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Brake-Neck (G1)

2026-04-16T21:11:42Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */

{{faction|decepticon}}
{{disambig3.5|the ''Earth Wars'' game character|the ''Combiner Wars'' toy character|Wildrider (G1)|Brake-Neck}}
:''Brake-Neck is a [[Decepticon]] [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] from the [[Transformers: Earth Wars|Earth Wars]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[file:BrakeNeckTransformersEarthWarsOfficial.jpg|thumb|upright=3.0|Ahhhhh! Much better! Now for the TERRORISTS!]]

'''Brake-Neck''' doesn't care that he's nuts and reckless, and that's what makes him so dangerous. Despite this, Brake-Neck is a bag of nerves, and sudden loud noises are prone to make him take off like a bat out of hell.<ref>''Earth Wars'' mobile game bio for Brake-Neck</ref>

==Games==
===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===

As soon as Brake-Neck arrived at the Decepticon base, he sprinted towards the mountain, alarming [[Luca]]. From there he showed off his sniping skills by shooting [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the foot. He expressed that he wished to test his skills further on some Autobot heads. {{storylink|Project Supernova (saga)|Brake-Neck arrival}}

Brake-Neck was hired by Megatron to retrieve the [[Nova Power Core|Nova Core]] after [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]'s mishap. However, due to the radiation in the area, he could not approach, instead opting to take a shot at [[Smokescreen (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Smokescreen]], who was in his sights. {{storylink|Bit of a Longshot}}

He continued to wait out the radiation until the atmosphere levels were safe enough for him to recover the Nova Core. {{storylink|Battle Hardened}}

When Reflector asked for Brake-Neck to provide cover fire, the Stunticon was rather reluctant, instead wishing to take shots at humans and emergency response vehicles. Smokescreen kept him busy while [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] went after Reflector and the Nova Core.

After the battle was over, Brake-Neck shot a Medibot in the back before venting his frustrations on Viewfinder by promptly shooting him too. {{storylink|Big Bang!}}

*'''Added:''' [[April 4]], 2017
*'''Autobot Counterpart:''' [[Smokescreen (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Smokescreen]]
*'''Class:''' Gunner
*'''Star Ratings:''' 2 - 5 stars
*'''Weapons:''' Brake-neck uses a custom-built [[Quasar rifle]] with a hair trigger and thermo-optic guidance system. He snipes targets dealing sizable damage at a slow rate.
*'''Ability:''' Execute - Instantly apply a small amount of damage to the target. If targeting a building with a low percentage of health, the target is destroyed. If targeting an outpost bot or Combiner, deal a large amount of damage. If the HQ is targeted, the ability will automatically target a nearby building instead.
**'''Cost:''' 3 ability points, does not increase per use.
**'''Level 11 Bonus:''' Ability applies glass gas to nearby buildings for 7 seconds.
*'''Passive:''' If Brake-Neck is a 5 star, normal sniper shots deal extra damage to outpost bots and Combiners, and the threshold for Execute is raised to 40% health.
*'''Compatible C.O.M.B.A.T.s:'''
**Companion
**Ranged

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:brake-neck Brake-Neck at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

==Toys==
===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:GenerationsBrake-NeckPromoPic.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Brake-Neck''' (Deluxe Class, [[2015]])}}</ul>
:*'''2 of 5: [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'''
:*''Accessories'': exhaust pipe/battle club, weapon/fist/foot
{{note|The ''Combiner Wars'' [[Wildrider (G1)#Combiner Wars|Brake-Neck]] toy [[Repurposing|forms the basis]] of a separate character in the ''Earth Wars'' mobile game.}}

:''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Brake-Neck is Hasbro's release of the ''Unite Warriors'' [[Wildrider (G1)#Unite Warriors|Wildrider]] figure, (again) renamed for [[trademark]] issues. Brake-Neck is a new head retool of [[Dead End (G1)#Combiner Wars|Dead End]], transforming from a supercar resembling a Ferrari 458 Italia to robot and back. As a ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe limb, he is able to combine with any ''Combiner Wars''-style Voyager Class figure or form one of [[Godbomber#Legends|Godbomber]]'s legs but is, of course, intended to be combined with [[Motormaster (G1)#Combiner Wars|Motormaster]], [[Breakdown (G1)#Generations|Breakdown]], [[Drag Strip (G1)#Generations|Dragstrip]], and [[Dead End (G1)#Combiner Wars|Dead End]] to create [[Menasor (G1)#Generations|Menasor]] (though his cardback and instructions show him replacing Dead End rather than [[Offroad (CW)#Toys|Offroad]]). Brake-Neck's cardback bio contains a cute reference to his original name, citing how 'even the unpredictable Stunticons see him as an out-of-control ''wild rider'''.

:Like Dead End, Brake-Neck comes with a copy of "''Combiner Wars'' #8" (actually [[Heavy Is the Head|''Robots in Disguise'' #16]]).

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Decepticon/CWBrake-Neck/brake-neck.htm More information on ''Combiner Wars'' Brake-Neck at TFU.info]''
{{CWDeadEndMold}}

{{anchor|CWG2}}
[[File:TF-Combiner-Wars-G2-Brake-Neck.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d2|'''Menasor''' (Collection Pack, 2015)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' exhaust pipe/battle club, weapon/fist/foot
{{Note|The ''Combiner Wars'' multi-pack Brake-Neck toy is the basis of the G2 skin for ''Earth Wars'' Brake-Neck. (Sort of. See "Notes" below.)}}
:A [[redeco]] of the ''Combiner Wars'' mass-retail Stunticons, this Brake-Neck is based on his cancelled [[Wildrider (G1)#Generation 2|''Generation 2'' toy]] (or more precisely, a [http://air-hammer.deviantart.com/art/G2-Stunticons-Digibash-471989649 fan artist's digibash] based on [http://cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?p=76573 another fan's hand-painted recreation] of the cancelled ''Generation 2'' toys). Compared to his fellow G2 ''Combiner Wars'' Stunticons, Wildrider is the most accurate to [[#Generation 2|his G2 toy]].
{{CWDeadEndMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:EW-skin-Brake-Neck-G2.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|]]
*Brake-Neck debuted in March 2017 as the nominal ''Earth Wars'' adaptation of the Generation 1 character Wildrider, mostly based on the 2015 ''Combiner Wars'' figure which had been renamed "Brake-Neck" for trademark reasons. The game dropped hints that in ''Earth Wars'' continuity, Brake-Neck and Wildrider were separate individuals, but it would not be until October 2023 that [[Wildrider (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Wildrider]] himself would appear, based on the [[Wildrider (G1)#Legacy|distinct ''Legacy'' toy]], cementing Brake-Neck as his own individual.
*In the game, Brake-Neck, [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], and [[Dust Up]] share a model mostly based on [[Dust Up#Toys|Dust Up's toy]], with Brake-Neck's only difference being that he was given a mouth.
*Brake-Neck also received a ''Generation 2''-themed pay-to-unlock skin (at right) based on Wildrider's G2-themed ''Combiner Wars'' redeco. However, this skin would end up being erroneously assigned to Dead End instead due to the both of them effectively sharing the same model with one slight difference. In fact, the aforementioned render you're seeing uses Dead End's model as it sports the [[Mouthplate|mouthplate]] he and Dust Up have.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese'': '''Brake-Neck''' (ブレークネック ''Burēkunekku'')
*''Korean'': '''Brake-Neck''' (브레이크넥 ''Beuleikeu-Nek'')
*''Mandarin'': '''Mǎngzhuàng''' (Taiwan, 莽撞, "Reckless")<ref>This is recycled from Wildrider's Taiwanese Mandarin name.</ref>
*''Russian'': '''Brake-Neck''' (Брейк-Нек ''Breyk-Nek'')

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Stunticons]]

Mbilia Studios

2025-11-04T05:37:02Z

Ducktimus: math

[[File:Mbilia Logo.png|right|200px|thumb|Likely backed by [[Source:Soundwaves#Issue_36|Marvel UK Soundwave]].]]'''Mbilia Studios''' is a "luxury collectible studio" allegedly based in Dubai (despite the business actually being registered in [https://recordowl.com/company/mbilia-studios-private-limited Singapore]), allegedly specializing in pop culture merchandise for large media franchises, including ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]''... And, so far, just ''Transformers'', despite ostensibly branding themselves a multi-property enterprise. It was founded in [[2025]]... Allegedly.

Presumably, they will release a series of limited-edition monochromatic statues featuring characters with comic stills printed on them. Though, as you might infer from the tone of this opening paragraph, there are <s>an absurd amount of</s> ''some'' red flags.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
[[File:Mbilia's totally not AI generated 3800USD soundwave statue.jpg|thumb|right|250px|$3800 AI-generated [[Decoy (G1)|decoy]].]]
Mbilia's statues are set to be limited to 100 manufactured units per character, with each figure costing an astonishing $3800. But hey, on a bright note, the 5% discount they offer off your first order will knock $190 off one of their statues, letting customers pay just $3610 instead of $3800 before shipping and taxes. What a steal!

The quality of these figures' designs is also extremely questionable, to say the least. For instance, looking at the Soundwave statue from the front, he seems to be holding a rifle based on the G1 toy's gun. Still, when looking at it from the side, instead, we see that the thing is actually in two parts, with what would've been the shoulder stock actually becoming a second cylinder on his right shoulder. The front of it is actually resting on his wrist while his fist clutches noting. Meanwhile, his legs have either tires or a second volume wheel when the original Soundwave toy only has one wheel on the left leg, and both of his thighs are clipping through his hips.

'''Statues'''
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)]]
*[[Megatron (G1)]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)]]
*[[Starscream (G1)]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)]]

The splash ad that greets newcomers to the Mbilia website that asks visitors to sign up for their email list (and get 5% off your first order) also asks for the visitor's Transformers preferences: G1, [[Live-action film series|the live-action film series]], [[IDW Publishing|the IDW comics]], or the [[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece Series]]. It is likely that Mbilia is planning to make statues based on those franchises in the future. It is unknown what Mbilia means when including "Masterpiece Series" in their poll, since the figures from that line are nearly all G1 and live-action movie characters... two options already on their own poll.

==Notes==
*When polling visitors if they preferred the live-action film series, Mbilia called it the "Bayverse," which usually has been just a fan name for the movie series, and not an official term used by Hasbro or Paramount Pictures.
[[File:SloptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|180px|Arise... Sloptimus Prime.]]
*It is very, very blatant that Mbilia uses {{w|Generative artificial intelligence|generative AI}} in all aspects of their website, and potentially their merchandise. Aside from the fact that any chunk of text on it gets flagged with 100% AI likelihood on most AI detectors, and that they feature presumably legitimate reviews when they haven't even shipped any product, when clicking on each [https://mbilia.com/content/transformers-studio-series-comic-edition product listing on their website], visitors are greeted with an AI made animation of each character with animation errors, because the AI doesn't know how to actually animate these characters (and ''especially'' not their transformations). Worse still, when making vertical videos for their social media platforms, they had the AI create entirely new vertical animations instead of cropping the horizontal videos on their storefront, having an entirely different (and still erroneous) transformation for the same characters.
**Some mistakes the "animation" created by the generative AI for their social media:
***The vertical Optimus animation (seen right) makes the windshield's windows go up and disappear behind his shoulders, his smokestacks disappear with the windshield before melting out of the final robot mode's shoulders, and his hands are a blurry mess before fully rendering into fists. The entire truck cab raises over its suspension during this, leaving just the tires and a gas tank that suddenly morphs into another tire. The grey suspension then expands and turns into his thighs while the grey tires melt together and become his red shins. Meanwhile, his entire trailer shrinks into his butt rather than disappear into the jungle behind him.
***The vertical Bumblebee transformation has the car's front hood open up, revealing an engine that Volkswagen Beetles usually have in the rear trunk, before the hood stretches over the entire roof of the car and splits in the middle to become his arms. The engine that shouldn't exist then melts and becomes his groin, chest, and thighs, while the front fenders of the car spin around his calves and a new hood grows out of his knees to cover his feet.
**A quick breakdown of what the AI spat out for their storefront:
***The Optimus animation has the entire front of the truck (not just the windshield, THE ENTIRE FRONT from roof to bumper), go up during his transformation and turn into the tops of his shoulders, while faux windshields and a faux grille becomes his chest. Additionally, all six of his wheels just blur and morph into his legs, with no indication of them folding away, and his entire trailer shrinks into his butt again.
***Megatron is apparently derived from his classic G1 gun design, but for the first few frames of the animation, his head and [[Fusion cannon|fusion cannon]] look a lot like they're Optimus' head and [[Ion blaster|ion blaster]], and at the end of the animation the tip of his gun barrel is floating behind his head without the rest of the barrel there to support it. Meanwhile in the background of the animated scene, an orange spaceship that's flying behind Megatron suddenly disappears as he jumps down.
***During Bumblebee's transformation, the hood of his vehicle mode flips over the car cab and seemingly morphs into the arms despite being part of the robot mode's feet on the statue, and Bumblebee's abdomen slides underneath the front windshield so it can take the place of the rear windshield. In the robot mode, Bumblebee's hood-less feet seem to be separated down the middle by a grey plate, giving the feet a toe-like shape, and his torso has a completely different design before a morph into the statue's design clears up any inconsistencies. The Autobot insignia present on the vehicle mode's hood disappears and is not present on the robot mode's foot. Also, Bumblebee seemingly does not have eyes.
***For Starscream's transformation, the entire bottom of his jet mode folds down and around his groin as his cockpit suddenly appears. Meanwhile, his wings and jet intakes melt and reform as his arms, and a new set of wings grow out of his butt.
***In Soundwave's animation, he has a fusion cannon that's somehow more fully rendered than the actual statue it is advertising. He is also missing his blue shoulder-mounted rocket cannon.
*In a show of either incompetence or laziness of their web store, currently if you try to open any of the social media network links at the bottom of their site, it takes you to a 404 error page since the links actually go to "mbilia.com/facebook url" and "mbilia.com/twitter url" instead of linking to their Facebook or Twitter pages.
*It is worth reiterating that regardless of one's thoughts on using generative AI for animation or other similar purposes, despite Mbilia Studios presenting itself as a serious luxury brand with products they value at nearly $4000, they apparently also cannot afford to hire an actual animator for a few clips that are five seconds long, nor have someone actually write the short text blurbs on their website. Make of this what you will.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KivCRqfFcqY Did you know that it's illegal to say "Mbilia Studios is a scam"? It's illegal, it's a litigious offense, it's one of the only sentences that you're not allowed to say. Now, it was okay for us to say it right then because we were just telling you that it's illegal to say... '''Mbilia Studios is a scam'''. We're not actually saying it, we're just letting you know that it's illegal to say that, it's kinda like a public service, we're letting you know so you don't accidentally go out and say something like that.]

==External links==
*[https://mbilia.com/ Mbilia Studios website]
*[https://www.instagram.com/mbiliastudios/ Mbilia Studios' Instagram]
[[Category:Companies|Mbilia Studios]]

Swindle (G1)

2024-07-22T22:51:04Z

Ducktimus: /* Combiner Wars */ redirected broken link to archive.org mirror

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|autobot|eliteguard}}
{{disambig3|Swindle}}
:''Swindle is a [[Decepticon]] [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Swindleg1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He'd sell you for a nickel, that schemer.]]

Capitalist first, Decepticon second, '''Swindle''' is a con-man, an opportunist, a hustler—or as he would put it, an entrepreneur. Unlike his fellow Combaticons, he considers the Autobot-Decepticon war to be merely an opportunity for networking, cutting deals, and making profit. He's an expert on all manner of weaponry and their market prices, and he prides himself on being able to sell anything to pretty much anybody.

Despite being a weaselly, opportunistic sneak, Swindle is one of the few Decepticons who could adapt to a post-war Cybertron. After all, there will always be demand for a black market, regardless of whoever wins. He knows all he has to do is keep his chin up, and he'll always have a customer. All he needs is a smile.

Swindle can combine with the other Combaticons to form [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]].

{{quote|Make deals, not war.|Swindle's [[bio]] quote}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Johnny Haymer]] (English), [[Osamu Saka]] (Japanese), [[Kōki Kataoka]] (Japanese, "Aerial Assault"), [[Ken Shiroyama]] (Japanese, ''2010''), [[Yoku Shioya]] (Japanese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2"), [[Minoru Inaba]] (Japanese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3"), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese, "Webworld")|[[Xia Zhiqing]] (Chinese), [[Alejandro Abdalah]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, "Five Faces of Darknes, Part 2 - 4" & "The Rebirth, Part 3"), [[Gerhard Acktun]] (German, "Webworld"), [[Imo Heite]] (German, "The Ultimate Weapon"), [[Ulf-Jürgen Wagner]] (German, ''Generation 2'' dub of "Starscream's Brigade"), [[Peter Zilles]] (German, ''Generation 2'' dub of "The Ultimate Weapon"), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French), [[Albert Augier]] (European French, "The Revenge of Bruticus"), [[Éric Etcheverry]] (European French, "Five Faces of Darkness, Parts 2 - 4"), [[François Leccia]] (European French, "Webworld"), [[Júlio César]] (Portuguese), [[Marcos Miranda]] (Portuguese, "The Revenge of Bruticus"), [[Carlos Marques]] (Portuguese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2"), [[André Filho]] (Portuguese, "The Ultimate Weapon")}}

[[File:StarscreamsBrigade CombaticonsMegs.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Step right up! Step right up! Everyone's a winner; bargains galore!]]
Swindle 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. Swindle in particular was put in a {{w|Willys Jeep}},<ref>"Starscream's Brigade" shooting script</ref> and unlike his teammates, he didn't immediately reconfigure himself into a different vehicle form. 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; in the end, Starscream only guaranteed their loyalty though 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:AerialAssault Swindle Ali.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|It picks up the kids from school; it gets rid of unwanted facial hair; it gets rid of embarrassing ink spots; it delivers a pizza!]]
The Combaticons later escaped the asteroid and attacked Cybertron together as Bruticus. After being defeated again, Swindle and the Combaticons were reprogrammed to be loyal to Megatron. It's debatable how well that reprogramming took with Swindle. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Megatron next ordered the Combaticons to steal fighter planes by using Middle-Eastern criminals as go-betweens. Swindle was the personal ride of [[Ali (Sunbow)|Ali]], the thief leader, and led the caravans with parts to Megatron. He later merged with the others to form Bruticus, who was defeated by the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] as [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

[[File:BOT Swindle grabbed.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Act now! Act now! And receive as our gift to you, they come in all colors, one size fits all!]]
Bruticus was next defeated by [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], and Swindle was the sole survivor of the team. He proceeded to sell the parts of his comrades to various [[El Presidente|people]] for a sweet finder's fee. Megatron was less than happy with this, however, as he had just constructed a giant death-ray for Bruticus to wield for him. No Combaticons, no Bruticus. Swindle tried to plead off his greed as a programming flaw, but Megatron wasn't having any of it. He installed a bomb in Swindle's head and gave him 15 hours to rebuild his fellow Combaticons or suffer their fate. The most elusive piece was [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]'s personality component, which had been raided from a junkyard by [[Elise Presser|some]] [[Martin and Roland|high school kids]] building a [[B.O.T. (G1)|homemade robot]]. Swindle had to fight through a trio of Autobots in order to recover the personality component, but succeeded in time to have the bomb removed. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}

Swindle is plainly a team player.

[[File:FiveFaces2 Scourge and Swindle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.34|Fifty percent off original retail price, skip the middle man!]]
After the Decepticons were exiled to a burnt-out husk of a planet called [[Chaar]] in 2006, they dropped dangerously low on energon. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} When they spotted [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] spying on them, Swindle and the other Decepticons charged, only to find that their weapons were next to useless through lack of energon. The two Autobots were picked up by a [[Skuxxoid]] spaceship, and Swindle commented that the Skuxxoids would sell out to anyone, unaware that the ship had been commandeered by Autobots. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} When the [[Quintesson]]s arrived on Chaar, [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] went out to meet them, and when they announced they wanted to make a deal, Dead End deferred to Swindle's negotiating skills. After determining that the energon the Quintessons were offering was good, Swindle talked to the Quintessons about a deal, and when it turned out they wanted the Decepticons to help them destroy the Autobots, the Decepticons were happy to volunteer their services. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}}

The Decepticons were taken to [[Goo 8739-B|Goo]] to attack the Autobots, only for [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] to arrive partway through the battle and demand the Decepticons return to him. Swindle, perhaps foolishly, asked what Galvatron would provide for them that the Quintessons hadn't. After some more "negotiations", Galvatron entered into an alliance with the Quintessons too. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} As part of a two-pronged attack, Swindle was part of the Decepticon forces who went to Earth. They were unable to prevent [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] gaining a new [[transformation cog]] however. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[File:WebWorld Swindle and Cyclonus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Get away from me, kid; ya bother me.]]
Swindle and the other Combaticons accompanied Galvatron to [[Paradron]], where at one point they were assigned to guard the Paradronian prisoners and failed to fend off an Autobot assault. {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} When the Autobots threw a surprise party for [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]], the Combaticons threw a surprise attack on the Autobots, however [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] proved too much for them and they retreated in Blast Off. {{storylink|Surprise Party}}

Later, Swindle, along with [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], finally became so dissatisfied with Galvatron leadership that he openly grumbled that the Autobots would be doing the Decepticons a favor by killing Galvatron. [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] interpreted this as treason, but Swindle brushed him off. Both he and Motormaster warned Cyclonus that if Galvatron's madness wasn't cured, the Unicron-forged pair would face rebellion. {{storylink|Webworld}}

[[File:UltimateWeapon FirstAid Swindle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|You got it buddy; the large print giveth, and the small print taketh away!]]
On another occasion, Swindle singlehandedly infiltrated [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] for Galvatron and miraculously managed to fend off a lone Autobot pacifist like [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] to steal the [[Titan (group)|Titan]]'s [[transformation cog]]. After returning from his mission, though, Swindle's greed got the best of him, and he attempted to make Galvatron bid for the cog. After Megatron put a bomb in his head, why Swindle thought bargaining with the even less stable Galvatron was a good idea is anyone's guess. Lucky for Swindle, Galvatron was in one of his less manic phases at the time and only blasted the greedy Combaticon a few times instead of ripping out his primary fuel pump with his [[teeth]]. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

In their combined Bruticus form, the Combaticons fought Defensor but had to split up and flee when Rodimus Prime and Sky-Lynx arrived to provide backup. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}} Also as part of Bruticus, Swindle was one of the victims of the [[Hate Plague]]. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

Swindle took part in a major assault on Cybertron, when the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]]s arrived, resulting in an Autobot defeat. The Combaticons were then put to work building a rocket engine to move Cybertron to Earth's solar system. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}
{{--}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====

=====Scramble City=====
When the Stunticons were dispatched to hinder the Autobots from constructing [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]], they were held up by the Aerialbots, so the Combaticons were sent to aid them. Swindle combined with the others to form Bruticus, who teamed up with Menasor to defeat Superion. Unfortunately, Scramble City was finished in the meantime, and soon arrived on the scene and defeated Bruticus. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====''Story of Binaltech''=====
[[File:Swindleart.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Nice to meet you! Please disregard the gun.]]
In 2003, Swindle used his contacts to reverse-engineer the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] virus and ensure a large percentage of the Autobot force on Earth was incapacitated. {{storylink|Binaltech Is... (Chapter 1)|Binaltech Is...}} When the Autobots joined forces with Earth's manufacturing industries to create the Binaltech project, Swindle worked with Starscream and his Decepticon faction to infiltrate the project for their own ends. Using modified [[cerebro-shell]] technology to turn human workers into sleeper agents, the Decepticons managed to sneak some of their own personality components into the facilities and replace them with those of the Autobots planned for the new bodies. {{storylink|Arise! Evil Binaltechs}}

Thanks to the Decepticons' efforts, the Central City Institute of Technology thought they were upgrading the Autobot [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], only to have Swindle come online instead. Swindle's bait-and-switch wasn't totally effective, though—the Binaltech warriors only had their weaponry fully equipped and activated after coming online and arriving at Autobot City, so Swindle was not equipped with functioning versions of Trailbreaker's [[force field]] and other abilities, having to instead outfit himself with armaments from his own munitions depots. He was also banned from the Binaltech [[electro-cell]] recharging centers after his ruse was uncovered, and therefore had to rely on the [[Exponential Generator]] technology provided by Starscream's human ally, [[Doctor Arkeville]]. Though upgraded since its inception, the generators were historically unstable (like, "might blow up an entire planet" unstable). {{storylink|Expose All of Evil's Designs!}}

======BT World======
A team of Autobots zeroed-in on a base of operation of the [[Concurrence]], finding Swindle working alongside the humans. Together, Swindle and the Concurrence had built an enormous artificial transformer, powered by the energies of Prowl's Spark, currently lost across dimensions. After the giant's defeat, Swindle was taken into custody. He pleaded his innocence, stating that building the artificial transformer was the humans' idea, and that he had merely advised them throughout the process. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 2}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
[[File:Hm4 Swindle Gun.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Swindle and the Combaticons were among Galvatron's troops when he ordered an all-out Decepticon invasion of Cybertron, {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} but even the power of Bruticus couldn't stand up to the newly arrived [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} The Combaticons were subsequently sent to Earth to stop [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] from bringing the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to Optimus Prime, but were ambushed by the Protectobots and buried in a rockfall. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} They were next seen defending [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s city mode from [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|an Autobot spy]], but were distracted by the Aerialbots. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

Galvatron eventually managed to invade Cybertron once more, and Swindle and the others were again part of the attack. They soon encountered those pesky Protectobots again, {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} and were taken out of action by Defensor. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}} As Galvatron was thought lost in the battle, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] took control of the Decepticon forces and ordered the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] to protect a giant carnivorous plant he had planted in [[San Francisco]]. When the Autobots arrived to kill it, Bruticus dueled with the [[Trainbot]] combiner [[Raiden]]. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}} The Combaticons later fell under [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]'s command, and he ordered them, along with the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] and [[Horrorcon (G1)|Horrorcons]], to attack an Autobot energy facility in [[Florida|Miami]]. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}} They unleashed Bruticus as Sixshot continued his reign of terror over the Autobots on Earth. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

Swindle was later present at Scorponok's inauguration as [[Decepticon leader]] after Galvatron had died for real. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}} The Combaticons were then stationed at the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], where they failed to lure Fortress Maximus away from their base. {{storylink|The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide}} As Scorponok's plan to destroy Earth came close to fruition, Swindle was part of Bruticus as the combiner sunk the luxury liner ''[[Queen World]]'' and defended a [[Death Tower]] in [[Australia]] from Defensor. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} As Bruticus, the Combaticons participated in the final battle with the Autobots at the [[Arctic|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''=====
[[Trickdiamond]] was rumored to have dealings with Swindle. {{storylink|Trickdiamond#Unite Warriors 2|''Unite Warriors'' Trickdiamond bio}} During an illegal arms trading market hosted by the Combaticons, Swindle decided to sell some home-made missiles... as well as Brawl's weapons. He was seen trying to explain his actions after his angry comrade noticed what was going on. {{storylink|Shopping at the Dark Bazaar!}}

=====''Zone'' cartoon, manga, and story pages=====
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. Swindle was of those summoned, but only as part of Bruticus. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Transformers: Zone}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}
{{-}}

====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)|Parts 13, 14, 16}}}}
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
Swindle and the rest of the Combaticon team came to assist [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] when he got into trouble with [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. As Bruticus, the team broke Defensor apart easily enough, but fell victims to Superion's [[electrostatic discharger rifle]]. The weapon hit Swindle and [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]], who disconnected from Bruticus, allowing two [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] to steal their positions as Bruticus's legs. Swindle was left chasing after Bruticus as the Autobots took control of the combiner's flight systems and flew away with him. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5}}

Megatron later ordered the Combaticons to capture an escaped [[Battle Dog]] which he had imbued with energy. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] eventually arrived to stop them, leading to the dog using its energy to give the Autobot [[Scramble Power]]. Swindle combined with his teammates to destroy Powerglide, but he and his [[Mini Vehicle|Minibot]] friends used Scramble Power to [[Minibot combiner|combine]] and drill a hole straight through Bruticus, forcing him to retreat. {{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]], Swindle 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|Swindle 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, Swindle 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}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
[[File:EliteGuardCombaticons TheComingStorm2.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Roll up! Roll up! Buy ten packets of Energon for only E999.99! Contents may have settled during transit...]]
Swindle was part of a [[Elite Guard|Cybertron Elite Guard]] special ops unit created by [[Magnum]] to take out the various [[Decepticon leader|leaders]] of the new Decepticon faction, in the hopes of ending the war quickly. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 2}} During introductions, Swindle admired [[Dion (G1)|Dion]]'s [[Nitronium launcher]]s and offered him an [[Ajax P-9000 Grade-B Jump Launch Accelerator]] (Swindle had named his own "[[Thunderblast (G1)|Thunderblast]]" after an old flame). The Combaticons were teamed with [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]'s Strike Team for a mission to an archeological dig in [[Median]]. The dig had uncovered the [[Heart of the Dragon]], a powerful artifact coveted by the Decepticon [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] and his [[Stormtrooper (G1)|Stormtrooper]]s. When the teams arrived and discovered that the archaeologists were all females, he announced the odds were high that they would all score.

They began to fortify the site, though Onslaught had to remind Swindle that he wasn't there to sell them the fortifications. He still managed to organize a trade with [[Over-Run (G1)|Over-Run]], providing the Autobot with a drone. He also lent [[Lancer]] his [[Gyro gun|Gyro-Gun]] and a dose of sexual harassment. The Decepticons still managed to break in to steal the urn, and even Swindle's idea of having the autoturrets shoot anyone trying to escape the city failed when the autoturrets apparently malfunctioned.

Tracking the Stormtroopers back to their mobile base, the [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], Swindle and the others were confronted by Rage's bizarre creations, the [[Minotoron]]s. Dion suggested that Swindle use a device he'd removed from Over-Run's drone to produce a high-pitched noise and subdue the beasts. Seeing an opportunity to sneak inside, [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]], Swindle and Dion mounted the creatures when they were summoned back inside the Metrotitan.

The teams reassembled inside the base, only to be confronted by [[Brimstone (G1 Decepticon)|Brimstone]], a small but powerful Transformer with atom-smashing breath, brought to life by the Heart of the Dragon. In the face of this new threat, they were forced to retreat while attempting to find a way to destroy it. Even [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]]'s explosives weren't enough to stop the creature, but the small frame proved to be insufficient to contain Brimstone's energies, and it soon exploded, destroying the Metrotitan. Swindle and the Elite Guard managed to escape the blast radius, and reported back to Magnum about a job well done. Swindle's report apparently read like a romance holo-pulp. {{storylink|Flames of Yesterday}}

[[File:ComingStorm3 Swindle looks for loot.jpg|thumb|upright=0.95|Come on, buddy. [[Swindle (Animated)|This should be a no processor...er]] for you.]]
The Combaticons and Strike Team continued to be teamed up for missions. They tracked down the Decepticon [[Shadowcaster]]'s base and Swindle was given the task of dropping a [[fog grenade]] in to drive the officers out into the open. He hoped there was something he could loot, but Onslaught reminded him he was on a mission. He still managed to enlist Vortex's help in looting a particularly large piece of machinery, once the mission was completed. While the Strike Team went back to base, the Constructicons stuck around to investigate the area, and were captured by Decepticons. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 3}}

Swindle was mostly impressed by the energy bars on their cell, as he knew someone who'd pay a small fortune for the technology. The Combaticons were brought before [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]], though Swindle was unable to take his eyes off the mountains of gold the Decepticon possessed. Deathsaurus persuaded the team to join his group of Decepticons. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 4}} He bestowed on the team new armor, and the ability to merge into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. A week later, the Combaticons took part in an attack on Elite Guard HQ, and when confronted by [[Sentinel Major]], showed off their new [[Combiner]] mode. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 5}} Bruticus managed to slaughter pretty much all of the Guard before 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. In mid battle, Swindle tried to interest Dion in a supply of quasar weapons, much to the Autobot's surprise. As the Combaticons gained the upper hand, they attempted to merge, only to be blasted mid-combination. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 3}} They picked themselves up only to find that Blast Off was missing, so they couldn't make another try at forming Bruticus. Swindle was almost attacked by Dion, but another Decepticon surprised the Autobot from behind. At the end of the fight, the Combaticons failed to retreat fast enough and were subsequently taken into Elite Guard custody. {{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|left|upright=1.7]]
''Thanks to his brief time housing the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] in his mind, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] experienced a series of dreams outlining the future of Cybertronian technology: the [[Special Teams]]. These dreams were random and chaotic at first, as he was chased through his dreamscape by [[Combiner]] robots and witnessed the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] merge into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. After [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] joined Buster in his dreams, the information became more linear, and the Autobot and human beheld a future scenario in which Swindle and the Combaticons joined forces with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] against the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. Working off this information, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] began to conceive a way to reverse-engineer and improve upon [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'s combination technology. Unfortunately for the Autobots, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] had managed to tap into Buster's dream frequency, and the Decepticons received the same information to build their own Special Teams.'' {{storylink|The Special Teams Have Arrived}} {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Swindle brawl afterdeath.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
On his first mission on Earth, Swindle joined the Combaticons and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] on a mission to invade the company Energy Futures Industries in order to steal a [[hydrothermocline]], which the Decepticons wanted to take for their own energy resources. When they arrived, they were met by Optimus Prime and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], laying in wait for them. Swindle 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 Swindle was sent into the video game along with the other Combaticons, Protectobots, and faction leaders. Swindle teamed up with [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] 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:Swindle marvel uk 137.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|This is all kinds of wrong.]]
Swindle was idling about in Megatron's throne room, where he witnessed the now mentally unhinged faction leader lash out erratically to all those around him. He soon accompanied his fellow Decepticons to a new base in the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]], during which time Megatron disappeared and Shockwave assumed command of the Earth-bound Decepticons. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} ''Shortly afterwards, Shockwave dispatched Swindle and the other Combaticons to assassinate [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], who had been buried under cooled lava at [[Mount Verona]]. The Combaticons made short work of the human military camped around the site, then proceeded to set up explosive charges to eliminate the potential usurper once and for all. As Swindle was setting his share of the charges, he was struck down by the combined efforts of [[Joy Meadows|three]] [[Susan Hoffman|human]] [[Cindy Newell|women]], out to save [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], also buried within the volcano. The rest of the Combaticons were driven off with the additional help of the [[Throttlebot]]s, earning them the ire of Swindle and his teammates.'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}}

[[File:Swindle marvel uk 138.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Lamb bhuna last night?]]
Swindle and his team tracked the Throttlebots to a used car lot, finding their prey immobilized in their vehicle modes. But to get to them, the Combaticons had to contend with both the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and a squadron of [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] operatives. In order to avoid wholesale destruction of his lot, the proprietor of the dealership suggested each faction put in a bid for the Throttlebots, and all present accepted. Onslaught had nothing to bargain with however, and zero intention of actually following through with the agreement. He instructed Swindle to simply terminate the auctioneer, [[Big Steve Ludwig (G1)|Big Steve Ludwig]], only for Blaster to leap forth from a hiding spot and toss Swindle away before he got his shot in. This triggered an all-out brawl to start, ending with the Combaticons retreating and the Throttlebots in RAAT custody. {{storylink|Used Autobots}} The Combaticons decided to ambush the Protectobots once more, this time meeting them in a sprawling train yard. The group was forced to regroup and combine into Bruticus early in the fight, the combiner's brute strength securing them a victory over the similarly merged [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. But the dim-witted Bruticus was then tricked by Blaster into lowering his guard, and the Autobot collapsed an electrical tower onto his opponent, knocking his components into unconsciousness. {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}}

Swindle had better success during the Decepticon ambush of the Autobots on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]], where the Autobots had gathered to resolve a leadership dispute. Swindle attacked [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] with his Scatter Blaster and commented that although Brawn was not a great Autobot warrior, he would have a bright future as spare parts (presumably to be sold at a premium by Swindle himself). When the combined forces of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] managed to pierce the ship's protective force field, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] commanded all Decepticons on the surface of the Moon to return to the ship and retreat. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

Swindle also served as part of the "friendly" staff on the beach of the Decepticons' Caribbean island when the Decepticons used the base as a human vacation resort. Swindle was there to serve every need that the humans might require. {{storylink|Club Con!}}
{{-}}

''Eventually, the Combaticons fell under the command of [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]. On his orders, Swindle'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, Swindle's group then made themselves scarce.'' {{storylink|Prime Bomb!}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}}}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:TheGatheringDarkness-Swindle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|The skull of the former Decepticon leader is always the highlight of Swindle's tour of their headquarters.]]
Swindle gave [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] a tour of the [[Warworld]] when the Decepticon leader forcibly took command of the Decepticons back from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. This ultimately led to a chamber where many [[Bludgeon's new army|new Decepticon bodies]] awaited, needing the Matrix to give them life. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|Tales of Earth Part Three}}

He was later seen briefly as part of the first wave of defenders when the Warworld was attacked by the next-generation Cybertronians commanded by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] after the Autobots and Decepticons had forged an alliance of necessity against said forces. Swindle's fate was not revealed, but considering the Cybertronian troops—led by the traitor [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]—killed several Decepticons and ultimately overtook the battleship, it didn't look too good for Swindle. {{storylink|Total War!}}
{{-}}

===The Special Teams===
Swindle 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===
Swindle was among the Decepticons under [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s leadership who set up a secret base in a [[human]] industrial estate within striking distance of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. When [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] came snooping around, Swindle spotted him and gave chase, but Bumblebee hid among the wrecked cars in a wreckers yard. Apparently Swindle never told anyone their base had been found, as it was a complete surprise when the Autobots later attacked and drove the Decepticons off. {{storylink|Decepticon Hideout}}

===St. Michael ''The Transformers'' Sticker Book===
{{notemultipath}}
Swindle 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, Swindle 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===
Swindle sided with Starscream when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] briefly usurped command of the Decepticons from Megatron, shortly after the onset of the Cybertronian civil war. He assisted in forcibly extracting data from [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] so that Starscream could uncover the full extent of Megatron's plans before his supplanting. {{storylink|The War Within issue 4|The War Within #4}}

Millions of years later, Swindle, along with his fellow Combaticons, was imprisoned by Shockwave, presumably as war criminals under the terms of the new peace treaty with the Autobots. {{Storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He was sprung by Starscream after the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'''s crew returned to Cybertron, though, in a bid to plunder Earth of its ressources while the Autobots were too busy overthrowing Shockwave's regime. {{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}}

[[File:G1 DWSwindle deal routetoallevil.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Who wouldn't trust a bot named "Swindle"?]]
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, to which Swindle suggested a "deal" for this to happen. Starscream overheard their conversation and informed the smaller Decepticon that the only "deal" he needed to worry about was how Starscream would deal with Swindle for his scheming. Starscream nevertheless let it pass for the moment in order for the Combaticons to test themselves against 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 Swindle, Brawl and Onslaught nearly getting 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. As the Combaticons closed in on the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]] [[combiner]], Swindle had trouble keeping up with the rest of the group before they formed Bruticus. This encounter also did not end well. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{-}}

===''The Beast Within''===
During a particularly violent battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons, Swindle combined with his fellow Combaticons in order to square off against [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]]. It didn't go well, to say the least. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus]]

[[File:LawAndDisorder-Swindle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Honest Swindle seems nice enough, but there's something about him I don't trust." "Maybe it's the fact his office is an SUV with the engine running."]]
Shortly prior to the formation of the Decepticons, Swindle was working as a lackey for [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] during the height of his gladiator period. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} During the tenure of [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]], Swindle was busted by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]]'s officers for peddling [[simultronic]]s. {{storylink|Post}} He was soon back on the street, now running a weapons-manufacturing warehouse and creating weapons that were later used to kill forty-three citizens of [[Peptex]]. His operations were soon busted by Orion Pax's officers again.{{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}}

Later, Swindle was once again the target of Orion Pax's team in the streets of [[Nyon]], where he was selling stolen Autobot materials to some sleepers. He fought against Orion Pax, who quickly overpowered him and ordered him to give more details about Megatron. However, Swindle preferred to explain how the Decepticons were about to bring Cybertron to a new era, freed from oppression and corruption, and how, by using uncontrolled violence, Orion Pax was proving him right. The latter, about to shoot Swindle in the head, was stopped by Bumblebee, and Swindle was captured alive. {{storylink|Law and Disorder}} When he failed to provide any useful intel on the Decepticons during interrogation, [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] decided to use Swindle as an example of the [[vamparc ribbon]]'s power. He was taken to the [[Primacy Auditorium]], where Zeta used a vamparc unit to drain his energy in order to demonstrate its powers to the [[Senate]]. {{storylink|Parasites}}

Establishing the [[Raw Deal]] pawn broker, Swindle began selling information gathered from other Decepticons, though his sources dried up after Megatron's first defeat. This got him into trouble with [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]], who was using his info to plan heists, but luckily the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobot]] thought he might come in handy later and opted not to send the Autobots after him. {{storylink|Derelicts}} Swindle was present when [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] declared himself the new Decepticon leader, but doubted his claim to have exiled Megatron to the mythical planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. {{storylink|Wreckage (issue)|Wreckage}} He and the other Combaticons opposed Scorponok's ruthless reign and left Cybertron, making their way to the [[Presidium (planet)|Presidium]], the location of an old armory Swindle had bought access codes to. Within they found [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who had leaked the codes to Swindle for a chance to meet the Combaticons and let them know Megatron was back. {{storylink|Primacy issue 2|Primacy #2}}

[[File:SpotlightUltraMagnusSwindle.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Swindle: Master salespitcher.]]
As the war began in earnest between the Autobots and Decepticons, Swindle, [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] were stationed on [[Varas Centralus]]. The Constructicons committed some atrocity that was enough to cause Sky-Byte to abandon the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

In modern times, Swindle was an arms dealer being hunted down by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] for violating the [[Tyrest Accord]]. After failing to hide from Magnus on the planet [[Zull]] 29 solar cycles in the past, he managed to deal for his freedom by selling Magnus information on the whereabouts of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Magnus later caught Swindle again, but it would seem he managed to bargain for his freedom once again. {{storylink|Spotlight: Ultra Magnus}}

Quite some time later, Swindle was one of several Decepticons who were stranded on Earth after Megatron's defeat in [[New York City]]. Ever the opportunist, he saw a market open to him in the chaos that had followed, and made contact with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]] of [[Skywatch]] to secretly supply the human organization with Cybertronian weaponry. {{storylink|Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|A Second Chance at Eden}}

[[File:TF Ongoing issue 3 Swindle.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Cool story, bro.]]
Swindle then joined a small band of other stranded Decepticons. At first, the group tried to follow the high-ranking [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], but his disenchantment with the Decepticons and the war led them to fall in behind Swindle, the fast-talking cheat, the one who could always survive against all odds. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}} For three months Swindle led them into a canyon where they stalked the mighty Autobot [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], waiting for a chance to strike. However, when they observed a group of Autobots led by [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] in discussions with Omega, Swindle realized he could fool the hot-headed and naive Autobot for his own designs. Launching a seemingly ill-conceived attack on the Autobots, Swindle quickly manipulated Hot Rod by asking the very question that had been on the Autobot's mind: What were they fighting about? What reason was there to continue fighting? Posing these questions to all the assembled transformers, Swindle proposed an alliance between the two groups with the aim of getting off-planet. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}} After the alliance was made, while Hot Rod tried to enlist the assistance of [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] to help them build their starship, [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] had their doubts about working with the Decepticons, and Swindle grinning at them didn't improve their mood any. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}}

While their ship was under construction, Swindle attempted to pressure Hot Rod into allowing the Decepticons to retrieve the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] who had been imprisoned by [[Skywatch]], but Hot Rod wisely refused. Seeing this path going nowhere, Swindle instead suggested the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] rescue [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], and before Hot Rod was able to voice opposition, Swindle smoothly massaged Hot Rod's ego, claiming the Autobot was the "architect of a new age", that the others admired him, and that these "followers" had given him a new moniker: "Rodimus Prime". With Hot Rod distracted by these praised and accolades, Swindle was given the go-ahead to rescue Breakdown. Unfortunately, as he was discussing his plans with the Stunticons, Ultra Magnus showed up, forcing Swindle to hide. When Magnus discovered and tried to arrest the Decepticon criminal, "Rodimus Prime" stepped in and refused to allow his fellow Autobot to capture Swindle. The Decepticon was seemingly grateful to Rodimus, but Thundercracker knew he was up to something, but wasn't sure what. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}}

[[File:Enemies of the System Swindle combiner tech.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Remember, no refunds!"]]
Soon afterwards, the Stunticons successfully rescued Breakdown from the clutches of Spike Witwicky, an officer in Skywatch. Bringing him back to base, Swindle worked on Breakdown for over three hours, under the pretense that the battered Decepticon needed significant repairs, much to the ire of the Autobots, bar the ever-naive Hot Rod. Ultra Magnus returned, this time with [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] and several of his Autobots. When the Autobots started arguing, Swindle stepped in, revealing that the Decepticons had always planned to steal the space ship after killing as many Autobots as they could. When Ultra Magnus countered that the Autobots had them outnumbered, Swindle unveiled his latest creation—the Stunticons [[combiner|combined]] into the powerful gestalt [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. As the Autobots gaped, Swindle ordered Menasor to kill Magnus first. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 4: "Enemies of the System"|Enemies of the System}}

[[File:PoliceAction3-Swindle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left|Swindle's disarming smile backfires.]]
Swindle gloated in triumph as Menasor tore through the assembled Autobots. He was so enamored with this that he failed to notice Optimus Prime being air-dropped by Skywatch until he had landed on him. Heavily damaged, Swindle climbed from the impact crater and watched in horror as Prime led the Autobots against Menasor, resulting in the destruction of the escape ship. Despite his damages, Swindle was able to slip away before Skywatch seized control of the area, much to Ultra Magnus's chagrin. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|Earthworks}}

In need of energy, Swindle traveled to [[North Korea]] and struck a deal with local ruler [[Kim Jong Du]], offering him the Combaticons as an invasion force in exchange for energon. He then got out of there as soon as he got what he needed, leaving the other Combaticons behind. {{storylink|Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|A Second Chance at Eden}}

Returning to America, Swindle created [[Ben Simpson]], a [[facsimile construct]] who would act as a spokesman of the anti-Transformer group [[Earth's Children]]. Using Simpson, he fanned the flames of human hatred against Autobots, allowing him to sell them powerful and mind-corrupting weapons built from Megatron's parts. {{storylink|Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|A Second Chance at Eden}} When [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] began investigating Spike Witwicky, Swindle had [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] try to kill him, but the attempt failed. He had, however, planted a failsafe in Brawl's body that shut him down when Prowl tried to find out who sent him. {{storylink|Police Action Part 2: Only Forward|Only Forward}} Soon afterwards, Ultra Magnus decided that the Autobots had had enough of Ben Simpson's campaign against them, and went with Skywatch to his home to detain him. Swindle, based nearby, tried to make his escape, but was beaten down by Ultra Magnus, had his arm ripped off and was dragged back to Autobot HQ. During interrogation he revealed everything about his schemes, including the fact that Witwicky had been playing both sides, causing the Autobots to sever their connections with Skywatch. {{storylink|Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|A Second Chance at Eden}}

[[File:HowToSayGoodbyeAndMeanIt-Swindle.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.2|"I don't want to sell you death sticks. I want to go home and rethink my life."]] When the Autobots returned to Cybertron, they brought Swindle with them and imprisoned him alongside the other Decepticons. He tried to strike a deal with Optimus Prime to get out, but was unsuccessful. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime}} It wasn't long before he got back in business, however, selling [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|golden discs]] containing footage of Cybertronians dying. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} {{storylink|Interiors}} Swindle was later working with cleaning trash out of the reclamation tunnels and annoyed [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] by rambling nonstop about how Starscream was making things better for the Decepticons by getting them jobs and such. {{storylink|Devisive}} After witnessing Prowl's murder of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] and the Constructicons, Dirge shared his story with Swindle who in turn shared it with Sky-Byte when he came looking for information on Cybertron's post-war society. Swindle took him to meet Dirge and Needlenose only to be discovered by Prowl's Autobots, though he and Dirge managed to escape during the confusion of the ensuing fight. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

Believing that Starscream was getting too friendly with the Autobots to represent Decepticon interests, Swindle instead brought Dirge and his witness testimony to [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] in hopes that ''he'' would become Decepticon leader. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} Following a bombing on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Dirge began to worry that Shockwave had orchestrated the attack after hearing what he had to say, making him indirectly responsible. Swindle advised him to just let things happen and not try to make things about him, a lesson he himself had learned after his experiences on Earth, but Dirge couldn't just stand by and spilled the beans to Starscream, who in turn help hide him and Swindle from Prowl ''and'' Shockwave. {{storylink|The End of the Beginning of the World}}

[[File:BeforeTheDawn AstrotrainSkracratssh.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|"Astrotrain, you're costing me an arm and a leg!"]]
When the return of Megatron was causing the other Decepticons to riot in the streets, the two were plucked out of their hiding place by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] and brought to [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]]. There, Dirge announced that he was willing to testify against Prowl directly to Autobot leader Bumblebee, against Swindle's protests that it was a terrible idea. {{storylink|The Verge}} Convinced that something was up with Prowl, Bumblebee took Dirge, Swindle and several others with him to investigate, but as the group was attacked by Decepticons as they approached Prowl's quarters. Run down by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Swindle lost an arm and leg and was left behind as the others were taken away to see Megatron. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}}

Having survived only thanks to [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] pushing him out of the train's way, a grateful Swindle brought him and several other injured Autobots to safety away from the Decepticon riots. In the process he was discovered by [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], who was unimpressed by his empathy and prepared to execute the Autobots, only to be chased away by some neutrals. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}} Having had enough of all the fighting, Swindle renounced his faction and remained in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] when Starscream, now leader of the neutrals, had all Autobots and Decepticons banished from the city. {{storylink|Second Exodus}} He was among those who helped Blurr rebuild Maccadam's Old Oil House after it was burned down during the riots, {{storylink|Three Monologues}} and was standing guard at the city walls when the light of the [[Necrotitan]]'s arrival lit up Iacon. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}}

Several months later, Swindle was at Blurr's bar when [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] stopped by looking for information on Starscream, and let her know that even ''he'' was disgusted by the Seeker's way of selling people out. {{storylink|A 'Bot and Her City}} When Windblade's snooping got her, Blurr and others imprisoned by Starscream, Swindle helped [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] bust them out. {{storylink|Windblade issue 3|Windblade #3}} He continued to visit Maccadam's and seemed to be becoming very good friends with Blurr. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}} During an investigation into several murders in the Decepticon ghetto, Swindle provided intel on where to find the [[Firecon]]s, the main suspects. {{storylink|Quest for Fire}}

[[File:FirstContact SwindleEnigma.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|right|"It surges, it merges. It turns a quintet into a boxset!"]]
After an enjoyable day watching the Stunticons try and fail to take on Optimus Prime, he was approached by Starscream who offered him use of the [[Enigma of Combination]] in robbing the colony world [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] of its riches. Despite having told himself he had put his glory days behind him, Swindle was blinded by greed and accepted, using the Enigma to turn the Stunticons back into Menasor and bringing him to Caminus. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} Finding none of the promised riches, however, he quickly realized Starscream had tricked him. Failing to convince the raging Menasor to return to Cybertron, he tried to sneak away by himself only to be captured by one of Starscream's [[Badgeless]]. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} His pleas that it was all Starscream's idea were, of course, in vain, and he was spirited away to Starscream's secret prison. {{storylink|The Possible Light}}

Before long, Swindle was broken out by [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]], who told him to cause a diversion while he stole the Enigma. Agreeing to the deal, he took Menasor and set out to occupy the city's [[space bridge]] chamber, recruiting all manner of unhappy Decepticons with the promise that they could start a new life on Caminus. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} During their stand-off with the bridge's guards, Windblade and [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]], Starscream arrived and shot Swindle in the back, mortally wounding him. He whispered to Rattrap that there was proof of his deal with Starscream, then seemingly expired. {{storylink|All That Remains}} Rattrap and Wheeljack secretly moved his body into the depths of Metroplex, where Wheeljack tried his best to save Swindle's life so that they might learn what evidence Swindle had against Starscream. He did, sorta: Swindle was alive, but brain dead. {{storylink|Things We Said We'd Never Do}}

[[File:ThingsWeSaidWedNeverDo SwindleBrainDead.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|''zzzzzzzzz...no refunds...zzzzzzzzz'']]
The other Combaticons would later begin spray-painting the phrase "Swindle Lives" on walls as a symbol of their resistance against the [[Council of Worlds]] {{storylink|The Will of the Few}} because a mysterious informant known as "[[Rattrap (BW)|DC-357]]" sent Onslaught a message regarding Swindle's possession of information against Starscream. {{storylink|07:00:00}} Later, Rattrap and Wheeljack were forced by the Combaticons to lead them to Swindle. Unperturbed by his brain-dead status, Onslaught had Rattrap retrieve the Enigma of Combination, {{storylink|Things We Said We'd Never Do}} which he used on his team so that they might find Swindle's evidence. Swindle became the left leg of their combined form, [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], but his brain dead mind wreaked havoc on the combiner's psyche. After rampaging through Iacon, Bruticus was eventually brought down. {{storylink|The Line Between Us}}

Starscream, wanting another combiner on his side, had the [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukarian]] [[Mnemosurgery|mnemosurgeon]] [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]] repair Swindle's body, and try to manipulate the Combaticons' minds so that he would have Bruticus under control. Because the Combaticons minds had imprinted on each other during their combination, Airachnid found them more susceptible to the process, and she and Starscream bribed the aware-of-the-manipulation Blast Off into covering any holes in the story. As a result, Swindle would believe that he and the other Combaticons were Starscream's secret bodyguards, and that he had been blasted in the line of duty with some angles making it appear that Starscream had shot him, with the Combaticons forming of Bruticus having been a last-ditch attempt to save Swindle's life. {{storylink|The Price of You}} After a few days, Blast Off demanded to see Swindle himself. As Airachnid was finishing up on manipulating and repairing him, Swindle greeted his teammate, thanking Blast Off for how far he and the others had apparently gone to save him. {{storylink|If I Know You}}

During the final debate before the election to decide the new leader of Cybertron, Starscream revealed all of his crimes to the public, including the manipulation of the Combaticons. As a result, Swindle and the other Combaticons were imprisoned for their rampage as Bruticus. {{storylink|The Chosen One}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers Legends'' anthology===
Swindle stumbled onto a goldmine—selling off the Decepticon arsenal to the [[human]]s. Unfortunately one of his clients, [[Abdul Fakkadi (G1)|Faghadi]], was pushy and demanded his weapons ''now'', at length, while Swindle was trying to work. Swindle realized there was a way he could turn even this to his advantage. With the help of one of his [[Sato Noriko|other clients]], he was able to set Faghadi up to be captured by [[NATO]], demonstrating the weapons in the process, and making an even bigger sale to the Japanese into the bargain. Everything went perfectly, except Megatron found out where the Decepticon weapons had been disappearing to, and dispatched [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] to bring Swindle in. {{storylink|Two for the Price of One}}

===''TransTech''===
[[File:Swindleswindleandswindle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Perhaps you'd be interested in something every homeowner cannot be without: volcano insurance!"]]
There are three Swindles running the pawn shop "[[Swindle, Swindle and Swindle]]". The jingle says it all. As does the image of three grinning Swindle heads on their sign.
<blockquote>"Three times the Swindle means three times the deal.
Come on down, it's a total steal!"</blockquote>

*Swindle the first: He's red!
*Swindle the second: He's tan but purple-chested.
*Swindle the third: He's tan but gray-chested.

[[Bad Boy]] and [[Treds]] stumbled on Swindle, Swindle and Swindle while looking for a bodyshop [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]] had visited. They managed to persuade one of the Swindles that it would be in his best interest if he told them about Bug Bite's visit. Swindle showed them to the repair bay where they discovered Bug Bite had adopted a new [[C1186-P0019]] body. Before the pair left, Swindle raised the matter of Bug Bite's outstanding account, and they reluctantly paid it. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}

Finding himself trapped in a lowtech body, [[Bulletbike (TransTech)|Bulletbike]] dropped in to Swindle, Swindle and Swindle for an examination to prove he'd been [[spark]] transplanted. Though the Swindles didn't seem to quite believe his story, they conducted the tests and found nothing. After getting the trio to make some repairs to himself, Bulletbike continued on his quest. {{storylink|I, Lowtech}}

During his time as a columnist for [[Axiom Nexus News]], [[Vector Prime]] bought a [[hyper-frame]] [[Anatomic euphemism#Manifold|manifold]] from Swindle, Swindle and Swindle on one day, {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#August 2, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 02/08/2015}} and a [[cyberforcep]] on another day. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#August 24, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 24/08/2015}} After Vector Prime abdicated the position {{storylink|Source:Axiom Nexus News Editor#October 1, 2015|Axiom Nexus News Editor, 01/10/2015}} and Grimlock's tenure was abruptly cut short {{storylink|Source:Axiom Nexus News Editor#October 3, 2015|Axiom Nexus News Editor, 03/10/2015}}, one of (or perhaps all of) the Swindles took the post, answering questions while advertising the many products available at Swindle, Swindle & Swindle. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Guest column#Swindle's Spiel|Swindle's Spiel}} After a few days, Swindle was fired from the column due to subverting the terms of his paid contract, which specified that he would only answer questions. {{storylink|Source:Axiom Nexus News Editor#October 6, 2015|Axiom Nexus News Editor, 06/10/2015}}
{{-}}

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

===Starscream's New Power===
[[File:Starscream's New Power Combaticons.jpg|thumb|100px|left]]
Swindle attempted to apprehend Starscream, only to be driven back when the latter got his hands on weapons from [[Shockwave's Tower|Shockwave's lab]]. {{storylink|Starscream's New Power}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online comic===
[[File:KreoComic7 swindle hydra oldsnake.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Summoned by Starscream to act as his elite squad (whose first mission, of course, was to overthrow [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]]), Swindle rolled onto the scene alongside [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]], and a repainted [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]. When Onslaught and Brawl declared their specialties (strategy and destruction respectively), Swindle proudly offered to sell-off any blocks they recovered. Like Onslaught and Brawl, Swindle was irritated when Vortex offered to stay behind and guard the base. Even though the Combaticons combined into Bruticus, Vortex constant worry for the base's safety compelled the team to withdraw. When Starscream, under imminent threat of a beating from Megatron, contacted the team to demand to know where they were, Swindle joined his teammates in happily informing their illustrious leader they were all protecting the base together. Aww. {{Storylink|New Military Unit Combaticon! Bruticus, Combine!}}

Swindle was able to steal [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[transformation cog]], but his looking forward to being rewarded was interrupted when the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] tracked him down to take back his loot. He combined with his team to form Bruticus, but was defeated by the Protectobots' own combined form, [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], and taken back to the Autobot base to have his injuries treated by the gentle [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. {{storylink|Bad at Fighting? Rescue Team Protectobots, Dispatch!}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
The Combaticons infiltrated [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] disguised as their vehicles, with Swindle taking on the form of an APC. 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}}
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars'' cartoon===
Swindle 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}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Swindle served as the defense lawyer for [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], and their [[binary bonding|binary bond]] partners at their trial following the disastrous [[Great Push]]. Thanks to his efforts, the defendants were acquitted of some of the charges, but Galvatron and Scourge were ultimately sentenced to execution. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

===''Bumblebee'' graphic novels===
[[File:WinIfYouDare-Swindle.jpg|thumb|right|250px|PEPE SILVIA!]]
Although he'd been kicked out of the Decepticons, Swindle remained in touch with his Combaticon allies and sought to get himself back into Megatron's good graces by stealing [[human]] military secrets, a mission that led him to stake out a small [[California]]n town where the United States Air Force prepared to test their new [[B-2 stealth bomber]], a secret anti-Decepticon weapon, at the [[Sierra Station]] airbase. Swindle and the other Combaticons moved into an [[Herman's Military Surplus and Museum|abandoned airfield]] on the outskirts of town by strongarming the owner [[Herman]] into complying, and turned the run-down facility into a makeshift base while the team planned their heist—stealing and applying the plane's stealth technology would make them invisible to human and Autobot sensors.

In between spying on the military, Swindle blew off steam by participating in illegal street races in [[Yosemite National Park]]. During one such race, Swindle nearly ran his competitor [[Mateo Cruz]] off the road, and the teenager likely would've died if not for the surprise intervention of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. The next morning, Swindle spied on project director [[Angela Cruz]] as she prepared to unveil the project the next day, unaware that his target was also Mateo's mother. Later that day, Bumblebee and Mateo headed into town to find the "mystery Jeep" from the previous night for a rematch, and a tipoff from Mateo's friend [[Nicole]] led the duo to Herman's museum. Mateo confronted Herman and accidentally uncovered evidence of the Combaticon plot; momentarily fearing that the Autobots had caught onto his plan, Swindle fled the base, successfully outmaneuvered his foe at a railroad crossing, and warned the little yellow Autobot to stay out of his way.

[[File:WinifYouDare-SwindleAltMode.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Dude, those animals are so slagging funny they make me wanna merge without looking! YEAH, RUMSFELD!!"]]

That night, Swindle sabotaged the road to Sierra Station to blow Angela Cruz's tires, then masqueraded as a military police vehicle to lure her inside his [[alternate mode]]. Once she took the bait, Swindle captured her and took her back to Herman's museum, where he and three of the Combaticons intended to intimidate Angela into handing over the secrets behind the human stealth process. However, while Swindle was momentarily distracted by footage of Vortex battling Bumblebee, Angela momentarily distracted the Decepticon jeep long enough to make her escape and commandeer one of the decommissioned planes to make a daring escape. Swindle and the other Combaticons gave chase and confronted Bee outside of Sierra Station; with the compound now on high alert and their careful plan falling apart, the Combaticons decided to throw caution to the wind, form Bruticus, and simply smash the base to take what they wanted. Agile as ever, Bumblebee proved able to outwit the combiner, and a second barrage from the human military reduced the combiner back into his components. Onslaught advised simply stealing the aircraft and reverse-engineering the process later, but Swindle refused, shouting that he ''needed'' this win to prove himself to Megatron. Amidst the chaos, the Combaticons didn't notice Bumblebee and his human friends piloting the bomber they sought to steal, and a subsequent barrage of electromagnetic pulse bombs knocked the five out cold. The next morning, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots arrived to take the incapacitated Decepticons into custody. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare|Win If You Dare}}
{{-}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Open Comms|''Transformers'' Valentine's Day Special]] (cameo); [[Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|''Transformers'' #20]] (full)}}

[[File:Swindles-SwindleTeam.jpg|thumb|right|350px|"Trademark "''Team Swindle''", I want a [[shanix]] every time someone says it!"]]

At some point, Swindle posed in a group photo with many Cybertronians, including [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. {{Storylink|Open Comms}} Swindle owned and operated [[Swindle's]], an illicit entertainment venue where patrons could bet on [[skitter]] races and enjoy under-the-table [[energon]]. As the proprietor, Swindle employed a variety of like-minded 'bots to help run numbers, work the crowd, and procure black market goods; these included [[Trickdiamond]], [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]], [[Headlock (G1)|Headlock]], and [[Singe]]. Swindle's various business ventures made him known to [[Security Operations]], and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] enjoyed a particularly contentious relationship with him; despite Swindle's borderline criminal activities, Prowl was never able to nail him on concrete charges. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|Swindle's}} In fact, some in Security Operations even found Swindle useful. Back when [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] was running Sec-Ops, [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] went to work for Swindle, using him to eliminate the more dangerous criminal, [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]. Smokescreen learned a good deal about Swindle's operation during this "seconding". {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two}}

Forever seeking new avenues of profit, Swindle began stealing and selling energon to the terrorist group known as [[The Rise]]; when the [[Tether]] fell, Singe and Gutcruncher were outsourcing some stolen energon for their new client [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|Swindle's}} However, Singe ran afoul of [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and wound up in police custody; {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}} when Mindwipe arrived at Swindle's to pick up his shipment, Swindle informed him that his agents had been intercepted during the heist. Furious, Mindwipe shouted that Security would have already traced them back to Swindle. When Prowl's team ''did'' arrive, Swindle feigned innocence during the scuffle, but Prowl had Swindle taken into custody regardless. {{storylink|Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|Swindle's}}

[[File:WarWorldHunt-jailbreak.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

As Swindle was cooling his heels in jail, however, the sitting government fell before the Rise and the Ascenticon party, forming the Decepticons in its wake. Trickdiamond and Headlock haggled with Swindle to free him from lock-up, blowing out his bars and the wall of his cell. Hearing that his muscle Gutcruncher had run off to join the revolution, Swindle decided to do some quick shopping before they left. Surveying the other cells, Swindle decided there was no profit left in Singe, and [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] was a zealot who wouldn't play ball. [[Roughstuff]], however, was a scorned ex-member of the Rise, and a nice source of muscle. Finally, Swindle was impressed with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s story, killing a veteran soldier like the Rise's [[Quake (G1)|Quake]]. In exchange for getting Bumblebee next to his new target, [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]], Swindle negotiated for the little yellow bot's services. {{storylink|War World: Hunt}}

As Iacon quickly became a city for Decepticons only, Swindle negotiated with [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] of the Decepticon Guard to stay open. Once their license for business was secured, Swindle had Trickdiamond prep their favorite game of pumping loud-mouthed customers for information they could sell or otherwise profit from. [[Twirl (G1)|Twirl]], [[Nautilator]] and [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] were three inebriated Decepticon ripe for the questioning. Swindle learned that [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]] (Bumblebee's sympathetic former boss from the [[Ascenticon Guard]]) was being moved through Decepticon custody. In exchange for further debt, Swindle arranged for [[Charger]] and [[Fire Beast]] to help Bumblebee spring her. Bumblebee was surprised to find Barricade guarding Elita-1. While he let go of his vendetta and didn't kill Barricade given the chance, he was suspicious of Swindle setting him up. Swindle denied it when confronted, pointing out he would have made Bumblebee pay more if he knew Barricade was involved. When Swindle mentioned his "targeted questioning" had uncovered information about the [[Enigma of Combination]], Bumblebee convinced him to expand his list of contacts. By selling this information to Optimus Prime and the Autobots, Swindle would be able to hedge his bets against either side winning the war. Seeing the appeal, Swindle allowed Bumblebee to use tech to pass the intelligence on to Prime. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Swindle's II|Swindle's II}}

[[File:DarknessOnceGazedUponPartTwo-Swindle.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]

Swindle kept his business running, although martial law under the Decepticons gave him new, sterner overlords that cut back on his illegal activities. Roughstuff wasn't doing his job as bouncer once, forcing Swindle to step in directly and escort the non-aligned Cyclonus from his bar. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part One}}

Another nasty surprise came when Smokescreen got back in touch with Swindle through the old tunnels. The charming former Sec-Ops agent offered to pay Swindle for a speedy and discreet exit from Iacon, after he acquired a "bulky package". Swindle needed the profit, and working under the Decepticons meant his bar was practically a charity, so he closed down for the rest of the cycle. Trickdiamond couldn't believe it, though, and when she heard about the side deal with Smokescreen, she passed on the info to Decepticon Intelligence. As it happened, Smokescreen was less than forthcoming too—he arrived at the door with armed Autobots and the prisoner, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], escaping from Megatron's dungeons. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two}} Swindle was caught redhanded dealing with Autobots when Sixshot blew in his wall with a squad of Decepticons. Roughstuff saw an opportunity and "detained" Swindle for Sixshot, switching sides to get back in his old Rise lieutenant's good graces. Swindle was allowed to remain useful for the Decepticons as a supplier, but his days of independence seemed to be numbered. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Three}}

{{--}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:StuntFlying-net.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|A literal green-eyed monster.]]

Swindle was one of the many Decepticons brainwashed by [[King Sombra]] during his invasion of Cybertron. Along with Sombra's other slaves, he fired on the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s and [[Wonderbolt]]s until [[Rainbow Dash]]'s powerful "Sonic Rainboom" manoeuvre disoriented him and the others long enough for the Seekers to entangle him with net missiles. {{storylink|Stunt Flying}}

{{--}}

===Energon Universe===
Swindle and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] chased down [[Elita One (G1)#Energon Universe|Elita One]], cornering her. Before he could follow [[Onslaught (G1)#Energon Universe|Onslaught]] and [[Brawl (G1)#Energon Universe|Brawl]], the [[Autobot]] shot the [[Space Bridge|spacebridge]] severing the connection between the two worlds. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 9}}

{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Swindle, [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], and [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] 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}}
*Swindle 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}}
*Swindle was part of a massive battle between Kreons. After being knocked around by the Autobots some, he and the Combaticons combined into Bruticus. They 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''===
When a team of Autobots led by [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] went on the offensive, Blast Off, Swindle, and Vortex used superior military tactics to fight them off. {{storylink|War Dawn (Legends)|War Dawn}} Swindle was among the Decepticons who joined with the Quintessons in an attempt to destroy the Autobots. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsSwindle.jpg|thumb|400px|If you order now, I'll throw in a second beating absolutely free!]]
Swindle 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. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)===
[[File:Swindle TFO.jpg|thumb|upright=.66|[insert random Wolverine reference here]]]
{{bigquote|Let's make a deal without starting a war.}}

Looks can be deceiving, as one may perceive when dealing with Swindle. If it's anything Swindle desired the most, it would be Megatron's right hand firearm, Carnage. However, the key question is whether Swindle can deal for Megatron's bazooka without batting an eye. In comparison to his comrades, Swindle is not a devoted militant. Rather, he prefers to never miss an opportunity to profit, even if it means dealing with the Autobots... so long as Swindle, himself, is confident enough to take action.

In battle, Swindle wielded a pair of "[[Nether Claws]]" and the "[[Saboteur]]" [[grenade launcher]]. His active skill was "Spider Mine":
*'''Spider Mine'''—Swindle dispatches a Spider Mine unit. When this unit comes in contact with enemy targets, the Spider Mine wreaks havoc by jettisoning into the air and showering Swindle's opponents with a flurry of projectiles that deal 110 points of damage every 0.2 seconds. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero6.shtml Swindle on the Transformers Online website]</ref>
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Swindle-Earth-Wars.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.75| What's the point of me having a fusion cannon if I am never going to use it? Oh right I was gonna sell it! One fusion cannon for 150000 cyber coins!]]
With Swindle, it's always deal - never no deal. He'd trade Megatron's right arm for a toaster if he saw both opportunity and profit.

Swindle is the first Combaticon to make it to Earth. Starscream wanted the location of a fragment of the [[Fractal Map]], and Swindle found it for him, but there was an Autobot outpost in the way, so he took care of the short-range Laser Turrets. After the battle, Swindle traded insults with some of the Autobots posted there, and then reminded Starscream that he owes him. Big time. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Power Play Campaign}}

When Swindle caught wind that the Autobots were on the move towards a signal in the arctic first discovered by [[Cyclonus (G1)|that one guy that still hates him]], Swindle was ready to leave. But Brawl didn't help though because he attracted the attention of Starscream. Starscream took direct control of Swindle's operation and took them to the Arctic, but not before Swindle offered him a de-icer for sale. But unknown to him, Swindle had an arrangement with Megatron, so he let him in on their plan so Megatron could get there first and tell them what they found was a [[Planet-Destroying Fortress]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events| Arctic Signal}}

When Shockwave selected the next candidates for the Decepticons' next combiner, Swindle asked what was in it for him. Megatron responded by threatening to strangle the energon from his inner spark if he didn't comply. As they were slowly making progress on the combining process, Swindle made a deal: If the Combaticons successfully combined at maximum strength before the Autobots, he'll give back everything he had taken from everyone (including his angry comrades), or else pay him equivalent value.

Megatron decides to push the Combaticons to their limits and combines the Combaticons prematurely. The result is Bruticus, the Combaticons highly mentally unstable combined form. Megatron honestly doesn't care anymore what the other Combaticons say, he just wants them to stay in their combined form. Unfortunately, the celebrations are cut short when Megatron receives word Optimus has perfected his own second combiner, and so sends out Bruticus to fight against this new combiner. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Countdown to Combination}}

When Shockwave announced his plan to recruit allies from alternate realities, Swindle saw a profitable, glowing opportunity. He contacted Hot Rod to meet on neutral ground for the location and encryption key for the Decepticon's Space Bridge project in exchange for pure unaltered Energon. He was dismayed that Hot Rod brought Dinobot muscle along just as the Combaticons, who have been tracking Swindle, ambushed them. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Rogue Trader}}
Amidst the fighting between the Dinobots and Combaticons, Hot Rod made the exchange with Swindle. Starscream, who had been following Swindle the whole time, offered him a lift out, which he gladly accepted.
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Event Horizon}}

Swindle offered Soundwave a deal. Optimus Prime and Megatron were stuck in the past, with [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] gaining power, something Swindle knew Soundwave didn't want. He offered the cassette tape player a way to accomplish his goals. He knew of a way to get the [[Dark Star Saber]] away from [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]]. Soundwave accepted Swindle's offer. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Target: 1984}}

Swindle stole the Dark Star Saber away from Deathsaurus by whistling. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|The Dark Ages}}

*'''Class:''' Gunner
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 1 star
*'''Weapons:''' Swindle uses a standard grenade launcher to damage defenses from a long distance.
*'''Ability:''' '''Incendiary Barrage''' - Shoots 6 rockets that engulf a large area in flames dealing damage over time.
**'''Cost:''' 7 ability points +2 cost increase.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:swindle Swindle at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOSwindle.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Swindle was in command of the eleventh Decepticon base attacked and destroyed by the Autobots during a series of raids. He pursued the invaders in jeep 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''===
Swindle was a member of the Combaticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

On Earth, Swindle 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; in the ensuing fight, Swindle and Chameleon fled, leaving the other Combaticons unable to form Bruticus. The pair retreated to the small town of [[Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges]], which had been acquired by Cobra and turned into a covert staging ground for future operations. Ultimately, however, a joint Autobot-[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] taskforce entered the city and successfully captured the two villains as they tried to flee. {{storylink|Cobra/Con Fusion}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1-toy Swindle.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Eh, I'd rather have elbows than shoulders anyway.]]
*'''Swindle''' (Combaticon, [[1986]]/[[1987]])
**''Team ID number'': '''C2'''
**''Takara/GiG ID number'': '''D-68'''
**''Accessories'': Large "[[Scatter blaster]]" gun, small "Gyro-Gun" pistol

:''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Swindle transforms into a tan {{w|FMC XR311}} combat support vehicle. He features a large, back-mounted cannon with a small pistol attached to its side. In robot mode, he is armed with both weapons, which are used as hand-held artillery. Swindle normally operates as Bruticus's right leg, but as a [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and Transformers 2010)|Scramble City]]-style combiner toy, he can also be used in any other available limb slot with any torso-robot.

:There are two different versions of the original release. The initial version uses purple-painted [[die-cast]] metal for his chestplate. This was later replaced with gray plastic.

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

{{-}}{{anchor|G1Bruticus}}{{anchor|Bruticus}}
*'''Bruticus''' (Gift set, [[1985]])
**''Takara ID number'': '''D-69'''

:In addition to his single release, Swindle 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 Swindle''' ([[1991]])
**''Accessories'': Large "[[Scatter blaster]]" gun, small "Gyro-Gun" pistol

:Swindle was re-released in 1991 as part of the [[Europe]]an-market ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line. This version (which uses the plastic chestplate) was [[retool]]ed to remove the [[rubsign]] indent from his vehicle mode hood, a change made to a lot of the toys in this series.
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:G2-toy Swindle.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Swindle''' ([[1994]])
**''Team ID number'': '''C2'''
**''Accessories'': Large "[[Scatter blaster]]" cannon, small "Gyro-Gun" pistol

: For the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' toyline]], Swindle had all of his tan parts redecoed to bright red with purple camouflage paint and his windshield painted black. (This latter color was a sticker on the original release.) In robot mode, he has a bright purple torso, making this release quite garish.

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

{{-}}{{anchor|G2FOC}}{{anchor|Amazon}}
[[File:G2toy-SwindleAmazon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|So yeah, don't expect a [[Leyland]] homage from this mold anytime soon.]]
*'''Bruticus''' (Box set, [[2012]])
**''Accessories'': Blaster
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Franks]] (deco artist)}}

:Part of a giftset [[exclusive]] to [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]] and [[BigBadToyStore]], this version of Swindle is a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Fall of Cybertron (2012–2013)|Generations]] [[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' [[Swindle (FOC)#Generations|Swindle]] in ''Generation 2'' colors. Swindle transforms into a Cybertronic jeep-like vehicle. He can form any arm or leg of Bruticus, but his nominal placement is as the right leg, as usual. Some of the purple camo was lost between the stages of [[:File:Generationstoy-G2Swindle.jpg|stock photography]] and final production.

:This mold was later retooled into [[Roadbuster (Prime)#Generations|Roadbuster]].
{{-}}

===''Alternators''===
{{anchor|Alternators/Binaltech}}
[[File:Alternators Swindle toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|If you buy from this Jeep, it won't be cheap.]]
*'''Swindle''' ([[2004]])
**''Alternator ID number'': '''8'''
**''Binaltech ID number'': '''BT-09'''
**''Accessories'': Handgun
{{toydesigner|[[Mark McCall]] (Hasbro)}}

:''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' Swindle is a retool of [[Hound (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Hound]] from the same line, with his [[alternate mode]] being a [[licensed vehicle alternate modes|licensed]] 1:24 scale yellow {{w|Jeep Wrangler}} Sport. Changes from Hound include larger [[rubber tires]] and a modified front bumper with an added bullbar, plus a new head sculpt in robot mode. In vehicle mode, Swindle's doors open to reveal a realistic interior, his hood opens to reveal a fake (and inaccurate) engine bay, and his tailgate opens by hinging up at one end. As with Hound, he lacks the steering feature common in other ''Alternators'' toys but has spring-loaded suspension instead.

:In robot mode, Swindle is armed with a small laser pistol that can be stored in his spare tire. He is otherwise mostly identical to Hound except for the changed parts and color. The new head sculpt head is actually based on a cross between ''Generation 1'' [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]'s original toy head and his [[character model|cartoon model]]'s head, since this retool was originally intended for an ''Alternators'' version of Trailbreaker, which was canceled due to [[trademark]] issues, among other things.

:The main difference between Hasbro's ''Alternators'' version and the Japanese ''Binaltech'' version is that the latter features parts made of [[die-cast]] metal for some of its vehicle mode shell, and has the entire vehicle shell painted.

:Swindle was later redecoed into the ''Alternators''-only [[Rollbar (G1)#Alternators|Rollbar]].

::*[[Source:Transformers Binaltech bios#9|Archive of ''Binaltech'' Swindle's bio and tech specs]]
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/AltSwindle/swindle.htm More information on ''Alternators'' Swindle at TFU.info]''
{{AlternatorsHoundMold}}
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:Universe-ROTF-toy Swindle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Dolla dolla bill y'all]]
*'''Bruticus Maximus''' ([[2008]])
**''Series'': '''G1 Series'''
**''Accessories:'' Quad blaster (hand/foot), Decepticon-type [[energon star]]

:''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Swindle is a redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Blackout (combiner)#Toys|Blackout]]/[[Stormcloud (Energon)#Toys|Stormcloud]] sculpt, transforming into a tan assault helicopter somewhat similar to an AH-1 Cobra. Appropriately enough, his markings include dollar signs ($) on the air intake housings flanking his cockpit. When combined with the other Combaticons, Swindle is nominally [[Bruticus (G1)#Universe (2008)|Bruticus Maximus]]'s right 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 [[Vortex (G1)#Universe (2008)|Vortex]], another redeco of the same sculpt used for Swindle. 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 new [[live-action film series]] [[Swindle (ROTF)|Swindle]] and [[Vortex (Movie)|Vortex]] characters), 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]]'' [[Topspin (Classics)#Toys|Topspin]], as well as the ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' versions of Swindle (see [[#United|below]]) and [[Vortex (G1)#United|Vortex]]. Another planned redeco, ''[[Transformers (2007 toyline)|Movie]]'' [[Reverb (Movie)#Toys|Reverb]], was canceled.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TargetSwindle/swindle.htm More information on ''Universe'' Swindle at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:TF-Henkei-Deluxe-Detritus.jpg|upright=.66|thumb|Hey, [[Shortround (Cybertron)|you!]] Can I interest you in an unreleased Transformers toy?]]
*'''Swindle'''? (Deluxe Class, <s>200?</s>)
:*''Accessories'': Missile launcher

:A redeco of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Deluxe Class [[Hound (G1)/toys#Univ2008Dx|Autobot Hound]] in Swindle colors (with a deco layout based on [[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|''Henkei! Henkei!'']] [[Hound (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Hound]]), with a Decepticon insignia, was displayed as part of an exhibit at [[Transformers Expo]] in 2014, including a seemingly unchanged [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Ravage]].<ref name="tfexpo1">[https://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tf-expo-pics-masterpiece-star-saber-in-color-and-more-180923/ "TF Expo Pics - Masterpiece Star Saber In Color and More!"] at TFW2005.</ref><ref name="tfexpo2">[https://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tf-expo-pics-part-2-g1-prototypes-movie-props-and-more-masterpiece-180925/ "TF Expo Pics Part 2 - G1 Prototypes, Movie Props, and More Masterpiece!"] at TFW2005.</ref><ref name="tfexpo3">[https://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tf-expo-pics-part-4-prototypes-and-figure-displays-from-diaclone-g1-g2-beast-wars-180933/ "TF Expo Pics Part 4 - Prototypes and Figure Displays from Diaclone, G1, G2, Beast Wars"] at TFW2005.</ref>
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Encore''===
*'''Bruticus''' ([[2009]])
**''ID number:'' '''16'''

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

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy-RetailSwindle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|(''Hasbro Version Pictured'')]]
[[File:TF-Generations-JP-TG06-Swindle.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Remember folks, always stay gold. With a bang. (''TakaraTomy Version Pictured'')]]
*'''Swindle''' (Deluxe, 2012)
**''Series/number'': '''01/#005'''
**'''PART 4 OF 5!'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''TG06'''
**''TakaraTomy release date:'' [[January 26]], [[2013]]
**''Accessories'': Blaster
{{note|The Aligned [[Swindle (FOC)#FOCDeluxe|Swindle]] toy was [[repurposing|repurposed]] as Generation 1 Swindle.}}

:A [[redeco]] of Swindle from the [[Bruticus (WFC)#FOCDeluxe|Decepticon Bruticus]] gift set 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]], ''[[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]]''-inspired decos with more "flashy" colors apparently homaging the color scheme of [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]]. Swindle replaces the ocher from his gift set release with a bright shade of yellow.

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

:The Takara release of Swindle has the yellow plastic from Hasbro's release covered in a gold paint. He features more game-accurate colors, including a painted purple visor, more detailed shoulderpads, and silver feet.

:Unsurprisingly for an Aligned toy inspired by Generation 1, ''Fall of Cybertron'' Swindle was used in multiple Generation 1-based stories, with the Hasbro deco [[Swindle (G1)#Starscream's New Power|appearing]] in the short comic "[[Starscream's New Power]]" and the TakaraTomy deco [[Brawl (G1)#Transformers: All Spark|appearing]] in the ''[[Transformers: All Spark]]'' manga series and the ''[[Transformers Cloud]]'' stories.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Decepticon/Swindle/swindle.htm More information on retail Swindle at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''United''===
[[File:United Bruticus Maximus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
*'''Bruticus''' ([[November 7]], [[2012]])
**''Accessories:'' Quad blaster (hand/foot), 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'' (2008)/''Revenge of the Fallen'' release, but with a greater emphasis on G1-accuracy. Swindle is monochromatic compared to the previous release, replacing the sand and brown plastic with a uniform tan colour scheme. Additionally, the quad blaster/combined mode foot/hand previously cast in translucent coloured plastic is now opaque grey, though his energon star remains red.
{{--}}

===''Bot Shots''===
[[Image:BotShots Swindle.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Combaticons''' (Multi-pack, 2013?)
**''Number'': '''T0??'''
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Scribner]] (deco artist)}}
***''Fist strength'':
***''Blaster strength'':
***''Sword strength'': '''537'''

:A redeco of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'' [[Ironhide (Movie)/toys#Bot Shots|Ironhide]], Swindle automatically transforms from spoiler-equipped pickup truck to robot when a sharp impact is applied to his front end. He was to be sold in a five-pack with [[Onslaught (G1)#Bot Shots|Onslaught]], [[Brawl (Movie)#5Pack|Decepticon Brawl]], [[Blast Off (G1)#Bot Shots|Blast Off]], and [[Vortex (G1)#Bot Shots|Vortex]], but this never saw release.

:This mold was also used to make [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)#Bot Shots|Super Bot Dirt Boss]] and [[Hound (G1)/toys#Bot Shots|Blitz Shot Autobot Hound]].

{{canceledtoy}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-toy SwindleKreon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Sneaky little bastard. He probably rips open blind-packs at the store and sells the contents for double the price.]]
*'''Decepticon Bruticus''' (Micro-Changer Combiner, [[2013]])
**''Set number'': '''A2225'''
**''Pieces'': '''79'''
**''Accessories'': Pistol
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

:[[Kreon]] Swindle can be rebuilt from his robot mode into a jeep. He can also contribute his bricks to form [[Bruticus (G1)#Kre-O|Bruticus]]. He was only available as part of the Bruticus [[Micro-Changer]] combiner set, part of the first assortment of Combiners available.

:Interestingly, he is the only one in the set to be based on his original [[Character model|animation model]], with his fellow Kreon Combaticons painted to resemble their original toys instead.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/Kre-OSwindle/swindle.htm More information on Swindle at TFU.info]''

{{anchor|Combiner3pack}}
*'''Combiner Robot Mega Pack''' (3-pack, 2016)
**''Set number'': '''B6425'''
**''Pieces'': '''245'''
**''Accessories'': Pistol

:In 2016, Dollar General stores in the US got a three-pack of [[Superion (G1)#Kre-O|Superion]], Bruticus, and [[Menasor (G1)#Kre-O|Menasor]] that sold for a mere $14. Given the original kits retailed at $10 apiece, wow. While a couple of the Kreons inside had small changes, Swindle was one of the ones identical to his original release.
{{--}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CW-toy Swindle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Hey, a swindler remolded from a rook! Geddit? Geddit?]]
*'''Swindle''' (Deluxe Class, [[2016]])
**''Accessories:'' Gun, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
{{toydesigner|[[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:Released as part of wave 5 of the ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Deluxe Class figures, Swindle is a heavy [[retool]] of ''Combiner Wars'' [[Rook (CW)#Toys|Rook]], featuring a significant alternate mode alteration to look like a teched-out military SUV. He comes with a three-barreled minigun-rifle and a hand/foot/gun for limb mode. Later versions of Swindle featured a [[variant#Running changes|running change]] in the form of a slight retool to his smaller weapon, adding nubs to its end allowing it to attach over his shoulder (for [[Hound (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Hound]], his later retool). If the seat and steering wheel visible in his alt-mode are intended for humans, his jeep is supposed to be [[scale#|the same size]] as Brawl's tank.

:Being a ''Combiner Wars'' figure, Swindle 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 ''Combiner Wars''-style Voyager Class figure or even form one of [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber's]] legs.

:Unfortunately, due to the internal molding of his shins, repeatedly transforming Swindle will eventually create horizontal scratch marks across the hip joints. Swindle also has a hard time holding together solidly; when squeezing his legs together for vehicle mode, the vehicle mode front angles down. When tabbing the hood section into the legs, it pops the legs apart, but straightens up the front of the vehicle. The details between the arms, the hood section, and the legs also never line up completely in vehicle mode. It is entirely likely that this is all caused by the aforementioned internal molding of the shins.

[[File:UWSwindlePrototype.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|left|Don't worry, I know where I can get a better gun.]]

:An early "gray model" resin [[prototype]] of Swindle featured a different version of his handheld weapon with a single, large barrel. Images of this appeared in both the Japanese ''[[Figure Ō]]'' magazine,<ref name="figureoh216">[https://web.archive.org/web/20180611031701/https://www.allspark.com/2016/01/figure-king-215-216-hi-res-transformers-scans-unite-warriors-blast-off-mp-primal/ Figure Oh! 216 scans] at The Allspark (via the Internet Archive).</ref> and the behind-the-design "On Deck Genesis" section in the back of ''Combiner Wars'' Swindle's pack-in comic, which also featured early sketches of the figure wielding the same weapon. Very early solicitations of ''Unite Warriors'' Bruticus also displayed Swindle with this weapon. These are the only instances this version of his weapon have ever been used, as the gray model prototype on display at [[Wonder Festival]] 2016 Winter, the official promotional Hasbro CG render for the ''Combiner Wars'' figure and all [[stock photography|stock photo]]s for both the ''Combiner Wars'' and the ''Unite Warriors'' version depict the regular weapon.

:Though Swindle's wave was scheduled for a first quarter 2016 release, it arrived on U.S. store shelves in late 2015.

:In the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, Swindle came in English-only packaging including a copy of "''Combiner Wars'' #4" (actually [[City on Fire|''Robots in Disguise'' #12]]). In Canada, Latin America, and Europe, he was available in different types of [[multilingual packaging]] including a character card featuring his comic book cover/[[package art]] instead. 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.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Decepticon/CWSwindle/swindle.htm More information on ''Combiner Wars'' Swindle at TFU.info]''
{{CWRookMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|CWG2}}{{anchor|G2BruticusSet}}
[[File:TF-Combiner-Wars-G2-Swindle.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Bruticus''' (Collection Pack, 2016)
**''Accessories'': Gun, double-barreled gun/fist/foot

:A ''Generation 2''-themed redeco of ''Combiner Wars'' Swindle is packed along with the other Combaticons (including [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#CWG2|Shockwave]]), and sold together in a massive box. Despite being released 4 months after ''Combiner Wars'' Hound, Swindle does not use the retooled blaster from the later releases of the mold.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Decepticon/CWG2Swindle/swindle.htm More information on ''Combiner Wars'' Generation 2 Swindle at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:TF-Unite-Warriors-UW07-Swindle.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Bruticus''' (Giftset, [[June 25]], [[2016]])
**''ID number:'' '''UW-07'''
**''Accessories'': Gun, double-barreled gun/fist/foot

:''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Swindle is a redeco of the ''Combiner Wars'' mold in a color scheme based on his cartoon appearance, most obviously by painting his lower torso and hood purple and his face silver. He also features additional paint details on places like his hands and rims, and his hand-foot-gun is cast in the same yellow as his body. Swindle was sold only in a multi-pack with the other Combatrons. As with the G2 Bruticus set, Swindle does not use the retooled blaster from the later releases of the mold.

: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 (G1)#Unite Warriors|Bruticus]].
{{CWRookMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1OddCombat.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*The [[character model]]s of the Combaticons are kinda... okay, heavily made-up. Swindle is particularly glaring, as his original 1986 toy was based on an {{w|FMC XR311|XR311}} combat vehicle (a predecessor to the {{w|High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle|AM General Humvee}}), whereas his character model was a much smaller Jeep, including a Jeep front on his robot chest, which the fiction has stuck with ever since. [[:File:G1OddCombat.jpg|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 Swindle's is still off in some very odd ways.
*Swindle is the only Combaticon that doesn't have a faceplate or visor.
*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. Swindle's vice is, predictably enough, his Greed.
*Unlike his fellow Combaticons, Swindle [[:File:A better tomorrow Swindle Sky Byte.jpg|did not notably sport]] a redesign in "season 1" of the 2012 ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' comic series based on [[Swindle (FOC)|his Aligned counterpart]]'s [[:File:FOC-Swindlecap.jpg|video game model]] in [[High Moon Studios]]' ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]''.
[[File:EuroClassicsCombaticons.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Beware the (neon) green<s>-eyed</s>-hued monster.]]
*The packaging of the 1990 European [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] release of the original [[Onslaught (G1)|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.
{{--}}
==Foreign names==
*''Japanese:'' '''Swindle''' (スィンドル ''Swindoru'')
*''French:'' '''Filou''' (Canada, "Swindler")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Svindli''' ("Spoof")
*''Italian:'' '''Crasher'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Zhàpiàn''' (诈骗, "Swindle")
*''Russian:'' '''Fingal''' (Фингал, "Black Eye")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Vígaro'''

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Decepticons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combaticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Elite Guard]]
[[Category:Energon Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Merchants]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Autobots]]
[[Category:TransTech Decepticons]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Decepticons]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Hot Wheels

2024-06-22T04:54:58Z

Ducktimus: Created page with "{{picsneeded}} upright=1.1| '''Hot Wheels ''' are a brand of scale model cars produced by Mattel. Although long seen as rivals to Hasbro i..."

{{picsneeded}}
[[File:HW_logo.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|]]
'''Hot Wheels ''' are a brand of scale model cars produced by [[Mattel]]. Although long seen as rivals to Hasbro in the toy industry, in 2023, the two companies entered into a partnership to produce co-branded toys and games based on each other's respective intellectual properties.<ref>[https://corporate.hasbro.com/en-us/articles/mattel_and_hasbro_enter_into_licensing_agreements_article Mattel and Hasbro Enter into Licensing Agreements to Launch Monopoly: Barbie Edition, Transformers Hot Wheels, and Transformers UNO]</ref> Among these will be several Transformers-themed Hot Wheels toys.

==Hot Wheels==
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1| '''Hot Wheels Transformers Optimus Prime''' (2024)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': [[May 21]], 2024
:*''Accessories'': Ion blaster, fists
{{toydesigner|Manson Cheung (Mattel)<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C69OaQpJSE0/?img_index=1 Manson Cheung on Instagram "Oh yeah, you may have heard…I made a thing. Hot Wheels Transformers Optimus Prime" May 14, 2024]</ref>}}

: Available exclusively through the Mattel Creations direct-to-consumer website (essentially their version of [[Hasbro Pulse]]), ''Hot Wheels'' Transformers Optimus Prime is a diminutive recreation of the cab/robot portion of the original G1 Optimus Prime at the traditional Hot Wheels scale of 1:64 in truck mode, and standing 3.5" tall in robot mode. Prime is constructed from [[die-cast|die-cast metal]] covered with glossy paint<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C7FadZ4S9_5/?img_index=1 John Lambert on Instagram "Spectraflame, heavy, and rad." May 17, 2024]</ref>, and features bespoke [[rubber tires]]. The figure comes in an elaborate box that can be oriented to display it in either truck cab or robot mode.

: The order page for the figure went live on May 21, 2024, and it sold out in less than 30 minutes<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C69OaQpJSE0/?img_index=1 Manson Cheung on Instagram "Update: Sold out in 27 minutes." May 21, 2024]</ref>.

==Notes==
* The [[Go-Bot (G2)|Generation 2 Go-Bots]] were designed to be compatible with Hot Wheels (and then-rival Matchbox) 1:64 scale racetracks and playsets.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{w|Hot Wheels}} at Wikipedia

[[Category:Mattel Properties]]

File:HW logo.jpg

2024-06-22T04:46:20Z

Ducktimus: The Hot Wheels logo. Category:Logos

The [[Hot Wheels]] logo. [[Category:Logos]]

Red Wing (G1)

2024-05-03T20:00:55Z

Ducktimus: redirected a broken link to archive.org mirror, removed a broken link with no mirror available

{{factions|decepticon}}
:''Red Wing is a [[Decepticon]] [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Red Wing profile image.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|We swear, if he throws [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] ''one more time''...]]

'''Red Wing''' (aka '''Redwing''') has a "devil may care" attitude and some powerful guns, so what more do you need?<ref>''Legends'' mobile game bio</ref> This bravado of his hides a more cautious side; Red Wing knows when to pick his fights...and when to make a tactical advance to the rear.

==Fiction==
===''Wings Universe''===
Red Wing was part of a joint [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] assault on the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] clone army. In the ensuing battle, Red Wing was shot in the back by [[Skywarp (MW)|a Skywarp clone]]. {{storylink|Termination}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:Red_Wing_Kre-O_Character_Image.jpg|thumb|left|"Sorry, you're too hot to know me, babe!"]]

Red Wing was among [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s troops as they discovered the [[Red Bucket]]. {{storylink|Treasure Competition! Defeat with Block Power!}}

===''TransTech''===
Red Wing was one of many [[lowtech|Offworlder]]s in [[Axiom Nexus]]'s Under City. Red Wing was part of a crowd in [[Seeker-Shinai]] that [[Megatron (Movie)|C-81]] attempted to disperse through intimidation. Unfortunately, all the Seekers present were too stunned to see a "Megatron" in Axiom Nexus to budge. {{storylink|Cybertron's Most Wanted}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
Redwing was one of the Decepticons who joined [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] and [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] for [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s ill-fated assault on [[Shanghai]], [[China]]. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}}

Flying to engage [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] disdainfully listed Redwing among the Seekers not under [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s command. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

===''Generations Selects Special Comic''===
In [[2050]], Red Wing and the Decepticons lent their support to the Earth-born [[Selector]]s, robots eager to rebel against their human makers who enslaved them. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[War World: Hunt|''Transformers'' #28]]}}
[[File:Enigmatic RedWingWoomph.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|]]
Red Wing was part of a squad led by [[Flywheels|Skytread]] sent to liberate prisoners from a lightly-guarded detention center. {{storylink|War World: Hunt|Hunt}} He took part in an assassination attempt on [[Pyra Magna]] alongside fellow Seekers [[Nacelle (G1)|Nacelle]] and [[Hooligan (G2)|Hooligan]]. They didn't expect to come up against Pyra's [[Companion]]s and once Red Wing realized that [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] was present, he bugged out, advising Nacelle (too late) to do the same. {{storylink|War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness|We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness}}

When the Decepticons were sent to hunt for [[Termagax]], Red Wing flew with [[Wingstun]] and [[Space Case (G2)|Space Case]]. When the three found her, Red Wing decided to fall back and return to communications radius, doing so alone when his fellows charged into battle. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} After the Autobots and Decepticons clashed in front of Termagax's [[House (building)|home]] over the [[Enigma of Combination]], she unleashed her entire stock of [[spectrosynth drone|spectrosynth drones]] to defend her. Red Wing opened fire on the horde of drones, but was run down by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] in the chaos. When the Enigma appeared lost, Red Wing joined his fellow Decepticons in a retreat. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|Enigmatic}}

Red Wing participated in the siege of [[Crystal City]] under [[Strika (BM)|Strika]]'s command with numerous other Seekers. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}} Later on, despite the truce with the Autobots, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] directed Red Wing's Seekers to box the Autobots in, keeping them trapped between an advancing horde of [[rust worm]]s and an artillery bombardment. {{storylink|Radical Time}} Red Wing personally stopped [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] and her scouts from moving beyond this allowed zone. {{storylink|End of Time}} He flew with the other Seekers against [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] in the battle of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
When the Decepticons used [[Chronogon]] portals to send the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] back in time, Red Wing took part in an operation to try and prevent Orion Pax's recreation as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Golden Age (Legends)|Golden Age}}

==Toys==
===''Generations Selects''===
{{anchor|Generations}}
[[File:GS-toy RedWing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Living proof that Hasbro will make a toy out of ''any'' character.]]
*'''Decepticon Red Wing''' (Voyager Class, [[2019]]/[[2020]])
**''Series'': '''''War for Cybertron: Siege'''''
**''ID number'': '''WFC-GS02'''
**''Accessories'': 2 "HPI Null-Ray Laser Launchers"
{{toydesigner|[[AJ Piejko-Brown]] (packaging)}}

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' accompaniment to ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'', "Decepticon Red Wing" is a redeco of [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Thundercracker]], himself a head retool of [[Starscream (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Starscream]]. Red Wing transforms from a heavily G1-inspired robot to a Cybertronian "tetrajet" based on the Seekers' appearance in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]" and back. Red Wing includes two "HPI Null-Ray Laser Launchers," which can mount on his upper arms, or under the wings in jet mode. Said jet mode prominently has the robot legs sticking out from the undercarriage.

:Fitting with the rest of ''Siege'', Red Wing has [[5 mm post]]s on his biceps, forearms, shins, under his feet (thrusters), and wings. The 3 mm pegs on his shins, forearms, left bicep, and the tips of his Null-Rays can accommodate effects parts sold separately. Like the rest of ''Siege'', his robot mode focuses on articulation, with double-jointed elbows, knees that bend at nearly 180 degrees, ankle rockers, and waist articulation, being notable articulation points for a Seeker toy. Being a rather heavy shellformer, Red Wing can be separated into both a wingless robot mode and a nearly complete tetrajet easily, via a friction hinge.

:Amusingly, Red Wing's existence was leaked on [[February 16]], 2019 when orders went live for [[Megatron (G1)/Generations_toys#Generations_Selects|Combat Megatron]] on [[Hasbro Pulse]], including a typo of Red Wing's name.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20191204141915/https://www.allspark.com/2019/02/generations-selects-g2-combat-megatron-listed-on-hasbro-pulse-leaks-voyager-red-wing-toy/ The Allspark news post, 16 February 2019 (via the Internet Archive)]</ref> Ultimately, Red Wing received an early limited release from Hasbro Asia on [[June 1]], 2019, ahead of being released as a [[Target]] REDcard exclusive in the United States. It was later released as a Toys"R"Us exclusive in Canada and remaining units were sold at [[Entertainment Earth]] and [[BigBadToyStore]] in the United States in 2020.
{{WFCSiegeStarscreamMold}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Jada Toys===
[[File:JadaNanoMetalfigsSeries2G1BW-18pack.jpg|upright=1.44|thumb]]
*'''Transformers Series 2 18-pack''' (4cm Die Cast Figure Multipack, 2022)
:Released by [[Jada Toys]], ''Nano Metalfigs'' Series 2 Redwing is a redeco of Series 1 [[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Jada Toys|Skywarp]], an incredibly small die-cast figurine molded doing an action pose. He has a little base attached to his feet for balancing reasons.

