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Ratbat (G1)

2008-05-30T16:40:10Z

98.25.237.225: /* Universe (2008) */

:''Ratbat is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:ratbat.jpg|320px|thumb|right|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]]. 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.

''Italian name:'' '''Stridek'''<br>
''French-Canadian name:'' '''Vampiro''' <br>
''Hungarian name'': '''Féreg''' (yep, means Worm)

==Fiction==
===American cartoon continuity===
====Madman Transformers comic====
[[Image:Madman_comic_HotRod_runsover_tapes.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Dracula is my damn son.]]

Ratbat was one of several tapes that accompanied 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]], [[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]] rammed [[Squawkbox]] and [[Slugfest]], scaring the crap out of the bat. {{Storylink|Madman Transformers Comic}}

{{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]] (US), [[Hōchū Ōtsuka|Yoshitada Ōtsuka]] (Japan)

[[Image:RatbatTV.jpg|150px|thumb|right| Squeak! Squeak I tell you! Squeak!]]

Ratbat was among several cassettes deployed by Soundwave during [[Battle of Autobot City]] in an effort to stop [[Blaster]] 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 [[isodryte]] 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 isodryte deposit he discovered was already being mined by the Autobots, leading to the inevitable conflict. {{storylink|Webworld}}

[[Image:CallofthePrimitives_Ratbat_TornedronTiger.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The paws 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 (G1)|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===
====''Scramble City''====

Detecting some strange electromagnetic emanations coming from a mountain range, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] deploy Ratbat, [[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]], 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 Headmasters''====

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 esape. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Subsequently, the information Ratbat had gathered on the Autobots' search was replayed for Galvatron. {{storylink|A Dream is Born, Double Prime}}

Thanks to the super-science of planet [[Master (Headmasters)|Master]], Decepticon 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 recieved 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 Decepticon's new [[Madmachine]]. {{storylink|Operation Cassette}}

When a shadowy figure 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 [[Shouki]] in the reflection in his glass of [[energon]], and fled. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Ratbatfortmax.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Ratbat breaks through the Cassetticon glass ceiling.]]

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|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. He got the troops to follow him and had Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] sent to Earth'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}, and Ratbat emerged as the most powerful Decepticon in [[Polyhex]]. {{Storylink|King of the Hill!}}

Ratbat grew increasingly dissatisfied with the inefficient use of fuel by the Decepticons based on Earth under the command of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and developed schemes to improve the planet's output. He dispatched hypnotizing machines with the hope of taking over the minds of many humans and using them to deliver fuel at minimum cost to the Decepticons, but this plan was disrupted by the intervention of the Autobots' ally [[Buster Witwicky]]. {{Storylink|Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom}}

Ratbat allied with the Earthbound Decepticons but remained dissatisfied with the leadership of Shockwave. When the Earthbound Autobots briefly left the planet in the [[Ark]], Ratbat was at the forefront of a new Decepticon reign of terror and kidnapped Buster Witwicky, taking him to the Decepticons' island base. {{Storylink|Toy Soldiers!}}

[[Image:Ratbatcratercritters.jpg|left|thumb|175px|"That... that's your fist, Astrotrain."]]
When the Autobot [[Targetmaster]]s besieged the base, the Decepticons were forced to flee by deploying its rocket facility. In the process of departure, Shockwave was shot down in space and seen heading towards Earth, apparently dying, and Ratbat declared it would be inefficient to rescue him and so, instead seized command of the Decepticons for himself. {{Storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

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. {{Storylink|Totaled!}}

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 them. Seconds later, Ratbat was dead, shot in the back by Scorponok. {{Storylink|Dark Star!}}
{{-}}

===Blackthorne Comics continuity===
[[Image:Ratbat_blackthorne.png|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]]-producing aliens by causing Galvatron to step on him accidentally using [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Galvatron stopped fighting to rush to Ratbat's side, distraught over his actions. {{storylink|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 3D 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.<br>
'''Another Note:''' Blackthorne's Ratbat was absolutely adorable. He is love.}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:ratbatwarwithin.jpg|left|thumb|If Ratbat turned into a jet, why did they call him Ratbat?]]

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]] and the [[Wreckers]]. {{Storylink|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Eventually, he became so frustrated that he openly violated the [[Crisis Intervention Accords]] and managed to sway the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s over to the Ultracons, unleashing [[Devastator]] on the Heights. However, the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s arrived and formed [[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|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. However, at a later date, after the Great Shutdown, when Shockwave established control of the planet, many Transformers, including Ratbat, had their bodies reformatted into Earth-themed modes, leading to Ratbat's bat/tape body. It was noted that he was not pleased with its unimposing nature compared to his original structure.

