MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-07-09T19:08:47Z

Bluie: /* Botanica? */

==Death tally==
In issues like this one, where minor characters get offed in the background, some sort of list of the dead seems appropriate in the notes. Just something to consider going forward. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] ([[User talk:Repowers|talk]]) 20:56, 19 March 2014 (EDT)
:Poor Slingshot...he can't survive any Marvel finale.--[[User:Nu-Priest|Nu-Priest]] ([[User talk:Nu-Priest|talk]]) 11:36, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
:I put together a death tally for all of RG1 over at Transfans though for this issue it was easier just to list who's still alive. I can post it here if it'll be helpful? --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 15:17, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
:If you want to get really technical everyone dies.--[[User:Altercron|Altercron]] ([[User talk:Altercron|talk]]) 17:07, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
I too like the ideas of 'death lists' for events like this. --[[User:MissRatbat|MissRatbat]] ([[User talk:MissRatbat|talk]]) 01:36, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:Here's how I broke it down for the whole series, though probably inaccurate and mostly cut 'n' pasted:
::'''The Last Autobot''' is nuked.
::'''The Skyscorchers''' are executed by three of the Deluxe Insecticons.
::'''All of the human characters''' bar two, and '''most of the population of Earth''' are dead.
::'''The 84/85/86 Decepticons''' - with the exception of the big five, Megatron, Soundwave, Shockwave, Starscream and Ravage - and '''the Monsterbots''', for some reason, were lobotomised and turned into zombies, then they're beaten by the Autobots, deactivated and incinerated from orbit.
::'''Ratchet''' spent 21 years as a face, and then Kup shoots him.
::Optimus Prime puts '''Megatron''' down for good.
::'''Lightspeed and Nosecone and probably others''' get eaten by Demons.
::'''Slapdash and a few generics''' are killed by the Autobot Headmasters.
::'''Misfire and Treadshot''' are killed by Scorponok and Grimlock respectively.
::'''Pounce''' is shot in the head by Crosshairs.
::'''Roadblock and Scorponok''' fall into the Sonic Canyons.
::Poor '''Cosmos'''.
::'''Windbreaker''' goes out with a sad [i]parp[/i].
::Just to make sure we know it, we see '''Buster and Jessie''' killed by Ratbat in a carwash, plus '''Movie Ultra Magnus, Kup, Springer, Arcee and Rodimus''' are killed in another timestream. Jhiaxus killed '''Boltax, Decanus, Tallus and Rokan'''.
::'''Monstructor''' is quite comprehensively ripped apart.
::'''Mainframe''''s definitely dead.
::The G2 guys kill a load of '''Demons'''.
::'''Hound''' buys it while taking on the G2 guys.
::Jhiaxus kills '''Joyride, Sky High, Crosshairs and Brainstorm'''. The Wreckers and Shockwave slaughter '''thousands of G2 guys'''. Galvatron takes out '''a bunch of generic Autobots'''..
::Almost '''EVERYONE WHO WAS LEFT ON CYBERTRON''' is consumed by some sort of energy shadow-leech thing. '''Iguanus, Soundwave, Beastbox, Squalktalk, Howlback, Wingthing, Slugfest and Overkill''' explicitly, '''Scattershot''' implicitly. But pretty much everyone else is dead apart from Shockwave, Starscream and Ravage.
::From the final issue it's probably easier to list who's still alive. The characters we've seen are Rodimus, Blurr, Jetfire, Blaster, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Nightbeat, Bumblebee, Chromedome, Wheeljack, Streetwise, Blades, Groove, Powerglide, Jazz, Getaway, Beachcomber, Skids, Fastlane, Prowl, Broadside, Whirl, Topspin, Sandstorm, Roadbuster, Rack 'n' Ruin and Hardhead plus the ever-indestructible Dinobots. We can assume some other Autobots are off-panel as well, as we later see Perceptor, Mirage, Red Alert and (bizarrely) Backstreet alive, as well as '''Hosehead, Slingshot and Tailgate''' (aw) who show up just to get shadow-leeched to death. As does '''Streetwise'''.
::Magnus puts down '''Galvatron''' like a mad dog.
::'''Fort Max''' comes back wrong and has to be put down.
::'''Optimus Prime''' dies (again).
::By the end of the issue, '''all the other Transformers''' are dead apart from '''Rodimus''', who dies.
:Like I say, it's not 100% accurate but it could be a useful start. --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 16:31, 21 March 2014 (EDT)

Howlback: the only female Transformer in this continuity. Also: dead. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 17:20, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:The Skyscorchers survived the Insecticons attack. They were seen as prisoners in #87. ('Course, that means they died in #100, but whatev.) Don't recall seeing Mainframe die on-panel. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 17:37, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
::Also Skram and Gunrunner were killed by Galvatron. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 17:40, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:::An explosion went off near Skram...doubt that killed him. And Gunrunner must have survived getting shot by the Unicron cosplayers since he was killed by Jhiaxus in #99. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 17:55, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
::::Fairly sure it was Sky High who got killed by Jhiaxus - see the talk page for last issue - and Mainframe's decapitated head shows up on p3 of #96 --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 06:13, 22 March 2014 (EDT)
:::::Sky High works. Not sure about Mainframe. That severed head has a prominent mouth, and Mainframe is consistently mouthless. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 11:49, 22 March 2014 (EDT)

== Additional Rodimus? ==

There's another tiny Rodimus fighting the Dark Matrix creature, and he's colored orangy. Is this guy [[Rodimus (DOTM)|Dark Of The Moon Rodimus]]? [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 19:04, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:The one left of centre, between IDW Rodimus and Excellion? Given the shoulder assemblies, wheel and windshield locations and yellow fists, I took that to be Alternators Rodimus coloured a bit off. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] ([[User talk:Chris McFeely|talk]]) 19:18, 21 March 2014 (EDT)

== Botanica? ==

Do we know for certain that the Cybertronian born from that coccoon at the end is Botanica? Like, was it ever confirmed? Or do people just assume it because their silhouette resembles Botanica? [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 10:11, 21 June 2024 (EDT)

:I looked it up. According to Furman himself, the being isn't necessarily Botanica, but "something like Botanica":
:https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/transformers-regeneration-one-100-script-wrap/#comment-10130
:Not sure how the page should be edited to reflect that. What should we call a nameless character like that? [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:07, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
::It's fine as it is; anything beyond what's published on the page is considered authorial intent, although a note saying that Furman noted it might not literally be Botanic wouldn't hurt. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 15:11, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
:::Except that the published page never identified the character as Botanica. That's literally just a guess fans made based on nothing more than their silhouette. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 17:17, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
::::Because the silhouette is clearly drawn to be Botanica. There's no real need to split hairs over it. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 19:20, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::Having the same or similar shape to another Transformer doesn't mean being that Transformer. You should know that by this point. For instance, Thundercracker isn't Starscream, Packrat isn't Rattrap and Apelinq isn't Optimus Primal.
:::::There is nothing in the published story that establishes that character as Botanica. The fact that ''some'' (but not all) fans interpreted it as Botanica is irrelevant.
:::::Don't pretend that some random fans' interpretation is more relevant to canon than the author's word. Authorial intent is only "wrong" when it contradicts the published work, which it doesn't here. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:19, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
::::::Considering that the vast majority of your edits have been the result of your own misinterpretations of material, I’m going to say you’re in no place to judge anything about this. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 14:42, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::::Literally false. The only thing I misinterpreted was the context of a sentence in a TFWiki page, and that was once. And the fact you resort to personal attacks instead of trying to counter my point proves you have no point. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:46, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
::::::::Well let’s see. For one your point about shared body types completely falls flat considering that no one else shares Botanica’s design. And for second, the fact you’re the only person who has had any quibble with this in the past decade, you’re seriously overstating the claim that only “some fans” believe this. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 14:55, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::::::The fact the Transformer in this story has a completely different context and story from Botanica (who got her plant form from scanning plants in another planet and then got Reformatted by the Maximals in Cybetron, rather than being born with it in Cybertron) already sets them apart from the BM character. And discussion threads like https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/regeneration-one-hundred-spoilers.978710/ show that the Botanica belief isn't universal like you imply. In fact, the majority of people there didn't think it was Botanica. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 15:00, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::::::::….you do realize that there are also other versions of Botanica who don’t resemble the cartoon version completely, yes? And one forum thread isn’t some massive example of evidence. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 15:04, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
::::::::::::It doesn't matter. Literally nothing links this character to Botanica beyond a similar silhouette, and that connection was disproved by the writer himself. And even if most fans believed that's Botanica (which you haven't provided any real proof for, all you've done is make assumptions), that still wouldn't dictate canon. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 15:08, 9 July 2024 (EDT)

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-07-09T19:01:17Z

Bluie:

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-07-09T19:00:25Z

Bluie: /* Botanica? */

==Death tally==
In issues like this one, where minor characters get offed in the background, some sort of list of the dead seems appropriate in the notes. Just something to consider going forward. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] ([[User talk:Repowers|talk]]) 20:56, 19 March 2014 (EDT)
:Poor Slingshot...he can't survive any Marvel finale.--[[User:Nu-Priest|Nu-Priest]] ([[User talk:Nu-Priest|talk]]) 11:36, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
:I put together a death tally for all of RG1 over at Transfans though for this issue it was easier just to list who's still alive. I can post it here if it'll be helpful? --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 15:17, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
:If you want to get really technical everyone dies.--[[User:Altercron|Altercron]] ([[User talk:Altercron|talk]]) 17:07, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
I too like the ideas of 'death lists' for events like this. --[[User:MissRatbat|MissRatbat]] ([[User talk:MissRatbat|talk]]) 01:36, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:Here's how I broke it down for the whole series, though probably inaccurate and mostly cut 'n' pasted:
::'''The Last Autobot''' is nuked.
::'''The Skyscorchers''' are executed by three of the Deluxe Insecticons.
::'''All of the human characters''' bar two, and '''most of the population of Earth''' are dead.
::'''The 84/85/86 Decepticons''' - with the exception of the big five, Megatron, Soundwave, Shockwave, Starscream and Ravage - and '''the Monsterbots''', for some reason, were lobotomised and turned into zombies, then they're beaten by the Autobots, deactivated and incinerated from orbit.
::'''Ratchet''' spent 21 years as a face, and then Kup shoots him.
::Optimus Prime puts '''Megatron''' down for good.
::'''Lightspeed and Nosecone and probably others''' get eaten by Demons.
::'''Slapdash and a few generics''' are killed by the Autobot Headmasters.
::'''Misfire and Treadshot''' are killed by Scorponok and Grimlock respectively.
::'''Pounce''' is shot in the head by Crosshairs.
::'''Roadblock and Scorponok''' fall into the Sonic Canyons.
::Poor '''Cosmos'''.
::'''Windbreaker''' goes out with a sad [i]parp[/i].
::Just to make sure we know it, we see '''Buster and Jessie''' killed by Ratbat in a carwash, plus '''Movie Ultra Magnus, Kup, Springer, Arcee and Rodimus''' are killed in another timestream. Jhiaxus killed '''Boltax, Decanus, Tallus and Rokan'''.
::'''Monstructor''' is quite comprehensively ripped apart.
::'''Mainframe''''s definitely dead.
::The G2 guys kill a load of '''Demons'''.
::'''Hound''' buys it while taking on the G2 guys.
::Jhiaxus kills '''Joyride, Sky High, Crosshairs and Brainstorm'''. The Wreckers and Shockwave slaughter '''thousands of G2 guys'''. Galvatron takes out '''a bunch of generic Autobots'''..
::Almost '''EVERYONE WHO WAS LEFT ON CYBERTRON''' is consumed by some sort of energy shadow-leech thing. '''Iguanus, Soundwave, Beastbox, Squalktalk, Howlback, Wingthing, Slugfest and Overkill''' explicitly, '''Scattershot''' implicitly. But pretty much everyone else is dead apart from Shockwave, Starscream and Ravage.
::From the final issue it's probably easier to list who's still alive. The characters we've seen are Rodimus, Blurr, Jetfire, Blaster, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Nightbeat, Bumblebee, Chromedome, Wheeljack, Streetwise, Blades, Groove, Powerglide, Jazz, Getaway, Beachcomber, Skids, Fastlane, Prowl, Broadside, Whirl, Topspin, Sandstorm, Roadbuster, Rack 'n' Ruin and Hardhead plus the ever-indestructible Dinobots. We can assume some other Autobots are off-panel as well, as we later see Perceptor, Mirage, Red Alert and (bizarrely) Backstreet alive, as well as '''Hosehead, Slingshot and Tailgate''' (aw) who show up just to get shadow-leeched to death. As does '''Streetwise'''.
::Magnus puts down '''Galvatron''' like a mad dog.
::'''Fort Max''' comes back wrong and has to be put down.
::'''Optimus Prime''' dies (again).
::By the end of the issue, '''all the other Transformers''' are dead apart from '''Rodimus''', who dies.
:Like I say, it's not 100% accurate but it could be a useful start. --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 16:31, 21 March 2014 (EDT)

Howlback: the only female Transformer in this continuity. Also: dead. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 17:20, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:The Skyscorchers survived the Insecticons attack. They were seen as prisoners in #87. ('Course, that means they died in #100, but whatev.) Don't recall seeing Mainframe die on-panel. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 17:37, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
::Also Skram and Gunrunner were killed by Galvatron. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 17:40, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:::An explosion went off near Skram...doubt that killed him. And Gunrunner must have survived getting shot by the Unicron cosplayers since he was killed by Jhiaxus in #99. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 17:55, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
::::Fairly sure it was Sky High who got killed by Jhiaxus - see the talk page for last issue - and Mainframe's decapitated head shows up on p3 of #96 --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 06:13, 22 March 2014 (EDT)
:::::Sky High works. Not sure about Mainframe. That severed head has a prominent mouth, and Mainframe is consistently mouthless. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 11:49, 22 March 2014 (EDT)

== Additional Rodimus? ==

There's another tiny Rodimus fighting the Dark Matrix creature, and he's colored orangy. Is this guy [[Rodimus (DOTM)|Dark Of The Moon Rodimus]]? [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 19:04, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:The one left of centre, between IDW Rodimus and Excellion? Given the shoulder assemblies, wheel and windshield locations and yellow fists, I took that to be Alternators Rodimus coloured a bit off. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] ([[User talk:Chris McFeely|talk]]) 19:18, 21 March 2014 (EDT)

== Botanica? ==

Do we know for certain that the Cybertronian born from that coccoon at the end is Botanica? Like, was it ever confirmed? Or do people just assume it because their silhouette resembles Botanica? [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 10:11, 21 June 2024 (EDT)

:I looked it up. According to Furman himself, the being isn't necessarily Botanica, but "something like Botanica":
:https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/transformers-regeneration-one-100-script-wrap/#comment-10130
:Not sure how the page should be edited to reflect that. What should we call a nameless character like that? [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:07, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
::It's fine as it is; anything beyond what's published on the page is considered authorial intent, although a note saying that Furman noted it might not literally be Botanic wouldn't hurt. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 15:11, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
:::Except that the published page never identified the character as Botanica. That's literally just a guess fans made based on nothing more than their silhouette. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 17:17, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
::::Because the silhouette is clearly drawn to be Botanica. There's no real need to split hairs over it. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 19:20, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::Having the same or similar shape to another Transformer doesn't mean being that Transformer. You should know that by this point. For instance, Thundercracker isn't Starscream, Packrat isn't Rattrap and Apelinq isn't Optimus Primal.
:::::There is nothing in the published story that establishes that character as Botanica. The fact that ''some'' (but not all) fans interpreted it as Botanica is irrelevant.
:::::Don't pretend that some random fans' interpretation is more relevant to canon than the author's word. Authorial intent is only "wrong" when it contradicts the published work, which it doesn't here. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:19, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
::::::Considering that the vast majority of your edits have been the result of your own misinterpretations of material, I’m going to say you’re in no place to judge anything about this. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 14:42, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::::Literally false. The only thing I misinterpreted was the context of a sentence in a TFWiki page, and that was once. And the fact you resort to personal attacks instead of trying to counter my point proves you have no point. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:46, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
::::::::Well let’s see. For one your point about shared body types completely falls flat considering that no one else shares Botanica’s design. And for second, the fact you’re the only person who has had any quibble with this in the past decade, you’re seriously overstating the claim that only “some fans” believe this. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 14:55, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::::::The fact the Transformer in this story has a completely different context and story from Botanica (who got her plant form from scanning plants in another planet and then getting Reformatted by the Maximals in Cybetron, rather than being born with it in Cybertron) already sets them apart from the BM character. And discussion threads like https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/regeneration-one-hundred-spoilers.978710/ show that the Botanica belief isn't universal like you imply. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 15:00, 9 July 2024 (EDT)

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-07-09T18:51:12Z

Bluie:

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-07-09T18:48:24Z

Bluie:

==Death tally==
In issues like this one, where minor characters get offed in the background, some sort of list of the dead seems appropriate in the notes. Just something to consider going forward. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] ([[User talk:Repowers|talk]]) 20:56, 19 March 2014 (EDT)
:Poor Slingshot...he can't survive any Marvel finale.--[[User:Nu-Priest|Nu-Priest]] ([[User talk:Nu-Priest|talk]]) 11:36, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
:I put together a death tally for all of RG1 over at Transfans though for this issue it was easier just to list who's still alive. I can post it here if it'll be helpful? --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 15:17, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
:If you want to get really technical everyone dies.--[[User:Altercron|Altercron]] ([[User talk:Altercron|talk]]) 17:07, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
I too like the ideas of 'death lists' for events like this. --[[User:MissRatbat|MissRatbat]] ([[User talk:MissRatbat|talk]]) 01:36, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:Here's how I broke it down for the whole series, though probably inaccurate and mostly cut 'n' pasted:
::'''The Last Autobot''' is nuked.
::'''The Skyscorchers''' are executed by three of the Deluxe Insecticons.
::'''All of the human characters''' bar two, and '''most of the population of Earth''' are dead.
::'''The 84/85/86 Decepticons''' - with the exception of the big five, Megatron, Soundwave, Shockwave, Starscream and Ravage - and '''the Monsterbots''', for some reason, were lobotomised and turned into zombies, then they're beaten by the Autobots, deactivated and incinerated from orbit.
::'''Ratchet''' spent 21 years as a face, and then Kup shoots him.
::Optimus Prime puts '''Megatron''' down for good.
::'''Lightspeed and Nosecone and probably others''' get eaten by Demons.
::'''Slapdash and a few generics''' are killed by the Autobot Headmasters.
::'''Misfire and Treadshot''' are killed by Scorponok and Grimlock respectively.
::'''Pounce''' is shot in the head by Crosshairs.
::'''Roadblock and Scorponok''' fall into the Sonic Canyons.
::Poor '''Cosmos'''.
::'''Windbreaker''' goes out with a sad [i]parp[/i].
::Just to make sure we know it, we see '''Buster and Jessie''' killed by Ratbat in a carwash, plus '''Movie Ultra Magnus, Kup, Springer, Arcee and Rodimus''' are killed in another timestream. Jhiaxus killed '''Boltax, Decanus, Tallus and Rokan'''.
::'''Monstructor''' is quite comprehensively ripped apart.
::'''Mainframe''''s definitely dead.
::The G2 guys kill a load of '''Demons'''.
::'''Hound''' buys it while taking on the G2 guys.
::Jhiaxus kills '''Joyride, Sky High, Crosshairs and Brainstorm'''. The Wreckers and Shockwave slaughter '''thousands of G2 guys'''. Galvatron takes out '''a bunch of generic Autobots'''..
::Almost '''EVERYONE WHO WAS LEFT ON CYBERTRON''' is consumed by some sort of energy shadow-leech thing. '''Iguanus, Soundwave, Beastbox, Squalktalk, Howlback, Wingthing, Slugfest and Overkill''' explicitly, '''Scattershot''' implicitly. But pretty much everyone else is dead apart from Shockwave, Starscream and Ravage.
::From the final issue it's probably easier to list who's still alive. The characters we've seen are Rodimus, Blurr, Jetfire, Blaster, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Nightbeat, Bumblebee, Chromedome, Wheeljack, Streetwise, Blades, Groove, Powerglide, Jazz, Getaway, Beachcomber, Skids, Fastlane, Prowl, Broadside, Whirl, Topspin, Sandstorm, Roadbuster, Rack 'n' Ruin and Hardhead plus the ever-indestructible Dinobots. We can assume some other Autobots are off-panel as well, as we later see Perceptor, Mirage, Red Alert and (bizarrely) Backstreet alive, as well as '''Hosehead, Slingshot and Tailgate''' (aw) who show up just to get shadow-leeched to death. As does '''Streetwise'''.
::Magnus puts down '''Galvatron''' like a mad dog.
::'''Fort Max''' comes back wrong and has to be put down.
::'''Optimus Prime''' dies (again).
::By the end of the issue, '''all the other Transformers''' are dead apart from '''Rodimus''', who dies.
:Like I say, it's not 100% accurate but it could be a useful start. --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 16:31, 21 March 2014 (EDT)

Howlback: the only female Transformer in this continuity. Also: dead. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 17:20, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:The Skyscorchers survived the Insecticons attack. They were seen as prisoners in #87. ('Course, that means they died in #100, but whatev.) Don't recall seeing Mainframe die on-panel. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 17:37, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
::Also Skram and Gunrunner were killed by Galvatron. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 17:40, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:::An explosion went off near Skram...doubt that killed him. And Gunrunner must have survived getting shot by the Unicron cosplayers since he was killed by Jhiaxus in #99. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 17:55, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
::::Fairly sure it was Sky High who got killed by Jhiaxus - see the talk page for last issue - and Mainframe's decapitated head shows up on p3 of #96 --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 06:13, 22 March 2014 (EDT)
:::::Sky High works. Not sure about Mainframe. That severed head has a prominent mouth, and Mainframe is consistently mouthless. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 11:49, 22 March 2014 (EDT)

== Additional Rodimus? ==

There's another tiny Rodimus fighting the Dark Matrix creature, and he's colored orangy. Is this guy [[Rodimus (DOTM)|Dark Of The Moon Rodimus]]? [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 19:04, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:The one left of centre, between IDW Rodimus and Excellion? Given the shoulder assemblies, wheel and windshield locations and yellow fists, I took that to be Alternators Rodimus coloured a bit off. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] ([[User talk:Chris McFeely|talk]]) 19:18, 21 March 2014 (EDT)

== Botanica? ==

Do we know for certain that the Cybertronian born from that coccoon at the end is Botanica? Like, was it ever confirmed? Or do people just assume it because their silhouette resembles Botanica? [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 10:11, 21 June 2024 (EDT)

:I looked it up. According to Furman himself, the being isn't necessarily Botanica, but "something like Botanica":
:https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/transformers-regeneration-one-100-script-wrap/#comment-10130
:Not sure how the page should be edited to reflect that. What should we call a nameless character like that? [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:07, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
::It's fine as it is; anything beyond what's published on the page is considered authorial intent, although a note saying that Furman noted it might not literally be Botanic wouldn't hurt. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 15:11, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
:::Except that the published page never identified the character as Botanica. That's literally just a guess fans made based on nothing more than their silhouette. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 17:17, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
::::Because the silhouette is clearly drawn to be Botanica. There's no real need to split hairs over it. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 19:20, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::Having the same or similar shape to another Transformer doesn't mean being that Transformer. You should know that by this point. For instance, Thundercracker isn't Starscream, Packrat isn't Rattrap and Apelinq isn't Optimus Primal.
:::::There is nothing in the published story that establishes that character as Botanica. The fact that ''some'' (but not all) fans interpreted it as Botanica is irrelevant.
:::::Don't pretend that some random fans' interpretation is more relevant to canon than the author's word. Authorial intent is only "wrong" when it contradicts the published work, which it doesn't here. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:19, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
::::::Considering that the vast majority of your edits have been the result of your own misinterpretations of material, I’m going to say you’re in no place to judge anything about this. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 14:42, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::::Literally false. The only thing I misinterpreted was the context of a sentence in an article, and that was once. And the fact you resort to personal attacks instead of trying to counter my point proves you have no point. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:46, 9 July 2024 (EDT)

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-07-09T18:46:56Z

Bluie: /* Botanica? */

==Death tally==
In issues like this one, where minor characters get offed in the background, some sort of list of the dead seems appropriate in the notes. Just something to consider going forward. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] ([[User talk:Repowers|talk]]) 20:56, 19 March 2014 (EDT)
:Poor Slingshot...he can't survive any Marvel finale.--[[User:Nu-Priest|Nu-Priest]] ([[User talk:Nu-Priest|talk]]) 11:36, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
:I put together a death tally for all of RG1 over at Transfans though for this issue it was easier just to list who's still alive. I can post it here if it'll be helpful? --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 15:17, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
:If you want to get really technical everyone dies.--[[User:Altercron|Altercron]] ([[User talk:Altercron|talk]]) 17:07, 20 March 2014 (EDT)
I too like the ideas of 'death lists' for events like this. --[[User:MissRatbat|MissRatbat]] ([[User talk:MissRatbat|talk]]) 01:36, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:Here's how I broke it down for the whole series, though probably inaccurate and mostly cut 'n' pasted:
::'''The Last Autobot''' is nuked.
::'''The Skyscorchers''' are executed by three of the Deluxe Insecticons.
::'''All of the human characters''' bar two, and '''most of the population of Earth''' are dead.
::'''The 84/85/86 Decepticons''' - with the exception of the big five, Megatron, Soundwave, Shockwave, Starscream and Ravage - and '''the Monsterbots''', for some reason, were lobotomised and turned into zombies, then they're beaten by the Autobots, deactivated and incinerated from orbit.
::'''Ratchet''' spent 21 years as a face, and then Kup shoots him.
::Optimus Prime puts '''Megatron''' down for good.
::'''Lightspeed and Nosecone and probably others''' get eaten by Demons.
::'''Slapdash and a few generics''' are killed by the Autobot Headmasters.
::'''Misfire and Treadshot''' are killed by Scorponok and Grimlock respectively.
::'''Pounce''' is shot in the head by Crosshairs.
::'''Roadblock and Scorponok''' fall into the Sonic Canyons.
::Poor '''Cosmos'''.
::'''Windbreaker''' goes out with a sad [i]parp[/i].
::Just to make sure we know it, we see '''Buster and Jessie''' killed by Ratbat in a carwash, plus '''Movie Ultra Magnus, Kup, Springer, Arcee and Rodimus''' are killed in another timestream. Jhiaxus killed '''Boltax, Decanus, Tallus and Rokan'''.
::'''Monstructor''' is quite comprehensively ripped apart.
::'''Mainframe''''s definitely dead.
::The G2 guys kill a load of '''Demons'''.
::'''Hound''' buys it while taking on the G2 guys.
::Jhiaxus kills '''Joyride, Sky High, Crosshairs and Brainstorm'''. The Wreckers and Shockwave slaughter '''thousands of G2 guys'''. Galvatron takes out '''a bunch of generic Autobots'''..
::Almost '''EVERYONE WHO WAS LEFT ON CYBERTRON''' is consumed by some sort of energy shadow-leech thing. '''Iguanus, Soundwave, Beastbox, Squalktalk, Howlback, Wingthing, Slugfest and Overkill''' explicitly, '''Scattershot''' implicitly. But pretty much everyone else is dead apart from Shockwave, Starscream and Ravage.
::From the final issue it's probably easier to list who's still alive. The characters we've seen are Rodimus, Blurr, Jetfire, Blaster, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Nightbeat, Bumblebee, Chromedome, Wheeljack, Streetwise, Blades, Groove, Powerglide, Jazz, Getaway, Beachcomber, Skids, Fastlane, Prowl, Broadside, Whirl, Topspin, Sandstorm, Roadbuster, Rack 'n' Ruin and Hardhead plus the ever-indestructible Dinobots. We can assume some other Autobots are off-panel as well, as we later see Perceptor, Mirage, Red Alert and (bizarrely) Backstreet alive, as well as '''Hosehead, Slingshot and Tailgate''' (aw) who show up just to get shadow-leeched to death. As does '''Streetwise'''.
::Magnus puts down '''Galvatron''' like a mad dog.
::'''Fort Max''' comes back wrong and has to be put down.
::'''Optimus Prime''' dies (again).
::By the end of the issue, '''all the other Transformers''' are dead apart from '''Rodimus''', who dies.
:Like I say, it's not 100% accurate but it could be a useful start. --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 16:31, 21 March 2014 (EDT)

Howlback: the only female Transformer in this continuity. Also: dead. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 17:20, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:The Skyscorchers survived the Insecticons attack. They were seen as prisoners in #87. ('Course, that means they died in #100, but whatev.) Don't recall seeing Mainframe die on-panel. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 17:37, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
::Also Skram and Gunrunner were killed by Galvatron. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 17:40, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:::An explosion went off near Skram...doubt that killed him. And Gunrunner must have survived getting shot by the Unicron cosplayers since he was killed by Jhiaxus in #99. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 17:55, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
::::Fairly sure it was Sky High who got killed by Jhiaxus - see the talk page for last issue - and Mainframe's decapitated head shows up on p3 of #96 --[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] ([[User talk:Emvee|talk]]) 06:13, 22 March 2014 (EDT)
:::::Sky High works. Not sure about Mainframe. That severed head has a prominent mouth, and Mainframe is consistently mouthless. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 11:49, 22 March 2014 (EDT)

== Additional Rodimus? ==

There's another tiny Rodimus fighting the Dark Matrix creature, and he's colored orangy. Is this guy [[Rodimus (DOTM)|Dark Of The Moon Rodimus]]? [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 19:04, 21 March 2014 (EDT)
:The one left of centre, between IDW Rodimus and Excellion? Given the shoulder assemblies, wheel and windshield locations and yellow fists, I took that to be Alternators Rodimus coloured a bit off. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] ([[User talk:Chris McFeely|talk]]) 19:18, 21 March 2014 (EDT)

== Botanica? ==

Do we know for certain that the Cybertronian born from that coccoon at the end is Botanica? Like, was it ever confirmed? Or do people just assume it because their silhouette resembles Botanica? [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 10:11, 21 June 2024 (EDT)

:I looked it up. According to Furman himself, the being isn't necessarily Botanica, but "something like Botanica":
:https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/transformers-regeneration-one-100-script-wrap/#comment-10130
:Not sure how the page should be edited to reflect that. What should we call a nameless character like that? [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:07, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
::It's fine as it is; anything beyond what's published on the page is considered authorial intent, although a note saying that Furman noted it might not literally be Botanic wouldn't hurt. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 15:11, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
:::Except that the published page never identified the character as Botanica. That's literally just a guess fans made based on nothing more than their silhouette. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 17:17, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
::::Because the silhouette is clearly drawn to be Botanica. There's no real need to split hairs over it. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 19:20, 8 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::Having the same or similar shape to another Transformer doesn't mean being that Transformer. You should know that by this point. For instance, Thundercracker isn't Starscream, Packrat isn't Rattrap and Apelinq isn't Optimus Primal.
:::::There is nothing in the published story that establishes that character as Botanica. The fact that ''some'' (but not all) fans interpreted it as Botanica is irrelevant.
:::::Don't pretend that some random fans' interpretation is more relevant to canon than the author's word. Authorial intent is only "wrong" when it contradicts the published work, which it doesn't here. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:19, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
::::::Considering that the vast majority of your edits have been the result of your own misinterpretations of material, I’m going to say you’re in no place to judge anything about this. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 14:42, 9 July 2024 (EDT)
:::::::Literally false. The only thing I misinterpreted was the context of a sentence in an article, and that was once. And the fact you retort to personal attacks instead of trying to counter my point proves you have no point. [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 14:46, 9 July 2024 (EDT)

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-07-09T18:19:01Z

Bluie: /* Botanica? */

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-07-08T21:29:21Z

Bluie:

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-07-08T21:17:18Z

Bluie: /* Botanica? */

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-07-08T18:07:11Z

Bluie: /* Botanica? */

Talk:The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2024-06-21T14:11:18Z

Bluie: /* Botanica? */ new section

Tigatron (BW)

2024-05-18T07:51:52Z

Bluie:

{{Faction|maximal|wreckers|jungleplanet|autobot|hofsilver}}
{{featured}}
{{disambig2|the ''Beast Wars'' character|the ''Go-Bots'' character|Tigertron}}

:''Tigatron is a [[Maximal]] from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Tigatron-takaraprofile.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I must kill you... because God told me to!]]

Damage to his stasis pod upon crashing to [[Earth]] caused '''Tigatron''' (aka '''Unit 2''') to emerge far more tiger than robot. A loner who is more connected to the Earth than any other Beast Warrior, he enjoys the planet's natural beauty and is often concerned about the damage that the Transformers' battle is doing to it. Scout, infiltrator, and sometimes programming guru, Tigatron has filled a variety of roles for the Maximals.

{{bigquote|We were given a paradise! All we had to do was live there in peace. But we proved unworthy... and the paradise is no more.|Tigatron|"[[The Trigger, Part 2]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Toy bios===
A powerful and fearless warrior, Optimus Primal appointed Tigatron to patrol the northern polar sector, where he roamed in his [[beast mode]]. When he encountered Predacon activity, he was capable of transforming rapidly and reconfiguring his titanium tail into a powerful quasar cannon, which he then used to vaporize his enemies! Additionally, he sported a toxic fluid blaster, which rendered anybody struck by it completely useless. {{storylink|Tigatron#Toys|Tigatron bio}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Blu Mankuma]] (English), [[Kōichi Tōchika]] (Japanese)|[[Xue Weigang]] (Chinese), [[Alexandr Novikov]] (Russian, 2nd dub), [[Armando Tiraboschi]] (Portuguese), [[Alvaro Tarcicio]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Luis Marín]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Marco Balzarotti]] (Italian), [[Henry König]] (German), [[Jean Barney]] (French)}}

[[File:FallenComrades-Tigatronrobot.jpg|250px|thumb|This is a land of peace, and I will kill anyone who says otherwise!]]

Tigatron's [[stasis pod]] was the first to fall onto the mysterious world which would later be revealed as prehistory [[Earth]]. Born in the far, frozen north, heavily damaged in his [[circuit (circuit)|identity circuits]] and unable to remember friend from foe, Tigatron took to his beast mode. He patiently watched the Predacon and Maximal forces duke it out over the empty stasis pod, finally realising that he was a Maximal when [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] threatened him and the white tiger he had scanned. Transforming, he quickly dispatched the Predacons, but told [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] that he preferred to remain in the wilds. {{storylink|Fallen Comrades}}

From the northern territories, he would send weekly updates to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' through communication towers. {{storylink|The Trigger, Part 1}} He teamed up with Primal to investigate why [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] was buzzing around in Maximal territory, and he was able to track the Predacon back to a cave where [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] were attempting to use a [[sonic emitter]] to break into the Maximal base. After he stole the device, it exploded, and Tigatron rejoined the other Maximals to mourn [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]], who had apparently died trying to disarm [[Sentinel (BW)|Sentinel]] (only he hadn't died). {{storylink|A Better Mousetrap}}

When a [[temporal probe]] sent by the [[Maximal High Council]] neared the planet, Tigatron defended the Maximals while they tried to build a transmission tower on Predacon soil. He became the first victim of [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]'s [[Transformation Lock Lens]] and ended up in a cage next to [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] in the Predacon base. Cheetor fouled up and clued Megatron in as to what was going on, but Tigatron led an escape, and the pair were able to destroy Tarantulas's weapon, though too late to contact the probe. {{storylink|The Probe}}

[[File:TheSpark Tigatron beast mode.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|[[Tommy Oliver|White Ranger Tiger Power]].]]
Tigatron returned to the ''Axalon'' when the Maximals were preparing to leave the planet, remarking that it felt strange to be inside an artificial structure. After it turned out that the Predacons weren't as dead as had been thought, Tigatron attempted to leave to help Primal and Cheetor rescue [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], but was told to sit down by [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]. No sooner was takeoff underway than the ship was damaged by Megatron and crashed once again. {{storylink|Victory (episode)|Victory}} Alerted to the landing of another stasis pod, Tigatron headed for it, only to run into [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]]. He was swiftly able to freeze the scorpion, only to be taken out by Blackarachnia's [[cyber venom]]. He was later around in the ''Axalon'' to welcome [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] to the team. {{storylink|The Spark}}

[[File:TheTrigger2-ladyshallrideatiger.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|A cat and bird fall for each other. Love is truly blind.]]
It was during one of his weekly reports that Tigatron was attacked by Terrorsaur and Waspinator and found himself on a strange [[Brigadoon|flying island]]. He explored the natural beauty of the island and believed this area, with its powerful death ray and many horrible death-traps, to be a land of peace. When Scorponok and Blackarachnia arrived on the island and shot down Airazor, Tigatron used one of Scorponok's [[cyberbee]]s to send a warning message back to base. {{storylink|The Trigger, Part 1}} The duo received reinforcements in the form of Optimus and Rattrap, and they attempted to beat the Predacons to the obelisk in the center of the island. They failed, and to Tigatron's distress, he was forced to destroy the island's power source after Blackarachnia took control of it. The island crashed, leaving Tigatron with profound regret. {{storylink|The Trigger, Part 2}}

Tigatron was the first Maximal to spot [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]'s stasis pod crashing, but was prevented from getting there by Waspinator. Airazor lent a hand, and he sent her ahead to secure the pod, but arrived to find she'd failed—the new protoform was a Predacon, and Tarantulas had made off with the empty pod. Tigatron pursued Tarantulas and managed to destroy the pod so that the Predacons couldn't learn anything from it, before he was attacked in retaliation by the Predacons. He would almost certainly have been destroyed if it wasn't for the timely arrival of Optimus and Airazor. {{storylink|Spider's Game}}

[[File:CalloftheWild Tigatron face.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|I can haz robot moed?]]
Being more at home with his [[beast mode]] than his [[robot mode]], he was invaluable help when the Maximals were left stuck in beast mode and overpowered by animal instincts. He helped them learn to work with these instincts instead of struggling for dominance. {{storylink|Call of the Wild}} After a group of the Maximals went missing, Tigatron and Primal hunted for them. Tigatron eventually heard their weapons fire and was able to alert Optimus. It turned out that the four Maximals had become blinded by an energon explosion and had been making their way back to base. {{storylink|Dark Voyage}}

After the other Maximals were expelled from their base by the Predacons with the aid of a [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]-possessed Waspinator, Airazor alerted Tigatron. Tigatron joined the other Maximals in a ploy to take back their base, which apparently involved helping Starscream to mount an assault on the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]''. {{storylink|Possession}} He also helped provide reinforcements for Dinobot and Rattrap, as the pair tried to find a cure for the [[energon discharge virus]] with which Rhinox had been afflicted. {{storylink|The Low Road}}

[[File:Law of the Jungle Tigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.34|KKHHAAAAAANNNNNN!!!]]
While providing aid for Cheetor and Dinobot, Tigatron easily trounced Waspinator and Inferno, but a stray shot from his weapon caused an avalanche, killing his tiger friend [[Snowstalker]]. Anguished, Tigatron quit the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]], refusing to fight any longer, despite several of the Maximals trying to persuade him otherwise. In the end, it was the Predacons' act of taking out Dinobot and Primal which made Tigatron realise that he had to do everything he could to protect the land. {{storylink|Law of the Jungle}}

Not much later, Tigatron was the first to detect a pulsing alien energy source. When Megatron initiated a somewhat suspicious truce shortly afterward, Optimus Primal ordered a covert infiltration of the Predacon base. Rattrap and Airazor made enough of a distraction to allow Tigatron inside the [[Darksyde (BW)|Predacon base]].

Inside, he hacked his way into the ship's computer systems and found out what had Megatron so worried: The [[Vok]] were coming back, and they weren't happy. {{storylink|Before the Storm}} Tigatron returned to the ''Axalon'' to monitor the alien [[Planet Buster]] which threatened the world. He and the other Maximals were saved when Optimus Primal destroyed the weapon. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}} He and Airazor somehow escaped being [[Transmetal]]ized by the [[quantum surge]], but were knocked offline by Megatron while they were trying to recapture Blackarachnia. {{storylink|Aftermath}} After repairs, they left the base to search the planet for the stasis pods which had been knocked out of orbit by the explosion. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}}

[[File:Other Visits 1 Tigatron plant.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1| "I'll never let go Jack..."]]
Tigatron and Airazor formed a very powerful relationship during this time. Unfortunately, before they could discover any still-functional pods, they found a valley untouched by the Planet Buster which also contained alien technology. The pair were soon abducted by a [[Metal Hunter|bizarre alien plant]]. {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 1)}}

[[File:OtherVictories BirthofTigerhawk.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|And baby makes three!]]

The two were not seen again until much later, when their inert bodies were revealed to be the captives of the Vok, floating somewhere in a deep-space nebula. The Vok removed their sparks from their bodies, created a third spark, and then fused the new spark and the bodies into the awesomely powerful [[Vok]] emissary [[Tigerhawk]]. Tigerhawk was sent to Earth, while the sparks of Airazor and Tigatron followed behind. Reaching Earth, their sparks entered a comatose Cheetor, giving him a vision of Airazor and Tigatron's bodies, their sparks becoming one. But when the Vok interrupted the vision, Cheetor woke up screaming. He thought it was just a dream until he saw the combined Tigatron/Airazor spark floating before him. The combined spark led Cheetor to [[Tarantulas's lair]], where Tarantulas was attempting to steal Tigerhawk's Vok powers for himself. Ultimately, the Vok were expelled into Tarantulas's body, killing him, which left Tigerhawk's body open for Tigatron/Airazor's spark to inhabit. {{storylink|Other Victories}}
{{-}}

====''Beast Wars Diorama Story''====
After [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s involvement in the Beast Wars, Tigatron eventually met up with several [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s from [[Transformers (film)|another dimension]]. A battle broke out between the Maximals, Predacons, Autobots, and Decepticons and Tigatron found himself pitted against [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. Starscream attempted to get the drop on him from the high ground, but Tigatron managed to blast the Decepticon square in the face. [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] then teamed up to take down the Decepticon for good. {{storylink|Tigatron Chapter}} The battle resolved, the other-dimensional Transformers returned to their place of origin and the Beast Wars continued as they were. {{storylink|Motorarm Chapter}}

====3H comics====
[[File:PrimevalDawn2-TigatronSpittor.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|That's an impressive transformation there, Tigatron.]]
Tigatron and Airazor's sparks were sent back to Earth by the [[Vok]] sometime after [[Tigerhawk]]'s destruction. Tigatron's spark took possession of [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s former body at the bottom of a lake. Joining Transmetal Airazor and a newly created [[Primal Prime]], {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1}} {{storylink|Primeval Dawn II}} Tigatron scoured the planet for abandoned [[stasis pod]]s. He awoke [[Ramulus]] from his pod, but [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] had already been reprogrammed into a Predacon by the time they reached him. Spittor had joined a reborn [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and the recently created [[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]] and [[Razorclaw (BW)|Razorclaw]], and so the two groups battled. As Tigatron attempted to confront Spittor, Airazor knocked Spittor away, as she noted that the Predacon was covered in lethal poison. While they were occupied, [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], who was resurrected with the power of the Vok at his command, battled Primal Prime and ripped the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from his chest. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 2}}

[[File:Primal Prime Vok.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Then Airazor dies or something, yadda yadda yadda...]]

Primal Prime, traumatized by the separation, was reduced to a coma, so as the Predacons returned to Tarantulas's lair with their prize, Tigatron and the others retreated with their leader's body to the Ark. Tigatron and Airazor left Ramulus to commune with the Vok on their own, but could not successfully contact them. Further more, Tigatron was worried about Airazor, who seemed to have incurred long-term wounds from the battle with Ravage's Predacons. Their concerns were interrupted by an attack on the Ark, orchestrated by Ravage. However, Ramulus had apparently fled for reasons unknown, leaving Tigatron and Airazor alone against their attackers. Or not, as Primal Prime suddenly appeared behind them, possessed and rejuvenated by the Vok! {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 3}}

{{note|[[3H Productions|3H]] folded before the "Primeval Dawn" story could be finished, so the exact story of how Tigatron came to join the [[Wreckers]] is unknown. It seems likely, though, based on the needs of later stories and comments by the writers, that Tarantulas was defeated, the Matrix was restored to Optimus Prime's body, and Primal Prime, Tigatron, Spittor, Ramulus, and also [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], [[Packrat]], [[Fractyl]], and Waspinator returned to Cybertron in the transwarp portal that Tarantulas had been building. Airazor's fate is unknown.}}

[[File:Departure-TigatronmeltsQuake.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|What was that up above, uh, about your "personal code prohibiting lethal force"?]]

Tigatron, Primal Prime, and others arrived on Cybertron during Megatron's anti-biological reign and joined [[Apelinq (BM)|Apelinq]]'s Wreckers. The Wreckers and various other teams which persisted on the planet met with the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], which assigned each of them a task. When Optimus Primal objected, saying that with all these soldiers, Megatron could be defeated easily, the Oracle swept him away and cleansed his memory of the recent events. Tigatron vehemently objected to this treatment of his former commander. A set of coordinates was infused into Primal Prime's head by the Oracle. When arriving at an Autobot shuttle, which was to ferry the Wreckers to those coordinates, Tigatron felt that something was amiss. It was then that the Vehicon generals [[Spy Streak]], [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] and [[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]] attacked with an army of drones. Tigatron used his Nature's Fury attack, utterly destroying Quake. {{storylink|Departure}}

During the ride in the Autobot shuttle, Tigatron meditated, recovering from using his powers against Quake. Ramulus knocked at the door of his chambers to alert him to their arrival on [[Akalo|Archa Nine]], and Tigatron sensed that danger awaited the Wreckers. As half their group left to scout the planet, Tigatron stayed behind with the remainder to repair their damaged shuttle. Tigatron's feelings of dread turned out to be correct; [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] betrayed them all and stole the artifact the Wreckers were after, the [[Divine Light]]. {{storylink|Betrayal}} Apelinq had begun to lose what little faith he had in the mission, but Tigatron assured him that they must quickly mourn their fallen, soldier on, and accept their divine charge.

The Oracle led the Wreckers next to a desolate ice planet, where they found the exiled [[Quintesson]] scientist [[Al-badur]]. Tigatron, meanwhile, had stayed behind with a few others on board the shuttle, where they faced an army of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s and defeated them easily. {{storylink|Disclosure}}

[[File:Chromutated.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I'm not sure what's going on here, but it looks f@#$ing AWESOME.]]

{{note|In the unpublished [[The Wreckers: Finale Part 1|Wreckers #4]], Tigatron and the others learned that the Quintessons had invaded Cybertron and that [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]] was taking this opportunity to use the Divine Light to assume the powers of [[Primus]]. Tigatron rejected this idea, stating that the Vok would never allow it. The Wreckers hurried back to Cybertron, and Primal Prime took Tigatron, Ramulus, and Apelinq with him to the surface below to find and stop Cryotek.}}

Tigatron was taken aback by the beauty of the newly [[technorganic]] Cybertron, but he didn't get a chance to enjoy it before the Wreckers plunged into battle. Unfortunately, at the planet's core, things went wrong for them almost immediately. Cryotek had already used the Divine Light to mutate himself into a larger, more impressive version of himself, and with one blast, he had destroyed both Apelinq and Primal Prime. Before Tigatron and the others could be next, thankfully, Primus himself intervened and brought back Apelinq and Primal Prime as a single new entity, [[Sentinel Maximus]]!

As amazing as this was, it didn't take long for Cryotek to shrug it off, and soon Tigatron and the others were fighting not only Cryotek and his loyal servant and former Wrecker, Cyclonus, but also his pet [[Deployer (BM)|Deployer]], [[Chro]], who was also mutated to enormous size. Ramulus wondered why Tigatron did not simply unleash his Vok powers on their foes. Tigatron responded that doing such takes an incredible amount of focus and willpower, lest he tear himself and everything around him apart, and the moment did not lend itself to such.

Soon the Wreckers met up with the native Cybertronian counterforce, led by [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]. Though the two were happy to reunite, Tigatron was surprised to hear the matured Cheetor give him orders. Tigatron next found [[Rotorbolt (Universe)|Rotorbolt]] with the mangled body of his fellow Predacon, Fractyl, who was still on life support from an earlier part of their journey. Tigatron feared Rotorbolt was going to euthanize the geometrist, and so he offered to use his Vok powers to restore him. The Vok warned him that this would extinguish the last of his connection to them, but still Tigatron proceeded.

Tigatron also met up with [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]], [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]], and [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]], and after avoiding the question of the fate of Airazor, learned that Al-badur had led the Wreckers and Cryotek to a long-forgotten Quintesson sentencing chamber. The Quintesson, attempting to 'port Cryotek away, locked both the Predacon and Sentinel Maximus in a containment field that threatened to suck them away into a dimension of nothingness. Tigatron and the others tried to free Sentinel Maximus with their various weapons, but had no luck. Though Cheetor and Rodimus tried to use their [[Matrix Templar]] powers to avert disaster, Sentinel Maximus ultimately sacrificed himself and Cryotek to the portal. Rodimus, who had suffered great wounds during his fight with Cyclonus, died shortly after due to these further exertions. Fractyl begged Tigatron to use his powers to save Rodimus as well, but Tigatron could not, as the Vok had since left him. Despite these losses, the Wreckers were victorious and Cybertron was saved. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

====Razorclaw continuity====
In one splinter timeline of [[Primax 496.22 Alpha]], [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]'s stasis pod landed far from the ''Axalon'', and without his presence, Megatron slaughtered the Maximals. Left as the sole survivors, Tigatron and Airazor were then abducted by the Vok and then dispatched as Tigerhawk to end Megatron's machinations which threatened the Vok. Tigerhawk slew Megatron, but their reality was destroyed anyway by the [[timestorm]] Megatron's actions triggered. Subsequently, Tigerhawk was plucked by [[Unicron]] from the remnants of his home universe to become one of his [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minion]] generals, renaming himself [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]]. However, the noble influence of Tigatron and Airazor at times posed a problem for the evil Razorclaw. {{storylink|Abduction|''Universe'' Razorclaw profile}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/07}}

====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
When the [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds of Unicron]] destabilized the Decepticon [[space bridge nexus]], causing the space bridges to become windows to other dimensions, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] caught a glimpse of Rattrap and Tigatron in one of the portals. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
{{BW Shell Game}}
While traveling back to Cybertron at the conclusion of the Beast Wars, Optimus Primal reflected on past battles, including those in which Tigatron fought. {{storylink|Shell Game issue 1|Shell Game #1}}

====2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity====
At the tail end of the Great War, Tigatron was a negotiator, respected by all sides for his desire for peace. He worked in close standing with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], [[Lio Convoy]], and [[Big Convoy]] on what came to be known as the [[Primal Council]].

When news came that both [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] had met their ends on the battlefield, Tigatron was sent out by the Council to try and broker an armistice between the Autobots and the Decepticons. He was accompanied by a handful of soldiers into the field for this end. Unfortunately, the first enemy camp he made contact with was headed by a renegade soldier going by the name "[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]". Rejecting the peace-talk outright, Megatron unleashed [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] onto his visitors before meeting with Tigatron in combat himself. The duel was ended prematurely as Tigatron was snatched up by Predaking, and Megatron headed off to attack the base of the Primal Council. Thankfully, Tigatron was rescued from the gestalt's grasp by [[Airazor (BW)|a soldier]] in his entourage. As the rest of the Autobots with them were slain, Tigatron argued with his rescuer over which one of them should head off to warn the Council of the incoming attack. Convincing him that she didn't need rescuing herself, and promising that she'd see him again someday, the soldier sent Tigatron on his way. This decision was for the best as Tigatron was capable with combining with four of his fellow council members into [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]. He did so in time to push Megatron and his troops back from their assault. As transwarp energy began to rain down on the planet ([[Tarantulas (BW)|apparently]] the result of a doomsday device triggered by Galvatron) the [[Tripredacus Council]] surrendered the war on behalf of all Decepticons.

The Pax Cybertronia was signed, but this was a bittersweet victory for Tigatron; the soldier he had promised to meet with again had been hit by transwarp energy, and in consequence was stripped of her identity and reduced to a protoform. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}}

As [[Magmatron]] was surveying the timeline, he witnessed several key moments of the Beast Wars. Among those moments was Tigatron helping Airazor back to her feet. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 1|The Gathering #1}}

After Tigerhawk's body was destroyed, the two sparks contained within split, regaining their individuality. The Vok gave Tigatron a new Transmetal body. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook #4}}

====''Timelines''====
[[File:Tigatrondawn.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|He wasn't even supposed to be here today!]]
Tigatron, once known by the badge designation "'''Unit 2'''", part of the [[Maximal Command Security Force]] which protected the fragile peace that existed on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the centuries following the [[Pax Cybertronia]]. One of the Security Force's elite troops, Unit 2 was often put in charge of guarding important Maximal artifacts, a job that often required his amazing prowess at tracking. Despite his strong command of this environment, Unit 2 wondered if his destiny and place were elsewhere. {{storylink|#Timelines 2|BotCon 2006 Tigatron profile card}}

When the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] was stolen by a band of rogue [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], Unit 2 responded along with Unit 1, [[Nitrostreak]]. After Nitrostreak was incapacitated, Unit 2 attempted to follow the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'' by commandeering the ''[[Chromia 10]]'', pursuing along with [[Airazor (BW)|its pilot]]. During the ensuing firefight with a [[Buzzsaw and Laserbeak's ship|second Predacon vessel]], their ship was badly damaged. [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] had their [[spark]]s remotely [[spark core transfer|uploaded]] to [[blank]] [[protoform]]s in the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s cargo hold, which saved their lives, but severely damaged their core mainframes. {{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past}}

Two weeks after [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] was reborn on [[Earth]], Tigatron rushed out to assist the Maximals against the Predacons during a plot to launch an orbital weapon. The launching pad was destroyed by Airazor just as Tigatron arrived. {{storylink|The Razor's Edge}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' manga===
[[File:Blackarach24.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Wait, [[#Toys|which edition of you]] comes with a sword!?]]
Following the [[Quantum surge]], Tigatron was separated from the other [[Maximal]]s and left stranded somewhere on [[Earth|Energoa]]. Following [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]'s rebirth and escape from [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] was left to ponder sadly where her "Tigatron-sama" was. Elsewhere on Energoa, Tigatron could be seen staring poetically at the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 1|Beast Wars Metals #1}}

Left with amnesia, Tigatron scoured the snowy regions of [[Earth|Energoa]] as a samurai ronin. He encountered Blackarachnia and Tarantulas there and promptly chopped Tarantulas in two. Blackarachnia managed to block his blade with her legs and escape, though. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 2|Beast Wars Metals #2}}

Believing Tigatron to still be alive, Airazor eventually went off on her own to look for him. The recovered Tarantulas later called a truce and Tigatron naively believed him. This gave Tarantulas the chance to take over Tigatron's mind with a [[Predacon control unit]]. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 3|Beast Wars Metals #3}}

Airazor soon found Tigatron and, seeing he was being mind-controlled, linked her consciousness with his body in an attempt to free her beloved's mind. Tigatron was eventually freed from Tarantulas's control, but not before his out-of-control body delivered a fatal blow to Airazor. Coming to his senses too late, Tigatron wept as he held Airazor's lifeless form in his arms. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 4|Beast Wars Metals #4}}

Succumbing to his grief, Tigatron committed ritual suicide. He was promptly revived by the energies of the sparks released by the obliterated [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]]. He helped Optimus Primal defeat [[Jaguar]], but was soon met by another mindless killer zombie: Airazor. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 5|Beast Wars Metals #5}} Not wanting to hurt his beloved again, he offered her his sword and his neck. Just as zombie-Airazor began to strike, her spark entered his body through the sword. In cyberspace, the two embraced each other and vowed never to be apart again. Their sparks then merged, resulting in the all-powerful [[Tigerhawk]]. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 6|Beast Wars Metals #6}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
When [[human]] archaeologists uncovered a cave filled with primitive language, [[Mini-Con]] [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] translated it for them. The markings told of a time when the Maximals and Predacons crash-landed on prehistoric Earth, though the stranded Transformers were seen by the protohumans as gods. When one of the archeologists, [[Jessica Theist]], later touched one of the markings, she was bestowed a vision of the Maximals' and Predacons' battles. Among them, she noted a "white tiger." {{storylink|Fire in the Dark}}

===''Q-Robo Transformer''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Q-Robo Transformer}}}}

===''Device Label Bio''===
During the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Tigatron was an [[Autobot]] who worked with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], transforming into a USB drive to search the [[Internet]] for clues to [[energon]], under the command of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Tigatron#Toys|Tigatron's Device Label Bio}}

===''Classics''===
[[File:Recordicons12-everyone.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Tigatron was among [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s minions when they teamed up with negative polarity [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]]. {{storylink|Recordicons issue 12|Recordicons #12}}
{{-}}

===Legends World===
In the [[Legends World]], Tigatron was an employee of [[Axalon Trading Company]] and an otaku who enjoyed Transformers fiction that featured cute girls and female Transformers. Rookie employee Rattrap, who only liked the ''Beast Wars'' part of Transformers, had little to talk to him about until they found common ground in remembering the [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#TM2|Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia]] toy and its removable "bra". {{storylink|Legends Vol. 5#The Bishōjo Fan Gap|The Bishōjo Fan Gap}} He came with the other Transformers fans of Axalon to the [[Transformers Celebration 2014]] event, where he drooled over a [[Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (franchise)|Super GT]] race queen model and was the only one to enjoy a video message from a pop idol group. {{storylink|Legends Bonus Vol.}} The same group also visited [[Tokyo Toy Show 2014]], where they were reprimanded by their boss, [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], for caring about toys at their age. {{storylink|Tokyo Toy Show 2014 Report#Part 1|Tokyo Toy Show 2014 Report Part 1}} On seeing [[Yūki Tai]] on stage, Tigatron commented that when his name was read in the Japanese order, it sounded like "saiyuuki". {{storylink|Tokyo Toy Show 2014 Report#Part 2|Tokyo Toy Show 2014 Report Part 2}}

When [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] used his "80s Transformation Beam" to revert items back to the way they were in the 80s, Tigatron didn't mind at all that a TV began showing adult-rated content at prime-time like in the old days. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 3|Bonus Edition Vol. 3}} He was much less pleased when the beam transformed his anime girl figurines into ''[[w:keshi|keshigomu]]''. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 5|Bonus Edition Vol. 5}} The tall statures of Tigatron and the other employees of Axalon was a source of grief for Rattrap, disliked his small size. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 8|Bonus Edition Vol. 8}} When Rattrap's aunt [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] was turned into a Transformer and drove him to work, Tigatron and Rhinox were awestruck and saved her from getting arrested by [[T-AI|Ai]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 10|Bonus Edition Vol. 10}} [[File:Transformers Legends LG11 Chromia and Tigatron.jpg|thumb]] Jealous of Rattrap being so close to a Transformer lady, Tigatron prayed to the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] for the same thing to happen to him, and was immediately answered when [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] appeared before him, followed by all kinds of heroic female Transformers. They were then attacked by an equivalent group of female villains seeking to kidnap Tigatron, causing a battle to break out until Tigatron woke up, revealing the whole thing had been a dream. Undaunted, he visited a temple the next morning and prayed for it to happen for ''real''. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 11|Bonus Edition Vol. 11}}

During [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]'s attempt to destroy the [[Legends World|Legends Universe]], Tigatron was caught up in her windstorm and, in the aftermath, failed to realize their office had been destroyed by [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 12|Bonus Edition Vol. 12}} Tigatron and Rhinox later grew even more jealous of Rattrap as he told stories about how close he'd been to Arcee growing up, but calmed down after realizing she hadn't been a Transformer during that time. {{storylink|Transformers Legends: Arcee Chapter|Arcee Chapter}} To Tigatron's shock, an amnesiac Windblade decided to live at his house, which led to him getting caught in the middle during conflicts between her and his partner Airazor. {{storylink|Windblade Sequel}} Tigatron went on to witness [[Scourge (G1)|Black Convoy]] cause trouble at Tokyo Toy Show 2015, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Black Convoy)|Bonus Edition Black Convoy}} and relocate to Metroplex's city mode when it became Axalon Co.'s new office building. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#The Mysterious Knowledgeable Grandpa Chapter|The Mysterious Knowledgeable Grandpa Chapter}} He got very excited when [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] foresaw that Blackarachnia, [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] and [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird Shadow]] would soon appear before them. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 14|Bonus Edition Vol. 14}}

On [[Halloween]], Tigatron was sent into a stupor when Blackarachnia, Slipstream and Nightbird came trick-or-treating at his house clad in cute outfits. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 17|Bonus Edition Vol. 17}} During another encounter with Chromia, Tigatron learned about her use of armor parts to appear different and was ecstatic to see her and Arcee trade armors. Unfortunately for him, this too was a dream. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends: Chromia Chapter|Chromia Chapter}} While watching ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Adventure]]'', Rattrap and Tigatron struck upon the idea to use the Legends Universe's dream powers to travel into the ''Adventure'' world, where Tigatron hoped to meet [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]]. They succeeded, only for Strongarm to get freaked out by Tigatron's pervy behavior and lock them both up in [[stasis pod|stasis cells]], leading to them being late for work that day. {{storylink|Go! Adventure}} When Windblade looked back at the fun memories she'd made in the Legends world, she remembered feeding Tigatron at the cafe she worked at. {{storylink|LG-18 Armada Starscream Super Mode Prologue}} Later, when [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Armada Starscream]] attempted to destroy both himself and Windblade in order to save the universe, a despairing Tigatron called for someone to stop him. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 18|Bonus Edition Vol. 18}} When the female Transformers of the Legends world were swooning over the macho man [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], Tigatron got jealous and used Alpha Trion's [[10.2 ultra-drill|ultra drill]] to summon various human women to fawn over ''him'' instead. His plan didn't work out, as all the humans lost interest in him as soon as they saw Springer. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}} When [[SARA]], visiting the Legends World with [[Deadlock (Cloud)|Deadlock]], was forced to open a gigantic [[Dimension Gate]], Tigatron and other Legends natives were inadvertently brought to the [[Cloud World]]. An apologetic SARA sent them back home. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

While attending the TransformersFes 2016 event, Tigatron encountered the "real" [[Rattrap (BW)#Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Rattrap]] from ''Beast Wars''. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rattrap)|Bonus Edition Rattrap}} He went on to help convince [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] not to send all the Legends Universe's interdimensional visitors back to where they came from, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 20|Bonus Edition Vol. 20}} work with the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] when they formed a partnership with the Axalon Trading Company, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 21|Bonus Edition Vol. 21}} and get caught up in [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron-turned-Galvatron]]'s attack on the city. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 23|Bonus Edition Vol. 23}} [[Grand Maximus|Grand]] used Tigatron and his friends as examples of what to expect from the Legends world before sending humans there. {{storylink|LG24 Shockwave & Cancer Prologue}} Tigatron then attended [[Cancer (G1)|Cancer]]'s first concert, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 24|Bonus Edition Vol. 24}} creeped around Ai when she arrested the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 26|Bonus Edition Vol. 26}} and fled from [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]'s [[Zodiac]]-fueled rampage. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 27|Bonus Edition Vol. 27}} Having learned to mass-produce [[Master-Brace]]s, Tigatron and his workmates became [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and invaded [[Tera-Kura Co.|Decepticon Tera-Kura Co.]] in search of [[transtector]]s, but went back to normal when the braces stopped working. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 28|Bonus Edition Vol. 28}} When [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] busied himself flipping the skirts of cheerleaders, Tigatron was around to voice his approval. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 29|Bonus Edition Vol. 29}} He then witnessed [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]]'s transtector run away from him, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 30|Bonus Edition Vol. 30}} and was in the cheering audience when [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] inaugurated the new Autobot-Axalon HQ. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 31|Bonus Edition Vol. 31}}

Tigatron went on to panic when Weirdwolf showed up at his workplace, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 33|Bonus Edition Vol. 33}} get temporarily brainwashed into serving [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 34|Bonus Edition Vol. 34}} and be sat on by Blackarachnia at a [[Transformers: Convobat Amazon Showdown|movie]] set (that one he didn't mind). {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Convobat)|Bonus Edition Convobat}} He cheered for [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] following his defeat of [[Devil Z]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 35|Bonus Edition Vol. 35}} partied at the [[Dancitron]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 36|Bonus Edition Vol. 36}} and witnessed Megatron and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]'s defeat of [[Apeface]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 38|Bonus Edition Vol. 38}} When [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] started a commuter service, Tigatron was one of his customers. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}} He was then caught up in some more attacks on the city, first by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], {{storylink|LGEX Headmaster Set Chapter}} then by [[Katsu Don]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 41|Bonus Edition Vol. 41}} and finally by the [[Dimensional Patrol]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Black Convoy 2)|Bonus Edition Black Convoy 2}}

Tigatron was among the victims gobbled up by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] during his rampage, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 43|Bonus Edition Vol. 43}} but was fine and continued to inhabit the rebuilt [[Akihabara|Neo Akihabara City]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} There he watched [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] battle [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 45|Bonus Edition Vol. 45}} got blasted by [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] who was learning to control a mech suit, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 48|Bonus Edition Vol. 48}} and had his cute girl DVDs destroyed by a rampaging [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 49|Bonus Edition Vol. 49}} He then witnessed an attack by evil [[Kreon]]s, {{storylink|Transformers Legends Special Chapter|Special Chapter}} got forcibly turned into the [[Beastformer]] "Lewd Emperor Etchina Tiger" by [[White Leo]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 51|Bonus Edition Vol. 51}} was shocked when Akihabara was being bought up by [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 52|Bonus Edition Vol. 52}} and watched [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] arrive in the Legends World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 53|Bonus Edition Vol. 53}}

Tigatron found a kindred spirit in [[Octane]], an interdimensional visitor just as perverted as him. While appreciating the sight of [[White Lune]] affected by silvervine gas (even though as a fellow cat he was equally affected), he had a chat with Octane who told him he preferred robot girls. {{storylink|TF Legends Late Xmas Present Chapter|Late Xmas Present Chapter}} The duo then decided to start making and selling their own sexy videos, hiring [[Trickdiamond]] to be their manager only to have her model for their first video. While they made a bunch of money from it, their next one starring [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Lunaclub]] was a bust and they returned to relying on Trickdiamond. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 57|Bonus Edition Vol. 57}} Upon seeing the nigh-identical Autobot [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]], Tigatron was reminded of "spot the differences" games. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 58|Bonus Edition Vol. 58}} Metroplex recalled that the tiger had been present when he came to the Legends World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Metroplex}} Tigatron worried about Windblade when she fought to save the city and was left saddened after her victory meant she had to leave the Legends World. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 62|Bonus Edition Vol. 62}}

When [[Tigerburn]] invaded, Tigatron was turned into a [[Laser Beast]] and left stranded on a raft. The day was saved by [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Alana]], though Tigatron was still miffed as their loving relationship made him jealous. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 64|Bonus Edition Vol. 64}} He tried to talk Windblade down when she attacked the Legends World again, having fallen back under Zamojin control, but his words didn't reach her. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 65|Bonus Edition Vol. 65}} Fortunately she was defeated and restored to normal by [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and [[Twin Twist]], allowing them to be reunited. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 66|Bonus Edition Vol. 66}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{First|[[All That Remains|Transformers: Windblade vol. 2 #3]]}}

[[File:CombinerWars5-Eukaris.jpg|left|thumb|300px]]

Tigatron was a native of the planet [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]], born from the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]] inside the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Chela]]. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} He abandoned [[Fur Walkers|his tribe]] long ago so that he could be with his love Airazor. {{storylink|The Chosen One}} {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

When battling [[combiner]]s from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] briefly touched upon the planet, Airazor and Tigatron witnessed [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]] battling against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] in [[Talon Valley]]. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} They later investigated the huge footprints the combiners left behind. Tigatron wanted to report their discovery to the others, but Airazor disagreed. {{storylink|All That Remains}} Eventually, the pair sought out the advice of Blackarachnia, an oracular [[Fateweaver]] who foresaw the return of their Cybertronian ancestors to their planet and ordered all four of Eukaris' tribes to gather in [[Talon Valley]].

