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Brawl (G1)

2026-03-18T04:12:02Z

CyberstormSM: /* The Transformers cartoon */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|autobot|eliteguard|ascenticon|exarchon}}
{{disambig3|Brawl}}
:''Brawl is a [[Decepticon]] [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:MTMTEBrawl.jpg|upright=2.4|thumb|"I wouldn't need the pistol, but I don't wanna have to bend over to aim..."]]

If '''Brawl'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s on the battlefield and you can't hear him coming, it's time to check your audio receptors, because chances are you've gone deaf. Brawl's main distinguishing characteristic is '''VOLUME'''. No matter if he's talking (yelling), moving (clanking and rattling), or fighting (yelling, clanking, rattling, and blasting) you're sure to hear him doing it, as is anyone else in the county. As if that wasn't enough, he is also a ball of barely contained rage and violence with a hair-trigger temper. This makes even his comrades wary, but it does make him a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield... as long as the mission doesn't require stealth. Or zero casualties.

Brawl combines with his fellow Combaticons to form [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Tony St. James]] (English), [[Toshiro Ishii]] (Japanese)|[[Fritz von Hardenberg]] (German, "Fight or Flee"), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Starscream's Brigade" and "The Revenge of Bruticus"), [[Ulf Jürgen Söhmisch]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "Fight or Flee"), [[Nilton Valério]] (Portuguese), [[Paulo Pinheiro]] (Portuguese, "The Revenge of Bruticus"), [[Carlos Seidl]] (Portuguese, "Fight or Flee"), [[Serge Lhorca]] (European French)}}

[[File:StarscreamsBrigade Starscream Brawl.jpg|thumb|"It's YOUR fault I'm not more toy-accurate!"]]
Brawl was one of the five [[renegade Decepticon]]s liberated by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] in the Air Commander's latest attempt to unseat [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. As an element of their imprisonment, they had been reduced to mere [[personality component]]s, so Starscream installed them into abandoned [[World War II]] military vehicles. The transplant caused the vehicles to immediately reconfigure themselves: Brawl in particular went from being an {{w|M4 Sherman}} tank<ref>"Starscream's Brigade" shooting script</ref> to being a... different tank, before turning into a robot. Starscream called them "Combaticons" and announced their names as they transformed, but they didn't recognize him. Nor did they feel particularly indebted to him for their release; Brawl even threatened to pound him into scrap for no apparent reason. In the end, Starscream only guaranteed their loyalty through having given them bodies bereft of [[energy absorber]]s, so they would be dependent upon him to refuel. While their first missions for Starscream were initially successful, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]' intervention meant the brigade's defeat, and Megatron exiled all six to a remote asteroid. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

[[File:RevengeBruticus BlastOff Brawl.jpg|left|thumb]]
The Combaticons managed to tow the asteroid to Cybertron and evict [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. Brawl would have preferred just to shoot the hell out of the Decepticons and [[Earth]], but [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] managed to rig the [[space bridge]] to drag Earth into the sun. However, the Combaticons were later attacked by mysterious aggressors. Although the Combaticons were confused by their appearance, Brawl figured that they should just annihilate them. As it turned out, the aggressors were holograms created by Starscream and Shockwave, whom the Combaticons captured. Once Megatron, as well as the [[Autobot]]s, arrived, the Combaticons merged into Bruticus, but [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] deactivated him. The Combaticons were then reprogrammed to serve Megatron. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

During a Decepticon operation in the [[Middle East]], Brawl and the Combaticons attempted to ambush the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] in a canyon, but were driven off. Later, Brawl provided ground support against the Aerialbots and merged with his comrades into Bruticus to take on [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], but the Decepticons were again defeated. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

[[File:BOT RepairingBrawl.jpg|right|thumb|Only a fierce backrub could cure Brawl's rage. Megatron happily loaned out Soundwave for a few hours just to get some peace and quiet.]]
When Onslaught ordered the Combaticons to transform in a street, [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] knocked into Brawl, who in turn made his displeasure very vocal. They then transformed into Bruticus, who was immediately shot to pieces by [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. Swindle was the sole survivor, and he sold his partners' deactivated forms to various humans such as [[El Presidente]]. Under threat of death by Megatron, Swindle stole back the parts of his unit. However, he was unable to find Brawl's personality component, leaving Brawl a silent shell requiring to be guided over to the rest of the group when ordered to form Bruticus. It turned out that the Combaticons couldn't merge at all without that particular piece of technology, much to Megatron's dismay. Swindle was sent out to retrieve the personality component, which had been used by [[Martin and Roland|some]] [[Elise Presser|kids]] to build [[B.O.T. (G1)|a robot]] for a school project. Of course, this made the robot extremely violent, and it destroyed the school lab and fought some Autobots before Swindle found it and recovered the component. This whole ordeal does pose a question: why does Bruticus depend on the personality component of a loud, homicidal maniac to form? {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}

By [[2005]], the energy-starved Decepticons had taken refuge on the planet [[Chaar]] and were approached by the [[Quintesson]]s, who provided them with energon in exchange for attacking the Autobots on [[Goo Number 8739-B|Goo]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} Brawl was among those troops that later traveled to Earth to stop the Autobots from delivering a new [[Transformation cog (biology)|transformation cog]] to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], but they ultimately failed. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[File:FightorFlee RazorclawBrawl.jpg|left|thumb|This makes perfect sense in context. Really.]]
During the Decepticon attack on [[Paradron]], Brawl teamed up with [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] to capture [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], and together they managed to make him fall off a bridge. Later, he manned a [[molecular cannon]] alongside [[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]], but the cannon was destroyed in an Autobot attack. At the same time, Brawl was ''also'' part of Bruticus, who was accompanying [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} Some time later, the Combaticons were sent by Galvatron to assassinate the Decepticon exile [[Octane]]. Because bringing Brawl along when you need to sneak up on someone is a good idea. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

The Combaticons later performed a hit-and-run attack on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in order to mess up an upcoming peace conference. Brawl got a good shot at [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] in the ensuing battle, but [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] jumped in and took the blast. {{storylink|Surprise Party}} Brawl was part of Galvatron's surprise attack on the Autobots in the [[Netherlands]]. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}} As part of Bruticus, Brawl took on Defensor in [[Japan]], but the Combaticons were forced to separate and scatter when [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] arrived on the scene. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[File:ReturnOfOptimusPrime1 BrawlHeadstrong.jpg|right|thumb|oh no brawl's become angry and violent]]
When the [[Hate Plague]] was brought to Earth, the Combaticons were infected by the disease when Bruticus was (rather ineffectively) punched by an infected Ultra Magnus. Bruticus apparently split apart later on, as Brawl was seen rampaging through a human marketplace, crushing various stands beneath his tracks. Soon afterwards he infected Headstrong. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

During a Decepticon invasion of Cybertron, the Combaticons were tasked with installing a giant rocket engine on the planet. Brawl then helped transport defeated Autobots to it, intending on removing their [[power pack]]s to fuel the engine. The Combaticons later held Optimus Prime and a group of Autobots at gunpoint, but were suddenly caught in the middle of a battle between [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{charstubfiction}}

=====Scramble City=====
When the Stunticons were dispatched to hinder the Autobots from constructing [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]], they were attacked by the Aerialbots and did not fare too well. Brawl and the Combaticons arrived to help, and together Bruticus and Menasor easily overpowered Superion. However, Scramble City itself soon drove up and blasted both combiners into the distance. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
[[File:SOSfromSandra Terrorcon Brawl.jpg|thumb|200px|left|"NO MERCY! RIP 'EM APART! I'LL MURDERIZE 'EM! I'LL —" "Your squad's over there, Brawl." "RIGHT! I KNEW THAT!"]]
Brawl and the Combaticons participated in an all-out Decepticon attack on Cybertron, {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} until [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] arrived and drove them away. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Shortly afterwards, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] set out to find the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and bring it to Optimus Prime, and the Combaticons were among the troops sent out to stop him. They were ambushed by the Protectobots, and defeated when Defensor buried Bruticus in a rockfall. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Not long after that, the Combaticons defended [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] against [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]]'s attempted infiltration, but failed when the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] arrived and distracted them. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

[[File:IRMLFE Decepticon cheer.jpg|thumb|200px|]]
The Combaticons were later part of ''another'' attack on Cybertron, during which they killed plenty of [[Generic|soldiers]] before getting into another fight with Defensor. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} They lost. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}} When the Decepticons planted a giant carnivorous plant in [[San Francisco]], the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] were stationed to attack any Autobots who arrived to kill it. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}} When the Autobots were preparing [[energon cube]]s to aid the planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], Brawl attacked them alongside the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], taking [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]'s place for [[Animation error|reasons unknown]]. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}} [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] later sent all the Combaticons, Terrorcons and [[Horrorcon (G1)|Horrorcons]] to attack an Autobot energy facility in [[Florida|Miami]], in order to lure Autobot troops away from [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} The Combaticons also later unleashed Bruticus as Sixshot continued his reign of terror over the Autobots on Earth. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

Brawl was present when [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] held a speech about Galvatron's recent death and took control of the Decepticons. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}} Bruticus was later part of a small group of Decepticons who tried to lead Fortress Maximus away from the Decepticon base on [[Master (planet)|Master]]. {{storylink|The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide}} The combiner then stood by and laughed as [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] sank the luxury liner ''[[Queen World]]'' in the Atlantic Ocean, before being ordered to defend a [[Death Tower]] in [[Australia]]. Bruticus easily took care of Defensor when the Autobot tried to destroy the tower, but was ordered to retreat when the machine activated. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} As Bruticus, the Combaticons participated in the final battle with the Autobots at the North Pole, and retreated into space when Scorponok's energy-absorbing satellite started tearing the Earth apart. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
When the Combaticons were hosting an illegal arms trading market, Brawl was annoyed to find his gun and combiner extremity among Swindle's wares. {{storylink|Shopping at the Dark Bazaar!}}

=====''Zone''=====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violengiguar]] gathered together the [[Nine Great Demon Generals]], upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. Brawl was of those summoned, but only as part of Bruticus. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
In [[2050]], Bruticus and the Decepticons joined the revolution of the [[Selector]]s against their human masters. The [[Quintesson]]s and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s sided with the humans, and [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] attacked all while craving Angolmois Energy. In battle with a scrambled version of [[Computron (G1)|Computron]], Abominus crashed into Bruticus and Menasor and stole some of their limb components to make an even stronger version of himself. Brawl was left abandoned on the battlefield as [[Abomenaticus]] charged back into the fight. {{storylink|Abominus comic 2}} Later on, however, he appeared on the [[Precursor World]] and helped [[Turtler]] form the [[Scramble 7]] combination. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}

====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
[[File:Manga8 Brawlshootsadog.jpg|left|thumb|FWUMP]]
When Menasor's baseball stadium/command base was attacked by Superion and Defensor, Bruticus came to his aid. He quickly took out Defensor, damaging [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and preventing the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] from combining again. However, Superion blasted Brawl and Swindle away with his [[electrostatic discharger rifle]], allowing [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] and [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] to steal their places as Bruticus's legs and fly away with him. Brawl followed them, meagerly yelling for his enemies to wait up. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5}}

The Combaticons were later sent to hunt down an escaped [[Battle Dog|puppy]] that Megatron had experimented on. Brawl was pretty happy when he got a few shots in on the fleeing animal, but was reprimanded by [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] as they were supposed to capture it alive. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] soon showed up to save the dog, and using its energy, he and the [[Mini-Vehicle]]s defeated the Combaticons. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #8}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====
In the year [[2010]], Brawl participated in a Decepticon attack on the planet Feminia. He and his team merged into Bruticus in order to battle alongside Menasor and Devastator against their Autobot counterparts Superion, Defensor and Omega Supreme. The fight was fairly evenly matched until Galvatron called up his ace-in-the-hole, [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], whose power was unmatched by any of the Autobots... except for the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]], who essentially tied Predaking's shoelaces together until he fell over, straight into Bruticus and his chums, sending them all toppling to the ground and knocking them to bits. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{note|Brawl only appears as a component of Bruticus}}

=====''The Great Transformer War''=====
Galvatron kidnapped Doctor [[Dalton]] of [[Eran]] to upgrade the might of his combiner warriors. When the Autobot combiners arrived to save Dalton, Brawl and his teammates were deployed at high speeds from Onslaught's launcher mode. They met Superion in mid-air, and the force of their deployment enabled the combiner teams to tear him apart. The Combaticons then merged into Bruticus to move in for the kill. They were ultimately outwitted by the Autobots, however, who rescued Dalton and safely returned to Metroplex. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1|The Great Transformer War #1}}

=====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic=====
Brawl formed the right leg of [[Scramble 7]], a Decepticon combiner using various combiner team members in a supposedly "ideal" configuration. Scramble 7 attacked the Autobot base on [[Athenia]], but was defeated by [[Ginrai (human)|Super Ginrai]], [[Lightfoot (G1)|Lightfoot]] and [[Ranger]] thanks to their use of [[Chōkon Power]]. {{storylink|The Battle Begins! The Earth-Space Alliance Army}}

=====''Zone'' comic=====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violengiguar]] gathered together the [[Nine Great Demon Generals]], upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. Brawl was of those summoned, but only as part of Bruticus. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
[[File:EliteGuardCombaticons TheComingStorm2.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.8]]
Brawl was part of an Autobot [[Elite Guard]] special ops unit created by [[Magnum]] to take out the various [[Decepticon Warlord|leaders]] of the new Decepticon faction, in the hopes of ending the war quickly. He was assigned to the "Combaticons" as their Ground Assault specialist. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 2}}

Before they could get started on their primary mission, however, the [[Autobot High Council]] had a more...diplomatic mission for the Elite Guard. Teamed with their fellow squad, [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]'s Strike Team, Brawl and the Combaticons were to make contact with an archeological team heralded by [[Alpha Trion]] as responsible for one of the greatest finds of recent history. Brawl had little interest in the old bot's preaching, and he spent the mission briefing drawing little cartoon bombs and explosions on the sheet in front of him. When the Councilbot started talking about demolition work, though, Brawl suddenly became more interested in the job.

Out at [[Median]], they found the mission was even more complicated than Alpha Trion let on. Dig coordinator [[Flip Sides (G1)|Flipsides]] explained how they had uncovered a massively powerful artifact known as the [[Heart of the Dragon]], and the Decepticons had already become aware of it. Brawl and the Elite Guard began fortifying the town to [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]'s specifications to resist attack. Although he preferred DEstruction over CONstruction, Brawl still got to make a lot of noise setting up the barricades, so he enjoyed the work immensely. When [[Dion (G1)|Dion]] of the Strike Team commented how he sometimes missed his truck mode after seeing Brawl in action, the gruff Combaticon laid out his credo for life: ''Reformatting's for wimps.'' Oh, and ''"Aim for the mouth, so's you don't have to talk to them."'' One bot, many credos.

When the attack came, Brawl operated on the second line of defense with Onslaught, [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] and the Strike Team's weaponry expert, [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]]. Once the Decepticon [[Stormtrooper (G1)|Stormtrooper]]s made it through the first line, however, it became a game of cybercat and ironmouse, as the 'Cons split up and used sensor ghosts to send the Elite Guard chasing their tails. By the time Brawl even got a clean shot at one of 'em, the Decepticons had already secured their objective and were speeding back to base.

The Elite Guard pursued them and managed to infiltrate the Stormtroopers' transforming mobile fortress, the [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]]. They were forced to confront [[Brimstone (G1 Decepticon)|Brimstone]], a tiny but powerful Transformer brought to life by the Heart of the Dragon. His fiery breath decoupled molecules, sending even Brawl scurrying for cover. Despite said scurrying, Brawl was uncomfortable with leaving Brimstone to burn himself out like the turncoat Stormtrooper [[Drench (G1)|Drench]] suggested. One can only hope the massive explosion that consumed Brimstone and leveled the Metrotitan was enough to satisfy Brawl's battlelust. {{storylink|Flames of Yesterday}}

Over the following weeks, the Combaticons and Strike Team continued working together on co-assigned missions against the Decepticon hierarchy. Although they bonded on a personal level, the Combaticons were aware Metalhawk's team was a bit more...squeamish about the duties of war than they were. When they captured a [[Warrior|Decepticon cubeformer soldier]], for instance, Brawl tortured the unwilling informant away from the Strike Team to get the information they needed, and Onslaught concocted a story about a suicide implant to explain the Con's demise. After successfully assassinating Decepticon field leader [[Shadowcaster]], the Combaticons remained in the field to search for more information. They got more than they bargained for and were captured by [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s forces. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 3}}

Brawl and the Combaticons were isolated behind Oan energy bars, although Brawl was stubborn enough to constantly try and force his way past the unbreakable bars, until his exo-structure was smoldering with the feedback. They were brought before Deathsaurus, who slyly began to manipulate the Special Ops Team into becoming true "Combaticons" under the Decepticon banner. A personal touch was added to sway every Combaticon, but for Brawl he needed to do little more than suggest he ''needed'' help from the Elite Guard in order to fight. That was all it took to make Brawl determined to destroy the Elite Guard just to prove Deathsaurus wrong. Brawl...not very bright. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 4}}

The Combaticons led an assault on Elite Guard headquarters with Deathsaurus's forces and unveiled the modifications their new commander had fitted them with: combination technology to form the big, bad, battlin' [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]! {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 5}} Bruticus managed to slaughter pretty much all of the Guard before [[Dion (G1)|Dion]] blinded the giant, forcing them to separate. They headed back to Deathsaurus's base for repairs. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 6}}

Repairs proceeded, but the Combaticons were startled to learn that Deathsaurus could force them to combine into Bruticus at will. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 1}} {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 2}} They still turned out to help defend the base against the remnants of the Elite Guard. Brawl started bashing [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] around, and finally the moment he'd been waiting impatiently for came — the Combaticons began to merge... and were promptly blasted. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 3}} When it turned out they'd been blasted by more survivors of the Elite Guard massacre, Brawl announced they'd have to have another go at killing them all, but sadly Blast Off was indisposed, so they couldn't form Bruticus. During the end of the battle retreat, Brawl pointed out that Blast Off was still missing, and it delayed the team long enough for the Elite Guard to capture them. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 4}}

In the hands of the compromised [[Gyronian Sentry|Gyronian Sentry Team]], the Combaticons were whisked away to Deathsaurus's fortress, now under Megatron's control. Though Megatron gave them the option, none of them cared to help Deathsaurus, and they were imprisoned and their personality components subsequently interred in the Decepticon Detention Center. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Buster combaticons second generation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]
''[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], who had held the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] inside his mind, once experienced nightmares of strange new Transformers, [[Special Teams]] with the ability to merge into a giants. Brawl and his Combaticon teammates appeared in one of Buster's earlier dreams, before he sought help from the Autobots. In order to process the information his subconscious was feeding him, Buster linked his mind with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], so that the next dream came through far clearer than the previous ones. Together, they saw into the near future, where Brawl and the Combaticons encountered the Autobots at the [[Pullen Power Plant]]. Here, the Combaticons joined forces with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] against their Autobot counterparts, the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. The Combaticons fought together as Bruticus, but were defeated by the teamwork shown by Autobot gestalts [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. After Prime and Buster awoke, the Autobots immediately went to work designing these new warriors. Thanks to [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s hacking skills, however, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] also saw the visions and began working on their own Special Teams.'' {{storylink|The Special Teams Have Arrived}} {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Swindle brawl afterdeath.jpg|thumb|left]]
On his first mission on Earth, Brawl was sent with the Combaticons and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] to steal a [[hydrothermocline]] device from [[Energy Futures Industries]]. When they arrived, they were met by Optimus Prime and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], laying in wait for them. Brawl combined with his team to form Bruticus, but before the giant got a chance to brawl with [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], [[Ethan Zachary|a human]] suggested that they'd play a [[Multi-World|video game]] over the plant instead. Optimus Prime and Megatron both agreed, and Brawl was sent into the video game along with the other Combaticons, Protectobots, and faction leaders. Brawl teamed up with [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to destroy [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] in the "Vineland" area of the game. However, they were tripped up by a bunch of vine creatures, [[Decrystallizer cannon|crystallized]], and blown to smithereens. Game over. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}} ''These events were observed by the [[time travel]]ling [[Dicet Alpha-zero]].'' {{storylink|The Quest!}}

[[File:GonebutNotForgotten Brawlheadcrush.JPG|thumb|"MEGATRON... PLEASE, NO!! I... CAN'T BREA... WAIT!! I... HAVE A... MOU..." *krunnk*]]
Unluckily for him, Brawl learned nothing about caution from this experience. A few days later, he mouthed off at Megatron, telling him to get over the fact that Optimus Prime had died by someone else's hands. Megatron proceeded to pop Brawl's head like a ripe melon and throw his deactivated body into a wall. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}}

''He got better. On a later mission, Soundwave and the Combaticons were commissioned with destroying the inactive super-Decepticon known as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], who had been trapped inside the lava flow of an active volcano, preserving him like a fly in amber. Shockwave, who had been commanding the Combaticons ever since Megatron was believed dead in a [[space bridge]] accident, nevertheless saw Galvatron as a potential threat to his command, and wanted him eliminated permanently. Vortex and the others were to set up explosive charges around the mouth, burying the future warrior forever. Their plans were waylaid by a group of human females, who used up most of the explosives against the Combaticons. The Decepticons were then forced to retreat once [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and the [[Throttlebot]]s arrived to back-up the humans, but they swore vengeance for the interference.'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}}

[[File:Brawl first aid used autobots.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]
After chasing the Throttlebots around, the Combaticons eventually attacked them in a car lot, and Brawl got into another fight with the Protectobots as they arrived on the scene. Blaster stopped him from shooting [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] in the back, and the Combaticons were eventually forced to retreat. {{storylink|Used Autobots}} Shortly afterwards, the group decided to ambush the Protectobots on their way to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. They failed to take the Autobots completely by surprise as Hot Spot recognized Brawl's tank tracks on the ground, and the ensuing battle quickly led to the groups combining. Bruticus claimed victory over Defensor with his brute strength, but was soon tricked and broken into his component parts by Blaster. {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}}

[[File:Brawl prime bomb.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7]]
Brawl was amongst the large number of Decepticons who ambushed the Autobots on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], only to be beaten back by Blaster and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

''Eventually, the Combaticons fell under the command of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. On his orders, Brawl's team staged a raid on the [[Rutter U.S. Military Base]]. There, they secured two armed warheads and components from an advanced guidance computer. The Protectobots intervened part-way through the theft, but once Blast Off cleared the area with the loot, the rest of the team used hit-and-run tactics to fend their rivals off, eventually managing their own getaway.''

''Afterwards, the remaining Combaticons went to check on [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]'s progress at [[Alternate Reality, Inc.]], where Scorponok had likewise tasked them to steal a [[floppy disk]] containing a back-up copy of Optimus Prime's mind. They found [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] about to shoot the jets out of the sky, and blasted the Combiner in the back, crippling him before he could pull the trigger. With the mission a success, Brawl's group then made themselves scarce.'' {{storylink|Prime Bomb!}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
When the Decepticons engaged in many attempts at obtaining Earth's energy resources around the globe, Brawl and the Combaticons joined forces as Bruticus to battle Superion. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Totalwar-combaticons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]
Brawl was among the Decepticons preparing to charge into battle against the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]. The skirmish ended with the Decepticons soundly defeated. {{storylink|New Dawn}} He was later with his fellow Combaticons attempting to defend the [[Warworld]] against boarders. The enemy managed to overrun the vessel. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===The Special Teams===
Brawl and the rest of the Combaticons were created by Starscream on a remote Pacific island, by combining military vehicles with Energon cubes. They then drove to the [[Pullen Power Plant]], passing Optimus Prime en route, though the Autobot leader was none-the-wiser to the Decepticons in disguise. Onslaught, Brawl and Swindle arrived first on the battlefield, coming upon Menasor already engaged in battle with Defensor. Onslaught then ordered to rest of his team to merge with him to form Bruticus. {{storylink|The Special Teams}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
Brawl was damaged trying to breach [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s defenses. He was towed in for repairs by Onslaught and the Decepticon recovery crew. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}

===Battle Beneath the Ice===
[[File:BBTI-Combaticons.jpg|thumb|right]]
Brawl joined his fellow Combaticons, Vortex and Blast Off, in searching for a city the humans had found hidden beneath the ice. After a brief battle with the Aerialbots, both sides learned that the [[city-dweller]]s were dangerous to Autobot and Decepticon alike, and joined forced against the [[Watcher]] and his ilk. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the Aerialbots complied with the truce, allowing Brawl and the Combaticons to leave unmolested once everything was over. {{storylink|Battle Beneath the Ice}}

===St. Michael ''The Transformers'' Sticker Book===
{{notemultipath}}
Brawl and the rest of the Combaticons served under [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] on a Decepticon ship, when they managed to shoot down the ship being captained by Ultra Magnus. After the Autobots crash-landed on planet [[Barrenikon]], the Decepticons landed their ship nearby to finish off their enemies. In the many possible adventures that followed, Brawl and the other Decepticons often underestimated you, which often led to them losing to the Autobots, leaving them either stranded on Barrenikon, or fleeing after they received too much damage. That is, if you somehow didn't get yourself killed at their hands. {{storylink|The Transformers Sticker Book (St. Michael)|The Transformers Sticker Book}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Brawltww.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|This... is my BOOMSTICK!]]
Brawl participated in [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s siege on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} and, upon arrival, quickly shifted to his tank mode to rain down firepower onto the Autobot stronghold. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}} He was joined by fellow heavy-artillery 'bots, [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] and [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] in his assault. {{storylink|The War Within issue 4|The War Within #4}} Brawl was on the front lines of the Decepticon army when they finally managed to penetrate the last of the Autobots' defenses. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}}

During the Dark Ages, when Optimus Prime and Megatron both disappeared into a prototype space-bridge, both factions splintered into several sub-groups. During this time, footage of Brawl's part in the Iacon attack was reviewed by Prowl in preparation for attacks on multiple fronts. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} As part of a combiner group, Brawl's actions were somewhat limited by the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]; it is unknown how he occupied his time while the Accord was in place. {{storylink|Devastation (issue)|Devastation}}

Millions of years later, the Combaticons were considered war criminals and held in the detention blocks on Cybertron. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Starscream arranged to have them released and brought to Earth as his own private brigade, absconding from Cybertron as Shockwave's regime was being overthrown by the Autobots. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Returning to the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' via an uncooperative [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], Starscream realized he needed to take parts from the Autobots' [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] if he ever hoped to get the ''Nemesis'' flying again, and for that he needed considerable firepower. Fortunately, there was a nearby abandoned military testing ground from which the Combaticons could scan Earth-based alternate modes. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} When the attack on the ''Ark'' was launched, the Autobots had little problem defending against the first wave, successfully capturing [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], but several of the Autobots were soundly beaten when the Combaticons showed up and combined into the mighty Bruticus. The behemoth attacked the ''Ark'' freeing his Decepticon compatriots before going after [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. Unfortunately, the Autobots activated their ship's self-destruct before escaping, damaging the Combaticons in the resulting explosion. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}}

Damaged or not, the Combaticons soon had to face a powerful enemy when the crazed zealot [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] appeared on Earth, but before they could attack him, Bruticus' head was blown apart by [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] in the Autobot supply ship ''[[Orion]]''. In the aftermath, Bruticus's barely-conscious body was battered upon by an angry Brawn. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} Starscream was forced into an alliance with the Autobots to save his neck, and the Combaticons were partially recharged as released as part of the arrangement. {{storylink|Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire}}

[[File:Onslaught G1DW routeofallevil.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

The repaired Combaticons were brought to Guadalcanal where they could hone their somewhat lackluster combat skills and listen to Starscream's long-winded aspirations of glory. When Swindle commented on Starscream's mental state, Brawl agreed, stating that he'd like to pull the Air Commander's cerebro circuits straight out of his faceplate so they could get a better look at them. Starscream overheard their conversation, but let it pass in order for them to fight the magnificent Autobot [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Unfortunately, the Combaticons did not fare well when the crafty Autobot split into his two forms, with Brawl and Onslaught nearly crushed by the Lynx's right paw.

This was the least of their troubles, however, as [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] showed up as soon as Sky Lynx was deactivated. This encounter also did not end well. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
As part of [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s forces, Brawl defended the newly unified Decepticon army's base against a combined Autobot/[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] strike force. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===''The Beast Within''===
During an all-out Decepticon offensive, Brawn helped the Predacons battle the Dinobots. When the Dinobots combined into their gestalt form, Brawl combined with his fellow Combaticons in order to square off against [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]]. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{First|[[Spotlight: Arcee]]}}
[[File:Autocracy12-BrawlOnslaughtSkullgrinBlitzwing.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|"C'mon! Us tank 'Cons gotta stick together!"]]
Early in the war, Brawl defended the [[Citadel (building)|Citadel]] from the Autobots as part of Blitzwing's unit and was ordered with [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] and [[Skullgrin]] to contain the Autobot forces. He got crushed by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] soon after the order. {{storylink|Endgame}} Together with the other Combaticons he left Cybertron rather than suffer [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s leadership, and they made their way to the [[Presidium (planet)|Presidium]] to steal a weapons cache for their own use. Inside the vault was not weapons, however, but [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] who offered the Combaticons payment to return to the fold now that [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] was back. {{storylink|Primacy issue 2|Primacy #2}} They accepted and returned to Cybertron to participate in Megatron's attack on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|Primacy issue 3|Primacy #3}}

[[File:Spotlight Arcee Arcee hits Brawl.jpg|thumb|right|It was the easiest way to kick Bruticus in the shin.]]
Brawl was a member of the Combaticon tactical unit under the command of [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]]'s [[Decepticon Secret Service]] and helped capture the [[Pretender Monster|"gestalt" transformers]] being held in the [[Garrus-9]] detention facility. He loved killing things: "''We aim to maim!''" Presumably, he was not particularly keen on being maimed himself, as he was impaled by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]]'s twin saber blades. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

After a deal was negotiated between Arcee and Banzai-Tron, Brawl and the other Combaticons later helped her in an attempt to recapture [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] (who had been stolen by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime's]] forces), though the insane Autobot disappeared mid-battle. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:Land Ironclads Brawl misses Swindle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|"Seriously, I'd give up my personality component to have him back."]]
Years later, most of the Combaticons were left stranded and energon-less on Earth following a failed invasion. They were hired by [[North Korea]]n leader [[Kim Jong Du]] to lead an attack on the [[South Korea|South]]. Brawl, Onslaught and Vortex destroyed a South Korean outpost on the border of the DMZ to this end. {{storylink|International Incident Part 1: "The Land Ironclads"|The Land Ironclads}} They chafed under Kim's leadership, but unlike them, the Koreans knew how to produce [[energon]], so they had no choice but to obey. Inevitably, the Autobots showed up to stop the Combaticons from getting involved with human conflicts, but were forced to stay in their vehicle modes for the battle. Car modes and [[Skywatch]] [[crash suit]]s were hardly a match for a tank like Brawl, and the Combaticons got away. {{storylink|International Incident Part 2: "Ranks of Bronze"|Ranks of Bronze}}

While Brawl and his teammates were celebrating their victory, the Autobots returned, and this time they had no problems with transforming. Without exclusive access to robot modes, the Combaticons were outnumbered, with Brawl having to deal with [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] and [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] simultaneously. {{storylink|International Incident Part 3: "Hawk Among the Sparrows"|Hawk Among the Sparrows}} He soon found himself defeated and tied up whilst the Autobots dealt with both the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] and a [[Russia]]n [[Nuclear weapon|nuke]] sent to wipe them all out. While they made sure to destroy the North Korean energon facilities, the Autobots couldn't take prisoners at the time, and so the Combaticons were presumably set free. {{storylink|International Incident Part 4: "All My Sins Remembered"|All My Sins Remembered}}

[[File:Only Forward Brawl tortured.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|right]]
Several months later, Brawl and [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] attacked Prowl as he investigated some sensitive issues. He wasn't worried when [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] came to Prowl's rescue, since the Autobots could never penetrate his armor plating in tank mode, but was defeated and captured after Prowl fired a shot straight through his barrel. Stuck in a state of mid-transformation, he was brought to the Autobot base and interrogated as to who sent him. Brawl insisted that it was all him, but when pressed for information, a failsafe installed in his body by Swindle activated and fused the Autobots' [[Suppressor (device)|suppressors]] to his neural net, sending him into nigh-[[stasis lock]]. {{storylink|Police Action Part 2: Only Forward|Only Forward}} {{storylink|Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|A Second Chance at Eden}}

Brawl was eventually cured and brought home to a reformatted Cybertron, where he was brought by Starscream with a bunch of other Cybertronians to pressure Prowl into revealing one of his secret discoveries below ground. Later underground, they witnessed a [[Titan (group)|Titan]] declare that Starscream was the Cybertronian destined to unite their whole race. He and the other Cybertronians celebrated afterwards with Starscream. {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things}} When Megatron returned from a long absence only to be captured by the Autobots, Brawl and the other Decepticons started a riot and assaulted the Autobot prison, rescuing him. {{storylink|The Verge}}

In the wake of Megatron's defection to the Autobots, [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] took command of the Decepticons and led them back to Earth, where they formed an alliance with [[Earth Defense Command]] against the Autobots. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|Hello Cruel World}} Once [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s arrived with a team of Autobots, Brawl and the others confronted them at the town of [[Poverty Flat]], passing themselves off as United States military vehicles to the locals. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} This attempt at secrecy was foiled when the Autobots brought in a defected [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], forcing the EDC to teleport the Decepticons out of there. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} The Decepticons clashed with the Autobots again at the EDC's [[Marshall Islands|Bikini Atoll]] base in a battle that ended with massive damage to their [[Nemesis (G1)|ship]]. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}}

[[File:SouthOfHeaven-BrawlLaserbeakBuzzsaw.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|Brawl's secret love for the song "I'm Like A Bird" is revealed.]]
Brawl joined Soundwave's group in visiting the satellite commune that the humans were building for them near Jupiter, but found himself the source of many of [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]'s jokes due to his unease floating around in zero-gravity. {{storylink|South of Heaven}} He took a shuttle back to Cybertron with [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] to make contact with the disgruntled Decepticons and teamed up with [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]], and proceeded to whip up anger and intimidate Camien evangelists. Brawl told Dreadwing that Galvatron was the leader they should've ''always'' had, but during a bar conversation with their new ally, Brawl found himself increasingly angry that Needlenose kept talking about negotiations, soft power, and communes. He overturned their table and got cheers from the crowd as he yelled that the Decepticons should just ''take'' "what is ours", from equality to whole planets. (Then, being a dick, he asked Needlenose to buy replacements for the drinks he'd just spilled.) {{storylink|The Transgressors}}

Remaining on Cybertron, Brawl started hanging out with his fellow Combaticon teammates again as they stewed over Starscream's leadership and his attempts to sweep the past aside. {{storylink|The Will of the Few}} On [[Chosen One Day]], Brawl and the guys bought Onslaught a brand new grenade to show him they cared. {{storylink|Choose Me}}

[[File:Perihelion-BrawlShoulderTackleArcee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.8|That's for [[:File:Spotlight Arcee Arcee hits Brawl.jpg|THIS]]!!!!]]
Following a Decepticon rally, Brawl and his fellow Galvatron loyalists approached Starscream about getting unfettered access to the space bridge for their people. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}} That night, they led a Decepticon march through Iacon Spaceport 1. After blasting Needlenose's interfering brother [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], Brawl and the other Decepticons used the bridge to travel to the ''Ark-7'', where they confronted the Autobots trapped inside Blackrock's force field. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} Brawl battered Arcee into shutdown, then walked into the captured bridge and casually shot the defeated [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]. Then he cut into Needlenose's call to Soundwave and explained the ''real'' reason for all this: Galvatron wanted them to invade Earth and all that "peace" and "alliances" talk was bunk. The ''Ark-7'' was crashed into [[Shanghai]] and the Decepticons all fell into line with Galvatron, with Brawl cheerily telling Needlenose he was glad the guy hadn't gone soft after all. NOW LET'S KILL SOME HUMANS!

When the Autobots abruptly arrived {{storylink|Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion|Perihelion}} Brawl ecstatically threw himself into the fray. However, the [[Earth Defense Command]]'s "[[mindbomb]]" felled him within the first minute, the [[People's Liberation Army Mecha Force|Chinese Mecha Force]] began tearing through the Decepticons, and all his team either fled to Soundwave or, in Galvatron's case, teleported out. Brawl was taken through the space bridge by [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]], but began fighting his way through the Autobots in a panic and reignited the fight at the other end. Barely surviving an attack by Devastator, he was able to slip away. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}}

While Onslaught was busy trying to find Swindle's body, Vortex and Brawl took several odd jobs to pay for their home and Engex. He showed particular annoyance when Blast Off went out as well, given that their client was found by Blast Off. {{storylink|07:00:00}} During the riots, Vortex and Brawl took Engex bets on whether or not Blast Off was alive; Vortex won the bet and added that today was a good day for the Combaticons as a whole. When Onslaught took Blast Off for debriefing, Vortex threatened that he and Brawl would go on without them, though it proved just to be hot air. {{storylink|Applicable Skills}}

[[File:TheLineBetweenUs CombaticonsAntespace.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
When Blast Off eventually found the location of Swindle's body, he and Onslaught went after Rattrap. They soon met up with Blast Off and Vortex, who had learned from Wheeljack that Swindle was brain dead and his body was being held deep inside Metroplex. After being led to Swindle, {{storylink|Things We Said We'd Never Do}} Onslaught used the [[Enigma of Combination]] to fuse all of the Combaticons into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. However, due to Swindle's brain dead mind, Bruticus was incredibly unstable, and Brawl initially panicked from Swindle's pain of being shot. Regardless, Brawl, Vortex and Onslaught all began reveling in their new-found power despite Blast Off's reservation regarding their actions. Soon the gestalt was defeated, and Brawl passed out on the pavement. {{storylink|The Line Between Us}}

Brawl and the other Combaticons were imprisoned and awaiting trial, though Ironhide was reluctant to prosecute them if their mental scarring proved too great. {{storylink|Ping}} The Combaticons were still comatose when Starscream told the [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukarian]] [[Mnemosurgery|mnemosurgeon]] [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]] to turn them to his side as one of his combiners. Because the Combaticons' minds had imprinted on each other during their combination, Airachnid found them more susceptible to the process, and thus had them believe that they had always been working for Starscream, using the aware-of-the-manipulation Blast Off to cover any holes in the story. As a result, Brawl and the others were made to believe that they had been Starscream's secret and loyal bodyguards, and that their forming of Bruticus had been a last-ditch attempt to save Swindle's life with Starscream's approval. {{storylink|The Price of You}} Soon the Combaticons "resumed" their work of protecting Starscream, and on Onslaught's first day back Brawl prepared to take the night shift. {{storylink|If I Know You}}

[[File:TAAO Annual Brawl Fears.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Brawl singlehandedly doubles his character development within a single page.]]
Brawl was among the security detail for the ceremony to welcome Earth into the Council of Worlds. When [[Iron Ring|a group of human assailants]] attacked, he mobilised to fight back and evacuate Starscream. {{storylink|First Strike issue 1|First Strike #1}}

During her campaign for the role of Cybertron's leadership, Windblade invited people to speak with her one-on-one, Brawl was an unexpected speaker. Admitting that he was now afraid of dying because of the near-death experience caused by the forming of Bruticus, Brawl told Windblade he didn't want the war to start over and that she was the best candidate to prevent that from happening. During the final debate, Starscream revealed all of his crimes to the public, including the manipulation of the Combaticons. As a result, Brawl and the other Combaticons were imprisoned for their rampage as Bruticus. {{storylink|The Chosen One}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Another Episode, Part 1}} {{storylink|Another Episode, Part 2}}}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
Summoned by Starscream to act as his elite squad (whose first mission, of course, was to overthrow [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]]), Brawl rolled onto the scene alongside [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], and a repainted [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]. When Onslaught boasted that they could leave the strategy to him, Brawl declared that he'd handle the destroying. Like Onslaught and Swindle, Brawl was irritated when Vortex offered to stay behind and guard the base. When the Combaticons combined into Bruticus, Vortex constant worry for the base's safety compelled the team to withdraw. Shortly after, Starscream, under imminent threat of a beating from Megatron, contacted the team to demand to know where they were, Brawl joined his teammates in happily informing their illustrious leader they were all protecting the base together. Aww. {{Storylink|New Military Unit Combaticon! Bruticus, Combine!}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
The Combaticons infiltrated [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] disguised as their vehicles, with Brawl taking on the form of a [[MOBAT]] tank. During the Decepticon-[[Cobra]] attack on the [[United Nations]], the Combaticons revealed themselves and combined into Bruticus to fight [[GIJONIN]]. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}
{{-}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
The [[Combaticon (G1)#Prime Wars Trilogy marketing material|Combaticons]] fought multiple tours together. It's likely that the first one of these was when they all changed their alternate modes to Earth-based ones. {{storylink|Source:Combiner Wars pack-in comic bios|Decepticon Blast Off's bio}}

Brawl was often needled and frustrated by his fellow Combaticons in order to make better use of his focused battlefield fury. He often needed to be told important information multiple times, but he ''was'' learning from [[Onslaught (G1)#Prime Wars Trilogy marketing material|Onslaught]]. {{storylink|Source:Combiner Wars pack-in comic bios|Brawl's bio}}

The other Combaticons knew better than to trust [[Swindle (G1)#Prime Wars Trilogy marketing material|Swindle]] with ''anything''. {{storylink|Source:Combiner Wars pack-in comic bios|Swindle's bio}}

Bruticus as a combined form was created by [[Shockwave (G1)#Prime Wars Trilogy marketing material|Shockwave]] for the express purpose of pummeling Autobots. {{storylink|Shockwave (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Decepticon Shockwave's bio}}

[[Blast Off (G1)#Prime Wars Trilogy marketing material|Blast Off]] was captured at one point, leaving the team unable to form Bruticus. Eventually, they were reunited. {{storylink|Source:Combiner Wars pack-in comic bios|Decepticon Blast Off's bio}}

The Combaticons were posted on Cybertron during the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]]. {{storylink|Source:Combiner Wars pack-in comic bios|Swindle's bio}}{{storylink|Source:Combiner Wars pack-in comic bios|Decepticon Blast Off's bio}}{{storylink|Source:Combiner Wars pack-in comic bios|Vortex's bio}}{{storylink|Source:Combiner Wars pack-in comic bios|Brawl's bio}}

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

===''Win If You Dare''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare|Win If You Dare}}}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Constructicons Rising, Part 4|''Galaxies'' #4]]}}
[[File:WarsEndPartTwo Brawl.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]
At some point, Brawl posed in a group photo with many Cybertronians, including [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. {{storylink|Open Comms}} As a member of [[The Rise]], Brawl came to pickup the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] along with the [[Energon]] cubes they had produced off of [[Mayalx]] with [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]], and Blast Off. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 4}}

Back of Cybertron, [[Exarchon]] the Threefold Spark returned and recruited his old collaborator Shockwave at the Rise base. Brawl and the Combaticons decided to throw in with Exarchon rather than become smaller fish in the Decepticon army. {{storylink|War's End Part One}} The Combaticons deployed to meet a second Threefold Spark body, possessing [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]], at a hidden base he had never shared with Shockwave. They agreed to serve as deterrence for any invaders while Exarchon finished his plans. Sure enough, [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and a force of Decepticons led by [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] soon assaulted the canyon. {{storylink|War's End Part Two}} A group of Autobots became involved as well, but they all pulled back once the Combiner [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] arrived from deep space at Shockwave's call. Brawl and the others cautiously welcome Devastator, along with the Rise's other lieutenant [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] as reinforcements. Exarchon became greedy, however, and tried to impose his spark on Devastator rather than using him as an ally. {{storylink|War's End Part Three}} He failed, but it left the Constructicons disabled and useless as support. The Combaticons soon faced a united attack from the Autobots and Decepticons again. Exarchon was defeated, trapped in a Titan spark cage, which was then destroyed. Brawl and his cohorts were taken into Decepticon custody. {{storylink|War's End Part Four}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
{{charstubfiction}}

===Energon Universe===
[[File:TF2023 no. 9 – Onslaught & Brawl.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.12|''10 Haunting Photos Taken Moments Before Disaster'']]
Brawl and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] chased down [[Elita One (G1)#Energon Universe|Elita One]] through a [[space bridge]], as [[Onslaught (G1)#Energon Universe|Onslaught]] commanded the team to form [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], the fembot shot the space bridge terminal with Brawl halfway through, bisecting the Combaticon at the waist. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 9|Transformers #9}}

After the Autobots retreated and the Decepticons began repairing the space bridge, Onslaught dragged Brawl out of the way, assuring his comrade that he would be made whole soon. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 10|Transformers #10}} Following the battle, a huge chunk of Cybertron fell into the ocean, but Brawl and Onslaught were rescued from the ensuing carnage by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. After being pulled aboard, Brawl corroborated Starscream's assertions of the Combaticons' penchant for violence. Later, the group returned to the crashed section of Cybertron and reunited with the remaining Combaticons. Brawl and Onslaught agreed with Starscream's assertions that [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] was an ill-fitting leader, Brawl asserting that he was a traitor for his plotting against [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. The group then watched as Starscream slaughtered most of his human rescuers. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 14|Transformers #14}}

Once the Combaticons were repaired, Starscream led them into battle against Soundwave, the quintet combining into Bruticus, {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 15|Transformers #15}} who was then defeated by [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 18|Transformers #18}} With [[Megatron (G1)#Energon Universe|Megatron]]'s return, Brawl fell in line, and later brought forth a badly-wounded Astrotrain so that the newly repaired Starscream could execute the triple changer as punishment.{{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 20|Transformers #20}}

He then reformed Bruticus for an attack on the [[Ark (G1)#Energon Universe|Ark]]{{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 21|Transformers #21}} Later, After a final battle with the Autobots in [[Chicago]], Brawl, as a leg, was seen torn off Bruticus.{{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 24|Transformers #24}}

{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Brawl, [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], and [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] were part of a Decepticon attack force that assaulted the Autobots' launch site. All three were rammed by Ultra Magnus in his vehicle mode as he entered the fray. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Ultra Magnus|Ultra Magnus commercial}}
*Brawl and the rest of the Combaticons charged down a ravine to face-off against [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. As they neared him, the Combaticons combined into Bruticus and took to the skies. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Bruticus and Metroplex|Bruticus and Metroplex commercial}}
*Brawl was part of a massive battle between Kreons. He and the Combaticons combined into Bruticus to gain the advantage in battle, and then chased the Autobots off alongside [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Commercial#Kre-O|KRE-O Transformers Micro Changers and Combiners Construction Sets commercial}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
Brawl was active in the Decepticon/Autobot war when [[Doctor Arkeville]] created [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. He didn't take an active role when the Doctor's creation went on a rampage and was stopped by the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] however. {{storylink|Nemesis Rising}} Brawl assisted [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] and [[Apeface]] in attacking the Autobots on Earth in an attempt to obtain the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber]], but even with his help, the mission was a failure. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Earth Defense Command}}
{{-}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|King Pig#As Brawl}}
Brawl appears as one of the first unlockable characters. He is portrayed by King Pig. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsBrawl.jpg|thumb|400px|left|I could bend over to use my tank cannon, but this oversized gun is ''way'' better!]]
Brawl participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Rare character who could be recruited by collecting 160 units of Cybermetal, and 95 units of Transmetal. He was also a starter character for all players at a later point in the game. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[file: BrawlEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|Hey, no need for a giant gun on my back. I got a Grenade Launcher. And '''LOUD ROCKETS'''.]]

Whether he be talking, blasting or even just walking, Brawl lives to be loud. A constant clank and bang of rattling metal emanates from his frame on any battlefield he's on, the cacophony of noise annoying any of his fellow Decepticons nearby, Combaticons included. Furthermore, he's volatile and quick to explosive anger, and is just all around an unpleasant fellow, though this reputation at least serves to terrify his foes.{{storylink|source:Transformers:_Earth_Wars/2016#Brawl|Brawl Bio}}

Brawl is one of warriors on Earth alongside his fellow Combaticons. He's probably jealous that [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] got to Earth first before him. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

When Swindle gets wind that the Autobots are on the move to a signal in the Arctic, he and Brawl try to head there themselves. Brawl, as usual, makes himself REALLY loud by shouting, As usual. Swindle tells him to shut up or at least be more quiet, until Starscream comes and finds out about Swindle's plan, and leads the operation himself. Brawl calls for them to wait up.

When they arrived, he shouted what in the [[Anatomic euphemism#Lugnuts|lugnutz]] had they found. Megatron, who was already there, told him that it was a [[Planet-Destroying Fortress]]. Brawl wanted to blast the entrance open, but Megatron told him that their presence must remain secret to the Autobots on the surface. After Shockwave suggested an alternative, Megatron ordered Brawl to bring in the Constructicons.
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Arctic Saga - Frozen Fortress}}

While the Constructicons were drilling through the fortress. Brawl made himself extremely noisy, And Long Haul complained that "Brawl has to '''SHOUT''' continually!". He set up the high explosives to break though the main chamber, and he and Starscream went in first, but retreated upon seeing Deathsaurus. For once he was speechless. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Arctic Saga - What Lies Beneath}}

He appropriately yelled, "LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" when the fortress was about to self-destruct.
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Arctic Saga - Monster Within}}
*'''Added''': [[April 6]], 2016
*'''Autobot Counterpart''': [[Prowl (G1) #Transformers: Earth Wars|Prowl]]
*'''Class:''' Gunner
*'''Star Ratings:''' 2 - 5 stars
*'''Weapons''': Brawl uses a standard issue grenade launcher, but with grenades that make a larger BOOM. And it's loud. VERY loud.
*'''Ability: '''Rocket Barrage - Brawl fires off 4 rockets dealing damage around the target.
**'''Cost''': 6 ability points +2 for reuses.
*'''Level 11 Bonus''': Explosions created by rockets have twice as large a radius.
*'''Compatible C.O.M.B.A.T.s:'''
**Companion
**Ranged
*'''Collection Group''': Combaticons
*'''Combiner''': Bruticus

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:brawl Brawl at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)===
[[File:Brawl TFO.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"Don't worry, my friends! I will be your shield!"]]
{{bigquote|I'm just wild by default.}}

When it comes to notoriety amongst the Decepticons, Brawl is considered the bully of the bunch. Brawl's hot-headed demeanor causes him to easily lose his temper. Regardless of faction, he will relentlessly attack anyone who gets in his way. Despite his wild, militaristic disposition, Brawl is still an exemplary soldier in combat. He is often assigned to serve in a Decepticon vanguard unit. No one knows Brawl's brash shouting was to keep himself sane, because if he keeps quiet, he feels like nothing but a lowly coward.

In battle, Brawl wields the "[[Giant Fists of Fury]]" and a double barreled, semi-automatic "[[Eye of the Thunderstorm]]" submachine gun. His active skill is "Smart Cover":
*'''Smart Cover''' — Brawl projects a transparent wall in front of him that only he and his allies can pass and shoot through. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero12.shtml Brawl on the Transformers Online website]</ref>
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOBrawl.jpg|thumb|left|100px]]
Brawl was in command of the fifth Decepticon base attacked and destroyed by the Autobots during a series of raids. He pursued the invaders in tank mode launching several bombs and missiles against his target, but foolishly ran over his own bombs and blew himself up. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Brawl was a member of the Combaticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

On Earth, Brawl and the other Combaticons acted as a liaison between the Decepticons and the forces of [[Cobra]], offering them advanced alien technology in exchange for their full cooperation. While meeting with [[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]] in southern [[France]], the Autobots attacked and only narrowly escaped after Onslaught wounded Bumblebee. The Combaticons, minus Swindle, spent days pursuing the battered Autobots across southern France before bumping into a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] encampment; leery of their advanced weapons and unable to form Bruticus, the Combaticons retreated. {{storylink|Cobra/Con Fusion}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:G1Brawl toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Available in space camouflage.]]
*'''Brawl''' (Combaticon, [[1986]]/[[1987]])
**''Team ID number'': '''C1'''
**''Takara/GiG ID number'': '''D-67'''
**''Accessories'': [[electron gun]], twin [[sonic cannon]]
:''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Brawl transforms into a green Leopard 1A3 main battle tank. In vehicle mode his armament is supplemented by a large dark gray anti-aircraft gun mounted of the back of the tank's hull. In robot mode Brawl is armed with a small dark gray gun. Brawl normally operates as Bruticus' left leg, but as a [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Scramble City]]-style combiner, he can also act as any other limb for any other combination of robots who share the connection design. Bruticus's package art has Brawl face forwards when latter becomes one of the legs while the instruction manual has Brawl face backwards like his in-show appearance. Forward-facing Brawl ''seems'' to be the intended configuration, as the back of his tank turret has a gap that fits perfectly around the back of Onslaught's leg, but neither option affects the combiner's overall stability and, let's face it, Bruticus having a turret on his knee is goddamn ''awesome''.

:The initial release of Brawl had [[die-cast]] metal treads on his legs, but like several other 1986 toys, later releases replaced this with colored plastic. In 1987, he came packaged with a random Decepticon [[Decoy]] and accompanying mini-comic/checklist.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Brawl/brawl.htm More information on Brawl at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|G1Bruticus}}{{anchor|Bruticus}}
*'''Bruticus''' (Gift set, 1985)
**''Takara ID number'': '''D-69'''
**''Accessories'': electron gun, twin sonic cannon
:In addition to his single release, Brawl was also sold in a "Bruticus" [[giftset]] alongside the other Combaticons. The gift set was never available in the USA or Canada, but only in [[Japan]] and [[Italy]].

:In 1988, [[GiG]] also re-released the Bruticus set in Italy, with five random "Exogini Transformers" ([[Decoy]]s) added.

{{anchor|1991Classic}}
*'''Decepticon Brawl''' ([[1991]])
**''Accessories'': electron gun, twin sonic cannon
:Brawl was re-released in 1992 as part of the [[Europe]]an-market ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line. This version uses the plastic treads, and his [[rubsign]] indent has been filled in.
{{--}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:G2-toy Brawl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Before [[Megaplex]] came about, Megatron disguised Brawl as himself to draw fire away.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d2|'''Brawl''' (Combaticon, [[1994]])}}</ul>
:*''Team ID number'': '''C1'''
:*''Accessories'': "Electron gun", "twin sonic cannon"

: Released in the second year of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', the original Brawl toy was [[redeco]]ed into bright green with purple camo (sans any customer-applied stickers). Presumably this is so he can hide in the same green and purple forests as [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Megatron]]. This version uses only plastic parts, no die-cast metal.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Decepticon/Brawl/brawl.htm More information on ''Generation 2'' Brawl at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|G2FOC}}{{anchor|G22012}}
[[File:Generationstoy-G2Brawl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"I don't care what "G" it is, I'm staying green."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d2|'''Bruticus''' (Box set, [[2012]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Franks]] (deco artist)}}

: A redeco of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Deluxe Class ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' [[Brawl (WFC)#Generations|Decepticon Brawl]], available only as part of an Amazon.com/[[BigBadToyStore]] shared exclusive "Decepticon Bruticus" [[giftset|gift set]], with all the Combaticons' colors based on their 1994 ''Generation 2'' counterparts.

: Brawl's [[alternate mode]] is a green "[[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]]" hover tank with a twin-barreled turret. Unlike most other Transformers toys with tank alternate modes, Brawl sports ''no'' wheels whatsoever. His robot mode rifle can be attached to the turret (between the two cannon barrels) and thus serve as an additional weapon. In robot mode, Brawl can hold his rifle (which features a [[5 mm post]] as its handle) in either hand.

: In addition to his robot and vehicle modes, Brawl can also combine with his fellow Combaticons into Bruticus and serve as any of the gestalt robot's four limbs, though his official configuration shown in the [[instructions]] is the left leg.

: This toy was [[retool]]ed into ''Fall of Cybertron'' [[Twintwist#Toys|Twintwist]].
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:Universe-ROTF-toy Brawl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66| BRWL!]]
*'''Bruticus Maximus''' ([[2008]])
**''Series'': '''G1 Series'''
**''Accessories:'' Energon Gun-radar/hand, Decepticon-type [[energon star]]
:''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Brawl is a redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Kickback (Energon)|Kickback]]/[[Blight (Energon)|Blight]] sculpt, transforming into a green [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/gepard/gepard1.html Gepard] anti-aircraft tank. His tank mode is adorned with the text "1MJ9" in a font that says "brwl" when read upside-down. When combined with the other Combaticons, Brawl is nominally Bruticus Maximus' left leg, though he can be used in any other limb position.

:He was only available as part of the ''Universe'' Bruticus Maximus [[giftset]], which also contains [[Blast Off (G1)#Universe (2008)|Blast Off]], another redeco of the same sculpt used for Brawl. The ''Universe'' version of the giftset was initially intended to be released as a [[Target]] exclusive in the United States, but ultimately ended up being only available in some non-American markets such as Australia and Singapore. Instead, American markets eventually received a [[rebranding|rebranded]] version of this giftset (with no changes to the toys themselves) in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' packaging (thereby creating a new version of the pre-existing [[live-action film series]] [[Brawl (Movie)#Exclusive figures|Brawl]] character as well as a new [[Blast Off (ROTF)|Blast Off]] character), exclusively available at Target stores in the United States and at Zellers stores in Canada.

:This sculpt was also used to make ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], as well as the ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' versions of Brawl (see [[#United|below]]) and [[Blast Off (G1)#United|Blast Off]]. Another planned redeco, ''[[Transformers (2007 toyline)|Movie]]'' [[Gunbarrel (Movie)#Tiys|Gunbarrel]], was canceled.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TargetBrawl/brawl.htm More information on ''Universe'' Brawl at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Encore''===
*'''Bruticus''' ([[2009]])
**''ID number:'' '''16'''
:A reissue of the original G1 Brawl toy at first sight, this toy is actually a redeco of the ''Robots in Disguise'' Armorhide retool of the sculpt. This version of Brawl was only available as part of a Bruticus gift set released under [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' line of reissues.
{{G1CombaticonMold}}
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy Scout Brawl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Ooh, I feel dizzy...]]
*'''Decepticon Brawl''' (Scout Class, [[2012]])
**''Accessories:'' cannon
:A redeco of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Hunt for the Decepticons'']] [[Breacher (TF 2010)#Toys|Breacher]], ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Brawl transforms into a Land Systems OMC {{w|Ratel IFV}}. His cannon uses the [[C joint]] system, so it can be clipped onto multiple places on his robot mode, as well as on other figures with appropriate mounting points. (The [[instructions]] completely neglect to mention this, instead insisting on keeping the weapon attached to the vehicle roof mount in robot mode, thus keeping his weapon on his back even though he comes packed with the gun clipped onto his fist.) His arm-panels also utilize 3 mm clips, therefore they can be equipped with assorted C joint accessories. They can also be removed and used as shields as they too are attached to his wrists with C-joints. The side of Brawl's alt mode is decorated with "D67", the Japanese ID number of his original toy.

:Originally developed by Hasbro Asia for release in their territories, Brawl was brought over with many other toys as [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusives for the 2012 holiday season.

:This mold would also have been used for the canceled ''Reveal the Shield'' [[Bodyblock (TF 2010)#Toys|Bodyblock]] toy.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/GDOBrawl/brawl.htm More information on ''Generations'' Brawl at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

[[File:Generationstoy-RetailBrawl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Decepticon Brawl''' (Deluxe Class, 2012)
**''Series/number'': '''01/#007'''
**'''PART 5 OF 5!'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''TG05'''
**''TakaraTomy release date:'' [[January 26]], [[2013]]
**''Accessory:'' rifle
{{note|The Aligned [[Brawl (WFC)#Retail|Brawl]] toy was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as Generation 1 Brawl in many continuities.}}
:A [[redeco]] of Decepticon Brawl from the [[Bruticus (WFC)#FOCDeluxe|Decepticon Bruticus]] [[giftset]] was available individually alongside his fellow Combaticons as part of the second [[wave]] of the ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]''-themed 2012-onwards Deluxe Class ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' assortment. These versions of the Combaticons replace the [[Show-accuracy|game-accurate]], Generation 1-inspired decoes with more "flashy" colors apparently homaging the color scheme of [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]].

:Aside from the colors, mass retail Brawl is identical to the version from the Decepticon Bruticus gift set.

:Unsurprisingly for an Aligned toy inspired by Generation 1, ''Fall of Cybertron'' Brawl was used in multiple Generation 1-based stories. The Hasbro deco appeared in IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' comic series<ref>Brawl's first appearance in "season 1" of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' came in the the 2012 [[Primus: All Good Things|''Robots in Disguise'' annual]], wherein artist [[Andrew Griffith]] drew him according to the contemporary High Moon Studios [[:File:WFC Brawl.jpg|game model]] that debuted in ''War for Cybertron''.</ref> while the TakaraTomy deco [[Brawl (G1)#Transformers: All Spark|appeared]] in the ''[[Transformers: All Spark]]'' manga series and the ''[[Transformers Cloud]]'' illustrated text stories.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/Brawl/brawl.htm More information on ''Generations'' Brawl at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''United''===
[[File:UnitedBrawl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bruticus''' ([[November 7]], 2012)
**''Accessories:'' Energon gun-radar/hand, Decepticon-type [[energon star]]
:Released exclusively by TakaraTomy in non-Japanese Asian markets, this redeco of the ''Energon'' Bruticus Maximus set has colours similar to the previous ''Universe''/''Revenge of the Fallen'' release, but with a greater emphasis on G1-accuracy. Brawl trades in the olive coloured plastic for dark green and grey. Additionally, the gun-radar/combined mode foot/hand previously cast in translucent coloured plastic is now opaque grey, though his energon star remains orange.
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy Brawl.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Decepticon Bruticus''' (Micro-Changer Combiner, 2013)
**''Set number'': '''A2225'''
**''Pieces'': '''79'''
**''Accessories'': pistol, bazooka, 2 clip-on treads
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

:Brawl comes as part of the [[Bruticus (G1)#Kre-O|Bruticus]] [[Micro-Changer]] combiner set, and can be rebuilt from his robot mode into a tank. He can also contribute his bricks to form Bruticus. Unlike [[Swindle (G1)#Kre-O|Swindle]] but like [[Onslaught (G1)#Kre-O|Onslaught]], and [[Vortex (G1)#Kre-O|Vortex]], he is based on his [[#Toys|Generation 1 toy]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/Kre-OBrawl/brawl.htm More information on Brawl at TFU.info]''

{{anchor|Combiner3pack}}
*'''Combiner Robot Mega Pack''' (3-pack, [[2016]])
**''Set number'': '''???'''
**''Pieces'': '''245'''
:3 years later, the 3 Micro-Changer combiners Superion, Bruticus, and Menasor were reissued and released as a 3-pack. The toys were unchanged from their individual releases.

===''Bot Shots''===
[[File:BotShots 5packBrawl.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Combaticons''' (Team 5-Pack, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''T0??'''
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Scribner]] (deco artist)}}
:**''Fist strength'':
:**''Blaster strength'': '''307'''
:**''Sword strength'':

:A gray and green redeco of the [[Brawl (Movie)#Bot Shots|original Brawl mold]], this figure was to have been part of a 'Combaticons' Team 5-Pack alongside [[Onslaught (G1)#Bot Shots|Onslaught]], [[Blast Off (G1)#Bot Shots|Blast Off]], [[Swindle (G1)#Bot Shots|Swindle]], and [[Vortex (G1)#Bot Shots|Vortex]]. Ultimately, the ''Bot Shots'' line was cancelled before the set saw release.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CWDlxBrawl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Third party? I don't need no slaggin' third party!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Brawl''' (Deluxe Class, 2016)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Barrel/rifle, gun/hand/foot
{{toydesigner|[[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Part of the fifth wave of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Deluxes, Brawl transforms into a military tank of some kind. Though the turret cannot rotate, the barrel can hinge up and down. Said barrel can also pop off for Brawl to wield in robot mode as a rifle. The gun/hand/foot accessory can also be attached to the turret to homage to his tank mode with [[Sonic cannon|twin sonic cannon back in G1]].

