last name with the [[Spike Witwicky|main human allies]] of the Autobots in the original ''[[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]''. Like Spike before him, he's closest to Bumblebee.
* The Autobot faction symbol seen on Bumblebee and others is basically unchanged from its ''Generation 1'' appearance.
* The All Spark takes its name from [[Allspark|a concept]] originally introduced in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
* The original G1 [[transformation]] sound pops up several times during the course of the film, such as Blackout's first conversion sequence (though truth be told it sounds more like it's being broadcast from a loudspeaker.)
[[Image:Movie BoliviasFinestQualityUsedCars 2.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Your bargaining posture is highly dubious.]]
* In his first appearance, Bumblebee parks next to a yellow Volkswagen Beetle—the alternate form of [[Bumblebee (G1)|G1 Bumblebee]].
* When instructing the Autobots to escape Sector Seven and when they later head for Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime delivers his catchphrase from the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon]], ordering them to [[roll out|"Roll out!"]]
* Prime references "the spark within my chest". [[Spark]]s{{m-}}the life-force that makes Transformers alive{{m-}}have been an integral part of Transformers fiction since ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.
* Although the Transformers' primary energy supply, [[Energon]], does not make a physical appearance in the film, an SUV's licence plate bears its name, the SUV thrown through the air during Megatron's rampage in Mission City.
* Optimus Prime's line "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings" is the quote from his original 1984 [[bio]].
* The scene in which Jazz yanks aside Devastator's tank barrel is a direct homage to a similar sequence from TF:TM involving Kup and Blitzwing.
* Prime's line "...one shall stand; one shall fall" comes from the 1986 animated ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* Ironhide's complaint that Mojo "leaked lubricant" on his foot references a line spoken by his ''Generation 1'' namesake in the [[More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1|first episode of the original cartoon]], in which he famously exclaimed "Leakin' lubricant!"

==Errors==
* Sunset occurs roughly every fifteen minutes. Possibly indicative of time passage, but a little too much to not warrant mention in the actual movie.

*When Sam's car breaks down and Mikaela gets out to look at the engine, she leaves the passenger door open. When the car restarts and Sam leaves to close the hood, the passenger side door is now shut.

* After Bumblebee backs into a corner of the power plant to evade Barricade, there is a close up shot of him spinning his wheels to make his getaway. However, the shot of the wheels spinning is at a different location: the empty warehouse that Bumblebee and Barricade had raced through moments earlier.

* During the scene where Optimus Prime scans a truck for his new body, the passing truck has what appears to be an Autobot sigil on its grill, but the actual truck that Prime turns into at the end of the scene has a much wider, flatter symbol on the grill, quite possibly a Peterbilt sign.

* When Simmons replays Sam's "last words" recorded onto his cell phone, it doesn't match what he said in the scene where he actually recorded them.

* When the Autobots arrive to rescue Sam and Mikaela from Agent Simmons, Ironhide is the first Autobot to reach the damaged SUV and the other Sector Seven agents. Behind him, Ratchet is making his way towards the SUV, while Jazz and Bumblebee have their respective weapons drawn. However, in the very next shot, Ratchet's gun is suddenly in front of Ironhide, who is now making two short steps towards the SUV, while Jazz's gun has been replaced by his hand (which he uses to magnetically pull Sector Seven's guns away). In the shot after that, Jazz is just standing around sans Sector Seven guns, while Bumblebee wanders up and draws his gun... again.

* It is explained that the AllSpark was dated with carbon-dating. However, the carbon-dating process is actually only useful in dating organic materials, and so would be useless in dating a metallic artifact like the AllSpark.

* When Lennox arrives as Sam and Mikaela are supposedly strapping Bumblebee with the tow truck's chains, Bumblebee is not actually there. When the shot changes angles to the other side of the truck, Bumblebee is sitting right beside the truck while Sam directs Mikaela to wrap Bumblebee in the chains. When Lennox tells Sam to evacuate the Cube, subsequent camera angles from this side of the truck are actually where Bumblebee was moments earlier, but he's not there again (it is unlikely the angle was meant to be from Bumblebee's perspective). When Sam starts to run off and Mikaela calls him back, Bumblebee is once again clearly not sitting beside the truck. In fact, the space he once occupied has the beige van he crawled out of, earlier in the battle.

* After Optimus Prime and Megatron land in the city streets after flying through the office tower, Megatron throws the Autobot leader a short distance away, causing him to land on a parked car. After Megatron forms his fusion cannon, Optimus Prime has suddenly moved further down the street and the car he crushed, along with the other abandoned cars, have vanished. Additionally, Optimus stops at the intersection just in front of Megatron to pull out his Ion blaster in this shot, but when it cuts to a shot to the left-front of Optimus, he is only mid-way up the street, and there is a parked yellow cab at the kerb which was empty seconds earlier. Funnily enough, this kerb was where the crushed car was parked.

* When Optimus Prime is blasted by Megatron's fusion cannon, he goes flying into an office building, with his right leg going into the office itself and his right calf (back of the leg) facing the camera. However, when the shot is cut to the exterior, Optimus is hanging out of the office facing upwards, which is the opposite position he would be in according to the orientation he was in as he flew into the building.

* During the fight towards the end of the film between Megatron and Optimus, it is shown that Optimus is about the same size as Megatron in robot mode. Yet, in vehicle mode, Megatron is a great deal larger then Optimus is. Similarly, Starscream seems to be smaller then Megatron in robot form, leading to the logical conclusion that he is smaller then Optimus as well. Yet in vehicle mode, he is nearly four to five times larger, seeing as an F-22 Raptor is a great deal larger than a Peterbilt 379 tractor cab.

* ''See also: [[Mission City]].''

===Not actually an error===
* Sam and Mikaela, as well as Maggie and Glenn arrive at Hoover Dam on the same helicopter despite being from opposite ends of the country. Occasionally cited as an error, it is actually a narrative oversight, as it is likely that Sam and Mikaela were held in custody at a U.S. Air Base while waiting for Maggie and Glen to arrive with Secretary Keller's party by plane, then they all left for Hoover Dam together on the helicopters.

==External links==
* [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Transformersmovie.com]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418279/ ''Transformers'' at IMDB.com]
* [http://www.transformersalbum.com/ ''Transformers The Albu''m]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers_%28film%29 ''Transformers'' 2007 film on Wikipedia]
* [http://www.capalert.com/capreports/transformers.htm ''Transformers'' CAPalert.com review]

==References==

<references />

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{{Nav-movie}}

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[[Category: DreamWorks]]
[[Category: Films]]
[[Category: Movie| ]]<div id="wikia-credits"> From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</div>

Optimus Primal (BW)

2008-06-08T23:44:05Z

86.17.124.125: /* Beast Wars cartoon */

{{Template:Disambig3|Optimus}}
:''Optimus Primal is a [[Maximal]] and an [[Autobot]] in the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] continuity family. He is also sometimes known as '''Optimal Optimus''' (not to mention Boss Monkey, Bigbot, Fearless Leader, etc.).''

[[Image:Optimusprimalbw.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Next one of you says "[[trukk not munky]]" gets it in the FACE.]]

Young and untested, '''Optimus Primal''' was a mere captain of an exploration ship when he and his crew were diverted off-course to pursue a stolen Predacon ship under the leadership of some crook named [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. The rest, they say, is (literally) history.

Though he does have a penchant for stuffy speeches, Optimus Primal is much more down-to-cybertron than his legendary [[Optimus Prime (G1)|namesake]]. He is committed to the Maximal codes of honor and moral judgment, but he does view them with some irreverence, and is not above finding loopholes or administering unorthodox solutions if necessary. ("Sometimes, crazy works," he says.) He is eternally loyal to his friends and respectful to his enemies. He is brave and selfless in battle. However, he is so committed to helping others that he can withdraw into a deep depression when he feels he has let them down. This is the only time he is self-absorbed.

Optimus Primal is extraordinary for not only being able to distinguish himself despite living in the shadow of Optimus Prime, but for perhaps even surpassing him, seeing as he [[Optimal Situation|saved the life of his namesake]] and ushered in a new [[technorganic]] [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. It is possible Optimus Primal is the greatest Cybertronian hero who has ever lived.

{{quote|Come on, let's hear it, the usual destiny and honor speech.|Megatron|"[[Nemesis Part 2]]"}}
{{quote|Speech this!|Optimus as he punches Megatron in the face|"[[Nemesis Part 2]]"}}

:''European-market name:'' '''Blackjack'''
:''Japanese name:'' '''[[Convoy]]/Beast Convoy''', '''Convobat/Conbobat''' (Bat version), '''Metals Convoy''' (Transmetal version), '''Powered Convoy''' (Optimal Optimus), '''Ybonco''' (Joke name from Beast Machines<ref>This joke name is first seen in the intro part from Japanese dub version of the episode "[[Fallout]]". "Ybonco" (イボンコ) is the reverse of "Convoy" (コンボイ). </ref>)
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Jin-gang Wang''' ("King King Kong")
:''Cantonese name:'' '''Optimum''' 
:''Polish name:'' '''Optimus Naczelny''' ("Naczelny" = "Primal")

==Fiction==
===Optimus Primal vs Megatron!===

Under the eerie shadows of a full moon Optimus Primal, a gigantic bat, [[Cheetor]], a swift-stalking cheetah, and [[Razorbeast]], a fearsome wild boar, hunt purposely through the depths of a jungle. Soon Optimus detects the thermal emissions and fusion activity from a building, which mean they've found their target. His motion sensors register what appears to be a harmless [[Earth]] creature below.

Before Optimus realizes his mistake the alligator lashes out with as smashing swipe of its tail, knocking Optimus into the swampy waters. The beast transforms and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] towers above him. The building ahead is the Predacons' genetics lab and he'll never let Optimus reach the secrets inside. He orders his troops to attack and everyone transforms to robot mode. The gigantic arthropods Tarantulas and Waspinator engage Razorbeast and Cheetor respectively while Optimus and Megatron face off.

