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Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)

2010-06-23T00:50:18Z

94.192.78.155: "personal computers" is vague; as the game is available for Windows only, the term "PC" implies this more accurately

[[Image:Transformerswarforcybertron.jpg|center|500px|]]

'''''Transformers: War for Cybertron''''' is a video game developed by [[High Moon Studios]] and published by [[Activision Blizzard|Activision]], set before the Transformers take their war to [[Earth]]. [[Hasbro]] intends it to act as a foundation for ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' franchise storylines for years to come, and so they've been giving a lot of input and stressing character development.<ref name="tfw2005">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/tfw2005-war-for-cybertron-interview-with-aaron-archer-and-matt-tieger-168910/ War for Cybertron interview with Aaron Archer and Matt Tieger @ TFW2005.com]</ref> The book ''[[Exodus: The Official History of the War for Cybertron]]'' serves as a storyline lead-in to the events of the game, which itself in turn sets the stage for the upcoming cartoon series ''[[Transformers: Prime]]''.{{fact}}

Unlike previous ''Transformers'' video games which feature distinctly separate campaigns for the Autobots and the Decepticons (traditionally depicting the playable faction utterly defeating the other), ''War for Cybertron'' will feature a single, linear storyline; the Decepticon campaign occurs chronologically before the Autobot campaign, but [[Fandom|fans]] can play through them in whichever order they prefer.<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/news/index.php?f_keyword=war+for+cybertron Seibertron Q&A with Activision]</ref>

The game itself will be an over-the-shoulder third-person shooter in which the player can choose his character from a small roster of either Autobots or Decepticons. The game has a street date of [[June 22]], [[2010]], for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii (as ''[[Transformers: Cybertron Adventures]]''), Nintendo DS, and PC; however, the console versions were released at Sears stores on June 17th.

{{quote|One shall stand.|Optimus}}
:{{quote|One shall fall.|Megatron}}

==Synopsis==

[[Image:WarforCybertron-OptimusPrime.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Prime auditions for Unreal Tournament. There were no survivors.]]

The game is set during the waning days of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] before coming to Earth. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], genuinely believing a caste system will bring Cybertron back to its [[Golden Age]], is researching a dangerous power source known as [[Dark Energon]] to fuel his conquest of the planet. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|A guy called Optimus]] assumes temporary command following an attack on [[Iacon]] that killed [[Zeta Prime]], but he is not yet leader of the Autobots and doesn't really want to be in charge either. <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/video-games-17/war-for-cybertron---tfw2005-visits-high-moon-studios--gameplay-impressions-169615/ TFW2005 visits High Moon Studios]</ref>

[[Starscream]] joins the Decepticons as second-in-command, but does not consider either Optimus or Megatron to have the planet's best interests at heart. (We will apparently learn ''why'' Starscream is such a whopping traitor and why Megatron [[:Image:Infiltration6_takeyourpunishment.jpg|doesn't just]] [[:Image:Swordscream.JPG|kill him]]).

==Characters==
At the start of each level, the player can choose from one of three characters. Characters belong to one of four distinct classes:

* '''Leaders:''' Vehicle forms are trucks. Support their team with buffs and debuff the enemy team.
* '''Soldiers:''' Vehicle forms are tanks. Have heavy-hitting ranged and melee weaponry.
* '''Scientists:''' Vehicle forms are jets. Use a variety of tricky technology and precise long-distance weaponry to heal their allies and control the battlefield from a distance.
* '''Scouts:''' Vehicle forms are cars. Specialize in evasion and high-speed combat, along with disabling functions like EMP grenades.

The characters available will shift from level to level.

Known playable characters include:
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus_Prime_(G1)#War_for_Cybertron_video_game|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/optimus Official Website profile]) ([http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/12/11/transformers-war-for-cybertron-character-profile-optimus-prime.aspx GameInformer profile])
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] ([[Johnny Yong Bosch]]) <ref>[http://twitter.com/johnnyyongbosch/status/11686292590 Twitter post by Johnny Yong Bosch confirming his role as Bumblebee.]</ref> ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/bumblebee Official Website profile])
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/ratchet Official Website profile])
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/ironhide Official Website profile])
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] ([[Travis Willingham]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/sideswipe Official Website profile])
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] ([[Troy Baker]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/jetfire Official Website profile])
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] ([[Patrick Seitz]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/silverbolt Official Website profile])
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] ([[Kari Wahlgren]])
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] ([[Liam O'Brien]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/airraid Official Website profile])
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] ([[Jamieson Price]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/autobots/warpath Official Website profile])
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (Best Buy preorder exclusive) <ref>[http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;?id=pcat17071&type=page&st=Transformers+War+for+Cybertron&sc=Global&nrp=15&usc=All+Categories Bestbuy.com preorder page featuring a special Jazz trailer]</ref>
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (DS only)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (DS only)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (DS only)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (DS only)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (DS only)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (Fred Tatasciore) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/megatron Official Website profile]) ([http://gameinformer.com/games/transformers_war_for_cybertron/b/xbox360/archive/2009/12/18/transformers-war-for-cybertron-character-profile-megatron.aspx GameInformer profile])
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] ([[Sam Riegel]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/starscream Official Website profile]) ([http://gameinformer.com/games/transformers_war_for_cybertron/b/xbox360/archive/2009/12/23/transformers-war-for-cybertron-character-profile-starscream.aspx GameInformer profile])
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton Jr.]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/soundwave Official Website profile])
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] ([[Graham McTavish]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/thundercracker Official Website profile])
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] ([[Richard Epcar]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/skywarp Official Website profile])
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] ([[Crispin Freeman]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/breakdown Official Website profile])
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] ([[Nolan North]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/brawl Official Website profile])
*[[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]] ([[Steve Blum]]) ([http://www.transformersgame.com/game#/game/characters/decepticons/barricade Official Website profile])
*[[Slipstream (WFC)|Slipstream]] ([[Jessica Straus]])
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (Gamestop preorder Multiplayer exclusive)
*[[Demolishor (WFC)|Demolishor]] (Amazon.com preorder Multiplayer exclusive <ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-War-Cybertron-Playstation-3/dp/B0030HM2WO Amazon.com preorder page featuring a special Demolishor trailer]</ref>, Play.com exclusive in UK)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (DS only)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (DS only)
}}
The Decepticon campaign includes a boss battle with [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and the Autobot campaign includes defending [[Iacon]]. [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] appears in the IGN trailer, but he's, uh, probably not playable. Players should expect references to Cybertron locations taken from all previous Transformer stories, "things which may have only been referenced once, in one comic way back when, could be used and expanded upon."<ref name="tfw2005"/>

<center><gallery>
Image:WfC-IGN-Bumblebee.jpg|Bumblebee fires his weapon.
Image:WfC-IGN-RatchetBumblebeePrime.jpg|Ratchet, Bumblebee, and Prime in battle.
Image:WfC-IGN-OmegaSupreme.jpg|Omega Supreme attacks a platoon of Decepticons.
Image:WfC-IGN-StarscreamMegatron.jpg|Starscream and Megatron get ready for the ground assault.
Image:WfC-IGN-StarscreamMegatronSoundwave.jpg|More Decepticons!
Image:WfC-IGN-Soundwave.jpg|Soundwave sneaks around.
Image:WfC-IGN-Trypticon.jpg|Oh Primus.
Image:War for Cybertron Shockwave.jpg|Resistance really does seem to be futile.
Image:WfC-Kutaku-Grimlock.jpg|Dynobot?
Image: DemolishorWar for Cyb.jpg
</gallery></center>

==Features==
* Campaigns will be co-op online for the first time in a Transformers game.
* All playable characters have two special abilities, such as absorbing health from enemies or marking targets.
* The game will run on the Unreal engine.
* High Moon is prepared to "support the game after release," meaning either patches or downloadable content.
* Online Multiplayer is being developed for the game.
* All environments, including cover, can be destroyed.
* Characters transform at any time with an easy and quick tap of the Left Analog stick. There is no "cool down" so players can transform as often and as freely as they wish.
* The ability to create your own Transformers character for multiplayer. <ref>[http://www.3news.co.nz/Transformers-War-for-Cybertron-trailer/tabid/418/articleID/144347/Default.aspx War For Cybertron trailer news at 3news.co.nz]</ref>

==Production==

As an early marketing campaign, the game's website included the feature "Operation Transmission Recovery": using transmission and coordinate dials, you could pick up "transmissions" from Cybertron (or "video clips" to you and me).

The art and design team did intense research (i.e. watched the original cartoon, looked at comics, and watched "typical sci-fi cool stuff" like ''Blade Runner'') to work out the aesthetic of Cybertron; lead artist [[Ivan Power]] remarked that the original cartoon was the main inspiration, and that Cybertron wasn't shown there so they had to rewatch the same few clips "over and over". While many of the city designs are elaborate and shiny, Decepticon [[Kaon]] was deliberately designed to be sharp-edged, rusting, and slapped together to show the Decepticons weren't interested in building a functioning society. <ref>[http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/12/21/transformers-art-video.aspx Game Informer: Behind the Art of War for Cybertron]</ref>

==Operation Transmission Recovery==

As an early marketing campaign, the game's website included the feature "Operation Transmission Recovery": using transmission and coordinate dials, you could pick up "transmissions" from Cybertron (or "video clips/images" to you and me).

There are two dials, blue (outer) and yellow (inner). Using your mouse, you can drag the dial to set coordinates. The blue dial is set by aligning it to marks on the outer circle. When aligned, it becomes a blue ring. After that, the yellow dial is set so that signal strength is full, as indicated by a meter on the right. Once a transmission is unlocked its symbol lights up and the "Total Recovered" amount increases a little bit. When you reach 100%, it tells you how many hours remain until next batch.

As of January 12, 2010, the following transmissions (Batch 9), almost all of which are part of the second trailer (link below), were available:

{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5
| '''S. No.'''
| '''Blue'''
| '''Yellow'''
| '''Type'''
| '''Description'''
|-
| 1
| 351
| 327
| Video
| Game Trailer (unlocked by default).
|-
| 2
| 018
| 088
| Video
| Starscream flying.
|-
| 3
| 018
| 088
| Image
| Starscream standing.
|-
| 4
| 029
| 209
| Video
| Battle scene: Camera behind Autobots, Optimus is prominent.
|-
| 5
| 040
| 328
| Image
| Holographic map of Cybertron and its two moons.
|-
| 6
| 051
| 110
| Image
| Cybertron .
|-
| 7
| 073
| 190
| Image
| Optimus vs an average Decepticon.
|-
| 8
| 085
| 298
| Video
| Decepticon insignia (on Starscream).
|-
| 9
| 096
| 347
| Video
| A bomb explosion on Cybertron's surface (possibly the same one which made a huge hole in it).
|-
| 10
| 107
| 035
| Image
| Megatron crushes cranial unit of a poor Autobot, Starscream is visible behind him, just before the ground assault.
|-
| 11
| 120
| 040
| Image
| Cybertron as seen from a moon.
|-
| 12
| 140
| 201
| Image
| Starscream flying towards Cybertron .
|-
| 13
| 162
| 359
| Image
| A red robot (Ironhide?).
|-
| 14
| 173
| 003
| Image
| A hall (Council of Autobot Elders?).
|-
| 15
| 192
| 147
| Video
| Injured Autobot, trying to get up .
|-
| 16
| 203
| 094
| Video
| Battle scene: Trypticon joins the battle as a burning asteroid (Entry mode) behind Decepticons and Autobots run towards it.
|-
| 17
| 214
| 004
| Image
| A city seen from a tunnel .
|-
| 18
| 225
| 199
| Image
| A city tower falling and hitting another tower.
|-
| 19
| 265
| 011
| Image
| Optimus Prime.
|-
| 20
| 284
| 021
| Image
| Megatron firing his gun (at YOU).
|-
| 21
| 295
| 249
| Video
| Optimus uses his axe on a Decepticon.
|-
| 22
| 306
| 041
| Image
| Cybertron as seen from another moon.
|-
| 23
| 317
| 081
| Video
| City skyline, camera moving down, some music in the background (start of the second trailer).
|-
| 24
| 328
| 221
| Video
| Battle scene: A missile hits a battlestation and an Autobot falls down from it.
|}

==Demo==
On June 10, 2010, a demo for the game was released on Xbox Live Marketplace. The demo is a multiplayer only demo, and only two of the four announced classes, Soldier and Scout, are playable in the demo. Only one "Create a Character" slot is open for each class, but customization for chassis is not available yet. Players can only level up to Level 3 in each class. The only map available is "Molten", and the two gametypes available are Team Deathmatch and Conquest.

