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Optimus Prime (Animated)

2011-07-24T05:35:40Z

CaptionAce: /* The Cool comic */

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:''Optimus Prime is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:OptimusPrimeAnimated.JPG|right|thumb|300px|"Freedom... [[Megatron (BW)|Yeesss]]..."]]

A washout from the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]], '''Optimus Prime''' was reassigned to [[space bridge]] repair duty under the supervision of [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]. He is a relatively naive and idealistic young leader, prone to long-winded "inspirational" speeches who leads a small and inexperienced Autobot [[space bridge]] maintenance team. Recently, his crew has landed on [[Earth]], adopted jobs as semi-official superheroes and currently live in an abandoned Sumdac Systems warehouse.

Despite his humble "Bot Next Door" persona, he performs his job with a dedicated seriousness. He transforms into a red truck cab that can be fitted with many kinds of "[[trailer]]" attachments (most notably one that makes him look like a fire engine) and wields a kick-ass, rocket-propelled, extendable battle axe, as well as multiple arm mounted modifications, including grappler cables, fire extinguishers and bola-whip throwers. Despite his formidable abilities and skills, not everyone thought so highly of the young Prime. [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] sneers at Optimus's lowly repair job, and [[Supreme Commander]] [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] once held the young officer in low regard. More than anything, Prime wanted to be a hero. He's had the speeches, he had the moves...but what was he missing? Maybe [[Stan Bush|The Touch]]?

But since coming to Earth, Optimus has learned the truth about heroism. It's not about glory and destiny, it's about doing the right thing and going to your limit and beyond. Ratchet, for all his cynicism, knows that Prime is a hero, and after seeing him in action, Ultra Magnus himself admitted that Optimus has excellent leadership skills.

{{Quote|So, this is what it feels like to be a hero...|Optimus upon his death|"[[Transform and Roll Out]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{Idw-tfa}}
:''Voice actor:'' [[David Kaye]] (English), [[Hiroki Takahashi]] (Japanese), [[Bernd Vollbrecht]] (German), [[Maciej Walentek]] (Polish), [[Marco Balzarotti]] (Italian), [[Alexandre Marconato]] (Portuguese), [[Carlos Carvajal]] (Latin American Spanish, 1st and 2nd season), [[Javier Rodríguez Castellanos]] (Latin American Spanish, 3rd season), [[Yang Seokjeong]] (Korean), [[Hesham Hamada]] (Arabic)

[[Image:Arrival5-Optimusvehiclemode.jpg|left|thumb|300px|TRUKK NOT ... other... truck...]]

''Optimus did his [[Autobot boot camp]] training under [[Kup (Animated)|Kup Minor]], who gave him the name "Optimus" because of his cheery, optimistic outlook. Sentinel and [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Elita-1]] were also in this training platoon. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II‎|The AllSpark Almanac II‎}}''

''During his later training days at the [[Autobot Academy]], Optimus impressed Ultra Magnus with his performance in a computer simulated battle against [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. Although Optimus "died" in the battle, causing his boisterous pal Sentinel to make a crack at his expense, Magnus pointed out that Optimus had just scored higher on the test than anyone in Academy history, and let Optimus know he had great hopes for him.'' {{storylink|The Arrival issue 5#Survival Skills|Survival Skills}}

[[Image:Alongcameaspiderthreefriends.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Whoa-oh! Surprise hug from Mr. Freaky-Big!"]]

A thousand stellar cycles ago, Optimus and Elita-1 accompanied Sentinel on an unpermitted mission to [[Archa Seven|a forbidden organic planet]] in search of a lost [[Decepticon]] [[Twilight (Animated)|ship]] rumored to be carrying a huge payload of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] [[energon cube|cubes]]. The mission was declared a wash when the trio discovered that the planet was infested with [[Archa Seven arachnid|giant spiders]], but the trio found that their retreat was not an easy one. Separated from Sentinel in the chaos of a spider attack, Optimus and Elita found the Decepticon ship and its coveted energon cubes, only to be surrounded by another swarm of spiders. Optimus had Elita download his grappler abilities so that they could bring a giant stalactite down on the creatures, causing the energon cubes to explode in the process. As they attempt to swing their way to safety, however, Elita's download timed out and she plummeted back down into the heart of the conflagration, just as Sentinel arrived to bear witness. Knowing that to go after her would mean death, Optimus held Sentinel back from pursuing Elita and forcibly dragged him back to the surface just before they were caught in the explosion. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

Sentinel never forgave Optimus for making him leave Elita behind, and bore a grudge against him for the next thousand years, constantly belittling him and sniping at him. When the failed mission came to the attention of Ultra Magnus, the two were brought to a military tribunal. Sentinel gladly placed the blame for Elita-1's death at Optimus' feet, and gallantly, Optimus took the fall for leading the mission. He was discharged from the Academy, never to join the Elite Guard. Luckily for Optimus, Magnus thought that maybe the bot he once had such high hopes for still had some potential, and gave him the rank of "Prime" and his own ship...a rusted out junker filled with the incompetent young bots [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], plus a crotchety old medic, [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]].

During one of their routine [[Space Bridge]] terminal repair missions, Optimus Prime's crew stumbled upon a bot named [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] who was trying to complete his [[Cyber-Ninja]] training. Unfortunately, an [[energon cube]] explosion destroyed his ship, so Optimus offered Prowl a place on his crew. The would-be cyber-ninja expressed frustration at the constant curveballs life had thrown at him thus far, and Optimus noted that he could easily relate to that sentiment.
{{storylink|Endgame, Part I}}

[[Image:Ani crew.JPG|left|thumb|300px|Call me Captainimus Prime!]]

Fifty years ago, Prime and his crew came across the [[AllSpark]] while repairing a space bridge and brought the artifact aboard their ship. During transport, they were discovered by the [[Decepticon]]s, and [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] came after them. He proved too strong to take head on (in spite of [[Starscream (Animated)|his subordinate]] planting a bomb on his chassis), but when [[Teletran-1]] neared [[Earth]], Prime knocked Megatron overboard. The Autobots stayed in stasis for the next 50 years until they were accidentally awakened by an apparent intruder. Optimus and the Autobots took on Earth vehicles as alternate modes in an attempt to assimilate with what they believed to be the local dominant culture. Prime and his team were able to dispatch a bio-mechanical insectoid that was attacking Detroit. They were hailed as heroes for it.

[[Image:Sariprime.jpg|right|120px|thumb|Insert what where?!]]

Over the next several weeks, the Autobots got to learn human culture and customs, doing their best to prevent disasters and save lives. Eventually, Starscream came for the AllSpark, and Optimus found that the schemer could pack quite a punch. The Autobot officer was still able to keep Starscream from getting the artifact, though at the cost of his life. However, he was quickly revived by [[Sari Sumdac]] and her AllSpark-influenced [[AllSpark Key|key]]. Later, the Autobots helped rebuild parts of Detroit that were destroyed in their battle with Starscream. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

Unfortunately for Optimus, he had gained a reputation outside of Earth's atmosphere—not as a hero, but as the slayer of Megatron. The Decepticon [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] placed a large bounty on his head, and pretty soon, [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] came to collect. He captured Prime and stole his axe and grapplers. Fortunately, Ratchet saved him, finally getting the old bot to open up more. {{storylink|The Thrill of the Hunt}}

[[Image:TFA ep9 Optimus and Blackarachnia rooftop.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Optimus Prime is all left feet, but that's still not as many as Blackarachnia.]]

During the Autobots' first [[Halloween]] on Earth, the Decepticon [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] ambushed [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and kidnapped Sari. When Optimus Prime tried to fight Blackarachnia, she dodged all his moves, as she had trained with him. Prime was shocked to learn that Blackarachnia was his old Autobot Academy classmate Elita-1, who hadn't died but been mutated while fighting off the giant arachnids those many years ago. Blackarachnia tried to use Sari's AllSpark key to remove the organic aspects from her biology, but the key began to drain the life from everything organic around and nearly killed Blackarachnia herself. Prime removed the key, saving Blackarachnia and the organics. Still calling her Elita, Prime tried to convince her to return to the Autobots so they could try and help her. She repaid that kindness by injecting him with venom and telling him that she would never trust him again. Prime was left to reflect on the friend he'd failed not once, but twice. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

When Decepticon energy signals were detected near the city, the Autobots quickly realized that their options were limited. Bulkhead mentioned that the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] might help, forcing [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] to reveal how the two moved them to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]]. Prime's reaction was...displeased, to say the least. Ranting that all he had to command were insubordinate malfunctions, Prime also concluded that the Key was no longer safe with Sari, and he ordered Ratchet to take it from her. As Sari ran off crying, Bumblebee mouthed off that their situation was an indication that Prime was unfit for command.

[[Image:Megatron Rising Optimus rant.JPG|right|170px|thumb|[[wikipedia:Red_Forman|Dumbasses]]!]]

Heading to Dinobot Island, Prime did not get off to a good start with [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]], mostly because Grimlock considered him lunch. After Prowl smoothed things over, Prime tried to convince them to help the Autobots fight the Decepticons, but Grimlock was uninterested. Receiving word from Ratchet that the Key had been stolen, Prime ordered Ratchet to guard the AllSpark while the Autobots headed back for the mainland. Prime himself also began to wonder if he was fit for command, seeing as all his decisions had blown up in his face. When Bumblebee contacted the Autobots to inform them that Starscream was at [[Sumdac Tower]], he refused Prime's order to hold back and went to attack the Decepticon on his own. Prime dryly noted that the day just kept getting better and better.

Then everything pretty much went to Hell when Megatron burst out of Sumdac Tower, to the shock and horror of just about everyone. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

Quickly regaining their composure, the Autobots attacked. Megatron beat the [[Slag (slang)|slag]] out of them. Though Optimus fared slightly better, Megatron still brought him down fairly quickly. They were only able to escape when Megatron punished Starscream for his betrayal. Taking refuge within Sumdac Tower, [[Isaac Sumdac|Professor Sumdac]] explained his role in Megatron's revival and helped repair the Autobots with residual key energy. After Bumblebee called Prime to answer for his earlier assessment of them, Prime admitted he was wrong and asked them for forgiveness. When Ratchet and Sari showed up with Teletran-1, the Autobots took flight, hoping to lure the Decepticons away from Earth to prevent human casualties. Unfortunately, the Decepticons shot down the vessel and caused it to crash on Dinobot Island.

[[Image:Megatron Rising Optimus Megatron Key shove.JPG|left|200px|thumb|"Now, light our darkest hour!"]]

As the Autobots took on the Decepticons, Optimus faced down Megatron, which went as well as the first time. When Megatron got into the Autobots' ship, he took the AllSpark and placed the powerful artifact within him, using it as a weapon against Prime. However, Megatron had dropped the key, and Sari threw it to Prime. The Autobot officer used the key to send a surge of energy through the AllSpark, causing it to disperse while still in Megatron. With the threat passed, Prime apologized to Sari and returned the key, saying it was too important to be trusted with an Autobot. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

After the battle with the Decepticons, the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]] arrived to take the AllSpark back to Cybertron. Optimus explained that the AllSpark had been dispersed and that the Decepticons had been defeated. Sentinel Prime accused Optimus of lying and took every chance he could to belittle his former friend, but [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] decided to investigate their claims. Optimus took them to Dinobot Island, but the Autobots did not make a good impression on the Dinobots. Before they could investigate, they received a message from Ratchet, saying that [[police drone]]s had gone haywire at a Sumdac Systems manufacturing plant. Optimus managed to get Sari inside and shut off the assembly line, but the key was stuck in the console. Before Optimus could help, Sentinel pushed him aside and promised to see Optimus charged for high treason. Tired of Sentinel's slag, Optimus finally stuck up for himself and told Sentinel where to shove it, destroying the console the key was stuck in and revealing an AllSpark fragment. Ultra Magnus accepted the shard as proof of Optimus Prime's claims. Though Sentinel still refused to believe him, Magnus said that Optimus Prime displayed many qualities that Sentinel himself could use. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

[[Image:Returnofheadmaster optimuslaughs.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Ha ''Ha!'' [[Decapitation]].]]

When Sentinel and Optimus were at a press conference with [[Augustus Edsel|Mayor Edsel]], they received a call about a Decepticon sighting in old Detroit. After Sentinel mangled the roads en route, he told Optimus to split up and search on his own. Hours later, Optimus received a communication to from Sentinel to dismiss the police and come to Sentinel's location alone—and not to laugh when he got there. What Optimus found was Sentinel Prime's severed head, with his [[Structure|body]] having been stolen by the [[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster]]. He promised to help Sentinel find his body without letting Ultra Magnus or the other Autobots know, but not before taking a moment or two to enjoy the situation.

Heading for Sumdac Tower, Optimus confronted [[Porter C. Powell]], who denied knowing where Masterson was and told him the Autobots were no longer welcome at the facility. Optimus left, but immediately tapped in on Powell and Masterson's phone conversation, letting Optimus track Masterson to the docks. After encountering mini-Headmasters in the form of [[Tutor Bot]] and [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]], Optimus was able to get aboard the ship before it sailed away. Finding the Headmaster with Sentinel Prime's body, Optimus Prime proceeded to beat the living slag out of his attacker, much to Sentinel's discomfort. Finally defeating the mad scientist, Optimus reattached Sentinel's head to his body, but Masterson walked away due to legal technicalities. When Ultra Magnus asked them about it the next day, Optimus covered for Sentinel, saying that Sentinel had volunteered to use himself as bait to capture Masterson, and Magnus praised their bravery. In an awkward moment, Sentinel thanked Optimus for all he'd done, and the two shook hands amicably. {{storylink|The Return of the Headmaster}}

[[Image:Sentinel vs Optimus%2C with Jazz in the middle.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Jay Leno VS. Bruce Campbell, Battle of [[chin]]s.]]

When word of Decepticon attacks came after learning that Megatron was still alive, Ultra Magnus decided that Optimus and his Autobots would be needed elsewhere repairing damaged space bridges. The Elite Guard also wanted Optimus to...leave out that whole destruction of the AllSpark and Megatron's survival thing for the time being. When they detected an AllSpark shard energy signature in a human train, the Elite Guard went to retrieve it. Detecting Starscream, Optimus realized it was a trap and was forced to place stasis cuffs on Sentinel Prime to leave the Elite Guard's ship. Meeting up with his crew, he helped them remove the shard and save the humans. Magnus and Sentinel, who by now had broken out of his cuffs, were about to rip Optimus a new one for insubordination, assault, and the lack of evidence over the Decepticons—at which point Starscream's body crashed mere meters away from them, having been offlined by Megatron (again). When Starscream knocked out Ultra Magnus, Optimus took command (much to Sentinel's displeasure). He managed to place the stasis-cuffs on Starscream, and Ultra Magnus decided that Optimus Prime and his team would be allowed to stay on Earth, locate the remaining AllSpark shards, and arrest the remaining Decepticons. {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}}

Later on, when Bulkhead brought [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] and [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] back to Autobot headquarters, Optimus was not impressed with their antics and demanded that they leave. Optimus warned Bulkhead that the duo were not worth spending time with and that they were not capable of learning the ways of an Autobot. After the Constructicons were 'persuaded' by Megatron that their talents would be better utilized in the Decepticon ranks, Prime was furious and despite Bulkhead's insistence that they were his friends, Optimus questioned that they didn't know any better.

Unfortunately, he was proved right when Mixmaster and Scrapper showed up and demanded that they hand over the AllSpark fragments, to which Prime naturally refused. A struggle ensued (in which Ratchet and Bumblebee insisted Prime was 'their dipstick') and Mixmaster held Bumblebee hostage and demands the AllSpark. Prime tried to stall for time and Bulkhead handed over the fragments, to Prime's dismay. Bulkhead then 'had one for the road' and his scheme came to light. With the fragments retrieved, Optimus consoled a distraught Bulkhead and assured him that as long as the Constructicons (now having lost their memory due to the explosion caused by the tainted oil) were not wearing Decepticon badges, they still had a choice. {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons}}

[[Image:Animated Black Friday Prime Meltdown.jpg|right|175px|thumb|At the end of this day, one shall stand, one shall melt.]]

After learning that the Dinobots helped Meltdown escape, Prime took Prowl and Bumblebee to investigate Dinobot Island. There, he learned that Blackarachnia was manipulating the Dinobots, and had struck a deal with Meltdown to remove her organic half. However, Meltdown needed a genetic modifier. Blackarachnia, having poisoned Prowl and Bumblebee with her venom, told Prime to help Grimlock get the modifier in exchange for the antivenom that would save his Autobots. Though Prime tried to convince Grimlock of Blackarachnia's evil intentions, Grimlock would hear none of it. Returning to the mainland, Prime revoked his "protector of humanity" title long enough for Grimlock to "convince" [[Porter C. Powell]] to tell them where the modifier was. When Powell realized it was valuable, Prime was tempted to let Grimlock finish him off, but decided the Autobots didn't have time. Returning to Dinobot Island, Meltdown turned the tables on them, revealing that he planned to remove Blackarachnia's organic half, and sicced [[Fusion creature|his experiments]] on Prime and Grimlock. With the other Dinobots help, they sent the mutants packing. Prime then removed the modifier before Meltdown could finish his experiments, and exposure to the modifier caused Meltdown to break apart. Blackarachnia urged Optimus to come closer, but Grimlock's jealousy caused him to attack, allowing Blackarachnia to flee. When Prime went to Prowl and Bumblebee, he found the anti-venom, and saved their sparks. Although Powell tried to have Prime arrested, Fanzone refused to do anything about it. Because she left the anti-venom, however, Optimus Prime was hopeful that somewhere beneath the anger and betrayal of Blackarachnia, there was still something left of Elita-1. {{storylink|Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday}}

When Bulkhead was kidnapped by Megatron, Bumblebee brought home [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]], an Elite Guard intelligence agent who had been assigned to monitor the Decepticons and investigate Optimus Prime's crew (good odds on [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|the one]] who gave Blurr his orders). When Blurr revealed where the Decepticons were, and that they were building a space bridge with Isaac Sumdac's help, Prime ordered Ratchet and Sari to get the ship back online, while he and the others went to rescue Bulkhead and stop the Decepticons. Before he left, he admitted that he wasn't sure if Professor Sumdac was willingly cooperating with the Decepticons, but promised Sari that he would bring him home alive. Heading to the mines, they were ambushed by Blitzwing and Lugnut, who were incapacitated by Blurr. Reaching the control room, the Autobots were incapaciated by the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]]. Fortunately, the Decepticons were too busy with the sudden arrival of Starscream and [[Starscream clone (Animated)|his clones]] to immediately kill them. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

Managing to free himself, Optimus found himself in the odd position of fighting side by side with Megatron. But the battle went against the Autobots, with Blurr and a pair of clones sucked into the space bridge and the other Autobots incapacitated. In typical Decepticon fashion, Megatron used Prime as a human shield against the clones. After the battle, Megatron decided to use Prime as a test to see if the space bridge worked, where Prime would eliminated by [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] if it did. Fortunately, Prowl managed to get free from his stasis cuffs and shatter Optimus Prime's, allowing him to grapple Megatron. However, the power cut out, forcing Megatron to use the severed head of Starscream to further power the bridge, causing an overload. Prime managed to slap stasis cuffs on Megatron, taking him into the bridge, but the Autobots were nearly sucked in when [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] arrived and sacrificed himself to save them. As the bridge self-destructed, the Autobots managed to escape before the mountain came down on top of them. Though mourning the losses of Omega and Blurr, Megatron's plot was foiled, and the Autobots could breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Sighs of relief which turned to gasps of shock and horror when Sari noticed that the skin of her arm had been torn...revealing robotic circuitry underneath! {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

Leaving the mine, Optimus carried Sari and Isaac with him as the Professor explained what he knew of Sari's origins: years ago, Sumdac found a body of liquid metal, which he touched, and Sari emerged. Remembering all too well the horror story of human manufacturing, Optimus pointed out several flaws in Isaac's story. Optimus provided the necessary muscle to prevent Porter C. Powell and Henry Masterson from trying anything funny when Isaac returned to Sumdac Tower and fired the two, and was on hand to witness Sari activated some sort of weapons system to eject them. Horrified, Sari decided she was better off with her "fellow machines", and Optimus promised to keep her safe until she was ready to talk. Realizing that she wasn't going to talk, Optimus tricked Sari into going to [[Burger Bot]], alerting Sumdac that they were heading there. Unfortunately, the Headmaster had found his Headmaster unit and Starscream's body, and attacked the trio. After a short battle, Optimus tricked Masterson into transforming, saying that a "n00b" like him couldn't do it. The attack managed to reconcile Isaac and Sari, and Optimus took them home, where Prowl revealed his theory that Sari was a protoform merged with Sumdac's DNA.