When next we saw Ratbat, he had been freed by Starscream from imprisonment and was given to Soundwave as a servant/gift, implying a past connection for which Soundwave would want recompense. It is entirely possible that Shockwave may have viewed Ratbat as a threat to his control of the planet and deliberately gave him a weak body and imprisoned him to keep him out of the way. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (comic issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

{{-}}

===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics continuity===
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|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} Ratbat was released by Soundwave, along with [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], and [[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]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:Senator ratbat.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Vote Ratbat. A name you can trust.]]

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). (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). {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2}}

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:Ratbatdevastation.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Always on playlist: "Batdance"]]
After Megatron decisively won his first battle against [[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 cassette body which is assumed to have his familiar robot-bat alternate mode. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4}}

Millions of years later, in the present day, Ratbat appears to have come WAY down in the world and serves as a scout for the Decepticons. Now on Earth, he appears to change into some sort of consumer electronic device of the portable CD player variety. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
*'''Ratbat / Frenzy''' (Cassette 2-pack, 1986)

[[Image:G1Ratbat_toy.jpg|thumb|right|150px|I'm a cassette... I'm a bat... I'm adorable!]]

: Ratbat transforms from a robot bat into a microcassette that can fit in the chest compartment of the [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[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 the the detailing types.

: It is worth noting that Ratbat's tiny "ears" are among the more easily lost parts in the original [[Generation 1]] line.

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

: 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.

===Universe (2008)===
*'''Springer v. Ratbat''' (Voyager Deluxe Comic 2-Pack, 2008)
:*''Accessories:'' Two swords, key
[[Image:Universe 2008 Ratbat toy.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Batman always needed a space ship]]
:A Target exclusive redeco of ''Cybertron'' [[Sideways#Cybertron|Sideways]], Ratbat transforms into a purple alien spacefighter, very much in keeping with the realistic style of Universe. He has a Cyber Planet Key-activated faction-switching ability (switching from Decepticon to Ultracon) and pop-out blades built into his battle shield.
{{-}}

==Trivia==
* 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 an tiny audio cassette. Both of the "postmodern" continuities established by [[Dreamwave Productions]] and [[IDW Publishing]] 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''.

==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: Classics characters]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category: Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: Mini-Cassettes]]
[[Category: Politicians]]
[[Category: Target exclusives]]
[[Category: Ultracons]]
[[Category: Universe (2008)]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Night Beat 7

2008-05-10T20:33:11Z

98.25.237.225:

{{disambig3|Nightbeat}}

:''Night Beat 7 is an [[Autobot]]-allied [[Real Gear Robot]] form the [[Movie (franchise)|Movie]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:NightBeat7_beast.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Not Shattered Glass Laserbeak.]]

'''Night Beat 7''' is always on the watch for mischief caused by the [[Decepticon]]-allied mechanoids hiding among [[human]] technology. Highly-advanced sensors let him detect a wide range of Cybertron-origin signals and powers, even temporal anomalies left by the likes of [[Meantime]]. Once he's on the trail, it's only a matter of time before his fellow Autobots are on the scene to remove the troublemakers!

{{quote|Seeking the Beat.|Night Beat 7's packaging tagline}}

: ''French-Canadian name:'' '''Rythme Nocturne 7'''
: ''Spanish name:'' '''Ritmo Nocturno 7'''

==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
* '''Night Beat 7''' (Real Gear Robots, 2007)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''MA-17'''
[[Image:NightBeat7_alt.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Seven gigs of Miami Sound Machine.]]

: A [[redeco]] of [[Booster X10]], Night Beat 7 transforms from a robotic bird into a (non-functional) MP3 player with ear bud of made-up model. His main body vaguely resembles the design of an iPod Nano, and his weapon backpack strongly resembles a Bluetooth headset. Like all ''Real Gear Robots'' toys, his robot mode is apparently at 1:1 scale -- and the headset is surprisingly comfortable.

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Movie characters]]
[[Category: Real Gear Robots]]
[[Category: Spies]]
[[Category: Toy-only characters]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Ironhide (G1)

2008-05-01T17:00:52Z

98.25.237.225: /* Universe (2008) */

{{disambig3|Ironhide}}

:''Ironhide is an [[Autobot]] and a [[Maximal]] in the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Ironhideg1guido.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Properly pronounced "Arn-hahhhd."]]