:Brawl has a slight engineering problem: his waist isn't designed to completely collapse into itself to attach to the hips, so he literally has no stomach (stock photography tends to hide this issue by showing Brawl from a high angle). Additionally, due to tolerance issues on many copies of the figure, the waist doesn't click in in its intended configuration—leading his chest to often flop backward. Later samples of Brawl and all subsequent uses of the mold however appear to have the remedied the issue for the most part allowing the waist to at least stay tabbed in. Additionally, his robot mode legs do not peg very firmly together, resulting in them separating frequently in arm configuration. Particularly, the tab on the hardpoint for the combined mode hand does not fit snugly into the slot. The tab and slot on his knees is similarly loose, but to a lesser degree.

:As Brawl is a ''Combiner Wars'' figure, he can combine with his fellow [[Combaticon (G1)#Combiner Wars|Combaticons]] to form [[Bruticus (G1)#Combiner Wars|Bruticus]] as either an arm or a leg. He can also combine with any ''Unite Warriors'' Voyager class figure or even form one of [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber]]'s legs.

:Brawl comes with a copy of "''Combiner Wars'' #2" (actually [[Night and the City|''Robots in Disguise'' #9]]), while regional versions outside of the United States come with a collector card. He and the last three waves of ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe and Voyager figures later showed up at TJ Maxx at reduced prices with the collector card.

: This mold was retooled to make [[BotCon 2016]] [[Ram Horn#Combiner Wars|General Ramhorn]], [[Nosecone (G1)#Generations|Nosecone]], [[Drillhorn (G1)#Generations|Drillhorn]], and [[Killbison#Generations|Ironbison]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Decepticon/CWBrawl/brawl.htm More information on ''Combiner Wars'' Brawl at TFU.info]''
{{CWBrawlMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|CWG2}}{{anchor|G2BruticusSet}}
[[File:CW-toy Brawl G2.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I am [[Hulk|HULK]]!!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bruticus''' (Collection Pack, 2016)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': barrel rifle, gun/hand/foot

: The entire ''Combiner Wars'' Combaticon team was redecoed into close approximations of their ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' colors; honestly Brawl turned out pretty spot-on, maybe a slight shade darker but nothing especially egregious.

: This release seems to have the more secure waist from the original deco's later runs.

: This version of the team was only available as a large boxed set, which also included a ''Generation 2''-ish version of [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#CWG2|Shockwave]]. This was the fourth of five different combiner "Collection Pack" box sets, which were "shared exclusives" sold by numerous online retailers... though many ultimately ended up at US discounters like Ross and TJ Maxx.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Decepticon/CWG2Brawl/brawl.htm More information on ''Combiner Wars'' Generation 2 Brawl at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:TF-Unite-Warriors-UW07-Brawl.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Ironically, his favorite ''Super Smash Bros.'' game is ''Ultimate''.]]
*'''Bruticus''' (giftset, [[June 25]], [[2016]])
**''ID number:'' '''UW-07'''
**''Accessories'': Individual Combatron Weapons, Combatron extremities
:''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Brawl is a redeco of the ''Combiner Wars'' mold in a color scheme based on his cartoon appearance, including changes such as giving him a gray head with yellow eyes and red faceplate and a hand-foot-gun cast in the same brown as his body. Brawl was sold only in a multi-pack with the other Combatrons.

:As a Deluxe Class ''Unite Warriors'' figure, he can combine to form the leg or arm of any combiner from Hasbro's ''Combiner Wars'' subline or any ''Unite Warriors'' figure, but would usually be associated with Bruticus.
{{CWBrawlMold}}
{{--}}

===''Age of the Primes''===
[[File:AOTP-Brawl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The official return of his long lost abdomen.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Combaticon Brawl''' (Voyager Class, [[2026]])}} </ul>
:*'''3 of 5: [[Bruticus (G1)#Age of the Primes|Bruticus]]'''
:*''TakaraTomy name:'' '''Brawl''' (ブロウル)
:*''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''AOTP-30'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date:'' [[2026]] [[April]]
:*''Accessories:'' 1x small blaster, 2x cannons
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[July 25]], [[2025]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T18IQaMuGVk Transformers Brand Panel Recap | SDCC 2025 | Hasbro Pulse] on YouTube, with [[Mark Maher]], [[Evan Brooks]] and [[Nate Purswell]].</ref>

:Released as part of the first 2026 wave of ''[[Transformers: Age of the Primes|Age of the Primes]]'', Combaticon Brawl converts from Sunbow accurate robot mode to tank. Unusually for a Scramble City limb released throughout ''Legacy'' and ''Age of the Primes'', he is a Voyager, not a Deluxe, to give him a little more bulk and complexity, and ratchets to provide ankle articulation for the Combaticons' combined mode…. or so the designers said, as the actual toy includes no such ratchet. This price point bump does allow him to come with a pair of large cannons in addition to his handheld blaster, like his original toy.

:He, of course, combines with his fellow ''Age of the Primes'' Combaticons (or, at least, Onslaught's frame) to form [[Bruticus (G1)#Age of the Primes|Bruticus]]. In line with other "frame" combiners made in recent years, he forms only the leg, with the ankle joint restricting him to the left, with no arm mode.

:Word of warning: the instructions tell you to lift the feet up farther than is possible on the toy. Several copies of this figure have also been reported coming with stress marks on the leg mode's ankle joint out of the box.

:Brawl was revealed at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2025.

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Eaglemoss===
* '''Transformers Gen-1 Chess Set''' (<s>2021</s>)
:In the planned [[Chess#Eaglemoss|Transformers Chess Set]] by [[Eaglemoss]], a relatively large and very well detailed statue of Brawl was slated to be one of the Pawn pieces on the Decepticon side.

:A Kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary funds for this project was launched, but failed to meet its goal by September 24, 2021 and the whole thing was canceled.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Character Card''===
[[File:Transformers Character Card Bruticus and Defensor.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb]]
*'''Guardian & Bruticus Set''' ([[December]], [[2023]])
**''ID number:'' '''71 & 72'''

:Released as part of the tenth wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of "[[Defensor (G1)|Guardian]]" (with his components [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], [[Groove (G1)|Groove]], and [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]) and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (with ''his'' components [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]], [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]], [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and Brawl) along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]].
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#71|Translation of Defensor's Transformers Character Card]]''
{{-}}
===''Blokees''===
[[File:Blokees-TF-Galaxy-Defender-04-Brawl-Vehicle.jpg|thumb|200px]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Brawl (Vehicle)''' (Defender Version, 2025)}}</ul>
:*''Series:'' '''Galaxy Version Defender 04- Tyrant's Fury'''

:Released as part of the fourth wave of the ''Defender Version'' line of blind boxes, this ''Blokees'' kit of Brawl is molded in his tank form. Like the Constructicon vehicles, Brawl features two combiner hardpoints for Bruticus.

{{-}}

==Notes==
*The [[character model]]s of the Combaticons are kinda... okay, ''heavily'' made-up. Brawl has a lot of extra bits, and his arms are completely different from the toy. Early models of the team which were a bit more accurate to the toys—except for the heads, oddly enough—have shown up in various sourcebooks, though Brawl's is still off in some very odd ways. Even his final vehicle-mode model is off-kilter, resembling a British {{w|Centurion tank|Centurion}} more than a German Leopard 1.
*The packaging of the 1990 European [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] release of the original Onslaught toy depicted the Combaticons in new color schemes, despite the fact that the actual toys looked identical to their original releases. While it may never be known for certain, it has been theorized that these colors originated from a packaging printing error rather than a legitimate attempt to [[redeco]] the Combaticons.
*Brawl's animation model was used multiple times (in both robot and tank modes) as [[generic]] Decepticons in the [[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'' cartoon]].
*According to the [[Walmart]] computer database, there seemed to have been plans at some point for a ''[[War Within (franchise)|War Within]]'' version of Brawl in the 6" ''[[Titanium Series]]'' line. No other evidence of these plans has come to light.
*In the ''Wings of Honor'' continuity the Combaticons are swayed to the Decepticon side by Deathsaurus appealing to their darker natures, represented by one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Shockingly, Brawl's Wrath was his undoing (though one might also make an argument for Lust. Battlelust, that is.)
*Interestingly, Hasbro documentation pertaining to the alternate [[Ironclad]] head for ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe Class [[Rook (CW)#Toys|Rook]] labeled it as a "Brawl" head.<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/145413-the-second-annual-petes-robot-convention-and-dab-academy-june-9-10-2018/page-14#entry3744333 Comments by Pete Sinclair and Jesse Wittenrich]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Brawl''' (ブロウル, ブロール ''Burōru'')
*''French:'' '''Baggareur''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Huligán''' ("Hooligan")
*''Italian:'' '''Bomber'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Zhēngchǎo''' (Taiwan, 爭吵, "Brawl"), '''Chǎonào''' (China, 吵闹, "Brawl")
*''Russian:'' '''Grom''' (cartoon, Гром, "Thunder")
*''Polish:'' '''Awanturnik''' (TM Semic Comic, "Troublemaker")
{{--}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:G1OddCombat.jpg
File:EuroClassicsCombaticons.jpg
File:WFC Brawl.jpg|High Moon Studios concept base which inspired Brawl's 2012 IDW robot mode
File:WFC-Brawlvehicle.jpg|High Moon Studios concept base which inspired Brawl's 2012 IDW vehicle mode
File:CW Brawl cvr.jpg|''Combiner Wars'' comic packaging art
File:EW-skin-Brawl-G2.jpg|''Earth Wars'' ''Generation 2''-themed skin
File:Transformers 2023 15 2nd Ptg Cover A.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Age of the Primes Decepticons]]
[[Category:Amazon exclusives]]
[[Category:Combaticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Elite Guard]]
[[Category:Encore]]
[[Category:Energon Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Character Card Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Decepticons]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity

2025-08-13T00:12:38Z

CyberstormSM: /* Student, Senator, Shadowplay */

{{factions|senator|decepticon|onyxprime}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
[[File:Transformersrid 17 cover clean.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|IDW is <s>mostly</s> ENTIRELY his fault.]]
When it all comes down to it, everything is about resources. '''Shockwave''' has always recognized this, and while those around him pursued power and politics and other petty concerns, the master scientist focused his superlative intellect on defeating entropy and securing the future of his species. A game-player and king-maker, Shockwave plans for ''everything,'' and while the [[shadowplay]] inflicted on him by the [[Senate]] may have robbed him of his emotions, it did nothing to curb his ambitions.

Although the dangerous logician sided with the [[Decepticon]]s in the war that eventually gripped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], this is merely an alliance of convenience: Shockwave serves no cause but his own. Following eons of careful work, the scientist's influence is truly galaxy-spanning, and when his machinations reach fruition, the universe may never be the same again.

{{bigquote|All life '''is''' equal. I merely assign it a '''quantifiable value—'''zero.|Shockwave|"[[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done]]"}}

{{first|''[[Spotlight: Shockwave]]''; [[Ghost Stories|''Transformers'' Annual 2017]] (as Onyx Prime)}}

==Fiction==
===Student, Senator, Shadowplay===
{{bigquote|I always did have a '''flair''' for the '''dramatic'''.|Shockwave making the understatement of the century|"[[Post]]"}}
[[File:RID17 senator shockwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.55|There's something different about Shockers here...]]
Six million years ago, long before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Shockwave was the greatest student of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} With the Cybertronian population growing exponentially under [[Nova Prime]]'s program of expansion, the forward-looking Shockwave grew fearful of an [[energon]] shortage that he saw as inevitable. Inspired by Jhiaxus's talk of a prophecy known as "[[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron]]" that predated the rise of Nova Prime, he began experiments to develop a self-regenerating energy source. Distilling an ore from energon, Shockwave sought to test his creation by seeding it beneath [[Crystal City]], but unfortunately, the city was ravaged in a battle between [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and Jhiaxus's newest terrible creation, the combiner [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. The city's ruins were subsequently sealed beneath the planet's surface, leaving Shockwave to believe his test was unlikely to complete itself. Moreover, Monstructor's defeat was the first time he saw his teacher and his works as fallible, and as Jhiaxus left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]]'', Shockwave took up his role, striving to study and better his master's works. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} In doing so, he began studying the secrets of ancient Cybertron, amassing a thorough knowledge of the rise of the [[Thirteen]] and the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] that saw their alliance undone. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who was Named}}

Becoming a [[senate|Senator]] in the new regime that formed on Cybertron, Shockwave marked his first day in the Senate by announcing the founding of the [[Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technology]], in memory of his departed teacher's good works. He immediately clashed with Senator [[Proteus (G1)|Proteus]], whose short-sightedness and [[functionism]] sat ill with Shockwave, but found a friend in Senator [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]], who was initially wary of his continued study of Jhiaxus's sciences, but with whom he shared a dislike of Proteus. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} Shockwave quickly developed a reputation as an extremely expressive individual (known for changing his colour scheme regularly) that even saw him suspended from duty on occasion for "emotional outbursts unbecoming a senator". His master's teachings drove Shockwave in his work, as he focused on myriad ways of advancing the Transformer race: in addition to repeatedly voting to bring back Nova Prime's spark-splicing programs, he secretly used the Academy as a safe haven for [[Outlier (group)|outliers]], Transformers with abnormal abilities and functions who were hated and feared by functionists because their abilities had nothing to do with their alt modes. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} He taught his closest charges of the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]], {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} sank billions into various offworld projects, and came into contact with the enigmatic [[Omega Guardian]]s. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} His contact with the aliens would lead him to theorize that an artifact in their possession, the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]], was actually one of the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]], one with such a powerful urge for knowledge that he had surrendered his body in the process. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

[[File:ChaosTheoryPart2 Orion and the Senator.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|...something I just can't quite...]]
Recognizing that Proteus and current planet leader [[Nominus Prime]] were resistant to change, Shockwave began befriending certain promising young Cybertronians and modifying them so that they could carry the [[Matrix of Leadership]], with the hope that one of them could take leadership of their race and steer Cybertron off the dark path the Senate had placed it upon. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} When police captain [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] stormed into a Senate meeting with accusations of corruption amongst its ranks, Shockwave saw this potential in him. The damaged Pax was apprehended after his tirade, but Shockwave arranged for his release and repair, adding a Matrix chamber to his chest. After his release, Pax met his secret benefactor in front of the ''Ark-1'' memorial, where Shockwave warned him that factions within the senate had arranged for a recent attack on Nominus Prime in an attempt to gain control of the Matrix's power. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2|Chaos Theory #2}}

[[File:Unnamed senator in Patternism.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|...seem to put my finger on...]]
In time, word of Nominus's death was released to the public; although the Prime's passing was attributed to a rust infection, when Shockwave met with Orion and his friend [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], he was able to confirm that the Senate had their head of security [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] kill Nominus when the Matrix within him proved to be a fake. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} Soon after, Pax received a tip-off from revenge-seeking former Senate agent [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] of a plot that was soon to claim Shockwave's life, so Pax had Ratchet and [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] visit the Academy of Advanced Technology and take him into protective custody. Along with Pax's other allies, Shockwave was able to provide enough evidence to help Orion figure out that the Senate had turned the fake Matrix in Nominus's body into a bomb that they would detonate as his body lay in state, which they could blame on the trouble-making [[Decepticon]] movement, an underground organization advocating the dissolution of the functionist regime. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} Shockwave gathered three of his outlier students, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Tarn (G1)|Glitch]], and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], to help with the theft of the Matrix-bomb, but he himself was kept under guard in case things went wrong. Shockwave laughed that off, thinking he was too high profile for Sentinel to assassinate, but in the midst of the heist, he found out how wrong he was when Senate thugs burned down the Academy and broke into the safehouse intending to capture him: Sentinel had found out about the army of outliers and was ''very'' unhappy. While Orion Pax was willing to fight to save Shockwave, the senator willingly went with his captors rather than allow Roller to be killed in his name.

[[File:Shadowplay3-SenatorWho.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|IDW sure loves their splash panels of Shockwave being assembled. And we sure love uploading them!]]
The captive Shockwave was taken to the [[Institute]] and subjected to "[[Shadowplay]]", the emotion centers of his brain cut out by [[mnemosurgery]] to change his entire personality, turning him from a fiery crusader into an emotionless husk. To add insult to injury, Proteus and Sentinel had [[empurata]] performed on him, taking away his face and hands, replacing them with a featureless mask and claws solely out of spite. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

===Joining the Decepticons===
[[File:RID17 useful effect.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|{{w|Edward Scissorhands|I'm not finished}}]]
Proteus could not have predicted the monster his actions would unleash. Where he had considered the mutilation of Shockwave a punishment, Shockwave, freed of the bonds of morality by the removal of his emotions, felt ''liberated'' by the experience, now able to take the most logical path to saving Cybertron. Shortly after lying about his previous energon-shortage concerns during a hearing so he could continue to work toward a solution alone, Shockwave was approached by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who brought him before [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], leader and founder of the Decepticons, who had recently turned to increasingly excessive terrorist tactics. Realizing that Shockwave had a goal of his own, but with no interest in what it actually ''was'', Megatron offered him a laboratory and the resources to continue his work that the senate could not provide, in return for Shockwave using Jhiaxus's technology to create a combiner for the Decepticons. Shockwave accepted, though he cautioned that the creation of the combiner could take a very long time. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} He did not know it at the time, but his mere presence had made him an object of distrust to Megatron's loyal lieuteant, [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]], because he could not read his Shadowplayed mind. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

Severing his ties with Orion Pax, Shockwave used the resources Megatron had provided to secretly continue his alternate energy experiments, more sure than ever that the political strife raging across Cybertron would ultimately give way to a war not over ideals, but resources. He distilled a variety of different synthetic energons and tested them on an assortment of innocent Cybertronians, few of whom—if ''any''—survived the myriad unusual effects the new fuels had. Seeking to speed Shockwave's science, Megatron offered him a pair of hands to replace his empurata-granted claws, but upon hearing of Megatron's plan to kill the Senate the following day and truly began a war on Cybertron, Shockwave chose to take only one hand, replacing the other with a gun he saw as being more useful for the coming conflict. In one last lingering moment of sentimentality, however, he visited Dai Atlas's quarters the night before the planned assassination and shot him, wounding him enough that he was unable to attend the Senate meeting, thus sparing him the other Senators' fates. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} Shockwave joined the Decepticons in their attack on [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] the next day, and met with Soundwave to arrange the construction of a new body for captured senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. {{storylink|Soundwaves (issue)|Soundwaves}}

[[File:Autocracy8 shockwave destroys destructor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Shockwave, that wasn't the enemy...that was the bunny sanctuary" "I'm still counting that as a win"]]
The deaths of the Senate and Sentinel Prime allowed [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta]], another of Shockwave's candidates, to ascend to the rank of Prime. By the time of Zeta's reign, Shockwave's sinister experiments had earned the scientist a reputation as "obsessed with combiners". {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}} Together with [[Ferak]], Shockwave invented a "nightmare transmitter" that used Soundwave's abilities to manipulate an average Transformer, [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], into supporting the Decepticons with terrorist acts. The experiment was ended after Orion Pax and [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] tracked the signal and raided Shockwave's base. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} Over time, Zeta's extremism forged strange bedfellows; when Orion turned on Zeta, he was badly injured by the Prime and had to be rescued by Megatron and the Decepticons. Shockwave repaired his old friend's wounds, and witnessed Orion's unit form an alliance with the Decepticons. {{storylink|Choices}} When the two sides launched an attack on Zeta, Shockwave gained the satisfaction of destroying the last [[Guardian robot|Omega Destructor]], then witnessed Megatron's betrayal of Orion's unit. {{storylink|Overthrown}} Megatron's short-lived rule of Cybertron came to an end when the Autobots attacked the [[Citadel (building)|Citadel]] and defeated him, forcing Shockwave to call for a retreat. {{storylink|Endgame}}

[[File:Monstrosity9 shockwave vs grimlock.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Shockwave is foiled by the illogic of space dinosaurs.]]
Not long thereafter, Shockwave was present at [[Kolkular]] when [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] announced that he had banished Megatron for his failure to hold Cybertron. {{storylink|Wreckage (issue)|Wreckage}} When the [[Exodus (event)|exodus]] began, Scorponok had the Decepticons assault [[Starsreach Spaceport]], an attack that Shockwave saw as an inefficient use of resources. {{storylink|Massacre}} His forces met with resistance from a raging [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] who tore them to pieces and shrugged off Shockwave's firepower, forcing him to call for another retreat while picking shrapnel out of his arm. They rejoined Scorponok at the [[Toraxxis Plains]], where to their shock and horror they found him in the process of reawakening [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Unleashed}} With Scorponok having accomplished nothing but bringing Cybertron further into ruin, the Decepticons rejected him as soon as Megatron returned from his exile. Once their true leader had dealt with the usurper, Shockwave repaired the injuries he had sustained during his absence. {{storylink|The Illusion of Control}} He was subsequently present as Megatron turned a defeated Trypticon into a Decepticon, {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (issue)|Belly of the Beast}} and was among those who boarded the beast's starship mode and left Cybertron in search of the Decepticons who'd defected during Scorponok's reign. {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}} Once the Decepticon army was reconsolidated, they returned home for an all-out assault on Iacon, {{storylink|Primacy issue 3|Primacy #3}} during which Shockwave oversaw a failed tactical strike on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}}

[[File:ALonelyPillarOnThePlain-BattleOfJunkion.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|Prick Vs. One-Eyed Willie.]]
Shockwave later led a squad back to Junkion to claim the world's gravimetric core for use as a weapon. His squad was met by Prowl and eventually one of them decided to detonate the core and destroy Junkion. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}}

As the war progressed, Shockwave helped create the super-Decepticons known as the "[[Warriors Elite]]", programming them with killswitches and viruses that would prevent them from turning on Megatron. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} He was also known to have commanded a [[Worldsweeper]] at some point during the conflict. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} Shockwave also made the mistake of earning the enmity of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] after they stole a cache of energon from him; reaching the logical conclusion that if he could not have the energon, neither could they, Shockwave tracked them back to Autobot territory and destroyed the energon supply. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} At some point he stood over Megatron's shoulder while the Decepticon leader and [[Solomus|Tyrest]] tried to broker a peace accord. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}}
{{-}}

===Regenesis===
Six hundred thousand [[Units of time|meta-cycles]] ago, Shockwave's experiments with alternative energy sources reached a turning point with the program he called "[[Regenesis]]". He covertly launched thirteen rockets from Cybertron to thirteen other worlds with specific geological properties, each carrying with them a different kind of ore distilled from energon that would be seeded across the target planets. It was Shockwave's hope that the chain reactions which would ensure would potentially yield thirteen different kinds of energy sources that could abate the energy crisis that was now looming ever larger. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} At the time, Shockwave selected the planets at random, simply seeking out specific geological profiles that would allow his ores to take root. Unknown to him, all the worlds he had selected had been touched in some way by the [[Thirteen]] Primes as arranged by his future self millennia beforehand. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[File:Shockwave Regenesis.jpg‎|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Scientific progress goes "KT-TKK"]]
Around 100,000 years after launching the rockets, Shockwave left Cybertron aboard [[Darksyde (BW)|his own ship]] to examine the fruits of his labor, his whereabouts left unknown to those he had left behind on his homeworld. The results were far from what had been expected: the mutated ores had taken on a variety of esoteric qualities that went so far as to affect the fabric of space and time around them. For next the next half-million years, Shockwave traveled from world to world, observing the various powers of the ores; on the gas giant [[Arduria]], he found that the [[Ore-6]] sent there had developed the power to halt molecular motion, blanketing the planet in eternal cold. After putting some of the slowly dying [[Ardurian roc|native rocs]] out of their misery, he remarked that while not his intended result, it served as a learning experience nonetheless. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}} {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} Other explorations discerned that about half of the ores had successfully taken root on their target worlds: [[Ore-1]], on [[LV-117]], had the ability to transcend time, offering Shockwave tantalizing glimpses of the future; {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} [[Ore-2]], on [[Gorlam Prime]], drained the life from all around it; {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} [[Ore-7]] had attained transmutative properties; {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} and [[Ore-8]], on [[Tsiehshi]], had taken the form of highly explosive, unstable crystals. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}} Though millennia away from being realized, Shockwave's mind began to piece together a scheme that would unite these different ores and their powers to achieve his dream.

10,000 years ago, Shockwave arrived on the thirteenth world: prehistoric [[Earth]], at the end of its {{w|Pleistocene|most recent ice age}}. The extremely powerful [[Ore-13]] seeded on this world was catalysing so strongly that the reaction needed to be regulated with global dampers. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}}

[[File:Revolutionaries5 talisman wipes axalon memories.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|"A little paint, some new carpeting. A good fixer upper."]]

As he entered the orbit of the icy world, he discovered that a different Transformer ship had been drawn to Earth, attracted to his burgeoning supply of Ore-13: the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', captained by [[Domitius Major]] and crewed by the [[Maximal]]s. Shockwave bounced an intercepted transmission of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee to the starship before shooting it down over what would one day become the nation of [[Brasnya]]. Investigating the wreckage of the ship and its bestial occupants, he discovered that the vessel was carrying a [[Talisman (G1)|strange artifact]], one that had activated and scrambled the memories of its crew during the crash-landing. When [[Centurion (IDW)|one of their number]] regained consciousness and—glimpsing the Autobot transmission—wondered aloud if he was Bumblebee, his confusion gave Shockwave an idea for one of his cruel experiments.

By replacing their lost memories with data of the Autobots and Decepticons of Cybertron, Shockwave convinced the amnesiac Maximals that they were all combatants in the Great War, remaking them into copies of key players in the conflict and even rebuilding one of their number into [[Maximal Shockwave|a copy of himself]]. After conditioning them, he pitted the "Autobots" and "Decepticons" against one another in a series of [[Ice Age Wars|simulated wargames]] for his tactical benefit. As Shockwave watched their simulated battles, he studied the mysterious artifact that the Maximals had brought with them, watching as it created [[IRON Trooper|robotic drones]] from the wreckage. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

[[File:Shockwaveg1idw.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.15|Shockwave began to have second thoughts over his choice of manicurists.]]

As Shockwave went about his business, he was unaware of a threat that had shadowed him: the Dynobots had tracked him down, and were seeking to settle their old score. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} Shockwave's twisted games went on for a century; when the Maximals ran low on Energon, Shockwave abandoned them and their artifact to their fate and returned to his main objective on Earth. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

As Shockwave finished planting the dampers and was preparing to visit other Regenesis worlds, the Dynobots teleported upon him. The attack threw Shockwave off-kilter with both its ferocity and its unexpectedness, as he had anticipated a stab in the back from Megatron but had failed to consider the simple vengeance of the Dynobots. Mentally and physically confounded by the assault, Shockwave deactivated his higher reasoning and allowed a subroutine simulating rage to take over. This brutal, violent Shockwave decimated the Dynobots, burning off the organic coating shielding them from the planet's high energon fields and forcing them into [[stasis lock]]. As the battle concluded, Shockwave restored his full neural operations and logged the emotional experience for further study. But, as his logic center churned away once more, it again failed to anticipate his enemies' chaotic nature. Specifically, Grimlock had set a dead-man's switch on [[Skyfire (ship)|the Dynobots' ship]], and before Shockwave could act upon his own victory, the ship shot an energy beam into a nearby volcano, causing it to erupt and consume all of the combatants, entombing them for millennia to come. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}} In the meantime, his Maximal creations simply fought on amongst one another until they ran out of energon and entered stasis. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

Shockwave's long absence would eventually rouse Megatron's suspicions, and he assigned [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] to search through Shockwave's files, {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} in turn tasking Soundwave with shadowing Bludgeon, {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}} knowing that Shockwave had been working on something in secret and intending to use it for the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

After spending centuries trapped in the [[Noisemaze (dimension)|Noisemaze]], the unaligned scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)|Mesothulas]] decided to investigate where Shockwave had trodden and refined Shockwave's old samples of Ore-13 to create the superfuel [[obtenteum]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

===Machinations===
[[File:Shockwave Agent Red.jpg‎|upright=1.5|thumb|[[Transformers (film)|Call him NBE-1]].]]
Shockwave's body was uncovered by a [[Goring|human archaeological team]] in 2005. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} The discovery drew the attention of the government organization [[Skywatch]], who soon swept in and took the operation over. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}} Skywatch proceeded to exhume both Shockwave and the Dynobots, and began experimenting with neural inhibitors to control their new discoveries. Results were consistently disastrous; both the Dynobots and their other captives [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] were soon running out of their control. Skywatch commander [[Joshua Red]] had Shockwave rebuilt and brought online in their [[Salt Lake City]] base {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}} and charged him with rounding up the rogue Transformers. Rather than a neural inhibitor, Shockwave was motivated with a decidedly less sophisticated method: a bomb placed in his head would detonate in 24 hours if Skywatch didn't transmit a reset code. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

Given the presence of Ravage and Laserbeak on Earth, Shockwave correctly deduced that their master, Soundwave, must also be on the planet; he had followed Bludgeon there in pursuit of Shockwave's Ore-13 and wound up trapped in his [[alternate mode]], in the possession of a child in [[Portland]], [[Oregon]]. Shockwave tracked him down shortly after Laserbeak and Ravage had retrieved him from his human captivity, and proposed a deal: Shockwave would undo the mode-lock, originally caused by a weapon of his design, in return for Soundwave intercepting the reset codes for the implanted bomb. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}} Soundwave attempted to further bargain for information on the Regenesis program, but was rebuffed when Shockwave observed that said information would die with him if the bomb went off. {{Storylink|Shockpoint}}

[[File:Shockwave V Scorponok MD.jpg‎‎|upright=1.3|thumb|left|Declarative: [[...All This and Civil War 2|Turnabout is fair play]].]]
Relenting, Soundwave allowed his cassettes to be "captured" and handed over to Skywatch, to sell Shockwave's deception, whilst the scientist went in search of the Dynobots. Discovering them already engaged with Scorponok and the [[Machination]], Shockwave decided to engage Scorponok's forces first, so he could destroy the Dynobots himself. By the time Shockwave beat Scorponok, only 12 minutes of his 24-hour countdown remained, and Grimlock proved to have more than 12 minutes' worth of fight left in him. On the 30-second mark, the two were still grappling in a Machination arms bunker, so Joshua Red ordered the reset code sent, wanting to ensure all other combatants were down before killing his pawn. The code was successfully intercepted and decrypted by Soundwave, who transmitted the information to Shockwave, who in return sent him instructions to mentally disable the mode-lock. Soundwave transformed, his cassettes attacked their would-be captors, and Shockwave abruptly walked away from his fight, declaring an end to the "charade". But Grimlock would not be denied his revenge, so before Shockwave could leave, he detonated a grenade that blew the arms bunker sky-high. The two were soon recovered, still functioning, by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], who took Shockwave, Scorponok and Grimlock into custody. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers3 - Shockwave.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|So do we blame Shockwave for letting Overlord off his leash, or Overlord for unleashing the one-eyed purple people eater again?]]
Shockwave was sent to the [[Garrus-9]] penitentiary, where his spark was extracted for imprisonment. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}} At some point prior to his imprisonment, however, Shockwave had been able to make contact with Bludgeon and the [[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]] and recruit them as his personal agents, though they wound up simply fighting with the main Decepticon forces some time later, when the galaxy-wide Decepticon uprising known as the [[Surge (event)|Surge]] took place. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} During the Surge, [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] took control of Garrus-9, and after one year of holding the facility, he had Shockwave's spark reintegrated with his body to make him an offer: in exchange for his freedom and a hand-picked crew, Shockwave would remove the [[Achilles virus]] that had been implanted in Overlord during his conversion to a Warrior Elite. Shockwave agreed to the terms as they served his own purposes, but he was quick to comment that Overlord's actions on Garrus-9 were less about the former general's gratification and more about attracting Megatron's attention. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

Knowing he was on [[The List]] and that the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] would quickly catch up to him, Shockwave selected thirty-one prisoners who were also on The List so as to bribe his [[Tarn (G1)|former pupil]]. However, when Tarn called, he rejected the bribe, much to Shockwave's bafflement, before he began applying his killer voice to the former senator. Though forced to his knees, Shockwave simply destroyed the communicator before the ''[[Torment]]'' arrived, scaring off the D.J.D. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

During Shockwave's time in Skywatch captivity, the researchers had gathered enough information about him to design a weapon based on his technology. According to [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]], the first working prototypes were the size of a house, but with some unspecified "outside help", they were able to condense it to a size small enough for hand-held use by a human. Around the time of Shockwave's liberation from Garrus-9, roughly a year after Megatron's forces overran the Earth following the Surge, Spike was sent in with a military squad to retrieve the weapon from its [[New York City]] storehouse and use it to kill Megatron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} Though his team perished, Spike survived, got the weapon, and successfully shot Megatron in the head, ending the Decepticon occupation. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

[[File:RID21 a better spacebridge.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Over the next two years, Shockwave returned his focus to Regenesis, and began slowly putting the players and pieces in motion for his ultimate endgame. He re-established communication with Bludgeon and Monstructor, {{storylink|Shockpoint}} and also recruited the Decepticon warmonger [[Turmoil]], providing him with a ship in return for his visiting LV-117 with instructions to collect data from the Regenesis missile there. In actuality, with this particular action, Shockwave was deliberately perpetuating a [[time travel|predestination paradox]] of sorts, ensuring the visions of the future that he had seen while on LV-117 years beforehand would come to pass. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} His plans for the future momentarily complete, Shockwave rejoined what remained of the main Decepticon command structure, now under the leadership of Starscream and encamped on a desolate asteroid following their retreat from Earth. Conferring with Soundwave, he agreed to help build a new body for the devastated Megatron in exchange for being able to utilize some of the Decepticons' limited resources to finally perfect [[space bridge]] travel. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} The scientist made the two projects one and the same by implanting nodes obtained from [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] in Megatron's new body, giving the Decepticon leader the power to open space bridge at will. {{storylink|Spotlight: Megatron}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}}

[[File:IDWongoing7 shockwave at work.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95]]
Having been unaware of the plan to repair Megatron and believing Shockwave had been working on space bridge technology alone, {{storylink|All His Engines}} Starscream was furious when he discovered what he believed the pair had been dedicating their resources to: using the remnants of Megatron's old body to make tiny replicas of his gun form, with plans to distribute them amongst the population of Earth in order to create chaos amongst both the humans and Autobots. Megatron revealed his revival to Starscream, {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} and a short time after that, retook Decepticon leadership; Shockwave eager to run further tests on the new technology within his body, but Megatron, unwilling to be a cog in whatever machinations Shockwave was surely planning, assured him everything was in order and had him continue working on the gun replicas. {{storylink|Spotlight: Megatron}} After finishing, Shockwave carefully calculated that [[Quetzaltenango]], [[Mexico]] was the most appropriate location to deposit the Megatron guns, and stood by Megatron as he sent the weapons through the space bridge to Earth. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} Four months later, the Decepticons themselves traveled to Earth to see through their plan, where Soundwave was heavily injured in a confrontation with Optimus Prime. When ordered to repair him, Shockwave protested that he no longer had the resources he had used to rebuild Megatron, but when pressed, affirmed that he could in fact save Soundwave's life. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|Enemy Mine}}

===Shockpoint===
[[File:RID21 shockwave watches deceptigod.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|Don't see that every day.]]
Megatron would later use the space bridge technology built into in his new body to summon Shockwave and the rest of the Decepticons to him on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Question}} They arrived in the midst of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s attempt to prevent the emergence of the [[Dead Universe]] entity known as the [[D-Void]], {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} and the evil entity proceeded to ensnare the minds of the Decepticons, using their collective belief in the Decepticon cause to mentally and physically fuse them all together into a huge [[Deceptigod|monster]]. All, that is, save for Shockwave, who had never believed in the cause, and silently watched as Megatron battled the giant beast. Once Galvatron and the monstrosity were defeated, Cybertron began to reformat into a primordial state; having seen potential in the merged Decepticon monster to perfect combiner technology, Megatron withdrew into the wilderness, informing Shockwave of his plans. Shockwave then shared this information with Soundwave and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and the trio began conspiring to facilitate Megatron's new scheme. {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

[[File:Needlenose Autonomy Lesson.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb]]
Rather than try to escape or fight a battle they knew they could not win, Shockwave and his compatriots allowed themselves to taken into custody with the other Decepticons when Ratbat negotiated their surrender to the Autobots. They were kept in confinement for a few weeks in the rebuilt Iacon, now under the unstable governance of [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], before being released to deal with rioting "[[NAIL]]s" who had returned to repopulate Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} After a while, being an enforcer for the Autobots did not sit well with [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], and he accused Shockwave, Soundwave and Bombshell of just sitting around instead of doing something about the Decepticons' situation. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|The Autonomy Lesson}} He was wrong, of course: along with Soundwave, Shockwave was working with Ratbat to take control of the [[inhibitor/deterrence chip]]s implanted in them by the Autobots, though he was plainly uninterested in the plan, merely remarking that "Events will play out as they will." when asked for his opinion. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} But Megatron's ongoing plot was not the only reason for Shockwave's disinterest in Ratbat's power games: in furtheration of his own personal, secret schemes revolving around Regenesis, he had once again contacted Bludgeon and Monstructor, and had them free his old teacher Jhiaxus from Autobot captivity, before setting them on course for LV-117. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

[[File:RID9 you bore me.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Swindle...who let you back in the house?]]
Following the failure of Ratbat's plan, Shockwave was petitioned by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to help [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], who was on the run from the Autobots after claiming to have witnessed [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] murder the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. Swindle gambled that Shockwave was not as disinterested in the political strife of the planet he appeared, but Shockwave merely questioned what Swindle expected him to do with this information. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} Far greater matters occupied Shockwave's attention: Turmoil had recently returned to Cybertron, the ship Shockwave had given him now outfitted with a time machine created by inhabitants of LV-117 he had enslaved during his visit there. To ensure the future he had seen would come to pass, Shockwave had [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] steal the ship and return it to LV-117, {{storylink|Night and the City}} where it was then retrieved by Jhiaxus's group. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} Around this time, Shockwave also made contact with the [[Ammonite]]s, a faction of a robotic alien race whose cold war had recently grown hot again, and offered to end their conflict if they would work for him. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Shockwave had the Ammonites attempt to obtain the one Regenesis ore that had been lost to him: Ore-7, which had been found by Metroplex. The Titan put the ore out of his attackers' reach by jettisoning it, so as a back-up plan, Shockwave had the Ammonites infect Metroplex with Ore-2, knowing that in time, he would have to call the Ore-7 back to heal himself. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:Endofthebeginningoftheworld-astrotrainsoundwaveshockwaveblitzwing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|I said a dab of purple, Needlenose. A dab! DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A DAB TO YOU!?]]
After an explosive assassination attempt on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Starscream confronted Shockwave, assuming the attack was his doing. Though Starscream warned Shockwave to not interfere with his political ascension, Shockwave refused to humor him; Starscream had made his choice to live with the Autobots, while the remaining Decepticons under Shockwave's care rejected the growing new government architecture. Shockwave seemingly underestimated Starscream's cunning, however, and later he and his Decepticons were assaulted by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]]. The Autobot assassin, under orders from both Prowl and Starscream, made it appear as if the Decepticons' own base had exploded and buried them, stealing Shockwave, Soundwave and those under their command away to the [[Black Room]] with Prowl's other secret prisoners. {{storylink|The End of the Beginning of the World}} In truth, this was all an act for Starscream's benefit: Prowl was under the control of Bombshell, and had only "captured" Shockwave and the others so they could be reunited with Megatron in time for his master plan: using a new and improved Devastator to conquer Cybertron once and for all. {{storylink|The Verge}} {{storylink|Before the Dawn}}

[[File:RID17 shockwave vehiclemode.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|BFF's forever!]]
His role in Megatron's plan now complete, Shockwave no longer needed to keep up appearances and promptly left Iacon. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Believing both Megatron's rebellion and Bumblebee's government were doomed to fail, Shockwave took [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] with him out into the wilderness, to the subterranean remains of Crystal City, which had somehow survived Cybertron's reversion to its primitive state ''and'' the supposed recent obliteration by an exploding [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]]. It was the original seed Shockwave had sown beneath the city that had recreated it each time, [[Ore-14]], the key to resurrection—which Shockwave tested by shooting Dreadwing dead, only for the ore to immediately revive him. A plan begun millions of years ago was at last reaching its endgame. {{storylink|Shockwaves}}
{{-}}

===Dark Cybertron===
[[File:RID22 shockwave and necrotitan.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Schrödinger's Robotic Demi-God didn't have quite the same punch...]]
From the new base he quickly established in Crystal City, Shockwave communicated with Jhiaxus again, who, in accordance with his plans, had lured Optimus Prime to Gorlam Prime. {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} Shockwave was briefly distracted from his work by the arrival of a furious Soundwave, seeking revenge for Shockwave's abandonment of the Decepticons, {{storylink|Shockpoint}} but after a brief, vicious battle, it became apparent that the presence of Ore-14 in the cavern meant that none of the combatants could die, so Soundwave retreated, and Shockwave allowed him to leave rather than face further delay. While this was going on, Jhiaxus duped Optimus Prime into awakening a [[Quintessa (IDW)|Titan]] that had been slumbering on Gorlam Prime, which, under the direction of new recruit [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], then teleported directly to Crystal City. {{storylink|Soundwaves (issue)|Soundwaves}} Shockwave gleefully welcomed the Titan, and watched as the Ore-2 from Gorlam Prime in its systems began reacting with the Ore-14 around them, transforming it into a zombie "Necrotitan". Through the link to that Dead Universe this behemoth provided, Shockwave was able to contact his old contemporaries Nova Prime and Galvatron, and, feigning obeisance, vowed to serve Nova in the conquest of the living universe. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} In forging the communications link between the living and Dead Universes, however, the Necrotitan's space bridge had unexpectedly disappeared, leaving Nova and Galvatron with no means of crossing over, but Shockwave, of course, had a contingency plan: the space bridge he had equipped Megatron's body with months beforehand. {{storylink|Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|Black Metal}}

[[File:RID24 shockwave waspinators staff.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|Careful, the universe hates the guy who uses that.]]
Megatron was currently in Autobot custody after the failure of his most recent scheme, so Shockwave had the deceased NAIL leader [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] revived with Ore-14 and mentally controlled by Jhiaxus into retrieving Megatron's immobilized form for his use. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}} Unsurprisingly, Megatron refused to co-operate, so Shockwave sliced him open and activated the bridge manually, {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} but as Nova Prime and Galvatron began to emerge, the united forces of Bumblebee's Autobot and Soundwave's Decepticons stormed Crystal City. During the ensuing battle, Shockwave took possession of Waspinator's stinger weapon, through which the hapless Decepticon had forged his link with the Titan; using this link, Shockwave was able to take direct control of the Necrotitan, and brought it crashing into the cavern to end the conflict. In the chaos that resulted, Nova Prime was forced back through the portal, but Galvatron managed to make the crossing, and was then surreptitiously directed by Shockwave to disable Megatron, shutting the portal down. Finally, Shockwave sent the Titan to ravage Iacon. {{storylink|Finest Hour: Dark Cybertron Chapter 5|Finest Hour}}

In short order, Jhiaxus, Bludgeon and Monstructor returned to Cybertron, bringing with them what ores they had obtained during their travels, the last of the pieces now in place for Shockwave's endgame to be enacted. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} The Necrotitan's rampage was no mere act of random destruction: it was intended to force Metroplex's hand, necessitating that he return to Cybertron to defend his allies, bringing the Ore-7 with him, thereby gathering all the products of Regenesis on Cybertron at last. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} Uniting the Ore-7 with Ore-2 and Ore-14 put the power of life and death in Shockwave's hands; merging Ore-6 with Ore-8 granted him control of the potential energy of all matter; and fusing Ore-1 and Ore-13 bent the fabric of time to his will. The universe itself was now Shockwave's to mould, but to do so required the sacrifice of ''another'' universe: the Dead Universe. Nova Prime's failure to cross over had not been unintentional; cast back to the Dead Universe, he was subsequently slain by Optimus Prime, who had traveled there through the Gorlam Prime portal, just as Shockwave had planned. [[File:RID27 unstuck in time.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95| See, told ya]] With Nova dead, his control of the energies of the Dead Universe was lost, allowing Shockwave to drain them via an unwitting Galvatron's link. With these powers combined within him, Shockwave could now enact the perfect solution to the problem of finite resources that he had striven to solve all his life: he would bring the Dark Cybertron prophecy to fulfillment by collapsing all of reality into a pinpoint singularity, to feed Cybertron in an endless forever. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:DarkCybertron12-Shockwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|"Interrogative: Is this... emotion?"]]
The time machine from Turmoil's ship was used to drain the life energy of the Dead Universe from its very beginning to its end, then linked with Shockwave's systems. Upon the machine's activation, Shockwave was assailed with images of his life from all throughout his past; only his emotionless focus prevented his mind from being set adrift on the sea of time. The unlikely pair of Bumblebee and Megatron ventured into Crystal City to stop him, but the empowered Shockwave slew Bumblebee, sending Megatron into a rage. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} The battle between the two Decepticons was soon joined by Optimus Prime, returned from the Dead Universe, who attempted to reason with Shockwave and remind him of the kindly senator he had once been. Prime's words had little effect, so Megatron opted for a more outrageous display: his recent experiences had opened up a new way of thinking to him, and before the stunned Shockwave's eye, he declared himself an Autobot and donned the faction's symbol. Confused and distraught, Shockwave's focus began to waver, and the memories of his pre-Shadowplay self began to creep back, until Optimus gave them a final push by reminding him of small, intimate details of their friendship like a broken bench at their favored meeting spot. Senator Shockwave was horrified to see what he had become, but with the time machine integrated with his systems, he was unable to simply turn if off. At Shockwave's request, Prime and Megatron opened fire and destroyed the drive, collapsing the machine into a singularity that seemingly consumed Shockwave's body. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

Six months later, Shockwave's old base of Crystal City (along with Ore-14 and the Time Drive) had been completely consumed, leaving a city-sized dent in the planet's surface. The singularity itself hovered a few feet above the centre of the crater. Ironhide was a frequent visitor, as Shockwave's machinations had destroyed his vision for the future. No one on Cybertron either knew or cared that Shockwave had seemingly perished as his original self rather than the emotionless one he was famous for. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}} News of Shockwave's demise would eventually reach Earth; when [[Ian Noble]] encountered the "[[Maximal Shockwave]]" that the real Shockwave had once created, he mistook the facsimile for the genuine article. {{storylink|Power and Glory}}

===Onyx Prime===
[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusOrigins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"So all of IDW isn't my fault yet? Time to fix that!"]]
Unbeknownst to all, Shockwave had ''not'' perished beneath Crystal City; rather, the singularity Shockwave had inadvertently created could warp ''time'' as well as space. Shockwave was flung back in time by twelve million years and wound up in the barbaric age following the departure of the [[Knights of Cybertron]], awakening in the land where the Crystal City would one day be founded.

Badly damaged and running low on energon, Shockwave aimlessly wandered the deserts of prehistoric Cybertron, coming to grips with his newfound emotions, until the day he stumbled across "[[Onyx Prime|Onyx]]," a kindly shepherd who led a flock of less-fortunate beasts in their search for [[energon]]. Realizing the historical significance of this individual from his studies of Cybertronian history, {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Shockwave saw a way that he could complete his final goal of ensuring a lasting Cybertronian hegemony, {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} and swiftly slew him. The deed done, Shockwave recruited one of Onyx's followers and dubbed this nomad "[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]", so named for the Decepticon conqueror that would one day arise. Shockwave fashioned a new body for himself from Onyx's remains, and dubbed himself "'''Onyx Prime'''"; {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} having learned from his mistakes, Shockwave was no longer a being of pure logic, and vowed to "embrace chaos" as he embarked on a new mission to wipe Cybertronian history clean and ensure the perpetual dominance of the Cybertronian species—a complex, multi-faceted goal that would last millions of years. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}}

[[File:OriginMyths-OnyxPrimeAndLiegeMaximo.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Shockwave thought he was a shoo-in to win the cosplay competition, but Liege crushed the fangirl vote.]]

Knowing that the conquests of Megatronus would provide the impetus for the rest of Cybertron to unify against the warlord, Onyx trained Megatronus as his pupil, instructing him in the ways of war and eventually inspiring him to build an empire of his own in Cybertron's western lands. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} As Megatronus's [[Darklands|Darklanders]] ran amok across Cybertron, Onyx set about gathering new allies, and found a willing collaborator in the deposed king [[Liege Maximo]] {{storylink|Origin Myths}} and his army of bestial [[Maximal]]s. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} Taking on the Maximals as his new "menagerie," Onyx brought his forces to the village that would one day become the Crystal City, where he met with the alliance of Primes —[[Maccadam|Alchemist]], [[Vector Prime|Vector]], [[Solus Prime|Solus]], [[Nexus Prime|Nexus]], and [[Alpha Trion]]—and inspired their followers to take up arms and stop Megatronus' army together, using the young Alpha Trion's belief in the power of myths and legends to goad the young civilization into taking a stand.

The next morning, Onyx and his forces joined the fight against Megatronus; as the battle ground on, however, the ground beneath Cybetrtron shook and disgorged three [[Titan (group)|Titans]]: [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], and [[Chela]]. The sight of the ancient warriors drew the entire battle to a halt, providing Onyx Prime with the opening to slice through the Darklanders and reach Megatronus; his goal of unifying Cybertron against a common foe accomplished, Onyx and Megatronus agreed to a "truce," and that night all eight Primes agreed to work together to unify their world. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} Onyx took advantage of the new peace to begin spreading stories of his own devising—not only did he design a [[Autobot|sigil]] for their new alliance, based on his foreknowledge of the rise of the Autobots, he would also invent the "[[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]]" out of whole cloth, the prophecy that his younger self had tried to complete. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:OP10-SurpriseMeeting.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|''Who's been messing up everything? It's been Shockwave all along!'']]

Alpha Trion was less than convinced by these manipulative tales, worrying that Onyx was beginning to blur the line between "stories" and outright lies, {{storylink|Origin Myths}} but Onyx Prime soon learned that he could keep Trion's suspicions at bay by feeding him one well-told tale after another. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

During the reign of the Thirteen, Onyx Prime became a feared warlord in his own right, establishing a kingdom in the city of [[Kalis]] {{storylink|The Crucible}} and taking on the Titan [[Chela]] as his servant, {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} with the [[Titan Master]] [[Sovereign]] serving as his herald. {{storylink|White Heat}} In time, the other Primes came to believe that they were immortal, and that only a Prime could kill another Prime. {{storylink|The Crucible}} During this triumphant reign of the Thirteen, Onyx continued in his plans; as Shockwave had once experimented with the stranded crew of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', he now employed a similar method as he tracked the many complicated variables that led to his race invariably falling to civil war—an experiment he began by engineering the fall of the Primes.

[[File:OurFinest-AntillanMission.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|''Who's been pulling every evil string? It's been Shockwave all along!'']]

Onyx began sowing division among the Thirteen by encouraging their leader [[Prima]], to turn the Cybertronian race's natural drive to conquer outward so as to spread [[Pax Cybertronia]] across the galaxy, eventually targeting planets such as [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] and [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]]. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Onyx and Megatronus led the first of these interstellar colonization missions; though their chronicler Alpha Trion would remember this expedition as one of interstellar goodwill, aimed at spreading the "light" of Cybertronian civilization to their neighbors, the truth was far uglier: when the [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinel]] fleet arrived on the planet [[Antilla]], the genocidal ambitions of the Cybertronians became clear, sparking a brutal conflict between the Cybertronian colonizers and the native [[Antillan]]s. Shockwave informed Trion, who had chosen to gloss over the carnage in his official chronicle of events, that Antilla would become ''his'' world; Shockwave's means of ensuring that each of Cybertron's eventual colonies would "belong" to each member of the Thirteen. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The war finally came to an end when [[Unicron's creator|an Antillan scientist]] developed and deployed a destructive [[Talisman (G1)|superweapon]] that annihilated all life on the planet. In the process, the planet itself was remade, transforming it into [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]—a being whom Shockwave would come to harness in his quest to fulfill his final goal. By deliberately awakening and loosing Unicron eons into the future, Onyx realized that the could use the [[magic]] of the weapon that had created Unicron to "poison" his homeworld; in doing so, he would sacrifice Cybertron itself in order to neutralize Unicron and ensure that he could build a new empire, an empire free of the superstitions, factional violence, and stigma that had plagued his homeworld since the start of Transformer civilization. {{storylink|Our Finest}}

Still unaware of Shockwave's larger goals, Prima blamed Megatronus for the mission's failure, and Onyx manipulated events from the shadows to ensure that the simmering tensions between the tribal leaders would boil over into full-blown hostilities, encouraging his ''other'' protégé, the Liege Maximo, to join forces with Megatronus and stage a coup against Prima. This coup would end with the death of Solus Prime, the first blow in what would become known as the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|The Crucible}} According to [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Onyx and the Liege Maximo were both "betrayed" by [[Micronus Prime]] during the war. {{storylink|White Heat}} {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}} Liege Maximo was eventually brought to justice; his use for this particular pawn now at an end, Shockwave agreed with the other Primes that he had forfeited his right to live on Cybertron and oversaw his banishment, imprisoning him aboard his own Titan, [[Vigilem]], and using a variation of the [[shadowplay]] technique to ensure that Maximo's Titan would become a mindless living prison. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

One way or another, Onyx Prime eventually allied with [[Nexus Prime]] late into the war, and together they used the [[Enigma of Combination]] to create an army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]: [[combiner]]s of beasts and 'humanoid' Transformers. {{storylink|The Crucible}} This was only an alliance of convenience, however; Onyx was disgusted by the haughty Nexus, who saw Primes as superior beings destined to rule over "lesser" Cybertronians. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 3: Helden|Helden}} The barbarian warrior [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] found this unification disgusting, and eventually killed Nexus, his Headmasters, and those under his command in the twilight of the conflict. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} The death of Nexus prompted the [[Titan Master]] [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Infinitus]] to defect to Onyx. {{storylink|White Heat}}

[[File:OP18-MegatronusDead.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|He made sure Megatronus would flee to a planet with the ''best'' ominous lightning.]]

With the war nearly at an end, Onyx joined Prima on his mission to bring Megatronus to justice aboard [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], the three Primes tracked Megatronus to the barren world of [[Tsiehshi]]. Onyx and Prima went to confront Megatronus in a final duel; Onyx was happy to let Megatronus slice Prima in half with his own [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], but then intervened; no longer requiring Megatronus's bloodlust, he slew his former student, coldly informing him that, thanks to the eventual rise of [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|his namesake]], Cybertronians would, after a fashion, remember his name. Trion was once more swayed by "Onyx Prime's" well-told tale that Prima had heroically slain Megatronus at the cost of his own life, and so this account became the "official" version of events that would find its way into the chronicles of Cybertron... and thus, the inspiration for the lie that the time-travelling Shockwave used to cover up the truth. Prima's body would be interred inside Emissary, who would carry it throughout the cosmos. Onyx, however, sabotaged Emissary's systems, and so the Titan crashed on the primitive world of [[Elonia]]: {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} one of the planets where his younger self would one day send [[Ore-12|one]] of his [[Regenesis]] ores. {{storylink|Our Darkest}}

Indeed, Onyx Prime had manipulated events so thoroughly that all of the planets where his younger self would select for the Regenesis program—Elonia, [[LV-117]], [[Arduria]], [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]], [[Gorlam Prime]], [[Prion (planet)|Prion]], [[Tsiehshi]], [[Velocitron]], and [[Earth]]—all possessed a connection to the Thirteen Primes or the [[Titan (group)|Titans]] who had once served them. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

By the end of the war, many of the Primes had either died or fled Cybertron, leaving Alpha Trion as the last Prime still on Cybertron. When Galvatron, [[Nova Prime|Nova]], and Alpha Trion visited his castle in Kalis, Onyx's former subject [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] informed them that he and most of his Maximals had fled. Though several members of his tribe stayed behind to fight on in his name, the remnants of his army were soon subjugated under [[Nova Prime]]'s growing school of [[Functionism|functionist]] doctrine, which denigrated individuals with [[beast mode]]s. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

Approximately seven million years ago, {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}} Chela had settled on an uninhabited jungle planet that he dubbed "Eukaris", which was intended to be a safe refuge where Transformers with [[beast mode]]s could live free of the prejudice they faced on Cybertron. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Eukarian legend states that Onyx's last command to Chela was to protect their home from any and all "standard-formers" by any means necessary. Even after his disappearance, the planet's inhabitants continued to venerate him, and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] the [[Fateweaver]] claimed to be his prophet. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} Unaware of the truth behind his origins or his future goals, future generations of Eukarians would view Onyx as a wise and benevolent protector who preached equality for all Transformers. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}}

[[File:OurFinest-TheTalisman.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|''He's insidious! So perfidious! That you haven't even noticed!'']]

Onyx's innermost retinue of Maximals, however, would stay by their master's side aboard [[Nemesis (BW)|Nemesis]], as he set course for another world that would play an instrumental role in his ultimate goal: Antilla, now reduced to a barren wasteland of rust. There, Onyx excavated the heart of the superweapon responsible for devastating the planet and creating Unicron, and dubbed it the "[[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]]." Eventually, Onyx would decide that the Talisman would need to be moved to [[Earth]], to ensure that the organic world would become the seat of his new Cybertronian empire. To do so, he entrusted the artifact to his follower [[Domitius Major]] and sent them out into the galaxy aboard the ''Axalon,'' some 20,000 years ago, knowing that [[#Regenesis|his younger self would find and shoot down the ship]] and unwittingly ensuring that the Talisman would find its way to Earth. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} {{storylink|Our Finest}} The remaining Maximals stayed behind on Antilla with their leader. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}}

At some point during his stay on Antilla, Onyx would send Sovereign to Earth, ostensibly to find the Enigma of Combination and summon Onyx Prime when he had done so. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 3: Helden|Helden}} Sovereign, clad in a human disguise and conditioned with false memories, remembered this experience as a childhood visit from a "black angel" who showed him a world of rust and infinite darkness. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}}

[[File:OP15-OnyxOnCaminus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|"And I killed Sparkplug, too!"]]

In the recent past, Antilla was visited by three [[Caminus (planet)|Camien]] Transformers who arrived on his planet following a Cybertronian beacon. Onyx instantly beheaded [[Magrada|one of them]] while the other two managed to escape. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Years later, Onyx followed them back to Caminus to retrieve samples of the [[Ore-4]] that his younger self had fired at the planet; arriving at [[Parvus Oppidum]], Onyx and his army felled their leader [[Praesidia Magna]], one of the two escapees, and dragged her body into a singularity under Onyx's control. Torchbearer [[Pyra Magna|Pyra]], who had survived a close encounter with the Prime himself, began experiencing nightmares of her old commander, trapped on the dead, rust-stricken world of Antilla, and Onyx Prime reciting an ancient Camien poem. It wasn't until Pyra Magna realized that if Onyx had fled when the opportunity presented itself, then he could not be infallible; bolstered by this knowledge, she and a new team of Torchbearers privately began preparing for his return. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}}

In order to fulfill his eventual goals, "Onyx"—at some point after leaving Cybertron—came in contact with Metrotitan once more, and used supplies of [[Ore-10]], seeded by his younger self, to manipulate the Titan's mind, leaving him firmly convinced in the "Dark Cybertron" prophecy Onyx had invented... and championing Starscream as the "Chosen One" who would unite the planet, with Shockwave fully aware that the vainglorious Starscream would leave the war-torn planet divided and unable to properly rebuild. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Shortly after Metrotitan returned to Cybertron and imparted Starscream with this knowledge, he was seemingly swallowed up by an explosion—{{storylink|Primus: All Good Things}} in reality, however, Shockwave had used [[Ore-9]] to teleport him to [[Earth]], where Optimus Prime would one day find and raise him from the ground; an act that would seemingly prove his status as a "true" Prime, only so that Shockwave could eventually tear it all down. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

When the [[Republic of Cybertron]] made contact with Eukaris in [[2015]], the presence of [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] on the planet was enough to provoke Chela, who rose to carry out his master's final command. It wasn't enough, however; Starscream killed the Titan, allowing Eukaris and its inhabitants to join the [[Council of Worlds]]. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

In his final battle with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] in 2016, Galvatron warned his nemesis that Onyx Prime was still a threat, and would soon return. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|No Fair Fights}} When Infinitus and Sovereign made their presence known, Infinitus proclaimed that the Titan Masters were the "harbingers of [Onyx's] return". Though Optimus and [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] were given pause to consider what Galvatron had said about Onyx Prime, they were confident they could best the ancient Prime. {{storylink|White Heat}}

After being captured by the [[Iron Klaw]] and hooked into a replica of the Talisman, Blackrock dreamt of Onyx Prime standing over his divided selves, reciting the same Camien poem. This vision caused him to realize that there was a connection between the Talisman and his former master. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} While hacking into [[I.R.O.N.]]'s systems, [[G.B. Blackrock|Blackrock]] found what Onyx had done to Centurion and declared his former master would have to go through him to get Earth. Blackrock was able to use the fact that both were pawns of Onyx to convince Centurion to stand down. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} During the final battle against [[Joe Colton|Baron Ironblood]] and his forces, Blackrock's consciousness entered [[infraspace]], where he encountered Onyx. Onyx revealed to his former servant that the Talisman was inoculation against a coming threat before attempting to slay the [[Titan Master]]. He was stopped by the spectre of [[Atomic Man|Mike Power]]. The two returned to the living plane, leaving an enraged Onyx behind. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|Ghost in the Machine}}

===The End of Everything===

[[File:OP15-LiegeChained.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Shockwave brings the finer aspects of furry culture to Cybertron.]]

After [[Liege Maximo]] escaped captivity, {{storylink|Rubicon}} he eventually crossed paths with Onyx once again. Shockwave discussed Liege's exile, and having had time to reflect in his years imprisoned, he agreed with Shockwave's decision. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Now reunited, the two began the penultimate phase of Shockwave's scheme: shattering Cybertron's faith completely, whether in Primes or Decepticonism, in order to allow chaos to reign. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} As part of Shockwave's scheme, Liege pretended to be Onyx's prisoner, subdued and chained. Onyx returned to Cybertron atop Nemesis, and on arrival announced his intent to pass judgment on Maximo for betraying the Cybertronian race. Onyx agreed to Prime's request to meet with him, declaring him the mythical figure known as "[[Thirteenth Prime|The Arisen]]." {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}}

Throwing Liege at Windblade's feet, "Onyx" declared he had come to free Cybertron from its tangled web of alliances; at the subsequent meeting in the [[Spire]], Onyx offered to fix Cybertron's corrupted energon, causing the Mistress to ask if he was intentionally trying to split the Council of Worlds. As conversation went on, Onyx kept deflecting everyone's suspicions, painting himself as a victim of false accusations; when Optimus suggested that the Transformers give "Onyx" a fair chance to explain itself, his apparent willingness to embrace the Prime angered the recently arrived Soundwave, and as the situation grew increasingly fraught, Onyx's agents set off a massive explosion that killed Alpha Trion. Onyx quickly declared Soundwave and the Decepticons guilty, that democracy had failed Cybertron, and that the rule of Primes was needed once more. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}

[[File:OP17 Everything is Shockwave's fault.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|"Old Man Shockwave?!"]]