Later, Ratchet turned up with an unconscious Bulkhead and claims of a missing Bumblebee. Bulkhead theorized that Bumblebee had activated the [[plasmadynamic thruster]], sending him across the universe, and used a homing beacon generator to bring him home. Unfortunately, Bumblebee was swallowed by a [[Rock Lord|rock-like alien]]. As the Autobots tried to figure out how to stop the creature without harming Bumblebee, Sari used the Key to upgrade herself into a more powerful mech. She defeated the monster, but overloaded and was unable to control her movements, seriously injuring Bumblebee. The Autobots were able to remove the Key, only to discover Sari kept going and the Key had been drained. Ratchet was forced to deactivate Sari with his EMP generator.

Returning to the plant, Optimus informed Isaac of Sari's condition, deciding that this family was done keeping secrets from each other. Unfortunately, Megatron arrived, commanding Omega Supreme. Optimus and the others led Megatron out of the city, where he and Prowl boarded Omega, removing Megatron's influence. Unfortunately, Starscream took over Omega Supreme, and decided to conquer Cybertron. Optimus latched aboard the departing vessel, and shoved the plasmadynamic thruster into Omega, sending him warping across the galaxy randomly, ending the threats of Megatron and Starscream for a while. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

After reprimanding Bumblebee for playing video games while on monitor duty, Optimus led the Autobots out on a search mission when they detected a Cybertronian energy signature. While Optimus was away, he received an emergency call from Bumblebee, revealing that Wasp was at the plant. By the time the Autobots returned, Wasp had switched places with Bumblebee. Unable to convince his teammates of the ruse, Bumblebee fled, and just as Optimus and his remaining Autobots gave chase, Sentinel Prime and Jazz cut them off. Sentinel was unwilling to listen to Optimus's claims that Wasp was innocent and Longarm Prime was the real traitor, and he took off for Wasp. Optimus had their group split up to try and find Wasp first, ordering Ratchet to come with him while Bulkhead and Prowl went to check another section of the city. While searching, Optimus and Ratchet discovered two Cybertronian fliers and assumed they were Decepticons. Only after fighting with the pair did they learn that [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] were Elite Guard members who had been upgraded with flight protocols duplicated from Starscream.

As Optimus, Ratchet, and Jazz watched Sentinel flail about on the wet roads, still ignoring pleas to warn Cybertron about Longarm, Optimus asked how Jazz was able to stand the obnoxious Prime, and was surprised to learn that the Elite Guard ninja ignored "only half" of what Sentinel said. When the jet twins reported to Sentinel that Bulkhead and Prowl were working with Wasp, Sentinel ordered all of Optimus's crew arrested, despite Optimus putting it as simply as possible: Wasp wasn't a double agent, so Bulkhead and Prowl couldn't be his fellow double agents. Once they reached the others, Optimus had to deal with Sentinel's insistence on arresting them all to let Ultra Magnus sort them out, despite Prowl and Bulkhead now believing that Wasp and Bumblebee had switched places. Overruling Sentinel's demands, Optimus had everyone return to the plant, as that's where Wasp had to be if 'Bee's story was true. By the time they returned, Wasp had read up on Bumblebee's files and so was able to relate a number of 'Bee's adventures to prove he was the real deal. When Bulkhead had Bumblebee and Wasp play ''[[Ninja Gladiator]]'' to see who the real one was, Prime had no better suggestion. Wasp choked and escaped, and Jazz finally realized that Optimus had been telling the truth about Longarm being a double agent. An oblivious Sentinel asked why they hadn't told him this in the first place, and Optimus sighed in exasperation. {{storylink|Where Is Thy Sting?}}

With the Elite Guard remaining on Earth, the Autobots began a search for the rest of Megatron's Decepticons. During one search, Optimus saw an unfamiliar shadow with a strange helmet. Following it, Optimus, Prowl, and Jazz discovered Sentinel Prime had captured [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] without making a sound. Despite his notorious ego, Sentinel refused to elaborate on the capture, and even bolted the clone's mouth shut when he started to talk. Returning to the Elite Guard ship, Optimus discovered that Sentinel had also captured Blitzwing and Swindle, as well, and was equally vague on the details. After helping Prowl investigate the mysterious helmeted figure, Optimus returned to the ship where he, Jazz, and Prowl were shocked to discover that Sentinel had captured Lugnut. Now convinced that Sentinel was lying to them, Optimus and the others eventually followed him to [[Tigatron Stadium]], where they discovered a stasis-cuffed Sentinel, the [[Ramjet (Animated)|Liar Starscream]], Lockdown (wearing the mysterious helmet), and that Sentinel had been having Lockdown capture the Decepticons in exchange for parts of the Elite Guard ship. After a battle, the clone was captured, but Lockdown escaped. Returning to the Elite Guard ship, the Autobots made contact with Cybertron, learning that Shockwave had attacked Ultra Magnus and stolen the [[Magnus Hammer]] in the process. Optimus decided not to inform Cybertron Command of Sentinel's misconduct, but instead gave Prowl all the credit for the captures. Sentinel expressed annoyance that he didn't get any credit for the captures, and Optimus told his former friend that when the smoke cleared, there would be a reckoning between the two Primes. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}}

[[Image:PredaconsRising-BASentinelOptimus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Hail hail, the gang's all here!]]

However, Sentinel remained on Earth, convinced that Wasp knew something about the attack on Ultra Magnus. Efforts to locate Wasp were hampered by Sentinel's refusal to recognize Optimus's authority on Earth, claiming he was the ''primer'' Prime. However, things came to a head when the Dinobot Swoop captured Wasp and took him to Dinobot Island. Realizing that Blackarachnia might be involved, Optimus tried to warn Sentinel about her, but he refused to listen, as usual. Reaching the island, Optimus found Blackarachnia draining Sentinel of his powers, and offered himself in Sentinel's place. Blackarachnia didn't care; as far as she was concerned, she had every right to slag them both for abandoning her. She also revealed that she had made Wasp into the technorganic Waspinator in the hopes that if she could change him back, she could change back into Elita-1. However, Waspinator heard this, and tried to attack Blackarachnia. Reaching critical mass, Blackarachnia wrapped herself and Waspinator into a cocoon to contain the transwarp explosion. The Autobots were barely able to avoid the blast radius, which appeared to destroy most of Dinobot Island. Optimus concluded that Blackarachnia sacrificed herself to save them, but Sentinel thought that she sacrificed Waspinator to escape. Although Sentinel did not press the issue, Optimus could see that he was deeply hurt by what he had experienced.

A short time later, the Elite Guard were preparing to leave, and Optimus Prime's crew were seeing them off. Optimus actually defended Sentinel when the twins poked fun at him, saying that for all his flaws, Sentinel was a good bot at spark. Sentinel later came out to talk to Optimus privately, and Optimus apologized, both for not telling Sentinel about Elita's survival, and for not letting Sentinel go back to try and rescue her. In turn, Sentinel apologized for coming up with the idea to go to the planet, but admitted that the time was past for apologies. Optimus ended the conversation on a lighter note, saying that Cybertron needed a leader, and for better or worse, Sentinel Prime was that leader. Sentinel agreed, and the two Primes finally appeared to bury the hatchet. {{storylink|Predacons Rising}}

Optimus Prime's mood soon soured as the [[Christmas]] season rolled in, and the latest must-have product from Porter C. Powell was advertised all over the city—the all-singing, all-dancing [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]]! After following a lone Soundwave and almost getting decapitated by a train, he decided he was obsessing over nothing and rejoined the other Autobots for some [[oilnog]]... not realizing it had been spiked by another Soundwave, forcing Optimus and the others into taking an early [[Stasis lock|stasis nap]].

[[Image:TFAni Human Error Part 1 Optimus Human.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Worst. Hangover. ''Ever!'']]

As Optimus woke up the next morning, he discovered, to his horror, that he and the others had inexplicably become human. Despite his hopes, Ratchet could find no rational explanation for their transformation. Deciding the best course of action was to head to Sumdac Tower, the Auto''men'' set off into the city. A quick stop at the Burger Bot turned to them fleeing from an attacking Decepticon armada, followed by Optimus and Prowl saving a woman and [[Gary|her son]] from a burning building, to (badly) fighting off an attacking Starscream and finally—perhaps worst of all—having to take public transportation to Sumdac Tower. However, no sooner had they arrived at their destination then they witnessed the tower blasted to ruins... by a Megatron-controlled Cybertron!

But just as the Autobots seemed on the brink of destruction, Optimus came to a realization—none of what they had experienced was real, but a virtual reality simulation! They took out the Decepticons together with superhuman feats, Optimus destroying Megatron himself with a well aimed axe into his cannon. As the dust settled and the Decepticons disappeared, they "imagined" themselves into their real forms once again. But as soon as they had made the transformation, a giant Soundwave scooped them up into the sky, blasting them all with energy.

In the real world, Optimus and his crew were all prisoners of the real Soundwave in the basement of the Autobot hideout, as part of the sonic warrior's plan to reprogram them into being Decepticons. As their captor started to accelerate the reprogramming, Optimus opened his eyes to reveal them glowing red... {{storylink|Human Error, Part I}}

[[Image:PrimeReadyToRock.jpg|thumb|left|200px| "I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!"]]

A wire from an attack Sari had made on Soundwave disrupted the connection, but after a failed escape attempt by Prowl, Soundwave reverted all the Autobots to their human forms and used his toy replica drones scattered around Detroit to begin hypnotising the human population.

Looking for a way to interface with Soundwave to escape and locating it in the form of his vehicle mode, Optimus gave the order to pursue the Decepticon utilizing the conveniently placed vehicles on which their own alternate modes were based. Unfortunately, Optimus didn't know how to drive extremely well. He still was able to pursue Soundwave, albeit with the fire hose out of control.

When Optimus and his group finally cornered Soundwave, it was revealed to be a trap: Hundreds of Soundwave's vehicle modes surrounded the Automen, and when the Autobots attempted to escape, their vehicles' seat belts wrapped around them as Soundwave began to reprogram them again.

Controlling the reprogrammed Autobots like puppets, Soundwave used them in a battle with Sari and the [[Substitute Autobot]]s, whom at first they soundly defeated. When Sari ordered the Substitute Autobots to attack all the Autobots at once, however, Soundwave began having trouble multitasking, until he decided to use just Optimus against them. Optimus soundly defeated the Substitute Autobots again and was about to kill Sari when the freed Prowl used his shuriken to blast Ratbat out of Soundwave's hands, liberating the rest of the Autobots. Optimus then grabbed Laserbeak, forced him into guitar mode, and engaged in a brief (''epic'') Battle of the Bands scenario before using Laserbeak to slice Soundwave and Ratbat in half, destroying the Decepticon's control over the citizens of Detroit. He and Sari then exchanged mutual new appreciation of each other's daily difficulties, Sari better understanding the stresses of command, Optimus now realizing the rigors of being human. {{storylink|Human Error, Part II}}

[[Image:TFAni Decepticon Air Swindle Optimus Hand.jpg|thumb||180px|right|"GIVE ME YOUR FACE!"]]
Optimus later congratulated Professor Sumdac and Bulkhead for completing a space bridge terminal in record time, and he was amazed when Sari single-handedly and expertly recalibrated the transwarp sequencers. However, he soon received a message from Sentinel Prime, who had accidentally freed several Decepticon prisoners on the Elite Guard ship, which decrypted to "Broken Lance", the coded distress call Sentinel used to use in their Academy days. Using the space bridge terminal to get to the ship, Optimus promptly emerged from Swindle's chest, having arrived in the pocket dimension which Swindle used to hold all his stock. Taking an elevator to the ship's energon storage chamber, Optimus slightly destabilized some energon cubes by perforating them with his axe, then put them in the elevator car and sliced the cables, so it exploded near the bottom just as the Decepticons pried open the doors. Slightly charred from the backblast, Optimus entered one of the service ducts and worked his way back to the brig area, grumbling as he did so.

Soon after, Prime freed his fellow Autobots and told Jazz to rewire the decontamination unit on the bridge as a freezing chamber to trap the Decepticons. At the same time, taking a cue from Sentinel's coded transmission, he made his Autobot symbol blink in [[Cybertronian optical code|Cybertronian Optical Code]] to tell Jazz that the decontamination chamber would be the only part of the bridge ''not'' to get frozen. After convincing the Elite Guard to surrender to the Decepticons (but not before using Sentinel as a slingshot against Lugnut), he endured Blitzwing locking them in the decontamination chamber and gloating all the while—until Blitzwing pressed the button and all the Decepticons on the bridge were frozen. Sentinel offered Optimus the Elite Guard spot that would be left when Sentinel became Magnus, but Prime declined, saying that he still had plenty to do on Earth. Optimus then returned to Earth on the Elite Guard's ship, and he and Sentinel traded salutes before they went their separate ways.
{{storylink|Decepticon Air}}

[[Image:Endgame2-OptimusPrimeInArmor.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Optimus cannot fly!! What is [[To sell toys|happening?]]]]

When Bulkhead detected Omega Supreme on the Moon, Ratchet tried to convince Optimus to use the [[Magnus Hammer]] against Megatron to rescue Omega and Arcee. Optimus felt unworthy due to his discharge from the [[Autobot Academy]] and ban from the Elite Guard, and instead requested that Ratchet build him a modification to [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys#Wingblade|let him fly]]. As part of a counter to Ratchet's protest that "Autobots don't fly", Prowl volunteered his boosters to use as a basis for Optimus's mods. When Ratchet ran into trouble on the jetpack, Sari used her Allspark powers to find the problem, and Ratchet soon had an attachable winged jetpack for Optimus to test out. Optimus loved the new ability to fly, shouting "Yessssss!" as he slipped the surly bonds of Earth, but he was shot down by [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]]. With a jetpack that didn't even give him an advantage over a Starscream clone, and with Megatron's [[Lugnut Supreme]]s fast approaching, Optimus decided he no longer had a choice and picked up the Magnus Hammer, ready to stand up in this [[darkest hour]]. {{storylink|Endgame, Part I}}

Though hesitant about taking to the air given his previous performance, Optimus took to the skies with Prowl to drive the Lugnut Supremes away from Sumdac Tower while Ratchet, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and Sari went to the Moon to sever Megatron's access to Omega Supreme. After a little trouble, Optimus was able to use the Magnus Hammer to cause a tornado that threw the clones to Dinobot Island, damaging one and rendering the other two unable to fly. However, they were still online and resumed their march to Sumdac Tower. Optimus instructed Prowl and Jazz to enter the clones and remove their AllSpark fragments while he himself fought Megatron. Unfortunately, when Omega was severed from the clones, it activated their hidden function as ''Starscream'' clones, complete with bombs capable of destroying everything within one hundred square miles. Omega returned in time to destroy one clone, and Prowl and Jazz used processor-over-matter to assemble stray AllSpark fragments and power a shield strong enough to contain the remaining clone.

[[Image:TFA-Endgame-PanAcrossEveryone.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Not bad for ol' what's-his-name.]]

Meanwhile, Optimus and Megatron continued to duke it out, eventually being encased in the shield with the third clone. As the final clone's bomb began to detonate, a flash of light removed Optimus from the blast. He was found minutes later by the Autobots, and they were triumphant until they saw the price of victory: Prowl had merged his spark with the AllSpark fragments to save them all. As Optimus ran toward his fallen comrade, Megatron appeared and blasted the Autobot captain. Ratchet tossed the Magnus Hammer to Optimus, who beat the Decepticon leader down. Megatron goaded Optimus to finish it, but Optimus instead destroyed Megatron's fusion cannon, saying that killing him would be too easy. Instead, Optimus Prime and his crew, along with Sari and Omega Supreme, returned to Cybertron with Megatron, Shockwave, and Lugnut as prisoners, before cheering crowds (and a not-so-cheery Sentinel Prime) who hailed them as heroes. {{storylink|Endgame, Part II}}

===Toy bios===
Optimus Prime prefers to fight fairly and in the open. At the same time, he knows bad guys ''don't'', so he utilizes his "night mode" to sneak up on them without being seen. Good lesson, there. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys#BumperBattlerNightwatch|Nightwatch Optimus Prime}} When the Autobots were preparing for an all-out assault on the Decepticons, Optimus ordered everyone to get their armor upgraded. Ratchet helped him install armor so strong that it can take fusion blasts with ease. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys#ActivatorArmorUp|Armor Up Optimus Prime}}

===''Be the Hero'' books===
{{Note|As the following stories are [[multipath adventure]]s, details will vary depending on the path taken. See individual pages for information on alternate paths.}}
====''Prime Suspect''====
After saving a [[You|human child]] from being run over by an out-of-control truck, Optimus found that he was being pursued by [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] and a squad of police. Some investigation turned up the fact that he was accused of breaking into [[HomeTech]]'s laboratory, and they had him doing so on security tape. Rendezvousing at the laboratory, Prime got [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] and the kid from earlier to go in and look for the footage. Though ultimately unsuccessful, a clue was found that led the Autobots to HomeTech's main warehouse. Within, Prime encountered the Decepticon who had framed him, [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]], and the two battled at length until the other Autobots helped him taken Blitzwing down. With the deception exposed, Prime was confident his name was cleared. {{storylink|Prime Suspect}}
====''Quest for the AllSpark''====
Optimus and [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] came up with a surefire plan when [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] took over [[Detroit]]'s robot workforce in an attempt to get his hands on the [[AllSpark]]. The Autobots made false AllSparks and went to hide them around the city. Prime was intercepted by the clearance 'bot [[Crush-A]], and called in the rest of the Autobots, ultimately defeating their foe. {{storylink|Quest for the AllSpark}}
====''Web of Deception''====
When the Autobots' ship on the bottom of [[Lake Erie]] was struck by [[Sparkseeker]] torpedoes, Optimus was knocked offline and abducted by [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]. He found himself strapped to an explosive device alongside one of the giant spiders from [[Archa Seven]]. Fortunately Ratchet was able to track him down and rescue him before the bomb could be triggered. {{storylink|Web of Deception}}
====''Time-Quake''====
Optimus and the other Autobots scoured Detroit, searching for the source of some strange temporal anomalies that had begun plaguing the city. Eventually they were able to track down the time machine that was responsible for the disturbances, and Optimus led his team in apprehending the culprit. {{storylink|Time-Quake}}

===Titan Magazines===
[[Image:SPROK%21.JPG|left|200px|thumb|No Country for Old Toys.]]
Optimus was swiftly overpowered by Starscream and [[Starscream clone (Animated)|his army of clones]], as were all the Autobots. The Dinobots arrived to save the day in return for lodgings during a rainy spell, leaving Optimus to ask Ratchet desperately for the weather forecast ''every day'' (the forecast being rain, rain, rain...). {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 17#Dino-MIGHT!|Dino-MIGHT!}}

Later, Detroit was hit by severe earthquakes, and Optimus led the Autobots in a rescue operation, personally holding up a collapsing bridge all by himself. These earthquakes turned out to be the work of the supervillain [[Quake-Maker]]. Optimus fought him but was easily beaten up—but forget Optimus, because the ''awesome'' Elite Guard operative [[Afterburn]] arrived, swiftly taking control of the Autobots and taking the villain down. Optimus was left a bit upset that Afterburn was so much better than him. {{storylink|Animated Comic issue 1|Burnout}}

He was apparently so upset that he didn't bother turning up afterwards, letting Afterburn dominate things. Prime's big contribution was to give everyone the day off. {{storylink|Animated Comic issue 3|Crossroads!}}

Later on, he ran afoul of the angry and impressively moustached [[General Macadam]], who was throwing a fit over Swoop buzzing a [[United States Air Force|USAF jet]]. Optimus gave the Dinobot a grilling over this...realising too late that Swoop, having been booted from Dinobot Island, had come for a job. Later on, Prime was ''very'' amused when Macadam angrily asked for help stopping the hijacked [[Wraith-X]], and had Bumblebee bring in Swoop for it.

There was no time to celebrate, though, as ''Megatron'' assaulted their headquaters! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Divebomb}} It turned out Afterburn, whom Megatron slaughtered, was a Decepticon infiltrator—and a sparkless drone one, at that—and he'd given their location away! Optimus and the gang held off a full Decepticon assault. In the aftermath, Optimus tried to boost Bumblebee's spirits by telling him he'd been a true hero in fighting Megatron, and that Afterburn hadn't been a ''real'' Transformer, so his death was no biggie. It was quite dodgy how easily Optimus wrote the guy off, to be frank... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Megatron's Revenge}}

Optimus later went to watch a race at [[Crazy Coyote Canyon]] to find the "King of Speed", and he permitted Bulkhead to join in if he wanted. He probably regretted this when Bulkhead won and Prime had to carry him in a victor's lap... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|The Race}}
{{--}}

===''The Cool'' comic===
To protect the [[AllSpark]], Optimus Prime lead his crew of Autobots to the [[Earth]] city of [[Detroit]]. The Decepticons [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] and [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] followed and attacked. Prime rescued [[Sari Sumdac]] from an explosion, protecting her with his body, then pitted himself against Starscream. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 1}}

Starscream succeeded in seizing the AllSpark, but Prime refused to let him keep it. Driving off a ramp and attacking him in the sky, Prime opened the AllSpark, dispersing its energy, killing himself in the process. Luckily, Sari's [[AllSpark Key|key]] was able to revive him. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 2}}

Prime then lead the Autobots in defense of [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], but was unable to counter [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]]'s sonic attacks and [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]]'s aerial bombardments. The [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobot]]s arrived and drove the villains off, but then attempted to drive the Autobots off, too! Prime and [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] sorted their issues out and parted on good terms. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 3}}

[[Image:TheCoolMegatronChokesPrime01.jpg|thumb|300px|right|GIVE ME YOUR CHIN!]]