[[File:Windblade06-TigatronAndAirazor.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]

Blackarachnia, Tigatron and Airazor joined the leaders of the four tribes as they discussed their next course of action, only for the Space Bridge to disgorge [[Rattrap (BW)#2005 IDW continuity|Rattrap]]—delegate for Cybertron on the [[Council of Worlds]]—who had arrived in advance to try and win over the beast-formers to his cause. Using the knowledge gleaned from his brief sojourn, proper representatives arrived a week later in the shape of [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]. The presence of vehicular "standard-formers" on his world was enough to rouse Chela from his slumber to destroy the intruders. The brief battle saw Starscream kill the Titan, and in accordance with Blackarachnia's prophecy, the leaders of Eukaris agreed to join the Council. Blackarachnia appointed Tigatron and Airazor as delegates to Cybertron, believing that their independence from Eukaris's competing tribes would make them impartial diplomats. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} Still shunned by the citizens of Eukaris, the pair relocated to the Cybertronian city of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], where they attempted to adjust to life in their new home while quietly hoping that one day the growing population could expand beyond its borders. {{storylink|07:00:00}}

The Council had its first major diplomatic crisis not long afterwards, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] announced his intent to annex [[Earth]] into the Council to defend it from further Cybertronian aggression. Both Eukarian delegates were in attendance to discuss this sudden change of events. {{storylink|New Worlds Order}}

[[File:0700-lifeoncybertron.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Not long afterwards, the Council convened to discuss a string of mysterious [[Mnemosurgery|mnemosurgical]] murders and the growing distrust of Starscream's [[Badgeless]] enforcers. The Committee moved to have [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] investigate the crime spree. {{storylink|07:00:00}} Things turned sour following the death of [[Drunkatron|an inebriated Decepticon]] which most chalked up to police brutality; Tigatron and Airazor attended the emergency meeting to try and sort out what could be done. Ultimately, Ironhide stepped up as the new head of Cybertronian security. {{storylink|Applicable Skills}} Tigatron later attended a meeting where Ironhide reported on the progress of the new recruits. {{storylink|Things We Said We'd Never Do}} When [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] attacked Iacon, Tigatron and the other Council delegates were temporarily evacuated. {{storylink|The Line Between Us}}

As Optimus struggled to pick up the pieces from his divisive actions, the Council afforded him a hearing so that he could explain his motivations. Although Prime insisted that his intentions were pure, its members unanimously voted against allowing Earth to join. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}} The situation took a drastic turn when Optimus managed to raise [[Metrotitan (G1)|a Titan]] from beneath [[Monument Valley]]; with Titans having great spiritual import among the colonists, the delegates began reconsidering their vote and ultimately allowed Earth, its status as a Transformer colony supposedly confirmed, a provisional seat on the Council. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|No Fair Fights}}

[[File:DesperateTimes-anythingforyou.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Months later, [[Vigilem|Carcer]] detected a fleet of [[zombie]] Titans rapidly approaching Cybertron and intent on scouring the planet clean. The Council attended an emergency meeting to discuss the threat and wound up preparing for an all-out war. As the Titans made planetfall, Iacon fought back; Airazor and Tigatron fought together on the front lines and used their [[beast mode]]s to tear through enemy armor. {{storylink|Ping}} When it became clear that they couldn't win, the two retreated back to the Council Spire. Both Airazor and Tigatron joined Windblade's strike team, aiming to invade Carcer and seize control of the Titan from its secretive leader [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]. {{storylink|Desperate Times}} Though the Carcerians shot down their insertion shuttle, the team rode the flaming debris down onto the Titan's hull, and eventually managed to infiltrate Carcer's [[brain module]] chamber, where Tigatron pinned down Obsidian as Windblade interfaced with the Titan... and learned that "Carcer," was in, fact, the villainous [[Vigilem]]. {{storylink|Desperate Measures (Till All Are One)|Desperate Measures}} Despite this, Tigatron ordered his fellows to keep Obsidian down and to allow Windblade to remain plugged in until Cybertron was safe. {{storylink|Rubicon}}

Ultimately, Windblade and Vigilem were able to repel the undead Titans, but Windblade was left grievously inured by the strain of controlling Vigilem, who managed to disgorge the imprisoned [[Liege Maximo]] from his innards before perishing. Tigatron and the other delegates who had been privy to the adventure attended a meeting with Elita One as the Carcerian commander explained the sordid history of Liege Maximo. Faced with a choice between revealing the existence of the Liege to Cybertron, and potentially sowing panic in the populace, or keeping the events aboard Carcer a secret, Tigatron believed that the knowledge should be shared with the citizens of the Council. {{storylink|Heavy}}

As Iacon rebuilt, the Council,—minus Windblade and plus the [[Mistress of Flame]]— reconvened to meet with Optimus Prime as the Autobot leader discussed sharing Transformer technology with the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], who had recently arrived on Earth. Starscream shot down the proposal; as Earth was not yet a member of the Council, it would be a violation of the [[Tyrest Accord]]. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 3: Behind My Bleeding Back|Behind My Bleeding Back}} After some diplomatic maneuvering, Earth selected an [[Marissa Faireborn|ambassador]] to formally represent their planet on the galactic stage; in the ensuing ceremony commemorating this new alliance, however, [[Joe Colton|Baron Ironblood]] and his [[Iron Ring]] invaded Iacon as part of a genocidal attack on the Cybertronian species. {{storylink|First Strike issue 1|First Strike #1}} When [[Scarlett]] and her allies arrived on Cybertron, they were arrested and sent to the Council to stand trial; Tigatron gravely watched as Scarlett and [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] argued their case. {{storylink|First Strike issue 4|First Strike #4}}

When this latest crisis was resolved, Windblade had made a full recovery and prepared to retake her seat on the Council... only for the much-changed [[cityspeaker]] to immediately run afoul of the Mistress of Flame and Starscream, resulting in her banishment from the Council and exile from Caminus. Undeterred, Windblade set out to run in Iacon's first election since the end of the war. In the ensuing three-way race between Windblade, Starscream, and Elita, the two Eukarians were firmly on Windblade's side and watched her orate in the first debate. Windblade ultimately won the election, becoming the next leader of Cybertron, with both Eukarians taking part in the victory celebrations. {{storylink|The Chosen One}}

The Council later assembled to collect an [[Ore-13]] shipment that Optimus Prime had brought from Earth before Liege Maximo returned to Cybertron, now a prisoner of Onyx Prime. The Council granted the bestial Prime an audience where a mysterious explosion ripped through the [[Spire]], killing Alpha Trion in the process. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} "Onyx Prime's" machinations had successfully sowed chaos across Cybertron, leaving the Council of Worlds paralyzed and unable to act for the duration of the crisis, and by the time that "Onyx" had been unmasked as a time-travelling Shockwave and arrested, the Council was too late to stop the penultimate stage in Shockwave's plan from falling into place: [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], who began a genocidal rampage across the galaxy. Shortly after the planet-eater destroyed Eukaris, Tigatron joined the other members of the Council of Worlds in an emergency meeting to discuss the situation. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

When Unicron then attacked and destroyed Cybertron, Airazor and Tigatron were among the many refugees who were safely teleported to [[Earth]] by the [[Visionaries]], regrouping at [[Victoria Falls]]. {{storylink|A Sunrise Dark}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===

Tigatron began as a street cop with the [[Maximal Command Security Force]]. As his career evolved, he worked directly with the [[Builder Assembly]] as an aide to [[Crosscut (G1)|Cross-Cut]], and also organized an outreach program for the Empties on the streets of Cybertron. He eventually found himself a member of the [[Maximal High Council]], the intermediary governing body which the Builders allowed to mitigate minor crimes and political matters among the proto-race.

During the [[Grand Uprising]], Tigatron and the High Council finally decided to declare outright neutrality, building an independent [[Maximal Nation]] in the [[Tagan Heights]] and refusing to fight for either the Builders or the [[Resistance]]. Their neutrality seemed at risk during the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] counter-strike, with the Resistance asking for aid pushing on the Builder Assembly at Iacon, and the Vehicons a strong indicator that Maximal neutrality would not be tolerated much longer. Tigatron was at a loss at how to proceed when the Council received an audience from First Resistor [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Preditron]], founder of their opposing tribe. Their words swayed the Council over the seriousness of the Vehicon threat, and Tigatron ultimately voted to join the fight and advance on Iacon.

Tigatron and Cheetor forged a bond as the National Maximal Army prepared to march. Tigatron confided in the "little cat" that he had doubts about their chances of success, but was certain the Builders would re-enslave them if the Vehicons were successful. Tigatron and the Council fought within the ranks of their soldiers in their combined form as [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]].

The war against the Builders and their grand mistake the Vehicons was won, but at great cost. [[Lio Junior|Lio Minor]] was killed in the war as part of Magnaboss, leaving the High Council a member short. Tigatron proposed membership to Cheetor at [[Hyperious]] during the peace summit, but the First Resistor ultimately declined. The [[Under-3|head]] of the Maximal Academy was chosen instead. {{Storylink|Derailment}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Tigatron-art.jpg|thumb|100px|left]]
The Maximals traveled across time to find the [[AllSpark]] and change the fate of Cybertron. While battling the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s on pre-[[Ice Age]] Earth, both sides were joined by the Autobots and Decepticons, their epic battle changing their combined destinies forever.

Tigatron's function was a scout, and he [[trans-scan]]ned into a white tiger. His Quasar cannon was his powers and weapons, and his core traits were his fearlessness, down-to-earth attitude, and peaceable mindset. Tigatron's message from the future was that he should stick to the plan so that he will be reunited with [[Airazor (BW)|a dear friend]]. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>

A [[quantum surge]] killed nearly every Maximal and Predacon, with Tigatron being one of the sole survivors. The surge, however, left him mutated, aggressive, and savage, with no memory to his Maximal allegiance. As such, [[Terrorsaur (BW)|another survivor]] could take advantage of the situation... {{storylink|Source:Kingdom Golden Disk Collection#CHAPTER 3: ENTER THE MUTANT WARRIOR|''Golden Disk Collection'' Chapter 3}}

Terrorsaur, alive and protected from the quantum surge, allied with Tigatron to enact his plan to eliminate [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and become the ruler of the Predacons via going into a transwarp drive in the [[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]] and changing history. After they located the Nemesis, the duo were ambushed by [[Puffer]], [[Jackpot]], and [[Sights]] starting a fight. During the fight, Terrorsaur dropped the [[Golden Disk (Vok)|Golden Disk]], and Tigatron raced to retrieve it. Tigatron, after touching the disk, regained his memories. Remembering his true allegiance, he helped the stranded Autobots defeat Terrorsaur. Tigatron then explained what happened to him and the situation at hand. Realizing that the oncoming quantum surge would still kill everyone regardless. Tigatron formulated a plan that involves going back in time to just before the surge, and then sending Puffer away from the blast. Ramming the Nemesis into the blast, the Nemesis absorbed a majority of it, enough to dilute the blast's power and allowing the timeline to go as planned, albeit sacrificing himself and everyone on the Nemesis on the process. {{storylink|Source:Kingdom Golden Disk Collection#CHAPTER 4: THE TERRORFYING CONCLUSION|''Golden Disk Collection'' Chapter 4}}
{{--}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Beau Marie]] (English)|[[Maurice Decoster]] (French), [[Miguel Angel Leal|Mike Leal]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Debashish Ghosh]] (Hindi), [[Tobias Lelle]] (German), [[Stefano Brusa]] (Italian)}}
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep1-Tigatron-pounces-on-Ironhide.jpg|thumb|300px]]
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep1-Tigatron-maximizes.jpg|thumb|250px|left]]
{{charfictionstub}}

===2021 ''Beast Wars'' comic===
[[File:TheEnd-Tigatron.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

The Cybertronian who would become Tigatron was one of the many Maximal [[protoform]]s aboard the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''. As part of their experiments, the enigmatic [[Vok]] activated five fallen stasis pods and experimented on the unborn protoforms within, and altered them into loyal servants. These "Children of the Vok" sought a naturalistic existence where they lived in harmony wwith the alien flora and fauna of their adopted homeworld; on behalf of their benefactors, the group hunted down and captured Optimus Primal and Megatron, whose war jeopardized the Vok's delicate experiments. Although Tigatron, acting as the group's spokesperson, explained that the Vok merely wanted them to leave, Megatron refused to negotiate and demanded an audience with the Vok. When Megatron and Primal subsequently used their own [[beast mode]]s to escape captivity, the Children of the Vok moved to stop them, and in the ensuing battle Optimus easily outpowered and disarmed Tigatron. {{storylink|Children of the Vok}}

To eliminate the Maximals and Predacons, [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] and the [[Vok]] brought every crashed [[stasis pod]] they could find online and reprogrammed the protoforms within into more Vok servants. Tigatron joined in their all-or-nothing attack on the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'' in an attempt to take out the Maximal-Predacon alliance for good. Eventually, however, the capricious Vok revealed themselves and announced that they planned to exterminate ''every'' Cybertronian on the planet and begin again, ignoring Tigatron's protests that they'd done as their benefactors asked. Eventually, when the Maximals and Predacons destroyed the Vok themselves, Tigatron and the other Children of the Vok agreed to a truce and left to live peacefully in the wilderness. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|A Natural Couple}} {{storylink|Go! Go! issue 26}}}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (N64)===
[[File:N64Tigatron.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Tigatron's been dunked in bleach.]]

{{voiceactor|[[Martin Roach]]}}
In an alternate timeline created when Megatron sent a message through Transwarp back to his past self, Tigatron participated in a series of all-out battles with the other beast warriors.

After helping the Maximals defeat Megatron's Predacon forces once and for all, Tigatron decided that he, along with Airazor, would remain on prehistoric Earth, despite their comrades' urgings to join them on their journey back to Cybertron. Together, they remained on what they felt was their true place for the centuries to come. They planned to someday return to Cybertron, as visitors from a distant world almost forgotten... {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)|Beast Wars Transmetals}}

{{BW fighter ending|Tigatron|N64}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (PS)===
{{voiceactor|[[Martin Roach]]}}
Tigatron battled the Predacons in pitched combat. {{Storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (PS)}}
{{note|Tigatron appears as a secret playable character in the North American version of the game, but does not appear at all in the game's story mode.}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Tigatron.jpg|thumb|400px]]
Tigatron participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Super Rare character who could be recruited by collecting 250 units of Cybermetal, 75 units of Transmetal, and 10 cores of this character. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Beast Wars''===
[[File:Tigatron-HasbroToy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Surprisingly not a case of yellowing. (''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
[[File:BW-toy Tigatron Takara.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Over time, this will [[photodegradation|yellow]] and become the Hasbro version. (''Takara version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Tigatron''' (Deluxe Class, [[1996]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-8'''
:*''Takara release date'': November [[1997]]
:*''Accessories'': "[[Quasar rifle|Quasar cannon]]" tail-gun, "toxic fluid blaster" water-squirting gun

: Part of the third wave of [[Hasbro]] ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Deluxes, the original Tigatron toy is a [[redeco]] of the original [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Toys|Cheetor]] toy in cream, silver, and green, transforming into a fairly generic big cat in shape. His [[robot mode]] parts color layout is notably different from Cheetor's. In [[robot mode]], he is armed with a "quasar cannon" made out of his hindquarters and tail, along with a second [[Water-squirting gimmick|water-squirting]] "toxic fluid blaster" formed out of his stomach. This cannon is usable in both modes, but in [[beast mode]], it's awkward and just plain weird. As with most early ''Beast Wars'' toys, he features a "[[mutant head]]" that replaces his face.

: The [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] version was released a year later, coincidentally also in the third wave of Takara's version of the line, in a more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] bright white color, with his [[Paint operation|paint applications]] directly copied from Cheetor's layouts just as the show model had done. This version also has a slight [[Retool|mold tweak]] to keep the beast head pointed forward. Hasbro later released this version, complete with the original Takara packaging, as an import through the [https://web.archive.org/web/20001002100637/http://hasbrocollectors.com/product.cfm?product=2 Hasbro Collector shop]. Historically, this version of the figure is extremely susceptible to its white plastic [[photodegradation|yellowing]], to the point it will eventually match the color of its Hasbro version. So enjoy that.

: This mold was also used to make [[Shadow Panther#Toys|Shadow Panther]] and "[[Ravage (G1)/toys#ShadowPanther|Tripredacus Agent]]". It was slated to be used for ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Nightprowler#Toys|Nightprowler]], but that toy set was canceled.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Maximal/Tigatron/tigatron.htm More information on Hasbro Tigatron at TFU.info]
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1997/Cybertron/Tigatron/tigatron.htm More information on Takara Tigatron at TFU.info]
{{BWCheetorMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|BJs2pack}}
[[File:BJ's-Wholesale-Club-Dinobot-and-Tigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Deluxe Beast Assortment (Dinobot and Tigatron)''' (Two-pack, 1996)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': "Quasar cannon" tail-gun, "toxic fluid blaster" water-squirting gun

: Sold exclusively at [[BJ's Wholesale Club]], Tigatron was released alongside [[Dinobot (BW)/toys#BJs2pack|Dinobot]] in a two-pack card.

: Both toys are identical to their original releases... which makes sense, as both toys ''are'' the original releases, packaging and all, slid into a thick cardboard sleeve.

::*''[https://www.shmax.com/product_details/9280/dinobot_and_tigatron_deluxe_beast_assortment_two_pack More information on Shmax.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VS8}}{{anchor|BWJVs}}
[[File:VS8-TigatronBlackarachnia.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Let's hope neither Airazor nor Silverbolt find out about this...]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1p1|'''Mitsurin no Taiketsu: Tigatron VS Blackwidow''' (VS set, 1997)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''VS-8'''
:*''Accessories'': "Tiger Shot" tail-gun, "Tiger Shot" water-squirting gun

: In Japan, Tigatron was available both individually and in a "Deep Forest Showdown" (密林の対決 ''Mitsurin no Taiketsu'') two-pack with the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#VS8|Blackarachnia]]. Both toys are identical to their individual Japanese releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|BotCon2001}}
[[File:BWtoy-TigatronTransmetal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He flashes you to death.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Tigatron''' (Deluxe Class, [[2001]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Tail-whip, left & right "cryo-blaster" barrels

: A [[BotCon 2001]] [[exclusive]], [[Transmetal]] Tigatron is a redeco of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)#BWM|Beast Wars Metals]]'' [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Metals|Ravage]], which is itself a [[retool]] of Transmetal [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#TM1|Cheetor]]. He transforms into a mechanical cat with flip-out thruster-wings. His robot mode arms have spring-loaded flip-out blaster grips, which also have barrel extensions that can be clipped to his legs in beast mode. His tail separates to become a whip weapon, but he doesn't hold it very well. His chest panels open up to reveal a decal; he also came with an extra decal sheet to display other options within his chest, plus Maximal and [[Wreckers]] [[insignia|faction symbol]] decals for extra customization. Both he and [[Arcee (G1)#BotCon2001|Arcee]] were limited to 1200 pieces.

: This toy was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as a future version of [[Ravage (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' Ravage]] in [[Recordicons issue 20|''Recordicons'' #20]]. The original version of this mold was slightly retooled to make ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Cheetor (Armada)#Toys|Cheetor]], and was also used as the model for the non-toy character [[Cataclysm (BW)|Cataclysm]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Maximal/Tigatron/tigatron.htm More information on Transmetal Tigatron on TFU.info]''
{{BWTMCheetorMold}}
{{-}}

===''Timelines''===
{{anchor|BotCon2006}}{{anchor|Timelinestoy}}
[[File:Unit2-toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|In recognition of his bravery in the field, Unit 2 was granted the MCSF's highest honor, Really Bitchin' Upholstery.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Unit 2 (Tigatron)''' (Convention attendee figure, [[2006]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Engine-blaster, left & right side-pipes, Maximal Golden Disk Key
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Moore]] (concept artist)}}<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Cheetor and Tiagtron were easy picks, though Wolfang was originally proposed before they opted for Tigatron. An abandoned idea was for Tigatron to come in Stasis Pod packaging. See those and the final products below.|link=https://twitter.com/Joe_Toyark/status/1370239973862080515|site=Twitter|name=Joe Moore|year=2021|month=03|day=11}}</ref>

: A redeco of BotCon boxset [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Timelines|"Axalon Cheetor"]], itself a new-head retool of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Scout Class [[Clocker (Cybertron)#Toys|Clocker]], ''Timelines'' "Unit 2" transforms into an open-topped Cybertronic sports car. Due to painted whiskers on his robot mode face that resemble a [[human]] mustache, Unit 2 is one of a small percentage of Transformers who feature [[facial hair]]. His rear engine assembly reveals a pair of spring-loaded flip-out guns when a [[Cyber Planet Key]]/Golden Disk Key is placed in it. This assembly becomes a hand-held blaster in robot mode. His side-pipes can also be removed and used as hand-weapons.

: This toy was an "attendance [[exclusive]]" for [[BotCon 2006]], available only to pre-registrants who actually ''showed up'' for the convention.

: The original version of this mold was also used to make ''Cybertron'' [[Swerve (Cybertron)#Toys|Swerve]], [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|movie-verse]] [[Clocker (Movie)#Toys|Clocker]], and was the model for many non-toy members of the [[Maximal Command Security Force]].

::*''[https://twitter.com/Joe_Toyark/status/1370239973862080515 Designer commentary on "Unit 2" from Joe Moore on Twitter]
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Maximal/BCTigatron/tigatron.htm More information on "Unit 2" at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Telemocha Series''===
[[File:BWTelemochaTigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Definitely had his caffeine this morning.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Tigatron''' (Deluxe, [[2007]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''TM-11'''
:*''Release date'': [[June 26]], 2007
:*''Accessories'': "Tiger Shot" tail-gun, "Tiger Shot" water-squirting gun

: The [[#Toys|original Tigatron toy]] was given an ''extensive'' redeco using a ridiculous number of [[paint operation]]s for his ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Telemocha Series]]'' release, to make him incredibly show-accurate as possible without [[retool]]ing. He retains all of the [[gimmick]]s of the original version as well.

:Included in the set is a DVD of Tigatron's debut episode, "[[Fallen Comrades|Solitary Warrior Tigatron]]".
{{BWCheetorMold}}
{{-}}

===''Device Label''===
[[File:Device Label Tigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Despite appearances, he is NOT [[Ravage (SG)|waving]].]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Tigatron''' (Device Label, [[2009]])}}</ul>

:''[[Transformers Device Label|Device Label]]'' Tigatron transforms from a working USB 2 gigabyte thumb drive into a white mechanoid tiger.

:Stored on the USB drive is an installable program called "[[:File:DeviceLabeltoy-Tigatrondesktop.jpg|Transformers Desktop Defender]]". When the Tigatron device is plugged in, a Tigatron avatar appears on the screen, transforming from thumb drive to jaguar mode as the program is activated. The program's setup allows you to rename your jaguar to anything you desire, alter the avatar's movement speed and his personality, decide whether he eats your desktop icons, and view his function, mission, and [[Tech Spec]] numbers. Whether he appears as Ravage or Tigatron can be selected as well.

:This mold was also used to make ''Device Label'' [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Device Label|Ravage]] and [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Device label|Cheetor]], which came preloaded with the same program (although the Cheetor version can also display the avatar as Cheetor, naturally).

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Cybertron/Tigatron/tigatron.htm More information on Device Label Tigatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:BotCon2016toy-Tigatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px|In retrospect, Breakdown really shouldn't have taken that trip to the Island of Dr. Moreau.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Tigatron''' (Convention souvenir figure, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Sword/gun, Gun/fist/foot

:Released individually as a souvenir figure for [[BotCon 2016]], ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Tigatron is a redeco of BotCon boxset [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Ravage]], itself a new-head retool of mass-retail Deluxe Class [[Breakdown (G1)#Generations|Breakdown]]. Tigatron transforms from a supercar resembling a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Lamborghini Diablo|Lamborghini Diablo]] to robot and back! As a Deluxe limb, he can combine with any ''Combiner Wars''-style Voyager torso or become one of [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber]]'s legs, though Tigatron is nominally the left leg of [[Magnaboss (BW)#Generations|Magnaboss]]. The set of Magnaboss stickers sold by the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] store included a small [[Wreckers|Wrecker]] symbol for use on Tigatron's shoulder in homage to the 3H comics. The back of his new head tooling received criticism for being amazingly flat.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=#Transformers BotCon 2016 - Souvenir Exclusive Tigatron Photo Gallery https://t.co/wfW0ezWm3Y https://t.co/C0QqoWVlHR|link=https://twitter.com/tformers/status/718601016745168896|name=TFormers|site=Twitter|year=2016|month=04|day=09|(defunct=)}}</ref>

:Seriously, he's not [[Ravage (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' Ravage]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Maximal/BCTigatron/tigatron.htm More information on Dawn of the Predacus Tigatron at TFU.info]''
{{CWBreakdownMold}}
{{-}}

===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:TF-BW-MP-50 Tigatron.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[:File:Blackarach24.jpg|Katana and scarf not included.]]]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Tigatron (Beast Wars)''' ([[2020]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''MP-50'''
:*''Release date'': [[September 26]], 2020
:*''Accessories'': "Tiger Shot" tail-gun, "Tiger Shot" gut-gun, "Tiger Cannon" missiles, "Hacking Device", 5 robot faces (Neutral, angry, sad, surprised and hacking), "Megatron Shaped Cube Puzzle", Adapter for the base.

:Released as the fiftieth figure in the main ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' lineup, Tigatron transforms into a white tiger and is larger than [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Masterpiece|MP-34 Cheetus]]. He comes with his gut gun, as well as two accessories representing his actions in "[[Before the Storm]]": the cable he used to hack into the ''Darksyde''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s database, and an encryption puzzle in the shape of Megatron's head. The figure also comes with stand adaptors and a startling ''5'' alternate robot faces, rather that the usual 3 or 4. Tigatron also has an unprecedented set of ''double'' ab crunch joints, the first being an obvious collapsible one in the torso, and a second, much larger ratcheted one in the waist. Unfortunately, the second joint can go unnoticed due to a very strong ratchet, paint lock, or both. Slightly unscrewing the top two screws on the back of the waist can usually free up the second joint.
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron: Kingdom''===
[[File:Kingdom-Voyager-Tigatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Features yellowed paint applications to remind you of the sad fate of the original toy!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Tigatron''' (Voyager Class, [[2021]])}}</ul>
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-K35'''
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''KD-14'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[March 26]], [[2022]]
:*''Accessories'': Tail/whip, blaster barrel, blaster base/gut section
{{toydesigner|[[Lenny Panzica]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Dennis Chan]] (sculptor), [[Ken Christiansen]] (concept artist)}}

: Part of the fourth wave of ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' Voyager Class toys, Tigatron transforms into a somewhat realistic {{w|white tiger}} in 23 steps. He is larger than ''Kingdom'' [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Cheetor]] whilst sharing similar engineering. The 'gut gun' attaches to one of two [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] underneath his stomach, evoking the [[#Toys|original toy]]. The tail can detach and be held as a whip, though it can still store as a tail in robot mode. In an undocumented feature, his blaster can separate into two parts: the barrel and the base of the gun. Both parts are held together by 5 mm ports.

: Some of the yellowing found in various spots on the figure is an intentional attempt to emulate the off-white/partially discolored orange fur found on actual white tigers. Unfortunately, some copies of Tigatron still have areas that ''actually'' yellow over time, most notably the robot hips, pelvis, inner shoulder joints and rifle barrel. People have also experienced paint damage from the beast shoulders rubbing on cardboard when extracting the toy from packaging.

: Much like most of the toyline, Tigatron comes with one of four possible holographic [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] cards for his wave, which reveals a [[Source:Golden Disk destinies|possible destiny]] of a key character.

: Hasbro China officially revealed Tigatron on [[August 20]], [[2021]] at 8:00 PM on their flagship store on [[Taobao]].

:According to ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' toyline lead designer [[Mark Maher]], select elements of Tigatron's sculptwork along with that of ''Kingdom'' [[Airazor (BW)#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Airazor]] were recycled ([[Fuzor|fused]], one might say,) via the magic of digital toy design into ''Legacy'' [[Tigerhawk#Legacy|Tigerhawk]] for fairly self-evident reasons.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL4YRFesAdo ''Transformers'' panel] with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Evan Brooks]], [[Takio Ejima]] and [[Thew Adams]] at [[Hasbro Pulse Con 2023]].</ref>

{{-}}{{anchor|GDC}}
[[File:TF-WFC-GDC-Enter-the-Mutant-Warrior-Mutant-Tigatron.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Protip: Paint can't yellow if it's already orange.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Mutant Tigatron''' (Golden Disk Collection, [[2022]])}}</ul>
:*''Chapter 3: Enter the Mutant Warrior''
:*''Accessories'': Tail/whip, blaster barrel, blaster base/gut section

: The third release in the [[War for Cybertron: Kingdom#Exclusives|Golden Disk Collection]], "Mutant Tigatron" is a redeco and retool of the above Voyager Class Tigatron. He features a new head emulating the mutant head of the original toy, and a primarily orange deco evoking a "normal" tiger (as well as the unproduced prototype colors for his ''Beast Wars'' figure).

:The back of his box shows his fists, heels, and gun barrel as green, however these parts are orange on the final toy and stock photography.

: Mutant Tigatron was revealed and made available for pre-order on [[September 29]], 2021, and was the third of four daily announcements concerning the Golden Disk Collection; as with the other sets in this series, Tigatron's packaging is printed with a portion of a [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] graphic, and customers are encouraged to collect all four packs to unite the full image. The figure is an [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]] and [[Hasbro Pulse]] exclusive in the [[United States of America|U.S.]], [[Canada]], and the [[United Kingdom]].
{{-}}

===''Vintage Beast Wars''===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Tigatron''' (Reissue, [[2021]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': "Quasar cannon" tail-gun, "toxic fluid blaster" water-squirting gun

:In celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''Beast Wars'', the original 1996 Deluxe Class Tigatron was reissued under the ''[[Vintage|Vintage Beast Wars]]'' lineup. Tigatron features all the same accessories and functionality as the original toy, and features a deco similar to the original Takara version of the toy, with the same bright white, but the cool gray paint applications on the legs, waist, and head swapped for a warm gray. The stripes are slightly different from those of the original ''Beast Wars'' toy, with many being juuuust the tiniest bit thicker or more wavy than they used to be.

:Much like ''Vintage G1'', Tigatron is packaged in a "rock bubble" blister card styled after the original ''Beast Wars'' toy packaging, [[package art]] and all. Also similar to ''Vintage G1'', the time disparity since the original release has the toy set at double the price of the toy's 1996 release, $22 versus $10, and at the same size class/price as the deluxe class [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Vintage Beast Wars|Cheetor]] figure. This figure is exclusive to [[Walmart]] in the United States.
{{BWCheetorMold}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Again''===
[[File:TF-BW-Vintage-JP-BWVS-04-Tigatron.jpg|thumb|300px]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1p1|'''Shūnen no Taiketsu''' (Multi-pack, [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''BWVS-04'''
:*''Release date'': [[November 25]], 2023
{{toydesigner|[[Hisashi Yuki]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Hidetsugu Yoshioka]] (packaging artist)}}

:Released as part of the ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers Again|Beast Wars Again]]'' line, the "Tenacious Showdown" (執念の対決) set contains Tigatron and [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Again|Blackwidow]]. Tigatron is a redeco of [[#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' Tigatron]] in more cartoon-accurate colors, including stark white plastic and metallic paint.

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===''Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game''===
[[File:Tigatronmutatingcard.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game''' (1997)
:Tigatron was one of the 24 beast warriors to receive a battle card representation for the ''Beast Wars'' [[Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game|card game]].
{{-}}

===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:Robotheroesinfernotigatron.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kx7tgkJbjo It's Johnny the tackling Alzheimer's patient! "WWHO AM IIIIIiiiii?!" *fwump*]]]
*'''Tigatron & Inferno''' (Two-pack, 2009)
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (concept artist)}}

:Part of the fifth wave of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]] [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', Tigatron is a [[redeco]] of [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Robot Heroes|Cheetor]]. He is painted in the original American toy's colors (being mostly pale yellow, with a silver face), and like Cheetor has articulation at the shoulders and neck. He comes packaged with [[Inferno (BW)#Robot Heroes|Inferno]].

:The US release of this two-pack was cancelled, but it saw release in Hong Kong, Australian, UK, German, and Russian markets.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Maximal/RHTigatron/tigatron.htm More information on Tigatron at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Jada Toys===
*'''Transformers Series 2 18-pack''' (4 cm Die Cast Figure Multipack, 2022)
:Released by [[Jada Toys]], ''Nano Metalfigs'' Tigatron is an incredibly small die-cast figurine molded holding his blaster. He has a little base attached to his feet for balancing reasons.

:For unknown reasons (but probably due to a simple mistake) he is marketed as a Decepticon instead of an Autobot (as all other Maximals are) and comes in an impressive multipack with [[Jada Toys#Nano Metalfigs|seventeen other figurines]].
{{-}}

===''ReAction''===
*'''Tigatron''' (2023)
**''Accessories'': gun

: Part of [[Super7]]'s line of multi-property 3.75-inch "retro" action figures, ''[[Super7#ReAction|ReAction]]'' Tigatron is (unsurprisingly) a redeco of ''ReAction'' [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#ReAction|Cheetor]]. It is a non-converting figure based on his [[Mainframe]] [[character model]], with 5 points of articulation (swivel neck, shoulders, hips), and includes his traditional "gut-gun."

: Tigatron comes packaged on a small cardback that mixes the design of the original ''Beast Wars'' packaging with some nostalgic elements resembling [[Kenner]]'s ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' action figures from the late 1970s to early '80s. The figure is [[exclusive]] to [[Target]] and was discovered at retail in November 2023 with no prior announcement.
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:BWRConcept07.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Tigatron's control art. Note the extensive retooling from Cheetor that never happened.]]
[[File:Tigatron-orangetoy.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|C-L-E-M-S-OH CRAP!]]
[[File:Tigatron-packageart.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|He's armed with a cryo-freeze beam and a deadly raspberry-blowing tongue.]]
*The original concept art for Tigatron, shown in the "[[Beast Wars Reborn Golden Disc]]", shows that he was originally intended to be a [[retool]]ing of the mold, rather than a simple [[redeco]], changing his [[beast mode]] head and a lot of his [[robot mode]] parts (yet not the face), as well as giving him some kind of horrible tumor gun. Obviously, this didn't happen.
*The Tigatron shown at [[Toy Fair]] in 1996 and depicted in a Hasbro catalog accompanying said Toy Fair<ref name="tf1996cat">[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/USTF1996.html Hasbro Toy Fair 1996 catalog] at the Obscure Transformers Website.</ref> was cast in orange plastic instead of cream-colored, giving him a more "traditional" tiger look. The change to a "white" tiger has so far been unexplained, but the original color scheme is still present in his toy's [[package art]]. On top of that, his name was spelled "Tig'''er'''tron" in said Hasbro catalog.
**This coloration was later used for the comic-exclusive ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' incarnation of [[Cheetor (BWSG)|Cheetor]], and was also later reimagined in plastic as '''Mutant Tigatron''' in ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|War for Cybertron: Kingdom's]]'' ''Golden Disk Collection'', sculpted with the mutant head from the original toy.
*Tigatron's beast mode may well have been female. His template animal was female, and while wild felines have size differences between males and females Tigatron and Snowstalker were shown as being the same size; indeed, they were for all intents and purposes identical, such that [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] thought Snowstalker ''was'' Tigatron. (Though to be fair, Waspinator is not the brightest crayon in the box.)
*In the Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'', for the sake of humor, Tigatron was played as a "samurai" {{w|rōnin}} (to explain his wandering ways). He spoke in an archaic dialect, ending sentences with "de gozaru" (an honorific that eventually evolved into the modern "desu"). Additionally, since [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] was made male in the Japanese dub, "he" was presented as Tigatron's ward whom he looked to as a "brother" (hence the close bond). Eventually, after the events of "[[Other Visits (Part 1)|Other Visits]]", their romantic relationship was "outed" to the audience.
*An unused idea by [[Larry DiTillio]] was that the Vok ceased trying to destroy Earth because contact with Tigatron (after his abduction) made them question the morality of the tactic.<ref>http://www.camphortree.net/tf/tidbits/vok.txt Translation of relevant text from the book ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]''</ref>
*Tigatron's role in the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon was originally intended for [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]].<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/9c79c4226fc6dd28/30c3cdf158ea6e52?lnk=st&q=bob+forward+beast+wars+tigatron+wolfang&rnum=1#30c3cdf158ea6e52 alt.toys.transformers]. The change was also discussed in the commentary track on one of the ''Beast Wars'' DVD releases.</ref>
*Tigatron's [[package art]] is one of a handful that features the toy's mutant head instead of the regular robot head, to rather hilarious effect.
*He has a [[Tigatron Stadium|stadium named after him]].
*Cheetor and Tigatron are the only characters in ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' who are definitely [[Scale|in the correct scale]] to the lifeforms they adopted as beast modes, as each is seen nearby real versions of the animals they mimic.
*Tigatron's animation model (and thus that of Cheetor's original body as well) is one of the comparatively more [[Show-accuracy|toy-accurate]] of the Season One cast. His transformation scheme, however, is simplified by having his arms and crotch-piece unfold from his beast mode's belly instead of its back.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Tigatron''' (タイガトロン ''Taigatoron'')<ref>Tigatron's Japanese name was rendered as '''Tigertron''' on [http://www18.tok2.com/home/jackhama/transformers/bwtcard_1/img/006.jpg a trading card], but TakaraTomy ultimately went with "Tigatron" for the Device Label figure. Both English spellings are possible Romanizations of the katakana.</ref>
*''Italian:'' '''Tigertron'''
*''Korean:'' '''Tigertron''' (타이거트론 ''Taigeoteulon'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Lǎohǔ''' (Taiwan, 老虎, "Tiger"), '''Báihǔ''' (China, 白虎, "White Tiger")
*''Polish:'' '''Tygrytron'''
*''Portuguse:'' '''Tigertron''' (Brazil)
*''Russian:'' '''Tigron''' (Тигрон)
*''Spanish:'' '''Tigatron''' (Spain), '''Tigretron''' (America)

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:IDWTigatroncharactermodel.jpg|IDW continuity character model
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.botconarchives.com/archive/story/characters/tigatron.html Tigatron's archived BotCon Online profile]

[[Category:Amazon exclusives]]
[[Category:Armada Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Again]]
[[Category:Beast Wars combiners]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Maximals]]
[[Category:BotCon exclusives]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Council members]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
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[[Category:Wreckers]]

To sell toys

2023-11-07T17:18:10Z

Bluie:

[[File:MarvelUS-19.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hasbro wasn't quite sure whether to advertise this expensive toy until the fans forced their hand.]]
To understand ''Transformers'' fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[toy]]s to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)#Reception|make a profit in their own right]], but this is regarded as mere gravy.

The "to sell toys" effect often distorts the fiction in interesting ways. Primarily, since you can't ([[Army-building|usually]]) sell someone the same toy twice,<ref>Although the toy lines from the [[live-action film series]] have given us multiple ''different'' toys of the ''same characters''.</ref> Hasbro and Takara constantly introduce new toys, and often require the creators of the fiction to introduce the new characters into ongoing storylines. Older characters (whose toys are no longer being sold) are shoved aside to make room.

Another effect of "to sell toys" is when the toys have gimmicks which must be explained in the fiction. Sometimes ([[Mini-Con]]s) this is relatively easy, while other times it requires a lot of imagination on the part of the writers (the in-comic explanations for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] are kinda wonky).

[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Japanese]] [[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (cartoon)|shows]] are normally the worst offenders, because ''Transformers'' doesn't take itself very seriously over there.

The UK [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|movie-based ''Transformers'' comic]] took this to more blatant heights. For its first year, it had a specific four-page feature every week called ''Top Gear'', which existed solely to promote the newest ''Transformers'' merchandise. ''Any'' merchandise. This led to readers being told how great [[Optimash Prime]] was. For the [[2010]] ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' game franchise, [[Ironhide (Movie)|''Ironhide himself'']] opened letters pages by telling readers how ''awesome'' the game was and how [[you]] should buy it.

{{bigquote|Truly, I'm speechless. Your species characterizes the infinite wonders of the churning, whorling, chaotic cosmos through the lens of... merchandising?

I can see why Swindle loves you idiots.|[[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]] on the concept, [[Ask Vector Prime]].}}

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
[[File:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Pokeformers|Gotta catch 'em all!]]]]
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:

*The first issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comic]], "[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]", in which ''twenty-eight'' different robots appeared and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.
*"[[The Special Teams Have Arrived]]", a free mini-comic given away with issue [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]] of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|comic]], notoriously introduces the reader to ''twenty-four'' new Transformers in just three pages. Granted, four of those are the [[Combiner|combined forms]] of the other twenty, but that's still a lot of new names to remember.
*The 1987 ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over ''sixty'' characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]], all their [[Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s.
*The cartoon episode trilogy "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced well over ''forty'' of the 1987 toyline characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''. In both cases, this wasn't helped by the fact that the nature of Headmasters and Targetmasters meant every new toy had to effectively get two introductions.
*In the first four episodes of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]], eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.
*From #9 onwards, [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movie-based ''Transformers'']] heavily bumped up the cast with new toys. In one example, #17 brought in nine new toys in eleven pages; only one of the five Decepticons got any real focus or dialogue.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:

*Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks (G1)|time]]. [[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|One episode]] even hinges on this idea.
[[File:Decepticonpretenders-behold.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|After seven issues, it's finally time for these six dudes to do something!]]
[[File:FlamesofBoltax-Triggerbots.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Apparently, the Triggerbots didn't make much of an impression on Prime.]]
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.
*Many issues of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#42]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.
*In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].
*In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Soundwave, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon]]s and the [[Triggerbot]]s.
*[[Mainframe Entertainment]] planned to use [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his CGI model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/9c79c4226fc6dd28/30c3cdf158ea6e52?lnk=st&q=bob+forward+beast+wars+tigatron+wolfang&rnum=1#30c3cdf158ea6e52 Ben Yee relays some info from Bob Forward in regards to Wolfang being replaced by Tigatron in the Beast Wars cartoon]</ref>
*Rather than revealing stuff about the [[Vok]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], a long-running subplot, "[[Other Victories]]" spends much of its time telling us how great [[Tigerhawk]] is and how we should buy his toy.
*Material released by both [[3H Productions|3H]] and [[Fun Publications]] tends to release characters from various series and continuities and then write stories featuring every character (usually with a particular focus on that year's box set), which often leads to some bizarre casting choices. [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] were all retroactively added to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] and [[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]] because they wanted to do toys of them that year. The [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] version of [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] is introduced from nowhere, has minimal characterization, and doesn't do anything, because they wanted to do [[Tracks (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Tracks's 2010 toy]] in [[Diaclone]]/[[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] colors. And pretty much every story taking place in the [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]], ostensibly a [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel G1]]-based series, will introduce or reintroduce characters who were dead (the various [[Underbase Saga]] casualties), not even implied in the original stories ([[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]), or [[Female Transformer#Marvel Comics continuity|don't make sense in that universe to begin with]] ([[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]). Sometimes this gets a token justification, other times not.
*The [[First (and Second) in Flight|sixth issue]] of ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival|The Arrival]]'' stops following the regular cast so it can flag the awesome cool out-now-in-shops [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] toy.
*Prominent generals in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movieverse]] Decepticon army change frequently and without any acknowledgment as new toys jostle for (and gain) space.
*[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] and its lead-ins were packed with ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toys, so suddenly ''Beast Wars'' characters [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] are in G1. Things got worse in later issues when [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and [[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]] needed a comic; Tankor berates Starscream for a few panels in [[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|''Dark Cybertron'' #6]], while Crosscut and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] briefly halt the plot in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]] to tell you who Crosscut ''is''. Then he vanishes. They've started getting an increased role in IDW fiction ever since, though.
*For "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", several Autobots had to abruptly depart the ''[[Lost Light]]'' for Cybertron so they could appear in their combiner teams. In the case of [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], this was despite him having just become the Chief Medical Officer: a long-running plot!
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] appeared in the IDWverse after a seven-year absence in ''[[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie]]'' and ''[[The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine]]''. The fact that those two oft-ignored characters had new ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' and ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Legends Class toys released recently probably had something to do with the matter.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|The full might of the Decepticon army.]]
*The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|early Marvel comics]] both featured an oddly lopsided cast, particularly at the beginning, with the Autobot forces on Earth outnumbering the Decepticons two to one. This difference was never really acknowledged, though the cartoon also used [[generic]]s to make it look like Megatron had more than four guys, three pets, and [[Reflector (G1)|a camera]] under his command.
*The early episodes of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to [[Earth]] for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms.
*[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Both the Dreamwave]] and [[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|Panini comics]] suffered exactly the same problem, but it gets worse: [[First Encounter|The first ''Armada'' episode]] reused models of older Transformers as [[generic]] background guys to bump numbers up. The comics ''didn't''. So Megatron apparently conquers all of planet Cybertron with an army of three guys, whereas the city/planet defending Autobots are just five blokes.
*Dreamwave would also [[Dreamwave Armada issue 10|feature a scene on Cybertron]], where the ''only'' Autobot who seemed to exist was [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]].
*For [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|the movie prequels]], IDW got around this by deciding that [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] was going to be a [[Class Alpha drone unit|series of drones]] instead of one guy, allowing for really big battle scenes despite a then-limited number of toys. (It would later turn out there was ''also'' a Dreadwing who was one guy.) Titan Magazines would borrow this, and turn other Decepticons into drone series too.
*It seems unlikely that four bots and their human partners would be sufficient to handle every emergency on [[Griffin Rock]], but those four bots [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (toyline)|were the only ones on shelves at the time]] (other than [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who were needed [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|elsewhere]]), so they were the ones who went into [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|the show]]. As the toyline expanded, toy characters Blurr, Salvage, High Tide and Quickshadow were introduced into the cast.
*''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Kingdom]]'' acts as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but only includes characters who were slated for the first three waves of the accompanying toyline (with the exception of [[Tigatron]], likely due to the ease of retooling [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s animation model into a spare character). This means that notable cartoon characters like [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] or [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] who didn't have toys in the first three waves never put in an appearance in the season. To compensate for the Predacons having depleted ranks as a result, [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] stays with the Predacons for most of his screentime while [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] was turned into a group of generics; Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] also says many Predacons have been lost in his war with the Maximals.
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==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}

Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.

[[File:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Reflector is actually here, he's just buried underneath a pile of speech bubbles.]]
*Again, [[The Transformers (issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.
*Towards the end of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", Jazz puts together a strike team. Naturally, he does this by calling out their names one by one, so that the camera can cut to each Autobot in turn and show them transform in noticeable detail.
*The two-part original ''Transformers'' cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")
*"[[The Rebirth]]" has ''three different sequences'' in which large new groups of characters form a lineup and introduce themselves to viewers one after another. Strangely enough, much of this screen- and dialogue-time is given over to Nebulan partners; the "main" Transformer characters get no such introductions, even though they are the items kids would have to purchase to acquire the Nebulan accessories. For instance, [[Spasma]], [[Monzo]], and [[Peacemaker]] (all speaking characters) are introduced by name as part of various lineups, but their in-store hosts [[Apeface]], [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], and [[Pointblank]] are never named (and Weirdwolf never even speaks).
*"[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" has the Maximals walk on one-by-one admiring their [[beast mode]]s, proclaiming their newly adopted names and showing character traits.
*Crosscut and Swerve fill in Crosscut's backstory and job during a fight. That's all Crosscut does in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]].

===Gimmicks===
{{main|Gimmick}}
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.

* The ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 .28Scramble City and 2010.29|Scramble City]]'' category of G1 combiner teams have the ability to freely swap around their limbs. Because of this, an unusual amount of Japanese fiction focuses on the idea of characters swapping limbs, best shown by ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'', with rather variable consequences, and sometimes resulting in the creation of [[Scramble 7|whole new combiner characters]]. Sometimes, this purportedly results in some kind of increase in power or the combiner gaining different traits, but these changes are almost invariably told more than shown. In some cases, simply [[Free-Combination|changing the arrangement of an existing set of limbs]] is cited as something that can vastly alter a character's capabilities, with little real explanation.
*The Headmaster gimmick got [[The Transformers: Headmasters|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender]]s, gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up—at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots (if anything, considering the altmodes of his troops, he seems to be the ''least'' concerned with stealth), nor has he demonstrated the science skills to pull this off, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story. (The, uh, story of returning Optimus Prime's character to the comic book because he had [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|a new toy]].)
*[[Rotor Force]] made their debut in "[[New Dawn]]", and both here and in subsequent ''Generation 2'' issues would primarily fight enemies not with guns like everyone else, but by firing their giant rotors at them. Page 3 of ''New Dawn'' actually shows them having to ''stop and reattach their rotors'' before they can carry on fighting.
[[File:Mistaken Identity Galvatronscourge.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|[[Johnny Yong Bosch|It's Morphin Time! MASTODON!]]]]
*The [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]] [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] had six alternate modes and [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the cartoon]] really wanted you to see them, which is why [[Battle Protocol!|his first appearance]] is as ''a giant hand for no reason''. It gets sillier when he turns into Galvatron and gains four more modes. In "[[Mistaken Identity]]", he turns into his "Iron Mammoth" form when facing off against [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|a hostile Fortress Maximus]] even though he doesn't ''do'' anything in his form except stand there ''as he was already doing''.
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are the only Autobot jets in the ''Animated'' line. (Not counting the toyless [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]].) To fully big this up, their origin story has it that there have ''never been'' any flying Autobots before, despite them having been in (and won) a long and bitter war with enemies who ''often fly''. This one was silly enough that [[Endgame, Part I|a later episode]] explicitly joked on this, pointing out that there were multiple Autobots before and after Jetfire and Jetstorm with some kind of flight capability.
* The second season of the 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon coincided with the release of the [[Deployer (WFC)|Deployer]] toys, which fire smaller [[Mini-Con]] figures. Suddenly, every Decepticon in the cartoon was partnered with a Mini-Con or two, even Decepticons who'd appeared in the past as solo operatives.

The [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:

*The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s practically defined the plot of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.
*[[Powerlinx]]ing is shown again and again and again in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines. In fact, due to the fact much of Energon's action was firefights, Powerlinxing seemed to be a disadvantage, since it resulted in a single larger Autobot shooting instead of two smaller ones.
*[[Cyber Key]] powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].'' In this case, while most characters had basic weapons, the Cyber Keys were necessary to unlock hidden weaponry or special techniques. So, for example, Optimus might be able to shoot at the Decepticons with a smaller firearm, but to fire his larger cannons he would need to summon his Cyber Key. Some characters, however, needed their Cyber Keys to activate what one would expect to be their main weapons (e.g. Starscream activating his Null Ray Cannon).
*All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[Stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.

*Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled "[[Second Generation!]]", where [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] <s>watched an advert</s> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams in action. These events were previewed in "The Special Teams Have Arrived", nine issues earlier, with no indication that they were part of a vision, making their place in continuity uncertain.
*In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.
*Season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.
*One season later, "[[The Rebirth]]" - the last episodes of the entire series - was almost entirely spent on introducing new characters and giving old ones upgrades, leaving just barely enough time to provide any kind of conclusion.
*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' was absolutely crazy about this. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus]] (whose toy was long gone) kicks the bucket only three episodes in for the sake of a sacrifice that would be nullified only a few episodes later, putting new(er) toy [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] back in the command chair for a short while. In the tenth episode, Rodimus departs the series and hands the title of Supreme Commander to brand-spanking-new toy [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], who's had a few months, tops, of combat experience. Much like Season 3, ''Headmasters'' also ignored most of the Season 3 regulars ([[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, the [[Quintesson]]s) or removed them altogether, sometimes fairly dubiously ([[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] leave with Rodimus, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] gets shot a bit and dies, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is buried in ice and nobody digs him up until ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (story page)|Battlestars]]''). By the end of the series, the only remaining Autobots from the first three seasons were the [[Special Teams]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] and his cassettes, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]].
*[[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|''Transformers Comic-Magazin'' #2]] wrote an entire story devoted to Optimus sternly explaining which Autobots and Decepticons were on sale in [[Germany]] in 1989. The reason he had to? [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] had ''shot an Autobot''!
*The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]]—who had just had a new and expensive toy.
*[[Tigerhawk]] debuts in "[[Other Victories]]", where he's the reason the Predacons lose their base and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is killed. This disrupts any ending for the Tarantulas/[[Vok]] storyline, as the episode is left with little time to properly explain the mysteries of either character and the plot of last episode, Tarantulas trying to destroy the whole ''Ark'', is reduced to two lines about the [[Tripredacus Council]].
[[File:Samprowl.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|<s>Upgrades are bad.</s> Upgrades are GOOD. We have always been at war with <s>Eurasia</s> Eastasia.]]
*"[[A Fistful of Energon]]" has [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] learn not to use upgrades, and he gives up using powerful samurai armour. But whoops, Hasbro thought "hey, we could make a toy out of that armour"! And so in [[Five Servos of Doom|a later episode]], Prowl ''regains'' it and the show hurriedly claims that the upgrade is fine ''now'' because Prowl realizes now that it's the Autobot, not the upgrade.
*The [[France|French]] decided to be good sports and start using propeller-driven nuclear bombers again in [[All Hail Megatron issue 11|''All Hail Megatron'' #11]], just so [[Octane|Tankor]] could be used.
*[[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] has been on Earth for a while, in hiding from other Decepticons while he waits for orders from [[the Fallen]] in "[[Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout]]". Ransack is a member of a race that can scan any object and take its form as a disguise. Ransack moves around in the cunning disguise of ''a 100-year-old plane''. (At least, unlike the previous example, the oldness of the alt mode was pointed out.)
*In Titan's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] go from being [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's]] responsibility to bugging [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to being [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe's]] responsibility in the space of three issues, all to allow each issue to focus on a specific toy-bearing movie star. Similarly, only one or two Decepticons per issue are sent on a mission, when presumably the Fallen might want to send loads of guys to silence the twins.
*In ''Dark of the Moon'', nearly all of the Transformers switch from built-in weaponry to handheld weaponry. It just so happens that the gimmick of the ''Dark of the Moon'' toys was that they had "MechTech" weapons that could be held by any other figure.
*Also in ''Dark of the Moon'', most Autobots transform into [[Stealth Force]] mode, a weaponized vehicle mode that allows them to access various weapons in their otherwise defenseless disguises, an incredibly useful combat mode that's never used in any prior or later films. Uniquely, this was something Hasbro came up with for the toyline on their own; director [[Michael Bay]] decided to incorporate it into the film only after seeing what they were working on for the then-upcoming toyline and taking a personal liking to it.
*The [[subline imprint]] of the ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] was the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#BH|Beast Hunters]]'' line, which took hold at about the time of the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|show]]'s third season, which was given the subtitle of the imprint. In the episode "[[Project Predacon]]", [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] awkwardly redubs [[Team Prime]] as the "Beast Hunters", when they begin looking for Predacon fossils. The Autobots must've felt the same way as we did about the sudden name change, since really only the protocol-obsessed [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] begins using the term. Thanks to behind the scene troubles and the whole concept being a late addition to the series, the team never actually ''hunts any beasts'', as only three Predacons ever take a central role in the story.
[[File:YouMeAndTheUniverse-Scoopcolors.jpg||thumb|upright=1.4|Talk about "shoehorned in".]]
*The [[subline imprint]] for the ''Generations'' line from 2015 to 2016 was ''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]'', hence IDW's tie-in comic had to introduce a heapload of combiners in a universe that regarded combination as a lost art with unpredictable side-effects. (Devastator, Menasor, Superion, and Monstructor were around, but they had each been introduced separately, and each with their own unique explanations, over the course of ''ten years''.) Enter the [[Enigma of Combination]], an artifact of Nexus Prime with the power to merge any Transformers into a combiner. Not only is this artifact used on Superion, Menasor, and Defensor, it is also used on Optimus Prime and other selected Autobots to create [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. The fact that Optimus had two Combiner Wars toys (one released, one upcoming at the time of the story's publication) might have influenced this decision.
*Also, the big toy of 2015 was a Titan Class Devastator... in his classic configuration instead of IDW's newly introduced 'Prowlastator' form. Unfortunately, Scrapper had been long dead and hence was unable to take his spot as the combiner's leg. However, IDW had another bulldozer-bot conveniently lying around - [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]. Naturally, he was merged with the other Constructicons by the aforementioned Enigma, restoring Devastator's classic silhouette.
*A long-running plot thread of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', starting all the way back in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue 5]], was [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] preparing [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] to succeed him as the ''[[Lost Light]]''{{'}}s Chief Medical Officer. [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|Issue 40]] ''finally'' sees Ratchet stepping down and leaving the ship (so he could participate in the events of ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]''), officially declaring First Aid "the new Chief Medical Officer"... but after only two issues in his new position, [[The One Where They Go to Earth|issue 43]] sees First Aid himself leave the ''Lost Light'' under a flimsy in-story pretense so he could participate in the events of ''Combiner Wars'', appointing [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] as his own successor (although he would later return to the ''Lost Light'' following the conclusion of ''Combiner Wars'').
*In a follow-up story, Galvatron creates two combiners out of random soldiers and foes. To plug the new merch, these are called [[Galvatronus (CW)|Galvatronus]] and [[Sky Reign]] but most of the characters that made them up in toy form were either on Cybertron, the ''[[Lost Light]]'', or dead at the time. Unusually for this page, Hasbro allowed IDW to use random limbs as long as the names were right but this leads to the comic pimping a toy you can't buy (though you could make it with others), and in Galvatronus' case a toy that doesn't even have the same face as in the comic.
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===Awkward continuity===
[[File:Earthforce.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This happened... er.... look just buy the toys, ok?!]]
Sometimes the requirement to feature new toys can be so strong that continuity takes a major backseat and stories are produced that feature combinations of characters that make the story very difficult to slot into the main continuity. The Marvel UK comic was especially prone to this as it could not always foresee where, when and how characters would be introduced:

*The ''[[Transformers Annual 1985]]'' contains many stories featuring toys from the 1985 release long before they were formally introduced in the regular comic, often interacting with other characters who would be out of action by then. As a result, few of the stories easily fit the continuity of the weekly comic.
*The demands of Hasbro UK for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] to be featured heavily even before the US ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' mini-series was available meant that both the ''[[Transformers Annual 1987]]'' and the regular strip "[[Worlds Apart!]]" contain a slightly different set of events that are at odds with the mini-series.
*The requirement to give prominence to the rereleased toys in the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] range resulted in one of the biggest continuity trainwrecks of all, [[Earthforce]]. Over three decades later fans are still uncertain where it fits in continuity, and even [[Simon Furman]] admits to being unsure.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Looking back, as I try my hardest not to do, it's very hard to tie the Earthforce stories into a specific time frame (in terms of the US continuity), because (if I'm brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn't necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004}}</ref>
*Germany's ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'' started in 1989 and reprinted older Marvel US and UK strips. Since, of course, these would rarely show the current toys, Comic-Magazin ran text stories from #2 that showcased ''completely different'' Transformers that were on Earth at the same time, and just happened not to be seen in the strips.
*Trapped between the need to pimp toys and the problem of not knowing what the plot of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' would be, Titan just threw up their hands and unambiguously set their lead strip in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Alternate universe|an alternate universe]]. Similarly, the [[Dark of the Moon (video games)|video games]] for ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' were all prequels so that the games would not directly contradict the then-upcoming movie's plot while still using some of the characters and settings who would be featured (some minor plot contradicitons ''did'' occur, but few fans have ever accepted the video games to be in perfect continuity with the films anyway).
*Based on evidence from various sources, it's been speculated that the episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]" was originally meant to star [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], who at the time had been exiled from the Decepticons and was on somewhat friendly terms with the Autobots. Instead, his role was taken over by new toy [[Octane]]. The only other episode to prominently feature Octane, "[[Thief in the Night]]", which was aired ''after'' "Starscream's Ghost", kinda sorta explains his falling out with the Decepticons—except it doesn't: While said episode ''does'' have him go rogue, not only is he ''still'' a bad guy—by the end of that episode, ''Galvatron is no longer on bad terms with Octane''! Likewise, the episode "[[The God Gambit]]" starred [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Starscream and Thrust, with Astrotrain (a new toy at the time) taking on a leadership role more akin to Megatron rather than the bus he's reduced to in almost every other episode.
*The Japanese broadcast of ''Animated'' outright skipped "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]" and "[[Sari, No One's Home]]", as they largely revolve around the toy-less [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Meanwhile, "[[Sound and Fury]]" was moved up to be the first episode to air after the pilot to promote Soundwave's toys, which is at odds with continuity since Megatron only came back online during "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]", which was pushed to air ''after'' "Sound and Fury".
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===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.

*The original ''Transformers'' cartoon introduced [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and even [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]].
[[File:Buzzsawyikes4.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Buzzsaw reminds Omega Supreme he's not a new toy any more.]]
*The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his debut issue]], slaughtering all but two of the Decepticon forces sent to attack him. Just [[Dark Star|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], one of his original victims. He was also drawn as [[Scale|truly colossal]] in his first appearance, before becoming just a head taller than [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] by the time of his death.
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], in a weird case of this, actually seemingly ''[[Scale|shrank]]'' between the third season of the G1 toon and [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']], going from being drawn as a genuine giant to barely bigger than the average combiner. Even in official [[scale charts]], he dropped from being shown as 800 meters tall to about 45. This was likely to avoid upstaging new-kid-on-the-block [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus.]]
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] was, amazingly, something of a threat in early episodes; he holds his own against [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] in his debut. He only became significantly weaker than the other Predacons during the second season.
*In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.
*Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.
*The [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] were far more powerful and competent than the Predacons, who were made even ''less'' powerful and competent as episodes went on. Remarkably, this was actually used in the plot, with Megatron focusing on the new toys while the Predacons became underdogs trying to get their old status back and one-up the new guys.
[[File:ArmTVTidalWave.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Before he shrank in the wash.]]
*''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction, and his ability to combine with Megatron gave the battle advantage to the Decepticons until his equally powerful counterpart [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] was introduced. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Tidal Wave is just this tall guy (but not as tall as he used to be) and is treated as just another Decepticon, even after he gets a body upgrade in the form of "Mirage".
*When the newly redecoed Jetfire and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] combine in Dreamwave's Armada comic, they are so powerful ''they can hurt Unicron himself''.
*[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] was incredibly powerful when he was first introduced, but later on, he's getting slaps on the wrist by [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], and schooled by [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], ultimately becoming more of a sympathetic comedic bumbler than a credible threat.
*The Decepticons in ''Animated'' started off as being so horrifically powerful that the entire Autobot team had to take on a ''single'' one. By Season 3, this no longer happens. Uniquely, this was ''deliberate'' by the writers: they wanted to show the Decepticons as supreme threats, and have the Autobots gradually being better at dealing with them.
*The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] in ''Prime'' started off pretty tough; easily wearing down [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] in a group, then just two giving [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] a tough time. In the next episode, they've got Stormtrooper aim, and basically exist to give the Autobots someone to kill while saving the named Decepticons from the scrapheap. It gets to the point where in the third season, [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] actually ''counts'' on the Vehicons failing to execute [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], and Wheeljack makes several amusing comments about the Vehicons' incompetence.
*Additionally, the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] started off as nightmarishly strong monsters. One wears ''[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'' to the point of exhaustion before dying (admittedly, Megs was deprived of his main asset when Airachnid webbed his fusion cannon). However, for the remainder of the series, the Insecticons are just as weak as the Vehicons, being blasted down in one shot, despite a return to form in "[[Tunnel Vision]]" and "[[Toxicity]]" (the latter of which saw the debut of notorious Autobot killer [[Hardshell]]).
{{-}}

===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writers are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.

[[File:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Ratchet pulls a Kitty Pryde on Bumblebee.]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] was rebuilt into Goldbug following his near-destruction... and was later re-rebuilt back into Bumblebee to sell the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Pretender|new Classic Pretender toy]]. The reason given in [[Skin Deep|the comic storyline]] was that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] reverted him without his consent because Ratchet liked his old form better, something Bumblebee is strangely fine with.
*Season 2 of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' introduced the new [[Transmetal]] toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies. The writers had originally planned to introduce these changes gradually, across the length of Season 2, but Hasbro ordered them to be brought in immediately. (The slow-and-gradual notion would eventually appear during Season 3.)
[[File:Retailbuyer decisiontree.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" ''three times''; at the start of each subsequent series, he's given a different body but called Megatron ''again'', because the name "Megatron" just sells more toys. (This also means Hasbro gets to keep the [[trademark]] "Galvatron".) The Japanese versions handled this differently (with Megatron known as Megatron throughout Armada even after his upgrade, and being known as Galvatron throughout all of Energon) due to different trademark laws. Galaxy Force (the Japanese version of Cybertron) played it straight with Master Megatron being upgraded into Master Galvatron.
*Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of Jetfire and Optimus during the Unicron arc.
*The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of [[fighting spirit]] into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.
*In the course of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voilà, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf! He later pulls the ''exact same thing'' in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', but by now, he's been established as having a fragile ego, explaining the constant desire to switch alternate modes.
*When [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comic originally came out, there were no Generation 1-themed toys to flog, and many characters were given altered designs for the series. Then along came ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', featuring new toys of Generation 1 characters, and suddenly multiple characters get new, toy-accurate bodies in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'', for no apparent in-story reason. Later, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] even gets a namechange to ''Silver''streak to fit his toy.
*Sometimes, IDW's comics don't even bother with a reason: you just get the latest issue and a character suddenly resembles the latest toy. This can sometimes be explained as artist interpretation, but at other times...
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was originally grey, but when he was reunited with the ''Animated'' Decepticons, he changed his colours to purple while referring to it as his proper look. Why he changed colouration to go undercover was not explained, but it may have something to do with a purple-coloured Shockwave toy being out when that episode aired.
*In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] start out as an old ice cream truck combiner but after a disastrous mission [[NEST]] decides to upgrade them to new individual [[General Motors]] vehicles. New toys ''and'' product placement!
*[[Starscream (Armada)#Generations|''Armada'' Starscream]] got a new toy in 2014. There wasn't an ''Armada'' comic but there ''was'' a Generation 1 comic with a Starscream, which was then [[pack-in material|packed in]] with the toy series including Armada Starscream. And lo and behold, for ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' Starscream got a new body! A year later, he swapped to ''another'' body for "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", which was his then-new Leader Class toy, and several issues were devoted to him choosing it and then flaunting it. Then again, this ''is'' Starscream we're talking about...
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] finally got a new toy as well. Problem is, his comic body didn't look much like the toy. Then, in ''[[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Dark Cybertron Chapter 11]]'', he revealed his new invention: reactive armor that changed his body to look like his opponent's. Who did he use this armor to battle? Why, it's Starscream, the guy his toy was retooled from!
*2015's "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]" comic series brought back almost all of the combiner characters that have appeared in the IDW continuity thus far. However, [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] was apparently killed by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] quit the Stunticons... so that [[Alpha Bravo]] and [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] can replace them! Meanwhile, Starscream rebuilds Devastator; not only does Devastator suddenly resemble his toy counterpart, but [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is no longer a required member of the combiner team, leaving him free to combine with Optimus Prime and company to become the brand-new combiner [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. Superion and Menasor, who had made previous appearances in IDW fiction, are both rebuilt by the [[Enigma of Combination]], causing their bodies to more closely resemble their toy counterparts.

===Character pimping===
Characters with toys may get more attention than those without:

*"[[Matrix Quest]]" has four separate teams on a mission. You could use any three Transformers in one of these teams, right? Nope, Furman has toys to promote: out go nine new Autobot characters and three existing ones with new toys.
*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge's]] presence in all three of his first three ''Beast Wars'' episodes: one for his origin, another for him joining the Maximals after all, and then an abrupt appearance at the very end of "[[Cutting Edge]]" where he turns up and single-handedly drives off a Predacon force.
*When ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|Animated]]'' was released in Japan, episodes focusing on the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicon]]s were never broadcast on television (instead being reduced to bonus content on the DVDs), as the Constructicons did not have toys. The episode order was also rearranged (and thus the internal narrative of the series, as well) so that episodes introducing new toys could air earlier than those that didn't.
*IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' came back in 2013 in order to promote six of the upcoming ''Generations'' toys. Even [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], a little-used character who would never have been given a ''Spotlight'' otherwise! (Initially published through Diamond and Comixology as per IDW's usual practice, these comics were subsequently packed-in with the toys they were based on, aiming to use the higher sales of the toys to boost comic sales in a "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine" scenario.) Likewise, Waspinator, having a new toy out in late 2013, began making appearances and took on increased importance in the IDW universe. An upcoming [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] toy brought forth a Tankor appearance in Dark Cybertron. The opening arcs of the second seasons of ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and ''Robots in Disguise'' (as well as ''Windblade'' vol. 1) in 2014 also heavily feature casts of characters with new toys, such as Nightbeat, Rattrap, Arcee, and Jetfire.
* When [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] frees some Decepticons in the second season of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', the freed 'Cons include his former minions [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]] and [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]], yet not the other two members of the Pack, [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]] and [[Underbite]]. He instead frees [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]], [[Groundpounder (RID)|Groundpounder]], [[Overload (RID)|Overload]], [[Quillfire (RID)|Quillfire]] and [[Springload (RID)|Springload]]. There's no reason to neglect those who have already proven to be able to work together in the Pack (and thus Steeljaw should know would help in his eventual coup), except for the fact that the toys of both Fracture and Underbite had already sold, and the newly freed Decepticons have new figures on the shelves.

===Abrupt conclusions===
[[File:MarvelUSG2-12.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|It's the end of the road for Transformers Generation 2! That can't bode well for the toyline.]]
Just as ''Transformers'' fiction lives at Hasbro's pleasure, so too does it die. Falling sales, a change of plans, and standard [[rebranding]] can all cause a storyline to come to a sudden end when Hasbro decides to pull the plug.

*The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.
*The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.
*Hasbro was only willing to support the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Gee, axe us]]".)
*The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the axe fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.
*Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|The Wreckers]]'' in 2003, wishing instead for [[3H Productions|3H]] to focus on a ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.
*Even though ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' wasn't abruptly canceled, Kids WB ended the series on the [[cliffhanger]] of the episode "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]", leaving millions of kids tuning in next time only to get a re-run of ''Xiaolin Showdown''. The reason? The Cybertron Defense Team toys hadn't hit stores yet.
*With ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' coming out in June, Titan had to end their alternate universe storyline in May so they could tie in early—an issue earlier than planned. The main strip handled this, with the notable exception of [[Jazz (Movie)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|the Jazz plot arc]] going completely unresolved, but it played havoc with working out the IDW reprints!
*According to [[Rik Alvarez]], IDW was asked to drop their G1 continuity and move to the brand-spanking new [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]] one. (They said "nah".)
{{-}}

==Death==
===Killing off old product===
[[File:Tftm1986a.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Guess who's no longer in the Mini Vehicles case assortment?]]
[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Publisher's clearing house.]]
[[File:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Scorponok, Terrorsaur, we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause Waspinator has a bigger fan club.]]
The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character—especially when there are newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

*Right before the introduction of most of the 1985 cast, the Marvel comic saw eleven of the original Autobots taken offline within a single issue in "[[Prime Time!]]". A few issues later, six of the original Decepticons met [[Command Performances!|a similar fate]] at the hands of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (which doubled as character pimping for the big guy). Though it was suggested they could be repaired, the vast majority of casualties wouldn't reappear in the US until they popped up in crowd shots [[Totaled!|thirty issues later]], and a number had their next appearance being a ''second'' death in the Underbase Saga.
*In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', numerous main characters are killed or changed in the movie's first 30 minutes, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]]. They are replaced by a slew of new characters; in fact, the poster for the movie shows ''only'' new characters.
*Numerous characters are killed in the Marvel UK comics saga "[[Time Wars]]". The Grim Reaper seemed to spare either popular characters (Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]) or newer characters ([[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], for example.)
*The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines. However, the explanation ([[Underbase]] power didn't affect those TFs with organic components) meant that even the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], new toys at the time and introduced three issues before, met their end.
*The climactic [[On the Edge of Extinction!|battle with Unicron]] 25 issues later killed off many of the Underbase survivors, whose shelf run had ended.
*With its enormously expensive CGI animation, ''Beast Wars'' was particularly vulnerable to toy-based interference. The expense of creating and animating a CGI body model meant that the character roster had to remain fairly constant; the introduction of all-new characters usually required the removal of an equal number of existing characters. And so, [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] die just in time for the arrival of [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]. (Frustrated with the situation, the writers carefully planned out<ref>http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html</ref> the demise of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], anticipating that someone would have to be removed to make way for [[Rampage (BW)|newer characters]].)
*''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' would end up killing a large number of Autobots in [[The Reign of Starscream issue 5|issue #5]], after their toys had been around for a while; as they'd not made an appearance in the comics until this mini, this is both an example of Huge Cast ''and'' Product Clearing. It would then go on to bump off some Decepticons, while its sequel ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'' slaughtered ''hordes'' of Decepticons with old toys. Mowry is the new Furman...
*The ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]] is a prequel to the film and can't afford to kill off most of its characters due for an appearance in the then-upcoming film. Luckily, there's several characters who've been around since the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' franchise who can be used to give the game some bosses to kill off like [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]], and [[Stratosphere]]!
*An odd case of this is in the [[live-action film series]], which, as well as advertising toys, also serves as advertising for [[General Motors]] vehicles. Hence, Autobots whose cars are no longer in demand have an uncanny tendency to either lose prominence or perish. The most prominent example would be [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] - the GMC Topkick had been discontinued for two years by ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'', and so, despite a fifty-dollar toy on the shelves, Ironhide dies halfway in. Similarly, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] is the major Autobot casualty of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' due to his Hummer H2 vehicle mode being a thing of the past by the time the film hit theaters (though unlike Ironhide, Ratchet had next to no representation in the toyline).
*IDW's [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''Robots in Disguise'']] ongoing has to promote a [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]... with [[Alpha Bravo|a new helicopter]] instead of [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]. Hence, Slingshot is the one to suffer most and die from the injuries caused when [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] tore him in half. This is especially weird considering that Devastator tore through Superion from the ''right'', and Slingshot was Superion's ''left'' arm at the time. Not to mention that Silverbolt, the torso, was explicitly ripped in half... The series would go on to have [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] leave the Stunticons over a humiliating defeat... one he suffered years ago, in [[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]. Naturally, the empty position was filled by new toy [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]]. Then Hasbro decided to release Quickslinger and Brake-Neck (Slingshot and Wildrider renamed for trademark issues) ''much'' later after the others' release, part of a strategy that effectively forced fans to buy toys ''both'' of the "replacement" characters ''and'' the original characters.