Optimus brags that the Maximal "[[bio-genetic morphing process]] has allowed us to create the perfect fusion of organic musculature and Transformers technology!" Megatron responds that his side did all that too, so nan-neh, but used the DNA of Earth's most vicious predators. When Optimus notes that the Maximals seem to be getting the upper hand, Megatron immediately detonates the lab and escapes, vowing to return with new forms and new plans when the Maximals least expect it. The Beast Wars have just begun! {{storylink|Optimus Primal vs Megatron!}}

{{note|This comic, along with the on-package [[Bio|bios]] of the first wave of Beast Wars toys, predate the development of the Beast Wars cartoon and its backstory. Instead they seem to present the characters as a direct continuation of the previous Autobot/Decepticon conflict, with Optimus Primal actually being a new form of Optimus Prime and Megatron being his Generation 1 counterpart, and their battles taking place on present day, [[human]]-inhabited Earth, rather than in the distant past. Once the cartoon launched, the toyline adjusted itself to match that continuity instead, relegating this one to an aborted [[micro-continuity]].}}

===American cartoon continuity===
====''Timelines: Dawn of Future's Past''====
[[Image:Optimusprimalbwtimelines.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Pre-fur Optimus Primal, Maximal nobody.]]
Optimus solemnly watched over the crew's stasis pods as they were loaded into the ''Axalon''.

{{charstubfiction}}

{{-}}

====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Gary Chalk]] (English), [[Takehito Koyasu]] (Japanese), [[Guilherme Lope]] (Brazil)

[[Image:OptimusPrimal_BW1.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Shadows?! I don't need no stinkin' shadows!]]

Optimus Primal was the captain of the exploration ship [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] when his crew got word that the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] criminal [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had stolen the [[Golden Disk]] and a [[Darkside|ship]] with [[transwarp]] capabilities. Primal's was the closest vessel that also possessed a transwarp drive, so the ''Axalon'' was sent to engage them. Primal followed the Predacons through a transwarp portal and appeared above a mysterious planet, but both ships were damaged in the ensuing space battle, and before both ships crashed into the planet's surface below, Primal ordered that the [[stasis pod]]s carrying the rest of his crew to be ejected into orbit.

The planet was rich with [[energon]] — so much so that prolonged exposure would short out their bodies, so the Maximals and Predacons were forced to take organic forms from the local creatures. Primal took the form of a silverback gorilla. Primal remarked that his new form was "interesting" upon exit from the [[CR chamber]]. Estranged from his comrades, the Predacon [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] challenged Primal to a duel soon after their arrival, seeking command of the Maximals so he could, in turn, defeat Megatron. However, the Predacons saw the duel and tried to kill them both. Dinobot joined the Maximals after Optimus risked his life to stop him from dropping to his death. Dinobot later repaid him by saving him from a missile fired at him by Megatron. (That did cause the energon-laced mountain where they were to explode, but nobody got killed). Optimus earned Dinobot's respect, but the ex-Predacon would never admit to respecting him out loud. {{Storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{Storylink|Beast Wars (Part 2)}}

Both sides entrenched themselves on their new world, and the "[[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]" began. Strange unnatural sites and artifacts were discovered, leading Primal and the others to believe that aliens had seeded the primitive planet with experiments and traps. One such trap, the [[Standing Stones]], ensnared Primal's body for a short time, during which the Maximals scrambled to ascertain their chain of command. In his absence, the Maximals squabbled and fought over leadership, until finally his core consciousness was able to speak to them and name [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] as his replacement. Primal's body was subsequently retrieved from the Standing Stones, and he resumed command.

[[Image:OptimusPrimal_Transmetal.jpg|righ|thumb|250px|Transmetal Rippedimus Primal.]]

When [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] discovered evidence of the [[Vok]]'s imminent arrival, Megatron called a truce, to which Primal reluctantly agreed. While investigating a newly-created Vok installation, Primal was tortured and captured by the aliens, who spoke to him (in the form of [[Unicron]]) and told him of their plans to "sterilize" the planet. Barely escaping the Vok base, Primal returned to the ''Axalon'' to find it overrun by [[Tarantulas]] and [[Blackarachnia]], who had turned a space stasis pod into an escape ship in order to flee the doomed planet. As the planet's second moon was converted into a [[Planet Buster]], Primal took the ship to do battle with the superweapon, against the objections of his crew. Primal planned to detonate the ship's [[transwarp cell]] when in range of the weapon, after ejecting to safety. The plan worked—with the exception of the "ejecting" part. Megatron remotely seized control of the vessel, overriding Primal's ejection commands. The Predacon commander taunted Primal as he futilely beat his fists against the pod, until the detonation obliterated the pod, the Planet Buster, and Primal, reducing them all to so much space junk. {{Storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}}

[[Image:OptimalOptimus_Opsituation_feralscream1.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Trukk ''and'' munky...and playne.]]

Primal's [[Spark]] journeyed to the [[Allspark (dimension)|Matrix]], where it was soon recovered by [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and placed in a [[blank]] [[protoform]], which became his new [[Transmetal]] body. Primal now transformed into a mechanical gorilla with a gorilla-on-a-hoverboard third mode, which he used to kick the crap out of the Predacons. {{Storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}}

[[Image:OptimusPrimal_OpSit_Matrixspark.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Continuity error!]]

Later on, Primal was captured and imprisoned in [[Metal Hunter|yet another Vok base]], this one controlled by his archnemesis Megatron. During a daring rescue attempt by the Maximals and Tarantulas, Optimus engaged in a furious battle with Megatron, destroying both the Metal Hunter and the alien disc. The Maximals then suffered a number of setbacks, including the death of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], the destruction of [[Transmutate]], and Megatron's acquisition of the deadly [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]]. However, the Maximals were soon greeted with good news: the realization that the [[transwarp wavefront]] created by the destruction of the Planet Buster would lead Cybertron to them, making a rescue operation possible. Help arrived soon enough, but in the unexpected form of the rebuilt [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], who had come to arrest Megatron for his crimes against the [[Pax Cybertronia]]. In the midst of this, Primal was forced to chastise new recruit [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] for his dangerous relationship with Blackarachnia. Primal assisted Ravage in arresting Megatron, but was soon betrayed by the ex-[[Decepticon]], allowing Megatron to escape and reach the ''[[Ark]]'' in an attempt to assassinate [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{Storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

Primal was forced to take the great Autobot's spark inside himself to keep it protected. This caused his body to grow larger and stronger, gaining ground and air vehicle modes along with his previous gorilla form. Megatron sardonically dubbed him "Optimal Optimus" (ironically, no one else ever used that name). In his new form, he successfully protected Prime's spark until it could be returned to his repaired body, thus saving history and the future from destruction. {{Storylink|Optimal Situation}}

With the location of the ''Ark'' revealed and Megatron now desperate to end the war at any cost, Primal was forced to move his Maximals into the volcano where the ''Ark'''s hull lay. This new, defensive war was much more difficult to fight, and disadvantaged the Maximals severely, even with his new four-mode body and enhanced firepower. With the loss of their defense system, [[Sentinel]], the arrival of the rebellious and embittered [[Depth Charge]], the awkward and violent maturation of Cheetor, proto-humans to guard, the theft of the original Megatron's spark and the ensuing mutation of Megatron II, the introduction of the previously treacherous and morally ambiguous Blackarachnia into their ranks and her imminent Transmetallization, Optimus Primal had more than his share of problems to deal with.

The tide was finally turned when the Vok resurrected and combined [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] and [[Tigatron]] into the mighty [[Tigerhawk]], who obliterated the Predacon base. In the end, Primal's forces defeated Megatron's, and with the captured Predacon leader strapped to the roof of a borrowed Autobot shuttle, the Maximals at last headed home. Leaving the planet and memorializing his fallen comrades, Optimus Primal declared that the Beast Wars were over. {{Storylink|Other Victories}} {{Storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}

However, Primal had just traded a war for a nightmare worse than he could imagine.

{{-}}

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Gary Chalk]] (English), [[Takehito Koyasu]] (Japanese), [[Guilherme Briggs]] (Brazil)

[[Image:Optimusprimalbm.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Release the warrior! Also, um, the jetpack.]]

Seemingly minutes after the shuttle departed for transwarp space, Optimus Primal suddenly found himself back in his original, organic gorilla body and thrust into a dangerous situation on an eerily deserted [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], unfamiliar with how he arrived there and pursued by an army of [[tank drone]]s. Cornered by the mechanical terrors, Primal attempted to Maximize, but his parts only shifted painfully and his body was tortured by electric shocks. Using his ape-mode body's agility, he swung out of reach, and suddenly received a vision of a monorail-vehicle nearby. Swinging into the train car, he found [[Rattrap]], afflicted by the same [[transformation lock virus]] as Primal. Rattrap suggested "taking off these fur suits", but there was not time, for another squadron of tank drones caught them. It would have been the end for Primal and Rattrap, had the timely arrival of [[Cheetor]] not saved them. Once again, Primal received a vision, showing a pit. Heading (well, falling) into the hole, he and his companions were caught on a familiar spiderweb, courtesy of [[Blackarachnia]], who was back in her Season 1 spider form and severely weakened. Heading underground, Primal led the weakened Maximals to the depths of ancient Cybertron on Blackarachnia's webs. Falling into darkness, Primal threw a piece of scrap metal and discovered what appeared to be a wall of fire. He had, in reality, awakened the powerful and legendary [[Vector Sigma|Oracle]]. As the other three Maximals watched, Primal entered into the bowels of the computer, within which he was granted visions he could not yet comprehend, including the prophetic statement that "the seeds of the future lie buried in the past." The Oracle then began to "[[reformat]]" Primal. Primal emerged in a new, [[technorganic]] beast mode and urged the other dying Maximals to complete their "reformatting" as well. Shortly after this was achieved, the group was attacked by an underground army of Cycle Drones. During the ensuing fight, Primal was the first to master the "art" of transformation as he plunged into a deep pit. Flying out, Primal grabbed the nearest drone and demanded answers, but lost his concentration, causing him to revert to beast mode. {{Storylink|The Reformatting}}

Primal began to teach the three other Maximals the lost art of transformation, which was mastered by achieving an inner calmness and finding their spiritual centers. Though Cheetor and Blackarachnia were successful off the bat, [[Rattrap]] badgered him just to "give us the command codes." Primal and the others were attacked by a [[mole drone]], which broke their concentration and caused them to revert to their beast modes, so they fled. Primal also had to save Cheetor and Blackarachnia from a squadron of Aero-drones shortly after. {{Storylink|Master of the House}} Eventually, Primal and his allies learned that Megatron had broken free during their transwarp flight home and so arrived on Cybertron before them. Megatron had then conquered the planet and laid a trap for Primal's crew and any other Transformers returning to Cybertron.