Back in Detroit, Prime was attacked by Blackarachnia, who demanded to know why he'd abandoned her to die years ago. Prime explained that he and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel]] had immediately formed a rescue party but could not locate her. Freeing himself from her webbing, Prime vowed to help her restore her body no matter what. Their touching moment was interrupted by an attack from [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]], which buried Prime in rubble. By the time the other Autobots could free him, Blackarachnia had already retreated with the other Decepticons, asking never to be called "Elita-1" again. Prime screamed furiously at this. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 4}}

Optimus was present outside [[Sumdac Systems]] headquarters to greet the revived Megatron, who politely remembered Prime's name. Megatron made short work of Prime, slamming him to the ground by the throat and blasting away the Autobots with his [[fusion cannon]]. Refusing to give up, Prime drew his axe and clashed with Megatron's swords. Later, Prime survived the battle to greet [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] and the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]], who were demanding an explanation for why he and his crew had yet to return to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 5}}

Optimus Prime later joined Prowl in a battle against [[Clone number 2716057|Clone #2716057]]. Though Prowl defeated the clone, Optimus berated him for being "too flashy" about it and destroying an entire park in the process. Prime then escorted the clone to a warehouse where [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] was meeting with Megatron. Optimus demanded Megatron hand over ''his'' clone, but sang a different tune after it was revealed that the clones were packed with explosives. Prowl managed to send the explosives flying into the sky, and Prime complimented him on his quick thinking. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 6}}

Some time after that, Prime managed to find the location of the near-complete Decepticon [[space bridge#Animated cartoon|Space Bridge]] and launched a surprise attack. After kicking [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] in the stomach, Prime once again clashed melee weapons with Megatron. The foes were forced to fight together, however, when Starscream arrived with his [[Starscream clone (Animated)|Clone Army]]. The pair fought well side by side until [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] fired a shot at Megatron's head. The Decepticon leader blocked the shot by using Prime as a living shield, injuring the Autobot near-fatally. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 7}}

As the Space Bridge overloaded, sucking everything into itself, Optimus Prime recovered. Rushing the distracted Megatron, Prime slapped a pair of stasis cuffs on him and then kicked him square in the jaw, sending the Decepticon hurtling into the vortex. After the battle, Prime joined the other Autobots in bidding farewell to the fallen [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 8}}

[[Image:PrimeAllSparkGlowTheCool01.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Touch: Pretty much Robot Super Saiyans]]

When Starscream attacked Detroit in Omega Supreme's body, Optimus went off...''somewhere'', and when he came back, he had his Wing Blade armor and the [[Magnus Hammer]]! Optimus combined his power with Megatron's to defeat Starscream. After ordering Prowl to remove all traces of Starscream from Omega's body, he set his sights next on Megatron. Optimus and Megatron agreed to conclude their rivalry with a final battle and flew off into the sky, clashing hammer with sword. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 9}}

Outmatched, Megatron fought back by powering his fusion cannon with Starscream's AllSpark fragment. The humongous blast shredded Optimus, who was then impaled through the [[spark]] chamber by Megatron's sword. Refusing to die, Optimus declared that his spark would shine until his last breath. Somehow, this caused the AllSpark fragment to be drawn to Optimus, where it immediately powered him up. Now endowed with a Heavenly aura and apparent invincibility, Optimus choke-slammed Megatron into unconsciousness. Later, Optimus and his crew returned to Cybertron with the shackled Megatron in tow, where they were hailed as heroes. {{storylink|The Cool Episode Final}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===Transformers Animated: The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[David Kaye]] (English)
[[Image:TFAnimated Game Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|right|134px]]
Optimus decided that [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] could do with some more training, despite Bumblebee's assertion that video games counted. He had [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] turn the Autobot hideout into an obstacle course for himself, Bulkhead and Bumblebee to practice on. Not long after, word came in that the robots at a [[Sumdac Systems]] factory had gone haywire, and the three Autobots headed there to investigate. While they were bashing their way through the drones, [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] and Prowl got hold of a [[Decepticon Transmitter Drone]], which they used to intercept a transmission indicating that Megatron was looking for [[AllSpark]] fragments to power his Space Bridge. Though Optimus was keen to stop the Decepticon, Sari pointed out there were still rogue drones at the factory. After finding the AllSpark fragment that was causing the drones to malfunction, Prime had to take to the road to hunt down some more drones that were heading for Detroit.

Another transmission indicated that Megatron had all the fragments he needed to power his Space Bridge, so Optimus returned to the factory, where he, Bumblebee and Bulkhead tracked down another fragment. Optimus then chased the Transmitter Drone back to its point of origin — Megatron's mine lair. The three Autobots fought their way into the mine and confronted Megatron at the mouth of his Space Bridge. After a short battle, Megatron transwarped out, and the three Autobots attempted to follow him. Only Optimus and Bulkhead arrived on Cybertron, and had to search fruitlessly for Megatron until Bumblebee arrived. A transmission led them to the Space Bridge Nexus where they found Megatron. A protracted fight ensued, at the end of which Megatron transwarped out to parts unknown. Optimus was commended by [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] and offered a place in the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]]. He turned it down in favor of returning to Earth, where Ratchet wondered if he needed to examine Optimus's processor. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Game}}

===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|Prime]]s) summoned from the multiverse to battle for control of the prize. {{storylink|Transformers Battle Universe}}

{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
:''Main article: [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys#Merchandise]]''

==Notes==
*The twin cylinder-shaped protrusions connected to Optimus's small antennae are inspired by the head design of the [[Transformers (2007)|2007 movie]] rendition of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], as opposed to the [[Optimus Prime (G1)|traditional]] single cylinder.
*Optimus Prime features design elements from two different incarnations of [[Optimus Primal]]. The "skin" color of his face (and to a lesser extent, the presence of a retractable faceplate) is taken from Primal's first [[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]] body, while the way his lips are drawn is inspired by Primal's [[Beast Machines (franchise)|Beast Machines]] body. [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] thought since Prime is more of an inexperienced leader, he wanted to infuse some elements from Primal's design, who had a similar role in his series. <ref>[http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html#cutid1 Derrick Wyatt Q&A at the tf_animated livejournal community]</ref>
*Optimus was killed off after only [[Transform and Roll Out|one episode]] (three if you want to get technical) ''and'' revived 1 minute and 15 seconds later. That's gotta be [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|a new record]].
*At the end of "Transform and Roll Out", Prime's spark is contained in the same place ordinarily reserved for the [[Matrix (disambiguation)|Matrix]] in other continuities.
*Despite nominally being a fire truck, Prime's alt mode features a detachable cab that can mount a number of different trailers, such as [[Headmaster (episode)|a lookalike of Generation 1 Optimus's trailer]] and a [[The Elite Guard|dump truck]]. Presumably, this would make his alt mode not a fire truck, but a semi-truck ''outfitted'' as a fire truck. Score one for the old fans!
*Like his Generation 1 counterpart, this Optimus's trailer almost invariably disappears COMPLETELY when he transforms, assuming it's there to begin with. This even happens when it isn't his trailer, such as in "[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]]". Even Prime himself is just as confused as to where it goes, as evidenced by "[[Career Day]]". [[Subspace]] shunting? [[Unicron Singularity]]? Or...something more?
*Optimus Prime's bio on his Happy Meal toy at McDonald's says he is a '''FIRE TRUCK CAB'''.
*To date, none of Optimus' toys come with his trademark 'grappler launcher' weapons.
*According to the packaging call-outs for Cybertron Mode, DVD two-pack and Voyager Optimus Prime, his weapon is an "Ion-Axe" (or "Ion Axe"). However, on Roll Out Command Optimus Prime, Optimus's weapon is an "Ultra-Axe". ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac]]'' labels it a [[Solitarium]] weapon. The Japanese dub not only embraced the term "Ultra-Axe", but also added the "Ultra-" prefix to Prime's net (now the "Ultra-Net"), grappling hook (the "Ultra-Anchor"), and... jumping ability ("Ultra-Jump").
*[[TakaraTomy]] marketing director, [[Masahiko Yamazaki]], has claimed that the Japanese version of ''Transformers Animated'' takes place within the continuity of the [[Live-action film series|live-action film franchise]], thus making ''Animated'' Optimus Prime the same character as Movie [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Some of Yamazaki's other statements regarding this have been contradicted (primarily regarding [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]), so take with a grain of salt.
*A round of punny Japanese. During the "next episode" preview at the end of "[[Transform and Roll Out|A New Chapter! Transformers]]", Bumblebee complains that the name "Oputimasu Puraimu" (as the natives pronounce it) is too long and difficult to remember. His renaming suggestions include: "[[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]", "Oputi", "Opura", and "Pupu". Obviously, Optimus rejects all of them, saying that "Oputi" is more suited for a cute dog, "Opura" just sounds weird, and "Pupu", while cute, would be hard not to laugh at.
*According to <strike>David Kaye</strike> [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], he (like any Autobot) sucks at golf.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EQsjGclmVQ&feature=related David Kaye at BotCon 2008]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Optimus Prime''' (オプティマスプライム ''Oputimasu Puraimu'')

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/CybModeOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm Optimus Prime at TFU.info]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Animated Autobots]]
[[Category:Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Chip Chase

2011-07-24T05:31:03Z

CaptionAce: /* The Transformers cartoon */

:''Chip Chase is a [[human]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:RollForIt Chip Chase at the mike.jpg|right|300px|thumb|It's a cartoon from the '80s. By law, ''Transformers'' has to have at least one character in a wheelchair.]]

'''Chip Chase''' is [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]'s best friend and a staunch ally to the [[Autobot]]s. Despite their high level of technology, the Autobots will often consult Chip, benefiting from his genius-level IQ and skills in computer programming and electronics, in addition to several other fields of science. He will often be found hanging out with distinguished scientists and academics, as well as developing new technology with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] for use in the fight against the [[Decepticon]]s. For Chip, the fact he's confined to a wheelchair is barely an impediment.

{{quote|No one's ever really disabled so long as he has courage.|Chip Chase|"[[Divide and Conquer]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Horton]] (English), [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese)

[[Image:RollForIt TheInternets.jpg|left|200px|thumb|In 1984, the Internet was only used by nerds to complain about how terrible Transformers was.[http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/1cdaf7df610e0376?dmode=source&hl=en]]]

Chip Chase came to the attention of the Autobots as a friend of Spike Witwicky and the whiz behind [[Alcazar|Dr. Alcazar]]'s [[antimatter]] formula project. He, Spike and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] paid a visit to Alcazar's desert laboratory to pick up a disk which would allow Chip's home computer to interface with the more powerful computer at the lab. On the way home, they were alerted to an imminent Decepticon attack, and Chip rushed inside to alert Dr. Alcazar by computer. The warning allowed Alcazar to upload the antimatter formula to Chip's PC. Meanwhile, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s [[battle computer]] had been disabled during a skirmish, and he contacted Chip's computer in search of help. Chip was able to help him chase off the Decepticons.

[[Image:RollForIt FloppyDisk destruction.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Holy crap, man.]]
Unfortunately, the Decepticons had traced the formula to Chip's computer. He memorized the formula and ''tore up'' the floppy disk containing it. The Decepticons proceeded to kidnap him, and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] plucked the formula from his mind anyway. As the Decepticons began manufacturing antimatter, Chip was rescued by Spike, Bumblebee, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. The Decepticons turned up at [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]], with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] transforming into a powerful antimatter gun, but Chip was able to attach Wheeljack's remote control device to [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], turning the Decepticons' own weapon against them. [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] pronounced Chip a hero. {{storylink|Roll for It}}

Chip was attempting to help a weapons factory increase their productivity when the Decepticon [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s attacked it. He was able to transmit a distress signal to the Autobots, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] swiftly arrived to take on the three Decepticons. Chip warned him of a heat-seeking missile, seemingly before it did anything to indicate it was heat-seeking. Weird. A stray blast hit the computer, but Chip's life was saved by Optimus shielding him from the resulting explosion. Prime was badly damaged, necessitating a trip to Wheeljack's lab on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to collect a vital component, the [[Cosmitron]]. Chip used [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to predict the next location of the Decepticon [[space bridge]] and tagged along on the mission on the basis that they needed a computer genius to get through the lock the Decepticons had placed on the door of the lab. They quickly gained entrance to the lab and located the necessary part Optimus needed, but a [[Rainmaker|group of Seekers]] created [[acid rain]], to which Chip was strangely immune. He was able to rally the Autobots, encouraging them to overcome their vulnerability to the acid rain. They rushed the Cosmitron back to Optimus, arriving in time to save his life. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[Image:WarDinobots Chip warning Autobots.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"So then I took that floppy, and I was like 'BAYM!' and Ravage was all like, 'Dayuumn, son!'"]]
Late one night at an observatory, Chip spotted a strange meteor headed for [[Earth]] and alerted the Autobots, accompanying them to the location he had calculated the meteor would touch down. Spike suggested that they dub it [[Meteorini Chipperoni]] in his honor. After the meteor became a meteorite, Optimus obtained a sample, and they returned to headquarters. Wheeljack's analysis of the meteorite fragment revealed it was highly unstable, sending Optimus on a mission back to the crash site. Meanwhile the Autobots set about building two more [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s based on Chip's suggestions of a stegosaurus and a pteranodon. [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] were completed in time to fly to Optimus Prime's aid, the other three Dinobots having been turned against him by Megatron. Chip and the others arrived to find [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and Optimus already making up. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

Chip was present when Megatron challenged Optimus to a duel, and he accompanied the Autobots to watch the fight, musing to [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] that it reminded him of ancient Roman gladiatorial combat. Despite all their cheering, and much to Chip's disbelief, Optimus was soundly defeated. However, when they got back to HQ, Chip was able to use Teletraan I to analyse Optimus's damaged parts and determine that Megatron had cheated, rendering the result of the contest void under Cybertronian law. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

[[Image:Chipchase.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Mein Führer, I can valk!]]
After watching a Formula 1 race with Spike, Chip came up with the idea of the Autobots holding a race for charity. The pair took the idea to Optimus Prime, and the race was soon set up. Megatron used the opportunity to test his new [[Transfixatron]] on the Autobots, and the two boys were forced to make their escape in Bumblebee. Returning to HQ, Chip consulted Teletraan I, revealing the nature of Megatron's new invention, and Wheeljack and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] were able to construct a [[Anti-transfixation grenade|grenade]] to reverse the effects of the device. They headed out to where the Autobots had been taken and immediately engaged the Decepticons. Spike passed the grenade to Chip, who ''stood up in his wheelchair'' to catch it, then managed to get close enough to throw it into the Autobots' midst before [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] intercepted him. The Autobot forces regained the ability to transform and battled the Decepticons into a retreat. Ratchet bemoaned the resulting repair work he was going to have to do, much to Spike and Chip's amusement. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

[[Image:TheCore Chip in Wheeljack.jpg|left|200px|thumb|All Autobots are Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant.]]
Chip and Wheeljack developed the [[dominator disc]]s, intended to bring [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] under Autobot control. Once the discs were placed on the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and they formed Devastator, Chip activated the discs, and the combiner promptly turned on the other Decepticons. Chip was overjoyed at the success of their invention, but the next time they faced the Decepticons, Megatron was able to use an electronic disruptor to override the dominator discs. Wheeljack and Chip worked frantically to get the now-wild Devastator back under their control, as the Decepticons' giant drill neared the center of the Earth, but it was only with the addition of Megatron's disruptor that they were able to succeed. Although Devastator stopped the drill, he was firmly a Decepticon again. Chip was greatly disappointed, but Optimus told him to hang on to his dreams. {{storylink|The Core}}

[[Image:DinobotIsland2 Spike Chip and Beachcomber.jpg|right|200px|thumb| "''You'' out ran ''Ravage'' and he keeps getting kidnapped?"]]
Perplexed at the appearance of strange time warps, the Autobots consulted Chip, who was able to use Teletraan I to locate two more warps. With [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]'s help, he soon traced the source of the temporal disturbances to [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

When the Mayor of [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]] organised [[Autobot Day]], Chip turned out with Spike and Sparkplug to join the cheering crowd. They then reacted with disbelief when a recording produced by [[Shawn Berger]] appeared to incriminate the Autobots in stealing energy, but joined in solidarity with their friends, even as the rest of the crowd turned hostile. Optimus and the others were put on trial. Chip attempted unsuccessfully to stall things while Spike looked for evidence to prove the Autobots' innocence, but he and Sparkplug were soon forced to give their farewells, as the Autobots were launched into space aboard a rocket. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} With mounting disbelief and horror, Chip and Sparkplug witnessed [[Decepticon Day]], though Chip still held out hope that Spike would find some evidence to exonerate the Autobots. Naturally, it wasn't long before the other shoe dropped, and Megatron proclaimed himself ruler of Earth.

[[Image:MegatronsMasterPlan2 Thrust holding Chip.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Maybe if I squeeze you hard enough, I'll fix your body.]]
Chip was put to work with the rest of the humans at a power station, but he quickly came up with a plan. During a diversion engineered by Spike, Chip stowed away on a truck which passed near Autobot Headquarters. There he consulted Teletraan I, only to discover that the Autobot ship had hurtled into the [[Sun]] and exploded. Before he could check up on [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] burst through the ceiling and blasted the computer. Chip furiously turned on the Decepticon, who simply laughed and took him back to the power station. A despondent Chip returned to work, but his trip had inadvertently benefited the Autobots: With Teletraan I's control over Cosmos's guidance systems severed, they were able to return to Earth to confront the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

When a group of Autobots, including Optimus Prime, disappeared through a space bridge to unknown coordinates, Chip tried unsuccessfully to use Teletraan I to locate them. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}}
{{--}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====Scramble City=====
[[Image:ScrambleCarlyChip01.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Chip can't stand (ha ha) to face the badly drawn Carly.]]
Chip can be seen alongside Spike, Sparkplug and [[Carly]], helping to construct [[Autobot City]]. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====Binaltech=====
When [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl's]] [[laser core]] was lost to [[subspace]] in a [[Genetronic Translink System|GT]] Transfer accident (a technology he himself helped to create), Chip Chase volunteered to sacrifice his very own soul in order to breathe life into the now-lifeless Prowl-2, stating, "Twenty years ago, we met thanks to an online message from you. Your [[battle computer]] was down, and in its place, I—" {{storylink|Roll for It}} while something flashed in the back of his mind: "Your intelligence and personality are already in this frame. In which case..." With the help of [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], Chip's consciousness was transported into Prowl's frame. The new entity created in this fusion was virtually indistinguishable from Prowl's old persona, thanks to copies of the original Prowl's [[memory core]] and [[Datatrax]], while a separate neurocomputer handles Chip's thought processes. Meanwhile, Chip's real body was stored in stasis in an [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] medical facility.