This has become less common in recent years, as Hasbro has come to realize that their target audiences can actually get attached to certain [[character]]s, and might not enjoy seeing them die random, brutal, meaningless [[death]]s.
{{-}}

===Hi-and-die===
[[File:Chuffer cof.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Likely dialog: "SHEEEAAGH!!"]]
Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the ''Transformers'' version of ''[[Star Trek]]''{{'}}s infamous {{w|redshirt syndrome}}. The stereotypical hi-and-die character is killed off in the same episode/issue that introduces him, if not the very same scene.

*This approach was particularly common in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#UK comics|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Autobot)|Flattop]], and the sixth member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].
*The U.S. comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]].
*[[Transmutate (BW)|Transmutate]] showed up and died in [[Transmutate (episode)|that episode]], of course Hasbro doesn't make [[Transmutate (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|a toy]] [[Action Master|that don't transform]], right?
*The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock (Energon)|Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast]]'s hands, providing motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]].
*''Animated'' chucked in [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] so Ratchet could have a tragic past where he failed to save someone. (And ''then'' she got a toy!)
*The [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|''Animated'' comic]] wants to do a story arc about an Autobot who's really a spy and then have him killed. Quick, [[Afterburn|make someone up]]!
*''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' invents hordes of characters solely to populate the story with casualties while preserving the classic characters: [[Chromatron]], [[Gauntlet (WFC)|Gauntlet]], [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]], [[Drixco]], [[Revo]], [[Catalycon]], and dozens of other unnamed Autobots, Decepticons and [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]].
*[[James Roberts]] elevated hi-and-die to an artform; though his run on ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' is crammed with minor non-toy characters who wind up dead, many still received some backstory, history, or distinctive characterization before - or even after - being killed off. Examples from ''More than Meets the Eye''{{'}}s first "season" include [[Polaris]], [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]], [[Shock (G1)|Shock]], [[Ore]], [[Animus]], [[Dent]], [[Sonic (IDW)|Sonic]], [[Boom]], [[Piston (Wrecker)|Piston]], [[Crest]], [[Torque (G1)|Torque]], [[Sherma]], [[Momus]], "[[Fallout (G1)|Fallout]]", "[[Streaker]]", [[Heavies|Hammer and Anvil]], [[Trepan]], [[Frak]], [[Rushcut]], [[Rossum]], [[Tripodeca]], [[Pivot]], [[Scattergun]], [[Blockus]], [[Datum]], [[Ramp]], and [[Suture (G1)|Suture]]. Similarly, ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' introduced us to [[Squadron X]], comprising just about every Decepticon hi-and-die character from the Marvel continuity, who were then all slaughtered by Impactor.
{{-}}

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new toy of that character.

[[File:Inferno dies agenda2.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Only a flesh wound!]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|so many times]] that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his [[Powermaster]] form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival in ''Generation 2'' brought him into his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G2Hero|Hero]] toy form.
*The Japanese killed off Optimus (or "Convoy" as they called him) in [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]. A few years later, they not only brought him back with a new toy, the ''entire franchise'' for that year was called ''[[Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]''.
*Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.
*The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2. Hasbro wanted him brought back in the first minutes of the season premiere, but the writers managed to convince them that it would be better to do so at the ''end'' of the two-episode story following the premiere.
*At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed—being ''disintegrated''—but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.
*Pretty much ''nobody'' could successfully die in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]]. [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Dagger]], and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] all die and/or are resurrected from the dead during the course of the show.
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] still had toys out in 2008. The [[bio]] for AllSpark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz states he was brought back from near-death by the AllSpark and is "more powerful than ever". Voilà, Jazz comes back from the dead thanks to the AllSpark in [[Transformers Comic issue 16|Titan's tie-in comic]]! Optimus even uses the ''term'' "Autobot Jazz" in [[Transformers Comic issue 21|a later issue]]...
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] was shot in the head and abandoned on [[Gorlam Prime]] back in "[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]". Six years later, Hasbro were releasing a new Nightbeat toy and back he comes into ''Dark Cybertron'', a chatty undead from the [[Dead Universe]]. He proceeds to survive the destruction of the Dead Universe and wound up on the ''Lost Light'' before seemingly dying again.
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s IDW incarnation first appeared in the ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' limited series, set millions of years in the past. The final issue originally left his exact fate following his final confrontation with Megatron ambiguous; according to artist [[Alex Milne]], Sentinel was ''not'' dead ''yet'' as far as he was concerned, and the script had called for him to look like he could go either way.<ref name="milne">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110822003501/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=37411 Post by Alex Milne on the IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> However, ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'', published around the same time, at least ''implied'' that he was dead in the present day just like in other continuities, given how Optimus Prime had succeeded him. Subsequently, ''[[Spotlight: Blurr]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'', among others, presented [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] as the Prime who chronologically succeeded Sentinel, before being himself killed by Megatron and succeeded by Optimus. Fast forward to several years later, when Hasbro's [[Titans Return (toyline)|''Titans Return'' toy line]] introduced a new Sentinel Prime toy that was also a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] with a [[Titan Master]] named [[Infinitus]], and lo and behold, the IDW version of Sentinel, having been presumed dead for four million years, suddenly makes an unexpected return in a ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, with absolutely no buildup beforehand, and is revealed to actually ''be'' a smaller robot named Infinitus who survived the destruction of his larger body. After menacing everyone a little for a few issues, he gets dropped down a very big hole, never to be spoken of again.
{{-}}

===Untouchables===
[[File:Armorhide drawhisfire.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Really, they could just stand there making rude noises at Starscream.]]
Obviously, if a character ''does'' have a current toy (or soon will), they're ([[Cliffjumper (WFC)|usually]]) not going to die, even if the plot or common sense indicates they should. This is sometimes because Hasbro itself declares a character unkillable, and so comics and TV writers must follow suit.
*In "[[Optimal Situation]]", [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] had betrayed [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to the Maximals, ruining his greatest shot at victory. As he declared, "There will be no more betrayals!", she would pay the price: being knocked into stasis lock so the Maximals could fix her and she could stay on their team.
*Megatron himself was in a prime position to be terminated, as were the Maximals later on, in "[[The Weak Component]]". Since this was only episode 6 and everyone had toys out, the cast politely agreed not to take this opportunity to end a brutal war for the planet.
*Titan's Movie strip was moved to an alternate universe, where you'd [[Rhythms of Darkness!|expect nobody to be safe from death]]. However, most of the cast had toys out, so whether it was a desperate guerrilla fight against Decepticon occupation, the rise of [[Unicron]], a [[Decepticon Civil War]], or the final battle, very few characters bought it. The big exception was [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]], dying in his first battle.
*In ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' (mentioned earlier), James Roberts observed that Impactor was the only character who was guaranteed not to be killed. However, Hasbro shot down the idea of Perceptor or Springer dying, and so most of the fatalities were less well-known characters like Pyro, Ironfist, and eternally unlucky Wreckers Twin Twist and Topspin.
*Similar to his Beast Era counterpart, ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] was worn down to the point of exhaustion, and was at [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s mercy. Optimus, now [[One Shall Fall|sworn to outright kill Megatron when he gets the chance]], is about to pull the trigger, but ends up backing down when he's threatened by Decepticon reinforcements... in this case, the laughing stock redshirt Vehicons. It doesn't help that the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' toyline had ''just'' gotten on shelves, but seriously? Optimus felt threatened by ''Vehicons''?
*If a Decepticon with a current toy is about to be captured in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', they can pull off the most miraculous of escapes, sometimes [[Bee Cool|disappearing under our heroes' noses]].
*Starscream, the end.

==Notable exceptions==
There are, however, a few notable exceptions to the To Sell Toys effect, such as fictional characters without a toy counterpart, and other anomalies:

===Toys not released in the relevant market===
[[File:Swoopg1marvelukfirst.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|YOU CAN'T HAVE ME.]]
Occasionally the ''Transformers'' fiction released in a particular country features characters whose toys were not released in that country. The Marvel UK comic featured two variations of this phenomenon:

*Characters inherited from the U.S. strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the U.S. stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons (even before their US appearances were reprinted), to have entire storylines focusing on Swoop, and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.
*Characters not featured in the U.S. strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]], and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

Writer [[Simon Furman]] has since stated that when writing the stories he was generally unaware of which toys were unavailable in the UK.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We largely took our cue from what characters were being introduced into the US storyline. If there was a release schedule for the toys in the UK, we rarely saw it... But in the case of Swoop and the Predacons, I don't think I was consciously aware (at the time) that we were dealing with toys not generally available in the UK. They were just extant characters, and therefore fair game.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year-2004}}</ref>

This would happen again with Titan, as foreign exclusives such as [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] and [[Slap Dash (ROTF)|Slap Dash]] palled around with UK-available toys.

Another example would be the original text stores published by [[Condor Verlag]] in their ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'': The text story from [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|issue 11]] features the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], even though catalogs from the era, backed up by German fans' recollections, suggest that the German release of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line-up omitted the Classic Combaticons, possibly due to their "war" theme.
{{-}}

===Post-Marvel, pre-2013 G1 comics===
[[File:Infiltration 1b.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Hey, Runamuck, it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!" "Heh heh, now if only we could appear on toy store shelves..."]]
Both [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] comics, the two recent holders of the license to publish ''Transformers'' comic books, sometimes produce comics using whichever toy line is current (e.g., Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic or IDW's [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]] tie-ins), and sometimes publish comics using whatever characters they please (e.g., ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''). The characters in their "discretionary" comics are often not currently available in toy form ([[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], a character appearing in numerous stories from IDW's G1 continuity during their early years, only had [[Hardhead (G1)#Universe (2008)|another toy]] on shelves at around 2009, a good twenty-two years since [[Hardhead (G1)#Generation 1|his last toy]]), sometimes are drawn with bodies that have ''never'' been toys (most of the ''War Within'' characters), and sometimes are toys that were never available outside of specific countries ([[Lio Convoy]] in IDW's ''Beast Wars'').

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics, had stated on IDW's forums that Hasbro does not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval.").<ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=69377</ref> By the time of ''All Hail Megatron'', however, the ''Universe'' line came out and Hasbro asked IDW to start using some of those designs.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=102461#102461 Guido reveals the Hasbro request]</ref> Though this practice did not influence the subsequent [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]], it did raise its head again in 2013, as Hasbro and IDW began working together to create new toys based on character designs from the comics, to promote upcoming toys with New Bodies and to include the [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] event (including various preludes) with the toys.

===New toys, same basic design===
In more recent times (mostly in the case of the [[live-action film series]]), Hasbro has used a combination of minor [[redeco]]s, [[retool]]s and sculpts based on the same basic designs to create new toys, instead of giving recurring characters a major design overhaul for the next installment. The fiction then rarely, if ever, acknowledges any of those minor design changes. According to screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], some people at Hasbro even argued against changing the designs of some returning characters in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', so that parents would '''not''' have to buy the same toy twice for their children just because of a minor change or modification to the characters' designs.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2186879&postcount=171 Roberto Orci posting at TFW2005.com]</ref> (Hasbro still released new, or modified, toys of those characters, prompting [[completist]]s to buy them as well, and the film gave some of the characters slight tweaks in their [[alternate mode]]s, based on changes in the real-life vehicle designs, which the toys had to incorporate.)

===Killing off characters with new toys===
Even characters with new or expensive toys can get the axe early on if the plot calls for it... or when poor timing caused by unplanned executive decisions resulted in bad coordination between in-fiction developments and toy release schedules.
* In ''Beast Wars'', [[Tigerhawk]] was introduced and then killed off within three episodes, due to corporate uncertainty about whether the [[Size class#Beast Wars|Ultra-sized toy]] would actually be produced.
*Despite being killed off in the middle of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] got a lot of new toys, including a Leader Class figure, a Voyager Class figure, and a Halloween costume for children!
*''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was hyped up as a major character in the lead-up to the show's premiere, and got several toys like the other members of the main cast. He dies within the first five minutes of the [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|premiere episode]]. However, later he gets his fair share of screentime by [[Out of the Past|flashbacks]] and the like.
*Due to behind the scenes budget issues and the ''Prime'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] getting pushed back thanks to the ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|toyline]], [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] is quickly shut away inside a stasis pod in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]" for much of the remainder of the series at the ''same time'' as the mass release of her toy; [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] also suffered a grimmer fate as he was killed off just a few episodes earlier (by Airachnid herself, no less). On a similar beat, poor [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] died in "[[Masters & Students]]", but his toys weren't released until well over a year later, making them posthumous toy releases.
*IDW [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] gets a new ''Titans Return'' toy in mid late 2016, but was killed off at about the same time his toy was hitting shelves in the [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|final issue]] of the second season of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]''.

===New toys with minimal fictional appearances===
Sometimes, characters that have a new or expensive toy barely see use in fiction.
*Generation 1 Whirl and Roadbuster were larger and more expensive than many of the other Autobots, but never appeared in the original cartoon. They were featured in the UK comics as members of the Wreckers.
*Sixshot's only appearance in the original cartoon is a quick sequence where he transforms into each of his alt modes to defeat the Aerialbots. He is never seen again.
*In ''Transformers: Armada'', Optimus Prime is the only character to not receive an upgrade after being defeated by Nemesis Prime, despite having an expensive $40 redeco on store shelves. Optimus does receive the redeco colors in the final episode of the series, but he returns to his old colors by the episode's conclusion.
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|"Silver Knight" Optimus Prime]] had an entire thematic segment of the [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|''Age of Extinction'' toyline]] dedicated to him that was exclusive to [[Target]] stores. However, the planned upgrade of Optimus Prime was cut from the theatrical release of ''Age of Extinction''.
*''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Quickslinger and Brake-Neck, meant to be [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], did not get any focus in the accompanying IDW fiction: Slingshot is dead and Wildrider's whereabouts are unknown after his leaving the Stunticons. Instead, their selling point is giving fans the chance to complete G1-accurate [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] toys. Meanwhile, the Autobot [[Rook (CW)|Rook]] made only a background appearance in the event, and was so overlooked he had to be digitally added ''to'' those backgrounds; [[Alpha Bravo]], his [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] counterpart, gets a bit more but nothing you'd miss. (When Rook ''did'' get some work later, he was promptly killed off!)
*''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' introduced a massive amount of new toys and a ''massive'' amount of Headmasters, including many familiar G1 characters redone as Headmasters. However, very few of these new toys were given focus in IDW's [[Titans Return (comic)|tie-in comic arc]], including prominent characters such as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. ([[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] is a notable exception, returning after a long absence.) Also, despite the heavy emphasis on [[Titan Master]]s in the toyline, only one character, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], displayed actual Headmaster ability. [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] is briefly decapitated and turned into a lifeless body for [[Infinitus]] to take control of, for no real reason other than to show off the head-swapping gimmick inherent in all ''Titans Return'' figures. And, with a colossal new [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Generations|Titan-class]] toy for [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fortress Maximus]] as the centerpiece of the line, you'd expect some significant toy-shilling action. Instead, Fortress Maximus's brand-new Titan body gets smacked around a bit before utterly failing in its one job of defending [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]'s [[space bridge]] from the [[zombie]] Titans.
*Most likely caused by the complaints from fans about the small amount of Decepticons in the 2015 [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'' toyline]], [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] breaks out many monsters of the week from the first season. Each one gets a figure, yet they all get one or two episodes to shine. [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]] is the greatest example, appearing very briefly in Episode 4 of Season 1, getting captured, going free, and getting captured again in the next Episode.
**Every major 'Con from or affiliated with Decepticon Island gets Mini-Cons, who do very little but appear anyway only because they had toys. Ratchet gets one as well.
[[File:TF-TLK-Berserker.jpg|right|upright=1.7|thumb|'''DELUXE ROOK''' with Amazing ''STANDING AROUND ACTION!''']]
* After having a Deluxe-sized figure despite being the largest [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', [[Scorn]] got a larger, more movie-accurate Voyager class figure for the toyline of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]''. Unfortunately, Scorn didn't even appear in the [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|actual film]]!
* A more egregious ''The Last Knight'' example occurs in the case of [[Berserker]]. Despite being on-screen for only ''8.39 seconds'' (in which he's a prisoner of war and not even released from incarceration), and having only one line, Berserker got several toys to himself, one of which was an entirely new Deluxe class figure. This is in stark contrast to more prominent Decepticons [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]], [[Dreadbot]], and [[Mohawk]], none of whom received toys until Mohawk got a ''[[Studio Series]]'' figure ''seven years later''. Set photos seem to indicate that Berserker was going to have a larger role than he did, explaining why he was given such a prominent role in the toyline.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Toys]]

To sell toys

2023-11-07T17:17:09Z

Bluie: Um, that was the very point. They DID adopt new names to go with their new beast forms in that scene, as made clear by Cheetor literally coining his name.

[[File:MarvelUS-19.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hasbro wasn't quite sure whether to advertise this expensive toy until the fans forced their hand.]]
To understand ''Transformers'' fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[toy]]s to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)#Reception|make a profit in their own right]], but this is regarded as mere gravy.

The "to sell toys" effect often distorts the fiction in interesting ways. Primarily, since you can't ([[Army-building|usually]]) sell someone the same toy twice,<ref>Although the toy lines from the [[live-action film series]] have given us multiple ''different'' toys of the ''same characters''.</ref> Hasbro and Takara constantly introduce new toys, and often require the creators of the fiction to introduce the new characters into ongoing storylines. Older characters (whose toys are no longer being sold) are shoved aside to make room.

Another effect of "to sell toys" is when the toys have gimmicks which must be explained in the fiction. Sometimes ([[Mini-Con]]s) this is relatively easy, while other times it requires a lot of imagination on the part of the writers (the in-comic explanations for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] are kinda wonky).

[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Japanese]] [[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (cartoon)|shows]] are normally the worst offenders, because ''Transformers'' doesn't take itself very seriously over there.

The UK [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|movie-based ''Transformers'' comic]] took this to more blatant heights. For its first year, it had a specific four-page feature every week called ''Top Gear'', which existed solely to promote the newest ''Transformers'' merchandise. ''Any'' merchandise. This led to readers being told how great [[Optimash Prime]] was. For the [[2010]] ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' game franchise, [[Ironhide (Movie)|''Ironhide himself'']] opened letters pages by telling readers how ''awesome'' the game was and how [[you]] should buy it.

{{bigquote|Truly, I'm speechless. Your species characterizes the infinite wonders of the churning, whorling, chaotic cosmos through the lens of... merchandising?

I can see why Swindle loves you idiots.|[[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]] on the concept, [[Ask Vector Prime]].}}

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
[[File:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Pokeformers|Gotta catch 'em all!]]]]
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:

*The first issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comic]], "[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]", in which ''twenty-eight'' different robots appeared and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.
*"[[The Special Teams Have Arrived]]", a free mini-comic given away with issue [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]] of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|comic]], notoriously introduces the reader to ''twenty-four'' new Transformers in just three pages. Granted, four of those are the [[Combiner|combined forms]] of the other twenty, but that's still a lot of new names to remember.
*The 1987 ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over ''sixty'' characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]], all their [[Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s.
*The cartoon episode trilogy "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced well over ''forty'' of the 1987 toyline characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''. In both cases, this wasn't helped by the fact that the nature of Headmasters and Targetmasters meant every new toy had to effectively get two introductions.
*In the first four episodes of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]], eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.
*From #9 onwards, [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movie-based ''Transformers'']] heavily bumped up the cast with new toys. In one example, #17 brought in nine new toys in eleven pages; only one of the five Decepticons got any real focus or dialogue.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:

*Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks (G1)|time]]. [[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|One episode]] even hinges on this idea.
[[File:Decepticonpretenders-behold.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|After seven issues, it's finally time for these six dudes to do something!]]
[[File:FlamesofBoltax-Triggerbots.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Apparently, the Triggerbots didn't make much of an impression on Prime.]]
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.
*Many issues of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#42]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.
*In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].
*In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Soundwave, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon]]s and the [[Triggerbot]]s.
*[[Mainframe Entertainment]] planned to use [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his CGI model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/9c79c4226fc6dd28/30c3cdf158ea6e52?lnk=st&q=bob+forward+beast+wars+tigatron+wolfang&rnum=1#30c3cdf158ea6e52 Ben Yee relays some info from Bob Forward in regards to Wolfang being replaced by Tigatron in the Beast Wars cartoon]</ref>
*Rather than revealing stuff about the [[Vok]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], a long-running subplot, "[[Other Victories]]" spends much of its time telling us how great [[Tigerhawk]] is and how we should buy his toy.
*Material released by both [[3H Productions|3H]] and [[Fun Publications]] tends to release characters from various series and continuities and then write stories featuring every character (usually with a particular focus on that year's box set), which often leads to some bizarre casting choices. [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] were all retroactively added to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] and [[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]] because they wanted to do toys of them that year. The [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] version of [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] is introduced from nowhere, has minimal characterization, and doesn't do anything, because they wanted to do [[Tracks (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Tracks's 2010 toy]] in [[Diaclone]]/[[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] colors. And pretty much every story taking place in the [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]], ostensibly a [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel G1]]-based series, will introduce or reintroduce characters who were dead (the various [[Underbase Saga]] casualties), not even implied in the original stories ([[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]), or [[Female Transformer#Marvel Comics continuity|don't make sense in that universe to begin with]] ([[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]). Sometimes this gets a token justification, other times not.
*The [[First (and Second) in Flight|sixth issue]] of ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival|The Arrival]]'' stops following the regular cast so it can flag the awesome cool out-now-in-shops [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] toy.
*Prominent generals in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movieverse]] Decepticon army change frequently and without any acknowledgment as new toys jostle for (and gain) space.
*[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] and its lead-ins were packed with ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toys, so suddenly ''Beast Wars'' characters [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] are in G1. Things got worse in later issues when [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and [[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]] needed a comic; Tankor berates Starscream for a few panels in [[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|''Dark Cybertron'' #6]], while Crosscut and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] briefly halt the plot in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]] to tell you who Crosscut ''is''. Then he vanishes. They've started getting an increased role in IDW fiction ever since, though.
*For "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", several Autobots had to abruptly depart the ''[[Lost Light]]'' for Cybertron so they could appear in their combiner teams. In the case of [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], this was despite him having just become the Chief Medical Officer: a long-running plot!
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] appeared in the IDWverse after a seven-year absence in ''[[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie]]'' and ''[[The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine]]''. The fact that those two oft-ignored characters had new ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' and ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Legends Class toys released recently probably had something to do with the matter.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|The full might of the Decepticon army.]]
*The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|early Marvel comics]] both featured an oddly lopsided cast, particularly at the beginning, with the Autobot forces on Earth outnumbering the Decepticons two to one. This difference was never really acknowledged, though the cartoon also used [[generic]]s to make it look like Megatron had more than four guys, three pets, and [[Reflector (G1)|a camera]] under his command.
*The early episodes of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to [[Earth]] for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms.
*[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Both the Dreamwave]] and [[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|Panini comics]] suffered exactly the same problem, but it gets worse: [[First Encounter|The first ''Armada'' episode]] reused models of older Transformers as [[generic]] background guys to bump numbers up. The comics ''didn't''. So Megatron apparently conquers all of planet Cybertron with an army of three guys, whereas the city/planet defending Autobots are just five blokes.
*Dreamwave would also [[Dreamwave Armada issue 10|feature a scene on Cybertron]], where the ''only'' Autobot who seemed to exist was [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]].
*For [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|the movie prequels]], IDW got around this by deciding that [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] was going to be a [[Class Alpha drone unit|series of drones]] instead of one guy, allowing for really big battle scenes despite a then-limited number of toys. (It would later turn out there was ''also'' a Dreadwing who was one guy.) Titan Magazines would borrow this, and turn other Decepticons into drone series too.
*It seems unlikely that four bots and their human partners would be sufficient to handle every emergency on [[Griffin Rock]], but those four bots [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (toyline)|were the only ones on shelves at the time]] (other than [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who were needed [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|elsewhere]]), so they were the ones who went into [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|the show]]. As the toyline expanded, toy characters Blurr, Salvage, High Tide and Quickshadow were introduced into the cast.
*''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Kingdom]]'' acts as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but only includes characters who were slated for the first three waves of the accompanying toyline (with the exception of [[Tigatron]], likely due to the ease of retooling [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s animation model into a spare character). This means that notable cartoon characters like [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] or [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] who didn't have toys in the first three waves never put in an appearance in the season. To compensate for the Predacons having depleted ranks as a result, [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] stays with the Predacons for most of his screentime while [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] was turned into a group of generics; Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] also says many Predacons have been lost in his war with the Maximals.
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==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}

Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.

[[File:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Reflector is actually here, he's just buried underneath a pile of speech bubbles.]]
*Again, [[The Transformers (issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.
*Towards the end of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", Jazz puts together a strike team. Naturally, he does this by calling out their names one by one, so that the camera can cut to each Autobot in turn and show them transform in noticeable detail.
*The two-part original ''Transformers'' cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")
*"[[The Rebirth]]" has ''three different sequences'' in which large new groups of characters form a lineup and introduce themselves to viewers one after another. Strangely enough, much of this screen- and dialogue-time is given over to Nebulan partners; the "main" Transformer characters get no such introductions, even though they are the items kids would have to purchase to acquire the Nebulan accessories. For instance, [[Spasma]], [[Monzo]], and [[Peacemaker]] (all speaking characters) are introduced by name as part of various lineups, but their in-store hosts [[Apeface]], [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], and [[Pointblank]] are never named (and Weirdwolf never even speaks).
*"[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" has the Maximals walk on one-by-one admiring their [[beast mode]]s, loudly explaining their names and showing character traits.
*Crosscut and Swerve fill in Crosscut's backstory and job during a fight. That's all Crosscut does in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]].

===Gimmicks===
{{main|Gimmick}}
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.

* The ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 .28Scramble City and 2010.29|Scramble City]]'' category of G1 combiner teams have the ability to freely swap around their limbs. Because of this, an unusual amount of Japanese fiction focuses on the idea of characters swapping limbs, best shown by ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'', with rather variable consequences, and sometimes resulting in the creation of [[Scramble 7|whole new combiner characters]]. Sometimes, this purportedly results in some kind of increase in power or the combiner gaining different traits, but these changes are almost invariably told more than shown. In some cases, simply [[Free-Combination|changing the arrangement of an existing set of limbs]] is cited as something that can vastly alter a character's capabilities, with little real explanation.
*The Headmaster gimmick got [[The Transformers: Headmasters|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender]]s, gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up—at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots (if anything, considering the altmodes of his troops, he seems to be the ''least'' concerned with stealth), nor has he demonstrated the science skills to pull this off, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story. (The, uh, story of returning Optimus Prime's character to the comic book because he had [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|a new toy]].)
*[[Rotor Force]] made their debut in "[[New Dawn]]", and both here and in subsequent ''Generation 2'' issues would primarily fight enemies not with guns like everyone else, but by firing their giant rotors at them. Page 3 of ''New Dawn'' actually shows them having to ''stop and reattach their rotors'' before they can carry on fighting.
[[File:Mistaken Identity Galvatronscourge.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|[[Johnny Yong Bosch|It's Morphin Time! MASTODON!]]]]
*The [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]] [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] had six alternate modes and [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the cartoon]] really wanted you to see them, which is why [[Battle Protocol!|his first appearance]] is as ''a giant hand for no reason''. It gets sillier when he turns into Galvatron and gains four more modes. In "[[Mistaken Identity]]", he turns into his "Iron Mammoth" form when facing off against [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|a hostile Fortress Maximus]] even though he doesn't ''do'' anything in his form except stand there ''as he was already doing''.
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are the only Autobot jets in the ''Animated'' line. (Not counting the toyless [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]].) To fully big this up, their origin story has it that there have ''never been'' any flying Autobots before, despite them having been in (and won) a long and bitter war with enemies who ''often fly''. This one was silly enough that [[Endgame, Part I|a later episode]] explicitly joked on this, pointing out that there were multiple Autobots before and after Jetfire and Jetstorm with some kind of flight capability.
* The second season of the 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon coincided with the release of the [[Deployer (WFC)|Deployer]] toys, which fire smaller [[Mini-Con]] figures. Suddenly, every Decepticon in the cartoon was partnered with a Mini-Con or two, even Decepticons who'd appeared in the past as solo operatives.

The [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:

*The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s practically defined the plot of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.
*[[Powerlinx]]ing is shown again and again and again in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines. In fact, due to the fact much of Energon's action was firefights, Powerlinxing seemed to be a disadvantage, since it resulted in a single larger Autobot shooting instead of two smaller ones.
*[[Cyber Key]] powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].'' In this case, while most characters had basic weapons, the Cyber Keys were necessary to unlock hidden weaponry or special techniques. So, for example, Optimus might be able to shoot at the Decepticons with a smaller firearm, but to fire his larger cannons he would need to summon his Cyber Key. Some characters, however, needed their Cyber Keys to activate what one would expect to be their main weapons (e.g. Starscream activating his Null Ray Cannon).
*All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[Stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.

*Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled "[[Second Generation!]]", where [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] <s>watched an advert</s> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams in action. These events were previewed in "The Special Teams Have Arrived", nine issues earlier, with no indication that they were part of a vision, making their place in continuity uncertain.
*In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.
*Season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.
*One season later, "[[The Rebirth]]" - the last episodes of the entire series - was almost entirely spent on introducing new characters and giving old ones upgrades, leaving just barely enough time to provide any kind of conclusion.
*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' was absolutely crazy about this. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus]] (whose toy was long gone) kicks the bucket only three episodes in for the sake of a sacrifice that would be nullified only a few episodes later, putting new(er) toy [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] back in the command chair for a short while. In the tenth episode, Rodimus departs the series and hands the title of Supreme Commander to brand-spanking-new toy [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], who's had a few months, tops, of combat experience. Much like Season 3, ''Headmasters'' also ignored most of the Season 3 regulars ([[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, the [[Quintesson]]s) or removed them altogether, sometimes fairly dubiously ([[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] leave with Rodimus, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] gets shot a bit and dies, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is buried in ice and nobody digs him up until ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (story page)|Battlestars]]''). By the end of the series, the only remaining Autobots from the first three seasons were the [[Special Teams]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] and his cassettes, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]].
*[[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|''Transformers Comic-Magazin'' #2]] wrote an entire story devoted to Optimus sternly explaining which Autobots and Decepticons were on sale in [[Germany]] in 1989. The reason he had to? [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] had ''shot an Autobot''!
*The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]]—who had just had a new and expensive toy.
*[[Tigerhawk]] debuts in "[[Other Victories]]", where he's the reason the Predacons lose their base and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is killed. This disrupts any ending for the Tarantulas/[[Vok]] storyline, as the episode is left with little time to properly explain the mysteries of either character and the plot of last episode, Tarantulas trying to destroy the whole ''Ark'', is reduced to two lines about the [[Tripredacus Council]].
[[File:Samprowl.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|<s>Upgrades are bad.</s> Upgrades are GOOD. We have always been at war with <s>Eurasia</s> Eastasia.]]
*"[[A Fistful of Energon]]" has [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] learn not to use upgrades, and he gives up using powerful samurai armour. But whoops, Hasbro thought "hey, we could make a toy out of that armour"! And so in [[Five Servos of Doom|a later episode]], Prowl ''regains'' it and the show hurriedly claims that the upgrade is fine ''now'' because Prowl realizes now that it's the Autobot, not the upgrade.
*The [[France|French]] decided to be good sports and start using propeller-driven nuclear bombers again in [[All Hail Megatron issue 11|''All Hail Megatron'' #11]], just so [[Octane|Tankor]] could be used.
*[[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] has been on Earth for a while, in hiding from other Decepticons while he waits for orders from [[the Fallen]] in "[[Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout]]". Ransack is a member of a race that can scan any object and take its form as a disguise. Ransack moves around in the cunning disguise of ''a 100-year-old plane''. (At least, unlike the previous example, the oldness of the alt mode was pointed out.)
*In Titan's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] go from being [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's]] responsibility to bugging [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to being [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe's]] responsibility in the space of three issues, all to allow each issue to focus on a specific toy-bearing movie star. Similarly, only one or two Decepticons per issue are sent on a mission, when presumably the Fallen might want to send loads of guys to silence the twins.
*In ''Dark of the Moon'', nearly all of the Transformers switch from built-in weaponry to handheld weaponry. It just so happens that the gimmick of the ''Dark of the Moon'' toys was that they had "MechTech" weapons that could be held by any other figure.
*Also in ''Dark of the Moon'', most Autobots transform into [[Stealth Force]] mode, a weaponized vehicle mode that allows them to access various weapons in their otherwise defenseless disguises, an incredibly useful combat mode that's never used in any prior or later films. Uniquely, this was something Hasbro came up with for the toyline on their own; director [[Michael Bay]] decided to incorporate it into the film only after seeing what they were working on for the then-upcoming toyline and taking a personal liking to it.
*The [[subline imprint]] of the ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] was the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#BH|Beast Hunters]]'' line, which took hold at about the time of the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|show]]'s third season, which was given the subtitle of the imprint. In the episode "[[Project Predacon]]", [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] awkwardly redubs [[Team Prime]] as the "Beast Hunters", when they begin looking for Predacon fossils. The Autobots must've felt the same way as we did about the sudden name change, since really only the protocol-obsessed [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] begins using the term. Thanks to behind the scene troubles and the whole concept being a late addition to the series, the team never actually ''hunts any beasts'', as only three Predacons ever take a central role in the story.
[[File:YouMeAndTheUniverse-Scoopcolors.jpg||thumb|upright=1.4|Talk about "shoehorned in".]]
*The [[subline imprint]] for the ''Generations'' line from 2015 to 2016 was ''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]'', hence IDW's tie-in comic had to introduce a heapload of combiners in a universe that regarded combination as a lost art with unpredictable side-effects. (Devastator, Menasor, Superion, and Monstructor were around, but they had each been introduced separately, and each with their own unique explanations, over the course of ''ten years''.) Enter the [[Enigma of Combination]], an artifact of Nexus Prime with the power to merge any Transformers into a combiner. Not only is this artifact used on Superion, Menasor, and Defensor, it is also used on Optimus Prime and other selected Autobots to create [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. The fact that Optimus had two Combiner Wars toys (one released, one upcoming at the time of the story's publication) might have influenced this decision.
*Also, the big toy of 2015 was a Titan Class Devastator... in his classic configuration instead of IDW's newly introduced 'Prowlastator' form. Unfortunately, Scrapper had been long dead and hence was unable to take his spot as the combiner's leg. However, IDW had another bulldozer-bot conveniently lying around - [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]. Naturally, he was merged with the other Constructicons by the aforementioned Enigma, restoring Devastator's classic silhouette.
*A long-running plot thread of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', starting all the way back in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue 5]], was [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] preparing [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] to succeed him as the ''[[Lost Light]]''{{'}}s Chief Medical Officer. [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|Issue 40]] ''finally'' sees Ratchet stepping down and leaving the ship (so he could participate in the events of ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]''), officially declaring First Aid "the new Chief Medical Officer"... but after only two issues in his new position, [[The One Where They Go to Earth|issue 43]] sees First Aid himself leave the ''Lost Light'' under a flimsy in-story pretense so he could participate in the events of ''Combiner Wars'', appointing [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] as his own successor (although he would later return to the ''Lost Light'' following the conclusion of ''Combiner Wars'').
*In a follow-up story, Galvatron creates two combiners out of random soldiers and foes. To plug the new merch, these are called [[Galvatronus (CW)|Galvatronus]] and [[Sky Reign]] but most of the characters that made them up in toy form were either on Cybertron, the ''[[Lost Light]]'', or dead at the time. Unusually for this page, Hasbro allowed IDW to use random limbs as long as the names were right but this leads to the comic pimping a toy you can't buy (though you could make it with others), and in Galvatronus' case a toy that doesn't even have the same face as in the comic.
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===Awkward continuity===
[[File:Earthforce.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This happened... er.... look just buy the toys, ok?!]]
Sometimes the requirement to feature new toys can be so strong that continuity takes a major backseat and stories are produced that feature combinations of characters that make the story very difficult to slot into the main continuity. The Marvel UK comic was especially prone to this as it could not always foresee where, when and how characters would be introduced:

*The ''[[Transformers Annual 1985]]'' contains many stories featuring toys from the 1985 release long before they were formally introduced in the regular comic, often interacting with other characters who would be out of action by then. As a result, few of the stories easily fit the continuity of the weekly comic.
*The demands of Hasbro UK for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] to be featured heavily even before the US ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' mini-series was available meant that both the ''[[Transformers Annual 1987]]'' and the regular strip "[[Worlds Apart!]]" contain a slightly different set of events that are at odds with the mini-series.
*The requirement to give prominence to the rereleased toys in the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] range resulted in one of the biggest continuity trainwrecks of all, [[Earthforce]]. Over three decades later fans are still uncertain where it fits in continuity, and even [[Simon Furman]] admits to being unsure.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Looking back, as I try my hardest not to do, it's very hard to tie the Earthforce stories into a specific time frame (in terms of the US continuity), because (if I'm brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn't necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004}}</ref>
*Germany's ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'' started in 1989 and reprinted older Marvel US and UK strips. Since, of course, these would rarely show the current toys, Comic-Magazin ran text stories from #2 that showcased ''completely different'' Transformers that were on Earth at the same time, and just happened not to be seen in the strips.
*Trapped between the need to pimp toys and the problem of not knowing what the plot of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' would be, Titan just threw up their hands and unambiguously set their lead strip in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Alternate universe|an alternate universe]]. Similarly, the [[Dark of the Moon (video games)|video games]] for ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' were all prequels so that the games would not directly contradict the then-upcoming movie's plot while still using some of the characters and settings who would be featured (some minor plot contradicitons ''did'' occur, but few fans have ever accepted the video games to be in perfect continuity with the films anyway).
*Based on evidence from various sources, it's been speculated that the episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]" was originally meant to star [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], who at the time had been exiled from the Decepticons and was on somewhat friendly terms with the Autobots. Instead, his role was taken over by new toy [[Octane]]. The only other episode to prominently feature Octane, "[[Thief in the Night]]", which was aired ''after'' "Starscream's Ghost", kinda sorta explains his falling out with the Decepticons—except it doesn't: While said episode ''does'' have him go rogue, not only is he ''still'' a bad guy—by the end of that episode, ''Galvatron is no longer on bad terms with Octane''! Likewise, the episode "[[The God Gambit]]" starred [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Starscream and Thrust, with Astrotrain (a new toy at the time) taking on a leadership role more akin to Megatron rather than the bus he's reduced to in almost every other episode.
*The Japanese broadcast of ''Animated'' outright skipped "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]" and "[[Sari, No One's Home]]", as they largely revolve around the toy-less [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Meanwhile, "[[Sound and Fury]]" was moved up to be the first episode to air after the pilot to promote Soundwave's toys, which is at odds with continuity since Megatron only came back online during "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]", which was pushed to air ''after'' "Sound and Fury".
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===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.

*The original ''Transformers'' cartoon introduced [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and even [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]].
[[File:Buzzsawyikes4.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Buzzsaw reminds Omega Supreme he's not a new toy any more.]]
*The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his debut issue]], slaughtering all but two of the Decepticon forces sent to attack him. Just [[Dark Star|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], one of his original victims. He was also drawn as [[Scale|truly colossal]] in his first appearance, before becoming just a head taller than [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] by the time of his death.
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], in a weird case of this, actually seemingly ''[[Scale|shrank]]'' between the third season of the G1 toon and [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']], going from being drawn as a genuine giant to barely bigger than the average combiner. Even in official [[scale charts]], he dropped from being shown as 800 meters tall to about 45. This was likely to avoid upstaging new-kid-on-the-block [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus.]]
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] was, amazingly, something of a threat in early episodes; he holds his own against [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] in his debut. He only became significantly weaker than the other Predacons during the second season.
*In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.
*Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.
*The [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] were far more powerful and competent than the Predacons, who were made even ''less'' powerful and competent as episodes went on. Remarkably, this was actually used in the plot, with Megatron focusing on the new toys while the Predacons became underdogs trying to get their old status back and one-up the new guys.
[[File:ArmTVTidalWave.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Before he shrank in the wash.]]
*''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction, and his ability to combine with Megatron gave the battle advantage to the Decepticons until his equally powerful counterpart [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] was introduced. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Tidal Wave is just this tall guy (but not as tall as he used to be) and is treated as just another Decepticon, even after he gets a body upgrade in the form of "Mirage".
*When the newly redecoed Jetfire and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] combine in Dreamwave's Armada comic, they are so powerful ''they can hurt Unicron himself''.
*[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] was incredibly powerful when he was first introduced, but later on, he's getting slaps on the wrist by [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], and schooled by [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], ultimately becoming more of a sympathetic comedic bumbler than a credible threat.
*The Decepticons in ''Animated'' started off as being so horrifically powerful that the entire Autobot team had to take on a ''single'' one. By Season 3, this no longer happens. Uniquely, this was ''deliberate'' by the writers: they wanted to show the Decepticons as supreme threats, and have the Autobots gradually being better at dealing with them.
*The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] in ''Prime'' started off pretty tough; easily wearing down [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] in a group, then just two giving [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] a tough time. In the next episode, they've got Stormtrooper aim, and basically exist to give the Autobots someone to kill while saving the named Decepticons from the scrapheap. It gets to the point where in the third season, [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] actually ''counts'' on the Vehicons failing to execute [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], and Wheeljack makes several amusing comments about the Vehicons' incompetence.
*Additionally, the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] started off as nightmarishly strong monsters. One wears ''[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'' to the point of exhaustion before dying (admittedly, Megs was deprived of his main asset when Airachnid webbed his fusion cannon). However, for the remainder of the series, the Insecticons are just as weak as the Vehicons, being blasted down in one shot, despite a return to form in "[[Tunnel Vision]]" and "[[Toxicity]]" (the latter of which saw the debut of notorious Autobot killer [[Hardshell]]).
{{-}}

===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writers are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.

[[File:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Ratchet pulls a Kitty Pryde on Bumblebee.]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] was rebuilt into Goldbug following his near-destruction... and was later re-rebuilt back into Bumblebee to sell the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Pretender|new Classic Pretender toy]]. The reason given in [[Skin Deep|the comic storyline]] was that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] reverted him without his consent because Ratchet liked his old form better, something Bumblebee is strangely fine with.
*Season 2 of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' introduced the new [[Transmetal]] toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies. The writers had originally planned to introduce these changes gradually, across the length of Season 2, but Hasbro ordered them to be brought in immediately. (The slow-and-gradual notion would eventually appear during Season 3.)
[[File:Retailbuyer decisiontree.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" ''three times''; at the start of each subsequent series, he's given a different body but called Megatron ''again'', because the name "Megatron" just sells more toys. (This also means Hasbro gets to keep the [[trademark]] "Galvatron".) The Japanese versions handled this differently (with Megatron known as Megatron throughout Armada even after his upgrade, and being known as Galvatron throughout all of Energon) due to different trademark laws. Galaxy Force (the Japanese version of Cybertron) played it straight with Master Megatron being upgraded into Master Galvatron.
*Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of Jetfire and Optimus during the Unicron arc.
*The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of [[fighting spirit]] into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.
*In the course of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voilà, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf! He later pulls the ''exact same thing'' in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', but by now, he's been established as having a fragile ego, explaining the constant desire to switch alternate modes.
*When [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comic originally came out, there were no Generation 1-themed toys to flog, and many characters were given altered designs for the series. Then along came ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', featuring new toys of Generation 1 characters, and suddenly multiple characters get new, toy-accurate bodies in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'', for no apparent in-story reason. Later, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] even gets a namechange to ''Silver''streak to fit his toy.
*Sometimes, IDW's comics don't even bother with a reason: you just get the latest issue and a character suddenly resembles the latest toy. This can sometimes be explained as artist interpretation, but at other times...
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was originally grey, but when he was reunited with the ''Animated'' Decepticons, he changed his colours to purple while referring to it as his proper look. Why he changed colouration to go undercover was not explained, but it may have something to do with a purple-coloured Shockwave toy being out when that episode aired.
*In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] start out as an old ice cream truck combiner but after a disastrous mission [[NEST]] decides to upgrade them to new individual [[General Motors]] vehicles. New toys ''and'' product placement!
*[[Starscream (Armada)#Generations|''Armada'' Starscream]] got a new toy in 2014. There wasn't an ''Armada'' comic but there ''was'' a Generation 1 comic with a Starscream, which was then [[pack-in material|packed in]] with the toy series including Armada Starscream. And lo and behold, for ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' Starscream got a new body! A year later, he swapped to ''another'' body for "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", which was his then-new Leader Class toy, and several issues were devoted to him choosing it and then flaunting it. Then again, this ''is'' Starscream we're talking about...
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] finally got a new toy as well. Problem is, his comic body didn't look much like the toy. Then, in ''[[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Dark Cybertron Chapter 11]]'', he revealed his new invention: reactive armor that changed his body to look like his opponent's. Who did he use this armor to battle? Why, it's Starscream, the guy his toy was retooled from!
*2015's "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]" comic series brought back almost all of the combiner characters that have appeared in the IDW continuity thus far. However, [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] was apparently killed by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] quit the Stunticons... so that [[Alpha Bravo]] and [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] can replace them! Meanwhile, Starscream rebuilds Devastator; not only does Devastator suddenly resemble his toy counterpart, but [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is no longer a required member of the combiner team, leaving him free to combine with Optimus Prime and company to become the brand-new combiner [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. Superion and Menasor, who had made previous appearances in IDW fiction, are both rebuilt by the [[Enigma of Combination]], causing their bodies to more closely resemble their toy counterparts.

===Character pimping===
Characters with toys may get more attention than those without:

*"[[Matrix Quest]]" has four separate teams on a mission. You could use any three Transformers in one of these teams, right? Nope, Furman has toys to promote: out go nine new Autobot characters and three existing ones with new toys.
*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge's]] presence in all three of his first three ''Beast Wars'' episodes: one for his origin, another for him joining the Maximals after all, and then an abrupt appearance at the very end of "[[Cutting Edge]]" where he turns up and single-handedly drives off a Predacon force.
*When ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|Animated]]'' was released in Japan, episodes focusing on the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicon]]s were never broadcast on television (instead being reduced to bonus content on the DVDs), as the Constructicons did not have toys. The episode order was also rearranged (and thus the internal narrative of the series, as well) so that episodes introducing new toys could air earlier than those that didn't.
*IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' came back in 2013 in order to promote six of the upcoming ''Generations'' toys. Even [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], a little-used character who would never have been given a ''Spotlight'' otherwise! (Initially published through Diamond and Comixology as per IDW's usual practice, these comics were subsequently packed-in with the toys they were based on, aiming to use the higher sales of the toys to boost comic sales in a "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine" scenario.) Likewise, Waspinator, having a new toy out in late 2013, began making appearances and took on increased importance in the IDW universe. An upcoming [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] toy brought forth a Tankor appearance in Dark Cybertron. The opening arcs of the second seasons of ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and ''Robots in Disguise'' (as well as ''Windblade'' vol. 1) in 2014 also heavily feature casts of characters with new toys, such as Nightbeat, Rattrap, Arcee, and Jetfire.
* When [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] frees some Decepticons in the second season of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', the freed 'Cons include his former minions [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]] and [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]], yet not the other two members of the Pack, [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]] and [[Underbite]]. He instead frees [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]], [[Groundpounder (RID)|Groundpounder]], [[Overload (RID)|Overload]], [[Quillfire (RID)|Quillfire]] and [[Springload (RID)|Springload]]. There's no reason to neglect those who have already proven to be able to work together in the Pack (and thus Steeljaw should know would help in his eventual coup), except for the fact that the toys of both Fracture and Underbite had already sold, and the newly freed Decepticons have new figures on the shelves.

===Abrupt conclusions===
[[File:MarvelUSG2-12.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|It's the end of the road for Transformers Generation 2! That can't bode well for the toyline.]]
Just as ''Transformers'' fiction lives at Hasbro's pleasure, so too does it die. Falling sales, a change of plans, and standard [[rebranding]] can all cause a storyline to come to a sudden end when Hasbro decides to pull the plug.

*The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.
*The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.
*Hasbro was only willing to support the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Gee, axe us]]".)
*The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the axe fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.
*Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|The Wreckers]]'' in 2003, wishing instead for [[3H Productions|3H]] to focus on a ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.
*Even though ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' wasn't abruptly canceled, Kids WB ended the series on the [[cliffhanger]] of the episode "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]", leaving millions of kids tuning in next time only to get a re-run of ''Xiaolin Showdown''. The reason? The Cybertron Defense Team toys hadn't hit stores yet.
*With ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' coming out in June, Titan had to end their alternate universe storyline in May so they could tie in early—an issue earlier than planned. The main strip handled this, with the notable exception of [[Jazz (Movie)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|the Jazz plot arc]] going completely unresolved, but it played havoc with working out the IDW reprints!
*According to [[Rik Alvarez]], IDW was asked to drop their G1 continuity and move to the brand-spanking new [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]] one. (They said "nah".)
{{-}}

==Death==
===Killing off old product===
[[File:Tftm1986a.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Guess who's no longer in the Mini Vehicles case assortment?]]
[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Publisher's clearing house.]]
[[File:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Scorponok, Terrorsaur, we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause Waspinator has a bigger fan club.]]
The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character—especially when there are newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

*Right before the introduction of most of the 1985 cast, the Marvel comic saw eleven of the original Autobots taken offline within a single issue in "[[Prime Time!]]". A few issues later, six of the original Decepticons met [[Command Performances!|a similar fate]] at the hands of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (which doubled as character pimping for the big guy). Though it was suggested they could be repaired, the vast majority of casualties wouldn't reappear in the US until they popped up in crowd shots [[Totaled!|thirty issues later]], and a number had their next appearance being a ''second'' death in the Underbase Saga.
*In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', numerous main characters are killed or changed in the movie's first 30 minutes, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]]. They are replaced by a slew of new characters; in fact, the poster for the movie shows ''only'' new characters.
*Numerous characters are killed in the Marvel UK comics saga "[[Time Wars]]". The Grim Reaper seemed to spare either popular characters (Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]) or newer characters ([[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], for example.)
*The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines. However, the explanation ([[Underbase]] power didn't affect those TFs with organic components) meant that even the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], new toys at the time and introduced three issues before, met their end.
*The climactic [[On the Edge of Extinction!|battle with Unicron]] 25 issues later killed off many of the Underbase survivors, whose shelf run had ended.
*With its enormously expensive CGI animation, ''Beast Wars'' was particularly vulnerable to toy-based interference. The expense of creating and animating a CGI body model meant that the character roster had to remain fairly constant; the introduction of all-new characters usually required the removal of an equal number of existing characters. And so, [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] die just in time for the arrival of [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]. (Frustrated with the situation, the writers carefully planned out<ref>http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html</ref> the demise of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], anticipating that someone would have to be removed to make way for [[Rampage (BW)|newer characters]].)
*''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' would end up killing a large number of Autobots in [[The Reign of Starscream issue 5|issue #5]], after their toys had been around for a while; as they'd not made an appearance in the comics until this mini, this is both an example of Huge Cast ''and'' Product Clearing. It would then go on to bump off some Decepticons, while its sequel ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'' slaughtered ''hordes'' of Decepticons with old toys. Mowry is the new Furman...
*The ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]] is a prequel to the film and can't afford to kill off most of its characters due for an appearance in the then-upcoming film. Luckily, there's several characters who've been around since the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' franchise who can be used to give the game some bosses to kill off like [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]], and [[Stratosphere]]!
*An odd case of this is in the [[live-action film series]], which, as well as advertising toys, also serves as advertising for [[General Motors]] vehicles. Hence, Autobots whose cars are no longer in demand have an uncanny tendency to either lose prominence or perish. The most prominent example would be [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] - the GMC Topkick had been discontinued for two years by ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'', and so, despite a fifty-dollar toy on the shelves, Ironhide dies halfway in. Similarly, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] is the major Autobot casualty of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' due to his Hummer H2 vehicle mode being a thing of the past by the time the film hit theaters (though unlike Ironhide, Ratchet had next to no representation in the toyline).
*IDW's [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''Robots in Disguise'']] ongoing has to promote a [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]... with [[Alpha Bravo|a new helicopter]] instead of [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]. Hence, Slingshot is the one to suffer most and die from the injuries caused when [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] tore him in half. This is especially weird considering that Devastator tore through Superion from the ''right'', and Slingshot was Superion's ''left'' arm at the time. Not to mention that Silverbolt, the torso, was explicitly ripped in half... The series would go on to have [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] leave the Stunticons over a humiliating defeat... one he suffered years ago, in [[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]. Naturally, the empty position was filled by new toy [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]]. Then Hasbro decided to release Quickslinger and Brake-Neck (Slingshot and Wildrider renamed for trademark issues) ''much'' later after the others' release, part of a strategy that effectively forced fans to buy toys ''both'' of the "replacement" characters ''and'' the original characters.

This has become less common in recent years, as Hasbro has come to realize that their target audiences can actually get attached to certain [[character]]s, and might not enjoy seeing them die random, brutal, meaningless [[death]]s.
{{-}}

===Hi-and-die===
[[File:Chuffer cof.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Likely dialog: "SHEEEAAGH!!"]]
Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the ''Transformers'' version of ''[[Star Trek]]''{{'}}s infamous {{w|redshirt syndrome}}. The stereotypical hi-and-die character is killed off in the same episode/issue that introduces him, if not the very same scene.

*This approach was particularly common in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#UK comics|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Autobot)|Flattop]], and the sixth member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].
*The U.S. comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]].
*[[Transmutate (BW)|Transmutate]] showed up and died in [[Transmutate (episode)|that episode]], of course Hasbro doesn't make [[Transmutate (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|a toy]] [[Action Master|that don't transform]], right?
*The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock (Energon)|Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast]]'s hands, providing motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]].
*''Animated'' chucked in [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] so Ratchet could have a tragic past where he failed to save someone. (And ''then'' she got a toy!)
*The [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|''Animated'' comic]] wants to do a story arc about an Autobot who's really a spy and then have him killed. Quick, [[Afterburn|make someone up]]!
*''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' invents hordes of characters solely to populate the story with casualties while preserving the classic characters: [[Chromatron]], [[Gauntlet (WFC)|Gauntlet]], [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]], [[Drixco]], [[Revo]], [[Catalycon]], and dozens of other unnamed Autobots, Decepticons and [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]].
*[[James Roberts]] elevated hi-and-die to an artform; though his run on ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' is crammed with minor non-toy characters who wind up dead, many still received some backstory, history, or distinctive characterization before - or even after - being killed off. Examples from ''More than Meets the Eye''{{'}}s first "season" include [[Polaris]], [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]], [[Shock (G1)|Shock]], [[Ore]], [[Animus]], [[Dent]], [[Sonic (IDW)|Sonic]], [[Boom]], [[Piston (Wrecker)|Piston]], [[Crest]], [[Torque (G1)|Torque]], [[Sherma]], [[Momus]], "[[Fallout (G1)|Fallout]]", "[[Streaker]]", [[Heavies|Hammer and Anvil]], [[Trepan]], [[Frak]], [[Rushcut]], [[Rossum]], [[Tripodeca]], [[Pivot]], [[Scattergun]], [[Blockus]], [[Datum]], [[Ramp]], and [[Suture (G1)|Suture]]. Similarly, ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' introduced us to [[Squadron X]], comprising just about every Decepticon hi-and-die character from the Marvel continuity, who were then all slaughtered by Impactor.
{{-}}

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new toy of that character.

[[File:Inferno dies agenda2.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Only a flesh wound!]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|so many times]] that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his [[Powermaster]] form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival in ''Generation 2'' brought him into his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G2Hero|Hero]] toy form.
*The Japanese killed off Optimus (or "Convoy" as they called him) in [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]. A few years later, they not only brought him back with a new toy, the ''entire franchise'' for that year was called ''[[Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]''.
*Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.
*The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2. Hasbro wanted him brought back in the first minutes of the season premiere, but the writers managed to convince them that it would be better to do so at the ''end'' of the two-episode story following the premiere.
*At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed—being ''disintegrated''—but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.
*Pretty much ''nobody'' could successfully die in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]]. [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Dagger]], and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] all die and/or are resurrected from the dead during the course of the show.
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] still had toys out in 2008. The [[bio]] for AllSpark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz states he was brought back from near-death by the AllSpark and is "more powerful than ever". Voilà, Jazz comes back from the dead thanks to the AllSpark in [[Transformers Comic issue 16|Titan's tie-in comic]]! Optimus even uses the ''term'' "Autobot Jazz" in [[Transformers Comic issue 21|a later issue]]...
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] was shot in the head and abandoned on [[Gorlam Prime]] back in "[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]". Six years later, Hasbro were releasing a new Nightbeat toy and back he comes into ''Dark Cybertron'', a chatty undead from the [[Dead Universe]]. He proceeds to survive the destruction of the Dead Universe and wound up on the ''Lost Light'' before seemingly dying again.
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s IDW incarnation first appeared in the ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' limited series, set millions of years in the past. The final issue originally left his exact fate following his final confrontation with Megatron ambiguous; according to artist [[Alex Milne]], Sentinel was ''not'' dead ''yet'' as far as he was concerned, and the script had called for him to look like he could go either way.<ref name="milne">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110822003501/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=37411 Post by Alex Milne on the IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> However, ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'', published around the same time, at least ''implied'' that he was dead in the present day just like in other continuities, given how Optimus Prime had succeeded him. Subsequently, ''[[Spotlight: Blurr]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'', among others, presented [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] as the Prime who chronologically succeeded Sentinel, before being himself killed by Megatron and succeeded by Optimus. Fast forward to several years later, when Hasbro's [[Titans Return (toyline)|''Titans Return'' toy line]] introduced a new Sentinel Prime toy that was also a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] with a [[Titan Master]] named [[Infinitus]], and lo and behold, the IDW version of Sentinel, having been presumed dead for four million years, suddenly makes an unexpected return in a ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, with absolutely no buildup beforehand, and is revealed to actually ''be'' a smaller robot named Infinitus who survived the destruction of his larger body. After menacing everyone a little for a few issues, he gets dropped down a very big hole, never to be spoken of again.
{{-}}

===Untouchables===
[[File:Armorhide drawhisfire.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Really, they could just stand there making rude noises at Starscream.]]
Obviously, if a character ''does'' have a current toy (or soon will), they're ([[Cliffjumper (WFC)|usually]]) not going to die, even if the plot or common sense indicates they should. This is sometimes because Hasbro itself declares a character unkillable, and so comics and TV writers must follow suit.
*In "[[Optimal Situation]]", [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] had betrayed [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to the Maximals, ruining his greatest shot at victory. As he declared, "There will be no more betrayals!", she would pay the price: being knocked into stasis lock so the Maximals could fix her and she could stay on their team.
*Megatron himself was in a prime position to be terminated, as were the Maximals later on, in "[[The Weak Component]]". Since this was only episode 6 and everyone had toys out, the cast politely agreed not to take this opportunity to end a brutal war for the planet.
*Titan's Movie strip was moved to an alternate universe, where you'd [[Rhythms of Darkness!|expect nobody to be safe from death]]. However, most of the cast had toys out, so whether it was a desperate guerrilla fight against Decepticon occupation, the rise of [[Unicron]], a [[Decepticon Civil War]], or the final battle, very few characters bought it. The big exception was [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]], dying in his first battle.
*In ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' (mentioned earlier), James Roberts observed that Impactor was the only character who was guaranteed not to be killed. However, Hasbro shot down the idea of Perceptor or Springer dying, and so most of the fatalities were less well-known characters like Pyro, Ironfist, and eternally unlucky Wreckers Twin Twist and Topspin.
*Similar to his Beast Era counterpart, ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] was worn down to the point of exhaustion, and was at [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s mercy. Optimus, now [[One Shall Fall|sworn to outright kill Megatron when he gets the chance]], is about to pull the trigger, but ends up backing down when he's threatened by Decepticon reinforcements... in this case, the laughing stock redshirt Vehicons. It doesn't help that the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' toyline had ''just'' gotten on shelves, but seriously? Optimus felt threatened by ''Vehicons''?
*If a Decepticon with a current toy is about to be captured in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', they can pull off the most miraculous of escapes, sometimes [[Bee Cool|disappearing under our heroes' noses]].
*Starscream, the end.

==Notable exceptions==
There are, however, a few notable exceptions to the To Sell Toys effect, such as fictional characters without a toy counterpart, and other anomalies:

===Toys not released in the relevant market===
[[File:Swoopg1marvelukfirst.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|YOU CAN'T HAVE ME.]]
Occasionally the ''Transformers'' fiction released in a particular country features characters whose toys were not released in that country. The Marvel UK comic featured two variations of this phenomenon:

*Characters inherited from the U.S. strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the U.S. stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons (even before their US appearances were reprinted), to have entire storylines focusing on Swoop, and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.
*Characters not featured in the U.S. strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]], and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

Writer [[Simon Furman]] has since stated that when writing the stories he was generally unaware of which toys were unavailable in the UK.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We largely took our cue from what characters were being introduced into the US storyline. If there was a release schedule for the toys in the UK, we rarely saw it... But in the case of Swoop and the Predacons, I don't think I was consciously aware (at the time) that we were dealing with toys not generally available in the UK. They were just extant characters, and therefore fair game.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year-2004}}</ref>

This would happen again with Titan, as foreign exclusives such as [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] and [[Slap Dash (ROTF)|Slap Dash]] palled around with UK-available toys.

Another example would be the original text stores published by [[Condor Verlag]] in their ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'': The text story from [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|issue 11]] features the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], even though catalogs from the era, backed up by German fans' recollections, suggest that the German release of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line-up omitted the Classic Combaticons, possibly due to their "war" theme.
{{-}}

===Post-Marvel, pre-2013 G1 comics===
[[File:Infiltration 1b.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Hey, Runamuck, it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!" "Heh heh, now if only we could appear on toy store shelves..."]]
Both [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] comics, the two recent holders of the license to publish ''Transformers'' comic books, sometimes produce comics using whichever toy line is current (e.g., Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic or IDW's [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]] tie-ins), and sometimes publish comics using whatever characters they please (e.g., ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''). The characters in their "discretionary" comics are often not currently available in toy form ([[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], a character appearing in numerous stories from IDW's G1 continuity during their early years, only had [[Hardhead (G1)#Universe (2008)|another toy]] on shelves at around 2009, a good twenty-two years since [[Hardhead (G1)#Generation 1|his last toy]]), sometimes are drawn with bodies that have ''never'' been toys (most of the ''War Within'' characters), and sometimes are toys that were never available outside of specific countries ([[Lio Convoy]] in IDW's ''Beast Wars'').

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics, had stated on IDW's forums that Hasbro does not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval.").<ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=69377</ref> By the time of ''All Hail Megatron'', however, the ''Universe'' line came out and Hasbro asked IDW to start using some of those designs.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=102461#102461 Guido reveals the Hasbro request]</ref> Though this practice did not influence the subsequent [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]], it did raise its head again in 2013, as Hasbro and IDW began working together to create new toys based on character designs from the comics, to promote upcoming toys with New Bodies and to include the [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] event (including various preludes) with the toys.

===New toys, same basic design===
In more recent times (mostly in the case of the [[live-action film series]]), Hasbro has used a combination of minor [[redeco]]s, [[retool]]s and sculpts based on the same basic designs to create new toys, instead of giving recurring characters a major design overhaul for the next installment. The fiction then rarely, if ever, acknowledges any of those minor design changes. According to screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], some people at Hasbro even argued against changing the designs of some returning characters in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', so that parents would '''not''' have to buy the same toy twice for their children just because of a minor change or modification to the characters' designs.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2186879&postcount=171 Roberto Orci posting at TFW2005.com]</ref> (Hasbro still released new, or modified, toys of those characters, prompting [[completist]]s to buy them as well, and the film gave some of the characters slight tweaks in their [[alternate mode]]s, based on changes in the real-life vehicle designs, which the toys had to incorporate.)

===Killing off characters with new toys===
Even characters with new or expensive toys can get the axe early on if the plot calls for it... or when poor timing caused by unplanned executive decisions resulted in bad coordination between in-fiction developments and toy release schedules.
* In ''Beast Wars'', [[Tigerhawk]] was introduced and then killed off within three episodes, due to corporate uncertainty about whether the [[Size class#Beast Wars|Ultra-sized toy]] would actually be produced.
*Despite being killed off in the middle of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] got a lot of new toys, including a Leader Class figure, a Voyager Class figure, and a Halloween costume for children!
*''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was hyped up as a major character in the lead-up to the show's premiere, and got several toys like the other members of the main cast. He dies within the first five minutes of the [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|premiere episode]]. However, later he gets his fair share of screentime by [[Out of the Past|flashbacks]] and the like.
*Due to behind the scenes budget issues and the ''Prime'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] getting pushed back thanks to the ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|toyline]], [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] is quickly shut away inside a stasis pod in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]" for much of the remainder of the series at the ''same time'' as the mass release of her toy; [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] also suffered a grimmer fate as he was killed off just a few episodes earlier (by Airachnid herself, no less). On a similar beat, poor [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] died in "[[Masters & Students]]", but his toys weren't released until well over a year later, making them posthumous toy releases.
*IDW [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] gets a new ''Titans Return'' toy in mid late 2016, but was killed off at about the same time his toy was hitting shelves in the [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|final issue]] of the second season of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]''.

===New toys with minimal fictional appearances===
Sometimes, characters that have a new or expensive toy barely see use in fiction.
*Generation 1 Whirl and Roadbuster were larger and more expensive than many of the other Autobots, but never appeared in the original cartoon. They were featured in the UK comics as members of the Wreckers.
*Sixshot's only appearance in the original cartoon is a quick sequence where he transforms into each of his alt modes to defeat the Aerialbots. He is never seen again.
*In ''Transformers: Armada'', Optimus Prime is the only character to not receive an upgrade after being defeated by Nemesis Prime, despite having an expensive $40 redeco on store shelves. Optimus does receive the redeco colors in the final episode of the series, but he returns to his old colors by the episode's conclusion.
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|"Silver Knight" Optimus Prime]] had an entire thematic segment of the [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|''Age of Extinction'' toyline]] dedicated to him that was exclusive to [[Target]] stores. However, the planned upgrade of Optimus Prime was cut from the theatrical release of ''Age of Extinction''.
*''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Quickslinger and Brake-Neck, meant to be [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], did not get any focus in the accompanying IDW fiction: Slingshot is dead and Wildrider's whereabouts are unknown after his leaving the Stunticons. Instead, their selling point is giving fans the chance to complete G1-accurate [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] toys. Meanwhile, the Autobot [[Rook (CW)|Rook]] made only a background appearance in the event, and was so overlooked he had to be digitally added ''to'' those backgrounds; [[Alpha Bravo]], his [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] counterpart, gets a bit more but nothing you'd miss. (When Rook ''did'' get some work later, he was promptly killed off!)
*''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' introduced a massive amount of new toys and a ''massive'' amount of Headmasters, including many familiar G1 characters redone as Headmasters. However, very few of these new toys were given focus in IDW's [[Titans Return (comic)|tie-in comic arc]], including prominent characters such as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. ([[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] is a notable exception, returning after a long absence.) Also, despite the heavy emphasis on [[Titan Master]]s in the toyline, only one character, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], displayed actual Headmaster ability. [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] is briefly decapitated and turned into a lifeless body for [[Infinitus]] to take control of, for no real reason other than to show off the head-swapping gimmick inherent in all ''Titans Return'' figures. And, with a colossal new [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Generations|Titan-class]] toy for [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fortress Maximus]] as the centerpiece of the line, you'd expect some significant toy-shilling action. Instead, Fortress Maximus's brand-new Titan body gets smacked around a bit before utterly failing in its one job of defending [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]'s [[space bridge]] from the [[zombie]] Titans.
*Most likely caused by the complaints from fans about the small amount of Decepticons in the 2015 [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'' toyline]], [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] breaks out many monsters of the week from the first season. Each one gets a figure, yet they all get one or two episodes to shine. [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]] is the greatest example, appearing very briefly in Episode 4 of Season 1, getting captured, going free, and getting captured again in the next Episode.
**Every major 'Con from or affiliated with Decepticon Island gets Mini-Cons, who do very little but appear anyway only because they had toys. Ratchet gets one as well.
[[File:TF-TLK-Berserker.jpg|right|upright=1.7|thumb|'''DELUXE ROOK''' with Amazing ''STANDING AROUND ACTION!''']]
* After having a Deluxe-sized figure despite being the largest [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', [[Scorn]] got a larger, more movie-accurate Voyager class figure for the toyline of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]''. Unfortunately, Scorn didn't even appear in the [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|actual film]]!
* A more egregious ''The Last Knight'' example occurs in the case of [[Berserker]]. Despite being on-screen for only ''8.39 seconds'' (in which he's a prisoner of war and not even released from incarceration), and having only one line, Berserker got several toys to himself, one of which was an entirely new Deluxe class figure. This is in stark contrast to more prominent Decepticons [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]], [[Dreadbot]], and [[Mohawk]], none of whom received toys until Mohawk got a ''[[Studio Series]]'' figure ''seven years later''. Set photos seem to indicate that Berserker was going to have a larger role than he did, explaining why he was given such a prominent role in the toyline.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Toys]]

Code of Hero

2023-11-04T22:45:44Z

Bluie: As for comma versus ellipsis, that's my mistake. I just checked and the official subs have it as an ellipsis.

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the mobile game event|Code of a Hero}}

{{episode|
|series=BWtoon
|ep=35
|series2=Metals
|ep2=8
|prev2=Other Visits (Part 2)
|next2=Transmutate (episode)
|image=CodeofHero titlepic.jpg
|caption=The rest... is silence.
|title="Code of Hero"
|season=2
|season ep=9
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[March 9]], 1998 ([[Toonami]]), [[April 25]], 1998 (syndication)
|packaged with=[[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Dinobot]]
|written by=[[Ian Weir]]
|directed by=[[Bob Forward]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity= [[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Dinobot makes the ultimate sacrifice to save those who are still to come.'''

==Synopsis==
In [[Valley of the Neanderthals|a wild valley]], a group of [[anthropoid|primitive hominids]] forage for food. A [[Giant Snake]] attacks two of their number, and the anthropoids are helpless to stop it...

[[File:Dinobot meditate.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"I have no other choice, I have dishonored my comrades."]]
At the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', a haunted Dinobot meditates on his sword... and holds its blade ominously over his chest. But after a long moment of tension and hesitation, he casts it aside with a growl of frustration.