==Toy tie-ins==
[[Hasbro]] has confirmed that several toys will be made to tie into the promotion of the video game. These include figures of Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Megatron and Soundwave. At [[Toy Fair 2010]], they were confirmed to be part of the [[Generations (toyline)|''Generations'' toyline]].

<gallery>
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianOptimusPrime.jpg
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianMegatron.jpg
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianBumblebee.jpg
Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianSoundwave.jpg
</gallery>

==Comic adaptation==

[[IDW Publishing]] is bringing out a comic based on the game. News of this first got leaked when [[Australia|Australian]] website JB Hi-Fi offered a ''free'' copy of issue 1 if you pre-ordered the game from them. <ref>[http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/game/ps3/transformers-war-for-cybertron-bonus-comic-book/513755 TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON (Bonus Comic Book)]</ref> The story is a partial adaptation of the ''Exodus'' book. <ref name="adaptation">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-war-for-cybertron-1-information-and-team-revealed/18661/ Transformers: War For Cybertron #1 Information and Team Revealed]</ref>

The artist to the cover is revealed to be [[Marcelo Matere]], who updated his DeviantArt gallery with the inked version, <ref>[http://mmatere.deviantart.com/art/War-of-Cybertron-Cover-inks-165279485 Inks-only comic cover at Marcelo's DA gallery]</ref> with [[Priscilla Tramontano]] as colorist. <ref>[http://noprips.deviantart.com/art/War-of-Cybertron-Cover-165344432 Colored cover at Priscilla's DA gallery]</ref> [[Alex Irvine]] and [[Don Figueroa]] are writing and drawing, respectively. <ref name="adaptation" />

==Notes==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersgame.com/ Official site]
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-debut-transformers-war/59860 Exclusive trailer via 'Game Trailers TV']
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-gameplay-transformers-war/62343 Exclusive gameplay trailer via 'Game Trailers TV']
*[http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/54929/transformers-war-for-cybertron/videos/transformerscyber_trl_revealtrailer_10710.html;jsessionid=8yroitu115mw Second, fuller trailer from IGN]
*[http://gameinformer.com/mag/cybertron.aspx Behind the scenes bios and information from ''Game Informer'' magazine.]
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/gdc-10-transformers-war/62925 Civil War Story Interview at 'Game Trailers TV']
*[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6450/20/ Press release]

[[Category: Video games]]

Spyglass

2010-05-21T17:43:28Z

94.192.78.155:

{{factions|decepticon}}
[[Image:Spyglass.gif|right|200px|thumb|Comes with 35 millimeters of terror.]]
:''Spyglass is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

'''Spyglass''' is Gallant to [[Spectro]]'s Goofus. He's an eager-beaver go-getter when it comes to espionage and surveillance. He's always on board with whatever sinister scheme [[Viewfinder]] cooks up for the [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] trio, even to the point where he'll cajole the uncooperative Spectro into playing along—making sure, of course, that Spectro doesn't know too much.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{main|Reflector (G1)|Reflector (G1)#Marvel Comics continuity}}
===Generation 1 cartoon===
{{main|Reflector (G1)|Reflector (G1)#Generation 1 cartoon}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
''Spyglass was part of Megatron's crew, active on Earth in the 1980s before the ''[[Ark II]]'' incident. Although he had no great love for Megatron, Spyglass was not willing to mindlessly fall in line behind [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] once their leader vanished in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]. Making an alliance with [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]—who hated Starscream and wanted to hold leadership of the Decepticons for himself until Megatron inevitably returned—Spyglass arranged to get Starscream's attention. Knowing that Starscream had recruited [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to his cause and set up base in [[Las Vegas]], Spyglass and Skywarp made a stand at [[Hoover Dam]], deliberately bringing themselves inside Soundwave's scanning range yet refusing to answer his hails. Spyglass agreed to let Skywarp run the show, but the "negotiations" for Starscream's abdication quickly degenerated, and the fight was on. Spyglass's Reflector partners came out of hiding to join the battle, but Starscream and Soundwave quickly demolished Skywarp and Spectro, leaving them in deep [[stasis lock]]. With his loyalties being questioned at gunpoint, Spyglass wisely said, "What did Megatron ever do for me?" and knelt before Starscream in defeat. {{storylink|Hardwired}}''

''Spyglass and Viewfinder did not remain loyal to Starscream for long. When Megatron returned from space with the threat of the all-powerful [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] at his heels, he was too badly damaged to forcibly retake the Decepticons from Starscream as he had in the past. Megatron still refused to serve his former Air Commander, however, and when he abandoned Starscream and Las Vegas to deal with the problem posed by the Keepers, Spyglass and several other Decepticons did the same. They were wise to do so, because almost immediately thereafter the Keepers confronted Starscream, stole his body to use as a host for their minds, and imprisoned the remaining Decepticons loyal to him. Spyglass and the other Decepticons joined forces with the Autobots in driving the Keepers off planet Earth. {{storylink|Annihilation}} With Megatron back in command, Spectro was restored to full functionality and the Reflector trio were reunited. They lent their recording abilities to several efforts by Megatron to blackmail the [[President of the United States]] into keeping his nose out of Decepticon business. {{storylink|Fusion (novel)|Fusion}}''

Spyglass was NOT part of Megatron's crew, but worked for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] with his two partners, monitoring the planet and its inhabitants for him from a central mainframe. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} They were seemingly destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when he broke ranks with Shockwave's command structure. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

{{note|The above contradiction was briefly alluded to in the Fusion novel, as the Terran version of Reflector identified himself as the "true" Reflector, with the Cybertronian version being an "inferior copy." This echoes the body-duplication theme seen [[Reflector (G1)|elsewhere in the multiverse]]. Still, what happened to the so-called true Reflector after the Keepers Trilogy remains a mystery.}}
===IDW comics continuity===
Spyglass and Spectro were seen aboard a Decepticon orbital outpost, terrified of walking down the same hallway as [[Sixshot]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sixshot}}

{{note|In Spotlight: Sixshot, Spyglass and Spectro appear in their toy based character models.}}

The Reflector trio, speaking in chorus, celebrated after a successful Decepticon ambush on Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7}}
[[Image:AHM3 Reflector Rumble.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Spyglass is probably the one with blue on him.]]
In [[New York City]], the trio observed as [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] compulsively destroyed a Volkswagen Beetle, and observed in chorus that it was a pity it wasn't [[Bumblebee (G1)|the real thing]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3}} During the Decepticons' stay in New York, Spyglass and Spectro entertained themselves by chasing down humans and offering to play games with them—games that inevitably led to the two robots breaking their playmates. This didn't discourage them too much, as they just attempted to put the humans back together again. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8}}

Three years later, Spyglass was among the Decepticons left behind on Earth after Astrotrain took most of the others off world. After joining a few other abandoned 'cons, he helped retrieve and repair a heavily injured [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. {{storylink|Seasons in Flight}} Led by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], the rag-tag group attacked several Autobot deserters, but laid down their arms when they realized they could work together to get off Earth. {{storylink|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}}

Eventually, the Reflector trio found themselves on a ship, which crashed on [[LV-117]]. Viewfinder was killed in the crash when a large piece of the bridge's canopy shattered and impaled him through the chest. Spectro and Spyglass survived, and eventually they located [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], who had previously crashed on the same planet and had been building an escape vessel with a [[Varta|friendly alien]]. They managed to hijack the vessel shortly before it launched by threatening to kill Wheelie's friend, but the tiny Autobot removed the safety catch from his [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] converter before disembarking, causing it to violently explode shortly after take-off. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Reflector toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|We three kings of orient are...Left to right: Spectro, Viewfinder, Spyglass]]
* '''Reflector''' (Mail-away, 1986/1987; wide release in Japan, 1985)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''21'''
**''Accessories:'' Spectro's "Shutter Gun", Viewfinder's "Lens Laser", Spyglass' "Optic Blaster", flash cube/missile launcher, 3 missiles, telephoto lens.
: Reflector was first sold in Japan in 1985 as an ordinary retail item. However, [[Hasbro]] delayed selling him in the US until 1986, and only then via mail-order from a [[The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:|direct-mail flyer promoting ''The Transformers: The Movie'']]''.'' (Oddly, this came just as the character was being fully phased out of the fiction.) The toy would be a common offering in [[Pack-in material|pack-in flyers]] from then on, at a cost of $10 and two [[Robot Point|Robot Points]].

: Reflector is composed of three distinct robots that combine to form a camera: Viewfinder as the central component with the lens, Spectro as the right-side component with the shutter button, and Spyglass as the left-side component with the flash. It includes a telephoto lens and old-style flashcube that doubles as a missile launcher, but of course, the Hasbro version has the spring-loaded mechanism neutered [[for safety reasons]].
{{-}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/SpyGlass/spyglass.htm Spyglass at TFU.info]

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance specialists]]

Clench (G1)

2010-04-27T22:37:59Z

94.192.78.155: /* Trivia */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|{{factions/icons|custom=Megatron Origin Symbol.png|cSize=35x35px|cLink=Gladiatorial combat}}}}
{{disambig3|Clench}}
:''Clench is a [[Decepticon]] [[Obliterator]] from the [[Generation 2]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. He is also known as '''Colossus'''.''

[[Image:G2-Clench-boxart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You were supposed to be this colossus! You were this great legendary thing!]]
Utterly devoted to destroying the [[Autobot]]s, the Decepticon leader '''Clench''' is fueled by anger, hatred and malevolence. He wades into battle blasting, smashing and running over anything in his path with no mercy, then shooting anything else with heavy firepower.

So naturally, he's a registered driver in [[Texas]].

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 2 UK====
[[Image:WarWithoutEndG2UK-Clench.jpg|left|200px|thumb|C'mon, at least shout your name and powers or something.]]
Clench was part of the Decepticon force led by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], sent to [[Earth]] to smash stuff up and lure out [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Mostly, he just drove over some parked cars. {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}}
{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:MegsOrigin2 Clench dies.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Insert crappy "Let me give you a hand" joke here.]]
Long before the war, a group of ex-miners including [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] took part in a violent uprising against leaders who had exploited them while pocketing the fruits of their labor. They found themselves on the lam in [[Kaon]], which is where they apparently met Clench. Clench employed these same bitter ex-miners to work as gladiators in an [[Gladiatorial combat|underground bloodsport]] (in which he also occasionally partook), placing them at greater risk than they had ever known and conditioning them to give into their murderous impulses, all while hoarding the fruits of their labor for ''himself.'' Clearly, he had thought this through.