{{note|At least one [[Beast Wars Sourcebook|continuity]] had this new spark used for [[Prowl II]], which makes no sense, since Binaltech is separate from [[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]].}}

==Notes==
[[Image:RollForIt Chip Chase banners.jpg|thumb|right|200px|That's a lot of tuition fees!]]
* The idea for Chip's character grew out of very early plans for the series, which involved two human allies for the Autobots named "[[Eddie Fairchild and Matt Conroy|Eddie Fairchild]]" and "[[Eddie Fairchild and Matt Conroy|Matt Conroy]]". Eddie was the prototypical version of Spike, but when the Matt character was conceived as an "elder brother figure" for Eddie, the idea to make the younger boy handicapped, and hence more dependent on the Autobots, was briefly considered. Evidently, this idea went in a slightly different direction and wound up inspiring Chip. [http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#149]
* Chip was originally named "Billy" Chase, as seen in the original script for "Roll For It".
* In "Roll for It", Chip has a remarkably advanced (or at least ridiculously expensive) desktop computer for 1984. It contains, among other things, a 16-million-color monitor (Chip's view of the Decepticons was no different than Prowl's), a microphone, dial-up networking, speakers, and a sound card that could interpret Prowl's speech. Maybe he's friends with [[Ethan Zachary]].
* Also in "Roll for It", Chip has no fewer than four pennants displayed on his wall: "PIERCE" (probably referring to [[wikipedia:Franklin Pierce University|Franklin Pierce University]]), "[[Wikipedia:University of Southern California|USC]]", "[[wikipedia:California State University, Northridge|CSUN]]" and "YAL", commonly assumed to be a reference to [[Wikipedia:Yale_University|Yale University]].
[[Image:Ark II Chip Chase.jpg|200px|right|thumb|]]
* Chip and [[Carly]] never appeared in the same episode during the entire US run. Coincidence!? '''''Shocking dual identity!?''''' (Or maybe the two of them just can't stand to be in the same room for whatever reason...) The only time they're both seen on screen is near the beginning of "[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]". Blink twice and you'll miss 'em.
*Although he was last seen in "[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]" and was absent through the entirety of the series' [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season_3|third season]], the producers of the Japanese-exclusive ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' apparently had plans to include an adult version of Chip in that series' first episode. A character design of an adult Chip can be seen in the ''[[Transformers Generations]]'' reference book and ''[[Transformers: The Ark II|The Ark II]]'' Japanese character models book.
* He may easily be the most advanced human who ever lived.
* In the [[Transformers The Game (console)|2007 live-action movie console game]], there is a fast food place called [[Chip Chase's]]. The restaurant's logo features Chip's grinning mug. Wonder if the TV ads are as scary as the ones featuring the [[Burger King]].
* You would think that someone of Chip's remarkable intellect could build himself some fancy robot-legs, a powered exo-skeleton or, at the very least, a better wheelchair.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chase, Chip}}
[[Category:Alternators humans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Meteorini Chipperoni

2011-07-24T05:25:03Z

CaptionAce: /* Note */

:''Meteorini Chipperoni is a chunk of unstable matter from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[Image:WaroftheDinos Meteorite.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
'''Meteorini Chipperoni''' is a meteor of unknown origin. It contains unstable energies unknown even to [[Autobot]] science. So naturally, it is okay to just shoot it with a [[laser rifle]].

{{quote|Maybe we'll even name it after you. Meteorini Chipperoni or something.|[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]|"[[War of the Dinobots]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
[[Chip Chase]] and his astronomer friend [[Jeff (astronomer)|Jeff]] spotted the meteor but were unable to get a reading off it. Chip called in the Autobots and Spike Witwicky, who rushed to the location the meteor would hit: a ghost town in the middle of nowhere. Once it hit dirt, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] blasted a chunk off it and left the three [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s to guard it. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] also had his eye on Meteorini Chipperoni, and he turned the Dinobots against the Autobots as part of his plan to secure it. The meteorite was spirited away by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. Back at [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] determined from the sample that the meteorite was highly unstable and likely to explode.

The Decepticons filled [[energon cube]]s from the meteorite, despite Starscream's warning that the energy within appeared unstable. Sure enough, shortly after the Dinobots arrived with a bruised and battered Optimus Prime, the pile of energon cubes exploded violently. Two new Dinobots, [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], arrived before any further action could be taken, and a brawl broke out. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] fell near the now dangerously unstable meteorite. Optimus was able to save the Dinobot leader as the meteorite exploded. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

==Note==
* The meteorite was never officially named in "War of the Dinobots"; "Meteorini Chipperoni" was something Spike came up with in passing. It's possible that Spike may have had pizza or some Italian meal earlier. Or he's just stupid.
* Regardless, nobody seems to refute the name, at least on screen.

[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Space]]

Decapitation

2011-07-24T05:13:48Z

CaptionAce: /* Cartoon continuity */

[[Image:Movie Bonecrusher dies.jpg|thumb|right|300px|This article only exists to please [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|him]].]]
'''Decapitation''' is a means of defeating an opponent by which his head is removed. Depending on the continuity, this may lead to [[death]].

[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ''loves'' it while [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] hates it.

{{quote|Give me your FACE!|[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] revels in his favorite tactic|''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:NewOrder-OptimusPrimehead.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Time to face facts.]]
{{quote|It's all a matter of how you remove your head. You see, even I - unh, there it goes - can take my head off. It's all a matter of how you do it. There's a whole set of mental commands that disconnect nerve endings and the like. If you just rip it off, fuel lines, neural connections and other vital bits are severed, as in the case of Cyclonus. Nine times out of ten it's fatal.|[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] on decapitation.}}

{{quote|Well, it's quite simple really: the 'stupid female' (!) in question kindly restored Cloudburst's head to its rightful place, i.e. on top of his shoulders. Cyclonus wasn't lucky enough to have somebody around to do the same.|Dreadwind contradicting his previous statement.}}
After defeating the Autobots, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] removed [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s head from his body for the purpose of accessing the [[Creation Matrix]]. {{storylink|The New Order}} Prime's head remained conscious and able to communicate with [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} When he was finished with Prime's head, he disposed of a fake Optimus Prime as part of a ruse to trick the Autobots. The Autobots did indeed find the head and install it back on Prime's body. The fake head took control of Optimus's body and immediately started attacking the Autobots. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

In order to show his sincere desire for peace, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] ripped his ''own'' head off; five others followed him. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}} The heads remained alive and capable of talking even without a body. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}}

[[Image:MarvelUK-220.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Uh, I don't think you'll be able to turn anyone to stone with this.]]

''[[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]] would rip [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus']] head off his shoulders, which killed him instantly.'' {{storylink|Dry Run!}}

''[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] give prerequisite mental commands when their heads come off. Suddenly ripping the head off, as happened to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], means those commands aren't given and they black out.'' {{storylink|All in the Minds!}} ''The only thing that revives them is if the head is reconnected to the body; [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Lord Zarak]] remained as Scorponok's immobile head for some time.'' {{storylink|Time Wars (issue)|Time Wars}}

''During the Time Wars, [[Twin Twist]] had his head ripped off and [[Rack'n'Ruin]] had one of his/their heads shot off. Both were written off as dead.'' {{storylink|Time Wars (issue)|Time Wars}}

When [[Cloudburst]] pissed off the [[First One]], she cut his head off. However, [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] struck a deal with her and she returned Cloudburst's head to his body. He showed no signs of severe damage. {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}}

''[[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] murdered two Autobots by lopping their heads off.'' {{storylink|Headhunt}}
{{--}}

====Cartoon continuity====
[[Image:CityofSteel Prime head.JPG|thumb|left|150px|Heading into the realms of disbelief.]]
[[Image:DesertionDinobots1 Powerglide no head.jpg|thumb|right|150px| [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Your face]] on a silver platter.]]
Optimus Prime was decapitated by [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] as part of his disassembly after falling into [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s trap. This did not prevent him from being able to have partial control over his body parts. {{storylink|City of Steel}}

[[Cybertonium]] depletion caused [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]'s head to fall off, though he could still talk and had full control over the rest of his body. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}}
{{--}}

====Dreamwave comics continuity====
[[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] took off [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s head so he could use it to trick the other Decepticons. [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]] later used it to prove the [[guzzler]]s just what [[Micromaster]]s are capable of. Shockwave was eventually repaired. {{storylink|Victims of the Revolution}}

====IDW comics continuity====
[[Image:Devastation6 Runamuckdies.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Where knocking your block off has a rather more literal meaning than first intended.]]
[[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] was decapitated by the Whirling [[Reaper]]. His head remained alive, fully conscious and still able to speak, until another Reaper smashed it with a very large boulder. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6}}
{{--}}

====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[Image:Double Jeopardy Terrorsaur decap.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"Hey, Scorpy, wanna get ''ahead''? Just a bit ''off the top'' this time? Eh? Eh? (Wow, tough crowd)."]]
Decapitation is notably non-fatal for the Beast Warriors. [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]'s head frequently comes off, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] has lost his a bunch of times too, [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] got his head knocked off in an explosion, {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}} and when Inferno and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] accidentally slammed into each other, they swapped heads. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}}

In most cases, the Transformer was still able to talk happily. In some cases, like poor Terrorsaur's to the left, the Transformer's body could still move and would try to re-attach its head. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy}}

Megatron was obviously going for this result in his attempt to kill [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and change history, but he only managed to melt parts of the Autobot's head despite routing all available power to his main weapon. There's something to be said for those "archaic energon guzzlers" after all. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}
{{--}}

===Live-action film series continuity===
[[Image:Barricade-comicsadaptation-death.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Your face? GIVE ME YOUR WHOLE FREAKING HEAD!]]
[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] rather ruthlessly decapitated [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]].

[[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] was decapitated ... by [[Mikaela Banes|a chick!]] ... but his head lived on, taking a cell-phone [[alternate mode]] of its own. Frenzy is able to do this because he has a special, decentralized, modular nervous system.<ref>Frenzy's profile in [[Transformers Comic issue 7]], which was re-worked from his entry in ''[[Transformers: The Movie Guide]]''.</ref> In any event, the remains of his head were later seen in a display case, probably because his final injury in the movie only lopped off MOST of his head. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}

[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] was decapitated by Optimus Prime, apparently killing him. {{storylink|Movie Adaptation Issue Number Four|Movie Adaptation #4}}

[[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]]'s head was torn in half and then removed by Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}

Hunters are known for decapitating the corpses of their kills, and displaying them as trophies. Optimus Prime, surprisingly, finds it distasteful. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.10| Bring Me the Head of Optimus Prime}}

[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], the [[Driller]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] are decapitated in the third movie. [[Que]] and [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s heads fell off when they died. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon}}
{{note|Barricade's decapitation was not shown in the film and later comics [[retcon]] him as surviving with his head still on his shoulders.}}

===Animated continuity===
[[Image:TFA Headmaster headbutt.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Glad to see you've got some headspace to deal with this issue (had enough of the puns yet?)]]
The [[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster]] uses his [[Headmaster unit]] to cut off the heads of [[Transformer]]s so that he can take control over their bodies. Yet this does not kill his victims.

Two stand out examples of surviving decapitation are worth noting. The first is the example of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], who was decapitated during an uncontrolled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} He was sent into stasis lock as a result, but was reactivated fifty years later thanks to [[Sari Sumdac]]'s [[AllSpark Key]], which had been powered with the energies of the [[AllSpark]]. {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is}}

The other major example is [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], but this is atypical. Starscream's survival was because of an AllSpark fragment embedded in his head, meaning he could survive any normally spark threatening injury as long as the shard was in his head. {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}}

==References==
<references/>

{{stub}}

[[Category:Tactics]]

Raiden

2011-07-24T05:05:33Z

CaptionAce: /* The Headmasters comic */

{{factions|autobot}}
:''Raiden is an [[Autobot]] [[combiner]] from the [[The Headmasters (franchise)|Headmasters]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Raiden boxart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|God of thunder! And rock and roll!]]
The main function of the [[Trainbot]]s is transport, but when an obstruction arises that prevents them from delivering their passengers, they won't hesitate to combine into the mighty '''Raiden''' (ライデン) to clear the tracks. And no obstacle is too big for Raiden's matchless ambition: he is, after all, the guy who maintains an active rivalry with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], and plans on challenging [[Predaking]] next! Fittingly enough, his other great personality trait is his peerless punctuality. This is one Robot Train that always runs on time!

Raiden is the combined form of all six Trainbots:
*[[Shōki]] (leader, torso)
*[[Getsuei]] (right leg)
*[[Kaen]] (pelvis)
*[[Seizan]] (right arm)
*[[Suiken]] (left arm)
*[[Yukikaze (Headmasters)|Yukikaze]] (left leg)

:''[[Omni Productions]] dub name:'' '''The Robot Train''', '''Grimlock'''

==Fiction==
===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Keiichi Noda]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Hmop_raiden.jpg|left|thumb|225px|I'm not a video game!]]

Raiden made his first brief appearance fighting alongside [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] against the [[Decepticon]] combiners when the villains invaded [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in 2011. They were very nearly crushed to death when [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] collapsed a building on them with his [[Sonic stun-gun|sonic stun-gun]], but the tide of the fight was turned when the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] arrived to join the battle. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Sometime later, the Trainbots formed Raiden in order to defend [[Japan]] against the marauding [[Sixshot]]. Raiden and Sixshot fought fiercely until [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] crashed the party. The arrivals of [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s made it into a real brawl. During the fight, Raiden was swarmed by Sixshot and his hard-light dopplegangers in winged wolf modes. Raiden called for [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] to shoot at the Sixshots until he nailed the real one, even if Raiden was injured in the process. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

Raiden was formed to defend the [[Solar 1]] satellite against [[Predaking]]. He fought bravely against the bestial giant, and eventually sent the Decepticon fleeing with his tail(s?) between his legs. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Soon thereafter, Raiden battled Predaking again, with a raging volcano as their backdrop. The Headmasters soon became involved in the skirmish and, when Raiden briefly gained the upper hand on Predaking, they offered to step in so that the Trainbots could rescue the innocent villagers trapped at the base of the volcano. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}}

[[Image:Hmep23_raiden_vs_galvatron.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Or a ninja!]]

When [[San Francisco]] came under siege by a carnivorous alien plant, courtesy of the Decepticons, the Trainbots, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s responded to the emergency. The Trainbots combined into Raiden in order to engage Bruticus in an energy-sword duel, but as the battle went on, they switched opponents and started fist-fighting with [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] while the Autobot Headmasters dealt with the vicious vegetable. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}} A little later, during a clash on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], Raiden helped [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] fend off a combined attack by the Decepticon Headmasters. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

After the Decepticons embarked on a quest into deep space to seek out new sources of energy, the Trainbots joined [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] in following their foes. Raiden was formed on the [[Twin Star]] planets and did battle with Predaking. {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}} He was also briefly seen on the planet [[Paradise]], {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}} and took on [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] himself on the [[Pirate Planet]]. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}}

[[Image:Hmep35_raiden_vs_predaking.jpg|left|thumb|225px|Or a guy from Mortal Kombat! get it right!]]

Once the Autobots had returned to Earth, Raiden was next formed in defense of [[Autobot City]] as it was being attacked by Sixshot and Trypticon. He was intercepted by [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]], however, and was unable to assist Ultra Magnus and [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] in their fight. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} Raiden was next seen battling Predaking on the Kamchatka Penninsula, as the Decepticons attempted to exploit the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]]. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}} That battle concluded with the expulsion of the Decepticons from Earth, and soon after, Raiden helped eradicate any traces of the villains that remained on Earth by joining Defensor and [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] in demolishing their now-abandoned Earth base. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}}

When the Autobots learned that the Decepticons had withdrawn to the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], the Trainbots joined the Autobots in pursuing them. After bombs planted by [[Weirdwolf]] damaged Fortress's battleship during a battle on Master, Raiden and Defensor were seen helping to repair it. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

After the Transformers had all returned to Earth, the Trainbots formed Raiden for the final battle with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons at the North Pole. He warred with his counterpart, Predaking, and was nearly crushed by the Battleship Maximus when Scorponok battered it away. In the end, Raiden lent his strength to the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]], feeding Fortress Maximus enough power to overcome the effects of the [[crysmag metal]]. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}
{{-}}

====''The Headmasters'' comic====

[[Image:Hmmanga_raiden_claus.jpg|right|thumb|200px|But I am Santa]]

Responding to a distress call from their [[Beastformer]] allies on the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]], the Trainbots merged into Raiden to deal with the Decepticons menacing the planet. Combining in mid-air, the united team allowed gravity to do the rest of the work as they delivered a shattering "JR Kick" straight to Predaking's face, taking him out of the fight. {{storylink|Great Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}}

Back on Earth, the Trainbots joined Daniel and the Autobot Headmasters in investigating a Decepticon energy-stealing operation under the sea. The Decepticons were laying in ambush with a giant robot squid, but the Headmasters responded by tying its tentacles in knots, and the Trainbots then formed Raiden to swing the swing the automaton architeuthis like a mace, flattening the other Decepticons. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 3|The Headmasters #3}}

When [[Christmas]] rolled around, Raiden got into the spirit of the season when he joined the Autobot Headmasters in handing out gifts at a Japanese children's hospital, even going so far as to don a giant Santa hat and carry a huge sack. The merriment was soon interrupted by the arrival of the Decepticon Headmasters, but rather than join the battle, Raiden followed Chromedome's instruction to disengage and transport the hospital's patients to safety. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 6|The Headmasters #6}}
{{-}}

====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic====
[[Image:Mfmanga_raiden_chromedome_scramble7.jpg|left|thumb|350px]]

Several years after the Decepticons' expulsion from Earth following the final battle at the North Pole, the Trainbots were dispatched to pick up a new Autobot warrior named [[Ginrai]] who had risen to prominence on Earth and bring him to [[Athenia]] so Fortress could appoint him [[Supreme Commander]]. Naturally, the Decepticons attacked Athenia during Ginrai's stay, and Raiden was formed to fight back, only for him to wind up being cut down alongside Chromedome by a powerful blast from the combined Decepticon [[Scramble 7]]. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The United Earth-Space Troops}}

The attack on Athenia had proven that the Decepticons on Earth had joined forces with the Decepticons in space, and so the Autobots elected to do the same to better fight their enemies. Soon after, when the leader of the space-based Decepticon forces, [[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]], began heading for Earth, Raiden, the Autobot Headmasters and [[Grand Maximus]] gave chase. They were unable to stop him, but luckily, no sooner had he arrived than Ginrai tricked BlackZarak and the Earth Decepticon leader [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] into blasting each other. Raiden and his allies cheered for Ginrai's success. {{storylink|God Ginrai's Amazing Super-God Combination!}}

==Games==
===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)}}

==Toys==
===The Headmasters===
[[Image:Raiden toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Raiden''' (Trainbot, 1987, 1990)
** ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-131'''
** ''Accessories:'' Left & right fists, chestplate, waist armor, back armor, 2 "Leg Beams", 2 "Wing Lasers", "Train Bazooka" rifle

: Raiden began life as the ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Trainbot", released as part of the "Real and Robo" subline. One of the few ''Diaclone'' toys not initially ported over for release in Hasbro's ''Transformers'' line, the Trainbots eventually found their way into the Transformers universe a few years later when they were released by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], with the addition of waist and back armor panels for their combined mode, as part of the ''[[The Headmasters (franchise)|Headmasters]]'' line, available only in Japan.

:The six Trainbots who form Raiden were available both individually and together in a giftset. Like his fellow ''Diaclone''-born combiner Devastator, each of Raiden's components becomes a specific part of his body; they are not interchangeable, like the later-designed "Scramble City" combiners were. Raiden requires several additional parts to complete his combination, beyond the usual extremities-and-chestplate accessories of most other combiners, which take the form of various unique weapons: his shoulder-mounted "Wing Lasers", ankle-mounted "Leg Beams" and hand-held "Train Bazooka" gun, none of which are wielded by any of the smaller Trainbots.

:The Trainbots were later re-released in 1990 as part of the ''[[Zone (franchise)|Zone]]'' toyline, but only in individual packaging, never as a giftset.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Cybertron/Raiden/raiden.htm More information on Raiden at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transform Jr===
[[Image:Tfjr_raiden.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Raiden''' (1987)
**''Accessories:'' Left & right fists, chestplate, "Train Bazooka" rifle

: The simplified ''[[Transform Jr]]'' version of Raiden was released both as a single gift set and in three two-packs (Shouki and Seizan, Yukikaze and Suiken, and Getsuei and Kaen). Like the larger Trainbot toys, these six figures are carry-overs of pre-existing ''Diaclone'' toys. The giftset includes an Autobot [[insignia]] pocket-clip included with many ''Transform Jr'' figures.

::*''[http://www.vega.or.jp/~butto/tftcollejr-01.htm More information on Transform Jr Raiden at a Japanese fansite]
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers Gum===
[[Image:Tfgum_raiden.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Raiden''' (1987)
**''Accessories:'' Left & right fists, 2 "Leg Beams"

:Released as part of the seventh wave of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformer Gum]]'' series of snap-together [[candy toy]] model kits, this simplified version of Raiden is molded in white, blue and grey plastic. Being that he is a combiner, Raiden doesn't transform like most other ''Transformers Gum'' models; instead, his limbs can disconnect and transform into train-mode Yukikaze, Seizan, Suiken and Getsuei (his torso is not capable of transforming, so Kaen and Shouki get no such love). The figure features no paint applications, but came with stickers to add detail, and a stick of terrible gum.
{{-}}

===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:Scf_raiden.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Raiden''' (2001)
**''Accessories:'' Display stand

: A three-inch tall [[plastic|PVC]] figurine of Raiden was available in the third ''Headmasters''-centric wave of Takara's ''[[Super Collection Figure]]'' line. Like all the figures in the wave, it was available in both standard full color figure and colorless clear plastic versions, one of each of which was available in a standard case of twelve [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] figures. Additionally, in two out of every ten cases, the colored version of Raiden came packaged with the head and sword pieces for the wave's collectable Fortress Maximus "build-a-figure".
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:Robottrain.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"We've managed to avoid drowning!"]]
*"Raiden" is an alternate name by which [[wikipedia:Raijin|Raijin]], the Japanese god of thunder and lightning, is known. Our Raiden's name is a little odd by Japanese standards, as it is spelled out with phoenetic katakana (ライデン), instead of the appropriate kanji (雷電, "Thunder and Lightning").