Rhinox has been calculating the path of the [[Transwarp wavefront|Transwarp Wave]] from the [[Planet Buster]]'s destruction—it's traveling through time at an accelerated rate, and will reach [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the "present", thus alerting Cybertron to their location. [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] fears Megatron has made similar calculations, and the group realizes they need to increase their defenses.

Dinobot, still somber, runs into Rattrap, who nearly goads him into a fight over his turning the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Disk]] over to Megatron. Rattrap stalks off, concluding that he'd thought Dinobot was at least forthright. Dinobot is left to reflect that his past actions cannot be undone... but they "may yet be mitigated". He arms himself and heads off into the wastes.

On aerial recon, Cheetor observes Megatron and Rampage out for a stroll. They drive him off with some damage, but Cheetor calls in the sighting to Dinobot, who promises to follow up.

At [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]], Tarantulas has captured a tasty antelope for his dinner. But as he creeps up to the struggling beast, Dinobot bursts out of the ground, holding him at gunpoint and demanding to know what information is on the Golden Disk. Tarantulas doesn't know—there are no more copies remaining, and Megatron is keeping the Disk on his person at all times. Still holding him at gunpoint, Dinobot uses Tarantulas as his unwilling ride.

[[File:Megatron GoldenDisk.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|The hills are alive, with The Sounds of Earth!]]
The anthropoids scatter and panic as Megatron flies overhead and lands. Rampage sneers that the Maximals will soon arrive from Cybertron, and that he anticipates Megatron's imminent demise. Megatron admits that's very likely... but only if history remains as it is.

Megatron explains that the Golden Disk contains images recorded in the future, including one of a nearby mountain. Megatron has Rampage destroy the mountaintop. After a moment, the image on the disk changes to suit the altered reality, to Megatron's delight. Dinobot observes all this with dawning dread: Megatron has the power to change the future.

The valley they are standing above, Megatron explains, spawned the human race. Their interference helped the Autobots win the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], thereby allowing the Maximals to rule over the Predacons today. But Megatron has a different history in mind. Summoning the rest of his troops, he orders them to annihilate the valley and its inhabitants. With the anthropoids destroyed, the human race will never have existed!

[[File:CodeofHero-letthebattlebejoined.jpg|left|upright=0.95|thumb|A picturesque image is required before a dramatic death.]]
While Dinobot's back is turned, Tarantulas blasts him; Dinobot reciprocates by squashing him under a rock. Dinobot contacts Optimus, who orders him to maintain position, but Dinobot knows there is no time to wait. With his questions answered, Dinobot is ready to face his destiny.

Dinobot moves in to attack the entire Predacon force single-handed. He blasts Inferno and Blackarachnia (stabbing the former for good measure), stomps Waspinator, forces Rampage's cannon to backfire (using Waspinator's head), and pummels Quickstrike (with his bare hands), but loses his weapons, suffers considerable damage, and drains most of his energy supply. His computer warns him that he must enter [[stasis lock]] to survive... a command which Dinobot overrides.

Megatron confronts the damaged warrior, gloating over his near-total victory; when Dinobot starts to attack, Megatron reveals an anthropoid captive. The hostage is enough to make Dinobot halt; Megatron rebukes him for weakness. But Dinobot is a warrior still. Forging a makeshift hammer from a rock and stick, he knocks the Disk out of Megatron's hand and frees the anthropoid. With the last of his energy, he summons one final optic blast, shattering the Disk.

Nearly mad with frustration, Megatron flees as the [[Maximal]]s arrive. Rattrap gasps in horror at the sight of his comrade, while Cheetor douses the flames of the burning valley. The Maximals gather around the fallen Dinobot, but it is too late to help him. Optimus assures him that he has saved untold lives yet to come. Dinobot exchanges a final round of barbs with Rattrap; he asks them all to tell his story truthfully, both the good and the bad, and allow him to be judged accordingly. "The rest is silence." With that, the proud warrior dies. Rattrap leads the others in a salute as Dinobot's [[spark]] leaves his body, with Primal wishing it on to the Matrix, there to join Cybertron's finest.

[[File:Dinobot funeral.jpg|right|upright=0.95|thumb|Old soldiers don't die, they just fade away...]]
The next morning, the Maximals hold a funeral for Dinobot. The fliers soar through the air in a {{w|missing man formation|salute}}, as Rattrap and Rhinox dissolve Dinobot's remains.

At the valley, a curious anthropoid (presumably the same one Dinobot rescued) finds Dinobot's hammer. He soon figures out how to use it to help gather food... and to fend off predators, such as the giant snake. The anthropoid's yell of triumph echoes through the valley; and high above, a brief flicker appears in the void of space.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (4)
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (5)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (6)
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (7)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (8)
*[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] (16)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (9)
*[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] (11)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (12)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (13)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (14)
*[[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] (15)

|h3=[[Anthropoid]]s|c3=
*[[Blix|Leader Neanderthal]] (1)
*[[Brown Neanderthal]] (2)

|c4=
*[[Giant Snake]] (3)
}}

==Quotes==
"Remember that transwarp cell explosion?" 
[''Primal just glares''] 
"Okay, stupid question..."
:—'''Rhinox''' has a once-in-a-lifetime lapse in intelligence.

"The rodent's words give off the stench of truth. Destiny has one great test in store for us all. Has mine already come and have I failed it? A deed once done cannot be undone, but perhaps, it may yet be mitigated."
:—'''Dinobot''' embarking on his destiny

"The question that once haunted my being has been answered. The future is not fixed, and my choices are my own. And yet, how ironic... for I now find that I have no choice at all! I am a warrior... let the battle be joined."
:—'''Dinobot''', realizing his destiny

"One lonely turncoat, battling on against impossible odds." ''[Wipes fake tear]'' "I'm almost touched! ...Fortunately, such moments pass quickly. Quickstrike, scrap him!"
:—'''Megatron''', observing Dinobot's solo fight to save the valley.

"What's a warrior without weapons, eh?" 
"A warrior ''still!''"
:—'''Quickstrike''' totally underestimates '''Dinobot'''.

"Hmm, my ears are burning! Yesss! Why, Dinobot, what a delightful surprise! Let's see, where are we now? I have the Golden Disk, I have the power to change the future, and the only remaining obstacle in my path to ''unimaginable'' glory... is yourself. Exhausted. Damaged beyond recovery. ''Defeated''." 
"Not just yet!" 
"Ah-ah-ah!" ''[Megatron reveals a bound proto-human]'' "One more step, and it's raining bits of early anthropoid, yesss." ''[Dinobot hesitates]'' "Oh dear, how positively ''Maximal'' of you. You were weakened before you started, Dinobot. Weakened by ''compassion''."
:—'''Megatron''' confronts the severely damaged '''Dinobot'''.

"Oh, please! Face it, Dinobot! You're old technology, obsolete. What could ''you'' possibly do?" 
"Improvise."
:—'''Megatron''' is about to find out that '''Dinobot''' has one more trick up his sleeve.

'''Optimus Primal:''' "Well fought, my friend. You saved the valley. You saved the lives of those who live here... and of those who are still to come." 
'''Dinobot:''' "Then... there is nothing to regret." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Like I said, you're just a blasted, slag-spouting saurian, but... it's nice to know where you stand." 
'''Dinobot:'''"Upwind of you, for preference, vermin. ...Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest... is silence."
:— Dinobot shares last words with his comrades

"He lived a warrior... and died a hero. Let his spark join the Matrix, (with) the greatest of Cybertron."

:—'''Optimus Primal'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eulogy for Dinobot

==Notes==
===Script timeline===
* First draft: 15th September 1997
* Second draft: 22nd September 1997

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:CodeofHero wrong Rattrap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Maybe it's [[Packrat]]?]]
* The interior of the ''Axalon'', and thus the doors to Dinobot's quarters, were made at a different scale to his character model, so he could not actually fit through the doorway. Bob Forward explained that it had to be faked by a cut.
* When Rattrap is working at the wall panel, his right forearm is backwards and remains thus until he is grandly gesturing.
* As the "camera" zooms in on Tarantulas when he stalks up to the trapped gazelle, the background remains static instead of zooming in with him.
* When Megatron is flying over the proto-human valley, his legs are missing and his body has very little detail. It's especially noticeable when he flies towards the camera and transforms into robot mode-at which point his legs appear out of nowhere.
* As the Maximals head out, Rhinox's running animation is being played unnaturally fast to keep up with the others.
* As Quickstrike approaches Dinobot, his left shin is backwards.
* At Dinobot's funeral, Rattrap is in his pre-Transmetal body. On the [[Madman Entertainment|Madman]] DVD commentary for this episode, Bob Forward could not believe how the production team (who had viewed this scene at least a hundred times trying to get everything right) did not notice the fact they used the wrong Rattrap, and yet every fan did.
* Towards the end of the episode, a mechanical thud can be heard when the snake hits the ground, making it sound as if the snake is made of metal.

===Continuity errors===
* In this episode, the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Voyager Disk]] resembles an old record (complete with being labeled "The Sounds of Earth") instead of the design used since its appearance in [[Beast Wars (Part 1)|the first episode]]. Given its origin as a record in a canister, however, it's possible that Megatron has simply taken it out of its case to test his theory of time-meddling.
* As with most of Megatron's plots to alter the timeline, the plan to destroy the human race before it evolves has a critical deterministic error; if he succeeds, then the golden disk would never have been created by [[NASA]] in the future. Megatron could never have acquired it, and thus would not have the foresight to attempt to destroy the human race, and then the human race would have evolved as normal, creating the golden disk in the future... and so on and so forth. Apparently, time travel in ''Beast Wars'' isn't subject to the grandfather paradox!
* Rattrap mentions that Dinobot would be up against six Predacons when there was a total of seven. (Out of universe, this is likely for the audience's benefit, in case they weren't keeping track.) Either he had totally forgotten about Tarantulas, somehow heard Dinobot defeating Tarantulas over his open comlink, or assumed that Tarantulas would still not be working with Megatron.

===Continuity notes===
* Dinobot is, of course, still dealing with the fallout of his temporary defection, as seen in "[[Maximal, No More]]".
* Rhinox refers to the transwarp wave, which was caused by the destruction of the [[Planet Buster]] in "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]".
* Tarantulas mentions that Megatron doesn't want anyone downloading more copies of the disk's data, referring to Blackarachnia's little heist in "[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]".
* As the Maximals travel to the valley to try to help Dinobot, they pass several [[Metal Hunter]] flowers, the only time these were seen after "[[Other Visits (Part 1)]]". This time the flowers were inactive.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Megatron can turn his tail-weapon into a record player by retracting the tip.
** Optimus Primal can fly in robot mode, although he apparently prefers to fly around in [[beast mode]].
** Cheetor can spray fire-extinguisher foam while in beast mode.

===Transformers references===
*Megatron states that it was thanks to humans that the Autobots won the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], likely referring to the exploits of the [[Witwicky (surname)|Witwicky]]s. Apparently nobody bothered to remember the contributions of the [[Nebulan]]s.

===Real-world references===
* The Golden Disk that Megatron stole from Cybertron and kicked off this whole mess is revealed to be one of the two {{w|Voyager Golden Record|Golden Record}}s aboard the ''Voyager'' deep-space probe, specifically "The Sounds of Earth". That said, this Golden Disk can apparently play video. In the real world, there's also no image of a mountain on the disc.
* As the Predacons jump into the valley to destroy the hominids, Rampage crushes a butterfly. This evokes the famous Ray Bradbury short story "{{w|A Sound of Thunder}}", in which a time traveler in the past steps on a butterfly, thus dramatically altering the future of humanity.
* When Dinobot is leaving the base, he comments that "a deed, once done, cannot be undone", a slight modification of the [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]] quote "what is done cannot be undone".
* Dinobot's final words, "The rest is silence", are taken directly from [http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=hamlet&Act=5&Scene=2&Scope=scene#4014 the final words of the title character] in Shakespeare's ''{{w|Hamlet}}''. (The entreaty to tell his story is also taken from earlier in Hamlet's death scene, although rephrased.)
* Right after Dinobot crash-lands on [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], Rampage points his cannon at Dinobot. The brief image from within the cannon's barrel appears similar to the gun barrel views from numerous James Bond movies.
*''Beast Wars'' story editors [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]] worked various references to the online ''Transformers'' [[fandom]] into the series. In this case, Cheetor citing [[Tengu Sector]] was a reference to the screen name of [[Rob Gerbracht]], who went on to become one of the writers for the ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|Wreckers]]'' comic book series.
* The final shot of the episode—a anthropoid discovering the power of tools and triumphantly hurling his weapon into the air, followed by a pan into space—is evocative of ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}''.

===Trivia===
* ''Beast Wars'' co-story editor [[Bob Forward]] drew storyboards for this episode. Not only is it the only ''Beast Wars'' episode to be directed by the series's writers, but it is also the only episode to be done up in storyboards rather than being directed on-the-fly. Bob Forward worked in person with the [[Mainframe Entertainment|Mainframe]] animators for this episode.
* The original storyboards were auctioned for charity at a [[BotCon]].
* According to Bob Forward, Megatron's transformation sequence had to be reconstructed to be able to show his transformation from underneath for one shot. Previously, the animation only "worked" when seen from eye-level or above.
* In a bit of foreshadowing, while Dinobot is contemplating suicide, three ravens fly past his window in the {{w|missing man formation}}, which the Maximal fliers use in their salute to him at his funeral. The formation was also used when three anthropoids were wandering through the forest prior to the Predacon attack.
* During the recording of this episode, [[Scott McNeil]] was attempting to deliver Dinobot's last words, but was continually interrupted by the recording crew's laughter. He is reputed to have said while still in character, "Do you mind?! I'm trying to die here!"
* When Dinobot dies, his Spark escapes his body, and proceeds to slowly rise into the air until the scene transitions. This phenomenon had never been seen in Transformers fiction prior, as opposed to the body turning gray as the character expired first seen in [[The Transformers: The Movie]], nor would it ever be seen again in the show as future characters died. The idea would not be used again until many years later in the [[Prime Wars Trilogy|Prime Wars cartoons]].
* According to McNeil, Dinobot knew he was going to die five episodes before he did, as right up until the last second, he believed Dinobot to only be "cartoon dead" as opposed to "''dead'' dead".
* When originally broadcast in the [[United Kingdom]], this episode was edited, with Dinobot's contemplated suicide completely excised and his hallway altercation with Rattrap cut down to only a fraction of its actual length. In the latter case, this seems to serve no other purpose than the elimination of the word "[[Slag (slang)|slag]]", and Dinobot's dying exchange with Rattrap was likewise altered to purge the word.
* It's no surprise that a DVD containing this episode was packaged with Dinobot for ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]''. This is the only post-Season 1 episode included with any ''10th Anniversary'' figure.
* Bob Forward considers this to be his favorite ''Beast Wars'' episode, as well as the "The Agenda" three-parter.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20110910082450/http://www.infinitefrontiers.0catch.com:80/AutoAssembly/BobForward.htm Interview with Bob Forward</ref> Larry DiTillio has also admitted it's the best episode of the series, despite acknowledging that he had almost nothing to do with it.
* This is the last episode to have Rhinox appear in [[beast mode]]. For the rest of the series, Rhinox remains in [[robot mode]].
* The pistol Dinobot uses to interrogate Tarantulas is nearly identical to Rattrap's.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Code du Héros'''" (Canada, "Code of Hero")

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Un grande eroe'''" ("A Grand Hero")

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Abayo!'''" (あばよッ!, "Farewell!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 24]] [[1999]]
::*In a shocking display of restraint on director [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]]'s part, the excessive adlibbing, satirical 4th Wall jokes and major script changes are kept to a relative minimum. Instead, this episode tries (''tries'') to adhere to the somber tone of the original English language version. Still, though comparatively restrained in its use of adlib gags, there remain plenty to be had...
::*When opening fire on Cheetor, Rampage constantly howls threats and insults at the Maximal. As the episode "[[Bad Spark]]" was released theatrically in Japan and was not broadcast on television as a regular part of the series, this episode is the "introduction" of Rampage to Japanese viewers.
::*While exiting his secret lab to retrieve his dinner, Tarantulas jabbers incessantly to himself as he makes sure the coast is clear. He mentions that his left is clear, his right is clear, his rear is clear and above him is clear, then while rambling about never being too careful, that's when Dinobot bursts out from the one direction he hadn't checked; below himself.
::*When Megatron lands to check out the mountain near the valley of proto-humans, he giddily tests his echo out with a loud "YAHOOOO! (''yahooooo! yahooooo!'')"
::*In what is unfortunately one of the ''worst'' examples of adlibbing in this dub, when Rampage aims his cannon at Megatron and Megatron's head can be seen in close-up through the scope, Megatron continues to speak... with his mouth quite visibly shut. While the English version relied on silence and facial expressions to get the point of the scene across (Megatron's accursed smugness and Rampage's resigned anger at being helpless to wipe the smile off his face), the Japanese dub turns it into a prattling conversation as Rampage talks about shooting Megatron right then and there and Megatron (in the close-up with his lips closed) warning him of the consequences.
::*The drama and suspense of the Predacons laying waste to the proto-human valley is completely undone by the fact that the characters comically scream their vocal tics every time they fire their weapons.
::*The final [[commercial bumper]] for this episode is dedicated to Dinobot. Whereas in the past, the featured character would scream their name during the bumper, Dinobot instead offers a quiet and reserved, "Hello. I am Dinobot."
::*In addition to the incessant screaming of their verbal tics, the Predacons make various asides throughout Dinobot's rampage through their forces. Blackarachnia sarcastically remarks to Inferno as they gun down proto-humans "Well this isn't petty at all, is it?" After getting blown up by Rampage's cannon, Waspinator whimpers, "''How cruel...''"
::*Dinobot's final words to Rattrap, rather than a friendly jab, is instead a reconciliation of their partnership, as Dinobot tells him that they made a good duo. His final words to the group are the same as in the English version, save for the ending. Rather than "the rest is silence", Dinobot instead says, "Thank you. Farewell..."

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yīngxióng Běnsè'''" (英雄本色, "Nature of Hero")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Código de Herói'''" ("Code of Hero")

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''El Código del Héroe'''" ("The Code of Hero")

:*''Title:'' "'''El Código de un Héroe'''" (America, "The Code of a Hero")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Bad Spark / Code of Hero ([[KB Toys]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Series 2 / Volume 3 ({{w|Siren Visual|Siren Entertainment}}) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Huh? The Face? ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 7 ([[Universal]])

;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Seasons 2 & 3 ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Code of Hero

2023-11-04T22:44:40Z

Bluie: Well, even if you feel that Garry Chalk didn't recite the "with" audibly, the official DVD subs have it. So it's still official part of the line. So how about a concession: let's put it between parenthesis.

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the mobile game event|Code of a Hero}}

{{episode|
|series=BWtoon
|ep=35
|series2=Metals
|ep2=8
|prev2=Other Visits (Part 2)
|next2=Transmutate (episode)
|image=CodeofHero titlepic.jpg
|caption=The rest... is silence.
|title="Code of Hero"
|season=2
|season ep=9
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[March 9]], 1998 ([[Toonami]]), [[April 25]], 1998 (syndication)
|packaged with=[[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Dinobot]]
|written by=[[Ian Weir]]
|directed by=[[Bob Forward]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity= [[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Dinobot makes the ultimate sacrifice to save those who are still to come.'''

==Synopsis==
In [[Valley of the Neanderthals|a wild valley]], a group of [[anthropoid|primitive hominids]] forage for food. A [[Giant Snake]] attacks two of their number, and the anthropoids are helpless to stop it...

[[File:Dinobot meditate.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"I have no other choice, I have dishonored my comrades."]]
At the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', a haunted Dinobot meditates on his sword... and holds its blade ominously over his chest. But after a long moment of tension and hesitation, he casts it aside with a growl of frustration.

Rhinox has been calculating the path of the [[Transwarp wavefront|Transwarp Wave]] from the [[Planet Buster]]'s destruction—it's traveling through time at an accelerated rate, and will reach [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the "present", thus alerting Cybertron to their location. [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] fears Megatron has made similar calculations, and the group realizes they need to increase their defenses.

Dinobot, still somber, runs into Rattrap, who nearly goads him into a fight over his turning the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Disk]] over to Megatron. Rattrap stalks off, concluding that he'd thought Dinobot was at least forthright. Dinobot is left to reflect that his past actions cannot be undone... but they "may yet be mitigated". He arms himself and heads off into the wastes.

On aerial recon, Cheetor observes Megatron and Rampage out for a stroll. They drive him off with some damage, but Cheetor calls in the sighting to Dinobot, who promises to follow up.

At [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]], Tarantulas has captured a tasty antelope for his dinner. But as he creeps up to the struggling beast, Dinobot bursts out of the ground, holding him at gunpoint and demanding to know what information is on the Golden Disk. Tarantulas doesn't know—there are no more copies remaining, and Megatron is keeping the Disk on his person at all times. Still holding him at gunpoint, Dinobot uses Tarantulas as his unwilling ride.

[[File:Megatron GoldenDisk.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|The hills are alive, with The Sounds of Earth!]]
The anthropoids scatter and panic as Megatron flies overhead and lands. Rampage sneers that the Maximals will soon arrive from Cybertron, and that he anticipates Megatron's imminent demise. Megatron admits that's very likely... but only if history remains as it is.

Megatron explains that the Golden Disk contains images recorded in the future, including one of a nearby mountain. Megatron has Rampage destroy the mountaintop. After a moment, the image on the disk changes to suit the altered reality, to Megatron's delight. Dinobot observes all this with dawning dread: Megatron has the power to change the future.

The valley they are standing above, Megatron explains, spawned the human race. Their interference helped the Autobots win the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], thereby allowing the Maximals to rule over the Predacons today. But Megatron has a different history in mind. Summoning the rest of his troops, he orders them to annihilate the valley and its inhabitants. With the anthropoids destroyed, the human race will never have existed!

[[File:CodeofHero-letthebattlebejoined.jpg|left|upright=0.95|thumb|A picturesque image is required before a dramatic death.]]
While Dinobot's back is turned, Tarantulas blasts him; Dinobot reciprocates by squashing him under a rock. Dinobot contacts Optimus, who orders him to maintain position, but Dinobot knows there is no time to wait. With his questions answered, Dinobot is ready to face his destiny.

Dinobot moves in to attack the entire Predacon force single-handed. He blasts Inferno and Blackarachnia (stabbing the former for good measure), stomps Waspinator, forces Rampage's cannon to backfire (using Waspinator's head), and pummels Quickstrike (with his bare hands), but loses his weapons, suffers considerable damage, and drains most of his energy supply. His computer warns him that he must enter [[stasis lock]] to survive... a command which Dinobot overrides.

Megatron confronts the damaged warrior, gloating over his near-total victory; when Dinobot starts to attack, Megatron reveals an anthropoid captive. The hostage is enough to make Dinobot halt; Megatron rebukes him for weakness. But Dinobot is a warrior still. Forging a makeshift hammer from a rock and stick, he knocks the Disk out of Megatron's hand and frees the anthropoid. With the last of his energy, he summons one final optic blast, shattering the Disk.

Nearly mad with frustration, Megatron flees as the [[Maximal]]s arrive. Rattrap gasps in horror at the sight of his comrade, while Cheetor douses the flames of the burning valley. The Maximals gather around the fallen Dinobot, but it is too late to help him. Optimus assures him that he has saved untold lives yet to come. Dinobot exchanges a final round of barbs with Rattrap; he asks them all to tell his story truthfully, both the good and the bad, and allow him to be judged accordingly. "The rest is silence." With that, the proud warrior dies. Rattrap leads the others in a salute as Dinobot's [[spark]] leaves his body, with Primal wishing it on to the Matrix, there to join Cybertron's finest.

[[File:Dinobot funeral.jpg|right|upright=0.95|thumb|Old soldiers don't die, they just fade away...]]
The next morning, the Maximals hold a funeral for Dinobot. The fliers soar through the air in a {{w|missing man formation|salute}}, as Rattrap and Rhinox dissolve Dinobot's remains.

At the valley, a curious anthropoid (presumably the same one Dinobot rescued) finds Dinobot's hammer. He soon figures out how to use it to help gather food... and to fend off predators, such as the giant snake. The anthropoid's yell of triumph echoes through the valley; and high above, a brief flicker appears in the void of space.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (4)
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (5)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (6)
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (7)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (8)
*[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] (16)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (9)
*[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] (11)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (12)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (13)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (14)
*[[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] (15)

|h3=[[Anthropoid]]s|c3=
*[[Blix|Leader Neanderthal]] (1)
*[[Brown Neanderthal]] (2)

|c4=
*[[Giant Snake]] (3)
}}

==Quotes==
"Remember that transwarp cell explosion?" 
[''Primal just glares''] 
"Okay, stupid question..."
:—'''Rhinox''' has a once-in-a-lifetime lapse in intelligence.

"The rodent's words give off the stench of truth. Destiny has one great test in store for us all. Has mine already come and have I failed it? A deed once done cannot be undone, but perhaps, it may yet be mitigated."
:—'''Dinobot''' embarking on his destiny

"The question that once haunted my being has been answered. The future is not fixed, and my choices are my own. And yet, how ironic... for I now find that I have no choice at all! I am a warrior... let the battle be joined."
:—'''Dinobot''', realizing his destiny

"One lonely turncoat, battling on against impossible odds." ''[Wipes fake tear]'' "I'm almost touched! ...Fortunately, such moments pass quickly. Quickstrike, scrap him!"
:—'''Megatron''', observing Dinobot's solo fight to save the valley.

"What's a warrior without weapons, eh?" 
"A warrior ''still!''"
:—'''Quickstrike''' totally underestimates '''Dinobot'''.

"Hmm, my ears are burning! Yesss! Why, Dinobot, what a delightful surprise! Let's see, where are we now? I have the Golden Disk, I have the power to change the future, and the only remaining obstacle in my path to ''unimaginable'' glory... is yourself. Exhausted. Damaged beyond recovery. ''Defeated''." 
"Not just yet!" 
"Ah-ah-ah!" ''[Megatron reveals a bound proto-human]'' "One more step, and it's raining bits of early anthropoid, yesss." ''[Dinobot hesitates]'' "Oh dear, how positively ''Maximal'' of you. You were weakened before you started, Dinobot. Weakened by ''compassion''."
:—'''Megatron''' confronts the severely damaged '''Dinobot'''.

"Oh, please! Face it, Dinobot! You're old technology, obsolete. What could ''you'' possibly do?" 
"Improvise."
:—'''Megatron''' is about to find out that '''Dinobot''' has one more trick up his sleeve.

'''Optimus Primal:''' "Well fought, my friend. You saved the valley. You saved the lives of those who live here... and of those who are still to come." 
'''Dinobot:''' "Then... there is nothing to regret." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Like I said, you're just a blasted, slag-spouting saurian, but... it's nice to know where you stand." 
'''Dinobot:'''"Upwind of you, for preference, vermin. ...Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest... is silence."
:— Dinobot shares last words with his comrades

"He lived a warrior, and died a hero. Let his spark join the Matrix, (with) the greatest of Cybertron."

:—'''Optimus Primal'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eulogy for Dinobot

==Notes==
===Script timeline===
* First draft: 15th September 1997
* Second draft: 22nd September 1997

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:CodeofHero wrong Rattrap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Maybe it's [[Packrat]]?]]
* The interior of the ''Axalon'', and thus the doors to Dinobot's quarters, were made at a different scale to his character model, so he could not actually fit through the doorway. Bob Forward explained that it had to be faked by a cut.
* When Rattrap is working at the wall panel, his right forearm is backwards and remains thus until he is grandly gesturing.
* As the "camera" zooms in on Tarantulas when he stalks up to the trapped gazelle, the background remains static instead of zooming in with him.
* When Megatron is flying over the proto-human valley, his legs are missing and his body has very little detail. It's especially noticeable when he flies towards the camera and transforms into robot mode-at which point his legs appear out of nowhere.
* As the Maximals head out, Rhinox's running animation is being played unnaturally fast to keep up with the others.
* As Quickstrike approaches Dinobot, his left shin is backwards.
* At Dinobot's funeral, Rattrap is in his pre-Transmetal body. On the [[Madman Entertainment|Madman]] DVD commentary for this episode, Bob Forward could not believe how the production team (who had viewed this scene at least a hundred times trying to get everything right) did not notice the fact they used the wrong Rattrap, and yet every fan did.
* Towards the end of the episode, a mechanical thud can be heard when the snake hits the ground, making it sound as if the snake is made of metal.

===Continuity errors===
* In this episode, the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Voyager Disk]] resembles an old record (complete with being labeled "The Sounds of Earth") instead of the design used since its appearance in [[Beast Wars (Part 1)|the first episode]]. Given its origin as a record in a canister, however, it's possible that Megatron has simply taken it out of its case to test his theory of time-meddling.
* As with most of Megatron's plots to alter the timeline, the plan to destroy the human race before it evolves has a critical deterministic error; if he succeeds, then the golden disk would never have been created by [[NASA]] in the future. Megatron could never have acquired it, and thus would not have the foresight to attempt to destroy the human race, and then the human race would have evolved as normal, creating the golden disk in the future... and so on and so forth. Apparently, time travel in ''Beast Wars'' isn't subject to the grandfather paradox!
* Rattrap mentions that Dinobot would be up against six Predacons when there was a total of seven. (Out of universe, this is likely for the audience's benefit, in case they weren't keeping track.) Either he had totally forgotten about Tarantulas, somehow heard Dinobot defeating Tarantulas over his open comlink, or assumed that Tarantulas would still not be working with Megatron.

===Continuity notes===
* Dinobot is, of course, still dealing with the fallout of his temporary defection, as seen in "[[Maximal, No More]]".
* Rhinox refers to the transwarp wave, which was caused by the destruction of the [[Planet Buster]] in "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]".
* Tarantulas mentions that Megatron doesn't want anyone downloading more copies of the disk's data, referring to Blackarachnia's little heist in "[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]".
* As the Maximals travel to the valley to try to help Dinobot, they pass several [[Metal Hunter]] flowers, the only time these were seen after "[[Other Visits (Part 1)]]". This time the flowers were inactive.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Megatron can turn his tail-weapon into a record player by retracting the tip.
** Optimus Primal can fly in robot mode, although he apparently prefers to fly around in [[beast mode]].
** Cheetor can spray fire-extinguisher foam while in beast mode.

===Transformers references===
*Megatron states that it was thanks to humans that the Autobots won the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], likely referring to the exploits of the [[Witwicky (surname)|Witwicky]]s. Apparently nobody bothered to remember the contributions of the [[Nebulan]]s.

===Real-world references===
* The Golden Disk that Megatron stole from Cybertron and kicked off this whole mess is revealed to be one of the two {{w|Voyager Golden Record|Golden Record}}s aboard the ''Voyager'' deep-space probe, specifically "The Sounds of Earth". That said, this Golden Disk can apparently play video. In the real world, there's also no image of a mountain on the disc.
* As the Predacons jump into the valley to destroy the hominids, Rampage crushes a butterfly. This evokes the famous Ray Bradbury short story "{{w|A Sound of Thunder}}", in which a time traveler in the past steps on a butterfly, thus dramatically altering the future of humanity.
* When Dinobot is leaving the base, he comments that "a deed, once done, cannot be undone", a slight modification of the [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]] quote "what is done cannot be undone".
* Dinobot's final words, "The rest is silence", are taken directly from [http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=hamlet&Act=5&Scene=2&Scope=scene#4014 the final words of the title character] in Shakespeare's ''{{w|Hamlet}}''. (The entreaty to tell his story is also taken from earlier in Hamlet's death scene, although rephrased.)
* Right after Dinobot crash-lands on [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], Rampage points his cannon at Dinobot. The brief image from within the cannon's barrel appears similar to the gun barrel views from numerous James Bond movies.
*''Beast Wars'' story editors [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]] worked various references to the online ''Transformers'' [[fandom]] into the series. In this case, Cheetor citing [[Tengu Sector]] was a reference to the screen name of [[Rob Gerbracht]], who went on to become one of the writers for the ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|Wreckers]]'' comic book series.
* The final shot of the episode—a anthropoid discovering the power of tools and triumphantly hurling his weapon into the air, followed by a pan into space—is evocative of ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}''.

===Trivia===
* ''Beast Wars'' co-story editor [[Bob Forward]] drew storyboards for this episode. Not only is it the only ''Beast Wars'' episode to be directed by the series's writers, but it is also the only episode to be done up in storyboards rather than being directed on-the-fly. Bob Forward worked in person with the [[Mainframe Entertainment|Mainframe]] animators for this episode.
* The original storyboards were auctioned for charity at a [[BotCon]].
* According to Bob Forward, Megatron's transformation sequence had to be reconstructed to be able to show his transformation from underneath for one shot. Previously, the animation only "worked" when seen from eye-level or above.
* In a bit of foreshadowing, while Dinobot is contemplating suicide, three ravens fly past his window in the {{w|missing man formation}}, which the Maximal fliers use in their salute to him at his funeral. The formation was also used when three anthropoids were wandering through the forest prior to the Predacon attack.
* During the recording of this episode, [[Scott McNeil]] was attempting to deliver Dinobot's last words, but was continually interrupted by the recording crew's laughter. He is reputed to have said while still in character, "Do you mind?! I'm trying to die here!"
* When Dinobot dies, his Spark escapes his body, and proceeds to slowly rise into the air until the scene transitions. This phenomenon had never been seen in Transformers fiction prior, as opposed to the body turning gray as the character expired first seen in [[The Transformers: The Movie]], nor would it ever be seen again in the show as future characters died. The idea would not be used again until many years later in the [[Prime Wars Trilogy|Prime Wars cartoons]].
* According to McNeil, Dinobot knew he was going to die five episodes before he did, as right up until the last second, he believed Dinobot to only be "cartoon dead" as opposed to "''dead'' dead".
* When originally broadcast in the [[United Kingdom]], this episode was edited, with Dinobot's contemplated suicide completely excised and his hallway altercation with Rattrap cut down to only a fraction of its actual length. In the latter case, this seems to serve no other purpose than the elimination of the word "[[Slag (slang)|slag]]", and Dinobot's dying exchange with Rattrap was likewise altered to purge the word.
* It's no surprise that a DVD containing this episode was packaged with Dinobot for ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]''. This is the only post-Season 1 episode included with any ''10th Anniversary'' figure.
* Bob Forward considers this to be his favorite ''Beast Wars'' episode, as well as the "The Agenda" three-parter.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20110910082450/http://www.infinitefrontiers.0catch.com:80/AutoAssembly/BobForward.htm Interview with Bob Forward</ref> Larry DiTillio has also admitted it's the best episode of the series, despite acknowledging that he had almost nothing to do with it.
* This is the last episode to have Rhinox appear in [[beast mode]]. For the rest of the series, Rhinox remains in [[robot mode]].
* The pistol Dinobot uses to interrogate Tarantulas is nearly identical to Rattrap's.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Code du Héros'''" (Canada, "Code of Hero")

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Un grande eroe'''" ("A Grand Hero")

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Abayo!'''" (あばよッ!, "Farewell!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 24]] [[1999]]
::*In a shocking display of restraint on director [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]]'s part, the excessive adlibbing, satirical 4th Wall jokes and major script changes are kept to a relative minimum. Instead, this episode tries (''tries'') to adhere to the somber tone of the original English language version. Still, though comparatively restrained in its use of adlib gags, there remain plenty to be had...
::*When opening fire on Cheetor, Rampage constantly howls threats and insults at the Maximal. As the episode "[[Bad Spark]]" was released theatrically in Japan and was not broadcast on television as a regular part of the series, this episode is the "introduction" of Rampage to Japanese viewers.
::*While exiting his secret lab to retrieve his dinner, Tarantulas jabbers incessantly to himself as he makes sure the coast is clear. He mentions that his left is clear, his right is clear, his rear is clear and above him is clear, then while rambling about never being too careful, that's when Dinobot bursts out from the one direction he hadn't checked; below himself.
::*When Megatron lands to check out the mountain near the valley of proto-humans, he giddily tests his echo out with a loud "YAHOOOO! (''yahooooo! yahooooo!'')"
::*In what is unfortunately one of the ''worst'' examples of adlibbing in this dub, when Rampage aims his cannon at Megatron and Megatron's head can be seen in close-up through the scope, Megatron continues to speak... with his mouth quite visibly shut. While the English version relied on silence and facial expressions to get the point of the scene across (Megatron's accursed smugness and Rampage's resigned anger at being helpless to wipe the smile off his face), the Japanese dub turns it into a prattling conversation as Rampage talks about shooting Megatron right then and there and Megatron (in the close-up with his lips closed) warning him of the consequences.
::*The drama and suspense of the Predacons laying waste to the proto-human valley is completely undone by the fact that the characters comically scream their vocal tics every time they fire their weapons.
::*The final [[commercial bumper]] for this episode is dedicated to Dinobot. Whereas in the past, the featured character would scream their name during the bumper, Dinobot instead offers a quiet and reserved, "Hello. I am Dinobot."
::*In addition to the incessant screaming of their verbal tics, the Predacons make various asides throughout Dinobot's rampage through their forces. Blackarachnia sarcastically remarks to Inferno as they gun down proto-humans "Well this isn't petty at all, is it?" After getting blown up by Rampage's cannon, Waspinator whimpers, "''How cruel...''"
::*Dinobot's final words to Rattrap, rather than a friendly jab, is instead a reconciliation of their partnership, as Dinobot tells him that they made a good duo. His final words to the group are the same as in the English version, save for the ending. Rather than "the rest is silence", Dinobot instead says, "Thank you. Farewell..."

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yīngxióng Běnsè'''" (英雄本色, "Nature of Hero")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Código de Herói'''" ("Code of Hero")

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''El Código del Héroe'''" ("The Code of Hero")

:*''Title:'' "'''El Código de un Héroe'''" (America, "The Code of a Hero")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Bad Spark / Code of Hero ([[KB Toys]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Series 2 / Volume 3 ({{w|Siren Visual|Siren Entertainment}}) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Huh? The Face? ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 7 ([[Universal]])

;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Seasons 2 & 3 ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Talk:Transtech

2023-10-07T12:29:04Z

Bluie: /* Optimus Prime? */ new section

Isn't Transtech now the name of a sub-line of the movie? -Derik
:I thought that was T.E.C.H., or something along those lines? --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 03:21, 16 June 2007 (UTC)
:: Yep, [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?t=135609 T.E.C.H.] --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 03:23, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

: No. There's "Real Gear Robots" and "Robot Heroes" and "Fast-Action Battlers" and "Cyber-Slammers" and "-Stompers" and there's "automorphing," but there ain't no Transtech. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 03:22, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

::Transtech is a Power Rangers subline... Derik.--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 03:25, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

::: <nowiki>*picks ear with pinky*</nowiki> Oh, I knew I'd heard it somewhere recently... -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 07:32, 16 June 2007 (UTC)

People should stop adding Soundwave to this list. I thought it was settled that the Draxhall Jump Soundwave was a "Wouldn't this be cool?" drawing unrelated to Transtech. It's certainly not done in the format of the known Transtech sheets. -[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 22:34, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

:The problem is that ''ONE'' of the pictures of Soundwave from Draxhall ''did'' have the big ol' Transtech logo on it, though that was really just to show off the whole folder of unused concepts, be they for Transtech or not. -[[User:TFVanguard|Vanguard]] 22:42, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

:As always, when there is information that is contested -- even wrongly -- that should be *stated* and corrected on the page, rather than simply omitted. That way people won't constantly be trying to "fix" it, and we can educate at the same time. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 17:05, 26 August 2007 (UTC)

== Fan Club stuff waiting period? ==

I understand and aprove our usual waiting period on Fan club material that's relesed exclusively to club memebers, as it honors and respects the materials intended exclusive availabillity. However the first 4 pages of Tt comic material was put up on the public front page and made freely open to all fans to read. It would make sense that the free release of the pages to everyone negates any waiting period on adding the material therein, right? --[[User:ZacWilliam|ZacWilliam]] 15:10, 24 January 2008 (UTC)
:Yeah, usually we have a one-month waiting period, but it's up for everyone to read. It's why I didn't beat Interrobang around yesterday for adding appearances to various dudes' pages, though I wanted to. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 15:17, 24 January 2008 (UTC)
:But speaking of...
::Thanks, Walky, but I already have your mom doing it. [[User:Interrobang|—Interrobang]] 16:53, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

==Fan Club revamp==
Do we want a new page for this? Like, disambig it like "Transtech (old)" and "Transtech (new)"? (Well, not that EXACTLY, but you know what I mean.) It seems likely that "Transtech" will soon have a real in-fiction canonical meaning, something that shouldn't be buried on a page that's entirely about an old abandoned franchise. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 15:17, 24 January 2008 (UTC)
:Maybe we should state The new/2008 Transtech story is different from the old one with <nowiki>{{note}}</nowiki>. And then we use <nowiki>{{main|Transtech (comic)}}</nowiki> in the ''Fiction'' section. Um, well, something like that. --[[User:TX55|TX55]] 15:27, 24 January 2008 (UTC)
::...if you know that this is a new continuity, then why are you adding Transtech sections to Cheetor and Silverbolt's pages? --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 15:31, 24 January 2008 (UTC)
::: Oh, I'm truly sorry. I forgot to say sorry on the last edit on this page. I just got the info after seeing the [http://transformers.wikia.com/index.php?title=Transtech&diff=prev&oldid=141920 edit] before my edit on 15:27. --[[User:TX55|TX55]] 15:37, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

It could be argued that Transtech is in the BW/BM continuity family as much as Hearts of Steel is in the G1 continuity family. ...well it ''could'', but I almost feel kinda dirty arguing it.--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 17:14, 24 January 2008 (UTC)
:I... don't think it has anything to do with BW/BM anymore. I'm pretty sure that's been stated. This is a new universe, unrelated to others. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 17:36, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

:Is "[[Transcendent]]" officially set in a continuity named "Transtech"? If so then, yeah, there needs to be a split. [[User:JW|JW]] 15:34, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

== Man... ==
If this had come out instead of RiD... I'd love to live in THAT alternate universe. --[[User:Dynamus Prime|Dynamus Prime]] 21:56, 2008 February 13 (UTC)
: Yeh, I strongly agree with you. I really love TRANSTECH much more. --[[User:TX55|TX55]] 00:12, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
:: They need to make this the series after ''Animated.'' Either that, or Beast Wars: Animated.

== Optimus Prime? ==

This article claims that Transtech' Optimus would have been Prime from G1. However, the Notes section in [[Optimus Prime (TransTech)]] says that it's unknown whether he would have been Prime or Primal.
So which is it? [[User:Bluie|Bluie]] ([[User talk:Bluie|talk]]) 08:29, 7 October 2023 (EDT)

Code of Hero

2023-09-15T01:39:29Z

Bluie: Undo revision 1676085 by Cyberlink420 (talk) Read the episode script (https://drive.google.com/file/d/10LUiRZxVCwaq67yWQi5C3LUWyNPvku6L/view). The line is "WITH the greatest of..."

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the mobile game event|Code of a Hero}}

{{episode|
|series=BWtoon
|ep=35
|series2=Metals
|ep2=8
|prev2=Other Visits (Part 2)
|next2=Transmutate (episode)
|image=CodeofHero titlepic.jpg
|caption=The rest... is silence.
|title="Code of Hero"
|season=2
|season ep=9
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[March 9]], 1998 ([[Toonami]]), [[April 25]], 1998 (syndication)
|packaged with=[[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Dinobot]]
|written by=[[Ian Weir]]
|directed by=[[Bob Forward]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity= [[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Dinobot makes the ultimate sacrifice to save those who are still to come.'''

==Synopsis==
In [[Valley of the Neanderthals|a wild valley]], a group of [[anthropoid|primitive hominids]] forage for food. A [[Giant Snake]] attacks two of their number, and the anthropoids are helpless to stop it...

[[File:Dinobot meditate.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"I have no other choice, I have dishonored my comrades."]]
At the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', a haunted Dinobot meditates on his sword... and holds its blade ominously over his chest. But after a long moment of tension and hesitation, he casts it aside with a growl of frustration.

Rhinox has been calculating the path of the [[Transwarp wavefront|Transwarp Wave]] from the [[Planet Buster]]'s destruction—it's traveling through time at an accelerated rate, and will reach [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the "present", thus alerting Cybertron to their location. [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] fears Megatron has made similar calculations, and the group realizes they need to increase their defenses.

Dinobot, still somber, runs into Rattrap, who nearly goads him into a fight over his turning the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Disk]] over to Megatron. Rattrap stalks off, concluding that he'd thought Dinobot was at least forthright. Dinobot is left to reflect that his past actions cannot be undone... but they "may yet be mitigated". He arms himself and heads off into the wastes.

On aerial recon, Cheetor observes Megatron and Rampage out for a stroll. They drive him off with some damage, but Cheetor calls in the sighting to Dinobot, who promises to follow up.

At [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]], Tarantulas has captured a tasty antelope for his dinner. But as he creeps up to the struggling beast, Dinobot bursts out of the ground, holding him at gunpoint and demanding to know what information is on the Golden Disk. Tarantulas doesn't know—there are no more copies remaining, and Megatron is keeping the Disk on his person at all times. Still holding him at gunpoint, Dinobot uses Tarantulas as his unwilling ride.

[[File:Megatron GoldenDisk.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|The hills are alive, with The Sounds of Earth!]]
The anthropoids scatter and panic as Megatron flies overhead and lands. Rampage sneers that the Maximals will soon arrive from Cybertron, and that he anticipates Megatron's imminent demise. Megatron admits that's very likely... but only if history remains as it is.

Megatron explains that the Golden Disk contains images recorded in the future, including one of a nearby mountain. Megatron has Rampage destroy the mountaintop. After a moment, the image on the disk changes to suit the altered reality, to Megatron's delight. Dinobot observes all this with dawning dread: Megatron has the power to change the future.

The valley they are standing above, Megatron explains, spawned the human race. Their interference helped the Autobots win the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], thereby allowing the Maximals to rule over the Predacons today. But Megatron has a different history in mind. Summoning the rest of his troops, he orders them to annihilate the valley and its inhabitants. With the anthropoids destroyed, the human race will never have existed!

[[File:CodeofHero-letthebattlebejoined.jpg|left|upright=0.95|thumb|A picturesque image is required before a dramatic death.]]
While Dinobot's back is turned, Tarantulas blasts him; Dinobot reciprocates by squashing him under a rock. Dinobot contacts Optimus, who orders him to maintain position, but Dinobot knows there is no time to wait. With his questions answered, Dinobot is ready to face his destiny.

Dinobot moves in to attack the entire Predacon force single-handed. He blasts Inferno and Blackarachnia (stabbing the former for good measure), stomps Waspinator, forces Rampage's cannon to backfire (using Waspinator's head), and pummels Quickstrike (with his bare hands), but loses his weapons, suffers considerable damage, and drains most of his energy supply. His computer warns him that he must enter [[stasis lock]] to survive... a command which Dinobot overrides.

Megatron confronts the damaged warrior, gloating over his near-total victory; when Dinobot starts to attack, Megatron reveals an anthropoid captive. The hostage is enough to make Dinobot halt; Megatron rebukes him for weakness. But Dinobot is a warrior still. Forging a makeshift hammer from a rock and stick, he knocks the Disk out of Megatron's hand and frees the anthropoid. With the last of his energy, he summons one final optic blast, shattering the Disk.

Nearly mad with frustration, Megatron flees as the [[Maximal]]s arrive. Rattrap gasps in horror at the sight of his comrade, while Cheetor douses the flames of the burning valley. The Maximals gather around the fallen Dinobot, but it is too late to help him. Optimus assures him that he has saved untold lives yet to come. Dinobot exchanges a final round of barbs with Rattrap; he asks them all to tell his story truthfully, both the good and the bad, and allow him to be judged accordingly. "The rest is silence." With that, the proud warrior dies. Rattrap leads the others in a salute as Dinobot's [[spark]] leaves his body, with Primal wishing it on to the Matrix, there to join Cybertron's finest.

[[File:Dinobot funeral.jpg|right|upright=0.95|thumb|Old soldiers don't die, they just fade away...]]
The next morning, the Maximals hold a funeral for Dinobot. The fliers soar through the air in a {{w|missing man formation|salute}}, as Rattrap and Rhinox dissolve Dinobot's remains.

At the valley, a curious anthropoid (presumably the same one Dinobot rescued) finds Dinobot's hammer. He soon figures out how to use it to help gather food... and to fend off predators, such as the giant snake. The anthropoid's yell of triumph echoes through the valley; and high above, a brief flicker appears in the void of space.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (4)
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (5)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (6)
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (7)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (8)
*[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] (16)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (9)
*[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] (11)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (12)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (13)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (14)
*[[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] (15)

|h3=[[Anthropoid]]s|c3=
*[[Blix|Leader Neanderthal]] (1)
*[[Brown Neanderthal]] (2)

|c4=
*[[Giant Snake]] (3)
}}

==Quotes==
"Remember that transwarp cell explosion?" 
[''Primal just glares''] 
"Okay, stupid question..."
:—'''Rhinox''' has a once-in-a-lifetime lapse in intelligence.

"The rodent's words give off the stench of truth. Destiny has one great test in store for us all. Has mine already come and have I failed it? A deed once done cannot be undone, but perhaps, it may yet be mitigated."
:—'''Dinobot''' embarking on his destiny

"The question that once haunted my being has been answered. The future is not fixed, and my choices are my own. And yet, how ironic... for I now find that I have no choice at all! I am a warrior... let the battle be joined."
:—'''Dinobot''', realizing his destiny

"One lonely turncoat, battling on against impossible odds." ''[Wipes fake tear]'' "I'm almost touched! ...Fortunately, such moments pass quickly. Quickstrike, scrap him!"
:—'''Megatron''', observing Dinobot's solo fight to save the valley.

"What's a warrior without weapons, eh?" 
"A warrior ''still!''"
:—'''Quickstrike''' totally underestimates '''Dinobot'''.

"Hmm, my ears are burning! Yesss! Why, Dinobot, what a delightful surprise! Let's see, where are we now? I have the Golden Disk, I have the power to change the future, and the only remaining obstacle in my path to ''unimaginable'' glory... is yourself. Exhausted. Damaged beyond recovery. ''Defeated''." 
"Not just yet!" 
"Ah-ah-ah!" ''[Megatron reveals a bound proto-human]'' "One more step, and it's raining bits of early anthropoid, yesss." ''[Dinobot hesitates]'' "Oh dear, how positively ''Maximal'' of you. You were weakened before you started, Dinobot. Weakened by ''compassion''."
:—'''Megatron''' confronts the severely damaged '''Dinobot'''.

"Oh, please! Face it, Dinobot! You're old technology, obsolete. What could ''you'' possibly do?" 
"Improvise."
:—'''Megatron''' is about to find out that '''Dinobot''' has one more trick up his sleeve.

'''Optimus Primal:''' "Well fought, my friend. You saved the valley. You saved the lives of those who live here... and of those who are still to come." 
'''Dinobot:''' "Then... there is nothing to regret." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Like I said, you're just a blasted, slag-spouting saurian, but... it's nice to know where you stand." 
'''Dinobot:'''"Upwind of you, for preference, vermin. ...Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest... is silence."
:— Dinobot shares last words with his comrades

"He lived a warrior, and died a hero. Let his spark join the Matrix, with the greatest of Cybertron."

:—'''Optimus Primal'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eulogy for Dinobot

==Notes==
===Script timeline===
* First draft: 15th September 1997
* Second draft: 22nd September 1997

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:CodeofHero wrong Rattrap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Maybe it's [[Packrat]]?]]
* The interior of the ''Axalon'', and thus the doors to Dinobot's quarters, were made at a different scale to his character model, so he could not actually fit through the doorway. Bob Forward explained that it had to be faked by a cut.
* When Rattrap is working at the wall panel, his right forearm is backwards and remains thus until he is grandly gesturing.
* As the "camera" zooms in on Tarantulas when he stalks up to the trapped gazelle, the background remains static instead of zooming in with him.
* When Megatron is flying over the proto-human valley, his legs are missing and his body has very little detail. It's especially noticeable when he flies towards the camera and transforms into robot mode-at which point his legs appear out of nowhere.
* As the Maximals head out, Rhinox's running animation is being played unnaturally fast to keep up with the others.
* As Quickstrike approaches Dinobot, his left shin is backwards.
* At Dinobot's funeral, Rattrap is in his pre-Transmetal body. On the [[Madman Entertainment|Madman]] DVD commentary for this episode, Bob Forward could not believe how the production team (who had viewed this scene at least a hundred times trying to get everything right) did not notice the fact they used the wrong Rattrap, and yet every fan did.
* Towards the end of the episode, a mechanical thud can be heard when the snake hits the ground, making it sound as if the snake is made of metal.

===Continuity errors===
* In this episode, the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Voyager Disk]] resembles an old record (complete with being labeled "The Sounds of Earth") instead of the design used since its appearance in [[Beast Wars (Part 1)|the first episode]]. Given its origin as a record in a canister, however, it's possible that Megatron has simply taken it out of its case to test his theory of time-meddling.
* As with most of Megatron's plots to alter the timeline, the plan to destroy the human race before it evolves has a critical deterministic error; if he succeeds, then the golden disk would never have been created by [[NASA]] in the future. Megatron could never have acquired it, and thus would not have the foresight to attempt to destroy the human race, and then the human race would have evolved as normal, creating the golden disk in the future... and so on and so forth. Apparently, time travel in ''Beast Wars'' isn't subject to the grandfather paradox!
* Rattrap mentions that Dinobot would be up against six Predacons when there was a total of seven. (Out of universe, this is likely for the audience's benefit, in case they weren't keeping track.) Either he had totally forgotten about Tarantulas, somehow heard Dinobot defeating Tarantulas over his open comlink, or assumed that Tarantulas would still not be working with Megatron.

===Continuity notes===
* Dinobot is, of course, still dealing with the fallout of his temporary defection, as seen in "[[Maximal, No More]]".
* Rhinox refers to the transwarp wave, which was caused by the destruction of the [[Planet Buster]] in "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]".
* Tarantulas mentions that Megatron doesn't want anyone downloading more copies of the disk's data, referring to Blackarachnia's little heist in "[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]".
* As the Maximals travel to the valley to try to help Dinobot, they pass several [[Metal Hunter]] flowers, the only time these were seen after "[[Other Visits (Part 1)]]". This time the flowers were inactive.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Megatron can turn his tail-weapon into a record player by retracting the tip.
** Optimus Primal can fly in robot mode, although he apparently prefers to fly around in [[beast mode]].
** Cheetor can spray fire-extinguisher foam while in beast mode.

===Transformers references===
*Megatron states that it was thanks to humans that the Autobots won the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], likely referring to the exploits of the [[Witwicky (surname)|Witwicky]]s. Apparently nobody bothered to remember the contributions of the [[Nebulan]]s.

===Real-world references===
* The Golden Disk that Megatron stole from Cybertron and kicked off this whole mess is revealed to be one of the two {{w|Voyager Golden Record|Golden Record}}s aboard the ''Voyager'' deep-space probe, specifically "The Sounds of Earth". That said, this Golden Disk can apparently play video. In the real world, there's also no image of a mountain on the disc.
* As the Predacons jump into the valley to destroy the hominids, Rampage crushes a butterfly. This evokes the famous Ray Bradbury short story "{{w|A Sound of Thunder}}", in which a time traveler in the past steps on a butterfly, thus dramatically altering the future of humanity.
* When Dinobot is leaving the base, he comments that "a deed, once done, cannot be undone", a slight modification of the [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]] quote "what is done cannot be undone".
* Dinobot's final words, "The rest is silence", are taken directly from [http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=hamlet&Act=5&Scene=2&Scope=scene#4014 the final words of the title character] in Shakespeare's ''{{w|Hamlet}}''. (The entreaty to tell his story is also taken from earlier in Hamlet's death scene, although rephrased.)
* Right after Dinobot crash-lands on [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], Rampage points his cannon at Dinobot. The brief image from within the cannon's barrel appears similar to the gun barrel views from numerous James Bond movies.
*''Beast Wars'' story editors [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]] worked various references to the online ''Transformers'' [[fandom]] into the series. In this case, Cheetor citing [[Tengu Sector]] was a reference to the screen name of [[Rob Gerbracht]], who went on to become one of the writers for the ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|Wreckers]]'' comic book series.
* The final shot of the episode—a anthropoid discovering the power of tools and triumphantly hurling his weapon into the air, followed by a pan into space—is evocative of ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}''.

===Trivia===
* ''Beast Wars'' co-story editor [[Bob Forward]] drew storyboards for this episode. Not only is it the only ''Beast Wars'' episode to be directed by the series's writers, but it is also the only episode to be done up in storyboards rather than being directed on-the-fly. Bob Forward worked in person with the [[Mainframe Entertainment|Mainframe]] animators for this episode.
* The original storyboards were auctioned for charity at a [[BotCon]].
* According to Bob Forward, Megatron's transformation sequence had to be reconstructed to be able to show his transformation from underneath for one shot. Previously, the animation only "worked" when seen from eye-level or above.
* In a bit of foreshadowing, while Dinobot is contemplating suicide, three ravens fly past his window in the {{w|missing man formation}}, which the Maximal fliers use in their salute to him at his funeral. The formation was also used when three anthropoids were wandering through the forest prior to the Predacon attack.
* During the recording of this episode, [[Scott McNeil]] was attempting to deliver Dinobot's last words, but was continually interrupted by the recording crew's laughter. He is reputed to have said while still in character, "Do you mind?! I'm trying to die here!"
* When Dinobot dies, his Spark escapes his body, and proceeds to slowly rise into the air until the scene transitions. This phenomenon had never been seen in Transformers fiction prior, as opposed to the body turning gray as the character expired first seen in [[The Transformers: The Movie]], nor would it ever be seen again in the show as future characters died. The idea would not be used again until many years later in the [[Prime Wars Trilogy|Prime Wars cartoons]].
* According to McNeil, Dinobot knew he was going to die five episodes before he did, as right up until the last second, he believed Dinobot to only be "cartoon dead" as opposed to "''dead'' dead".
* When originally broadcast in the [[United Kingdom]], this episode was edited, with Dinobot's contemplated suicide completely excised and his hallway altercation with Rattrap cut down to only a fraction of its actual length. In the latter case, this seems to serve no other purpose than the elimination of the word "[[Slag (slang)|slag]]", and Dinobot's dying exchange with Rattrap was likewise altered to purge the word.
* It's no surprise that a DVD containing this episode was packaged with Dinobot for ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]''. This is the only post-Season 1 episode included with any ''10th Anniversary'' figure.
* Bob Forward considers this to be his favorite ''Beast Wars'' episode, as well as the "The Agenda" three-parter.<ref>http://www.infinitefrontiers.0catch.com/AutoAssembly/BobForward.htm Interview with Bob Forward</ref> Larry DiTillio has also admitted it's the best episode of the series, despite acknowledging that he had almost nothing to do with it.
* This is the last episode to have Rhinox appear in [[beast mode]]. For the rest of the series, Rhinox remains in [[robot mode]].
* The pistol Dinobot uses to interrogate Tarantulas is nearly identical to Rattrap's.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Code du Héros'''" (Canada, "Code of Hero")

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Un grande eroe'''" ("A Grand Hero")

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Abayo!'''" (あばよッ!, "Farewell!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 24]] [[1999]]
::*In a shocking display of restraint on director [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]]'s part, the excessive adlibbing, satirical 4th Wall jokes and major script changes are kept to a relative minimum. Instead, this episode tries (''tries'') to adhere to the somber tone of the original English language version. Still, though comparatively restrained in its use of adlib gags, there remain plenty to be had...
::*When opening fire on Cheetor, Rampage constantly howls threats and insults at the Maximal. As the episode "[[Bad Spark]]" was released theatrically in Japan and was not broadcast on television as a regular part of the series, this episode is the "introduction" of Rampage to Japanese viewers.
::*While exiting his secret lab to retrieve his dinner, Tarantulas jabbers incessantly to himself as he makes sure the coast is clear. He mentions that his left is clear, his right is clear, his rear is clear and above him is clear, then while rambling about never being too careful, that's when Dinobot bursts out from the one direction he hadn't checked; below himself.
::*When Megatron lands to check out the mountain near the valley of proto-humans, he giddily tests his echo out with a loud "YAHOOOO! (''yahooooo! yahooooo!'')"
::*In what is unfortunately one of the ''worst'' examples of adlibbing in this dub, when Rampage aims his cannon at Megatron and Megatron's head can be seen in close-up through the scope, Megatron continues to speak... with his mouth quite visibly shut. While the English version relied on silence and facial expressions to get the point of the scene across (Megatron's accursed smugness and Rampage's resigned anger at being helpless to wipe the smile off his face), the Japanese dub turns it into a prattling conversation as Rampage talks about shooting Megatron right then and there and Megatron (in the close-up with his lips closed) warning him of the consequences.
::*The drama and suspense of the Predacons laying waste to the proto-human valley is completely undone by the fact that the characters comically scream their vocal tics every time they fire their weapons.
::*The final [[commercial bumper]] for this episode is dedicated to Dinobot. Whereas in the past, the featured character would scream their name during the bumper, Dinobot instead offers a quiet and reserved, "Hello. I am Dinobot."
::*In addition to the incessant screaming of their verbal tics, the Predacons make various asides throughout Dinobot's rampage through their forces. Blackarachnia sarcastically remarks to Inferno as they gun down proto-humans "Well this isn't petty at all, is it?" After getting blown up by Rampage's cannon, Waspinator whimpers, "''How cruel...''"
::*Dinobot's final words to Rattrap, rather than a friendly jab, is instead a reconciliation of their partnership, as Dinobot tells him that they made a good duo. His final words to the group are the same as in the English version, save for the ending. Rather than "the rest is silence", Dinobot instead says, "Thank you. Farewell..."

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yīngxióng Běnsè'''" (英雄本色, "Nature of Hero")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Código de Herói'''" ("Code of Hero")

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''El Código del Héroe'''" ("The Code of Hero")

:*''Title:'' "'''El Código de un Héroe'''" (America, "The Code of a Hero")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Bad Spark / Code of Hero ([[KB Toys]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Series 2 / Volume 3 ({{w|Siren Visual|Siren Entertainment}}) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Huh? The Face? ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 7 ([[Universal]])

;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Seasons 2 & 3 ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Transformer afterlife

2023-09-15T01:35:43Z

Bluie:

{{featured}}

{{Disambig3.5|the afterlife|the life giving object|AllSpark|Allspark}}

[[File:Theallspark.jpg|upright=2|thumb|The Allspark. Yes, it does kind of look like a big sperm on purpose.]]
Whereas [[human]]kind has fought wars over the meaning behind life and death, the [[Transformer]] race is fortunate enough to possess a sense of security in knowing for certain that their lifeforce will persist in some form when they pass on from the material plane to the '''Transformer afterlife'''.

At the heart of an endless, cyclical process of birth, [[death]] and resurrection, the Cybertronian afterlife is an extradimensional realm that is the living essence of their creator [[Primus]]. It is the wellspring from which all Transformers' [[spark]]s are born, and the place to which they return when they die. When a Transformer is brought online, it is commonly through use of a [[sacred treasure]] which serves as a means of access to Primus's realm. Through this implement, a spark departs the afterlife and enters the new Transformer's body, granting it life. The Transformer then lives out their life, and upon the moment of their death, their spark will return whence it came, taking with it all the emotions, experiences, and knowledge that the Transformer has gained throughout their time online. All this information is suffused into the collective essence of the afterlife, gathering with that derived from all other sparks from throughout time, forming a collection of information known as the "Wisdom of the Ages".

There is little individuality in the great beyond; deceased Transformers lose all sense of self-awareness as their experiences become one with all the others in the afterlife and they effectively cease to exist as a singular entity. However, some Transformers do retain their individuality—typically, those who have had close contact with sacred treasures, such as the Autobots who have carried the [[Matrix of Leadership]]—and can serve as guides for any visitors to their realm.

The afterlife is known by many names in many different [[universal stream]]s, often shared with the names of sacred treasures and locations that allow access to it; these include the '''Matrix''', the '''Allspark''', the '''Well of All Sparks''', and the '''Afterspark'''. If considered the analog of "heaven" in the Transformers' belief system, its "underworld" counterpart is [[Pit (BW)|The Pit]], but there is no evidence that realm actually exists.

{{bigquote|Where...all are one.|[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] after travelling through the Allspark|"[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]"}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:FFoD4 rodimus ancient robot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.35|Rodimus Prime ventures into the Matrix, guided by the spirit of [[Primon|an ancient robot]].]]
The concept of the Transformers having an afterlife to which they go when they expire has existed since near the beginning of the line, and has evolved and coalesced over the last thirty years. The history of this development is covered here for clarity; for the specifics on the different interpretations in various continuities, see the "Fiction" section below.

The very beginnings can be found in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], which introduced the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. The Matrix was a powerful, ancient talisman, revealed in the episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" to be a vessel containing the "life forces" of its previous bearers, who stood sentinel over the accumulated "Wisdom of the Ages" within the Matrix and guided [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] through its depths. Additionally, the deceased Autobot [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] was shown to exist within both the Matrix in "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]" and the mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]]—source of Transformer life in this continuity—in "[[The Rebirth, Part 2]]"; this was a contradiction at the time, but would become hugely relevant years later.

While the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]] had debuted its version of the Matrix, the Creation Matrix, ''before'' the cartoon under writer [[Bob Budiansky]], it was not until after the cartoon introduced these concepts that writer [[Simon Furman]] expanded on the nature of the comic's Matrix. Under Budiansky, the Matrix had already been established to be the source of new Transformer life in the comic continuity, while Furman further revealed it to be a vessel containing the essence and power of the Transformers' creator and god Primus, in addition to explaining that all Transformer life-forces are fragments of Primus' own.

[[File:TheReformatting allspark oracle.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.35|''Beast Machines'' was responsible for clearly explaining most of the mechanics of the afterlife, which it depicted as a huge mass of sparks when seen from the "outside."]]

It was the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon that took understanding of Transformer life to the next level when it established the concept of [[spark]]s, a Transformer's "soul." Sparks, it was explained, came from somewhere or something called "the Matrix," and returned to this realm when they died. Additionally, the Transformers could often be heard swearing "by the Matrix," indicating its reverential place in their belief system. Behind the scenes, ''Beast Wars'' writers [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]] did not have the specifics of this "Matrix" fleshed out; they envisioned it variously as a mysterious facility on Cybertron from which Maximal protoforms emerged, or as the nebula that was home to the cartoon's enigmatic aliens, the [[Vok]], thus making those creatures responsible for Transformer life in the Beast Era. The latter idea was never used (and has since been pushed well out of the realm of possibility by subsequent fiction) while the former would later be officialized over a decade later in the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] story "[[The Razor's Edge]]." Regardless, it was ''Beast Wars''' own sequel series ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' that was first to expand on what this "Matrix" truly was, forging it into the central concept of its own storyline. ''Beast Machines'' introduced an additional name for the Matrix, the "Allspark," and established it to be the realm from which all Transformer sparks "that ever lived, or ever will live" come from, cementing the vast majority of the details covered in the top section of this article.

[[File:RebirthPt2 optimus and alpha.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.35|This scene from "[[The Rebirth, Part 2]]", depicting Alpha Trion inside Vector Sigma, was contradicted by an earlier scene from "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]" that showed him within the Matrix. The discontinuity was retroactively corrected when the details of the afterlife were further explored.]]

In ''Beast Machines'', the Allspark was accessed by the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] supercomputer, at the core of which was Vector Sigma, tying back into the Generation 1 cartoon and indicating how the computer had been able to provide life in its version of events. The ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon soon reiterated the connection, describing Vector Sigma as "the Allspark" in "[[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]". A year or two later, [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' guidebook did the same for the Matrix of Leadership, describing it as a conduit for the life-giving power of Primus (as in the Marvel comic), a container of great wisdom (as in the cartoon), and the source and destination of all sparks (as in the ''Beast'' cartoons). With all these links in place, the Alpha Trion contradiction mentioned above suddenly took on new meaning: he was not within either the Matrix ''or'' Vector Sigma, but within the afterlife realm, which was merely being ''accessed'' by these two items. As a final touch, in 2006, the bio of the e-Hobby exclusive "Laser" [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys|Ultra Magnus]] figure explained why the Autobot leaders from the Generation 1 cartoon had appeared as individuals within the afterlife when ''Beast Machines'' had established this should not be the case: those who had held the Matrix of Leadership were exempt from this rule, and retained their individuality.

Following ''Beast Machines'', which favored the "Matrix" name in-show despite the secondary moniker it introduced, "Allspark" became the standard term used to refer to the afterlife, presumably to avoid confusion with the physical Matrix object. This held for several years, until [[2007]] when the [[live-action film series]] and ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' cartoon both used "AllSpark" (with a camelCase "S") as the name of the [[AllSpark|ancient object]] that was the source of Transformer life in these continuities (itself identified as a "[[sacred treasure]]" like the Matrix and Vector Sigma by Takara's [[World of the Transformers]] website). Faced with finding a new way to avoid confusion, ''Animated'' referred to the afterlife not as the "Allspark," but as the "Well of All Sparks," after a location introduced in Dreamwave's comics which was itself another means of accessing the realm, while the movies simply opted to avoid referring to the afterlife by any name altogether. The ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' cartoon, however, did not replicate either solution, resulting in a somewhat confusing depiction of the Allspark/AllSpark in "[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]" that practically treated the physical object and the afterlife realm as if they were the same thing—not unlike the treatment of the Matrix in the Generation 1 cartoon, but with the weight of history against it. This would occur again in the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon wherein the physical AllSpark object would be depicted as both the source ''and'' final resting place of all Transformer life, with the sparks of deceased Transformers actually shown to physically enter the AllSpark object shortly after a Transformer's death, as though the afterlife actually resided within said object. Such conflation was probably inevitable given the afterlife had three different names, each one shared with an item or location connected to it; in 2011, [[IDW Publishing]] sought to sidestep such issues by providing a fourth, original name, the "Afterspark," introduced in ''[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]''.