So Megatron eventually killed him during one of the fights and took over. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G2-toy Clench.jpg|right|300px|thumb|MEGAWEAPON!]]
*'''Clench''' (Obliterator, 1993)
**''Accessories'': 6 missiles

: Clench transforms into the front half of a long-nosed truck cab of undetermined model. The back half of his vehicle form, the truck bed and container, turns into a large, double-barreled, missile-launching artillery platform that uses "gravity feed" to load a new pair of missiles for rapid firing. Pressing a button between the barrels pops up a spring-loaded targeting reticule. Both [[gimmick]]s are available in truck mode as well. In truck mode, the support strut for the artillery cannon becomes a rear-mounted, extending gripper-claw.

: He was first released as part of the "transitional" period of ''Transformers'' in the European market, in Generation 1 style packaging, yet bearing the new ''Generation 2'' Decepticon sigil.

:Despite what his tiny fictional appearance and his boxart would suggest, Clench is actually a very dark blue-green in colour. With neat little sparkles! Yay. Sparkles.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Decepticon/Clench/clench.htm More information on Clench at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Generation 2===
*'''Colossus''' (Obliterator, 1994)
**''Accessories'': 6 missiles

:Clench was re-released without changes in ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' proper under the name "Colossus."

===Timelines===
*'''Generation 2: Redux''' (BotCon 2010 box set)
**''Accessories'': Shield

:A [[retool]] of of ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Ultra-class [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], Clench transforms into a six-wheeled SWAT assault truck with a rotating double-barreled turret on top. It is unknown if the toy comes with Onslaught's electronics.

: Clench is part of the [[BotCon 2010]] boxed set, alongside [[Breakdown (G1)#Timelines|Breakdown]], [[Pyro#Timelines|Spark]], [[Streetwise (G1)#Timelines|Streetwise]] and [[Sky-Byte (Timelines)|Sky-Byte]].

:The original version of this toy was redecoed into [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]].

{{comingsoontoy}}

==Trivia==

* No, really, his toy's license plate says "Texas." It's also clearly some kind of European plate, so apparently this is the Texas in Europe.

[[Image:Timelines-Clenchfake.jpg|right|thumb|300px|THIS TOY REVEAL MAKES US SO ANGRY!!! BOTCON IS [[Ruined FOREVER|RUINED FOREVER]]!!!]]

* Speaking of Clench's stickers, those on his truck hood are oddly involved by Transformers standards: jagged lightning bolts that at their center feature a gunsight-target view of a red wolf in crosshairs. Exactly what this is supposed to symbolize is unclear.

* His Function is "Leader." This supposedly means he's the main baddie of 1993's line, though Hasbro Europe was pretty liberal with the "Leader" label during that time. But most of the other "Leaders" were members of multi-bot groups, and since Clench is a Decepticon sub-group of one, then it follows he's likely the head honcho of them all.

* After some crafty fans found images of [[BotCon 2010]] [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] in BotCon.com's directory structure, a (fake) photoshopped image of [[Universe (2008)|''Universe'']] [[Octane|Tankor]] was found also soon thereafter, and reported as real news by Seibertron.com. About half an hour later, the BotCon 2010 site went live, revealing Clench's true mold. Oh, those [[Fun Publications]] guys, such [[Shattered Expectations|pranksters]].

[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:European-original characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]

Fireflight (ROTF)

2010-02-06T16:28:39Z

94.192.78.155: /* Revenge of the Fallen */

{{disambig3|Fireflight}}
:''Fireflight is an [[Autobot]] from the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' portion of the [[live-action film series]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:Universe2008 Fireflight.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Starring Sophie Marceau]]
'''Fireflight''' merges with his fellow [[Aerialbot (ROTF)|Aerialbots]] into the mighty [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]]! He is easily distracted, which is unfortunate because he has a cannon the size of a Volkswagen Beetle.

==Toys==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Shield/double-cannon, Autobot-type [[energon star]]

:Available only as a component of [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]], Fireflight is a brown, yellow and maroon redeco of the ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Sky Shadow (Energon)|Sky Shadow]]/[[Terradive (Energon)|Terradive]] mold, transforming into an A-10 "Thunderbolt" plane. He can also form a leg or arm to any ''Energon''-series "[[Powerlinx]] [[Combiner]]" super robot, though his nominal placement is as the left arm of Superion. He comes with a shield/double cannon that can become a footplate or "hand" for his combined mode, plus a blue "super energon" Autobot-style energon star that fits over his [[spark crystal]].

:Fireflight shares his mold with fellow Superion pack-mate [[Skydive (Movie)|Skydive]].

:This mold was also used to make [[Fun Publications]] [[Transformers Collectors Club]]-[[exclusive]] ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]]. Fireflight's deco is identical to the ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] component [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/Fireflight/fireflight.htm More information on Fireflight at TFU.info]''

[[Category:Aerialbots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Toy-only characters]]

Renaming

2010-01-10T05:34:51Z

94.192.78.155: De-orphaned Transformers naming

''What's in a name? A [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] by any other name would cause as many explosions.''

For a Transformer, [[Transformer naming|a name]] is not just a convenient handle for referring to someone--it's a way to describe yourself. As a result, Transformers sometimes take new names upon going through major changes.

==Generation 1==
[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]'s real name is unpronounceable in English, so just call him Jazz. {{storylink|Man of Iron!}} This may imply that the Transformer names as we know them are generally English aliases.

Probably the most famous name changes are the new names taken by the faction leaders. Different versions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] have had the previous names Orion Pax and Optronix, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] changed his name when he became [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (alternatively known as Rodimus Major or just Rodimus) became Rodimus Prime upon receiving the [[Matrix]]. In addition, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] has displayed a tendency to change his name to Goldbug.

Other Transformers have changed their names in specific universes; for instance, the most prominent version of [[Elita One]] was once known as Ariel, and one version of [[Outback]] changed his name to Fallback. Also, [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] was called Divebomb in the past in Marvel Comics continuity and Dreamwave comics continuity.

==Beast Era==
Nearly every member of the [[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]] and [[Darksyde]] crews appeared to take a new name upon first taking an animal [[alternate mode]], though [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] was the only one seen to do so explicitly. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] claimed to have taken his own name from a figure in the [[Covenant of Primus]], which suggests that he had had a different name before that point. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}} In one branch of the timeline, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] had previously been known as "Wing Saber," but her memory banks were damaged and her body was reverted to a [[protoform]] state before she was reborn in the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]], so her new identity was more than a mere name-change. {{storylink|The Razor's Edge}} {{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past}}

Several of the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] who fought [[Lio Convoy]]'s [[Maximal|Maximals]] on [[Gaea]] took modified names upon being upgraded by [[Angolmois]] energy.

In ''Beast Wars II'', [[Lio Convoy|a rookie Convoy]] changed his name to "Lio Convoy" after scanning a mysterious white lion.

In ''Beast Wars Neo'' manga, [[Big Convoy]] was originally named "Big" before becoming a Transformer.

==Robots in Disguise==
[[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] changed his name to Galvatron upon being upgraded, while the [[Autobot Brothers]] simply added the prefix "Super" to their names.

==Unicron Trilogy==
[[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] has a tendency to change his name to Galvatron when he receives a power boost. Others, such as [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]], prefer to reserve name changes for when they are upgraded into entirely new bodies. Others yet, such as [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], retain their name even when upgraded into a new form. Perhaps this is because some Transformers change their name to reflect their new body's abilities; for example, it makes little sense for a snow machine to be named "Cyclonus", while the gorilla-like Demolishor still maintains a destructive personality. Or maybe Hasbro just wants to use certain names for certain toys.

''In the Japanese version of the Unicron Trilogy, characters change names whenever they get a new body, though not necessarily when they get a power boost that results merely in new colors. In [[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'s Japanese counterpart, ''Galaxy Force'', this rule does not necessarily hold true, as ''Galaxy Force'' was originally a separate universe until being retconned into continuity.''

==See also==
*[[Trademark]]
*[[Reformatting]]
*[[Blastification]]

[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Hot House (Micromaster)

2009-10-24T00:10:05Z

94.192.78.155:

{{factions|autobot}}
:''Hot House is an [[Autobot]] [[Micromaster]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Hot house MTMTE.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Hi, I'm Hot House! I'm having trouble coming up with a caption for my picture. Let me mull it over for a while. I suppose I could make a joke about my knee. See how it's sticking up there? 'BEWARE MY KNEEPADS OF DOOM!' or something like that. Or maybe my name is funny. 'Hot House.' Hmm"<ref>"It means a heated greenhouse, where people grow tropical flowers. I do like flowers. Red ones set off my optics. Of course, 'hothouse' is also an adjective meaning 'delicate, sensitive.' Y'know, I think I kinda resent that! Sure, I'm not the strongest Micromaster around, but I get by! And firefighting is hard work! *harumph* Anyway, I'm still having trouble coming up with a caption. Let me know if you think of something."</ref>]]

'''Hot House''' is a thinker. He mulls over every problem to the last rivet, often out loud. His fellow Autobots wonder if he should really be left in charge of a large battle vehicle, but his attention to detail actually makes him very good at his job, watching the skies at long-range to defend Autobot installations against incoming [[Decepticon]] attacks.<ref>''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' #3</ref>

His [[fire station]] base is also great at shooting at Decepticons bigger than it. Doing any damage is another matter entirely.

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Serre Chaude'''

__TOC__
{{-}}
==Fiction==
===''Zone'' OVA, manga and story pages===
[[Image:Zone firebase2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Squint hard, that's Hot House there. Manning the extra machine gun on the base.]]

Upon the creation of the [[Zone Base]], Hot House was put in charge of the [[Fire station|Fire Base]]. {{storylink|Zone (story page)|Zone Part 4}} However, when the [[Nine Great Demon Generals]] attacked, Hot House and all the other warriors within the Zone Base were unable to prevent them from stealing the [[Energon Z]]. {{storylink|Zone (manga)}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

Later, when [[Violen Jiger]] kidnapped [[Galaxy Rocket]] and fled to the [[Tenth Planet]], all the [[Micromaster]]s (Hot House included) promised to keep [[Micro|Zone]] safe while [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] and the [[Powered Master]]s pursued the villain. {{storylink|Zone (story page)|Zone Part 10}}
{{-}}
==Toys==
[[Image:G1-toy HotHouse.jpg|right|300px|thumb|He's might-ay might-ay, just letting it all hang out.]]
===Generation 1/Zone===
* '''Hot House''' (Micromaster Station, 1989)
**''Accessories'': [[Fire station|Base]], connector ramp

: Hot House is a [[redeco]] of [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]], transforming into a white and maroon [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#A-10_Thunderbolt_II|A-10 Thunderbolt]] ground-strike plane, with a red-and-white color scheme to reflect his firefighting role. He was only available with a [[fire station]] that transforms into a tank-like battle mode.

: Hot House's mold was also used to make [[Windrim]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1989/Autobot/HotHouse/hothouse.htm More information on Hot House at TFU.info]''

===Universe===
====Classic Series====
[[Image:Powerglideuniversetoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Someone's been eating their flowers. (Nude)]]
*'''Powerglide''' (Ultra, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Chaingun/missile launcher, "thermal beam" missile

:Through an aftermarket [[Sticker|sticker]] set from reprolabels.com, ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Powerglide (G1)#Classic Series|Powerglide]] can be dressed to resemble Hot House. His [[Alternate mode|altmode]] is "inspired by modern day fire bombers".<ref>[http://reprolabels.com/Classics/Classics/Mapchothouse.jpg Hothouse [sic] Sticker Map]</ref>

{{-}}
==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Zone characters]]

Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)

2009-10-12T02:34:18Z

94.192.78.155: /* Overview */

{{nav-masterforce}}

'''''Transformers: Super-God Masterforce''''' (トランスフォーマー超神マスターフォース Toransufōmā: Chōjin Masutāfōsu) is a Japanese animated series that ran throughout 1988 into the early months of 1989 for 43 broadcast episodes, in support of the [[Super-God Masterforce (toyline)|toyline]] of the same name.