*Raiden's on-package [[bio]] specifically notes that he dislikes Devastator, presumably a reference to the toys' shared origins as [[Diaclone]] combiners.

*Raiden's animation model is based on his ''Diaclone'' toy, rather than the ''Headmasters'' version of the figure, lacking as it does the orange armor plate added to the waist of the robot for his ''Transformers'' release.

* The Trainbots' combined train form appears in the [[title sequence]] of the [[Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon]], but not in the series itself. The series creators seem to have intended to use the Robot Train to travel back and forth to [[Athenia]], more closely tying ''Super-God Masterforce'' to previous Transformers series, but the idea was quietly dropped. They did, however, appear for that purpose in the [[Super-God Masterforce (manga)|manga]].
{{--}}

==External links==
* [http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/745/Generation+1/Raiden.html Raiden at Transformers @ The Moon]

[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Japanese-original characters]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Autobots]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Zone Autobots]]

Decepticon leader

2011-07-24T05:00:18Z

CaptionAce: /* Marvel Comics */

{{factions|decepticon}}

[[Image:WorldsCollide3_MegatronVsGalvatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Whoever wins, we lose.]]

Among the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]], there is one guiding principle: rule of the strong. Whereas the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot|Autobots]] consults his subordinates, the strongest and the most powerful Decepticon leads, and everyone else is expected to follow without question. But strength of body is not enough. One must also have the brains to lead, the intelligence to outwit their rivals and plan their victories. Thus, the '''Decepticon leader''' is the strongest and smartest of their ranks.

Guess [[Ratbat (G1)|how]] [[Scourge (RID)|many]] [[Octane|Decepticons]] [[Megatron (disambiguation)|think]] [[Starscream (disambiguation)|they]] [[Shockwave (G1)|qualify]].

{{bigquote|Only a select few ever lead, Starscream.|[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] on the nature of power|"[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel Comics=====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Megatrong1earlymarvel.jpg|left|thumb|75px|First...]]
[[Image:Straxusholdscourt.jpg|right|thumb|100px|...and the worst.]]

[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] served as commander over all of the Decepticons for over one thousand years until he and other Decepticons and Autobots were lost buried in a [[Mount St. Hilary|volcano]] on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''In his absence, the War-Lord [[Trannis]] took control of the [[Decepticon army]]. Trannis conqured most of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and destroyed [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], forcing the Autobots underground. In time Trannis grew complacent and some Decepticons had the opinion that he was insufficiently aggressive. The [[Decepticon High Command|Decepticon high command]] made plans to oust him, but the [[Wrecker]]s beat them to it when they assassinated him. He was succeeded by the more relentless [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]].'' {{storylink|Target: 2006#Cybertron: The Middle Years!|Cybertron: The Middle Years!}} Straxus became "Lord High Governor of [[Polyhex]]". {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

Meanwhile, four million years had passed and the Decepticons on Earth awoke isolated from Cybertron and unaware of current events. Megatron continued his role as commander, effectively making him leader of the Earth-bound Decepticons. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] would briefly try to nick his job and failed miserably.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

[[Image:Megatrong1marvelhumiliation.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"Now, ''I'' am the le-"]]
[[Image:Laserbeakdeterminescommand.jpg|right|thumb|200px|"...never mind."]]

When Megatron was defeated shortly after the Decepticons reactivated, Military Operations Commander [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] defeated the Autobots {{storylink|The Last Stand}} and usurped Megatron, reducing Megatron to [[second-in-command]]. {{storylink|The New Order}} Megatron was soon defeated by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and went missing for a time. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}} Shockwave was then, himself, beaten and briefly stucked in a swamp. {{storylink|Prime Time!}} ''Soundwave took command in their absence'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} ''and scored a major victory.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} Megatron returned {{storylink|Shooting Star!}} to command some of the Earth Decepticons while Shockwave led a group of others. ''Soundwave played for both teams, until, for the good of the Decepticons, he demanded they work together;'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}} the two agreed to joint leadership, {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} until Megatron was able to use logic to convince Shockwave to give him full leadership. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

Meanwhile, after receiving a mayday from the Earth bound Decepticons, Straxus contacted the Earth-bound Decepticons, and the two groups agreed to cooperate. Straxus built a [[space bridge]] to transport resources back and forth. Straxus went boom {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} ''and was reduced to a floating head.'' {{storylink|The Harder They Die!}} ''On Earth, Megatron's growing paranoia caused Shockwave and Soundwave to try removing him;'' {{storylink|Prey!}} ''instead, Megatron ended up on Cybertron, where his presence and madness undermined Straxus. Lord Straxus attempted to possess Megatron in an attempt to end this threat and gain a body, but this ended with Straxus dead ([[Two Megatrons!|sort of]]).'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}} With Straxus dead, fuel auditor [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] ascended to ''de facto'' command of Cybertron. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} Still, an unseen [[Decepticon Imperial Headquarters]] would give him marching orders. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

[[Image:Ratbatcratercritters.jpg|left|thumb|150px|"I can lead a nation as a cassette tape, a cassette tape, a cassette tape..."]]

After seemingly killing [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], Megatron went mad and apparently killed himself, allowing Shockwave to assume full leadership of the Earth-bound Decepticons again. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} The Earth-bound Decepticons coordinated with [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} Ratbat himself eventually came to Earth, and had a very uneasy alliance with Shockwave; in contrast to his clashes with Megatron, Shockwave was left trying to justify his strategies and ''impress'' the fuel auditor. {{storylink|Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom}} ''Following a massive cock-up by Shockwave that undermined his authority,'' {{storylink|Enemy Action!}} Ratbat oversaw several Earth operations directly. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}}

While this was going on, the Decepticon [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] took his unit to follow [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] to [[Nebulos]], where he underwent [[binary bonding]] with [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Zarak]]. Following Fortress Maximus to Earth, Scorponok operated independently from Shockwave and Ratbat, leading his own troops. {{storylink|Headmasters (comic)|Headmasters}}

Shockwave went missing in action and Ratbat, happily letting this happen to Shockers, became commander of Earth's Decepticons. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}} Scorponok, meanwhile, was operated his ''own'' faction on Earth. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}} ''Shockwave set up shop with a small third faction in [[Fortress Sinister]],'' {{storylink|Salvage!}} ''but he'd eventually lose his men as he went mad.'' {{storylink|Time Wars (issue)|Time Wars}} Eventually, Scorponok and Ratbat met up... and had [[Decepticon Civil War|a big punch-up]], thanks to manipulation by Starscream {{storylink|Cold War!}} By the end of this and some fun with the [[Underbase]], Ratbat was shot dead by Scorponok and Starscream killed by the Underbase's power. Without any rivals, Scorponok easily settled into power as Earth's sole Decepticon leader. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

[[Image:FallAndRiseTriumvirateHeads.jpg|left|150px|thumb|]]
[[Image:Thunderwingwhereisthecreationmatrix.jpg|right|150px|thumb]]

''''On Cybertron, [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] petitioned the [[Decepticon High Council]] to be appointed the new leader (even though someone else appears to have been leader.'' {{storylink|The Big Shutdown!}} {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}} ''Straxus/Megatron (don't ask) arrived in [[Helex]] to find the [[Decepticon Empire]] had become lax under the ruling Decepticon [[Triumverate]]. Straxus/Megatron inspired a crowd of Decepticons to take action. The Triumverate were killed and Straxus/Megatron took control of the empire.'' {{storylink|The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire}} ''Megatron arrived and confronted Straxus/Megatron leading the latter to take his own life,'' {{storylink|Two Megatrons!}} but kept his return secret. The confusing situation was made simpler when Megatron became lost in a portal {{storylink|Skin Deep}} and Thunderwing was killed due to his Matrix obsession. {{storylink|All Fall Down (issue)|All Fall Down}}

[[Image:Allthisandcivilwar-arethey.jpg|thumb|left|150px]]

With [[Unicron]] fast approaching Cybertron, Optimus Prime made the decision to surrender to Scorponok, in return for allying with the Autobots against Unicron. {{storylink|Surrender!}} Scorponok planned to betray Prime, but Zarak later agreed to the alliance. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} However, Scorponok's troops were growing disgruntled, especially by his recruitment of the (newly not dead) Starscream. Taking advantage of this, Shockwave managed to get several disgruntled Decepticons to ally with him and attack Scorponok's group. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Ultimately, they were all transported to Cybertron by [[Primus]], who named Optimus Prime as the commander of Cybertron's united army. {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

{{note|After the battle with Unicron, the scope of Cybertron society is drastically reduced for storytelling reasons. References to existing Cybertron-based Decepticon forces and the underground Autobot resistance is dropped, leaving primarily the core Earth-based cast. Presumably, Unicron killed everyone else.}}

[[Image:Bludgeon-youlie1.jpg|thumb|right|150px]]

During the battle with Unicron, Optimus Prime and Scorponok were both killed. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} As Shockwave and Starscream fled the dying Cybertron, {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] was acclaimed Decepticon leader by the surviving Decepticons. {{storylink|Exodus!}} He led the Decepticons in the conquest of [[Klo]], {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} then massacred the Autobots who arrived to stop them. He was stopped by the return of Optimus Prime, who had been revived by the [[Last Autobot]], whom Bludgeon had worshipped as the Ultimate Warrior. The Last Autobot revived the fallen Autobots, and Bludgeon agreed to lead the Decepticons into exile... planning to bide their time. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

Shockwave, meanwhile, had hijacked the Ark alongside Starscream with the intention of using it to conquer Earth. {{storylink|Still Life!}} He didn't count on [[Galvatron II|an alternate timeline Galvatron]] to have attempted the same thing. He also didn't count on Ratchet and Megatron (yep, he's back again) to be on board the Ark in stasis, though, nor did he expect the pair to awaken during the journey. {{storylink|Exodus!}} While Megatron kept Shockwave and Starscream occupied, Ratchet forced the Ark to crash violently into the ground. Galvatron was the only one to emerge from the crash, and he appeared to be the only survivor. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

''In an alternate timeline, Scorponok, Shockwave and Megatron were having a three-way Decepticon civil war over Decepticon leadership during the late 80s/early 90s.'' {{storylink|Trigger-Happy!}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[Image:SpacePiratesSoundwaveLeader.JPG|left|200px|thumb|''Everyone'' would follow a bore like him!]]

Scorponok, Shockwave, and Megatron had a three-way civil war for Decepticon leadership; Megatron won. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} In 2006, Megatron was transformed into Galvatron (ending an attempt by Starscream to seize leadership) {{storylink|Target: 2006}} and would later escape by time travel. {{storylink|Fallen Angel (issue)|Fallen Angel!}} This led to a ''very'' messy leadership situation, as Shockwave, Cyclonus and Scourge (working as Unicron's proxies), and Soundwave would all take command sequentially over the next few years. Shockwave succeeded in re-conquering half of Cybertron, and Soundwave pulled off the nifty trick of conning the ''Autobots'' into saving his army from [[Quintesson]] attack.

Eventually, a post-[[Time Wars (issue)|Time Wars]] clean-up of the timeline happened, and Galvatron had now [[retcon|always been commander since 2006]].

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
Megatron and Shockwave were both stuck on Earth with small platoons, and waged a constant civil war over leadership and the planet. {{storylink|Life in the Slow Lane}} Scorponok is referred to as also existing, and presumably commands the Decepticons that ''aren't'' on Earth. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] of all people ''tried'' to become Decepticon leader by usurping Scorponok's command; it went ''poorly''. {{storylink|The Living Nightlights!}}

The Autobots sabotaged any attempt to stop the leadership conflict. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} Eventually, Starscream and Soundwave deposed Megatron and Shockwave, uniting the two factions as ''joint'' Decepticon leaders. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}} Unsurprisingly, they both planned to backstab the other and take sole control at some point. Megatron and Shockwave also teamed up, attempting to regain control. {{storylink|External Forces!}}

=====Another Time and Place=====
[[Image:MarvelUSG2-05.jpg|right|100px|thumb|''That'll'' teach you to be a ''late'' 80s character and want scenes!]]

Following the defeat on [[Klo]], Bludgeon attempted to bring back Megatron to lead ''instead'' of him. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

=====Generation 2=====
Bludgeon led his forces back into battle, arming his army in preparation for a major strike. {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}} {{storylink|Ghosts}} Upon his return, Megatron challenged Bludgeon for leadership of the Decepticons. After a fierce battle, Megatron emerged victorious. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

=====Classics=====
Megatron's status as the Decepticon leader is all but unchallenged... on Earth. Bludgeon and his loyal troops remain, scattered across the universe.

And then Megatron killed him and took command. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

{{-}}
====Cartoon continuity====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[Image:EarlyDecepticonLeader01.jpg|left|100px|thumb|]]
At first, the Decepticons were led by an [[Early Decepticon leader|old Decepticon]] who could not [[Transformation|transform]]. When he lost the [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|Second Cybertronian War]] against the Autobots, he was replaced with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who led the Decepticons to conquer much of Cybertron. Upon Megatron's and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s disappearences, the war on Cybertron entered a stalemate. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] had been appointed [[Cybertron Guard|Guardian of Cybertron]] in Megatron's absence, and became de facto Decepticon leader. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Once Megatron resumed contact with Cybertron, Shockwave resubmitted to his authority. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} At one point, Megatron introduced himself to [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], addressing himself as '''Supreme Leader'''. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

[[Air Commander]] [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], long contemptuous of Megatron's leadership, made several attempts to supplant Megatron. They all ended with failure, usually due to his own impatience or the other Decepticons' loyalty to Megatron.

[[Image:TripleTakeover Mount Deceptimore.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Starscream eventually decided to get some help. He made plans with [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to trap Megatron in a tunnel and freeze him. However, the [[Triple Changer|Triple Changers]] betrayed Starscream, leaving them both to freeze, and proceeded to wreak havoc. Megatron and Starscream were freed due to an accident on Astrotrain's part, and after defeating Astrotrain, Blitzwing, [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], Starscream and Megatron resumed leadership of the Decepticons. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

By 2005, the Decepticons had conquered most of Cybertron. The Autobots retained control of two moons and held a reserve force at [[Autobot City]]. Megatron launched an [[Battle of Autobot City|assault on Autobot City]], where he and Optimus Prime mortally wounded each other. During the trip back to Cybertron, Astrotrain required the Decepticons to jettison excess weight or he would be unable to make it back. The wounded Decepticons were thrown overboard to allow the survivors to return, with Starscream personally ejecting Megatron. After a mild scuffle aboard Astrotrain, Starscream emerged as the new Decepticon leader. Meanwhile, Megatron was discovered by [[Unicron]] and [[reformatting|reformatted]] into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. With a new body and troops, Galvatron returned to Cybertron and killed Starscream with a single blast, ending Starscream's glorious reign of about twenty minutes (or twenty seconds depending on how you look at it). Galvatron was hailed as the new leader of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

After Unicron's attack on Cybertron and the disappearance of Galvatron, the Decepticons fled to [[Chaar]]. Without strong leaders like Galvatron, Starscream, or Shockwave, the Decepticons fell into a period of disunity, where they fought each other for scraps of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. Ultimately, [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] located Galvatron, who reorganized the Decepticons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness}}

=====Robot Masters=====
After the disappearance of Megatron, the leadership of the Decepticons was helmed by Starscream. However, a [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] from another time challenged Starscream for leadership and won.

====Dreamwave====
[[Image:Ratbatwarwithin.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Screw Megatron, let's see more of the ''real'' Decepticon leader!]]
At first, Megatron was the sole leader of the Decepticons, with his chief lieutenants being Air Commander Starscream, Military Operations Commander Shockwave, and Communications Officer Soundwave. {{storylink|The War Within}} After Megatron was believed to have been destroyed along with Optimus Prime in a space bridge explosion, Shockwave became Decepticon leader, but Starscream and High Auditor Ratbat broke off from the Decepticon army, forming the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]] and [[Ultracon|Ultracons]], respectively. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages}} Megatron's return to Cybertron saw him resume command of the fragmented Decepticons. {{storylink|War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

After Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave disappeared chasing Optimus Prime's crew aboard the ''Ark'', Shockwave emerged as Decepticon leader, this time as part of a triumvirate that included Scorponok and Ratbat. He was briefly overthrown by [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]], who used his head to issue commands to Shockwave's troops, but Skystalker was defeated and Shockwave resumed command. {{storylink|Transformers: Micromasters}}

[[Image:Shockwavedwwarandpeace.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
With the [[Great Shutdown]], all Transformers entered a period of enforced [[stasis lock]]. Shockwave was reactivated by Unicron's herald [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], but Shockwave defeated Scourge, studying him. Learning secrets about Cybertron that Megatron had previously discovered, Shockwave made peace with the Autobots, installing himself as Head of State with an [[Autobot High Council]] as a legislature. On Earth, Megatron retained command of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' crew, but he was defeated when Shockwave arrived, intent on gaining the Matrix from Optimus Prime. Starscream ejected Megatron from the ship transporting them back to Cybertron, then recruited the ''Nemesis'' crew and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] to conquer Earth. When Optimus Prime was brought to Cybertron, he united the Autobot resistance groups and overthrew Shockwave. Shockwave was able to retain command of a small number of loyal Decepticons still on planet, while Starscream led the ''Nemesis'' crew back to Earth. {{storylink|Prime Directive}} {{storylink|War and Peace}}

Meanwhile, Megatron was repaired by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], and managed to locate a trio of [[Air Warrior]]s he used to recruit the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Heading for Cybertron, he took command of Shockwave's forces, forcing Shockwave into a subordinate state. On Earth, Starscream's failures against the Autobots and [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] made Soundwave, his cassettes, and the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] all too willing to mutiny against Starscream in favor of Megatron. {{storylink|Generation One (Dreamwave comic)|Generation One}}

{{note|Dreamwave's ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)#Issue #8|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' makes a passing reference to the "reign of the mighty Scorponok" occurring sometime after the (second) disappearance of Megatron and before the Great Shutdown. It is unknown if this preceded or succeeded the events of ''Micromasters''.}}

====IDW Comics====
[[Image:Apexthrone.JPG|left|200px|thumb|]]
Megatron founded the Decepticons in a violent uprising, {{storylink|Megatron Origin}} and in a shocking twist of fate ''reigned without problem'': most potential challengers, such as Starscream, were too piss-scared of Megatron {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}} and even the idea of ''questioning'' Megatron was a worry. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} While he wanted Starscream to take over from him at some point, he would only allow it if Starscream was able to ''take'' command; {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} when Starscream attempted a rebellion, Megatron took his best shots and then crippled him, but left him alive. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}} In contrast, when [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] attempted rebellion, Megatron beat him to death. {{storylink|Spotlight: Ramjet}}

[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] has noted with envy and annoyance that the Decepticons are far more unified than the Autobots. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|All Hail Megatron #15}}

This all went to pot when Megatron achieved near-victory, and the Decepticon advance stagnated. The troops were disgruntled, and Starscream warned that coup attempts were going to come. Unsurprisingly, Starscream himself led one with most of the Earth-based Decepticons... a coup Megatron anticipated and appeared to have wanted, as he had a convoluted plan to reshape his troops into a less nasty form now he'd won. Unfortunately for him, he was viciously damaged by a surprise Autobot attack. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron}} Immediately, leadership fragmented: Soundwave and his crew kept Megatron alive, providing a barrier to any attempt at legitimacy; Starscream had temporary command but knew [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] or someone would challenge him for it. In desperation, he waved the stolen Autobot Matrix around and declared it had chosen him, gaining legitimate command that way. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|All Hail Megatron #13}}

===Live-action films===
[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"It's funny how 'leading' looks a lot like ''sitting on your arse''."]]

Originally styled [[Lord High Protector|High Protector]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] amended his title to ''Lord'' High Protector upon forming the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance}} {{storylink|Movie Prequel}} Notably in this continuity family, while Megatron leads the Decepticons, his loyalty to [[The Fallen]], known as the first Decepticon, means supreme command lies with him. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}} He was the one who told Megatron what strategies to take in the early days, though he left Megatron to command by himself as he left [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to find a [[star harvester]]. {{storylink|Defiance}} During his absence while searching for the [[AllSpark]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] assumed command as Decepticon leader, though he grew quite comfortable with the position and would prefer Megatron remained absent, something [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] sought to frustrate. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

Upon his revival, Megatron resumed command, just long enough to kill [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], beat [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] half to death, and be killed by [[Sam Witwicky]]. He was then dropped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] almost immediately afterwards. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}} Starscream then assumed leadership of the Decepticons and began styling himself '''Lord''' Starscream. Although [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] accepted Starscream without objection, Starscream was betrayed by [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] and [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]], shattering his faith in his leadership. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream}} When [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' reached Earth, Soundwave recognized Starscream as Decepticon commander, and Starscream's ambitions were renewed. {{storylink|Alliance (comic)|Alliance}} However, a number of Decepticons were unsatisfied with Starscream, feeling he had not earned the right. As such, they began efforts to revive Megatron {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}} Starscream, meanwhile, discovered another obstacle to his role as true leader on Soundwave's ship... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}}

[[Image:Titan7_Soundwave_GO!.jpg|left|thumb|300px|]]

While Starscream was tending to the [[hatchling]]s on the ''Nemesis'' per the Fallen's decree, Soundwave commanded the Decepticons on Earth. First, he tried to track down lost Seekers to gain information and keep the Autobots from knowing about the Fallen's plans. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.6|Outlaw Blues}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout}} Later, he had Megatron resurrected, which transferred command back to the big Meg.