{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:RoOP2 enter the matrix.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.25]]
Injured in battle with the [[Decepticon]]s in 2005, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'s lifeforce temporarily retreated into the [[Matrix of Leadership]], where he was offered confusing glimpses of the Transformers' history that implied a connection with the [[Quintesson]]s. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} Desperate to learn more about the evil aliens and why they were targeting the Transformers, Rodimus voluntarily short-circuited himself so that he could travel into the Matrix once again. This time, he was greeted by the spirits of the deceased leaders who had come before him, who took him on a guided tour through twelve million years of Cybertronian history that revealed the full extent of their origins. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

When Optimus Prime was returned to life in 2006, he entered the Matrix in the hope that amongst the wisdom it contained was a cure for the [[Hate Plague]] currently ravaging the galaxy. Welcomed back to the afterlife by the spirit of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus journeyed back through history to consult the earliest known entity within the Matrix, "[[It]]," who revealed that the unthinking rage brought on by the spores could be counteracted by the wisdom found within the Matrix itself. Prime emptied the Matrix to cure the plague, {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}} but subsequently used its empty shell to reactivate [[Vector Sigma]] so that he could commune with Alpha Trion once more, seeking answers about the Decepticon's theft of the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}
{{-}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
[[File:Legends trion finds magnus.jpg|left|thumb|upright=2.25]]
Following [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s death in 2011, {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} his temporary custodianship of the Matrix saw him inducted into the ranks of past Autobot leaders who retained their individuality in the afterlife. Decades later, when [[Galvatron II]] arrived from another dimension, Magnus sensed the danger from within the Matrix. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#G-2|G-2 Laser Ultra Magnus bio}} Requiring help to battle Galvatron, Optimus Prime called upon Alpha Trion's spirit—now bonded to the Matrix after he had restored it from its emptied state {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}—to help him resurrect Magnus. Trion ventured into the afterlife and located Magnus's spirit, then used his Matrix-granted powers to bring both Magnus and himself back to life. {{storylink|LG14 Ultra Magnus Prologue#Resurrection Chapter|Resurrection Chapter}}

The indestructible nature of the treacherous Decepticon [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]'s mutant spark meant that when he died, rather than go to the afterlife, he found himself in the twilight realm of [[Limbo]], between life and death. From there, Starscream created a [[flip-soul|crystal]] that allowed him to return to the physical plane as a ghost. {{storylink|MP-3G Destron Air Commander / Starscream Ghost Ver.}}

After his death in the war against the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s, {{storylink|Fallout (episode)|The Cost of Victory}} [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]'s spirit ended up in the [[Legends World|Legends Universe]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rattrap)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} As a ghost, Rhinox was able to fight and defeat fellow ghost Starscream. Afterwards, Rhinox had his soul placed into a fully-functional body built in the Legends Universe, and he returned to his home universe with his friends. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}
{{-}}

===Beast Era===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[File:ComingoftheFuzors2 other side of the matrix.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.25]]
The Beast Warriors' first reference to the Matrix came when Tigatron swore by it as an exclamation of shock. {{storylink|The Probe}} When [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] perished, [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] said a prayer for his spark to "join the Matrix, with the greatest of Cybertron." {{storylink|Code of Hero}} [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was heard to invoke it as a threat; when firing what he thought was a killing shot at [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], he mockingly declared "Time to go back to the Matrix, hero!" {{storylink|Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate}}

When Optimus Primal perished in a [[unspace|transwarp]] explosion and his spark crossed over into "the other side of the Matrix," the nature of the explosion meant that it left a trans-ion trail behind, an ethereal pathway leading into the great beyond. Piggybacking on this trail, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] was able to project his own consciousness into the afterlife, where he located Primal's spark, bringing it back to reality and implanting it into a blank [[protoform]], restoring Primal to life. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}}
{{-}}

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|Miscellaneous overlapping voices (English)}}
{{quote|We are all but fragments of the Matrix, which releases each of us in order to struggle, and grow, and evolve—so when we return to it, ''it'' may grow and evolve. Thus do we serve the Matrix, not just by battling, but also by acquiring knowledge, wisdom, and experiencing love.|Optimus Primal|[[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future]]}}

[[File:BMEndgame2 Optimus allspark vision.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]

Upon their return to Cybertron, Optimus Primal and his Maximals were summoned to the planet's depths by the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] supercomputer. Thanks to his "receptive spark," Primal was able to interface with the Oracle, and via its Vector Sigma core, commune with the Matrix itself—referred to by the Oracle as "the Allspark that links everyone and everything that ever lived or ever will live." {{storylink|The Reformatting}} Through this link, Primal would often experience prophetic, metaphorical visions that steered him on a mission that he believed was the Matrix's purpose for him: to restore organic matter to Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelations Part II: Descent}} It was while he was in the middle of such a communion that Primal found himself unexpectedly joined on this higher plane of consciousness by [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], whose [[spark]] had been separated from her body during a battle with [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]. Blackarachnia was confused, but Primal explained that all Transformers were linked through the Matrix. {{storylink|Revelations Part III: Apocalypse}}

[[File:Fallout primal enters allspark.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]

It was also through communion with the Oracle and the Allspark that Primal discovered Rhinox's spark was trapped within the Vehicon general [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]]. As Tankor, Rhinox manipulated Optimus and Megatron into releasing the energies of the Plasma Energy Chamber and the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], but the resultant clash between the two threatened to destroy the planet, with Tankor as one of its first victims. In the heart of the maelstrom, Primal found himself drifting into the Matrix once more, where Rhinox's spark appeared to impart a final message. Spurred on, Primal was able to take control of the forces ravaging Cybertron and directed them through the Oracle, into the Matrix itself. In doing so, however, Primal destroyed himself, and his own spark began to join the Matrix. Just before he merged with it, he had another vision that finally made clear what the Matrix's mission for him was: not to ''replace'' the planet's technology with organic matter, but to unite the two and create a [[technorganic]] Cybertron. Realizing his work was not yet done, Primal's spark refused to join the Matrix, and he returned to the physical world to continue leading his Maximals. {{storylink|Fallout (episode)|Fallout}}

[[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] saw the Allspark when the Oracle granted her a vision of what had been happening to Cybertron. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike}} Soon after, when Optimus petitioned the Oracle for aid in fighting the final battle against Megatron's forces, the Allspark itself answered the call, super-charging the sparks of the Maximals with the energy of the innumerable sparks that made up its being. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. II: When Legends Fall}} Optimus subsequently perished defeating Megatron and his spark appeared one last time to [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] through his own newfound connection to the Oracle before departing to join the Matrix. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future}}
{{-}}

====Singularity Ablyss====
{{main|Tree of Life}}
During his ongoing battles with the Maximals for control of the sparks of Cybertron, Megatron's own spark became separated from his body. Against his own wishes, his spark began to drift into the next world, where it was greeted by the spark of the deceased Rhinox. The Maximal explained that he was to serve as Megatron's guide through the "[[Tree of Life]]" that linked the physical world to the Allspark, and that he would lead him through the eight "levels" on the tree, each one repsenting a different emotion or ethic that would educate Megatron's spark in preparation for his arrival at the "top" of the tree and his merging with the Allspark. Revulsed at the notion of losing his individuality, Megatron fought back, obliterating Rhinox's spark and returning to the material world to continue his plans. {{storylink|Singularity Ablyss}}

===Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity===
[[File:Vector Primevs.Megatron.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
In [[Aurex 802.23 Alpha|this reality]], sparks emerge from the Allspark via something called the "Iacon chamber." {{storylink|Rebellion (Armada)|Rebellion}} Characters could be heard to swear by the Allspark, and [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] once referred to death as being sent to "meet the Allspark." {{storylink|Trap}}

When [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] died defending Earth against the threat of the [[Hydra Cannon]], the [[Mini-Con]]s were able to resurrect him by recovering his spark from the great beyond via the Matrix of Leadership. {{storylink|Miracle}}

After [[Vector Prime]] and [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] met their ends during the quest for the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, their spirits were shown duelling one another in the next world. {{storylink|Beginning}}

Mini-Cons have what is essentially their own version of the Allspark, called the [[Linkage (dimension)|Linkage]]. {{storylink|Linkage (comic)|Linkage}}
{{-}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
Uniquely, the afterlife is referred to as the "Well of All Sparks" in this dimension, first referenced by the Autobot medic [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] when wryly commenting on the non-life-threatening severity of injuries received by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]: "Well, he's not quite ready to join the Well of All Sparks, if you know what I mean." {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

In order to sufficiently reconstitute the shattered AllSpark crystal, Prowl added his own spark to the crystal mass. He died in the process, but his spark did not move on to the afterlife, instead persisting as a ghost. {{storylink|Endgame, Part II}}

{{note|Had ''Animated'' been renewed for a fourth season, a further episode would have explored Prowl's adventures as a ghost, possessing Transformers animated by AllSpark fragments.}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:ROTF-sixprimes.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75]]
While carrying the knowledge of the [[AllSpark]] in his mind, [[Sam Witwicky]] was gravely wounded by a blast from [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. As his body lay apparently dead, his consciousness ascended into the Transformer afterlife, where he was met by the [[Dynasty of Primes]]. Congratulating Sam on his valiant efforts to resurrect the fallen [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the Primes revealed that by being willing to die in Optimus's name, Sam's had proven himself worthy of the power of the Matrix of Leadership. The Primes then returned him to the material world so he could complete his mission and use the Matrix to revive Optimus. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:DoOP afterspark.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|Optimus Prime initially mistook the blighted, primordial landscape of the transformed Cybertron for the Afterspark.]]
The afterlife is typically referred to as the "Afterspark," though when [[Nominus Prime]] was given a grand funeral, it was said to honor his "ascension to the Allspark". {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}}

According to legend, the Afterspark had been created by the [[Guiding Hand]] after the [[God War]] so that Cybertronians could live forever following their deaths. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}} One interpretation of the Afterspark was that it was an informational cloud with skies of program code and mountains of ancient data. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|Metastasis}}

After awakening from his "sacrifice" to cleanse [[Vector Sigma]] of the [[D-Void]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] thought he was in the Afterspark. Subsequent exploration soon revealed his belief to be incorrect; the world was [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] itself in a period of rebirth. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} The massive changes to the planet caused [[Hipotank]] to ask the Autobots "What in the Afterspark have you done?" {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|The Autonomy Lesson}}

During a discussion on [[Primus]], [[Ore]] told [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] that he didn't believe in the Afterspark or any other afterlife for that matter. Once Ore suddenly vanished, the more religious Swerve assumed that Primus had intervened and sent the poor soul to the Afterspark. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}} [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]] was similarly skeptical, but considered himself agnostic rather than atheist, because while he considered the existence of the Afterspark to be in doubt, he had no doubts that Hell was real—and that he had created it in [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore]] prison. {{storylink|Speak, Memory! (Part 2)}}

"Afterspark" was also utilized in insults. When [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] casually mentioned killing other bots, [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] denounced him "Afterspark-spawned". {{storylink|New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|Feel Safe Without Regrets}}

[[File:Unicron6 Spirits of the Dead.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|"''This'' is the Bad Place!"]]

[[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] referred to [[infraspace]] as a limbo between the land of living and the afterlife. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|Ghost in the Machine}}

On [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], devout adherents of the [[Way of Flame]] believe in reincarnation: the Sparks of the departed return to the forge of [[Solus Prime]], which burns beneath the Primal Wellspring, and are eventually reborn as new Cybertronians. {{storylink|The Life of Sideswipe}}

After an accident with the [[Warren]], [[Team Rodimus]] found themselves on [[Mederi]] which presented itself to them as [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]]'s interpretation of the Afterspark based on his powerful desire to reunite with the believed to be deceased [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

Though all the myths and legends of Cybertron had been disproved, [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] managed to use the [[Enigma of Combination]] and the "Earth-Enigma" to tap into a metaphysical realm populated by the spirits of deceased Cybertronians, alongside fallen [[human]]s and [[Space Knight]]s, though whether this realm truly was the Afterspark is unclear. {{storylink|Ceremony}}
{{-}}

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:PredaconsRising allspark.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1]]
In this world, the distinction between the afterlife and the sacred treasure used to access it is harder to define. At first, it seemed as if there was a physical AllSpark object through which the afterlife was accessed, kept within the [[Well of All Sparks]], {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} but later, it was explained the "physical" Allspark was actually nothing of the sort: it was ethereal energy, which was placed within a container built by [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] so that it could be launched into space and put beyond Megatron's reach. The language used to describe the energy was vague, but spoke of how it was "extracted from the ether" and was made up of "a multitude of sparks," suggesting that the energy might have actually been that of the Allspark realm itself, drawn into the material world. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

[[File:Rebellion prime sees the light.jpg|left|thumb|upright=2|Don't go into the light, there's a whole season left yet!]]
As [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] lay dying, he had a vision of approaching the Allspark and speaking with Alpha Trion, who invited him to join it. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}} The power of the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] saved Optimus's life, and he returned to the material plane to resume his war with Megatron, which culminated in Megatron's death at [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]'s hands—but Megatron was soon to learn that ''his'' spark was ''unable'' to join the Allspark, as it was forever marked with the taint of [[Unicron]]'s evil by [[Dark Energon]]. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

When Optimus recovered the reliquary containing the Allspark, he found it necessary to empty the container so it could be used as a prison for Unicron's dark spark. To keep safe the energy of the Allspark, he transferred it from the container into the Matrix of Leadership, bonded to his own spark. Gravely, [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] and [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokscreen]] realized that Optimus had quite literally enacted the metaphysical concept of becoming "one with the Allspark." Only by sacrificing his own life could Prime release the energy of the Allspark, returning it to the Well of All Sparks and restoring Cybertron's ability to generate new life. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}} However, before his own spark could join the Allspark, it was intercepted by the [[Thirteen|legendary Primes]] and transported to [[Realm of the Primes|their realm]], {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}} from whence he was resurrected. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 1}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe12 afterlife.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75]]
After being slain by the god-emperor [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s sparks embarked on the journey to their eternal rest, travelling across a digital wireframe plane. Informed by the spirit of Alpha Trion that as they were not guaranteed a place in the pantheon of the Matrix, they had to prove their worth by facing the weird landscape's many perils, including [[Kremzeek]], the "eater of souls", who threatened to consume their lifeforces before they could transcend to the next world. Grimlock struggled along the way, weighed down by the metaphorically representative burden of his sword, but Prime helped him, and together they climbed a winding mountain peak, where they were confronted by the [[Bludgeon (G1)|Angel of Death]], who told them that only those possessing the "[[Key to Vector Sigma|Key to Vector Stigmata]]" could cross over into the Matrix. Prime realized that the wounds on his body were the key, but the angel would not permit him to bring Grimlock with him. Prime traded Grimlock the key for his sword, and allowed the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] to take his place in the Matrix. From his new seat in the afterlife, Grimlock tormented the talisman's current holder, Megatron himself, mockingly telling him there was nowhere he could hide from him. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} [[Scarlett]] subsequently used [[Doctor Venom]]'s [[Brainwave Scanner]] to induce a transcendental experience, allowing her to make contact with Optimus Prime's spirit and guide it back to his repaired body. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
After his death at the hands of the [[GoBot]] [[Vamp]], the [[Maximal]] [[Overshoot]] was faced with a choice: he could either join the Allspark — and abandon his partner [[Stiletto (BW)|Stiletto]] — or remain in the material plane, forever forsaking his chance to transcend to the next life. He chose the latter option, remaining an incorporeal presence who could prod the thoughts of his ex-partner. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

Following the end of the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]], Overshoot, his job in this life done, rejoined the Oracle, reaching transcendence of a sort. {{storylink|Derailment}}

==Notes==
[[File:Ffod tree of life.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.25]]
*When Rodimus Prime gains his first glimpse of the afterlife in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]", he is shown travelling down a purple-walled corridor, and experiences a psychedlic vision of flying mathematical formulae which then explode (see collage, at right). The prose story "Singularity Ablyss" by ''Beast Machines'' story editor [[Bob Skir]], ''also'' included these pieces of imagery during its description of Megatron's journey into the afterlife—but only as the result of an absolutely ''incredible'' coincidence, as Skir had never seen the G1 episode!
*[[Unicron]]'s ''Transformers: Armada'' 2003 Fleer/Skybox trading card—the first new modern retelling of the Unicron/Primus origin story—claimed that "the All Spark" was responsible for birthing both him and Primus. This doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense, and when the story was recounted in ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' within the following year, the "All Spark" was replaced with [[The One]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Matrix Zone''' (マトリクスゾーン ''Matorikusu Zōn''), '''Allspark''' (オールスパーク ''Ōrusupāku'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Huǒzhǒng Yuán''' (火种源, "Origin of Sparks")

==See also==
*[[Primus]]
*[[Vector Sigma]]
*[[Linkage (dimension)|Linkage]]

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Beast Machines]]
[[Category:Beast Wars]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising]]
[[Category:Dimensions]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:IDW (2005)]]
[[Category:Interjections]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]

Decepticon Dam-Busters!

2023-06-20T08:22:59Z

Bluie:

{{comicstory|
|prev=Repeat Performance!
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #29–30
|next=The Wrath of Guardian!
|image=MarvelUK-029.jpg
|caption=You know, this would look quite good on [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|television]].
|title="Decepticon Dam-Busters!"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=Part 1: [[September 28|28th September]] Part 2: [[October 5|5th October]], [[1985]]
|coverdate=Part 1: [[October 5|5th October]] Part 2: [[October 12|12th October]], [[1985]]
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[John Stokes]]
|colours=[[Steve Whitaker]]
|lettering=[[Richard Starkings]]
|editor=[[Ian Rimmer]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Ratchet tells the Dinobots about a Transformer battle involving a dam.'''

==Synopsis==
===Part 1===
[[File:Boulderdamfight.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|Is this a god dam?]]
Following their defeat of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] are making their way back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] decides to ask a passing [[human]] for directions and is surprised when the man runs away in fear. Ratchet explains that humans can't distinguish between the [[Autobot]]s and the [[Decepticon]]s. Grimlock is baffled and so Ratchet relates the story of a Decepticon attack on [[Sherman Dam]]...

''When [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] deduces that they can convert electrical power into a crude form of useable fuel, the Decepticons seize control of Sherman Dam. To push the power output to maximum, Megatron has [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] head under the water to create a tidal wave using his earthquake-generating powers. The Autobots arrive, and while their troops meet in battle, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] engages Megatron in a duel atop the dam using energy weapons. [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], meanwhile, attempts to stop Rumble by diving down and fighting him, but Rumble gains the upper hand and Hound is thrown clear of the water. This distracts Prime who is thrown from the dam by Megatron as a result.''

===Part 2: "Wave of Destruction!"===
''The Autobots rescue Optimus Prime from the water, but Megatron blasts the dam open to cover the Decepticons' escape. With a tidal wave of water now rushing downhill, the Autobots split into two groups; one heads to a nearby village in the path of the wave to begin evacuation procedures, while the other attempts to stop the water, first by trying to block it with a rock fall, and when that fails, by blasting channels into the ground for it to drain away into. Though the torrent is lessened, it is not stopped; fortunately, once they villagers have been taken care of, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] are able to cut more channels into the surrounding area, saving the day. Their celebrations are cut short, however, by the angry villagers who are unable to distinguish the Autobots from the Decepticons, and who blame them for the destruction in the first place. The Autobots sadly depart the scene.''

As Ratchet finishes his tale, another angry human, [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Josie Beller]], lying in her hospital bed, grows closer to completing the cybernetic upgrades that will allow her her revenge, while her employer, [[G.B. Blackrock]], makes plans for vengeance of his own. Ratchet and the Dinobots arrive back at the Ark... where [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] is suddenly attacked by the battle droid [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]]!
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (1)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (3)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (5)
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (6)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (7)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (13)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (14)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (15)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (16)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (17)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (18)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] (19)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] (20)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (21, see notes)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (22)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (23)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (24)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (25)
*[[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]] (28)
}}
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (9)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (10)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (11)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] (12)
|c3=
*[[Charlie (bartender)|Charlie]] (4)
*[[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Josie Beller]] (26)
*[[G.B. Blackrock]] (27)
}}

==Quotes==
"I don’t think much of this specimen of carbon-based life."
:—'''Grimlock''' on the human race

"That means taking out Megatron!" 
"Doesn’t it always?"
:—'''Prowl''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Production notes===
[[File:Mtmte2 shermandam.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|"Mine's bigger."]]
[[File:DecepticonDamBusters screencap redraws.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
*"Decepticon Dam-Busters!" represents a series of "firsts" for the UK comic. It is the first UK-original strip published in full colour, and the first to abandon the toy-based designs that defined the previous original stories, "[[Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron]]," "[[The Enemy Within!]]", and "[[Raiders of the Last Ark]]," with the Transformers appearing instead in rather unique designs that are sort of a mashup of their toys, [[package art]], and [[character model]]s. Despite this, Ratchet sports his final design outside of the flashback, suggesting that the story narrated by this one took place at one point during which the characters were partially upgraded to their newer forms. Additionally, it is the first UK-original story to actively integrate itself into the ongoing narrative of the US stories between which it was published; where the past UK strips had played very loose with continuity, requiring editorial retcons to properly explain where they fitted into the timeline, the "Dam-Busters" framing sequence follows directly on from the end of the previous US issue. Even further, it does something that future UK strips generally would ''not'' do: written with knowledge of upcoming US stories, it is able to build upon subplots already in motion, checking in with certain characters and laying seeds for their next appearances in US material.
*The bulk of this story is, of course, an adaptation of portions of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]." The idea to do so came from editor [[Ian Rimmer]], who sought to capitalize on the television adverts that were still running for the full-colour revamp the comic had undergone two weeks prior by producing a story that made the different parts of the Transformers franchise seem "unified," thereby projecting an aura of accessibility. It was a one-time stunt; the cartoon's continuity-lite episodes were at odds with comic's preferred type of storytelling, and the production team had no wish to follow its lead.<ref>[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1]], page 147</ref>
*The adaptation itself is a largely faithful one, with lifted dialogue ("Stick it in neutral, Megatron!" "You're old... yesterday's model!") and even featuring literal "screencap redraws" of Ironhide and Bumblebee cutting channels into the ground to stem the flow of water (right). This extends to the inclusion of cartoon-original ideas that were not part of comic continuity, like Rumble's piledriver arms and the Decepticons' use of [[energon cube]]s; though energon cubes would be introduced in the comic in later issues, for now, their unfamiliarity to the reading audience sees the strip refer to them as "energon fuel cubes" to make it clear what they are. Alterations and additions include:
**In Part 1, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]'s role in the story is naturally erased, as he did not yet exist in the comic's storyline. This means that Hound is hurled out of the river by Rumble rather than buried under rocks which Spike rescues him from, and it is Hound's dramatic emergence that distracts Optimus, allowing Megatron to knock him from the dam, rather than Spike's distressed cries.
**Part 2 moves the Autobots' protection of the town to after the Decepticons have departed, rather than setting it concurrently with their battle at the dam. Megatron blasts the dam open to cover the Decepticons' escape, rather than it cracking as a result of the tidal wave, and extra scenes of the Autobots attempting to block the water as it heads for the town are added. Finally, the humans' misunderstanding and blaming of the Autobots is a new idea that's not part of the cartoon episode.
{{-}}

===Continuity notes===
[[File:DecepticonDamBusters beller redrawn.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|I love the Power Glove! It's so bad.]]
*As noted above, in a UK-story first, the framing sequence of this story follows on directly from the end of the [[Repeat Performance!|previous issue]], in which Ratchet and the Dinobots defeated Megatron and then started off back toward the Ark. Footage from that battle (caught by vacationer [[Brad Newbury]]) is broadcast on a bar television on the first page of this strip.
*Ratchet's flashback, on the other hand, is more in-line with the other UK-original stories up to now, being set in some vague time period during the events of [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|the original four-issue US mini-series]]. The "[[Robot War]]" text features run in issues [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]] and [[Second Generation!|#63]] will place it as occurring during the time-lapse montage on pages 9–11 of [[Prisoner of War!|US issue #3]], shortly after "Man of Iron."
*US sub-plots in motion which the story checks in on include the schemes of the paralyzed Josie Beller, including a redrawn version of [[Repeat Performance!|US issue #8]], page 14, panel 8 (right), and G.B. Blackrock's own future plans to take down the Transformers, as he is shown looking at huge weapon. This ''must'' be his [[Anti-Robot Photonic Multi-Cannon]], which he will unleash in [[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|US issue #9]], though it looks completely different.
*The Guardian battle-droid previously appeared in [[Raiders of the Last Ark|issues #20-21]].

===Real-life references===
*The title of this story is a reference to the 1955 film, ''{{w|The Dam Busters (film)|The Dam Busters}}.''
*A customer at the bar thinks the footage of the battle at the dam is from the set of the next [[Steven Spielberg]] film.

===Continuity and plotting errors===
*The dam is given the name "Sherman Dam" in part 1, taken straight from the cartoon episode, but in part 2, it is referred to as "Boulder Dam." The ''[[Transformers Collected Comics|Collected Comics]]'' #5 reprint corrects this so that both parts use "Sherman Dam," and this version of the comic has been used for all other reprints.
*Inferno appears among the Autobots fighting the flood in part 2, page 3, panel 6, when, as a character from the 1985 toy range, he should not be active on Earth yet. Internal to UK continuity, this was not ''strictly'' an error at the time of publication; the famous "Autobot roll call" double-page spread had been omitted from the reprint of [[The Transformers (issue)|US issue #1]], so UK readers did not have a definitive list of which Autobots were "meant" to be on Earth at the time, and Inferno's appearance did not contradict anything up to that point. The same had previously happened with [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] in "The Enemy Within!", and just like Red, when the 1985 [[Autobot Cars]] range was properly introduced into comic continuity in [[Rock and Roll-Out!|US issue #14]], Inferno was, for whatever reason, ''not'' among them. It looked like this early appearance of his could fit into the same plot-gap as Red Alert's did... until [[Firebug!|issue #188]] over three years later, when Inferno arrived on Earth with the [[Wreckers]]. Oh well!
*As a side note, Inferno also appears in the story "[[Missing in Action]]" in the ''[[Transformers Annual 1985]]'', but that story was written without regard for the larger UK continuity and doesn't fit into it properly.

===Artwork and technical errors===
*Reoccurring from "The Enemy Within!" and "Raiders of the Last Ark" are a pair of "errors" that might as well be considered stylistic choices at this point, as Optimus appears with an all-blue [[mouthplate]], and Megatron is coloured with a golden torso, an overly literal artistic interpretation of how his toy's package art renders the figure's chromed chest. Where those stories coloured Megatron's arms the same gold, however, this one only colours his upper arms, leaving his forearms silver-white.
*Prowl is colored virtually all solid silver-white, with none of the black (or, well, blue depending on the comic) trim he should have. His shoulder launchers come and go throughout the story.
*In Part 1, page 6, panel 6, Jazz has toy-accurate shoulder doors and a shoulder cannon, but in part 2, page 3, panel 2, he's drawn lifted directly from his character model, without doors or launcher.
*Part 1, page 4, panel 3: Snarl's dino-mode head is grey instead of golden-yellow.
*Part 1, page 7, panel 3: It's a little hard to tell given the indistinct mashup designs used for this story, but besides Prowl, none of the Autobots on this page appear to be identifiable characters.
*Just as it did in the cartoon, Megatron's fusion cannon disappears between pages 7 and 8 of part 1, so he can have his close-quarters duel with Prime atop the dam. It never reappears.
[[File:DecepticonDamBusters recolored bee.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2|Hey, it's Marvel-continuity [[Wasp]]!]]
[[File:DecepticonDamBusters avalanche autobots.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2|Inferno is on the far left, with the Jazz/Prowl chimeras to his right.]]
*In Part 2, an Autobot team consisting of Prowl, Jazz, Mirage, Ironhide, Bumblebee, and Sideswipe leave the other Autobots at the dam to go and evacuate the town. Unfortunately, several artistic errors go on to depict members of this team among the Autobots who remain behind to fight the flood:
**On page 4, panel 6, both Mirage and Prowl are part of the group that blasts a trench to stop the water; Mirage's shoulder cannon is off-model.
**On page 5, panel 4, Bumblebee is present, with an off-model ''sort of'' toy-based head.
**On page 5, panel 5, Bumblebee is still present, this time with a character model-esque head. ''This'' was the one error that evidently jumped out to the Marvel UK crew; when the issue was reprinted for ''Collected Comics'' #5, 'Bee was recolored to be green and pink, apparently to obscure his identity (pictured at right) This version was used for all future reprints.
**Also on page 5, panel 5, Mirage is part of the group being washed away by the flood, but miscolored like Rumble.
*For Inferno's one-panel appearance (pictured) his gun-barrel appears in place of his left hand, when his character model depicts it in place of his ''right'' hand. It can attach to either arm on his toy, though, and given the artist inspirations for the Transformers' appearances in this story, he could have just been drawn based on a sample figure with the barrel on the left.
*In the same panel in which Inferno shows up, two Autobots appear resembling a severely off-model meshing of Jazz and Prowl. Setting aside the fact that neither should be in the scene as noted above: second from the left is a bot with Prowl's legs, back, and shoulder-doors but Jazz's arms, holding Prowl's gun (and with no launchers); and to his right is a 'bot with Prowl's arms, legs, and body (all drawn ''slightly differently'' to the other 'bot), with Jazz's toy's squared-off shoulder-doors, and a made-up gun.
*Also, Hound's aiming his shoulder-cannon as if it was mounted on his forearm, but at this point, he's the least distracting thing in the panel.
{{--}}

===Other trivia===
*Where previous UK stories had used jagged "starburst" speech balloons to represent the Transformers' "robotic" speech, with this strip, the series adopts the style it will maintain for the remainder of its run: regular rounded balloons with "electric" zig-zag tails. This was presumably inspired by the fact that this style of bubble was being utilized in the US series at the time, beginning with [[The New Order|US issue #5]], but after US issue #9, the US title would revert to the "square box with jagged corners" style of the original mini-series, which it would use until the end of the series.
*John Stokes swipes include:
**Prowl's attack on Decepticons at Sherman Dam is redrawn from [[The Transformers (issue)|US issue #1]].
**Bumblebee's "''the horror, the horror!''" expression (had while flailing in the water) is redrawn from the cover of [[Power Play!|US issue #2]].
[[File:US1 vs UK29 Prowl Firing.jpeg|right|thumb]]

===Back-up material===
'''Issue #29:'''
*'''[[Back-up strips]]:''' ''Machine Man'' ("He Lives Again," Part 3), ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' and ''Matt and the Cat''
*'''October calendar:''' artwork of [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] by [[Richard Fisher]] that would be recycled for the [[:File:MarvelUK-305.jpg|cover]] of issue [[The Human Factor!|#305]] more than five years later.
'''Issue #30:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Machine Man'' ("He Lives Again," Part 4), and ''Robo-Capers''; ''Matt and the Cat'' "takes a rest this issue".

===Covers (2)===
*'''Issue #29:''' Optimus Prime and Megatron fight on Sherman Dam, art by [[John Ridgway]].
*'''Issue #30:''' Ratchet and Prowl rescue Optimus Prime while Megatron destroys Sherman Dam, by [[Mike Collins]]?
<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-029.jpg|'''Issue #29'''
File:MarvelUK-030.jpg|'''Issue #30'''
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Tfcolcom05.jpg|'''[[Transformers Collected Comics#5|''Collected Comics'' #5]]'''; cover by [[Geoff Senior]] (Marvel UK, 1987)
File:Tfcolcom24.jpg|'''''[[Transformers Collected Comics#Winter Special 1993|Winter Special 1993]]''''' (Marvel UK, 1993)
File:Classicuk1.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2011)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v2.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Vol. 2: New Order''''' (Hachette Partworks Ltd, 2018)</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 episode adaptations]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Cybertron (planet)

2023-04-27T11:51:56Z

Bluie: Zarak said nothing about being afraid of Galvatron obtaining it. His only concern was the prospect of the Autobots getting it.

{{factions|primus}}
{{disambig3|Cybertron}}{{suite}}

[[File:Cybertronplanet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Not pictured: Realistically sized buildings.]]

'''Cybertron''' is the home planet of the [[Transformer]]s and (usually) the body of their creator, [[Primus]]. Cybertron is ([[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|almost]] [[Transformers: Universe (comic)|always]]) a shining metal, technological world; a planet of towering future cities without end and vast metallic plains, spiraling metal mountains and bottomless neon-lit chasms. Battling over control of Cybertron and its resources is frequently the motivation for, or origin of, the Transformers' epic wars. Beyond these facts much about Cybertron can differ between continuities, see individual entries below.

{{bigquote|This world is older than you can imagine. It has sailed the starscape... tending budding galaxies... forever a buffer to [[Unicron|the approaching darkness]]. And now its fate... is in your hands.|A voice to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]|[[The War Within issue 6|''The War Within'' #6]]}}

==Generation 1 continuity family==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:ThePrimalScream-aworldhecalledcybertron.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Cybertron was the adopted form of the lord of the light gods [[Primus]], who trapped himself and [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in barren asteroids which they then shaped into their physical forms. While Unicron turned his prison into a transformable, humanoid body, Primus reformed himself into a vast [[Saturn]]-sized machine-world, home for a [[Transformer|robotic race]] he created to fight Unicron with similar [[transformation]] abilities. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}}

It has been suggested that the [[Demon]]s in the darkness were the world's original inhabitants, locked away beneath the world by Primus, though this remains unconfirmed.

Aside from the Transformers, the world seems to possess the mechanical equivalent of plant and animal life, though the exact nature and origin of this lower "life" has never been examined in detail. This version of Cybertron has rough hewn [[Manganese Mountains|mountain ranges]] and great [[Rust Sea|seas]]. (Though of note these seas are not made of water. Liquid water is so rare on Cybertron as to be thought a mythical substance. Alternative substances these bodies are filled with are mercury {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}} and liquid helium {{storylink|The Primal Scream}}/{{storylink|Letters page (Marvel UK)|Darn 'n' Blast #303}}) The atmosphere and temperature on most of the surface is such that human life can survive unaided.

[[File:Marvel issue 1 Cybertron.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Just another Alpha Centauri sunrise.]]

In its earliest recorded era Cybertron orbited [[Alpha Centauri]], and the Transformers were at peace. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''From an unknown point of time, Cybertron was ruled by the [[Overlord (rank)|Overlords]], a governing council of absolute rulers. Over time, their power and number dwindled, until Cybertron was composed of multiple city-states who were constantly clashing with each other; the key three powers were [[Vos (polity)|Vos]], [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]] and [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. While all the major cities were using their might to pork energy at the expense of others, Iacon did ration theirs out to neighbouring smaller cities. Tarn and Vos, by comparison, built up vast armies. In an attempt to lessen growing hostilities caused by the splintering governments and the dwindling resources on Cybertron, the last Overlord started the [[Games (competition)|Games]]: an inter-city [[gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial tournament]]. This allowed the population to exorcise their hostilities, and soon the vicious athlete [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] had a cult of personality based around him and his feats. He built this up, quietly planning to unite Cybertron under his own rule and turn it into a mighty cosmic dreadnought! One of his great rivals was Optimus Prime, the champion of Iacon.''

''Vos — ruled by a [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]-headed criminal syndicate — sent its athletic team to bomb Tarn (ruled by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]) and finger Iacon as the culprit. As with all plans by Starscream, this cocked up — Tarn realised Vos had attacked it, and war broke out that devastated both cities. Iacon happily let its rivals beat on each other. During the conflict, Optimus Prime tried to get the Overlord to safety but Megatron secretly ensured the leader starved to death; once the war ended, Megatron used his fame and charisma to convince the war's survivors that Iacon was at fault for not stepping in to prevent the war, and that Iacon was the enemy. This angry mass became the first Decepticons.'' {{storylink|State Games}}

[[File:Generics marvel 1.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Megatron rallied his army to march on the Autobot cities, conquering large swaths of Cybertron until [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] arose from the Autobots ranks to match his old foe. Megatron's ultimate aim was to turn Cybertron into a "cosmic dreadnought", intending to use his homeworld as a galaxy conquering warship. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''To achieve this, Megatron constructed a prototype set of [[planetary engine]]s in [[Kalis]].'' {{storylink|Meltdown!}}

Before Megatron could achieve his dream, the sheer firepower unleashed by the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] tore Cybertron from its orbit and sent it hurtling aimlessly throughout the cosmos. When it passed through the [[Solar System|Sol system]], the [[asteroid belt]] threatened to destroy Cybertron forcing the Autobots to use the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to clear a path for their world. Though they were successful, they were ambushed by [[Decepticon]]s led by Megatron, and their battle ended with a crash-landing on Earth that left all the combatants deactivated. Their compatriots on Cybertron mourned their loss but continued the wars. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

''The young warlord [[Trannis]] seized on his opportunity and assumed command of the Decepticon forces, reorganizing the army and conquering all but [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. After a long stalemate, Trannis decided "screw it" and razed Iacon, finally putting Cybertron under Decepticon rule. As the centuries passed, Trannis grew complacent in his rule allowing the [[Wreckers]] to assassinate him which only served to allow for the more brutal [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] to take command.'' {{storylink|Cybertron: The Middle Years!}}

[[File:The Smelting Pool! The Dead End.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

By [[1985]], the Autobots had been forced into guerrilla warfare against their foes. When the Earth-bound Transformers contacted their homeworld, the Decepticons made plans to connect the two planets via [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}} Though [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s resistance cell managed to destroy the bridge and kill Straxus, they were left stranded on Earth. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}

[[File:Edgeofextinction-someonefight.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't worry, if Unicron eats this Cybertron, Marvel can xerox another copy of the model sheet.]]

After Optimus Prime's physical demise, Megatron went properly off his rocker and blew up the space bridge he was standing on, {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} which transported him to the [[Dead End (place)|Dead End]] on Cybertron, spending the next few years as a mindless [[Empty]]. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}}

Circa [[1990]], members of the Ark crew fought with the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] in a chamber containing the giant head of Primus. A stray shot hit the god's face, and he awoke with a scream that alerted Unicron to his location. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}}

When the Chaos Bringer arrived, the Autobots and Decepticons united against him, but the battle still wreaked havoc on the planet. Unicron was defeated by the opening of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], but only after he'd already destroyed Primus. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} In the aftermath, Cybertron suffered storms and earthquakes that many believed would tear the world apart. {{storylink|Exodus!}} The remaining Transformers evacuated, but Cybertron was ultimately saved by the united efforts of Optimus Prime and the [[Neo-Knights]] who awakened the [[Last Autobot]]. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} The ancient steward revealed that upon the Matrix's opening, the planet had been bathed in its energy and was in fact healing itself. After he guided the process in a steady manner, he and Prime recalled the Autobots before returning the humans to Earth and finally bringing peace to the metallic planet. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

====Significant locations====
*Cybertron has two moons. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}
*Cybertron was historically organized into city-states, the largest and most important being [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Others have included [[Kalis]], [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]], and [[Vos (polity)|Vos]]. Within the province of [[Polyhex]] was the Decepticon stronghold called [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]].
*Beneath the [[Mutant (G1)|Mutant]] filled sewers, the [[Demon|Demons in the Darkness]] were locked away.
*At the center of this Cybertron there was a room with a huge head of Primus on the wall where he slept and was watched over by the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]]. Somewhere within the depths of Cybertron could also be found a chamber containing the [[Last Autobot]].
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
[[File:NaturalSelectionPart4-demons.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Before creating the Cybertronians, [[Primus]] created the [[Demon]]s as a first run. The creatures' free will however caused them to turn each other and Primus attempted to wipe the slate clean. Though most perished, a few survived beneath Cybertron's surface, unnoticed by the Cybertronians who took their place. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}}

Prior to the Great War, Cybertron had trade relations with other mechanical planets. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}}

As Cybertron reconstructed itself following Unicron's defeat, the [[Dark Matrix]] entity merged itself with the planet infecting every crack and becoming one with it as Primus had done before. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}} After the end of the Great War, the [[Pax Cybertronia]] was signed which brought peace to the planet. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}}

[[File:WarToEndAllWarsPart5-itneverends.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

After 21 years of relative peace, however, the planet was again thrown into the fire by the machinations of the Dark Matrix entity, {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}} marked by the destruction of the Last Autobot. {{storylink|Counterpoint}} After learning that Megatron still lived and was wreaking havoc on Earth, Optimus left the planet under [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]]'s leadership. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] planned to use a [[Gene Key]] to turn all on the planet into Decepticons.
{{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}} Though the Decepticon was halted, his scheme had caused great damage to Cybertron, {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}} with many turning themselves in or asking to be prosecuted for war crimes. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}} Cybertron however was soon invaded by Bludgeon's ''[[Warworld]]'', {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} which soon turned into all out war before the [[Wreckers]] destroyed the ship. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

As Cybertron began (another) cleanup, rogue senator [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] arrived, {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} and offered to integrate Cybertron into the [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]]. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 2}} The Autobots soon went to war with the Hub and while they were offworld, the Dark Matrix struck out on Cybertron, turning everyone on the planet into [[shadow-leech]]es. Hot Rod, now Rodimus Prime, eventually realized the Dark Matrix creature had been posing as Primus and confronted it in [[Zero Space]]. There, Optimus Prime revealed the entity's plan to Rodimus and that the only way to prevent it was to sever their own reality from the multiverse which Rodimus reluctantly did. Cut off from Primus, Cybertron and its people became mortal, with the latter abandoning the planet in the aftermath. When Rodimus Prime returned to Cybertron after untold eons to finally die, the last vestiges of his Spark energy flowed to one of the stasis pods inhabited by the Demons and [[Botanica (BM)|a new breed of Cybertronian]] emerged to tame the planet. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

====''Transformers '84''====
After Cybertron had been ripped from its orbit, Shockwave test fired a [[planetary engine|planetary turbine]] that directed the planet towards the dangerous [[Stellae Cimeterium]] to try and have Megatron refocus on [[Project Dreadnought]] to no avail. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}}

Despite this, Optimus Prime felt that Megatron represented the greatest threat to Cybertron, not least because Cybertron's errant course could be halted by a series of controlled explosions, and launched the Ark in an attempt to lure [[Decepticon High Command]] off Cybertron forever, entrusting [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] to ensure that Megatron never saw their home planet again, so that the Autobot army could have a fighting chance. {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|Transformers '84 #0}}

After clearing away the [[asteroid belt]] that threatened Cybertron, Optimus crashed the Ark on Earth once it had been boarded by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2|Secrets & Lies #2}} Despite this, the situation on Cybertron deteriorated for the Autobot army, [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] emerging as the ''de facto'' [[Decepticon leader]] and leading a brutal campaign against the remaining Autobots. Once he was secure in his power, he gave Counterpunch the clearance to reactivate Project Dreadnought. Punch brought the information back to the Autobots who formed the [[Wreckers]] to end Dreadnought. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}

Despite coming up against [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]], the Wreckers succeeded in destroying Project Dreadnought, leaving Cybertron to continue its errant course throughout the cosmos. With the Decepticons firmly in control of the planet, the Autobots opted for a decentralized approach to warfare under a shared high command. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 4|Secrets & Lies #4}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:Cybertron-mtmte-actioncards1.jpg|left|thumb|250px|And that, my friends, is when you say "Look out below!"]]

Cybertron appeared [[Scale|considerably smaller than the planet Earth]]. Entirely metallic on the surface, some of the [[Organic core|lowest levels]] of Cybertron consisted of rock and dirt, suggesting an organic beginning to the planet. Its gravity was light enough that [[human]]s were able to traverse the surface without any trouble, and it possessed a breathable atmosphere. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} [[Water]], or at least a substance resembling it, was in evidence on the planet—lakes and rivers have been shown to exist, albeit sparingly. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}} {{storylink|War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn}} Many levels below the surface was the energy-furnace, the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], {{storylink|The Rebirth}} and at the heart of the planet was the spherical mega-computer, [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

[[File:G1 Cybertron's galaxy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|LOOK HOW LOUD I HAVE TO YELL!]]
Cybertron was orbited by at least three unnamed moons, but its own place in the cosmos appears unfixed—in [[1984]], it was clearly shown to exist outside of the [[Milky Way]]; on the cusp of an entirely different galaxy, in fact. {{storylink|Roll for It}} Nine million years prior, however, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] had been able to fly from their home planet to Earth under their own power, {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}} suggesting that it may drift freely through space, and had been passing through the Sol System at that point, going on to drift out of the galaxy over the ensuing millennia.

If the assorted colourful exclamations made by numerous Transformers are anything to go by, Cybertron also played host to [[:Category:Cybertronic wildlife|a vast array of fauna]], including but not limited to: [[antroid]]s, [[bolt-bat]]s, [[cyber-duck]]s, [[dynametal duck]]s, [[electro-toad]]s, [[glitch-mouse|glitch-mice]], [[guinea pigatron]]s, [[helio-hamster]]s, [[hydroweasel]]s, [[photovoltaic pussycat]]s, [[pigeonoid]]s, [[retrorat]]s, [[robo-rat]]s, [[sheepacron]]s, [[titanium moose-bot]]s, [[turbofox]]es, [[zap-mouse|zap-mice]] and [[roboto-possum]]s.

Though Cybertron's precise origins are unknown, twelve million years prior to [[2006]], the planet was used by the [[Quintesson]]s as a mega-factory. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Their first creations were the [[Trans-Organic]]s, monstrous fusions of organic flesh and Cybertronian metal. Deeming them as failures, the Quintessons destroyed what creatures they could and sealed away the seven they could not in the [[Hibernation Chamber]]. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}} Dispensing with the organic, the Quintessons manufactured two lines of purely mechanical creations, "consumer goods" and "military hardware". Having done too good a job however, the robots evolved into fully sentient creatures that understood cruelty and began a revolt against the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} In the [[Autobot Rebellion]] that followed, the Quintessons sent their [[Dark Guardian]]s out to do the actual fighting while they remained safe in their stronghold of [[Hive City]]. When the rebel leader [[Alpha Trion (G1)|A-3]] turned his [[Coder Remote]] against the Dark Guardians, {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}} the Quintesson rule collapsed and they were forced off Cybertron.

[[File:Ffod4 early soldiers.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

With the Quintessons gone, the Autobots built a peaceful society but this new peace was short-lived. The military hardware line had evolved into the [[Decepticon]]s and began a war of conquest under the rule of [[Trannis]]. Better suited for warfare, the Decepticons destroyed two [[Guardian Prime|Autobot]] [[Zeta Prime (G1)|leaders]] until [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] developed [[transformation]] technology. With this advantage, the Autobots thought themselves victorious and brought about the [[Golden Age]].

Eventually, however, the Decepticons adopted transformation as well, along with [[robot mode]] flight, and around nine million years ago, the creation of the Decepticon [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] re-ignited the war on Cybertron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Megatron rallied like-minded individuals to his cause, and brainwashed others into his service, {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} quickly killing the current Autobot leader in a strike on one of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s outer cities. With this act kept out of the public knowledge, rumors circulated as Autobot machinesmith [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] worked diligently on a new process to reconstruct Autobots into battle-hardy configurations for the war he knew was coming. That war finally erupted in full when Megatron fatally injured a naive young dock worker, Orion Pax, and Alpha Trion made him the first subject of his new process, reconstructing him into [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], who would lead the Autobots in the [[Great War (G1)|Third Cybertronian War]]. {{storylink|War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn}}

[[File:Cybertron-mtmte-actioncards3.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The white zone is for blasting Autobots only.]]

After a further five million years of war, during which many Autobots fled the planet, {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} the Decepticons had acquired a large hold on the planet, with the majority of it under their control. The main Autobot force continued to operate from the capital city-state of Iacon, but Cybertron's energy levels were depleted to a dangerous low, necessitating a space mission to locate a new planet with new sources of energy that the Transformers could harness. Optimus Prime led his best and brightest on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], but they were pursued by Megatron's elite troops, and all were stranded in stasis on Earth for four million years. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

In the ensuing four million years, [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]], who Megatron had left in charge as guardian of the planet, maintained the Decepticon hold on the planet, though he was unaware of the continued guerrilla efforts of [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]'s [[Female Autobots]] to undermine him as they raided his energy supplies. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}} Eventually, Cybertron's energy level dipped so low as to put the planet in immediate, mortal danger. Reestablishing contact with Megatron, who had awoken with the other Transformers on Earth in the year 1984, Shockwave co-designed the [[space bridge]], an intergalactic transport system that could transport [[energon]] [[energon cube|cubes]] from Earth to Cybertron, abating the planet's impending doom. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}}

When Optimus Prime's [[cosmitron]] was destroyed, the Autobots dispatched a party to Cybertron to claim a replacement that was still in [[Wheeljack's workshop]]. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[File:UltimateDoom2 Cybertron Earth.JPG|thumb|left|250px|I see a Cybertron a-risin'. I see trouble on the way.]]

Cybertron's place in the universe was forcibly altered in 1984 when the Decepticons constructed a colossal space bridge that actually transported the entire planet into the [[Solar System|Sol system]], into Earth's orbit, {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} where its gravity wreaked havoc with the planet's natural balance, unleashing an unending torrent of energy created by natural disasters. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} The energy acquired re-energized Cybertron enough to put it out of the danger zone, but the planet was soon knocked out of orbit by a massive energon explosion, and set drifting off through the solar system. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} At this closer range, Cybertron remained easily accessed throughout 1985 at least, with the Autobots now able to reach it by conventional transportation ([[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]), rather than having to constantly hijack use of the spacebridge. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

After Megatron had duped the human race into thinking the Autobots were the invading faction of Cybertronians, the exiled Autobots intended to return to Cybertron only for Megatron to sabotage their flight plan. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}}

Not long after that didn't work out, the Cybertronians on Earth, save those who had been built on the planet, began malfunctioning due to depleting stores of [[cybertonium]]. At Megatron's order, Shockwave mined and sent a large batch of the substance to Earth for the Decepticons to be healed. Intercepting the communication, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Carly]] went off to intercept the shipment. Though they initially asked the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s to help, [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] saw a chance to abandon Optimus Prime's group and led his team through the space bridge, {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} whereupon they were captured and enslaved by Shockwave, save Swoop who retreated into Cybertron's underground. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} Undeterred, Carly and Spike space bridged to the metallic planet themselves, {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} using their small size to dodge Shockwave's blaster fire and sabotage delicate parts of his equipment. Escaping underground, the humans met Swoop who helped them free the other Dinobots and return to Earth with the cybertronium shipment. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}}

When Shockwave discovered that Elita One's band of Autobots still lived, the Decepticons took her as a hostage to try and have Optimus Prime surrender himself. Despite knowing the danger, Optimus rushed to Cybertron where he was taken prisoner. Though Starscream intended to melt Optimus in acid, Elita One used her ability to stop time to save him, requiring the Prime to bring her to Alpha Trion for repairs. The remainder of Elita's squad met up with Ironhide, Powerglide and Inferno, who had followed Optimus through the space bridge, and engaged the Decepticons, succeeding when Optimus and Elita returned. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

Tiring of his forces constantly being defeated on the ground, Megatron built the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] in response but needed Vector Sigma to truly bring them to life. Returning to Cybertron, the Decepticons claimed the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] from Alpha Trion, using its power to turn the [[centurion droid]]s against the Autobots who pursued him. With their new warriors, the Decepticons left Cybertron. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} Taking inspiration from their foes, the Autobots built the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] with Alpha Trion sacrificing his life to activate Vector Sigma and bring them online. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

When Shockwave's [[Kronosphere]] came online, the Autobots made for Cybertron to investigate its energy signature. Though intending to use the device to plunder Cybertron's pre-war energon reserves, Megatron instead used it to shunt the Aerialbots into the past. Though he intended to send them to the beginning of time, Autobot damage to the device sent them nine million years into the past, where they ensured Orion Pax would become Optimus Prime, before they returned to the present. {{storylink|War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn}}

In one of Starscream's attempts at becoming [[Decepticon leader]], he returned to Cybertron to steal the [[personality component]]s of the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], implanting them into new bodies. When this ended in them all being banished to an asteroid, {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Starscream abandoned his new warriors and made for Cybertron. Beating him home, the Combaticons used their combined form of [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] to overthrow Shockwave and conquer the planet, using the space bridge to send [[Earth]] towards its [[sun]] as revenge against Megatron. Making another alliance, Optimus Prime and Megatron led their forces to Cybertron, the combined armies defeating Bruticus and ending the Combaticons' reign. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

[[File:TFTM Autobot Cybertron.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]

By the Earth year 2005, Cybertron had exited the Sol system, but, remaining within the Milky Way, was still relatively easily accessible by shuttlecraft from Earth. By this time, the Decepticon forces had succeeded in conquering the entire planet, forcing all the Autobots off it, leading them to relocate to [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] on Earth, and to two staging ground bases on two of [[Moonbase One|Cybertron]]'s [[Moonbase Two|moons]]. It was at this time that Cybertron came under attack from the world eater, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], who consumed the two moonbases and assaulted Cybertron itself, only to be destroyed by the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Autobot Matrix of Leadership]]. His deactivated, decapitated head fell into orbit around Cybertron, a grisly new satellite to replace those he had destroyed. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}} With the Decepticon forces in disarray after Unicron's attack, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and his troops succeeded in driving their foes off Cybertron, reclaiming the planet for the Autobots, and restoring and re-energizing much of the planet by 2006. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

Seeing an opportunity, the Quintessons made an alliance with the fractured [[Decepticon Empire]] to attack Cybertron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} While the Decepticons attacked Cybertron, the Quintessons sent a [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] commando team to flip the [[large switch]] that would deactivate every Transformer across the galaxy. After [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] flipped it and the Quintessons rejoiced at having Cybertron back, though they had not planned for Spike Witwicky who destroyed the switch. Restored, Galvatron shot at the Quintessons before ordering his forces to retreat. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

When a later Quintesson plot reanimated Optimus Prime, he stranded Rodimus Prime's group in the [[Autobot Mausoleum]] and returned to Cybertron, leading the [[Autobot fleet]] into a trap. Having been given the [[Matrix of Leadership]] once again, its energies purified Prime's mind of the Quintesson programming whereupon he ordered the Autobots to return to Cybertron. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}}

Being pursued by Galvatron's elite, the renegade Decepticon [[Octane]] hid on Cybertron's abandoned Decepticon areas where he was found by Starscream's [[ghost]]. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}} During an attempt by [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] to discover [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s date of creation, [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] sent the [[Lost Cybertronian Storage Asteroid]] on a collision course with Cybertron to disrupt the [[First Inter Galactic Peace Conference]] but the Autobots managed to destroy the rogue planetoid. {{storylink|Surprise Party}} Cybertron later played host to various alien diplomats. {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}}

Undeterred in his desire to live again, Starscream possessed [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and ventured to Unicron's head, bargaining with the Chaos Bringer for a new body. Agreeing, Unicron sent Starscream and Scourge on three labors to repair the Dark God, the last of which was to connect Unicron's head to Cybertron itself so it could become the Chaos Bringer's new body. Warned by Scourge, the Autobots planted energon cubes that sent Unicron's head flying away. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine}}

Cybertron was later used as a neutral meeting site in the war between [[Xetaxxis]] and [[Lanarq]], becoming the point where a peace treaty was signed following the revelation of how the Quintessons had exploited both sides of the conflict. {{storylink|The Quintesson Journal}} Following the discovery and destruction of the [[Cybertronian colonies|colony world]] [[Paradron]], the survivors emigrated to Cybertron. {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} The Quintessons later manipulated the Decepticons once again, this time into unleashing the Trans-Organics. The energy siphoning [[Dweller (G1)|Dweller]] wreaked havoc on Cybertron before the Autobots managed to launch it into space. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}} Galvatron later sent a [[Skuxxoid]] and [[Slizardo]] to plant [[anti-electron]]s inside [[Power Platform Alpha|a new power generator]] to destroy the Autobots but this didn't work out. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}} When [[Tornedron]] was unleashed on the galaxy, Cybertron was drained of energy before Grimlock undid the creature's rampage. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

[[File:Rebirth 3 Cybertron gold.JPG|thumb|left|250px]]

In the year 2007, Cybertron was once again wrenched from its place in space when [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] and the Decepticons invaded the planet and constructed a massive [[planetary engine]] that propelled Cybertron back into Earth orbit once more. Once there, Galvatron opened the Plasma Energy Chamber, intending for the energy release to drive the Sun supernova, consuming Earth, Cybertron and everything else in one final destructive blow. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and the Autobots' [[Nebulan]] allies were able to stop this plan by reversing the rocket engine, which drained off the excess solar energy and channeled it straight into Vector Sigma, which used it to fully re-energize Cybertron. Its rich golden hue restored, Cybertron entered a new Golden Age. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
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====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese cartoon continuity as detailed above, except that the events of "The Rebirth" do not occur. Japanese continuity inserts several new stories into the timeline, including an extensive 2007 retcon that revealed the complicated origins of Cybertron in this continuity.}}

=====''Kiss Players''=====
[[File:Methusula Call-of-the-Primatives.jpg|thumb|250px|"It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree."]]
12 billion years ago, the ancient genius [[Primacron]] and his assistant, the [[Oracle (G1)|Oracle]] were attacked by Primacron's renegade creation Unicron. The Oracle's body was destroyed, but his essence, encased within a protective shell, fled to a dead planet at the center of the universe, which he proceeded to transform into a verdant, living world.

In time, the Quintessons discovered the Oracle's world and invaded, taking control of the Oracle and his powers. The Oracle was transformed by the Quintessons into the mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]] and also obtained the shell that had held his essence, which went on to become the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Using the power of the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], the Quintessons transformed the Oracle's green planet into the metallic Cybertron. {{storylink|Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|2007 TakaraTomy Transformers timeline}}
{{-}}
=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
At the dawn of time, what would become Cybertron was a barren rocky planet at the centre of the galaxy. Shortly after the birth of Unicron, Primus retreated to the planet, intending to turn it into a paradise. He was discovered by the early Quintessons who [[Cyberforming|cyberformed]] the planet and gave it its name. Shackling Primus into [[Vector Sigma|a supercomputer]], the Quintessons turned Cybertron into a mega-factory only for the Cybertronians to eventually rebel and drive them off the planet.

Following the end of the Angolmois Energy crisis in [[2050]], the Cybertronians retreated to their homeworld, swearing to remove all mentions of Earth from their archives to ensure no one would seek out Earth's Angolmois supplies. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 2|Finale Part 2}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
[[File:HM10 Cybertron destroyed.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Don't worry, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8XVmisSals&t=113 we can fix it.]]]
In 2011, it was discovered that the release of the energy of the Matrix by Optimus Prime to cure the [[Hate Plague]] had much more far-reaching consequences that anyone suspected. With the Matrix's energy depleted, Vector Sigma's balance—permanently tilted in favor of the Autobots by the existence of the Matrix—was reset to neutrality, allowing the Decepticons, bolstered by their new [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] troops, to freely invade Cybertron. Eventually, this forced Optimus Prime to sacrifice his life by merging with Vector Sigma in order to stabilize the computer before it destroyed Cybertron from within. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Not long thereafter, Vector Sigma developed a new metal alloy dubbed [[Cybertonuron]], which enticed Galvatron into another raid on the planet. However, the Decepticon Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Zarak]], in a bid to prevent the Autobots from obtaining it, arranged for his Headmasters to plant bombs at the core of the planet, within Vector Sigma's chamber. The Autobots were unable to stop the countdown and the bombs detonated, tearing Cybertron apart and leaving it a charred uninhabitable ruin drifting in space. {{Storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} {{Storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

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=====''Unite Warriors''=====
[[File:CybertronUnicron.jpg|thumb|right|150px]]
Having survived the devastation of Cybertron, Vector Sigma granted the Autobot [[Disaster Relief Team]] new bodies and powers so that they could rebuild the planet. By 2021, Cybertron had been made inhabitable once more. {{storylink|Sky Reign Chapter}} That same year, Unicron's head returned and attempted to turn the planet into his new body, but was repelled. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

=====Nucleon Quest Super Convoy bio=====
Some time beyond the year 2036, Cybertron began to suffer from a major energy shortage. In order to re-energize the struggling planet, Optimus Prime upgraded into a [[Powermaster]] and ventured into a black hole to obtain the super-energy [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]], which was used to restore Cybertron to its former glory. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#NucleonQuestSuperConvoy|Nucleon Quest Super Convoy bio}}

=====''Beast Wars'' cartoon=====
{{see|#Beast Wars cartoon 2}}

=====''Beast Wars Returns'' cartoon=====
{{see|#Beast Machines cartoon}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
Following the conversion of Cybertron into a technorganic planet, Vector Sigma also underwent an upgrade and effectively turned into the "soul" of the planet, becoming the ultimate authority of the planet who issued its will through the newly created [[Convoy Council]]. Tens of thousands of years later, when Vector Sigma discovered that the [[Blentron]]s were trying to resurrect Unicron with [[Angolmois Energy]], the supercomputer converted Cybertron back to a wholly mechanical planet in preparation for war. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Blue Big Convoy)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

=====''Beast Wars Neo'' cartoon=====
Tens of thousands of years into the future, in the era of the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], the mechanical Cybertron was reigned over by Vector Sigma, who handed down orders through the ruling body known as the [[Convoy Council]]. {{storylink|Big Convoy, Move Out}} By this point, the planet had come to reside in the center of the [[Milky Way]] galaxy. {{storylink|Fight! Maximals}}

When Unicron was resurrected as an energy being, he sought to use Cybertron as a new physical body, as his original body at the [[Triple Z Point]] was too ravaged to serve as a suitable vessel. {{storylink|Fight! Maximals}} Unicron was able to get through all of Cybertron's defenses and merged with Vector Sigma itself, granting him absolute control over Cybertron and the planet began converting into an imitation of Unicron's original planet mode. {{Storylink|End of the Maximals!?}} However, thanks to the efforts of [[Big Convoy]]'s unit, [[Magmatron]], and [[Lio Convoy]], Unicron was able to be drawn out of Vector Sigma {{Storylink|The Final Battle (BWN)|The Final Battle}} and defeated in his weaker form. In the aftermath, Predacons and Maximals united to rebuild the planet. {{storylink|Graduation Ceremony!!}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
[[File:HtF-RookUnicronandUnicorn.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
The second [[Golden Age]] of Cybertron came to an end in [[2013]] when [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] initiated the [[Machine Wars (event)|Machine Wars]]. However, the Machine Wars ended in a matter of weeks and inadvertently brought about the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]]. {{storylink|Termination}} {{storylink|A Common Foe}}

In [[2984]], the [[Star Seeker]]s arrived from a temporal journey through [[Unspace|transwarp]] to enact Captain [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]]'s newest scheme: plunder Cybertron of all its energon using Unicron's head when Cybertron would be at peace and have high levels of energy. The pirates attracted the attention of Cybertron's elite defenders, the [[Cybertronian Knight]]s, but during the clash aboard Unicron's head, [[Cheetor (BW)|Alpha Trizer]] gave Cannonball a crushing revelation: his scheme was doomed to fail from the start because the Cybertron he was attacking was technorganic and ''no longer ran on energon'' (as a result of the [[Great Transformation]]). {{storylink|Hoist the Flag}}

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===''A Birth of Planet Saybertron''===
[[File:Birth Saybertron.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Cybertron was originally a mere satellite, built to ensure peace between a coalition of planets. But the powerful computer within the satellite proved too advanced for it to remain in its initial form; using electromagnetic forces to draw in other satellites, it used their materials to build itself up. This ultimately led to a malfunction of the computer, and the civilizations that had built it found themselves no longer able to access it. Though the united civilizations tried to stop the satellite, it kept on growing and becoming more sophisticated, eventually plundering all nearby resources and leaving its galactic neighborhood bare of resources. Ages passed and Cybertron became a planet proper, with metallic mountains and oceans of oil. From it sprung primitive machines, which evolved into Transformers over the millennia. {{storylink|A Birth of Planet Saybertron}}

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===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
[[File:CybertronBM Season1.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Eons ago, Cybertron was a verdant, Earthlike world, populated by a wide variety of organic creatures. {{storylink|Survivor}} This idyllic period came to an end when the first Transformers arrived on the planet, an event foreseen by the mystical [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] that surrounded [[Vector Sigma]]; {{storylink|The Reformatting}} their arrival evidently coincided with the extinction of Cybertron's natural biosphere, {{storylink|Survivor}} and over the eons Cybertronian civilizations would build over the rock and soil with metal upon metal, giving rise to the illusion that Cybertron was, and always had been, a world of technology alone. {{storylink|The Reformatting}} Remnants of the past persisted in the lowermost levels of the planet, including stray plant life, {{storylink|Forbidden Fruit}} [[Fossil chamber|fossilized remains of the animals that had once roamed the surface]], {{storylink|Survivor}} and an "[[organic core]]" composed of [[Organic goop|concentrated biological matter]]. {{storylink|The Key}} Successive generations of Cybertronians built atop old cities, layer after layer, only to be gradually forgotten. {{storylink|The Reformatting}}

During the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], four million years before the present day, the Autobots left Cybertron aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}} but were intercepted by the Decepticon starship ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}} eventually coming to crash-land on prehistoric [[Earth]]. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

[[File:CybertronBW SolarSystem.jpg|thumb|right|250px|At least it's finally trying to keep an orbit.]]

Three hundred years after the end of this conflict and the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]], {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}} Cybertron would come to be populated by the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, descendants of the Autobots and Decepticons. This great metamorphosis was precipitated by the "[[Great Upgrade]]," described as the period of time when Cybertron's Autobot population transitioned to Maximals; old cities like [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] were once again abandoned and paved over to make way for new cities, like [[Cybertropolis]]. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search|The Search}} Three hundred years after the end of the conflict, Cybertron was once more a peaceful, prosperous planet, governed by the [[Maximal Elder]]s, {{storylink|Possession}} while the [[Tripredacus Council]] controlled the affairs of the Predacons. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}}

Peacetime diversions included the [[Six Lasers Over Cybertron]] amusement park; "mature" entertainment included joints where the servers went around without their torso plates on. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}}

{{-}}

====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[File:CybertronBW Transwarp.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Sunny with an 80% chance of lens flares. If you're traveling, watch out for transwarp waves.]]
When [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and his [[Axalon (BW)|starship]] went missing, [[temporal probe]]s were dispatched from Cybertron in the hopes of finding where he and his crew had vanished to. {{storylink|The Probe}} Not long afterwards, the [[transwarp wavefront]] generated by the destruction of the [[Planet Buster]] superweapon was due to hit the planet only for the [[Tripredacus Council]] to disrupt it before it reached Cybertron, allowing them to covertly dispatch [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to bring in [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}}

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====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
[[File:SeedsOfTheFuture-cybertropolis.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This was a Pizza Hut, now it's all covered with daisies.]]

The tranquility of this age would come to a rapid end when [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] returned from the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] and set a [[Transformation virus|virus]] loose on the world that incapacitated the population and paved the way for [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] rule. Under Megatron's reign, the villain sought to reorganize the entirety of Cybertronian civilization into one vast machine controlled by a single, overriding intellect—his own. {{storylink|Master of the House}} Megatron would be opposed, however, by Optimus Primal and his band of Maximals, who, after discovering the Oracle, befriending [[Nightscream (BM)|a survivor of Megatron's attack]], and learning the truth behind Cybertron's organic nature, {{storylink|Survivor}} believed that they needed to restore the organic to Cybertron and destroy all technology—a conflict that came to a head when Primal and Megatron pitted the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] against the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], unleashing a doomsday energy storm. {{storylink|End of the Line}}

In the aftermath, Primal realized he had been wrong in his mission; rather, the Oracle wanted him to create a balance, a peaceful equilibrium of the organic and the technological. In the end, Primal would see his dream accomplished when he applied the power of the Oracle to the exposed organic core of Cybertron, his sacrifice converting the entire planet into a lush paradise where [[technorganic]] plants and animals coexisted with Transformers. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|Seeds of the Future}}

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====3H comics====
[[File:Disclosure-Quintessons.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
According to [[Al-Badur]], the Quintessons had once served Unicron, and in doing so, they'd found the "dimensional landing" of Primus: Cybertron. Rather than alert their master, however, they decided to capitalize on their discovery for their own purposes. They attempted to subvert Primus's creations via the Plasma Energy Chamber, but the [[Trans-Organic|results]] were disastrous. Success came when they placed a shell program over [[Vector Sigma]] and channeled the divine power into creating a subservient race. That race would one day rebel and become the Transformers, but the Quintessons' influence remained in the form of the Vector Sigma shell program—otherwise known as the Oracle. Primus could nonetheless sometimes send messages from Vector Sigma through the Oracle, but it is difficult to tell the difference. {{storylink|Disclosure}}

[[File:WreckersFinalePartI-rook.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Almost three months after the [[Great Transformation]], the Quintessons invaded Cybertron, hoping the sudden transition to technorganic would leave the Transformers disoriented. Instead, the population of Cybertron successfully repelled the invaders—and the Quintessons learned that they themselves had been pawns of Primus, who had deliberately manipulated the aliens so that Cybertron and his creations could make this great evolutionary leap. {{storylink|The Wreckers: Finale Part 1}} {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

One year later, this reality's Cybertron later became became the home base of the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] in the multiverse-spanning [[Universe War]] against Unicron. {{storylink|Abduction}} {{storylink|Escape (Universe)|Escape}} {{storylink|Homecoming (Universe)|Homecoming}} Unfortunately during the war, Cybertron fell victim to the "Culling", where Unicron's [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minion]]s cut a swath across the planet to feed the sparks of the victims to the Chaos-Bringer, though the invaders were ultimately repelled. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 9|Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Optimus Primal's bio}} The Children continued the war, and eventually emerged victorious. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:MTMTE-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"They lied to us. Founding fathers of Cybertron. Everything we were told was a lie. Built on the lie of the sparkless child."]]
The planet Cybertron and its two moons orbited [[Alpha Centauri]]; a Saturn-sized mechanical world, the planet possessed an oxygen-based atmosphere capable of supporting carbon-based life. Complex tunnel networks and advanced machinery existed in the deepest levels of the planet; some Decepticons, like Megatron, believed that Cybertron could become a mobile fortress equipped with [[planetary engine]]s, and sought to make this dream a reality. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye}}

The earliest Cybertronians supposedly arose from the [[Well of All Sparks]], {{storylink|Conflagration}} but after creating the Transformers, Primus went dormant so as to avoid the attention of his ancient nemesis Unicron. The [[Sonic Canyons]] that spanned the planet's southern equator gathered data from across the universe so as to be analyzed by Vector Sigma, {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} while Primus sealed the well to prevent Unicron from locating his physical form. {{storylink|Conflagration}} Prior to the Great War, Megatron claimed to have discovered an [[Golden Disk (ancient)|artifact]] which suggested the [[Quintesson|truth]] behind the origins of the Cybertronian species, which would, over time, lead to the formation of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

[[File:GreatShutdown.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Everyone died, the end.]]

The war between the Autobots and Decepticons would eventually lead to Optimus Prime and Megatron disappearing in a [[space bridge]] explosion; in their absence, however, the conflict continued, with the Autobots and Decepticons being joined by various splinter factions. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}}. The arrival of [[The Fallen]] briefly forced these competing factions to work together, {{storylink|Conflagration}} and dwindling fuel supplies eventually led to the construction of energy-efficient [[Micromaster]]s—though these warriors were eventually forced to take up arms as well.