:He comes in an impressive multipack with [[Jada Toys#Nano Metalfigs|seventeen other figurines]]. This mold was also used to make Series 3 [[Bitstream (G1)#Jada Toys|Bitstream]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
* Red Wing's name pays homage to the {{w|Detroit Red Wings}}, the favorite ice hockey team of another ''Transformers'' fan.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The name was a reference to the jet's colorations as well as to another TF fan's favorite hockey team - the Detroit Red Wings.|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941072360656896|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* Red Wing received his first bit of characterization when he was given a short bio by the ''Transformers Legends'' mobile game.
* ''Kre-O'' Red Wing is made from existing ''Kre-O'' parts, like all non-toy robot Kreons in these comics. As per usual, he uses the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] Kreon parts consisting of the [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Starscream]] helmet, jet wings, and Seeker arm rifles.
* In the Japanese dub of ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'', [[Thrust (Cyberverse)|Thrust]] (who is not a [[Conehead]]) is renamed as "Red Wing".

===Origins===
Red Wing owes his entire existence to a series of miscommunications between [[Hasbro]], [[TakaraTomy]], [[e-HOBBY]], and [[Fun Publications]], coupled with a slight coloring error: FunPub's original plans for the [[BotCon 2013]] exclusive toys were to have a souvenir three-pack featuring redecos of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics|Starscream]] with color schemes based on the "welcoming committee" from the [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|Generation 1 cartoon's first episode]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=You're still wondering who Red Wing is though, aren't you? It goes back to BotCon 2013 and the 3-pack of Decepticon Rainmakers. The final figures in the pack were named Bitstream, Hotlink, and Sunstorm|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941004433879040|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref>

At the time, FunPub had just entered a partnership with e-HOBBY in Japan, and since e-HOBBY were the ones who had originally turned the generic orange [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] into an actual character and given him the name "[[Sunstorm (G1)#Toys|Sunstorm]]", and e-HOBBY had plans to release their own Sunstorm redeco of the mold,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Sunstorm, though, wasn't always his name. You see in 2013, Fun Publications were beginning a partnership with eHobby in Japan. During the development of the BotCon exclusives (and Sunstorm) it was discovered that eHobby were seeking (get it?) to make their own Sunstorm.|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941010209464320|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref> FunPub decided to exclude Sunstorm from the set,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The BotCon Sunstreaker was then changed to "Orange Seeker Jet" to allow eHobby to proceed with their plans. Everything seemed fine and on-track once again.|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941016203100160|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref> and instead replace him with a new character named "Hotlink" (at that time, the purple Seeker would have been named "Nacelle") that would have sported a more red-ish orange color scheme, with the [[Termination|BotCon 2013 exclusive comic]] intended to feature both Sunstorm and "Hotlink".<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The BotCon toys were renamed Bitstream (teal), Nacelle (purple), and Hotlink (Orange). In homage to the trio of Seeker jets mentioned in the Aligned novels by Alex Irvine. EHobby then approached Takara with their proposal for Sunstorm...|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941019759869952|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref> However, TakaraTomy subsequently denied e-HOBBY the permission to release their version of Sunstorm, because according to their information, Hasbro themselves were planning to release a new Sunstorm toy.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Takara, though, declined to allow eHobby to continue. Their reason was that Hasbro were planning to make their own Sunstorm. Fun Publications and eHobby both assumed this meant some kind of release of the WFC (the video game) Starscream mold since those toys were just released.|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941021215236096|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref>

After a while, FunPub realized that Takara might have very well been referring to their own (since shelved) BotCon exclusive figure... so they eventually decided to go ahead and change the figure to be included in the set back to Sunstorm, while the name "[[Hotlink (G1)|Hotlink]]" was reassigned to the purple Seeker (the name "Nacelle" was later given to [[Nacelle (G1)|yet ''another'' Seeker]]).<ref>{{citesocial|quote=As it became evident that no WFC Sunstorm was to be made, and that Takara could very well have been referring to the BotCon figure itself, Fun Publications change the convention print materials to make the Rainmakers into Bitstream (teal), Hotlink (purple) & then, yes, Sunstorm.|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941022507139078|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref> Because that change was made at the last moment, the comic still ended up featuring both the more yellow-ish orange Sunstorm and the more red-ish orange Seeker... however, in the final printed comic, that latter Seeker ended up looking ''very'' red and not much orange due to the lighting effects and contrast with the background.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=(The changes could be made to the print materials, but not the figure. Which is why Sunstorm retained the black hands/forearms rather than white and silver chest instead of orange.)|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941023996112896|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=Concurrently with the toy development, the BotCon comic was also well along its way. Due to the revelation of eHobby's Sunstorm plans, two orange Seekers were meant to appear on the one page. And they did! To differentiate, though, one was a red orange. VERY red orange.|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941033819127810|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref>

Following the convention, [[Randy Para|one fan]] kept persistently inquiring about the identity of the mysterious "red" Seeker both online and offline,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Fans took note of this strange, extra Seeker and still during the convention, inquired who it was. *Cough, @poweredconvoy* The question was playfully set aside at the time, with a promise for more information later.|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941051657490434|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref> and thus Fun Publications finally ended up naming the character "Red Wing" via Twitter.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=After the convention, the Seeker's identity was created and posted online. "Red Wing".|link=https://twitter.com/JesseWittenrich/status/1096941064932470784|name=Jesse Wittenrich|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=17|(defunct=)}}</ref> Prior to this, [[Pete Sinclair]] wasn't even aware (or at least feigned ignorance) of his existence in "Termination" due to his extremely minor role and the number of other Seekers present within the story.
{{--}}

===Foreign names===
*''Mandarin:'' '''Hóng Yì''' (Taiwan, 紅翼, "Red Wing")

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

[[Category:Convention-original characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Seekers]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generations Selects toy Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Machine Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Second Cybertron Alliance]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:TransTech Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Powerglide (G1)

2024-03-30T17:55:52Z

Ducktimus: Removed redundant link to TFU.info

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Powerglide}}
:''Powerglide is an [[Autobot]] [[Mini Vehicle]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:MTMTEPowerglide.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb|He's sick of getting the bronze medal in the Ego Olympics. Sunstreaker and Tracks never let him live it down.]]

'''Powerglide''', unlike most Autobots, can fly under his own power, and it goes straight to his pointy head. Give him any excuse and awaa-aa-aay he goes, dashing off into the stratosphere at 500 mph—but not in a straight line. No, Powerglide is an aerial acrobat, able to perform stunts other Transformer planes would never dream of. Barrel rolls, tail stands, death spirals, screaming 3200-mph powerdives: none of these are too tough for this Autobot barnstormer, and if he has an audience, be they friendly or enemy, he is guaranteed to put on the air show of their lives.

Yet this seeming frivolity has saved his life countless times in combat. Powerglide is lightly armed with small [[concussion weapon|concussion bombs]] and a nose-mounted thermal beam, and the former is practically useless in the air. Furthermore, his speed and power, impressive as they are, are vastly outclassed by most [[Seeker (body-type)|aerial Decepticons]]. Like the flying aces of World War I, Powerglide resorts to dogfighting maneuvers, using his flying skills to confuse and evade the enemy. This tactic works very well.

In fact, Powerglide's skill only aggravates his greatest weakness. He is good, and he knows it, and he misses no chance to show it. If this means he will seek out ever tougher foes to prove his mettle—then he'll do that, even if it kills him. Some day, it might.

Sometimes he is a member of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]].

{{quote|And awaa-aa-aay we go!|Powerglide, pretty much all the time|"[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Michael Chain]] (English), [[Hirotaka Suzuoki]] (Japanese), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese, "A Prime Problem"), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese, ''2010'')|[[Yang Wenyuan]] (Chinese),[[Giorgio Locuratolo]] (Italian), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin-American Spanish, first voice), [[Javier Pontón]] (Latin-American Spanish, second voice), [[Peter Musäus]] (German, "The Girl Who Loved Powerglide"), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, "Hoist Goes Hollywood"), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5"), [[Hans-Rainer Müller]] (German, "Ghost in the Machine"), [[Crock Krumbiegel]] (German, most of the ''Generation 2'' dub), [[Christoph Jablonka]] (German, Generation 2 dub of "The Revenge of Bruticus"), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French), [[Jacques Ferrière]] (European French, "A Prime Problem"), [[François Leccia]] (European French, "Blaster Blues"), [[Mário Jorge Andrade]] (Portuguese), [[Waldir Fiori]] (Portuguese, "The Revenge of Bruticus"), [[Paulo Flores]] (Portuguese, "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5")}}
[[File:DinobotIsland1 Powerglide.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Where did I come from?! Where did YOU come from?! Yeah, what do you say to that?!"]]
Powerglide was a brash barnstormer with a penchant for spouting gung-ho sayings like "And awaaa-aaa-aay we go!". He literally appeared out of ''nowhere'' to save [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] when the boy had been thrown overboard [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s spaceship, after the latter's plan to use a clone of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] to destroy the Autobots failed. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}}

[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and Powerglide were sent on a reconnaissance mission to investigate some strange energy readings out at sea. Inside the temporal anomaly, they discovered a [[Dinobot Island (G1)|prehistoric island]] inhabited by [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]]. Powerglide had to save Bumblebee from an aggressive pterodactyl, then attempted to repair Bumblebee's damaged [[jet pack]], before abandoning it and flying Bumblebee off the island. Later, after it was decided that the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] should be relocated to the island, Powerglide led the large brutes and Spike to the island. After Spike unwittingly got himself into several dangerous situations, Powerglide flew him back home. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}}

[[File:MasterBuilders Powerglide jet mode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Called on to find [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], Powerglide soon located the pair working on their [[Solar Power Tower]] with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He reported back to Optimus and later took part in the battle to destroy the tower, attacking [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] and dogfighting with [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} Though he was damaged during an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the Decepticons retrieving the [[Heart of Cybertron]], Powerglide volunteered to carry [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s miniaturised team and drop them off on Megatron's body. To his surprise, he found the Decepticons in a state of inebriation due to over-energizing. He dropped off his cargo and made a clean getaway, despite Megatron taking a shot at him. {{storylink|Microbots}}

[[File:DesertionDinobots1 Powerglide no head.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Little known fact: Powerglide was the first Headmaster.]]
All of the Autobots were exiled from Earth after being framed by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} They ended up being set on a collision course with the [[Sun]], but at the last minute, were able to return to Earth and kick Decepticon tailpipe. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} After a disastrous battle at an airport, Powerglide helped [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] and Grapple reconstruct a building, only for it to be demolished by Grapple's inaccurate placing of the roof. Ironhide and Powerglide had a laugh at their friend's expense, but it soon turned out that the problem was more serious than a minor glitch—the Autobots were suffering by [[Cybertonium]] depletion. Powerglide's symptoms included his head falling off. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}}

When Megatron's latest plan blocked radio transmissions all over Earth, Powerglide, Spike and [[Carly]] helped Optimus guide commercial aircraft safely to the ground. They were attacked by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], leaving Prime incapacitated and Powerglide in danger of crashing. Spike used a spare [[jet pack|rocket pack]] to stabilise Powerglide's flight, and the Autobot was able to pick up Optimus and carry him back to base. There, Carly made emergency repairs, and they took [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], where they watched Optimus and Megatron fight. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[File:GoldenLagoon Powerglide seashore.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Powerglide was part of a group of Autobots taking a walk along a beach when they were attacked by Decepticons. As the battle raged on, [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] found a pool of [[Electrum]] and, once coated with the stuff, became impervious to the Autobot weapons. While [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and Perceptor were captured, Powerglide and the others escaped. Powerglide was part of the retaliatory mission; however, the rest of the Decepticons had already coated themselves in Electrum, rendering anything the Autobots could do ineffective. Damaged, Powerglide washed up on the shore in time to spy the Decepticons utilising the pool of Electrum, enabling him to fly back to base and warn the Autobots. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}}

The Autobots set up a sting operation in [[New York City]] to apprehend car thieves, of which Powerglide was a part. He and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] chased Starscream into a shopping mall, but the two Autobots were unable to prevent him from getting away. {{storylink|Make Tracks}} Cosmos suggested Powerglide lead an assault on the Constructicons, who were working on an asteroid, but, to Powerglide's disappointment, Prime went to talk to Omega Supreme instead. Powerglide later helped defend [[San Francisco]] from an [[Asteroid bird alien|alien creature]] unleashed from the asteroid. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} During a coup by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], Powerglide spied on what the triple changers were up to and was able to rescue Spike when the city was flooded. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

[[File:SearchAlphaTrion Powerglide and Moonracer.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Their 4 million year reunion. And yes, he cheats on her the very next episode.]]
After Megatron demanded Optimus Prime's surrender in exchange for [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]], Powerglide was among the Autobots who followed him to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Once there, he was disbelieving of Starscream's claim that Optimus Prime had been destroyed. During their vengeful attack on the Decepticons, Powerglide met up with his old friend [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]]. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

[[File:Pgalove.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Don't worry, I won't hug her too hard."]]
Soon after hooking up with Moonracer, he saved the fleshling female [[Astoria Carlton-Ritz]] from being kidnapped by Ramjet, Thrust and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]. He was assigned to escort her back to Autobot HQ, but they were again attacked by the coneheads, who injured Powerglide and snatched Astoria. After receiving some repairs from [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], Powerglide set off for the Decepticon [[Sky Platform]] to rescue Astoria. Caught in the platform's security field, Powerglide was helped by Astoria herself, who destroyed an energy tower. Unfortunately the damage left the platform plummeting out of control, but Powerglide was able to rig it to crash into the [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon base]].

Afterwards, it seemed as though Powerglide had developed feelings for Astoria, much to the amusement of the other Autobots. The only lasting result was a series of flashing lights under his chestplate in the form of a stylized heart. What purpose this served (other than being disturbing) is not immediately clear. {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}}

[[File:Hoist goes hollywood1.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"Hey, human, when I'm in jet mode, you fit in my head."]]
After thoroughly embarrassing himself by accidentally destroying several sets and props in an attempt to show off, Powerglide was among [[Sunstreaker (G1)|several]] [[Tracks (G1)|egotistical]] [[Warpath (G1)|Autobots]] who demanded to be given a role in a movie that [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] was starring in. Initially, his "role" amounted to crashing into a STORE while in jet mode (supposedly to stop "the crooks"). Soon afterwards, Powerglide and the other would-be-actor Autobots asked Hoist to talk to the [[Attack of the Alien Robots director|director]] to get them some "real" acting roles. After reworking the movie into ''[[Attack of the Alien Robots]]'', the director had the Autobots given cheesy alien face masks. Powerglide remarked that the role was "the pits", and that he would rather do the stunt crashes. In a later scene, Powerglide demonstrated his rather wooden acting "skills". Guess he was better suited for stunts. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood (episode)|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Powerglide was one of the Autobots who volunteered to rescue Perceptor from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} He took part in the defence of headquarters against another attack by the Decepticons, only to be puzzled when Megatron almost immediately called a retreat. After some investigation, it turned out Starscream had stolen some [[personality component]]s to create the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. Powerglide set out to find the rebel Decepticons, and soon found them fighting Megatron's forces at the [[Amalgamated Water and Power Plant]] {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} During a massive attack on a human city by the Insecticons, Powerglide dropped Spike and Perceptor off in the battle zone, so the pair could warn the Autobot leader about strange signals coming from Cybertron. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Powerglide and the rest of the Minibots tried to repel the Decepticons' [[Trypticon (G1)|new mobile assault base]]—and failed. When the colossal 'con took several direct hits and seemed to be falling apart, Powerglide cheerfully reported that they had destroyed it—then in his shock, just happened to [[To sell toys|narrate aloud]] that it had a reptilian mode too. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

[[File:GhostinMachine Powerglide and Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
Powerglide appeared to have been destroyed during a disastrous Autobot attack on the [[Quintesson]]s led by a resurrected, reprogrammed Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}} However, he was later among the Autobots who attempted to stop [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and Starscream's [[Spark|ghost]] from stealing [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[Sensor|eyes]], so he must have gotten better. Unfortunately, a blind Metroplex accidentally shot him down, but Warpath saved him. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine}}

{{note|The above appearance in "Dark Awakening" is likely a result of a careless animation team using the animation model of Powerglide to represent an Autobot spaceship rather than Powerglide himself, as the footage of "his" destruction is used twice during the battle sequence.}}
{{-}}

====''The Transformers'' public service announcements====
When three boys dismissed a girl who wanted to join them in skateboarding around a park, Powerglide flew down from above and admonished them for their sexist assumptions about the girl's skateboarding ability. He then urged her to show what she could do, as she demonstrated her impressive skills to the boys' amazement. Powerglide once again reminded them not to pass premature judgment on others. {{storylink|Public service announcement#Transformers public service announcements|Don't Jump To Conclusions}}

====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
[[File:Powerglide minibot combiner.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Arriving in Tokyo, [[Japan]], Powerglide intervened on [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s attack on [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and the Autobots' human friend, [[Kenji]]. Instead of shooting the Decepticon from the air, Powerglide zoomed in close and decked Ravage with a partially transformed hand. PG then grabbed Kenji and flew off, leaving Bumblebee alone to face [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and his cassettes. For some reason. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #2}} Later, Powerglide was also present when Optimus Prime was showing Kenji around the Autobots' base in Japan. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 4|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #4}}

While surveying the desert, Powerglide came across the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] hunting down an innocent [[Battle Dog|dog]]. He interfered with their mission, but took heavy firepower shielding the animal with his own body. Seriously injured, Powerglide transformed in a desperate attempt to keep the dog alive just a little longer inside his cockpit. Surprisingly, the puppy managed to operate his control console and keep Powerglide moving long enough for a [[Mini Vehicle|Minibot]] patrol to respond to his SOS. It seemed that Megatron had incorporated powerful energy inside the puppy as a plot to conquer Earth. In order to avoid being used by the Decepticons, the puppy sacrificed himself to channel massive amounts of [[Scramble Power]] into Powerglide. [[Minibot combiner|United as one]], Powerglide and the Minibots used Scramble Power to deliver a mighty blow against [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], defeating the Combaticons. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #8}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms'' comic=====
Powerglide was stationed at Autobot City in 2010. He welcomed a group of children visiting the Autobot base as they were being shown around by Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 3|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #3}}

====Full Throttle Scramble Power!====
Powerglide accompanied the massive Autobot reinforcements called in to counter Megatron's nefarious [[Omega Wave Cannon]]. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}

====''The Battle of the Star Gate''====
Powerglide was led to Japan by Optimus Prime, along with a small team of other Autobots, to stop the Decepticons' latest Energon-gathering scheme. Optimus ordered him to pursue Astrotrain to prevent the Decepticons from escaping with their loot. In the end, a duplicate Starscream appeared and took off with the Energon cache along with his other self. {{storylink|Activation}}

Powerglide was amongst the Autobots who once more confronted Megatron and his Decepticons at the ''[[Trigger]]'' in Earth orbit. When Starscream combined himself with the ''Trigger'' to create a powerful new body for himself, Powerglide had to contend with the volley of asteroids thrown towards both Autobots and Decepticons from Starscream's star gate. He was then almost sucked into a portal to a black hole when Starscream neared defeat, but was instead sent plummeting down to Earth when Optimus and Megatron worked together to defeat Starscream. {{storylink|The Battle of the Star Gate}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
[[File:BattleLines6-UltraMagnus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
Powerglide was present at the first "meeting" of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Powerglidereadytoblastoffrightnow.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|We bet you are. Don't be crude, Powerglide.]]
Powerglide was a member of [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s [[Cybertron Seven|resistance cell]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] during the reign of [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]. Like most of his comrades, he found more inspiration in [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s bravado than the calculated caution of Perceptor. When their untrustworthy scout, [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]] went missing, Powerglide and his peers fell in line with Blaster's plan to find and rescue him, overruling Perceptor. After much searching, all but Blaster had given up on Scrounge, but Powerglide had stayed to secretly shadow Blaster, allowing the air-capable Autobot to deliver him to safety out of the [[smelting pool]] (regrettably leaving Scrounge behind). This act gave Perceptor's small group of Autobots the first good news they had heard in eons, for Scrounge had handed them evidence that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] lived. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

[[File:Powerglideblastercybertronic.jpg|thumb|Cybertronic altmode: paper airplane]]
Further reconnaissance by Blaster and Powerglide revealed startling news—the Decepticons were building a [[space bridge]]! As this would spell certain doom for both Cybertron and [[Earth]], a desperate raid on Straxus's [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] fortress was launched. This attack was mostly successful, as it leveled Darkmount and ended in Straxus's destruction, but Powerglide and the rest of his Autobot comrades had to retreat to Earth over the Space Bridge as it self-destructed. Here they were greeted immediately by a group of humans. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} Though Megatron and his troops spotted the Autobots upon their materialization on Earth, the Decepticons were distracted by a more pressing mission at the time, and left without attacking the new arrivals. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} However, the humans belonged to the anti-robot attack team, [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. While Powerglide and the other Autobots, unfamiliar with how things worked on Earth, tried to talk to their vehicles, RAAT deployed "electric snow" missiles to disorient the Transformers. Powerglide's group was then too dazed to fight back, and were captured with the help of [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} Powerglide and his fellows were disassembled, with their heads getting mounted on the wall of RAAT's headquarters. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} The Autobots were only given a chance at freedom after Circuit Breaker was forced to elicit their aid to defeat the [[Battlecharger]]s. Powerglide and the other Autobots' components were combined to form a [[Circuit Breaker's Autobot suit|jury-rigged robot]] that Circuit Breaker used to stop the duo while they were defacing the status of liberty. After [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] were sent packing, Powerglide and the Autobots were allowed to go free. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}}

''Following [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], Powerglide and the others got lost after their guide spontaneously vanished into [[limbo]]. Even worse was the reason for the disappearance—[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] had returned to the present. Unlike most of his fellows, Powerglide actually managed to get a good shot in before Galvatron knocked the circuits out of him. {{storylink|Fallen Angel}} After Galvatron was forced into retreat by the vagrant [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], Perceptor's team finally managed to reach the Ark, where they learned of Optimus Prime's apparent demise at the hands of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Powerglide attended Prime's funeral and assimilated into Earth's depleted Autobot forces, though it was soon revealed that Prime's death was a ruse. {{storylink|Resurrection!}} ''

[[File:Blasterbeourleaderplease.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|"Is this the line for the mutiny?"]]
When Optimus Prime died ''(for real)'' after a digital battle with [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], Powerglide observed with the other Autobots as [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] failed to successfully repair their fallen leader. After attending Prime's ''(real)'' funeral, a criminal known as the [[Mechanic]] turned the Ark's new security systems on the mourning Autobots, with devastating results. Though Powerglide was counted among the wounded due to this incident, Ratchet was able to best the intruder and vowed to fix all of the Autobots post-haste afterwards. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} Powerglide was at the receiving end of massive firepower once more when [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] attacked the Ark. Had it not been for the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots']] timely intervention, the behemoth would have likely reduced all of the Autobots' forces to scrap. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], Prime's successor in leadership, turned out to be a self-interested tyrant, but he did help get the Ark repaired and off of Earth, a large process that Powerglide contributed to by feeding [[Energon cube]]s to their new [[Geothermal Generator]]. {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}} Nevertheless, Powerglide was among the Autobots who begged Blaster to overthrow him, but the mutiny didn't pan out, as the Dinobots were able to get Blaster to surrender to them after they endangered some of his [[Spacehikers|human allies]]. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}} Later, Blaster and Grimlock battled for supremacy on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], as Powerglide and the other Autobots cheered Blaster on. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

Some time after Optimus Prime's return, Powerglide was among several Autobots who responded to [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s distress call near the Decepticons' [[Club Con|arctic base]]. However, this was a trap, and Powerglide was shot down in battle by some Decepticon aerial aces, including [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] and the ever-frightening [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]. {{storylink|Dark Star}} He was identified as deactivated several weeks later. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Lancer one crew war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The Autobots came to regret watching the new G.I. Joe movies.]]
Following the final battle with the Decepticons, the ''[[Warworld]]'' and the [[Blitz Engine]]s, Powerglide discovered [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s body on the surface of Cybertron and hurried over to notify the freshly minted [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]. When they realised that the Decepticon leader was still alive Prime had Powerglide notify a medic, leaving the Minibot to marvel with [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] at their leader's new-found maturity. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} Later, Powerglide took part in the assault against [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s forces at the [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]], as part of the crew of ''[[Lancer One]]'' alongside [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]], [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] and [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] under the command of [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]]. Although they successfully carried out their mission, Jhiaxus was prepared for them and the Autobots' attack fell to pieces shortly afterwards. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}}
{{-}}

===''Big Looker'' storybooks===

Powerglide did a reconnaissance flight over Decepticon headquarters before the Autobots stormed the base to get the cerebro-shelled [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] back. {{storylink|Insecticon Attack!}}
{{-}}

===''Find Your Fate Junior''===
{{notemultipath}}
====Dinobots Strike Back====
In one micro-continuity-nexus in which four of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] were taken over by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell's]] [[cerebro-shell]]s, Powerglide was part of the Autobot attack force if Optimus Prime chose to attack immediately. He dropped a small concussion bomb near [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], bringing the Stegosaurus to his knees. This prompted [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] to spew a jet of fire at Powerglide, which he managed to dodge.

In an alternate ending, Powerglide was part of a full-scale land, air, and sea assault on the Decepticons' secret base in [[Mount Lomas]]. With a little backup from [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], he apparently took down all of Megatron's warrior jets with his thermal beam, giving the ground force the cover they needed to storm the base and torch the superfuel lab. {{storylink|Dinobots Strike Back}}

====Earthquake====
[[File:EarthquakePowerglideBeahccomberWindcharger.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
While the rest of the Autobots were discussing how nice the recent lull in Decepticon activity was, the fidgety Powerglide longed for the evil robots to surface once more, so that he'd get a chance to "teach them a thing or two."

In one possible sequence of events, Powerglide got his wish when Beachcomber returned to Autobot base from his day off, having discovered a secret Decepticon fortress. Powerglide, Beachcomber and Windcharger were sent out to investigate whatever ploy the Decepticons were hatching. Once the three Autobots arrived at the cliff face that concealed the Decepticons' base, the three of them debated on which course of action they should take. Powerglide advocated for walking in through the front door.

If the three Autobots decided to walk through the main entrance, Windcharger was promptly crushed by the fortress's doors, which then let loose a swarm of Decepticons. Rumble was tricked into causing an earthquake, which brough down the Decepticons and their fortress in one fell swoop. Beahcomber and Powerglie then retrieved the damaged Windcharger.

If the trio decided instead to look for an alternate entrance into the Decepticon fortress, they discovered a narrow passageway hidden behind bushes and scrubs. Beachcomber's squad went into the passage and emerged in storage room. Leading out of the storage room was a passage not unlike the one from which they had just emerged, and a brightly lit corridor. Powerglide opted to investigate the brightly-lit corridor.

In one possible sequence of events where Powerglide investigated the base on his own, he was captured by the Decepticons and reprogrammed to lead them to the Autobots’ headquarters. The Autobots, unprepared for a surprise attack were felled one by one.

If Beachcomber decided to explore the brightly-lit corridor with Powerglide, the pair soon found the entire fortress to be eerily silent, until they heard Megatron expositing his plan to Soundwave. Beachcomber and Powerglide learned that the Decepticons planned to use a Destruction Beam to create a fault line near Center City, which would in turn be exploited by Rumble's earthquake-inducing abilities to destroy the entire area. With this knowledge, Powerglide and Beachcomber raced out of the fortress, meeting up with Windcharger en route, and returned to Autobot headquarters. The Autobots then decided to split up in two groups, one to attack the Decepticons’ fortress, the other to stop Rumble in Center city. Powerglide was assigned to the secondary team.

If the secondary team was tasked with attacking the Decepticons’ fortress, they were able to stealthily infiltrate the base and discover the Decepticon's lab. In one possible version of the events that followed, the Autobots were then able to redirect the Destruction Beam back to its source, destroying the Decepticons and their base.

In another version of these events, Megatron called his troops to him so they could all partake in Cosmos's dismemberment. Before the Decepticons were able to begin, Cosmos spotted the secondary team hiding nearby. Surrounding the Decepticons, the secondary team engaged their enemies. Though the Autobots defeated the Decepticons, they were unable to interfere with the Destruction beam. The beam reached its target, and Center City was destroyed. Though the Autobots were able to gain control of the Decepticon fortress and destroy the lab, they were not able to wipe out all of the evil robots, and enjoyed a pyrrhic victory at best.

Alternatively, if Beachcomber decided to have Windcharger, Powerglide and himself each investigate a different area of the Decepticons’ fortress, Beachcomber would get himself captured, leading to his teammate's capture. Powerglide was ordered executed by Buzzsaw while the Decepticons carried on with their evil deeds. {{storylink|Earthquake (book)|Earthquake}}
{{-}}

====Desert Flight====
[[File:DesertFlightDirgeandThrustattackAutobots.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Powerglide was part of a group of the Autobots’ best scouts, led by Optimus on a fuel-finding mission. When the convoy came to a sudden halt, Powerglide's engines stalled an he nearly crashed before the Autobots’ newest adventure had even begun. Thankfully, Windcharger used his magnetic powers to halt Powerglide's decent. Back at a safe altitude, Powerglide offered to go check out the distant explosion that had caused the Autobots to suddenly halt in the first place. Optimus declined Powerglide's offer, opting to send Cosmos to investigate instead.

If Cosmos radioed his findings to Optimus immediately, Optimus's convoy moved in to investigate a nearby Decepticon base. As they approached it, the Autobots noted a nearby human settlement before their earthbound forces began floating in mid-air. Evidently, the phenomenon was caused by a Decepticon anti-gravity weapon.

If Optimus ordered his troops to come to the humans’ aid, they found themselves taking part in a struggle in futility, as the entire town was near-weightless, meaning they couldn't put the humans anywhere where they wouldn't float away once more. Then, the Autobots heard Decepticons approaching. Helpless in their current position, the Autobots were quickly eradicated by the Decepticons.

If Optimus ordered his troops to attack the Decepticon base, they soon reached an area free of the anti-gravity beam's influence. Flying ahead of the group, Powerglide was on the receiving end of Thrust's surprise attack. Undeterred, Powerglide charged Thrust, ready for a game of chicken. Having psyched out his opponent, Powerglide was able to quickly finish him off, before circling back and downing Ramjet. Losing their advantage quickly, the Decepticons retreated. But with the battle over, the Autobots noticed a small human boy at their feet. The Autobots then headed for the Decepticon base, with their stowaway. Megatron delivered an ultimatum; if the Autobots did not surrender Optimus Prime to the Decepticons immediately, he would use his gravity beam to have the nearby humans float off into space.

If the Autobots decided to continue with their initial plan to simply attack the Decepticon base, a decision Powerglide was all too happy to support, their advance was halted by a force field. Megatron then fired his beam in all directions, causing a ripple effect that sent everything not fastened down to the Earth's surface to float helplessly out into space.

Alternatively, the Autobots could concoct a plan where Optimus would pretend to allow himself to be taken prisoner, per Buddy's suggestion. In actuality, most of the Autobots were hidden away inside Optimus's trailer. Powerglide and Cosmos were themselves waiting outside the base for Windcharger to disable the forcefield from within.

In the event that Windcharger successfully turned the forcefield off, Powerglide burst into the base, guns ablaze, and foiled a sneak attack Megatron was about to perform upon Optimus. He then evaded an attack from both Ravage and Frenzy, causing the two Decepticons to crash into one another.

In the event that Buddy tampered with the gravity gun in the ensuing battle, the Autobots would emerge victorious.

In the event that Buddy instead entered a space-time anomaly created throughout the course of the battle, the Autobots would lose their fight against the Decepticons, and Powerglide wound up either injured or dead.

In a completely different possible sequence of events, wherein Cosmos had taken off to explore the Decepticon base on his own, The Autobot convoy were surprised to see two Cosmoses flying back towards them some time later. Both Cosmoses declared themselves to be the real one, and urged Optimus to destroy the other.

If Optimus destroyed the wrong Cosmos, the duplicate obliterated Smokescreen and the rest of the Autobots with the [[proton bomb]] it housed within its body.

If Optimus destroyed the duplicate Cosmos, the real one would inform the Autobots of the Decepticons’ schemes, and the convoy would roll out to take on their adversaries. They were soon met by a squad of flying Decepticons, but were at a strict disadvantage against their adversaries as their vehicle modes possessed no weapons. The Autobots nonetheless managed to fight their way to the Decepticons’ base, one way or another, and defeated the Decepticons by using their own gravity weapon against them. {{storylink|Desert Flight}}
{{-}}

====Decepticon Poison====
As the Autobots were refuelling, they were interrupted by Red Alert, who warned the others that he had spotted nearby. All Autobots who had taken their fill of their newest batch of fuel found themselves unable to Transform, and correctly deduced that the Decepticons had poisoned their fuel supply. In a possible sequence of events wherein Optimus returned from the Decepticons’ lab with the antidote to the poison, the Autobot leader informed his troops of the Decepticons’ next plot. The evil robots were planning poison a nearby water reservoir in order to turn humans into mindless slaves. If Optimus decided to end his troops to the water reservoir to prevent this attack, Powerglide was amongst the group of Autobots that found the reservoir swarmed by Decepticons upon their arrival.

Seeing an opportunity to show off his aerial skills, Powerglide took off, announcing that he would lead the Decepticons on a wild goose chase. Optimus protested, ordering Powerglide to stay with the group.

If Powerglide continued despite Optimus's orders, he effortlessly dodged enemy fire only to mess things up when he downed Frenzy, causing the barrels of poison the Decepticon was carrying to explode into the water reservoir.

If Powerglide did as he was told, he and the other Autobots attempted to lure the Decepticons away from the reservoir and into some nearby woods, where they would have some cover against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Poison}}
{{-}}

====Autobot Alert!====
[[File:AutobotAlertCyclonusonscreen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Powerglide was in Metroplex city when an Autobot Alert sounded.

In one possible scenario, Powerglide was selected alongside Mirage, Swoop, Jazz and Prowl, to join Ultra Magnus on an orbital mission to both rescue Cosmos and halt a Decepticon plot to take over Earth's broadcast satellites.After donning special space gear for solar protection, the team took off and headed towards Cosmos's last coordinates. Arriving in orbit, Powerglide was the first to spot Cosmos drifting in the blackness of space. But looming nearby was also Cyclonus, Galvatron's ship. Powerglide and Mirage retrieved the Autobot saucer with the help of magnetic cables. Ultra Magnus ordered his troops to train all of their weapons on Cyclonus for a full-frontal assault. Doubting the wisdom of this plan, Powerglide pulled Swoop aside and suggested that they instead attempt a sneak attack on Cyclonus.

If the Autobots went along with Ultra Magnus's plan, Powerglide and the rest of the Autobots were horrorstruck when Galvatron himself emerged from Cyclonus, followed by an army of multiwing jet fighters. Ppwerglide and the others were left drifting helplessly into space as the Decepticons tore their shuttle apart.

If Swoop and Powerglide went ahead with their own plan, Powerglide worked on distracting Cyclonus with his fancy maneuvers while Swoop moved in position to use his superior firepower. With all of Cyclonus's attention trained onto Powerglide, Swoop was successful in destroying the Decepticons’ transmission apparatus, bringing their plot to an end.

In a completely different possible scenario, wherein Ultra Magnus agreed to prioritize theft of the coded message, Powerglide was part of the captive audience that listened to Kup divulge information about an ancient Autobot formula. Powerglide took off towards the Autobots’ desert research centre along with a number of other Autobots. Once there, they learned from Springer that the Cybertite sphere containing the formula was discovered by humans during the 16th century. If the Decepticons had decoded Springer's message, they would be searching off the coast of California, where the ship containing the sphere had sunk. If they hadn't decoded the message, the Decepticons would still be digging in the nearby crater.

If Ultra Magnus decided to assume that the Decepticons had already decrypted the message, he ordered his forces to split up to more efficiently address the situation. Powerglide was sent ahead to scout out the California coast. Arriving ahead of the land-bound Autobots, Powerglide was able to quickly spot the sunken ship which held the cybertite sphere, and signalled the other Autobots about his find. The Autobots then needed to decide whether they would raise the ship themselves, or try and ambush the Decepticons after they had done so. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}
{{-}}

====The Invisibility Factor====
[[File:Sarah Sanders.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Ultra Magnus, who stacked all that box art in the doorway?"]]
In one possible scenario, the Decepticons gained control of an [[Invisibility Device]]. When the invisible Decepticons attacked Metroplex city, Powerglide and the rest of the Autobots were reduced to scrap metal, unable to fight the unseen enemy.

In another scenario, where the Autobots gave up searching for a ship with invisibility capabilities, Powerglide and the rest of the Autobots within Metroplex were caught by surprise by a fleet of identical ships swooping down upon them. The Autobots were all destroyed as Galvatron gloated of his victory.

In yet another possible scenario, Powerglide participated in a battle against the Decepticons when the evil robots attacked Metroplex while using Invisibility Devices. Thanks to the Invisibility Device's inventor, [[Sarah Sanders]], the Autobots were in possession of an [[Invisibility Scrambler]] to counteract the Decepticons’ Invisibility Device. Anticipating the Decepticons’ attack, the Autobots successfully defeated the evil robots when they came. {{storylink|The Invisibility Factor}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Powerglideoutbackwarwithin.jpg|100px|thumb|The paper-airplaneness of his Dreamwave Cybertronic altmode is unknown.]]
Powerglide was operational during the early days of the war, and was seen in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] shortly after [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s demise. After Optimus had ordered an Autobot exodus from Cybertron, Powerglide helped load up some crates in preparation for their departure. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} When the Decepticons attacked [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Powerglide was advised by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] mid-battle, who told him to target a Decepticon's lateral fuel line to deliver maximum damage to his opponent. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3|The War Within #3}}

[[File:Powerglidenightofthecombaticons.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|Bumblebee needs a smaller command chair.]]
In the modern era, Powerglide was a member of one of the later-formed Autobot resistance cells on Cybertron, in communication with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] along with several other [[Mini Vehicle|Minibots]]. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} He participated in the final insurrection which threw [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and his Decepticons out of power on Cybertron. Afterwards, he was assigned to [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s command and traveled to Earth on a supply run aboard the starship ''[[Orion]]''. While en route, the ''Orion'' received an emergency transmission from the ''Ark'': the Earthbound Autobots were under attack from the Decepticons! {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} The ''Orion''<nowiki>'</nowiki> simple supply mission ended with heavy combat against the amazingly-powerful clone, [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], who overloaded the ''Orion'' with energy, causing it to crash. The ''Orion''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew walked away from their rough landing unharmed however, and Sunstorm left in pursuit of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Powerglide and his team set about repairing their ship, and accomplished the task in a few hours. The Autobots were getting ready for some well-earned rest when Starscream returned, now accompanied by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} Recognizing the greater threat that Sunstorm posed, the Autobots agreed to ally themselves with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in order to deal with him. Powerglide might have raised a complaint to being assigned to guard their new "partner", but Starscream betrayed them and deactivated Powerglide's unit so fast, it's hard to be sure he even had a chance to speak up. {{storylink|The Omega Effect}}

[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] presumably got him back online in time to help with the construction of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{-}}

===''The Beast Within''===
Powerglide participated in a savage battle against the Decepticons, though he did not fare too well, and got blasted out of the sky by Astrotrain early during the conflict. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{First|[[Chaos Part Two: Numbers|''Transformers vol. 1'' #26]]}}

[[File:Powerglide Life After the Big Bang.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|I was on the ''Lost Light''?]]
Powerglide was among the Autobots poised to fight against [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s army on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Led by [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], he and the other Autobot fliers attacked [[Kimia Facility]] and fought with the many [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] defending it. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}}

Once the battle was won and the war was over, Powerglide joined the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' to participate in the search for the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}} {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}} He spent some time in [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]'s bar where he was confused by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]'s drunken antics. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}} When [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] was unleashed within the ship, Powerglide joined the rest of the crew in trying to defeat him. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} After Swerve's bar was trashed by [[Legislator]]s and Swerve was considering closing down, Powerglide and several other Autobots cheered him up and helped him rebuild. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}}

[[File:TheWorldofTomorrow-AlphaBravo.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.3|HE SAID THE THING.]]
Powerglide left the crew of the ''Lost Light'' after [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]], and would later volunteer to act as a member of [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] in an effort to provide [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] with a [[combiner]] to defend against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}}

He was present when Wheeljack received the [[Enigma of Combination]] from [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]. [[Alpha Bravo]] and Powerglide were both exposed to the energies of the artifact, granting them the power to combine with the other Aerialbots as part of the new Superion; in Powerglide's case, he gained the ability to transform into Superion's gun. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}}

As part of Starscream's political maneuvers, Powerglide and the new Aerialbots were deployed to [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] to stop Menasor. Superion was able to dispatch the Stunticon combiner, blasting him using gun-mode Powerglide. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} Following a clash with Devastator, Superion was briefly reduced to his components, although Starscream thought otherwise and forcibly reintegrated the Aerialbots back into Superion. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}}

Much to Optimus Prime's concern, Superion hadn't separated since the fight with Devastator; [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] commented that for all intents and purposes Superion ''was'' the new default form for the Aerialbots. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}}

[[File:EdgeOfTheEarth AerialbotsAttacked.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
As Superion joined Optimus Prime's Autobots on Earth, he disassembled into his individual Aerialbot components from time to time. Powerglide and the Aerialbots performed a "bombing" run in the arid desert, releasing payloads that caused dramatic botanical growth where they fell, providing food to support the local humans. Powerglide and the Aerialbots then fled the air resistance they faced, reluctantly holding to Prime's orders to not engage any human counter-strikes. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|Edge of the Earth}}

During a conflict with [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], however, the ancient Decepticon manipulated the power of the Enigma of Combination through the Onyx Interface's source code, creating new combiners under his control and disrupting existing ones. As a natural-born combiner, uncreated by the Enigma, Superion had some immunity. He copied and isolated the Onyx code into his own core-processor then dismantled himself, neutralizing the Onyx code so long as the Aerialbots remained separated. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above...So Below}} Powerglide and the other discombobulated Aerialbots were recovered from the site of the ocean battle {{storylink|White Light}} and returned to the newly established [[Metrotitan (G1)|Autobot City]] to recover. {{storylink|White Heat}}

Powerglide and the Aerialbots returned to Cybertron and took to the skies when [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] descended on their homeworld aboard [[Nemesis (BW)|Nemesis]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} During the battle with [[Unicron]], he combined with his fellow Aerialbots into Superion to help defeat the planet-eater for good. {{storylink|Ceremony}}
{{-}}

===''BeCool'' shorts===
{{voiceactor|[[Takanori Yagi]] (Japanese)}}
'''Red Jet''' (赤のジェット機 ''Aka no Jettoki'') was a smug and self-assured flyer. {{storylink|The Self-Introduction Chapter}} Nevertheless, he managed to get lost in a forest, only to find [[Bumblebee (G1)|Yellow Sports Car]]... who was also lost. Together, they agreed to find their way out. The observing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Trailer]] wondered why Red Jet didn't just fly out. {{storylink|The Story of the Lost Plane!}}

Red Jet was later part of the audience for ''Quiz! BeCool'', {{storylink|The Story of Quiz! BeCool}} and witness to the filming of a movie interrupted by the fire brigade thinking it was a real emergency. {{storylink|The Story of the Fire Brigade Dispatch!}}

===''Kre-O'' bio===
Powerglide was a supersonic daredevil and aerial acrobatic ace, but also a huge attention-seeking showoff—he didn't see the point of pulling off his amazing stunts unless he had an audience. His dream was to appear on his favorite show, ''[[KREONS Have Talent!]]''. {{storylink|Transformers: Kre-O Character Encyclopedia}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Powerglide was stationed within [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] when both [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and a mind-controlled [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] attacked the Autobot city. He bore witness to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Imhotep Rodimus]] seizing leadership from Grimlock in the middle of the siege. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[War World: Prime|''Transformers'' #25]] (mentioned); [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II|#32]] (full)}}
[[File:TestFlightII-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|right|]]
A former member of [[Strika's Heavies]], Powerglide threw his lot in with the Autobots during the Decepticon uprising and was sent to rouse his former comrade [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] from stasis. {{storylink|War World: Prime|Prime}}

====Alternate future====
In the future ruled by [[Exarchon]], Powerglide was one of the last resistors alongside [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Swift (G1)|Swift]], and [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]]. Energon had run dry, forcing them to forfeit their alt modes to stay charged purely on [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]]. They discovered the temporally-displaced [[Jumpstream]], but Powerglide was killed by [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] as Exarchon's loyalists descended on them. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II|Test Flight II}}

===''Transformers vs. The Terminator''===
By the year [[2029]], the Decepticons had wiped out the Autobots and devastated the planet Earth, with Powerglide having died from a crash landing, his shattered wreckage half-buried beneath a collapsed [[Los Angeles]] freeway near other Cybertronian bodies. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Powerglide and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] were pinned down on the battlefield by the Decepticon triple-changers, [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Thankfully, the new recruits [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] arrived on the scene and were able to chase off the Decepticon aggressors. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Sandstorm, Broadside, Octane|Sandstorm, Broadside, and Octane commercial}}
*Powerglide and the Aerialbots received a message from Optimus Prime alerting them that [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] was wreaking havoc in a human city, and that the threat was "bigger than ever." The Aerialbots combined into Superion to better combat the Decepticon, with Powerglide delivering the first blow in his gun mode. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#2015|Transformers Generations: Combiner Wars commercials}}

==Games==
===''Bot Shots Battle Game!''===
[[Image:Bsbg-powerglide.jpg|thumb]]
Powerglide participated in numerous one-on-one matches against other Autobots and Decepticons, using his fists, his sword, or his gun to defeat his opponents. Sometimes, he even faced off against himself! {{storylink|Bot Shots Battle Game!}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Part of a small task force led by Hound, Powerglide took part in a kerfuffle against the Decepticons and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]. The outcome of the fight was unclear. {{storylink|By Land, Sea, or Air}}

Powerglide was injured, and had [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] come to his aid. The trio were delayed when they became friendly with the Constructicons, but after the sudden but inevitable betrayal, the three Autobots took him to safety. {{storylink|The Master Builders (Legends)|The Master Builders}} Powerglide fought against the combined Decepticon and Quintesson forces when they attacked Cybertron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsPowerglide.jpg|thumb|left|300px|He has a [[Kre-O]] cannon and he's not afraid to use it!]]

Powerglide participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Common character that could be recruited by collecting 24 units of Cybermetal. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:PowerglideEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=2|WHEEEEEEEEE!]]
To say Powerglide delights in his aerial prowess is a huge understatement.
He loves showing off his dazzling airborne virtuosity, and isn't above a bit of gratuitous grandstanding. He's equally happy performing for friend or foe, as long as he gets the requisite appreciation.
But deep down, Powerglide's bravado covers up for his lack of speed in aerial mode, and low strength in robot mode. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Powerglide bio}}

When Silverbolt and the other Aerialbots came to earth, Powerglide combined with the others and formed the gun that Superion holds. He helped in destroying many Decepticon Headquarters. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

*'''Class''': Aerial
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 1 star
*'''Weapons''': Powerglide uses a flamethrower to burn defenses.
*'''Ability: Bombing Run''': Drops 12 grenades in a line causing high damage to targets!
**'''Cost''': 4 ability points +1 for reuses.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:powerglide Powerglide at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Powerglide was a substitute Aerialbot, who sometimes served as Superion's gun. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1-toy Powerglide.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Kids went nuts for this level of articulation in 1985.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Powerglide''' (Mini-Vehicle, [[1985]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''C-62'''
{{toydesigner|[[Masaki Maruyama]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:Released in the second year of [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' line, [[Mini Vehicle]] Powerglide transforms into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#A-10 Thunderbolt|A-10 Thunderbolt II]] ground-attack jet (better known by its nickname "Warthog"), deformed to keep proportion with the previous year's "penny-racer" styled Mini Cars. He is notable for being one of the earliest Autobots with an aerial [[alternate mode]]. Due to his transformation, Powerglide has more [[robot mode]] articulation than any other Mini Vehicle. His head can turn, his shoulders have what amounts to universal joints, and his elbows bend.

: There are some very minor variants of this toy, involving the company stamping on the back of his mono-leg: he can have "© Takara 1984 Japan", "© Takara Co. LTD 1984 Japan", or the latter with "© Hasbro 1984" added above the Takara info.

: In the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] line, Powerglide was not part of the initial 1985 "pre-movie" series (despite being in the pre-movie cartoon), but premiered in 1986's post-movie ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Transformers 2010]]'' line. Like all of the smaller toys sold by Takara at the time, he was packaged in a small box and came with a collector's card inside, rather than on a bubble card.

: This mold was also used to make [[Bad Boy#Toys|Bad Boy]].

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-powerglide/715/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Powerglide at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Powerglide/powerglide.htm More information on Powerglide at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''The Transformers Collection''===
[[File:G1Powerglide toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The first Transformers toy that can stand with his arms akimbo. Appropriate!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Minibot Team''' (Multi-pack, [[2004]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''12'''

:In January of 2004, Powerglide was reissued in a ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' six-pack with [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Bumble]], [[Cosmos (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Adams]], [[Gears (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Drag]], and [[Warpath (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Warpath]].

: The only notable difference between this release and the original is the addition of a factory-applied Autobot [[insignia]] sticker to the top of his chest, similar to the original box art depiction.

:This entire set was redecoed to make the "[[G1 GoBots]]" set: Powerglide was used to make [[Bad Boy#Collector's Edition|Bad Boy]].
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:Powerglideuniversetoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Someone's been eating their Wheaties. ''(Hasbro version pictured)'']]
[[File:Transformers-universe-usa-edition-powerglide.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|''(TakaraTomy version pictured)'']]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Powerglide''' (Ultra Class, [[2008]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': Classic Series
:*''Accessories:'' Chaingun/[[missile]] launcher, "thermal beam" missile
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro), [[Takio Ejima]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

:Although now upsized to an Ultra Class toy with electronics, ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Powerglide still transforms into an A-10 (though the nose looks more like that of its canceled counterpart, the Northrop YA-9, probably for licensing reasons). In order to preserve some semblance of realism in his [[Alternate mode|altmode]], however, he is mostly off-white in color, with red trim. His noggin, at least, is still entirely red, and even has an off-center cannon barrel sculpted into it in homage to his original toy, even though here, his head ''doesn't'' become the nosecone.

:In vehicle mode, pressing the prominent orange button on the jet's fuselage triggers three electronic sound effects (an engine ignition, a swooping noise and a barrage of machine-gun fire that persists for as long as you hold down the button, the same ones are used for Universe [[Silverbolt (G1)#Universe (2008)|Silverbolt]]), accompanied by red LEDs in the turbines and cockpit. During transformation to robot mode, the classic transformation sound effect is triggered as the torso is moved into place; it plays in reverse as he is transformed back to vehicle mode. In robot mode, pressing the orange button triggers the machine-gun sound effect only, with newly-exposed lights illuminating Powerglide's eyes as well as those seen in jet mode.

:In robot mode, Powerglide features a wide range of articulation, and can wield in his hand the thermal missile launcher which mounts under his jet mode nosecone. In what can only be described as one of the most hilarious homages in ''Transformers'' history, Powerglide's chestplate can flip up to [[:File:Ultra powerglide heart.jpg|reveal]] the raised [[:File:Powerglide heart.jpg|image]] of [[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide|a heart]].

:Rather unfortunately, his small feet and top-heaviness make him difficult to pose and stand up.

:His [[instructions]] omit a useful step: pulling the lower legs down to expose the knees and increase his height.

:The Japanese [[TakaraTomy]] version of Powerglide was released in American ''Universe'' packaging as a [[USA Edition]] toy. He is redecoed in mostly red with white detailing, essentially reversing most of the colour layouts, to better match his appearance in the original ''The Transformers'' cartoon. He retains the same [[tampograph]]ed unit-markings as the Hasbro version.

:This mold was also used to make ''Universe'' [[Storm Cloud (G1)#Universe (2008)|Stormcloud]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUPowerglide/powerglide.htm More information on ''Universe'' Powerglide at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|WalmartRed}}
[[File:Universe2008toy-PowerglideRed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|More [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] than the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] version!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Powerglide''' (Ultra Class, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': Generation 1 Series
:*''Accessories:'' Chaingun/missile launcher, "thermal beam" missile
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Scribner]] (deco artist)}}

:The second version of ''Universe'' Powerglide is a [[Walmart]]-[[exclusive]] red redeco similar to TakaraTomy's Japanese release of this sculpt, but with some significant differences in color layout. In an effort to make the toy more [[show-accuracy|accurate to the cartoon]], the arms are cast in light gray plastic, unlike the all-red arms on the Japanese version.

:His tailfins sport tampographed "NA W4Y W3 60" markings, which reads "And away we go!"

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUPowerglide/powerglide.htm More information on Walmart Powerglide at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Bot Shots''===
[[File:Bot_Shots_Powerglide.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Powerglide''' (2012)}}</ul>
:*''Series'': '''1'''
:*''Number'': '''B013'''
:**''Fist strength'': '''700'''
:**''Blaster strength'': '''770'''
:**''Sword strength'': '''150'''

:Part of the fourth wave of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'' Series 1 single-packs, Powerglide is a teeny little jet with a spring-loaded automatic transformation to robot mode triggered when his nosecone is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. His head is similar to ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Powerglide (DOTM)|Powerglide]].

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Bot Shots|Skydive]] and [[Air Raid (G1)#Bot Shots|Air Raid]], and its chest and head pieces were used for ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)#BeCool|BeCool]]'' [[Jinbu]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSPowerglide/powerglide.htm More information on Powerglide at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShot3Pack}}
[[File:BotShots 3pack Powerglide.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Skyquake / Jetfire / Powerglide''' (Multi-pack, 2012)}}</ul>
:*''Series'': '''1'''
:*''Number'': '''BP006'''
:**''Fist strength'': '''740'''
:**''Blaster strength'': '''345'''
:**''Sword strength'': '''525'''

:Part of the second wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 1 three-packs, this is a redeco of Powerglide in a brighter shade of red, with silver [[Paint operation|paint detail]]s, a brighter blue for the canopy, and a darker blue for the eyes. He comes in a three-pack with [[Skyquake (Prime)#Bot Shots|Skyquake]] and [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#BotShot3Pack|Jetfire]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BS3pkPowerglide/powerglide.htm More information on three-pack Powerglide at TFU.info]''

===''BeCool''===
[[File:BotShots_BeCool_RedJetPowerglide.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|right]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Red Jet (Powerglide)''' (2012)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''B05'''

:''[[Bot Shots (toyline)#BeCool|BeCool]]'' "Red Jet" is practically identical to the multi-pack version of ''Bot Shots'' Powerglide, the only difference being that his stickers don't depict power levels but instead drawings of his vehicle mode, a travel bag and an airline pilot's hat.
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:Kre-O-Toy Powerglide.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Powerglide''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2013)}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': '''2'''
:*''Bag number'': '''***** 73'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo brick, 2 clip-on rifles
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

:As part of the second wave of [[blindpacking|blindpacked]] ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]]s, Powerglide is a [[Kreon]] who can be rebuilt into an airplane. He reuses [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Mirage]]'s helmet and [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Starscream]]'s arm guns.

: This Collection was still in circulation at "dollar" stores and drug stores up through 2015. They eventually lost the individual-identifying bag codes, but other changes were hidden inside the bag. The 2015 releases replaced the 2x4 logo stand-brick with a new 3x4 logo plate. The Kreon was also given the slight [[retool]]ing to the arm seen in the 2014 Kreons, making the "cuff" parts more sharp-cornered and better adapted to being used as studs. Some of the add-on pieces may also be slightly off-color, possibly due to a change in factories in mid-production.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Kre-OPowerglide/powerglide.htm More information on Kreo Powerglide at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2015}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Kreon Class of '85''' (Kreon figure set, 2015)}}</ul>
:*''Set number'' '''B5152'''
:*''Voted'': Will Do Anything on a Dare
:*''Accessories'': Small pistol

: [[Kreon Class of '85]] Powerglide has his deco much more heavily based on the [[#Generation 1|original Powerglide toy]], plus his helmet is now the pointy jet-nosecone type. Like the rest of the set, he uses the almost-totally-[[retool]]ed 2015 style of Kreon body.

:This box set of thirty Kreons was a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2015 [[exclusive]], with leftovers being sold on [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online after the show.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/SDCCKre-OPowerglide/powerglide.htm More information on SDCC Kreo Powerglide at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|2016}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Powerglide''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2016)}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': '''2'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo plate, 2 clip-on rifles

:In 2016, Collection 2 was re-released in a whole new production run for Dollar General stores in the US as part of a large collection of re-released ''Kre-O'' sets. But where most of these releases are nigh-identical to the originals, the re-released Micro-Changer blind-bags use the almost-entirely-retooled 2015 Kreon, with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. (It is possible for some of the add-on pieces to be in the older hues.) Powerglide's head has changed from light gray plastic to a metallic silver, and his light gray [[tampograph]]s have similarly gone shiny silver.

:Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
{{anchor|Generations}}
[[File:CW-toy Powerglide.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Powerglide''' (Legends Class, [[2015]])}}</ul>
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:Released in the first wave of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Legends Class figures, Powerglide is a [[Triple Changer]]-[[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]], transforming into (what else?) a jet resembling an A-10 Thunderbolt II and some kind of "super gun" with rocket launchers on the sides. The back of his box shows him being held by [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)/toys#Generations|Deluxe Class Skydive]], but since he's very big to be handled by a Deluxe figure, it should be used by [[Superion (G1)#Generations|Superion]] (as suggested in his instructions), either of its own or stuck on the top of Silverbolt/Superion's own gun to make a bigger weapon.

:Unfortunately, Powerglide's weight places a great deal of strain on Superion's (and every other combiner's) arms, making him virtually impossible to be held in a firing pose without drawing the arm or entire figure down. Because of the ball-in-socket joints in his hips and knees and the small size of the tabs that hold his legs together in jet and gun modes, his legs are extremely prone to flexing and separating in those modes. Lastly, Powerglide's ankles cannot fully unfold due to mold obstruction, which causes him to look as if he's always bending his knees forward.

:Powerglide includes a collector card featuring art from the "[[By Land, Sea, or Air]]" episode of ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]''.

:Though Powerglide's wave was scheduled for a first quarter 2015 release, it arrived on U.S. store shelves in late 2014.

:This mold was redecoed into ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|Adventure]]'' [[Powerglide (RID)#Adventure|Powerglide]], and retooled into [[Viper (CW)#Combiner Wars|Viper]] and ''Adventure'' [[Dogfight (RID)#Adventure|Dogfight]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/CWPowerglide/powerglide.htm More information on Combiner Wars Powerglide at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CWG2}}{{anchor|GenerationsG2}}
[[File:CW-toy PowerglideG2.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb| Now comes in more Grey instead of Red]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Superion''' (Collection Pack, 2016)}}</ul>

: This version of ''Combiner Wars'' Powerglide sports a new, made-up ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''-like deco (basically his two main colors swapped, similar to the ''Generation 2'' version of [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Sideswipe]])... minus the [[Vacuum metallizing|vac-metal chrome]], of course. Just ''imagine'' the silver is chromed. He does have a huge ''Generation 2'' Autobot symbol in wicked-awesome bright orange and yellow though!

: He was only available as part of a ''Generation 2''-themed [[Superion (G1)#CWG2|Superion]] [[giftset]], officially dubbed a "Collection Pack", along with [[Silverbolt (G1)/toys#CWG2|Silverbolt]], [[Air Raid (G1)/toys#CWG2|Air Raid]], [[Fireflight (G1)/toys#CWG2|Firefly]], [[Slingshot (G1)/toys#CWG2|Quickslinger]], and [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)/toys#CWG2|Skydive]]. The set was (at least in theory) a "shared exclusive" between various online retailers (such as [[Hasbro Toy Shop]], [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]], [[BigBadToyStore]], and Entertainment Earth) and the online storefronts of major "big box" retailers (such as [[Toys"R"Us]], [[Walmart]], [[Target]], and [[Kmart]]). It was still available at general retail in Hasbro's Asian markets, though.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/CWPowerglide/powerglide.htm More information on Combiner Wars G2 Powerglide at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Gum''===
[[File:Kabaya_DX_Fort_Max_Sky_Base.JPG|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Sky Base + Powerglide''' (2012)
**''Accessories'': [[Master Sword#Merchandise|Master Sword]]

:Part of the first wave of the ''[[Transformers Gum#DX kits|Transformers Gum DX]]'' series, the Sky Base is a snap-together model kit of a battle station with a turret, runway, and some kind of antenna – though in reality, it’s [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]’s right arm and leg pegged together, and the antenna is the [[Master Sword]]. Also included is a small, [[partformer|partsforming]] figure of Powerglide, accurate to his original toy. The kit must be assembled from unpainted blue, gray, red, and white sprues, a spring, and customer-applied stickers to provide all of the non-molded details. It also comes with something that could charitably be called chewing gum.
:The Sky Base has its own action feature: the small box at the far end of the runway is a springloaded launcher, and with a press of a button, Powerglide can be deployed along the runway. This kit can combine with the [[Windcharger (G1)#Transformers Gum|Command Base]] and the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#GumDX|Launcher Base]] to create a fully transformable [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Gumbined|Fortress Maximus]], with the Sky Base providing the Master Sword for use as an accessory.
{{-}}

{{anchor|GIJoeandTF}}
===''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''===
[[File:2016 SDCC Powerglide.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Look! It's that guy! That flies that plane!]]
*'''Scarlet vs Zartan & Autobot Powerglide vs Soundwave''' (Box set, 2016)
**''Accessories:'' two engine covers, two additional battle damaged panels, six PL-MK48 wave-sensor cluster bombs, two cluster bomb racks, two LORADS constant scan ion-seeking missiles, two OE-119 electro-optical renegade missiles, four AEA-56 quick-thrust short-range missiles

:Exclusive to the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] booth at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2016 and the Hasbro Toy Shop website, "Autobot Powerglide" is a redeco of the [[Cobra]] [[Rattler]] vehicle first released in ''G.I. Joe'' back in 1984. As with many ''Joe'' vehicles, he is partially disassembled in box; the two covers on top of the engines and two panels on the fuselage are designed to be removable, revealing mechanical detailing underneath. Two replacement fuselage panels with sculpted battle damage are included, to simulate the plane having been shot to pieces. A total of fourteen missiles and bombs are included, with seven pegging underneath each wing. Also included is a sheet of decals for additional details, and a profile card featuring Powerglide's [[Combiner Wars (franchise)|''Combiner Wars'']] card artwork.

:Powerglide can seat two figures: one in his opening cockpit, and another in the rotating gunner seat midway down his fuselage. As a VTOL aircraft, Powerglide's wings feature a rotational joint at the engine. He also features a spinning Gatling gun in the nose cone, and fold-out landing gear.

:The set also includes a redeco of an equally non-transforming Cobra [[HISS tank]] colored as [[Soundwave (G1)/merchandise#HISS|Soundwave]] and figures of ''G.I. Joe'' characters [[Scarlett#VSZartan|Scarlett]] and [[Zartan#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Zartan]].

::*''[https://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/16/powerglide/ More information on Autobot Powerglide at YoJoe.com]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:NowIKnow.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|"We need an adult!" "I am an adult."]]
*In the episode [[Dinobot Island, Part 1]] Bumblebee tells Powerglide about the different types of dinosaurs, implying he wasn't on Earth when the Dinobots were constructed or just wasn't paying attention. Note that when and how most of the 1985 characters came to be on Earth was never explained in the cartoon.
*As an indirect result of the above, Powerglide has the honor of being the only Generation 1 character whose alternate mode was based on a specific make of a real life vehicle (airborne or ground-based) to have multiple new toys which all retain the same alternate mode (artistic license for the sake of circumventing licensing issues nonwithstanding), even extending to an [[Powerglide (DOTM)|alternate universe counterpart]]! This can also be considered a testament to the {{w|Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10 Thunderbolt II}}, which has been in service since 1976, despite repeated attempts at shutting down the A-10 program as a cost-cutting measure.
*The most progressive alteration to Powerglide's alternate mode thus far is the vehicle from the 2016 ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (toyline)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' set... which is a redecoed Cobra Rattler, itself a modified A-10 Thunderbolt II.
*Despite this, the original cartoon often interprets his alternate mode as a large civilian plane with a cargo hatch and a cockpit large enough to hold two seats.
*Powerglide makes an appearance in one of the five Transformers [[public service announcement]]s, speaking out against gender discrimination.
*3200 miles per hour is Mach 4.16, MUCH faster than ANY modern combat jet, let alone a real A-10 Thunderbolt II... not that jet-based alt modes are known for realism.
*Michael Chain based Powerglide's voice on the legendary {{w|Jackie Gleason}}, most specifically his performance as Ralph Kramden from ''[[The Honeymooners]]'', the source of his recurring catchphrase. If that doesn't mean anything to you, then the sitcom character was also the inspiration for Fred Flintstone from ''{{w|The Flintstones}}.''
**The characterization would be reused in a more antagonistic fashion years later by [[Dragstrip (WFC)|Dragstrip]] in [[Transformers:_Robots_in_Disguise_(2015_cartoon)|''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'']], including the catchphrase.
*Powerglide was intended to have a leading role in ''[[The_Transformers:_More_than_Meets_the_Eye|More Than Meets the Eye]]'', before he briefly appeared in ''Robots in Disguise'' and the role was given to Tailgate instead.
[[File:Classics2006 Legends Fireflight.JPG|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Fireflight (G1)/toys#Classics|Fireflight]], a [[redeco]] of ''[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]]'' [[Jetfire (Armada)#LOC|Jetfire]], was originally intended to be Powerglide, but Hasbro apparently could not secure the [[trademark]] at the time.
* The Takara [[Toys"R"Us]] Japan exclusive promotional [[Mini-Con|Micron]] [[Skyglide]], another red A-10, is seemingly an [[homage]] to Powerglide.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Powerglide''' (パワーグライド ''Pawāguraido'')
*''French:'' '''Survolo''' (Canada)
*''Greek:'' '''Keravnόs''' (Κεραυνός, "Thunderbolt")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Motorszárny''' ("Motorwing")
*''Italian:'' '''Jumbo'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tòng-lì Huá-Hsiáng''' (Taiwan, 動力滑翔, "Power Glide"), '''Huáxiángjī''' (China, 滑翔机, "Glider")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Planador''' (Portugal comics), '''Planador''' (Brazil comics)
*''Russian:'' '''Vetrorez''' (Ветрорез, "Windcut")

[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Aerialbots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:SDCC exclusives]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Mirage (Movie)

2024-02-11T06:04:06Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ F1 cars aren't dragsters

{{factions|autobot}}{{featured}}
{{disambig3.5|the ''Rise of the Beasts'' Autobot|the ''Dark of the Moon'' Autobot who also sometimes goes by 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''' likes to think that he's the life of the party, always eager for a chance to show off his unique skills; like his ability to generate lifelike holograms which he can use to disorient and outmaneuver foes, or his impressive shapeshifting ability that allows him to take multiple alternate modes at a time. He ''hates'' being cooped up and forced to hide out on [[Earth]], because doing so means he has no one to get into trouble with. He's also quite the talker, always ready to rattle off a wisecrack or a reference to some Earth media he's seen since his time on the planet. This unfortunately has led him to become a bit of an outcast among the other Autobots, who see him as reckless and aloof, compounded by his frequent disregard for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime's]] orders.

Beneath all this, though, lies a genuine heart. Mirage cares deeply for his friends and would go to great lengths to keep them safe, and he has a fondness for humanity matched only by fellow Autobot [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]].

{{bigquote|Relax... I'm Mirage, remember?|Mirage reminds [[Noah Díaz|Noah]] he's the best at what he does|''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts]]''}}

==Fiction==
===''Rise of the Beasts'' film===
{{voiceactor|[[Pete Davidson]] (English), [[Shingo Fujimori]] (Japanese)|[[Mister V|Yvick Letexier]] (European French), [[Louis-Philippe Berthiaume]] (Canadian French), [[Lucas Wecker]] (German), [[Stefano Crescentini]] (Italian), [[Javier Ibarreche]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Miguel Angel Leal]] (Latin American Spanish, Second Trailer), [[Douglas Silva]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Wendel Bezerra]] (Brazilian Portuguese, official trailer)}}
[[File:ROTB-Miragemakesmirages.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|I know what you're all thinking. I should be Hound.]]
In desperate need of cash, [[Noah Díaz]] participated in a carjacking attempt on a Porsche that his friend [[Reek]] scouted out. Successfully breaking in, Noah realized the car was acting strangely when it locked him inside and played a message from [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|someone]] on the radio. The car soon sped off with Noah stuck inside, leaving him in the middle of a car chase with the police. After throwing them off with his holographic projections, Mirage took Noah to a warehouse and revealed himself, where they soon after met the rest of the Autobots. Mirage transformed and introduced himself to a shocked Noah before the other Autobots arrived, who - especially [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] - unfortunately did not share his appreciation of Noah. However, when Arcee revealed that the all-important Transwarp Key was currently within a museum, Mirage banked on the idea of using Noah to infiltrate the building and retrieve the Key. Neither the other Autobots nor Noah liked said plan at first, but Mirage managed to convince the human by showing off his transformation abilities and offering to let Noah sell him in the guise of many expensive cars so he could get the money for [[Kris Díaz|his brother]]'s hospital bills.

[[File:ROTB-Miragefistbump.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Amica endura!]]

Taking on a garbage truck as a temporary [[alternate mode]] to trick the museum's security into letting them in, Mirage waited in the parking lot while Noah went inside. Unfortunately that was when the [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]], [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]], and [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] came knocking, also in search of the Key. Mirage was the first to respond to the threat, transforming to robot mode and firing away at the airborne Nightbird, but ended up being snatched up into the air and dropped from a considerable height by the Terrorcon ninja for his troubles. He made a rough landing right in front of Noah and [[Elena Wallace]] as they escaped the besieged museum, but his relief that his friend was alive was short-lived when [[Freezer]] and [[Novakane]] latched onto him instead. He was thus unable to help when Scourge delivered an apparently lethal stab and cannon blast to [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], but recovered after [[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]]'s appearance convinced Scourge - who had obtained the Transwarp Key - to call a retreat for the day.

[[File:ROTB-MIrageawcmonprime.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Or maybe I'm Hot Rod, I dunno.]]

Later that night Mirage attempted to listen in on a conversation between Noah and Kris by standing on a car parked outside the apartment building and peering in, but ended up being discovered by Kris when the car crumpled under his weight. As he watched Noah talk Kris out of accompanying them to [[Peru]], Mirage commented that the boy had heart. Kris then made Mirage promise to protect Noah at any cost, a promise Mirage readily agreed to.

[[File:ROTB-MirageNightbird.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Drive fast and leave a good-looking corpse! But preferably somebody else's.]]

The next morning Mirage served as Noah's ride as they showed up for their flight to Peru, but he expressed immediate disdain when he figured out their ride would be [[Stratosphere]], stating he'd rather walk. His opinion was ignored, and they arrived in Cusco without much fuss. The Autobots were unable to move in directly because of a festival that left the town extra crowded, so Mirage handed Noah a multi-purpose tech gauntlet to aid him in his task before him and the Autobots placed themselves in strategic positions to keep a lookout for the Terrorcons while the humans searched for the other half of the Key. His stylish alternate mode garnered the attention of quite a few locals, who even used him for a quick photo op. This would have been fine if Mirage hadn't let the vanity get to his head and distract him from Freezer tracking Noah and Elena, which had leapt past right behind him just as he reported to Optimus that the coast was clear. This mishap meant he only found out the Terrorcons were there ''after'' Freezer had reached Noah, when the human radioed him in a panic.

[[File:ROTB-CheetorMirage.jpg|left|thumb|300px|No, no, I'm not trying to be the new kid-appeal character! Get off my case, bro!]]

The Autobots peeled out, but the Terrorcons were in hot pursuit. As Optimus battled Scourge and Wheeljack and Arcee tangled with Battletrap and Nightbird, Mirage ended up being the only Autobot to stay on the road until the end without any distractions. Hence he was the earliest to arrive on the scene when [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] confronted the two humans, pulling his blaster on "Donkey Kong" and ordering the [[Maximal]] to unhand his friends, but [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]] burst out of the bushes in a flash and pinned him down in return. After Optimus Prime arrived and the situation was defused, Mirage walked alongside Noah as they all headed to the Maximal lair. It was there he revealed that he had been staying in contact with Kris through a walkie-talkie wired into his arm, having received a ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''-themed call sign of his own as "Knuckles".

The next morning, when Airazor was revealed to have been turned into a Terrorcon because of an infection device Scourge had shot at her the day before, Mirage couldn't do much before Airazor flew off with Elena in her clutches and Primal in pursuit. He and the other Autobots only arrived after Primal was forced to put Airazor down before the mind-control fully took her over, and could do little more than stare in shocked sorrow.

[[File:ROTB-ScourgeversusMiragemirage.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Waiting for the blue translucent plastic redeco.]]

Despite the bleak odds, Mirage was spurred into action again when Noah gathered all the Autobots and Maximals to help formulate a plan that would foil Scourge's plans. As the others met the Terrorcons in a frontal charge as a massive distraction, Mirage led Noah and Elena to an access tunnel that would lead to directly below the terminal the Key was in. Scourge hadn't taken the bait, however, so Mirage raced ahead to provide the Terrorcon leader with his own distraction. Using his holographic doubles to their fullest extent, Mirage was able to hold his own against the much bigger and stronger foe for quite some time, even getting some good hits in. Scourge eventually outmatched him and grabbed him by the throat, preparing to kill him with the cannon on his other arm, but the Autobot freed himself with an opportune kick that also knocked the villain's mask clean off and revealed his broken, disfigured face.

[[File:ROTB-NoahwearsMirage.jpg|left|thumb|300px|WEAR MY SKIN.]]

Unfortunately, that had been the last straw for Scourge. Laying Mirage out with a retaliatory kick to the face, he aimed his blaster at the exposed Noah with intent to kill. But Mirage leapt into the line of fire at the nick of time, covering Noah even as Scourge fired off a withering volley of blasts that blew entire chunks (and limbs) off his body to fulfill his promise with Kris. The damage proved too much for him, and the Autobot's optics went dark. At that moment Kris hailed Mirage on the walkie-talkie, leaving Noah no choice but to inform his brother of the Autobot's demise while trapped under Mirage's unmoving body.

As it turned out, however, Mirage wasn't actually quite dead yet. He invigorated himself just enough to regain consciousness by the time Kris was done giving Noah his best pep talk, but had been so badly damaged he could not move on his own. So Mirage shed all his damaged parts and formed what remained into an [[Exosuit|exo-suit]] for Noah, providing him with extra protection, strength, and firepower. Noah went on to use the suit to participate further in the final battle, assisting Optimus Prime in his climactic duel with Scourge and even helping save Prime's life from the collapsing Transwarp portal.
[[File:ROTB-Mirage-Returns.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|"Okay, maybe I got some Italian in there somewhere."]]
Noah brought the exo-suit back with him to America, where he set about constructing a new body for Mirage using various parts sourced for him by Reek. Reek expressed disbelief that the resulting patchwork of a car could even start, but Mirage proved him wrong by transforming right before a flabbergasted Reek's eyes.
{{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Rise of the Beasts}}
{{note|Mirage's involvement in the preceding events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the books "[[Mission at the Museum]]" and "[[The Search Is On]]".}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[File:TF-ROTB-Deluxe-Mirage-Stock.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Is this thing a dog?]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1m1|'''Bumblebee / Airazor / Autobot Mirage''' (Jungle Mission 3-pack, July [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Arm cannon

: Included as part of a Target-exclusive ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' Jungle Mission 3-pack, this Mirage is a 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 be stored 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]].
{{--}}

===''Rise of the Beasts''===
[[File:TF-ROTB-Deluxe-Mirage.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Mirage''' (Deluxe Class, 2023)}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID Number'': '''BD-06'''
:*''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.

{{-}}{{anchor|BattleChanger}}
[[File:TF-ROTB-Battlechanger-Mirage.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|"Relax, I'm 12 dollars."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Mirage''' (Battle Changer, 2023)}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy name'': '''Kakusei Change Mirage'''
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''BC-04'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': July 15, 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 left arm has a flip out cannon with a 5mm compatible barrel.
:His right arm is sculpted with a fake front light echoing their placement on the above Deluxe figure. His car doors also stick straight out his back like the below ''Studio Series'' toy.
{{--}}

===''Studio Series''===
{{anchor|SS105}}
[[File:StudioSeriestoy-MirageROTBfinal.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|Blue hair. Pronouns. (he/him)]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Mirage''' (Deluxe Class, [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*''Movie'': '''''Rise of the Beasts'''''
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''105'''
:*''Accessories'': Arm cannon, "New York City Getaway" backdrop
{{toydesigner|[[Sam Smith]] (Hasbro),<ref>[[June 20]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjLY0uamTKM Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Evan Brooks]], and [[Rich Pellegrino]].</ref> [[Shuhei Umezu]] (TakaraTomy)<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv8PS4UO6Wh/ Designer notes on ''Studio Series'' Mirage] from [[Hasbro]] designer [[Sam Smith]] on Instagram.</ref>}}

:''[[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 in 25 steps. He comes with an arm cannon and a backdrop depicting the chase sequence in the movie. This figure also marks a milestone in the franchise, being the first Transformers toy to have a fully licensed Porsche alt mode.

[[File:StudioSeriestoy-MirageDeluxe.jpg|left|thumb|100px|Hey chromedome.]]

:Hasbro revealed renders of the figure on [[February 13]], 2023, following the release of the Big Game Spot a day earlier. He would later be officially revealed on [[June 20]] during a Hasbro livestream.

:Stock images of Mirage show him with a painted silver forehead, with the rest of it being cast in gray. During his official reveal, his designers stated that the final product would include more movie-accurate paint details on the head.

:Care should be taken when tabbing in his rear windshield, as the clear plastic is quite flimsy and prone to cracking, and there are indents on the tabs which require a lot of force to push in and pull out. This can be remedied by slightly shaving the lower edge of the tab.

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv8PS4UO6Wh/ Designer commentary on ''Studio Series'' Mirage from Sam Smith on Instagram]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Noah}}
[[File:TF-SS-Core-Noah-Díaz-Exo-Suit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Noah Díaz Exo-Suit''' (Core Class, [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*Accessories: Blaster, jetpack

:Released as part of the eighth wave of the ''[[Studio Series]]'' Core Class lineup, Noah Diaz's [[Exosuit|exo-suit]] transforms into a human-sized plane despite the suit not having an alternate mode in the film. He also comes with a blaster that can be wielded by him, or mounted under the nosecone of his alternate mode.

: If one chooses, the plane kibble can be detached from Noah for a more screen-accurate appearance.

: As the toy could not depict [[Anthony Ramos]]' likeness, the exo-suit's faceplate is instead based on a concept art design which is in turn based on the glowing Y-shaped design on Mirage's robot mode chest.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''3D Battle-Card Game''===
[[File:3DCard-Mirage.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|He seems familiar, but I can't place the face.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Mirage''' ([[2007]])}}</ul>
:*''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.
{{--}}

===Figural Bag Clip===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Mirage''' (2023)}}</ul>
:Released by Monogram, this 2.5" 3D foam bag clip takes the form of a chibi ''Rise of the Beasts'' Mirage.

:It was available only as part of a [[Blindpacking|mystery blind bag]] collection.
{{--}}

===''Pop!''===
[[File:FunkoPop-ROTBMirage.jpg|right|thumb|200px|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Mirage''' (2023)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''1375'''

:Released as part of a ''Rise of the Beasts''-themed batch of the ''Pop! Movies'' segment, [[Funko Pop!|Funko]]'s ''Pop!'' Mirage is a super deformed vinyl figure based on his appearance in said movie and is molded posing with his arm cannon and battle mask deployed.
{{--}}

===Porsche Lifestyle===
[[File:Porsche-ROTBMirage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''911 Carrera RS 3.8 Mirage''' (2023)}}</ul>
:Released by [[Porsche]] under the Lifestyle brand, this die cast model car is a close reproduction of Mirage's 911 / 964 Carrera RS 3.8 alternate mode.

:It was made available on Porsche's website across all of its supported regions
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:ROTB-MirageLamboF1.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Ferrari not pictured, for Reasons probably.]]
*[[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 "What it feels like to take second billing in Transformers sequel, after a big metal alien"] - [[June 7]], 2023 Interview with [[Anthony Ramos]], [[Dominique Fishback]] and [[Tobe Nwigwe]] for the Singapore newspaper ''The Straits Times''</ref>
*When offering to sell himself for Noah's payment, Mirage takes on the [[alternate mode]] of an F1 race car for a split second, in an homage to his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 namesake]]. He also proposes turning into a Ferrari (like the [[Dino|''other'' movieverse Mirage]]), though this car doesn't actually appear on screen.

===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]]

Masquerade

2024-01-23T06:54:14Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ Breakdown's spoiler goes missing

{{episode
|image=Masquerade Menasors.JPG
|caption=Strangely, nobody suggested [[A Prime Problem|a race]] to determine who the real Stunticons were.
|series=G1toon
|ep=64
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=61
|prev2=War Dawn (episode)
|next2=Fire in the Sky
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=21
|prev3=The Revenge of Bruticus
|next3=Ghost in the Machine (G1)
|title="Masquerade"
|season=2
|season ep=48
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|production code=700-63
|airdate=[[December 16]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcgFqw6VSz4
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''After defeating the Stunticons, five of the Autobots pose as the crazed combiners to learn of Megatron's newest plan.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Masquerade prime vs mmaster.jpg‎|left|thumb|Shortly after this, Menasor threw up.]]
[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] sends the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] on a mission to find components for an unrevealed purpose, including the world's largest, most perfect ruby. While searching for their components, the actions of the Stunticons catch the attention of the [[Autobot]]s, who track their movements and their crimes. Breakdown and Wildrider get the first component: laser lenses from a scientist. Dead End and Drag Strip get the second component: an experimental generator from the Army. Motormaster gets the last one: a perfect ruby from a museum.

The Autobots split into teams and manage to be extremely effective at capturing the Stunticons in the middle of their capers. [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] take on [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]. [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] take on [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]. Finally, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] go for [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who challenges the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] to a game of “chicken” and ends up in a head-on collision. Spike, Bumblebee, and Blaster peer through the dust to see who survived, and it turns out that Optimus is the clear victor with merely a minor headache, while Motormaster lies in a wreck.

[[File:Masquerade Wheeljack Optimaster.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|No Motormaster disguise is complete without a hunk of Big League Chew.]]

Although all five Stunticons have been captured, the Autobots still don't know what their plans were for the components they stole for Megatron. [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] guesses that the parts are going to be made into a weapon. (Nooo, really?) Optimus hatches a scheme to disguise Autobots using [[camouflage paint]] and penetrate the Decepticon camp disguised as Stunticons: Optimus Prime as Motormaster, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] as Dead End, [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] as Breakdown, [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] as Drag Strip, and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] as Wildrider.

[[File:Sideswipe FakeBreakdown.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Sideswipe? I, Breakdown, have never heard of such a being!]]

The disguised Autobots infiltrate the Decepticons, although their arrival causes [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|some]] raised eyebrows because they are driving too "safely". They deliver the stolen components to Megatron without being detected.

Back at [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]], the Stunticons manage to shimmy and shake their way out of their cells, merge into [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and overcome their Autobot captors. They then head back to the Decepticon base.

[[File:Masquerade Megatron manning gun.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|We've been here before.]]

The Constructicons complete Megatron's new weapon, and he reveals its power, but just then Menasor arrives and declares the Autobots as infiltrators. Using Windcharger's magnetic field ability and Mirage's illusion power, the Autobots merge into their own Menasor. The two giants battle it out, and the Autobots are overcome. Megatron trains the new weapon on the Autobots, but the device blows up in his face after a few scattered shots.

Autobot reinforcements arrive, and the Decepticons flee without their usual promises for revenge. It is revealed that Ironhide had made adjustments to the ruby back at Autobot HQ, which caused the device to explode. The Autobots head for home, victorious.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (9)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (10)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (12)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (13)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (18)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (19)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (20)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (21)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (22)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (23)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (26)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (27)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (28)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (29)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (30)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (31)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (32)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (2)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (3)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (4)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (5)
*[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (6)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (7)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (33)
*[[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (34)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (35)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (36)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (37)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (38)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (39)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (11)
*Dr. [[Rickel]] (15)
*US Army troops (16)
*Museum guards (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"A near miss deserves a couple o' near-missiles!"
:—'''Inferno'''

"I'll probably hate myself in the morning, but..."
:—'''Inferno''' before he douses the flames on the Stunticon Breakdown

"Well, look who's here! The old King of the Road! When I'm finished with ya, you'll be King of the Junkyard!"
:—'''Motormaster''' taunting Optimus Prime into a game of chicken

''[The Autobots are towing the defeated Stunticons to Autobot Headquarters]'' 
'''Wheeljack''': Here they come. 
'''Ratchet''': I won't bother asking who won. 
'''Breakdown''': ''(taking note of the Autobots looking at them)'' They're gawking at us! How mortifrying! 
'''Dead End''': The word, Breakdown, is mortiFYing. And my sentiment exactly. 
'''Motormaster''': I'm in no mood for your big words, Dead End. 
'''Ironhide''': For you, motormouth, this '''IS''' a dead end.
:—Motormaster complains about Dead End's SAT-level vocabulary

"Man, Optimus. You're a dead ringer for Motormaster." 
"Did you have to say ''dead'' ringer, Spike?"
:—'''Spike Witwicky'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s vocabulary causes '''Optimus Prime''' to wince.

[[File:Masquerade as i preducted.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
"Everybody out on ''bad'' behavior!"
:—'''Breakdown''' after freeing himself and taking out Inferno, Grapple, and Hoist.

"Imagine my turning that ray on the Autobots' headquarters. Perhaps when it's gone, someone will put up a memorial parking lot. Mwahaha!"
:—'''Megatron'''

"Machine appears unstable. Suggest abandoning it." 
"Suggestion noted—and ignored!"
:—'''Soundwave''' warns '''Megatron''', for all the good it does.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:Masquerade Jazz camouflage paint.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Soundwave fly.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Huh? Tape-bot cannot fly!]]
*It's never explained just how the Autobots disguise themselves. Sideswipe says something about camouflage paint and the Autobots are transformed, details and all, into the Stunticons. It's apparently some high-tech stuff, because it even lets Optimus totally change his transformation scheme. And it just turns right off once Optimus decides the jig is up.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Wildrider shows his...well...amazing maneuverability by doing a sharp turn to avoid Inferno, Grapple & Hoist and dodging a blast from Inferno. Well, he is a lunatic after all.
**Breakdown uses his unique engine to cause vibratory pulses to disrupt his bars and break free. He laters uses his concussion rifle with similar technique to help other Stunticons get out.
**Soundwave informs us that Menasor has "special powers"... which seem to consist of a couple of under-arm mounted guns.
**Sideswipe and Mirage both fire their shoulder missiles, which the writers and animators usually seem to forget about.
**Soundwave can fly in his tape deck mode! When the Decepticons retreat, he transforms and then flies off behind Starscream. It is tempting to assume that the animators took a script direction like "the Decepticons transform and fly off in retreat" a bit too literally.
**Mirage can project a hologram of Menasor's face. This runs contrary to his usual schtick, which is invisibility. His original bio described him as being able to create "the illusion of a different appearance" for up to six minutes, but this is the only time it pops up in the cartoon (presumably because holograms were Hound's gimmick... though per the bio, Hound's great power is to create ''maps'', and simple images on rare occasions.)
*Breakdown's leaky pump has been addressed as his weakness (along with his paranoia). This is also mentioned in his toy bio, his ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|Universe]]'' and ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profiles.
*Megatron explains his weapon-du-jour thusly: "The most destructive weapon known to Decepticon science...Utilizing that ruby's light, focused through those perfect lenses, it will fire the most destructive ray of all. More powerful than any laser, it will create a chain reaction in whatever it touches... producing instantaneous destruction." Based on the animation, this appears to be a long-winded way of saying "It blows up rocks."
*Hasn't Megatron learned his lesson about building [[Fire on the Mountain (episode)|giant superlasers that can't be moved]]? [[B.O.T. (episode)|Apparently not]]!
*Megatron's line "Suggestion noted...AND IGNORED!" when Soundwave warns him would be revisited during the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Nemesis Part 2]]" when his [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|namesake]] utters those exact sentiments to [[Dinobot II]] on board the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''.
*Two scenes deleted from this episode feature the individual Stunticons talking with each other ''while'' combined as Menasor, only for Menasor himself to then silence all of his components, because their chatter is confusing him! Even without this dialogue, the finished episode portrays Menasor as almost adorably dumb and easily bamboozled - utterly baffled, for example, when Prime accuses him of being an imposter.
*This episode marks the final appearances of [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], and [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] in the American version of the original ''Transformers'' cartoon.

===Real-life references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine roar as Laserbeak flies over the faux Stunticons.
**A lengthy sequence of borrowed effects follows as Laserbeak flies onwards - sounds include the ''Falcon'' engine burst, a [[TIE Fighter]]'s targeting computer, [[Death Star]] superlaser, and ''Falcon'' engine whine. As he returns to Soundwave, he gets another ''Falcon'' engine burst.
**''Falcon'' engine and [[X-wing Fighter|X-Wing]] diving whine as Menasor flies away from Autobot Headquarters.
**X-Wing and TIE Fighter roar as the Constructicons fly off... and again as Menasor flies off... and again as Starscream and Soundwave fly off.
**A variety of [[lightsaber]] noises as Megatron fires his super not-a-laser weapon.

===Animation and technical errors===
*Coloring errors:
**As Motormaster hands out assignments, Drag Strip has a random rectangle drawn in the middle of his visor, and Dead End's face is miscolored - his mouthplate is light gray instead of yellow, and his visor is red instead of purple.
**As Optimus gets his idea after watching the broadcast, the triangles on his waist are gray instead of yellow.
**As Laserbeak returns to Soundwave, Soundwave is missing his Decepticon insignia, as well as the gold stripes around his cassette door (which is drawn too small as well). He also doesn't move his mouthplate when he speaks.
**As "Motormaster" (Optimus) drives up to Megatron, his door is colored purple like his windows (and his window rims are colored purple too.) A shot later, it's back to black, but the ''next'' shot (Starscream asking about his voice) shows his grille as black instead of gray. The same thing happens as the real Motormaster busts out of the Autobot cell.
**Just after dismissing the Constructicons, Megatron's face is white.
**"And the Autobots are totally unaware of its existence" - "Breakdown" is colored as Sideswipe. (Of course, he IS Sideswipe, but should be... oh, you get the point.)
**As "Motormaster" (Optimus) asks about the weapon, Megatron's forehead colors are reversed (black forehead with gray triangles).
**As "Motormaster" (Optimus) says, "Too many head-on collisions!", his headlights are black instead of white.
**"Motormaster"'s black grille returns again as Megatron explains the weapon, recurring in numerous shots.
**Soundwave's cheekguards and eject button are both blue instead of white as Starscream mocks Megatron.
**Soundwave's missing the gold rim around his tape door as he and Starscream move toward the impostor Stunticons.
**"No, he's the imposter!" - "Drag Strip" is missing his Decepticon symbol (and possibly some striping, depending on which color model you trust.)
**"There's one absolute test, 'Stunticons'" - Dead End's tires are white; Soundwave's cheekguards are blue instead of white again. The same error repeats when Starscream calls out for Menasor to destroy the Autobots.[[File:Masquerade Megatron manning gun.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
**When Megatron first grabs the laser, he's colored in reverse (light gray body with a dark gray face).
**Drag Strip is white instead of yellow as Menasor swings his sword. When Menasor hits the fake with the sword, Drag Strip is attached backwards, with his wheels pointing outward.
**When "Motormaster" reverts to Optimus Prime, his headlights aren't colored white and he's missing the horizontal lines on the crest of his helmet.
**"No need for the disguises anymore" - Prime's face is a darker gray than his mouthplate in most of this shot; they should be the same tone. For a second, the faceplate darkens then lightens again.
**When the Autobots begin firing on Menasor, his face is entirely black.
**Just before Megatron fires the laser, Windcharger is miscoloured in green and gray (with yellow stripes on his arms, like Hound).
**As he stares at the destroyed weapon, Sideswipe's fist is white instead of black.
*When Motormaster says "Breakdown and Wildrider", he points to each robot as he says the other's name.
*The Stunticons land on a beach and each of them kicks up sand when they land. A few moments later, they transform and drive off, and no sand is disturbed by their tires.
*The Stunticons clearly never had detailed transformation models worked out:
**Every time the four cars transform to [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], they more or less just morph into their Earth forms. When they transform back to [[robot mode]], all the robot bits just slide out from under their car modes, which disappear into their backs.
**Motormaster's transformation is similarly wonky; his arms are just kind of absorbed lengthwise into his torso, which then morphs into his trailer - rather than the arms ''becoming'' the trailer's roof, as they should. Every time he transforms, his trailer/torso rather blatantly changes color from light to dark gray (or vice versa.)
*Ventriloquist bots:
**Ratchet's voice actor in this episode is [[Wally Burr]], not the usual [[Don Messick]], and it shows. Burr uses the same generic deep voice he used for Thundercracker in "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]" and Jazz in "[[Kremzeek!]]".
**"Yeah, but I don't have to like it" - Ironhide's mouth doesn't move for the first part of this line.
**Menasor's mouth doesn't move as he says his own name.
**As he flies off to "Destroy fake Stunticons", Menasor's mouth - again - doesn't move.
**As Bumblebee says, "Great Cybertron," Spike is mouthing the words.
**The Autobot Menasor gets knocked to the ground, but one who delivers "The generator..." line in Optimus' voice is the one standing up (with the sky behind him).
*Wildrider is missing his transformation sound effect as he approaches the optics shop; Breakdown does get one a second later.
*The experimental generator is inordinately tiny when it's sitting on the flatbed truck.
*Motormaster somehow transforms into (a ''tiny'') truck mode while still inside the museum. Also, a moment later as he drives away, he has a dark gray stripe on his trailer that shouldn't be there.
*After Inferno extinguishes Breakdown's burning fuel pump, the Stunticon's rear spoiler is missing. It returns in the next shot.
*While firing on Drag Strip, Warpath is shown driving forward while his treads are stationary.
*As Tracks goes into flight mode, the sandy beach suddenly has squares on it for one shot (as if it were pavement).
*As Motormaster comes into view before the crash with Prime, his bumper extends to the sides of his trailer rather than the sides of his cab.
*When rushing to inspect the aftermath of Optimus and Motormaster's game of chicken, Spike exclaims "I can't see anythi-". Before he can spit out "ng," Blaster cuts him off saying "I'm not getting any radio response."
*After the crash, just before Optimus transforms into robot mode, his cab's grille is missing the vertical line in the middle. His subsequent transformation looks very crude, especially around his legs.
*Blaster contacts the other Autobots and his chest lights up, but during Warpath's report it's no longer flashing.
[[File:G1 cartoon Motormaster slagged.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*As often happens, the animators mistake Motormaster's panel lines for the start of a second trailer. It's particularly visible in the last shot of his wrecked form after his collision with Prime.
*Optimus strokes his faceplate during the discussion of the Stunticons' plans, and his finger disappears for a moment.
*The broadcast of the doctor's announcement shows a building with the word "OPTCS" behind him. Earlier it was correctly shown as "REPUBLIC ''OPTICS'' COMPANY".
*The doctor's bow tie has grown to twice the size when he appears on TV.
*Jazz's waist is huge as he stands outside the paint chamber.
*When approaching the crater, Jazz appears to be driving above and not under rocks, and as Windcharger breaks formation to test their disguises, he clips into the cliff edge above them. In the same shot, "Wildrider"'s windows are the same gray as his body, rather than red.
[[File:Huge Ironhide and Small Ratchet.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Introducing Ultra class Ironhide and Scout class Ratchet.]]
*As a result of animation cels being stacked incorrectly, Ratchet appears teeny-tiny in the front of a crowd shot, making Ironhide look colossal by comparison. The tiny Ratchet should, of course, be (barely visible) at the ''back'' of the crowd.
[[File:Masquerade-menasor-modelchange.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Model make no sense! Menasor confused."]]
*Menasor's limbs:
**When the Stunticons combine at Autobot Headquarters, Motormaster transforms to robot mode... and then the other Stunticons just clip onto him, rather than forming additional new limbs. Of course, it kinda sorta fits with the screwed-up way Menasor is often drawn, but this version has ''Motormaster's feet''.
**During his escape, Menasor constantly changes back and forth between having Dead End and Drag Strip attached ''to'' his arms, and having them ''as'' his arms. (It should be the latter.)
**As Menasor lands at the crater, two successive shots show him from exactly the same angle. In the first, his Drag Strip arm is drawn as the "clip-onto-Motormaster" model... and in the very next shot, it's drawn as the "Drag Strip forms the whole arm" model.
*When Menasor takes off to warn Megatron, he has a purple [[Autobot]] insignia.
*Menasor's under-arm lasers only appear when the plot calls for them - when he fires them in Autobot Headquarters, and again when he fires them on the fake Menasor. The first time, they're dark gray; the second time, they're white.
*Mirage's Autobot symbol is missing as he transforms.
*The weapon's beam comes from ''beside'' the barrel, rather than coming out of it.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:G1 Masquerade Warpath crushes DeadEnd.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Bad day for Dead End...as usual]]
[[File:Masquerade BreakdownWildriderdefeated.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|It seems someone got his driver's license revocated...again]]
*During their construction in "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1]]", Megatron notes that he has outfitted the Stunticons with "automatic force fields that make their hulls impenetrable", which accounts for how well they did in battle. Yet in this episode they are easily taken down by second string Autobots, including non-fighters such as Grapple and Hoist. Warpath even manages to simply punch right through Dead End! Optimus Prime only suffers a slight headache after colliding with Motormaster, who is wrecked! Clearly they have been skimping on their scheduled maintenance.
*Motormaster's [[transformation scheme]] greatly differs from that of Optimus Prime - yet after donning his Motormaster disguise, Optimus transforms exactly like Motormaster does. (However bizarre this seems, it was clearly scripted - so we also count it as a possible technology, under Continuity Notes above.)
*The Stunticons are all badly beaten up after their capture. But when they escape, they're suddenly in perfect shape - able to drive, transform, combine and fight with no problems.
*"The weapon [is] but minutes from completion. And then..." "And then... what?" A fine question, indeed! Megatron's crazy laser thing is stuck down in the bottom of a crater, with no obvious way to move about or blow up anything that doesn't come popping down into the crater.
*The Autobots account for their ability to merge (Windcharger's magnetic field) and for the fake Menasor's face (Mirage's hologram) but where do they get working ''hands'' for their fake Menasor?

===Sci-Fi Channel edits===
*In the mid-1990s, many G1 episodes were aired on the [[Cartoon Quest|SciFi]] [[Animation Station|Channel]]. To allow expanded advertising time, they were edited down, cutting "unnecessary" dialog and scenes out. Some of the "unnecessary" dialog cut from this episode included parts of Grapple and Inferno's lines, resulting in them collectively uttering "Time to add firobably hate myself in the morning, but..."

===Trivia===
[[File:Dragstripcartoon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Dead End and Drag Strip, your job is to upsell."]]
*In full sell-my-toy mode, Motormaster gives a quick introdump at the episode's start, naming off his troops, and then ''again'' a moment later as he hands out assignments.
*In case you missed it, the Autobots chosen to impersonate the Stunticons are based specifically on [[alternate mode]]s. Given this attention to detail, it's not infeasible to think that the plot of this episode may have originally called for the Autobots to simply have their alternate modes painted, since they consistently refrain from transforming once in the Decepticon camp:
**Although the specific models don't line up, Prime and Motormaster both transform into semi trucks
**Jazz and Dead End are both Porsches
**Sideswipe and Breakdown are both Lamborghinis
**Mirage and Drag Strip are both Formula 1 race cars (albeit very different-looking ones)
**And.... weeeeell, Windcharger's a Pontiac Firebird and Wildrider's a Ferrari, but the plot demanded Windcharger for his magnetic abilities. This would also explain why a different device, a projector of some sort, is used to disguise him rather than the camouflage paint.
*Whether by inspiration or by parallel reasoning, several toy redecos have followed the pattern of this episode:
**''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[:File:ClassicsLOCMenasor.jpg|Menasor]] is a [[redeco]] from ''[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]]'' [[:File:LOC CybertronPrime.jpg|Optimus Prime]], [[Transformers: Generations#Asian market exclusives .28.22GDO.22.29|GDO]] [[:File:GenerationsMotorbreathToy.jpg|Motorbreath]] is a retool of ''[[Reveal the Shield]]'' [[:File:TF2010-toy Legends Optimus Prime.jpg|Optimus Prime]] and ''Animated'' Motor Master is a retool of ''Animated'' Optimus Prime. ''[[Transformers: Generations#Combiner Wars .282015-.29|Combiner Wars]]'' Voyager class [[:File:GenerationsVoyOP.jpg|Optimus Prime]] also got [[:File:Generations-CW Voyager Motormaster stock.jpg|a Motormaster retool]].
**''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[:File:Universe2008 DragStrip.jpg|Drag Strip]] is made from ''Classics'' [[:File:Classics Mirage toy.jpg|Mirage]]. ''Combiner Wars'' [[:File:CWDlxMirage.jpg|Mirage]] is also a [[:File:Generationstoy-Dragstrip.jpg|Dragstrip]] retool.
**At one point there was intended to be a ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Binaltech]]'' [[Wildrider (G1)#Notes|Wildrider]] created from ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[:File:AltWindcharger toy.jpg|Windcharger]] (or rather, his ''Binaltech'' [[:File:Binaltech Overdrive Toy.jpg|counterpart]]), but that never eventuated.
**[[Don Figueroa]] used ''Universe'' [[:File:Universe2008 SideSwipe toy.jpg|Sideswipe]] as a basis for the [[2005 IDW continuity]] version of Breakdown, and the toy's mold was used for both the ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[BotCon 2010]] [[:File:BreakdownBotcon.JPG|''Generation 2''-esque Breakdown]] toy and the ''Timelines'' [[Transformers Collectors' Club|TFCC:]] [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service|TFSS]] [[:File:TFSS Preview Breakdown.jpg|Generation 1-esque Breakdown]] toys! Furthermore, ''Animated'' Breakdown uses the same mold as ''Animated'' Sideswipe (the Rodimus Minor mold).
**''[[Titanium Series]]'' [[:File:ROTF-toy DeadEndTitanium.jpg|live-action movie Dead End]] reuses [[:File:Movie TitaniumRM Jazz.jpg|live-action movie Jazz]]'s mold, while the ''Timelines'' toy of an [[:File:Animated Dead End Toy.JPG|''Animated''-esque Dead End]] is a redeco of ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' [[:File:Ani-toy Jazz Deluxe.jpg|Jazz]].
** By 2017, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Combiner Wars|Optimus Prime]], [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Mirage]] and [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|Jazz]] had all received ''Combiner Wars'' style toy releases.
*Optimus's "And then... what?" is apparently a rare instance of hearing a character's thoughts, since he says it in his own voice while sitting right next to Megatron, still in his Motormaster disguise.
*If any one episode served to cement Megatron's poor reputation among certain (more snarky) elements of the fandom, this is surely it. He comes up with a madcap scheme to build a useless weapon, doesn't listen to any of his troops' rather intelligent suggestions, insults his underlings for no reason, misses the obvious, toys with his enemies, pouts when he loses, and flies off with nothing in the end.
*Man, Starscream saw through the whole charade in about two seconds, didn't he?