As emergency crews scrambled, Onyx continued to slander Optimus' name in front of the arrived press, along with making himself look like a wounded party. Then he revealed his bombshell - a years-old recording of Soundwave secretly detonating [[Horri-Bull]]'s [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chip]] to make it look like Bumblebee's doing. With that, Onyx told the gathered Cybertronians that when they found Liege to "do with him what you will", and left the crowd to fight amongst themselves. As he flew back to his ship, he was caught off-guard by Metrotitan's attack, the Titan having followed Optimus to Cybertron. As Optimus tried unsuccessfully to get the ancient Cybertronian to stand down, he fell, only for Onyx to catch him, and demonstrate the power of his ''own'' Titan, having Nemesis down Metrotitan with a single shot. Outraged at the apparent demise of his friends, Optimus attacked... and as he did, Onyx finally revealed himself as Shockwave. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

Taking his former friend captive, Shockwave began explaining to him the whole story of his survival, his trip through time, and the depths of his manipulation of history. When Optimus refuted Shockwave's belief in darkness, Shockwave—seeking to eliminate the last tenet of Cybertronian religion—dropped him into the Crystal City singularity, which promptly crushed Prime's body to nothing. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:EndlessForever ShockwaveandNemesis.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|It is only logical that my flagship looks like a giant singular eye.]]
With Optimus gone for the moment, Shockwave told Maximo to take a squad of Maximals to the not-quite dead Metrotitan, bluntly telling the Prime he was wasting time with his complaints as he shed the last of his Onyx disguise. Shockwave arrived over Metrotitan just as Starscream did the same, interrupting his former comrade's musing about whether he was The Fallen reborn to put him straight on a few facts: he had manipulated history to make sure the Seeker wound up in charge of Cybertron because he was a fool, who would have been unable to see Shockwave's plans coming, and that his religious musings meant that he was even ''stupider'' than Shockwave thought. Punctuating his revelations by finishing off Metrotitan, Shockwave left Starscream with a few more parting insults, leaving the "Chosen One" to his despair. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

Watching the nearby fight between Victorion and Devastator, the later unknowingly aided by the presence of one of Shockwave's Ores in the ''Nemesis'' above them, Shockwave mused on how he was providing what Cybertron needed, and how the results would validate his methods. He then made his way toward the Singularity, where he found [[Aileron|a Camien]] and a wounded Jetfire. Holding them at arm-point, Shockwave told the scientist he was required for the "final bloom". {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}}

[[File:Unforgivable PyrabeatsShockwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3]]
With the remains of the Matrix of Leadership now annihilated, Shockwave informed them that he needed to bring Optimus ''back'' from the limbo of infraspace; this was soon revealed as a lie, however, when Pyra Magna arrived, and Shockwave informed the duo that he intended for her to serve as a host for Optimus's bodiless consciousness. Learning that Onyx and Shockwave were one and the same, Pyra briefly tried to attack the Decepticon, but was unable to overpower him. Using a sample of Cybertron's tainted energon, combined with the energies of the Matrix from within infraspace, Optimus and Bumblebee were both able to escape back to reality, taking refuge inside Pyra's mind. With the two Autobots driving her onward, Pyra was able to take down Shockwave, ripping his gun-arm off in the process. Ultimately, the Torchbearer realized that she would have to do the right thing and spared Shockwave's life, presenting him to the Council of Worlds and revealing the great lie that their civilization had been built upon: the Primes were just robots like any other. Ultimately, Shockwave had succeeded in his plans to rob Cybertron of its heritage and history, stripping it down to nothing just in time for the arrival of the final piece of his plan: Unicron, awakened thanks to the machinations of [[Merklynn]] and preparing for its assault on the galaxy. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

[[File:OurFinest ShockwaveMadPlan.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Shockwave was subsequently arrested, paraded through the streets in chains as he rambled aloud about his time as Onyx Prime. Unbeknownst to his jailers, his ancient servant [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] was a part of the crowd, one of the loyal Maximals ready and willing to serve his old master during the final phase of his plan. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} As Unicron began his rampage across the galaxy, swallowing up each Cybertronian colony world one by one, Shockwave was visited by Starscream, and Shockwave took that moment to explain his plan: by relocating the Talisman to Cybertron, he had poisoned the planet, and when Unicron destroyed Cybertron, the planet-eater would die with it—leaving the rest of the universe open for him to conquer. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} Shortly afterwards, Unicron did indeed appear over Cybertron, intending to consume it, leading Prime to interrogate Shockwave for more information regarding the Talisman and the doomed world of Antilla, and how the destruction of Cybertron would lead to the rebirth of a triumphant Cybertronian empire. {{storylink|Our Finest}}

[[File:RoadsEnd-Toronto.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"Well, I'm off to destroy Canada. They've had it too good for too long."]]

Sure enough, Unicron began devouring Cybertron, prompting Shockwave to activate a built-in teleportation device and flee to Earth, reuniting with his Maximals in the streets of [[Toronto]]. Believing that his plan had gone off without a hitch, the Decepticon received a new cannon-arm, courtesy of Rhinox, and ordered his underlings to begin restructuring the planet into the new capitol of his empire, monitoring the destruction from atop the [[CN Tower]]. Shockwave soon learned that his plan had ''failed'', however, and for the simplest of reasons: Cybertron had indeed been annihilated by Unicron, but the Transformers on the planet had used the Talisman escape to Earth, bringing the artifact with them and allowing Unicron to consume the rest of the planet without any consequences. {{storylink|Road's End}} Trying to get his scheme back on track, Shockwave refitted the human building into a communications relay, tapping into the remains of Nemesis—now incorporated into Unicron's structure—and using them to scan Earth for the Talisman. Ordering his subordinate Bludgeon to retrieve it, Shockwave learned that the Decepticon's allegiance had shifted; he and most of the Maximals now served ''Unicron.'' {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

[[File:Ceremony ProwlandShockwavefaith.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
As Shockwave tried to exert control over Bludgeon, Rhinox turned on him, only for Shockwave to easily overpower his minion. However, when the scientist tried to execute Rhinox, the Maximal revealed he had rigged the cannon and made it unable to fire on his kind. Seizing the weapon, Rhinox explained that the Maximals had turned on their master when they realized "Onyx Prime" had been nothing but a trick. Shockwave was saved by Prowl who quickly dragged him out to the street where [[Stardrive]] used her [[Dire Wraith]] magic to hack into his mind, and tie into the Talisman's operating system. Though making one last attempt to convince Prowl that "faith" was meaningless, Shockwave soon came to realize the hollowness of his philosophy when his mind was briefly linked to the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]]. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

In the aftermath of Unicron's defeat, Shockwave was immobilized and chained up within the [[Nemesis (G1)|''Lemuria'']]. Shortly before Optimus Prime's funeral, Shockwave revealed to Prowl he was unsure which of the many faces he'd worn in his life was the "real" him. Before leaving, Prowl bluntly told the Decepticon that they had all been the real him. What Shockwave had always failed to realize was that people were judged, and defined, by their actions, not the intentions that they'd set out with. {{storylink|Post}}

[[File:Post Shockwavereflects.jpg|center|thumb|upright=1.8|[[Spock|"Change is the essential process of all existence."]]]]
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The unnamed senator was not intended to be Shockwave back in "Chaos Theory" but James Roberts immediately thought it would be cool to make him a character we already knew. Shockwave was picked because he was one of the few important characters that did not have an IDW pre-war backstory yet, and because it allowed Roberts to tie together empurata and shadowplay.<ref>[http://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-deconstructs-shadowplay "The Underbase Podcast Deconstructs Shadowplay"], 42:30 - 44:00</ref>
*In his subsequent "Shadowplay" appearance, the still-unnamed Senator Shockwave was deliberately designed and coloured to look like Ultra Magnus,<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-comics-discussion/716601-transformers-more-than-meets-eye-11-discussion-spoilers-29.html#post8649838 Forum post by Alex Milne]</ref> making it a real surprise that we'd been reading the origin of Shockwave all along. It helped that Shockwave was a ''Robots in Disguise'' character and this origin was then in the 'wrong' comic, tying the two together.<ref>[http://www.fullmetalhero.com/t14540/ Moonbase2's second interview with James Roberts - 01:39:20 to 59:30]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Point One Percenters]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Senators]]

Sentinel Zeta Prime

2025-06-23T03:46:54Z

CyberstormSM: /* Fiction */

{{factions|autobot|eliteguard}}
{{disambigm|Sentinel Prime (disambiguation)|Zeta Prime (disambiguation)}}
:''Sentinel Zeta Prime is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[File:WFC ZetaPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Believe in the Sign of Zeta.]]

'''Sentinel Zeta Prime''' was originally an officer in the [[Elite Guard]] before being named [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. Under pressure from the various guilds of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] he oversaw the rise of the caste system that came to dominate Cybertronian society, a policy which brought him into conflict with [[Alpha Trion]], and ultimately led to the archivist's self-imposed exile in the Iacon [[Hall of Records]]. By the time of the rise of the [[Decepticon]] movement, time had robbed him of much of the fire which had made him an effective military leader, and this left him out of touch with the people he claimed to represent.

{{bigquote|So be it, Megatron, I leave you to your own ''futility.''|Zeta Prime thinks himself untouchable|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]''}}

==Fiction==
===''The Covenant of Primus''===
[[File:COP Sentinel Zeta.jpg|250px|right|thumb|upright=1.4|]]

Born some time before the [[Age of Wrath]], when the [[Quintesson]]s, the rogue creations of [[Quintus Prime]], colonized Cybertron and enthralled the technologically inferior Cybertronian race, Sentinel Zeta was elected as Prime in a Quintesson-sponsored election, ruling with thirteen subordinates and forming the [[Elite Guard]] as a police force. Recognizing his situation for what it was, Sentinel rallied several Cybertronians into an organized resistance against the invaders, managing to drive them off the planet.

Reverse engineering the discarded Quintesson technology, Sentinel used [[space bridge]] technology to oversee the foundation of 200 [[Cybertronian colonies]] in a [[Golden Age]] until the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Rust Plague]] spread across the empire. With no cure to be found, and the disease piggybacking across the space bridges, Sentinel was forced to detonate them all, starting the [[Age of Rust]], an act that [[Alpha Trion]] felt had stolen the fire from Sentinel's own spark. Trion later gifted Sentinel with the [[Badge of Vector Prime]] which didn't do much to reignite the fire.

At Trion's behest, Sentinel charged the archivist Orion Pax to find the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and become the new Prime, an act that sparked the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]]. Dismissive of the threat, Sentinel was taken captive while watching a performance at [[Altihex]] Casino. Held prisoner for most of the war, Sentinel was killed after a rescue attempt, Megatron tearing open his chest to claim the key to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===Aligned novels===
Though not one of the [[Thirteen|Thirteen original Transformers]], Sentinel Prime ruled [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] since near that time. Having already overthrown Cybertron's [[Quintesson]] rulers during the [[Age of Wrath]], Sentinel oversaw Cybertron's [[space bridge]] expansion to worlds such as [[Gigantion]], [[Velocitron]] and the [[Hub (G2)|Hub]], and the construction of [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] Station. But as the space bridges grew less reliable and the [[Golden Age]] drew to a close, Sentinel reorganized Cybertron into Guild-run castes, an action [[Alpha Trion]] opposed, forcing him to retreat forever into the [[Hall of Records]] in Iacon. Sentinel also became reclusive, enforcing the notion he did not care for the lower castes.

When the [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]ian [[gladiatorial combat|gladiator]] boss [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] began preaching against the [[Functionism|caste system]], Sentinel dispatched the security agents [[Bumper (WFC)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (WFC)|Fastback]] to investigate him. When their identities were exposed, Megatron brutally murdered them—an act for which Sentinel blamed both Megatron and himself. It was while attending a performance by comedian [[Armorhide (WFC)|Armorhide]] at [[Altihex]] Casino when Megatron's [[Decepticon]]s attacked. Sentinel did not try to fight back, and relied on his bodyguards [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]] for his safety—only to discover they were part of the plot, and they delivered him to Kaon to gain favor with Megatron.

Megatron occasionally desired to take out his anger on Sentinel, but Starscream saw him as a potential bargaining chip—perhaps as a trade in a ransom deal—so they compromised and had the Prime moved to [[Moonbase One|Moon Base One]]. As the war with the [[Autobot]]s lulled, Starscream visited Sentinel and offered him a chance to redeem his cowardly behavior at Altihex. As Megatron plotted to take the [[Plasma energy]] Chamber beneath the [[High Council Tower]], Starscream released Sentinel and he confronted Megatron below [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Though he was an agile opponent, Megatron ''literally'' disarmed Sentinel and cut open his chest, exposing the [[Code Key]] of Justice needed to access the Chamber within him. Starscream removed the Key and [[Blackout (WFC)|Blackout]] was ordered to return Sentinel to Kaon.

Sentinel was chained to a pillar in the [[Underworld]] pits that he had despised his whole life. But he was able to send a distress signal which [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]] received, and he, [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] and Sentinel's replacement [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] arrived to rescue him. Sentinel said he had overstayed his welcome as Prime and said the High Council made the right decision in appointing Optimus. Before dying, he ordered Optimus to journey to Cybertron's [[core]] and purge it of Megatron's [[Dark Energon]]. Optimus returned Sentinel's body to Iacon, where it was laid to rest. {{Storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

{{note|Sentinel Zeta Prime's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic "[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]."}}

===''Rage of the Dinobots''===
After Cybertron was left almost entirely deserted due to the war, [[Swoop (WFC)|Swoop]] called dibs on living in Sentinel Prime's abandoned palace. {{storylink|Rage of the Dinobots issue 4|Rage of the Dinobots #4}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Troy Baker]] (English)|[[Sylvain Lemarié]] (French), [[Miguel Ángel Montero]] (Spain-Spanish)}}

{{quote|High Council... I return with a fallen hero.|Optimus Prime|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

[[File:WFC Megatron Vs ZetaPrime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Just watch, Megatron will realize he didn't need Pandora's box after all.]]

When Megatron launched a raid on [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon station]], and Starscream joined the Decepticons, [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] escaped to warn Autobot leader Zeta Prime that the Decepticons had access to Dark Energon. Zeta Prime sent a large group of Autobot soldiers to guard the Energon bridge that Jetfire knew Starscream and his crew would be reactivating in order to refine an endless supply of Dark Energon for the war effort, ordering that all Decepticons would be shot on sight, but they were unsuccessful. After the Decepticons began manufacturing Dark Energon in mass quantities, Megatron led the attack on the Autobot capitol of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], intending to take the [[Omega Key]], a tool that would allow access to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s core. Megatron's plan was to pump the powerful [[Dark Energon]] into the core in the hopes of reviving the planet and restoring it to what he claimed would be its "former glory". He found the Omega Key's resting place...but it was gone, Zeta Prime having anticipated Megatron's plan and taken it under his personal protection himself. Megatron simply declared that he would take it from Zeta, who appeared several more times via holographs during the missions, warning the Decepticons to turn back before it was too late and Zeta would be forced to execute them.

Megatron's team managed to fight their way to Zeta Prime's chamber in the [[Vaults|Iacon Vaults]], where he was in control of a mechanism that not only rendered him invincible to all attack, but allowed him to create [[Holo-Brute|holographic energon clones of himself]] and manipulate the ceiling to crush the Decepticons. However, the device had a fatal flaw — it generated tremendous heat, requiring the core to periodically open up in order to cool down, allowing Megatron and his Decepticons to damage it. As Zeta Prime's machine crumbled around him, he was pinned to the floor by the wreckage. He told Megatron to finish it, but instead, the Decepticon leader squeezed his [[spark]] casing, forcing Prime to release his grip on the Omega Key. As Megatron gloated in his victory, the "key" started to flash and beep. Zeta Prime laughed, mocking Megatron for heeding the words of his misinformed spies. The device Megatron now held in his hands was not the Omega Key itself, but merely the device that activated the Key. Zeta said that Megatron would only have to wait for the Omega Key to come to him.

Zeta Prime was taken to Megatron's [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] Prison Complex, but elsewhere on Cybertron, [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]], guardian of Iacon and, as it turned out, the true Omega Key, was activated with a mission: Destroy Megatron.

After the defeat of Omega Supreme and the corruption of Cybertron's core with Dark Energon, rumours spread through the Autobot camp that Zeta Prime was dead. A young soldier named Optimus was forced to take temporary command of the Autobots and lead the defensive efforts of Iacon. After Starscream was defeated in the [[Decagon]]'s communications tower, a message, seemingly from Zeta Prime, was played to all Autobot frequencies. Zeta reported his location, and claimed that he had acquired information vital to the Autobot war effort. [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] warned that it was an obvious trap, despite the confirmation of his unique ID signature, but Optimus determined that if there was a chance Zeta was still alive, the Autobots must try to rescue him.

[[File:WFC ZetaPrime Optimus council.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"We need a new guy. This guy's kinda...dead."]]

Allowing themselves to be captured, Optimus, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] were imprisoned (and then broke free), only to learn from Megatron himself that he had orchestrated Zeta Prime's message, their capture and their subsequent escape, so that Megatron could talk to Optimus in a situation he controlled. After being captured and escaping ''again'', Optimus' team freed the remaining Autobot prisoners and [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]] (who had helped orchestrate their first escape), then set off to find their leader. Eventually, Zeta Prime was found, being tortured by [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] in his laboratory. After Soundwave was bested by the Autobots, in desperation, the Decepticon drew energy from the injured Zeta's spark itself, mortally wounding him, though Optimus took a final bullet from Soundwave for his erstwhile commander. Optimus promised to bring Zeta home, but with his last breath, the Prime said that while he appreciated the noble sentiment, it was already too late. Zeta Prime, leader of the Autobots, was dead.

Optimus took Zeta's body back to Iacon, presented it before the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], and begged them for guidance in these desperate times. The leader of the Council stated that they existed only to choose Primes, and that it was the Primes who led the Autobots. When Optimus responded that there were no Primes left, the Council leader asked if Optimus would still reject his true calling. The Council said that for too long they have watched the Primes fall to greed and pride, but Optimus was one leader whose wisdom and courage inspired and transformed the lives of those around him. Charging him with the mission to remove the infection of Dark Energon from Cybertron's core, the council bestowed leadership of the Autobots onto Optimus, a burden and responsibility he accepted. He was now Optimus Prime, the last Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
After the Autobots severed the link between the Energon Bridge and Cybertron's core, Zeta Prime ordered Optimus to protect the library while he himself took the Omega Key to a secure location. Little did they know that they were being spied on by [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]], who reported back to the Decepticons. The Decepticons eventually tracked him down to Iacon library where, protected behind a force field, Zeta Prime unleashed defense systems on them. Unfortunately he made the mistake of putting the power sources for the force field outside said force field, and the Decepticons were able to disable it and blast him. Defiant to the last, Prime told Megatron to go scrap himself. To Megatron's surprise, the "Omega Key" turned out to activate the real key — Omega Supreme.

Following Omega Supreme's defeat, Zeta Prime was taken to Kaon Prison. While held there, he attempted to send a distress call to his old friend Optimus. Once the Autobots retook Iacon and got the Data-net back online, he was able to get through and tell them where he was. Optimus and a group of Autobots fought their way into Kaon prison and eventually found their leader on the verge of death. His dying wish was for them to take his body back to the Autobot council. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
[[File:Tffoc Zeta Prime.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
{{Note|Zeta Prime does not appear in the campaign of ''Fall of Cybertron''. However, he is available in multiplayer if the Havoc DLC pack is downloaded.}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark''===
====Console====
When Shockwave and Sharpshot found themselves in an ancient research laboratory, Shockwave discovered a record about the Dark Spark narrated by Zeta Prime can be seen as a hologram narrating it.

{{Note|Zeta Prime is also a playable character in multiplayer escalation mode.}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark}}

==Notes==
[[File:WFC ZetaPrime concepts.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*As revealed in the unlocked concept art in the Extras menu of the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' video game, some early colour schemes for ''War for Cybertron'' Zeta Prime resemble that of Generation 1 [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. Also revealed in the concept art is that Zeta Prime's vehicle mode is a Cybertronic car, though he doesn't actually transform in the course of the game.
*Behind-the-scenes material gives the character's name as "Sentinel Prime", which is reflected in both the [[Transformers: Exodus|novelization]] and [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|comic book adaptation]] of the game. At some point, the character's name was finalized as "Zeta Prime" in the game itself. When questioned about this discontinuity at [[BotCon 2010]], Hasbro's answer was that the character's full name was "Sentinel Zeta Prime". 2011's ''[[Transformers Vault]]'' approaches the naming issue by referring to the character as "Cybertron's leader and sentinel, Zeta Prime". The "full name" would be officially used in 2013's ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]'', which gives him a design inspired by [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' Sentinel Prime]].
*Zeta Prime is a playable character in multiplayer and Escalation mode as part of a DLC pack released on September 7, 2010. He was available for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game, but not for the PC version. He is a member of the Leader class and transforms into the vehicle mode shown in his concept art. His character model in multiplayer is designated the "Elite Rig".
*In the game, Zeta Prime shares the same [[Body-type|character model]] as the head member of the [[Autobot High Council]].
*In ''Exodus'', Sentinel Prime's belt has the sigil of [[Vector Prime]]. However, he doesn't wear a belt in ''War for Cybertron''.
*The dead Prime seen in the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' episode "[[Alpha/Omega]]", whose arm is harvested by Megatron so that he can use the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], is identified as Sentinel Prime by [[Transformers: The Art of Prime|''The Art of Prime'']]. The concurrently-published ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|Covenant of Primus]]'' identifies him as the [[Liege Maximo]]. The dead Prime's arm in ''Prime'' is red-colored, which neither Sentinel nor Maximo are.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Zeta Prime''' (ゼータプライム ''Zēta Puraimu'')
*''Russian:'' '''Zeta Prime''' (Зета Прайм ''Zeta Praym'')

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Elite Guard]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]

The Power and the Glory

2024-06-27T08:04:56Z

CyberstormSM: /* Continuity notes */

{{disambig2|the ''Generation 2'' issue|the ''Revolutionaries'' issue|Power and Glory}}

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Transformers: Generation 2]]'' #5
|prev=Devices and Desires! (Marvel)
|next=The Gathering Darkness
|seriesissue2=[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Fleetway)|''Transformers: Generation 2'' (Fleetway)]] #4–5
|title="The Power and the Glory"
|prev2=Devices and Desires! (Marvel)
|image=MarvelUSG2-05.jpg
|caption=Wait till you see what I'm gonna '''do''' to your skull, Bludgeon!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=January [[1994]]
|coverdate=March 1994
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Manny Galan]]
|inker=[[Jim Amash]]
|colorist=[[Chia-Chi Wang]] ("The Power and the Glory"), [[Sarra Mossoff]] ("Tales of Earth Part Two")
|letterers=[[Richard Starkings]] with [[Gaushell]]
|editor=[[Rob Tokar]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Optimus Prime learns about the buds and the bees while Megatron and Bludgeon duel to see who gets to destroy the Earth.'''

==Synopsis==
==="The Power and the Glory"===
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Venerable One]]s are hooking [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] up to a [[psychic amplifier]], preparing to drop him into the heart of the planet, the better to commune with the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. Prime believes this will clarify his visions. Though he has doubts, he nevertheless tells the Venerable Ones to flip the switch.

Within Cybertron, he receives visions of the birth of the first [[Transformer]]s from the body of [[Primus]]... and then learns, for the first time, how these early Transformers reproduced. This [[Reproduction#Budding|budding]] process is a sort of bio-mechanical mitosis. However, it becomes clear to Optimus Prime that in the present day, budding is no longer a safe method of reproduction. Primus intends for current Transformers to reproduce using the Creation Matrix. The continued use of budding by the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]] is what makes them ruthless and emotionless; their link to Primus has been attenuated by too many generations.

Optimus Prime tears himself out of the psychic link, more determined than ever to stop the Cybertronians. However, if he had stayed linked a few seconds more, he would have seen that continued process of budding, in addition to producing cold, hard Transformers, is also releasing a [[Swarm (G2)|strange dark energy]]. Dark, and ''purposeful''...

Meanwhile, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] is overseeing the [[cyberforming|eco-structuring]] of a [[Outpost D-109|(formerly) lush organic world]], and wondering where the heck the [[Autobot]]s got to. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] and the other Autobots under Optimus Prime's command are engaging in training exercises at the [[Autobase]], and are champing at the bit to kick some Cybertronian (or [[Decepticon]]) skidplate.

==="Tales of Earth Part Two"===
Back on [[Earth]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] laments about how he created all this carnage to draw out Optimus Prime (and his tasty Creation Matrix), but instead all he got were [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]. The opposing leaders exchange some trash talk, then begin the fight. Though Bludgeon makes good use of his [[Pretender]] nature and tank [[alternate mode]], he's truly no match for the new and upgraded Megatron, who decapitates his shell, then blows his inner robot to bits. Watching from a safe distance, the Autobot [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] scampers off to report to Optimus Prime that Megatron is back as undisputed leader of the Decepticons.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*assorted [[Venerable One]]s (2)
*[[Prima]] (flashback) (5)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (6)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (7)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (8)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (9)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (10)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (11)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (12)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (13)
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (14)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (15)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (16)
*[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (17)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (27)
|c2=
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (19)
*[[Stranglehold]] (20)
*[[Quake (G1)|Quake]] (21)
*[[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] (22)
*[[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] (23)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (24)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (25)
*[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] (26)
|h4=[[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]]|c4=
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] (3)
*[[Outpost D-109 overseer]] (4)
|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] (flashback) (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"Cybertron. More than a homeworld, a '''living''' planet — the final form of '''Primus''', first of our kind. We were his '''army''', soldiers created from the very substance of his 'self' to continue the fight against evil...Our bodies...complex reconfigurable bio-chanic structures, changeling figures able to mimic vehicles, machinery, and weapons. '''Transformers!''' These are '''not''' legends, these are '''facts''' — facts I have never sought nor thought to question...'''until now!'''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' relates the origins of his species.

"'''Optimus Prime''', fourth heir to the '''Matrix''', holder of the lifeforce of Primus. I ask you this one last time...do you wish to '''proceed?'''" 
"[''Thinking''] '''Good question!'''"
:—A '''Venerable One''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

"In the words of the prophets, boys...'''eat my TRACKS!'''"
:—'''Hot Rod''' runs rings round the Aerialbots.

"You should have stayed dead." 
"We suffer from a disquieting knack, Megatron and I, of refusing to do just '''that.''' All "death" does is make us a little '''meaner''' and a little '''crankier.'''"
:—'''Bludgeon''' and '''Starscream'''

"Strange. The only evidence '''I''' see of enhancement — '''is a bigger MOUTH!'''"
:—'''Bludgeon''' to Megatron.

"[''Whispering''] Five triliters of '''[[evergon resin]]''' says Bludgeon's goin' down." 
"[''Whispering''] You're on!"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Fangry''' place their bets.

"'''Hear me''', loyal Decepticons. The shallow pretender is '''dead''' — the reign of '''Megatron''' begins anew!"
:—'''Megatron''' makes a pun.

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:Starscreamtongue.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Manny Galan needs to cut back on the hentai.]]
*Starscream sports a [[Legion (KP)|really unsettling]] [[tongue|segmented tongue]] in some panels.
*In this issue, the first panel on page five of the main story is some trees and mountains. The first panel on page five of the ''back-up'' story is Megatron decapitating Bludgeon. This is relevant to issue #7, "[[New Dawn]]", where (apparently) [[New Dawn|the first is mistakenly reprinted where the second was intended]].
*Bludgeon says, "I wanted ''Optimus Prime'' to come scurrying out from behind the protected ramparts Autobase to save his beloved mudball..." It should be "ramparts ''of'' Autobase".

===Continuity errors===

===Continuity notes===
*The three vehicles seen in the close-up of Cybertron on the first page are the [[alternate mode]]s of [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]].
*Optimus Prime is referred to as the "fourth heir to the Matrix," which tracks with what we first learned back in [[Dark Creation]].
*This marks the first time Megatron has truly been leader of the Decepticons in American continuity since US issue [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#25]], when he went nuts and blew up a [[space bridge]] with himself on it.
*Poor Bludgeon has had [[At Fight's End|battles]] with Megatron [[Transformers Comic issue 2.21|for leadership]] in other canons too, and they ''always'' have him getting killed and in a humiliating way... even though he's always done a pretty dang good job as leader!

===Real-life references===
*The cover references the very famous "Alas, poor Yorick!" monologue from ''{{w|Hamlet}}'', where Hamlet holds the skull of a long-departed jester.
*"The power and the glory" is a phrase from the {{w|Gospel of Matthew}}.

===UK printing===
'''Issue #4'''
*Stories: [[Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|"Tales of Earth" Part One]] and "Tales of Earth" Part Two

'''Issue #5'''
*Stories: ''The Power and the Glory''
*The editorial promotes UK fan-club [[Transmasters UK]].
*This was the final UK issue due to it being cancelled because of low sales.

===Other trivia===
*The creators for this tale did not get specific credits, but were instead lumped together under "By". The credit assignments given in this article are based on precedent.

===Furminated===
*Darkwing takes a direct hit from Megatron and explodes, but is later seen to have survived - just barely.
*After having his Pretender shell decapitated, Bludgeon is killed in tank mode by a point-blank blast from Megatron.

===Covers (3)===
*'''US cover:''' Megatron holding Bludgeon's skull, by [[Derek Yaniger]].
*'''UK issue #4 cover:''' recolored version of US cover, by Derek Yaniger.
*'''UK issue #5 cover:''' budding process by [[Manny Galan]].
<gallery>
File:MarvelUSG2-05.jpg|'''''Transformers: Generation 2'' #5''' - Wait till you see what I'm gonna '''do''' to your skull, Bludgeon!
File:FleetwayUKG2-04.jpg|'''''Transformers: Generation 2'' (Fleetway) #4''' - I knew you well.
File:FleetwayUKG2-05.jpg|'''''Transformers: Generation 2'' (Fleetway) #5''' - Chestburster!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*None yet identified.

===Reprints===
*'''''[[Transformers: Dark Designs]]'' TPB:''' Megatron, Swoop, Bludgeon, Grimlock's toe and half of the [[Liege Maximo]], by [[Andrew Wildman|Andy Wildman]].
*'''''Transformers: Dark Designs'' hardback:''' Megatron and the graves of [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], Bludgeon, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] and Optimus Prime, by [[John Byrne]] and [[Chris Blythe]].
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 90: Generation 2 Part 1:''''' [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], by [[Dreamwave Productions]] and [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], by [[Derek Yaniger]].

<gallery>
File:Dark designs tpb cover.jpg|'''''Dark Designs'' TPB''' (Titan Books, 2002)
File:Dark designs hb cover.jpg|'''''Dark Designs'' hardback''' (Titan Books, 2002)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v90.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Vol. 90: Generation 2 Part 1''''' (Hachette Partworks, 2020)
</gallery>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Power and the Glory}}
[[Category:Fleetway issues]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 issues]]

Adventure Force

2024-01-01T08:10:57Z

CyberstormSM: Redirected page to Adventure Team

#REDIRECT [[Adventure Team]]

Duke (G.I. Joe)

2023-12-27T00:39:29Z

CyberstormSM: /* Energon Universe */

{{Factions|gijoe}}
{{disambigm|Duke (planet)|Hauser}}
:''Duke is a [[human]] from the [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:GIJoeVsTF6 Duke.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Hi kids. BLAAAAH'm Crack Stuntman. I'm the voice of the gun-shaver on Cheat Commandos, here with an important rap song about safety and spring break. Bust it!]]

'''Duke''', real name '''Conrad S. Hauser''', is a member of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] often serving as the team leader whenever [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] is somewhere else. With his blond hair, blue eyes, and cleft chin, he really sports that whole "real American Hero" thing. That he's got the skills and combat history to back it all up doesn't hurt, either.

==Fiction==
===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Duke GIJoevsTFs5.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
In response to the forming of the terrorist organization [[Cobra]] and its commandeered Transformers, the United States government assembled a strike team dubbed [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Duke was amongst its earliest recruits, and helped track down Cobra's money trail to narrow down where to look for the terrorists. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #2}} He later helped defend the [[SPS Research Facility]] from a [[Cobra]] attack, and dramatically escaped through a window when the place was blown up. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}} He was later present when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] helped free several Transformers from Cobra's programming by hacking into the terrorist organization's network. The Autobot also managed to pinpoint the location of Cobra Island, enabling G.I. Joe to launch a counter-attack against their enemy. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. The Transformers #4}} En route, Duke made small-talk with Hawk, discussing how they’d probably all get court-martialed if they managed to survive their mission. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. The Transformers #5}} During G.I. Joe's assault on [[Cobra Island]], Duke ordered his squadron to fire on [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. After the battle was won, the [[Autobot]]s gave Duke a [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] battle mech as a thank you for helping them defeat the [[Decepticon]]s. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

[[File:GI Joe vs Transformers V2 Duke.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|...Christopher Pike?!]]
In a far future, where Decepticons had conquered Earth and turned the world into something that looks like it's out of ''The Terminator'', a one armed, no legged, wheelchair-bound Duke that's missing a hunk of his face led the [[Dreadnok]]s as part of the human resistance. When a small group of Joes and Cobras arrived from the past in search of time-lost Transformers, Duke was uninterested in their mission and ordered them to join his resistance group. When [[Barbecue]] refused on the grounds that they could simply "undo" this future if they succeeded, Duke called them cowards and told them to get the hell out of his face. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

As the Decepticon invasion was successfully prevented, Duke got to keep his limbs and face. Back in the regular timeline, he was part of a team of Joes preparing to warp to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and help defeat [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} Upon arrival, they joined up with the local Autobot forces and won against Serpent O.R.'s Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

A few months later, Duke and a few other Joes went to [[Cuba]] to stop [[Destro]]'s illegal arms dealing. When they arrived, a team of Autobots had already dealt with it, although Destro had gotten away. While complaining about this, Duke was contacted by [[Firewall]], who told him that [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] was in trouble in [[Tibet]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}} Duke promptly lead a team of Joes to Tibet, where they fought their way past [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] and into [[Cobra-La]]. There Duke met his idol, [[Joe Colton]], and together they gunned down various mutants and defeated Cobra-La. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
[[File:Duke-The Line.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3]]
Duke was among the founding members of G.I. Joe in [[1939]]. During the team's first meeting, he spotted and opened fire on [[Laserbeak (G1)|a spy]], only to be disarmed when the infiltrator pierced his hand with a laser. Along with [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]], Duke later led an attack on [[Cobra]]'s base on the [[Fera Islands]]. {{storylink|The Line}} He was in charge of Strike Team One, whose task was to take out the shore defenses so Flint's team could call in the fleet. During their mission, the team accidentally reactivated several [[Autobot]]s buried on the island. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] told Duke about the Autobots' long war with the [[Decepticon]]s, and offered to help the Joes with their own mission. {{storylink|Transformed}}

[[File:Transformers GI Joe 5 Duke.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Always bet on Duke!]]
With the Autobots help, Duke's troops fought their way across the island, eventually making contact with [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]], who Duke thought had died in battle. {{storylink|Trial by Fire}} After thinking up a way to counter [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s earthquakes, he figured that with the Autobots' help, they didn't really need the fleet after all. {{storylink|Wolves}} However, as the Joes approached the [[Terrordrome]], Optimus Prime started regretting getting involved in their war, and told Duke that the Autobots would not aid them any longer. Duke managed to jumpstart Prime's resolve by telling him about the horrors that Cobra had done to their fellow humans, and would keep doing if they weren't stopped. {{storylink|Trenches}} Upon reaching the Terrordrome, Duke bore witness to [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s activation and subsequent rampage. In the end, the Autobots were forced to sacrifice themselves to destroy the giant. Duke reflected on this, telling his fellow Joes that "There's a fine line between being a hero and being a memory." {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

Cobra survived, however, and Duke continued to fight them for the next fifty years. By [[1988]], he had risen to the rank of commander of G.I. Joe, and listened to [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] apologize for a failed attempt to capture [[Destro]]. He responded that Flint's father, [[Nathaniel Faireborn|Nathaniel]], never gave apologies, only results. A short while later, G.I. Joe uncovered [[Blaster (G1)|two]] [[Perceptor (G1)|new]] Autobots who had crashed on Earth, and Duke decided to tell the new recruits exactly what they had found. Together with Stalker and [[Scarlett]], he showed Flint and [[Spirit]] footage of Optimus Prime's battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] on the Fera Islands. {{storylink|Targets of Opportunity}}

===''Unit:E'' comic===
Upon approaching the planet [[Earth]], the artificial intelligence [[Synergy]] presented footage of the Joes in action so that her crew-mate, the young [[Microman|Acroyear]], could learn about his potential allies and enemies on the alien world. Duke could be seen charging into action alongside Scralett and Roadblock on one of Synergy's view-screens. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}

===''Kre-O'' cartoon===
[[File:DetentionEscape Duke and Snake-Eyes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85]]
Duke and Snake-Eyes were stuck in detention by [[Dr. Mayhem]]. They attempted to escape by parachuting out of the window, but were caught and returned to detention. The pair were finally freed when fellow captive [[Spock]] had Mayhem transported to an alien planet. {{storylink|Detention Escape}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Growing up, Duke argued with his step-father frequently. He was also none too keen on [[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|his half-brother]]. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}}

Duke was part of a G.I. Joe strike force that stormed a Cobra hideout housing deadly [[G.I.Rocket|Creeper bombs]]. As his squad were air-dropped into the field, Duke attempted to persuade [[Scarlett]] to go on a date with him. Scarlett rebuked his advances, but told him that she would marry the Joe who brought her [[Cobra Commander]]'s helmet. Both Duke and fellow Joe [[Snake-Eyes]] accepted her challenge. As the Joes swept across the Cobra base, disabling and capturing many operatives as they went, Duke witnessed Cobra Commander and the [[Baroness]] fleeing the scene in a [[Rattler]]. Commandeering another plane, and with Scarlet as his gunner, Duke pursued the terrorists. Pandemonium broke out as the Transformers [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] joined the fight. The battle ultimately culminated in Cobra Commander's plane being destroyed by a payload of Creeper vines, and Duke and Scarlet rescuing Snake-Eyes from the explosion after his face had been blasted by the head of Cobra.

The Joes later reconvened in [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], where Duke voiced his grievances to [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]]; their triumph over Cobra felt like a Pyrrhic victory, in light of the trauma they had all gone through. {{storylink|The Golden Boys}}

[[Image:tfvsjoe Duke forgets money.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]

On his next mission, Duke helped round up many Cobra operatives in the town of [[Springfield (G.I. Joe)|Springfield]]. Afterwards, he was recalled to T.H.E. P.I.T. once again. There, he learned that the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was heading for Earth, and that Scarlett had returned to active duty, though Snake-Eyes had not. Duke and [[Ace]] patrolled the skies when representatives from the planet Cybertron came to demand the Earth's unconditional surrender. Having none of that, Duke faced off against Starscream, though [[General Flagg]] ordered him to retreat, lest he be caught in the blast of the [[Coltonbolt]] fired down from orbit. Duke stuck around long enough to rescue [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], [[Lady Jaye]] and [[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], and managed to just make it out of the defense satellite's blast range when it fired. {{storylink|I Saw Three Ships}}

Aboard the ''[[USS Flagg]]'', Duke took part in General Hawk's mock-funeral, an elaborate set-up meant to draw Cobra into the open. The plan worked, though the Joes were faced with not only their human enemies, but the combined might of the Decepticobra alliance! Duke, Hawk and Jaye took on Starscream during the battle. But the fight was in truth a ruse within a ruse; as Cobra troops were forced to retreat, a disguised Duke sneaked in among their ranks. At the enemy base of [[Decepticobropolis]], Duke noted that Snake-Eyes stood alongside [[Destro]], confirming his fears that the ninja had turned traitor. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}}

Despite his disguise, Duke was soon found out by [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who presented the captive Joe to [[Big Boa]]. Duke managed to stuff a bomb in Rumble's mouth, killing him, before taking on Big Boa and a handful of Cobra Troopers by himself. Once they had been dealt with, Duke confronted Snake-Eyes about his betrayal, and went toe-to-toe with the ninja. During their fight, the pair tumbled into the nearby [[M.A.S.S. Device|M.A.S.S. transfer device]]. In the void between dimensions, the two combatants came upon the lost leader of the Autobots: [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]! {{storylink|Form Follows Function}} The three of them were then ensnared by the [[Quintesson]]s. Recognizing that these "robothulhus" presented a more pressing matter than his beef with Snake-Eyes, Duke nominated they work together to deal with them. Though the Quintessons managed to invade their memories, the trio slipped through their grasp and high-tailed back to normal space. Duke and Snake-Eyes arrived on Cybertron just in time to join Scarlett and repel a Decepticobra assault on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. The villains were forced to slink away, but they took many prisoners with them. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} With the enemy forces driven off, [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] showed Duke, [[Cover Girl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] some elaborate scribbles he had created while in a mystical trance; a map to the chamber of [[Primus]]. The six of them were joined by [[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] and followed the map to an underground chamber containing the face of the Transformers' creator-god... as well as Decepticobra guards! {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Escape from Primus}} {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{mainIDW|Duke}}
Duke was among a select few chosen to form the elite U.S. military force [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], meeting their namesake General [[Joe Colton]] upon their formation. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}} {{storylink|The Divine Source of Liberty|Scarlett profile in Revolution #2}}

[[Ayana Jones|Ayana "Mayday" Jones]] served under Colonel Hauser during the [[Nanzhao]] conflict. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}}

At the time of the [[Revolution]] incident, [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] last knew that [[Big Ben]] was running missions in Eastern Europe with Colonel Hauser. {{storylink|Concorde Hymn}}

The [[Decepticon]] [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] believed from outdated information that Duke was the leader of G.I. Joe. {{storylink|Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!}}

===''Aw Yeah Revolution!''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 1|Aw Yeah Revolution! #1}}}}

===When Worlds Collide===
{{Charstubfiction|{{storylink|When Worlds Collide}}}}

===Energon Universe===
Duke was catching a ride to an airbase in the fighter jet Viper 2 flown by pilot Frosting when the jet was ordered to investigate anomalous radar readings coming from the power plant in Farmingham. However, an [[Starscream (G1)|enemy jet]] intercepted them and opened fire, before converting into a giant robot and slapping the jet out of the sky. Frosting managed to eject himself and Duke from the craft in time, but he was killed by the robot right after. The robot then attempted to kill Duke, but Duke deployed a jetpack and shot the robot in the face with a flare gun before making his escape. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 2|Transformers #2}}
{{ongoing}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
'''[[Hound (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Hound]] [[VAMP|V.A.M.P.]]'''
[[File:GiJoe Duke EarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.00]]

Duke is the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] partner of Hound {{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Ability: G.I. Joe Command''' - Follow Duke’s command! Aim at a defence and the V.A.M.P. will deal some damage. Defences in the area receive 20% (2-Stars) / 30% (3-Stars) / 40% (4-Stars) more damage and get prioritized by all bots for 3.5 seconds.
**'''Cost''': 5 ability points, +3 for reuses.

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Pop!''===
[[File:Funko Pop Mystery Box Megatron Duke GI Joe.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
*'''Funko Mystery Box: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''' (Giftset, 2021)
**''ID number:'' '''46'''

:Released as part of the ''Pop! Retro Toys'' segment and available only as part of a GameStop exclusive giftset, [[Funko Pop!|Funko]]'s ''Pop!'' Duke is a super deformed vinyl figure and comes [[Blindpacking|blindpacked]] inside a ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''-themed lunch box alongside a ''Pop!'' [[Megatron (G1)/merchandise#Pop!|Megatron]] figure, a ''G.I. Joe'' logo decal, an Autobot logo keychain, and a set of four pins of Duke, Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#Pop!|Optimus Prime ]] and [[Cobra Commander#Pop!|Cobra Commander]].

{{-}}

==Notes==
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/cartoons/japanese/pioneer/SDLDpostmovie.jpg A group shot] drawn by [[Hidetsugu Yoshioka]] as cover art for [[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer]]'s ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (franchise)|Transformers 2010]]'' {{w|LaserDisc}} set mistakenly features Duke as a flag-waving incidental character in the crowd rather than [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]], a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] who ''did'' appear in the series. The reproduction of the piece's lineart in ''[[Transformers Visualworks]]'' deleted Duke from the image.
*The resemblance of Duke and his role in a military organization fighting a reptilian-themed enemy, and the title character of the [[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|2006 TV show]] ''[[Space-Age Jack]]'', is purely coincidental. Both characters being voiced by [[Michael Bell]] was, also, most assuredly a coincidence.
*[[Buzz Dixon]], a writer for the ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon, revealed in an interview that Duke was indirectly responsible for the first death of Optimus Prime, who in turn was indirectly responsible for saving Duke's life. The writers of ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'' asked Hasbro for permission to kill Duke off, and Hasbro not only granted it, they thought it was a great idea and way to [[To sell toys|clear out older characters in favor of new ones]], so they instructed the writers of the upcoming [[The Transformers: The Movie|''Transformers'' movie]] to kill off most of the original cast of the cartoon series. The Transformers movie ended up being released first, but fan (and parent) reactions to all of the character deaths, especially that of Optimus Prime, were overwhelmingly negative, to the point where a spooked Hasbro changed their minds and ordered the Joe writers to spare Duke. This led to an awkward new dialogue in the G.I. Joe movie stating that the clearly killed Duke had merely fallen into a coma, along with an inserted line at the end saying that he had awakened and was going to recover.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151215034944/http://www.joeheadquarters.com/interviews_dixon.shtml G.I. Joe Interview - Buzz Dixon]</ref>
*Duke has been voiced by a few ''Transformers'' voice actors over the years from the likes of [[Michael Bell]], [[Steve Blum]], [[Roger Craig Smith]], [[Jason Marsden]], [[Ian James Corlett]] and [[Sean Chiplock]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Grant''' (グラント ''Guranto''), '''Duke''' (デューク ''Dyūku'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.yojoe.com/action/83/duke1.shtml Duke at YoJoe.com]
*[http://www.myuselessknowledge.com/joe/characters/duke.html Duke page on Myuseless Knowledge]
*{{i|Duke}} at the IDW Hasbro Wiki

[[Category:Energon Universe humans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:G.I. Joe]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) humans]]
[[Category:Kre-O humans]]

Michael Kelly (actor)

2023-12-22T20:02:03Z

CyberstormSM:

{{disambig2|the actor named Michael Kelly|the writer and executive who shares the same name|Michael Kelly (writer)}}

'''Michael Kelly''' (born [[May 22]], [[1969]]) is an American actor. He is best known for his television-related roles as Chief of Staff Doug Stamper on ''House of Cards'', Agent Ron Goddard in ''The Sopranos'', Andrew McCabe in ''the Comney Rule'', Mike November in ''Jack Ryan'', FBI Special Agent Jonathan "Prophet" Sims in ''Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior'', and Byron Westfield in ''Special Ops: Lioness''. He has also appeared in a plethora of films including ''Unbreakable'', ''Dawn of the Dead'', ''Law Abiding Citizen'', ''The Adjustment Bureau'', ''Chronicle'', ''Now You See Me'', and ''[[Superman|Man of Steel]]''.

==Roles==
===''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''===
*[[Agent Burke]]

==Notes==
*To make sure the big twist with Agent Burke remained secret, Kelly wasn't cast in the role until after principal photography for ''Rise of the Beasts'' was finished, and was not told that his character would be a member of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] until he was handed the final script on the day of filming, at which point he started freaking out and had to call his agent to make sure it wasn't a joke.<ref name=CapleJr>[https://ew.com/movies/transformers-g-i-joe-crossover-plans/ Inside the top-secret plans for Transformers and G.I. Joe — Entertainment Weekly]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0446672/ Michael Kelly on IMDB]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, Michael}}
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:On-camera actors]]

Michael Kelly (writer)

2023-12-22T20:01:54Z

CyberstormSM:

{{disambig2|the writer and executive named Michael Kelly|the actor who shares the same name|Michael Kelly (actor)}}

'''Michael Kelly''' was [[Hasbro]]'s Director of Global Publishing <ref>[http://www.aintitcool.com/node/58236 John Barber:] "Michael Kelly, who’s Hasbro’s Director of Global Publishing, is a great friend and somebody I get to work with very closely. He coordinates with the Transformers brand team at Hasbro—which contains some really good friends of mine, too."</ref>, having previously been a Senior Publishing Manager there, and wrote ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel]]''. As of [[2018]] he has been promoted to Vice President of the department.

{{creatorstub}}

==External links==
*[http://www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-kelly/47/7ab/271 LinkedIn profile]

===Interviews===
*July 2010—San Diego Comic-Con ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FVuLZOsTmU Part 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S54yFs_Dx8U Part 2], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLgbWSK-jro Part 3], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3SDDXeJLWQ Part 4]) (with [[Andy Schmidt]], [[Larry Hama]], [[Robert Atkins]], [[Mike Costa]], [[Denton J. Tipton]], and [[Alex Irvine]])
*July 2014—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaIdUCkcYw8 San Diego Comic-Con] (with [[John Barber]], [[Mairghread Scott]], [[Livio Ramondelli]], [[Agnes Garbowska]], [[Tom Scioli]], Bobby Kernow, and Jim Zub)
*October 2019—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtL-3LVme3U New York Comic Con] (with [[Jim Sorenson]], [[Livio Ramondelli]], and [[Andrew Griffith]])

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Hasbro writers]]

Michael Kelly (actor)

2023-12-22T20:01:05Z

CyberstormSM:

{{disambig2|actor named Michael Kelly|the writer and executive who shares the same name|Michael Kelly (writer)}}

'''Michael Kelly''' (born [[May 22]], [[1969]]) is an American actor. He is best known for his television-related roles as Chief of Staff Doug Stamper on ''House of Cards'', Agent Ron Goddard in ''The Sopranos'', Andrew McCabe in ''the Comney Rule'', Mike November in ''Jack Ryan'', FBI Special Agent Jonathan "Prophet" Sims in ''Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior'', and Byron Westfield in ''Special Ops: Lioness''. He has also appeared in a plethora of films including ''Unbreakable'', ''Dawn of the Dead'', ''Law Abiding Citizen'', ''The Adjustment Bureau'', ''Chronicle'', ''Now You See Me'', and ''[[Superman|Man of Steel]]''.

==Roles==
===''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''===
*[[Agent Burke]]

==Notes==
*To make sure the big twist with Agent Burke remained secret, Kelly wasn't cast in the role until after principal photography for ''Rise of the Beasts'' was finished, and was not told that his character would be a member of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] until he was handed the final script on the day of filming, at which point he started freaking out and had to call his agent to make sure it wasn't a joke.<ref name=CapleJr>[https://ew.com/movies/transformers-g-i-joe-crossover-plans/ Inside the top-secret plans for Transformers and G.I. Joe — Entertainment Weekly]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0446672/ Michael Kelly on IMDB]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, Michael}}
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:On-camera actors]]

Friday

2023-12-20T01:36:52Z

CyberstormSM:

:''Friday is an [[Intruder]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:SSF Friday concept.jpg|thumb|200px]]

Somehow a resident of a jungle oasis at the [[Arctic|North Pole]], the [[Intruder]] known to his [[human]] friends as "'''Friday'''" is a long way from home.

==Fiction==
===IDW 2005 continuity===
When members of [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]]'s [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] team arrived at the North Pole oasis, they were immediately beset by [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]], but a "caveman" emerged from the jungle to spook away the dinosaurs. His language unintelligible to the English-speakers, the caveman eventually got the nickname of "Friday" from [[Salvo (G.I. Joe)|Salvo]] and was trained in martial arts by [[Quick Kick]]. The Intruder subsequently joined G.I. Joe in taking down [[Croc Master]] and [[Raptor (G.I. Joe)|Raptor]]. {{Storylink|Scarlett's Strike Force issue 2|Scarlett's Strike Force #2}}

[[File:SSF2 Friday.jpg|thumb|left]]

When G.I. Joe attacked [[Cobra]]'s temple in the North Pole, Quick Kick and Friday stayed behind, for Quick Kick was awaiting a confrontation with [[Storm Shadow]], which the latter was all too keen to provide. Friday attempted to intercede in the duel, but was quickly knocked out by Storm Shadow's own protégé, [[Tempest (G.I. Joe)|Tempest]]. After offering Quick Kick the chance to join up with them, the two villains disappeared using a smoke bomb. {{Storylink|Scarlett's Strike Force issue 3|Scarlett's Strike Force #3}}

After the Joes regrouped, Friday was declared unfit for the field and kept home with a stack of martial arts movies to "study" while the proper members of G.I. Joe went ahead to Cobra's new moon base. {{storylink|Scarlett's Strike Force issue 4|Scarlett's Strike Force #4}} In actuality, Friday had stowed away on the ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'' and leapt to Quick Kick's rescue when he was cornered by both Storm Shadow and Tempest. After taking out Tempest with a meteor hammer, the caveman clumsily took himself out as well. {{storylink|Unreleased Scarlett's Strike Force issues#Scarlett's Strike Force #7|Scarlett's Strike Force #7}}

[[Category:IDW (2005) aliens]]

Oktober Guard

2023-12-19T04:28:16Z

CyberstormSM:

:''The Oktober Guard are a team from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:TFvsJoe oktober guard.jpg|right|thumb|400px|They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky...]]
The '''Oktober Guard''' are [[Russia]]'s terrifying answer to [[United States of America|America]]'s daring, highly trained special mission force [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. The team's lineup varies, but has been known to include:

{|border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin:.5em 0 1.5em 0;"
!''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]''
![[2005 IDW continuity]]
|-
| valign="top"|
*[[Colonel Breakoff]] (leader)
*[[Daina|Denia]]
*[[Dragun]]
*[[Horrorshow]]
*[[S.H.R.I.E.K.]]
*[[Münchnik]]
| valign="top"|
*[[Major Bludd]] (leader)
*[[Daina]]
*[[Dragonsky]]
*[[Gorky]]
*[[Horrorshow]]
*[[Shturmovik]]
|}

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
[[Daina|One member of the Oktober Guard]], under the callsign "Oktober Guard One", was flying a top secret jet and was forced to eject when it was attacked and captured by a submarine. The Soviet government initially blamed the incident on the [[United States of America]], bringing [[Cold War (history)|tensions between the two superpowers]] to their highest point since the {{w|Cuban Missile Crisis}}. However, the jet had in fact been stolen by renowned trophy hunter [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]], which was later revealed by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe new transylvania.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Oktober Guard Has Risen From Beyond The Grave]]
The Oktober Guard ambushed G.I. Joe's "non-human personnel" unit [[U.S.7]] when they were on a supply run to the metal planet of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] as it drew closer to [[Earth]]. Boarding chutes in their spaceship bored their way into U.S.7's craft, and a battle broke out between the two groups, but it lasted only a few moments before the gigantic [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] reached up from the surface of Cybertron, grabbed the ship, and dumped all the guardsmen and Joe animals down his throat. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

After Earth was seemingly destroyed in a collision with Cybertron, the Oktober Guard tried to claim the robot world as "New Transylvania". The Joes snuck off while the Decepticons were busy squishing the Guard. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}} With their claim denied, the Oktober Guard instead settled for making [[Pluto]] their New Transylvania in the space age that followed the war. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{mainIDW|Oktober Guard}}
[[File:WhenEaglesScream-IronRing.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Yeah, we know the Guard look less cool in their old-school designs, so we put Baron Ironblood in the shot as consolation.]]
{{stub|{{storylink|Crisis Intervention}} {{storylink|When Eagles Scream}} {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|Ghost in the Machine}}}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*The Oktober Guard are long-standing figures in ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' history, having appeared in the original [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comic and animated series. Conceived as the {{w|Soviet Union|Soviet}} counterpart to G.I. Joe and named after the {{w|October Revolution}}, they were a military team comprising characters from various {{w|Eastern Bloc|Communist bloc}} countries. While most of their appearances in [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'']] fiction have stayed true to that, the ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' comic described above completely reinterpreted them as horror/[[Halloween]]-themed (October, get it?) and filled their roster with mostly renamed or brand-new characters.

[[Category:G.I. Joe franchise]]
[[Category:Iron Ring]]

Magnus (disambiguation)

2023-11-30T19:09:25Z

CyberstormSM:

{{disambig2|the name "Magnus"|the name "Ultra Magnus"|Ultra Magnus (disambiguation)}}

The term '''Magnus''' has been applied to several different ''Transformers'' concepts:

{{disamb|y=[[1986]]/[[2022]]*|Magnus, the oft-ignored white inner robot of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] from [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]].}}
{{disamb|y=[[2007]]|[[Magnus (rank)|Magnus]], the [[Autobot]] military rank from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2009]]|Sentinel Magnus, as [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] would come to be known in ''Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2010]]|P.C. Magnus, another name for [[Powered Convoy]] from ''Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=2010|[[Nova Magnus]], the [[Protectobot (Animated)|Protectobot]] from ''Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=2010|[[Zeemon Magnus]], the [[Guardian (Animated)|Guardian]] from ''Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2012]]|[[Ursa Magnus]], the Autobot [[Transcendent Technomorph]] from ''[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2012|[[Delta Magnus]], the Autobot from Generation 1.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2013]]|[[Magnus (Kre-O)|Magnus]], the Autobot pet from ''[[Kre-O]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2016]]|[[Sentius Magnus]], the Autobot from ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars| Earth Wars]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2016|[[Terragar Magnus]], the Protecton from ''Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2017]]|[[Ginrai (robot)|Magnus Prime]], the Autobot from ''[[Titans Return (franchise)|Titans Return]]''.}}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Not named till 2022

Media with "Magnus" in the title:

{{disamb|y=[[2019]]|"[[Magnus Opus]]", the spotlight mission for ''[[Transformers: Forged to Fight| Forged to Fight]]''.}}

See also:

*The [[Magnus Armor]]
*The [[Magnus Hammer]]
*The [[Magnus Inquiry]]

Not to be confused with...

*[[Magnum]]
*[[Magneous]]
*[[Pyra Magna]]

{{disambig}}

Magnus (disambiguation)

2023-11-30T19:09:11Z

CyberstormSM:

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II

2023-11-27T17:26:31Z

CyberstormSM: /* Creative team */

{{disambig2|the awesomely crazy Devil's Due crossover with the time traveling Transformers|other stories with G.I. Joe|G.I. Joe crossovers}}
[[Image:Joetfii gatefold00.jpg|thumb|300px| Some human heads cannot rob from the awesomeness.]]

[[File:GIJoeVsTheTransformersLogo.png|475x150px|center]]

'''''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II''''' is a 4-issue miniseries published by [[Devil's Due Press]] in 2004, set in [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers continuity|their unique crossover continuity]].

{{chapters|style=3|series=joevstf2|prev=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers|next=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War
|content=
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II preview|Preview]]
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|#1]]
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|#2]]
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|#3]]
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|#4]]
}}

==Overview==
Though ''[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'' had been vanquished, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] has led the Decepticons to near-total control of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. [[Cobra Commander]], meanwhile, plots to take control of the Cybertronian supercomputer [[Teletran 3]]. His scheming and interference, however, causes the computer to go berserk, transporting random groups of [[Transformer]]s through time and space. Teams of allied [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] and [[Cobra]]s must follow the displaced robots and return them to the present, before their presence will cause a time storm to scourge [[Earth]].

The 4-issue miniseries was preceded by a preview issue containing a few pages from the new series, as well as interviews and sketches. Numerous Transformers were redesigned for the series, with alternate forms appropriate to the time period to which they were transported.

==Creative team==
This volume was written by [[Dan Jolley]] and illustrated by [[Tim Seeley]] and [[E. J. Su]]. Su would later go on to become a major player for [[IDW Publishing]] during their time as the Transformers license-holder, starting with [[The Transformers: Infiltration]].

==Collections==

* '''''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II'' TPB''' ([[May 25]], [[2005]]) ISBN 1932796320
:*Collects issues #1–4.
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery, sketches, and creative team interview.

* '''''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers Omnibus]]''''' ([[January 30]], [[2008]]) ISBN 9781934692059
:*Collects the full 4 volumes of Devil's Due's ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' crossovers.

* '''''[[G.I. Joe/Transformers Volume 2]]''''' ([[December 12]], [[2012]]) ISBN 1613775350 / ISBN 978-1613775356
:*Collects the previous series, ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'', as well as ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II''.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 96: G.I. Joe vs Transformers, Part 2''''' ([[July 15]], [[2020]])
:*Collects issues #1–4 and the first 2 issues of ''The Art of War''
:*Bonus material includes a two-page sketchbook containing unused pencil art for the first 8 pages of ''The Art of War'', a cover gallery and an intro by Simon Furman.

<gallery>
File:GI Joe vs Transformers II tpb.jpg|'''''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II'' TPB'''; art by [[E. J. Su]]/[[Tim Seeley]], [[Andrew Pepoy]], [[Brett R. Smith]], [[Clement Sauve]], [[Serge LaPointe]], and [[John Rauch]]
File:Gijoevstfomnibus.jpg|'''''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers Omnibus'''''; art by [[Chris Lie]], [[John Lowe]] and [[Jeremy Roberts]]
File:GIJoeTFVol2.jpg|'''''G.I. Joe/Transformers Volume 2'''''; art by [[Brendan Cahill]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v96.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection Vol. 96: G.I. Joe vs Transformers, Part 2'''''; art by [[E. J. Su]]/[[Tim Seeley]] and [[Andrew Pepoy]] (retro art) and [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] (Ramjet)
</gallery>

[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:Devil's Due titles]]

G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II

2023-11-27T17:25:14Z

CyberstormSM: /* Creative team */

{{disambig2|the awesomely crazy Devil's Due crossover with the time traveling Transformers|other stories with G.I. Joe|G.I. Joe crossovers}}
[[Image:Joetfii gatefold00.jpg|thumb|300px| Some human heads cannot rob from the awesomeness.]]

[[File:GIJoeVsTheTransformersLogo.png|475x150px|center]]

'''''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II''''' is a 4-issue miniseries published by [[Devil's Due Press]] in 2004, set in [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers continuity|their unique crossover continuity]].

{{chapters|style=3|series=joevstf2|prev=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers|next=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War
|content=
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II preview|Preview]]
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|#1]]
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|#2]]
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|#3]]
*[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|#4]]
}}

==Overview==
Though ''[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'' had been vanquished, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] has led the Decepticons to near-total control of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. [[Cobra Commander]], meanwhile, plots to take control of the Cybertronian supercomputer [[Teletran 3]]. His scheming and interference, however, causes the computer to go berserk, transporting random groups of [[Transformer]]s through time and space. Teams of allied [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] and [[Cobra]]s must follow the displaced robots and return them to the present, before their presence will cause a time storm to scourge [[Earth]].

The 4-issue miniseries was preceded by a preview issue containing a few pages from the new series, as well as interviews and sketches. Numerous Transformers were redesigned for the series, with alternate forms appropriate to the time period to which they were transported.

==Creative team==
This volume was written by [[Dan Jolley]] and illustrated by [[Tim Seeley]] and [[E. J. Su]]. Su would later go on to become a major player for [[IDW Publishing]], starting with [[The Transformers: Infiltration]].

==Collections==

* '''''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II'' TPB''' ([[May 25]], [[2005]]) ISBN 1932796320
:*Collects issues #1–4.
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery, sketches, and creative team interview.

* '''''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers Omnibus]]''''' ([[January 30]], [[2008]]) ISBN 9781934692059
:*Collects the full 4 volumes of Devil's Due's ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' crossovers.

* '''''[[G.I. Joe/Transformers Volume 2]]''''' ([[December 12]], [[2012]]) ISBN 1613775350 / ISBN 978-1613775356
:*Collects the previous series, ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'', as well as ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II''.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 96: G.I. Joe vs Transformers, Part 2''''' ([[July 15]], [[2020]])
:*Collects issues #1–4 and the first 2 issues of ''The Art of War''
:*Bonus material includes a two-page sketchbook containing unused pencil art for the first 8 pages of ''The Art of War'', a cover gallery and an intro by Simon Furman.

<gallery>
File:GI Joe vs Transformers II tpb.jpg|'''''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II'' TPB'''; art by [[E. J. Su]]/[[Tim Seeley]], [[Andrew Pepoy]], [[Brett R. Smith]], [[Clement Sauve]], [[Serge LaPointe]], and [[John Rauch]]
File:Gijoevstfomnibus.jpg|'''''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers Omnibus'''''; art by [[Chris Lie]], [[John Lowe]] and [[Jeremy Roberts]]
File:GIJoeTFVol2.jpg|'''''G.I. Joe/Transformers Volume 2'''''; art by [[Brendan Cahill]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v96.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection Vol. 96: G.I. Joe vs Transformers, Part 2'''''; art by [[E. J. Su]]/[[Tim Seeley]] and [[Andrew Pepoy]] (retro art) and [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] (Ramjet)
</gallery>

[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:Devil's Due titles]]

Kup (Prime)

2023-11-22T00:12:34Z

CyberstormSM: Redirected page to Kup (WFC)

#REDIRECT [[Kup (WFC)]]

Cullen's

2023-08-01T04:08:51Z

CyberstormSM:

:''Cullen's is a shop from the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Cullen's.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]

'''Cullen's''' is a business in [[San Desto]].