==Overview==
[[Image:MasterforcePoster1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Before Time Force, Wild Force, and Mystic Force...]]
With the conclusion of the first Japanese-exclusive ''Transformers'' [[franchise]], ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', head writer [[Masumi Kaneda]] felt that he had brought the story concepts introduced in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' to a conclusion, and sought to make a "fresh start" with ''Super-God Masterforce''. Whereas ''The Headmasters'' had featured the existing cast of the American animated series, and gradually introduced new characters as it progressed, ''Super-God Masterforce'' was, on the surface, almost entirely divorced from what had gone before, featuring only a cast of entirely new characters in a new scenario. Although links between ''Masterforce'' and the events and characters of ''The Headmasters'' were expanded upon in various other media and articles, the series itself is remarkably self-contained, to the point of frustration, with many important background aspects not fully divulged in the course of the broadcast series.

There is a very human-centric focus in ''Masterforce'', with the basic theme of the series being that "with the Masterforce, you too transform"—that human beings are to be responsible for the defence of their own planet. This resulted in the very ''different'' approach the series takes, which sees the figures released that year by [[Hasbro]] as [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Powermaster]]s reimagined as "[[Headmaster Junior]]s" and "[[Godmaster]]s"—human beings who connect to lifeless [[Transtector]] bodies and actually ''become'' Transformers themselves. In a similar thematic move, the Autobot Pretenders do not don exterior shells and pass themselves off as "giant humans," as in American fiction, but instead perform an ill-defined holistic transformation that actually alters them at a cellular level, shrinking them down into human forms.

For some inexplicable reason, this was the first Transformers cartoon to be shown in Russia, followed by the other Japanese cartoons (in the wrong order), which left many Russian children very confused as far as continuity goes.

==Storyline==
After the events of ''The Headmasters'', the [[Earth]] has been free of [[Transformer]]s for several years, until the emergence of the [[Decepticon]] [[Pretender]]s. This group of villains were pursued to Earth during the Stone Age by a group of Autobots led by [[Metalhawk]], and when both teams crash-landed on the planet, they used their special "Pretender" powers to adopt new disguises. Metalhawk and his Autobots took on the forms of human beings and began to live among the burgeoning humanity, guiding the evolution of their culture and society, while the Decepticons became monstrous creatures and tormented early man as "demons." Eventually, the Autobot Pretenders defeated the Decepticons and sealed them away, but as the series begins, they have been liberated from their prisons by the evil alien energy-being, [[Devil Z]], to play a role in his schemes.

With the return of the Decepticons, the Autobot Pretenders are forced to drop their disguises and take up arms once again, gaining allies in three young human children ([[Shūta Gō]], [[Cab]] and [[Minerva]]) who are imbued with the power of the "Masterforce" and bond with three Transtectors sent to Earth from the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]]. The Decepticons recruit their own Headmasters Juniors as well, and as the battles on Earth progress, the true objective of Devil Z's plan comes to light. The arrival of [[Mega]], [[Giga]], [[Buster (Masterforce)|Buster]] and [[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]] heralds the quest for the "[[Godmaster]]s"—super-powerful lifeforms that are the perfect fusion of human and Transformer, able to manipulate [[Chōkon Power]]. With these four warriors on the side of the Decepticons, the Autobots must find Godmasters of their own, and succeed when they are joined by a young trucker named [[Ginrai]], who soon recruits three more Autobot Godmasters.

Incensed by this failure, Devil Z ups his plans by summoning [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] (the newest incarnation of Decepticon leader Scorponok, who is busy leading the Decepticons against the Autobots out in space) to Earth. Discovering his plan, [[Grand Maximus]] races to Earth to inform the Autobots of BlackZarak's approach. Our heroes create [[Godbomber]], a drone that serves as an upgrade for Ginrai, enabling him to transform into "God Ginrai" and fight in space, allowing him to beat BlackZarak back.

The Autobot suffer a grave loss when the final Godmaster, [[Doubleclouder]], is discovered and sides with the Decepticons, using his ability to adopt two robot forms to infiltrate the Autobots and destroy their headquarters. Without a base of operations, the Autobots are at a disadvantage when BlackZarak returns and merges with Devil Z to bring about the destruction of Mankind. As characters lose their humanity, change their alliances, and engage in final battles, everything comes down to a climactic duel between God Ginrai and BlackZarak atop the Matterhorn, where the Autobot hero must beat his opponent, or all life on Earth will be forfeit.

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Super-God Masterforce episodes}}

{{collist|3|
#[[Rise Up!! Pretenders|Rise Up!! Pretenders]]
#[[Terror! The Decepticons' Manhunt]]
#[[Kidnapping!? The Targeted Jumbo Jet]]
#[[Birth! Headmaster Jrs]]
#[[Rage!! Little Devils with No Need for Rules]]
#[[Go, Goshooter - Showdown in the Wasteland]]
#[[Panic! Protect the Wild Animals!!]]
#[[Super Warriors - The Godmaster Brothers]]
#[[A Fierce Battle!! The Autobots Are in Trouble]]
#[[A Hero Is Chosen - His Name Is Ginrai]]
#[[Ginrai: God On of Rage!!]]
#[[A Strange Friendship: Cancer and Minerva]]
#[[Friend or Foe!? The True Form of the Monster!!]]
#[[Eliminate the Godmaster Ginrai]]
#[[Heroism!! The Birth of Super Ginrai]]
#[[Lightfoot: A Dramatic Encounter]]
#[[An Enemy? The Third Godmaster, Ranger]]
#[[A Powerful Foe!! Sixknight the Wanderer]]
#[[At Full Strength! The Four Godmaster Gunmen]]
#[[The Autobot Warrior, Sixknight?!]]
#[[Save the Little Girl! The Chōjin Warriors, the Godmasters]]
#[[Life? Death? Lightfoot Must Choose]]
#[[Expose the Decepticons' Dark Deception!]]
#[[Super Ginrai Gets Blown Away in the Desert!?]]
#[[Will the Bomber Project Be Destroyed!?]]
#[[God Ginrai - Into the Sky!!]]
#[[God Ginrai - Showdown on the Surface of the Moon]]
#[[Overlord - Terror of the Chōkon Tornado]]
#[[Escape!! The Underwater Volcano Erupts]]
#[[Destroy Godbomber!!]]
#[[Appearance!! The Final Godmaster]]
#[[Secret Orders! Destroy the Autobot Base!!]]
#[[Disaster! The Autobot Base Explodes]]
#[[BlackZarak - Destroyer from Space]]
#[[Crisis! The Day of the Downfall of Humanity]]
#[[God Ginrai - Save Cancer!?]]
#[[God Ginrai: Showdown at the Decepticon Base]]
#[[The Ultimate Combination!! BlackZarak, the New Lifeform]]
#[[Battle to the Death!! God Ginrai VS Darkwings Reborn]]
#[[Autobots! Desperate Attack!!]]
#[[Malevolent and Inhuman! The True Form of Devil Z]]
#[[A Battle... and Then...]]
#[[Fight! Super Ginrai]]
#[[Begin the Bomber Project! The Creation of God Ginrai]]
#[[The Secret of Godbomber!]]
#[[Great Turn-Around! Autobot Warriors!]]
#[[You Too Use the Masterforce to Transform]]}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
'''[[Pretender]]s'''
*[[Metalhawk]] ([[Katsuji Mori]])
*[[Diver (Masterforce)|Diver]] ([[Yūji Mikimoto]])
*[[Lander]] ([[Ryōichi Tanaka]])
*[[Phoenix]] ([[Masato Hirano]])
'''[[Headmaster Junior]]s'''
*[[Cab]] ([[Hiroko Emori]])
*[[Minerva]] ([[Yuriko Yamamoto]])
*[[Shūta Gō]] ([[Yumi Tōma]])
'''[[Godmaster]]s'''
*[[Ginrai]] ([[Hiroshi Takemura]])
*[[Lightfoot]] ([[Tsutomu Kashiwakura]])
*[[Ranger]] ([[Hōchū Ōtsuka]])
*[[Road King]] ([[Kaneto Shiozawa]])
*[[Clouder]] ([[Takeshi Kusao]])
'''Others'''
*[[Godbomber]]
*[[Grand Maximus]] ([[Ikuya Sawaki]])
*[[Sixknight]] ([[Show Hayami|Shō Hayami]])

|c2=
'''[[Pretender]]s'''
*[[Blood]] ([[Kōji Totani]])
*[[Dauros]] ([[Daisuke Gōri]])
*[[Gilmer]] ([[Masaharu Satō]])
'''[[Headmaster Junior]]s'''
*[[Bullhorn]] ([[Kōzō Shioya]])
*[[Cancer]] ([[Akari Hibino|Yōko Ogai]])
*[[Wilder]] ([[Keiichi Nanba]])
'''[[Godmaster]]s'''
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] ([[Keiichi Noda]])
*[[Giga]] ([[Keiichi Noda]])
*[[Mega]] ([[Rihoko Yoshida]])
*[[Buster (Masterforce)|Buster]] ([[Yoku Shioya]])
*[[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]] ([[Ken Yamaguchi]])
'''[[Seacon (Masterforce)|Seacons]]'''
*[[King Poseidon]] ([[Masato Hirano]])
*[[Turtler]] ([[Masato Hirano]])
*[[Gulf]]
*[[Kraken]]
*[[Lobclaw]]
*[[Overbite (Masterforce)|Overbite]]
*[[Tentakil (Masterforce)|Tentakil]]
'''[[Sparkdash]]'''
*[[Guzzle (Masterforce)|Guzzle]]
*[[Javil]]
*[[Sizzle (Masterforce)|Sizzle]]
'''Others'''
*[[Devil Z]] ([[Hidekatsu Shibata]])
*[[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] ([[Banjō Ginga]])
*[[Browning]] ([[Fushigi Yamada|Kyōko Yamada]])

|c3=
*[[Donq]]
*[[Professor Gō]]
|nonumbering=true
}}

==International releases==
As one of the three series that received the [[RTM 1 dub]] treatment, ''Super-God Masterforce'' fell under the ownership of TV Loonland, and consequently was made available for potential release by ''Transformers'' license-holders. As of this writing it has still not been made available in North America. The entire series was released on DVD in the United Kingdom in 2006 by [[Metrodome]] in its original Japanese format plus subtitles. (This box set was originally intended to be "Region 0" like the company's previous Headmasters set, but legal issues caused it to be changed to "Region 2") Its RTM1 dub was aired on the UK channel Anime Central in late 2007. Metrodome's version was released in Australia by [[Madman Entertainment]] in early 2008.

== External links ==
* [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC_%E8%B6%85%E7%A5%9E%E3%83%9E%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9 ''Transformers: Super-God Masterforce'' at the Japanese Wikipedia]

[[Category:Masterforce]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Ratbat (G1)

2009-10-01T00:55:24Z

94.192.78.155: /* Trivia */

{{disambig3|Ratbat}}
{{factions|decepticon|ultracon|senator}}
:''Ratbat is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. He is usually a [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassette]].''

[[Image:G1 Ratbat Packaging Art.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Listen to them—children of the night. What spreadsheets they make.]]
Cold-blooded and obsessed with efficiency, '''Ratbat''''s primary concern is looking out for himself. He treats his responsibilities, whether as a fuel auditor or as leader of Decepticons, as a business. In his book, everything comes down to profit and loss.

In his role as fuel scout, Ratbat carries sensors that allow him to detect and evaluate the quality of fuels of various types, from primitive hydrocarbons to [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]]. He can process any number of these different fuels to power himself.