A short time later, Primal's crew came across the bat-mode Cybertronian [[Nightscream]], who seemed to suffer from the same transformation lock virus that Primal had upon arrival. Nightscream led them to an underground tree, where Primal, Rattrap, and Blackarachnia ate the fruit and began to revert to their animal instincts. When Nightscream was injured in a Vehicon attack, Primal showed a new talent granted by the Oracle, reformatting the youth into a new, techno-organic body. However, Optimus was critically weakened by this and requested the over-eager Cheetor to take command in his absence. {{Storylink|Forbidden Fruit}}. No longer the inexperienced scientist of his youth, Primal was constantly haunted by the losses of [[Rhinox]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], and many of Rattrap's quips would send him into despair. During the events that followed, Optimus Primal came to be much more in touch with his spiritual side than he ever was before, due to an almost mystical connection to the Oracle. This granted him visions and intuitions, guiding him to complete its designs, though he had some trouble at first comprehending just what the Oracle wanted and how to go about it. However, Rhinox/Tankor would exploit this weakness and separate Optimus from the Oracle, which weakened him and left him lost.

Optimus Primal and the Maximals began to probe deeper into Cybertron and discovered a chamber of fossils and a strange, organic liquid. As the liquid flowed through the chamber, palm-like plants sprang up, revealing Cybertron's organic roots. When Tankor gained control of the Key to Vector Sigma, he infected the verdant orchard, transforming it and Nightscream into "technomatter". While Blackarachnia kept Nightscream under control, the others searched for a mole drone to drill deeper into the core and produce enough liquid to reverse the transformation. {{storylink|The Key}}

Primal later found the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], a device lethal to technological beings. While Megatron readied the planetwide pulse of Vector energy, Primal began to harness the energies of the Chamber to destroy all technological life on Cybertron. As the two forces clashed, Primal's spirit was transported into the Matrix, the Transformers' afterlife. {{storylink|End of the Line}} As he and Megatron fought in the void, he pondered if this was his destiny, to fight his nemesis for eternity. Before him, he saw the faces of his comrades, the Maximals, berate him for his poor leadership and near-genocidal behavior. He then found himself back on prehistoric Earth, where a red-eyed copy of Primal attacked him, scolding him for his fanatical behavior. Finding himself back in space, he saw the collective sparks of Cybertron.

[[Image:Optimalmegatronoptimusprimal.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Yesss, I've skinned you and I'm wearing your head as a hat."]]Meanwhile, the other Maximals journeyed downwards once more, speaking to Primal via the Oracle. Although Primal originally refused to lead the Maximals, he relented and returned. Around him, a forest of techorganic trees sprang up as he realized that his mission was not to destroy technology, but to create a balance, in the same way the Oracle had done for him.

As the [[Battle for the Spark]]s continued, the Maximals cultivated an orchard around the Oracle, but the plants fared poorly and began to wither. Worried, Primal wondered if the orchard was to be in vain. When an extraterrestrial shuttle crashed into Cybertron, it was Primal who led the Maximals toward the site. Discovering organic matter inside, the team was attacked by a strange plant-creature. Pursuing the beast towards the Oracle, Optimus reformatted the creature into a techno-organic plant. The plant introduced itself as [[Botanica]], a fellow Maximal scientist, and tended to the dying orchard, restoring it to vigorous life.

In the ultimate conflict between Primal and Megatron, Optimus sacrificed his life, plunging with Megatron into the heart of Cybertron and ushering in the reformatting that returned the deactivated population to life and gave birth to the new, technorganic Cybertron. As the surviving Maximals looked out over their new home, Primal and the Oracle spoke to [[Cheetor]], and Primal departed with the words "Transform, and Transcend", as his Spark joined the Matrix. {{Storylink|Endgame Part 3: The Seeds of the Future}}
{{-}}

====''Robots in Disguise'' toy bio====
When a spirit guide was needed to counsel the [[Optimus Prime (RiD)|Optimus Prime]] of a [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|past, alternate reality]], Optimus Primal rose to the task.

====''Universe'' toy pack-in CD-ROM====
[[Image:UnivCDROM Autobots.jpg|thumb|left|"Pardon me, just passing through."]]

On some alternate Cybertron, that universe's Optimus Primal was leading the Autobots [[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]], [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], and [[Striker]] against [[Reptilion]], [[Obsidian (Universe)|Obsidian]], [[Tankor (Decepticon)|Tankor]], [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]], and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] in the most intense day of fighting that year. Just as the combatants were really starting to beat the slag out of each other, they were interrupted by a mysterious spaceship that swooped down, sucked the [[Decepticon]]s up on beams of light, and flew away. Primal and his troops were left dumbfounded, unaware that the ship had been a tool of [[Unicron]] in his quest to build [[Minion of Unicron|an army]] for a [[Universe war|grand war]]. {{storylink|Universe CD-ROM}}

{{note|This comic shows no signs of being intended to mesh with any other ''[[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' fiction. Given that ''Universe'' is entirely ABOUT alternate dimensions, it could still be a side note to the [[Universe war|greater storyline]]... but no matter how you look at it, there's no way that this Primal can be the same Primal in the main ''Universe'' comic.}}

====3H ''Universe'' comics====
[[Image:Csoptimusprimalu2.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Look, up in the sky! It's... an ''ape?'']]
:''Voice actor:'' [[Garry Chalk]] (English, script reading)
As the denizens of post-Vehicon [[Cybertron (planet)#Beast Machines cartoon|Cybertron]] just began to settle into their peaceful, [[technorganic]] world that Optimus Primal had given his life to create, [[Unicron]] unexpectedly struck from afar. He teleported several [[Transformer]]s into himself, a handful of the countless victims across the [[Continuity|multiverse]] whom he pitted against each other in order to harvest their [[energon radiation]] and, eventually, [[spark]]s. Decimated in some unknown battle and trapped between dimensions, Unicron sought to revitalize himself in this fashion.

Deep within Cybertron, [[Primus]] and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] summoned Optimus Primal back from the dead and sent him on a raid to free Unicron's captives. {{storylink|Abduction}} Once inside the Chaos-Bringer, he found allies in the form of a [[Grimlock (G1)#Dreamwave comics continuity|Grimlock]] and even a [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] from variant timelines. {{storylink|OTFCC Live-Action Drama}} But he also found himself discolored by sinister [[Unicron virus|radiation]] that threatened not only his body, but also his spark. Nevertheless, he was quite successful in his mission, battling Unicron's [[Minion of Unicron|Minion]]s until he had freed dozens of abductees. Then, still within Unicron, he sent them back to their home dimensions by the power of prayer.

Returning to Cybertron, Primal was glad for his victory, but he wondered if his own resurrection could bring about Megatron's return as well. {{storylink|Escape (Universe comic)|Escape}} More pressingly, Primal was unable to convince the [[Maximal High Council]] that any of this was actually ''happening,'' so he ended up turning to the dead for new troops. Primus gave him a selection of fallen warriors to choose from, and he picked [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Depth Charge]]. They were to launch more raids within Unicron while an orbital defense platform was being constructed above Cybertron. But Depth Charge refused to take part in more violence, so Alpha Trion took a cue from Unicron and transported [[Omega Prime]] into their dimension to fight in his place. {{storylink|Homecoming (Universe comic)|Homecoming}}

{{note|The tale of the Universe war was halted here for a time, as [[Hasbro]] had revoked [[3H Productions|3H]]'s license to the ''Transformers'' property. But the story would be continued in [[Fun Publications]]' [[Transformers Collectors' Club Official Magazine#Balancing Act|''Cybertron'' comic]].}}

====''Cybertron'' comic====
[[Image:Optimusprimaluniverseend.jpg|left|thumb|It's 11pm -- do you know where your Beast Wars cast is?]]

Optimus Primal took Omega Prime and others on raids within Unicron's internal "prison cities," freeing more captives. Primal then embarked on an even more proactive venture, leading teams to other dimensions in anticipation of Unicron's strikes and setting up defensive measures before the Chaos-Bringer could gather more victims. Despite gaining more followers in this process, Primal and other veterans were being worn down by Unicron's corruptive influence. Certainly those who had been abducted and reformatted by Unicron were affected, but some (such as Primal himself) who had been exposed to Unicron's nanotech virus and its accompanying radiation were also suffering. In order to avert madness and death, Primus [[reformat]]ted Primal and several of his comrades. Not only was his [[Optimus Primal#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|new form]] immune to the virus and radiation, but it also possessed the [[Matrix of Purification]], which could heal others of Unicronian corruption.

Months passed as the competing armies grew, their battles raging on a level comparable to the [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|Great Wars]]. Cybertron itself remained stable, but only for a time. The planet fell victim to a massive invasion, later called "the Culling," in which Unicron's Minions swept across the globe in a killing frenzy, the sparks of their victims feeding the Chaos-Bringer. Primal's army fended the invaders off, but in the chaotic aftermath, Primal's earlier fears were realized as [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] returned to lead the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s back to glory. He initially fought Primal, but he eventually called a truce to better face their common foe.<ref>Optimus Primal's bio in the [[Revelations Part 3|Transformers Collectors' Club comic #9]]</ref>

Continued raids saved many more captives and brought the Minions to near-defeat. Then as one raiding party including Primal and Omega Prime battled their way out, Unicron suddenly began to disappear. The raiders rapidly teleported away, but Omega Prime did not materialize with the rest. He was pulled in mid-teleport by [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] into the Cybertron of the [[Unicron Singularity]], which had been the cause of the Unicron-war Unicron's disappearance. Presumably Optimus Primal made it back to his own dimension safely, but this is unconfirmed. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}}{{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars II''====
[[Image:Burningconvoy.jpg|thumb|right|All these compliments are making me blush.]]

Optimus Primal was summoned across time by [[Lio Junior]] to help [[Lio Convoy]] destroy [[Majin Zarak]]. Optimus Primal became '''Burning Convoy''' by joining the power of his matrix with Lio Convoy's.

After Majin Zarak's destruction, Optimus Primal returned to ancient [[Earth]]. {{Storylink|Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger}}
{{Note|The events of the ''Beast Wars II'' movie, especially Optimus Primal having an [[Energon Matrix]], did not occur in American continuity. It's not clear when during the Beast Wars Optimus Primal was taken.}}

=====Manga=====

When Lio Convoy goes nuts and grows to giant proportions, wreaking havok across the landscape, Optimus Primal is summoned across time by the power of the Matrix to heal him.

