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Sludge (G1)

2010-08-14T16:00:30Z

96.48.42.70: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig2|the Generation 1 Dinobot brontosaurus|the Wal*Mart-exclusive Dinobots series dimetrodon|Sludge (Dinobots)}}
:''Sludge is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Sludgeg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Me transform into non-existent dino!"]]
"'''Sludge''' dumb," is how [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander himself, describes the plodding Autobot. The Dinobots have a perhaps undeserved reputation for being dimwitted, but Sludge is the genuine article. He makes the other four look like scholars in comparison.

As Sludge can't make much of an impression in the mental department, he likes to make his presence known physically. He'll stomp his hefty hide around just so you know he's there.
None of the Dinobots really like [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], but he and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] share an especially intense dislike for him. Sludge believes that the strongest should lead, and in his mind, Grimlock is the strongest Autobot. But Sludge genuinely believes in the Autobot cause, so he tolerates Prime. Beyond that, Sludge is actually what you might call nice... Maybe not to [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]'s level, but nicer than [[Grimlock (G1)|the]] [[Slag (G1)|other]] [[Snarl (G1)|guys]].

{{bigquote|Sludge no like [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Let's stomp!|Sludge's solution to every problem|"[[Call of the Primitives]]"}}

:''Preliminary names'': '''Brontobot''', '''Piledrive''',<ref>The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon]] [[production bible|series bible]] features a descriptions of him typed with the name "Piledrive", then crossed out by hand and relabeled "Sludge".</ref> '''Bronton'''<ref>"Bronton" is from the [[Sunbow Productions]] cast list page for "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]", and was evidently coined by writer [[Donald F. Glut]].[http://web.archive.org/web/20070217131842/http://members.aol.com/tfencyc/interview_glut.html]</ref>
:''Italian name'': '''Bronto'''
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Chafurda'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Iszap'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Terro'''
:''French name'' : '''Slug'''

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Kenyu Horiuchi]], [[Minoru Inaba]] ([[The Transformers: The Movie|The Movie]] only) (Japanese), [[Georges Atlas]] (French)

[[Image:SOSDinobots-Sludge_Insignia.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Those with face like this good. Except when they aren't.]]

Sludge was developed, along with his fellow [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], after the Autobots discovered dinosaur bones in their volcanic headquarters. Inspired by the power of the prehistoric beasts, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] built a trio of Dinobots to add firepower to the Autobot forces. The Dinobots proved too dangerous at first, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] ordered Wheeljack to abandon the Dinobot project. Wheeljack continued improving the trio of titans in secret, crafting memory components that made them smarter and easier to control. When the rest of the Autobots were captured by the Decepticons at the [[Great Falls]] hydroelectric power plant, Wheeljack dispatched the Dinobots to free their comrades and destroy the Decepticons. The Dinobots succeeded in forcing a Decepticon retreat and were welcomed as members of the Autobot team. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

Sludge's greatest weakness was his sheer stupidity. Megatron exploited the Dinobots' weaknesses to turn them against Optimus Prime, Sludge merely choosing to follow whichever leader was "strongest". When Optimus Prime risked his life to boldly save Grimlock, the Dinobots rejoined him. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

[[Image:SludgeUltimateDoom.jpg|left|175px|thumb|"Hello, pretty trees. Me Sludge stomp you now."]]

Sludge and his fellow Dinobots were called upon to stop a colossal tidal wave, {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} and afterwards, he and Grimlock helped repair a city that was destroyed during the terror. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

The Dinobots were in the Ark to fight off the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s who came for Teletraan I. Sludge didn't recognize the new Decepticons, but was still willing to pummel them. When the Constructicons merged into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] created a [[Halo|giant hologram]] that distracted the beast and gave the Dinobots an advantage, forcing Devastator into a crevice of lava. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

During a game of football, Sludge was tackled by Hound. The other Autobots later went on a mission to stop [[Nergill]] and the Decepticons at [[Washington, D.C.]], and when in dire need of assistance, Wheeljack called in the Dinobots as reinforcements. When they arrived, Sludge was pleased to hear Grimlock's order to "transform and destroy", and his powerful feet created earthquakes. {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}}

[[Image:DayOfMachines_SludgeStomp.jpg|thumb|right|210px|"Oops. Pardon me. Coming this way. Excuse me!"]]