Although obsessed with efficiency, like any good CEO, Ratbat allows himself a small indulgence: He enjoys sinking his fangs into the fuel tanks of Terran automobiles, the more expensive the better. He enjoys nothing more than savoring high-test gasoline siphoned from a hapless yuppie's Mercedes or BMW.

Ratbat is also the best [[Decepticon leader]] ever. True, that's what [[Megatron (G1)|every]] [[Starscream (G1)|other]] [[Shockwave (G1)|leader]] says, but he's got the victories to back it up.

:''Hungarian name'': '''Féreg''' ("Worm")
:''Italian name'': '''Stridek'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Vampiro'''

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic====
[[Image:Madman comic HotRod runsover tapes.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Dracula vs. King of the Roadkill.]]
In the year 2001, Ratbat was one of several tapes that accompanied [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] when they were spying on the construction of [[Autobot City]]. Soundwave had managed to record a meeting between [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] where the two Autobots leaders discussed hiding the [[Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] in a bunker at the building site. Ratbat was deployed along with [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]], [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]], [[Beastbox]] and [[Squawktalk]] to oversee the retrieval of the powerful Autobot artifact. As Ratbat happily reported the minimal usage of fuel in the successful operation, the Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] rammed [[Squawkbox]] and Slugfest, scaring the crap out of the bat. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}

{{note|Despite the fact that this comic is set firmly within the cartoon continuity of Generation 1, Ratbat's sole line of dialogue (and the fact that he speaks at all) is based on Ratbat's various comic book appearances, and not his beast-like cartoon depiction.}}

====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Hōchū Ōtsuka|Yoshitada Ōtsuka]] (Japanese)

[[Image:RatbatTV.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Squeak! Squeak I tell you! Squeak!]]
Ratbat was among several cassettes deployed by Soundwave during the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in an effort to stop [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] from broadcasting a distress signal to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. After successfully destroying the transmitter, the cassettes broke into the glass dome of the communications tower and attacked [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] until Blaster deployed his own cassette squad. Ratbat was then attacked by [[Ramhorn]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

While the Decepticons were searching space for [[isidrite]] to repair their weaponry, Soundwave ejected Ratbat to hunt for the mineral in an asteroid field. Although the scout was successful in his mission, the isidrite deposit he discovered was already being mined by the Autobots, leading to the inevitable conflict. {{storylink|Webworld}}

[[Image:CallofthePrimitives Ratbat TornedronTiger.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The paw that refreshes.]]
When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] hired the [[Skuxxoid]] and [[Slizardo]] to attack the Autobots with [[anti-electron]]s, the spying Ratbat recorded their failure and raced back to [[Chaar]] to inform Galvatron, replaying his footage of the Autobots' recovery for the two would-be saboteurs to see. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

During a battle on [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], Ratbat was among several "[[primitive]]" Transformers called away by a mysterious being known as [[Oracle (G1)|Primacron's assistant]] to do battle with [[Primacron]]'s creation, [[Tornedron]]. As the primitives made their escape from the seemingly unstoppable creature, Ratbat was grabbed by Tornedron's tiger form and eaten. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}} He got better, though, and was later around to overhear the Autobots' conversation with [[Jessica Morgan]] about the discovery of the [[Spark|lifeless]] body of Optimus Prime. However, this resulted in most of the Decepticons being infected with the [[Hate Plague]]. Some days, a bat can't win. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
[[Image:RatbatFSRLFManga.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ratbat's fallen off the ugly tree a few times.]]
Under the direction of Soundwave, Ratbat and his fellow cassettes ambushed [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] in [[Japan]] shortly after his companion [[Kenji]] had flown off in [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]. Bumblebee was able to leap over them and run off, which prompted Soundwave to have the cassettes give chase. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] shortly ordered the group to split up to cover more ground.

However, they instead (as a group, oddly) ran into [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], which sent them into retreat. Unfortunately, their attempt to re-enter Soundwave's chest was foiled by the fact that Bumblebee had shattered it with a kick, causing them all (including Ratbat) to bounce off the mangled cassette door. Cliffjumper then picked them all up and proceeded to pull out their magnetic tape, wrapping it around his fingers. That meanie. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2}}

{{note|What happened to Soundwave and the cassettes next is never explained, but Soundwave is recuperating with the Decepticons in the next issue. The Autobots may have just left them lying in the street...}}

=====Scramble City=====
Detecting some strange electromagnetic emanations coming from a mountain range, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] deploy Ratbat, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] to investigate. When they met resistance from [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and his own cassette warriors, it became apparent that the mountain concealed an [[Autobot]] operation. While Ravage and Laserbeak occupied [[Ramhorn]] and [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]], Ratbat was able to evade laser fire from Blaster and penetrated the mountain, discovering that it housed the construction site for the Autobots' [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]]. {{storylink|Scramble City}}

=====''The Great Transformer War'' comic=====
{{note|This story takes place toward the end of season 3 of the ''Generation 1'' cartoon.}}
After infiltrating Scramble City, Ratbat watched from a hidden perch as the alien scientist [[Doctor Dalton]] assisted the Autobots in increasing the power of the nascent [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
In the year 2011, as [[Vector Sigma]] was in the process of destabilizing, Soundwave and his cassettes invaded [[Autobot City]] in an attempt to learn what the Autobots' strategy for resolving the situation was. While listening in on the Autobots' discussion, which involved locating the missing [[Matrix of Leadership]], Ratbat was detected by Blaster, leading to a battle between the two communications officers. Soundwave and his troops fled, but the battle was renewed soon after in the Arctic, where both combatants ultimately destroyed each other. Ratbat, Laserbeak and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] gathered up the broken fragments of Soundwave's body and made an airborne escape. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Subsequently, the information Ratbat had gathered on the Autobots' search was replayed for Galvatron. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Thanks to the super-science of planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] was able to use the fragments of Soundwave's body Ratbat and the others had recovered to restore him to life as Soundblaster. He was joyfully received by Ratbat and the other cassettes, who soon found themselves again battling Blaster - likewise reborn as Twincast - and his cassettes while Soundblaster attacked Cybertron with the Decepticons' new [[Madmachine]]. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

When a shadowy figure began blackmailing different nations around the world, Ratbat snuck into Autobot City to observe the Autobots' response. He was, however, spotted by [[Trainbot]] leader [[Shōki]] in the reflection in his glass of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], and fled. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

=====''The Headmasters'' comic=====
[[Image:RatbatHeadmastersManga.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Ratbat post-"adorableness" surgery.]]
After Soundblaster crash-landed following his encounter with [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]'s "Master Chrome Hurricane-Throw to the End of Hell" attack, Ratbat and the other animal cassettes (minus [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]]) stood over his groggy form while [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] panicked at the approach of [[Sixshot]]. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 8}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Ratbatresurrection.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Future Decepticon leaders are quick to realize that Megatron was a terrible one.]]
Ratbat was one of the many Decepticons left on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where he rose to the critical post of fuel auditor. With a drive towards extreme efficiency, he would rarely countenance unnecessary risks. ''He was one of the key figures in [[Straxus (G1)|Lord Straxus' court]], and so when Straxus' attempted possession of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] saw Straxus dead and Megatron mentally unstable, Ratbat was able to exploit it. Convincing the others that Megatron and Straxus were a liability, he had Straxus' troops open the [[Space Bridge]] in front of Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], which sent them back to Earth''. {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

Ratbat emerged as the most powerful Decepticon in [[Polyhex]]. Ratbat grew increasingly dissatisfied with the inefficient use of fuel by the Decepticons based on Earth under the command of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], a practice he planned to alleviate by shutting down the Space Bridge between Earth and Cybertron. The amount of fuel the Earthbound Decepticons had gathered was not remotely equal to the energy required to run the bridge. Regardless, Shockwave appealed for one more use of the Space Bridge, and blamed the Earthbound Autobots for their lack of progress. To the ends of eliminating them from the equation, Ratbat opened up the Space Bridge in front of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and sent [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] through it to destroy them. Though many injuries were inflicted, the arrival of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] rapidly turned the tide. Trypticon's energy expenses exceeded the budget allowed for the mission, and Ratbat ordered him back. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

[[Image:Ratbatcratercritters.jpg|right|175px|thumb|"That... that's your fist, Astrotrain."]]
With the Space Bridge no longer an option, Ratbat sent things to Earth via low-energy cost space freighters. However, a particularly important cargo went missing en route to Earth, so he dispatched the [[Triple Changer]]s through the Space Bridge to investigate. {{storylink|Crater Critters}} When the source of the problem turned out to be a deadly plague of [[Scraplets]], he captured the [[Throttlebot]]s and sent them to Earth to remove the infection with corrosives. He warned them that if they did not succeed with ten hours, he would destroy the Earth to prevent the plague from spreading. Thankfully, [[water]] was discovered to be an effective cure. {{storylink|The Cure!}}

[[Image:Ratbatcarwash.jpg|left|250px|thumb|So once again, Jones, what was briefly yours is now mine.]]
Ratbat traveled to Earth to oversee his designs for Earth. He continued to be outraged at Shockwave's excessive fuel use, particularly when he revealed that Shockwave's Decepticons had recently stolen a fuel tanker ''after'' it had unloaded its cargo! Meanwhile, Ratbat's plans proceeded well. He had placed industrialist [[G.B. Blackrock]] under his control, and had him open a chain of car washes that featured rock and roll music and flashing lights, dubbed the "[[Wash and Roll|Wash and Roll Car Wash]]". These car washes hypnotized humans into delivering the fuel they'd pumped back to the Decepticons. However, this plan was discovered by the Autobots' ally [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. After a quick fight inside one of the car washes, Buster was able to awaken the hypnotized masses outside. Ratbat was forced to flee. {{storylink|Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom}}

The [[United States of America|United States]] government later captured the Throttlebots and executed them live on television. The [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] carried Ratbat to the execution location afterwards so that he could ensure that they had indeed been killed. He discovered that their brain modules were missing, and once he had the scent, he tracked down the Throttlebots inside a nearby mall. Here he battled Buster Witwicky once again, who with [[Walter Barnett]] had snuck the Throttlebots' brains away inside remote control cars. Ratbat cornered Buster and kidnapped him. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}}

He brought Buster back to the [[Club Con|Decepticons' island headquarters]], where he was used as a human shield against military retaliation. The Autobot [[Targetmaster]]s besieged the base, commanded by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and Buster's older brother [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], so the Decepticons were forced to flee by deploying the island base's space-travel capabilities. In the process of departure, Shockwave was shot down in space and seen spiraling towards Earth, apparently dying during reentry. Ratbat declared it would be inefficient to rescue him and seized command of the Decepticons for himself. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

[[Image:Ratbatfortmax.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Ratbat breaks through the Mini-Cassette glass ceiling.]]
Of all the leaders of the Decepticons on Earth few came closer to outright victory than Ratbat. He followed the Autobots under [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] when they set out to unite with those under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and launched an all-out attack that resulted in huge casualties and the Autobots being briefly stranded on the Moon. He retreated only when Grimlock and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] returned from their duel and turned the tide. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[Image:Ratbatdarkstardeath.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Three in one shot? Even Ratbat would concede this was an efficient death.]]
Later, Ratbat promoted the newly recovered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to the position of second-in-command and set out to learn the truth about the legendary [[Underbase]], which could seemingly make a Transformer supremely powerful. {{storylink|Club Con!}} Ratbat was determined to attain its power for himself but this ambition was shared by Starscream. The latter lured the separate Decepticon faction led by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to a meeting with Ratbat's forces, which soon resulted in conflict between the two, allowing Starscream to seek the Underbase for himself. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Both Decepticon factions allied with the Autobots in fighting against Starscream, suffering huge casualties in the process. However, both Ratbat and Scorponok independently suspected that the Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had plans to seize the power of the Underbase for himself, and they set out to stop him. They confronted him aboard the Ark and Ratbat declared he would have the power of the Underbase for himself. Seconds later, Ratbat was dead, shot in the back by Scorponok. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

{{-}}
====Generation 2====
Years later, Grimlock would invoke Buster Witwicky's fight with Ratbat inside the Wash and Roll Car Wash. Optimus Prime needed to be reminded that no matter how small, life struggles to carry on, and if protecting it was good once, why would they stop now? {{storylink|War Without End!}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[Image:Ratbat blackthorne.png|right|180px|thumb|Ratbat watches over his loyal pet Galvatron]]
Ratbat was a sentient entity capable of talking, but pretended to be an obedient mute animal in order to get out of doing any real work. He ended up as the mentally unstable [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s witless pet and sole confidant. This embarrasses him, but rather that than do work!