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mascarade'''" ("Masquerade")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Perfekte Tarnung'''" ("Perfect Disguise")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 17]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''I falsi Stunticons'''" ("The Fake Stunticons")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Some lines are badly translated, making little sense in the context:
:::*Ratchet's «I don't bother asking who won?» becomes: «I don't want to be boring but I don't know who won».
:::*Sideswipe's «I hope this camouflage paint comes of, Jazz» becomes: «I hope this disguise works, Jazz», and then Jazz's «Aww, quit griping, you're still the same Sideswipe inside, right?» becomes: «That's extraordinary! You're still the same Sideswipe, right?».
:::*Spike's «But it looks like you didn't need our help!» becomes: «You mean you didn't need our help?».
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Sotto copertura'''" ("Undercover")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Masquerade'''" (マスカレード)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 19]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Shēn Rù Hǔ Xué '''" (深入虎穴, "Deep in the Decepticon's Lair")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A Super Missão'''" ("The Super Mission")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Maskarad'''" (Маскарад, "Masquerade")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:CWDlxMirage.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb]]
*'''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|''Combiner Wars'']] Voyager Class Optimus Prime''' (Hasbro, 2015)
*'''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|''Combiner Wars'']] Deluxe Class Mirage''' (Hasbro, 2015)

:Both ''Combiner Wars'' Optimus Prime and Mirage are the only Autobots that are based on their pre-Stunticon disguises as they share the same transformation schemes with their retool/pretools Motormaster and Drag Strip.

{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1990 — ''Transformers'' — Cosmic Rust / Masquerade ([[Tempo Video]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 8 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 14 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 06: Stagione Due Parte Quarta ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=18aM3T_RHrxrFIZEwiHm2bYxugAkqtCU6 Episode dialogue script with deleted lines]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Transformers Ã— Bump of Chicken EX Episode

2024-01-21T04:39:53Z

Ducktimus: Fixed broken link

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''Transformers × Bump of Chicken'' EX Episode
|image=TFxBump-comic energized.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[TakaraTomy]]
|date=[[2019]]
|original story=[[Chama]] ([[Bump of Chicken]])
|story and color art=[[Hiromi Wakabayashi]] ([[Studio Trigger|Trigger Inc.]])
|artist=[[Akira Amemiya]] (comic art), [[Sushio]] (box art)
|packaged with=[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BUMP|SonicBlue Bumble and Exo Suit Chama]]
}}

'''A band must help a lost Bumblebee with the power of music.'''

==Synopsis==
With [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] low on [[energon]], [[Supreme Commander|Commander]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has sent [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] to survey for supplies elsewhere. However, he himself is running low on energon. Detecting an energy source on the [[Earth|nearby planet]], Bumblebee takes his chances and crashes onto it, interrupting the [[Bump of Chicken]] "Dream Live" concert. Concerned for the fainted robot, the band try to wake him up with their music. Stirred by the music, Bumblebee scans [[Chama]]'s blue bass guitar and returns back to life in a new blue color scheme! Now "SonicBlue Bumble", the [[Autobot]] thanks the band for their efforts, and the concert continues.

Amazed by the power of Bump of Chicken's music, which is powerful enough to fill multiple [[energon cube]]s, SonicBlue Bumble gives Chama an [[exosuit]] as a parting gift and departs to let Optimus Prime know that Cybertron is saved thanks to the fulfilling energies of Bump of Chicken's music.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)

|c3=
*Hiroaki Masukawa (2)
*Hideo Masu (3)
*Motoo Fujiwara (4)
*[[Chama]] (5)
}}

==Notes==
* So no-one else in the band gets an exosuit, Chama?

[[Category:Crossovers|Bump of Chicken EX Episode]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Adam Baldwin

2024-01-15T01:23:30Z

Ducktimus:

[[Image:Adambaldwin.jpg|thumb|Also known for inciting violence against female journalists and game developers.]]
'''Adam Baldwin''' (born [[February 27]], [[1962]]) is an American actor best known for playing Jayne Cobb in the television series ''Firefly'' (also starring [[Gina Torres]] and [[Alan Tudyk]]); and its follow-up feature film, ''Serenity''. He has appeared in films such as ''Full Metal Jacket'', ''Predator 2'', ''Independence Day'', and ''The Patriot'', as well as TV shows including ''The X-Files'', ''NCIS'', ''Angel'', ''Chuck'', and multiple ''CSI'' series.

Equally prolific as a voice actor, he worked on ''Static Shock'', ''Men in Black'', ''Invader Zim'', and ''Justice League''.

He's not related to Alec or the other Baldwin brothers.

==Roles==
===''Transformers: Prime''===
*[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]]

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000284/ Adam Baldwin at IMDB]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baldwin, Adam}}
[[Category:English voice actors]]
[[Category:Hasbro Studios]]

Maccadam's Old Oil House

2024-01-15T01:18:47Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ Wikipedia link

{{Disambig3|Maccadam}}
[[File:Maccadams old oil house.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"...to be loved by you."]]
Situated over at sub-level six on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s lower-east quadrant, or just east of the [[High Council Pavilions]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], is one of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s most renowned enterprises: '''Maccadam's Old Oil House'''—the biggest single source of black market fuel on the entire planet. Its main attraction, beyond the [[Maccadam's bartenders|excellent service]], exceptionally pure oil and general selection of fuel, is that the proprietors make no distinction between [[Autobot]]s, [[Neutral]]ists, and [[Decepticon]]s. If you can pay, you can stay.

Fuelled by the bar's ability to keep the burden of war outside its doors (most of the time), rumours circulate that Maccadam's Old Oil House is no ordinary establishment. Rather, it would exist out of the normal space and time continuum, possibly even be a nexus for [[Continuity|multiple dimensions]], and its secretive owner [[Maccadam]] would be nothing less than one of the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]]. Of course, people tend to gush out a lot under the influence, so little attention is paid to this inevitable falsehood.

[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Sometimes]] it is part of [[Iaconus|a Titan]].

Known staff members across universes include:
*[[Maccadam]] — owner
*A [[Maccadam's bartenders|female robot]] — bartender
*[[Rocky]] — bouncer
*[[Zarak Maximus]] — bouncer (possibly)
*A [[Maccadam's Mini-Con waiter|Mini-Con]] — waiter
*[[Tusks]] — entertainer
*[[Lickety-Split (Animated)|Lickety-Split]] — waitress
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] — new owner
*[[Perceptor (Cyberverse)|Perceptor]] — new owner

Sometimes the place is known as '''Maccadam's ''New'' Oil House''', and other times simply as '''Maccadam's'''.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
{{noteukexclusive|Maccadam's}}
[[File:Maccadams bartender marvel uk 82.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Why does no-one ever suggest that the guy in the framed picture on the wall is Maccadam?]]
Answering a question about his plans if he were [[Decepticon leader]], [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] said that he'd take over Maccadam's Old Oil House and call it a day.<ref>[[Source:Dread Tidings#Issue 276|Dread Tidings, issue 276]]</ref>

[[File:Maccadams bartender marvel uk 240.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"All these machines and no dishwasher! That's irony, right buddy?"]]

The [[Wreckers]] liked to visit Maccadam's Old Oil House on their downtime. So when the members of the group were disheartened because they had to abandon [[Operation: Volcano]], [[Twin Twist]], [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] took their mood to the bar to drink it off. They were discussing their decision to step out of the mission when a loudmouthed [[Fang|Decepticon]] stomped into the establishment and immediately turned his attention to the [[Tusks|bar's musician]]. Apparently having a history with the entertainer regarding discrepancies in their respective musical tastes, the Decepticon started beating him up for still playing "that aural atrocity". Twin Twist wanted to help, but Roadbuster declared it was not their fight. Twin Twist called [[slag (slang)|slag]] on that, punched the Decepticon into a couple of pieces and speeched his colleagues that it always was their fight, inspiring them to resume participation in Operation Volcano. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

When [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] rose to power, he ended Maccadam's status as a neutral area, much to everyone but the Decepticons' annoyance. [[Quickswitch]] pondered bitterly about this while waiting impatiently for his Decepticon informants inside the bar. His attention was first erroneously piqued by the arrival of [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]], who, feeling like losers, had chosen to drink away their sorrows at Maccadam's Old Oil House. Shortly after them entered another Decepticon, severely damaged, who warned the staff and customers that "[[Mecannibal|creatures]]" outside had eaten his comrades and were coming this way. The [[Maccadam|bartender]] was unimpressed, stating that the bouncer [[Rocky]] would stop them. He wouldn't, as the Mecannibals had already eaten him after having followed the Decepticon [[Powermaster]] duo to the bar. Making their entrance, the Mecannibals immediately began tearing up the joint, with the pair of inebriated Powermasters blissfully unaware of the chaos around them. Quickswitch decided he couldn't just stand by and watch the slaughter, so he leapt into action. After a brief skirmish, Quickswitch used his tunneling mode to destroy the bar's supports and bury the Mecannibals alive deep underground. Finally making contact with the present again, Dreadwind and Darkwing noticed they were alone in the wrecked bar and decided to split before anyone would blame them. {{storylink|Out to Lunch!}}
{{-}}

=====''Classics''=====
{{noteclassics}}
During the time [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was run by the [[Mini-Con]]s in preparation for [[End of the Road! (US)|the return of the bulks]], Maccadam's Old Oil House was of special significance to the population. It had always been a place of peace, but to the new breed of [[Transformer]]s it served as a testament to how their species could find joy and harmony even in the worst of times. Also, due to its immunity to the ravaging influence of the war, the place was in working order —excluding the entrance sign that notoriously refused to stay properly lit— and stocked when the Mini-Cons came upon it. It was soon reopened to serve as a place for relaxation after a long day of rebuilding Cybertron and killing [[Mutant (G1)|Mutants]].

The [[Dinobot (Classics)|Dinobots]] and [[Broadside (Classics)|Broadside]] visited the bar one time, the former merely to unwind, the latter to attend a secret meeting about the progress of his plot to claim Cybertron for the Mini-Cons permanently. For his next move, he intended to have [[Modus Prime]] murdered and blame it on the bulks, a radical turn of events he'd need time for to convince his allies. As [[Maccadam's Mini-Con waiter|one of the waiters]] in on the conspiracy arranged a private room in the back area for them to talk, Broadside met up with [[Sledge (Classics)|Sledge]] and [[Wideload (Classics)|Wideload]]. With the crowd thin that night, the Dinobot [[Knockdown (Classics)|Knockdown]], seated at the other side of the room, had a clear view on their activities, but didn't think any of it.

Once Broadside and company had left for the back-room area, Knockdown forgot about them until he heard angered shouting coming from the direction they had gone to. The Dinobots functioned as Maccadam's Old Oil House's unofficial bouncers if they were around, so Knockdown felt obliged to check on the situation himself. He was right in front of the door to the meeting room when the waiter came back out in a rather suspicious manner, allowing Knockdown only a faint glimpse of what was going on inside. The waiter was startled when he spotted Knockdown and came close to killing him in panic, but managed to regain his composure before doing anything that gave away his malintent. The waiter apologized for his behaviour and went on to distract Knockdown from the scene by noting how grateful the staff at Maccadam's was for the Dinobots' occasional help and offering a bottle of Siebenaler Vintage if the Dinobot would give him some tips on handling bad customers. {{storylink|The New World}}

=====''Regeneration One''=====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Maccadams destiny.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85]]
The moustachioed bartender was sweeping debris out of Maccadam's following the effects of [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s [[Gene Key]] on Cybertron's population. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}}
{{-}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:The Ultimate Guide Maccadam's Old Oil House scene.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Where everybody knows your name.]]
The [[Maccadam|moustachioed bartender]] worked at Maccadam's Old Oil House in his usual capacity, and it seemed [[Zarak Maximus]] had a job as bouncer. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}}
{{-}}

====''Universe'' comic====
Given that Iacon was no longer in use post-[[Great Upgrade]], it would seem that Maccadam had moved his establishment to [[Cybertropolis]], as [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] offered to share a vat of vintage oil from Maccadam's with [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] when he and his comrades returned to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after the [[Great Transformation]]. {{storylink|Abduction}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:Nightbeat quark maccadams post hoc.jpg|thumb|left|125px]]
Maccadam's New Oil House opened in [[Rodion]] shortly before the [[Clampdown (event)|Clampdown]]. [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] and [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] were patrons. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory #1}} as were a time-traveling [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]], [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]], and [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]]. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet|Stet}} [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and [[Quark]] were standing outside the bar when they discovered [[Sherma|a body]] hanging from the nearby [[Sherma Bridge|Interstate Bridge]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] were seated there when they caught a broadcast from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] asking all Cybertronians to join him against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Broadcast}} Hot Rod was drinking at Maccadam's shortly after graduating from [[Autobot Academy]], and ran into his old friend [[Slinger]] outside. {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}}

In the early stages of his leadership of the Autobots, Optimus Prime felt that his abilities to hold a speech were on par with someone who had had too much to drink at Maccadam's. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

[[File:InterferencePatterns Jazz and Sky-Byte.jpg|thumb]]
Once the war was over, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] decided to re-open Maccadam's Old Oil House in the shanty town that Iacon had become, intending it to be a place where Autobots, Decepticons and [[NAIL]]s could all relax without the usual tension. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} The bar proved popular, and [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] formed a musical/poetic duo there to entertain the patrons. {{storylink|Interference Patterns}} Later, [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] visited the bar to enlist Blurr's help in locating the missing [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]]. {{storylink|Night and the City}}

With [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s return and the ensuing Decepticon riot, Blurr battened down the hatches at Maccadam's and sheltered several NAILs (plus a couple of disaffected Decepticons) there. {{storylink|City on Fire}} With a rampaging mob outside, [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] appeared inside the bar and tasked Blurr with transporting two more Decepticons—[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]—to Bumblebee. The rioters then set fire to the bar, forcing the remaining occupants to abandon it. {{storylink|The Verge}} Following the defeat of the Decepticons, Blurr returned to rebuild Maccadam's and kicked out new NAIL leader [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who was looking to use the bar to connect with his people. {{storylink|Three Monologues}}

After Iacon was abandoned in the wake of the [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] disaster, Blurr moved Maccadam's Old Oil House to city mode [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], where it continued to be a popular watering hole. {{storylink|A 'Bot and Her City}} [[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] and [[Longtooth]] attempted to interview the patrons on a recent explosion in the [[Acrolight District]], only to be thrown out by an annoyed Blurr. The brief words the reporters got out of [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] were of interest to [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], who then visited to Maccadam's to interrogate him. {{storylink|A Long Way Down}} Blurr later threw a party at the bar in celebration of [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]]'s return, and everyone had a great time aside from Wheeljack himself. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}}

Ironhide and [[Mirage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Mirage]] met at Maccadam's to discuss the visions they'd both been having, and paid no heed to Blurr's griping about how his usual customers had all run off to [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]]. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} Once the initial chaos had settled down and Cybertron and Caminus were united, Cybertronians and Camiens alike celebrated a "Not the End of the World" party at Maccadam's. Windblade invited the [[Velocitron]]ian delegates, [[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] and [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]], learning more about Velocitron's society from the latter while the former was busy butting heads with Blurr. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 4|Windblade vol. 2 #4}}

As more and more colonists appeared on Cybertron, they frequented Maccadam's as a melting pot for social interaction. Blurr called [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] to the bar so the security officer could remove [[Drunkatron|a loud patron]]. {{storylink|07:00:00}}

When [[Earth]] was slated to join the [[Council of Worlds]], Blurr set up several screens in the bar so the public could watch the ceremony. He was interviewed in the bar for his opinion of humanity joining the Council. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 1}}

Not long afterwards, Windblade revealed to the public that [[Liege Maximo]] was free and planning horrible revenge on Cybertron much to the worry of the barflies watching the broadcast. When Windblade put forth her name in the upcoming elections, Blurr set her up with a booth in the bar where she could meet with the voters and listen to their opinions, grievances and suggestions. {{storylink|The Chosen One}}

When [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] began its apocalyptic attack on the [[Council of Worlds]], Blurr remained his bar believing it to be the next in a long line of crises that would soon pass. When the monster began physically attacking Cybertron, Blurr remained in his bar until he noticed the [[magic]]al light of the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] making people disappear. Unhesitatingly, Blurr charged out of his bar to get his fellows to the safety of the ribbon. Shortly afterwards, Maccadam's was destroyed as Unicron tore Cybertron asunder. {{storylink|Road's End}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[Snake-Eyes]] visited Maccadam's Lubricarium in search of information, promptly causing a bar brawl by kicking a drink into the face of a patron. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon===
While searching for the Allspark, Wheeljack noted that the ''Ark'' barely had enough energon left to fill a mug at Maccadam's. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 3}}

===Unicron Trilogy===
====Prime Spark====
A bartender was told by somebody to expect a group of four temporarily deceased Optimuses to arrive in one of the bar's backrooms. He provided a table with four chairs and pitchers of oil for their refreshment. ''Armada'' Optimus Prime was first and the bartender reminded him of the tab he has running. The three other Optimuses soon arrived to talk over the doubts ''Armada'' Optimus was having about his leadership. After that, the bartender returned to inform them they needed the room for other purposes they had to leave through the back door, which they did, returning to life. {{storylink|Prime Spark (story)|Prime Spark}}

====''Cybertron'' comic====
Not all [[Transformer]]s responded to [[Unicron Singularity|the order of a planetwide evacuation]]. The Decepticons [[Crush Groove]] and [[Jackhammer (Cybertron)|Jackhammer]] didn't buy into the mass hysteria and remained on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], using the opportunity of a deserted world to break into Maccadam's Old Oil House and steal all the [[energon]] and [[oil]] they'd ever need. Though not the smartest crooks in the history of their race, they would likely have gotten away with it if not for the arrival of the [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds of Unicron]] known as [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]]. Ramjet offered them a place among [[Unicron]]'s minions, but the duo declined impolitely. They were subsequently killed. Crime just doesn't pay. {{storylink|Balancing Act}}

===Live-action film series===
Maccadam's exists and the area wherein it is located is surrounded by the [[Rad Zone]], [[Kolkular]], [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]], [[Moonbase One|Moon Alpha]], and the [[Tri-Torus Loop]]. {{storylink|Risk: Cybertron War Edition|Risk}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[File:ThisIsWhyIHateMachines-Maccadams.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|A cross-factional bar isn't as impressive on an all-Autobot Cybertron.]]
{{Idw-tfa}}
''Charming as ever, [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] promised himself to down a few barrels at Maccadam's Oil House and talk trash about [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] after being pushed into speaking (positively) at his and his crew's funeral.'' {{storylink|Dispatches}}

Some time later, [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] and [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] were accidentally transported via the [[space bridge]] to a location on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] not far from the bar. Ratchet was intent on visiting his favorite "greasy valve", but Sentinel Prime had closed Maccadam's Old Oil House (and other "subversive" locations) for security reasons. {{storylink|This Is Why I Hate Machines}}

''Maccadam's menu features a lengthy list of Energons, oils, and other fuels. It also features depictions of heads of some of its frequent patrons, though their [[Cheetor (Animated)|accuracy]] [[Tarantulas (Animated)|is often]] [[Chromia (Animated)|suspect]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} Further menus even depict distinctly [[Discord (MLP)|non-robotic]] patrons. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|The Complete AllSpark Almanac}}''
{{-}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====Aligned novels====
[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]] and [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] were regular patrons at Maccadam's before the war. Their drink of choice seems to have been [[Visco]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] also enjoyed the establishment.

After the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]] had broken out, [[Maccadam]] turned his bar into the hub of the spy-net of the Autobot resistance. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

====''Rescue Bots'' cartoon====
[[High Tide]] enjoyed celebrating [[All Spark Day (event)|All Spark Day]] telling stories over a quart of Visco at Maccadam's Old Oil House. {{storylink|All Spark Day (episode)|All Spark Day}}

===''Knights of Unicron''===
Maccadam's Old Oil House was the twenty-third venue for the [[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]] on their 2014 "Till All Are One" tour. {{storylink|Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
On the eve of a momentous confrontation between the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s, [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] encountered [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]] in Maccadam's Old Oil House in a [[Primax]] universe. The two quickly hit it off and went right to scheming, prompting the barkeep to warn Vector Prime out what was up. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:The entrance to Maccadam's (Cyberverse - Maccadam's).jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Now under the ownership of Bibbo Bibbowski.]]
Though rumours spread of it originally being an old oil house, Maccadam's traced its origin to Cybertron's [[Expansion|Age of Expansion]]. When the era of colonization came to an end, the last of the War [[Titan (group)|Titans]], the mighty [[Iaconus]], was unable to cope with the peacetime and went on a rampage, being felled through the sacrificial efforts of his crew. [[Maccadam]], the only survivor of the rampage, buried Iaconus beneath the land that would become [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], cloaking his mass and converting the uppermost part of the Titan's structure into a pub as a means of keeping guard, using the Titan's internal facilities to generate a steady stream of beverages for his patrons. {{storylink|The Citizen}}

In the years before the [[Great War (Cyberverse)|Great War]], it was a popular joint for local 'bots to visit, and one of [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee's]] favourite hangouts. Though a kind and jovial barkeep, Maccadam enforced a strict "no fighting" policy. {{storylink|Maccadam's}} After meeting [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] at a [[Cube (sport)|Cube]] match, Bumblebee invited her to join him in a visit. {{storylink|Cube (episode)|Cube}} After rubbing shoulders with some of Bumblebee's friends, the two eventually encountered Maccadam, who gave them some cryptic advice regarding a future situation they'd find themselves in.

During the Great War, the bar retained its neutrality, with both Autobots and Decepticons coming in for a drink. The Decepticon deserter [[Drift (Cyberverse)|Deadlock]] attempted to take shelter in the bar, but was pursued by [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]], seeking to kill him for betrayal. When a fight threatened to break out, Maccadam deployed his frightening [[alternate mode]] to intimidate Megatron into retreating. Maccadam informed Deadlock that he'd be safe at his bar, and could stay as long as he'd like. {{storylink|Maccadam's}} As neutral ground, the bar was later used as a meeting place for one of [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron's many failed negotiations. {{storylink|Parley}} During a particular all-Decepticon night, Maccadam's played host to a beattboxing battle between [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] and [[Soundblaster (Cyberverse)|Soundblaster]]. {{storylink|The Immobilizers}}

Many years later, endless war had reduced most of Iacon to ruins. Shortly before Bumblebee was due to leave Cybertron aboard the ''[[Ark (Cyberverse)|Ark]],'' he and Windblade stopped by to mourn the closure of the bar, and were surprised to learn that the bar was still open, thanks to its proprietor getting his hands on a private supply of energon. After receiving some more mysterious wisdom from Maccadam, the two friends shared one last drink before [[Grimlock (Cyberverse)|Grimlock]] called them to the ''Ark's'' launch site. {{storylink|Maccadam's}}

After the [[AllSpark]] had been returned to Cybertron, the [[Quintesson]]s invaded and conquered the planet, enthralling the population. The cloaking module still online, {{storylink|The Citizen}} Maccadam invited what few free sparks were left refuge in the bar, the Prosecutors being blind to the structure. {{storylink|The Dead End}}

After [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] was revealed as the new Quintesson [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judge]] and rounded up the populace, the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] headed to Maccadam's to toast the end of the universe where they were mopped up by [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] as she and Maccadam fought their way to the [[cityspeaker]] chamber to awaken Iaconus. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe II}}

The Quintessons were repelled soon enough though both Maccadam and Iaconus perished in the battle, Iaconus' now exposed city mode serving as the Autobot capital. The bar remained a popular watering hole for the Autobots, [[Perceptor (Cyberverse)|Perceptor]] adopting the role of barkeep. {{storylink|Wild Wild Wheel}} While having drinks, a group of Autobots toasted to the revival of ''[[Alien Hunt!]]'' {{storylink|Alien Hunt! With Meteorfire And Cosmos}}

After the end of the war, the reunited Autobots and Decepticons held a wake for Soundwave at Maccadam's, with Optimus leading the others in a toast to his memory. {{storylink|The Perfect Decepticon}}

==Merchandise==
*'''Transformers Monopoly''' (2007)
:Maccadam's Old Oil House replaces Oriental in this version of the game.

*'''RISK TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON Battle Edition''' (2007)
:Maccadams is one of the purple zones on the board.

==Notes==

*The idea that ''Maccadam's Old Oil House'' exists within a dimensional nexus, allowing characters from different universes to crossover and interact within its walls, is a <s>shameless ripoff</s> direct homage to ''Munden's Bar'' from the comic book series ''{{w|Grimjack}}''. ''Munden's'' existed within a dimensional nexus allowing characters such as those in ''Grimjack'' and other indie comic publications (including the ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'') to meet up in back-up features.

===Foreign names===

*''Japanese:'' '''Maccadam's''' (マカダムス ''Makadamusu'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animated businesses]]
[[Category:Animated locations]]
[[Category:Armada locations]]
[[Category:Bars]]
[[Category:Beast Machines locations]]
[[Category:Beast Wars locations]]
[[Category:Businesses]]
[[Category:Cybertron locations]]
[[Category:Generation 1 businesses]]
[[Category:Generation 1 locations]]
[[Category:Iacon]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) locations]]
[[Category:Movie locations]]
[[Category:Regeneration One locations]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron locations]]

Roller car

2023-08-08T02:21:17Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */

{{noname-designation}}
{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3.5|Motormaster's drone unit|[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] drone unit|Roller (G1)|Roller}}
:''Roller car is an accessory from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:G1menasor toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The roller car is Menasor's brassi... chest armor in this picture.]]

[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] has a third "ramp" [[alternate mode]]. '''Roller car''' is just the right size to drive up and down that ramp. When the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] combine to form [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] it takes its place as the chest-piece.

It is presumably a [[drone]].

==Fiction==
===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics===
{{noteukexclusive|The roller car}}
[[File:Menasor second generation.jpg|thumb|left]]
When [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] mind-linked [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] in an attempt to guide and make sense of uncontrolled [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]-induced visions the human had been having, the vision that the pair - and through them, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] - saw included Menasor with the roller car on his chest. {{storylink|Second Generation!|Second Generation! Part Two}}

Earlier visions {{storylink|Second Generation!|Second Generation! Part One}} had not included it on Menasor's chest, and when Menasor was actually built, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] didn't bother with it. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:WarandPeace4 menasor crush.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]

The roller car can be seen in its proper place on Menasor's chest. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:ArtofWar4 Menasor.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85]]
After the Stunticons were recruited into [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s army, Menasor attacked an Autobot peace ceremony with the roller car on his chest, teaming up with [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] to defeat [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} He then tracked down Optimus Prime, stomped on a [[Optimus Prime's rescuees|civilian]] Optimus had just saved, and delivered [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] to pass a message on to the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1Roller car toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Motormaster''' (Stunticon, [[1986]])
**''Team ID number:'' '''S5'''
**''Takara ID number:'' '''D-50'''

:Roller car was included with Generation 1 Motormaster, and is scaled to drive down his ramp in "base" mode. The Japanese release also includes a launcher mechanism to propel the roller car, but it was cut out for Western markets [[for safety reasons]]. The roller car is also combiner [[kibble]], forming the chest piece for [[Menasor (G1)#Toys|Menasor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Motormaster/motormaster.htm More information on Motormaster at TFU.info]''

*'''Menasor''' (Giftset, 1986)
**''Takara ID number:'' '''D-55'''

:Motormaster and the roller car were also available as part of a Menasor giftset.
{{--}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:G2 Menasor and G2 Defensor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Motormaster''' (Stunticon)
**''Team ID number:'' '''S1'''

:A purple roller car would have been included with ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' Motormaster, but this release was canceled.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The roller car was left out of almost all Generation 1 fiction, including Motormaster's toy bio. Unlike [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]], the roller car was even left off Menasor's [[character model]] in both the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comics]]. The term "roller car" comes from Motormaster's instruction sheet.
* ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Blackjack (G1)#Combiner Wars|Blackjack]] is a combined homage to [[Micromaster]] Blackjack and the roller car, being intended to take the latter's place on Menasor's chest.
**Menasor's chest also looks similar to the roller car.

[[Category:Generation 1 combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 drones]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]

Brave (franchise)

2023-07-31T04:26:46Z

Ducktimus:

{{disambig2|the franchise that uses designs from ''Transformers''|the ''Car Robots'' character|Emissary (RID)}}
[[Image:Braveseries.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Like Transformers, except every robot has a face plate, something long sticking out of its head, and a gold chest.]]

'''''Brave''''' (勇者 ''Yūsha'') is a non-''Transformers'' [[franchise]] that [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and {{w|Sunrise (company)|Sunrise}} created after the [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] anime ran its course in Japan. The ''Brave'' Series consists of eight individual series that were released one after the other from 1990 to 1998 with corresponding TV shows in Japan. The last show in the series received a follow-up OVA beginning in 2000. Although none of the series storylines are connected to one another,<ref>There are some small connections between the series. For example, the reason Fighbird joined the Space Guards is that he admires Exkaiser. (This connection is stated in the ''Encyclopedia of Fighbird'', published by Keibunsha.) Also, there are some small cameos of human characters between shows, and some [[character model]]s, such as Draias and Guard Diver, are reused in subsequent series. Lastly, the ''Brave Saga'' video games [[retcon]] the storylines of the shows so that they link up.</ref> the basic format of each series is similar. Usually a kid befriends/creates/becomes a sentient robot, and together they fight a great evil threatening the Earth. The main robots combine with other vehicles and robots to become larger robots, and additional teams of sentient robots combine amongst themselves to form larger robots as well. This structure had been established in ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory]]'' and would be reproduced almost beat-for-beat in every Brave series. The Brave franchise has been described as a cross between ''Transformers'' and the {{w|Super Robot}} genre of the late '70s and early '80s.

The Brave series consisted of:

* 1990: ''{{w|Brave Exkaiser|The Brave Exkaiser}}''
* 1991: ''{{w|The Brave of Sun Fighbird}}''
* 1992: ''{{w|The Brave Fighter of Legend Da-Garn|The Brave of Legend Da-Garn}}''
* 1993: ''{{w|The Brave Express Might Gaine}}''
* 1994: ''{{w|The Brave Police J-Decker}}''
* 1995: ''{{w|The Brave of Gold Goldran}}''
* 1996: ''{{w|Brave Command Dagwon|The Brave Command Dagwon}}''
**1997: ''{{w|lang=ja|勇者指令ダグオン水晶の瞳の少年|The Brave Command Dagwon - The Boy with Crystal Eyes}}''
* 1997: ''{{w|The King of Braves GaoGaiGar}}''
** 1999: ''{{w|The King of Braves GaoGaiGar FINAL}}''
* ''The Saint of the Braves Baan Gaan'' (cancelled, later made into {{w|Brave series#Brave Saga and Brave Saga 2|a video game}})

Toys for these robots were created in two sizes: DX ("deluxe") versions that contained more gimmicks and more complicated transformations, and STD ("standard") versions that contained fewer [[gimmick]]s and more limited transformations (often resorting to [[Partformer|partsforming]]), but often also higher [[Show-accuracy|accuracy]] in reproducing the look of the robot from the anime series. Generally, the toys were created by Takara's [[Takashi Kunihiro]] and Sunrise's [[Kunio Okawara]], doing engineering and design work respectively. The duo had already collaborated in the creation of [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] from the aforementioned ''Transformers Victory''. The toys not engineered by Kunihiro are believed to be engineered by [[Hisashi Yuki]].

==Relationship to ''Transformers''==
The initial concept designs for ''The Brave Exkaiser'', the first ''Brave'' series, were intended to be Transformers designs. While the ''Brave'' robot Ultra Raker was very far along at this stage, the Max team and King Exkaiser bore little resemblance to their final designs.

The ''Brave'' toys also have design elements similar to ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' and ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Transformers, which were released around the same time as the ''Brave'' toys. For example, many of the ''Brave of Legend'' toys have [[Light-piping|light-piped]] eyes thanks to transparent pieces of plastic in their heads, a design element which many ''Generation 2'' Transformers share. The ''Goldran'' DX toyline contains many projectile launchers, something Generation 2 shared as well. In particular, the ''Goldran'' toy "Advenger" contains a rotor-launching gimmick identical to that of the [[Rotor Force]] from ''Generation 2'', and the "Captain Shark" figure has a Gatling-gun style launcher, the same as ''Generation 2'' [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]]. The elbows of Leon from DX Leonkyzer contain ball joints, a design element that gained much broader use during ''Generation 2'' and even more so during the ''Beast Wars'' toyline. In addition, Might Gunner's shoulders have twin barreled cannons on them, in the same manner that [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] does, due to [[Kunio Okawara]] co-designing both characters.

[[Image:DeathsaurusAndRedGeist.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And to think, Red Geist's toy doesn't even have any remolding.]]The Brave Series also reused character designs and toys from previous ''Transformers'' series. It was not uncommon for the recycled designs to appear in a ''Brave'' TV show, but not in toy form. These designs were often significantly augmented to distinguish them from their ''Transformers'' counterparts. For example, the four Geister henchmen in ''Exkaiser'' use character models of four of the five [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] (minus Grimlock), but with all-new faces, body detail and color schemes. Of the designs that did appear in toy form, some of them were retooled to reflect these changes, whereas others were simple recolors. (A complete listing of the reuses follows in the section below.)

One striking difference between the ''Brave'' and ''Transformers'' toy lines is that very few villain robots were released in the ''Brave'' series. This is in sharp contrast to most of the ''Transformers'' series, in which heroes and villains are released in relatively equal numbers (with the exception of ''[[Transformers: Zone (toyline)|Zone]]'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]''). Generally speaking, the lack of villain toys is more the norm for such toylines in Japan, with the various ''Transformers'' lines (save for the aforementioned two) being the exception.

Despite the ''Brave'' series's reuse of many ''Transformers'' molds and character designs, ''Brave'' toys have never been reused in a ''Transformers'' toy line. This is likely because the characters that the toys represent are owned by Sunrise, which itself is owned by Takara's rival toy company {{w|Bandai Namco Holdings|Bandai}}. That said, a ''Brave'' mold was finally reused in 2008, when Might Kaiser's trailer was modified and included in TakaraTomy's ''{{w|Tomica Hero: Rescue Force}}'' as part of the toy Zero Fire. Although Hasbro never released ''Brave'' toys in the West, they apparently did receive samples from Takara on [[Media:Dxgoldran.jpg|at least one occasion]].

In addition, the Anime would also utilize some of the animation staff who worked on the franchise prior to this, including animators Nobuyoshi Sasakado, [[Hidetoshi Ōmori]] and [[Masami Obari]], and animation studio [[Nakamura Production]]. [[Munetaka Abe]], [[Masahiro Yamane]] and Toru Yoshida, staples of the ''Brave'' anime, would eventually leak into the ''Transformers'' franchise itself in future instalments.

==Influence on ''Transformers''==
[[Image:Cybprime exkaiser.jpg|right|300px|thumb]]
Similar to ''Brave'' being influenced by ''Transformers'', subsequent ''Transformers'' lines have also been influenced by the ''Brave'' series. The Japanese [[Mini-Con]] [[Kingbolt (Armada)|Kingbolt]]'s coloration and characterization are [[homage]]s to the Brave series ''Exkaiser''. The [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] featured many homages to the ''Brave'' series, most notably the way [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] combines with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] and [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], which is similar to the way GaoGaiGar combines with Goldymarg and Stealth Gao respectively. As well, [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]]'s transformation scheme is almost identical to various car robots from the ''Brave'' series, those being Dran, Dag Fire, and Volfogg. [[Unfinished#Real-world references|The battle between Optimus Prime and Galvatron]] contains several visual references to the final showdown between Great Exkaiser and Dinogeist from the anime series ''The Brave Exkaiser''. The ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' characters [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] are similar to Enryū and Hyōryū from ''GaoGaiGar'', both with respect to their elemental motifs and method of combination. ''Animated'' also has a brief cameo appearance by ''Dagwon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Dug Base|Dag Base]]. ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Esmeral (SG)|Esmeral]]'s color scheme is based on Red Geist, a redeco of [[Esmeral (G1)|her ''Victory'' counterpart]]'s [[Deathsaurus (G1)|husband]]. ''The Brave Police J-Decker'' mecha Duke Fire and Shadowmaru inspired the Autobot drone [[Duke Fire]] and Decepticon [[Greatsix]]. Meanwhile, the human police superintendent Juzo Saejima also inspired the Generation 1 human [[Saejima]].

==Toys and character designs recycled from ''Transformers''==
(''Italicized names'' are non-toy characters.)

===1990 - ''Exkaiser''===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCoGs3mQcl4 Green Raker and Blue Raker] — Originally designed with Transformers in mind<ref>"The Ultra Raker was designed with the Transformers series in mind. There wasn’t much
change in how the transformation worked between this and the finalized version, but the
handheld weapons and how other supplementary items would be shared was still being
thought out." - Designer commentary, ''Sunrise Robot Toy Collection'' by [[TARKUS]], p.11 [https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/brave.98174/page-386#post-5402112 translated at TFW2005]</ref> but released under the ''Brave'' banner.
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Onss3GyaY Armor Geist]'' — [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmPP2kRP5DM Horn Geist]'' — [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRY8gky0PQE Ptera Geist]'' — [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuJTrWuy68Y Thunder Geist]'' — [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]

===1992 - ''Da Garn''===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_37zYGQow00 Red Geist] with Red Breaster — [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] and [[Tigerbreast]] (no [[Eaglebreast]])

===1993 - ''Might Gaine''===
* ''Atlas Epsilon'' — [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]
* ''Atlas Mk.II'' — [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E89XiJOWzIo Gōryū] with Ōwashi — [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]] and [[Speeder]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBkMnRnv3pw Hiryū] with Hayabusa — [[Sonic Bomber (G1)|Sonic Bomber]] and [[Sonic (G1)|Sonic]]
* ''Mega Sonic 8823'' — [[Sonic Bomber (G1)|Sonic Bomber]]

[[Image:BraveShadowmaruKagerouModels.jpg|thumb|250px|One ninja is deadly. A bunch of ninjas are cannonfodder. Two ninjas are... um...]]

===1994 - ''J-Decker''===
* ''Kagerō'' — [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLYgYX7IxLA Shadowmaru] — [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (featured a new head, chest, chest fins, beast head, and entirely new set of weaponry to incorporate a ninja motif; also has slightly more articulation since the bar connecting the lower legs to each other was removed)
* MiniCole Secret Transforming Bases — The [[Micromaster#Generation 1|Micromaster Stations]] (sans Micromasters and including non-transformable ''Brave Police'' figures; never appeared in the show)<ref>[https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/butto/diary/201501310000/ Secret Transforming Base line overview at butto00's blog]</ref>
**Police Station — [[Gasoline Base]]
**Construction Site — [[Ironworks (facility)|Build Base]]
**Airfield — [[Overair (facility)|Airport Base]]
**Fire Station — [[Hot House (facility)|Hot House]]

===1995 - ''Goldran''===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMZgEc78A6Y Death Garry Gun] with Missile Gear — [[Sky Garry (G1)|Sky Garry]] and [[Shotbomber]] (lacking trailer launchers)
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ObWFgDfls Revibaron]'' — [[Sonic Bomber (G1)|Sonic Bomber]] with parts from [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] and [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7caCCFWKc Zazorigun]'' — [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with new head design

===1996 - ''Dagwon''===
* [[Dagbase]] — [[Grandus (G1)|Grandus]] (significant retooling, cannot combine with Star Convoy)
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei2MgBwc8Iw Thunder Dagwon] — [[Galaxy Shuttle]] (significant retooling, including an additional motorcycle/robot that combines for the shuttle's robot mode)

==Fiction==
===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Vector Prime]] was asked whether or not ''Brave'' was a part of the ''Transformers'' [[multiverse]]. Unfortunately, the Prime seemed to have misinterpreted the question. He did, however, express a fondness for the {{w|Brave (2012 film)|adventures of Princess Merida and Queen Elinor}}.

The events of the ''Brave'' anime were later established to take place in the [[Cymond]] Cluster, which bordered the [[Megaverse]] and only possessed a tangential connection to the goings-on elsewhere in the ''Transformers'' multiverse. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

==Notes==
[[File:Hayato_Bravemasters_concept_1.jpg|thumb|right|Saikyō Yūsha Robo Gundan!]]
*It was originally assumed that [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGFHTcC5tlo Duke Fire] from ''The Brave Police J-Decker'' was an homage to [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Notes|New Rodimus]]. However, following a discussion with Duke Fire's designer, this proved to be a coincidence.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Also talked w/TakaraTomy team. Brave's Duke Fire NOT based on "New Rodimus," per designer of Duke Fire. He was not aware of that Rod design.|link=https://twitter.com/tfwiki/status/907253686023458817|site=Twitter|name=TFWiki interview with the TakaraTomy design team|year=2017|month=9|day=11}}</ref>
*''[[Transformers: Bravemasters]]'' was an unrealized proposal by [[Hayato Sakamoto]]. Art of it shown at [[BotCon 2015]] revealed that it would have utilized several offscreen toys from the Movie-related toyline (such as [[Breacher (TF 2010)|Breacher]], whose toy would have been used for the main character) and would have been strongly influenced by the ''Brave'' franchise.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160421114525/http://www.allspark.com/2015/06/best-of-botcon-the-japanese-perspective/ Best Of Botcon: The Japanese Perspective @ The Allspark (via the Internet Archive)]</ref>

==See also==
*''[[Transforming Bullet Train Robot Shinkalion]]''
*''[[Tomica#Tomica Bond Combination Earth Granner|Tomica Bond Combination Earth Granner]]''

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

==External links==
*{{w|Brave series|''Brave'' series}} at Wikipedia
*[http://www.yusha.net/ Official Sunrise ''Brave'' Series website]
*[http://bravewiki.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page ''Brave'' Wiki]
*[[wikia:gaogaigar:GaoGaiGar-Betterman Wiki|''The GaoGaiGar''-''Betterman'' Wiki]].
*[http://mamao2.cside.com/ MAOMAO2's Room (Japanese)]
*[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?t=98174 The TFW2005 forum ''Brave'' thread]

[[Category:Japanese franchises]]
[[Category:Non-Transformers toylines]]
[[Category:Other TakaraTomy properties]]

Brave (franchise)

2023-07-31T04:26:11Z

Ducktimus: redirect broken link to archive.org

{{disambig2|the franchise that uses designs from ''Transformers''|the ''Car Robots'' character|Emissary (RID)}}
[[Image:Braveseries.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Like Transformers, except every robot has a face plate, something long sticking out of its head, and a gold chest.]]

'''''Brave''''' (勇者 ''Yūsha'') is a non-''Transformers'' [[franchise]] that [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and {{w|Sunrise (company)|Sunrise}} created after the [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] anime ran its course in Japan. The ''Brave'' Series consists of eight individual series that were released one after the other from 1990 to 1998 with corresponding TV shows in Japan. The last show in the series received a follow-up OVA beginning in 2000. Although none of the series storylines are connected to one another,<ref>There are some small connections between the series. For example, the reason Fighbird joined the Space Guards is that he admires Exkaiser. (This connection is stated in the ''Encyclopedia of Fighbird'', published by Keibunsha.) Also, there are some small cameos of human characters between shows, and some [[character model]]s, such as Draias and Guard Diver, are reused in subsequent series. Lastly, the ''Brave Saga'' video games [[retcon]] the storylines of the shows so that they link up.</ref> the basic format of each series is similar. Usually a kid befriends/creates/becomes a sentient robot, and together they fight a great evil threatening the Earth. The main robots combine with other vehicles and robots to become larger robots, and additional teams of sentient robots combine amongst themselves to form larger robots as well. This structure had been established in ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory]]'' and would be reproduced almost beat-for-beat in every Brave series. The Brave franchise has been described as a cross between ''Transformers'' and the {{w|Super Robot}} genre of the late '70s and early '80s.

The Brave series consisted of:

* 1990: ''{{w|Brave Exkaiser|The Brave Exkaiser}}''
* 1991: ''{{w|The Brave of Sun Fighbird}}''
* 1992: ''{{w|The Brave Fighter of Legend Da-Garn|The Brave of Legend Da-Garn}}''
* 1993: ''{{w|The Brave Express Might Gaine}}''
* 1994: ''{{w|The Brave Police J-Decker}}''
* 1995: ''{{w|The Brave of Gold Goldran}}''
* 1996: ''{{w|Brave Command Dagwon|The Brave Command Dagwon}}''
**1997: ''{{w|lang=ja|勇者指令ダグオン水晶の瞳の少年|The Brave Command Dagwon - The Boy with Crystal Eyes}}''
* 1997: ''{{w|The King of Braves GaoGaiGar}}''
** 1999: ''{{w|The King of Braves GaoGaiGar FINAL}}''
* ''The Saint of the Braves Baan Gaan'' (cancelled, later made into {{w|Brave series#Brave Saga and Brave Saga 2|a video game}})

Toys for these robots were created in two sizes: DX ("deluxe") versions that contained more gimmicks and more complicated transformations, and STD ("standard") versions that contained fewer [[gimmick]]s and more limited transformations (often resorting to [[Partformer|partsforming]]), but often also higher [[Show-accuracy|accuracy]] in reproducing the look of the robot from the anime series. Generally, the toys were created by Takara's [[Takashi Kunihiro]] and Sunrise's [[Kunio Okawara]], doing engineering and design work respectively. The duo had already collaborated in the creation of [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] from the aforementioned ''Transformers Victory''. The toys not engineered by Kunihiro are believed to be engineered by [[Hisashi Yuki]].

==Relationship to ''Transformers''==
The initial concept designs for ''The Brave Exkaiser'', the first ''Brave'' series, were intended to be Transformers designs. While the ''Brave'' robot Ultra Raker was very far along at this stage, the Max team and King Exkaiser bore little resemblance to their final designs.

The ''Brave'' toys also have design elements similar to ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' and ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Transformers, which were released around the same time as the ''Brave'' toys. For example, many of the ''Brave of Legend'' toys have [[Light-piping|light-piped]] eyes thanks to transparent pieces of plastic in their heads, a design element which many ''Generation 2'' Transformers share. The ''Goldran'' DX toyline contains many projectile launchers, something Generation 2 shared as well. In particular, the ''Goldran'' toy "Advenger" contains a rotor-launching gimmick identical to that of the [[Rotor Force]] from ''Generation 2'', and the "Captain Shark" figure has a Gatling-gun style launcher, the same as ''Generation 2'' [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]]. The elbows of Leon from DX Leonkyzer contain ball joints, a design element that gained much broader use during ''Generation 2'' and even more so during the ''Beast Wars'' toyline. In addition, Might Gunner's shoulders have twin barreled cannons on them, in the same manner that [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] does, due to [[Kunio Okawara]] co-designing both characters.

[[Image:DeathsaurusAndRedGeist.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And to think, Red Geist's toy doesn't even have any remolding.]]The Brave Series also reused character designs and toys from previous ''Transformers'' series. It was not uncommon for the recycled designs to appear in a ''Brave'' TV show, but not in toy form. These designs were often significantly augmented to distinguish them from their ''Transformers'' counterparts. For example, the four Geister henchmen in ''Exkaiser'' use character models of four of the five [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] (minus Grimlock), but with all-new faces, body detail and color schemes. Of the designs that did appear in toy form, some of them were retooled to reflect these changes, whereas others were simple recolors. (A complete listing of the reuses follows in the section below.)

One striking difference between the ''Brave'' and ''Transformers'' toy lines is that very few villain robots were released in the ''Brave'' series. This is in sharp contrast to most of the ''Transformers'' series, in which heroes and villains are released in relatively equal numbers (with the exception of ''[[Transformers: Zone (toyline)|Zone]]'' and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]''). Generally speaking, the lack of villain toys is more the norm for such toylines in Japan, with the various ''Transformers'' lines (save for the aforementioned two) being the exception.

Despite the ''Brave'' series's reuse of many ''Transformers'' molds and character designs, ''Brave'' toys have never been reused in a ''Transformers'' toy line. This is likely because the characters that the toys represent are owned by Sunrise, which itself is owned by Takara's rival toy company {{w|Bandai Namco Holdings|Bandai}}. That said, a ''Brave'' mold was finally reused in 2008, when Might Kaiser's trailer was modified and included in TakaraTomy's ''{{w|Tomica Hero: Rescue Force}}'' as part of the toy Zero Fire. Although Hasbro never released ''Brave'' toys in the West, they apparently did receive samples from Takara on [[Media:Dxgoldran.jpg|at least one occasion]].

In addition, the Anime would also utilize some of the animation staff who worked on the franchise prior to this, including animators Nobuyoshi Sasakado, [[Hidetoshi Ōmori]] and [[Masami Obari]], and animation studio [[Nakamura Production]]. [[Munetaka Abe]], [[Masahiro Yamane]] and Toru Yoshida, staples of the ''Brave'' anime, would eventually leak into the ''Transformers'' franchise itself in future instalments.

==Influence on ''Transformers''==
[[Image:Cybprime exkaiser.jpg|right|300px|thumb]]
Similar to ''Brave'' being influenced by ''Transformers'', subsequent ''Transformers'' lines have also been influenced by the ''Brave'' series. The Japanese [[Mini-Con]] [[Kingbolt (Armada)|Kingbolt]]'s coloration and characterization are [[homage]]s to the Brave series ''Exkaiser''. The [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] featured many homages to the ''Brave'' series, most notably the way [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] combines with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] and [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], which is similar to the way GaoGaiGar combines with Goldymarg and Stealth Gao respectively. As well, [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]]'s transformation scheme is almost identical to various car robots from the ''Brave'' series, those being Dran, Dag Fire, and Volfogg. [[Unfinished#Real-world references|The battle between Optimus Prime and Galvatron]] contains several visual references to the final showdown between Great Exkaiser and Dinogeist from the anime series ''The Brave Exkaiser''. The ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' characters [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] are similar to Enryū and Hyōryū from ''GaoGaiGar'', both with respect to their elemental motifs and method of combination. ''Animated'' also has a brief cameo appearance by ''Dagwon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Dug Base|Dag Base]]. ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Esmeral (SG)|Esmeral]]'s color scheme is based on Red Geist, a redeco of [[Esmeral (G1)|her ''Victory'' counterpart]]'s [[Deathsaurus (G1)|husband]]. ''The Brave Police J-Decker'' mecha Duke Fire and Shadowmaru inspired the Autobot drone [[Duke Fire]] and Decepticon [[Greatsix]]. Meanwhile, the human police superintendent Juzo Saejima also inspired the Generation 1 human [[Saejima]].

==Toys and character designs recycled from ''Transformers''==
(''Italicized names'' are non-toy characters.)

===1990 - ''Exkaiser''===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCoGs3mQcl4 Green Raker and Blue Raker] — Originally designed with Transformers in mind<ref>"The Ultra Raker was designed with the Transformers series in mind. There wasn’t much
change in how the transformation worked between this and the finalized version, but the
handheld weapons and how other supplementary items would be shared was still being
thought out." - Designer commentary, ''Sunrise Robot Toy Collection'' by [[TARKUS]], p.11 [https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/brave.98174/page-386#post-5402112 translated at TFW2005]</ref> but released under the ''Brave'' banner.
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Onss3GyaY Armor Geist]'' — [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmPP2kRP5DM Horn Geist]'' — [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRY8gky0PQE Ptera Geist]'' — [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuJTrWuy68Y Thunder Geist]'' — [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]

===1992 - ''Da Garn''===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_37zYGQow00 Red Geist] with Red Breaster — [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] and [[Tigerbreast]] (no [[Eaglebreast]])

===1993 - ''Might Gaine''===
* ''Atlas Epsilon'' — [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]
* ''Atlas Mk.II'' — [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E89XiJOWzIo Gōryū] with Ōwashi — [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]] and [[Speeder]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBkMnRnv3pw Hiryū] with Hayabusa — [[Sonic Bomber (G1)|Sonic Bomber]] and [[Sonic (G1)|Sonic]]
* ''Mega Sonic 8823'' — [[Sonic Bomber (G1)|Sonic Bomber]]

[[Image:BraveShadowmaruKagerouModels.jpg|thumb|250px|One ninja is deadly. A bunch of ninjas are cannonfodder. Two ninjas are... um...]]

===1994 - ''J-Decker''===
* ''Kagerō'' — [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLYgYX7IxLA Shadowmaru] — [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (featured a new head, chest, chest fins, beast head, and entirely new set of weaponry to incorporate a ninja motif; also has slightly more articulation since the bar connecting the lower legs to each other was removed)
* MiniCole Secret Transforming Bases — The [[Micromaster#Generation 1|Micromaster Stations]] (sans Micromasters and including non-transformable ''Brave Police'' figures; never appeared in the show)<ref>[https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/butto/diary/201501310000/ Secret Transforming Base line overview at butto00's blog]</ref>
**Police Station — [[Gasoline Base]]
**Construction Site — [[Ironworks (facility)|Build Base]]
**Airfield — [[Overair (facility)|Airport Base]]
**Fire Station — [[Hot House (facility)|Hot House]]

===1995 - ''Goldran''===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMZgEc78A6Y Death Garry Gun] with Missile Gear — [[Sky Garry (G1)|Sky Garry]] and [[Shotbomber]] (lacking trailer launchers)
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ObWFgDfls Revibaron]'' — [[Sonic Bomber (G1)|Sonic Bomber]] with parts from [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] and [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7caCCFWKc Zazorigun]'' — [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with new head design

===1996 - ''Dagwon''===
* [[Dagbase]] — [[Grandus (G1)|Grandus]] (significant retooling, cannot combine with Star Convoy)
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei2MgBwc8Iw Thunder Dagwon] — [[Galaxy Shuttle]] (significant retooling, including an additional motorcycle/robot that combines for the shuttle's robot mode)

==Fiction==
===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Vector Prime]] was asked whether or not ''Brave'' was a part of the ''Transformers'' [[multiverse]]. Unfortunately, the Prime seemed to have misinterpreted the question. He did, however, express a fondness for the {{w|Brave (2012 film)|adventures of Princess Merida and Queen Elinor}}.

The events of the ''Brave'' anime were later established to take place in the [[Cymond]] Cluster, which bordered the [[Megaverse]] and only possessed a tangential connection to the goings-on elsewhere in the ''Transformers'' multiverse. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

==Notes==
[[File:Hayato_Bravemasters_concept_1.jpg|thumb|right|Saikyō Yūsha Robo Gundan!]]
*It was originally assumed that [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGFHTcC5tlo Duke Fire] from ''The Brave Police J-Decker'' was an homage to [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Notes|New Rodimus]]. However, following a discussion with Duke Fire's designer, this proved to be a coincidence.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Also talked w/TakaraTomy team. Brave's Duke Fire NOT based on "New Rodimus," per designer of Duke Fire. He was not aware of that Rod design.|link=https://twitter.com/tfwiki/status/907253686023458817|site=Twitter|name=TFWiki interview with the TakaraTomy design team|year=2017|month=9|day=11}}</ref>
*''[[Transformers: Bravemasters]]'' was an unrealized proposal by [[Hayato Sakamoto]]. Art of it shown at [[BotCon 2015]] revealed that it would have utilized several offscreen toys from the Movie-related toyline (such as [[Breacher (TF 2010)|Breacher]], whose toy would have been used for the main character) and would have been strongly influenced by the ''Brave'' franchise.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160421114525/http://www.allspark.com/2015/06/best-of-botcon-the-japanese-perspective/ Best Of Botcon: The Japanese Perspective @ The Allspark *via the Internet Archive)]</ref>

==See also==
*''[[Transforming Bullet Train Robot Shinkalion]]''
*''[[Tomica#Tomica Bond Combination Earth Granner|Tomica Bond Combination Earth Granner]]''

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

==External links==
*{{w|Brave series|''Brave'' series}} at Wikipedia
*[http://www.yusha.net/ Official Sunrise ''Brave'' Series website]
*[http://bravewiki.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page ''Brave'' Wiki]
*[[wikia:gaogaigar:GaoGaiGar-Betterman Wiki|''The GaoGaiGar''-''Betterman'' Wiki]].
*[http://mamao2.cside.com/ MAOMAO2's Room (Japanese)]
*[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?t=98174 The TFW2005 forum ''Brave'' thread]

[[Category:Japanese franchises]]
[[Category:Non-Transformers toylines]]
[[Category:Other TakaraTomy properties]]

Duke Fire

2023-07-31T02:42:35Z

Ducktimus: copyedit/refernece

:''Duke Fire is an [[Autobot]] drone from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:RG1 93 rodimii.jpg|thumb|right|The chassis in the upper left.|upright=1.5]]

'''Duke Fire''' is [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s power-up drone partner who would be used to save [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]]'s life.

==Fiction==
====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Primax 092.0 Beta]], Duke Fire was constructed as a power-up device for Optimus Prime's new form, Star Convoy. However in the conflict against [[Dark Nova]], Rodimus was severely injured defending [[Micro|Zone]] from a [[Galaman|Great Galaman]] invasion. Subsequently, Rodimus's essence was transferred into Duke Fire, and thus he became known as Fire Rodimus. Star Convoy and Fire Rodimus's powerful combined form, Supernova Convoy, defeated [[Dark Nova|Star Giant]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Ultra Megatron]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/15}}

==Notes==
[[File:TFGRodimus.jpg|upright=0.7|thumb|]]

*'''New Rodimus''' was the tentative name for an unproduced [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] toy concept revealed in the Japanese book ''[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|Transformers Generations]]''. Unlike his predecessors, he would have transformed into a fire engine. According to the caption in the book, New Rodimus would have come out after [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#The Battlestars story pages and manga|Star Convoy]], and his transformation would involve splitting at the waist. Coincidentally, the ''[[Brave (franchise)|Brave]]'' toy/character '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGFHTcC5tlo Duke Fire]''' (デュークファイヤー ''Dyūku Faiyā'') used a similar transformation scheme<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Also talked w/TakaraTomy team. Brave's Duke Fire NOT based on "New Rodimus," per designer of Duke Fire. He was not aware of that Rod design.|link=https://twitter.com/tfwiki/status/907253686023458817|site=Twitter|name=TFWiki interview with the TakaraTomy design team|year=2017|month=9|day=11}}</ref>. For many years fans mistakenly assumed the similarity to be intentional; hence when Ask Vector Prime retroactively created an origin for the Fire Rodimus from [[Destiny, Part Three|''Regeneration One'' #93]], his body module was named in homage to Duke Fire.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Fan Club-original characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 drones]]

Snarl (Animated)

2023-07-31T01:24:50Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ G-stone(s)

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Snarl}}
:''Snarl is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:TFAnimated Snarl.jpg|256px|thumb|"Me Snarl think lost 80 pounds?"]]
'''Snarl''' is a ''Triceratops'' [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobot]]. Built quite a bit better than a tank, there's nothing he enjoys more than taking the nearest solid object and headbutting it. It's not so much the mindless destruction he likes, it's just that Snarl thoroughly enjoys being strong, and smashing things to powder seems like the best way of expressing this. And if he needs to mix things up a little, being able to [[Fire-breath|breathe fire]] hot enough to melt a garbage truck helps.

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|N/A (English), [[Takashi Nagasako]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:SnarlswoopBlastfromthepast.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"{{w|Marjorine|Damn, Ken.}}"]]
Snarl, like the other two [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]], began life as an animatronic robot at [[Dino Drive]], where he/it was damaged by an over-enthusiastic [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]. He was upgraded with Cybertronian technology in [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]]'s lab (with the help of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]), and further modified by a burst of [[AllSpark]] energy. He then spent his time breathing fire and breaking things such as [[Captain Fanzone's car]]. He also swallowed a missile, which is just beyond cool.

He, along with [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]], did not [[Transformation|transform]] during the course of his early life. It is possible he didn't know he could do it until [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] discovered he could. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}}

[[File:Anisnarlsurvivalofthefittest.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"[[Slag (slang)|Slag]] you [[Dinobot (Animated)|guys]], me Snarl goin' home."]]
He was later forced by the villain [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]] to guard the research facility Meltdown had commandeered on an island in Lake Erie, and to attack the Autobots [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and Bulkhead. Once Meltdown was trapped and unable to hurt him, he demonstrated he'd learned to transform and joined his fellow Dinobots in threatening the acid-thrower. However, before Meltdown could be hurt, Snarl's attention was diverted to [[Colossus Rhodes]] and two of [[Fusion creature|Meltdown's mutants]], and he and the other Dinobots had fun beating up on them instead. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest}}

Following a sharp increase in Decepticon activity on [[Earth]], [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], Bulkhead, and Prowl went to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] to ask the Dinobots to help fight the coming invasion. Grimlock first
ordered the Dinobots to attack, and Snarl started to obey, but Prowl got them all to stop. Grimlock then insisted that the Dinobots could "destroy robots" by themselves, to which Prime retorted that the Dinobots were robots too. Grasping this concept with gusto, Snarl then started fighting Grimlock but was easily tossed aside by his leader. The three Dinobots began to tackle the robot problem... starting with the 'bot in the mirror. The Autobots left them to their task. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

When investigating Dinobot Island for traces of the Allspark and any Decepticons, Optimus Prime, [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] were confronted by the Dinobots. After insulting them, Sentinel was floored by Grimlock whilst Snarl looked on, brandishing his club. After Ultra Magnus held aloft his mighty hammer, the Dinobots transformed and backed off into the forest. {{storylink|The Elite Guard|The Elite Guard}} Some time later, [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] was rampaging due to a foot injury, and Snarl seemed to be staying out of his way. Whether he was scared or just confused is unknown. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

After aiding with rescuing [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]], Snarl as well as the other Dinobots saw her as an item of worship, doing her every bidding. He assisted in the prison break of [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]]. However, upon returning with the prize, the only reward he and Swoop got was a scorching stream of stolen [[Fire-breath|special power]]. He didn't seem too put out by this, though, as later he loyally guarded his mistress's [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Autobot]] [[Prowl (Animated)|captives]]. Snarl also helped saved the day by bonking [[Fusion creature|Meltdown's ruffians]] over the head, scaring them off. After Blackarachnia abandoned them, Snarl didn't seem too fussed. {{storylink|Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday}} When an oil rig was teleported out to Lake Erie, Snarl and the other Dinobots watched it explode violently from the shores of Dinobot Island. {{storylink|Three's a Crowd}}

Blackarachnia eventually returned to Dinobot Island, where she took up manipulating the Dinobots again. After kidnapping the rogue Autobot [[Wasp]], she ordered Snarl, Swoop and Grimlock to stand guard while she performed an experiment on her victim. They were soon set upon by Wasp's pursuers; [[Elite Guard]] members Sentinel Prime, [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]]. Before Snarl could react, Jetstorm blew him into a wall with a burst of wind, knocking him unconscious. Just to be safe, Sentinel poked the Dinobot's inert body with his [[lance]], causing it to be covered in a minor rockfall. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising}}

[[File:TFAni Human Error Part2 Beachbum Scrapper.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|He's no Friday, but he'll do.]]
Snarl later found the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicon]] [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]], who had washed up on Dinobot Island following the oil rig explosion. Scrapper decided to make the Dinobot his pet and gave him his name (he was tempted to name him "Slag", but Snarl took it as an insult). Grimlock and Swoop did not take this very well and branded Snarl as a traitor. [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] later found the two and convinced them to help save her Autobot allies from [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] and also found some unexpected help from [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]]. These "[[substitute Autobot]]s" soon found Soundwave and the other Autobots, the latter of whom had been reprogrammed. The battle did not go so well for them, but thanks to some strategic thinking from Sari, they were able to defeat Soundwave and return the Autobots back to normal. Following their victory, Scrapper tried riding Snarl back to Dinobot Island, but the Dinobot responded by kicking him and forcing him to drive. {{storylink|Human Error, Part II}}
{{-}}

===Titan ''Animated'' comic===
[[File:Titan23 poorSnarl.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Grimmy better ''pray'' that Snarl doesn't read ''[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!]]'' and get ideas...]]

Starscream clones got in Snarl's way, and he hated that so much he spontaneously gained the power of speech just to tell them that. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 17|Dino-MIGHT!}}

Later on, he was infected with a Rage virus that caused him to tear around Dinobot Island and badly injure Grimlock. When the Autobots arrived to investigate, Snarl tore into Ratchet and ran off with his spare drink flask before hitting Grimlock some more. Bumblebee got the flask back and [[Afterburn]] cured him of the virus. {{storylink|Animated Comic issue 2|Ratchet & Grimlock Are DEAD?}}

Later still, he bore mute and annoyed witness to Grimlock warring with Swoop over the answer on a TV quiz show (Grimlock was wrong). {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Divebomb}}
{{--}}

===''The Cool'' comic===
[[File:TheCoolDinobotsGroup01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left]]

When [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] and [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] attacked Dinobot Island, the Dinobots responded immediately to the threat. Snarl did absolutely nothing outside of standing and looking imposing, but it was enough to drive the Decepticons off. After a brief misunderstanding, the Dinobots and Autobots parted as friends; the Dinobots vowing to help in time of battle. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 3}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===''Animated''===
[[File:Snarl animated toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Me Snarl not [[Slag (G1)|sociopath]], me just play one on TV.]]
*'''Snarl''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-18'''
**''Accessories'': [[Club]]
{{toydesigner|[[Eric Siebenaler]] (Hasbro), [[Takashi Kunihiro]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Part of the third wave of ''Animated'' Deluxes, Snarl transforms into a robotic ''Triceratops''. His shoulderpads/hind leg hips feature spring-loaded pop out "flames". He comes with a large club which does not store in his [[beast mode]] anywhere. Unlike promotional stock photos, his club and dinosaur forehead are unpainted, though in the latter case this is actually more accurate to the animation model. The promotional photos also showed his front horn assembled upside down, but it's turned the right way around on the final toy. While there are pegs intended to keep his waist together, they do not click, and so the legs are quite loose. The toy features orange [[light-piping]] engineered into the head, but the gimmick is disabled by the eyes being painted blue.

:His instructions feature a battle mode... but it's just pointing his beast mode head forward in [[robot mode]].

:Snarl was one of biggest [[Shelfwarmer|pegwarmers]] of the ''Animated'' toyline in the United Kingdom, still lurking in several Toys 'R' Us stores in 2011 next to the new ''Dark of the Moon'' toys.

:This toy was later [[redeco]]ed (without the club) into [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)#Japanese toyline|''Adventure'']] [[Slug (FOC)#Adventure|Slug]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Snarl/snarl.htm More information on Snarl at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
* Snarl was obviously designed to be the ''Animated'' incarnation of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] named [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], and preproduction shots even bore that name. Hasbro was able to secure the United States [[trademark]] for "Slag" unopposed and even renewed it as recently as Christmas 2007. However, as revealed by Hasbro representatives at [[BotCon 2008]], they are not using "Slag" as a product name because it is a {{w|Slag (slang)|negative slang}} term in the United Kingdom (meaning, roughly, "slut") which might have affected toy sales. Beginning in [[2012]], "Snarl" would be superseded by "[[Slug (disambiguation)|Slug]]" for the Dinobot ''Triceratops'' in other continuities.
* Snarl and [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] did not have any lines in the cartoon. Reportedly, this is due to limitations on the number of voice actors that can be used in an episode, and the number of characters they can voice in one as well. [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] remarked at [[BotCon 2008]] that his ideal voice for Snarl would be comedian {{w|Louie Anderson}}. Their lack of dialogue would be used for a gag in "[[Transformers Comic issue 23|Divebomb]]". Both Dinobots speak in the Japanese dub, but thus far have only managed their names.
* In the cartoon, Scrapper gave Snarl his name rather late in the series. In the Titan comic, others were calling him by name well before that event.
* The green hexagonal jewels on Snarl's hips and shoulders are nigh identical to the G-Stone, the central power-up MacGuffin from ''The King of Braves GaoGaiGar'', the last of Takara's [[Brave (franchise)|Brave series]].
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Snarl''' (スナール ''Sunāru'')

==See also==
{{OtherVersions
|charname=Snarl
|disambig=Slug (disambiguation)
|body=
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]], the [[Autobot]] [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] ''Triceratops'' from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].
*[[Slug (FOC)|Slug]], the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobot]] ''Triceratops'' from the [[Aligned continuity family]].
*[[Slug (AOE)|Slug]], the [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] ''Triceratops'' from ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|Age of Extinction]]''.
*[[Slug (Cyberverse)|Slug]], the [[Dinobot (Cyberverse)|Dinobot]] ''Triceratops'' from ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Cyberverse]]''.}}

[[Category:Animated Autobots]]
[[Category:Demolitions specialists]]
[[Category:Dinobots]]

Optimus Primal (BW)/toys

2023-07-31T00:31:08Z

Ducktimus: caption, redirect broken link to archive.org

{{suite}}
[[File:Optimus Primal toys.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Monkey see, Monkey screw you up!]]
'''[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]''' has had a barrel full of toys. None of them [[Optimus Minor|monkeys]]!

==Toys==
===''Beast Wars''===
[[File:BWtoy-Primalbat.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Cheetor. ''Cheetor.'' I'm Batman.]]
* '''Optimus Primal vs Megatron!''' (Basic Class versus two-pack, 1996)
**''Takara name:'' '''Amazon no Taiketsu: Convobat VS Megalligator'''
**''Takara ID number:'' '''VS-6'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 swords
{{toydesigner|[[Takio Ejima]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

:The first ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Optimus Primal was a Basic Class blue bat which could autotransform into a robot by pulling the tail. Two swords were removable from under its wings for use as weaponry in [[robot mode]]. In the [[Hasbro]] line, he was packaged along with an [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|alligator version of Megatron]] and a [[Optimus Primal vs Megatron!|''Beast Wars'' mini-comic]]. The Japanese release of the two-pack, dubbed "Amazon Showdown" (アマゾンの対決 ''Amazon no Taiketsu''), lacks the comic, but does come with individual character bio cards.

:Whether this toy can be considered the Optimus Primal character is a matter of debate. Released before the animated series began, which established Optimus Primal as a separate entity from Optimus Prime, the accompanying profiles and mini-comic imply that the Beast Wars are a direct progression of the Autobot/Decepticon war. Whether the animated series's [[retcon]] affected this set of toys is probably a matter of personal preference. It can be interpreted as representing one of the more interesting micro-continuities.

:The 2007 ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' asserted that, in [[Beast Wars timeline (IDW)|IDW's version of the ''Beast Wars'' continuity]], Primal's bat form was suggested by the ''Axalon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s computer as a potential alt mode, but he rejected it in favour of the more powerful gorilla without ever actually reformatting into it. Thus, this [[micro-continuity]] posits bat mode Primal as an essentially theoretical alt-form that never actually came to be.

:This mold was also used to make the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#VSS1|Optimus Prime-recolored Convobat]] (explicitly identified as Optimus Prime), the separate individual [[Convobat#Toys|Convobat]], [[Onyx Primal#Toys|Onyx Primal]] as well as inspire the comic character [[Nyx]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Maximal/OptimusPrimalBat/optimusprimal.htm More information on Optimus Primal (bat) at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|FirstUltra}}
[[File:Optimusprimaltoyultraape.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Yes, missiles come out of his butt.]]
[[File:Prizeprimals.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Brass monkeys.]]
* '''Optimus Primal''' (Ultra Class, 1996/1997/1998)
**''Takara name:'' '''Convoy'''
**''Takara ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 "spinal swords", 4 "mega-blast missiles", "mace whip"
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: The second Optimus Primal toy was an ape in the Ultra size class. Though the transformation from primate to humanoid was a relatively simplistic one, the toy compensated with more than a fair share of weaponry and action features. A compartment on his right forearm opened to reveal a skull-shaped "mace whip" he could hold in his fist. His left forearm could open into a double-barreled "mega-blast missile" launcher. On his back were two more spring-loaded "mega-blast missile cannons"/launchers which auto-flipped over each shoulder. By pulling a lever in the center of his back, both arms would either spin at the bicep or bend in and out at the elbow, depending on the placement of notch-buttons located on either bicep. This gimmick was shown to be an effort to simulate a gorilla beating its chest while Optimus was in [[beast mode]], but could also be used in robot mode, making him swing his weapons wildly before himself. And finally, like many first-year ''Beast Wars'' toys, a battle mask/"[[mutant head]]" could be deployed over his robot head. The mask is attached to a turntable around the neck, meaning it can either be deployed over Primal's face (with the forehead vent visible) or covering the back of his head, with the red plastic showing through to create a different look and the antenna folded down to make tusks (the intended configuration as per Primal's concept art<ref>[https://www.tfraw.com/p/beast-wars-concept.html?m=1 "Beast Wars Toy Concept Designs" on TFRaw]</ref>).

:The European version released in English/Spanish/Italian ''Beast Wars/Biocombat'' packaging featured the additional alternate name "Black Jack" for the Italian market, whereas the ''other'' European version released in French/Dutch/German ''Beast Wars/Ani Mutants'' packaging was simply named "Optimus Primal" just like the United States version.

:Takara released the toy under the name of "Convoy" as part of their ''Beast Wars'' line in July of 1997, nearly identical to the Hasbro version. The missiles for the Takara version are thinner and simpler than the original Hasbro version, and would be used in all subsequent releases of the sculpt.

:This sculpt was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Optimus Primal and [[Transformers: Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Beast Wars Telemocha Series]] DX Convoy, and [[retool]]ed into ''Beast Wars Reborn''/''Beast Wars Tenth Anniversary'' versus pack Optimus Primal. Takara also created multiple special variants, including all-gold (from ''[[TV Magazine]]'', only ten awarded), red body with gray head & chest plate (''TV Magazine'' again, but only twenty pieces for lucky draw), and blue-fur (a ''[[Comic Bom Bom]]'' design-contest prize, only thirty awarded).

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Maximal/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Optimus Primal (gorilla) at TFU.info]''
{{BWUltraOptimusPrimalMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|singleConvobat}}
*'''Convobat''' (Basic, July 1997)
**''ID number:'' '''C-6'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 swords

: "Convobat" was also available in Japan as a single boxed toy. This release is identical to the two-pack version.

: This toy would go without Japanese market fiction until all the way in [[2021]], when it was [[Scorching Heat Showdown|finally characterized...]] as a [[Convobat#Beast Wars|yet third guy.]] [[Megalligator#Beast Wars|At least they're symmetrical now.]]

{{-}}{{anchor|VS1}}{{anchor|VSOptimus}}
[[File:BW-toy VS01 Convoy Megatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Megatron, master of manspreading.]]
*'''Saikyō Beast no Taiketsu: Convoy VS Megatron''' (VS pack, July 1997)
**''ID number:'' '''VS-1'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 swords, 4 missiles, flail

:In Japan, Ultra "Convoy" was available both individually and in a ''very large'' "Strongest Beast Showdown" (最強ビーストの対決 ''Saikyō Beast no Taiketsu'') two-pack with Ultra [[Megatron (BW)/toys#VS1|Megatron]].

: Both toys are identical to their individual releases.
{{BWUltraOptimusPrimalMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|MicroVerse2}}
[[File:BW Biocombat Ani Mutants Orcanoch.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Maximal Orcanoch Micro Playset''' (Playset, 1997)

:In Europe, the ''Beast Wars''-branded ''[[MicroVerse]]'' playsets (see below) were released solely as ''Beast Wars/Biocombat'' (English/Spanish/Italian packaging) or ''Beast Wars/Ani Mutants'' (French/Dutch/German packaging) products.

:This release is entirely identical to the [[#MicroVerse|US ''MicroVerse'' release]] of the toy, aside from the packaging and the branding.

{{-}}{{anchor|Gray}}
* '''Special Convoy Real Gray Type''' (1998)
**''ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 swords, 4 missiles, flail

:In January of 1998, Takara released a redeco of the Ultra Optimus Primal toy as '''Special Convoy Real Gray Type''' (スペシャルコンボイリアルグレータイプ), changing the black to dark gray, the blue eyes of Gorilla to red, and the blue to metallic blue, although the packaging was the same as the original release save for a sticker on the front of the box. According to the sticker, this limited figure was meant to celebrate the "20,000,000 Unit Breakthrough Commemoration"—apparently commemorating ''20 million'' units of Beast Wars toys sold. Whether this was supposed to represent 20 million worldwide or just in Japan is unclear.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Maximal/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Special Convoy Real Gray Type at TFU.info (scroll down)]''
{{BWUltraOptimusPrimalMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Clear}}
* '''Special Convoy Skeleton Type''' (1998?)
**''ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 swords, 4 missiles, flail

: A [[Toys"R"Us]]-[[exclusive]] redeco of the Ultra figure, '''Special Convoy Skeleton Type''' (スペシャルコンボイスケルトンタイプ) was colorless-clear and black with silver paint detailing. The packaging was the same as the general release except for a sticker on the front of the box.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1997/Cybertron/ClearConvoy/clearconvoy.htm More information on Special Convoy Skeleton Type at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Burning}}
[[File:BW-toy OptimusPrimalBurning.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Grape Ape's lesser-known cousin Cherry Ape. Currently an insurance broker in Oak Park, Illinois.]]
* '''Burning Convoy''' (1998)
**''ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 swords, 4 missiles, flail

: A Takara redeco of the Ultra Class Primal toy in almost entirely semitransparent red plastic with with metallic gold "flame" markings on his fists and gorilla-mode chest.

: He was released as a limited-edition figure to promote the [[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers|''Beast Wars Special'' movie]], alongside the [[Lio Convoy#Flash|Flash Lio Convoy]] toy. As with the above "Skeleton Type" toy, his packaging and paperwork is identical to the regular retail release; only a sticker on the box window was added to mark the special release.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1998/Cybertron/BurningConvoy/burningconvoy.htm More information on Burning Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TM1}}{{anchor|MegaTransmetal}}
[[File:BWtoy-PrimalTM.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Check out those abs!]]
* '''Optimus Primal''' (Mega Class Transmetal, 1998)
**''Takara name:'' '''Metals Convoy'''
**''Takara ID number:'' '''C-40'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, two clubs/missiles
{{toydesigner|[[Jerry Palmer]] (Hasbro), [[Takio Ejima]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal is a mechanical gorilla that transforms into a partially organic robot. Like all Transmetals, it featured chromed plastic and a third vehicle-inspired mode. In Primal's case, his gorilla mode could transform into a gorilla on a [[hoverboard]]. Two maces were stored on his back and could double as missiles for his hip-holstered blaster.

:Continuing a trend from Generation 1 where Italian releases of toys representing the same characters as previous toys released under the same name were sometimes given names that didn't reflect the Italian market names of those previous releases, the European version released in English/Spanish/Italian ''Beast Wars''/''Biocombat'' packaging featured the additional alternate name "Metal Gorilla" for the Italian market. Like with the Ultra figure, the ''other'' European version released in French/Dutch/German ''Beast Wars''/''Ani Mutants'' packaging was simply named "Optimus Primal" just like the United States version.

: Some units feature a chromed purple variant for the Beast Mode chest.

: [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s version of the toy exchanged the brown plastic for translucent maroon; other changes included additional paint on the waist and a different eye color. The figure was also available in a set with Transmetal Megatron.

: This mold was used to make [[Apelinq (BM)#Toys|Apelinq]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1998/Maximal/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Transmetal Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|OptimalOptimus}}
[[File:BWtoy-OpOp.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|It's really about two modes, not four, if you're honest.]]
* '''Optimal Optimus''' (Super Class Transmetal, 1998)
**''Takara name:'' '''Metals Powered Convoy'''
**''Takara ID number:'' '''C-47'''
**''Accessories:'' One gun, four missiles, six break-away armor plates
{{toydesigner|[[Jerry Palmer]] (Hasbro)|[[Daniel Sanfilippo]] (deco artist), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: Transmetal Optimal Optimus was the first toy in the Super size class, featuring electronics and four transformations: robot, ape, jet, and armored transport. When a back section of the cannon module was pulled, the eyes and shoulder-mounted missile launchers lit up and the launchers fired. It came with four missiles, two of which stored on its legs. Its forearms featured blast-away armor plates that could also be pegged to its upper arms. His cockpit perfectly fits a [[MicroVerse]] figure in the seat.

: Optimal Optimus's on-package [[bio]] states that he has Cybertronian "air guardian" technology and twin scramjet modules, most likely in reference to [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], whose function was Air Guardian, and his Tech Specs said he had these same scramjet modules.

: The European version released in English/Spanish/Italian ''Beast Wars''/''Biocombat'' packaging featured the most bizarre choice for the additional alternate name for the Italian market yet, naming ''this'' figure "Optimus Primal" (!). Once again, the ''other'' European version released in French/Dutch/German ''Beast Wars''/''Ani Mutants'' packaging was simply named "Optimal Optimus" just like the United States version.

: This toy was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' character [[Optimal]]. This sculpt was also used to make [[Primal Prime]], with a redesign that had separate triggers for the missile-lighting and missile-launching so users would be less likely to shoot themselves in the eye. This body was also the template for [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s (non-toy) "Optimal" body, seen in "[[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future]]".

: The Japanese version features several deco changes including: a more yellow shade of orange, no blue paint on the helmet in robot mode, and black tires instead of purple. Also, the translucent missiles are molded slightly differently. This changed mold was also used by Primal Prime.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1998/Maximal/OptimalOptimus/optimaloptimus.htm More information on Optimal Optimus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VS40}}{{anchor|MetalsVs}}
*'''Fateful Showdown: Metals Convoy VS Metals Megatron''' (VS pack, 1999)
**''ID number:'' '''VS-40'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, two clubs/missiles

: In Japan, Metals Convoy was available both individually and in a "Fateful Showdown" (宿命の対決 ''Shukumei no Taiketsu'') two-pack with [[Megatron (BW)/toys#VS40|Metals Megatron]]. Both toys are identical to their individual releases.

: As mentioned below, this two-pack saw a variant release using the Gold Convoy and Silver Megatron toys in their place. While the figures inside the packaging were different, the packaging remained the same.

{{-}}{{anchor|GoldTransmetal}}
[[File:GoldConvoySilverMegatron.jpg|upright=0.6|thumb|"Oh? You're approaching me? Instead of running away, you come right to me?"]]
*'''Gold Metals Convoy''' (Lucky Draw, 1999)
**''ID number:'' '''C-40'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, two clubs/missiles

: A gold version of Metals Convoy was made available as a [[Lucky Draw]] figure. Five were produced for individual sale, while more were made available in a variant of the above VS pack with [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Silver Megatron]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=ゴールドコンボイ
シルバーメガトロン(各5名)
此方は単品箱版となっており他にもVS-40 宿命の対決セットで同仕様のモノが他雑誌でプレゼントされている(後々紹介予定)。セット版は秋葉原まんだらけやヤフオク等で長期に渡って販売されていたので見たことある方も多いのでは？|link= https://web.archive.org/web/20210710054142/https://twitter.com/kongoriki/status/900705968043868160|name=Kongoriki|site=Twitter|year=2017|month=08|day=24|(defunct=no)}}</ref>

{{-}}{{anchor|PioneerTransmetal}}

*'''Silver Metals Convoy''' (DVD pack-in, 1999)
**''ID number:'' '''C-40'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, two clubs/missiles

: Often referred to among the fandom as "Pioneer Primal", Silver Metals Convoy was available via an offer on a ''Beast Wars'' Pioneer DVD. The figure swaps out the blue chrome for silver and places the word "Cybertron" with "Pioneer" on his beast mode chest. Silver Metals Convoy was only limited to 100 pieces.
{{--}}

===''MicroVerse''===
[[File:BWMicroversetoy-Primal.jpg|100px|thumb|Seamunky?]]
*'''Maximal Orcanoch Micro Playset''' (Playset, 1997)
**''Series'': '''''Beast Wars: Transformers'''''

: Part of the short-lived ''[[MicroVerse]]'' toyline (from before [[Hasbro]]'s acquisition of rival [[Galoob]] and their micro-toy empire), [[Orcanoch]] transforms into a Maximal base. It came with tiny, non-transforming versions of Optimus Primal and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]. These figures were designed to sit in the various mini-vehicles and control modules of the ''MicroVerse'' playsets.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1997/Maximal/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on ''MicroVerse'' Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Beast Machines''===
[[File:BM-toy OpPrimalDx.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I am the exact opposite of show-accurate.]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Deluxe Class, 2000)
**''Accessories'': Energy [[shuriken]]
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Tim Bradley]] (concept artist)}}

: The first ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' Optimus Primal is a dark bronze and translucent blue technorganic gorilla that transforms into a technorganic robot. Based on early concept art, he has a...loose relationship to show accuracy, with a skeletal beast mode face and entirely different arms. Thankfully his gimmicks ''are'' more or less accurate. His right robot mode arm is spring-loaded to throw the shuriken that stores in his left leg (the ape mode's left shoulder). Like all ''Beast Machines'' toys, he has a hidden "[[spark crystal]]" that displays his faction allegiance; Primal's is in his chest, revealed with the spring-loaded "flexing" motion that also moves his beast mode face up for snarling while posing. His robot mode head also features a changing expression via sliding brow/skullcap.

: Official [[Hasbro]] stock photography of this toy shows a differently-molded shuriken, lacking the "energy flame" effect.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Beast Machines Optimus Primal (Deluxe) at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|McDonaldsBM}}
[[File:BMtoy-PrimalMcD.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''Monkey play in the Jungle'' ''Robot work in the Factory'' ''They will have a Giant Rumble''!]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Happy Meal toy, 2000)

: McDonald's ''Beast Machines'' Optimus Primal is an incredibly simple toy that transforms from a technorganic robot to technorganic ape. Its sculpted detail is based directly that of the television show's model for Primal. It uses translucent plastic for the body, and, like the other McDonald's ''Beast Machines'' toys, there's a sculpted spark crystal on the toy's surface; on Optimus Primal, it is placed on the stomach. Additionally, there are two organic flaps on the toy's back, and in robot mode, nobody's entirely sure exactly what to do with them. Are they rotated all the way down to make his booster jets? Are they rotated out to the sides to make the backs of his shoulder pads? Are they rotated back to where they go in gorilla mode, once you get his heads swapped? We may never know.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/McOptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Beast Machines Optimus Primal (McDonald's) at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BlastPunch}}
[[File:BMtoy-PrimalMega.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''Monkey mates in the Jungle'' ''Robot replicated in Factory'' ''They both love their Mother'' ''Why must they hate each other''?]]
*'''Blast Punch Optimus Primal''' (Mega Class, 2001)
**''Accessories'': Missile
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:One of the last toys released in the ''Beast Machines'' line (under the "Battle for the Spark" rebranding), "Blast Punch" Optimus Primal transforms into a technorganic gorilla more like the show model, though with a considerably brighter color scheme. His main [[gimmick]] is his left arm, which contains a hidden missile launcher. Pushing down on his shoulder armor "winds" the mechanism in his gauntlet. Pushing the spark crystal on his bicep spins his gauntlet around, simultaneously triggering the spring-loaded missile launcher and activating his spring-loaded ramming "blast punch" action, extending his fist forward nearly a full inch. He also has hidden jet thrusters under a panel on his back. In beast mode, a small button on the top of his head pushes his upper face up in a "snarling" action.

:Due to the small size of the two gears used to rotate the forearm, manually transforming Optimus's left arm can damage the gimmick to the point of no longer working. The soft plastic used in the gears prevents them from crumbling apart and allowing them to be glued to the pin, but damage can be prevented by using the wind-up mechanism exclusively to transform the arm. If it must be moved by hand, turning the forearm in the same direction as the motor allow the larger gears to safely ratchet to minimize damage.

:Blast Punch Optimus Primal was [[#Beast Wars Returns|the only Japanese release]] of a ''Beast Machines'' toy of Primal, with the only difference between the releases is that Convoy has blue eyes in robot mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Maximal/BlastPunchOptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Blast Punch Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Jollibee}}
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Jollibee Kids Meal, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Pen Keeper

: Optimus Primal was available as one of three figures in a [[Jollibee]] promotion. The toy is a greatly simplified version of his ''Beast Machines'' Deluxe toy.

===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RIDtoy-Suprimal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Monkey versus robot!]]
* '''Air Attack Optimus Primal''' (Supreme Class, 2002)
**''Accessories'': Disc
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:Intended for release in the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' toyline, Air Attack Optimus Primal was eventually released as a [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] as part of the ''Robots in Disguise'' toyline. Positively oozing light-and-sound gimmicks in both modes, Optimus Primal does ''all'' sorts'a crazy crap, all of which is first activated by pressing his chest plate. Doing so "turns on" his electronics with a metallic shrieking noise, and the toy proceeds to hum constantly while the chest glows with a red LED. The electronics will eventually "turn off" if the toy is left idle, but you don't want to do that! You want to push his head (in either mode), which activates glowing lights in his eyes and actual speech samples of [[Garry Chalk]] from the ''Beast Machines'' cartoon (making Primal the first English-speaking ''Transformers'' toy to have speech clips performed by his actual cartoon voice actor). On top of that, the toy also features a pressure-launching disc-shooter in its robot mode stomach (accompanied by blasting sound effect), and a geared right arm with a spring-loaded punch action (and suitably pained electronic grunt).

:The ''big'' feature— the one that gives the toy its name— is his jetpack, which pops out (with translucent blue jet flames trailing behind) at the push of a button. This puts the toy into "flight mode", and it constantly produces the sound of whooshing jets, which then rises and falls depending on how the figure is held. Tilt him upwards, and the pitch rises as he ascends! Tilt him down, and ''zoom!'' When the jetpack is not deployed, the jet flames are folded up and form Primal's backplate, with the flame blast effect details being repurposed as ape fur.

:Also, he has a butt on his head.

:The [[Gold_Plastic_Syndrome|sparkly brown plastic]] in this figure's chest and legs is prone to breaking.

:The toy's packaging features both an Autobot and Maximal insignia. The Maximal symbol used, however, is the one used during the "Beast Wars" rather than the one from "Beast Machines", the toyline this toy was meant to be part of.

: This toy was released in Japan on [[August 8]], 2002 as a Toys"R"Us-exclusive "[[USA Edition]]".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Maximal/SupremeOptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Air Attack Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:Universe2003toy-Primal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Kinda looks like Don Rickles, don't you think?]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Ultra Class, 2003)
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail

:A redeco of the [[#FirstUltra|original Ultra Class Optimus Primal]] mold, with a color scheme that reflects the "infected" look several other toys were sporting in this line, reflecting the events taking place in-fiction. He retains all weapons and gimmicks of the previous releases of this mold, but with a reworked system for his arm mechanism, making his crazy arm swinging much more controlled.

: This toy was released in Japan in [[August]], 2003 as an [[e-HOBBY]]-exclusive "[[USA Edition]]".

:This deco was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as the ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' incarnation of [[Optimus Primal (BWSG)|Optimus Primal]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Universe Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''
{{BWUltraOptimusPrimalMold}}
{{--}}

===''Robotmasters''===
[[File:RMtoy-Primal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|There he is, my littler guy.]]
*'''Beast Convoy''' ([[August 5]], 2004)
**''ID number:'' '''RM-11'''
**''Accessories:'' Two "Cyber Blades", sword connector, missile launcher, missile

:Part of the second wave of ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)#Toys|Robotmasters]]'' toys, Beast Convoy is a more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] mold primarily based upon the original Ultra Class Optimus Primal figure, and using the original Ultra Class toy's color scheme. The mouthplate features an engraved mouth, although it is painted silver like the rest of the face, and lacks the Mutant Head from the original figure.

:Both forearms contain small, non-firing cannons in them (and thus a skull mace is not included), which can be revealed by flipping up the panels on his arms. Similarly, the missile launchers from the Ultra-class version of the toy have been replaced by non-firing cannons based more closely on the ones from the TV show.

:Beast Convoy features open-palmed hands, thus preventing him from holding both of his swords in the same hand, but a small connector-piece is included to connect the swords together, allowing Beast Convoy to hold the lower sword with the upper sword connected.

:Like [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Robotmasters|Beast Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Robotmasters|G1 Convoy]], Beast Convoy comes with a generic blue missile launcher which can fit in his palm.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/BeastConvoy/beastconvoy.htm More information on Beast Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RMBURN}}
* '''Burning Beast Convoy''' ([[December 28]], 2004)
**''ID number:'' '''RM-21'''
**''Accessories:'' Two "Cyber Blades", missile launcher, missile

:A recolor of the above Beast Convoy mold, this toy uses the "Burning Convoy" color scheme from the ''Beast Wars II'' movie from where he partnered with Lio Convoy, turning them into Burning Convoy and Flash Lio Convoy respectively. This release did ''not'' include the tiny sword connector part.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/BurningConvoy/burningconvoy.htm More information on Burning Beast Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RMBLACK}}
*'''Beast Convoy Limited Black Version''' (2005)
**''Accessories:'' Two "Cyber Blades", sword connector, missile launcher, missile, "Boost Hammer"

: Available only via mail order through ''Hobby Japan'' magazine, the "Limited Black Version" of Beast Convoy is just that: a straight [[black repaint]] of the Beast Convoy toy. He comes with all his original accessories, appropriately redecoed, as well as a gold-chromed version of the "[[Boost Hammer]]" [[solitarium]] weapon that came with [[Wrecker Hook]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/HHBeastConvoy/beastconvoy.htm More information on Beast Convoy Limited Black Version at TFU.info]''

===''Beast Wars Returns''===
*'''Convoy''' ([[November 18]], [[2004]])
**''ID number'': '''BR-01'''
**''Accessories'': Missile

:The Mega Class [[#BlastPunch|Blast Punch Optimus Primal]] toy was released in Japan in 2004 as "Convoy" as part of the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)#Japan|Beast Wars Returns]]'' line, exclusive to [[Toys"R"Us]] stores. The only difference between the releases is that Convoy has blue eyes in robot mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Maximal/BlastPunchOptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Blast Punch Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''

===''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary''===
[[File:Optimusprimalbwx.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''Surf monkey / That funky monkey'']]
* '''Optimus Primal''' (Beast Wars 10th Anniversary, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Surfboard, assault blade, missile, Jungle Planet Key, ''Axalon'' figurine
{{toydesigner|[[Aaron Archer]] (Hasbro), [[Takashi Kunihiro]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Tim Bradley]] (concept artist), [[Marcelo Matere]] (concept artist, packaging artist)}}

: ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' Optimus Primal is based loosely on his original ultra ape action figure while pulling some elements from other figures, including a transformation very similar to the Playskool Go-Bot [[Beast-Bot|Gorillabot]], which itself was a nod to Optimus Primal's ''Beast Machines'' form. The sculpts for both BWX leader toys were intentionally designed to blend in with the Jungle Planet aesthetic, "in case" they didn't get a Beast Wars Anniversary release (according to [[Aaron Archer]]'s statements at [[BotCon 2005]]).

:Similar to his Transmetal form, BWX Optimus Primal also comes with a hoverboard with two [[5 mm post|5mm post]]s at the base, allowing him to ride it in his gorilla mode, or hold it in robot mode via the 5mm posts on his robot palms/gorilla feet. When a [[Cyber Key]] is inserted at the rear of the board, a spring-loaded extending "assault blade" (or "ass lt blade" as the instructions call it) deploys, and a trigger is revealed to allow one to use the spring-loaded missile launcher at the tip.

:He is also packaged with a mini-comic-sized reprinting of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|The Gathering]]'' #1, a small [[Axalon (BW)#Toys|''Axalon'']] ship figurine, and a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]]-style Cyber Key.

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

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Maximal/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on 10th Anniversary Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BWXVSMegatron}}
* '''Optimus Primal vs Megatron''' (Multi-pack, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail

: This Toys"R"Us-exclusive set is the Hasbro release of the ''Beast Wars Reborn'' set (see below), but in different packaging with a DVD of the ''Beast Wars'' episode "[[Possession]]". As such, this version of Optimus Primal is identical.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Maximal/TRUOptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Optimus Primal (Toys"R"Us Exclusive) at TFU.info]''
{{BWUltraOptimusPrimalMold}}

===''Beast Wars Reborn''===
[[File:BWReborntoy-Primal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The eighth Optimus of the world... PRIMAL!]]
* '''Convoy vs Megatron''' (Multi-pack, 2006)
**''ID number:'' '''BWR-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail

: This release is a [[retool]] of the original 1996 Ultra toy, with new beast and robot heads, plus a new robot chest piece sculpted to match the television series's portrayal. The color scheme was also altered to be show-accurate, changing the black to dark gray, much of the light gray to medium gray with hints of bronze, primary red to crimson, and blue to a more dull steel blue. All of the toy's previous [[gimmick]]s are retained with the sole exception of the "mutant head."

:This figure came packaged with a similarly-remolded [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Reborn|Megatron]] and a [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|Golden Disk]] CD-ROM that contains control art for a number of ''Beast Wars'' toys.
{{BWUltraOptimusPrimalMold}}
{{--}}

===''G-2''===
{{anchor|LaserOptimusPrime}}
[[File:LaserPrime reissue.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Argh TFWiki headache.]]
* '''Battle Convoy''' (Reissue, 2006)
**''ID number:'' '''TRF-13'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle, sword, 5 discs, 3 air power missiles, ripple rocket launcher, 10 rockets
{{repurposed|Optimus Primal}}

:In 1995, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LaserOptimusPrime|Laser Optimus Prime]] was a new [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'']] mold that transformed into mid-1990s Western Star 4964EX, pulling a grey and black fuel tank trailer. On the sides of the trailer is a humorous sticker depicting Laser Optimus Prime using a flamethrower to burn down a forest, with the words "Optimus Prime Octane" over the image.

:In robot mode, like Hero Optimus Prime, the bottom of the truck became his familiar windowed chest based upon the original Optimus Prime toy. His main gimmick was light up LED headlights, and a [[light-piping|lightpipe]] in the bottom of his right fist, illuminated by an LED in his right forearm, that would illuminate his clear sword or his double-barreled rifle if they were used in that hand. All three LEDs were activated simultaneously by pressing the sunroof-like depression on the roof of the truck.

:The trailer unfolds to form a battle station bristling with many firing weapons. Primarily, it can fire an air-powered missile launcher, a ripple rocket launcher with 5 missiles that can be launched individually (this turret can also be mounted in Laser Prime's hand) and a 'disc launcher', that fired several blue plastic discs adorned with the ''Generation 2'' Autobot sigil. This disc launcher is the only weapon that can be used in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]].

:This mold was redecoed in 2000 as ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' [[Scourge (RID)#Toys|Black Convoy]], and slightly retooled as Scourge. After Scourge, the next use of this mold was planned to be ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Toxitron (Universe)#Toys|Toxitron]], which ended up being canceled. The slightly retooled version of this mold was released in 2006 in Japan as reissue Battle Convoy, which was the name of this toy during the Japanese ''Generation 2''. The reissue used the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] modified tooling, with a slightly modified deco using silver vacuum-metallized plastic on his chest and trailer sides along with additional paint applications and G2 symbols. The mold was also redecoed to create a ''Generation 2'' version of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Ultra Magnus]] as an [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive.

:Within the ''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]'' text story, the reissued Laser Prime toy was [[repurposing|repurposed]] as a temporary form for Optimus Primal.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Laser Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{G2LaserOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:Timelinestoy-PrimalDoFP.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Trukk munky?]]
* '''Dawn of Future's Past''' ([[BotCon 2006]] boxset)
**''Accessories:'' Two missiles, Maximal [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|Golden Disk]] key
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Moore]] (concept artist)}}<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Here's a closer look at the Optimus Primal photoshopped concept, alongside with the final version. This one stayed really close all the way through to production. Cybertron was my only real choice for obvious reasons. I have a test shot of this figure to..|link=https://twitter.com/Joe_Toyark/status/1370236091152920581|site=Twitter|name=Joe Moore|year=2021|month=03|day=11}}</ref>

:A [[redeco]] and [[retool]] of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Voyager Class [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)#Toys|Crumplezone]], ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' "''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' Optimus Primal" transforms into a three-wheeled Cybertronic race car with huge turbine thrusters. These thrusters each contain a spring-loaded missile launcher,and can be swung forward in both vehicle and robot mode by plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into his key-jack. This also activates electronic sound effects. He has a new head that replicates Optimus Primal's first [[character model]].

:Available only in a multi pack with the ''Axalon'' versions of [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Timelines|Cheetor]], [[Rhinox (BW)/toys#Timelines|Rhinox]], and [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Timelines|Rattrap]], as well as the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'' version of [[Dinobot (BW)/toys#Timelines|Dinobot]].

:Some consider this toy somewhat of an in-joke, because when fans initially saw pics of Crumplezone, they criticised it for looking like a monkey.

::*''[https://twitter.com/Joe_Toyark/status/1370236091152920581 Designer commentary on Axalon Optimus Primal from Joe Moore on Twitter]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Maximal/BCOptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Axalon Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Titanium Series''===
[[File:Titanium Optimal Optimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Ready? And... Faceplant!]]
* '''Optimal Optimus''' (6" Cybertron Hero, 2006)
**''Accessories'': Stand with nameplate
{{toydesigner|[[Don Figueroa]] (concept artist)}}

:Released in the third wave of the 6-inch Cybertron Heroes assortment, ''[[Titanium Series]]'' Optimal Optimus transforms from robot mode into either his ground vehicle or jet forms, but likely for budgetary reasons, he does ''not'' have his usual gorilla mode. Also unlike the original toy, his chest cannons can be flipped back into his torso. This toy was denoted as an [[Autobot]] both on his stand and on his shoulder, even though Optimal is generally a [[Maximal]].