Sludge helped out with the destruction of oil tankers reprogrammed into attacking the Autobots, stomping them like ants. Sludge's long neck gave Optimus Prime a boost so that he could see [[Paul Gates]]. {{storylink|Day of the Machines}}

After Wheeljack's attempt to show off the Dinobots' finesse was a failure, (Sludge stepped on Slag's tail, unleashing his [[flame-breath]], and it only got worse from there) they were sent to [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]], a place where the Dinobots would be at home. Sludge didn't mind, because he thought that more room was a good thing for a big guy like him. On the island, he rescued Spike from a lake and had a rock fly in his face (courtesy of Snarl), but with the other four Dinobots, he was cornered by Megatron and fell over a cliff, plunging into a tar pit. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} Luckily, Sludge survived, and the Dinobots got out of the pit and outnumbered the Decepticons who had arrived, forcing them to retreat. Sludge then helped release the island's energy return the flow of time to normal. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

[[Image:DesertionOfDinobots2-DinoLabour.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Me Sludge celebrate Labour Day.]]

When Bumblebee saw Decepticons at a public airport and Optimus Prime's squad was unavailable, Wheeljack sent in the Dinobots. At the airport, Sludge rescued Bumblebee from the incoming [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], but when he recklessly changed into robot modes with his comrades, Sludge was vanquished by the Decepticons' assault. Though the Autobot doctors did their best, Sludge was no longer interested in doing labour for Optimus Prime and quit with his fellow Dinobots. Grimlock then took the Dinobots to Cybertron, {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} where they were captured by Shockwave and tricked into thinking that they obeyed the Decepticons. Luckily, Sludge was rescued by Spike and Carly, and went back to Earth with a healthy supply of Cybertonium for the weakened Autobots. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}}

[[Image:Purple sludge.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Dissertation of the Dinobot.]]
During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Sludge and the Dinobots attacked [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. During the attack, Devastator struck Sludge so hard his [[Sensors|optic sensors]] bulged out of his head. Later, the Dinobots escaped with [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], only to be shot down over [[Quintessa]]. The Dinobots later located the two Autobots with the help of [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and Sludge and Slag dispatched a [[Quintesson]] prosecutor—by standing on top of a door under which he'd been caught. Later, Sludge was able to tail-whip the butt of [[Unicron|a god]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Sludge and Snarl were later left to guard [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] when a seemingly resurrected Optimus Prime returned, saying that Hot Rod, Kup, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] had been killed by the Quintessons. When the aforementioned Autobots turned up on Cybertron alive, Arcee said that she was happy to see them, but Sludge was not happy, as he thought that meant he and Snarl were dead. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

{{storylink|Thief in the Night}} {{storylink|Webworld}} {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

Later, he was among the [[Primitive|Primitives]] who were summoned by [[Primacron]]'s [[Oracle (G1)|assistant]] to fight [[Tornedron]], along with the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]. When [[Headstrong]] insulted Grimlock, Sludge, who didn't like the Predacons, suggested that they stomp them. When Tornedron arrived on the Oracle's planet, Sludge and the Autobots were defeated during an attempted ambush on the creature. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
When the Decepticons invaded Cybertron to conquer [[Vector Sigma]], Sludge defended the planet alongside his fellow Dinobots. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
While the Autobots remained dormant inside [[Mount St. Hilary]], the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' detected Cybertronian life. Dispatching a probe, the ''Ark'' learned that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] had come to Earth and was wandering the [[Savage Land]]. The ''Ark'' used data gathered from the Savage Land to convert five of the dormant Autobots into the Dinobots. They traveled to fight Shockwave, but all combatants became trapped in a tar pit. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} The Dinobots were later freed by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and helped him fight and defeat Megatron.'' {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}''

''Sludge, like the other Dinobots, went a-wandering after this but reverted to his base instincts after his primary [[Cybo-dendron|cybo-dendrons]] burnt out, probably because the insulation that protected them had been eroded by [[Repeat Performance!|4 million years submerged in a tar-pit]]. Sludge ended up in the waterways of Littlewood, California, where he was befriended by [[Joy Meadows]]. Unfortunately, the Decepticons attacked, took him away from his newfound love, and made him fight [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]].'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