When he returned to the ''Nemesis'', Megatron struck Starscream for his presumption of assuming command, saying that even in death, there was no command but Megatron's. This statement was slightly undermined by his next course of action, which to bow before the Fallen. Megatron was left in sole command following The Fallen's death at the hands of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

We know that other Decepticons have ''tried'' to become leaders of the main Decepticon faction, including [[Mainframe (Movie)|Mainframe]] {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Chevy Autobots}} and [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]], {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream}} but it rarely goes well. Following that mess with the Fallen, [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] decided to form his ''own'' group of Decepticons on Earth and lead that. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.13|Inside Out!}} In one timeline, [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] did the same thing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 17|Return to Cybertron: Part 1}}

===Animated===
[[Image:AniMegsHead-TransformAndRollout.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Head master.]]

Styled '''Supreme Leader''', the title was held by [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] for over four million solar cycles, since the days of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. When Megatron was believed killed trying to secure the [[AllSpark]], [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] immediately nominated himself the new Supreme leader...no one took him seriously. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

He finally ''did'' manage to get the Decepticons [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] to swear allegiance to him in exchange for repairs. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}} This was also short-lived, as Lugnut was really taking orders from the disembodied head of Megatron. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}} After his restoration, the Decepticons repledged their loyalty to Megatron, who decided to reinforce it by seriously damaging Starscream. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

When Megatron was absent yet again, [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was seen giving orders to [[Strika (Animated)|group commander Strika]]. However, rather than taking full command, his orders were to wait until Megatron came back (much to Strika's frustration). {{storylink|TransWarped}}

===Shattered Glass===
[[Image:Shatteredglassmegatrondecepticons.jpg|left|250px|thumb|]]

Unlike previous incarnations, the leader of the Decepticons is a heroic resistance leader, intending to free Cybertron from the Autobots and save the galaxy from their evil ways. [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] stands as their current leader, and it seems that [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] will be a [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|successor]] rather than a usurper.

{{-}}
===Aligned===
====''Exodus''====
In an act of keeping his enemies closer than his friends, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] appointed his surgeon [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] to be his lieutenant despite his belief the scientist would eventually betray him. Megatron's movement was fairly disparate in the beginning, consisting of his [[Gladiatorial combat|gladiators]] in his employ and followers across Cybertron who listened to his teachings on the [[Communication Grid]]. Megatron was aware his followers were going to resort to terrorism, but did nothing to improve his reputation by distancing himself from their extremism. In fact, he accepted the gift of a kidnapped [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] by the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]]. Already plotting to usurp Megatron's position as Cybertron's would-be savior, but patient enough to recognize how the revolution could turn sour, Starscream allied himself with Megatron but remained officially [[neutral]], occupying [[Moonbase One|Moon Base One]] and [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] for himself.

During the civil war, Starscream's Seekers only aided the Decepticons in some battles. Shockwave engaged in some power politics with the Seekers by taking control of [[Tarn]] and [[Vos]] and secretly assassinating the neutral Air Commanders there. When [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] discovered Trypticon was a hoard of [[Dark Energon]], Megatron's gladiators brutally took control of the station, even forcing Starscream to subject two of his scientists to experimentation with the chaotic substance. Soon, Starscream, tired of Megatron's tactics and ashamed of their use of Dark Energon, released Sentinel from his [[Kaon]]ian dungeon to kill Megatron, having been informed by [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] that all he sought was a just peace should something "happen" to Megatron. Sentinel failed, and Starscream fought Megatron and [[Blackout (WFC)|Blackout]] for the [[Code Key]]s to [[Teletraan-1]], but was beaten and only spared as Megatron found him too useful to die. Megatron certainly considered Starscream elite enough to take him aboard the ''Nemesis'', leaving Shockwave behind to lead the Cybertronian Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

====''War for Cybertron''====
Starscream attempted to claim leadership of the Decepticons when Megatron was believed to be killed by [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]. Somehow alive, Megatron lambasted him through a communications line, and threatened to kill him and any other cowards trying to flee from Omega. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

====''Prime''====
Starscream generally leads the Decepticons in the present because Megatron is too busy being absent while searching for Dark Energon or being comatose. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} When Megatron was presumed killed in the [[space bridge]] explosion, Starscream immediately named himself the new leader. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}} Regardless, the [[Vehicon (Prime)|troops]] won't take him seriously as a full-time [[Emperor of Destruction]]. When Starscream attempted to hide Megatron's survival of the explosion, Soundwave's [[Deployer (Prime)|Deployer]] ensured he would bring his body back to sickbay. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Starscream and [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] conspired to keep Megatron offline, but an unforseen chain of events led to his return, and Megatron pummeled Starscream nearly to death for trying to kill him. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} {{storylink|Out of His Head}}

==Notes==
*Unlike the Autobots, whose leader is called a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], the Decepticon leader has no "official name".

==See also==
*[[Emperor of Destruction]]
*[[Lord High Protector]]
*[[Air Commander]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]

[[Category:Decepticon leaders| ]]
[[Category:Ranks]]

Starscream (Movie)

2011-07-24T04:55:45Z

CaptionAce: /* Revenge of the Fallen (mobile game) */

{{factions|decepticonfilm|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Starscream}}{{suite}}

:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[live-action film series]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:RevengeOfTheFallenStarscream.jpg|right|350px|thumb|I got yer AllSpark, ''right here''.]]
'''Starscream''' is a hero on the wrong side. Over the centuries he's come to believe both [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] have lost sight of what is best for the Cybertronian race, and simply pursue their own agendas. At some point, he came to the decision that, for the good of the species, a new leader must emerge, and he would be that leader. However, over time, he became as corrupt in his own way as Megatron, although he prefers subtlety and deception to Megatron's brute force. Now, what may once have been noble goals are buried under layers of self interest, transforming Starscream into that which he supposedly despised.

{{quote|Truly the universe favors those who persist.|Starscream|''[[Ghosts of Yesterday]]''}}

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
Many years before civil war broke out on Cybertron, Starscream was guarding a [[hatchling]] school trip when they were attacked by a [[Driller|subterranean monster]]. He was saved by [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], much to his irritation, but Megatron liked Starscream's "feisty" attitude, and saw a place for him in the future of Cybertron he hoped to shape. He later joined Megatron's [[Defense Force]], and was very much at home, killing a [[malcontent]] that challenged the new order in spite of surrendering. {{storylink|Foundation issue 2|Foundation #2}}

[[Image:Defiance1_Starscream_Ratchet.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Someone is praising Starscream!? Stop the presses!]]

Later, he was patrolling the [[Eshems Nebula]] when he encountered the fourth alien scout ship he had spotted in the same [[Units of time|cycle]]. As he related this to first officer [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] of the [[Science Division]], this time the alien ship did not maintain a safe distance, forcing Starscream to attack, and he was damaged in the subsequent battle (and was late for a meeting with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] and [[Lord High Protector]] Megatron). Soon afterwards, these same aliens attacked Cybertron, and Starscream commanded the aerial forces in the defense of the [[Simfur Temple|temple]] in [[Simfur]]. After Megatron was injured in battle, Starscream rushed to his side to enquire about his condition and to ask for further orders. He was informed to keep Optimus's team out of the military's way. {{storylink|Defiance issue 1|Defiance #1}}

Megatron was influenced by [[The Fallen|the mysterious relic]] found outside [[Simfur]] to wage a vengeful war against the aliens. Starscream attended a war rally at [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]] where Megatron assumed dictatorship of Cybertron and its armed forces. After destroying much of the enemy fleet and eliminating its leader, Megatron ordered Starscream and his fellow fliers to destroy the alien flagship and conquer the surrounding systems. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}} Underground opposition to the new regime came in the form of Optimus and his science division, something Lord Megatron would not stand for. While [[Prowl (Movie)|Prowl]] and security officers arrested Optimus on trumped-up charges of treason, Starscream's squadron was given orders to capture Optimus alive and leave no living witnesses. Unfortunately, Optimus ''Prime'' proved more than a match for Starscream's entire unit, bringing down the ruins of a city upon them. The group survived, and were used by Megatron as "proof" that there were enemies within Cybertron as well as without, to rally his army into a new faction: the Decepticons. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 3|Defiance #3}}

During the launch of the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', Starscream believed Megatron's propaganda that [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] was a liar, and expressed disdain for Optimus's claim that he was a Prime too. {{storylink|Foundation issue 3|Foundation #3}} During the subsequent civil war, Starscream blindly followed Megatron's orders, murdering those who did not bow to his Lord's will, even those who did not choose sides. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} During the Autobot assault on Simfur Temple, Starscream noticed [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] reaching the [[AllSpark]] and activating Sentinel's "[[pillar|torch]]". He pursued her but she escaped into the tunnels. Despite Megatron's desperate command to stand down, Starscream attacked Sentinel when he arrived on the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]], causing the ship to disappear in a tremendous explosion. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}}

Starscream was inside [[Lord High Protector citadel|Megatron's citadel]] when Optimus launched another attack in revenge for Sentinel's death. While Optimus and Megatron faced off, Starscream and Shockwave fought their former captain, [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. When the sky darkened, Optimus emerged and blasted both of them, allowing them to escape. The attack had actually been a distraction from [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]]'s theft of the AllSpark after the first assault had exhausted Simfur's Decepticons. {{storylink|Foundation issue 4|Foundation #4}} Later, Starscream was leading an assault on the Autobots at [[Tyger Pax]] when [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] arrived to reinforce them. They witnessed the launch of the AllSpark into space, a desperate gambit by the Autobots, and immediately Starscream and Blackout began to bicker over their next move. Seeing Megatron leave the planet in pursuit of the AllSpark, Starscream decided that so would they. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}}

[[Image:Planetfall Starscream yesweare.jpg|200px|thumb|"Hey, what's that?"<br/>"I'd call it a TARGET!"]]

Starscream was concerned over the Autobots who still posed a threat, but Megatron ordered him to gather a crew to pursue [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s [[Ark (Movie)|ship]]. Unfortunately, [[Nemesis (Movie)|Starscream's ship]] was led into a trap and crippled by [[concussion pulse]] weapons, throwing them off the chase, for now. Humiliated, Starscream and his crew limped back home for repairs. Sometime later, they followed the AllSpark's trace energy pulse and the wake of Prime's ship to a solar system galaxies away. Landing on the [[Mars (planet)|fourth planet]], they destroyed [[Beagle 2 Rover|a primitive lifeform]] that seemed to have been created from the AllSpark, and felt the tag of the life-giving object on the third planet. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}}

Starscream's team made planetfall on [[Earth]] in Afghanistan, quickly attracting the attention of a nearby US military base, which sent out an armoured personnel carrier to investigate. After it was destroyed, the Decepticons attacked the base itself. During the rather one-sided assault, a human agent of Sector Seven was impressed by the alien invaders' ability to adapt to Earth's finest weaponry. Starscream agreed that they were impressive, and killed the fleshling. After Blackout left the group for another nearby base, Starscream told his fellow Decepticons that their mission wouldn't always be this easy, as the Autobots were bound to turn up. {{storylink|Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall}} {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}}

{{note|The events of Planetfall are inconsistent with the events of IDW's own [[Movie Prequel|prequel comic]]. However, the depiction of the Decepticon arrival in Afghanistan was later used in [[The Reign of Starscream]].}}

In 2003, Starscream's infiltration team, consisting of [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and Blackout, touched down on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] and destroyed the [[Beagle 2 Rover]]. Starscream was disgusted with the rover, but Blackout and Barricade warned that there was an obviously intelligent species nearby, so they would need to be cautious. Starscream agreed, as long as they got to kill something. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 3|Movie Prequel #3}}

[[Image:MoviePrequel4 Starscream youcangonow.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Top this one, Samus.]]

Splitting up, they headed to Earth, where Starscream scanned an F-22 Raptor fighter jet being tested by the [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] at [[United States Air Force#Facilities|Nellis Air Force Base]]. He destroyed it, then adopted the vehicle form for himself. Leaving the scene of destruction, he radioed his fellow Decepticons to report in on their hunt for new disguise forms, which they did. He reiterated that their mission was to find the AllSpark, to which Blackout responded with a reminder that the mission was also to find Megatron. Starscream dismissively replied, "Yeah, right... him too."

Later, Starscream and Blackout detected the unique radiation of the AllSpark and investigated, but Starscream soon realized it was a trap by Sector Seven. Starscream destroyed several AH-64 Apache helicopters while Blackout attacked Sector Seven's bunker and attempted to hack into their mainframe. When the humans severed the connection, the Decepticons broke off from the battle and linked up with Barricade, who was in pursuit of the Autobot [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Movie Prequel issue 4|Movie Prequel #4}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Beginnings''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Patrick Hallahan]]

Starscream led the Decepticons to Earth while following the beacon signal used by Bumblebee to call the Autobots. In typical Starscream fashion, he seemed more concerned about collecting the AllSpark to further his own goals than to rescue [[Megatron (Movie)|Lord High Protector Megatron]]. Attracting the attention of a nearby military installation, they were attacked, but easily overpowered the humans, after which he and Blackout took their [[alternate mode]]s from vehicles on base. Starscream, along with Blackout, followed Bumblebee as he fled from a losing battle against Barricade.

Later, when Sector Seven tried to use a false energy signature to attract Bumblebee to their location, the Decepticons picked up on it and followed. Realizing the signal was fake, Starscream pulled the troops out and waited for the Autobots to arrive and flush out the AllSpark for them. {{storylink|Transformers: Beginnings}}

{{note|Transformers: Beginnings is a condensed, flash-animated retelling of the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[Movie Prequel]] that is detailed above this section.}}

===''Ghosts of Yesterday'' prequel novel===
Starscream had ascended to Decepticon leadership in the absence of their former lord, and though he had to ''seem'' to carry on the long search for the lost Megatron and the [[AllSpark]] to keep his position as leader, his greatest hope was that Megatron would NEVER be found. Some loyal Decepticons, especially [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], strongly suspected this and sought to frustrate Starscream's species-serving plans. [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] buddied up with him, but he did like to trick people. [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] hated him, but one shouldn't really read too much into that. [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] and [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]]'s opinions are unknown, but Frenzy's a complete lunatic and nobody cared what the pet thought.

During a search of an abandoned solar system, the ''[[Nemesis (Movie)|Nemesis]]'' came across ''[[Ghost 1|a vessel]]'' that bore a resemblance to Megatron's [[alternate mode]]. Starscream went to investigate it, intending to destroy it. After chasing off [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], he communicated with the creatures aboard the vessel, who called themselves [[human]]s. Starscream claimed that his people once lived with the [[Autobot]]s, and that their treacherous leader, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], started a war for the AllSpark. The humans told him of a robotic creature that they had found on their world, and Starscream, recognizing it as Megatron, told them it was an Autobot scout. While communicating with them, he downloaded all the information on their computers, learning that the AllSpark was also located on Earth. He offered to help the humans to return to their world if they helped Starscream's group attack the Autobots, hoping that Prime would destroy them and be guilt-stricken in the process. The humans attacked Optimus and Bumblebee, but the two Autobots escaped. After their ship sank into a cavern, Starscream revealed his true nature and abandoned them. As a result, the humans concluded neither faction could be fully trusted. Way to make first contact there, Starscream.

Returning to the battle, he lied to his fellow Decepticons, claiming that the two Autobots were dead and that he'd been unable to communicate with the humans. Blackout, unconvinced by the story, challenged Starscream to single combat. Starscream won, and the Decepticons launched an attack on the ''[[Ark (Movie)|Ark]]''. Unfortunately for Starscream, Optimus, Bumblebee and the human vessel showed up. Starscream, fearful of the information that the ship contained, ordered the Decepticons to destroy it. Unfortunately, Starscream experienced a minor mutiny when Bonecrusher and Blackout demanded answers, and even Barricade wanted to know why. As the battle drew to a close, Starscream was in a position to terminate Prime but came under fire from the humans' weapons. Seriously damaged, Starscream finished them off with a single plasma blast, then ordered the Decepticons to retreat, despite the advantage they had over the Autobots. The Autobots figured that Starscream would not risk traveling to [[Earth]] for fear of losing power, but Prime figured that it was only a matter of time before the desire for vengeance and the lure of the AllSpark brought the Decepticons to that world. {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===''Transformers'' (2007 film)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]] (English), [[Tadashi Miyazawa]] (Japan), [[José Sant'anna]] (Brazil), [[Axel Lutter]] (German), [[Luigi Scribani]] (Italian), [[Germán Fabregat]] (Latin American-Spanish)

[[Image:Movie2007_Starscream_HooverDam.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Starscream without the [[null-ray]]?! But... how can the fans possibly ''survive'' such a wanton desecration of their childhoods??]]

Starscream was lying in wait at a [[United States military|US]] air base when covert agent [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] reported that the [[AllSpark]] had been located, along with Megatron, underneath [[Hoover Dam]]. Though he had long feared this day would come, Starscream ordered the rest of the Decepticons to mobilize. The others responded, with Blackout rallying in the name of Megatron.

[[Image:Starscreammovieheadshot.jpg|right|250px|thumb|It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... a bird-legged freak that transforms into a plane.]]

The first to arrive, Starscream attacked the hydroelectric power plant attached to the dam to cause havoc to [[Sector Seven|Sector Seven's]] operations and to speed the thawing of Megatron. With Frenzy's sabotage, Megatron quickly broke free of his icy restraints and escaped the facility. He almost immediately met with the waiting Starscream, who repledged his loyalty to Megatron. Demanding to know what had happened to the AllSpark, Megatron was told by his [[second-in-command]] that it was now in the possession of the humans. Furious, Megatron berated his lieutenant for yet another failure. What a warm reunion.

During the assault on a [[Mission City|nearby city]], Starscream fooled [[William Lennox|Captain Lennox's]] unit by posing as an [[wikipedia:F-22 Raptor|F-22 Raptor]] providing cover. Starscream launched an attack that crippled [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] as [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] realized too late who the fighter really was. As [[Sam Witwicky|ladiesman217]] ran with the AllSpark, Starscream swooped down, blocking his path, only to be attacked by both Ironhide and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]. After fighting without much effort, but still besting them, Starscream took to the skies again, instead of securing the AllSpark from the now-defenseless ladiesman217.

[[Image:Starscreammoviestillrobot.jpg|left|250px|thumb|How do you feel, mighty traffic? Yah!]]

While Megatron attempted to retrieve the AllSpark from ladiesman217, Starscream perched on nearby buildings and shot down an Army Blackhawk helicopter when it attempted to help the human evacuate the Cube. Eventually, real F-22 Raptors from the US Air Force arrived, and Starscream disguised himself. Pretending to be a part of their squadron, Starscream surprised the human pilots by transforming in mid-air and destroying three of the Raptors before he was fired upon. He transformed back into his disguise and fled, and was not seen in the closing moments of the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron. (Or was he?)

[[Image:Starscream bails.JPG|right|250px|thumb|I will rule the sequel, Megatron! Even if I am the only one ''in'' the sequel!]]