====''Robot Masters''====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Yuto Kazama]] (Japan)

Optimus Primal chased Megatron in yet another time warp into the Generation 1 era. There, he met and joined forces with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Together, their special attack was a massive energon tornado called Double Convoy Tornado. The Double Convoy Tornado would come to be countered by [[Megatron (BW)|Beast Megatron]]'s and [[Megatron (G1)|Rebirth Megatron]]'s Double Megatron Tornado, but emerge victorious with the addition of Lio Convoy's Lio Typhoon Arrow, creating Triple Convoy Tornado Link attack.

He also had a temporary virus-induced Black Body form.
{{note|Since both were known as simply "Convoy" in their respective Japanese series, Optimus Prime was designated "G1 Convoy" while Optimus Primal was designated "Beast Convoy".}}

====''Beast Wars Reborn'' text story====

{{note|This story takes place after the events of Beast Machines.}}

[[Image:BeastWarsRebornMegatronArtwork1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Rebirth control.]]

Both Megatron and Optimus Primal awoke inside a bizare temple-like spaceship which was hurtling through space. Neither had any memory of who they were or how they got there, only their own names and a feeling of discomfort between one another. The pair went about investigating the ship in search of answers. While Megatron's memory was lost, his personality remained mostly intact: he was more concerned with seizing control of the ship before Primal did in order to gain the upper hand.

They eventually found a data log and discovered that their sparks had been taken and they were reborn into new bodies (unbeknownst to them, bodies identical to their original forms). However, their memories were intentionally not uploaded into their new bodies. While searching the log they discovered that the ship's main power source was a [[Golden Disk]] lodged within a giant pillar. Megatron immediately raced to obtain the Disk and Primal followed him. The closer they got to the disk the more the ship attempted to thwart their advance by manipulating its atmosphere conditions.

Once they reached the chamber, the ship's environment suddenly morphed to that of a decaying planet littered with the corpses of robots. The corpses came to life and began shambling toward them, intent on eating their sparks. They made short work of the zombies, leaving Megatron to obtain the Golden Disk and Primal with a feeling that he shouldn't entirely trust Megatron.

From another dimension beyond time and space, [[Primus]] recognized that something was amiss and sent one of his messengers to meet Primal and Megatron within the spaceship.

===''Beast Wars Metals'' manga continuity===

Optimus Primal, who was killed while destroying the Vok Planet Buster, is resurrected as a sparkless monster using a voodoo ceremony. Rhinox rescues Primal's spark from Transwarp Space and restores him to his body.

Later, he eats Optimus Prime's spark.

''The Metals manga takes Primal's manic action hero side to the next level. He once put a bomb in his mouth and tricked the cannibalistic [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] into eating his head. "I have a spare," he says casually, transforming to beast mode.''

===3D Battle-Card Game===
====Energon Wars expansion====
Optimus Primal leads a motley crew of Autobots from (potentially) disparate timelines against the forces of Megatron. He is probably getting tired of having to do this.

==Toys==
===Beast Wars===
* '''Optimus Primal vs Megatron''' (Basic versus two-pack, 1996)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-6'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords

:The first Optimus Primal was a Basic size class blue bat which could autotransform into a robot by pulling the tail. Two swords were removable from under its wings for use as weaponry in robot mode. It was packaged along with an alligator version of Megatron and a ''Beast Wars'' mini-comic.

:Whether this toy can be considered the Optimus Primal character is a matter of debate. Released before the animated series began, which established Optimus Primal as a separate entity from Optimus Prime, the accompanying profiles and mini-comic seem to assume that the Beast Wars are a progression of the same characters from the Autobot/Decepticon war. Whether the animated series's [[retcon]] affected this set of toys is probably a matter of personal preference. It can be interpreted as representing one of the more interesting [[Micro-Continuities|micro-continuities]].

:The ''[[Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' has asserted that, in [[Beast Wars timeline (IDW)|IDW's version of the ''Beast Wars'' continuity]], Primal's bat form was suggested by the ''Axalon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s computer as a potential alt-mode, but he rejected it in favour of the more powerful gorilla without ever actually reformatting into it. Thus, this [[micro-continuity]] posits bat-mode Primal as an essentially theoretical alt-form that never actually came to be.

:This mold was also used to make the Optimus Prime-recolored Convobat (who may or may not be a separate character to either Prime or Primal), and [[Onyx Primal]].

* '''Optimus Primal''' (Ultra, 1996/1997/1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
[[Image:Optimusprimaltoyultraape.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Yes, missiles come out of his butt.]]

: The second Optimus Primal toy was an ape in the Ultra size class. Though the transformation from primate to humanoid was a relatively simplistic one, the toy compensated with more than a fair share of weaponry and action features. A compartment on his right forearm opened to reveal a skull-shaped mace he could hold in his fist. His left forearm could open into a double-barreled missile launcher. On his back were two spring-loaded missile launchers which auto-flipped over each shoulder. By pulling a lever in the center of his back, both arms would either spin at the bicep or bend in and out at the elbow, depending on the placement of notch-buttons located on either bicep. And finally, like many first-year ''Beast Wars'' toys, a battle mask/"[[mutant head]]" could be deployed over his robot head.

[[Image:prizeprimals.jpg|100px|thumb|right|Brass monkeys.]]

: Takara released the toy as part of their ''Beast Wars'' line in July of 1997, nearly identical to the Hasbro version. The missiles for the Takara version are thinner and simpler than the original Hasbro version, and would be used in all subsequent releases of the mold.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Universe]]'' Optimus Primal, and [[retool]]ed into ''Beast Wars Reborn''/''Beast Wars Tenth Anniversary'' versus pack Optimus Primal. Takara also created multiple special variants, including all-gold (from ''Tele-V Magazine'', only ten awarded), red and gray (''Tele-V'' again, but only ''one'' awarded), and blue-fur (a ''Comics Bom Bom'' design-contest prize, only five awarded).

* '''Special Convoy Real Gray Type''' (Ultra, 1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail

:In January of 1998{{fact}}, Takara released a redeco of the Ultra Optimus Primal toy as '''Special Convoy Real Gray Type''' (スペシャルコンボイ - リアルグレータイプ), changing the black to dark gray and the blue to metallic blue, although the packaging was the same as the original release save for a sticker on the front of the box. According to the sticker, this limited figure was meant to celebrate the "20,000,000 Unit Breakthrough Commemoration" - apparently commemorating ''20 million'' units of Beast Wars toys sold. Whether this was supposed to represent 20 million worldwide or just in Japan is unclear.

* '''Special Convoy Skeleton Type''' (Ultra, 1998?)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail

: A Toys 'R' Us retail [[exclusive]] redeco of the Ultra figure, '''Special Convoy Skeleton Type''' (スペシャルコンボイ - スケルトンタイプ) was colorless-clear and black with silver paint detailing. The packaging was the same as the general release except for a sticker on the front of the box.

*'''Convobat vs Megaligator'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''S-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:This figure is a red [[redeco]] of Primal's first bat form, and was sold with a purple redeco of Gator Megatron.

*'''Orcanoch''' ([[Microverse]], 1997)
: Part of the Microverse toyline, this orca transforms into a Maximal base. It came with tiny, non-transforming versions of Optimus Primal and Tarantulas.

* '''Optimus Primal''' (Mega Transmetal, 1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-40'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, two clubs/missiles
: [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal is a mechanical gorilla that transforms into a partially organic robot. Like all Transmetals, it featured chromed plastic and a third vehicle-inspired mode. In Primal's case, his gorilla mode could transform into a gorilla on a hoverboard. Two maces were stored on his back and could double as missiles for his hip-holstered blaster.

: [[Takara]]'s version of the toy exchanged the brown plastic for translucent maroon, and was also available in a set with Transmetal Megatron.

: This mold was used to make [[Apelinq]].

* '''Optimal Optimus''' (Super Transmetal, 1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-47'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, four missiles
: Transmetal Optimal Optimus was the first toy in the Super size class, featuring electronics and four transformations: robot, ape, jet, and armored transport. When a back section of the cannon module was pulled, the eyes and shoulder-mounted missile launchers lit up and the launchers fired. It came with four missiles, two of which stored on its legs. Its forearms featured blast-away armor plates that could also be pegged to its upper arms.

:Optimal Optimus's on-package [[bio]] states that he has Cybertronian "air guardian" technology and twin scramjet modules. [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]'s function was Air Guardian, and his Tech Specs said he had these same scramjet modules.

: This mold was used to make [[Primal Prime]].

===Beast Wars II===
* '''Burning Convoy'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
:Clear-red redeco of Primal, with gold "flame" markings also included. Was released as a limited edition figure to promote the ''Beast Wars Special'' movie alongside the ''Flash LioConvoy'' toy.

===Beast Machines===
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Deluxe, 2000)
**''Accessories:'' Energy star
: The first Beast Machines Optimus Primal was a dark bronze and translucent blue technorganic gorilla that transformed into a technorganic robot. Its arm was spring-loaded to throw the shuriken that stored in its shoulder. Like all ''Beast Machines'' toys, it had a hidden "spark crystal" that displayed his faction allegiance. Had a transformation reminiscent of [[Optimus Minor]].
*'''Blast Punch Optimus Primal''' (Mega, 2001)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BR-01'''
:His second toy incarnation, which unlike the previous toy (which had been designed prior to the series) actually looked mostly like the character.

===Robots in Disguise===
* '''Air Attack Optimus Primal''' (Supreme, 2002)
:Intended for release in the ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' toyline, this delayed figure is by far the most show-accurate version of BM Optimus. Unfortunately, being a supreme-class toy he is grossly, indeed ''uselessly'', out of [[scale]] with his fellow Maximal figures. Or pretty much anyone for that matter. Still, he looks swank, and he talks! With [[Gary Chalk]]'s voice!!!

===Universe===
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Ultra, 2003)
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail

===Robot Masters===
*'''Beast Convoy'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-11'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords

*'''Beast Convoy Limited Black Version'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
: Available only via mail order through ''Hobby Japan'' magazine.

* '''Burning Beast Convoy'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-21'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:This toy refers to the ''Beast Wars II'' movie form where he partnered with Lio Convoy, turning them into Burning Convoy and Flash Lio Convoy respectively.