==Fiction==
===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
The [[Autobot]]s fought some [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] near Cullen's. {{Storylink|Extermination}}

==Notes==
* Presumably, Cullen's is named after voice actor [[Peter Cullen]].

[[Category:Generation 1 businesses]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 locations]]
[[Category:United States of America]]

Apelinq (BM)

2023-07-27T22:01:47Z

CyberstormSM: /* 2005 IDW continuity */

{{factions|maximal|maximalbm|wreckers|autobot|knight|liegemaximo}}
{{disambig3|Apelinq}}
{{featured}}
:''Apelinq is a [[Maximal]] from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Apelinqbm.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Code Monkey get up, get coffee. Code Monkey go to job. Code Monkey have boring meeting with boring manager Rob.]]
'''Apelinq''' was a participant in the close of the Autobot/Decepticon wars specializing in scientific research, particularly computer xenoscience, in [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s new peacetime economy. But in due time, he was called by the Maximal government to lead the resurrection of Cybertron's legendary strike team, the [[Wreckers]]. Known for his genius battlefield tactics, Apelinq is a bot of ideas who would rather outwit his opponents than destroy them with brute force. His years in research have jaded him against more spiritual thinking. He doesn't trust mysticism. Apelinq tends to micromanage, to his detriment, and, thanks to his solid confidence in his own abilities, he can get in over his head.

Apelinq's scientific endeavors have armed him well. He carries two impact maces of his own design, capable of shattering most vanadium-reinforced armor. He is most famous for his [[Transfer Interlink]], an invention that can download digital objects into reality. The limitations of this technology are not yet known, though he uses this ability to achieve his favorite mode of transportation—through the skies on his "virtual digiboard".<ref>Profile written from information provided both by Apelinq's original bio (see external links) and the full-page profile published in the back of [[Betrayal|''The Wreckers'' #2]] (Director's Cut edition).</ref>

Sometimes his name is spelled '''Ape-Linq''' and sometimes when he receives a new body, he becomes known as '''Hyperlinq'''.

==Fiction==
===3H comics===
Over three [[Units of time|vorns]] ago, Apelinq was part of the High Council's Research Cooperative. He got to know [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]], a fellow engineer, before the Predacon went on to be a crime lord {{storylink|The Wreckers: Finale Part 1}} and Apelinq became a facility head. {{storylink|#Toys|BotCon: Beyond Apelinq profile}}

He would leave the hard sciences for the Wreckers, becoming the 2nd platoon commander of the 7th Wreckers Squadron, {{storylink|The Wreckers: Finale Part 1}} eventually coming to operate from within the [[Wrecker Command Base]]. Shortly before 316 A.U., Apelinq was part of the effort to track down the missing ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''. {{storylink|Apelinq's War Journals}}

As the [[Maximal Elder]]s were silenced and chaos erupted across [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Apelinq grew increasingly worried. Marshals were disappearing left and right and entire sections of populace began to go missing. After the source of the trouble was identified as [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], returning from the Beast Wars, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and the other Wreckers, sans Apelinq, were sent to put him down. Only Rodimus returned alive, his unique [[Matrix Templar]] physiology curiously immune to Megatron's virus.

[[File:VisitationsBattle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Yeah, uh, real shadowy.]]

Apelinq used Rodimus's physiology as a starting point for the creation of a countervirus, but suddenly, a new ship arrived through a low-altitude transwarp anomaly on Cybertron. While Rodimus and Apelinq investigated, finding the crew to be [[Primal Prime]] and other surviving troops, the group was rushed by the [[Vehicon general]] [[Mirage (BM)|Mirage]]. Apelinq and Mirage were thrown through the anomaly, landing on a strange organic planet. Apelinq disposed of Mirage, but was separated from the countervirus and his transfer interlink.

Apelinq found himself a captive observer of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. He kept a distance for a long duration, until he bore witness to a battle between [[Shokaract]] and the [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]]. He could stand by idle no longer, and Apelinq joined their battle. {{storylink|Apelinq's War Journals}}

Unfortunately, the countervirus had been found by [[Packrat]] and [[Onyx Primal]] before Apelinq could get to it. During their fight with [[Fractyl]], [[Vice Grip]], and [[Antagony (BW)|Antagony]], Apelinq was able to grab the device without them noticing anything more than a "shadowy figure". They blamed [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Visitations}}

[[File:Apelinqterminus.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|left|Hi, don't mind me, I'm just this year's exclusive toy being shoehorned into this story...]]

Then, after a number of the Covenant were cut down by Shokaract, Apelinq transformed into his vehicle mode and pressed his attack against the Unicron-powered tyrant.

Apelinq survived the first few waves of attacks, despite their high number of casualties, and regrouped with Optimus Primal, [[Windrazor (BW)|Windrazor]] and the others. For a moment, they thought they had been betrayed by one of their own, the heroic Predacon [[Sandstorm (BW)|Sandstorm]], but this was just a ruse. Sandstorm was secretly Scorpius, one of the Covenant. But when Sandstorm died as well, Optimus Primal was inspired by his sacrifice, and asked Apelinq to fight alongside them. Together, along with the summoned might of [[J'nwan]], they were able to defeat Shokaract, remove Unicron's essence from prehistoric Earth, and rewrite the future. As time began to grow unstable around them, Apelinq grabbed Windrazor and managed to return to the Cybertron from which he originated.

However, once Apelinq arrived home, Windrazor had disappeared. {{storylink|Terminus (issue)|Terminus}}

[[File:Apelinqseemsfamiliar.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Dammit, Primal, look, I'm your [[redeco]], okay?"]]
After [[Primal Prime]] and [[Ramulus]] saved [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] from some [[Tank Drone]]s, Apelinq appeared and introduced himself to Optimus. Since the timeline in which they had battled Shokaract in Earth's past had been erased, Apelinq filled Optimus in on their time together. But he and the others were off to a meeting with the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], and Primal and Nightscream decided to tag along.

Several groups, including Primal Prime and Apelinq's Wreckers converged on the Oracle's chamber, and a series of cryptic messages were given to each group. The Oracle admitted that the Wreckers could probably stop the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] themselves, but before it could give the Wreckers their mission, Optimus Primal interrupted. Apelinq quietly disapproved when the Oracle subsequently wiped Primal's mind of the events from the day. The Oracle flickered, a strange voice spoke, and a set of coordinates were beamed into Primal Prime's head. Their task lay before them, and Prime ordered Apelinq to prepare their Autobot shuttle for launch.

[[File:Apelink Transfer Interlink.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|CHOOM]]

But just as they arrived within the shuttle's launch bay, the Wreckers were ambushed by hordes of [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s drones. Thankfully, Apelinq had some backup, and he summoned [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Rotorbolt (Universe)|Rotorbolt]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. Shouting the [[Wreckers]]' battle cry, Apelinq entered the fray. Together they cut their way through the Vehicon army, and the shuttle lifted off, escaping Cybertron for parts unknown. {{storylink|Departure|Departure}}

But their shuttle had a stowaway. The bounty hunter [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] had attacked some of their crew, and in the process Fractyl was seriously damaged. Apelinq, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and Ramulus rushed the injured Fractyl to the repair bay. Frustrated with the antiquated Autobot technology, Apelinq used his [[Transfer Interlink]] to create [[CatSCAN]], merging the ship's medical diagnostic program with design schematics from an old acquaintance. The new medic was able to save Fractyl, but Apelinq was unable to dissolve CatSCAN as he normally would with his creations.

The Wreckers received a homing beacon and followed it to the surface of a planet. Apelinq, Primal Prime, CatSCAN, and Ramulus began to survey the planet when CatSCAN got in some trouble with the locals and was attacked by [[Tap-Out (Universe)|Tap-Out]]. Apelinq jumped in to assist, but [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]] entered the scene to sort things out. Glyph and Tap-Out were the only survivors of a survey mission sent centuries ago by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]. They were looked after by the native [[Akalouthan]]s while studying their culture.

Curiously, these natives were expecting the Wreckers. According to prophecies, protectors would arrive to guard the [[Divine Light]], the power source which the Akalouthans worshiped. Apelinq's analysis found the Divine Light to be a sort of battery, but with unusual properties. Having suspected that there was a traitor among them for a while, the Wreckers were surprised to find their comrade Rotorbolt nearly off-line. Apelinq, Ramulus, and Devcon rushed to the Divine Light's chamber in time to witness Cyclonus make off with the treasure. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

[[File:Apelinqangsts.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|That's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight, losing my religion.]]

In the aftermath of their betrayal on Archa Nine, Primal Prime retreated into himself and the Matrix. Apelinq's skepticism surrounding their divine mission continued to nurture, and the others had growing doubts of their own.

They traveled to an icy planet ten systems away, and Primal Prime ordered Apelinq, Rodimus, Arcee, and Ramulus to follow him quickly outside, while Apelinq protested their hastiness. Apelinq's worries were, for the moment, unwarranted, as the sole inhabitant of the planet seemed to be the excommunicated Quintesson [[Al-badur]]. Though the Wreckers eyed him uneasily, he was willing to tell them the history of the Quintessons' attempts to use Vector Sigma to enslave the Transformers race. When Al-badur revealed that the Oracle itself was a Quintesson creation devised to control Vector Sigma, Primal Prime was taken aback. Had they been led astray this whole time?

However, for Apelinq, the pieces now fit together, and he recounted how the real Vector Sigma had broken through the Oracle shell program, giving them a real mission. Primal Prime was reassured during the brief moment before the Sharkticons attacked. Though the Sharkticons were armed with strange (yet somehow familiar) technology, they were eventually overtaken by the Wreckers. With Al-badur, the Wreckers left once again, but this time for Cybertron. {{storylink|Disclosure}}

{{note|In the unpublished script to ''[[The Wreckers: Finale Part 1|The Wreckers'' #4]]'', while en route to Cybertron, Apelinq was able to identify the Sharkticons' technology as belonging to the outlaw Cryotek. Apelinq was geeking out. Cryotek was a former acquaintance of Apelinq's at the [[Maximal High Council|High Council]]'s [[Research Cooperative]], and someone Apelinq begrudgingly admired—though for his results, not his illegal methods. A message was encoded within the weapon which betrayed the Quintessons' plot to retake Cybertron. Apelinq and the others headed their shuttle there quickly.}}

[[File:Hyperlinqart.jpg|upright=1|thumb|left|I'm a bot of many names.]]

After arriving in orbit above the [[Great Transformation|newly reformatted Cybertron]] and finding a full-scale Quintesson invasion underway, Primal Prime ordered his troops to concentrate only on Cryotek, the real threat. Taking Apelinq, Ramulus, [[Tigatron]], and Al-badur with him, Primal Prime leapt from the still-airborne shuttle into the battle below.

But their subterranean attack on the Predacon gangster, grown to intimidating size and power by the Divine Light, was costly. Primal Prime had sacrificed himself, taking a fatal hit that was intended for Apelinq, but rather than saving Apelinq, Prime's act fused them together grotesquely. With two of the Wreckers' most powerful disposed of, leaving only Devcon, [[Tigatron]], Ramulus, and the Quintesson, all hope seemed lost.

Suddenly, a glowing titan formed before them, from the combined bodies of Apelinq and Primal Prime into a single powerful entity: [[Sentinel Maximus]], with Apelinq, now named '''Hyperlinq''', forming the head of Primus's champion. During the battle with Cryotek, Hyperlinq was once forced to disengage from Sentinel Maximus when they were frozen still by Cryotek's ice powers. He transformed into robot mode and was able to break Maximus free of the ice with a few laser blasts. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{--}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[File:HtF-Apelinqgearsup.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
Apelinq was a master of computational xenoscience and held a position as lead researcher at the [[Academy of Science and Technology|Cybertron Science Academy]]. Despite his dedication to the rational and the tangible, however, Apelinq had been plagued with "visions" ever since coming online. He perceived a [[Oracle (BM)|liquid orb atop a long bridge]] and continuous impressions of events that did not happen, or did happen, but differently. {{storylink|Hoist the Flag|Apelinq's tech specs}} In order to collate his thoughts, Apelinq began transcribing a personal journal. He repeatedly experienced vague visions and warnings from [[Primax 797.18 Epsilon|another lifetime]]. {{storylink|Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur|Apelinq's personal logs}}

When Apelinq was a [[protoform]], he was told tales of how Cybertron's spiritual leader, the sage [[Cheetor (BW)|Alpha Trizer]] was once part of a group of warriors whose battles [[Beast Wars (event)|crossed time and space]]. {{storylink|Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur|Apelinq's personal logs}}

Once, Apelinq single-handedly defended the Academy from a Decepticon raid using his own invention: the [[Transfer Interlink]]. His heroism and talent attracted the attention of Alpha Trizer, who recruited him into the [[Cybertronian Knight]]s. Apelinq subsequently became the resident science officer of the Knights. {{storylink|#Timelines|Knight Apelinq's profile card}}

Apelinq was present to hear the news that Alpha Trizer was reinstating the [[Wreckers]] to defend Cybertron's interests throughout the galaxy. He personally noted, however, that the great sage had probably done so mainly to separate the conflicting personalities of Primal Prime and [[Ginrai (robot)|Ginrai]].

While on a routine patrol of the outskirts of the former [[Rust Sea]], Apelinq had yet another vision of the "[[Shokaract|Hunter]]" as well as a [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|multicolored Optimus Prime-like 'bot]] leading a motley group into a [[Point Omega|great battle]]. Later investigating a safe house holding representatives of the [[Twin Star]] Continuum, Apelinq had a visual hallucination where he saw the word "Hunter" spelled out in the mech fluid of the fallen dignitaries. [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]], however, dismissed Apelinq's hallucination and noted that the corpses were the work of [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]].

[[File:ApelinqFlareup Legacy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left]]

Along with Ginrai, Apelinq rapidly responded to a disturbance in orbit of [[Nebulos]], only to find that it was a mere spaceborne "fender-bender". Meanwhile, Apelinq was plagued by yet another vision of the "Hunter".

Apelinq met new recruit [[Flareup (G1)|Flare-Up]] at the [[New Polyhex Training Academy]], finding her to be a talented if excitable 'bot. While at the Academy, Apelinq also encountered Primal Prime, who hoped to recruit Flare-Up for the Wreckers, but the young female Autobot declined as she had already been recruited for the Cybertronian Knights. Apelinq noted to Flare-Up that he had never doubted her inclinations as her quarters clearly demonstrated her admiration for Commander Ginrai. Apelinq and the other Knights were extremely chagrined to be called in for a mandatory meditation session with Alpha Trizer. Apelinq noted that the Knights would preferably face [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s, [[Scraplet]]s, or even [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] himself.

After the Wreckers' ship ''[[Rodimus Major]]'' disappeared into a spatial anomaly, Apelinq was tasked with examining the logs brought back by surviving Wrecker [[Fireflight (Universe Deluxe)|Fireflight]]. {{storylink|Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur|Apelinq's personal logs}}

While on [[Moon Base Four|Cyberion]], Apelinq and Flare-Up were summoned by Ginrai to respond to a communications malfunction out of the [[Delta Prysmos Sector]]. They soon located the source: a group of pirates attempting to renovate Unicron's head into an energon siphon to attack Cybertron. The plot failed, and the Knights quickly rounded up the pirates. At least...[[Shokaract#Wings Universe|most of them]]. {{storylink|Hoist the Flag}} Some time later, Apelinq and Flare-Up were standing in a burning ruin on Cybertron, unaware that at that very moment, Shokaract plotted to return to the planet and lay waste to it. {{storylink|Legacy (issue)|Legacy}}
{{--}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[File:Intersectionality SaberbackApelinq.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Hulk#Toys|HULK COGITATE]]!!]]
Apelinq was chief science officer aboard the starship ''[[Trypticon (G1)|Dinosaur]]''. A graduate of the Iacon [[Academy of Science and Technology]] and the only other Maximal officer on board, Apelinq was nominally third-in-command of the ship after [[Full-Tilt (G1)|the captain]] and first officer [[Longrack (BW)|Longrack]].

When a planetside mission to recover lost prisoners came up, Apelinq was placed in charge of the landing party when the Builder political officer, [[Synapse (BWU)|Synapse]], convinced Longrack to stay behind. During planetfall, the shuttle was caught in a tractor beam and pulled to the site of the Draco Ziggurat. Apelinq and [[Saberback]] remained behind to study their landing site while security specialist [[Hardhead (BW)|Hard Head]] led the other members of the crew in search of the prisoners.

Saberback received a mental summons from the ziggurat, drawing him and Apelinq into a digital realm. Once they adjusted to their new surroundings, Apelinq reluctantly agreed to follow Saberback's instincts and approach the [[Eye of Providence]] found in the digital realm. Saberback supplicated himself before the Eye, and was inhabited by the consciousness of [[Metascan Omega]]. Apelinq and Saberback convinced Metascan Omega to intervene on behalf of their friends, using the tractor beam to control the descent of both the shuttle and the ''Dinosaur'', which had undergone serious troubles since the duo entered the Draco Ziggurat.

With news of the [[Grand Uprising]] by the Proto-races back home, many of the crew decided to establish a new colony using the crashed ship as Dinosaur City. Apelinq chose to remain with the colony rather than return home, hoping to reestablish Metascan Omega as a mecca for knowledge and learning once more. {{storylink|Intersectionality}} He was still in residence a decade later when Lio Convoy and the [[Vok]] arrived at Metascan Omega. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
Apelinq was one of [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]]'s Maximals. When the Maximals invaded Cybertron, he was one of the many warriors who wound up battling [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] and fell to his death when Arcee disrupted the [[Ore-4|gravity generator]] in the ''[[Nemesis (BW)|Nemesis]]''. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Beast Machines''===
[[File:Apelinqtoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm totally different from Optimus Primal. I have some green!]]
*'''Apelinq''' (Mega Class, 2000)
**''Accessories'': Hand-cannon/thruster, 2 club-missiles

:Apelinq is a [[redeco]] of the ''Beast Wars'' Mega [[Transmetal]] version of [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys|Optimus Primal]], transforming into a robotic [[Popular beast alternate modes|gorilla]]. He also has a third "transport" mode, where his robot legs unfold into a "virtual digiboard" for his gorilla form to ride. The thruster for the board becomes a handheld spring-loaded missile launcher, which uses Apelinq's twin maces for ammunition.

:Apelinq was available as an [[exclusive]] toy to [[BotCon 2000]]. He and [[Shokaract]] were limited to 1200 pieces.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/Apelinq/apelinq.htm More information on Apelinq at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:Hyperlinqtoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Don't mind the new packaging, my name is Hyperlinq, for serious!]]
*'''Sentinel Maximus with Ape-Linq Mini-Con''' (Ultra Class, 2004)

:A [[retool]]ing of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]] [[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]], Ape-Linq transforms into an armored personnel carrier capable of towing the larger "armored transport" mode of [[Sentinel Maximus#Toys|Sentinel Maximus]]. He also has a hand-held gun mode, and forms the head and central torso of the combined Sentinel Maximus robot mode. His head was completely retooled to resemble a fully-mechanical version of the original Apelinq toy's noggin, plus the larger Sentinel Maximus robot head was given wholly-new tooling as well. Naturally, he was only available with Sentinel Maximus.

:The set was a planned exclusive to [[OTFCC 2004]], but was not produced in time for the show. After the convention license was revoked from [[3H Productions|3H]]'s ownership, [[Hasbro]] eventually mailed out the paid-for Sentinel Maximuses in new packaging.

:This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Knock Out (Energon)|Knock Out]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Mini-Con/Ape-Linq/ape-linq.htm More information on Ape-Linq at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:BotCon2014-Apelinq.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|I'm totally different from Optimus Prime! I have some green!]]
*'''Knight Apelinq''' ([[BotCon 2014]] [[Cybertronian Knight|Knights]] 3-pack)
**''Accessories:'' "digitized hoverboard," blade, missile, Cybertronian Knights key

:''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' Knight Apelinq is a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' Deluxe Class [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Optimus Primal]]. Similar to his Transmetal form, Apelinq comes with a hoverboard with two [[5 mm post]]s at the base, allowing him to ride it in his gorilla mode, or hold it in robot mode via the 5 mm posts on his robot palms/gorilla feet. When a [[Cyber Key]] is inserted at the rear of the board, a spring-loaded extending blade deploys, and a trigger is revealed to allow one to use the spring-loaded missile launcher at the tip. Though it is not intended to be removed, the blade can be popped off and held in Apelinq's hand thanks to his posable thumbs. Apelinq's key is chromed as a callback to his chromed original toy, plus it sports the Cybertronian Knight sigil.

:Apelinq is only available as a 3-pack along with [[Flareup (G1)#BotCon2014|Knight Flareup]] and [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BotCon2014|Knight Alpha Trizer]].

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Gorilla|Optimus Prime]] and BotCon 2014 [[Primal Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/BCApelinq/apelinq.htm More information on ''Timelines'' Apelinq at TFU.info]''

===''Generations''===
*'''BotCon Legacy Collection''' ([[2015]])
**''Accessories:'' "digitized hoverboard," blade, missile, Cybertronian Knights key
:"Ape-Linq" was repackaged with fellow BotCon 2014 toys [[Flareup (G1)#Generations|Flareup]], [[Shokaract#Generations|Shokaract]], and [[Flamewar (G1)#Generations|Flamewar]] in the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' "BotCon Legacy Collection", which also had the [[Pack-in material|pack-in comic]] "[[Legacy (issue)|Legacy]]".
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Apelinqdigiboard.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Hey, that should be your legs!]]
*Even though Apelinq's toy forms his [[hoverboard]] out of parts of Apelinq's robot feet, the hoverboard is treated in fiction as a digital object downloaded into reality from Apelinq's [[Transfer Interlink]].
*Both Apelinq and his creator, [[Glen Hallit]], are former engineers. Apelinq is super smart and is an excellent fighter, he can download any digital object into reality, and his lowest [[Tech Spec]] stat is 8. Later, he sort of [[Sentinel Maximus|gets the Matrix]]. Hmm.
*The original planned name for the ''Universe'' incarnation of Apelinq was "Hyperlinq", which was printed on the proposed boxes shown at OTFCC 2004. However, when Hasbro created new packaging for the toy, they went with the name "Ape-Linq", as did Sentinel Maximus's profile in the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Collector's Club magazine]]. However, he is called Hyperlinq in "[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]".
*On the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' character [[Decepticharge]], there is a pseudo-advertisement for "Hyperlinq Racing".
*Apelinq/Ape-Linq/Hyperlinq/whatever was the first character to receive a second BotCon toy.
*Glen Hallit strongly implied at [[BotCon 2000]] that Apelinq was known as "Uplinq" prior to taking his gorilla alternate mode.
*The ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' incarnation of Apelinq is a "virtual redeco" of the ''[[Transformers: Crossovers|Crossovers]]'' [[Hulk#Crossovers|Hulk]] toy.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.botconarchives.com/archive/story/characters/apelinq.html Apelinq's BotCon: Beyond profile on the BotCon Online archives]

[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Maximals]]
[[Category:BotCon exclusives]]
[[Category:Children of Primus]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Convention-original characters]]
[[Category:Engineers]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Maximals]]
[[Category:Knights]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:Universe Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Xaaron (G1)

2023-07-27T00:30:52Z

CyberstormSM: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot}}
:''Xaaron is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:TFUK 169 Xaaron.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|You wily old buzzard!]]

[[Emirate]] '''Xaaron''' is the leader of the Autobot underground resistance movement and was the chairman of the [[Council of Autobot Elders]]. He is not a fighter, but his strength is found in his convictions. Xaaron, though physically unimposing, speaks and acts with incredible confidence that grows from his irreverent brand of wisdom. [[Impactor (G1)|A few]] under his command wish he weren't such a "wily old buzzard," since Xaaron's touch is about as subtle as a boulder to the head. It is this heavy-handed approach, however, that makes him extremely valuable to the Autobots as a source of inspiration; some believe he is so important to the cause that most would willingly lay down their lives to save him.

He has a small combat tank as alternate mode, but what with the "not really a fighter" thing, he hasn't transformed in hundreds of years. Doing so might very well kill him from the shock!<ref name=facts>"[[Transformers: The Facts]]" ([[Source:Dread Tidings#Issue 200|transcript]])</ref>

{{bigquote|I don't know whether to thank him or '''tear his head off!'''|[[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] on Xaaron's "methods"}}

{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics===
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Xaaroncomealeader.jpg|left|thumb|Tell me, Mr. Anderson... What good is a phone call if you're unable to speak?]]
''Millions of years ago, when the [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] war was new, Xaaron belonged to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Academy of Science and Technology]], where he dismissed a proposal from his colleague [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] to reattempt [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s scheme to rebuild [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] into a mobile battlestation. Flame, who was increasingly mad, was then seemingly destroyed in an explosion near [[Kalis]].''<ref>It is not entirely clear when, relative to other events, Flame disappeared. He must have been dispelled from the Iacon academy before Iacon was destroyed, but it also seems unlikely he worked at his plan for four million years.</ref> {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}}

''As Vos and Tarn fell into conflict, Xaaron urged Iacon's ruling council to intervene and send a peace-keeping force to the war zone. High Councillor [[Traachon]] refused to do so, fearing that any involvement on their part would only lead to Iacon being engulfed in violence as well. The latter even suggested that it might be in Iacon's best interest if Vos and Tarn annihilated one another. Little did he suspect that Iacon would get tangled up in the war anyway once [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] seized control of the disenfranchised survivors of the clash.'' {{storylink|State Games}} ''Sure enough, the capital city of Iacon eventually came under heavy assault, prompting the Council of Autobot Elders to contemplate surrender. Emirate Xaaron refused, suggesting to High Councillor Traachon that bureaucratic mismanagement of the Autobot army was the real culprit. He nominated a single warrior to take direct control of the Autobot forces—[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]!'' {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}

''After Optimus Prime, Megatron, and countless other combatants were lost to [[Earth]], the Decepticon warlord [[Trannis]] rose into power. Xaaron created an assault team, the [[Wreckers]], to assassinate Trannis, but when they succeeded, one warlord was merely replaced by [[Straxus (G1)|another]].'' {{storylink|Cybertron: The Middle Years!}}

[[File:Xaaronimpactor.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Impactor and Xaaron versus unfortunate illustration composition.]]
''In [[1986]], Xaaron hatched a new plan for the Wreckers: [[Operation: Volcano]]. Using himself as bait, he would lure the several of the best Decepticon warriors into a trap. The Wreckers, under the leadership of [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] momentarily reconsidered when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], who was built to aid them in this particular mission, left for Earth to investigate the disappearance of Optimus Prime. Xaaron quickly replaced them with the Autobot [[Triple Changer]]s, at first sending them to attack Impactor while pretending to be Decepticons. Though this trick aggravated Impactor, the Wreckers commander grudgingly admitted it proved the three were up to the job. The bait was set, but a turn of events forced the Decepticons to abandon it. However, one disobedient Decepticon fired on Xaaron anyway, and when Impactor jumped in front of the blast, the Wreckers commander was destroyed, dying in Xaaron's arms. [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] was chosen to replace him.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''A short time later, Springer captured an alleged imposter posing as Optimus Prime. The imposter escaped, and Springer alerted Xaaron. Upon finding the imposter cradling a dying [[Outback (G1)|Outback]], Xaaron heard enough of his passionate words to realize that this was, indeed, the real Optimus Prime. After four million years, Xaaron welcomed his old friend home.'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}} ''Following several raids on Decepticon encampments, Optimus announced that he planned on returning to [[Earth]]. Xaaron pleaded for him to stay, but Optimus insisted he was needed more back on the alien world, where the Decepticons would acquire unlimited resources if left unchecked.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

''An explosion which rocked Kalis caught the attention of Xaaron and the other Autobots stationed in a subterranean headquarters near there. This caused Emirate Xaaron to recall Flame's old experiments with Megatron's underground fusion reactors, so he filled in Springer's Wreckers on this presumed closed chapter of history, initiating a search for the source of the problem. Unfortunately, three weeks of probing woke up an army of [[zombie]]s, led by the reanimated corpse of the former Wreckers leader, Impactor! Xaaron's attempts to appeal to Impactor failed, and worse, Flame subsequently reintroduced himself, very much alive! Flame's mad plans to activate the fusion reactors had continued all this time, and even though Xaaron again noted that this action would destroy all of Cybertron, he had his zombie army put Xaaron and the Wreckers in bound captivity. The cackling Flame left zombie Impactor to guard their prison cell. After Xaaron encouraged Springer, who was having doubts about the success of his leadership, Springer was able to reach what was left of the old Impactor inside his undead husk of a body.'' {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}}

[[File:Xaaroncannottransform.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Xaaron, the first [[Action Master]]!]]
''Xaaron and the others were freed from their bondage, and so he snuck into Flame's main staging grounds, hoping to stop him personally. Flame, however, had been expecting Xaaron to arrive, having watched him on the monitors. Since Xaaron hadn't transformed in hundreds of years, meaning the shock to his systems may actually kill him, he was hopelessly outgunned. Flame could transform with ease into his heavily-armed flame-tank mode, and so Xaaron was forced to dive for cover. Just like Xaaron predicted, the fusion reactors warned of an imminent meltdown, but Flame's insanity was too great to be deterred. Flame was momentarily knocked out when Ultra Magnus and the Wreckers arrived, but there was bad news. In order to stop the destruction of Cybertron, they would have to isolate the reactor, but doing so would ultimately destroy the Transformer who would make that final, heroic act. Xaaron suggested he do it, but Ultra Magnus wouldn't have it, as Xaaron was too important to the Autobot resistance movement. No, the deed was done by Impactor, who had regained his wits, despite his zombie state. And with Xaaron's blessing, Impactor sacrificed his life once again for all of Cybertron.'' {{storylink|Meltdown!}}

''Xaaron inspected the remains of [[Chameleon (G1)|Chameleon]] following his death.'' {{storylink|Deadly Games!}} ''He also coordinated with the Wreckers as they prepared to jump to Earth for conflict with Galvatron.'' {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}}

''When the [[Micromaster]] [[Battle Patrol]] were captured by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s Decepticons, Xaaron ordered [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]]'s [[Race Car Patrol]] to destroy them so that Micromaster technology would not fall into Decepticon hands. When Roadhandler failed to do this, partly because of his own misgivings, he returned to Xaaron to submit himself for execution. Emirate Xaaron refused, saying the folly was his own for putting the demands of war over the lives of individuals.'' {{storylink|A Small War!}}

[[File:Xaarondelbo.jpg|thumb|Xaaron's first Marvel US appearance. Sadly, only the yellow passed through customs.]]
After [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] were restored as [[Pretender]]s, their new might helped turn the tide of Xaaron's underground resistance. ''During their tour of duty, [[Seawatch]] was returned to Autobase, catatonic. Xaaron tasked [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] with rebooting Seawatch so the Autobots could learn who had slaughtered several Decepticons found with their comrade, and avoid reprisals from the enemy camp. Xaaron also sent out the Classic Pretenders to investigate in the field, and they found the [[Demon]]s, relics of Cybertron's past.'' {{storylink|Demons!}} ''From Seawatch's manic ramblings, Xaaron was clued in to the lore of the Demons and their weakness. Arriving on the battlescene with [[Red Hot]], Xaaron overloaded them with pure [[energon]], destroying the creatures.'' {{storylink|Dawn of Darkness}} ''Xaaron later assigned [[Longtooth]], [[Doubleheader]], and [[Pincher (G1)|Pincher]] the task of tracking down the creation Matrix, lost in space after Optimus's death and resurrection. ''{{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}}

The Classic Pretenders needed to return to [[Earth]], but while Xaaron had opened a transdimensional portal to send them home, the Autobots were suddenly under attack by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. As a result, the Mayhem Attack Squad, the Classic Pretenders, and some Autobot [[Micromaster]]s were thrown into the center of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} Xaaron was able to locate them and send them to their intended destination, but not before the combatants had awoken [[Primus]]. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}}

With [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] now nearing Cybertron, Xaaron aided Optimus Prime in their search for the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] by sending out teams into a sector of the galaxy where the Matrix (in Optimus Prime's old body) had likely been jettisoned. {{storylink|Bird of Prey!}} {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}} But Unicron had his own plans in mind, sending a [[Galvatron II|Galvatron from a possible future]] to Cybertron to prepare for his arrival. The timelost herald pursued Xaaron specifically, finally cornering him deep below the surface of the planet. {{storylink|Surrender!}} Galvatron revealed that he felt betrayed by Unicron and wished to ask Xaaron how to defeat him. Xaaron gasped, recalling an old legend which stated that if the Transformers united as one, Unicron could be defeated. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Galvatron brought Xaaron down into the center of Cybertron, where Primus' chamber lay, and had the resistance leader attempt to pray Primus out of his renewed slumber. Xaaron succeeded, Primus awoke, and all of the Transformers on [[Earth]] were instantaneously transported to Cybertron. {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

[[File:OntheEdgeofExtinction-Primus.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Xaaron is full of the Holy Spirit.]]
Primus spoke through Xaaron's body, causing it to glow and float above the startled Transformers, and he told them the history of their race. After the Autobots and Decepticons joined forces long enough to ward off brainwashed [[Acolyte of Unicron|Unicron cultists]], Primus' avatar nominated Optimus Prime to be their united leader. This union dissipated quickly into chaos and terror once the impossibly huge Unicron arrived. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

Unicron's assault on the planet was halted momentarily when the possessed Xaaron confronted him, but both Xaaron's body and Primus' essence were seemingly destroyed once Unicron realized that this avatar could do him no harm and blasted Xaaron's form to tiny pieces. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}
{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
A confused [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] who lived in [[Axiom Nexus]] believed that he was secretly the Emirate Xaaron of [[universal stream]] [[Primax 093.0 Epsilon]]. He's really, really not. {{storylink|I, Lowtech}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #2]] (mentioned); [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|#5]] (cameo); [[Chaos Theory Part 1|''Transformers'' vol. 1 #22]] (full appearance)}}

'''Advocate''' Xaaron was one of the Autobots' chief legal advisors {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} and had been for a long time: when arresting some scumbag in the pre-war era, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] said he had the right to a "Xaaron-approved" attorney. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

When the war broke out, Xaaron attended Optimus Prime's [[Grand Convocation]], representing an unknown neutral faction. {{storylink|Derelicts}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers5-atrocityafteratrocity.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|''His sentence may be death because I AM THE LAW!'']]
Long ago, he was rescued from a drilling platform within the [[Sonic Canyons]] by the Wreckers' leader, Impactor. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}}

Later, as [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] was tried by [[Aequitas]] for his crimes, Xaaron watched in disgust alongside [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], [[Solomus|Chief Justice Tyrest]], [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], and others. Fearing the potential damage to morale and Decepticon use as propaganda should the trial data be released, these law and order luminaries agreed to keep the trials secret until the final verdict had been passed, then it would be full disclosure. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}}

Xaaron served on the [[Ethics Committee]] meetings at the [[Kimia Facility]], alongside [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Animus]]. He sat in consideration of [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]]'s new invention, [[cerebro-sensitive bullet]]s that used onboard computers to ensure a killshot to the head with every pull of the trigger. {{storylink|Bullets}}

[[File:ChaosTheory1-labkimia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't do it, Wheeljack! [[Ironfist (G1)|That]] lab is [[Skyfall (G1)|CURSED!]]]]
When [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] unexpectedly surrendered, Xaaron was called in to advise on the legal aspects of his detention and possible trial. ([[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] wasn't too happy with the idea of POW rights for Megatron) Xaaron's advice was that Megatron should not be tried by an Autobot military tribunal but by a third party, as the intergalactic community had no time for ''either'' faction in the war and would accuse the Autobots of rigging the result. He also offered [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] a job at Kimia, in Ironfist's old lab. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

After Cybertron was reborn in the wake of [[D-Void]]'s attack, Xaaron watched on as a viewscreen showed [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] explaining his desire to gather a crew to find the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. {{Storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} He apparently thought this was a good idea as he was later seen on Rodimus's ship, the ''[[Lost Light]]''. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

[[File:Second storytelling an intimate beheading.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
[[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]] gathered Xaaron, [[Dipstick]], [[Atomizer]], [[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]], and [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] to tell a true story over a bottle of "[[Old Corroder]]" in [[Swerve's]], in the hope it'd jumpstart [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]'s brain: the implication is the five of them had some significant adventure in the past. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} He later participated in an attack on a rogue group of Decepticons occupying the planet [[Temptoria]]. {{storylink|Before & After}} When [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] was let loose on the ''Lost Light'', the entire crew fruitlessly tried to fight him, including Xaaron. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} Together with Rodimus, Xaaron presided over the [[Transformer funerary practices#2005 IDW continuity|Act of Transition]] to honor those who fell in battle with Overlord. {{storylink|The Gloaming}}

The ''Lost Light'' was eventually able to return to Cybertron, allowing Xaaron and the others to reunite with the other Autobots and celebrate the defeat of the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]]. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} He was in attendance when Megatron's trial finally came to be held. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}

Xaaron was one of three heads for the first convening of the [[Lost Light Internal Legal Affairs Committee]], gathered to decide [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]]'s fate following the scientist's attempts to alter history. (It was supposed to be four, but Megatron—Brainstorm's eventual intended target—recused himself.) He didn't have much to say during the hearing, but along with Rodimus and Magnus, came to the decision to keep Brainstorm on-ship, under supervision, and have his [[Time case|time machine]] destroyed. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}} Xaaron was present when Rodimus announced [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]'s pre-wake. {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}}

[[File:FillingInTheBlanks GetawayFakeNews.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|OBJECTION!]]
Xaaron attended Megatron's classes on the Knights of Cybertron. However, when [[Getaway]] and [[Atomizer]] led a mutiny against the former Decepticon and his supporters shortly afterwards, Xaaron was not amongst those who stood up for Megatron. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}} Like the others, Xaaron watched Getaway gloat to the stranded [[Team Rodimus (G1)|Team Rodimus]] before mentioning the arrival of third party. When Getaway revealed that said party was the [[Galactic Council]], Xaaron was shocked that Getaway would deal with the aliens and rightly skeptical at the Council's supposed promise of only wanting Megatron and leaving the others alone. Part of the new bridge crew, Xaaron attended a meeting on the [[Warren]]. After [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] scribbled some extra symbols on Rodimus's map to [[Cyberutopia]], Xaaron identified them as clan markings of the Knights of Cybertron. At that moment, a message from Rodimus came in explaining that Team Rodimus would soon face the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] and Rodimus's gruesome funerary wishes before Getaway deleted the message. The bridge crew began grilling Getaway again, Xaaron demanding he speak up, before the escapologist dismissed them all. Xaaron's memories were later remotely altered by [[Sunder (G1)|Sunder]] to make him believe that Team Rodimus had left of their own free will. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}}

Getaway eventually betrayed his crew, despite their unwavering (if compelled) support. Cornered by the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]] and his [[Phantom Fleet]], Getaway offered up his men in exchange for his own life. Xaaron and the others were forcibly subjected to a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] virus by [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]], making them into diseased and near-mindless horrors to be unleashed on Team Rodimus when they caught up with the ''Lost Light''. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|A Dance Before Dying}} Xaaron was eventually cured and attended the ''Lost Light''{{'}}s farewell party in Swerve's, chatting with [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Clicker]]. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{-}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Primax 092.0 Beta]], Emirate Xaaron was one of [[Hyperdrive (Turbomaster)|Hyperdrive]]'s predecessors as Autobot leader. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/16}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Tread & Circuits Part 2|''Tread & Circuits'' #2]]}}
[[File:Tread&Circuits4 XaaronAnnounces.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.3]]
As official consul to the [[Senate]], {{storylink|Tread & Circuits Part 4}} Emirate Xaaron helped officiate the [[Speedia|Speedia 500]] on [[Velocitron]]. As the racers got into place, the current First Senator [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]] asked Xaaron to give the countdown. {{storylink|Tread & Circuits Part 2}} After [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]] launched an attack on the race, Xaaron worried that the terrorists had disrupted their means of choosing a new First Senator, but was relieved when [[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] arrived at the finish line. {{storylink|Tread & Circuits Part 3}} At Knock Out's inauguration, Xaaron officially introduced to him to the citizenry of Velocitron, but was forced to evacuate the stage after Mayhem launched another attack. {{storylink|Tread & Circuits Part 4}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:ThereShallComeALeader_redraws.jpg|thumb|"I know what Megatron's capable of... ''He's my brother.''" DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUN]]
*In [[And There Shall Come...a Leader!|Xaaron's first appearance]], his head design was clearly based on [[:File:G1Megatron_toy.jpg|the original ''Generation 1'' Megatron toy]], minus the larger grey helmet and the gun [[kibble]]. His chest looks a little Megatron-y as well.
*Xaaron's original depiction also suggests an explanation for his weird lip-connecting strip things: His mouth bears a resemblance to that of [[Iron Man]]'s [https://i.pinimg.com/736x/63/9c/67/639c671457cff7c7e89c67be54a65d4d.jpg original helmet] – that is, a line of three unmoving holes in a rigid faceplate. Of course it's impossible to tell for sure in still pictures whether the mouth is supposed to be moving, but it ''is'' pretty inexpressive. And [[John Stokes|the artist]] drew [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s mouth in [https://transformandrollout.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/06-4.jpg a very human-like style] in the same story. At any rate, later artists would interpret his mouth in [[:File:Xaarondelbo.jpg|the same way as other Transformers]], just with those... weird lip-connecting strip things.
*In [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the Marvel comics]] it is not clear if the character's full name is "Emirate Xaaron" or if "Emirate" is a title. Later continuities would use "Emirate" as a title. However, the English word "{{w|emirate}}" is not actually a personal title, but rather a territory or an office. It's derived from the Arabic ''{{w|emir}}'', which is the actual title of the person in charge of that territory or office.
*Xaaron's alt mode was the subject of one of the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Marvel UK letters page's]] most frequently asked questions,<ref name=facts/> confounding [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]].<ref>[[Source:Dread Tidings#Issue 201|Dread Tidings, issue 201]]</ref> It became a bit of a running gag for the hosts to give silly answers, like when Dreadwind suggested he turned into a toaster<ref>[[Source:Dread Tidings#Issue 184|Dread Tidings, issue 184]]</ref> or "somethin' really wimpy" like that (while also acknowledging the rumour that Xaaron hadn't transformed for millions of years).<ref>[[Source:Dread Tidings#Issue 269|Dread Tidings, issue 269]]</ref> [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] asked around and found that nobody knew, "but he could turn into a egg-whisk for all we know!"<ref>[[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 318|Darn 'n' Blast, issue 318]]</ref> He also joked that the weird lip-connecting strip things were some sort of oral toast rack, before claiming they "diffus[ed] the infra-red emissions generated by his continuous speeches" – what a load of hot air!<ref>[[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 319|Darn 'n' Blast, issue 319]]</ref>
*Marvel stories are inconsistent on Xaaron's place in the Council; "The Middle Years!" explicitly notes Traachon as leader, while "Legion of the Lost!" refers to Xaaron as "chairman", although he is subservient to Traachon in other stories.
*Xaaron was one Marvel UK conceit that writer [[Simon Furman]] quickly brought over when he began writing for Marvel US. In the translation, however, Xaaron lost all his colors except for the yellow.
*Xaaron is one of two Transformers who have served as a yellow-glowing avatar for [[Primus]]. The other is [[Mini-Con]] [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] from [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'']].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Xaaron''' (ザロン ''Zaron'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Xaaron emír''' ("Emir Xaaron")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Council members]]
[[Category:European-original Transformers]]
[[Category:Fiction-only Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Primus]]

Breakdown (disambiguation)

2023-07-21T19:24:22Z

CyberstormSM: /* Major Breakdowns */

{{disambig}}

Bots called '''Breakdown''' / '''Brakedown''' often have... issues.

==Major Breakdowns==
<center><gallery widths="150px" heights="200px">
File:MTMTEBreakdown.jpg|[[Breakdown (G1)|"Generation 1" Breakdown]]
File:CYB brakedown boxart.JPG|[[Brakedown (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Brakedown]]
File:Breakdown-Prime-stock render.jpg|[[Breakdown (WFC)|''Prime'' Breakdown]]
File:EarthSparkBreakdown SecurityProtocols.jpg|[[Breakdown (ES)|''EarthSpark'' Breakdown]]
</gallery></center>

==Full list of Breakdowns==
{{Disamb|y=[[1985]]|[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], the paranoid [[Decepticon]] [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] Lamborghini from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].}}
{{disamb|y=[[2003]]|[[Brakedown (Energon)|Brakedown]], the ''unreleased'' [[Mini-Con]] luxury car from ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2005]]|[[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]], the [[Velocitron]]ian [[Autobot]] Cybertronic funny car from ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]''.}}
{{Disamb|y=[[2009]]|[[Brakedown (ROTF)|Breakdown]] (a.k.a. "Brakedown"), the paranoid Decepticon sports car from the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''.}}
{{Disamb|y=2009|[[Breakdown (SG)|Breakdown]], the unfortunate heroic Decepticon scout from ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]''.}}
{{Disamb|y=[[2010]]|[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]], the Decepticon from the [[Aligned continuity family]].}}
{{Disamb|y=[[2011]]|[[Breakdown (Animated)|Breakdown]], the Decepticon [[Team Stunticon|Stunticon]] from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2015]]|[[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown]], the Velocitronian from the [[2005 IDW continuity]].}}
{{disamb|y=[[2023]]|[[Breakdown (ES)|Breakdown]], the Decepticon from ''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (franchise)|EarthSpark]]''.}}

==Media with "Breakdown" in the title==
{{Disamb|y=[[2004]]|''[[Transformers: Breakdown]]'', a collection of [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|six issues]] of the [[Marvel Comics continuity|US Marvel comics]] published by [[Titan Books]].}}
{{disamb|y=2011|"[[Operation: Breakdown]]", the episode of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]''.}}

==Not to be confused with...==
* [[Brake-Neck (disambiguation)|Brake-Neck]]
* [[Breakage]], the [[Mini-Con]] motorcross dirt bike and [[Heavy Metal (Energon)|Frenzy]] component from ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]''.
* [[Break]], the [[Maximal]] penguin from ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]]''.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)

2023-07-17T05:31:48Z

CyberstormSM: /* Quotes */

{{nav-rotb}}
{{movie|
|seriess=[[Live-action film series]]
|prev=Bumblebee (film)
|next=
|title=''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''
|image=Transformers Rise of the Beasts Theatrical Poster.jpeg
|caption=So for now, let the battle be here, on this strange, primitive world. And let it be called... Beast Wars!
|production companies=[[Skydance Media]] [[Entertainment One]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] [[New Republic Pictures]] [[Michael Bay|Bay Films]]
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Brian Goldner]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[Bradley J. Fischer]] [[Valerii An]] [[David Ellison]] [[Dana Goldberg]] [[Don Granger]]
|associate producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Duncan Henderson]]
|story by=[[Joby Harold]]
|screenplay by=[[Joby Harold]] [[Darnell Metayer]] [[Josh Peters]] [[Erich Hoeber]] [[Jon Hoeber]]
|directed by=[[Steven Caple Jr.]]
|cinematography by=[[Enrique Chediak]]
|edited by=[[Stuart Levy]] [[Brett M. Reed]]
|music by=[[Jongnic Bontemps]]
|release date=[[June 9]], [[2023]]
|continuity=[[Live-action film series]]
|runtime=127 minutes <ref>https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/C0D78E2B005A16FE</ref>
|budget=$200 million
|box office=$420 million<ref>https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/?ref_=bo_nb_yld_tab</ref>
}}
'''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''' is the seventh film in the [[live-action film series]], serving both as a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' and a tribute to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''. The film is directed by [[Steven Caple Jr.]] and written by [[Joby Harold]], [[Darnell Metayer]], [[Josh Peters]], [[Erich Hoeber]], and [[Jon Hoeber]]. Originally expected to be released on [[June 28]], [[2019]],<ref name="toyfairreveal">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-5-transformers-6-bumblebee-spin-off-movie-revealed-309503 Transformers 5, Transformers 6 And Bumblebee Spin-Off Movie Revealed] ToyFair news at TFW2005</ref> the film was delayed multiple times until finally being released on [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release"/>

When [[Noah Diaz]], a struggling young man trying to provide for his family, is roped into a conflict between the marooned [[Autobot]]s and the recently arrived [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcons]], he must learn to work with weary Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] so they, with the help of the wise [[Maximal]]s and the unadventurous researcher [[Elena Wallace]], can stop the arrival of the planet-eater [[Unicron]].

==Synopsis==
[[File:ROTBcap-Unicronringedplanet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|This is one unusual planet... whatever it is.]]

Somewhere in time and space, the dark god [[Unicron]] and his minions invade a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle world]] populated by [[Maximal]]s. Unicron, seeking a way to cross galaxies, sends his [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]] herald [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] to retrieve the [[Transwarp Key]], an advanced device that can open portals in space-time. Although the Maximals attempt to fight back, their leader [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] entrusts [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] and a small group of Maximals—[[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]], [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]], and [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]]—with the Transwarp Key and orders them to keep the artifact from Unicron. As Primal and his followers use the key to escape their doomed planet and flee to prehistoric [[Earth]], Scourge kills Apelinq after a brief fight and takes his [[insignia]] as a trophy.

Thousands of years later, in the year [[1994]], ex-military electronics expert [[Noah Diaz]] attempts to find a job to support his sick brother [[Kris Diaz|Kris]]. However, after another failed interview, his friend [[Reek]] convinces him to steal an expensive car from a nearby hotel. However, the "car" turns out to be the Autobot [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] in disguise, who takes the terrified Noah on a joyride through the streets of [[New York City]]. At the same time, a museum on Ellis Island comes into possession of an unusual stone falcon with a Maximal insignia. After closing hours, museum intern [[Elena Wallace]] investigates the statue and accidentally breaks it open to reveal half of the Transwarp Key. The artifact releases an energy pulse that attracts the attention of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the other Autobots, who have been stranded on Earth since their evacuation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] seven years prior. Prime summons the nearest Autobots—[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], and Mirage, who arrives at the meeting spot with Noah in tow. Although Optimus distrusts humans, he believes that they can use the Transwarp Key to return home and liberate their homeworld; eventually, Mirage hatches a scheme to sneak into the museum and have Noah steal the key for them.

[[File:Scourge about to blast bee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|A treacherous, underhanded sneak attack! I like you, pussycat, yes.]]

Unbeknownst to the Autobots, the accidental activation of the Transwarp Key summons the Terrorcons to Earth. Noah meets Elena inside the museum, but cannot convince her to turn over the relic before the Terrorcons attack; despite Prime's best efforts, Scourge successfully overpowers the Autobot leader, steals the Transwarp Key, and mortally injures Bumblebee before Airazor arrives to help drive the villains away. Airazor explains that the Maximals have been on Earth for millennia, and deliberately split the Transwarp Key in half to prevent Unicron or his followers from using it. The loss of Bumblebee only further galvanizes Optimus's resolve that they must reassemble the key and return home; Noah, fearful of Unicron's arrival, tells Elena that they must destroy the key to protect their own homeworld.

[[File:ROTB-Maximalstandoff.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Moderate your conflict circuits, Maximals.]]

Elena deduces that the other half of the key is located in a hidden temple in [[Peru]], and Prime recruits the airborne Autobot [[Stratosphere]] to take them there. Near the city of [[Cusco]], the Autobot [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] guides them to the temple, located beneath a [[Convent of Santo Domingo|local monastery]]. A festival prevents the Autobots from moving through the city inconspicuously; as a result, Noah and Elena must make the journey on foot. The pair discover a hidden mechanism that leads to a hidden temple with a stone sarcophogus but find that the other half of the key is no longer inside it. The Terrorcons attack again, and although the Autobots are able to evade the villains, the conflict ends with Scourge infecting Airazor with a portion of Unicron's dark energy. On the other side of the temple, Noah and Elena encounter Optimus Primal and the other two Maximals, who, after a brief standoff that was defused by Airazor, agree to join forces with the Autobots. Optimus Primal explains that they entrusted the Transwarp Key to a tribe of humans who live near the [[energon]]-rich valley that Primal and his followers inhabit—while Optimus Prime distrusts humanity, Primal has lived among them for millennia, and has come to view them as friends and even allies.

The next morning, however, Scourge's corruption finally overtakes Airazor; in the ensuing battle, Primal is forced to kill her to save Elena. Amidst the chaos, Noah makes an attempt to destroy their half of the Transwarp Key until Optimus convinces him to stand down. However, amidst the chaos, Scourge and the Terrorcons steal the other half of the key and relocate to a nearby volcano, which they reshape into a massive portal that will summon Unicron to Earth.
Having found some common ground between their two races, Optimus Prime and Noah agree to work together; while the Autobot-Maximal alliance battle Unicron's minions, Noah and Elena attempt to sneak into the Terrorcon base and deactivate the [[Unspace|transwarp]] device with a manual shutdown code based on Elena's studies of the Maximal language. Mirage attempts to distract Scourge so that the humans can complete their mission, but the Terrorcon leader gravely injures him; with the last of his strength, Mirage reshapes his body into an [[exosuit]] for Noah. As Unicron begins pushing his way through the portal to Earth and sending down reinforcements in the form of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]s, the energy pulses released by the key ignite the nearby energon deposits and restore Bumblebee to life. As Bumblebee joins the fight, Optimus Prime gains the upper hand and finally kills Scourge, but not before the Terrorcon damages the console and leaves the heroes unable to close the portal. With no other options, Prime destroys the key and triggers a devastating implosion, but Noah and Primal successfully rescue the Autobot leader from falling into the collapsing vortex.

In the aftermath, the surviving Maximals remain in Peru, while the Autobots return to America. Elena is recognized for her archeological discovery, while Noah applies for another security job—but discovers that the job opportunity is actually a front for a clandestine government organization codenamed "[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]," who promise to cover his brother's treatment going forward.

Some time later, Noah has used spare Porsche parts to cobble together a new body for Mirage, and reveals his existence to a bewildered Reek.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Autobot]]s / [[Maximal]]s|c1=
;Autobots
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
* [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] ([[Pete Davidson]])
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Liza Koshy]])
* [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] ([[Cristo Fernández]])
* [[Stratosphere]] ([[John DiMaggio]])

;Maximals
* [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] ([[Ron Perlman]])
* [[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]] ([[Michelle Yeoh]])
* [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]] ([[David Sobolov]])
* [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]] ([[Tongayi Chirisa]])
* [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] (David Sobolov)

|h2=[[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s / [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
;Terrorcons
* [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] ([[Peter Dinklage]])
* [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] ([[Michaela Jaé Rodriguez]])
* [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]] (David Sobolov)
* [[Freezer]]

;Predacons
* [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
* [[Noah Diaz]] ([[Anthony Ramos]])
* [[Elena Wallace]] ([[Dominique Fishback]])
* [[Breanna Diaz]] ([[Luna Lauren Velez]])
* [[Kris Diaz]] ([[Dean Scott Vasquez]])
* [[Reek]] ([[Tobe Nwigwe]])
* [[Jillian Robinson]] ([[Sarah Stiles]])
* [[Bishop (ROTB)|Bishop]] ([[Aidan Devine]])
* [[Mrs. Greene]] ([[Leni Parker]])
* [[Amaru]] ([[Lucas Huarancca]])
;[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]
* [[Agent Burke]] ([[Michael Kelly (actor)|Michael Kelly]])

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[Unicron]] ([[Colman Domingo]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
"There’s a legend that precedes the dawn of our civilization: a vile god so large, so powerful, that it consumed entire planets as fuel. Few believed such a thing could be true, until the day we saw Unicron with our own eyes…"
:—'''Optimus Primal's''' opening narration.

"I'll hold him off, buy you some time." 
"Then I'm staying with you." 
"This is my fight. Listen, if Unicron were to get the key, he could open a portal through [[Transwarp Drive|time and space]], with no end to the worlds he could destroy. It is now your time to lead the [[Maximal|Maximals]]... Optimus Primal."
:—'''Apelinq''' passing the torch to '''Optimus Primal'''.

"So you're this planet's... ''great'' warrior. You have such a beautiful world, filled with an abundance of life. Savory."
:—'''Scourge''' waxes poetic to Apelinq.

"Benefits, to serving the almighty Unicron."
:—'''Scourge''' taking Apelinq's insignia and placing it on himself [[Lockdown (Animated)|as a trophy]].

"You let them slip away with the Transwarp Key. Scour the universe, and find where the Maximals have gone. When you acquire the key, use it to bring me to you." 
"Yes, my lord." 
"Once I have the key, I alone will reign supreme!"
:—'''Unicron''' charging '''Scourge''' with finding the Transwarp Key.

"Okay, what are the rules?" 
"Bros before hoes." 
''[Noah glares at Kris]'' 
''(sigh)'' "Don't be a problem. Don't go looking for a problem—" 
"Or else we're gonna have a problem."
:—'''Noah''' and '''Kris''' clarify the rules.

"I ain't breaking into a museum for some space robots." 
"But what about for friendship?" 
''[Noah stares at Mirage incredulously]'' 
"Uh uh-- or or ''or'', what about for cash?"
:—'''Noah''' wants out. '''Mirage''' wants him in.

''"You can't handle the truth!"'' 
"I do not want you going to that drive-in theater anymore."
:— '''Bumblebee's''' references grate on '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Stop following me!" 
"I'm not following you, I'm just escaping in the same direction!"
:—'''Elena''' and '''Noah''' run from the pursuing Freezers.

"And you call yourself a Prime...Primus would be ''ashamed.''"
:—'''Scourge''' isn't too impressed with Optimus Prime.

"You fool! This is only half the key!" 
"Please.. the Maximals... They must have split it..." 
"Excuses! Complete the key, or else you will wish you had died with the rest of your planet!"
:—'''Unicron''' doesn't take failure lightly.

"I'm going to take back Scourge's key, and then...''take off his head.''"
:—The origins of '''Optimus Prime's''' "GIVE ME YOUR FACE" phase.

"I love your fire, Prime, but you're going to die on this speck of dust." 
"I can think of no better place to bury you!"
:—'''Scourge''' has gotten on '''Optimus Prime's''' last nerve

"I am sorry, Noah." 
"You were looking out for your own. I can't even be angry at you for that." 
"On my homeworld, we believe that the battle with darkness will continue [['Til all are one|'til all are one]]. I lost sight of that. You fought for yours as I fought for mine, when we should've been fighting the darkness together." 
"But I ain't done fighting yet."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Noah''' have a moment as Unicron approaches.

"''I have come here to kick ass!''"
:—'''Bumblebee''' announces his return with a clear message.

"Time to show you the real power of a Prime!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' lays the smackdown on Scourge. An ass kicker cometh.

"Don't, Prime. I can give you everything you want." 
"Then DIE!"
:—'''Unicron's''' temptation falls flat in '''Optimus Prime's''' face.

"I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. We have lost the Transwarp Key, and with it, our ability to go home. But we have gained an ally in our battle against the forces of evil. Forces too powerful for any of us to defeat on our own, but together, we might just have a chance."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' closing narration. We missed them.

"I am Noah Diaz. What is there to know about me? I was raised out in Brooklyn. I got a little bro who calls me Sonic, and if I gotta help save the universe in order to help save the people I love, well then that's what I'm gonna do."
:—'''Noah''' does his own closing narration.

==Continuity notes==
''Rise of the Beasts'' is a direct sequel to 2018's ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' film, taking place seven years after its events, in 1994. The plot of the film has little impact on this one, beyond it being established that the Autobots have been stranded on Earth since arriving at its end. While waiting for Noah to infiltrate the museum, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have a conversation that alludes to Bee's time with [[Charlie Watson]].

More notably, ''Rise of the Beasts'' serves to continue the heated debate among fans over whether or not the ''Transformers'' live-action film series has been rebooted, after reshoots to ''Bumblebee'' that served to distance it from the earlier films directed by [[Michael Bay]] introduced some significant discontinuities with Bay's films (2017's ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' in particular). Though fans were quick to jump on the idea that this meant the film was a total, hard reboot of the movie universe, Paramount has not commited to that idea; ''Rise of the Beasts'' was not promoted as a reboot any more than ''Bumblebee'' was, and many reviews of and articles about the film have casually referred to it as a prequel. Some web outlets would even run articles commenting on Paramount's hazy stance on the movie's (and ''Bumblebee'''s) place in continuity.<ref>[https://www.cbr.com/transformers-7-bumblebee-reboot-mistake "Rise of the Beasts Is Repeating Bumblebee's Worst Mistake" on CBR.com]</ref><ref>[https://movieweb.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-is-a-reboot/ "Why Does Paramount Keep Pretending Rise of the Beasts Is Not a Reboot?" on MovieWeb.com]</ref>

In-keeping with this, in the run-up to the film's release, like [[Travis Knight]] before him, director Steven J. Caple Jr. was reluctant to declare the film a full and total continuity reboot, stating that it is a "refresher" and a "new direction," that is nonetheless preserving many elements of the films that have gone before.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=It's a reboot for sure. The Bayverse... you can still watch the Bayverse and be on your own verse, so to speak. With us, we're definitely like, we want this to work, you know? We want people to... it's a refresher, so we can call reboot in terms of like, where we were starting. But yeah so definitely a new direction for sure. There's some things you could probably connect to it, clearly Bee is like a huge connection to all the movies, you know what I mean? In terms of his car, his design, a Camaro, and things like that, but... it's a very small one, in terms of the big ideas that we have. And so you guys will see definitely where we're going at the end of this film, which is crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MfMFxvT_-Q&t=2452s|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=The Alfonso Nation|title="BAYVERSE vs REBOOT" & Wheeljacks Design | ROTB DIRECTOR STEVEN CAPLE JR Interview!|year=2023|month=05|day=27}}</ref> Longtime producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] has taken a more explicit stance, repeatedly denying that the film is a reboot and stating that it is a prequel that shows how Optimus Prime grows to become the character seen in the Bay films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Hey you know if you look at it from a timeline point of view, it follows ''Bumblebee''... but it is a prequel, in that it's before all the previous movies. So it sort of exists in its own way. What I don't think it is, is a reboot, because it's still our characters. One of the things that Steven brought to the table right from the beginning, which was so great, was the idea that when we meet Optimus Prime, he's different than what we think of him, and we're watching him grow up—if you would—as a leader. And for me that was one of the most exciting parts of the movie, and what was interesting was watching it with audiences, and at first they were uncomfortable a little bit, like, "wait, that's not exactly the Optimus... he should like humans!" You know? So I think it gives the movie a really interesting point of view, and that therefore it stands alone in that way.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11sKGYcq9k&t=871s|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=a panel at the premiere of ''Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=05|day=26}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=But what's interesting is, and you will appreciate this as a fan, at the end of ''Bumblebee'', Optimus comes to Earth. What he's experienced is failure, probably for the first time in his life, right? He's had to retreat, he's leaving the planet Cybertron. What's happened to him from that experience? When we meet him in 2007, he's a particular person, if you would. In 1994, he's not the same person. He still has growth to do between ‘94 and 2007. So the character arc for Optimus in this, and the fun for the audience is, when you first meet Optimus – and we've had this experience because we've watched it with audiences and we've heard them talk about it – they're like, “It's definitely Optimus, but there's something a little different…” At first, they're like, “Wait, what, who… what Optimus is this?” And by the end of the movie, Optimus has become the guy that you've recognized from the Bay movies. Emotional.|link=https://collider.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-michael-bay-movies-producer-comments/|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=Collider|title='Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Producer on How It Differs From Michael Bay's Movies|year=2023|month=05|day=24}}</ref> At the same time, di Bonaventura has also conceded that they were "kicking the can down the road" when it came to continuity concerns, preferring to worry about it in the future, and that the films "maybe have" contradicted Bay's movies despite efforts not to.<ref>[https://www.fandom.com/articles/transformers-rise-beast-wars-optimus-prime Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Shows a Different Side of Optimus Prime" on Fandom.com]</ref> These particular claims line up with statements made by Caple after the film's release, in which he stated he is "not worried" about continuity, and is just focused on making the best choices for each individual movie's story. He cites 2007's ''Transformers'' and ''Dark of the Moon'' as "his classics," and says he would "love to stay within that line," but does not feel compelled to adhere much to ''Age of Extinction'' and ''The Last Knight,'' since he views their stories as the result of creators "freestyling," and doubts that "anyone knew exactly where they were going with [them]."<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/rise-of-the-beasts-director-confirms-that-continuity-is-not-a-concern-within-the-transformers-film-franchise/47813/ Extract from an interview with Caple Jr. on the ''Empire Spoiler Specials'' podcast, via Seibertron.com]</ref> And that's... probably about as good an answer as we're going to get right now.