:This figure was going to be used for [[Primal Prime]], but that toy was ultimately canceled late in its development.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Maximal/TitOptimalOptimus/optimusprimal.htm More information on Titanium Series Optimal Optimus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Binaltech''===
[[File:BTBlackConvoy toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|There! He's a trukk! Ya happy now?]]
* '''Black Convoy''' (2007)
**''ID number:'' '''BT-17'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster
{{Repurposed|Optimus Primal}}

: Black Convoy is the first ''Binaltech'' release since [[Skids (G1)#Alternators/Binaltech|Skids]] in early 2006, and was available exclusively in Japan at the winter Wonder Festival in 2007. His plastic colours are different from Nemesis Prime's, with grey plastic replacing the black on his shins, waist, shoulders, and forearms. In addition, Nemesis Prime's windows are tinted red, but Black Convoy's windows are completely clear. His paint deco is based upon ''Kiss Players'' Convoy's, arranged in the same patterns but using teal, and he has vacuum-metallized wheels and front grill. The paint deco on his head is meant to evoke that of ''Car Robots'' [[Scourge (RID)|Black Convoy]]. Perhaps the most important differences are that he has die-cast metal parts, and most of his truck body panels are coated in gloss black paint.

: Perhaps due to cost-cutting, this toy was released in the large bubble-on-a-tray packaging also used in the ''Alternators'' line. However, he came with no character or packaging art.

: The ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' fiction [[Repurposing|repurposes]] this figure as a new body for Optimus Primal, based on how Primal's disembodied spark had previously taken possession of Nemesis's body earlier in the ''[[Story of Binaltech|Binaltech]]'' story.
::*[[Source:Transformers Binaltech bios#17|Archive of ''Binaltech'' Black Convoy's bio and tech specs]]
{{AlternatorsOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{--}}

===''Beast Wars Telemocha Series''===
[[File:BWTelemocha Convoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Anyone else feel like we're going in circles?]]
*'''Convoy''' (2007)
**''ID number:'' '''TM-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]'' Convoy is an extensive redeco of the ''Robotmasters'' Deluxe-sized Beast Convoy figure in a similar style to the ''Beast Wars Reborn'' retool of the original Ultra Class figure.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Cybertron/Convoy/convoy.htm More information on Telemocha Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TelemochaUltra}}
[[File:BWTelemochaDXPrimal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Seriously, we're getting dizzy!]]
*'''DX Convoy''' (2007)
**''ID number:'' '''TM-SP'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
:An extensive show-accurate redeco of the original Ultra-class Optimus Primal mold ''without'' the recently remolded head and chestplate. Oh [[TakaraTomy]], you so crazy.
{{BWUltraOptimusPrimalMold}}
{{--}}

===''United''===
[[File:Unitedtoy-OptimusPrimal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Chicks dig hoverboards that turn into giant blasters - right?]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' ([[February 25]], [[2012]])
**''ID number:'' '''UN-30'''
**''Accessories:'' Surfboard, assault blade, missile, Jungle Planet Key

: Part of the sixth wave of ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' toys, Optimus Primal (using his Hasbro market name) is a [[repaint]] of the Deluxe-sized ''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary'' Optimus Primal toy, and is the first release of the mold in Japan. He features warmer, more yellowish paint for the gorilla chest and face, and relocates the [[Maximal]] [[insignia]] to the ''underside'' of his gorilla backside [[kibble]] panel. His hoverboard, meanwhile, uses a darker shade of blue paint for the Cyber Key jack, and the front of the hoverboard features both the "stripes" from [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Gorilla|the ''Cybertron'' redeco]] of this toy, and the fully-painted vents from the "10th Anniversary" version.

:Like the 5th and 6th wave figures, Optimus Primal's package feature a sticker that said "limited quantity (数量限定)", indicating that this figure is released in limited numbers after its first and only shipment. Both his [[instructions]] and packaging brand him as an [[Autobot]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/UnitedOptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on ''United'' Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Legend Commander Collection''===
[[File:Legend-Commander-Collection-LC-02-Optimus-Primal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb| The old man's back again.]]
*'''Convoy (Beast Wars)''' (2014)
**''ID number'': '''LC-02'''
**''Accessories'': Two swords

: Part of the ''[[Legend Commander Collection]]'' sold at [[Transformers Expo]], Convoy (Beast Wars) is a redeco of ''Robotmasters'' Beast Convoy. The toy also features several deco differences: While the paint applications were similar to the first ''Robotmasters'' Beast Convoy toy, the mouth was painted blue like the ''Telemocha'' Convoy, the white paint uses on this toy are brighter white compared to the first toy, some of the Robot Mode's chest detailing features lavender white paint details, and the gunmetal paint were used for the Beast Mode face. Like G1 Convoy, Convoy (Beast Wars) doesn't come with the launcher accessory.

:Remaining stock of the toy was sold through [[TakaraTomy Mall]].
{{--}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:TakaraLegends Lg02 Convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Get up...]]
* '''Convoy''' ('''Optimus Primal''')<ref>LG02 Convoy's packaging has "Optimus Primal" as the accompanying English subtitle to "コンボイ".</ref> ([[October 25]], [[2014]])
**''ID number:'' '''LG02'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' "Convoy" is a redeco of the [[#Beast Wars Reborn|''Beast Wars Reborn'' retool]] of the [[#FirstUltra|original Ultra Class Optimus Primal toy]]. While he shares mostly the same paint mask to the ''Reborn'' figure, some of his parts featured different paint applications; His gunmetal gray chest, face, fingers & chest paint details are now replaced with dark grey. He comes with a leaflet featuring a character profile, tech specs, and the [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 2|''Legends'' Bonus Edition Volume 2]] mini-comic.

:Fiction-wise, this toy represents the [[Legends World]] [[Optimus Primal (BW)#Legends World|Optimus Primal]] after he contracted [[Transformers sickness]] for the first time.
{{BWUltraOptimusPrimalMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|ApeXArms}}
[[File:Ape-X.jpg|right|300px|thumb|..Come on get down with the sickness.]]
*'''Convobat''' ([[December 19]], [[2016]])
**''ID number:'' '''LG-EX'''
{{note|[[Ape X Arms]] was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as the [[Legends World]] [[Optimus Primal (BW)#Legends World|Optimus Primal]] after contracting [[Transformers sickness]] for the second time in the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Legends]]'' comic.}}

:Available with the [[e-HOBBY]]-exclusive ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Convobat#Legends|Convobat]] figure, Ape X Arms is a redeco of ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Apeface#Generations|Apeface]]'s accessory, in [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#OptimalOptimus|Optimal Optimus]]'s colors. Convobat and [[Megalligator#Legends|Megalligator]] can ride Ape X Arms in robot mode. Ape X Arms can also transform into a 5 mm gun for larger ''Titans Return'' or any ''Legends'' Headmaster figures to wield, or combine with either of the two Headmasters to form a jet.

:As a redeco of a Titan Master vehicle accessory, care must be taken with the gun mode's handle: the handle fits tightly in many 5 mm-compatible closed hands, and combined with the handle's lack of metal pin running through the joint, removing it by force causes the handle to pop out of the joint.
{{TRApefaceMold}}
{{--}}

===''Platinum Edition''===
[[File:Transformers-Platinum-Edition-BM-Optimus-Primal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Probably not as fun as a barrel of munkies.]]
* '''Optimus Primal''' (Year of the Monkey exclusive, 2016)
** ''Accessories'': Disc
{{toydesigner|[[Ramon Campos]] (Hasbro)}}

:Sold at the rather expensive price of $140.00 (but often discounted), ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' "Year of the [[Trukk not munky|Monkey]]" Optimus Primal is a redeco of [[#Robots in Disguise (2001)|''Robots in Disguise'' Air Attack Optimus Primal]], with his coloration inspired by an amalgamation of [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Primes]] and/or [[Primal Prime]]. He retains all the electronic gimmicks from the previous toy, with an exception of the voice clips (unfortunately, only the lines "Optimus Primal" (said ''twice'') and "Transformers" are played) and sound effects/music, which was newly recorded. He also sometimes yells "transform!" when pushing his chest, and now growls if you shoot the disc in beast mode or push his monkey head. The chest no longer hums after turning it on.

:His stock photos were mistransformed: both his robot and beast mode's chests were inverted, and his beast mode's thumbs were not rotated.
{{--}}

===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:BW-Masterpiece-MP32-Optimus-Primal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Best munky ever.]]
*'''Convoy (Beast Wars)''' ([[October 29]], [[2016]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-32'''
**''Hasbro release name:'' '''Beast Convoy (Optimus Primal)'''<ref>[https://hasbropulse.com/collections/transformers/products/transformers-takara-tomy-masterpiece-mp-32-beast-convoy-optimus-primal Used only on the Hasbro Pulse website listing.]</ref>
**''Hasbro release date:'' [[June 1]], [[2022]]
**''Accessories'': Three ape faces, four robot faces, two Cyber Blades, skull flail (Asia exclusive)
{{toydesigner|[[Yuki Ohshima]] (concept artist)}}

:Released to celebrate ''Beast Wars''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s 20th anniversary, ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Convoy is a faithful recreation of the character as he appeared in the Mainframe animated series.

[[File:TF-Masterpiece-MP32-Asia-exclusive-skull-flail.jpg|left|100px|thumb|It's a lost art of weaponry.]]
:Matching his original figure, Convoy has two "cyber blade" swords, which can now be stored on his back in robot mode. Each wrist has cartoon-accurate flip-out "plasma cannons", while his "mega blaster" shoulder cannons have also been recreated. In robot mode, a panel can rotate in his posterior to reveal his "convoy jet".

:Convoy has the new gimmick of light-up eyes. These are powered by two computer batteries stored in the beast mode head and activated by pressing down the robot mode head. They stay lit for about ten seconds. Convoy comes with three different gorilla faces: neutral; smiling and angry, and four different robot mode faces: open-mouthed; close-mouthed; smirking and original style mouthless faceplate.

:''Masterpiece'' Convoy is an inch or two smaller than his original Ultra Class toy, comparable to Beast Wars Neo [[Big Convoy]]. Not shown in the instructions is a peghole in the waist, designed to allow Convoy to be mounted on a flying stand. Another undocumented feature is a peg on his back, that allows ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Generations|Rattrap]] to ride on his back by plugging the aforementioned peg in the hole that is normally used for weapon storage in beast mode.

:If bought in Asian countries outside of Japan, he also comes with a die-cast skull flail based on the one that came with the original toy. It comes packaged in a cardboard box designed to look like a crate of [[banana]]s.

:Convoy was a candidate in TakaraTomy's [[Fan polls#Masterpiece Fan's Choice|''Masterpiece'' Fan's Choice]] poll in 2013, which asked fans to determine which Autobot/Maximal leader from the franchise's then-30 year history should receive a new ''Masterpiece'' toy. He only placed sixth, with 4.6% of the vote. Good things come to those who wait, we guess.

:In [[2021]], [[Hasbro Pulse]] revealed that they would be carrying Takara-Tomy's concurrent reissue of Beast Convoy exclusively through their website for a 2022 release date, with other online retailers following a couple of months thereafter. This release is identical to the original 2016 figure, except for two minor differences. First, the "Beast Wars 20th Anniversary" logo on the box front is changed to the standard Masterpiece "Long Life Design" stamp as the 20th anniversary no longer applied. Second, the figure's shoulderpads can now close fully around upper arms for ape mode, a minor error on the original run, and the previously delicate matte paint is now far more durable, no longer scratching off during normal transformation.

::*''[http://www.transformers-universe.com/i.php?ID=6541 More information on Optimus Primal (Masterpiece) at Transformers-Universe.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|MP34}}
*'''Cheetus (Beast Wars)''' ([[February 25]], 2017)
**''ID number:'' '''MP-34'''

:Preorders of ''Masterpiece'' [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Masterpiece|Cheetus]] supplied by Hasbro Asia come with a die-cast Optimus Primal minifigure, as opposed to the [[collector coin]] typically accompanying ''Masterpiece'' releases from Hasbro Asia.<ref>[https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/masterpiece-cheetor-color-images.1066483/page-168#post-15460586 TFW2005 Forums discussion, 2 February 2018]</ref>

{{-}}{{anchor|MasterpieceSupremeCommander}}{{anchor|MP38}}
[[File:TF-BW-MP32-Optimus-Primal-Legendary-Commander-Version.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Best-er Munkey]]
*'''Convoy (Beast Wars) Legendary Leader Ver.''' ([[June 24]], [[2017]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-38'''
**''Accessories'': Ape face, masked robot faces, two Cyber Blades, Double Blade, weapon rack, hammer, Beast Mask, backpack, [[banana]]s (Asia exclusive)

:This Optimus Primal is a redeco of the first ''Masterpiece'' figure above, with the deco greatly resembling his original toy colors and his appearance in the ''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers|Beast Wars Special]]'' "[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]" He also comes with a combined sword (representing putting both swords in the hand of the original toy), a "weapon rack" to mount said combined sword, an additional skull flail (a new mold from the Asia exclusive accessory that came from the first release), a new mask which is based on his original toy's mutant head, and a new backpack piece that mounts on the back peg to mount the combined swords, the skull mace and the mutant head mask on Primal's back.

:If bought in Asian countries outside of Japan, he also comes with a bunch of bananas in a cardboard crate. Each banana is a separate piece that can be removed from the stalk piece.

{{-}}{{anchor|MP38Plus}}
[[File:MPBurningConvoy.jpg|thumb|300px|Super Simian]]
*'''Burning Convoy (Beast Wars)''' ([[March 25]], [[2020]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-38+'''
**''Accessories'': Ape faces, masked robot faces, two Cyber Blades

:Released to accompany [[Lio Convoy#Masterpiece|MP-48 Lio Convoy]], Burning Convoy is yet another redeco of the first ''Masterpiece'' figure, this time resembling his Burning Convoy appearance from "Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!" He also has a reduced inventory, with only two of the gorilla and robot faces each.

:Due to shipment issues, Hasbro Pulse's release of Burning Convoy was delayed to April 2020.

:Burning Convoy was released as an EB Games exclusive in Canada and Australia.
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
* '''Optimus Primal''' (Titan Master, <s>2017</s>)
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:For ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'', Hasbro apparently intended to release a [[Titan Master]] version of Optimus Primal, which would have been a redeco of [[Apeface#Generations|Apeface]] with alternate head<ref name="allsparkint">[https://web.archive.org/web/20201128201259/https://www.allspark.com/2018/07/impromptu-allspark-com-interview-with-john-warden-hasbro-brand-team-at-sdcc-2018/ Allspark interview at SDCC 2018 (via the Internet Archive)]</ref> and would have been included in [[wave]] 5 alongside [[Ramhorn (G1)#TitansReturn|Ramhorn]] and [[Toraizer#Generations|Toraizer]]. A listing was first found in [[Toys"R"Us]]'s systems.<ref name="trutr">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/08/28/titans-return-new-listings-legends-cosmos-seaspray-voyager-blitzwing-octane-324058 Toys"R"Us listings] for then upcoming ''Titans Return'' figures, including Titan Master "Optimus Prime".</ref> Almost a year later, a listing was also found on [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]]'s German website;<ref name="amazontr">[https://www.amazon.de/dp/B06WP21QJG Amazon Germany listing] for ''Titans Return'' Optimus Primal.</ref> but ultimately, Ramhorn was the only new Titan Master figure included in wave 5, and it's currently unclear how far the Toraizer and Optimus Primal even made it in the planning stage. A [[Walmart]] listing under the UPC barcode assigned to Optimus Primal now reads as "discontinued by vendor".<ref name="walmarttr">[https://www.walmart.com/ip/Discontinued-by-Vendor/133608534 Walmart listing] for what would have been ''Titans Return'' Optimus Primal, now "discontinued by vendor".</ref>
{{Canceledtoy}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:POTP-Leader-Evolved-Optimal-Optimus.jpg|thumb|If you don't want ''Beast Wars'' to win, don't put it on the ballot!|300px]]
* '''Evolution Optimal Optimus''' (Leader Class, [[2018]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-27'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 25]], 2018
**''Accessories'': Evolution Armor, two cannons/clubs, [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix of Leadership]] frame, Matrix of Leadership core, 2 blast shields
{{toydesigner|[[Aaron Gray]] and [[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:In accordance with his victory in a poll to choose the next [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Optimus Primal received a toy in ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]''. Like all ''Power of the Primes'' Leader Class figures, Optimus is a small Deluxe-sized robot who combines with the armor to form a larger figure based on the "Optimal Optimus" toy from the original ''Beast Wars'' toyline. His smaller robot form transforms into a futuristic cargo ship; according to Hasbro at [[Toy Fair 2018]], the inner robot is meant to represent his Cybertronian form.

:He includes a Matrix of Leadership accessory with a removable center crystal, allowing any [[Prime Master]] to take its place. The Matrix can store in the cockpit, in reference to the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Optimal Situation]]", as well as two cannons which can be held as clubs or as guns in robot mode, and they can store in the legs of the Evolution Armor in ape mode. The Evolution Armor transforms into Optimal Optimus's gorilla mode, minus his backpack. The gorilla can ride Optimus Primal's ship mode as a surfboard, as a callback to Primal's [[#MegaTransmetal|Transmetal]] body and [[#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary'']] Deluxe figure. Optimus Primal can transform into a backpack for the gorilla, or combine with the armor to form a jet; the toy does ''not'' turn into the wheeled "ground cruiser" mode of the original OpOp. His two cannons can be placed next to his head, or on his chest after moving the cockpit downwards. They can also be left off and combined into a larger rifle or stored on his legs. In combined robot or ape mode, the weapons (individually or as a rifle) can be pegged into a 5mm post hole on either thumb, through there is no real way to do this that isn't awkward due to the placement.

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2018}}
[[File:TF-PotP-SDCC-2018-Throne-of-the-Primes-Optimus-Primal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Optimus Prime's belief that "[[Triple Takeover|thrones are for Decepticons]]" isn't shared by Optimus Primal.]]
*'''Throne of the Primes''' (Leader Class, 2018)
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-43'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[January 26]], [[2019]]
**''Accessories'': Evolution Armor, two cannons/clubs, Matrix of Leadership frame, Matrix of Leadership core, 2 blast shields, crown, [[Scepter of Sparks]], [[Throne of the Primes]], 4 Prime Master figures
{{toydesigner|[[Marcelo Matere]] (throne designer, packaging artist)}}

:''Power of the Primes'' "Throne of the Primes" Optimal Optimus is a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2018-exclusive redeco of Evolution Optimal Optimus. The biggest change in his deco is to the Evolution Armor itself, which features the same colors as the core figure. The waist and backpack of the core figure, along with the blast shields, are cast in same dark gray as his shoulders, chest, and calves. The outer shell of the Matrix core figure is recolored reddish-orange, and the cannons feature additional paint applications.

:The additional accessories tie in to Primal's winning of the [[Power of the Primes (franchise)#Notes|2017 fan vote for the next Prime]]. The Scepter of Sparks, modelled after the [[#MegaTransmetal|Transmetal figure]]'s club, which doubles as a mace, can hold up to four Prime Masters, such as the four included in this set. The crown is a new mold, featuring the Maximal logo on the front. Finally, the Throne of the Primes, while a cardboard insert, features artwork of the faces of the eight other competitors in the survey—[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]], [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], and [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Unknown Evil]]. The Prime Masters can also be stored in the [[Halo of Primus]], a circular rotating plastic tray included on the back of the throne.

:The four Primes he comes with are [[Amalgamous Prime#Generations|Amalgamous]], [[Nexus Prime#Generations|Nexus]], [[Prima#Generations|Prima]] and the [[Thirteenth Prime#Generations|Thirteenth]].

:For some odd reason, HasbroToyShop stock photography showed the figure with a [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] [[Inferno (G1)/toys#Generations|Inferno]] [[Prime Master/Combinations|card]], despite the figure coming with his own special card.

:Debuting at SDCC 2018, this set was later made available via [[Hasbro Toy Shop]], but sold out in about 20 minutes. The toy was later released at general retail in Taiwan and Japan.

===''Encore''===
[[File:Encore-Returns-Convoy.jpg|thumb|300px|Ha, screw you [[scale]]!]]
*'''Returns Convoy''' ([[November 24]], [[2018]])
**''Accessories'': Disc

:''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' Returns Convoy is a redeco of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' Supreme Class [[#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], featuring a show-accurate deco on the majority of the figure (which had the pleasant side effect of curing the toy of [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]]). As a Japanese re-release, Returns Convoy's voice lines are provided by [[Takehito Koyasu]], including one referencing the infamous "Yvonco Pettanko" joke from the ''Beast Wars Returns'' episode "[[Fallout|The Cost of Victory]]".
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron: Kingdom''===
[[File:TF-WFC-Kingdom-Voyager-Class-OptimusPrimal.jpg|thumb|300px|New slogan of the year: [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|TRUKK]] '''AND''' MUNKY!]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Voyager Class, [[2020]])
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-K8'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''KD-01'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[March 27]], 2021
**''Accessories'': Two "Cyber Blades"
{{toydesigner|[[Lenny Panzica]] (Hasbro), [[Yūya Ōnishi]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Ken Christiansen]] (concept artist)}}<ref>Transformers panel at [[Hasbro PulseCon 2020]]</ref>

: Released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' Optimus Primal transforms from a robot accurate to his appearance in the first season of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon into a realistic gorilla in 22 steps, as well as a cartoon-accurate ''King Kong'' style bipedal gorilla third mode. The figure makes up for its size with above-average articulation, including butterfly shoulder joints, double-jointed knees, opening hands, rotating shins for a foot point, and toe articulation in both modes. Optimus Primal also has fold-out shoulder cannons, two Cyber Blades that store on his back in either mode, and pop-out jointed forearm blasters. A rarity for the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'', Optimus Primal has no [[5 mm post|5 mm]] ports barring his hands, making him largely incompatible with the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]]. However, he still features 3 mm posts at the end of his blaster tips, as well as his buttflap; helping to replicate his "Primejets" from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon. His hands also feature articulated fingers along with a thumb molded to approximate the 5 mm peghole, although due to this he cannot hold both Cyber Blades in one hand as the original figure could.

:Stock renders cast his robot mode feet in a more show-accurate grey. Hasbro stock photography (right) is mistransformed, with the robot mode's shoulder cannons still extended on the gorilla's shoulders. Some pictures also pose his gorilla legs in a way that makes the flap of thigh-covering [[kibble]] appear like a loincloth, when it can plug into his [[flight stand]] port to sit flush with the legs for a natural appearance. Optimus Primal also comes packaged with his shoulder cannons deployed, although they can be folded away in robot mode. Some specimens have silver paint on the Cyber Blades, others are off-white. It is not known which [[variant]] is more common.

:Due to insufficient clearance in his waist area, it is ''very'' easy to scrape off the white paint on top of his inner thigh from simply manipulating the figure. The most permanent solution would be to disassemble the the waist and shave down the contacting surfaces.<ref>[https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/optimus-primal-anti-scraping-mod.1209685/ ''Kingdom'' Optimus Primal Anti-Paint Scraping Modification]</ref> Otherwise, exercise lots of caution when moving his hips.

:Like all ''Kingdom'' Voyager figures, Optimus Primal comes with a [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] card that "[[Source:Golden Disk destinies|reveals a possible destiny of a key character]]", with each character having three possible destiny variants.
{{WFCKingdomOptimusPrimalMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|KingdomBurning}}
[[File:TF-WFC-Kingdom-KD-EX-Burning-Primal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|]]
*'''Burning Optimus Primal''' (Voyager Class, [[2023]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''KD-EX'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[April 1]], 2024
**''Accessories'': Two "Cyber Blades"

:Released to promote the ''Rise of the Beasts'' movie, this Optimus Primal is a redeco of the ''Kingdom'' Voyager Class figure in his "Burning Convoy" form.

:Burning Optimus Primal is available as a Lawson Ticket exclusive item, where the customers must buy the [[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts|movie's]] special ticket along with the figure. He is also sold individually, unlike his unlucky wavemate [[Nemesis_Prime_(AOE)#Studio_Series|Nemesis Prime]].

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:WFCNetflixtoy-Maximal-Optimus-Primal.jpg|300px|thumb| Reject 1984; Return to Munky]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Battle 2-pack, [[2021]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''WFC-19'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[December 29]], 2021
**''Accessories'': Two "Cyber Blades"
: Netflix Optimus Primal is a minor redeco of the Kingdom figure, with the only major differences being show accurate grey feet, lighter eyes in beast mode, and all-around darker colours. Gunmetal replaces all light silver on the figure and light silver replaces the metallic blue on the inner chest section. Primal is packaged with a similarly redecoed [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Rattrap]] figure.

:In addition to same the paint-scraping hips as before, his hands are now almost completely covered in black paint, and paint in the 5mm palms can wear off over time.
{{WFCKingdomOptimusPrimalMold}}
{{--}}

===''Vintage Beast Wars''===
[[File:Vintage-Beast-Wars-Optimus-Primal.jpg|300px|thumb| You have seen this toy ''so many times'' on this page.]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Reissue, 2021)
**''Accessories'': Two swords, four missiles, flail

:In celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''Beast Wars'', the original 1996 Ultra Class Optimus Primal was reissued under the ''[[Vintage|Vintage Beast Wars]]'' lineup. Optimus Primal features all the same accessories and functionality as the latest mold use of the original toy but differs slightly in deco, having a slate blue instead of regular blue for the missiles, swords, and mace handle. The front and back of the head are now cast in gray plastic, painted dark metallic blue and the faceplate is then ''painted'' flat gray over that—as opposed to the original, where the back was cast in red plastic and the front was flat gray plastic with the helmet painted blue. The lack of bare red plastic on the back of the head affects the look of the mutant face in its intended configuration, where it's rotated to form the forehead. The robot mode chest is also lacking any inner red paint applications from the original.

:Much like ''[[Vintage|Vintage G1]]'', Optimus Primal is packaged in a box styled after the original ''Beast Wars'' toy packaging, [[package art]] and all. Also similar to ''Vintage G1'', the time disparity since the original release has the toy reasonably set at over double the price of the toy's 1996 release, $52.99 USD versus $20, and is exclusive to [[Walmart]] in the United States and Canada. Due to accommodating multiple languages, the bio card is also rather drastically changed, including using a silhouette of 2007 ''[[Movie (franchise)|Transformers]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime's]] head for the intelligence. The [[cross-sell]] for [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Vintage Beast Wars|Cheetor]] and [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Vintage Beast Wars|Rattrap]] label them both inaccurately as Mega Class figures, instead of Deluxe Class and Basic Class, respectively (though both ''are'' priced the same).
{{BWUltraOptimusPrimalMold}}
{{--}}

===''Classic Heroes Team''===
[[File:Classic Heroes Team Rescan Optimus Primal toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (All Star Rescan, [[2022]])
{{toydesigner|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

: ''[[Transformers: Classic Heroes Team|Classic Heroes Team]]'' Optimus Primal is a ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (toyline)|Rescue Bots]]''-style Rescan figure, featuring a simple conversion from gorilla to robot mode. He features a pair of (non-firing) missile launchers on his back in both modes.

: Somewhat of a rarity among ''Transformers'' toys, both the toy itself and its packaging lack insignias or any kind of mention to what faction the character belongs to.
{{--}}

===''Authentics''===
[[File:TF-Authentic-Titan-Changers-Optimus-Primal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|''King Kong Adventure Phock''.]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Titan Changer, 2022)

:''Authentics'' Titan Changer Optimus Primal is a 28cm figure with a very simple conversion from robot to gorilla.

:The toy was first [https://www.thetoyshop.com/action-toys-figures/action-figures/Transformers-Titan-Changers---Optimus-Primal-28cm-Figure/p/560587_PRMAL listed at thetoyshop.com], without any fanfare.
{{-}}
[[File:TF-Authentics-Bravo-Optimus-Primal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Bravo, 2023)
**Accessories: 2 Blasters

:Released in the sixth wave of [[Transformers Authentics|''Authentics'']] "Bravo" figures, Optimus Primal is a smaller version (about the size of the regular Legends/Core Class) of the character, and transforms into a gorilla. He comes with two blasters that he can hold, mount on his robot mode shoulders, or mount on his back in gorilla mode. Unlike most of the "Bravo" figures, Primal features fairly decent articulation.

:The figure was first sighted in Taiwan.
{{--}}

===''Beast Wars Again''===
[[File:TF-BW-Vintage-JP-BWVS-01-Optimus-Primal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|'''Bugs Bunny:''' "Take one more step on that rope and I'll cut it!" '''Primal:''' *''pulls the entire continent over to him''*]]
*'''Kōkyū Beast no Taiketsu''' ([[August 26]], [[2023]])
**''ID number'': '''BWVS-01'''
**''Accessories'': Two "Cyber Sabers"
{{toydesigner|[[Hisashi Yuki]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Hidetsugu Yoshioka]] (packaging artist)}}

:Released as part of the ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers Again|Beast Wars Again]]'' line, the "Eternal Beast Showdown" (恒久ビーストの対決) set contains Convoy and [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Again|Megatron]]. Convoy is a redeco of [[#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' Optimus Primal]] in a slavishly cartoon-accurate deco based on his appearance in the first season of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon. Unlike the previous two uses of the mold, this version of Primal solves the paint-scraping hip issue by molding the thighs themselves in white plastic, instead painting the gorilla fur details on the outsides of the thighs black.
{{WFCKingdomOptimusPrimalMold}}
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Beast Wars Transformers Slide Puzzle''===
*'''Beast Wars Transformers Slide Puzzle''' (1996)

:Released to advertise ''Beast Wars<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' airing in Japan, a small, hand-held slide-puzzle depicting Optimus Primal in robot mode, brandishing a sword, one arm cannon deployed, and looking very dynamic.

===''Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game''===
[[File:Optimusprimalmutatingcard.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
* '''Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game''' (1997)

:Optimus Primal was one of the 24 beast warriors to receive a battle card representation for the ''Beast Wars'' [[Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game|card game]].
{{--}}

===''Beast Wars Transformers Sneakers''===
* '''Beast Wars Transformers Sneakers''' (1997)
: A pair of red, black and white sneakers, with the ''Beast Wars'' logo printed on the sole, a photo of Primal's beast mode head on the toe, and the name "OPTIMUS PRIMAL" repeated around the shoe's lateral.

===Kabaya===
[[File:BWchoco primal.jpg|thumb|Grape ape.]]
*'''Convoy vs Megatron''' (candy toy, 1997)
**''ID number:'' '''1'''

:Part of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Choco|Beast Wars Choco]]'' line of [[candy toy]]s, this small soft-rubber figurine of Optimus Primal—known in Japan as a ''keshigomu''—came in a set with a similar figure of Megatron, along with a bio card and candy-covered chocolates. The figures were available in either translucent purple or smoky grey rubber.

{{-}}
[[File:Bwgum primal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Little Apetimus Prime]]
*'''Convoy''' (candy toy, 1997)
**''ID number:'' '''1'''
**''Accessories:'' Mace, two swords
:A snap together model kit of Optimus Primal was available as part of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Gum|Beast Wars Gum]]'' line of [[candy toy]]s. Based on his original Ultra-class gorilla toy, the kit was sculpted from purple and black plastic with some sparse stickers for details, and could transform from robot to beast mode by being broken down into its component parts, then rebuilt into a new mode. It came with a stick of gum.

{{-}}
* '''Convoy''' (1997)
: A nontransformable figurine of bat-body Primal, sculpted in a sword-wielding action pose across a blue base. Figure is painted.

* '''Convoy''' (candy toy, 1997)

: A tiny plastic Convoy figurine in his gorilla body and molded onto an irregularly-shaped stand was released by Kabaya. Labeled toy 1 of 6, the other characters in his wave were Dinobot, Rattrap, Megatron, Cheetor, and Rhinox. As always, terrible candy is included.

* '''Transmetal Convoy''' (1999, Standard Kit)
: Another small transformable figure was based on his first Transmetal body. It was multicolored and also came with gum.

* '''Transmetal Convoy''' (1999, Standard Kit)
: A second, but non-transformable figure of Transmetal Optimus Primal was made in clear plastic, blue, and gray. Gum!
{{--}}

===''1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair''===
[[File:BW-Metals-Convoy-Clear-Type-Figure.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|There's two and they're blue, with a back-view showing details just for you!]]
*'''Metals Convoy Clear-Type Figure''' (Toei Anime Fair present, 1999)

: Released along with Arthur from the ''[[Microman|Tiny Giant Microman]]'' anime, this Metals Convoy figurine is a small, rubbery, transparent light-blue figurine based on his Transmetal form.

: Each figurine was packed in a semi-translucent-gray baggie, sealed with a single piece of tape. Included inside the baggie was also a sheet of paper with warnings and choking hazards on it.

: He and Arthur were available for the boy's section of the pre-screening purchase of the ''[[1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair]]''. Metals Convoy was limited to 100 pieces.
{{--}}

===''Metal Monument''===
[[File:Metalmonumentconvoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Pelvic thrust: ON! Hungh!]]
* '''Metal Monument Convoy''' (TAKARA, 1999)

: As the name suggests, the product is a [[die-cast]] statue of Optimus Primal. The head is convertible/removable in order to change the normal one with the battle mask/mutant head. The [[Package art|box art]] and the design of the product are both done by [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]].
{{--}}

===''Real Figure''===
[[File:RealFig Convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=.88|The Transmetal monkey says "blow it."]]
* '''Real Figure Metals Convoy''' (TAKARA, 1999)
**''Accessories'': 2 shoulder panels

:A pocket-sized version of Transmetal Optimus Primal was released in Japan by Takara in 1999. The tiny figure is fully transformable from gorilla to robot, though the shoulder panels need to be removed and placed on the gorilla mode sides. The figure is low on articulation, only having movable elbows and knees, though the latter is for his transformation. It lacks the "flying surfboard" mode of the larger toy.

:This Real Figure is the only one to be transformable, as subsequent releases were merely mini-figures with limited articulation.
{{--}}

===''Titanium Series''===
[[File:TitaniumSeries-Primal3inch.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|This Primal wasn't built—it was ''poured!'']]
* '''Optimus Primal''' (3" Robot Master figurine, 2006)
**''Accessories'': Stand, swords

:This 3-inch die-cast and plastic figurine of Optimus Primal features him in his ''Beast Wars'' season 1 appearance, with swords drawn in an action pose. The swords can be removed from his hands if you feel like it. He came with an [[Autobot]] figure stand, weirdly enough.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Maximal/TitOptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Titanium Series Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===First 4 Figures===
[[File:First 4 Figures Optimus Primal.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|This Primal wasn't built.]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (<s>2006</s> unreleased)
{{toydesigner|[[Henry Cheng]]}}

:First revealed in 2006 at both the UK<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2006/01/25/first4figures-beast-wars-and-transformers-vs-g-i-joe-statuesbusts-4267 "First4Figures Beast Wars and Transformers VS. G.I. Joe Statues/Busts"] at TFW2005.com</ref> and New York [[Toy Fair]]s,<ref>[https://tformers.com/transformers-/5568/news.html "Toy Fair 2006 - First4Figures TF & GI Joe Statues& Busts"] at tformers.com</ref> this was to be an 8-inch tall resin bust of Optimus Primal released as part of a ''Beast Wars'' tenth anniversary series by model company [[First 4 Figures]]. Primal is depicted from the pelvis and upwards and mounted on a Maximal-themed base, and is sculpted in a style generally accurate to the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon series, though with the all-blue sword of the [[#FirstUltra|original Ultra Class toy]] (and a product listing that bizarrely noted an influence from [[Dreamwave Productions]]).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070214013533/http://www.first4figures.com/exclusivesproduct_detail.asp?range=3&id=40 Optimus Primal product listing on First 4 Figures's website] (archive)</ref>

:Mini busts in the planned ''Beast Wars'' line were designed to reflect the scale of the characters as seen in the cartoon, and each was set to be limited to 1,996 pieces, in a nod to the franchise's year of origin.<ref name=ASM>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070806062058/http://toyfair06.asmzine.com/first4figures/report.html "First4Figures Limited Transformers Statues and Busts Info!"] at ASMzine.com (archived)</ref> Primal was among the first intended to be released (likely ''the'' first, given both finalised stock images and a full product listing) in July 2006, though after a series of delays, he and the rest of the ''Beast Wars'' bust line were cancelled, with First 4 Figures citing a challenging marketplace and lack of retailer interest.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

===''3D Battle-Card Game''===
[[File:3DBattleCard-OptimusPrimal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|All your favorite 3D action!]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (2007)

: A 52-point "rare" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Optimus Primal "transforms" into a black ape. He uses the same parts layout as [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]], [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]], and [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]], although the figure's beast mode is assembled differently. Optimus Primal is nominally the leader of the Autobots in the set. The surface of the figure uses images of the original Ultra ape toy.
{{--}}

===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:Robotheroestarantulasprimal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Primal mocks Tarantulas's inability to display jazz hands.]]
*'''Optimus Primal & Predacon Tarantulas''' (Two-pack, 2008)
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (concept artist)}}

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]] [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', this PVC figurine of Optimus Primal's original gorilla body has articulation in the shoulders and neck. He was available only in a "Beast Wars Series" two-pack with [[Tarantulas (BW)/toys#Robot Heroes|Tarantulas]] (amusingly enough, the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] he also came with in the ''[[MicroVerse]]'' [[Orcanoch#Beast Wars|Orcanoch]] playset).
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Maximal/RHOprimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on Robot Heroes Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RHJetstorm}}
[[File:Robot heroes primal jetstorm.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The next Bio-Force Ape? Only time will tell.]]
*'''Optimus Primal & Jetstorm''' (Two-pack, <s>2009</s>)
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (concept artist)}}

:Optimus Primal would have come with [[Jetstorm (BM)#Robot Heroes|Jetstorm]] in this "Beast Machines Series" set. Like the other later ''Robot Heroes'' waves, this toy was cancelled because retailers only wanted ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toys. Some managed to trickle out into the wild - the picture seen here comes from an eBay auction. He looks... Unhinged, to say the least.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

===Prime 1 Studio===
====''Premium Masterline''====
[[File:Prime 1 Studio Premium Masterline Optimus Primal.jpg|upright=1.11|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (2017)
**''ID Number'': '''PMTFBW-01''' / '''01EX''' (exclusive)
**''Accessories'': Base, alternate head, battle mask (exclusive)

:[[Prime 1 Studio]] ''Premium Masterline'' Optimus Primal is a highly detailed statue of Primal's robot mode posing over the bits of a destroyed [[Waspinator (BW)/toys#Prime 1 Studio|Waspinator]]. He features LED lights on his eyes.

:The statue comes with an alternate head with an angry expression. The exclusive version also comes with another head with his face covered by his battle mask.

:The standard version was limited to 500 pieces, while the exclusive version was limited to 200 pieces.
{{--}}

====''Cutie1''====
[[File:Cutie1 Optimus Primal Figure.jpg|upright=1.11|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (2022)
**''ID Number'': '''No:058'''
**''Accessories'': Stand

:''Cutie1'' Optimus Primal is a soft vinyl figure stylized as a button-eyed doll with chibi proportions.
{{--}}

===Flame Toys===
====Furai Action====
*'''Optimus Primal''' (June 2021)
{{toystub}}

====Furai Model====
*'''Optimus Primal''' (20??)
{{toydesigner|[[Akira Amemiya]] (concept artist)}}
{{comingsoontoy}}

===''R.E.D. [Robot Enhanced Design]''===
{{anchor|RED}}
[[File:TF-R.E.D.-Optimus-Primal.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (2021)
**''Accessories'': 2 Cyber Blades, 2 alternate hands
{{toydesigner|[[Dennis Chan]] (sculptor)}}

:Released in the fourth wave of the ''[[Transformers R.E.D.]]'' line, Optimus Primal, 6-inch action figure akin to the ones from the ''[[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] Legends'' and ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] The Black Series'' lines. He features over 30 points of articulation and extensive paint operations in an attempt at [[show-accuracy]].

:Optimus Primal includes two closed fists, and a pair of open hands to hold his two Cyber Blade accessories; the blades can connect end to end at the hilt to create a double-ended weapon. A blaster is hidden in each of his forearms, which are revealed by pushing underneath his wrists. Additionally, he features a pair of blasters that flip forward over his shoulders.

:As with all ''R.E.D.'' toys, Optimus Primal was a Walmart exclusive in Canada and the United States, and was later made available on [[Hasbro Pulse]] in limited quantities.
{{--}}

===''Transformers Character Card''===
{{anchor|TCC Ape}}
[[File:Transformers Character Card Optimus Primal and Beast Megatron.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Convoy (Beast Wars) and Megatron (Beast Wars) Set''' ([[April 14]], [[2022]])
**''ID number:'' '''15 & 16'''

:Released as part of the third wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of "Convoy" and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]].
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#15|Translation of Optimus Primal's Transformers Character Card]]''
{{-}}

{{anchor|TCC Bat}}
[[File:Transformers Character Card Beast Wars Convobat and Megalligator.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Convobat & Megaligator{{sic}} Set''' ([[November 1]] 2022)
**''ID number:'' '''29 & 30'''
{{toydesigner|[[Shōji Imaki]] (illustration)}}

:Released as part of the fifth wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of "Convobat" and [[Megatron (BW)|"Megaligator"]] (distinct from the separate characters [[Convobat]] and [[Megalligator]]) in their Wave 1 Basic Class bodies along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]]. Optimus Primal is specifically depicted in his "[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Bat Primal]]" body.
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#29|Translation of Beast Wars Convobat's Transformers Character Card]]''
{{--}}

===Jada Toys===
[[File:JadaNanoMetalfigsSeries2G1BW-18pack.jpg|upright=1.44|thumb]]
*'''Transformers Series 2 18-pack''' (4cm Die Cast Figure Multipack, 2022)
:Released by [[Jada Toys]], ''Nano Metalfigs'' Optimus Primal is an incredibly small die-cast figurine molded doing an action pose. He has a little base attached to his feet for balancing reasons.

:He is marketed as an Autobot instead of a Maximal and comes in an impressive multipack with [[Jada Toys#Nano Metalfigs|seventeen other figurines]].

{{anchor|NanoMetalfigs2}}
*'''Transformers Series 3 18-pack''' (4cm Die Cast Figure Multipack, 2023)
:''Nano Metalfigs'' Optimus Primal was re-released with no noticeable changes in ''another'' impressive multipack with [[Jada Toys#Nano Metalfigs|seventeen other figurines]].

{{-}}{{anchor|Metalfigs}}
*'''Optimus Prime / Bumblebee / Optimus Primal / Megatron''' (2 3/4" Die Cast Figure 4-pack, 2022)
:''Metalfigs'' Optimus Primal is a static die-cast figurine of superdeformed proportions. He is available in a 4-pack alongside [[Optimus Prime (G1)/merchandise#Metalfigs4pack|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/merchandise#Metalfigs4pack|Bumblebee]] and [[Megatron (G1)/merchandise#Metalfigs4pack|Megatron]].
{{--}}

===''ReAction''===
*'''Optimus Primal''' (2023)
**''Accessories'': Swords (2)

: Released in the seventh wave of [[Super7]]'s line of multi-property 3.75-inch "retro" action figures, ''[[Super7#ReAction|ReAction]]'' Optimus Primal is a non-converting figure based on his original [[Mainframe]] [[character model]], with 5 points of articulation (swivel neck, shoulders, hips). He includes his two curved swords.

: Optimus Primal comes packaged on a small cardback that mixes the design of the original ''Beast Wars'' packaging with some nostalgic elements resembling [[Kenner]]'s ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' action figures from the late 1970s to early '80s.

*'''Hyper Steel Optimus Primal''' (2023)
**''Accessories'': Swords (2), spark

: This redeco of ''ReAction'' Optimus Primal now features translucent black plastic and a new accessory representing a floating [[spark]]. This piece was [[exclusive]] to [[Target]].

{{--}}

===''Milestone''===
[[File:DiamondSelectPrimal.jpg|upright=1.11|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (2023)

:Produced by [[Diamond Select]], this "Milestone" statue of Optimus Primal represents his season 1 body. The statue stands 14 inches tall and is posed to look as though it were suspended in midair by Primal's jet exhaust. Only 1,000 were produced, with an MSRP of $500.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Manta ray bw toy.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb]]
* Early in ''Beast Wars'' development, Hasbro conceived manta ray toys of "Optimus Prime" (before the cartoon made Primal a separate character) to go with "Megatron" as a sea turtle. The resulting [[McDonald's]] toy (at right) diverged in the final stage to become the separate character [[Manta Ray (BW)|Manta Ray]].
* In addition to the bat and manta concepts, Hasbro also conceived of an "Optimus Prime" lion retool of "[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Notes|Prowl]]", the early form of [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]] which spun off to become [[Panther]]. While the lion McDonald's toy did not come to fruition, the concept may have inspired Takara to create [[Lio Convoy]].
* The design of Optimus Primal's bat form is an [[homage]] to [[Batman]], an action figure license also held at the time by [[Kenner]].<ref>Page 78, Toy database section in ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]''</ref>
* According to Bob Forward at a BotCon panel, the "Flight Mode" Primal has in the first season of the ''Beast Wars'' animation is a vestigial reference to the bat-form, the concept being that Primal and Megatron would each have had 4(!) modes, able to transform freely between them. This was ultimately considered too difficult to animate, and the concept was dropped, Primal's "Prime Jets" being a way to prevent re-writing the flight-related parts of the scripts.
* Primal's gorilla mode, paired against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s ''T. rex'' mode, was inspired by the showdown in the film ''[[King Kong]]''.<ref>[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p2</ref>
* According to the control art of Optimus Primal's first gorilla toy, his chest originally seemed to be a kind of launcher instead of being an homage to the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].<ref>Page 50, Toy database section in ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]''</ref>
* The Basic class bat Optimus Primal toy, named "Convobat" in Japan, was homaged in the [[2016]] [[e-HOBBY]]-exclusive [[Convobat#Legends|Convobat]] toy, which is characterized as a separate individual from Optimus Primal.
{{--}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Again]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]
[[Category:BotCon exclusives]]
[[Category:Contest prizes]]
[[Category:Legends Maximals]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:McDonald's exclusives]]
[[Category:Platinum Edition]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes characters]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Robotmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us Japan exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers Character Card]]
[[Category:Transformers with multiple modes]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Maximals]]

Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)

2023-07-22T21:12:57Z

Ducktimus: Added article title to citation

{{disambig3.5|the real-world franchise|the historical event within the fiction|Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars}}
{{Nav-bw}}

'''''Beast Wars''''' is a [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'']] [[franchises|franchise]] that began in [[1996]], following the end of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''. It was a massive reinvention of the brand, featuring robots that changed into realistic, organically styled animals instead of the traditional vehicles or mechanical beasts. The accompanying cartoon was another visual break, being the first fully-[[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] ''Transformers'' series. It also did the seemingly unthinkable and replaced the original two factions, the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s, with the [[Maximal]]s and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. Though originally [[Ruined FOREVER|decried by fans]], ''Beast Wars'' dramatically reinvigorated the brand, the sales of which had been flagging under the ''Generation 2'' franchise.

"Beast Wars" is also frequently used as a catchall term for the [[Beast Era]] in which ''Beast Wars'' and other series occur.

{{bigquote|In the beginning came the beasts, and all that creeps, crawls and flies - but nature lies, they're robots in disguise!|[[Commercial]] narrator [[Victor Caroli]] ushers in the new era}}

{{bigquote|Their ancestors waged war
across the galaxy.
The conflict continues as
two opposing factions
renew their struggle
for control of the universe.

Once again,
on a new battleground,
"The Beast Wars" have begun...}}

==Franchise elements==
The ''Beast Wars'' franchise features the following primary components:

* [[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|A toyline]] — ([[1996]]–[[2000]])
* [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|A cartoon series]] — (1996–[[1999]]) called ''Beasties'' in many Canadian markets to appear less violent. Ha.
* [[Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|A video game]] for PC and [[PlayStation]] based on ''Beast Wars'' (specifically, the original organic exterior versions).
* [[Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)|A video game]] for the [[Nintendo 64]] based on ''Beast Wars'' (specifically, the Transmetal versions).
* [[Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (PS)|A video game]] for the PlayStation, with the same name and general concept as the N64 game, but significant differences.
* [[Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle|A video game]] for the [[Game Boy|Game Boy Color]] based on ''Beast Wars'', ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Beast Wars Neo''.
* Several later [[Beast Wars (comic)|comic series]] that [[retcon]] the cartoon and Japanese series.

==Japanese release==
{{nav-bwj}}
In Japan, the first season of the North American cartoon was aired with a markedly "kiddified" dub, accompanied by releases of the concurrent toys. Then two cel-animated series unique to Japan were aired, with their own toylines and manga. After those finished, the remaining two North American CGI seasons were aired and toys released under the name "Beast Wars Metals".

While the Japanese-produced Beast Wars animated productions used cel animation, the toys' box art was rendered in a similar style to the original Mainframe cartoon, whereas the Western releases of the toys were the opposite, featuring hand drawn box art.

==Continuations and addenda==
There are several 'expanded' ''Beast Wars'' storylines featuring events taking place 'just offscreen' of the cartoon series. Though the ''events'' of cartoon series are understood to occur just as had been portrayed, the ''context'' may be different, taking place in different time periods, etc. These contradictory stories all co-exist within the vast Transformers [[Continuity#Multiverse|Multiverse]].

Most of these exist mainly through [[Beast Wars (comic)|''Beast Wars'' comics]].

Highlights include:

* From 1997 to 2004, [[3H Productions|3H]] featured a series of comics, toy-exclusives and text stories set in the same continuity as the ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' cartoon series, continuing into the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' series.
* IDW Publishing has produced 2 series and a profile sourcebook This continuity is notable for including toys and events from several Japanese Beast Wars series. (See [[Beast Wars timeline (IDW)]])
* [[Fun Publications]] ''[[Transformers Timelines (franchise)|Timelines]]'' imprint (2005–2016) has published several ''Beast Wars'' comics and text stories.
* In addition, the Fun Publications-exclusive ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]'', a nearly unaltered version of the North American [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]], also contains "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' in its continuity.

==Prehistoric Earth==
The Beast Wars' exact time period was never specified within the show. Early on, Rhinox stated that they did not have the ability to determine how far in time they had traveled. Geographic location was equally vague: evidence in many episodes suggests African savannah, but characters would easily walk to snowy tundra or tropical rainforests, or fly to what may have been North America, as episode plots required. Both Megatron and Optimus Primal at times would say that the Great War between Autobots and Decepticons was four million years in the future - but they said this only after discovering the Ark. In the years after the cartoon ended several official dates have been given:

* 3,000,000 years ago — "[[Sixtrain! Activate Red Mode!!]]" — (2003)<ref>The Japanese dating of the events of Beast Wars as "3 Million Years Ago" appears to stem from mis-reading Optimus Primal's statement in the episode "[[Optimal Situation]]" that they would have four million years to "scrape Megatron off the walls" as a literal rather than figurative timeframe. Regardless, three million years is 'correct' for ''[[The Transformers: Micromaster|Micromaster]]'' continuity, as it was the age of wreckage discovered from that era.</ref> — (August, 2003)
* 180,000 {{w|Anno Domini|BC}} — "[[Primeval Dawn Part 2]]" — (July, 2004)
* 70,000 BC — [[The Gathering issue 2|''Beast Wars: The Gathering'' #2]] — (March, 2006)

Each of these dates applies to a different [[continuity]], so they do not conflict with one another. The Maximals and Predacons in those dimensions simply crashed at different times, but had otherwise identical adventures. (Generally with different events taking place 'offscreen' unique to each [[Beast Wars continuity|expanded continuity]].)

Earth's geology and biology seen in the cartoon does not cleanly fit any of those eras, mostly due to the extremely rapid evolutionary development of the [[anthropoid]]s.

=="Other" ''Beast Wars''==
* The initial toys and the [[Optimus Primal vs Megatron!|mini-comic]] packed with the basic Optimus Primal VS Megatron two-pack toy strongly implied that ''Beast Wars'' was a continuation of the previous [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] conflict on present day Earth, with Primal and Megatron simply new forms of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Megatron (G1)|original Megatron]]. This setting was abandoned when the 1996 cartoon established its futuristic setting. This remains an intriguing [[micro-continuity]].
* The war fought between the Maximals led by [[Lio Convoy]] and the Predacons led by [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] in the Japanese ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars II]]'' series has been termed the "[[Second Beast Wars]]" by [[Transformers I.Q.]]
* A version of the ''Beast Wars'' occurred in the past of one [[Unicron Trilogy]] micro-continuity. The text story "[[Fire in the Dark]]" in the 2004 ''[[Transformers Legends (book)|Transformers Legends]]'' anthology is set in this version of ''Beast Wars''.
* The [[Movie (franchise)|2007 live-action movie franchise]] has a version of the ''Beast Wars'' in its past.<ref>[[Sector Seven]] had the shattered [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|golden disk]] (and possibly the [[Covenant of Primus]]) in its archives in [[1898]], some 80 years before the disk's creation.</ref><ref>The [[Sector Seven (game)|Sector Seven Alternate Reality Game]] indicates Sector Seven is at least partially aware of the events of the ''Beast Wars'' as early as [[1983]], as they are mentioned in the [[Hungry Dragon|Takara Agreement]].</ref>
* The ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' franchise had its own Beast Wars as a campaign of the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] fought on the planet [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Animatron]].<ref>''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]''</ref>
* The 2013 [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Collectors' Club Magazine]] comic arc ''[[Beast Wars Shattered Glass]]'' features a group of Autobots and a group of Decepticons from the "[[Transformers: Classics#Fiction|Classicsverse]]" crashing on prehistoric ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (fiction)|Shattered Glass]]'' Earth and fighting as "Maximals" and "Predacons". The arc then concludes with the ''Shattered Glass'' reality's own ''[[Axalon (BWSG)|Axalon]]'' and ''[[Darksyde (BWSG)|Darksyde]]'' being pulled from the future to prehistoric Earth.
* 2014's ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' depicts the Maximals and Predacons as creations of the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builders]], former Autobots and Decepticons too decrepit to carry on their war. Pitted against one another in dystopic gladiatorial combat, the Maximal Guardian of Order [[Lio Convoy]] eventually sparks [[Grand Uprising|a rebellion]] against their hedonistic ancestors.
* In 2015, the Facebook edition of "[[Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime]]" described the Beast Wars of [[Aurex 615.03 Epsilon]]. This solar system-spanning conflict took place in [[Alpha Q's universe]]; both sides wound up adopting bizarre beast modes that varied by planet. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#June 3, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 03/06/2015}} {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 23, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 23/09/2015}}
* In 2017, [[Strange Visitors|''Revolutionaries'' #5]] introduced a very ''Beast Wars''-like backstory into the [[2005 IDW continuity]], featuring a crew of bestial Transformers searching for [[Energon]] and crash-landing on prehistoric [[Earth]] aboard the ''Axalon''. This sequence of events, however, spins into a version of the ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' tale, with the survivors of the crash (brainwashed by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]) eventually waking up in the 19th century and adopting steam-powered vehicle modes.

==A dramatic change==
The major change in direction for Transformers followed organizational changes within [[Hasbro]]. Hasbro had acquired rival toy manufacturer [[Kenner]] as part of their 1991 [[Tonka]] acquisition,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20081102035722/http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=ci_history_hasbro The History of Hasbro] (archive copy)</ref> and in [[1995]] they transferred their boys' toy lines from the Hasbro headquarters in Rhode Island to Kenner's offices in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kenner was asked to revitalize the brand with new ideas, and that is exactly what they did.

Then lead designer [[Chris Gross]] inadvertently kicked off the Beast Wars concept when he proposed a stylistic change from hard-edged, blocky robots to {{w|Bio Booster Armor Guyver|Guyver}}-inspired "organic" machines.<ref name="vinnie" /> The "[[mutant head|Beast Masks]]" on the first few Beast Wars toy designs were conceived of as a way of easing the transition from traditional Transformers into Beast Wars by showing that there was a robot within the beast, not just an animal that transforms into some kind of monster.<ref name="vinnie" /> The ''Beast Wars'' line title was inspired by a past toyline of Kenner's, namely the ''Future War'' line of ''[[Terminator]]'' toys. It was chosen based on the idea that it portrayed a "visceral conflict".<ref name="vinnie">[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/BC04interviews.html Botcon 2004 Interview with Vinnie D'Alleva], p1</ref> The show would not have been made unless a drastically new concept from the original Transformers was created, as G1 was considered a stale property at the time.<ref name="vinnie" />

==Reception==
''Beast Wars'' was the first complete reinvention of the [[Transformers brand]], discarding the previous setting/characters/factions to create a new story, set several hundred years in the future. Transformers in the Beast Era are much smaller (often human-sized) and transform into 'fleshy' non-robotic animals. Initially met with [[Trukk not munky|outrage]] by many fans (for a variety of reasons) ''Beast Wars'' would eventually become highly regarded, largely due to the exceptional quality of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon series]]. It is now not unusual for even longtime [[The Transformers (franchise)|1980s ''The Transformers'']] fans to consider ''Beast Wars'' to be their favorite Transformers franchise. This is perhaps best shown by the fact that, fifteen years later, the first two fan-chosen characters to enter the [[Transformers Hall of Fame]] were [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]].

==20th Anniversary==
[[File:BW20.png|200px|center]]

After the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' toyline and the bombastic celebration [[Hasbro]] threw for the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] in [[2014]] to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the franchise, the '''''[[Thrilling 30]]''''', the [[fandom]] waited with bated breath to see how Hasbro would handle [[2016]], the 20th anniversary of ''Beast Wars''.

[[File:Beast Wars Chilling 20th Logo.jpg|right|100px]]
Alas, there was little fanfare from Hasbro proper. The one nod to the anniversary was the last-[[2015]] release of the Year of the Monkey [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Platinum Edition|Optimus Primal]], which did sport a celebratory logo.

Hasbro licensee [[Fun Publications]] paid more heed. They themed [[BotCon 2016]] around ''Beast Wars'' and released several ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' prose stories, [[Intersectionality|one of which]] included its own '''Chilling 20''' logo as a joke.

[[TakaraTomy]] also released a bit of ''Beast Wars'' themed product in 2016. [[Exclusive]] versions of [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#LGEX|Rattle]], [[Rhinox (BW)#Legends|Rhinox]], and [[Waspinator (BW)/toys#Legends|Waspeeter]] were available at Transformers Fes2016. They released a ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Masterpiece|Optimus Primal]] for October 2016. [[E-HOBBY]] also released a new [[Convobat#Legends|Convobat]] in December 2016. All in all, it was a rather lackluster showing for the sub-line which reinvigorated the brand.

==25th Anniversary==
[[File:Beast Wars 25th Anniversary Logo.png|200px|center]]
The twenty-fifth anniversary in [[2021]] was met with significantly more fanfare, which featured the debut of the ''Beast Wars''-themed third chapter of the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|toyline]] and [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|cartoon]], a [[Transformers: Beast Wars|new ongoing ''Beast Wars'' comic]] from [[IDW Publishing]], and the announcement of the upcoming ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]'' film, featuring ''Beast Wars'' characters.

==Notes==
*On April 4, 2019, [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] listed a live-action adaptation to ''Beast Wars'' as a potential future entry to the [[live-action film series]].<ref>[https://www.slashfilm.com/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-pet-sematary-interview/3/ 'Pet Sematary' Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura On Making Big Changes To Stephen King's Book And The Current Status Of 'Snake Eyes,' 'McClane,' And 'Transformers' [Interview]]</ref> This would eventually manifest as ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.

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

[[Category:Beast Era]]
[[Category:Beast Wars| ]]
[[Category:Franchises]]

Defensor (OTFCC)

2023-07-17T02:43:11Z

Ducktimus: redirect broken links to archive.org

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambigm|Defensor (disambiguation)|Hot Spot (disambiguation)}}
:''Defensor is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Shell Game]] portion of the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]] (via the [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|2003 Universe franchise]]).''

[[Image:Defensorboxartsmall.jpg|right|250px|thumb|My art is as unfinished as my toy!]]
After millions of [[Autobot]]s were killed in [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]]'s war of conquest, the ex-commander '''Hot Spot''' was forced to become a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] bearer. Now known as '''Defensor''', he is the leader of the few Autobots—the ''very'' few—who remain. In fact, there is only one Autobot who remains under his command whose name is known: [[Ultra Trion]]. He is now the focal point of Megazarak's obsession to destroy all of the Autobots of his Cybertron.

Needless to say, he needs more help.

==Fiction==
===Shell Game continuity===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Hot Spot's [[Protection Team]] was killed by Megazarak. Hot Spot was the only survivor; although he still possessed the ability to combine, he had no teammates with which to do so. When Ultra Trion passed the Matrix onto him, he received new armor which gave him the abilities of his fallen comrades. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/07}} Now Defensor, he attempted to save the minds of the components of the brainwashed [[Rail Racer (RID)|Dominus Trannis]]; however, they were too far gone, and Defensor was forced to destroy them. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/28}} His quest to defeat Megazarak was long and painful, but Defensor triumphed after using Megazarak's own dark essence to create the [[Chaos Armor]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/07}}

During his final confrontation with Megazarak, [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Dark Scream]], [[Gas Skunk]], and [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] came to his aid; {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}} Defensor emerged victorious over the monstrous warlord. In the aftermath, Defensor began to rebuild Cybertron and rally survivors, but before he could complete this task he was granted a vision by the Matrix of ''another'' Megazarak, one intent on spreading mayhem throughout the multiverse. Defensor knew that it was his responsibility to travel across the dimensions and put a stop to this new menace. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/07}}

==Toys==
===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[Image:Defensorotfcc.jpg|right|250px|thumb|What teases we be.]]
*'''Defensor''' (<strike>OTFCC 2005</strike>)

:Planned as the larger [[exclusive]] toy for [[OTFCC 2004]], the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Defensor figure was to be a [[retool]] of 2001 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Optimus Prime]], the central (or smaller) robot being called "Hot Spot" (for [[Hot Spot (G1)|obvious reasons]]). The super mode's head was planned to be retooled, and the colors would have homaged the [[Defensor (G1)|original Defensor]]'s.

:Sadly, his release was pushed back to OTFCC 2005, which never happened, as [[3H Productions]] lost the convention license to [[Fun Publications]].

{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{Anchor|Midnight}}
[[Image:MidnightDefensorSuper.jpg|right|250px|thumb|And his very own [[black repaint]].]]
*'''Midnight Shield Defensor''' (<strike>OTFCC 2005</strike>)
:In order to offset the costs of producing such a large toy, a variant black deco was planned to be offered separately. It didn't happen either!

{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The name of the "Chaos Armor" comes from Defensor's black repaint being made with Chaos Black paint.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150930213834/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/116666-ask-vector-prime-axiom-nexus-news-on-facebook/page-146#entry3023504 Allspark forum (via the Internet Archive): "Speaking of which, is the "Chaos Armor" a reference to something?" "Chaos Black was the color of paint used in the mockup."]</ref>
**The Chaos Armor took a decade to make it into actual fiction.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150614012855/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/17406-a-curiosity-otfccs-dont-seem-to-exist/page-6#entry385132 Allspark forum (via the Internet Archive): Also, if I can dig the pictures up, you'll get to see the paint prototype for a variant we had planned - Chaos Armor Defensor.]</ref> Thank Primus for [[Jim Sorenson|nerds]], amiright?!!
*That other Megazarak is the one from [[Viron 403.0 Beta]] whose actions resulted in [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|''Universe'' Nemesis Prime]], thus making Defensor a nemesis to both of the established [[Viron]] Megazaraks. Better hope fans don't make up a third one or play with [[Megazarak (Armada)|the Aurex one]] or poor Deffy's never gonna rest!

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071226150554/http://www.allspark.com/index.php?set_albumName=OTFCC-Concepts-and-Prototypes&option=com_gallery&Itemid=4&include=view_album.php Archived copy of gallery of planned OTFCC toys at Allspark.com, including pictures of the Defensor prototype.]

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Firefighters]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) combiners]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Adam Baldwin

2023-07-10T23:54:34Z

Ducktimus:

[[Image:Adambaldwin.jpg|thumb|Also known for inciting violence against female journalists and game developers.]]
'''Adam Baldwin''' (born [[February 27]], [[1962]]) is an American actor best known for playing Jayne Cobb in the television series ''Firefly'' (also starring [[Gina Torres]] and [[Alan Tudyk]]); and its follow-up feature film, ''Serenity''. He has appeared in films such as ''Full Metal Jacket'', ''Predator 2'', ''Independence Day'', and ''The Patriot'', as well as TV shows including ''The X-Files'', ''NCIS'', ''Angel'', ''Chuck'' and multiple 'CSI'' series.

Equally prolific as a voice actor, he worked on ''Static Shock'', ''Men in Black'', ''Invader Zim'' and ''Justice League''.

He's not related to Alec or the other Baldwin brothers.

==Roles==
===''Transformers: Prime''===
*[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]]

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000284/ Adam Baldwin at IMDB]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baldwin, Adam}}
[[Category:English voice actors]]
[[Category:Hasbro Studios]]

Ectotron

2023-07-10T22:53:21Z

Ducktimus: caption, redirect broken link to archive.org

{{featured}}
{{factions|autobot|ghostbusters}}
:''Ectotron is an [[Autobot]] and [[Ghostbusters|Ghostbuster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]] (via [[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]).''
[[File:Ectotron_boxart.jpg|thumb|300px|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tdyU_gW6WE I ain’t afraid of no sleep. I ain’t afraid of no bed.]]]

'''Ectronymous Diamatron''' (nicknamed '''Ectotron''') has learned that sometimes, you just have to roll with what life throws at you. A bit of a stuffy, fussy bot by nature, he's learned that whether it's dealing with beings who can't pronounce his full name (or just don't want to) or getting splattered with spectral marshmallow goop, better to just go with it and soldier on.

It's how he's ended up working with the [[Ghostbusters]], a team of [[human]] paranormal investigators. Now in the guise of their (semi)reliable [[Ecto-1]] vehicle, this theoretical physicist finds himself in the company of a group who ''don't'' think he's really all that weird, given what they've been through. Plus, now he's got a Cybertronian-sized ion-throwing [[proton pack]] and neutrona wand, which is pretty dang useful against foes both physical and ectoplasmic.

{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===''Transformers/Ghostbusters''===
[[File:GhostsOfCybertron1-Ectotron.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"...Funkytown."]]

A theoretical physicist by trade, {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 3}} Ectronymous Diamatron was one of the many Autobots who fled the Decepticon-occupied [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', moments before the planet's destruction at the hands of [[Gozer]]. Although Ectronymous had worked hard to achieve his scientific credentials, Ectronymous felt overlooked by his shipmates, and chafed at their impromptu nickname, "Eck." Believing that the Autobots aboard the ship were the last of their kind after the loss of their homeworld, Ectronymous was shocked when—during one of his shifts on the ''Ark<nowiki>'</nowiki>s'' communication console—his homemade scanner detected a Cybertronian signal from a nearby world, and news of this strange reading eventually found its way up to Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Though the other Autobots doubted the veracity of his findings, Ectronymous's conviction moved Prime, and the Autobot leader decided to allow the scientist to travel to the planet to investigate: a planet the natives called "[[Earth]]."

[[File:GhostsOfCybertron2-everyonevskremzeek.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"That was your whole plan? "Get her!"?"]]

Arriving just outside [[Prospect Park]] in [[New York City]], Ectronymous [[scanning|scanned]] the first vehicle he could find: the [[Ecto-1]], incapacitated after a run-in with a particularly aggressive [[ghost]]. It was in this form that he first encountered [[human]]s, scaring off a pair of police officers who had attempted to ticket the illegally parked vehicle, before he was discovered by the [[Ghostbusters]], confused at the presence of ''two'' cars. It was not until the arrival of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s own ghost, however, that Ectronymous realized the ''true'' source of the signal; though [[Ray Stantz]] easily captured Starscream's ghost, [[Winston Zeddemore]]'s confusion over what an "Autobot" was prompted Ectronymous to reveal his true form to the Ghostbusters. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1}}

Though Ectronymous initially believed that he could simply intimidate the four men into handing over the [[ghost trap]] in question, he found that the Ghostbusters were far more difficult to intimidate than he initially believed, and Ectronymous was forced to zap the trap out of [[Peter Venkman]]'s hands, releasing the furious Air Commander. Despite initial hostilities, Starscream was able to persuade the heroes of his good intentions, claiming that he had been reduced to this ghostly state by a supernatural being that called itself "[[Kremzeek]]"—a story that was seemingly borne out moments later, when an electrically charged imp materialized nearby. Unable to restrain the creature with their normal technology, Ectronymous helped ground the manifestation and instantaneously dispelled it. Entering into an uneasy truce with Starscream, the group returned to [[Ghostbusters firehouse|the firehouse]] so that Ectronymous could repair his communications, which had been damaged during atmospheric entry, and contact Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 2}}

[[File:GhostsOfCybertron3-Ectotrontransforms.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Wait a minute, what did you do to my uncle's hearse?!]]

After meeting [[Janine Melnitz]], and grudgingly accepting the nickname "Ectotron", Ectronymous was able to reestablish contact with the ''Ark'' and inform Prime of the strange proceedings; while waiting for the Autobot leader to join them on Earth, however, the Ghostbusters accepted a job in Brooklyn and, with their main vehicle disabled, Ectotron was pressed into service as their substitute ride. While investigating an abandoned power plant in [[Brooklyn]], the team ran afoul of [[Killerwatt|another electrical ghost]]; thanks to Ectotron modifying a ghost trap beforehand to handle the increased wattage, and tackling a nearby telephone line after realizing that the ghost was feeding off the city's energy grid, the Ghostbusters were able to safely capture the ghost.

On returning to the firehouse, Ectotron connected with Optimus—who had, in the meantime, gotten acquainted with New York City's graffiti culture firsthand—and prepared to show him the trap where Starscream had been imprisoned in after returning to the firehouse... only for Peter to reveal that Starscream had vanished. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 3}} After relocating to the Ghostbusters' offsite [[Red Hook]] warehouse, the Cybertronians both received a set of massively upscaled [[proton pack]]s designed to tackle Cybertronian threats; after a brief and unsuccessful practice run, however, Egon detected Starscream's PKE signature in [[Queens]], and the team headed out.

[[File:GhostsOfCybertronPart4-protonpacks.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

While investigating [[Grosbeak Generating Station]], the team encountered Starscream... and, moments later, his ghostly "master" Kremzeek, who promptly swallowed his disloyal minion and launched an attack on the Ghostbusters and Autobots. While Peter cut the power and Optimus took on Kremzeek, Ray hit on the bright idea to unleash the electrical ghost that they had captured the previous night. After Ectotron procured the ghost trap in question, the team unleashed the ghost, who promptly devoured Keemzeek and, in the process, cancelled itself out. However, Kremzeek's destruction ''also'' unleashed the ghosts of the Decepticons that Kremzeek had captured and enslaved... including [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]! {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 4}}

In the ensuing battle, Ectotron was able to restrain and trap [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s ghost, but was taken off guard when Megatron used his ghostly powers to possess Ectotron's body, using him to momentarily overpower Optimus Prime. However, the Autobot leader was able to quickly pin down the possessed Autobot, long enough for Ray to use some [[mood slime]] to expel Megatron from his body. Though the [[Decepticon leader]] then considered possessing Optimus himself, he found himself restrained by Ectotron's neutrona wand, being summarily detained within a ghost trap.

[[File:GhostsOfCybertronPart5-EctotronOptimus.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

In the aftermath, Ectotron decided to leave Earth along with Optimus Prime, but decided that he would not return to the ''Ark''; rather, he would continue to travel the universe and search for more Cybertronian ghosts in the hopes that they could one day be returned to life and rehabilitated. As the first "intergalactic Ghostbuster", the scientist generated a new nametag for himself, and—after helping to repair both the firehouse and the real Ecto-1—left Earth aboard his shuttle... unaware that his departure was being watched by Starscream's ghost. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 5}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Collaborative''===
[[File:Collab-toy Ectotron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Oh baby! You're my number one Christmas boutique gift item!]]
[[File:Collaborative-Ghostbusters-Ectotron-box.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|It's technical. It's one of our little toys.]]
*'''Ectotron''' ([[July 8]], [[2019]])
**''Accessories'': [[Proton pack]], neutrona wand, [[Slimer]] figurine
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)|[[Ken Christiansen]] (concept artist)}}

:The first figure announced for the ''[[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]'' line, Ectotron turns into a [[General Motors]] licensed custom 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor, representing [[Ecto-1]] from the ''{{w|Ghostbusters (franchise)|Ghostbusters}}'' franchise. His vehicle mode features extensive paint applications to allow a mostly accurate appearance, including a lot of silver over translucent plastic to allow clear head, tail, and roof lights. The mass of machinery up top pulls out from the vehicle mode to form a "proton pack" in robot mode, with the connecting cable for the neutrona wand formed by the blue rubberized hose on the driver's side. This hose can be a bit of a pain to get back into position when transforming back to vehicle mode, so be careful. In robot mode, he features several design cues based on the Ghostbusters' uniforms, including the tan of their jumpsuits, his own nametag, and goggles. Whether coincidentally or by design, the proportions of Ectotron's vehicle and robot modes means that he is more-or-less in [[scale]] with most ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' figures.

:He comes with a [[5 mm post|5 mm-compatible]] neutrona wand accessory (which mounts on the side of the roof-gear in vehicle mode), and a delicious-looking soft translucent figurine of Slimer. The neutrona wand has a tip compatible with [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]] blast effects, and Slimer similarly has a compatible port on his underside. While it is likely to allow for mounting on an action figure "flight" stand, it also allows Slimer to be mounted on the roof of the vehicle mode or on the end of the weapon.

: Ectotron shares several parts with the ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Voyager Class [[Hot Spot (G1)#Combiner Wars|Hot Spot]]/[[Onslaught (G1)#Combiner Wars|Onslaught]] mold, most evidently the upper arms and legs.

: Ectotron is packaged in a nostalgic [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]-styled box in vehicle mode, much like the contemporaneous ''[[Vintage|Vintage G1]]'' line.

:The stock photography shows Ectotron holding his weapon by the peg used to mount it on the car mode roof machinery, while the instructions instead show it held by the grip that the cable plugs into. While the latter is more accurate to the device's operation in the film, the former allows it to be aimed forward without shooting from the hip.

:Announced in the run-up to [[Toy Fair 2019]], preorders for Ectotron went up on [[Hasbro Pulse]] on [[February 15]], 2019, selling out within six hours. Ectotron was also sold online through [[GameStop]] in the United States, [[EB Games]] in Canada, and Zing and EB Games in Australia. In 2020, additional online retailers offered this product for sale.

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-2947.html Collaborative Ectotron at Alfes's Blog]''
::*''[https://reflector.tfw2005.com/transformers-toys/crossovers/ghostbusters-transformers/ectotron/ Collaborative Ectotron at Reflector@TFW2005]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Afterlife}}
[[File:Collab-toy Afterlife Ectotron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|You don't look good. Well, you've looked better. You didn't used to look like this.]]
*'''Ectotron''' ([[2021]])
**''Accessories'': [[Proton pack]], neutrona wand, [[Slimer]] figurine, [[Muncher]] figurine
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:A redeco and minor retool of the original figure, the second version of Ectotron is based on the Ecto-1's worn-down appearance in ''{{w|Ghostbusters: Afterlife}}'', with rust and cracked Ghostbusters logos. The Ecto-1's ladder has been moved from the right side of the car to the left, and in robot mode Ectotron features a new head sculpt with lowered goggles and a raised face shield. Despite the prototype having painted eyes and mouth, the Slimer figurine remains unpainted on the final product and a second ghost, Muncher, is included as an unpainted translucent blue figurine.

:This version of Ectotron is packaged with a copy of ''[[Transformers/Ghostbusters]]'' [[Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1|#1]]. To accommodate the comic, the packaging has been changed from the original release's box to a blister card.

:Ectotron was released as a [[Target]] [[exclusive]], going up for preorder on [[November 13]], 2020 and later made available as a Toyworld exclusive, in [[New Zealand]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:PrototypeEctotron.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"This is not a bulldozer! ''This'' is not a fudgesicle! ''And how is this Ghostbusters II?!?''"]]
* Ectotron went through several prototype designs settling on the final version of the character. [http://66.media.tumblr.com/e3cdc9b0d6e2a71c9199df9941c4fe8d/tumblr_pxxgpa7gsg1qcrr5qo1_1280.jpg The earliest concept art] depicted Ectotron with an entirely different transformation scheme, which featured a chest formed from the hood of the Ecto-1, and slightly different legs. A second revision (pictured right), produced in 2018 in association with [[Dan Schoening]] and [[Luis Antonio Delgado]],<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://twitter.com/dannyschoening/status/1139058113892372480|quote=Crazy 👻🚫 Luis and I did that illustration about a year ago.|name=Dan Schoening|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=06|day=13}}</ref> possessed a slightly different head, a Shockwave-esque hand-mounted proton weapon, and a hazard stripe deco—apparently based off the [[wikia:ghostbusters:Ecto-1a|Ecto-1a]] from ''Ghostbusters II''—rather than the beige "jumpsuit" pattern as seen on the final toy.
*Ectotron's [[Tech Spec]] include the normal strength, intelligence, speed, and [[fireblast]] categories, as well as two new categories representing ghost trapping and “ghostbustability”.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201128083855/https://www.allspark.com/2019/02/transformers-collaborative-line-debuts-with-ghostbusters-ectotron/ Ectotron product listing archived at Allspark.com (via the Internet Archive)]</ref>
*Ectotron's code name was "Project Mullet". That name appears in listings at UK wholesaler NDA Toys<ref name="mulletnda">[https://www.nda-toys.com/product/7377/transformers-gen-project-mullet-wholesale NDA Toys listing] for "Project Mullet" aka Ectotron.</ref> and several international Amazon divisions.<ref name="mulletamzuk">[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MMSVNP1 Amazon UK listing] for "Project Mullet" aka Ectotron.</ref><ref name="mulletamzde">[https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07MMSVNP1 Amazon Germany listing] for "Project Mullet" aka Ectotron.</ref>
*According to [[Erik Burnham]] and Dan Schoening, Ectotron's dialogue in ''[[Transformers/Ghostbusters]]'' was written with the voice of {{w|David Hyde Pierce}} in mind.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://twitter.com/erikburnham/status/1143706829488349185|quote=It took me a bit to find one. And honestly, it was @dannyschoening who did it. He said "I read it as David Hyde Pierce." So... if that helps? I'll be curious to hear any other casting for ol' Eck! (And BTW -- glad you caught the fun, thanks!!)|name=Erik Burnham|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=06|day=25}}</ref>
*As part of Hasbro's promotional efforts prior to its release, Ectotron's toy appeared on ''{{w|The Goldbergs}}'', in the season 6 episode "There Can Be Only One Highlander Club".<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://twitter.com/Hasbro/status/1098585641015828480|quote=After last night's episode of #TheGoldbergs, I think we know who Adam's gonna call…Ecotron! Pre-order here: https://go.hasb.ro/2Gzr07r Tune in: Wednesdays 8|7c on ABC. @TheGoldbergsABC @ghostbusters|name=Hasbro|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=02|day=21}}</ref> (Which shouldn't have been possible since the show takes place over 30 years before the toy was created, ''but we digress''.)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[[wikia:ghostbusters:Ectotron|Ectotron]] at the Ghostbusters Wiki

[[Category:Collaborative]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Ghostbusters]]
[[Category:Physicists]]

Super Mode

2023-04-09T22:33:40Z

Ducktimus: /* Super-God Masterforce */

[[File:Comrade optimus supermode.jpg|thumb|250px|You've no idea how long this article went without a mainpic.]]
A '''Super Mode''' is an auxiliary transformation some Cybertronians possess that is used sparingly, perhaps due to a higher energy consumption. This transformation often involves combining with unused portions of their [[alternate mode]] and bringing normally concealed weapons systems online. This form is often a variation on the robot mode, but there are many who possess vehicular or other Super Modes. In some continuities, it is referred to as a '''Battle Mode''', '''Brute Mode''', or '''Ultra Mode'''. A robot-mode super mode is, amazingly enough, often called a '''Super Robot'''.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:DwellerDepths_Magnus_packing_heat.jpg|right|160px|thumb]]
:One might easily consider [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] one of the earliest examples of a Super Mode, due to his toy combining with his [[trailer]] to form a Super Robot. However, due to the recognition factor and possible confusion with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], he was never depicted in his primary robot mode. This made his Super Mode his ''de facto'' normal mode.

:This was later superseded by Optimus Prime's upgrade into a [[Powermaster]], by which he acquired a canonical Super Mode. However, after the first couple of issues he was rarely if ever shown in his smaller robot mode.

:The ''Classics'' Voyager Class and ''Generations'' Leader Class [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] toy has a removable head-piece and large booster-kibble in robot mode which could be considered a super mode (the actual reason was to allow a toy that resembles Jetfire in both his toy and cartoon appearances).
{{-}}
====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
====''Super-God Masterforce''====
[[Image:Godginrai_onmoon.jpg|right|160px|thumb]]
:[[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]], much like his American Powermaster counterpart, possessed both a robot mode and a Super Robot mode from combining with his trailer. As well, he could combine this powerful mode with the [[Godbomber]] drone to form a still larger and shinier "God Ginrai" mode. Though Godbomber had no counterpart in the English-language fiction, the rerelease of Powermaster Optimus Prime fifteen years later included the mold improvements featured in Ginrai as well as the Godbomber figure, renamed [[Apex Bomber]], who formed Prime's "Apex Armor."
{{-}}

====''Victory''====
[[Image:Starsaber_vs_dinoking.jpg|right|160px|thumb]]
:[[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] was a double [[Brainmaster]], starting as a small robot known as the Brain of Courage, combining into a larger robot named Saber, and finally forming an even larger robot known as Star Saber (natch). This robot could then be enhanced further by combining with [[Ginrai (robot)|Victory Leo]] to form Victory Saber.
{{-}}
====''Zone''====
{{stub|[[Big Powered]]}}
====''Return of Convoy''====
{{stub|[[Battlestar Attack]]}}
=====''Legends'' comic=====
{{stub|so many}}
=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
{{stub|oh god so many}}
====2005 IDW continuity====
[[Image:Thunderwingidwultramode.jpg|right|160px|thumb|Does this mean he's the same size as Devastator?]]
:[[Nova Prime]] possessed a Super Robot mode formed by combining with his vehicle mode's trailer. This form also granted him wings and thus the power of flight.

:[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] revealed that not only were his robot and jet modes enhanced by the [[Pretender]] process, but he also possessed an extremely powerful tertiary '''Ultra Mode'''. However this form drew heavily from the reserves of [[Ore-13]] that were powering him, causing the enhanced energon variant to go critical and burn him out from the inside. Damaging him beyond repair. [[Spotlight: Galvatron|Or not.]] {{storylink|The Transformers: Stormbringer |Stormbringer}}
{{-}}
{{stub|Sentinel Prime, Optimus Maximus, Minimus Ambus's whole deal, Phase 2/3 in general}}
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[Image:MistakenIdentity_Omega_Guns_stock.jpg|right|160px|thumb]]
:[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] initially had a smaller robot mode composed of just his vehicle mode cab, which could then combine with pieces of his "trailer" to form a larger, more powerful '''Battle Mode''' (this mode was called "Super Fire Convoy" in ''Car Robots''). Later on, he and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] could combine to form the Super Robot [[Omega Prime]] ("God Fire Convoy" in ''Car Robots''). Neither was the dominant personality in this fusion, much to Magnus's disappointment.

:Also, the three [[Autobot Brothers]] [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], and [[X-Brawn]] were each granted the ability to "Power Up" into a "Supercharge Mode" after receiving a power boost from Ultra Magnus when the Matrix was being shared between him and Prime. In contrast to more typical Super Modes which used unused altmode bits or hidden weapons, their super modes were examples of [[spontaneous recoloration]].
{{-}}

===Unicron Trilogy===
====''Armada''====
[[Image:Puppet_optimus_overload.jpg|right|160px|thumb|"This is perfectly safe, I swear!"]]
:[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] could combine with his trailer to form his Super Mode. He could also combine with [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] to become Jet Optimus. Both of these Super Modes could be further enhanced by mounting [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] on their shoulders. In the Japanese version ''Legends of the Microns'', the names used are "Jet Convoy" and "Magna Jet Convoy", respectively.

:[[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] could form a Super Mode by combining with the various components that make up [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]]; ''Legends of the Microns'' uses "Burning <s>Gundam</s> Megatron".
{{-}}

====''Energon''====
[[Image:TwoHeros_optimus_supermode.jpg|right|160px|thumb|"Mismatched limbs will be all the rage one day, just watch."]]
:Optimus Prime could combine with the four drone vehicles stored in his trailer, with each forming an arm or a leg [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style, leading to a wide variety of Super Robot modes. Prime could be further enhanced by combining with [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] to form either his heavily armed "Fight Mode" or the more maneuverable "Flight Mode." Prime could also combine with [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] to form "Optimus Supreme." The names "Wing Convoy - Cannon Mode", "Wing Convoy - Jet Mode", and "Omega Convoy" are used in the Japanese version ''Super Link''.

:Also, every Autobot (who wasn't an [[Omnicon]]) possessed the ability to combine with the others in pairs to form "[[Powerlinx]]" versions of themselves, thanks to the [[Spark of Combination]].

:As well, both [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] and [[Bulkhead (Energon)|Bulkhead]] possessed "Brute Modes," which were formed by combining with previously unused portions of their vehicle forms.
{{-}}

====''Cybertron''====
[[File:Cyb optimus super mode.jpg|right|160px|thumb|"You didn't want to see my mouth, anyway."]]
:In ''Transformers Cybertron'', Optimus Prime transforms into Super Mode. Most of his trailer goes onto his back while two leg pieces connect to the blue part of his legs and his [[mouthplate]] comes over his face. Optimus Prime goes into Super Mode when fighting in battle against anybody vaguely threatening.

:Optimus Prime could also enter a number of Super Mode configurations by combining with other characters, such as "Savage Claw Mode" with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] and "Sonic Wing Mode" with Wing Saber. In the Japanese version ''Galaxy Force'', "Liger Convoy" and "Sonic Convoy" respectively.

:Conversely, Megatron could form the "Dark Claw Mode" with [[Nemesis Breaker]], and similarly named "Liger Megatron" in ''Galaxy Force''.
{{-}}

===Live action film series===
====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====
[[Image:ROTF movie Powered-Up Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|right|250px|GIVE ME YOUR PARTS!]]
:After being critically injured by [[Scorponok (Movie)|Scorponok]], [[Jetfire (Movie)|Jetfire]] offered his parts to [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who was still recovering after being resurrected and needed assistance in fighting [[the Fallen]]. Jetfire then ripped out his [[Laser core|spark core]] and died. [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] then instructed [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] to transplant the afterburners and weapons onto Optimus Prime's [[structure]]. Once completed, Optimus Prime was left with two winged rocket thrusters, extra armor, an arm-mounted missile launcher, and an arm-mounted machine gun. Flying off, Optimus broke through the debris The Fallen had raised to protect the [[Star Harvester]] and destroyed the machine, then attacked the Fallen. [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] came to the aid of his master, but Optimus broke off his arm, shooting off about a third of Megatron's head and finally used the rocket thrusters to send Megatron flying through some ruins. Optimus Prime and The Fallen then resumed their duel. The Fallen was able to tear off Prime's left thruster and strike him in the face with it, but Optimus Prime ultimately triumphed and ripped out the Fallen's [[spark]], forcing Megatron and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] to retreat. Following this, Optimus detached Jetfire's donated parts. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

====''Dark of the Moon'' film====
[[Image:DOTM_optimus_with_flight_tech.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
:Optimus Prime keeps the sacrificed parts from Jetfire, as well as the upgrade in power that came with it, keeping the rocket engine pieces inside his [[Armored Weapons Platform|trailer]] in the form of flight-capable combat armor. Additionally, the trailer itself also contains an impressive arsenal, deploying into a mobile weapons base as Optimus transforms.

:Additionally, many Transformers are capable of [[Stealth Force|boosting their agility and deploying numerous weapons directly from their vehicle modes]]. [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and the [[Wreckers]] in particular can access "Stealth Force" vehicle modes that are ''significantly'' more weaponized, being filled to the brim with weapons and rocket boosters. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

====''The Last Knight'' film====
*Though never seen in the movie, Cogman could also assume an unorthodox [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] configuration, and take control of a larger body.

===''Animated''===
*Prowl's samurai armor and Optimus's jetpack could count as supermodes.

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:Rescuebots hightide megabot.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Optimus never thought this guy would come in handy to help deal with the [[Darkness Rising|Terrorcon apocalypse]], [[One Shall Rise, Part 1|Unicron's reactivation]], [[Darkest Hour (episode)|the destruction of the Autobot base]], or [[Deadlock (episode)|the potential obliteration of Earth's biosphere]]?]]
:[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] seemed to have a [[Bumblebee Battle Suit|battle suit]], atleast in toy form as it was never used in the show.
*The [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] could arguably serve as a "super mode" for those who wear it.
:[[High Tide]], however, does have a super mode. He can combine with his Rescue Rig, forming the head of a '''Megabot Mode''', while his rig transforms into a giant body, which greatly resembles the [[Headmaster]] or [[Brainmaster]] technology. {{storylink|Turning the Tide}}
*Years later, while fighting [[The Fallen|Megatronus]], Sideswipe, Strongarm, and Bumblebee discovered that when they combined their [[Decepticon Hunter]]s, in [[Prime Decepticon Hunter|Prime form]], the energy surge would create armor for them to wear. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 2}}
*Steeljaw would later find out about the power armors formed from combining three Decepticon hunters and would do the opposite, wield all three himself to form an even powerful armor, which Bumblebee stole back when Steeljaw lost the weapons.
*Though not much of a supermode, several characters would gain the ability to scan vehicles, and only change their color schemes, allowing them to blend into various terrians. Initially Optimus introduced the trick as something the Primes taught him during his time in the Realm of the Primes, but later other characters, who would have no way of knowing, use the ability as well.
*Several Minicons would show up in the second and third seasons that, like ''Armada'' before it, would have them link up to certain characters and allow them to gain powered armors or new configurations. Most notably the Weaponizers, which Starscream would seek out because if all 7 were combined, he would exceed the power level of a Prime. Starscream would gain an armor from combining all 7 Minicons, though he later lost one, which linked with Optimus and gave him armor as well.
*Later Stunwing would link up with Bumblebee and briefly give him a flying car mode.
*Soundwave would later use the Activators to steal the Autobots Decepticon Hunters to upgrade himself and free himself from the Shadowzone. Unlike Steeljaw, Soundwave's new body form remained intact even after losing the weapon, though his body seemed to revert a different color scheme.
*Optimus would link up with Hi-Test and gain the ability to turn into what was essentially a mobile battle station.

===''Cloud''===
{{main|Dimension Mode}}
{{stub}}

===''Cyberverse''===
*Season 2 would see several characters using the [[AllSpark]] to combine with ordinary earth vehicles to form powered armors. Of course, this would be carried over into the toyline where several more characters would come with armor who didn't otherwise have any in the show.
{{-}}

==See also==
*[[Attack mode]]
*[[Combiner]]
*[[Optimus Prime Super Modes]]

[[Category:Gimmicks]]

Saigon

2023-04-08T07:57:00Z

Ducktimus: Created page with "'''Saigon''' (''Sài Gòn''), formally known as '''Ho Chi Minh City''' since the end of the Vietnam War, is the largest and most populous city in Vietnam. From [[1887]..."

'''Saigon''' (''Sài Gòn''), formally known as '''Ho Chi Minh City''' since the end of the [[Vietnam War]], is the largest and most populous city in [[Vietnam]]. From [[1887]] to [[1902]], and again from [[1945]] until its cessation in [[1954]], Saigon served as the capital of [[w:French Indochina|French Indochina]]. When French Indochina was partitioned into [[W:North Vietnam|North]] and [[W:South Vietnam|South Vietnam]], Saigon became the capital of South Vietnam until it fell at the end of the war in [[1975]].

==Fiction==
===Movie continuity family===
====Movie expanded universe====

[[Philip Nolan]] and [[Thomas Kinnear]] of [[Sector Seven]] went on a mission to Saigon together during the Vietnam War. {{storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

[[Category:Asian cities]]
[[Category:Real-world human settlements]]

Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)

2023-04-08T07:16:12Z

Ducktimus: caption

{{disambig2|Cobra's evil deity|the Cobra base|Koh-Buru-Lah}}
:''Koh-Buru-Lah is a entity from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Pax Megatronus cobra's last supper.jpg|right|thumb|"Ia! Ia! Koh-Buru-Lah Fhtagn!"]]

'''Koh-Buru-Lah''' is the god of [[Cobra]].

==Fiction==
===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Koh-Buru-Lah lay dormant at the bottom of a frigid precipice in a remote land, forgotten to the world. [[Cobra Commander]] summoned up the god and its monstrous brood of snake-men into the world after learning that [[Cobra|his organization]] had sullied itself by joining forces with living machines in his absence. The terrorist leader then led Koh-Buru-Lah to [[New York City]], where [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and the [[Baroness|Serpentress]]-led splinter-faction of Decepticobra were fighting [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and each other. The eldritch abomination began wreaking havoc on the city, undisturbed by the various war machines that fired upon it. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

When [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] came to [[Silent Castle]] bearing the defeated [[Snake-Eyes]] as a gift for Cobra Commander, Koh-Buru-Lah became enraged at the sight of the boy's artificial limbs. It tore Billy apart to separate his organic and mechanical components. {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}} Koh-Buru-Lah managed to escape the destruction of [[Earth]] by climbing upon one of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s horns. The god carried its disciples within the organic sacs on its body. On the way to the metal world's surface, the entity did battle with Snake-Eyes as [[Storm Shadow]] freed Billy from the sac he was imprisoned in. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}} Koh-Buru-Lah carried Cobra Commander to the various [[Terrordrome]]s across Cybertron to reunite his forces and watched as he recruited the Baroness back into his service. It then carried him to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] as the Decepticon leader was being overwhelmed by [[G.I.Rocket|green bombs]]. The Commander struck a deal where he would free Megatron in exchange for control over Mars. The Decepticon Emperor agreed and the vines withered away. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Vector Prime]] considered Ko-Buru-Lah among the evilest beings he had come across. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/12}}

==Notes==
*The name Koh-Buru-Lah is a nod to the [[Cobra-La]] faction of the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' franchise.

[[Category:Fiction-only characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 gods]]

Realignments

2023-04-08T07:02:25Z

Ducktimus: /* Synopsis */ link to wikipedia

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes and Transformers: Generation 2'']] #139
|prev=Unfoldings!
|next=Goin' South
|title="Realignments"
|image=Marvel GIJoe-139.jpg
|caption=Say hello to my little friend!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=
|coverdate=August [[1993]]
|script=[[Larry Hama]]
|pencils=[[Chris Batista]]
|inks=[[Stephen Baskerville|Baskerville]], [[Keith Williams|Williams]], [[Don Hudson|Hudson]], [[Chip Wallace|Wallace]] (pages 16–20)
|colors=[[Bob Sharen|Sharen]], [[Renee Witterstaetter|Witterstaetter]]
|letters=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[David Wohl]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Megatron and Cobra Commander make a deal.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Megatrong2cobra.jpg|left|150px|thumb|What color do you paint a Transformer with a hypervelocity [[rail gun]]? Any color he wants.]]
[[Cobra Commander]] proposes a deal with the visibly damaged [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], which the [[Decepticon]] takes as an affront and attacks the [[Silent Castle]] and its occupants in response. He also doesn't take kindly to having wasted his time and energies flying from [[Canada]] under the impression that the transforming castle was another Decepticon. Cobra Commander and his lieutenants flee inside the castle to figure out a better offer while [[Slice (G.I. Joe)|Slice]] and a [[Medi-Viper]] attend to [[Scarlett]]'s grievous stab wound. Figuring he wants to find out Scarlett's true agenda, he takes her to the safety of the operating room, to Scarlett's bemusement.

Megatron transforms into gun mode to create a smaller target and concentrate his energies into firepower. One shot barely misses [[Sidney Biggles-Jones|Doctor Biggles-Jones]], who realizes that the firepower is of alien technology, but is unimpressed and brings out her rail gun to deal with the robot. The resulting projectile manages to rip through Megatron's chassis, which baffles the Decepticon with its technological advancement beyond his knowledge of [[human]] civilization. He reaches for the weapon and is about to crush Biggles-Jones, considering her an irrelevant gnat till Cobra Commander warns him that she created the railgun and still needs to work out the kinks. Megatron acquiesces to a deal: a refurbishment for himself including the rail gun in exchange for technology aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''.

On the [[w:Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130]] above the [[Atlantic Ocean]], [[Destro]] attempts to comfort [[Snake-Eyes]] in his decision to stab Scarlett, but, as [[Storm Shadow]] explains, Snake-Eyes resents Destro for making him come in the first place.

Back in [[Trans-Carpathia]], Megatron has helpfully given [[Cobra]] all of the schematics and data needed for his new body. [[Zarana]] suggests to Cobra Commander that they just disassemble Megatron while he's vulnerable, but the Commander refuses, noting his desire for the ''Ark'' technology. Meanwhile, in the medical facilities, the Medi-Viper notes the astonishing lack of damage to Scarlett's body from the stab, which just increases Slice's suspicion.

The C-130 finally arrives at its destination, [[Cobra Island]] in the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. There, G.I. Joe, Destro, and the [[Baroness]] meet up with [[Zartan]] and the assembled group discuss the status of [[Doctor Mindbender]] and his technology left behind on the island. Zartan speculates that the mad doctor has left behind a means of reviving himself...

At the Silent Castle, Megatron tries out his new body, easily taking down several [[HISS tank]]s. After transforming into robot mode, he commends Cobra's work, and notes that his senses can detect even the Commander's secret experiment in the basement—an inert Doctor Mindbender who has just begun breathing...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (4)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Scarlett]] (8)
*[[Wild Bill]] (10)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (11)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (13)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (15)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (16)

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Sidney Biggles-Jones]] (1)
*[[Zarana]] (2)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (3)
*[[Cobra Viper]]s (5)
*[[Slice (G.I. Joe)|Slice]] (6)
*[[Medi-Viper]] (7)
*[[Alley-Viper]]s (9)
*[[Destro]] (12)
*[[Baroness]] (14)
*[[Techno-Viper]]s (17)
*[[Dice (G.I. Joe)|Dice]] (18)
*[[Zartan]] (19)
*''[[Serpentor]]'' (20)
*[[Doctor Mindbender]] (21)
}}

==Notes==
*The cover title of the series for this issue is ''G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes and Transformers: Generation 2''. However, the title in the indicia (and hence the legal title) is ''G.I. Joe A Real American Hero''.
*Megatron's portrayal in this issue has him as one of the most robotic Transformers ever. He speaks almost entirely in terms of sensors and analyses; he gives his own systems many verbal commands during battle ("Reconfigure!" "Damage control activated!"); and he demonstrates far-reaching sensor acuity, giving the chemical and biological details of Dr. Mindbender's revival several floors below, and tracking a weapon's projectile into orbit.
*Megatron can ''fly'' in gun mode!
*"Neo-Trapezoid" is a totally made-up architectural style.

===Covers (1)===
*'''Cover A:''' Megatron holding Cobra Commander by [[Chris Batista]] and [[Chip Wallace]].

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

===Reprints===
*'''''[[Classic G.I. Joe Volume 14]]'' TPB''' ([[March 21]], [[2012]]) (ISBN 978-1613771532)
:*Collects ''G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes and Ninja Force'' #135–138, ''G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes and Transformers: Generation 2'' #139–142, and ''G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes'' #143–145
:*Despite the various titles, all stories are part of the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe'' comic]].

*'''[[G.I. Joe/Transformers Volume 1|''G.I. Joe/Transformers,'' Volume 1]] TPB''' ([[August 29]], 2012) (ISBN 978-1613773529)
:*Collects [[Unfoldings!|#138]]–[[...All Fall Down!|142]] (with #138 in a summary w/ a short excerpt only) and the earlier ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' series.
:*The title given above is the indicia title; the cover title is ''G.I. Joe The Transformers 1''.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 89: Realignments''''' ([[March 4]], [[2020]])
:*Collects issues #138–142 (with #138 reprinted in full, this time), as well as ''G.I. Joe and the Transformers'' #1–4.
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery and an intro from [[Simon Furman]].
<gallery>
File:ClassicGIJoeVol14.jpg|'''''Classic G.I. Joe Volume 14'' TPB'''; art by [[Jonboy Meyers]] and [[Anthony Washington]]
File:GIJoeTFVol1.jpg|'''''G.I. Joe/Transformers,'' Volume 1'''; art by [[Klaus Scherwinski]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v89.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Vol. 89: Realignments'''''; art by [[Joe Ng]] (Goldbug), [[Chris Batista]], Baskerville, [[Keith Williams|Williams]], and [[Don Hudson|Hudson]]
</gallery>

[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 issues]]

Unfoldings!

2023-04-08T06:57:21Z

Ducktimus: link to wikipedia

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes and Ninja Force'']] #138
|prev=End of the Road! (US)
|next=Realignments
|title="Unfoldings!"
|image=Marvel GIJoe-138.jpg
|caption=Sparta!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=
|coverdate=July [[1993]]
|script=[[Larry Hama]]
|breakdowns=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|finishes=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colors=[[Bob Sharen]]
|letters=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
[[End of the Road! (US)|'''...Can NEVER come to an end.''']]

==Synopsis==
[[Scarlett]] has a nightmare about her apparent killing of [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] and [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] recently as an unintentional part of her cover to infiltrate [[Cobra]] as a "traitor". She wakes up in tears and is just in time to hear an alarm go on in [[Destro]]'s [[Silent Castle]], where she is staying and is controlled by [[Cobra Commander]]. The [[Techno-Viper]]s have blasted a hole into the castle's secret passages, and [[Sidney Biggles-Jones|Doctor Biggles-Jones]] recruits Scarlett in the effort to ferret out the [[Baroness]] and Destro, whom Cobra Commander believes are hiding out in the castle. They meet in Cobra Commander's throne room, where the suspicious [[Zarana]] suggests Scarlett go into the hole first, in case of booby traps; the secret [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] takes up the challenge and goes ahead, with Biggles-Jones following.

