MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Mini-Vehicle

2012-02-03T08:28:48Z

Elita-2: /* Generation 1 */

{{factions|autobot|optimus|malignus|autobotg2}}
{{disambig2|the Generation 1 small Autobots|the Hot Wheels-style cars from Revenge of the Fallen|Mini-Vehicle}}

:''The Mini Vehicles are a subgroup of Transformers from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Mini vehicles.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Messengers with meaning! Whatever that means.]]
The '''Mini Vehicles''' (also known as '''Minibots'''<ref>[[Crisis of Command!]]</ref>, '''Mini-Autobots''', or '''Minicars''') are [[Transformer]]s of small stature. Size notwithstanding, many had considerable [[ability|abilities]] or armaments, the latter usually built-in, as they usually did not carry guns or fit external launchers.

{{TOCclear}}

==Toys==
The Mini Vehicles were small, simple, and inexpensive toys.

In 1984, the Mini Vehicles were originally known as "Minicars". But after that year, non-car toys were added to their subgroup, and so the new, more general term was needed. Mini Vehicles were in production from 1984 to 1986. Many were [[redeco]]ed or [[retool]]ed from the earlier ''[[Micro Change]]'' line. They generally had [[super deformed]] proportions in vehicle mode, since in the ''Microchange'' backstory they represented robots that became small toy cars. (Specifically, they were meant to look like [[Choro-Q]] / Penny Racer cars.)

After 1986, their place as the line's low-end price point was filled by a series of gimmick-based groups, including the [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Triggerbot]]s/[[Triggercon]]s, and [[Micromaster]] patrols.

===Generation 1===
'''1984'''
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] — Espionage
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] — Demolition
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] — Warrior
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] — Transport / Reconnaissance
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] — Construction Engineer
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] — Warrior
A seventh toy was also available briefly in the early releases of the line. The toy that would eventually become known as "[[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]]" did not have its own name or card, but came on either Bumblebee or Cliffjumper cards. How the hell this ''happened'' is still a mystery, though it is possible that he was to have been released in the U.S. Bumper's toy, in different colors, was released in South American markets with unique card art and Tech Specs as "[[Sedan (Robocar)|Sedan]]"

{{note|The initial run of the "Mini Cars" (as they were called then) were packaged with the toys in their alternate modes, as the rest of the line's toys were. This changed to robot-mode packaging, which the assortment would retain throughout Generation 1. This change was probably made because these smaller but deeper bubbles were more prone to separate from the cards by accident than the later-revised larger robot-mode bubbles.}}

'''1985'''
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] — Geologist
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] — Reconnaissance & Communications
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] — Aerial Warrior
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] — Naval Defense
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] — Warrior
The six standard Mini Cars from 1984 were made available again. ("Bumper", of course, was not.) In addition, the Mini Vehicles had bonus [[Mini Spy|Mini Spies]] attached to the cards for a time.

{{note|The vehicle-mode photos on the cardfronts could have either white or gray borders. This packaging variation exists for all 1985-version Mini Vehicles.}}

'''1986'''
* [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] — Communications
* [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] — Gunner
* [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] — Warrior
* [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] — Metallurgist
* [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] — Scout
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] — Survivalist
The five Mini Vehicles new to 1985 were also re-released in 1986. Bumblebee continued to ship through '86 as well, the only one released in 1984 to do so.

{{note|The initial releases of all Mini Vehicles and [[Special Team|Special Teams]] in 1986 were part of a promotional campaign that featured reflective [[Iron-on patch|iron-on patches]] as part of a contest. Later in the year, packages without bonus patches were released.}}

'''1985 Brazil'''
*[[Camaro]]
*[[Carrera (G1)|Carrera]]
*[[Jipe (Malignus)|Jipe]]
*[[Pick-Up (Malignus)|Pick-Up]]
*[[Sedan (Optimus)|Sedan]]
*[[Sedan (Robocar)|Sedan]]
*[[Volks (G1)|Volks]]

===Generation 2===
Four Autobot 'Minibots' were re-released as vacuum-metalized versions for ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''.
* Beachcomber — green chrome version of 1985 toy
* Bumblebee — gold chrome version of 1984 toy
* Hubcap — red chrome version of 1986 toy
* Seaspray — violet or blue chrome version of 1985 toy