'''Ironhide''' is one of the oldest and toughest Autobots, and has been on [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s team for a long time. "They don't make them like they used to" is an apt description of Ironhide -- he's yesterday's model, but he's built to last.

Gruff and ornery, he prefers actions to words, and dislikes talk for talk's sake. (He wouldn't enjoy being paired up with [[Bluestreak]].) But though he may be rough around the edges, he's still optimistic and upbeat. The upside to being through more than your share of trouble means trouble ain't so big a scare anymore.

Ironhide's most distinctive ability is the power to generate and shoot a liquid of virtually any type. Liquid nitrogen is historically a favorite, but there have been acids, mortar, and more.

{{quote|When are we gonna start bustin' Deceptichops?|Ironhide's version of diplomacy|''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''}}

:''Hungarian name'': '''Acélfej''' ("Steel-head")
:''Italian name'': '''Falco''' (''Rock me, Primadeus!'')
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Rhino'''
:''Hungarian Movie name'': '''Vaskezű''' ("Ironhand")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{note|Stories in italics are from Marvel UK.}}
{{note|Ironhide's was originally drawn resembling his toy, and abruptly turned into his more familiar animated form later on.}}

Ironhide was one of Cybertron's great warriors, and chosen to join [[Ark (G1)|the Ark mission]] to save Cybertron from an asteroid belt - a mission that saw him stranded on Earth for four million years. {{storylink|The Transformers (comic issue)}} Upon reactivation, the Autobots were constantly fighting a defensive while running out of fuel; when the Decepticons came for the Ark, Ironhide was one of just five Autobots to get fuel from his comrades so he could fight off the invasion. That just meant he was present to be shot down by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]... {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

Once repaired, he would be one of the first Autobots to battle the [[Constructicons]] {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} only to be later gunned down by a Decepticon-controlled Optimus Prime body. {{storylink|Prime Time!}} Ironhide just has no luck.

''Once repaired, he worked alongside [[Jetfire]] in the Dinobot Hunt, initially distrusting and clashing with him because of his Decepticons origins. He learnt to trust him during the mission. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} He at one point broke protocol to single-handedly break a terrorist siege, only to become frustrated when the police almost ruined it. {{storylink|Perchance to Dream}} Later on, he would be dispatched as a bodyguard for [[Buster Witwicky]] to prevent any reprisal attacks from the Decepticons - he had a more successful rematch against the Constructicons, and was also happily introduced to the wonders of demolition derbies. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}''

''When the time-travelling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] arrived in 1986 and Optimus Prime & [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] were both lost in [[Limbo]], Ironhide was one of the Autobots who battled the Decepticon. It went poorly - so poorly the beaten and humiliated Ironhide was desperate enough to salvage [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] & [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to temporarily take command of the Autobots. He vanished partway through the escapade, presumably injured.'' {{storylink|Target 2006}}

Ironhide would go on to fight against Ratbat's forces on the [[moon]] {{storylink|Totaled!}} ''and in the Time Wars'' {{storylink|Time Wars!}}, only to be offlined by the [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Dark Star!}}

=====Earthforce=====
[[Image:Desert island risks.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"''I can see '''you'''!''"]]

While in stasis aboard the Ark, Ironhide was hacked into by an alternate Galvatron, who was looking for potential soldiers with dark sides he could corrupt. As a result, Ironhide was reactivated and helped stop Galvatron. {{storylink|Perchance to Dream}} He went on to be a founding member of [[Earthforce]], fighting against Megatron & Shockwave's rival Decepticon armies.

In his first mission, alongside [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], he used his knowledge of Decepticon [[automated defense ring|automated defence rings]] & riddles to get into a Decepticon facility and end their attempts at creating a new [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}} Later, he helped sabotage a Decepticon [[enclave]] to stop Megatron & Shockwave from uniting their two factions. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}}

=====''Another Time and Place''=====
Ironhide was part of a commando unit sent to [[Hydrus Four]] after the Dinobots. He and a small group of Autobots surprised [[Fangry]] and tore him limb from limb. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