===Beast Wars 10th Anniversary===
* '''Optimus Primal''' (2006)
**''Accessories:'' Surfboard, assault blade, missile, Jungle Planet Key
[[Image:Optimusprimalbwx.jpg|left|thumb|200px|''Surf monkey/ that funky monkey'']]

: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary (BWX) Optimus Primal is a new toy design based loosely on his original ultra ape action figure and pulling some elements from other figures, including a transformation very similar to the Playskool Go-Bot [[Gorillabot]], which itself was a nod to Optimus Primal's Beast Machines form. Similar to his Transmetal form, BWX Optimus Primal also comes with a hoverboard that fires a missile when a [[Cyber Planet Key]] is inserted. The board also features a spring-loaded extending "assault blade" (or "ass lt blade" as the directions call it). Though it is not intended to be removed, the blade can be popped off and held in Primal's hand thanks to his posable thumbs.

[[Image:PrimalXsword.jpg|100px|thumb|Opposable thumbs!]]

: He is also packaged with a mini-comic-sized reprinting of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Gathering]]'' #1, a small [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] ship figurine, and a [[Jungle Planet]] style Cyber Planet Key without a [[Cyber Key Code]] stamped on it.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed and released as [[Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'']] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]. It's worth noting that the sculpt for both BWX leader toys were intentionally designed to blend in with the Jungle Planet aesthetic, "in case" they didn't get a Beast Wars Anniversary release (according to [[Aaron Archer]]'s statements at [[BotCon 2005]]).

* '''Optimus Primal vs Megatron''' (Toys "R" Us, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
:Identical to the ''Beast Wars Reborn'' set as detailed below, but in new packaging with a DVD of the ''Beast Wars'' episode "[[Possession]]".

===Beast Wars Reborn===
[[Image:Optimusprimaltoybwrebornheads.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Staring contest -- go!]]
* '''Convoy vs Megatron''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BWR-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
[[Image:Optimusprimaltoybwreborn.jpg|left|thumb|100px|The eighth Optimus of the world... PRIMAL!]]

: This release is a [[retool]] of the original 1996 Ultra toy, with new heads and robot chest sculpted to match the television series's portrayal. The color scheme was also altered to be show-accurate, changing the black to dark gray, much of the light gray to medium gray with hints of bronze, primary red to crimson, and blue to a more dull steel blue.

:This figure came packaged with a similarly-remolded [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and a [[Golden Disk]] CD-ROM that contains control art for a number of ''Beast Wars'' toys.

{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
* '''Optimus Primal''' (3" Robot Master figurine)
:Features Primal in his Beast Wars Season 1 appearance, with swords drawn in an action pose.

* '''Optimal Optimus''' (6" Transformable figure)

:For undetermined reasons, this incarnation of Optimal Optimus does not include the beast mode. This does have precedent in the fiction: When [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] built a copy of that body for himself at the end of ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', his version didn't have a beast mode either.

===Timelines===
* '''Dawn of Future's Past''' (Boxset, BotCon 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Two missiles
:A [[redeco]] and [[retool]] of ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]]. Available only in a multi pack with the [[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]] versions of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], and [[Rattrap]], as well as the [[Darksyde]] version of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]].

===Beast Wars Telemocha Series===
*'''Convoy''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TM-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:An extensive redeco of the Robot Masters Beast Convoy figure in a similar style to the ''Beast Wars Reborn'' retool of the Ultra-class figure.

*'''DX Convoy''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TM-SP'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
:An extensive show-accurate redeco of the original Ultra-class Optimus Primal mold ''without'' the recently remolded head and chestplate. Oh TakaraTomy, you so crazy.

==Merchandise==
===Metal Monument===
* '''Metal Monument Convoy''' (TAKARA, 1999)
: As the name suggests, the product is a [[die-cast]] statue of Optimus Primal. The head is convertible/removable in order to change the normal one with the battle mask/mutant head. The [[box art]] and the design of the product are both done by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]].

===3D Battle-Card Game===
*'''Optimus Primal''' (2007)

: A 52-point "rare" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Optimus Primal "transforms" into a black ape. He uses the same parts layout as [[Cheetor]], [[Ravage]] and [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]], although the figure's beast mode is assembled differently. Optimus Primal is nominally the leader of the Autobots in the set.

===Robot Heroes===
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Trivia==
* Primal's gorilla mode, paired against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s t-rex mode, was inspired by the showdown in [[wikipedia:King Kong|King Kong]]. 

* Indeed, gorilla Primal's original tech specs (which belong to the [[micro-continuity]] that takes place on modern-day Earth) seems to strongly imply that Primal is a building-scaling ape of Kong-like stature. As speculated in the ''Beast Wars'' volume of the ''[[Cybertronian: The Unofficial Transformers Recognition Guide|Cybertronian]]'' action figure guide, this may have been intended to explain why he is [[Scale|in the same scale]] as Megatron, a Tyrannosaurus Rex. This would also make somewhat greater sense in the context of the toyline itself, wherein the leader characters were of a much larger "Ultra" size-class than their minions, unlike their eventually much smaller depictions in [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|the CG cartoon]].

* According to a guide book published in conjunction with the ''[[Beast Wars II]]'' theatrical film, Optimus Primal's original body had the following technical specifications. The veracity of these numbers in relation to anything actually featuring Primal, of course, is questionable.

:Height: 2.8m (9.19 feet).
:Weight: 2 tons.
:Running Speed: 60km (37.28 mph, beast mode), 50km (31.07 mph, robot mode).
:Airspeed: Mach 7.
:Maximum Power Output: 1,000,000 horsepower.

* According to his [[bio]] in the end of the comic "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", Optimus Primal graduated near the top of his class at the Maximal Military Academy.

* In his Transmetal form, Optimus Primal's spark chamber is on a hinge in his chest to swing down to the opening in his abdomen. In his Optimal Optimus form, he stored Prime's spark in his vehicle mode [[cockpit]].

* According to the control art of Optimus Primal's toy, his chest originally seemed to be a kind of launcher instead of being an homage to the [[Autobot Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].<ref>Toy database section in ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]''</ref>

* According to the diagram of Optimus Primal on the catalog packed with "TM-SP DX Convoy", his spark chamber is Matrix-shaped. ''[[Optimal Situation#Continuity errors|Oh lord]].''

==Reference==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Maximal/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm Optimus Primal at TFU.info]

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Autobot leaders]]
[[Category: Beast Machines characters]]
[[Category: Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category: Beast Wars II characters]]
[[Category: Children of Primus]]
[[Category: Contest prizes]]
[[Category: Convention exclusives]]
[[Category: Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category: Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category: Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category: Maximal leaders]]
[[Category: Maximals]]
[[Category: Robot Heroes]]
[[Category: Robot Masters characters]]
[[Category: Robots in Disguise characters]]
[[Category: Timelines characters]]
[[Category: Titanium Series]]
[[Category: Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category: Transmetals]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]
[[Category: Universe (2008)]]<div id="wikia-credits"> From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</div>

The many deaths of Optimus Prime

2008-06-08T22:22:29Z

86.17.124.125: /* Transformers Animated */

Across all continuities, '''Optimus Prime dies a lot.''' This happens for various reasons:
* It allows for him to be replaced by [[Hot Rod|a new character]] (and thus [[To sell toys|a new toy]]).
* It allows for him to come back from the dead in a new body (again, a new toy).
* It's dramatic.
* It makes him into something of a [[Jesus|Christ]]-figure.

Some examples:

==''The Transformers: The Movie''==
[[Image: DeadPrime.gif|left|thumb|200px|[[Wikipedia:Oscar Wilde#Release_and_death|"Either that wallpaper goes, or I do."]]]]
* The best-known example is from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] dies of wounds from his battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Famously, his body turns gray as he dies. ([[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|Urban legend]] says his body also ''crumbles,'' but no such footage is known to exist.) Being the first time he died, it was actually unexpected.
{{-}}

==Generation 1 Season 3==
[[Image:Optimusg1zombie.jpg|right|thumb|200px|"Mind if I smoke?"]]
* He returns from the dead twice, first as a zombie in "[[Dark Awakening]]"—which ends with him dying again—and then (for reals, yo) in "[[The Return of Optimus Prime]]".
{{-}}

==The Headmasters==
* In ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', Optimus Prime was killed again when he tried to bring [[Vector Sigma]] back under control in "[[A Dream Is Born, Double Prime]]". His body turned gray as he died. He was later resurrected and evolved into Star Convoy by the power of [[Zodiac]] in ''[[Return of Convoy]]''.

==Generation 1 Marvel Comics==
[[Image:Pmoptimusprimedeath.jpg|right|thumb|200px|"I swear, I was wearing my faceplate when I left the house this morning."]]
In the Marvel continuity, dying and coming back was practically a ''hobby'' for Prime.

*In "[[Afterdeath!]]", Prime, after failing to live up to his moral principles while playing a video game, volunteers to be killed. The [[Autobots]] launch his funeral bier into space. Fortunately, the creator of the video game, [[Ethan Zachary]], saves a backup copy of Prime's mind on a floppy. We first meet this virtual Prime sixteen issues later in "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]". He gets his new [[Powermaster]] body two issues thereafter, in "[[People Power!]]".

*About thirty issues later, Prime sacrifices himself to defeat [[Unicron]], in "[[On the Edge of Extinction!]]". However, his Powermaster partner, [[Hi-Q]], survives, and almost immediately begins babbling about how he's ''really'' Optimus Prime. This turns out to be true, and [[The Last Autobot]] metamorphoses Hi-Q into Prime (with a new [[Actionmaster]] body) in [[End of the Road! (Marvel US comic)|the last issue of the original Marvel US series]].

{{-}}
==Generation 2 Marvel Comics==
[[Image:Swarmoptimus.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Unleashing the light of the Matrix upon a great evil. ''Again.'']]

*This Prime wasn't done dying yet. His adventures continued in the G2 comics, and he died defeating the [[Swarm]] in the final issue of that series, "[[A Rage in Heaven!]]". The Swarm reconstituted him three pages later (in a body based on his then-current [[Combat Hero]] toy).
{{-}}

==Japanese Generation 2==
* In the Japanese version of ''Generation 2'', Optimus Prime was badly wounded by Megatron's [[fusion cannon]] and almost died, but was resurrected and evolved yet again, this time into [[Laser Rod]] Optimus Prime, by the power of the [[Creation Matrix|Matrix]].

==Beast Era==
[[Image:Smelt Prime.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Actually, he's still alive, ''but'' dying.]]
In ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]],'' you could mark the end of a season by the near-death experience of one [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] or [[Optimus Prime (G1)|another]]...