===Keychains===
In the early 2000s, four of the original mini-cars were released first by [[Fun4All]] and then by [[Basic Fun]] with little rings molded on to make them into keychains. These were released [[Blindpacking|blindpacked]] by Takara in Japan with all-black variants.
* Bumblebee
* Cliffjumper
* Windcharger
* Brawn

===Expanded Universe===
* [[Glyph (G1)|Glyph]] — Archaeometrist
* [[Tap-Out (G1)|Tap-Out]] — Bodyguard

===Universe===
* [[Rook (Universe)|Rook]] — Journalist

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
[[Image:TeenyCliff.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Alright, either one of them's been doing steroids, or one of them shrunk in the washer.]]
The concept of "Mini Vehicles" was not directly addressed fictionally, but the Mini Vehicle characters were consistently drawn to a smaller [[scale]] than other Autobots.

{{-}}

===Marvel UK comics continuity===
{{stub}}

===Audiobooks===
[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] identifies himself as a Minicar to Dr. [[Heath Blaisedale]]. {{storylink|Sun Raid}}

==Notes==
* The first wave of Mini Vehicles were the only Generation 1 toys released in Venezuela by the company [[Rubiplas]].
* Since the Mini Vehicle concept is primarily toy-based with limited acknowledgement in fiction, it isn't possible to say with confidence whether certain fiction-only characters are Mini Vehicles or not. Those characters are:
** [[Wipe-Out]], [[Fastback (G1)|Fastback]] and [[Rest-Q]], whose bodies are based on the Mini Vehicle toys of other characters.
** [[Early war history records Transformers|Some Tailgate lookalike]], who looks like, uh, the Mini Vehicle Tailgate. Unlike the three above, his resemblance is a coincidence.
** [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]], [[Subsea]], [[Flattop (Autobot)|Flattop]], who are as small as Mini Vehicles and originated in stories that placed them in Mini Vehicle context.
* A [[G1 GoBots|team]] of beings from [[GoBots (franchise)|another universe]] was altered to match the specifications of several Mini Vehicle Transformers. Whether this actually makes them Mini Vehicles is unclear.
* ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' features Autobots with the [[65356-9292-346]] [[body-type]], which is based on the Minicar concept.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Minibot''' (ミニボット ''Minibotto'')

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Autobot subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 2 subgroups]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles| ]]

Red Alert (G1)

2012-02-03T08:18:26Z

Elita-2: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{picsneeded|Appearances in fiction}}
{{disambig3|Red Alert}}
:''Red Alert is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:G1 RedAlert profileart1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|I am head of security around—WHAT WAS THAT!? OH, DEAR GOD, THEY'RE OUT TO GET ME!!]]
'''Red Alert''' is paranoid, which is not a bad trait in a [[Security Director]] if it's kept in check by reason, logic, and common sense. Red Alert is... not always so good with those other traits. The other Autobots appreciate his good intentions and eye for detail, but his ratio of false alarms to real emergencies is not always the greatest, and it makes them less likely to take him seriously when a threat is real. [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] does his best to keep his good buddy Red out of trouble.

{{quote|"I ''warned'' you guys there was trouble!"<br>"You ''always'' say there's trouble, Red."|Red Alert and Hoist|"[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Redalertfromnowhere.jpg|right|200px|thumb|What the—how did I get here?! Where am I?!]]
''When the Autobot warrior [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] went on a temporarily mad rampage, Red Alert leapt out from nowhere to deck Brawn with one punch, and then vanished into the night as if he had never been there.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

Red Alert was part of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s Autobots who emerged from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to witness Grimlock and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s battle for Autobot leadership. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

{{note|For some reason, Red Alert and Inferno were never given introductions along with the other [[Autobot Cars]] in the Marvel series. There was no explanation for his presence on Earth in the above story, and in response to a [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|reader's query]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] claimed that Red Alert was critically injured (off-panel) during "[[The Last Stand]]", which is set after the events of "The Enemy Within!".<ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/popup.php?id=601 Issue #62's Soundwaves at transfans.co.uk]</ref>}}

=====Marvel UK Future Timelines=====
''In 2009, Red Alert was one of the few Autobots available on Earth to help [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] assault the new energy leech being constructed by the Decepticons. After destroying the work [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] had done, Red Alert and the others were immediately drafted by [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] into leaping through the trans-time dimensional portal back to 1989. It seemed the extended time-jump of former Decepticon leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] was causing heavy stress on the timestream at both ends. 20 years in the past, Red Alert and his future Autobots joined forces with several different factions of Autobots and Decepticons on Earth to confront the menace of Galvatron and the resultant time storm. Red Alert took some flak from Galvatron's [[particle cannon]] during the battle, but ultimately the time storm was abated when Galvatron himself was cast into its maw, and the timestream restabilized itself. Red Alert, Rodimus and the other future Autobots then returned to their own time. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

