MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

The Girl Who Loved Powerglide

2011-10-08T07:05:48Z

98.134.138.82:

{{episode
|image=Powerglide heart.jpg
|caption=He's just looking for a heaaaartbeeeaaaat...
|series=G1toon
|ep=54
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=37
|prev2=The Gambler
|next2=Kremzeek!
|series3=''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=38
|prev3=Autobot Spike
|next3=Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1
|title="The Girl Who Loved Powerglide"
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production code=700-53
|airdate=[[November 18]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''A newly-orphaned debutante must protect her late father's work from Megatron. She finds Powerglide, and with him, safety...or perhaps...something...more?'''

:''Japanese title:'' 令嬢より愛をこめて (''Reijō Yori Ai o Kome te'', "From Your Daughter with Love")
:''German title:'' "'''Das Mädchen, das sich in Powerglide verliebte'''" ("The girl who fell in love with Powerglide")
:''Italian title, dub 1:'' '''Una ragazza terribile''' ("A terrible girl")
:''Italian title, dub 2:'' '''La ragazza che amava Powerglide''' ("The girl who loved Powerglide")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Powerglide Astoria Marygoaround.jpg|left|200px|thumb|[[Scale]] doesn't matter, really.]]

One fine day at the skyscraper headquarters of [[Hybrid Technologies]], the members of the board are gathered to celebrate the birthday of one [[Astoria Carlton-Ritz]]... their CEO. While the crusty board members complain about having to party, Astoria herself isn't too happy to be stuck with such a bunch of downers. However, the arrival and attack of the Conehead trio, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], gives them all something much bigger to worry about.

Luckily, [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] just happens to be passing by, and observes the Coneheads attempting to kidnap Astoria. Powerglide successfully saves Astoria by having her grab on to a rope. He then proceeds to sweep through the city with her flying through the air at breakneck speed while clinging to a dangling rope with only her arm strength to keep Astoria from plummeting thousands of feet to her sure death. Powerglide eventually reels her up where she is stowed safely in his cockpit, amusingly with her large floppy purple hat still present.

After performing several evasive manuevers that leave Astoria tumbling willy nilly around Powerglide's cabin, he manages to lose the Coneheads by ducking beneath an overpass. Powerglide introduces himself while they are waiting, but quickly finds himself rather put off by his overly gregarious human charge.

The duo manages to make it back to [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s workshop without any further mishap. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] shares some pertinent information with Powerglide and Sparkplug and also reveals that the young heiress doesn't know about some of the ventures her company works on even though she is in charge of the company. Optimus Prime believes [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] wants something from her so he orders Powerglide to escort her back to the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]]. On the way to the Ark, Astoria pipes up and says she is starving and wants to eat something.

Meantime in the Decepticon Base, Megatron is quite unhappy about the Coneheads' failure. He orders them to bring Astoria to him and this time without any failures.

[[Image:Astoria wrap Powerglide's wound.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Wrapping the wound can prevent the sands from getting in.]]

After sating her hunger with amusement park [[hot dog]]s, Astoria is quick to amuse herself by jumping on the merry-go-around, much to Powerglide's consternation and bemusement. Powerglide tries to get the flighty girl to leave, but it's too late—the Coneheads come back for Astoria. Powerglide fights them off with some trick shots, and manages to escape with Astoria. But the Coneheads soon catch up, and Powerglide is rammed by Ramjet. Powerglide's left arm and left wing are injured and he is forced to make a crash landing. The Coneheads bury him in a rock pile, and take Astoria prisoner.

Powerglide breaks out from beneath the debris and attempts to set off in pursuit of the Coneheads. Despite his determination, he collapses due to his injuries. [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] eventually arrive to haul him back to Headquarters for repairs.

After Ratchet does some basic repairs on him, Powerglide refuses any further repairs and goes to see Optimus Prime. While Powerglide is discussing his options with Optimus Prime, [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] notifies them that [[Sky Spy]] just detected an unusual atmospheric disturbance over the Northern Atlantic and the source is 10 miles above the sea level. Optimus Prime thinks it is possibly the [[Sky Platform|Decepticons' suborbital station]]. Impulsively, Powerglide rushes out of the Ark and flies directly to the Sky Platform and consequently into the energy storm.

[[Image:Pgalove.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Powerglide crushes Astoria in a fit of rage.]]

Meanwhile, the Decepticons are interrogating Astoria about the energy formula left by her father. She claims that she knows nothing, so Megatron decides to use the [[psycho-probe]] in order to make her tell him about the formula. Seemingly cursed by Astoria's machine-jinxing aura, the psycho-probe keeps malfunctioning, provoking Megatron into such a rage that he eventually destroys the machine.