*At [[Other Voices, Part 2|the end of the first season]] of ''Beast Wars,'' [[Optimus Primal]] piloted a bomb-equipped stasis pod in an attempt to destroy the [[Planet Buster]]. Unfortunately, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] had sealed the pod's hatch, and Optimus blew up with it. [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)|Early in the second season]] (a few hours later as far as the characters were concerned), [[Rhinox]] managed to unite Optimus's drifting [[spark]] with a blank [[protoform]], thus bringing him back to life (and in a new [[Transmetal]] body, too).

*At [[The Agenda (Part III)|the end of second season]], the ''Beast Wars'' Megatron came very close to killing the original Optimus Prime. But [[Optimal Situation|Prime didn't ''quite'' die]], so we really shouldn't count it.

*At [[End of the Line|the end of the first season]] of ''Beast Machines,'' Optimus and Megatron had a cataclysmic battle, using the energies of [[Vector Sigma]] and the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. This would have destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], but Optimus took the warring energies into himself and disintegrated. However, his spark was trapped within the [[Oracle]], and the other [[Maximals]] convinced him to return to the real world at [[Fallout|the start of second season]]. The Oracle kindly gave him a new body (which, believe it or not, was ''not'' a new toy).

*At [[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future |the end of the series]], Optimus gave his life to defeat Megatron once and for all, pushing him into the [[technorganic]] core of the planet. In assorted ancillary media ([[universe (comic)|convention comics]], [[Beast Wars Reborn|text stories]]), he comes back to life yet again.
(Strangely, the end of the third season of ''Beast Wars'' had no Optimus deaths whatsoever! A half-dozen ''other'' characters died, but not Optimus. Bizzah.)

==Armada cartoon==
[[Image:Sshot-arm-39-4.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Now Optimus, don't go all to pieces. You say you have to split? Well, you're a chip off the ol' block.]]

* In the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' episode "[[Crisis]]", [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] used his body to block the blast of [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]'s [[Hydra Cannon]], protecting the [[Earth]]. When the cannon's energy is spent, we see Optimus turn grayish-white, then ''actually'' crumble to bits. A bunch of [[Mini-Cons]] use the [[Matrix]] to resurrect him [[Miracle|three episodes later]].

{{-}}
==Armada comic==
[[Image:Wc_prime.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Wikipedia:Lincoln_memorial#Interior|<center>IN THIS TEMPLE 
AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE 
FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION 
THE MEMORY OF OPTIMUS PRIME 
IS ENSHRINED FOREVER</center>]]]]

* The corpse of an [[Optimus Prime (Worlds Collide)|Optimus Prime]] (killed by Unicron) from an alternate universe appeared in the ''[[Armada (comic)|Armada]]'' comic issue titled "[[Worlds Collide, Part 1]]". Yep, practically all we know about this Optimus is that he died. He doesn't turn gray, but his colors are faded.

{{-}}
==Universe==
[[Image:Nemesisprimetfuclone.jpg|right|thumb|Technically, this is the clone.]]

* The corpse of an Optimus Prime (killed by [[Megazarak]]) from an alternate universe was cloned by Unicron to create [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]]. The clone, before he became Nemesis, appeared in ''[[Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic issue "[[Balancing Act, Part 2]]". Once again, practically all we know about this Optimus is that he died.

{{-}}
==Transformers Animated==
[[Image:TFAnimated_transformandrollout_DEATH.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Dead in the third episode for 75 seconds. It's a new record!]]
* In the third part of the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' movie, "[[Transform and Roll Out!]]", [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] dies after his battle with [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]. Like the Generation 1 Prime before him, he turns gray upon dying. Seventy-five seconds later, [[Sari Sumdac]] uses her mysteeerious [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] [[Sari Sumdac's key|key]] to revive him. It's a new record, Primey!
{{-}}

==See also==
*[[Prime Spark]] - The short story explores the question of where all those Optimus-es go when they die. (Answer: someplace dull.)

* [[Dirge (G1)]] - The appropriately named, yet very unlucky guy who gets [[:Image:Dirge_DeathSerpentor.jpg|killed]] [[:Image:Dirge_DeathSwarm.jpg|off]] [[:Image:Dirge_DeathTimelines.jpg|in]] [[:Image:Dirge_DeathUnicron.jpg|many]] [[:Image:Dirge_DeathArmada.jpg|continuities]] (but less than [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]]).

{{DEFAULTSORT:Many deaths of Optimus Prime, The}}
[[Category: Media]]
[[Category: Stories]]<div id="wikia-credits"> From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</div>

Barricade (Movie)

2008-06-05T22:05:00Z

86.17.124.125: /* Second Life avatars */

{{disambig3|Barricade}}

:''Barricade is a [[Decepticon]] in the [[Movie (franchise)|Movie]] [[continuity family]]. He is also known as '''N.B.E. 04'''.''

[[Image:MovieBarricade_render1.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"I'm ''always'' the Bad Cop. And don't bother asking for the [[Prowl (G1)|good cop]]. I killed him, [[Prowl (Movie)|I think...]]"]]

'''Barricade''' is apparently a complicated robot. He's considered "fractious" even by Decepticon standards, yet is willing to give [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] the benefit of the doubt and follow where he leads, at least for the time being. Though not totally dedicated to the service of the Decepticons' current leader, he is much more cautious and reserved about expressing mutinous dissent than say [[Blackout (Movie)|''most'']]. He believes that Starscream is vital in their search for [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and the [[All Spark]]. In many ways this makes him Starscream's closest ally in the naturally combative Decepticon ranks. Then again, it's been said that he likes to trick people into trusting him, just so he can see their reactions when they find out just how much of a bad idea it was.

If his attitude toward his fellow Decepticons is inconsistent, his attitude toward the [[Autobot]]s is the same thing: kill all Autobots. Barricade might not be as large as most of his peers, but he is every bit as deadly. He thoroughly relishes every chance in fighting the Autobots. He's smart enough to let one live if he thinks he or the Decepticons can use it to their advantage, but most of the time, they're dead before someone's even thought of a plan.

{{quote|Autobots, foul Autobots, here we come. Let our long war resume--and let it end here.|Barricade|''[[Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday]]''}}

:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Pan Guan''' ("Treacherous Official")

==Fiction==
===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
Barricade acts as pilot and chief science officer for the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]''. Through this he apparently possesses an impressive "mastery of physics", being very intelligent. He claims to have chaffed under Starscream's leadership, but is willing to tolerate him for now. Barricade spent most of his time rubbing everyone the wrong way and loving every minute of it. Optimus Prime once said that Barricade could be as dangerous as [[Starscream]].

===''Prime Directives'' prequel comic===

[[Image:Movie_Barricade_IDWprequel_nowitnesses.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Christine... is that you?]]

The Decepticon infiltration unit under the command of Starscream arrived on [[Earth]] in the year 2003. Barricade scanned a Saleen S281 police car, then destroyed the original human vehicle to cover his tracks, as did his fellow Decepticons when choosing their new forms. It is uncertain how he managed to scan what appears to be a 2006 model in 2003. Maybe he's just that good...

Later, Barricade pursues [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] outside of Denver, Colorado as the Autobot is working on a new lead on the [[Witwicky]]s. {{Storylink|Prime Directives issue 4}}

===''Transformers'' Movie Prequel (Target)===
Barricade was one of the Decepticons under the command of Starscream at a battle outside of [[Tyger Pax]]. As they were mopping up the last remnants of Autobot resistance, Barricade amused himself by playing with the decapitated head of a fallen Autobot. When he saw the All Spark jettisoned into space, Barricade realized that Cybertron would soon die. Bonecrusher said to let it die, and he could join it. Barricade did not bring up the discussion again.

After leaving [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in pursuit of Megatron and the All Spark, the Decepticons landed in the Earth nation-state of Afghanistan. During their attack on a nearby [[United States Military|US Military]] installation, Barricade used a facade of friendliness to trick nearby human soldiers into lowering their guard, whereupon he slaughtered them at point-blank range. Later, he was almost hit by a localized EMP weapon from a human, but it instead hit his comrade [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]]. {{storylink|Transformers Movie Prequel (Target) Volume 2}}

{{Note|Barricade's arrival on Earth in Afghanistan conflicts with IDW's own ''Prime Directives'' prequel comic, which implies he actually landed somewhere in North America, and it remains unexplained how the land-based Decepticons would later appear in America, given Blackout immediately leaves to attack [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base|SOCCENT Qatar]] in this comic.}}

==="Flight of the Bumblebee" online game===
Barricade was one of a group of Decepticons who trapped Bumblebee in a canyon. He stood around on a rocky butte, walking back and forth and waiting for Bumblebee to drive up to him. When the Autobot dropped in, Barricade immediately opened fire, blasting Bumblebee continuously. Unfortunately, Bumblebee had the idea to shoot back, blasting him right out of the picture with just one shot.
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===Transformers The Game (console)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Keith David]]

====Autobot campaign====
Barricade was sent to Tranquility to hunt down Sam Witwicky and the glasses that held the location of the All Spark. He attempted to capture Sam and Mikaela outside their high school, but Bumblebee stepped in. The humans fled for the nearby baseball field with Barricade in pursuit, but Bumblebee beat him to them, protecting them while they ran away again. He followed them to the power plant, but was once again foiled by Bumblebee and sent packing.

Later, in [[Mission City]], Barricade made one last grab for the AllSpark after [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] had each fallen to the Autobots. However, he was once again intercepted by Bumblebee, and finally defeated for good.

====Decepticon campaign====
Upon reaching Tranquility and choosing his alternate mode, Barricade attempted some recon, but encountered a squad of Autobot drones, a battle which spilled out to the local baseball field. Shortly afterwards, he was informed by Starscream that [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] had information they needed, but the diminutive Decepticon had been captured by [[Sector Seven]] agents. Barricade tracked them to the power plant, then hounded the agents across town, wrecking every building in his path until Frenzy was recovered.

Finally on the trail of Sam, he was stopped cold by Sam's protector Bumblebee. Barricade got the upper hand, but the Autobot led him on a chase that ended in [[Bay's Demolition]] lot, and an ambush courtesy of a lot of Autobot drones. Barricade overcame the odds, and hunted down Bumblebee once more, finally besting the Autobot and taking the glasses from Sam.