''Or did they? Upon returning to 2009, Red Alert and his comrades found Galvatron already there waiting for them. It seemed their actions in the past had reconstructed the timeline to such a degree that their present was now radically changed—Galvatron and his Decepticons now ruled Cybertron. The Autobots tried to adjust to these new events and created a token resistance movement on Cybertron, but it was soon crushed and they were chased off their home planet and back to Autobot City on Earth. During the trip, Red Alert was serving as chief bridge officer of [[Future Autobot evacuation ship|their starship]] when the Autobots were assaulted with sabotage. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void}} While Kup and a security team attempted to ferret out the traitor, Red Alert did his level best to keep the Autobots from crashing into Earth uncontrollably at sub-light speeds. Battered and bruised, most of the Autobots survived thanks to Arcee's efforts to reactivate the retro-rockets at the last minute. {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} They still had to face the saboteur, however: an insane Rodimus Prime, corrupted from within by the essence of [[Unicron]] that he had unknowingly been carrying inside himself. On the ground, Red Alert joined Kup, Arcee, and the others in fighting their mad leader, until ultimately Rodimus fought off the evil within and regained his senses. {{storylink|White Fire}}''

====Generation 2====
[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] planned a raid on [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s ship ''[[Twilight (G2)|Twilight]]'' against [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s orders. Unfortunately, Jhiaxus was expecting this move and had Grimlock's troops surrounded. Red Alert attacked Jhiaxus anyhow, and was blown to pieces. Red Alert's death hinted to Grimlock that this may have been a bad idea. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Chain]] (English), [[Yoku Shioya]] (Japanese), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American)

[[Image:AlertCowboy.jpg|left|200px|thumb|You're riding a horse! Did Megatron send you?!]]
Red Alert assisted Inferno when the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] accidentally set [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]] on fire. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} He and Inferno later helped [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] corral some motorcycle rustlers who got transported into the future by a time warp. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

[[Image:AutoBerserk RedAlert accusation.jpg|right|200px|thumb|There's someone out there, watching me...]]
The Autobots were testing the powerful [[Negavator]] superweapon they had built in cooperation with the [[United States military]] when the Decepticons attacked, intent on stealing the weapon. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] ordered Red Alert and Inferno to stay inside and guard the bunker as the rest of the Autobots took the fight to the Decepticons. Inferno chafed to fight the Decepticons and left Red on his own despite the latter's pleas for him to stay. During the battle, Decepticon attacks caused the bunker to catch fire and become damaged (much to [[Grapple]]'s dismay), knocking Red Alert on the head and burying him under rubble. Realizing what happened, Inferno and the other Autobots returned to rescue Red. Unfortunately, the blow to his head damaged Red's logic circuits, making him more paranoid than usual, and caused him to flee the other Autobots in fear that they would take him apart and use him for spare parts. He also became thoroughly convinced that his pal Inferno was after his job and so he escaped the Autobots. Red Alert's damage was such that if he was left untreated, his circuits would eventually explode, and so the Autobots immediately left to find him.

[[Image:AutoBerserk Inferno RedAlert friendship.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Images like this, and yet Tracks gets all the innuendo.]]
Meanwhile, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (who had been abandoned by the Decepticons on the battlefield by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s order) witnessed this happening. He decided to use Red's paranoia to his own advantage by pretending to form a partnership with the Autobot, feeding his paranoid state, encouraging him to steal the Negavator and use it to destroy both the Autobots and Decepticons. With Red Alert's knowledge, the pair infiltrated the bunker and stole the Negavator, just in time for Megatron to seize the weapon and for Starscream to reveal his true cowardly ways. Fortunately, Inferno saved Red Alert from himself and his Decepticon 'allies'. {{storylink|Auto Berserk}}