=====Generation 2=====
When Optimus Prime and Grimlock discovered the threat of the [[Cybertronian Empire]], they called in Autobots scattered across the galaxy, including Ironhide. And, when Grimlock chose to disobey Prime's directives and make a tactical first strike against [[Jhiaxus]]'s ships, Ironhide went with him. They were quickly found out and captured, though, leaving it to Optimus to bail them out of trouble. {{storylink|Devices and Desires!}}

Later, when Prime had the brilliant idea that Megatron would be willing to "just talk" after laying waste to much of the planet Earth, Ironhide joined the rescue party Grimlock threw together to bail him out. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} He was also involved in the defense of Ethos. Ironhide took several shots to the chest while protecting that world, and was apparently killed {{storylink|Escalation!}}

===Animated continuity===
'''Voice Actor:''' [[Peter Cullen]] (US), [[Shô Hayami]] (Japan)

[[Image:Ironhideg1.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Holy cow. He'll chew you up and spit out rivets.]]

Ironhide was part of the bridge crew of the [[Ark]] when it embarked on its fateful voyage to seek out new sources of energy beyond [[Cybertron]] four million years ago. It crashed on Earth, and all aboard were in stasis until 1984, when a volcanic eruption awakened the dormant Transformers. Ironhide was reformatted by [[Teletraan I]] so that his alt-mode was a terrestrial Mitsubishi van.{{storylink|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} In addition to his role in maintaining the security of the Autobot headquarters on Earth, Ironhide would embark on numerous missions to stop the Decepticons on their energy-raiding strikes around the planet. When the Decepticons churned the currents of the river blocked by Sherman Dam to raise its energy output, it resulted in high tides that threatened the surrounding neighborhoods. Ironhide, with the help of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], used his built-in laser cannon in van mode to cut a new series of tributaries for the raging river to flow into.{{storylink|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

Later, when the Decepticons escaped being buried in the [[Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma|Burma ruby mines]], a flustered Ironhide took to the air in pursuit. He even managed to score a rocket strike against [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], which only earned him a similar strike in return. Ironhide crash-landed into a lake, where he suffered back-end damage to his linkages. The immobilized Ironhide was fished out of the lake by [[Bluestreak]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and he recovered under the administrations of Doc [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]].{{storylink|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

On a later mission, Ironhide was assigned guard duty while the rest of the Autobots tested Wheeljack's new device, the [[immobilizer]]. Distracted by a visit from [[Carly]], Ironhide soon learned that the Decepticons ambushed Optimus Prime and the Autobots and stole the new device. Blaming himself, Ironhide resigned from active duty, a resignation Prime accepted with some trepidation. While still "retired" Ironhide swam down to Decepticon headquarters to rescue the captured Carly, was immobilized, then re-mobilized, recovered the immobilizer from Megatron, helped save the Autobots, then destroyed the device. His request to be put on active duty again was wholeheartedly received by his friends. {{storylink|The Immobilizer}}

After Optimus Prime suffered a debilitating attack and needed a replacement part from Cybertron to survive, Ironhide led the team that recovered the part and escaped Decepticon attack. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}. Ironhide led another Autobot team to Cybertron to follow Optimus Prime after he left unexpectedly to rescue [[Elita One]]. When his team arrived via the spacebridge, Starscream announced that he has killed Prime by melting him down in a vat of acid. Ironhide angrily ordered the Autobots to attack and avenge their fallen leader. During the battle, they met up with Elita One's [[Female Autobots]], which gave Ironhide a chance to reunite with his old gal [[Chromia]]. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

Ironhide's experience and wisdom came in handy. He stopped the Autobots from firing on and destroying the real Optimus Prime after they are fooled by Megatron’s Optimus clone. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}} When Mount St. Hilary erupted due to Cybertron’s proximity to earth, Ironhide plugged the eruption by causing an avalanche. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}}

Ironhide could be a hothead at times. When humans banned the Autobots from earth for crimes they didn’t commit, the Autobots ended up on a spaceship heading to parts unknown. Ironhide blamed Optimus Prime for their predicament and almost led a mutiny. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} Ironhide also had little patience for "[[Aerialbot (G1)|younger]]" Autobots who think they knew better than him or Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

[[Image:Ih-okay.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Look sir, Droids!!]]
In the year 2005, Ironhide was on a shuttle along with a group of other Autobots headed for Earth when the shuttle was attacked by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and a team of [[Decepticon]]s. Ironhide bravely fought off the Decepticons, but was not powerful enough to stop the enemy, and he was mercilessly killed by Megatron.{{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie (1986)}}

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===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Ironhide and [[Kup]] go way back, having served with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s command. They even broke off from the main Autobot faction during Prime's absence in the Dark Ages, choosing to serve Grimlock and his [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] rather than work under Prowl.