Most of the Decepticons were defeated, and their bodies cast into the deepest part of the ocean. Ultimately, Starscream retreated from Earth to parts—and with intentions—unknown. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}
{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}

Fleeing from the Mission City fiasco, Starscream repaired and reenergised himself from a nearby power plant, then fled into deep space to find Decepticon reinforcements. {{storylink|Starscream (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys|Deep Space Starscream}}

He eventually decided this was too time-consuming, and went back to Earth in a new stealthy form to wait for the Decepticons, alerted by the energy signature of the AllSpark's destruction, to come to ''him''. He succeeded in building a small army, and had them distract the Autobot forces while he launched a surprise attack on a lone Optimus. {{storylink|Starscream (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys|Nightwatch Optimus Prime vs. Stealth Starscream}} The battle ended with Optimus still alive and the Decepticons beaten on Earth. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Fast Action Battlers|Fire Blast Optimus Prime}}

===Beast Wars Diorama Story===
At some point, Starscream and multiple Autobots and Decepticons traversed dimensions and found themselves on a different [[Earth]], in the distant past. They crossed paths with new Transformer factions, the [[Maximal]]s and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, who were engaged in a conflict called the [[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]. A battle broke out between the four factions and Starscream found himself pitted against the Maximal [[Tigatron]]. He attempted to blast the Maximal from the high ground, only to get shot int he face, instead. [[Optimus Primal]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] then double-teamed Starscream, defeating him. With the battle over, the Autobots and the Decepticons returned to their home dimension, leaving the Maximals and Predacons behind to settle the Beast Wars. {{storylink|Beast Wars Diorama Story}}

===Titan Magazines ''Transformers'' movie comics===
{{Note|The following event is unique to the Titan Magazines comic continuity and thus doesn't occur anywhere else.}}

Within seconds of Megatron's defeat, Starscream dubbed himself the new Decepticon leader, with the main problem being that he didn't actually have any troops to lead. To amend this slight impediment, he attacked several [[AllSpark Mutation]]s and removed the energy from their bodies, which he then proceeded to implant into the corpses of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]]. With his former comrades reanimated in this [[Zombie|rudimentary manner]], he directed the shambling husks to attack the Autobots, who were still recovering from their battle that had just finished. While the Autobots eventually destroyed the zombies, Starscream had escaped with several AllSpark energy fragments still in his possession. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|Starscream's Militia}}

{{notetitantlg}}

[[Image:Tf mag 10 2008.JPG|left|150px|thumb|So evil, boats spontaneously explode rather than face him.]]
Starscream remained on Earth serving under Megatron—and taking orders from [[Dropkick]], who's got a higher rank. In secret, however, he was using [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticons]] to implant cerebro-strips in the heads of useful humans; at will, he could control their minds, paving the way for a more subtle conquest when he finally got Megatron out of the way. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath Part 1}}

He became aware of the moon-based Autobots and while ordered to join [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] in beating up [[NATO]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 9|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 1}} he got bored during the mission and left as soon as he could to attack the moon-based Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}} He beat them up and viciously taunted them, forcing them to take the initiative and go to Earth—just as he wanted. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} As he hoped, the Autobots eventually won, killing Megatron, destroying the AllSpark and halting the cyberforming of Earth... leaving him free to take command of the Decepticons!

On top of that, he got his hands on the nanovirus the Autobots used on Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}} He also took the AllSpark interface module from Megatron's corpse and assimilated it. He started hearing Megatron's voice in his head some time after this... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

[[Image:InsecticonMovie.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Hey, Starscream's ''bugging'' us lolololololol]]

One of his first acts as leader was to begin a bombing campaign against any human attempt to rebuild infrastructure or regain a foothold in the United States. He then organised an attack that would get all the Autobots together so a NATO tank regiment (its commander under cerebro-strip control) could wipe them all out. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 14|Aftermath Part 1}} While this failed, Starscream has still ensured the new [[President of the United States]] is under cerebro control—and the Autobots have no idea he's in command... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 15|Aftermath Part 2}}

As well as secretly overseeing scorched-earth strategies and attempted Energon grabs, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} he also gained [[Mikaela Banes]] as a cerebro-controlled slave. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 18|Return to Cybertron: Part 2}} When the bulk of the Autobots prepared to briefly leave Earth and had Mikaela watch over their [[Savannah]] base, Starscream just waited until they'd gone and effortlessly seized the place. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 19|Return to Cybertron: Part 3}} As a result, the six hundred square miles around the Autobot base were swiftly seized as an autonomous Decepticon nation, with all resistance smashed easily. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 20|Return to Cybertron: Part 4}} This means, shockingly, he actually ''is'' a better leader than Megatron. ''[[Jesus]]''.

[[Image:Starscream Titan22.JPG|left|210px|thumb|"Stop looking at me ''stop looking at me!''"]]
He sadistically taunted Mikaela, hoping there was part of her that was screaming for help, before dispatching [[Jazz (Movie)|the corrupted Jazz]] and [[Kullt]] to assassinate Optimus. It didn't work. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|Hard Target}}

While preparing an ambush for the Autobots who he knew would come for Mikaela, he ranted to the Megatron in his head how he'd been a ''far'' better leader and how he was about to kill all the Autobots. His ambush almost worked too, and he almost killed Prime himself—only for the Autobots to turn out to have had a better plan all along, and escape. Admitting to the voices that he had failed and demanding a strategy from then, he realised to his horror that Megatron's mind had wanted him to take the interface module and had downloaded his brain into it; The voice ''really was'' Megatron and he was demanding to be released! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 22|The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself}}

He didn't release him, though Megatron did feed Starscream a strategy—blackmailing America into booting the Autobots out, then having Allen nuke their ship. This plan was a success, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} and a jubilant Starscream despatched his armies to seize the United States, all the while having his mind-controlled humans hamper ''any'' military counter-offensive. He was ''this'' close to total victory when [[Stockade (Movie)|''Stockade'']] turned up, turning a third of the drone armies and possibly two generals to his side, sparking a [[Decepticon Civil War]].

Watching everything collapse around him, a gibbering Starscream was visited by Megatron's voice again, telling him once again that the only way out was to release him and allow Megatron to live again... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}}

[[Image:Starscreamseesthings_Titan25.jpg|right|350px|thumb|"I'm as sane as the [[Thunderwing (G1)|next]] leader!"]]

...and this time, desperate and pressured, Starscream ''did''. With his mind now his own again, he realised to his horror what he'd done... but it was too late, he was now a minion again, and tasked to strafe Stockade's forces while Megatron took on the rebel himself. It all was for naught, however: the Autobots (surprisingly ''not'' dead!) intervened and forcibly teleported all the Decepticons to Cybertron, leaving Starscream trapped there ''forever''. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part Three}}

====Star Screams====
{{Note|The following details Starscream's tenure as letter-answerer on the Star Screams letters page.}}

{{bigquote|You could mark [your letters] 'All Hail Starscream' so long as you make it clear this is in no way a reflection on our glorious leader or a prelude to some sort of coup. Just so that we're clear on that.|Star Screams}}

[[Image:Star Screams logo.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Hate mail!]]
As of issue 7, he runs the letters page (renamed Star Screams from the original Mech Mail). He hates the letters, the readers, the comic, the editorial team, and probably the baby [[Jesus]]—but he's still got nothing on ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream's]] [[Armada (Panini comic)|letter-answering stint]]. The source of his misanthropy appears to be that nobody ever sent in fan-art of him (#8). The few things he does like are recycling and environmental measures (#14), girls becoming Transformers fans (#19), and [[To sell toys|humans collecting his action figures]].

Autobot sympathisers are hunted down to be exterminated, especially those who dress up as Autobots (#8, #12 and #17), and even the Prime Minister isn't safe (#24). That said, Starscream appears to have a soft spot for his own fans—in #11, when a female reader complained her mum and aunt kept telling her she was too old for Transformers, he announced that the offending relatives had been shortlisted to spend forever polishing his armour with their own spit, bless.

In #8, he revealed he hates the movie because his best scenes and lines were cut out, and #13 confirmed the Decepticon army loathes [[Michael Bay]] for producing pro-Autobot propaganda. This still hasn't prevented him from shilling Bay's second documentary ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', as he believes it will depict a Decepticon victory (#10) and is going to ignore the script if it says otherwise (#18). Since then, however, he has come under the sway of an unknown higher power in regards to the film, one Starscream fears (#22)...

In #7, he expressed concern that this "[[Simon Furman|Fur-Man]]" was a [[Maximal]] agent, and warned that Titan Magazines would be destroyed if they continued to produce Autobot propaganda. By #13, the Decepticons appear to have taken over Titan and have imprisoned the staff and creators in cages, forcing them to work merely for food—it is surely no coincidence that during this period, Starscream became a successful leader of the Decepticons in the comic strip and that Starscream began wanting more issues brought out. This mistreatment is causing severe physical trauma to [[Steve White]] and [[Den Patrick]] (#19) though Fur-Man is still a free agent and is evading Decepticon capture (#21). Writer [[Robin Etherington]] appears to have angered him, as Starscream is believed to have deliberately miscredited one of his stories in #24. [http://www.studioblinktwice.com/announce.php?Year=2009]

He has incredible hate for [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], gleefully recounting the guy's horrible death and going berserk in #9 at the idea of Jazz answering the letters.

While he has said he talks to himself to get intelligent conversation and doesn't trust anyone (#9), he has shown some signs of wanting company: he hoped the [[Seeker (Movie)|Seeker]] jets would all be reunited in the next film (#9), is trying to convince [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] to be in it too (#15), and wishes Ironhide would join the Decepticons (#16). Despite wanting to re-unite with Thundercracker, he shows contempt for the guy's lack of drive (#11). He views [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and Soundwave as potential successors if anything ever happens to him (#21). He also appreciates [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout's]] work (#23) and while he's annoyed the helicopter is more popular than him, he did go to the trouble of giving the guy a proper burial. (#25)

Starscream appears to have had several "off the record" adventures. He has revealed he once had an [[Starscream (G1)|F-15 mode]] and liked it (#9), openly confirming he was [[:Image:Starscream 1982.jpg|active in 1982]] and the impetus for the [[Hungry Dragon]] cover-up. He also refers to [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] also being an F-15 (#11), implying both were active in [[1982]]. He has also had some experience with and knowledge of [[Unicron]] (#12), something [[Transformers Comic issue 19|no other Transformer had]] and something that terrified him (#17), and in which he apparently witnessed Unicron trying to devour Cybertron (#19)...

He maintains that his voice is not [[Chris Latta|scratchy]] in any way.

Eventually, however, the constant stress of the letters drove him to a nervous breakdown, and he was sent to a very special home (or "on a mission of great importance", according to his cover story). He still produces a regular horrorscope. (Vol.2 #1) [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] has wondered about Starscream's ongoing absence, noting the home must have better security than the Decepticons first thought! (Vol.2 #12)

===IDW ''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie comics===
{{bigquote|My plan failed, or was it my troops that failed me? I can only process the situation and hope for a conclusion. There are allies on Earth, and more scattered across the Galaxy. I will seek them out. By my side they will join, and in time, I '''will''' have my kingdom... regardless of the location.|Starscream|[[The Reign of Starscream issue 5|The Reign of Starscream #5]]}}

Starscream assumed the role of [[Decepticon leader]] on Earth following Megatron's defeat and the destruction of the AllSpark. Though tempted to exact revenge on the humans, he realized he might be the last functional Decepticon on the planet, so he escaped Mission City to recover the badly-damaged Barricade. Starscream gave him orders to continue his reconnaissance of the Autobot once he was able, and headed for Hoover Dam to retrieve Frenzy. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}}

Starscream made his way to Hoover Dam, taking out masses of human soldiers and a [[Landmine (Movie)|less-than-functional attack drone]]. Starscream took a [[Salazar|human captive]] along with Frenzy's body, but the fleshling didn't survive the Decepticon's trip to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]. However, the trip, combined with the damage from the battle took its toll and upon finding his starship, he had to be helped inside by [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]]. The pair discussed Thundercracker's progress with the space bridge terminal, the physiology of humans and the abilities of Starscream's new form. While recharging, he ordered Thundercracker to download the information from Frenzy; however, an Autobot scouting party interrupted their efforts. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 2|The Reign of Starscream #2}}

[[Image:ROSWannabet.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Let's hope that Dreadwing isn't revived by Unicron.]]
Starscream ordered Thundercracker and the drones to deal with them while he prepared for take off. After recovering, he made short work of the Autobots and dragged a damaged Thundercracker inside the ship, before activating the terminal and warping to Cybertron. He handed Thundercracker over to [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]], and ordered construction of a [[replica AllSpark]], based on Frenzy's data. Approaching Megatron's citadel, Starscream, still impressed by the power his new form gave him, destroyed the former leader's figurehead. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3|The Reign of Starscream #3}}

A [[Units of time|quartex]] later, Starscream ruminated about ruling over a Cybertron free of war or factions, as well as bringing certain [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|war criminals]] to justice. He arrived at the AllSpark construction yard, busted [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]]'s vocal processor for whining too much, and chained him up along with [[Elita-One (Movie)|four]] [[Warpath (Movie)|enslaved]] [[Signal Flare (Movie)|Autobot]] [[Grindcore (Movie)|prisoners]] on the new AllSpark, ready to offer up their lives in exchange for a new life for Cybertron. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 4|The Reign of Starscream #4}}

[[Image:StarscreamandWreckageAlliance2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Yes, it is!]]

Things sort of went downhill from there, though. First, the AllSpark replica didn't work; then [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] rebelled. Then they saw that Arcee had snuck aboard Starscream's ship, led an Autobot attack on [[Simfur]] and destroyed the new AllSpark. In the ensuing chaos, Starscream, along with his few remaining loyal subjects, fought off the army of Dreadwing drones and assorted other traitors. Starscream tracked Dreadwing to the space bridge as he took a starship through it. By the time the ship arrived on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], it was damaged by Starscream's attack, but Dreadwing survived. However, Starscream also survived, revealed himself, and ripped out Dreadwing's spark core. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 5|The Reign of Starscream #5}}

After Dreadwing's betrayal, Starscream relocated to Earth, his aspirations for leadership and his faith in his fellow Decepticons shattered. As he brooded and carved AllSpark runes onto his exo-structure, he picked up a transmission from [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]], informing Starscream of Optimus Prime's forthcoming journey to a Sector Seven facility where Wreckage was held. {{storylink|Alliance issue 1|Alliance #1}} Starscream recorded a message chronicling Megatron's death, the destruction of the Cube and Wreckage's betrayal before he left Mars. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] found the message upon his return to Earth, and deemed it a suicide note. {{storylink|Convergence chapter 4}}

Starscream arrived on Earth not long after Wreckage escaped. The two engaged in a heated battle, each accusing the other of betrayal. Wreckage managed to gain the upper hand, but the timely arrival of Bumblebee gave Starscream the chance to kill Wreckage. He thanked Bumblebee by blasting him, but was contacted by Soundwave before he could finish the job. Shocked that Soundwave was still alive, Starscream left with renewed vigor, believing Soundwave held the key to making a new army. Rendezvousing on Mars, Starscream informed Soundwave of Megatron's death and the AllSpark's loss, and was pleased when he was told a number of troops were headed for Earth, with more in stasis. After receiving co-ordinates to Soundwave's ship, a more enthusiastic Starscream left for the ''Nemesis'', aiming to bring the troops aboard out of stasis while Soundwave carried out "[[Star harvester|other orders]]". {{storylink|Alliance issue 2|Alliance #2}}
{{-}}

===''The Veiled Threat'' prequel novel===
{{Note|The events of ''The Veiled Threat'' take place during [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Alliance (comic)|Alliance]]'' comic.}}
Starscream was in [[Zambia]] where he gained control of the rebel [[Human Accessory Force]] by synthesizing [[gold]] coins with his own body. He sent [[Macerator]], [[Dropkick]] and [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] to blow up a series of dams along the Zambezi River. Although the three Decepticons were stopped by [[NEST]], Starscream intercepted them and killed [[Beachbreak]], who was hoisting [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] up Victoria Falls. He then oversaw the Decepticons attack on a dam along the Zambezi, but the action saw the loss of Macerator and Payload. With their plan in ruins, Starscream ordered Dropkick to retreat.

Little did Starscream know that not all of the troops Soundwave had brought were so eager to serve him for merely succeeding to the Decepticon throne. A number of Decepticons were working in secret to amass vast quantities of energy to locate Megatron and jump start his spark. Upon discovering the existence of this faction, Optimus surmised that Starscream would be hard pressed to withstand a coup, and the only way to secure his claim would be to destroy Optimus and the Autobots quickly.

Starscream flew to [[Italy]] where he allied with criminal mastermind [[Bruno Carrera]], promising him rule of Europe once Starscream ruled Earth if he helped kill Optimus Prime. [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] and [[Jolt (Movie)|Deadend]] drew NEST to Rome, where Starscream challenged Optimus to one-on-one combat in the Coliseum: it was a trap, and Optimus fell through a hidden door into a set of restraints in an underground tunnel built by Carrera. The humans helped Optimus escape though, and Starscream flew off to pay Carrera back for his failure. {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}}

===Titan Magazines ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===

[[Image:Titan1_FallenStarscream.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hey! C'mon on outa there you!]]

With Megatron dead, Starscream found himself as one of [[The Fallen]]'s proxies and was not too happy with the idea of working for another guy ''again''. He organised <strike>his</strike> the Fallen's Decepticon army and took them to Cybertron on the Fallen's orders. Unfortunately he was spied on by [[Mudflap (ROTF)|two]] [[Skids (ROTF)|Autobots]], and failed to exterminate them before they fled to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}} News of this made the Fallen ''very unhappy'', who ordered Starscream to remain on Cybertron and ''not fail again''. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.2|Dogfight!}}

After the Twins' bumbling on Earth, they were suspected of being double agents and were to be sent into orbitary exile. [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ordered Starscream to take out the Twins' military escort in an effort to make them defect. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.6|Outlaw Blues}}

[[Image:Titan8_Starscreamlastwords.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Are my eyes blue?]]

Later, after the Decepticons had captured the lost [[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]], Starscream sat in on Soundwave's interrogation of the old fogey. However, Ransack refused to tell them, and Starscream had to step in to stop an angry Soundwave from killing the guy. He volunteered to interrogate the ancient Seeker himself, but Ransack found the whole thing laughable: he knew the Decepticons were operating their ''own'' agenda while the Fallen was incapacitated, but they'd soon learn their freedom was just an illusion.

A few seconds later, the twins arrived to bust the base up. Starscream and Soundwave soon put an end to ''that'', and Starscream gleefully prepared to exterminate Mudflap at long last... Whoops, that gave Ransack the chance to shoot Starscream in the back and leg it! Desperate to keep the Fallen from knowing they'd been up to anything, Starscream and the other 'Cons chased after the Seeker. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.8|Back-to-Back}}

{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]] (English), [[José Sant'anna]] (Portuguese), [[Tadashi Miyazawa]] (Japanese), [[Axel Lutter]] (German), [[Luigi Scribani]] (Italian), [[Germán Fabregat]] (Latin American-Spanish)

[[Image:ROTF Megatron choke Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"We really shouldn't fight in front of the chil—"<br>"SHUT UP!"]]
Starscream was unconcerned with reviving his leader Megatron, choosing to spend his time as acting commander on the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' engineering a new army. His plan was failing miserably, as without [[energon (fuel)|energon]] the [[hatchling]]s were dying. After [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] successfully executed his plan to resurrect Megatron, Starscream (who may or may not have known of said plan) attempted to welcome his commander with open arms, only to be criticized for leaving him for dead. Starscream defended his actions by saying [[The Fallen]] decreed the spawning of a new army, and that in Megatron's absence, someone had to take command. This was a bad choice of words on Starscream's part, as Megatron slammed him into a hatchling sack and told him the simple truth: even in death, there is no command greater than Megatron's.

Megatron noted the plight of the hatchlings though, and sought the advice of the Fallen, whom Starscream had kept on life support, on another source of energon now that the [[AllSpark]] was destroyed. The Fallen revealed there was another source, and that the key to attaining it was through the boy who had killed Megatron. But first, The Fallen commanded that they kill [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]], so that he would be safe. Since Optimus would come to protect Sam, it would be a simple matter to capture him. Starscream arrived and announced that they had [[Alice|an agent]] within sight of the boy. He was eager to get that energon, as the hatchlings would keep dying without it.

[[Image:ROTF Starscream Sam Mikaela.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Damn things are everywhere.]]
Starscream aided in [[Sam Witwicky]]'s capture by cutting open the car [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]] had captured him in, and watched as Megatron and [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]] threatened to dissect him for the information in his mind from the AllSpark regarding the energon source. Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] arrived to rescue Sam: Starscream let Megatron do most of the fighting in the factory, before Optimus blasted him through the wall and drove off with Sam to a forest.

[[Image:ROTF Prime Starscream arm.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"MY ARM!"<br>"Oh, you want it back? HERE!"]]
Starscream arrived, immediately going for the boy, but Prime ran interference, grabbing Starscream, suplexing him, and kicking off part of his mouth, leading the three Decepticons to gang up on him. Surprisingly, it went quite poorly for the Decepticons: Prime was able to take on all three, using Starscream as a shield and sending his artillery flying at Grindor. After stabbing Megatron multiple times, Optimus ripped off Starscream's arm. Starscream could only cry out in horror as Optimus then used it as a club against the Decepticon. Although Optimus managed to kill Grindor, Megatron eventually managed to kill Optimus, but before they could retrieve Sam, the rest of the Autobots arrived while Bumblebee spirited Sam away. Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat.

[[Image:ROTF_movie_MegatronStarscream_roofchat.jpg|thumb|right|300px|25 years later and I'm still your punching bag!]]

Starscream and Megatron flew to the top of a [[New York City]] skyscraper, where Starscream revealed that they had lost track of the boy. Megatron berated Starscream and hit him with the detached arm he was trying to stick in, furious that he lost track of a single insect. Starscream countered that there were seven billion insects on the planet, and that he could be anywhere at this point. Megatron decided to reveal the Decepticons' presence to the world: Starscream stood openly atop a skyscraper during the rejuvenated Fallen's announcement to the world.