After Megatron managed to frame the Autobots, the entire Autobot contingent, including Red Alert, were banished from Earth on a rocket supplied by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} The ship was locked on course for the [[Sun]], but the Autobots managed to get clear and return to Earth with the help of [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]'s force field. There they confronted and defeated the Decepticons, who had already been exposed. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} Red Alert was on the squad that intercepted the Decepticons at a power plant, however during the fight, it became apparent that both sides were suffering strange malfunctions. The Autobots returned to base, where [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] worked out they were all suffering from [[Cybertonium]] depletion. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], [[Carly]] and the Dinobots managed to get more Cybertonium from Cybertron, and the Autobots were all repaired. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}}

[[Image:BlasterBlues Red Alert Inferno on the road.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Why does that fire engine keep following me?!]]
When Megatron used the [[Voltronic Galaxer]] to block Earth's radio transmissions, the survivors of a train crash were unable to radio the fire service. Luckily Red Alert and Inferno were patrolling in the area and spotted the fire. Red Alert created a fire break with his gun while Inferno attacked the main part of the fire, and eventually it was out. Red Alert's sensors still tingled though, alerting them to an incoming attack by Thundercracker and Ramjet. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:GodGambit Red Alert Optimus don't go.jpg|thumb|left|200px|No! Don't leave me on my own! They'll get me!]]
Once, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] radioed in to [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to inform the Autobots he had uncovered data on a new source of energy upon [[Saturn]]'s moon of [[Titan (moon)|Titan]], but was under heavy fire from [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. Optimus Prime began to order Cosmos to transmit the data, but Red Alert overruled his commander, saying it was too risky as the Decepticons might monitor and intercept the transmission. Prime acknowledged Red's caution, and instead sent a team of Autobots out aboard [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] to meet Cosmos. {{storylink|The God Gambit}}

Red Alert helped coat the [[Statue of Liberty]] in [[Corrostop]], Perceptor's latest invention. Unfortunately while they were doing so, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] cruised up and kidnapped Perceptor. Great security work there, Red. He and the rest of the Autobots were infected with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] by the Decepticons, and it was only some clever work by Perceptor that saved them. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} As the Earth moved closer and closer to the Sun as part of a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] plan, Red Alert and Inferno fought to extinguish the many fires that started as a result, though they found that once put out, the fires would promptly start again. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

{{note|The original storyboards for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] depict a death scene for Red Alert which was not included in the finished film. Red meets his end as [[:Image:TFTM-RedAlertDown.jpg|he is shot in the back]] by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s after helping [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] attack [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Once again, the illuminati try to cover up his death.}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
[[Image:JHeadmasters01RedAlertEtc.jpg|thumb|To battle, brothers! Wait, since when do [[#Notes|I have brothers?]]]]
Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Red Alert engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. Later, on Earth, Red Alert was present for a suspiciously similar battle with the Decepticons that resulted in the death of Optimus Prime. In 2011, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] recalled the Cybertronian skirmish that Red Alert took part in — or another one very much like it. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

{{note|Red Alert appears in two Cybertronian flashback battles within the episode, alongside the same team of Autobots, suggesting that they represent the same fight. He also appears in one further flashback battle on Earth, which depicts Optimus Prime's death in a scene that doesn't match up to his ''actual'' death in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. This was a continuity patch-job by the ''Headmasters'' production staff, as the movie hadn't been released in Japan yet. }}
{{-}}

=====''Asterisk Story''=====
[[Image:AiAlert-Story.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Big scary bot-man will eat me!]]

As a member of Officer [[Clamp Down]]'s [[Interplanetary Personnel Exchange Program]], Red Alert was paired with Officer [[Ai Kuruma]] to promote goodwill and cooperation between the races.

After shooing the kitty [[Chear]] off of him, Officer Kuruma received a call about a little boy who'd gotten lost on his way to the market. Ai (dreaming of a commendation for finding the boy) followed the sound of crying, only to find it was Chear again, up in a tree. She climbed up the tree to rescue it, but fell from the high branches... but Red Alert caught her and the cat in time.