[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] worried about Galvatron's unhealthy attachment to Ratbat. When [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] foiled Ratbat's search for mysterious [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]-producing aliens by causing Galvatron to accidentally step on him using [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Galvatron stopped fighting to rush to Ratbat's side, distraught over his actions. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

For reasons known only to Ratbat, he was later showing off his sentience and joining in on Decepticon raids. It's almost as if he was being written inconsistently... {{storylink|Transformers in 3-D issue 2}}

{{note|Blackthorne Ratbat appeared to have the ability to change size from his parrot-like perch on Galvatron's shoulder (at right) to a [[:Image:Ratbat blackthorne2.png|giant bat]] large enough for a Throttlebot to ride on.) This fits in with his abilities as described in his expanded Marvel comics profile. Also, Blackthorne's Ratbat was absolutely adorable. He is love.}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Ratbatwarwithin.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Finally! It's Ratbat's time to shine!]]
Millions of years ago, before the Transformers crash-landed on Earth, Ratbat was the leader of a sub-faction of Decepticons called the [[Ultracons]] during the time when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had disappeared. During the Dark Ages, Ratbat made several efforts to secure the [[Tagan Heights]], which held forty percent of Cybertron's industrial capability. However, his efforts were constantly thwarted by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]]. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Eventually, he became so frustrated that he openly violated the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]] and managed to sway the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] over to the Ultracons, unleashing [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] on the Heights. However, the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] arrived and formed [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. Their duel resulted in the destruction of a good deal of the Tagan Heights, and Ratbat was forced to retreat. Megatron's return saw the Ultracons reintegrated into the Decepticons. {{storylink|War Within: The Age of Wrath|The War Within: The Age of Wrath}} At this point in time, Ratbat possessed his original Cybertronian form, able to transform from robot mode to jet.

[[Image:Ratbatwarandpeace.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Wait, wait, sorry, nevermind.]]
When Ratbat was next seen, it was millions of years later, and he had been freed by Starscream from imprisonment and given to Soundwave as a servant/gift, implying a past connection for which Soundwave would want recompense. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Why he was rebuilt into a smaller, weaker form is unknown, but what is known is that he despises it.<ref>Ratbat's profile in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]].</ref>

{{-}}
===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:Gijoevtfratbatblasted.jpg|left|200px|thumb|I don't think I like these new comics...]]Ratbat was one of the many Transformers recovered from the crashed ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' by [[Cobra]]. He was repaired and retrofitted by [[Doctor Mindbender]], who proudly displayed him, Soundwave, and his fellow Mini-Cassettes to [[Destro]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2}} Ratbat was released by Soundwave, along with [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], during an attack on the [[SPS Center]]. Ratbat was felled by the combined fire of [[Rock'n'Roll]], [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]], and [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]]. His body was taken into custody by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:Senator ratbat.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Woohoo! Now I'm a Senator!]]
Millions of years ago, before the war, Ratbat was a member of the [[Senate]] and possessed a fairly impressive humanoid form with wing-like capes and a bat head-like helmet. His professed role was "the application of wisdom through judgment", whatever that means, but, in practicality, he simply monitored news feeds and manipulated events (including stoking conflicts) to create the most profit for himself. He was responsible for the automation of Cybertron's Energon mines, a move which prompted the miner known as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] to rebel and flee underground.

Interested by Megatron's early [[Gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial exploits]], he sent his servant [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to offer Megatron a wide variety of advanced weaponry. He was either trying to get in on the fight racket and increase the violence for profit, or was deliberately trying to create greater instability (also for profit). {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2}}

{{note|It's not that clear which - he starts up after hearing how much money the fights make, but in later issues says how instability is good for business.}}

When Megatron's forces bloomed from underground fightclub to planet-destabilizing army, Ratbat realized that he'd made a mistake and Megatron was going too far. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3}}

[[Image:MegatronOrigin4 Soundwave humbles Ratbat.jpg|left|200px|thumb|No, no, wait. Sorry. Again.]]
After Megatron decisively won his first battle against [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and the Decepticons were established, Ratbat decided to view this as a job opportunity and simply transfer himself (and all of Kaon's city funding and government data) to [[Iacon]] and a more lucrative position. Unfortunately for him, he was betrayed by Soundwave, who thought Ratbat would be a "valuable resource" for the Decepticons. His [[Spark]] was removed and transferred into a smaller, compact form. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4}}

[[Image:Ratbatdevastation.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Always on playlist: "Batdance"]]
Millions of years later, in the present day, Ratbat appeared to have come WAY down in the world and the former Senator served merely as a scout for the Decepticons. Now on Earth for no apparent explanation, he was able to transform into a Sony Mylo.<ref>[http://ej-su.deviantart.com/art/Ratbat-Concept-104748256 E.J. Su's model sheet for "Devastation" Ratbat, on his Deviant Art page]</ref> After reporting to Megatron that he had found ''[[Ark-19]]'', no further exploits were worth chronicling. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1}}

In a ''considerable'' step backwards, upon Soundwave's re-emergence he was not only reformatted into form subservient to his former employee once again, but given an altmode of a magnetic cassette, a technology even the fleshlings had largely abandoned. In this archaic guise, he was sent to intercept the military unit of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] as they attempted to cross the [[Hudson River]]. Sinking their raft, he left again for obscurity and indignity. He must hate his life ''so much''. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}}

When the Autobots returned to Earth and fought the Decepticons off, Ratbat retreated with the others aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Ratbat toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm a cassette... I'm a bat... I'm adorable!]]
*'''Ratbat / Frenzy''' (Cassette 2-pack, 1986)
**''Accessories'': 2 thrusters

: Ratbat transforms from a robot bat into a microcassette that can fit in the chest compartment of the [[Soundwave (G1) toys|Soundwave]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] molds. He was released in a two-pack with [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] in 1986 in the US and European markets. The toy had either gold or silver weapons and painted or sticker cassette detail. It is unknown if the color of the weapons corresponded to the detailing types.

: Ratbat's tiny "ears" are among the more easily lost parts in the original [[Generation 1 (toyline)|Generation 1]] line.

*'''Ratbat''' (Cassettron, 1986/1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-61''', '''D-107'''
**''Accessories'': 2 thrusters

: In Japan, Ratbat was released as an individual toy. He came with a clear-plastic cassette storage case, like all other Japanese releases of the cassettes. It is unknown what weapon/tape-detail variants were available in Japan.

* '''Cassette Big Mission 2''' (2009)
**''Encore number'': '''17'''

: As part of the [[Encore]] Generation 1 [[reissue]] line, Ratbat was released along with [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]], [[Ramhorn]] and [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]].

===Universe (2008)===
====War Within Series====
[[Image:Universe 2008 Ratbat toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Batman always did need a space ship.]]
*'''Standoff Beneath the Streets''' (Voyager Deluxe Comic 2-Pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Left & right wing-swords, Cyber key

:A Target [[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], Ratbat is a purple, alien spacefighter with [[Cyber Planet Key]]-activated faction-switching ability (switching from Decepticon to Ultracon) and pop-out blades built into his battle shield.

: This mold was also used to make the [[Noisemaze Mass-Production Version]], and remolded into ''Timelines'' [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and Sweeps [[Sweep Two|Two]], [[Sweep Six|Six]], and [[Sweep Seven|Seven]].

:Despite being a redeco of a ''Cybertron'' mold, ''Universe'' Ratbat is a remarkable [[homage]] to his ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages|Dark Ages]]'' robot mode and altmode. This is further enhanced by packaging him with [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], with whom Ratbat had a rivalry in the story. See [[#Dreamwave comics continuity|above]].

:In its first release in Canada, the set did not include a comic (in spite of the ''INCLUDES COMIC!'' marking on the package), and in its [http://forums.tformers.com/talk/index.php?s=ab1b209e07ed43b5c964e4a0d101acf3&showtopic=15367&view=findpost&p=1449552 first reported US sighting], included the wrong comic. The right comic was to be ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages]]'' issue "[[Escalation (Dreamwave)|Escalation]]". The comic that was included was a reprint of "[[Target: 2006]]" parts 5 & 6.

*'''Soundwave''' (2009)

: In 2009, Ratbat was included with yet another reissue of Soundwave as part of the ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, this time as a [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] exclusive that was prominently offered at San Diego Comic-Con 2009. Included were his weapons and his own cassette case.
: Surprisingly for a reissue, the US San Diego Comic-Con release and the Encore release were near simultaneous, both occurring on the same weekend.
{{-}}

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
[[Image:Soundblaster statue.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sorry, Soundblaster, but you having legs was JUST NOT in the budget. Squeak.]]
* '''Sound Blaster''' (Diamond Select, 2008)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, the [[Soundwave (G1) toys|Sound Blaster]] bust was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]], limited to 1,000 pieces. It includes a new sculpt of Ratbat perching on Sound Blaster's shoulder.

{{-}}

[[Image:Rumble statue.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
* '''Rumble''' (Diamond Select, 2009)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2009, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1000 pieces. Ratbat is seen blazing over his shoulder and decoed in a deeper purple then he is usually depicted in.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* Ratbat's two manga appearances use wildly different [[Character model|character models]]. The first appears to be based more closely on his box art, and thus may in fact be his [[Studio Ox]] model, while the second seems to simply be his standard animation model.

* While Ratbat in the original cartoon was a voiceless beast who was ordered around by Soundwave, in the Marvel Comics stories, Ratbat was an independent, intelligent character who could speak and held a prestigious rank, even commanding the Earthbound Decepticons for a period, despite transforming into a tiny audio cassette. Both of the "postmodern" continuities established by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] have tried to harmonize these two disparate roles by portraying Ratbat as a previously-important individual who was humbled and forced into a lowly form. Remember, kids, if you're not humanoid, you can't possibly have held a real rank. There must be ''some explanation''.

* Ratbat's cassette form in ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'' was part of a deliberate decision to have everyone looking recognisable to new readers. <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/comics-16/botcon-2009-idw-publishing-panel-167766/ Botcon 2009 IDW Publishing Panel report]</ref> This is logical until you realise that [[EJ Su]]'s redesign had the same basic shape and colour as the old Ratbat, and that no [[Mindwipe (G1)|other Transformer]] (nay, any robot anywhere in fiction) is a purple-and-black bat. He stands out a tad.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Ratbat/ratbat.htm Ratbat at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Ratbat Ratbat's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Mini-Cassettes]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Ultracons]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Ratbat (G1)

2009-10-01T00:49:35Z

94.192.78.155: /* Trivia */

{{disambig3|Ratbat}}
{{factions|decepticon|ultracon|senator}}
:''Ratbat is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. He is usually a [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassette]].''

[[Image:G1 Ratbat Packaging Art.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Listen to them—children of the night. What spreadsheets they make.]]
Cold-blooded and obsessed with efficiency, '''Ratbat''''s primary concern is looking out for himself. He treats his responsibilities, whether as a fuel auditor or as leader of Decepticons, as a business. In his book, everything comes down to profit and loss.