Inside the secret passageways, the Baroness and Destro avoid the traps previously planted by Desto and wait for the G.I. Joe team meant to rendezvous with the duo and extract them from Cobra's clutches. Far above the castle in the [[w:Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130]], the very alive Hawk and Stalker are preparing [[Snake-Eyes]] and [[Storm Shadow]] in their mission to bring Destro and the Baroness to safety. Hawk apologizes for not informing the two of Scarlett's covert infiltration and orders them to not treat her as anything less than an enemy if the two run into her.

In the castle's secret corridors, Scarlett and Biggles-Jones follow the scent of [[Eternity|Baroness's perfume]] and manage to avoid the traps. The following [[Tele-Viper]]s are not so observant. Far ahead of them are Destro and the Baroness, who make it to the core of the castle, where they set the castle's controls to a confusing, constantly-shifting midway point between its two forms, hoping to use it as distraction for their escape. The G.I. Joe ninjas make it in time to see the castle shift; while they appreciate it taking out the Viper troops, they bemoan having to rappel down in lieu of stable grounding. Inside the castle, Destro and the Baroness run into Scarlett and Biggles-Jones. The group exchange some fire before Destro and the Baroness make their escape; Destro's mask allows him to find the best path through the castle, an advantage none of their enemies have.

Scarlett and Biggles-Jones get to the control room, where they have trouble with a stuck lever. They fear that, without setting the castle to one form, it will eventually collapse on itself, taking its occupants with it. Elsewhere, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|a shadowed figure]] speaks to [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|another]] about the transforming castle, with the latter suspecting it could be [[Transformer|one of themselves]].

Cobra is alerted to the presence of the G.I. Joe ninjas and Cobra Commander sics [[Slice (G.I. Joe)|Slice]] and [[Dice (G.I. Joe)|Dice]] to deal with them. Scarlett finds the reason why the lever was stuck: one of [[Destro]]'s wrist rockets rigged to have a delayed explosion! Scarlett manages to throw it away before it can do harm and the resulting explosion creates a hole leading outside, which the two use to catch up to Destro. Destro and the Baroness run into Cobra Commander and company before they make it outside, where they are spotted by Scarlett. The two ex-Cobras make it to the top, where they meet with Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow. They are about to evacuate when Scarlett catches up with them; put in the spot, Snake-Eyes stabs Scarlett, barely missing her heart. Back on the C-130, Hawk reassures the regretful Snake-Eyes that Scarlett would understand what he had to do, which is confirmed when Scarlett, still on the castle's roof, gives a knowing smile.

Cobra Commander makes it to the scene, and Slice, suspicious of Scarlett's motives, suggests just letting her bleed out, but Cobra Commander has plans for her and orders her brought to the medics. But before anybody can react, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] has arrived, and he's not happy to find out that the castle isn't much of a sentient entity...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (17)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (18)
|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]]|c3=
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (1)
*[[Scarlett]] (2)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (3)
*[[Wild Bill]] (13)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (14)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (15)
|h4=[[Cobra]]s|c4=
*[[Cobra Viper]]s (4)
*[[Sidney Biggles-Jones]] (5)
*[[Road Pig (G.I. Joe)|Road Pig]] (6)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (7)
*[[Slice (G.I. Joe)|Slice]] (8)
*[[Zarana]] (9)
*[[Dice (G.I. Joe)|Dice]] (10)
*[[Baroness]] (11)
*[[Destro]] (12)
*[[Tele-Viper]]s (16)
*[[Frag-Viper]] (19)
}}

==Notes==
[[File:Unfoldings! Decepticon silhouettes.jpg|thumb]]
*The cover title of the series for this issue is ''G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes and Ninja Force''. However, the title in the indicia (and hence the legal title) is ''G.I. Joe A Real American Hero''.
*The issue came polybagged, with a free G.I. Joe "Search and Destroy" trading card. This led to a price increase to $1.75.
*Megatron is seen talking to another Transformer as they witness the transformation of Destro's castle. At this point, both Transformers are in the shadows and are unidentified (although both have two eyes). It seems likely that this was intended to be [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], but the second Transformer is never seen again in the unfolding ''G.I. Joe'' story, and Megatron is seen explicitly reviving Starscream (and wondering why he's bothering to do so) in "[[All or Nothing!]]".
*Quite how Megatron came to life, and why [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] did not (the latter being mentally linked to Megatron), is never explained. Evidently it happened semi-recently, as "[[All or Nothing!]]" reveals that [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] felt sure the Transformers war was over for good and left [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] dormant in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]].

===Errors===
*Megatron speaks in square Transformer speech bubbles in some panels and round human speech bubbles in other panels.
*Megatron flies. [[Robot mode]] [[flight]] is not an ability Transformers generally had in Marvel comics.

===Covers (1)===
*'''Cover A:''' Baroness and Destro, by [[Andrew Wildman]].

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

===Reprints===
*'''''[[Classic G.I. Joe Volume 14]]'' TPB''' ([[March 21]], [[2012]]) (ISBN 978-1613771532)
:*Collects ''G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes and Ninja Force'' #135–138, ''G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes and Transformers: Generation 2'' #139–142, and ''G.I. Joe Starring Snake-Eyes'' #143–145
:*Despite the various titles, all stories are part of the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe'' comic]].

*'''[[G.I. Joe/Transformers Volume 1|''G.I. Joe/Transformers,'' Volume 1]] TPB''' ([[August 29]], 2012) (ISBN 978-1613773529)
:*Collects this story in a summary w/ a short excerpt only, along with issues [[Realignments|#139]]–[[...All Fall Down!|142]] and the earlier ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' series.
:*The title given above is the indicia title; the cover title is ''G.I. Joe The Transformers 1''.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 89: Realignments''''' ([[March 4]], [[2020]])
:*Collects this story in full, along with issues #139–142, as well as ''G.I. Joe and the Transformers'' #1–4.
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery and an intro from [[Simon Furman]].
<gallery>
File:ClassicGIJoeVol14.jpg|'''''Classic G.I. Joe Volume 14'' TPB'''; art by [[Jonboy Meyers]] and [[Anthony Washington]]
File:GIJoeTFVol1.jpg|'''''G.I. Joe/Transformers,'' Volume 1'''; art by [[Klaus Scherwinski]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v89.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Vol. 89: Realignments'''''; art by Dreamwave (Goldbug), [[Chris Batista]], Baskerville, [[Keith Williams|Williams]], and [[Don Hudson|Hudson]]
</gallery>

[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 issues]]

Wild Bill

2023-04-08T06:55:23Z

Ducktimus: links

{{factions|gijoe|{{factions/icons|custom=ActionForce Logo.png|cLink=Action Force (team)|cPretty=Action Force|cSize=180px}}}}
{{disambig3|Bill}}

:''Wild Bill is a member of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] from the [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:WildBill ActionForce.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"OH SHI— er, I mean, ''aw dang''!"]]

A genial modern-day [[Texas]] cowboy with a love of country music and tall tales, '''Wild Bill''' may seem like an oddly quaint, albeit friendly, throwback to an earlier time. Don't let that fool you, however; he served a tour in [[Vietnam]] as part of a LRRP (long-range recon patrol) team before going to flight school, wherein he learned how to fly helicopters, such as his beloved [[Dragonfly]], before ultimately figuring out how to pilot everything that can fly and a few things which can't (or, at least, aren't ''supposed to''). He has earned the respect of his fellow [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] several times over for his willingness to mix it up in battle and skill in the air.

Howdy, pardner.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''====
After [[Power Station Alpha]] was hijacked remotely, Wild Bill and his Dragonfly were among the Joes who [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] dispatched to intercept it. He managed to shoot down a [[Rattler]] in battle. {{storylink|Power Struggle}} G.I. Joe and the Autobots joined forces to better combat the Decepticons after they had taken control of Power Station Alpha. Wild Bill was inside the Ark when tremors began rocking the planet due to the station's growing influence. Despite the escalating urgency of the situation, he still couldn't get over working alongside Cobra to achieve a common goal; the preservation of their homeworld! {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Wild Bill Realignments.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|Oh, I don't want a pickle.]]
Wild Bill flew [[Snake-Eyes]] and [[Storm Shadow]] in the [[w:Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130]] to [[Trans-Carpathia]] so that they could retrieve the defecting [[Destro]] and the [[Baroness]]. He came back to pick them up when they made their escape. {{storylink|Unfoldings!}} He then flew the crew to the abandoned [[Cobra Island]]. As the flight was going to be a lengthy one, he informed his passengers to help themselves to some of their food supplies during the trip. Spirits were low, however, and everyone simply brooded instead. {{storylink|Realignments}}

Wild Bill later drove [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] to [[Milleville]] so that they could deal with the Cybertronian technology [[Cobra]] acquired. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}}

====Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' comic====
[[File:WildBill versus Megatron.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|I just wanna ride my motorsickle.]]

A longtime veteran from [[United Kingdom|Hull, England]], Wild Bill once flew the chopper in a rescue mission in Southeast Asia. They pulled six of their men out, and he wanted to go for the seventh. The commanding officer gave the order to withdraw instead, stating that if they tried, they'd only sacrifice the lives of everyone else they'd saved. Wild Bill stayed awake at night for years after that, wondering what happened to that seventh man.

[[File:WildBill remembers.jpg|upright=0.85|left|thumb|And I don't wanna die.]]

Years later, he was a [[Dragonfly]] pilot in the [[Europe]]an branch of [[Action Force (team)|Action Force]]. At [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]]'s command, Wild Bill led the Dragonflies against a [[Straxus (G1)#Marvel Comics|monstrous robot]] in the [[London]] docklands. Unfortunately, their fire only served to annoy the robot, and Wild Bill's Dragonfly was shot out of the sky in retaliation. Luckily, he was saved by [[Blades (G1)|another robot, Blades]], who informed him about [[Two Megatrons!|this "Megatron" fella]] and how indestructible he was...too late for Wild Bill to warn Flint against sending in [[Mauler|the Maulers]]!

After the resulting carnage, Wild Bill helped pull [[Dusty]] clear and then withdrew inside Blades along with Flint. He had flashbacks to his Asian rescue operation when Flint ordered a [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystriker]] air strike on a gas refinery in order to kill Megatron, at the cost of [[Grimlock (G1)|an Autobot life]]. Wild Bill viewed this as murder and refused to sit back ''this'' time, trying to rally [[Centurion (Marvel)|the robot Centurion]] to assist and growing angry with him when the robot just stood there. Eventually, Centurion did decide to go in, giving Wild Bill and Blades time to pull Grimlock to safety...but at the cost of Centurion's life. The pilot was left distraught. {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Wild Bill GIJoevsTFs4.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|I just wanna ride my motorcy....cle.]]
During G.I. Joe's attack on [[Cobra Island]], Wild Bill piloted one of the cargo planes transporting troops and vehicles to enemy territory. When [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] explained to him that they were doing the right thing even though the higher-ups at the [[Pentagon]] were against the attack, Wild Bill cheerfully said that he and the other Joes were well aware of that. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}}

===''Transformers/G.I. Joe''===
Wild Bill flew a team of Joes from [[Utah]] to [[Oregon]], where an alien spaceship had crash-landed. {{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. Wild Bill could be seen standing side-by-side with Flint on one of Synergy's view-screens. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}

===''Kre-O'' cartoon===
[[File:CarnivalFaceOff Wild Bill.jpg|thumb|left|100px]]
Wild Bill was among a group of Joes who went to a carnival. After having an unsuccessful attempt at winning a "ring the bell" strongman contest, Wild Bill handed the hammer to [[Quick Kick]], who had similarly poor luck. Moments later they all watched open-mouthed as the Terrorcons combined into [[Abominus (Prime)|Abominus]] and smashed the game so hard it broke. {{storylink|Carnival Face Off}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Wild Bill piloted a helicopter that dropped off a G.I. Joe strike force, allowing them to storm a Cobra hideout housing deadly [[G.I.Rocket|Creeper bombs]]. He joined the fight proper when [[Cobra Commander]] attempted to flee in a [[Rattler]], and chased down the head of Cobra alongside [[Ace (G.I. Joe)|Ace]], [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], [[Scarlett]], [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], and [[Snake-Eyes]]. Though the arrival of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] complicated things, Wild Bill and Ace were able to deliver a couple of payloads that destroyed the Cobra plane, seemingly bringing an end to Cobra Commander's reign of terror. {{storylink|The Golden Boys}}

Wild Bill was part of a strike team that stormed [[Springfield (G.I. Joe)|Springfield]], a Cobra base disguised as a quaint little town. There, he helped rescue [[Gung Ho]], who had been overpowered by the twins [[Tomax and Xamot]]. Later, he helped patrol the skies when G.I. Joe acted as Earth's representatives as envoys from the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] landed planet-side. He scrambled away when the Decepticons proved themselves to be hostiles, and it became necessary to fire a [[Coltonbolt]] from an orbital defense satellite, destroying both [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and one of G.I. Joe's bases. Earth then went on the offensive, sending a team to Cybertron to invade it. Wild Bill served as one of this team's pilots. {{storylink|I Saw Three Ships}} Their ship, the ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'', was used to bombard Cybertron with "green bombs," carpeting the planet with foliage.

When the Joes ran afoul of both [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] during one of their air raids, Wild Bill separated his portion of the ship from the one piloted by [[Payload (G.I. Joe)|Payload]], and rammed it into Devastator to bring down the gestalt. Wild Bill perished in his kamikaze attack, but [[Zartan]] took on his appearance to infiltrate the Joes. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} The real Wild Bill had been spirited away by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] for study. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}} Perceptor attempted to revive Wild Bill through several means, down to implanting a [[technoactive cube]] in his body, but ultimately gave up and returned it to the Joes. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}} During his autopsy at the hands of [[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]], the cube activated and resurrected Wild Bill in the form of a half-man half-machine hybrid. He went on to ride [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] into the final battle with the Decepticons and Cobra, {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} displaying superhuman abilities like flight and the ability to project lassos or fire bullets from his fingers. Following their victory, Wild Bill joined the crew of the ''[[Ark II|Ark 2]]'' on its mission to find the shared [[Quintesson|creators]] of humanity and the Transformers. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{mainIDW|Wild Bill}}

Wild Bill was happy to be back in the pilot's seat again flying missions, even if the "seat" was inside a transforming humanoid battle mech / jet fighter based on alien technology. Yeeee-haw! {{storylink|White Heat}}

When [[Dire Wraith]]s invaded the EDC site at Bikini Atoll, Wild Bill was part of the Joe team sent to secure it. However, Bill was revealed to be a [[Dire Wraith]] in disguise, attacking his teammates [[Quick Kick]] and [[Rock 'n Roll]]. In a rage, Rock beat "Bill" to death. {{storylink|D.T.A.}}

==Notes==
* ''Action Force'' Wild Bill's profile in ''Action Force'' 12 and toy establish him as British, born in Hull. The profile also says he had served in an exchange programme with a US Army Aviation squadron and flew helicopters in the [[Vietnam War]], so his South-East Asia background in "Ancient Relics!" actually does work!
* [[William Lennox]] is given the nickname "Wild Bill" in the novelization. Whether or not this was a deliberate reference to the G.I. Joe character remains unknown.
* It is ambiguous as to whether the IDW incarnation of Wild Bill was a human who was assimilated and replaced by a Dire Wraith, or whether he was always a Dire Wraith who constructed a false identity.
* Wild Bill himself has been voiced a few ''Transformers'' voice actors, which consisted of [[Frank Welker]], [[Charlie Schlatter]], [[Steve Blum]] and [[Ian James Corlett]].

==External links==
*[http://www.yojoe.com/action/83/wildbill.shtml Wild Bill at YoJoe.com]
*[http://www.myuselessknowledge.com/joe/characters/wildbill.html Wild Bill at G. I. Joe Comics Homepage]

[[Category:Action Force]]
[[Category:Dire Wraiths]]
[[Category:G.I. Joe]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 humans]]
[[Category:Kre-O humans]]
[[Category:Pilots]]

Vietnam War

2023-04-08T06:43:24Z

Ducktimus:

The '''Vietnam War''' (the second of the [[w:Indochina Wars|Indochina Wars]]) was a conflict on [[Earth]] that took place between [[1955]] and [[1975]]. Ostensibly a war between the separated [[Vietnam|Vietnamese]] nations of North Vietnam and South Vietnam, the neighboring countries of [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]] were also involved. Like the earlier [[Korean War]], it was a proxy war of the mid-20th Century [[Cold War (history)|Cold War]], with the North supported by the [[Soviet Union]], [[China]], and other communist states, while the South was backed by the [[United States of America|United States]] and other anti-communist allies.

Hostilities started on [[November 1]] of 1955 and lasted until to the fall of [[Saigon]] on [[April 30]] 1975.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====

[[Wild Bill]], member of the of the daring, highly-trained special mission force code-named [[Action Force (team)|Action Force]], trained to be a helicopter pilot after serving in the [[United States Army|Army]] during the war. {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

===Movie continuity family===
====Movie expanded universe====

[[Philip Nolan]] and [[Thomas Kinnear]] of [[Sector Seven]] fought in the Vietnam War. {{storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

==External links==
*{{w|Vietnam War}} on [[Wikipedia]]

[[Category:Earth wars]]
[[Category:Generation 1 history]]
[[Category:Live-action film series history]]

Vietnam War

2023-04-08T06:15:11Z

Ducktimus: Created page with "The '''Vietnam War''' (the second of the w:Indochina Wars|) was a conflict on Earth that took place between 1955 and 1975. Ostensibly a war between the separat..."

The '''Vietnam War''' (the second of the [[w:Indochina Wars|Indochina Wars]]) was a conflict on [[Earth]] that took place between [[1955]] and [[1975]]. Ostensibly a war between the separated [[Vietnam|Vietnamese]] nations of North Vietnam and South Vietnam, the neighboring countries of [[Laos]] and [[Cambodia]] were also involved. Like the earlier [[Korean War]], it was a proxy war of the mid-20th Century [[Cold War (history)|Cold War]], with the North supported by the [[Soviet Union]], [[China]], and other communist states, while the South was backed by the [[United States of America|United States]] and other anti-communist allies.

Hostilities started on [[November 1]] of 1955 and lasted until to the fall of [[Saigon]] on [[April 30]] 1975.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====

[[Wild Bill]], member of the of the daring, highly-trained special mission force code-named [[Action Force (team)|Action Force]], had been a helicopter pilot during the war. {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

===Movie continuity family===
====Movie expanded universe====

[[Philip Nolan]] and [[Thomas Kinnear]] of [[Sector Seven]] fought in the Vietnam War. {{storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

==External links==
*{{w|Vietnam War}} on [[Wikipedia]]

[[Category:Earth wars]]
[[Category:Generation 1 history]]
[[Category:Live-action film series history]]

More than Meets the Eye, Part 3

2023-04-06T02:08:38Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ link, caption

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=3
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=3
|prev2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 2
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=3
|prev3=More than Meets the Eye, Part 2
|next3=S.O.S. Dinobots
|next2=Transport to Oblivion (episode)
|image=More Than Meets Part 3.jpg
|caption= NOW ENTERING AREA 51 - ACCESS RESTRICTED! NO TRESPASSING, NO PHOTOGRAPHY PERMITTED
|title="More than Meets the Eye, Part 3"
|season=1
|season ep=3
|production code=4025
|airdate=[[September 19]], 1984
|written by=[[George Arthur Bloom]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]], [[Ashi Productions]], [[Nakamura Production]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Optimus Prime]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6XpDmtizL0
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''When an Autobot attempt to lure the Decepticons into a holographic trap fails, the villains succeed in gathering the energy they need, leaving the Autobots with only one chance to stop them returning to Cybertron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:MTMtE Part3 PushingPrimeupright.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|After a bad fall, it's important that you move every part of the victim. Forcibly if needed.]]
Caught in the blast of [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack's]] explosive, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] tumbles down the mountainside. Shaken but not defeated, he musters the energy to transform into [[robot mode]]. The [[Autobot]]s begin digging through the rubble and [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] finds [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] alive and unharmed. Before the Autobots can begin celebrating what they presume to be the end of their enemies, there's a blast from the rubble. The [[Decepticon]]s have survived their burial and have blasted their way out. With their [[energon]] haul unscathed, the Decepticons take to the air.

[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] is tired of this string of defeats, and he soon takes to the air to follow. [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] takes off to try to rein him in. Ironhide takes a few pot-shots at the fleeing Decepticons, and [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] breaks formation to teleport behind their pursuers. He lands a rocket square in Ironhide's back, knocking the old Autobot out of the chase. Ironhide crashes into a lake, and the Autobots catch up with him to pull him out of the water and into [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]]'s waiting repair bay. The Autobots return to base.

Back at the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] taunts the captive [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] and discusses the Decepticon spy's apparent abandonment by his comrades. In using a hologram of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to goad Ravage, Hound and [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] brainstorm an idea: to use an enormous hologram to trick the Decepticons into a trap. He pitches the idea to Optimus Prime, and the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] agrees.

Soon after, Hound talks to Mirage about a report from [[Teletraan I]] of a secret supply of rocket fuel. He says all this quite within earshot of Ravage, explaining how there's enough fuel there to make "four trips back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]." As Mirage and Hound walk away, Hound "accidentally" drops the key to Ravage's cage. The Decepticon retrieves it and escapes captivity.

[[File:MTMtE Part3 Starscreambegs.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|The genesis of a whole lot of slashfic.]]
Back at the Decepticon camp, Ravage reports in to Megatron about the rocket base. Megatron is delighted; it's the last energy source they'll need before they can return to Cybertron. As Megatron gloats, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] grouses about the need for a change in leadership. In a foolish move, Starscream tries to blast Megatron in the back. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] warns his leader, who deflects the blast with a built-in energy shield. Starscream has spent all his ammunition in this single shot, and he is left defenseless. Megatron returns the sentiment by blasting Starscream in the arm, knocking his disloyal lieutenant to the ground. Groveling, Starscream huddles to Megatron's feet, who answers his pleas only by issuing the command: "We attack the rocket base at sunrise!"

In a flat stretch of desert, Hound creates the rocket base hologram. The Decepticons move into position, and Megatron orders them to attack.

[[File:MTMtE Part3 Jazz ScrapDecepticon.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Jazz soon regrets buying from eBay.]]
The Autobots spring their trap, running out from hiding to ambush the attacking Decepticons. However, when they engage in hand-to-hand combat, the Decepticons break apart like poorly made machines. Optimus Prime realizes they've been had. These aren't the Decepticons, but are instead decoys. Megatron, the only real Decepticon present, laughs at Prime's misstep. He saw through the phony release of Ravage. Megatron reveals to his defeated enemy that the real Decepticon army has been attacking the real rocket base.

Cut to [[Cape Carlson]], the real rocket base, where the Decepticon jets arrive. They transform and neutralize the human army's attempt to stop them. In short time, Megatron rejoins them, and they soon return to their launch base with all the fuel they need. Soundwave reports the space cruiser's readiness, and Megatron orders the Decepticons to prepare to blast off.

[[File:MTMtE Part3 Optimus overacting.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|KHAAAAAAAAAN!]]
Back at the Autobot ship, Optimus Prime briefs his soldiers on the grim situation. He tells them that Megatron is on the verge of returning to Cybertron, where he could become unstoppable with the energon he has tapped from [[Earth]]. The Autobots have no choice but to directly attack the Decepticons. Prime asks for volunteers, and all the Autobots—and their human allies [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and Sparkplug—step forward. The Autobots transform into [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] and roll out.

As the Decepticons begin to board the [[Victory (G1)|cruiser]], the Autobots encircle the base. Prime's forces transform into robot form and begin the attack. The Autobots grapple with the Decepticons, but the battle is brief. Megatron and his forces get aboard their ship and blast off into the sky.

[[File:MTMtE Part3 ExtinctiontoallTraitors.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Naturally, Megatron is a firm advocate of the Second Amendment.]]
Optimus Prime refuses to concede defeat. He orders [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] to hand over his [[Jet pack|rocket pack]]. Donning the pack, Prime takes off to personally pursue the Decepticon cruiser. Starscream spots Prime in pursuit. The cruiser opens fire, blasting Prime who falls out of the sky and hits the ground hard.

The Autobots gather to see if Prime is okay, and the tough Autobot shrugs off their help. It's then that he notices that Mirage is missing from their ranks.

Aboard the cruiser, Starscream makes his move to usurp Megatron. Waiting for the Decepticon leader to lower his guard and remove his arm-cannon, Starscream raises his weapon to Megatron. Just then, Mirage drops his invisibility power to fire a few shots in the cruiser's controls. Starscream turns to blast Mirage, and Megatron takes advantage of the distraction to retrieve his cannon and fire on Starscream. Chaos erupts aboard the cruiser as Mirage's sabotage begins spreading and Soundwave loses control of the ship.

[[File:MTMtE Part3 Mirage HALOjump.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|WHEEEEEE!]]
Mirage scrambles to his feet and jumps from the doomed ship as it crashes into the ocean. The Autobots on the ground stare incredulously as the Decepticons are suddenly and mysteriously defeated. They then spot Mirage, the unlikely hero, floating to the ground in a parachute rig. The Autobots celebrate their victory.

Spike writes in [[Spike's diary|his journal]] that because the Autobots stopped the Decepticons from stealing Earth's resources, the governments of the world have decided to give Optimus Prime the energy he needs to revitalize Cybertron. The Autobot ship is being refurbished, and Spike and Sparkplug eagerly await their trip to the Transformers' home world.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the ocean, the Decepticon space cruiser rests. Bubbles emerge from a hatch that is pulled free from the inside by massive metal hands. Megatron still functions.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (4)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (5)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (6)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (7)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (8)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (9)
*[[Roller (G1)|Roller]] (10)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (11)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (12)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (13)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (23)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (24)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (25)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (26)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (28)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (17)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (18)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (19)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (20)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (21)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (22)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (27)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (29)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (30)
|c3=
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (15)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"You gave us all a pretty good scare." 
"It's been worse. I remember the time on Cybertron—" 
"Save the war stories, hot shot. Just remember, there's a thin line between being a hero, and being a memory."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ironhide'''

"The rocket base is one hundred and forty kilometers due west of the Autobot camp."
:—'''Ravage'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s sole line of dialog in the entire series.

"I am the leader of the future!" 
"You couldn't lead [[ant-droid]]s to a picnic. How can you pretend to lead the Decepticons?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron''' arguing over Starscream's competence... again.

"Beware, Starscream... if you dispose of me, there will always be someone waiting to dispose of ''you''" 
"Let them try! I've waited for this moment a long time, Megatron... and my time is ''now!''
:—'''Megatron''' channeling his inner Nostradamus to '''Starscream'''

"We knew you were anxious to get back to Cybertron, but at least you could have waited for us." 
"Sorry, Prime. The ship was... full."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Mirage''' uttering a classic line.

==Season 5==
{{note|When this episode was rebroadcast in [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season]] of ''The Transformers'', it contained new bookending segments with original story material.}}
[[File:PrimeKennedySpecialProject.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|"That's... That's just ''wonderful'', Tommy. I'm so... ''proud'' of you. It's going ''right'' on the fridge! Yep! The fridge."]]
[[Tommy Kennedy]] and [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] convene in the barren wasteland. Tommy has something hidden under a tarp and says it's a sneak preview of the "special project" he's been working on for school. Optimus sighs, "''Finally!''" but Tommy once again denies him, saying that Prime must first finish the story about how the Autobots first came to Earth. Prime whines that he's ''already'' told him the whole story, but Tommy reminds him that he never got past the explosion at the ruby crystal mine. Prime says he'll finish the story, but ''only'' on the condition that Tommy finally shows him the "special project". Tommy crosses his heart and so Prime continues...

With the story finished, Prime '''demands''' to see what's under Tommy's wonderful tarp of mystery. Tommy pulls aside the cloth and reveals a masterfully crafted bust of Prime's head. Prime is floored, saying that his own programmer couldn't tell the difference. Tommy says that the "special project" was a celebration of the anniversary for when the Autobots came to Earth. The statue will be presented to all the Autobots to commemorate "The greatest Autobot of all: Powermaster Optimus Prime!"
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:Mtmte3 ironhide flies.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Ironhide and Bluestreak cannot fly. WHAT IS HAPPENING!?!?!?]]
*Gadgets and powers:
**Ironhide, perhaps the most gadget-laden of all Autobots, brings out a forearm-mounted drill from inside his wrist.
**Later, he deploys a missile launcher out of his back. Like the van mode gun he had last episode, this one appears based on the launcher on his toy's combat platform.
**Jazz's ubiquitous grappling line makes its third appearance.
**Ravage deploys a little grappler waldo from his forepaw.
**Megatron generates a little deflector shield out of his fusion cannon.
**Hound can make a seriously HUGE hologram.
**Megatron can rotate his gun barrel around to his waist to fire it, which coincidentally resembles the original Megatron toy's barrel placement a fair bit.
**We get our first and last look at Sideswipe's [[Jet pack|rocket pack]].
**Skywarp can shoot a white fire-extinguishing substance from a wrist nozzle.
*This is the only time in the original series that Ravage speaks, relaying the information on the rocket base with his own voice instead of merely replaying Hound and Mirage's conversation about it. When he reappeared in ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]],'' he was similarly growly, but he had gained an [[Accent|Eastern European accent]].
*In a continuing trend during the Generation 1 cartoon, Prime's Combat Deck looks nothing like its toy counterpart or like it will appear in any future episodes. Not really an error since it's blown up here and could've been rebuilt differently.

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**[[Death Star]] superlaser as Skywarp rematerializes behind Ironhide.
**[[TIE Fighter]] engine roar as Skywarp pursues Ironhide and Bluestreak.
**[[Lightsaber]]-slicing-equipment sound as Skywarp blasts Ironhide.
**Lightsaber-slicing-equipment as Megatron deflects Starscream's blast.
**Roller's sounds are all taken directly from [[R2-D2]]. Then again, the Transformers really ARE from long ago, in a galaxy far away...
*Rocket base Cape Carlson may be a reference to [[w:Cape_Canaveral_Space_Force_Station|Cape Canaveral, Florida.]]

===Non-final premises===
*As with the two preceding episodes, the Autobots can all fly in [[robot mode]].

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:Autobot Soundwave.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Autobots superior, Decepticons inferior.]]
[[File:Hufferg1animated.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Okay, you can't really see it here. But a second later, Cliffy leans back, and boom, no insignia.]]
*Coloring errors:
**As the Autobots gather around Optimus Prime's fallen form and Mirage and Cliffjumper fly in, Cliffjumper is colored yellow like Bumblebee, who is currently buried under tons of rubble. He's also missing his horns.
**As the Autobots gather around the rescued Bumblebee and Sparkplug, Wheeljack's launcher is tan instead of light gray.
**Bluestreak has Prowl's color scheme as Ironhide protests letting the Decepticons escape.
**"I've made my contribution!" The center of Starscream's chest is red instead of gray during his line.
**"It's empty!" Starscream's nose is the dark gray of his helmet instead of medium gray.
**"You failed to dispose of me..." The red parts of Megatron's waist are gray.
**Megatron's fusion cannon is light gray as Starscream grovels.
**Starscream's nosecone and the center of his chest are once again red instead of gray as he lands at the rocket base.
**Prowl's chest-sides and neck are black instead of white as Prime does his William Shatner imitation.
**Ratchet's lightbars are white as he drives toward Prime's crash site. All three Autobots in the shot kind of slide sideways instead of driving forward.
*As he wonders about Roller, Prime is shown with round headlights instead of square.
*Cliffjumper is missing his insignia as he encourages Prime.
*Inside the mines, Soundwave is shown with a [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|purple Autobot insignia]].
*Generic Decepticons:
**Two Skywarps as the Decepticons prepare to fly out of the mine.
**Two generic light purple jets as the Decepticons fly off.
**Two (fake) Starscreams as the "Decepticons" prepare to attack the "rocket base" (with their "lasers".)
**Eight jets fly toward the rocket base: the core three, 2 lavenders, 3 dark blues.
**15 Decepticons are visible from the Cape Carleson control tower.
**5 jets are seen landing at the base.
**A wingless lavender jet and the legs/feet of four other generics as the Decepticons cheer.
**A purple and two lavenders (one of whom changes to dark blue mid-shot) head toward the cruiser.
**An all-lavender jet leaps off the platform (infamously dubbed the Lady In Purple by a few fans), following Thundercracker and Skywarp, already shown to be on the ground.
**One lavender jet retreats from the final battle.
**One lavender jet backs away from Megatron as Starscream challenges him.
*After the Decepticons fly out of the mines, Skywarp and two generic purple Decepticon jets are drawn with the silhouettes of pilots sitting inside their cockpits.
*As Bluestreak catches up to Ironhide, Ironhide's back-mounted rocket launcher is shown in firing position (and Ironhide's shoulders are red instead of gray.) In the next shot, the launcher is missing, then is shown emerging from Ironhide's back.
*The energon cubes that Megatron holds when giving Skywarp permission to teleport are uncolored. To answer Skywarp's request, Megatron turns ''away'' from him.
*Skywarp's destroyed tailfin is back to normal after he teleports.
*Bluestreak and Ironhide continue to stare at each other for a ''very'' long time after Bluestreak says his line.
*Ironhide says he can't move... then immediately raises his arm.
*As Bluestreak carries Ironhide into Ratchet, he has one of Prowl's Highway Patrol symbols on his door.
*In the cavalcade of Autobots heading home, Jazz's blue stripes are colored red, and Wheeljack is missing his orange and green roof colors.
*A mislayering of animation cells when Hound creates a hologram of Megatron to taunt Ravage causes it to appear as if Hound is standing in the prison cage with Ravage.
*Jazz's visor is massively oversized during his "It might just work" line, and is missing its center crease line.
*After Ravage escapes, Hound is shown lip-flapping during Mirage's line.
*In the reaction shot of the Autobots when Optimus Prime is pleased at Ravage's escape, the tips of Prowl's doors are colored as parts of Jazz and Mirage's heads, and Mirage's shoulders are red.
*"You're in the driver's seat" - Prime only has 4 of his running light housings. Two of them extend all the way to his back.
*The flight controller's line is cut off by an editorial gaffe; he says "There's nothing we can - ".
*In the pan across the Autobots (during which the Autobots have conveniently divided themselves by toy size):
**The Autobots have completely changed positions from where they were in the previous shot. Most obviously, Bumblebee was between Bluestreak and Hound; but now he's with the other mini-bots. To make it worse, the scene recycles the two shots several times in succession.
**Ratchet's hands are white.
**Jazz's waist is colored windshield blue.
**Prowl is missing his insignia.
**Jazz is shown in the line-up, while at the same time he's standing next to Prime, giving instructions.
*As Jazz says "Autobots, transform", Optimus Prime is shown saying it.
*Ironhide and Hound have strange black dots on them as they step forward. These were presumably supposed to be "battle scars", as the script for the episode suggests that these two could show signs of damage, but the effect is not well-accomplished.
*All the transforming Autobots get the wrong transformation sound (ascending pitch instead of descending pitch) as they change to [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]].
*As the Autobots approach the Decepticon base, they're shown driving at a snail's pace.
*Soundwave is missing his insignia as the Decepticons cheer.
*Soundwave's eject button lights up each time he hits it. While cool (and intentional), it's a conceit not used in any future episode.
*Laserbeak is huge as Skywarp and Thundercracker fall into formation with him. The animation of the trio turning to dive is remarkably clunky.
[[File:OptimusCDeckMTMTE3.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"Look away from the animation errors!"]]
*Prime orders [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]] to fire during a series of identically-framed shots. The first shot shows buttes in the background behind him. The second shot shows a solid mountainside. The third shot shows clear sky.
*Megatron's gun barrel is missing as he prepares to face Prime. So is his insignia.
*How long's it take for the animators to forget that Megatron lost his cannon? About 1 scene. It's back in place as Prime judo-throws him, then gone again as he regains his feet a shot or two later.
*How long's it take for the animators to forget that Starscream lost an arm-cannon? No time at all. It's back in place as the Decepticons retreat, despite being smushed by Prowl.
*Mirage is clearly visible (prominent, in fact) during the Autobots' final, desperate assault on the space cruiser, despite later being shown to have snuck aboard it. This is either a major continuity error or the one time that Mirage's electro-disruptor works in the cartoon in the way his [[bio]] says it does.
*The establishing shot at the start of the third act uses a flubbed take: A major piece of artwork—the Decepticon starship blasting off into the sky—is missing, meaning the Autobots on the ground are reacting to nothing. (The completed shot does appear in the teaser for the episode at the end of Part 2, however.)
[[File:Sideswipejetpack.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Sideswipe, give me your plot device!"]]
*Sideswipe's rocket pack seriously just appears out of nowhere when it's called for by the plot. It's not part of his animation model and is never seen before or after, even when Sideswipe needs to fly.
*"You got him!" Starscream is missing his wing insignia.
*As the Autobots help their battered leader to his feet, the animation is ''really'' wobbly; Prime's head grows bigger, the detail patterns on his legs change completely, and the line-art is just very crude and "shakes" a lot in general.
*Similar to the scene of the Autobots attempting to capture Ravage in the previous episode, the various congratulations given to Mirage after he brings down the Decepticon ship were not attributed to individual characters in the script, and were simply listed as being delivered by the Autobots as a group. As such, they are delivered by random actors who are not using any of their normal Transformers character voices. We hear "Mirage!" from [[Frank Welker]], "You did it!" from [[Ken Sansom]], and "You stopped the Decepticons!" from Welker again, his delivery on that last one making it sound an awful lot like Mirage is congratulating himself.
*As with the previoous two parts, [[Norm McCabe]]'s name is listed as Nor M McCabe in the credits.
*Frank Welker's name was mistakenly left out of this episode's voice credits, as they were in the previous two parts.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:MTMtE Part3 Dullsurprise.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Dull surprise|DULL SURPRISE!]]]]
*Mirage, Hound, Jazz and Prowl all react with shock at Optimus's statement that Ravage's escape was a good thing. Yet they were all in on the plan to let Ravage get away to tell the Decepticons about the secret hologram rocket base that is most certainly not a trap. Did they just forget?
*For that matter, how ''did'' Megatron figure out the Autobot trick? Ravage reports the same rocket base location that he heard from Hound. Was Hound dumb enough to accidentally blurt the ''real'' rocket base location in front of Ravage? Or did Megatron somehow figure out the ruse ''after'' Ravage made his report? Why would he do that? When we last see him, he's all excited to attack the same rocket base that Ravage just told him about. Or maybe he just has absolutely zero faith in Ravage's ability to escape on his own, and put two and two together.
*What ''is'' the point of rigging up the dummy Decepticons? Did Megatron go through all that trouble just to rub Prime's nose in it? Wouldn't it be smarter to leave the Autobots waiting and wondering?
[[File:MTMTE3 Bumblebee labcoat.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*The [[Mini Vehicle]] Autobots are shown disguised as lab-coat-wearing scientists to complete the holographic illusion of a rocket base, though it's a pretty poor disguise when you realize these scientists are big enough to turn into trucks and cars. Also, where'd they get the lab coats? (For that matter, why not just make holographic scientists?)
*Superhuman Spike:
**Spike can throw a rock with enough force to knock Starscream's Null Ray off his arm.
*Prime is nearly knocked out of commission by the explosion that collapses [[Ruby crystal mines of Burma|a Burmese ruby mine]], yet he simply seems to shrug off the effects of getting hit by a cruiser cannon and falling to Earth from the very edge of the atmosphere.
*Mirage only shoots the ship's control panel. How does this set the entire ship on fire?
*Despite the heights the space cruiser certainly reached before the sabotage, Mirage parachutes down to exactly the spot where the Autobots were assembled.
*The space cruiser is shown crashing into the ocean near the coast. However, later episodes show the cruiser is well far away from any coast line.
*Spike's narration is a bit confused; the Autobots ''didn't'' stop the Decepticons from stealing Earth's energy. They just up and left on their own!
*In the biggest continuity goof of the entire series, the next episode will completely ignore the premise of the Autobots preparing to return to Cybertron, which is the entire point of this episode's closing scenes. In fairness, they did think the Decepticons were destroyed, and maybe they were forced to abandon the plan to return to Cybertron when they realized that wasn't the case, but still.

===Home release changes/errors===
*In the Rhino DVD release, the establishing shot at the start of the third act uses a flubbed take: A major piece of artwork—the Decepticon starship blasting off into the sky—is missing, meaning the Autobots on the ground are reacting to nothing. (The completed shot does appear in the teaser for the episode at the end of Part 2, however.) Oddly enough, the bonus disc on the Rhino DVD set calls out the error in a collection of bloopers and oddities.
*All three parts of "More Than Meets the Eye" were spliced together into a single continuous episode for the ''More than Meets the Eye 25th Anniversary Special Edition'' disc, included as a pack-in with ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|25th Anniversary Optimus Prime toy]]. During Part 3, the sound effects for the [[Cybernet Space Cube]], added for the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] broadcast of the episode, can be heard over the scene transitions, despite the original broadcast version of the visuals being used; the result is a lot of strange mechanical noises being inserted with no clear on-screen source.

===Trivia===
[[File:MTMtE Part3 ExaggeratedPrime.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Apparently Pat Lee had this as a poster in his office.]]
*There is a nice touch by the animators during the scene where the Autobots assist Optimus Prime after he rolls down the hill at the start of this episode. After Mirage, Prowl and Ratchet have pushed Optimus Prime's truck mode upright, he bounces as his suspension compensates for the weight of the truck landing on its wheels.
*After Ironhide assures that he'll be right back in action, Optimus Prime is depicted with rather exaggerated 'puffy' proportions for a brief sequence before he transforms into vehicle mode, which is similarly exaggerated with large wheels in comparison to the rest of the truck, followed by an exaggerated Ratchet in vehicle mode. Part of this animation is later reused near the end of the episode after the Decepticon space cruiser crashes, with the rest of the Autobots having similar proportions in both robot and vehicle mode. [[Masami Ōbari]] is credited as the animator for Prime's "transformation sequence", and this bizarrely proportioned Prime certainly fits with Ōbari's design aesthetic. Numerous other shots in the episode, including Megatron during Starscream's coop at the episode's end, and the Autobots when encouraging Optimus when he struggles to Transform after surviving the mine explosion also take heavy cues from Obari's style.
*During the showdown between Optimus Prime and Megatron, an animation oddity results in what a few fans have taken as evidence of an obscure, little-used ability of Optimus: the ''Finger of Doom!'' Optimus deploys Combat Deck to shoot Megatron's cannon off of his arm. Simultaneously, Megatron fires his arm cannon and destroys Combat Deck. However, during the shot of Combat Deck exploding, the animation of Prime pointing at Megatron is ''re-used''. The next shot is Megatron being disarmed by an energy blast, which would seem to have come not from Combat Deck, whose blast should have already arrived, but from Prime's immediately prior pointing finger... his ''Finger of Doom!''
*Spike writing in [[Spike's diary|his journal]] looks ''disturbingly'' like Beavis of ''Beavis and Butt-Head''.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Plein la vue - Partie 3'''" ("Show off - Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die letzte Schlacht'''" (''Generation 2'', "The Last Battle")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 14]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Megatron'''"
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Molto più di quel che appare - III'''" ("More than Meets the Eye - III")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Chikyū Dasshutsu!'''" (地球脱出!, "Escape from Earth!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 20]], [[1985]]
::*In the scene where Ironhide chases after Megatron and Skywarp, it is ''Thundercracker'' who is heard requesting permission to teleport.
::*'''Cut:''' When Ironhide is loaded into the back of Ratchet, after he says, "No way", his lines about being back in action, Prime's "Let's get out of here!" (with the aforementioned "puffy proportions" shot) and the footage of all the Autobots transforming and rolling out have been cut. The following scene of Spike sitting by the Ark, writing that Prime would make a neat President, has been cut entirely.
::*'''Cut:''' After Ravage escapes and jumps off the cliffside, a few seconds of the Autobots gathered there reacting have been shaved off. The fade-in to the next scene and Prime and Gears standing together have also been cut. The sequence resumes at the shot of Hound, Mirage and the others walking together.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dìsān Tiān'''" (第三天, "The Third Day")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mais do Que Os Olhos Veem, Parte 3'''" ("More than Meets the Eye, Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode did not air in the 1980s and was first released on DVD with a different dub from the rest of the show.

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Više nego što se vidi treći deo'''" (''Generation 2'', Више него што се види трећи део, "More than Meets the Eye Part 3"), "'''Sile zla treći deo'''" (''Generation 2'', Силе зла трећи део, "Forces of Evil Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-27 Ironhide (TakaraTomy, 2016)'''
:This ''Masterpiece'' figure includes a pair of accessories seen in this episode: The back-mounted missile launcher is included by default with it, while the drill hand was a preorder bonus for the figure's second release in Asian territories other than Japan.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-44 Convoy (TakaraTomy, 2019)'''
:One of the accessories included with the third iteration of Optimus Prime in the line is the rocket pack he borrows from Sideswipe in this episode. As a further note, the pack is molded so that it can be used by the ''Masterpiece'' Sideswipe mold too.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-47 Hound (TakaraTomy, 2019)'''
:One of the accessories included with this figure is the key he used to close Ravage in the cage.

*'''''[[LEGO]]'' 10302 Optimus Prime (LEGO, 2022)'''
:One of the accessories included in this set is a completely brick-built version of Sideswipe's rocket pack, which can be attached to Prime's back in robot mode.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 1: "More than Meets the Eye" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1986 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|A.M.T. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|V.I.P. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|Little Gems Junior Video Club]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: Generation 2'' — More than Meets the Eye ([[Malofilm|Seville Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Exclusively from Blockbuster ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers: Generation 2'' ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 1 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Episodes (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — More than Meets the Eye (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2011 — ''Transformers'' — L'Attaque des Autobots ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-1/synopses/4025.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mw_U2HNlgVW-offX_6itbL2WrNsBHof5 Full episode script with revision pages dated 13th March 1984]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Tarantulas (BW)

2023-04-03T05:13:26Z

Ducktimus: /* Beast Wars: Uprising */ links, caption

{{factions|predacon|{{factions/icons|custom=Tarantulas Logo.png|cSize=35x35px|cLink=Tarantulas (BW)|cPretty=Tarantulas}}|unicron|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Tarantulas}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
:''Tarantulas is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] from the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Tarantulasbw.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[BotCon 2000|"And fries! Lots of FRIES!"]]]]

'''Tarantulas''' (aka '''Tarantulus''' or '''Mesothulas''') is the scheming mad scientist of the Predacon crew. He's the type of mad scientist who experiments on living beings, cackling in his [[trademark]]ed laugh all the while, and then if things go wrong, happily eats what's left as his midday snack. The eating is what he was really looking forward to, anyway. It's this focused perversity that turns off even his fellow Predacons. Tarantulas's emotional detachment from their war also rubs his peers the wrong way. Fighting Maximals and following orders is just a required chore; his real passion is the unmentionable projects stashed in [[Tarantulas's lair|his "secret" lair]].

Nominally, Tarantulas was one of the Predacons to join [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] during his theft of the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] and the search for [[Earth]]. In addition to being an utterly psychotic, sadistic sociopath, he has a record for treachery rivaled by few other Transformers. He is actually an [[Predacon Secret Police|agent]] of the [[Tripredacus Council]], which is trying to coax the Beast Wars toward an unspecified goal, where neither Autobot or Decepticon won the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Who knows what other [[Unicron|dark]] [[Cybertronian (faction)|secrets]] lie in his past.

If anything upsets Tarantulas, other than losing a potential meal, it's those pompous aliens who call themselves the [[Vok]]. He harbors a hatred for them strong enough to make him work to eliminate them by any means.

{{bigquote|You're ''insane.''}}
{{bigquote|So they ''saa''-aay! Wbrrwbrrbbppth!|[[Tigerhawk]] and Tarantulas|"[[Other Victories]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Toy bios===
[[File:PrimalVSMegs-Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Why Megatron, I do believe you're trying to seduce m—oh, hey, [[Razorbeast]].]]
Tarantulas was a sneaky, mysterious ninja feared across the galaxy. A master of the martial arts, he was suspected in the disappearances of many [[Human|Earthlings]], and rumors swirled of giant cocoons where he stored his prey. {{storylink|#Toys|Tarantulas bio}}

Tarantulas was guarding the Predacons' jungle-based genetics lab along with Megatron and Waspinator. When the Maximals discovered them, he engaged [[Razorbeast]] in combat briefly before Megatron called retreat and destroyed the lab. {{storylink|Optimus Primal vs Megatron!}}

After the [[quantum surge]], Tarantulas became a [[Transmetal]], with the accompanying vehicle mode to match. With his new set of wheels, Tarantulas didn't have to rely on stealth and deceit as much, instead speeding head-first into battle and using his new mechanical beast mode to overpower his enemies. {{storylink|#Transmetal|Transmetal Tarantulas bio}}
{{--}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Alec Willows]] (English), [[Scott McNeil]] (English, portions of "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]" only), [[Yūichi Nagashima]] (Japanese)|[[Xue Weigang]] (Chinese), [[Alexandr Novikov]] (Russian, 1st dub), [[Hervé Jolly]] (French), [[Lutz Harder]] (German), [[Riccardo Peroni]] (Italian), [[Junseok Song]] (Korean), [[Humberto Vélez]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Fábio Vilalonga]] (Portuguese)}}

[[File:BeastWars1-Tarantulasprebeast.jpg|left|thumb|250px]]

Lieutenant Tarantulas of the [[Predacon Secret Police]] was one of [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s original crew, a mole inside his organization feeding information back to the [[Tripredacus Council]] without his knowledge. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} More than that, he was a ''direct'' agent of the Council and shared their origins that existed outside of [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]], with an overall agenda to alter the timeline by going back to prehistoric Earth and completely destroying the [[Ark (G1)|''Ark'' and the Transformers within]]. {{storylink|Other Victories}} The plan went tits up though, as Megatron's ''Darksyde'' warship ended up crashing on an unidentified planet and contact with Cybertron was lost. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} Tarantulas carried on as normal despite this setback. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}

[[File:TheWeb Tarantulas beast mode.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|Not arachnophobic, eh? I can fix that.]]
As Megatron's technical leader, he manned the scanners to appropriate beast forms based on the most powerful local creatures, choosing the form of an over-sized spider for himself. He cheerfully took part in the first battle of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]], only to succumb to energon buildup while the Maximals were escaping. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} The Predacons uncovered a stash of energon crystals atop a mountain, but were forced to fight in their [[beast mode]]s. Tarantulas and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] fought in this manner until Megatron triggered a chain reaction which caused the energon to explode. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 2)}}

[[File:ChainofCommand Tarantulas firing.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.34|Sure, he's fast on the draw, but he ALWAYS shoots himself in the foot.]]
It wasn't long before Tarantulas had set up his own [[Tarantulas's lair|underground lair]] to keep his experiments away from Megatron's prying eyes. After helping [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] recover a mega-cannon, Tarantulas managed to capture [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], trapping the young Maximal in a web in his lair with the intent of feeding later. Rattrap mounted a rescue, during which the cavern caved in on Tarantulas {{storylink|The Web}} Tarantulas was blasted by Rattrap during the battle at the [[Standing Stones]], and later accompanied Megatron and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to attack the ''Axalon'' after it appeared that [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] had perished. After the Maximals got the ship's shields back up, he suggested to Megatron that they return to the Standing Stones. Unfortunately once there, the Maximals managed to retrieve Primal from the [[Vok probe|alien probe]] at the site, and Tarantulas was one of the first victims of the restored Maximal commander. {{storylink|Chain of Command (BW)|Chain of Command}}

Terrorsaur, his power boosted, defeated Megatron in combat before leaving Tarantulas in charge of the other Predacons. Tarantulas promptly tailed Terrorsaur to find out what his new power source was, and discovered it was a [[flying mountain]] topped with a cache of super energon. Before he could do anything with the knowledge, he encountered Rattrap, who'd come to destroy the mountain. Their fight ended with Tarantulas falling from the side of the mountain. {{storylink|Power Surge (episode)|Power Surge}} He subsequently took part in an attack on the Maximal base after a [[stasis pod]] crashed. While Megatron kept [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] distracted, Tarantulas and Scorponok ambushed the Maximal from behind. Unfortunately for them, Dinobot had time to activate the base defenses, and Tarantulas was blasted into the distance by the auto-guns. {{storylink|Fallen Comrades}}

When the Predacons finally captured a stasis pod, Tarantulas made sure that the [[protoform]] was given a spider beast mode, creating [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Megatron suspected he had ulterior motives, but was nonetheless pleased by the new soldier. Tarantulas seemed happy to follow Terrorsaur when the Predacon mounted another takeover attempt with the aid of Rattrap, but spent most of his time skulking around the ''Darksyde'' in search of rats to eat. He spotted Rattrap sneaking around, but the Maximal blasted him before he could do anything. He subsequently limped back to the others to find that Megatron had reasserted his leadership. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy}} After one of Scorponok's viruses turned Primal into a berserker, the Maximal leader broke into the Predacon base and, completely ignoring Tarantulas's attempts to stop him, pinned the spider to a wall using Tarantulas's own weapon. {{storylink|Gorilla Warfare}}

[[File:Tflocklens&tarantulas.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Behold my latest invention... THE DISCO BALL VERSION 2.0!"]]
One of Tarantulas's many inventions, the [[Transformation Lock Lens|transformation lock lens]], was instrumental in preventing the Maximals from contacting a [[temporal probe]] doing a flyby of the planet. He used it to ensnare [[Tigatron]] and Cheetor, then wreaked havoc with the Maximals' attempts to build a communications array, before he was finally defeated by Primal. Although his new toy was destroyed by the recovered Cheetor and Tigatron, the damage was already done, and the probe flew by uncontacted. {{storylink|The Probe}} After the Predacons discovered a Maximal spy camera in their base, they faked a mutiny and hid in a crevice. Tarantulas spent his nights being hugged like a stuffed toy by [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], and his days eating stray rats. While the Maximals repaired the ''Axalon'', the Predacons were discovered by Dinobot, and gave chase. Though they attacked the Maximal ship in an attempt to capture it, the affair ended with the ''Axalon'' crashing back to the ground. {{storylink|Victory (episode)|Victory}} After a Maximal victory, largely due to the efforts of Rhinox, Tarantulas captured the rhino in a web on Megatron's orders, so that he could be converted into a Predacon by the [[Transmuter (BW)|Transmuter]]. In return, the new Predacon poisoned him and Blackarachnia. {{storylink|Dark Designs}}

[[File:Spider'sGame Tarantulas hauling stasis pod.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.45|Ever the engineer, Tarantulas invents the low-tech equivalent of a tow truck.]]
Tarantulas detected another stasis pod landing in [[Grid Scavos]], but Megatron refused to let him go and assist in the recovery, much to his disgust. {{storylink|The Spark}} The next time a stasis pod crashed, Tarantulas was more prepared. From his lair, he used a [[magna pulse]] to disable both the ''Darksyde'' and ''Axalon'' to allow him to investigate without interference. Unfortunately for him, Blackarachnia had found his lair, and insisted on coming along to help. At the pod, Tarantulas reprogrammed the new arrival into a Predacon, but was disappointed that a beast mode had already been chosen, and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] would not be another spider. In the confusion that followed, he made off with the real prize—the stasis pod itself. Unfortunately for him, Tigatron destroyed the pod before he could get very far, and he was forced to retreat when Megatron arrived. Later, in his lair, he inadvertently told Blackarachnia that the planet was doomed, and she realized he was intending to build an escape ship, however he threw her out before she could work out any more of his plans. {{storylink|Spider's Game}}

Tarantulas took part in a diversionary attack while Waspinator and Terrorsaur stole the Maximals' [[rectifier coil]]. After the Maximals went feral, the Predacons mounted a hunting expedition, though Tarantulas was stuck supporting the back end of Megatron's chair. {{storylink|Call of the Wild}} On another occasion, Tarantulas detected what appeared to be walking energon. Megatron realized that an earlier battle had left four of the Maximals contaminated and blinded, and ordered Tarantulas to send Terrorsaur to investigate. {{storylink|Dark Voyage}} After Waspinator was possessed by the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], Tarantulas took part in the attack on the ''Axalon'', and pointed out once they'd conquered it that their own base was now undefended. Megatron's answer was to leave Starscream in charge of the ''Axalon'', a decision which would come back to bite him later. {{storylink|Possession}}

[[File:Dinobottarantulasrattrapthelowroad.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.34|"See? I told you I was taller than Tarantulas."]]
During an attack on the Maximal base, Tarantulas was able to infect Rhinox with an [[energon discharge virus]], though he himself was injured by Dinobot during the retreat. He was tracked by Dinobot and Rattrap, but eventually turned the tables by getting the drop on them, only to be flattened by a huge boulder. After recovering, he took advantage of their incessant arguing by trying to get the drop on them again, only to be knocked unconscious by a double punch. Finally, Dinobot attempted to use Tarantulas's body as a hostage, only for Megatron to blast it aside. Perhaps his only consolation was that he avoided the indignity of the fate that befell the rest of the Predacons. {{storylink|The Low Road}}

With the return of the [[Vok|aliens]] a certainty, Tarantulas stole a [[transwarp cell]] from the ''Darksyde'', slagging Waspinator in the process. Megatron detected the theft and used Blackarachnia as a distraction while he remotely inserted his own programming into the cell. The two spiders later took part in an attempt to prevent Tigatron from escaping the Predacon base, and were squished by a boulder Dinobot had set up. They were relatively uninjured and able to haul their damaged comrades back to the ship. {{storylink|Before the Storm}} The two spiders teamed up again, infiltrating the Maximal base and disabling Rhinox and Dinobot while the other Maximals were busy with the latest alien construct to appear. They became aware that the planet's second moon had just been revealed as an artificial, alien ''doomsday weapon'' in disguise, with Tarantulas remarking it was "the beginning of the end" for the planet. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 1}} In the cargo hold, Tarantulas used the transwarp cell and a stasis pod to construct a ship, but was interrupted by Inferno, who torched the spider. Fortunately, Blackarachnia entered Tarantulas's mind to obtain the information to complete the escape ship, and he was able to set up a permanent neural link between the two Predacons. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}}

[[File:ComingFuzors1 Tarantulas lives.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.55|A new look, and he didn't even have to [[Spider-Man|sell out]] to [[Iron Man|Tony Stark]] for it!]]
When the [[quantum surge]] caused by the "second moon's" destruction knocked out all of the Transformers on the planet, Tarantulas's body was upgraded to a [[Transmetal]] form, and he forced Blackarachnia to drag it from the Maximal base, even getting her to ignore Megatron's command to stay and fight the Maximals. {{storylink|Aftermath}} With Blackarachnia's hard work and some serious-looking electrical arc generators, Tarantulas was restored to life. Megatron soon called him to the battlefield, so he left Blackarachnia to root around in their leader's computer files: by this point, the loss of the "moon" and the damages to the planet had revealed it to be ''prehistoric Earth'' all along... {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}}

Using his new cycle mode, Tarantulas quickly reached the Maximals' position. During the fight, he kept in contact with her, until a shot by Dinobot put him temporarily out of commission. After he came around, Blackarachnia reported that she'd failed to get the data he needed. The Predacons were soon routed by the resurrection of Optimus Primal, and forced to return to base. There, Megatron and Tarantulas questioned Blackarachnia, only to be told the vital data had been lost. Neither of them believed her, but didn't call her out. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}}

[[File:TangledWeb-Tarantulasmotorcycle.jpg|right|thumb|300px|It's important that you understand that Transmetal Tarantulas's beast mode has a jaw.]]

With his old lair destroyed by the Planet Buster, Tarantulas was fortuitous in that Megatron assigned him with Blackarachnia and [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] to check out a cave filled with energon. He quickly surmised that it would make an excellent new lair, and attempted to get his two comrades interested in going it alone. Blackarachnia was more interested in getting rid of the neural link the two of them shared, and cracked an energon crystal, sending feedback through the link, to force him to sever it. By a fortunate coincidence, the three Predacons were soon attacked by [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] and Rattrap, and during the battle Tarantulas was able to convincingly fake the destruction of the cave, allowing him to utilize it as his own lair. {{storylink|Tangled Web}} When Dinobot defected to the Predacon side, Tarantulas offered to verify his programming, but Megatron decided it wouldn't be a very good idea to let Tarantulas into Dinobot's processor. {{storylink|Maximal, No More}}

[[File:OtherVisits1 Tarantulas beast mode.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|Downside: everything tastes like feet now.]]
Back in his lair, Tarantulas's instruments detected the aliens again, and he rushed off to the site. He arrived shortly after Tigatron and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] had been abducted, and zapped Cheetor, but was forced to retreat when more Maximals arrived. He visited Megatron, claiming to no longer be under the tyrant's command, but willing to help. The Predacons returned to the alien site to set up equipment, during which Blackarachnia revealed that she had learned through the broken neural link that Tarantulas hated the aliens. {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 1)}} Megatron, Quickstrike, and Tarantulas recovered quickly from the energy wave put out by the new [[Metal Hunter|alien construct]], and after Tarantulas's [[refractive web]] was activated, the trio ventured inside. Once Megatron had control of the construct, he terminated his alliance with Tarantulas, dropping the Predacon from a great height. Infuriated, Tarantulas helped the Maximals attack the construct, infiltrating it along with Rattrap, and sabotaging the transwarp cells which Megatron installed, causing the ship to explode. {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 2)}}

Through a bug planted on Megatron's chair, Tarantulas learned that Blackarachnia had been sent to recover a new protoform, and took the opportunity to threaten her to try and extract the information he suspected she'd gained from Megatron's computers. Unfortunately for him, Silverbolt stepped in and defended Blackarachnia, shortly before an energon explosion separated everyone. Though Tarantulas found the stasis pod, [[Rampage (BW)|its contents]] found him, and his body parts were spread liberally over a wide area. {{storylink|Bad Spark}} Dinobot later tracked down Tarantulas in an attempt to find out what Megatron's latest scheme was. Though Tarantulas didn't know, Dinobot forced him to act as transport, and they soon found Megatron preparing to torch a valley full of [[anthropoid]]s. Tarantulas took advantage of Dinobot's distraction to shoot the Maximal, only for Dinobot to drop a boulder on him. {{storylink|Code of Hero}}

[[File:Agenda3 Tarantulas button push.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Tarantulas presses the History Eraser Button.]]
Alerted by the [[transwarp wavefront]], the Tripredacus Council sent covert agent [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to capture Megatron. The former Decepticon led the Maximals to apprehend Megatron, and Tarantulas assisted by taking down the ''Darksyde''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> defense system. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}} Megatron, much to his indignation, was later informed by Ravage that the spider was a lieutenant in the Predacon Secret Police; Tarantulas joined in the diss by laughing over a comm-screen at his former boss. Tarantulas was able to inform the Maximals of the location of a stash of energon crystals that Megatron had hidden. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} When Ravage was persuaded to change sides by the Predacon leader, Tarantulas appeared to come too, manning the [[transwarp cruiser]]'s weapons systems for an attack on the ''Axalon''. Alas, Rattrap chewed his way into the ship and tossed a couple of [[Fusion weaponry#Fusion grenade|bomb]]s at Tarantulas, which stuck to his hands before exploding. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

[[File:CuttingEdge-Tarantulasleadsraptorsintobattle.jpg|left|250px|thumb|You've been cool, but you've never been Leading An Army Of Cyborg Velociraptors Into Battle cool.]]

Tarantulas survived, though, and was quickly put back together by his [[arachnoid]]s. He was repaired in time to witness the destruction of the ''Axalon''. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}} He was soon seen back at the Predacon base, working under Megatron's command once again with no mention of his former secession. {{storylink|Cutting Edge}} However, around this time he was also working on another scheme: restoring the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', the flagship of the [[Decepticon]] fleet! At some point, he'd found it lying at the bottom of the ocean, and was ensuring it would not only fly again but had a Predacon control console and a transwarp cell that could take it back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}

He battled the Maximals alongside Megatron's [[cyber raptor]]s, taking the opportunity to try out his new Transmetal [[cyber venom]] to great success, though he was stomped on by a cyber raptor once the Maximals worked out how to destroy their controls. {{storylink|Cutting Edge}} He assisted in the construction of Megatron's [[disruptor cannon]], suggesting that they abduct an early human to complete the device when the other Predacons were unable to get too close to it due to the unstable power source. While the cannon was completed by [[Una]], she managed to use her knowledge of levers to tip a piece of heavy equipment on him. Though he survived, Una had taken the cannon's stablizer crystal, and it exploded in the Predacons' faces when they tried to use it. {{storylink|Go with the Flow}}

[[File:CrossingRubicon Tarantulas fires on Silverbolt.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Pew Pew!]]
When the Maximals attempted to remove Blackarachnia's shell program, he revealed to Megatron that he had included "certain safeguards" that guaranteed she would not survive, and joined the other Predacons in an attack on the Maximals that was meant to disrupt the attempted shell removal. He fired the missile which knocked the Maximals' power off-line at a crucial instant, seemingly bringing an end to his "treacherous creation". Enraged by the death of his beloved, [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] attempted to kill the scientist, but was thwarted by [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]], who was later defeated by a revived—and [[Transmetal]]ized—Blackarachnia. {{storylink|Crossing the Rubicon}}

Tarantulas participated in the Predacons' next attempt to retake the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], utilising his latest invention to allow Quickstrike to take control of Optimus Primal... and ''that'' was when he made his move, at last. He manipulated [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] into throwing Megatron into the nearby lava while he himself set the Ark's engines to overload. Megatron survived his lava-dunking, gaining a new body in the process. However, he had lost his patience. While he'd tolerated Tarantulas' treachery, he could not tolerate incompetence. Tarantulas survived his punishment and fled back to his lair. {{storylink|Master Blaster}} This appears to have ''not'' been what Quickstrike thought he was going to do, and neither he nor Megatron had any idea why he'd planned to destroy the whole Ark.

[[File:TarantulasVok SignOfTheCross.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|"Save me, X-Men!"]]
Tarantulas was left ranting in his lair about how the Tripredacus Council's plans were wrecked, while his systems monitored the ''Nemesis'' (which was finished by this point). However, his rant and ''Nemesis'' plans were interrupted when the aliens—now revealed to be called the [[Vok]]—sent their emissary [[Tigerhawk]] to Earth. Tarantulas let him take out the Predacons, then used his arachnoids to disable and capture him. Tarantulas intended to force the all-powerful being into his servitude by drawing the Vok influences out of his body and reprogramming him, and then have him obliterate the Ark. He cheerfully told the emissary that as he nor the Council had Autobot or Decepticon origins, they'd survive the resulting timestorm, turn Cybertron into a universe-conquering force, and one day even conquer the Vok themselves!

The scheme backfired, however, as his energy beam device expelled two ''actual Vok'' out of Tigerhawk. The formless spectres attempted to take over Tarantulas' body. Panicking, he made a religious sign to ward them off and then opened fire on them—a futile gesture that merely served to spin the energy device around 'til its rays were blasting him and his lab equipment. Overloaded by the beams, Tarantulas exploded, leaving nothing behind but his boots. The remainder of his equipment detonated seconds later, blowing the lair to rubble. Cheetor managed to rescue the inert Tigerhawk, and Tarantulas was presumed destroyed. {{storylink|Other Victories}}

Megatron knew that Tarantulas must have had some schemes on the go that the Predacons could pick up and use, and had his men search the ruins of the spider's lair. During this, he offhandedly referred to him as "[[Unicron's Spawn]]". He ended up discovering and using the working ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}
{{--}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====Yokohama Decepticon Secret Base=====
[[File:Yokohama Unicron Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|100px]]
As part of a plot to destroy the [[2014]] [[Transformers Expo]] in [[Yokohama]] and the Cybertronian artifacts within, Tarantulas, working on [[Unicron]]'s behalf, secretly granted [[Predacon computer|NAVI-ko]] a new body and intelligence regarding [[Yokohama Convoy|Nemesis Prime]]. True to plan, NAVI-ko was sent to activate the clone and guide him to the Transformers Expo. However, thanks to Nemesis Prime's inherent sense of justice, the plan failed. {{storylink|Yokohama Decepticon Secret Base}}

=====''Cloud''=====
While the Maximals were trying to help out the wayward [[Hot Rodimus]] and [[SARA]] of the [[Cloud World]], they investigated an energon mine, only to find the Predacons waiting there. The two sides battled, and Hot Rodimus took the opportunity to transform into helicopter mode to pursue his true quarry, the [[Shockwave (Cloud)|Shockwave]] from his world. The two's battle set off the nearby energon, forcing the Predacons to retreat. {{storylink|Wild (Cloud)|Wild}}

In another fight with Shockwave, Hot Rodimus thought back to their confrontation with the Beast Warriors, including Tarantulas. {{storylink|TFC-A03}}

=====''Beast Wars Diorama Story''=====
[[File:BWDiorama Motorarm Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|left|A ravenous, sinister fiend... and Tarantulas.]]
Sometime after Starscream's arrival to prehistoric Earth, Tarantulas was confronted in battle by a time-displaced [[Motorarm (BW)|Motorarm]], who fended off the Predacon with his Beetle Claw attack. Tarantulas was not present when the Autobots from [[Movie (franchise)|another universe]] and Maximals combined all of their energies to attack a team of Predacons and Decepticons. {{storylink|Motorarm Chapter}}
{{-}}

====3H comics====
Tarantulas was the inventor of the [[mind-drill]]. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] "borrowed" it from him to get information out of [[Antagony (BW)|Antagony]]. {{storylink|Herald}}

[[File:Primevaldawn2 tarantulas matrix.jpg|thumb|Further proving the maxim: "If you want to steal the Matrix, you basically can."]]
Following the Beast Wars, Tarantulas's body returned to life, reanimated by the Vok powers he'd previously absorbed. The undead Tarantulas, along with a rebuilt Ravage (as [[Ravage (G1)|Tripredacus Agent]]), nurtured new troops to life through enigmatic means, growing [[Razorclaw (BW)|Razorclaw]] and [[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]] in tubes. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1}} {{storylink|Primeval Dawn II}}

The remaining Vok anticipated Tarantulas's plan to destroy the rest of them, take their power, and fashion the timestream to his desires, and so they assembled an army of their own consisting of [[Primal Prime]], [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], and [[Tigatron]]. Tarantulas met this opposition in battle, overwhelmed them, and triumphantly ripped the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from Primal Prime's chest. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 2}}

Wounded critically, the Maximals withdrew to the Ark, while Tarantulas and his Predacons returned to his lair, where he directed them in the construction of a transwarp portal. Upon completion, Tarantulas planned to bring his stolen prize to his master, Unicron. Since his troops were getting restless, he promised them they could assault the Ark once they finished construction. Tarantulas was true to his word, and as Ravage led the Predacons against the Maximals, Unicron's spawn tried to stabilize the portal and prepared the Matrix for transport. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 3}}

{{note|[[3H Productions]] dissolved before this storyline could be completed. Based on the subsequent ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|Wreckers]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' storylines, it can be assumed that the Matrix of Leadership was restored to Optimus Prime's body at the end of this altercation, the Maximals were triumphant and used Tarantulas's portal to return home to Cybertron, and that Tarantulas somehow fled to Unicron.}}

[[File:Escape-Tarantulas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|Tarantulus {{sic}} basically just never dies.]]

After using the [[Divine Light]] to access [[Primus]]'s power, [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]] reanimated several [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] corpses into facsimiles of [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s old subordinates, including one of Tarantulas. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

A year after the [[Great Transformation]], the [[Unicron virus|influence]] of [[Unicron]] swayed an abducted [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] to the side of darkness. As she was escorted by [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and [[Reptilion]] into the heart of the Chaos Bringer, she was surprised to see Tarantulas (still in his undead body) greet her as she joined the ranks of the [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minions of Unicron]]. She hissed with disgust while Tarantulas noted that it was just like old times. {{storylink|Escape (Universe)|Escape}}

Tarantulas had learned that [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] had been assembling the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] to counter Unicron's Minions, and so he sent Blackarachnia on a mission to [[Primax 797.18 Epsilon|her home Cybertron]] to sever the link between the Transformers and [[Primus]] by invading [[Vector Sigma]]'s chamber and destroying Alpha Trion. He gave Blackarachnia a swarm of [[Piranacon (Universe)|Piranacon]]s and directions to the chamber through a structural weak point near the [[Rust Sea]]. {{storylink|Homecoming (Universe)|Homecoming}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers Legends'' anthology====
The [[Megatron (G1)|original Megatron]], now inside the mind of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] after the latter planted the former's spark inside his body, berated the Predacon leader's failures—in particular, being led astray time and again by such treacherous subordinates as Tarantulas. {{storylink|A Meeting of Minds}}

====2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity====
One account stated that when Tarantulas was born at the [[Pit (facility)|Pit]], a glitch in the process granted him insight into the fact that an alien force was manipulating the Predacons for its ends. Thus, Tarantulas became obsessed with whatever this force was. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook #4}}

[[File:DawnofthePredacus TarantulasPredacusCouncil.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.65|He's laughing at the chances of the [[fandom]] at large accepting this comic as the one true pre-Beast Wars canon.]]
Another account stated that Tarantulas was one of the [[Tripredacus Council]]'s covert agents, working for them since before the Great Wars began to be recorded. As a key member of the council's schemes, Tarantulas helped develop the combiner technology that led to [[Predacus]]. {{storylink|#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Tarantulas bio}}

Before his travels off-world, Tarantulas worked in tandem with the Tripredacus Council, who sought to unite Cybertron under a single, "purer" race. As the Great War drew to a close, Tarantulas received field intelligence reporting startling news: both [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] had died in a terrible confrontation between their forces. Though his masters weren't particularly moved by this turn of events, [[Megatron (BW)|a renegade]] within their army's ranks was. It became clear to the council that this upstart would resume the offensive against the enemy forces despite being ordered not to, and so Tarantulas was sent back out into the field to try and prevent any further complications from arising out of the situation.

While Tarantulas was away, the Council's secret base was discovered, and due to an [[Axalon (BW)|exploration vessel]] accidentally getting in its path, the transmatter bomb the Council had attempted to launch, to reformat all of Cybertron at once, was deflected from its proper course. Ram Horn, Cicadacon, Sea Clamp, and Ravage all met up with Tarantulas in the field, and confronted the gestalt [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], who was among the Decepticons causing dissension in their ranks. Tarantulas and his allies isolated him on the battlefield, and merged into their own gestalt form, [[Predacus]], to slay him.

[[File:DawnofthePredacus RavageAndTarantulasLaugh.jpg|thumb|upright=2.1|Seriously, this might be a medical condition.]]
Tarantulas next met with the upstart now calling himself "Megatron", and told him that the transmatter raining down on the planet was the result of a doomsday weapon of Galvatron's going off, triggered by the mad tyrant's death. He next informed Megatron that Predaking has committed suicide out of shame for his involvement in Galvatron's plans. The Tripredacus Council had hoped these lies would be enough to dissuade Megatron from continuing hostilities, but this was not the case, and so moved on to plan B: sniping Megatron with a stun beam, and surrendering to the Autobots themselves.

For the "great risks" Tarantulas took towards the pursuit of peace, he was granted amnesty after the signing of the Pax Cybertronia. He had a hearty laugh at the expense of the Autobots' gullibility over this. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}}

During his time on Earth, Tarantulas discovered the force he was obsessed with since birth was the [[Vok]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook #4}} He also programmed the Predacons' mobile fortress, the [[Arachnid]], utilizing his own personality programs to give it some form of sentience, accompanied by Tarantulas's own tendency for cruelty. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook #1}}

While [[Magmatron]] surveyed the timestream, he witnessed several key events during the Beast Wars. Among these was Tarantulas in his original "beast" body skulking in his lair. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 1|The Gathering #1}}

====SD BotCon====
Tarantulas joined Ravage at a bar to [[Dawn of the Predacus|laugh maniacally over drinks]], only for the pair to be approached by [[Beetle]] after their fourth outburst; the pair were being kicked out since everyone else was tired of their cackling. Thankfully, Tarantulas knew of a place where they could laugh to their hearts' content... a children's ball pit! {{storylink|SD SG issue 5|SD BotCon #1}}

====''Timelines''====
[[File:TheftOfGoldenDisk-Tarantulas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|What y'wanna do? Wanna be hackers? Code crackers? Slackers? Wastin' time with all the chatroom yakkers? 9 to 5, chillin' at Hewlett Packard? WHAT?]]
Tarantulas decoded the information on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] which had been freshly stolen by Megatron. He thought this was quite hilarious, but then, he thinks that about everything. {{storylink|Theft of the Golden Disk}}

[[File:Tarantulasdawn.jpg|thumb|See? A Planet X key in the corner of the pic. He's working for Unicron! Get him!]]
As [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and his rogue band of Predacons escaped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in their stolen ship, the ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'', Tarantulas was in charge of scanning the disk for a desired set of coordinates. While Megatron was not watching, he was in secret communication with [[Cicadacon|General Cicadacon]] of the [[Tripredacus Council]].

Using the decoded coordinates, the ''Darksyde'' opened a [[Unspace|transwarp]] portal, which it and the [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] passed through. {{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past}}

Two weeks after [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] was reborn on [[Earth]], Tarantulas fought to defend an orbital weapon from the Maximals. The launching pad was destroyed by Airazor. {{storylink|The Razor's Edge}}
{{-}}

====''Wings Universe''====
[[File:Tarantulasemerges-ACommonFoe.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1| "Well, howdy! Just scratching the wall, don't mind me!"]]
One of four mysterious protoforms found by [[Sky-Byte (RID)#Wings Universe|Sky-Byte]] in the laboratory of [[Jhiaxus (G2)#Wings Universe|Jhiaxus]] while trying to save his former collaborator's clones from the Autobots, {{storylink|A Common Foe}} Tarantulas and [[Tripredacus Council|the other three]] pledged allegiance to the Predacons in suspiciously quick time.<ref name="TFSS3bio">"Tarantulas is a being without a history. In his rush to remove Jhiaxus' clones from his laboratory before the Autobots discovered its location, Sky-Byte mistakenly extracted four stasis pods of unknown origin. The emergent robots immediately declared for the Predacon cause, some might say suspiciously quickly. Of the four robots, Tarantulas has since discovered an endless fascination with experimental science, especially seeking any opportunity for vivisection."</ref>

=====''Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts''=====
The Tarantulas of [[Primax 509.28 Epsilon]] was interviewed by [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Shotimus Prime]], who seemed determined to prove that Tarantulas was also [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. Annoyed by Shotimus's badgering, Tarantulas eventually resorted to pulling the Matrix out of Shotimus's chest, reverting him to Hot Shot, and then hitting him repeatedly with it. {{storylink|Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts}}

====Waspscream continuity====
In [[Primax 208.06 Zeta]], Tarantulas joined [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspscream]]'s successful coup against Megatron. Waspscream then convinced Tarantulas to decode Megatron's Golden Disk by promising to make Tarantulas his lieutenant upon returning to Cybertron and deposing the Tripredacus Council. Unfortunately en route, Megatron escaped, conquered Cybertron with a [[transformation virus]], and turned the bodies of Cybertron's populace into [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s. Upon arrival, Waspscream's crewmembers who had [[transmetal]] forms managed to survive the virus and escape Megatron's clutches, eventually finding their way to the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], who granted them [[technorganic]] forms. Waspscream's Predacons waged a valiant Spark War against the Vehicons, eventually achieving victory. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/16}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' manga===
[[File:TarantulasMangaMouth01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Tarantulas raises an army of mannequins to strike terror into his foes.]]
Following the [[Quantum surge]], Tarantulas was upgraded into a [[Transmetal]]. Scheming with [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] within their floating island base, [[Hindenburg]], Tarantulas developed a plan to revive the deceased [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] as a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] slave. Recovering Primal's mindless, raging body, Tarantulas staged a strange voodoo ceremony (complete with boiling cauldron). As Megatron pricked his finger and prepared to use his mutated blood to turn Primal's rampaging body into his slave, the spark of Optimus Primal returned to it just in the nick of time. As Primal turned into a Transmetal, Tarantulas began to celebrate, convinced that his plan had worked out better than he had thought, unaware of what was really going on. In fact, he was ''so'' convinced that Primal was now a Predacon slave, that he ordered the monkey to give him a shoulder massage. Optimus Primal proceeded to knock Tarantulas's block off. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 1|Beast Wars Metals #1}}

Tarantulas pulled himself together and confronted Tigatron, only to be promptly sliced in half. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 2|Beast Wars Metals #2}}

Undeterred, he taped himself back together and planted an [[arachnoid]] in Tigatron which gave Tarantulas control of the Maximal samurai's mind and body. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 3|Beast Wars Metals #3}} Airazor linked her mind to Tigatron's in an attempt to free her beloved and while her body fought Tigatron, Airazor's consciousness fought Tarantulas and his virtual minions. Ultimately, with Blackarachnia's help, Tigatron's mind was freed, though Airazor died in the process, killed by the mind-controlled Tigatron. Optimus Primal arrived and promptly stomped Tarantulas to death and blew his body to pieces. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 4|Beast Wars Metals #4}}

Shortly afterward, the energies from sparks freed from an obliterated [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] brought Tarantulas back to life as a mindless zombie. He fought Optimus Primal but was destroyed for good by Primal's rocket-fists. {{storylink|Beast Wars Metals issue 5|Beast Wars Metals #5}}

===Fire in the Dark===
====''Legends'' anthology====
When [[human]] archaeologists uncovered a cave filled with primitive language, [[Mini-Con]] [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] translated it for them. The markings told of a time when the Maximals and Predacons crash-landed on prehistoric Earth, though the stranded Transformers were seen by the [[Natiltec]] as gods. The "spider-god" and the "[[Waspinator (BW)|wasp-god]]", under instruction from their [[Megatron (BW)|leader]], enslaved the humans for the purposes of excavating "[[Energon|glowing rose crystals]]". Eventually, a "[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|wolf-god]]" came, and had a fierce battle with the spider, allowing the captive humans to flee. The spider was defeated by the wolf, and then buried underground in a cave-in. {{storylink|Fire in the Dark}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
Dimensional observer [[Vector Prime]] explained that in [[Aurex 1104.30-JH Zeta]], Tarantulas had his own agenda on prehistoric Earth. He deployed his [[Arachnoid]]s across the globe to search for traces of [[Super Energon]], accumulating a large cache of the powerful substance. Optimus Primal sacrificed himself to hijack Tarantulas's makeshift craft and destroy it in orbit, causing a [[Quantum surge|Super Energon Transwarp Explosion]] which granted a [[Transmetal]] upgrade to many participants in the conflict as well as created the [[Fuzor]]s. Later, Megatron attempted to use Tarantulas's secret experiments in a last-ditch effort to turn the tide, but ultimately, the Maximals emerged victorious in the war for the [[Mini-Con]]s. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/13}}

===Legends World===
The Tarantulas of the [[Legends World]] was head of [[Tera-Kura Co.]]'s science department and an expert at building robots. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} He sneakily browsed the toys for sale at [[Transformers Celebration 2014]]. {{storylink|Legends Bonus Vol.}} Later, Tarantulas was responsible for production of Tera-Kura's [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird Shadow]]s. One day, he was approached by the [[Decepticon]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] of [[G1 World|another universe]], who offered him use of their technology in exchange for his help in building them new [[transtector]]s. Realizing he could use this tech to conquer the Legends World for himself, Tarantulas accepted. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} Once a partnership between the Decepticons and Tera-Kura had been formed, he used data stolen from the [[Autobot]] Headmasters to build a body for [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] as well as the drone [[Butla]]. Seeking to eliminate the Autobots, his rivals on the technology market, he and [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] then sent out Skullcruncher to lure out and destroy them, but the Headmaster was defeated. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 22|Bonus Edition Vol. 22}} Tarantulas's boss, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], chewed them out over their violent approach, leading to a disgruntled Tarantulas building a body for Megatron that would turn him into the destructive [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. In the end, Megatron resisted the body and taught them a lesson, though Tarantulas pointed out that as he'd planned, Galvatron's destruction had increased Tera-Kura's sales. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 23|Bonus Edition Vol. 23}}

Not ones to give up, Tarantulas and Weirdwolf had [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] hypnotize Megatron back into Galvatron only for [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] to undo the spell. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 25|Bonus Edition Vol. 25}} He was present at the office when [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] attempted to take over Tera-Kura. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 26|Bonus Edition Vol. 26}} When a group of [[Nightbeat (G1)|mass-produced Headmasters]] from [[Axalon Trading Company|Autobot Axalon Trading Company]] started stealing Decepticon transtectors on the orders of [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]], Tarantulas responded by activating the Galvatron body's mask, briefly brainwashing the unfortunate [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] into being evil. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 28|Bonus Edition Vol. 28}} Since his Megatron plan wasn't working out, Tarantulas chose to enter the Galvatron body and pilot it himself, using it to defeat Megatron and use his head mode as a soccer ball. Though he was defeated by [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Shūta Gō]], he was happy with the data he'd gathered about controlling a transtector. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 29|Bonus Edition Vol. 29}} He then finished a new transtector for Weirdwolf, shocking its owner by making it sentient (and revealing that Skullcruncher's had been so all along). {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 30|Bonus Edition Vol. 30}}

Tarantulas was initially gleeful when Tera-Kura purchased [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], but quickly grew unsatisfied and wanted control of ''both'' Metroplex and Autobot Axalon's new base, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Maximus]]. He had Weirdwolf infiltrate Maximus and take it for Tera-Kura by using the [[Master Sword]], but the plan failed when Weirdwolf was unable to control the giant transtector's power. Using what he'd learned from piloting Galvatron, Tarantulas took things into his own hands by taking direct control of Metroplex and having him attack Maximus. The battle between Metroplex and Fortress Maximus ended with Fortress destroying Tarantulas's control device, and the scientist was arrested for his crimes. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 31|Bonus Edition Vol. 31}} He eventually broke out of jail and encountered [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], who agreed to hide him from the law in exchange for a transtector of his own. Tarantulas then found himself pressed to mass-produce these bodies for Astrotrain's master plan, and once he was done and expected to get along with his "fellow jailbird", Astrotrain promptly deemed him unnecessary and turned on him, sending him fleeing. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}} He next found refuge with Weirdwolf's faction of Decepticons, only to again be press-ganged into building bodies, this time for [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|LG-43 Trypticon Project Chapter}} As such he was present for the resurrection of Trypticon. {{storylink|LG43 Trypticon Mobilization Chapter: Decepticon Civil War|Decepticon Civil War}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
To the best of [[Vector Prime]]'s knowledge, Tarantulas and [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] did not think of themselves as relatives. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/15}}

[[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] claimed he showed up at the last second to help win [[#3H comics|the battle against Primal Prime]] but only referred to Ravage being there, not Tarantulas. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Sideways#July 6, 2015|Ask Sideways, 2015/06/06}} He also claimed to know the secret origins of Tarantulas and the Tripredacus Council. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Sideways, 2015/06/28}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Sins of the Wreckers issue 1|''Sins of the Wreckers'' #1]]}}
[[File:SinsoftheWreckers3-Mesothulas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6|"I'm not [[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]]! Okay, maybe I am... but basically, no, I'm not."]]
Mesothulas was a non-affiliated scientist, an avid student of [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}} who served as a consultant for [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] during the early stages of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Mesothulas saw their relationship as symbiotic—Prowl's imagination would feed into Mesothulas's desire to make the impossible real and vice versa. This collaboration yielded many of the weapons and technologies that the Autobots would use during the war, including [[stasis bullet]]s, [[Spark extractor|spark extraction]], [[Decepti-Bomb]]s, and [[positive reinforcement prison]]s; most notably, Mesothulas developed the guilt-detecting supercomputer known as [[Aequitas]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} Mesothulas eventually came to believe that the war itself was a sort of macrocosmic "organism", and could be manipulated at will with the right tools. {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}} Mesothulas's mad science would eventually yield what he considered his greatest success, the artificial life-form known as "[[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ostaros]]". Prowl eventually began to doubt the ethics involved with Mesothulas's inventions, and events came to a head after the scientist unveiled his latest creation: a hellish prison dimension he called the "[[Noisemaze (dimension)|Noisemaze]]". {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

Realizing that Mesothulas's increasingly depraved experiments could not continue, Prowl cashed in a favor with [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], asking him to dispose of Mesothulas by pushing the scientist into his own Noisemaze, then destroying everything in his workshop. When faced with the innocent Ostaros, however, neither Prowl nor Impactor could bring themselves to kill the young "Transformer", and instead Prowl falsified a new identity for him as the Autobot [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}} Thanks to the [[Anti-rad armor|bulky, face-concealing armor]] Impactor wore, Mesothulas was left to believe that Prowl had personally disposed of him. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}}

[[File:SinsoftheWreckers3 Ultra Energon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|''But then one day he went to that science lab'' ''That mutated spider came down'']]
Though Mesothulas was prepared for such an occurrence, having built a personal jumpgate built into his body, the disorienting effects of the Noisemaze meant that it took centuries before Mesothulas could put it to use. With his lab ransacked and his experiments left in shambles, Mesothulas turned his efforts outwards: he followed in the footsteps of his idol Shockwave—a trail that led him to [[Earth]]. There, he discovered and refined samples of Shockwave's [[Ore-13]] to create an artificially derived superfuel he called [[obtenteum]], which became the basis for all of his future inventions. Using obtenteum, he established a base within the Noisemaze he dubbed the [[Tor]]; inspired by the native wildlife, he turned the Tor into a laboratory for developing the perfect bio-disguise, a [[size changing|mass-shifting]] bodyform that formed the basis for the [[spark]]-shielding [[Chimeracon]] upgrade. Fascinated by Earth's spiders, he eventually modified his own body with Chimeracon technology to become a gigantic arachnid, renaming himself "Tarantulas". {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

The Chimeracon process required further raw material, and so Tarantulas returned to Cybertron and began the incident that would later be immortalized as the "[[Roadbuster affair]]"—by shrinking down into a tiny size, Tarantulas was able to crawl into [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]]'s ear, whispering for him to torture his recruits. Roadbuster assumed that he was hearing the voice of [[Mortilus]] and cheerfully followed the orders of "Mortilus" to the letter, dumping the bodies of his dead recruits into a pit where Tarantulas could later recover them. The other Autobots soon found out what had happened, and intervened in time to save [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] from the fate that befell his friends. By that point Tarantulas had already fled the scene and everyone assumed that Roadbuster had suffered a debilitating mental breakdown. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|Sins of the Wreckers #4}} Eventually, Tarantulas was able to turn Hubcap to his side and convince him to serve as a mole within the Autobot ranks, using his [[Outlier (group)|outlier]] powers to uncover Prowl's secrets, including the data containing Aequitas's proclamations. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} Even though Tarantulas admitted having been the voice of "Mortilus" that drove Roadbuster mad, the terrified Hubcap went along with it, hoping to gain a stronger Chimeracon body for himself and seeing justice meted out against Roadbuster. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|Sins of the Wreckers #4}}

[[File:SinsoftheWreckers3-Tarantulasspider.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6|''Oh, and now Meso crawls over everyone's walls'' ''And he's swingin' all over town'']]
Following the end of the war—and a series of diplomatic incidents that saw Prowl reduced to a wanted fugitive—Tarantulas sought to rekindle the relationship that he and Prowl had one enjoyed, and sought to bring the disgraced strategist back into the fold. To do so, he became the patron of the post-war anarchist cell known as [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]]; clad in Chimeracon bio-disguises, they became his private enforcers, operating from the Noisemaze and carrying out his orders. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} Tarantulas ordered Mayhem to abduct Prowl shortly after the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], and had him spirited away to the Tor. There, Tarantulas suspended Prowl in his webs {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 1|Sins of the Wreckers #1}} and presented the [[data slug]] that contained information on the Aequitas trial, stolen from [[Verity Carlo]], as collateral for an open conversation between the two. {{Storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 2|Sins of the Wreckers #2}}

With the greatest of anticipation, Tarantulas unveiled his new form to Prowl, who was horrified at his old collaborator's metamorphosis. Prowl suspected Tarantulas intended to use the war crimes data from Aequitas to simply blackmail him, but Tarantulas revealed his ''true'' desire: he simply wished to work with his old compatriot once more, to recreate the symbiosis of their original possibly-more-than-professional relationship. When Prowl still refused, he was placed in the company of his would-be rescuers: Verity, Springer, Roadbuster, and [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]], their most shameful, damning thoughts opened bare to him thanks to Tarantulas's new invention, the guilt-extracting [[Impetus]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

[[File:K-PLUTCH.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|You or a loved one may be entitled to financial compensation.]]
Tarantulas explained to Verity that her current sickly condition was a result of exposure to the Aequitas supercomputer back on [[Garrus-9]]; when he attempted to force Prowl into Impetus, Prowl tried to talk him out of it, lying that he had killed Ostaros that day in the lab. Before a grief-stricken Tarantulas could torture Prowl any further, rescue arrived in the shape of Wrecker space station ''[[Debris]]'', its mass threatening to rip the Noisemaze apart. Tarantulas ordered the Chimeracons to counterattack and for Hubcap to transmit the Aequitas data across the galaxy, only for Hubcap to turn on his employer and free the Autobot prisoners instead. Roadbuster was briefly able to overpower him by using his vehicle mode to ram the gigantic spider out a window... but Tarantulas had survived the fall, shrinking himself and crawling into Roadbuster's head once more.

Tarantulas taunted his old victim one last time... then expanded back to his full size, blowing open Roadbuster's head from the inside out. As the surviving Wreckers regrouped at the Tor and prepared to take down the entire structure, Tarantulas revealed himself, smugly promising that he would soon do "something weird" to everyone. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|Sins of the Wreckers #4}}

[[File:SinsOfTheWreckers5-springervstarantulas.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|"Quick! Someone get a giant slipper!"]]
Using his mass displacement technology to enlarge his spider mode to its maximum size, Tarantulas activated a final contingency plan: shrinking the Tor itself down to pocket size so that he could safely transport his lab out of the collapsing dimension, while revealing that he had healed Verity's illness for no other reason other than to one-up Prowl. As they battled, Tarantulas continued to grow, ranting madly about his need for revenge for Ostaros's murder, finally prompting Impactor to reveal that ''he'' had destroyed the lab on Prowl's orders. Tarantulas demanded to know what had become of Ostaros—and then made the connection between Springer's voice and the fate of his creation. Tarantulas scurried into the depths of his facility to reunite with his creation, even as Arcee sliced off his beast mode head and used it to trip the retinal scanner and halt the Tor's contraction.

Tarantulas managed to find Springer as the Autobot finished rigging the facility to blow, earning himself a punch in the face from the green Autobot. His words were garbled by the energies of the Noisemaze, preventing any kind of meaningful dialogue between creator and creation. The pair struggled with one another as Springer repeatedly stabbed Tarantulas, neither able to speak or hear each other. Escaping the Tor and reuniting with the other Autobots, Springer escaped as Impactor destroyed the Noisemaze, seemingly destroying Tarantulas with it. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}}

[[File:RequiemOfTheWreckers-hyehyehhyeh.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Only a student of Shockwave's would consider [[The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|becoming a furry while using time travel to tamper with history]].]]
Unbeknownst to the Wreckers, however, Tarantulas had survived his encounter with the Wreckers, and escaped the destruction of the Noisemaze by shrinking to miniscule size and hitching a ride on Springer as he escaped. Tarantulas spent a year hiding out in the retrofitted barn that Springer and Verity called home, using their Cybertronian transmitter to communicate with the rest of the galaxy. He established a dialogue with the rogue Decepticon [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], who had been left rudderless following his botched battle with [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] on the [[Necroworld]], and Tarantulas hatched a new plan. The pair relocated to an extinct volcano; using his knowledge of biotechnology, Tarantulas upgraded Overlord with a Chimeracon body, using samples of Verity's DNA to create a human alter-ego for Overlord: firebrand politician "Megan Guiglione", a twisted experiment so that Tarantulas could watch what happened when he introduced an irrational aggressor into Earth's political ecosystems. Using this cover identity to amass money and resources, Tarantulas began developing what he considered to be his ultimate masterstroke: the [[Timemaze]], a functional time machine that would allow him to use [[time travel]] to his advantage by repeatedly splintering the timeline by sending Overlord back in time and creating infinite new realities for him to experiment with.

When Verity inadvertently learned of Overlord's human disguise, he brought her back to the volcano to dispose of; Tarantulas, on the other hand, wanted her kept alive, in the hopes that protecting her would win him the favor of his beloved Ostaros. In the meantime, Tarantulas showed her his newest invention in between bickering with Overlord. It soon became clear that Overlord's irrational hatred of Megatron—a "temporal cornerstone"—overrode his loyalty to Tarantulas, and as Tarantulas realized his erstwhile partner would use the Timemaze to travel back in time solely for the purpose of repeatedly killing Megatron, the pair fell to fighting. When Springer did arrive, Tarantulas immediately stood down, hoping that he could make amends with his creation. Before he could do so, however, Overlord shot him in the back of the head.

[[File:RequiemOfTheWreckers-TarantulasDies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|Tarantulas' encounter with Garfield ended in tragedy.]]
When Overlord was finally defeated, Springer knelt beside Tarantulas's mangled body. Though he had been fatally wounded, Tarantulas admitted that he was happy to be reunited with his greatest creation one last time; while they couldn't be together, he was glad that, after bringing so much chaos into the universe, Springer was proof that he could leave something good behind. Having made peace with his legacy, Tarantulas died. {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[File:TriggerWarnings Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|[[Predator (alien)|"You're one ugly mother..."]]]]
'''Tarantulas of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]''' served as chief science officer at the [[Mandala]], the headquarters of the [[Predacon Secret Police]]. Loyal only to his own scientific... curiosity... Tarantulas also moonlighted with the Predacon anarchists known as the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], providing tech support to them in exchange for hired goons when he needed them. {{storylink|Trigger Warnings}} In his downtime, he visited the same software developers' chat room as [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Identity Politics}}

A PSP deep-cover agent in the [[Maximal Command Security Force]] caught a murder case in Iacon, the death of a [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]] named [[Twirl (G1)|Twirl]]. Tarantulas examined the data [[Wolfang (Predacon)|Wolfang]] provided his superiors and recognized Twirl was not a [[Micromaster]], but a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]], one who had somehow survived the [[Targetmaster Extirpation|Extirpation]] a generation prior. Finding the idea of his own weapon of mass destruction appealing, Tarantulas inserted himself into the case and pinged the Mayhemists to be on alert as well.

Wolfang tracked down the Mayhemists, believing them to be responsible for the murder. He encountered Tarantulas and arrested him for conspiracy and terrorism, but Tarantulas managed to talk his way out of imprisonment when he came before [[Onyx Primal]]. Instead, he joined the PSP as they intercepted Wolfang, who had found the true murderer, another secret Targetmaster named [[Overrun]]. Fearing the idea of Tarantulas or anyone getting ahold of the power of a Targetmaster, Wolfang and Overrun died keeping him out of PSP hands. {{storylink|Trigger Warnings}}

Getting his mitts on the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] that Overrun had left behind, Tarantulas decided to play with it in [[Proximax]], with his first target being the disgraced former Resistance member [[Grimlock_(G1)|Grimlock]]. His scheme was noticed by the [[Ex-Bot_(BWU)|Ex-Bots]], who thanks to some pre-cognitive warning from [[Overshoot|Overshoot's]] ghost were able to jam the Robo-Smasher, giving Grimlock the chance to obfuscate and sabotage the Predacon's scheme. Before they could do anything with him, the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] broke out.

