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Dirge (G1)

2022-05-22T23:05:15Z

Blitzbrain09: /* Transformers: Forged to Fight */

{{faction|decepticon|decepticong2|unicron|predacon|primusvanguard|mercenary}}
{{disambig3|Dirge}}
{{suite}}
:''Dirge is a [[Decepticon]] or [[Mercenary]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:G1Dirge MTMTE.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"Death comes to he who— wait, no, death comes to ME. I've been saying that wrong this whole time."]]
'''Dirge''' is a master of using fear as a weapon. Mournful, morose, and silent, his behavior gives even close comrades like [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] the creeps. Dirge actively cultivates this atmosphere; his engines are even tuned to generate fear in all who hear them. Few realize, however, that this need to instill fear is part of an overwhelming need for control over his own situation. Should things spiral out of control, Dirge falls victim to paralyzing fear himself and his usefulness as a warrior vanishes.

However, those who know Dirge realize that his gloominess and cowardice are indicators that he was never cut out for conquest. Deep down, all he wants is old, quiet life back, and doesn't want any trouble for it. But he knows that's probably not an option for him, regardless of whoever wins.

Besides, he has every reason to be gloomy. True to his name, he tends to die. A lot.

{{bigquote|Death comes to he who crosses me.|Dirge|"[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Bud Davis]] (English), [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese)|[[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese, "Dinobot Island, Part 2"), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese, "Triple Takeover"), [[Yū Shimaka]] (Japanese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1"), [[Wang Xiaobing]] (Chinese), [[Roberto Alexander]] (American Spanish), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German), [[Holger Schwiers]] (German, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2"), [[Thomas Rau]] (German, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5"), [[Ulf-Jürgen Wagner]] (German, ''Generation 2'' "The Golden Lagoon", "Auto-Berserk"), [[Tonio von der Meden]] (German, ''Generation 2'' "Triple Takeover", "Ghost in the Machine"), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French), [[François Leccia]] (European French, "Auto Berserk"), [[Henry Djanik]] (European French, "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1"), [[Francis Lax]] (European French, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Albert Augier]] (European French, "The Gambler"), [[Marcos Miranda]] (Portuguese), [[Orlando Drummond]] (Portuguese, "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1", "The Gambler", "Triple Takeover"), [[Hélio Ribeiro]] (Portuguese, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Ronaldo Magalhães]] (Portuguese, "The Girl Who Loved Powerglide", "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5"), [[Nilton Valério]] (Portuguese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1")}}

[[File:DinobotIslandPt2-Dirge.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|This one's just a warning. From now on, you won't get off so easily.]]
Dirge appeared without explanation on [[Earth]] under [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s command a year or two after the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]-borne Transformers awoke. His first notable activity was joining in a raid on [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]], where he was eventually chewed on and thrown bodily by a time-lost ''Tyrannosaurus rex''. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

Dirge served as part of Megatron's personal guard when the Decepticons confronted the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] about their dubious loyalties. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} He was also briefly involved in an aborted air strike to seize the [[Negavator]], and was present for the next raid on the Negavator's holding pen. Once [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] rigged the Negavator to explode, however, Dirge led his fellow [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] in retreat, against Megatron's direct orders. Guess he didn't feel like dying that day. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

[[File:MMP1 Get in the ship.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
When a new solar energy facility opened up in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] led Dirge, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] to steal its power. The facility proved to be a trap, however, set by [[Shawn Berger]] to elevate himself in the public eye by taking down the Decepticons with his private militia. Berger's operatives failed, but the Autobots soon arrived to engage the Decepticons as well. [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] took to the air and zapped Dirge with his blackout beam. Luckily for Dirge, Ramjet managed to pull off a loopity-loop and ram the flying Autobot into the ground. Megatron then "requested" the pleasure of Shawn Berger's presence, not to punish him, but to play a subtler game. He attempted to convince the industrialist that the Decepticons were good, and the Autobots evil. He had Dirge escort Berger home so that the human could think about his proposal of alliance against the "Evil Autobots". Dirge was also one of the key players in Megatron's staged videos to tarnish the Autobots' reputation. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Later, after the Autobots were successfully vilified in the public eye and exiled to deep space, the Seekers turned on the people of Central City, opening fire in the middle of the streets. Although Dirge and the Seekers fared well against an attack by the Air Force, the eventual return of the Autobots proved to be more than the Decepticons could handle. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

Dirge next participated in Megatron's scheme to block all radio transmissions on Earth with the [[Voltronic Galaxer]]. He joined Ramjet in attacking several Autobots as they attempted to save motorists trapped on a frozen highway. They were defeated. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[File:GoldenLagoon Dirge gets ambushed.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Even when he's invulnerable, Dirge loses.]]
When the Decepticons uncovered a pool of [[electrum]], a strange element that rendered them totally invincible to harm, they thoroughly enjoyed taunting the Autobots with their superiority. Dirge, unfortunately, drew the short straw and was left to guard the pool with [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], right up until the Constructicon abandoned him to go fight the battle as well. Dirge was in the middle of...*ahem*exhorting Long Haul's virtues when [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] jumped him from behind, giving the Autobots a chance to use the electrum pool as well. The supply was quickly exhausted with both armies using it, however, reducing the war back to stage one. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}} Dirge was also part of Megatron's team working with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], producing energon cubes from the insects' feasting. They were eventually defeated by the Autobots and a grove of robotic space plants called [[Morphobot]]s. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[File:Gambler Dirge on Ramjet action.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Can't you die on someone else?"]]
Later on, Dirge, Ramjet and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] came to [[Monacus]] to look after Megatron's interests in [[Sheol]], and his less than reputable partner, Lord [[Gyconi]]. They were putting the squeeze on Gyconi when a program caught Dirge's optic, inviting one-and-all to see the Autobots in pit battle against Gyconi's [[animalien]]s. They decided to take in a show while on Monacus, but quickly realized what was going on when [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] flooded the arena with smoke to stop the games and save his friends. Dirge and Ramjet set off after the Autobot in jet mode, and very nearly destroyed him before the bounty hunting Autobot named [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] stepped in to blast them out of the air. There's nothing a Decepticon fears more than a fair fight, and the two Seekers skedaddled as soon as they were able to get back in the sky. They retreated back to Astrotrain with their share of Gyconi's energon, and eventually fled the planet, with Devcon chasing their smoke trail. {{storylink|The Gambler}}

On another occasion, Dirge accompanied Megatron to help their ally [[Deceptitran]] against the [[Tlalakan]] rebels. After the Decepticons captured [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (who was aiding the rebels), Dirge was eager to try out his mind probe on the little Autobot, but was interrupted by a rebel attack before he could really get into it. {{storylink|Sea Change}}

[[File:AstoriaConeheadsGWLP.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.1|He even dies in jet mode!]]
When the [[Triple Changer]]s temporarily disposed of Megatron and Starscream, Decepticon leadership became a free-for-all. Instead of choosing sides like the Constructicons, Ramjet and the Seekers were mostly content just to watch the hilarity ensue, like [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]'s football antics and Astrotrain's army of idiot trains. He even actually ''avoided'' death for a change and was seen successfully escaping from a train tunnel flooded by Astrotrain's [[Astroforce]]. That must have made his day.{{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

[[File:HoistGoesHollywood Dirge in swamp.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Weird! It's like it lost all will to live and just tried to crash into the ground."]]
Megatron said Dirge and the other two [[Conehead]]s were "supposed to be the most powerful jets in the galaxy." {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} But if Megatron was serious, then they certainly didn't do much to live up to that reputation. They were loyal enough troopers, participating in all the usual Decepticon mischief, but not much more than that. Dirge was once ordered to transport an [[Wheeljack's unnamed invention|unknown invention]] stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s lab on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to their home base, and ended up crashing in a swamp and temporarily deactivating due to its weight, prompting the other coneheads to save him. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (episode)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}} In fact, the general incompetence of Dirge and the Seekers in the air was one of the reasons Megatron chose to try fighting the Autobots on the roads with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

[[File:Dirge DeathUnicron.jpg|upright=1.1|left|thumb|Turns out Unicron didn't have a secret weak spot in his mouth. Thanks for trying, though!]]
Dirge and Ramjet were briefly seen using Megatron's [[Lightning Bug]] in defense of the Decepticons' undersea base. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} The two were later captured by Starscream and the renegade [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], and pilfered for their energy absorbers. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Still, Dirge was repaired rather quickly, and was seen helping Megatron and the Insecticons in another joint scheme soon thereafter. He and Ramjet were commissioned to find the Insecticons when [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] stole a vital part of the [[space bridge]] machinery. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}} During a Decepticon mission in the Middle East, Dirge inexplicably showed up with the Combaticons just long enough to get shot down by the Autobots. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

Dirge's first apparent death was during [[Unicron]]'s attack on Cybertron in 2005. All three coneheads (or Seekers who looked like them) were seen flying into Unicron's mouth and exploding. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Dirge’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]."}}

[[File:FFOD1 Dirge and Ramjet shot down.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
However, Dirge soon turned up again in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]], hiding with Ramjet amongst [[Abdul Fakkadi (G1)|President Fakkadi]]'s air force. Fakkadi denied their presence to the Autobots, but [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] psyched the two Decepticons out by walking around the airfield with what he claimed was a "[[Decepticon detector]]." When the coneheads tried to escape, Outback used a smoke grenade to make them crash, then tore the location of [[Chaar]] out of them with his steely gaze. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

[[File:Dirge toondeath.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|left|Maybe he shouldn't take his nitroglycerin collection everywhere with him.]]
The two hapless Decepticons somehow escaped Autobot captivity, though. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} They later participated in a full-scale assault on Cybertron and chose to strafe [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]—who dispatched them both with well-timed punches that sent them careening into buildings. They exploded quite spectacularly (even Ramjet, who you'd think would be used to it). {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Later, after some much needed repairs, Dirge and Thrust accompanied Galvatron's lieutenants in pursuing [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and the Autobots through space. Once they reached the Autobot funeral barge, however, the Seekers did not enter the vessel after the Autobots. A very wise decision, as it turned out. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}} Sometime afterwards, Dirge came to [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] with Galvatron in search of [[Octane]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. The Decepticons briefly seized control of the country and its oil supplies, but were driven off by the Autobots. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

[[File:Dirge AlmostDeath.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Uncharacteristically AVOIDING death somehow.]]
And yet they later appeared again on Chaar, failing to defend [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] against the ghost of Starscream. In fact, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] tried to execute the coneheads and the [[Battlecharger]]s for their inability to stop the wraith. But they were saved when Starscream possessed Trypticon himself and launched into space, Dirge and the others on board. When they saw that Starscream was using Trypticon to connect Unicron's head to Cybertron, they sabotaged the dinosaur from within. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine}}
{{-}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Legends'' comic=====
Following [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s first defeat at the hands of Metroplex, Dirge and Thrust recovered [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]] from the wreckage. {{storylink|LG-43 Trypticon Project Chapter}} While participating in an attack on the Ark to steal the [[Transform Super Cog]], he was taken aback by [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]]'s strategy of firing randomly in all directions. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
Dirge was amongst the Decepticons who attacked the ''[[Trigger]]'' as it neared completion. They took it over easily, thanks in part to the human collaborator, [[Trov]]. One human, [[Makoto (Star Gate)|Makoto]], had been overlooked by the Decepticons however, and managed to pin down Dirge and the rest of the group under Megatron's command in the ''Trigger''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s rail room with a powerful electromagnetic field. Dirge was almost sent hurdling to the farthest side of the galaxy by the ''Trigger'', but a blast from Megatron's fusion cannon disabled the portal. Then the Autobots showed up, and the two factions began their battle aboard the space station. The Decepticons lost the fight and fled. {{storylink|First Contact (Star Gate)|First Contact}}

Dirge was amongst the Decepticons Megatron brought to the ''Trigger'' to confront two Starscreams, one from the present, one from the future, who were in the middle of conspiring against the Decepticon leader. When Starscream combined himself with the ''Trigger'' to create a powerful new body for himself, Dirge had to contend with the volley of asteroids thrown towards both Autobots and Decepticons from Starscream's star gate. He was then almost sucked into a portal to a black hole when Starscream neared defeat, but was instead sent plummeting down to Earth when Optimus and Megatron worked together to defeat Starscream. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Ken Yamaguchi]] (Japanese)|[[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American)}}

Dirge was among the Decepticons gathered by Galvatron for the invasion of Cybertron. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

Dirge and Thrust stood guard outside the Decepticon headquarters on Earth when [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] was ordered to infiltrate it. The two Seekers got into a firefight with the Autobot and [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|his Mini-Cassettes]] and were too distracted to notice [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] sneaking past them and into the base. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
In [[2050]], Dirge was one of the Decepticons supporting the [[Selector]] revolt at [[Neo Scramble City]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic====
In the year 2001, the Decepticons had managed to conquer Cybertron completely. Dirge was one of the many 'cons who attacked the Autobots as they were evacuating the planet. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In an unstable amalgam universe, Dirge was one of the many Decepticons who assaulted [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian City]] in the year 2005. He killed [[Guardian (GoBots)#Dive-Dive|Dive-Dive]] in the battle, but was himself shot down by [[Leader-1 (GoBots)|Leader-1]] when the Guardian leader arrived. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

====''Deviations''====
In an alternate universe where Megatron died at Autobot City, Dirge was one of the many Decepticons who were forced to retreat aboard Astrotrain.
Back on Cybertron, Dirge was present to witness Starscream's coronation. The ceremony was interrupted by Unicron, who chose to reformat Starscream into his new servant "Megascream." As part of Starscream's bargain, Dirge was one of the warriors who received enhancements.

During Unicron's final attack on Cybertron, Dirge accompanied Megascream when the Decepticon leader attacked Optimus, and merged with Megascream to form a massive combiner. Dirge was presumably killed when Hot Rod opened the Matrix shortly afterwards. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Straxusholdscourt.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|You know, a guy who dies a lot probably shouldn't be hanging out with a guy who's got a bad habit of killing his own troops.]]
Dirge was on Cybertron serving under [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] when contact was first made with the long-lost Earthbound Decepticons. Along with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] and the other [[conehead]]s, he pursued another sextet of Autobots who had just carried out some sort of raid on the [[smelting pool]], only to be forced to retreat by a torrent of liquid metal that had just been siphoned off of it. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

''He was one of the [[Ten Deadliest Killers|Decepticons' greatest killers]], with [[Macabre]] desperately wanting acknowledgement from him. After [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] received some information about a major meeting of the [[Autobot resistance chief]]s at the [[Imperial Amphitheatre]], Dirge led his fellow elite killers to the meeting, hoping to capture the infamous [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]] and siphon some information from his old cranial cavity. Mere yards from their goal, however, the Decepticons were halted by a communique via [[communicube]] from [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], demanding they return to [[Polyhex]] at once and ready the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] for an Earth-bound mission. Pissed about missing their chance, but not foolish enough to disobey Megatron, Dirge turned the troops around, little realizing how close they came to being ambushed by the [[Wrecker]]s.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[File:Coneheads aerialbots over america.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Dirge miscolors his wings, hoping death won't recognize him.]]
Dirge, his fellow "coneheads", and the Insecticons dutifully travelled to Earth via the [[space bridge]]. Megatron had instructed that [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] be altered to resemble "Terran craft". Their mission was to defend a giant drill that would bore through [[Hoover Dam]] and siphon the Colorado River through the space bridge to the waterless Cybertron, where Decepticon turbines would generate "enough energy to power Cybertron for years". But just as the drill began its work, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] intervened. Dirge found his fear-inducing ability was particularly effective against the acrophobic [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], but the other Decepticons fared poorly enough that a retreat was eventually called. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

[[File:Dirge trailbreaker the gift.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Gimme your [[force field]] projector! I need it more than you do!"]]
''Dirge and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] accompanied [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] when he took control of a [[NASA]] space transmission facility to send a message to Cybertron. [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] attempted to stop them but were outmaneuvered by the Decepticons when Kickback shrank to insect size and avoided Jetfire's clumsy attack, giving Dirge the opportunity to beat the snot out of Trailbreaker, pick up Soundwave and escape.'' {{storylink|The Gift}}

''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] later reviewed footage of the Coneheads' attack on Hoover Dam as he contemplated how well the Autobots would cope without him.'' {{storylink|Prey!}}

''Having usurped Megatron as Decepticon leader, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] detected the sounds of conflict near the [[Wyoming base]] and believing it to be Megatron, he mustered his troops, including Dirge, to meet this threat to his command. However, when they discovered a [[Cybertron Seven|group of Autobots]] and [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] fighting [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] instead, Shockwave ordered Dirge and the others to attack the [[time travel]]er and, unwilling to kill his fellow Decepticons, Galvatron retreated.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}}

{{GIJoeTransformersfiction}}
[[File:Dirge DeathSerpentor.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|He couldn't even kill [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], but he wasted ''you?'']]
Megatron sent [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] and Dirge to try and take [[Power Station Alpha]] for the Decepticons. {{storylink|Blood on the Tracks}} When the Decepticons later allied with [[Cobra]], Dirge was assigned to be an emissary among the humans. {{storylink|Power Struggle}} This would be unfortunate for the luckless Seeker. When [[Serpentor]] realized the Decepticons were going to destroy the Earth, he needed a token of conciliation to show the [[Autobot]]s. So in the middle of a battle against [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Serpentor goaded Dirge into attacking the giant with everything he had. Serpentor then pressed a button in the cockpit of his own jet, "jamming" Dirge's "frequencies", which caused the Seeker's weapons to lock up and explode when he tried to fire. The explosion tore Dirge apart, and he wouldn't be seen again for years. {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}}

{{note|The [[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]] series is the only US story that was ignored in the UK comic. Consequently, Dirge is not dead in the UK continuity.}}

''Dirge was one of the Decepticons who took part in the operation to recover [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]] from the [[Thames|River Thames]].'' {{storylink|Salvage!}}

=====Transformers Annual 1985=====
{{note|Due to being published early in the franchise, these stories are out of continuity with the above.}}
Shortly after the Decepticons' arrival on Earth, Megatron built a replica of his [[Castle Decepticon|Cybertronian fortress]] in [[South America]]. There, he planned to mine for [[rare crystal]]s, as yet unknown to humans, that he could use to create new Decepticons. When this operation was discovered by the Autobots, Dirge used his fear-inducing powers to defend the fortress. But he hadn't counted on Prowl keeping his nerve and shooting down the Decepticon jet with his [[acid pellet]] rifle. The Decepticons were forced to flee, the mining operation a bust. {{storylink|Hunted!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Coneheads earthbase divide and conquer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
With [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] in command, Dirge joined a massive Decepticon offensive against the Autobot [[Earthbase]]. Their goal was to kill some Autobots while also distracting them as [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] looted a human [[oil tanker]] in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Both goals proved fruitless, and the Decepticons were driven off. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}

{{note|First depicted rather late in the series, it is unknown whether Dirge served Megatron or Shockwave before the coup merged the Decepticon factions.}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Decepticon fliers space pirates.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
''Dirge was one of the Decepticons seriously wounded at the [[Battle of Autobot City]] and subsequently thrown out of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to be recreated as [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Cyclonus's Armada]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]].'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

In an alternate [[2008]], Dirge was serving Soundwave while on Cybertron. He went into battle alongside [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and the other flyers, after Soundwave had been fed information that the Autobots were mostly off-world, leaving their territories vulnerable. This turned out to be a [[Quintesson]] ruse, and the Decepticons were ambushed by the aliens. Dirge fought against the Quintessons' [[Trident Attack Craft|Trident]] assault crafts while Soundwave was forced to call upon the Autobots for help in thwarting the invasion. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Dirge DeathSwarm.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Death by [[Furmanism]].]]
Dirge reappeared among the Decepticon forces just long enough to sacrifice himself futilely against the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], self-destructing alongside [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]. Moments later, Megatron showed up with the [[rheanimum]] that could have saved him. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Dirge DeathTimelines.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|You only get so many do-overs, pal.]]
While the war seemingly ended with [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s defeat at [[Klo]], Megatron was quietly gathering the remains of forgotten Earthbound casualties and rebuilding them. Dirge was among his resurrections, but the Seeker chose to follow the exiled Bludgeon instead. {{storylink|Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker's ''Timelines'' bio}} This would prove an unfortunate choice, as Dirge soon ended up in the [[cerebro-shell]]ed thrall of [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]].

When Bug Bite decided to try and subvert Megatron himself, Dirge was on the team accompanying him to Earth. As Bug Bite and Megatron confronted each other, the Autobots ambushed them, freeing many of Bug Bite's troops with a cerebro-shell jammer. It's unclear whether Dirge's shell was disabled, but the point is somewhat moot; [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] shot him in the chest, leaving him lying on the floor with extinguished optics. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Dirge was eventually revived and compelled into serving Megatron again. He attacked a human city on Earth with his old wingmen, Ramjet and Thrust. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

[[File:TCC50 Dirge.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2]]
As he had dodged death so many times, Dirge began to garner a reputation among the Decepticons: that death itself was afraid of him. Megatron promoted Dirge to a higher rank to that he might scare the other Decepticons into subservience. Aboard the ''[[Talon (Classics)|Talon]]'' starship, the Decepticons began to reacquire territories that had previously been conquered by Bludgeon's splinter faction. During their travels, Dirge intercepted a distress call from Earth, and the ''Talon'' headed to investigate the S.O.S. after it had piqued Megatron's curiosity. En route, the Decepticons encountered the Autobot starship ''[[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]]''. The Decepticons engaged their enemies just as space-time itself ripped itself asunder nearby. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 50|Dirge's profile in Club magazine #50}} The ''Talon'' was pulled into the [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon]] universe and shot down over prehistoric [[Earth]]. The Decepticons swiftly discovered that the local [[energon radiation]] was going to be a problem, and Dirge suggested they adopt organic [[alternate mode]]s. Megatron rejected the idea in favor of energon-absorbing armor. {{storylink|Shattered Time}} When the Decepticons detected three [[stasis pod]]s, Dirge and [[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]] were sent to shoot down the Autobots' [[sky-sled]], allowing Megatron to reach the pods first. Dirge returned to Megatron's side, and was blasted by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] after the three new Decepticons failed to terminate the Autobots. {{storylink|Shattered Expectations (BWSG)|Shattered Expectations}}

The Decepticons pursued the Autobots to a chasm, where they watched Megatron take on Ultra Magnus and be defeated. They climbed to the bottom of the chasm to retrieve their fallen leader and found a giant face hewn into the rock. It cheered Megatron up immensely once they dug him out of the rubble. {{storylink|Shattered Paths}} Dirge watched Megatron play with the ancient equipment in the cavern they'd found. {{storylink|Shattered Hope}} The Predacons including Dirge accompanied Megatron as he used the giant mech he'd built to try and claim the matrix the Maximals had found. {{storylink|Shattered Balance}} They battled the Maximals once more, until they were all sucked into a dimensional rift thanks to Ultra Mammoth. {{storylink|Shattered Destiny}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:Ramjet thrust dirge shockwave secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
Dirge was among the troops gathered by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] to crew the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. Shortly before the vessel's launch, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] went missing and Megatron ordered Dirge, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] to go and find him, acting on [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]]'s suggestion that they might find him at the [[Project Dreadnought]] control hub. They arrived to find Shockwave standing over the wrecked bodies of [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] and when they relayed Megatron's orders to return, Shockwave acquiesced and they boarded the ''Nemesis'' together. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}}

Dirge and the other [[Conehead]]s subsequently took part in the assault on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] as it emerged from the [[Stellae Cimeterium]] but were ordered by Megatron not to board the vessel with the rest of the Decepticons, instead remaining in flight mode to prevent any Autobots escaping. After the Ark crashed into prehistoric [[Earth]] with everyone aboard, Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust returned to the ''Nemesis'' to confront Shockwave over his inaction regarding their comrades' fates but Shockwave incapacitated them with a derivative of the [[Scraplet]] virus before heading down to the surface of the planet himself to clear up some "loose ends". {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2|Secrets & Lies #2}}

[[File:Thrust dirge secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]]
Upon awakening, Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust travelled to Earth in pursuit of Shockwave but on arriving at the Ark they were instead confronted by five drones, constructed in the images of [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] by the Ark's computer [[Aunty|AUNTIE]] to defend against the impending threat of [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. The Coneheads engaged the drones in battle but found them tough to outmanoeuvre, unencumbered as they were by Autobot morality. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}

They were then shocked to see Grimlock burst out of the Ark, locked in combat with Megatron, who was also being controlled by AUNTIE. Realising that the Decepticon leader was channelling pure [[Antimatter|anti-matter]] from a [[black hole]] through his eyes, Dirge warned Grimlock out of respect that Megatron was not in control and the three [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] retreated back to the ''Nemesis''. Subsequently, they reported back to Lord [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] that they had located Megatron and the Ark, but that their ship was too badly damaged to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Straxus agreed to send a rescue ship for them and offered them places in his new hierarchy if they conveniently forgot all about the location of the Ark; given that the alternative was a slow and painful death, all three readily agreed to his terms. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 4|Secrets & Lies #4}}
{{-}}

===Milton Bradley mini-comic===
Dirge was among the Decepticons under [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s command who ambushed the [[Ark (G1)|ark]] and was knocked offline when it crashed into [[Earth]]. He and the others were repaired four million years later when a volcanic eruption caused the ark's systems to spring into life. {{storylink|In the Transformers}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Under Galvatron's orders, Dirge attacked a water tower on Metroplex in an attempt to flood Autobot City. He was stopped by [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], who pelted him with missiles. {{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Dirge joined Galvatron in a mission to steal oil from [[Oil Valley]]. By pure happenstance, they arrived in the oil drilling area at the same time as Hot Rod and Daniel did. Dirge and the other Decepticons gave chase, only to encounter the Dinobots. Though Dirge managed to land a hit on Swoop, his firepower was mostly ineffective against the Dinobot warrior. The Decepticons were eventually chased off when more Autobot reinforcements arrived. {{storylink|Battle at Oil Valley}}

When the Decepticons learned that the Autobots had long ago lost a large shipment of Energon cubes at the Ark's original crash site, Galvatron ordered them to head to Mt. St. Hillary to uncover it. There, Dirge fought the Autobots over possession of it. The brawl ended when Starscream scarfed down all of the Energon, and proceeded to pick a fight with Galvatron. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}
{{-}}

===The Special Teams===
Dirge was summoned by Megatron to raid a power plant of its energy, after it had been evacuated of its human occupants due to the danger of landslides in the area. When Megatron demanded to know of Starscream's whereabouts, Dirge reminded him that he hadn't been spotted ever since venturing to Cybertron to fetch the Stunticons. {{storylink|The Special Teams}}
{{-}}

===''Big Looker'' storybooks===
Dirge was present when Megatron threatened his troops into coming up with a battle plan for him. After the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s kidnapped the architect [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], Dirge fought against the Autobots who arrived to save him. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}
{{-}}

===Island of Fear===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:Island of Fear Dirge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"You are the product of everything you fear. Violence. Darkness. Helplessness."]]
Dirge was on a mission to the island of [[Nali]] to tap into the [[Earth's core]] to power the Decepticons' weapons.He brought along his pet [[Denebian Stalker]] to guard his volcano lair while on this mission, and spread terror amongst the island's populace thanks to his fear-inducing engines. He (might have) encountered [[you]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] while on this mission. Dirge's fate depended on what choices you made! {{storylink|Island of Fear}}
{{-}}

===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Attack of the Insecticons====
Dirge was present, yet mostly uninvolved, in a number of possible adventures revolving around the Sun-Pak, a device invented by the Autobots' human ally Sparkplug. {{storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}
====Earthquake====
In one possible sequence of events, Dirge happened upon Beachcomber snooping around the Decepticons’ secret fortress. Easily overpowering the Autobot, Dirge disassembled him and then replayed the last few minutes of his memory tape to find out what he was up to. Discovering Beachcomber had allies snooping around the base as well, Dirge contacted Megatron, and the Decepticons were able to capture the Autobots quickly.