Hook reports that Powerglide is approaching the platform; the Decepticons go out to meet him. Megatron laughs at Powerglide and says he won't be able to break through the energy storm. But Astoria throws her necklace given by her father toward the energy-storm-generating tower and successfully destroys it. Not surprisingly, the necklace contains the energy formula.

The destroyed tower collapses the buildings on Sky Platform. The Sky Platform loses its control and starts to fall down. The Decepticons retreat to [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|their headquarters]]. Both Powerglide and Astoria go into the control room. After a bit of a lover's tiff, Powerglide repairs the control panel, successfully slowing down the Sky Platform's descent and setting a new course. As the platform drops toward the ocean, the duo make good their escape.

The Decepticons return to base and congratulate themselves on their escape... only to find that the Sky Platform is falling directly onto their headquarters. Megatron orders the force fields to be activated, only for Soundwave to inform him they didn't install any. Megatron then yells at his crew as massive quantities of seawater rush into the base.

[[Image:Astoria kisses Powerglide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Moonracer]] is gooonna be maaad!]]

Back safe in the city, Powerglide asks Astoria why Megatron was so keen on kidnapping Astoria. She tells him it was because of the energy formula hidden in her necklace. Much to the private glee of the Autobots present, Powerglide asks rather shyly whether he could look her up next time he comes to town. Astoria is very happy and [[kiss]]es him before she scurries off to her limo and is carted off. The minute Astoria is out of earshot, everyone has a good-natured laugh at Powerglide's expense. Thoroughly embarrassed, Powerglide threatens the would-be teasers with a good boxing around the circuits before he stomps into the building.

Once Powerglide is out of sight of the other Autobots, he pauses to open his chest plate, showing a series of LEDs flashing in the form of a stylized heart.

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (7)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (8)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (13)

|c2=
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (2)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (3)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (4)
*[[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] (9)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (11)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (12)

|c3=
*[[Astoria Carlton-Ritz]] (1)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (8)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"Oh wow! He's tall, he's handsome, he's shiny. And he can fly!"
:—'''Astoria''' swoons over Powerglide

"I guess me and machines don't get along too well." 
"I can ''personally'' attest to that."
:—'''Astoria''' and '''Powerglide'''

"Why does everything always happen to me?"
:—'''Powerglide''' laments his lot in life.

"Get back here! I'm not done!" 
"Is my wing fixed? Can I fly?" 
"Well, yes, but—" 
"Then you're ''done''."
:—'''Ratchet''' has a most unwilling patient in '''Powerglide'''

"You got any burgers in this joint?" 
"Silence!" 
"You guys are, like, the worst hosts!"
:—'''Astoria''' and '''Soundwave'''

"Hey! Like, don't be so hostile, okay?" 
"Tell me what you know!" 
"All I know is that you're a complete and total, utter—" 
"SILENCE!"
:— It's Dark of the moon in the 80's.

"Subject's mind completely empty."
:—Why in God's name didn't '''Soundwave''' just scan her mind himself?

"The psycho-probe will put 90,000 volts through your brain. It is an excruciating experience. Will you tell me what you know??" 
"All this waiting around, that's what's excruciating. I mean, I'm starving, for cryin' out loud! When are you guys gonna feed me? That's what I wanna know. Your dumb machine, like, doesn't even work, and—" 
"Enough!"
:—'''Megatron''' wants '''Astoria''' just to shut up

"Energize the force fields!" 
"What force fields?!"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Soundwave'''

"Attention, Decepticons! This is Megatron speaking. Your new orders are... er... ''clean up this mess!''"
:—'''Megatron''' tries to maintain a semblance of dignity as his base floods