Nobody likes Prowl.

He was part of the Ark's original crew four million years ago, and awoke with the rest of them in 1984. After the crash of the [[Ark II]], however, Ironhide was among the Transformers secretly acquired by [[Lazarus]] as a potential weapon of mass destruction for sale. He was tortured and heavily damaged by the Decepticons when they broke Lazarus' control over them, and was unable to immediately aid Prime and the others against Megatron. {{Storylink|Prime Directive, Part 4}}

Sometime after Ironhide was repaired, the united Cybertronians arrived on Earth and took him, Optimus, and most of the Ark's crew prisoner as alleged rogues who threatened their homeworld's peace. Many Autobots on Cybertron questioned the beneficence of their "commander", [[Shockwave]], and had organized into several insurgency cells. Ironhide and the 'Bots linked up with them, and successfully retook [[Iacon]] for the Autobot cause, forcing out Shockwave and his followers. {{Storylink|Revelation}}

In the days that followed, Ironhide, Prowl and Kup attempted to coordinate things on Cybertron, but gratefully stepped aside once Ultra Magnus had finished his repair cycle. The Ark's old crew then made plans to return to Earth and construct a new Autobot City as their base of operations on that planet. {{Storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===IDW comics continuity===

Back before the war, Ironhide was part of the Security Services. He attend the funeral of [[Bumper]] and [[Fastback]] with [[Chromia|a familiar fembot]], and listened to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s eulogy/rally call. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3}} It's unknown if he was present for the raid against Megatron's gladiators, but he was on the streets with Prime and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] during the Battle of Kaon, when the Autobots tried to halt the Decepticons. Ironhide was dishing out justice the old fashioned way—with his fists. He was with the Autobots that contacted [[Iacon]] when Sentinel's body was deposited in front of them, and Prowl ordered an evacuation. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4}}

In the present, Ironhide is second-in-command (under Prowl) of a detachment of Autobots that has operated covertly on Earth for at least four years, attempting to foil a Decepticon insurgency. He is an experienced tactician whom Prowl consults for advice. Although more bound to the regulations than [[Ratchet_%28G1%29#IDW_Comics_continuity|Ratchet]], he's still willing to bend the chain of command for the right reasons, sending a pulsewave to Optimus Prime behind Prowl's back. {{storylink|Infiltration}}

Ironhide was assigned the task of escorting a trio of humans back from the Autobots to their homes alongside [[Sunstreaker]], carrying [[Jimmy_Pink|Jimmy]] and [[Verity_Carlo|Verity]]. He became separated from Sunstreaker, who was immobilized and seemingly destroyed in an ambush by the [[Machination]]. Once it was revealed that the debris recovered from the Machination was not that of Sunstreaker, Ironhide suggested himself for the search mission to find Sunstreaker's whereabouts as he felt he owed it to him, but his wishes were dismissed by Optimus Prime. Proving his willingness to break the chain of command if needed, Ironhide disobeyed his orders to remain and monitor Decepticon activity, joining Ratchet, Verity and Jimmy in their attempts to uncover the fate of Sunstreaker and [[Hunter O'Nion|Hunter]]. However, while removing Verity and Jimmy from a building that was due to explode, Ironhide was caught in the explosion, and went M.I.A. {{storylink|Escalation}}

After Optimus Prime returned from his meeting with [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Hot Rod]] learned that Ironhide was due to be crushed and compacted at a human dump, and went to rescue him. They ran into some [[Headmaster|problem]]s on the way there, however. They prevailed, and after Optimus Prime received word of the incident on [[Garrus-9]], he ordered [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] to retrieve Hot Rod and the others. Hot Rod refused to go though, wanting to see the Headmaster mystery to the end. Hardhead reluctantly let him go and took Wheeljack and Ironhide back with him. {{storylink|Devastation}}

===IDW ''Beast Wars''===

Ironhide serves on the Maximal Imperium, alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]. Leadership seems to have robbed him of a bit of his gusto, although according to [[Big Convoy]] he is 'right honorable'

===IDW ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' continuity===
Ironhide participated in the pursuit of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (his name is written on the side of his altmode, a military boxcar), and partially transformed from artillery boxcar mode to robot mode in order to shoot down [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. He is the only Autobot other than [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] to speak in the whole story, and he only gets one line: "The name is Ironhide." {{Storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4}}