In another possible scenario, Dirge, Megatron, Thrust and Starscream captured Beachcomber and Buster sneaking about the Decepticons’ fortress. They then led their prisoners to Megatron's lab to gloat. {{storylink|Earthquake (book)|Earthquake}}

====Desert Flight====
[[File:DesertFlightDirgeandThrustattackAutobots.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Who should kill Dirge? To have Windcharger kill Dirge, turn to page 23. To have Cosmos kill Dirge, turn to page 39.]]
Dirge was one of the most fearsome Decepticon warriors, feared by all Autobots.

Dirge was part of a Decepticon deployment stationed in a desert base. The Decepticons plotted to lure the Autobots in a trap through the use of an anti-gravity beam. Using the beam on a nearby human settlement, the Autobots would be duped into coming to the fleshliness’ rescue, only to be themselves trapped by the effects of the beam. Dirge lured the Autobots to the desired location by creating his signature loud explosions, courtesy of his concussion missiles.

If the Autobots fell into the Decepticons’ trap, Dirge, alongside Buzzsaw, Thrust, and Ramjet would swoop down upon their helpless prey for the kill. The Autobots destroyed, they would then turn off their gravity weapon, and force the townsfolk to drill oil to fuel the Decepticon army.

If the Autobots bypassed the anti-gravity field, Dirge was part of the squad that intercepted the Autobot convoy headed for the Decepticon base. Though Dirge was ready to take on Optimus Prime so long as he had Ramjet backing him up, as soon as Powerglide took out the later, Dirge sounded a retreat back to the Decepticon base.

In a possible iteration of the battle that ensued within the Decepticon base, Dirge attempted to cripple Optimus as the Autobot leader was sabotaging the anti-gravity gun.

In a completely different possible sequence of events, Dirge and Buzzsaw captured Cosmos when he attempted to investigate the Decepticons’ base on his own. The pair then brought their captive before Megatron.

In a completely different possible sequence of events, Thrust, Dirge, Buzzsaw and a small squadron of other Decepticons spotted a squadron of Autobots driving towards the Decepticon base. The Autobots, in a disadvantageous position as they had no weapons in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s, were easy pickings for Dirge and the others.

In one possible ensuing scenario, the Autobots were able to create cover for themselves with their exhaust fumes, allowing them the time to transform and fight back. Dirge tipped the battle once more in the Decepticons’ favour with the use of his fear-inducing engines.

In the ensuing battle, Dirge was shot out of the sky by either Cosmos or Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Desert Flight}}
{{-}}

====Autobot Alert!====
[[File:AutobotAlertTopspin&Seaspray.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
In one possible scenario, Dirge accompanied Galvatron on a campaign to retrieve an ancient sphere of cybertite that contained the secrets to an ancient Autobot power-booster. Learning that the sphere was located within a sunken ship off the California coast, Dirge and the others headed for its location.

If they found the Autobots in the middle of retrieving it, the Decepticons destroyed both the ship and the sphere, and proceeded to rain superior Decepticon firepower upon their foes.

If the Decepticons found the coast deserted, they retrieved the ship themselves, using the might of Devastator.

If [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] attempted to snatch the ship away from the Decepticons, Dirge and his comrades destroyed the ship and the sphere contained within to keep it out of Autobot hands. The Decepticons then proceeded to pin down the Autobots in their hiding spots, leaving the heroic robots at their mercy.

If [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] executed their plan to retrieve the sphere from Decepticon clutches, they successfully distracted the evil robots for long enough to whisk the cybertite sphere back to Metroplex. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}
{{-}}

====Project Brain Drain====
Dirge was involved in a Decepticon plot to use a [[Brain Drain device]] on the crowd goers of a rock concert to syphon their intelligence into Decepticon fuel.

In one possible scenario, Galvatron had to recall his troops from the concert at the last minute when Ultra Magnus and his troops began a timely assault on the Decepticons’ headquarters. Dirge participated in the battle that ensued, which ended in a loss for the Decepticons when Ultra Magnus triggered an avalanche, burying Galvatron and shattering the Brain Drain device.

In another possible scenario,Dirge and the rest of the Decepticons were surprised to find the Autobots hiding amidst the parked vehicles surrounding the concert just as they were about to put their plan into action. Having been tasked in setting the parking lot aflame to prevent the concert-goers from escape, Dirge and the other Decepticon jets continued with the plan, dumping down gasoline onto the Autobots.

If the Autobots moved towards the crowd to protect them once the parking lot was set ablaze, Dirge and the other Decepticon jets continued their assault, able to bypass the inferno that kept the land bound Decepticons away from their enemies. Whether the Decepticons triumphed or not that day depended on which choices the Autobots made from this point forward.

In a completely different scenario, when Dirge arrived at the concert to put Galvatron's plan into action, he was immediately shot out of the sky by a small group of Autobots, and crashed down into a flaming heap of metal. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
{{-}}

====The Invisibility Factor====
[[File:InvisibilityFactorHotRodKupSunstreakerLaughing.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
In one possible scenario, Dirge was one of the Decepticons that happened upon [[Sarah Sanders]]’s ship when it landed in the desert. While Scavenger held the woman captive, Frenzy and the other Decepticons dragged the ship itself to a hidden location.

In one scenario where the Autobots rescue Sarah, Galvatron decided that only he would possess the secrets of invisibility, and sent Dirge out to kill the woman. Dirge was unsuccessful due to Hot Rod and the other Autobots’ interference.

In another possible scenario, Dirge and the other Decepticons happened upon Sarah Sanders's ship before any Autobots had come in contact with her. While Scavenger held the woman captive, Dirge and the other Decepticons dragged the ship itself to a hidden location. In whichever scenario that followed, the Autobots managed to steal the Invisibility Device from the Decepticons, either dazzling Dirge and the others with their headlights while Hot Rod took the device right out of their hands, or tricking him and most of the other Decepticons into leaving the spaceship behind while they pursued the young Autobot on a wild goose chase. The Decepticons did not succeed in catching Hot Rod no matter what scenario ensued. {{storylink|The Invisibility Factor}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:GalvatronsAirAttack Dirge crashes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|One mission and he almost dies. Luckily for him, he was only in one book.]]
Thanks to a new surveillance system, the Decepticons were alerted to the fact that the Autobots were searching an old battleground for [[cybernite]]. Dirge was among the jets led by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] who went to attack the scavengers, however the Autobots drove into a narrow part of the canyon, and unable to pull up in time, Dirge damaged his wing on the canyon wall. As they were unable to follow the Autobots, Starscream's team returned to base where [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] ordered Dirge to get repaired and have some flying lessons. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Predaconstww.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left|Dirge picked the faction that gets beat up the most, of course.]]
Dirge participated in Shockwave's offensive against [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] shortly after Optronix took the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and became [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} He was on the front lines when the Decepticons managed to breach the last of the Autobots' defenses and penetrated the [[Decagon]]. At this time, Optimus and Megatron beheld visions of the future, in which Dirge participated in an attack on a hydro-electric dam on Earth. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

During the Dark Ages, he joined up with Starscream's [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction and attempted to disrupt the peace treaty at [[Tyger Pax]], only to have the combined forces of the Autobots, Decepticons, and [[Ultracon]]s brought against him. The battle was interrupted, however, by the return of Megatron. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}}

Megatron disappeared once more after briefly gaining control of Cybertron, and Dirge came to work under Shockwave. When [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] took over the Decepticons and posed as Shockwave to retain command over the other full-sized Transformers in the ranks, Dirge was among the troops duped by the diminutive 'bot into launching an all-out offensive, despite their resources being at an all-time low. {{storylink|Recipe for Hate}} During what was meant to be a suicide mission, the Decepticons nearly claimed victory against the Autobots... until both factions' Micromasters turned up to put an end to the conflict. After the miniature 'bots revealed that Skystalker had engineered the recent conflict to take over himself, the Decepticons retreated from the battlefield. {{storylink|Victims of the Revolution}}

[[File:BrothersBurden ThrustAndDirge.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0|Better listen, Prime... Dirge knows of that which he speaks.]]
After the [[Great Shutdown]] was over, Dirge became one of Shockwave's top agents and traveled to Earth to help collect the former crews of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' and ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. {{storylink|New World Order}} Despite initial resistance, Optimus Prime surrendered his forces to Shockwave, and they were collected for detention by Dirge and the other troops. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} Back on Cybertron, he helped defend Shockwave's empire when the Autobots finally rose up against him. Dirge and Thrust nearly managed to obliterate [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] during the insurrection, only for Optimus to come to the smaller Autobot's rescue. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Dirge next tried to attack Mirage, only for Cliffjumper to jump him from behind. Dirge easily swatted Cliffjumper away, but turned his back to Mirage in the process... this allowed Mirage to use his invisibility powers to sucker-punch Dirge, knocking him out of the fight. Shockwave's planetary reign was ultimately brought to an end, and Dirge was escorted out of the battlefield in energy cuffs, alongside his fellow Decepticons. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Somehow, Dirge escaped detention and joined up with Shockwave and his remaining flunkies in the [[Wastelands]], hidden in an underground bunker while planning their next move. When Megatron arrived with his new [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], though, Dirge quickly assessed his priorities and agreed to serve under the old Decepticon commander for the duration. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

{{note|Somewhat ironically, Dirge's survival was guaranteed by Dreamwave's own death as a publisher.}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' continuity===
====Ask Vector Prime====
In one of the many [[Primax 1003.30 Kappa]] variations, Dirge encountered the [[Jewel of Mystery]] and was blasted into [[unspace#Marvel The Transformers comics|unspace]]. [[Unicron]] subsequently plucked him from the void to deal with a particularly tenacious [[Lukas]] reality, adding him to his roster of [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/19}}

====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:Dirge DeathArmada.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Even in a new continuity, he can't get a break.]]
Along with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], and Galvatron, Dirge traveled to the [[Earth]] of [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|a new reality]] to prepare the way for Unicron. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} Together, they opened up a large amount of space bridge portals in close spatial proximity to one another in order to weaken the quantum event horizon that separated this universe from the one they had traveled from. Leaving Bludgeon to guard the portals, the rest of the group then journeyed to Earth to confront the Transformers there. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} While Galvatron dueled the local Megatron, Dirge, Thunderwing an Scourge scoured about the Decepticons' headquarters. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} They came upon [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], and tortured him for information, but ultimately yielded nothing of interest out of him. They next crossed paths with [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], who detonated the [[Decepticon Command Headquarters]] to escape his opponents. Dirge was killed in the explosion. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Dirge was based on Cybertron, serving as one of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s bodyguards. Along with Ramjet and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], he tried to stop a group of Autobots from stealing a load of [[energon cube]]s from the Decepticons, and almost managed to shoot [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. Shockwave later led Dirge and the others to capture [[Teletran 3]], but they were stopped when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] set up a force field around the computer. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} The field eventually went down, and the Decepticons attacked, capturing the Autobots. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

When the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] attacked, several of Shockwave's forces were killed. The remainder withdrew to Shockwave's command tower, where they were destroyed when [[Cobra Commander]] detonated explosives hidden on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. So one way or another, Dirge died again. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

===''The Beast Within''===
Dirge joined several other flying Decepticons in attacking [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]] during a particularly violent battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}
{{-}}

===3H comics===
During the [[Quintesson]] invasion of Cybertron a week after the [[Great Transformation]], Overseer [[Rexian]] and his [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s came upon an untransformed portion of Cybertron with non-technorganic Cybertronians claiming to be Decepticons freed by the defeat of [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. The Decepticons loudly argued over who was the big-shot [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and decided that whoever could take down the most Sharkticons could be Thundercracker, the loser getting to be Dirge. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===''Lil Formers''===
When he was called useless and ineffective, the only response Dirge could muster up is asking if anyone had seen his chapstick. {{storylink|Lil Formers}}

===''Universe'' cartoon===
Dirge was one of the many Cybertronians caught up in a civil war that emerged due to greed, corruption, and malice emerging in their planet's halls of power. He was one of the first Decepticons to travel to Earth, and looked on as the Autobots took on alternate forms to disguise themselves amongst its populace. {{storylink|Action Blast 1}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[All Hail Megatron issue 7|''All Hail Megatron'' #7]]}}

[[File:Rise Dirge and Thundercracker.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.9|Both he and Thundercracker are a lot nicer after the war's over.]]
Dirge and several other Decepticons ambushed [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]]'s team of Autobots near the borders of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]], stopping them from apprehending [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|The Hunt for Soundwave}} He was then present at the [[Jump Joint]] during Orion's little chat with [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Cause and Effect}} Megatron led him and several other Decepticons to [[Nyon]], where they prevented [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] from killing Orion Pax. {{storylink|Choices}} Dirge was soon one of the Seekers providing air support in a joint Autobot-Decepticon attack on Zeta Prime's forces. {{Storylink|Overthrown}} Following their victory, the Decepticons betrayed and captured the Autobots, and Dirge was assigned to guard one of the cells together with [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]]. He was blasted by [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] when he showed up to free the captive Autobots. {{storylink|Rise}}

Dirge was present when [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]] took control of the Decepticons, and got annoyed that [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] were chattering away during his inaugural speech. {{storylink|Wreckage (issue)|Wreckage}} He participated in Scorponok's attack on the [[Toraxxis mega-refinery]] where he was injured by [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]. {{storylink|Faces of Darkness}} Alongside some other fliers he also attacked [[Starsreach Spaceport]] and helped shoot down civilian vessels participating in the [[Exodus (event)|Exodus]]. {{storylink|Massacre}}

[[File:ShiningArmor04 DirgeShield.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.9|Starscream knows a good bullet sponge when he sees it.]]
Four million years later, after the War had rendered Cybertron uninhabitable, Dirge was part of [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s unit. In the 19th century, the group had conquered the [[Huni System]] before the group was approached by the [[Dire Wraith]] [[Vekktral]], who proposed an alliance. Initially disinterested, Vekktral managed to convince Starscream by showing him [[Stardrive]] prompting Dirge to pull his leader aside and voice his concerns. Unsurprisingly, Starscream didn't care much for what Dirge said and agreed to the alliance. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} After the Wraiths had sown chaos among the ranks of the [[Solstar Order]], Dirge was part of the squad that broke into ''[[Orchid Crossing]]''. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}} When the [[Autobot]]s arrived, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] singled out Dirge and began beating him for information until [[Sky Blast (G1)|Sky Blast]] was partially assimilated by a Dire Wraith. With the hybrid proving unstoppable, Dirge and Ramjet decided to hightail it before Ultra Magnus suddenly condemned the station to a fiery demise. The Decepticons regrouped in the skies of [[Xetaxxis]] where Vekktral observed that the Wraith/Cybertronian had survived reentry. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} On the surface, Dirge joined in the Seeker attack on the ruins of ''Orchid Crossing'', {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}} before [[Livia]] and [[Rom]] overpowered him and knocked him into stasis, sending him tumbling into Starscream. After Starscream used his unconscious body as a shield, Dirge rebooted and rode Starscream's jet mode to make a getaway. Hovering in the skies, he, Ramjet and Starscream watched Stardrive suffer a mental breakdown before Bumblebee fixed it. As they discussed their next move, Dirge spotted a Vekktral possessed Ultra Magnus flanked by an army of Wraiths. When the Decepticons landed however, the Wraiths turned on their allies. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 4|Shining Armor #4}}

[[File:AHM7 Dirge hops in.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Operation: Cannot Possibly Fail]]
Roughly a century afterwards, Dirge and [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] escorted defeated Autobots to exile on Cybertron via a space bridge. But when Optimus Prime sabotaged the bridge on his way through, the two Decepticons found themselves trapped on Cybertron with their "prisoners". {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} Dirge and Deluge were kicked around and left to fend for themselves on the hostile planet. The Seeker watched as the [[Insecticon swarm]] tore apart Deluge.

[[File:IDWRID StickTogether Dirge.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|Me? Not dying for once? Lies.]]
After the rebirth of Cybertron, a Decepticon crowd gathered after the death of Senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. Dirge refused to believe [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] and the Autobots' claims that Ratbat committed suicide, and angrily stormed off. The [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] [[Barrel Roll]] followed him, and offered his friendship. Before Dirge could answer, a mysterious explosion engulfed Barrel Roll. Dirge's life was spared, but his injuries had him brought into [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]]'s care.

As a witness to the explosion, Dirge was interrogated by [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]]. [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], blaming Dirge for the death of Barrel Roll, took a shot at Dirge, missing thanks to Wheeljack's intervention. Dirge became infuriated at this example of "Autobot mercy", believing that the explosion and other events were caused by the Autobots themselves to gain justification to execute the Decepticons. {{storylink|Stick Together}}

Dirge then worked in the [[reclamation tunnel]]s alongside other Decepticons. There, he found the dead body of [[Skydive (Predator)|Skydive]] and caught a glimpse of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who affixed a [[cerebro-shell]] on Dirge to keep him quiet. He was soon found by Autobot authorities, and [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] deduced the culprit from the cerebro-shell's presence. Using a device from Wheeljack, Prowl used the shell on Dirge to track down Bombshell and eventually killed the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]], breaking his hold on Dirge. [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] was sent to chase the fleeing Seeker, but let him go after he made a plea for his life. {{storylink|Devisive}}

[[File:Devisive Dirge vehicle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|I'm not dead yet!]]
After having witnessed Prowl killing both Bombshell and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] in cold blood, Dirge feared that he was next and went into hiding. He told his story to [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], who protected him and shared his information with new arrival [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] as well. However, their hiding place was discovered by the Autobots and Dirge and Swindle escaped, leaving Needlenose and Sky-Byte behind. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} Swindle then had him tell [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] about Prowl's crimes. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} When this was followed by a bombing that crippled [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Dirge worried that it was part of some plan Shockwave had cooked up after hearing his story, making him indirectly responsible. In order to avoid getting involved with any further plots, he and Swindle approached Starscream, giving him the dirt on Prowl in exchange for being safely hidden away from ''both'' Prowl and Shockwave. {{storylink|The End of the Beginning of the World}}

[[File:HeavyistheHead DirgeBlastedByMegatron.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.6|Flirting with fate here, Dirge...]]
Dirge's attempts at staying out of the spotlight were futile, and he was plucked out of his safehouse by Arcee who took him to [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] and asked him testify against Prowl to Autobot leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]. He accepted, claiming he didn't become a Decepticon just to let Autobots get away with murder. {{storylink|The Verge}} Brought to [[Autobot High Command]], Dirge convinced Bumblebee that they had to investigate Prowl's actions and subsequently followed the Autobots to the [[Black Room]], where they found that Prowl had been under the control of Bombshell all along. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} As the Decepticon army, led by a returning Megatron, began conquering Iacon, Dirge turned his back on them and joined forces with [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] who was looking to save Starscream from Megatron's clutches. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} They were aided by Bumblebee's Autobots, but Dirge was quick to point out that they were only out to kill Megatron rather than rescue a fellow Cybertronian. When they reached Megatron, he was blasted by his former leader while trying to stop him from forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

Dirge survived the attack and remained in Iacon to receive medical attention while the rest of the Autobots and Decepticons were exiled by Starscream. {{storylink|Second Exodus}} As he lay damaged, he was approached by Starscream, who offered his fellow Seeker a place at his side now that he was the ruler of Cybertron. Dirge had no interest in helping him, however, as Starscream had left him to die during the battle, and chose to sock him in the face instead. Starscream threatened to kill him, but Dirge pointed out that would be difficult now that he was in charge and all eyes were on him. {{storylink|Three Monologues}} Six months later, Dirge attended Wheeljack's welcome-back party at Maccadam's. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}}

[[File:Unicron1-RampageKillsDirge.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|Well, it had to happen eventually.]]

Dirge was interviewed for his opinion on Earth joining the [[Council of Worlds]]. While able to rationalize the humans killing Ramjet and Thrust after the Decepticon invasion, he was horrified by the humans using their corpses to make the [[Seeker clone]]s and haunted by the prospect of humans on Cybertron. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 1}}

Following the [[Iron Ring]]'s invasion, Dirge hit the bars where he was approached by [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] who was doing research for his [[Starscream: The Movie (film)|movie]] about [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]. Dirge had few kind remarks to say about his former commander, having largely lost his faith in the Decepticon higher-ups when he and Deluge had been stranded on Cybertron and having to watch his friend be devoured by the [[Insecticon swarm]]. {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

Refitting himself into an old wartime chassis, Dirge was one of the Cybertronians who attempted to defend [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] from [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. He saved [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] and [[Sparkstalker]] from Unicron's [[Maximal]] supporters, managing to shoot at [[Wolfang (Predacon)|one]], only to be cut in half and killed by [[Rampage (BW)|another]] himself. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} When [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] disdainfully listed Dirge among the Seekers not under his command, Starscream brought up his demise. In response, Skywarp lamented that he had actually kinda liked "[the] idiot". {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}} As Soundwave sacrificed his life to help defeat Unicron, he glimpsed Dirge's spirit among the many other deceased, welcoming him into the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]]. {{storylink|Ceremony}}
{{-}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:ShockwaveDirgeInfestation2-2.jpeg|thumb|right|upright=1.5]]
With his fellow Decepticons, Dirge fell under the thrall of an [[Elder God]] in [[1888]]. As part of the Elder God's forces, Dirge, with the other Decepticons, defended [[Port Cenotaph]] from intruders. {{Storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}} He soon defended the town against an international fleet. {{Storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 2|Infestation 2: The Transformers #2}}

{{IDW HOS}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Fated Rival, Once Again...}} {{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Revenge (All Spark)}} {{storylink|Ray of Hope}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}}

===''Kre-O'' cartoon===
Dirge took part in a game of soccer against [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] and the Constructicons. It's unclear why he was playing on the [[Autobot]] side. {{storylink|Ultimate Defender}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
Dirge was among [[Bludgeon (Kre-O)|Bludgeon]]'s troops who discovered the legendary [[Red Bucket]], only to be interrupted by the arrival of [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Bluestreak]] and [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Jazz]]. On Bludgeon's order, Dirge tipped the bucket over on the Autobots, burying them in blocks, but this only led to the Decepticons' defeat when Jazz used the blocks to his advantage. {{storylink|Treasure Competition! Defeat with Block Power!}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Dirge followed Megatron to Earth in his quest for the [[AllSpark]]. There, he encountered [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]. The fight did not go in Dirge's favour, and Omega snatched Dirge out of the air as the Decepticons attempted to retreat. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

===''Combiner Wars'' cartoon===
Dirge was among the Decepticon troops who bore witness to a pivotal duel between Optimus Prime and Megatron, one meant to end the war before the never-ending arms race between the two factions spiralled further out of control. {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Optimus Prime}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
When [[World War III]] consumed [[Earth]], the [[Decepticon]]s fled the blighted planet aboard [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], trailing the Autobots aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. When the two [[Titan (group)|Titans]] reached [[Cygnus Seven]], the Decepticons attacked, the battle sending Maximus hurtling into the planet and causing everyone to fall into [[stasis lock]]. Eventually, the [[Federation]] moved onto Cygnus Seven with a survey team accidentally rousing Maximus's autonomic systems. By random chance, the repair beam first struck [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] who proceeded to revive the other Decepticons and lead an attack on the surface. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} Dirge joined his fellow Seekers in attacking the mining colony before the Decepticons were scared away by a [[photon torpedo]] barrage from the [[USS Enterprise|USS ''Enterprise'']]. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}}

After the Decepticons had reunited with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and allied with the [[Klingon Empire]], they resumed their attack on Cygnus Seven. When [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] resurfaced, the Coneheads swarmed him before Dirge began dogfighting [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}} As the dogfight continued, Megatron caught sight of Starscream deserting, ordering the Decepticons away so they could pursue the traitor. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}}

Catching up to the traitor on the planet [[Kronos]], the [[Klingon]] homeworld. Despite managing to defeat the Autobot/[[Starfleet]] alliance, the Decepticons were caught unawares by a [[Warbird (Star Trek)|warbird]] fleet, being taken into custody by the Klingons for study. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}

===Precursor World===
A [[Primus Vanguard|Warrior of the Seven Lights]] resembling Dirge was a member of the [[Blue Order]] of the [[Primus Vanguard]]. He and his comrades followed their commander [[Blue Big Convoy]] into battle when a duel between [[G1 World|dimension-tossed]] future warriors [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Generations Selects Special Comic (1)|Ultra Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Star Convoy]] threatened the [[Blue Planet (GS)|Blue Planet]] and [[Beast People|its people]]. The Warrior received a direct hit from Ultra Megatron for his trouble. {{Storylink|Super Megatron comic 2}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
With Cybertron's fate sealed and the Autobots gone, the Decepticons followed them closely through space aboard the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' in pursuit of the [[AllSpark]]. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' website]</ref> Dirge was an [[Cybertronian military insignia|Air Force Infantry Sergeant]] and a member of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker Elite]] team. After crashlanding on [[Earth]], the Seeker Elite battled the "Autobot Alliance", consisting of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Seeker Elite marketing material}}<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-TRA-EARTHRISE-Seeker-Pack/dp/B083VMBWCK/ Seeker Elite on Amazon]</ref>

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Jay Sanford]] (English)|[[Sergio Becerril]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}
Dirge was a member of [[Doubledealer]]'s crew of [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]], hired by [[Quintesson Judge]] [[Deseeus]] to bring in the [[Autobot]]s aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' to [[Chaar]]. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

Aboard the ''[[Fool's Fortune]]'', the crew flew to the adrift ''Ark'' and infiltrated the ship. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 1}} The Mercenaries reactivated the ship and successfully brought the Autobots to Chaar, though after Deeseeus refused to pay them and Doubledealer made a new deal with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], Dirge and the others battled the [[Quintesson]]'s [[Deseeus Army Drone|forces]] and helped the Autobots escape. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

After Deseeus took control of Doubledealer's mind, Dirge and his fellow [[Conehead]]s left the crew. [[Exhaust]] later stated he was going to do the same as them. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust were hired enforcers enlisted by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] to increase security at the [[Hexagon]] outpost, security for Thunderwing's...''personal'' pursuits. Matters became tense when a rogue [[Titan (group)|Titan]] named [[Vigilem]] docked at [[Hexagon]], and [[Colonial Security]]'s [[Technobot (G1)|Technical Solutions Team]] insinuated themselves in the situation to apprehend him. [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]]'s snooping around a secure area led the Seekers to open fire on the visitors. The Technical Solutions Team located [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]]'s laboratory where she sought to artificially recreate the [[Enigma of Combination]]. They absorbed the power of her [[Combination Core]], becoming a new Combiner named [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] that Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust tried to contain. Thunderwing ended up ejecting that section of Hexagon, and it's unclear whether the Seekers were able to navigate their way back inside as Computron was forcibly jettisoned out into space. {{storylink|Light/Star}}