"Ha, wow! Who would've believed it! Powerglide shot down by Cupid!"
:—'''Sparkplug''' teases Powerglide after he is kissed by Astoria.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* One of the party guests at the beginning of the episode uses the British expletive "bloody", but doesn't have much of a British accent.
* For just a frame or two, the top of Dirge's head turns blue instead of black as the Coneheads run to take off in pursuit of Powerglide.
* The dialog doesn't quite seem to synch up with the events on-screen as Astoria wrecks all of Spike's equipment. Spike's "HEY!" doesn't correspond to any actual action, and Astoria continues speaking evenly and nonchalantly as she slams into a crane hard enough to knock an engine block loose.
* Dirge's eyes go from bright red to dark red as he leans forward while being berated by Megatron.
* Ramjet's mouth doesn't move when he says "Please, let us try to find her again."
* Ramjet's face changes from dark gray to light gray as he delivers his "And we will GET the girl" line.
*Powerglide shoots a vending machine and blows a huge hole in it. This somehow causes a firehose-like torrent of soda to come shooting out of the machine.
* Astoria's necklace is the same yellow as her dress after Ramjet hits Powerglide.
[[Image:Powerglide Astoria w.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Powerglide starts the drag race by throwing down his handkerchief.]]
*Powerglide's landing gears are all painted red when he lands after being rammed by Ramjet.
* Astoria totally has no legs as Thrust and Ramjet carry her off.
* Scale is alway goofy in this show, but robot-mode Thrust and Ramjet are quite visibly smaller than jet-mode Dirge as they load Astoria into his cockpit, even though they're all the same size.
* Wheeljack's ears don't flash during his "You will, you will..." lines.
* In the first close-up of Hook aboard the sky platform, he's drawn with two eyes instead of an optic visor.
* "Don't be so hostile, okay?" Rumble's fists are gray instead of purple in this shot.
* "Subject's mind... completely empty!" Soundwave is missing his yellow stripes, and his cheek guards and eject button are blue instead of gray.
* "Computer error." Soundwave's shoulder cannon is missing its red stripe.
* As Soundwave activates the psycho-probe for the second time, one of the console buttons is layered over his hand.
* As Megatron laughs at Powerglide, his voice is missing its metallic flange.
* "He'll never make it through that energy storm" - Megatron is missing the red on his waist.
* When Powerglide releases his hug from Astoria after she saves him, it appears as if he roughly pushes her away, sending her on a death tumble off the platform.
*When Powerglide hands Astoria his bizarre little parachute, her torso is ''completely missing''. The background smoke and clouds are also frozen in place.
* As they enter the control room, Astoria phases through the wall, and Powerglide's face disappears for a second.
* "Correction: problem is ours!" Rumble is colored like Bumblebee in this shot.
* "What force fields?" Soundwave's face is colored the same blue as the rest of his head, and he's missing his wrist stripes.
* As Astoria departs, Sparkplug has his hand on Spike's shoulder, but it's colored blue. The colorists seem to have gotten mixed up by Prime standing right behind Spike.

===Continuity errors===
* Powerglide's cockpit interior is shown at a half-way point between a single-seater (as seen in "Dinobot Island Part 1") and a gigantic cabin ("Blaster Blues").
* Likewise, his hatch is shown to be on the side of his fuselage, rather than the bubble canopy.
* With no seat restraints, Astoria should have been battered to pulp by all of Powerglide's maneuvering.
* Superhuman Astoria:
** Both Powerglide and the Coneheads repeatedly manhandle Astoria's arms as through they were made of rubber.
** Powerglide is actually quite abusive to the [[Astoria Carlton-Ritz|human he is charged with "saving" in this episode.]] Right after they meet, he throws her off his arm and onto the concrete so hard she ''bounces'' (thus answering one of the great [[Aerialbots over America!|mysteries of the ages]].)
** Then he apparently ''throws'' her out of the control room on the sky platform. But hey, that's what she gets for having to be told twice, right, Powerglide?
** Astoria literally inhales the hotdog Powerglide gives her at the mini-amusement park. She chews(?) and swallows in under a second, something even Takeru Kobayashi would admire!
** She seemed able to breathe quite comfortably while outside the platform despite the fact it was floating ten miles up.
**It seems Astoria is also gifted with superhuman strength, as she is able to hold her own against the Coneheads, prevent Powerglide from taking her necklace, and rip a metal panel with her bare hands. Maybe Powerglide's abuse isn't as damaging as it appears.
* That is one tough merry-go-round, to be able to support a multi-ton metal robot. (But hey, it's totally worth it to see Powerglide riding a merry-go-round.)
* Astoria rips her dress to bandage Powerglide's arm wound from sand infection, but her dress is intact for the rest of the episode.
** The dress bandage is shown as Powerglide dives for cover from the coneheads, but is missing from every subsequent scene.
* Seriously, Soundwave could have scanned Astoria's mind like he scanned [[Chip Chase]] back in "[[Roll for It]]". Surely, Astoria couldn't have jinxed that ability too!
* Astoria correctly deduces that throwing a metal object into the apex of the energy-storm-generating tower will disable it. Yet she then looks around the MECHANICAL ISLAND and notes she finds “nothing” metallic. At the very least, she is surrounded by metal panels, which she easily rips apart in the next scene.
* Speaking of which, said tower seems unbelievably fragile. A large necklace thrown by a human causes a massive explosion. For something so essential to the entire structure, Megatron sure skimped out on making it durable.