{{note|For unclear reasons, in the trade paperback collection, the Autobot who shoots down Scourge identifies himself as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], not Ironhide. Ironhide is present, but does not speak or act.}}

===''Timelines: Descent into Evil'' comic===
[[Image:Ratchetironhidedescent.jpg|right|thumb|Amazingly not dead.]]
Years after the Autobot-Decepticon Wars ended, Ratchet and five other Autobots were sent to [[Ceti Alpha Seven]] to destroy General [[Deathsaurus]]' [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] clone lab and stop his planned Decepticon uprising. After a team of four (consisting of [[Outback|Fallback]], [[Chromia]], [[Flareup]], and [[Ricochet (Descent into Evil)|Ricochet]]) failed, Ironhide and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] followed to help. After battling swarms of [[Virulent Clones]] and [[Buzzclaw (Timelines)|Buzzclaw]], they finally met up with Deathsaurus himself. Ironhide stayed to fight the general, and Ratchet separated to find their fallen friends. However, Ironhide was shot in the back by [[Flamewar]] and he went into stasis lock. Ironhide woke up restrained inside Deathsaurus' lab with Ratchet, while Deathsaurus appeared to them on a monitor and told them he planned to destroy the lab by remote. Before the lab could detonate, Ricochet snuck in and freed them, allowing them to gather their fallen and escape.

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Ironhide''' (1984/1991/2001/2007)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''98'''
[[Image:Ironhide.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Sit on my face and tell me that you love me.]]

:Ironhide was part of the original assortment of [[Autobot]] cars released in 1984. His mold was originally used to create a ''[[Diaclone]]'' Nissan Onebox Cherry Vanette. The ''Diaclone'' line of toys were not meant to depict sentient robots, but rather human-controlled machines; the Ironhide and Ratchet-predecessor toys are the ones that most clearly show evidence of this. Rather than a head, these toy robots had chairs behind windscreens where the human rider would control the robot. When ported into the Transformer toyline, it was both the Ratchet and Ironhide figures that differed the most from their animated incarnations, as the cartoon versions did away with all traces of the human-controlled design to give the robots proper faces and heads.

: Ironhide was reissued in Europe as part of their Classics line in 1991, and released in Japan from [[e-Hobby]] in 2001.

: In mid-December 2007, he was reissued again as part of Takara's Transformers Encore line. This particular version came with an illustration on one box flap depicting Ironhide's cartoon-design head and chest windshield. By punching out the image along the perforated edges, folding it just so and tucking it in behind the toy's windshield, one could obscure the circuit-board "face" on the driver's seat and give the toy a "real" head that resembled the animation design a little more closely.

{{-}}

* '''Protect Black Ironhide''' (2008)

:e-Hobby is currently scheduled to release a New Year Special [[Exclusive]]: [[Transformers Encore|TF Encore]] Black Protect Ironhide. (In smoother, less loaded English, it would probably be Protective Blackcoat Ironhide. Hurray for cultural distance.) The toy will be priced at 4725 yen. Pre-orders are being taken until Jan. 11, 2008, with a projected shipping date of April 2008.

:The text on e-Hobby's page for the toy (see External Links, below) indicates the black coloration is meant to [[homage]] Ironhide's original Diaclone version, but between the release of Emergency Green Ratchet and a hint in Ironhide's new [[bio]], it's easy to see this is also an homage to [[Ironhide (Movie)|the new movie Ironhide]]. The packaging will be the same as the regular TF Encore Ironhide's.

:According to his bio, Ironhide got the black protective coating to disguise himself from both Destrons and members of the human criminal underworld when he's acting as Convoy's bodyguard. Not a few of his fellow Cybertrons have whispered to him that he looks like a [[Sector Seven|"Men in Black"]] vehicle, but Ironhide insists he got the idea from the deep black coloration of pickup trucks he saw around town. The coating, a composite gel metal, has made his trithyllium steel skin even more durable, allowing him to self-repair minor injuries right away. His robot/mobile artillery forms are now 25% more maneuverable than before, and he can handle even the worst of roads using his three-legged Marauder Mode. (This likely refers to the mode using the robot portion perched on top of the mobile artillery "battle sled.")
{{comingsoontoy}}

===Generation 2===
* '''Ironhide''' (Go-bot, 1995)
[[Image:G2Gobot_Ironhide.jpg|right|thumb|130px|Not a Gateway.]]