==Commercial appearances==
*During a battle against Megatron, Optimus summoned [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] to his side. Megatron responded by calling down [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] and Dirge. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Thrust and Dirge|Autobot cars plus Thrust and Dirge commercial}}
*Dirge was led by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] into an attack against an Autobot launch station. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and his troops emerged from the facility to defend it. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus commercial}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Alex Easley]] (English)}}
{{Note|Dirge is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Decepticon duplicates in the Autobot campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Dirge was amongst Megatron's troops ages ago, before the Cybertronian war found its way to Earth. {{storylink|The War Within}} He was part of [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]'s team which unsuccessfully attempted to intercept [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] as the pair returned to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] after an [[energon]] scavenging mission. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye (Legends)|More than Meets the Eye}}

Dirge was involved in a battle between the Decepticons and the Dinobots when the later went berserk and set out to attack the Decepticon base. {{storylink|Day of the Dinobots - Part 1}} During a Decepticon attack on a major human city, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and Dirge used their sonic powers to make things difficult for the Autobot rescue team of [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]. {{storylink|To the Rescue}}

After the discovery of a lagoon filled with [[Electrum]], Dirge was amongst the Decepticons who found themselves invulnerable to Autobot firepower after being coated with the substance. Although they managed to defeat Omega Supreme at first, they found themselves at a standstill with the Autobots who had also managed to gain access to the Electrum. In the end, Dirge and the rest of his comrades were forced to retreat from the Autobots when their Electrum coating wore off first. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (Legends)|The Golden Lagoon}} While transporting a stolen Autobot weapon, Dirge crashed into a swamp on a movie set and had to be rescued by the other Decepticons. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (Legends)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Dirge was among [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s Decepticon troops who attacked a small group of Autobots, forcing them into hiding in the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Minion Pig#As Dirge}}
Dirge appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events. He is portrayed by a Minion Pig. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsDirge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Great, now it's easier for him to just die!]]
Dirge participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Uncommon character who could be recruited after collecting 45 units of Cybermetal and 20 units of Transmetal. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Dirge_Earth_Wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75]]

*'''Class:''' Air
*'''Lowest Star Rating''': 2 star
*'''Weapons:''': Blades dual-wields pistols to attack targets on the ground at short range.
*'''Ability: Safe Zone''' - Drop a hack bomb dealing 69.0 damage in an area. Confuse the targets for 5 seconds (reducing their attack speed to 40% and making them attack your foes). Upgrading this ability increases the damage and duration.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:dirge Dirge at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
Dirge is a Decepticon seeker pulled from his universe by the Quintessons and forced to fight. He eventually joins the Commander. There are at least a few of him running around!
{{chargamestub}}
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftransformersforgedtofight.com%2Fbot-intel-report-dirge%2F&psig=AOvVaw1Wk7bgKj7JuoPPx9Bw-9_w&ust=1653347103312000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCJiXooqc9PcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBODirge.jpg|thumb|100px]]
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
{{main|Dirge (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
*The original [[character model]]s of the coneheads all feature design elements simplified from Dirge's robot mode stickers–which were themselves originally recolored from [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s robot mode stickers.
*[[Simon Furman]] originally planned for Dirge and the other "coneheads" to appear and defend the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' in the [[Nemesis Part 2|conclusion]] to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but this plot point was dropped due to time and budget constraints. Furman was so disappointed at his missed chance to use Dirge (whom he appreciated because he has "...a cool doom-laden name") that he chose the character to be one of [[Herald of Unicron|Unicron's Heralds]] in the ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' comic's "[[Worlds Collide]]" arc.
*Colorist [[Drew Eiden]] stated at the [[Transformers Collectors' Club|Collector's Club]] panel at [[BotCon 2007]] that the day after final colors were applied to the ''Timelines'' comic where Dirge apparently falls dead, he found this article and noted to editor [[Pete Sinclair]] how ironic it was. Whether the comic was actually ''intended'' to continue Dirge's death-trend is unknown.
*According to his ''Gentei! Gentei!'' bio, his engines generate a super sonic wave that can destroy buildings.
*Rather than being based directly off of his ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' toy, Dirge's ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' character model only retains the toy's head, with the rest of his body being a carbon copy of the ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] model.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Dirge''' (ダージ ''Dāji'')
*''French:'' '''Funébro''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Sparviero''' ("Sparrowhawk")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Wǎngē''' (China, 挽歌, "Dirge")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Funebre''' (Portugal comic), '''Dirgo''' (Brazil comic), '''Funeral''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Smert''' (Смерть, "Death"), '''Tupik''' (Тупик, "Deadlock"), '''Grobovshchik''' (Гробовщик, "Undertaker")

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Blue Order]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Seekers]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Mercenaries]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise characters]]
[[Category:War Within Predacons]]

Dirge (G1)

2022-05-22T23:04:28Z

Blitzbrain09: /* Transformers: Forged to Fight */

{{faction|decepticon|decepticong2|unicron|predacon|primusvanguard|mercenary}}
{{disambig3|Dirge}}
{{suite}}
:''Dirge is a [[Decepticon]] or [[Mercenary]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:G1Dirge MTMTE.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"Death comes to he who— wait, no, death comes to ME. I've been saying that wrong this whole time."]]
'''Dirge''' is a master of using fear as a weapon. Mournful, morose, and silent, his behavior gives even close comrades like [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] the creeps. Dirge actively cultivates this atmosphere; his engines are even tuned to generate fear in all who hear them. Few realize, however, that this need to instill fear is part of an overwhelming need for control over his own situation. Should things spiral out of control, Dirge falls victim to paralyzing fear himself and his usefulness as a warrior vanishes.

However, those who know Dirge realize that his gloominess and cowardice are indicators that he was never cut out for conquest. Deep down, all he wants is old, quiet life back, and doesn't want any trouble for it. But he knows that's probably not an option for him, regardless of whoever wins.

Besides, he has every reason to be gloomy. True to his name, he tends to die. A lot.

{{bigquote|Death comes to he who crosses me.|Dirge|"[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Bud Davis]] (English), [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese)|[[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese, "Dinobot Island, Part 2"), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese, "Triple Takeover"), [[Yū Shimaka]] (Japanese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1"), [[Wang Xiaobing]] (Chinese), [[Roberto Alexander]] (American Spanish), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German), [[Holger Schwiers]] (German, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2"), [[Thomas Rau]] (German, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5"), [[Ulf-Jürgen Wagner]] (German, ''Generation 2'' "The Golden Lagoon", "Auto-Berserk"), [[Tonio von der Meden]] (German, ''Generation 2'' "Triple Takeover", "Ghost in the Machine"), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French), [[François Leccia]] (European French, "Auto Berserk"), [[Henry Djanik]] (European French, "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1"), [[Francis Lax]] (European French, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Albert Augier]] (European French, "The Gambler"), [[Marcos Miranda]] (Portuguese), [[Orlando Drummond]] (Portuguese, "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1", "The Gambler", "Triple Takeover"), [[Hélio Ribeiro]] (Portuguese, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Ronaldo Magalhães]] (Portuguese, "The Girl Who Loved Powerglide", "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5"), [[Nilton Valério]] (Portuguese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1")}}

[[File:DinobotIslandPt2-Dirge.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|This one's just a warning. From now on, you won't get off so easily.]]
Dirge appeared without explanation on [[Earth]] under [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s command a year or two after the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]-borne Transformers awoke. His first notable activity was joining in a raid on [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]], where he was eventually chewed on and thrown bodily by a time-lost ''Tyrannosaurus rex''. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

Dirge served as part of Megatron's personal guard when the Decepticons confronted the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] about their dubious loyalties. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} He was also briefly involved in an aborted air strike to seize the [[Negavator]], and was present for the next raid on the Negavator's holding pen. Once [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] rigged the Negavator to explode, however, Dirge led his fellow [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] in retreat, against Megatron's direct orders. Guess he didn't feel like dying that day. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

[[File:MMP1 Get in the ship.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
When a new solar energy facility opened up in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] led Dirge, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] to steal its power. The facility proved to be a trap, however, set by [[Shawn Berger]] to elevate himself in the public eye by taking down the Decepticons with his private militia. Berger's operatives failed, but the Autobots soon arrived to engage the Decepticons as well. [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] took to the air and zapped Dirge with his blackout beam. Luckily for Dirge, Ramjet managed to pull off a loopity-loop and ram the flying Autobot into the ground. Megatron then "requested" the pleasure of Shawn Berger's presence, not to punish him, but to play a subtler game. He attempted to convince the industrialist that the Decepticons were good, and the Autobots evil. He had Dirge escort Berger home so that the human could think about his proposal of alliance against the "Evil Autobots". Dirge was also one of the key players in Megatron's staged videos to tarnish the Autobots' reputation. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Later, after the Autobots were successfully vilified in the public eye and exiled to deep space, the Seekers turned on the people of Central City, opening fire in the middle of the streets. Although Dirge and the Seekers fared well against an attack by the Air Force, the eventual return of the Autobots proved to be more than the Decepticons could handle. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

Dirge next participated in Megatron's scheme to block all radio transmissions on Earth with the [[Voltronic Galaxer]]. He joined Ramjet in attacking several Autobots as they attempted to save motorists trapped on a frozen highway. They were defeated. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[File:GoldenLagoon Dirge gets ambushed.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Even when he's invulnerable, Dirge loses.]]
When the Decepticons uncovered a pool of [[electrum]], a strange element that rendered them totally invincible to harm, they thoroughly enjoyed taunting the Autobots with their superiority. Dirge, unfortunately, drew the short straw and was left to guard the pool with [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], right up until the Constructicon abandoned him to go fight the battle as well. Dirge was in the middle of...*ahem*exhorting Long Haul's virtues when [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] jumped him from behind, giving the Autobots a chance to use the electrum pool as well. The supply was quickly exhausted with both armies using it, however, reducing the war back to stage one. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}} Dirge was also part of Megatron's team working with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], producing energon cubes from the insects' feasting. They were eventually defeated by the Autobots and a grove of robotic space plants called [[Morphobot]]s. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[File:Gambler Dirge on Ramjet action.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Can't you die on someone else?"]]
Later on, Dirge, Ramjet and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] came to [[Monacus]] to look after Megatron's interests in [[Sheol]], and his less than reputable partner, Lord [[Gyconi]]. They were putting the squeeze on Gyconi when a program caught Dirge's optic, inviting one-and-all to see the Autobots in pit battle against Gyconi's [[animalien]]s. They decided to take in a show while on Monacus, but quickly realized what was going on when [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] flooded the arena with smoke to stop the games and save his friends. Dirge and Ramjet set off after the Autobot in jet mode, and very nearly destroyed him before the bounty hunting Autobot named [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] stepped in to blast them out of the air. There's nothing a Decepticon fears more than a fair fight, and the two Seekers skedaddled as soon as they were able to get back in the sky. They retreated back to Astrotrain with their share of Gyconi's energon, and eventually fled the planet, with Devcon chasing their smoke trail. {{storylink|The Gambler}}

On another occasion, Dirge accompanied Megatron to help their ally [[Deceptitran]] against the [[Tlalakan]] rebels. After the Decepticons captured [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (who was aiding the rebels), Dirge was eager to try out his mind probe on the little Autobot, but was interrupted by a rebel attack before he could really get into it. {{storylink|Sea Change}}

[[File:AstoriaConeheadsGWLP.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.1|He even dies in jet mode!]]
When the [[Triple Changer]]s temporarily disposed of Megatron and Starscream, Decepticon leadership became a free-for-all. Instead of choosing sides like the Constructicons, Ramjet and the Seekers were mostly content just to watch the hilarity ensue, like [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]'s football antics and Astrotrain's army of idiot trains. He even actually ''avoided'' death for a change and was seen successfully escaping from a train tunnel flooded by Astrotrain's [[Astroforce]]. That must have made his day.{{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

[[File:HoistGoesHollywood Dirge in swamp.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Weird! It's like it lost all will to live and just tried to crash into the ground."]]
Megatron said Dirge and the other two [[Conehead]]s were "supposed to be the most powerful jets in the galaxy." {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} But if Megatron was serious, then they certainly didn't do much to live up to that reputation. They were loyal enough troopers, participating in all the usual Decepticon mischief, but not much more than that. Dirge was once ordered to transport an [[Wheeljack's unnamed invention|unknown invention]] stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s lab on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to their home base, and ended up crashing in a swamp and temporarily deactivating due to its weight, prompting the other coneheads to save him. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (episode)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}} In fact, the general incompetence of Dirge and the Seekers in the air was one of the reasons Megatron chose to try fighting the Autobots on the roads with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

[[File:Dirge DeathUnicron.jpg|upright=1.1|left|thumb|Turns out Unicron didn't have a secret weak spot in his mouth. Thanks for trying, though!]]
Dirge and Ramjet were briefly seen using Megatron's [[Lightning Bug]] in defense of the Decepticons' undersea base. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} The two were later captured by Starscream and the renegade [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], and pilfered for their energy absorbers. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Still, Dirge was repaired rather quickly, and was seen helping Megatron and the Insecticons in another joint scheme soon thereafter. He and Ramjet were commissioned to find the Insecticons when [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] stole a vital part of the [[space bridge]] machinery. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}} During a Decepticon mission in the Middle East, Dirge inexplicably showed up with the Combaticons just long enough to get shot down by the Autobots. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

Dirge's first apparent death was during [[Unicron]]'s attack on Cybertron in 2005. All three coneheads (or Seekers who looked like them) were seen flying into Unicron's mouth and exploding. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Dirge’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]."}}

[[File:FFOD1 Dirge and Ramjet shot down.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
However, Dirge soon turned up again in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]], hiding with Ramjet amongst [[Abdul Fakkadi (G1)|President Fakkadi]]'s air force. Fakkadi denied their presence to the Autobots, but [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] psyched the two Decepticons out by walking around the airfield with what he claimed was a "[[Decepticon detector]]." When the coneheads tried to escape, Outback used a smoke grenade to make them crash, then tore the location of [[Chaar]] out of them with his steely gaze. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

[[File:Dirge toondeath.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|left|Maybe he shouldn't take his nitroglycerin collection everywhere with him.]]
The two hapless Decepticons somehow escaped Autobot captivity, though. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} They later participated in a full-scale assault on Cybertron and chose to strafe [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]—who dispatched them both with well-timed punches that sent them careening into buildings. They exploded quite spectacularly (even Ramjet, who you'd think would be used to it). {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Later, after some much needed repairs, Dirge and Thrust accompanied Galvatron's lieutenants in pursuing [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and the Autobots through space. Once they reached the Autobot funeral barge, however, the Seekers did not enter the vessel after the Autobots. A very wise decision, as it turned out. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}} Sometime afterwards, Dirge came to [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] with Galvatron in search of [[Octane]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. The Decepticons briefly seized control of the country and its oil supplies, but were driven off by the Autobots. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

[[File:Dirge AlmostDeath.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Uncharacteristically AVOIDING death somehow.]]
And yet they later appeared again on Chaar, failing to defend [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] against the ghost of Starscream. In fact, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] tried to execute the coneheads and the [[Battlecharger]]s for their inability to stop the wraith. But they were saved when Starscream possessed Trypticon himself and launched into space, Dirge and the others on board. When they saw that Starscream was using Trypticon to connect Unicron's head to Cybertron, they sabotaged the dinosaur from within. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine}}
{{-}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Legends'' comic=====
Following [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s first defeat at the hands of Metroplex, Dirge and Thrust recovered [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]] from the wreckage. {{storylink|LG-43 Trypticon Project Chapter}} While participating in an attack on the Ark to steal the [[Transform Super Cog]], he was taken aback by [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]]'s strategy of firing randomly in all directions. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

=====''The Battle of the Star Gate''=====
Dirge was amongst the Decepticons who attacked the ''[[Trigger]]'' as it neared completion. They took it over easily, thanks in part to the human collaborator, [[Trov]]. One human, [[Makoto (Star Gate)|Makoto]], had been overlooked by the Decepticons however, and managed to pin down Dirge and the rest of the group under Megatron's command in the ''Trigger''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s rail room with a powerful electromagnetic field. Dirge was almost sent hurdling to the farthest side of the galaxy by the ''Trigger'', but a blast from Megatron's fusion cannon disabled the portal. Then the Autobots showed up, and the two factions began their battle aboard the space station. The Decepticons lost the fight and fled. {{storylink|First Contact (Star Gate)|First Contact}}

Dirge was amongst the Decepticons Megatron brought to the ''Trigger'' to confront two Starscreams, one from the present, one from the future, who were in the middle of conspiring against the Decepticon leader. When Starscream combined himself with the ''Trigger'' to create a powerful new body for himself, Dirge had to contend with the volley of asteroids thrown towards both Autobots and Decepticons from Starscream's star gate. He was then almost sucked into a portal to a black hole when Starscream neared defeat, but was instead sent plummeting down to Earth when Optimus and Megatron worked together to defeat Starscream. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Ken Yamaguchi]] (Japanese)|[[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American)}}

Dirge was among the Decepticons gathered by Galvatron for the invasion of Cybertron. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

Dirge and Thrust stood guard outside the Decepticon headquarters on Earth when [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] was ordered to infiltrate it. The two Seekers got into a firefight with the Autobot and [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|his Mini-Cassettes]] and were too distracted to notice [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] sneaking past them and into the base. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
In [[2050]], Dirge was one of the Decepticons supporting the [[Selector]] revolt at [[Neo Scramble City]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

====Madman ''The Transformers'' comic====
In the year 2001, the Decepticons had managed to conquer Cybertron completely. Dirge was one of the many 'cons who attacked the Autobots as they were evacuating the planet. {{storylink|The Transformers (Madman)|The Transformers}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In an unstable amalgam universe, Dirge was one of the many Decepticons who assaulted [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian City]] in the year 2005. He killed [[Guardian (GoBots)#Dive-Dive|Dive-Dive]] in the battle, but was himself shot down by [[Leader-1 (GoBots)|Leader-1]] when the Guardian leader arrived. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

====''Deviations''====
In an alternate universe where Megatron died at Autobot City, Dirge was one of the many Decepticons who were forced to retreat aboard Astrotrain.
Back on Cybertron, Dirge was present to witness Starscream's coronation. The ceremony was interrupted by Unicron, who chose to reformat Starscream into his new servant "Megascream." As part of Starscream's bargain, Dirge was one of the warriors who received enhancements.

During Unicron's final attack on Cybertron, Dirge accompanied Megascream when the Decepticon leader attacked Optimus, and merged with Megascream to form a massive combiner. Dirge was presumably killed when Hot Rod opened the Matrix shortly afterwards. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Straxusholdscourt.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|You know, a guy who dies a lot probably shouldn't be hanging out with a guy who's got a bad habit of killing his own troops.]]
Dirge was on Cybertron serving under [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] when contact was first made with the long-lost Earthbound Decepticons. Along with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] and the other [[conehead]]s, he pursued another sextet of Autobots who had just carried out some sort of raid on the [[smelting pool]], only to be forced to retreat by a torrent of liquid metal that had just been siphoned off of it. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

''He was one of the [[Ten Deadliest Killers|Decepticons' greatest killers]], with [[Macabre]] desperately wanting acknowledgement from him. After [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] received some information about a major meeting of the [[Autobot resistance chief]]s at the [[Imperial Amphitheatre]], Dirge led his fellow elite killers to the meeting, hoping to capture the infamous [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]] and siphon some information from his old cranial cavity. Mere yards from their goal, however, the Decepticons were halted by a communique via [[communicube]] from [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], demanding they return to [[Polyhex]] at once and ready the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] for an Earth-bound mission. Pissed about missing their chance, but not foolish enough to disobey Megatron, Dirge turned the troops around, little realizing how close they came to being ambushed by the [[Wrecker]]s.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[File:Coneheads aerialbots over america.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Dirge miscolors his wings, hoping death won't recognize him.]]
Dirge, his fellow "coneheads", and the Insecticons dutifully travelled to Earth via the [[space bridge]]. Megatron had instructed that [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] be altered to resemble "Terran craft". Their mission was to defend a giant drill that would bore through [[Hoover Dam]] and siphon the Colorado River through the space bridge to the waterless Cybertron, where Decepticon turbines would generate "enough energy to power Cybertron for years". But just as the drill began its work, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] intervened. Dirge found his fear-inducing ability was particularly effective against the acrophobic [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], but the other Decepticons fared poorly enough that a retreat was eventually called. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

[[File:Dirge trailbreaker the gift.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Gimme your [[force field]] projector! I need it more than you do!"]]
''Dirge and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] accompanied [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] when he took control of a [[NASA]] space transmission facility to send a message to Cybertron. [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] attempted to stop them but were outmaneuvered by the Decepticons when Kickback shrank to insect size and avoided Jetfire's clumsy attack, giving Dirge the opportunity to beat the snot out of Trailbreaker, pick up Soundwave and escape.'' {{storylink|The Gift}}

''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] later reviewed footage of the Coneheads' attack on Hoover Dam as he contemplated how well the Autobots would cope without him.'' {{storylink|Prey!}}

''Having usurped Megatron as Decepticon leader, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] detected the sounds of conflict near the [[Wyoming base]] and believing it to be Megatron, he mustered his troops, including Dirge, to meet this threat to his command. However, when they discovered a [[Cybertron Seven|group of Autobots]] and [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] fighting [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] instead, Shockwave ordered Dirge and the others to attack the [[time travel]]er and, unwilling to kill his fellow Decepticons, Galvatron retreated.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}}

{{GIJoeTransformersfiction}}
[[File:Dirge DeathSerpentor.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|He couldn't even kill [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], but he wasted ''you?'']]
Megatron sent [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] and Dirge to try and take [[Power Station Alpha]] for the Decepticons. {{storylink|Blood on the Tracks}} When the Decepticons later allied with [[Cobra]], Dirge was assigned to be an emissary among the humans. {{storylink|Power Struggle}} This would be unfortunate for the luckless Seeker. When [[Serpentor]] realized the Decepticons were going to destroy the Earth, he needed a token of conciliation to show the [[Autobot]]s. So in the middle of a battle against [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Serpentor goaded Dirge into attacking the giant with everything he had. Serpentor then pressed a button in the cockpit of his own jet, "jamming" Dirge's "frequencies", which caused the Seeker's weapons to lock up and explode when he tried to fire. The explosion tore Dirge apart, and he wouldn't be seen again for years. {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}}

{{note|The [[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]] series is the only US story that was ignored in the UK comic. Consequently, Dirge is not dead in the UK continuity.}}

''Dirge was one of the Decepticons who took part in the operation to recover [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]] from the [[Thames|River Thames]].'' {{storylink|Salvage!}}

=====Transformers Annual 1985=====
{{note|Due to being published early in the franchise, these stories are out of continuity with the above.}}
Shortly after the Decepticons' arrival on Earth, Megatron built a replica of his [[Castle Decepticon|Cybertronian fortress]] in [[South America]]. There, he planned to mine for [[rare crystal]]s, as yet unknown to humans, that he could use to create new Decepticons. When this operation was discovered by the Autobots, Dirge used his fear-inducing powers to defend the fortress. But he hadn't counted on Prowl keeping his nerve and shooting down the Decepticon jet with his [[acid pellet]] rifle. The Decepticons were forced to flee, the mining operation a bust. {{storylink|Hunted!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Coneheads earthbase divide and conquer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
With [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] in command, Dirge joined a massive Decepticon offensive against the Autobot [[Earthbase]]. Their goal was to kill some Autobots while also distracting them as [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] looted a human [[oil tanker]] in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Both goals proved fruitless, and the Decepticons were driven off. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}

{{note|First depicted rather late in the series, it is unknown whether Dirge served Megatron or Shockwave before the coup merged the Decepticon factions.}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Decepticon fliers space pirates.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
''Dirge was one of the Decepticons seriously wounded at the [[Battle of Autobot City]] and subsequently thrown out of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to be recreated as [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Cyclonus's Armada]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]].'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

In an alternate [[2008]], Dirge was serving Soundwave while on Cybertron. He went into battle alongside [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and the other flyers, after Soundwave had been fed information that the Autobots were mostly off-world, leaving their territories vulnerable. This turned out to be a [[Quintesson]] ruse, and the Decepticons were ambushed by the aliens. Dirge fought against the Quintessons' [[Trident Attack Craft|Trident]] assault crafts while Soundwave was forced to call upon the Autobots for help in thwarting the invasion. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Dirge DeathSwarm.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Death by [[Furmanism]].]]
Dirge reappeared among the Decepticon forces just long enough to sacrifice himself futilely against the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], self-destructing alongside [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]. Moments later, Megatron showed up with the [[rheanimum]] that could have saved him. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Dirge DeathTimelines.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|You only get so many do-overs, pal.]]
While the war seemingly ended with [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s defeat at [[Klo]], Megatron was quietly gathering the remains of forgotten Earthbound casualties and rebuilding them. Dirge was among his resurrections, but the Seeker chose to follow the exiled Bludgeon instead. {{storylink|Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker's ''Timelines'' bio}} This would prove an unfortunate choice, as Dirge soon ended up in the [[cerebro-shell]]ed thrall of [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]].