===Continuity notes===
* Gadgets and powers:
** Powerglide once again uses a telescopic video camera. This time it comes out of his front laser gun barrel, however. How does ''that'' work?
** Powerglide also has some means of tossing out a rope while in plane mode, and reeling it back in.
** Dirge has his own version of Starscream's infamous boob bombs; he fires a pair of missiles from ducts just below his "boobs" (the rectangular "intakes" on his chest.)
** Powerglide can deploy a human-sized parachute from his hand. Apparently it was not designed to be strapped onto the back, but rather the user is supposed to hang on to a baton sized handle for the entire decent. Powerglide clearly overestimates the gripping power of humans.
* Despite the fact that he has been seeing Carly for some time now, Spike unashamedly hits on Astoria, and promptly gets shot down for Powerglide. Hard. He had the same results with Nimue in “A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur’s Court”, yet he doesn’t seem to have learned his lesson.

===Real-world references===
* Astoria's name comes from two famous upscale hotels, the Waldorf-Astoria and Ritz-Carlton.
* "It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to!", as announced by Astoria early in the episode, is a lyric from the 1963 Lesley Gore song, "[[Wikipedia: It's My Party (song)|It's My Party]]".
* ''Star Wars'' sound effects:
** The slamming Death Star door is used to soundtrack Powerglide's closing bottom hatch.
** An exploding X-Wing (maybe Red Leader crashing into the Death Star), is repurposed as Powerglide's engine noise as Astoria sends him spiraling out of control.
** Truncated X-Wing diving whine as the Decepticons flee from the sky platform.

===Trivia===
*David Wise, the writer of this episode, recycled its plot, and even its set pieces, wholesale for his TMNT episode ''Poor Little Rich Turtle'', even down to replicating the merry-go-round sequence and the brain-sucking sequence (even though Buffy, the girl in the TMNT story, doesn't make machines malfunction normally she still makes the "Brainalizer" explode). Good ole David Wise. You can always rely on [[Microbots|him]] [[Kremzeek!|to]] [[Auto-Bop|recycle]] [[Attack of the Autobots|a story.]]
*While every other DVD release of the Generation 1 cartoon by [[Metrodome]] had been awarded the "U" rating (the [[United Kingdom]]'s equivalent to the American "G"), the opening line of this episode, in which a party-goer professes to feel "an absolutely bloody fool", earned box set containing it a "PG" rating for "mild language"!
* Powerglide's first line in the episode seems to revolve around the notion that one can be ''either'' a top scientist ''or'' a girl. And ''he's'' the one who gets a PSA on gender discrimination.
*This was one of twelve episodes of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] released as audio adventures by the [[Germany|German]] company [[Karussell|Karussell Musik und Video]].

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1987 — ''Transformers'' — Heavy Metal Wars / The Girl Who Loved Powerglide ([[Tempo Video]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''Transformers'' — Call of the Primitives / The Girl Who Loved Powerglide (Tempo Video) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1990 — ''Transformers'' — The Girl Who Loved Powerglide ([[Tempo Video|Collins Video]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1990 — ''Transformers'' — Heavy Metal Wars / The Girl Who Loved Powerglide ([[Tempo Video|Abbey Home Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 6 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (3DVDs) ([[Flex Media]]) — German audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 06: Stagione Due Parte Quarta ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/the_girl_who_loved_powerglide.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Girl Who Loved Powerglide}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (manga)

2011-10-08T06:56:16Z

98.134.138.82:

{{disambig2|the manga|the group|Battlestars}}
{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[Return of Convoy (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars]]''
|title=
|japanese=戦え!超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマーザ☆バトルスターズ
|romaji=Tatakae! Chō Robot Seimeitai Transformers The Battlestars
|prev=Zone (manga)
|image=BattlestarsManga01.jpg
|caption=Battle of the Bands.
|publisher=[[Kodansha]]
|published in=[[TV Magazine]]
|date=August 1991
|writer=[[Masumi Kaneda]]
|penciler=[[Ban Magami]]
|inker=[[Ban Magami]]
|colorist=
|letterer=
|editor=
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Super Megatron attempts to pillage energon from an oil rig, only to be confronted by Star Convoy!'''

==Synopsis==

Out in space, [[Sky Garry (ROC)|Sky Garry]] is handling a number of [[Galaman]] and [[Novaroid]] warriors with relative ease, while [[Grandus (ROC)|Grandus]] is heading an assault on the [[Decepticon]] base at Planet [[Lucifer]]. Their search for [[Megatron (G1)|Super Megatron]] so far being fruitless, they suddenly deduce that their foe must be heading toward [[Earth]]. Realizing their folly, Sky Garry contacts [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#The Battlestars story pages and comic|Star Convoy]].