[[Image:Dinobots fight commentary.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"My mon Bats don't shiv." "Leader billy berserk. Leader peg Batman, you see."]]
''While Sludge was recovering from brain surgery, he dreamed of Joy'' {{storylink|Victory!}}'', and when he'd recovered, he saw her on TV and decided to search her out. It was lucky he did, because the [[Intelligence and Information Institute]] had marked her for death to protect their [[Robot-Master]] story. Sludge saved her life, and she hooked up with the Dinobots, though both she and they viewed Sludge's open crush as quite weird. However, even the power of unrequited love couldn't stop the Decepticons from defeating the Dinobots and forcing Joy to stop her investigation. {{storylink|In the National Interest}}.'' ''Later on, he ended up fighting [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], {{storylink|Fallen Angel (issue)|Fallen Angel}}'' being destroyed by an [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] before being revived with [[Nucleon]] by Grimlock, and fighting [[Unicron]] before being killed and then resurrected by the [[Last Autobot]] as the Autobots finally won...

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Sludge and the Dinobots were one of several special units unleashed on the Decepticon attack force when [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] led the 'Cons on a siege of the Autobots' main base on Cybertron. Autobot High Command soon learned this assault was only a distraction, however, engineered by [[Unicron]] himself who was reconstructing himself on the planet of [[Junk]]. When [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] returned from Junk with this news, [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] gathered [[Scattershot]], Grimlock, and the rest of the Dinobots with him to make an assault on Junk. Much to Rodimus's dismay, Sludge and the Dinobots didn't hold back at all when attacking the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] Unicron had mind-controlled into doing his bidding, and tore through them as if they were any other enemy. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}''

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
''After Grimlock revived the Dinobots under mysterious circumstances, Shockwave and his Decepticons attempted to beat the information out of the Dinobots. Didn't work too well. Sludge engaged in some serious swordplay with [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], pitting [[energo-sword]] against [[ionizer sword]]. The Decepticons were quickly driven off. {{storylink|Two Steps Back!}} Naturally, when Optimus Prime put Grimlock in charge of Autobot activity on Earth, Sludge and the Dinobots joined his new Earthforce. {{storylink|Break-Away!}}''

''Early on, the Dinobots tried to teach Grimlock the value of a good joke; he pelted them with the world's largest snowball. {{storylink|Snow Fun!}} Later, they tried to teach Slag the value of not killing everyone in sight and chewing on their circuitry; he got a little [[Fire-breath|hot and bothered]] and left them a little... run down. {{storylink|The 4,000,000 Year Itch!}}''

''Later, Snarl began to suffer from the rusting disease called [[Corrodia Gravis]], leaving Earthforce in the uncomfortable position of getting help from the only Transformer who could give Snarl a compatible systems boost: [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Fortunately, they found the perfect opportunity for quid pro quo when they came upon the Decepticons' Louisiana headquarters and found Starscream under attack by Megatron, Shockwave and a group of assassins. Grimlock stuttered a bit on the order, but he sent Sludge and Swoop to keep Starscream alive. They fought off the Mayhems and kept Starscream around long enough for him to give Snarl the boost. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil}}''