When Bug Bite decided to try and subvert Megatron himself, Dirge was on the team accompanying him to Earth. As Bug Bite and Megatron confronted each other, the Autobots ambushed them, freeing many of Bug Bite's troops with a cerebro-shell jammer. It's unclear whether Dirge's shell was disabled, but the point is somewhat moot; [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] shot him in the chest, leaving him lying on the floor with extinguished optics. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Dirge was eventually revived and compelled into serving Megatron again. He attacked a human city on Earth with his old wingmen, Ramjet and Thrust. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

[[File:TCC50 Dirge.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2]]
As he had dodged death so many times, Dirge began to garner a reputation among the Decepticons: that death itself was afraid of him. Megatron promoted Dirge to a higher rank to that he might scare the other Decepticons into subservience. Aboard the ''[[Talon (Classics)|Talon]]'' starship, the Decepticons began to reacquire territories that had previously been conquered by Bludgeon's splinter faction. During their travels, Dirge intercepted a distress call from Earth, and the ''Talon'' headed to investigate the S.O.S. after it had piqued Megatron's curiosity. En route, the Decepticons encountered the Autobot starship ''[[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]]''. The Decepticons engaged their enemies just as space-time itself ripped itself asunder nearby. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 50|Dirge's profile in Club magazine #50}} The ''Talon'' was pulled into the [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon]] universe and shot down over prehistoric [[Earth]]. The Decepticons swiftly discovered that the local [[energon radiation]] was going to be a problem, and Dirge suggested they adopt organic [[alternate mode]]s. Megatron rejected the idea in favor of energon-absorbing armor. {{storylink|Shattered Time}} When the Decepticons detected three [[stasis pod]]s, Dirge and [[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]] were sent to shoot down the Autobots' [[sky-sled]], allowing Megatron to reach the pods first. Dirge returned to Megatron's side, and was blasted by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] after the three new Decepticons failed to terminate the Autobots. {{storylink|Shattered Expectations (BWSG)|Shattered Expectations}}

The Decepticons pursued the Autobots to a chasm, where they watched Megatron take on Ultra Magnus and be defeated. They climbed to the bottom of the chasm to retrieve their fallen leader and found a giant face hewn into the rock. It cheered Megatron up immensely once they dug him out of the rubble. {{storylink|Shattered Paths}} Dirge watched Megatron play with the ancient equipment in the cavern they'd found. {{storylink|Shattered Hope}} The Predacons including Dirge accompanied Megatron as he used the giant mech he'd built to try and claim the matrix the Maximals had found. {{storylink|Shattered Balance}} They battled the Maximals once more, until they were all sucked into a dimensional rift thanks to Ultra Mammoth. {{storylink|Shattered Destiny}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:Ramjet thrust dirge shockwave secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
Dirge was among the troops gathered by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] to crew the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. Shortly before the vessel's launch, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] went missing and Megatron ordered Dirge, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] to go and find him, acting on [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]]'s suggestion that they might find him at the [[Project Dreadnought]] control hub. They arrived to find Shockwave standing over the wrecked bodies of [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] and when they relayed Megatron's orders to return, Shockwave acquiesced and they boarded the ''Nemesis'' together. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}}

Dirge and the other [[Conehead]]s subsequently took part in the assault on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] as it emerged from the [[Stellae Cimeterium]] but were ordered by Megatron not to board the vessel with the rest of the Decepticons, instead remaining in flight mode to prevent any Autobots escaping. After the Ark crashed into prehistoric [[Earth]] with everyone aboard, Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust returned to the ''Nemesis'' to confront Shockwave over his inaction regarding their comrades' fates but Shockwave incapacitated them with a derivative of the [[Scraplet]] virus before heading down to the surface of the planet himself to clear up some "loose ends". {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2|Secrets & Lies #2}}

[[File:Thrust dirge secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]]
Upon awakening, Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust travelled to Earth in pursuit of Shockwave but on arriving at the Ark they were instead confronted by five drones, constructed in the images of [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] by the Ark's computer [[Aunty|AUNTIE]] to defend against the impending threat of [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. The Coneheads engaged the drones in battle but found them tough to outmanoeuvre, unencumbered as they were by Autobot morality. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}

They were then shocked to see Grimlock burst out of the Ark, locked in combat with Megatron, who was also being controlled by AUNTIE. Realising that the Decepticon leader was channelling pure [[Antimatter|anti-matter]] from a [[black hole]] through his eyes, Dirge warned Grimlock out of respect that Megatron was not in control and the three [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] retreated back to the ''Nemesis''. Subsequently, they reported back to Lord [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] that they had located Megatron and the Ark, but that their ship was too badly damaged to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Straxus agreed to send a rescue ship for them and offered them places in his new hierarchy if they conveniently forgot all about the location of the Ark; given that the alternative was a slow and painful death, all three readily agreed to his terms. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 4|Secrets & Lies #4}}
{{-}}

===Milton Bradley mini-comic===
Dirge was among the Decepticons under [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s command who ambushed the [[Ark (G1)|ark]] and was knocked offline when it crashed into [[Earth]]. He and the others were repaired four million years later when a volcanic eruption caused the ark's systems to spring into life. {{storylink|In the Transformers}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Under Galvatron's orders, Dirge attacked a water tower on Metroplex in an attempt to flood Autobot City. He was stopped by [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], who pelted him with missiles. {{storylink|Galvatron Attacks}}
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Dirge joined Galvatron in a mission to steal oil from [[Oil Valley]]. By pure happenstance, they arrived in the oil drilling area at the same time as Hot Rod and Daniel did. Dirge and the other Decepticons gave chase, only to encounter the Dinobots. Though Dirge managed to land a hit on Swoop, his firepower was mostly ineffective against the Dinobot warrior. The Decepticons were eventually chased off when more Autobot reinforcements arrived. {{storylink|Battle at Oil Valley}}

When the Decepticons learned that the Autobots had long ago lost a large shipment of Energon cubes at the Ark's original crash site, Galvatron ordered them to head to Mt. St. Hillary to uncover it. There, Dirge fought the Autobots over possession of it. The brawl ended when Starscream scarfed down all of the Energon, and proceeded to pick a fight with Galvatron. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}
{{-}}

===The Special Teams===
Dirge was summoned by Megatron to raid a power plant of its energy, after it had been evacuated of its human occupants due to the danger of landslides in the area. When Megatron demanded to know of Starscream's whereabouts, Dirge reminded him that he hadn't been spotted ever since venturing to Cybertron to fetch the Stunticons. {{storylink|The Special Teams}}
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===''Big Looker'' storybooks===
Dirge was present when Megatron threatened his troops into coming up with a battle plan for him. After the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s kidnapped the architect [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], Dirge fought against the Autobots who arrived to save him. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}
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===Island of Fear===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:Island of Fear Dirge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"You are the product of everything you fear. Violence. Darkness. Helplessness."]]
Dirge was on a mission to the island of [[Nali]] to tap into the [[Earth's core]] to power the Decepticons' weapons.He brought along his pet [[Denebian Stalker]] to guard his volcano lair while on this mission, and spread terror amongst the island's populace thanks to his fear-inducing engines. He (might have) encountered [[you]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] while on this mission. Dirge's fate depended on what choices you made! {{storylink|Island of Fear}}
{{-}}

===Find Your Fate Junior===
{{notemultipath}}
====Attack of the Insecticons====
Dirge was present, yet mostly uninvolved, in a number of possible adventures revolving around the Sun-Pak, a device invented by the Autobots' human ally Sparkplug. {{storylink|Attack of the Insecticons}}
====Earthquake====
In one possible sequence of events, Dirge happened upon Beachcomber snooping around the Decepticons’ secret fortress. Easily overpowering the Autobot, Dirge disassembled him and then replayed the last few minutes of his memory tape to find out what he was up to. Discovering Beachcomber had allies snooping around the base as well, Dirge contacted Megatron, and the Decepticons were able to capture the Autobots quickly.

In another possible scenario, Dirge, Megatron, Thrust and Starscream captured Beachcomber and Buster sneaking about the Decepticons’ fortress. They then led their prisoners to Megatron's lab to gloat. {{storylink|Earthquake (book)|Earthquake}}

====Desert Flight====
[[File:DesertFlightDirgeandThrustattackAutobots.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Who should kill Dirge? To have Windcharger kill Dirge, turn to page 23. To have Cosmos kill Dirge, turn to page 39.]]
Dirge was one of the most fearsome Decepticon warriors, feared by all Autobots.

Dirge was part of a Decepticon deployment stationed in a desert base. The Decepticons plotted to lure the Autobots in a trap through the use of an anti-gravity beam. Using the beam on a nearby human settlement, the Autobots would be duped into coming to the fleshliness’ rescue, only to be themselves trapped by the effects of the beam. Dirge lured the Autobots to the desired location by creating his signature loud explosions, courtesy of his concussion missiles.

If the Autobots fell into the Decepticons’ trap, Dirge, alongside Buzzsaw, Thrust, and Ramjet would swoop down upon their helpless prey for the kill. The Autobots destroyed, they would then turn off their gravity weapon, and force the townsfolk to drill oil to fuel the Decepticon army.

If the Autobots bypassed the anti-gravity field, Dirge was part of the squad that intercepted the Autobot convoy headed for the Decepticon base. Though Dirge was ready to take on Optimus Prime so long as he had Ramjet backing him up, as soon as Powerglide took out the later, Dirge sounded a retreat back to the Decepticon base.

In a possible iteration of the battle that ensued within the Decepticon base, Dirge attempted to cripple Optimus as the Autobot leader was sabotaging the anti-gravity gun.

In a completely different possible sequence of events, Dirge and Buzzsaw captured Cosmos when he attempted to investigate the Decepticons’ base on his own. The pair then brought their captive before Megatron.

In a completely different possible sequence of events, Thrust, Dirge, Buzzsaw and a small squadron of other Decepticons spotted a squadron of Autobots driving towards the Decepticon base. The Autobots, in a disadvantageous position as they had no weapons in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s, were easy pickings for Dirge and the others.

In one possible ensuing scenario, the Autobots were able to create cover for themselves with their exhaust fumes, allowing them the time to transform and fight back. Dirge tipped the battle once more in the Decepticons’ favour with the use of his fear-inducing engines.

In the ensuing battle, Dirge was shot out of the sky by either Cosmos or Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Desert Flight}}
{{-}}

====Autobot Alert!====
[[File:AutobotAlertTopspin&Seaspray.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
In one possible scenario, Dirge accompanied Galvatron on a campaign to retrieve an ancient sphere of cybertite that contained the secrets to an ancient Autobot power-booster. Learning that the sphere was located within a sunken ship off the California coast, Dirge and the others headed for its location.

If they found the Autobots in the middle of retrieving it, the Decepticons destroyed both the ship and the sphere, and proceeded to rain superior Decepticon firepower upon their foes.

If the Decepticons found the coast deserted, they retrieved the ship themselves, using the might of Devastator.

If [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] attempted to snatch the ship away from the Decepticons, Dirge and his comrades destroyed the ship and the sphere contained within to keep it out of Autobot hands. The Decepticons then proceeded to pin down the Autobots in their hiding spots, leaving the heroic robots at their mercy.

If [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] executed their plan to retrieve the sphere from Decepticon clutches, they successfully distracted the evil robots for long enough to whisk the cybertite sphere back to Metroplex. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}
{{-}}

====Project Brain Drain====
Dirge was involved in a Decepticon plot to use a [[Brain Drain device]] on the crowd goers of a rock concert to syphon their intelligence into Decepticon fuel.

In one possible scenario, Galvatron had to recall his troops from the concert at the last minute when Ultra Magnus and his troops began a timely assault on the Decepticons’ headquarters. Dirge participated in the battle that ensued, which ended in a loss for the Decepticons when Ultra Magnus triggered an avalanche, burying Galvatron and shattering the Brain Drain device.

In another possible scenario,Dirge and the rest of the Decepticons were surprised to find the Autobots hiding amidst the parked vehicles surrounding the concert just as they were about to put their plan into action. Having been tasked in setting the parking lot aflame to prevent the concert-goers from escape, Dirge and the other Decepticon jets continued with the plan, dumping down gasoline onto the Autobots.

If the Autobots moved towards the crowd to protect them once the parking lot was set ablaze, Dirge and the other Decepticon jets continued their assault, able to bypass the inferno that kept the land bound Decepticons away from their enemies. Whether the Decepticons triumphed or not that day depended on which choices the Autobots made from this point forward.

In a completely different scenario, when Dirge arrived at the concert to put Galvatron's plan into action, he was immediately shot out of the sky by a small group of Autobots, and crashed down into a flaming heap of metal. {{storylink|Project Brain Drain}}
{{-}}

====The Invisibility Factor====
[[File:InvisibilityFactorHotRodKupSunstreakerLaughing.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
In one possible scenario, Dirge was one of the Decepticons that happened upon [[Sarah Sanders]]’s ship when it landed in the desert. While Scavenger held the woman captive, Frenzy and the other Decepticons dragged the ship itself to a hidden location.

In one scenario where the Autobots rescue Sarah, Galvatron decided that only he would possess the secrets of invisibility, and sent Dirge out to kill the woman. Dirge was unsuccessful due to Hot Rod and the other Autobots’ interference.

In another possible scenario, Dirge and the other Decepticons happened upon Sarah Sanders's ship before any Autobots had come in contact with her. While Scavenger held the woman captive, Dirge and the other Decepticons dragged the ship itself to a hidden location. In whichever scenario that followed, the Autobots managed to steal the Invisibility Device from the Decepticons, either dazzling Dirge and the others with their headlights while Hot Rod took the device right out of their hands, or tricking him and most of the other Decepticons into leaving the spaceship behind while they pursued the young Autobot on a wild goose chase. The Decepticons did not succeed in catching Hot Rod no matter what scenario ensued. {{storylink|The Invisibility Factor}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:GalvatronsAirAttack Dirge crashes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|One mission and he almost dies. Luckily for him, he was only in one book.]]
Thanks to a new surveillance system, the Decepticons were alerted to the fact that the Autobots were searching an old battleground for [[cybernite]]. Dirge was among the jets led by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] who went to attack the scavengers, however the Autobots drove into a narrow part of the canyon, and unable to pull up in time, Dirge damaged his wing on the canyon wall. As they were unable to follow the Autobots, Starscream's team returned to base where [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] ordered Dirge to get repaired and have some flying lessons. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Predaconstww.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left|Dirge picked the faction that gets beat up the most, of course.]]
Dirge participated in Shockwave's offensive against [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] shortly after Optronix took the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and became [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} He was on the front lines when the Decepticons managed to breach the last of the Autobots' defenses and penetrated the [[Decagon]]. At this time, Optimus and Megatron beheld visions of the future, in which Dirge participated in an attack on a hydro-electric dam on Earth. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

During the Dark Ages, he joined up with Starscream's [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction and attempted to disrupt the peace treaty at [[Tyger Pax]], only to have the combined forces of the Autobots, Decepticons, and [[Ultracon]]s brought against him. The battle was interrupted, however, by the return of Megatron. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath}}

Megatron disappeared once more after briefly gaining control of Cybertron, and Dirge came to work under Shockwave. When [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] took over the Decepticons and posed as Shockwave to retain command over the other full-sized Transformers in the ranks, Dirge was among the troops duped by the diminutive 'bot into launching an all-out offensive, despite their resources being at an all-time low. {{storylink|Recipe for Hate}} During what was meant to be a suicide mission, the Decepticons nearly claimed victory against the Autobots... until both factions' Micromasters turned up to put an end to the conflict. After the miniature 'bots revealed that Skystalker had engineered the recent conflict to take over himself, the Decepticons retreated from the battlefield. {{storylink|Victims of the Revolution}}

[[File:BrothersBurden ThrustAndDirge.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0|Better listen, Prime... Dirge knows of that which he speaks.]]
After the [[Great Shutdown]] was over, Dirge became one of Shockwave's top agents and traveled to Earth to help collect the former crews of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' and ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. {{storylink|New World Order}} Despite initial resistance, Optimus Prime surrendered his forces to Shockwave, and they were collected for detention by Dirge and the other troops. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} Back on Cybertron, he helped defend Shockwave's empire when the Autobots finally rose up against him. Dirge and Thrust nearly managed to obliterate [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] during the insurrection, only for Optimus to come to the smaller Autobot's rescue. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Dirge next tried to attack Mirage, only for Cliffjumper to jump him from behind. Dirge easily swatted Cliffjumper away, but turned his back to Mirage in the process... this allowed Mirage to use his invisibility powers to sucker-punch Dirge, knocking him out of the fight. Shockwave's planetary reign was ultimately brought to an end, and Dirge was escorted out of the battlefield in energy cuffs, alongside his fellow Decepticons. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Somehow, Dirge escaped detention and joined up with Shockwave and his remaining flunkies in the [[Wastelands]], hidden in an underground bunker while planning their next move. When Megatron arrived with his new [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], though, Dirge quickly assessed his priorities and agreed to serve under the old Decepticon commander for the duration. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

{{note|Somewhat ironically, Dirge's survival was guaranteed by Dreamwave's own death as a publisher.}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' continuity===
====Ask Vector Prime====
In one of the many [[Primax 1003.30 Kappa]] variations, Dirge encountered the [[Jewel of Mystery]] and was blasted into [[unspace#Marvel The Transformers comics|unspace]]. [[Unicron]] subsequently plucked him from the void to deal with a particularly tenacious [[Lukas]] reality, adding him to his roster of [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/19}}

====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:Dirge DeathArmada.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Even in a new continuity, he can't get a break.]]
Along with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], and Galvatron, Dirge traveled to the [[Earth]] of [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|a new reality]] to prepare the way for Unicron. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} Together, they opened up a large amount of space bridge portals in close spatial proximity to one another in order to weaken the quantum event horizon that separated this universe from the one they had traveled from. Leaving Bludgeon to guard the portals, the rest of the group then journeyed to Earth to confront the Transformers there. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} While Galvatron dueled the local Megatron, Dirge, Thunderwing an Scourge scoured about the Decepticons' headquarters. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} They came upon [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], and tortured him for information, but ultimately yielded nothing of interest out of him. They next crossed paths with [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], who detonated the [[Decepticon Command Headquarters]] to escape his opponents. Dirge was killed in the explosion. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Dirge was based on Cybertron, serving as one of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s bodyguards. Along with Ramjet and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], he tried to stop a group of Autobots from stealing a load of [[energon cube]]s from the Decepticons, and almost managed to shoot [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]. Shockwave later led Dirge and the others to capture [[Teletran 3]], but they were stopped when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] set up a force field around the computer. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} The field eventually went down, and the Decepticons attacked, capturing the Autobots. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

When the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] attacked, several of Shockwave's forces were killed. The remainder withdrew to Shockwave's command tower, where they were destroyed when [[Cobra Commander]] detonated explosives hidden on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. So one way or another, Dirge died again. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

===''The Beast Within''===
Dirge joined several other flying Decepticons in attacking [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]] during a particularly violent battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}
{{-}}

===3H comics===
During the [[Quintesson]] invasion of Cybertron a week after the [[Great Transformation]], Overseer [[Rexian]] and his [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s came upon an untransformed portion of Cybertron with non-technorganic Cybertronians claiming to be Decepticons freed by the defeat of [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. The Decepticons loudly argued over who was the big-shot [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and decided that whoever could take down the most Sharkticons could be Thundercracker, the loser getting to be Dirge. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===''Lil Formers''===
When he was called useless and ineffective, the only response Dirge could muster up is asking if anyone had seen his chapstick. {{storylink|Lil Formers}}

===''Universe'' cartoon===
Dirge was one of the many Cybertronians caught up in a civil war that emerged due to greed, corruption, and malice emerging in their planet's halls of power. He was one of the first Decepticons to travel to Earth, and looked on as the Autobots took on alternate forms to disguise themselves amongst its populace. {{storylink|Action Blast 1}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[All Hail Megatron issue 7|''All Hail Megatron'' #7]]}}

[[File:Rise Dirge and Thundercracker.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.9|Both he and Thundercracker are a lot nicer after the war's over.]]
Dirge and several other Decepticons ambushed [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]]'s team of Autobots near the borders of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]], stopping them from apprehending [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|The Hunt for Soundwave}} He was then present at the [[Jump Joint]] during Orion's little chat with [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Cause and Effect}} Megatron led him and several other Decepticons to [[Nyon]], where they prevented [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] from killing Orion Pax. {{storylink|Choices}} Dirge was soon one of the Seekers providing air support in a joint Autobot-Decepticon attack on Zeta Prime's forces. {{Storylink|Overthrown}} Following their victory, the Decepticons betrayed and captured the Autobots, and Dirge was assigned to guard one of the cells together with [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]]. He was blasted by [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] when he showed up to free the captive Autobots. {{storylink|Rise}}

Dirge was present when [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]] took control of the Decepticons, and got annoyed that [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] were chattering away during his inaugural speech. {{storylink|Wreckage (issue)|Wreckage}} He participated in Scorponok's attack on the [[Toraxxis mega-refinery]] where he was injured by [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]. {{storylink|Faces of Darkness}} Alongside some other fliers he also attacked [[Starsreach Spaceport]] and helped shoot down civilian vessels participating in the [[Exodus (event)|Exodus]]. {{storylink|Massacre}}

[[File:ShiningArmor04 DirgeShield.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.9|Starscream knows a good bullet sponge when he sees it.]]
Four million years later, after the War had rendered Cybertron uninhabitable, Dirge was part of [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s unit. In the 19th century, the group had conquered the [[Huni System]] before the group was approached by the [[Dire Wraith]] [[Vekktral]], who proposed an alliance. Initially disinterested, Vekktral managed to convince Starscream by showing him [[Stardrive]] prompting Dirge to pull his leader aside and voice his concerns. Unsurprisingly, Starscream didn't care much for what Dirge said and agreed to the alliance. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} After the Wraiths had sown chaos among the ranks of the [[Solstar Order]], Dirge was part of the squad that broke into ''[[Orchid Crossing]]''. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}} When the [[Autobot]]s arrived, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] singled out Dirge and began beating him for information until [[Sky Blast (G1)|Sky Blast]] was partially assimilated by a Dire Wraith. With the hybrid proving unstoppable, Dirge and Ramjet decided to hightail it before Ultra Magnus suddenly condemned the station to a fiery demise. The Decepticons regrouped in the skies of [[Xetaxxis]] where Vekktral observed that the Wraith/Cybertronian had survived reentry. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 2|Shining Armor #2}} On the surface, Dirge joined in the Seeker attack on the ruins of ''Orchid Crossing'', {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}} before [[Livia]] and [[Rom]] overpowered him and knocked him into stasis, sending him tumbling into Starscream. After Starscream used his unconscious body as a shield, Dirge rebooted and rode Starscream's jet mode to make a getaway. Hovering in the skies, he, Ramjet and Starscream watched Stardrive suffer a mental breakdown before Bumblebee fixed it. As they discussed their next move, Dirge spotted a Vekktral possessed Ultra Magnus flanked by an army of Wraiths. When the Decepticons landed however, the Wraiths turned on their allies. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 4|Shining Armor #4}}

[[File:AHM7 Dirge hops in.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Operation: Cannot Possibly Fail]]
Roughly a century afterwards, Dirge and [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] escorted defeated Autobots to exile on Cybertron via a space bridge. But when Optimus Prime sabotaged the bridge on his way through, the two Decepticons found themselves trapped on Cybertron with their "prisoners". {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} Dirge and Deluge were kicked around and left to fend for themselves on the hostile planet. The Seeker watched as the [[Insecticon swarm]] tore apart Deluge.

[[File:IDWRID StickTogether Dirge.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|Me? Not dying for once? Lies.]]
After the rebirth of Cybertron, a Decepticon crowd gathered after the death of Senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. Dirge refused to believe [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] and the Autobots' claims that Ratbat committed suicide, and angrily stormed off. The [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] [[Barrel Roll]] followed him, and offered his friendship. Before Dirge could answer, a mysterious explosion engulfed Barrel Roll. Dirge's life was spared, but his injuries had him brought into [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]]'s care.

As a witness to the explosion, Dirge was interrogated by [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]]. [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], blaming Dirge for the death of Barrel Roll, took a shot at Dirge, missing thanks to Wheeljack's intervention. Dirge became infuriated at this example of "Autobot mercy", believing that the explosion and other events were caused by the Autobots themselves to gain justification to execute the Decepticons. {{storylink|Stick Together}}

Dirge then worked in the [[reclamation tunnel]]s alongside other Decepticons. There, he found the dead body of [[Skydive (Predator)|Skydive]] and caught a glimpse of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who affixed a [[cerebro-shell]] on Dirge to keep him quiet. He was soon found by Autobot authorities, and [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] deduced the culprit from the cerebro-shell's presence. Using a device from Wheeljack, Prowl used the shell on Dirge to track down Bombshell and eventually killed the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]], breaking his hold on Dirge. [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] was sent to chase the fleeing Seeker, but let him go after he made a plea for his life. {{storylink|Devisive}}

[[File:Devisive Dirge vehicle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|I'm not dead yet!]]
After having witnessed Prowl killing both Bombshell and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] in cold blood, Dirge feared that he was next and went into hiding. He told his story to [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], who protected him and shared his information with new arrival [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] as well. However, their hiding place was discovered by the Autobots and Dirge and Swindle escaped, leaving Needlenose and Sky-Byte behind. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} Swindle then had him tell [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] about Prowl's crimes. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} When this was followed by a bombing that crippled [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Dirge worried that it was part of some plan Shockwave had cooked up after hearing his story, making him indirectly responsible. In order to avoid getting involved with any further plots, he and Swindle approached Starscream, giving him the dirt on Prowl in exchange for being safely hidden away from ''both'' Prowl and Shockwave. {{storylink|The End of the Beginning of the World}}

[[File:HeavyistheHead DirgeBlastedByMegatron.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.6|Flirting with fate here, Dirge...]]
Dirge's attempts at staying out of the spotlight were futile, and he was plucked out of his safehouse by Arcee who took him to [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] and asked him testify against Prowl to Autobot leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]. He accepted, claiming he didn't become a Decepticon just to let Autobots get away with murder. {{storylink|The Verge}} Brought to [[Autobot High Command]], Dirge convinced Bumblebee that they had to investigate Prowl's actions and subsequently followed the Autobots to the [[Black Room]], where they found that Prowl had been under the control of Bombshell all along. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} As the Decepticon army, led by a returning Megatron, began conquering Iacon, Dirge turned his back on them and joined forces with [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] who was looking to save Starscream from Megatron's clutches. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} They were aided by Bumblebee's Autobots, but Dirge was quick to point out that they were only out to kill Megatron rather than rescue a fellow Cybertronian. When they reached Megatron, he was blasted by his former leader while trying to stop him from forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

Dirge survived the attack and remained in Iacon to receive medical attention while the rest of the Autobots and Decepticons were exiled by Starscream. {{storylink|Second Exodus}} As he lay damaged, he was approached by Starscream, who offered his fellow Seeker a place at his side now that he was the ruler of Cybertron. Dirge had no interest in helping him, however, as Starscream had left him to die during the battle, and chose to sock him in the face instead. Starscream threatened to kill him, but Dirge pointed out that would be difficult now that he was in charge and all eyes were on him. {{storylink|Three Monologues}} Six months later, Dirge attended Wheeljack's welcome-back party at Maccadam's. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}}

[[File:Unicron1-RampageKillsDirge.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|Well, it had to happen eventually.]]