Way over in the [[Dark Nebula]], [[Dark Nova]] snickers over the thought of Super Megatron wringing every last drop of energy out of planet Earth. At an off-shore oil station, Super Megatron and his Galaman drones are doing just that. With [[Energon cube|energon cubes]] in hand, Super Megatron prepares to celebrate his victory by dining on the delicious humans being held hostage. As he licks one up and down with his tongue (!?), his meal is cut short by the arrival of [[Sixliner]]. Not amused, Super Megatron makes short work of the troublesome upstart.

[[Image:MegatronTongue1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Before there was Legion, there was...]]

Before Super Megatron can return to his meal, he's once again interrupted, this time by Star Convoy! After he tells Super Megatron that he's about as "super" as a "supermarket", the two tussle, with Star Convoy naturally coming out on top. Enraged, Super Megatron transforms to his jet mode and strafes Star Convoy. Star Convoy then transforms to truck mode and lures Super Megatron away. He manages to trick his foe into crashing headfirst into a massive oil tank, then ignites the whole thing with his ''Galaxy Bomber'' attack. Defeated, Super Megatron flees the scene of the crime, swearing vengeance.

Later, Star Convoy apologizes to the [[human]]s for destroying their oil, but they forgive him and thank him for their safety. Sixliner then swoons over how cool Star Convoy is and hopes to one day be as a great a warrior as he is.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Sky Garry (ROC)|Sky Garry]] (3)
* [[Grandus (ROC)|Grandus]] (4)
* [[Sixliner]] (8)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#The Battlestars story pages and comic|Star Convoy]] (9)
|c2=
* [[Novaroid|Novaroids]] (1)
* [[Galaman|Galamen]] (2)
* [[Dark Nova]] (5)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Super Megatron]] (6)
|c3=
* Misc. oil rig workers (7)
}}

==Notes==
*This manga takes place more or less in the middle of [[The Battlestars (story page)|''The Battlestars'' series of story pages]].

*Super Megatron has a ''[[tongue]]''? Was that a part of [[Dark Nova]]'s upgrade? The fact that he has "S&M" tatooed on his forehead only makes matters creepier.

*The ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'' graphic novel collection prints this special very...''strangely''. Each original page is reduced in size, tilted counter-clockwise on its side and then stacked two-per-page in the collection. Presumably done as a space-saving measure, it doesn't do much for the quality of the presentation.
*sooo...Megatron tries to eat people?
==External links==
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/japanese/battlestars.php ''The Battlestars'' manga in English]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Battlestars, The}}
[[Category:Issues]]
[[Category:Manga]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy| Battlestars, The]]

Grapple (G1)

2011-10-08T06:45:32Z

98.134.138.82:

{{Faction|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Autobot crane|the ex-Constructicon crane who looks exactly like him sometimes|Hauler}}
:''Grapple is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. His name is regrettably sometimes spelled '''Grappel'''.''

[[Image:GrappleG1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Elementary, my dear Hoist."]]
'''Grapple''' is technically an architect, but in his [[spark]] he is an artist. On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], before the war, his buildings were considered great works of art, but now his constructions are limited by the realities and needs of the war effort. It is a situation he often finds stifling. Grapple takes great pride in any work he constructs, and is prone to severe bouts of depression should his "masterworks" be destroyed in the course of combat. Grapple can usually be found hanging out with his close friend [[Hoist (G1)| Hoist]] who does his best to cheer Grapple up when his artistic temperament has him down.

{{bigquote|Someday I want to build something that doesn't get trashed!|Grapple laments his creations' constant destruction|"[[Auto Berserk]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Renaday]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese), [[Héctor Vieyra]] (Latin American)

Grapple was first seen on Earth hanging out inside the Ark on a typical day for the Autobots. This typical day including the discovery of a [[Dinobot Island (G1)|prehistoric island]] hidden inside a naturally-occurring time warp, and a rampage through the base by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Yup...typical day. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}}

[[Image:Master builders1.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Boy, I bet you we'll win top prize at the Autobot Science Fair this year! We'll beat [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s catapult-making machine any day!"]]

Grapple designed a [[Solar Power Tower]] to collect solar energy for the Autobots — even built a little model of it. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] wouldn't let him build it, Grapple ran off to sulk and encountered the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], and naturally told them all about his awesome tower idea that got nixed because Prime didn't want the [[Decepticon]]s getting their hands on it. Brilliant.