In his role as fuel scout, Ratbat carries sensors that allow him to detect and evaluate the quality of fuels of various types, from primitive hydrocarbons to [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]]. He can process any number of these different fuels to power himself.

Although obsessed with efficiency, like any good CEO, Ratbat allows himself a small indulgence: He enjoys sinking his fangs into the fuel tanks of Terran automobiles, the more expensive the better. He enjoys nothing more than savoring high-test gasoline siphoned from a hapless yuppie's Mercedes or BMW.

Ratbat is also the best [[Decepticon leader]] ever. True, that's what [[Megatron (G1)|every]] [[Starscream (G1)|other]] [[Shockwave (G1)|leader]] says, but he's got the victories to back it up.

:''Hungarian name'': '''Féreg''' ("Worm")
:''Italian name'': '''Stridek'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Vampiro'''

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic====
[[Image:Madman comic HotRod runsover tapes.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Dracula vs. King of the Roadkill.]]
In the year 2001, Ratbat was one of several tapes that accompanied [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] when they were spying on the construction of [[Autobot City]]. Soundwave had managed to record a meeting between [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] where the two Autobots leaders discussed hiding the [[Autobot Matrix of Leadership]] in a bunker at the building site. Ratbat was deployed along with [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]], [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]], [[Beastbox]] and [[Squawktalk]] to oversee the retrieval of the powerful Autobot artifact. As Ratbat happily reported the minimal usage of fuel in the successful operation, the Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] rammed [[Squawkbox]] and Slugfest, scaring the crap out of the bat. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}

{{note|Despite the fact that this comic is set firmly within the cartoon continuity of Generation 1, Ratbat's sole line of dialogue (and the fact that he speaks at all) is based on Ratbat's various comic book appearances, and not his beast-like cartoon depiction.}}

====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Hōchū Ōtsuka|Yoshitada Ōtsuka]] (Japanese)

[[Image:RatbatTV.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Squeak! Squeak I tell you! Squeak!]]
Ratbat was among several cassettes deployed by Soundwave during the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in an effort to stop [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] from broadcasting a distress signal to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. After successfully destroying the transmitter, the cassettes broke into the glass dome of the communications tower and attacked [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] until Blaster deployed his own cassette squad. Ratbat was then attacked by [[Ramhorn]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

While the Decepticons were searching space for [[isidrite]] to repair their weaponry, Soundwave ejected Ratbat to hunt for the mineral in an asteroid field. Although the scout was successful in his mission, the isidrite deposit he discovered was already being mined by the Autobots, leading to the inevitable conflict. {{storylink|Webworld}}

[[Image:CallofthePrimitives Ratbat TornedronTiger.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The paw that refreshes.]]
When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] hired the [[Skuxxoid]] and [[Slizardo]] to attack the Autobots with [[anti-electron]]s, the spying Ratbat recorded their failure and raced back to [[Chaar]] to inform Galvatron, replaying his footage of the Autobots' recovery for the two would-be saboteurs to see. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

During a battle on [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], Ratbat was among several "[[primitive]]" Transformers called away by a mysterious being known as [[Oracle (G1)|Primacron's assistant]] to do battle with [[Primacron]]'s creation, [[Tornedron]]. As the primitives made their escape from the seemingly unstoppable creature, Ratbat was grabbed by Tornedron's tiger form and eaten. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}} He got better, though, and was later around to overhear the Autobots' conversation with [[Jessica Morgan]] about the discovery of the [[Spark|lifeless]] body of Optimus Prime. However, this resulted in most of the Decepticons being infected with the [[Hate Plague]]. Some days, a bat can't win. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
[[Image:RatbatFSRLFManga.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ratbat's fallen off the ugly tree a few times.]]
Under the direction of Soundwave, Ratbat and his fellow cassettes ambushed [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] in [[Japan]] shortly after his companion [[Kenji]] had flown off in [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]. Bumblebee was able to leap over them and run off, which prompted Soundwave to have the cassettes give chase. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] shortly ordered the group to split up to cover more ground.

However, they instead (as a group, oddly) ran into [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], which sent them into retreat. Unfortunately, their attempt to re-enter Soundwave's chest was foiled by the fact that Bumblebee had shattered it with a kick, causing them all (including Ratbat) to bounce off the mangled cassette door. Cliffjumper then picked them all up and proceeded to pull out their magnetic tape, wrapping it around his fingers. That meanie. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2}}

{{note|What happened to Soundwave and the cassettes next is never explained, but Soundwave is recuperating with the Decepticons in the next issue. The Autobots may have just left them lying in the street...}}

=====Scramble City=====
Detecting some strange electromagnetic emanations coming from a mountain range, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] deploy Ratbat, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] to investigate. When they met resistance from [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and his own cassette warriors, it became apparent that the mountain concealed an [[Autobot]] operation. While Ravage and Laserbeak occupied [[Ramhorn]] and [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]], Ratbat was able to evade laser fire from Blaster and penetrated the mountain, discovering that it housed the construction site for the Autobots' [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]]. {{storylink|Scramble City}}

=====''The Great Transformer War'' comic=====
{{note|This story takes place toward the end of season 3 of the ''Generation 1'' cartoon.}}
After infiltrating Scramble City, Ratbat watched from a hidden perch as the alien scientist [[Doctor Dalton]] assisted the Autobots in increasing the power of the nascent [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
In the year 2011, as [[Vector Sigma]] was in the process of destabilizing, Soundwave and his cassettes invaded [[Autobot City]] in an attempt to learn what the Autobots' strategy for resolving the situation was. While listening in on the Autobots' discussion, which involved locating the missing [[Matrix of Leadership]], Ratbat was detected by Blaster, leading to a battle between the two communications officers. Soundwave and his troops fled, but the battle was renewed soon after in the Arctic, where both combatants ultimately destroyed each other. Ratbat, Laserbeak and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] gathered up the broken fragments of Soundwave's body and made an airborne escape. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Subsequently, the information Ratbat had gathered on the Autobots' search was replayed for Galvatron. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Thanks to the super-science of planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] was able to use the fragments of Soundwave's body Ratbat and the others had recovered to restore him to life as Soundblaster. He was joyfully received by Ratbat and the other cassettes, who soon found themselves again battling Blaster - likewise reborn as Twincast - and his cassettes while Soundblaster attacked Cybertron with the Decepticons' new [[Madmachine]]. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

When a shadowy figure began blackmailing different nations around the world, Ratbat snuck into Autobot City to observe the Autobots' response. He was, however, spotted by [[Trainbot]] leader [[Shōki]] in the reflection in his glass of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], and fled. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

=====''The Headmasters'' comic=====
[[Image:RatbatHeadmastersManga.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Ratbat post-"adorableness" surgery.]]
After Soundblaster crash-landed following his encounter with [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]'s "Master Chrome Hurricane-Throw to the End of Hell" attack, Ratbat and the other animal cassettes (minus [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]]) stood over his groggy form while [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] panicked at the approach of [[Sixshot]]. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 8}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Ratbatresurrection.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Future Decepticon leaders are quick to realize that Megatron was a terrible one.]]
Ratbat was one of the many Decepticons left on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where he rose to the critical post of fuel auditor. With a drive towards extreme efficiency, he would rarely countenance unnecessary risks. ''He was one of the key figures in [[Straxus (G1)|Lord Straxus' court]], and so when Straxus' attempted possession of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] saw Straxus dead and Megatron mentally unstable, Ratbat was able to exploit it. Convincing the others that Megatron and Straxus were a liability, he had Straxus' troops open the [[Space Bridge]] in front of Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], which sent them back to Earth''. {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

Ratbat emerged as the most powerful Decepticon in [[Polyhex]]. Ratbat grew increasingly dissatisfied with the inefficient use of fuel by the Decepticons based on Earth under the command of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], a practice he planned to alleviate by shutting down the Space Bridge between Earth and Cybertron. The amount of fuel the Earthbound Decepticons had gathered was not remotely equal to the energy required to run the bridge. Regardless, Shockwave appealed for one more use of the Space Bridge, and blamed the Earthbound Autobots for their lack of progress. To the ends of eliminating them from the equation, Ratbat opened up the Space Bridge in front of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and sent [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] through it to destroy them. Though many injuries were inflicted, the arrival of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] rapidly turned the tide. Trypticon's energy expenses exceeded the budget allowed for the mission, and Ratbat ordered him back. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

[[Image:Ratbatcratercritters.jpg|right|175px|thumb|"That... that's your fist, Astrotrain."]]
With the Space Bridge no longer an option, Ratbat sent things to Earth via low-energy cost space freighters. However, a particularly important cargo went missing en route to Earth, so he dispatched the [[Triple Changer]]s through the Space Bridge to investigate. {{storylink|Crater Critters}} When the source of the problem turned out to be a deadly plague of [[Scraplets]], he captured the [[Throttlebot]]s and sent them to Earth to remove the infection with corrosives. He warned them that if they did not succeed with ten hours, he would destroy the Earth to prevent the plague from spreading. Thankfully, [[water]] was discovered to be an effective cure. {{storylink|The Cure!}}

[[Image:Ratbatcarwash.jpg|left|250px|thumb|So once again, Jones, what was briefly yours is now mine.]]
Ratbat traveled to Earth to oversee his designs for Earth. He continued to be outraged at Shockwave's excessive fuel use, particularly when he revealed that Shockwave's Decepticons had recently stolen a fuel tanker ''after'' it had unloaded its cargo! Meanwhile, Ratbat's plans proceeded well. He had placed industrialist [[G.B. Blackrock]] under his control, and had him open a chain of car washes that featured rock and roll music and flashing lights, dubbed the "[[Wash and Roll|Wash and Roll Car Wash]]". These car washes hypnotized humans into delivering the fuel they'd pumped back to the Decepticons. However, this plan was discovered by the Autobots' ally [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. After a quick fight inside one of the car washes, Buster was able to awaken the hypnotized masses outside. Ratbat was forced to flee. {{storylink|Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom}}

The [[United States of America|United States]] government later captured the Throttlebots and executed them live on television. The [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] carried Ratbat to the execution location afterwards so that he could ensure that they had indeed been killed. He discovered that their brain modules were missing, and once he had the scent, he tracked down the Throttlebots inside a nearby mall. Here he battled Buster Witwicky once again, who with [[Walter Barnett]] had snuck the Throttlebots' brains away inside remote control cars. Ratbat cornered Buster and kidnapped him. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}}

He brought Buster back to the [[Club Con|Decepticons' island headquarters]], where he was used as a human shield against military retaliation. The Autobot [[Targetmaster]]s besieged the base, commanded by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and Buster's older brother [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], so the Decepticons were forced to flee by deploying the island base's space-travel capabilities. In the process of departure, Shockwave was shot down in space and seen spiraling towards Earth, apparently dying during reentry. Ratbat declared it would be inefficient to rescue him and seized command of the Decepticons for himself. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

[[Image:Ratbatfortmax.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Ratbat breaks through the Mini-Cassette glass ceiling.]]
Of all the leaders of the Decepticons on Earth few came closer to outright victory than Ratbat. He followed the Autobots under [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] when they set out to unite with those under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and launched an all-out attack that resulted in huge casualties and the Autobots being briefly stranded on the Moon. He retreated only when Grimlock and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] returned from their duel and turned the tide. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[Image:Ratbatdarkstardeath.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Three in one shot? Even Ratbat would concede this was an efficient death.]]
Later, Ratbat promoted the newly recovered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to the position of second-in-command and set out to learn the truth about the legendary [[Underbase]], which could seemingly make a Transformer supremely powerful. {{storylink|Club Con!}} Ratbat was determined to attain its power for himself but this ambition was shared by Starscream. The latter lured the separate Decepticon faction led by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] to a meeting with Ratbat's forces, which soon resulted in conflict between the two, allowing Starscream to seek the Underbase for himself. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Both Decepticon factions allied with the Autobots in fighting against Starscream, suffering huge casualties in the process. However, both Ratbat and Scorponok independently suspected that the Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had plans to seize the power of the Underbase for himself, and they set out to stop him. They confronted him aboard the Ark and Ratbat declared he would have the power of the Underbase for himself. Seconds later, Ratbat was dead, shot in the back by Scorponok. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

{{-}}
====Generation 2====
Years later, Grimlock would invoke Buster Witwicky's fight with Ratbat inside the Wash and Roll Car Wash. Optimus Prime needed to be reminded that no matter how small, life struggles to carry on, and if protecting it was good once, why would they stop now? {{storylink|War Without End!}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[Image:Ratbat blackthorne.png|right|180px|thumb|Ratbat watches over his loyal pet Galvatron]]
Ratbat was a sentient entity capable of talking, but pretended to be an obedient mute animal in order to get out of doing any real work. He ended up as the mentally unstable [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s witless pet and sole confidant. This embarrasses him, but rather that than do work!