The cat scampered off, and the pair followed him...and ran across the lost little boy. But then Chear stole a fish from the boy's grocery bag. Red Alert set his detector from "little boy" to "fish", and the two gave chase... {{storylink|The Cat and the Medal}}

=====e-HOBBY comics=====

Red Alert disappeared after the [[Unicron War]], his fate unknown to his Autobot comrades, but he later returned to them a changed 'bot: in his absence, his life had been saved by a Decepticon. With the realization that not all Decepticons were without compassion, Red Alert's paranoid personality underwent a transformation, and he became far less aggressive in battle, prompting strategies of defensive engagement. He went on to train younger security officers for the Autobots, showing a new, caring side that made him a well-liked member of the team.<ref>[http://www.e-hobbymagazine.com/english/museun_en/1636.html e-HOBBY Red Alert bio]</ref>

===Dreamwave ''Generation 1'' comics===
Red Alert was serving the Autobot cause in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] when [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] was destroyed, and Optronix first rose to become Optimus Prime at the request of [[Council of Ancients]]. When the [[Forum of Enlightenment]] suddenly went up in flames, he came with Optimus, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] to investigate the ruins. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} After Optimus and Megatron disappeared through a [[space bridge]] portal and the [[Dark Ages]] began, Red Alert presumably become one of the Autobot soldiers serving in Prowl's faction. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages}}

After the [[Great Shutdown]], Red Alert was one of the first Autobots resurrected by the new alliance of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], and was chosen to lead the united Cybertronians alongside Shockwave and an [[Autobot High Council]]. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} The council proved incapable of adequately leading on their own, though, and began gradually giving more and more power to Shockwave over time, until their role was as little more than figureheads. Ultimately, it took the arrival of Optimus Prime and the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s crew to galvanize the Autobot forces of Cybertron into realizing just how badly they'd been had by the Decepticons. Red Alert and the council finally joined in the insurrection and helped bring down Shockwave's empire. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

Red Alert was seen tutoring several new Autobot cadets in combat as Cybertron settled down after the uprising. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}} He was last seen among the Autobots who traveled to Earth to work on the construction of the new [[Autobot City]]. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{note|Red Alert is one of the larger continuity errors in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s Generation One series. Several characters were shown in the first limited series, [[Prime Directive]], who were later addressed in the continuity as definitively NOT having been part of the Ark or ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' crews. Unlike the one panel cameos of bots like [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] or [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], however, Red Alert was shown as fully active and interacting with his fellow Autobots on Earth, only to be assertively stated as having always been on Cybertron in the next limited series.}}

===Redemption Center===
While Ratchet and Wheeljack worked to repair Starscream, Red Alert handled the security arrangements. He did sound an alarm when the Decepticons turned up later to try to reclaim their comrade, but that was about it. {{storylink|Redemption Center}}

===IDW Generation 1 comics===
Red Alert was a member of the Autobot Security Services in [[Kaon]], under [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s command. The Security Services were investigating the rise of the violent [[Gladiatorial combat|illegal bloodsport]], led by the combatant known as Megatron. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}}

On Earth centuries later, Red Alert joined [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as they attempted to find a way off world. Following an "attack" by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]'s team of Decepticons, he was very much against any attempt at negotiation. {{storylink|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}} However, Hot Rod decided that they needed all the help they could get in getting off Earth, and let the Decepticons join them. Red Alert grumbled about this alongside [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}} Red Alert was working on their rocket when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] turned up to investigate [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s death. {{Storylink|Seasons in Flight}}

While Red Alert's suspicions were proven correct when Swindle betrayed the Autobots, they managed to defeat him and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] thanks to the return of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Red Alert was hoping that he would retake his place as leader of the Autobots, but Prime told him that they couldn't return to how things used to be, and that [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] was their leader now. {{storylink|Earthworks}} Later, he wasn't one of the Autobots picked for the mission to stop the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] in [[North Korea]], and ended up relaxing in a [[Skywatch]] hangar with [[Bluestreak (G1)|Silverstreak]] and a glass of energy instead. {{storylink|International Incident Part 3: "Hawk Among the Sparrows"}}

When the Decepticons showed up and devastated the Skywatch base a day or two later, Red Alert apparently went off and rejoined the North Korea team, who had recently returned to the United States. The Autobots rolled out to confront Megatron near [[Albuquerque]], but Optimus Prime ordered them to stay back while he went ahead alone to confirm what was going on. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome}}