After Soundwave learned that the boy was in [[Egypt]], Starscream flew to investigate. Locating the boy, he fired upon Bumblebee, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], who had Sam, [[Mikaela Banes]], [[Leo Spitz]] and [[Seymour Simmons]] as their passengers, bombing them to no avail. Bumblebee, Simmons, Leo, and the Twins drew Starscream's fire while Sam and Mikaela fled to the NEST soldiers. During his flyby of the NEST team, he released an electromagnetic pulse that took out the humans' communications, but saw Prime's body. Meeting Megatron atop the pyramid which hid the harvester, Starscream informed Megatron of his discovery, and Megatron ordered the [[Operation: Firestorm|assault]] to begin.

[[Image:ROTF Starscream grab.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Ceiling Seeker is watching you masturbate. And he will no longer tolerate it.]]

As Sam and Mikaela tried to reach Optimus to revive him with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Starscream led several [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] and [[Protoform]]s in a search for Sam. It wasn't going very well, to the point that Starscream literally started shooting the ground in anger. An [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticon]] managed to find them, and Starscream tore the roof off the building they were in, but the two humans managed to lose them again. Starscream then ordered [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] to hold Sam's parents [[Ron Witwicky|Ron]] and [[Judy Witwicky|Judy]] for ransom: Sam was ready to exchange the Matrix, but Bumblebee rescued them and killed Rampage. Starscream was soon drawn into the battle with [[NEST]], and was unable to search for Sam any longer.

[[Image:ROTF Starscream cowards survive.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"Not to call you a coward-Oh heck, you are a coward!"]]
Starscream watched from the sidelines as Optimus was resurrected by the Matrix, and combined with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. Although the Fallen had obtained the Matrix and activated his star harvester, as he had predicted, the last of the Primes killed the Fallen and destroyed the harvester. Starscream stood next to Megatron, who had lost his right arm and had half his face blown off thanks to Optimus Prime, and advised that they should flee (cowards do survive after all), something that Megatron acknowledged. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}
{{-}}

===Cyber Missions===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Bronco D. Jackson]] (English), [[Andrés García]] (Latin American-Spanish)
[[Image:CyberMissions10 Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Toy accuracy wasted on a fiction no one even knew existed.]]
Starscream watched from the air as [[Mindwipe (ROTF)|Mindwipe]] interrogated [[Jack (ROTF)|Jack]]. As the other Decepticon announced the Energon would be his, Starscream corrected his obviously erroneous statement. When they found the convoy, Starscream dropped mines on the road in front of [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] and [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]], knocking loose the trailer-load of energon. While Mindwipe turned his hypnotic abilities on the two Autobots, Starscream landed behind them. The two Decepticons' bickering allowed Sideswipe to break Mindwipe's concentration, and he began grappling with Starscream while Ratchet went for the energon. Starscream quickly got the better of Sideswipe and threatened to rip his spark out, but Ratchet responded by throwing the energon and Mindwipe off a nearby cliff. Starscream dived after it, ignoring Mindwipe's pleas for help, and grabbed the energon. Ratchet shot the energon which exploded, but Starscream subsequently streaked from the flames in his jet mode, and the two Autobots decided to find somewhere safe to take cover. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 10}}

Starscream met up with Megatron in the Arctic sometime later, but it was far from a pleasant reunion - Megatron was pissed that Starscream openly defied him, and once again reminded him of his absolute power. Optimus arrived, and a two on one duel ensued. Soon, the Autobots arrived, and Starscream broke off to leave the duel to be leader-to-leader. Starscream took on Ratchet, Ironhide, Bumblebee, and Sideswipe all at once, and eventually was defeated. Starscream quickly fled the scene. {{storylink|Cyber Missions 12}}

Later, Megatron led Starscream, Barricade, Mindwipe, and Bludgeon to rescue the imprisoned Soundwave from the Autobots. However, Soundwave was only a hologram, and Optimus confronted the Decepticons. Megatron once again dueled Optimus, and Starscream told the others to wait until Megatron wore the Autobot leader down, then attack Optimus... only for Ratchet, Ironhide, and Bumblebee to arrive. In the ensuing battle, Starscream tried to flee, but was fired at by Ironhide, and Starscream retaliated by tackling and grappling with Ironhide on the ground. The Autobots' human allies arrived, and outnumbered the Decepticons a hundred to one, and Megatron was once again defeated by Optimus. The Autobot leader gave the Decepticons a choice: leave Earth or fight and die. Starscream, naturally, was the first to leave and abandon his leader, and Mindwipe and Bludgeon followed. {{storylink|Decepticons Attack}}
{{--}}

===Titan Magazines post-''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===

[[Image:Titan17_Starscreamstatue.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Hasbro's just losing the battle against copyright infringement...]]

Starscream wanted to create his ''own'' Decepticon army and assumed there had to be some Energon sources and artifacts still on Earth to enable this: after all, why else would the Autobots stay? He tore through [[Peru]]'s Amazon rainforest looking for Energon and, in the process, a local tribe began worshipping him and erecting statues in his honour. He briefly thought about recruiting them.

When an Autobot/human team arrived, Starscream briefly engaged them in combat and shrugged off claims that they ''hadn't got'' an ulterior motive for being on Earth. To cover his retreat, he set fire to the rainforest so the Autobots would have to put it out rather than follow him. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.17|The Kingdom of Starscream}}

{{-}}

===IDW ''Dark of the Moon'' comics===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Starscream}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 1}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 2}}{{storylink|Rising Storm issue 3}}

===''Dark of the Moon'' film===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]] (English), [[Germán Fabregat]] (Latin American Spanish)
{{spoiler|Dark of the Moon (film)|when=July 29, 2011}}

[[Image:DOTM - StarscreamSaw.jpg|left|thumb|300px|The film is in 3D? Great! Now I can kill real life Humans!]]

Oh, how it pained Starscream to see his leader Megatron in such a weak, damaged state at Decepticon High Command in Africa. Megatron told Starscream to stuff it, and to continue with their plans. In Washington, D.C., as [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] summoned a Decepticon army to Earth via Space Bridge, Starscream was surprised to realise that Sentinel had been leaving to defect all those many years ago. Megatron retorted that Sentinel was his greatest achievement, and explained that they were to meet up on Earth, but both were waylaid by fate. Later, when the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'' departed Earth, Starscream had been lying in wait for such a moment, and swooped in for the kill, destroying the ship and presumably all eleven Autobots on board. Starscream subsequently helped take Chicago for the Decepticons, and stood by his leader as they worked on their plan to bring Cybertron itself into Earth's atmosphere with Sentinel's Space Bridge. He attacked the Ospreys carrying [[William Lennox|Lennox's]] team as they tried to sneak into Chicago using wing suits. Although Starscream took out most of the aircraft, Lennox and many soldiers managed to jump to safety.

[[Image:Dotm_Starscream_BOOM.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[The Transformers: The Movie|Dead]] [[Cramp|for the]] [[Endgame, Part II|fourth time]].]]

Later in the battle, Starscream took several potshots at [[Robert Epps|Epps]]'s team, separating [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Carly Spencer|Carly]] from the soldiers. Starscream relished a chance to be alone with the fleshling once again, and toyed with the human while trying to kill him. However, Sam had a "boomstick" and a grappling hook from [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]] on hand, and stabbed the grappling hook into Starscream's optic, partially and painfully blinding the Decepticon; and later stabbed the boomstick into his remaining optic. Starscream began to lose it, flailing and screaming in panic and pain, to the point of trying to scrape it out of his eye on the ground. Moments later, [[William Lennox|Lennox]]'s team arrived on scene. Lennox attempted to free a dangling Sam from the grappling wire, but the panicked Starscream flew up to the top of a nearby building, taking them both with him. The boomstick finally went off, fatally blowing off a large chunk of Starscream's head, leaving only his body to fall to the ground. Lennox and Sam were saved from the fall by [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and Sam nervously assured everyone Starscream was dead. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

{{-}}

==Games==
{{picsneeded|Game screen shots, cut scenes, whatever}}
===3D Battle-Card Game===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game}}

===''Transformers'': The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Daniel Ross]]

====Autobot campaign====
Starscream, Blackout, and a pair of [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] drones took on [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] during the battle of [[Mission City]], but the smaller Autobot managed to beat all four of them. Guess he finally got to fight the big ones. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

====Decepticon campaign====
Starscream coordinated the missions for Blackout and Barricade while hiding in a military base. After receiving information from Barricade that Megatron had been located, Starscream ordered him to proceed to Hoover Dam, while he himself went to locate [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] and [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]. However, the humans were aware of the three Decepticons and used drones, weapon platforms, and fighters based on Cybertronian design. Starscream was forced to move back and forth between Bonecrusher and Brawl, rescuing them from human attackers, all to background music far too heroic for someone of Starscream's character. After taking a moment to enjoy the ruin he had made of the base, Starscream proceeded to Hoover Dam. Blackout informed him that the structure was blocking their scans, so Starscream ordered him to tear it down piece by piece to find Megatron and the AllSpark. When Megatron emerged, Starscream bowed before his [[Lord High Protector|Lord]].

At [[Mission City]], Starscream took a moment to [[Ramjet (G1)|ram]] Optimus Prime during the latter's duel with Megatron, and tried to go head to head with Optimus Prime but was knocked away. After Megatron absorbed the AllSpark and Earth was decimated, Starscream stood at his master's left side as the Decepticon leader declared their business on Earth was concluded.

There is an unlockable skin for Starscream that gives him a G1 paintjob. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (console)|Transformers The Game}}

===Transformers: Autobots (DS)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Daniel Ross]]

While on a mission in the Arctic to find and destroy Megatron and recover the AllSpark, [[Create-A-Bot (Autobot)|Create-A-Bot]] and Ironhide ran into the air commander during their escape. Making Create-A-Bot run for cover, Ironhide took on Starscream and his lackeys (despite mentioning he's "getting too old for this"). Once defeated, Starscream took off into the atmosphere, never to be seen again. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Autobots}}

{{Note|Starscream is the only Decepticon in this version of the game who is not definitively destroyed. (Bonecrusher isn't included, since Prime cut off his head on his way in. Bonecrusher hates this game because of that.) Starscream's body type appears as Skydive, unlockable with 2500 WiFi Tokens. In the US, this feature is also unlockable by downloading the ''Transformers'' preview movie from a Target DS Download Station.}}

===Transformers: Decepticons (DS)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Daniel Ross]]

After the disappearance of Megatron nearly a million years ago (yeah, we know), Starscream took over the Decepticons as their high commander. Arriving on Earth, he instructed [[Create-A-Bot (Decepticon)|Create-A-Bot]] to follow Barricade until he arrived. However, none of the other Decepticons would trust him, and he confided in Create-A-Bot a great number of secrets, including the location of the AllSpark and the identity of the lost Decepticon they were retrieving: [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. Starscream reasoned that he hid these things because revealing them would lead to a power struggle, but no one bought it except the naive rookie.

Soon, though, the other Decepticons revealed the reason for their lack of faith (which Create-A-Bot found disturbing): Starscream was a morally ambiguous backstabber. Of course, Megatron wasn't much better, since he was a treacherous, black-hearted face-stabber, but at least he let you know where you stood with him. Once the Autobots returned the AllSpark to Tranquility, he gave chase after a now-AllSpark-empowered Bumblebee (in the single most frustrating level of the game), caught the "babbling fool", and destroyed a meddlesome Blackout, until Barricade got in the way.

After threat of execution for treason, Starscream proceeded to show the smaller Decepticon WHY Megatron picked him as his second-in-command: his brute strength and incredible battle strategy. After a severe thrashing, Create-A-Bot arrived with intent to kill. However, Starscream now had the AllSpark and was nearly unstoppable. They proceeded to battle over the Casino Strip, where Create-A-Bot took the AllSpark from him and smashed it into his chest. Create-A-Bot was knocked back and severely damaged by the blast, but Starscream remained as powerful as ever, perhaps more so now that the AllSpark had merged with his body. However, as was quickly proven, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscreams]] who receive [[Starscream (Armada)|ungodly power]] tend to explode, as Megatron found him and proceeded to chase and tear him apart. In his last breath, Starscream spat on Megatron's name, saying there would always be those who would question his power. Megatron simply replied by smashing his face in. {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers: Decepticons}}

{{note|Starscream's body type is available in two forms, the regular Starscream playable in certain missions (unlocked by beating the game) and G1 Starscream, based on the Target exclusive retooling/redeco. The G1 body is unlocked by earning 2500 WiFi tokens, or by downloading the preview movie for the game from a Target DS Download Station.}}

===Transformers: The Game (PSP)===
Starscream attacked Hoover Dam to free Megatron from his "tomb". Afterwards, he battled [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] over the leadership of the Decepticons back on Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers The Game (PSP)|Transformers The Game}}
{{-}}

===Autobot Stronghold===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Autobot Stronghold}}

===Transformers: Battle for the Matrix===
{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime. Starscream is a recurring foe.}}
[[Image:Starscream battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|200px|left |Basically the same thing as attacktix]] {{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Charlie Adler]]

====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
=====Decepticon campaign=====
[[Image:ROTF_360PS3PC_Starscream_AerialbotScout1.jpg|thumb|250px|Starscream demonstrating hardware accelerated graphics including particle effects, dynamic lighting, shinemaps, and Autobot-smashing.]]
Starscream served as the main aerial assault unit, utilizing his rapid-fire Gatling cannon and his homing missiles. He could also activate a [[Null Reactor]], which slowed enemies down and increased the damage he dealt to them.

After the Decepticons lost possesion of Mikaela, Starscream decided to seek out [[Theodore Galloway|NSA chief Galloway]], and force the location of the other remaining AllSpark shard, and Megatron's location, from him. The fleshing was known to be visiting one of several buildings around the canals of Sam and Mikaela's hometown, and Starscream destroyed each in turn, looking to flush out his target. Galloway was soon located, and Starscream took him for extraction.

The information gained from Galloway lead to the Decepticons capturing an AllSpark shard, and armed with this artifact, a team was sent to revive Megatron. Whilst other Decepticons descended into the sea to attend to their leader, Starscream and several Constructicons attacked the carrier group on the ocean surface. Seeking to eliminate their defense, Starscream destroyed the AA guns mounted on the larger craft, and then sank the small control boats in the area. Before long, Megatron rose from the ocean, and the Decepticons left the area.

When Sam and Bumblebee travelled to an east coast museum to meet with Jetfire, Starscream was ordered by Megatron to destroy the building and retrieve the boy. Although, under heavy fire from Autobots, Starscream collapsed the museum, Sam, Bumblebee and Jetfire escape via space bridge. After Megatron defeated their master [[The Fallen]], who was monotoring the progress of the [[star harvester]], Starscream immediately reported to Megatron that Optimus had deactivated the machine. Megatron took this reply well, and went off to activate The Fallen's hidden army of protoforms. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

=====Autobot campaign=====
Following Sam Witwicky's flight to Egypt with Jetfire, Starscream fled with his minions to the abandoned foundry where the Decepticons had previously held Sam. Locating him, Optimus Prime battled it out with Starscream, forcing the Air Commander to retreat.

Later, Starscream joined Megatron in attacking Optimus Prime and Jetfire in Egypt. As leader fought leader, [[Seeker (Movie)|Seeker]] fought [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seeker]], with Jetfire holding his own against Starscream until Optimus defeated Megatron and helped defeat Starscream. As Jetfire held the Air Commander at his mercy, Megatron snuck up and ran Jetfire through with his sword, allowing the Decepticons to retreat. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

===Starscream Showdown===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Starscream Showdown}}

===Hunt for the Decepticons===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Hunt for the Decepticons}}

===Revenge of the Fallen (mobile game)===
[[Image:ROTFMobile Starscream.jpg|thumb|84px|left|Mario is dead, I'm the new hero now, follow me!]]
[[The Fallen]] sent Starscream to [[Shanghai]] to find a fragment of the [[AllSpark]]. He succeeded, but was found by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. Though the Autobot leader beat him, Starscream managed to escape and return to The Fallen with the AllSpark shard he'd found. He apologized to his master for failing to kill Optimus, but The Fallen was pleased with the AllSpark fragment, and sent Starscream to attack NEST HQ as a diversion. Starscream attempted to reach the central core before [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] but lost the race and was locked out. Furious, he fought Bumblebee but began losing badly, so he zapped Bumblebee with his [[null-ray|null ray]]. He was shortly afterward contacted by the resurrected [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and flew off back to the Decepticon base. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Dark of the Moon - The Game''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Steve Blum]]

====(Xbox 360/PS3)====

{{comingsoon}}

==Toys==
''See [[Starscream (Movie)/toys]].''

==Merchandise==
''See [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Merchandise]].''

==Notes==
[[Image:ProtoformStarscreamProto.jpg|thumb|250px|Rar.]]
* Starscream's film design was initially conceptualized by designer [[Feng Zhu]].<ref>http://www.fengzhudesign.com/portfolio.html</ref>

* The card back of Protoform Starscream's packaging features a completely different, earlier head sculpt. What's more, this head design is featured on his protoform body in IDW's movie prequel comics. It's since become Starscream's standard "pre-Earth" face, likely out of consistency.

* His protoform was not the only design to get a new head. The earliest concepts of Starscream's head were more skull-like and oblong in shape. This was, of course, redesigned to look more "like a samurai helmet." Unlike the redesigned head of Megatron, Starscream's earlier face only shows up in ''one'' piece of media: the book [[Look and Find Transformers]].

* As revealed in ROTF's Blu-ray gallery, Starscream's final head design was one that was rejected for Megatron. Maybe that's why he's such a sycophant.

* On-screen in the first live-action movie, Starscream has only one short conversation with Megatron and a total screen time of less than 10 minutes. The tie-in fiction and the sequel are ''much'' kinder.

* In that 10 minutes in the first film, he was able to blow up a power plant, tear Bumblebee's legs in half with his missiles, gun down Ratchet and Ironhide like it was target practice, blow up a helicopter about to retrieve the Allspark, battle a team of F-22s, and escape the earth's atmosphere. A lot to do in just 10 minutes.

* It has been suggested that, following his attack on the F-22 squadron over the city, Starscream was able to hide among the survivors and take part in the attack on Megatron shortly thereafter. This theory is speculative; While it fits the character of the G1 Starscream from the '80s, there is nothing actually on the screen to suggest it. (Roberto Orci was asked, but refused to give a definite answer.)<ref>http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=387172&postcount=185 Roberto Orci refusing to comment on the possibility of Starscream attacking Megatron during the final battle</ref>

* His bio for his Deep Space figure mentions that he re-energized himself at a power plant after the [[Mission City]] battle. Whilst this was not seen in the film, it appears [[The Real Effing Deal|others]] caught notice of it; [http://www.therealeffingdeal.com/blog/“mission-city-update-exclusive”/].

* The Sector Seven online ARG used the "[[Masterpiece]]" version of [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] to represent the "real" Starscream who had infiltrated Earth. A lot of Generation 1 cameos were made in this manner. Make of that what you will.

* Even though Starscream had only two lines of English dialogue in the first film, José Sant'anna, who played the Generation 1 character in the Brazilian dub of the original cartoon, was re-cast to play the role in the movie. However, his voice was so heavily modulated that only someone with a really good ear could recognize him. Go figure.

*Speaking of dialogue, most of his lines are in Cybertronian. He begins his role with speaking Cybertronian ("This is Starscream. All Decepticons mobilize.") and ends with another Cybertronian line that isn't subtitled. Of course, he could have been talking to himself (as he does when he reaches Sector Seven) or even cursing. Considering ''The Reign of Starscream'' has a guy exploding inside him at this point, swearing seems appropriate.

*The new downloadable content for the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' game on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 gives Starscream [[Starscream (G1)|another form]] and a [[Sunstorm (G1)|repaint of it]]. Because of this, Starscream ends up with the most alternate skins of any character. Huh...that [[Seeker (body-type)|sounds]] [[Starscream clone (Animated)|familiar]] [[Starscream (Armada)|somehow...]]

*He tends to slobber a lot when he talks. He's the Sylvester of the Decepticons.

*This has to be the only incarnation of Starscream to not turn on Megatron (Unless you include [[Starscream (SG)|him]]).

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Starscream''' (スタースクリーム ''Sutāsukurīmu'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Sing Sing Giu''' (星星叫)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Üstökös''' ("Comet"), '''Csillagsikoly''' (Titan comics, "Starscream")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tīen-wáng Hsīng''' (Taiwan, 天王星, "Uranus"), '''Hong Zhi Zhu''' (China, 紅蜘蛛, "Red Spider")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Zorekryk''' (Зорекрик, "Dawnscream")

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Starscream/starscream.htm Starscream at TFU.info]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Cyber Missions characters]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon Decepticons]]