3.5 million years ago, continued energon shortages finally culminated in the event known as the "[[Great Shutdown]]," where all Transformers on the planet simply ground to a halt after Cybertron's natural supplies of [[energon]] completely dried up. This state of affairs lasted for many millions of years; it would not be until some three thousand years ago that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] reactivated and worked to bring other Transformers back online. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}}

Initially, after Cybertron's reawakening, Autobots were reluctant to trust Shockwave until key Autobots agreed to share leadership of Cybertron with him. An underground resistance movement was formed and a young [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] rose to leadership of one such faction. It wasn't until Optimus Prime's return to Cybertron that the majority of Autobots rededicated themselves to eliminating the Decepticons. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

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===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoevsTFII-cybertron.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
The [[Quintesson]]s created both [[Trans-Organic|transorganics]] and the gladiator and slave races that would evolve into the Decepticons and Autobots. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}}

Following Optimus Prime and Megatron's crash on Earth, Cybertron was conquered by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. The planet was also the location of [[Teletran 3]], which accidentally transported members of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and [[Cobra]] to the alien world. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs the Transformers #1}}

Shockwave was eventually defeated and the Decepticons were driven back to the [[Gladiator Zone]], allowing Cybertron to be at peace for the first time in millennia. A [[warp gate]] was set up between Cybertron and [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]] on Earth. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} The peace was interrupted when [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] warped to Cybertron and took control of the Decepticons, but he was eventually defeated. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}} Notable locations on Cybertron included [[Capitol City]] and the large junkyards where the [[cannibalizer]]s would reside. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}}

After the death of Serpent O.R., Cybertron was peaceful yet again, and seemingly stayed that way. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:TheUnremembering-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Cybertron and its two moons orbited a yellow dwarf.<ref>Author [[Simon Furman]] stated that Cybertron orbits the star {{w|Lambda Scorpii|Shaula}}, a real star that can be observed from Earth as the second-brightest object in the tail of the constellation {{w|Scorpius}}, though this information never made it into an actual issue.</ref> {{storylink|A Sunrise Dark}} The precise origins of the planet are not known; various religious sects held that the planet had a relation to [[Primus]], who either arose from the surface of Cybertron {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}} or had himself created the mechanical world, {{storylink|Crisis Intervention|Timeline in Revolutionaries #1}} perhaps after vanquishing the mythological [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] at the dawn of time. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}}

Another theory postulates that Cybertron may have once been an organic world, one whose biological inhabitants made an evolutionary leap to a cybernetic existence before eventually discarding their organic heritage to become fully-mechanical lifeforms. {{storylink|Spotlight: Nightbeat}} Evidence for this theory is corroborated by the planet [[Gorlam Prime]], whose inhabitants underwent such a transition; after emerging from this "chrysalis state," they renamed their world "Cybertron," which raises some interesting questions about the origins of the Transformers. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

The first known Cybertronian to come into existence was [[Rung (G1)|Primus]] himself; though later Transformers would deify him as a warrior-god, {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Primus's only unique trait was the ability to manufacture [[photonic crystal]]s. He would be joined by four other Transformers—[[Epistemus]], [[Mortilus]], [[Solomus]], and [[Adaptus]]—and together this first generation of Transformers would become known as the [[Guiding Hand]]. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Together, they would go on to ignite the twelve [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spots]] across the planet, allowing Vector Sigma to begin sending the life-giving pulses of energy that ignited new sparks and gave rise to the first true "generation" of Transformers: the [[Knights of Cybertron]], who turned the prehistoric planet into a paradise for both body and sprit. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} The predecessors of [[Functionism|Functionist]] doctrine believed that, if tilted at just the right angle, Cybertron could refract the light of a sun, turning the planet itself into [[God Gun|a weapon]] to be used against asteroids and other spaceborne threats. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}}

Some twelve million years ago, the ambitious Adaptus would turn on his comrades; seeking to introduce the notion of war to the species so as to avoid the stagnation he feared would soon grip the planet, he battled the other four members of the Guiding Hand in what would come to be called the "[[God War]]". Although the other members of the Hand fought back, they were unable to vanquish their enemy, who fled to [[Moonbase One|the planet's first moon]], readying an [[electromagnetic pulse]] that would leave the inhabitants of Cybertron disoriented while he retrofitted the moon into a primitive spaceship and fled. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Though this [[information creep]] would distort reality into garbled legends, the Knights of Cybertron remained known, and eventually opted to leave Cybertron aboard a fleet of [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s. Deprived of their benevolent oversight, Cybertronian society regressed back to an era of barbarism, splintering into numerous smaller city-states and tribes. {{storylink|The Crucible}} This sequence of events would be noted as atypical compared to the development of most other civilizations, who established permanent world governments before mastering faster-than-light space travel. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}}

[[File:Windblade1 Caminus.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

It was in this primitive landscape that the Decepticon [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] found himself after the destruction of his [[chronal drive]] in 2013. Unable to return to his own time, Shockwave slew the shepherd [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]] and manipulated events to bring the [[Thirteen]] together. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} In his new role, "Onyx" encouraged expansion and the colonization of distant worlds. Titans colonized distant worlds to expand the aegis of the [[Pax Cybertronia]], including [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]], [[Velocitron]], and [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], all in service to Shockwave's infinitely longer game. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} Eventually, Shockwave would also mastermind the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], {{storylink|Heavy}} {{storylink|The Crucible}} which ended in the ascension of [[Nova Prime]] and a grand reordering of the planet's society under Functionist doctrine. {{storylink|The Crucible}} It quickly became clear, however, that Cybertron's rapidly urbanizing population was not infinitely sustainable, prompting the younger version of Shockwave to begin a [[Regenesis|plan]] to ensure that Cybertron could meet its energy needs; {{storylink|Shockwaves}} while Nova Prime planned a grand [[Expansion]] that would see Cybertron the capital of a grand interstellar empire, this plan fell through when he and his innermost retinue vanished aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]]'' in the [[Benzuli Expanse]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}}

The reign of [[Nominus Prime]] saw the widespread automation of Cybertron's old [[energon]] mines, leading to an employment crisis as labourers lost their livelihoods. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 1|Megatron Origin #1}} Antebellum Cybertron was seen as a backwater placed by [[alien]] civilizations, owing to the cultural stagnation Functionism brought to the planet. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

[[File:Stormbringer1-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

The subsequent [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] began four million years ago, and ravaged Cybertron until [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s experiments with [[Pretender]] technology led to a mad rampage that left the planet completely uninhabitable. With no atmosphere, Cybertron's surface was unprotected from cosmic radiation and was wracked by plasma storms. Transformers had to divert energy to their personal shielding in order to remain on the surface for short periods; the surface was presumably immediately lethal for humans. Gravity was also weaker than normal and Transformers needed [[magno-tread]]s to walk on the surface. The Transformer race abandoned the planet (save for occasional scientific surveys from orbit) and began conducting their conflict across the galaxy. According to Autobot command directives, landing on Cybertron was forbidden. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} However, with the resurrection (and subsequent defeat) of Thunderwing, this directive was lifted due to the unusual circumstances. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}}

Around the year 1997, the wise [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] returned to Cybertron, with a plan to revive the planet. Over the next few years, Trion worked to repair Cybertron's atmosphere and rid it of radiation, though the planet remained dead and resourceless. {{storylink|Any Old Iron}}

[[File:TheIronAge-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|left|250px|It was after the apocalypse. No one was prepared... for the Robot Holocaust.]]

A decade later, the Decepticons created the three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] on Cybertron from a naturally-occurring subterannean species, {{storylink|Transformers: Historia|Historia}}, and left the thousands of [[Insecticon swarm|failed clones]] to their own devices. When the Decepticons defeated the Autobots on Earth during the [[Surge (event)|Surge]], they sent their battered enemies through a portal to Cybertron, where the swarm would finish them off. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} By this time, Alpha Trion's hard work had eliminated much of the radiation and electromagnetic storms, so the Autobots survived their stay on the planet with only minor pains. {{storylink|Any Old Iron}} Later, the Autobot starship ''[[Trion]]'' was shot down over Cybertron, and its crew joined the rest of the survivors on its surface. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}} They were eventually rescued by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], leaving Alpha Trion and Metroplex to continue their work uninterrupted. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

In order to make Cybertron habitable again, Trion revived [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]], who had been recently slain on [[Earth]], to help take out the swarm. {{storylink|Ironing Out the Details}} Trion then left again, with only Ironhide, [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and a few hundred swarm members remaining on the planet, {{storylink|Any Old Iron}} which were eventually quashed by the time that [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] returned to Cybertron, intent on turning the metal world into his first line of defense against [[D-Void]], a malevolent entity set on devouring all Transformers. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4|Heart of Darkness #4}} By the time his army arrived on the planet, the swarm had seemingly been exterminated. The arrival of Galvatron caused Ironhide and Sunstreaker to flee on [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]]'s newly arrived ship, after which they traveled to Earth to alert the rest of the Autobots to Galvatron's occupation. {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|Out of the Silent Planet}}

[[File:TheAutonomyLesson-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Led by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], the Autobots on Earth returned to Cybertron and confronted Galvatron. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations|Lamentations}} During the battle, Galvatron inserted his [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]] into the remains of Vector Sigma, in the belief that this would stop D-Void from entering the universe. In reality, the Heart of Darkness was an aspect of D-Void, and doing so would allow the entity to turn the dead planet of Cybertron into a giant portal to the Dead Universe. To stop this from happening, Optimus Prime opened the [[Matrix of Leadership]] into Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}} Somehow, the Matrix of Leadership was able to restart Vector Sigma, and its energies worked to "reset" the entire planet into a primordial state. Almost every structure and geographic landmark on the planet was wiped out, and the only Transformer-made structure remaining was the crashed remains of [[Kimia Facility]]. Simultaneously, Cybertron itself sent out a signal to all Cybertronians out in space, telling them to come home. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} The only known structures that were spared this reformatting were [[Crystal City]], resurrected by [[Ore-14]], {{storylink|Shockwaves}} and [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] which had been buried beneath the new layer of metal. {{storylink|The Last Autobot}}

With Cybertron restored, most Decepticons captured and thousands of [[NAIL|neutrals]] returning to repopulate their planet, the war was considered over. When the planet came alive again, it began transmitting energy to its two moons, reviving Luna 2 as well. Since Luna 1 was missing, its share of the energy ended up in the atmosphere instead, supercharging it and causing "ball lighting" effects to strike the planet's surface until [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] got a temporary satellite in orbit. {{storylink|Stick Together}} After a brief revival of the Autobot/Decepticon war, the neutrals kicked the two factions out of Iacon and briefly assumed control of the planet under the leadership of Starscream, {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}} who established the [[Republic of Cybertron]]. {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}}

Soon afterwards, Shockwave attempted to bring his Regenesis plan to fruition, collapsing all of space-time into a singularity to fuel Cybertron for eternity which would have made the planet the sole thing that existed, had ever existed or would exist before he was defeated by Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron}} The destruction of his chronal drive caused the formation of a [[black hole]] that sent him back to the planet's prehistoric past, free to take up the mantle of "Onyx Prime" and shape the history of Cybertron in a great ontological paradox. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:TowardsPeace-metroplex.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

In the aftermath of the cataclysm, Metroplex was able to locate five of Cybertron's colonies, {{storylink|The Transformers: Windblade}} leading to the formation of the [[Council of Worlds]], {{storylink|All That Remains}} which eventually came to encompass [[Earth]] after Optimus chose to annex the organic world into the Cybertronian Council for its own protection. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion|Perihelion}} When [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] abruptly returned to life, he viewed modern Cybertron as a world built on compromise; {{storylink|The Last Autobot}} disgusted, he planned to wipe the slate clean with an army of [[zombie]] Titans. {{storylink|Ten to Midnight}} Though he perished, {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}} the Titans arrived at Cybertron and began destroying all in sight {{storylink|Ping}} before they were stopped by [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Vigilem]]. {{storylink|Rubicon}}

Earth would soon come to join the Council of Worlds as an official member state, not a mere protectorate, and various human dignitaries were shuttled from Earth to Cybertron via [[space bridge]] to prepare for the ceremony in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Unfortunately, repeated Cybertronian incursions had also convinced [[Joe Colton]] that one day Cybertron would destroy Earth, {{storylink|First Strike issue 1|First Strike #1}} and so he assembled an [[Iron Ring|cabal of supervillains]] who would poison Cybertron's energon from within by harnessing the power of the alien [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]], launching an all-out assault on Iacon while he and his inner team of supervillains travelled into the core of the planet to enact the plan. {{storylink|First Strike issue 2|First Strike #2}} Though Optimus Prime and his allies raced to stop the villains as they travelled to the core of Cybertron, it was soon revealed that the entire scheme had been masterminded by Colton's second-in-command; revealed as the [[Prysmosian]] wizard [[Merklynn]], he used the Talisman to transform a small fragment of the planet into [[New Prysmos]], a copy of his [[Prysmos|lost homeworld]].

[[File:FirstStrike06-scream.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

The process drained nearly half of Cybertron's energon supply which caused the planet to "scream", the missing energon sent into space as a communication signal that translated to "Welcome. Death". The signal struck the slumbering form of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], and roused the ancient monster into action. {{storylink|First Strike issue 6|First Strike #6}} As Cybertron rebuilt from the invasion, "Onyx Prime" arrived alongside [[Liege Maximo]] and his [[Maximal]] hordes to put the final stages of his plan into action: {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} now convinced that Cybertron itself was not worth saving, "Onyx" revealed his true identity to Cybertron, engineering a series of crises designed to break the collective faith of Cybertron in everything that they believed in. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} Everything Shockwave had worked towards for the last twelve million years was in anticipation of Unicron's arrival: the very Talisman itself was poisoned bait; when Unicron consumed the planet, its corrosive energies would kill him from the inside out. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

[[File:Unicron4 Unicron Kills Cybertron.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]

In the meantime, however, the Talisman was still in service to the [[Darkling Lord]]s of Prysmos, who had recently come to inhabit the caverns beneath the planet, burrowing its way to Vector Sigma to complete its mission of transforming the entire planet into a copy of Prysmos. {{storylink|Schismatic}} To save the planet, Wheeljack constructed an anti-Talisman bomb that would counteract its [[magic]], and when the bomb detonated, the exotic energies had the combined effect of transforming a patch of Cybertron into a copy of Prysmos' old biosphere, while also beaming a second message out into space: one that simply said "Unicron." {{storylink|Transformers vs. Visionaries}} {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}}

Indeed, Unicron awoke and began his assault on the galaxy not long afterwards, and after destroying eleven of the worlds affiliated with the Transformers, Unicron attacked Cybertron directly. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}} Though the populace initially attempted to fight back, {{storylink|Our Finest}} Windblade was forced to call on the Visionaries, who used a combination of their magic and the Talisman to teleport the population of Iacon to Earth. Contrary to Shockwave's predictions, the destruction of Cybertron did ''not'' spell the destruction of Unicron; the planet-eater, intelligent enough to realize the threat that the tainted planet posed to his own body, simply destroyed the planet by tearing it apart, unleashing a burst of energy that ripped the planet in half. {{storylink|Road's End}}
{{-}}

====The Functionist Universe====
[[File:SomeOtherCybertron-FunctionistIacon.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
In a world where Megatron had never been created, the [[Functionist Council]] grew ever more powerful, to the point where they eventually usurped the [[Senate]] and functionally conquered the planet. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}} When the Council concluded that alien life had no purpose in [[Primus]]'s grand design, they isolated their homeworld from the rest of the galaxy to stoke the fires of fear and xenophobia, while they worked to create an army powerful enough to wage war on the galaxy. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}

After the intervention of [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]] cost the Council [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]], {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}} the Council turned Cybertron itself into their instrument of destruction, outfitting it with a set of [[planetary engine]]s and using the [[Warren]] to travel from world to world. The planet's lack of mobility proved a hindrance, prompting the Council to reengineer the planet so that it possessed a robot mode, cast in the likeness of the mythological Primus. With this new avatar, the Functionists were able to breach realities, and crossed over from their home reality to make war against the primary timeline—an event briefly glimpsed by [[Adaptus]], who had himself used the Warren to flee across time and space so as to prepare for the threat. Rationalizing that ''five'' Cybertrons, untouched by war, could command exponentially more power, he commissioned a planet-sized mold and created the "[[God Gun]]". {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}}

[[File:LL23 NowWeSaveTheUniverse.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Pursued by the dimensionally displaced Megatron and the [[Anti-Vocationist League]] back into Megatron's home reality, the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] offered the suggestion to blow up Cybertron, though Megatron overruled it on account of the trillions of innocents still trapped on the planet. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}} The crew soon deduced a way to overload Vector Sigma, preserving Cybertron while killing the Functionists. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} After forcing "Primus" back into planet mode, the crew allied with the Architect's forces to stage an invasion of Cybertron, battling [[Functionary|Functionaries]] until they opened twelve duplicate Matrices at each of Cybertron's hot spots, the surge of energy overloading Vector Sigma and vaporizing the Functionists. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}}

With the native Cybertron recently annihilated by Unicron, this world—now stranded in a parallel reality—was eventually christened "New Cybertron" by those who chose to live there. [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] made the decision to remove the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s quantum engines to double the universally displaced planet's energon reserves. With most of the Cybertronian population now based on Earth, New Cybertron was largely left to its own devices; in the years to come, the crew of the ''Lost Light'' took up residence there, while other inhabitants would include millions of [[Lunarian]]s spawned from Luna 1's [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]]. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:ISawThreeShips-CybertronNow.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Cybertron was the alternate mode of [[Primus]], one of the many living worlds created by [[Daiakuron]] at the dawn of time. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}} Though none of the inhabitants of either world were aware of it, Cybertron had a deep connection with the planet Earth, for the organic world was ''also'' a creation of Daiakuron, and Cybertronian artifacts from ancient times could be found across the planet. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}}

Originally located in a distant galaxy, the planet had been ruled by Decepticons ever since the abrupt departure of Optimus Prime, leaving Megatron and his forces free reign of the planet, with the Autobots in disarray under Grimlock's unruly leadership. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}} When Starscream brought Bumblebee's head to Megatron, Megatron pronounced that the Decepticons had won the Great War, {{storylink|The Golden Boys}} and, binding the stolen [[Matrix of Leadership]] to his Spark, {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}} he subjugated Primus to his will via [[Vector Sigma]]. Cybertron then slowly began to transform into a massive spaceship in the shape of Megatron's face that would cyberform the galaxy. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}} [[Psych Out]] described Cybertron as "the ultimate Transformer" owing to its constantly shifting geography though whether this was a natural phenomenon or a side-effect of Megatron's plan is unclear. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

[[File:FormFollowsFunction-theeverchangingworld.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Cybertron then moved into Earth's solar system, {{storylink|I Saw Three Ships}} before it was invaded by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], using a combination of a "[[G.I.Rocket|green bomb]]" fusillade and a strategically deployed [[Weather Dominator]] to terraform portions of Iacon into an environment capable of sustaining human life. {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} Soon after, Cybertron grew a pair of mega mountains that reached high into its atmosphere. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}} Megatron then used the horns to gouge into the Earth, seemingly destroying it {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}} so as to clear a path to the Sun, intending to consume the star and supercharge his creation powers. {{storylink|Escape from Primus}} Believing Earth to be destroyed, various surviving groups, such as the [[Oktober Guard]], attempted to claim Cybertron as their new homeworld. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}}

Starved of energy, Primus needed little incentive to consume the star, creating a dyson sphere from his own body to speed up its consumption before Primus was stopped by [[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]]—Earth's own robotic form. Though many Cybertronians chose to emigrate from Cybertron to various planets and moons in Earth's solar system, Rodimus guided the impaired but functional Primus back to his original orbit. With Optimus on a mission to the find the [[Quintesson|Makers]], Rodimus took charge of the planet. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[File:Beast Wars Uprising - Map of Cybertron.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Cybertron orbits the star [[Hadean]]. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}} Eleven million years prior to [[2384]], Cybertron was consumed by the Great War, its third planetary level conflict. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} As the conflict escalated, groups of Cybertronians fled to establish new colony worlds where they could live in peace. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

Four million years prior to 2384, the ''Ark'' and ''Nemesis'' left Cybertron only to crash on the primitive world of Earth. {{storylink|A Change to the Agenda}} When the two crews reawoke in 1984, the Decepticons reestablished contact with Cybertron. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

Following the [[Scouring of Nebulos]] in [[2031]], the technologically advanced [[Human Confederacy]] confined the Cybertronian race to the [[Allowed Zone]], a small region of space consisting of Cybertron and nine of its colonies. Recognizing the burgeoning human empire as an obstacle, [[Decepticon leader]] [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] conquered the Allowed Zone for the resources needed to rebuild the [[Decepticon fleet]]. With his reborn army, Galvatron launched the [[Great Push]] in [[2033]] but was ultimately defeated by the [[Confederated Terran Colonial Fleet]] {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} in a narrow victory. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}} The humans responded to the attack by halving the Allowed Zone, the inhabitants of the soon to be sterilized worlds emigrating to Cybertron. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}}

At some point during the early to mid 21st century, Unicron attacked Cybertron only to be destroyed by the sacrificial efforts of the [[Point One Percenter]]s. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

After millions of years of war, Cybertron's energon supplies were left drained. The Decepticon scientist Thunderwing developed the [[Micromaster]]s as a fuel-efficient successor race, both sides eventually fielding them as the primary warriors in the Great War. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}} {{storylink|Identity Politics}} Thunderwing eventually became the new Decepticon leader and led an expedition to find the mythical [[Underbase]]. Successful, Thunderwing's power was boosted to obscene levels and making him a threat to all of Cybertron. The Autobots allied with the non-insane Decepticons to save their world, trapping Thunderwing's mutated spark and the Underbase's energies in Cybertron's [[core]]. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}} While Thunderwing died, the energies of the Underbase allowed the core to begin slowly healing Cybertron's ravaged biosphere. {{storylink|Derailment}}

With the restoration of the biosphere centuries off, Cybertron was left a dying planet following Thunderwing's defeat. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} Now settled into an uneasy truce, the Autobots and Decepticons joined forces as the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builders of Cybertron]], though their old grudges and factional divides remained. With energon having attained such a high premium, the [[Macromaster]]s wired themselves into Cybertron itself. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}} The Micromasters were fuel efficient enough to remain mobile, causing the petty builders to look down upon them as second class citizens. {{storylink|Identity Politics}}

With [[Vector Sigma]], the source of new [[spark]]s, having been destroyed in the Great War, the Builder [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] reached out to the Human Confederacy, hoping to recreate their [[Eutychus Project]]. While the humans wouldn't hand over the project's secrets, they surrendered enough knowledge for Cerebros to build the [[Energon Matrix|energon matrix]] as a successor to Vector Sigma. Though Cerebros had hoped that this could lead to a new generation of Cybertronians that had never known war, the Builders saw the new generation as a means to continue the Great War. With the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s as the successors to the Autobots and Decepticons, respectively, the Builders used the new generation for sport in a series of violent [[Games (competition)|Games]] fought in the ruined remains of the old Builder cities. {{storylink|Head Games}} At the same time, new breeds of Cybertronian life—[[mechanimal]]s—began to emerge in the ruins of these old cities. While the older generations of Cybertronians considered them vermin, the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] had masterminded the process after the return of the Underbase to Cybertron's core as a means for the wounded planet to heal itself by generating a functioning, self-sustaining ecosystem. {{storylink|Derailment}}

This dystopian Cybertron was rocked by the [[Grand Uprising]], a protracted war where the Maximals and Predacons fought to topple the stagnant oligarchy that their predecessors had established. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}} Shortly after the Beast Upgrade hit the planet, [[Overshoot]] claimed that the Oracle had ''also'' engineered this war, an evolutionary step forward that would free the citizens of Cybertron from their dependence on energon cubes. The war ended with the disastrous [[Vehicon Apocalypse]], and although the [[Resistance]] had ostensibly won the war by that point, it took the united forces of Maximal, Predacon, and Builder alike to curtail the genocidal ambitions of [[Lord Imperious Delirious]]. In the end, the planet was reorganized under the egalitarian [[Cybertronian Parliament]]. {{storylink|Derailment}}

Years afterwards, as the Human Confederacy fell victim to the [[Fall of Man]], the Cybertronian race ventured beyond the Allowed Zone once again. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}} While communing with the Oracle during the Grand Uprising, Overshoot glimpsed visions of the distant future, and saw a time when Earth and Cybertron would first unite against a grave threat before eventually merging into a single, technorganic planet. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Primax 185.0 Beta]], Cybertron was the capital of the [[Decepticon Empire]]. When the Decepticons went to war with the [[Quintesson Pan Galactic Co-Prosperity Sphere]], their resistance promoted [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] to try and transfer his [[spark]] into Cybertron itself and be reborn as [[Grand Galvatron]]. As he commenced the transfer however, his spark was destroyed by the sacrificial efforts of [[Ratchet (G1)|The Autobot]] and the [[Dreadnok]]s. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/04}}

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
As the Great War continued, Decepticon science created [[Thunder Mayhem]], a combiner so destructive that it was thought to have destroyed Cybertron outright and brought about the functional extinction of the Cybertronian race. {{storylink|Life Finds a Way}} {{storylink|History}} In reality, the combiner, while enacting a near-genocide, had simply devastated the planet's surface. {{storylink|Divination}} The Decepticon remained there for a while before he left to destroy other worlds. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}}

When [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], [[Fractyl]] and [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] were seeking out allies for their crusade, they travelled to the ruins of their homeworld and found [[Toxitron (Universe)|Toxitron]]. {{storylink|The Toxic Transformer}}

Left on Cybertron, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] eeked out an existence before he was contacted by the [[Teklaan]]s who claimed that they could restore his world. Eager to bring about "New Cybertron", Bluestreak made contact with the [[Wreckers]] and brought them back home, sacrificing them to the Teklaans to provide them with the information they needed to rejuvenate the biosphere. As the prodding happened, Fractyl remembered that the Teklaans' last creation had fallen victim to a virus, implanted by the Teklaans themselves, and died off in a few generations. After convincing Bluestreak to aid them, the Wreckers confronted the Teklaans only to learn that the cyberforming had already begun. After incorporating Bluestreak and Impactor into [[Wreckage (G1)|Wreckage]], the combiner destroyed the Teklaan ship, the central node of the cyberforming, and sent the [[alien]]s running. Upon leaving Cybertron, Impactor assured Bluestreak that his plan had been a good one but until Thunder Mayhem was defeated, it wasn't viable. {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' continuity===
====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material====
Cybertron was drained of life by the war of conquest which [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] started. {{storylink|Megatron (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Megatron toy bio}}

Cybertron was the possible location of one of thirteen [[Titan (group)|Titans]], alongside [[Unicron]], [[Master (planet)|Dominius]], [[Nebulos]], [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], [[Antilla]], [[Paradron]], [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], [[Earth]], [[Velocitron]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Biosfera]], [[Aquatron]], [[Botropolis]], [[Micro]]n, and [[Gigantion]]. {{storylink|Titans Return (toyline)#Summer convention exclusives|Titan Force}}<ref>[[:File:TR_Titan_Force_map.jpg|''Titans Return'' Titan Force 3-pack map]]</ref>

[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] once led a Decepticon attack on an Autobot base on Cybertron only to be routed when the base transformed into [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (G1)#Generations|''Titans Return'' Fortress Maximus online bio}}

====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons====
[[File:TF-CW-EP2-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Aw, it's all cracked! That's bound to hurt its resale value.]]
In eons past, Cybertron was ruled by the [[Thirteen]], who successfully vanquished [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] with the help of the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]]. {{storylink|The Swamp}} In the age that followed, the Thirteen were known to have inhabited, and subsequently sealed away, a variety of locations such as the mythical library of knowledge, the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. Finally, however, Megatronus would accidentally murder his beloved, [[Solus Prime]], and for this punishment he banished himself from the planet. The Requiem Blaster would be sealed within a dome inside the [[Primal Swamp]], guarded by a lineage of warriors; by the present day, the most recently appointed guardian of the Blaster was [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}}

Though Cybertron and many other planets were ravaged by the Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons, the conclusion of the conflict allowed for the [[Council of Worlds|Council]]—consisting of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and the [[Mistress of Flame]]—to serve as the heads of the new postwar government, {{storylink|The Council}} while Megatron and Optimus Prime both chose to leave Cybertronian civilization to develop and retreated to the wildernesses of Cybertron to continue their lives in self-imposed exile. {{storylink|The Duel}} {{storylink|Unforgotten}}

It would not be until the events of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]] that both Prime and Megatron would return to civilization to help deal with the [[Enigma of Combination]], {{storylink|Unforgotten}} and were subsequently instrumental in combating the threat that a Starscream-possessed [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] posed to the planet. Prime perished during Megatronus's return, {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}} causing many of Cybertron's people to turn on one another for fear of the coming apocalypse. {{storylink|The Swamp}}. Optimus Primal was later upgraded by the Matrix into the powerful "Optimal Optimus" {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} and, after Megatronus's defeat, would become the next leader of Cybertron, supported by the wisdom of the newly revived Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
[[File:PrimesDirectivePart2-cybertron.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Four million years in the past, Cybertron was a rogue planetoid menaced by asteroids, leading to the launch of the ''Ark'' and its subsequent crash on [[Earth]].

While mind-melded with Optimus Prime, [[Spock]] experienced a vision of Cybertron during the planet's [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} while [[James T. Kirk]] glimpsed flashes of the planet's [[Golden Age]] when he [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}}
{{-}}

===2019 IDW continuity===

[[File:Transformers43-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Cybertronian religion held that the Transformers were the descendants of [[Primus]], who had, in ages past, reshaped his body into a living mechanical planet. {{storylink|I Have No Mouth And I Must Starscream}} At the core of the planet existed the [[AllSpark]], a massive [[spark]] from which all others spawned from. {{storylink|War's End Part Two}} {{storylink|War's End Part Four}} The first Transformers who ruled Cybertron were the [[Thirteen]]; in time, however, their numbers dwindled, and it would be [[Solus Prime]] who created a second generation of Cybertronians, the [[Firstforged]]. {{storylink|End of Time}} During the subsequent [[Age of the Firstforged]], early Cybertronian heroes like [[Halonix Maximus]] helped tame the wilderness, battle and subdue bestial Transformers like [[Preditron]], {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|Tremors}} and raise towering works of art like the settlement that would eventually become [[Crystal City]]. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}}

Some time before the present day, a group of Cybertronians once used the [[Enigma of Combination]] to become [[Abominus (G1)|"The Abomination"]], a monstrous, fuel-guzzling combiner which ravaged the planet until a group of Transformers successfully felled the creature in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}} Over time, the Cybertronians established a planetary [[Senate]] led by a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], who served as the assembly's "First Senator." {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 3}}

Eventually, the Cybertronian race began their [[Expansion|Age of Expansion]]; as the [[Forge Pyramid|Pyramid]] birthed many new Transformers, {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 2}} the people of Cybertron [[Cybertronian colonies|colonized]] new worlds with the assistance of many [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s and vanquished rival galactic powers. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}} During this prosperous age, Cybertron was invaded by the [[rust worm]]s, a species of metallivores that secreted liquid rust, devouring the planet's innards. The planet responded to this by forming an impenetrable basin, containing the worms and creating the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]]. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} The age eventually came to an end when one Transformer, [[Exarchon]], was "corrupted" on a voyage away from Cybertron, and plunged his homeworld into the catastrophic [[War of the Threefold Spark]]. The war saw the mass conscription of many Cybertronians to stop the menace; although Exarchon's forces were defeated, the cost was high, and Cybertron was left broken and ravaged by the war. To limit further Cybertronian expansionism and help rebuild their planet, then-Autobot leader [[Nominus Prime]] passed the [[Nominus Edict]], which forbade the colonization of other worlds, mandated strict laws regarding [[energon]] rationing and storage, and limited the forging of new Transformers. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Three}}

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPart1-Iacon.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

The ensuing era saw the rebuilding of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], the construction of the [[Winged Moon]] to provide Cybertron with a limitless supply of energon, and the great [[Tether]] that connected it to Cybertron. {{storylink|Orion Pax: Free Fall}} {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}} While some Transformers looked back on the past with regret, noting that their expansion had caused other races to fear their destructive nature, {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}} other Cybertronians like [[Termagax]] mourned a lost age of prosperity and potential that'd been cut short and felt that the Nominus Edict had overstayed its welcome. {{storylink|Orion Pax: Free Fall}}

By the time that [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] supplanted Nominus Prime, Cybertron had established diplomatic relations with other neighboring powers such as the [[Thraal]], [[Occulted Dremden]], and [[Voin]]; {{storylink|Nautica: Home}} in time, different [[alien]] species immigrated to Cybertron and established various ethnic enclaves, such as Iacon's sprawling [[Xeno-Quarter]]. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}} They brought with them animals like [[skitter]]s and [[flyt]]s, which turned invasive and established breeding populations on the metal planet. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}}

Termagax's "[[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]" movement grew to become a substantial political party that advocated for the abolition of the Nominus Edict in order to restart a new age of colonization and conquest; despite this sentiment, the Edict had indeed brought peace to the metallic planet, to the extent that [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]]'s murder was the first in living memory. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}} {{storylink|Nautica: Home}} Eventually, however, tensions between the Autobots and Ascenticons flared, and their early conflicts saw the destruction of the [[Memorial Crater]] {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three}} and a sleeping Titan in the [[Cybertronian Mountains]]. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Two}} One particularly vicious terrorist attack saw the Ascenticons hijack the Titan [[Vigilem]] and use him to destroy the Tether. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}} In response, [[Heretech]]'s [[Reversionist]]s opted to flee the planet. {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

The Reversionists soon returned to the planet however, intending to purify it of sinners, {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|A Truth for a Truth}} before [[Gauge]] exposed Heretech as nothing more than an ordinary Cybertronian, denouncing his zealotry. As Heretech was taken away, some of the Reversionists opted to remain on Cybertron while the rest intended to leave once the ''[[Exodus (G1 ship)|Exodus]]'' was repaired. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Three: Moment of Truth|Moment of Truth}}

When Sentinel Prime sought to denounce the Ascenticons, the party - now calling themselves the "Decepticons" - stormed the [[Senate]] building and seized it by force, {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|We Have Deceived You}} locking up the Senators. When Sentinel Prime managed to escape, the [[Rainmaker]]s slew him, the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and rightful rulership of Cybertron passing onto his second Orion Pax, now renamed as Optimus Prime. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}} As Optimus rallied the Autobots against the Decepticons, {{storylink|War World: Awakenings|Awakenings}} their forces began targeting Iacon's [[Xeno-Quarter]], Optimus ordering the evacuation of all aliens from the planet. {{storylink|Escape Part One}} As the Decepticons consolidated their power, it was found that the [[data-bomb]] they'd used on the Titans was too effective. Fearing that the Autobots might be able to reactivate the giants, Megatron ordered them brought down. When the Titan [[Cargohold]] crashed in the [[Memorial Crater]], [[Roadtrap (POTP)|Roadtrap]] and [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] found [[Provoke]] in the ruins, {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} unaware that she had been usurped by [[Exarchon]]. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|Enigmatic}}

As tensions mounted, unusually intense geological activity began plaguing Cybertron, {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Two}} {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|Tremors}} mounting to such a degree that [[Straxus (G1)|Straxxus]] began to fear that the quakes might rupture the strata formed to limit the Sea of Rust, running the risk of unleashing the rust worms into the very fabric of Cybertron, disintegrating it. For this reason, Straxxus began restoring one of the old ''Ark''-class vessels to evacuate [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]]'s citizens, generously turning over the other three to [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to evacuate the alien immigrants. {{storylink|Escape Part Two}} Concurrently, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] went rogue, sending their clone swarms across Cybertron to devour anything in their path. {{storylink|Escape Part Three}} When the Insecticons attacked the organic refugees at [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], Straxxus launched his escape ships, only for one to be targeted and destroyed by the Insecticon clones. With Straxxus gone, the third ''Ark'' was used to evacuate most of the alien refugees, {{storylink|Escape Part Five}} with Darkmount being turned into a haven for refugees. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}}

When the reclusive [[Termagax]] was located and was found to be holding the [[Enigma of Combination]], {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Swindle's II|Swindle's II}} the Autobots and Decepticons converged on her [[House (building)|House]]. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} The battle saw the predicted fracturing of the Sea of Rust's basin, releasing the rust worms on the rest of the planet. As the Sea expanded, the Enigma fell in and concurrently, Exarchon began his power play once again. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|Enigmatic}}

In Flatline's body, Exarchon recruited Shockwave, Soundblaster and the Combaticons to him. Unwilling to hitch his wagon to the Threefold Spark again, {{storylink|War's End Part One}} Skywarp teleported to Iacon and warned Starscream of Exarchon's return. {{storylink|War's End Part Two}} Concurrently, Strika led a charge against the Autobot refuge of [[Crystal City]] only to be forced into a parlay by the arrival of [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] and [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}} {{storylink|The Landscape of Fear}} Allowed to speak to Megatron, Optimus proposed a temporary alliance to save Cybertron, promising that the Decepticons could have the planet in the aftermath. On Starscream and Soundwave's advice, Megatron agreed. {{storylink|The Landscape of Fear}} {{storylink|War's End Part Two}}

Knowing Strika would honor both the spirit and the letter of the alliance, Megatron pulled her out and sent [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] against the Autobots, having his general conduct a bombing that placed the Autobots in the path of the rust worms. {{storylink|Radical Time}} When Termagax witnessed an Insecticon overpower a rust worm, {{storylink|The Landscape of Fear}} she hit on the idea of turning the two predators against one another. {{storylink|Radical Time}} Once the viral program had been created [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]] was able to detonate it on [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]. Though Optimus was unsure if the Insecticons would win, they ended the threat of the rust worms. {{storylink|End of Time}}

Shortly before the fall of Crystal City, Optimus had sent a team to the [[Sonic Canyons]] to look for any clues about Exarchon. After they were found by the tyrant, {{storylink|War's End Part One}} they discovered his ultimate plan to use his abilities on the AllSpark and become Cybertron itself. When the Autobots caught up to the last third of Exarchon's spark, [[Zetar (G1)|Zetar]] managed to destroy the Threefold Spark, ending his threat and saving Cybertron. {{storylink|War's End Part Four}}

As Optimus' convoy marched to Darkmount, they were met by Megatron's elite who refused to allow them to leave, knowing that the Autobots would frustrate the Decepticons' galactic expansion. The arrival of [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] and the removal of the [[imploder]]-bearing [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] allowed the Autobots to continue onwards. Arriving at Darkmount, Optimus learnt the last ''Ark'' and Lodestar had been sufficiently repaired enough to leave the planet. As boarding commenced, the Decepticon army attacked, both Computron and [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]] falling to the might of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. To buy the Autobots enough time to leave, [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] called on the power of the [[Combination Core]] to add [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]], [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]], [[Javelin]] and [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] to the mix. Reborn as a ten-bot combiner, Computron managed to overpower Devastator and hold off the Decepticons long enough for the Autobot ships to launch. Though Shockwave congratulated Megatron on conquering Cybertron, the Decepticon leader was well aware that the war had only just begun. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

====Alternate future====
In a possible future where Exarchon had conquered Cybertron, the planet had become a ruined wasteland with its energon being beamed off into space while its surviving citizens were sold off to the [[Mercenary]] faction. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II|Test Flight II}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers/Ghostbusters''===
[[File:GhostsofCybertron2-DecepticonMassacre.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Why the artists failed to sneak in another [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] death cameo, we'll never know.]]
While the Autobots fled Cybertron at the end of the Great War, [[Decepticon High Command]] was visited by [[Gozer]] who proceeded to take Starscream's form and attack Cybertron. Though the Decepticons fought back, they found their power outmatched by the invader. Unable to flee, Megatron was approached by [[Kremzeek|Kremzeek the Scavenger]] who had come seeking the [[AllSpark]], shuttled off Cybertron by the recently departed Autobots. Bargaining with the Decepticon leader, Kremzeek turned Megatron and his inner retinue into [[ghost]]s, leaving the majority of the Cybertronian race to be destroyed by Gozer along with their planet. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1}} {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 2}} {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 4}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. The Terminator''===
When the Autobots reawoke, thanks to the interference of the time-travelling [[T-800]], Optimus Prime questioned what the intruder knew of Cybertron. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}} When the time traveller later destroyed the ''Ark'', the Autobots and Decepticons agreed to a truce until they could find an alternate method of returning to Cybertron. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon===
Long before the Great War, Cybertron was ruled by the [[Quintesson]] Empire who sold off its population as slaves. The Cybertronians eventually rebelled against their masters and reclaimed their world. The [[Quintesson Judge|Judge]] [[Deseeus]] would later claim credit for emancipating the Cybertronians, though the veracity of this claim is unknown. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

In the era prior to the Great War, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] was a revolutionary leader who brought freedom to Cybertron, taking on Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus and Megatron as his students. {{storylink|Siege episode 1}} A great battle took place at [[Tarn-Hauser Gate]], with it becoming the largest mass grave in Cybertron's history. {{storylink|Siege episode 4}} The Autobots rebuilt Cybertron, {{storylink|Siege episode 5}} before the Transformers began colonizing other worlds, such as [[Velocitron]], travelling to them via [[space bridge|Space Bridges]]. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

Under as of yet unrevealed circumstances, Megatron led the Decepticons into the destructive Great War against the Autobots. The Decepticons proved the superior fighting force, setting up [[Surrender Station]]s across Cybertron. {{storylink|Siege episode 3}} As energon became ever scarcer, neutrals across Cybertron began hoarding and trading the substance among themselves. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}}

Outmatched, the Autobots constructed the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'']] to flee their world. As they scavenged for enough energon to power the ship, they discovered the last Space Bridge. {{storylink|Siege episode 1}} After learning that Megatron sought the Allspark to reformat all Autobots into Decepticons, {{storylink|Siege episode 2}} the Autobots decided to launch the Allspark off the planet. {{storylink|Siege episode 3}}

After Bumblebee had inherited the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]], he used the information to pinpoint the Allspark's current location. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}} Learning about the protocols, the Decepticons used Ultra Magnus' corpse to engineer a virus that destroyed them, though their similarity to Autobot code led to a widescale crippling of planetary infrastructure. Upon the Autobots retrieving the Allspark from the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]], they managed to launch it through the Space Bridge, the ''Ark'' following shortly afterwards. A handful of Autobots, either by choice or circumstance, had remained behind, pledging to continue the fight against Megatron. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

As Cybertron's condition deteriorated, the Decepticons began construction of their escape ship, the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', fuelling it with the harvested [[spark]]s of a thousand Autobots and Decepticons, setting course for the ''Ark''. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}}

As Megatron led the ''Nemesis'' after the ''Ark'', Shockwave took command of Cybertron, continuing to harvest its citizenry to keep the planet running. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 3}} The Autobots remaining on Cybertron later confronted him at [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] Arena, destroying his facility, {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}} and killing all present.

Without the Allspark, Cybertron's condition continued to worsen, freezing over. When the ''Ark'' returned with the Allspark, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] arrived to try and claim the artifact to destroy [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. Despite their best efforts, Bumblebee succeeded in returning the Allspark to its rightful place, bringing the planet back to life. In the new era, the Autobots and Maximals kept to one side of Cybertron while the Decepticons and Predacons took the other, though Starscream worryingly noted to [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] that Unicron would one day come for them. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 6}}

==== Alternate timeline ====
In the dark future from which the Maximals and Predacons hailed from, the Allspark never returned to Cybertron with Optimus Prime and Megatron being reformatted into Nemesis Prime and Galvatron respectively and made servants to Unicron. Despite the uninhabitable world they lived on, the Maximals and Predacons managed to cease their war and continue their civilization, developing advanced technology such as time travel. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} Seeking to change the past by saving the original Megatron, [[Megatron (BW)|Predacon Megatron]] stole the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], and was chased by the Maximals aboard the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' to Earth. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}} The Maximals and Predacons returned to a new Cybertron with the Autobots and Decepticons, never again seeing their dying world. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 5}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
The [[radiant shrall]]s stopped off at Cybertron during the annual migration, roosting outside the planet's cities. {{storylink|The Beauty of Cybertron}}

In the midst of a battle for a space bridge that managed to pierce the barrier between realities, the Autobots and Decepticons were transported through the portal to the realm of [[Equestria]] as a result of the machine connecting to the [[magic]] of [[Queen Chrysalis]]. {{storylink|Transformation Is Magic}}

Though it was initially believed that [[changeling]] magic was required to reopen a portal to Cybertron, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Spike (MLP)|Spike]] found a way to manage without, prompting Optimus Prime and [[Twilight Sparkle]] to combine the Matrix of Leadership with the power of friendship and banish the Decepticons back to their homeworld. After a delightful tea and energon party, the Autobots followed suit. Though Optimus destroyed the space bridge to prevent Cybertron from menacing Equestria ever again, Shockwave had retained the dimensional coordinates of the equine realm and noted it was possible to bring its magic to Cybertron. {{storylink|Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|Finale}}

Constructing a new space bridge, the Decepticons pilfered several magical artifacts and natives from Equestria only to come to blows with Twilight Sparkle and her friends once again. In the conflict, Twilight fired a blast of magic at one of the Decepticons' prizes, freeing [[King Sombra]]. When the evil unicorn king took in his new surroundings, he deemed Cybertron a suitable place to build a new army, enthralling some of his old foes and several Decepticons to his will. {{storylink|The Magic of Cybertron}}

The young [[Scootaloo]] was among the many ponies that the Decepticons had brought to their home, with her caretakers [[Holiday]] and [[Lofty]] following to find her. After the two had befriended Arcee and Greenlight and helped them see off the enthralled [[Killmaster]], Scootaloo arrived, having befriended some Cybertronian youths. Content that the children were safe, the four adults settled down to a picnic. {{storylink|A Real Mother}}

Sombra's thralls were sent across the planet, stealing energy infrastructure from various sites. When Knock Out took Ratchet and [[Rarity]] on a tour of Cybertron's tourist spots, the three discovered that using Cybertronian technology to enhance [[unicorn]] magic negated Sombra's spell. {{storylink|The Beauty of Cybertron}}

When Sombra sought to enthral the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the Cybertronian/pony alliance confronted him, freeing his slaves with the power of friendship and overloading the Titan's systems, ending the threat. In the aftermath, hostilities between Autobot and Decepticon diminished as Cybertron began moving towards an official alliance with Equestria. {{storylink|Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)|Finale}}

===2021 ''Beast Wars'' comic===
In the centuries following the Great War, the Autobots and Decepticons had been supplanted by the Maximals and Predacons, with the former holding the majority of the power on Cybertron. When the Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Galavar]] went rogue, his followers stole the Golden Disk from the [[Wheeljack Ministry of Science|Science Ministry]] and a warship from the [[Great Shipyard]] while destroying all the others, fleeing from Cybertron to plan without interference. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 1}}

Following their running afoul of the [[Vok]], the Predacons joined forces with the Maximals who had pursued them. [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] eventually hit on the idea of using the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]''{{'}}s [[Transwarp Drive]] to send a message through [[unspace]] to Cybertron. Their idea was later used by [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] who hoped that he would be brought an escape ship. {{storylink|The Beginning of the End}} After the Vok had been defeated, [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] offered the Predacons passage back to Cybertron only for them to refuse, noting that they would be punished for Megatron's crimes. Agreeing, Rhinox and [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] noted to Optimus that they would need to take Megatron prisoner before returning home. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}
{{-}}

==''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)==
[[File:RID Cybertron.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Well, it's... uh... it's green!]]
Cybertron was located near or orbiting a larger ringed world, {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} and had an [[asteroid prison colony]] in which dangerous [[Predacon (BW)#2001 Robots in Disguise Continuity family|Predacon]] prisoners were interred. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}} At one point there were a series of civil wars, in which [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], both creations of [[Alpha Trion (RID)|Alpha Trion]], fought side by side. Following the wars, Magnus was honored, but [[Vector Sigma]] selected Optimus as Autobot leader and bestowed on him the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

The Predacons on Cybertron were ruled over by a [[Predacon Council|council]], of which [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] was a subordinate, {{storylink|Mystery of the Ultra Magnus}} though he once claimed to be "leader of the Predacons and future ruler of the galaxy" and that he was already "ruler of many worlds". {{storylink|Battle Protocol!}} Cybertron is also known to have an education system in place, featuring courses for such topics as Theoretical Mechanics, of which the Autobot [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] had been first in his class. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}
{{--}}

==Unicron Trilogy==
Cybertron was the body of [[Primus]]. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}} Nine billion years ago, he created the [[Thirteen]] to aid him in his fight against [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}}

Another account claimed that Primus was a "unique digital entity" that came into existence eons ago. To search for other life in the universe, it sent out the Transformers as explorers. One of the first places the Transformers settled was the planet that would eventually become known as Cybertron. {{storylink|First Encounter}}

Unicron made another attempt to attack Cybertron but he was stopped by the mighty warrior [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Omega Supreme (episode)|Omega Supreme}} Joined by the four "Maximus" combiners he went into stasis lock deep beneath Cybertron to guard a reservoir of [[Super Energon]]. {{storylink|Ambition}} The Chaos Bringer however went into stasis lock and disguised himself as a moon orbiting Cybertron. {{storylink|Alliance}} Cybertron had at least two other moons. {{storylink|Titans}}

[[File:PlanetCybertron Armada.jpg|left|165px|thumb|Flaky crust.]]

The Cybertronians attempted to turn Cybertron into the centre of a galaxy spanning empire via establishing four colony worlds with the intent of using the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s to [[cyberforming|cyberform]] them into mechanical worlds before connecting them all via a galaxy wide [[Space bridge|Space Bridge]]. For unknown reasons however, the plan fell through with Cybertron losing contact with the ships it sent out. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}} The four worlds evolved in their own way with most considering Cybertron to be little more than a legend. {{storylink|Invasion (episode)|Invasion}}

As the millennia rolled past, the Cybertronians fell into civil war. {{storylink|First Encounter}} Seeing an opportunity at revival, Unicron spawned the [[Mini-Con]]s intending for these diminutive robots to grant additional power to the Autobots and Decepticons so he could feed off the escalating war. {{storylink|Prehistory}} As a result of their unintended sentience however, {{storylink|Drift (episode)|Drift}} the Mini-Cons soon realized what they were doing to Cybertron and its people and promptly left the planet so that their power could do no harm. [[Exodus (Armada)|Their ship]] crashed on one of the four ancient colony worlds, [[Earth]]. {{storylink|First Encounter}} At some point during the war, [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] gathered [[Team Rodimus (Energon)|a crew]] to escape the endless battle. {{storylink|The Legend of Rodimus}} Composed of both Autobots and Decepticons, these warriors left Cybertron behind for [[Omnitron]]. {{storylink|Survival Instincts}}

In [[2010]], the unwitting [[Rad White]] activated [[High Wire (Armada)|one of the Mini-Cons]] which beamed a signal to Cybertron alerting the planet to the Mini-Cons' location. While [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] led their inner circles to Earth to retrieve the Mini-Cons, the bulk of the Cybertronians remained on their homeworld to continue battle. {{storylink|First Encounter}}

After repeated battles on Earth, Megatron managed to slay Optimus Prime and obtain all three Mini-Con superweapons. The Decepticons set course back for Cybertron, followed by the Autobots. {{storylink|Depart}} Unicron however made his move prompting [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to sacrifice himself to unite the warring planet. {{storylink|Cramp}} Unicron's defeat marked the end of the war and both Autobots and Decepticons began working together to rebuild their world. {{storylink|Mortal Combat}}

[[File:PlanetCybertron Energon.jpg|165px|thumb|I can see my house from here!]]

In the aftermath, the existence of Cybertronians was revealed to the human race who sent an envoy to Cybertron in [[2012]] to establish friendly relations. {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)|Cybertron City}}

In [[2020]], however, Unicron and Megatron returned. {{storylink|Megatron Raid}} After Cybertron had been protected by [[Energon tower (technology)|energon towers]], the Autobots and Decepticons fought Unicron. {{storylink|Shockblast: Rampage}} After Unicron's physical form had been destroyed, {{storylink|Unicron Perishes}} he possessed Megatron and travelled to the [[Super Energon]] reservoir below the planet to properly revive himself turning Megatron into Galvatron once again. {{storylink|Wishes}} The release of energon gas however moved the planet from its orbit into [[Alpha Q's universe]]. {{storylink|Formidable}} Primus trapped Unicron's essence in a star composed of [[Super Energon]]. {{storylink|The Sun}}

[[File:PlanetCybertron GalaxyForce.jpg|left|165px|thumb|You DENTED it!]]

The conflict ended (again), the now predominantly Autobot and Neutral population began to rebuild their world. A further ten years later however, Primus's plan failed when the star collapsed into a [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]] so powerful it not only threatened to consume reality itself but warped space/time, altering the past to an extent. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}} With the black hole hovering above Cybertron, Optimus gave the order to evacuate. [[Vector Prime]] returned to the planet for the first time in eons and revealed to Optimus that the Cyber Planet Keys were required to save their homeworld. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}} Though Optimus was skeptical at first, he eventually made the search for the keys the top priority of the Autobots. {{storylink|Hidden (Cybertron)|Hidden}} After the Autobots had retrieved the [[Omega Lock]] and the keys from [[Velocitron]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] and [[Earth]], they brought them all to an altar deep beneath Cybertron where the energy of the three relics (bolstered by the [[Matrix of Leadership]]'s energies) allowed Primus to transform to robot mode. {{storylink|Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron}}

After all four Cyber Planet Keys had been restored to the Omega Lock, Primus was restored to his full power which allowed him to close the black hole and save the multiverse. With peace now secured, Primus transformed into a new Cybertron which incorporated aspects of all four colony worlds. {{storylink|End}}

The closing of the black hole had left the Jungle Planet drifting near Cybertron. When Galvatron damaged one of the planetary engines being used to restore the colony to its rightful orbit, the Jungle Planet risked slamming into Cybertron before the damage was mended. {{storylink|Unfinished}}

With peace finally restored to the universe, the Autobots hosted the first intergalactic peace conference to decide what to do with the Cyber Planet Keys on Cybertron. At Optimus Prime's suggestion, the four great colony ships launched from Cybertron once again to continue their ancestors' dream of colonizing the universe. {{storylink|Beginning}}
{{-}}

==Live-action film series==
===Movies===
====''Transformers'' film====
[[File:Movie Cybertron surfaceconcept.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hell on Cybertron. Image taken from New York skyline.]]
Cybertron was a world created by a device known as the [[AllSpark]]. With its power, it gave rise to the Transformers, but their civilization soon fell to war over control of the AllSpark—and when the AllSpark was jettisoned from Cybertron, both Autobots and Decepticons chose to pursue it into the depths of space.

Shortly after arriving on Earth, Optimus Prime showed [[Sam Witwicky]] and [[Mikaela Banes]] a hologram of Cybertron so as to highlight the ruthlessness of his ancient foe [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

{{-}}

====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
In ancient times, Cybertron was ruled by the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s, a powerful race of Transformers who refuelled the AllSpark by extinguishing suns, constructing vast [[Star Harvester|harvester]]s that would extinguish suns to refuel the life-giving device. When the Primes visited Earth 17,000 years in the past, however, [[The Fallen|one of their number]] chose to sacrifice Earth by constructing a harvester on the planetary surface. This, in turn, would lead to the sacrifice of the Primes, who sealed the [[Matrix of Leadership]] required to activate said machine in a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb]] composed of their own bodies.

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
[[File:DOTMCybertrontransit.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Honeycomb's big, yeah yeah yeah.]]
At the end of the Great War, [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] attempted to leave Cybertron aboard the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'', carrying a cargo of [[space bridge]] pillars; using these, he hoped, he would be able to teleport Cybertron to Earth, and plunder the resources of the organic world in order to restore his ruined planet.

[[File:DOTM space bridge collapse.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Attempts to replicate the giant gash from Generation 1 have gone horribly wrong.]]
Though his plan would be delayed by the crash of his ship on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], Sentinel would reveal his alliance of convenience with the Decepticons in 2011, and attempt to teleport his homeworld into orbit. However, Bumblebee destroyed the master pillar before Cybertron could fully emerge from the portal, and the planet seemingly collapsed as it fell back through the portal. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

{{-}}

====''The Last Knight'' film====
[[File:TLKCybertronArrives.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Well, there goes the neighborhood... and that neighborhood. And that neighborhood. And that one.]]
Though Cybertron had survived its apparent destruction, the cataclysm left it condensed to a much smaller size than before (only slightly larger than Earth's moon) with several of its continents precariously attached to its core by large metallic cables. The sorceress [[Quintessa (TLK)|Quintessa]] based herself on Cybertron, along with several Decepticon forces, and opted for a variation of Sentinel Prime's plan to restore Cybertron. Instead of draining Earth's resources to revive Cybertron, she would drain the life from [[Unicron]] (the core of the Earth) to revive Cybertron. To do this, she required a staff from Earth and Optimus Prime and thus sent [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]] to retrieve the latter while she moved Cybertron into Earth's orbit. As the planet entered the Sol system, Optimus Prime crashed landed on it where Quintessa found him, brainwashed him and sent him back to Earth after she explained her plan to him. Cybertron's entry into the solar system caused Unicron's six horns to sprout from Earth's crust as the Chaos Bringer reacted to Primus' approach. Human scientists tracked Cybertron's approach and predicted it would collide with, and destroy, the Earth. Cybertron hid its final approach into the solar system behind the [[Sun]], blinding the [[European Space Agency]] from tracking it before its trailing continents caused large gashes on the surface of the [[Moon (moon)|moon]].

When Cybertron arrived in Earth's orbit, its continents slammed into the Earth and caused massive destruction. Quintessa and Megatron then began the ritual, draining Unicron's life force into Cybertron. Cybertron then began knitting itself back together, its continents reconnecting and the damage from the Great War vanishing as the planet began to regain its larger size. The Autobots and the TRF however managed to halt their efforts which left Cybertron in Earth's orbit. Enough of Unicron's life force had been transmitted to it that it had healed most of its damage and that Optimus felt it was time for all Autobots in the galaxy to return to their homeworld.

At the time of its partial restoration, Cybertron possessed notably organic landscapes such as grassy hills. As these were visible from space as the planet approached Earth, it is unknown if they were a natural part of the planet or if Cybertron collected this feature during its journey through interstellar space. {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}

{{-}}

====''Bumblebee'' film====
[[File:Bumblebee-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Wracked by civil war between the Decepticons and the Autobot resistance, it became clear to [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] that the Autobots could not hold out on their besieged planet forever, and ordered his Autobot soldiers to abandon their home and regroup elsewhere in the cosmos. One such warrior, the young Autobot [[Bumblebee (Movie)|B-127]] was sent to scout out the planet [[Earth]], which, eventually, became the temporary fallback position for other Autobot refugees from across the galaxy. {{storylink|Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee}}

{{-}}

===IDW movie comics===
The AllSpark created a race of dimensional travelers, the [[Thirteen|Thirteen Primes]], and made Cybertron suitable for their habitation. The Primes soon discovered that while the AllSpark's power was vast, it was also finite, needing to be recharged. The universe soon provided the answer, for a nearby star went nova, recharging the AllSpark. Though the Primes could travel dimensions, they needed help locating stars and harvesting their energy. The AllSpark responded by creating two things to help the Primes. The first gift was the second race of Cybertronians, the [[Transformer]]s, who could change their forms. The Thirteen Primes ruled over the Transformers with their descendants, forming the [[Dynasty of Primes]], to protect the AllSpark and Cybertron, while seeking out stars to harvest. The Dynasty even shared their dimensional traveling abilities with the [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]]s, those tasked with finding stars. Once they found a star, the Dynasty would follow with [[Constructicon (ROTF)|builders]] to forge a [[Star Harvester|harvester]] to drain a star of its energy and send it to the AllSpark to form [[energon]]. The second gift the AllSpark gave the Dynasty was the [[Matrix of Leadership]], a key which contained the essence of the AllSpark and powered the harvesters. The Dynasty of Primes recognized the potential for destruction the harvesters presented, so they decreed that any star system which supported life was to be spared.

One day, the Dynasty of Primes and their attendants came to [[Earth|a world]] to harvest its [[sun|star]]. Just as the harvester was completed, the Primes discovered [[human|primitive but sentient creatures]]. Twelve of the Primes upheld the sanctity of life, but the thirteenth despised the creatures as insects and sought to steal the AllSpark's power for himself. What followed was the very first battle of Transformer against Transformer, as the rogue Prime and his loyalists waged war against the Dynasty of Primes and their loyalists. The rogue Prime murdered eleven of his brothers, but the twelfth stole the Matrix and hid it a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb]] forged from the bodies of his brothers, sacrificing his own spark to seal the Tomb. The rogue Prime, now known as [[The Fallen]], dispatched the Seekers to find the Matrix. When he returned to Cybertron, he brought his war there as well, killing the rest of the Primes and destroying his brothers' [[Sarcophagus|sarcophagi]] to prevent them from returning. However, he expended much of his power in this process and withdrew to his own sarcophagus to heal. It was there that he learned that he'd made two mistakes: First, the spirits of his brothers were able to seal him in the sarcophagus, preventing him taking over Cybertron. Second, the warriors of the Dynasty had managed to save a single orphan, hiding him from the Fallen. The Dynasty of Primes passed into the realm of legend. {{storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}} {{storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen issue 3|Revenge of the Fallen #3}}

Eventually, what little the Transformers knew of their origins would be lost to time. A new society arose, known as the [[Autobot]]s. The Autobots were a peaceful people, led by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]], head of the [[Science Division]], and [[Megatron (Movie)|Protector Megatron]], head of the [[Defense Force]]. The two leaders created a balance; Optimus was fair while Megatron was firm. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 1|Movie Prequel #1}} Their world's main cities included [[Tyger Pax]], [[Metrotitan (ROTF)|Metrotitan]], [[Simfur]], and the capital city of [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]]. Another area of importance was [[Burthov]], where the Science Division had many facilities. In time, the Autobots began work on a dig near the [[Simfur Temple]], discovering the remains of the Twelve's sarcophagi and the intact sarcophagus of The Fallen. At the same time, unknown [[Ejoornian|alien hostiles]] attacked Cybertron. Megatron had Optimus remove the intact artifact to his quarters to better protect it, allowing him to come under the influence of The Fallen. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}} {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}}

As Megatron began to grow more aggressive, Optimus discovered that he was the orphaned Prime hidden away when the Dynasty fell. Megatron raised an army, the Decepticons, and sought to take the AllSpark to conquer the universe. However, most of the early Decepticon forces left on the [[Nemesis (ROTF)|''Nemesis'']] with The Fallen and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to seek out the harvester. With the number of Megatron's Decepticons now diminished, Optimus assumed his proper [[Prime (rank)|title]] and raised his own army of Autobots. In the war that followed, Cybertron was decimated. Prime eventually sent the AllSpark through a wormhole into deep space, and Megatron pursued it. Both were lost. Without the AllSpark's power, Cybertron became a dead world. The Autobots and the Decepticons scattered across the galaxy, hoping either to create a new world or locate the AllSpark and restore Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}} A number of Transformers remained, with the Decepticons centered in Trypticon (now a ''Decepticon'' capital), but this didn't last long. {{storylink|Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream}}

===Titan movie comics===
Internally, Cybertron has similar features to the inside of a ''Transformer'', including gyroscopic joints. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron, Part: 4}}

While everyone had abandoned Cybertron, the twin Autobot [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] hung out there for a while, and Starscream began organising [[Purple generic drone|an army]] there in secret. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}}

====Alternate timeline====
In a timeline where Megatron won the Battle of Mission City, Cybertron's status was unknown, with everyone abandoning it as it began to die. However, [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] and a group of Decepticons remained, staying alive by using [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]]. Stockade believed they could renew Cybertron by summoning a new power source, one related to the AllSpark. They succeeded in summoning such an energy being, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 17|Return to Cybertron: Part 1}} which did enter Cybertron to renew it...

[[File:Unicron Titan19.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|The Beast Planet!]]
...and to everyone's horror, announced itself as [[Unicron|Unicron, the Anti-Life]]! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron: Part 2}}

The possessed Cybertron was swiftly altered into a scarier-looking form with a large mouth and grasping prongs, turned hostile to those on it, and warped to the Sol system. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 19|Return to Cybertron: Part 3}} The Autobots and Decepticons were able to destroy Unicron, but Cybertron was left in its transformed state and seemingly in the Sol system, as well as continuing to be dead and powerless. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron: Part 4}}

When the Autobots were ordered off American soil, they regrouped ''under'' Cybertron and began working on the teleportation engines that Unicron had left there when he transformed the planet. Using these, they were able to make a decisive strike by teleporting the entire Decepticon army to Cybertron, then teleporting ''Cybertron'' to the far reaches of space. With the engines now burnt out and no energy on the planet, the Decepticons were marooned there, at the cost of the Autobots never being able to go home. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part 3}}
{{--}}

==''TransTech''==
[[File:Axiomnexus.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
This version of Cybertron occupies a unique position within the [[multiverse]]—the [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon|dimension it occupies]] is an overlapping "hub" for many different universes. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/14}} The topology of the multiverse means that careless dimensional travellers may simply "fall through the cracks" and end up on this universe's Cybertron. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015}} In the past, the native Transformers simply assumed that these strange visitors were aliens and helped them offworld. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/06}} At one point, a group of dimensionally-displaced [[Waruder]]s took up residence underneath the planet and fed off the planet's supplies of [[Cybertonium]]. {{storylink|Cybertron's Most Wanted}}

The Autobots and Decepticons of this universe never fell to war; they focussed on the sciences and constrained most of their disagreements to the political arena. {{storylink|Withered Hope}} Without an endless conflict to blunt their development, they made incredible scientific and technological progress, and eventually evolved into highly advanced "[[Transcendent Technomorph]]s". However, many of these breakthroughs were only made possible through the amoral experimentation of [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]] and his master [[Jhiaxus (TransTech)|Jhiaxus]], under a secret government partnership with the Liege Maximo.<ref>[[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]]'s profile in [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|''Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club'' #22]].</ref>

The archivist [[Optimus Prime (TransTech)|Optimus]] and the military professional [[Megatron (TransTech)|Megatron]] exposed [[Sentinel Prime (TransTech)|Sentinel Prime]]'s ties with the Liege Maximo, and after a dramatic battle most of the old [[High Senate]] was swept away and restructured under the auspices of Optimus, who became the next [[Prime (rank)|Prime]].<ref>[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]]'s profile in [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 23|''Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club'' #23]].</ref> Around this point, more and more dimensionally-displaced travellers began arriving, which forced the government to take an active role in accommodating the newcomers {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/06}} Under the supervision of [[Rhinox (TransTech)|Rhinox]], Cybertron's science ministry established monitoring stations across Cybertron, which tracked potential alternate universes and redirected all dimensional traffic through to the processing stations in Axiom Nexus. {{storylink|Withered Hope}} Most dimensional newcomers would be "processed", fitted with an identification bolt, and released into the segregated "Offworlder Zone" reserved for "lowtech" Cybertronians and other alien races, {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}} {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/06}} while more dangerous beings—including "offworlder" versions of Optimus Prime, Megatron, and other faction leaders—would be returned to their home dimension. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/08}} At some point, the inhabitants of this Cybertron encountered and successfully repelled their universe's iteration of [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}

When the Waruders made themselves known and attacked the city of Axiom Nexus, they successfully shut down most of Cybertron with their venom and left only the various "lowtechs" in the Offworlder Zone functional. {{storylink|Cybertron's Most Wanted}} After they'd been dealt with, the Science Ministry took a more proactive role by launching hundreds of dimensional probes into distant universes to search for any more potential threats. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/06}} This didn't last long, however; the coming of the [[Shroud]] fundamentally altered the nature of the multiverse and made dimensional travel much harder, essentially stranding most of the offworlders who had hoped one day to return home in Axiom Nexus. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/10/29}}

==''Shattered Glass'' continuity family==
===Fun Publications ''Shattered Glass'' continuity===
In this backwards universe, the malevolent [[Omega Terminus]] supercomputer exists deep within Cybertron and creates new Transformers by recycling fallen corpses and imbuing them with "embers" instead of [[spark]]s. {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}} Like many other Cybertrons, this iteration does not possess a fixed orbit; {{storylink|Eye in the Sky}} ''unlike'' most versions of Cybertron, however, this particular version possesses water vapor in its atmosphere. {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}}

Cybertron was a peaceful planet whose inhabitants pursued only science and social harmony until the ambitious librarian-turned-warlord [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] founded the warmongering "[[Autobot]]s" bent on conquest and plunder. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}} Only the heroic [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] and his [[Decepticon]]s took a stand against the villains, but their destructive civil war gradually drained the planet of its energy and resources. {{storylink|Do Over}} By the time that the Autobot [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] stumbled into this universe, Cybertron's trajectory had brought it close to [[Earth]] and a dangerous nebula known as the [[Plait Expanse]] that would severely limit travel to and from their homeworld. Optimus constructed the ''[[Ark (SG)|Ark]]'' to conquer the organic planet, but the Decepticons stymied his first attempt to get off-world. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}} With his window of opportunity closing, Prime made a second attempt to launch the ''Ark''; however, the Decepticons pursued the Autobots aboard the starship ''[[Nemesis (SG)|Nemesis]]'' and the battle that precipitated their launch left both Megatron and Optimus stranded on their homeworld as it entered the Plait Nebula. {{storylink|Do Over}}

This Cybertron received a new satellite when the Earth of [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]] entered its orbit as a result of the destruction of its home reality by [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]]'s multiversal villainy. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

Following the [[Shroud]], [[Primus/Shattered Glass|Primus]] reawakened and assumed his robot form for the first time in eons, but had developed an evil personality as a result of ceasing being a [[multiversal singularity]]. Primus attacked the displaced Earth in his orbit but the planet fought back, revealing itself to be Primus's "sister" [[Gaea]]! Gaea was more than capable of defending herself and the [[Knights of Unicron (SG)|Knights of Unicron]] helped her at a pivotal moment in the great clash, blinding Primus, and allowing her to obliterate her foe, destroying his body and thus the Cybertron of this reality. Only Primus's head remained, orbiting Gaea in her planet mode as she became "New Cybertron". {{storylink|The Future Buried...}}

===IDW ''Shattered Glass'' comic===
In the era before the Great War, Cybertron was ruled by a corrupt [[Senate]], one that was protested by Megatron and his future Decepticons. The societal tensions eventually devolved into full-scale civil war between the ruling Autobots and the Decepticon malcontents. The fighting briefly spread to the distant planet [[Earth]] only for the Decepticons to fall back to Cybertron once they were defeated on the organic planet. After the Autobots razed Earth, they too returned to their homeworld, decisively retaking control of it. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 2|Shattered Glass #2}} The Autobots' rule eventually fractured, Goldbug and Prowl breaking off from Optimus Prime and claiming a kingdom of their own, engaging in border skirmishes with their rivals. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 1|Shattered Glass #1}} {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 4|Shattered Glass #4}} Left on Earth, Megatron eventually followed his kind back to Cybertron, a decision he soon came to regret, and took up an existence as a hermit in the wilderness. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 2|Shattered Glass #2}}

[[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] eventually tracked down Megatron, {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 1|Shattered Glass #1}} managing to reignite his fighting spirit with a plan to reawaken the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Metroplex (SG)|Metroplex]] to reclaim Cybertron with. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 2|Shattered Glass #2}} From a pub in [[Kaon (polity)|Gold City]], the Decepticons attempted to summon their remaining army only for [[Goldbug (SG)|Goldbug]]'s forces to capture Starscream. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 3|Shattered Glass #3}}

While the Decepticons quickly mobilized to rescue Starscream, {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 4|Shattered Glass #4}} the fight ended with him killed by Goldbug who subsequently fled the city with the Seeker's unique spark. With the Decepticons poised to take Gold City, Goldbug fled to Metroplex, managing to rouse him with Starscream's spark. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 5|Shattered Glass #5}}

==''Animated''==
[[File:Animated Cybertron.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Pointier than most.]]