Red Alert was one of the many Autobots who boarded [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] to return to Cybertron and vanquish [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]'s [[Bob (IDW)|pet]] made him uneasy. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
[[Image:Henkei_henkei_vol12_red_alert.jpg‎|left|200px|thumb|The 12-step assertiveness training really paid off.]]
Red Alert and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] eavesdropped on [[Octane]]'s plan to impress [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. When they revealed themselves, Octane fled, but the duo chased him across the desert. Red Alert was temporarily blinded when Smokescreen forgot that Octane could fly and had attempted to stop the [[Triple Changer]] with his trademark cloud of magnetized smoke. Thinking himself free of pursuit, Octane began to implement his plan and indulged in a bit of daydreaming. However, he was interrupted when Red Alert and Smokescreen again appeared, revealing that they were able to follow him using Red Alert's enhanced sensors. This caused Cyclonus to conclude that the Decepticon forces did not require Octane's talents, and he left to report Octane's incompetence to Megatron. Red Alert cracked his knuckles while leering at the abandoned Octane, implying that when they were finished with him, Octane would no longer be in mint condition. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 12}}
{{-}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[Image:BattleLines6-UltraMagnus.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
Nine million years ago, Red Alert was present at the first "meeting" of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Five million years later, following the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s disappearance, he and several other Autobots entered [[stasis hibernation pod]]s to await the energy rejuvenation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
{{anchor|G1toy}}[[Image:G1RedAlert toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I have die-cast metal? This must be a Decepticon plot!]]
* '''Red Alert''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 2001/2002/2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''05'''
**''Accessories:'' "High-Energy Particle Beam Rifle", Shoulder-Mounted Rocket Launcher, 3 rockets

: Transforming into a [[Wikipedia:Lamborghini Countach|Lamborghini Countach]] [[Wikipedia:Fire chief's vehicle|fire chief's car]], Red Alert's toy is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Diaclone]]'' "New Countach LP500S Police Car", which was a [[retool]] that added roof lights to the original Diaclone "New Countach LP500S", which was the mold used to make [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]. Red Alert's [[alternate mode]] is a perfect disguise, since many Fire Departments have Lamborghinis as auxiliary vehicles.

: Red Alert saw the first of many reissues in early 2001. As part of [[Takara]]'s "[[Collector's Edition]]" series of reissues that saw several pairs of "mold-mates" released together in limited numbers, Alert and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Lambor]] were available as "Set A" at [http://www.wcc-jp.com/ World Character Convention] 12<ref name="moc">[http://megatronofcybertron.homestead.com/japanesereissues.html Japanese Reissues & eHobby exclusives]</ref> For 2002, Alert was again released with Lambor, this time as "New Year Special" editions available through Takara's [[e-Hobby]] online shop. [[Hasbro]] reissued Red by himself as part of [[Commemorative Series]] IV, available at US Toys "R" Us stores in 2003.

: Red Alert's mold was also used to make [[Clamp Down]], who was an homage to the mold's original police deco. Sans roof lights, the Lamborghini mold was also used for [[Deep Cover]], [[Tigertrack]], and ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' Sideswipe.

::''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/RedAlert/redalert.htm More information on Red Alert on TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Smallest Transforming Transformers===
[[Image:STFAlert toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Someone shrunk me in my sleep! The Autobots have turned against me!]]
* '''Alert''' (2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GTF 10'''

: Once again a retool of a Sideswipe, ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' Alert was part of the second wave of the line. Like all of ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'', Alert was a tiny, simplified version of his original appearance, with limited articulation and non-rolling wheels.

::''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/SmallestRedAlert/redalert.htm More information on Smallest Transforming Alert on TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Binaltech Asterisk===
[[Image:BTAAlert toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Now I'm suddenly a police car? This must be the work of a conspiracy!]]
* '''Alert Meets Ai''' (Autobot, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BTA-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Intercooler/blaster

: The first release in the ''Asterisk'' sub-line of ''[[Binaltech]]'', Alert is a [[retool]] of the ''Binaltech'' [[Bluestreak (G1)|Streak]] mold as a Subaru WRX STi [[wikipedia:Police system of Japan|Japanese Police]] vehicle, a scheme that many fans expected for a ''Binaltech''/''[[Alternators]]'' [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]] (see [[#Notes|Notes]] below). Although not a Fire Department vehicle this time, the toy's robot mode did feature many red highlights, including a red head, but as the headsculpt was unchanged, he still looked like Streak. BTA Alert was packaged with the PVC human figurine [[Ai Kuruma]], a policewoman based on ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[T-AI]].

: Alert's release had problems with parts-fitting in vehicle mode, possibly a sign that the Subaru WRX tooling was showing its age. The later release of this mold as [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] in the ''Alternators'' line, though, does not have these problems.