When the Decepticons converged on Mission City, Barricade was tasked with taking out the Autobot [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]. He later stood in Megatron's presence after the AllSpark had been recovered and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ordered the Earth to be destroyed before they left it on their way to conquering all of known space.

===''Transformers The Game'' (Nintendo DS)===

:''Voice actor:'' [[Keith David]]

====''Autobots''====
When Bumblebee went to investigate the source of an image found on the internet, he found Barricade waiting for him. Barricade blew up a nearby car and took off, sending out messages on the police radio that Bumblebee was responsible. After failing to lose Bumblebee in spite of all of Tranquility's police force being after him, he engaged him in combat. Unable to defeat Bumblebee, he hastily retreated. Later on, he encountered Bumblebee and Optimus Prime as the two were leaving Hoover Dam. With a large helicopter Decepticon at his side, he demanded the Allspark from Prime, not even caring of the consequences. He was defeated, but revealed to Prime he was merely a distraction while other Decepticons freed Megatron from his icy prison.

====''Decepticons''====

When the [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Decepticon Create-A-Bot]] arrived on Earth, his mentor, Starscream, directed him to rendezvous with Barricade, already active on the planet. Barricade was not enamored with the idea of a partner, feeling that the Create-A-Bot would only slow him down, but after putting the rookie through his paces, he permitted him to join him on his mission in the town of [[Tranquility]]. Barricade revealed to the Create-A-Bot what Starscream had not - that the signal which had brought the Decepticons to Earth had come from Megatron himself. The rookie dismissed Megatron as a relic, and was struck by Barricade for the insult. With some help from the rookie, Barricade discovered that the Autobot Bumblebee was already on Megatron's trail; Barricade pursued Bumblebee, defeated him in battle on the outskirts of Tranquility, and acquired the data he had gathered.

Now aware that the human military organization [[Sector 7]] was holding Megatron, Barricade arranged for [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] to the Create-A-Bot to a [[Qatar]] military base, where they and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] hacked Sector 7's databanks. The file they obtained was brought back to Barricade in Tranquility for deciphering, and revealed that Megatron was being held by Sector 7 in the [[Hoover Dam]]. The Create-A-Bot suggesting relaying this to Starscream, but Barricade loudly refuted the idea, happy that the impending resurrection of Megatron would mean that he would no longer have to serve under a cowardly, back-stabbing bureaucrat like Starscream. Swayed by Barricade's words, the rookie revealed a fact that Starscream had told only him - that the All Spark was also present on Earth. Shocked by the revelation, Barricade realized that Starscream had been scheming to acquire the All Spark for himself, to ensure that not even Megatron could remove him from power. With the rookie now turned from Starscream and on his side, Barricade was able to liberate Megatron from Sector 7, and the Decepticons pursued the Autobots, now in possession of the All Spark, back to Tranquility. During the battle, Starscream finally claimed the All Spark from Bumblebee, and Barricade stood against him, intent on bringing him in for treason. Alas, the All Spark-powered Starscream destroyed Barricade, but with in death, Barricade proved to the Create-A-Bot what it truly meant to be a Decepticon.

===''Transformers'' (2007 film)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Jess Harnell]] (English), [[Katsuhiro Kitagawa]] (Japan), [[Oliver Siebeck]] (German)

[[Image:BarricadeVsSam.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Barricade negotiates an alternative to PayPal.]]

After being active on [[Earth]] for some time, Barricade arrived to pick up [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] after the smaller Decepticon's attempt to hack into and sabotage the United States military network on [[Air Force One]]. Using data Frenzy had acquired, the two learned of [[Sector Seven]], "Project Iceman", and [[Archibald Witwicky|Witwicky man]], the discoverer of the entombed [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. The duo were able to use the internet to learn of both Witwicky man's descendants, [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]], and a pair of glasses that Megatron marked with the location of the long-lost [[All Spark]]. Frenzy declared that they needed to find ladiesman217, and Barricade moved out.

[[Image:Movie_Barricade_defeat.jpg|thumb|left|200px|He got better.]]

Later, Barricade confronted ladiesman217 regarding his recent eBay auctions while the human was fleeing Bumblebee, whom the human mistakenly believed was out to harm him. Ladiesman217 fell for Barricade's ruse, and requested the "officer's" help, only for Barricade to transform before him. As ladiesman217 fled, Barricade knocked him onto the hood of an abandoned car, then violently demanded information on eBay item 21153. Ladiesman217 and his [[Mikaela Banes|female friend]], who had been drawn into the encounter, managed to escape him when Bumblebee convinced the boy to trust him, and Barricade pursued both the Autobot and two humans to a junkyard. Activating his mace/rotating blade/thingamajig, Barricade engaged Bumblebee in battle, and dispatched Frenzy to chase down the humans. However, his battle with Bumblebee ended with Barricade heavily damaged. Considering the fact that Frenzy was decapitated, he got off lucky.

[[Image:Decepticons highway.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Nope, nothing suspicious about this.]]

Evidently, though, he recovered, and was back to working order when Frenzy (who had survived and infiltrated Sector Seven) transmitted both Megatron and the All Spark's location to his fellow Decepticons. When the humans fled with the All Spark, Barricade joined in the pursuit along with [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]] and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]]. Devastator soon broke off, while Barricade and Bonecrusher hit the freeway, making contact with the Autobot/human convoy. Barricade attempted to clear some room for the two Decepticons by activating his sirens; Bonecrusher simply rammed everything in his way. Ladiesman217 recognized Barricade, and warned that they were in danger. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] aligned to block their access to Bumblebee, who contained the humans and the All Spark.

Bonecrusher went on the offensive, and Barricade's final fate was left unclear. {{Storylink|Transformers (2007)}}

====Barricade's fate====
[[Image:Movie_Barricade_finalappearance.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Barricade pulls everyone over for ''driving on the wrong side of the road''.]]

Barricade's disappearance from the film is puzzling. It appears he was originally meant to be destroyed, as both the novel and comic adaptations of the movie depict his destruction by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who had both destroyed Bonecrusher and was delayed in joining the humans and fellow Autobots. (Alternatively the children's chapter book adaption of the film ''[[The Transformers Quest for the Allspark]]'' describes Barricade as being destroyed by the US military.) Regardless, in the movie proper Barricade simply does not appear again after Bonecrusher transforms. Since his remains are not seen among the Decepticon parts being buried at sea, it is possible he survived.

[[Image:Barricade-comicsadaptation-death.jpg|thumb|right|F*** tha poh-leece!]]

Writer [[Roberto Orci]] has stated in a message board Q&A session that Barricade's disappearance from the remainder of the film is a "thread for Movie 2".<ref>[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=384946&postcount=33 Roberto Orci on Barricade's fate in the movie, at the official movie boards]</ref>

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===Titan Magazines===

Barricade was killed in the [[Mission City]] battle and then resurrected as a zombie for a few minutes by Starscream. {{Storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7}}

{{note|This may be rendered non-canonical by the second film (but is worth it for the [[Geoff Senior]] zombie-Cons poster).}}

===''Reign Of Starscream'' comic===

[[Image:Barricade and Starscream ROS issue 1.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Elvis ain't dead!]]

During the motorway chase, Barricade was taken out by Ironhide, knocking him off the road and causing him to go offline. He was later reactivated by "Lord" Starscream, and suggested to his new leader that they should find Frenzy. {{Storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1}}
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==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
* '''Barricade''' (Legends Class, 2007)
**''Japanese name:'' '''EZ Collection Barricade'''

[[Image:LegendsBarricade.jpg|left|thumb|125px|Yes, he ''is'' movie-accurate.]]

: A much smaller version of the character, [[Legends of Cybertron|Legends]] Barricade features limited articulation and detail. In what could only be defined as an anomaly of physics, compared to the other Movie Legends, Barricade is quite close in appearance and transformation to the larger deluxe figure. Legends Barricade's instructions also overlook the fact that his grill can flip down to fill out his torso and raise his chest higher.

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*'''Battle for the Allspark''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive multi-pack, 2007)

[[Image:Movie_Allspark_Legends_pack.jpg|thumb|right|120px|Round up the usual suspects.]]

: A Toys'R'Us exclusive, this six-pack of Legends class figures contains unmodified toys of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and Barricade.

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*'''Cliffjumper vs. Recon Barricade''' (Legends Allspark Battles multi-pack, 2007)

[[Image:Movie_Legends_CliffjumperBarricade_toys.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Barricade existed in G1 after all.]]

: Released as part of the ''AllSpark Battles'' refresh of the ''Movie'' toyline, Legends class Recon Barricade is a redeco of the the regular Legends class Barricade in a paint scheme based upon the Deluxe class Recon Barricade. Yes. He comes packed with Legends class [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]], itself a repaint of Legends class Bumblebee.

*'''Recon Barricade''' (Legends, 2008)

: An individually packaged release of the Legends class toy, released within Europe.
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====Deluxe Class toys====

* '''Barricade''' (Deluxe Class, 2007)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''MD-02'''
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

[[Image:Movie_DeluxeBarricade_toy.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The secret love child of [[Blackjack]] and [[Stakeout]].]]

:Barricade transforms into an accurate [[wikipedia:Saleen|Saleen S281 Ford Mustang Custom Police Pursuit Cruiser]]. As with [[Bumblebee (Movie)|MOST]] deluxe-class cars in the ''Movie'' line, he features clear windows for his windshield and doors, but oddly his rear window is opaque black plastic. Stored inside the engine bay, behind the car's ram bar is a mini-figure [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] disguised as Barricade's grill. We say mini, but Frenzy would be about six feet tall, scale wise.

: In robot mode, Barricade quite faithfully reproduces the CGI design, though his chest cannot deform to the same extent. He features a reasonable amount of articulation with ball joints for his shoulders and upper legs, ratcheting and swivels for his elbows and double-jointed knees (although the knees make it difficult to properly align the upper and lower portions of his legs). Barricade has no neck joint as the two car hood halves slot into place between the bottom of the head and the plate on which it sits. Barricade does not have any [[Automorph]]ing [[gimmick]] to speak of; in its place is a spring-loaded extending "punching" attack on his left arm.

: As with almost all Transformers toys issued over the last few years, a few of his transformation quirks are undocumented; in robot mode front wheel panels on his shoulders are ball-jointed, allowing one to position them in a manner similar to what is seen in the movie renders. Additionally, the sections that become his claws (apart from the thumb hinge) can swing up slightly to make themselves more pronounced, and spikes on the top of his feet can be swung up.