=====''Another Time and Place''=====
Several months after the golden age of Cybertron was reintroduced, Sludge and most of his fellow Dinobots had succumbed to the transfiguring effects of Nucleon and lost their ability to transform. When Grimlock received information that the Hydrus Four facilities had reopened, and discovered a means of reversing Nucleonic changes, the Dinobots jumped at the idea. Despite Prime's half-hearted warnings, Sludge and his teammates followed Grimlock back to Hydrus Four in the hopes of becoming Transformers once again. They were followed by the "exiled" Decepticons, however, and a battle with a huge native creature delayed the Dinobots long enough for Bludgeon's crew to get ahead of them and take over the Nucleon facility. The Dinobots were laid low by a [[Holocaust Trigger]], overloading their sensory circuits so that they were helpless before the Decepticons. Cruelly tortured, the Dinobots were still left alive so that they could witness the rebirth of Megatron, thanks to the Nucleon infusions Bludgeon was feeding him. Luckily, the Autobots had long since learned to become worried whenever the Dinobots were out of sight for too long, and had followed them to Hydrus Four. [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]], [[Tote]] and several [[Micromaster|Micromasters]] managed to free the injured Dinobots, and an Autobot strike force brought down their Decepticon captors. The Nucleon reversion process was a success, and Sludge and his comrades were restored to fully operational Transformers. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Eating contest.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Doesn't he know he's supposed to be a vegetarian?]]
Sludge and the Dinobots were fighting alongside Grimlock and a small group of Autobot firestormers when they uncovered the [[Cybertronian Empire]] and their terraforming measures. After calling in Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots, they became part of a major offensive against not only [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his ilk, but everything they represented. {{storylink|War Without End!}} Despite Prime serving as overall commander, however, Sludge and his buddies were still Dinobots first and foremost. So when Grimlock wanted to take first strike action against Prime's orders, there was no question who they'd follow. Sludge and the others were captured almost immediately, though, and only escaped thanks to the timely intervention of Optimus Prime and his more loyal group of soldiers. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Sludge continued to fight alongside the Autobots with his Dinobot comrades, on both Earth and Ethos. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} {{storylink|Escalation!}} Later, after the Autobots forged an alliance with the first-generation Decepticons against the Cybertronians, the Dinobots got into the spirit of things -- they teamed up with [[Headstrong]] and [[Weirdwolf]] in a metal-munching contest, to see who could chow down on the most Cybertronians.

Man, too bad [[Hun-Gurrr|Hun-Grrr]] and [[Skullcruncher]] weren't there to make it a real contest. {{storylink|Total War!}}

====''Classics''====

{{charstubfiction}}

{{storylink|Cheap Shots}} {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Sludge was originally part of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s Lightning Strike Coalition. They were a small squad that basically ran amok disrupting the Decepticons (which typically involved stealing [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] and taking names). He didn't have much of a speaking role (like at all) and basically plodded along and smashed whatever Grimlock told him to. Later he and his fellow Dynobots (minus Grimlock who was busy executing other people for treason) aided [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s group with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] before joining forces with [[Shockwave (G1)|good ol' one eye]] to help against [[The Fallen]]. Later, he went to Earth along with the other Dynobots to go crush some [[Insecticon (G1)|bugs]] and eventually wound up under [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s control. They were used to blackmail Grimlock to serve the Decepticons once again; however, Meg's defeat allowed them to be freed by their mighty leader and taken to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] (in a stolen Decepticon vessel no less) where they did what they did best, causing massive destruction against [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s regime. However this was cut short as old one eye let loose the [[Guardian Robot|Guardian Robots]] after them, leading to some 'rest time'. They were last seen being briefed by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] as well as standing around being huge.

===Devil's Due ''G.I.Joe vs Transformers'' comics===
When [[Teletran 3]] malfunctioned and sent a random number of Transformers into different points in Earth's timeline, Sludge and his comrades ended up in the planet's distant past, where they were reformatted into dinosaurs and took on the "Dinobot" moniker. They were eventually brought back to present day Cybertron by a group of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and a [[Cobra]] [[Cobra Viper|Viper]], where their powerful dinosaur modes easily overwhelmed [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and his troops. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4}}

===Transformers Legends anthology===
Sludge agreed with Grimlock's plan to deal with a helpless Starscream by slagging the Decepticon and scattering the pieces. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

===IDW Generation 1 comics===
{{ongoing}}
Sludge and the other Dynobots followed Grimlock to revenge themselves against Shockwave, who blew up a cache of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] they had stolen. When Shockwave traveled to [[Earth]], the Dynobots pursued him and reformatted themselves to transform into robotic dinosaurs with a synthetic skin as a defense against energon overload. Sadly, it did not protect the Dynobots from Shockwave's energy blasts, which melted the artificial skin and caused the Dynobots to go into [[stasis lock]] due to excessive [[energon radiation]]. Due to a deadman's switch, the Dynobots' ship (the ''[[Skyfire (ship)|Skyfire]]'') blasted a volcano that buried everyone in molten lava. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}}

[[Image:GrimlockSludgeSwoopMaxDino02.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Sludge must be getting tired of being used as a giant club.]]
Thousands of years later, the Dynobots were eventually excavated by [[Skywatch]], and though Grimlock was the first to be brought back online, he was freed from Skywatch's control through a virus implanted by a [[Machination]] spy (under orders from [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]). Scorponok wanted Grimlock to join him, but Grimlock refused, fought Scorponok and escaped, vowing to find and rescue Sludge and the other Dynobots. Scorponok, however, plans to take control of the Dynobots himself and use them to assassinate Grimlock. {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}}