The ancient world of Cybertron orbited the star [[Hadean]], and was considered by the [[Autobot]]s to be one of the most important planets in the [[Milky Way]]. Its true origins are unknown, though various theories suggested that it could have begun as a planet-sized factory, a product of [[atechnogenesis]], or played a role in a clash between primordial titans. Chronometric dating suggests that Cybertron is approximately ten billion years old, with the earliest Cybertronian civilizations roughly eight billion years ago, a product of the mysterious, life-giving artifact known as the [[AllSpark]]. By six billion years ago, the [[Guardian (Animated)|Guardians]] and [[Malignus (Animated)|Malignus]] factions had colonized much of the Hadean system; by 750 million years ago, after the conclusion of the [[Third Cybertronian War]], Cybertron had become the heart of a nascent interstellar empire that would come to be known as the [[Autobot Commonwealth]] as it underwent the Age of [[Expansion]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

The [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] between the Autobots and Decepticons began ten million years ago, when [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] expressed his plan of using the Allspark to transform Cybertron into an "interstellar juggernaut". {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} The war razed Cybertron, {{storylink|The Thrill of the Hunt}} but the Autobots finally found a lasting advantage with the construction of the [[Omega Sentinel (Animated)|Omega Sentinels]] {{storylink|TransWarped}}. Autobot mastery of [[space bridge]] technology and their strategic relocation of the Allspark led to ultimate victory, where the Decepticons were driven from the planet entirely – a unique departure from other fictions. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} {{storylink|TransWarped}} Cybertron was once again dedicated to peace and an entire generation had seen neither [[armor-plating]] nor the transistor of a Decepticon. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

[[File:TFAMetroplex.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

The Autobot culture under commander [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] was primarily peaceful, although there was an organized militancy in the form of active boot camps {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}. The ancient building [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]] was home to the [[Autobot High Council]] and [[Guilds Domesticus]], while the head of military operations was [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]]. The capital of Iacon was a major location, home to destinations such as [[Maccadam's Old Oil House#Animated Cartoon|Maccadam's Old Oil House]], {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} and the abandoned [[Cyber-Ninja Dojo]]. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}} Cybertron and its citizens were very unfamiliar with and afraid of organic life. {{storylink|This Is Why I Hate Machines}} According to [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]], it doesn't rain liquid on Cybertron; {{storylink|Where Is Thy Sting?}} despite this, it is has been shown raining. {{storylink|The Stunti-Con Job}} Make of this what you will.

Many stellar cycles later, a web of uncoordinated Decepticon attacks on the rim of the galaxy began taking place, in an attempt to claim control of the space bridges and TransWarp to the [[Emirate Xaaron Spacebridge Nexus|Spacebridge Nexus]] in Iacon, to wipe out the unarmed Autobot populace from within. Receiving wind of these attacks from a [[Shockwave (Animated)|double agent on Cybertron]], Megatron sent a transmission to the Decepticon cells and ordered the organizing of the attacks, {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}} and he himself began constructing a Space Bridge to lead his armies. {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons}}

[[File:SpaceBridgeNexus.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

However, Megatron's space bridge was destroyed by the reactivated Omega Sentinel [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}} The attacks were subsequently called off, much to the disappointment of the Decepticons who had managed to secure the bridges. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

When Megatron's double agent, Shockwave, sensed that his cover was about to be blown, he attacked Ultra Magnus, mangling the Autobot leader {{storylink|Where Is Thy Sting?}} and causing him to be put on severe life-support. {{storylink|This Is Why I Hate Machines}} This was not enough to save him, unfortunately, and he soon went offline. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} Sentinel Prime, the acting Magnus, took advantage of the fear and paranoia created by the attack to grant himself emergency powers and aggressively remilitarize Cybertron, in an effort to combat the growing Decepticon threat. {{storylink|This Is Why I Hate Machines}}

However, Megatron, Shockwave and the other Decepticons immediately under his command were subsequently captured by the maintenance bot [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and his team on [[Earth]], {{storylink|Endgame, Part II}} where they were imprisoned in [[Trypticon Prison]], part of the Decepticon City State of Kaon. A failed breakout attempt followed, with the Decepticons then diverting their attention to the (forceful) acquisition of Energon. {{storylink|The Stunti-Con Job}}

{{-}}

==Aligned continuity family==
===''The Covenant of Primus''===
[[File:CovenantOfPrimus-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
Cybertron was the mortal form of [[Primus]], who, in aeons past, chose to enter into a deep hypersleep as to avoid the depredations of his aggressive sibling [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]]. After Primus removed himself from the conflict, he created the [[Thirteen]] to fight in his stead, and the warriors successfully managed to defeat and exile Unicron, banishing his dormant body into a distant region of the galaxy.

Left to their own devices, the Thirteen began laying the foundations for a new society, only for the machinations of [[Liege Maximo]] to start the War of the Primes. The brief but violent battle concluded with the death of [[Solus Prime]] and the Liege Maximo, while [[Onyx Prime]] sustained mortal injuries and [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] exiled himself into deep space. Realizing that they themselves would need to leave Cybertron behind if the planet was to stand any chance of developing, the remaining Primes hatched a new plan to populate the planet with a race of beings based on their forms. Using a combination of Onyx Prime's [[Triptych Mask]] and the [[Well of All Sparks]] that had developed on the planet after Solus's passing, Vector Sigma itself was able to scan and gather data on all living creatures from across the universe and used that information to synthesize the first true generation of Cybertronian lifeforms: first, primitive bestial creatures, then the first humanoid Cybertronians—the Transformers themselves—and, finally, the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]s. This era would later be known as the "Age of Evolution".

Early civilizations grew and thrived amidst this mechanical ecosystem, with the Thirteen defending these primitive villages against the aggressive Predacons, until Cybertron was menaced by the [[Great Cataclysm]], which rendered most Cybertronian life, including the Predacons, extinct. In the subsequent "Age of Origins," the Cybertronian wilds would be tamed by increasingly sophisticated Cybertronian societies, with [[Azimuth (COP)|Azimuth]] and her [[Patterner]]s responsible for reshaping vast swathes of Cybertron's wilderness with the ritualistic astrological charts necessary to predict another potential Great Cataclysm. It was in this state that Cybertron was discovered by the [[Quintesson]]s, the rogue creations of [[Quintus Prime]]. The subsequent "Age of Wrath" saw Quintesson interference transform the planet into a spacefaring civilization almost overnight, installing [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]] as a puppet ruler while they manipulated the populace into an increasingly malleable and complacent state. As time went on, however, it became clear that the Quintessons had ulterior motives for the planet, and a Cybertronian rebellion that put their newfound [[transformation]]al abilities to the test saw the Quintessons and their servants forced back offworld.

[[File:CovenantOfPrimus-GoldenAge.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

In their haste to flee the planet, however, the Quintessons had left their technology behind, and Cybertronians were able to reverse-engineer the principles behind [[space bridge]]s. Using these devices, Cybertron began an age of colonization, the "[[Golden Age]]," settling worlds that included [[Archon]] and [[Velocitron]], [[cyberforming|cyberformed]] via a [[conversion beam]]. The prosperous Cybertronian empire collapsed when the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Rust Plague]] hit, a virulent disease that corroded all metal it touched; recognizing that the space bridges allowed it to jump from world to world, Sentinel ordered them all destroyed, cutting off Cybertron from the rest of the galaxy.

The Golden Age over, Cybertron entered the "Age of Rust," a period marked by strict social stratification and the consolidation of power under an ever-increasingly corrupt and stagnant [[Senate]]. This moribund state of affairs ended when an outspoken gladiator named [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] emerged, his words inspiring Cybertron to accept a new generation of change. Among those who heard his message was the archivist [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]], but circumstances would drive the two friends apart, sparking the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]] that would ultimately see Cybertron poisoned by [[Dark Energon]] and rendered uninhabitable for millennia until the end of the war, when the planet was re-energized and reborn. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===Video games===
====''Transformers: War for Cybertron''====
[[File:WFCCybertron.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
When Megatron discovered the powerful substance known as [[Dark Energon]], and that he could control it, he sought to use it to bring Cybertron under his control by infusing it into Cybertron's very [[core]]. Unaware of the true nature of the substance, the Dark Energon poisoned the planet. Though Cybertron's immune system initially fought back against the corruption, the spread proved too rapid and the planet was forced to shut down, Optimus Prime sending the [[Autobot fleet]] elsewhere in the galaxy to wait out Cybertron healing itself. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron}}
{{-}}
====''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''====
In Cybertron's prehistoric era, the early Cybertronians discovered the [[Dark Spark]], purported to be the antithesis to the Matrix of Leadership. Unable to decipher the truth of its origins, or properly tame its terrible power, the artifact was locked away within [[Crystal City]].

In the modern era, as Cybertron continued to shut down following the Dark Energon corruption, the Autobots and Decepticons clashed over possession of the Dark Spark, Optimus eventually managing to use the Matrix of Leadership to send the Dark Spark off of Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}

====''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''====
As Cybertron entered the final stages of shutdown, Shockwave re-discovered [[space bridge]] technology, using it to find a distant, primitive world that possessed a rich enough energy supply to reboot Cybertron. When he opened up a space bridge to this world, the tower was attacked by the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobots]] damaging it and rendering the portal unstable. Taking the chance to get off-world, the Autobots raced for the singularity, the Decepticons following for the chance to destroy their foes. The portal violently consumed both ships before it closed, cutting all combatants off from Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

===Aligned novels===
Cybertron's origins are lost to time. It is known that the planet predated both Primus and Unicron, serving as their battleground in its prehistory. After Primus removed himself from the conflict and created the Thirteen, the warriors managed to exile Unicron from the planet. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Early Cybertronian civilization can trace its roots back to [[Alchemist Prime]], who was known to have lived on the planet and shaped the development of prehistoric Transformer societies. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} The planet was also visited by the Quintessons in the distant past, who reorganized much of the planet's civilization under their cruel and barbaric rule of law, though [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] was able to successfully oust the invaders when the Cybertronians saw through their lies. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

During the planet's Golden Age, Cybertronians colonized distant worlds that included Velocitron, Gigantion, [[Hub (G2)|the Hub]], {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} and [[Aquatron]], {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}} until the Rust Plague necessitated the destruction of the network. In the aftermath, only one space bridge was left in orbit of Cybertron alongside [[Moonbase One|Moon Bases One]], [[Moonbase Two|Two]] and the [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon Asteroid Belt Station]].

In the new era they found themselves in, Sentinel and the Guilds instituted the [[Functionism|caste system]] to slow their civilization's decline. The High Council and their Guards were in charge of law and order, but each state controlled its own militia. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} But as the nameless miners resorted to [[gladiatorial combat]] as an outlet for their misery, a champion named [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] rose to seize the title of Prime for himself. Unwittingly, his Iaconian ally was appointed [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] instead, and their anti-caste movement became a civil war for Cybertron's future. The [[AllSpark]] was lost to space, whole regions of the planet were laid to waste, and the [[core]] of Cybertron was poisoned by [[Dark Energon]], the remnants of Unicron's attack, prompting the Autobots to evacuate on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]''. Megatron and his elite forces left on Trypticon too, now modified into the ''Nemesis'', leaving [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] to deal with the [[Wreckers]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The largely-devastated planet would be invaded again by the Quintessons from their Aquatronian staging ground some years later, facing minimal resistance from the worn-down Autobot and Decepticon remnants that stayed on the planet, though their invasion was quickly thwarted. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
[[File:DarknessRising4-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Well, at least there's ''one'' consistency.]]

Though Cybertron was once a thriving world, the former battleground between the Thirteen and Unicron in ancient times, {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons led to the planet's poisoning, leaving it completely uninhabitable. During this conflict, Orion Pax retrieved the Matrix of Leadership from Cybertron's [[Core]], which transformed him into Optimus Prime. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

In the present, Megatron raised a [[zombie]] [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]] army from Cybertron's dead by hurling solidified Dark Energon at it through a space bridge. His plan to have them sack Earth was foiled, when the Autobots turned the Energon pump on the space bridge and caused it to implode. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}

[[File:OrionPax3 Kaon.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

When Optimus lost his memories, [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] sent [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] to Cybertron to find [[Vector Sigma]]. Arcee told Jack to watch out for vermin. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}} They were attacked by an [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]], left behind as a sentry, and a swarm of [[scraplet]]s, but managed to get the information they needed from Vector Sigma, deep under [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

Seeking to gain an advantage over Optimus Prime and his newly acquired [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], Megatron and Dreadwing used a space bridge to travel to Cybertron to acquire the hand of an unnamed [[Liege Maximo|dead Prime]]. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}}

After acquiring the four [[Omega Key]]s, the Autobots returned to Cybertron to activate the [[Omega Lock]] and restore the planet. However, as they were about to activate the lock, Megatron and his subordinates arrived with the Autobots' human allies, threatening to expose them to Cybertron's atmosphere if they did not give him the Omega Keys. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}} Prime and the Autobots surrendered, handing over the Omega Keys in exchange for the humans. However, before Megatron could use the Omega Lock to [[cyberforming|cyberform]] [[Earth]], Optimus Prime used the Star Saber to destroy it and save the human planet. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

[[File:Tfp cybertron restored.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Eventually, the Decepticons, with help from Ratchet, built a second functioning Omega Lock on the exterior of the ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|Synthesis}} Following their defeat of Megatron, the Autobots commandeered the ship and flew to Cybertron. There, they fired the Omega Lock into the [[Well of All Sparks]], which healed the wounded planet. {{storylink|Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock}}

During the process of rebuilding the planet for returning refugees, Optimus Prime and Wheeljack flew off to retrieve the AllSpark, which had been removed from the planet during the war. During this time, however, Unicron revived and took control of Megatron's body, and returned to Cybertron to destroy Primus. The chaos god led an army of Predacon Terrorcons to the Well of All Sparks, and the Autobots and Predacons joined forces to oppose them. Their efforts failed, but Optimus Prime arrived with the AllSpark and was able to use its container to trap Unicron, returning his undead army to dust in the process.

Afterwards, Optimus Prime revealed that, in order to use the container, he had transferred the AllSpark into the Matrix of Leadership, rendering his own spark inseparable from the multitudes within the AllSpark in the process. Consequently, the only way to return the AllSpark to the core would be to give his own life. With his farewells complete, the Prime flew into the Well of All Sparks, returning the AllSpark to Cybertron's core and causing numerous sparks to soar into the sky. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

===''Rescue Bots'' cartoon===
Despite Cybertron's isolation from the larger galaxy, some starships, such as the ''[[Sigma]]'', were occasionally sent out to conduct deep space missions and patrols. {{storylink|Unfinished Business}}

===2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
After the restoration of the Well of All Sparks, Cybertron once again returned to a period of peace and prosperity. Statues commemorating various figures in the war were constructed. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}} A new [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] was chosen to rule the planet {{storylink|Can You Dig It?}} but they were usurped by [[Cyclonus (WFC)|Cyclonus]]'s Decepticon cell. Via the use of a [[Light Bender|light bender]], the five Decepticons assumed control of their homeworld and began making preparations for the return of Megatron and the rebirth of the [[Decepticon Empire]]. {{storylink|Freedom Fighters}} As part of their plans, they kept Cybertron isolated from the rest of the galaxy and blamed the Autobots (Optimus Prime in particular) for the damage that the Great War did to Cybertron. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}} Those who stood by Optimus Prime were blacklisted and were forced to find work in the lower rungs of society. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy (RID)|Enemy of My Enemy}}

Lieutenant Bumblebee eventually found employment as a street patrol officer, but eventually returned to Earth via space bridge on the orders of a ghostly Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}} This act caused the High Council to place a bounty on Bumblebee's head for his illegal use of a space bridge. {{storylink|Hunting Season}} The Council also sent Jazz to Earth to respond to the distress signal from the ''[[Alchemor (RID)|Alchemor]]''. After capturing [[Ped (RID)|Ped]], Jazz promised he'd smooth things over with the Council, {{storylink|Can You Dig It?}} but later Drift and Fracture (and their Mini-Cons) arrived on Earth to capture Bumblebee and collect the bounty. {{storylink|Hunting Season}}

Optimus Prime returned to Cybertron aboard the rebuilt ''[[Alchemor (RID)|Alchemor]]'' to confront the new Council. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 2)}} During the flight, he made contact with several old friends, {{storylink|Worthy}} but returned to Earth in a smaller craft when Bumblebee put out a distress signal. {{storylink|Strongarm's Big Score}} When he departed Earth again, he said the political situation on Cybertron was fluid but he was working with his friends to change it. {{storylink|Worthy}} On Cybertron however, the Council freed [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] and his [[Steeljaw's Pack|pack]] to capture the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]] in exchange for a full pardon. {{storylink|Exiles}} {{storylink|Freedom Fighters}} When Bumblebee became aware of this, he commented on the growing corruption on Cybertron. {{storylink|Exiles}} After [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]]'s defeat, Optimus took him and [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] back to Cybertron to stand trial. {{storylink|Collateral Damage}}

Knowing the people of Cybertron would never support galactic conquest, the Council developed powerful mind-control techniques through which they could control the entire planet's population. {{storylink|Five Fugitives}} {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy (RID)|Enemy of My Enemy}} The mind control was powerful enough to keep Cybertronians enthralled even if they were off Cybertron. {{storylink|Five Fugitives}}

The Bee Team eventually returned to Cybertron aboard [[Prime Force One]] only to come under attack from the planet's orbital defences. As a result of their situational ally, Steeljaw, they managed to land on their homeworld where they were soon surrounded by the Council's security forces {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy (RID)|Enemy of My Enemy}} only to be rescued by [[Dropforge]]. The High Council soon made a planet wide broadcast announcing the "glorious invasion of Earth" and the coming prosperity before the Bee Team destroyed their light bender and exposed their Decepticon bodies. When the mind-control signal had been destroyed, all of Cybertron bore witness to [[Galvatronus (RID)|Galvatronus]] proclaiming loyalty to [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] before [[Ultra Bee]] defeated him, freeing Cybertron from Decepticon control.

In the aftermath, Optimus Prime declined the opportunity to rule Cybertron and left [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]], [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]] in charge until free elections could be held. The Bee Team opted to return to Earth however as Cybertron's first ambassadors to the planet. {{storylink|Freedom Fighters}}

===''Rescue Bots Academy'' cartoon===
[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] travelled to Cybertron to collect new students for the [[Rescue Bot Training Center]] on Earth. {{storylink|Recruits Part I}} In response to meteors heading towards Iacon City, Heatwave, Grimlock and Bumblebee had to travel back to Cybertron to help out. {{storylink|Dino-mite Duo}}
{{-}}

==''Knights of Unicron''==
[[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], the [[Toxic Sludge Swamps]], [[Smelting pool|The Smelting Pool]], and [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] [[Great Dome|Stadium]], all located on Planet Cybertron, were the final venues for the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]] on their 2014 "Till All Are One" tour. {{storylink|Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron}}

==''Cyberverse'' continuity==
[[File:Cyberverse Cybertron.jpg|thumb|200px|left]]
Cybertron's precise origins are lost to history, though evidence found by the Autobots in the modern day led them to theorize that the [[Monsterbot (Cyberverse)|Monsterbots]] and the environment that they lived in were evident of Cybertron's prehistoric era. {{storylink|Battle For Cybertron III}}

During an era that would come to be known as the [[Expansion|Age of Expansion]], [[Prime (rank)|Primes]] and [[Titan (group)|Titans]] walked the planet, but these had all faded into myths and legends by the modern day. {{storylink|The Citizen}} {{storylink|Thunderhowl (episode)|Thunderhowl}}

The Age of Expansion saw Cybertron colonize multiple planets often founded through the efforts of a Titan. {{storylink|Ghost Town}} A special class of Titan, the War Titans, carried Cybertron's conquering armies to other planets and waged wars on alien races for their worlds. Once the Age of Expansion had ended, only one of these giants, the mighty [[Iaconus]], survived to return to Cybertron. Unable to cope with the peacetime, he went mad and attacked Cybertron, only being felled through the sacrificial efforts of his crew. {{storylink|The Citizen}} Eons after the Expansion, Cybertron kept in contact with at least two of its colonies, [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] and [[Velocitron]]. {{storylink|Terminal Velocity}} {{storylink|Maccadam's}}

[[File:Cyberverse Cybertron surface.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Overseen by the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] and/or the [[Senate]], {{storylink|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix of Leadership}} the government on Cybertron was a corrupt one, so much so that [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] was able to rally a following based on his promise of equal rights to all citizens. As time passed however, it transpired that Megatron served only his own powerlust and plunged Cybertron into the [[Great War (Cyberverse)|Great War]] to try and gain control of the planet. To that end, he aimed to seize control of the [[AllSpark]] and have it birth a new generation of troops. {{storylink|Megatron Is My Hero}} Learning of this plan, the Autobots seized the AllSpark and sent it through a space bridge to prevent anyone from abusing its power. {{storylink|Allspark (Cyberverse)|Allspark}} As a consequence however, Cybertron's condition began to deteriorate prompting [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] to lead a mission on the ''[[Ark (Cyberverse)|Ark]]'' to retrieve the artifact. {{storylink|Matrix of Leadership (episode)|Matrix of Leadership}}

Some 66 million years later, Cybertron was still habitable but overrun by the Decepticons who'd tracked the AllSpark to [[Earth]], sending [[Slipstream (Cyberverse)|Slipstream]]'s squadron to retrieve it, the Autobot resistance sending [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] to do the same. {{storylink|Fractured}} [[Shockwave (Cyberverse)|Shockwave]] was able to remotely tie into [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]]'s [[cortical psychic patch]] from Cybertron, {{storylink|Sabotage}} and eventually came to Earth personally to take command of the operations. {{storylink|The Extinction Event}}

After the AllSpark had been recovered by the Autobots on Earth, they attempted to return to Cybertron and restore their world with it only for the Decepticons to dupe them into thinking the space bridge had been destroyed. {{storylink|Escape From Earth}} Using the space bridge, the Decepticons arrived home long before their foes and quickly occupied the remains of their planet, taking [[Chromia (Cyberverse)|Chromia]] and [[Perceptor (Cyberverse)|Perceptor]] prisoner and forcing them to send out a distress signal to the ''Ark''. {{storylink|The Crossroads}} {{storylink|Battle For Cybertron I}}

When the Autobots returned home, the battle for the AllSpark saw Cybertron be regenerated by the artifact's energies. {{storylink|Battle For Cybertron IV}} The peace would be an extremely short-lived one however for [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]], having been found by the extra-dimensional creatures known as the [[Quintesson]]s, sold out his species and planet to the aliens, leading them to invade Cybertron. As the Quintessons incorporated Starscream into their new [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judge]], {{storylink|The End Of The Universe I}} they began draining the energy of Cybertron into him {{storylink|The Alliance}} before the Autobots and Decepticons defeated the invaders. When Starscream revealed himself, {{storylink|The Judge (episode)|The Judge}} he was felled through the combined power of two versions of the Matrix of Leadership. Along with simultaneous death of the [[Scientist (Cyberverse)|Scientist]], the invasion was considered over. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe IV}}

In this new era of tentative peace, Megatron divided the planet in half. {{storylink|Enemy Line}} With Windblade's mind scattered following the Quintesson invasion, the Autobots searched the planet and its moon [[Moonbase 3|Luna 3]] for her psychic shards so that they could repair their friend. {{storylink|Thunderhowl (episode)|Thunderhowl}} {{storylink|Alien Hunt! With Meteorfire And Cosmos}} {{storylink|Journey To The Valley Of Repugnus}} {{storylink|Dweller In The Depths (Cyberverse)|Dweller In The Depths}} The war's end saw many Cybertronians, since scattered across the galaxy, return home. {{storylink|Wild Wild Wheel}}

Cybertron would soon be invaded by another universe once again. The invader, [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|an alternate version of Megatron]], came from a timeline where he had won the war in its early stages and claimed the Matrix of Leadership, since stolen from him by the primary universe Megatron, and sought his prize. A psychic shard of Windblade had founds its way within this Matrix with the ghosts within it guiding her to destroy it, short-circuiting the alternate Megatron who was taken away by his former servant, [[Astrotrain (Cyberverse)|Astrotrain]]. With the threat of both Megatrons neutralized, peace reigned on Cybertron once again. {{storylink|The Other One}}

To make this new peace official, the Autobot and Decepticon leaders drafted the [[Treaty of the Wall]]. Though the ceremony was interrupted by a gang of [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] nearly managing to ransack and destroy the whole planet, the treaty was successfully signed and the wall deactivated, reunifying the Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|The Immobilizers}} The celebrations were short lived, as [[Decepticon supersoldier]]s from the other dimension nearly took control of the planet in an attempt by their leader [[Tarn (Cyberverse)|Tarn]] to restart the war and eliminate the Autobots. Ultimately, the Autobots and Decepticons fought back, destroying Tarn and freeing the supersoldiers from his control. In the aftermath, Optimus ceded leadership of the planet to Bumblebee, Windblade, [[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]] and [[Shadow Striker (Cyberverse)|Shadow Striker]], confident that they would be able to maintain Cybertron's newfound peace. {{storylink|The Perfect Decepticon}}

===Alternate universes===
In their travels across the multiverse, the Quintessons had come into contact with Cybertron several times, enough for their [[Scientist (Cyberverse)|Scientist]] to build a collection of [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwaves]]. {{storylink|The Scientist}}

In the timeline from which Megatron X hailed from, the tyrant recognized that the rift between him and Optimus would never be mended and took the initiative, killing his old friend and claiming the Matrix for himself. With it, he defeated the Autobots and had the AllSpark create him a race of Decepticon supersoldiers before ridding himself of any "unneeded" troops. When the Quintessons sought to invade this Cybertron, Megatron simply used a [[laser snare]] to defeat them before harvesting their technology for his own ends. Cybertron was eventually visited by an alternate Megatron who stole the Matrix and fled with Astrotrain. {{storylink|The Other One}}

==''EarthSpark'' cartoon==
"Light years" away from Earth, {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 1}} Cybertron was originally inhabited by the Thirteen Primes. One of their number, [[Quintus Prime]], eventually left his home, seeding new life across the universe with his [[Emberstone]]. {{storylink|Age of Evolution, Part 1}} Cybertron was sustained through the [[AllSpark]], the source of new [[spark]]s. {{storylink|Warzone}}

As the eons passed, an "epic battle" broke out between the Autobots and Decepticons. The fighting eventually spilled over to the planet Earth on September 17, 1984. {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 1}} The Decepticons brought the AllSpark to Earth with them, threatening the metallic planet's continued survival. Aided by a repentant [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]], the Autobots attempted to return the AllSpark to Cybertron so it could revive the planet. Megatron managed to toss the AllSpark through the [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] just as [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] destroyed the portal. With the bridge destroyed, the Cybertronians on Earth were cut-off from their homeworld. Given the totality of the explosion, Megatron feared that the AllSpark had been destroyed and taken Cybertron with it. {{storylink|Warzone}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers''===
{{anchor|CybG1}}
[[File:Cybertron Primus toy.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven imag— You know what, just forget it. It's not like we have rules for a reason.]]
*'''Primus''' ([[2006]])
**''ID number:'' '''00'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Omega Lock#Generation 1|Omega Lock]], two [[missile]]s, silver Cybertron planet-type [[Cyber Key]]

:[[Primus#CybG1|Primus]] was developed by Hasbro and Takara as a toy for their joint [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron/Galaxy Force'' toylines]], but was released in Japan as a Generation 1 ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'' toy a few months after ''Galaxy Force'' had ended its run. This release can be considered a pre-release of the ''Cybertron'' toy because it features Hasbro's [[Cyber Key Codes]] that the ''Galaxy Force'' line lacked.

:Primus is the first toy representation of the Transformers' creator as their home planet of Cybertron. In planet mode, he is considerably more detailed than [[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|''Armada'']] [[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]], with visible cities, including [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], based upon its appearance in the [[DK Publishing]] book, ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', and [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]], specifically [[Kolkular]], as seen in ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]''. On the "bottom" of the planet mode, there are four hard rubber legs, molded to be shaped like towers, allowing Primus to be displayed in planet mode, yet not require a flat base as Unicron did.

:Primus's transformation is unusual, in many ways similar to a [[Powermaster]], in that he requires the owner to insert his accompanying Omega Lock accessory into several special ports around the planet, then manipulate it to unlock his parts and transform him. When the Omega Lock is inserted into the "top" of his planet mode and pulled back, a transforming sound is heard, and two spring-loaded missile-firing "Stellar Converter Cannons" swing out. When it is inserted into his chest and pushed up, his head is revealed, his shoulder-pads pop-up, his eyes glow red, and a laser-type sound effect is played. The Lock itself lights up red when it is inserted into any of the ports.

: In [[robot mode]], Primus resembles both the ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers#Beast Wars Neo|Beast Wars Neo]]'' Unicron prototype as well as [[Don Figueroa]]'s Primus concept, created for ''The War Within'' and used in ''The Ultimate Guide''. He is bristling with weaponry in this mode, with the Stellar Converter Cannons ending up on his shoulders, and the Omega Lock revealing several banks of Gatling guns, lasers, and missiles in his shins and legs. Each of his legs also contains extendable [[Articulation|articulated]] "manipulator arms".

:Primus also has what might charitably be called a third mode—a "battle station" mode, which is basically formed by transforming the figure halfway and leaving the head down and the legs backward. It features no dedicated parts or transformation steps, making it very obvious that it was created after the fact. It looks kinda like the ''[[USS Enterprise|Enterprise]]''... backwards.

:In any mode, he is armed with two double-barreled cannons which pop-up and extend when a Cyber Key is inserted. He has a special silver Cybertron-type Cyber Key, with the key code '''sp8u''' [[tampograph]]ed onto the back. His Omega Lock also features four slots at its base, which are meant to accommodate the four [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, although inserting them does not activate any features. There are also nine inactive Mini-Con [[5 mm post|5 mm]] [[powerlinx]] posts on his person, including two on the claw arms on his legs.
{{-}}

===''Cybertron''===
[[File:CybertronPrimusPackagingComparison.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|This was an expensive time for completists.]]
*'''Cybertron Primus''' (Supreme Class, [[2006]])
**''Accessories:'' [[Omega Lock#Cybertron|Omega Lock]], two missiles, silver Cybertron planet-type Cyber Key, [[Unicron/toys#PrimusUnicronHead|Unicron head]] (second wave only)

:''Cybertron'' "[[Primus#Cybertron|Cybertron Primus]]" is the North American version of Supreme Class Primus, released a few months after the Japanese version. The toys are identical.

:In North America, Cybertron Primus was initially released in the second wave of ''Cybertron'' Supreme Class toys. This version came packaged with a very creepy "battle damaged" Unicron head based upon his Armada appearance, whereas the following wave did not come with the Unicron head. Unusually, both waves ended up shipping simultaneously.

{{anchor|Walmart}}
*'''Cybertron Primus''' (Supreme Class, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' [[Omega Lock#Walmart|Omega Lock]], two missiles, silver Cybertron planet-type Cyber Key

:A later version of Supreme Class [[Primus#Walmart|Cybertron Primus]] was [[exclusive]] to [[Walmart]] as a [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]] 2006 special, and included four Mini-Cons: [[Strongarm (Cybertron)|Strongarm]], [[Knockdown (Cybertron)|Knockdown]], [[Nightscream (Cybertron)|Nightscream]], and [[Offshoot (Cybertron)|Offshoot]].
{{-}}

===''Transformers'' (2010)===
{{anchor|2010}}
[[File:Primus 2010.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Oh. Your. God.]]
*'''Creator Primus''' ([[2010]])
**''Accessories:'' [[Omega Lock#2010|Omega Lock]], two missiles, clear Cybertron planet-type Cyber Key

:To celebrate the year 2010, Takara [[redeco]]ed the Supreme Class Primus toy and released him in TakaraTomy's [[Transformers (2010 toyline)#TakaraTomy Welcome to Transformers 2010 campaign|''Welcome to Transformers 2010'' campaign]], being packaged in a special box that is meant to go with the [[Unicron/toys#Transformers (2010)|Unicron]] toy released the same year. "[[Primus#2010|Creator Primus]]" is primarily metallic gunmetal in planet mode, with metallic blue robot parts, and a large number of black paint washes here and there. His Omega Lock is now blue.

:Primus comes with a [[retool]]ed Cybertron-style Cyber Key which was originally available with both [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#CybDx|Cybertron Planet Deluxe Class Optimus Prime]] and [[Demolishor (Armada)#Cybertron 2|Cybertron Planet Deluxe Class Demolishor]]. This Cyber Key features a "smooth" central area with no molded [[insignia]], and a Mini-Con-style Powerlinx socket on the back. The Cyber Key included with this figure is entirely unpainted, aside from the [[tampograph]]ed Autobot symbol at the center.
{{-}}

===''The Last Knight''===
{{anchor|TLK-Cybertron}}
[[File:TF-TLK-MtS-Planet-Cybertron.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Just ''try'' to tell us this isn't [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|G2 Primus]], we dare you. ]]
*'''Cybertron''' ([[2017]])
**''Accessories:'' [[Omega Lock]], two missiles, Autobot Cybertron-type Cyber Key

:''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]'' Cybertron is a redeco of the Supreme Class Primus mold. Contrary to [[stock photography]], which depict the Matrix-styled Cyber Key originally sold with ''Cybertron'' Leader Class Optimus Prime, it instead comes with the standard Autobot Cybertron Cyber Key, just as the older releases of the mold did. It is advertised on the box as having a third mode, "Defense Mode", that like his Battle Station mode appears to be an intermediate between his robot and planet modes. This figure was exclusive to [[Toys"R"Us]] under the ''Mission to Cybertron'' banner. As the rest of the toys under this banner, he has decodeable [[Cyberglyphics]] on his body that spell out '''CYBERTRON''' and two cards that can form a bigger picture of Optimus and Megatron fighting on Cybertron, with Cyberglyphic writing on the back.

:This toy was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Blue Planet (GS)|Neo Primus]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Planet scale.jpe|thumb|upright=1.9]]
*The name "Cybertron" was used by Marvel Comics long before the Transformers series came about. In issue 48 of the original ''X-Men'' title (released in September 1968), a computer named Computo created a race of robots named the "Cybertrons".<ref>[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/computoxm.htm Computo and the "Cybertrons" at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe]</ref>
*The size of the planet Cybertron varies between different continuities. In one, the diameter of the planet is smaller than Earth's while the Marvel comics describe it as "Saturn-sized," placing its diameter at around 120,000 km.<ref>[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/bible/wottf.html World of TRANSFORMERS]</ref> We can probably lay these at the feet of Primus, who is a god after all, and can decide to be whatever size he wants.
*Towards the end of the original comic run, Blaster was asked in the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|UK Letters Page]] whether Cybertron would be turned into a Transformer. His response was "No. More likely it will turn into a rapidly expanding ball of component molecules, the way things are going at the moment". [[:File:Cybertron Primus toy.jpg|Oh, what fools time makes of us all]].<ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/darnnblast/Issue323.jpg Letters page for Marvel UK Issue #323]</ref>
*Cybertron's "gashed" moon, often glimpsed during the course of ''Beast Machines'', is heavily based on one side of a modern sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro, "Sphere with Sphere" ("Sfera con Sfera"), that can be found in the Vatican City's Courtyard of the Pinecone.<ref>[http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/italy/rome/pomodoro/0003.jpg Photo of ''Sfera con Sfera'']</ref> See, kids? Transformers IS educational.
*In the English dub of the ''The Headmasters'' cartoon, the planet is repeatedly called ''Cyberton''. This is most likely due to bad translation.
*A [[Hasbro Pulse#HasLab|HasLab]] Cybertron/Primus was considered at one point.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://twitter.com/ZakuFan0079/status/1586339124700925952|quote=Have considered doing #HasLab Cybertron/Primus. Banter about how impossibly huge a HasLab #GIJoe USS Flagg would be. #Hasbro #Transformers #MCMComicCon|name=ZakuFan0079|site=Twitter, reporting on MCM Comic Con 2022|year=2022|month=10|day=29}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Cybertron''' (セイバートロン ''Seibātoron'',<ref>For decades, Western fans have typically opted to render the Japanese pronunciation of the planet's name as "Seibertron" (pronounced "Say-ber-tron") in order to distinguish it from the Japanese name of the Autobots, the "Cybertrons" (pronounced "Sigh-ber-tron"). However, several Japanese sources actually spell it as "Cybertron" in English, including the [[Transformers: The Headmasters (video game)|''Headmasters'' video game]], the covers of the ''"Planet of Cybertron Guide"'' books included with Takara's mid-90s {{w|LaserDisc}} sets of the original cartoon, a ''Beast Wars'' [http://www18.tok2.com/home/jackhama/transformers/bwtcard_2/img/043.jpg trading card], and the packaging for ''Galaxy Force'' toys. Sources beyond these are surprisingly scarce, although [[A Birth of Planet Saybertron|an article]] in the December 1985 issue of ''[[Comic Bom Bom]]'' did render the planet's name in English as, of all things, "Saybertron".</ref> サイバトロン ''Saibatoron'', サイバートロン ''Saibātoron'')
*''Armenian:'' '''Kibertron''' (Կիբերտրոն, "Cybertron")
*''Cantonese:'' '''Cybertron''' (斯比頓 ''Si1 bei2 deon6'')
*''English:'' '''Cyberton''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Kibertron''' (''Marvel Comics'', ''Rescue Bots'' sometimes, ''Cybertron'' 2nd dub), '''Kájbertron''' (first ''The Movie'' dub), '''Mesterséges bolygó''' (''Energon'' 1st dub, "Artificial planet"), '''Cybertron''' (''live action movies'', ''Rescue Bots'' sometimes, ''Rescue Bots Academy'', ''Prime'', ''Robots in Disguise'')
*''Indonesian:'' '''Saibertron'''
*''Korean:'' '''Cybertron''' (사이버트론 "Saibeoteulon")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Cybertron''' (赛博坦/塞伯坦 "Sàibótǎn"; 賽博創 "Sàibóchuàng"; 賽博宙 "Sàibózhòu")
*''Russian:'' '''Kibertron''' (Кибертрон, "Cybertron")
*''Serbian:'' '''Kibortron''' (Generation 1 dub and first dub of ''Generation 2''), '''Sajbertron''' (Second ''G2'' dub, ''Armada'', ''Cybertron'', ''Animated'', ''Prime'')
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Kibertron''' (Кібертрон, "Cybertron")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/darnnblast/Issue303.jpg Transformers #303 Letters Page on Transfans.co.uk]
*{{i|Cybertron}} at the IDW Hasbro Wiki
*[[wikia:memory-beta:Cybertron|Cybertron]] at Memory Beta, the non-canon ''Star Trek'' wiki
*[[wikia:ghostbusters:Cybertron|Cybertron]] at the Ghostbusters Wiki

{{Regenesisworlds}}

[[Category:Animated planets]]
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[[Category:Wings Universe planets]]

Marissa Faireborn

2023-02-24T18:39:54Z

Bluie:

{{featured}}
{{factions|autobot|edc|kiss}}
:''Marissa Faireborn is an [[Autobot]]-allied [[human]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Marissafaireborne.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|DON'T [[Transformer romance|DATE ROBOTS]]. Brought to you by the Space Pope.]]
'''Marissa Faireborn''' (sometimes '''Marissa Bishop''') is an officer in the [[Earth Defense Command]]. Hailing from a family with a history [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|in]] [[Lady Jaye|the]] [[Nathaniel Faireborn|military]], Marissa is tough, headstrong and independent. She's a take-charge woman who's always calm in a crisis and performs her duties with strict professionalism. She may be small and squishy, but her boldness, strength of heart and skill with many weapons from blaster to knife mean she is respected by both Autobots and Decepticons alike. When a Decepticon looks upon Marissa Faireborn, they see a genuine adversary, while the Autobots know her as a trusted ally and friend... and in [[Optimus Prime (G1)|some]] [[Jazz (G1)|cases]], even an unlikely romantic partner!

Also, she's great at surfboarding.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Susan Blu]] (English), [[Kazue Komiya]] (Japanese)|[[Michele Sterr]] (German, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3 - 5", "Money Is Everything", "The Burden Hardest To Bear"), [[Michaela Amler]] (German, "The Killing Jar"), [[Maria Böhme]] (German, "Forever Is a Long Time Coming"), [[Gloria García]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Myriam Thereza]] (Portuguese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3 - 5"), [[Emília Rey]] (Portuguese, "The Killing Jar"), [[Jane Kelly]] (Portuguese, "Forever Is a Long Time Coming" & "Money Is Everything")}}

[[File:FFOD3 marissa woman of action.jpg|left|thumb|225px|Barbarella, eat your heart out.]]
In the year 2005, Captain Marissa Faireborn was stationed at the EDC's base on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] when a call for aid came through from [[Autobot]] communications officer [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]]. Marissa had been tracking an Autobot shuttle which had come under attack by [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] and the [[Decepticon]]s in the vicinity of [[Jupiter]], and Blaster requested that she provide back up to the stricken craft. Marissa deployed immediately, but before she could make it onto the scene, the shuttle was destroyed by a cosmic storm, and its occupants—[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and the new [[transformation cog|transforming cog]] for [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] that they were couriering to [[Earth]]—were blasted to the planet's moon [[Io]]. Tracking their trajectories, Marissa set course for the moon, {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} and arrived to witness the two Autobots being terrorized by a swarm of the moon's native [[lightpole]]s. Blurr was able to clear the swarm with cog in hand, and the militaristic Marissa set her ship down and instructed him to come aboard. Unwilling to leave Wheelie behind, the speedy Autobot raced back into the heart of the swarm in order to save his friend, an action that Marissa seemed unable to comprehend, deeming her digital wristwatch capable of better decisions. Nonetheless, she disembarked her ship and entered the fray herself with a [[jet pack]], firing at the lightpoles with a [[null-ray]] blaster. Marissa was able to thin the swarm out enough for Blurr and Wheelie to get clear, but before they could get aboard her ship, several of the lightpoles transformed into their missile forms and fell upon the craft, blowing it up.

[[File:FFOD5 marissa leaps.jpg|thumb]]

Marissa quickly took stock of the situation and stopped Blurr from panicking so they could examine the wreckage and see if the ship's radio was still working. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} The radio was, indeed, still functional, and Marissa used it to contact Blaster on Earth as the trio were again set upon by the lightpoles. Blaster tried to assuage her fears by assuring her that [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] was on his way, but Marissa didn't even know who or what that was, so it didn't raise her spirits much. Soon after, the powerful Sky Lynx arrived on Io and blasted the lightpoles to bits, but before Marissa, Wheelie and Blurr could board his cargo pod, they were set upon by the newest Decepticon warriors, the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Marissa could do little in the battle that ensued, but was at least able to escape injury, nimbly vaulting over [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] as he charged at her. After Sky Lynx had successfully dispatched the Predacons, the team headed for Earth at top speed, and successfully delivered the transforming cog in time for Metroplex to transform and fend off an attack by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. Soon after, Marissa stood beside her allies and watched as [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] addressed the Autobot forces on their concurrent victory over the [[Quintesson]]s. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[File:Killingjar marissa and monster.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]

As 2006 settled in, Marissa was aboard the EDC's space station in orbit above Earth when an unexpected EDC shuttle started an approach. Marissa demanded an identification from the shuttle's pilot, and was overjoyed to discover that was it was actually her [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|father]], come to visit. As the shuttle touched down in the landing bay, Marissa boarded quickly and embraced her father, but before she could lead him off the ship, its doors shut behind her and it quickly took off again. The shuttle was, in actuality, a disguised Quintesson vessel, and her "father" was nothing more than a solid hologram which abruptly transformed into a monstrous shape and attacked her. With a few quick martial arts kicks and chops, Marissa had downed the simulation, and then discovered she was not the Quintesson scientist's only captive: [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] had also been abducted to participate in the Quintesson's experiments. Knocked out by a [[submission field]], Marissa was to be the Quintesson's first examination subject, but Wreck-Gar was able to deactivate the submission device, allowing her to overpower the feeble Quintesson scientist.

[[File:Killingjar negative wreckgar marissa quint.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

Chaos ensued when the ship passed through an [[electron storm]], and Marissa used the fighting as a cover to reach the ship's controls, intending to plot a course back to Earth. Unfortunately, the ship was now caught in the gravity of a [[black hole]], and Marissa had to stop everyone from fighting so they could work together to assess the situation. The Quintesson scientist attempted to flee aboard the ship's lone working escape pod, but Ultra Magnus hauled him from the pod and attempted to send Marissa to safety in his place. Unfortunately, interference from the Quintesson's [[Allicon|guard]] delayed Marissa from boarding, and the whole ship was sucked through the black hole, into a [[negative universe]]. Only through finally putting aside their differences and working together, were Marissa, the Transformers and the Quintessons able to repair the ship and return to their universe of origin, where Sky Lynx soon arrived to take Marissa, Wreck-Gar and Ultra Magnus home. {{storylink|The Killing Jar (episode)|The Killing Jar}}

[[File:Marissababy.jpg|left|thumb|The inspiration for ''Kiss Players''.]]

Marissa was engaging in a bout of regular target practise at an EDC gun range on Earth, trying out "level 3" in her pursuit of a challenge. After blasting a target of Cyclonus, she was suddenly struck by a wave of chronal energy released into the universe by a malfunctioning Quintesson [[Time Window]]. The energy caused Marissa to regress into a crying infant, much to the shock of the EDC trooper on watch at the time. Luckily, the Autobots, working with the Quintessons, were able to shut down and destroy the time window, undoing the effects of the chronal energy. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

[[File:MoneyIsEverything Marissa and Dirk have dinner.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"You like me because I'm a scoundrel."]]

Teamed with the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] as part of a science unit, Marissa and her Autobot allies were called into action to rescue <s>smuggler</s> "free trader" [[Dirk Manus]] when his ship, the ''[[Lazy Sue]]'' was attacked by the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]. A mutual attraction between Marissa and Manus sprang up immediately, but Marissa did not trust the trader entirely when he claimed that he had found a Quintesson base on the moon of [[Titan (moon)|Titan]]. As [[Computron (G1)|Computron]], the Technobots supported investigation of his claims, but until the ''Lazy Sue'' could be repaired, Marissa resolved not to let Manus out of her sight, leading to a romantic evening of dinner and dancing. This did not win Marissa over entirely, however, and she soon confirmed her suspicions when she tracked Manus back out into the desert where he had crashed, and discovered that he was actually attempting to transport a highly-experimental [[Recreator|molecular recreator]] to the Quintessons. Marissa attempted to arrest Manus, but he pulled a concealed weapon on her and shot the blaster from her hand before overpowering her in a struggle, knocking her out and tying her up. She was not found until the next morning, by [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] and [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]]—the rest of the Technobots had already departed for Titan with Manus.

[[File:Moneyiseverything marissa dress uniform.jpg|left|thumb]]

Marissa, Afterburner and Nosecone quickly made their way to Titan, and discovered that Manus had been double-crossed by the Quintessons, and a team of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] were now on his and the other Technobots' tails. Marissa and her companions disposed of the Quintessons, but purely to rescue the other Technobots: Marissa slugged Manus in the jaw and was prepared to leave him to rot. Manus spun the situation around, informing Marissa of the molecular recreator and promising to disable it, forcing her to keep him around. As they trekked back to the Quintesson base, Marissa and Manus confessed their attraction to each other, but both also admitted that their jobs came first... not that that stopped them from getting rather hot and heavy in the middle of the jungle floor when Manus helped save Marissa from some living vines. But even that was a ruse: Manus used their closeness to grab Marissa's blaster, and walked her and the Technobots into the Quintessons' base as his prisoners. Marissa was horrified when Manus used the recreator to molecularly disassemble the Technobots, and when she attempted to rush the smuggler, she was downed by the Terrorcons. Yet again, however, Manus's actions had a hidden purpose: while the Quintessons were distracted by Marissa's outburst, he reassembled the Technobots, having always intended to double-cross the Quintessons himself in just this manner. With their injuries healed by the process, the Technobots formed Computron and battled the Terrorcons while Marissa argued with Manus that he could have trusted her with his plans. With the villains dispatched, Marissa took possession of the recreator, and everyone returned to Earth. Marissa regretted that she could not give Manus the credits the Quintessons had duped him out of... until [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] came racing up to inform her that the credits had disappeared from the EDC coffers. Marissa turned to Dirk, and before she could even finish accusing him, he kissed her, threw her to the ground, and escaped aboard the ''Lazy Sue''. Out in space, however, Manus discovered that Marissa had replaced the credits with [[mimic dust]], and he could only laugh at the prim and proper EDC captain having pulled a con of her own. {{storylink|Money Is Everything (episode)|Money Is Everything}}

[[File:Burdenhardest marissa finds rodimus.jpg|thumb|"Marrisa, I took some [[Hate Plague|bad dope]], can you help me to my bed?"]]

Marissa accompanied the Autobots to [[Japan]] during a series of Decepticon attacks upon the country. Rodimus Prime was feeling the burden of leadership particularly heavily at the time, and Marissa's request for yet more help after the latest Decepticon assault had been squashed proved to be the last straw for the troubled Autobot. Telling Marissa to leave him alone, Rodimus departed to blow off some steam. Understanding what he was feeling, Marissa followed in order to offer Rodimus someone to talk to, but Rodimus told her he would rather race, and Marissa decided to play along. As the pair raced, however, they were attacked by [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] and run off the road. By the time Marissa had got her car back on the road, the two [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] had plucked the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] from Rodimus's body, reverting him to Hot Rod. Marissa called in the other Autobots, who were shocked to discover what had happened, but Hot Rod himself cared little, happy to be young and carefree again. The Matrix, meanwhile, wound up in the hands of [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], who led a Decepticon attack on Japan; Marissa alerted the Autobots to the appearance of the Decepticons through an EDC [[warp gate|Warp Gate]], and Hot Rod was able to defeat Scourge, reclaim the Matrix, and accept his burden. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}
{{-}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese continuity as detailed above, except that the events of the third season, in which Marissa appears, occur in 2010, rather than over 2005/2006. Japanese continuity inserts several new stories in the resultant gap in the timeline; notably in Marissa's case, she features prominently in the storyline of ''Kiss Players'', which takes place before her appearance in the Generation 1 cartoon, but which simply cannot occur in American cartoon continuity, as the time-gap during which it takes place does not exist there.}}

=====''Kiss Players''=====
{{voiceactor|[[Lyrian]] (Japanese)}}

[[File:Marissa and prime in childhood.jpg|left|upright=1.15|thumb|Remember, a giant, sentient death machine is for life, not just for Christmas.]]
[[File:KP marissa in commando gear.jpg|thumb|Not another Marissa's Knife episode.]]

As a child in the 1990s, Marissa lived in [[New York City|New York]], where she met and became friends with [[Shaoshao Li]], who developed an extremely strong attachment to her. The young Marissa resented her [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|military father]], so when one of his missions went awry and she and her father had to be rescued by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], she quickly came to view the Autobot leader as a surrogate father figure... and perhaps a little bit more. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 34|Kiss Players #34}} Shaoshao didn't take Marissa's friendship with Prime very well, resenting the Autobot for, in her eyes, stealing Marissa away from her, and Shaoshao was forced to move back to [[Japan]] with her family before reaching an understanding with her friend. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 23|Kiss Players #23}}

Shortly after [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|Optimus Prime's death]] in 2005, the body of the new [[Decepticon]] leader [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] crash-landed on [[Earth]], decimating [[Tokyo]] and utterly shattering [[Transformer]]-[[Human]] relations. A governmental organization known as the Earth Defense Command, headed up by the rabid anti-Transformer fanatic [[Hitoshizuku Amaō]], was quickly established to force the Transformers off Earth, but support for the movement was not universal, and Marissa was amongst its opponents. Alas, these voices went unheard, and by 2006, Earth was Transformer-free, and the embittered Marissa decided that rather than try to fight the EDC with peaceful protests, she'd have a go at fighting them with big, pointy knives, as part of a female commando resistance group.

When Earth Defense Command brought Optimus Prime's corpse to Japan, Marissa secretly observed the arrival of the cargo plane carrying the Autobot leader's body. {{storylink|Kiss Players issue 1|Kiss Players #1}} She and her commando unit were quick to attack the convoy transporting the body, only to discover that the cadaver was a decoy concealing an EDC [[Autorooper]] that slaughtered them all, save for Marissa herself. Recognizing an unassuming trailer amongst the other vehicles in the convoy, Marissa sliced it open with her knife, revealing that it contained the remains of the real Optimus Prime. The exposure of Prime's body, however, had a bizarre effect on the Autorooper, which ejected [[Kayu Michikusa|its Kiss Player partner]] and begin to fuse with the Autobot's corpse. As if to bid farewell to her friend, Marissa kissed Prime, but with this action, she discovered that she was a "[[Kiss Player]]"—a human being who had been infused with the scattered cells of Galvatron, giving them the ability to fuse with other beings. Her Kiss Player powers unleashed, Marissa fused with Prime, triggering a transformation that restored him to life and converted his body into a new Dodge SRT-10 form. {{storylink|Kiss Players issue 2|Kiss Players #2}}

Marissa and Prime promptly made themselves scarce, and began travelling together, battling the monstrous creatures known as [[Legion (KP)|Legion]] that Galvatron's dispersed cells had also produced, while also eluding the EDC. Marissa thought of Prime as [[Transformer romance|her boyfriend]], {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 1|Kiss Players #1}} and Prime himself certainly cared for the girl, unwilling as he was to put her in harm's way, despite the prodigious knife-wielding skills that she could share with him via their kiss-fusion. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 4|Kiss Players #4}}

[[File:Marissafairebornekissplay.jpg|left|thumb||upright=1.2|Marissa buys [[Mint in sealed box|MISB]] because she wants a GERM FREE toy.]]

Knife skills were not Marissa's only attribute, however: she was also a talented surfer, and wondered if she could share ''that'' ability with Prime via their fusion. As it turned out, Prime was actually [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3|already quite skilled in that area]]. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 7|Kiss Players #7}} Prime soon found a better use for Marissa's surfboard when he used his new powers to transform it into a knife so he could make use of the skills Marissa's fusion gave with him. Marissa was not very happy, {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 10|Kiss Players #10}} but took it in stride, and dubbed the new weapon the "[[Surfblade]]". In response, Prime named her shirt "The Three Skull Brothers", after the image on it. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 16|Kiss Players #16}}

[[File:Kissplayers2 prime marissa.jpg|225px|thumb|If Hi-Q made you that little bit awkward... cover your eyes now.]]

Prime and Marissa had a close relationship, as the girl washed Prime in "intimate" spots like his gas tank, {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 19|Kiss Players #19}} and they would go on "dates" together, at one point visiting the seaside, only to wind up in battle with a Legion created from the fusion of an octopus and a shipwreck. Prime regretted that these activities had to be carried out under the cover of night, and vowed that he and Marissa would visit the beach under the light of the sun. {{storylink|Someday, Beneath the Sun}}

Marissa later crossed paths with a girl named [[Atari Hitotonari]], and quickly became friends with her. Sadly, Marissa soon discovered that Atari was actually a member of the EDC, and realized regretfully that this would likely mean they would have to fight. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 13|Kiss Players #13}} Nevertheless, when Atari found herself in danger, Marissa and Prime rescued her on several occasions. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 9|Kiss Players #9}}

[[File:KP prime turns on marissa.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Hands, Mister!]]

Soon, Optimus Prime found himself suffering from a recurring nightmare filled with visions of his old enemy, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. In the grip of one of these hallucinations, Prime lost control of himself and almost crushed Marissa in his fist, but was thankfully able to regain his senses before he hurt her. Marissa and Prime subsequently fused, and were able to corral a legion of Legion for an attack upon the EDC headquarters. They found their way barred by a pair of most unexpected opponents: [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] had returned to Earth and become Kiss Player partners with Marissa's old friend, Shaoshao. Hot Rod believed Prime to be an impostor, and Shaoshao wished to see him dead so that she might "reclaim" Marissa as her friend, and so Prime and Hot Rod began battling. The tide shifted when Atari entered the battle, the attack was broken off, and Prime and Marissa now found they had to elude Hot Rod and Shaoshao as well as the EDC's force. {{storylink|Kiss Players issue 3|Kiss Players #3}} Marissa could likely never have predicted that Hot Rod would steal her underwear for Shaoshao, though. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 28|Kiss Players #28}} {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 29|Kiss Players 29}}

Marissa spent a lot of time reflecting on things after that, thinking back on the summer she had spent with Prime, {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 22|Kiss Players #22}} on Prime's own past, {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 25|Kiss Players #25}} and his current nightmares. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 31|Kiss Players #31}} After viewing a seaside fireworks display for their "last date", {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 34|Kiss Players #34}} Marissa and Prime again launched a Legion-backed attack upon the EDC. This time, however, Marissa, Shaoshao, Atari, Prime and Hot Rod all decided to set their differences aside in order to discover the true, dark secret lurking within the EDC. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 37|Kiss Players #37}} Venturing into the mysterious [[Genital System]] facility hidden beneath the EDC headquarters, the team discovered a mad plot by EDC Commander [[Hitoshizuku Amaō]] to resurrect her daughter, who had died in Galvatron's impact. Thanks to the efforts of Marissa and her friends, the plan was foiled, the [[anti-electron]] field keeping Transformers off Earth was deactivated, and Galvatron's cells were extracted from the Legions and Kiss Players and reconstituted within his body, which was launched off into space. As a result, Marissa lost her Kiss Player powers, and Prime slipped back into death once more. {{storylink|I, You, and the Spinning Earth}}

[[File:15gogo sparkbots appear.jpg|215px|thumb|The ghost of the giant [[Kremzeek]] comes to haunt the Kiss Players.]]
Following the deactivation of the anti-electron field, the Autobots returned to Earth in early 2007, but Transformer-human relations were still in tatters. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] came up with the idea of a Transformer-human singing group to try and repair relations and spread goodwill between the two races, and to that end, Marissa joined with Shaoshao, Atari, and [[Mini-Cassette|cassette Transformers]] [[Glit (KP)|Glit]], [[Sundor]] and [[Rosanna (KP)|Rosanna]] to form this group, the "[[Kiss Players (singing group)|Kiss Players]]".

While on their world goodwill tour, the Kiss Players arrived in North America to perform at [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]] but just before the concert began, three mysterious glowing orbs appeared before the Kiss Players, and telepathically spoke to them. Introducing themselves as the [[Sparkbot]]s, [[Star Dust]], [[Angela]] and [[Zangetsu]], they instructed the three girls to kiss them. When they did so, the girls and Brave Maximus were suddenly whisked off through time, rematerializing at [[Sherman Dam]] in the year 1985, where they witnessed Optimus Prime's historic battle with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] atop the structure. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 39|Kiss Players #39}}

At Angela's behest, Marissa kissed the Sparkbot to transform her and rode the flying lion to Prime's side, where, unseen by the combatants, she was instructed to kiss the Autobot leader. Marissa complied, and a fragment of what the Sparkbots called the "[[AllSpark]]" emerged from his chest. This, the Sparkbots explained, was the Kiss Players' mission—to recover all the fragments of the Allspark, scattered throughout space and time. Marissa regretted that she could not stay and try to avert Prime's deadly fate-to-come, but continued voyaging through the timestream with the rest of her friends to accomplish this task. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 40|Kiss Players #40}} {{storylink|Sparkbots Volume 1}}

The Kiss Players traveled from past to future, collecting AllSpark fragments along the way. Their adventures soon led them to the year 2011, where they fell into the clutches of the [[Quintesson]]s. Even the power of {{w|Moe (slang)|moe}}, despite transforming Marissa into a sailor-suited bunny girl, was not enough to spare them from the Quintesson judge's verdict of "not guilty". Fortunately, Optimus Prime and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Goldbug]] came to their accidental rescue, and the Kiss Players' voyage continued. {{storylink|Kiss Players Picture Story Show}}

On her next mission, Marissa witnessed a robot she believed to be Optimus Prime being brutally beaten in combat in a desert by the Decepticon warrior [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]]. Marissa hastily kissed what she thought was her longtime robotic beau, but as the Allspark fragment emerged, Angela explained that this was not Prime, but [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]], a human man who had bonded with a [[Transtector]] intended for Prime's use. Marissa was horrified that she had kissed someone other than Prime, and made Angela promise not to tell anyone. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 43|Kiss Players #43}}

[[File:Kissplayers adventures end.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]

Things were proceeding smoothly until the Kiss Players began obtaining Allspark fragments from Transformers participating in the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. At the point of the Allspark fragments' emergence, an enigmatic, invisible force began appearing to steal the fragments away, starting with the fragment Atari recovered from [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]], {{Storylink|Sparkbots Volume 2}} and carrying on with those Marissa recovered from [[Lio Convoy]] and [[Big Convoy]]. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 46|Kiss Players #46}} The Kiss Players gave chase across the timestream, but Brave Maximus wound up crashing into the "[[Wall of Time]]", {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 47|Kiss Players #47}} and the team was scattered across the multiverse. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 48|Kiss Players #48}} {{Storylink|Sparkbots Volume 3}}

Marissa found herself transported to the [[Aurex 103.10 Alpha|MD World]], during the height of the Transformers' [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|war for energon]]. There, she met the native [[Mini-Con]] [[Blackout (Armada)|Blackout]], who had become separated from his partner [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] after the larger 'bot's death. Having felt a similar loss when Optimus Prime died, Marissa empathized with Blackout, and told him that their partners lived on in their hearts. As the Transformers battled in space overhead, the mysterious force suddenly seized Marissa and dragged her off through time and space, {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 49|Kiss Players #49}} bringing her to prehistoric Earth in her home universe, where she was reunited with the other girls. It transpired the intangible force that had been plaguing their adventures was, in actuality, the power of [[Primus]], god of the Transformers, and that the Sparkbots were in fact, servants of his nemesis, [[Unicron]]. The "Allspark" that the Kiss Players had been gathering was, in fact, Unicron's shattered [[Angolmois Energy|lifeforce]], and the Sparkbots were attempting to resurrect their deceased master. {{Storylink|Sparkbots Volume 4}} Thankfully, Primus was able to trap Unicron's lifeforce within the Earth, but he would not answer the Kiss Players questions on what their own future would be. As his last act before he transformed into a [[Vector Sigma|golden sphere]], Primus returned the Kiss Players to the present day 2007, mere moments after they had left on their adventure. Realizing that her future was not defined by Primus or any god, Marissa vowed to make her own future, and enlisted in the reformed, restructured EDC. {{storylink|Kiss Players episode 51|Kiss Players #51}} {{Storylink|Sparkbots Volume 5}}
{{--}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
Marissa was one of the many women brought to the [[Legends World]] by [[Tigatron]] using the [[10.2 ultra-drill|ultra-drill]] in an attempt to get women who liked him better than [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]. It did not work out, as all of the women brought over eventually swooned over Springer. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}}

=====''Story of Binaltech''=====
In a parallel universe which was diverged off from the mainstream timeline by the powers of a mysterious entity known as the [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Protector]], Marissa was stationed at the EDC's Mars base in 2005 when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and his Decepticons attacked. Marissa watched as [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] appeared on the scene and challenged Megatron to battle for control of Earth's solar system. {{storylink|Kill Switch}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
In 2011, Marissa was briefly mentioned by [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] as a human candidate for the mission to stop [[Metamorphose]], but he was informed by [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] that the Earth Defense Command couldn't get involved in the situation. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

=====''Masterpiece'' toy bios=====
Following 2011, Marissa befriended an Autobot named Powerdrive who eventually revealed a secret about himself—he was actually [[Delta Magnus]]. When he was appointed [[City Commander]] and panicked over the possibility of his secret identity being found out by the Decepticons, Marissa helped him through his crisis with kind words and advice. {{storylink|Delta Magnus #Masterpiece|''Masterpiece'' Delta Magnus bio}}

=====''Unite Warriors''/''Legends''=====
In [[2021]], Marissa and her daughter [[Sue Faireborn|Sue]] were on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] as [[Grand Galvatron]] arrived and announced his intention to conquer the planet. {{storylink|Sky Reign Chapter}} When Optimus Prime came back to life only to reveal that his return was temporary and that he would die again in seven days, Marissa's daughter Sue burst into tears. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}} In order to make new happy memories with Prime while she had the chance, she gifted a Transformer-scaled surfboard to her old friend, inspiring him to take the other Autobots surfing in [[Hawaii]]. Marissa and her daughter came along and sat in Prime's hand as he watched his soldiers enjoy themselves. {{storylink|Crossing the Pacific Ocean!?}} She also accompanied Prime to the [[Disaster Relief Team]]'s musical rehearsal. {{storylink|Invitation to the Dress Rehearsal!}}

When [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] summoned Deltra Magnus to the [[Legends World]], Marissa happened to be brought along for the ride. On her suggestion, they spent a day checking the dimension out just for fun. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Magna Convoy)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Marissa and Sue later had a fight that caused Sue to run away from home. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 46|Bonus Edition Vol. 46}} In [[2022]], Marissa led the EDC against the forces of the [[Concurrence]], personally piloting [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] into battle. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Greatshot)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} The following year she accompanied Jetfire to the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]] where she was reunited with Sue. {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 1}} In [[2039]], Marissa enjoyed some leisure time with her daughter. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
[[File:Marissa Selects.jpg|left|thumb|150px|The promotion was really the least Takara could give her at this point.]]

When humanity's [[Selector]]s rebelled in the year [[2050]], receiving support from the Decepticons, an elderly Marissa, now the director of Earth Defense Command, was present at EDC headquarters where she and her fellow former Kiss Players were shocked to learn that the Autobots would be fighting on the Selectors' side as well. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Marissafairebornedw2.jpg|225px|thumb|Okay, but what if over all this EDC armor I also wore this sweet leather jacket?]]

Marissa was the granddaughter of [[Nathaniel Faireborn]], founder of the Earth Defense Command.

As [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] attempted to haul the deactivated bodies of [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] out of an [[Oregon]] lake, they were arrested by Commander Marissa Faireborn and a legion of [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] troops. {{storylink|The Omega Effect}} Bumper and Warpath were rendered unconscious, and the seven Autobots were taken to the EDCs subterranean headquarters in the Nevada desert. {{storylink|Atonement}} Contrary to first appearances, the EDC actually helped to repair the damaged Autobots, hoping for their aid in investigating a mysterious Cybertronian energy signature emanating from the deserted town of [[San Desto]]. Marissa recruited Jazz, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, and Bumper for the job, and led them and the [[EDC Night Force Unit]] into action.

[[File:Marissafairebornedw.jpg|left|thumb|You wouldn't be the [[Sammy Harker|first]] [[G.B. Blackrock|human]] he's done this to.]]
Even before they touched down in San Desto, Marissa had established a good rapport with Jazz, with both parties mutually respecting the other's skills. As such, when a sweep of the town turned up no civilians, Marissa instructed her troops to follow Jazz's orders as they would hers, as they began a more thorough search. Soon enough, they were attacked by an army of [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] clones, who killed off most of the EDC soldiers and captured Bumper. {{storylink|Infestation (Dreamwave)|Infestation}} Jazz and Marissa managed to escape to [[Crothers Auto-Body|a garage]], where they found a veritable abattoir of human and bovine remains. The Insecticons tracked them down, forcing them to flee into a subterranean egg chamber, which Jazz promptly torched. This provoked an attack from an enraged [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], but Sideswipe and Sunstreaker managed to cover Jazz and Marissa's escape back to the surface. Once there, they were confronted with yet more Insecticon clones and the [[cerebro-shell]]-controlled human citizens of San Desto. While the Autobots were unwilling to risk killing the helpless thralls, Marissa waded into the army with fists flying. Further bloodshed was prevented, however, when Bumper took out [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], neutralizing both clones and slaves. {{storylink|Extermination}}

Soon after, back at EDC headquarters, Marissa shared a few parting words with Jazz as he and the other Autobots waited for their comrades to pick them up. Marissa assured Jazz that he was not to blame for the loss of the entire Night Force, and seemed about to bring up the [[Transformer romance|strange relationship]] that had bloomed between the pair of them, until Wheeljack interrupted. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

Sometime later, Marissa was chewed out by [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|her superior]] over the loss of Night Force, who blamed the involvement of the Autobots for the mission going sour. Marissa defended the Autobots (and left the colonel distinctly unimpressed in the process, particularly when he learned that she was on a first-name basis with Jazz), but the colonel demanded that she reinstate her grandfather's [[Project Centurion]], in order to put the EDC on a more equal footing with the Transformers, in terms of power. Marissa objected vocally, but could not sway her commanding officer. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|''Robots in Disguise'' #28]]}}
[[File:DetonationBoulevard-YoungMarissa.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5]]
Marissa Bishop was the illegitimate daughter of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] officer [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Dashiel Faireborn]] and his old girlfriend [[Claire Austin]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 2|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook #2}} She spent an unhappy childhood with her alcoholic mother and surrogate father [[Howard Bishop|Howard]] in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]]; when her parents divorced, she learned who her biological father was and took his surname out of spite. As G.I. Joe operatives were, at the time, required to fake their death to join, Marissa naturally assumed that her father had died. {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 2|Marissa Faireborn profile}}

While still a college student at [[New York University]], {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 2|Marissa Faireborn profile}} Marissa was participating in the Occupy Wall Street movement in [[New York City]] when the [[Decepticon]] invasion struck, killing thousands and devastating the city. As one of the businessmen she'd been protesting against died in her arms, she realized there were much greater evils out there that humanity needed to stand united against. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|Ghost in the Machine}} She enlisted in the military the very next day. {{storylink|Unification Day: Dawn}} Two years later, she graduated and joined [[Skywatch]], under the command of [[Sparkplug Witwicky|General Daniel Witwicky]]; when Skywatch was decommissioned circa 2012, she became a field commander in its replacement, the [[United Nations|UN]]-chartered Earth Defense Command. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}} {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 2|Marissa Faireborn profile}}

[[File:DetonationBoulevard MarissaGeneralWitwicky.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|left]]
When the Decepticons returned in 2014 proposing a truce, Marissa was part of the group General Witwicky brought to the [[Antarctica|South Pole]] to meet with their new leaders: [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]. Galvatron revealed that [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], humanity's tormentor, had recently defected to the Autobots; thanks to Galvatron deliberately twisting the nature of this "betrayal," he persuaded EDC to form an alliance with the Decepticons against the Autobots should they return to Earth. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}}

At the same time, Marissa helped to forge an alliance of convenience with the Decepticon deserter [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], providing him asylum on Earth and a source of [[energon]]. Eventually, Marissa caved and gave the marooned ex-Decepticon a dog named [[Buster (IDW)|Buster]] for companionship. {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 2|Marissa Faireborn profile}}

Marissa's second-in-command [[Ayana Jones]], who had served in G.I. Joe prior to the organization's dissolution, eventually revealed to her that Flint was still alive. {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 2|Marissa Faireborn profile}} The two met, but never formed a meaningful relationship. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 3: Behind My Bleeding Back|Behind My Bleeding Back}}

Two months after ratifying this-human Decepticon alliance, Marissa led a strike team to shoot down an intruding Cybertronian starship, one that belonged to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 2|Marissa Faireborn profile}} The EDC took custody of the ship and its occupant and interred them in the EDC's [[Marshall Islands|Bikini Atoll]] base. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}}

[[File:RID28 Marissa Faireborn.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|"Good work, Thundercracker! We're making you head writer on ''SVU''!"]]