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*'''Bumblebee vs. Barricade: First Encounter''' (Wal*Mart exclusive multi-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure

[[Image:Bumblebee_Barricade_deluxeboxset.jpg|left|thumb|130px|Mullethead vs. Cop]]

: This Wal*Mart exclusive battle pack contains the deluxe-class Barricade and the 1974 Camaro deluxe-class [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] figures, based upon their confrontation as seen in the movie. The box features a diorama-style background from a movie scene, but toys themselves are unchanged from their original carded releases.

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*'''Recon Barricade''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure
[[Image:ReconBarricade.jpg|right|thumb|155px|Barricade escaped by disgusing himself as [[Prowl (Energon)|Energon Prowl]].]]

: A [[redeco]] of the normal Deluxe Barricade toy, this time in a "local security" blue and gray pattern. All the the [[gimmick]]s remain the same, including his little pal [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], who is now colored more [[FIBRIR|G1-accurate]].

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*'''First Encounter''' (Screen Battles, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''SB-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Sam Witwicky figure, Mikaela figure and Frenzy figure
[[Image:Movie_ScreenBattles_FirstEncounter.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Which one of these is different from the others? Go ahead, guess!]]

: This Screen Battles pack features a largely unchanged Deluxe class Barricade figure. The only real difference is the Frenzy mini-figure, which is now cast entirely in black plastic, sports ''no'' paint applications and is supposed to be stuck permanently inside Barricade's chest thanks to a new, additional piece of plastic (as a matter of fact, the Frenzy figure is also neither advertised on the packaging nor depicted in the instructions).

:This only applies to the Hasbro version, however; TakaraTomy's Japanese release of the pack features a Barricade that is identical to the single pack version, including an easily removable Frenzy figurine cast in grey plastic with painted red eyes.

:The pack also comes with non-posable figurines of Sam Witwicky in a running pose, Frenzy menacing Sam and Mikaela Banes holding the power saw she uses to attack Frenzy. The set is packaged in a special window box with a diorama depicting the battle between Barricade and Bumblebee.

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*'''All Spark-Enhanced Barricade''' (Target Exclusive Deluxe, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure
: This Target exclusive features the Deluxe Class Barricade in unique cylindrical packaging, with the only difference from his standard release being that key robot mode parts are highlighted by the 'All Spark Blue' color for no other reason than [[to sell toys]]. Interestingly, in what can only be explained as an "''answer''" to Recon Barricade's blue [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], ''this'' release's Frenzy is cast in red plastic with a minor black color application to the chest area, making him now resemble Rumble. Thanks to Hasbro, the debate [[FIBRIR|continues]]...

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*'''Barricade''' (Deluxe Class "Premium Series", 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Frenzy mini-figure
[[Image:Movie_Deluxe_PremiumBarricade.JPG|200px|left|thumb|powdered face?]]

: ''This'' version of Deluxe Barricade features a slightly more [[show-accuracy|movie-accurate]] deco, with additional "911" markings that were missing on earlier releases. However, confusingly his windows have a frosted paint deco applied to them for no apparent reason, other than to make the toy look 'different'.

:Unlike some earlier "Premium Series" toys, Barricade will be available at general retail.

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====Fast Action Battlers====
* '''Blade Shield Barricade''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
[[Image:FABBarricade.jpg|right|thumb|200px|who ya callin' ugh-lee?]]

: Fast Action Battlers Barricade is similar to the regular Deluxe clas toy. However, the details are simplied, and the proportions in both vehicle mode and robot mode are less realistic, generally skewed towards are more stylised and exaggerated appearance. Instead of the punching hand gimmick seen on the Deluxe class toy, FAB Barricade's left arm features a flip out arm extension with a shield made out of blades based on his spinning blades from the Movie.

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====Cyber Slammers====
* '''Barricade''' (Cyber Slammers, 2007)

[[Image:Barricade-CS.jpg|left|thumb|125px|Awwwwwww. Bawwicade's so cute he'll kill us all!]]

:Cyber Slammers Barricade is an ''amazingly cute'' Saleen S281 police car that transforms into an amazingly cute treacherous Decepticon pretending to be a cop. 'Slam' his robot mode down into car mode and he rolls along for a while, then pops back up into robot mode (and does a little [[Wheelie (G1)|wheelie]]. Like most Cyber Slammers, Barricade manages to cram most of his vehicle mode's major details into a compact, super-deformed version of that mode.

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*'''Patrol Barricade''' (Cyber Slammers, 2008)

[[Image:Movie_CyberSlammers_PatrolBarricade.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Cute evil, now in Blue!]]

: This adorable, pudgy version of Barricade's car mode zips forward with a little motor. The robot mode Patrol Barricade pops up after a little while, rolling along. So cute! The colors are similar to Recon Barricade, but oddly enough, the scheme is different, and the markings are for a sheriff's car.

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====Robot Replicas====

* '''Barricade''' (Robot Replica, 2007)

[[Image:Movie_RobotReplica_Barricade.jpg|left|thumb|150px|i came to mow your lawn mam]]

: A non-transforming action figure, [[Robot Replicas]] Barricade hews much closer to the CGI model of the character (albeit wrong paint job). With joints similar to the [[Revoltech]] series, he is also more posable than his transforming counterpart, plus features replacement arms that feature his "blender-blade tires" alternate hands briefly seen in the movie.

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====Micro IR Transformers Cars====
* '''Barricade''' (2007)

[[Image:Movie_Barricade_MicroIR.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Weirdest police gun I've ever seen!]]

: Made under license by [[Radio Shack]]. Three-function infrared remote, in Barricade's signature colors, gives you control of the car with forward and reverse turn movement. More than just a vehicle styled after the Movie character, the car also transforms to robot mode. The top of the gun-shaped IR remote's barrel serves as a display stand.

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==Merchandise==
===Robot Heroes===
* '''Galactic Bumblebee vs. Barricade''' (2007)

* '''Barricade vs. Optimus''' (2008)
[[Image:Movie_RobotHeroes_BarricadeVsOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|left|120px|Fast as fast can be, you can never catch me.]]

:This ''Robot Heroes'' pack features Barricade in a running/attacking pose, and Optimus Prime posed as he was in the Movie as he awaited Bonecrusher's attack. Both figures have very limited articulation.
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===XMODS® Evolution Transformers===
* '''Barricade''' (2007)
:''Model Number'': '''60-185'''

[[Image:Movie Barricade XMODS.jpg|thumb|left|120px|Don't you think about pissing me off, or I'll turn you into a pancake.]]

[[Image:Movie_Barricade_XMODS_weapons.jpg|thumb|right|120px|Look into my pokey eyes and see the future...]]

:Barricade is one of the first Transformers characters to be licensed by [[Radio Shack]] from [[Hasbro]] and [[Dreamworks]] for their XMODS Evolution line of radio control cars. "The maximum in modification", Barricade is a base kit that can be upgraded with '''XMODS® Evolution Weapons and Light Kit for Barricade™''' a weapons and light kit featuring the weapons/manipulators he uses in the film and rocket launchers that were cut from the film (''Model Number'': '''600-barricade3'''), as well as any of the optional motor upgrades, body kits, steering and suspension upgrades, and more available for the brand.
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===ZipZaps® Micro RC===
* '''Barricade''' (2007)
:''Model Number'': '''6000181'''

[[Image:Movie_Barricade_ZipZap.jpg|thumb|left|120px|Oooh...scary!]]

:Barricade is also one of the first Transformers characters licensed by Radio Shack for their ZipZaps line of pocket-size radio control cars. As a ZipZap, Barricade can be customized, trimmed, and tuned with any other accessories available for the brand. He has working headlights and requires four "AAA" batteries for the charger.
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===Transformers 3D Battle Card Game===
*'''Barricade''' (3D Battle Card, 2007)

==Second Life avatars==
There is a full replica of the Sector Seven base which contains a giant discussion room where Michael Bay held a question board in Second Life. This room contains a giant frozen Megatron replica and free avatars of both Bumblebee and Barricade. Both freebees are non-transforming. However, some sellers have created a transforming version.

==Trivia==
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] was originally part of the Autobot line up for the movie, but was removed, as the writers loved the perverse idea of Barricade becoming a police car. This represents quite a step within any/all Transformers continuities, as a Decepticon has never before taken on a form (most) humans could so easily "trust", in a sense. Sorry, Prowl, better luck [[Transformers 2|next time]].

* The [http://www.saleen.com/transformers.htm promotional Saleen S281 cars] that appeared at events and premieres featured the slogan "Power in the hands of a few" rather than the "To punish and enslave" motto, as well as Saleen decals rather than the Decepticon decals seen in the movie. Hmmm...

* The [[IDW]] ''[[Prime Directives]]'' Prequel ''seems'' to contradict the very existence of his alternate mode, since the Decepticons were depicted as having come to Earth in 2003, yet his alternate mode is a 2006 model car. However, a little-known fact is that the Mustang design that would eventually be the 2006 model debuted sometime in 2003, with police car modifications showing up in car shows not long after. It could very well be that, similar to when/how Jazz scanned a Solstice in a dealership late at night, Barricade scanned a Police Mustang in one such car show display after-hours, explaining why there were "no witnesses" after he assumed this form ''and'' why his police deco has no state or city markings/I.D.

* Early concept art for Barricade suggests that he was originally going to transform into a white and black Crown Victoria (somewhat akin to Prowl's original G1 color scheme). Hasbro, continuing to capitalize on unused concepts/ideas, had Recon Barricade's redeco vaguely mirror the Vic's deco.

* Additionally, Recon Barricade's license plate reads "SAGE2764", which was the message board member name used by [[Joe Kyde]] to disseminate [http://tformers.com/Unknown-Megatron-Drawing-Possible-Movie-Design/6030/news.html hoax information] for a thesis project.

*In an act of both love for his child and extreme fanwank, Jessie Vigil from New Mexico [http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2008/03/12/vegas_man_paints_car_like_police_cruiser/| turned his own Ford Mustang into an exact replica of Barricade's alt-mode], right down to Decepticon symbol and the sinister twist on the LAPD motto. Though this has brought the ire of the New Mexico police upon him, let's just concentrate on the fact of how insanely cool this is. His kid is one lucky Transfan.

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==Footnotes==
<references />

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[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Exclusives]]
[[Category: Legends of Cybertron]]
[[Category: Movie characters]]
[[Category: Robot Heroes]]<div id="wikia-credits"> From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</div>