[[Image:Master builders2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Your invention has a practical application, so it was disqualified. Sorry."]]
They agreed to help Grapple and his buddy [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] out, but then [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] found out and decided to turn it into his latest evil plan. The Solar Power Tower was completed, but [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] trapped Grapple and Hoist inside it, and the Autobots had to show up to save their skidplates. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

When the Autobots' favorite mad scientist, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], started showing off his latest super-weapon, Grapple begged him to please not point the [[Negavator]] at any of his buildings. It's like he didn't trust Wheeljack not to blow things up, or something. Inevitably, though, the Decepticons attacked and the beautiful bunker Grapple built to house the Negavator was reduced to rubble. While he worked in vehicle mode to clear away the debris, Grapple and the Autobots were caught napping by Megatron and his [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. They had Prime and the others in their sights but, when [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] caused a distraction, Grapple dropped the rubble he was carrying on top of the Decepticons, sending them scattering for cover. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

[[Image:AutoBerserk-Grapple.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Usually, Grapple has special ointment to treat his blackheads.]]

Like most of the Autobots, Grapple showed up in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]] for the first (and apparently last) Autobot Day celebration. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}}

After the Dinobots destroyed a sizeable portion of the airport battling Decepticons, Grapple and the Autobots lent a hand to repair what was damaged. After [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] reconstructed the walls of a building, Grapple was ready to add the ''piece de resistance'' by lowering the roof on top. His artistic pride took a serious blow when Grapple dropped the roof and collapsed the entire building underneath it. Mortified as he was, Grapple's mistake was only the first sign of [[cybertonium]] deficiency, which soon began to affect all the Autobots and their functions. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} He was later seen with Hoist, patching up [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and a group of Autobots after they tangled with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[Image:Primetargetbotsintraps.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The Inquisition, what a show! The Inquisition, here we go!]]

Grapple was also one of several Autobots captured by [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]]'s wildly-improbable traps; Grapple fell victim to a series of girders that magically fell into a cage configuration. Taken to Chumley's goofy-ass castle, he was used as bait to draw in Optimus Prime, "forced" to hold up a giant boulder—which did not seem to be actually ''supported'' by anything and therefore Grapple could have just dropped it or thrown it at one of the other devices keeping the Autobots prisoner.

Grapple's kind of stupid and too bad he didn't have Hoist to get him out of his "sticky situation". {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

After [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] located the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] at large, Prime and the Autobots moved to intercept the wild Decepticons. Grapple, Hoist and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] confronted [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] on a deserted stretch of highway. When Breakdown dropped a line of oil behind him, Grapple took the opportunity to ''light him on fire.'' Geez, Grapple...he didn't even destroy one of your buildings. Why the hate? {{storylink|Masquerade}} When [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream ]] and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] kidnapped [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], Optimus Prime and the Autobots went after them. Powerglide located the missing 'Bots at a power plant, and alerted his comrades. Grapple and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] freed the prisoners during the power struggle between Megatron and Starscream. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

[[image:BattleAutobotCity.jpg|thumb|left]]

Alongside [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]'s lower leg and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], Grapple valiantly defended [[Autobot City]] when it was [[Battle of Autobot City|attacked]] by Decepticons in the year 2005. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{-}}

====Rodimus vs. Cyclonus====
Grapple escaped with [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] in a science vessel and was hiding out in the [[Rayzor Nebula]] when they were contacted by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]. At his request, they came out of hiding. This drew the attention of [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and his [[Sweep]]s. When Scourge saw Cyclonus engaged with Kup's ship, Scourge attacked Cyclonus allowing all the Autobots to escape. {{storylink|Rodimus vs. Cyclonus}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|right|thumb|250px|He built [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] strong enough to survive at least one attack by [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]].]]
Prior to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] leaving Cybertron, Grapple (along with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], Hoist and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]) had his memories recorded onto crystals in case [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] required more warriors during the Ark's mission. Four million years following the Ark's crash on [[Earth]], Grapple and the others were revived in new bodies on Earth. While the other newly revived Autobots were sent out to learn more about their new home planet, Grapple was sidelined. Optimus Prime had a very special building project for Grapple. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

So Grapple built [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. On his own.

With Omega Supreme guarding the base, the Autobots were finally able to leave the Ark in great numbers. Grapple accompanied Optimus Prime and all the rest of the available Autobots to the Decepticons' [[Wyoming base|coal strip mine base]] in [[Wyoming]]. Here, Grapple fought the Decepticons long enough for [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] to steal combiner technology from [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Once this was achieved, the Autobots retreated. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[Image:CommandPerformances-Autobotsattack.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Yeah! Charge that hill! That's what... engineers are for...]]

