Overload (Armada)

2011-12-06T06:40:04Z

99.22.95.216: /* Universe (2008) */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Overload}}
:''Overload is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Overload-armada-cardart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hey guys, I'm totally in ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'', seriously!]]
'''Overload''' is an Autobot powerhouse. On his own, he's strong, massive, and covered with guns and artillery. On top of this, he can combine with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], forming an enormously powerful set of cannons for the Autobot leader.

Just ''who'' Overload is depends on which universe one is in. Sometimes "Overload" is simply the name used by the [[Mini-Con]] [[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]] when he combines with his armored trailer. And sometimes the trailer itself is Overload, a separate living entity... who uses someone else to form his robot-mode chest and head.

==Fiction==
===Toy pack-in comics===
[[Image:Armada V4 Rollout Overload.jpg|thumb|Stop talking to yourself!]]
When [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] defeated [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Overload and Rollout accompanied Optimus in transporting Galvatron to prison. [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] attacked the duo, rescuing Galvatron. The two [[Decepticon]]s combined, and Overload in robot mode was set to battle him, but then transformed into a battle platform manned by Rollout. His firepower was of little concern to Galvatron, who swatted the two away. Overload transformed into robot mode just in time to see [[Unicron]] take over the sky. {{Storylink|Armada Volume 4}}
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===Dreamwave comics continuity===
====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[Image:Jetfireblurrsideswiperhinoxoverload.jpg|left|300px|thumb|I'm in the background a lot.]]
Overload was an Autobot under [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. When the Autobots detected multiple [[space bridge]]s opening at [[Decepticon Command Headquarters|Decepticon Command HQ]], causing disruptions in dimensional space, Jetfire led a team of Autobots to the Decepticon base to investigate. When they got there, they found carnage: All of the Decepticon inhabitants had been butchered and mutilated. As they wandered around the base, Overload questioned if they were going the right way, but they were soon attacked by [[Bludgeon (G1)|the mysterious killer]]. Overload pulled the injured Jetfire out of further harm's way before being ordered to transform into vehicle mode to light up the cavernous base (as well as their attacker). After Jetfire emptied his weapons bays, Overload asked Jetfire if they got him, but the situation was bad, as they'd only succeeded in destroying the creature's outer shell. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}}

Once they were in the Master Space-Bridge Nexus of the Decepticon base, the Autobots began setting detonation charges, intending to stop the damage to the fabric of space-time by destroying the Nexus. However, they were attacked, and Overload reported that it might have been their previous assailant, though it was difficult to know what was inside of that shell. Overload was glad to pull out when ordered, as all of his firepower was having little effect their opponent. He was pleased when the Nexus blowed up real good, until they noticed Jetfire was missing. However, both Jetfire and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] returned in spiffy new colours with spiffy new powers. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

Overload was in the command center of [[Autobase|Autobase: Cybertron]] as the Autobots readied their defenses against [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|The End}}

====''Energon'' comic====
[[Image:Overloadmultiplicity.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]

Ten years later, during the worldwide [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]] assault on [[Earth]], Overload, [[Dropshot (Armada)|Dropshot]], and [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] were stationed at [[Base Site One]] in [[Canada]]'s [[Yukon Territory]], where their equipment included a planetary shield generator. Base Site 1 had lost contact with [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], which would put the Autobots' countermeasures in jeopardy. While Overload suspected the Terrorcons may have something to do with their problem, Dropshot noted it could just as easily be an equipment malfunction. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 3}}

The arrival of [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] confirmed Overload's theory. Overload and Dropshot were quickly put out of commission, leaving Ironhide alone to face Scorponok... and [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]! {{storylink|No Exit}}
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===Cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
[[Image:ArmOverloadToon01.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Hey! Over here! Behind the geek and the undead guy!]]
[[Image:ArmOverloadToon02.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
Overload's origin is unknown.

Overload suddenly appeared as a trailer attached to the rear of Optimus Prime's container as the Autobot leader launched himself from the ''[[Axalon (Armada)|Axalon]]''. Faced with the powerful [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]]-possessed clone [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]], Overload powerlinked with Optimus's super mode to form a pair of massive, shoulder-mounted cannons. Together, Optimus and [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] destroyed the monstrous marionette. {{storylink|Puppet}}

Later on Cybertron, realizing the threat of Unicron, Optimus Prime attempted to reach out to Galvatron and forge an alliance against the Chaos Bringer. As expected, the Decepticon leader refused, forcing Optimus to powerlink with both Jetfire and Overload to form Jet Magna Convoy. However, in this form he did not engage in battle with the similarly powerlinked Galvatron, instead using his power to lead the Decepticon away from battle. {{storylink|Cramp}}

After the formation of an alliance between the Autobots and Decepticons, Overload, in robot mode, stood behind [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] and [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Hoist]] during the mission briefing. {{storylink|Alliance}}
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====Linkage====
[[Image:LinkageOverload.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cheesebot Spam-a-lot.]]
Overload, flanked by [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] (who happens to form extra artillery for the [[Megatron (Armada)|Decepticon leader]]), engaged the forces of [[Unicron]] with some heavy [[Powerlinx]] artillery, using [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]] and [[Kingbolt]] in their pistol modes, plus [[Quench]] in his missile launcher mode. {{storylink|Linkage Part 13}}
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====''Universe'' toy bio====

Overload used to be a partner to Optimus Prime himself. But those days are past: he left Cybertron years over. With his origins and past a mystery, even to ''Overload'', he hunts for the answers to his past on the lost Cybertronian colony worlds.