Whichever approach you subscribe to, it's pretty clear the decision to set the film in 1994 was one primarily made to avoid having to directly deal with the timeframe of the Bay movies in any capacity, and tell a new story free of their immediate baggage - the "can-kicking" Lorenzo spoke of. For what it's worth, the film takes some steps to preserve the broad continuity of at least the first Bay film; the Transwarp Key's energy is explicitly stated to operate on a frequency that humans cannot perceive, meaning that they literally cannot ''see'' the huge sky-beam or the portal. As such, the film ends with the general population of Earth (beyond secret forces within the US government) still entirely unaware of the Transformers' existence, as was the case when the 2007 film began. As the time-gap between these "prequels" and the first movie narrows, though, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine them fitting together without a lot of hand-waving away of specific details, unless future movies actually start making active attempts to address this.

In terms of active contradictions to established continuity, ''Rise of the Beasts'' appears to take the same approach as ''Bumblebee'' and ignores the events of ''The Last Knight'' by depicting Unicron as a separate planet, rather than the Earth itself, as he appeared in that film. However, it's probably important to note that the film lightly implies that the Maximals are time-travellers from the future (see "Transformers references" for more details), which would mean that the Unicron who appears in this film is also from the future. Thus it ''could'' be argued that his appearance here doesn't technically contradict ''The Last Knight''—but of course, that would mean he was trying to eat his own past self.

==Transformers references==
*The Maximals are broadly depicted the same as they were in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon: as a "highly-advanced race" of beast-mode Transformers who use transwarp technology to travel to other planets and interact with their native species, whose travels bring them to ancient Earth. Steven Caple Jr. has noted that earlier drafts of the screenplay explicitly depicted the Maximals as time-travellers from the future, as they were in the cartoon, and while the concept is so toned down for the finished movie that it probably won't even occur to general audiences, several references to the idea are still made on-screen. Transwarp technology is stated to open portals in time as well as space; Airazor states that the Maximals are "from both [the Autobots'] past and future"; and Optimus Primal says that he is named after the "legendary" Optimus Prime, which all combine to suggest that the Maximals originate from the future.
*The idea of the Maximals hailing from a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle planet]] originates in [[IDW Publishing]]'s comic books, which depicted many ''Beast Wars'' characters as the residents of the planet Eukaris. The planet is implied to be one of many colonised by Transformers in ages past using space bridges generated by the Transwarp Key, before the planets became separated and the key "lost." This concept of a great era of Cybertronian expansion that led to the foundation of lost colonies on other planets where Cybertronian life evolved in new and different directions dates back to 2005's [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], and became a recurring element in ''Transformers'' series in the 2010s and beyond after it was incorporated into the lore of the [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned continuity]].
*Unicron's armies being named the "Terrorcons" hearkens back to both 2004's ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and 2010's ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'', which both featured the power of Unicron being used to create armies of warriors known as Terrorcons. In particular, the corrupted Airazor's rusted appearance resembles the ''Prime'' Terrorcons, which were also rusted, dilapidated, shambling bots controlled by the will of another.
*Though not identified by name onscreen, Unicron's army includes multiple duplicates of a robotic scorpion identified by the movie's toyline as "Predacon Scorponok." The idea of "Scorponok" being a mass-produced "species" of robots has recently been seen in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron'' cartoon]], where both [[Scorponok (G1)|Generation 1 Scorponok]] ''and'' [[Scorponok (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Scorponok]] were treated this way.
*The Maximals vow to keep the Transwarp Key hidden and safeguard life "no matter the cost," evoking Optimus Prime's iconic line from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'': "Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost."
*Optimus Prime's design features alterations from his earlier ''Bumblebee'' appearance that are influenced by his appearance in the first three Bay films; he has silver hands, feet, sun visors, angled chest windows, retractable orange [[Dual Energon Swords|Energon swords]], a handheld orange [[Energon-axe]] (which transforms out of his arm, coincidentally similar to the [[Optimus Prime (ES)|''Earthspark'' version]]), and a mask-less face sporting similar details. Arcee also transforms into a {{w|Ducati}} motorcycle, like her ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' character.
*Scourge combines aspects of his [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1]], [[Scourge (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'']] and [[Scourge (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'']] namesakes; he's a herald of Unicron like G1 Scourge, transforms into a black Optimus Prime-like truck like ''RID'' Scourge and hails from a colony world like ''Cybertron'' Scourge. The various insignias he wears as trophies include the symbols of the [[Decepticon]]s, [[Autobot]]s, [[Maximal]]s, [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s, [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] and [[Wreckers]]. His designer Eddie Del Rio also admitted on his Instagram to pulling inspiration from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] for his robot mode (and stealing insignias like trophies is well in character for the old bounty hunter as well).
*More obscure characters appear such as Apelinq, who originates from a [[Apelinq (BM)#Toys|BotCon 2000 toy]] and tie-in [[3H Productions]] comics, and Stratosphere, returning from the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toyline and last seen in the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]], albeit with a new, original design and characterization.
*When [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] lands at the Museum following the carnage, she makes some [[Starscream (Movie)|very familiar warbling noises]] when she moves.
*The two music tracks used in Unicron's scenes feature segments taken from [[Vince DiCola]]'s "Unicron's Theme" in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Scourge stands and talks to Unicron's face from inside his body, similar to a scene with their characters from the Generation 1 episode, "[[Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine]]".
*The symbols Elena studies are Maximal [[Cybertronix]], from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon. The access code Elena assembles doesn't translate to anything, and simply reads "XQB," but the text on the side of the Transwarp Key (written in a combination of mirrored and upside-down symbols) reads: "He Who Opens The Door."
*The authors of the paper Elena reads about Peru's unexplained glyphs are Asahi Takara and Daniel H. Tomy, a reference to [[TakaraTomy]], Hasbro's longtime business partner in Transformers toys.
*After meeting Optimus Prime for the first time, Noah incorrectly calls him "Optimal". "Optimal Optimus" is the name of the original [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#OptimalOptimus|Optimus Primal's Transmetal 2 body]].
*When proposing different alternate modes to Noah, Mirage briefly turns into an F1 car, a reference to [[Mirage (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]]'s alternate mode. He also turns into a Lamborghini Countach, which was just a really cool, sexy car, but also famous in ''Transformers'' lore for being the alternate mode of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Generation 1 Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. He then claims that he can also turn into a Ferrari, the alternate mode of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Dino]], whose name in media outside of that movie was "Mirage".
*Mirage is incredulous over the news that musician [[Mark Wahlberg]] is leaving his band, the Funky Bunch, and going into acting—a good-natured jab at the actor's [[Cade Yeager|leading role]] in the earlier ''Transformers'' movies, ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' and ''The Last Knight''.
*Scourge name-drops [[Primus]] as he taunts Optimus Prime, the first reference to the Transformers' creator god in any of the live-action movies.
*Scourge injures Prime's left flank in the museum battle, which mirrors the injuries [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] gave to the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie.'' Prime even grasps the wound in the same way his predecessor did.
*Airazor explains that Unicron imbues his heralds with a "dark energy," which increases their power, but also has a corrupting effect—almost certainly a reference to [[Dark Energon]], the life-energy of Unicron introduced in the Aligned continuity.
*Unicron psychically tortures Scourge from afar in the same way he did [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
*When Optimus Primal talks to Optimus Prime about how the Maximals trust the humans, he says there's "[[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more to them than meets the eye]]".
*Optimus states the Cybertronian belief that "the battle with darkness" will continue: "[['Til all are one]]." This phrase, and the idea of a day prophesied in Cybertron legend when it will come to pass, originates with ''The Transformers: The Movie,'' and is here used to thematically connect with the shared struggle of the Autobots, Maximals, and humans.
*When the heroes are lining up for the final battle, brown fins briefly pop out of the sides of Wheeljack's head, evoking his [[Wheeljack (G1)|Generation 1 design]].
*As the heroes charge towards the Terrorcon army, Optimus Primal commands Rhinox and Cheetor to "Maximize!", which was the Maximal [[activation code]] from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.
*Optimus Primal briefly fights with his double bladed scimitar from his [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|original toy]].
*In the final battle, when Unicron sends an army of Freezers to reinforce his minions on Earth, they make their descent in the form of yellow-and-black orbs, which appears to be a nod to Unicron's [[Mini-Con]] from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the yellow-and-black sphere, [[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]].
*The armored suit Mirage forms over Noah is conceptually an homage to the Generation 1 [[exosuit]]s, while its overall design hews closer to [[Kicker Jones]]' battlesuit from ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''.
*In a glorious homage to [[Transformers (film)|the 2007 movie]], the musical highlight of [[Steve Jablonsky]]'s "Arrival to Earth" plays as Optimus, Noah, and Primal escape the collapsing transwarp portal's suction.
* Optimus Prime's final speech is set to a remixed version of the track "No Sacrifice, No Victory" from the 2007 movie's score, which was also reprised for the endings of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''.
*[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and Transformers have frequently crossed over in comics and the occasional toyline over the years, though this marks the first time the two have co-existed in a feature film. Notably, the G.I. Joe insignia on Burke's business card is the version introduced in the film ''G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra''.
*When Reek and Noah are repairing Mirage at the end of the film, Reek says "Even Stevens," a possible allusion to [[Shia LaBeouf]], who starred in the [[Sam Witwicky|leading role]] in the first three ''Transformers'' movies and prior to that starred as the main character in the Disney Channel sitcom ''Even Stevens''.

==Real-life references==
*A TV screen briefly shows news coverage of the {{w|Murder trial of O. J. Simpson#Bronco chase|O.J. Simpson white Ford Bronco car chase}}, which places the events of the film near June 17, 1994.
*Throughout the film, Noah and Kris use the codenames "[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]]" and "{{w|Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Tails}}" (and in one instance, Mirage is referred to as "{{w|Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles}}"), a nod to the characters from the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' videogame series.
*Kris wears a shirt of the ''Mighty Morphin' [[Saban Entertainment|Power Rangers]]'', another property owned by Hasbro. A poster of said series also appears on his wall.
*Kris is heard playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his [[Game Boy]]. However, see "Anachronisms".
*Kris attempts to comfort Noah after his unsuccessful interview by relating his struggle to [[Superman|Superman's]] difficulty finding a job before being hired by the {{w|Daily Planet}}.
*When Mirage compliments Noah after the car chase, he quotes the line "I like it a lot" from ''Dumb and Dumber''. However, see "Anachronisms".
*Also in the aftermath of the chase, he refers to the 1988 movie ''{{w|Big (film)|Big}}'' during his impression of Optimus Prime.
*Noah calls Mirage {{w|E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.}} for obvious reasons. He also makes a reference to [[Indiana Jones]] when discovering the hidden temple in Peru.
*Bumblebee drops various voice lines from famous real-life films throughout the whole movie, including ''{{w|Die Hard}}'', ''[[Spaceballs]]'', ''{{w|They Live}}'', ''{{w|A Few Good Men}}'' and ''{{w|Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface}}.''
*While fleeing in the museum, Elena sings Zhané's song "{{w|Groove Thang}}" to try to calm herself down.
*As they rendezvous with the other Autobots for the trip to Peru, Mirage announces that "[[Wu-Tang Clan|Wu-Tang]] is in the building."
*Elena sings the TLC song "{{w|Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls}}" to herself during the flight to Peru. However, see "Anachronisms".
*The {{w|Inti Raymi}} festival taking place when the Autobots arrive in Peru is a real festival that takes place on June 24th.
*During the mountain road car chase at Peru, the shot of Scourge's insignia-covered grille reflected in Prime's rearview mirror homages a famous shot from [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1971 film ''{{w|Duel (1971 film)|Duel}}.''
*When meeting Primal, Elena brings up the {{w|Nazca Lines}} and the archeological site at {{w|Tikal}}, asking if the Maximals were responsible for creating them. [[Order of the Witwiccans|In this case]], however, Primal takes no credit for human ingenuity.
*Mirage calls Optimus Primal "{{w|Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong}}".
*At the end of the film, Elena appears on the CBS news program ''[[60 Minutes]]''; host [[Lesley Stahl]] makes a cameo appearance as herself during the segment.
*The award on the wall that serves as the hidden switch to access the G.I. Joe base reads "Real Hero Award" with the image of an American flag, referencing the subtitle of the original G.I. Joe cartoon series: "A Real American Hero".

==Errors==
===Filming, animation, and technical errors===
*When Scourge kills Apelinq, he welds his Maximal insignia to his right shoulder, but throughout the rest of the film, Apelinq's insignia is gone. In the same scene, Scourge says "They never learn...", but his mouth is not moving.
*When Reek yells down the street as Noah and Kris depart, his dialogue does not match his lips.
*When Optimus Prime is about to throw his axe at Scourge, there is some distance between the two. However, in the next shot they are within just meters of each other.
*When Scourge says "Now, to add a Prime to my collection", his claw is both folded in on his arm and deployed at the same time.
*When Mirage attempts to eavesdrop on Noah and Kris' conversation, he is barely tall enough peer into the balcony while standing on a car. However, a minute later when Kris promises him to keep Noah safe he is somehow tall enough to comfortably look into the balcony without anything to stand on.
*The doors that go onto Wheeljack's back are unmarked brown in the scene of him transforming from van mode, but feature text on them in the very next cut where he is in robot mode.
*When Wheeljack audibly gasps at Noah assuming he can speak Spanish, his mouth is not moving.
*When Mirage and Optimus Prime turn into a street in Cusco, there is another Optimus Prime truck in the background. This can only be seen if you pause at the right moment.
*When Wheeljack is recovering from being attacked by Rhinox, his mouth is not moving as he says "Ay-ay-ay."
*As the heroes are walking through the jungle, the scene cuts to Elena while she is saying "So, what are you?", which does not match her lips.
*As Optimus Prime looks up at Unicron arriving at the mouth of the portal, Arcee can be seen scuttling about blasting Freezers; except her blasters produce no laser effects.
*From the time Bumblebee acquires his offroad Camaro, his wheels are inconsistent between his robot and vehicle modes, with some shots showing his normal Camaro's wheels instead of the offroad ones. It is most visible for the wheels on his shoulders.
*Scourge's mouth is not moving as he proclaims "Unicron will prevail!" before shooting the transwarp control panel.
*Elena audibly whimpering in Bumblebee as he drives through hoards of Freezers does not match her lips.

===Continuity errors===
*After Scourge incapacitates Bumblebee, he plucks his Autobot badge off with a normal left hand. In the following shot, however, his left hand is transformed into his giant claw and he is no longer holding the badge.
*During the chase out of Cusco, when Optimus Prime reaches the bend, the Terrorcons are very close behind him. However, when he transforms into robot mode, they are suddenly much further back.
*When Stratosphere transforms in Peru, it starts with him facing away from Optimus Prime. However, in the next shot he's now facing towards him.
*When Scourge walks away with the second half of the key, his left arm switches from the claw to the cannon between shots.

===Geographic discontinuities===
*There ''is'' a museum on Ellis Island... however, it's a [https://www.statueofliberty.org/ellis-island/national-immigration-museum/ museum that documents the turn-of-the-century immigrant experience], and not the generalized natural history museum shown in the film. Notably, the actual museum is composited out of the movie's establishing shots so that the made-up museum setpiece can replace it.
*Elena states that she has never left New York. Ellis Island, her place of work, is almost completely owned by the state of New Jersey, discounting a small portion that was the island's original size that is still a part of New York. Even discounting that, the waters surrounding the island are wholly owned by the Garden State.
*When the Autobots arrive at Cusco, they land at the citadel of [[Sacsayhuamán]], an Inca fortress on the northern outskirts of the city, and the site is deserted. Even on a normal day, it should be crawling with tourists, but the Autobots are specifically said to arrive during the [[Inti Raymi]] festival... whose central activity is a recreation of an Inca ceremony ''at'' Sacsayhuamán.
*The fight with the corrupted Airazor takes place at Machu Picchu, which nobody is witness to, as again it is completely deserted. It should be crawling with tourists, the staff that works at the site, the guests and staff of the lodge located right next to the complex, or the population of the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of the mountain.

===Anachronisms===
*Though the "you died!" music and mention of Bowser imply Kris is playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his Game Boy, that game wouldn't see a release on the system until 1999's ''[https://www.mariowiki.com/Super_Mario_Bros._Deluxe Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]'' on the Game Boy Color. The only Mario platformers released for Game Boy by 1994 were the ''Super Mario Land'' games, which featured different antagonists and music.
*Elena sings "Waterfalls" to calm herself down. Assuming the film takes place in the summer, as implied by the aforementioned coverage of the O.J. Simpson chase, it would still be a few months until the November 1994 release of the album ''CrazySexyCool'', which the song first appeared on.
*Similarly, Mirage quotes a line from ''Dumb and Dumber'', a film that would not release until December 1994.
*A green car that was smashed and thrown in the Museum scene was a B5.5 Volkswagen Passat which would not be released until 2001.
*The promo for ''60 Minutes'' uses the program's contemporary imaging, including the use of the current CBS News logotype above that of the show.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', was released alongside the film on June 9, 2023. Paramount also compiled a Spotify Playlist, ''[[Transformers Rise of the Beats]]'', featuring songs that appeared in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Thanks to some genuine human drama between the set pieces and palpable affection for the title characters, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is one of the franchise's more enjoyable outings.|Critics Consensus|[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_rise_of_the_beasts Rotten Tomatoes]}}

Coming off the back of the generally well-received ''Bumblebee'', ''Rise of the Beasts'' received mixed reviews. While critics largely praised the old-school adventure film sequences and the performances of the human leads, most criticism was directed at the film's protracted final battle scene and its overuse of computer-generated imagery—in particular, some critics juxtaposed the film's tamer action scenes against the madcap, sometimes over-the-top practical effect-based destruction employed by [[Michael Bay]] during his time in the director's chair. As of writing, the film holds a 53% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although the audience score sits at a much higher 91%.

In the US and Canada, ''Rise of the Beasts'' opened to a strong $60.5 million start—higher than both ''The Last Knight'' and ''Bumblebee'' <ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-spider-man-spiderverse-1235412771/ "'Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' Conquers 'Spider-Verse' With $60M+ Opening, But Animated Pic's Second Weekend Hold Strong -- Box Office"] </ref>—but suffered a brutal 66.1 percent drop in its second weekend, where it lost out to ''{{w|The Flash (film)|The Flash}}'', ''{{w|Elemental}}'', and ''{{w|Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse|Across the Spider-Verse}}''. <ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-box-office-disappoint-pixar-elemental-flop-1235647927/ "'The Flash' Disappoints With $55 Million Debut, Pixar's 'Elemental' Flops With $29.5 Million in Battle of Box Office Lightweights"] </ref> <ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W24/?ref_=bo_we_nav Domestic 2023 Weekend 24]</ref> A week later, the film took in a comparatively dismal $11 million <ref> [https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-the-flash-no-hard-feelings-jennifer-lawrence-1235422274/ 'Spider-Verse' Swinging Ahead Of 'Elemental' After Game Of Chicken; 'Flash' Edging Out 'No Hard Feelings' -- Saturday PM Box Office]</ref>; as of July 2023, the film has made $420 million overall, marking the lowest-grossing film in the series thus far.

==Development details==

[[File:TRANSFORMERS-2022.jpg|thumb|250px]]

* March 27, 2015 — [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" with the intention of building a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[http://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Goldsman goes on to hire a number of writers over the next few months: [[Steven DeKnight]] (''Daredevil''),<ref>[http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-cinematic-universe/35696/transformers-cinematic-details-more-writers-over-10-films Transformers cinematic details]</ref> [[Robert Kirkman]] (''The Walking Dead''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-writers-robert-kirkman-zak-penn-art-marcum-matt-holloway-jeff-pinkner-1201430601/ 'Transformers' Spinoff & Sequel Scribes Set] on Deadline.com</ref> [[Art Marcum]] and [[Matt Holloway]] (''Iron Man''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Christina Hodson]] (''Shut In'', ''The Fugitive''),<ref name="hodsonbeer">[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446175-christina-hodson-and-lindsey-beer-join-transformers-writing-team Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer Join the Transformers Writing Team]</ref> [[Lindsey Beer]] (''Dig''),<ref name="hodsonbeer" /> [[Zak Penn]] (''Pacific Rim 2''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Jeff Pinkner]] (''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'', ''Lost''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] (''Ant-Man''),<ref name="barrerferrari">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref> [[Ken Nolan]] (''Black Hawk Down''), and [[Geneva Robertson-Dworet]].<ref name="nolandworet">[http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-writers-room/ Akiva Goldsman Teases 'Transformers' Franchise Plans]</ref> Involved in the pitching process are [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Michael Bay]], [[Brian Goldner]], [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Mark Vahradian]], and [[Don Murphy]].<ref name="deadlinereveal">[http://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref>
* October 3, 2015 — During his keynote speech at the MIP Junior Conference, [[Allspark (company)|Allspark]]'s [[Stephen J. Davis]] notes that the writing team has come up with film concepts for Transformers 5, 6, 7, and 8.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_P2fw_DlS4&t=812 Stephen Davis's keynote speech] at MIPJunior.</ref>
* February 12, 2016 — At [[Toy Fair 2016]], Hasbro reveals the projected release date of Transformers 7, along with the dates for the two preceding films.<ref name="toyfairreveal" />
* September 23, 2017 — At Licensing Europe 2017, Hasbro announces Transformers 7 will have an "entirely new, exciting storyline".<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/09/23/2019-transformers-movie-feature-entirely-new-storyline-349463 2019 Transformers Movie To Feature An Entirely New Storyline] on TFW2005</ref>
* February 16, 2018 — Hasbro clarifies at [[Toy Fair 2018]] that the film will be a reset of the franchise and has been delayed indefinitely until a new creative team is in place.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/02/16/transformers-cinematic-universe-current-movie-series-rebooted-358641 Transformers Cinematic Universe Is Over: Current Movie Series To Be Rebooted] on TFW2005</ref>
* May 24, 2018 — Paramount drops the film from their release schedule.<ref>[http://collider.com/transformers-7-cancelled/amp/ Paramount Officially Pulls the Next 'Transformers' Sequel from Their Release Date Schedule] on Collider</ref>
* March 15, 2019 — di Bonaventura states a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' is in development.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/two-sequels-in-transformers-live-action-franchise-confirmed-in-development/43083/ Two Sequels in Transformers Live Action Franchise Confirmed in Development] on Seibertron</ref>
* March 18, 2019 — di Bonaventura claims that the next main ''Transformers'' film will be a reboot closely tied to the ''Bumblebee'' sequel, rather than a direct sequel to ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''. Either way, Paramount will pick the best script for ''Transformers 7'' and release that first.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bumblebee-producer-says-next-transformers-movie-wi/1100-6465652/ Bumblebee Producer Says Next Transformers Movie Will Be A Reboot] on GameSpot</ref>
[[File:Stevencaplejr autobot cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Hey, you think ''that's'' speed? You ain't seen the Golden Rocket.]]
[[File:Stevencaplejr terrorcon cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Then we will create ''alternate forms'', based on the most powerful local creatures!]]
* January 27, 2020 — Variety reports two ''Transformers'' films are being penned, to be produced simultaneously: one written by [[James Vanderbilt]], another to be written by [[Joby Harold]].<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/film/news/transformers-franchise-revamp-bumblebee-james-vanderbilt-joby-harold-1203482496/ ‘Transformers’ Franchise Gets a Revamp With Two Separate Films in the Works] on Variety</ref> Deadline reports that Vanderbilt's script is for a spin-off film based on ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', while Harold's script continues the story from the ''Bumblebee'' film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/01/transformers-movies-paramount-1202843234/ Dual ‘Transformers’ Movies In The Works At Paramount] on Deadline</ref>
* May 2, 2020 — [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms that a new Transformers live-action movie is slated to release on [[June 24]], 2022. However, only one between Harold's ''Bumblebee'' sequel and Vanderbilt's ''Beast Wars'' film will make it to production first.
* August 21, 2020 — New Republic Pictures is announced as a new co-financier for Paramount in a ten-picture deal in the wake of the success of 2019's ''Rocketman''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/08/paramount-pictures-new-republic-pictures-10-picture-cofinancing-deal-top-gun-maverick-1203018250/ New Republic Pictures Signs 10-Pic Co-Fi Deal With Paramount Pictures; ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Among Films] on Deadline</ref>
* November 16, 2020 — [[Steven Caple Jr.]] is announced as the director.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/11/transformers-director-steven-caple-jr-1234613830/ Transformers’: ‘Creed 2’ Director Steven Caple Jr. Tapped To Direct Next Installment In Paramount And Hasbro Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* April 1, 2021 — [[Anthony Ramos]] is in talks for a starring role.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-7-cast-anthony-ramos/ Exclusive: Anthony Ramos in Talks to Star in New 'Transformers' Movie] at Collider</ref>
* April 29, 2021 — [[Dominique Fishback]] is in final negotiations to star in the film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2021/04/transformers-dominique-fishback-anthony-ramos-paramount-eone-and-hasbro-franchise-1234746855/ 'Transformers': Dominique Fishback Lands Lead Role Opposite Anthony Ramos In Next Installment For The Paramount Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* June 13, 2021 — A casting call sheet for filming in Montreal reveals that the film is set in [[1992]].<ref>[https://www.transformersfr.com/t5190p250-parlons-des-films-transformers-a-venir#190206 Rumeur ― le "7ème Film Transformers en prise de vue réelle" se déroulerait en 1992] on transformersfr.com</ref>
* June 22, 2021 — A Paramount virtual event is held in which the movie's title, premise, and few of the characters and cast are unveiled (revealing it to be both the ''Bumblebee'' and ''Beast Wars'' films in one).<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Currently attending a Paramount virtual event about the next #Transformers film. Report to follow!|link=https://twitter.com/search?q=(from%3ABWTF_Ben)%20until%3A2021-06-23%20since%3A2021-06-22|name=Ben Yee|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://bwtf.com/news/rise-of-the-beasts-character-descriptions|name=Ben Yee|site=BWTF|title=Movie News: "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" Character Descriptions|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref> The film's logo and official premise are also unveiled on official Transformers social media accounts.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The battle on Earth is no longer just between Autobots and Decepticons… Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons join Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, in theatres June 24, 2022.|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1407422768602181632|name=@transformers|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref>
* June 28, 2021 — [[Ron Perlman]] is announced to be reprising his role as Optimus Primal from ''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Power of the Primes]]''. [[Darnell Metayer]] and [[Josh Peters]] are confirmed as writers, inspired by Joby Harold's earlier draft.<ref>{{citesocial|quote='''Ron Perlman''' has been tapped to voice Optimus Primal in '''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''', Collider has exclusively learned. [...] ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be led by rising stars '''Anthony Ramos''' (''In the Heights'') and '''Dominique Fishback''' (''Judas and the Black Messiah''), and '''Steven Caple Jr.''' (''Creed II'') is directing from a script by '''Darnell Metayer''' and '''Josh Peters''', who worked off an earlier draft by '''Joby Harold'''.|link=https://collider.com/ron-perlman-optimus-primal-voice-transformers-7-rise-of-the-beasts/|name=Jeff Sneider|site=Collider|title=Exclusive: 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Adds Ron Perlman as Voice of Optimus Primal|year=2021|month=06|day=28}}</ref>
* July 11, 2021 — Rapper [[Tobe Nwigwe]] announces on Instagram that he's been cast in the movie.<ref>[https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/houston-s-tobe-nwigwe-earns-emmy-nom-16317174 Houston’s Tobe Nwigwe earns Emmy nom, 'Transformers' role] from the Houston Chronicle</ref>
* October 6, 2021 — Caple Jr. reveals the vehicle modes for the Autobot and Terrorcon cast through his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The squad is out…|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CUsm_wyLory/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* October 20, 2021 — Filming is completed.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=That’s a wrap 🎬|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOw5z2r9TP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 21, 2021 — Cuscopolita reports on the vehicles with the film's Peru crew, confirming the unidentified vehicles as [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] and [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.facebook.com/cuscopolitamagazine/videos/1941112319403899|name=Cuscopolita|site=Facebook|title=Exclusiva con los Transformers|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 22, 2021 — Ramos makes a guest appearance on [[Hasbro Pulse Con 2021]], confirming Cheetor, his favorite ''Beast Wars'' character, will be in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I am a ''Transformers'' fan, ''Beast Wars'' fan, Cheetor is my #1 favorite of all time, so it's dope to have Cheetor, to be in this movie with Cheetor, it's gonna be crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjtxJqrv-bI&t=6051s|name=Anthony Ramos|site=YouTube|title=Hasbro PulseCon 2021 - DAY ONE|year=2021|month=10|day=22}}</ref>
* November 10, 2021 — Paramount announces the film has been delayed to [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release">{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has moved back a year and will now bow June 9, 2023. It previously was slated for June 24, 2022.|link=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-trek-transformers-movie-release-date-1235045937/|name=Aaron Couch|site=The Hollywood Reporter|title=‘Star Trek,’ ‘Transformers’ Movies Pushed Back at Paramount|year=2021|month=11|day=10}}</ref>
* February 15, 2022 — Paramount confirms that ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be the first entry in a trilogy of films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will be released theatrically in 2023 and is the first of three new installments. A new animated series from @Nickelodeon arrives this fall. And in 2024, the franchise expands further with a CG animated Transformers theatrical film. #ParamountPlus|link=https://twitter.com/paramountplus/status/1493706271207292928|name=Paramount+|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=02|day=15}}</ref>
* October 11, 2022 — Caple Jr. reveals through Instagram that [[Pete Davidson]] is the voice of Mirage, and [[Michelle Yeoh]] is the voice of Airazor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Sneak peek of Pete voicing Mirage & @michelleyeoh_official blessing us as the voice of Air Razor|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjlx3PPPC_J/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=11}}</ref>
* October 21, 2022 — [[Tobe Nwigwe]] states on an Instagram post that they are doing some re-shoots for ''Rise of the Beasts'', including featuring his character in additional scenes.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The head people from ''Transformers'' said I did so good in my part they wanna add me to some more scenes. So I gotta go shoot some more stuff for ''Transformers''.|link=https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj9PnevsVb1/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=21}}</ref>
[[File:ROTBTeaserPoster.jpg|thumb|250px|right]]
* December 1, 2022 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWWDskI46Js official teaser trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures in conjunction with São Paulo's CCXP convention, giving audiences a first glimpse of the film and its various characters, including Mirage, Arcee, Scourge and the Maximals. Multiple voice cast members are also announced.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2022/12/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-peter-dinklage-liza-koshy-john-dimaggio-cast-1235186104/]</ref>
* December 2, 2022 — [[Jongnic Bontemps]] is announced as the film's score composer.<ref>[http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/12/02/jongnic-bontemps-to-compose-music-for-steven-caple-jr-s-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts/]</ref>
* December 16, 2022 — Caple Jr. shares a clip of Peter Cullen performing on his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=🐐|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmPM80yPcsP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=12|day=16}}</ref>
* December 26, 2022 — Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal make a "guest" appearance on the 2022 [[Nickelodeon]] Nickmas NFL game, showcasing both modes and their transformations.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5X0F_AvY8Q YouTube upload] of a recording for Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal on the 2022 Nickmas NFL game</ref>
* January 31, 2023 — [[Sam Smith]] reveals toy concept art for a new character from the film, [[Freezer]].<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFlXXNOly1/</ref>
* February 12, 2023 — Paramount airs a 30-second TV spot detailing Mirage's Porsche 911 vehicle mode for Super Bowl LVII in collaboration with Porsche.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/02/2023-super-bowl-movie-trailers-the-flash-fast-x-transformers-ant-man-expected-1235247160/ Super Bowl Movie Trailer Spots Will Include ‘The Flash’, ‘Fast X’, ‘Transformers’ & ‘Ant-Man’ — Deadline]</ref>
* April 2, 2023 — During the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Final Four on CBS, Paramount aired a first-of-its-kind mixed reality TV spot that showed off Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal appearing on a 90s basketball court that transformed from the court the actual basketball match was being played on. A few brief clips from the first trailer were also shown.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeIfpbUAHg]</ref>
* April 6, 2023 — Actor [[Tongayi Chirisa]] announces on Instagram that he is the voice of Cheetor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So there is a story to this!!! Per the usual standard .. I had to sign an NDA, so I had NO IDEA what I was reading for.. it was only when I was in the booth to do my voice over that it dawned on me that I was reading for TRANSFORMERS Like what!!!🤯🤯🤯🤯 I totally geeked out in the moment.. Man, to say this is mad exciting is an understatement... So thankful. So honored, so blessed!!!! Massive shout out and THANK YOU to @stevencaplejr for putting your boi on! Appreciate you, fam!!! @transformersmovie..🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 IT WAS ALL A DREAM!!!! Welcome, y'all. I am your transformer #CHEETOR!!!! Let's goooo!!!!!! #NdezvaMwari #Yeshua #smallbeginnings #ontherise|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqs_PQ1J_s6/|name=Tongayi Chirisa|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=04|day=06}}</ref>
* April 14, 2023 — To promote the film, Optimus Prime introduces Tobe Nwigwe's performance of "[[On My Soul]]" at {{w|Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella}}.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Calling all Autobots. @TobeNwigwe and #OptimusPrime have rolled out to #Coachella. #Transformers #RiseOfTheBeasts|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1647069845731803136|name=Transformers|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=04|day=14}}</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itnqEauWQZM official trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures, revealing more of the movie and Unicron's role in the plot, as well as delivering a first, brief look at the Predacons.
* May 6, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxore0Gxwpc first clip] was showcased at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, showing the Autobots' first interaction with the Maximals.
* May 12, 2023 — The website Puliwood reveals the film's Hungarian dub cast...including the voice of [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]], a character that had not yet been announced to be appearing in the film.<ref>[https://www.puliwood.hu/ismertetok/exkluziv-ilyen-szinkronhangokkal-jon-a-transformers-a-fenevadak-kora-325900.html EXKLUZÍV: ilyen szinkronhangokkal jön a Transformers: A fenevadak kora]</ref>
* May 27, 2023 — The film's world premiere is held at Marina Bay Sands in [[Singapore]].
* June 5, 2023 — David Sobolov confirms on Instagram that he is also voicing Apelinq in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CtIhCcwu4Ld/|quote=#transformers #riseofthebeasts fans… I just saw our epic premiere in Brooklyn! Tonight, I’m excited to reveal that I am the voice… of Apelinq!|name=David Sobolov|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=06|day=05}}</ref>
{{--}}

===Changes before, during, and after production===
* An early cut of the film opened with a different prologue, in which a Decepticon named [[Transit (ROTB)|Transit]], dispatched from a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron to hunt down Optimus Prime, battles and is killed by Optimus, who dumps his body in the Hudson River alongside numerous other Decepticons who have tried to do the same in the past few years. The scene was dropped due to test audiences fiding it too dark, but [[John DiMaggio]] remains credited as the voice of Transit even in the finished film. Most of the visual effects for the scene were completed, and it was included (sans the river-dumping part) as a bonus feature with the movie's home media release.
**The scene was replaced for the finished film with Unicron's attack on the Maximal homeworld, which in the earlier cut was recounted by Airazor with hologram visual-aids during the scene when she meets the Autobots mid-movie.
* Cheetor and Rhinox were initially intended to be introduced slightly earlier, encountering Elena and Noah in the underground cavern. In scenes interspered with the Autobots' and Terrorcons' running battle on the hilltop road, Cheetor was to be the one who took down the Freezer menacing the two humans, after which Noah's gauntlet would accidentally fire a shot at the Maximal, causing him and Rhinox to chase them throug the cave. Cut in favour of making the Autobot/Terrorcon battle one unbroken scene, the alternate version was included as a bonus on the home media release.
* Multiple changes were made to the film's ending, which originally had a much darker tone like the scrapped opening. Originally, Mirage wasn't planned to survive the final battle, and Optimus would have been sucked into the portal after destroying the Transwarp Key and wind up floating in space before Unicron in the post-credits scene. Reactions by the audience in test screenings convinced Caple to change the ending to something a bit more hopeful, wanting to let the good guys get a solid win.<ref name=AltEnding/> The scene of Prime and Unicron was included as an extra with the home media release.
*Two versions of the final scene were filmed: one in which Agent Burke's business card reveals him to be part of [[Sector Seven]], and the version used in the film, in which he's part of G.I. Joe. Accordingly to Caple, the Sector Seven version was filmed only as misdirection, and the G.I. Joe version was always the one he intended to use.<ref name=Joe/>
*Other deleted/extended scenes included on the home media release include: Elena's moment of panicked disbelief (prominently showcased in the movie's trailer) shortly after the museum battle; Noah speaking with his mother when he returns home after the museum battle; a moment between Elena and Airazor before Mirage and Noah join the group to depart for Peru, in which Airazor explains the Maximal insignia; and a short scene of Optimus Primal about to hand the Transwarp Key over to Optimus Prime, before they are interrupted by Airazor's rampage.
*Additional cuts not represented in the extras from throughout the film included: a scene of Bumblebee showing a polaroid of himself and [[Charlie Watson]] to Optimus Prime as they wait outside the museum, to emphasise that some humans are trustworthy; innuendos between Arcee and Wheeljack that hint at a romantic attraction between the two; some dialogue from Scourge emphasising that (not unlike Galvatron in the original animated movie) he is an unwilling servant of Unicron; a scene of Wheeljack lending his glasses to Optimus Prime to uses like a telescope; and an alternate plan to destroy the Transwarp Key in the final act that involves using the deceased Airazor's spark as a bomb, only for the bomb to be lost, leaving Elena to figure out the codes.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* In a first for the franchise, the lead human actors, multiple writers, the composer, and the director are all people of color.
* This is the first movie in the series not to be worked on by [[Industrial Light & Magic]]; this time around the CG effects were done by [[Moving Picture Company]] and [[WetaFX]].
* Steven Caple Jr. was initially sceptical of working on a ''Transformers'' movie, which at that point in development was being called ''Bumblebee 2'', because he was uncertain about jumping right into another sequel after directing ''{{w|Creed II}}''—however, the incorporation of elements inspired by ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', which Caple Jr. had been a fan of, helped sway him. Upon joining the project, he pitched several revisions, drawing from his enthusiasm for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' by adding [[Unicron]] (and the [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s) and Noah's exosuit, along with a prologue on the [[Maximal]]s' homeworld and a new arc for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] centred around his initial misanthropy.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The first time that- I did ''Creed 2'', and the first time the studio ever knocked on my door, it was for ''Bumblebee 2''. And I was like, "I don't want to do- I just came out from ''Creed 2'', I don't want to do a sequel..." you know? And so a year had gone by—or maybe two, right before COVID—and they said, "we found out the story we want to tackle: we want to bring in ''Beast Wars''." I was like, "I know all about ''Beast Wars'', I'm down for ''Beast Wars''." And so they developed a script on their own, they passed it to me—2020, October 5th, I remember the date—and I jumped right in and I kind of did my own version of the pitch, I said: "I love where you guys are going, you guys want to do New York, you guys want to do the 90s, you want to do Peru, but here's what I'll do, with the characters..." So I changed up Optimus Prime, I gave him a whole pitch on how I would start him with like, not loving humans at first, and not besiding Noah right off the rip, they're gonna have friction between the two... Gave 'em a pitch for Optimus Primal, where they start off in the top of the movie, and I gave them a new Unicron- I mean a new villain, which was Unicron and the Terrorcon squad. I just felt like, as a fan, we've been tiptoeing around Unicron, and all the other films kind of like hinted towards him towards the end, and I just really want to expand the universe and I felt like he was that perfect source to do so, because he tells us there's another world out there, there's more Transformers out there, it's not just Autobots and Decepticons. And then of course the [[exosuit]], that was my idea, it was homage to the 80s cartoon, so... It was a bit of that, pitched it to 'em and they loved the heart, they love where I was going with the direction of the characters, and yeah, they kind of gave me the key to play!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxUukVwKLCc|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Collider|title=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Interview: Director Reveals Big Change to Film|year=2023|month=06|day=06}}</ref>
* [[Tobe Nwigwe]]'s character of [[Reek]] was based Steven Caple Jr.'s friend Tarik Jackson, who passed away before shooting began in 2021.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The way I got the ''Transformers'' role was insane. [...] One of [Steven Caple Jr.'s] best friends was a fan of the music, and his best friend, right, like, as they was getting ready to start shooting the movie... passed. Passed, yeah. And he had Paramount Studios reach out to me to try to play a specific- the best friend role in ''Transformers''. They kind of emulated who his best friend was in real life. He told Paramount [...] "reach out to Tobe and if he send anything back that's even ''halfway'' decent... I want to use him." But because I had never done no acting ever in my life, I just had this script right here, and just read it like I was acting, and just recorded myself on the iPhone and I was like, "yo there's no way in hell..." [...] I did that, sent that in, and they liked it!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfAoWTKh3R8&t=2638s|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Sway's Universe|year=2023|month=01|day=23}}</ref>
*The fourth-wall-breaking [[Mark Wahlberg]] namedrop was ad-libbed by [[Pete Davidson]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We wanted to break the fourth wall. In all fairness, Pete Davidson made that up in the booth, and we laughed so hard, we're like in tears, and we're like there's no way we could not use this. We had ad-libbed a whole bunch of stuff. One was on, "Beanie Babies was weird", and he was like, what about Marky Mark leaving the Funky Bunch? And we were just in tears. And then we showed the studio and everybody loved it and was like, "let's just break the fourth wall. Do it."|link=https://gizmodo.com/breaking-the-fourth-wall-in-transformers-rise-of-the-b-1850514340|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=io9|title=Breaking the Fourth Wall in ''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=06|day=09}}</ref>
* During the production of the film, Ramos had to acquire a driver's license at Caple Jr.'s behest.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DDi5f1SL4oESslcZLjhhG|name=Anthony Ramos|site=the Spout Podcast|year=2021}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=I had a two-week window to get an appointment at the DMV, and the DMV was initially uncooperative. Finally, after much haggling, I was able to secure an appointment. I took the test in my mother's car after a few months of practice with an instructor. Fortunately, I was able to pass.|link=https://theplaylist.net/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-anthony-ramos-talks-representation-in-franchises-getting-his-drivers-license-for-the-film-interview-20230607/|name=Anthony Ramos|site=The Playlist|title='Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts': Anthony Ramos Talks Representation In Franchises & Getting His Driver's License For The Film [Interview]|year=2023|month=06|day=07}}</ref>
* During an interview with a fan, voice actor David Sobolov revealed that Caple Jr. would create storyboards using Transformers toys. Awesome!<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdsfclO5etE&t=1106 "ROTB UNICRON IS THRILLING!" | Interview with DAVID SOBOLOV (Rhinox + Battletrap)! - YouTube]</ref>
* According to Caple Jr., Optimus's unmasked face was modeled after Peter Cullen's.
* As a result of Transit's removal, this is the first live-action film to not feature the Decepticons in any capacity.
* To keep the secret of the ''G.I. Joe'' tease at the end of the movie, most copies of the script and the version of the scene shot for test screenings all used [[Sector Seven]] instead. Michael Kelly also didn't know the big twist with his character until he arrived on set. Caple Jr. even had only a single ''G.I. Joe'' business card printed, on the day of filming, and took it from the set himself afterwards for safekeeping!<ref name=Joe>{{citesocial|quote=There was one version of the script that mentioned the G.I. Joe reveal. All other copies, including the one in the studio's possession, described the military organization as Sector 7. "That way no one could leak the script," Caple notes. [...] Caple says they shot two versions of Kelly's scene, one where Burke's business card reads Sector 7 and one where the card reads G.I. Joe, so audiences in test screenings wouldn't know the true reveal. There was only one copy of the G.I. Joe business card, and Caple took that himself from set for safe keeping. "I was like, 'I'm taking this. I don't want this to be found on the floor,'" he says. "I actually didn't have them printed out until that day [on set]. We were very cautious of it, man. We were really trying to be as secretive as possible."|link=https://ew.com/movies/transformers-g-i-joe-crossover-plans/|name=Nick Romano|site=Entertainment Weekly|title=Inside the top-secret plans for Transformers and G.I. Joe|year=2023|month=06|day=12}}</ref>
*This is the first live-action Transformers movie where the Japanese dub wasn't sound directed by [[Keiichirō Miyoshi]] but instead it is directed by [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]] who had been responsible for the original Beast Wars cartoons dubs localization.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Beast Kakusei''''' (トランスフォーマー/ビースト覚醒 ''Toransufōmā Bīsuto Kakusei'', "Transformers: Beast Awakening")
* ''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin3jing4 Gam1gong1: Kwong4sau3 Gwat6hei2''''' (變形金剛：狂獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Réveil des Bêtes''''' (Canada, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''German:'' '''''Transformers: Aufstieg der Bestien''''' ("Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers: A fenevadak kora''''' ("Transformers: The Age of the Beasts")
* ''Italian: '' '''''Transformers: Il Risveglio''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening")
* ''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Wàn Shòu Juéqǐ''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛：萬獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Chāonéng Yǒngshì Juéqǐ''''' (China, 变形金刚：超能勇士崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beast Wars")
* ''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Despertar das Feras''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Despertar de las Bestias''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Voskhozhdeniye Zverobotov''''' (Трансформеры: Восхождение Звероботов, "Transformers: Rise of the Beastbots")
* ''Ukrainian:'' '''''Transformery: Chas Zvirobotiv''''' (Трансформери: Час Звіроботів, "Transformers: Time of the Beastbots")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts| ]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts media]]

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Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)

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{{nav-rotb}}
{{movie|
|seriess=[[Live-action film series]]
|prev=Bumblebee (film)
|next=
|title=''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''
|image=Transformers Rise of the Beasts Theatrical Poster.jpeg
|caption=So for now, let the battle be here, on this strange, primitive world. And let it be called... Beast Wars!
|production companies=[[Skydance Media]] [[Entertainment One]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] [[New Republic Pictures]] [[Michael Bay|Bay Films]]
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Brian Goldner]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[Bradley J. Fischer]] [[Valerii An]] [[David Ellison]] [[Dana Goldberg]] [[Don Granger]]
|associate producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Duncan Henderson]]
|story by=[[Joby Harold]]
|screenplay by=[[Joby Harold]] [[Darnell Metayer]] [[Josh Peters]] [[Erich Hoeber]] [[Jon Hoeber]]
|directed by=[[Steven Caple Jr.]]
|cinematography by=[[Enrique Chediak]]
|edited by=[[Stuart Levy]] [[Brett M. Reed]]
|music by=[[Jongnic Bontemps]]
|release date=[[June 9]], [[2023]]
|continuity=[[Live-action film series]]
|runtime=127 minutes <ref>https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/C0D78E2B005A16FE</ref>
|budget=$200 million
|box office=
}}
'''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''' is the seventh film in the [[live-action film series]], serving both as a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' and a tribute to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''. The film is directed by [[Steven Caple Jr.]] and written by [[Joby Harold]], [[Darnell Metayer]], [[Josh Peters]], [[Erich Hoeber]], and [[Jon Hoeber]]. Originally expected to be released on [[June 28]], [[2019]],<ref name="toyfairreveal">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-5-transformers-6-bumblebee-spin-off-movie-revealed-309503 Transformers 5, Transformers 6 And Bumblebee Spin-Off Movie Revealed] ToyFair news at TFW2005</ref> the film was delayed multiple times until finally being released on [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release"/>

When [[Noah Diaz]], a struggling young man trying to provide for his family, is roped into a conflict between the marooned [[Autobot]]s and the recently arrived [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcons]], he must learn to work with weary Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] so they, with the help of the wise [[Maximal]]s and the unadventurous researcher [[Elena Wallace]], can stop the arrival of the planet-eater [[Unicron]].

==Synopsis==
Somewhere in time and space, the dark god [[Unicron]] and his minions invade a [[Jungle Planet (colony)| jungle world]] populated by [[Maximal]]s. Unicron, seeking a more efficient means of crossing the universe, sends his [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]] herald [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] to retrieve the [[Transwarp Key]], an advanced device that can open portals in space-time. Although the Maximals attempt to fight back, their leader [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] entrusts [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] and a small group of Maximals—[[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]], [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]], and [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]]—with the Transwarp Key and orders them to keep the artifact from Unicron. As Primal and his followers use the key to escape their doomed planet and flee to prehistoric [[Earth]], Scourge kills Apelinq after a brief fight and takes his [[insignia]] as a trophy.

Thousands of years later, in the year [[1994]], ex-military electronics expert [[Noah Diaz]] attempts to find a job to support his sick brother [[Kris Diaz|Kris]]. However, after another failed interview, his friend [[Reek]] convinces him to steal a expensive car from a nearby hotel. However, the "car" turns out to be the Autobot [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] in disguise, who takes the terrified Noah on a joyride through the streets of [[New York City]]. At the same time, a museum on Ellis Island comes into possession of an unusual stone falcon with a Maximal insignia. After closing hours, museum intern [[Elena Wallace]] investigates the statue and accidentally breaks it open to reveal half of the Transwarp Key. The artifact releases an energy pulse that attracts the attention of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the other Autobots, who have been stranded on Earth since their evacuation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] seven years prior. Prime summons the nearest Autobots—[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], and Mirage, who arrives at the meeting spot with Noah in tow. Although Optimus distrusts humans, he believes that they can use the Transwarp Key to return home and liberate their homeworld; eventually, Mirage hatches a scheme to sneak into the museum and have Noah steal the key for them.

Unbeknownst to the Autobots, the accidental activation of the Transwarp Key summons the Terrorcons to Earth. Noah meets Elena inside the museum, but cannot convince her to turn over the relic before the Terrorcons attack; despite Prime's best efforts, Scourge successfully overpowers the Autobot leader, steals the Transwarp Key, and mortally injures Bumblebee before Airazor arrives to help drive the villains away. Airazor explains that the Maximals have been on Earth for millennia, and deliberately split the Transwarp Key in half to prevent Unicron or his followers from using it. The loss of Bumblebee only further galvanizes Optimus's resolve that they must reassemble the key and return home; Noah, fearful of Unicron's arrival, tells Elena that they must destroy the key to protect their own homeworld.

Elena deduces that the other half of the key is located in a hidden temple in [[Peru]], and Prime recruits the airborne Autobot [[Stratosphere]] to take them there. Near the city of [[Cusco]], the Autobot [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] guides them to the temple, located beneath a [[Convent of Santo Domingo|local monastery]]. A festival prevents the Autobots from moving through the city inconspicuously; as a result, Noah and Elena must make the journey on foot. The pair discover a hidden mechanism that leads to a hidden temple with a stone sarcophogus but find that the other half of the key is no longer inside it. The Terrorcons attack again, and although the Autobots are able to evade the villains, the conflict ends with Scourge infecting Airazor with a portion of Unicron's dark energy. On the other side of the temple, Noah and Elena encounter Optimus Primal and the other two Maximals, who, after a brief standoff, agree to join forces with the Autobots. Optimus Primal explains that they entrusted the Transwarp Key to a tribe of humans who live near the [[energon]]-rich valley that Primal and his followers inhabit—while Optimus Prime distrusts humanity, Primal has lived among them for millennia, and has come to view them as friends and even allies.

The next morning, however, Scourge's corruption finally overtakes Airazor; in the ensuing battle, Primal is forced to kill her to save Elena. Amidst the chaos, Noah makes an attempt to destroy their half of the Transwarp Key until Optimus convinces him to stand down. However, amidst the chaos, Scourge and the Terrorcons steal the other half of the key and relocate to a nearby volcano, which they reshape into a massive portal that will summon Unicron to Earth.
Having found some common ground between their two races, Optimus Prime and Noah agree to work together; while the Autobot-Maximal alliance battle Unicron's minions, Noah and Elena attempt to sneak into the Terrorcon base and deactivate the [[Unspace|transwarp]] device with a manual shutdown code based on Elena's studies of the Maximal language. Mirage attempts to distract Scourge so that the humans can complete their mission, but the Terrorcon leader gravely injures him; with the last of his strength, Mirage reshapes his body into an [[exosuit]] for Noah. As Unicron begins pushing his way through the portal to Earth, the energy pulses released by the key ignite the nearby energon deposits and restore Bumblebee to life. As Bumblebee joins the fight, Optimus Prime gains the upper hand and finally kills Scourge, but not before the late Terrorcon damages the console and leaves the heroes unable to close the portal. With no other options, Prime destroys the key and triggers a devastating implosion, but Noah and Primal successfully rescue the Autobot leader from falling into the collapsing vortex.

In the aftermath, the surviving Maximals remain in Peru, while the Autobots return to America. Elena is recognized for her archeological discovery, while Noah applies for another security job—but discovers that the job opportunity is actually a front for a clandestine government organization codenamed "[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]," who promise to cover his brother's treatment going forward.

Some time later, Noah has used spare Porsche parts to cobble together a new body for Mirage, and reveals his existence to a bewildered Reek.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Autobot]]s / [[Maximal]]s|c1=
;Autobots
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
* [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] ([[Pete Davidson]])
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Liza Koshy]])
* [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] ([[Cristo Fernández]])
* [[Stratosphere]] ([[John DiMaggio]])

;Maximals
* [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] ([[Ron Perlman]])
* [[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]] ([[Michelle Yeoh]])
* [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]] ([[David Sobolov]])
* [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]] ([[Tongayi Chirisa]])
* [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] (David Sobolov)

|h2=[[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s / [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
;Terrorcons
* [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] ([[Peter Dinklage]])
* [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] ([[Michaela Jaé Rodriguez]])
* [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]] (David Sobolov)
* [[Freezer]]

;Predacons
* [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
* [[Noah Diaz]] ([[Anthony Ramos]])
* [[Elena Wallace]] ([[Dominique Fishback]])
* [[Breanna Diaz]] ([[Luna Lauren Velez]])
* [[Kris Diaz]] ([[Dean Scott Vasquez]])
* [[Reek]] ([[Tobe Nwigwe]])
* [[Jillian Robertson]] ([[Sarah Stiles]])
* [[Bishop (ROTB)|Bishop]] ([[Aidan Devine]])
* [[Mrs. Greene]] ([[Leni Parker]])
* [[Amaru]] ([[Lucas Huarancca]])
;[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]
* [[Agent Burke]] ([[Michael Kelly (actor)|Michael Kelly]])

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[Unicron]] ([[Colman Domingo]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
"There’s a legend that precedes the dawn of our civilization: a vile god so large, so powerful, that it consumes entire planets as fuel. Few believed such a thing could be true, until the day we saw Unicron with our own eyes…"
:—'''Optimus Primal's''' opening narration.

"So you're this planet's... ''great'' warrior. You have such a beautiful world, filled with an abundance of life. Savor it."
:—'''Scourge''' waxes poetic to Apelinq.

"Okay, what are the rules?" 
"Bros before hoes."
:—'''Noah''' and '''Kris''' clarify the rules.

"I ain't breaking into a museum for some space robots." 
"What about for friendship?"
:—'''Noah''' and '''Mirage'''

''"You can't handle the truth!"'' 
"I do not want you going to that drive-in theater anymore."
:— '''Bumblebee's''' references grate on '''Optimus Prime'''.

"And you call yourself a Prime...Primus would be ''ashamed.''"
:—'''Scourge''' isn't too impressed with Optimus Prime.

"I'm going to take back Scourge's key, and then...''take off his head.''"
:—The origins of '''Optimus Prime's''' "GIVE ME YOUR FACE" phase.

"Time to show you the real power of a Prime!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' vs Scourge. An ass kicker cometh.

"Don't, Prime. I can give you everything you want." 
"Then DIE!"
:—'''Unicron's''' temptation falls flat in '''Optimus Prime's''' face.

==Continuity notes==
''Rise of the Beasts'' is a direct sequel to 2018's ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' film, taking place seven years after its events, in 1994. The plot of the film has little impact on this one, beyond it being established that the Autobots have been stranded on Earth since arriving at its end. While waiting for Noah to infiltrate the museum, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have a conversation that alludes to Bee's time with [[Charlie Watson]].

More notably, ''Rise of the Beasts'' serves to continue the heated debate among fans over whether or not the ''Transformers'' live-action film series has been rebooted, following reshoots to ''Bumblebee'' which served to distance it from prior continuity as directed by [[Michael Bay]]. Promotion for the film has delivered a lot of fuzzy statements and mixed-messaging; it appears to be the perspective of director Steven Caple Jr. that it ''is'' a reboot of some description,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I feel like we have a lot to unravel, because this feels like a true reboot if you will, into the ''Transformers'' franchise, so we're about to see a lot more beyond the Decepticons moving forward.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPr_LLZx2HY&t=354s|site=Black Girl Nerds|title=Steven Caple Jr and Anthony Ramos on Rivalry and War in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts'|year=2022|month=12|day=01}}</ref> but observes that they are preserving many elements of the films that have gone before.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=It's a reboot for sure. The Bayverse... you can still watch the Bayverse and be on your own verse, so to speak. With us, we're definitely like, we want this to work, you know? We want people to... it's a refresher, so we can call reboot in terms of like, where we were starting. But yeah so definitely a new direction for sure. There's some things you could probably connect to it, clearly Bee is like a huge connection to all the movies, you know what I mean? In terms of his car, his design, a Camaro, and things like that, but... it's a very small one, in terms of the big ideas that we have. And so you guys will see definitely where we're going at the end of this film, which is crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MfMFxvT_-Q&t=2452s|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=The Alfonso Nation|title="BAYVERSE vs REBOOT" & Wheeljacks Design | ROTB DIRECTOR STEVEN CAPLE JR Interview!|year=2023|month=05|day=27}}</ref> Meanwhile, longtime producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] has repeatedly denied that it is a reboot, stating that the film shows how Optimus Prime grows to become the character seen in the Bay films,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Hey you know if you look at it from a timeline point of view, it follows ''Bumblebee''... but it is a prequel, in that it's before all the previous movies. So it sort of exists in its own way. What I don't think it is, is a reboot, because it's still our characters. One of the things that Steven brought to the table right from the beginning, which was so great, was the idea that when we meet Optimus Prime, he's different than what we think of him, and we're watching him grow up—if you would—as a leader. And for me that was one of the most exciting parts of the movie, and what was interesting was watching it with audiences, and at first they were uncomfortable a little bit, like, "wait, that's not exactly the Optimus... he should like humans!" You know? So I think it gives the movie a really interesting point of view, and that therefore it stands alone in that way.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11sKGYcq9k&t=871s|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=a panel at the premiere of ''Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=05|day=26}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=But what's interesting is, and you will appreciate this as a fan, at the end of ''Bumblebee'', Optimus comes to Earth. What he's experienced is failure, probably for the first time in his life, right? He's had to retreat, he's leaving the planet Cybertron. What's happened to him from that experience? When we meet him in 2007, he's a particular person, if you would. In 1994, he's not the same person. He still has growth to do between ‘94 and 2007. So the character arc for Optimus in this, and the fun for the audience is, when you first meet Optimus – and we've had this experience because we've watched it with audiences and we've heard them talk about it – they're like, “It's definitely Optimus, but there's something a little different…” At first, they're like, “Wait, what, who… what Optimus is this?” And by the end of the movie, Optimus has become the guy that you've recognized from the Bay movies. Emotional.|link=https://collider.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-michael-bay-movies-producer-comments/|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=Collider|title='Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Producer on How It Differs From Michael Bay's Movies|year=2023|month=05|day=24}}</ref> and many reviews of and articles about the film have casually referred to it as a prequel. Some web outlets would even run articles commenting on Paramount's indistinct stance on the movie's (and ''Bumblebee'''s) place in continuity.<ref>[https://www.cbr.com/transformers-7-bumblebee-reboot-mistake "Rise of the Beasts Is Repeating Bumblebee's Worst Mistake" on CBR.com]</ref><ref>[https://movieweb.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-is-a-reboot/ "Why Does Paramount Keep Pretending Rise of the Beasts Is Not a Reboot?" on MovieWeb.com]</ref>

Whichever approach you subscribe to, it's pretty clear the decision to set the film in 1994 was one primarily made to avoid having to directly deal with the timeframe of the Bay movies in any capacity, and tell a new story free of their immediate baggage. For what it's worth, the film takes some steps to preserve the broad continuity of at least the first Bay film; the Transwarp Key's energy is explicitly stated to operate on a frequency that humans cannot perceive, meaning that they literally cannot ''see'' the huge sky-beam or the portal. As such, the film ends with the general population of Earth (beyond secret forces within the US government) still entirely unaware of the Transformers' existence, as was the case when the 2007 film began. Optimus Prime, Wheeljack, and Arcee take more design cues from their Bay films' counterparts compared to their designs in ''Bumblebee''. As the time-gap between these "prequels" and the first movie narrows, though, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine them fitting together without a lot of hand-waving away of specific details, unless future movies actually start making active attempts to address this.

In terms of active contradictions to established continuity, ''Rise of the Beasts'' appears to take the same approach as ''Bumblebee'' and ignores the events of the final Bay film, 2017's ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', by depicting Unicron as a separate planet, rather than the Earth itself, as he appeared in that film. However, it's probably important to note that the film lightly implies that the Maximals are time-travellers from the future (see "Transformers references" for more details), which would mean that the Unicron who appears in this film is also from the future. Thus it ''could'' be argued that his appearance here doesn't technically contradict ''The Last Knight''—but of course, that would mean he was trying to eat his own past self.

==Transformers references==
*The Maximals are broadly depicted the same as they were in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon: as a "highly-advanced race" of beast-mode Transformers who use transwarp technology to travel to other planets and interact with their native species, whose travels bring them to ancient Earth. Steven Caple Jr. has noted that earlier drafts of the screenplay explicitly depicted the Maximals as time-travellers from the future, as they were in the cartoon, and while the concept is so toned down for the finished movie that it probably won't even occur to general audiences, several references to the idea are still made on-screen. Transwarp technology is stated to open portals in time as well as space; Airazor states that the Maximals are "from both [the Autobots'] past and future"; and Optimus Primal says that he is named after the "legendary" Optimus Prime, which all combine to suggest that the Maximals originate from the future.
*The idea of the Maximals hailing from a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle planet]] originates in [[IDW Publishing]]'s comic books, which depicted many ''Beast Wars'' characters as the residents of the planet Eukaris. The planet is implied to be one of many colonised by Transformers in ages past using space bridges generated by the Transwarp Key, before the planets became separated and the key "lost." This concept of a great era of Cybertronian expansion that led to the foundation of lost colonies on other planets where Cybertronian life evolved in new and different directions dates back to 2005's [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], and became a recurring element in ''Transformers'' series in the 2010s and beyond after it was incorporated into the lore of the [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned continuity]].
*The two music tracks used in Unicron's scenes feature segments taken from "Unicron's Theme" in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Unicron's armies being named the "Terrorcons" hearkens back to both 2004's ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and 2010's ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'', which both featured the power of Unicron being used to create armies of warriors known as Terrorcons.
*Though not identified by name onscreen, Unicron's army includes multiple generic duplicates of a robotic scorpion identified by the movie toyline as "Scorponok." Though not necessarily a reference, the idea of "Scorponok" being a mass-produced "species" of robots has recently been seen in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron'' cartoon]], where both [[Scorponok (G1)|Generation 1 Scorponok]] ''and'' [[Scorponok (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Scorponok]] were treated this way.
*Scourge combines aspects of both [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1 Scourge]] and [[Scourge (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Scourge]]; he's a herald of Unicron like G1 Scourge, and transforms into a black truck like ''RID'' Scourge. The various insignia he wears as trophies include the symbols of the [[Decepticon]]s, [[Autobot]]s, [[Maximal]]s, [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s, [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] and [[Wreckers]].
*More obscure characters appear such as Apelinq, who originates from his [[BotCon 2000]] toy and tie-in [[3H Productions]] comics, and Stratosphere, returning from the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toyline.
*The symbols Elena studies are Maximal [[Cybertronix]], from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon. They don't translate to anything specific; the access code Elena assembles simply reads "XQB."
*When proposing different alternate modes to Noah, Mirage briefly turns into an F1 car, a reference to [[Mirage (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]]'s alternate mode. He also turns into a Lamborghini Countach, which was just a really cool, sexy car, but also famous in ''Transformers'' lore for being the alternate mode of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Generation 1 Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]].
*Mirage is incredulous over the news that musician [[Mark Wahlberg]] is leaving his band, the Funky Bunch, and going into acting—a good-natured jab at the actor's [[Cade Yeager|leading role]] in the earlier ''Transformers'' movies, ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' and ''The Last Knight''.
*Scourge name-drops [[Primus]] as he taunts Optimus Prime, the first reference to the Transformers' creator god in any of the live-action movies.
*Airazor explains that Unicron imbues his heralds with a "dark energy," which increases his power, but also has a corrupting effect—almost certainly a reference to [[Dark Energon]], the life-energy of Unicron introduced in the Aligned continuity.
*Unicron psychically tortures Scourge from afar in the same way he did [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*When Optimus Primal talks to Optimus Prime about how the Maximals trust the humans, he says there's "[[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more to them than meets the eye]]".
*In the final battle, when Unicron sends an army of Freezers to reinforce his minions on Earth, they make their descent in the form of yellow-and-black orbs, which appears to be a nod to Unicron's [[Mini-Con]] from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the yellow-and-black sphere, [[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]].
*Optimus Primal briefly uses his double bladed scimitar from his [[Optimus_Primal_(BW)/toys#Beast_Wars|original toy]].
*The armored suit Mirage forms over Noah is conceptually an homage to the Generation 1 [[exosuit]]s, while its overall design hews closer to [[Kicker Jones]]' battlesuit from ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)| Energon]]''.
*In a glorious homage to [[Transformers (film)|the 2007 movie]], the musical highlight of "Arrival to Earth" plays as Optimus, Noah, and Primal escape the collapsing transwarp portal's suction.
*[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and Transformers have frequently crossed over in comics and the occasional toyline over the years, though this marks the first time the two have co-existed in a feature film. Notably, the G.I. Joe insignia on Burke's business card is the version introduced in the film ''G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra''.