Skywatch activated Sludge, and in a test run, had him attack a bi-plane. When Grimlock showed up in [[Fallon]], he and the other Dynobots were sent to intercept him. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 1|Maximum Dinobots #1}}

He smashed through buildings, rammed Grimlock and got chucked around by his neck before his reprogramming was toned down, allowing him to find out Grimlock had set up a dead man's switch without telling the team and then hear Grimlock's defense. Sludge's face went ":(" during this. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}}

[[Image:Sludge MaximumDinos4.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Apatosaurus'' was not aerodynamic. We have proved this with extensive testing.]]
Along with the other Dinobots, Sludge walked away after Swoop read Grimlock the riot act. When Grimlock was attacked and almost destroyed by the Sunstreaker clones, however, the team reunited once again for battle. Although fighting valiantly, they might have been destroyed, if not for the intervention of the Monsterbots, who were earlier contacted by Grimlock. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

Aboard the Monsterbots' ship, Sludge and the others wonder why Grimlock would side with the outcasts. They gave Grimlock a stern look when he exited the cockpit. The Dynobots didn't see the point of fighting Scorponok, but Grimlock said that Scorponok made it their fight when he turned the Dynobots against him. Snarl disagreed, saying that it has always been Grimlock's fight, that he and the other Dynobots went along with him, and that it was now Grimlock's wounded pride at stake. After the Monsterbots blasted away the defenses, Grimlock exited the ship, saying that there was no way he could let this go, and that with or without the Dynobots, there would be a reckoning for Scorponok. The Dynobots decided that arguing is pointless and followed Grimlock. When Hunter O'Nion pulled the cords from Sunstreaker's head, shutting him down, the clones ceased to function. Sludge cried out in victory, but the moment is short-lived as Scorponok blasted Sludge into stasis. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}}

[[Image:Sludge gets blasted MD4.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"And I have the power too!"]]
Grimlock stared down at Sludge's dead body, brooding about how it was his fault Sludge was dead... while a battle between Scorponok and Shockwave (for rights of revenge upon Grimlock) raged on around him. Eventually Snarl, Slag, and Swoop decide to get to the Monsterbots' ship while the getting was good, but Grimlock stayed behind with Sludge. Grimlock tried infusing some of his spark energy into Sludge to revive him, but it seemed to have no effect. Shockwave got the upper hand and let Scorponok escape, and in frustration, Grimlock attacked Shockwave. Grimlock and Shockwave were too busy fighting to notice the return of Slag, Snarl, and Swoop, who reasoned that, while helping Grimlock might not be much of a cause, it still beat being no better than the Monsterbots. They were noticed by Sludge, however, who seemed to have recovered due to Grimlock's treatment after all. The four of them dove into the fray proper, but Grimlock ordered them to go after Scorponok instead. When Hot Rod was about to get squished by Scorponok, the remaining Dynobots showed up in just the nick of time. At Hot Rod's urgings, Swoop severed the connections keeping Scorponok's head conscious. But before the Dynobots could kill the rest of Scorponok, Ultra Magnus showed up and told them that Scorponok would be revived and made to answer to a tribunal instead. He then said they should purge the entire Machination facility, gather up all related Machination technology, and get as far away from Earth as possible as soon as possible—a plan that the Dynobots, Hot Rod, and Hunter were all perfectly OK with. Ultra Magnus later told Grimlock that having Scorponok and Shockwave in custody could help offset Grimlock's own sentence, and that the other Dynobots' warrants had been canceled, and Grimlock was content with that and the fact that Sludge was alive again thanks to him. Sludge and the others meanwhile happily repaired the ''[[Skyfire (ship)|Skyfire]]''. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Sludge toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Me Sludge crush Littlefoot's mama.]]
*'''Sludge''' (Dinobot, 1985/1986/1991/1992)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''27'''
**''Accessories'': "Energo-Sword", "Electron Cannon", "Rocket Pod", 3 rockets

: Sludge was released as part of the second series of Transformers in 1985, transforming into a robotic "[[wikipedia:brontosaurus|brontosaurus]]". He has a trio of silver rockets, a rocket launcher, a black gun, and a red sword. Like most ''[[Diaclone]]''-era molds, Sludge also has a conspicuous driver compartment located in his chest.