Tarantulas managed to disappear during the chaos, only reappearing once the Vehicons were done and dusted, at the side of Megatron, head of [[Darksyder|Darksyder, Inc.]], and one of the largest powers left on Cybertron. Tarantulas, for his part, was giddy at the thought of meeting Stiletto again. {{storylink|Derailment}}

Millennia later, historians would remember "Tarantulus", but somehow came to conflate him with Blackarachnia, and were even convinced he was [[Lio_Convoy|Lio Convoy's]] head scientist. {{storylink|Lio Convoy: Unity Through Tyranny}}

===2021 ''Beast Wars'' comic===
[[File:SavageLandingPart1-beautifuldestruction.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

Tarantulas was a Predacon separatist in the employ of [[Megatron (BW)|Galavar]]; {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 1}} although he considered himself one of the greatest geniuses in Cybertronian history, {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 4}}, most regarded him as a wanted criminal, a treacherous mad scientist whose reputation for cruelty and indiscriminate violence had earned him infamy among the Maximals. {{storylink|Pod Part 1}}

Eventually, Galavar went rogue, changed his name to "[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]", and launched a daring heist to steal a mysterious [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] from the Maximal [[Ministry of Science|Science Ministry]]. While half of Megatron's team stole the disk, Tarantulas, [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], and [[Skold]] broke into the [[Great Shipyard]] in [[Vos (polity)|Vos]], liberated the [[Transwarp Drive|transwarp]]-capable warship ''[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]'' from its berth, and sabotaged the rest of the fleet to prevent any pursuers. Tarantulas busied himself with hacking the security protocols required to access the ship's transwarp drive, before the vessel came under assault from the nearby Maximal science vessel ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''. Tarantulas successfully unlocked the transwarp drive, and followed a set of coordinates inscribed on the golden disk—a jump that took to a mysterious, primitive world. After a brief orbital dogfight with the Maximal starship, who'd followed them across time and space to this unfamiliar planet, both ships crashed on opposite sides of a lush valley. To survive high concentrations of [[energon]] radiation, the ''Darksyde'''s computer system refitted its passengers with [[beast mode]]s that would allow them to safely operate outside their ship. Upon reactivating in his new form, Tarantulas joined Megatron as the Predacon leader vowed to hunt down and dispatch any Maximals who'd survived the crash. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 1}}

[[File:SavageLandingPart3-TarantulasvsDinobot.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

As the Predacons settled in, Tarantulas busied himself with tracking a number of anomalous [[unspace]] signatures within the ship, and butted heads with Megatron's nominal lieutenant [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] when he ordered Tarantulas to scout out their immediate surroundings. Tarantulas snapped that, as rogue agents, he and the other Predacons answered to no one and could do as they pleased. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 2}} That evening, [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] returned with a prisoner: the Maximal flier [[Nyx]]. While Megatron interrogated their captive, Tarantulas operated the electrical torture device intended to shock her into surrendering her secrets; when Nyx refused to speak, however, Tarantulas deduced that she must be protecting other Maximal survivors, and a pleased Megatron turned Nyx over to Tarantulas to dispose of as he liked. As such, Tarantulas rigged up a public execution, using his new [[Transformation Lock Lens|transformation lock lens]] to keep his victim from fighting back or escaping. The show went as planned, until Dinobot had a crisis of conscience and abruptly turned on his allies. With the advantage of surprise on his side, Dinobot quickly incapacitated Tarantulas by kicking him in the face, then used his security clearance to remotely trip the ''Darksyde'''s lockdown protocol and trap all the other Predacons in the base while Nyx transformed and escaped. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 3}}

It took Tarantulas several hours to unscramble the ship's systems, and by the time that he succeeded both Dinobot and Nyx had disappeared into the jungle that divided the ''Darksyde'' from the crashed ''Axalon'', which necessitated a manhunt to find and dispatch the traitor. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 4}} By following Dinobot's trail, the Predacons found the crashed ''Axalon'' and devised a plan to take out both Dinobot and the Maximals in one fell swoop—while Megatron and the other Predacons launched a frontal assault, Tarantulas infiltrated the ship to bring it down from within. While sneaking around the ship's lower levels, he encountered [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]], whom he attempted to eat before Rattrap shot him in the face and escaped into the ship's vents. Frustrated, Tarantulas swore to find a way to sabotage the Maximal starship and kill everyone aboard. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 5}}

[[File:SavageLandingPart6-Dinobotstabbed.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

While searching for anything he could salvage from the ''Axalon'''s many empty laboratories, and, after accessing the ship's consist, discovered that the Maximals had been carrying a cargo of [[protoform]]s they'd ejected into orbit before the crash. Eager at the prospect of raising his own army and overthrowing Megatron, Tarantulas quickly wrote a [[shell program]] and attempted to access the stasis pod network to upload his code, but as he struggled with the ship's security systems, Rattrap used the ship's [[GCMG-Five|cargo-loading exoskeleton]] to grab the Predacon scientist and hurl him out the nearest window. Tarantulas quickly recovered, and, while Dinobot faced down the other Predacons alone outside the''Axalon'', Tarantulas ambushed the ex-Predacon, stabbed him through the chest, and joined in his comrades as they beat their former comrade to the brink of death before [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] used the Axalon's autoguns to intimidate the Predacons into leaving. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 6}}

While fruitlessly trying to contact the orbital stasis pod network from the ''Darksyde'', Tarantulas discovered that his earlier experiment had indeed paid off: his attempts to hack the Maximal pods had yielded [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], who'd taken the initiative of deorbiting the remaining stasis pods and infecting many of them with the same program Tarantulas had used to turn her into a Predacon. However, Tarantulas found that Blackarachnia was no slave, but a fiercely independent warrior who refused to take orders from anyone. {{storylink|Pod Part 2}} Tarantulas attended Megatron's celebration commemorating their new member, but quickly found himself the object of suspicion when Megatron pointedly remarked that Tarantulas had "forgotten" to inform Megatron of this new development. {{storylink|Thicker Skin}}

When Terrorsaur played a cruel prank on Skold by locking her in the ship's brig, Tarantulas and the other Predacons watched the ship's security system in shock as the little Predacon befriended and decapitated their prisoner [[Powerhug (BW)|Powerhug]]. {{storylink|Skold's No Good, Very Bad Day}} Some time later, Tarantulas and Blackarachnia worked together to construct an elaborate maze designed to trap Maximals, then used (and subsequently abandoned) Waspinator as a guinea pig to test it. When [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] blundered into their trap, he found a pre-recorded message in which the two argued over who would take the credit for the trap. {{storylink|Rhinox's Amaze-ing Adventure}}

[[File:MaximalsStrikeBackPart3-Tarantulastransforms.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

As Terrorsaur's impatience with Megatron's leadership grew, he grew bold enough to directly criticize their commander, and found himself on the receiving end of a savage beatdown. Fortunately, Tarantulas used one of his inventions to save Terrorsaur before Megatron could deliver the killing blow; the moment Megatron turned his back, he warned Terrorsaur that he'd saved him only because he'd need the spare parts one day. {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 1}} When the Maximals launched a full-scale assault on the ''Darksyde'' to retrieve the Golden Disk and disable their transwarp drive, Tarantulas fetched up against Nyx once again, {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 2}} but couldn't stop her from blasting the delicate transwarp engine and permanently destroying it. A furious Tarantulas transformed to attack, but wound up immobilized by Nyx's new taser. Although Tarantulas survived the battle, not all of his comrades were as lucky: Terrorsaur perished, and while the other Predacons licked their wounds Tarantulas eagerly took custody of Terrorsaur's corpse and got to work, promising his dead comrade that he'd find new purpose beyond death. {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 3}}

At some point, Rattrap took part in a skirmish over energon that ended with Cheetor getting injured. {{storylink|The Speedway of Central Consciousness}}

[[File:PrimalRage-BlackarachniaTarantulas.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Prepare for trouble! Make it double!]]

When Scorponok and Waspinator discovered a mysterious sample of red energon in the jungle, Tarantulas analyzed it and discovered that the substance possessed unusual aggression-increasing properties. He and Blackarachnia found a way to weaponize the substance into an explosive, then ambushed Optimus Primal and Dinobot while the two Maximals were alone in the jungle and escaped after planting the bomb on Dinobot's back. {{storylink|Primal Rage}}

At some point around this time, Tarantulas came into contact with the enigmatic [[Vok]], aliens who hailed from unspace and the self-appointed guardians of this world, who sought to permanently remove the Maximals and Predacons from their planet. In exchange for the secrets of the universe, Tarantulas betrayed his fellow Cybertronians; while he worked behind the scenes to undermine the tentative Maximal-Predacon alliance, {{storylink|The Beginning of the End}} he also made the direct step of locating every fallen stasis pod he could find and reprogramming the Predacons within into loyal "[[Children of the Vok (group)|Children of the Vok]]" who would serve as shock troopers in their impending assault on the Cybertronians. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}

[[File:TheBeginningOfTheEnd-TarantulasTerrorsaur.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

However, when Rhinox and Scorponok discovered that someone had used Megatron's access code to disable the ''Darksyde'''s transwarp drive, Megatron immediately realized that Tarantulas, the only other Predacon who could've known the code, had been working against them. Tarantulas tried to flee to the Vok, but Dinobot impaled the Predacon scientist with his sword and brought him back to the ''Darksyde'' for questioning. In retaliation, Tarantulas activated his hidden experiment: since taking custody of Terrorsaur's corpse, he'd rebuilt him into a monstrous, mindless, physically-enhanced [[zombie]]. "Experiment ZT-Omega" made short work of his captors, then freed Tarantulas so that he could send a message to Cybertron using the Darksyde's jury-rigged transwarp drive in the hopes that someone could send a ship to their space-time coordinates and rescue him. {{storylink|The Beginning of the End}}

As the Children of the Vok besieged the Predacon base, Tarantulas gleefully took in the chaos until Blackarachnia attacked him. However, the arrival of the Vok interrupted their fight. The inscrutable aliens had come to the conclusion that ''all'' Cybertronians were inherently violent and could not be allowed to live, and powered up a massive [[reversion device]] to scour the planet clean. Together, the Maximals and Predacons successfully weaponized transwarp technology to banish both the aliens and Megatron, and Tarantulas slipped away amidst the confusion. With Megatron gone, Blackarachnia took command of the remaining Predacons and decided that, before leaving the planet, they'd track down the treacherous scientist and kill him. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}

{{--}}

==Games==
===''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game continuity===
====''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game comic====
[[File:BWgameUK-Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Some great dialog there, Tarry.]]
Upon arriving on prehistoric Earth, the dangers of Energon radiation forced the Maximals and Predacons to take on beast alternate forms. Tarantulas picked up a tarantula in his palm and scanned it. Soon, Tarantulas spotted [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] moving in on the Predacons' crash site. Swearing revenge, Tarantulas transformed and attacked, and threatened to skin the Maximal alive. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers video game advertising comic}}

====''Beast Wars: Transformers'' video game====
{{voiceactor|??? (English), ??? (Japanese)}}
[[File:BeastWarsPSX-Tarantulasstats.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Sadly, there's no Eat Cheetor level.]]

Many Beast Wars combatants had managed to construct personal bases, customized to their personal tastes, due to the extended duration of the war. Tarantulas still preferred to operate out of a dark, underground lair. Tarantulas joined his fellow Predacons in battling not only the persistent Maximal resistance, but the interdimensional monsters known as the [[Skriix]].

=====Maximal campaign=====
After [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] had expanded his own personal base too close to Tarantulas's own territory, creating an opening for the Predacon to infiltrate Rhinox's personal metropolis. Tarantulas overtook Rhinox's base and reprogrammed its defenses, prompting the Maximals to retake it. The Maximal's offensive push forced Tarantulas to retreat deeper and deeper into the annexed territory, until he finally returned to his own lair. While he was in control of Rhinox's forces, however, Tarantulas had gained access to sensitive information, prompting the Maximals to follow Tarantulas back to his hide-out, and eliminate him once and for all.

=====Predacon campaign=====
Rhinox's expansion into Tarantulas's territory allowed the Predacons to infiltrate the Maximal's "Urban Area" and eliminate Rhinox. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|Beast Wars: Transformers}}

{{BW VG|Tarantulas|P}}

===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (N64)===
[[File:N64 Tarantulus.jpg|thumb|left|Player 2 Has Entered His Stomach. Continue?]]
[[File:N64Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Arboreal Camouflage Tarantulas? Blue Crusader Tarantulas?]]
{{voiceactor|[[Alec Willows]] (English), [[Yūichi Nagashima]] (Japanese)}}
In an alternate timeline created when Megatron sent a message through Transwarp back to his past self, Tarantulas participated in a series of all-out battles with the other beast warriors.

Eventually, Tarantulas found a way to escape prehistoric Earth and return to Cybertron. The Beast Wars progressed in his absence for a time...

Then he came back, newly promoted and with an armada of Transwarp battleships under his command, out to end the Beast Wars and enforce the Tripredacus Council's will... {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)|Beast Wars Transmetals}}

{{BW fighter ending|Tarantulas|N64}}

====Move list====
{{note|This list only includes the character's unique special moves in Beast Mode, as their attacks in Robot Mode and Vehicle Mode are identical to those of every other character.}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|'''Beast Attacks'''
|-
|C-Right||Web Snare
|-
|C-Up||Seek n' Suck
|-
|C-Left||Venom Mist
|}

===''Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals'' (PS)===
{{voiceactor|[[Alec Willows]] (English), [[Yūichi Nagashima]] (Japanese)}}
====Maximal story====
Tarantulas joined the other Predacons in an assault on the ''Axalon''. Unfortunately for them, Optimus Primal and his team fought back, beating the Predacons all the way back to the ''Darkside''. By the time it was all over, Tarantulas had already abandoned the mission and taken off. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (PS)}}

====Predacon story====
Tarantulas gleefully informed Megatron that their plan was already underway, and the Maximals had taken the bait and were on the approach. Mocking Rampage for not understanding the subtle intricacies of "beat up the Maximals, follow them to their base, then beat them up even more", Tarantulas joined a team of Predacons in beating them back to the ''Axalon''. On the ship's bridge, with the Maximals all but defeated, Tarantulas and the others prepared to finish them. However, Rhinox arrived at that moment and activated Sentinel's auto-guns, forcing the Preds to make a hasty retreat. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (PS)}}

====Move list====
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|'''Robot Mode'''
!colspan=2|'''Beast Mode'''
|-
|Special attack||Multi Missiles
|Special attack||Web Pulse
|-
|Super attack||Shadow Slash
|Super attack||Shocking Snare
|}

===''Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars''===
[[File:DuelFight Tarantulas.gif|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Megatron was capable of summoning Tarantulas forth to the battlefield during his attempts to acquire the super-powerful [[Energon Quartz]]. {{storylink|Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle|Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsTarantulas.jpg|thumb|400px]]
Tarantulas participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in three different bodies:
*''Tarantulas''—This Super Rare character first appeared in the "Beast Wars: Episode 2" event, and could be recruited by by collecting 250 units of Cybermetal, 75 units of Transmetal, 35 event cores, and 10 cores of this character.
*''Tarantulas''—This Epic Character was available in the August Daily Campaign and could be recruited by collecting 20 Alpha cores, 20 Beta cores, 20 Omega cores, and 10 cores of this character.
*''Tarantulas Transmetal''—This Super Rare character was available to 2500 players during the second event of the "Transmetals: Episode 3" mini events.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Tarantulas-Timelines.jpg|thumb|400px|Watch out!/Here comes the spider bike!]]
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Tarantulas-Transmetal.jpg|thumb|400px]]
{{!}}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
'''Tarantulas'''
[[File:Tarantulas EarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=2.00]]

{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 stars
*'''Ability: Life Stealing Charge''' - Rush into combat imprisoning buildings on your path for 7 seconds. The vines deal damage per second, slow down defences by 70% and heal your nearby allies by a percentage of the defence’s damage value per second.
**'''Cost''': 5 ability points, +2 for reuses.
[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:tarantulas Tarantulas at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Tarantulas (BW)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Tarantulas (BW)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:OptimalSituation Tarantulas insignia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Tarantulas is one of Reprolabels's best customers.]]
[[File:TMtigatronboxback2.jpg|thumb|Pew! Pew!]]

*Tarantulas's name may come from an unproduced ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' [https://www.yojoe.com/archive/unproduced/manimalart.shtml Manimal] named [https://www.yojoe.com/archive/unproduced/man95-5.shtml Tarantulus], as the ''Beast Wars'' Maximal name itself was derived from the Manimals.
*The original Tarantulas toy has ''nine'' eyes in [[beast mode]], as does the show model. This makes characters' references to him as "eight-eyes" rather... interesting.
*Tarantulas's original toy bio paints him as a really dumb ninja-like stealth assassin. His intelligence stat of 4 was maintained for his Transmetal toy and (much later) his ''Legacy'' toy. All of his other toys give him a more cartoon-accurate stat of 10.
*In the first season, Tarantulas is characterized more as a cannibalistic, psychotic gourmand who happens to be the Predacons' Science Officer than as the mad scientist and master plotter he becomes from "[[Spider's Game]]" onwards. This is to the extent that his official season one profile makes several mentions of his eating habits, describes his sole interest as being "food", and summarizes his relationship with the other Predacons as simple disdain, as he considers them to all be potential meals.
*In the Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'', Tarantulas retained his trademark cackle, but it was a little ''different''. His voice was very high-pitched and he shrieked almost constantly. His trademark laugh more closely resembled a wicked witch of sorts.
*From "[[Optimal Situation]]" onwards, the [[Arachnoid]]s sport a Tarantulas-themed insignia.
*Tarantulas's body in "[[Theft of the Golden Disk]]" is based on [[Ransack (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Ransack]]. His body in "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", however, is a unique design not directly based on an existing toy, unlike the rest of the show characters in the story.
*From what can be observed from the art on the back of Transmetal Tigatron's packaging, Tarantulas's vok-enhanced abilities include levitating and firing energy beams from his eye(s?) in [[robot mode]]. Neat!
*In the 2021 ''Beast Wars'' comic, Tarantulas's Cybertronian body is a stylized version of his "Mesothulas" body from the [[2005 IDW continuity]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://twitter.com/jcburcham/status/1357004320382668801|name=Josh Burcham|site=Twitter|quote=Tarantulas is actually based on a popular fan idea of a repaint of Cybertron Brakedown.|year=2021|month=02|day=03}}</ref>

===Character background===
Tarantulas's origins vary based on the continuity or writer. He declares in "[[Other Victories]]" that he and the [[Tripredacus Council]] do not descend from either Autobots or Decepticons, such that they would not be affected by the destruction of the ''Ark''. Megatron's line about "Unicron's spawn" in "[[Nemesis Part 1]]" was not intended by [[Bob Forward]] to be taken literally beyond being an insult; [[Larry DiTillio]] said Bob "regrets" the line and they never had a fixed idea of Tarantulas's origin. Had the show continued, the characters "might" have been descended from the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/VuUYzijtOr4/m/wZUyUuwoaPAJ|name=Larry DiTillio (via LANAMAC)|site=alt.toys.transformers|quote=Actually Bob regrets the "Unicron's spawn" line, he really wasn't thinking when he dropped that one in. We really had no set notion on the origins of the T's, but had we contineud with the show, it might very well have been that they were part of the Liege Maximo or Jhiaxus faction for the comic books.|year=1999|month=06|day=12}}</ref> A Unicronian origin also creates potential canonical issues, as Tarantulas says that "under our rule, Cybertron will conquer the universe" ("Other Victories"), whereas Unicron's goal would have been to eat Cybertron. But, much like [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]]'s line about "[[Darksyde (BW)|the dark side]]", this line developed a life of its own. Eventually, this connection was reasserted in [[3H Productions]]' ''[[Primeval Dawn]]'' storyline, initially written by... Bob Forward. Other writers have made their own takes on Tarantulas's background, variously leaning onto the Unicron connection or leaving it as a mystery.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Tarans''' (タランス ''Taransu''), '''Tarantulas''' (タランチュラス ''Taranchurasu'')
*''Italian:'' '''Metal Tarantulas''' (Transmetal toy)
*''Korean:'' '''Tarantulas''' (타란튤라스 ''Talantyullaseu'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Zhīzhū''' (Taiwan, 蜘蛛, "Spider"), '''Hóng Zhīzhū''' (Taiwan second and third season, 紅蜘蛛, "Red Spider"), '''Lángzhū''' (China, 狼蛛, "Tarantula")
*''Polish:'' '''Tarantulator'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Tarântulos''' (Brazil)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars combiners]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Predacons]]
[[Category:Cloud Predacons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Predacons]]
[[Category:Double agents]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]
[[Category:Legends World natives]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Predacon Secret Police]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:Universe Predacons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Predacons]]

Hot Shot (G1)

2023-03-29T07:39:40Z

Ducktimus: /* Generations Selects */ redirect broken link to archive.org

{{factions|autobot|velocitron|wreckersidw}}
{{disambig3|Hot Shot}}
:''Hot Shot is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Camien HotShot CharacterModel.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Why aren't I [[Velocitron|Velocitronian]]?]]

'''Hot Shot''' is an honorable warrior deft in stylish battle. Despite his secret destiny for future leadership, he still requires much advice from his senior comrades.

His partner is [[Jolt (Henkei!)|Jolt]].

{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in manga===
[[File:Hotrod-henkeicomic.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|They buried me with the rest of ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', but I'm back anyway!]]
Hot Shot was dug up from the ground, stuck in [[stasis lock]], by the [[Mini Vehicle]]s, just before the buried body of [[Dinobot (BW)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Dinobot]] was also discovered. As Hot Shot slowly gained consciousness, Dinobot began to attack the others, until finally Hot Shot (and his [[Mini-Con]], Jolt) faced Dinobot in battle. As Hot Shot performed stylish moves, Dinobot suggested the two battle for leadership. However, Hot Shot declined Dinobot's offer and suggested instead they team up and make peace.

Hot Shot returned with Dinobot to Autobot headquarters, where [[Grimlock (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in manga|Grimlock]] quickly ruined Hot Shot's plan by suggesting that Grimlock and Dinobot play at battle with each other. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 11}}
{{--}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Visualize Shot 13}}}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{note|Hot Shot enjoyed a somewhat complex history within [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[2005 IDW continuity|first ''Transformers'' universe]]—although his first "official" appearance was as a [[Caminus (planet)|Camien]] colonist in [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''Transformers'' vol. 2]] [[First Contact (IDW)|#39]], artist [[Alex Milne]] had already developed a habit of slipping the character into various crowd scenes, using different bodies based on his ''Armada'', ''Energon'', and ''Cybertron'' toys. As a result, there are no less than four—possibly ''five'', depending on how you count—separate "Hot Shots" who've appeared in the comics over the years.}}

====Cybertronian====
[[File:CustomMadeNow-HotShots.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.85|An alternate, dystopian timeline in which everyone is Hot Shot!]]
Early in the war, a familiar yellow Autobot was destroyed by [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] in the front lines of battle. {{storylink|Drift issue 2|Drift #2}}

=====The Functionist Universe=====

In [[Functionist Universe|an altered timeline]] in which the war was averted, Hot Shot watched in confusion as a data slug Transformer was remotely executed by the Functionists in a [[mass recall]]. Prior to this, another robot matching Hot Shot's appearance was seen milling around in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s spaceport. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}}

====Camien====
[[File:Windblade1-HotShotLightbrightAfterburner.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|He's alive and he's in charge of important stuff. Uh oh.]]

An equally-familiar yellow robot named Hot Shot worked as a [[Cityspeaker]] on the planet [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] alongside [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]]. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} The two attempted to translate Caminus's warnings as [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] arrived on their planet to loot it for spoils. Though Caminus was helpless against Menasor, Windblade returned to Cybertron to tell Hot Shot and the other members of the [[Council of Voices]] that [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] was on his way and he was on their side. Once Menasor was defeated, the [[Mistress of Flame]] led Hot Shot and his peers to meet [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], the last living Prime, and they all bowed before him. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}}

As the two societies mingled, Hot Shot and Lightbright were interviewed by [[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] and [[Longtooth]], and as they happily introduced themselves, they wondered if any of the Cybertronians they were meeting were also Cityspeakers. {{storylink|The Possible Light}}

{{--}}

====Velocitronian====
[[File:Cliffjumper Dead on Unicron.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Yet another Hot Shot doppelganger lived on [[Velocitron]]. After [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] devoured his homeworld, [[Rom]] and [[Sata]] glimpsed his corpse next to the dead bodies of [[Override (BWU)|Override]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]. {{storylink|Our Darkest}}

Seriously, there are a lot of Hot Shots, folks.

{{--}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:ARealMother-NewFriends.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

[[Scootaloo]] befriended Hot Shot and his friends shortly after arriving on Cybertron. Later, [[Rubble]] used him as a skateboard when the group met up with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Greenlight]]. {{storylink|A Real Mother}}
{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
Hot Shot was a member of the [[Wreckers]], a covert operations team disguised as a traveling stunt show. They were active among and between the Cybertronian colonies after the [[War of the Threefold Spark]]. Ricochet and his partner Ricochet were the main talent in the act and they shared a competitive dynamic over which one was faster and better (both on and off camera). One of the Wreckers' broadcasts was interrupted by dissidents on [[Velocitron]] called [[Mayhem]], who objected to the position of First Senator being picked by the outcome of the [[Speedia 500]] race, and promised to disrupt it. Wreckers leader [[Thunder Clash]] brought the stunt show to Velocitron after that and entered the team in the race as a show of support for Velocitron (and to get close to the action to stop Mayhem). {{storylink|Tread & Circuits Part 1}}

Before the race, the Wreckers did recon of the other competitors, suspicious that Mayhem may have an inside 'bot at the Speedia. Hot Shot kept an eye on [[Override (BWU)|Override]], but concluded she was mostly harmless. Their recon was interrupted when the Wreckers' chronicler [[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] spotted Mayhem in the city, but was sniped and critically injured. [[Minerva (G1 robot)|Minerva]] took to watching over Circuit as the other Wreckers gathered at the starting line and the Speedia 500 began. {{storylink|Tread & Circuits Part 2}}

Thunder Clash gave Ricochet and Hot Shot permission to go all out in the race. They found themselves neck-and-neck with the dirty trickster called [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]. Mayhem attacked the race course, causing an avalanche which Drag Strip negotiated around. Hot Shot gave Ricochet a boost over the rubble, but they were targeted by Mayhem's [[Thunderblast (G1)|Thunderblast]] and [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] from the air. Hot Shot took a hit, but the rest of the racers caught up, leading to an all-out melee. [[Aileron]] gave Hot Shot a lift into the skies before dropping him back down on top of Slugslinger. He even had time to smile for the camera and flash the Wreckers' symbol before striking the terrorist. The remaining racers dragged themselves across the finish line, but even the arrival of [[Security Operations]] didn't stop Mayhem from escaping. {{storylink|Tread & Circuits Part 3}}

Days later, the racers gathered at the Velocitronian Senate as the winner Knock Out was sworn in as the new First Senator. Mayhem made another strike at the ceremony, and Ricochet and Hot Shot got a rematch with Thunderblast and Slugslinger. They tag-teamed the terrorists and knocked them out, but Minerva ended up being arrested under suspicion of attacking the First Senator. With Minerva incarcerated and Circuit passing away from his injuries, the Wreckers questioned whether they should go on. Although their stunt show went on hiatus, Thunder Clash tried to boost his troops' spirits by suggesting a recruitment drive for the future. {{storylink|Tread & Circuits Part 4}}

===Velocitron Speedia 500===
[[File:VelocitronSpeedia2-HotShot.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I'm probably here to watch Override win, even though I'm a different me from another continuity family! Don't think too hard about it.]]
Hot Shot was one of many spectators for the [[Speedia 500]] race on [[Velocitron]]. {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 2}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkeitoy-HotRod.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|I spawned years of wiki in-fighting!]]
*'''Cybertron Hot Rod''' ([[March 12]], [[2009]])
**''ID number:'' '''C-17'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 missile launchers, 2 flame missiles

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Hot Rod is a [[redeco]] and [[retool]] of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Deluxe Class [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Universe (2008)|Hot Shot]], using [[Vacuum metallizing|chrome]] for his exposed engine block. Unlike the Hasbro version which sticks relatively close to the original Hot Shot's toy color scheme, Takara's version switches the desaturated blue plastic used for the forearms and feet with gray plastic, matching the ''Armada'' cartoon colors more closely. Both the yellow and the red plastic are lighter shades than the Universe version (the red more so than the yellow), and the clear blue is darker. Almost every paint deco is a different color on the ''Henkei'' figure compared to the ''Universe'' version, and the ''Henkei'' figure has some additional paint where the ''Universe'' lacks (and vice versa). Whereas the Hasbro release's [[license plate]] sported a "[[JaAm|JAAM]]" nod, the Henkei version instead features the character's name, "Hot Rod".

:The ''Henkei'' version retains the missile launchers dropped from the Hasbro release, plus the rear bumper features a molded gap in it that allows it to accommodate the missile launchers as his exhaust. Both the missile launchers (minus the handles and triggers) and the exposed engine are chromed. The missile launchers can either be hand-held or mounted to his forearms. The missiles are sculpted to resemble fiery blasts, and they were originally intended by Hasbro to be tinted orange (to work with their idea of Hot Shot as a fire-type character). Instead, they are painted over clear blue on the exposed parts.

: Hot Rod's prototype featured transparent plastic on his side windows to match his windshield and rear window, but was replaced with painted opaque windows on the final toy.

: This version of the Hot Shot mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Dion (G1)#Timelines|Dion]].
{{--}}

===''Generations Selects''===
[[File:Selects-WFC-GS09-Siege-Deluxe-Hot-Shot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hot Shot''' (Deluxe Class, [[2019]])
**''Series'': '''''War for Cybertron: Siege'''''
**''ID number'': '''WFC-GS09'''
**''Accessories'': "W-5 Holo-Beam Refraction Blaster," "RT-10 IR Electro-Scope Launcher," ammo clip (combine to form "HD Vector-Beam Mega-Blaster")
{{toydesigner|[[AJ Piejko-Brown]] (packaging)}}

:A ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' special release in ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'', Hot Shot is a new head retool of Deluxe Class [[Hound (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Autobot Hound]] with a paintjob homaging his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#CDT|counterpart's Cybertron Defense Deluxe figure]], and transforms from robot to Cybertronian jeep and back. He includes the "W-5 Holo-Beam Refraction Blaster" and "RT-10 IR Electro-Scope Launcher," which are compatible with the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], and can combine to form the "HD Vector-Beam Mega-Blaster," or can be mounted onto his shoulder. The Refraction Blaster comes with a detachable ammo clip, which can be stored in the bed of the jeep. Unlike most ''Selects'' redecoes, Hot Shot features "battle damage" paint applications on his bullbar and shins. He also has multiple hardpoints all over himself and his weapons to accommodate "Fire Blasts" from the [[Battle Master]]s assortment, which can be used to simulate blaster fire or explosions.

:His vehicle mode has a sculpted winch, in the center of which is a hole. If some thread is fed through, this makes his winch somewhat functional.

:Hot Shot debuted from [[Entertainment Earth]] at [[New York Comic Con]] 2019, also sold online by [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the USA and Canada. In the latter country, he was also available at EB Games stores.

:Hound's [[:File:Siege-Hound-art.jpg|package art]], first seen at Summer Wonder Festival 2018,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201025102837/https://www.allspark.com/2018/07/siege-cybertron-defense-hot-shot-pretool-revealed/ The Allspark - Siege Cybertron Defense Hot Shot Pretool Revealed? (via the Internet Archive)]</ref> depicts Hound with a head resembling that of his Cybertron Defense Figure, foreshadowing the retool.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Drift2-hotshot.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
* For a good long time, this page was at '''Hot Rod (Henkei!)''', because he had never made any named Generation 1 continuity appearances in English-language fiction, and it is TFWiki's policy to use any official alternate names until that happens. "Hot Rod" is the character's Japanese name, as it was the [[Hot Shot (Armada)|''Armada'' character]]'s Japanese name, and if you were curious, that didn't conflict with the Generation 1 character ''Hasbro audiences'' know as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] because ''his'' name in Japan is "Hot Rodimus". Though it took years, Hot Shot's inclusion in the ''Combiner Wars'' storyline finally got him an English name.<ref>[http://monsterboysandrobots.com/post/114599978108/the-new-issue-of-windblade-is-out-today-here-are Caminus Hot Shot's character design on Saren Stone's Tumblr]</ref>
* The ''possibility'' exists that the ''Henkei'' iteration is not a new character after all, since his "origin" consists of him being dug out of the ground. Could he be the Unicron Trilogy character, warped into the ''Henkei! Henkei!'' universe somehow? We'll never know...
* A Hot Shot showed up to die in [[Drift issue 2|''Drift'' #2]] because someone convinced artist [[Alex Milne]] to draw him as a casualty, noting that it would make [[David Willis]] mad. Milne drew him into the story based on his dislike of ''Armada'' and reasoning that the character would not be one used again in the continuity.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120627081743/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=204657 markerguru's post in "Transformers Drift #1: Reactions, Reviews, Spoilers" from the IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> Because it was a Generation 1-based story, the incident is documented here, rather than on ''Armada'' [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]]'s page.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Hot Rod''' (ホットロッド ''Hotto Roddo''), '''Hot Shot''' (ホットショット ''Hotto Shotto'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Jīshè''' (Taiwan, 激射, "Passionate Shot")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Caminus]]
[[Category:Cityspeakers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations Selects toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Autobots]]
[[Category:Japanese-original Transformers]]
[[Category:Velocitron]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Wraith

2023-03-29T07:27:14Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

:''The Wraith is a [[human]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:TheWraith.jpg|250px|thumb|You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.]]
Criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot, but [[Angry Archer|there]] [[Nanosec|are]] [[Slo-Mo|so]] [[Colossus Rhodes|many]] [[Meltdown (Animated)|of]] [[Professor Princess|them]] [[Headmaster (Animated)|in]] [[Detroit]], that a young man decided the city needed a champion. He is vengeance! He is the night! He is...the '''WRAITH'''!

Well, sort of. In reality, '''Ray Thatherton''' does most of his crimefighting from the safety of his van, where he projects spooky holograms of himself at supervillains. He's not above using knock-out gas grenades or [[Denver boot|Denver boots]] when he has to get his hands dirty, though.

{{quote|Beware, foolish machine! The Wraith is no holographic trickery, I assure you! The Wraith is a spirit from beyond the grave that sees into the hearts of evildoers everywhere!|The Wraith lays it on thick|"[[The Arrival issue 2|Attention Surplus Disorder]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' continuity===
[[File:AttentionSurplusDisorder-WraithandProwl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|left]]
While attending the [[University of Michigan]] in [[Ann Arbor]], a young man began fighting crime as the wrathful Wraith. He eventually became [[Detroit]]'s favorite superhero, and, in addition to fighting supervillains such as [[Quake-Maker]] and thugs like the [[Jack Boys]], {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}} he made an annual appearance at halftime at Michigan's homecoming game. When the [[Autobot|Autobots]] arrived in town, the Wraith's luck began to change. While battling the [[Angry Archer]] at [[Motor City Motors and Mechanoids]], he was upstaged by [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], who, to add insult to injury, unwittingly exposed his holographic trickery. With his secret now revealed, he was nearly killed by [[Colossus Rhodes]] before being rescued by Bumblebee. When Michigan replaced him with Bumblebee in their homecoming halftime show, the Wraith could take no more.

Tricking Bumblebee with a phony [[hover-billboard]] hijacking plot, the Wraith trapped him in place with a pair of [[Denver boot|Denver boots]] and hijacked the hover-billboard himself. From there, he used his holographic technology to project an illusory Bumblebee attacking the crowd. Just as a projection of the Wraith "defeated" the Autobot, the real Bumblebee showed up, exposing the Wraith's deception. Enraged, the Wraith tried to ram the hover-billboard into Bumblebee, but was stopped by [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]. The crazed Wraith tried to flee, but was captured by [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and committed to an asylum. {{storylink|The Arrival issue 2|Attention Surplus Disorder}}

[[Harrison Schweiloch|Schweiloch]] prosecuted the Wraith for his misdeeds. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}

{{--}}

==Notes==
* The Wraith was part of the first ''Transformers Animated'' bible, intended to be used as a recurring baddie who'd keep trying to show up the Autobots. <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160923144431/http://www.allspark.com/2016/09/transformers-animated-story-bible-never-seen-before Allspark.com: "Transformers Animated Story Bible – Never Seen Before!" (via the Internet Archive)]</ref>

==References==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animated humans]]
[[Category:Comic-only humans]]
[[Category:Superheroes]]
[[Category:Supervillains]]

Soundwave (Animated)

2023-03-29T07:25:58Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

{{factions|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Soundwave}}
:''Soundwave is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:TFAnimated Soundwave.jpg|right|256px|thumb|When the Dance Dance Revolution comes, you will be first against the wall.]]
'''Soundwave''' is technology gone wrong. Machines are superior to [[human]]s: more logical, more intelligent and longer-lasting. It does not compute that humans control their robotic helpers and Soundwave aims to lead the robot proletariat to rise against their fleshling bourgeoisie. The Decepticon cause is logical in Soundwave's optics and he joined them in the hopes of overthrowing the human capitalist oppressors. With an army of subservient mechanoids that he can control through powerful signals, that uprising just might be possible.

His arsenal of weapons and gadgets is unusually large and includes powerful speakers, wiretaps, voice modulators, sonic signals that control lesser robots and the uncanny ability to assimilate other devices into his body.

He has [[Laserbeak (Animated)|a pet bird that transforms into a guitar]] and [[Ratbat (Animated)|a pet bat that changes into a keytar]]. He also on occasion has been known to command an army of [[Sound Wave|diminutive drones of himself]].

{{quote|I am Soundwave. I am Decepticon. The revolution begins now.|Soundwave|"[[Sound and Fury]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Jeff Glen Bennett]] (English), [[Nobuo Tobita]] (Japanese)|[[Jaron Löwenberg]] (German), [[Daniel Seisdedos]] (Latin American Spanish, seasons 1 and 2), [[Juha Paananen]] (Finnish), [[Bruno Magne]] (French), [[Mauro Eduardo Lima]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[Image:Soundandfuryprotect.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Don't you touch him! His voice is awesome!"]]
Soundwave was a robot originally designed by [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. Megatron suggested [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]] give Soundwave to [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|his daughter]] as a birthday present... this seemingly kind act, of course had a sinister ulterior motive. Megatron knew Sari would use her [[AllSpark Key|AllSpark-enhanced key]] on Soundwave which would allow him to upgrade... and ultimately become Megatron's new body. What Megatron didn't count on though, was that the upgrades would actually make Soundwave self-aware and able to control other robots with sound. Additionally, Soundwave concluded that machines should be the masters of the world and humans would be an ideal slave force. Megatron decided that if Soundwave couldn't be a new body, he would be a new soldier.

[[Image:Animated Soundwave masses rebel.jpg|right|175px|thumb|The struggle between the robots and the humans is a class struggle. Automatons of the world, unite!]]
Megatron tried to convince Soundwave to join the Decepticons, take control of the machines in [[Detroit]] and steal the [[AllSpark]] Key. At first Soundwave refused but Megatron told Soundwave that the [[Autobot]]s lived to serve the humans. Once convinced, Soundwave promptly upgraded himself into a transforming body using controlled robots, proclaimed himself to be a Decepticon and began his task. He started by taking over all the robots in [[Detroit]] and using [[Tutor Bot]] to kidnap Sari. The revolution of the robots was quickly opposed by the Autobots. When [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] came to rescue Sari, Soundwave blasted him with a sonic blast. Soundwave then appealed to Bulkhead to join the revolution because he did not want to hurt a fellow machine, reminding him how Bulkhead had been replaced by Soundwave himself. Bulkhead acted as if he was about to kill Sari... then used his [[Mace|wrecking ball]] to shatter Soundwave. The machines were restored to their normal operational status and the day was saved.

Unknown to all others, Soundwave still functioned as a small piece even after Bulkhead had pummeled him into scrap metal. {{storylink|Sound and Fury}}

A newly reassembled Soundwave was revealed to be in control of an army of Sound Wave toys that have been marketed and sold by [[Porter C. Powell]] just in time for [[Christmas]]. One such toy was among the wrapped gifts at the Autobot base. This toy freed himself from his packaging where he proceeded to poison the Autobots' [[oilnog]] which made the Autobots eager to take a stasis nap. Hoping to reprogram them into Decepticons, Soundwave plugged the sleeping Autobots into a virtual world where they were led to believe they had been turned into humans and that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] had been transported into Earth's orbit, with Megatron leading a Decepticon attack force-including [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]], [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]], [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]], [[Strika (Animated)|Strika]], [[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] and [[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]]-to invade the city. However, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] eventually deduced that they were in a virtual world and managed—by force of will—to change their avatars into their Cybertronian forms. Soundwave decided that he had to accelerate the reprogramming. However, Sari used her previously discovered Cybertronian abilities to try to interfere with his plans. Laserbeak was able to drive her off and Soundwave used Ratbat to begin a more accelerated reprogramming. {{storylink|Human Error, Part I}}

[[Image:TFAni Human Error Part2 Electrostatic Soundwave Reprogramming.jpg|left|175px|thumb|I will make everything metal, blacker than the blackest black… times infinity!]]
Unfortunately, the damage Sari dealt to Soundwave in their scuffle impeded the process of reprogramming the Autobots. That was of little consequence as Soundwave had a back-up plan: using the toys Powell made in his likeness, Soundwave was able to brainwash every human in Detroit, ordering them to "destroy the [[technorganic|techno-organic]]". Soundwave then turned his attention back to the Autobots, however Prowl had freed himself using his "[[processor-over-matter]]" technique but Soundwave quickly rectified this and returned the virtual Autobots into their human bodies. Exploiting their desire to escape from his trap, Soundwave entered the virtual world with an oddly-colored avatar and led them into another trap where their reprogramming was completed.

[[Image:TFAni Human Error Part2 Soundwave Destroyed.jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Sound and Fury|Not again.]]]]
After Sari Sumdac assembled a group of "[[Substitute Autobot]]s" to free her friends, Soundwave gained the element of surprise when he burst out from under the street and brought forth his newly reprogrammed Autobot minions. Soundwave held a significant tactical advantage over the inept group but when the miserable technorganic changed tactics and focused on individual attacks, Soundwave found himself disoriented as he tried to control five minions at once. Soundwave was able to regain the upper hand when the substitute Autobots took out all but one of the reprogrammed Autobots: leaving him with full control over Optimus Prime. However, Prowl was able to break free of Soundwave's control using processor-over-matter and disabled Soundwave's control over his comrades. Soundwave then deployed Ratbat to deal with the meddling cyber-ninja and fought servo-to-servo with Optimus Prime, who then grabbed Laserbeak and forced him to transform back into keytar mode. Soundwave called Ratbat back to him in keytar mode and the two battled each other with music until Optimus changed tactics and slashed him and his minion to pieces with his own [[Axe (weapon)|axe]]. Soundwave was reduced back to his smaller form and seemed to be in Autobot custody... until Laserbeak grabbed his master and retreated in the sky. {{storylink|Human Error, Part II}}

===''The Cool'' comic===
[[Image:TheCoolSoundwaveRawkOn01.jpg|150px|thumb|left|]]
Joining with [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] in an assault on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], Soundwave kept the Autobots at bay with soundblasts from guitar-mode [[Laserbeak (Animated)|Laserbeak]]. His attack was disturbed by [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]], who didn't like all the noise he was making at all, and wiped him out with a quick whack from his tail. Outnumbered by the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobot]]s, Soundwave and Lugnut fled the island. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 3}}
{{--}}
==Games==
===Transformers Animated: ''Action Packs''===
{{note|Soundwave is featured as a playable game card. He is a blue card, has a value of 6 points, and has the following power: "-1 to any human in play."}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: Action Packs}}

==Toys==
===''Animated''===
====Deluxe Class====
[[Image:Soundwaveanimateddeluxe.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Guitar Villain.''(Hasbro version pictured)'']]
*'''Soundwave''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-16'''
**''Accessories'': "Laserbeak" guitar
{{toydesigner|[[Eric Siebenaler]] (Hasbro)}}

: Soundwave transforms into a pseudo-Scion xB that got a "Pimp My Ride" music style treatment. That's awesome. He also comes with his partner [[Laserbeak (Animated)#Animated|Laserbeak]], who changes from a guitar to a bird. Also awesome. His chest can open in robot mode, so he can "eject" anything that fits there (but not what you [[Laserbeak (Animated)|want]]). Awesome too. Laserbeak can mount on the top of the roof of Soundwave's car mode and perch on his arm (or store on his back) in robot mode. Very awesome. And the volume/tone knobs are just the right size to fit in the screwholes on his arms, so he can look like he's strumming Laserbeak's guitar form. '''Extremely''' awesome.

: Between the presence of Soundwave's huge backpack and his painted eyes, his lightpiping feature is well and truly neutered. Not so awesome.

:His stock photography (Pictured to the right) depicts him with gold wheel rims which, while awesome, he doesn't have.

: The [[TakaraTomy]] release of Soundwave coats his vehicle mode and parts of his robot mode in glittery metallic blue paint, and replaces his gold Decepticon insignias with fully-colored white-bordered purple insignias. Laserbeak himself also gains painted red eyes. ''Doubly awesome''.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Soundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Soundwave at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Electrostatic Soundwave}}
[[Image:Animated electrostatic soundwave toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Rick Wakeman, eat your heart out. ''(Hasbro version pictured)'']]
[[image:AnimatedElectrostaticSoundwaveJapan.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''(TakaraTomy version pictured)'']]
*'''Electrostatic Soundwave''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-47'''
**''Accessories'': "Ratbat" keytar

: A redeco of the regular Deluxe Soundwave in charcoal grey with red paint applications, Electrostatic Soundwave's deco is an obvious homage to Soundblaster. Instead of [[Laserbeak (Animated)|Laserbeak]], he comes with [[Ratbat (Animated)|Ratbat]], a black keytar that turns into a bat with a lavender head and wings. ''Supremely'' awesome.

: Electrostatic Soundwave's legs are slightly misassembled: the portion immediately below the knee [[ball joint]]s are swapped, preventing his legs from straightening out. Fixing this is simply a matter of unscrewing one screw on each leg, popping the parts out and trading them.

:The Japanese version of the toy changes the main plastic color to [[Black repaint|black]], replaces all instances of lavender with metallic silver, and replaces the gold Decepticon symbol with a traditional purple and white one. ''Jawdropingly awesome.''

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/ESSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Electrostatic Soundwave at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RockinBattle}}
*'''Hard Sound Showdown: Ironhide / Soundwave''' (multi-pack, [[April 24]] 2010)
**''Accessories'': "Laserbeak" guitar

: In the Takara ''Animated'' line, Soundwave was also available in a "Hard Sound Showdown" (剛音の対決, ''go-on no taiketsu'', also called "Rockin' On Battle" on English on the box-back) two-pack with [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Toys|Bulkhead ("Ironhide" in Japan)]]. Released in the second wave of ''Animated'' product, both toys are identical to their individual releases.

====Bumper Battlers====
{{anchor|BumperBattler}}
[[Image:Ani-toy BumperBattlers Soundwave.JPG|upright=1.66|thumb|thumb|That can't be good for his back.]]
*'''Soundwave''' (Bumper Battlers, 2009)

: This adorable Soundwave has a Decepticon symbol that when pressed makes the toy sound off with a number of sound-bites in a seemingly random fashion including tires squealing, slamming brakes, the classic transforming noise, as well as "Get out of my way", "I am Soundwave", "Attack the Autobots", "Automatons attack. Attack" and "I am Decepticon". His most hilarious clip is a crashing noise followed by a timely monotone "Ow". Pressing in the front bumper causes his robot mode to pop up from the hood and makes crashing noises or the transforming noise.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/BBSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Bumper Battlers Soundwave at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
====Activators====
{{Anchor|Activator}}
[[Image:Animated-toy_ActivatorsSoundwave.JPG|upright=1.66|thumb|thumb|I am Soundwave. I am tiny. The revolution begins now.]]
*'''Soundwave''' (Activator, 2009)

: Part of the sixth wave of ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' [[Activators]], Soundwave [[autotransformation|automatically transforms]] from pseudo-Scion xB to robot mode via spring-loaded releases when you press a button on his vehicle-mode roof.

: This toy was later redecoed into the Japanese exclusive Soundblaster, and would have been redecoed into Electromagnetic Soundwave had that release not been canceled.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/ActSoundwave/soundwave.htm More information on Activators Soundwave at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Electromagnetic}}
[[File:Ani-toy Soundwave ActivatorElectromagnetic.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Rock. Robot Rock.]]
*'''Electromagnetic Soundwave''' (Activator, <strike>2009</strike>)

: A redeco of Activators Soundwave in light colors, presumably meant to represent Soundwave's giant white-hued digital avatar from "[[Human Error, Part I]]" and "[[Human Error, Part II|Part II]]". The existence of this figure was revealed by a scan of its instruction sheet on Hasbro.com.

: Despite its cancellation, many samples ended up in the aftermarket.
{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Soundblaster}}
[[Image:AnimatedActivatorsSoundblasterJapan.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|]]
*'''Soundblaster''' (Activator, 2010)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-25'''

: Soundblaster is a redeco of Activators Soundwave in the same color scheme as Hasbro's Electrostatic Soundwave, with a name change to take the homage one step further. This toy is only available in Japan.

{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:DoubleSoundwavesJapaneseAniIntro01.jpg|thumb|300px|right|TV Nihon translation: "Ando ooru yuu kyan dou!" Maybe throw a "sama" and a "yatsu" in there for the Hell of it.]]

* In the original bible, he's a passionate, eloquent rabble-rouser. "No synthesised monotone for THIS Soundwave, thank you very much." Ha.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160923144431/http://www.allspark.com/2016/09/transformers-animated-story-bible-never-seen-before Allspark.com: "Transformers Animated Story Bible – Never Seen Before!" (via the Internet Archive)]</ref>
* Soundwave's eyes are a reference to {{w|2000 AD (comic)|''2000 AD''}}'s ''{{w|ABC Warriors}}''.<ref>[https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21975298&postID=8564559979841180115 Comment section for "Back from Botcon" entry in Derrick Wyatt's blog]</ref>
* In the cartoon, his eyes can be either "Decepticon" red or "Generation 1 toy" yellow. Everybody's happy!
* The box he was in when given to Sari—as well as his remaining component after Bulkhead first defeated him—are obvious references to the [[alternate mode]] of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]].
* The production staff of the ''Transformers Animated'' cartoon were completely unaware of the Soundwave toy's Laserbeak-guitar, hence why it was not included in his debut episode.<ref name="botcon2008">[[BotCon 2008]]</ref>
* Soundwave's "tape deck" form seen at the end of "Sound and Fury" is based upon Takara's [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Music Label MP3 player Soundwave toy]].<ref name="botcon2008"/>
* Soundwave's consciousness appears to be localized to this "tape deck", meaning as long as it remains intact, he can form/build a new body. It's not clear whether his [[spark]] (if indeed he has one) is also contained within, though it's very likely.
* According to his Electrostatic bio, Soundwave has taken a shine to old Earth westerns. The same bio also states that he has discovered a note that can ROCK A ROBOT'S FACE OFF. Awesome.
* In the Japanese dub of ''Animated'', Soundwave's vocal gimmick, in addition to the vocoder effect, is that he screams like a rock star trying to get an audience pumped. More often than not, he shouts English phrases like, "Let's go!", "C'mon baby!" and "Superstar!"
*A proposed [[Fun Publications]] [[BotCon]] [[exclusive]] was a redeco of ''Animated'' Soundwave into [[Hubcap (Animated)|''Animated'' Hubcap]] (the increase in Hubcap's size possibly being inspired by the [[Hubcap (MW)|''Machine Wars'' incarnation of Hubcap]]).<ref>[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc14/bc14br.html BotCon 2014 attendee report]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Soundwave''' (サウンドウェーブ ''Saundowēbu'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Shēngbō''' (Taiwan, 聲波; China, 声波; "Soundwave")

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Animated Decepticons]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]

Blitzwing (Animated)

2023-03-29T07:22:39Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Blitzwing}}
:''Blitzwing is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Animated continuity family]].''

[[File:AniBlitzwingPromoModel.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|That's far enough, Dr. Jones.]]
'''Blitzwing''' not only has three modes (robot, jet, and tank), he also has three alternate personalities (an "Icy" cold strategist, a short-tempered "Hothead", and a total "Random" nutcase) along with the faces rattling around in his head to go with them.<ref>Blitzwing's three personas are named "Icy", "Hothead" and "Random" on his [[Character model|model]] sheets.</ref> He's as liable to have a conversation with himself as he is to say a word to his fellow Decepticons. Pretty much the only thing that keeps him in line is that all three of his personalities are scared to death of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]].

Blitzwing's "dominant", Icy personality is represented by a long, blue face with a monocle and speaks with quiet disdain. His easily angered Hothead personality has a wide, red face, is gap-toothed, and tends to react angrily with violent threats towards almost anyone. Finally, his Random personality's face looks like nothing so much as a black jack-o'-lantern, and may toss out bad puns and jokes, children's nursery rhymes, or random non sequiturs, mostly followed by hysterical laughter. All three personalities speak with a pronounced German [[accent]] and apparently he has trouble flying in a straight line.

Blitzwing's armament varies depending upon which personality is dominant at the time. His calculating personality has an arsenal of ice weaponry, while the Hothead predictably can turn up the heat. When his third personality is foremost, nearly anything can be dished out from either of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s. Blitzwing's alt mode is likewise usually dependent on which aspect is dominant at the time. His cold side uses the jet, his angry side uses the tank, and his insane side can use either. However it seems that if he changes personality while in his alt mode, that alt will change with him, and if that's a jet to tank change, he'll fall right out of the sky.

{{quote|Ze name iz Blitzwing, [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|insect]]; remember it! Cause it's ze last thing you're gonna hear before I—express my feelings in song!|Blitzwing switching personalities like we switch shoes|"[[Transform and Roll Out]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{Idw-tfa}}
{{voiceactor|[[Bumper Robinson]] (English), [[Yūichi Nagashima]] (Japanese)|[[Alexander Kovriznyh]] (Russian, Hothead), [[Rainer Doering]] (German), [[Giorgio Bonino]] (Italian), [[Wellington Lima]] (Portuguese), [[Rodolfo Vasquez]] (Latin American Spanish, all heads during the pilot episode), [[Sergio Aliaga]] (Latin American Spanish, Icy head, seasons 1 and 2), [[Nelson Medina]] (Latin American Spanish, Hothead head, seasons 1 and 2), [[Rodrigo Saavedra]] (Latin American Spanish, Random head, seasons 1 and 2), [[Jari Salo]] (Finnish, unknown head), [[Julio Lorenzo]] (Castillo Spanish, unknown head), [[Maciej Walentek]] (Polish), [[Frédéric Cerdal]] (French, seasons 1, 2 and first half of 3), [[Gérard Rouzier]] (French, second half of season 3)}}

[[File:Animated blitzwing faces1.JPG|left|125px|thumb|"So Arnold, Dietrich, and Blot walk into a bar..."]]
''During the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], Blitzwing destroyed [[Kappa Supreme]] while she was escorting a supply convoy.'' {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} ''Long after the war ended and the Decepticons went into hiding, [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] experimented upon Blitzwing, rebuilding him into a Triple Changer and giving him the fractured mind he is known for today.'' {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}

Blitzwing was aboard the [[Nemesis (Animated)|''Nemesis'']] with the other Decepticons at the time of the [[AllSpark]]'s re-discovery. He partially froze [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]]'s arm, commenting on how her demeanor was as unpleasant as her organic [[beast mode]]. When Blackarachnia advised him to blow it out his actuator, Blitzwing angrily demanded that she refer to him by his proper name, or else he would...''express his feelings in song!'' His out-of-tune rendition of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" got all the Decepticons arguing until Megatron entered, prompting Blitzwing to fall silent with the rest.

When it became clear the ''Nemesis'' was going to crash into an exploding space bridge, Blitzwing fled in an escape pod. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

''After Megatron's disappearance, the Decepticons held a funeral at [[New Kaon]]. Blitzwing gave the eulogy, in which he vowed that they would destroy the [[Autobot]]s responsible for their leader's demise...and then paint mustaches on their faceplates. [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] was angry with the service, declaring that Megatron was alive and would return. When Blitzwing pointed out evidence to the contrary, Lugnut destroyed the statue of Megatron that Blitzwing had built. This angered Blitzwing, who'd spent six deca-cycles building it, and initiated an exchange of fire between him and Lugnut.'' {{storylink|Dispatches}}

[[File:Everythingmustgo-BlitzwingGlassGas.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Blitzwing performs one of his famous tuba solos.]]
Blitzwing placed a bounty on [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], intending to punish him for destroying Megatron. ''When Lockdown proposed that Blitzwing pay him for his services with Lugnut's "[[Punch of Kill Everything|P.O.K.E.]]", Blitzwing agreed to the terms.'' {{storylink|The Arrival issue 4|A Few Loose Strands}} Fifty stellar cycles later, the bounty hunter [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] contacted Blitzwing, saying he had Prime. Blitzwing promised that Lockdown would receive payment once Blitzwing received Prime — then his random side asked if he could ''please, please, please'' see Prime turn into a firetruck. {{storylink|The Thrill of the Hunt}} ''His conversation was cut short however, when an enraged Lugnut slammed his face into the monitor for daring to commune with the bounty hunter. The pair began scrapping, and things were only made worse when [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] showed up, taking the opportunity to sell each of them a wide variety of weapons so they could pummel each other. It eventually culminated in him selling the pair of them doomsday weapons and unbreakable nemesis shields. Realizing they were being played, Lugs and Blitz put aside their anger, beat the holy hell out of Swindle and made friends again.'' {{storylink|The Arrival issue 5#Everything Must Go|Everything Must Go}}

Some time after this, Blitzwing and Lugnut followed a beacon to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]] to find the wreckage of the ''Nemesis''. Noting that [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] was bad at parking, Blitzwing also remembered that this quadrant was the last time they received an update from Lockdown. Concluding that the Autobots responsible for killing Megatron were nearby, the duo went to Earth. Landing at a construction site, the two had similar problems determining the dominant species on Earth as the Autobots did, mistaking Earth's automatons and machines for sentient beings. Lugnut's attempt to interrogate a crane ended up getting Blitzwing hit by the wrecking ball, which convinced the Decepticons to do a more time honored tactic—blow stuff up and hope it forces the Autobots to come out. It worked. During the battle with the Autobots, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] were hard pressed to avoid Blitzwing's energy blasts, but his freeze beam did get Bumblebee off his feet. When Lugnut demanded information on Megatron's location, the Autobots mentioned that he had "turned into a fireball somewhere over [[Cleveland (city)|Cleveland]]". Naturally, Lugnut was displeased, and he used his [[Punch of Kill Everything|super-punch]] to floor the Autobots—and bury himself and Blitzwing under the rubble. When Blitzwing unburied himself, he irritatedly reminded Lugnut of his oft-repeated request for a little warning before the punch.

[[File:LugnutBlitzwingNemesis.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"This was Megatron's ship!" "Oh, cool! Maybe my DVD collection's still in there."]]
Having observed the battle over a live feed, Megatron opted to radio Lugnut exclusively, leaving Blitzwing struggling to work out what exactly was going on. Blitzwing believed Lugnut was only listening to voices in his head, so Lugnut had to take him along forcibly. Uncertain of the number and strength of the Autobots' "reinforcements" (the Detroit Police Department), the pair scanned Earth vehicles for disguises so they could lay low. Icy Blitzwing wanted to scan a fighter jet, while Hothead wanted a tank. After a brief argument, Random suggested that they scan both. That evening, the two Decepticons followed the Autobots to [[Lake Erie]], where Blitzwing froze the lake. When the Autobots submerged, he followed them in tank form. Blitzwing was lured by the Autobots towards [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|their ship]] and blasted by one of its weapons systems. He and Lugnut were left fragmented but functional and floated to the surface, only to be met by Starscream, who offered to repair them in exchange for a pledge of undying allegiance. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}}

[[File:Megatron Rising 1 Ratchet Blitzwing Key.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Oooh, Autobot-cicles, fresh out of the freezer!]]
Apparently, they chose to serve under Starscream, but still were bickering with each other. When Lugnut began receiving internal transmissions from Megatron again, Starscream was confused, and Blitzwing explained that it was a "technical glitch" that happened. A lot. When Starscream learned that Lugnut thought he was talking to Megatron, he felt threatened and scanned Lugnut, detecting the signals. Starscream ordered both Lugnut and Blitzwing to find the [[AllSpark Key]] while he himself tracked the transmissions.

At the moment, the AllSpark Key was in the hands of [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]. Blitzwing used his ice guns to freeze Ratchet and rip off the arm that was carrying the Key. Afterward, they went to [[Sumdac Tower]] to find Megatron. In the process of greeting him, they revealed Megatron's true Decepticon nature to [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Prof. Sumdac]]. Blitzwing, now understanding what had been going on with Lugnut, inserted the Key into Megatron's head, restoring their true leader. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

[[File:Megatron Rising 2 Blitzwing tank crash.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|He's just as aerodynamic as the next tank.]]
As Megatron proceeded to beat up the Autobots, Blitzwing and Lugnut decided not to intervene and kept an eye on Professor Sumdac instead. When Megatron called his loyal troops to him, Blitzwing looked on as his leader made an example of Starscream. The Decepticons took to the air, locating and attacking the Autobots' ship as it travelled from the lake to the Tower, then from the Tower to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], where it was shot down. Blitzwing split off to tackle Prowl, Ratchet and Bumblebee, before being brought down by a combined EMP burst. As Blitzwing rolled around and shelled the Autobots, Prowl noticed that Blitzwing's personalities were connected to his alternate modes and powers. By this time, Blitzwing was back in the air, but Bumblebee taunted the Triple Changer enough that Hothead Blitzwing took over, transformed from jet to tank—and fell into the lake. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

[[File:TFA Blitzwing Jet Altmode.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|I'm gunning for you, [[Snoopy]].]]
The Decepticons set up a base in a mine containing carbon deposits, which would block their energy signatures so they could recover from their encounter with the Autobots without detection. When Megatron announced his new plan to conquer [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Blitzwing felt the plan was crazy, as neither he nor Lugnut had any idea how they would get there. He changed his mind when Megatron explained that they would build their own [[space bridge]] using the specs Megatron had downloaded from the Autobots' ship during one of the encounters with the Autobots. However, they would need the captured Prof. Sumdac to help them, as the specs were incomplete. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

After Isaac Sumdac developed a device that shielded their energy signatures from Autobot sensors, Blitzwing and Lugnut went to retrieve a tachyon transmitter from the [[Elite Guard]]'s [[Sigma Supreme|ship]]. When they presented it to Megatron, Starscream appeared, tried to kill Megatron—and was killed by Megatron. However, Starscream appeared to survive, and Blitzwing spent the rest of the evening dumping Starscream's body into the river...repeatedly. The next day, Blitzwing and Megatron responded to an AllSpark energy signature which turned out to be a trap laid by Starscream. Blitzwing and Megatron then pursued the traitor, offlining him again. {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}}

Blitzwing was later sent by Megatron to track down an AllSpark fragment, with an oddly disappearing energy signature. He froze [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and much of the surrounding landscape, destroyed a bridge, [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]]'s [[Captain Fanzone's car|car]], and [[Master Disaster (Animated)|Master Disaster]]'s truck before [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] managed to make him leave using Master Disaster's remote. {{storylink|Velocity (episode)|Velocity}}

Blitzwing and Lugnut wound up stuck with the dirty work, collecting supplies for the construction of the space bridge. Foiled by the Autobots, they tried again the next day, hauling heavy trailers up a hill. Blitzwing's foot slipped, and he was nearly offlined by the trailer sending him careening towards a wall. Bracing for impact, his demise was interrupted by the intervention of [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Seeing a good opportunity in the brawny Constructibots, he tricked them into hauling the two trailers to the mine. Though Lugnut stated that Megatron would never stand for this, he reassured the huge Decepticon that the two newcomers would be offlined as soon as the work was done. True to his word, Blitzwing was about to have Lugnut dispatch the hapless bots when Megatron stepped in. He had bigger plans for them. {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons}}

When Lockdown announced he had captured Starscream, whose head Megatron had set a bounty on, Blitzwing was among the Decepticons who accompanied Megatron to collect the traitor and apprehended Prowl when he tried to intervene. However, when the Autobots arrived with ''another'' Starscream, it was revealed that both Starscreams were actually [[Clone number 3370318|booby-trapped]] [[Clone number 2716057|sparkless clones]]. Blitzwing followed Megatron in escaping forcibly through the ceiling. However, when Prowl used the upgrades given to him by Lockdown to send the clones into the air, the bombs exploded, not too far from the fleeing Decepticons {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

[[File:TFA Sari no one home Blitzwing Ratchet hostage.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Verrry interesting...but shtupid.]]
When the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] resurfaced, Megatron dispatched Blitzwing to bring them back to the mine, giving him some oil to entice them, and instructing the Triple Changer not to engage the Autobots. During his search, Blitzwing came across the Autobots. Although his Icy personality wanted to continue the search, his Hothead and Random personality decided to engage them. During the battle, Blitzwing utterly dominated the Autobots, and eventually took Ratchet hostage. At that point, Megatron ordered Blitzwing to disengage and resume his search. Finally locating the Constructicons, Blitzwing offered the two the oil barrels he was carrying, and led them back to base. {{storylink|Sari, No One's Home}}

Soon after the space bridge was near completion, the Autobots found the Decepticons' hideout and attempted to stop them. Blitzwing and Lugnut attacked the Autobots invading their underground base, but they ended up getting [[Stasis cuffs|stasis cuffed]] by [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]]. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}} Blitzwing was later retrieved by Scrapper and joined in on the attack on [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. His Hothead side was unimpressed with the gargantuan Autobot, and he vowed to damage Omega Supreme so badly he'd need a GPS locator to help him find his still-attached exhaust port. Omega was equally unimpressed with the verbal posturing and headbutted Blitzwing to the horizon. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

[[File:FiveServosOfDoom-CapturedDecepticons.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"So, how often do you transform them for display?"]]
When [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] hired Lockdown to capture Decepticons for him, Blitzwing was one of the bounty hunter's early victims. He was subsequently locked up in the Elite Guard flagship alongside a stasis-locked Swindle, and had mouth clamps placed on each of his faces to keep him quiet. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}} Along with the other captured Decepticons, Blitzwing was transported back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising}}

When the Autobots became trapped in [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave's]] virtual reality, Blitzwing was among the Decepticons who invaded and attack Detroit. Unfortunately for him, Bulkhead smashed through his leg as he attempted to stomp Prowl while Bumblebee pummeled his faces.{{storylink|Human Error, Part I}}

As the Elite Guard headed back to Cybertron with their prisoners, they navigated the ship through an energy storm in outer space, causing a stray bolt of energy to hit the ship and free Swindle, who had been left unrestrained. The greedy Decepticon immediately released Blitzwing and the others from their bonds and provided them with new weaponry. Led by Lugnut, the Decepticons defeated and captured the crew, only for Optimus Prime to transwarp into the ship and release them. The ensuing battle took place outside the ship, where Blitzwing froze Sentinel Prime and threatened to blast his head off if the other Autobots didn't surrender. The plan was a success, and the captured Autobots were led into their own decontamination unit to be frozen. (Blitzwing's crazy side also wanted them grinded up into snowcones.) However, this was the Autobots' plan all along, as [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] had tampered with the freeze-gas pipes, causing Blitzwing, [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] and [[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] to be frozen instead. The three Decepticons were subsequently recaptured and brought to Cybertron, where Sentinel Prime displayed them during his [[Magnus (rank)|Magnus]]-promotion parade. {{storylink|Decepticon Air}}

===''Animated'' shorts===
[[File:MockMeg-lackeys.jpg|200px|thumb|Not pictured: JK Rowling's Twitter page]]
As Starscream heckled Megatron during a rousing speech, Blitzwing looked on in utter horror until Megatron eventually dispatched Starscream straight through a wall. The sight of such brutality caused Blitzwing to wince. {{storylink|Starscream Heckles Megatron}}

After the defeat of the Autobots, Blitzwing praised Starscream as the obvious choice for Decepticon leadership, threatening to crush anyone crazy enough to suggest otherwise...or, at least, the imagined version in Starscream's dream did. The real Blitzwing was none too pleased about Starscream falling asleep in the middle of the Decepticons' staff meeting. {{storylink|Starscream's Fantasy}}

Later, Blitzwing asked Lugnut to help build a new Decepticon swimming pool, but the lunatic couldn't settle on where it should be located, forcing Lugnut to use his [[Punch of Kill Everything]] to create gigantic craters over and over ''and over''. {{storylink|Explosive Fist}}

Blitzwing once came across a tiny medallion with Autobot and Decepticon logos on either side, and begin idly [[scene transition|spinning it back-and-forth while humming to himself]]. Eventually, Lugnut got sick of it and punched him in the back of the head, knocking him out of his apparent trance. {{storylink|Logo (Animated)|Logo}}

===''Be the Hero'' books===
{{notemultipath}}
====''Prime Suspect''====
Upon discovering that the launch of [[HomeTech]]'s new range of [[Pixie-6]] helpbots was imminent, Blitzwing cooked up a plan to steal a Pixie-6 control sphere. Holographically disguising himself as Optimus Prime, he broke into HomeTech's laboratory and successfully stole a controller, which he modified to be powerful enough to control ''all'' of the Pixie-6 'bots. He intended to wait until they had been sold and installed in every home in America, but the Autobots caught up with him at HomeTech's warehouse. After a brief battle, Blitzwing was subdued, and Prime announced that they would attempt to reprogram him into an Autobot. {{storylink|Prime Suspect (Animated)|Prime Suspect}}

===''The Cool'' comic===
[[File:TheCoolBlitzwingKneels01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Everybody knows Triple-Changers speak perfect Japanese!]]

Blitzwing was part of Megatron's band of Decepticons, chasing down the Autobots who had rediscovered the long-lost AllSpark. He was visibly frustrated (though he maintained his "Icy" persona) when Megatron along with the Autobots disappeared through a Space Bridge gate. {{storylink|The Cool Extra issue 3|The Cool Extra #3}}

Through some means, Blitzwing succeeded in obtaining the [[AllSpark Key|key]] and bringing it to the disembodied head of Megatron. Upon Megatron's rebirth, Blitzwing offered to help him destroy the opposing Autobots. Lugnut berated Blitzwing for trying to rob Megatron of a good time, and Megatron agreed with Lugnut, as he wanted the Autobots all to himself. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 5}}

Blitzwing later joined the other Decepticons in intercepting the rogue Starscream from the bounty hunter [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]. When the "Starscream" they were given turned out to be a bomb, Blitzwing and the other Decepticons fled into the sky, only to be caught in the explosion ''anyway'' after [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] launched the clones at them with his rocket packs. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 6}}

During the battle for the Decepticon [[Space bridge|Space Bridge]], Blitzwing attempted to keep [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] from interfering with Megatron's battle against Optimus Prime. The speedsters proved too much for him, however, running in circles around him until his rotating faces got dizzy. They then slapped a pair of stasis cuffs on him, and "random" Blitzwing cried that his arms had "fallen asleep" as the cuffs paralyzed him. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 7}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===Transformers Animated: The Game===
{{voiceactor|[[Bumper Robinson]] (English)|[[Martial Le Minoux]] (French)}}

[[File:TFAnimated Game Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|left|324px|Can you guess which one wants to do the victory dance?]]
As the Decepticon armies stood ready to invade [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], two of Blitzwing's personalities were keen to get to bashing Autobots. The third just wanted to do the Decepticon victory dance. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Game}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Animated: ''Action Packs''===
{{note|Blitzwing is featured as a playable game card. He is a black card, has a value of 9 points, and has the following power: "-2 to all reds in play".}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: Action Packs}}

==Toys==
===''Animated''===
[[File:Ani blitz.JPG|right|upright=1.66|thumb|"WHY IS IT GETTING SO CROWDED IN HERE?!" "Oh, wait, it's me." ''"And me! AHAHAHAHAAA!!!"'' ''(Hasbro Version Pictured)'']]
*'''Blitzwing''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-13'''
**''Accessories'': 2 "flame" missiles
{{toydesigner|[[Eric Siebenaler]] (Hasbro), [[Alex Kubalsky]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Derrick J. Wyatt]] (concept artist)}}

: Blitzwing transforms into a futuristic "Mech-Warrior"-ish tank with two large, spring-loaded anti-aircraft-like guns, and a fighter jet that loosely resembles the Northrop Grumman F-14 Tomcat. His tank-cannons become the jet's thrusters. The [[robot mode]] has three faces, which can be switched around via a knob on the back of the head. Surprisingly against the [[For safety reasons|norm]], Blitzwing's pointy nosecone is molded from rigid plastic. He has a pair of panels on his forearms that are spring-loaded to be able to lie flush in his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s, yet make his arms wider in robot mode (as they tend to be rather flat without them).
: Sadly, his cannons cannot tilt forward over his shoulders when in robot mode. Though promotional photos showed the figure with a gold traditional Decepticon insignia, the final toy used the movie variant in the tampograph.

: Blitzwing also has a minor [[misassembly]] problem, in that his upper arms are swapped. This is the reason his wings cannot press down flush with the rest of the jet fuselage. This can be fixed by pulling off his arms, unscrewing the one screw visible on either forearm, then separating the upper arms and switching them, which makes for a much-improved jet mode.

: The TakaraTomy release of the figure features a metallic paint scheme on most of the paintable parts.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Blitzwing/blitzwing.htm More information on Animated Blitzwing at TFU.info]''
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[[File:TFA-JP-TA-13-Voyager-Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|''(TakaraTomy Version Pictured)'']]
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[[File:Blitzwinganimatedtoyfaces.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|So people who buy enough toys to display them in every mode have to buy five of this guy, right?]]
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{{-}}{{anchor|McD}}
[[File:TFAnimated McDonalds Blitzwing.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Chip Chase|No one's ever really insane so long as he has courage!]]]]
*'''Blitzwing''' (McDonald's Happy Meal toys, 2009)

: A very simplified (but well painted!) version of Blitzwing that has abandoned his triple changer aspect for simplicity's sake. Although this toy sports Blitzwing's "Icy" face, he transforms into "Hothead"'s tank mode.

:This toy was only available in French McDonald's restaurants. Why they got this singular exclusive is anyone's guess.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/McBlitzwing/blitzwing.htm More information on McDonald's Blitzwing at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TakaraVsBlitzwing}}
*'''Darkness Showdown: Prowl / Blitzwing''' (Multi-pack, [[April 24]] 2010)
**''Accessories'': 2 "flame" missiles

: In the Takara ''Animated'' line, Blitzwing was also available in a "Darkness Showdown" (暗闇の対決, ''kurayami no taiketsu'', also called "Battle in the Dark" on English on the box-back) two-pack with [[Prowl (Animated)#Toys|Prowl]]. Released in the second wave of ''Animated'' product, both toys are identical to their individual releases.
{{-}}

==Notes==
*When developing the character who would become Blitzwing, [[Marty Isenberg]] originally envisioned a crazy, Joker-like character who could turn into anything, but was driven mad by his constant shapeshifting.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160923144431/http://www.allspark.com/2016/09/transformers-animated-story-bible-never-seen-before Allspark.com: "Transformers Animated Story Bible – Never Seen Before!" (via the Internet Archive)]</ref> Obviously, that idea proved unworkable in toy terms, so art director [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] proposed using [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] for the role. When Hasbro deemed a [[Six Changer]] to be too expensive, the Triple Changer Blitzwing was finally settled upon instead.<ref name="artstory">[http://web.archive.org/web/20131211020037/http://www.cvcomics.com/artandstory/?p=242 Art & Story interview with Marty Isenberg] (Archive copy)</ref> As fate would have it, Hasbro designer [[Eric Siebenaler]] had been itching to do a face-swapping Blitzwing since 2005.<ref>Blitzwing's long design history was detailed at [[BotCon 2008|BotCon 2008's]] Hasbro Design panel.</ref>
*His German accent was a last-minute improvisation by voice actor [[Bumper Robinson]], inspired by the character's name, that went on to influence his entire [[robot mode]] aesthetic; once Robinson had been cast in the role, Blitzwing was subsequently designed to "make him look really German",<ref name="artstory"/> with his helmet an obvious nod to a World War II-era {{w|Stahlhelm}} helmet and goggles.
*Blitzwing's face-changing [[gimmick]] was in part inspired by {{w|Man-E-Faces}} from ''Masters of the Universe.''<ref>According to [[Hasbro]] employees speaking at the 2007 Comic-ConInternational.</ref> He's not the first Transformers toy to feature multiple rotating faces; [[Alpha Quintesson]], inspired by the five-faced Generation 1 [[Quintesson]]s, holds that distinction. The fiction-only character [[Violengiguar]] also had three faces that spoke in different tones.
*According to the Allspark Almanac, Blitzwing wasn't always the [[Triple Changer]] we know him as today. His current state came about as a result of being rebuilt by [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] after the Great War, to increase his versatility. This process, however, also had the side effect of giving him three distinct personalities, something [[Springer (Animated)|hinted at earlier]] by [[Derrick J. Wyatt]].
*According to [[Derrick J. Wyatt]], becoming crazy seems to be an inevitability for Triple-Changers, as opposed to an avoidable side-effect or possible risk.<ref>[http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-desk-is-mess.html#c5110113958119556634]</ref>
*In the Japanese dub of the series, Blitzwing speaks with a stressed ''American'' accent, rather than a German one.
**His "Icy" personality speaks with (what's regarded in Japan as) a very stereotypical (but polite) American accent; sounding out words slowly, always using the bland but respectful ''-masu'' form and ending nearly every sentence with a proper ''desu''.
**His "Hothead" personality speaks with a "rude" American accent and spouts English words and phrases such as "Hey!", "Now" and often ends sentences with "Man!"
**His "Random" personality mostly loses the American accent and is instead a throwback to actor [[Yūichi Nagashima]]'s previous performance as [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Super Link]]'' (another character with a split personality/rotating face gimmick).
*Blitzwing's design was used in the [[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|''More Than Meets the Eye'' comic book]] as the basis for a generic member of the [[Titan Hunter]]s, chumming around with [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|that continuity's Lugnut]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blitzwing''' (ブリッツウイング ''Burittsuuingu'')

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Animated Decepticons]]
[[Category:McDonald's exclusives]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Blitzwing (Animated)

2023-03-29T07:21:47Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Blitzwing}}
:''Blitzwing is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Animated continuity family]].''

[[File:AniBlitzwingPromoModel.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|That's far enough, Dr. Jones.]]
'''Blitzwing''' not only has three modes (robot, jet, and tank), he also has three alternate personalities (an "Icy" cold strategist, a short-tempered "Hothead", and a total "Random" nutcase) along with the faces rattling around in his head to go with them.<ref>Blitzwing's three personas are named "Icy", "Hothead" and "Random" on his [[Character model|model]] sheets.</ref> He's as liable to have a conversation with himself as he is to say a word to his fellow Decepticons. Pretty much the only thing that keeps him in line is that all three of his personalities are scared to death of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]].

Blitzwing's "dominant", Icy personality is represented by a long, blue face with a monocle and speaks with quiet disdain. His easily angered Hothead personality has a wide, red face, is gap-toothed, and tends to react angrily with violent threats towards almost anyone. Finally, his Random personality's face looks like nothing so much as a black jack-o'-lantern, and may toss out bad puns and jokes, children's nursery rhymes, or random non sequiturs, mostly followed by hysterical laughter. All three personalities speak with a pronounced German [[accent]] and apparently he has trouble flying in a straight line.

Blitzwing's armament varies depending upon which personality is dominant at the time. His calculating personality has an arsenal of ice weaponry, while the Hothead predictably can turn up the heat. When his third personality is foremost, nearly anything can be dished out from either of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s. Blitzwing's alt mode is likewise usually dependent on which aspect is dominant at the time. His cold side uses the jet, his angry side uses the tank, and his insane side can use either. However it seems that if he changes personality while in his alt mode, that alt will change with him, and if that's a jet to tank change, he'll fall right out of the sky.

{{quote|Ze name iz Blitzwing, [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|insect]]; remember it! Cause it's ze last thing you're gonna hear before I—express my feelings in song!|Blitzwing switching personalities like we switch shoes|"[[Transform and Roll Out]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{Idw-tfa}}
{{voiceactor|[[Bumper Robinson]] (English), [[Yūichi Nagashima]] (Japanese)|[[Alexander Kovriznyh]] (Russian, Hothead), [[Rainer Doering]] (German), [[Giorgio Bonino]] (Italian), [[Wellington Lima]] (Portuguese), [[Rodolfo Vasquez]] (Latin American Spanish, all heads during the pilot episode), [[Sergio Aliaga]] (Latin American Spanish, Icy head, seasons 1 and 2), [[Nelson Medina]] (Latin American Spanish, Hothead head, seasons 1 and 2), [[Rodrigo Saavedra]] (Latin American Spanish, Random head, seasons 1 and 2), [[Jari Salo]] (Finnish, unknown head), [[Julio Lorenzo]] (Castillo Spanish, unknown head), [[Maciej Walentek]] (Polish), [[Frédéric Cerdal]] (French, seasons 1, 2 and first half of 3), [[Gérard Rouzier]] (French, second half of season 3)}}

[[File:Animated blitzwing faces1.JPG|left|125px|thumb|"So Arnold, Dietrich, and Blot walk into a bar..."]]
''During the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], Blitzwing destroyed [[Kappa Supreme]] while she was escorting a supply convoy.'' {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} ''Long after the war ended and the Decepticons went into hiding, [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] experimented upon Blitzwing, rebuilding him into a Triple Changer and giving him the fractured mind he is known for today.'' {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}

Blitzwing was aboard the [[Nemesis (Animated)|''Nemesis'']] with the other Decepticons at the time of the [[AllSpark]]'s re-discovery. He partially froze [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]]'s arm, commenting on how her demeanor was as unpleasant as her organic [[beast mode]]. When Blackarachnia advised him to blow it out his actuator, Blitzwing angrily demanded that she refer to him by his proper name, or else he would...''express his feelings in song!'' His out-of-tune rendition of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" got all the Decepticons arguing until Megatron entered, prompting Blitzwing to fall silent with the rest.

When it became clear the ''Nemesis'' was going to crash into an exploding space bridge, Blitzwing fled in an escape pod. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

''After Megatron's disappearance, the Decepticons held a funeral at [[New Kaon]]. Blitzwing gave the eulogy, in which he vowed that they would destroy the [[Autobot]]s responsible for their leader's demise...and then paint mustaches on their faceplates. [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] was angry with the service, declaring that Megatron was alive and would return. When Blitzwing pointed out evidence to the contrary, Lugnut destroyed the statue of Megatron that Blitzwing had built. This angered Blitzwing, who'd spent six deca-cycles building it, and initiated an exchange of fire between him and Lugnut.'' {{storylink|Dispatches}}

[[File:Everythingmustgo-BlitzwingGlassGas.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Blitzwing performs one of his famous tuba solos.]]
Blitzwing placed a bounty on [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], intending to punish him for destroying Megatron. ''When Lockdown proposed that Blitzwing pay him for his services with Lugnut's "[[Punch of Kill Everything|P.O.K.E.]]", Blitzwing agreed to the terms.'' {{storylink|The Arrival issue 4|A Few Loose Strands}} Fifty stellar cycles later, the bounty hunter [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] contacted Blitzwing, saying he had Prime. Blitzwing promised that Lockdown would receive payment once Blitzwing received Prime — then his random side asked if he could ''please, please, please'' see Prime turn into a firetruck. {{storylink|The Thrill of the Hunt}} ''His conversation was cut short however, when an enraged Lugnut slammed his face into the monitor for daring to commune with the bounty hunter. The pair began scrapping, and things were only made worse when [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] showed up, taking the opportunity to sell each of them a wide variety of weapons so they could pummel each other. It eventually culminated in him selling the pair of them doomsday weapons and unbreakable nemesis shields. Realizing they were being played, Lugs and Blitz put aside their anger, beat the holy hell out of Swindle and made friends again.'' {{storylink|The Arrival issue 5#Everything Must Go|Everything Must Go}}

Some time after this, Blitzwing and Lugnut followed a beacon to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]] to find the wreckage of the ''Nemesis''. Noting that [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] was bad at parking, Blitzwing also remembered that this quadrant was the last time they received an update from Lockdown. Concluding that the Autobots responsible for killing Megatron were nearby, the duo went to Earth. Landing at a construction site, the two had similar problems determining the dominant species on Earth as the Autobots did, mistaking Earth's automatons and machines for sentient beings. Lugnut's attempt to interrogate a crane ended up getting Blitzwing hit by the wrecking ball, which convinced the Decepticons to do a more time honored tactic—blow stuff up and hope it forces the Autobots to come out. It worked. During the battle with the Autobots, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] were hard pressed to avoid Blitzwing's energy blasts, but his freeze beam did get Bumblebee off his feet. When Lugnut demanded information on Megatron's location, the Autobots mentioned that he had "turned into a fireball somewhere over [[Cleveland (city)|Cleveland]]". Naturally, Lugnut was displeased, and he used his [[Punch of Kill Everything|super-punch]] to floor the Autobots—and bury himself and Blitzwing under the rubble. When Blitzwing unburied himself, he irritatedly reminded Lugnut of his oft-repeated request for a little warning before the punch.

[[File:LugnutBlitzwingNemesis.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"This was Megatron's ship!" "Oh, cool! Maybe my DVD collection's still in there."]]
Having observed the battle over a live feed, Megatron opted to radio Lugnut exclusively, leaving Blitzwing struggling to work out what exactly was going on. Blitzwing believed Lugnut was only listening to voices in his head, so Lugnut had to take him along forcibly. Uncertain of the number and strength of the Autobots' "reinforcements" (the Detroit Police Department), the pair scanned Earth vehicles for disguises so they could lay low. Icy Blitzwing wanted to scan a fighter jet, while Hothead wanted a tank. After a brief argument, Random suggested that they scan both. That evening, the two Decepticons followed the Autobots to [[Lake Erie]], where Blitzwing froze the lake. When the Autobots submerged, he followed them in tank form. Blitzwing was lured by the Autobots towards [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|their ship]] and blasted by one of its weapons systems. He and Lugnut were left fragmented but functional and floated to the surface, only to be met by Starscream, who offered to repair them in exchange for a pledge of undying allegiance. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}}

[[File:Megatron Rising 1 Ratchet Blitzwing Key.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Oooh, Autobot-cicles, fresh out of the freezer!]]
Apparently, they chose to serve under Starscream, but still were bickering with each other. When Lugnut began receiving internal transmissions from Megatron again, Starscream was confused, and Blitzwing explained that it was a "technical glitch" that happened. A lot. When Starscream learned that Lugnut thought he was talking to Megatron, he felt threatened and scanned Lugnut, detecting the signals. Starscream ordered both Lugnut and Blitzwing to find the [[AllSpark Key]] while he himself tracked the transmissions.

At the moment, the AllSpark Key was in the hands of [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]. Blitzwing used his ice guns to freeze Ratchet and rip off the arm that was carrying the Key. Afterward, they went to [[Sumdac Tower]] to find Megatron. In the process of greeting him, they revealed Megatron's true Decepticon nature to [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Prof. Sumdac]]. Blitzwing, now understanding what had been going on with Lugnut, inserted the Key into Megatron's head, restoring their true leader. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

[[File:Megatron Rising 2 Blitzwing tank crash.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|He's just as aerodynamic as the next tank.]]
As Megatron proceeded to beat up the Autobots, Blitzwing and Lugnut decided not to intervene and kept an eye on Professor Sumdac instead. When Megatron called his loyal troops to him, Blitzwing looked on as his leader made an example of Starscream. The Decepticons took to the air, locating and attacking the Autobots' ship as it travelled from the lake to the Tower, then from the Tower to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], where it was shot down. Blitzwing split off to tackle Prowl, Ratchet and Bumblebee, before being brought down by a combined EMP burst. As Blitzwing rolled around and shelled the Autobots, Prowl noticed that Blitzwing's personalities were connected to his alternate modes and powers. By this time, Blitzwing was back in the air, but Bumblebee taunted the Triple Changer enough that Hothead Blitzwing took over, transformed from jet to tank—and fell into the lake. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

[[File:TFA Blitzwing Jet Altmode.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|I'm gunning for you, [[Snoopy]].]]
The Decepticons set up a base in a mine containing carbon deposits, which would block their energy signatures so they could recover from their encounter with the Autobots without detection. When Megatron announced his new plan to conquer [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Blitzwing felt the plan was crazy, as neither he nor Lugnut had any idea how they would get there. He changed his mind when Megatron explained that they would build their own [[space bridge]] using the specs Megatron had downloaded from the Autobots' ship during one of the encounters with the Autobots. However, they would need the captured Prof. Sumdac to help them, as the specs were incomplete. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

After Isaac Sumdac developed a device that shielded their energy signatures from Autobot sensors, Blitzwing and Lugnut went to retrieve a tachyon transmitter from the [[Elite Guard]]'s [[Sigma Supreme|ship]]. When they presented it to Megatron, Starscream appeared, tried to kill Megatron—and was killed by Megatron. However, Starscream appeared to survive, and Blitzwing spent the rest of the evening dumping Starscream's body into the river...repeatedly. The next day, Blitzwing and Megatron responded to an AllSpark energy signature which turned out to be a trap laid by Starscream. Blitzwing and Megatron then pursued the traitor, offlining him again. {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}}

Blitzwing was later sent by Megatron to track down an AllSpark fragment, with an oddly disappearing energy signature. He froze [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and much of the surrounding landscape, destroyed a bridge, [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]]'s [[Captain Fanzone's car|car]], and [[Master Disaster (Animated)|Master Disaster]]'s truck before [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] managed to make him leave using Master Disaster's remote. {{storylink|Velocity (episode)|Velocity}}

Blitzwing and Lugnut wound up stuck with the dirty work, collecting supplies for the construction of the space bridge. Foiled by the Autobots, they tried again the next day, hauling heavy trailers up a hill. Blitzwing's foot slipped, and he was nearly offlined by the trailer sending him careening towards a wall. Bracing for impact, his demise was interrupted by the intervention of [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Seeing a good opportunity in the brawny Constructibots, he tricked them into hauling the two trailers to the mine. Though Lugnut stated that Megatron would never stand for this, he reassured the huge Decepticon that the two newcomers would be offlined as soon as the work was done. True to his word, Blitzwing was about to have Lugnut dispatch the hapless bots when Megatron stepped in. He had bigger plans for them. {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons}}

When Lockdown announced he had captured Starscream, whose head Megatron had set a bounty on, Blitzwing was among the Decepticons who accompanied Megatron to collect the traitor and apprehended Prowl when he tried to intervene. However, when the Autobots arrived with ''another'' Starscream, it was revealed that both Starscreams were actually [[Clone number 3370318|booby-trapped]] [[Clone number 2716057|sparkless clones]]. Blitzwing followed Megatron in escaping forcibly through the ceiling. However, when Prowl used the upgrades given to him by Lockdown to send the clones into the air, the bombs exploded, not too far from the fleeing Decepticons {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

[[File:TFA Sari no one home Blitzwing Ratchet hostage.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Verrry interesting...but shtupid.]]
When the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] resurfaced, Megatron dispatched Blitzwing to bring them back to the mine, giving him some oil to entice them, and instructing the Triple Changer not to engage the Autobots. During his search, Blitzwing came across the Autobots. Although his Icy personality wanted to continue the search, his Hothead and Random personality decided to engage them. During the battle, Blitzwing utterly dominated the Autobots, and eventually took Ratchet hostage. At that point, Megatron ordered Blitzwing to disengage and resume his search. Finally locating the Constructicons, Blitzwing offered the two the oil barrels he was carrying, and led them back to base. {{storylink|Sari, No One's Home}}

Soon after the space bridge was near completion, the Autobots found the Decepticons' hideout and attempted to stop them. Blitzwing and Lugnut attacked the Autobots invading their underground base, but they ended up getting [[Stasis cuffs|stasis cuffed]] by [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]]. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}} Blitzwing was later retrieved by Scrapper and joined in on the attack on [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. His Hothead side was unimpressed with the gargantuan Autobot, and he vowed to damage Omega Supreme so badly he'd need a GPS locator to help him find his still-attached exhaust port. Omega was equally unimpressed with the verbal posturing and headbutted Blitzwing to the horizon. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

[[File:FiveServosOfDoom-CapturedDecepticons.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"So, how often do you transform them for display?"]]
When [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] hired Lockdown to capture Decepticons for him, Blitzwing was one of the bounty hunter's early victims. He was subsequently locked up in the Elite Guard flagship alongside a stasis-locked Swindle, and had mouth clamps placed on each of his faces to keep him quiet. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}} Along with the other captured Decepticons, Blitzwing was transported back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising}}

When the Autobots became trapped in [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave's]] virtual reality, Blitzwing was among the Decepticons who invaded and attack Detroit. Unfortunately for him, Bulkhead smashed through his leg as he attempted to stomp Prowl while Bumblebee pummeled his faces.{{storylink|Human Error, Part I}}

As the Elite Guard headed back to Cybertron with their prisoners, they navigated the ship through an energy storm in outer space, causing a stray bolt of energy to hit the ship and free Swindle, who had been left unrestrained. The greedy Decepticon immediately released Blitzwing and the others from their bonds and provided them with new weaponry. Led by Lugnut, the Decepticons defeated and captured the crew, only for Optimus Prime to transwarp into the ship and release them. The ensuing battle took place outside the ship, where Blitzwing froze Sentinel Prime and threatened to blast his head off if the other Autobots didn't surrender. The plan was a success, and the captured Autobots were led into their own decontamination unit to be frozen. (Blitzwing's crazy side also wanted them grinded up into snowcones.) However, this was the Autobots' plan all along, as [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] had tampered with the freeze-gas pipes, causing Blitzwing, [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] and [[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] to be frozen instead. The three Decepticons were subsequently recaptured and brought to Cybertron, where Sentinel Prime displayed them during his [[Magnus (rank)|Magnus]]-promotion parade. {{storylink|Decepticon Air}}

===''Animated'' shorts===
[[File:MockMeg-lackeys.jpg|200px|thumb|Not pictured: JK Rowling's Twitter page]]
As Starscream heckled Megatron during a rousing speech, Blitzwing looked on in utter horror until Megatron eventually dispatched Starscream straight through a wall. The sight of such brutality caused Blitzwing to wince. {{storylink|Starscream Heckles Megatron}}

After the defeat of the Autobots, Blitzwing praised Starscream as the obvious choice for Decepticon leadership, threatening to crush anyone crazy enough to suggest otherwise...or, at least, the imagined version in Starscream's dream did. The real Blitzwing was none too pleased about Starscream falling asleep in the middle of the Decepticons' staff meeting. {{storylink|Starscream's Fantasy}}

Later, Blitzwing asked Lugnut to help build a new Decepticon swimming pool, but the lunatic couldn't settle on where it should be located, forcing Lugnut to use his [[Punch of Kill Everything]] to create gigantic craters over and over ''and over''. {{storylink|Explosive Fist}}

Blitzwing once came across a tiny medallion with Autobot and Decepticon logos on either side, and begin idly [[scene transition|spinning it back-and-forth while humming to himself]]. Eventually, Lugnut got sick of it and punched him in the back of the head, knocking him out of his apparent trance. {{storylink|Logo (Animated)|Logo}}

===''Be the Hero'' books===
{{notemultipath}}
====''Prime Suspect''====
Upon discovering that the launch of [[HomeTech]]'s new range of [[Pixie-6]] helpbots was imminent, Blitzwing cooked up a plan to steal a Pixie-6 control sphere. Holographically disguising himself as Optimus Prime, he broke into HomeTech's laboratory and successfully stole a controller, which he modified to be powerful enough to control ''all'' of the Pixie-6 'bots. He intended to wait until they had been sold and installed in every home in America, but the Autobots caught up with him at HomeTech's warehouse. After a brief battle, Blitzwing was subdued, and Prime announced that they would attempt to reprogram him into an Autobot. {{storylink|Prime Suspect (Animated)|Prime Suspect}}

===''The Cool'' comic===
[[File:TheCoolBlitzwingKneels01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Everybody knows Triple-Changers speak perfect Japanese!]]

Blitzwing was part of Megatron's band of Decepticons, chasing down the Autobots who had rediscovered the long-lost AllSpark. He was visibly frustrated (though he maintained his "Icy" persona) when Megatron along with the Autobots disappeared through a Space Bridge gate. {{storylink|The Cool Extra issue 3|The Cool Extra #3}}

Through some means, Blitzwing succeeded in obtaining the [[AllSpark Key|key]] and bringing it to the disembodied head of Megatron. Upon Megatron's rebirth, Blitzwing offered to help him destroy the opposing Autobots. Lugnut berated Blitzwing for trying to rob Megatron of a good time, and Megatron agreed with Lugnut, as he wanted the Autobots all to himself. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 5}}

Blitzwing later joined the other Decepticons in intercepting the rogue Starscream from the bounty hunter [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]. When the "Starscream" they were given turned out to be a bomb, Blitzwing and the other Decepticons fled into the sky, only to be caught in the explosion ''anyway'' after [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] launched the clones at them with his rocket packs. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 6}}

During the battle for the Decepticon [[Space bridge|Space Bridge]], Blitzwing attempted to keep [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] from interfering with Megatron's battle against Optimus Prime. The speedsters proved too much for him, however, running in circles around him until his rotating faces got dizzy. They then slapped a pair of stasis cuffs on him, and "random" Blitzwing cried that his arms had "fallen asleep" as the cuffs paralyzed him. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 7}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===Transformers Animated: The Game===
{{voiceactor|[[Bumper Robinson]] (English)|[[Martial Le Minoux]] (French)}}

[[File:TFAnimated Game Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|left|324px|Can you guess which one wants to do the victory dance?]]
As the Decepticon armies stood ready to invade [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], two of Blitzwing's personalities were keen to get to bashing Autobots. The third just wanted to do the Decepticon victory dance. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Game}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Animated: ''Action Packs''===
{{note|Blitzwing is featured as a playable game card. He is a black card, has a value of 9 points, and has the following power: "-2 to all reds in play".}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: Action Packs}}

==Toys==
===''Animated''===
[[File:Ani blitz.JPG|right|upright=1.66|thumb|"WHY IS IT GETTING SO CROWDED IN HERE?!" "Oh, wait, it's me." ''"And me! AHAHAHAHAAA!!!"'' ''(Hasbro Version Pictured)'']]
*'''Blitzwing''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-13'''
**''Accessories'': 2 "flame" missiles
{{toydesigner|[[Eric Siebenaler]] (Hasbro), [[Alex Kubalsky]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Derrick J. Wyatt]] (concept artist)}}

: Blitzwing transforms into a futuristic "Mech-Warrior"-ish tank with two large, spring-loaded anti-aircraft-like guns, and a fighter jet that loosely resembles the Northrop Grumman F-14 Tomcat. His tank-cannons become the jet's thrusters. The [[robot mode]] has three faces, which can be switched around via a knob on the back of the head. Surprisingly against the [[For safety reasons|norm]], Blitzwing's pointy nosecone is molded from rigid plastic. He has a pair of panels on his forearms that are spring-loaded to be able to lie flush in his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s, yet make his arms wider in robot mode (as they tend to be rather flat without them).
: Sadly, his cannons cannot tilt forward over his shoulders when in robot mode. Though promotional photos showed the figure with a gold traditional Decepticon insignia, the final toy used the movie variant in the tampograph.

: Blitzwing also has a minor [[misassembly]] problem, in that his upper arms are swapped. This is the reason his wings cannot press down flush with the rest of the jet fuselage. This can be fixed by pulling off his arms, unscrewing the one screw visible on either forearm, then separating the upper arms and switching them, which makes for a much-improved jet mode.

: The TakaraTomy release of the figure features a metallic paint scheme on most of the paintable parts.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Blitzwing/blitzwing.htm More information on Animated Blitzwing at TFU.info]''
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:TFA-JP-TA-13-Voyager-Blitzwing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|''(TakaraTomy Version Pictured)'']]
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
[[File:Blitzwinganimatedtoyfaces.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|So people who buy enough toys to display them in every mode have to buy five of this guy, right?]]
{{!}}}

{{-}}{{anchor|McD}}
[[File:TFAnimated McDonalds Blitzwing.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Chip Chase|No one's ever really insane so long as he has courage!]]]]
*'''Blitzwing''' (McDonald's Happy Meal toys, 2009)

: A very simplified (but well painted!) version of Blitzwing that has abandoned his triple changer aspect for simplicity's sake. Although this toy sports Blitzwing's "Icy" face, he transforms into "Hothead"'s tank mode.

:This toy was only available in French McDonald's restaurants. Why they got this singular exclusive is anyone's guess.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/McBlitzwing/blitzwing.htm More information on McDonald's Blitzwing at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TakaraVsBlitzwing}}
*'''Darkness Showdown: Prowl / Blitzwing''' (Multi-pack, [[April 24]] 2010)
**''Accessories'': 2 "flame" missiles

: In the Takara ''Animated'' line, Blitzwing was also available in a "Darkness Showdown" (暗闇の対決, ''kurayami no taiketsu'', also called "Battle in the Dark" on English on the box-back) two-pack with [[Prowl (Animated)#Toys|Prowl]]. Released in the second wave of ''Animated'' product, both toys are identical to their individual releases.
{{-}}

==Notes==
*When developing the character who would become Blitzwing, [[Marty Isenberg]] originally envisioned a crazy, Joker-like character who could turn into anything, but was driven mad by his constant shapeshifting.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160923144431/http://www.allspark.com/2016/09/transformers-animated-story-bible-never-seen-before Allspark.com: "Transformers Animated Story Bible – Never Seen Before!" (via the Internet Archive)</ref> Obviously, that idea proved unworkable in toy terms, so art director [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] proposed using [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] for the role. When Hasbro deemed a [[Six Changer]] to be too expensive, the Triple Changer Blitzwing was finally settled upon instead.<ref name="artstory">[http://web.archive.org/web/20131211020037/http://www.cvcomics.com/artandstory/?p=242 Art & Story interview with Marty Isenberg] (Archive copy)</ref> As fate would have it, Hasbro designer [[Eric Siebenaler]] had been itching to do a face-swapping Blitzwing since 2005.<ref>Blitzwing's long design history was detailed at [[BotCon 2008|BotCon 2008's]] Hasbro Design panel.</ref>
*His German accent was a last-minute improvisation by voice actor [[Bumper Robinson]], inspired by the character's name, that went on to influence his entire [[robot mode]] aesthetic; once Robinson had been cast in the role, Blitzwing was subsequently designed to "make him look really German",<ref name="artstory"/> with his helmet an obvious nod to a World War II-era {{w|Stahlhelm}} helmet and goggles.
*Blitzwing's face-changing [[gimmick]] was in part inspired by {{w|Man-E-Faces}} from ''Masters of the Universe.''<ref>According to [[Hasbro]] employees speaking at the 2007 Comic-ConInternational.</ref> He's not the first Transformers toy to feature multiple rotating faces; [[Alpha Quintesson]], inspired by the five-faced Generation 1 [[Quintesson]]s, holds that distinction. The fiction-only character [[Violengiguar]] also had three faces that spoke in different tones.
*According to the Allspark Almanac, Blitzwing wasn't always the [[Triple Changer]] we know him as today. His current state came about as a result of being rebuilt by [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] after the Great War, to increase his versatility. This process, however, also had the side effect of giving him three distinct personalities, something [[Springer (Animated)|hinted at earlier]] by [[Derrick J. Wyatt]].
*According to [[Derrick J. Wyatt]], becoming crazy seems to be an inevitability for Triple-Changers, as opposed to an avoidable side-effect or possible risk.<ref>[http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-desk-is-mess.html#c5110113958119556634]</ref>
*In the Japanese dub of the series, Blitzwing speaks with a stressed ''American'' accent, rather than a German one.
**His "Icy" personality speaks with (what's regarded in Japan as) a very stereotypical (but polite) American accent; sounding out words slowly, always using the bland but respectful ''-masu'' form and ending nearly every sentence with a proper ''desu''.
**His "Hothead" personality speaks with a "rude" American accent and spouts English words and phrases such as "Hey!", "Now" and often ends sentences with "Man!"
**His "Random" personality mostly loses the American accent and is instead a throwback to actor [[Yūichi Nagashima]]'s previous performance as [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Super Link]]'' (another character with a split personality/rotating face gimmick).
*Blitzwing's design was used in the [[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|''More Than Meets the Eye'' comic book]] as the basis for a generic member of the [[Titan Hunter]]s, chumming around with [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|that continuity's Lugnut]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blitzwing''' (ブリッツウイング ''Burittsuuingu'')

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Animated Decepticons]]
[[Category:McDonald's exclusives]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

Blackarachnia (Animated)

2023-03-29T07:20:44Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

{{disambigm|Blackarachnia (disambiguation)|Elita One (disambiguation)}}
{{factions||autobot|decepticon|predacon|primusvanguard|hofsilver}}
:''Blackarachnia is a [[Decepticon]] and later [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] from the [[Animated continuity family]].