::''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/Alert/alert.htm More information on Binaltech Asterisk Alert Meets Ai on TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:Universelegendsredalert.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Do I look a little like Hot Shot to you? Oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god]]
*'''Red Alert''' (Legends, 2008)
**''Series'': '''Classic Series'''

:''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Red Alert is a redeco of ''[[Legends Class|Legends of Cybertron]]'' [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], transforming into a modified Chrysler ME Four Twelve concept car in fire chief colours. In either mode he has flip-out "wings".

:This mold is also shared by the red ''Legends of Cybertron'' Hot Shot and ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]].

::''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/LegendsRedAlert/redalert.htm More information on Universe (2008) Red Alert on TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkei RedAlert.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I'm a Japanese exclusive? This is a plot for revenge, I swear!]]
*'''Alert''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-20'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun/tailpipe

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Alert is a retool of ''Universe'' [[Sideswipe (G1)#Universe (2008)|Sideswipe]], itself a retool of ''Universe'' [[Sunstreaker (G1)#Universe (2008)|Sunstreaker]], transforming into a modified [[wikipedia:Lamborghini_Gallardo|Lamborghini Gallardo]]. Though the car is mostly based upon the Gallardo, to avoid legal problems, it also features modified headlights and elements taken from other cars—most of them are taken from other Lamborghini models, such as a rear end that is basically a cross between a [[wikipedia:Lamborghini Murciélago|Murciélago]] and a [[wikipedia:Lamborghini_Diablo|Diablo]]; however, the split side windows and the ridges on the door vents are based on a [[wikipedia:McLaren F1|McLaren F1]].

: Alert's vehicle mode features the same Japanese-style lightbar as ''Henkei! Henkei!'' [[Ratchet (G1)#Henkei! Henkei!|Ratchet]], attached to the additional indents on the roof that were ''not'' used to attach Sunstreaker and Sideswipe's supercharger intake accessories in either mode. Like all ''Henkei! Henkei!'' toys, he features [[vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] plastic, including his shoulder rocket launcher and his spoiler. Like ''Henkei! Henkei!'' Lambor, he doesn't come with the supercharger accessory (which ''Universe'' Sideswipe still had).
{{-}}

===Generations===
[[Image:Generationstoy_G1RedAlert.jpg|thumb|300px|My head looks like Sideswipe's? I have been betrayed!]]
*'''Red Alert''' (Deluxe, 2010)
**''Accessories:'' Pulse pistol/tailpipe, engine supercharger intakes

:''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' Red Alert is a retool of Universe Sideswipe. To differentiate him from the ''Henkei! Henkei!'' Alert release of this character, he features a significantly different deco (including a black head like the ''Generation 1'' toy, as opposed to the ''Henkei'' version's [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] red head), the American-style lightbar previously used for ''Universe'' [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)#Universe (2008)|Ratchet]], and, as with all [[Hasbro]] releases of this sculpt, the engine supercharger intakes accessory that originally came with Sunstreaker.

: Unlike ''Henkei! Henkei!'' Alert, whose lightbar is attached to the additional indents on the roof ''not'' used for attaching Sunstreaker or Sideswipe's supercharger intake accessory in either mode, ''Generations'' Red Alert's lightbar is instead attached to the indents used to attach the supercharger to Sideswipe's roof/back in robot mode (possibly so Red Alert could still have his supercharger in vehicle mode), with the roof retooled so the lightbar is fixed with screws, thereby rendering the additional indents entirely pointless as far as Hasbro's uses of the sculpt are concerned. Because this makes attaching the supercharger to the back in robot mode impossible, the [[instructions]] show how to attach the supercharger to the gun to create a larger gun by wrapping the intakes around it, which neither Sunstreaker nor Sideswipe's instructions had shown. And while his instructions finally depict the correct transformation with the upper body rotation and the correct head sculpt (the lineart for ''Universe'' Sideswipe's instructions was simply recycled from Sunstreaker's), they do ''not'' depict the lightbar.

:His [[license plate]] features the number "05" (''Generation 1'' Red Alert's [[Japanese ID number list|Japanese ID number]]) and the character's Japanese name, "Alert".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Autobot/RedAlert/redalert.htm More information on Red Alert at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Decoy===
*'''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)
{{charstubtoys}}

*'''Red Alert''' (1987)
**''Decoy number:'' '''16'''

: 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/RedAlert/redalert.htm More information on Decoy Red Alert at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
* Voice actor Michael Chain has stated that he based his characterization of Red Alert on former [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[wikipedia:Richard_Nixon|Richard Nixon]], a man so incredibly paranoid that he kept secret audio recordings of ''himself''.