==Real-life references==
*A tv screen briefly shows news coverage of the {{w| Murder_trial_of_O._J._Simpson#Bronco_chase|O.J. Simpson white Ford Bronco car chase}}, which places the events of the film near June 17th, 1994.
*Throughout the film, Noah and Kris use the codenames "[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]]" and "{{w|Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Tails}}" (and in one instance, Mirage is referred to as "{{w|Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles}}"), a nod to the characters from the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' videogame series.
*Kris wears a shirt of the ''Mighty Morphin' [[Saban Entertainment|Power Rangers]]'', another property owned by Hasbro. A poster of said series also appears on his wall.
*Kris is heard playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his [[Game Boy]]. However, see "Errors".
*Noah calls Mirage {{w|E.T._the_Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.}} for obvious reasons.
*Bumblebee drops various voice lines from famous real-life films throughout the whole movie, including ''[[Spaceballs]]'', ''{{w| A Few Good Men}}'' and ''{{w| Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface}}.''
*Elena sings the TLC song "{{w|Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls}}" to herself during the flight to Peru. However, see "Errors".
*When meeting Primal, Elena brings up the {{w|Nazca Lines}}, asking if the Maximals were responsible for creating them. In this case, however, Primal takes no credit for human ingenuity.
*Mirage calls Optimus Primal "{{w|Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong}}".
*At the end of the film, Elena appears on the CBS news program ''[[60 Minutes]]''; host [[Lesley Stahl]] makes a cameo appearance as herself during the segment.
*When Mirage compliments Noah after the car chase, he quotes the line "I like it a lot" from ''Dumb and Dumber''. However, see "Errors".

==Errors==
*When Scourge kills Apelinq, he welds his Maximal insignia to his right shoulder, but throughout the rest of the film, Apelinq's insignia is gone. In the same scene, Scourge says "They never learn...", but his mouth is not moving.
*Though the "you died!" music and mention of Bowser imply Kris is playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his Game Boy, that game wouldn't see a release on the system until 1999's ''[https://www.mariowiki.com/Super_Mario_Bros._Deluxe Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]'' on the Game Boy Color. The only Mario platformers released for Game Boy by 1994 were the ''Super Mario Land'' games, which featured different antagonists and music.
*When Reek yells down the street as Noah and Kris depart, his dialogue does not match with his lips.
*Elena sings "Waterfalls" to calm herself down. Assuming the film takes place in the summer, as implied by the aforementioned coverage of the O.J. Simpson chase, it would still be a few months until the November 1994 release of the album ''CrazySexyCool'', which the song first appeared on.
*Similarly, Mirage quotes a line from ''Dumb and Dumber'', a film that would not release until December of 1994.
*When Wheeljack audibly gasps at Noah assuming he can speak Spanish, his mouth is not moving.
*When Wheeljack is recovering from being attacked by Rhinox, his mouth is not moving as he says "Ay-ay-ay."
*As the heroes are walking through the jungle, the scene cuts to Elena while she is saying "So, who are you?", which does not match with her lips.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', was released alongside the film on June 9, 2023. Paramount also compiled a Spotify Playlist, ''[[Transformers Rise of the Beats]]'', featuring songs that appeared in the film.

==Reception==
{{stub}}

==Development details==

[[File:TRANSFORMERS-2022.jpg|thumb|Why did it take so long?|250px]]

* March 27, 2015 — [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" with the intention of building a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[http://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Goldsman goes on to hire a number of writers over the next few months: [[Steven DeKnight]] (''Daredevil''),<ref>[http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-cinematic-universe/35696/transformers-cinematic-details-more-writers-over-10-films Transformers cinematic details]</ref> [[Robert Kirkman]] (''The Walking Dead''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-writers-robert-kirkman-zak-penn-art-marcum-matt-holloway-jeff-pinkner-1201430601/ 'Transformers' Spinoff & Sequel Scribes Set] on Deadline.com</ref> [[Art Marcum]] and [[Matt Holloway]] (''Iron Man''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Christina Hodson]] (''Shut In'', ''The Fugitive''),<ref name="hodsonbeer">[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446175-christina-hodson-and-lindsey-beer-join-transformers-writing-team Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer Join the Transformers Writing Team]</ref> [[Lindsey Beer]] (''Dig''),<ref name="hodsonbeer" /> [[Zak Penn]] (''Pacific Rim 2''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Jeff Pinkner]] (''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'', ''Lost''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] (''Ant-Man''),<ref name="barrerferrari">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref> [[Ken Nolan]] (''Black Hawk Down''), and [[Geneva Robertson-Dworet]].<ref name="nolandworet">[http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-writers-room/ Akiva Goldsman Teases 'Transformers' Franchise Plans]</ref> Involved in the pitching process are [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Michael Bay]], [[Brian Goldner]], [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Mark Vahradian]], and [[Don Murphy]].<ref name="deadlinereveal">[http://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref>
* October 3, 2015 — During his keynote speech at the MIP Junior Conference, [[Allspark (company)|Allspark]]'s [[Stephen J. Davis]] notes that the writing team has come up with film concepts for Transformers 5, 6, 7, and 8.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_P2fw_DlS4&t=812 Stephen Davis's keynote speech] at MIPJunior.</ref>
* February 12, 2016 — At [[Toy Fair 2016]], Hasbro reveals the projected release date of Transformers 7, along with the dates for the two preceding films.<ref name="toyfairreveal" />
* September 23, 2017 — At Licensing Europe 2017, Hasbro announces Transformers 7 will have an "entirely new, exciting storyline".<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/09/23/2019-transformers-movie-feature-entirely-new-storyline-349463 2019 Transformers Movie To Feature An Entirely New Storyline] on TFW2005</ref>
* February 16, 2018 — Hasbro clarifies at [[Toy Fair 2018]] that the film will be a reset of the franchise and has been delayed indefinitely until a new creative team is in place.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/02/16/transformers-cinematic-universe-current-movie-series-rebooted-358641 Transformers Cinematic Universe Is Over: Current Movie Series To Be Rebooted] on TFW2005</ref>
* May 24, 2018 — Paramount drops the film from their release schedule.<ref>[http://collider.com/transformers-7-cancelled/amp/ Paramount Officially Pulls the Next 'Transformers' Sequel from Their Release Date Schedule] on Collider</ref>
* March 15, 2019 — di Bonaventura states a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' is in development.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/two-sequels-in-transformers-live-action-franchise-confirmed-in-development/43083/ Two Sequels in Transformers Live Action Franchise Confirmed in Development] on Seibertron</ref>
* March 18, 2019 — di Bonaventura claims that the next main ''Transformers'' film will be a reboot closely tied to the ''Bumblebee'' sequel, rather than a direct sequel to ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''. Either way, Paramount will pick the best script for ''Transformers 7'' and release that first.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bumblebee-producer-says-next-transformers-movie-wi/1100-6465652/ Bumblebee Producer Says Next Transformers Movie Will Be A Reboot] on GameSpot</ref>
[[File:Stevencaplejr autobot cast.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Arcee (G1)|KARR]] [[GEEWUN|NOT BIKE!]]]]
[[File:Stevencaplejr terrorcon cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Actually, [[Megatron_(Movie)#Dark_of_the_Moon_film|not the first time]] The Transformers meet {{w|Mad Max|Mad Max}}...]]
* January 27, 2020 — Variety reports two ''Transformers'' films are being penned, to be produced simultaneously: one written by [[James Vanderbilt]], another to be written by [[Joby Harold]].<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/film/news/transformers-franchise-revamp-bumblebee-james-vanderbilt-joby-harold-1203482496/ ‘Transformers’ Franchise Gets a Revamp With Two Separate Films in the Works] on Variety</ref> Deadline reports that Vanderbilt's script is for a spin-off film based on ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', while Harold's script continues the story from the ''Bumblebee'' film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/01/transformers-movies-paramount-1202843234/ Dual ‘Transformers’ Movies In The Works At Paramount] on Deadline</ref>
* May 2, 2020 — [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms that a new Transformers live-action movie is slated to release on [[June 24]], 2022. However, only one between Harold's ''Bumblebee'' sequel and Vanderbilt's ''Beast Wars'' film will make it to production first.
* August 21, 2020 — New Republic Pictures is announced as a new co-financier for Paramount in a ten picture deal in the wake of the success of 2019's ''Rocketman''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/08/paramount-pictures-new-republic-pictures-10-picture-cofinancing-deal-top-gun-maverick-1203018250/ New Republic Pictures Signs 10-Pic Co-Fi Deal With Paramount Pictures; ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Among Films] on Deadline</ref>
* November 16, 2020 — [[Steven Caple Jr.]] is announced as the director.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/11/transformers-director-steven-caple-jr-1234613830/ Transformers’: ‘Creed 2’ Director Steven Caple Jr. Tapped To Direct Next Installment In Paramount And Hasbro Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* April 1, 2021 — [[Anthony Ramos]] is in talks for a starring role.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-7-cast-anthony-ramos/ Exclusive: Anthony Ramos in Talks to Star in New 'Transformers' Movie] at Collider</ref>
* April 29, 2021 — [[Dominique Fishback]] is in final negotiations to star in the film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2021/04/transformers-dominique-fishback-anthony-ramos-paramount-eone-and-hasbro-franchise-1234746855/ 'Transformers': Dominique Fishback Lands Lead Role Opposite Anthony Ramos In Next Installment For The Paramount Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* June 13, 2021 — A casting call sheet for filming in Montreal reveals that the film is set in [[1992]].<ref>[https://www.transformersfr.com/t5190p250-parlons-des-films-transformers-a-venir#190206 Rumeur ― le "7ème Film Transformers en prise de vue réelle" se déroulerait en 1992] on transformersfr.com</ref>
* June 22, 2021 — A Paramount virtual event is held in which the movie's title, premise, and few of the characters and cast are unveiled (revealing it to be both the ''Bumblebee'' and ''Beast Wars'' films in one).<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Currently attending a Paramount virtual event about the next #Transformers film. Report to follow!|link=https://twitter.com/search?q=(from%3ABWTF_Ben)%20until%3A2021-06-23%20since%3A2021-06-22|name=Ben Yee|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://bwtf.com/news/rise-of-the-beasts-character-descriptions|name=Ben Yee|site=BWTF|title=Movie News: "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" Character Descriptions|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref> The film's logo and official premise are also unveiled on official Transformers social media accounts.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The battle on Earth is no longer just between Autobots and Decepticons… Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons join Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, in theatres June 24, 2022.|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1407422768602181632|name=@transformers|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref>
* June 28, 2021 — [[Ron Perlman]] is announced to be reprising his role as Optimus Primal from ''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Power of the Primes]]''. [[Darnell Metayer]] and [[Josh Peters]] are confirmed as writers, inspired by Joby Harold's earlier draft.<ref>{{citesocial|quote='''Ron Perlman''' has been tapped to voice Optimus Primal in '''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''', Collider has exclusively learned. [...] ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be led by rising stars '''Anthony Ramos''' (''In the Heights'') and '''Dominique Fishback''' (''Judas and the Black Messiah''), and '''Steven Caple Jr.''' (''Creed II'') is directing from a script by '''Darnell Metayer''' and '''Josh Peters''', who worked off an earlier draft by '''Joby Harold'''.|link=https://collider.com/ron-perlman-optimus-primal-voice-transformers-7-rise-of-the-beasts/|name=Jeff Sneider|site=Collider|title=Exclusive: 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Adds Ron Perlman as Voice of Optimus Primal|year=2021|month=06|day=28}}</ref>
* July 11, 2021 — Rapper [[Tobe Nwigwe]] announces on Instagram that he's been cast in the movie.<ref>[https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/houston-s-tobe-nwigwe-earns-emmy-nom-16317174 Houston’s Tobe Nwigwe earns Emmy nom, 'Transformers' role] from the Houston Chronicle</ref>
* October 6, 2021 — Caple Jr. reveals the vehicle modes for the Autobot and Terrorcon cast through his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The squad is out…|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CUsm_wyLory/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* October 20, 2021 — Filming is completed.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=That’s a wrap 🎬|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOw5z2r9TP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 21, 2021 — Cuscopolita reports on the vehicles with the film's Peru crew, confirming the unidentified vehicles as [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] and [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.facebook.com/cuscopolitamagazine/videos/1941112319403899|name=Cuscopolita|site=Facebook|title=Exclusiva con los Transformers|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 22, 2021 — Ramos makes a guest appearance on [[Hasbro Pulse Con 2021]], confirming Cheetor, his favorite ''Beast Wars'' character, will be in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I am a ''Transformers'' fan, ''Beast Wars'' fan, Cheetor is my #1 favorite of all time, so it's dope to have Cheetor, to be in this movie with Cheetor, it's gonna be crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjtxJqrv-bI&t=6051s|name=Anthony Ramos|site=YouTube|title=Hasbro PulseCon 2021 - DAY ONE|year=2021|month=10|day=22}}</ref>
* November 10, 2021 — Paramount announces the film has been delayed to [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release">{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has moved back a year and will now bow June 9, 2023. It previously was slated for June 24, 2022.|link=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-trek-transformers-movie-release-date-1235045937/|name=Aaron Couch|site=The Hollywood Reporter|title=‘Star Trek,’ ‘Transformers’ Movies Pushed Back at Paramount|year=2021|month=11|day=10}}</ref>
* February 15, 2022 — Paramount confirms that ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be the first entry in a trilogy of films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will be released theatrically in 2023 and is the first of three new installments. A new animated series from @Nickelodeon arrives this fall. And in 2024, the franchise expands further with a CG animated Transformers theatrical film. #ParamountPlus|link=https://twitter.com/paramountplus/status/1493706271207292928|name=Paramount+|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=02|day=15}}</ref>
* October 11, 2022 — Caple Jr. reveals through Instagram that [[Pete Davidson]] is the voice of Mirage, and [[Michelle Yeoh]] is the voice of Airazor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Sneak peek of Pete voicing Mirage & @michelleyeoh_official blessing us as the voice of Air Razor|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjlx3PPPC_J/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=11}}</ref>
* October 21, 2022 — [[Tobe Nwigwe]] states on an Instagram post that they are doing some re-shoots for ''Rise of the Beasts'', including featuring his character in additional scenes.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The head people from ''Transformers'' said I did so good in my part they wanna add me to some more scenes. So I gotta go shoot some more stuff for ''Transformers''.|link=https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj9PnevsVb1/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=21}}</ref>
[[File:ROTBTeaserPoster.jpg|thumb|250px|right]]
* December 1, 2022 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWWDskI46Js official teaser trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures in conjunction with São Paulo's CCXP convention, giving audiences a first glimpse of the film and its various characters, including Mirage, Arcee, Scourge and the Maximals. Multiple voice cast members are also announced.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2022/12/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-peter-dinklage-liza-koshy-john-dimaggio-cast-1235186104/]</ref>
* December 2, 2022 — [[Jongnic Bontemps]] is announced as the film's score composer. <ref>[http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/12/02/jongnic-bontemps-to-compose-music-for-steven-caple-jr-s-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts/]</ref>
* December 16, 2022 — Caple Jr. shares a clip of Peter Cullen performing on his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=🐐|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmPM80yPcsP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=12|day=16}}</ref>
* December 26, 2022 — Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal make a "guest" appearance on the 2022 [[Nickelodeon]] Nickmas NFL game, showcasing both modes and their transformations.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5X0F_AvY8Q YouTube upload] of a recording for Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal on the 2022 Nickmas NFL game</ref>
* January 31, 2023 — [[Sam Smith]] reveals toy concept art for a new character from the film, [[Freezer]].<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFlXXNOly1/</ref>
* February 12, 2023 — Paramount airs a 30-second TV spot detailing Mirage's Porsche 911 vehicle mode for Super Bowl LVII in collaboration with Porsche.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/02/2023-super-bowl-movie-trailers-the-flash-fast-x-transformers-ant-man-expected-1235247160/ Super Bowl Movie Trailer Spots Will Include ‘The Flash’, ‘Fast X’, ‘Transformers’ & ‘Ant-Man’ — Deadline]</ref>
* April 2, 2023 — During the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Final Four on CBS, Paramount aired a first-of-its-kind mixed reality TV spot that showed off Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal appearing on a 90s basketball court that transformed from the court the actual basketball match was being played on. A few brief clips from the first trailer were also shown. <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeIfpbUAHg]</ref>
* April 6, 2023 — Actor [[Tongayi Chirisa]] announces on Instagram that he is the voice of Cheetor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So there is a story to this!!! Per the usual standard .. I had to sign an NDA, so I had NO IDEA what I was reading for.. it was only when I was in the booth to do my voice over that it dawned on me that I was reading for TRANSFORMERS Like what!!!🤯🤯🤯🤯 I totally geeked out in the moment.. Man, to say this is mad exciting is an understatement... So thankful. So honored, so blessed!!!! Massive shout out and THANK YOU to @stevencaplejr for putting your boi on! Appreciate you, fam!!! @transformersmovie..🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 IT WAS ALL A DREAM!!!! Welcome, y'all. I am your transformer #CHEETOR!!!! Let's goooo!!!!!! #NdezvaMwari #Yeshua #smallbeginnings #ontherise|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqs_PQ1J_s6/|name=Tongayi Chirisa|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=04|day=06}}</ref>
* April 14, 2023 — To promote the film, Optimus Prime introduces Tobe Nwigwe's performance of "[[On My Soul]]" at {{w|Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella}}.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Calling all Autobots. @TobeNwigwe and #OptimusPrime have rolled out to #Coachella. #Transformers #RiseOfTheBeasts|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1647069845731803136|name=Transformers|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=04|day=14}}</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itnqEauWQZM official trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures, revealing more of the movie and Unicron's role in the plot, as well as delivering a first, brief look at the Predacons.
* May 6, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxore0Gxwpc first clip] was showcased at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, showing the Autobots' first interaction with the Maximals.
* May 12, 2023 — The website Puliwood reveals the film's Hungarian dub cast...including the voice of [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]], a character that had not yet been announced to be appearing in the film.<ref>[https://www.puliwood.hu/ismertetok/exkluziv-ilyen-szinkronhangokkal-jon-a-transformers-a-fenevadak-kora-325900.html EXKLUZÍV: ilyen szinkronhangokkal jön a Transformers: A fenevadak kora]</ref>
* May 27, 2023 — The film's world premiere is held at Marina Bay Sands in [[Singapore]].
* June 5, 2023 — David Sobolov confirms on Instagram that he is also voicing Apelinq in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CtIhCcwu4Ld/|quote=#transformers #riseofthebeasts fans… I just saw our epic premiere in Brooklyn! Tonight, I’m excited to reveal that I am the voice… of Apelinq!|name=David Sobolov|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=06|day=05}}</ref>
{{--}}

===Changes before, during, and after production===
* A Decepticon named [[Transit (ROTB)|Transit]] was a character who was planned to appear early in the film, dispatched from a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron to kill Optimus Prime, before himself being killed by Optimus and dumped into the Hudson River alongside numerous other Decepticons who have tried to do the same in the past few years. [[Steven Caple Jr.]] has indicated that the visual effects for much of the sequence were completed prior to its removal—a result of test audiences finding it too dark—and that he intends to release it as a deleted scene via the film's home media release or otherwise.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=One was this Decepticon scene, Transit, that I've been talking about, because Optimus Prime fights Transit at the beginning of the movie—or at least he ''used'' to—and you find out that Optimus Prime wants to go home. That's all he wants to do, and Cybertron's in deep trouble, and this guy Transit was telling him that "we're just here to kill you", AKA "Cybertron's already ours." And it was a really epic fight scene, and then you saw Optimus Prime dump his body in the Hudson River, and all these Decepticons are dead, and you see he's been hunting for the last few years.|link=https://twitter.com/colliderfrosty/status/1666216854996791298|name=Steven Caple Jr. in a Collider interview|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=6|day=6|(defunct=)}}</ref> The entertainment press reported that Transit was voiced by [[John DiMaggio]] for his removed appearance in the film.<ref>[https://ew.com/movies/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-everything-we-know/ "Everything we know about Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"] on Entertainment Weekly</ref> Despite not appearing in the final film, DiMaggio is still credited as Transit.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* In a first for the franchise, the lead human actors, multiple writers, the composer, and the director are all people of color.
* This is the first movie in the series not to be worked on by [[Industrial Light & Magic]]; this time around the CG effects were done by [[Moving Picture Company]] and [[WetaFX]].
* Steven Caple Jr. was initially sceptical of working on a ''Transformers'' movie, which at that point in development was being called ''Bumblebee 2'', because he was uncertain about jumping right into another sequel after directing ''{{w|Creed II}}''—however, the incorporation of elements inspired by ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', which Caple Jr. had been a fan of, helped sway him. Upon joining the project, he pitched several revisions, drawing from his enthusiasm for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' by adding [[Unicron]] (and the [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s) and Noah's exosuit, along with a prologue on the [[Maximal]]s' homeworld and a new arc for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] centred around his initial misanthropy.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The first time that- I did ''Creed 2'', and the first time the studio ever knocked on my door, it was for ''Bumblebee 2''. And I was like, "I don't want to do- I just came out from ''Creed 2'', I don't want to do a sequel..." you know? And so a year had gone by—or maybe two, right before COVID—and they said, "we found out the story we want to tackle: we want to bring in ''Beast Wars''." I was like, "I know all about ''Beast Wars'', I'm down for ''Beast Wars''." And so they developed a script on their own, they passed it to me—2020, October 5th, I remember the date—and I jumped right in and I kind of did my own version of the pitch, I said: "I love where you guys are going, you guys want to do New York, you guys want to do the 90s, you want to do Peru, but here's what I'll do, with the characters..." So I changed up Optimus Prime, I gave him a whole pitch on how I would start him with like, not loving humans at first, and not besiding Noah right off the rip, they're gonna have friction between the two... Gave 'em a pitch for Optimus Primal, where they start off in the top of the movie, and I gave them a new Unicron- I mean a new villain, which was Unicron and the Terrorcon squad. I just felt like, as a fan, we've been tiptoeing around Unicron, and all the other films kind of like hinted towards him towards the end, and I just really want to expand the universe and I felt like he was that perfect source to do so, because he tells us there's another world out there, there's more Transformers out there, it's not just Autobots and Decepticons. And then of course the [[exosuit]], that was my idea, it was homage to the 80s cartoon, so... It was a bit of that, pitched it to 'em and they loved the heart, they love where I was going with the direction of the characters, and yeah, they kind of gave me the key to play!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxUukVwKLCc|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Collider|title=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Interview: Director Reveals Big Change to Film|year=2023|month=06|day=06}}</ref>
* [[Tobe Nwigwe]]'s character of [[Reek]] was based on a friend of Steven Caple Jr.'s, who passed away before shooting began in 2021.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The way I got the ''Transformers'' role was insane. [...] One of [Steven Caple Jr.'s] best friends was a fan of the music, and his best friend, right, like, as they was getting ready to start shooting the movie... passed. Passed, yeah. And he had Paramount Studios reach out to me to try to play a specific- the best friend role in ''Transformers''. They kind of emulated who his best friend was in real life. He told Paramount [...] "reach out to Tobe and if he send anything back that's even ''halfway'' decent... I want to use him." But because I had never done no acting ever in my life, I just had this script right here, and just read it like I was acting, and just recorded myself on the iPhone and I was like, "yo there's no way in hell..." [...] I did that, sent that in, and they liked it!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfAoWTKh3R8&t=2638s|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Sway's Universe|year=2023|month=01|day=23}}</ref>
*The fourth-wall-breaking [[Mark Wahlberg]] namedrop was ad-libbed by [[Pete Davidson]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We wanted to break the fourth wall. In all fairness, Pete Davidson made that up in the booth, and we laughed so hard, we're like in tears, and we're like there's no way we could not use this. We had ad-libbed a whole bunch of stuff. One was on, "Beanie Babies was weird", and he was like, what about Marky Mark leaving the Funky Bunch? And we were just in tears. And then we showed the studio and everybody loved it and was like, "let's just break the fourth wall. Do it."|link=https://gizmodo.com/breaking-the-fourth-wall-in-transformers-rise-of-the-b-1850514340|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=io9|title=Breaking the Fourth Wall in ''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=06|day=09}}</ref>
* During the production of the film, Ramos had to acquire a driver's license at Caple Jr.'s behest.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DDi5f1SL4oESslcZLjhhG|name=Anthony Ramos|site=the Spout Podcast|year=2021}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=I had a two-week window to get an appointment at the DMV, and the DMV was initially uncooperative. Finally, after much haggling, I was able to secure an appointment. I took the test in my mother's car after a few months of practice with an instructor. Fortunately, I was able to pass.|link=https://theplaylist.net/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-anthony-ramos-talks-representation-in-franchises-getting-his-drivers-license-for-the-film-interview-20230607/|name=Anthony Ramos|site=The Playlist|title='Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts': Anthony Ramos Talks Representation In Franchises & Getting His Driver's License For The Film [Interview]|year=2023|month=06|day=07}}</ref>
* During an interview with a fan, voice actor David Sobolov revealed that Caple Jr. would create storyboards using Transformers toys. Awesome!<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdsfclO5etE&t=1106 "ROTB UNICRON IS THRILLING!" | Interview with DAVID SOBOLOV (Rhinox + Battletrap)! - YouTube]</ref>
* According to Caple Jr., Optimus's unmasked face was modeled after Peter Cullen's.
* As a result of Transit's removal, this is the first live-action film to not feature the Decepticons in any capacity.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Beast Kakusei''''' (トランスフォーマー/ビースト覚醒 ''Toransufōmā Bīsuto Kakusei'', "Transformers: Beast Awakening")
* ''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin3jing4 Gam1gong1: Kwong4sau3 Gwat6hei2''''' (變形金剛：狂獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''French:'' '''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''' (France), '''''Transformers : Le Réveil des Bêtes''''' (Canada, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''German:'' '''''Transformers: Aufstieg der Bestien''''' ("Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers: A fenevadak kora''''' ("Transformers: The Age of the Beasts")
* ''Italian: '' '''''Transformers: Il Risveglio''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening")
* ''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Wàn Shòu Juéqǐ''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛：萬獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Chāonéng Yǒngshì Juéqǐ''''' (Mainland China, 变形金刚：超能勇士崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beast Wars")
* ''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Despertar das Feras''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Despertar de las Bestias''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Russian:'' '''''Трансформеры: Восхождение Звероботов''''' ("Transformers: Rise of the Beastbots")
* ''Ukrainian:'' '''''Трансформери: Час Звіроботів''''' ("Transformers: Time of the Beastbots")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts| ]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts media]]

Noah DÃaz

2023-06-10T00:11:39Z

CyberstormSM:

:''Noah Diaz is a [[human]] from the [[live-action film series]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:ROTBNoahDiaz.jpg|thumb|190px|"He does not ''look'' like a soldier."]]

A proud Brooklyn native, '''Noah Diaz''' has been looking for a job after leaving the military. He hasn't exactly had the best luck, what with apparently being a bit of a loose canon during his army days, and the fact that people like him rarely get a chance isn't exactly helping matters. Still, he needs the money to help pay for his [[Chris Ramos|little brother's]] medical treatment, so he's not giving up. You can always count on Noah Diaz to look after his family and protect them at all costs.

Reluctantly agreeing to a one-time shady carjacking stint with his friend [[Reek]], Noah may find that [[Mirage (Movie)|the car]] he tries to steal is something [[Autobot|more than meets the eye...]]

==Fiction==
===''Rise of the Beasts'' film===
:''Actor:'' [[Anthony Ramos]]
{{comingsoon|when=June 9, 2023}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts}}

Noah DÃaz

2023-06-10T00:11:11Z

CyberstormSM: Created page with ":''Noah Diaz is a human from the live-action film series continuity family.'' "He does not ''look'' like a soldier." A prou..."

File:ROTBNoahDiaz.jpg

2023-06-10T00:01:20Z

CyberstormSM: {{ROTBcap|Noah Diaz meets the Autobots for the first time.}}

{{ROTBcap|[[Noah Diaz]] meets the [[Autobots]] for the first time.}}

Apelinq

2023-06-09T04:19:20Z

CyberstormSM: Redirected page to Apelinq (disambiguation)

#REDIRECT [[Apelinq (disambiguation)]]

Mirage (Movie)

2023-06-08T20:09:11Z

CyberstormSM:

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3.5|the Autobot who's actually called Mirage|the Autobot who's only sometimes called Mirage|Dino|Mirage}}
:''Mirage is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (franchise)|Rise of the Beasts]] portion of the [[Movie continuity family]].''
[[File:ROTB-Mirage-render.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|thumb|This is probably a lot for you, huh?]]

'''Mirage''' is some dude. [[Dino|Some other guy]] has his name sometimes.

==Fiction==
===''Rise of the Beasts'' film===
{{voiceactor|[[Pete Davidson]] (English)|[[Yvick Letexier]] (European French), [[Louis-Philippe Berthiaume]] (Canadian French), [[Javier Ibarreche]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Miguel Angel Leal]] (Latin American Spanish, Second Trailer), [[Douglas Silva]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Stefano Crescentini]] (Italian)}}
{{comingsoon|when=June 9, 2023}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts}}

==Toys==
===''Studio Series''===
{{anchor|SS105}}
[[File:TF-Studio-Series-SS-Deluxe-ROTB-Mirage.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Be thankful they got that license!]]
*'''Mirage''' (Deluxe Class, [[2023]])
**''Movie'': '''''Rise of the Beasts'''''
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''105'''
**''Accessories'': Arm cannon

:''[[Studio Series]]'' Mirage is based on his appearance in ''Rise of the Beasts'', and transforms into a licensed Porsche 911 (964) Carrera RS 3.8. He comes with an arm cannon and a backdrop.

:This figure also marks a milestone in the franchise, being the first Transformers toy to have a fully licensed Porsche alt mode.

:Hasbro revealed the figure on [[February 13|February 13th]], 2023, following the release of the Big Game Spot a day earlier.

:The [[stock photography|stock renders]] used for his reveal have white background surrounding his head that have mistakenly not been photoshopped out, making it appear as though his head has white fins on the sides.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[File:TF-ROTB-Deluxe-Mirage-Stock.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Is this thing a dog?]]
*'''Jungle Mission 3-pack: Bumblebee, Airazor, and Autobot Mirage''' (Multipack, 2023)
**''Accessories'': Arm cannon

: Included as part of a Target-exclusive ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' Jungle Mission 3-pack, this Mirage is another Deluxe Class iteration of the character that converts into an unlicensed approximation of a Porsche 911 (964) Carrera RS 3.8. He includes a blaster that can fit over his forearm or store on his rear bumper in vehicle mode. His headsculpt uses what is either a battle mask or an early concept head design.

:Mirage comes packaged with [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#JM|Bumblebee]] and [[Airazor (ROTB)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Airazor]].

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

===''Rise of the Beasts''===
[[File:TF-ROTB-Deluxe-Mirage.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
*'''Autobot Mirage''' (Deluxe Class, 2023)
**''Accessories'': Arm cannon

:The Mirage from the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Jungle Mission 3-pack was also available individually at general retail under ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (toyline)|Rise of the Beasts]]'' packaging.
{{-}}

[[File:TF-ROTB-Battlechanger-Mirage.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
*'''Autobot Mirage''' (Battle Changer, 2023)
{{toydesigner|[[Koki Yamada]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:Released as part of the "Beast Alliance" subline for ''Rise of the Beasts'', this Mirage is a 4.5-inch toy that converts from a robot to an unlicensed approximation of a Porsche 911 in 11 steps. His right arm has a molded in cannon that can be flipped out.

:This toy was discovered in the United States before any official announcement was made.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''3D Battle-Card Game''===
[[File:3DCard-Mirage.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|He seems familiar, but I can't place the face.]]
*'''Mirage''' (2007)
**''Card number'': '''8'''
:Mirage is a 26-point "Common" piece in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]. Constructed of punch-out pieces from randomly-packed plastic cards (two full robots per pack), he can be assembled into his car mode (model undetermined), or into a rather stumpy robot mode. His twin blaster-weapons can be mounted on his arms (their nominal placement) or on his shoulders.

:He uses the same construction as the [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]], [[Earth]] mode [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], and [[Swerve (Movie)|Swerve]] cards. This style is similar to the one used by [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]], [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], and [[Smokescreen (Movie)|Smokescreen]].

:Though his card is clearly ''based'' on the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[Mirage (G1)#Alternators|Mirage toy]], he's not remotely as obvious about it as the Cliffjumper and Smokescreen cards are. While all the parts are in roughly the same place as the ''Alternators'' toy, the detailing is very much in line with the movie aesthetic, featuring a lot of shifted panels and extensive mechanical greeblies.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*[[Pete Davidson]]'s portrayal of Mirage is based on the zany energy of Davidson's favorite comedy actors, such as Jim Carrey in ''The Mask'' and Adam Sandler. It is meant to play off Noah's innocent look upon discovering a talking car.
*The scene where Noah and Mirage first meet was made by [[Anthony Ramos]] acting his part, then Davidson reacting to it.<ref>[https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/what-it-feels-like-to-take-second-billing-in-transformers-sequel-after-a-big-metal-alien]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Mirage''' (ミラージュ ''Mirāju'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Huànyǐng''' (幻影, "Mirage")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Movie Autobots]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts Autobots]]
[[Category:Studio Series Autobots]]

Primordial

2023-06-08T20:02:26Z

CyberstormSM: Redirected page to Demon

#redirect [[Demon]]

Primordials

2023-06-08T20:02:02Z

CyberstormSM: Redirected page to Demon

#redirect [[Demon]]

Magnum

2023-05-31T03:43:43Z

CyberstormSM: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|eliteguard}}
:''Magnum is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Magnum.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Magnus]]'s brother from another mother.]]
Originally, '''Magnum''' never wanted to be in a leadership position, but his years in the [[Autobot Military Academy]] installed a need within him to prove himself capable. He's demonstrated his leadership skills time and time again, even (and especially) when leadership meant leading by example. Now that he's moved up the ranks to the [[Autobot High Council]], the only part of his job that he truly resents is the political deadlock that keeps him from being as quick to act as he'd prefer. He believes his [[Elite Guard]], given true autonomy, is the best answer to the rise in Decepticon activity, rather than Council member [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'s mostly symbolic (he feels) "[[Prime (rank)|Prime]]" initiative.

Despite being a capable warrior, Magnum is seen mostly behind his desk. Due to his frustration with politics, he delegates most of his duties to [[Sentinel Major]], and occasionally retaliates against the political machine by giving surprisingly impulsive orders.

Magnum transforms into a "Haughty Hauler" that carries long-range missile launchers.

==Fiction==
===''Wings Universe''===
Long ago, in the opening stages of the Cybertronian civil war, Magnum and the rest of Autobot High Command were keeping an eye on a handful of unorganized rogues called the [[Decepticon]]s. But when they suddenly found themselves a [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|leader]], everything changed. Magnum feared that things had already begun to escalate into war. Things got even worse when the ''[[Van De Graaff]]'' was shot down over [[Beta-Nine]], putting its [[Matrix of Leadership|precious cargo]] at risk. Fearing the Decepticons had done the deed and may soon recover the cargo, Magnum contacted the Autobot ship closest to Beta-Nine, the ''[[Eight Track (G1)|Eight Track]]''. He ordered its crew to recover the cargo at any cost!

The crew of the ''Eight Track'' succeeded, and to reward them for their bravery, Magnum inducted the four of them into the Elite Guard, a new unit that Autobot High Command had recently assembled. See, the war had officially begun... {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

At some point, Magnum came across [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]] working as a menial laborer in a Polyhex factory. After witnessing him assemble one of the most [[BAMF-12602|complex weapons]] ever engineered, Magnum put the worker-bot through a fast-paced initiation into the Elite Guard, and personally attended his induction into the Guard's ranks. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 36|Ironfist's profile in Club magazine #36}}

[[File:EliteGuardCombaticons TheComingStorm2.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|And he's a great judge of character.]]

Fifteen years after the war's beginning, Magnum contacted Thunder Clash with information on his team's next mission. After [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]'s team escorted Thunder Clash's team to [[Space Port Bravo]], the former group returned to [[Elite Guard Headquarters]] for briefing. Magnum and Sentinel Major met them on the landing pad, where Magnum praised Metalhawk's team for their excellence despite their relative newness. Because of their proven abilities, Metalhawk paired them with another new team, the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s, on a mission to attack the believed leaders of the Decepticon uprising. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 2}} Magnum assigned the teams to aid an archaeological team. Afterwards, he was somewhat skeptical of the reports turned in by the two teams, and assigned them a new mission in [[Praxium]]. {{storylink|Flames of Yesterday}}

Metalhawk reported on the success of another mission to Magnum. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 3}} Sentinel Major reported to Magnum that he'd sent the [[Stealth Team (G1)|Stealth Team]] on a mission to deal with [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]]. Magnum was pleased with the progress in dealing with the myriad Warlords, but not with the recent capture of the Combaticons by Decepticon forces. He sidelined Metalhawk's team, believing that Metalhawk may have been compromised as a result. {{storylink|A Team Effort}}

Following the deaths of most of the Elite Guard at the hands of [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], the giant which [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] had turned the Combaticons into, Magnum gathered the remaining guardsmen at the [[Autobot High Council Citadel]]. His intention was to show the [[Autobot High Council]] that the Elite Guard was still their primary line of defense, but instead he found that the Council was appointing [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] the leader of a new military. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 1}} Undaunted, he got permission from sympathetic council members to take the remaining guard on a mission to find and eliminate Deathsaurus. They stopped by the [[Auxiliary Weapons Locker]], where Magnum was forced to give the entry code by his own assistant, [[Outback (G1)|Outback]], before they could enter. When [[Ricochet (Timelines)|Ricochet]], [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]], and Outback volunteered to join the team, he stressed to them the disaster that awaited them should the mission fail. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 2}}

[[File:BattleLines3-makeyoupay.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"What I did to the Combaticons?" "You used your spark to corrupt their Autobot protoforms!" "Errr, that was [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]. Are you colorblind?"]]

They began their search for Deathsaurus's base, but instead found [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], who claimed to already know the location of their target. He couldn't tell them much before the group was attacked by Deathsaurus's troops. Magnum realized that Deathsaurus had surely been warned in advance of the Elite Guard's approach by his many spies, but rallied his men to fight back. When Deathsaurus himself made an appearance, Magnum assaulted him for his mind warping of the Combaticons. Deathsaurus claimed that he had done nothing to the Combaticons' minds, and his suggestion that Magnum might also be tempted to become a Decepticon only served to make Magnum angrier. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 3}}

As the pair fought, Magnum finally got tired of Deathsaurus's baiting and gave him a good blast to the chest. Unfortunately for Magnum, this just resulted in an enraged [[Lyzack (G1)|Lyzack]] laying into him with her sword, slicing the end off his gun and smashing his chest windscreen. He was saved from a killing blow by Thunderclash, though as the other Autobot helped him up, Deathsaurus reappeared to finish them himself. The pair were rescued by [[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]], and in the aftermath of the Decepticon retreat, Magnum ordered his team back to base for repairs. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 4}}

A week later in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Magnum approached Optimus Prime to beg forgiveness for seeing him as an adversary. Just as the two were about to reconcile, [[Dion (G1)|Dion]] interrupted them to tell them of a Decepticon attack on the city. They and Side Burn scrambled for Iacon's perimeter wall, where they were witness to its crumbling at the hands of a new combiner, [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]! {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}}

[[File:BattleLines6-DionMagnum.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Which is which isn't important right now.]]

Magnum led the Autobots valiantly against overwhelming odds. When Dion's suggestion to aim at Devastator's knees resulted in the titan falling, Magnum commended his excellent strategy, and said that some day he would be a "great Magnum." Even with Devastator down, the Autobots still had Megatron to deal with. Though Optimus Prime reminded Megatron that he had not one, but two Autobot leaders to contend with, the Decepticon leader made sure to rectify that. With a blast of his fusion cannon, he destroyed Magnum and would have also destroyed Optimus Prime if Dion hadn't taken the shot meant for him.

Though both Magnum and Dion fell, the Autobots were ultimately victorious. In the wake of their victory, Alpha Trion did what he could for Magnum and Dion, but he told Optimus Prime only one of them could survive their wounds. One died and the other was rebuilt into [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Magnumsgirlfriend.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Almost looks like Moonracer, really.]]
*Magnum had a photo of [[Transformer romance|his girlfriend]] on his desk. She looks like [[Override (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Override]] in teal.
*Artist [[Guido Guidi]] seems to have been intentionally mimicking [[Floro Dery]]'s style when designing Magnum.
*Does Magnum have two wheels on each leg or just one? [[Casey Coller]] may have to fight it out with Guido Guidi and [[Dan Khanna]].
*Does Magnum know an Autobot named [[Highbrow (Animated)|Higgens]]? Unlikely.
*Magnum might not actually be a name, but a ''rank''. In [[Battle Lines, Part 6]], Magnum tells Dion that "perhaps one solar cycle, you'd make a great Magnum," which certainly implies such.
*It's intentionally ambiguous whether he or Dion was rebuilt into Ultra Magnus.

[[Category:Convention-original characters]]
[[Category:Council members]]
[[Category:Fiction-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]

Convoy (episode)

2023-05-26T03:17:38Z

CyberstormSM: /* Quotes */

{{disambig3|Convoy}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 9
|prev=Con Job
|next=Deus ex Machina
|image=TFP Convoy highway hijack.jpg
|caption=Ain't it a beautiful sight?
|title="Convoy"
|season=1
|season ep=9
|airdate=[[March 4]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBU_gmEY0Q8
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Autobots assist Fowler with transporting a nuclear device.'''

==Synopsis==
The Autobots get an angry call from [[William Fowler|Fowler]]. [[Fowler's V-tol|His plane]]'s been shot down while transporting the hi-tech [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]], or the "Dingus", a volatile nuclear device, and he needs help in completing his mission. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] says that using the [[GroundBridge]] to transport it would be too dangerous, so instead they'll have to take it by road. They soon have it loaded into a [[trailer]] which Prime starts hauling, with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] as an escort. Fowler's disappointed he doesn't get to drive. [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] and the kids monitor their journey from [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]].

Optimus is irritated by Fowler's enthusiasm with the horn. Unknown to any of them, the convoy is being observed by a helicopter. Fowler and Optimus are discussing whether there was any evil on Earth before the Decepticons came, when they spot the helicopter, which Fowler believes is a [[Decepticon]]. Five green sportscars move in on the convoy, but Optimus warns everyone to maintain their cover and stay in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]. Ratchet's surprised that they're not showing up on his sensors. All is made clear when one of the cars draws level with Optimus's cab, and a masked human aims a gun at Fowler. Optimus orders the other Autobots to use non-lethal force only. Bumblebee knocks one of the cars, flipping it over, but another drives up alongside Optimus. One of the masked goons climbs onto Optimus and starts attempting to sever the trailer. After Prime knocks the car off the mountainside road, Fowler climbs out and grabs the masked goon, but loses him before he can start the interrogation.
[[File:Prime-Silas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|I want this mission high and tight. I wanna be home for dinner.]]
The fellow in the helicopter makes contact over the walkie and introduces himself as [[Silas]], part of the [[MECH]] organization, who intend to steal the Dingus for their own use. One of the cars pulls up behind Optimus and the MECH goons blow the trailer's back door open, only for [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] to jump out in motorcycle mode and flip their car, causing it to explode. While Optimus warns Fowler not to take Silas lightly (due to [[Megatron (WFC)|personal experience]]), Ratchet informs them they're nearing the rendezvous point.

On the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] has intercepted the communications, and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] sends a bunch of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] to join the party.

The Autobots reach the rendezvous point and duck into a rail tunnel alongside a train. Bulkhead seals off the incoming end. A short time later, they and the train emerge from the other end of the tunnel, and Silas continues to follow the Autobots. As luck would have it, the Vehicons take this opportunity to appear and open fire on the convoy. The Autobots avoid getting hit, but Prime's trailer is shaken loose and explodes. The Vehicons transform and move in, forcing Optimus to inform Fowler that they're going to have to break cover to survive. Silas observes the fight and notes that the rumors he's heard of living technology are true. He lets Fowler know that he's aware the Dingus was transferred onto the train while the Autobots were in the tunnel, and the helicopter moves off to intercept the cargo. Unfortunately, while Fowler's giving Optimus the bad news, the Autobot leader takes a tree trunk to the face and falls off a nearby cliff.

The kids have a frantic discussion about a plan B. [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]'s in favor of Ratchet ground-bridging the kids onto the train so they can fight the MECH goons. With [[Raf Esquivel|Raf's]] help, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] and Miko are soon on the train. As the MECH helicopter tries to land on top of the train, Raf flips a point switch to make the train go off along another line. In response, the helicopter's pilot hacks Raf's laptop, causing it to short out. On the second try, the helicopter lands atop the carriage the Dingus is in, and the MECH guys start cutting through the carriage roof.

Not far away, the Autobots continue their fight with the Vehicons. Optimus comes around and sees the train in trouble.
[[File:Convoy-trainstop.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|More powerful than a locomotive!]]
Miko and Jack grab weapons, which they wave at the MECH guys when the ceiling's opened. Back in the chopper, Silas spots Optimus running alongside and sounds a retreat. As the helicopter heads away, he fires a missile and takes out the track ahead of the train. Due to Raf's laptop being out of commission, Ratchet no longer has the train's coordinates and can't bridge the kids out. They prepare to jump, but Optimus zooms past, grabs the front of the train and brings it to a halt in the nick of time. Hovering in the helicopter nearby, Silas promises that next time the playing field will be leveled. Optimus reports back to Ratchet that the kids and the Dingus are safe, but notes that a new player has entered the game...
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (3)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (9)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (14)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (15)

|c3=
*[[William Fowler]] (1)
*[[Jack Darby]] (5)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (6)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (7)
*[[MECH]] goons (10)
*[[Silas]] (11)
*[[MECH Navigator]] (12)

}}

==Quotes==
"Ah-ah, no need, Agent Fowler. I will handle the driving." 
"It's going to be a long trip."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' lets '''Agent Fowler''' in on his no-touch policy.

"Agent Fowler. Is that really necessary?" 
"Oh, don't tell me you're one of them 'textbook drivers'."
:— '''Optimus Prime''' isn't very keen on '''Agent Fowler's''' use of the horn.

"You know, you're saving my bacon here, Prime." 
"I am proud to be of service." 
"Of course, not like I'd need your help if you and the 'cons stuck to tearing up your own corner of the galaxy." 
"Are you suggesting no evil existed on your world before we arrived?" 
"Well... it was a different evil."
:— '''Agent Fowler''' and '''Optimus Prime'''.

"How about some radio? You seem like a Nashville sound kinda guy."
:—'''Agent Fowler''' to Optimus Prime.

"That's the one! The 'Con who shot me down! Who is he? Wingnut? Dingbat? Skyguy?"
:—'''Fowler''' shares some awesome Transformer name ideas.

"Gentlemen, stop their engines."
:—'''Silas'''

"Is that so? Tell me, Sy, what's the market price for a Dingus these days?" 
"What makes you think we intend to sell it, Agent Fowler?"
:—'''Agent Fowler''' and '''Silas''' discussing the value of Fowler's Dingus.

"After a long road trip, feels good to get out of the car, stretch my legs, and kick some tailpipe!"
:—'''Bulkhead''', the reigning king of one-liners.

"You want me to not only bridge you into a confined space, but one traveling at 90 miles per hour? I can't even count the number of things that can go wrong—mass displacement trauma, twisted limbs, metal burn!... Well, maybe not the last one."
:—Overly-attached '''Ratchet''' to the kids.

"First rule of combat: Never leave the enemy with the spoils."
:—'''Silas'''

"Maximum overdrive!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' coining a new catchphrase.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The plane Fowler was transporting the Dingus on is the same one he had in "[[Masters & Students]]". And he's ''still'' flying without any kind of pilot gear on. Dude is ''hard core''.
* Miko makes reference to that episode when she follows up Fowler's comment that he had been shot out of the sky with an "again?"
* This episode is the first to feature a human enemy to the Cybertronians (both Autobots and Decepticons). However, they do not meet the leader, Silas, until much later; the Autobots only hear him speak this episode.
* On board the train, Jack and Miko each pick a "weapon" of choice to face the MECH goons. Miko happens to take an axe, like she did [[Darkness Rising, Part 5|to face Soundwave's tentacle]], while Jack takes a [[fire extinguisher]], like he did [[Scrapheap (episode)|a couple of episodes ago]].

===Transformers references===
* Optimus's [[trailer]] is adorned with the same paint scheme as his [[Optimus Prime (G1)|''Generation 1'' counterpart]]'s [[Combat Deck (G1)|trailer]].
* "[[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]" is the usual Japanese equivalent to the English "[[Prime (rank)|Prime]]".

===Real-world references===
* This episode is the first in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' to feature a reproduction of an actual real-world vehicle: the locomotive depicted hauling the 'Phase II' train is a very accurate model of a four-axle GP series model produced in La Grange, Illinois (Later London, Ontario) by {{w|Electro-Motive Diesel}}.

===Animation and technical errors===
* At the beginning of the episode, when Ratchet asks Agent Fowler why Starscream would bother with "such primitive technology" (i.e., the Dingus), a small light can be seen inside his open mouth, as if the light coming from his left optic sensor can be seen through it.
* While Silas delivers his last line, the straps that cross his chest clip into each other.

===Continuity errors===
* On the monitor inside the Autobot base, the fork is shown to be on the right side of the rails. When the scene changes to show the running train, it is shown to be on the left.
* The number of MECH cars is somewhat inconsistent, as are their positions. Three cars initially pull up behind and to the sides of Bulkhead. An additional car appears to replace the one that pulls ahead to block Bumblebee, and another appears to replace the one that pulls up to Optimus' driver side to force him to pull over. When the Autobots begin applying force, the car that was in front of Bumblebee has moved to Optimus' passenger side. After this, four of the pursuing cars are dispatched through various means, leaving only one, yet three cars are chasing the Autobots when they reach the train tunnel. The cars vanish from the story completely after this.
* When the Autobots first transform in front of the platoon of Eradicon Jets and reveal themselves to MECH in the process, there is no plateau near their right side to safely place Fowler on, but in the very next shot, it is right next to them, even though the Autobots never moved from their position.
* Upon seeing the Silas destroy the track, the locomotive driver would have released the air from the brake lines, applying maximum braking force to the train. With a train as short as the one carrying the Dingus, emergency braking would likely have stopped it before reaching the site of the explosion, however the train shows no signs of attempting to slow down.

===Trivia===
[[File:Convoy-kablooie.jpg|thumb|upright|"I used minimum force. That was the minimum force necessary to ensure they ''never bother us again.''"]]
* The Autobots have a curious definition of "minimum force". During the short battle, they flip over three cars and blow up a fourth. The latter most likely killed the passengers. It's amazing the others came out unharmed, considering one was hanging out of the sunroof of his car at the time.
* The train set piece germinated from [[Alex Kurtzman]]'s desire to have a Train Transformer, which would have been too expensive. Had the budget been there, they would have been an Autobot.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Pb3MeUDdY Roundtable interview with ''Prime'' staff at BotCon 2011]</ref>
* The fact that the Autobots were battling humans rather than Decepticons - a not insignificant twist in the plot - was spoiled by the next-episode preview shown during the Hub's airing of "Con Job". What is this, [[Ultra Magnus Dies!!|Japan?]]
* As was previously featured in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]", this episode features an Autobot transforming while carrying a human passenger. Fowler somehow ends up sitting in Optimus's hand rather than inside him, though.
* Silas deems the Autobots' use of the train tunnel a tactical error because it only has one exit, but then makes no effort to stop them on the other side.
* In the beginning of the episode Optimus tells Fowler he will handle the driving but later on in the episode we see Fowler driving. It might be that Agent Fowler just kept his hands on the steering wheel or that Optimus was just being kind.
[[File:JackFireExtinguisherMikoAxe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|So I married an axe murderer.]]
* When Jack and Miko grab the fire extinguisher and the fire axe to fight MECH, they apparently forget that there is a gun on the floor, dropped by the immobilized soldier. However, neither (presumably) has had firearms training, and it's unlikely that Optimus would appreciate trigger-happy allies.
* Silas' attempt to destroy the Dingus at the end of the episode seems a bit reckless, given its nuclear core. However, there's no indication he's aware of just how nasty that thing going up would be; when the decoy trailer goes up, the MECH pilot merely indicates there's no detectable radiation. If they knew about the five-state irradiation deal, they'd probably be just a ''wee'' bit more on edge and wondering why they weren't dead.
* This episode may contain human [[death]]. After Arcee jumps off one of MECH's vehicles, it rolls right into another vehicle and the two explode. No humans are seen exiting the vehicles during the accident, so it is likely that they perish in the explosion.
* Optimus Prime has a cup holder. Whether this is a default part of his [[alt mode]] or for Fowler's benefit is unspecified.
* Adaptations of this episode include a prose version in ''[[Optimus Under Threat]]'' titled "Off the Rails", and a storybook version for younger readers as ''[[Optimus Prime and the Secret Mission]]''.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le SGDN'''" ("The DNGS")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Konvoi'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 25|25 November]] [[2011]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Konvoj'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 19|19 January]] [[2012]]

'''Indonesian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Pengamanan Senjata Penghancuran Masal'''" ("Saving of the Weapon of Mass Destruction")
:*''Original airdate:'' 12 September [[2012]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Convoglio'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 22|22 October]] [[2011]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' '''Bōsō Henkei! Dingus o Mamore!''' (暴走変形!ディンガスを守れ!, ''Reckless Transformation! Protect the Dingus!'')
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 2|2 June]] [[2012]]

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hosong Jakjeon'''" (호송 작전, "Operation Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 26|26 September]] [[2011]]

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 15|15 December]] [[2011]]

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Comboio'''" ("The Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 4|4 January]] [[2012]]

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 2|2 January]] [[2012]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Convoy'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 29|29 October]] [[2011]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 2: Meister und Schüler ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One Collection ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Volume 2: Unfamiliar Enemies (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 5 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 1 Vol. 2: Terrain miné ([[Universal|Universal Pictures France]]) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 1 Vol. 2: Terre Pericolose ([[Universal|Universal Pictures IT]]) — English, Italian, Dutch, French and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One: Dangerous Ground ([[Universal|Universal Pictures UK]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 1: L'intégrale (Universal Pictures France) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One (Universal Pictures UK)
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio. 

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Bob Budiansky

2023-01-13T01:04:20Z

CyberstormSM: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Bob}}
{{factions|hofgold}}

{{bigquote|... when [fans have] contacted me for one reason or another, like for an interview for instance, they don’t understand how I’m not as passionate about the Transformers as they are now, even though I worked on them for so long. All I could basically say is, "Well, I enjoyed working on them while I did it, but it was a job, and then after I finished that job I moved onto the next job".|Bob Budiansky|[http://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com/2007/09/looking-back-with-bob-budiansky.html "Looking Back With Bob Budiansky"] interview}}

[[File:Bobbudiansky.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Not actually Kirk Cameron. You can tell because he writes about Earth being millions of years old.]]
'''Bob Budiansky''' (born [[March 15]], [[1954]]) was the writer of most of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel US ''Transformers'' comic book]] series and the creator of much of the mythos, characters, and names behind the first several years of the franchise.

In late 1983, [[Hasbro]] approached [[Marvel Comics]] to create a storyline around a series of transforming toy robots they had licensed from Takara. Editors [[Denny O'Neil]] and [[Jim Shooter]] created some of the early background for ''Transformers'', including several names, but much of the material for the first 28 characters was rejected by Hasbro. Revision duties were passed to Bob Budiansky, a writer and penciler who had only been promoted from assistant editor to editor earlier that year.<ref>Marvel Comics Bullpen Bulletin for July 1983, as presented in "[[Star Wars]]" #73.</ref> Budiansky renamed most of the characters and revised the personalities... with a week's deadline ''during Thanksgiving''.<ref name="moonbase2">[http://traffic.libsyn.com/moonbase2/BobBinterview.mp3 Bob Budiansky interview at Moonbase 2]</ref> Though [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was named by O'Neil, Bob Budiansky is responsible for the names of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and countless others.

Due to its success, ''The Transformers'' four-issue miniseries became an ongoing. None of the three writers had been able to 'get' the Transformers mythos during the miniseries, and Bob Budiansky spent a lot of time directing the story as its editor—and even ''he'' thinks it was a total mess because nobody could keep track.<ref name="Interview at Rusting Carcass">[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954/t/Bob-Budiansky.html Interview at Rusting Carcass]</ref> Because of this, after he was replaced as editor (due to Marvel internal rules) he was made the writer from #5 on: he was the only one who knew enough about the mythos! It was in these years that he developed popular characters [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]], and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] into the roles they're famous for today; the only characters at this time he ''didn't'' create were the [[The Transformers: The Movie|movie ones]], who were specifically created for the film by [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]]. He did, however, create the concept of the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. Budiansky continued to write [[bio]]s and name characters until at least the end of his tenure on the Marvel Comic book<ref>[https://network.comixplex.com/posts/transformers-tuesday-with-bob-budiansky-watch-the-recorded-event-here Bob Budiansky interview at Comixplex on March 16th, 2021. He says he thinks he continued for a "couple of months" after leaving the comic, but not much beyond that]</ref>, working off pictures of the toys and what they could do, with names based on whatever the hell he'd just read or seen or heard about that week. When new concepts like [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s or [[Pretender]]s were created by Hasbro, Budiansky would be given the job of working out story treatments for them and adding them to the Transformers mythos.<ref name="moonbase2"/>

[[File:BobBudianskyDVD.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Bob today.]]
During his run, Bob was constantly kept up to date on Hasbro's plans: information about new toys and their model sheets were sent to him, he attended meetings at their Rhode Island HQ, he visited their annual toy exhibitions. Outside of pimping their wares, Hasbro left him alone. It was up to him whether or not he wanted to follow the cartoon's lead, he wasn't told to keep the target audience in mind (he made the decision himself), and he was even allowed to not use the future-set movie cast.<ref>[http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ Metal Machine interview]</ref>

{{bigquote|I think Bob did stirling work under difficult conditions. He really did have a huge amount of back story and characters to compress into a single issue. With the UK stories... we were lucky -- Bob had done all the hard work for us.|Simon Furman, BotTalk 2001 interview<ref>http://bottalk.com/board/showthread.php?t=115278</ref>}}

Towards the end of his time on the comic book series, Budiansky started to feel fatigue. It was complicated and frustrating, from a story-crafting point of view, [[To sell toys|to introduce so many new characters in so few issues]]. At Budiansky's recommendation, the writer of the Marvel UK ''Transformers'' comic, [[Simon Furman]], took over Budiansky's duties on the US comic.

An artist as well, Budiansky also drew several covers for ''Transformers'' and penciled the first half of his final issue.

As the quote notes, Transformers was a job he enjoyed at the time but is still just a job he did twenty years ago. Not that he isn't pleased to have a {{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}}-1984}}-year old franchise as his legacy! Until he got onto the [[Internet]] and searched his own name in the 90s, he didn't realize it was still such a big deal with fans and was both amused ''and'' bemused to learn the truth. In the early 2000s, he started to give interviews to fans and websites. This led to him coming back briefly to adapt ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' for [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] and he was given an option to pitch to them again, but decided not to as he was far removed from the current Transformers status quo.

Outside of ''Transformers'' Budiansky is perhaps best known for drawing ''[[Ghost Rider]]'', creating ''Sleepwalker'' and writing the entire series, and serving as group editor-in-chief of the ''[[Spider-Man]]'' titles between 1994 & 1995. In addition, at one point he was assigned to Marvel's "Special Projects" section; this followed his promotion to "executive editor".<ref>Marvel Comics Bullpen Bulletin for December 1991, as printed in ''Excalibur'' #47, cover date February 1992</ref> He was also tasked with overseeing a number of other limited series, such as an ''X-Men'' / ''[[Micronauts]]'' crossover.

==''Transformers'' comics credits==
{{bigquote|If there are older Transformers fans who feel my stories were too geared to children—hey, good insight! That was the audience I was playing to.|Bob tells it like it is, at [http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ Metal Machine.net]}}

Marvel ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel U.S.|The Transformers]]'' (US):

:Editor - [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|Issues 1–4]]
:Writer - Issues 5–15, 17–32, 35–42, 44–55
:Penciller - [[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|Issue 55]]
:Cover Artist - Issues [[Rock and Roll-Out!|14]], [[Crater Critters|29]], [[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|31]], [[Monstercon from Mars!|45]], [[Club Con!|47]]

Marvel ''[[The Transformers Universe]]''

:Writer/Consulting Editor - Issues 1–4

Marvel ''[[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]]'' comic adaptation

:Editor - Issues 1–3

Marvel ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' mini-series

:Writer - Issues 1–4
:Cover Artist - [[Ring of Hate!|Issue 1]]

IDW ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'' comic adaptation

:Writer - Issues 1–4

==Convention appearances==

{{bigquote|"I discovered there were all of these websites, these discussion boards... [people] were passionate about [Transformers], emotional about it. I was despised! People hated me! *laughs* ... still carrying grudges about the fact I wrote '[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom]]' or something!"|Bob on 90s Internet fandom, [http://traffic.libsyn.com/moonbase2/BobBinterview.mp3 at Moonbase 2], 31.10-31.51}}

*[[OTFCC 2004]]
*[[Unofficial conventions|Iacon One]]
*[[BotCon 2010]]

==Budianskyisms==
Though not as prominent or well-remembered as the so-called "[[Furmanism]]s" that successor writer Simon Furman would popularize, Bob Budiansky also had a few turns of phrase that he repeatedly fell back on:

[[File:Thetorquerifle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Enjoy a nice serving of Brown Betty, with DEATH!! But mostly, eat death.]]
* "Have some (X), courtesy of my (Y)!"