''When Optimus Prime, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] disappeared due to time-jumping Decepticons, Grapple found himself in the position of Autobot medic, repairing a damaged [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]. Led into battle with [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his goons by the new leadership triumvirate of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], Smokescreen and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Grapple and his friends were sorely outmatched against the future Decepticons. Grapple was even part of a half-dozen or so Autobots who dogpiled on [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and barely managed to slow him down. In dire straits, the Autobots were actually forced to go to [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and forge an alliance against Galvatron. Megatron's strategy managed to capture one of the time travellers, Scourge, but not before the fiendish tracker hurled a razor bladed dart straight through Grapple's chest, putting him out of action for the remainder of the conflict. Once Ratchet returned, he managed to piece Grapple back together soon enough. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

Grapple remained with the Ark's crew for quite some time, and was seen on the moon during the grudge match between [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. When the Decepticons attacked, Grapple engaged [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] in some gunplay. They appeared to exchange hits, but his fate is unknown. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

====Marvel UK future timelines====
In 2008, Grapple was operating out of one of the Autobot bases on Cybertron when Scourge and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] led the Decepticons into an all-out war on the base. (The base was a big honkin' mushroom in the middle of an empty field. One can only hope Grapple didn't design it himself.) Anyway, he did pretty well in battle, gunning down one Decepticon at pointblank range ''without looking'' while also firing on an approaching [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

{{note|Optimus Prime says he copied Grapple's memories in case he needed another warrior while away. Does that mean there's still the original Grapple out there somewhere?}}

{{-}}

===Marvel Books ''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[Image:InsecticonAttackPage09.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Dear Diary; [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] asked me to the prom today. Should I say yes?]]
While lamenting the fact that he couldn't build beautiful buildings like he did back on Cybertron because the Decepticons would destroy them, Grapple spotted a [[Kickback (G1)|grasshopper]] and a [[Bombshell (G1)|beetle]]. He wished life were as simple for him as it was for those insects, who promptly violated his brain. Under Bombshell's control, Grapple attacked [[Beachcomber (G1)|the resident Autobot hippie]]. Later, at their base, the Decepticons made Grapple their bitch. After the Autobots removed his [[cerebro-shell]], Grapple sucker-punched Megatron and they all celebrated. Hurray! {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}

{{note|Throughout almost the entire story, Grapple is drawn with [[Hook (G1)|Hook]]'s [[character model]], only appearing with Grapple's own head in close-ups.}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
After the [[Great Shutdown]] ended, Grapple was among a group of Autobots chosen to serve as a [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], ruling jointly with the Decepticon [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] over the newly unified Cybertron. However, the Decepticon easily manipulated the council into giving him more and more power, until they were functionally impotent. Grapple and his fellow council members were among the last Autobots to truly recognize Shockwave's deceits, but did eventually join their fellow soldiers in bringing down the Decepticon's control of Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}} Afterwards, Grapple decided to accompany [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and the Ark's crew back to Earth, where he could put his skills to work on the construction of Autobot City. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:MegsOrigin4 Grapple Inferno.jpg|left|150px|thumb|DULL LOOKING UP!]]
While [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] was running an emergency rescue operation in [[Kaon]]
during the first major outbreak of Decepticon violence, Grapple was at his side to presumably offer engineering advice on safely evacuating trapped civilians. Their efforts became moot when a hovering [[Kaon upperclass|elite]] pleasure cruiser was shot down and landed right on top of them. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Grapple toy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|You'd think that having only one hand would make you an Occupational Safety & Health disaster on a jobsite.]]
* '''Grapple''' (Autobot Car, 1985/1986)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''47'''
**''Accessories'': Left & right fists, "Arc-Welder Rifle", 3 rockets

: Grapple transforms into an orange crane based upon the same truck design that [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] uses, the Mitsubishi Fuso. Each of his forearms contains a spring-loaded missile launcher, so he can fire his own fists or silver missiles (though the mechanism was severely neutered in the original US releases). He is also armed with a small black Arc-Welder rifle.

: This version of this mold was also used to make [[e-Hobby]] [[Hauler|RoadHauler]]. The fire engine version of the mold was released as Inferno and ''[[The Headmasters (toyline)|Headmasters]]'' [[Artfire (Headmasters)|Artfire]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Grapple/grapple.htm More information on Grapple at TFU.info]''

* '''Autobot Grapple''' (Commemorative Series, 2004)
**''Accessories'': Left & right fists, "Arc-Welder Rifle", 3 rockets

: Grapple was reissued by Hasbro in 2004 as part of the [[Commemorative Series]]. The spring-loaded firing mechanisms in his arms were completely removed due [[For safety reasons|to safety reasons]].
:Additionally, the hook on his crane as well as the hydraulics in the crane arm were changed to plastic painted silver, rather than using the more brittle (but authentic to the original release) vacuum-metalized plastic. He also gained a new Autobot sigil [[tampograph]] on his chest/cab, and his eyes were changed from yellow to blue.