Dirge was interviewed for his opinion on Earth joining the [[Council of Worlds]]. While able to rationalize the humans killing Ramjet and Thrust after the Decepticon invasion, he was horrified by the humans using their corpses to make the [[Seeker clone]]s and haunted by the prospect of humans on Cybertron. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 1}}

Following the [[Iron Ring]]'s invasion, Dirge hit the bars where he was approached by [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] who was doing research for his [[Starscream: The Movie (film)|movie]] about [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]. Dirge had few kind remarks to say about his former commander, having largely lost his faith in the Decepticon higher-ups when he and Deluge had been stranded on Cybertron and having to watch his friend be devoured by the [[Insecticon swarm]]. {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

Refitting himself into an old wartime chassis, Dirge was one of the Cybertronians who attempted to defend [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] from [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. He saved [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] and [[Sparkstalker]] from Unicron's [[Maximal]] supporters, managing to shoot at [[Wolfang (Predacon)|one]], only to be cut in half and killed by [[Rampage (BW)|another]] himself. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} When [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] disdainfully listed Dirge among the Seekers not under his command, Starscream brought up his demise. In response, Skywarp lamented that he had actually kinda liked "[the] idiot". {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}} As Soundwave sacrificed his life to help defeat Unicron, he glimpsed Dirge's spirit among the many other deceased, welcoming him into the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]]. {{storylink|Ceremony}}
{{-}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:ShockwaveDirgeInfestation2-2.jpeg|thumb|right|upright=1.5]]
With his fellow Decepticons, Dirge fell under the thrall of an [[Elder God]] in [[1888]]. As part of the Elder God's forces, Dirge, with the other Decepticons, defended [[Port Cenotaph]] from intruders. {{Storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}} He soon defended the town against an international fleet. {{Storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 2|Infestation 2: The Transformers #2}}

{{IDW HOS}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Fated Rival, Once Again...}} {{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Revenge (All Spark)}} {{storylink|Ray of Hope}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}}

===''Kre-O'' cartoon===
Dirge took part in a game of soccer against [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] and the Constructicons. It's unclear why he was playing on the [[Autobot]] side. {{storylink|Ultimate Defender}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
Dirge was among [[Bludgeon (Kre-O)|Bludgeon]]'s troops who discovered the legendary [[Red Bucket]], only to be interrupted by the arrival of [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Bluestreak]] and [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Jazz]]. On Bludgeon's order, Dirge tipped the bucket over on the Autobots, burying them in blocks, but this only led to the Decepticons' defeat when Jazz used the blocks to his advantage. {{storylink|Treasure Competition! Defeat with Block Power!}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Dirge followed Megatron to Earth in his quest for the [[AllSpark]]. There, he encountered [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]. The fight did not go in Dirge's favour, and Omega snatched Dirge out of the air as the Decepticons attempted to retreat. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

===''Combiner Wars'' cartoon===
Dirge was among the Decepticon troops who bore witness to a pivotal duel between Optimus Prime and Megatron, one meant to end the war before the never-ending arms race between the two factions spiralled further out of control. {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Optimus Prime}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
When [[World War III]] consumed [[Earth]], the [[Decepticon]]s fled the blighted planet aboard [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], trailing the Autobots aboard [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. When the two [[Titan (group)|Titans]] reached [[Cygnus Seven]], the Decepticons attacked, the battle sending Maximus hurtling into the planet and causing everyone to fall into [[stasis lock]]. Eventually, the [[Federation]] moved onto Cygnus Seven with a survey team accidentally rousing Maximus's autonomic systems. By random chance, the repair beam first struck [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] who proceeded to revive the other Decepticons and lead an attack on the surface. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} Dirge joined his fellow Seekers in attacking the mining colony before the Decepticons were scared away by a [[photon torpedo]] barrage from the [[USS Enterprise|USS ''Enterprise'']]. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}}

After the Decepticons had reunited with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and allied with the [[Klingon Empire]], they resumed their attack on Cygnus Seven. When [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] resurfaced, the Coneheads swarmed him before Dirge began dogfighting [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}} As the dogfight continued, Megatron caught sight of Starscream deserting, ordering the Decepticons away so they could pursue the traitor. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}}

Catching up to the traitor on the planet [[Kronos]], the [[Klingon]] homeworld. Despite managing to defeat the Autobot/[[Starfleet]] alliance, the Decepticons were caught unawares by a [[Warbird (Star Trek)|warbird]] fleet, being taken into custody by the Klingons for study. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}

===Precursor World===
A [[Primus Vanguard|Warrior of the Seven Lights]] resembling Dirge was a member of the [[Blue Order]] of the [[Primus Vanguard]]. He and his comrades followed their commander [[Blue Big Convoy]] into battle when a duel between [[G1 World|dimension-tossed]] future warriors [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Generations Selects Special Comic (1)|Ultra Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Star Convoy]] threatened the [[Blue Planet (GS)|Blue Planet]] and [[Beast People|its people]]. The Warrior received a direct hit from Ultra Megatron for his trouble. {{Storylink|Super Megatron comic 2}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
With Cybertron's fate sealed and the Autobots gone, the Decepticons followed them closely through space aboard the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' in pursuit of the [[AllSpark]]. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' website]</ref> Dirge was an [[Cybertronian military insignia|Air Force Infantry Sergeant]] and a member of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker Elite]] team. After crashlanding on [[Earth]], the Seeker Elite battled the "Autobot Alliance", consisting of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Seeker Elite marketing material}}<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-TRA-EARTHRISE-Seeker-Pack/dp/B083VMBWCK/ Seeker Elite on Amazon]</ref>

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Jay Sanford]] (English)|[[Sergio Becerril]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}
Dirge was a member of [[Doubledealer]]'s crew of [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]], hired by [[Quintesson Judge]] [[Deseeus]] to bring in the [[Autobot]]s aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' to [[Chaar]]. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

Aboard the ''[[Fool's Fortune]]'', the crew flew to the adrift ''Ark'' and infiltrated the ship. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 1}} The Mercenaries reactivated the ship and successfully brought the Autobots to Chaar, though after Deeseeus refused to pay them and Doubledealer made a new deal with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], Dirge and the others battled the [[Quintesson]]'s [[Deseeus Army Drone|forces]] and helped the Autobots escape. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

After Deseeus took control of Doubledealer's mind, Dirge and his fellow [[Conehead]]s left the crew. [[Exhaust]] later stated he was going to do the same as them. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust were hired enforcers enlisted by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] to increase security at the [[Hexagon]] outpost, security for Thunderwing's...''personal'' pursuits. Matters became tense when a rogue [[Titan (group)|Titan]] named [[Vigilem]] docked at [[Hexagon]], and [[Colonial Security]]'s [[Technobot (G1)|Technical Solutions Team]] insinuated themselves in the situation to apprehend him. [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]]'s snooping around a secure area led the Seekers to open fire on the visitors. The Technical Solutions Team located [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]]'s laboratory where she sought to artificially recreate the [[Enigma of Combination]]. They absorbed the power of her [[Combination Core]], becoming a new Combiner named [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] that Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust tried to contain. Thunderwing ended up ejecting that section of Hexagon, and it's unclear whether the Seekers were able to navigate their way back inside as Computron was forcibly jettisoned out into space. {{storylink|Light/Star}}

==Commercial appearances==
*During a battle against Megatron, Optimus summoned [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] to his side. Megatron responded by calling down [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] and Dirge. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Thrust and Dirge|Autobot cars plus Thrust and Dirge commercial}}
*Dirge was led by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] into an attack against an Autobot launch station. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and his troops emerged from the facility to defend it. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus commercial}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Alex Easley]] (English)}}
{{Note|Dirge is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Decepticon duplicates in the Autobot campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Dirge was amongst Megatron's troops ages ago, before the Cybertronian war found its way to Earth. {{storylink|The War Within}} He was part of [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]'s team which unsuccessfully attempted to intercept [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] as the pair returned to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] after an [[energon]] scavenging mission. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye (Legends)|More than Meets the Eye}}

Dirge was involved in a battle between the Decepticons and the Dinobots when the later went berserk and set out to attack the Decepticon base. {{storylink|Day of the Dinobots - Part 1}} During a Decepticon attack on a major human city, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and Dirge used their sonic powers to make things difficult for the Autobot rescue team of [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]. {{storylink|To the Rescue}}

After the discovery of a lagoon filled with [[Electrum]], Dirge was amongst the Decepticons who found themselves invulnerable to Autobot firepower after being coated with the substance. Although they managed to defeat Omega Supreme at first, they found themselves at a standstill with the Autobots who had also managed to gain access to the Electrum. In the end, Dirge and the rest of his comrades were forced to retreat from the Autobots when their Electrum coating wore off first. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (Legends)|The Golden Lagoon}} While transporting a stolen Autobot weapon, Dirge crashed into a swamp on a movie set and had to be rescued by the other Decepticons. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (Legends)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Dirge was among [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s Decepticon troops who attacked a small group of Autobots, forcing them into hiding in the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Minion Pig#As Dirge}}
Dirge appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events. He is portrayed by a Minion Pig. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsDirge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Great, now it's easier for him to just die!]]
Dirge participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Uncommon character who could be recruited after collecting 45 units of Cybermetal and 20 units of Transmetal. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Dirge_Earth_Wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75]]

*'''Class:''' Air
*'''Lowest Star Rating''': 2 star
*'''Weapons:''': Blades dual-wields pistols to attack targets on the ground at short range.
*'''Ability: Safe Zone''' - Drop a hack bomb dealing 69.0 damage in an area. Confuse the targets for 5 seconds (reducing their attack speed to 40% and making them attack your foes). Upgrading this ability increases the damage and duration.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:dirge Dirge at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
Dirge is a Decepticon seeker pulled from his universe by the Quintessons and forced to fight. He eventually joins the Commander. There are at least a few of him running around!
{{chargamestub}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBODirge.jpg|thumb|100px]]
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
{{main|Dirge (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
*The original [[character model]]s of the coneheads all feature design elements simplified from Dirge's robot mode stickers–which were themselves originally recolored from [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s robot mode stickers.
*[[Simon Furman]] originally planned for Dirge and the other "coneheads" to appear and defend the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' in the [[Nemesis Part 2|conclusion]] to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but this plot point was dropped due to time and budget constraints. Furman was so disappointed at his missed chance to use Dirge (whom he appreciated because he has "...a cool doom-laden name") that he chose the character to be one of [[Herald of Unicron|Unicron's Heralds]] in the ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' comic's "[[Worlds Collide]]" arc.
*Colorist [[Drew Eiden]] stated at the [[Transformers Collectors' Club|Collector's Club]] panel at [[BotCon 2007]] that the day after final colors were applied to the ''Timelines'' comic where Dirge apparently falls dead, he found this article and noted to editor [[Pete Sinclair]] how ironic it was. Whether the comic was actually ''intended'' to continue Dirge's death-trend is unknown.
*According to his ''Gentei! Gentei!'' bio, his engines generate a super sonic wave that can destroy buildings.
*Rather than being based directly off of his ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' toy, Dirge's ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' character model only retains the toy's head, with the rest of his body being a carbon copy of the ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] model.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Dirge''' (ダージ ''Dāji'')
*''French:'' '''Funébro''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Sparviero''' ("Sparrowhawk")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Wǎngē''' (China, 挽歌, "Dirge")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Funebre''' (Portugal comic), '''Dirgo''' (Brazil comic), '''Funeral''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Smert''' (Смерть, "Death"), '''Tupik''' (Тупик, "Deadlock"), '''Grobovshchik''' (Гробовщик, "Undertaker")

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Blue Order]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Seekers]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Mercenaries]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise characters]]
[[Category:War Within Predacons]]

Blackout (Movie)

2022-04-10T21:39:14Z

Blitzbrain09: /* Studio Series */

{{factions|decepticonfilm}}
{{disambig3.5|the Decepticon helicopter from the first live-action movie|the Decepticon helicopter from ''Revenge of the Fallen''|Grindor (ROTF)|Blackout}}
:''Blackout is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|Transformers]] portion of the [[live-action film series]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:MovieBlackoutHeatScrambleCard57.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|He would appreciate you not trying to shoot him in the crotch. Really, he would.]]

The massive '''Blackout''' (aka '''N.B.E. 23'''{{fact}}) has been described as the "hound" of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. In better days, he was always to be found looming powerful and silent behind his leader's right shoulder. When given a target, he hunts it down with fierce determination.

Blackout is not happy with the progress [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] is making towards finding the missing Decepticon leader. He suspects (quite rightly) that Starscream would prefer Megatron to stay lost. Blackout is openly mutinous and will challenge Starscream's leadership at any opportunity, not for his own sake, but to better serve his ultimate goal of finding his lost master.

Blackout has a sneaky side and uses his [[Symbiote|symbiotic]] companion [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s small size to great advantage.

{{quote|All hail Megatron!|Blackout|''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''}}

==Fiction==
===''Transformers'' film===
[[File:Movie Blackout Raptors.jpg|201px|thumb|This race sucks.]]
Blackout flew into the airspace of [[United States military|US]] [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] in [[Qatar]] and refused to identify himself, prompting base commander [[Sharp|Colonel Sharp]] to dispatch two {{w|F-22 Raptors}} to escort the Decepticon into their base. One of the Raptors reported that Blackout had the registry number of 4500X on his vertical stabilizer, the number of the helicopter Blackout had scanned and destroyed three months earlier in Afghanistan.

[[File:Movie Blackout SOCCENTAttack1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|All your base are belong to us.]]
Once landed, Blackout was surrounded by the soldiers stationed at the base and ordered to power down and disembark his crew, or deadly force would be used. Seeing no reason to hide himself any further, Blackout transformed under a hail of automatic weapons fire from the shocked humans. Activating his heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, Blackout made quick work of the soldiers closest to him, then unleashed a massive shock wave that killed the rest of the troops and shattered their vehicles and the windows of the operations control tower. Blackout made his way around the base, tossing tanks aside, crushing soldiers underfoot and blowing up aircraft. Eventually, he reached the operations bunker and tore off the roof to link up with their server and download its files in an attempt to find information on [[Megatron (Movie)|Project: Ice Man]]. Unfortunately, the base commander intervened, cutting the physical hard line of the server, severing Blackout's connection and thwarting the primary objective of his mission.

[[File:Movie Blackout holoavatar.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Watch me twirl my [[Moustache Man|moustache]] as I contemplate the destruction of Earth.]]
Still, Blackout carried out his second objective—the destruction of the human base. As he proceeded, [[Robert Epps|a human soldier]] was nearly crushed. Instinctively, the soldier recorded images of Blackout, the Decepticon indulging this brief moment of curiosity by looking straight back at the human. Blackout then activated a chest-mounted laser cannon to put the fleshling out of its misery, but before he could do so, he was struck by a grenade fired by [[Jorge Figueroa|another soldier]], and the human made his escape. Enraged, Blackout fired flare countermeasures into the sky to confuse any other attempts to attack him, then ejected Scorponok from his back and sent his minion to track the [[William Lennox|fleeing]] [[Patrick Donnelly|soldiers]]. Blackout then turned his attention and his weapons back to the rest of the base, eventually destroying it, leaving no survivors.

Evidently, after the attack, Blackout flew back to the [[United States of America|United States]], as he was in the vicinity when [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] reported the discovery of AllSpark's location and Starscream ordered their forces to mobilize. Blackout was the last to acknowledge the order, then rallied in Megatron's name, perhaps to remind Starscream who his master was.

[[File:Blackout is going to kill you.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Point that thing someplace else!]]
Blackout arrived at [[Mission City]] just as the final battle was getting underway. Megatron's order of "Decepticons attack" must have been music to his ears, and he followed his master's commands whole heartedly. He attempted to block [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]]'s path as the boy was trying to get away with the AllSpark, before he was attacked by [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. The Autobot threw a car at Blackout, who fired his laser cannon to destroy the vehicle and knock Ironhide over. He flew ahead of ladiesman217, attempting to use his rotor weapon to kill him, but the human managed to dodge this attack.

[[File:Blackout movie dead.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|MY CROTCH! MY EVIL CROTCH!!!]]
Blackout withdrew from the battle for a few moments, but returned as [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron fought. Seeing his master under attack, Blackout activated his hand-held rotor weapon and prepared to come to defense of his lord, but soldiers—including survivors of the SOCCENT base attack—attempted to stop him by painting him with targeting lasers for friendly F-22 Raptors to fire upon. As Blackout activated his cannon, he noticed the lasers targeted on him. Underestimating the fighting spirit and desire for vengeance of the humans, Blackout tried to finish them off until Captain Lennox, using an abandoned motorcycle, charged at him and fired a sabot round into his crotch (ouch), as F-22s pounded the Decepticon with missiles, extinguishing his [[spark]].

Blackout's remains were later dumped in the <s>deepest</s> ''second'' deepest part of the ocean—the [[Laurentian Abyss]]—along with his fellow dead Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

{{note|Blackout's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels "[[Transformers (novel)|Transformers]]," "[[Transformers: The Junior Novel]]" and "[[The Quest for the AllSpark]]"; the "[[Transformers: Movie Adaptation]]" and "[[Movie Trilogy]]" comics; the activity book "[[Look and Find Transformers]]"; and the storybooks "[[Transformers: The Movie Storybook]]," "[[Transformers Mix & Match]]" and "[[Meet the Decepticons]]."}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday''===
Blackout had spent thousands of years searching for Megatron and the AllSpark under Starscream aboard the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]''. While Starscream was hoping not to find Megatron, Blackout was working against him in hopes of restoring the former leader. Upon discovering [[Ghost 1|a vessel similar to Megatron's alternate mode]], Blackout became convinced that Megatron was nearby. However, the Autobots arrived in the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]'' to investigate the ship, and Starscream ordered the Decepticons to wait while he investigated the alien ship. Growing impatient, Blackout convinced [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] to join him in an attack on the Autobots. Blackout, Scorponok, and Frenzy ganged up on [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], but he managed to defeat them, forcing Blackout to call for a retreat. After Prime headed to investigate [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s disappearance, Starscream ordered them to attack, and Bonecrusher was given command. Blackout, however, was able to sneak Scorponok on board the ''Ark''.

After Starscream returned, Blackout demanded answers. Starscream claimed that Prime and Bumblebee were killed by indigenous worms, while the alien ship was destroyed when it fell into a cavern. Blackout, unconvinced, challenged Starscream, but was seriously damaged, and had to be taken back to the ''Nemesis''. However, Prime, Bumblebee, and the ship appeared soon after. When Starscream ordered the Decepticons to destroy the ship, Blackout demanded answers, which Bonecrusher and Barricade agreed to. However, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] was able to force Scorponok off the ''Ark'', and Blackout, still healing, sped to his rescue. What a pal. {{storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===IDW movie comics===
[[File:Defiance2 Blackout spacebattle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|In space, EVERYONE hears HIM!]]

In the distant past, Blackout was a member of the Cybertronian [[Defense Force]]. During an attack by unknown aliens on the city of [[Metrotitan (ROTF)|Metrotitan]], he could be seen picking up a wrecked enemy tank. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}} In the aftermath of the attack, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] consulted with [[The Fallen|the mysterious relic]] dug up near [[Simfur]] and (essentially) declared a military dictatorship over Cybertron. Blackout followed Megatron and the other flight-capable soldiers into battle, using his special powers to disrupt the enemy flagship's targeting array. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

After science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] survived an attempted kidnapping by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s squadron, Megatron declared the scientist and his followers traitors, and reformed the army under a new banner: the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

[[File:Movie BlackoutStarscream protoforms.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|An ominous rumble is Blackout's only response...]]

During the subsequent civil war, Blackout fought alongside Megatron, until his master ordered 'this loyal hound' to assist Starscream's unit in keeping [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s forces busy, while Megatron pursued his destiny. Arriving soon after [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] delivered news of Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream witnessed the successful Autobot launch of the [[AllSpark]]. Blackout restrained Starscream from going after it, the pair nearly coming to blows when Blackout launched Scorponok from his chest. Fortunately, Starscream calmed down, and after witnessing Megatron leave the planet himself, the group took on protoform transition forms and followed. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

Meanwhile, Starscream crew ''also'' went after Optimus Prime's starship in a Decepticon battlecruiser. Just before launch, Blackout listened to Barricade's not-so-quiet concerns that Starscream wasn't telling them everything. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, they were led into a trap by the Autobots, and their ship (and Starscream's advance scout [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]]) was crippled by concussion chain mines. Blackout gave a detailed damage report when ordered but was berated for giving his observation on what had occurred, and was ordered to despatch Scorponok to retrieve Dreadwing.

[[File:Movie Blackout IDWprequel camoflageenabled.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Apparently the crew of military helicopters don't count as "witnesses".]]

After making repairs to their ship, the Decepticons followed the AllSpark's trace energy and landed on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}} There, they destroyed a primitive [[Beagle 2 Rover|human rover scout]] and decided to investigate the nearby third planet of this solar system. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}}

Making planetfall on Earth in Afghanistan in 2003, Blackout attracted the attention of a military vehicle of the local creatures. Witnessing the ease with which [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] destroyed the carrier, Starscream pondered that Megatron would have been able to subjugate these beings if he was able to. Blackout replied that they needed to find out why he hadn't yet. Starscream's unit then attacked the nearby air base where Blackout scanned and adopted the form of an {{w|MH-53 Pave Low}} 'Pave Low' helicopter, then easily hacked into the files of the human computers. Inside, he found files on something called 'Project: Iceman', which he suspected was related to Megatron. After the base's destruction, Blackout and the others split up. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}} Blackout scanned ''another'' USAF MH-53 Pave Low helicopter, but apparently was not detected by the humans, nor caused any casualties, in contrast to Starscream and [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]. When Starscream told the Decepticons that their mission was to find the AllSpark, Blackout reminded Starscream that they must also find Megatron.

[[File:Movie Blackout TargetPrequel continuityheadache.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Beware, Qatar! Beware! Muhahahahahaha!]]

Later, after being lured into a trap intended for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] set by a group of impressively equipped humans, Blackout attacked the organisation's bunker and attempted to hack into their main server, but failed after they disconnected their local systems. The only lead he got was a name...[[Sector Seven]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Movie Prequel #4}} A few years later, Blackout headed towards [[Qatar]], intent on attacking a military base similar to the first one he and his comrades attacked in hopes that accessing the information there could connect his past findings. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

{{note|In several instances, "Planetfall" contradicts both [[Movie Prequel issue 4|issue #4]] of IDW's ''[[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]]'' mini-series as well as the movie ''itself'' with regards to where and when Blackout and the Decepticons arrived on Earth; they landed in the United States during 2003 in the Prequel mini. In "Planetfall", Blackout immediately leaves for Qatar after the attack, whereas in the movie itself, he assumed the form three months before attacking the SOCCENT base. However, this sequence was subsequently used in ''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]''.}}

In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Blackout's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organization brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they could out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1|Alliance #1}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers: Beginnings''====
{{voiceactor|[[Brian Stepanek]] (English)}}
{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings (Movie)|Transformers: Beginnings}}

===Titan movie comics===
During the war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Blackout preferred to sow confusion and disarray before he attacked, rather than engage in direct confrontation and risk being killed. He would only go into ground battles under cover of loud noise and pyrotechnics (which he himself caused with his devastating sonic shriek emitters). Unfortunately for him, this meant he kept getting stuck leading the ''first wave'' of attacks! To protect himself, he used an army of drone troopers (presumably [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponoks]]) to draw enemy fire. These drones were called "the swarm" and Blackout deliberately encouraged rumours about them so their arrival would strike fear into the hearts of enemies. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4|Blackout Profile}} Despite being a coward at heart, he began to ''revel'' in the chaos and carnage he was causing, even if the odd Decepticon ended up as collateral damage! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2|Jazz V. Blackout}}

{{Note|The following event is unique to the Titan Comics continuity.}}

Half an hour after his death and before his body was dumped in the sea, Blackout was briefly turned into a rampaging zombie by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

====Alternate timeline====
{{notetitantlg}}
[[File:Barricadeblackoutandfriends-DarkSpark.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Blackout was not dead!

He assaulted an Autobot convoy at Shreveport, [[Louisiana]] as part of a general terror campaign. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} Later, he was a key part in a Decepticon ambush, appearing from nowhere to blankside Autobot ground troops. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

He was one of the [[Decepticon Heartland]] generals, and had to report the grim news to Starscream of just how badly [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] had gummed up their advance. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part Two}} By the time the battle reached him in Philadelphia, he was commanding the only Decepticon force left standing. He rejected an offer to defect to Stockade's team, defiantly saying this planet was ''theirs'', and sicced Scorponok on him.

Scorponok failed and Blackout went down. Now he ''is'' dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''I Can Read!'' books===
[[File:RatchettakesonDecepticons-RttR.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.0|left]]
Blackout, [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]] were at a sea-side dock when they encountered [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. The Decepticons attempted to attack, but were held off by an electrical attack courtesy of Ratchet, allowing the Autobots to escape. {{storylink|Ratchet to the Rescue}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Diorama Story''===
[[File:BWDS 12.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
At some point, Blackout and multiple Autobots and Decepticons traversed dimensions and found themselves on a different [[Earth]], in the distant past. They crossed paths with new Transformer factions, the [[Maximal]]s and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, who were engaged in a conflict called the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. {{Storylink|Tigatron Chapter}} Blackout joined forces with the Predacons. {{storylink|Gimlet Chapter}} With the combined might of both Predacon and Decepticon, they attempted one all-out attack, but the combined Autobot-Maximal force attacked with their own first. {{storylink|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
[[File:StudioSeries-Blackout-art.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Blackout is extremely disciplined, and as such keeps his bodywork pristine. {{storylink|#Premium|Premium Series Blackout}} He is incredibly single-minded in pursuing his quarry. {{storylink|#Titanium Series|Titanium Series Blackout}}

Besides Scorponok, Blackout has fought alongside [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] for untold years, leaving nothing but devastated worlds in their wake as they searched for the AllSpark. {{storylink|#Unleashed|Unleashed}}

Ratchet and Blackout are apparently total opposites. {{storylink|#Titanium Series 2|Rescue Ratchet Vs. Blackout}} At some point, Blackout had a knock-down, drag-out fight with Ironhide, possibly in a desert. {{storylink|#Legends Class toys|Ironhide Vs Desert Blackout}} He may have also once gotten into a fight where Optimus Prime deployed twin forearm swords. {{storylink|#Robot Heroes 2|Optimus Prime and Blackout}}

Together with Scorponok, Blackout would seek out and annihilate Megatron's enemies, leaving no witnesses to his passing. He preferred to destroy everything around him because he did not anything that could benefit the enemy to survive his assaults. {{storylink|#Dark of the Moon|Cyberverse Blackout}}

===''Unite for the Universe''===
The body of either Blackout or Grindor was among the Decepticon corpses waiting to be melted down at the [[N.E.S.T. N.B.E. Resource Redistribution Plant]]. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 1|Ambition Instigated}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Blackout was one of the many Decepticons who pursued the AllSpark to Earth. He participated in an enormous battle against the Autobots in a human settlement. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

===''Mission to Cybertron'' comic===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Mission to Cybertron}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
[[File:S7 game blackout bravo team.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game (console)===
{{voiceactor|[[Noah Nelson]] (English)|[[Martial Le Minoux]] (French), [[Javier Gámir]] (Castilian Spanish)}}

====Autobot campaign====
During the battle of Mission City, Blackout suffered a humiliating defeat from [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], even though he had help from [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and two [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwings]]. That's got be the most humiliating thing for any of the characters in the videogame, losing to somebody a third of his size. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
[[File:VGBlackoutE1M3Intro.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Time for a cool...Pepsi?]]
Blackout and Scorponok were sent to the SOCCENT Base to destroy the human military installation there and download information from the military servers on the location of the [[AllSpark]]. The pair were successful, though Blackout's escape was briefly interrupted by the arrival of a squad of human jet fighters. After blasting them to tiny bits, he made good his escape.

Blackout arrived at [[Hoover Dam]], where his scans failed to detect the energy signatures of Megatron or the AllSpark. Starscream ordered him to break the dam piece by piece. Blackout fired a pair of missiles and fought off a squad of [[Swindle (Movie)|Autobot sports car drones]] that were defending the installation. As Megatron emerged, he bowed before his lord. He then followed the newly revived Megatron to [[Mission City]], where he engaged in a final showdown with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], who had just punted Scorponok. The Autobot warhorse certainly gave the massive Decepticon a run for his money. The huge number of Autobot drones backing Ironhide up didn't make things any easier.

During Megatron's battle with Optimus Prime, Blackout attempted to assist his master by charging Prime. Prime punched the massive Decepticon, sending him flying. How embarrassing. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: The Game'' (PSP)===
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers The Game (PSP)}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
As Jazz retrieved Sector 7 vehicles for Optimus Prime, he happened upon their helicopter, which to his surprise turned out to be Blackout. The two battled at Tranqulity's power plant, where Jazz managed to defeat him. Humiliated, he transformed and flew away.

Blackout made his presence felt again as Bumblebee raced back to Tranquility carrying the AllSpark with him. He chased Bumblebee through the streets until he was intercepted on a rooftop by Ratchet, who put an end to his menace for good. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
First arriving under the command of [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|a low-ranking soldier]], Blackout was sent out to destroy the communications arrays in the Qatar SOCCENT military base. When the task was completed, he returned for more orders.

Soon after, Blackout encountered [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], who appeared at the base to stop them from blowing the hell out of everything. When he was defeated, Blackout disappeared until the other Decepticons arrived at Hoover Dam.

Dropping off some bombs for Brawl to set, he and the other Decepticons attempted to blow up the Dam to simultaneously release Megatron and thaw him out, but were thwarted by Jazz and his drones. Their heroic attempts were for naught, as Megatron managed to escape anyway while Blackout and Barricade retrieved Megatron's weapons chip. Afterwards, they encountered their leader and reactivated his weapons. After Megatron's charismatic speech, they set out to [[Tranquility]] to capture the AllSpark and defeat the Autobots once and for all.