==Toys==
===Armada===
[[Image:ArmadaOverload toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"I'm not really sure ''what'' I transform into, but it's good... right?"]]
*'''Overload with Mini-Con Rollout''' (Max-Con, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MC-14'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 missiles

: Overload is a red and black carrier truck capable of carrying [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] in his vehicle mode. His robot mode, in which his [[Mini-Con]], [[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]], acts as his [[Headmaster (technology)|head]], is a heavily armed robot with a vague resemblance to [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'s [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (thus the Japanese name) such as the [[gimmick]] of his shoulders, though it actually (according to [[Joe Kyde|the designer]]) has more details from the [[Action Master]] [[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]].

:Overload can be pulled by Rollout in his altmode, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]]'s cab, or attached to Optimus's trailer to form a double trailer. Overload can also transform into a dual spring-loaded missile-firing cannon pack for Optimus Prime's Super Mode (forming '''Optimus Prime Megaweapon'''), and can also attach to Prime's trailer in its "base" mode. He can also attach to the trailer for an undocumented Super Mode, by detaching the lower half of Overload's legs and plugging the trailer-legs into the sockets on his thighs.

: Inserting Rollout into his chest cavity and pushing it into position to form his chest/head will press against a button, activating the ''Generation 1'' transformation sound effect.

: The Japanese version features slightly more intricate paint applications and a silver face. This version also replaced some of the red plastic with maroon plastic.

: The Overload mold was reused for ''Energon'' [[Ultra Magnus (Energon)|Ultra Magnus]], and was retooled for [[OTFCC 2004]]'s ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Sentinel Maximus]] with a new head mold.

{{-}}{{anchor|MagnaConvoy}}
[[Image:Armada MagnaConvoyDX1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some day I'll be more than an accessory!]]
*'''Magna Convoy DX Set''' (Multi-pack, [[November 11]] 2003)
**''Accessories:'' 2 missiles

: Overload and Rollout were cast in colored-clear plastics (dubbed "'''Ultra Magnus Special Clear Version'''"), and made available only in a Japanese [[Toys"R"Us|ToysЯUs]] [[exclusive]] multi-pack, coming with Optimus Prime in his "Final Battle Color Version" (aka [[Powerlinx]] colors), [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Corona Sparkplug]], and an [[X-Dimension Mini-Cons|X-Dimension]] [[redeco]] of the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Street Action Mini-Con Team]].

{{-}}{{anchor|Blue}}
*'''Special Ultra Magnus''' (Max-Con, 2003)
**''Accessories:'' 2 missiles

: 100 samples of this "sky blue" redeco of Overload and Rollout were given away as prizes in a contest from the Japanese ''Tele-V Magazine'' in October 2003.

===Energon===
[[Image:Energon Costco OptimusPrimeOverload.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Not yet, but someday! I swear it!]]
*'''Optimus Prime with Mini-Con Corona Sparkplug & Overload with Mini-Con Rollout''' (Multi-pack, 2004)

: For this [[Costco]]-[[exclusive]] set, Overload (and Rollout) was redecoed into a predominantly yellow scheme with burgundy accents. He came with a new-deco version of ''Armada'' Optimus Prime and [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] (who, despite his larger partner's new duds, remained pretty much the same).
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===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:Overloaduniverse2009.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Green. Why am I green!]]
*'''Overload''' (Voyager, 2009)
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles, rifle, Cyber Key

: Part of the fifth wave of ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Voyagers, "Cybertron Series" Overload is a [[redeco]] of [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)#CybDef|Cybertron Defense Scattorshot]], transforming into a vehicle resembling a multiple-launch rocket system which looks a bit like a [[wikipedia:TOS-1|TOS-1 Buratino]] (but not enough to be one) with a color scheme heavily based on that of the Generation 1 Micromaster [[Flak (G1)|Flak]]. The halves of the (non-firing) launcher end up on his arms in robot mode. In either mode, inserting a [[Cyber Key]] in each half reveals a new weapon: one side has a pull-out double spring-loaded missile launcher, while the other has a flip-out non-firing blaster barrel. He also comes with an extra long hand-held rifle that can be mounted in tank mode thanks to his [[Mini-Con]]-compatible [[Powerlinx]] plugs.

: This mold was also used to make ''Universe'' [[Dropshot (Universe)|Dropshot]] and ''[[Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' Flak.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* Overload's entry in Dreamwave's ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (Armada)|Armada: More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile series claims that his combination with [[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]] uses "[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster technology]]". The [[Armada Fleer card series|Fleer card]] for Rollout also makes mention of this.
* According to [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]], he intended to have a sub-plot explaining just where the hell Overload came from in the [[Linkage (comic)|''Linkage'' comic]], but didn't have the space to do so, so he dropped it in favor of focusing on the A-plot and cramming in what DVD-exclusive-character moments he could.
* Overload's whole "appearing out of nowhere without explanation" deal from the cartoon got a slight ribbing in the [[bio]] for his 2008 ''Universe'' toy, which established that he was now on a quest to discover the mystery of his origins.
* The character's American name of Overload makes sense in a roundabout way. The original Overload was coloured like the Diaclone Powered Convoy, which would be redecoed to become Generation 1 Ultra Magnus, and this character is named Ultra Magnus in Japan.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ultra Magnus''' (ウルトラマグナス ''Urutora Magunasu'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Túltöltés'''
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Peregriv''' (Перегрів, "Overload")

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/Overload/overload.htm Overload at TFU.info]

[[Category:Armada Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Costco exclusives]]
[[Category:Energon Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

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Overload (Armada)