: Part of the second wave of [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] focusing on G1 characters, Ironhide transforms into a silver Ford F150 Flareside pickup truck. Using through-axle contruction for his wheels, he is compatable with most "Hot Wheels" and "Matchbox" playsets and tracks.

: The mold was a [[redeco]] of ''Generation 2'' Go-Bots toy [[Motormouth]], and was later redecoed into the ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Spy Changer]] [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]], the ''[[Universe]]'' Autobot [[Ironhide (Universe)|Ironhide]], and the second ''Universe'' incarnation of [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]].

* '''Ironhide''' (Power Master, 1995)
[[Image:G2Powermaster_Ironhide.jpg|left|thumb|130px|Both robot mode and vehicle mode at once!]]

: ''[[Power Master (G2)|Power Master]]'' Ironhide was one of the last toys in the ''Generation 2'' line, and was only released in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Oddly, the Australia and New Zealand releases were in US packaging, complete with [[Hasbro]]'s Rhode Island address.

: Ironhide (barely) transforms from a grey camouflaged Humvee into a dorky robot. His main gimmick is his "Power Master" pull-back motor, which you use by pulling back on his motorized rear wheels, then placing one of his guns into one of the holes above the doors, which releases a catch and allows him to zip along a smooth surface.

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===Beast Wars===
*'''Magnaboss'''

: Ironhide transforms from an elephant into a robot. Two removable guns are hidden behind the beast mode's ears. These guns can be plugged into the holes at the bottom of Ironhide's stump arms. In addition, [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]'s heel struts can be used as giant spike weapons, as Ironhide's arms become Magnaboss's legs.

: Ironhide can combine with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], his package buddies, into Magnaboss.

: Ironhide was slightly redecoed to create [[Santon]].

:The toy packaging gives no indication as to who the Magnaboss components are as characters. Their being Generation 1 characters was established by [[IDW]].

===Timelines===
* '''Ironhide''' (''Descent into Evil'' boxset, BotCon 2005)
[[Image:TimelinesIronhide_toy.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Red, red, and also red.]]

: A [[BotCon 2005]] convention exclusive, ''Timelines'' Ironhide was only available in the ''Descent into Evil'' boxset. He is a [[retool]] and redeco of ''Energon'' [[Tow-Line (Energon)|Tow-Line]], with a newly sculpted head resembling his G1 animation model. When not in vehicle mode, Ironhide splits into a robot mode and a battle sled. Like Towline, Ironhide can [[powerlinx]] with any other powerlinxable Deluxe or Mega from the [[Energon (toyline)|''Energon'' toyline]] or with his battle sled. He comes with a blue [[Energon weapon]].

: Ironhide's retooled mold was also used for ''Timelines'' [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]].

{{-}}

===Attacktix===
*'''Ironhide''' (2007)

===Robot Heroes===
*'''Ironhide vs. Kickback''' (2008)
{{comingsoontoy}}

===Universe (2008)===
*'''Ironhide''' (Deluxe Class, 2008)
[[Image:Universe 2008 Ironhide Toy.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Hey, I found my head!]]
:Ironhide transforms into a red SUV. Though the form is not quite his G1 vehicle, his robot mode contains a stronger homage, including a window-chest. Though no Autobot symbol is visible on the vehicle, the transformation scheme makes one visible behind the window. He also has an Oregon license plate. Interestingly, this is the only G1 Ironhide toy to date that doesn't share a mold with Ratchet. (Yet.)

{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
*It has been speculated by some fans that, in animated continuity, Ironhide may have been created from Orion Pax's friend [[Dion]], the same way and at the same time [[ Optimus Prime (G1)|Prime]] and [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] were rebuilt by [[Alpha Trion]].
:''For further elaboration, see [[Dion#Who_is_Dion.3F|Who is Dion?]].''

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Ironhide/ironhide.htm Ironhide at TFU.info]

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

*[http://www.e-hobby.co.jp/cgi-bin/omc?port=33301&tno=11964126283JGBV&req=PRODUCT&code=tfe27 e-Hobby's page for the upcoming Black Protect Ironhide]

[[Category: Attacktix]]
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[[Category: Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category: Go-Bots]]
[[Category: Headmasters characters]]
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[[Category: Maximal leaders]]
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[[Category: Strategists]]
[[Category: Timelines characters]]
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