Blackout arrived just in time to be blasted to [[Slag (slang)|slag]] by an AllSpark-powered Starscream with a single blast. That's still slightly less embarrassing than being beaten by a half-dead Jazz. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===''Web Wars''===
[[File:Blackout Web Wars.jpg|thumb|150px]]
Blackout battled the Autobots across the digital frontier, vying to wrestle control of numerous websites across the internet from their hands! {{storylink|Web Wars}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
Blackout spoiled any chance some guy had at impressing his lady-friend by making him screech like a banshee, and then blasting his car to scrap. Bummer. {{storylink|Commercial/Transformers (2007)#General Motors|Transformers Chevy tie-in commercial}}

==Toys==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[File:Movie Blackout Legends toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|I have no fingers? You did this, Starscream!]]
*'''Blackout''' (Legends Class, [[2007]])

:A much smaller and highly simplified version of the character, Legends Blackout features limited articulation and detail, with the helicopter mode not being a particularly faithful recreation of a Sikorsky {{w|MH-53 Pave Low|MH-53 Pave Low}} heavy-lift helicopter (the placement of the fuel tanks, in particular making him look more like a {{w|CH-53 Sea Stallion}}). Even though the robot mode sports an attempt to emulate the movie character's chest design, this does not involve the use of obvious fake elements of the helicopter mode's cockpit, unlike [[Jazz (Movie)|other]] Legends Class toys of movie characters. Curiously, the instructions on the back of the card show how to transform him from his alt-mode to his robot mode, which is the reverse of the rest of the Legends Class packaging.

:This toy was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] and [[Spinister (ROTF)|Spinister]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/LegendsBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Legends Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Allspark2pack}}
[[File:Movie Legends Ironhide DesertBlackout.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Hey, look! It's Grindor! Stop! That is so dumb! Do something else!]]
*'''Ironhide vs. Desert Blackout''' (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2007)

: Desert Blackout is a tan redeco of the previously released Legends Blackout toy. He comes with an all-new Legends Class Ironhide. Oddly, he doesn't have a faction symbol anywhere on his body.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/LegendsBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Desert Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[File:TF07-Blackout.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|The largest Transformer in the film. Ironically, one of the smallest Voyager-class toys ''ever''.]]
[[File:TF07-Blackout-Scorponok.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
*'''Blackout''' (Voyager Class, 2007)
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''MD-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: Blackout transforms into a reasonably accurate MH-53 Pave Low, though he has a rather [[Show-accuracy|film-inaccurate]] slate grey base colour and a totally random gold radome. An aft "cage" compartment can be opened to release a small PVC figurine of his partner, [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]. A button on the very end of his tail can be pressed in a geared action to rotate his rotor blades. By attaching the Deluxe-class Scorponok to his underside, the rotor [[gimmick]] also spins Scorponok's claws.

: During transformation, Blackout's (mind-numbingly delicate) [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] gimmick is activated when the user swings down his legs, which in turn flips the gray chest section his head is mounted upon up and into position, and lifts his back assembly and locks into place behind his head. Another, less impressive automorph is in his legs—if you pull his knees down, his shin armor pops out a bit.

: In robot mode, Blackout appears closer to his original concept art, back when he was called "Incinerator" (seemingly also the basis for his Nintendo DS appearance). The entire rotor assembly on his back can be removed and converted into a gigantic fan weapon, to ''vaguely'' represent the hand-held rotor-blade weapon he wields in the film, also seen on [[#Titanium_Series|the ''Titanium'' figurine (see below)]]. Because of the size of his rotor assembly, Blackout is also much shorter than most Voyager-class figures despite his bulk, barely taller than a Deluxe figure.

: It is ''very'' easy for the gears in the cockpit/chest to become misaligned during transformation, enough so that the chest/head section refuses to align with the cockpit halves. Getting the gears back into alignment is a veritable nightmare, as so many other parts shift and move as you attempt to manipulate the respective pieces. Swinging the legs down locks the back assembly into place for robot mode, but simply swinging the legs back does ''not'' ''un''lock it, with the user being required to actively separate the parts by hand. Failing to do so is sure to misalign your Blackout to bejeezus. Unfortunately, Blackout's most major [[design flaw]] resides in his shoulders; there is not enough clearance for them to move past the cockpit assembly due to the tabs catching on the inner molded details. This means that the pieces have to be flexed past eachother, which can often result in the mushroom-pins/hinges to be stripped from their sockets, leading to incredibly loose shoulder joints or in the worst case, they'll be torn off completely.

: Oddly, the two hard points located on Blackout's shoulders, intended to support his abominably large weapon, are actually the same size as the [[Mini-Con]] [[Powerlinx]] plugs on most [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] figures.

: His head is very accurate to the concept art [http://www.benprocter.com/storage/oldersites/sitev2/html/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_35.html]

: This mold was [[retool]]ed and [[redeco]]ed into [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]] for the ''AllSpark Power'' refresh of the movie toyline, and was then redecoed into [[Whirl (ROTF)|Whirl]] for ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. This retool gave them a new head and replaced the tiny Scorponok figure with a lifeboat/gun, as well as giving them the new hands to allow them to hold it. The original Blackout mold was redecoed into [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] for the same line.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Blackout/blackout.htm More information on Voyager Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Desert Attack}}
[[File:Movie DecepticonDesertAttack 2pack.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Ignoring the vast difference in scale between Scorponok's two figures while linked to Blackout takes some imagination.]]
*'''Decepticon Desert Attack''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive two-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: This package, based on their first appearance in the film, features an unchanged Voyager Blackout packaged with an unchanged Deluxe Scorponok, which was exclusively available at Toys"R"Us stores. Since Voyager Blackout was gang-molded with the miniature Scorponok figure the single release came with, this means that the set contains two Scorponok toys in different sizes.

{{-}}{{anchor|Ver4500x}}
[[File:MovieVoyager Blackout4500X.JPG|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Blackout Ver. 4500X''' (Lawson exclusive Voyager Class, Japan 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure, Autobot and Decepticon pins

: This Voyager class Blackout repaint is exclusive to the Lawson Japan convenience store chain, with the purchase of the movie DVD. He is redecoed in a somewhat more realistic color scheme for vehicle mode, 4500X markings and a drastically changed plastic color scheme in robot mode (many parts once black are now silver or the same colour as his helicopter hull). Additionally, the mini-Scorponok figurine has been repainted in metallic colours and detailed to resemble the deluxe-class toy (and the movie CG design, of course).

:Also included a set of two brass Autobot and Decepticon insignia pins.

{{-}}{{anchor|Premium}}
[[File:Movie Blackout PremiumVoyager toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|NOW the size is perfect.]]
*'''Blackout''' ("Premium Series" Voyager Class, USA [[2008]])
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: This redeco of the Voyager Class Blackout toy is based on the same plastic color layout and paint mask as the Japanese Lawson exclusive "Version 4500X" redeco of Voyager Blackout, down to the improved paint on the Scorponok mini-figure. As a matter of fact, both toys were almost ''identical'', the main difference being that the paint used on Version 4500X's is more matte than the paint used on the Premium Series release.

: Unlike some of the early "Premium Series" toys, Blackout was available as a mass market release.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Blackout/blackout.htm More information on Premium Series Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|MexicoUnleashed}}
*'''Unleashed y Voyager''' (2007)

:Voyager Class Blackout was also available in a two-pack with ''[[Unleashed (toyline)|Unleashed]]'' [[Bumblebee (Movie)/merchandise#MexicoUnleashed|Bumblebee]] in Mexican markets. Both items are identical to their standard original releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|ACG2008}}
[[File:ACG-HK-2008-Transformers-Commemorative-Box-Set.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Transformers Commemorative Box Set (Decepticon)''' (2008)

:Released an an exclusive for Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong (ACG, also known as Ani-Con) 2008, The ''Premium Series'' Blackout toy is released without any changes along with [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#PremiumLeader|''Premium Series'' Megatron]], [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Premium|''Premium'' Barricade]], [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#DeepSpace|Deep Space Starscream]], and a [[Brawl (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Brawl]]. The toys are packaged with a synthetic, leather-like box with a half-trimmed Decepticon Symbol, and it comes with a sheet of Certificate of Authenticity.

:The boxsets are limited to 100 pieces.
{{-}}

====''Fast Action Battlers''====
[[File:Movie FAB Blackout.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|... Brownout?]]
*'''Gyro Blade Blackout''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:A simplified version of Blackout, designed for smaller children. His rotor blade can be detached and inserted into his left hand to represent the hand-held rotor blade seen in the film, just like the Voyager class version. He also features a chest cannon which can be flipped up from his back. Oddly, you can only see one-fourth of Blackout's head from a 90-degree angle. Even less of it is visible when his chest cannon is flipped up. He features a firing missile.

:This toy was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]].
{{-}}

===''Dark of the Moon''===
{{anchor|Cyberverse}}
[[File:Blackout DOTM Cyberverse.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|At long last, not grossly undersized compared to his teammates!]]
*'''Blackout''' (Cyberverse Commander Class, [[2011]])
**''Series:'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''005'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''CV15'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Scorponok (Movie)#Cyberverse|Scorponok]]

:Blackout is a ''[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' Commander Class figure, featuring a surprisingly complex transformation into yet another Sikorsky Pave Low. Curiously, despite the development of this toy after two live-action movies, his robot mode appears to have the same preproduction feet as the larger and earlier toys. Since his left arm ends up having the Pave Low's tail rotor, Blackout is able to use it as a weapon if one chooses and hold either Scorponok or any [[C joint]] accessory with his hands.

:He is mis-transformed in the package to better fit inside it, with the helicopter panels to his sides being spread out instead of being aligned parallel to his body, thus he appears that way in official photos.

:Blackout includes his symbiotic partner Scorponok, who has some minor tail articulation and transforms into a hand-held blaster weapon for Blackout (or any other Cyberverse figure with the appropriate hands). Scorponok can also be carried along on the underside of Blackout's vehicle-mode tail. Though unmentioned in the instructions, Scorponok can also peg into the (otherwise pointless) peg on the back of Blackout's robot mode, just under his rotor blades, mimicking the way he was stored and ejected off of Blackout in the movie.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Decepticon/Blackout/blackout.htm More information on Cyberverse Blackout at TFU.info]''

===''The Last Knight''===
[[File:TF-TLK-Tiny-Turbo-Changers-Blackout.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Annnnnnd we're back.]]
*'''Decepticon Blackout''' (Tiny Turbo Changer, [[2017]])
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Bag Code'': '''G'''

:Released in Series 1 of Tiny Turbo Changers, Blackout changes from robot to an unlicensed approximation of the MH53 Pave-Low Helicopter. He features ball-jointed shoulders and his hands are compatible with ''[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' weapons and other small accessories. Blind-bags stamped with 'G' contain Blackout.

:This toy has also been redecoed as [[Chopter]] and [[Dropkick (Movie)#ChopperTTC|Chopper Mode Dropkick]].
{{-}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:StudioSeries-08-MV1-Leader-Blackout.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Grindor redeco in 3, 2, [[Grindor (ROTF)#Studio Series|1...]]]]
* '''Decepticon Blackout''' (Leader Class, [[2018]])
**''Movie'': '''''Transformers'''''
**''Hasbro ID number:'' '''08'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''SS-08'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[April 28]], 2018
**''Accessories'': Tail rotor, [[Scorponok (Movie)#Studio Series|Scorponok]] figure, "[[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base|Desert Base]] Assault" backdrop

:''[[Studio Series]]'' "Decepticon Blackout" is the first Leader Class version of the character, with slight fudging of the normal limits in size to produce a robot mode roughly in-[[scale]] with other ''Studio Series'' toys. He features a fairly complex transformation involving lots of panels folding away without feeling too much like a [[shellformer]]. His name is tampographed onto the tail section on the livery bands. A Decepticon emblem is also tampoed just below the windscreen on the nose. Non-spinning landing gear is attached to the back half of the compartment section and the nose, but they can't be folded away in vehicle mode due to lack of space. While stock photos appear to be a more military accurate gunmetal color, the final release version is a slightly bluer shade, but not as much as earlier toys.

:In vehicle mode, Blackout appears as an MH-53 Pave Low helicopter with a mostly screen-accurate deco, including the 4500X designation marking, USAF emblems, and danger warnings near the propellers. His robot mode is bulky and mostly accurate to his onscreen appearances, including details like the helicopter engine behind his head that previous versions omitted. His tail rotor can be attached to either forearm to simulate his weapon from the movie, though on-screen this used the larger propeller from his back. The refueling probe, often mistaken for a gun, can also flip up as his non-firing chest cannon in robot mode.

:A tiny, surprisingly well-decoed Scorponok is included which can hide in the tail section of the helicopter mode. Scorponok can also be stored on a small peg on his back. Scorponok's feet are aligned in such a way that, when pegged onto Blackout's back, he will hold the two innermost blades in place securely to prevent the propeller assembly from swinging freely. However, Scorponok has to be pegged with his head pointing down, instead of up as the instructions suggest, to do this without deforming the soft plastic rotors.

:Blackout comes with a cardboard backdrop depicting the [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] under siege, as shown in the opening of ''Transformers''.

:It's quite common for Blackout to have at least one Air Force logo on his helicopter mode tail printed upside down. There's no way to check for this error while the figure is still in its packaging, since the logos end up on Blackout's obscured soles. Also, as the panels containing the USAF emblems end up as the bottoms of his feet in robot mode, they can end up scratched rather easily.

:Exercise caution if your copy has misplaced pegs that connect the shoulders and the torso. Do NOT use force if the pegs do not properly line up with the slots, as the force will eventually cause the thin plastic to break.

:Blackout is slightly mistransformed in packaging with his refueling probe being folded flat against his body and his digitigrade legs and leg details also flattened. His lower back/helicopter tail area panel is also left hanging down to keep him as flat as possible in package.

:Blackout was slightly retooled to make [[Grindor (ROTF)#Generations|Grindor]], with a new [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] mini-partner.

{{-}}{{anchor|TaoBao}}
[[File:TF-Studio-Series-Hasbro-TaoBao-exclusive-Blackout.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Well played, HasTak. Now paint it in black and purple and call it ROTF Spinister.]]
* '''Decepticon Blackout''' (Giveaway figure, [[2018]])
**''Movie'': '''''Transformers'''''
**''ID number:'' '''08'''
**''Accessories'': Tail rotor, Scorponok, "Desert Base Assault" backdrop

:Decepticon Blackout is redeco of the above figure. He is an exclusive Lucky Draw prize in a contest only accessible to people who bought ''Studio Series'' figures on May 15, 2018 on Hasbro China's official TaoBao online shop. There were only 88 Blackouts made. He is decoed in a less than accurate camouflage deco painted by Chinese artist Li Yunfeng of SangZong Repaint Studio.

:The warning sticker on the packaging notes that fiddling and transforming him may result in the deco being chipped off.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
{{anchor|ChessSet}}
*'''TRANSFORMERS Chess Set''' (2007)

: Two identical silver-colored plastic statues of Blackout serve as the [[Chess#Transformers (2007)|Chess Set]]'s Autobot-side Knights.
{{-}}

====Lunchables====
* '''Blackout''' ("Pocket Transformers" toy prize, 2007)[[File:Blackout Movie Lunchable Toy.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Now it will be impossible to shoot him in the crotch!]]

: What could only be called a "pseudo-figure" (and that's still being pretty generous), Blackout "transforms" from a flat, blueish-gray structure emblazoned with the Decepticon symbol and the word "Transformers" to a robot by folding out. Blackout is represented by stickers decorated with artwork of the character on the top, bottom, and two fold out "arms". His name is also spelled out, across his feet in this mode.

: This mold was also used to create the lunchables figure for [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. A similar mold was used to create the Lunchables figure for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], though with the Autobot symbol sculpted in instead of the Decepticon one. Each iteration of this mold was made with a different color of plastic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/LunchBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Lunchables Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

====3D Battle-Card Game====
[[File:3DBattleCard Blackout.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
* '''Blackout''' (3D Battle Card, 2007)

: A 29-point "uncommon" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]], Blackout "transforms" into a black helicopter. He uses the same parts layout as [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]], [[Stormcloud (Energon)|Vortex]] and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]].
{{-}}

====''Titanium Series''====
[[File:Movie TitaniumRM Blackout.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Scorponok! I can't move! Quick, drag me away!]]
*'''Blackout''' (3" Robot Masters, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Decepticon display stand

: This three-inch figurine, as with all Titaniums, is partially made of die-cast metal and plastic, sculpted holding his rotor-blades as a hand weapon. Interestingly, Blackout has a more unique sculpt to him; the weapon is sculpted as it was briefly seen in the movie, but on the wrong hand. Blackout ''himself'' has an altered leg & foot design as well as having the main rotor-blades on his back excluded, matching it up more with the fact that instead of using his tail rotor, he uses his ''main'' rotor as a multi-purpose melee weapon, echoing the game render. His articulation is limited to his shoulders, head and waist, and he comes packaged with a movie-style Decepticon symbol display base.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TitBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Titanium Series Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

{{anchor|Unleashed}}
====''Unleashed''====
[[File:Movie UnleashedTurnarounds BlackoutBarricade.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|After camping out in the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma, the two vowed to never go spelunking again.....]]
*'''Blackout and Barricade''' (2008)

: The Blackout and Barricade turnaround is a 3D sculpture of the two characters in both robot mode emerging from rubble and explosions, with a movie-accurate sculpt (compared to the various transforming toys.) The 'turnaround' aspect of these sculptures simply means one can turn the piece around to display a raised-relief of the movie-style Decepticon sigil instead.

: This product's release was cancelled for the US market, but was released in Australia and in Asia.
{{-}}
====Radio Shack====
[[File:Movie Radioshack RC Blackout.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Blackout''' (2007)

: A remote control helicopter sold at Radio Shack, this little heli operates on 2-channels, features blades with a diameter of just under 5.5 inches and an LED light mounted on the front fuselage. The design of the helicopter is rather inaccurate to an MH-53 Pave Low, and is coloured black for some reason.

{{-}}

====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[File:Movie Blackout screencleaner.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb]]
*'''Blackout''' (2008)

:Released by [[Gacha International|Tomy Yujin]] on January 2008, this Dangler is a faction logo-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Blackout printed on the other side.
{{-}}

====Burger King====
[[File:MovieMerchandise-BurgerKingBlackout.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Blackout''' (2007)

:This [[Burger King]] toy is a small plastic replica of Blackout's Pave Low vehicle form, with two special features:
:*Holding his cockpit window up to a light source and peering through a small lens behind his front landing wheel will reveal an image of his CGI-rendered robot mode.
:*His wheels are linked to his rotor drive shaft — spinning them will cause his rotors to spin rapidly, possibly flying off and disappearing under the nearest piece of furniture, where the cat will eventually find them and chew them to pieces.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/BKBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Burger King Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
====''Titanium Series''====
*'''Rescue Ratchet vs. Blackout''' (3-inch Robot Masters multi-pack, 2009) [[File:Rescue Ratchet and Blackout Exclusive Titanium Seires.jpeg|thumb|upright= 1.66|]]
**''Accessories:'' Movie Decepticon sigil display stand

:This [[Toys"R"Us]]-exclusive set features an unchanged version of 2007's ''Titanium Series'' Blackout and a [[redeco]]ed [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]].

{{-}}

====''Figure Collection''====
[[File:ROTF-Merchandise Figure Collection Blackout.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Just pretend I'm Grindor if it makes you happy.]]
*'''Blackout''' (2010)
**''Accessories:'' Stand

:The [[Figure Collection]] edition of Blackout is based on his [[#Fast_Action_Battlers|Fast Action Battlers toy]], making him extremely off-model from his movie look. He is cast leaning back and has a chunk of kibble protruding from his back to stop him toppling forwards, however he's still very top heavy.

{{-}}

====Missile Mania Board Game====
*'''Blackout'''
: Blackout is one of eight characters featured in the [[Missile Mania]] board game, represented by a small standee adorned with artwork of the character.
{{picsneeded}}
{{-}}

====McDonald's====
[[File:Revenge of the Fallen McDonalds Blackout.png|thumb|upright=1.1|"Talk to the Rotor."]]
*'''Blackout''' (Happy Meal, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' rotor
:Part of the 2010 [[McDonald's]] Revenge of the Fallen promotion, Blackout does not transform but features a spinning/firing rotor mechanism instead. The rotor can be placed on his back, or mounted on his arm to be fired. Blackout does not feature any [[light-piping]], but does have three points articulation. He was only available during week 6 of the promotion, and came with an instruction sheet that doubles as an ad for [[McWorld]], featuring an exclusive code for the website.
{{-}}

===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:RH Prime vs Blackout.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Blackout's hobbies include worshipping Megatron, and jumping out of bushes and yelling "BOOGA-BOOGA!" at small children.]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Blackout''' (Two-pack, 2007)

: Packaged with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise#Robot Heroes|Optimus Prime]], ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' Blackout is a cute style rendition of the character. Most notably, his face has been given a more traditional mouth and nose, making him appear more like a grumpy old man. His articulation is the standard three points, however, the kibble in his design limits the movement.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/RHBlackout/blackout.htm More information on ''Robot Heroes'' Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{anchor|RHBlindpack}}
*'''Blackout''' (Single-pack, 2008)

: In some countries outside of North America, Blackout was released individually in a blindpack with no notable changes.

{{-}}{{anchor|RHFinalBattle}}
[[File:Robotheroesfinalbattle.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Keeps 'em where I can sees 'em!]]
*'''The Final Battle''' (Multi-pack, 2008)

: Packaged with redecoes of [[Jazz (Movie)#RHFinalBattle|Jazz]], [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#RHFinalBattle|Ratchet]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise#RHFinalBattle|Optimus Prime]], and [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#RHFinalBattle|Megatron]]. "Battle Damaged Blackout" is a slightly redecoed version of the two-pack version. No molding has changed, and the articulation is still limited. His exclusive deco is a black paint wash over various parts of his body to evoke battle damage. Oddly, the undersides of his arms get this deco but not the top, meaning the toy is meant to only be posed with arms raised. "The Final Battle" 5-pack was sold exclusively in [[Walmart]] stores.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/RHWMBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Final Battle Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RHROTF}}
[[File:Robotheroesoptimusblackout.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Sure you aren't [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] or somethin'?" "Nope."]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Blackout''' (Two-pack, 2009)

:Just like his first ''Robot Heroes'' set, Blackout comes with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise#RHBlackoutROTF|Optimus Prime]]. While Optimus Prime is a different mold, Blackout is a [[redeco]] of the previous figure. With his blue and tan, Blackout kinda looks like [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/RHBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Robot Heroes Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===Prime 1 Studio===
====''Museum Masterline''====
[[File:Prime 1 Blackout.jpg|upright=1.25|thumb]]
*'''Blackout''' (2022)
**''ID number:'' '''MMTFM-30'''
**''Accessories'': Base

:[[Prime 1 Studio]] Blackout is a massive (81.9 cm tall with the base) non-transforming sculpture made of polystone along with some other materials. The statue has glowing LED eyes, and its sand-motiffed base features actual sand.

:The statue is meant to be paired with the [[Scorponok (Movie)#Prime 1 Studio|Scorponok]] statue from the same series. It will be limited to a not-yet-announced number of pieces.

::*''[https://www.prime1studio.com/tf1-blackout-mmtfm-30.html More information on Blackout at Prime 1 Studio's website]''
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:EarlyMovieBlackout.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Blackoutwave lives in constant fear of [http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=dactyl-nightmare&page=detail&id=12493 pterodactyls].]]
* According to screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], Blackout was conceived as [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]—matching [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] as a character based on a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]—in the first draft of the script.<ref>[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1120447#post1120447 Unformatted script sample from first draft naming the Decepticon helicopter "Vortex" posted by Roberto Orci on Don Murphy's message board]</ref><ref>{{TFW2005|In our first draft, before we even brought Bay on board, he was named Vortex. Don't remember him going through many other names.|https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions.180451/page-15#post-2212529|Roberto Orci|2008|07|09}}</ref>
* At a later stage of the preproduction process, Blackout was [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], hence his symbiotic relationship with Scorponok, who was originally conceived as [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]]. Though this obviously changed, his portrayal in the ''Ghosts of Yesterday'' novel is rather Soundwave-esque. Likewise, in the IDW prequel comic, Blackout is the only Decepticon to land on Earth and acquire his alternate mode without ''any'' witnesses, whereas Starscream and Barricade had to kill existing witnesses. In the film ''itself'', Blackout's only speaking role has him quickly reporting to Starscream's call... in Cybertronian, with he alone both hailing Megatron upon the AllSpark's discovery and attempting to aid him in battle against Prime. What's more, all this "Soundwave-ness" is further enhanced by Hasbro's official bio, calling Blackout "his leader's hound".
* Seriously, Blackout wins the award for being the Transformers character from the 2007 movie that has gone through the most working names: Aside from "Vortex" and "Soundwave", other names associated with the character were "Grimlock",<ref name="early">Details from an early script draft [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2213120&postcount=297 summed up here], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2214148&postcount=303 confirmed as authentic by Roberto Orci here].</ref> "Devastator",<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/storage/oldersites/sitev2/html/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_32.html "Devastator" concept art at Ben Procter Online Portfolio]</ref> and "Incinerator"<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/storage/oldersites/sitev2/html/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_34.html "Incinerator" pre-production render at Ben Procter Online Portfolio]</ref> at different stages of the pre-production process. The name "Incinerator" was later used for a [[Incinerator (Movie)|different toy]] from the Movie toyline, and the names "Devastator", "Grimlock" and "Soundwave" would go on to be used by [[Devastator (ROTF)|three]] [[Grimlock (AOE)|other]] [[Soundwave (ROTF)|characters]] in later films, with "Vortex" ending up as [[Vortex (Movie)|a toyline-only character]] in the sequels.
**He also wins the award of being the first Transformer to appear in the ''movieverse'' (if we're disposed to only accept the movies themselves as [[canon]]).
* The period of time that Blackout acquired his vehicle mode in the film, three months prior to the unfolding events, contradicts the origin of his vehicle mode in IDW's ''[[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]]'' comics, with him apparently having scanned and destroyed the MH-53 Pave Low all the way back in 2003.
* [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s alternate mode is actually a part of Blackout's helicopter mode; he's made up of a {{w|General Electric T64}} turboshaft engine and various other helicopter bits. Considering Blackout didn't appear to be missing any integral parts of his alternate mode when answering [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s call or during the final battle in [[Mission City]], either Scorponok reattached himself to Blackout after he escaped the US Air Force's counter-attack in Qatar, or Blackout somehow magically regrew the parts that were previously made up by Scorponok.
* Blackout is never actually seen using his chest cannon in the film, even though he unfurls it quite emphatically on two separate occasions.
* During a transmission from Burger King's website, Optimus Prime has decreed that we are not to ride ''this'' helicopter. The current ridability of ''other'' helicopters the world over is unknown. Stand by for further updates as they become available.
* Blackout uses a [[mouthplate]] in the movie, seen in a brief shot of the side of his face before Epps takes his photo at the beginning of the film, and again when Epps was targeting him during the climactic battle.
* Blackout is clearly using his Pave Low mode's six-bladed main rotor (but smaller) as a hand weapon despite the fact that his robot mode ''also'' always has its main rotor folded up on his back. The Voyager toy and 2007 video game both have him detaching his back-mounted rotor to use as a weapon, while the ''Studio Series'' figure compensates by having his smaller, four-bladed tail rotor as a weapon affixed to his forearm.
* Blackout and Megatron are the only two Decepticons shown being dumped in the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at the end of the first film. Megatron is shown missing his left arm and his right leg, while Blackout has been dismantled entirely into smaller pieces. Blackout's dismantled parts shown on-screen also appear to be physical props.
* In Hasbro's online "Vector Sigma: The Cybertronian Database" feature, Blackout's alternate mode is erroneously portrayed as [[Skyhammer (DOTM)|Skyhammer]]'s alternate mode. Likewise, his "Energon Wave" weapon is portrayed as Skyhammer's [[MechTech]] weapon.
* According to ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', Blackout is 33 feet tall. However, Optimus Prime is clearly half the size of Grindor, who shares the same body-type as Blackout. Therefore, Blackout's height should be around ''55'' feet tall.
* In ''Transformers: The Game'', if one stops climbing a building as Blackout, he will scratch his butt.
* In the Decepticon Chapter "''The Mighty Will Fall''" of [[Transformers The Game (console)|this game]], he was strong enough to defeat ''[[Class Beta drone unit|almost]]'' ''[[Swindle (Movie)|every]]'' ''[[Scrapper (Movie)|kind]]'' ''[[Dropkick (Movie)|of]]'' ''[[Longarm (Movie)|drone]]'' and ''[[Ironhide (Movie)|this guy]]'', who was invincible during most of the battle, while in the Autobot Chapter "''Unfriendly Skies''", he was easily defeated by ''[[Jazz (Movie)|the shortest Autobot]]'', even though he ''[[Starscream (Movie)/games#Transformers: The Game|had]]'' ''[[Class Alpha drone unit|backup]]''. By Jazz. The guy who needed help to defeat a few drones. Then again, that's just one of the '''few''' plot holes from that game.
* Blackout/Grindor's head design is re-used on some of the Decepticon [[Protoform]]s that appear in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'', specifically the ones with large horns on their shoulders.
* The Prime 1 Studio's website's product page description for their [[#Prime 1 Studio|Blackout statue]] says that Blackout is Megatron's third-in-command.<ref>[https://www.prime1studio.com/tf1-blackout-mmtfm-30.html The Blackout statue on Prime 1 Studio's website]: "Megatron’s third-in-command, Blackout, is seen at the beginning of the film, completely obliterating Qatar Airbase."</ref>