:where
:"X" = some form of damage, dismemberment or death
:"Y" = the special weapon of the character in question

:Examples:
: "Have some metal-eating slime, courtesy of my [[Corrosive slime-shooter|slime gun]], Autobots!"—Blot {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}
: "Have a mechanical malfunction, courtesy of my [[concussion weapon|concussion cannon]]!"—[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}
: "Just a case of bad balance, courtesy of my [[electro-scrambler]]."—Blaster {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}
: "Energy feedback, courtesy of my electro-scrambler, tinhead."—Blaster {{storylink|Totaled!|Totaled!}}
: "You're going on a one-way trip, [[Monzo]], courtesy of my [[anti-gravity gun]]!"—Skullcruncher {{storylink|Love and Steel!}}

* "I hope you (A) as well as you (B)!"

:where
:"A" = perform some action, typically shooting
:"B" = boast, brag, or some other meaningless non-action

:Examples:
: "You ''boast'' better than you ''shoot'', [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]!"—[[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] {{storylink|People Power!}}
: "Grrr—I hope you ''shoot'' straighter than you ''think'', Weirdwolf!"—Skullcruncher {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}
: "Only if you ''aim'' as well as you ''brag'', Brawl!"—First Aid {{storylink|Used Autobots}}

* "This wasn't in (Z)!"

:where
:"Z" = amusingly bureaucratic item with no bearing on the situation at hand.

:Examples:
:"This...this wasn't in my job description!"—anonymous railway worker {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}}
:"This wasn't on the trail guide!"—anonymous skier {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}}
:"None of this was in the rehearsal!"—Sky Lynx {{storylink|The Cosmic Carnival}}

==Notes==

* As Bob's quotes above show, for a while in organised fandom he was [[the Fallen]] of the writing world, his stories dismissed or ripped into as being juvenile and silly. His reputation in fandom has gone up since the start of the 21st century, something he attributes to doing interviews.

* Bob's stories almost always have a human guest star involved and the Transformers getting involved in human affairs and finding them odd. He's stated this was because he thought the most interesting part was seeing these two vastly different races and worlds colliding with each other - or, more bluntly, "The Transformers were on Earth!".<ref>[http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/bob_budiansky.html Budiansky interview archived at One Shall Stand]</ref>

* He's a fan of the first [[Transformers (film)|Bay movie]] and thinks that the Transformer/human interaction is similar to his own stories.<ref name="Interview at Rusting Carcass"/> He is also a fan of [[Bumblebee (film) | the Bumblebee movie]], though he would "rather not comment on [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film) | the]] [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film) | ones]] [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film) | in]] [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film) | between]]". <ref>[https://youtu.be/-vGEWXN-DpE Bob Budiansky at TFcon Toronto 2019]</ref>

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=3D17280F-19B9-F369-1080-6B4D52898CFD:en_US Hall of Fame video]

===Interviews===
*2003—[https://transformandrollout.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/qa-with-transformers-writer-bob-budiansky/ TMUK]
*February 2004—[http://web.archive.org/web/20090418013700/http://bwtf.com/interviews/bb204/ BWTF]
*July 2004 Altered States Magazine ([http://web.archive.org/web/20040805072855/http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/bbudiansky_1.php Part 1], [http://web.archive.org/web/20040816123847/http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/bbudiansky_2.php Part 2])
*July 2004—[https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/OK6paNL8vVI/m/i2e02fUIvDIJ OTFCC] (with Simon Furman and [[Andrew Wildman]])
*July 2006—[https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/u6tXl2NmYYk/m/japjrfr_poAJ Iacon One] (with [[Don Figueroa]])
*September 2006—[http://web.archive.org/web/20070309223445/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_budiansky.php TransFans]
*September 2007—[https://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com/2007/09/looking-back-with-bob-budiansky.html 20th Century Danny Boy]
*July 2009—[http://web.archive.org/web/20090730005006/http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Rusting Carcass]
*November 2009—[http://www.metalmachine.net/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ Metal Machine]
*Janaury 2011—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/the-moonbase-2-podcast-interviews-bob-budiansky- Moonbase 2]
*October 2014—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxK2B0ju5Vc Circuit 42]
*January 2017—[https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/jan/17/how-we-made-transformers-comic-film-bob-budiansky-bryce-malek-interview The Guardian]
*April 2017—[https://aiptcomics.com/2017/04/14/the-man-who-named-megatron-an-interview-with-transformers-writer-bob-budiansky/ AIPT!]
*March 2018—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2wlNtBrlbE Comic Book Syndicate]
*August 2018—[https://epicmarvelpodcast.com/interview-budiansky/ The Epic Marvel Podcast]
*April 2019—[https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/geektomeradio001/episodes/2019-04-21T19_12_01-07_00 Geek To Me Radio] (defunct)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Budiansky, Bob}}
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Editors]]
[[Category:IDW Publishing]]
[[Category:Illustrators]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame creators]]
[[Category:Writers]]

Bob Budiansky

2023-01-13T01:03:15Z

CyberstormSM: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Bob}}
{{factions|hofgold}}

{{bigquote|... when [fans have] contacted me for one reason or another, like for an interview for instance, they don’t understand how I’m not as passionate about the Transformers as they are now, even though I worked on them for so long. All I could basically say is, "Well, I enjoyed working on them while I did it, but it was a job, and then after I finished that job I moved onto the next job".|Bob Budiansky|[http://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com/2007/09/looking-back-with-bob-budiansky.html "Looking Back With Bob Budiansky"] interview}}

[[File:Bobbudiansky.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Not actually Kirk Cameron. You can tell because he writes about Earth being millions of years old.]]
'''Bob Budiansky''' (born [[March 15]], [[1954]]) was the writer of most of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel US ''Transformers'' comic book]] series and the creator of much of the mythos, characters, and names behind the first several years of the franchise.

In late 1983, [[Hasbro]] approached [[Marvel Comics]] to create a storyline around a series of transforming toy robots they had licensed from Takara. Editors [[Denny O'Neil]] and [[Jim Shooter]] created some of the early background for ''Transformers'', including several names, but much of the material for the first 28 characters was rejected by Hasbro. Revision duties were passed to Bob Budiansky, a writer and penciler who had only been promoted from assistant editor to editor earlier that year.<ref>Marvel Comics Bullpen Bulletin for July 1983, as presented in "[[Star Wars]]" #73.</ref> Budiansky renamed most of the characters and revised the personalities... with a week's deadline ''during Thanksgiving''.<ref name="moonbase2">[http://traffic.libsyn.com/moonbase2/BobBinterview.mp3 Bob Budiansky interview at Moonbase 2]</ref> Though [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was named by O'Neil, Bob Budiansky is responsible for the names of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and countless others.

Due to its success, ''The Transformers'' four-issue miniseries became an ongoing. None of the three writers had been able to 'get' the Transformers mythos during the miniseries, and Bob Budiansky spent a lot of time directing the story as its editor—and even ''he'' thinks it was a total mess because nobody could keep track.<ref name="Interview at Rusting Carcass">[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954/t/Bob-Budiansky.html Interview at Rusting Carcass]</ref> Because of this, after he was replaced as editor (due to Marvel internal rules) he was made the writer from #5 on: he was the only one who knew enough about the mythos! It was in these years that he developed popular characters [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]], and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] into the roles they're famous for today; the only characters at this time he ''didn't'' create were the [[The Transformers: The Movie|movie ones]], who were specifically created for the film by [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]]. He did, however, create the concept of the Autobot [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. Budiansky continued to write [[bio]]s and name characters until at least the end of his tenure on the Marvel Comic book<ref>[https://network.comixplex.com/posts/transformers-tuesday-with-bob-budiansky-watch-the-recorded-event-here Bob Budiansky interview at Comixplex on March 16th, 2021. He says he thinks he continued for a "couple of months" after leaving the comic, but not much beyond that]</ref>, working off pictures of the toys and what they could do, with names based on whatever the hell he'd just read or seen or heard about that week. When new concepts like [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s or [[Pretender]]s were created by Hasbro, Budiansky would be given the job of working out story treatments for them and adding them to the Transformers mythos.<ref name="moonbase2"/>

[[File:BobBudianskyDVD.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Bob today.]]
During his run, Bob was constantly kept up to date on Hasbro's plans: information about new toys and their model sheets were sent to him, he attended meetings at their Rhode Island HQ, he visited their annual toy exhibitions. Outside of pimping their wares, Hasbro left him alone. It was up to him whether or not he wanted to follow the cartoon's lead, he wasn't told to keep the target audience in mind (he made the decision himself), and he was even allowed to not use the future-set movie cast.<ref>[http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ Metal Machine interview]</ref>

{{bigquote|I think Bob did stirling work under difficult conditions. He really did have a huge amount of back story and characters to compress into a single issue. With the UK stories... we were lucky -- Bob had done all the hard work for us.|Simon Furman, BotTalk 2001 interview<ref>http://bottalk.com/board/showthread.php?t=115278</ref>}}

Towards the end of his time on the comic book series, Budiansky started to feel fatigue. It was complicated and frustrating, from a story-crafting point of view, [[To sell toys|to introduce so many new characters in so few issues]]. At Budiansky's recommendation, the writer of the Marvel UK ''Transformers'' comic, [[Simon Furman]], took over Budiansky's duties on the US comic.

An artist as well, Budiansky also drew several covers for ''Transformers'' and penciled the first half of his final issue.

As the quote notes, Transformers was a job he enjoyed at the time but is still just a job he did twenty years ago. Not that he isn't pleased to have a {{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}}-1984}}-year old franchise as his legacy! Until he got onto the [[Internet]] and searched his own name in the 90s, he didn't realize it was still such a big deal with fans and was both amused ''and'' bemused to learn the truth. In the early 2000s, he started to give interviews to fans and websites. This led to him coming back briefly to adapt ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' for [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] and he was given an option to pitch to them again, but decided not to as he was far removed from the current Transformers status quo.

Outside of ''Transformers'' Budiansky is perhaps best known for drawing ''[[Ghost Rider]]'', creating ''Sleepwalker'' and writing the entire series, and serving as group editor-in-chief of the ''[[Spider-Man]]'' titles between 1994 & 1995. In addition, at one point he was assigned to Marvel's "Special Projects" section; this followed his promotion to "executive editor".<ref>Marvel Comics Bullpen Bulletin for December 1991, as printed in ''Excalibur'' #47, cover date February 1992</ref> He was also tasked with overseeing a number of other limited series, such as an ''X-Men'' / ''[[Micronauts]]'' crossover.

==''Transformers'' comics credits==
{{bigquote|If there are older Transformers fans who feel my stories were too geared to children—hey, good insight! That was the audience I was playing to.|Bob tells it like it is, at [http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ Metal Machine.net]}}

Marvel ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel U.S.|The Transformers]]'' (US):

:Editor - [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|Issues 1–4]]
:Writer - Issues 5–15, 17–32, 35–42, 44–55
:Penciller - [[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|Issue 55]]
:Cover Artist - Issues [[Rock and Roll-Out!|14]], [[Crater Critters|29]], [[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|31]], [[Monstercon from Mars!|45]], [[Club Con!|47]]

Marvel ''[[The Transformers Universe]]''

:Writer/Consulting Editor - Issues 1–4

Marvel ''[[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]]'' comic adaptation

:Editor - Issues 1–3

Marvel ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' mini-series

:Writer - Issues 1–4
:Cover Artist - [[Ring of Hate!|Issue 1]]

IDW ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'' comic adaptation

:Writer - Issues 1–4

==Convention appearances==

{{bigquote|"I discovered there were all of these websites, these discussion boards... [people] were passionate about [Transformers], emotional about it. I was despised! People hated me! *laughs* ... still carrying grudges about the fact I wrote '[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom]]' or something!"|Bob on 90s Internet fandom, [http://traffic.libsyn.com/moonbase2/BobBinterview.mp3 at Moonbase 2], 31.10-31.51}}

*[[OTFCC 2004]]
*[[Unofficial conventions|Iacon One]]
*[[BotCon 2010]]

==Budianskyisms==
Though not as prominent or well-remembered as the so-called "[[Furmanism]]s" that successor writer Simon Furman would popularize, Bob Budiansky also had a few turns of phrase that he repeatedly fell back on:

[[File:Thetorquerifle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Enjoy a nice serving of Brown Betty, with DEATH!! But mostly, eat death.]]
* "Have some (X), courtesy of my (Y)!"

:where
:"X" = some form of damage, dismemberment or death
:"Y" = the special weapon of the character in question

:Examples:
: "Have some metal-eating slime, courtesy of my [[Corrosive slime-shooter|slime gun]], Autobots!"—Blot {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}
: "Have a mechanical malfunction, courtesy of my [[concussion weapon|concussion cannon]]!"—[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}
: "Just a case of bad balance, courtesy of my [[electro-scrambler]]."—Blaster {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}
: "Energy feedback, courtesy of my electro-scrambler, tinhead."—Blaster {{storylink|Totaled!|Totaled!}}
: "You're going on a one-way trip, [[Monzo]], courtesy of my [[anti-gravity gun]]!"—Skullcruncher {{storylink|Love and Steel!}}

* "I hope you (A) as well as you (B)!"

:where
:"A" = perform some action, typically shooting
:"B" = boast, brag, or some other meaningless non-action

:Examples:
: "You ''boast'' better than you ''shoot'', [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]!"—[[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] {{storylink|People Power!}}
: "Grrr—I hope you ''shoot'' straighter than you ''think'', Weirdwolf!"—Skullcruncher {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}
: "Only if you ''aim'' as well as you ''brag'', Brawl!"—First Aid {{storylink|Used Autobots}}

* "This wasn't in (Z)!"

:where
:"Z" = amusingly bureaucratic item with no bearing on the situation at hand.

:Examples:
:"This...this wasn't in my job description!"—anonymous railway worker {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}}
:"This wasn't on the trail guide!"—anonymous skier {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}}
:"None of this was in the rehearsal!"—Sky Lynx {{storylink|The Cosmic Carnival}}

==Notes==

* As Bob's quotes above show, for a while in organised fandom he was [[the Fallen]] of the writing world, his stories dismissed or ripped into as being juvenile and silly. His reputation in fandom has gone up since the start of the 21st century, something he attributes to doing interviews.

* Bob's stories almost always have a human guest star involved and the Transformers getting involved in human affairs and finding them odd. He's stated this was because he thought the most interesting part was seeing these two vastly different races and worlds colliding with each other - or, more bluntly, "The Transformers were on Earth!".<ref>[http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/bob_budiansky.html Budiansky interview archived at One Shall Stand]</ref>

* He's a fan of the first [[Transformers (film)|Bay movie]] and thinks that the Transformer/human interaction is similar to his own stories.<ref name="Interview at Rusting Carcass"/> He is also a fan of [[Bumblebee (film) | the Bumblebee movie]], though he would "rather not comment on [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film) | the]] [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film) | ones]] [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film) | in]] [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film) | between]]". <ref>[https://youtu.be/-vGEWXN-DpE]</ref>

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=3D17280F-19B9-F369-1080-6B4D52898CFD:en_US Hall of Fame video]

===Interviews===
*2003—[https://transformandrollout.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/qa-with-transformers-writer-bob-budiansky/ TMUK]
*February 2004—[http://web.archive.org/web/20090418013700/http://bwtf.com/interviews/bb204/ BWTF]
*July 2004 Altered States Magazine ([http://web.archive.org/web/20040805072855/http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/bbudiansky_1.php Part 1], [http://web.archive.org/web/20040816123847/http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/bbudiansky_2.php Part 2])
*July 2004—[https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/OK6paNL8vVI/m/i2e02fUIvDIJ OTFCC] (with Simon Furman and [[Andrew Wildman]])
*July 2006—[https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/u6tXl2NmYYk/m/japjrfr_poAJ Iacon One] (with [[Don Figueroa]])
*September 2006—[http://web.archive.org/web/20070309223445/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_budiansky.php TransFans]
*September 2007—[https://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com/2007/09/looking-back-with-bob-budiansky.html 20th Century Danny Boy]
*July 2009—[http://web.archive.org/web/20090730005006/http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Rusting Carcass]
*November 2009—[http://www.metalmachine.net/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ Metal Machine]
*Janaury 2011—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/the-moonbase-2-podcast-interviews-bob-budiansky- Moonbase 2]
*October 2014—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxK2B0ju5Vc Circuit 42]
*January 2017—[https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/jan/17/how-we-made-transformers-comic-film-bob-budiansky-bryce-malek-interview The Guardian]
*April 2017—[https://aiptcomics.com/2017/04/14/the-man-who-named-megatron-an-interview-with-transformers-writer-bob-budiansky/ AIPT!]
*March 2018—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2wlNtBrlbE Comic Book Syndicate]
*August 2018—[https://epicmarvelpodcast.com/interview-budiansky/ The Epic Marvel Podcast]
*April 2019—[https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/geektomeradio001/episodes/2019-04-21T19_12_01-07_00 Geek To Me Radio] (defunct)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Budiansky, Bob}}
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Editors]]
[[Category:IDW Publishing]]
[[Category:Illustrators]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame creators]]
[[Category:Writers]]

Escalation issue 5

2022-11-26T08:47:14Z

CyberstormSM: /* Transformers references */

{{Comicstory
|series=escalation|issueno=5
|prev=Escalation issue 4
|next=Escalation issue 6
|image=Escalation 5a.jpg
|caption=Now that's gotta hurt!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 28]], [[2007]]
|coverdate=March 2007
|story by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[E. J. Su]]
|colors by=[[Zac Atkinson (colorist)|Zac Atkinson]]
|letters by=[[Robbie Robbins]]
|edits by=[[Chris Ryall]] & [[Dan Taylor (IDW)|Dan Taylor]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Escalation]]
}}
'''The Machination's plans proceed as another group enters the field. Oh, and Prime fights Megatron.'''

== Synopsis ==
[[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|An unidentified Transformer]], appearing to be severely damaged, speaks with [[Abraham Dante]] of the [[Machination]] on the successful outcome of their latest [[Hunter O'Nion|test subject]]. The [[Transformer]] expresses his appreciation for Dante's selfishness and how that quality will help them work well together.

In [[Brasnya]], [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] square off. Megatron brags about the enhancements that have come with his [[Ore-13]] power, but Prime isn't intimidated. As the [[Russia]]n and Brasnyan forces watch in gaping amazement, the two Transformer leaders engage in a colossal battle as the other [[Autobot]]s skirmish with the [[Decepticon]]s. Meanwhile, [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] chase after the [[facsimile construct|facsimile]] of [[Georgi Koska]], hoping to grab him alive before Russian soldiers shoot him dead. The Autobots need his cellular template in order to identify other facsimiles on [[Earth]].

In [[Fort Wayne]], [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] and [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] are waiting outside [[Idea & Design Works Custom Wheels|the auto parts store]]; they're worried because [[Verity Carlo]] and [[Jimmy Pink]] haven't reported in for over ten minutes. Ironhide smashes through the front window and sends his [[holomatter]] avatar into the secret compartment in the back where he discovers the two humans unconscious and a timer counting down to something decidedly nasty.

In Brasnya, Megatron and Optimus Prime have tossed aside their weapons and are fighting hand to hand. The close proximity allows Megatron to shoot Prime in the face with an Ore-13-enhanced blast from his mouth, blinding and stunning the [[Autobot]] leader. Megatron then smashes Prime twice in the chest, grabs his [[spark]] chamber and gives it a crushing squeeze.

Prowl and Hot Rod manage to stop Koska from getting shot by Russian troops. Prowl advises the Russians to disengage and they do so hastily. Next, he tries to contact Optimus Prime to give a report but he doesn't get a response. That's because Megatron is squeezing the life out of Prime's spark, but, before Megatron can finish what he started, [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] blasts him. Distracted, Megatron smashes his fist into the mountainside, which sends an avalanche of rocks and snow over Roller. He then turns his attention back to Prime, but finds a lifeless corpse. Ahhh, the perfect time to gloat.

In [[Eureka]], the archaeological dig has been taken over by [[Skywatch]] agents, who have uncovered parts of [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]].

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] (8)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] (9)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (10)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] (12)
*[[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] (15)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] (16)
*[[Roller (G1)|Roller]] (19)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] (22)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (24)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (25)
}}
|c2=
*[[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]] (2)
*[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] (7)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (11)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] (23)
|c3=
*[[Abraham Dante]] (1)
*[[Todorof]] (5)
*[[Breski]] (6)
*[[Jimmy Pink]] (17)
*[[Verity Carlo]] (18)
*[[Goring]] (20)
*[[Clive]] (21)
|h4=[[Facsimile construct|Facsimilies]]|c4=
*[[Georgi Koska]] (14)
}}

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:ZarakMachination.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Maybe he picks his allies by their preferences in architecture?]]
*The [[Machination]] compound in [[Tampa]], Florida seen on the first page uses a very similar layout to the [[Zarak Consortium]]'s headquarters seen in "[[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus]]". With the perspective and panel layout ''also'' being very similar, this is a very clever instance of foreshadowing, considering the [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|same villain]] was behind both organizations.

===Transformers references===
*When Ironhide smashes into the shop, a poster featuring a girl next to a car advertises ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]''. Optimus wasn't kidding when he said they were exposed...
*When a Skywatch agents comments on taking over the archaeological dig, she states that they've done so "in the national interest, of course." This is a verbatim repeat of a phrase uttered by a [[Intelligence and Information Institute|Triple-I]] agent that bookended the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK comic]] story, "[[In the National Interest]]".
*Megatron's taunt regarding killing with his "bare hands" and Optimus Prime's two-handed punch that follows both call back to their fight in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the animated film]].
*Megatron later taunts Optimus Prime by telling him that he respected him a long time ago, but that was "another time, another place." This is presumably a reference to the Marvel UK story [[Another Time & Place]].

===Real-life references===
*

===Errors===
*[[Brasnya]], identified as a "(breakaway) soviet state" in the [[Escalation issue 3|previous]] [[Escalation issue 4|two issues]], is now called a "Russian state", thereby apparently fixing a major world politics flub. Simon Furman later stated at the German C.O.N.S. convention in July 2012 that any references to "soviet" are to be considered an error and should read "Russian" instead.
*Skywarp is coloured as Thundercracker when Megatron calls to him for evacuation.
*Prowl's statement to Hot Rod—"One of us will have to run interference"—is mistakenly attributed ''to'' Hot Rod.
*When Megatron crushes Roller, the Decepticon insignia on his chest is red.

===Other trivia===
*The "Decepticomments" section has readers' mail answered by [[Dan Taylor (IDW)|Dan Taylor]].

===Covers (4)===
*'''Cover A:''' Megatron over a fallen Prime; art by [[E. J. Su]].
*'''Cover B:''' Optimus Prime in Megatron's sights; art by [[Klaus Scherwinski]].
*'''Cover RI-A:''' cover A, uncolored
*'''Cover RI-B:''' cover B, uncolored
<gallery>
File:Escalation 5a.jpg|Cover A
File:Escalation 5b.jpg|Dragon-breath
File:Escalation 5ria.jpg|Cover RI-A
File:Escalation 5rib.jpg|Cover RI-B
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*Manga versions of ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|The Gathering]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]''
*[[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]] comic (issues 2, 3, 4)
*Optimus Prime [[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]] toy
*''Star Trek: Klingons: Blood Will Tell''
*''Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between''
*IDW trade paperbacks (''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]'', ''Stormbringer'', ''The Gathering'', ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'', [[War and Peace|''Transformers: Generation 1'' vol. 2: War and Peace]], ''[[The Transformers: Generations|Generations]]''
*Transformers posters
*Transformers [[Transformers: Classics|Classics]] toys
*''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' movie (back cover)

===Reprints===
In addition to [[The Transformers: Escalation#Collections|collections of the full series]].
*'''''[[The Transformers: Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron]]''''' TPB ([[June 6]], [[2007]]) ISBN 1600100708 / ISBN 978-1600100703
<gallery>
File:GreatestBattles.jpg|Art by [[Don Figueroa]] and [[Josh Burcham]].
</gallery>

Convoy (episode)

2022-10-20T19:00:34Z

CyberstormSM: /* Quotes */

{{disambig3|Convoy}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 9
|prev=Con Job
|next=Deus ex Machina
|image=TFP Convoy highway hijack.jpg
|caption=Ain't it a beautiful sight?
|title="Convoy"
|season=1
|season ep=9
|airdate=[[March 4]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''The Autobots assist Fowler with transporting a nuclear device.'''

==Synopsis==
The Autobots get an angry call from [[William Fowler|Fowler]]. [[Fowler's V-tol|His plane]]'s been shot down while transporting the hi-tech [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]], or the "Dingus", a volatile nuclear device, and he needs help in completing his mission. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] says that using the [[GroundBridge]] to transport it would be too dangerous, so instead they'll have to take it by road. They soon have it loaded into a [[trailer]] which Prime starts hauling, with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] as an escort. Fowler's disappointed he doesn't get to drive. [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] and the kids monitor their journey from [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]].

Optimus is irritated by Fowler's enthusiasm with the horn. Unknown to any of them, the convoy is being observed by a helicopter. Fowler and Optimus are discussing whether there was any evil on Earth before the Decepticons came, when they spot the helicopter, which Fowler believes is a [[Decepticon]]. Five green sportscars move in on the convoy, but Optimus warns everyone to maintain their cover and stay in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]. Ratchet's surprised that they're not showing up on his sensors. All is made clear when one of the cars draws level with Optimus's cab, and a masked human aims a gun at Fowler. Optimus orders the other Autobots to use non-lethal force only. Bumblebee knocks one of the cars, flipping it over, but another drives up alongside Optimus. One of the masked goons climbs onto Optimus and starts attempting to sever the trailer. After Prime knocks the car off the mountainside road, Fowler climbs out and grabs the masked goon, but loses him before he can start the interrogation.
[[File:Prime-Silas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|I want this mission high and tight. I wanna be home for dinner.]]
The fellow in the helicopter makes contact over the walkie and introduces himself as [[Silas]], part of the [[MECH]] organization, who intend to steal the Dingus for their own use. One of the cars pulls up behind Optimus and the MECH goons blow the trailer's back door open, only for [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] to jump out in motorcycle mode and flip their car, causing it to explode. While Optimus warns Fowler not to take Silas lightly (due to [[Megatron (WFC)|personal experience]]), Ratchet informs them they're nearing the rendezvous point.

On the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] has intercepted the communications, and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] sends a bunch of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] to join the party.

The Autobots reach the rendezvous point and duck into a rail tunnel alongside a train. Bulkhead seals off the incoming end. A short time later, they and the train emerge from the other end of the tunnel, and Silas continues to follow the Autobots. As luck would have it, the Vehicons take this opportunity to appear and open fire on the convoy. The Autobots avoid getting hit, but Prime's trailer is shaken loose and explodes. The Vehicons transform and move in, forcing Optimus to inform Fowler that they're going to have to break cover to survive. Silas observes the fight and notes that the rumors he's heard of living technology are true. He lets Fowler know that he's aware the Dingus was transferred onto the train while the Autobots were in the tunnel, and the helicopter moves off to intercept the cargo. Unfortunately, while Fowler's giving Optimus the bad news, the Autobot leader takes a tree trunk to the face and falls off a nearby cliff.

The kids have a frantic discussion about a plan B. [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]'s in favor of Ratchet ground-bridging the kids onto the train so they can fight the MECH goons. With [[Raf Esquivel|Raf's]] help, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] and Miko are soon on the train. As the MECH helicopter tries to land on top of the train, Raf flips a point switch to make the train go off along another line. In response, the helicopter's pilot hacks Raf's laptop, causing it to short out. On the second try, the helicopter lands atop the carriage the Dingus is in, and the MECH guys start cutting through the carriage roof.

Not far away, the Autobots continue their fight with the Vehicons. Optimus comes around and sees the train in trouble.
[[File:Convoy-trainstop.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|More powerful than a locomotive!]]
Miko and Jack grab weapons, which they wave at the MECH guys when the ceiling's opened. Back in the chopper, Silas spots Optimus running alongside and sounds a retreat. As the helicopter heads away, he fires a missile and takes out the track ahead of the train. Due to Raf's laptop being out of commission, Ratchet no longer has the train's coordinates and can't bridge the kids out. They prepare to jump, but Optimus zooms past, grabs the front of the train and brings it to a halt in the nick of time. Hovering in the helicopter nearby, Silas promises that next time the playing field will be leveled. Optimus reports back to Ratchet that the kids and the Dingus are safe, but notes that a new player has entered the game...
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (3)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (9)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (14)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (15)

|c3=
*[[William Fowler]] (1)
*[[Jack Darby]] (5)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (6)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (7)
*[[MECH]] goons (10)
*[[Silas]] (11)
*[[MECH Navigator]] (12)

}}

==Quotes==
"Ah-ah, no need, Agent Fowler. I will handle the driving." 
"It's going to be a long trip."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' lets '''Agent Fowler''' in on his no-touch policy.

"Agent Fowler. Is that really necessary?" 
"Oh, don't tell me you're one of them 'textbook drivers'."
:— '''Optimus Prime''' isn't very keen on '''Agent Fowler's''' use of the horn.

"You know, you're saving my bacon here, Prime." 
"I am proud to be of service." 
"Of course, not like I'd need your help if you and the 'cons stuck to tearing up your own corner of the galaxy." 
"Are you suggesting no evil existing on your world before we arrived?" 
"Well... it was a different evil."
:— '''Agent Fowler''' and'''Optimus Prime'''.

"How about some radio? You seem like a Nashville sound kinda guy."
:—'''Agent Fowler''' to Optimus Prime.

"That's the one! The 'Con who shot me down! Who is he? Wingnut? Dingbat? Skyguy?"
:—'''Fowler''' shares some awesome Transformer name ideas.

"Gentlemen, stop their engines."
:—'''Silas'''

"Is that so? Tell me, Sy, what's the market price for a Dingus these days?" 
"What makes you think we intend to sell it, Agent Fowler?"
:—'''Agent Fowler''' and '''Silas''' discussing the value of Fowler's Dingus.

"After a long road trip, feels good to get out of the car, stretch my legs, and kick some tailpipe!"
:—'''Bulkhead''', the reigning king of one-liners.

"You want me to not only bridge you into a confined space, but one traveling at 90 miles per hour? I can't even count the number of things that can go wrong—mass displacement trauma, twisted limbs, metal burn!... Well, maybe not the last one."
:—Overly-attached '''Ratchet''' to the kids.

"First rule of combat: Never leave the enemy with the spoils."
:—'''Silas'''

"Maximum overdrive!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' coining a new catchphrase.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The plane Fowler was transporting the Dingus on is the same one he had in "[[Masters & Students]]". And he's ''still'' flying without any kind of pilot gear on. Dude is ''hard core''.
* Miko makes reference to that episode when she follows up Fowler's comment that he had been shot out of the sky with an "again?"
* This episode is the first to feature a human enemy to the Cybertronians (both Autobots and Decepticons). However, they do not meet the leader, Silas, until much later; the Autobots only hear him speak this episode.
* On board the train, Jack and Miko each pick a "weapon" of choice to face the MECH goons. Miko happens to take an axe, like she did [[Darkness Rising, Part 5|to face Soundwave's tentacle]], while Jack takes a [[fire extinguisher]], like he did [[Scrapheap (episode)|a couple of episodes ago]].

===Transformers references===
* Optimus's [[trailer]] is adorned with the same paint scheme as his [[Optimus Prime (G1)|''Generation 1'' counterpart]]'s [[Combat Deck (G1)|trailer]].
* "[[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]" is the usual Japanese equivalent to the English "[[Prime (rank)|Prime]]".

===Real-world references===
* This episode is the first in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' to feature a reproduction of an actual real-world vehicle: the locomotive depicted hauling the 'Phase II' train is a very accurate model of a four-axle GP series model produced in La Grange, Illinois (Later London, Ontario) by {{w|Electro-Motive Diesel}}.

===Animation and technical errors===
* At the beginning of the episode, when Ratchet asks Agent Fowler why Starscream would bother with "such primitive technology" (i.e., the Dingus), a small light can be seen inside his open mouth, as if the light coming from his left optic sensor can be seen through it.
* While Silas delivers his last line, the straps that cross his chest clip into each other.

===Continuity errors===
* On the monitor inside the Autobot base, the fork is shown to be on the right side of the rails. When the scene changes to show the running train, it is shown to be on the left.
* The number of MECH cars is somewhat inconsistent, as are their positions. Three cars initially pull up behind and to the sides of Bulkhead. An additional car appears to replace the one that pulls ahead to block Bumblebee, and another appears to replace the one that pulls up to Optimus' driver side to force him to pull over. When the Autobots begin applying force, the car that was in front of Bumblebee has moved to Optimus' passenger side. After this, four of the pursuing cars are dispatched through various means, leaving only one, yet three cars are chasing the Autobots when they reach the train tunnel. The cars vanish from the story completely after this.
* When the Autobots first transform in front of the platoon of Eradicon Jets and reveal themselves to MECH in the process, there is no plateau near their right side to safely place Fowler on, but in the very next shot, it is right next to them, even though the Autobots never moved from their position.
* Upon seeing the Silas destroy the track, the locomotive driver would have released the air from the brake lines, applying maximum braking force to the train. With a train as short as the one carrying the Dingus, emergency braking would likely have stopped it before reaching the site of the explosion, however the train shows no signs of attempting to slow down.

===Trivia===
[[File:Convoy-kablooie.jpg|thumb|upright|"I used minimum force. That was the minimum force necessary to ensure they ''never bother us again.''"]]
* The Autobots have a curious definition of "minimum force". During the short battle, they flip over three cars and blow up a fourth. The latter most likely killed the passengers. It's amazing the others came out unharmed, considering one was hanging out of the sunroof of his car at the time.
* The train set piece germinated from [[Alex Kurtzman]]'s desire to have a Train Transformer, which would have been too expensive. Had the budget been there, they would have been an Autobot.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Pb3MeUDdY Roundtable interview with ''Prime'' staff at BotCon 2011]</ref>
* The fact that the Autobots were battling humans rather than Decepticons - a not insignificant twist in the plot - was spoiled by the next-episode preview shown during the Hub's airing of "Con Job". What is this, [[Ultra Magnus Dies!!|Japan?]]
* As was previously featured in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]", this episode features an Autobot transforming while carrying a human passenger. Fowler somehow ends up sitting in Optimus's hand rather than inside him, though.
* Silas deems the Autobots' use of the train tunnel a tactical error because it only has one exit, but then makes no effort to stop them on the other side.
* In the beginning of the episode Optimus tells Fowler he will handle the driving but later on in the episode we see Fowler driving. It might be that Agent Fowler just kept his hands on the steering wheel or that Optimus was just being kind.
[[File:JackFireExtinguisherMikoAxe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|So I married an axe murderer.]]
* When Jack and Miko grab the fire extinguisher and the fire axe to fight MECH, they apparently forget that there is a gun on the floor, dropped by the immobilized soldier. However, neither (presumably) has had firearms training, and it's unlikely that Optimus would appreciate trigger-happy allies.
* Silas' attempt to destroy the Dingus at the end of the episode seems a bit reckless, given its nuclear core. However, there's no indication he's aware of just how nasty that thing going up would be; when the decoy trailer goes up, the MECH pilot merely indicates there's no detectable radiation. If they knew about the five-state irradiation deal, they'd probably be just a ''wee'' bit more on edge and wondering why they weren't dead.
* This episode may contain human [[death]]. After Arcee jumps off one of MECH's vehicles, it rolls right into another vehicle and the two explode. No humans are seen exiting the vehicles during the accident, so it is likely that they perish in the explosion.
* Optimus Prime has a cup holder. Whether this is a default part of his [[alt mode]] or for Fowler's benefit is unspecified.
* Adaptations of this episode include a prose version in ''[[Optimus Under Threat]]'' titled "Off the Rails", and a storybook version for younger readers as ''[[Optimus Prime and the Secret Mission]]''.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le SGDN'''" ("The DNGS")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Konvoi'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 25|25 November]] [[2011]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Konvoj'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 19|19 January]] [[2012]]

'''Indonesian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Pengamanan Senjata Penghancuran Masal'''" ("Saving of the Weapon of Mass Destruction")
:*''Original airdate:'' 12 September [[2012]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Convoglio'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 22|22 October]] [[2011]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' '''Bōsō Henkei! Dingus o Mamore!''' (暴走変形!ディンガスを守れ!, ''Reckless Transformation! Protect the Dingus!'')
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 2|2 June]] [[2012]]

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hosong Jakjeon'''" (호송 작전, "Operation Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 26|26 September]] [[2011]]

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 15|15 December]] [[2011]]

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Comboio'''" ("The Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 4|4 January]] [[2012]]

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 2|2 January]] [[2012]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Convoy'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 29|29 October]] [[2011]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 2: Meister und Schüler ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One Collection ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Volume 2: Unfamiliar Enemies (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 5 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 1 Vol. 2: Terrain miné ([[Universal|Universal Pictures France]]) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 1 Vol. 2: Terre Pericolose ([[Universal|Universal Pictures IT]]) — English, Italian, Dutch, French and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One: Dangerous Ground ([[Universal|Universal Pictures UK]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 1: L'intégrale (Universal Pictures France) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One (Universal Pictures UK)
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio. 

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

User:CyberstormSM

2022-10-10T19:01:54Z

CyberstormSM:

'''CyberstormSM''' created his page accidently because he's an idiot. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

User:CyberstormSM

2022-10-10T19:01:31Z

CyberstormSM:

'''CyberstormSM''' created his page accidently because he's an idiot.

Reversion device

2022-10-10T19:00:38Z

CyberstormSM:

:''The reversion device is a [[Vok]] superweapon from the [[Transformers: Beast Wars|2021 Beast Wars]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

A '''reversion device''' is an [[Energon]]-powered superweapon created by the [[Vok]] to wipe all life from a planet and restart their nefarious experiments in the event of [[Beast Wars (event)|excessive external contamination]].

===2021 IDW ''Beast Wars'' comic===
As the Vok had done before on other worlds, they installed a reversion device as a failsafe on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}

Reversion device

2022-10-10T19:00:28Z

CyberstormSM:

:''The reversion device is a [[Vok]] superweapon from the [[Transformers: Beast Wars|2021 Beast Wars]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

A'''reversion device''' is an [[Energon]]-powered superweapon created by the [[Vok]] to wipe all life from a planet and restart their nefarious experiments in the event of [[Beast Wars (event)|excessive external contamination]].

===2021 IDW ''Beast Wars'' comic===
As the Vok had done before on other worlds, they installed a reversion device as a failsafe on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}

Reversion device

2022-10-10T19:00:13Z

CyberstormSM: Created page with ":''The reversion device is a Vok superweapon from the 2021 Beast Wars portion of the Generation 1 [[continu..."

:''The reversion device is a [[Vok]] superweapon from the [[Transformers: Beast Wars|2021 Beast Wars]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

The '''Reversion Device''' is an [[Energon]]-powered superweapon created by the [[Vok]] to wipe all life from a planet and restart their nefarious experiments in the event of [[Beast Wars (event)|excessive external contamination]].

===2021 IDW ''Beast Wars'' comic===
As the Vok had done before on other worlds, they installed a reversion device as a failsafe on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}

The Wrath of Grimlock!

2022-07-26T19:15:31Z

CyberstormSM: /* Notes */

{{comicstory|
|prev=The Wrath of Guardian!
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #32
|next=DIS-Integrated Circuits!
|image=MarvelUK-032.jpg
|caption=Imagine if that [http://qwantz.com/index.php?comic=2 Utahraptor] slipped in the shower?
|title="The Wrath of Grimlock!"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[October 19|19th October]], [[1985]]
|coverdate=[[October 26|26th October]], [[1985]]
|script=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Barry Kitson]], [[Mark Farmer]]
|colours=[[Steve Whitaker]]
|lettering=[[Mike Scott]]
|editor=[[Ian Rimmer]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]}}
'''The Guardian unit stalks the Autobots through the Ark, and one bot must sacrifice himself to stop him...'''

==Synopsis==
[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] is aiming his gun at [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]]'s cerebral access port, taunting him before he pulls the trigger. Watching the scene on a viewscreen in another part of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] are dumbstruck—Guardian contains enough explosive to level the mountain, and they can't warn Grimlock—but [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] has an idea. The headless body of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] begins to move as Wheeljack operates a terminal, grabbing Grimlock's arm and forcing it up just as the gun fires. Ratchet identifies Wheeljack's life-saving strategy as an internal motor override—without a [[brain module]], Prime's body is just machinery and can be remote controlled. The other [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] taunt Grimlock, who is unable to prise his arm from Prime's grip. Seizing the distraction, Guardian charges through them and flees. However, Grimlock does not give the order to pursue—he is preoccupied with the loss of his hand in the commotion...

[[File:Grimlocktestsnewhand.jpg|thumb|left|upright=2|Grimlock gotta keep his pimpin' hand strong!]]
Later, Ratchet continues to apologise to Grimlock as he reattaches his hand. Invited to test it, Grimlock punches Ratchet in the face and reports: "It's just fine... ''thank you!''" before barging out of the room. Ratchet asks Prowl whether he has located Guardian, but the droid has retreated beyond sensor range. There are too few [[Autobot]]s to search for him, and they don't have a way of stopping him even if they do find him. Ratchet returns to the task of reactivating the other Autobots, and Prowl recommends that [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] should receive priority, since his magnetic powers managed to stop Guardian in [[Raiders of the Last Ark|a previous incident]]. But will it be enough?

From a hidden vantage point, Guardian surveys a large monitor screen as he undergoes a repair program. Now that fourteen Autobots are active, Guardian does not believe the odds are in his favour, so he activates a 'failsafe program'. This is a program installed by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]: if it appears that either the Autobots or [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] will gain the upper hand and seize control of the Ark, the [[Nuclear weapon|thermo-nuclear bomb]] within Guardian will begin an irreversible countdown to detonation as the droid seeks out the greatest concentration of the enemy. The 100-second countdown begins, and Guardian sets out...

Ratchet is finally working to repair [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]], although his efforts are hampered by the looming presence of Grimlock. Suddenly, Wheeljack and Prowl detect the high-energy reading of the booby-trapped Guardian—just before Guardian breaks the doors down. Grimlock orders the Dinobots to transform and attack. As Ratchet asks Windcharger to use his powers on Guardian's data core, Swoop regains consciousness to see Guardian fighting his comrades. He prepares to shoot, but Ratchet spoils his aim and the shot blasts a hole in the outer hull of the Ark. Learning of the bomb inside Guardian, Swoop transforms to pteranodon mode and grabs the droid, flying him out through the hole and away from the mountain. He drops Guardian, but the countdown finally reaches zero and there is a colossal explosion.

Swoop's body is not recovered, and it is believed that he was liquefied by the heat of the explosion. The Autobots place a marker beacon and mark his death with a ceremony. The other Dinobots depart, heading north. Their reasons for leaving are not given, but they are thought not to include grief. However, Swoop's sacrifice enables Ratchet to revive all but one of the Autobots. Meanwhile, in a private hospital, [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Josie Beller]] has completed her own preparations...

==Featured characters ==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]] (1)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (2)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (3)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (7)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (8)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (9)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (12)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (13)
}}
|c2=
*''[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'' (10)
*''[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'' (11)
|c3=
*[[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Josie Beller]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Ratchet:''' "...so like I said, we're really sorry about the hand, but we had to stop you from blasting Guardian, and...yes...well, that should, er...do it. Why don't you test it?" 
''Grimlock throws Ratchet a right cross'' 
'''Grimlock:''' "It's just fine...'''thank you!'''"
:—'''Grimlock''' shows '''Ratchet''' that no good deed goes unpunished

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:WrathofGrimlock cricuitbreaker cometh.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
*Prowl recalls Windcharger's effectiveness against Guardian during "that [[Aunty|Auntie]] business," referring to the events of "[[Raiders of the Last Ark]]".
*It is revealed via flashback that Shockwave and Soundwave reprogrammed Guardian for his security duty following the events of [[The Worse of Two Evils!|US issue #6]].
*Despite having only been introduced into the US series in its most recent issue, the Dinobots do not reappear in its pages for another year. The UK series exploits their absence to send them off on a series of adventures of their own told through UK-original strips, hence their departure at the end of this story; we will catch up with them again in a few months' time beginning in [[The Icarus Theory|issue #45]].
*The epilogue notes that Ratchet is able to repair "all but one" of the defeated Autobots; the "one" is [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], who was gravely damaged by Shockwave in [[The New Order|US issue #5]], and who Ratchet noted last issue that he had to give up working on.
*The final scene of the issue, with Josie Beller completing her cybernetic upgrades, is included to ensure the story leads directly into [[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|US issue #9]], as the UK series returns to reprinting US material next issue. The scene is a widescreen recreation of the penultimate panel of [[Repeat Performance!|US issue #8]] (right), which was cut from the UK printing of that story.
*During the course of this issue, a thermo-nuclear bomb is detonated over the mainland [[United States of America]]. Other than destroying Guardian and causing Swoop's temporary absence from the comic, this (literally) earth-shattering event is apparently inconsequential even within the UK continuity; the only time it's ever referenced is in a one-panel flashback in "The Icarus Theory" explaining how Swoop was knocked offline.

===Real-life references===
*As with last issue, this story takes its title from ''{{w|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|The Wrath of Khan}}'', continuing writer Simon Furman's early predilection for taking his story names from movies.

===Continuity and plotting errors===
*Continuing an error from last issue, Optimus Prime's body is still depicted with both arms intact; he lost one in [[The Last Stand|US issue #4]].

===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:WrathofGrimlock its just fine.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2|The old one-two!]]
*As in the previous issue, we're ''close'', but we're still not quite all the way there when it comes to the Transformers being drawn to match their character models. The Dinobots continue to feature their early colour schemes as seen last issue (a yellow dino-mode head for Slag, a grey one for Snarl, and a blue one for Swoop), Prowl and Wheeljack continue to appear as they did last issue (the former with a squared-off head and missing most of his blue/black trim, the latter in an early colour scheme with red shoulder fins), and Windcharger is drawn in an odd in-between hybrid of character model, [[package art]], and toy.
*Optimus Prime's body is drawn to tower over the Dinobots, when they should be the ones much taller than him.
*Grimlock loses his left hand to Prime's body, but when he clocks Ratchet to "test" his replacement, the art shows him punching with his ''right'' hand. This was corrected for the ''[[Transformers Collected Comics|Collected Comics]]'' reprint by flipping the panel, adjusting the asymmetrical corners (causing the panel to overlap the corner of one further up the page) and re-doing the sound effect lettering. This amended version (pictured at right) was used for all subsequent reprints.
*On page 10, Sludge and Snarl's bodies are uncoloured white.
*Oddly, the Autobots holding the memorial service for Swoop are all [[generic]]s who don't match the designs of any of the Ark crew.
{{--}}

===Courtesy of my...===
*Snarl calls out his [[Energo weapon|energo sword]] as he attacks Guardian.
*Guardian detonates the [[Nuclear weapon|thermo-nuclear bomb]] that Shockwave booby-trapped him with.

===Other trivia===
*Swoop was the only Dinobot toy not released in the UK... could that be why he was chosen as the one to apparently die at the end of this story?

===Back-up material===
*'''[[Back-up strips]]:''' ''Machine Man'' ("If This be Sanctuary?!" Part 2), ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' and ''Matt and the Cat''
*'''[[Fact File|Fact File Interface]]:''' [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]

===Covers===
* '''Issue #32:''' Grimlock's roaring ''T. rex'' head, by [[Will Simpson]].
<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-032.jpg|
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Tfcolcom06.jpg|'''[[Transformers Collected Comics#6 – Summer Special 1987|''Transformers Collected Comics'' #6]]''' (Marvel UK, 1987)
File:Tfcolcom25.jpg|'''[[Transformers Collected Comics#Holiday Special 1994|''Transformers Holiday Special'' 1994]]''' (Marvel UK, 1994)
File:BestofGrimlock.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers: Best of Grimlock]]''''' (IDW Publishing, 2010)
File:Classicuk1.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2011)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v2.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Vol. 2: New Order''''' (Hachette Partworks Ltd, 2018)</gallery>
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wrath of Grimlock!}}
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Secrets & Lies issue 1

2022-07-25T10:48:05Z

CyberstormSM: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies]]'' #1
|prev=Transformers '84 issue 0
|next=Secrets & Lies issue 2
|caption=
|image=TF84 1 cvrB.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 15]], 2020
|coverdate=July 2020
|written by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[Guido Guidi]]
|colors by=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|chronology=
}}
'''The launch of the''' '''''Nemesis''''' '''hides a secret power struggle in the Decepticon ranks—one with far-reaching consequences for Grimlock and the Dynobots.'''

==Synopsis==
''[[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] continues his story...''

[[File:Decepticons purge secrets and lies 1.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]]
On a war-stricken [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Decepticon]] advance threatens to overrun the [[Autobot]] line. But the Decepticons aren't as unified as the Autobots think: [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s growing vendetta against the upstart [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] has resulted in him diverting resources and manpower away from [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s "[[Project Dreadnought]]", which aims to rebuild Cybertron itself into a planet-sized warship, and towards the ongoing war effort. Counterpunch enters Shockwave's project hub as [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] grimly contemplates Megatron's increasingly erratic behavior, and wonders if it'd be possible to refocus his mind on his original goal of galactic conquest. His friend [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] sardonically dismisses this possibility, but Counterpunch cuts the debate short by telling an irritated Shockwave that Megatron needs him immediately at the Decepticon [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]].

At the Presidium, Megatron has gathered his top confidants as he plans his next attack on [[Stanix]], a move he hopes will push Prime's forces towards [[Kalis]]. But although [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] points out that their forces are over-committed and stretched thin, Megatron ignores his advice to redevelop their [[energon]] manufacturing capabilities instead—if they don't have the energon they need, then they need to take more by force. Shockwave impassively watches from the sidelines, unaware that Counterpunch is observing him...

When a massive explosion shakes Cybertron some time later, the effect it has proves disastrous: already shaken loose from its orbit by the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, the latest detonation diverts its trajectory and sends it hurtling towards the dangerous [[Stellae Cimeterium]]. At an emergency Presidium meeting, Skyfire informs Megatron that the explosion was likely the result of a stray missile hitting a fuel storage tank. Shockwave points out that a fully operational [[Planetary engine|planetary turbine]] array ''could'' correct their course, but Megatron declines: better first gauge Prime's response, then decide upon an appropriate course of action. Shockwave returns to his project hub, where he finds an accusing Ratbat with some suspicions of his own. The flier points out that the mystery explosion ''conveniently'' took place near one of the half-completed turbines, suggesting that Shockwave deliberately test-fired a turbine to force Megatron's hand. Shockwave refuses to play Ratbat's game, and the cassette-bot takes his leave—but warns Shockwave that although he has no real evidence of the double-cross, he's sure to find some.

[[The Transformers (issue)|Learning of Optimus Prime's plan to clear a path through an oncoming asteroid belt]], Megatron commissions the starship ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', to ambush the Autobot's own [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. But while Megatron and his high-ranking Decepticons board the ship, Shockwave orders Skyfire, the vessel's architect, to stay behind as part of a contingency plan and finish what they started. Though Ratbat can't openly move against Shockwave, and can't prove his suspicions to Megatron, the sneaky fuel auditor devises a scheme to expose Shockwave's treachery—by giving the necessary information to Counterpunch, their deep-cover agent within the Autobots, he ensures that the intel finds its way to [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]. With the Ark launch pending and Prime preoccupied, Prowl informs Punch that they'll take care of this one quietly, and dispatches [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to investigate. But with the turbines located deep in Decepticon territory, he'll need an escort, comprising the heaviest-hitting Autobots around: the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobot]]s!

Behind enemy lines, the six Autobots trek through the ruins to find the turbines, but [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] has little patience for Perceptor's technical know-how. Indeed, he questions just how important they could be if they haven't encountered any resistance... unaware that he's tripped a silent proximity alarm that immediately alerts Shockwave, who promptly dispatches Skyfire to deal with the intruders. As Shockwave transforms and blasts off, Megatron, overseeing the boarding of the ''Nemesis'', fumes at the scientist's absence, and dispatches [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] to find him.

[[File:Dynobots traumatize secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]
At the smoldering rim of the turbine, the five Dynobots observe the landscape while Perceptor collects some samples for analysis. Grimlock can't shake his unease, however, and wonders where the Decepticons might be... but gets the answer to his question when Skyfire strafes their position! While [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] takes to the skies, [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]], [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]], and [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] launch a surface-to-air barrage that Skyfire easily outmaneuvers. Skyfire assume he's got the upper hand as he makes another run on their position... but didn't wager on Grimlock, who charges forward, contemptuously cleaves the Decepticon's wing off, and sends him hurtling to the ground in a fiery wreck. The battle seems won... but as Perceptor peeks out of his hiding place while the Dynobots exchange congratulations, Shockwave arrives and easily annihilates Grimlock and the other Dynobots in a single devastating blast!

Perceptor watches as Shockwave kneels by Skyfire's remains, seemingly in mourning.. only to extract the flier's [[brain module]] and promise that, someday, his subordinate will live again. His movements draw Shockwave's attention, but before the Decepticon can blow his hiding place the three Seekers arrive and inform Shockwave that Megatron has ordered him to board the ''Nemesis''. His machinations in shambles, Shockwave grudgingly obliges and takes off with the fliers... but the experience has taught the cold, logical Decepticon that the ''real'' threat to the dream of a [[Decepticon Empire]] is ''not'' the Autobots—it is ''Megatron''. Shockwave keeps his cards close to his chest as he boards the ship and humbly accepts Megatron's furious admonishments, already hatching a new plan to ensure that only ''one'' of them will return to Cybertron.

Meanwhile, at the former battle site, a team of Autobots recover the badly injured Dynobots, as the Ark prepares for its own fateful launch...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] (1)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (23)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (24)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Divebomb/Swoop]] (25)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (26)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (27)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (28)
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (29)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (33)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]] (34)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (35)
*[[Outback (G1)|Outback]] (36)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (37)

|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]] (2)
*[[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]] (3)
*[[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] (4)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (5)
*[[Octane]] (6)
*[[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (7)
*[[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (8)
*[[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (9)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (10)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (11)
*[[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] (12)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (13)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (14)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] (15)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (16)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (17)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (18)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (19)
*[[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (20)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] (21)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (22)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (30)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (31)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (32)
{{!}}}
|c3=
}}

==Quotes==
"With Cybertron unshackled from its orbit, these '''turbines''' would have taken us to other worlds, other advanced civilizations... with technology and resources we could assimilate. The '''rationalization'''... of a chaotic universe."
:— '''Skyfire''' on Project Dreadnought

"Accident... or '''design?''' I wonder." 
"Ratbat. Perhaps you don't know me as well as you think, otherwise... you'd '''know''' I abhor spontaneity. Next time... schedule an appointment."
:—'''Ratbat''' and '''Shockwave'''

"Let me get this straight. The 'Cons '''want''' us to know this... but it's intel you'd intended to bring us anyway?" 
"It's complicated." 
"Tell me about it."
:—'''Prowl''' and '''Punch'''

"Big." 
"Deep." 
"Am I relieved I brought you boys along for a second opinion."
:—'''The Dynobots''' do not help '''Perceptor'''

"Alas, poor Skyfire. Your '''mind'''... is a terrible thing to waste. Soon, old friend, you shall rise again. I will '''see''' to it."
:—'''Shockwave'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This issue weaves in and around the Cybertron flashbacks from [[Transformers '84 issue 0|last year's issue #0]], and, by extension, the first few pages of [[The Transformers (issue)|the first issue of the Marvel US comic]]. Notably, Megatron is shown here planning the attack on [[Stanix]] which he spearheaded in issue #0, and the comic reveals that Shockwave ''deliberately'' sent Cybertron towards [[Stellae Cimeterium]] as part of a larger ploy to force Megatron's hand. While Punch narrated the last issue, Counterpunch narrates this one, likely due to the comic's Decepticon-centric plot.
*[[The Transformers (issue)|The very first installment]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the original comic]] had Megatron pontificate about turning Cybertron into a mighty "cosmic dreadnought" to conquer the universe—a plot thread that never actually resurfaced the US run, although the UK-exclusive story "[[Meltdown!]]" revealed that Megatron had commissioned a set of [[planetary engine]]s in [[Kalis]] at some point before the launch of the ''Nemesis'', which we we return to here. This issue takes a stab at addressing the discrepancy by explaining that Megatron ''began'' the war with the intention of galactic subjugation, until his mounting obsession with Optimus Prime led him down an emotional, less rational path.
*This issue features Shockwave and Ratbat at loggerheads over Shockwave's subterfuge, suggesting an origin point for Ratbat's distaste for Shockwave and his wasteful fuel consumption that will mark Ratbat's tenure as a Decepticon leader on Earth.
*The [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]] previously appeared as a government building in Furman's ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' series. Notably, this slightly deviates from Marvel US #1, where Megatron and his forces operated out of "[[Castle Decepticon]]". Perhaps one is an alternate name for the other?
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] appears as a Decepticon scientist on Cybertron; when Grimlock defeats him in battle, Shockwave plucks his [[brain module]] from his lifeless body and promises that he'll one day "rise again". The implication seems to be that, after Shockwave gets his hands on the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] in ''The Transformers'' [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], he will use this brain module to recreate Skyfire on Earth as "Jetfire", explaining why Jetfire occasionally referenced details of Cybertronian life. In the author's commentary, Furman compares this to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] using the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s [[mind bank]] to resurrect five Autobots from preexisting engrams in [[Rock and Roll-Out!|Marvel US #14]], and suggests that Shockwave might have had access to similar technology.
*Speaking of, [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (featuring a yellow paint job based on either his European Generation 1 toy or his American [[Hook (G1)#Generation 2|''Generation 2'' toy]]) makes an appearance as one of the scientists on Project Dreadnought. He and the other five [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s were also brought to life by Shockwave in Marvel US #10, so perhaps a similar fate will befall him and his teammates?
*Megatron notes that the ''Nemesis'' will launch in one "[[Units of time|orn]]," a unit of time based on Cybertron's lunar day that previously appeared in [[Yesterday's Heroes!|Marvel #US #60]].
*A few characters mistakenly call [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] "Divebomb", and at one point Grimlock sarcastically addresses him by "whatever you're calling yourself these days". Evidently, this story must not take place long after the events of "[[What's in a Name?]]" where Swoop, then Divebomb, lost an aerial battle to a [[Divebomb (G1)|Decepticon]] who stole his original name.
*The three Decepticon "[[Conehead]]s"—[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]—are shown boarding the ''Nemesis'', when, as per [[The Smelting Pool!|Marvel US #17]], they explicitly ''didn't'' travel to Earth with Megatron, and served under [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] during his reign over Cybertron. Furman advises us to "watch this space"...
*Counterpunch compares Project Dreadnought to a [[warworld]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s preferred mode of transit during the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comics; although while that was just one spaceship, Counterpunch describes them in the plural, evoking the ''many'' warworlds used by the [[Decepticon fleet]] over in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
*As originally presented in [[The Last Stand|Marvel US #4]], the Dinobots were just five random 'bots who happened to receive dinosaur alternate modes, but a later [[retcon]] in [[A Savage Circle|Marvel US #78]] established that they were already a tight-knit team back on Cybertron. Here, the five "Dynobots" (see "Transformers references" for more on that) are badly injured in the fight; as the next issue will show, their offline bodies will be loaded into the Ark before it launches from Cybertron, and reactivated to fight Shockwave, as per Marvel US #4. This take on events also explains why Grimlock and company didn't take an active role in the asteroid-clearing mission or the battle between the Ark and ''Nemesis'' that precipitated their arrival on Earth.

===Transformers references===
*This issue takes some inspiration from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Sunbow animated series]] in its decision to depict Skyfire and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] as scientists and coworkers, a backstory established for the pair in the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Fire in the Sky]]."
*Counterpunch still turns into an all-blue version of one of the "[[Watchdog (G1)|watchdog]]" Decepticons from the episode "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]", as seen in the [[Transformers '84 issue 0|previous issue]].
*[[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]], a lesser-known Decepticon scientist, cameos as one of the scientists working on Project Dreadnought.
*Grimlock and the other members of his pre-Earth team go by the "Dynobots", a neologism that originally appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|Dark Ages]]'' miniseries and reappeared in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
*Slag's battlecry, "Dynobots-traumatize!" evokes the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[activation code]]s—"maximize" and "terrorize", respectively—in the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]].

===Real-world references===
*In the author's commentary, Furman notes that his instructions to artist [[Guido Guidi]] were to model Slag's Cybertronian [[alternate mode]] on a {{W|Nimr}} armored jeep, Sludge's on a {{w|IDF Caterpillar D9|D9R military bulldozer}}, and Snarl's on a {{w|BMD-1|BMD-1}} amphibious vehicle—although the final art buries any direct inspiration beneath a layer of sci-fi Cybertronian detail and various dinosaurian embellishments.
*"Alas, poor Skyfire," muses Shockwave as he eulogizes his fallen friend, evoking the famous monologue from ''{{w|Hamlet}}''.
*While extracting Skyfire's mind from his corpse, Shockwave remarks, "your mind is a terrible thing to waste," a riff on the motto of the {{w|UNCF}}, "a mind is a terrible thing to waste." This reference isn't specifically called out in Furman's commentary, but it ''has'' become a very common phrase, the origin of which most people aren't aware.

===Errors===
*On page 20, "Warworld" is erroneously spelled with a hyphen.

===Other trivia===
*Backmatter for this issue includes a writer's commentary, where miniseries author [[Simon Furman]] explains some of the more obscure references or writing choices while also teasing upcoming issues.
*Originally solicited for release on April 29th, the miniseries was deliberately pushed back to July as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

===Covers (9)===
*'''Cover A:''' Starscream and Skyfire, by [[Guido Guidi]]
*'''Cover B:''' Ratbat, Shockwave, and Skyfire overlook the Ark and ''Nemesis'' launching from Cybertron, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover A:''' Optimus Prime and Megatron, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover B:''' Dinobots on the rampage, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Gem City Comic Con exclusive cover A:''' wrap-around cover with Optimus Prime, by [[Stuart Sayger]]
*'''Gem City Comic Con exclusive cover B:''' wrap-around cover Soundwave and Megatron, by Stuart Sayger
*'''East Side Comics exclusive cover A:''' Optimus Prime, by [[John Giang]]
*'''East Side Comics exclusive cover B:''' Megatron, by John Giang
*'''San Diego Comic-Con exclusive:''' Package art of Optimus Prime's original toy

<gallery>
File:TF84 1 cvrA.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrB.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRI A.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRI B.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE1.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE2.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE3.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE4.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE5.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' annual 2020
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==External links==
*[https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2020/07/comic-book-preview-transformers-84-secrets-and-lies-1/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers '84 issues]]

Optimus Prime (SG)

2022-07-13T02:19:09Z

CyberstormSM: /* Fiction */

{{factions|sgAutobot|unicron|autobot|hofsilver}}
{| style="margin:0 1em; padding:.5em; background:#f7f8ff; border:thin solid #aaa;display:block;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"
|-
|''This article is about the evil Autobot leader. For his heroic counterpart, see [[Optimus Prime (G1)]]. For other meanings, see [[Optronix (disambiguation)]], [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)]], [[Nova Prime (disambiguation)]].''
|}
:''Optimus Prime is the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the evil [[Autobot]]s from the [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Optimusshatteredsipher.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|[[Maurice LaMarche|REAL HOLOGRAPHIC SIMULATED EVIL LINCOLN IS '''''BAAAAAACK!!!''''']]]]

'''Optimus Prime''' is the tyrannical leader of the evil [[Autobot]]s, a cruel and ambitious despot whose plans fall nothing short of [[Autobot Imperium|universal conquest]]. Long ago, he cheated and backstabbed his way to the top of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]ian society, and used the power afforded by his new position to gather an army and initiate a war against the complacent.

The crucible of war has burned away most of the traits that Optimus once relied upon: where once he coldly plotted and schemed, now he surrounds himself with the corpses of his enemies and would-be usurpers and talks to them as though they still live. Ruthless and utterly unhinged, Prime will gleefully send dozens of Autobots to their deaths if it means gaining the tiniest of advantages, and his deadly outbursts inspire terror in allies and enemies alike. His casual disregard for the lives of his followers means that his powerbase is shaky at best—shaky to the point where multiple Autobots have conspired to remove their leader from the picture. But few of those would-be traitors underestimate just ''how'' stubborn their leader is: if there's something he wants, Optimus Prime will level mountains, extinguish suns, or wade through a sea of Autobot corpses to get his hands on it... and there's nothing he wants more than to keep his power.