When the Autobots arrived four months later to find Trion, Marissa contacted Thundercracker, using him as bait to lure [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s Autobot team into an ambush. Once Prime and his troops arrived at Thundercracker's home, she revealed the existence of the EDC-Decepticon alliance and placed them under arrest. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|Hello Cruel World}} The Autobots resisted and escaped, and Marissa left the pursuit up to her Decepticon allies. This turned out to be a bad idea when the Decepticons confronted the Autobots in a populated area, prompting her to try to call off the operation, but the Decepticons didn't listen. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} Bad came to worse as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] joined the fight and the Transformers revealed their [[robot mode]]s to the civilians, forcing Marissa to deploy the EDC's trump card: a [[mindbomb]] that knocked the Decepticons out cold, cutting the conflict short. The Autobots got away, and Marissa and her troops quickly got busy covering up what had happened. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}}

While reporting on the clean-up to General Witwicky and [[Sanjay Bharwaney]], located at the EDC's [[Marshall Islands]] base, Marissa was interrupted by Galvatron and Soundwave teleporting into the base and crushing the comm-link. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 4: Full Fathom Five|Full Fathom Five}} She immediately had Thundercracker fly her to the base, arriving in the middle of a battle between the Autobots and Decepticons only to find Witwicky dead. Galvatron claimed the general had been killed by the Autobot [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], which Marissa believed, knowing of Prowl's grudge against [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]]. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}}

[[File:TheObliterati-MarissaElbowsSpike.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|"That's for showing up in Season 3 ya jerk!"]]

Marissa and [[Ayana Jones]] traveled to [[Tokyo]] to meet with [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]], CEO of [[Onyx]] and provider of much of the EDC's tech, in response to the reemergence of Spike Witwicky and his threat against Onyx. She was unimpressed with Blackrock's outrage and informed him that Witwicky was never part of the EDC, but that they would capture him regardless. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|Signals, Calls, and Marches}} When Prowl and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] appeared in Tokyo also in search of Witwicky, Marissa's called for reinforcements as she herself prioritized evacuating Blackrock. Blackrock shocked her with the revelation that he possessed Cybertronian relics, then requested they change course to [[Wanmu]] to protect them. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|Vs.}} At the Wanmu Onyx base, Marissa was given a tour on Blackrock's collection, most importantly the [[Enigma of Combination]] that he claimed had caused the evolution of human society. The tour was rudely interrupted by Prowl's Devastator, come to retrieve the Enigma. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|ONoffON}} Faireborn and [[Ayana Jones]] found themselves drawing guns on Spike, who pretended Faireborn was an old romantic conquest to confuse and get the drop on her (you're a creep, Spike). When the aforementioned Devastator distracted him, she clobbered him. The incident ended with Spike arrested, the loss of EDC's robot drone army, and Galvatron irked that Faireborn and the EDC had kept information about said drones from him. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}}

Soon after, Faireborn and Jones visited the Decepticon's new [[Sanctuary Station|space station commune]] alongside a gladhandling Blackrock. Both EDC women were worried about him and his stories, and Marissa dropped the bombshell that they had no trace of Blackrock ''existing'' until three years ago. Still, she thought, better to have him on their side than running unchecked, right? {{storylink|South of Heaven}} Not long after, Blackrock used this to gain access to Spike's cell. (Marissa wasn't interested in anything the prisoner had to say. Nor was she interested in listening to Thundercracker's new script but tough shit ''there'') {{storylink|The Nothing Man}}

[[File:Helden-EDCAndThundercracker.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5]]
Soon after, Thundercracker learned about Christmas and decided to write a children's story where he was a noir detective investigating a murder caused by Megatron to frame Santa Claus which he read to Marissa. She had some criticisms to offer, namely being killed on page two. {{storylink|The Thirteenth Day of Christmas}}

What Marissa didn't know was that Blackrock had Autobot prisoners under the EDC base and his Onyx Interface was allowing him to spy on all Earth systems. While she groused about Buster the dog peeing on the floor, that same dog and [[D.0.C.]] busted the conspiracy wide open! Faireborn had just enough time to realise what was going on before Galvatron attacked, revealing Blackrock was a sleeper agent for his rival Cybertronian, [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]]. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 3: Helden|Helden}} Thundercracker, the Autobots, and the E.D.C. gathered their forces in order to prepare for Galvatron's oncoming invasion of the planet. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion|Perihelion}}

[[File:NoFairFights-MarissaInTrouble.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]

When an all out brawl between Autobots and Decepticons broke out in Shanghai, Faireborn ordered the Mind-Bomb fired on all Cybertronians in the city, offering her apologies to the Autobots present for what would befall their comrades. When the victorious, and very ticked off, Autobots arrived at Bikini Atoll, Faireborn acknowledged that Optimus had saved the city from Galvatron and let him take his men without a fight but wondered if she'd done the right thing shortly afterward. The fact that Optimus annexed Earth hours later did not reassure her. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} She and Jones were called to the [[White House]]. To her dismay, the President had reinstated [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike]] and made him her liaison the EDC while also putting [[Zilong Qian]] as a contact for the [[People's Liberation Army Mecha Force]]. {{storylink|New Worlds Order}} She and Jones later tried to explain to the President that war with the Autobots was a bad idea and that they should at least consider Optimus' message of peace at face value. Unfortunately for her case, [[Aileron]] showed up making threats and Faireborn was forced, somewhat reluctantly, to coordinate a defence. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|Edge of the Earth}} Marissa was present as the EDC received satellite imagery of the Cybertronians' location from an [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|anonymous source]] and half heartedly warned Spike to be careful when engaging Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|It's Beginning To And Back Again}} She and Jones received a secret message within the larger message of Blackrock singling his location in the [[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]. The two removed him before [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] could kill him with [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] teleporting them away. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above...So Below}} She spoke to the President again, trying to highlight the positives only for her superior to warn her that she would soon be removed from her post as head of the EDC. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|No Fair Fights}} Her replacement was General [[Joe Colton]]. She continued to work for the EDC and called back Spike per his orders. She later explained who Colton was to Skywarp and her opinion that the General was in over his head. {{storylink|White Light}}

[[File:and marissa faireborne helps too.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Garth Ennis Presents ''Transformers''.]]

After Joe Colton was revealed to have been [[Joe Colton (Dire Wraith)|replaced by a Dire Wraith]] and killed by the Space Knight, [[Rom]], Faireborn was called to the White House where she was to courier a briefcase. She defended her actions to the President before she highlighted the recent string of failures suffered by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'s. The debate was interrupted when Marissa got an alert that Scarlett had launched an attack on Bikini Atoll to kill the Wraiths there. The Wraiths in the Oval Office, took this as their cue to attack Marissa for the [[Ore-13]] in the briefcase. Marissa was able to mow through them with her custom firearm and deduction of their biology before she called in [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] for backup. Just as she and the President were cornered by Wraiths, the Seeker arrived and began casually cutting through the Wraiths. When he pointed out the [[Seeker clone]]s had attacked him, that led Marissa to conclude the situation room was compromised by Wraiths before [[Buster (IDW)|Buster]] revealed her ability to sniff out Wraiths. Marissa led the fight to the situation room where she mowed down countless Wraiths with her rifle as Thundercracker killed their leader. After the crisis had passed, Marissa reunited Thundercracker with his friends before the Cybertronian announced he was going on a road trip. {{storylink|Thundercracker & Buster Save the World}} Marissa was still fired but at least the President apologized for it. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 3: Behind My Bleeding Back|Behind My Bleeding Back}}

[[File:DanceAmongTheShadows-unhappyreunion.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|"So, um, this, is, uh, awkward, but, uh, have-have we ever actually, you know, met?"]]

Marissa joined Thundercracker on his road trip and was in [[Egypt]] taking in the sights before Thundercracker received a call. The Seeker however dismissed it as a wrong number and Marissa went off followed by Buster. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}} Marissa was soon reunited with her estranged father who wanted her to join G.I. Joe, so that Thundercracker would aid the team with a Cybertronian problem. The discussion did not go well as Marissa would not be in charge again before she derisively commented on her father's [[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|latest romantic partner]] (a woman ''barely older'' than her), lamenting that he never changed. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 3: Behind My Bleeding Back|Behind My Bleeding Back}}

Marissa then went to take in the sights of a local bazaar with Buster before Thundercracker convinced her to meet with Flint by suggesting he wanted to get to know her better. With little choice, she went to meet her father and ordered him to land his [[Sky Hawk]] in [[Sicily]]. There she confessed to her father that she had turned down his offer, not because she didn't want to work with him, but because she felt there was no way to win against the Cybertronians. Therefore, she was just seeing the world before it all went to hell. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}}

[[File:OriginMyths-RepresentativeMarissa.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2]]

Sure enough it went to hell when [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] began invading the world...and then all began leaving. Flint left to follow them but Marissa stayed behind until Thundercracker convinced her otherwise. Arriving at the [[Matterhorn]] after Optimus found a peaceful resolution, she brought forward the idea of a refugee camp for the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] and was rehired to oversee construction. {{storylink|New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|Feel Safe Without Regrets}} After donning a new catsuit, she argued with her dad about the merits of change before she went to defend Thundercracker from [[Pyra Magna]], an act that impressed the Torchbearer. Pyra drove Marissa around and expressed her belief that she and the human were the same and that the Camien wanted Marissa's help in overthrowing Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Next Day, and the Next}} Marissa and the President later watched [[Brad Emory]] report on [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]]'s interview before the President commented on Marissa's good relations with most Cybertronians, saying it was just what the humans needed asking if she'd given any thought to travelling abroad. {{storylink|The Life of Sideswipe}} After getting approval from the [[United Nations]], Marissa was appointed Earth's first interstellar ambassador. {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

Wearing a stunning (and bulletproof) [[Barber]] original, Marissa departed Autobot City escorted by her father. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 1}} At the grand ceremony within [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Marissa gave a television interview about her past experiences with Cybertronians, saying that the mechanical aliens were part of life and humanity would do well to work with them rather than fight them forever. Riding on a G.I. Joe [[Bridge Layer]] through Iacon, Marissa caught up with [[Ayana Jones|Mayday]] as they discussed the many unknown Cybertronians and that fake smiling was all Marissa could do in the face of thirty-foot tall politicians. {{storylink|Unification Day: Dawn}}

[[File:UnificationDayDawn MarissaRedShadows.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left]]
Arriving at the plaza, Marissa was interviewed by [[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] before a large explosion cut [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] off before he could finish his third word. At [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s command, Marissa and Starscream were evacuated to "Echo Point" by [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] and [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]. {{storylink|First Strike issue 1|First Strike #1}} Marissa, however simply grabbed her firearm and opened fire on the [[Red Shadows]] before her father and Mayday insisted she retreat from the battlefield. As Marissa was being led away, she and Mayday questioned the lack of reinforcements before Flint deduced the Space Bridge was closed and Arcee saved them from death via a COBRA truck. Arcee then carried Marissa and Mayday to safety before the latter went off to find Blackrock and [[Centurion (IDW)|Centurion]]. {{storylink|Unification Day: Dawn}} On Earth, Thundercracker feared what had become of Marissa once Starscream ordered the Space Bridge nexus shut down. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 1}}

Brought to the [[Spire]], Marissa witnessed the harmonious teamwork and democratic progress of Starscream and [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] before Elita put forth the suggestion that all humans were to blame for the attack on Iacon and summoned her weapon to execute all humans starting with Marissa. Far from being intimated, Marissa instead chewed out Elita for thinking indiscriminate mass murder was the sign of great leadership and mocked her intelligence, humbling the Carcerian into taking a more tactical approach. {{storylink|First Strike issue 2|First Strike #2}}

Elita next proposed mass deportation, and Marissa agreed that the humans should have stayed on Earth but since Earth was already a member of the Council, she and her species had every right to be present. After Starscream had locked up [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and [[M.A.S.K.]], Marissa visited [[Scarlett]] and promised that despite [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s blustering, he would mobilize forces against Colton to not look weak. When Scarlett expressed doubt that Starscream could stop Colton, Marissa revealed that all she could do was try to convince Starscream to take the threat seriously and that she was regretting taking the position of ambassador. {{storylink|First Strike issue 4|First Strike #4}} After the creation of [[New Prysmos]], Elita glared at Marissa from behind. {{storylink|First Strike issue 6|First Strike #6}}

[[File:TheDeadComeHomePart1 MarissaFlex.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Are we ''sure'' this version of her isn't related to [[Lady Jaye]]?]]
Marissa then attended a Council meeting to discuss the state of Cybertron's energon and alternative energy sources. When Elita put forth the idea of invading Earth for resources, Marissa lampshaded the double standard present in the Council before noting that it had taken only forty-seven humans to bring Cybertron to knee and angering six and a half billion more was a bad idea. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}} Marissa was later retrieved by Blackrock and brought to the Cybertronian wilderness where Optimus revealed his plan to have [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] become Earth's embassy on Cybertron to protect the new generation of [[protoform]]s and show that Earth was as deserving of a spot on the Council as the other colony worlds. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}}

After moving into her new embassy, Marissa found herself beset by paperwork before Starscream stopped by and, to Marissa's horror, hired Thundercracker to produce a biopic about him. After Thundercracker came to Marissa to vent his woes about production troubles, Marissa arranged for him to speak to [[Bulletman|Richard Ruby]] about advice on film making. {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}} Marissa was later present when Windblade returned to her seat on the Council. After Starscream kicked out [[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] and [[Longtooth]] to prevent news of [[Liege Maximo]]'s freedom leaking to the public, Marissa asked [[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] what a Liege Maximo was. {{storylink|The Chosen One}} After Thundercracker's film had bombed in virtually all respects, Marissa comforted her friend before a call came in from [[J.J. Hackensack]] who wanted to collaborate with Thundercracker on his next project. {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

[[File:TheGround MarissaWindblade.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8]]
With Optimus, Marissa oversaw the opening of a jointly operated and employed human/Cybertronian [[Ore-13]] mine in [[Kentucky]]. When the two delivered the energon to Cybertron however, Onyx Prime and Liege Maximo returned to the planet. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} During the Council session regarding the two Primes, Marissa attempted to make her voice heard only for Onyx to continuously shut her up. When an explosion ripped through the [[Spire]], Optimus and Windblade shielded Marissa. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} When it transpired that [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] had perished in the blast, Onyx took the opportunity to slander humans as a party that had corrupted Cybertron before fermenting chaos in Iacon, prompting Marissa to call [[Rashid Nasir]] and have him send the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to help. When Onyx left for his ship, Marissa rode on Windblade's shoulder as the cityspeaker carried Optimus only for the Prime to fall when Metrotitan arrived. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

Returning to the Spire, Marissa continued her attempts at summoning the Dinobots only for Trypticon himself to decide that Cybertron has had it and spacebridge himself to Earth. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} After fliers had failed to find the missing Optimus Prime, Elita advocated turning [[Vigilem|Carcer]] on [[Nemesis (BW)|Nemesis]] but Marissa dissuaded that line of thought in light of the poor luck Metrotitan just had against the evil Titan. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} When Onyx was unmasked as Shockwave and brought before the Council, the Decepticon had his crimes read out with Marissa superfluously pointing out the damage that the scientist had wrought to Earth. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

Marissa soon went back to Earth to speak to the President regarding the presence of Trypticon - now perched atop [[Mount Rushmore]] - on Earth. As Marissa assured the President that no more Cybertronians would be squatting on Earth, [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] drove up and turned himself in for killing [[John Powell]] in exchange for [[Rom]] being allowed usage of Trypticon's spacebridge. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}}

The Dinobots soon arrived at Jazz's prison to petition for their friend's release, Marissa acting as a mediator between the Joes and Autobots before the [[Colonist Soldiers]] arrived on a half-cocked rescue mission. Despite Marissa's attempts to keep the peace, the situation escalated to the point that [[Gimlet]], in a burst of instinct, killed [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] before [[Slag (G1)|Slug]], in another burst of instinct, slayed the [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukarian]]. When the Junkions chose that moment to try and conquer Earth again, it was Jazz who defused the situation before [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] appeared in the skies overhead, Marissa reflecting that the time of chaos had come at last. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}}

[[File:Ceremony MarissaBuster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right]]
Not wasting a moment, Marissa called Thundercracker so he could put his skills to use in the crisis before the President called her regarding Metroplex materializing by [[Victoria Falls]]. When [[Rom]] and Soundwave explained Unicron before the ''[[Peaceful Revolution]]'' materialized, underground, to take all the Transformers to Africa. {{storylink|A Sunrise Dark}} Donning a new catsuit, Marissa attended the briefing in Trypticon. Before Thundercracker left to play his role in the battle, he asked Marissa to watch over Buster, even should he not return. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

The Aerialbots soon arrived at Mount Rushmore, combining into [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] to revive the "Earth-Enigma" and allowing Soundwave to make use of the physical [[Enigma of Combination]]. Before the plan could be put into motion, Marissa pointed out [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] dropping from overhead only for Superion and a revived [[Victorion]] to engage him while the [[Worldsweeper]] flew off out of control. As Marissa protected Buster during the chaos, Soundwave and Optimus Prime initiated their plan to defeat Unicron using the Enigma and were ultimately successful. Marissa comforted Buster in the aftermath, assuming Thundercracker hadn't survived, but was soon happily proven wrong as her friend returned from space with [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]]. They had a joyful reunion and Marissa nuzzled up with Buster as everyone basked in the sunlight. {{storylink|Ceremony}} As [[Little Cybertron]] underwent repairs, Marissa talked to Arcee about her gender reassignment and her plans for the future. Marissa was later present at Optimus' funeral, openly mourning his passing. {{storylink|Post}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===Transformers: Forged to Fight===
[[File:Marissa Faireborn Forged to Fight.png|thumb|right|300px|This is my ass-kicking suit.]]
Marissa was present on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it strangely crash-landed on a [[New Quintessa|mysterious planet]]. In the Campaign she gives some helpful suggestions to [[You|the Commander]] and the [[Autobot]]s.
{{charstubgames|[[Transformers: Forged to Fight]]}}
==Toys==
===''Binaltech Asterisk''===
*'''Black Convoy meets Melissa''' (2006?)
**''ID number:'' '''BTA-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

:A planned release of the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Alternators|Optimus Prime]] in Japanese markets, ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk|Binaltech Asterisk]]'' [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Binaltech Asterisk|Black Convoy]] was solicited to retailers in 2005, in a set with an accompanying "Melissa" figurine (as was usual for the ''Asterisk'' line). However, those solicitations were withdrawn and the toy quietly cancelled by the end of the year, with the mold and Melissa instead being released as ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Kiss Players|Convoy]] × [[#Kiss Players 2|Melissa]] in [[2006]].
{{canceledtoy}}

===''Kiss Players''===
[[File:Marissafairebornkptoy.jpg|215px|thumb|EDC Casual Fridays; Note: She's supposed to be 20 YEARS OLD]]
*'''Convoy × Melissa''' (Kiss Players, [[2006]])
**''Accessories:'' Four arms, two pairs of legs, stand, "[[Surfblade]]"
{{toydesigner|[[Yuki Ohshima]] (concept artist)}}

: Available only as part of the headliner ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' set, Marissa's first-ever toy is a soft-plastic PVC figurine with a permanent pucker, designed mainly to sit demurely on the [[robot mode]] shoulder of her partner [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Convoy]]. Marissa comes with several interchangeable limbs; a pair of legs bent at the knee to allow her to perch on Prime's shoulder or sit in his driver's seat, a pair of straight legs to allow her stand upright (but only with the aid of the small stand included), a set of straight arms, and a set of arms bent at the elbow to allow her mime the act of placing her hands on Prime's steering wheel while she's sitting in him. She comes with a surfboard (that she really can't use) that becomes either Optimus Prime's "Surfblade" sword or a pair of long serrated knives. The set also comes with a CD containing the first 5 episodes of the ''Kiss Players'' radio drama and the exclusive 10-minute audio story, "[[Someday, Beneath the Sun]]".

: This set was originally intended for release in the ''Binaltech Asterisk'' line as "[[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Black Convoy]] meets Marissa", but was cancelled due to low sales of the previous toys before it was even ''officially'' solicited. How much difference there is between the planned ''Asterisk'' version of Marissa and the final ''Kiss Players'' version is currently unknown. (Although it could be assumed she was originally wearing some pants.)
{{--}}

===''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''===
[[File:TimelinesToy marissa and afterburner.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Why would I need a bike when I have a Jetpack?]]
*'''Marissa Faireborn with Afterbreaker''' ([[2015]])
**''Accessories:'' Jetpack with rifle, pistol, figure stand
: Marissa is one of two exclusive figures available through both the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] and the G.I. Joe Collector's Club stores in 2015. She consists of a combination of redecoed parts from existing ''G.I.Joe'' figures; namely, the head first used for the 2006 version of Agent Courtney Krieger (aka [[Cover Girl]]), the torso and waist of the 2010 ''Resolute'' version of [[Scarlett]], the arms of the 2009 '' Rise of Cobra'' "Paris Pursuit" version of the [[Baroness]], the thighs/upper legs of the 2009 ''Rise of Cobra'' version of Shana "Scarlett" O'Hara, and the hands, lower legs and feet of the 2009 ''Rise of Cobra'' version of Courtney "Cover Girl" Krieger. This combination of parts has the unfortunate effect of making her neck appear disproportionally long.

: Her accessories are likewise recolored from existing ''G.I. Joe'' accessories: Her gun originally came with the 2008 comic pack version of the [[Iron Grenadier]], her rifle originally came with the 2010 ''Pursuit of Cobra'' "Arctic" version of [[Destro]], and the rocket pack is a redeco of the JUMP pack that was first released by itself all the way back in 1982, and has since been available with multiple different figures. These accessories are meant to emulate the rocket pack and [[null-ray]] blaster she used in "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]".

:Also included is a non-transforming "[[Afterburner (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Afterbreaker]]" (aka Afterburner, renamed due to trademark issues), redecoed from the 2012 ''Retaliation'' Wheel Blaster Bike, in homage to her work with the Technobots in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] episode "[[Money Is Everything (episode)|Money Is Everything]]".

::*''[https://www.yojoe.com/action/15/marissafaireborn.shtml More information on Marissa Faireborn at YoJoe.com]''
{{--}}

===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:TF-Masterpiece-MP-31-Delta-Magnus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|That's me in the corner]]
*'''Delta Magnus''' ([[2016]]-[[August 27|08-27]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-31'''
**''Accessories'': Super Blaster Gun, 2 missiles, Marissa figure, 2 neutral faces, 2 screaming faces
: A mini-figure of Marissa is included with the ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Delta Magnus#Masterpiece|Delta Magnus]] figure and can be seated inside his cab in vehicle mode.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Although Marissa's father has long been accepted to be the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] member [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (aka Dashiell Faireborn), there were no statements as to the identity of her mother until recently. In an interview on the Sony BMG re-release of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', former Transformers writer and story editor [[Flint Dille]] confirmed fellow G.I. Joe member [[Lady Jaye]] as Marissa's mother. This would subsequently make Marissa a distant relative of [[Destro]] as well. However, [http://web.archive.org/web/20060319041539/https://joeheadquarters.com/interviews_dille.shtml in an interview with ''G.I. Joe'' fansite Joe Headquarters,] Dille added the caveat that "I've always thought of Flint as being too young to have a daughter that old."
*''Kiss Players'' designer/illustrator Yūki Ōshima based Marissa's black leather battle outfit on that of the [[Baroness]]. He originally wanted her to infiltrate [[Cobra]], but had her join an anti-government resistance team when the idea was shot down.
*Early previews of ''Kiss Players'' implied Marissa to be a current or former EDC member, going so far as to feature an EDC logo on her shirt in early images. The idea was discarded, and the EDC logo was replaced with the set of three eyepatch-wearing skulls referenced above.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Melissa Faireborn''' (メリッサ・フェアボーン ''Merissa Feabōn'')

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{i|Marissa Faireborn}} at the IDW Hasbro Wiki

{{DEFAULTSORT:Faireborn, Marissa}}
[[Category:Alternators humans]]
[[Category:Council members]]
[[Category:Earth Defense Command]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon humans]]
[[Category:Generations Selects humans]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) humans]]
[[Category:Kiss Players humans]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Pilots]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors humans]]

Code of Hero

2023-02-24T18:29:53Z

Bluie:

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the mobile game event|Code of a Hero}}

{{episode|
|series=BWtoon
|ep=35
|series2=Metals
|ep2=8
|prev2=Other Visits (Part 2)
|next2=Transmutate (episode)
|image=CodeofHero titlepic.jpg
|caption=The rest... is silence.
|title="Code of Hero"
|season=2
|season ep=9
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[March 9]], 1998 ([[Toonami]]), [[April 25]], 1998 (syndication)
|packaged with=[[Dinobot (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Dinobot]]
|written by=[[Ian Weir]]
|directed by=[[Bob Forward]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity= [[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Dinobot makes the ultimate sacrifice to save those who are still to come.'''

==Synopsis==
In [[Valley of the Neanderthals|a wild valley]], a group of [[anthropoid|primitive hominids]] forage for food. A [[Giant Snake]] attacks two of their number, and the anthropoids are helpless to stop it...

[[File:Dinobot meditate.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"I have no other choice, I have dishonored my comrades."]]
At the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', a haunted Dinobot meditates on his sword... and holds its blade ominously over his chest. But after a long moment of tension and hesitation, he casts it aside with a growl of frustration.

Rhinox has been calculating the path of the [[Transwarp wavefront|Transwarp Wave]] from the [[Planet Buster]]'s destruction—it's traveling through time at an accelerated rate, and will reach [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the "present", thus alerting Cybertron to their location. [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] fears Megatron has made similar calculations, and the group realizes they need to increase their defenses.

Dinobot, still somber, runs into Rattrap, who nearly goads him into a fight over his turning the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Disk]] over to Megatron. Rattrap stalks off, concluding that he'd thought Dinobot was at least forthright. Dinobot is left to reflect that his past actions cannot be undone... but they "may yet be mitigated". He arms himself and heads off into the wastes.

On aerial recon, Cheetor observes Megatron and Rampage out for a stroll. They drive him off with some damage, but Cheetor calls in the sighting to Dinobot, who promises to follow up.

At [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]], Tarantulas has captured a tasty antelope for his dinner. But as he creeps up to the struggling beast, Dinobot bursts out of the ground, holding him at gunpoint and demanding to know what information is on the Golden Disk. Tarantulas doesn't know—there are no more copies remaining, and Megatron is keeping the Disk on his person at all times. Still holding him at gunpoint, Dinobot uses Tarantulas as his unwilling ride.

[[File:Megatron GoldenDisk.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|The hills are alive, with The Sounds of Earth!]]
The anthropoids scatter and panic as Megatron flies overhead and lands. Rampage sneers that the Maximals will soon arrive from Cybertron, and that he anticipates Megatron's imminent demise. Megatron admits that's very likely... but only if history remains as it is.

Megatron explains that the Golden Disk contains images recorded in the future, including one of a nearby mountain. Megatron has Rampage destroy the mountaintop. After a moment, the image on the disk changes to suit the altered reality, to Megatron's delight. Dinobot observes all this with dawning dread: Megatron has the power to change the future.

The valley they are standing above, Megatron explains, spawned the human race. Their interference helped the Autobots win the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], thereby allowing the Maximals to rule over the Predacons today. But Megatron has a different history in mind. Summoning the rest of his troops, he orders them to annihilate the valley and its inhabitants. With the anthropoids destroyed, the human race will never have existed!

[[File:CodeofHero-letthebattlebejoined.jpg|left|upright=0.95|thumb|A picturesque image is required before a dramatic death.]]
While Dinobot's back is turned, Tarantulas blasts him; Dinobot reciprocates by squashing him under a rock. Dinobot contacts Optimus, who orders him to maintain position, but Dinobot knows there is no time to wait. With his questions answered, Dinobot is ready to face his destiny.

Dinobot moves in to attack the entire Predacon force single-handed. He blasts Inferno and Blackarachnia (stabbing the former for good measure), stomps Waspinator, forces Rampage's cannon to backfire (using Waspinator's head), and pummels Quickstrike (with his bare hands), but loses his weapons, suffers considerable damage, and drains most of his energy supply. His computer warns him that he must enter [[stasis lock]] to survive... a command which Dinobot overrides.

Megatron confronts the damaged warrior, gloating over his near-total victory; when Dinobot starts to attack, Megatron reveals an anthropoid captive. The hostage is enough to make Dinobot halt; Megatron rebukes him for weakness. But Dinobot is a warrior still. Forging a makeshift hammer from a rock and stick, he knocks the Disk out of Megatron's hand and frees the anthropoid. With the last of his energy, he summons one final optic blast, shattering the Disk.

Nearly mad with frustration, Megatron flees as the [[Maximal]]s arrive. Rattrap gasps in horror at the sight of his comrade, while Cheetor douses the flames of the burning valley. The Maximals gather around the fallen Dinobot, but it is too late to help him. Optimus assures him that he has saved untold lives yet to come. Dinobot exchanges a final round of barbs with Rattrap; he asks them all to tell his story truthfully, both the good and the bad, and allow him to be judged accordingly. "The rest is silence." With that, the proud warrior dies. Rattrap leads the others in a salute as Dinobot's [[spark]] leaves his body, with Primal wishing it on to the Matrix, there to join Cybertron's finest.

[[File:Dinobot funeral.jpg|right|upright=0.95|thumb|Old soldiers don't die, they just fade away...]]
The next morning, the Maximals hold a funeral for Dinobot. The fliers soar through the air in a {{w|missing man formation|salute}}, as Rattrap and Rhinox dissolve Dinobot's remains.

At the valley, a curious anthropoid (presumably the same one Dinobot rescued) finds Dinobot's hammer. He soon figures out how to use it to help gather food... and to fend off predators, such as the giant snake. The anthropoid's yell of triumph echoes through the valley; and high above, a brief flicker appears in the void of space.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (4)
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (5)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (6)
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (7)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (8)
*[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] (16)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (9)
*[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] (11)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (12)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (13)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (14)
*[[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] (15)

|h3=[[Anthropoid]]s|c3=
*[[Blix|Leader Neanderthal]] (1)
*[[Brown Neanderthal]] (2)

|c4=
*[[Giant Snake]] (3)
}}

==Quotes==
"Remember that transwarp cell explosion?" 
[''Primal just glares''] 
"Okay, stupid question..."
:—'''Rhinox''' has a once-in-a-lifetime lapse in intelligence.

"The rodent's words give off the stench of truth. Destiny has one great test in store for us all. Has mine already come and have I failed it? A deed once done cannot be undone, but perhaps, it may yet be mitigated."
:—'''Dinobot''' embarking on his destiny

"The question that once haunted my being has been answered. The future is not fixed, and my choices are my own. And yet, how ironic... for I now find that I have no choice at all! I am a warrior... let the battle be joined."
:—'''Dinobot''', realizing his destiny

"One lonely turncoat, battling on against impossible odds." ''[Wipes fake tear]'' "I'm almost touched! ...Fortunately, such moments pass quickly. Quickstrike, scrap him!"
:—'''Megatron''', observing Dinobot's solo fight to save the valley.

"What's a warrior without weapons, eh?" 
"A warrior ''still!''"
:—'''Quickstrike''' totally underestimates '''Dinobot'''.

"Hmm, my ears are burning! Yesss! Why, Dinobot, what a delightful surprise! Let's see, where are we now? I have the Golden Disk, I have the power to change the future, and the only remaining obstacle in my path to ''unimaginable'' glory... is yourself. Exhausted. Damaged beyond recovery. ''Defeated''." 
"Not just yet!" 
"Ah-ah-ah!" ''[Megatron reveals a bound proto-human]'' "One more step, and it's raining bits of early anthropoid, yesss." ''[Dinobot hesitates]'' "Oh dear, how positively ''Maximal'' of you. You were weakened before you started, Dinobot. Weakened by ''compassion''."
:—'''Megatron''' confronts the severely damaged '''Dinobot'''.

"Oh, please! Face it, Dinobot! You're old technology, obsolete. What could ''you'' possibly do?" 
"Improvise."
:—'''Megatron''' is about to find out that '''Dinobot''' has one more trick up his sleeve.

'''Optimus Primal:''' "Well fought, my friend. You saved the valley. You saved the lives of those who live here... and of those who are still to come." 
'''Dinobot:''' "Then... there is nothing to regret." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Like I said, you're just a blasted, slag-spouting saurian, but... it's nice to know where you stand." 
'''Dinobot:'''"Upwind of you, for preference, vermin. ...Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest... is silence."
:— Dinobot shares last words with his comrades

"He lived a warrior, and died a hero. Let his spark join the Matrix, with the greatest of Cybertron."

:—'''Optimus Primal'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eulogy for Dinobot

==Notes==
===Script timeline===
* First draft: 15th September 1997
* Second draft: 22nd September 1997

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:CodeofHero wrong Rattrap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Maybe it's [[Packrat]]?]]
* The interior of the ''Axalon'', and thus the doors to Dinobot's quarters, were made at a different scale to his character model, so he could not actually fit through the doorway. Bob Forward explained that it had to be faked by a cut.
* When Rattrap is working at the wall panel, his right forearm is backwards and remains thus until he is grandly gesturing.
* As the "camera" zooms in on Tarantulas when he stalks up to the trapped gazelle, the background remains static instead of zooming in with him.
* When Megatron is flying over the proto-human valley, his legs are missing and his body has very little detail. It's especially noticeable when he flies towards the camera and transforms into robot mode-at which point his legs appear out of nowhere.
* As the Maximals head out, Rhinox's running animation is being played unnaturally fast to keep up with the others.
* As Quickstrike approaches Dinobot, his left shin is backwards.
* At Dinobot's funeral, Rattrap is in his pre-Transmetal body. On the [[Madman Entertainment|Madman]] DVD commentary for this episode, Bob Forward could not believe how the production team (who had viewed this scene at least a hundred times trying to get everything right) did not notice the fact they used the wrong Rattrap, and yet every fan did.
* Towards the end of the episode, a mechanical thud can be heard when the snake hits the ground, making it sound as if the snake is made of metal.

===Continuity errors===
* In this episode, the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Voyager Disk]] resembles an old record (complete with being labeled "The Sounds of Earth") instead of the design used since its appearance in [[Beast Wars (Part 1)|the first episode]]. Given its origin as a record in a canister, however, it's possible that Megatron has simply taken it out of its case to test his theory of time-meddling.
* As with most of Megatron's plots to alter the timeline, the plan to destroy the human race before it evolves has a critical deterministic error; if he succeeds, then the golden disk would never have been created by [[NASA]] in the future. Megatron could never have acquired it, and thus would not have the foresight to attempt to destroy the human race, and then the human race would have evolved as normal, creating the golden disk in the future... and so on and so forth. Apparently, time travel in ''Beast Wars'' isn't subject to the grandfather paradox!
* Rattrap mentions that Dinobot would be up against six Predacons when there was a total of seven. (Out of universe, this is likely for the audience's benefit, in case they weren't keeping track.) Either he had totally forgotten about Tarantulas, somehow heard Dinobot defeating Tarantulas over his open comlink, or assumed that Tarantulas would still not be working with Megatron.

===Continuity notes===
* Dinobot is, of course, still dealing with the fallout of his temporary defection, as seen in "[[Maximal, No More]]".
* Rhinox refers to the transwarp wave, which was caused by the destruction of the [[Planet Buster]] in "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]".
* Tarantulas mentions that Megatron doesn't want anyone downloading more copies of the disk's data, referring to Blackarachnia's little heist in "[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]".
* Gadgets and powers:
** Megatron can turn his tail-weapon into a record player by retracting the tip.
** Optimus Primal can fly in robot mode, although he apparently prefers to fly around in [[beast mode]].
** Cheetor can spray fire-extinguisher foam while in beast mode.

===Transformers references===
*Megatron states that it was thanks to humans that the Autobots won the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], likely referring to the exploits of the [[Witwicky (surname)|Witwicky]]s. Apparently nobody bothered to remember the contributions of the [[Nebulan]]s.

===Real-world references===
* The Golden Disk that Megatron stole from Cybertron and kicked off this whole mess is revealed to be one of the two [[w:Voyager Golden Record|Golden Record]]s aboard the ''Voyager'' deep-space probe, specifically "The Sounds of Earth". That said, this Golden Disk can apparently play video.
* As the Predacons jump into the valley to destroy the hominids, Rampage crushes a butterfly. This evokes the famous Ray Bradbury short story "{{w|A Sound of Thunder}}", in which a time traveler in the past steps on a butterfly, thus dramatically altering the future of humanity.
* When Dinobot is leaving the base, he comments that "a deed, once done, cannot be undone", a slight modification of the [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]] quote "what is done cannot be undone".
* Dinobot's final words, "The rest is silence", are taken directly from [http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=hamlet&Act=5&Scene=2&Scope=scene#4014 the final words of the title character] in Shakespeare's ''{{w|Hamlet}}''. (The entreaty to tell his story is also taken from earlier in Hamlet's death scene, although rephrased.)
* Right after Dinobot crash-lands on [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], Rampage points his cannon at Dinobot. The brief image from within the cannon's barrel appears similar to the gun barrel views from numerous James Bond movies.
*''Beast Wars'' story editors [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]] worked various references to the online ''Transformers'' [[fandom]] into the series. In this case, Cheetor citing [[Tengu Sector]] was a reference to the screen name of [[Rob Gerbracht]], who went on to become one of the writers for the ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|Wreckers]]'' comic book series.
* The final shot of the episode—a anthropoid discovering the power of tools and triumphantly hurling his weapon into the air, followed by a pan into space—is evocative of ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}''.

===Trivia===
* ''Beast Wars'' co-story editor [[Bob Forward]] drew storyboards for this episode. Not only is it the only ''Beast Wars'' episode to be directed by the series's writers, but it is also the only episode to be done up in storyboards rather than being directed on-the-fly. Bob Forward worked in person with the [[Mainframe Entertainment|Mainframe]] animators for this episode.
* The original storyboards were auctioned for charity at a [[BotCon]].
* According to Bob Forward, Megatron's transformation sequence had to be reconstructed to be able to show his transformation from underneath for one shot. Previously, the animation only "worked" when seen from eye-level or above.
* In a bit of foreshadowing, while Dinobot is contemplating suicide, three ravens fly past his window in the {{w|missing man formation}}, which the Maximal fliers use in their salute to him at his funeral. The formation was also used when three anthropoids were wandering through the forest prior to the Predacon attack.
* During the recording of this episode, [[Scott McNeil]] was attempting to deliver Dinobot's last words, but was continually interrupted by the recording crew's laughter. He is reputed to have said while still in character, "Do you mind?! I'm trying to die here!"
* When Dinobot dies, his Spark escapes his body, and proceeds to slowly rise into the air until the scene transitions. This phenomenon had never been seen in Transformers fiction prior, as opposed to the body turning gray as the character expired first seen in [[The Transformers: The Movie]], nor would it ever be seen again in the show as future characters died. The idea would not be used again until many years later in the [[Prime Wars Trilogy|Prime Wars cartoons]].
* According to McNeil, Dinobot knew he was going to die five episodes before he did, as right up until the last second, he believed Dinobot to only be "cartoon dead" as opposed to "''dead'' dead".
* When originally broadcast in the [[United Kingdom]], this episode was edited, with Dinobot's contemplated suicide completely excised and his hallway altercation with Rattrap cut down to only a fraction of its actual length. In the latter case, this seems to serve no other purpose than the elimination of the word "[[Slag (slang)|slag]]", and Dinobot's dying exchange with Rattrap was likewise altered to purge the word.
* It's no surprise that a DVD containing this episode was packaged with Dinobot for ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]''. This is the only post-Season 1 episode included with any ''10th Anniversary'' figure.
* Bob Forward considers this to be his favorite ''Beast Wars'' episode, as well as the "The Agenda" three-parter.<ref>http://www.infinitefrontiers.0catch.com/AutoAssembly/BobForward.htm Interview with Bob Forward</ref> Larry DiTillio has also admitted it's the best episode of the series, despite acknowledging that he had almost nothing to do with it.
* This is the last episode to have Rhinox appear in [[beast mode]]. For the rest of the series, Rhinox remains in [[robot mode]].
* The pistol Dinobot uses to interrogate Tarantulas is nearly identical to Rattrap's.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Code du Héros'''" (Canada, "Code of Hero")

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Un grande eroe'''" ("A Grand Hero")

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Abayo!'''" (あばよッ!, "Farewell!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 24]] [[1999]]
::*In a shocking display of restraint on director [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]]'s part, the excessive adlibbing, satirical 4th Wall jokes and major script changes are kept to a relative minimum. Instead, this episode tries (''tries'') to adhere to the somber tone of the original English language version. Still, though comparatively restrained in its use of adlib gags, there remain plenty to be had...
::*When opening fire on Cheetor, Rampage constantly howls threats and insults at the Maximal. As the episode "[[Bad Spark]]" was released theatrically in Japan and was not broadcast on television as a regular part of the series, this episode is the "introduction" of Rampage to Japanese viewers.
::*While exiting his secret lab to retrieve his dinner, Tarantulas jabbers incessantly to himself as he makes sure the coast is clear. He mentions that his left is clear, his right is clear, his rear is clear and above him is clear, then while rambling about never being too careful, that's when Dinobot bursts out from the one direction he hadn't checked; below himself.
::*When Megatron lands to check out the mountain near the valley of proto-humans, he giddily tests his echo out with a loud "YAHOOOO! (''yahooooo! yahooooo!'')"
::*In what is unfortunately one of the ''worst'' examples of adlibbing in this dub, when Rampage aims his cannon at Megatron and Megatron's head can be seen in close-up through the scope, Megatron continues to speak... with his mouth quite visibly shut. While the English version relied on silence and facial expressions to get the point of the scene across (Megatron's accursed smugness and Rampage's resigned anger at being helpless to wipe the smile off his face), the Japanese dub turns it into a prattling conversation as Rampage talks about shooting Megatron right then and there and Megatron (in the close-up with his lips closed) warning him of the consequences.
::*The drama and suspense of the Predacons laying waste to the proto-human valley is completely undone by the fact that the characters comically scream their vocal tics every time they fire their weapons.
::*The final [[commercial bumper]] for this episode is dedicated to Dinobot. Whereas in the past, the featured character would scream their name during the bumper, Dinobot instead offers a quiet and reserved, "Hello. I am Dinobot."
::*In addition to the incessant screaming of their verbal tics, the Predacons make various asides throughout Dinobot's rampage through their forces. Blackarachnia sarcastically remarks to Inferno as they gun down proto-humans "Well this isn't petty at all, is it?" After getting blown up by Rampage's cannon, Waspinator whimpers, "''How cruel...''"
::*Dinobot's final words to Rattrap, rather than a friendly jab, is instead a reconciliation of their partnership, as Dinobot tells him that they made a good duo. His final words to the group are the same as in the English version, save for the ending. Rather than "the rest is silence", Dinobot instead says, "Thank you. Farewell..."

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yīngxióng Běnsè'''" (英雄本色, "Nature of Hero")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Código de Herói'''" ("Code of Hero")

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''El Código del Héroe'''" ("The Code of Hero")

:*''Title:'' "'''El Código de un Héroe'''" (America, "The Code of a Hero")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Bad Spark / Code of Hero ([[KB Toys]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Series 2 / Volume 3 ({{w|Siren Visual|Siren Entertainment}}) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — Huh? The Face? ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 7 ([[Universal]])

;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Seasons 2 & 3 ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Optimus Prime (Movie)/games

2023-02-10T07:39:46Z

Bluie:

{{factions|autobotfilm|{{factions/icons|custom=Cyberglyphics Prime Symbol.png|cLink=Dynasty of Primes|cPretty=Prime}}|NEST}}
{{suite}}
[[File:TransformersGame DS Autobotbox.jpg|thumb|350px]]
Lots of games involve Movie Optimus Prime!

==Transformers: Rise of the Chevy Autobots==

Using the callsign 10-22, Optimus Prime stepped up to replace the missing Bumblebee as field director for the [[Chevy Autobot]]s in their struggles against [[Mainframe (Movie)|Mainframe]]. Under 10-22's leadership, the Chevy Autobots learned that Bumblebee and their other comrades survived inside their foe. Mainframe was capable of devouring the sparks of his opponents to increase his power, but the new sparks remained distinct within him for a time. Locating Mainframe in the Arctic, 10-22 dispatched the entire crew of Chevy Autobots to confront the Decepticon villain, and soon joined them himself. They fought their way through Mainframe and [[Maelstrom]], defeated their foes, saved their friends, and made the universe safe for femmebots and protoforms everywhere. {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Chevy Autobots}}

==''Transformers'' (Glu)==

Upon his arrival on Earth, Optimus Prime was damaged and trapped inside Hoover Dam. [[You]] assisted him by monitoring his progress and directing his efforts with your cell phone. Well done, flesh creature. {{storylink|Transformers (Glu)}}

==''Transformers'' - The Game==
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)|[[Patrick Borg]] (French), [[Alfredo Martínez]] (Castilian Spanish)}}

===Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC/Wii/PS2===
===Autobot campaign===
Optimus Prime provided intelligence and missions to Bumblebee in his search for the AllSpark. Eventually, the clues led the Autobot to Sam Witwicky. After saving Sam from Barricade, Bumblebee finally completed preparations for the Autobots to arrive on Earth. Once on Earth and disguised as a truck, and having informed the two teenagers of their mission, Prime and the Autobots were discovered by Sector Seven. Optimus sent Jazz on a high-speed <s>destruction</s> distraction mission, then sent Ironhide to rescue Jazz from a double-threat posed by the government agents and various Decepticon scouts. When Bumblebee was captured, Optimus Prime chased the helicopter which from which the small Autobot was dangling. After a lengthy pursuit, Optimus managed to catch the net, only to be thrown off by another Cybertronian [[transition form|meteor]] passing nearby. As Bumblebee was carried away, Optimus promised he would not fail him again. Jazz informed him that the meteor was not an Autobot and Optimus confronted the new threat, who turned out to be the Decepticon triplechanger [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. The two battled it out across [[Tranquility]] before Optimus finally destroyed him, and in doing so, overheard [[Starscream (Movie)/games|Starscream]]'s transmission revealing the location of the AllSpark.

Optimus then returned to an intel role as he guided Bumblebee in his mission to retrieve the AllSpark from Hoover Dam. Unfortunately, the Decepticons managed to free Megatron, leading to the final battle in Mission City. As the Autobots engaged in an all-out urban war with the Decepticons to protect Sam and the AllSpark, things seemed to take a turn for the worse as Megatron finally arrived. But before the Decepticon leader could claim the Cube, Optimus Prime attacked. The two leaders duked it out until Megatron was finally on the ground, seemingly devoid of life. Optimus knelt to take the AllSpark as Sam handed it to him, but Megatron suddenly awoke, leaping at the Autobot with his chain-flail out, and making one last attempt at defeating his adversary. Optimus grabbed the chain, pulling Megatron in closer, and with the AllSpark clutched in his fist, delivered a punch through Megatron's spark. As Megatron died Optimus reflected on the losses and rewards of this battle, as the Autobots have a new home. Optimus planned to guard the humans in secret, "For freedom is the right of all sentient beings." {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===Decepticon campaign===
After Bumblebee, Jazz and Ironhide were all killed in Mission City, Sam and Mikaela informed their deaths to Optimus. Optimus noted their sacrifice and decided to defeat Megatron. In the final battle, Optimus Prime confronted Megatron at the top of a building, and fought back against Megatron while protecting Sam. Eventually beaten to the ground, and as he desperately crawled for the AllSpark, Megatron smashed his head with his flail, before using the Cube to destroy humanity. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===''Transformers: Autobots''===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)}}

Optimus helped to advise his warriors in some of their mission to try locate the Allspark. Arriving on Earth, Optimus met up with the other Autobots to give further commands to his troops. [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]], the new rookie, was eager to help in the cause, but Optimus tells him to sit back while the grown-ups take care of business. After Jazz learned that Sector 7 possessed both Megatron and the Allspark, Optimus solemnly decided to kill his brother, a notion Jazz questioned. Optimus deemed it a neccesary killing, and ordered Bumblebee to create a diversion so that they could get out of the city, but Create-A-Bot, fed up with the bureaucracy defied Optimus's orders and interfered in Bumblebee's mission, resulting in the scout's capture. Optimus decided not to rescue Bumblebee, deeming their mission for the AllSpark more important. Ironhide was enraged by this, voicing his opinion that Optimus cared for none of his troops, only for besting his brother. Optimus voiced no argument against this attack, and restated their mission to retrieve the AllSpark. With that, the Autobots began making their way to the Hoover Dam.

Jazz was able to locate Bumblebee in the dam, and Ironhide apologized for his outburst, though Optimus said no apology was needed between the two old friends. Optimus took pity on Create-A-Bot and allowed him the chance to redeem himself by freeing Bumblebee. After guiding Bumblebee to his weapon chip and the Allspark, Optimus and Bumblebee made their way down the highway when they were confronted by Barricade and a drone, and after defeating them Optimus realised they were a diversion so that they could unfreeze Megatron. Searching for his nemesis, he instead encountered Brawl, who he eventually killed before returning back to the city, where he rendezvoused with Create-A-Bot and Bumblebee with the Allspark, Megatron arrived and grabbed the llspark from him. To stop Megatron Optimus followed him, ordering Create-A-Bot to stay behind with Bumblebee. During the confrontation Megatron set Allspark drones on Prime, but Create-A-Bot, who tailed Prime to the fight sacrificed himself to weaken Megatron. Galvanized by the rokkie's sacrifice, Optimus fought Megatron in a final duel. After besting Megatron, Optimus decided the Allspark was worth sacrificing to stop Megatron. Megatron defeated, Optimus commended the dying young Autobot and swore he would always be remembered as a war hero, and sent out an interstellar message to any Autobots living among the stars to join them. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

===''Transformers: Decepticons''===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)}}

Landing on Earth, Optimus Prime quickly joined the other Autobots to attempt to stop the Decepticons. Optimus didn't appear on the battlefield until Megatron himself was released and Starscream escaped with the AllSpark. He stepped in to thwart the maniacal leader of the Decepticons, but alas, was struck down, left in the streets while Megatron gave chase to his traitorous second-in-command. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

===''Transformers: The Game'' (PSP)===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)}}
After the AllSpark had been lost and Megatron followed it, the Autobots tracked both down to Earth, Optimus sending Bumblebee to scout the planet. After confirming the Decepticon presence, Bumblebee summoned the rest of the Autobots. Upon being informed that Megatron had not been seen, Optimus sent [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] and [[Trailbreaker (Movie)|Trailbreaker]] to investigate what had become of him following the humans finding the Decepticon while Optimus led the rest to search for the AllSpark. After Bumblebee had been abducted by [[Sector Seven]] and brought to the Hoover Dam, where the AllSpark was, he broadcast another signal. As Optimus led the Autobots to the signal, he was forced to leave Ratchet and Ironhide behind to hold off the increasing amount of Decepticon [[drone]]s. When the two learnt of the origin of the drones from [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]], Optimus sent Hound and Trailbreaker to deactivate them. Though successful, the mission cost Hound's life.

After freeing Bumblebee, Optimus served as his bodyguard against the remaining Decepticon army, briefly abandoning his charge to defeat [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]]. As Optimus caught up to Bumblebee, so did Megatron, landing atop and killing the scout while absorbing the AllSpark into himself. With the cube's power still not fully integrated into his archenemy, Optimus managed to separate it from the warlord, whereupon Sam Witwicky inserted it directly into Megatron's spark chamber, killing the Decepticon leader. In the aftermath, Optimus sent out a beacon to any other Autobots in the galaxy to meet with him on Earth, though he was convinced that the Decepticons would one day return. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (PSP)}}

==Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Autobots/Decepticons==
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Autobots/Decepticons}}

==Datafile Decoder==
[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] contacted the Lunchables Brigade and asked them to bypass Decepticon jamming and download essential datafiles for him via [[Cybertron Galactic Systems]]. {{storylink|Datafile Decoder|Datafile Decoder}}

==AllSpark Wars==
After the first battle with the Decepticons on Earth, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots went into stasis lock, held in storage around the world. He was revived in America during the course of the AllSpark Wars, which eventually led to the Decepticons' defeat, who were forced to flee soon thereafter. {{storylink|AllSpark Wars}}

==Allspark Highway==
The Autobots obtained the AllSpark, and needed to bring it to a secure location. Relaying it to one another, Optimus being the last link in the chain, the Autobots kept the AllSpark out of Decepticon hands until the evil robots simply gave up the chase. {{storylink|Allspark Highway}}
==''Transformers Video Mash-Up''==
{{note|Various short clips featuring Optimus Prime were available for users to custom-create their own short film about the Transformers.}} {{storylink|Transformers Video Mash-Up}}

==Autobot Stronghold==
The Decepticons were invading an Autobot stronghold in the city, and Optimus Prime and the Autobots placed themselves at key positions to defend it from attack. {{storylink|Autobot Stronghold}}

==Transformers: Battle for the Matrix==
[[File:BattlefortheMatrix Optimus on Sun Harvester.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime.}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
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==''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - The Game''==
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)|[[Dariusz Odija]] (Polish), [[Patrick Borg]] (French), [[Alfredo Martínez]] (Castilian Spanish)}}
===Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC===
====Autobot campaign====
[[File:ROTF game Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|300px|One shall stand, one sha— oh, you know the drill.]]
Optimus Prime served as the Autobots all around fighter. Weapons wise, he possessed dual laser rifles and dual shell cannons. In melee combat, he possessed [[Dual Energon Swords|Dual Energy Swords]] in each hand. Finally, with his valiant leader ability, he could generate a shield around himself which would prevent his energy from dropping past 1%.

After overseeing Ironhide's defeat of [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] and Ratchet's rescue of Ironhide, Optimus Prime took to the field when a previously unknown Decepticon named [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] began attacking the [[Shanghai]] waterfront. Optimus was finally able to defeat him, but Demolishor gave a single warning before he was killed: "The Fallen shall rise again". Optimus and the Autobots were at a loss as to what he meant. Back in the United States, Sam Witwicky gave Mikaela Banes a fragment of the AllSpark that he had discovered, which the Decepticons soon sought. Prime dispatched Bumblebee to rescue her. Following this, the Decepticons launched a raid on the city's oil refinery, where Ratchet rescued several engineers. Finally, Ironhide escorted a NEST team to safety in the city's canals. Their victories were short lived. The Decepticons soon learned about the AllSpark shard on Diego Garcia, stealing it to revive Megatron. Although [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]] managed to save the fleet, Megatron was reborn. He soon made an attack on Sam, trying to access information in his mind downloaded from the AllSpark. Bumblebee managed to rescue him. In light of these attacks, Optimus decided to give NEST the [[Axiom Gun]] to better defend themselves against the Decepticons. The escort came under Decepticon assault, but Prime was able to beat back the attackers and deliver the Axiom Gun to NEST. Soon afterwards, Bumblebee escorted Sam to meet with [[Seymour Simmons]], who told him of Jetfire, who then took the boy to Egypt.

While there, Jetfire explained what was going on: Eons ago, Optimus's ancestors, the [[Thirteen|13 founders]] of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], built a star harvester to convert the energy of the sun into [[Energon]]. When they discovered the humans, they upheld their rule of the sanctity of life, but one of the Primes defied the rule and murdered his twelve brothers. This Prime was known as The Fallen, but the star harvester was hidden from him. While Sam made inquires to the [[Tomb of the Primes|Tomb of the Twelve]], Megatron and Starscream arrived in an attempt to learn the harvester's location and kill Sam. Optimus Prime was able to defeat both Decepticons with Jetfire's help, but Jetfire was stabbed in the back by Megatron. Dying, Jetfire offered his parts to Optimus, as only a Prime could defeat The Fallen. Finding the harvester at the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]], Optimus challenged The Fallen. Despite The Fallen's powerful command of telekinesis and pyrokinesis, Optimus Prime was able to get past his defenses and kill The Fallen by stabbing him through the face. On the return trip home, Sam expressed gratitude at seeing the sunrise, and told Optimus he would have to trust him on it. Optimus Prime replied that he had always trusted Sam, and always would. {{Storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

====Decepticon campaign====
[[File:ROTF game Prime dying.JPG‎|thumb|300px|Aw, shucks.....[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|not again]]!]]
When the revenant Megatron and the Decepticons rampaged across the United States of America, Optimus Prime faced him in a major city on the East Coast. The two leaders engaged in a titanic struggle that shook the city, but despite being aided by many Autobot drone units, Optimus was seemingly destroyed. However, much later, Optimus Prime reappeared when Megatron's master, The Fallen, activated the Star Harvester to drain Earth's Sun. The Autobot leader revealed that The Fallen's promise to make Megatron a Prime was a lie, as Primes were born, not made. When Megatron demanded his reward, The Fallen reneged on his promise. As the master and disciple of evil began to fight, Optimus left to find a way to disable the Harvester. {{Storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
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===Wii/PS2===
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Wii/PS2)}}
{{-}}

===PSP===
{{charstubgame}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (PSP)}}
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==Transformers Battle Universe==
At the edge of time, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] needed a new host, Optimus Prime was among several warriors (and [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Prime]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

==Starscream Showdown==
After [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] faced off against the bulk of [[NEST]]'s forces, Optimus Prime intervened and attempted to destroy the rampaging Decepticon. If Starscream managed to defeat Optimus, the Decepticon successfully completed his mission. {{storylink|Starscream Showdown}}

==Transformers RPMs: Devastator's Demise==
[[File:Devastatorsdemise optimus.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
Optimus Prime was both fast and sturdy. His firepower blew obstacles to smithereens.

In order to defeat [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]], Bumblebee, Optimus and Ironhide drove through Cairo and avoided obstacles. {{storylink|Transformers RPMs: Devastator's Demise}}
{{-}}

==Hunt for the Decepticons==
Optimus coordinated the Autobots' efforts to hunt down the Decepticons still active around the globe. He assigned Bumblebee to take care of [[Axor]] in Shanghai before allowing you in the field alone to tackled the Decepticon threat. Once you proved your mettle against [[Terradive (TF 2010)|Terradive]] and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], Optimus granted you access to the Autobots' secret training facility, so that you could ready yourself against the greatest opponent of them all: Megatron. When Optimus was satisfied that your speed, firepower, strength and skill were up to the task, he sent you out to tackled the Decepticon leader. If you were victorious in stopping Megatron from destroying New York City, Optimus would congratulate you, and give his sincere thanks on behalf of the Autobots for your contribution to their cause. {{storylink|Hunt for the Decepticons}}
{{-}}

==''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' mobile game==
[[File:ROTFMobile Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|60px]]
After [[Megatron (Movie)/games|Megatron]]'s destruction, Optimus hoped that they'd seen the last of the Decepticons and the Autobots began working with [[NEST]]. A signal in [[Shanghai]] led Optimus to discover a Decepticon invasion force there. He fought the foe solo, and followed an [[AllSpark]] signal to [[Starscream (Movie)/games|Starscream]]. Starscream managed to escape, and NEST reported that HQ was under attack. As he had to hang around to help clean up the mess in Shanghai, Optimus sent [[Bumblebee (Movie)/games|Bumblebee]] and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to help. Bumblebee was defeated by Starscream, but told Optimus that Starscream had said something about the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Believing he knew where the Decepticons were headed, Optimus went to find an old friend, [[Jetfire (Movie)|Jetfire]].

In Egypt, Optimus lost contact with NEST while investigating an area. He told Bumblebee to rendezvous with Jetfire at the [[Great Pyramid of Giza|Great Pyramid]], warning Bumblebee that he believed an energy signature he was detecting was [[The Fallen]]. Bumblebee later reported that [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] had defeated Jetfire and taken the Matrix. By the time Optimus reached the site, [[Megatron (Movie)/games|Megatron]] had taken Bumblebee hostage and had possession of the Matrix. Optimus combined Jetfire's parts with his own, gaining enough strength to defeat Megatron. Exhausted by the fight, Prime was then confronted by The Fallen, but used the power of the Matrix to defeat the ancient Decepticon. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)|Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)}}

{{--}}
==Victory Is Sweet==
When [[Bumblebee (Movie)/games|Bumblebee]] was in the process of stopping [[Starscream (Movie)/games|Starscream]]'s plan to destroy a city, Optimus turned up at the last moment to defeat the Decepticon and hog the glory. {{storylink|Victory Is Sweet}}

==''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''==
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)|[[Alfredo Martínez]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Patrice Melennec]] (French)}}

===(Xbox 360/PS3)===
Three years after the defeat of the Fallen, Optimus attempted to hack into Decepticon transmissions in order to turn the tide in the war. He ordered Bumblebee to implant a virus into the transmissions. Just when Bumblebee was on his way out, a few Decepticons discovered him and decided to report back to Megatron. Optimus ordered Bumblebee to destroy their communications and after Bumblebee accomplished that task, he and Sideswipe saved him from a Decepticon ambush. However, the information in the transmissions allowed Optimus to get Ironhide and Ratchet to take care of an attack in [[Detroit]]. Later, Megatron learned of the virus and got Soundwave to remove all of the Decepticon information, getting rid of the Autobot's advantage. Starscream did, however, take a [[MechTech]] weapon with a tracking device on it. This allowed the Autobots to find the Decepticon hideout and attack it. Optimus got inside and fought Megatron. However, Megatron defeated Optimus and sent him down to a cryo chamber. Optimus would later discover that the chamber contained Shockwave and his pet Driller, who had been frozen by the Soviets and that Megatron's plan was to free them out of captivity. After a brief battle, Optimus had failed to prevent Shockwave from emerging out of his frozen state and was about to kill him when the Driller arrived and escaped with Shockwave. Optimus then vowed to not rest until every Decepticon was found and brought to justice. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)| Dark of the Moon}}

===Autobots/Decepticons===
[[File:DotM Autobots DS Optimus Prime.png|thumb|left|200px]]
Concerned that the Decepticons were behind recent attacks downtown, Optimus sent [[Bumblebee (Movie)/games|Bumblebee]] to investigate and, it turned out, he was right. With more information, Optimus contacted [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to alert him that the Decepticons were up to something involving the possible resurrection of the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]s. He encountered [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] in the field, and took over Ratchet's mission as the medic was more valuable at base. During the course of the mission, Optimus encountered [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and chased him to a stadium where the Autobot leader was triumphant. Sometime later, the Decepticons attacked the Autobots' Pacific island base, and Ratchet and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] warned Optimus that [[Crowbar]] was around somewhere. Optimus bashed many Decepticons but didn't find Crowbar. When the Decepticons invaded a NEST base, Optimus was surprisingly keen for the Autobots to let [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] get away. They eventually tracked the Decepticons to a base in [[Siberia]], and Optimus insisted on going in alone, only to be overcome by [[Megatron (Movie)/games|Megatron]] and [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], who got away despite the best efforts of the other Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Autobots/Decepticons|Dark of the Moon: Autobots/Decepticons}}
{{--}}

==''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' mobile game==
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (mobile game)|Dark of the Moon}}}}
{{-}}

==''Cyberverse Battle Builder''==
Optimus Prime joined his Autobot troops in combating the Decepticons on battlefields on Earth, the Earth's Moon and on Cybertron. Sometimes he was armed with the [[Armored Weapons Platform]]. Sometimes there were many of him! {{storylink|Cyberverse Battle Builder}}
{{-}}

==''Transformers: The Ride – 3D''==
[[File:OptimusRide.JPG|thumb|300px|"Great job doing nothing, recruits"]]

Detecting the distress signal of [[Evac (Ride)|Evac]], who had just arrived on Earth, Optimus welcomed the newcomer to the Autobot ranks. When Evac explained that he was the last of the [[Knights of Cybertron]], Optimus showed him the last remaining shard of the [[AllSpark]], the energy of which unexpectedly reconfigured Evac with a super-speedy new alternate mode. Optimus appointed him "Guardian of the AllSpark", assigning him to use his new form to transport the shard and [[you|NEST personnel]] from base to base. Prime instructed Evac to keep his origins secret to everyone, so that the Decepticons wouldn’t find him. {{storylink|Prepare for Battle (website)|Prepare for Battle}}

It was while Evac was carrying out his duties that the Decepticons struck. Optimus attempted to guide Evac to safety, but wound up embroiled in battle with Megatron, trying to restrain the Decepticon leader as he pursued Evac and the AllSpark fragment. The pair's battle took them to the top of a building, where Evac, fed up with doing nothing but running, decided to fight back. He charged into the middle of Optimus and Megatron's fight, and while Optimus held the Decepticon in place, Evac thrust the AllSpark shard into Megatron's chest, overcharging him and killing him. In the aftermath, Optimus congratulated Evac and the NEST recruits on their bravery. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ride – 3D}}

==''MechTech Weapons Challenge''==
[[File:Mechtech Weapons Challenge Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|100px|left]]
After the Decepticons stole MechTech weapons technology from the Autobots, Optimus Prime sent Bumblebee out on missions on Cybertron, Earth and the Earth's Moon to retrieve it. {{storylink|MechTech Weapons Challenge}}
{{-}}

==''Web Wars''==
[[File:Optimus Web Wars.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Optimus battled the Decepticons across the digital frontier, defending numerous websites across the internet from their encroachment! {{storylink|Web Wars}}
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==''The Fabulous Ponymaker''==
[[File:PonyMakerOptimus01.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb]]

Available as an online game on Hub Network's website beginning in summer of 2012, ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20140911135853/http://www.hubnetwork.com/shows/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic/games/the-fabulous-ponymaker-trick-or-treat The Fabulous Ponymaker]'' invited players to "build your own custom pony" based on the series ''[[My Little Pony|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]''. One of the options allowed the creation of an Optimus Prime pony using parts like a film styled helmet, chestplate and boots. (Despite the presence of {{w|The Aquabats}}' logo among the cutie marks, there is no [[Autobot]] symbol. Sad.)

{{--}}

==''Transformers: Human Alliance''==
{{chargamestub|{{storylink|Transformers: Human Alliance}}}}

==''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' mobile game==
Optimus Prime was one of the Autobots, who helped destroy the Decepticons on streets of Texas, Detroit and Chicago. {{storylink|Transformers: Age of Extinction (mobile game)|Age of Extinction}}
<center><gallery>
File:Transformers-AOE-Mobage-Optimus-Prime-V1.jpg|
File:Transformers-AOE-Mobage-Optimus-Prime-V2.jpg|
File:Transformers-AOE-Mobage-Silver-Knight-Optimus-Prime.jpg|
</gallery></center>

==''Dinobot Hunt'' online game==
Optimus Prime teamed up with Grimlock to destroy some Decepticon encampments, and collect some Energon along the way. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (online game)|Dinobot Hunt}}

==''Bumblebee Blast'' online game==
Optimus Prime sent Bumblebee to the Autobot training simulator so that the young Autobot could hone his marksmanship skills, in anticipation to future Decepticon attacks. {{storylink|Bumblebee Blast (online game)|Bumblebee Blast}}

==''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''==
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Cullen]] (English)}}
===Console===
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark}}}}

===3DS===
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (3DS)|Rise of the Dark Spark}}}}

==''Transformers Ultimate Allstars''==
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers Ultimate Allstars|Ultimate Allstars}}}}

==''Transformers (Hasbro Arcade)''==
[[File:HasbroArcade Transformers.jpg|thumb|right|100px]]
Optimus Prime chased a Decepticon ship while trying to avoid getting hit by obstacles.
{{storylink|Transformers (Hasbro Arcade)}}
{{-}}

==''Transformers: Battle Masters''==
[[File:Battle Masters game Silver Knight Optimus.jpg|thumb|150px|left]]
Silver Knight Optimus Prime was a participant of the Battle Masters contest, trying to become a champion and win the [[Earth Belt]], the [[Cybertron Belt]], the [[Galactic Belt]], the [[Unicron Belt]] and the [[Primus Belt]]. The winner of each championship is [[You|player]] dependant. {{Storylink|Transformers: Battle Masters (mobile game)|Battle Masters}}
{{Note|See [[Optimus Prime (Battle Masters)#Transformers: Battle Masters|here]] for Optimus Prime's other depictions in the game.}}
{{-}}

==''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)==
[[File:Optimus-Prime TFO.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
{{bigquote|If it is not your sacrifice, then it is mine.}}

At the Battle of Chicago, the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, repelled the Decepticons. However, planet Earth lost faith in the Transformers, which led to mankind establishing the "[[Cemetery Wind]]" task force to hunt them down. From the wreckage of Chicago, a mad scientist unearthed the secret of Cybertronian transformations, ultimately resulting in the creation of Galvatron from Megatron's remains. With Earth in danger once more, Optimus left hibernation to rise up and fight once more for the planet!

In battle, Optimus Prime wielded the "[[Sword of Judgment]]" and the rapid-firing "[[Cosmic Crazy Shark]]". His active skill was the "Verdict of Justice":
*'''Verdict of Justice''' — For 7 seconds, Optimus is suspended in midair with his shield raised against enemy attacks. Holding down the left mouse button will initiate a 360-degree onslaught to any surrounding enemies. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero1.shtml Optimus Prime (Age of Extinction) profile on the ''Transformers Online'' website]</ref>
{{-}}

==''Transformers: Forged to Fight''==
[[File:Optimus-Prime-MV1-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|300px|All Warrior bots shall heed to me, and GIVE ME THEIR FACES.]]
Optimus was one of the Autobots pulled from [[Tyran|his universe]] by the [[Quintessons]] and forced to fight. He eventually joins the [[You|Commander]]. There are at least a few of him running around! He was one of the bots subjected to delusion and the effects of Dark Energon.

As a Brawler, He has strong Armor and Melee buffs, when Bleeding his Willpower lets his attacks recover some health and Power, and Bleeds enemies with his blades. At low health, He'll Take Them All On with a burst of damage and armor buffs. {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}
{{chargamestub}}

==''Transformers: Shadows Rising''==
{{chargamestub|{{storylink|Transformers: Shadows Rising}}}}

==''Adventures of Bumblebee''==
[[File:Adventures of Bumblebee game Optimus.jpeg|thumb|100px]]
After Bumblebee collected some Energon and succesfully evaded Sector 7, [[Shatter]] and [[Dropkick (Movie)|Dropkick]], Optimus Prime congratulated him through a hologram and told him to fight on. {{storylink|Adventures of Bumblebee}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Optimus Prime's ''Rise of the Chevy Autobots'' codename, "10-22", is [http://www.truckercountry.com/cb-terminology.html#10c CB radio slang] for "report in person to." As in "Bumblebee, 10-22 to 10-22." Cute, huh?

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Age of Extinction Autobots]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Autobots]]
[[Category:Human Alliance Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Movie Autobots]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Autobots]]
[[Category:Battle Masters Autobots]]