===Blackout vs. Grindor===
[[File:Blackout-Corpse.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]]
* ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' never explicitly establishes [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] as a separate character from Blackout. Screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], when asked, was not sure whether they were supposed to be the same character or not.<ref name="orci">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-283.html#post3785383 Q&A with Roberto Orci at TFW2005]</ref> In the [[Hasbro Q&A/July 2009: Answers|{{SITENAME_SHORT}} Hasbro Q&A for July 2009]], it was confirmed that Grindor, not Blackout, appears in the movie.
*A closer inspection of Grindor's CGI model before Optimus prime so much as lays a sword or a hook on Grindor during the forest battle, shows that he has large quantities of rust and/or battle damage throughout his body (much like the revived Megatron) possibly hinting towards Grindor being a revived Blackout. Further, Blackout and Megatron are the only two Decepticons shown being dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at the end of the first film. Some of the pieces of the dismantled Blackout being dumped by Navy crew members (see right) have a similar damage/rust pattern as Grindor's too.
*Internal files for the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' video game identify the character as Blackout, indicating that the game had been developed with the understanding that they were the same character. However, the dialog was re-recorded to refer to the character as Grindor.
*Both the character gallery special feature included in the film's 2-disc special edition and the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Junior Novel]]'' name the helicopter Decepticon as Blackout. As such, Blackout is featured in ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe'' instead of Grindor.
*To alleviate the confusion between Blackout and Grindor's identities, Grindor's redecoes of Blackout's toys were given distinct (though not necessarily screen-accurate) color decos. However, Grindor's ''[[Studio Series]]'' figure has a more screen-accurate deco, with only subtle differences from Blackout.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blackout''' (ブラックアウト ''Burakkuauto'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Kisülés''' ("Discharge")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Hēi Mó''' (Taiwan, 黑魔, "Black Demon"), '''Xuànyūn''' (China, 眩晕, "Dizziness")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Vymyckach''' (Вимикач, "Off Switch")

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:McDonald's exclusives]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Studio Series Decepticons]]
[[Category:The Last Knight Decepticons]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Blackout (Movie)

2022-04-10T21:35:21Z

Blitzbrain09: /* Studio Series */

{{factions|decepticonfilm}}
{{disambig3.5|the Decepticon helicopter from the first live-action movie|the Decepticon helicopter from ''Revenge of the Fallen''|Grindor (ROTF)|Blackout}}
:''Blackout is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|Transformers]] portion of the [[live-action film series]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:MovieBlackoutHeatScrambleCard57.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|He would appreciate you not trying to shoot him in the crotch. Really, he would.]]

The massive '''Blackout''' (aka '''N.B.E. 23'''{{fact}}) has been described as the "hound" of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. In better days, he was always to be found looming powerful and silent behind his leader's right shoulder. When given a target, he hunts it down with fierce determination.

Blackout is not happy with the progress [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] is making towards finding the missing Decepticon leader. He suspects (quite rightly) that Starscream would prefer Megatron to stay lost. Blackout is openly mutinous and will challenge Starscream's leadership at any opportunity, not for his own sake, but to better serve his ultimate goal of finding his lost master.

Blackout has a sneaky side and uses his [[Symbiote|symbiotic]] companion [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s small size to great advantage.

{{quote|All hail Megatron!|Blackout|''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''}}

==Fiction==
===''Transformers'' film===
[[File:Movie Blackout Raptors.jpg|201px|thumb|This race sucks.]]
Blackout flew into the airspace of [[United States military|US]] [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] in [[Qatar]] and refused to identify himself, prompting base commander [[Sharp|Colonel Sharp]] to dispatch two {{w|F-22 Raptors}} to escort the Decepticon into their base. One of the Raptors reported that Blackout had the registry number of 4500X on his vertical stabilizer, the number of the helicopter Blackout had scanned and destroyed three months earlier in Afghanistan.

[[File:Movie Blackout SOCCENTAttack1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|All your base are belong to us.]]
Once landed, Blackout was surrounded by the soldiers stationed at the base and ordered to power down and disembark his crew, or deadly force would be used. Seeing no reason to hide himself any further, Blackout transformed under a hail of automatic weapons fire from the shocked humans. Activating his heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, Blackout made quick work of the soldiers closest to him, then unleashed a massive shock wave that killed the rest of the troops and shattered their vehicles and the windows of the operations control tower. Blackout made his way around the base, tossing tanks aside, crushing soldiers underfoot and blowing up aircraft. Eventually, he reached the operations bunker and tore off the roof to link up with their server and download its files in an attempt to find information on [[Megatron (Movie)|Project: Ice Man]]. Unfortunately, the base commander intervened, cutting the physical hard line of the server, severing Blackout's connection and thwarting the primary objective of his mission.

[[File:Movie Blackout holoavatar.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Watch me twirl my [[Moustache Man|moustache]] as I contemplate the destruction of Earth.]]
Still, Blackout carried out his second objective—the destruction of the human base. As he proceeded, [[Robert Epps|a human soldier]] was nearly crushed. Instinctively, the soldier recorded images of Blackout, the Decepticon indulging this brief moment of curiosity by looking straight back at the human. Blackout then activated a chest-mounted laser cannon to put the fleshling out of its misery, but before he could do so, he was struck by a grenade fired by [[Jorge Figueroa|another soldier]], and the human made his escape. Enraged, Blackout fired flare countermeasures into the sky to confuse any other attempts to attack him, then ejected Scorponok from his back and sent his minion to track the [[William Lennox|fleeing]] [[Patrick Donnelly|soldiers]]. Blackout then turned his attention and his weapons back to the rest of the base, eventually destroying it, leaving no survivors.

Evidently, after the attack, Blackout flew back to the [[United States of America|United States]], as he was in the vicinity when [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] reported the discovery of AllSpark's location and Starscream ordered their forces to mobilize. Blackout was the last to acknowledge the order, then rallied in Megatron's name, perhaps to remind Starscream who his master was.

[[File:Blackout is going to kill you.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Point that thing someplace else!]]
Blackout arrived at [[Mission City]] just as the final battle was getting underway. Megatron's order of "Decepticons attack" must have been music to his ears, and he followed his master's commands whole heartedly. He attempted to block [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]]'s path as the boy was trying to get away with the AllSpark, before he was attacked by [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. The Autobot threw a car at Blackout, who fired his laser cannon to destroy the vehicle and knock Ironhide over. He flew ahead of ladiesman217, attempting to use his rotor weapon to kill him, but the human managed to dodge this attack.

[[File:Blackout movie dead.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|MY CROTCH! MY EVIL CROTCH!!!]]
Blackout withdrew from the battle for a few moments, but returned as [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron fought. Seeing his master under attack, Blackout activated his hand-held rotor weapon and prepared to come to defense of his lord, but soldiers—including survivors of the SOCCENT base attack—attempted to stop him by painting him with targeting lasers for friendly F-22 Raptors to fire upon. As Blackout activated his cannon, he noticed the lasers targeted on him. Underestimating the fighting spirit and desire for vengeance of the humans, Blackout tried to finish them off until Captain Lennox, using an abandoned motorcycle, charged at him and fired a sabot round into his crotch (ouch), as F-22s pounded the Decepticon with missiles, extinguishing his [[spark]].

Blackout's remains were later dumped in the <s>deepest</s> ''second'' deepest part of the ocean—the [[Laurentian Abyss]]—along with his fellow dead Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

{{note|Blackout's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the novels "[[Transformers (novel)|Transformers]]," "[[Transformers: The Junior Novel]]" and "[[The Quest for the AllSpark]]"; the "[[Transformers: Movie Adaptation]]" and "[[Movie Trilogy]]" comics; the activity book "[[Look and Find Transformers]]"; and the storybooks "[[Transformers: The Movie Storybook]]," "[[Transformers Mix & Match]]" and "[[Meet the Decepticons]]."}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday''===
Blackout had spent thousands of years searching for Megatron and the AllSpark under Starscream aboard the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]''. While Starscream was hoping not to find Megatron, Blackout was working against him in hopes of restoring the former leader. Upon discovering [[Ghost 1|a vessel similar to Megatron's alternate mode]], Blackout became convinced that Megatron was nearby. However, the Autobots arrived in the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]'' to investigate the ship, and Starscream ordered the Decepticons to wait while he investigated the alien ship. Growing impatient, Blackout convinced [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] to join him in an attack on the Autobots. Blackout, Scorponok, and Frenzy ganged up on [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], but he managed to defeat them, forcing Blackout to call for a retreat. After Prime headed to investigate [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s disappearance, Starscream ordered them to attack, and Bonecrusher was given command. Blackout, however, was able to sneak Scorponok on board the ''Ark''.

After Starscream returned, Blackout demanded answers. Starscream claimed that Prime and Bumblebee were killed by indigenous worms, while the alien ship was destroyed when it fell into a cavern. Blackout, unconvinced, challenged Starscream, but was seriously damaged, and had to be taken back to the ''Nemesis''. However, Prime, Bumblebee, and the ship appeared soon after. When Starscream ordered the Decepticons to destroy the ship, Blackout demanded answers, which Bonecrusher and Barricade agreed to. However, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] was able to force Scorponok off the ''Ark'', and Blackout, still healing, sped to his rescue. What a pal. {{storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===IDW movie comics===
[[File:Defiance2 Blackout spacebattle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|In space, EVERYONE hears HIM!]]

In the distant past, Blackout was a member of the Cybertronian [[Defense Force]]. During an attack by unknown aliens on the city of [[Metrotitan (ROTF)|Metrotitan]], he could be seen picking up a wrecked enemy tank. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}} In the aftermath of the attack, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] consulted with [[The Fallen|the mysterious relic]] dug up near [[Simfur]] and (essentially) declared a military dictatorship over Cybertron. Blackout followed Megatron and the other flight-capable soldiers into battle, using his special powers to disrupt the enemy flagship's targeting array. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

After science division leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] survived an attempted kidnapping by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s squadron, Megatron declared the scientist and his followers traitors, and reformed the army under a new banner: the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

[[File:Movie BlackoutStarscream protoforms.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|An ominous rumble is Blackout's only response...]]

During the subsequent civil war, Blackout fought alongside Megatron, until his master ordered 'this loyal hound' to assist Starscream's unit in keeping [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s forces busy, while Megatron pursued his destiny. Arriving soon after [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] delivered news of Megatron's location, Blackout and Starscream witnessed the successful Autobot launch of the [[AllSpark]]. Blackout restrained Starscream from going after it, the pair nearly coming to blows when Blackout launched Scorponok from his chest. Fortunately, Starscream calmed down, and after witnessing Megatron leave the planet himself, the group took on protoform transition forms and followed. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

Meanwhile, Starscream crew ''also'' went after Optimus Prime's starship in a Decepticon battlecruiser. Just before launch, Blackout listened to Barricade's not-so-quiet concerns that Starscream wasn't telling them everything. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, they were led into a trap by the Autobots, and their ship (and Starscream's advance scout [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]]) was crippled by concussion chain mines. Blackout gave a detailed damage report when ordered but was berated for giving his observation on what had occurred, and was ordered to despatch Scorponok to retrieve Dreadwing.

[[File:Movie Blackout IDWprequel camoflageenabled.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Apparently the crew of military helicopters don't count as "witnesses".]]

After making repairs to their ship, the Decepticons followed the AllSpark's trace energy and landed on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}} There, they destroyed a primitive [[Beagle 2 Rover|human rover scout]] and decided to investigate the nearby third planet of this solar system. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}}

Making planetfall on Earth in Afghanistan in 2003, Blackout attracted the attention of a military vehicle of the local creatures. Witnessing the ease with which [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] destroyed the carrier, Starscream pondered that Megatron would have been able to subjugate these beings if he was able to. Blackout replied that they needed to find out why he hadn't yet. Starscream's unit then attacked the nearby air base where Blackout scanned and adopted the form of an {{w|MH-53 Pave Low}} 'Pave Low' helicopter, then easily hacked into the files of the human computers. Inside, he found files on something called 'Project: Iceman', which he suspected was related to Megatron. After the base's destruction, Blackout and the others split up. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}} Blackout scanned ''another'' USAF MH-53 Pave Low helicopter, but apparently was not detected by the humans, nor caused any casualties, in contrast to Starscream and [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]]. When Starscream told the Decepticons that their mission was to find the AllSpark, Blackout reminded Starscream that they must also find Megatron.

[[File:Movie Blackout TargetPrequel continuityheadache.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Beware, Qatar! Beware! Muhahahahahaha!]]

Later, after being lured into a trap intended for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] set by a group of impressively equipped humans, Blackout attacked the organisation's bunker and attempted to hack into their main server, but failed after they disconnected their local systems. The only lead he got was a name...[[Sector Seven]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Movie Prequel #4}} A few years later, Blackout headed towards [[Qatar]], intent on attacking a military base similar to the first one he and his comrades attacked in hopes that accessing the information there could connect his past findings. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

{{note|In several instances, "Planetfall" contradicts both [[Movie Prequel issue 4|issue #4]] of IDW's ''[[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]]'' mini-series as well as the movie ''itself'' with regards to where and when Blackout and the Decepticons arrived on Earth; they landed in the United States during 2003 in the Prequel mini. In "Planetfall", Blackout immediately leaves for Qatar after the attack, whereas in the movie itself, he assumed the form three months before attacking the SOCCENT base. However, this sequence was subsequently used in ''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]''.}}

In the aftermath of the battle in Mission City, [[Sector Seven]] hauled away Blackout's corpse along with the other Decepticon bodies. The clandestine human organization brought the bodies to a secret facility in the Nevada desert, with the intention of getting every bit of information they could out of the dead Decepticons before they were forced to dump them into the sea. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1|Alliance #1}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers: Beginnings''====
{{voiceactor|[[Brian Stepanek]] (English)}}
{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings (Movie)|Transformers: Beginnings}}

===Titan movie comics===
During the war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Blackout preferred to sow confusion and disarray before he attacked, rather than engage in direct confrontation and risk being killed. He would only go into ground battles under cover of loud noise and pyrotechnics (which he himself caused with his devastating sonic shriek emitters). Unfortunately for him, this meant he kept getting stuck leading the ''first wave'' of attacks! To protect himself, he used an army of drone troopers (presumably [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponoks]]) to draw enemy fire. These drones were called "the swarm" and Blackout deliberately encouraged rumours about them so their arrival would strike fear into the hearts of enemies. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4|Blackout Profile}} Despite being a coward at heart, he began to ''revel'' in the chaos and carnage he was causing, even if the odd Decepticon ended up as collateral damage! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2|Jazz V. Blackout}}

{{Note|The following event is unique to the Titan Comics continuity.}}

Half an hour after his death and before his body was dumped in the sea, Blackout was briefly turned into a rampaging zombie by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

====Alternate timeline====
{{notetitantlg}}
[[File:Barricadeblackoutandfriends-DarkSpark.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Blackout was not dead!

He assaulted an Autobot convoy at Shreveport, [[Louisiana]] as part of a general terror campaign. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} Later, he was a key part in a Decepticon ambush, appearing from nowhere to blankside Autobot ground troops. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

He was one of the [[Decepticon Heartland]] generals, and had to report the grim news to Starscream of just how badly [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] had gummed up their advance. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part Two}} By the time the battle reached him in Philadelphia, he was commanding the only Decepticon force left standing. He rejected an offer to defect to Stockade's team, defiantly saying this planet was ''theirs'', and sicced Scorponok on him.

Scorponok failed and Blackout went down. Now he ''is'' dead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

===''I Can Read!'' books===
[[File:RatchettakesonDecepticons-RttR.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.0|left]]
Blackout, [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]], and [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]] were at a sea-side dock when they encountered [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. The Decepticons attempted to attack, but were held off by an electrical attack courtesy of Ratchet, allowing the Autobots to escape. {{storylink|Ratchet to the Rescue}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Diorama Story''===
[[File:BWDS 12.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
At some point, Blackout and multiple Autobots and Decepticons traversed dimensions and found themselves on a different [[Earth]], in the distant past. They crossed paths with new Transformer factions, the [[Maximal]]s and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, who were engaged in a conflict called the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. {{Storylink|Tigatron Chapter}} Blackout joined forces with the Predacons. {{storylink|Gimlet Chapter}} With the combined might of both Predacon and Decepticon, they attempted one all-out attack, but the combined Autobot-Maximal force attacked with their own first. {{storylink|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
[[File:StudioSeries-Blackout-art.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Blackout is extremely disciplined, and as such keeps his bodywork pristine. {{storylink|#Premium|Premium Series Blackout}} He is incredibly single-minded in pursuing his quarry. {{storylink|#Titanium Series|Titanium Series Blackout}}

Besides Scorponok, Blackout has fought alongside [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] for untold years, leaving nothing but devastated worlds in their wake as they searched for the AllSpark. {{storylink|#Unleashed|Unleashed}}

Ratchet and Blackout are apparently total opposites. {{storylink|#Titanium Series 2|Rescue Ratchet Vs. Blackout}} At some point, Blackout had a knock-down, drag-out fight with Ironhide, possibly in a desert. {{storylink|#Legends Class toys|Ironhide Vs Desert Blackout}} He may have also once gotten into a fight where Optimus Prime deployed twin forearm swords. {{storylink|#Robot Heroes 2|Optimus Prime and Blackout}}

Together with Scorponok, Blackout would seek out and annihilate Megatron's enemies, leaving no witnesses to his passing. He preferred to destroy everything around him because he did not anything that could benefit the enemy to survive his assaults. {{storylink|#Dark of the Moon|Cyberverse Blackout}}

===''Unite for the Universe''===
The body of either Blackout or Grindor was among the Decepticon corpses waiting to be melted down at the [[N.E.S.T. N.B.E. Resource Redistribution Plant]]. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 1|Ambition Instigated}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
Blackout was one of the many Decepticons who pursued the AllSpark to Earth. He participated in an enormous battle against the Autobots in a human settlement. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

===''Mission to Cybertron'' comic===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Mission to Cybertron}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===
[[File:S7 game blackout bravo team.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers'' The Game (console)===
{{voiceactor|[[Noah Nelson]] (English)|[[Martial Le Minoux]] (French), [[Javier Gámir]] (Castilian Spanish)}}

====Autobot campaign====
During the battle of Mission City, Blackout suffered a humiliating defeat from [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], even though he had help from [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] and two [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwings]]. That's got be the most humiliating thing for any of the characters in the videogame, losing to somebody a third of his size. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
[[File:VGBlackoutE1M3Intro.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Time for a cool...Pepsi?]]
Blackout and Scorponok were sent to the SOCCENT Base to destroy the human military installation there and download information from the military servers on the location of the [[AllSpark]]. The pair were successful, though Blackout's escape was briefly interrupted by the arrival of a squad of human jet fighters. After blasting them to tiny bits, he made good his escape.

Blackout arrived at [[Hoover Dam]], where his scans failed to detect the energy signatures of Megatron or the AllSpark. Starscream ordered him to break the dam piece by piece. Blackout fired a pair of missiles and fought off a squad of [[Swindle (Movie)|Autobot sports car drones]] that were defending the installation. As Megatron emerged, he bowed before his lord. He then followed the newly revived Megatron to [[Mission City]], where he engaged in a final showdown with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], who had just punted Scorponok. The Autobot warhorse certainly gave the massive Decepticon a run for his money. The huge number of Autobot drones backing Ironhide up didn't make things any easier.

During Megatron's battle with Optimus Prime, Blackout attempted to assist his master by charging Prime. Prime punched the massive Decepticon, sending him flying. How embarrassing. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: The Game'' (PSP)===
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers The Game (PSP)}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
As Jazz retrieved Sector 7 vehicles for Optimus Prime, he happened upon their helicopter, which to his surprise turned out to be Blackout. The two battled at Tranqulity's power plant, where Jazz managed to defeat him. Humiliated, he transformed and flew away.

Blackout made his presence felt again as Bumblebee raced back to Tranquility carrying the AllSpark with him. He chased Bumblebee through the streets until he was intercepted on a rooftop by Ratchet, who put an end to his menace for good. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
First arriving under the command of [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|a low-ranking soldier]], Blackout was sent out to destroy the communications arrays in the Qatar SOCCENT military base. When the task was completed, he returned for more orders.

Soon after, Blackout encountered [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], who appeared at the base to stop them from blowing the hell out of everything. When he was defeated, Blackout disappeared until the other Decepticons arrived at Hoover Dam.

Dropping off some bombs for Brawl to set, he and the other Decepticons attempted to blow up the Dam to simultaneously release Megatron and thaw him out, but were thwarted by Jazz and his drones. Their heroic attempts were for naught, as Megatron managed to escape anyway while Blackout and Barricade retrieved Megatron's weapons chip. Afterwards, they encountered their leader and reactivated his weapons. After Megatron's charismatic speech, they set out to [[Tranquility]] to capture the AllSpark and defeat the Autobots once and for all.

Blackout arrived just in time to be blasted to [[Slag (slang)|slag]] by an AllSpark-powered Starscream with a single blast. That's still slightly less embarrassing than being beaten by a half-dead Jazz. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===''Web Wars''===
[[File:Blackout Web Wars.jpg|thumb|150px]]
Blackout battled the Autobots across the digital frontier, vying to wrestle control of numerous websites across the internet from their hands! {{storylink|Web Wars}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
Blackout spoiled any chance some guy had at impressing his lady-friend by making him screech like a banshee, and then blasting his car to scrap. Bummer. {{storylink|Commercial/Transformers (2007)#General Motors|Transformers Chevy tie-in commercial}}

==Toys==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
====Legends Class toys====
[[File:Movie Blackout Legends toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|I have no fingers? You did this, Starscream!]]
*'''Blackout''' (Legends Class, [[2007]])

:A much smaller and highly simplified version of the character, Legends Blackout features limited articulation and detail, with the helicopter mode not being a particularly faithful recreation of a Sikorsky {{w|MH-53 Pave Low|MH-53 Pave Low}} heavy-lift helicopter (the placement of the fuel tanks, in particular making him look more like a {{w|CH-53 Sea Stallion}}). Even though the robot mode sports an attempt to emulate the movie character's chest design, this does not involve the use of obvious fake elements of the helicopter mode's cockpit, unlike [[Jazz (Movie)|other]] Legends Class toys of movie characters. Curiously, the instructions on the back of the card show how to transform him from his alt-mode to his robot mode, which is the reverse of the rest of the Legends Class packaging.

:This toy was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] and [[Spinister (ROTF)|Spinister]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/LegendsBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Legends Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Allspark2pack}}
[[File:Movie Legends Ironhide DesertBlackout.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Hey, look! It's Grindor! Stop! That is so dumb! Do something else!]]
*'''Ironhide vs. Desert Blackout''' (Legends Allspark Battles two-pack, 2007)

: Desert Blackout is a tan redeco of the previously released Legends Blackout toy. He comes with an all-new Legends Class Ironhide. Oddly, he doesn't have a faction symbol anywhere on his body.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/LegendsBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Desert Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

====Voyager Class toys====
[[File:TF07-Blackout.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|The largest Transformer in the film. Ironically, one of the smallest Voyager-class toys ''ever''.]]
[[File:TF07-Blackout-Scorponok.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
*'''Blackout''' (Voyager Class, 2007)
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''MD-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: Blackout transforms into a reasonably accurate MH-53 Pave Low, though he has a rather [[Show-accuracy|film-inaccurate]] slate grey base colour and a totally random gold radome. An aft "cage" compartment can be opened to release a small PVC figurine of his partner, [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]. A button on the very end of his tail can be pressed in a geared action to rotate his rotor blades. By attaching the Deluxe-class Scorponok to his underside, the rotor [[gimmick]] also spins Scorponok's claws.

: During transformation, Blackout's (mind-numbingly delicate) [[Automorph Technology|Automorphing]] gimmick is activated when the user swings down his legs, which in turn flips the gray chest section his head is mounted upon up and into position, and lifts his back assembly and locks into place behind his head. Another, less impressive automorph is in his legs—if you pull his knees down, his shin armor pops out a bit.

: In robot mode, Blackout appears closer to his original concept art, back when he was called "Incinerator" (seemingly also the basis for his Nintendo DS appearance). The entire rotor assembly on his back can be removed and converted into a gigantic fan weapon, to ''vaguely'' represent the hand-held rotor-blade weapon he wields in the film, also seen on [[#Titanium_Series|the ''Titanium'' figurine (see below)]]. Because of the size of his rotor assembly, Blackout is also much shorter than most Voyager-class figures despite his bulk, barely taller than a Deluxe figure.

: It is ''very'' easy for the gears in the cockpit/chest to become misaligned during transformation, enough so that the chest/head section refuses to align with the cockpit halves. Getting the gears back into alignment is a veritable nightmare, as so many other parts shift and move as you attempt to manipulate the respective pieces. Swinging the legs down locks the back assembly into place for robot mode, but simply swinging the legs back does ''not'' ''un''lock it, with the user being required to actively separate the parts by hand. Failing to do so is sure to misalign your Blackout to bejeezus. Unfortunately, Blackout's most major [[design flaw]] resides in his shoulders; there is not enough clearance for them to move past the cockpit assembly due to the tabs catching on the inner molded details. This means that the pieces have to be flexed past eachother, which can often result in the mushroom-pins/hinges to be stripped from their sockets, leading to incredibly loose shoulder joints or in the worst case, they'll be torn off completely.

: Oddly, the two hard points located on Blackout's shoulders, intended to support his abominably large weapon, are actually the same size as the [[Mini-Con]] [[Powerlinx]] plugs on most [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] figures.