: Sludge was re-released in the European "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" line in 1991. In Japan, he and the other Dinobots were offered as mail-away items during [[Operation Combination (toyline)|Operation Combination]]; Sludge cost 2300 yen (his original retail price) and two [[robot points]].

: In stark contrast to most Transformers toys of his era, Sludge is fairly well articulated in robot mode. He has a waist swivel, his legs move in and out at the hips as well as back and forth, and he has articulated knees. He also has articulated elbows and wrists, although they can only bend inward. Still, impressive for his time. He can totally facepalm.
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:ThunderGeist.jpg|thumb|200px|Dumbest idiot.]]
* Sludge was originally a ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Dinosaur Robo Brontosaurus". The only differences between this incarnation and the ''Transformers'' release is that the ''Diaclone'' version has a gold-chromed sword and a blue crotch piece rather than red, as well as coming with a red-and-black Diaclone pilot figure.

[[Image:G2SludgeBoxart.jpg|right|200px|thumb|WANT.]]

* Sludge turns into a Brontosaurus (a sauropod dinosaur), a dinosaur that, due to skeletal misidentification at its discovery, does [[wikipedia:Brontosaurus|not actually exist]]. However, in the IDW continuity, he was depicted as an Apatosaurus.

* Sludge is the only one of the original Dinobots not to share his alt mode with another character in another series (although considering that it doesn't exist, that ain't too difficult).

* The overall design and transformation sequence of the original Sludge toy served as the basis for '''Thunder Geist''', one of four recurring villainous henchmen on the Takara/Sunrise co-production ''[[Brave (franchise)|Brave Exkaiser]]''. In what might be called [[Beast (G1)|a vision of things to come]], the four "Geisters" were once briefly fused into a single robot called "[[:Image:MadGeister.jpg|Mad Geister]]" (マッドガイスター, ''ma-ddo-ga-i-su-taa''). However, because each Geister controlled a portion of the combined body {{m-}} and, aside from [[:Image:PteraGeist.jpg|Ptera Geist]], they had the accumulated brain power of a Froot Loop {{m-}} this ended rather badly. In a more successful (if not [[Mega-Dinobot|also prescient]]) later development, the Geisters learned to merge in groups of two, with Thunder Geist forming the lower body of "[[:Image:PtederAndHormor.jpg|Pteder]]" (プテダー, ''pu-te-daa'').

* Swoop and Sludge's absence from the [[Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' toyline]] has never been fully explained, though rumors of what might have been persist. Recently, packaging art of both in new colors was put up for auction on [[eBay]] {{m-}} seemingly from the collection of a former Hasbro employee {{m-}} indicating what he ''might'' have looked like in the line. This art surfaced alongside a [[:Image:G2GrimlockArtwork.jpg|screaming yellow-orange and turquoise Grimlock]], so it is possible that the three were at one time planned for a second wave of Dinobots.

{{-}}

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Sludge/sludge.htm Sludge at TFU.info]
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Sludge Sludge's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Demolitions specialists]]
[[Category:Dinobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]

Side Swipe (Armada)

2010-07-29T21:39:37Z

96.48.42.70: /* Armada */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Sideswipe}}
:''Side Swipe is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Armada (franchise)|Armada]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]].''

[[Image:SideSwipe-AR-DVD.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Dork.]]
'''Side Swipe''' is a green Autobot. He's willing and eager, and also kinda dumb. He doesn't think before he leaps, gets really emotionally attached to commanders right away, and basically just messes things up. [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] thinks that somewhere in there is the makings of a fine future soldier. ''Where?!''

Despite his childish nature, Side Swipe is apparently a capable codebreaker and does manage to make himself useful on a few occasions by deciphering Decepticon data.

His [[Mini-Con]] partner is [[Nightbeat (Armada)|Nightbeat]], who actually ''encourages'' his behavior.