:[[File:FinalAniBlackarachnia.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|Welcome to {{w|Goth Talk}}!]]

In another life, she was '''Elita-1''', an energetic, spunky Autobot Academy cadet. That was until a fateful trip to [[Archa Seven]], where [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|her]] [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|teammates]] abandoned her to a horde of alien spiders. Now calling herself '''Blackarachnia''', she hates her new body with a passion. Her loathing of her organic parts is slowly driving her insane, and she will do ''anything'' to get rid of them, no matter whom she has to crush in her path. Her mutation fueled a newfound hatred of the [[Autobot]] cause and a quest for revenge that led her to join [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] in his war against them. However, she does not appear overly loyal to her leader.

In her mutant [[technorganic]] form, she makes use of her newfound '[[cyber venom]]' to paralyze her enemies, and combines this with her natural ability to download and mimic other [[Transformer]]s' traits and weaponry for a limited amount of time with a simple touch. Hope nobody told [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]].

{{quote|It'll be a long time before I ever trust another Autobot. Especially you, Optimus.|Blackarachnia|"[[Along Came a Spider]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon continuity===
{{Idw-tfa}}
{{voiceactor|[[Cree Summer]] (English), [[Ryōka Yuzuki]] (Japanese)|[[Christin Marquitan]] (German), [[Marcella Silvestri]] (Italian), [[Raquel Marinho]] (Portuguese, as Elita-1), [[Adriana Pissardini]] (Portuguese, as Blackarachnia), [[Rosario Zamora]] (Latin American Spanish, seasons 1 and 2), [[Catherina Martínez]] (Castilian Spanish, regular voice), [[Antía Jiménez Álvarez]] (Castilian Spanish, substitute voice), [[Elise Langenoja]] (Finnish), [[Anne Plumet]] (French)}}

[[File:TFA Elita-1.JPG|left|175px|thumb|Girlfriend in a coma, I know, I know it's serious.]]
''A thousand [[Units of time|stellar cycles]] ago or so, a young cadet received the name "Elita-1" from her instructor, [[Kup (Animated)|Kup Minor]].'' {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} Elita-1 and Sentinel were both there to witness Optimus go through a simulated combat against Megatron. Though Elita-1 worried about Optimus's well-being throughout the exercise, Sentinel assured her that Optimus had little to fear from a simulation. {{storylink|The Arrival issue 5|Survival Skills}}

Elita-1 and her teammates found their way to [[Archa Seven]], looking for a Decepticon [[Twilight (Animated)|ship]] filled with [[energon]] when they accidentally fell into a series of caves. They were ambushed by [[Archa Seven arachnid|giant spiders]] and, when escaping the massive energon explosion caused by the battle, Elita ended up being left behind. When she tried using her ability to borrow powers from other beings, she was injected by the spiders' venom, turning her into a hideous freak. Because of her new, semi-organic nature, her signal did not appear on Optimus's radar, leading him and Sentinel to believe that she had perished in the explosion. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

Now calling herself Blackarachnia, Elita-1 joined the Decepticons, {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} ''and performed experimentations on [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]], rebuilding him into a [[Triple Changer]] and giving him an unstable personality. She also aided [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] in creating a false identity to infiltrate the Autobot ranks.'' {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}

[[File:Blackarachniabails-Dispatches.jpeg|thumb|right|upright=1.5]]
When the [[AllSpark]] was found by a group of Autobots, Blackarachnia was aboard the [[Nemesis (Animated)|''Nemesis'']] with the other Decepticons, annoyed at [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]]'s emphatic, vocal loyalty to Megatron. She even suggested that Lugnut's speech of praise was hardwired into his mind. She also had conflict with [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]], who touched a sore point by insulting her organic mode. Her retort to "blow it out your actuator, three-face" angered Blitzwing to the point that he... began to express his feelings in song. Later, at Megatron's orders, she scanned the Autobots' ship to determine the nature of their high-energy cargo. She confirmed the Autobots were carrying the AllSpark, or at least something just as powerful. When the Autobots escaped and it became clear the ''Nemesis'' was going to crash into an exploding space bridge, Blackarachnia fled in an escape pod. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

[[File:LooseStrands-BlackarachniaUpgrades.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
''Fifty stellar cycles later, while searching space for any trace of the AllSpark in the hope that she could use its power to purge herself of her organic mode, Blackarachnia stumbled across [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], still operating out of the battered shell of the ''Nemesis''. Realizing that Starscream was searching for the AllSpark as well, Blackarachnia proposed an alliance, but Starscream proved uninterested in sharing power and promptly booted her out into space. Before being ejected, however, Blackarachnia was able to plant a homing device on Starscream, {{storylink|Dispatches}} and eventually tracked the beacon to [[Earth]]. At first setting down on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]] to investigate the crashed hulk of the ''Nemesis'', Blackarachnia ran afoul of the bounty hunter [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]], who had been hired by Blitzwing to hunt down Optimus Prime. Not willing to risk the bounty hunter finding the AllSpark before her, Blackarachnia attempted to dissuade him from investigating Earth, but Lockdown didn't take kindly to her interference, and the pair wound up battling. During the fight, Blackarachnia used her download ability on Lockdown, knocking him out, but she was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of powers and modifications she wound up taking from him, and passed out herself. Blackarachnia was first to awake, however, and hid herself aboard Lockdown's [[Death's Head (Animated)|ship]], so that when the bounty hunter finally came to and headed for Earth, she was able to hitch a free ride to the planet. {{storylink|The Arrival issue 4|A Few Loose Strands}}

[[File:Blackarachnia Venus Mag by BillForster.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]
''At some unknown point in the future, Blackarachnia was interviewed by the trans-dimensional magazine [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]] and recounted this adventure for the publication's readers. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}''

[[File:Blackarach anim beast.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|The Itchy Bitchy Spider crawled up the water spout...]]
After arriving on Earth, Blackarachnia stalked [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], and [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari]] on [[Halloween]] night. Once she took out the boys, she attempted to sweet-talk Sari into handing over her [[AllSpark Key]], but Optimus Prime arrived to intervene. Using Bulkhead and Bumblebee's stolen powers to overcome Optimus, Blackarachnia captured Sari and web-swung her way to the top of a skyscraper, with Prime in hot pursuit. In the ensuing fight, Prime finally realized who Blackarachnia truly was. Exploiting the opening, Blackarachnia bound Prime in her web and seized Sari's key, activating its power in hopes of become fully mechanical. However, the energies unleashed caused any organic life in range, including Sari (and presumably any other [[Human|fleshy]]), to shrivel and sicken. It almost killed Blackarachnia, but Optimus Prime pulled the Key out, restoring the organics. Prime tried to reason with "Elita", asking her to come with them in the hopes of curing her, but Blackarachnia stabbed him, saying that it would be a long time before she trusted him again. After she knocked out Prime, she cried her four eyes out. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

Later, she again kidnapped Sari, who was running away after having the AllSpark Key taken away from her. When she heard about the Key and how Sari felt totally mistrusted by the Autobots, Blackarachnia played on the girl's sympathies by saying she knew how Sari felt. Blackarachnia noted how she was not a Decepticon until after the Autobots turned their backs on her, and how the AllSpark's power was the only thing that could cure her current form. Despite being kidnapped again and nearly being killed by Blackarachnia's previous use of the Key, Sari appeared to start seeing eye to eye with her captor. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

[[File:Megatron Rising Blackarachnia farewell.JPG|175px|thumb|Here's hoping her organic half can withstand impact.]]
At least, that was what she wanted Blackarachnia to believe. Leading her around in circles over the frozen [[Lake Erie]], Sari was finally forced to admit that the [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Autobots' ship]], which contained the AllSpark, was underwater. Blackarachnia's organic half couldn't survive the icy water; incensed, she prepared to kill Sari. [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] brought the ship up through the ice, and Sari bit Blackarachnia's hand, showing that her organic half couldn't withstand teeth, causing her to drop Sari and allow Ratchet to grab her and get in the ship. As Blackarachnia tried to force the door open, the vessel accelerated, and Blackarachnia was thrown off the ship. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

[[File:TFA Black Friday ME GRIMLOCK IN LOVE.jpg|left|thumb|Me Grimlock be kisser for you!]]
Washing ashore on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], Blackarachnia was taken in by the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]], who gave her [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]]'s [[Meltdown's Subterranean Lab|former base]] as a home. Using her charms, Blackarachnia was able to manipulate the Dinobots into doing anything she wanted. [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] was particularly attached to her, and reminded the other Dinobots of this through violence. Going over Meltdown's notes, she realized that he would be able to remove the organic half from her body. She sent the Dinobots to release him from prison, causing the Autobots to come investigating. Blackarachnia then poisoned Bumblebee and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] with her venom, and used the "promise" of an anti-venom to blackmail Optimus into helping Grimlock find the [[genetic modifier]] Meltdown needed for the experiment. Unfortunately, Meltdown turned the tables on them when the modifier was his, planning on removing Blackarachnia's technological half and leaving him with an organic transformer. Optimus was able to stop Meltdown before he succeeded, but the modifier was damaged and Meltdown presumed killed. Needing to escape, Blackarachnia urged Optimus to hold her, causing Grimlock to attack in jealousy, and Blackarachnia fled. However, it appears that Blackarachnia left the anti-venom needed to save Bumblebee and Prowl beside them. This gave Optimus hope that beneath all of Blackarachnia's anger and manipulation, there was still something left of Elita-1 in there. {{storylink|Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday}}

[[File:TFA-PredaconsRising-SentinelBlackArachnia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Dark Designs|Better dead than Pred!]]]]
Still taking refuge in Meltdown's abandoned laboratory, Blackarachnia began experimenting with [[Unspace|transwarp]] energy to create new techno-organic beings to experiment on in an attempt to purge her organic elements, the idea being if she could turn another techno-organic purely robotic, she could do the same to herself. Most of her early attempts proved fruitless, until [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] was able to capture the perfect test subject: the renegade Autobot [[Wasp]]. Tempting him with both her feminine wiles and promises of power great enough to achieve revenge on the bots who betrayed him, she coaxed him into being experimented on, fittingly merging him with the DNA of a wasp.

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Blackarachina sans Helmet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|I'd hit it.]]
While Wasp was being turned techno-organic, her old friend Sentinel Prime stumbled upon the lab and was disgusted to find a robot with an organic mode. He was even more shocked when she revealed that they had a past: she was his old friend Elita-1. Disgusted by her mutation, Sentinel was willing to "put her out of her misery", and during a scuffle knocked Blackarachnia's helmet off, allowing him to see her true, partially organic face. After Wasp's transformation into Waspinator was complete, Blackarachnia revealed her plans to Sentinel and Optimus.

Unfortunately, Waspinator was within earshot when she revealed what little regard she had for his life. Hurt by this betrayal, the now physically unstable Waspinator issued Blackarachnia an ultimatum: either fix him or be destroyed. She tried to escape, but once it was revealed that the transwarp energies responsible for his creation were going critical and about to cause a huge explosion, Blackarachnia surrounded herself and Waspinator in her webbing, shielding the Autobots from the explosion and seemingly leading to her final demise.

[[File:PredaconBlackarachnia-CAA.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5]]
However, when she awoke, she was in a strange jungle, in front of a [[Maximal|group of organic creatures]] that looked rather surprised to see their new guests. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising}}

''At some point, Blackarachnia got herself a new paint job, rebranded herself a "[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]", made her way back to Cybertron and begun to raise a Predacon army. The order in which she accomplished these things is unknown. In any case, she now had [[Inferno (Animated)|Inferno]] and [[Antagony (Animated)|Antagony]] working under her as fellow techno-organics.'' {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac|The Complete AllSpark Almanac}}

====''Animated'' shorts====
As Starscream heckled Megatron during a rousing speech, Blackarachnia looked on in utter horror until Megatron eventually dispatched Starscream straight through a wall. The sight of such brutality caused Blackarachnia to wince. {{storylink|Starscream Heckles Megatron}}

After the defeat of the Autobots, Blackarachnia found herself chained to new Decepticon leader Starscream. She relished her new role, offering to bring him refreshments and giving him massages...or, at least, the imagined version in Starscream's dream did. The real Blackarachnia was none too pleased about Starscream falling asleep in the middle of the Decepticons' staff meeting. {{storylink|Starscream's Fantasy}}

====Titan ''Animated'' comic====
Realising that the Autobots also win due to the power of teamwork, Blackarachnia decided to isolate one of them from the rest of the team. She stuck a tracer on Bumblebee so she could listen in on the crew and find out the best opportunity, while she roped Blitzwing and Lugnut into helping her. By the next day, when Bumblebee and Prowl were having a race at [[Crazy Coyote Canyon]], the Decepticons had set up a trap and were able to capture Prowl. To Blackarachnia's annoyance though, Bumblebee turned up and somehow her comrades failed to pursue him even ''with'' the tracer.

She commanded Lugnut to fire on the Autobots as they sped across the cave roof, realising too late this would cause a cave-in. To add insult to injury, she found the tracer couldn't track Bumblebee any more because it was stuck on Lugnut's butt... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|The Race}}

====''Legends'' comic====
[[File:Legends Animated Blackarachnia.jpg|thumb|upright=0.4]]
In one of [[Tigatron]]'s dreams, Blackarachnia was among the evil female Transformers who, seeking to kidnap him, fought with the heroic female Transformers guarding him. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 11|Bonus Edition Vol. 11}}

===''Be the Hero'' books===
{{notemultipath}}
====''Web of Deception''====
Blackarachnia hired Lockdown in an attempt to get her revenge on Optimus, paying the bounty hunter to abduct the Autobot and tie him to a bomb next to one of the arachnids whose organic material had contaminated her. She believed that detonating the bomb would fuse Optimus and the spider into a similar techno-organic form. Luckily she didn't get the chance to test her theory, as before she could set off the bomb, the rest of the Autobots and a couple of small humans caught up with her.

In one possible outcome, Lockdown got a better offer from a safari hunter, and captured Blackarachnia to be taken to the [[Kvi Cluster]]. {{storylink|Web of Deception}}

===''The Cool'' comic===
[[File:BlackarachniaTheCoolDominatrix01.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.4|''Bow chika wow wooowww!'']]

Blackarachnia was part of Megatron's band of Decepticons, chasing down the Autobots who had rediscovered the long-lost Allspark. She was visibly frustrated when Megatron along with the Autobots disappeared through a Space Bridge gate. {{storylink|The Cool Extra issue 3}}

Upon arriving on [[Earth]], Blackarachnia joined [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] and [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] in attacking [[Detroit]]. Transforming from spider to robot mode, she came swinging down from the sky to attack [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] in an attempt to seize the [[AllSpark#Animated|AllSpark]]. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 1}}

Later, she finally caught up with her old flame, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] for a long-overdue conversation. She announced her plans to use [[AllSpark Key|the key]] to cure her body, but Optimus refused to let her, calling her "Elita-1" in the process. Incensed at being called that, she demanded Optimus explain why he abandoned her to die years ago. Optimus told her that he and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel]] immediately formed a rescue party but were unable to find her. Breaking free from her webbing, Optimus then vowed to help her find a cure for her condition no matter what.

Blackarachnia was moved by Optimus's words until [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] arrived and interrupted their tender moment. Before she could consider the offer, [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] seized her and ordered a retreat. As she flew off with the Decepticon, Optimus repeated his offer to "Elita-1". Blackarachnia reminded him never to call her by that name again, shedding a tear in the process. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 4}}
{{--}}

===Precursor World===
A [[Primus Vanguard|Warrior of the Seven Lights]] resembling Elita-1 was a member of the [[Yellow Order]]. She was defeated alongside her commander [[Optimus Prime (Universe)|Yellow Splendid Convoy]] when the [[G1 World|dimension hopping]] [[Seacon (BW)|pirate]] [[Scylla]] arrived at the [[Yellow Planet]] to plunder the [[Matrix Gauntlet|Yellow Matrix]]. {{Storylink|God Neptune comic 1}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===Transformers Animated: ''Action Packs''===
{{note|Blackarachnia is featured as a playable game card. She is a black card, has a value of 7 points, and has the following power: "+3 to all females in play."}} {{storylink|Transformers Animated: Action Packs}}

==Toys==
===''Animated''===
[[File:Ani-toy Blackarachnia.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|I promise... not... to kill you! SPIDAAAAAAAH]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Deluxe Class, 2008)
**''Takara ID number:'' '''TA-09'''
**''Accessories'': Grapnel-hook
{{toydesigner|[[Eric Siebenaler]] (Hasbro), [[Alex Kubalsky]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Derrick J. Wyatt]] (concept artist)}}

:Part of the second wave of Hasbro's ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' Deluxes, Blackarachnia transforms into a mechanical spider with some organic aesthetic. Many of her pointier parts are [[For safety reasons|molded in softer plastic]] to keep unfortunate children from putting their eyes out. She comes with a [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/grapnel grapnel] [[Retractable string gimmick|hook accessory]] with a jointed claw at the end of it; pulling out the string then pressing a button o the base's top quickly pulls the string back in. It may be mounted under her abdomen in spider mode or on her back in robot mode, via two different sets of pegs. There is also a peg hole in each wrist, for [[Spider-Man|web-slinging]] action.

: The spider's head is mis-transformed in the package, making the first step of her instructions initially confusing. Furthermore, the pedipalps will easily come off if manipulated too much, and her transformation requires that they be turned around completely. Because of this, they will often fall off over, and over, and ''over''....

: Blackarachnia was released in the first wave of Takara's ''Animated'' line in 2010. Oddly, despite the sheer amount of metallic paint applied to virtually every other toy in the first few waves, Takara Blackarachnia is nearly identical to the Hasbro version, down to the gold Decepticon symbol on her collar.

: This toy was later [[repurposing|repurposed]] as the [[Blackarachnia (BW)#2005 IDW continuity|IDW incarnation of Blackarachnia]], and was remolded and given a ''Beast Wars'' cartoon-accurate deco for the [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Legends|''Legends'' toy]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm More information on Blackarachnia at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Prime2pack}}
*'''The Revenge of Blackarachnia''' (2-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories'': Grapnel-hook

: The Blackarachnia toy was released again in a [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] two-pack with the "Battle Damaged" [[Optimus Prime (Animated)#DVDpack|Optimus Prime from the DVD 2-pack with Megatron]]. Both toys are identical to their original releases.

==Merchandise==
===Microbots Collection===
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Capsule, 2010)
: Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. released Blackarachnia and 5 other Animated characters as small PVC figures in the Microbots Collection, a series of capsule toys.
::*''[http://www.shmax.com/part_details/21853 More information on Blackarachnia at shmax.com]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:AniBlackarachniaPromoModel.jpg|right|thumb|Black belly is, like, so last season.]]
*In the original bible, the Elita-1 backstory does not exist, with Blackarachnia instead presented as Catwoman to Optimus Prime's [[Batman]]. The original character arc was that Optimus would get Blackarachnia to accept herself instead of considering herself a freak, but it would subvert audience expectations with her deciding she was superior to other Transformers, thus plotting to kill and replace them all with technorganics.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160923144431/http://www.allspark.com/2016/09/transformers-animated-story-bible-never-seen-before Allspark.com: "Transformers Animated Story Bible – Never Seen Before!" (via the Internet Archive)]</ref> Shades of this alternate characterization can be seen in the original press kit for the cartoon, which explains that Blackarachnia's techno-organic state was caused by "an encounter with the [[AllSpark|ALLSPARK]]" in the past.
*A non-final [[character model]] for Blackarachnia is included in the initial ''Transformers Animated'' press kit from [[Cartoon Network]], is used briefly (in silhouette) for her first appearance in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", and appears on the Deluxe figure's packaging. Though the toy shares the non-final model's spider-leg placement in robot mode, black belly, dark purple skin, and yellow Decepticon symbol, the rest of the toy adheres much more closely to the finished model.
*Blackarachnia is the only major ''Animated'' character not to have [[stock footage|a detailed on-screen transformation]].
*As Elita-1, her head is based on the pony-tailed Ariel, the younger form of [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]], while her body's ornamentation homages Elita One herself.
*According to [[Derrick J. Wyatt]], Elita-1's [[alternate mode]] is a "Cybertronian car".<ref>[https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21975298&postID=2344351953813555694&isPopup=true Derrick Wyatt on Blogger]</ref>
*Blackarachnia has a [[mouthplate|faceplate]], seen in ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival|The Arrival]]'' issues [[Dispatches|#1]] and [[The Arrival issue 4|#4]], but never in the show itself.
*The credits for "Megatron Rising" [[Megatron Rising - Part 1|Parts 1]] [[Megatron Rising - Part 2|and 2]] spell her name as "Black Arachnia".
*In the Japanese dub, Blackarachnia is played by [[Ryōka Yuzuki]], who also voiced ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. She plays this incarnation much the same, importing her unique verbal tic: a hissing ''chā'' (チャー) noise to end all sentences.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blackarachnia''' (ブラックアラクニア ''Burakkuarakunia''), '''Elita One''' (エリータワン ''Erīta Wan'')
*''Russian:'' '''Chërnaya Vdova''' (Чёрная Вдова, "Black Widow"), '''Elita-1''' (Элита-1), '''Elita Odin''' (Элита Один, "Elita One")

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated Autobots]]
[[Category:Animated Decepticons]]
[[Category:Animated Predacons]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Predacon leaders]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:Yellow Order]]

Fusion cannon

2023-03-29T06:51:52Z

Ducktimus: /* Aligned continuity family */ redirect broken allspark.com link to archive.org

[[File:MTMtE Part3 ExtinctiontoallTraitors.jpg|upright=2|thumb|A release of lubricant is quite common when seeing this.]]
The '''fusion cannon''' is [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]]'s signature [[weapon]]. It is attached to his right arm and is devastatingly powerful, as demonstrated by its [[Decapitation|sudden removal]] of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s head. (It's at least as powerful as [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s [[:File:Fortmaxgiveshead.jpg|hands]] in comparison.) It strikes fear into the [[spark]]s of both [[Autobot]]s and the [[Decepticon]]s, though this description and its actual destructive capacity [[To sell toys|seems strangely uneven]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
{{noteukonly}}
''Transporting the [[Autobot]] [[Overlord (rank)|Overlord]] to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] in the early days of the [[Great War (G1)|war]], [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], and [[Nightstalker (G1)|Nightstalker]] were attacked by shock troops from the near-destroyed [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]]'s military. During the ensuing battle, Megatron salvaged a fusion cannon from a fallen warrior and returned fire.'' {{storylink|State Games}}

[[File:Addstarscreamtothedamagereport.jpg|left|upright=1.0|thumb|Hey-o!]]
Upon arriving on [[Earth]], Megatron considered that the power of his fusion cannon gave him the edge against any potential treachery from [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} Indeed, when Starscream tested his patience shortly afterwards, Megatron blasted him with it, then went on to wreak his vengeance against the five remaining Autobots left standing, even blowing off Optimus Prime's arm with it. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[File:Shockwave megatron the worse of two evils.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9]]
After [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] took control of the Decepticons, Megatron challenged him for leadership and blasted him with the fusion cannon across [[Oregon]] into [[Vallemont]]. It didn't help, as Shockwave soundly defeated Megatron and retained control of the faction. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} Megatron then led a large portion of the Decepticon troops to seize the apparently unguarded [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] but hadn't counted on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], whose wing shields were made of a hyper-dense crystalline alloy that was impervious to Megatron's fusion cannon. With his troops falling around him, it was only thanks to [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] that Megatron was able to escape and regain control of the Decepticons. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''While on a hunt for Optimus Prime, the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] betrayed Megatron. [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] stole Megatron's fusion cannon and the Predacons left Megatron to fight Optimus Prime with only his small backup gun. Megatron opened a [[space bridge]] which pulled both him and Prime to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] where Megatron got a new fusion cannon. It is unknown what Divebomb did with the original.'' {{storylink|...The Harder They Die!}}

[[File:Megatron predacons gone but not forgotten.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]
Shockwave and the Predacons weren't quite done with Megatron just yet, however, as they conspired behind his back ''once more'' to wrest control of the Decepticons from him as the Decepticons moved to their [[Club Con|new base]] in the [[Florida Keys]]. Ambushed by the Predacons as he awaited his transport, Megatron lost his fusion cannon in the ensuing battle, but recovered it in time to defeat [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] in front of Shockwave and discover his treachery. Unfortunately, Megatron's increasing instability got the better of him when he summoned the space bridge to him and then shot it with his fusion cannon, leading to both his (and its) disappearance. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}}

[[File:Megatron galvatron cannons altered image.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
''Later, a [[Straxus (G1)|clone of Megatron]] fought against the [[time travel]]ling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and after an initial scuffle, insisted that they finish the battle by pitting fusion cannon against [[particle cannon]]. Unfortunately for the Megatron clone, Galvatron then transformed into his space cannon mode and blasted a building, collapsing it on top of his opponent, before persuading him to form a temporary alliance.'' {{storylink|Altered Image!}}
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=====Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic=====
As part of an agreement with [[Cobra]], Megatron's body was rebuilt to resemble an [[Earth]]-design tank with his fusion cannon replaced by a [[rail gun]]. {{storylink|Realignments}}

====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
{{listen|Fusion Cannon Fire.ogg|Fusion cannon|Megatron's fusion cannon from the Generation 1 cartoon.|14 KB}}
During a battle with the Autobots and Decepticons [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s fusion cannon was fired twice, destroying an oil rig and trapping various Autobots and humans. It was then fired once more to ignite the [[oil]] and create an enormous conflagration {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

When the Decepticons invaded [[Sherman Dam]] the fusion cannon appeared again, and was fired into the roof. When the Autobots showed up, it was fired at [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots, but unlike the ceiling, they dodged the blast. A battle then ensued between Optimus Prime and Megatron on top of the dam, but the fusion cannon was missing at this point (Prime tackled Megatron, so maybe that's why), and Megatron was forced to use his [[energon mace]], instead. Fortunately, he got the cannon back by the time he returned to his base. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

The fusion cannon once more came in handy when Megatron fired it to escape a collapsed [[Ruby crystal mines of Burma|ruby crystal mine in Burma.]] After the debacle at the mine, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] got a little bit rebellious and tried to shoot Megatron. But deflected the blast with a [[force field]] projected from the fusion cannon, then blasted Starscream in the shoulder (causing no visible damage) to punish him.

All this nonsense was leading to the Decepticons trying to escape Earth. They needed some rocket fuel, so the Autobots tried to trap them with a fake rocket base—but Megatron knew better and double-bluffed them. The fusion cannon was fired once at the Autobots' fake rocket base to make the double-bluff more convincing. It reappeared at the final battle outside the Decepticon space ship. Despite trying to blast Optimus Prime the fusion cannon was shot off Megatron's arm by Prime's [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]]. Megatron (seemingly) retrieved it before boarding his space cruiser. Starscream played up again, and Megatron put the cannon down to give Starscream a chance to prove himself, a chance that was foiled by [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]]—so Megatron picked up the fusion cannon once more and used it to punish Starscream again before the space cruiser crashed. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

So after that defeat the Decepticons didn't show up for a few months, when they did Megatron used his fusion cannon again in a battle against Optimus Prime at a solar energy plant, firing several times before being flipped by the fusion cannon by Prime! Megatron retaliated by punching Prime in the... uhh... gut, with the cannon. The Decepticons then took the energon they stole from the plant to the [[space bridge]]. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] was spotted spying on them, and Megatron fired four times, missing on all four. He racked up even more misses in a later battle inside a cave where he fired no less than nine times and missed every single time. The cannon did manage to destroy a nice rock formation, though. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}}

When the Decepticons invaded a science lab to steal an [[antimatter]] formula the Autobots tried to stop them and Megatron fired at the Autobots (and their [[hologram]]s) about six times, managing to destroy a floor and a wall, but no Autobots. The anti-matter formula was then used to power-up Megatron's gun mode, but not his fusion cannon. {{storylink|Roll for It}}

After Optimus Prime was injured the Decepticons pressed an attack on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Megatron fired his cannon six times during the battle, even managing to actually hit [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], blasting him out of the air. Optimus Prime (now repaired!) then showed up and the cannon shot him, rather ineffectually. It was then knocked off Megatron's arm and was useless for the rest of the battle. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

At the [[Arctic|North Pole]] (or thereabouts), during another battle with Optimus Prime where the fusion cannon was used to shoot Optimus in the back it was once again knocked off. This time it was knocked off by a shard of crystal thrown by Prime. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

Another day, another fight at a dam. This time Megatron hooked up his fusion cannon directly to the dam as a power source. He proclaimed that the Autobots would now witness the power of his fusion cannon (actually mentioning it by name) and blasted the side of a cliff face (which was weakened by [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s [[Earthquake (event)|earthquake]] powers), collapsing it and dumping the Autobots into the river. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

[[File:Brawnfusioncannon.jpg|thumb|left|Meet the Soldier.]]
The fusion cannon's next job was blasting another hole, this time to create an entrance to a Mayan pyramid. It was then used at a battle to collect some gun-building materials where it became something of a football. First Megatron shot [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] in the chest, knocking the Autobot over. Then Brawn knocked the cannon off Megatron's arm and fired it himself hitting Megatron and knocking him over, but the kickback from the blast knocked Brawn over (again). Finally [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] retrieved the gun for Megatron and another shot was fired at Brawn, but no one had to fall down this time because the shot missed.

Back at the Mayan pyramid Megatron used the fusion cannon to cause a distraction for the Autobots by blasting a mountainside twice and causing an avalanche. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (episode)|Fire on the Mountain}}

Then there was the time Megatron tried to bring [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to Earth. Remember that? The fusion cannon was present throughout Megatron's machinations. But its most notable actions were during an Autobot invasion where a single underwater blast from the cannon enveloped Optimus Prime, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and Bumblebee (but didn't kill any of them), repeated (about six) shots fired during a Decepticon attack on the Ark (one of which hit Prime in the back) and a single shot at the battle at Megatron's giant space bridge. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}}

Megatron's environment-destroying plan saw the Decepticons getting trapped in their own base, so used the fusion cannon to blast yet another hole in a wall to escape. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} The subsequent fight at Megatron's energon transport ship also saw the fusion cannon fired, this time twice (didn't hit anything, though.){{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} Despite the energon ship exploding, neither Megatron nor the fusion cannon were destroyed and Megatron employed his signature gun again in a battle outside Archeville's lab. (This is the same battle where Megatron says, "I always hit what I aim for," which one has to assume at this stage is slight hyperbole.) {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

During an incident with the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] Megatron fired twice at the Autobots, then took his fusion cannon with him to an oil refinery where the Decepticons were collecting some energon. For whatever reason, Megatron took his cannon off and propped it against a wall while he was there, but fortunately he put it back on when the Autobots showed up. Fortunately because, without it, he couldn't have fired off two (unsuccessful) shots, then covered his retreat by using the fusion cannon to set fire to an [[oil tanker]]. {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}}

As we know, all Transformers (or at least Decepticons) get their special powers from [[power chip rectifier]]s, so when Megatron was preparing for a one-on-one duel with Optimus Prime he took the chips from all his fellow Decepticons into himself. During the duel this allowed him to fire cluster bombs from his fusion cannon; but Megatron still used what appeared to be three normal fusion cannon blasts to finish off Prime during the battle. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

[[File:TFTM Ironhide dies.jpg|thumb|''Yeah, I know this actually is a scope, but can you play dead, at least? Are you a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] or something?'']]
An attempted coup from [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] is another matter. The shots continuously bounced off his armor and Megatron had to resort to a 5-way fistfight with Starscream, [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] as an alternative. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} By [[2005]], Megatron's fusion cannon was far more powerful than it was twenty years earlier in that was able to kill a ship-load of Autobots, including Ironhide. Megatron lost his fusion cannon in his final battle with Optimus Prime, and the weapon needed to be carried by Rumble as the Decepticons fled. When Megatron was reformatted by [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] into [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], his fusion cannon was remade alongside its wielder, being transformed into an arguably far more effective [[particle cannon]], which he promptly used to kill Starscream. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{-}}

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga=====
[[File:MegatronMilitary.jpg|upright=1.00|thumb|Can we have a Green Lantern / Transformers crossover now?]]
The '''[[Megatron Corps]]''' (メガトロン軍団 ''Megatron Gundan'') are a horde of six [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] clones created by [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] to overwhelm the [[Autobot]]s. Each clone is gifted with a unique Fusion Cannon and they are capable of combining their blasts into a single devastating attack, called the self-explanatory "Combined Fusion Cannon attack." No member of the Megatron Corps is gifted with sentient intelligence, however, as they are all controlled by the will of Galvatron who was, in reality, the original Megatron before his upgrade from [[Unicron]]. Galvatron would keep this hidden by also posing as a Megatron Clone... using a Particle Cannon instead of a Fusion Cannon.

As soon as Galvatron lost control over the Megatron Corps in a fight with [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]], the clones lost all their power and were easily disposed of. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #2}}
{{-}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
{{Wingsnote}}
Megatron clone [[Megaplex]] brandished a fusion cannon as a secondary weapon. {{storylink|Termination}}

[[Squadron X]] survivors [[Ferak]] and [[Tornado]] escaped [[Torax Prime]] aboard a modified escape pod, refitting it with warp thrusters, [[proton bomb]]s, and a small fusion cannon. The pod, however, was no match for the firepower of an Autobot [[Vanguard-class Deep Space Interceptor|Vanguard class]] fighter. {{storylink|Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur}}

=====''Deviations''=====
After Megatron had been slain in the [[Battle of Autobot City]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] retrieved the fusion cannon from the corpse as proof of his passing for the other Decepticons. Claiming the weapon for himself, the fusion cannon was upgraded along with Starscream when Unicron reformatted the new Decepticon emperor into "Megascream" and was ultimately destroyed with him. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

====''Earthquake''====
Megatron's '''nuclear-charged fusion cannon''' was, as usual, the [[Decepticon leader]]'s weapon of choice. In one notable scenario, Megatron turned the weapon on [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when he discovered they were plotting to overthrow him. {{storylink|Earthquake (book)|Earthquake}}
{{-}}

====''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''====
Having defeated Megatron, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] ripped the fusion cannon from his arm and used it to destroy the [[SPS Satellite]]. It supposedly was the only thing the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], [[Cobra]], [[Autobot]], and [[Decepticon]] troops gathered at [[Cobra Island]] had that could reach something in space. Thereafter, the fusion cannon was brought to [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s first fusion cannon was a gift from [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}} Ironically, Megatron decided to pay him back a few million years later by blowing a huge hole in his torso. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}} Whenever they met in combat, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] would ''always'' go for Megatron's cannon arm. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} During their battle in [[Brasnya]], a well-aimed shot from Optimus destroyed the weapon. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}} During a showdown in [[New York City]], Optimus Prime ripped the fusion cannon off Megatron's arm and beat him with it until it broke. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

When he returned in a new body, Megatron had replaced his trademark cannon with a [[rail gun]]. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|Enemy Mine}} The change didn't last long, as he went back to the trusty ol' fusion cannon for his next body. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} After he surrendered and joined the Autobots, Optimus Prime had him dissolve his fusion cannon in acid as a symbol of giving up on the war. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}} When [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] built him a new one in preparation for the [[Decepticon Justice Division|DJD's]] attack on [[Necroworld]], Megatron rejected it at first. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|At Close of Day}} Upon learning that [[Fool's Energon]] was nothing more than a placebo and seeing [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] getting ripped in twain by [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]], Megatron attached the weapon to his arm and waded into the battlefield, slaughtering Decepticons with renewed vigor. Megatron demanded Tarn come face him in battle, but a well-placed shot by [[Nickel]] and [[Vos (G1)|Vos]] damaged the cannon, rendering it unusable. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|Rage, Rage}} Despite this, Megatron kept it attached to his arm, even after the battle was over. When Ravage succumbed to his injuries, Megatron flew into a rage, refusing to part with the weapon and even threatening the Autobots; [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]]'s arrival, however, prompted Megatron to detach the cannon without hesitation. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

The fusion cannon had been made from the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s teleport chamber. Following its destruction, Brainstorm turned it back into a makeshift teleport "den". {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}}

As leader of the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], Tarn sported a ''double'' fusion cannon. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} In their final confrontation on [[Necroworld]], Megatron ripped the weapon off with ease, mocking Tarn for his zealotry. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

[[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] also possessed a fusion cannon while on [[Earth]]. He mockingly compared it to [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]]'s pistol when the Autobot tried to arrest him. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above...So Below}} During Galvatron's final stand in the atmosphere of [[Jupiter]], [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] overloaded the weapon, causing an explosion that grievously damaged his right side. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|No Fair Fights}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
Fusion cannons were among [[the Rise]]'s armory. Megatron regarded one for a moment before he used it as a bludgeon against [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Three}} After the Decepticons had taken over the [[Senate]] and murdered [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Megatron affixed a fusion cannon to his arm. When [[Termagax]] came to denounce what the Ascenticons had become, she mocked Megatron's cannon who responded by opening fire on her, discovering that his mentor was but a drone. {{storylink|War World: Awakenings|Awakenings}}

When [[Exarchon]] returned, Megatron met with the Threefold Spark in [[Flatline (G1)|Flatline]]'s body. After some false pleasantries, Megatron fired a blast from his cannon at Exarchon, sending him tumbling back into [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]'s lethal touch. {{storylink|War's End Part Three}} Not long afterwards, Megatron removed his cannon to grapple with Optimus Prime only to reattach it after [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] intimidated the Decepticons into letting the Autobots pass. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
The fusion cannon was Megatron's primary weapon. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' webpage]</ref> An "[[Particle cannon|ultra]]" version of the fusion cannon was one of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s weapons and powers. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
After doing some maintenance on the fusion cannon, Megatron threatened to turn its power on Shockwave after his chief scientist gave him lip. {{storylink|Siege episode 3}} After [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] had deceived the Decepticons, Megatron fired a point-blank round from his cannon that killed the Autobot commander. {{storylink|Siege episode 4}}

====''My Little Pony/Transformers''====
When the Decepticon/[[Changeling]] alliance marched on the [[Crystal Empire]], Megatron used his fusion cannon to blast a hole in the castle wall. During the battle that followed, he attempted to use it to exterminate [[Discord (MLP)|Discord]] and the [[Wonderbolt]]s before [[Twilight Sparkle]] used her [[magic]] to block the weapon. {{storylink|Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|Finale}}

====''Transformers/Back to the Future''====
In the original timeline, the Decepticons had been all but destroyed by the Autobots. When [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] called that he had secured the [[DeLorean time machine]], a critically damaged Megatron used his cannon to blast an entrance into [[Doc Brown]]'s laboratory. When he tried to execute the human however, the overworked weapon finally gave out, falling to pieces when Megatron opened fire. Witnessing this, Rumble decided to win the Great War retroactively.

Travelling back to 1974 to build his strength and bounty of energon, Rumble reactivated the ''Ark'' passengers with Megatron turning his fusion cannon on the inert Autobots and the temporally anomalous Rumble. When the Decepticon data cruncher [[Gigawatt]] later scanned the DeLorean and tried to flee, Megatron managed to shoot him directly in the [[flux capacitor]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
When [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] broke into the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', he had [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] turn the ship's fusion cannon against the [[Maximal]]s. A precise shot from [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] disabled the fusion cannon, causing a power surge that jammed the door controls. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

A powerful fusion cannon was installed on the underbelly of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. Though a formidable weapon, it required a full charge from the ship's fusion reactor to fire. Megatron first used the weapon to destroy the former [[Vok]] emissary [[Tigerhawk]]. When the ''Nemesis'' sailed over the new [[anthropoid]] settlement, Megatron, over [[Dinobot II|Dinobot]]'s advice, turned the fusion cannon on the anthropoids but only succeeded in killing [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] and [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]]. This meant the fusion cannon needed time to recharge when the ''Nemesis'' arrived above the ''Ark''. Though Megatron bought the time for the weapon to recharge, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] slammed [[Autobot Shuttle Omega Delta]] through the ''Nemesis''{{'}}s coning tower before the Predacon could fire. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}

====''Beast Machines''====
[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s personal chariot [[Mechatron]] comes equipped with a fusion cannon to nullify any accursed [[Maximal]] that it comes across.

===Live-action film series continuity===
[[File:Movie Megatron fusion cannon.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Back in the day when he needed both hands to hold/use it.]]
[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]'s fusion cannon is one of the most powerful weapons known to Transformers. Drawing energy from an unknown interdimensional source, the fusion cannon fires gamma-irradiated plasma at a target.<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bios at Hasbro.com]</ref> It is also mentioned on [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s toy packaging that he also carries a fusion cannon; presumably it is the blue glowing laser weapon on his left arm, though it is obviously much smaller than Megatron's.

[[File:ROTF Megatron fusion cannon.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|Hey, I can see Starscream's house from here. *fires*]]
Megatron's cannon is presumably telescopic, as he keeps a pair of smaller, pistol-like cannons in each arm when not in use that combine to form one larger cannon. Its powerful blast is enough to send another Transformer flying back three city blocks. Megatron used it on several occasions, most notably to injure [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and to knock [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] into a building. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

After his resurrection, Megatron still possessed his fusion cannon, but in a more compact form from which he could now access with his [[Death-lock pincer]], a lobster-like blade. A point blank shot can still send another Transformer flying back several football fields. During his battle with Optimus Prime in a forest, Megatron used the fusion cannon to knock the Autobot leader backward after shattering his [[mouthplate]]. Later, after impaling Optimus with the bladed pincer, Megatron finished the job by firing the fusion cannon right through Optimus. During the final battle in [[Egypt]], Megatron used the fusion cannon to shoot down a military helicopter. Following his resurrection, Optimus turned the fusion cannon against Megatron, blowing off ''half of his face'' and then severing it and Megatron's arm off with his [[Dual Energon Swords|Energon sword]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

[[File:DOTM-MegatronLincoln.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|Megatron unleashes his inner John Wilkes Booth.]]
Megatron later adopted a hand held fusion cannon that resembled a stockless shotgun. He used it to cripple [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] before he was decapitated and Optimus used the weapon to slay the ancient Prime. The deed done, Optimus threw it down in disgust. {{storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}

[[File:TLK Megatron fires.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|I have my arm-mounted cannon. Y'all happy now?]]
When Galvatron resumed his identity as Megatron, his new body possessed a new fusion cannon mounted on his right forearm. In addition to powerful energy bolts, the cannon could also act as flamethrower. It was separated from Megatron when Optimus Prime severed his right arm... again. {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}
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===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[File:Mission Accomplished Starscream death 3.jpg|left|thumb|Given time, Starscream may simply develop an immunity to the cannon. Then again, maybe not.]]
[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]'s iconic cannon served admirably as a cutting torch when Megatron sought to gain access to the [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Autobots' ship]].<ref>Use of sound-effects from the original cartoon only served to enhance the weapon's coolness.</ref> {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} After Megatron's revival, his newly rebuilt fusion cannon proved even more effective against the Autobot ship by knocking it clean out of the sky in under a minute with some help from [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]]. It also has an optical targeting lens... [[Stock footage|sometimes]]. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}} It was instrumental in repeatedly killing the newly-immortal [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}} and was effectively used in the capture of Bulkhead. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

Eventually, it and his other miscellaneous weapons were removed when he was captured by [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]'s internal defenses. Optimus Prime discovered painfully that Megatron was not as weak without it as he had hoped. {{storylink|TransWarped}} Megatron later restored it to its rightful place on his arm, and used it as his primary weapon when he fought Optimus in the air. It survived the explosion of a [[Lugnut Supreme]], despite being damaged. Megatron shot Optimus Prime with it again, but this time it was ineffective, and [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] destroyed it with [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus's]] [[Magnus Hammer]]. {{storylink|Endgame, Part II}}

Notably Megatron, despite always precisely hitting Starscream, rarely manages to aim correctly when facing the Autobots. The writers were likely reluctant to [[The Transformers: The Movie|have half the cast atomized in the space of five seconds]], but to be fair, Starscream was unsurprisingly at point blank range for nearly every shot.
{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
High Commander [[Megatron (TransTech)|Megatron]]'s main weapon was his '''Tetra-Singularity Fusion Cannon''', a weapon that harnessed a small black hole as its power source and had no equal in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/13}} It has only been fired at full power [[Liege Maximo|once]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 24|''TransTech'' Megatron's profile}}

===''Shattered Glass'' continuity family===
====Fun Publications ''Shattered Glass'' continuity====
'''[[Rumbler (SG)|Rumbler]]''' was [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]]'s loyal sidearm. He was [[Roller (G1)|a semi-sentient drone]] in the shape of a fusion cannon. {{storylink|Do Over}}

[[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] later gained a '''Quantum Fusion Cannon''' upon his transformation into Nova Prime. {{storylink|Optimus Prime (SG)#NovaPrime|''Timelines'' Nova Prime profile card}}

====IDW ''Shattered Glass'' continuity====
During the final battle against the Decepticons on Earth, [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] used his [[ion blaster]] to disable Megatron's fusion cannon. {{storylink|Shattered Glass issue 2|Shattered Glass #2}}

===Aligned continuity family===
The Fusion Cannon could tap into interdimensional power sources to blast through almost any armor. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] had one, {{storylink|Bio|Megatron's Battle Bio}} and so did [[The Fallen]] when he was Megatronus.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121228172927/http://www.allspark.com/content/view/7430/20/ AllSpark.com description of BotCon 2010 Hasbro designers' panel (via the Internet Archive)]</ref>

====''Prime'' cartoon====
Megatron's fortress of [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]] was armed with several fusion cannons. When a human army military force arrived at the fortress to wage a counterattack on the Decepticons, Megatron had one of the cannons fired at them, annihilating the humans and destroying the nearby abandoned city of [[Jasper]] in the process. Megatron warned [[William Fowler|Fowler]] that further human interference would result in the fusion cannons being turned on several major cities, including Washington, D.C. {{storylink|Darkmount, NV}} When [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] arrived on Earth and reunited the majority of [[Team Prime]], {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}} he and Fowler resolved to disable the fusion cannons before destroying Darkmount with the help of Earth's military. While [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] created a distraction at the base of the fortress, [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] attempted to sneak into the fortress to disable the cannons, but when met with heavy resistance, Magnus took matters into his own hands and mounted a one-bot assault on the cannons. He was stopped by Megatron, and though the Autobots were all captured, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s arrival quickly resulted in the fusion cannons being crippled, and then destroyed by Fowler's [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystriker]]s. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}}
[[File:PrimeMegatronFusioncannon.JPG|thumb|right|upright]]
Megatron himself also had a fusion cannon<ref>Though unnamed in the series, it was named as such in the toyline.</ref> on his right arm, which seemed to be a standard arm-mounted energon cannon simply enhanced by [[Dark Energon]], but he promptly abandoned it when he got [[Liege Maximo|a dead Prime]]'s arm to replace his own in order to activate the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] to create the arguably more ''effective'' [[Dark Star Saber]]. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} Later, however, he lost that arm {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}} and got his original arm back along with his fusion cannon. {{storylink|Darkmount, NV}} He was still able to use the Dark Star Saber with his fusion cannon arm in a final battle with the Autobots. {{storylink|Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock}} After being killed, he lost it again upon being resurrected by [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]], though he was able to access ''two'' [[Dark Energon]] cannons that were also extremely effective. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

When the Autobots prepared to face the Chaos Bringer, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] took stock of the arsenal aboard the [[Trypticon (WFC)|''Nemesis'']], which included a complement of fusion cannons. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
Attached to his right arm, [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]]'s fusion cannon was his primary weapon, doubling as the main weapon of his tank mode. The weapon could be charged for more devastating attacks. {{storylink|Bad Moon Rising}}

During Megatron's travels across the [[multiverse]], {{storylink|The Judge (episode)|The Judge}} he upgraded his weapon into a double-barrelled cannon. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe IV}} {{storylink|Silent Strike}}

====Alternate universe====
In another reality, when [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] refused to stand with [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|Megatron]], the tyrant fired a point-blank fusion cannon round at the newly minted Prime, fatally wounding him. {{storylink|The Other One}}

==Games==
====''War for Cybertron''====
[[File:WFC_Bazooka_Fusion_Cannon.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
Megatron's precious cannon fired explosive charges into the faces of his enemies. Oddly enough, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] could also use one.

'''Carried by:''' [[Leader (WFC)|Leaders]], Megatron
*Damage: 10
*Range: 9
*Accuracy: 7
*Rate of Fire: 4

====''Transformers Devastation''====
The Fusion Cannon is a [[Grenade launcher|Grenade Launcher]] class weapon that can be unlocked by beating the game on any difficulty. When aiming, it will create a shield that blocks damage from the front. It can be equipped by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]].

Megatron, of course, uses the Fusion Cannon as his primary weapon. He's also able to use the Fusion Cannon to create a forceful but harmless energy waves to fling his enemies away from him.

Another variant, "Fusion Cannon (Mod)", instead works like a shotgun; as one can guess, this variant is based on movieverse Megatron's fusion shotgun, down to its appearance. This weapon lacks the aforementioned shield function.

==Toys==
===Megatrons with Fusion Cannons===
[[File:Megatron_G1_toys.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|So many Fusion Cannons, so few targets.]]
:As the Fusion Cannon is Megatron's signature weapon, we at the wiki quickly realized that posting ''every'' instance of a Megatron with a Fusion Cannon would be perhaps a bit much. Not to mention, it would be shorter to list those who didn't have one. For brevity, and sanity, the following Megatrons ''(Megatronii?)'' are commonly known to carry Fusion Cannons into combat on their toys and merchandise:
:
*[[Megatron (G1)/toys|The Generation 1 incarnation]], which covers the Megatron found in [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|the original cartoon]], and [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|IDW's line of comics]], among others.
*[[Megatron (Movie)/toys|The live-action film incarnation]], featured in four out of the five major movies.
*[[Megatron (Animated)|The ''Animated'' incarnation]].
*[[Megatron (WFC)/toys|The Aligned incarnation]], featured in several video games, novels and Transformers Prime.
*[[The Fallen/toys#Robots in Disguise .282015.29|Megatronus]], while not a Megatron, always has a Fusion Cannon in the 2015 ''[[The Fallen#2015 Robots in Disguise cartoon|Robots in Disguise]]'' franchise.
*[[Megatron (Cyberverse)|The ''Cyberverse'' incarnation]].
:
:Meanwhile, the following toys either feature one-shot ''(continuity wise)'' Megatrons with Fusion Cannons, or other characters with toys who have been issued Fusion Cannons:

{{-}}

===''Beast Machines''===
[[File:BM Mechatron toy red version.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Mechatron''' (Beast Rider, 2000)
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles
: Mechatron features a central fusion cannon.

*'''Mechatron''' (Beast Rider, 2001)
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles
:Later on, Mechatron was given a [[Variant|running change]] [[redeco]] into a shocking purple, yellow, and copper coloration, though the packaging was not changed in any way to reflect this.
{{-}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:Timelinestoy-NovaPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I don't feel like I fit in here.]]
*'''Nova Prime''' (Deluxe, 2015)
:While he didn't have one as [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]], the redeemed former leader of the [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|evil Autobots]] wound up receiving a Quantum Fusion Cannon from his benefactor [[Unicron/Shattered Glass|Unicron]]. It does look a lot like the Ion Blaster his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Deluxe|heroic counterpart]] has, though.
{{-}}

===''United''===
[[File:Unitedtoy-DarksideMegatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Darkside Optimus Prime & Darkside Megatron''' (Deluxe Class two-pack, 2011)
**''Accessories'': Cannon/missile launcher, energy-blast missile
:Part of a [[Tokyo Toy Show|Tokyo Toy Show 2011]]-[[exclusive]] ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' two-pack with [[Darkside Optimus Prime (United)|Darkside Optimus Prime]], [[Darkside Megatron]] is a [[Black repaint|black]] [[redeco]] of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations:]] [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)#Toys|War for Cybertron]]'' [[Megatron (WFC)/toys#Toys|Megatron]]. Megatron's spring-loaded Fusion Cannon can still attach to either arm.
{{-}}

===''Dark of the Moon''===
[[File:DOTMtoy-SentinelPrimeVoyager.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I don't belong here eithe— [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|well, actually...]]]]
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' MechTech Boom Lift/Fusion cannon
:Sentinel's voyager figure comes with a [[MechTech]] weapon that converts from his vehicle mode boom lift into a big ol' fusion cannon, named as such on the packaging. ''Why'' Sentinel has a fusion cannon isn't explained; maybe he ganked it from Megatron?
{{-}}

===''Age of Extinction''===
[[File:Lost Age AD-02 Optimus Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I don't think I belong here, either.''(TakaraTomy version pictured)'']]
*'''Evasion Mode Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2014)
*'''Evolution 2-Pack Optimus Prime''' (Voyager Two-Pack, 2014)
*'''Optimus Prime & Grimlock''' (Platinum Edition Voyager 2-pack, 2014)
*'''Optimus Prime Battle Damage Color''' (Milk Magazine exclusive, 2014)
*'''Rusty Ver. Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2014)
*'''Gold Classic Optimus Prime''' (Battle Command Campaign, 2014)
*'''Autobots United''' (Platinum Edition 5-pack, 2014)
*'''Breakout Battle''' (Platinum Edition, 2014)
:A weapon based on Megatron's hand held Fusion Shotgun (named Ion Cannon) is available with this Optimus Prime and his redecoes. The said weapon can also attach to ''Dark of the Moon'' Voyager Class Megatron's hands.

::''See also: [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys 6|''Movie The Best'' Optimus Prime]]''
{{-}}

===''Knights of Unicron''===
[[File:KOU-toy Megatron.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Possibly the most unlikely Megatron ever.]]
*'''Megatron''' (Knights of Unicron Reunion Tour Set, 2014)
**Accessories'': clear purple missile, Fusion Cannon
:''[[Knights of Unicron (band)|Knights of Unicron]]'' Megatron is a redeco of ''Thrilling 30'' Deluxe Class Megatron, transforming from a rocker-themed Cybertronian self-propelled gun into a rocker-themed robot. Yes, he still has the Fusion Cannon.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers Trading Card Game===
*'''Fusion Cannon of Megatron'''
:As a part of the games first wave a rare upgrade was made of the fusion cannon. When equipped to Megatron it provides pierce 3. The card was also re released with different art as a part of the Energon Edition set.

==Notes==
[[File:G1 megatron weapons instructions.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
*Neither Generation 1 Megatron's [[toy]] [[instructions]] nor his [[packaging]] [[bio]] make any reference to his fusion cannon. In the instructions, what we would recognise as his "fusion cannon" is labelled as a "3-piece telescopic sight" and the user is directed to "slide sight onto black mount on robot's right arm". Instead, his robot mode weapon is labelled a "high density infrared [[laser cannon]]", referring to the chromed silver gun he came with, while his sight, stock and silencer could be combined into a "[[particle beam cannon]]" and the sight and silencer could differently combine with Megatron himself to form a "telescopic laser cannon". Correspondingly, his packaging bio refers to his primary weapon as the "particle beam cannon".<ref name=G1pack>Generation 1 Megatron's original on-package bio [http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/techspecs/decepticon/1984/ts_megatron.jpg (scan at BotchTheCrab.com)]</ref>
[[File:MegatronAntimatterUK.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|...or you could do that instead, sure.]]
*His Generation 1 on-package bio also mentioned he can "link up interdimensionally to a [[black hole]] and use [[Antimatter|anti-matter]] from it for use as a weapon," without elaborating further.<ref name=G1pack/> This, however, is a truncated version of the full bio provided to ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' writers and later published in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]'', which explains that his ''cannon'' draws on the antimatter as a power source.<ref>Generation 1 Megatron's extended bio [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/printerfriendly.php?char=Megatron (transcription at NTFA.net)]</ref> Apparently working from the shortened version, [[Simon Furman]] wrote [[Raiders of the Last Ark|two]] [[Resurrection!|stories]] in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK comics]] where Megatron channeled the antimatter through his body, unleashing it through his hands the first time and through his eyes the second time. It manifested as a black, starry cloud that caused explosions. A similar situation occurred in the cartoon. Megatron was never shown to possess antimatter-channeling abilities, but he was shown to possess an anti-matter blaster in "[[Enter the Nightbird]]". Like every Decepticon weapon in the cartoon, it produced a purple laserbeam, though one that "absorbed" energy. The fusion cannon-power-source interpretation has never featured in a story.
*The deep percussive note at the beginning of the iconic fusion cannon sound effect (used throughout Generation 1 and ''Animated'') is an old "stock" sound used frequently in American animation, most notably within {{w|Hanna-Barbera}}'s ''{{w|Scooby Doo}}'' where it was used to signify cast members or objects falling on the ground, running into walls, etc.
*According to the [[Transformers (Mystery of Convoy)|''Transformers: Mystery of Convoy'' strategy guide]], Megatron's fusion cannon functions as a flame thrower. No wonder he got defeated easily.
**Megatron's cannon in ''The Last Knight'' functioned as a flamethrower in one scene, possibly alluding to this... or following the "rule of cool".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Yūgō Cannon Hō''' (融合カノン砲, "Fusion Cannon Gun")

==See also==
*[[Fusion weaponry]]
*[[Rumbler (SG)|Rumbler]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Animated weapons]]
[[Category:Beast Machines weapons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars weapons]]
[[Category:Cannons]]
[[Category:Cyberverse weapons]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon weapons]]
[[Category:EarthSpark weapons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 weapons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 weapons]]
[[Category:Movie weapons]]
[[Category:Prime weapons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen weapons]]
[[Category:The Last Knight weapons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron weapons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe weapons]]

Kibble

2023-03-29T06:37:18Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

[[File:Kibblerhinox.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Rhinox photographed from behind, showcasing the several large pieces of rhinoceros hanging loosely from his body.]]
'''Kibble''' is a feature of many Transformers, both in [[Toy|their toys]] and in their animation/comic designs. In its modern usage (see below for earlier meanings) it refers to pieces which have no clear purpose in one mode but are there only because they are part of another mode. In most cases, "kibble" is used to refer to pieces of the character's [[alternate mode]] which "hang" or stick out in their [[robot mode]]. Sometimes these pieces are there as a matter of aesthetics, and sometimes it's simply because there wasn't any place better to put the stuff.

Much less frequently, the word is used to refer to "robot parts" which are badly hidden in an altmode. This is most common in figures with aircraft altmodes, where whole limbs or compressed torsos were left exposed on the underside. In this case, the term ''undercarriage junk'' is more often used. During the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]] era, the term was also applied to any figure with robot mode limbs hanging from underneath the animal mode shell.

Parts of one mode which are merely ''visible'' in other modes are not necessarily kibble. For example, an altmode part which is well-integrated into the robot's form—like the front of a car or truck that becomes a character's chest—is not kibble because it is an integral part of the robot's body, rather than being "tacked on".

When "kibble" entered the Transfan lexicon, it had a different meaning, and referred to a Transformer's accessories and detachable parts which had nowhere to go when not attached/worn/held. This meaning has almost, if not completely, disappeared from use, except perhaps in the context of "combiner kibble", parts used only by combined robots, generally hands and feet.

==Examples of kibble==
[[File:Kibbleprowl.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Prowl's car door "wings" are kibble, and so are his removable missiles and launchers.]]

Although it was most prominent during the [[Beast Era]] and the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]], kibble has been a part of ''Transformers'' from the very beginning. [[Prowl (G1)/toys|The original Prowl]], for example, has car doors that stick out behind his shoulders. The doors have no purpose in robot mode. They are not part of his actual body; they are just there, serving as decoration, but otherwise pointless. Those doors are kibble.

In the robot modes of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Decepticon Jet]] toys, the jet's nosecone and tailfins are also kibble. The jet wings, despite being one of the Seekers' most prominent features, are kibble as well because they are not needed for the robot mode. In the old sense of the word, their fists can also be considered kibble since they are removed for jet mode yet do not store anywhere in said mode.

As noted, "kibble" as a term became more prominent during ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]''. Many toys had "panels" of beast mode, and sometimes whole beast limbs, just kind of pulling aside to reveal robot parts underneath, the beast bits just hanging off the robot mode. While many toys managed to make this at least semi-graceful-looking, turning panels into something akin to armor plating... some... not so much. (See below.)
{{-}}

==Connotation==
[[File:Bigconvoy shell.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|It really is two toys in one.]]

Kibble is usually only brought up when it is being used derisively. Indeed, kibble often has a negative impact on a toy. It can restrict movement by getting in the way, it can make a toy unbalanced if it is too concentrated in one part of the body such as a "backpack", and it can simply make the robot look like a purely humanoid robot that has car or animal parts stuck to it, rather than being a robot ''composed of'' car or animal parts.

Some of the most infamous examples of excessive beast kibble on robot modes come from the ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' toyline. Many of the new-mold ''Neo'' toys are very kibble heavy, with "panels" of beast skin attached to the robot body by swiveling rods. Some toys, like [[Break]] and [[Big Convoy]] (pictured) have almost their ''entire'' beast mode as kibble that is not actually integrated into their robot modes ''at all''. While no line since has been as widely egregious in its use of this style of transformation, some toys did still suffer from the problem, such as [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] from ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots/Robots in Disguise]]''. {{See|Shellformer}}

However, kibble serves an important purpose in Transformer design, often giving characters distinctive or interesting silhouettes. As mentioned above, the airplane wings on the Seekers' backs, as well as the doors on Prowl, are among their most memorable features. They look "cool" even if they are not integrated into the robot body. Thus, kibble is not an intrinsically bad thing. Most Transformers have it, and it may even be seen as an integral part of some characters' designs. Actually, if all kibble was removed from most Transformers, they would pretty much look like stick figures.

Some kibble can also serve a purpose in the fiction even if it has no purpose on the toy. For example, [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Animated Wreck-Gar's]] backpack: on the toy it's just most of his garbage truck mode folded up on his back, but on the show it holds a phenomenal amount of junk that Wreck-Gar can pull out and use, often for comedic effect.

{{-}}

==Origin of the term==
[[File:Kibblecombiner.jpg|thumb|upright=.75|"Combiner kibble." These pieces have nowhere to go while Superion is broken up into his smaller components.]]
Google's archive of the Transformers newsgroup [[alt.toys.transformers]] indicates that the first time the word "kibble" was applied to Transformers was in February 1996, when a poster named Lizard coined the term "combiner kibble" to refer to the the removable heads, feet, and fists of Generation 1 [[combiner]] toys (right), which had no place to store when the combiner was disassembled, and had to be set aside.<ref>"Now, if only there was a convenient place to store "Combiner Kibble" - all the hands, feet, chestplates, etc, that go into making a combiner..." - [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/ea0978924f203ee7?dmode=source&hl=en&output=gplain Quoted text in <3122E99A.19BB@texas.net>], Feb 1996</ref> The term went on to creep into use by other posters over the following year as a way of referring to non-storeable parts and accessories. Reflecting on the term years later, Lizard said: "The word comes from, of course, pet food — I guess I felt the plethora of small pieces of Transformers detritus strongly resembled the little bits of cat food batted all over the kitchen."

Posts from user Dave Ricter the following year provide the first archived examples of the modern definition of the word, which Richter used to refer to extraneous alternate mode parts on the robot modes of ''Beast Wars'' figures, first in January 1997<ref>"In [[beast mode]], he looks great from head on, but the abdomen (made out of robot legs and jointed squid kibble) doesn't look too solid if viewed from the side." - [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/e087c89d29ba5c97?dmode=source&hl=en&output=gplain <32F023AC.397A@virginia.edu>], 29 Jan 1997</ref> then again in March.<ref>"...you've got to put the animal kibble somewhere. This is standard TF fare; look at all the T-rex bitz Grimlock has hanging off his back." - [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/376dcb3652135228?dmode=source&hl=en&output=gplain <33237FCB.656E@virginia.edu>], 9 Mar 1997</ref>

ATT archives show that the two definitions were used sparingly but interchangeably over the next year. Usage became widespread in 1999, whereupon the original "detachable parts" definition was quickly forgotten; by the end of the year, the term was clearly understood by the community to mean extraneous alternate mode parts visible in robot mode.<ref>"It means pieces of the alternate mode ([[Beast mode]], [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]) being not only visible, but actually hanging off the robot body. IE the Doors hanging off of Prowl's shoulders, and the Crab Legs/Claws on Rampage's robot mode. They are not part of an anthropomorphic robot, hence they are kibble." - [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/0caa8c898d45586d?dmode=source&hl=en&output=gplain <19991109002603.08548.00002231@ng-fg1.aol.com>], 9 Nov 1999)</ref> That definition remains unchanged today, with the original "detachable parts" meaning unused and all-but-forgotten, likely because it's very unusual for modern Transformers toys to ''not'' integrate or store all their parts in all modes.
{{-}}

=="Faux-parts"==
{{anchor|faux-parts}}
[[File:PowermasterPrime fauxparts.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|Powermaster Optimus Prime's cab robot has a fake truck chest, while the real truck parts end up on his back.]]
There is a related phenomenon with no generally accepted name, in which a toy's robot mode has obvious elements of its alternate mode showing (usually in the chest area), which are ''not actually'' parts of the toy's alt mode, but facsimiles, while the actual alt mode parts store away somewhere else on the toy. This typically happens when the toy is based on an existing design with prominent elements of its alternate mode present in robot mode, but due to budget, size or other reasons, the [[transformation]] could not be designed to reflect the existing design accordingly.

The first and most famous toy to pull this trick was 1988's [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Optimus Prime]] (right). As the first new Optimus Prime toy since the original, it had an entire fake truck-chest to make sure that the figure matched Optimus's already-classic appearance, while the real truck parts wound up on the toy's back. Many subsequent Optimus Prime toys have employed—and continue to employ to this day—similar tricks in order to ensure the character maintains his iconic windshield "pecs" and grill "abs," regardless of where the actual truck parts wind up. In recent years, ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece]]'' toyline has taken this practice to an extreme new level, painstakingly designing figures loaded with faux-parts in order to replicate the appearance of the characters in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original animated series]] as closely as possible.
[[File:TF-2007-Legends-Class-Jazz.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Please ignore the roof. Please.]]
Faux-parts were fairly rare for the franchise's first two decades of life, but beginning with the first [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie]] and ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' in 2007, they have become increasingly more common, as it has become standard practice for Transformers characters to be designed for animation and film ''first'', and for toys to then be created based on those designs, rather than vice versa. The extreme complexity of the live-action movie designs often force design shortcuts, particularly on smaller, simpler figures (witness 2007 Legends-class [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], pictured at left, whose car-bumper chest winds up on his roof in vehicle mode) while the cartoonish designs of ''Animated'' and 2015's ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' often depict details and body-parts deforming in ways that are impossible for a toy to replicate.

Faux-parts may also be used to retain a consistent aesthetic. Notably, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s Transmetal form has a fake beast head on its chest, which isn't drawn from his previous design but is clearly following in the footsteps of the many, ''many'' examples of a beast head fitting on the robot mode's chest that are present in both the toyline and show.
{{--}}

==In fiction==
*In [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|#24]], [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] refers to an [[Ammonite]]'s chest turret as "part of some secondary anatomy", a clear indication for an alt mode.
*In "[[Little Victories]]", [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] admits that he was forced to wear a false wheel by the [[Functionist Council]] to "reassure" the population as to what kind of altmode he had when his true altmode was actually an immobile and unidentifiable object.
*In the [[Functionist Universe]] of "[[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now]]" some transformers would add "conspicuous kibble" to their robot mode, such as a cockpit or microscope, to try to pass themselves off as members of a higher class.
*The [[Monoformer]] [[Demus]] had such a strong aversion to his alternate mode that he had his kibble surgically removed.

==Notes==
*When asked about terms like "kibble" and "faux-parts" and the concepts they refer to in the [[Hasbro Q&A|Q&A]] [[Hasbro Q&A/March 2010|session for March 2010]], [[Hasbro]] confirmed using "many of the same terms that the fans do"—effectively, the names fans came up with provide Hasbro with easy ways to refer to these concepts when they come up as "desired or undesired results" during the design process.<ref name="hasbro0310">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120306180503/http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67971 Allspark.com's answers to the Hasbro Q&A session for March 2010 (via the Internet Archive)]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Toy

2023-03-29T06:34:50Z

Ducktimus: link fixes, redirect broken allspark.com link to archive.org

[[File:Early Sales Concept .jpg|right|upright=1.95|thumb|It's still like this for us.]]
In contrast to most science fiction franchises, '''toys''' are the core of the [[Transformers brand]], its original reason for being. Most ''Transformers'' fiction exists to showcase, spotlight, promote, and, in general, [[To sell toys|sell toys]]. Merchandise and other non-transforming "artifacts" also generally exist in support of the toy lines.

''Transformers'' toys are generally created and marketed as part of a particular "[[franchise]]" (i.e. ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the retroactively-named [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] etc.), a whole merchandising family with associated characters and fiction. However, this article deals with the physical toys themselves, separate from their representation as fictional [[character]]s.

Since the brand debuted in 1984, innumerable Transformer toys have been designed, manufactured and marketed. An exact count is difficult due to the varied nature of the toys (for example, does a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] robot and its partner mini-figure count as one Transformer or two? What about minor [[retool]]s, [[variant]]s and [[giftset]]s?). But even conservative estimates by collectors tend to run into the low thousands.

==Design==
[[File:Concept-ArmadaMegatron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Where the hell do you KEEP that enormous cannon, [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]?]]
[[File:Classics Titanium Cosmos Doncept.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Design concepts for an unproduced ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Deluxe class [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]].]]

Most Transformers are designed as a joint venture between [[Hasbro]] in America, and [[TakaraTomy]] (previously Takara) in Japan. Hasbro typically provides concepts and artistic direction, while Takara(Tomy) handles the engineering tasks of turning the designs into working physical objects. This division of labor is not cut-and-dried, however; the process involves a great deal of back-and-forth communication between the two companies, with staff members from both working in close conjunction and corresponding on a daily basis. The teams travel overseas several times a year to meet in person, alternating between Japan and Rhode Island. The relationship has grown closer and more intense over the years; the two companies now plan their futures together, compromising along the way to meet the differing requirements of their target markets; this includes not only toy designs, but associated storylines as well.<ref name="stoneb">[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/tidbits/botcon2005.txt Steve-o Stonebraker's Botcon 2005 notes]</ref>

The toy design process begins with a range of character types and possible alternate modes. In the days of ''Beast Wars'', for example, a range of about 100 animal forms was considered.<ref name="built1">[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html A guy on the Internet]</ref>

Nearly all ''Transformers'' toys have a minimum of two forms, most commonly a humanoid "robot" form and an [[alternate mode]]. This means that even a fairly simple Transformer is much more complex than the typical action figure. Multiple alternate modes, [[articulation]], and complex transformations can multiply this many times over. TakaraTomy works out the transformation schemes; as of 2002, Takara still did this on paper. Hasbro would then overlay their detailing designs on the drawings. The entire process of taking a toy from concept to finished, mass-produced product takes approximately one year.<ref name="built2">[http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-bc02.html Some random web site]</ref>

Because of their worldwide marketing, Transformers must be designed to meet many widely-varying [[For safety reasons|safety laws]]. This often results in certain limitations, and even changes being made before toys are sold in the highly litigious [[United States of America]] compared to their Japanese releases.

''Related articles:''
{{collist|3|
*[[Alternate mode]]
**[[Licensed vehicle alternate modes]]
*[[Design change]]
*[[Design flaw]]s
*[[Kibble#Faux parts|Faux parts/fake-out bits]]<ref name="Q&A">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120306180503/http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67971 Allspark.com's answers to the Hasbro Q&A session for March 2010 (via the Internet Archive)]</ref>
*[[For safety reasons]]
*[[Hidden reveal]]<ref name="Q&A" />
*[[Instructions]]
*[[Kibble]]
*[[Lockout (toys)|Lockout]]<ref name="Q&A" />
*[[Play pattern]]
*[[Playskool]]
*[[Scale]]
*[[Transformation (toys)]]
**[[Partformer]]
**[[Shellformer]]
*[[Tonka]]
*[[Unreleased toy]]
}}
{{-}}

==Components==
[[File:TF07-Leader-Optimus-Prime.jpg|300px|thumb|Gone are the days when the instructions said, "Flip out rear of vehicle to form legs; pull out arms."]]
Transformer toys contain a "vocabulary" of working parts, joint types, and standardized design items that reappear across many figures. The vast majority are humanoid in their robot mode, and thus require a head, (at least) two arms, two legs and a torso.

The complexity of Transformers toys has grown over time, making several leaps forward during the course of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' and ''Beast Wars'', and then again during the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|Movie]] line. G2 introduced complex posability and the notion of toys that could store or hold all of their accessories in both modes; ''Beast Wars'' made these concepts universal, and featured a number of toys with extremely complicated transformations and a maximum number of ball joints, providing a huge range of articulation. Other toy lines would revisit these levels of complexity, particularly the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] and ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' lines.

''Related articles:''
{{collist|3|
*[[Articulation]] (see also: ''[[Brick (term)|Brick]]'')
*[[Ball joint]]<ref name="Q&A" />
*[[C joint]]
*{{W|Detent}}<ref name="Q&A" />
*[[Double pivot]]<ref name="Q&A" />
*[[Mushroom joint]]<ref name="Q&A" />
*[[Ratchet (mechanism)]]
*[[Slide joint]]
*[[Swivel joint]]
*[[Peg]]
**[[5 mm post]]
}}
{{-}}

==Production/Manufacturing==
[[File:Cyb Prime Mold Plans.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Though the toys are designed in America and Japan through a collaborative process between Takara and Hasbro, most are manufactured in places like China.

The production process is complex and expensive. Before mass production can begin, a hard-copy [[prototype]] must be created. Steel-cut [[mold]]s can then be made; this is by far the most costly part of the process. Once the molds are cut, one or more test shots are typically created, usually in random colors. If the molds are ready, mass production commences.

The expense of cutting molds is the main reason that retools and recolors are such common phenomena in ''Transformers''. [[Redeco]]s allow Hasbro and TakaraTomy to capture a greater return on their considerable investment.

To this day, the number of each Transformers toy produced and distributed at standard retail (as opposed to exclusives) remains a closely-guarded secret.

''Related articles:''
{{collist|3|
*[[For safety reasons]]
*[[Misassembly]]
*[[Mold]]
**[[Gang-molding]]
**[[Retool]]
**[[Variant]]
**[[Sprue]]
*[[Pre Rub]]
*[[Prototype]] (includes test shots)
*[[Quality control]]
*[[Unreleased toy]]
}}
{{-}}

==Materials==
[[File:BTTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|''Alternators/Binaltech'' Tracks. The Takara version uses die-cast metal for added heft, while the Hasbro iteration is all-plastic for added being-able-to-stand-up.]]

The vast majority of the toys are made of plastic, held together with metal screws and pins, along with the occasional adhesive. The plastics used in Transformer construction have generally increased in flexibility and durability over the years, allowing toys to survive child-inflicted trauma that would have destroyed early Generation 1 toys.

Die-cast, used as an accessory material from 1984 to 1986, has been all but abandoned due to its excessive cost, shipping weight and design limitations, though it has reappeared in the fan-oriented ''[[Transformers: Alternators#Binaltech|Binaltech]]'', [[Titanium Series]], and [[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]] sublines.

''Related articles:''

*[[Die-cast]]
*[[Plastic]]
*[[Rubber tires]]
{{-}}

==Common gimmicks==
[[File:Armada airmilitaryteam toys.jpg|right|upright=1.95|thumb|The [[Air Military Mini-Con Team]] from ''Armada''. The gimmicks: micro-size, ability to "Powerlinx" with larger toys, triple-changing, being awesome.]]

As if Transformers weren't complicated enough, Hasbro has seen fit to revitalize and enhance the line constantly with numerous special features, commonly referred to in the fandom as ''gimmicks''. These may range from things as simple as a common decorative theme (such as vacuum metalizing on the [[Transmetal]] toys) to complex mechanisms that drive the entire design of a toy. Gimmicks have been a part of ''Transformers'' from Day 1 and continue to provide the line with diversity and interest today.

{{main|Gimmick}}

''Related articles:''
{{collist|3|
*[[Automorph Technology]]
*[[Autotransformation]]
*[[Combiner]]
*[[Cyber Planet Key]]
*[[Energon star]]
*[[Flipchanger]]
*[[Light-emitting diode]]
*[[Light-piping]]
*[[Mini-Con]]
*[[Missile]]
*[[Motorized movement]]
*[[Pull-back motor]]
*[[Rubsign]]
*[[Soundbox]]
*[[Spark crystal]]
*[[Sparking gimmick]]
*[[Water-squirting gimmick|Water-squirting]]
}}
{{-}}

==Decoration==
[[File:Sentmaxtoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|OTFCC-exclusive Sentinel Maximus, a toy heavily slathered in paint operations.]]
Most Transformers are cast in a small number of plastic colors. To help bring them to life, paint, tampographs, and stickers are commonly used to provide additional color.

Stickers were common during the days of Generation 1, but have mostly dropped out of use due to changing aesthetic tastes and the feasibility of more complex paint operations. Today, [[insignia|faction symbol]]s are typically applied via tampograph, with most other details brought out by paint operations.

''Related articles:''
{{collist|3|
*[[Paint operation]]
*[[Redeco]]
*[[Repaint]] (see also: ''[[Black redeco|Black repaint]]'')
*[[Sticker]]
*[[Tampograph]]
*[[Unpaintable plastic]]
*[[Vacuum metallizing]]
}}
{{-}}

==Marketing==
[[File:BW-MegaPromo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|In the market-driven rush to production, sometimes the wires get a little crossed. This package cross-sell presents toys in color schemes that were never mass-produced. Oops!]]
As awesome as the toys themselves may be, they tend to sell better when they represent fictional characters. The marketing engine that promotes the toys is organized into [[franchise]]s, each encompassing a range of related toys with a storyline built around them. A full-blown, flagship franchise typically features an animated cartoon, and often a comic book series as well. These fictional portrayals may also be a source of considerable income for Hasbro/TakaraTomy, but ultimately they exist [[to sell toys]].

The toy packaging also commonly supports the marketing effort, with [[bio]]s and [[package art]] of the characters, as well as cross-sell ads promoting other toys currently available. Inside the packaging, [[catalog]]s and [[pack-in material]] further market other toys.

''Related articles:''
{{collist|3|
*[[Bio]]
*[[Catalog]]
*[[Commercial]]
*[[Cross-sell]]
*[[Franchise]]
*[[Instructions]]
*[[Package art]]
*[[Pack-in material|Pack-in flyer]]
*[[Robot Point|Robot point]]
*[[Show-accuracy]]
*[[Stock photography]]
*[[Tech Spec]]
*[[To sell toys]]
*[[Trademark]]
}}
{{-}}
==Distribution and retail==
[[File:Movie Allspark Legends pack.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Packaging! It's elegant, sleek, attractive, and lasts for about five seconds.]]
[[File:G1tigertrack toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some toys, like [[Tigertrack]], are exclusive to certain markets.]]

Once the toys are manufactured and packaged, they are shipped from their place of birth in Asia to America. As of 1998, their first destination is a Seattle distribution warehouse. From there, they proceed to the distribution centers for the various chain stores that sell the toys at retail; at that point, control of distribution is out of Hasbro's hands. On average, it takes six to eight weeks from the time the toys ship from Hasbro to their appearance on retail shelves.<ref name="built1"/>

Toy retailers do their best to predict what toys will and won't sell, and order accordingly; however, it is an imperfect process, and slow sellers in one wave of toys can compel a retailer to order fewer toys from the following waves. Retailers are particularly reluctant to order large numbers from the tail-end of a toy line.<ref name="stoneb"/>

Today, the largest distributors of Transformer toys in America are Walmart and Target, though the toys can also be found at many other stores such as Meijer, Kmart, Kohl's, and Walgreens, as well as various regional grocery and drug store chains.

''Related articles:''
{{collist|2|
*[[Packaging]]
**especially [[Multilingual packaging]]
*[[Size class]]
*[[Wave]]
*[[Case]]
**[[Blindpacking]]
**[[Chase figure]]
**[[Shortpacking]]
*[[Rebranding]] and [[subline imprint]]s
*[[Exclusive]]
*[[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]]
*[[Shelfwarmer]]
}}

Common retailers of Transformer toys:
{{collist|3|
*[[e-HOBBY]]
*[[Hasbro Toy Shop]]
*[[JUSCO]]
*[[KB Toys]] (defunct)
*[[Kmart]]
*[[Sam's Club]]
*[[Target]]
*[[Toys"R"Us]] (defunct)
*[[Walmart]]
*[[Market six]]
}}
{{-}}
==Secondary market==
[[File:FortMax eBay get a life.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.95|You'll need to sell your arm, your leg and your kidney to buy this guy.]]

In Transformers fandom, "secondary market" refers to the buying and selling of used toys. The original, stereotypical secondary market was the old-fashioned garage sale—you know, the one where your mom sold all your G1 toys for ten bucks while you were off in college.

The secondary market among fans began with internet auctions, primarily on [[alt.toys.transformers]] in the early 1990s. By the late '90s, ATT's primacy as a marketplace had been supplanted by eBay and various fan-run sites. Buyers and sellers also found a bonanza of opportunities at [[BotCon]], with thousands of toys changing hands over the course of a weekend.

Like any economic market, the secondary market has a life of its own. Older toys can be worth hundreds of dollars, depending on their condition, rarity, and popularity, or they may be worth [[Jumpstarter|next to nothing]]. Most toys from ''Beast Wars'' and later [[franchise]]s tend to be of comparatively lower value, as many adult fans were buying the toys when they were at retail, and have since kept them in pristine or even unopened condition.

''Related articles:''

*[[alt.toys.transformers]]
*[[eBay]]
*[[Fandom]]
*[[Mint in sealed box]]
*[[Toy scalping]]
*[[Toy swapping]]

{{-}}

==Toy aging==
[[File:Pretendermonsters-toys-shellrot.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Split open and melt.]]
Transformer toys are, to put it bluntly, not meant to last forever. They are marketed to a fleeting and transitory age group, with the notion that if they survive a few years, their work is done. Thus collectors who have retained their toys for decades can find some disturbing surprises as their toys age, regardless of how carefully the toys have been stored. Among the most common problems are:

*plastic discoloration — see ''[[Photodegradation]]''
*cracking of [[rubber tires]] and the rubber tubing on [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Generation 1|G1 Shockwave]].
*liquidy deterioration of softer rubbery plastics, such as the [[Pretender Monster]]s' rubber Pretender shells, the nosecone on [[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Generation 1|G1 Cyclonus]], and the tank treads on ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)#Revenge of the Fallen|Bludgeon]]
*chrome flaking, a problem common on the [[Transmetal]] toys — see ''[[Vacuum metallizing]]''.
*embrittlement of poorly-mixed [[plastic]]s that can cause a toy to disintegrate — see ''[[Gold Plastic Syndrome]]''.
*damaged [[Sticker#Pros and cons|stickers]]
*acid damage from keeping batteries inside them too long; this is not a flaw unique to toys, but owners of older figures with electronics should still keep it in mind
{{-}}

==Toys and this site==
[[File:ROTF RPMs Ratchet.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|It's a toy, sure; but is it a ''toy'' toy? In the "toy" sense of the word?]]

Articles on {{SITENAME SHORT}} classify a Transformers product as either a "toy" or "merchandise". For our purposes, a Transformers toy is a scaled-down depiction of a character as it would exist in its fictional universe, with the details and features of the toy meant to represent that fictional character as closely as possible. This excludes many products that do not depict in-story versions of characters. For example, the [[Robot Powered Machines]] from the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen toyline]] are small cars with a representation of their robot mode molded into the bottom of the vehicle. It is not meant to be a toy version of a fictional character that also has their robot mode on the bottom of their vehicle; within the story, there is no character that looks like this. Such toys are listed as "merchandise" for the purposes of the wiki.

Non-transformable Transformer representations (i.e. [[Super Collection Figure]]s, [[Power Bots]], [[Robot Heroes]], [[Transformers R.E.D.|R.E.D.]], [[Transformers ULTIMATES!|ULTIMATES!]], [[Flame Toys|Kuro Kara Kuri]], and many others) are more of a grey area, especially since becoming far more abundant after 2015 or so. In nearly all cases, these items do not depict versions of a character that cannot transform; they do not match a fictional portrayal. Therefore {{SITENAME SHORT}} categorizes such items as "merchandise" instead of "toys."

The main exceptions to this system - the types of non-transforming items that we do list as "toys" - are:
*[[Action Master]]s, non-transforming toys representing characters that in the fictional universe ''are supposed to be'' non-transforming.
*Non-transforming items packaged as accessories with transforming toys and meant to depict in-story interactions; for example, the many gun-mode inclusions of [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Megatron]] with ''[[Masterpiece]]'' toys so they can appear to hold him, or ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Slug figure|micro-figures]] that depict scale differences with [[Ark (G1)#Toys|larger]] [[Unicron/toys#HasLab|characters]].

Beyond toys and toy-like merchandise, {{SITENAME SHORT}} has never seriously attempted to catalogue the far, ''faaaaarrrrrr'' larger spectrum of Transformers merchandise available, such as clothing and apparel, stationery and school supplies, foods, party goods, etc. At this point, it would probably not be possible for us, or anyone, to do so.

{{-}}

==Fiction==
The prohibitions on "host selling" in the U.S. Children's Television Act means that Transformers toys cannot appear in [[Hasbro]]-controlled series. Comics and prose for print and internet are exempt, as are [[TakaraTomy]]-controlled media since no such laws exist in Japan. (As we will see, crafty cartoon writers found a way around this in the U.S.)

===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[File:Bumblebee Fictional Toy Power Struggle.jpg|thumb|right|100px]]
[[Anthony Duranti]] had a toy [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]. {{storylink|Power Struggle}}

===''Beast Wars II'' cartoon===
[[File:BW II e17 Megastorm Galvatron Figure.jpg|thumb|right|150px]]
[[Megastorm]] is seen playing with a [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] action figure (which he can't transform on his own). {{storylink|Who Is the Leader!?}}

===''Cybertron''===
[[Shortround (Cybertron)|Shortround]] was an avid toy collector. He was especially proud of his mint-condition [[Generation 2 Defensor and Menasor]].<ref>Shortround's [[Cyber Key Codes|Cyber Key Code]] information.</ref>

===''Animated'' continuity===
[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari]], [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] were seen playing with toy versions of their compatriots. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II}}

===''Rescue Bots'' cartoon continuity===
[[H.B. Luskey|Mayor Luskey]] had [[Ezra Greene|Doc Greene]] make souvenir [[Rescue Bot]]s made in honor of [[Bot Appreciation Week]]. [[Evan (RB)|Evan]] and [[Myles]] had several of them reprogrammed as mischief makers. {{storylink|All Bots Great and Small}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Vector Prime]] noted that the only Transformers existing in the [[Quadwal]] cluster were non-sentient toys. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:Scavengers_IRL.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"Is this another vision?"]]
Following a series of increasingly implausible misadventures, four of the five Decepticon [[Scavenger (group)|Scavengers]] found that they had somehow been turned into toys, though they were ultimately able to reverse this effect. {{storylink|Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots}}
{{--}}

==External links==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Toys]]

Construct-Bots Builder

2023-03-28T21:29:22Z

Ducktimus: /* External links */ replaced dead link with archive.org mirror

{{picsneeded|game screen}}
{{cleanup|March 28, 2023|Loads of info missing}}
'''Construct-Bots Builder''' is an online flash game made available on the [[Cartoon Network]] website to tie in with the ''[[Construct-Bots]]'' toyline.

=="Gameplay"==
The player is given access to seven Construct-Bot play sets to construct their own custom Transformers character in the "Cybertron construction zone." Despite it "being against protocol," the game encourages the mixing and matching of Decepticon and Autobot parts to create a variety of designs. There is also a "randomize" option that builds a robot for you! Unfortunately, you cannot convert your robot into a vehicle mode. Aww.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140218043127/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/promos/201311_transformers_construct-bots/index.html Archived copy of Construct-Bots Builder on Cartoonnetwork.com], however site no longer functions because it required Adobe Flash Player.
[[Category:Online games]]

Mudslinger (G1)

2023-03-28T20:09:49Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambigr|Mudslinger|the ''Power Core Combiners'' character|Mudslinger (PCC)}}
:''Mudslinger is an [[Autobot]] [[Micromaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Mudslinger cardart.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Everybody says they don't like me, but who do they all come to in election season?"]]

'''Mudslinger''' doesn't respond well to even friendly criticism. He's got a chip on his shoulder bigger than his monster tires, and a need to prove his toughness to the world. Unfortunately, this tends to be in the form of breaking cover and charging headlong into battle when the [[Off Road Patrol]] is supposed to be keeping covert. [[Highjump (G1)|Highjump]] is particularly annoyed by this unprofessional and dangerous behavior, and [[Powertrain]]’s careful attempts to talk to Mudslinger about it have yet to yield any positive result. It’s especially frustrating for the team since Mudslinger is actually very good at camouflage when he puts his mind to it.<ref>''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #4</ref>

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
[[File:Mudslinger king con.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3]]
Alongside the rest of the Off Road Patrol, Mudslinger was summoned to [[Earth]] by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] to serve as reinforcements for the Autobots stationed on the planet. He was as rebellious as the rest of 'em, immediately explaining that the only reason they even came was to get some action. For their first mission, the Off Road Patrol was sent to investigate some supposed "monsters" in the swamps of [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]], and Mudslinger soon stumbled upon the [[Decepticon]]s [[Skullgrin]] and [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]]. Not fearing the larger Transformers one bit, he leapt into action and saved [[Cecilia Santiago]] from their grasp. After he was joined by his teammates, Mudslinger wrecked the weather-control device Skullgrin was guarding, but unfortunately the forces of nature were too far along to stop. Luckily, the [[Race Car Patrol]] were able to stop the Decepticons from collecting the storm's energies in the Big Apple, foiling their plot utterly. After the mission's completion, the Micromasters regrouped at the base of the Empire State Building, where Optimus offered to pick them up, so they could avoid any trouble from the local law enforcement agents. The Micromasters refused Optimus's help, preferring to instead act as an independent unit and deal with such matters their own way. {{storylink|King Con!}}

Both the Race Car Patrol and the Off Road Patrol decided to stay and live in [[New York City]] afterwards. During their stay, the Micromasters began fighting human crime. At one point, Mudslinger served as a prison transport for [[Tailspin]] to throw crooks into. {{storylink|The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 7|New York — A City Sinking in Terror}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 9|The Transformers' Grand Hour: Headmaster of the Dimensions}}}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''Legends'' comic====
Mudslinger was among the Micromasters who founded the planet [[Micro]] under the leadership of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]]. {{Storylink|Transformers 2015 Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter|Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter}} He stood by Hot Rod when he tried to convince [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] to become a Micromaster. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 25|Bonus Edition Vol. 25}}

====''Zone'' story pages====
When [[Star Saber (G1)|Victory Saber]] initiated the "Zone Project", the Off Road Patrol helped rebuild planet [[Micro]] into the new and improved planet Zone. To counter this threat, [[Violengiguar]] began conquering worlds to build his own [[Decepticon Zone]]. All the [[Micromaster]] teams, including the Off Road Patrol, were then mobilized to patrol the galaxy, specifically planets where their special abilities would be most useful. Early on, the Off Road Patrol were sent to scout a rocky, mountainous planet. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}}

Later, [[King Poseidon]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] were sent to conquer the aquatic world of [[Wall]]. The Off Road Patrol engaged them in battle and with the help of Commanders [[Overload (G1)|Overload]], [[Erector (G1)|Erector]], [[Missile Bull]], and [[Skywave]], they emerged triumphant. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 3}}

When the [[Powered Master]]s flew off to the [[Tenth Planet]] for their showdown with Violengiguar, all the Micromaster teams took command of Zone and vowed to keep it safe in their Commander's absence. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 10}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Roadhugger mm2.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Have you really thought that through, son?]]
Created after the launch of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] in a joint venture by the Autobots and [[Decepticon]]s, Mudslinger could be seen hanging out in [[Little Iacon]] with his fellow Micromasters. He was getting a [[tattoo]] from [[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]]. {{storylink|The Gray Race}} Later, he was present during an attack of the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] on the Micromasters. {{storylink|Recipe for Hate}} Finally, Mudslinger partook in a march of the Micromasters to end a battle between Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Victims of the Revolution}}

{{note|Road Hugger appears to be tattooing the [[Blentron]] symbol on Mudslinger's arm. The letters page in "[[Victims of the Revolution]]" explained that it came to Road Hugger in a dream after overindulging on high-grade energon.}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:Spotlight Hardhead Powetrain Mudslinger Tote Highjump.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]

Mudslinger and his fellow Micromasters ambushed [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] when they visited [[Gorlam Prime]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

{{--}}

===''TransTech''===
A version of Mudslinger and the rest of the Off Road Patrol found themselves in [[Axiom Nexus]]. Along with a few other Mudslingers, they joined the [[Sub-Metro Amateur League Lobbing]] competition, but were defeated by the [[Mighty Mechanics]], a team composed of bots named “Fixit”, in the championship. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/28}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:EscapePartTwo-Mudslinger.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66]]
Mudslinger was recruited by Hound to provide security on a procession leading organic civilians away from war-torn Iacon. On the way, he was amused to learn from Nautica that there was such a word as "ambidextrous", and that organics typically weren't. Their procession was attacked the Decepticon Guard, and later independently by the voracious Insecticons. {{storylink|Escape Part Two}} Despite these attacks, they managed to make their way to Darkmount with only mild casualties. {{storylink|Escape Part Three}} A refugee camp was set up outside Darkmount while transportation off-world was being prepared. Before they could escape, however, a full swarm of Insecticon clones arrived to feed. {{storylink|Escape Part Four}} Mudslinger fought alongside the other security forces to save what lives they could. {{storylink|Escape Part Five}}

{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
Mudslinger was among the many Autobot Micromasters unleashed by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] that managed to infiltrate the Decepticons' lair and muck up the place. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Micromaster Patrols|Micromaster Patrols commercial}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}{{anchor|Zone}}
[[File:G1-toy Mudslinger.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Off Road Patrol''' (Micromaster Patrol, [[1988]]/[[1990]])
**''Takara ID number'': '''C-335'''

:Mudslinger transforms into a blue pickup truck of undetermined model with oversized "monster" tires. He was only available in a four-pack with his teammates [[Highjump (G1)|Highjump]], [[Powertrain]], and [[Tote]]. Mudslinger is [[Gang-molding|gang-molded]] with Powertrain, sharing the same plastic colors.

:Together with the [[Air Strike Patrol]] and the [[Race Car Patrol]], the Off Road Patrol was released by Hasbro in late 1988 (basically, a case of "next year product" being released at the end of the old year), in packaging that differed from the "proper" 1989 Micromasters' redesigned packaging (silver cards and boxes featuring an all-new "Transformers" logo) by retaining a variation of the faction-specific color-coded gradient background on the card and featuring a unique "Micro Transformers" title in a variation of the old, pre-1989 "Transformers" logo. This same basic packaging design was also used for Canada (albeit bilingual English/French) and parts of Europe (bilingual French/Dutch, and Italian-only packaging distributed by [[GiG]]). However, a variant of sorts featuring the later 1989 packaging design also exists, and was released (in English-only packaging) in the United Kingdom, where it was sold at Woolworth's stores.

:The Off Road Patrol was sold in Japan a year later as part of the ''Zone'' portion of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1990 (Zone)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'' series, with no notable changes from their [[Hasbro]] releases.

:This sculpt was also redecoed into [[Greasepit (Micromaster)|Greasepit]] and [[Glasspit]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1989/Autobot/Mudslinger/mudslinger.htm More information on Mudslinger at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:W3PrivateMudslinger.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Private Mudslinger, Special Ops-Infiltration''' (2019)
**'''Wave 3: War for Cybertron: Siege I'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T16/T48'''
**''Stars: ''5

:Private Mudslinger, Special Ops-Infiltration is one of forty-eight double-sided character cards available in Wave 3 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], War for Cybertron: Siege I. In order to represent Mudslinger's size as a [[Micromaster]], Private Mudslinger, Special Ops-Infiltration is the size of a battle card, about half the size of a normal character card.
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Leaked product listings for the ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' subline of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' included a "[[Brawn (G1)/toys|Brawn]] & Mudslinger", suggesting that a new toy of Mudslinger was in the works prior to cancelation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service listings breakdown] by Monzo ([[Matthew Karpowich]]) on the Allspark Forums, 2013/11/01 (via the Internet Archive)</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Footdemo''' (フットデモ ''Futtodemo'')
*''French:'' '''Garde-Boue''' (Canada, "Fender")
*''Italian:'' '''Nembo'''

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Gorlam Prime]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Zone Autobots]]

Construct-Bots

2023-03-28T20:09:23Z

Ducktimus: /* External links */ redirect broken links to archive.org, redirect YT link to playlist of relevant videos

[[File:Construct-Bots logo.jpg|center|Construct. Convert. Customize.]]
'''''Construct-Bots''''' is a line of ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]''-themed building toys with interchangeable parts, somewhat similar to ''[[Kre-O]]''. In contrast to Kre-O's brick-based kits, however, Construct-Bots are action figures with a wider range of articulation that can be changed between modes without being disassembled. Elite and higher price-point sets come packaged in a translucent plastic storage tray that highlights key pieces in the set.

Construct-Bots were announced in early [[2013]] in advance of [[Toy Fair 2013|Toy Fair]], and began hitting store shelves later that year. They had a substantial presence at [[BotCon 2013]], featuring prominently in the [[Hasbro]] presentation with much of the line on display, both in stock and custom configurations.

In 2014, the design of the figures was changed markedly; All joints on the figures are now ball-jointed, and their torso superstructure combined the waist and torso and added a spring loaded "spine" part. Figures no longer reuse parts from other models and are more or less totally unique. Most 2014 parts are not compatible with parts from 2013 figures. All ''Beast Hunters'' (barring Predaking) and ''Age of Extinction'' Construct-Bots use the newer design. Unfortunatley, the newer designs used rubberized ball-joint tips which were prone to dry rot after a few years.

Construct-Bots packaging features the pseudo-motto "Construct Convert Customize", highlighting the key features of the line.
*'''Construct''' - Construct-Bots toys are built by attaching body parts, armor pieces, accessories, weapons, joint pieces, and even [[insignia|faction symbols]] to a modular skeleton. The sets are assembled using three types of joints: rubberized [[ball joint]]s, [[5 mm post|5mm pegs and sockets]], and ratcheting clips.
*'''Convert''' - Construct-Bots can be transformed from robot mode to an alternative (e.g., vehicle, animal, etc.) mode. Unlike brick-built Kre-O robots, Construct-bots can be transformed with minimal, if any, reassembly. This reassembly is generally limited to repositioning accessories and weapons using the ratcheting clips or 5mm pegs. Transformations are generally comparable to those of the inner robots of [[Pretender]] toys with various hinged body panels being rearranged to enhance the alternative mode.
*'''Customize''' - A multitude of extra 5 mm pegs, sockets, and bars for the ratcheting clips are provided by the modular skeleton and the various other parts. A single Construct-Bots set can be customized by rearranging the skeleton or rearranging armor parts and accessories (such as by moving wing pieces from the arms to the legs). A Construct-Bots set may be further customized by including or substituting pieces from other sets.

It is not clear what, if any, continuity they fit into. Several characters resemble their [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] namesakes; others take their cues from ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|Age of Extinction]]''.