: Interestingly enough, Grapple was ''not'' released as part of [[Takara]]'s "[[Transformers Collection]]" reissue series.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/CSGrapple/grapple.htm More information on Commemorative Series Grapple at TFU.info]''

===Transformers (2010)===
[[Image:TF2010-toy_SolarStormGrappel.jpg|thumb|right|300px|I knew people couldn't forget me.]]
*'''Solar Storm Grappel''' (Voyager, 2011)

: "Grappel" (likely named such due to [[trademark]] reasons) is a redeco/retool of ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Inferno (G1)#Universe (2008)|Inferno]], transforming into a fictional crane truck, a hybrid of a 2002-2007 Pierce Contender "pumper" and 2008 Pierce Velocity "Heavy Rescue". It also has some characteristics from the Pierce Dash 2000 "midmount" with a crane arm instead of a "bucket/cherry-picker" (see [[Wikipedia:Pierce Manufacturing#Gallery|Pierce Manufacturing]]). He is fairly extensively retooled, with new parts for the crane, head, forearms, hands and feet. The bars on top of his shoulders have also been enlarged so that they work with [[C joint]] weaponry. As part of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" assortment, he also has a [[rubsign]].

:This toy and all Reveal the Shield Voyager-class toys did not receive distribution at the top toy sellers in the USA in early 2011-- online retailers and some distributors received them from Hasbro but the likes of Target, Kmart, Toys R Us, and Wal-Mart have yet to carry these figures. Only Ross, T.J. Maxx, and Marshalls stores in the USA received them, but they did show up in a few other English-speaking Hasbro markets.

:The original version of this mold was also used to make [[BotCon 2010]]'s [[Pyro|Spark]].

{{-}}

===United===
{{picsneeded|United toy}}
*'''Autobot Grapple''' (Voyager, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-11'''

: This Japanese version of Solar Storm Grappel is sold as part of the ''[[United (toyline)|United]]'' toyline. It features several changes in color layout and details, such as an orange head to better resemble most of Grapple's appearances in the Generation 1 cartoon.
: Unlike most United figures, the United version of Grapple was released weeks before Solar Storm Grappel was first shipped in North America. (Solar Storm Grappel hit online stores in January of 2011, while it didn't hit brick and mortar stores until June of 2011 when deep discount closeout stores got their shipments.

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Decoy Collection===
*'''Grapple''' (Decoy, 1986)
:[[Decoy]] Grapple is a tiny red soft-rubber figurine randomly packaged with various carded toys in 1986.

{{-}}

===Attacktix===
[[Image:Grapple-atx.jpg|right|180px|thumb|[[wikipedia:Extendar|The tower of power]].]]
*'''Grapple''' (2007)

{{attacktix
|ID=Unknown
|faction=Autobot
|class=Warrior
|special=Unknown
|cost=30
|speed=Unknown
|attacktype=Rammer
}}
{{-}}
:One of many Generation 1 characters slated to appear in ''[[Attacktix]]'', Grapple would have been a "rammer"-type piece, with a spring-loaded boom-crane attack. A presumed wave-3 Booster, this piece was ultimately never released.

{{canceledattacktix}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Hauler01-sm.jpg|right|150px|thumb|This guy gets named, but does [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]? Nope! Screw him!]]
* An Autobot vehicle matching Grapple's vehicle mode and referred to as "Hauler" appears in a quick scene in the [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|three-part mini-series pilot]] for the original cartoon series. Though later [[retcon]]ned into [[Hauler|a unique character]] via an [[e-Hobby]]-[[exclusive]] [[redeco]], it is likely that this was originally intended as the toy and character that eventually became Grapple.
* In the original cartoon, Grapple's head is colored orange most of the time. In "[[Auto Berserk]]", however, it's consistently colored black, matching the toy and his appearances in the Marvel comics. Much like [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert's]] red head in the cartoon and the whole [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]/[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] [[FIRRIB|FIRRIB/FIBRIR]] mess, opinions among the [[fandom|fans]] on which is to be considered the "correct" coloration differ.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Grapple''' (グラップル ''Gurappuru'')
*''French:'' '''Grappin''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Csáklya'''
*''Italian:'' '''Gancio'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Lutador''' (Portugal comic), '''Chave''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Granit''' (Гранит, "Granite")

==External links==
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Grapple Grapple's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Artists]]
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]