:''Japanese name:'' '''Stepper'''

==Fiction==
{{charstubfiction}}
===Armada cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Sam Vincent]] (US), [[Nobuyuki Kobushi]] (Japan), [[Andreas Borcherding]] (German)

[[Image:Past Part 1 Side Swipe caught.jpg|left|200px|thumb|One of Optimus Prime's elite!]]
[[Image:Sideswipe Nightbeat.jpg|right|200px|thumb|My butt is on fire!]]
Having once been saved from a hanging rope trap by [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]]'s marksmanship on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], he immediately traveled to [[Earth]] to join him upon finding out where he had gone. Blurr managed to pawn him off on [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], and the two went out for a little training.

Unfortunately, at the same time, Hot Shot's former protege [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] arrived on Earth, intent on doing horrible things to Hot Shot. Side Swipe crossed paths with Wheeljack, immediately leapt to his new awesome commander's defense, and failed. He later tried this ''again'', only this time Wheeljack captured him and chained him up somewhere in an abandoned oil refinery. The battle between Hot Shot and Wheeljack set the place ablaze, re-setting the scene where Wheeljack thought Hot Shot left him to die back on Cybertron centuries ago. Side Swipe blubbered a lot, thinking he was gonna die, but Hot Shot saved him. Back at the base, Side Swipe tried to give his commander a great big hug for saving his life. From then on, he called Hot Shot "Bro". {{storylink|Past}} {{storylink|Past II}} He was one of the Autobots deployed to fight Starscream and Tidal Wave when they attacked a rain forest. However, the attack turned out to be a distraction to allow the other Decepticons to attack the Autobot base. When Smokescreen was killed by the Requiem Blaster, Side Swipe was amongst those who saluted him as he died in Prime's arms. {{storylink|Sacrifice}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Sideswipe was part of [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire's]] Autobot unit, stationed at the [[Autobase (G1)|Autobase]] on Cybertron. He was present when Hot Shot contacted Jetfire to ask for assistance in locating the missing Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} Seeking to discover the cause of the multiple [[Space bridge|space bridge]] events opening at the Decepticon Command HQ, Jetfire led a team that included Side Swipe, Blurr, [[Rhinox (Armada)|Rhinox]], [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] and [[Dropshot (Armada)|Dropshot]] into the heart of the enemy stronghold, only to find dead bodies and a ruined base. They soon discovered the perpetrator when [[Bludgeon (G1)|a mysterious, sword-wielding creature]] attacked them. Sideswipe was almost cut down when he sought cover amongst the dead Decepticon bodies, but survived to participate in Jetfire's plan to blind the creature and destroy its [[Pretender|outer shell]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} As more enemies arrived, Jetfire ordered his troops to retreat while he stayed behind to activate the base's self-destruct sequence. Side Swipe refused at first, but eventually followed orders and made himself scarce. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

Side Swipe was present when [[Unicron]] attacked Cybertron, and despite being in pain only from hearing the Chaos Bringer speak, he followed Optimus Prime's order to launch the planetary defenses. He survived the battle, and was seen among the crowds that cheered after Unicron's defeat. {{storylink|The End}}

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===3D Battle-Card Game===
Sideswipe was one of [[Optimus Primal]]'s many allies in a fight against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s own army, in what might possibly have been an inter-universe battle. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game#Energon Wars expansion|Energon Wars Expansion Set}}
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==Toys==
===Armada===
[[Image:Armada Side Swipe toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I come back every year with a different name and a different shade of blue. The fandom hates me and I hate 'em right back!]]
* '''Side Swipe''' (also parsed '''Sideswipe''') (Super-Con, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MC-10'''
**''Accessories:'' Pistol, knife

: Side Swipe transforms into a Nissan Skyline R32 Coupe. He is packaged with [[Mini-Con]] [[Nightbeat (Armada)|Nightbeat]], who can store in a flip-out section of the back end of Side Swipe's vehicle mode. Pressing down on the sigil plate in vehicle mode swings his car hood halves forward in a spring-loaded attack (or "dragster mode"). These hood parts end up on his arms in robot mode, giving him a spring-loaded attack in that mode. Attaching Nightbeat (or any other [[Mini-Con]] mold) to the [[Powerlinx]] plug on his back activates a "punching" action gimmick in his right arm.

:Early releases of Side Swipe parsed his name as "Sideswipe" on the packaging and instructions; this was changed to Side Swipe on successive versions.