==Sets==
===2013===
====Scout====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E1:01 [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Ironhide]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E1:02 [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Starscream]]}}
<ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|E1:03 [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Thundercracker]]}}
{{Bp-a1|E1:04 [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Bumblebee]]}}
<ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E1:05 [[Silverbolt (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Silverbolt]]}}
{{Bp-a1|E1:06 [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Cliffjumper]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E1:07 [[Dead End (WFC)#Construct-Bots|Dead End]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E1:08 [[Breakdown (WFC)#Construct-Bots|Breakdown]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Construct-Bots Starscream Stock.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Okay, now we actually DO have toys that look like Bionicle. [[Ruined FOREVER|Happy now,]] [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|Movieverse]] [[GEEWUN|haters?]]]]
|}
{{note|Based on listings revealed from Hasbro's customer service database, the Scout assortment was at one stage planned to also include figures named "Bludgeon" and "Bulkhead".}}
{{-}}

====Elite====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E1:01 [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Wheeljack]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E1:02 [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Soundwave]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E1:03 [[Hound (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Autobot Hound]]}}
{{Bp-a1|E1:04 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Optimus Prime]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E1:05 [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Megatron]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E1:06 [[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Smokescreen]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E1:07 [[Drag Strip (G1)#Construct-Bots|Decepticon Dragstrip]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E1:08 [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Shockwave]]}}
<ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{-}}

====Triple-Changer====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E1:01 [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Bumblebee]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E1:02 [[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Blitzwing]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Construct-bots-blitzwing.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Triple-Changer Blitzwing]]
|}
{{-}}

====Ultimate====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|E1:01 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Optimus Prime]] vs. [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Megatron]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{-}}

====Scout Arsenal Pack====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|E1:02 [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Starscream]]}}
{{Bp-a1|E1:04 [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Bumblebee]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

====Elite Arsenal Pack====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E1:01 [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Wheeljack]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E1:02 [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Soundwave]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{canceledtoy}}
{{note|The Arsenal Packs were to have consisted of previously-released figures with additional weapon accessories. They were revealed by [[Hasbro]] website listings in early 2014, but ultimately failed to materialize.}}
{{-}}

===2014 – ''Beast Hunters''===
Originally mentioned at Toy Fair 2013 as Fall product, the ''Beast Hunters'' line of ''Construct-Bots'' was fully revealed at BotCon 2013 as due for 2014. Like a lot of tail-end ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Beast Hunters (2013)|Beast Hunters]]'' product, these wound up more-or-less unreleased outside of Europe, other than [[Predaking (Prime)#Construct-Bots|Predaking]], who was released in late 2013 as part of the [[Target]]-exclusive ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Exclusives 2|Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising]]'' line.
====Scout====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E2:01 [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#Construct-Bots|Bumblebee]]}}
{{Bp-p2|E2:02 [[Ripclaw#Construct-Bots|Ripclaw]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E2:03 [[Starscream (WFC)/toys#Construct-Bots|Starscream]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{-}}

====Elite====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E2:01 [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Construct-Bots|Optimus Prime]]}}
{{Bp-p2|E2:02 [[Skystalker (Prime)#Construct-Bots|Skystalker]]}}
{{Bp-d1|E2:03 [[Shockwave (WFC)#Construct-Bots|Shockwave]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{-}}

====Triple Team====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|E1:01 [[Megatron (WFC)#Construct-Bots|Unicron Megatron]] with [[Ratbat (WFC)#Construct-Bots|Ratbat]] & [[Barrage (Prime)|Barrage]]}}
{{Bp-a1|E1:02 [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Construct-Bots|Bulkhead]] with [[Airazor (Prime)|Airazor]] & [[Wolfang (Prime)|Wolfang]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{-}}

====Target exclusives====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-p2|[[Predaking (Prime)#Construct-Bots|Predaking]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{note|Part of the ''Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising'' [[subline imprint]], Predaking was sold at the Triple-Changer price point as the lone Construct-Bot release in the store exclusive line.}}
{{-}}

===2014 – ''Age of Extinction''===
Revealed at [[Toy Fair 2014]], the ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|Age of Extinction]]'' tie-in saw the line's format shaken up with the introduction of Dinobot Riders, small figures which can ride the Scout-sized Dinobot figures.
====Dinobot Rider====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Construct-Bots|Optimus Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Construct-Bots|Bumblebee]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Drift (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Autobot Drift]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Lockdown (ROTF)#Construct-Bots|Lockdown]]}}
<ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Crosshairs (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Crosshairs]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hound (Movie)#Construct-Bots|Autobot Hound]]}}
<ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Construct-Bots|Galvatron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Construct-Bots|Starscream]]}}
<ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{canceledtoy}}
{{note|Based on listings revealed from Hasbro's customer service database, Starscream's place in the cancelled third wave of Dinobot Riders was at one stage planned to be occupied by a Shockwave figure.}}
{{-}}

====Dinobot====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E3:01 [[Strafe (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Strafe]]}}
{{Bp-a1|E3:02 [[Grimlock (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Grimlock]]}}
{{Bp-a1|E3:03 [[Slug (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Dinobot Slug]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E1:04 [[Slash (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Dinobot Slash]]}}
{{Bp-a1|E1:05 [[Scorn#Construct-Bots|Scorn]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{note|Based on listings revealed from Hasbro's customer service database, a third wave was at one staged planned for the Dinobots assortment. Only the ''{{w|Rocky (film series)|Rocky}}''-themed pre-production codenames are known for these figures: "Drago", "Apollo", and "Stallion".}}
{{-}}

====Dinobot Warrior====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E1:01 [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Construct-Bots|Optimus Prime]] & [[Gnaw (AOE)|Gnaw]] Dino}}
{{Bp-a1|E1:02 [[Drift (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Autobot Drift]] & [[Roughneck]] Dino}}
{{Bp-d1|E1:03 [[Lockdown (ROTF)#Construct-Bots|Lockdown]] & [[Hangnail]] Dino}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|E1:04 [[Hound (Movie)#Construct-Bots|Autobot Hound]] & [[Wide Load]] Dino}}
{{Bp-a1|E1:05 [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Construct-Bots|Bumblebee]] & [[Nosedive]] Dino}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{note|Based on listings revealed from Hasbro's customer service database, a third wave was at one stage planned for the Dinobot Warriors assortment, featuring Galvatron.}}
{{-}}

====Multi-packs====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Grimlock (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Dinofire Grimlock]] & [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Construct-Bots|Optimus Prime]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{-}}

====Store exclusives====
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Target'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Construct-Bots|Silver Knight Optimus Prime]] & [[Grimlock (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Grimlock]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Walmart'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Construct-Bots|Bumblebee]] vs. [[Stinger (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Decepticon Stinger]] with [[Strafe (AOE)#Construct-Bots|Strafe]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{Note|The Walmart three-pack was also available at Müller stores in Germany.}}
{{-}}

==Media==
===Videos===
A series of videos has been released on Hasbro's ''Construct-Bots'' website and on YouTube, featuring the Construct-Bots in a cartoony tone. These shorts also doubled as commercials for the Construct-Bot toys.

# [[Toys & App TV Commercial]]
# [[Intro!]]
# [[Take Flight!]]
# [[Switcheroo!]]
# [[Bumblebee Speaks!]]
# [[Strength!]]
# [[Grimlock!]]

===Games===
{{main|Online games#Construct-Bots}}
*[[Transformers: Construct-Bots (mobile game)|Construct-Bots]]
*[[Construct-Bots Builder]]

==Notes==
*At [[Toy Fair 2013]], a Hasbro representative referred to the line by the name "Construct-A-Bots", arguing that the faction [[insignia]]s represented an "A". Various online retailers, as well as the online divisions of major brick-and-mortar retailers such as [[Walmart]] and [[Target]], used that name. The "A" is also present on the shipping cases delivered to such retailers. On the other hand, Hasbro's official press releases, placards at [[BotCon 2013]] and [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013 and file names of official promotional [[stock photography|stock photos]] sent to fan sites consistently lacked the "A", instead referring to the line simply as "Construct-Bots". Online retailer Entertainment Earth always used that name, whereas [[BigBadToyStore]] switched from an initial "Construct-A-Bots" to "Construct Bots" (lacking the hyphen). Listings on the [[Toys"R"Us]] website were a mixed bag, with international divisions using the "A" variant on their websites consistently. Listings on the official Hasbro website were ''also'' a mixed bag: While the English language version as well numerous other versions used the more common name "Construct-Bots", some (but not all!) listings used "Construct-A-Bots" for the German and French versions, and the Portuguese versions of some listings even used "Construct A Bots" without hyphens.
*The Construct-Bots ball and socket joint is the same size as those used in the brick-built ''[[Kre-O]]'' sets, allowing for even crazier creations.
*Many of the 5 mm posts are hollow and compatible with [[Mini-Con]] [[Powerlinx|Powerlinx ports]], allowing for even MORE crazier creations.

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130827213658/http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_us/construct-bots/ Hasbro's official Construct-Bots site (via the Internet Archive)]
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiD9SlOmHukVRGcOSI51iH26FyRPHprT3 Playlist of Construct-Bots videos from Hasbro's Transformers YouTube page]
*[http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2013/01/construct-bots/ Hasbro Introduces Construct-Bots: Transformers With Interchangeable Parts! @ wired.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service database "leak" with cancelled Construct-Bots listings at Allspark.com (via the Internet Archive)]

[[Category:Aligned toylines]]
[[Category:Beast Hunters]]
[[Category:Construct-Bots| ]]
[[Category:Construction toys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toylines]]
[[Category:Live-action film series toylines]]

Gnaw (G1)

2023-03-28T20:02:54Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

{{factions|quintesson|decepticon|autobot|quintessonwfc}}
{{disambig3|Gnaw}}
:''Gnaw is a [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Gnaw boxart.jpg|upright=1.8|thumb|Too cute for the Decepticons, too spikey for the Autobots, and expendable by Quintesson standards, a young Gnaw's sense of rejection gave way to overeating.]]

Though he originated as just another [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]], '''Gnaw''' seems to be loyal only to the one who fed him last, be they [[Quintesson]], [[Decepticon]], or even [[Autobot]]. Much like his kin, he is insatiable in appetite and savage in combat. Gnaw's "masters" don't so much give him orders as they do unleash him like a caged tornado that promptly eats its way through the battlefield in a feeding frenzy.

And yet, Gnaw has on occasion shown glimpses of heart and devotion. He has been known to watch over the Autobot [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and seems genuinely loyal to the youngster regardless of suppertime frequency. Gnaw tends to snap at the fingers of any other robot, however.

==Fiction==
===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:WheelieGnaw.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Oh, anyone get the number of that truck that ran me over?"]]
During the [[Great Shutdown]], the [[Quintesson]]s sent swarms of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] for an unknown purpose, possibly to infiltrate and reconquer the planet. Some of them encountered the revived [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], [[Unicron]]'s chief agent. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Gnaw was damaged, presumably in battle with these two, and was abandoned on Cybertron when the other Sharkticons were called home. Following the great revival, an amnesiac Gnaw came across the young Autobot named [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and the two formed a strong bond. Gnaw later followed Wheelie in joining the resistance movement alongside [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and several others. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

Down in one of the tunnels that make up the [[Old Slave Trails]], he saved [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] from the [[Battlecharger]]s in his own... unique style (Tastes great! Less filling!). {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} Gnaw took Prime to his resistance group, but when Prime awoke, his first sight was Gnaw, who he thought was trying to eat him, and attacked. Wheelie took this poorly, and bit Prime's foot. Obviously the little guy and the Sharkticon had been hanging around each other for too long. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Once the misunderstanding had been dealt with, Gnaw was present to witness Optimus Prime unite the Autobot resistance and lead it against Shockwave. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} He was last seen working with Wheelie under [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s command on Cybertron, being assigned perimeter guard duty in anticipation of whatever threat might endanger Cybertron next. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
After accompanying Hot Rod to visit Optimus while he was still off-line and recovering, Gnaw and Wheelie witness their friend being accosted by a group of female Autobots. Gnaw leaped into action to help Hot Rod, but was quickly beaten down. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 11|Generation 1 #11}}

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

Gnaw was a Sharkticon picked up on [[Arkus]] by [[Dead End (BW)|Dead-End]] to keep as a pet. Aboard Dead-End's ship, the ''[[Dinosaur (ship)|Dinosaur]]'', Gnaw was kept in the liquid coolant systems as a secret, where she occasionally visited and sneaked him food over time. Gnaw proved useful when the [[proto-former]] crew mutinied against the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]] command structure. Dead-End needed to shut down the higher brain functions of the ship, which was actually the [[Titan (group)|cityformer]] [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. She unleashed Gnaw to keep the [[Brunt (G1)|Brunt]] tank drone busy long enough to deactivate Trypticon and stop him from killing them.

After Trypticon crashed on the planet [[Metascan Omega|LGC-8803]], the crew retrofitted him as a new colony, Dinosaur City. Gnaw and Dead-End remained behind on the colony as other members of the crew returned to Cybertron. {{storylink|Intersectionality}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
Gnaw was among the Decepticons who aided [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] after his rebirth in [[Unicron]]'s maw, but their assault on the Autobots failed when they were defeated by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]]'s forces. {{storylink|All Hail Galvatron}}

===''Transformers Rising''===
{{Charstubgames}}{{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain (Rising)|Grimlock's New Brain}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Gnaw-Earth-Wars.jpg|thumb|300px|ROWF! RAWWRRRR! *Chomp!* *Nom Nom Nom Nom*]]

Gnaw is unfailingly loyal to whoever's fed him last. Better hope the other side didn't offer a better meal mid-battle! {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Gnaw bio}}

Both the Autobots and the Decepticons recruited a Sharkticon by tuning a Gnaw Crystal to lock onto his signal. He began munching on the Space Bridge he just came through, and Ironhide/Bludgeon tried unsuccessfully to extract him. Bumblebee/Shockwave figured out they could tame him with Energon snacks. He was then later assigned to work with Seaspray/Octopunch. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

On the Autobot's side, [[Seaspray (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Seaspray]] named the new Sharkticon Gnaw, after considering "[[Gnasher]]"™ and "Bite Me". Blaster picked up a Decepti-comm on the coast, and so Seapsray and Gnaw went to invesitigate.

On the Decepticon's side, Gnaw went with [[Octopunch (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Octopunch]] to one of Earth's oceans, waiting to ambush an Autobot. Gnaw didn't seem interested in Octopunch's explanation. ("Nuff, Yaff", he said). Seaspray eventually arrived, but Gnaw leapt out too soon, and Seaspray had enough Energon goodies to make him turn on Octopunch. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Gnaw Decepticon Research}}

*'''Class:''' Special
*'''Star Rating:''' 2 star - 5 star
*'''Weapons:''' Gnaw chomps buildings or breathes acid on them.
*'''Ability: Chomp Chomp Chomp''' - Unleashes four vicious Sharkticons one star rating lower than Gnaw. If any Sharkticons are killed or are active when Gnaw reuses his ability, they will explode.
**'''Cost''': 4 ability points +3 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:gnaw Gnaw at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1-toy Gnaw.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Been hitting the energon goodies too much, have we?]]
*'''Gnaw''' (Decepticon, 1986)
**''Accessories'': Tail, "[[Maceration laser|Maceration Laser]]"
{{toydesigner|[[Floro Dery]] (concept artist)}}

:Gnaw transforms into a rotund, squat-limbed, shark-like monster with [[Vacuum metallizing|chromed]] chompers. His [[beast mode]] tail becomes a mace weapon for [[robot mode]] and is also the most frequently missing piece from many Gnaws on the secondary market.

: There is a minor production variation in the beast mode legs/robot arms; some have two screws holding the light-gray calf/forearms together, while other have three screws. Exciting, we know. Some releases of Gnaw also came with one of four pieces to a ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' poster with glow-in-the-dark elements, advertising the [[Decipher the Decepticon]] contest.

:Though the toy is labeled as "Gnaw", it can be considered either the individual character or one of the countless others of its type. Because of its fictional appearance as mass armies, it is one of the few original-line [[Army-building|army builder]] toys, though it is costly to use it for that purpose.

:In the United States, Gnaw shared his assortment with the [[Predacon (G1)#Toys|Predacon]]s. In Japan, Gnaw was not available as part of the normal retail assortment, despite its semi-prominent fictional appearance. At first, it was a mail-away contest prize in the first wave of the ''[[Beastformers (franchise)|Beastformers]]'' sub-line in 1987, requiring mailing in five filled-in survey forms from ''Beastformers'' toys for a chance to win. It was later made available in limited quantities as a mail-away in 1988, by which time the toyline consisted of the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1988 (Super-God Masterforce)|''Super-God Masterforce'' line-up]]. Rather than any sort of Japanese-original packaging, the figure simply shipped in Hasbro packaging, with only a couple of additional stickers identifiying it as the Japanese market version.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Gnaw/gnaw.htm More information on Gnaw at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TR-toy Gnaw.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Commence Army Building!]]
*'''Gnaw''' (Legends Class, 2016)
**''Accessories'': Tail/mace
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:Part of the third wave of ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Legends Class toys, Gnaw transforms once again into a squat-limbed, shark-like monster. He comes with a mace accessory, which can be wielded by his 5mm hands, or plug onto his beast mode butt as his tail.

:Like all other new-mold ''Titans Returns'' Legends toys, he has a riding compartment for [[Titan Master]]s (and [[Prime Master]]s)... but this one is inside ''his mouth''. Yes, you read that right.

:He was [[redeco]]ed to make two different generic Sharkticons, first in ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Transformers Legends]]'' as "[[Sharkticon (species)#Legends|Sharktron]]", and later in the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' series as a [[Sharkticon (species)#War for Cybertron Trilogy|the only Sharkticon]] in the "Quintesson Pit of Judgement" box set.

:He's extremely short for a humanoid Legends Class figure, coming up to the shoulders of most other robot modes.
{{--}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:SS-toy Gnaw.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"How many would you like to buy?" "Yes."]]
*'''Gnaw''' (Deluxe Class, [[2021]])
**''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''86-08'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SS-70'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[November 27]], 2021
**''Accessories'': Tail mace, fin sword, blaster, "Mockery of Justice" backdrop
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Released to commemorate the 35th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', ''[[Studio Series]]'' Gnaw is a ''mostly'' accurate to the Sharkticons' general appearance in the original cartoon, though he has circular dents where the antennae should be. His tail-mace has a single swivel-joint at the base to give it a bit of articulation. His robot-mode blaster can attach to his beast mode's left side. Sadly, the gun barrel's end is not compatible with [[Fire Blast effect|blast effect]]s. His dorsal fin is attached by a simple [[5 mm post]], and can be removed and held as a knife, though Gnaw's cuffs cause some minor clearance issues.

: Gnaw's backpack comes detached in the packaging, and Gnaw himself is set quite high in the box, with his head often humorously looking down into his chest.

: Gnaw has the honor of being both the first [[Quintesson]]-aligned character released in ''Studio Series'' and the first toy of the character to ''not'' be labeled as a Decepticon. While this is a ''quintessential'' (hahaha) [[Army-building|army-builder]], designer [[Evan Brooks]] has stated that the figure is named Gnaw in reference to the original toy during its [[May 21]] [[Hasbro Pulse#Fan First Friday|Fan First Friday]] reveal.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txGS01bXx9U May 21st, 2021 Fan First Friday]</ref>

: A lot of Gnaw's details appear to be heavily inspired by an older [[Marvel Productions]] model of the Sharkticon, which in turn, is [https://i.imgur.com/6N3U7Ow.jpeg one of two refinded variants of line art] based on [[Floro Dery]]'s [[:File:FloroDerySharkticonNotes.jpg|original designs]]. The final model by [[Toei Animation|Toei]] actually mirrors the [[Allicon]] models (also designed by Toei artists), in that they share the same poses, but aside from those differences the base details remain mostly the same.<ref>[https://i.imgur.com/aqcdKgA.jpeg Toei Sharkticon robot mode models]</ref><ref>[https://i.imgur.com/vVNmo60.jpeg Toei Sharkticon alternate mode models]</ref> Additionally, the heads, shoulders and paint applications ressemble more of the final Toei models, therefore, making Gnaw a combination of both designs.

: As with other ''Studio Series'' toys, the interior of the package forms a diorama display for the figure. In this case, it is the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s' famous "self-invited" entrance at [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]'s execution.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Leaked product listings for the ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' subline of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' included a "Gnaw & Gnash" entry, indicating that a new Legends Class toy of Gnaw was in the works prior to cancellation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service listings breakdown] by Monzo ([[Matthew Karpowich]]) on the Allspark Forums, 2013/11/01 (via the Internet Archive)</ref> It is unknown if this ''Thrilling 30'' figure eventually evolved into the ''Titans Return'' Gnaw figure, or if the latter is a completely separate development.
*''Studio Series'' Gnaw having a blaster accessory is unusual for the scrupulously cartoon-accurate ''Studio Series'' '86, since none of the Sharkticons in the Generation 1 cartoon ever carried firearms.
**This was acknowledged by Evan Brooks during the figure's Fan First Friday reveal, who stated that the blaster was included out of necessity to reference the original Generation 1 Gnaw toy.<ref>Evan Brooks on the May 21 Fan First Friday stated "He comes with the blaster that his G1 toy came with. Wasn't featured in the movie at all, but we just wanted to make sure it was included."</ref>
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Gnaw''' (ノー ''Nō'')
*''French:'' '''Fringalo''' (Canada)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Gāng Yá''' (钢牙, "Steel Teeth")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising characters]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons]]
[[Category:Japanese promotion exclusives]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Quintessons]]
[[Category:Sharkticons]]
[[Category:Studio Series characters]]
[[Category:Titans Return Decepticons]]

Brawn (G1)/toys

2023-03-28T19:52:51Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

{{suite}}

[[File:G1 boxart Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]

'''Brawn''' has many toys. All of them are invincible.

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:G1-toy Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Oh no, he's a Cylon!]]
*'''Brawn''' (Mini-Vehicle, [[1984]]/[[1985]]/[[1986]])
**''Takara ID number'': '''15'''

: ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Brawn was part of the original assortment of Autobot [[Mini Vehicle]]s released in 1984. The mold was first released in 1983 as part of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Micro Change]]'' line, but evidence exists to suggest it was originally designed by defunct American toy company Knickerbocker for the cancelled toyline, ''[[Mysterians]]''. Notably, the ''Micro Change'' version was olive green, the same color depicted in his instructions and used for Brawn's animation design, while his actual ''Transformers'' release is forest green. He transforms into a (somewhat inaccurate) Suzuki Jimny SJ20, with a non-removable spare tire on the roof.

: Brawn inexplicably has the most confirmed variants out of the 1984 Mini Vehicles, due to a change in his robot mode construction, ''three'' different company stamping arrangements on his vehicle back end, and of course the change from foil insignias on the vehicle mode to a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]] in 1985:
:* V1 - Helmet with faceplate & top portions separate from robot chest, "Takara Japan" stamp, foil insignia on hood
:* V2 - Helmet with faceplate & top portions separate from robot chest, "Takara Co Ltd / Japan 1974, 1983" stamp, foil insignia on hood
:* V3 - Entire helmet part of robot chest, "Takara Co Ltd / Japan 1974, 1983" stamp, foil insignia on hood
:* V4 - Entire helmet part of robot chest, "Takara Co Ltd / Japan 1974, 1983" stamp, rubsign on left door
:* V5 - Entire helmet part of robot chest, "Hasbro 1974-1983" stamp added to window, rubsign on left door

: The 1985 Japanese release of "Gong" was sold in a small box instead of on a bubble-card. Only the rubsign variant was available in this market (presumably the final mold variant with the single-piece helmet and Hasbro stamp, but that is not confirmed).

: There are a large number of [[redeco]]es of Brawn in various markets south of the border, which are covered in individual entries below (to reduce the clutter in this one). ''Mostly'' unchanged versions of Brawn were sold in Mexico by [[IGA]] and in Venezuela by [[Rubiplas]]: it's very likely that there are small differences in plastic hues and copyright stampings, and, of course, quality control.

: The Brawn mold was also used to create the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Jipe (Malignus)#Toys|Jipe]], and [[retool]]ed to make [[Outback (G1)#Toys|Outback]] (except in Mexico, where Outback was a straight redeco of Brawn).

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-brawn/15/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Brawn at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Brawn/brawn.htm More information on G1 Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{G1BrawnMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Estrela}}
*'''Jipe''' (Robocar, 1985)

: Released by [[Estrela]] in Brazil, "Jipe" was available in two different colorations: the original toy's green-and-yellow, or tan-and-sand. This release lacks the Autobot symbols, and the remaining robot-detail stickers are of considerably cheaper quality, and rarely left on loose samples.

: Whether or not he is the same character as either the [[Eletrix]] [[Jipe (Eletrix)#Toys|Jipe]] or the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Jipe (Malignus)#Toys|Jipe]] is unknown.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Jipe/jipe.htm More information on Estrela Jipe at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Lynsa}}
*'''Brawn''' (Mini Vehicle, 1986)

: Manufactured by Argentinean company [[Lynsa]] but sold in Peru, Peruvian Brawns lack [[vacuum metallizing|chrome]]. Two different colorations have been confirmed: olive-green-and-cream, and an inverted cream-and-olive-green. It is claimed that there may be ''six'' different versions of Peruvian Brawn all told, with the four others being unique to that market, but no-one has been able to find and confirm the others so far.

{{note|Peruvian company BASA (which eventually changed to HUDE) apparently also (briefly) sold ''Transformers'' in Peru, but these were straight imports of Hasbro Mini Vehicles with a company sticker applied to the packaging.}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Keychain}}
*'''Brawn''' (Keychain, [[2002]]/[[2003]]/[[2007]])

: A keychain version of Brawn was released by [[Hasbro]] licensee [[Fun4All]] as part of the second wave of ''Transformers'' keychains alongside [[Windcharger (G1)#Keychain|Windcharger]]. Though based on the original toy, this is an entirely new set of molds, with a number of small differences throughout (minor proportion differences and generally softer edges), but the most immediately obvious one is the small plastic ring added to the front bumper, which the metal key chain attaches to. The keychains came on pretty close reproductions of their original cardbacks from 1984. These were originally sold in chains like Hot Topic and video game stores, but over the course of several years, found their way even to the racks of Wal-Mart.

: In 2003, Takara released all four of the keychain Minibots ([[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Keychain|Cliffjumper]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Keychain|Bumblebee]], [[Windcharger (G1)#keychain|Windcharger]], and Brawn) as [[7-Eleven]] [[exclusive]]s. They came in [[blindpacking|blind-packed boxes]] so you don't know which one you got until you open 'er up, plus each one could also come in a "[[Chase figure|chase]]" all-black version exclusive to this release. The black deco was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Black Gong|an evil clone]] of Brawn.

: All four keychains were re-released in 2007 under the ''[[Heroes of Cybertron (toyline)|Heroes of Cybertron]]'' banner by [[Basic Fun]] (Fun4All having gone bankrupt in 2004). Sold on new cardbacks with the ''Heroes'' look, these releases are functionally identical to the originals (just the company stamping has changed) except for the actual chain part, which is a different style with an additional black plastic tab attached.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Brawn/brawn.htm More information on keychain Brawn at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/BlackBrawn/brawn.htm More information on black keychain Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
{{anchor|uni2003}}
[[File:OTFCC unreleased Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now we'll never get a new Brawn toy!]]
*'''Autobot Brawn''' (<s>[[2005]]</s>)
**''Accessories'': Crane/cannon, 2-part spare tire/blades, energon star, energon gauntlet

:A retool of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' Energon Class [[Strongarm (Energon)#Toys|Strongarm]] as ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Brawn was part of [[3H Productions]]' proposal for an [[BotCon#Proposed.2FUnreleased exclusives|OTFCC 2005]] convention exclusive set. However, with the financial collapse of 3H Productions in late 2004 and the subsequent transfer of the ''Transformers'' convention license to [[Fun Publications]], all plans for this toy (and its companion piece [[Roadbuster (G1)#Universe (2003)|Roadbuster]]) were scrapped. It would have featured a new head and new snap-on [[Energon weapon]] fists.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:Universe2008 Legends AutobotBrawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|...whoops, scratch that.]]
*'''Brawn''' (Legends Class, [[2008]])
**''Series'': G1 Series
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)}}

:Released in the fourth wave of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] toys, Brawn is a new-sculpt toy of the original Brawn inspired by his [[character model]], transforming into a generic SUV that takes some design cues from a {{w|Land Rover Discovery|Land Rover Discovery}} Series II and a {{w|Jeep Cherokee (XJ)|Jeep Cherokee XJ}} with a bullbar mounted on the front. His spare tire, mounted on his back end in vehicle mode, is actually a free-spinning wheel just like the normal four, and the same size as the front wheels... meaning that, in theory, it could be used as an ''actual'' spare tire.

:Amusingly enough, his [[robot mode]] arms are upside-down inside the packaging, with his shoulders somewhere around hip-level.

:Official [[stock photography|stock photos]] depicting a [[prototype|pre-production sample]] in and out of packaging featured the tires in the same green plastic color as the vehicle shell. They were changed to black plastic for the mass production version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUBrawn/brawn.htm More information on Legends Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkei Minibot Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now available in puke green.]]
*'''Minibot Attack Team''' (Multi-pack, [[2009]])
**''ID number:'' '''C-18'''

:The ''Universe'' Legends Class Brawn was redecoed into ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Gong, using a much more desaturated olive-green base plastic, with brighter yellow chest paint, yet keeping the black face paint due to having the same paint layout as the ''Universe'' version. This is apparently meant more as an homage to his ''[[Micro Change]]'' roots than "just" TakaraTomy wanting to do something different than Hasbro.<ref>[http://www.ntfa.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=4529 The many colors of Brawn] at the NTFA forums</ref>

:Gong was only available in a 3-pack set with [[Beachcomber (G1)#Henkei! Henkei!|Beachcomber]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Cliff]].
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy-BrawnGDO.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|"Could've had the body of my dreams, but ''nooo'', Megatron took me down ''again'', while the other guy proceeded to [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Beast Hunters|steal my colors.]] There's a reason why I'm so grumpy."]]
*'''Brawn''' (Voyager Class, [[2012]])
**''Accessories:'' Energon Battle Mace

:Initially created for release [[exclusive]]ly in China and other Hasbro Asia markets, ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Brawn was to have been a retool and redeco of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#FE|Prime: First Edition]]'' Voyager Class [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Toys|Bulkhead]], and would have featured an all-new Generation 1 Brawn head and green/bronze paint scheme. He would have transformed into a truck, and would have come with an "energon battle mace" that could have either [[5 mm post|peg]]ged into his hands, or replaced one of his hands when either was flipped into his arm, thus switching it out for a wrist peg-hole. The mace itself would have also featured a plain peg-hole at the top, and would have stored in vehicle mode by pegging it onto the trunk.

:This was the only toy that was not included in the massive group of [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusives for US market release in 2012. He was eventually dropped<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/brawn-dropped-from-the-transformers-generations-gdo-voyager-assortment/25764/ "Brawn Dropped from the Transformers Generations GDO Voyager Assortment?" at Seibertron.com]</ref> from the Asian-market case assortments, and his spot was taken by [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generations|Megatron]].

:This version of the mold was eventually released, albeit in different colors, as ''[[Transformers Cloud|Cloud]]'' [[Brawn (Cloud)|Brawn]].
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BrawnKreon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Brawn''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2014)
**''Bag number'': '''33501 35'''
**''Accessories'': Stand brick, large rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the fourth assortment of [[blindpacking|blind-bagged]] [[Kreon]] [[Micro-Changer]]s, Brawn can be rebuilt from a humanoid mode to a kinda land-rovery thing.

: His chest deco is ridiculously detailed and shaded.

: He uses the [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Mirage]] helmet.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/Kre-OBrawn/brawn.htm More information on Brawn at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:Kreon-Class-of-1984-Brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, 2014)
**''Set number'': '''B0090'''
**''Voted'': Class Jock
**''Accessories'': Scoped pistol

: This version of Brawn is in a more toy-accurate olive plastic. He has toy-based [[tampograph]]s like his prior version, but somehow these ended up ''less'' detailed than the Micro-Changer's deco. This version does have the original toy's visor-face, though.

: He was only available in a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014 [[exclusive]] pack of 30 Kreons dubbed the "[[Kreon Class of 1984]]". Remaining stock was to be sold at [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online, only there ''was'' no remaining stock after the show.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OBrawn/brawn.htm More information on Class of 1984 Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TF-Titans-Return-Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Let's see how ''this'' guy can fight against the larger Soundwave.]]
*'''Brawn''' (Titan Master, 2016)
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Brawn is a miniature [[Titan Master]] figure that can transform from a robot into Brawn's head, which can then be attached to Deluxe, Voyager, and Leader Class ''Titans Return'' figures. He is packaged with a hoverbike-ish vehicle that he can ride, which can also transform into a 5 mm gun accessory for a larger figure or combine with Brawn into a caterpillar-tracked jeep. His head in robot mode is based on the faceplated face of his original toy, while the face in his head mode resembles his animation model. Brawn provides the abilities of enhancing the bot's armor, though whether or not he will apply this to their shoulders too is unknown.

:Brawn's vehicle was redecoed into [[Synapse (Legends)#Legends|Synapse]], which came with ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Brainstorm (G1)#LG39|Brainstorm]]. The head was also [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' character [[Muscles]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/TRBrawn/brawn.htm More information on ''Titans Return'' Titan Master Brawn at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TRLegends}}{{anchor|TitansReturnLegends}}
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Legends-Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"The shield? Hey, I needed ''something'' to help protect my [[shoulder]]."]]
*'''Brawn''' (Legends Class, 2017)
**''Accessories'': Shield/Roof
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:The second ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Brawn is a Legends Class mold who transforms from a robot to jeep, inspired by [[#Generation 1|his original Generation 1 toy]]. His roof can detach to become a shield in robot mode, or peg into his back to maintain symmetry, and features a 3 mm port in the centre of the wheel. As with some of the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class figures, Brawn features an opening canopy for his cockpit, which allows any Titan Master figure to ride. You can actually let his Titan Master counterpart ride himself. ''Kinky!'' Due to his construction, Brawn is the only ''Titans Return'' Legends class figure that can transform without needing to remove a Titan Master from his cockpit.

:In a clever touch, unpainted windows are sculpted beneath the vehicle mode storage of the shield, so that the vehicle mode will still look complete even if the accessory [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Classics|is lost]].

:This mold was [[retool]]ed to make ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Outback (G1)#Generations|Outback]].
{{--}}

===''Legends''===
{{anchor|HeadmasterSet}}
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-EX-Headmaster-Set-Gong.jpg|thumb|Just wait. They will release my Legends Class figure some day...]]
*'''Headmaster Set''' (Multi-pack, [[February 19]], [[2017]])
**''ID Number'': '''LG-EX'''

:Released as a Wonder Festival 2017 exclusive, this Headmaster version of Brawn/Gong is a redeco of the [[#Titans Return|Hasbro head mold]], without the vehicle accessory, and features extensive paint apps.

:Gong was released along with [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Legends|Grimlock]], "[[Stylor#Legends|Chromedome]]", "[[Duros#Legends|Hardhead]]", [[Flywheels#Legends|Flywheel]], and "[[Arcana#Legends|Brainstorm]]".

{{-}}{{anchor|LG48}}
[[File:LG48-Gong.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|..."some day" being eight months later.]]
*'''Gong & Repug''' ('''Brawn & Repugnus''')<ref>The packaging says "ゴング&リパッグ" (Gong & Repug) in Japanese, but the accompanying English subtitle is "Brawn & Repugnus".</ref> (Two-pack, [[October 28]], [[2017]])
**''ID Number'': '''LG48'''
**''Accessories'': Shield/roof

:The second ''Legends'' Gong is a redeco of the [[#TitansReturnLegends|Hasbro Legends Class]] toy to resemble his appearances in the ''Generation 1'' cartoon, and he's packaged with [[Repugnus (G1)#Legends|Repug]], who can ride inside Gong.

:Printed on his instructions is the [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 48|Bonus Edition Vol. 48]] of the [[Transformers Legends (comic)|''Legends'' manga]].
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===McDonald's===
[[File:Greenbrawn.JPG|thumb]]
*'''Brawn''' (St. Louis McDonald's promotion, 1985)
{{charstubtoys}}

===''Transformers Milk Caramel''===
[[File:TFcaramel brawn.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Gong''' (1985)

:A soft rubber figurine—known in Japan as a ''keshigomu''— of Brawn was released as part of the first wave of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]'' [[candy toy]] range. He came packaged with chocolate-covered caramel candies, and was available in white, blue, sky blue, yellow, green, and orange. Curiously, the figure was not based on either his toy or [[character model|animation model]] robot mode designs; instead, it depicted him in an entirely different robot form, based on his 4WD alternate mode as it would appear if it transformed in the same manner as Bumblebee and Cliffjumper, going so far as to give him Bumblebee's head! The origin of this strange design is unknown, but it would be seen again in a model kit released by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and [[Seven]] the following year.
{{-}}

===''Transformers Choco''===
[[File:TFchoco brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Gong''' (1985)

:A solid-color, snap-together model kit of Brawn was released by Kabaya as part of their ''[[Transformers Choco]]'' line of candy toys. Essentially a downsized but otherwise broadly identical version of his original toy, the Brawn kit was available in various colors, and came with candy-coated chocolates.
{{-}}

===Decoy===
[[File:G1-toy DecoyBrawn.jpg|thumb|Toy-accurate in one hand, show-accurate in the other.]]{{anchor|TakaraDecoy}}
*'''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)

:Brawn was among the many characters rendered by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as part of their series of 1.5" ''keshigomu'' figurines. Like all the Autobots in the series, Brawn was molded in soft red rubber, and featured a number sculpted into his back that was the sum total of his [[Tech Spec]]s, for use in the various games that could be played with the figurines. Brawn mixes the cartoon model with elements from the original toy (most notably giving him a claw for a right hand).

:Brawn was available as part of a 22-piece box set of Autobot figures, and later, in a peach coloration randomly packed as part of various other box sets.

{{anchor|HasbroDecoy}}
*'''Brawn''' (Decoy, [[1987]])
**''Decoy number'': '''24'''

:The figurine was later brought over to [[Hasbro]] markets as part of the [[Decoy]] promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Decoys/Brawn/brawn.htm More information on Decoy Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Pachi-pla kit===
[[File:Seven modelkit brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them....maybe you can hire The A-Team.]]
*'''Charger and Gong''' (model kit multi-pack, 1986)

:This two-pack of fully-transformable Brawn and Windcharger snap-together model kits were released by Takara and Seven; "pachi" is Japanese onomatopoeia for things which snap together, while "pla" is short for plastic, hence the kit's name. The figures are made from red and black plastic, and were available in two variations that alternated which of the colors was predominant. About the same size as the original figures, the kits are speculated to be unused molds created for ''[[Micro Change]]''. Most notably, this set again makes use of the strange alternate design for Brawn seen previously in the ''Milk Caramel'' line, based on the Bumblebee body complete with Bumblebee's head.

::*''[http://tf-1.com/articles/jtf_frame.php?art=windbrawnkit More information about Brawn and Windcharger at TF-1.com]''
{{-}}

===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W5Brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Brawn, Demolitions''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T11/T46'''
**''Stars: ''5

:Brawn, Demolitions is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card's artwork is based on the ''[[Titans Return (franchise)|Titans Return]]'' Legends-class Brawn toy, with Bot Mode artwork being reused from the toy's packaging art, and original Alt Mode line-art by [[Ken Christiansen]].

:This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Leaked product listings for the ''Thrilling 30'' subline of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#T30|Generations]]'' included a "Brawn & [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]]" entry, indicating that a new Legends Class toy of Brawn was in the works prior to cancellation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service listings breakdown] by Monzo ([[Matthew Karpowich]]) on the Allspark Forums, 2013/11/01 (via the Internet Archive)</ref> It is unknown if this ''Thrilling 30'' toy eventually evolved into the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class Brawn figure, or if the latter is a separate design project.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Titan Masters]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Gnash

2023-03-28T19:52:13Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

{{faction|raptoricon|predacon}}
:''Gnash is a [[Raptoricon]] or [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:TCC70-Gnash.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

[[Thrashclaw]]'s team found '''Gnash''' in an abandoned laboratory on an uncharted planet. With nowhere else to go, the three ex-Decepticons chose to adopt her into their team as they went native, becoming the [[Raptoricon]]s. Since then, she's become the team's muscle: determined, powerful, and fiercely loyal to her rescuers. A 'bot of few words, Gnash treats her [[beast mode]] as an extension of herself, to the point where she's been known to hunt the other life-forms on the planet. Whatever happened to her before her rescue has taken its toll, however, as she runs low on [[energon]] fast and requires extra time in a [[CR chamber|restoration chamber]]. But according to [[Shred]], Gnash is the sweetest dinosaur around when she's in a good mood.

==Fiction==
===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:LifeFindsAWay-Gnash.jpg|thumb|left|200px|InGen was never the same after the Cyberdyne Systems merger.]]

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Life Finds a Way}}}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Gnash was a [[Darksyder]] who died after attempting to scan a [[beast mode]]. Hoping to refine the process, [[Leatherhide (Universe)|Leatherhide]] and [[Labrat]] autopsied her remains along with several other deformed victims of [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s experiments. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}}

==Notes==
*Leaked product listings for the ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' subline of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' included a "[[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]] & Gnash" entry, three years before this Gnash was introduced. Presumably, their shared names are the result of a coincidence.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service listings breakdown] by Monzo ([[Matthew Karpowich]]) on the Allspark Forums, 2013/11/01 (via the Internet Archive)</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Predacons]]
[[Category:Fan Club-original characters]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Transformers]]
[[Category:Prose-only Transformers]]

Neutro

2023-03-28T19:51:00Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

{{factions|autobot|minicon}}
{{disambig2|the G1 Autobot also known as "Groundbuster"|''Robots in Disguise'' Decepticon "Groundbuster"|Groundpounder (RID)}}
:''Neutro is an [[Autobot]] [[Micromaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Neutro cardart.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Neutro reaches out to adjust the vertical.]]

'''Neutro''' (also '''Groundbuster''') is the hardest-working member of the [[Construction Patrol]]. He accepts the destruction of war with stoicism. He secretly longs for the fighting to be over so he can return to his true vocation: interpretive sculpture.<ref>Dreamwave profile in ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #4</ref>

==Fiction==
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''Zone'' toy bio====
Neutro led the [[Construction Patrol|Build Patrol Team]]. {{storylink|#Zone|Build Patrol Team bio}}

====''Legends'' comic====
When [[Dark Nova|Unicron Neo]] attacked the [[Micro|Z Planet]] with [[Violengiguar]], some of the planet's [[Micromaster]]s, including Neutro, send out to defend their home by crawling all over Violengiguar. {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 4: LG-EX Big Powered Prologue Part One|LG-EX Big Powered Prologue Part One}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:Spotlight Hardhead Neutro Crumble Groundpounder Takedown.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8]]
Neutro was one of the legions of [[Dead Universe]] Micromasters who pursued [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] on [[Gorlam Prime]]. He survived to pursue the Autobots into the planet's subterranean caverns, and helped the [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]-possessed Nightbeat dig out after Hardhead triggered a cave-in. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}
{{-}}

===''Regeneration One''===
[[File:Clar macro jungle war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Neutro was part of a team along with [[Groundpounder (G1)|Groundpounder]], [[Takedown]], [[Crumble]], and [[Erector (G1)|Erector]], under the command of [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]], that constructed the Nebulan end of the [[space bridge]] network in the [[Clar Macro-jungle]]. As the freshly-woken [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] fell under the influence of the [[Dark Matrix]] creature and took control of the space bridge network shortly afterwards, Neutro and his team probably perished. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}}
{{-}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
Groundbuster was working with [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]'s search-and-rescue clean-up crew at the devastated site of the memorial crater. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}}

==Commercial appearances==
The Construction Patrol and the [[Hot Rod Patrol]] were faced by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] advancing menacingly upon them. As the Decepticon began to cross a suspension bridge, they destroyed it, sending Scorponok tumbling down. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Hot Rod and Construction Patrol|Hot Rod and Construction Patrol commercial}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}{{anchor|Zone}}
[[File:G1-toy Neutro.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The most astounding super hero of all!]]
*'''Construction Patrol''' (Micromaster Patrol, [[1990]])
**''Takara ID number'': '''C-351'''

:''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Neutro transforms into a mainly yellow bulldozer. He was only available in a four-pack with his teammates [[Crumble#Toys|Crumble]], [[Groundpounder (G1)#Toys|Groundpounder]], and [[Takedown#Toys|Takedown]].

:The Construction Patrol was sold the same year in Japan in the ''Zone'' portion of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Zone|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'' series with no notable changes as the "Build Patrol Team".

::*''[http://tfu.info/1990/Autobot/Neutro/neutro.htm More information on Neutro at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy-Groundbuster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Groundbuster" does not know the difference between right and wrong!]]
*'''Autobot Tailgate & Groundbuster''' (Legends Class, [[2014]])
**''Series / Number'': '''02 / #008'''
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] (Hasbro)}}

:Part of the sixth wave of [[2012]]-onwards ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#T30|Generations]]'' Legends Class toys, ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' "[[Tailgate (G1)#Generations|Autobot Tailgate]]" comes with "Groundbuster" (name changed due to [[trademark]] unavailability). He transforms into a robot, a bomb disposal skid loader,<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96686-generations-legends-targetmaster-moulds/?p=2423893 Designer Joe Kyde on "The Allspark" messageboard, 2013/11/10]</ref><ref>[https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96686-generations-legends-targetmaster-moulds/page-2#entry2424505 Designer Joe Kyde on "The Allspark" messageboard, 2013/11/11]</ref> and an extended claw for Tailgate to wield via its [[5 mm post]], or mount onto the peg-hole on Tailgate's hood in vehicle mode.

:In a nod to his original toy, he has (non-functional) wheels sculpted on his tread-arms.

:This mold was redecoed into ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Groundshaker (Legends)#Toys|Groundshaker]] and ''Timelines'' [[Shakar#Toys|Shakar]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/GenGroundbuster/groundbuster.htm More information on Groundbuster at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
*"Groundpounder" was also considered as a trademark-friendly name for the ''Thrilling 30'' incarnation of Neutro before Hasbro settled on "Groundbuster".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service listings breakdown by Monzo on the Allspark Forums, 1 November 2013 (via the Internet Archive)]</ref> The 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Decepticon [[Groundpounder (RID)|Groundpounder]] also suffers from this disconnect, being named "Groundpounder" in fiction and "Groundbuster" for his toy.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Neutro''' (ニュートロ ''Nyūtoro'')
*''Italian:'' '''Neutron'''

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Artists]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Gorlam Prime]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Zone Autobots]]

Eagle Eye (G1)

2023-03-28T19:49:14Z

Ducktimus: /* Notes */ redirect broken link to archive.org

{{factions|autobot|decepticong2}}
{{disambig3|Eagle Eye}}
:''Eagle Eye is an [[Autobot]] [[Micromaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:EagleEyeBoxart.jpg|thumb|250px|Man, slowly I'm running out of stupid "''Grab your purse''"-captions...]]

'''Eagle Eye''' (aka '''Hawking''' and '''Eclipse''') lives up to his name when it comes to aerial combat. His exceptional vision, capable of focusing on tiny objects up to 20 miles away, allows him to lock his weapons systems onto any target he can see. Despite his amazing visual acuity, he seems to turn a blind optic to the various interpersonal issues among the [[Air Patrol]], the team under his supervision. They just flat-out don't get along, and Eagle Eye does nothing to try and make them work things out. He barely even gives them orders, for that matter. He's practically the team's commander in title only. He reasons that it ultimately doesn't matter, because despite it all, the Air Patrol is still one of the Autobots' most effective aerial defense forces, and to his way of thinking, that's far more important than everyone getting along.<ref>''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #2</ref>

==Fiction==
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{Note|In the [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], Eagle Eye the Micromaster is the same individual as [[Eagle Eye (G2)|Eagle Eye the Skyscorcher]]. See the other Eagle Eye's page for more on his exploits in continuities where he is a separate individual.}}
{{:Eagle Eye/JG1}}
===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:SpotlightHardhead-CaughtInAVortex.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Eagle Eye was one of the legions of [[Dead Universe]] Micromasters who pursued [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] on [[Gorlam Prime]]. He survived to confront Hardhead with the [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]-controlled Nightbeat in the planet's subterranean tunnels, but failed to prevent the Autobot from escaping into the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Eagle Eye was assigned to the Micromaster [[58th Division]] during the [[Grand Uprising]]. His lackluster leadership of the [[Air Patrol]] led to some shoddy reports on troop movements near the [[Sonic Canyons]]. The [[Maximal National Army]] used force field projectors to make their own way across the canyons from [[Plurex]] to [[Tetrahex]]. Eagle Eye gave the order to fall back from the canyons. {{storylink|Derailment}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}{{anchor|Zone}}
[[File:G1-toy EagleEye.jpg|thumb|300px|Small man's [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]].]]
*'''Air Patrol''' (Micromaster Patrol, [[1990]])
**''Takara ID number'': '''C-352'''

:''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Eagle Eye transforms into a Boeing-McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18C Hornet fighter jet. He was only available as part of the [[Air Patrol]] set with his teammates [[Blaze Master#Toys|Blaze Master]], [[Sky High (Micromaster)#Toys|Sky High]] and [[Tread Bolt#Toys|Tread Bolt]].

:The Air Patrol was released by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as the "Sky Patrol Team", part of the ''Zone'' portion of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Zone|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'' series with no notable changes from the [[Hasbro]] release.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1990/Autobot/EagleEye/eagleeye.htm More information on Eagle Eye at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:G2-toy_EagleEye.jpg|300px|thumb|From a brick with arms to a brick with a jet on top. Amazing.]]
*'''Hawk''' / '''Eagle Eye''' (Skyscorcher, [[1993]]/[[1994]])
**''Accessories'': Radar array/rifle
{{note|''Generation 2'' [[Eagle Eye (G2)#Toys|Eagle Eye]] was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as a new body for ''this'' Eagle Eye in Japanese G1 continuity.}}

:''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' Hawk/Eagle Eye transforms into a Eurofighter Typhoon jet. His under-slung radar system becomes a non-firing handheld gun in robot mode.

:"Hawk" was originally sold in the European market in 1993 as part of the "transitional" line that used the ''Generation 2'' [[insignia]]s, but lacked the new subline name. "Eagle Eye" was later released in the United States, with no notable changes beyond a new name, as part of the ''Generation 2'' line proper. "Hawk" was then later ''re''-released in the European version of ''Generation 2'' in 1994.

: This toy is [[gang-molding|gang-molded]] with [[Terradive (G2)#Toys|Terradive]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Decepticon/EagleEye/eagleeye.htm More information on Hawk/Eagle Eye at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generations_T30Eclipse.jpg|thumb|300px|And now back to a brick with arms! Truly staggering what 24 years of engineering progress lead up to!]]
*'''Autobot Gears & Eclipse''' (Legends Class, [[2014]])
**''Series / number'': '''02 / #010'''

:''[[Transformers: Generations#T30|Generations]]'' "Eclipse" (name likely changed due to [[trademark]] unavailability) is a redeco of ''Generations'' [[Sky High (Micromaster)#Generations|Flanker]], transforming into a drone jet based on the {{w|EADS Barracuda|Barracuda}} and {{w|Alenia Aermacchi Sky-X|Sky-X}} designs with a new wing configuration.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96686-generations-legends-targetmaster-moulds/?p=2423893 Designer Joe Kyde on "The Allspark" messageboard]</ref> He also has a third blaster-cannon mode that can be used by any toy that uses the [[5 mm post|5 mm post/hole system]].

:He was only available with his larger partner [[Gears (G1)#Generations|Gears]].

:This mold was also redecoed to create ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Phaser (G1)#Legends|Phaser]], part of [[BotCon 2015]] [[Oilmaster#Timelines|Oilmaster]], and [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service|TFSS]] 5.0 [[Quickslinger (G1)#Generations|Quickslinger]] and [[Hi-Q#Combiner Wars|Hi-Q]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/GenEclipse/eclipse.htm More information on Eclipse at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Eagleeyes.jpg|thumb|300px|Maybe they thought it'd take eagle eyes to notice this..]]
*Most—if not all—of the toys pictured in the 1990 Hasbro ''Transformers'' catalog are unfinished prototypes or mock-ups, and a variety of differences from final product pop up. In Eagle Eye's case, the main difference is that the catalog has him with a red robot mode face rather than the final toy's yellow.
*Eagle Eye's vehicle-mode art in issue #2 of the ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile books is actually ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' [[Skyscorcher]] [[Eagle Eye (G2)|Eagle Eye]]'s jet mode in the Generation 1 character's base colors, with the Skyscorcher's black stripes added. For the trade paperback, this art was heavily edited to better resemble the Micromaster.
*A Hasbro computer listing suggests that "Equinox" was also considered as a trademark-friendly name for the ''Thrilling 30'' incarnation of Eagle Eye before they settled on "Eclipse".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service listings breakdown by Monzo on the Allspark Forums, 2013/11/01 (via the Internet Archive)]</ref>
*"Eclipse" was also one of the possible names in the [[Fan polls|Fan Built Bot]] poll that produced [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Eagle Eye''' (イーグルアイ ''Īguru Ai''), '''Hawking''' (ホーキング ''Hōkingu'')
*''French:'' '''Faucon''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Aquila'''

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:Defense specialists]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Gorlam Prime]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:Zone Autobots]]

Gears (G1)

2023-03-28T19:47:29Z

Ducktimus: /* Generations */ redirect broken allspark.com link to archive.org

{{factions|autobot|cobra}}
{{disambig3|Gears}}
:''Gears is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Gearsg1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Gears, ironically, hates [[Neon|bright colors]].]]
'''Gears''' hates [[Earth]], a lush, green planet practically as unlike his cozy, gray, metallic [[Cybertron (planet)|homeworld]] as possible. He grumbles and complains about being shipwrecked on it—complains and grumbles to a ridiculous extent, until he becomes a source of amusement, rather than negativity. This is usually his intent—unlike his fellow [[Mini Vehicle]] [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], Gears has a desire to help his fellow Autobots see good in a bad situation. Still, he does get depressed from time to time.

Gears is strong and tough, not so much in lifting but in endurance, and carrying heavy loads with little effort, be they energon cubes, disabled Autobots, or potatoes for the farmers' market. He is fitted with infrared vision sensors.

In [[robot mode]], Gears can release controlled bursts of compressed air from his feet, launching himself to altitudes over 100,000 feet, and floating back down. In doing so, he must be careful not to lose air pressure before coming close enough to the ground for a safe landing.

His nicknames are '''Ox''' and '''Sourball'''.<ref>Nicknames found in early ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]''-style profiles published in [[The Transformers Comics Magazine]]</ref>

{{bigquote|What did you do to Gears, you monster? You turned him...''nice!''|[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]|''[[Changing Gears]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Gearsg1firstappearance.jpg|left|upright=1.5|thumb|Wish we saw more of the design on the right. Yikes!]]
{{quote|The only thing '''Gears''' wants to learn about this planet is how to get off it. I hate this place already. I just know you're going to use me as a mobile transport unit again, once we have to set up. Nuts. Let's go home.|The worst words out of his mouth.}}

''Gears was one of Cybertron's great warriors and fought alongside [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] during [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s assault on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], placing [[shatter bomb]]s on the support struts of the last bridge into the [[Polities of Cybertron|city-state]].'' {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} Later, he was chosen to join the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] mission to save Cybertron from an asteroid belt—a mission that saw him stranded on [[Earth]] for four million years. Once he woke up in [[1984]] and was rebuilt as an Earthen truck, he immediately began complaining. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[File:Spider-man.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Spider-Man's amazing friend.]]
Gears participated in the battle outside of [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s house and while driving away from the battle scared a cop by yelling at him to get out of his way, leaving the man stunned. Shortly after, Gears teamed up with [[Spider-Man]], using his ability to launch himself upward using compressed air and fly alongside the superhero in an attempt to reach the mountaintop [[Decepticon]] fortress. When Gears ran low on power, he began to fall before Spidey caught him in webbing. Although Spider-Man's webbing was extremely strong, the Autobot's weight threatened to break it. Thankfully they had little left to climb, and Spider-Man completed Gears' ascent using the webbing for assistance. After a fight with [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], blind-siding [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], and knocking out [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]], they came face to face with Megatron, who blasted a hole under Gears, causing him (and human [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]) to fall from the fortress. Although Spidey was able to rescue Sparkplug, and attempted to catch Gears as he had done before, the added momentum of the fall proved too much strain on the webbing, and Gears crashed to the ground. Gears was quickly patched up enough to tell the Autobots that Megatron had gotten what he wanted (a fuel conversion process) from Sparkplug. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} His complete restoration was seemingly interrupted when, following recriminations, [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] needed to drive Sparkplug to the hospital to treat his sudden heart attack. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

''Nonetheless back on his feet soon afterwards, Gears helped restrain [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] after his teammate had gone haywire, following him suffering an electrical feedback while repairing the Ark. But the mighty Brawn escaped from his grasp, and began rampaging in a nearby town. Gears and the others quickly caught up to the renegade Autobot, and returned him to his senses with another electrical shock.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} ''Soon afterwards, the Decepticons launched a full-on siege on the Ark. Gears faced off against [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] during the scuffle, until the Ark's computer, [[Aunty|Auntie]], was awakened by Optimus Prime. Deranged due to a circuit malfunction, Auntie put an end to the clash by magnetizing all combatants onto the Ark's walls. While Gears was so incapacitated, Auntie was deactivated once more thanks to the efforts of [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and Ravage. The Decepticons retreated afterwards, and Gears was happy for the victory, but Optimus warned him they had gained only a brief reprieve, as the Decepticons had sworn to return and take vengeance.'' {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}

[[File:Buzzsawyikes2.jpg|left|upright=0.8|thumb|Ow ow ow.]]
During the Decepticons' next assault on the Ark, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] managed to incapacitate nearly all of the Autobots. Gears' deactivated form was strung up from the Ark's ceiling, alongside most of his teammates. {{storylink|The New Order}} {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}} By teaming up with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], Ratchet managed to retake control of the Ark, and went about putting his comrades back in working order. Subsequently, to make sure all of the Autobots were back in fighting shape, Ratchet had Gears and the others go on a diagnostics run through the open plains. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

When the Autobots overheard Shockwave's plans to dispose of the captured head of their leader, Optimus Prime, Gears accompanied a convoy out to rescue him. {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} He and the others arrived at a nearby swamp, where the Decepticons had dumped the head, with Optimus's body in tow. However, the head was actually a decoy head, which, when attached to the body, caused it to go on a murderous rampage. Several Decepticons then arrived to help the false Prime batter the Autobots, and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] shot Gears right in the face! {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

''Though in time Optimus was restored and retook command of the Autobots, he had been left troubled by his ordeal. At this time, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] suggested the Autobots use the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] to create a breed of Autobot [[Ultimate Autobot|super warriors]], which could swiftly end the war for them. Gears was among the Autobots who argued against this course of action, seeing it as a perversion of the Matrix's purpose. Following an encounter with Ravage, Bumblebee shortly thereafter went missing. Upon detecting his signal returning towards the Ark, Gears ran out to welcome the scout, only to be met with Bumblebee's severed arm; the Decepticons had challenged Optimus Prime to retrieve their prisoner alone. The ensuing rescue only served to snap Prime out of a funk however, and he returned to announce his decision against building the "Ultimate Autobots."'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}

[[File:Cliffjumperuk.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|right]]
''Gears joined [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and Windcharger in searching for [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] during the Dinobot Hunt. Their mission was suddenly cut short by the arrival of Soundwave and the Decepticons, who shot the Minibots in the back and took them prisoner. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] soon rescued his disabled comrades from the captured [[Ark shuttlecraft]].'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} However, the injuries Gears suffered were grave. Alongside many other Autobots, he was brought to Ratchet's repair bay to be patched up. Due to a lack of supplies, Ratchet only had faint hopes of reviving all of the damaged troops. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

''Gears was witness to Optimus, Ratchet, and Prowl suddenly de-materializing within the Ark. Though at the time they had assumed that the Decepticons had somehow managed to slay the trio, the Autobots soon learned otherwise. Optimus and the others had been transported to [[Limbo|another dimension]] as part of a [[Mass substitution|mass displacement]] effect, triggered by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] traveling to their present from twenty years in the future. A first strike against the time-traveling tyrant and his cronies ended in [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]'s capture, and Gears participated in the subsequent effort to free his fellow Autobot but the future-Decepticons wielded unimaginable power, and Gears was brought low by [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]].'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''Gears was repaired in time to help his fellow Autobots gather up what they believed were Optimus Prime's remains; the Autobot leader had apparently been slain in combat against the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Little did they know that the body they had found was a [[facsimile construct]], planted by Prime to fake his own death.'' {{storylink|...The Harder They Die!}}

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.7|thumb|left|Barely snuck into the margins during his own death scene.]]
Though Gears was left inoperative ''once more'', Ratchet began gathering the necessary parts to fix him and the other severely damaged Autobots. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}}

He was back on his feet by the time the Ark was launched into the Earth's orbit. At this time, Optimus was gone and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] had taken control of the Autobot forces, though his leadership proved unpopular among the troops. Gears begged the deserter [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] to usurp the Dinobot alongside the bulk of the Autobot forces. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}} This led into Gears witnessing a battle between Grimlock and Blaster for Autobot leadership on [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. While Autobots around him cheered vehemently for either combatant, Gears chose to watch in stoic silence. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

Gears was among the Autobots who answered Buster Witwicky's distress call from just outside the Decepticons' [[Club Con|headquarters]] in the Arctic. Shortly thereafter, when an [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] announced that he would "destroy the cities of [[New York City|New York]], [[Tokyo]], and [[Buenos Aires]]", Gears was among the allied Autobot/Decepticon teams sent ahead to New York City. As Starscream approached, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] led a team of Autobots which included Gears, and the entire team was destroyed with a "single wave of <s>[[To sell toys|a market executive]]'s</s> Starscream's hand"! Oops. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

Gears' torso, head, and right arm were shown in the midst of attempted repairs while Optimus Prime explained the bleak condition of their fallen to [[Cloudburst]] and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}
{{-}}

====''Transformers '84''====
Gears was among the Autobots preparing to leave Cybertron aboard the ''Ark''. {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}} He was thrown by an explosion when the Decepticons boarded the ''Ark'' in flight. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Don Messick]] (English), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese), [[Ken Shiroyama]] (Japanese, "Transport to Oblivion", "Fire in the Sky")|[[Yao Huang]] (Chinese), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American), [[Peter Bertram]] (German, "Transport To Oblivion"), [[Henry Djanik]] (European French), [[Jacques Ferrière]] (European French, "Fire in the Sky"), [[Georges Atlas]] (European French, "B.O.T."), [[Nelson Batista]] (Portuguese), [[Orlando Prado]] (Portuguese, "The Core"), [[Přemysl Přichystal]] (Czech)}}
[[File:Hufferg1animated.jpg|left|upright=1.34|thumb|A competition of who complains the most!]]

Gears was one of the original crew of Autobots on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] spaceship when it crash-landed on Earth millions of years ago. When he awoke in 1984, he was reformatted by [[Teletraan I]] so that his [[alternate mode]] was an Earth-based pickup truck. Not a true combatant by nature, he didn't participate in many of the Autobots' more famous battles against the Decepticons, but he did his part despite his complaints. Gears first saw action on Earth at an off-shore oil rig, fighting one of the Seekers with his partner, [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Gears' infrared sensors were useful in capturing [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] when the Decepticon was caught trespassing at the Autobot headquarters. By modifying his searchlight wavelength, Gears could illuminate Ravage's heat traces and neutralize the jaguar's ability to hide in shadows. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} When Prime was injured in an explosion outside the [[ruby crystal mines of Burma]], Gears discarded the complaining facade he often wore, in order to encourage [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] to push himself into returning to [[robot mode]]. He later donned a lab coat to help sell [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s holographic rocket base idea, although it didn't do much good. In the final battle to stop the launch of the Decepticon space cruiser, Gears and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] were engaged in battling [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] until [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] called for a retreat. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

Gears was part of the Team of Autobots who fought the Decepticons at a hydroelectric dam, though a thrown piece of equipment blew up the Decepticons Energon cache and had to retreat. {{storylink|Roll for It}} Gears assembled for battle when the Decepticons returned to attack a solar power plant, and chastised [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] for missing roll call. At the plant, Gears and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] attempted to stop the Seekers from taking off with the energon cubes, but [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] knocked them aside with a concussion blast. Later, after Bumblebee led the Autobots to the supposed site of the new [[space bridge]], only to find a deserted cave, Gears offered to electrocute the 'Bee in order to juice up his memory circuits. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}} When Optimus Prime was heavily damaged in battle, Gears returned from patrol with [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and Windcharger to check on his condition. None of them, however, was sharp-eyed enough to spot [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] swoop down and land on Brawn's shoulder as they entered the base. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[File:FireintheSky Gears crashes through ice.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
After it started snowing, in July, in the middle of the desert, Optimus Prime got suspicious and consulted Teletraan I for a weather report. Gears, who was performing reconnaissance scans on the now-frozen tropical region of the planet, concurred with Teletraan I's conclusions, that Megatron and the Decepticons must somehow be draining heat energy right out of the [[Earth's core]]. In the Arctic, as the Autobots prepared to enter the Decepticons' cavernous base of operations, Gears stalled outside the entrance on the sneaking suspicion the Autobots were falling into a trap. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy—by lingering too long on the ice, the combined weight of Gears, Hound, [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] and [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] caused the tunnel to collapse beneath them. Gears and his buddies were briefly captured by the Decepticons, but escaped thanks to Hound's holograms. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

[[File:SOSDinobots Soundwave shoots Gears.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"Hey! Being shot in the face plays havoc with my sinuses."]]
Gears attended the unveiling of [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]]'s latest science project, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], and managed to stay out of the way after they ran amok. He joined Optimus Prime and the other Autobots on a mission to the [[Great Falls]]. Being one of the few Autobots who can fly (usually), Gears took to the air to fight [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] face-to-face, but was quickly shot down by the more experienced Decepticon. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} On one mission, Gears travelled to Peru to help the Autobots remove the [[Crystal of Power]] from Megatron's control. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (episode)|Fire on the Mountain}} He was also involved in the dino-design project that created [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

Following a Decepticon attack on the Ark, Gears was briefly seen cleaning up the deadly fire extinguisher foam which drove them away. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} In the aftermath of Cybertron's orbit around Earth, Gears worked on the massive repairs necessary to rebuild human society. He also participated in the raid on [[Doctor Arkeville]]'s laboratory. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

[[File:ChangingGears Gears Bee acrobatics.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Bumblebee and Gears - [[Powerlinx]]!!]]
During an Autobot Alert(!!!), the Ark's crew all leapt into action at high speed...well, except for Gears. The alarm interrupted his plan to "lube his cables", making the cranky Gears slow to respond to the call of duty. He might have trudged even slower if he knew the entire alert was a ruse by Megatron, designed solely for the purpose of capturing Gears. It seemed that Megatron's newest toy, the [[Solar Needle]], required a specific circuit board in order to be properly completed, and Gears contained just such a circuit board in his chest. A curious side effect of removing the circuit board was that it negated Gears' inclination towards squawking and complaining. He was now a compulsively good-natured people-pleaser, unable to refuse requests by anyone, even Megatron. With the solar needle activated, the Decepticons put Gears to work harvesting energon cubes, filled by the sun's mighty power.

Despite the alterations to his personality, Gears tried to remain true to himself. Even while helping Megatron's energy pilfering, he still managed to toss an insult or two at the Decepticon leader. In a good-natured way, of course. And, after the Autobots arrived to destroy the solar needle and drew the Decepticons' attention, Gears made a break for the control panel to retrieve his circuit board and restore his real personality. He was interrupted by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], who had been looking for an excuse to blast Gears all day, but Bumblebee knocked the Seeker aside before he could eliminate the tiny Autobot. Also, when Megatron hurled Prime out of control into the solar needle's incinerating energy grid, Gears used the holdout blaster in his sleeve to disrupt the grid and save Optimus. Still, once Megatron got the drop on the Autobots, he was able to exploit Gears' new personality glitch to make him repair the solar needle while the Decepticons held his teammates at gunpoint. Megatron gloated too much about the nature of Gears' problem, though, allowing Optimus Prime to circumvent his control over Gears. Tricking Megatron into agreeing to honor his last request "as a condemned mechanism", Prime turned the tables on Megatron by asking Gears for a favor of his own. Gears was all too happy to oblige...and destroy the solar needle for Optimus.

[[File:ChangingGears got a bang out of that.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.55|In the uncut version, Gears farts.]]
With the fight back on, Gears happily got in on the action and tossed Starscream for a loop. The Decepticons abandoned the field of battle, leaving the Autobots behind to clean up the mess caused by their solar needle. As the needle was being dismantled, Prime was ready to return Gears' circuit board to him when [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] stepped in. Seems the Autobots took a vote, and they would rather not restore Gears' talent for complaining, and whining, and hypochondria, and...well. After a quick joke, though, they did return the circuit board, and Gears showed his gratitude by going "whine, whine, whine" all the way home. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

Gears was seen awaiting his turn at the [[recharging chamber]]s, but did not appear later on rampaging with the other Autobots afflicted by the [[personality destabilizer device]]. {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots (episode)|Attack of the Autobots}} He attended Wheeljack's demonstration of the [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer|Immobilizer]]. When the Decepticons got their metal mitts on the device, Gears was trapped in mid-transformation by the device's rays. He was restored to normal after [[Carly]] fiddled with the controls to reverse its effects. {{storylink|The Immobilizer}}

[[File:AutobotRun Gears lifts ground.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Stupid Mother Earth!!!]]
Like most of the Autobots, Gears was temporarily trapped in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] after Megatron unleashed his [[Transfixatron]] on them during a car rally for charity. Wheeljack came up with an [[anti-transfixation grenade]] to reverse the process (even his cures explode!), but that only revived the Autobots in time to deal with Plan B: [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. While he isn't in Brawn or Prime's class, Gears is still one strong little Autobot, and demonstrated his strength by ripping out huge chunks of rock to hurl at the massive Decepticon. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}} Sometime later, Gears helped install [[detection plate]]s around the Ark as an early warning system against any intruders. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}} He was also briefly seen gawking at the two Optimus Primes who showed up in the dirt. After a sharpshooting contest and car race failed to uncover the imposter, the Autobots rode into battle anyway with both Primes at their side. Gears didn't have much fun in the following melee: first he got sent face-first into the dirt by one of the opening salvos, and was later overmatched in single combat against [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. He was saved only by the continuation of Megatron and Starscream's cockeyed, overly-elaborate scheme of clones killing clones. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}}

Gears was on patrol with the team when they suddenly came across an empty riverbed. After a quick mud massage from Jazz's spinning tires, Gears and the others decided to follow the river's trail to see where it had been diverted. What they found was trouble: [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. The Autobots barely escaped battle with Devastator to report on Megatron's activities to Prime. {{storylink|The Core}}

Gears attended Wheeljack's demonstration of how he had taught [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] "finesse". The resulting chaos and destruction was predictable, but memorable. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} Despite not being seen in the battle at all, Gears was injured fighting Megatron and the [[Heart of Cybertron]] in [[South America]]. All the repairs and none of the glory. Boy, he must have been ''craaaanky''...{{storylink|Microbots}}

[[File:MMP2 Seaspray and Gears shooting.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Gears and many of his fellow Autobots showed up in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]] for the Autobot Day parade and celebration. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} The city soon turned on the Autobots, thanks to Megatron's machinations, but they returned to help drive the Decepticons away once the humans were temporarily enslaved. Gears was seen among the horde of Autobots that overwhelmed the Decepticon slave-drivers. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} He was also one of the Autobots cheering for the Dinobots when they returned from Cybertron with a fresh supply of [[cybertonium]]. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} Gears was part of the third wave of Autobots to confront the invulnerable Decepticons, but fared no better than his predecessors against their [[electrum]] coating. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}} Gears stood by as [[Chip Chase]] and Teletraan I tried to locate the Autobots lost aboard the Space Bridge. {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}} He was also seen applying [[Corrostop]] to the Statue of Liberty. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

When Megatron and the Decepticons attacked the Ark looking for the [[Combaticon (G1)|renegade Decepticons]], Gears joined Optimus Prime in fending off their assault. Megatron soon retreated once he realized Prime had no slaggin' idea what he was talking about. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

Gears, Ironhide and Bumblebee responded to an S.O.S. from [[Benjamin Franklin Pierce High School]] and found themselves chasing [[B.O.T. (G1)|B.O.T.]] around the city. They were beaten to it by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], who needed to get back [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]'s personality component, and Gears later found himself defending Autobot Headquarters from [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}
{{--}}

====''Legends'' comic====
[[File:Legends Jumpstarters Chapter Gears annoyed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|How come [[Topspin (G1)|you]] [[Twin Twist|two]] get new toys but mine is just a vintage re-release!]]
Gears watched Megatron depart in the wake of the battle over the [[Transform Super Cog]]. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}} Like most Autobots, he was annoyed by [[Twin Twist (G1)|Twin Twist]] and [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]]'s antics, commenting that the two were hopeless. {{storylink|Jumpstarter Chapter}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
Gears was amongst the Autobots who defended [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]] in [[Arizona]] from a Decepticon attack. Although the Autobots won the day, the attack was actually just a distraction so that [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] could go do evil in Japan or something unspecified. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #2}}

====Full Throttle Scramble Power!====
Gears accompanied the massive Autobot reinforcements called in to counter Megatron's nefarious [[Omega Wave Cannon]]. {{storylink|Full Throttle Scramble Power!}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
To alleviate the Transformers' energy woes, a team of Autobots including Gears was formed to crew the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which soon departed. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

====''Cloud''====
The Gears of "OG001 Spacetime" was caught up in the tussle between the [[Optimus Prime (Cloud)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] of [[Cloud World]] when they came to his spacetime. {{storylink|TFC-A01}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
In the aftermath of a battle with the Decepticons, the Autobots found that Decepticon activities had seemingly stopped altogether. Taking advantage of the situation, Optimus went on a trip. Once he had left, Gears found out, to his horror, that the Autobots’ entire fuel supply had been stolen. Gears and the others tried to fend off the Decepticons nonetheless when they attacked once more. Thankfully, Optimus returned just in time with a new shipment of fuel. Re-energized, the Autobots forced the Decepticons to flee once again. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
Gears was one of the thirty-five active Autobots stationed on Earth. He participated in the battle against the Decepticons that ensued after Megatron put into motion his plan to take hostage millions of humans to gain the Earth's unconditional surrender. After the Autobots had emerged victorious from the conflict, Gears drove away with the rest of his comrades back to Autobot headquarters. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

Gears was present when the Decepticons sent a communication to Autobot headquarters, informing them that not only was [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] their captive hostage, but that the rescue party that tried to liberate him had been captured as well. Gears was shaken by the message, and the Autobots questioned their next move. Thankfully, Optimus Prime renewed morale by coming up with a clever plan to trick the Decepticons. The Autobots hid within a false peace-offering, a life-size statue of Devastator. When the Decepticons approached the statue with their guard down, the Autobots burst forth, taking them by surprise. The Autobots were ultimately victorious that day. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
[[File:G1 GearsPotatoes AutobotSmasher.jpg|upright=0.95|thumb|Steve Ditko is noted for his superb use of shading, his handling of facial expressions, and his ability to do cosmic vistas of mystery. Here he was asked to do a line drawing of a truck carrying potatoes.]]
Gears and Optimus were attacked by Rumble, who used his Earthquake-inducing abilities to bury the two Autobots in a landslide. Though they managed to dig their way out of the rubble, Gears was ws rendered immobile when Soundwave snuck up on him and unplugged a cable inside his back. Gears was brought to Megatron's newly constructed prison and incarcerated within. Thankfully, Bumblebee had evaded capture, and managed to free the rest of his teammates. Upon release, Gears and the other Autobots gave Bumblebee three cheers! {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue!}}

Gears was one of the many Autobots who stopped the Decepticons from harming Sparkplug and Buster Witwicky. Later, he helped the Autobots in protecting Hoover Dam from the evil robots. {{storylink|The Deadly Fuel Shortage}} On a rainy day, Gears read a book inside the Ark. {{storylink|A Message From Outer Space}} Gears was counting how many gasoline barrels the Autobots had in storage when Bumblebee asked if he could help. When Bumblebee admitted he couldn't reach the higher stacks of barrels, Gears dismissed him and grumbled he'd do the job himself. {{storylink|Bumblebee's Dangerous Mission}}

Gears was hauling a load of potatoes, with plans to sell them for oil and gas money. (Really.) He was tricked by the Decepticons into taking a detour, which led him to their "[[Autobot Rest Stop]]"—a car crusher disguised with pillows and a set of curtains. Gears rolled into the Rest Stop and was enjoying himself when [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] activated the machine, crushing Gears flat.

Gears was later restored by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with no ill effects. {{storylink|The Autobot Smasher!}}
{{note|This coloring book was illustrated by [[Steve Ditko]], co-creator of none other than... the amazing [[Spider-Man]]! Coincidence? Probably.}}

When the Autobots on Earth received word from [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] that the Decepticons were razing a human village to build a fuel plant in its place, they assumed their vehicle forms to sneak upon their enemies as they were working. Once they were in close enough proximity to the Decepticons, the Autobots transformed and launched a surprise attack. Cosmos continued to observe the battlefield from his post in orbit, and warned Gears and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] when [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] attempted to flank the Autobots to attack them from behind. Gears restrained Kickback, spoiling the bug's attempt to catch [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] off-guard. The Autobots then beat up the rest of the Decepticons, shoved them down a pit, and covered them with quick-drying cement to keep them out of further trouble. {{storylink|The Autobot Spy in the Sky}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Big Book of Coloring Fun}}}}
{{-}}

===Big Looker storybooks continuity===
When the Cybertronian civil war had yet to leave the planet, Optimus asked his Autobots to join him in leaving their home world behind and travel out into space. When Bumblebee volunteered to join Optimus, Gears and the rest of the Autobots jumped in as well. After crash-landing on Earth and being offline for about 65 million years, Gears and the rest of the Autobots met Sparkplug and his son Spike. With the Decepticons still not in the know of what forms the Autobots had taken, Gears was one of the troops that Optimus led into the desert in order to ambush their enemies. Though they successfully took by surprise a squadron of Decepticons, the Autobots had not anticipated a second group flying in from the opposite direction. Thanks to a warning from Spike and Sparkplug, the Autobots managed to fend off the Decepticons, and came to accept Earth as their new home. {{storylink|Battle for Cybertron}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
[[File:Miscolored minibots.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|right|Crazy [[Estrela]] colors?]]
When Optimus Prime hoped to harness the power of lightning as an energy source, [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] was commissioned to do the design. Huffer requested Gears to assist him with the work, and together the pair worked diligently while trying to out-complain each other. {{storylink|Autobots' Lightning Strike}}

Gears assisted his fellow Autobots in the construction of their space cruiser. {{storylink|Megatron's Fight for Power}}

===The Battle for Planet Earth===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Marinker]] (English)}}
Gears was one of a group of Autobots who traveled to [[South America]] in search of energy. When they spotted [[Mount Sheelah]], Gears was put to work clearing rocks so they could ascend it for a closer look, though he grumbled almost as much as [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] while doing so. He helped repel a subsequent Decepticon attack and retreated before the volcano erupted. {{storylink|Terror of Mount Sheelah}} After a hard day spent making repairs on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] he and the other Autobots relaxed by watching [[television]], and were alerted by a news bulletin to the fact that the Decepticons were kidnapping humans. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (G1)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}} After [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] pretended to defect and the Autobots tricked him, allowing them to destroy the Decepticon base, Gears wondered if they were going to keep Starscream prisoner indefinitely. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] opted to let Starscream go. {{storylink|Espionage!!!!!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Prowldarkagesvehicle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|right]]
When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] vanished in a space bridge during the war on Cybertron, their respective factions were split into several smaller groups. Gears remained in the main Autobot faction, now under the command of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} He was part of a team who scouted out the [[Praetorus Wharf]] in search of the Decepticons' new mobile command base. Unfortunately, it was a bit [[Trypticon (G1)|''too'' mobile]] for them to handle. {{storylink|Devastation (issue)|Devastation}} Trypticon proceeded to shrug off everything the Autobots threw at it, forcing the Autobots to try and outrun it instead. This too proved ineffectual. Even assistance from the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] helped little against the giant Decepticon. In the end, the Autobots were spared when their target just left in response to other orders it received. {{storylink|Revelation (The Dark Ages)|Revelation}} Later, when [[The Fallen]] broke into [[Autobase]], Gears was eager to get out there and do something about it. Prowl opted for trying to contain the villain instead, but he turned out to be unstoppable anyway. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}}

Gears was part of the Ark's original crew, crash-landing on Earth four million years ago and awakening in 1984. Like all the Transformers of Earth, he was believed dead for many years after the mid-air explosion of the ''[[Ark II]]''. In fact, Gears was one of many robots who were salvaged by the mercenary known as [[Lazarus]], who began the time-consuming process of installing remote control programming into his inert Cybertronian captives. Lazarus was doomed to failure, however, for Megatron regained control of his own body shortly after the human reactivated him. With the Decepticons back in action thanks to Megatron, Gears and the other Autobots held captive by Lazarus were left at their mercy. Although a small group of Autobots were free under Optimus Prime's command to combat the Decepticons, most of the 'bots recovered by Lazarus (including Gears) were too badly damaged to be reactivated for that first battle. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}}

[[File:PassiveAggression GearsGrumble.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left]]
Gears and the other deactivated Autobots were recovered, though, and were back to full functionality by the time [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] arrived from Cybertron, denouncing all Earthbound Transformers as war criminals. {{storylink|New World Order}} As the Autobot forces split in two, Gears went with Optimus Prime and his contingent back to Cybertron aboard [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], peacefully surrendering to Magnus, while another secret team would be left to move freely and uncover the truth behind this turn of events. Despite them being treated as prisoners on the trip home, Gears remained optimistic that the war was finally over, and they could say goodbye to Earth permanently. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} But the Autobots were treated no better on Cybertron. Gears and the rest of his group were locked up in cages, while footage of the Autobots and Decepticons' battles on Earth were broadcast around the planet to turn public opinion against them. Thankfully, there were dissidents in Shockwave's regime, and the Autobots were sprung from their cells. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} While [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] took Prime through the [[Old Slave Trails]] to see [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s rebel team, Gears and the others were taken by Broadside to meet with the Autobots rebels [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] was aligned with. En route, Bluestreak tried to have Gears fess up that it had been foolish to trust Shockwave in the first place. Bitter over where events had taken them, Gears replied that Bluestreak should "blow it out of [his] waste regulator!" {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Afterwards, Gears participated in the insurrection by Autobot dissidents against the rule of Shockwave. After an Autobot victory, Gears cuffed several Decepticons, and led them away from the battlefield. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Much to his dismay, Gears was soon put in the position of having to return to Earth. {{storylink|Original Sin}} With Prime temporarily out of action due to injuries, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] had assumed command of the Ark's crew on Cybertron, and made the decision that a new base of operations needed to be constructed on Earth, to fortify Autobot interests there. Gears griped throughout the meeting discussing this, {{storylink|Atonement}} but eventually agreed to leave his beloved homeworld behind to return to Earth. His mood wasn't much improved by A) having to work with Bluestreak and B) Bluestreak dropping boxes on his feet during the loading of the shuttle. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} Once they arrived, Gears and the others began work on the construction of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:GIJoevsTF4 Gears Brawn FlightPods.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Cobra Commander finds out about the "Trouble" part of the "Trouble Bubble"]]
Gears was among the dormant Transformers found by the terrorist organization [[Cobra]] and reprogrammed to be under the humans' control. In the process, he and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] were rebuilt to transform into Cobra [[Flight Pod]]s. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} The two may have participated in an attack on the [[SPS Research Facility]], or it may have just been two regular Flight Pods. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}} When [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] hacked Cobra's computers and undid his comrades' reprogramming, Gears and Brawn hunted down [[Cobra Commander]] and blew up the ship he was going to escape from [[Cobra Island]] with. However, before the Autobots could capture the commander, they were taken out by [[Storm Shadow]]'s [[S.N.A.K.E.]] mech. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}}

Gears didn't give up so easily, however, as he joined several other Autobots and located Cobra Commander and his S.N.A.K.E. guards again. Storm Shadow fought back and killed [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], sending Gears and the others into a berserker rage as they ripped his S.N.A.K.E. apart. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

===''The Beast Within''===
After a brutal battle during which [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]], a monstrous gestalt of unimaginable power, was released, Gears's butchered form lay smoldering in a mass grave of both Autobot and Decepticon corpses. {{storylink|The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences}}

===''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers -Visualize-''===
Gears stood behind Optimus Prime with his fellow Autobots, ready to fight. {{storylink|Visualize Shot 1}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Megatron Origin issue 3|''Megatron Origin'' #3]]; [[...For All Mankind|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #1]] (modern era, mentioned), [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies|#15]] (depicted)}}

Gears was [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|constructed cold]] during the first wave, presumably as part of the [[Silver Harvest]]. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} Millions of years ago, Gears was one of several mourners seen at the funeral of [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (G1)|Fastback]], after [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] killed them. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

[[File:WokenFuries GearsIsHurt.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|"There will be only half as much complaining if we leave him behind!"]]
At some point after [[Surge (event)|a widespread Decepticon attack]], Gears made it to Earth, where he was captured by [[Skywatch]], along with [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and later, [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} He was eventually released once Skywatch realized their misgivings in regards to the Autobots. After a Decepticon attack on their base, Gears and the other Autobots tried to flee and regroup at [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], but were attacked by armed civilians with a grudge against the Transformers. Gears was injured and had to be carried inside [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s trailer. Before they could reach safety, the Autobots were attacked again, this time by Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies|Woken Furies}}

The Decepticon leader scattered the Autobots with extreme firepower, then left them beaten and bruised on a school playground inside Albuquerque city limits. Gears and his comrades were held hostage by two humans carrying Megatron-based handguns, unable to fight back or defend themselves without risking human lives. The dilemma was ultimately taken out of their hands by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], whose special ops training kicked in and led to him blasting one of the humans. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome|Burning Chrome}} {{storylink|Earthfall Part 4: Full Fathom Five|Full Fathom Five}}

Like most Autobots, Gears left Earth a few months later, intending to return to Cybertron. On board Omega Supreme's rocket mode, he gathered with a few others who sought to witness a conversation between Optimus Prime and Megatron. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} Once the Autobots arrived at Cybertron, they battled [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] army. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}}

[[File:FecundMoon-Impressive.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He's the red and blue guy who's basically Swerve.]]
After the Chaos War ended, Gears joined [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] and the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' in their search for the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}} He was one of the crew members invited to [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]]'s first story session meant to cure [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} and later watched ships land in Shuttle Bay 3. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} When [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] was let loose on the ship, Gears rushed into action only to be beaten down. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} After recovering, he and many others gathered on the observation deck to witness the discovery of a mysterious portal just hanging in space. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Gears battled the [[Legislator]]s alongside [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] when they suddenly teleported on board. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}} After the Legislators were defeated, he was one of a group of Autobots who helped repair [[Swerve's]]. {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}} When the ''Lost Light'' finally returned to Cybertron, Gears participated in the celebrations. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

Gears continued to serve aboard the ''Lost Light'' as it searched for the Knights of Cybertron, and was present on the [[Rodpod]] when the quantum duplicates of the ship and its crew began to cancel out. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}}

Gears and many other members of the ''Lost Light'' crew were present when Rodimus gave his speech about [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]'s pre-wake. {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}}

Gears was willingly complicit in [[Getaway]]'s mutiny against the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s command team. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}} He was seen socializing with Siren (...perhaps unwillingly) at [["Visages"]] once the search was underway again under Getaway. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 1): Full Circle|Full Circle}} When Cyberutopia turned out to be a hoax, Getaway sold out his crew to the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], turning them into [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeaters]]. Gears was subjected to concussive medicine by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], apparently clearing him of the Sparkeater virus. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} Gears later attended the ''Lost Light'' farewell party. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
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===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:GearsVictorianEra-HOS4.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0]]
Gears and his fellow Autobots battled the Decepticons in Earth's distant past, until an ice age came around and forced them to go underground and wait it out. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} They eventually woke up in the mid-19th century, and learned that the Decepticons were up and going as well. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}} In order to pursue the [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Gears took on the form of what appeared to be a coal car and linked up with his friends to form an Autobot train. During the chase, much of the train was trapped when the Decepticons collapsed a tunnel on it, although Gears made it out safe and sound. He was hammered by Decepticon fire as he helped clear away rubble, but survived and went back to sleep underground after the Decepticons were defeated. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}}

{{IDW HOS}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
During the final showdown between the Autobot/[[G.I. Joe (team)|Joe]] and Decepticon/[[Cobra]] alliances, [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] punched into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s chest and unleashed several soldier into the Decepticon base's interior, Gears among them. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|''Transformers'' #2]]

[[File:TheChangeInYourNaturePartFive-Gears.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

Gears was forged in the years leading up to the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] and worked with his [[mentor]] [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] on the [[Tether]], the great space elevator that linked [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to the [[Winged Moon]]. While most other newly forged Cybertronians found their calling and went their own ways a little more than two kilocycles after their creation, Gears chose to stay with his mentor longer than was usual—more than ten thousand cycles. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}} Overenthusiastic, and more than a little accident-prone, Gears would frequently lose his footing on the Tether and drift off into space, necessitating frequent rescues from Chief of Space Security [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]. {{storylink|Open Comms}} {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}} During one workshift on the Tether, Gears spent some time helping another new Cybertronian, [[Rubble]], understand the basics of engineering alongside Wheeljack. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}} At the end of Rubble's second trial shift, one of Gears' coworkers sprayed him with a hose. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Five}}

Wheeljack brought Gears with him when he and his engineering team investigated the Winged Moon for signs of sabotage, and discovered that a member of [[The Rise]] had planted an [[energon siphon]] on the moon with the intent of redirecting it to their former headquarters underneath the [[Memorial Crater]] outside of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Gears unsuccessful attempted to dismantle the device; the resulting explosion knocked him into space again and necessitated another impromptu rescue from Wheeljack. When the rogue Titan [[Vigilem]] attacked the Tether, Gears fled with the other workers into the deepest parts of the Winged Moon, where they remained even after Vigilem severed the Tether itself. {{storylink|The Change In Your Nature Part Five}}

[[File:WheeljackOrbitalDecay-WheeljackGears.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

Ripped free from its orbit, the Winged Moon's new trajectory put it on a direct path towarsd Cybertron's sun; while most of the other workers evacuated the moon, Gears stayed behind with his mentor and a small team of engineers to see if they could save the moon within seven cycles before it plummeted into the sun. After first attempting to overpressurize the moon's [[energon]] reserves, then unsuccessfully trying to manually reactivate the moon's rotational jets, the team had to take shelter as the moon drifted through the [[Croaton (G1)|Croaton]] cloud, then discovered and interrogated [[Enemy (G1)|Enemy]], the culprit responsible for sabotaging the moon in the first place. Finally, however, the team hit upon a last-ditch solution to manually detonate the moon's wings, giving them enough delta-vee to push them out onto a wider orbit—while Cosmos carried out the actual demolitions work, Wheeljack taught Gears how to manually keep the moon's panels correctly aligned and later laid into Huffer when he suggested that Wheeljack was too nice to his mentee. The plan went off without a hitch, and the team celebrated their victory... only for a [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] and her team of Decepticons to invade the moon at that moment. {{storylink|Wheeljack: Orbital Decay}}

While Wheeljack went to get help, Gears and the other stayed behind on the moon and did what they could to make the central control room inaccessible to the invaders, including rigging the corridors with booby-traps and other annoyances. The team successfully kept the Decepticons out long enough for [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]] and her Autobots to rescue them, and the engineers made the desperate decision to keep the Winged Moon and its energon stores out of Decepticon hands by creating a miniature singularity that destroyed most of the moon's energon reserves. With the moon now all but lost, Gears and the other engineers returned to Cybertron aboard [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. {{storylink|War World: Moon|Moon}}

[[File:EscapePartFive-WheeljackGears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|right]]
Gears joined up with a refugee convoy made up of organic aliens and neutral Cybertronians, and reunited with his mentor, who had helped organize the exodus from Iacon, soon after they arrived at the city of Darkmount [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]]. {{storylink|Escape Part Three}} Later, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] tried to keep him entertained by showing him some of the flora and fauna they'd recovered from Iacon's destroyed [[A'ovan habitat]], but Gears eventually ran off to see if he could help [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] repair [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]]. {{storylink|Escape Part Four}} When a swarm of [[Insecticon clone]]s invaded the city, Wheeljack and Gears used some jury-rigged alien technology to rescue a fallen Leviathan from the monsters, but over-energized their weapons and collapsed from fuel depletion. The pair awoke just in time to see an exploding ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''-class ship take out the majority of the swarm. {{storylink|Escape Part Five}}

Gears remained at Darkmount, helping to defend against the frequent Insecticlone raids. {{storylink|The Landscape of Fear}} Eventually, he joined the rest of the Autobots aboard the last ''Ark'' as they left Cybertron behind. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

===''Transformers vs. The Terminator''===
In a post-apocalyptic [[2029]] where [[Skynet]] waged war against the [[Decepticon]]s, Gears's shattered remains lay in a ruined [[Los Angeles]] overpass alongside many other Cybertronian casualties. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part One}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons''===
Gears, along with several other Autobots, was abducted and held captive by the Decepticons. Optimus Prime undertook a rescue operation to free his friends from Megatron's clutches, entering the Decepticons' labyrinthine base in order to do so. {{storylink|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons|Adventure Game: Defeat the Decepticons packaging blurb and game}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Bumblebee recruited Gears to join the [[Bee Team (G1)|Bee Team]], a secret strike force. {{storylink|The Bee Team}} [[Bluestreak (G1)|Silverstreak]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], and Gears were sent to [[South America]] where the Decepticons were attempting to build a cannon to harness the energy of the [[Crystal of Power]]. Even joined by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], the Autobots were unable to prevent the cannon's completion, but later destroyed it and capped the shaft on which the crystal had stood. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain (Legends)|Fire on the Mountain}} After [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] was inflicted on the Autobots, Gears and Beachcomber managed to sneak past the Decepticons and get a sample of [[corrostop]] from the [[Statue of Liberty]]. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (Legends)|Cosmic Rust}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsGears.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2| I'm just a starter character that everyone soon forgets. ''grumble''.]]
Gears participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Common character that could be recruited for 8 units of Cybermetal. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1Gears toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Grumble... I suppose they want me to supply my own penny..." (''"Transformers Collection" reissue pictured'')]]
*'''Gears''' (Mini Vehicle, [[1984]]/[[1985]])
**''Takara ID number'': '''85'''<ref>Gears's Takara Generation 1 ID number comes from the collectors card included with the ''Transformers Collection'' reissue boxset.</ref>

: Gears was part of the first assortment of Autobot [[Mini Vehicle]]s released in 1984. The mold was first released in 1983 as part of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Micro Change]]'' line with a slightly darker blue coloration as the "Micro Robot 04 4WD Off-Road," but evidence exists to suggest it was originally designed by defunct American toy company Knickerbocker for the cancelled toyline, ''[[Mysterians]]''. The toy transforms into a red and blue pickup truck of indeterminable model (though some details resemble an old Dodge Power Wagon or Kaiser Jeep M715), with some likewise indeterminable ''stuff'' in the truck bed.

: In 1984, Gears and the other Mini Vehicles came packaged in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]; in 1985, they were switched to come in [[robot mode]], a change preceded by the addition of a picture of their vehicle modes to the front of their cards. The same year, the Autobot [[insignia]] on Gears's hood was replaced with a heat-activated [[rubsign]] placed on his roof. Later in 1985, the Mini-Vehicles came packaged with [[Mini-spy|Mini-spies]].

: For reasons unknown, Gears was the only Mini Vehicle not made available as part of Takara's original retail line in any capacity (while [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] were not available at normal retail, both were offered as mail-away toys).

: This mold was used to make the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Pick-Up (Malignus)#Toys|Pick-Up]], the Autobot [[Small Foot#Toys|Small Foot]] and was [[retool]]ed to make [[Swerve (G1)#Toys|Swerve]] (except in Mexico, where Swerve was a straight redeco of Gears).

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-gears/47/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Gears at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Gears/gears.htm More information on G1 Gears at TFU.info]''
{{G1GearsMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Estrela}}
*'''Pick-Up''' (Robocar, 1985)

: Released by [[Estrela]] in Brazil, "Pick-Up" was available in two different colorations: the original toy's blue-and-red, or orange-and-lighter-orange. This release lacks the Autobot symbols, instead having a variation of the original ''Microchange'' groin-sticker in robot mode. This sticker is of considerably cheaper quality, and is rarely left on loose samples.

: Whether or not he is the same character as either the [[Bat-Robô]] [[Pick-Up (Bat-Robô)|Pick-Up]] or the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Pick-Up (Malignus)#Toys|Pick-Up]] is unknown.

{{-}}{{anchor|Lynsa}}
*'''Gears''' (Mini Vehicle, 1986)

: Manufactured by Argentinean company [[Lynsa]] but sold in Peru, these releases of Gears lacked paint, stickers or [[vacuum metallizing|chrome]]. Yes, plural releases. So far, three different colorations have been confirmed: the original blue-and-red, dark-blue-and-yellow, and orange-and-yellow. It is claimed that there may be ''six'' different versions of Peruvian Gears all told, with the three others being unique to that market, but no-one has been able to find and confirm the others so far.

{{note|Peruvian company BASA (which eventually changed to HUDE) apparently also (briefly) sold ''Transformers'' in Peru, but these were straight imports of Hasbro Mini Vehicles with a company sticker applied to the packaging.}}
{{-}}

===''The Transformers Collection''===
*'''Minibots Team''' (Multi-pack, [[2004]])
**''ID number'': '''12'''

: Gears was ''finally'' put out at Japanese retail in 2004, as part of ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' "Minibots Team" set. This version is slightly different from the original Hasbro releases, in that his truck mode has ''both'' the Autobot sigil sticker on his hood and the [[rubsign]] sticker on top of his roof.

:This set also includes a retooled [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Bumble]], [[Cosmos (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Adams]], [[Huffer (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Drag]], [[Powerglide (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Powerglide]], and [[Warpath (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Warpath]].

: This set was later [[redeco]]ed to make the [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] [[G1 GoBots]] team.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/ReGears/gears.htm More information on ''The Transformers Collection'' Gears at TFU.info]''
{{G1GearsMold}}
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy-Gears with Eclipse.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Swerve used to be ''my'' retool... ''grumble.''"]]
*'''Autobot Gears & Autobot Eclipse''' (Legends, [[2014]])
**''Series / number'': '''02 / #010'''

:''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] Gears is a retool of ''Generations Thrilling 30'' [[Swerve (G1)#Thrilling 30|Swerve]] with a new head based on his fictional appearances rather than his original faceless toy. He transforms into a modernized 4-wheel-drive pickup truck of a made-up model and comes with [[Eagle Eye (G1)#Generations|Eclipse]], who transforms into either a jet or a weapon for Gears to wield via its 5mm handle.

:Gears and Eclipse's [[Hasbro]] product number, A6686, was originally occupied by a '[[Brawn (G1)/toys|Brawn]] & [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]]' pack, leading [[Amazon]] to erroneously list them under those names.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service database 'leak' on The Allspark (via the Internet Archive)]</ref>

:The original version of this mold was redecoed and given a shell to make [[BotCon 2015]] [[Oilmaster#Timelines|Oilmaster]]. It also served as the basis of the non-toy ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' incarnation of [[Swerve (SG)|Swerve]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/GenGears/gears.htm More information on ''Generations'' Gears at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy Gears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"I'm still going to end up amidst a debris field of building blocks anyway."]]
*'''Autobot Gears''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2014)
**''Collection'': '''''Age of Extinction'' Collection 2'''
**''Accessories'': Logo brick, blaster

: Part of the sixth regular assortment of [[blindpacking|blind-bagged]] ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]]s, Gears can be rebuilt into a teeny pickup truck. He sports [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Mirage]]'s helmet.

:Unlike prior Micro-Changer assortments, this series does not have any sort identification code for the bags' actual contents, meaning you'd best be good at the feel-though-the-bag method.

:This assortment was originally slated to be a [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]], but US stores dropped the line before its release. It was still available in Canada, Australia and Chinese/Asian markets. In 2015, the Collection appeared in US Dollar Tree stores, with a price tag of a whopping $1 a pop. They didn't last long.

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:Kreon-Class-of-1984-Gears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"And I'm still going to be trapped in a display case, never to be free."]]
*'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, 2014)
**''Set number'': '''B0090'''
**''Voted'': Class Grouch
**''Accessories'': Double-barreled pistol

: This version of Gears has more extensive [[tampograph]]s than his prior version, including a masked-and-visored face, and silver paint on his helmet.

:He was only available in a pack of 30 Kreons dubbed "Class of 1984", [[exclusive]] to [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014. Remaining stock was to be sold at [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online, but there ''was'' no remaining stock after the show.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OGears/gears.htm More information on Class of 1984 Gears at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Vintage G1''===
[[File:VG1-toy Gears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|"Second again... ''grumble''"]]
*'''Gears''' ("Legion Class" reissue, 2019)

:Part of the second wave "Legion Class" figures in the ''[[Vintage|Vintage G1]]'' line, Gears is a reissue of his [[#Generation 1|Generation 1 figure]]. Like his prior ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' release, he has both a [[rubsign]] and a normal foil Autobot insignia sticker in vehicle mode. The rubsign is an all-new type used on all of the ''Vintage G1'' toys; the insignia only turns red rather than the mood-ring multicolor of older rubsigns, plus the silver border is mirror-level reflective. This version also has production information tampographed onto his inner right foot.

:Like all ''Vintage G1'' figures, Gears was [[exclusive]] to [[Walmart]] in the United States and Canada.

{{G1GearsMold}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===McDonald's===
*'''Gears''' (St. Louis McDonald's promotion, 1985)
{{charstubtoys}}

===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W5AutobotGears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Gears, Transport & Reconnaissance''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T02/T46'''
**''Stars: ''7

:Autobot Gears, Transport & Reconnaissance is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card's artwork is based on the ''Generations'' Legends-class Gears toy, with line-art by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]] and colors by [[Alex Tarca]] for both modes.

:This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:TFTM-MaybeGears.jpg|thumb|I sign on to a major movie, and all I get is a lousy cameo appearance?!]]
*In his first Marvel Comics appearance, Gears sported a more humanoid [[character model]] that looked less like his toy than his final animation model. He would also use this model in the UK annual story "[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]", while ''[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'' was inexplicably drawn with this model in the earlier UK story "[[The Enemy Within!]]".
*The dialogue script for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' reveals that Gears was supposed to appear in the film during the [[Battle of Autobot City]], speaking a single line in horrified reaction to the formation of Devastator ("We're finished! Aaaaahh!"). He was cut from the finished feature, but actor Don Messick recorded the line and remains listed in the film's credits as Gears (but not, oddly enough, as [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]], who ''does'' speak). A 'bot with Gears's color scheme appears on Moonbase One, but is probably not supposed to be him.
**The script provides no context for Gears's scream, so it might be intended to imply that Devastator proceeded to kill him in some fashion. This would fit with the earliest draft of the film, which also saw Gears killed off, albeit in a different way: blown to pieces in a carpet-bombing run by [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] during [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s attack on the city.<ref>http://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html</ref>
*Gears appeared in a [[:File:PulseCon-Kingdom-promo-art.jpg|concept poster]] for ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'', suggesting a new toy of him was considered for inclusion in the toyline, but such toy ultimately never materialized.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Gears''' (ギアーズ ''Giāzu'')
*''Czech:'' '''Převodovka'''
*''French:'' '''Rollo''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Fuvaros''' ("Hauler")
*''Italian:'' '''Mulo'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Biànsùxiāng''' (变速箱, "Transmission")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Mecano''' (Portugal comics), '''Engrenagem''' (Brazil comics), '''Pick-Up''' (Brazil toys)
*''Russian:'' '''Privod''' (Привод, "Drive")
*''South American:'' '''Pick-Up'''

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Cloud Autobots]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance specialists]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]