[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] worried about Galvatron's unhealthy attachment to Ratbat. When [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] foiled Ratbat's search for mysterious [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]-producing aliens by causing Galvatron to accidentally step on him using [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Galvatron stopped fighting to rush to Ratbat's side, distraught over his actions. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

For reasons known only to Ratbat, he was later showing off his sentience and joining in on Decepticon raids. It's almost as if he was being written inconsistently... {{storylink|Transformers in 3-D issue 2}}

{{note|Blackthorne Ratbat appeared to have the ability to change size from his parrot-like perch on Galvatron's shoulder (at right) to a [[:Image:Ratbat blackthorne2.png|giant bat]] large enough for a Throttlebot to ride on.) This fits in with his abilities as described in his expanded Marvel comics profile. Also, Blackthorne's Ratbat was absolutely adorable. He is love.}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Ratbatwarwithin.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Finally! It's Ratbat's time to shine!]]
Millions of years ago, before the Transformers crash-landed on Earth, Ratbat was the leader of a sub-faction of Decepticons called the [[Ultracons]] during the time when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had disappeared. During the Dark Ages, Ratbat made several efforts to secure the [[Tagan Heights]], which held forty percent of Cybertron's industrial capability. However, his efforts were constantly thwarted by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]]. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Eventually, he became so frustrated that he openly violated the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]] and managed to sway the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] over to the Ultracons, unleashing [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] on the Heights. However, the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] arrived and formed [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. Their duel resulted in the destruction of a good deal of the Tagan Heights, and Ratbat was forced to retreat. Megatron's return saw the Ultracons reintegrated into the Decepticons. {{storylink|War Within: The Age of Wrath|The War Within: The Age of Wrath}} At this point in time, Ratbat possessed his original Cybertronian form, able to transform from robot mode to jet.

[[Image:Ratbatwarandpeace.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Wait, wait, sorry, nevermind.]]
When Ratbat was next seen, it was millions of years later, and he had been freed by Starscream from imprisonment and given to Soundwave as a servant/gift, implying a past connection for which Soundwave would want recompense. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Why he was rebuilt into a smaller, weaker form is unknown, but what is known is that he despises it.<ref>Ratbat's profile in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]].</ref>

{{-}}
===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[Image:Gijoevtfratbatblasted.jpg|left|200px|thumb|I don't think I like these new comics...]]Ratbat was one of the many Transformers recovered from the crashed ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' by [[Cobra]]. He was repaired and retrofitted by [[Doctor Mindbender]], who proudly displayed him, Soundwave, and his fellow Mini-Cassettes to [[Destro]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2}} Ratbat was released by Soundwave, along with [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], during an attack on the [[SPS Center]]. Ratbat was felled by the combined fire of [[Rock'n'Roll]], [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]], and [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]]. His body was taken into custody by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:Senator ratbat.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Woohoo! Now I'm a Senator!]]
Millions of years ago, before the war, Ratbat was a member of the [[Senate]] and possessed a fairly impressive humanoid form with wing-like capes and a bat head-like helmet. His professed role was "the application of wisdom through judgment", whatever that means, but, in practicality, he simply monitored news feeds and manipulated events (including stoking conflicts) to create the most profit for himself. He was responsible for the automation of Cybertron's Energon mines, a move which prompted the miner known as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] to rebel and flee underground.

Interested by Megatron's early [[Gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial exploits]], he sent his servant [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to offer Megatron a wide variety of advanced weaponry. He was either trying to get in on the fight racket and increase the violence for profit, or was deliberately trying to create greater instability (also for profit). {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2}}

{{note|It's not that clear which - he starts up after hearing how much money the fights make, but in later issues says how instability is good for business.}}

When Megatron's forces bloomed from underground fightclub to planet-destabilizing army, Ratbat realized that he'd made a mistake and Megatron was going too far. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3}}

[[Image:MegatronOrigin4 Soundwave humbles Ratbat.jpg|left|200px|thumb|No, no, wait. Sorry. Again.]]
After Megatron decisively won his first battle against [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and the Decepticons were established, Ratbat decided to view this as a job opportunity and simply transfer himself (and all of Kaon's city funding and government data) to [[Iacon]] and a more lucrative position. Unfortunately for him, he was betrayed by Soundwave, who thought Ratbat would be a "valuable resource" for the Decepticons. His [[Spark]] was removed and transferred into a smaller, compact form. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4}}

[[Image:Ratbatdevastation.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Always on playlist: "Batdance"]]
Millions of years later, in the present day, Ratbat appeared to have come WAY down in the world and the former Senator served merely as a scout for the Decepticons. Now on Earth for no apparent explanation, he was able to transform into a Sony Mylo.<ref>[http://ej-su.deviantart.com/art/Ratbat-Concept-104748256 E.J. Su's model sheet for "Devastation" Ratbat, on his Deviant Art page]</ref> After reporting to Megatron that he had found ''[[Ark-19]]'', no further exploits were worth chronicling. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1}}

In a ''considerable'' step backwards, upon Soundwave's re-emergence he was not only reformatted into form subservient to his former employee once again, but given an altmode of a magnetic cassette, a technology even the fleshlings had largely abandoned. In this archaic guise, he was sent to intercept the military unit of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] as they attempted to cross the [[Hudson River]]. Sinking their raft, he left again for obscurity and indignity. He must hate his life ''so much''. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5}}

When the Autobots returned to Earth and fought the Decepticons off, Ratbat retreated with the others aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Ratbat toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm a cassette... I'm a bat... I'm adorable!]]
*'''Ratbat / Frenzy''' (Cassette 2-pack, 1986)
**''Accessories'': 2 thrusters

: Ratbat transforms from a robot bat into a microcassette that can fit in the chest compartment of the [[Soundwave (G1) toys|Soundwave]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] molds. He was released in a two-pack with [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] in 1986 in the US and European markets. The toy had either gold or silver weapons and painted or sticker cassette detail. It is unknown if the color of the weapons corresponded to the detailing types.

: Ratbat's tiny "ears" are among the more easily lost parts in the original [[Generation 1 (toyline)|Generation 1]] line.

*'''Ratbat''' (Cassettron, 1986/1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-61''', '''D-107'''
**''Accessories'': 2 thrusters

: In Japan, Ratbat was released as an individual toy. He came with a clear-plastic cassette storage case, like all other Japanese releases of the cassettes. It is unknown what weapon/tape-detail variants were available in Japan.

* '''Cassette Big Mission 2''' (2009)
**''Encore number'': '''17'''

: As part of the [[Encore]] Generation 1 [[reissue]] line, Ratbat was released along with [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]], [[Ramhorn]] and [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]].

===Universe (2008)===
====War Within Series====
[[Image:Universe 2008 Ratbat toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Batman always did need a space ship.]]
*'''Standoff Beneath the Streets''' (Voyager Deluxe Comic 2-Pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Left & right wing-swords, Cyber key

:A Target [[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], Ratbat is a purple, alien spacefighter with [[Cyber Planet Key]]-activated faction-switching ability (switching from Decepticon to Ultracon) and pop-out blades built into his battle shield.

: This mold was also used to make the [[Noisemaze Mass-Production Version]], and remolded into ''Timelines'' [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and Sweeps [[Sweep Two|Two]], [[Sweep Six|Six]], and [[Sweep Seven|Seven]].

:Despite being a redeco of a ''Cybertron'' mold, ''Universe'' Ratbat is a remarkable [[homage]] to his ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages|Dark Ages]]'' robot mode and altmode. This is further enhanced by packaging him with [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], with whom Ratbat had a rivalry in the story. See [[#Dreamwave comics continuity|above]].

:In its first release in Canada, the set did not include a comic (in spite of the ''INCLUDES COMIC!'' marking on the package), and in its [http://forums.tformers.com/talk/index.php?s=ab1b209e07ed43b5c964e4a0d101acf3&showtopic=15367&view=findpost&p=1449552 first reported US sighting], included the wrong comic. The right comic was to be ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages]]'' issue "[[Escalation (Dreamwave)|Escalation]]". The comic that was included was a reprint of "[[Target: 2006]]" parts 5 & 6.

*'''Soundwave''' (2009)

: In 2009, Ratbat was included with yet another reissue of Soundwave as part of the ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, this time as a [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] exclusive that was prominently offered at San Diego Comic-Con 2009. Included were his weapons and his own cassette case.
: Surprisingly for a reissue, the US San Diego Comic-Con release and the Encore release were near simultaneous, both occurring on the same weekend.
{{-}}

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
[[Image:Soundblaster statue.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sorry, Soundblaster, but you having legs was JUST NOT in the budget. Squeak.]]
* '''Sound Blaster''' (Diamond Select, 2008)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2008, the [[Soundwave (G1) toys|Sound Blaster]] bust was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]], limited to 1,000 pieces. It includes a new sculpt of Ratbat perching on Sound Blaster's shoulder.

{{-}}

[[Image:Rumble statue.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
* '''Rumble''' (Diamond Select, 2009)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2009, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1000 pieces. Ratbat is seen blazing over his shoulder and decoed in a deeper purple then he is usually depicted in.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* Ratbat's two manga appearances use wildly different [[Character model|character models]]. The first appears to be based more closely on his box art, and thus may in fact be his [[Studio Ox]] model, while the second seems to simply be his standard animation model.

* While Ratbat in the original cartoon was a voiceless beast who was ordered around by Soundwave, in the Marvel Comics stories, Ratbat was an independent, intelligent character who could speak and held a prestigious rank, even commanding the Earthbound Decepticons for a period, despite transforming into a tiny audio cassette. Both of the "postmodern" continuities established by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] have tried to harmonize these two disparate roles by portraying Ratbat as a previously-important individual who was humbled and forced into a lowly form. Remember, kids, if you're not humanoid, you can't possibly have held a real rank. There must be ''some explanation''.

* Ratbat's cassette form in ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'' was part of a deliberate decision to have everyone looking recognisable to new readers. <ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/comics-16/botcon-2009-idw-publishing-panel-167766/ Botcon 2009 IDW Publishing Panel report]</ref> This is logical until you realise that [[EJ Su]]'s redesign had the same basic shape and colour as the old Ratbat, and that no [[other Transformer||Mindwipe (G1)]] (nay, any robot anywhere in fiction) is a purple-and-black bat. He stands out a tad.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Ratbat/ratbat.htm Ratbat at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Ratbat Ratbat's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Mini-Cassettes]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Ultracons]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]