: A slightly [[Retool|retooled]] version of this mold was used to make ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Oil Slick (Universe)|Oil Slick]] and [[Treadshot (Universe 2003)|Treadshot]], and a more heavily retooled version was used for ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Runamuck (Cybertron)|Runamuck]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/Sideswipe/sideswipe.htm More information on Side Swipe at TFU.info]''

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==Merchandise==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
*'''Side Swipe''' (2007)

: A 24-point "common" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Side Swipe "transforms" into a blue sports car of indeterminate make. He uses the same parts layout as [[Bumblebee (G1)|"Classic" Bumblebee]] and [[Blackjack]].

==Trivia==
* [[Aaron Archer]], posting as "Orson", once gave signs that "Nightbeat" was actually meant to be Side Swipe's name and somehow had gotten swapped to his Mini-Con. He mentioned trying to get this corrected, but it never surfaced.

[[Image:Armada Side Swipe pre-production.jpg|right|200px|thumb|As if anyone wants ''another'' one of these.]]
* Even though the toy's name was originally spelled "Sideswipe" on the packaging and in the instructions, Hasbro had been parsing the name as "[[Side Swipe (RID)|Side Swipe]]" on toys from previous lines after they had successfully reclaimed it from another company that had been holding the name in the "toys" field during the 1990s. A packaging variant for the toy released as part of the "Unicron Battles" refresh of the [[Armada (toyline)|Armada]] line later saw the name changed to "Side Swipe".

* Pre-release copies of Side Swipe had a lightning deco on the sides of the vehicle mode which was not included on the final version sold in stores.

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[[Category:Armada characters]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]

Gunrunner (G1)

2010-07-19T23:06:59Z

96.48.42.70: /* Toys */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Pretender Vehicle|the Japanese Micromaster|Gunrunner (Zone)}}
:''Gunrunner is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Gunrunner.jpg|right|300px|thumb|My backpack at least has a cool alt-mode.]]
If there was ever an Autobot suffering from untreated post-traumatic stress syndrome, '''Gunrunner''' is it. Acting as a squadron leader during a major firefight with the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]], Gunrunner mistakenly assured his comrades and subordinates that he'd get them all out alive. Instead, ''none'' survived except him, and he only made it out due to his [[Pretender]] armor. Because of this, Gunrunner is a seriously changed bot—he experiences tremendous stress and insecurity if forced into combat outside of the safety of his shell, and refuses any long-term command position for fear of losing another group of close friends on the battlefield. Instead, he keeps squadrons assigned under him at arm's length, refusing to tell them "Everything'll be all right", because he can no longer be sure it will be.

Gunrunner has the unenviable alternate mode of a landing gear for his backpack, which itself turns into a fighter jet. Sucks to be him.

:''French-Canadian name'': '''Traficant'''

==Fiction==
===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:SpotlightOptimusPrime Gunrunner.jpg|left|88px|thumb|]]
Gunrunner was working out of the [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub]] when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] received the call that [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] was being reactivated on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Gunrunner was teamed with the [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]] and [[Triggerbot|Triggerbots]] as crew of the [[Ark-27]]. Based on rank, either Gunrunner or [[Pointblank]] was likely the leader of this unit. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}}

Gunrunner was also part of the crew sent in to contain the defeated [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] and repair the wounded [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] after their battle on an asteroid in the [[Muta-Gaath Nebula]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} After getting back to the Orbital Command Hub, he was present when Captain [[Ku'arn]] of the ''Yar Star Trawler'' reported his rescue of the long-lost [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

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==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Gunrunner toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|A jet that rides a car. Makes perfect sense.]]
* '''Gunrunner''' (Pretender Vehicle, 1988)
**''Accessories:'' Rifle, 2 x Energy Plasma Missiles, Dual Electro-Static Cannons

: Gunrunner's inner robot transforms into a hypersonic jet (with help from his backpack, as noted--in fact ''the backpack actually forms his altmode'', and he just sort of straddles underneath). There's not much more to say about that part of the toy.

: His Pretender Vehicle shell is a Cybertronic car which he can either hide inside or operate from the driver's compartment. The rear axle drives a gearing mechanism in the back portion; locking his jet-backpack to the top of the car links it to this mechanism. So combined, rolling the car forward or backward causes the twin cannons on the pack to pom-pom back and forth. The car also has mounting points for Gunrunner's pistol and arm-"bombs".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/Gunrunner/gunrunner.htm More information on Gunrunner at TFU.info]''

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]