The only thing standing in Prime's path to domination is [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]], a noble [[Decepticon]] willing to lead a small band of rebels in a fight for freedom.

{{quote|Strike, my Autobots! Strike with all the power at your disposal! Let those who see our wisdom join us, and those who choose to stagnate be cut out like the rotting cancer they are!|Optimus Prime says it's on|"[[Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Fun Publications ''Shattered Glass'' continuity===
[[File:Optronixshattered.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|The Dewey Decimal System is a cruel mistress.]]
Long ago, Optronix was a dangerously obsessed librarian who worked in the [[Great Cybertronian Archives]] during the [[Golden Age]]. During his time in the Archives, he sought through the vast store of information for the ultimate truth, the meaning of life. However, as he searched, he came to a dark conclusion: there was none. The only meaningful impact one could leave was their own history, their great deeds being recorded for posterity. Optronix snapped when he realized he was a nobody, but that if he became someone else, he could change that. {{storylink|Coalescence}} Backstabbing his way up the ranks, he soon amassed a following of like-minded Cybertronians who believed in his code of advancement through conflict. Suddenly, his armies attacked, sweeping through cities and killing those who refused to join them. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}} {{storylink|#Toys|BotCon 2008 Optimus Prime profile card}} Among those who joined Prime in the [[Second Cybertronian war (SG)|second Cybertronian war]] was his brother [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Treadshot (SG)#Toys|BotCon 2012 Treadshot profile card}} When the scientist [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] turned down Optronix's offer, he ordered Starscream's [[Crystal City]] home to be destroyed in front of him. {{storylink|Starscream (SG)|BotCon 2008 Starscream profile card}} With their spoils, his "Autobots" began arming themselves with more complicated weaponry, but Optronix, now named Optimus Prime, saved the most advanced upgrades for himself. Rumors of a discovery spread that one day he'd discovered knowledge that had driven him mad, and and that in place of his cold calculations was now an unhinged mind bent on random, indiscriminate violence, but these were incorrect understandings of why he'd started on his path. He strung up his countless victims along the walls of [[Great Dome|his headquarters]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and began talking to them, asking them mockingly for advice. However, even this may have simply been his own way of making himself even more legendary a figure, albeit in the most monstrous of ways.

But [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]], a young champion from [[Polyhex]], gathered an army to oppose him. Megatron's forces also had a way to counter Optimus Prime's military superiority: the ability to configure their bodies into alternate forms. It did not take long for Optimus Prime to steal this "Decepticon" technology for himself. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}}

[[File:Invasion-MagnusFlashback.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|Only an evil Optimus Prime would rip off someone's face!]]

At some point [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]] staged a coup. It ended unsuccessfully, with Optimus ripping off Magnus's face and imprisoning him on [[Paradron]]. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

When the Decepticons destroyed all but one of the rogue mercenary group named the [[Wrecker]]s in the battle of [[Praxus-Delta]], Optimus Prime welcomed their leader, [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]], into his ranks. {{storylink|Rodimus (SG)|BotCon 2008 Rodimus profile card}} Increasingly paranoid, Optimus Prime began suspecting his subordinates of treachery. He killed the leader of his elite [[Seeker (SG)|Seeker]] unit, [[Drench (SG)|Drench]], and when he learned of Seeker [[Sideswipe (SG)|Sideswipe]]'s dissatisfaction with his leader's assassination, Prime staged an ambush to kill him. However, not only did Sideswipe narrowly escape and join the Decepticons, {{storylink|Sideswipe (SG)|BotCon 2008 Sideswipe profile card}} one of Optimus's few friends and savior at the [[Torus Heights]] battles, [[Cliffjumper (SG)|another Autobot]], happened to be at the [[Rad Zone|location of the ambush]] and did get killed. Optimus never learned of this though, and assumed Cliffjumper had died in the battle at [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]]. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}} Optimus chose Rodimus in place of Sideswipe and [[Goldbug (SG)|Bumblebee]] to take Drench's place as the Seeker unit's new leader, having him rebuilt into the fearsome Goldbug. {{storylink|Goldbug (SG)|BotCon 2008 Goldbug profile card}}

Optimus began looking elsewhere. He targeted the distant planet Earth for conquest, had several of his Autobots reconfigure their bodies to transform into the machinery native to the planet, and began construction of an ''[[Ark (SG)|Ark]]''. However, he requested so much weaponry to be built onto the starship that the integrity of the launching platform was in question. He dismissed these concerns.

[[File:Optimusshatteredhallway.jpg|left|upright=1.67|thumb|Optimus got a [[Skyquake (SG)|Skyquake]] in his collection?? Wow! Yeah, the plastic [[Gold Plastic Syndrome|does that]].]]

Close to the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s completion, [[Cliffjumper (SG)|Cliffjumper]] appeared to return from the dead. At first, he was readily welcomed back into their ranks, but they quickly learned that he was not their Cliffjumper at all, but a [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper doppelganger]]. Prime shot him and ordered his body dumped in the [[Rad Zone]]. This backfired, as Cliffjumper was recruited by the Decepticons, and during a subsequent full-scale Decepticon attack, his [[glass gas]] weaponry was used in an attack on the ''Ark'' launching platform. Prime's plans to conquer Earth were stopped for the moment. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}}

After a later Autobot ambush at the recently rediscovered [[Arch-Ayr]] fuel dump, the Cliffjumper doppelgänger angrily rushed Optimus Prime, followed by the combined forces of the [[Mayhem Suppression Squad]]. Despite it all, Optimus Prime kept on his feet, though his rage was growing with every blow. No one, however, was expecting the sudden arrival of an army of [[Dinobot (SG)|Dinobot]]s led by the exiled mad scientist, [[Wheeljack (SG)|Wheeljack]]. Optimus Prime ordered the rampaging Dinobots to destroy the Decepticons, but instead the beasts attacked each other. During the chaos, both sides withdrew.

Optimus Prime was furious at the Autobots' failure. At [[Side Burn (SG)|Side Burn]]'s clever suggestion, Prime ordered Wheeljack be put in charge of rebuilding the ''Ark'', a task that the mad scientist felt was beneath him. Also, he demanded that the Dinobots be hunted down and gathered for the Autobots' purposes.

Blurr and Rodimus returned triumphantly with eight Dinobots, though Rodimus had lost his hand in the process. Optimus Prime stood over Rodimus as he awoke from [[Ratchet (SG)|Ratchet]]'s table: the traitorous Seeker now had a buzzsaw in place of where his hand used to be. A suitable punishment! Prime told Rodimus he should be grateful he let him live at all. Perhaps he should use the saw to remove that [[facial hair|ridiculous thing]] from his face? Though Blurr and Rodimus thought Grimlock had died during their search for the Dinobots, sure enough, Grimlock appeared, alive and strangely very intelligent, within their base. Optimus Prime was about to punish Grimlock as well, but Grimlock pointed out a fuel system error in the blueprints of the ''Ark''. The evil Autobot leader let the Dinobot leader go, but demanded someone be brought to him he could destroy. {{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}}

When Optimus Prime ordered the ''Ark'' fixed, he knew that the Decepticons would try to follow the Autobots into space. [[Jazz (SG)|Jazz]] mentioned that [[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]] had taken care of the Decepticons. Optimus's eyes filled with rage as he learned that Ricochet had captured Megatron. Prime immediately left to reprimand Ricochet for stealing the honor of destroying Megatron. Upon his arrival at the [[Temple of Knowledge]], Optimus and Ricochet were attacked by a group of Decepticon [[Micromaster]]s, allowing Megatron to escape. After a few turnabouts, Megatron won the day. The ''Ark'' launched without Optimus Prime (due to Rodimus' treachery), so Prime ordered a retreat. Once back at the launch site, he learned from Blurr that Rodimus had thrown the Autobots loyal to Prime off the ship. Optimus Prime ordered Ricochet to the [[Agonizing Rehabilitation Chamber]]s for his impudent plan of capturing Megatron. He also promised that Blurr had failed him for the last time. {{storylink|Do Over}}

In one of [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]]'s explanatory flashbacks to [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]], and [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], Optimus Prime asked [[Ironhide (SG)|Ironhide]] how progress was coming on [[Omega Doom]]. He was pleased to hear that it was going well, and gloated that once the behemoth was finished, the galaxy would be his for the taking.

[[File:TakingOutRemotePatrol6 Reunification5.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67|I said, [[Frenzy (SG)|Rumble]] [[FIRRIB|is]] [[Eject (G1)|blue!]]]]
In the present day, Rodimus promised that his assassins would take down Optimus Prime at the same time [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]'s agents took down Megatron, thus paving the way for their own conquering. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 3}}

Or not.

After the assassination of Megatron, (of which Optimus learned about second-hand from ''[[Around Cybertron]]'') {{storylink|Around Cybertron issue 6|Around Cybertron #6}} [[Hound (SG)|Hound]] and [[Remote Patrol Six]] made their move, surrounding Optimus Prime and Ricochet as they discussed Megatron's death, intending to kill Optimus and install Rodimus in his place as Prime. Hound's rally cries failed to impress Optimus, and the Autobot leader proceeded to use Ricochet as a living shield against a blast from [[Warpath (SG)|Warpath's]] chest-mounted cannon, before crushing [[Kup (SG)|Kup]]'s head with his bare hands, destroying Warpath's chest cannon, taking out Hound by flinging Warpath into him, and cannon-blasting [[Camshaft (SG)|Camshaft]] in the head.

However, the battle was not over yet, as [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]], [[Sky Lynx (SG)|Sky Lynx]], and [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] had arrived to kill Optimus themselves. However, Prime introduced the trio to a completed [[Omega Doom]], who reduced Alpha Trion to a distant smear on the ground, before going off to destroy the Decepticons while Optimus dealt with Sky Lynx and Nightscream. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 5}} {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 1}}

Optimus Prime was destroyed and left to die during an important battle in [[Mirtonian constellation|Sector 17 of the Mirtonian Quadrant]]. After Prime was abandoned by his troops, he dragged himself into a nearby [[CR chamber]], and with the help of a local tech, he was upgraded into a new body with a sword made out of a mysterious "[[G-Metal]]". Optimus Prime returned to [[Polyhex]] and murdered many of those who had abandoned him. {{storylink|#Toys|BotCon 2012 Optimus Prime profile card}}

[[File:AnotherLight-novaprime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|So if this is the opposite universe, would he be voiced by William Shatner?]]

Some time after Prime returned, his brother Ultra Magnus and the [[Junkion (species)#Shattered Glass|Junkion]]s were sprung from the prison planet of Paradron by Wheeljack and [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]]. Optimus Prime watched over a viewscreen as Magnus killed several of his most loyal warriors. After Magnus and his new army escaped via the [[stellar spanner]] into an alternate universe, Optimus Prime activated a distress beacon, knowing that Magnus's rival [[Treadshot (SG)|Treadshot]] would do his dirty work for him. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}

In [[2015]], Prime mounted an all-out assault on [[Decepticon City (SG)|Decepticon City]]. Before long, Galvatron arrived from Cybertron, and the two leaders wound up in a one-on-one confrontation. Optimus quickly gained the upper hand, but scheming interference by Rodimus led to the Autobot leader taking a serious gunshot wound. {{storylink|Memory's Splinter}} With the tide turned, the Autobots retreated to Sky Lynx, with [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]] carrying the injured Optimus aboard. {{storylink|Restoration}}

En route to Cybertron, Sky Lynx announced that he had insufficient power to carry all his passengers there, and Optimus was among those who Rodimus dumped out. Floating through space, Prime found himself in the presence of [[Unicron/Shattered Glass|Unicron]]. {{storylink|Familiar Reflections}} However, the fragment of Unicron he encountered was his rare good side, so Unicron restored Prime's sanity and rebuilt him into Nova Prime as a messenger of justice. With [[Brawn (SG)|X-Brawn]], [[Prowl (SG)|Checkpoint]], and the Autotroopers serving as his [[Knights of Unicron (SG)|Knights of Unicron]], Nova Prime returned to Cybertron to end the threat of the evil Autobots. He defeated Rodimus in combat and cast him down into the depths of Cybertron. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

Unfortunately, while Nova Prime's forces were rounding up the other Autobots, Unicron's opposite number [[Primus/Shattered Glass|Primus]] chose to manifest himself. The deity-turned-planet reverted to his robot mode, and intended to eliminate the infestation of other-dimensional vermin from his plane, including the positive universe's planet Earth. Surprisingly, Earth transformed into a Light God named [[Gaea]], empowered by the [[Rarified Energon]] of that world as her lifeblood. As the dark Primus and Gaea battled, Nova Prime brought his troops within range and fired as one at Primus's eye, blinding him long enough for Gaea to defeat him.

[[File:AnotherLight-happyending.jpg|thumb|upright=2]]

Gaea reverted into her planet mode, now existing as a mechanical world, and replaced Primus as the Cybertron of that reality. As a council of governors formed to oversee the united Cybertronians of two worlds, Nova Prime and his Knights served as guardians of the rulers. His insanity finally quelled, Nova Prime was at peace and found his new world... beautiful. {{storylink|The Future Buried...}}
{{--}}

====''Recordicons''====
[[File:DigitaldoomonthehighwaytodestructionSG.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Autobots, Roll Over!!!]]

At some unspecified point in time, a team of Autobots somehow under the command of both [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus Prime]] and Optimus Prime fought [[Thundercracker (SG)|Thundercracker]] and [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]] in the Transformers' greatest battle on Earth, "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (SG)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]". According to Ravage, anyway. {{storylink|Recordicons issue 3|Recordicons #3}}

====''SD SG''====
Optimus Prime meta-complained about the idea of him turning good. He said "they" would never do that to the likes of Megatron or Starscream, before being provided examples of both. {{storylink|SD SG issue 1|SD SG #1}}

===''Lil Formers'' ===
Optimus Prime ran afoul of [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]], who accused him of "biting his style." {{storylink|Lil Formers}}

===IDW ''Shattered Glass'' continuity===

[[File:ShatteredGlass2-OrionPax.JPG|thumb|right|250px|I hope nothing bad happens to his left window after that.]]

In the years before the Great War, Orion Pax was a member of the Cybertronian [[Senate]]. Although Orion claimed that he merely sought to bring order to a disorganized and chaotic Cybertron, and even maintained a nominal friendship with the miner turned civil rights advocate [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]], this affable facade concealed his authoritarian ambitions and his insatiable lust for power. Orion recruited other Cybertronians who shared his goals, moulded them into a legion of autocratic "Autobots", and initially used them as his secret police: together, they were responsible for removing senator [[Shockwave (SG)|Shockwave]] from power and subjecting him to the brain-damaging [[empurata]] procedure. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 2|Shattered Glass #2}}

Controlling the Senate was not enough for Orion. To truly succeed in his power grab, however, Orion needed an advantage no one else on Cybertron could hope to match: when [[Jetfire (SG)|Jetfire]] and [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] visited the Senate to secure funding for their research on Cybertron's [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s, Orion immediately took an interest in their proposal to excavate and reawaken [[Metroplex (SG)|Metroplex]], the Titan they'd partly unearthed near [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Although Jetfire took an interest in the proposal, Starscream, unsure whether they could trust their would-be benefactor turned down the offer. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 3|Shattered Glass #3}} Later that day, Orion pulled some strings to have Megatron released from prison after his latest rally turned violent and ended with his arrest. Orion's demands that Megatron stop his protests sparked a final argument between the pair, which escalated into physical violence and, eventually, Megatron shattering Orion's windshield and declaring that their friendship was over for good. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 2|Shattered Glass #2}}

[[File:ShatteredGlass2-autobotstriumphant.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

At some point afterwards, Jetfire, worried about the day when their funding finally ran dry, went behind Starscream's back to take Orion up on his offer. However, Starscream had secretly tailed Jetfire to the meeting with Orion's inner cadre; when Pax overheard the noise, he had [[Goldbug (SG)|Bumblebee]] and [[Prowl (SG)|Prowl]] capture Starscream and bring him before the group. Starscream fled before the Autobot leader could execute him, but as a result Jetfire now permanently stood with the Autobots. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 3|Shattered Glass #3}}

Subsequent events are unclear; some point after this series of events, Orion took on the name "Optimus Prime", overthrew the Senate, and plunged the planet into global war against Megatron's Decepticons. Eventually, he and his followers left Cybertron entirely and travelled to [[Earth]] with the intent of plundering its supplies of [[Rarified Energon]]. Megatron pursued them off-planet, while other Decepticons arrived later to help defend Earth, and the battles between the two factions grew increasingly destructive. Finally, with the Earth in ruins and on the cusp of an unwinnable battle against their foes, Megatron felt that there was no other way to keep the Decepticons alive other than sacrificing himself and buying time for Starscream to take the remaining Decepticons offworld and into hiding. After a brief battle, Optimus triumphed, beat Megatron to the brink of death, and went on to pillage the Earth before returning to Cybertron. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 2|Shattered Glass #2}}

[[File:ShatteredGlass4-Goldbugvsoptimus.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Insert ''Ren & Stimpy'' joke here.]]

On the way back to Cybertron, Optimus granted [[Ratchet (SG)|Ratchet]] permission to use a spare [[protoform]] to revive the fallen Bumblebee. Bumblebee returned as the more powerful "[[Goldbug (SG)|Goldbug]]", but was disappointed to learn that Prime had only sanctioned the procedure because they had material to spare, not out of any kind of affection for his lieutenant. With the Decepticons scattered and on the run, the Autobots set about rebuilding Iacon. However, when Goldbug warned Optimus that Prowl was planning a coup, Optimus arrogantly informed him that he could deal with whatever Goldbug was planning. When Goldbug pushed the issue, Optimus savagely beat the little Autobot as a reminder as to who was in charge. Unsurprisingly, Goldbug fell in with Prowl instead, who sent Goldbug to assassinate Prime on his new throne in Iacon, which he had renamed "Pax" in honour of his former identity. Goldbug fought hard, but was ultimately unable to deliver the killing blow against the much larger Autobot and retreated. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 4|Shattered Glass #4}}

By the present day, Cybertron had balkanized into three distinct, feuding fiefdoms, each ruled by one of the three Autobot warlords. Optimus Prime maintained control of Pax, but the treacherous terrain of the [[Chrome Ridge]] prevented him from expanding his territory to the [[Static Zone]] which divided his territory from Goldbug's capital of [[Gold City]]. The freelance [[bodyscrapper]] [[Blurr (SG)|Blurr]] occasionally worked for Optimus. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 1|Shattered Glass #1}} After Megatron retook Gold City and deposed Goldbug, [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|Ultra Magnus]] told his spy [[Wheeljack (SG)|Wheeljack]] that Optimus had plans for [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]]'s disembodied spark, which held the secret of how to rouse the Titans from their slumber. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 5|Shattered Glass #5}}

{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Timelines''===
[[File:TL-toy Optimus-SG2008.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Pimpimus Prime: all he needs is a tiger-print hat.]]
*'''Shattered Glass''' (BotCon box set, 2008)
**''Accessories'': Aero-fairing "ion blaster", smokestack rifle

:''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]''/''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' Optimus Prime is a purple, gray, and black [[redeco]] of heroic ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Voyager Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], transforming into a semi cab of undetermined, probably made-up model. In robot mode, his aero fairing transforms into a large ion blaster, and his smokestacks transform into a smaller blaster. Additionally, both can combine together to form a back-mounted shoulder weapon. The left side of the wind vane has the tampograph marking which writes "''Til all are gone!''". Undocumented in the instructions, Optimus can also use the wind vane as a shield, if one of his fists is folded down.

: Optimus Prime is only available as part of a set of six toys, along with [[Jazz (SG)#Toys|Autobot Jazz]], [[Grimlock (SG)#Toys|Grimlock]], [[Goldbug (SG)#Toys|Goldbug]], [[Razorclaw (SG)#Toys|Razorclaw]], and [[Starscream (SG)#Toys|Starscream]].

: Anyone looking to buy this figure second-hand on the aftermarket be warned, there is a convincing-looking counterfeit [[knockoff]] that's been making the rounds.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/BCOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{ClassicsOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|BotCon2012}}
[[File:Timelinestoy-BC2012OptimusPrime.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|In the mirrorverse, Transformers get smaller and less impressive with each update.]]
*'''Invasion''' (BotCon souvenir set, 2012)
**''Accessories'': "G-Metal" sword

:Optimus Prime is a [[redeco]] of heroic [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'']] Deluxe Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Optimus Prime]], and transforms into a racing truck in the same colors as the 2008 figure. A large Autobot [[insignia]] adorns the hood; along one side of the hood is inscribed "I shall stand...", with the other side reading "... the rest shall fall". He features a rub sign on his roof, and has a (non-detachable) matrix gimmick in robot mode formed by a relief pattern on the inside of the cab's side windows, which is visible through the windshield/chest in robot mode. He also comes with a sword that he can wield with both hands, and is folded up and stored between his legs in truck mode, forming the fifth wheel.

: Optimus Prime was packaged with ''Timelines''/''Classics'' [[Kick-Off (G1)#Timelines|Kick-Over]], available for purchase by [[BotCon 2012]] attendees.

: This mold was also used to make ''Timelines'' [[Scourge (RID)#Timelines|Scourge]], and was also retooled into ''Shattered Glass'' [[Ultra Magnus (SG)#Timelines|Ultra Magnus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BCOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on BotCon 2012 Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{2010DeluxeOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|NovaPrime}}
[[File:Timelinestoy-NovaPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|See? Prime was bleached and shrunk in the wash ''again''.]]
*'''Nova Prime''' (Deluxe Class, 2015)
**''Accessories'': [[Fusion cannon|Quantum Fusion cannon]], [[G-Metal]] Battle Axe

: The first of two [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] exclusives for 2015, ''Timelines'' Nova Prime is a [[redeco]] of that same year's member incentive figure, [[Lio Convoy#Timelines|Lio Convoy]]. Both were retooled from ''Thrilling 30'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Thrilling 30|Orion Pax]] and feature a new head. Nova still comes with the blaster and axe, which can store via a 5mm peg on either side of the vehicle mode. As an undocumented feature, the Quantum Fusion Cannon can also peg into partially-octagonal "hole" on the larger blade of the G-Metal Battle Axe.

: The foam insert in Nova Prime's box features an extra slot to store either the aforementioned incentive figure Lio Convoy, or the [[BotCon 2015]] customization class exclusive [[Galva Convoy#Timelines|Galva Convoy]], both of whom are featured in the exterior [[package art]].

: This mold was also used to make [[BotCon 2015]] Galva Convoy. This toy also officially [[Repurposing|doubles]] as Generation 1 [[Nova Prime#Timelines|Nova Prime]].

{{--}}

===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:TF-Masterpiece-SG-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Well, maybe not this time.]]
*'''Shattered Glass Optimus Prime''' (November [[2016]])
**''Accessories'': [[Ion blaster#MP10|Ion blaster]], [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Masterpiece 2|Matrix of Leadership]], [[Energon-axe#mp10|energon-axe]], trailer/[[Combat Deck (SG)|Combat Deck]]

:After several [[knockoff]]s and [[IP theft|unofficial]] releases, "Shattered Glass Optimus Prime" was finally released as an official Hasbro Asia exclusive under the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]] [[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line. As a redeco of ''Masterpiece'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10|MP-10 Convoy]], he transforms into a Freightliner FL86, though the back half is much larger and robot-leggier in proportion (so much that a ladder is on each side). Although not easily breakable, care must be taken for posing the index fingers; extending the finger even far would cause it to pop off.

:Optimus Prime also comes with a hand-held ion blaster which can collapse and store inside a compartment on his back in either mode, as well as an energon-axe that slips over Optimus Prime's right hand. He also lacks the [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Masterpiece|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Roller (G1)#Masterpiece|Roller]] figures. Shattered Glass Optimus Prime also comes with his own Combat Deck and [[die-cast]] Matrix of Leadership, the latter of which remains the same colors as the original MP-10 Convoy.

:The packaging design very closely resembles then-concurrent ''Generations''-branded ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'', featuring numerous elements otherwise unique to ''Platinum Edition'' packaging, except the title "Platinum Edition" is replaced by "Shattered Glass". Given that Hasbro never used the ID number MP-09 within its ''Generations Masterpiece'' range of MP-01 to MP-10, and that Shattered Glass Optimus Prime was released between [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Masterpiece 2|MP-08]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Masterpiece|MP-10]], it is possible MP-09 was intended to be his.

:This figure was later repurposed as [[Purple Wicked Convoy#Masterpiece|Purple Wicked Convoy]] by ''[[Generations Selects Special Comic]]''.
{{MP10Mold}}
{{--}}

===''Generations Selects''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Selects-SG-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Ah, there we go.]]
*'''Shattered Glass Optimus Prime & Shattered Glass Ratchet''' (2-pack, [[2020]])
**''Series'': '''''War for Cybertron: Earthrise'''''
**''ID number:'' '''WFC-GS17'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster, [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Matrix of Leadership]]

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' add-on to ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', Shattered Glass Optimus Prime is a redeco of ''Earthrise'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Optimus Prime]] without [[Combat Deck (G1)#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|his trailer]]. He features a color scheme inspired by his ''Masterpiece'' toy, complete with a cracked window. Optimus Prime is Voyager Class-sized mold with the front of the head and legs, knee flaps, and various inner parts reused from ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Voyager Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Optimus Prime]]. This also means that, like the ''Siege'' toy, the truck mode is unusually small for a Voyager figure.

:The figure features an opening chest compartment containing a removable ''evil'' [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Matrix of Leadership]].<ref>[https://hasbropulse.com/products/transformers-generations-selects-deluxe-wfc-gs17-shattered-glass-ratchet-and-optimus-prime "...the pack features an evil Matrix of Leadership accessory."]</ref> His transformation scheme reuses some engineering and concepts from the ''Siege'' Voyager Class Optimus Prime figures and ''[[Studio Series]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS38|38 Optimus Prime]], with a new torso transformation. Interestingly, his rear wheels are borrowed from ''Studio Series'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS32|32]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#SS44|44 Optimus Prime]]. Optimus Prime features a hinge joint in each of his knuckles but without the flip-out post hole mechanism, instead of having it facilitated by the shape of his palm and thumb. Interestingly, the placement of his front wheels in robot mode evokes the [[Studio OX]] version of his character model (though significantly larger compared to the artwork). Optimus also has molded drilled-rotor brake discs, a surprising detail for a mainline ''Transformers'' figure.

:As the front grill/wheel piece is connected with a c-clip, removing it allows the waist to turn without being hindered. Whether by coincidence or not, the Energon Strikeshield from the ''Siege'' Voyager Class Optimus Prime figure can attach onto the forearm (if the hands are tucked away) with the tabs on the axe's hinged handle, though it looks better on the left side.

:The product description for the set made mention of ''Shattered Glass'' comics by [[IDW Publishing]],<ref>[https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/134753 "...inspired by the Shattered Glass comics created in partnership with IDW..."]</ref> either being a mis-credit of [[Fun Publications]] comic or a far too-early mention of IDW's [[2021]] ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|Shattered Glass]]'' comic.

:He is bundled with [[Ratchet (SG)#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Shattered Glass Ratchet]], and was revealed on the [[September 8]] [https://www.instagram.com/p/CE4pc4OgZb6/ TransformersTuesday]. Much like most 2020 ''Selects'' product, the toy is only branded as part of the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' and not ''Earthrise''.

:This figure was later repurposed as [[Purple Wicked Convoy#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Purple Wicked Convoy]] by "[[Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 2]]".
{{WFCEarthriseOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{--}}

== Merchandise ==
=== Flame Toys ===
==== Furai Model ====
[[File:FlameToys-FuraiModel-07-ShatteredGlassOptimusPrimeAttackMode.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Build-Your-Own Akane Shinjo.]]
*'''Shattered Glass Optimus Prime (Attack Mode)''' (July 2019)
**''Number:'' '''07'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion cannon, axe, 4 hands

:Part of [[Flame Toys]]' ''Furai Model'' line of {{w|Gundam model|Gunpla}}-style model kits, "Shattered Glass Optimus Prime (Attack Mode)" is an articulated, non-transforming, Voyager Class-sized {{w|Gunpla}}-style model kit redecoed from the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#Furai Model|Optimus Prime (Attack Mode) model kit]] mold. Using parts made of hard ABS plastic and some polycaps, Optimus Prime (Attack Mode) is an original design created by Flame Toys in collaboration with [[Akira Amemiya]] of [[Studio Trigger]].

:For straight-assembly builders, Optimus Prime Prime features a sheet of foil stickers for detail (notably the shoulder insignias), though the kit can be panel-lined and touched-up with several panel-lining and paint markers (GSI Creos' Gundam Marker is recommended). If one desires; the kit's pieces, aside from the translucent parts, can be fully coated with spray paints to recreate the finished sample seen in the stock photos.
{{--}}

==== Kuro Kara Kuri ====
* SG Optimus Prime (2021)
** ''Number:'' '''#09'''
{{comingsoontoy}}

===''Super Cyborg''===
[[File:SuperCyborgSGOptimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|In opposite-day universe, your insides are on the outside.]]
*'''Optimus Prime (Shattered Glass purple)''' (2018)
**''Accessories'': Ion blaster, torso plate

:''Super Cyborg'' SG Optimus Prime is an 11-inch-tall non-transforming figure with 7 points of articulation, and (naturally) a redeco of the previously-released "standard" Optimus Prime version. Its main distinguishing feature is that the entire front of the robot torso is removable, exposing not just the expected Matrix of Leadership but also many other sculpted mechanical details within Prime's body.
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Optimus Prime's bio art was featured on the back of one of two T-shirts made available at BotCon 2008, and later on the [[Fun Publications]] Official [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] web-store.
*''Shattered Glass'' prose story writers [[Trent Troop]] and [[Greg Sepelak]] stated that evil Optimus sounds like Venger, the {{w|Dungeons & Dragons (TV series)|''Dungeons & Dragons'' cartoon}} villain voiced by [[Peter Cullen]].
*Unlike his heroic doppelgänger, this version of Optimus Prime was never depicted in fiction with a trailer, outside of a single lithograph that introduced us to the nefarious [[Combat Deck (SG)|Combat Deck]]. His 2016 ''Masterpiece'' figure, on the other hand, gives him one.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Optimus Prime''' (オプティマス・プライム, オプティマスプライム ''Oputimasu Puraimu''), '''Convoy''' (コンボイ ''Konboi'', Earth Wars)
*''Cantonese:'' '''O1 Baak3 Man4''' (柯柏文)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==See also==
{{OtherVersions
|charname=''Shattered Glass'' Optimus Prime
|disambig=Optimus Prime (disambiguation)
|body=
*[[Optimus Prime (SG Animated)|Optimus Prime]], the evil counterpart to [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' Optimus Prime]].
*[[Optimus Prime (SG Cybertron)|Optimus Prime]], the evil counterpart to [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|''Cybertron Optimus Prime]].
*[[Optimus Prime (SG Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the evil counterpart to [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|"Movie series" Optimus Prime]].}}

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:BotCon exclusives]]
[[Category:Convention-original characters]]
[[Category:Convoys]]
[[Category:Emperors of Destruction]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Generations Selects toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass Autobots]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Unicron]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise Autobots]]

Ricochet (Headmasters)

2022-04-11T18:58:49Z

CyberstormSM:

{{factions|autobot|wreckersidw}}
{{disambigm|Ricochet (disambiguation)|Stepper (disambiguation)}}
:''Ricochet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers: The Headmasters (franchise)|Headmasters]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Ricochetdoesnthavemuchart.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] gets pimped.]]
The job of '''Ricochet''', aka '''Stepper''' (ステッパー ''Suteppā''), is Rapid-Fire Attack, and he's well suited to it. He is the most accurate marksman the Autobots have and a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] as well, further augmenting his incredible skill. Unfortunately he's also quick-tempered and very easily provoked. This leads to him having a hard time maintaining friendly relations or even conversations with his teammates. In his favor, Ricochet has an uncommonly strong sense of justice (exactly twice as strong as the ordinary Autobot).

[[2019 IDW continuity|In one universe,]] Ricochet is a member of the elite Autobot squadron known as the [[Wreckers]].

His Targetmaster partner is [[Nebulon (Headmasters)|Nebulon]].

==Fiction==
===''The Headmasters'' comic===
[[File:Manga-Stepper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]

Ricochet accompanied [[Artfire]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] in responding to a building fire. While the Autobots attempted to rescue people and put out the flames, the [[Decepticon]] Targetmasters attacked. However, the arrival of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], who dropped [[fire-retardant foam]] on the buildings in starship mode, gave the two Autobot Targetmasters the chance they needed to combine with their gun-partners and send the Decepticons flying away uncontrollably. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 7|The Headmasters #7}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''Transformers Collection'' bio====
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Ricochet often had marksmanship contests with his friends [[Fusion]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]].

At some point after [[2011]], Ricochet's metabolic functions were damaged in an incident. Nebulon, an engineer on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], volunteered to help him by undergoing a unique form of [[binary bonding]]. While ostensibly becoming a Targetmaster, Nightstick's gun mode wasn't merely hand-held. He instead plugged into Ricochet's [[robot mode]] back, serving as a life-support system.

====''Legends'' comic====
In the late 1980s, Ricochet was among the Autobots who fought to protect the [[Transform Super Cog]] from being stolen by the [[Decepticon]]s, but the [[Battlecharger]]s were able get past their defenses. {{Storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

====''Generations Selects Special Comic''====
During the [[Selector]] rebellion of [[2050]], Stepper was present when [[Angolmois Energy]] on the planet Earth went wild, erupting out of the ground. {{storylink|Abominus comic 1}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:NightoftheCombaticons-MagnificusSoundblasterRicochet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Apparently, this is how post-1985 [[redeco]]es are made.]]
Ricochet was one of several clones created by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in the same program that produced [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. While in a tube, he was discovered by the [[Battlecharger]]s, who released Sunstorm. The laboratory the clones were stored in was soon destroyed by Sunstorm. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
When [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]] broke into the [[Garrus-9]] penitentiary, Ricochet was among the [[Autobot]] guards who tried to hold him back in vain. {{Storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}
{{--}}

===''United''===
[[File:FierceFightingOnPlanetNebulos-Stepper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Ricochet, you're in charge, because the colorblind Decepticons might think you're Jazz, who's much cooler."]]
A devastating [[nano-virus]] plagued the Earthbound Autobots, a plague that Headmasters or Targetmasters like Ricochet were mysteriously immune from. [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] charged Ricochet with leading a team of unafflicted Autobots to [[Nebulos]], where the supreme scientist [[Zella]] had crafted an antidote. Ricochet worried aloud that their departure would leave Autobot City vulnerable, but Perceptor assured him that it would be [[Drift (G1)|properly guarded]].

As Ricochet's team arrived on Nebulos, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] warned him he was having a bad feeling about all this. And sure enough, Kup's intuitions were correct, as an army of Decepticons led by [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] appeared via an inter-dimensional portal. The nano-virus was part of a larger plot to draw out the Headmasters and Targetmasters so that their Nebulan partners could be collected. As the Autobots concentrated their attacks on Straxus, Ricochet slipped through the battle to pick up Zella's antidote, blasting his way through [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] in the process. By the time he returned with a cart full of the stuff, his Autobots had defeated the Decepticons.

The antidote was successful, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] personally thanked Ricochet for his brave efforts. {{storylink|The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos}}
{{--}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Stepper was one of the Autobots present on the disastrous campaign on [[Nebulos]]. He was partners with the Targetmaster Nightstick, until Nightstick, along with [[Fracas]], defected to the Decepticons. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

===2019 IDW Continuity===
{{charfictionstub|[[Tread & Circuits Part 1]]}}

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

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Ricochet-(G1).jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|He shoots without Nightstick in vehicle mode!]]
Ricochet (G1) participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Epic character available to 100 leagues in the "Disaster: Code Blue" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers''===
{{anchor|The Headmasters}}
[[File:G1-toy Stepper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Former holy grail.]]
*'''Stepper''' (''Targetmaster'', [[1987]])
**''ID number:'' '''C-109'''
**''Accessories:'' "Nebulon" Targetmaster partner, gun mount backpack

:A [[retool]] and [[redeco]] of the [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Generation 1|original Jazz toy]], ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Headmasters|Targetmaster]]'' Stepper transforms into a 1976 Porsche 935 Turbo sports car. As a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]], he came with a smaller partner robot named [[Nebulon (Headmasters)|Nebulon]]. In gun mode, Nebulon could peg into Stepper's car mode spoiler, or could attach to a separate bracket that mounted over his robot mode shoulder. Stepper did not come with any of Jazz's accessories.

:As a late addition to the Japanese ''Headmasters'' series (he was a tail-ender release and was unlikely to have been on shelves for very long as stores would reset for the new [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Masterforce|''Super-God Masterforce'' toyline]]) and one of the earliest Japanese-only Transformers, though Stepper was not ''particularly'' rare, he was perceived as such in the West. As such, for several years Stepper commanded top dollar on the secondary market... until the reissue (see below) pretty much iced that.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Cybertron/Stepper/stepper.htm More information on Ricochet at TFU.info]''
{{G1JazzMold}}
{{--}}

===''The Transformers Collection''===
[[File:G1 Stepper reissue.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Modern heavily discounted shelfwarmer.]]
*'''Stepper''' ([[2004]])
**''ID number:'' '''15'''
**''Accessories:'' "Nebulon" Targetmaster partner, gun mount backpack, rifle, missile launcher backpack, 3 missiles

: Stepper was reissued as part of Takara's ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' series, and almost simultaneously by Hasbro in their [[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]] (see below). This version of the figure featured a bolstered arsenal that now included golden-chromed versions of Jazz's weapons; additionally, Nebulon was retooled with a slender peg extension to allow Stepper to actually hold him in his hand.

:The reissue also featured some small remolding, with the easily-broken plastic clasp that held Stepper's legs in being altered to a more sturdy pin and solid plastic holder combination. Also, the [[mold]] degradation that had plagued Jazz's head sculpt since the days of the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' toyline]]—which had reduced his face to a distorted grimace—was finally amended, restoring the figure's original appearance. This restored tooling was subsequently used for the ''[[Transformers Encore]]'' reissue of Jazz.

:Unlike every other [[Generation 1 reissues|Generation 1 reissue]] up to that point, Stepper was initiated by Hasbro, to be released alongside their ''Commemorative Series'' release (see below). Even the sticker sheet uses Hasbro's ''Transformers'' logo.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/Ricochet/ricochet.htm Transformers Collection Stepper at TFU.info]''
{{G1JazzMold}}
{{--}}

===''Commemorative Series''===
[[File:G1-toy RicochetCommSeries.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|thunmb|Former FORMER holy grail.]]
*'''Ricochet with Nightstick''' (2004)
**''Accessories:'' "Nightstick" Targetmaster partner, gun mount backpack, rifle, missile launcher backpack, 3 missiles

:[[Hasbro]] actually announced their reissue of Stepper prior to [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], finally christening him with the new English name of "Ricochet" seventeen years after his creation. Released as part of the ninth and final wave of [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]'' reissues, Ricochet shared all the modifications made to Takara's reissue, except that—as had previously been the case with Hasbro's [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Commemorative Series|''Commemorative Series'' reissue of Jazz]]—his rifle and missiles were un-chromed black plastic, and both the missiles and launcher were elongated to standard [[for safety reasons|safety-regulation]] length.

:Ricochet was initially listed as "[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]]" in Canadian and Australian [[Toys"R"Us]] computers, leading to some confusion among fans. What's worse, the public Canadian Toys"R"Us website even illustrated their listing with a non-[[stock photography|official photo]] of the Generation 1 Sunstreaker toy lifted straight off a [http://www.ggaub.com/tf/toy.html fan's website], complete with watermark!

:Amusingly enough, after years of demand by the fandom, Ricochet didn't sell particularly well at all. He was eventually sent to the "closeout" chain Tuesday Morning, where he could be purchased for $8 (original TRU price: $35). Japan saw similar clearance sales on its version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/Ricochet/ricochet.htm Commemorative Series Ricochet at TFU.info]''
{{G1JazzMold}}
{{--}}

===''Alternators''===
[[File:Alt-toy Ricochet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Sadly, Ricochet's brilliant plan to score with ladies by becoming a lifeguard failed miserably.]]
*'''Ricochet''' (Alternator, [[2006]])
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''20'''
**''Accessories:'' Intercooler/gun

:Part of the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' line's second, relaunched assortment, Ricochet is a [[redeco]] of ''Alternators'' [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Silverstreak]], who was retooled into [[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Smokescreen]] (who in turn was released first for marketing reasons). Like Silverstreak, Ricochet's alternate mode is a [[licensed vehicle alternate modes|licensed]] Subaru Impreza WRX featuring opening doors, hood and trunk and a detailed interior. The intercooler becomes a hand-held (non-firing) weapon. Ricochet was among the first ''Alternators'' figures to feature a state-specific [[license plate]]; Ricochet is registered in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]]. With his attitude, he'll fit right in.

:Though early official Hasbro [[stock photography|stock photos]] (including those printed on the underside of the packaging) depict Ricochet with a fully-gold face, the final product's nose is white for unknown reasons. Contrary to popular belief, it was not left unpainted, as his head is made out of black plastic.

:This sculpt was also retooled to make [[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Binaltech Asterisk|Red Alert]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/AltRicochet/ricochet.htm More information on ''Alternators'' Ricochet at TFU.info]''
{{AlternatorsSmokescreenMold}}
{{--}}

===''United''===
[[File:Unitedtoy-Stepper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|SWEET! Now where does the Targetmaster store?]]
*'''Stepper''' ([[December 27]], [[2011]])
**''Accessories:'' Blaster, two speakers, [[Nebulon (Headmasters)|Nebulon]] Targetmaster

:Available only as a mail-away exclusive offered through ''[[Transformers Generations 2011]]'' Vol. 1, Stepper is a redeco of ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)#RTS|Reveal the Shield]]'' Deluxe Class [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Special Ops Jazz]], and includes Nebulon, a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Nightstick (G1)#Universe (2008)|Nightstick]]. He transforms from robot into a "street rally" sports car that looks like his original Porsche front-end wearing [[Jazz (Movie)|Pontiac Solstice]] headlights for a hat. Stepper has deployable speakers in both robot and vehicle mode, which can combine with his rifle via clips to form a super rifle or be used on any other [[C joint|clip-compatible]] ''Transformers'' toy.

:Stepper and Nebulon are the only ''United'' figures that retain their original Japanese names rather than being sold under their Hasbro-market names.

: This sculpt was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Longarm (SG)#Timelines|Longarm]] and [[Stepper (SG)#Timelines|Stepper]], and the mold's alternate head was used to make [[Treadshot (SG)#Timelines|Treadshot]]. It was also retooled to make ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Wheelie (G1)#Generations|Wheelie]] and ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Kick-Off (G1)#Timelines|Kick-Over]].
{{2010JazzMold}}
{{--}}

===''Generations Selects''===
[[File:Selects-Deluxe-Ricochet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|[[Carlos Alazraqui|LUCHARAAAAAAANNNN!!!]]]]
*'''Ricochet''' (Deluxe Class, [[2019]])
**''Series'': '''''Power of the Primes'''''
**''Accessories'': Blaster, Prime Armor/combiner hand, Prime Master gap filler/gun

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' accompaniment to ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'', Ricochet is a redeco of [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|Jazz]], which reuses the wheels and Combiner peg of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Drag Strip (G1)#Generations|Dragstrip]]. Transforming into a Le Mans-like racing car [[Porsche#Porsche 962|subtly inspired by a Porsche 962]], Ricochet can also form a limb for any ''Combiner Wars''-style Combiner (or become one of [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber]]'s legs).

:It is currently unknown if Ricochet suffers the same problems with his translucent plastic as his mold mate.

:Ricochet comes with Prime Armor with a place for a [[Prime Master]], a [[Titan Master]], [[Enigma of Combination]], or [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix core]], and can transform into a hand for a Combiner. He also comes with a piece that can fill the gap in the Prime Armor or be held as a gun. To connect the armor, the grill portion of Ricochet's chest has two indents that fit the tabs on the "thumbs" when inserted at a slight angle. Curiously, Ricochet's engineering includes wrist swivels, but the panels molded underneath his forearms render them largely worthless. His Prime Armor was also used for [[Moonracer (G1)#Generations|Moonracer]], [[Firestar (G1)#Generations|Novastar]], and [[Punch (G1)#Power of the Primes|Punch-Counterpunch]].
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:Robotheroesricochetpredaking.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Finally, someone to redeco every Jazz into.]]
*'''Ricochet & Predaking''' (Two-pack, [[2009]])
:A redeco of ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Robot Heroes|Autobot Jazz]], Ricochet is a small [[super deformed]] figurine with articulated shoulders. He was only available in a two-pack with [[Predaking (G1)#Robot Heroes|Predaking]].

:The United States release of this two-pack was canceled, but it was released in other markets such as Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/RHRicochet/ricochet.htm More information on Robot Heroes Ricochet at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===ReAction===
[[File:Transformers_ReAction_Stepper_Figure.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|A Hasbro licensee acknowledges his one true name.]]
*'''Stepper''' (2020)
**''Accessories'': Blaster
:Released as a special wave of black redecos for [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]] for Super7's line of multi-property 3.75 inch action figures, ''ReAction'' Stepper is a non-converting action figure with 5 points of articulation and is a redeco of [[Jazz (G1)/toys#ReAction|Jazz]] from the same series. He comes with a blaster which can only be held in his right hand. As with all releases in the ''ReAction'' toyline, Stepper comes packaged in a small cardback that emulates the nostalgic packaging style of [[Kenner]] ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' action figures of the late 1970s.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The "Stepper/Ricochet" name situation is a bit of a rare one in ''Transformers'': while it ''was'' very common for toy characters to get name changes when making the jump from Takara to Hasbro markets and vice-versa up through the mid-2000s, there's usually not a lot of time between the character's creation and said jump, rarely more than a year in the majority of cases. In this one, the character was exclusively "Stepper" for nearly ''twenty years'' before Hasbro brought him over as "Ricochet". (Nowadays, with both companies working so close together, characters making the cross-company jump typically keep their original name, or a close-enough-to-pass-legal version thereof.) As is TFWiki's policy, we use his English-market name throughout this article, though we do admit that it can sometimes feel a little... dishonest? ...given how long he was just "Stepper". We no longer do the same for [[Nebulon (Headmasters)|his partner]] due to the unique complications with that matter.
* Stepper and Artfire's Targetmaster partners' names were switched from their [[Nightstick (G1)|English-language]] [[Fracas|counterparts]]. There has been some speculation among fans that "Stepper" and "Artfire" may have been switched as well, given that Artfire is the one with a ladder to step on and Stepper is the one with art of fire on him. This is fueled by the fact that [[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]], the Ricochet homage in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]], was named Artfire in Japan, not Stepper.
* Ricochet is one of the few Generation 1 characters to have more than one ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' doppelgänger, receiving both "[[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]]" in [[2008]] and "[[Stepper (SG)|Stepper]]" in [[2015]].
* Ricochet's ''Selects'' toy was "leaked" months prior to its announcement via [[:File:Elita-Infin1te.jpg|Elita Infin1te's package art]], with a black-colored Jazz visible as the right leg. Given that line artist [[Robby Musso]] stated he was instructed to draw specific toys,<ref>https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10157930304367266&set=a.10156303508002266 Facebook post by Robby Musso, 4 October 2020</ref> it would seem that plans for Ricochet's release venue shifted around at Hasbro.

===Foreign names===
*''Mandarin'': '''Wǔzhě''' (舞者, "Dancer")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:Clones]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations Selects toy Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Autobots]]
[[Category:Japanese-original Transformers]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes Autobots]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Ricochet (Headmasters)

2022-04-11T18:58:32Z

CyberstormSM:

{{factions|autobot|wreckersidw}}
{{disambigm|Ricochet (disambiguation)|Stepper (disambiguation)}}
:''Ricochet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers: The Headmasters (franchise)|Headmasters]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Ricochetdoesnthavemuchart.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] gets pimped.]]
The job of '''Ricochet''', aka '''Stepper''' (ステッパー ''Suteppā''), is Rapid-Fire Attack, and he's well suited to it. He is the most accurate marksman the Autobots have and a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] as well, further augmenting his incredible skill. Unfortunately he's also quick-tempered and very easily provoked. This leads to him having a hard time maintaining friendly relations or even conversations with his teammates. In his favor, Ricochet has an uncommonly strong sense of justice (exactly twice as strong as the ordinary Autobot).

[[2019 IDW continuity|In one universe,]] Ricochet is a member of the elite Autobot squadron known as the [[Wreckers]]

His Targetmaster partner is [[Nebulon (Headmasters)|Nebulon]].

==Fiction==
===''The Headmasters'' comic===
[[File:Manga-Stepper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]

Ricochet accompanied [[Artfire]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] in responding to a building fire. While the Autobots attempted to rescue people and put out the flames, the [[Decepticon]] Targetmasters attacked. However, the arrival of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], who dropped [[fire-retardant foam]] on the buildings in starship mode, gave the two Autobot Targetmasters the chance they needed to combine with their gun-partners and send the Decepticons flying away uncontrollably. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 7|The Headmasters #7}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''Transformers Collection'' bio====
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Ricochet often had marksmanship contests with his friends [[Fusion]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]].

At some point after [[2011]], Ricochet's metabolic functions were damaged in an incident. Nebulon, an engineer on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], volunteered to help him by undergoing a unique form of [[binary bonding]]. While ostensibly becoming a Targetmaster, Nightstick's gun mode wasn't merely hand-held. He instead plugged into Ricochet's [[robot mode]] back, serving as a life-support system.

====''Legends'' comic====
In the late 1980s, Ricochet was among the Autobots who fought to protect the [[Transform Super Cog]] from being stolen by the [[Decepticon]]s, but the [[Battlecharger]]s were able get past their defenses. {{Storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

====''Generations Selects Special Comic''====
During the [[Selector]] rebellion of [[2050]], Stepper was present when [[Angolmois Energy]] on the planet Earth went wild, erupting out of the ground. {{storylink|Abominus comic 1}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:NightoftheCombaticons-MagnificusSoundblasterRicochet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Apparently, this is how post-1985 [[redeco]]es are made.]]
Ricochet was one of several clones created by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in the same program that produced [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. While in a tube, he was discovered by the [[Battlecharger]]s, who released Sunstorm. The laboratory the clones were stored in was soon destroyed by Sunstorm. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
When [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]] broke into the [[Garrus-9]] penitentiary, Ricochet was among the [[Autobot]] guards who tried to hold him back in vain. {{Storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}
{{--}}

===''United''===
[[File:FierceFightingOnPlanetNebulos-Stepper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Ricochet, you're in charge, because the colorblind Decepticons might think you're Jazz, who's much cooler."]]
A devastating [[nano-virus]] plagued the Earthbound Autobots, a plague that Headmasters or Targetmasters like Ricochet were mysteriously immune from. [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] charged Ricochet with leading a team of unafflicted Autobots to [[Nebulos]], where the supreme scientist [[Zella]] had crafted an antidote. Ricochet worried aloud that their departure would leave Autobot City vulnerable, but Perceptor assured him that it would be [[Drift (G1)|properly guarded]].

As Ricochet's team arrived on Nebulos, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] warned him he was having a bad feeling about all this. And sure enough, Kup's intuitions were correct, as an army of Decepticons led by [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] appeared via an inter-dimensional portal. The nano-virus was part of a larger plot to draw out the Headmasters and Targetmasters so that their Nebulan partners could be collected. As the Autobots concentrated their attacks on Straxus, Ricochet slipped through the battle to pick up Zella's antidote, blasting his way through [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] in the process. By the time he returned with a cart full of the stuff, his Autobots had defeated the Decepticons.

The antidote was successful, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] personally thanked Ricochet for his brave efforts. {{storylink|The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos}}
{{--}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Stepper was one of the Autobots present on the disastrous campaign on [[Nebulos]]. He was partners with the Targetmaster Nightstick, until Nightstick, along with [[Fracas]], defected to the Decepticons. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

===2019 IDW Continuity===
{{charfictionstub|[[Tread & Circuits Part 1]]}}

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

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Ricochet-(G1).jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|He shoots without Nightstick in vehicle mode!]]
Ricochet (G1) participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was an Epic character available to 100 leagues in the "Disaster: Code Blue" event. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers''===
{{anchor|The Headmasters}}
[[File:G1-toy Stepper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Former holy grail.]]
*'''Stepper''' (''Targetmaster'', [[1987]])
**''ID number:'' '''C-109'''
**''Accessories:'' "Nebulon" Targetmaster partner, gun mount backpack

:A [[retool]] and [[redeco]] of the [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Generation 1|original Jazz toy]], ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Headmasters|Targetmaster]]'' Stepper transforms into a 1976 Porsche 935 Turbo sports car. As a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]], he came with a smaller partner robot named [[Nebulon (Headmasters)|Nebulon]]. In gun mode, Nebulon could peg into Stepper's car mode spoiler, or could attach to a separate bracket that mounted over his robot mode shoulder. Stepper did not come with any of Jazz's accessories.

:As a late addition to the Japanese ''Headmasters'' series (he was a tail-ender release and was unlikely to have been on shelves for very long as stores would reset for the new [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Masterforce|''Super-God Masterforce'' toyline]]) and one of the earliest Japanese-only Transformers, though Stepper was not ''particularly'' rare, he was perceived as such in the West. As such, for several years Stepper commanded top dollar on the secondary market... until the reissue (see below) pretty much iced that.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Cybertron/Stepper/stepper.htm More information on Ricochet at TFU.info]''
{{G1JazzMold}}
{{--}}

===''The Transformers Collection''===
[[File:G1 Stepper reissue.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Modern heavily discounted shelfwarmer.]]
*'''Stepper''' ([[2004]])
**''ID number:'' '''15'''
**''Accessories:'' "Nebulon" Targetmaster partner, gun mount backpack, rifle, missile launcher backpack, 3 missiles

: Stepper was reissued as part of Takara's ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' series, and almost simultaneously by Hasbro in their [[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]] (see below). This version of the figure featured a bolstered arsenal that now included golden-chromed versions of Jazz's weapons; additionally, Nebulon was retooled with a slender peg extension to allow Stepper to actually hold him in his hand.

:The reissue also featured some small remolding, with the easily-broken plastic clasp that held Stepper's legs in being altered to a more sturdy pin and solid plastic holder combination. Also, the [[mold]] degradation that had plagued Jazz's head sculpt since the days of the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' toyline]]—which had reduced his face to a distorted grimace—was finally amended, restoring the figure's original appearance. This restored tooling was subsequently used for the ''[[Transformers Encore]]'' reissue of Jazz.

:Unlike every other [[Generation 1 reissues|Generation 1 reissue]] up to that point, Stepper was initiated by Hasbro, to be released alongside their ''Commemorative Series'' release (see below). Even the sticker sheet uses Hasbro's ''Transformers'' logo.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/Ricochet/ricochet.htm Transformers Collection Stepper at TFU.info]''
{{G1JazzMold}}
{{--}}

===''Commemorative Series''===
[[File:G1-toy RicochetCommSeries.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|thunmb|Former FORMER holy grail.]]
*'''Ricochet with Nightstick''' (2004)
**''Accessories:'' "Nightstick" Targetmaster partner, gun mount backpack, rifle, missile launcher backpack, 3 missiles

:[[Hasbro]] actually announced their reissue of Stepper prior to [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], finally christening him with the new English name of "Ricochet" seventeen years after his creation. Released as part of the ninth and final wave of [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]'' reissues, Ricochet shared all the modifications made to Takara's reissue, except that—as had previously been the case with Hasbro's [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Commemorative Series|''Commemorative Series'' reissue of Jazz]]—his rifle and missiles were un-chromed black plastic, and both the missiles and launcher were elongated to standard [[for safety reasons|safety-regulation]] length.

:Ricochet was initially listed as "[[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]]" in Canadian and Australian [[Toys"R"Us]] computers, leading to some confusion among fans. What's worse, the public Canadian Toys"R"Us website even illustrated their listing with a non-[[stock photography|official photo]] of the Generation 1 Sunstreaker toy lifted straight off a [http://www.ggaub.com/tf/toy.html fan's website], complete with watermark!

:Amusingly enough, after years of demand by the fandom, Ricochet didn't sell particularly well at all. He was eventually sent to the "closeout" chain Tuesday Morning, where he could be purchased for $8 (original TRU price: $35). Japan saw similar clearance sales on its version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/Ricochet/ricochet.htm Commemorative Series Ricochet at TFU.info]''
{{G1JazzMold}}
{{--}}

===''Alternators''===
[[File:Alt-toy Ricochet.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Sadly, Ricochet's brilliant plan to score with ladies by becoming a lifeguard failed miserably.]]
*'''Ricochet''' (Alternator, [[2006]])
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''20'''
**''Accessories:'' Intercooler/gun

:Part of the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' line's second, relaunched assortment, Ricochet is a [[redeco]] of ''Alternators'' [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Silverstreak]], who was retooled into [[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Smokescreen]] (who in turn was released first for marketing reasons). Like Silverstreak, Ricochet's alternate mode is a [[licensed vehicle alternate modes|licensed]] Subaru Impreza WRX featuring opening doors, hood and trunk and a detailed interior. The intercooler becomes a hand-held (non-firing) weapon. Ricochet was among the first ''Alternators'' figures to feature a state-specific [[license plate]]; Ricochet is registered in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]]. With his attitude, he'll fit right in.

:Though early official Hasbro [[stock photography|stock photos]] (including those printed on the underside of the packaging) depict Ricochet with a fully-gold face, the final product's nose is white for unknown reasons. Contrary to popular belief, it was not left unpainted, as his head is made out of black plastic.

:This sculpt was also retooled to make [[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Binaltech Asterisk|Red Alert]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/AltRicochet/ricochet.htm More information on ''Alternators'' Ricochet at TFU.info]''
{{AlternatorsSmokescreenMold}}
{{--}}

===''United''===
[[File:Unitedtoy-Stepper.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|SWEET! Now where does the Targetmaster store?]]
*'''Stepper''' ([[December 27]], [[2011]])
**''Accessories:'' Blaster, two speakers, [[Nebulon (Headmasters)|Nebulon]] Targetmaster

:Available only as a mail-away exclusive offered through ''[[Transformers Generations 2011]]'' Vol. 1, Stepper is a redeco of ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)#RTS|Reveal the Shield]]'' Deluxe Class [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Special Ops Jazz]], and includes Nebulon, a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Nightstick (G1)#Universe (2008)|Nightstick]]. He transforms from robot into a "street rally" sports car that looks like his original Porsche front-end wearing [[Jazz (Movie)|Pontiac Solstice]] headlights for a hat. Stepper has deployable speakers in both robot and vehicle mode, which can combine with his rifle via clips to form a super rifle or be used on any other [[C joint|clip-compatible]] ''Transformers'' toy.

:Stepper and Nebulon are the only ''United'' figures that retain their original Japanese names rather than being sold under their Hasbro-market names.

: This sculpt was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Longarm (SG)#Timelines|Longarm]] and [[Stepper (SG)#Timelines|Stepper]], and the mold's alternate head was used to make [[Treadshot (SG)#Timelines|Treadshot]]. It was also retooled to make ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Wheelie (G1)#Generations|Wheelie]] and ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Kick-Off (G1)#Timelines|Kick-Over]].
{{2010JazzMold}}
{{--}}

===''Generations Selects''===
[[File:Selects-Deluxe-Ricochet.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|[[Carlos Alazraqui|LUCHARAAAAAAANNNN!!!]]]]
*'''Ricochet''' (Deluxe Class, [[2019]])
**''Series'': '''''Power of the Primes'''''
**''Accessories'': Blaster, Prime Armor/combiner hand, Prime Master gap filler/gun

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' accompaniment to ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'', Ricochet is a redeco of [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|Jazz]], which reuses the wheels and Combiner peg of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Drag Strip (G1)#Generations|Dragstrip]]. Transforming into a Le Mans-like racing car [[Porsche#Porsche 962|subtly inspired by a Porsche 962]], Ricochet can also form a limb for any ''Combiner Wars''-style Combiner (or become one of [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber]]'s legs).

:It is currently unknown if Ricochet suffers the same problems with his translucent plastic as his mold mate.

:Ricochet comes with Prime Armor with a place for a [[Prime Master]], a [[Titan Master]], [[Enigma of Combination]], or [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix core]], and can transform into a hand for a Combiner. He also comes with a piece that can fill the gap in the Prime Armor or be held as a gun. To connect the armor, the grill portion of Ricochet's chest has two indents that fit the tabs on the "thumbs" when inserted at a slight angle. Curiously, Ricochet's engineering includes wrist swivels, but the panels molded underneath his forearms render them largely worthless. His Prime Armor was also used for [[Moonracer (G1)#Generations|Moonracer]], [[Firestar (G1)#Generations|Novastar]], and [[Punch (G1)#Power of the Primes|Punch-Counterpunch]].
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:Robotheroesricochetpredaking.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Finally, someone to redeco every Jazz into.]]
*'''Ricochet & Predaking''' (Two-pack, [[2009]])
:A redeco of ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Robot Heroes|Autobot Jazz]], Ricochet is a small [[super deformed]] figurine with articulated shoulders. He was only available in a two-pack with [[Predaking (G1)#Robot Heroes|Predaking]].

:The United States release of this two-pack was canceled, but it was released in other markets such as Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/RHRicochet/ricochet.htm More information on Robot Heroes Ricochet at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===ReAction===
[[File:Transformers_ReAction_Stepper_Figure.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|A Hasbro licensee acknowledges his one true name.]]
*'''Stepper''' (2020)
**''Accessories'': Blaster
:Released as a special wave of black redecos for [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]] for Super7's line of multi-property 3.75 inch action figures, ''ReAction'' Stepper is a non-converting action figure with 5 points of articulation and is a redeco of [[Jazz (G1)/toys#ReAction|Jazz]] from the same series. He comes with a blaster which can only be held in his right hand. As with all releases in the ''ReAction'' toyline, Stepper comes packaged in a small cardback that emulates the nostalgic packaging style of [[Kenner]] ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' action figures of the late 1970s.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The "Stepper/Ricochet" name situation is a bit of a rare one in ''Transformers'': while it ''was'' very common for toy characters to get name changes when making the jump from Takara to Hasbro markets and vice-versa up through the mid-2000s, there's usually not a lot of time between the character's creation and said jump, rarely more than a year in the majority of cases. In this one, the character was exclusively "Stepper" for nearly ''twenty years'' before Hasbro brought him over as "Ricochet". (Nowadays, with both companies working so close together, characters making the cross-company jump typically keep their original name, or a close-enough-to-pass-legal version thereof.) As is TFWiki's policy, we use his English-market name throughout this article, though we do admit that it can sometimes feel a little... dishonest? ...given how long he was just "Stepper". We no longer do the same for [[Nebulon (Headmasters)|his partner]] due to the unique complications with that matter.
* Stepper and Artfire's Targetmaster partners' names were switched from their [[Nightstick (G1)|English-language]] [[Fracas|counterparts]]. There has been some speculation among fans that "Stepper" and "Artfire" may have been switched as well, given that Artfire is the one with a ladder to step on and Stepper is the one with art of fire on him. This is fueled by the fact that [[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]], the Ricochet homage in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]], was named Artfire in Japan, not Stepper.
* Ricochet is one of the few Generation 1 characters to have more than one ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' doppelgänger, receiving both "[[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]]" in [[2008]] and "[[Stepper (SG)|Stepper]]" in [[2015]].
* Ricochet's ''Selects'' toy was "leaked" months prior to its announcement via [[:File:Elita-Infin1te.jpg|Elita Infin1te's package art]], with a black-colored Jazz visible as the right leg. Given that line artist [[Robby Musso]] stated he was instructed to draw specific toys,<ref>https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10157930304367266&set=a.10156303508002266 Facebook post by Robby Musso, 4 October 2020</ref> it would seem that plans for Ricochet's release venue shifted around at Hasbro.

===Foreign names===
*''Mandarin'': '''Wǔzhě''' (舞者, "Dancer")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:Clones]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations Selects toy Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Autobots]]
[[Category:Japanese-original Transformers]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes Autobots]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

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