* Red Alert appeared in one of five original Generation 1 [[public service announcements]]. After nearly mowing down a pair of kids on bikes, Red Alert scolded them and told them to never ride at night without reflectors. However, Red Alert was shown driving at night without his headlights on, so that probably didn't help.

*Curiously, though his altmode is a Lamborghini, and his Tech Specs even state that he's "fast in vehicular mode", he has a "Speed" rating of...3, which makes him as fast as some Dinobots. Ouch.

* Although the first year of the Transformers line in Japan consisted of both 1984 ''and'' 1985 toys, Red Alert just managed to pip most of the U.S. 1985 range to the post by being released in tandem with [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] as one of the initial releases. Early [[TV Magazine]] art ostensibly featuring the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Season One]] cast even specifically includes Red Alert among the 1984 Autobots.<ref>http://tfarchive.com/comics/japanese/superrobotlife.php?dgallery_show=superrobotlife/SRLcastpage2.jpg</ref>

* Red Alert's [[character model]] is, for the most part, more toy accurate than Sideswipe's, as the '85 characters tended to be. The big change is that instead of a windshield on his back (like Sideswipe), Red Alert has the top of his trunk (including spoiler!).

* According to a [[story page]] in the October 1985 issue of ''[[TV Magazine]]'', Red Alert and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] are brothers, with Sideswipe being slightly older than Red Alert. This connection may have been invented because, aside from Sideswipe and Red Alert sharing the same mold, Sunstreaker was not sold in the Japanese market outside of a special "versus" set with [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]. However, the familial dynamic between Sideswipe and Sunstreaker was '''not''' changed in the Japanese dub of the original ''Transformers'' cartoon, leading some Japanese fans to consider the three Lamborghini characters as triplets.

*[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] [[Siren]] was originally conceived as either an upgrade or homage to Red Alert.<ref>[[Transformers Generations Deluxe]], p108</ref> While the robot mode was largely blue unlike Red Alert, it featured a similar head to the early Autobot. The car mode, on the other hand, featured a near carbon copy of Red Alert's paint scheme. The Red Alert references were dropped early in the design process.

[[Image:Universe2003toy-InfernoDeluxe.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Psych! I'm actually Inferno!]]
* The color schemes for ''[[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] and Spy Changer [[Prowl (Spychanger)|Prowl]] are clearly based on Red Alert's ''Generation 1'' look. Inferno in particular caused a great deal of fan confusion when first released; here was a toy named Inferno, decorated like Red Alert, released alongside a toy named [[Ratchet (Universe)|Ratchet]], decorated like [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]. [[Hasbro]] design director [[Aaron Archer]] (in his online "Orson" persona) disclosed that this was the result of a mistake in the naming process.

* The Acura RSX ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]] toy was originally supposed to be Red Alert, with a different head sculpt. Eventually, however, it was decided to release the toy as Prowl instead, even though the Subaru Impreza model had more resemblance to Prowl and the Acura RSX model had more resemblance to Red Alert. Control drawings of the figure with the originally intended Red Alert head sculpt can be found in the Japanese ''[[Transformers Collection 2007]]'' book, among other places. [http://www.reprolabels.com Reprolabels] later made sticker sheets that, together with a head swap (which can be done with ease) allow you to convert the Subaru into Prowl and the Acura into Red Alert, making them resemble their original forms much more closely. At one point, Hasbro's website briefly listed a second Prowl (because he shipped in two different assortments, the two versions counted as two different products distribution-wise) as "Red Alert". Coupled with the lack of photos, this led fans to (incorrently) assume an upcoming redeco. The listing was soon corrected to "Prowl", coupled with appropriate [[stock photography|product photos]].

* Make a joke and he will sigh and you will laugh and he will cry.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Alert''' (アラート ''Arāto'')
*''French:'' '''Feu D'alerte''' (Canada, "Flare")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Riadó''' ("Alert")
*''Italian:'' '''Giaguaro''', '''Alert'''
*''Russian:'' '''Panikjor''' (Паникёр, "Alarmist")
*''Portuguese'' ''Alerta Vermelho'' (''Red Alert'')

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Red_Alert Red Alert's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Binaltech Asterisk characters]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:MyClone]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]