: His head is very accurate to the concept art [http://www.benprocter.com/storage/oldersites/sitev2/html/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_35.html]

: This mold was [[retool]]ed and [[redeco]]ed into [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]] for the ''AllSpark Power'' refresh of the movie toyline, and was then redecoed into [[Whirl (ROTF)|Whirl]] for ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. This retool gave them a new head and replaced the tiny Scorponok figure with a lifeboat/gun, as well as giving them the new hands to allow them to hold it. The original Blackout mold was redecoed into [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] for the same line.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Blackout/blackout.htm More information on Voyager Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Desert Attack}}
[[File:Movie DecepticonDesertAttack 2pack.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Ignoring the vast difference in scale between Scorponok's two figures while linked to Blackout takes some imagination.]]
*'''Decepticon Desert Attack''' (Toys'R'Us exclusive two-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: This package, based on their first appearance in the film, features an unchanged Voyager Blackout packaged with an unchanged Deluxe Scorponok, which was exclusively available at Toys"R"Us stores. Since Voyager Blackout was gang-molded with the miniature Scorponok figure the single release came with, this means that the set contains two Scorponok toys in different sizes.

{{-}}{{anchor|Ver4500x}}
[[File:MovieVoyager Blackout4500X.JPG|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Blackout Ver. 4500X''' (Lawson exclusive Voyager Class, Japan 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure, Autobot and Decepticon pins

: This Voyager class Blackout repaint is exclusive to the Lawson Japan convenience store chain, with the purchase of the movie DVD. He is redecoed in a somewhat more realistic color scheme for vehicle mode, 4500X markings and a drastically changed plastic color scheme in robot mode (many parts once black are now silver or the same colour as his helicopter hull). Additionally, the mini-Scorponok figurine has been repainted in metallic colours and detailed to resemble the deluxe-class toy (and the movie CG design, of course).

:Also included a set of two brass Autobot and Decepticon insignia pins.

{{-}}{{anchor|Premium}}
[[File:Movie Blackout PremiumVoyager toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|NOW the size is perfect.]]
*'''Blackout''' ("Premium Series" Voyager Class, USA [[2008]])
**''Accessories:'' Scorponok mini-figure

: This redeco of the Voyager Class Blackout toy is based on the same plastic color layout and paint mask as the Japanese Lawson exclusive "Version 4500X" redeco of Voyager Blackout, down to the improved paint on the Scorponok mini-figure. As a matter of fact, both toys were almost ''identical'', the main difference being that the paint used on Version 4500X's is more matte than the paint used on the Premium Series release.

: Unlike some of the early "Premium Series" toys, Blackout was available as a mass market release.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Blackout/blackout.htm More information on Premium Series Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|MexicoUnleashed}}
*'''Unleashed y Voyager''' (2007)

:Voyager Class Blackout was also available in a two-pack with ''[[Unleashed (toyline)|Unleashed]]'' [[Bumblebee (Movie)/merchandise#MexicoUnleashed|Bumblebee]] in Mexican markets. Both items are identical to their standard original releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|ACG2008}}
[[File:ACG-HK-2008-Transformers-Commemorative-Box-Set.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Transformers Commemorative Box Set (Decepticon)''' (2008)

:Released an an exclusive for Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong (ACG, also known as Ani-Con) 2008, The ''Premium Series'' Blackout toy is released without any changes along with [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#PremiumLeader|''Premium Series'' Megatron]], [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Premium|''Premium'' Barricade]], [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#DeepSpace|Deep Space Starscream]], and a [[Brawl (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Brawl]]. The toys are packaged with a synthetic, leather-like box with a half-trimmed Decepticon Symbol, and it comes with a sheet of Certificate of Authenticity.

:The boxsets are limited to 100 pieces.
{{-}}

====''Fast Action Battlers''====
[[File:Movie FAB Blackout.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|... Brownout?]]
*'''Gyro Blade Blackout''' (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Missile

:A simplified version of Blackout, designed for smaller children. His rotor blade can be detached and inserted into his left hand to represent the hand-held rotor blade seen in the film, just like the Voyager class version. He also features a chest cannon which can be flipped up from his back. Oddly, you can only see one-fourth of Blackout's head from a 90-degree angle. Even less of it is visible when his chest cannon is flipped up. He features a firing missile.

:This toy was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]].
{{-}}

===''Dark of the Moon''===
{{anchor|Cyberverse}}
[[File:Blackout DOTM Cyberverse.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|At long last, not grossly undersized compared to his teammates!]]
*'''Blackout''' (Cyberverse Commander Class, [[2011]])
**''Series:'' '''1'''
**''Number:'' '''005'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''CV15'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Scorponok (Movie)#Cyberverse|Scorponok]]

:Blackout is a ''[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' Commander Class figure, featuring a surprisingly complex transformation into yet another Sikorsky Pave Low. Curiously, despite the development of this toy after two live-action movies, his robot mode appears to have the same preproduction feet as the larger and earlier toys. Since his left arm ends up having the Pave Low's tail rotor, Blackout is able to use it as a weapon if one chooses and hold either Scorponok or any [[C joint]] accessory with his hands.

:He is mis-transformed in the package to better fit inside it, with the helicopter panels to his sides being spread out instead of being aligned parallel to his body, thus he appears that way in official photos.

:Blackout includes his symbiotic partner Scorponok, who has some minor tail articulation and transforms into a hand-held blaster weapon for Blackout (or any other Cyberverse figure with the appropriate hands). Scorponok can also be carried along on the underside of Blackout's vehicle-mode tail. Though unmentioned in the instructions, Scorponok can also peg into the (otherwise pointless) peg on the back of Blackout's robot mode, just under his rotor blades, mimicking the way he was stored and ejected off of Blackout in the movie.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Decepticon/Blackout/blackout.htm More information on Cyberverse Blackout at TFU.info]''

===''The Last Knight''===
[[File:TF-TLK-Tiny-Turbo-Changers-Blackout.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Annnnnnd we're back.]]
*'''Decepticon Blackout''' (Tiny Turbo Changer, [[2017]])
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Bag Code'': '''G'''

:Released in Series 1 of Tiny Turbo Changers, Blackout changes from robot to an unlicensed approximation of the MH53 Pave-Low Helicopter. He features ball-jointed shoulders and his hands are compatible with ''[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' weapons and other small accessories. Blind-bags stamped with 'G' contain Blackout.

:This toy has also been redecoed as [[Chopter]] and [[Dropkick (Movie)#ChopperTTC|Chopper Mode Dropkick]].
{{-}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:StudioSeries-08-MV1-Leader-Blackout.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Grindor redeco in 3, 2, [[Grindor (ROTF)#Studio Series|1...]]]]
* '''Decepticon Blackout''' (Leader Class, [[2018]])
**''Movie'': '''''Transformers'''''
**''Hasbro ID number:'' '''08'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''SS-08'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[April 28]], 2018
**''Accessories'': Tail rotor, [[Scorponok (Movie)#Studio Series|Scorponok]] figure, "[[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base|Desert Base]] Assault" backdrop

:''[[Studio Series]]'' "Decepticon Blackout" is the first Leader Class version of the character, with slight fudging of the normal limits in size to produce a robot mode roughly in-[[scale]] with other ''Studio Series'' toys. He features a fairly complex transformation involving lots of panels folding away without feeling too much like a [[shellformer]]. His name is tampographed onto the tail section on the livery bands. A Decepticon emblem is also tampoed just below the windscreen on the nose. Non-spinning landing gear is attached to the back half of the compartment section and the nose, but they can't be folded away in vehicle mode due to lack of space. While stock photos appear to be a more military accurate gunmetal color, the final release version is a slightly bluer shade, but not as much as earlier toys.

:In vehicle mode, Blackout appears as an MH-53 Pave Low helicopter with a mostly screen-accurate deco, including the 4500X designation marking, USAF emblems, and danger warnings near the propellers. His robot mode is bulky and mostly accurate to his onscreen appearances, including details like the helicopter engine behind his head that previous versions omitted. His tail rotor can be attached to either forearm to simulate his weapon from the movie, though on-screen this used the larger propeller from his back. The refueling probe, often mistaken for a gun, can also flip up as his non-firing chest cannon in robot mode.

:A tiny, surprisingly well-decoed Scorponok is included which can hide in the tail section of the helicopter mode. Scorponok can also be stored on a small peg on his back. Scorponok's feet are aligned in such a way that, when pegged onto Blackout's back, he will hold the two innermost blades in place securely to prevent the propeller assembly from swinging freely. However, Scorponok has to be pegged with his head pointing down, instead of up as the instructions suggest, to do this without deforming the soft plastic rotors.

:Blackout comes with a cardboard backdrop depicting the [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] under siege, as shown in the opening of ''Transformers''.

:It's quite common for Blackout to have at least one Air Force logo on his helicopter mode tail printed upside down. There's no way to check for this error while the figure is still in its packaging, since the logos end up on Blackout's obscured soles. Also, as the panels containing the USAF emblems end up as the bottoms of his feet in robot mode, they can end up scratched rather easily. Exercise caution if your copy has misplaced pegs that connect the shoulders and the torso. Do NOT use force if the pegs do not properly line up with the slots, as the force will eventually cause the thin plastic to break.

:Blackout is slightly mistransformed in packaging with his refueling probe being folded flat against his body and his digitigrade legs and leg details also flattened. His lower back/helicopter tail area panel is also left hanging down to keep him as flat as possible in package.

:Blackout was slightly retooled to make [[Grindor (ROTF)#Generations|Grindor]], with a new [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] mini-partner.

{{-}}{{anchor|TaoBao}}
[[File:TF-Studio-Series-Hasbro-TaoBao-exclusive-Blackout.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Well played, HasTak. Now paint it in black and purple and call it ROTF Spinister.]]
* '''Decepticon Blackout''' (Giveaway figure, [[2018]])
**''Movie'': '''''Transformers'''''
**''ID number:'' '''08'''
**''Accessories'': Tail rotor, Scorponok, "Desert Base Assault" backdrop

:Decepticon Blackout is redeco of the above figure. He is an exclusive Lucky Draw prize in a contest only accessible to people who bought ''Studio Series'' figures on May 15, 2018 on Hasbro China's official TaoBao online shop. There were only 88 Blackouts made. He is decoed in a less than accurate camouflage deco painted by Chinese artist Li Yunfeng of SangZong Repaint Studio.

:The warning sticker on the packaging notes that fiddling and transforming him may result in the deco being chipped off.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
{{anchor|ChessSet}}
*'''TRANSFORMERS Chess Set''' (2007)

: Two identical silver-colored plastic statues of Blackout serve as the [[Chess#Transformers (2007)|Chess Set]]'s Autobot-side Knights.
{{-}}

====Lunchables====
* '''Blackout''' ("Pocket Transformers" toy prize, 2007)[[File:Blackout Movie Lunchable Toy.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Now it will be impossible to shoot him in the crotch!]]

: What could only be called a "pseudo-figure" (and that's still being pretty generous), Blackout "transforms" from a flat, blueish-gray structure emblazoned with the Decepticon symbol and the word "Transformers" to a robot by folding out. Blackout is represented by stickers decorated with artwork of the character on the top, bottom, and two fold out "arms". His name is also spelled out, across his feet in this mode.

: This mold was also used to create the lunchables figure for [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. A similar mold was used to create the Lunchables figure for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], though with the Autobot symbol sculpted in instead of the Decepticon one. Each iteration of this mold was made with a different color of plastic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/LunchBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Lunchables Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

====3D Battle-Card Game====
[[File:3DBattleCard Blackout.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
* '''Blackout''' (3D Battle Card, 2007)

: A 29-point "uncommon" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]], Blackout "transforms" into a black helicopter. He uses the same parts layout as [[Evac (Movie)|Evac]], [[Stormcloud (Energon)|Vortex]] and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]].
{{-}}

====''Titanium Series''====
[[File:Movie TitaniumRM Blackout.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Scorponok! I can't move! Quick, drag me away!]]
*'''Blackout''' (3" Robot Masters, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Decepticon display stand

: This three-inch figurine, as with all Titaniums, is partially made of die-cast metal and plastic, sculpted holding his rotor-blades as a hand weapon. Interestingly, Blackout has a more unique sculpt to him; the weapon is sculpted as it was briefly seen in the movie, but on the wrong hand. Blackout ''himself'' has an altered leg & foot design as well as having the main rotor-blades on his back excluded, matching it up more with the fact that instead of using his tail rotor, he uses his ''main'' rotor as a multi-purpose melee weapon, echoing the game render. His articulation is limited to his shoulders, head and waist, and he comes packaged with a movie-style Decepticon symbol display base.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TitBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Titanium Series Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

{{anchor|Unleashed}}
====''Unleashed''====
[[File:Movie UnleashedTurnarounds BlackoutBarricade.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|After camping out in the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma, the two vowed to never go spelunking again.....]]
*'''Blackout and Barricade''' (2008)

: The Blackout and Barricade turnaround is a 3D sculpture of the two characters in both robot mode emerging from rubble and explosions, with a movie-accurate sculpt (compared to the various transforming toys.) The 'turnaround' aspect of these sculptures simply means one can turn the piece around to display a raised-relief of the movie-style Decepticon sigil instead.

: This product's release was cancelled for the US market, but was released in Australia and in Asia.
{{-}}
====Radio Shack====
[[File:Movie Radioshack RC Blackout.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Blackout''' (2007)

: A remote control helicopter sold at Radio Shack, this little heli operates on 2-channels, features blades with a diameter of just under 5.5 inches and an LED light mounted on the front fuselage. The design of the helicopter is rather inaccurate to an MH-53 Pave Low, and is coloured black for some reason.

{{-}}

====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[File:Movie Blackout screencleaner.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb]]
*'''Blackout''' (2008)

:Released by [[Gacha International|Tomy Yujin]] on January 2008, this Dangler is a faction logo-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Blackout printed on the other side.
{{-}}

====Burger King====
[[File:MovieMerchandise-BurgerKingBlackout.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Blackout''' (2007)

:This [[Burger King]] toy is a small plastic replica of Blackout's Pave Low vehicle form, with two special features:
:*Holding his cockpit window up to a light source and peering through a small lens behind his front landing wheel will reveal an image of his CGI-rendered robot mode.
:*His wheels are linked to his rotor drive shaft — spinning them will cause his rotors to spin rapidly, possibly flying off and disappearing under the nearest piece of furniture, where the cat will eventually find them and chew them to pieces.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/BKBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Burger King Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
====''Titanium Series''====
*'''Rescue Ratchet vs. Blackout''' (3-inch Robot Masters multi-pack, 2009) [[File:Rescue Ratchet and Blackout Exclusive Titanium Seires.jpeg|thumb|upright= 1.66|]]
**''Accessories:'' Movie Decepticon sigil display stand

:This [[Toys"R"Us]]-exclusive set features an unchanged version of 2007's ''Titanium Series'' Blackout and a [[redeco]]ed [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]].

{{-}}

====''Figure Collection''====
[[File:ROTF-Merchandise Figure Collection Blackout.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Just pretend I'm Grindor if it makes you happy.]]
*'''Blackout''' (2010)
**''Accessories:'' Stand

:The [[Figure Collection]] edition of Blackout is based on his [[#Fast_Action_Battlers|Fast Action Battlers toy]], making him extremely off-model from his movie look. He is cast leaning back and has a chunk of kibble protruding from his back to stop him toppling forwards, however he's still very top heavy.

{{-}}

====Missile Mania Board Game====
*'''Blackout'''
: Blackout is one of eight characters featured in the [[Missile Mania]] board game, represented by a small standee adorned with artwork of the character.
{{picsneeded}}
{{-}}

====McDonald's====
[[File:Revenge of the Fallen McDonalds Blackout.png|thumb|upright=1.1|"Talk to the Rotor."]]
*'''Blackout''' (Happy Meal, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' rotor
:Part of the 2010 [[McDonald's]] Revenge of the Fallen promotion, Blackout does not transform but features a spinning/firing rotor mechanism instead. The rotor can be placed on his back, or mounted on his arm to be fired. Blackout does not feature any [[light-piping]], but does have three points articulation. He was only available during week 6 of the promotion, and came with an instruction sheet that doubles as an ad for [[McWorld]], featuring an exclusive code for the website.
{{-}}

===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:RH Prime vs Blackout.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Blackout's hobbies include worshipping Megatron, and jumping out of bushes and yelling "BOOGA-BOOGA!" at small children.]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Blackout''' (Two-pack, 2007)

: Packaged with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise#Robot Heroes|Optimus Prime]], ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' Blackout is a cute style rendition of the character. Most notably, his face has been given a more traditional mouth and nose, making him appear more like a grumpy old man. His articulation is the standard three points, however, the kibble in his design limits the movement.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/RHBlackout/blackout.htm More information on ''Robot Heroes'' Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{anchor|RHBlindpack}}
*'''Blackout''' (Single-pack, 2008)

: In some countries outside of North America, Blackout was released individually in a blindpack with no notable changes.

{{-}}{{anchor|RHFinalBattle}}
[[File:Robotheroesfinalbattle.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Keeps 'em where I can sees 'em!]]
*'''The Final Battle''' (Multi-pack, 2008)

: Packaged with redecoes of [[Jazz (Movie)#RHFinalBattle|Jazz]], [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#RHFinalBattle|Ratchet]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise#RHFinalBattle|Optimus Prime]], and [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#RHFinalBattle|Megatron]]. "Battle Damaged Blackout" is a slightly redecoed version of the two-pack version. No molding has changed, and the articulation is still limited. His exclusive deco is a black paint wash over various parts of his body to evoke battle damage. Oddly, the undersides of his arms get this deco but not the top, meaning the toy is meant to only be posed with arms raised. "The Final Battle" 5-pack was sold exclusively in [[Walmart]] stores.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/RHWMBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Final Battle Blackout at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RHROTF}}
[[File:Robotheroesoptimusblackout.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Sure you aren't [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] or somethin'?" "Nope."]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Blackout''' (Two-pack, 2009)

:Just like his first ''Robot Heroes'' set, Blackout comes with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise#RHBlackoutROTF|Optimus Prime]]. While Optimus Prime is a different mold, Blackout is a [[redeco]] of the previous figure. With his blue and tan, Blackout kinda looks like [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/RHBlackout/blackout.htm More information on Robot Heroes Blackout at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===Prime 1 Studio===
====''Museum Masterline''====
[[File:Prime 1 Blackout.jpg|upright=1.25|thumb]]
*'''Blackout''' (2022)
**''ID number:'' '''MMTFM-30'''
**''Accessories'': Base

:[[Prime 1 Studio]] Blackout is a massive (81.9 cm tall with the base) non-transforming sculpture made of polystone along with some other materials. The statue has glowing LED eyes, and its sand-motiffed base features actual sand.

:The statue is meant to be paired with the [[Scorponok (Movie)#Prime 1 Studio|Scorponok]] statue from the same series. It will be limited to a not-yet-announced number of pieces.

::*''[https://www.prime1studio.com/tf1-blackout-mmtfm-30.html More information on Blackout at Prime 1 Studio's website]''
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:EarlyMovieBlackout.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Blackoutwave lives in constant fear of [http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=dactyl-nightmare&page=detail&id=12493 pterodactyls].]]
* According to screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], Blackout was conceived as [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]—matching [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]] as a character based on a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]—in the first draft of the script.<ref>[http://www.donmurphy.net/board/showthread.php?p=1120447#post1120447 Unformatted script sample from first draft naming the Decepticon helicopter "Vortex" posted by Roberto Orci on Don Murphy's message board]</ref><ref>{{TFW2005|In our first draft, before we even brought Bay on board, he was named Vortex. Don't remember him going through many other names.|https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions.180451/page-15#post-2212529|Roberto Orci|2008|07|09}}</ref>
* At a later stage of the preproduction process, Blackout was [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], hence his symbiotic relationship with Scorponok, who was originally conceived as [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]]. Though this obviously changed, his portrayal in the ''Ghosts of Yesterday'' novel is rather Soundwave-esque. Likewise, in the IDW prequel comic, Blackout is the only Decepticon to land on Earth and acquire his alternate mode without ''any'' witnesses, whereas Starscream and Barricade had to kill existing witnesses. In the film ''itself'', Blackout's only speaking role has him quickly reporting to Starscream's call... in Cybertronian, with he alone both hailing Megatron upon the AllSpark's discovery and attempting to aid him in battle against Prime. What's more, all this "Soundwave-ness" is further enhanced by Hasbro's official bio, calling Blackout "his leader's hound".
* Seriously, Blackout wins the award for being the Transformers character from the 2007 movie that has gone through the most working names: Aside from "Vortex" and "Soundwave", other names associated with the character were "Grimlock",<ref name="early">Details from an early script draft [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2213120&postcount=297 summed up here], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2214148&postcount=303 confirmed as authentic by Roberto Orci here].</ref> "Devastator",<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/storage/oldersites/sitev2/html/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_32.html "Devastator" concept art at Ben Procter Online Portfolio]</ref> and "Incinerator"<ref>[http://www.benprocter.com/storage/oldersites/sitev2/html/ZOOM_Trans/ZOOM_34.html "Incinerator" pre-production render at Ben Procter Online Portfolio]</ref> at different stages of the pre-production process. The name "Incinerator" was later used for a [[Incinerator (Movie)|different toy]] from the Movie toyline, and the names "Devastator", "Grimlock" and "Soundwave" would go on to be used by [[Devastator (ROTF)|three]] [[Grimlock (AOE)|other]] [[Soundwave (ROTF)|characters]] in later films, with "Vortex" ending up as [[Vortex (Movie)|a toyline-only character]] in the sequels.
**He also wins the award of being the first Transformer to appear in the ''movieverse'' (if we're disposed to only accept the movies themselves as [[canon]]).
* The period of time that Blackout acquired his vehicle mode in the film, three months prior to the unfolding events, contradicts the origin of his vehicle mode in IDW's ''[[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]]'' comics, with him apparently having scanned and destroyed the MH-53 Pave Low all the way back in 2003.
* [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s alternate mode is actually a part of Blackout's helicopter mode; he's made up of a {{w|General Electric T64}} turboshaft engine and various other helicopter bits. Considering Blackout didn't appear to be missing any integral parts of his alternate mode when answering [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s call or during the final battle in [[Mission City]], either Scorponok reattached himself to Blackout after he escaped the US Air Force's counter-attack in Qatar, or Blackout somehow magically regrew the parts that were previously made up by Scorponok.
* Blackout is never actually seen using his chest cannon in the film, even though he unfurls it quite emphatically on two separate occasions.
* During a transmission from Burger King's website, Optimus Prime has decreed that we are not to ride ''this'' helicopter. The current ridability of ''other'' helicopters the world over is unknown. Stand by for further updates as they become available.
* Blackout uses a [[mouthplate]] in the movie, seen in a brief shot of the side of his face before Epps takes his photo at the beginning of the film, and again when Epps was targeting him during the climactic battle.
* Blackout is clearly using his Pave Low mode's six-bladed main rotor (but smaller) as a hand weapon despite the fact that his robot mode ''also'' always has its main rotor folded up on his back. The Voyager toy and 2007 video game both have him detaching his back-mounted rotor to use as a weapon, while the ''Studio Series'' figure compensates by having his smaller, four-bladed tail rotor as a weapon affixed to his forearm.
* Blackout and Megatron are the only two Decepticons shown being dumped in the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at the end of the first film. Megatron is shown missing his left arm and his right leg, while Blackout has been dismantled entirely into smaller pieces. Blackout's dismantled parts shown on-screen also appear to be physical props.
* In Hasbro's online "Vector Sigma: The Cybertronian Database" feature, Blackout's alternate mode is erroneously portrayed as [[Skyhammer (DOTM)|Skyhammer]]'s alternate mode. Likewise, his "Energon Wave" weapon is portrayed as Skyhammer's [[MechTech]] weapon.
* According to ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]'', Blackout is 33 feet tall. However, Optimus Prime is clearly half the size of Grindor, who shares the same body-type as Blackout. Therefore, Blackout's height should be around ''55'' feet tall.
* In ''Transformers: The Game'', if one stops climbing a building as Blackout, he will scratch his butt.
* In the Decepticon Chapter "''The Mighty Will Fall''" of [[Transformers The Game (console)|this game]], he was strong enough to defeat ''[[Class Beta drone unit|almost]]'' ''[[Swindle (Movie)|every]]'' ''[[Scrapper (Movie)|kind]]'' ''[[Dropkick (Movie)|of]]'' ''[[Longarm (Movie)|drone]]'' and ''[[Ironhide (Movie)|this guy]]'', who was invincible during most of the battle, while in the Autobot Chapter "''Unfriendly Skies''", he was easily defeated by ''[[Jazz (Movie)|the shortest Autobot]]'', even though he ''[[Starscream (Movie)/games#Transformers: The Game|had]]'' ''[[Class Alpha drone unit|backup]]''. By Jazz. The guy who needed help to defeat a few drones. Then again, that's just one of the '''few''' plot holes from that game.
* Blackout/Grindor's head design is re-used on some of the Decepticon [[Protoform]]s that appear in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon'', specifically the ones with large horns on their shoulders.
* The Prime 1 Studio's website's product page description for their [[#Prime 1 Studio|Blackout statue]] says that Blackout is Megatron's third-in-command.<ref>[https://www.prime1studio.com/tf1-blackout-mmtfm-30.html The Blackout statue on Prime 1 Studio's website]: "Megatron’s third-in-command, Blackout, is seen at the beginning of the film, completely obliterating Qatar Airbase."</ref>

===Blackout vs. Grindor===
[[File:Blackout-Corpse.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]]
* ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' never explicitly establishes [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] as a separate character from Blackout. Screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], when asked, was not sure whether they were supposed to be the same character or not.<ref name="orci">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-movie-discussion/180451-welcome-mr-roberto-orci-you-may-ask-him-questions-283.html#post3785383 Q&A with Roberto Orci at TFW2005]</ref> In the [[Hasbro Q&A/July 2009: Answers|{{SITENAME_SHORT}} Hasbro Q&A for July 2009]], it was confirmed that Grindor, not Blackout, appears in the movie.
*A closer inspection of Grindor's CGI model before Optimus prime so much as lays a sword or a hook on Grindor during the forest battle, shows that he has large quantities of rust and/or battle damage throughout his body (much like the revived Megatron) possibly hinting towards Grindor being a revived Blackout. Further, Blackout and Megatron are the only two Decepticons shown being dumped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] at the end of the first film. Some of the pieces of the dismantled Blackout being dumped by Navy crew members (see right) have a similar damage/rust pattern as Grindor's too.
*Internal files for the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' video game identify the character as Blackout, indicating that the game had been developed with the understanding that they were the same character. However, the dialog was re-recorded to refer to the character as Grindor.
*Both the character gallery special feature included in the film's 2-disc special edition and the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Junior Novel]]'' name the helicopter Decepticon as Blackout. As such, Blackout is featured in ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe'' instead of Grindor.
*To alleviate the confusion between Blackout and Grindor's identities, Grindor's redecoes of Blackout's toys were given distinct (though not necessarily screen-accurate) color decos. However, Grindor's ''[[Studio Series]]'' figure has a more screen-accurate deco, with only subtle differences from Blackout.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blackout''' (ブラックアウト ''Burakkuauto'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Kisülés''' ("Discharge")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Hēi Mó''' (Taiwan, 黑魔, "Black Demon"), '''Xuànyūn''' (China, 眩晕, "Dizziness")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Vymyckach''' (Вимикач, "Off Switch")

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]
[[Category:McDonald's exclusives]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Studio Series Decepticons]]
[[Category:The Last Knight Decepticons]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Zombies]]